Fall into Ecstasy
Chapter 9: A Wary Reunion
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 12 or its characters, etc. There you have it.
I'd just like to announce a very momentous occasion in that the last chapter shattered my previous record for the fewest review count in any chapter of a story I've written to date. Needless to say, I have been somewhat demoralized since then and so I have not updated.
Ok, end of rant.
It felt like someone had thrown a bucket of ice water over me.
There were hundreds of them. Their eyes were glowing red lights that hovered within empty black sockets as they stood in formation. A hush had fallen as their unwavering gazes looked intently upon our arrival.
Marching footsteps approached from behind us. Our heads turned sharply at the sound, but it was already too late. Another contingent had crept in to block our retreat. Six tall and heavily armored figures bearing spiked halberds separated from the group and filed through the door to surround us.
A burning rage bubbled up within me. Wouldn't give chase long, would they?! I wanted to scream and hurl insults at whoever had deemed it necessary to give me useless advice.
I shuddered, unable to breathe for the terror that gripped me in its vise.
Then something strange happened below. A ripple of movement split the center of the front line of warriors and cut all the way through to the last row of soldiers. The air reverberated with the thunder of a hundred pairs of boots as the legion stepped apart, revealing a bare strip of glistening marble floor from the base of the stares to the gate at the far side.
Larsa was pale and drenched with sweat where he stood trembling to my left, "I think they expect us to open the gate." He said, astonished.
I swallowed hard, my hands clenching the staff so tight that my fingers hurt.
"...you must not let them in..." The voice had said. My heart skipped a beat and I frowned angrily. "–you must not let them in!"
This was madness. Whatever had convinced me that rescuing Vaan's sorry hide was worth throwing away the lives of those who had unwittingly followed? To think the Emperor, of all people, being struck down in some horrid depth of the earth because of my foolishness! Death was starting to show some appeal after all.
There was no conceivable way to get through that gate with a hundred skeletal warriors waiting to jump the gap as soon as it was open and not let one in. Besides which, I was convinced that the voice whispering commands into my ear was a devious creature out to achieve her own ends. It was clear our best interest wasn't in her heart, but something else.
Something sharped prodded me in the side and I gasped, twisting out of the way. The blade of a sword whistled past me as Basch stepped between me and my assailant, swiftly disarming the skeleton. A second and third warrior closed in instantaneously, one striking high, the other low. Basch deflected both blows with startling quickness, but a third attack got in behind those, planting the butt of a spear beneath the edge of his chest plate right where it hurts the most.
A flurry of movement exploded around me, but my attention was on only one.
I threw my arms around Basch's waist as he began to collapse with an agonizing groan and I was dragged down with him. He caught himself on his knees, his hands spread apart on the floor to brace his upper body. Air hissed through his teeth as he wheezed in pain, his eyes clenched shut. I knelt beside him helplessly and mentally cursed every God under the sun.
Clashing steal rang above our heads and a skeleton's mournful death cry pierced my head with pain. Kang and Larsa both had lunged forward to protect their fallen comrade and were furiously engaging the enemy, but for each foe that fell, two more seemed to take its place. Kang and Larsa were abruptly overwhelmed and subdued. One blow glanced off of Larsa's temple and I bolted to my feet, shouting as the Emperor staggered dazedly back and was roughly shoved to his knees by a second skeletal warrior.
"Stop!" I cried. Kang continued to stubbornly resist until the sound of my voice caused him to hesitate and afforded the enemy a window to kneel him.
A dozen spear points and sword blades pressed against our throats. Larsa and Kang were bleeding from shallow cuts, but the skeletal warriors had taken care not to injure them severely, if only for the moment. Basch had not moved, but I could see from the corner of my eyes that he was fully alert now, waiting.
My stomach was twisting in intricate knots, knowing what I would have to do if there were any chance for us at all. The cold dead eyes of two exceptionally tall and well-armored guards trapped me where I stood. One took his spear and nudged my staff where it lay on the ground, indicating for me to pick it up.
The others were silent as I crouched to the floor and slid one trembling hand around the wood shaft. Heat flowed from the staff into my hand and though my body. It stirred with newly awakened power as I straightened slowly, holding it out before me. The undead shied from the staff.
My breath hitched in my throat. The lives of everyone were now resting squarely on my shoulders. "I'll go." I said firmly. "W-wait here."
Larsa's head twitched in my direction, only to stop short as a trickle of blood sprang from where a blade had broken the skin. His eyes caught mine, concerned, but he didn't speak.
A blunt end slammed into my back suddenly, propelling me with a grunt of surprise towards the two guards. They dug their flesh-less fingers into my skin and I grimaced as they dragged me forcefully away from the others towards the stairs. The circle of defenders started to close in around the others when a feral snarl shattered their resolve.
Basch had surged to his feet, knocking aside the attacks that swept in to detain him, and hurtled straight through the line. I saw the reinforcements move from beyond to intercept him and shouted a warning as I twisted violently from my captors. I skidded to a halt at Basch's side, swinging the staff around in frantic furry and shouting at the approaching undead.
"I will accompany you." Basch grated evenly, his jaw set tight as his eyes blazed a challenge to any who would dare oppose him.
I shivered as I waited for a reaction from the undead, expecting for the worst. They seemed to accept this without much hesitation though. I wasn't sure if I should be relieved or mortified. Four guards proceeded to escort us down the stairs.
Oh gods, what am I to do now?
My eyes wandered curiously from floor to ceiling as we stepped down from the last stair. We were walking beneath a narrow path of stone archways that once had been decorated with flowing tapestries, now rotted and barely there. There were murals covering the ceiling where apparent silver chandeliers hung and illuminated the hall with their mysterious crystal lights.
My attention was stuck firmly on the image painted on the ceiling however.
A robed woman with a staff in hand – both were disturbingly familiar – dominated the far mural above the gate that loomed up ahead. Her face was drawn in a melancholy smile as she held up an oval golden stone with a single circular notch toward the second mural above the entrance. Here was a priestly bangaa figure, his head crowned with feathers and jewels, a green stone held up in his hand towards the woman. It appeared to be a monument of peace.
But that staff...
We were almost half way when I felt the abnormal flare of magic within my hands. The staff started to burn and I inhaled sharply with a startled realization.
This was the mother of all holy spells.
The undead had felt it too, apparently, for they began to shift in alarm. I glimpsed a flash of steel from the guard to my right. I called out to Basch in panic or in warning – I'm not sure which, and then my vision clouded with the essence of magic.
A vortex of wind exploded around me and lifted me, spinning rapidly into the air. My head reeled dizzily, but the power of the magic held me fast and the fierce whirlwind suddenly stopped, halting time itself. Suspended above the ground I gripped the staff firmly in my hands and drove it back down into the stone.. The staff and floor collided with a recoiling blast, releasing a shock wave of blinding light that blinded the hall as time resumed itself.
My body convulsed in agony as flecks of light obscured my vision. Darkness was closing in around me amidst a hundred vanishing screams of death as the light swept the undead into nothing. I could see her, watching me, and an intense, harrowing sorrow filled my conscience. My voice cracked in an effort to speak as the last of my strength was expended, "I-I can't."
A coppery taste filled my mouth. An anguished moan tried to crawl from my throat, but was choked behind a mouthful of blood. The staff slid from my fingers and I sank into a ready pair of arms. Warmth spread over my body, drawing me slowly back to awareness and the pain eased.
I blinked dazedly into Basch's worried eyes as he cradled my head gingerly in the crook of his arm. I tried to sit up as a flush of embarrassment touched my cheeks. The effort hurt and I almost collapsed again, but Basch quickly supported me.
"Easy." He admonished. "There is no rush."
I cracked a weak smile and wiped away a trail of blood from my chin with the back of my hand. "I'm ok." I assured him. "Thanks."
Basch's eyes narrowed crossly. "You very nearly killed yourself. Don't do that again."
"I couldn't stop it." I returned quietly as I stared down at my hands blankly. "It...it wasn't me." It's her power, not mine.
Rapidly approaching footsteps rang out from behind us. Kang and Larsa appeared shortly, armed and not seriously harmed with anxious eyes. The Emperor knelt down beside me as concern and envy warred to write themselves upon his face.
"Are you alright Penelo!" Larsa asked. "We saw you fall from afar."
"Don't worry." I insisted. "Everything is fine."
I think.
Basch frowned disapprovingly, but said nothing.
"That was a truly spectacular display of magically prowess." The Emperor breathed in unrestrained admiration. "I am deeply impressed." His gaze strayed to the ceiling above, contemplating it thoughtfully.
My breath was held as I watched him examining the robed woman with keen interest. His brow furrowed skeptically and he stole a glance down at the staff. Recognition flitted across his face and he stooped down to retrieve it.
I lurched out of Basch's arms with a startled cry of panic, "Wait!"
Larsa halted in surprise, regarding me oddly, "You see it then? It is the same." He said, pointing to the picture and promptly lifted the object in question off the floor with a deft twirl. His hands ran along the smooth surface of the staff almost hesitantly, but nothing sinister happened.
"Yeah." I mumbled with a sigh.
Basch caught the Emperor's gaze questioningly, but the latter shook his head. "It is not cursed, if that is what you are thinking." He supplied confidently. "But there is something strange about it."
Maybe the part where its previous owner hasn't left it?
Kang stooped down beside Larsa and the Emperor handed the staff over wordlessly for a second opinion. The bangaa held it out before him in one hand, testing its weight. He tilted his head quizzically for a moment.
"I sense no malevolence towards us in her spirit." Kang confirmed at last and abruptly handed the staff back to me. "But her power is beyond your body's magical capacity. If she were to exert her full strength it would destroy you."
I was slow to accept the staff from him. It felt cold and harmless in my hands now, but the memory gave me shivers.
"I wonder what it means." I murmured after a moment and lifted my gaze to the mural. The woman's eyes seemed to peer down at me with a quiet tragedy that struck to the bone. Somehow, she was a part of the mystery that drenched this place in grief, but what part?
"Perhaps the answer lies within." Kang suggested and turned solemnly in the direction of the gate. Larsa hastened after him and launched into excited conversation. His hands gestured elegantly as he described the artistry and architecture of the room to the blind bangaa. Kang stooped his head, listening intently as they walked.
I smiled to myself at first unaware that I too was being watched. Basch had lingered behind with me. My skin tingled as the weight of his gaze fell on my back and I glanced over my shoulder uncertainly, "You ok?"
Basch blinked, as if coming out of a daze. "I am fine." He replied with forced enthusiasm and started after the others.
The door at the end of the hall was different, yet strikingly similar to the other one that Basch and I saw on our first visit. Instead of black steel, this one was solid silver and the negative contours were black. They were replicas of one another with reverse color schemes. The elegantly arching lines framing the door wove in and out of each other it beautiful knots so intricate one had to peer closely to follow every line, only to realize that they had no end. In the center of the door was a larger, even more complex maze of weaving lines, creating the image of a stylized bangaa warrior.
Larsa was doing his best to paint the picture with words for Kang's benefit as we approached. They both looked at me.
"I don't suppose you can open this one too?" Larsa asked.
"I think so." I answered. In fact, the dance was already playing through my mind as I faced the gate.
"Shall I stand by to catch you?" Basch inquired, arching a sardonic brow.
I scowled back at him, but said nothing when he quietly came to stand behind me. I had to take a deep breath to calm myself and then I began.
It was a short dance. As many shortcomings as the staff might have, its ghost did have something valuable to teach. She must have been a dancer in life, in addition to being a powerful priestess. If this would help revive the art of dancing, I would take the risk to carry it out.
The gate opened with only the faintest of whispers. It sighed a bitter cold breath into our faces and at first no one moved. Intrigue lured us forward through a crashing wave of fear and uncertainty. If I was weary from the spell, I was too stunned to notice when we crossed the threshold into the inner sanctuary.
"Blessed be the Gods..." Larsa murmured as the first sights slammed into us with a force of a storm.
I could find no words worthy of the spectacle that met us on the other side. It was so much more than anything my imagination could have contrived and as enchanting as the home of the very Gods themselves. For all we knew it might have been at one time.
An underground valley, lushly vegetated and glowing with colors of silver, blue and green, stretched out before us. We stood upon one of many stone out-croppings, hundreds of feet above a crystalline river that flowed from right to left, and emptied into a great pool some distance down from us. It was a dead end for all appearances, but there had to be underwater passages that drained the water elsewhere.
The valley, if it could even be reduced to such a limited term, was full of glowing trees. Some of them were towering giants of 200 feet, others a mere ten, with dozens of branches that wept incandescent leaves of green and blue, illuminating the cavernous walls of the valley.
They flourished from wall to wall, reaching as far up as the eye could see–it seemed to go on forever. Their roots clung to stone ledges, hewn pathways, and massive platforms of stone that rose up alone from the depths of the river. They sprawled over sheer cliff faces like giant vines, sometimes vanishing into cracks or carved tunnels.
Some trees sprouted branches that were as thick as houses, reaching out and dangling above hundreds of feet of air until another ledge of stone appeared bearing another tree. There were trees that entwined, their branches wrapping around one another in a lover's embrace. Two of them formed an archway over the door through which we had just come, their weeping branches untrimmed and draping to the very ground at our feet.
All among the trees were traces of a civilization in ruin, from crumbling stone buildings to winding roads and overgrown terraces. There was artistry on the walls much like that of the hall we had left behind and old dilapidated statues guarded tunnel ways and doors. Bits of broken cable and rotting wood dangled from the edges of ledges were once there had been bridges extending up, down, and side to side, everywhere.
One bridge, however, remained intact. It was steel and stone, arching from the balcony-like ledge we now stood on across the valley to a large stone platform rising up from the water below. There lay the remains of what once had been a great palace.
Kang, who had walked the furthest inward, uttering a quiet blessing and bowing his head in reverence. A salty breeze passed through out of nowhere carrying a fragrance that was reminiscent of the ocean. It tasted fresh and seemed to fill me with renewed strength.
"There must be wind tunnels somewhere above us." Larsa mused aloud.
I walked to the edge of the ledge and peered down curiously. There were two more levels beneath us before the water's edge and who knows how many above. Across the way rose the mighty spires of the palace. One of them had collapsed, but three were still standing
No one spoke for a while. It took some time to take in the overwhelming power and beauty of the place. There wasn't an adequate turn of phrase for describing this. I wondered how Kang felt, not being able to see it, but somehow knowing that it was something too awesome to tell. The very air swelled with divine power and tranquility.
A groan emanated from behind us as the gate grinded to a close, breaking the mesmerizing trance.
"Now isn't this an unexpected surprise."
That voice... I whirled around wide-eyed.
It had come from above. A lithe figure dropped down from the cover of the trees landing nimbly on the path. He straightened smoothly, a pistol slung nonchalantly over his shoulder as he surveyed the group of unlikely adventurers.
"Balthier!" Before he could even fathom a reply I was strangling him in a firm embrace. I could have kissed him I was so happy just to see any of them alive. If he was here then so were the others.
Balthier grunted in surprise as his arms were rather suddenly full. "If this is the kind of reception I am to receive whenever I go missing perhaps I shall make a habit of it." He mused with a sultry smile.
Someone made a noise of derision from behind me, though I didn't need to guess who. I gave Balthier a modest peck on the cheek and jumped down. "Where's Vaan?" I asked edgily.
Balthier gave a slight roll of the eyes, "Playing nursemaid to dear Fran I imagine."
I frowned worriedly as a myriad of questions flooded my mouth "What's the matter? Is she ok? Why aren't you with her?"
He scowled, "Fran is fine. She came down with the sickness yesterday, but she'll recover. I came to investigate the god-awful shriek we heard moments ago."
A knowing glance traveled between the four of us who had just witnessed the obliteration of a legion of warriors. The exchanged did not go unnoticed.
Balthier arched a skeptical brow. "I see. You arrival is most auspicious." He smirked wryly. "I'm dying to know what has warranted the magnanimous arrival of the Emperor, his faithful, and my queen's military genius to my rescue?"
My mouth was parting to speak when I noticed Basch bristling beside me. It was the faintest reaction and normally I wouldn't have noticed, but recently I found myself more in tuned to his behavior than before. It caught me off guard and I forgot what I was about to say.
"My Lord has been driven from the capitol." Basch replied stoically. "Circumstances have brought us here for lack of a better alternative."
"Is that so?" Balthier replied, feigning disinterest, but it was clear to me that it had struck a chord. His eyes flickered suspiciously over the Judge. Any comradeship he might have felt for the older man before was now absent.
The two continued to regard one another, each wary of the other. Something passed between them that left me feeling cold inside.
It had dawned on me then that my "mission" was simply a farce for them to travel under, lost in the midst of a far greater scheme that was certainly more important than saving a few friends. I had been reduced once again to the ignorant tag along. Why was I always so damn insignificant? What exactly was going on here?
"Has he been infected yet?" The gunman asked suddenly, breaking the tension, and he looked at Larsa pointedly.
I blinked in surprise and glanced at Balthier in confusion. Then it hit me. "You don't mean the same disease that Basch and I caught when we were here before?"
"The same." Balthier nodded. "Once you've contracted it your body builds an immunity to the disease, assuming that you live, but everyone eventually catches it down here."
Larsa glanced worriedly between us. "Is there a cure?"
"Indeed. An infinite amount." Balthier remarked and gestured to the very trees growing around them. "The trees are merely a highly matured version of the dragon root. You'll be right as new once you've had the broth."
"Hey, Balthier!" A voice called from the direction of the palace.
I recognized it instantly and ran to the bridge, searching the far side for the familiar loping form of my dear, foolish friend. He had just stepped onto the bridge on the other side when his eyes met mine and he froze, mid-stride. There was a long, speechless pause before either of us said anything. For my part, I was fighting an inner battle between overwhelmed relief in seeing him safe and furious indignation at having been left in the dark when he embarked on this ridiculous journey.
"Penelo!' His voice finally found, Vaan set off in a sprint towards me and gathered me in his arms before I had come to a decision, but I returned the embrace. For the moment, I was happy he was alive.
When he finally pulled away, his eyes were anxiously wide, "What are you doing here? It's not safe!"
My lips hardened into a firm line and I regarded him crossly. Well that settles it. "I am here" advancing a step forward, I poked him accusingly in the chest, "–to rescue your ungrateful hide," and another step, "–because someone didn't tell me they were planning on venturing off into the abyss."
Vaan shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other while unconsciously rubbing the back of his neck and staring at the ground, "I know it was stupid." He admitted. "But did you have to come after me? What if something happened to you?"
"Just what makes you so special that you're allowed to go risking your neck and I'm not?!" I demanded angrily, my hands balling into fists at my side. I whirled around at the others who were sheepishly listening in on our exchange, and thrust an accusing finger at them too. They all stiffened in surprise. "As for the rest of you, it has come to my attention that despite apparently being the only person who came here for the sole purpose of helping my friends, no one seems to think me capable of such a feat, so you can all just rot."
With that I stalked passed Vaan, ignoring the hurtful expression on his face, and continued down the length of the bridge towards the palace. I was met by Fran, looking in rather good health when I stepped off onto the cobble stone road that wound it's way to the entrance.
I smiled stiffly, "Hello Fran."
The viera nodded cordially as she started to walk by. She hesitated, resting a comforting hand on my shoulder as she tilted her head ever so slightly towards me. Her eyes softened, "Rest now. I will deal with them."
She continued on and my murmur of thanks was left hanging in the silence of her wake. I sighed, my shoulders slumping tiredly, and I ambled towards the palace doors. One was ajar.
I slipped inside and discovered there was plenty of light to see. Whether by natural occurrence or remnants of civilization, there were still crystal glowing along the walls and ceiling. The interior was crafted using a mixture of quartz, stone and wood – all elaborately hewn or carved with an artistic touch.
A motley looking tent, some blankets, and a makeshift fire were strewn about in a disorganized camp beneath the left staircase (there were two on either side of the entry hall). Even the walls were cracked and both staircases partially destroyed. Debris, from broken chandeliers to chunks of ceiling and several collapsed pillars, laid a maze for anyone passing through. There was a hall leading to the west wing and a hall leading to the right, and two massive double doors on the far side of the room.
I navigated through the ruins to the camp and stood there blankly for a moment. Then I started to brood. Something wasn't right with this whole thing. From curses and ghosts to Balthier's cool reception of their coming and Basch's suspicious behavior in response.
Balthier must have found something valuable to be so wary, but I couldn't figure out why he'd think Basch, of all people, would want it. Or maybe it was just that as a sky pirate he was never on good terms with government officials. Somehow I didn't think that was the real reason though. And what fool did Basch take me for? I could name off five better alternatives to hauling Larsa down into this god forsaken place.
There was something down here that they wanted, but if I was going to figure it out I was going to have to find my own answers. No one else was going to give them to me.
I'd scarcely moved when a peculiar glow drew my attention. It was emanating through the fabric of a familiar handkerchief, still partially concealed by an overturned blanket. My skin tingled anxiously and I stole a glance behind me, verifying that the coast was clear.
Sneaking had never been my strong suite and if the light hadn't been there I probably never would have searched their camp, but it was right there. I knelt down beside the glowing handkerchief, sitting back on my heels, and uncovered the mysterious object. My breath caught.
Jovan had been in a room with a stone when he had sent me the warning in my dreams, but that one had been an emerald green and was shaped differently. This stone shimmered light blue and was shaped like a teardrop, and yet it reminded me of Jovan's somehow. I reached for it uncertainly and nothing happened. It was not warm or cool to the touch as I lifted it up to inspect, but there was a definite powerful flow of energy coming from it.
The closer I looked the more I noticed there was something inside it, like a symbol. It was faintly familiar too, but I couldn't place it. What was this? Jovan had never told me and he was conveniently absent now.
That was something else I had to worry about too. He should have been here. What had become of him and what was I supposed to do now that I was here? Somehow I doubted that we could simply leave. If that were so then Vaan and the others would have already gone.
I returned the stone to its former hiding place, realizing only then that I was relieved to be rid of it, and went to lay my things out in an unoccupied section of the camp. Fatigue dragged at my lids as I sat back, mulling over what to do. Fran would know without a doubt, but she might not tell and she didn't need to. If Vaan was privy to the information I'd have it, no sweat.
"Penelo?"
Speak of the devil. I stood up abruptly and faced the entranceway as Vaan appeared in the doorway. He wove through the wreckage at a slow jog and slowed to a halt a few feet in front of me.
Vaan hesitated, swallowing hard, before blurting out a hasty, "I'm sorry."
I leveled him with a quizzically arched brow, smirking. "I know." I sighed. "Don't worry about it."
"Are you sure?" He asked, visibly relieved.
"There's something I want to know though." I said.
Vaan frowned in puzzlement. "Um, ok. What is it?"
"The stone under Balthier's handkerchief," I indicated with my thumb back over my shoulder, "Where did you find it and what is it?"
All of the relief drained from his face and Vaan froze, mortified. "You...how did you know?"
"It was sitting right out in the open." I replied flatly. Well, sort of. When Vaan made no move to reply I pressed further, "It's really important."
Vaan grimaced, "Balthier said..."
"I'll handle Balthier if it comes to that." I interrupted. "I just want us to get out of here alive and I'm sure that stone has something to do with this."
He groaned inwardly, "Oh alright, but you owe me for this."
"I'd say we're even." I maintained lightly. "I did come down here to help you guys you know."
Vaan blushed sheepishly and straightened quickly, "I appreciate it, even if I'm bad at showing it. The others do too, but...you know Balthier. When he's got something good he doesn't just give it up." He blinked suddenly, as if only just realizing what he had said.
"What do you mean?" I demanded.
"Oh it's nothing." Vaan said quickly. "Not really anyway. At least, I don't think so. I don't know. Do you remember hearing the legend of the Zodiac Stones when we were kids?"
"It sounds familiar." I said, confused. "Why?"
Vaan's eyes shifted nervously from side to side before lowering his voice to answer, "Well, that's what it is – the stone that we found."
My eyes widened with a gasp. The symbol in the stone was a Zodiac sign then. "But...here?"
Vaan shrugged. "I guess it's as good a place as any to hide them."
I frowned thoughtfully. "Do you suppose they're all here? All twelve of them?"
He wrinkled his nose, "I don't know about that. Why would they be?"
"I had a dream..." I paused, frowning. "It's kind of a long story."
"Well, I'm glad you're here." Vaan smiled, letting it go. "But how did Basch and them end up coming too? He's risking a lot bringing the Emperor here, isn't he?"
I crossed my arms and glared at the floor. "Well I thought they just wanted to help, but I realize how ridiculous that is now. Obviously there's something here that they want."
Vaan frowned, glancing back at the door as approaching voices floated in from outside. His forehead wrinkled in consternation, "You don't think it's the stones?"
My head lifted slowly as a figure emerged from the entrance, followed by another, and another. I shook my head absently, looking back at Vaan. "I don't think they know for sure what's down here. Just that it's powerful and I suppose they could use that sort of leverage if they want to reclaim the capitol."
"Yeah," Vaan trailed off and turned to wave at the others.
Balthier looked between us, scowling. His eyes eventually settled dubiously on Vaan, "You told her, didn't you."
Vaan shifted uncomfortably under the man's scrutiny. "Just about the stone." He clarified cautiously, entirely obvious.
I cast an accusatory sidelong glance at him, which he ducked away from quickly, only to be caught in Balthier's now scathing glare. If the others didn't know already, they were certain now that Balthier was hiding something intentionally. Something, perhaps, more profitable than power. A scoundrel Balthier might be, but he was no power monger. The stones weren't what he was after.
Everyone else seemed to be keyed in on the stone however. Both Larsa and Kang had perked with interest at the declaration, while Basch remained carefully indifferent. He was also no longer acknowledging my existence and a good thing too because I might just kill him if I got the chance.
"What stone is that?" Larsa asked.
Balthier, who had surreptitiously maneuvered himself towards the camp, suddenly strode back onto center stage holding the glowing stone in his handkerchief. "This," He indicated, pausing for affect as he held it out for them to see, "–is Virgo, one of the twelve Zodiac stones."
"Merciful gods..." Basch was the first to speak and he did not sound happy. His expression reflected much the same sentiment.
Larsa came forward to examine it closer, his eyes alight with curiosity. "Remarkable." He said. "I never dreamed the legend was real. Where did you find it?"
The sky pirate quickly folded the stone away, pocketing it from view. "Down one of the mine shafts, in a buried shrine."
"Mine shafts?" Larsa echoed. "What were they mining?"
Fran, who had remained quiet the whole while, finally spoke. "Nethicite."
So that was it. A nethicite mine. There was a fortune to be made in that if it was still active.
Balthier sighed, "The cat's out of the bag now."
"We should treat those who have the disease." Fran advised suddenly. "Then talk."
"Agreed." Basch intoned.
Everyone started drifting towards the camping area to find a place to sit, while I found myself still rooted in place. I didn't want to be there anymore. I felt used in the most despicable way by someone who I had thought of honorable intent, and he wouldn't even look at me.
Well then, I'd just have to make him.
My hands balled into fists as I covered the distance between us in five swift strides. By that time everyone was looking at me and wondering at the expression of quiet fury on my face, but I kept my courage and didn't falter. I had something to say and it was not going to wait for anything.
Basch realized it moments too late as he turned in surprise, trepidation flashing in his eyes.
"You're a damn coward." I announced bluntly. "So much for knightly honor."
With that I spun around and strode determinedly from the astonished group, my head high and my back straight.
Try ignoring that, why don't you.
Author's Notes: So, there you have it. The plot thickens...or does it?
I am very sensitive to the number of responses I get, or lack there of. Another words...you're killing me. Seriously, I didn't think it was that bad, but I'm starting to wonder. I'm supposed to get better at this as I get older, not worse.
Anyway, take care everyone.
Faerlyte