Author's Notes: Is it bad that this has sat dormant for so long?

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy is not mine, etc.

The Promise

Chapter 6: South Gate

The Phoenix Rising teetered its way through the open skies on their approach into the territory of Lindblum. Despite its gallant name, the Phoenix had certainly seen better days. Perhaps once upon a time it had been a luxury cruiser, the pinnacle of technology. But no longer. It had long since been relegated to a cargo transport that took on passengers too poor to afford regular airfare. Under the guise of a traveling trio, Tantalus ensured that Blank, Dagger and Vivi all had space and were left to themselves.

Leaving Vivi to rest in their cabin below, Blank strode up the stairs to find Dagger. Made only too clear by his conversation with Baku, Blank realized that his time with the Alexandrian Princess was limited and there were things that he knew he needed to say before that time came and went. But Great Eidolons above, he didn't want to have to speak the words aloud. Adjusting the band over his eye, he cast his gaze about until they landed on Dagger. She sat at the front of the ship, staring out over the cerulean emptiness of the skies.

Though she didn't turn or acknowledge his presence in any way, her body relaxed just slightly on hearing his footsteps.

"You know, aside from when we fled from Alexandria on the Prima Vista, I have never really spent much time on an airship…" Dagger mused softly. "My people are the Queens of the sea. It was Lindbum who always ruled the skies."

Blank leaned against the rail, watching her with a half-smile. "It's really something. Sometimes it felt like all we did was fly back and forth with the gang," he replied. "But it's something I don't think I'll ever really get used to. Flying through the air like a bird. It's the freest I've ever felt."

Dagger twisted and looked back at Blank. "Do you know how much further to Lindblum?"

After a brief hesitation, "About another hour."

"Blank, I… I know that I couldn't have ever made it this far without you…" Dagger began, but was cut off as he lifted up a hand to silence her.

"Dagger, let me say something first," Blank pleaded. "I know this all started because of Tantalus and, then by extension, Zidane, but… now I don't know how I could really ever have turned my back on you. And if Zidane hadn't been such a moron and sacrificed himself to save me, it would have been me in the Evil Forest. I never would have known you. Never would have gotten to see your strength and kindness for myself. And knowing that… knowing how close it came that I never would have known you…" He stopped, fingers running nervously through his hair.

"Dagger, what I want to say to you is…" Blank never had the chance to finish his words, however, when a blast of thunder came ripping across the bow, very nearly frying both of them where they stood. Blank dove across the open space to drag Dagger down, keeping his body between her and whatever danger might present itself.

"Are you alright?" he breathed out, looking down at her. Dark hair fanned itself out as Dagger's pale beauty was etched with fear.

But she managed to nod. "I'm fine. What was that?"

"Don't know, stay down though."

Blank risked a glance up and saw it. Another airship, far sleeker and faster, had drawn up alongside.

"Damnit," Blank swore, one hand gripping the wood of the rail. "It's one of those Black Waltzes." His other hand reached down to take hold of the hilt of his sword, breathing out slowly. "Stay low and go find Vivi. I'll distract it." Hauling himself to his knees, he paused long enough to brush a gloved hand across Dagger's cheek. "Be careful."

Despite the danger, Dagger's cheeks flushed with pleasure at the light touch and she nodded. "You as well, Blank. Don't do anything stupid until Vivi and I get to you."

Their eyes met and held each other for as long as they could manage, emotions running between the two that they could not even find the words to speak. A fear bubbled up inside of Dagger, having nothing to do with the battle, and all to do with the potential loss that could befall her if Blank did something insane before she could return to him. But she managed a brief smile and after another moment's hesitation launched herself to her feet and zigzagged her way across the deck to reach the stairs going to the cabins below.

Watching Dagger go, Blank felt a moment of loss, as if it would be the last time he would have the chance to be in her glorious presence. But squaring his shoulders, he pushed himself fully upright again. The Black Waltz stood on the bow, thunder crackling at his fingertips. The two ships veered dangerously close to one another and without pausing to think of how stupid this would be, he hurled himself over the edge and jumped the distance.

He landed hard on the wooden surface of the Black Waltz ship, rolling a few times to ease some of the impact. Using his forward momentum, Blank rolled himself straight to his feet, drawing his sword in one fluid movement, holding it before him in a defensive position.

"When are we going to be rid of you things?" Blank all but snarled in his growing rage. Two quick slashes kept the creature from sweeping down and clawing out his eyes.

With a hiss in rage, the Black Waltz settled itself, floating about ten feet away, arms crossed over its chest, eyes glowing a murderous red.

"Where my brothers have failed, I shall succeed," it gloated. "I am the most powerful of the three. I will take the Princess back to the Castle as instructed. Destroy all others in my path. Feel the pain of resistance, pitiful human."

Thunder crackled through the air. The electricity sent shivers down Blank's spine, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to rise. But the shiver wasn't entirely physical. There was something in this one's eyes that made him wary. It was… a certain level of insanity that even the other two Waltzes hadn't possessed. It made him afraid. But it also gave him strength – a burning rage of his own. He could not allow this creature to ever lay its hands on Dagger. No matter what.

With a shout in rage, Blank rushed the Waltz, sword glittering against the growing clouds of thunder. The strength of his convictions, of his commitment, of his… loyalty to Dagger. They could be enough – they had to be enough – to protect her from whatever evil was controlling these creatures of darkness. Untapped power flooded through him, pushing his attacks even faster than before. This wasn't Trance. It was more than that. More powerful, more potent, more… everything. Blank understood what it was. It was the power of the love that had been growing deep inside of him for a girl who he never should have met, but now, having been given the chance to be in her presence, even for a moment, he could not imagine his life without her. And given that choice, he would gladly give it to preserve hers from even a speck of harm. And that dedication gave him a power that the Waltz could never understand.

Clearly, Number Three was not prepared for the ferocity of the attack and was driven back a few paces. But it did not deter him. Ink black wings spread as he launched himself further into the air.

"Is that all you can muster, you pitiful human?" the Waltz hissed, tongues of darkness licking over his very essence. "Feel the power of the Black Waltz!"

His arms spread out wide and called down the power held deep within. "THUNDAGA."

It raced through Blank, burning through his insides, twisting a pain all through him that he could not even manage to scream through the agony of it. But it did not dull his wits, instead only making him think faster. Taking his dagger at his side, he buried it into the wood of the ship, using that focal point to ground himself against the attack. It was not perfect but now at least he acted as a conduit that safely grounded the energy out into the wood of the ship.

A soft sizzling smoke rose off of the youth as he rose once again, yanking the dagger free and holding it in his left hand as his sword was hefted into the right.

Across the open expanse between the two ships, a frantic voice shouted out, "Blank!" and he stole a quick look to see Dagger and Vivi, both watching with wide eyes.

He saw her reach down, summoning forth her white magic and Blank felt the gentle cradle of power cocoon him in its healing embrace. It bolstered his strength, giving him the power to fight on. Safe on the other ship, both Dagger and Vivi were able to cast support spells to keep the Black Waltz on edge, never able to fully attack and slaughter Blank. But at the same time, it kept him from being able to launch an attack against their foe.

Blank could see that both of his mages were growing weaker. They didn't have the same control or experience as the Black Waltz. They could never keep up with his casting power, even with the Ethers they were chugging to stay in the fight.

Damn it, damn it. What would Zidane do? Blank could not help but think desperately as he looked around. They were rapidly approaching the South Gate with other Airships struggling to get out of their way.

And then Blank knew what had to be done. Looking over his shoulder at Dagger, he felt a pain in his gut. He wouldn't be able to fulfill his promise after all.

"Tell the Captain to put on all the speed he can muster," he shouted across to the crew of the Phoenix Rising. With their eyes wide, they nodded and hastened to obey his commands. No one ever questioned him, given the authority in his voice. It was something that would have surprised Blank in any other circumstance.

Turning his attention back to the creature before him, Blank narrowed his eyes. "You messed with the wrong ship, buddy," he growled. "Nothing is going to stop her from reaching Lindblum safely." And calling on the last of his strength, he threw a series of attacks at the Waltz, forcing it on the defensive. But no one seemed to realize was that in the attacks, both defensive and offensive, he had been slowly pushing the Waltz back into a corner, away from the controls of the ship.

"VIVI, hit him with everything you've got!" Blank bellowed, brandishing his blade.

The young mage nodded and concentrated on sending fire spell after fire spell at the Waltz, pushing through his exhaustion to keep the monster pinned down.

Freed for a moment of the combat, Blank took off at a sprint toward the bridge of the ship. But in the cockpit at the controls stood a silent Black Mage. Different from Vivi to be sure, but the general parts were all the same. It turned to him with impassive eyes. But those golden reflections slid past him and over to Vivi. Without a word, he turned and walked out the other door onto the main deck as several other Black Mages of the same cloth followed from down below.

Blank wasn't about to question his good fortune as he seized control of the navigation, keeping them close to the airship as both made their approach on South Gate. He could see the frantic signals being flashed to order both ships to veer off but he flashed his own frantic signals to the pilot of the Phoenix to keep going.

Turning his gaze out to the bow of the ship, his heart nearly stopped in his chest. The mages had formed a wall on each other, using their powers to cast a mass spell. Sheets of fire zigged up and down the line, always continuous, always burning. But instead of aiming toward himself or even toward the Phoenix, it blasted its way to the Waltz who was more than surprised itself.

"You blasted dolls, you're supposed to follow my orders," it shrieked.

Perhaps it was too powerful for Blank on his own, but over a dozen black mages working as one force was more power than even one Black Waltz could muster. It was working. He found himself wearing a smile as he waved over to Dagger, whose gloved hands were clapping in her joy. They were going to make it.

As both ships began to slow on its descent into South Gate, the tension started to leave Blank's shoulders. They were going to make it. The thought left him completely unprepared for the screaming power that shattered the glass on both ships, blasting from the focal point of the fading Waltz.

"Pathetic humans," it screamed. "You shall never defeat me!"

The next wave of uncontrolled power threw Blank back against the wall, cracking his skull against the wooden structure. He fell unconscious to the ground. With no one at the controls, the smaller airship began to teeter and sway, breaking its course.

Dagger watched in horror, a panicked scream caught in her throat as it swerved toward the mountainside. But there was nothing she could do but watch in horror as the Black Mages held the Waltz caught in their combined power, ensuring that the suicidal mission would not be in vain. It was but a mere dot against the skyline as the craft was engulfed in flame and smoke.

"NO! BLANK!" Dagger found her voice, lurching along the edge, hands gripped tightly against the handrail. "BLANK!" she screamed again.

A hefty member of the crew grabbed Dagger around the waist, hauling her back from the rail. Any man could see the grief written across her face and it wouldn't have been the first time the weathered man would have seen a lovesick girl do something drastic while caught up in her pain. He would prefer it if she didn't go careening overboard.

With the second airship now but splinters in the rockwall, the Phoenix was able to cross through South Gate without too much fuss. The Captain radioed ahead, per the instructions of Baku, to request an official from the Regency to meet them in the landing bay.

Dagger sat prostate at the front of the ship, her legs splayed before her, eyes distant and empty. Vivi crouched next to her, gently trying to rouse the Princess, but was so far unsuccessful. The occasional silent tear would track its way down her cheek, followed by a shaking breath. Blank was gone. She couldn't fully wrap her mind around the idea that she would never see his face again, or hear his voice as he patiently explained something new to her about the world she had never known before him.

"Dagger?" Vivi whispered, his small hands hesitantly hovering over Dagger's shoulder. He was afraid to touch her, but somehow knew that she needed the contact. "Please, Dagger, it's gonna be okay. W-w-we're going to make it." He gulped back his own tears. He needed to be strong for Dagger right now. It's what Blank would have wanted and insisted upon. And now Vivi knew that he was all she had left.

She reached out to grasp Vivi's hand, pulling the young mage closer. "He can't be gone," Dagger whispered. "I should have done something faster. Summoned Bahamut to save him. Or… or… cast Protect so maybe he wouldn't have been knocked out by that attack." The tears began anew. "Why wasn't I fast enough to save him?"

The pair held tight to each other the rest of the journey to Lindblum and sat quietly where they were even after the ship had landed. Dagger knew that she needed to get up and seek audience with Regent Cid but she couldn't muster that kind of strength at the moment. Perhaps she would be able to persuade the Captain to let her stay one more night on board before she had to face the world again.

X.X.X

"Minister Artania, thank you for coming," The Captain greeted the tall and greying man who stood before him. Dressed in elegant robes, he looked every inch the important official of Lindblum. "Baku, who I believe is a mutual acquaintance asked me to bring them to Lindblum and get them here safely," he explained, gesturing to the silent girl and mage. "There was a third but he gave his own life to protect the ship when we were attacked a few miles outside of the Gate." He shook his head. "The girl is taking it very hard."

Artania, a lifelong servant to the Regancy of Lindblum nodded his head and looked across to the prostate girl. She was stunning to look at but it was the pendant at her neck that drew his real attention. If it were it, he would need to rush her to the throne room…

Moving slowly forward, he finally caught a good look and breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank the Gods that you're safe, Princess," he said loud enough to catch her attention. "We were worried sick over your disappearance."

Dagger looked up slowly. "Uncle Artania?" she half whispered. Her head shook once to clear itself before she rose and tried to brush away the tears. She took a deep breath, trying to push away the broken hearted girl and focus on her duty as a Princess. "Uncle Artania, I must see Regent Cid right away. It is a matter of utmost importance," she begged. "Please, I have come from Alexandria, overcoming monsters and dangers and…" she paused, eyes threatening to tear up again. "And loss in order to see him."

"Of course, Princess," Artania replied soothingly. "You and your friend will be taken to the Regent immediately. Please, just come with me."