Author's Note: Okay…I'm working, things have bin busy and I cannot believe that I have been so determined with this story! This chapter has undergone so many changes that it's driving me mad! I've altered paragraphs as much as I can, though there are some that I am still convinced are not my best work. It is during my writing of this chapter that the rest of this story has fallen into place. I know how it will end. Guesses anyone? I hope you still enjoy reading.

Final Fantasy 12

TRUE FEELINGS

CRY

In the beginning there was only them. Brought into existence by the formation of millions of years of evolution. They existed in one place, growing powerful, becoming mighty. Soon others followed. Their children and the servants.

The mightiest of all the First beings was revered as the most beautiful. A gift was offered up for her from the guardians and servants. It was a gift of a new world to grow, but She only had one love to whom she would show her affections. Those were not returned. An attraction of light and dark turned love into hate and hate into blinding fury.

Year -707

The journey back through the Ozmone and Giza plains was eventful, but swift. Not a single word except in battle was uttered between the two of them. They kept the Chocobos running at full pelt through the water flooded Giza swamps, one hand on the reigns, the other using their swords to slice at anything that attacked them. Basch dutifully kept his Chocobo close to hers, circling round just like a protective spell and taking the brunt of the majority of attacks. With this tactic, they were able to keep up a reasonable speed, as long as the rains didn't get worse or any water elementals impede their journey.

A couple of days and nights travel across the plains was reduced to only two days and one night. The two of them reached Rabanastre in the early evening and were greeted by furious and worried staff.

Ashe wasn't stopping to listen to any of their concerns, she stormed straight on past, Basch ploughing a path through before her. None of them were going to argue or stand in the path of a man towering over six foot tall. Basch lead her on up the main palace stairs and towards the throne hall, where at her the door, stood four members of the Dalmascan Council, two Archadian guards and one very angry Lady In Waiting.

"I don't want to speak to them right now." Ashe whispered to him. "Just…"

"You may have to." Basch replied. "Talven is livid beyond measure."

The Head of the Council had been a member even in Ramina's days. He was getting old, pushing well into his sixties but he had never lost any of his temperament. He scowled at the Queen beneath thick bushy white eyebrows.

"Where have you been, Your Majesty?!" Talven bellowed. "We have been frantic with worry for your safety! No news of whether you were alive or dead! The search parties have been out all over Dalmasca trying their best and…well…I see Judge Gabranth has brought you back himself. Though it was not his place."

"Not his place?!" Ashe sneered back. Her arms folded across her chest, she was about to start explaining but she bit her lip to keep her anger from raging. Instead Ashe sighed and focused on what really needed to be addressed. The reason why she was lured from here in the first place. "I was woken in the middle of the night by one of my servants saying that an ally and friend was near death. I went to their aid…only to find it was all but a trap. I want to know where Lia is. SHE was the one who told me and I will have words with her. Now!"

"Lia?!" Arla stepped forward. Her white pale features looked tired and fatigued, no doubt with all the worry about her Queen. "She has not been here for days. She went home to visit her mother."

"She went to Bhujerba?" asked Basch. Arla nodded. Basch addressed the Queen. "We shall go there."

"We will, but I want to be prepared." said Ashe, as Arla stepped aside and allowed her into the room. Basch went to follow, but instead, he turned and stood in the doorway, barring anyone else from entering. The Council members and Talven were furious and all began to shout at once, protesting that it was not for Ashe to go after this woman. "It was too dangerous." "She has other priorities!" "The wedding is getting closer!" Basch was not interested. He stood like a statue and tuned out their whining.

"What news of the Emperor?" he asked one of the Archadians, as the Council blathered on.

"He left a couple of days ago, Magister." said the guard.

"Back to Archades?"

"No, my lord. He ordered us to stay, but he was not alone. The Queen's friend and the Viera went with him. To Golomore. The Viera was in a very bad way….screaming and bleeding….the Emperor felt it was his duty to help her…"

"Vaan went with him?"

"Yes, sire. They took the….the Sky Pirate's ship. The Strahl."

Basch nodded in approval. If Fran was in trouble, there would be no convincing Larsa to stay behind and Vaan would do everything he could. Basch worried for Fran…if she was in danger, he too badly wanted to go and help. Yet the greater good outweighed his friend. Fran would have help, Balthier would see to it, but right now, Basch and Asheila had to see to this new threat.

"The Emperor is in good hands." he muttered to himself.

Vaan. Don't fail me now.

The shouting suddenly burst into volume again as Ashe came from the throne room. Basch didn't need to repress his smile underneath his helmet, but the sight of his Queen with an arm full of weapons was a proud moment. She certainly wanted to be prepared.

"If you wish to get something from the armoury, Judge Magister…" she began.

"You are NOT going fight again, Highness!!" yelled Talven. "You have a duty to Dalmasca! You are to be wed to Lord Danver in only but a few weeks and there are still all the treaties to amend between Archadia and Rozzaria and……"

"I know my duty, lord Talven." Ashe said softly and in as a pleasant tone as she could muster. "But what I want to know is, why a servant I have known for years, decided to put my life in danger!! This WILL be dealt with first. Judge Magister, accompany me to Bhujerba…get what you need and we shall proceed to the Aerodrome."

"As you wish, Highness. Archadia is more than willing to aid you with this crisis."

Talven's and the faces of some of the other members of the council, went red with such fury that Ashe thought their very heads would explode.

"My Lady…."

Ashe turned to Arla and for the first time since coming back, the queen actually felt ashamed for not having told her closest maid what she had done. Ashe took hold of Arla's hand and smiled.

"I'm sorry." she said. "I guess I acted a little rashly at the time, but I am fine.

"I know that…" Arla gently kissed Ashe's knuckles. "I know that you can take care of yourself, but to even fathom that Lia would…"

"I know it was her who told me, Arla. I know it's hard to believe. I have to go now. The Judge will come with me as my escort."

"You really trust this man?"

"Yes. I do."

Arla shook her head in dismay. Basch saw once again a frown so angry and full of detest that he knew she was thinking of him.

"Majesty…don't forget the last man you trusted with your life."

"I trust Judge Gabranth." Ashe stated quite sternly. "We're going. But I want you to be here for Danver when he gets back. He knows what's going on but he.."

"I understand, highness."

Ashe felt relieved knowing she still had Arla's confidence and as Talven still continued to protest, the Queen and her protector walked off towards the armoury. They weren't going to waste any more time.

Rabanastre Year 704

Vossler stopped for no one. The Knight, covered in blood and dirt, ran through panicked crowds until he reached the main hall. Thankfully, Ashe was alone and not surrounded by the politicians or servants. The last thing he wanted to do, was to deliver news of her father's death and have the young princess collapse in tears in front of everyone.

Vossler closed the doors and approached the young woman. His boots sounded eerily on the polished floor, each step a harsh echo of the dread and remorse he felt. Ashe didn't need to be told anything, she was already shaking her head, her eyes swelling with tears.

"No…no!" Ashe clung onto her hair and pulled. "NO!"

Her legs were buckling under the barrage of grief. Her body felt so numb as her angst boiled beyond her capacity to release it.

Her legs gave out and Ashe began to fall, but Vossler was quick and caught her in his huge arms, the two of them slowly sinking down to the floor. Ashe clung to him, still shaking her head, still unable to cry.

"I'm sorry, Princess." Vossler said softly, as Ashe held on to him. "I'm afraid your father was killed. Imperials had overrun the fortress and I could not remain…I am so sorry."

Ashe couldn't speak. The words couldn't find themselves to express her feelings right now. She wanted to scream, she wanted to cry and call for her father, she needed to release, to feel anything, but she couldn't. Her strength was gone…her soul felt broken.

"We must leave, majesty." Vossler softly whispered, his hand resting against her hair. "Your life is now in danger. We cannot stay."

Though he knew the princess couldn't move, Vossler tried to coax her back onto her feet. He lifted her up, but Ashe was so limp that she crumpled back to the floor again. The tears finally broke and trailed down her reddened face, Ashe brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs.

"Princess Asheila…"

She shook her head defiantly. Vossler crouched down and took hold of her hands. He felt her resistance at this touch, she was pulling furiously to break apart from him, yet Vossler's grip remained strong.

"Your life is what is important to me." he said. "I will take you away from the palace and keep you safe until the time is right for you to claim your throne. I pledge my own life to your protection."

Ashe was but a shell of a woman. Within just a few days she had lost her husband and now her father, it was too much for one person to cope with. How could she be strong now at such loss? How could she live on without her father, a man who she had always loved and derived all strength from? No longer would she feel his arms around her nor his comforting words of love, she had nothing left.

"Who…" Ashe choked the word through her lips, with great difficulty. "Who killed my father?"

"I need not say now, Highness. Haste is of great importance, we need to leave now."

"WHO KILLED MY FATHER?!!!"

Ashe could feel everything once more, the heart wrenching sorrow, searing anger and hatred and such helplessness that her outburst screamed out with fury.

"I can't…I don't want to believe it…but I saw it with my own eyes." Vossler stated, his usually stern and confident tone wavered with sorrow. Ashe looked straight at him, impatient and livid with his stalling. Her eyes and nose were running, her cheeks were flushed and her fists were clenched so hard that they were turning white.

"Who killed my father?" she spat.

Vossler felt the lump in his throat and the pain in his heart. He tried to forget the memory of seeing the murder and the man who's hands were stained with the king's blood. He couldn't bare to tell her. He didn't want to see her suffer any more, but he had a duty.

"I regret to inform you, that Captain Basch Fon Ronsenberg has betrayed Dalmasca by committing the murder of King Raminas and the fellow members of his squad. He was arrested and will be executed for his crimes."

There was a long awful silence. Then the princess did something completely unexpected.

She began to laugh.

Ashe was in hysterics, her laughter was so loud and hard that she clung to her sides as they racked with pain. Vossler was more than confused.

"BASCH? He killed my father?!!" Ashe couldn't halt her frantic laughs. "Basch Fon Ronsenberg, one of Dalmasca's most LOYAL and dedicated knights, killed my father?! And his team?! Captain Basch, whom I have known all my life…decided to become a traitor?! That is so funny!!!"

"Your majesty…."

"No it is!" Ashe cried out again, the laughing turning to giggles. "It really is funny!!!"

"Majesty, this is not a joke!"

The laughing carried on. For how long, Vossler didn't know. Yet he noted the exact point when that laughter was replaced. The guffaws were less boisterous and they soon became soft choking sobs and then howls of uncontrollable misery. It had finally sunk in as the princess curled up into a ball on the floor and cried with all her might.

Her father killed by someone she had trusted, respected and loved. There was no more soul left in Asheila B'nargin, it was ripped from her body and utterly destroyed.

Golomore Jungle - Year 707

Vaan watched with frantic concern as Fran staggered up from the pilot's seat and with unsteady steps, walked to the back of the ship. The blood was everywhere she had been and now she was leaving a trail across the deck. Her skin was an unnatural pasty white beneath the blood, caused by immense cold sweats and Fran reacted as if she was like the un-dead.

"We've gotta stop that bleeding!" Vaan said as he and Larsa got out of the ship. "She's lost so much! She could die!"

"We have tried already." Larsa replied. "She will not let us near. However, I would hazard a guess as to our purpose here at the wood. The Golomore has done this to her…Fran is wanting answers."

"But I thought that the wood had stopped talking to her…"

Larsa smiled.

"Fran is going to make them talk."

The two followed the Viera right to the entrance of the wood. She paused and she looked up at the trees with a dead look in her eyes. Vaan could once again feel the effects of the Viera's magic penetrating his mind, but he fought the urge to turn round and walk away. Larsa felt the same way, but Fran was still standing, swaying from side to side and chanting under breath.

"FRAN!!"

Vaan and Larsa were both startled, but at the sight of Balthier and Penelo arriving on Chocobos, they felt a lot more relieved.

"What happened?!" asked Balthier as he rushed straight past Vaan and up to his partner. He saw the state she was in and there wasn't even a small attempt to hide his horror at this sight. Balthier grabbed her shoulders and tried to get some kind of attention, but she would not break from her trance.

"What happened?!" Vaan cried. "You told me to keep asking her if she was alright…keep picking! She lashed out and went berserk! Larsa got hit and then she started to bleed from somewhere! She's lost so much…she's so pale!"

"We take her in…" said Balthier as his hands gently cupped around her face. He felt her skin was icy cold and wet and that blood had dripped from her injured ear. He wiped the blood away but Fran never even flinched. "They will know what is wrong with her. They can heal her."

"If they want to." said Larsa.

"They will."

The wood wasn't going to refuse, not if Balthier had anything to do with it.

He scooped Fran up in his arms, with no resistance from her at all. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, she rested her head against him and relaxed in Balthier's hold. She was in pain, every step he took made her wince, the blood still seeped from her and soaked on to his clothes, but there was a faint trace of a smile on her lips. She knew that he would help, she would be safe.

When the group entered the Jungle, everyone felt it's rage and disgust as it unleashed the fiends upon them all.

Archades - Year 707

The Judge didn't care. The door was pushed open and the Judge paused, taking in the dramatic change of this room.

It was bare, except for the single bed, a cupboard for storing the armour and a small table with paper, writing tools and a flower in a vase. This was completely different from before and the Judge smiled.

"Seems I was right after all."

The Judge looked around, inspecting the neatness and order of the bedroom. Everything was in an exact position, straight and tidy. The bed was made perfectly and there was not a speck of dust or dirt anywhere. The flower was immediately recognisable, the only source of colour, but the only thing that still remained from before. It was only one, whereas before there had been a big bunch. The Judge walked up to the table and picked the flower up. There was no water in the vase and the flower was old…dried so the petals wouldn't fall off and the scent was preserved.

What had changed here? Where was all the expensive furniture and pictures? Where was the huge bed doused in the finest Archadian silk? There was no mess…no sign of disorder or carelessness. The feel of the room was different as well. Now all there was, was guilt…shame…and a deep longing. The single flower spoke of a single hope but just like the petals, it seemed that hope had dried out.

The Judge put the flower back and took one last look about the room before walking out through the door. Everything was different now.

Bhujerba - Year 707

Ashe and Basch were met at the Aerodrome in Bhujerba by the Marquis and a large group of nobles and dignitaries. It had been the first time that Ashe had been here since her coronation and to be here now, she couldn't help but feel even more guilty. This was Ardal's homeland and she had come here without him.

They now stood in the Marquis' office, the early morning sunshine hazing a soft golden and orange glow onto the polished surfaces of ornate wooden floors and tables. Halim was sitting, as usual behind his desk, looking up at his niece and trying to make sense of her reasons to visit. She was in a practical outfit and she looked more like a solider, which had startled everyone who had met her at the Aerodrome. With thick brown boots, bound tightly to her legs by leather, Ashe wore a red skirt that went to her knees, which was beneath a leather skirt of armour. Her white blouse only had a few buttons done up, but a brown leather chest piece (elegantly fitting for her feminine physique) covered that. This was not what a Queen would normally wear.

"Uncle..." she said. "I'm not here on ceremony. I have business to attend to."

"From your own appearance, the presence of an Archadian Judge rather than your own personal guard and Lord Danver's absence, I take it this business has nothing to do with the wedding." said Halim as he looked with disapproval at Ashe's attire.

"You are right, I am not here to talk about the wedding. A few days ago, I was woken in the middle of the night and I was told that "Gabranth" had been attacked and was near death."

"And…as the woman you have always been, you got up and immediately went to his rescue, without hindsight or forethought. That would probably explain your style of dress."

"Yes…I acted rashly. It was a trap. I was attacked, but luckily the Garif were there to help me."

"A trap?" Halim shook his head. "Some one was trying to kill you?"

"No." Basch replied. "They were after me. They knew I would come to her majesty's aid. They know of Me."

"Now this is troublesome." The Marquis clasped his hands together and shook them in a praying manner. "Only a few people on my staff know that Basch Fon Ronsenberg lives. I trust them implicitly with this information. We all know what would happen if this news got out."

"The people of Dalmasca will demand my death." said Basch plainly. Ashe felt her gut wrench as to how he could say it with such a calm demeanour. "They will demand that Archadia's ruling council AND Emperor Larsa be stripped from power and put on trial."

"They would be held responsible for freeing a traitor who killed their king." Ondore rubbed his temples with frustration. "Chaos will ensue…war could, would break out again. For Archadia will not allow themselves to be so judged."

"I could not allow it either." said Ashe. "So that is why we are here. The servant, who woke me…who told me this…she has returned to visit her mother, here in Bhujerba."

"You mean to speak to her?" Ondore got to his feet and stood over by the window. Ashe followed him and stood at her uncle's side. He gazed down at her and saw how weary she looked.

"I do. I also intend to find out who is behind this. I will not allow the peace to be threatened."

"I understand." Halim pressed his palms together and smiled. "However seeing as this is the problem of our Judge…perhaps it might be wise for him to pursue this on his own?"

"I will not allow him to." Ashe hissed back. "This is not just his problem, Uncle. It is mine, yours and everyone's problem. I refuse to let Basch take the fall for any of this, because it's not his fault!"

"Very well. If you insist."

Halim then gently took hold of Ashe's elbow and brought his voice down to a whisper, just so the only other occupant of the room couldn't hear their conversation. Basch seeing they wanted to converse privately, moved over to the other side of the office. Though he had no intention of listening in, the insecure glance from the Marquis told him that he was going to be the subject of the conversation.

"I know you, Asheila." Ondore whispered softly. He took hold of her hands and smiled. "You are your father's daughter…I see a lot of him in you. Your strength and your determination are great, but I fear that you are in conflict."

"I don't…"

"Ever since you were a little girl…you have been surrounded by those who would protect you. It is understandable to become attached to people who have been in your service, but that attachment does not best serve you or Dalmasca's needs. Stay focused, majesty. Do not let a childhood fantasy over come your duty…"

"I beg your pardon?!" Ashe couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Are you implying that I…"

"Captain Fon Ronsenberg was…"

"IS!"

"Is…an honourable man. He has always done what is best for this country and for your family. Do not expect anything further from him. You have made a commitment to the throne and the people…you have committed to Ardal Danver. Don't cling to a long held crush."

"You….I…I don't know what you are talking about." Ashe wanted to protest loudly at such allegations, but how could she when her Uncle was right? She looked towards Basch, slightly embarrassed, but he was facing towards the window over looking the city.

"Yes…you do, Asheila. I have seen the way you look at him and how you act around him. Such a strong figure would understandably attract any young woman's affections, but it should not with yours. He will not accept your affections or return them, for he is tied by his vows. You cannot continue them for him…you are his ruler and Queen…it is not your place. Besides…he is much older than you."

"Thank you…" The words were laced with sarcasm. "…for your words of advice, Marquis. I know my place. I also know myself. What I feel is my own business, but I will tell you now, I will not do anything that would jeopardise my standing or Dalmasca's well being. Do not fret yourself, we all have to sacrifice something for the greater good, but Basch has sacrificed more than any of us…his name, his home and his family... I won't allow him to lose anything more. Not after everything he has been through."

"Unfortunately…he may have to."

There came a knock at the door. When Ondore gave permission for them to enter, two guards came through, behind them was a brown haired woman in a blue dress.

"Lia Nuran, Marquis." said the guard. "I believe her Majesty Ashe called for her to be brought here."

"Thank you." Ondore said pleasantly. "Show her in."

Lia walked further into the room and upon seeing Ashe standing next to the Marquis, a wave of relief and joy came over her soft rosy features.

"My Queen!" Lia rushed up to her and grabbed her hands. Her hold was gentle as she held up Ashe's hands to gently touch her forehead. "You are okay! Thank the gods you are alive!!"

Ashe could not feel disgusted by this woman. Never in all those years had she thought this sweet Bhujerban woman could do anything that would put her sovereign in danger. But Ashe recalled, the desperation and worry that had wrecked her inside as she fled the palace. It was something she hoped never to experience again. She thought a part of her was going to die.

Ashe wanted this woman to know how she had felt, but her confused feeling of doubt and anger was making it difficult to speak. Thankfully, Basch stepped forward and addressed the young maid. Though his huge and menacing appearance frightened Lia Nuran, his deep voice soothed her.

"Miss?"

"Aye, Magister." Lia bowed at his presence.

"Miss Nuran…the Queen has asked you here, because it was you who had said that…I…was dying in Giza."

"I did, Magister." Lia stated.

"I was attacked." said Ashe, finally finding the strength to address her maid. She couldn't stop the thoughts of Lia being a betrayer, she wanted to be wrong by those. "My friend and I were ambushed by Bangaa mercenaries. It was I who became close to death and if the Garif had not found me, I would have been. You woke me, you told me…"

"Yes, Milady. I was leaving that night myself. Tomorrow is my mother's birthday and I was getting on a late flight home. I informed you, but I was only passing the message on. I wasn't the one who knew of it first hand."

Ashe smiled. Relief flooded over her and she squeezed Lia's hands with affection. The maid bowed her head.

"I'm sorry if my actions were…"

What if she's lying? What if Lia really did have a part in all this?

"Don't apologise." Ashe said firmly, trying to ignore the new doubt creeping into her mind.

"Do you really know nothing of these Bangaa then?"

Had Basch really just said that? Ashe felt angry that he dared even to question Lia's loyalty, but he had no doubt thought the same as she had. What if? Was she lying now, right to her Queen's face?

"No Magister." Lia replied. "If you do not believe me…if I have given any cause to earn mistrust."

"My apologies, Miss Nuran." Basch bowed humbly. "The question needed to be asked."

"It is all right. I am pleased that both you and Queen Asheila are okay." Lia, with her hands still holding Ashe's, gazed at her with deep green smiling eyes. "When you fled, I didn't know what to do. I didn't want leave…but I was told to go and that you would be returned safely by the soldiers and guards. I felt as if by leaving, I failed you somehow."

"You have not failed me." said Ashe.

Lia's smile faded.

"Then, I'm sorry, Majesty. I must inform you of who came back with the message. I was out by the main doors, my luggage already packed, when she came inside in such a state. I could tell she had been to the plains, her hair was wet and her clothes and cloak covered in mud."

No. Please no…

"It was Lady Arla."

Golomore Jungle - Year -707

"WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!!!" Balthier yelled as his sword cracked open the skull of a Hellhound which spattered luminous blue blood all over him. He was trying to fight and still hold Fran in his arms, but the swarm of fiends that blocked their path was proving impossible. The whole jungle was unleashing it's anger at them, but Balthier was determined to get to the Eruyt village. Nothing was going to stop them.

Though he hated to put the others at risk, Vaan, Penelo and Larsa circled him and Fran keeping away the beasts. They were fighting well, but progress was too slow for anyone's liking.

Balthier spun round, one arm holding on to Fran's limp form, and he saw another Hellhound lunging past Penelo. The creature swiped the girl with it's claw, but Penelo managed to jerk back, thus only getting a minor scratch instead of a dead gushing wound. Her bow was strapped to her back, useless in such close and packed conditions, so her Masamune was in her hands and it gashed a slice right through the Hound's thick hide, just as Balthier lobbed off it's head.

With no time for thanks, the fight carried on. Larsa was using his potions to heal and Vaan was dealing some major damage with his axe. But with each line of fiends they killed, more would appear from no where.

"This wood doesn't want us here!" cried Larsa as a Panther knocked him to the ground. The young Emperor landed in a pile of Malboro skin and soggy entrails with a squelch. The stink made his stomach churn, he thought he was going to be sick, but at that instant, the Panther was right over him, a claw ready to gut the young Hume. Larsa tried to get up, but his hands and feet slipped in the Marlboro carcass. "Vaan?!! Some help would be appreciated! Vaan?!"

Vaan was busy. He was swinging his axe at the flying Gargoyles, breaking their wings to bring them to the ground and then smashing their bodies. Some of them were much quicker, with their long spears they took jabs at him, laughing and cackling at the sight of blood trickling from his wounds. Vaan didn't weaken, he still swiped at them, roaring with determination and finding that aggression needed to channel his power through his weapon and getting better results. As he got his momentum up, he found he was able to swing with just one hand holding onto the axe, so he turned on his heels, his free hand managing to grab and pull one of the spears from the creature's grasp. In a single fluid motion, the eighteen year old turned like a graceful dancer and as he did so, there was the sound of "Crack. Crack. Crack. Crack." as the Gargoyles head's impacted with the axe, but still more came.

Penelo was using more of her magics rather than relying on her weapons. All the fiends around were weak against the different elements, but in between some slices from her Masamune, she Scathed all that she could, sending a barrage of strong non-elemental magic that ripped them apart. The sound of tearing and exploding fiends, along with the bursting innards, sent the young girl to the ground. She flipped up as quickly as she could, just as another large group of fiends emerged from the woods. Penelo was feeling weak, she didn't think she had much magic left, however when she saw Larsa, she knew she had to act.

The Emperor was beneath a Panther, the purple skinned beast was being kept from digging great big holes in Larsa's body, by the young boy himself. His two swords were held between the two of them, whatever strength Larsa had, he used it to push the panther away far enough to prevent the claws from piercing him.

"Balthier!! Help him!!" Penelo screamed, only to be sent flying through the air by a vicious blow from a Hound. It's claw ripped her armour and clothes, gashing her hip, but instead of feeling her body crack on the ground, she felt strong arms catch her and ease her gently to her feet. There was the soothing bubbling healing from a potion on her hip, then the vision of Vaan smiling. The moment was just a little too brief, both of them had to duck to avoid their heads from being severed.

Balthier was struggling. Fran was getting weaker and weaker in his arms and the constant stream of fiends was proving difficult for him to do anything. Opting for his guns, Balthier was able to shoot individual targets, but too many got by. The magics he had left, his Scourge, managed to keep him and Fran safe for a while, but at Penelo's call, he looked to the Emperor. The boy was failing.

"Shit! LARSA!"

Balthier had to let Fran go if he needed to get to help the Emperor. He had run out of ammunition and Vaan and Penelo were his only guard. He couldn't give Fran to the others, he couldn't drop her to the floor…she would be at the fiends and the wood's mercy. He then hauled the moaning Viera over his shoulder and with his sword, hacked through the beasts to get to Larsa. It hadn't been a great idea for just a few paces before he reached the young boy, a different Panther had gouged its teeth right into his arm that held the sword.

Balthier screamed. The thing wouldn't let go, he could feel the teeth sinking further in, the pain intensifying, the blood spurting from his arm. He clenched his teeth to endure such agony and then focused on the panther that still clung to him. It's eyeless stare was unnerving, but it shouldn't have been able to get so close to him, Balthier knew these things to be nothing compared to what he had fought in the past. He tried to shake it off, kick it, but the ripping flesh made his injury worse. He didn't have the strength to stay on his feet. Fran fell from his shoulder and then he fell beside her with crack. His arm snapped.

"Balthier!" Larsa's face was mere inches away from the panther's sniping jaws, the drool from its yellow fangs dripped over his skin and its weight on top of him was shaking his hold. He couldn't keep the fiend at bay any more.

Just when he thought the creature would rip off his face, Larsa felt something fly past him, a cold breeze following in it's path. It impacted straight into the panther's head, causing it to howl and fly backwards. Larsa sighed with relief and turning his head, he saw Penelo already preparing some more Ice Cloud arrows in her bow. Vaan had healed Balthier's arm as much as he could with the last of his curative magics and as Larsa scrambled back to them, they circled the still fragile Viera on the ground. The wood was not letting up. The beasts still emerged, a never ending tidal wave of fiends that surrounded and closed in on them all.

The wood suddenly turned silent, even it's minions never uttered a snarl or hiss. The wood and the Humes knew that the end was near. The wind rustled the leaves around them, the mist thickened in the air obscuring the view of the creatures. They could see nothing except for the darkness, but they knew they were still there.

"This is NOT good." said Vaan. A nervous hand grabbed his own. He turned and looked to Penelo beside him. She was scared and she showed it. Her eyes were bubbling with tears as she looked at him so he clasped his fingers around hers and smiled. He hadn't wanted it to end like this.

"Oh I don't know." said Balthier. "It's a lot better than some of the situations we've been in."

"But this is bad, Balthier. We're outta magic…"

"Out of potions." added Larsa.

"And out numbered." said Vaan. "We are going to die."

"The final curtain beckons." Balthier sighed.

"I don't want to die." Penelo sobbed. "Not like this…"

Balthier looked down to Fran still lying in the middle of their circle. He wanted to bend down and touch her face, caress her hair…to kiss her lips…just once.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you, Fran. I tried my best."

Still the blackness of the mist swirled around them. No sound, nothing. Then it happened in seconds.

A long slithering tendril whipped out from the darkness and wrapped itself around Larsa's leg. It flipped him off his feet and began to pull him deep into the mist. Larsa cried out. There was a howl and a horrible crunch of bone followed by an agonising scream.

Then, the Shattered Heart was momentarily restored and a bitter cold slammed back at the wood.

Henne Mines Year 706

He had killed many. Over the millions of years during his captivity here beneath the stone, he had slaughtered thousands of fools who thought they could defeat him. None were even worthy of battle with him. His rage kept him strong. Everything he had lost and had become stirred that anger, fuelled that rage and kept him mad. There was no going back…there was no dying. He would spend eternity taking the lives of others to satisfy his darkened soul. He would spend forever empty and alone.

Then one…(day?) a group of…Humes…came to his dungeon. They attacked him and to his horror…these pitiful vermin actually managed to hurt him. They more than hurt him, they actually cut through his malformed shell, pierced him with the white holy magics and shed his thick black blood.

Furied beyond the hells he knew of, he struck back at them with dark ancient spells and fierce physical attacks. Still they were no match for him. Once again he would kill them all and he could go back to slumbering in his misery and despair.

One of the Humes got too close. He knocked the frail thing back so hard, that there was that lovely sound of a snapping spine as…it…smacked into the stone wall. It was at that moment that he knew he had done the wrong thing. There was a rage and it wasn't his own.

Pain. So much pain, his life was bleeding away, but just before the killer blow, he felt something different. Through the rage there was another feeling that he had not sensed in a long time. The pain brought forth his anguish and he wished not for death. He had existed in seething anger, misery and bitterness for too long. Perhaps, this hume, might be able to give him a better end.

Basch stood before the dying creature, Excalibur held tightly in his hands, and the black oozing thick stinking blood covering him from head to toe. He looked like a demon himself, dripping with the dark beast's gory and fetid guts. Vaan, weakened from the battle, had never seen Basch like this before. It scared him, but what scared him even more was that although the creature was defeated, it was still not dead. It wasn't attacking and neither was Basch.

"Erm…Basch…" Vaan cleared his throat. "What are you doing?!"

The Knight didn't answer. He gazed over his shoulder back to where Ashe had been thrown. Vaan shivered. If there ever was an evil he didn't want to face, it would be that man, turned bad, before him.

"What is he doing?!" Vaan asked. Balthier just shrugged, looking as if he didn't really care, but Vaan knew that he was just as intrigued as everyone else as to why Basch wasn't finishing this thing off.

"I think…" Penelo gently grabbed onto Vaan's arm. "I think they're looking at each other."

"That thing has eyes?"

"Somewhere." replied Balthier.

"This is unprecedented." Fran came to the others, holding a weak Ashe in her arms. "This is an ancient servant of the gods. A powerful and raging creature. None have defeated it for it gives no mercy. That Basch is able to stand before it in such a manner is a powerful and fortunate blessing."

"It likes him?" asked Penelo.

"A killer blow from a worthy opponent is considered an honourable death."

Ashe had tuned out from the conversation. She just watched as the Knight stood opposite the creature, both of them circling each other, neither wanting to end the battle just yet.

Eventually, Basch spoke just two words.

"I understand."

With a deep bellowing roar, he plunged the Excalibur right through the centre of the creature. There was an unearthly scream, but instead of the fiend falling to the floor, it's body began to break up and disperse. Specks of black light swirled around the cave, before merging together and forming a crystalline rock floating in the centre. It was clear except for a black smoking glyph in the centre and it was this that held the soul and spirit of the Esper Zodiark. It was there for the taking.

"It's yours, Basch!" cried Penelo. "You've earned it!"

They all watched as the tall knight approached the crystal glyph. He stood there for another moment, starring at it with uncertainty, but then he reached out and wrapped his fingers around it.

The satisfied looks from his companions quickly turned to shock and horror, when he crushed the crystal in his hand. There was a windy howl and black fog exploded in Basch's face. When it cleared, red blood mixed in with the black on Basch's hand.

"Let's go." he growled. He never spoke of it to the others.

Bhujerba Year- 707

What should she do? Lia had said that the person who had lured her away was a dear friend. A woman who had brought her up just as much as her own father and mother had done. Arla Cellen had been in the service of the Royal B'nargin family since the young age of ten. Arla's mother had been Amalia's Lady In Waiting and her daughter was always welcome in the palace by the queen. At the age of fifteen Arla had become a servant in the court and since then had been a permanent presence in the palace throughout Ashe's life. Everyone knew this Lady, they respected her. The soldiers and Knights admired at her beauty, but they grew to be weary, for though she was a woman, she could command them with just a single stern glare and she held more authority than any General. She had a closeness with the Royal family that only a few could ever achieve. She had their trust, confidence and love.

Ashe couldn't bare the wild thoughts coming into her mind, the visions of Arla plotting against her, were sending her crazy. She was pacing her uncle's office, her hands unable to stay still, gesturing her frustration.

"This cannot be true!" Ashe suddenly cried. Lia had left the room, leaving the Queen with Ondore and Basch, the two men stayed silent as they allowed Ashe to think over her other maid's statement. "I won't let it be true! Arla would never do such a thing to me or Dalmasca!"

"You can be so sure, Asheila?" asked Ondore. "Do you really know that much about her past?"

"I know who Arla is! My mother believed in her as did my father. I believe in her!"

Belief. Such a strong feeling to have towards anyone and yet so easy to misplace.

"You believed in Vossler." said Basch. "We both did."

His words stung hard in her heart. The memories of the events on the Shiva came flooding back to the Queen, she faltered in her steps and stumbled. Basch stepped towards her, afraid as if she would fall, but Ashe pushed him back. Those words were harsh, but right. Her other protector had tried to make a deal with Archadia, his intentions had been for the good of his country, but still he had betrayed them, no matter what he had believed. His death at their hands became so vivid in her mind that she choked. It had been so hard to fight him, Vossler had been adamant that his way was right.

"It wasn't his decision to decide what was best for Dalmasca." Ashe stuttered. "It was mine."

"He lost hope, Highness." said Basch. "He saw no other way."

"He lost hope, whilst others have always continued to hold on to it. I BELIEVE Arla is not behind this. I also hope that she is not, despite what my heart tells me. I want proof. Although I have trusted Lia, I still want more than just her word that Arla is a traitor. Uncle…I know some of your staff are aware that Basch lives, talk to them, question them discreetly about what they know."

"What are you going to do?" asked Ondore.

"What I must. I'm going after these Bangaa that attacked me. Once I find them, I will get the information I need, even if I have to drag them all the way back to the palace."

Halim Ondore looked into his niece's eyes and saw such determination and resolve that it was quite frightening. Although he knew her to be strong, there was something else deep inside that made his spine shiver. Was it really her? The fire that was raging out of control inside this woman, was it really the Asheila he knew and loved?

"And you will go with her?" asked Ondore to Basch. The other man merely nodded. "Very well. I shall go and talk to my people now. I only ask that you proceed with caution, Ashe."

"I will do what I can." Ashe wondered over to the window behind her uncle's desk. She gazed out at the city before her, her body stiff and rigid as she silently pondered the events ahead. She never turned round to see Halim leave, she didn't even say goodbye.

Ondore wanted to stay, to try and find out what was really going on inside this twenty year old's head, but she was her own woman, a leader. A fighter. He wouldn't be able to get her to open up. So reluctantly he left, closing the door behind him.

As Ashe stood by the sill, Basch approached beside her, standing so close that she almost reached for his hand, to curl her fingers in his. The intensity of the atmosphere was harrowing, the tension pushing both of them to their limits of endurance. It was getting close, Ashe felt the sweat pouring all over her body, breathing became hard, each inhale and exhale was tough and dry, she couldn't contain herself.

"You're feeling it too." Basch whispered beneath his helm.

"Too much so."

"You know that I will support you. Whatever you decide."

"Whatever I decide." Ashe chuckled a dry and humourless laugh. "As if I have any control."

"Always."

No. She never had any control. Did he even know how much she wanted to give in, that it was her own feelings that wanted to devour him?

"I cannot allow nor accept you as anything other than my Queen."

"She would not have accepted you if you could not control her."

"I cannot allow nor accept you as anything other than my Queen."

She had to take the power. She had to douse everything that was breaking her down. It would start with those Bangaa.

"We're going to the Phon." said Ashe. "They'll be there."

Salikawood - Year 712

Her hands slipped in his blood, his limbs slithered from her hold but she would not stop trying to keep him close to her. The others could only watch the sobbing woman as she struggled to press herself to his corpse. They daren't try to comfort her, there wasn't anything they could do. They had lost a friend and ally, she had lost so much more.

"Don't do this to me!!!" she screamed, crying with hacking angry pleas. "He spared your life! He did what only you wanted…why can't you do the same for him?! Don't leave him to die like this!"

The only answer came from deep within her. She agreed, but with all her power, there was still doubt as to whether she could grant her wish. Was there anything left?

She felt hands gently pulling at her shoulders, trying to pull her away from him.

"Leave him, Majesty. He's gone. There is nothing you can do."

No. There was only one thing left. She used the last of her strength to pull his face next to hers, her hand wiped the blood from his once golden stubble and then pressed her lips onto the scar that marked his brow. She lingered the loving kiss for a few seconds before touching his mouth with a farewell and passionate embrace.

"Thank you. For keeping your promise. I forgive you…"