Fall into Ecstasy

Chapter 14

Notice: There may be some errors. My mom beta read for me, but I'm impatient (since it's been ages that I last updated) and wanted to get this posted tonight. I'm working for Fish and Game right now, so my days are really long. Anyway, I'll probably come back at some point and do edit this more, but right now I'm just relieved to have finally finished this chapter. I hope you enjoy it, despite the long wait.

Judge Sigmund stepped down onto the dais with a resonating clang that sent a ripple through the tension laden air. No one moved, but stood warily, watching the Knight's approach with uncertain hands. There was a calculative grace in the way Sigmund moved, a confidence that made one second guess without realizing it.

It was the visage of a Judge which struck an indescribable fear into all who came within the reach of their aura. That Sigmund could still generate that kind of fear given his previous behavior was unsettling. This was not a coward who balked in the face of danger – this was a man who knew his way about and when it was best to run rather than stand and fight.

First impressions do not always hold true in the end though. I wished they were; a coward is far easier to handle than a cunning survivalist.

The elaborate helm with its spiraling helms and grill mask twisted slowly, from one side to the other. He examined each face in turn, some longer than others, until settling at last on the Emperor. Then he stopped and for a long moment he said nothing.

Then, as if in afterthought, the Knight gave an exaggerated bow and murmured with mock reverence, "My Lord."

Larsa went as pale as a sheet. His fists were taut and shaking at his sides as he glared back at the impenetrable visor, but he did not acknowledge the Judge. There was no courtesy for a traitor. Unfortunately, neither could there be punishment.

Sigmund turned away from the Emperor without another word and honed in on his next target. His head tilted slightly to one side, then up and down, in appraisal of Basch's unconventional attire. "You haven't changed a bit since our last meeting." He muttered, "Blushing as you fumble about in your undergarments."

The words had barely left the man's mouth before there was a flicker of movement and a grinding flash of steel. It happened in the blink of an eye, the resounding noise flinching in everyone's bones, and Basch was suddenly staring down the razor edge of a blade held still at Sigmund's unguarded throat. His gaze was fire and brimstone, igniting the sword into a furious red that pulsed hotly in his hand.

A hush settled over the room, but no one dared move. Sigmund had not so much as twitched upon finding himself on the business end of Basch's sword. He was at the mercy of the other man and he knew it.

For a moment, I feared that Basch might just run him through. The Gods know the man probably deserved it, but we needed him alive still.

Basch whacked the side of Sigmund's helm with the flat of the blade, "Remove it." He ordered.

Sigmund responded slowly, never once taking his eyes off his nemesis, and carefully lifted the helm from his head. Thick, graying black hair damp with sweat fell around the man's pronounced cheek bones and he discarded the armament to the floor with a resonating clang. His eyes were green, sharp and clever, set within a face weathered by wind and time. A smattering of black hair grew from his chin.

"All of it." Basch stated.

The silence intensified, until Sigmund at last capitulated and proceeded to strip off his armor while those around him watched in varying degrees of astonishment and amusement. His axe dropped fist, then the arm guards, and so forth. It was a long and tedious process, but no one felt inclined to interrupt, or help, until it was finished.

When Sigmund at last stood bare down to his under suit, he straightened and said, "Perhaps I should simply go naked and be done with it."

Someone snickered.

"That will not be necessary." Basch returned shortly. He looked at me, "Penelo, retrieve his weapon if you would."

I nodded and took a cautious step forward, eying Sigmund warily as I stooped to pick the axe up off the ground. It was heavier than I thought it would be and the cold steel put a chill to the bone where the shaft rested on my shoulder. I turned to Basch questioningly.

"Strap it onto my back." He directed.

"Am I to go unarmed as well then?" The judge asked.

Basch looked back at the man impassively as I went about attaching the axe. "From what I understand, weapons will be of little use in the coming battle."

Sigmund snorted derisively. "According to whom?" He gazed about the gathering of people. "Them? I'd sooner trust a squid."

"That can be arranged." Basch retorted.

A chuckle vibrated from the depths of Sigmund's chest that curled the hairs on the back of my neck. He lifted his hands up and shook his head, "No, no, please, continue Gabranth. The Gods know I'll not risk my neck over trifling matters. Besides, I'm sure you can find something else of mine yet that you covet."

I was still wrestling the axe into a secure position on Basch's back when I felt Sigmund's gaze fall on me. My traitorous eyes flickered towards the ex-Judge and caught his lips as they twisted in a sly grin. He arched a single brow and the axe slipped a few inches in my grasp.

"I say, I'd not pegged you for the sort to trifle with one so young." Sigmund announced bluntly and there was no mistaking what he implied.

I saw only red. The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could think better of it, "Not surprising when one considers that the likes of you would hardly be indulged by anyone who was young or old, much less willing." I snapped back.

Several pairs of eyes shifted in my direction and looked away, flushing.

That had hit too close to home. In hindsight, it was probably just the sort of reaction he had hoped for. Only someone so young would be foolish enough to reveal that kind of truth. I wanted to kick myself, or even better, him – in the junk.

"Still fighting your battles for you too, I see." Sigmund remarked caustically and looked away, as if I were naught but dirt on his shoe. "You've trained her well."

I'd started towards him before I even realized what I was doing. Magic was already crackling at my finger tips when I felt the pressure of someone's hand on my shoulder, pulling me back. I stopped, releasing a breath of frustration before settling back beside Basch with a scowl.

Sedara interceded quickly before any further escalation of warfare could be launched. Her dark eyes shifted towards the ex-Judge, "You have come in armistice, have you not?" She demanded. Her patience was thinning.

Sigmund shrugged, "I am no more eager to spend my last days here than anyone else." He said. "I will do what must be done…under one condition."

I inwardly winced. There was only one thing he could possibly request and it was not something readily given, but what else could we do? No one was about to sacrifice the life of the Emperor just to keep one villain from escaping justice. The rest of us – well, we were expendable.

Larsa's face had regained some color by now and he lifted his head to speak, commanding Sigmund's attention, "What would you ask of me?"

"My freedom." The ex-Judge returned stoically. "I will walk out of here when this if finished and you will not stop me or attempt to follow me."

Basch swore an oath under his breath, but he made no other protest. It was not his place to pass judgment either way.

The only indication of Larsa's feelings on the matter was the subtle twitching of his eyes as he stared unblinking at the Knight. His expression hardened, "Than you will have it, assuming you give us no further reason to pursue you, but you will never return to the Empire – to do so will be a death sentence."

Sigmund snorted contemptuously, "The plot failed. I am less wont to serve than ever before. I would only be too happy to put that behind me." He turned his back to the Emperor again and faced Balthier, "Now, I believe you have something that is mine."

Before the sky pirate could answer, Kang had advanced a step towards the Knight, baring his teeth with a curl of his lip, "When we have reached the sealed chamber." He amended shortly. "And no sooner, will you receive it."

Balthier returned the ex-Judge's gaze with a bored expression, "Well there you have it." He shouldered his pistol, "Are we set?"

There was a general murmur of agreement, low and despondent, and a few items were discarded on the floor haphazardly. The sound was ominous in the great library, echoing the charge as we prepared to march. No one knew what awaited us in the sealed chamber of the Witch King or what would occur when, if, he was defeated. We were walking blindly in the dark spurned by the guidance of strangers, desperation, and a need to survive.

Fear pressed down urgently, a blanket that threatened to consume. And yet, there was a certain anticipation to the unknown, a sort of adrenaline rush that put a bounce in the step. I swallowed the lump building in my throat as I watched the others, their expressions ranging from resigned to apprehensive.

It was now or never.

Jovan and Sedara stood at the front of the procession as everyone stepped into line. We were setting off when a familiar voice drifted quietly from behind me. I stopped, half turning in surprise.

"Keep an eye on that one." Kang nodded his blunt snout in the direction of Sedara's brother. "He's just the sort of low life Sigmund would join forces with."

I glanced sideways as the giant of a bangaa lumbered passed me, wondering what exactly I was supposed to do about it. Basch had gone on ahead to keep watch on Sigmund, which apparently left me to heed Kang's warning, and I was grossly unqualified for the task. Suddenly I felt very small and inconsequential.

It wasn't until Vaan prodded me in the back that I realized we were being left behind.

"You ok?" He asked as we trailed after the others.

My hands were trembling as I gripped the staff, wondering what would happen once we entered the chamber. It could well be a disaster and I was not adept at dealing with disaster. At least we outnumbered the more questionable characters in our party, but it wasn't much consolation.

The Witch King was, after all, a sorcerer of great power. As far as the 12 zodiac stones were concerned, they may or may not be the key to victory. No one knew because it was merely legend, and someone said so, which could never be trusted. On that point at least, I was compelled to agree with Sigmund.

"No." I replied quietly and scowled at my friend. "You know, I'm starting to think that this is a really terrible idea."

"You just figured that out?" Vaan said, "And they say you're the one with good sense."

I gave him a good, firm jab to the solar plexus for that. "Well it's not like we've got any other choice. I don't want to die down here either."

Vaan, still wincing from the blow, waved me off weakly. "Yeah, I know." He mumbled. "What a mess."

"I just hope someone knows what we're doing because I sure don't." I muttered and peered ominously ahead of us. Sedara's brother and father walked behind Sedara and Jovan, Balthier and Sigmund behind them, then Basch and Kang, and in front of us were Fran and Larsa.

I sighed, lowering my gaze to the ground as we trailed back into the temple. I should never have come here…should never have fallen down here in the first place…almost wish it never happened…almost.

"If anything happens," Vaan said, interrupting my thoughts, "I'll make sure Sigmund doesn't get away."

A nervous flutter grew in my stomach. He looked at me then, a smile of pure confidence and determination. I swallowed hard, but couldn't find the words to reply and he didn't wait for it. I stared after his retreating back, wrenching my feet into motion to follow.

The closer we got to our destination the deeper my misgivings grew. I'd had enough experience in battles to recognize when my instincts were trying to tell me something and right now they were ringing my ears deaf. There was power here, ancient and deadly, and it was smiling at our coming like a cat to the mouse.

My throat convulsed, but I kept going.

We came to a halt in the inner chamber of the temple where Jovan revealed a secret passage under the floor by way of concealed lever. A set of stairs unfurled into darkness below. It coughed dust into the temple that smelled of must and century old rot.

"Well isn't that pleasant." Balthier remarked, holding a handkerchief to his nose. "Nothing poisonous down there?"

Jovan shook his head. "No traps."

The sky pirate shrugged, tucking his handkerchief away.

Someone procured a torch and Jovan disappeared below, followed by Sedara and the rest, now single file for the path was not wide enough for two. Indeed, it was a tight fit for one. Kang stooped low to fit and his shoulders scraped the walls on both sides.

When all but Vaan and I had yet to enter the passage, he turned to me with a serious brow and gestured that I go in front.

I leveled him with a stern frown, "I'll be fine, Vaan." I admonished. "Let me take the rear guard. I'd be more concerned about what's ahead of us than behind anyway."

He hesitated, at which point my frown became a glare and he fled down the steps without another word. I followed more slowly, calling upon the staff to light my way. A shiver traveled up my spine, prickling my scalp as we delved deeper into the ground.

So far beneath the surface – if one thought about it for too long they might just go mad.

This stretch of rock had been untouched by life for hundreds of years, until now. It seemed to stir eagerly under our feet, as if the Witch King had become the very mountain he was imprisoned beneath. Now here we came, his salvation or his doom, depending on the outcome.

"I'm so sick of stone." I grumbled quietly, stubbing a toe on a loose rock. "If we ever do get out of here, I swear by everything I hold dear that I am never setting foot in a cave again."

"What if your life depended on it?" Vaan asked curiously. His voice echoed so loudly I'm sure that everyone must have heard.

I frowned deeply, but refrained from answering. That was a bridge I'd cross if I came to it.

The walls of the passage were damp with moisture that dripped intermittently, and the air thick with age. Darkness throbbed against the skin, and it felt of evil. Only the thud of footsteps could be heard and they echoed eerily in the quietness, a portent of doom. Conversation ceased as it only seemed to draw the presence of evil closer.

There was something down here without a doubt. It was the root of pain that surrounded the city, the hatred that drove the undead on their never ending march, and the malice that kept the dead from moving on. Hearts shuddered and happiness shriveled in its wake.

I clenched my jaw tight against the feelings of fear and followed the light of my staff. Vaan's back was barely visible beneath is pale glow, but he was not far away. Another light cast off the tunnel walls far ahead where Jovan and Sedara walked. A muttered exchange passed between Fran and Kang, and Sigmund's gaze was ever watchful of those around him.

The evil seemed to constrict and expand to circle around that man, as if it knew his heart and gravitated towards its corruption. I wondered if it really could tell – if the Witch King was truly that powerful.

I inhaled deeply and clutched the staff firmly in my hands, reaching into its power, testing it. It no longer contained the strength of Sedara's spirit, but it was still formidable in its own right. There was knowledge held within its depths that need only be tapped into by a willing castor.

It might just come to that too, I thought.

Someone could die, easily. I had to remind myself often that we had been extremely lucky in that we'd lost no one through the many months of battling those years ago. We might not always be so lucky. It left a cold, black feeling in the pit of my stomach that twisted tighter with very step, whispering...

This could be the day…who will it be? Will it be me?

I could sense it, hovering at the edge of consciousness; foreboding. Strangely, I was more concerned about what was to happen after we defeated the Witch King than during the battle.

"How far does this accursed passage go?" Sigmund asked with an edge of annoyance. The man had no patience whatsoever.

"We're near the end." Jovan answered.

Just like that the passage widened into a large circular cavern, roughly hewn from the mountain and drenched in a gruesome black slime, the origins of which I didn't want to know. The ceiling was scantly taller than the passage we'd just come through, but at least Kang had room to stretch his arms. Across from us stood a black granite door that looked as solid as steel.

The only sound that could be heard was the shuffling of footsteps as everyone spread into the room to gaze at the door. There was no doubting what lay beyond it. The power throbbing against the granite was palpable to the skin – magic of a terrible and most sinister kind.

I hesitated, the clenching of my insides compelling my feet to turn tail and run.

"We each possess one of the twelve stones." Sedara stated and she turned to address us. "Together they should have the power to banish him from this plain forever - that is the theory at least." Her head turned to look at each of us sternly, "So long as you do not surrender yourself to the demon that binds itself to the stone. To do so would be your own folly and the death of us all. Is that clear?"

No one spoke, but the sentiment was understood. There would be time for being possessed by demons later. I was not even worried about Sigmund at that point. He was not stupid.

"I don't expect he'll just let us walk in once we've let him go." Balthier inferred. "Do we have a plan of action?"

"The Witch King is a creature of Darkness." Sedara explained and turned her gaze to mine. "You and I will be essential in restraining his power long enough for the others to combine their strength. Will you do this?"

I came forth more quickly than I imagined myself capable of in my current state, and yet my feet didn't falter. If I was afraid, and I was, they would not see it. I'd survived enough battles and felt that rush of terror enough times to control it to some extent. I was ready.

"Yes." I said and my voice never wavered. I was proud of myself for just a moment.

"I would advise the use of holy." Sedara suggested quietly to me. "He is greatly adverse to it. Be ready to join the others once they have summoned their stones."

I nodded mutely and kept pace with her as she approached the gate. Jovan joined us there.

"Now comes the end." Sedara's father spoke hushed where he stood several paces behind his daughter, waiting. "Prepare yourselves."

The others did as commanded. Sedara and Jovan immediately began the incantation that would break the seal on the door. Even as the first words passed over their lips I could feel the instant spiking of the Witch's power as he felt his bindings loosen.

It broke with a deafening explosion that sent several sprawling and a number to their knees. Of those left standing as the dust cleared were Basch, Kang, Sigmund, and Sedara's brother. Not a moment later there was a terrible shriek and a wave of such intense pain that those still standing were soon on their knees as well.

Through the white streaked haze of my vision I heard a voice that sounded like Sedara.

"Penelo, go!"

I surged forward through the doorway against the Witch King's newly erected shield that felt like a wall of sharp spikes piercing every surface of my flesh. It was then that I realized that not all which stung was magic, but steel and iron blade. I didn't have time to think why there was an army of undead guarding his tomb as I shoved my way through, avoiding jab after jab, and ducking beneath the sweep of a sword. They were merely a deterrent from the real threat.

The others were behind me, but the power of the With King was holding them at bay as it tried to hold me now.

"Break his shield." A voice said to my right and I saw a blur of white hair and ebony armor.

I gritted my teeth and swung my staff in an arc to clear a circle. The undead wavered, falling back, for the staff was bright with living purity and to touch it would cause instant pain. An enchanted silver blade swept past me, missing my ear by centimeters even as a second buried itself to the hilt in my thigh.

My eyes watered as a pain blossomed from the wound and I bit back a cry. Blood trickled down the backside of my calf as I limped forward still, clutching the staff with white knuckled hands. The circle I'd cleared was still there, and up ahead, now that I looked, was a ghostly specter shrouded in shredded robes of burgundy with eyes that shed no light.

The Witch King seemed to hover in place above an elevated stone platform – his prison, or what had been – with arms spread. He was casting.

Urgency spurned me onward despite the danger that surrounded me on seemingly every front. I twisted in the air, summoning the magic that came readily to my finger tips, and came back down to the ground with a resonating blast of white light. The shockwave produced by the impact of mine and his spells sent many of the undead warriors reeling.

I fell to my knees, scrambling to maintain the magic as the With King gathered his power and forced it against me. My hands burned from the heat generating by the staff, but I dared not let go so long as my shield held. When I blinked my eyes I found that everything had turned black and nothing could be discerned in the darkness, save for the light I wielded.

It was like a star in space, beautiful, yet eerie in the lonely darkness. My powers were already beginning to wane and soon the With King would gain the upper hand.

An arm snaked around my waist suddenly and hoisted me to my feet. Warm, calloused hands closed around mine where they still held the staff. I felt a new surge of strength and doubled my efforts, hoping that the others were ready.

A second later Basch spoke into my ear, "Now."

It occurred to me at that moment that the stone I possessed was still inside the staff. I wondered briefly if that meant I couldn't tap into its power and allowed myself an instant of pure panic. Merely thinking of the stone seemed to bring it to life however, for I felt something remarkable and strange happen.

Memories swept past me – memories of eons ago before the Gods created the peoples who would later walk the earth. It was like being submerged into the dreams of the very Gods themselves. Only, it was not a God, but a demon, and it was answering the call of its fellows; a call for banishment of a creature not meant to thrive on the mortal plain.

The magic encompassed within the stone was tremendous, and yet what I felt was only 1/12th of its full potential. Even as it was sapping my strength I had a strange feeling of euphoria in its power. I could feel the Witch King's soul writhe beneath the pressure of the combined strength of the twelve. His fear shook the very stones of the cavern and I was dimly aware that the ceiling was coming down around our heads.

Still the Witch King was a foe to be feared.

My vision blurred and flickered with flashes of white as pain trickled down my spine, spreading steadily into my limbs. Every inch strained, as if my body was merely trying to hold itself together amidst the dueling magic. The With King was giving his last and I thought the walls of my skull would explode. I was aware of Basch's hands over mine, giving me his strength though, and I felt courage that I never knew I had.

An inhuman wail pierced the air and trailed off into nothingness with a gurgle, snuffed out by an invisible power. There was a loud popping sound and the stone that I wielded went dead. Then a deep rumbling beneath the earth sent the stone atremble.

The darkness was sucked from the room like a vacuum and then the ceiling began to fall. Basch was beside me looking on grimly as stone rained down from above and spidery cracks sprawled across the floor at our feet. Then I was being pulled along behind him, after the others.

There was movement in every corner of the room as bodies scrambled to avoid the falling rocks. I tried to keep track of everyone as we ran out of the tomb, but there was too much commotion and not enough room to see. People were shouting incoherently, crying out in pain, and tripping.

Someone shoved me aside as I was running and I fell, rolling to the ground with a grunt of pain. When I lifted my head to stand, I was met by the cold, lifeless eyes of Sedara's father, his body crushed beneath a large boulder where I had been only seconds ago. Basch promptly hauled me back to my feet and pushed me into the passage.

Voices rang out from up ahead – someone was shouting a command, someone else answered, but I couldn't tell who in the cacophony of falling rocks. We were last in line and ahead of me was Kang, half dragging himself through the small enclosure. There was blood rolling down his side from a wound, but he seemed not to notice.

A falling stone had hit my temple – a second my shoulder. I dodged another one and crashed dizzily into the passage wall, scraping my arms as I righted myself. I was dimly aware that I was bleeding too, in several areas, but there wasn't time to wonder how badly.

I finally reached the steps, skipping two at a time to emerge inside the inner sanctum of the temple. The others had stopped to gain some modicum of organization and catch their breath. The damage was less here for the moment, but it was only a matter of time before it too gave in to the strain wrought by the Witch King's departure - the portal was destroyed.

"Is everyone here?" Jovan asked above the deep groan of the earth.

"The old man never left the tomb." Balthier supplied gravely.

I squeezed my eyes shut at the image of the old man's body, crushed and bloody. Then it was gone and I was searching the milling crowd as well. Someone else was missing – multiple someone else's. My breath hitched in my throat and I twisted around more frantically, but he wasn't there.

Vaan's not here.

Neither was Sigmund or Armand for that matter. The latter two were likely the first to leave in the chaos that had ensued after the battle. Surely Vaan hadn't followed them, had he?! But his words from earlier drifted across my memory and my stomach turned with dread.

"Oh no," I gasped and then I was running, "Vaan!"

"Wait—Penelo!"

I didn't wait to see if anyone else followed. There was no time to negotiate the matter and the library was straight ahead. I'd be damned if I let Vaan die at Sigmund's hands after coming all this way to save his sorry hide.

By the time I was half way across the stone path through the library, there were rocks the size of chocobos falling down from the ceiling, throwing water in a ten foot radius wherever they landed. Blood pounded in my ears as I hurtled over boulders that had fallen in my path mere seconds before I passed and ducked beneath a storm of rocks from above.

None of us might make it out alive, come to think of it.

I was five steps from the grass on the other side when I spotted the body floating face down in the koi pond. I stopped short, wide eyed and breathing heavily – there was blood in the surrounding water. For one instant, my heart ceased to beat and I almost collapsed, but as I chanced a closer look I realized that it was not Vaan. The hair was far too dark.

No, the body belonged to Armand, run through by a blade of some kind.

My throat convulsed for one second before I was once again sprinting past towards the exit hall. A broken pillar was leaning across the doorway, half blocking it, but there was still enough room for even Kang to slip by. They couldn't be that far ahead, but it was more than enough time for something to happen before I got there. I never stopped to consider what exactly I planned to do if I did arrive in time.

I very nearly twisted an ankle going through the passage that led back out into the valley. It was so dark and the floor gathered more rubble with every passing second. Then I remembered that my magic was depleted and had to go fumbling through my provisions for an elixir, all the while trying not to fall.

At last I glimpsed light ahead framed in a doorway and made for it with all the speed I had left. I shot out into the courtyard, skipping the five steps that lead down from the library entrance, and skidded to a halt. My body froze in place, fear shattering my resolve as I gazed at the terrible spectacle that was the lost city.

The walls of the valley were threaded with cracks, starting from the bottom and scattering upwards. Ledges collapsed and trees tumbled into the depths below. The earth moaned with every shift, releasing more and more wreckage down upon the city. Everything would be gone in a matter of minutes, there was no doubt.

It wasn't until I heard voices from up ahead that I finally shook myself back to reality. I looked up and spotted two familiar figures clinging to a narrow side path heading up the valley towards the bridge crossing. The ex-Judge had turned to face Vaan, whose sword was unsheathed, a dirk glistening sharply in his hand.

The weapons clashed with a resonating clang. Though Sigmund's weapon was the smaller and weaker of the two, he was the more skilled fighter and it was painfully clear with every step he drove Vaan back. With each exchange Vaan's movements grew more sporadic, less focused with his sword play.

I never registered the sound of approaching footsteps from behind me. All I saw was the sudden deft turn of the blade in Sigmund's hand as it slipped inside Vaan's defenses. A gut wrenching scream tore through the thunder of falling rock as Vaan fell to the ground. Then he was sliding – sliding towards the cliff edge with only one hand grasping for a hold.

My mind was screaming. No! – not Vaan!

"Damn you!" I didn't realize at first that it was my voice speaking. My fingers dug painfully into the shaft of mys taff as I hurled myself up the path after the traitorous knight without thought or care. He would pay for it, somehow.

When I reached the point where Vaan had fallen over the edge, Sigmund was standing up from the ground. He held something in his hand as he gazed at me narrowly, his lips curved in a malicious smirk. I never wanted so badly to kill someone in my entire life.

Then he said, "A souvenir, for what I could have taken and did not." and threw something at me.

I blanched, scrambling back in horror as a bloodied hand rolled across the ground to rest at my feet, and tried not to be sick. There was no time for that now. Sigmund had fled and Vaan…Vaan was gone.

I collapsed on my knees by the edge of the cliff, forcing myself to look down, to confirm the truth before I left. My eyes did a double take as I gazed downwards and I blinked, but nothing had changed. Vaan was there, clinging to a ledge thirty feet below the path with his one good hand.

"Vaan!" I shouted.

He looked up at me, his face contorted in a grimace of agony and paling fast. The bleeding stump of his wrist was pressed firmly into the folds of his vest, but he would die soon if the wound was not cauterized. Someone had to go down and get him.

I swallowed hard as the venomous fangs of panic sank in. Where were the others? They weren't here. I would have to go myself, but I'd never be able to do it alone – not without rope.

Where were they?!

The sound of voices and the thud of boots upon stone alerted me to the arrival of the others. I whirled around and jumped to my feet to meet them. Basch led, followed by everyone else in varying degrees of injury.

"He's down there. That bastard cut off his hand!" I began babbling, waving in the general direction that Vaan was. I could barely breathe, let alone talk coherently. "He's alive – he's down there – we have to get him, before he bleeds to death. I won't leave without him!"

Basch grabbed me by the shoulders and looked down at me steadily, "Quietly now. Take a breath." He said. "I will go down and get him."

I stared back at him for one dazed moment, not comprehending, before realization sank in. My eyes cleared and I saw him standing there, steadfast and outwardly calm even at the most dire times. His hands were warm and firm as he squeezed gently, waiting for an answer, and I finally nodded my head.

"Alright. I'm alright." I murmured and stepped aside, exhaling deeply. The tension gradually eased from my shoulders, but the fear still lurked beneath.

Balthier stepped forward with a coil of rope, handing one end to Fran to be secured to a rock or whatever else could be found. That happened to be Kang who was the only one big enough or strong enough to stand as an anchor. Everyone else stepped up to give a hand as the other end of the rope was tied around Basch's waist.

"Hurry." was all that Balthier said as Basch began to slowly lower himself down over the edge.

I stood beside Kang with baited breath, holding the rope steady as I watched Basch descend. The ground was not shaking so badly now. It seemed to come in spurts, but at any moment it could send us all sprawling, not to mention the danger from falling debris.

It seemed to take forever from where I was standing, but Basch eventually made it without incident. The next part was not as easily carried out. I swallowed hard, unable to look away yet loathed to watch. At least Vaan was lucid for he accepted the leather thong that Basch provided and bit down with all his might. Then Basch removed his sword and ignited it into glowing steel.

Sedara closed both ears and eyes as the hot metal was pressed to Vaan's bleeding arm. The scream was muffled by the leather, but it made the skin shiver. I flinched, turning my head, and waited for it to subside.

A cure spell was cast, and the ground jerked beneath us.

All but Kang and Jovan were thrown to the ground by the force of the shift. It was a good thing too for they were all that kept Basch from falling with Vaan clinging steadfast to his shoulders. They were dangling free, having lost the ledge in the quake.

"Pull them up!" Balthier cried, jumping to his feet and grabbing the rope. The others were already scrambling to find a purchase as well, and soon everyone was heaving.

But the ground continued to sway and jerk under us. I could barely maintain my balance, let alone brace myself to pull. It was by Kang's strength, and his strength alone, that we were able to get them over the edge and onto the path.

Vaan was on his feet in an instant, still pale, but alert. "He took it." He said. "My stone and Armand's too. I wouldn't have gone after him if he hadn't killed Armand like that."

"You're lucky he didn't kill you." I said, remembering Sigmund's words almost as an afterthought.

"A souvenir, for what I could have taken and did not."

"Not to break up the party, but we're about to be buried in two miles of solid rock." Balthier interrupted. "I suggest we get a move on."

"Which way?" I asked.

"To the Gates." Sedara supplied evenly and set off at a brisk jog. "I do believe that once you have left the city, the damage will be minimal."

"Assuming that the gate is still open?" Larsa mused pensively as he followed up behind her. "I would not put it past Sigmund to destroy it."

Jovan shook his head, "He entered through the main gate, not the same gate that you, Basch and Penelo used. Hurry now."

It was rapidly coming down to the wire now. We arrived at the bridge and started the crossing just as the valley wall began to crumble – everything, the library, the roads and courtyard – crushed and buried, never to be seen again. The bridge shuddered from the impact, but held.

I was trying to avoid being crushed myself as the ceiling continued raining down on our heads. It was a miracle that no one else had died, or at least had been seriously injured.

A monstrous shriek sounded out from below, followed by a tremor that wrenched the bridge out from under me. I landed on my side with the wind knocked out of me, and tried to roll over, only to be thrown violently towards the edge by a second tremor. My fingers caught one of the steel rafters that supported the bridge as I dangled over the side precariously, my heart lodged firmly in my throat.

Something exploded from the water far below and I looked down, only to wish quite fervently that I hadn't. Glistening flesh and bulbous tenticles thrashed up from the water's surface. I clung to my hand hold for dear life and watched in horror as the squid began pulling apart the foundations of the bridge.

The metal supports squealed as it shifted on its perch, the cliffs crumbling out from beneath it. The bridge gave a sudden jerk as one side broke loose and there was a collective cry of alarm. My end was tilting gradually towards the water and my grip was slipping. Someone shouted out for help and there was the sound of a body hitting the bridge, tumbling.

I looked up slowly and saw Fran holding onto Balthier, who was holding on to Vaan, saw Sedara and Jovan clinging together up ahead – too far away to help, and Basch with one hand on what had once been a rail, looking down at me in the most wretched dismay. I knew, before I even looked, that several feet away Larsa was holding on for dear life at the edge of the bridge.

The valley shuddered again, our grips loosened. Larsa had less to hold onto than I did, or he might have not been in peril. If I had only relinquished the staff to the waters below, I might not have been either.

My eyes closed for the briefest moment, but it felt more like an eternity.

Basch would only get to one of us in time. I could see it in his eyes, the despair of having to make such a choice. But he really didn't have one, because Larsa was the Emperor.

My jaw set firmly as my eyes blurred with frightened tears, but I forced them back and swallowed the traitorous sob that crept up in my throat. I smiled weakly back at the man who'd owned my heart since the very first day this fiasco began. It was all so ironic.

Then I made the choice for him and let go.

Author's Note: Oh, I'm evil. I take months to update and then I leave you guys with the ultimate cliff hanger. I'm the epitome of evil. I'm also very sorry because it's taken THIS DAMN LONG to get another chapter out. It's unacceptable really, considering how close I am to finishing it. I'd say there are two more chapters left to go, maybe three.

Anyway, here's to hoping I don't go on hiatus again without telling anyone. I didn't know about it either, at least not until it happened. I went to months without writing anything – scary. I haven't had a spell like that in years.