Whoo! This next chaps finally done! (Pat on me back here) Well, this one moves things along just a little bit and some answers are finally revealed! But be warned…some character deaths in this. Don't get too upset folks! Pleeeease! Do enjoy this and as usual, review if you can! They are such a buzz for me!
Final Fantasy 12
TRUE FEELINGS
BORROWED
She was the very first thing to have existed and was creator of others that followed. There was no way to describe her, for she was beyond all words. She existed beyond comprehension, but not feeling.
Her children who followed, beings like her, without form but so ethereal and magnificent, worshipped her. They created for her worlds, dimensions and such feats of wonder to express their love. None had been more revered than Ivalice.
She had seen the first plants and woods grow and saw the life come from it. They were given intelligence, the trees themselves could communicate with her and also share in that love.
The Occuria. Nothing more than mere builders of the world, under her children's demands. She grew tired of them and their over confident ways…the initial signs of a falling Goddess.
Then, one of her children made the guardians. The Espers.
There was Ultima.
Love was more than what could be felt for this angel. A woman pure of light and beautiful beyond even the furthers stars. She had asked the angel to join with her, to evolve up to her existence. But she had replied no.
Ivalice was filled with foul beasts and creatures at such a denial. Ultima was sent to ferry the dead, to witness the suffering she had wrought on this world and others who had sympathised with her, were condemned to slavery and hideous deformity.
Still The First asked for Ultima's love, but it was not returned. More and more hell She released on Ivalice and soon it became a world of monsters and fiends, feeding on those lesser beings. The Goddess herself was beginning to be consumed by the anger and blackness, but upon the birth of a new Esper, a strong life…it would be her end.
The boy was powerful and with the right whispered secrets, he would know how to take over and destroy her.
Nalbina Fortress Year 704
"NOAH! Noah!"
Each cry of his name from his brother's lips was responded by a furious kick to his stomach. The blood that spattered from his twin's mouth sprayed across his chest and joined red slick that already doused him.
They beat him as Noah was lost in the horror of what he had just done. He was covered in blood, blood that he had spilled all because his anger. Anger he wasn't certain was justified, but was now boiling beyond his control. His hands were shaking, there was a pounding and stabbing in his head. There was stinging digging like knives in his eyes, and his ears couldn't tune out his brother's cries.
Basch never screamed for mercy. He never asked for death or for the beatings to cease. He simply cried Noah's name over and over again. No one listened to the prisoner's defiant roars, except Noah, but even he couldn't do anything to stop it. His wanting Basch to suffer was so great but a small afraid voice kept sobbing inside of Noah. "Not like this."
But how could anyone allow it? How could he stand here and watch his twin be treated so?
"You have done your part, Gabranth."
Vayne's cold voice broke through the agonised yells and slashes of the whip. Noah looked round to the tall man standing before him. His head bowed, drooped in an instant and spontaneous motion.
"My lord…" his voice croaked.
"Leave. There is no need for you to be here now. Clean yourself up and go tend to your charge."
"I will my lord." Noah felt the words sticking in his throat. "But I ask…is the beating necessary? I only ask for him to hang in that cage in disgrace."
"You are questioning me, Judge?" Vayne's smile was sly. "As I recall, you agreed to this."
"I…"
"I do hope you aren't having a change of heart."
"Not at all."
"Then go back to Archades."
He should have said no. He should have requested that Basch's beatings stopped.
Gabranth had changed too much to make decisions this rational. Something inside him was broken.
He never recalled walking out of the shit hole. Only the sound of shackles and Basch's agonizing cries of his name rang in his tormented head, he never even noticed the small soldier barging past him.
Noah returned to Archades. He never heard the conversation between Vayne and the newly appointed guard.
"Ah…my dear. It is a delight to see you again."
"What would you have me do, my lord Vayne?"
"Break this man. Use your wonderful talents and break him until there is no hope left for him."
"You see him as a threat, sire?"
"This is one of Dalmasca's most revered Knights. Now he's a traitor in the eyes of his people and a perfect specimen for…certain plans laid out. It would be easier for him to be dead, but just make sure he knows his place."
"It will be my pleasure."
Noah had no idea how this woman treated his brother. He couldn't bare to even visit him, but upon the sight of Basch two years later, the doubts started to creep back once again.
Rabanastre - Year 707
Could this situation become worse?
Ardal looked out from the balcony windows and saw the streets of Rabanastre in chaos. Talven had addressed the people, he had done just as other leaders in Ivalice had tried. Yet the thick black night still angered them all on. There was murder…beatings and hangings…the people had turned into mobs and angry rioters. Good people were committing crimes and no one could rest. No one was safe.
"I don't know what to do." said Danver as fires, shots and screams howled out from the streets below. "We've heard nothing back from Bhujerba…I don't know if Ashe is all right or not! She could be in danger."
"A reason we didn't want her to go." replied Talven. "With this chilling occurrence going on, with the city becoming mad and ripping itself apart, Asheila should be here. It is the Queen who should be giving these people the hope and comfort they need to endure all this. But, I feel she has put herself in even more peril by going after her kidnappers. This is far worse and I would've thought that Judge Gabranth would have had the sense to bring her back."
There was a horrible scream of a woman in the distance. Danver hoped that there were guards out there, or someone, anyone who could help her. He was frozen to the spot and only able to glare at the crumbling city before him, so useless and too far away. He was afraid. For himself…but more so for Ashe. There was every possibility that she had come under this nightmare spell.
"I wish she could come back now. Her people need her." said Danver. "Though I doubt that Basch could persuade her any more than I could."
"I'm sorry?" Talven wasn't sure if he heard the young man right. "I think you said the wrong name. That…man…you mentioned is dead. He was executed as a traitor."
Danver recalled Arla's words. She had told him quite plainly what to do, but why did he hesitate now? Because he knew it was wrong and if he was to say anything now, he would disgrace not only Basch, but Asheila as well. Arla had assured him, she used so many words and promised everything to him, she promised that Ashe would and could be spared. It was still wrong.
"As long as he is here, she won't stop thinking about him. You are engaged to her. You are to marry her."
"I won't do this! She would hate me for it and that I could not bare."
"Yet you think it fine enough for the Queen to betray her fiancée, betray her country by being with him."
"She is not doing anything! Basch is merely helping her…which is something I cannot do!"
"Really? Do you really think that? Do you think that Ashe is strong enough to not give into her true feelings for him? Right now, she could be alone with him, taking shelter from this evil in the sky, and all they would have for comfort is each other. One innocent look and a touch would turn to a kiss and feral madness of denied lust! I promise you…if you tell the council…if you tell those Knights who still hold their oaths…then I will do everything in my power to make sure Ashe is not ripped of her title. You could still marry her."
"If you are right….I don't know if I would still want her."
"You will always want her. Both of you will do what is right, for Dalmasca. Tell them, Danver. I will support you and when all this is over…there will be a glorious and beautiful wedding."
When all this is over?
Danver looked up at the sky and in an instant he felt a wrenching in his heart. Someone had grabbed hold of it with two hands and was twisting.
The evil in the sky now reached down to him.
Ardal Danver had been a good man. Not strong in arm or heroic as a soldier, but he had been gentle and knowledgeable. Compassionate and caring.
His soul became black with hatred. His jealousy of Basch corrupted the good within him.
"Executed?" Danver scoffed.
"By the Marquis say so."
"He's wrong." Danver walked out to the balcony and leaned on the marble stone. The piercing screams were getting louder, but there was no care for them now. "Basch lives."
Could this situation become worse?
Mosphoran Wasteland Year 707
"Who are you?"
Ashe turned round at the sound of the voice. She saw no one else, only Basch and Jiiryn behind her.
Her two companions were talking and had been since the last half hour, which was unsettling as Basch very rarely spoke to anyone. He was smiling, though neither of them seemed happy and Ashe saw his hand gently cup against her elbow. The touch showed they had a connection, no doubt shared in their past together, but it was the way she looked back at him, with those teetering tearful red eyes which spoke
volumes to the Queen. There was love in that gaze.
"Bloody bitch. Keep your hands off him or I'll snap your fucking neck."
Ashe halted in her tracks and gasped at the words which had almost escaped her lips. She looked down and she saw her fist was clenched, a faint light aura pulsed for only a second around her finger tips. It had felt like her thoughts, but Ashe couldn't believe she would be so jealous as to threaten to kill someone. She wouldn't be so harsh or callous. Ultima would.
The Esper laughed. Ashe heard it clearly.
"Majesty? Is something wrong?"
The Queen came out of her confused daze and saw Basch right next to her. He still kept his distance, but he was close enough for her to hear the worry in his hard breaths.
"I'm fine."
"You were laughing at something."
She had laughed? No. Ultima had.
"Take him! Kiss him now and rip his clothes off, devour him! Make him scream as you push him to the point of rapture! Swallow him! Taste him! Do it now!"
The laughing wouldn't stop. Was she doing it? Ashe felt her body swelling with lust, a pleasurable throbbing pounded between her legs…such vivid and sexual thoughts simply wouldn't stop reeling in her mind. Ashe had known them to be her own…thoughts of her first crush, ones she had tried to repress, but now they were forced to the surface, intensified in vision and in her body, twisted and perverted by Ultima.
She heard someone cry out. It was her.
"Majesty!"
Ashe felt his arms around her. He pulled her to his chest and tried to steady her shaking body as
they fell to the ground.
Oh gods! He smells so great! To taste him, to lick that sweet smelling sweat…
With clawing fingers Ashe ripped at his shirt and her nails scraped at his heaving chest.
Basch was horrified at such sexual savagery, but he couldn't let her go. His arms were locked around her, he feared for what she was going through and what she would do if he only loosened his grip. It resulted in her biting hard and deep into his skin.
He wrestled her away, his hand forced her head back. She still laughed.
His blood oozed over her lips as she gasped and screamed.
He felt so hopeless as Ashe jerked like a mad woman in his arms. He thought that by grasping tightly she would stop, but Asheila's strange fits only increased. He was so afraid, for the first time in his life, he was truly scared.
"Ashe…." he begged. "Stop! Please…..don't do this!"
The Queens cries grew louder, her torso thrusted hard against Basch, she pounded and beated into him. She was crying orgasmic shrills, but when Ashe thought she could bare no more, that she would finally explode from the unbearable pleasure and be devoured by this madness, she was gone.
"Asheila!" A desperate and fearful sob choked in Basch's throat.
He felt her go limp in his arms, so he moved her round onto her back, frantic with worry and agony and he pushed the hair out of her face. She was so pale, her skin was the colour of death, save for his blood dripping from her mouth.
"Does she still breathe?" Jiiryn asked as she scrambled down next to them. Basch didn't know.
His life long training to be a soldier and Knight had included medical aid, he knew what to look for and check, but he was trembling so much that he couldn't remember.
"I…I don't know. I think….oh gods I don't know!"
He began to shake her, only through the trembling of his own body.
Then to his relief, Ashe stirred. She moaned and moved painfully in his arms.
The relief was short lived, when she finally opened her eyes.
They were black.
"Asheila…?"
The smile in return was black as her gaze. A pale hand reached up and smeared Basch's blood from her lips.
"No. She's gone. There is only me."
Basch dropped her to ground and recoiled back.
No. His head shook in denial. No! No!
"Your Queen is gone, hume. She won't be coming back."
Ultima sat up and stretched her new body for the first time.
"You're stuck with me."
Bhujerba Year 707
There was silence. She couldn't hear anything any more. Had the Moogle stopped screaming or had she blocked everything out?
She felt the weight crushing her to the ground, blubbery skin flopped over her naked body, slick with foul stenching sweat and the smell of booze. Disgusting and creeping fingers slid down her sides, groped at her breasts and pulled at her hair.
Fran knew this was wrong, that this man forcing himself upon her was an act of savagery and perversion, but still it compared little to the loss inside. The Wood…all she could think of was her home, her sire and absence of Golomore's soothing songs. She was dying now. Her life was slowly ending and that fading of her soul hurt more than this beast's violation of her.
"Fly. Isn't that what sky Pirates do?"
Her hand touched his face, though she knew not why. She wanted to be left alone as the cocoon erupted, but to lose him…no he had to save himself.
"Then you'd best hold on." he whispered as he curled her up into his arms.
Hold on.
Balthier.
Hold on.
The sound of the world came back to her. Nono's bawling screams pierced in her ears and jeering voices from the other men goaded their companion on.
He shouldn't be touching her like this, never would Fran have allowed it before. In fact, such a vile act from another would have given her cause to hurt, maim or even kill a person.
She felt rage. As if the mist was burning in her veins, a scorching flaming rage rushed through her. Her hands which had lain by her sides now whisked up and her claws dug into the man's back and dragged through his flesh. His screams of agony did nothing for Fran, but when she finally extracted her bloody fingers, she pushed him off her with ease.
Fran was on her feet in an instant, facing the other five men, who like the pathetic bullies they really were, were now fraught with fear.
Fran strolled towards them, her hands dripping with red, not caring at all that they had their weapons pinned towards her. The Bangaa holding Nono, poked a blade to the Moogle's little furry body, who's cries turned to whimpering mews.
The men were saying something but Fran wasn't listening. She just waited for them to make their move.
When one lunged at her with a blade, Fran stood still, watching him run at her until at the last second she crouched down and raised her hand. His sword missed her completely, but her claws raked a deep gash in his side. As he went down, Fran heard some shots from a couple of guns. The drunks couldn't aim, the bullets hit the ground inches from her pawed feet.
As quick as lightening, the Viera rushed the Bangaa. In only a matter of a few seconds, she had disabled him, snapping his kneecaps with a vicious double kick. As the lizard man fell to the floor, he released Nono who went rolling along the ground like a ball.
Without pausing, Fran tended to the others. She had no weapons of her own, no protective armour, no clothes at all, but Fran easily avoided getting any injuries by her evading speed and dished out more than a few injuries for these men.
Bones snapped and crunched, howls of agony screamed in Fran's ears as she rendered all of these monsters nothing but crumpled bodies on the ground. With them all hosting broken limbs and bleeding wounds, Fran looked at the pitiful sight around her. Their cries of pain and agony was too good for them, they should consider themselves lucky she hadn't decided to kill them. She did want to kill them.
A madness had over taken her, a fury so strong that she lusted for more revenge on those who had tried to violate her. Churning with that hatred was a confusion, always a bewilderment as to how it was possible to do so to her. How could they hurt her?
"I'm not Viera anymore. I'm like them…"
She couldn't make sense of the emotions she was experiencing or the painful sensations she was feeling in her abdomen. Why or even how had the Wood done such a foul and soul killing thing?
Her feet came out from beneath her and she slumped to the ground, starring at her bloodied claws. She didn't know what is was like to be Hume, she didn't know if this hurt and hollow inside her was normal for them.
Ever since this had happened, there was the desperate desire to end this misery. Standing near the edge of the city had offered such a clear way out, easy and simple. Fran looked over to the ledge and thought of flying, to leap towards the world below.
"Join me. It'll be fun."
"Fun?"
"Oh…that settles it! You are coming with me…I'm going to show you how life should be lived and we're going to live it with style! The skies are a whole new world and what better way to explore it than with me?"
"I can think of better ways to experience life."
"Not like this."
"Is this some kind of act?"
"Life is nothing but an act, Fran and I'm the leading man. Come with me and you won't regret it. I promise."
There were so many regrets, but the day she said yes to him and the first time she flew in the skies, sitting on the open deck with the wind in her hair, she knew that she would never regret leaving with him.
Balthier had given her another purpose in life, so why should she give into her fears and pain and end it? After all he had done for her.
She would fly again.
"You don't deserve to live, Viera…this world is not for you any more."
Fran heard what sounded like a voice. It spoke with great difficulty but Fran thought it was more with repugnance, hate and loathing. She looked behind her, but there was no one except the still moaning gang bleeding on the stones.
Nono had picked himself up and was slowly staggering back towards her. The little Moogle looked so battered, tears were swelling in his little eyes, but as he cautiously passed the wounded men on the floor he gave each one a little kick ("Kupo!) before dropping a tiny amount of healing potion on to each one of them. Not enough to put them back to full health where they would be a threat, but just enough to prevent them from dying. He was a Moogle and he respected life…even theirs.
Fran looked back to the black cold sky and realised just who it was that was speaking to her. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to be afraid or honoured? But she closed her eyes and felt the awesome presence plaguing her mind.
"I don't deserve to live?" she asked.
"You were created to serve, yet you turned away from those who loved you…you abandoned them and betrayed them. Now you will suffer."
"As will everyone else…" Fran pressed her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. "You are killing this world…killing us all…why?"
There were no words. The response was a howl in a wind so ferocious that the foundations of the city itself cracked and shuddered. Huge booms crashed as buildings collapsed and the ground broke as if earthquakes were snapping them in half.
The screams began. The terror stricken citizens of Bhujerba fled from their homes, though a rioting stampede of people running for their lives only made things worse. The screams grew as did the intensity of the shaking ground.
I won't die like this. Not now. Not because of HER!
Fran struggled back to her feet and as the sky opened up and let loose the torrential hard rain, she felt the grip of the little Moogle on her leg.
"We must flee! We have to get to the aerodrome, kupo!" he screamed.
She almost made Fran stay. A temptation, a suggestion called to her as she scooped Nono up into her arms. To die…to stop the pain she was always feeling, it was so alluring.
Instead, Fran chose to live. For the moment.
Rabanastre Year 704
Like a cowardly fool Basch had fled the bedroom as quickly as his quaking feet could carry him. He had no thought to leaving her there alone with no explanation, for the desire to flee outweighed any common sense or courtesy that he held. He had simply apologised as much as he could as he got dressed and slammed the door behind him.
He paid no attention to the gawping palace servants as he stormed down the corridors with no shoes, dressed only his shorts and a very ripped shirt. He had no time to find the rest of his attire, for every second longer he spent in her presence only increased his anxiety.
Basch finally came by the rose gardens, the vast colourful beds offered to him the chance to rest, to calm himself so that he could figure out what to say to Arla. He would have to face her again, but not now. Not in this state. So he walked along the winding path to the centre of the garden where a small enclosed black stone bench was doused in white roses. Basch needed to catch his breath back and chastise himself for his unforgivable behaviour, he needed to just take in the aromas and serenity of this place. In only a few hours, he would have to join Vossler and the rest of the knights to Nabudis, probably to fight until their deaths.
He was just about to turn round the side of the bench and sit down, when he noticed a long trail of white billowing out from the alcove. Someone was already here, watching as the small fountain before them sprayed out clear and refreshing spats of water. Basch feared it was Arla, but then he realised she couldn't be that quick. Could she?
"Who's there?! Rasler? Is that you?"
The princess! Basch stayed hidden and frozen behind the bench's cover and he hoped that Ashe didn't get up. He breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't, instead she pulled her legs up and tucked the folds of her night dress around her, so Basch couldn't see.
"Captain Basch?"
There was a surprised tone to her voice, fear and panic, though Basch didn't think she could possibly be as awkward as he was right now. She had known it was him, from just his sigh? She hadn't looked round at all. Again Basch was thankful, he was not suitable to be in the princesses' company dressed (or not dressed) as he was. The instinct to flee swelled in Basch's head.
"Basch…"
"Aye…majesty."
There was silence for a few moments, which he felt lasted forever.
"Is something wrong?" Ashe finally asked, her voice so formal and regal.
"No, highness. I just came here…I could not sleep."
"Neither could I. Though I should be with my husband…sleep would not find me either."
Her hand appeared from behind the alcove and she beckoned for him to come forth, yet he could not move.
"Join me, Captain."
Basch went to step forward, he didn't realise that he too had extended his hand and only when he saw how close his fingers were to grazing her own, did he halt himself. What was he doing? Here he was, barely dressed, frustrated for having abandoned Arla so suddenly and shamefully and he was willing to join the young princess on a very small and intimate garden bench?
Flee! Get out of here!
He thought back to Asheila's wedding. Those feelings that had arisen in him as she had walked down the aisle, looking so angelic and beautiful, once again reared to the surface. His palms became sweaty and there was a tightness in his chest that made his breaths ache as he exhaled.
"It would not be appropriate, majesty." he stated with great difficulty.
"Of course." Ashe's hand disappeared back inside the alcove. "Captain, you…you are going to Nabudis, aren't you?"
"Aye, the king has asked for our aid."
"Will…will Rasler be going with you?"
"No, majesty."
"Then I am pleased. I don't think I could handle the thought of him going off to battle so soon, but I know that if he did, you would protect him."
"You should be with him now, princess."
Make an excuse and leave! Flee!
He couldn't leave Ashe like this. Although he didn't see her, couldn't read the expressions on her face, Basch knew that his words had stirred something within her. He heard her move, her shoes scraping against the stone of the bench and a muffled sniffle.
"It is late." she said. "Perhaps I shall return."
Basch heard her getting to her feet. Like a startled Chocobo, he scurried back to the other side of the bench where his state of undress would be hidden from her. He hoped.
His heart was racing and pounding so hard as Ashe stepped in the moonlight.
Her hair had become pure sparkling silver in its rays, the night dress was wisping gossamer floating over her pale skin, catching every curve and sleek line of her body.
Oh gods….
Her head turned and she looked straight at him. A small amused smile drifted across her lips when she caught sight of this cowering Knight, but Basch noted that she had been crying. Her eyes were red and puffy and her face had silvery tear marks down each cheek. Basch almost walked out from behind his cover.
"Majesty…."
"A little under dressed, aren't we, Captain?" Ashe asked turning her head to see only a glimpse of his torn and ripped clothes.
As are you…oh please turn away…don't face me like this.
"I was in a hurry." he replied.
"To get some fresh air?"
"It's quite a humid night…"
"I thought a Knight of the order was supposed to maintain dignity at all times. In all weather."
Basch couldn't reply, he only nodded to her question. Her smile was still too sad and as her fingers gently touched one of the flowers that covered the alcove Ashe moved towards him. It showed in her mannerisms, her tentativeness and the way she caressed the petals, something was troubling her.
"Can I help?" Basch said.
"Do I need help?" she asked, startled. Her free hand quickly rubbed her face as if she had suddenly remembered that she had been crying. "I'm fine."
"If my majesty forgives me, but you don't seem to be. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Ashe shook her head.
"I should be with Rasler. I should be in his arms and making love to him, but why was I so afraid as to come here? Why couldn't I let him touch me? No, Basch. You couldn't help. You know how these sort of conversations make you uncomfortable. I only wish that, right now I didn't feel so guilty for….looking at you and feeling so damned flustered and confused, for being so devoured by your presence. As I always have been."
"Do you need anything at all, princess?" Basch asked as the silence lingered on once again.
"You. I need you…."
"I'm fine, thank you, Captain. I shall bid you good night and…"
The flower she had been caressing broke from it's stem and fell to the ground. They both watched it fall and come to rest on the grass. Ashe bent down and brought the rose to her face, she breathed in the sweet aroma and sighed. Basch noted a tear forming at the corner of her eye.
He wanted to move. He wanted to go over to her and rid her of that tear with just a wipe of his hand, but the princess wiped the tear away herself and then placed the flower back amongst the others, making sure it nestled so it wouldn't fall.
"Good night, Captain Basch." her voice regaining it formal tone.
"Good night, Princess. Sleep well."
"Thank you and…Basch?"
"Princess?"
"Be careful in Nabudis. Please? Stay safe and come back to Rabanastre soon."
"I…I will."
I don't want anything to happen to you Basch. Please…I don't want to lose you.
Basch watched her every step as she left. It wasn't until he was certain that she was out of sight, did he reach for the broken rose and take it in his hands. He held the same flower and breathed its scent, though it only brought him agony.
Agony of feelings that he should not be feeling and pain of a passion he could not control.
So young…so beautiful…so out of reach.
Basch closed his hand around the rose and took his own long aching walk back to his empty room.
Archades Year 707
He only heard their voices and the sounds of the rioting city outside.
Larsa starred down at the place where his leg once was as he was pushed in his chair from the bay to the palace. He just couldn't contemplate his life now there was no future for him. He would be in this chair or hobbling about on crutches until he died and Larsa couldn't bare it.
In all his life he had loved to explore, to freely move and engage in the physical sports. Even the training in battle, the sword play had been a joy. He knew he had grown too confident in his natural ability
to wield swords, he had let his guard down only briefly in Golomore.
The memory of the Marlboro's tentacle coiling round his ankle, whipping him down on the ground and dragging him into darkness was a never ending nightmare. The pain of it's jaws cracking on his leg, the
ripping of flesh and tendons….the pain. He could never forget.
"How does he fare?" came a familiar voice. Zargabaath. Larsa briefly looked up and indeed saw the Judge striding next to him. Vaan was on his other side, keeping a hand firmly on the arm of the chair, and Arla was pushing. There were many other guards about, as well as some concerned looking doctors. Larsa didn't want to listen to any of them so he went back to staring at his stump.
"Not well." Arla replied. "He refuses to talk to anyone except Gabranth. Has he not returned?"
"No. He has not. I am not surprised by the young master's wish to speak with him. Hurry! It is not safe until we reach the palace. Archades is in chaos and the riots are getting beyond our control. It is a miracle that the palace hasn't yet been stormed. The guards and army…all are feeling the lull of this anger in the air…I fear it won't be long before all of us are consumed by it."
"There will be those who remain strong." said Vaan. "They won't give up."
"Even those will falter."
Remaining strong. Larsa had been, he always prided himself in being just so, but there was nothing left in him. His fear for his future, for the future of all in Ivalice only despaired him more when he knew he could do nothing to help. He was powerless and weak.
No one noticed the single tear now trickling down his cheek. For the last of his resolve to not break down and scream his anger, disappeared. He was broken.
The clash of huge doors broke his trance and Larsa looked up. He was now being wheeled into the main palace hall, a gigantic black marble foyer of columns and a wide ebony stone staircase draped with banners of red. The place was dark, haunting to the young emperor, yet this was home. It sickened him.
"You've returned."
He recognised that voice.
Larsa's eyes followed the foreboding and taunting staircase up until he saw the armoured figure standing at the top. It was another of his Judges, the woman….he couldn't remember her name.
"I've been waiting for you, my lord." she said, her heavy boots echoing on the steps as she descended. "We were all so worried when we heard about the accident."
She was tall, but her enclaved black armour was darker than any Larsa or Vaan had seen before. Her helm was smooth, not a dent or imperfection was on its surface. It was in similar design to Gabranth's, yet
the horns were smaller, thinner and coiled more intricately out to the front. The points were sharp and were
no doubt kept as such by the owner. The helm itself was a weapon. The only colour on this woman was the blood red cloak that billowed out behind her as she walked.
"It is pleasing to know that you are safe back with us."
She approached Larsa and with ease, she knelt to his level. The woman looked briefly to Larsa's traumatic injury and then she took hold of his hands. The metal was cold to touch.
He didn't want to look at her. Larsa tore his gaze away and he nearly fell out of his chair in shock.
The child had appeared out of no where. In a mere blink of an eye she was right behind the female Judge and was clinging to the red cloak with a pale white hand.
"Holy shit!" Vaan cried. "Where did she come from?!"
Even Zargabaath and the others crowding round the Emperor were startled by such an appearance.
"Forgive me, my lord." said the female judge. "My daughter stays with me in these horrible times. I fear for her safety."
Fear for her safety? It felt to Larsa that it was fear of other's safety. This was no child.
There was no hume soul to those black eyes which starred at him with emptiness. Her pale white skin gave her the look of death and her aura sapped warmth from around her. Did she know what a smile was as it came so forcibly to her lips?
The "child's" mother rose to her feet and took hold of the little girl's hand.
"I also fear for the Queen of Dalmasca…I heard that she had been…"
"Ashe is fine." said Vaan. "She is presently with Judge Gabranth in Bhujerba…"
The judge's head snapped round and Vaan was faced with a frightening eyeless stare.
"Who are you?" she asked, the pleasantness draining from her voice. She approached him with her daughter, who looked up with those creepy black orbs. They got a little too close. An icy cold crept all over his body.
"I'm Vaan." he said defiantly.
"The Queen's little helper…I do know you. Welcome…I am Eri."
The black gloved hand was extended towards Vaan.
He was reluctant to take it, for the presence of the little girl made him sick. With her constant staring and false grins, Vaan felt the cold turn into something else. Terror.
This terror slid down his back as a cold sweat, the terror was the dry heaving sickness in his stomach and throat and the searing ache in his bones. It was the chill shivering all over him.
Vaan looked to Larsa, the young Emperor was just as pale and frightened as he was.
Vaan took hold of the woman's hand and felt the metal squeeze tightly against his skin.
"I was hoping that Gabranth would come here." said Eri. "Surely his lordship will need his closest and trusted guard here in this time?"
Larsa finally remembered this woman. His eyes fixed on her through the long strands of hair that fell over his face. He recalled sights of her quietly standing away from all the other judges, even when Vayne was alive, in the shadows. Ever silent and distant. Larsa didn't remember seeing her face.
"Judge Gabranth?" Arla spoke suddenly. "I think you are mistaken."
Eri laughed.
"Yes…you're right. I should rephrase that."
She reached for her helm and pulled it clean off her head. A billow of long black hair spilled around her shoulders and waist. The face beneath it was pale, but beautiful.
Arla starred back at Larsa, wearing the black metal of an Archadian judge.
The Strahl Year 707
She couldn't see very well, black smoke filled her vision, but she felt the pain. Penelo knew that she had broken her arm and several of her ribs, her head was spinning from a blow to the head and she felt blood drip from numerous cuts all over her body.
The Strahl was wrecked. The cockpit was nothing more than twisted metal and melted panels. Penelo couldn't recognise anything. She tried to move, though she couldn't make out which was up or down, the attempts resulted in hacking coughs of blood and jarring pain. The tears flowed down her face with her blood, as she tried once again to move.
She had no memory of the crash, but the last thing she had remembered was Balthier calling out her name and the sound of shattering glass. Fearing for her companion, Penelo endured as much of the pain as she could to move through the debris. It was a slow process, as her screams from her injuries halted her progression towards where she thought Balthier would be. Smoke choked the air and her lungs and once again she coughed violently. More than blood was hacked from her mouth and the throbbing ache in her head became unbearable pounding.
"Healing potion. I need a healing potion. I don't want to die."
Her thoughts soon changed. The sight became all to clear for the young girl and she screamed for death.
The large shard of glass had ripped right through his chest, pinning him to the chair. His blood was still oozing out the sides and dribbling down from his open mouth. There was no life in his wide and horrified eyes.
"Balthier!"
Beyond grief and beyond any care for her own health, Penelo scrambled as fast as she could to where the Sky Pirate was. With her good arm, she reached out to touch his face and she despaired even more at the cold touch on her finger tips.
"No!" Penelo grasped at the shard that had killed her friend. "NO! Please, no! Balthier!"
The glass slipped out followed by the last gushing of Balthier's blood. His body slumped down, but Penelo draped herself over him and wept, crushing her ribs even more as she embraced him.
The leading man was dead. Penelo never thought that could have happened.
The hero never dies! He doesn't! He can't!
Penelo never heard the beam break away.
There was only a sharp and deep thud in the back of her head and everything was gone.
She fell on his body with a thump. One hand rested in his bloodied beard and in the other, a small red stained handkerchief was clasped firmly in her fingers.
Nowhere:
Was this hell?
There was no substance to it, no physical plain, only the essence and swamping emotions.
She knew who she was, but this wasn't where she was supposed to be. Such agony, torture and hatred surrounded her (What was she?!)…every emotion that she knew of was here, drowned by others beyond her comprehension.
This was madness, this must be hell.
Then it all became clear.
She could see. In all directions and in all perspectives, there was white and she now had form. It was and wasn't her body. She was Asheila B'nargin Dalmasca, but not quite.
"You are disgusting."
Ashe turned round and saw directly behind her a woman with dark black skin and long dirty ebony locks. She was completely naked and her eyes were hollow, but they looked right into and through her.
"This form is disgusting…this speech sickens me."
Her mouth never moved. Ashe went to respond, but she realised that she too was naked. If it was even her body.
"I only take this form because I need you to understand."
The woman hissed sickening sputum through her clenched teeth and she began to circle around Ashe. She kept her distance, as if She really was afraid to touch her.
"Your kinds time on Ivalice will end. You pathetic and vile creatures will be purged from my world. But…tell me "Dynast Queen." why do you think my High Seraph chose to take your body?"
The First reached out and touched Ashe's face.
The Queen of Dalmasca was ripped apart by such ferocity. She was taken to the brink of pain and pleasure by a mind so ancient that her hume mind just couldn't contain it.