Becoming More

Marina was lying asleep in a hospital bed. She had been breathing on her own for a few hours now. Balthier was half asleep in a chair next to her. She cracked her eyes open and scanned her surroundings. The sleeping Balthier, the dull lights, the comfortable pillow.

Balthier sighed and opened his eyes, giving up on sleep. "Marina. How long have you been awake?"

"Just a few minutes."

Balthier scooted up closer to her. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine. Like any other morning."

Balthier smiled at her. "Marina I -" Balthier couldn't say it so he kissed her instead.

It took a moment for Marina to get over the shock but once she did she buried her fingers in his hair and kissed him back. When they needed breath they pulled away and Balthier climbed into bed beside her and laid his head on her shoulder. Marina smiled and closed her eyes to sleep. They both knew how the other felt so there was no need for words.

The next morning they thanked the Prime Minister and he welcomed them back again. On board the Strahl, the two pirates puzzled over which planet to find the earth key on. They had narrowed it down to Endor IV and Endor V, Naboo, and Andor.

"I think we can cross out Endor IV and Endor V because technically they are moons" Marina said after a few silent minutes.

"So? The riddle never said that the stones had to be found on a planet."

"True. But let's try Andor first", she said as she began to set their coordinates and charge the hyperdrive.

"Why Andor?" Balthier asked curiously.

"Because I don't think it would be on Naboo since we're supposed to find a temple on Naboo."

Balthier nodded in understanding as Marina got up from her seat and searched through their stocks. She searched for stuff that would be useful to them in the jungle. "If this earth key hasn't been found yet on a highly populated planet then it must be in a part of the forests that the people fear to travel in", Balthier said from the front.

"We've got some rope, a bow and some arrows, a couple grapling hooks, flashlights, matches, and a roll of good old fashioned dynamite sticks", she threw the objects onto the floor over her shoulder as she listed them off.

"That should be enough", Balthier said as he stood up from the captain's seat. "I'll pack the provisions, you take care of all this", he indicated to the pile of supplies scattered all over his floor. Marina grabbed a bag out of the closet and began packing the stuff inside. Balthier went to the kitchen and packed some bottled water and a few preserved foods.

Later that night Marina tossed and turned in her bed as she dreamed of her home world being conquered. The invasion came so suddenly that no one had time to prepare. All of those soldiers wearing dark armor and their leaders with helmets that made them seem as though they were the devil's henchmen, had thrown the whole planet into a sea of terror. But Balthier showed her the way out of the fear that fought desperately to control her every action. He taught her the weaknesses in their armor and their usual battle tactics. But no matter how many she killed they just kept coming.

She awoke with a start. Marina got out of bed and went to Balthier's room and climbed into his bed. Balthier turned over onto his side and wrapped an arm around her so that she knew she wasn't alone.

By the next morning they had reached Andor. Balthier sat down at the table and waited for Marina to make coffee. "Balthier it's not working. There's no power."

Balthier groaned. "The circuit must have finally died. That damn thing is so old Im surprised it lasted this long." He stood and left to take a shower. Marina joined him.

--

"There's a small forest called Black Death Forest. The natives ancestors had apparently carved a path into the forest that led to a small town they had built. But not long afterward everyone in the town just disappeared. Searches were made to find them but anyone who ever went into the forest never returned. Sounds like your classic horror story." She said as she looked at Balthier. Despite her sarcastic comment, Balthier could see the worry in her eyes.

"Don't worry Im sure whatever killed them is long gone by now."

Marina nodded. "Drop me off in the forest and I'll get the stone while you fly the ship to a city and get the circuit in the kitchen fixed."

Balthier shook his head. "I'll get the stone. That way while you're in the city you can get whatever food you think we need."

Marina frowned. She hadn't liked the way Balthier had stared at the fire key when they had first discovered it. But she didn't argue with him.

Balthier landed the ship in a clearing in the middle of Black Death Forest. He took the backpack with supplies in it. Marina kissed him lightly on the lips. "Be careful." Balthier smiled a little and started down on the path leading to the deserted town.

Marina closed the loading ramp and flew the ship to the nearest city. She asked the moogles to replace the circuit in the kitchen and to do a full scan of the ship while she went grocery shopping. The moogles were happy to help as always.

Meanwhile, Balthier came upon the small, deserted town.

Sorry for taking so long with the update but with school shopping and school starting things got hectic. Thanks for being patient!