Sorry I missed last week. From now on, I'm going to release a chapter every other week. So, today's 3/21, then I'll release on 4/4, then 4/18, and so on. I'm terribly sorry about that, and about how sketchy things have been the past few weeks, and for apologizing so much. I just know that if I'm always writing under stress, I won't write anything worth stressing over.
If I ever have a big enough backlog, I'll start releasing weekly again.
But I have a chapter now! Read on.
Chapter Forty-Six
The Pharos at Ridorana
Year 706 of the Old Valendian Calendar
"How much longer is this gonna take?" Vaan moaned. Balthier glared at him.
"If you think you can do better, be my guest."
Vaan just mumbled, and Balthier turned back to the door; the ancient gate blocked any farther progress up the Pharos Lighthouse. Though he'd been inwardly annoyed by the overabundance of self-opening doors in the past few days, now Balthier longed for Ashe to simply wave her sword and this stubborn obstruction to rise out of their way. The locking mechanism was similar to those used in many ancient ruins, though this one seemed deliberately designed as a puzzle. As he shifted the ancient stone pieces, Balthier wondered how Raithwall managed to get through this. Though with the warp technology at Raithwall's tomb, perhaps such devices were more common in his day…
But I was raised in the most advance technological institute on Ivalice, Balthier reminded himself. This device is no match for me.
At last, the click came. Balthier's scowl morphed into a satisfied smile.
"There we go."
Fran and Penelo looked up from whatever they'd been talking about. Ashe stood from kneeling on the stone floor.
"Shouldn't it be open?" Vaan asked.
"Well, it's unlocked," Balthier replied, "but whatever mechanism raised it is long since out of commission. I think we'll have lift it."
Balthier, Vaan, Basch, and Reddas all worked together to lift the gate. The stone's weight strained at Balthier's muscles, but thankfully it stayed in place once they'd forced it up. Balthier flapped a hand to clear the stone dust as he stepped through.
Beyond was yet another dimly lit room of bluish stone. Several passageways wound off from the far wall. The column of water couldn't be seen, but its rushing din permeated the walls.
Ashe walked though, coughing from the dust left by the ancient door.
"Oh. Where do we go now?" she asked, looking over the multiple passageways.
"Mm." Balthier frowned. Not a single one of the passages led up, at least not as far as Balthier could see.
"We'll have to scout down them one by one," Basch said.
Vaan sighed. "That'll take forever."
"Not if we split up," Balthier said. "I think-"
He broke off as a crash of stone-against-stone echoed from ahead. Balthier frowned.
"What's that?" Penelo said, as more banging came. It sounded louder. Closer. A sudden rumbling shook the floor beneath Balthier's feet.
"Everyone-" Reddas began, but a wall of stone rose from floor, blocking him and Fran from view. Another wall raised on Balthier's right, cutting him off from Vaan, Penelo and Basch. Balthier spun and made to grab Ashe's wrist and pull her to him, but yet another wall snapped upward, nearly taking off his hand and cutting off his view of the princess.
All was still again. The old stone groaned as it settled into place, protesting at moving again after hundreds of years. Balthier found the new room formed around him empty. A single doorway lay at the far end.
"Hello? Vaan?" Penelo's terrified voice came muffled through the stone.
"Penelo? Where are you?" Vaan's voice replied.
"Highness? Can you hear me?" Basch called.
"Basch? Yes, I can," Ashe's voice drifted back.
"Is everyone alright?" Reddas called. A chorus of affirmatives answered him: "Yes," from Fran and Basch, "yep," from Vaan, "uh-hu," from Penelo, and an "I think so," from Ashe. Balthier added his own "yes."
"This must be one of the 'tests' Raithwall spoke of," Basch said. Balthier heaved a sigh.
"Well, I suppose there's nothing for it but to keep going," he said, raising his voice to be heard through the walls. "If this is just some test, we can assume all these paths lead to the top at some point."
"What? We're supposed to go alone?" Penelo said. "There are monsters in here."
"Don't worry, Penelo," Vaan said. "You'll be fine."
"I'm not worried about myself," Penelo replied, indignant.
Vaan sighed. "Well, race you to the top!" Footsteps echoed from beyond the walls.
"Good luck, everyone," Ashe called. "Be careful."
"We will be," Balthier replied, turning half to the wall at his left where he knew Ashe stood. Frustration welled up inside him that he hadn't been fast enough to grab her. Footfalls signaled the departure of his friends. With a sigh, Balthier marched towards the single doorway that bid him climb farther up the Pharos Lighthouse.
Balthier's pathway led out to a staircase that wound around the outside of the central column, the massive, empty cylinder at the tower's center where the spiral of water rose. The ornate stone stairways stretched between ornate stone platforms, many with doorways leading back into the tower's outer mazes. Balthier stuck to the stairways, spiraling endlessly upward.
Balthier marched up another flight of stairs. The din of roaring water filled his ears, and he could feel the spray on his face. He frowned up at the massive spiral of rushing water, wondering for the hundredth time how it flowed upward, and where it was going.
As he crested the top of the stairs, Balthier stopped.
"Oh, no," he sighed. The platform was a dead end; no more stairs led off of it. Balthier walked over the far end. Another platform rested along the inner wall, distanced above and to the side. There were gaps in the railings on both platforms, like another stairway should connect them, only there was none. Balthier frowned up at it with his hands on his hips, contemplating his next move.
"Ffamran… Is that you?"
A familiar voice from behind sent ice through Balthier's veins. He turned slowly, until he could see the owner of that voice. There she stood, on the cold blue stone, grey Draklor uniform tidy, brown hair pushed back over her shoulders, tears glossing her emerald eyes. Balthier blinked, trying to comprehend what he was seeing.
"…Reina?" Balthier's heart pounded against his chest, and an inexplicable chill gripped his limbs.
"It is you, isn't it?" Reina's soft, familiar voice washed over Balthier's senses. The tears in her eyes leaked out, forging shining trails down her cheeks.
"What?" Balthier couldn't believe what he was seeing. He stared into her familiar eyes, that ache of guilt awakening with vengeance. "How-?"
"Don't go, Ffamran," Reina said. She stepped closer to him. "You know you can't face your father. You can't fight Venat, any more than you can control your powers." Reina rested her hands on his shoulders. "Please don't try; you'll only get yourself killed. You know that, don't you?"
"I…"
Reina's touch was oddly cold. Her face flickered, and for a second Balthier could see the Pharos's stone walls through her. Balthier started to step back from her, but-
"No, please don't go." Reina's sweet voice and pleading, innocent eyes halted Balthier's retreat. She looked just as he remembered her; the same Reina he couldn't save. "Please, Ffamran," Reina said, her eyes locked into his, "don't go up the tower. I don't want you to get hurt. You can't win your father back, and you certainly can't fight Venat." She slid her hands farther around his neck.
"Just what is it you want me to do?" Balthier said. "Walk back to the bottom and leave?"
"Yes. Find some other way. Some way you can win," Reina replied. "Oh, please, Ffamran. We both know you saving Ivalice is just an illusion."
Illusions.
Raithwall's warning.
Balthier studied Reina's face again; her eyes were so familiar, but something was empty and deeply disturbing about the image. Perhaps it was the fact that Reina was dead and, however much he wanted it, couldn't possibly be halfway up the Pharos Lighthouse.
"No, you're… This is just some twisted test those blasted Occuria left here." Balthier stepped backward, pulling himself, with difficulty, away from the ghost's cold hands.
"Ffamran! No!" Bright tears welled into Reina's bright eyes once more. "I'm here because I don't want you to get hurt. Ffamran-"
"Don't call me that!" Balthier snapped, his breathing coming quicker. He couldn't take her sweet, familiar voice a moment longer. "That hasn't been my name since… since you died. You're not Reina. Reina wouldn't try and stop me. Now I'm sorry-" he turned away, tearing his gaze from her face "-but I have friends to find."
"Fine, then," Reina said, voice flickering with indignant tears. "Go back to your princess!"
Balthier stiffened. He looked back at Reina. "I'm helping Princess Ashe," he said between deep breaths, "because our goals are the same; to save Ivalice and everyone on it from Venat and his twisted schemes. That's all."
"Really? You've told her things you never told Reina." The illusion chuckled, cruel tones mocking Reina's sweet voice. "She would've been terrified of you, you know. I wonder if Ashe is, deep down."
"Why won't you just be quiet?" Balthier said through clenched teeth, eyes shut against Reina's face.
"You really think you can save your father?" Reina narrowed her eyes at him. "That you can stop Venat?"
Balthier sucked in a deep breath to steady himself, willing his lungs to stop shuddering.
"You know? I have no idea," Balthier staring into the illusion's familiar green eyes. "Maybe not. But I'm sure going to try."
"Very well, then." The illusion's voice rumbled low, now. The figure flickered, warping from Reina to some shadowy figure, just on the verge of a recognizable form. Eyes, black yet with a piercing light, sent a wild gaze boring into Balthier's.
"Climb onward, child of ancient wrath," the figure hissed, pointing a shadow finger tipped with a black claw. "Your birthright awaits at tower's top; fear not to claim it."
"What?" Balthier frowned. "What did you-" He broke off as the image began to fade, black wisps melting form its edge. "Wait-!" Balthier reached a hand towards it, but the shadowy image vanished completely before he could even finish the word. Balthier closed his mouth, staring at the empty place, confusion whirling in his mind.
"Balthier!"
A faint, muffled voice, reached Balthier's ears, barely audible. He looked around but saw nothing; only the torrent of water beyond the railing at the right, and the ever-rising wall of the Pharos at the left.
"Balthier!"
The voice grew louder, and Balthier recognized it this time. The sensation of hands shaking his shoulders suddenly reached him. The fuzzy image of a man's face in front of him faded into reality. Balthier jerked back in surprise.
"Reddas?"
"Balthier." Reddas released him. "You can hear me now?"
"I- Yes," Balthier said, forcing his mind back to the present. If Reddas was here, that meant the pathways did intersect before they reached the Sun-cryst.
"You found any of the others?" Balthier asked, looking to see if Reddas had any companions.
"No," Reddas said, shaking his head. "You're the first. Though we can assume they're all encountering the visions."
"Then you've been seeing things, too?" Balthier asked.
"Mm." A shadow passed over Reddas's face. "It's a cruel trick. I suppose the Occuria know nothing stings like the past." Reddas shook his head. "You don't want to talk about it, and neither do I. Let's find the others."
"Agreed," Balthier said. The last thing he wanted to dwell on was that painful image of Reina, or ominous farewell from that illusion. Balthier planted his hands on his hips. "However, I think we're going to have to go down before we keep going up."
Reddas furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"
"I mean there are no more stairs," Balthier said. He walked past Reddas. "See- Oh."
On the platform's edge, a stairway stretched up to the next one, in the place where there had been only open air a few minutes ago.
"Never mind," Balthier said. "Come on; and let's hope no more illusions toy with our senses."
…
The cold of the Pharos's stone floor seeped through Ashe's dress and leggings as she sat, legs gathered to her chest. She'd wandered through dim, maze-like tunnels for what felt like hours, though she knew it wasn't that long, and finally emerged onto a stone platform. The stairs spiraled around the upward rush of water, bridging between platforms, going up for as far as Ashe could see. Exhausted, Ashe took that moment to rest.
Ashe closed her eyes for a moment; she rested her head on her arms and listened to the monotonous swooshing of water. She wished Balthier had been able to grab her hand; she knew he'd tried, and she didn't blame him, but Ashe hated wandering through the great lighthouse all alone.
"Highness."
Ashe jerked her head off her arms, awake in an instant. She scanned the platform, the stairs leading up and down, and the doorway leading back into the outer mazes: no one. Ashe wondered if she'd imaged the voice in her half-asleep state. But it sounded familiar…
Ashe stood, still wary. Something felt very wrong all of a sudden. The hairs on her arms pricked, and a coil of unease tightened her stomach. She rested a hand on the Treaty-blade out of habit; the bare metal of its hilt set warmth tingling through her fingers.
Ashe walked farther out onto the platform, drinking in the cool air scented of wet stone. She breathed slowly as the atmosphere of clinging uneasiness grew. Ashe wished more than ever that Balthier was there. Or her father. Or Vossler…
"Over here, Highness."
The voice came from behind. Ashe froze rigid, heart pounding, terrified to turn around.
"Princess Ashe? I'm over here."
Ashe recognized the voice this time; she looked over her shoulder. Even though some part of her screamed that this was all wrong, her tension eased at the sight.
"Vossler?"
A smile flicked over Vossler's lips, the kind Ashe had rarely seen but gladly noted every time she had.
"I'm so pleased you've finally come, Ashe," he said.
"Vossler, but how…?" Ashe turned to face Vossler fully. Vossler's… dead. The memory alone of that terrible moment sent a twinge through her stomach and stung her eyes with tears. "Vossler, what are you doing here?"
"I knew one day you'd be worthy to receive your own nethicite from the Occuria," Vossler continued, totally dismissive of Ashe's distress. Dalmasca will surely benefit from fresh stones."
Ashe frowning. "I… No! We're going to destroy the nethicite, not take more."
Vossler's face darkened.
"What?" Vossler's brow lowered in a frown. "Destroy it? You're going to destroy the nethicite? How do you expect to rule Dalmasca without it?"
"I… What do you mean?" Ashe stepped backward, her breath coming faster. She knew something was wrong with her, wrong with all of this. Vossler couldn't be… real. Yet his words struck on the real fear in her heart.
"Dalmasca's rulers have always had the Dusk Shard at their disposal," Vossler replied, empty eyes locked into Ashe's. "Your father had it, all his ancestors had it; Raithwall himself was nothing without nethicite's power. You could never be half the leader your father was; you're weak, princess, and you know it. How are you going to handle an entire kingdom without nethicite's power to rely on?"
"I…" Ashe stumbled for words. "But we have to destroy it! The nethicite's dangerous!"
"You're going to deny your people the strength they need because of danger?" Vossler shook his head and sighed. "I never thought of you as a coward, Ashe."
"What? No, that's… that's not it." Ashe shook her head. "It's not! Vossler…" Ashe's voice broke. Was it? No, the nethicite's brought nothing but trouble.
"You could you the stones well, couldn't you?" Vossler said. "For Dalmasca. For your father's kingdom."
"But, I…" Ashe swallowed hard. "I have to destroy it. There isn't any other way." Ashe looked away, closing her eyes on the image she knew had to be false. There isn't. Not any other way…
"If that is your wish…" Vossler's voice grew lower, the illusion of his image wavering. "Then let's see how you fare without Dynast King's power."
Ashe opened her eyes. "What-?"
A shadow fell over Ashe from behind as Vossler's form vanished. Ashe whirled around; she screamed at what she saw.
Balthier froze halfway up the stairway as a scream rent the air.
"Reddas," Balthier stopped his companion. "Did you hear that?" He had to be certain this wasn't another illusion.
Reddas nodded. That was enough proof for Balthier. He sprinted up the stairs, over the next platform, and up the next flight of stairs. He scraped to a halt, shoes scrapping the stone at the top of the last staircase.
A reptilian creature the size of a grizzly bear loomed over Princess Ashe, its shiny, olive black eyes wide and unblinking. Its long, thin back claws gripped the railing as the creature heaved its bulk over the platform's edge. Ashe staggered backward, wrenching the Treaty-blade from its sheath and gripping its hilt in both hands. Its ornate bulk teetered in her grip.
"Ashe! Over here!" Balthier shouted. He yanked out his rifle as Reddas appeared beside him.
Ashe glanced his direction for just a moment, stormy blue eyes bright, platinum hair swooshing around her face. She turned to run to him, but the massive lizard stepped in front of her, blocking Balthier's view of the princess. Its lips parted in a snarl, tendrils of saliva stretching between them. White, triangular teeth lined its jaws. The tip of its tail flicked back and forth, muscles rippling as it watched its prey.
Balthier raised his rifle, squinted, and fired three shots at the creature's neck. The bullets glanced off its fine coating of slick, greyish scales. Balthier clenched his teeth. Blast.
"Reddas!" he said. "You see if you can't hurt that thing; I'm going after Ashe."
Reddas nodded, grip tightening around his swords' hilts. The lizard's tail swished faster, and its shoulder muscles bunched. Balthier sprinted towards the beast.
The creature lunged forward, its jaws snapping shut. Ashe dove into sight, shoulder-rolling away from the lizard's strike. She stumbled back to her feet, heaving up the Treaty-blade. Balthier made it to her side as the lizard spun to face them, hissing in fury.
"Ashe! You alright?" Balthier asked.
Ashe just nodded, breathing hard. She raised her sword, eyes locked on the incoming threat. Balthier readied his rifle; perhaps from closer it would do some good.
Reddas flew at the creature, swinging both his swords across its left foreleg; the blades left two gashes dripping dark red. The beast let out a grating screech, then with a mighty swipe of its claw, sent Reddas flying away and out of sight.
Infuriated, the lizard lunged again, its jaws snapping towards Balthier and Ashe. Balthier sprang sideways, and Ashe jumped back, just inches from its snout. Balthier whipped up his rifle, aimed for the lizard's eye, and squeezed the trigger. The gunshot cracked, and the creature let out another bellowing screech. Balthier ducked its swinging head, but it struck Ashe in its mindless rage. She stumbled backward, and the Treaty-blade clattered across the floor.
The lizard stilled, growling wetly as it fixed it one remaining eye on the downed princess. Ashe staggered to her feet; her eyes fell on her empty hands and widened. Balthier's heart raced as the creature reared back and lunged. No, you don't!
Balthier dived for the princess, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her out of the way; the creature's lizard's jaws clanged shut on empty air. The Treaty-blade lay on the stone a few yards away, on the other side of the lizard. No getting to that now. Oh, where is Reddas?
Balthier grabbed Ashe's shoulders and spun her towards the stairway leading down. "Hurry! Run!"
Ashe looked over her shoulder, eyes widening. "Balthier! Behind you!"
Balthier barely turned when razor teeth closed around his upper left arm. He let out a cry of pain as the lizard wrenched backward, teeth digging into his arm. The beast swung him to the ground and pinned him there with one great claw, teeth pressing harder into his arm. From the corner of his pain-hazed vision, Balthier saw Reddas heaving himself over the platform's edge, a sword gripped in each hand.
"You'll pay for that, you monster!" Reddas shouted. He sprinted and leapt at the beast. The force of his jump propelling him on, Reddas thrust his two blades into its scaley side. The creature released Balthier's arm and bellowed, then staggered sideways and collapsed in a heap. It lay still.
Balthier heaved himself into a sitting position, immediately regretting the movement; pain shot through his wounded arm. He clutched it, and that only brought more pain. Warm blood trickled over his fingers.
"Balthier!" Ashe knelt beside him. "Are you alright?"
"Ah…" Balthier winced; his breath still came raggedy. He studied his mangled arm. "I'll live, I suspect." He turned back to Ashe. "You alright, princess?"
"I'm fine," Ashe replied. "But… oh, your arm!"
"It looks bad," Reddas said. He frowned over from where he wiped his blades on the dead beast's scaley hide. "I suppose it'd be too much to hope either of you carry bandages?"
Balthier chuckled, ending with a wince. "No. With two capable healers around, there's never been much need." He sighed. "I'll remember to thank Fran for her services next time she's around."
"Do you think the hem of my dress would work? For a bandage?" Ashe asked. White with red designs around the edge, the dress reached to her thighs, metal-laced leggings underneath.
"Probably," Balthier replied.
Ashe proceeded to tear off the bottom two inches of her dress. Holding the strip of rough-edged fabric, she stood and crossed to Balthier's other side, kneeling by his wounded arm. Balthier peeled his hand from his bloody arm to give Ashe access.
Ashe gingerly took his arm, passing the cloth around it and pulling tight. The contact hurt, and the cloth clung to his bloody skin, but the pressure helped. Balthier breathed slowly and tried not to wince. Reddas stood over them, arms folded, both blades back in their sheaths. Ashe fumbled briefly with the fabric before tying it off.
"There." Ashe let go of the bandage but still held Balthier's arm, her blue eyes fixed on his face. "Is that alright?"
"It'll do." Balthier stood, trying not to grimace as he moved his arm. "Thank you, princess."
Ashe nodded, standing also.
"You're both fit to travel, then?" Reddas asked.
"Mm." Balthier nodded. Ashe looked at the ground, one hand over her wrist. Balthier frowned. "Ashe? What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing." Ashe shook her head, looking up with a smile. "I'm fine. Let's just look for the others."
Balthier didn't believe her.
…
Balthier breathed the scent of burning wood, letting the heat of flames touch his face from a few feet away. The path had led them back into the winding outer passages, and a small campfire drove back the thick shadows all around. Ashe knelt next to it, warming her hands; the farther up they climbed, the colder it got. Balthier sat farther back from the fire, but in the range of its warmth. Reddas had left briefly to check the surrounding area before the three of them settled in for the night.
Ashe turned her face towards Balthier. The firelight threw crisp shadows across her face, outlining her features. "How's your arm doing?" she asked.
"Well, it's still attached," Balthier replied. The bandage was crusted with stains of red, but if he kept it still, the pain was minimal.
Ashe looked back into the fire.
"Balthier. Reddas said…" She paused to lick her lips and swallow. "He said you and him both saw… things. Illusions." She turned back to him. "That's right?"
Illusions. Balthier couldn't meet her gaze. "That's right."
"What did you…?"
Balthier's stomach turned at the thought of answering that question to her. It must've showed, because Ashe broke off, looking quickly back to the fire. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have."
"No," Balthier shook his head. "It's alright. It was just…" Balthier closed his eyes and sighed, Reina's face flashing in his mind. "Someone who's been dead for a long time."
Ashe looked at him a moment, then looked away. Her gaze drifted above flames, off into the distance.
"I saw…" Her gaze dropped, voice a whisper. "Vossler. Balthier, do you think-" She spun fully to face him, turning her body away from the fire. "Do you think we're doing the right thing? Should we really destroy the Sun-cryst?"
Balthier frowned. "What makes you say a thing like that? Do you think things are ever going to get better if those stones are lying around for the next power-hungry maniac?"
"I… I guess not." Ashe looked at the ground. "Still… Vossler said…"
Balthier's frowned deepened. "What did it say?"
"It… Oh…" Ashe shook her head. "It… doesn't matter."
Balthier sighed. "Ashe."
"All of Dalmasca's rulers, from Raithwall to my father," Ashe said, "they've all had the Dusk Shard to rely on. That's what he said. I… I don't know if I could rule with nethicite." She turned her gaze to him, eyes glistening. "How am I supposed to fight for Dalmasca without it?"
"Highness." Balthier turned his head at Reddas's voice. He stood just within the fire's light, against the wall, arms folded. How long has he been listening? Balthier wondered. Reddas unfolded his arms and stepped away from the wall.
"Do you know what happened at Nabudis, Princess Ashe?" he asked, gaze solemn.
"Hm?" Ashe looked up at Reddas. "Not… exactly."
"It certainly wasn't pretty," Balthier muttered under his breath. He'd known so little then, of nethicite, Venat, or his father's plans.
Reddas sat by the fire, his face lit by the flames in somber recollection. "The whole city was destroyed. That, I'm certain you know. It was wiped clean from the face of Ivalice. By nethicite." Reddas's jaw grew tighter as he spoke.
"Balthier said that, before," Ashe said, glancing at Balthier. Reddas looked up from the fire.
"He should know," Reddas said, making eye contact with Balthier. "He was there."
Balthier stiffened. Oh, thanks, Reddas.
Reddas heaved a sigh, looking back into the fire. "I was there, too."
"W-What?" Ashe glanced between the two of them. Balthier sighed.
"That was Dr. Cid's first major experiment with nethicite," Balthier said. "Yes, we were both there."
"Then… then you're…?" Ashe looked at Reddas.
"I was an Archadian Judge," Reddas said. He looked Ashe in the eye. "And I know, firsthand, that nethicite cannot be controlled." Reddas turned back to the fire, its reflection dancing in his eyes. "I discarded my vows, fled my country, abandoned my duty in the hopes of atoning for that day. Because I could not see the danger, thousands died, and our world was plunged into war. Princess Ashe, don't make that same mistake."
Balthier listened, astonished. He'd always thought of Nabudis's destruction as his fault, like the war, like Reina dying, like his father's madness. Of course, it was; he should have been able to talk his father out of it, or done something, at least. He knew Reddas blamed himself to some extent, but not that much.
After a moment, Ashe simply nodded, studying her hands folded in her lap. Reddas smiled, gently, sadly.
"Why don't you get some sleep?" he said, standing. Ashe raised her head and nodded. Reddas turned to Balthier. "Both of you. I'll keep watch."
Ashe obediently moved to her bedroll and laid down, but Balthier remained where he was. Reddas stood next to the wall, his back to the fire. After several moments staring at him, Balthier stood, careful not to jerk his injured arm, and walked over to Reddas.
"You realize it wasn't only your fault, right?" Balthier said.
"I was the leader of that mission," Reddas replied, not turning around. "I could have stopped it if I'd realized truly what was happening. But I was careless, and a thousand innocents paid the price."
"Still-"
"It doesn't matter who else was there," Reddas said. "I'm here because of Nabudis; I don't intend to let such destruction threaten our world again." Reddas looked over his shoulder. "Why don't you get some rest, lad? Mind that arm."
Balthier bit back a sharp response at being called 'lad.'
"My arm is fine," Balthier replied.
"Really?" Reddas raised an eyebrow. "You didn't seem to mind when Ashe asked."
Balthier sighed again. He turned to leave. "I'm going to sleep now."
"Balthier." Balthier stopped at Reddas's voice. "Don't you give up either, lad."
Balthier looked back over his shoulder, but Reddas's back was to him as if he hadn't even spoken. Balthier stared a few moments, then walked back over to the fire.
…
Gabranth stared at the headless corpse of the large lupine creature, his sword only half out of its sheath. Dr. Cid stood over the wolf's body, both swords drawn and bloodied. He'd whipped out both swords and taken off the attacking beast's head before Gabranth could even draw his. Gabranth slammed the sword back into its sheath; that he could be outdone by a grey-haired old man in spectacles and white lab gloves infuriated him.
"These creatures are fascinating," Dr. Cid said, studying the beast. "It's a shame we won't be able to bring any specimens back to Draklor." Dr. Cid plunged both swords back into their sheaths, not bothering to clean them. The doctor had explained numerous times how the blades were specially designed to channel the power afforded him by his manufactured nethicite. He'd proved that power many times against the savage beasts of the Pharos; his white gloves were growing less so all the time.
Dr. Cid turned to Gabranth with a chuckle. "You'll need to be quicker than that if you still plan to kill that brother of yours, Gabranth."
Gabranth tightened his fists but keep his mouth shut. Basch will see. Whatever this old man says.
"Actually, it's rather distasteful, that," Dr. Cid continued, turning to walk towards the next staircase. "Killing your brother, I mean. I suppose they didn't teach family ties in whatever uncivilized nation you come from."
Gabranth restrained himself from drawing his sword and decapitating the old man. "You're going to kill your son," he spat after Cid's retreating back. Dr. Cid halted abruptly.
"I am not going to kill him." Dr. Cid turned to face him, eyes aflame. "I am going to convince him to help us, of his own free will."
Gabranth raised an eyebrow, the rest of his face motionless. "You honestly think that'll work?"
"I know him better than you do," Cid replied. His face hardened, growing somber. "And he will help us, one way or another." Dr. Cid turned to leave again. "And, Gabranth, in case you get any ideas, you're not to kill Ffamran. I may need his companions removed, but he's not to be harmed." Dr. Cid stopped again, breathing out slowly. "We need him."