Fall into Ecstasy

Chapter 13:A Broken Family

No one said anything. It's not like there was much you could say to that, but it made your skin crawl thinking about it. I didn't know whether to shrink away or pat her on the arm. There had to be more than that to the story.

"Explain yourself." Basch demanded.

The woman sat down stiffly, laying the staff across her lap and smoothing the folds of her white robe. "It was years before we realized the true power of the dragon root." She said. "Only time could tell that we had ceased to age."

Oh...

Sedara inhaled deeply, "As you might realize, this place can only sustain so many before we would exhaust our resources, and because of the dragon root's inability to maintain its effects once cut, we agreed to keep it secret. No one was permitted to leave the cities and bearing children was strictly forbidden."

"But we are all vulnerable to desires of the flesh." She murmured. "There was no reason to deny it – it was one of the few pleasures we had left, but the law was absolute. All babies were put to death upon birth, because we had grown used to eternity and wished to keep it. Our world had become a prison bereft of all the joys that life should have brought to us."

"I think…I think at the end we were all close to madness. Some caved sooner than others." Sedara laughed bitterly. "I was the second child in the royal family – a priestess, can you imagine? We sung praises of the Gods while we sundered all the good they stood for."

There was a long pause before she worked up the strength to speak again. It was difficult, you could see.

"Some of us tried to stop it and we helped those who wished to leave, escape the cities," Her voice quivered, "—but we were eventually discovered. I escaped with Jovan and a few others into the lower city, but we were hardly more welcome among the bangaa than we were the humes."

She shook her head sorrowfully, "It was inevitable that war would break out between the two cities," Her gaze lifted sharply to pierce her father's back, "—but some used our willful act as an excuse for war, because I had gone with Jovan rather than stay with my family. I was a traitor."

"You gave them the last stone!" Her father cried.

Sedara jerked to her feet, "They were keeping them safe!" She snapped. "Unlike you and your precious advisor!"

I took a wary step back, sidling along to where Basch and Kang stood. The strangers continued their bickering for a moment longer before quitting abruptly and ignoring one another. Sedara had won the argument, but her father was broken beyond repair.

"Just go…" He muttered. "Finish it."

"We will need you to send him back into the Netherworld." Sedara contended.

Her father waved a dismissive hand and snarled, "I'm not going anywhere."

She looked away hopelessly and turned towards us. "If you have more questions, we can talk on the way. My brother possesses a stone and must be sundered from the Witch King. I fear that you haven't much time."

"Who is the Witch King?" I asked abruptly.

"He was my father's advisor –a very powerful sorcerer." She explained and opened the door that led out of the inner chamber. "He came in possession of a 13th stone."

Kang moved into the passage behind her, "But there were only 12 stones." He contested evenly. We followed after him as he and the priestess disappeared.

"Yes." Sedara agreed. "The thirteenth was conjured using the 12 - it was a trap, set by the advisor with the help of my brother and father, and Jovan and I fell for it. A demon took the Witch King, but we were able to seal him in the temple. Now, we must send him back for good."

Her voice echoed off the stone walls with an eerie hollow sound and we emerged into a much larger room. There was stone debris scattered all across the floor and broken pedestals where great statues once stood depicting the Gods. It was like someone had taken a giant sledge hammer to all of them.

It was truly a frightening place.

"How horrible." I murmured

"People's capacity for evil knows no bounds." Basch muttered from behind me.

Sedara came to a stop before the gates, "We were captives of our own people. Many wanted to escape but couldn't."

Kang stood beside her, gazing into no man's land. "You could have allowed yourselves to die." He suggested.

"Some did." She concurred. "My little sister was one of them. She took her own life so that her child would live and named Jovan and me godparents – the father did not want the child."

The gate opened with a whine of metal grinding against metal.

"Wait," I frowned slightly, "You mean…you and Jovan were…?"

Was that even possible?

"Yes." Sedara replied distantly and turned around then. "I almost forgot—" She said and handed me the staff. "This is yours now."

I accepted it uncertainly, "What about you?"

"I shall not need anything." She replied simply.

"What happened to the hume city?" I asked as we departed the temple.

This temple was located in a cavern-like room similar to the other temple's location, but the entrance was much grander in size. The staircase was about twenty feed wide at the bottom and twice as far across at the top where we began our descent. Light crystals dotted the walls, illuminating the path ahead of us. At the bottom the ice began again, encasing everything within its path.

"The stones in my father and brother's possession destroyed most of it." Sedara sighed. "What was in the mountain remained relatively unscathed because of the Gods' protection, or curse. I'm not sure which."

"But why would your brother and father want to destroy the city at all?" I inquired, aghast.

We were passing through a wide street flanked by crumbling pillars and broken buildings. A large structure loomed up ahead, which I could only guess must be the palace her father spoke of earlier. A familiar chill was in the air and I shivered involuntarily.

Sedara shook her head, "None of us fully understood the power of the stones. My father and brother gave themselves to that power instead of controlling it, and in doing so unleashed the demons that dwelt within the stones to feast upon our own people. I doubt either of them meant for this to happen."

"So you summoned us to help clean up your mess." Basch intoned flatly.

As I gazed about I noticed there were ghosts here too, but these were humes. They roamed in the same empty, aimless manner that the bangaas did in the lower city.

The priestess slowed to a halt, "Our souls seek release." She answered earnestly. "This was the only way. As long as the Witch King remains sealed in the chamber, he is capable of achieving full strength again. If he were to escape his bonds he would terrorize the entire world, not just here."

I gazed down at the staff oddly, thinking. There was a question that had been nagging at me for a while now. "How did your staff get out of the city?" I asked. "If you were here and no one could leave?"

"My father agreed to help me." She murmured. "After what he'd done…he split my soul into the staff and gave it to my sister's son. He and four other bangaas swam through the underground and found a passage out while the rest remained behind, starving. The Gods had locked the doors and the dragonroot no longer brought us life."

"Why didn't the others follow?" I continued in confusion and horror.

Sedara bowed her head sadly, "I assume that the Witch King's pet discovered the outlet shortly after my nephews escape, and guards it still."

Basch and I exchanged a glance, the same thought passing between us. Squid

"What happens when we send the Witch King back with the 12 stones?" Basch put forth.

Sedara resumed course before answering, "I cannot say for certain. If the curse is lifted, as it should be, our souls will be accepted into the afterlife and it will be over."

"Sounds too easy." Kang muttered.

The outer gate to the palace was wide open when we reached it. I gazed up at it curiously as we passed underneath, examining the ornate carvings in passing. They were all very elegant and proper looking, and yet they left an ominous feeling in the pit of my stomach. Everything in this place was like that.

"You may be right." Sedara agreed. "I will help you all I can when the time comes."

Looking at the palace one could see its golden towers through the crystalline prison that had frozen around it. Its rounded domes now sported jagged edged holes where rocks had crashed through from above and many of the towers were destroyed completely, all in cased in ice. The main body of the castle was mostly unharmed in that it still appeared to have a ceiling.

There was a sense of evil wafting from it too. It was the kind of feeling that sent stalwart warriors running in the opposite direction. I would've been too if Basch wasn't forging ahead so confidently beside me.

Inwardly I fretted over whether our trust was being misplaced. Sedara was a distant person, almost frozen. I could understand why, but it did nothing to improve the situation or my feelings regarding it. We were being tossed around like lettuce leaves.

"Do you think she's telling the truth?" I whispered discreetly to Basch.

"We have little choice in the matter regardless." He replied. "But yes, I do believe she is. It would take days, however, to recount the entire tale to our satisfaction and we are already short on time."

I nodded resolutely. "Yeah."

Sedara mounted the steps that ascended to the palace doors slowly. She seemed to stare through them, her eyes foreboding as she approached. I got the impression just watching her that she had little love for her brother and that this confrontation would be a difficult one.

"I want out of this place." I murmured absently.

"We all do." Basch smiled faintly. "And for once an end may actually be in sight."

Up ahead, Kang had struck up conversation with the priestess as they passed through the doors. It was odd – she seemed more comfortable with him than she did talking to us. She even laughed at something he said.

"I've never heard of a bangaa and a hume before." I commented as we trailed behind. "I mean, it happens between humes and viera occasionally, but never bangaa and hume."

"We are all people of intelligence." Basch answered. "And with intelligence comes the ability to connect mentally, regardless of species. Those are the strongest bonds two persons can share."

I smiled happily, "That's so romantic."

Basch scowled, "Don't tell me," He began, "—you prefer tails too?"

"I was going to say no such thing!" I cried and poked at his side.

He evaded the attack with a chuckle, "It was in jest of course."

An idea suddenly struck out of nowhere then. "I wonder though," I tapped my jaw reflectively and met Basch's gaze, "—Kang is rather close to the Queen you know. Closer than most people realize I think."

Basch actually stopped in his tracks to stare at me before glancing ahead at the bangaa's back. His brow furrowed together as he started walking again, "Your power of perception is frightening." He said. "But it is not our business to wonder at such things."

I rolled my eyes, "It's not like I'm going to walk up to him and ask." I returned.

We'd come to stand well within the Palace entrance hall by then. Sedara and Kang were up ahead a ways waving for us to catch up. There was another door at the end of the hall where they were headed which likely led to the throne room.

"Stay on the alert." Basch advised.

Sedara faced us as we arrived, her expression seemingly carved of harsh stone, "I will deal with this myself." She stated. "But if I should fail, you will have to defeat him."

Everyone nodded.

"Let us go then." She announced and pushed open the massive double doors.

The throne room was elaborate and colorful, as if someone had been housekeeping it. Silk red tapestries trimmed with gold hung the walls and the carpet under our feet was as bright and plush as if it were new. Polished white marble stone glistened from the floor and statues of great beasts guarded the path up to the throne.

Upon it sat a man, dark hair pulled back from his face in a limp ponytail and a neatly trimmed goatee around his chin. His face was strong, the bones well defined and elegant. A few stray bangs traced his brow lightly. He slumped within the great chair, one elbow propped against the arm while bracing his head, and his left foot was draped across his right knee. A sword hung from his waist.

"Brother." Sedara spoke deadpanned and the man lifted his head.

The darkness surrounded him was palpable to the skin. It weighed in the air like a heavy cloak, suffocating those who drew near its aura. I found myself rooted in place, unable to step forward even if I wanted to. When I glanced to the side I noticed that Basch and Kang had also stopped, watching now with grim fascination.

His brown eyes lifted to hers and the seemed to blaze to life, becoming a fiery red color. He jerked off the throne so fast that I gasped in surprise, my heart skipping in my chest.

Sedara met his challenge without batting an eyelash, or so it appeared from where I stood. She ran to him as he was lifting his hand, a whirl of black cloud forming at his finger tips. Her hand reached out to grasp his temples firmly and a flash of white light exploded around them both.

Then an anguished cry emerged from the pool of light and a moment later the man was lying on his side on the floor, his eyes clenched shut in pain. A blast of dark smoke furled upwards and away from him, and at once the residue of evil abated. Sedara stood over her brother's prostrate from, a flicker of grief across her face as she gazed down at him. It was gone a moment later.

I was still gawking in amazement at the spectacle. Kang had said that the spirit within the staff was powerful, but I hadn't fully appreciated it until now. If the Gods did not favor her, someone did.

"Brother," She spoke sharply, "It is time that we end this."

He shivered where he lay, but said nothing.

"Armand!" Sedara cried impatiently.

His eyes opened at that and he sat up, rubbing his temple with a grimace. "Of course, sister." He mumbled, before staggering awkwardly to his feet. "Anything for you."

There was no trace of endearment in his words.

"Always such a jealous boy." She murmured. "And where has that gotten you, Armand? Are you still not ready to leave the world behind?"

For once Armand's resolve seemed to falter. "No," He shook his head. "No, I am ready for my penance to be served."

At that Sedara's gaze softened, but she did not move to touch him. "Very well then." She said, "You know what we must do."

Armand nodded. "I have the stone. Where is Father?"

"He is at the temple, waiting for us."

His attention slid to the three of us, lingering on Kang, and he arched a delicate brow, "And they are?"

Sedara's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, "They have come from the surface to help and have no connections to us, my dear brother. Strike whatever scheme you are devising from your mind."

He sneered at that, but trailed after her in silence.

She met us with a frown, "Forgive me, but he is not to be trusted."

Armand grinned smugly from behind her and swiped his hair out of his face with a lazy hand, "Doting, isn't she?"

Sedara scoffed, "As if that would've changed your countenance. We both know the real reason behind your antipathy towards me."

Basch and I dropped silently to the back of the party to keep an eye on the prince as the siblings continued exchanging harsh words. Kang walked on the other side of Sedara from her brother, listening to the conversation intently. I suddenly felt very out of place, as if I were being made privy to someone else's personal life when I really didn't want to know.

"Father chose me after all." Armand nagged.

"So he did." Sedara said, unfazed. "But I didn't want the throne."

Armand trembled with rage, "Because of a lizard!" He spat and his eyes passed over Kang with fiery indignation. The bangaa ignored him. "Me, chosen over a—"

"Do shut up, Armand." Sedara interrupted. "Have you learned nothing from all that has happened to us?"

"The Gods themselves condemned you!" He argued vehemently.

Sedara lifted her head high, "Then they were as blind as you and Father."

Her brother huffed indignantly, "You still persist."

"Of course." Sedara returned and she smiled this time. "What wouldn't one do for love?"

Armand kept his silence for the remainder of the journey.

It suddenly felt warmer in the cavern as we passed through and the ice was receding, as if Armand's possessed spirit had caused all of it himself. To be honest, I didn't like him anymore now than I did before. He was conniving and rude, and unfeeling, but no longer touched with great power.

"I hope this rant doesn't become routine with every old face that he meets." I said to Basch.

"Indeed." Basch had not looked away from the prince once and continued to watch him, even as he spoke to me. "Though it is quite illuminating when you consider it."

I tried picturing Armand and Sigmund in the same room together and felt the blood drain from my face. Their union was potentially disastrous for the rest of us, wasn't it? Maybe there wouldn't be enough time for something to unfold, but it didn't make me feel any better.

Had Basch considered that possibility? I would have to ask him about it later. We were all still in denial over the fact that Sigmund had to play a part as well. Trusting him to help us was simply ridiculous, not to mention suicidal.

We had just reached the staircase leading back to the temple when another thought popped into my head. I had meant to ask before, but had been sidetracked by something else. "What are crystal's that give off light in the caverns?"

Sedara glanced over her shoulder in mild surprise, "They are the spirits of the dead, of course." She returned. "The ghosts you see are merely shells separated from the spirit."

I faltered a step and almost tripped, but for Basch who caught me and set me to rights. My eyes widened as I observed the nearest crystals lining the walls. To think that all this time we had thought them a natural phenomenon when they were really the souls of people!

A shudder drifted down my spine and I looked down at the steps as I climbed. "How awful."

"The lights will go out when the souls have passed onto the next plain." Sedara added calmly. "You may need torches to find your way."

My bad feeling was getting worse by the minute as we arrived at the temple's gate. It was still open from when we came through earlier. Sedara walked right in and made for the antechamber where she had left her father. Her brother followed directly at her heels, his head bowed to the ground so that his bangs obscured his eyes from view.

Kang fell in step behind him, his head trained forward as we entered the dark passage between chambers. Then, on the verge of the next room, Armand just stopped, blocking our way. He leaned casually against the door frame ignoring all of us, though I suspect that his animosity was directed at Kang specifically.

The bangaa grunted disdainfully and gave the man a shove in the back hard enough to send him reeling to the floor in the middle of the chamber. "Fool boy." He said and stood to the side for us to come through.

Armand whirled to his feet, reaching instinctively for his sword. His father promptly back handed him across the face with a bony hand.

"Idiot!" He snarled. "You'd be dead before you knew what happened. Save your stupidity for purgatory where no one else has to suffer for it!"

I winced at his words, unable to help myself. Gods, these people were awful!

Sedara interceded quickly and for the first time laid a hand on her brother's arm. To my astonishment, his body went slack beneath her touch and he turned away. She looked at her father pointedly then. "You will follow behind us?"

"Yes." He answered.

She glanced between Basch and I, "Which of you will escort my brother and father? Only three may pass through the crystal at one time and I must go first to open the passage into Jovan's temple."

Basch opened his mouth to speak and was beaten to it by Kang.

"It would be my pleasure." The bangaa bared his teeth deviously and winked in our direction.

Both Armand and his father stiffened at the proclamation, but made no protest.

Sedara regarded the bangaa curiously. "Alright."

There were two crystals in this room, and as with the other temple, only one of them was lit. Sedara approached the broken transporter and placed a hand on it, motioning for us to do the same. We followed suit hesitantly, waiting for something to happen. Sedara closed her eyes then and an energy pulse erupted from the crystal, passing through us with a tingling sensation.

Instantly I was reminded of having the floor ripped out from under me and falling through the air at an alarming rate. Then it was over. We appeared in another similar, but not identical, empty chamber as the one we'd just left. There was a door on the far side and also one behind us. The crystal was also now lit.

My mouth parted unbidden, "How did you do that?" I gasped.

"I sealed the crystal myself in order to keep Jovan inside – to protect him from my father and from my brother." She explained and a shadow of pain descended over her. "But I fear he will not share my sentiments."

"Amazing." I murmured.

The others appeared at that very moment, all parties unharmed. It seemed that Armand had lost interest in Kang at last. Kang resumed his place beside Basch and I then, waiting.

Sedara went to the door on the far side of the chamber and stood before it, her arms rigid at her sides. I could sense the power lingering there as well. It was dark and forbidding, like curse magic.

"Father, Brother," She called softly. "I must have your blessings."

Armand sighed, shrugging his shoulders, and came to stand beside her as their father took up position on her other side. They each laced their fingers through hers, speaking together,

"We release you, Sedara ala Huuden, and Jovan Magustel, from the bonds of our hatred. May your union be blessed in life and in death."

Sedara stepped forward and placed her hand on the door. The spell shattered like glass, sprinkling soundlessly to the floor at her feet, and the door opened. Green light illuminated the small, circular chamber withi, spilling out of the doorway before us.

I've seen this room before.

A shadow shifted within, coming into the light of the stone, and I bit my lip in sudden anticipation. Jovan was not as tall as Kang, or as thick, but he had a wiry sort of strength in the way he moved. He could also see.

The bangaa shifted his head towards the woman in the doorway and stared, neither moving nor speaking.

"I'm so sorry." Sedara whispered and sank to her knees.

Jovan looked at her for a long moment before gathering in the rest of the party. He examined both Armand and his father closely, then me, Basch, and lastly Kang. At his fellow bangaa he gave a nod of acknowledgment before shifting back to the woman who had stood back to her feet.

"Why, Sedara?" He asked simply.

Her resolved hardened. "You would have done the same in my position, do not try to tell me otherwise." She contended. "Contrary to popular opinion, it is not always the man's job to protect. You know very well why I did it."

Jovan was silent for a moment and then he laughed. "As stubborn as always I see."

The words had no more than left his mouth before Sedara had literally throw herself around him in a firm and unrelenting embrace. Jovan slackened instantly and drew his arms around her, a handful of dark curls sliding through his scaled fingers.

I looked away shyly and gave Basch a firm nudge when I noticed him still watching. He blinked down at me only to blush in embarrassment in sudden comprehension before averting his gaze as well. Kang cleared his throat eventually and everyone was brought back to reality.

Thank you, Kang. I couldn't help smiling.

"Ah, yes." Jovan responded to his kin and removed the stone from the pedestal, "I think it is time we gather the rest of your companions for this onerous task before us."

"Where exactly are we?" I inquired.

"Behind the library." Jovan replied.

I scowled, "You mean…all that time and we didn't even notice?"

"You were not supposed to." He assured me.

"Where then, is our Witch King?" Kang asked.

Jovan turned his head, "He is bound beneath this temple. There is a secret passage that leads into the chamber where he is kept, which I will show you, but we must gather the others first."

There was a resounding murmur of assent among the group and the seven of us departed, Jovan taking up the lead with Sedara close at his side. Their hands were entwined as they walked.

Behind them walked Armand and his father, then Kang, and lastly Basch and I. It was a subdued procession, which did nothing to placate my growing anxiety. We still had to convince Sigmund to join us.

A rough, calloused hand snagged my fingers suddenly and I glanced sideways, smiling as I met Basch's gaze. All of my cares just melted away simply because he was there. He smiled back and I sighed contentedly.

It came as quite the shock to Balthier and the others when we popped out directly behind them from an invisible door. To make matters worse, the recognizable half were all in the back where none of them could see us. I heard Vaan yelling they were being attacked and covered my mouth to keep from laughing.

Basch pushed his way to the front quickly, with me in tow, and set things to right. "At ease, Vaan." He said and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Only one of them is even carrying a weapon."

Vaan peered suspiciously at the new comers and put his sword away with some reluctance. "If you say so."

"This makes our 12 then." Balthier reflected as he considered the gathering of strangers and friends alike. "All we require now is Sigmund."

Jovan approached Basch quietly, "If you allow, I suggest sending Armand and his father. They are…better suited for this task, I think." His eyes narrowed meaningfully.

Basch considered the two for a moment before nodding his approval. "Do it then, but send Kang with them."

The bangaa hesitated, "Would that be wise?"

Basch grunted in amusement, "Ask Kang if you like. He's more than equal to all of them combined."

Jovan frowned, "Well, I shall go with him all the same."

"Good luck." He answered and sought out Balthier, no doubt to go over the game plan.

Sedara exchanged a word with the departing bangaa and came to sit at one of the tables, where she was immediately accosted by a very eager, very curious Larsa. She engaged him cautiously at first, but as I watched it was evident that his talk was gradually drawing her out. They were conversing quite avidly after a while and I sought out Vaan.

"Hey." I said and sat down beside him as he dangled his feet over the koi fish pond.

Vaan glanced up distractedly and muttered something akin to a 'hey'. He resumed his morbid stare into the water, tossing bits of moss at the fish when they drew close enough.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

He scowled deeply, "I'm sick of this place, that's all."

"We all are, Vaan." I assured him and intercepted a piece of moss before it hit the water. The fish darted away anyway. "Are you sure that's all there is?"

Vaan shrugged, "I don't know. I just feel like I'm being left out. Everyone is off doing something or too busy to notice that I'm here."

I frowned thoughtfully, startled by his proclamation, and grabbed him by the wrist. "Basch!" I called and dragged Vaan to his feet as the knight turned his head at us. "Vaan says he feels left out."

Basch said something to the sky pirate and approached us, "And how is your swordsmanship coming?"

"Huh?" Vaan looked back at him dumbfounded.

The knight unsheathed his sword smoothly. "Well?" He prompted, "What are you waiting for?"

"Seriously?!" Vaan exclaimed.

"Of course." Basch returned.

Vaan removed his own sword eagerly and settled into his fighting stance, back hunched as he held a shield in one hand and his sword in the other. It always made me laugh to watch him. His style was so irregular from the established norm, but he seemed to do well at it nonetheless.

I took a seat across from Larsa and Sedara to watch the sparring match, where I was joined by Fran. She sat back mutely, surveying the two fighters with a practiced eye. When I looked at her there was a smile tugging at her lips.

"He has improved." Fran said.

"I think so." I said.

"But not enough." The viera continued.

As if on cue, Vaan landed on his back with a thud. He grumbled animatedly to himself as he retrieved his fallen sword and got back on his feet, wiping his brow. "Lucky shot." He muttered and ran to engage the knight again.

Several minutes passed before I noticed that Balthier wasn't here anymore. I glanced at Fran questioningly, "Where is Balthier?"

"On watch." She answered.

"Oh." I murmured. "I hope everything goes alright."

Fran sat forward slowly and looked down at me, "The Judge will come. After the curse is lifted – be watchful then."

I bit my lip, frowning at her ominous proclamation as I thought of something else to ask, "Fran?"

"Yes?"

"What was it that Larsa was going to tell us before?" I asked hesitantly.

The viera looked away, "There was a record of murdered children." Then she stood and walked in the direction of the entrance, mounting the stone path with an easy jump.

I felt my arms tightened around myself as I thought of what it must've been like, not only to be that child, but for the parents as well. How horrible it must have been for them, trapped here for eternity. Not that some of them hadn't brought it upon themselves, but...

When I turned around it was just in time to see both Vaan and Basch topple over the edge of the dais and into the pool. I bolted to my feet with a gasp and ran to assess the damage. The water was only waist deep and both were pulling themselves out, dripping wet, when I arrived.

Larsa appeared beside me, grinning widely. "I say Basch. He got you fair and square that time, didn't he?"

Basch glowered at his liege as he pulled plant matter from his hair and flicked it away. "He still lost the match."

That was true enough. Vaan's sword lay twenty feet away where it had been knocked from his hands before he had body slammed the knight into the water. His soaking hair was also plastered to his forehead, but he beamed proudly despite it. "Did you see that?" He gestured wildly to us. "Bet he didn't expect that!"

"And now you're both wet." I chastened. "Besides, that's cheating."

"Oh come on!" Vaan whined.

Larsa was gazing at Basch oddly when he interrupted, "Where is your armor, Basch?"

The knight looked up from draining water out of a boot, "I had to leave it at the top of the valley. If we have time, I will retrieve it afterwards."

"Oh!" The emperor's eyes lit up. "I almost forgot - you must tell us about your adventure."

We passed the rest of the time recounting the climb up the funnel and then into the upper city – the iced caverns and the temples. When the tale had been fully recounted, Balthier and Fran arrived, and a distance behind them, the others.

Everyone stood, searching the approaching party for one man in particular. My breath hitched in my throat and I felt a trickle of apprehension glide down my back. I had gotten a good look at it when I had crossed his path back in Archades.

The heavily armored figure marching between the two bangaas and Sedara's kin was unmistakable; A Judge.

Sigmund had come.

Author's Notes: ARGH! This chapter was brutalizing and it's all original characters talking, which I know people don't like, but I had to tie up some loose ends (and leave a bunch more hanging out there because I forgot about them, probably). Tedious, tedious, tedious, but it had to be done. And I'm sorry, but I've totally bungled up the timeline for Ivalice and several of the facts. I did the research on the stones and then...well, I just decided that the thirteenth stone would show up here... even though technically it doesn't exist at this point I don't think...but there was this wandering plot hole and I need to get rid of it. I'm taking some major liberties under the pretense of 'artistic license'.

Anyway, I whipped this one up pretty quickly because I've been working on another project lately and finally got that tenth review on the last chapter of this yesterday, which dragged my butt back into gear to get the this chapter out. I'm so going to pay for it now though...ergh, don't know...there's very little excitement going on here. However, I can promise you all that the next chapter will be an absolute doozy...assuming you make it through this one. I'm really excited about it, so keep the love comin'.

Thanks again everybody! I'd bake cookies and send them to you if I could. I am also suitably chastised for calling my previous chapter boring. Take care!

Faerlyte