Avatar of the Occuria

by phoenix catcher

Harry/Vaan. Elf:Harry. Harry is taken from Earth by the Occuria and put on Ivalice and raised by Balthier and the Empire. The game from the prospective of a concerned Harry as a Magister. Will include Earth after the Game.

8. Vaettir

Avatar of the Occuria

Chapter 8; The Vaettir

Above the Naldoan Sea

Harry tapped his fingers on the metal railing that run around the small balcony on the side of the Ifrit. The wind was strong this high above the surface and the ship listed ever so slightly as it turned. In the near distance, perhaps twelve miles away were the shapes of almost twenty ships under the command of Ondore and they were set up to face Harry's five ships but they were holding back and Harry's orders had been kept to by the letter. The scout ships had found the Bhujerban and Resistance fleet in the early hofurs of the morning and had come right around again to report their larger than expected numbers. Harry's five ships had quickly leapt into position keeping themselvfes at the Vengeance's maximum range.

He doubted it had taken Ondore long to realise what the Vengeance was especially since they were in formation to allow it unhindered targeting to Ondore's fleet. It helped that the Vengeance had just been seen by hundreds of refugees destroying a heavy cruiser in two salvos. Ondore was outgunned and out skilled even if he had a distinct advantage in numbers.

"What is your verdict?" Harry asked the Ifrit's captain, a man he knew wasn't happy with Vayne. In fact he had a personal grievance against the man which Harry had made clear wasn't to affect his decisions.

"I've run the simulations." The Captain told him. "With our ships and standard skill levels we'd destroy fourteen of his ships before falling. That's with the Vengeance maintaining position for firing solutions and therefore falling prey to them as well. All of this is mute now though. Judge Magister Drace has just contacted us on close range communications. With an additional two long-range missile frigates we could destroy half of those ships before our cruisers and frigates were even forced to engage them close in. The long-range missile frigates are a leap forwards in technology compared to that Fleet."

"How long until Her Ladyship arrives into formation?" Harry asked.

"My Lord, merely two hours." The Captain assured him.

"I want them formed straight into our formation as discussed. Keep the long-range frigates separated." Harry ordered. "Then put the Hades and Vanguard on long range scouting. I want to know if he tries to put something around them. I'll be going onboard the Vengeance and taking her south to the edges of Kerwon.

"My Lord." The Captain nodded. "I will be sure to inform you as soon as the enemy fleet detects our reinforcements."

"That will not be necessary." Harry announced. "I have plans to leave the ship for the time being."

"Where will you go, my Lord Judge Magister?" The Captain sounded shocked.

"Can I trust you, Captain?" Harry turned to look at him.

"Of course, My Lord Judge Magister." The man couldn't have lied to him.

"Why can I trust you, Captain?" Harry pressed.

"Because I do not like where Vayne intends to take this Empire. I have seen a side of this Empire than I do not like in the last few years. We should never have attacked Nabradia or Dalmasca. It was wrong and I feel wrong for being there." The Captain told him and then paled as he realised what he had said. Harry nodded to him and turned back to look at the largest ship in the distance. Ondore's flagship. "My Lord Judge Magister. I apologise for the rashness of my words but I stand by them, even if that means going under your sword. But I will say this, I would rather see the Empire in better hands than Vayne. I believe you intend to make Larsa our Emperor and I wish to see that also."

"You do credit to yourself, Captain." Harry nodded. "In return I will tell you that if I could I would not have Vayne in office either. But I cannot take action against him at the risk of failing. But I will not let him gain more power. You are aware that we are on the brink of civil war. If Vayne declares emergency powers I will not go meekly to his side. Nor shall Judge Magister Drace."

"If that day comes than you have my sword and my ship. Loyally to the end." The Captain bowed deeply to him.

"Captain, you understand that those people over there are not truly our enemies?" Harry asked and the man nodded. "But if they fire upon this fleet then Vayne may declare war if the Magisterial Council permits it. And they shall if we cannot contain it as a mere uprising."

"Meaning that we must attain their surrender before word of their attack reaches Archades." The Captain nodded. "They are not our true enemy but for the good of the Empire they cannot succeed."

"That is why I must go now to speak to Ondore." Harry said and heard the Captain gasp in shock and horror. "Face to face."

"My Lord Judge Magister. That may be suicide." The Captain frowned.

"You are aware of how dangerous I am." Harry commented bluntly. "Ondore will know not to risk making an enemy of me."

"You will be arriving before they gain our reinforcements on their sensors." The Captain pointed out logically.

"I know." Harry nodded. "The Vengeance has a Captain that I can trust as I do you. They will break formation as soon as I am clear of the enemy fleet and pick me up and convey me to Kerwon."

"My Lord Judge Magister." The Captain swallowed thickly although Harry heard it rather than saw it. "What will you be doing in Kerwon?"

"Getting to the bottom of this entire idiotic war." Harry said simply before spinning and staring straight into the Captain's eyes. "This entire ruse hinges on the Empire believing that my absence is of another manner. I will be travelling to them by Remora as a mere messenger. Nobody is to know of my leaving this vessel. You are to make orders as if you have checked them with me until Judge Magister Drace arrives to take my place. You understand the responsibility I am putting on you. Should you fail you will perhaps doom this entire endeavour."

"My Lord." The Captain bowed low to him. "I will not make a mistake."

"The Vengeance will detach on the premise of collecting a return message from the enemy fleet and then scouting the Kerwon continent. Judge Magister Drace will decide when to make my absence known. Only she, you and the Vengeance's Captain will know what I am doing." Harry completed his orders before turning back for one last look at the enemy fleet. "It's time for me to go."

"What if you are detained by the enemy?" The Captain asked. "Or if they try to kill you."

"Do as the situation requires." Harry ordered. "Or leave it to Judge Magister Drace. She is aware of what hinges on these decisions."

"My Lord Judge Magister." The Captain bowed again as Harry walked back inside the ship.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Harry was wearing normal Archadian Armour worn by Judges only fifteen minutes later and was sitting in the co-pilot's seat in the Remora attack fighter as it cut across the airways between the two fleets with two other Remoras sitting just behind in way of an escort. Not enough ships to be an attack but not so few as to be trying to go unnoticed by the enemy sensors. His bag with his armoured cloak was already on the Vengeance waiting for him and as far as this pilot knew he was just a messenger sent by Baltheon to speak to Ondore.

"Judge." The pilot caught his attention and pointed to the screen between them where their sensors had just picked up five attack fighters heading their way. "What do you want us to do?"

"Relax, Lieutenant." Harry told him knowing that his voice was distorted enough by his helmet to not be recognisable. In fact he was already hating this armour. True it gave him unparalleled physical defence but it severely restricted his faster than normal abilities. Not a problem for a normal human which is why the Imperial Military never complained but to him it was a pain that he wanted to be rid of as soon as possible. "Order our escort to drop back to three hundred metres and then open up communications on all channels."

The pilot quickly passed the message on before setting up a broad beam communication. He nodded to Harry. "This is Remora 8276 inbound with a two ship escort. We have a communication to hand deliver to Marquis Ondore of Bhujerba from Lord Judge Magister Baltheon, commander of the Imperial sixth fleet. Permit us your escort to Ondore's flagship and our escort will return immediately."

Harry could easily see the five incoming fighters who suddenly loosened their formation to create a wide sweep as they approached. "Remora 8276, this is Marquis Ondore. We accept your messenger in all grace. Your escort may return to the Sixth Fleet."

Harry nodded to the pilot who ordered the two escorts away and Harry turned and watched as the right hand fighter arched away from them and accelerated back to their own ships. The pilot increased their own speed now that they had permission and quickly entered the range of the closest frigate's guns.

"That's an old ship." The pilot commented.

"Indeed." Harry nodded. "But their crew are determined."

"Sir, is it true that Her Ladyship Judge Magister Drace approaches with another seven ships from the First Fleet?" The Lieutenant asked as if talking to a fellow officer. Which of course is what he thought, Judge or not.

"It is true." Harry nodded his helmeted head.

"Does Ondore know he's a sitting duck?" The Lieutenant scoffed, confident in the might of the Imperial Military.

"Right now, Lieutenant, we are the sitting ducks." Harry pointed out referring to the five fighters rapidly approaching. They didn't have the raw firepower and speed of the Remoras but two could easily shoot a Remora down. That sobered the pilot up. The five fighters started their turn and rather haphazardly settled into flanking positions around them.

"Jeese..." The pilot grumbled as he was forced to make a small flicker of his flight to avoid a rapidly closing fighter before it finished it's turn and settled into position. "Rookies."

One of the fighters took up a leading position and the pilot followed obediently as they crossed the bow of a Cruiser and approached the Garland. It was a big ship equal in power to one of their own dreadnaughts and was of a more modern Rozarrian design with a large capacity for fighters. They were directed to an open transport bay and the fighters broke away just before they would have had to slow. The pilot guided them inside expertly and rotated the ship so that it was ready to leave again and left the power online.

"My orders were to leave you here." The pilot grunted. "You want me to hang around in case?"

"Leave me here, lieutenant." Harry nodded as he stood. "Thank you." He added knowing he wouldn't get another opportunity to thank one of his troops for a long while. He headed down the steps and out of the open crew door and walked towards the eight men waiting for him. The Remora closed up and lifted off and his escort waited until it was out of the bay doors and they were closing before addressing him, knowing that they now had the advantage of power.

"We are here to escort you to the Marquis' personal office." The leader of the men stated eyeing his armour and the sword at his waist. "You will not be left alone with him unless you are fully disarmed."

"Understood." Harry stated simply and four of the men lead the way and the other four followed behind. He wasn't sure what they found more disconcerting, the heavy armour that they couldn't afford to buy or create or the Katana over his back. Luckily it had passed the pilot by that Judge Magister Baltheon used the same weapon. Really it was up to the individual Judge to decide what weapon they used.

He was taken in silence up through the ship to what had to be the command deck, he ignored the stares and the whispers of the crew they passed but he quickly realised that the Resistance believed that the reason the Sixth Fleet were holding at twelve miles was because the Resistance had the upper hand. It wasn't widely known of the Vengeance's capabilities.

He was led into a nicely furnished office where the Marquis stood in front of the desk with two personal guards. Only four of his escort came in with him while the others remained outside. "Judge...." The Marquis began. "I'm afraid I was without introduction as to your name."

"Judge will suffice." Harry stated simply before bowing smoothly. "Marquis Ondore. I come bearing a private message from Judge Magister Baltheon."

"As you can see..." The Marquis gestured around them but trailed off when Harry deftly unfastened his Katana sheathe and held it out to his right. The soldier took it without thought before backing away. Harry wouldn't make mention of the hidden blade under his right gauntlet but he couldn't use it at the moment regardless. The Marquis nodded and made a curt gesture and the six guards left the room.

"I should warn you Marquis that this must remain private." Harry warned. "Are you sure we are not being listened to?"

"I am certain." The Marquis nodded. "This is my ship."

Harry found it difficult but he tuned out the sound of the Marquis' breathing and heard a distorted sound from behind the wall on the right and as he looked he saw the way the carpet piles lay by the wall. There was a hidden door with two people behind it. Secret protectors. He turned back to the Marquis. "You are lying, Marquis."

"You are a Judge..." The Marquis started.

"I am swearing on my life that it is not my intention to cause you any harm. I have a duty to the Empire and that duty stipulates complete privacy for the duration of this conversation. Should I not get it then there is no point in me remaining." Harry turned towards the main door. "If you will arrange transportation back to the Sixth Fleet I will make it aware that you are not willing to negotiate and the Imperial Military will adjust their strategies to compensate."

"Wait." Ondore frowned before pressing a button on his desk. Two men entered from the hidden door and without a word walked out into the corridor. Harry paused to listen again before nodding in satisfaction.

"You are an intelligent man, Marquis, but you are not privy to all of the sides of this war." Harry stated simply and pulled off his helmet getting a startled cry from Ondore who was quickly on the other side of his desk. "I bring a letter from your niece."

"From when you were with her at Mt. Bur-Omisace?" Ondore frowned and sat weakly in his seat.

Harry laughed. "I have seen her twice since then, Marquis. Once in Archades itself and again just a few days ago in my own office in Nalbina."

"She would never be so..." Ondore started.

"Foolish?" Harry smirked and sat down in a chair opposite him. He passed the letter across to Ondore and waited for him to read it.

"Why should I believe this?" Ondore asked waving the letter. "It could be trickery."

"I can't say I know her handwriting enough to know whether that's a believable reason." Harry shrugged delicately. "But the premise is correct. Tell me, Ondore. Which do you believe a greater threat? Myself or Vayne?"

"Personally, you." Ondore shook his head. "You are the more dangerous and you are the one with a small fleet staying out of range. But to our future I would say that Vayne is the true threat. You can be reasoned with."

"Very well." Harry nodded. "Reason this then. Vayne has only the power granted to him by those loyal to his goals in the Magisterial Council. He currently controls just over half of the Imperial Military in such a way."

"And you?" Ondore asked.

"It is my intention not to start a war." Harry stated simply and truthfully. "To remove Vayne from power, place Larsa in his place. Return Dalmasca and Nabradia back to their people, completely, and return your power to you."

"That is my..." Ondore started but Harry was on his feet in an instant.

"Right now, Marquis, you are aiding Vayne." Harry snapped. "At the moment your pathetic fleet is my problem and as long as it remains that way Vayne cannot call for emergency powers, take his throne completely and declare war."

"Judge Magister..." Ondore sighed. "It is not my intention to start a war. Only free ourselves from Imperial Politics. The very politics that has you on the brink of civil war."

"You are about to hand the Imperial Military as a whole to Vayne and this fleet of course will only be a small bump in the road." Harry stated simply. "Do you even realise that your flagship is in effective range of my fleet? I could destroy it within the next five minutes with a tested crew and ship that just a week ago shot down an Imperial Heavy Cruiser."

"I had wondered why your fleet was remaining at long range." Ondore nodded. "But even so you do not have the advantage here."

Harry smirked. He'd brought it up now because he could hear the argument outside the door and Ondore frowned as the door burst open. "Marquis, Sir!" The man gasped. "More Imperial ships at extreme sensor range. Three miles beyond the Sixth Fleet and closing."

"How many?" Ondore gasped but Harry remained silent, not looking behind him at the man so he couldn't be identified.

"Seven, Sir." He gasped. "One can be identified as a Dreadnaught. The others we do not know yet."

"Dismissed." Ondore ordered sharply and the man almost ran from the room.

"Two Heavy Cruisers, two Frigates and lastly two long-range missile frigates like my own." Harry told Ondore calmly. "You understand now my position."

"I don't..." Ondore narrowed his eyes at him. "You want to destroy me? Is that why you're here, to assassinate me?"

"If it was you wouldn't have known I was here." Harry stated simply. "I will not permit Vayne to take emergency powers. Not at the cost it entails to our lives." Harry told him. "If you start this war my fleet out there will obliterate you completely, garrison Bhujerba and subjugate your country. No other action will prevent Vayne from using it as an excuse to take control of the Empire in its entirety."

"You are a complex man, Baltheon." Ondore sighed. "I am in half a mind to lock you up right now and take you out of the equation."

"Let's for a moment say that was possible being who I am." Harry mocked. "To do so would give Vayne an excuse to declare war on you. Judge Magister Drace would be required to obliterate this fleet to maintain peace. Killing me or not."

Harry rose up. "Are you finished with me then? No poison to complete the message?" Ondore asked.

Harry put on the helmet. "If I needed to kill you I would have already done it." Harry shook his head. "As it is I don't want to kill you. Do not make it necessary."

"You require an escort to your fleet?" Ondore asked as he rose, knowing that the point of this meeting had been finished.

"The Vengeance will close to six miles. I require an escort to her position, no closer to the Sixth Fleet." Harry stated simply. "I trust you won't be stupid enough to close on her with your own ships to fire at her. Bear in mind she can destroy three of your ships before you close into weapons range."

"I am no fool." Ondore stated.

"You are the one sitting on a Resistance Fleet when the world hangs on the edge of war." Harry snapped. "Who here is the fool?"

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

North of the Yagd Difohr

Balthier bit his lip as his eyes picked out what his sensors and then Fran had warned him about half an hour ago. The quickly growing form of an Imperial Frigate. From this distance, just eight miles, it didn't look all that much different to any other Frigate but he was looking at it from the front aspect and not the side. He knew though that it was much longer than a normal Frigate and capable of plucking them out of the sky with barely any warning. Balthier tapped the internal speaker controls. "Princess, everyone, you had best get up here. We're about to have company." Balthier told them all before nervously tugging at his fingers.

"You fear Baltheon's approach?" Fran asked.

"Not if I was sure he was on board." Balthier grumbled. "That kid is going to give me a heart attack."

"I see no..." Fran trailed off as Vaan hurtled in between them and stared out of the window. "Eager to see him are you?"

Vaan went bright red but recovered himself as Penelo, Ashe and Basch walked into the control deck and looked out of the window. Basch licked his lower lip nervously. "We sit in the sights of an Imperial Beast." Basch pointed out.

"Hopefully one with Harry at the controls." Balthier grumbled. "We are cloaked at least."

"Will that hide us indefinitely?" Ashe asked.

"If they were not looking for us perhaps we could remain hidden as long as they didn't get too close." Balthier nibbled at a hand. "That damn kid."

"Excuse me?" Penelo prompted when everyone looked at Balthier and took in his nervousness.

"I'm going to kill that brat." Balthier grumbled and Vaan laughed much to the shock of the others.

"We must assume that it is Baltheon who approaches." Ashe nodded in understanding.

"We do know that with the situation as it stands the Empire would not send a frigate out on a random excursion." Fran pointed out. "And even if they did it cannot be coincidence that it approaches the exact place that Baltheon told us to meet him."

"How long until we are in range of her guns?" Penelo asked.

"That ship could sit over Nalbina and bombard Rabanastre." Balthier told them unhappily. "We've been in range for twenty minutes already."

"Why not bring a normal frigate?" Penelo asked. "Why use up something so powerful when there is a fleet threatening them?"

"Because he wants to give me a heart attack." Balthier grumbled once more and Vaan grinned at him.

"I imagine that he has already increased the size of his fleet." Fran explained. "He is a master of strategy and do not forget he has been a step ahead of us all of this time."

"And also using such a powerful asset to scout the area away from the threat shows the resistance fleet just how powerful their foes are." Basch pointed out.

"Balthier, the Vengeance is deploying weapons." Fran straightened up even as a screen in the centre flashed red. Vaan looked down at it even as Balthier pushed him back out of the way. It was a picture of the approaching ship from the Strahl's sensors.

"We've been detected?" Ashe asked.

"Everyone strap in." Balthier ordered and they were quick to obey. Vaan grabbed the seat right behind Balthier who was focusing on only one thing, whether the Strahl thought it had been detected. "We're missing something, Fran. Check the communications channels."

She tapped a few buttons and a voice faded into existence. "...identify yourselves immediately and reduce speed to half power and alter course to intercept with this vessel. An escort will be provided."

"Are they talking to us?" Penelo asked.

"Reduce speed when we're already stationary?" Balthier half turned to look at her. "No. She has detected a smuggler coming up the coast of Kerwon from Rozarria."

"It is common to use this route." Fran explained. "Coming straight across the border from Rozarria to Dalmasca is too obvious so they swing around the Yagd Difohr, keeping as far away from the Sixth Fleet patrols as possible."

"All vessels in the vicinity of the Imperial Frigate Vengeance and east, southeast and south be aware of possible weapons use." The same voice announced in a bored tone as if he'd said it many times.

"I think that's to warn us." Balthier commented. "He knows we're out here somewhere and doesn't want us caught in the crossfire."

"I have a fast airship approaching from the east." Fran told them. "It has not slowed. It is hoping to hug the coast and slip by her before she can close into weapons range."

"Approaching vessel, this is the Imperial Vessel Vengeance. You are disobeying a stand to order issued by the Imperial Sixth Fleet under the command of his Lord Judge Magister Baltheon. Dalmasca is currently under martial law under the sixth fleet. If you attempt to slip by us we will open fire on your vessel."

"He's sure he's going to be able to slip past." Balthier grumbled before looking at Fran. This might get a little dicey."

"What do you mean?" Ashe gasped.

"We're right in the smuggler's path and they are about to be targeted by enough firepower to blow this entire coastline apart." Balthier explained.

"The Vengeance is launching fighters to intercept." Fran declared.

"Why not missiles?" Vaan asked.

"Because Harry knows we're here." Balthier groaned.

"The fighters will not get to him before he is past us." Fran announced.

"I think Harry might like this actually. Coincidental as it is." Balthier bit his lower lip. It gives an excuse for him being down here and a way for his ship to leave. He sat in silence with the others as the fighters arced in a wide turn as the smuggler shot past below them, barely above the waterline. Balthier spun the Strahl for a better view being careful not to lose the cloak and saw the fighters shoot up to the top of their envelope, getting as high as possible. "Bye smuggler."

"Unknown smuggler. By Imperial order you are to be destroyed. Eject immediately. You ship will be destroyed." The voice announced and Vaan craned his head around to look at the Vengeance only two miles away as she straightened up and opened fire. Smoke trails burst from both of her sides, two on either side and streaked around and shot off after the smuggler. It was over in thirty seconds. The missiles shot down to the water line sending up spray as they quickly overtook the smuggler and slammed into it. They saw a pod fly up from the ship and splash into the water.

"Well now the Smuggler knows it can't slip past an Imperial Frigate." Balthier commented.

"The Vengeance is turning to approach the crash site." Fran announced. "The fighters are already circling the area but an Atomos just undocked and is heading this way."

"That'll be Harry then." Balthier mumbled. "I'm so going to..."

"We know." Vaan laughed and watched as the Atomos flew past them and over the coastline. Balthier let the cloak fall and waited for the Vengeance to call them for an identity but they were completely ignored.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Twenty minutes later

Harry stepped out of the back of the Atomos finally wearing his normal armour. He'd stood on the bridge of the Vengeance as just a Judge directing the events as they'd unfolded and was quite pleased with the cover that the smuggler had provided him with. Unfortunately he'd never been able to quite stop the smugglers from running along that route because he didn't like keeping patrols in the area. Occasionally he sent a few Remoras from Rabanastre back along that route to stop and search all shipping but he didn't like keeping it up constantly in case the Rozarrians took offence to it. The pilot of the Atomos was a trusted man and the Captain of the Vengeance had covered their escape and the Stahl's appearance well enough. So now only four people knew that he had disappeared. Judge Magister Drace, the Captains of the Ifrit and Vengeance and his pilot.

The door up to the Atomos shut quickly and the troop transport lifted off and ignored the Strahl as it came in to hover over the edge of Golmore forest. An anchor shot down to hold it in place before it rippled and vanished from sight. The anchor was well hidden within the trees and Harry waited patiently as he heard the sound of the six others climbing down into the trees and then watched them as they walked out into the light.

Balthier glared at him and strode over quickly and Harry smiled at him and opened his arms for a hug only to get whacked on the shoulder. "Big brother?" Harry put on a hurt face.

"You git!" Balthier gasped out. "You just had to didn't you!?"

"Had to what?" Harry kept up the wounded face.

"Bring that ship right to me and scare the crap out of me!" Balthier accused.

"It was fun." Harry grinned suddenly and Balthier just huffed before rolling his eyes and for the first time opened his arms and let Harry hug him in front of the others. They'd never really hugged the last time he'd met them near to here. Balthier had put an arm around his shoulders but that had been their only contact. Harry held onto Balthier for a few seconds before pulling away and turning to the others. "Princess Ashelia, Captain Basch, Fran, Penelo." He nodded to them all before smiling at Vaan. "Vaan."

"Harry." Vaan smiled back before racking his eyes over Harry's form taking in everything although the cloak hid much of his form and that was the idea.

"You are well I trust, Judge Magister Baltheon?" Ashe asked.

"Harry if you wish." Harry permitted. "And I am no better off." He said although he raised his right hand which was covered in a black bandage that didn't hide his fingers which were a pale pink where new skin had formed. "The damage from touching the Midnight Shard has healed with rather liberal use of my curing magic but I'm afraid the original damage is still only slowly healing." Vaan winced but it wasn't his fault. Harry did miss having his Katana in his right hand though.

"There is enough light for us to reach my village before nightfall." Fran announced. "We should not attempt to enter the Feywood until a new day."

"I agree." Harry nodded. "Camping in such a place is not a good place." He looked to Fran. "I do not have much to do with your people. Will they accept one such as I into their village."

"I shall speak for you." Fran assured him. "It may not do any good but they hold nothing against those that have not yet tried to harm them."

"Let us go." Ashe prompted and turned to walk down the edge of the trees towards the main path through. Harry waited for a moment and then walked with Vaan behind the group.

"I never thought I would say this to you." Vaan spoke up. "I've missed you."

"Come a long way from when you were glaring at me at the parade." Harry smiled at him.

"You saw me." Vaan bit his lip.

"I was drawn to you. I knew quickly that you were Reks' brother." Harry sighed.

"I know now that if you'd had the option to save him you would have." Vaan nodded and grabbed Harry's left hand in his own on the spur of the moment. "Back then I believed that you'd purposely left him without treatment so he wouldn't survive."

"So you believed that I had actually killed him." Harry nodded. "I am sorry for his death, Vaan. No matter who he was I would not have killed him in cold blood or without the need. I admit that if he had attacked me or if I had been in the battle I may have killed him but only as a soldier must to accomplice his mission. I am not a saint. Many people have lost their lives against me but never have I killed needlessly and never as punishment for trying to defend their own country."

"I understand that now." Vaan nodded. "And after knowing you and Larsa I can see what you see in the Empire but not the Empire as it is now. I'd be happy with an Empire like you and Larsa dream of."

"But not one that would invade your homeland without provocation." Harry nodded. "Hopefully with Larsa as Emperor it need never be at war again."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

That night

The Viera hadn't stirred up that much trouble when it was made known who Harry was but Fran had been forced to vouch for him. If Harry did anything they disagreed with them Fran would take the blame along with him. They had almost wanted to take Harry's Katana but Harry had been honest with him and showed them his magic and after realising that he was the strongest being they had ever encountered they had agreed that the Katana was among the lesser of his weapons.

Harry sat awake on the edge of the tree ledge that they had been given for the night. It was warm enough in the Eruyt village that they didn't need tents but the others were all curled up in their sleeping bags. All but Harry who had one leg over the side of the ledge and the other held up against his chest with his chin resting on his knee. He wasn't wearing his cloak or his shirt and loved the feeling of the wind gently caressing his skin. He couldn't hear any wind from anywhere else and if he shut his eyes it was almost as if there was a voice on the wind. An idea that gained weight when the ever present Song quieted so he could listen to the voice.

He snapped his eyes open as he heard somebody shifting behind him and he knew from where it was coming from and its breathing that it was Vaan. He shivered almost silently as his human skin went from the warmth of his sleeping bag to the gentle breeze within the woods but Harry didn't look at him until Vaan settled down on the edge beside him. He'd divested himself of his armoured pieces and his boots and armoured waist coat to sleep and he looked far more appealing with so much of his skin revealed. Harry couldn't help but let his eyes sweep over the seventeen year old's body and knew that Vaan had seen it.

"You could have studied me the night we spent talking you know." Vaan teased as he sat down.

"I was too nervous about your reaction at the time." Harry admitted as he let the right side of his head settle onto his knee as he looked at Vaan taking in the heavy pendant he wore on a chain so that it sat square on his breast bone. He'd never really taken it in before. Of course he could picture Vaan in perfect detail at any time but never had he seen Vaan like this yet still wearing the pendant and been allowed to really look.

"You? Nervous?" Vaan actually giggled.

"You mean a lot to me." Harry pointed out. "The promises that come with your presence... they are too numerous to mention."

"Give me one." Vaan requested though Harry couldn't see any specific emotion in Vaan's expression to know where this would lead so he chose the most important promise to him.

"Someone that I can really love and will really love me back without judgement on what or who I have been." Harry told him quietly and felt his eyes drawn to the pendant again and realised where he'd seen it before. And he didn't mean on Vaan.

"What is it?" Vaan asked.

"That used to be your brother's, didn't it?" Harry asked.

Vaan looked down and swallowed heavily before looking back at him and reaching up with his hand to fiddle with the beautiful pendant. "My father helped me make it for his fourteenth birthday."

Harry tucked his chin onto his knee as he worked out the timeline before looking back at Vaan. "The year before your parents were killed?" Vaan nodded. "Reks raised you from twelve to fifteen."

"He did." Vaan nodded. Vaan had told Harry all about his brother and Harry knew that no day ever went by that Vaan didn't think about his brother and miss him.

"I suppose I can't really understand losing your brother like that." Harry admitted.

"You love Balthier as your brother." Vaan nodded. "And he raised you just like Reks raised me. Maybe he was right to leave when he did. If he'd stayed and risked getting locked up or killed then you'd have lost him like I lost Reks."

Harry pulled Vaan into his side and wrapped an arm around his waist as Vaan leaned into him, savouring the feel of their skin touching. Vaan reached across and Harry dropped his right leg down so that he could take Vaan's hand in his own right hand. Vaan turned over the white bandage that was normal hidden under the black strap. It was clean so Harry had probably just changed it.

"Can't we do anything about it?" Vaan asked him, resting his head on Harry's bare shoulder.

"I don't really know how it works." Harry pointed out. "I didn't even realise that this would happen when I..." Harry winced. "I'm really sorry about that you know."

"I get why you did it." Vaan huffed. "I was being daft. I should have thought it through."

"We act in situations like that and there's no point second guessing it." Harry pointed out before tensing up as Vaan started unwrapping the bandage between his two hands. "I'm not sure..."

"I just have an idea." Vaan pointed out. "I mean, how many people have tried to heal this?"

"Myself, four of my Mages and Judge Magister Drace." Harry admitted.

"Do they know how you got it?" Vaan asked as the final bit of the bandage came away.

"Nobody in the Empire knows about you." Harry declared. "And until I can properly protect you that's how I plan to keep it."

"Only this group know we're close." Vaan sighed. "They think it's just some crush. Penelo knows it's something more but I've not really talked to her about it. I think Balthier and Fran know."

"Balthier's known since Nalbina that you were my Soulmate." Harry nudged Vaan's head with his chin. "You need to put the bandage back on that." He pointed out as he turned his hand to stop the seeping blood from dripping on his trousers.

"My magic is supposed to be attuned to you right?" Vaan asked and Harry nodded. "So maybe I can heal you better than anyone else?" Harry shrugged upsetting Vaan's head though he quickly settled his cheek back on Harry's shoulder. "And this is like this because you struck me. Maybe me healing it will be like forgiving you."

"You can try." Harry told him. "It's not going to hurt."

Vaan concentrated and magic bubbled through his body. Harry felt it bubble through everywhere that Vaan was touching him. Into his shoulder, down his left arm where it wrapped around Vaan's torso, down his own side where Vaan's body was against his own and finally into his hand.

Harry couldn't stop the groan from escaping as Vaan's blood heated his own body and made his own raise up and tingle through the same skin effected by Vaan's magic and barely noticed as his hand healed over under Vaan's spell. Vaan rubbed his thumb over the healed skin of his right hand and Harry shuddered and groaned again.

"It worked." Vaan told him though his breathing was rushed. He lifted his head off of Harry's shoulder. "Uh... Harry?"

Harry controlled his breathing and pulled his arm tighter around Vaan's body. "Your magic..." Harry actually blushed and shifted as the arousing effect of Vaan's magic against his body became physical as well as mental and magical.

Vaan laughed and shifted as well drawing Harry's attention down to his own arousal. Vaan pushed his arm back between them and tucked it around Harry. "I think we should pass that off as a reaction to using magic like that and not let anyone know." Vaan whispered before looking at Harry, his face only an inch from Harry's.

Harry smiled and halved the gap, locking gazes with Vaan until Vaan closed the gap completely and brushed his lips over Harry's. Harry felt the same tingle run through his body and brought up his newly healed hand to trace his fingers over Vaan's cheek as he engaged his Soulmate in a loving kiss which quickly became more when Vaan opened his mouth to let Harry taste the inside of his lips with his tongue. Harry's right hand came up to card through Vaan's hair even as Vaan's left hand came across and lightly touched Harry's chest, running down within the space of a few seconds to land on Harry's arousal which had only become more obvious as the kiss continued.

Harry felt his magic pulse and flow into every piece of Vaan's body in contact with his own body and when Vaan squeezed his left hand Harry pulled back to see Vaan glowing in the darkness of the village. Vaan's eyes widened as he took in the magic flowing around Harry and a small smile flickered over his lips before his tongue licked along his bottom lip. Harry pulled Vaan closer to him and Vaan tucked his face into his neck.

"Do you trust me, Vaan?" Harry asked huskily. Vaan nodded into his neck. "Relax and don't fight me." Harry warned before rolling to his right and straight off the edge of the ledge. They were in the air for only a moment before Harry's innate instincts twisted him so he was feet first. Vaan had clung to him tightly straight away but relaxed when Harry gripped him and turned him so they were chest to chest. In all they were in the air for only a few seconds before they hit a large branch half way down their tree. Harry shifted Vaan a moment before they landed and held him cradled to his chest as his legs bunched under him to smoothly absorb the landing.

Vaan gasped in shock as Harry set him down. Vaan turned in a complete circle looking around them at the vast space under the Eruyt Village and when he turned back to Harry he was standing right next to him and gathered him to his front. "Do you want me, Vaan?" Harry asked. "As much as I want you? Forever and completely?"

"Yes." Vaan breathed out in a gasp and surprised Harry by biting down on Harry's shoulder, obviously needing to do something pleasurable. Harry groaned and let his hands fall to Vaan's hips before walking backwards, guiding Vaan into the complete darkness near to the trunk of the tree where no Viera could possible hear or see what they were both planning.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The next morning

Harry and Vaan took hours to recover from their first time together especially with the magic that had shifted between them taking them to completely new levels of pleasure. As Vaan woke to find Harry looking down at him he could still feel Harry's magic soaking into his skin. Vaan shut his eyes and savoured the feeling. He'd discovered last night during the height of their love making just how strong, elegant and powerful Harry really was and it was beyond his comprehension and even now he could feel it against his skin and it awed him. Vaan opened his eyes again and looked at Harry and in a moment Harry knew what he was thinking just by the emotions in his eyes. Vaan was wondering how he could ever have been stupid enough to have hated Harry.

"You had every reason to believe me to be a monster, Vaan." Harry assured him making Vaan wince at being found out. "It was either make people hate me by letting the world believe me responsible or stand against the Emperor."

"I know which I would have done." Vaan stated bluntly.

"He wasn't a monster, Vaan." Harry sighed and nuzzled at the top of Vaan's head. "He made his decisions to bring about the end of the war. I may not agree with them and you might hate him for them but they brought a version of peace that we needed at the time. In a way it was the only option available. In hindsight I realise that if I had managed to agree a peace with him there were people like Doctor Cid who would have found a way to create war again for their own ends."

"Reason or not." Vaan shook his head. "I'll never forgive him."

"Because it was on his orders that your brother was murdered." Harry nodded and leant down to kiss Vaan's lips.

"I wanted to avenge Reks' death so much." Vaan leaned down and kissed Harry's chest and shifted so he was sitting in Harry's lap. Harry in turn was still lying on his back with his head on a crossing branch. Harry couldn't help but let his eyes rake over Vaan's naked form. They'd have to dress soon. "First it was you." Vaan sighed and fisted his hands on Harry's stomach. "Then it was the Emperor after I found out the truth. Now he's dead so that leaves Vayne."

"In that I will help you." Harry sat up and drew Vaan into a tight hug. "We're bound to each other now. We'll never be happy without the other nor unless the other is free and happy. I can feel your anguish as if Reks was my own brother. I remember holding his head and giving him magic to ease his pain as if I was treating him as my own brother. I feel the love that you had for him just as well as you feel the love I have for Balthier."

Vaan frowned and looked away before his eyes snapped open wide and he looked back and nodded. "That's weird."

"We should get dressed." Harry announced.

"You realise half our clothes are several hundred metres above us?" Vaan asked in amusement.

"Shy are you?" Harry asked and shifted. It was difficult to do it with much elegance since Vaan was sitting across his thighs but he managed to lift him by the hips enough to slid his legs underneath him and then stand up. Vaan wrapped his legs around him mimicking the position they'd been in during their love making. Harry kissed him before lowering him down. "It might be some time before we can be close again. I leave it up to you how we make ourselves known to the others. The more open you are to them the closer we can be to each other."

"Is that an ultimatum?" Vaan smirked even as he leant over and picked up underwear and started to dress. Harry dressed in under half a minute, even as far as doing up his boots and pulled Vaan's back to his chest as soon as the seventeen year old had finished with his own clothing.

"Not an ultimatum." Harry whispered in his ear. "The choices are in your court. Just remember that it can't become public knowledge."

"Because a Judge Magister of Arcadia can't be seen with an orphan?" Vaan complained tensing up.

"I'm an orphan too, Vaan." Harry sighed. "Because a Judge Magister is expected to find a partner amongst the elite. My enemies will love to find out that I have mated with a seventeen year old Dalmascan. Not to mention that you have been noted as being one of my escaped prisoners." Harry chuckled.

"So you're worried you'll lose your reputation?" Vaan asked rather tersely. Harry spun Vaan in his arms and tipped his head down so their foreheads were touching.

"Concentrate on how I feel about you, Vaan." Harry ordered him. "If I could I'd declare what you mean to me to the world. But I need my reputation at the moment to help you get the world you want. Not to mention what my enemies would do to you if they found out about you."

"What would they do?" Vaan asked. "I'm not afraid."

"They'd never stop." Harry told him sternly. "As it is my ex-boyfriend is under guard to stop anyone from harming him to get to me. If they found out about you they'd stop at nothing to capture you, torture you and probably let you die slowly just to get to me. And what makes it worse is that they wouldn't even realise how badly it would affect me."

"What would it do?" Vaan asked.

"If you die, I die." Harry said simply and pulled back, catching Vaan's hands in his own. "My entire existence now revolves around you. I can feel it and have ever since we made love last night. If you are hurt I will feel it. If you die then I die to, probably not straight away. I would have time to destroy whoever did it."

"And if you die, I die?" Vaan asked with a raised eyebrow.

Harry froze but then accepted the truth that his body was telling him. "No." Harry shook his head. "As I told you before. I need my Soulmate to truly live and when I find them I need them to survive. You do not need me like I need you. Having me is beneficial but should you wish to leave or if I die then you will not be unduly affected in the long run. You may experience a little withdrawal after you spend some time under the influence of my magic but that'll calm with time."

"What happens to you if I 'wish to leave'?" Vaan almost seemed to be mocking Harry's words and Harry frowned at him.

"I'd go mad and probably die." Harry shrugged and turned wondering whether Vaan was seriously considering his options but Vaan answered the question by grabbing Harry around his waist and pressing his face between Harry's shoulder blades.

"I think I'd go mad without you too." Vaan told him quietly. "I won't leave you." Harry didn't respond. Vaan understood his position and Harry knew how Vaan felt. It had been obvious the night before.

They headed up five minutes later, Harry jumping them between branches until they could access the walkways and steps. They past a single Viera who barely looked at them before they started up the steps that would lead to their group only to find Balthier leaning against the side of the tree. Harry laughed when he spotted Harry and Vaan's clothing in his arms and Balthier scowled at him.

"I really don't want to know." Balthier grumbled and held them out to the others. "I just really don't want to think of my little brother like that."

Harry accepted his shirt and quickly drew it over his head and tucked it in before doing the same with his cloak and finally his sword. "Well I didn't need to hear you and Annette Blake when I was thirteen either. The world's a harsh place." Harry said bluntly and grinned at Balthier as he choked. Harry closed the gap as Vaan accepted his clothes and started dressing. Balthier didn't move as Harry clearly wanted to whisper in his ear. "Vaan and I are together. Are you alright with that, big brother?"

"Do I get a choice?" Balthier asked but Harry just pulled back and whacked him on the arm. "If you love him then I can't complain." Balthier told him simply.

"I do." Harry nodded.

"He's definitely your Soulmate?" Balthier asked. Harry nodded. "Oh great, now I have to look after him. Being my brother-in-law and all." Balthier grumbled louder and Vaan heard and pouted at him.

"Actually our emotions are starting to share." Harry told Balthier with a smirk. "Reks feels like my brother and you..."

"Feel like my older brother." Vaan grinned. "Kind of."

Balthier looked horrified but then merely resigned and turned to lead them back up to the others who eyed Harry and Vaan suspiciously but didn't know quite how long they'd been missing.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Later that afternoon

Moving through Golmore Jungle wasn't all that more dangerous than the first time they'd come through and with their increased skill and experience and with the addition of Harry it was easier to get through Golmore and into the Feywood. For Harry it was like walking through a door even though to the others there wasn't much of a change except they now walked along the ground rather than walkways and the trees were older and the air darker.

The air was the worst for Harry and it hit him like a solid object clouding all of his senses. His hearing was thick with Myst and the Song took on an agitated timbre and to Harry the air seemed to burn its way down his throat. His eyes blurred and he was on his knees when somebody grabbed his arm. Magic tingled through him pushing his senses back into the real world and he instinctively knew that it was Vaan that was holding him up with a hand around his shoulders and a hand on his chest.

Harry looked up as soon of his senses came back and saw a sheer wall of Myst blowing across their path, preventing them from going further. "Does the Myst weaken you?" Fran's voice sounded confused. It wasn't Myst that had weakened him before but the Nethicite.

"It is so powerful it clouds my senses." Harry admitted forcing himself to his feet and pushing Vaan away from him slightly though not harshly enough to mean he wasn't appreciative of the help.

"That is the way we must go." Balthier pointed out as he moved to Harry's other side.

"Myst doesn't affect humans normally." Penelo spoke up.

"That concentration would probably just tear you up, Penelo." Harry commented. "Unless we have a way to..." He looked at Ashe and nodded. "The Nethicite may be strong enough to temporarily absorb the Myst."

"It is a good idea." Balthier nodded.

"Of course it is, brother." Harry smirked at him before watching as Ashe walked past him and didn't move away fast enough when she pulled out the Dawn Shard and focused on using it. It reached out instantly and Harry tumbled backwards letting Vaan steady him. He could already feel it sapping at his strength but then it suddenly stopped and he looked down at his hands to see them glowing white. He looked around in this sudden calm and heard the Song rejoicing in his mind and then looked at Vaan who was also glowing. "You're protecting me from the Shard." Harry whispered in awe. Vaan smiled though he clearly hadn't thought to do it. Protecting Harry was just instinctual now.

He realised everyone was watching him and Vaan and pulled himself to his feet. Ashe had finished nullifying the Myst stream and Balthier was staring at the glowing couple with a smirk on his face.

"You seen to have found a solution for your aversion to the Nethicite." Fran commented.

"His magic gets between mine and the Nethicite." Harry explained before heading deeper into the Feywood without letting anyone else comment.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Giruvegan

"What do you think?" Vaan asked quietly as he took hold of Harry's hand. Harry looked at him before looking back over the city before them. It was enormous as in it spread out across a massive inland sea to cover more ground than Archades itself. It seemed to be in surprisingly good condition for a city that predated even the Dynast King yet it held the same architecture as the ruins that were scattered across the Archadian Empire. Before them lay a long walkway almost like an entrance way and at the far end Harry could make out a transport platform just like the ones in the Stilshrine.

"On the farthest shores of the river of time, shrouded deep in the roiling myst." Ashe recited the Viera poem making Harry look at her and then at Fran.

"What is it, Fran?" Penelo asked in concern.

"The Myst runs thick here." Fran stated and everyone looked at Harry expecting a greater reaction.

"I feel nothing." Harry stated simply.

"It is not the same here." Fran told him. "It is cooling."

"It looks as though we have beaten Cid here." Balthier announced. "We shall lie here in wait."

"So we're not going inside?" Penelo asked in confusion.

"Not unless you want to end up twisted. Like the old man." Balthier stated simply before turning to head down one of the walkways off of the entrance path. Harry let go of Vaan's hand and followed Balthier in concern, glancing back at Vaan to tell him to stay with the others.

Balthier stopped at the end of one of the branches and looked down at the water gently rolling below them. Harry came up beside him and placed a hand on his back. "Are you alright, big brother?" Harry asked.

"This place took away my father." Balthier muttered.

"And gave you a little brother." Harry stated simply making Balthier jerk and look at him. "I do not know why I believe that but this place.... it speaks to me of my kind. The buildings, even the myst does not affect me like it does elsewhere in Ivalice. This place gave your father the interest in me and put me with you to look after."

"So you're saying I should either regret the loss of my father thereby wishing you hadn't come to me." Balthier paused. "Or be glad that I got you out of this trade?"

"I am glad I came to you." Harry tightened his arm before letting his brother go. "But I do not argue with you over which option you would have preferred."

"I'd trade a hundred fathers for you, Harry." Balthier told him sharply grabbing his arm. "You're my family and you were a better family than Cid ever was, even before he came to this place."

Harry was about to say more when his ears heard the sound of metal striking metal and he twisted his head to look in the right direction, gaining Balthier's attention quickly. "What is it?"

"The others are fighting." Harry stated simply and together they ran back to the main path. As soon as Harry saw Vaan fending off a larger than life humanoid statue he leapt into motion, running faster than his brother could keep up with. He drew his sword and gracefully slotted himself between Vaan and the statue, blocking the enemy's latest sweeping strike at Vaan. Metal hit metal and the headless statue froze up before stepping backwards and lowering his sword.

Harry put a hand on Vaan's chest to push him back behind him and swung his Katana in a circle with his newly healed right hand to settle its weight better, ready to make a strike or defend himself. The statue bowed to Harry before going down on one knee and suddenly the life fled from the statue leaving it completely inanimate. The transport pedestal in the centre of the walkway flashed with light before beginning to glow with dull light.

"What was that?" Vaan gasped in breath. The fight had been short but Vaan had taken the brunt of the attack. Harry turned and ran his eyes over his Soulmate checking for wounds. "I'm fine!" Vaan complained at Harry's mothering and Penelo snickered.

Harry jerked his head and turned back to look at the statue. "It recognised you." Basch pointed out. "And withdrew from the fight."

"A guard then." Balthier spoke up. Harry had registered his arrival just before the statue had knelt. "That blocked humans from walking in but obeys Harry."

"I didn't order it to do anything." Harry pointed out.

"You defended Vaan." Balthier pointed out. "Thus you vouched for this group and the guard accepted that."

"Or it got bored of the fight or ran out of magic." Harry snapped simply.

"You think this city was created by your kind." Balthier snapped back. "It makes sense."

"You think it makes sense." Harry argued back.

"Siblings!" Vaan shouted making both Balthier and Harry whip around to look at him in shock. "Stop arguing."

Harry raised an eyebrow and watched as Vaan blushed furiously. Ashe approached the pedestal and before anyone could say anything else she touched the top. A flash of light burst through them and when it faded they were standing in a dark place. Light burst up from the floor and trailed away lighting up the ground but disappearing into the darkness around them.

The smell hit Harry first and he choked and put his hand across his mouth and nose though it helped very little. "Oh god! What is that smell?" Penelo gasped.

"Rotting bodies." Fran explained. Harry had already found the two bodies though and moved over to them. Creatures of magic like beasts rapidly decayed when their magic left them. Only humanoid species like humans, Bangaas and so on decayed at a slower pace and had to be burned or buried. These two were definitely human and with a quick glance over them Harry knew how they had died.

"They were trying to leave the city." Harry announced. "They were wounded further in and stopped here where they succumbed to their wounds. I'd say they've been here for about four months."

"The pedestal only activated after the guard granted you passage." Balthier commented. "They had no way to leave."

Harry looked them over taking in their black cloaks similar to his own and then reached out and picked up one of the two masks lying next to them. He turned it over in his hand eyeing the fact it was white metal unlike any he had seen before yet it looked like bone and was shaped like the front of a skull. When this was worn it was supposed to intimidate.

"What were they doing in here?" Vaan asked. "Are they military?"

"No military I have ever heard of." Balthier shook his head and looked at Harry.

"The Empire has never encountered a unit with this kind of uniform before." Harry shook his head. "Perhaps a cult in Rozarria but this mask was meant to intimidate."

"Rozarrian?" Ashe asked with a frown.

"They are not Arcadian so if they are not Resistance or Rozarrian then what are they?" Harry asked in return.

"You're sure you would know if they were Empire?" Ashe countered.

"The Empire is not above intimidation but through military might, not scare tactics like this." Harry shook his head.

"Perhaps we'll garner better answers from further in." Fran suggested. Balthier looked worried but looked straight at Harry.

"This still all seems to be built by the same people as built Giruvegan." Harry pointed out. "I think we're supposed to be here."

"Something killed these two so keep your eyes open." Basch announced before taking point. Penelo moved up to his side with her crossbow and the group spread out a little. Fran, Balthier and Ashe took the middle and Harry and Vaan followed behind ready to jump in to help but the walkways here were quiet.

They walked for about half an hour heading down as they went until the walkway just ended. There was no barrier like the sides of the walkway and as Harry moved to the edge he could see down into the cavern. There was a massive golden mass in the middle of the cavern that glowed under its own light. It wasn't smooth or crafted but seemed to be a natural formation. What he doubted the others could see was the walkways just like their own all around the darkened walls of the cavern.

"A dead end?" Basch asked. "This path leads to no other place."

Harry didn't know why he did it but the Song in his mind seemed to urge him to do something and before he could realise what he was doing he was walking forwards out over the vast void between them and the massive golden crystal. He heard Vaan cry out in shock but his foot hit something solid and a bell seemed to ring through the air. He turned to look at them and then down at his feet where a green shield almost like a Protect shield held him up. A second later more bells were ringing and a path was presented to them leading down towards the crystal.

A second after Harry turned back to the group Vaan crashed into him, tucking his arms around him. "Don't you dare do something that stupid again!" Vaan ordered.

"Sorry." Harry shrugged not knowing what else to say. "I didn't have a choice." Vaan snapped back and looked up into his face seeing emotions in his eyes. Fear reflected back at him from Vaan's eyes.

"Harry. That was stupid." Balthier stated.

"Balthier." Harry sighed. "I didn't have a choice. The Song told me to do it and before I could think I was doing it."

"Something controlled your actions?" Ashe looked worried. "What if it tells you to kill us?"

"I don't know." Harry let his own arms pull Vaan close and held him tight. "I don't know."

"In there will lie the answers." Fran declared and walked past Harry and out over the new shield walkway. The others followed and Harry brought up the rear along with Vaan. They had to use another teleportation pedestal and Harry didn't much like the fact he didn't know exactly where he was anymore. They reappeared inside the crystal on shielded walkways between pedestals and it took only a few seconds for the smell to hit them once again. Decaying bodies. This time they'd been slaughtered by animals and half eaten and were still wearing their metal skull masks.

"Were they breaking in or trying to leave?" Penelo asked.

"Leave." Harry stated simply seeing the way they were positioned. He crouched down and opened up one of their cloaks to find leather armour of some kind that he'd never seen before. It was similar to Wyrm hide yet stitched in a way that Harry had never seen before. He searched through pockets finding glass vials of potions. He opened one and took a quick breath before wincing and putting the cork back in. "Poison." Harry announced. "And not very well made."

The others muttered between themselves and Harry continued searching the body finally finding a piece of heavy parchment in one of the pockets. He opened it up and his hand tightened in shock. It was in English. He blinked and stood up staring at the piece of parchment, it was a list of instructions for supplies probably just forgotten in his pocket but it was in English and Harry felt his chest tighten. Ivalice spoke the same language as Earth did but they wrote in symbols which to Harry felt more natural but he still remembered how to write and read English.

"Harry?" Balthier's hand settled on his shoulder and Harry actually jumped. "Harry!" Balthier sounded more shocked and took the parchment out of his hands. "Can you read this?"

"It's in English." Harry muttered making Balthier breath in sharply. "These guys are from Earth."

"Your home world?" Ashe asked.

"This is my home." Harry stated sharply. "But these people are from the planet I came from. There is a way here for them to come to this world and they couldn't escape."

"Taken by surprise by the beasts." Balthier nodded.

"Earth is safe in comparison to Ivalice." Harry agreed. "They must have been sent as some sort of scouting mission."

"A precursor to an invasion?" Basch asked.

"I don't know." Harry shook his head. "I don't remember ever seeing people like this on Earth. They don't have any of the technology I am used to there and I've never seen this type of uniform or material before."

"You were seven when you left." Balthier pointed out. Harry nodded to show he understood. He couldn't have seen all of the world. "We go deeper." Balthier announced and touched Harry on the arm to reassure him that whatever this was his big brother was there with him.

They headed through the crystal but it wasn't as easy as through Giruvegan. The platforms all seemed to be breeding grounds for small yet dangerous creatures and Harry had to kill quite a few of them and use his magic to fend off their powerful magical attacks. Clearly they were stronger than the men that had come through from Earth since they managed to make it into the centre yet the others were all very tired when they came to a large man-made structure in the middle of the crystal though Harry wasn't sure whether man-made was a good term for it.

The first chamber Harry walked into worried him, even though the crystal was teeming with beasts this place held no traces of them. There was something here that was making the beasts fear coming in here. Were they just stupid to do it instead.

"The Myst runs thick here." Fran commented and looked at Harry though it still didn't affect him. He could feel it but it was cooling, not heating like all the times before.

"Are you alright?" Penelo asked Fran worriedly.

"I am fine. Thank you." Fran nodded to her but that was all the break they were permitted as Harry snapped his head up to look at what was descending towards them. It was a giant figure cloaked in a tattered red cloak and wore a silver helmet over their head but the body was definitely female and Harry instantly knew that it was like Belias and Mateus. A Gigas. Harry felt it happen a second later, it was like a cloud permeating the air and without exception every part of his magic sealed itself away. He heard Vaan gasp and looked at him.

"Belias and Mateus are bound." Vaan told him.

"And all of our magic." Penelo swallowed.

"Spread out." Harry ordered and drew his Katana and put it in his left hand. "Let me do the work."

"Harry..." Vaan frowned.

"If we give it time to use its magic it'll overwhelm us." Harry pointed out. "We have to kill it quickly." He flexed his right fist just the right way to deploy his blade and then again to close it. The being landed on the ground before them and looked at them all. Focusing for longer on Harry before it lifted a hand and magic swept through them. The Firaga spell hit Ashe, Basch and Fran but their armour took much of the damage. Harry leapt forwards and his Katana flashed out and deflected a blast of ice that would have impaled a Wyrm. The being's arm deflected the strike and it gathered power for another spell and seconds later Harry was rolling out from under a Thundaga spell.

He glanced around and knew he had to end this as quick as possible and shifted into an attack position at the same time that Basch, Ashe and Vaan decided the same thing. Together they charged it from all sides but it was clever and when they had only managed to close half of the gap the ground trembled and Harry felt his body becoming heavy. It was casting a gravity spell on them. The others fell to their knees but Harry's inhuman strength gave him the boost he needed and he launched himself up into the air, breaking free of the magic as soon as he was a foot off of the ground. He twisted his body gracefully in mid air and even as the being defended itself from his Katana he punched out with his right hand and deployed his wrist blade. It locked into place just as Harry passed over its head and his fist hit ice cold skin on the being's neck. He wrenched his arm to the side and his blade cut out of the side of its neck.

Harry caught himself as he rolled across the ground and then slid up into another defensive stance ready to launch himself back into the fight but as he focused on the Gigas it fell to its knees and in a flash of light its energy shot out and struck him in the chest. He shut his eyes as he felt something surge through him, trying to find purchase but it was like it was slipping out of him.

"Choose a bearer." A soft voice demanded and Harry's mind snapped to Vaan with just the briefest flicker and the light burst from Harry and slammed into Vaan's heaving chest taking them all by surprise. Words rang in his mind as it left him. "I am Shemhazai the Whisperer. I shall protect your Soulmate till the end of time."

Harry straightened himself out as Vaan stared at him in shock, his eyes slightly hazed over before Vaan nodded to him and his eyes cleared. He understood what had happened. But that didn't mean the others did.

"Did it not bind itself to you as Belias and Mateus did to Vaan?" Ashe asked.

"I don't think my body can accept them." Harry shrugged. "It tried to but it was like it couldn't find a grip."

"Its name is Shemhazai." Vaan told them others. "Its sworn to come to my aid whenever I call it but wants to be used to protect Harry. It recognises your skill."

"At least someone does." Harry grinned.

"Half of Ivalice fears your skill." Basch pointed out with a snort of amusement.

"We should not linger." Balthier announced carefully watching his brother. He'd never seen his brother move so fast or so dangerously. They moved through the chamber and into a short corridor that led them into a large, almost auditorium like, room with a sunken centre with a single transportation pedestal. Ashe touched it without really waiting for agreement from everyone else and Harry wondered for the split seconds warning he got whether Ashe really knew what those things could do to them. Transport them to the bottom of the ocean for example and maybe not even intentionally. This things were thousands of years old so what if the exit had sunk into the sea or been buried in a cave in and then trapped them there.

He didn't have time to admonish her when he found themselves standing on a circular platform high above the ground. A lot registered in his mind, the fact that the place was perfectly clean, the fact that he could see all of his party safely around him, the six thrones surrounding them with five statues seated in them. And finally beyond all of that the hundreds of other floating platforms. One in particular drew his attention straight away because the Song increased when he focused directly on it but it looked no different to all of the others.

"Where is everyone?" Ashe suddenly called out turning in a wide circle, looking straight through them all.

"Princess?" Basch asked moving forwards into her line of sight only to see her look straight through him and out over the sky that surrounded them.

"Everyone look at me." Harry ordered and Vaan, Balthier, Basch, Fran and Penelo all looked directly at him. Harry nodded. "Obviously they want to talk to Ashe alone."

"They?" Balthier frowned at his brother.

"I..." Harry frowned and looked at one of the statues. "How did I know that?"

"Because you are ours." A voice shook his mind coming out of the Song like a soloist. For the first time in his life part of the harmony of voices took precedence. Harry look a step back away from the statue and Vaan put a hand on the small of his back in reassurance.

"Come with us." A different voice announced and Harry turned to find Vaan only for nobody to be there.

"Can they still hear me like they could hear the Princess?" Harry asked sharply looking around but his body registered a change around them. The platform was identical but the surrounding platforms had shifted position or rather he had shifted to a different platform. He frowned around him as the Song got so quiet he could barely hear it and his mind worked it out. He moved to the edge of his platform and his eyes could see Vaan and the others on a platform a mile or so away from him.

"What is this place?" Harry asked.

"The place between worlds." The voice told him and Harry turned to look at four floating figures standing before each of the statues bar one. "This is our home where we watch over many worlds."

"You're the ones that I heard in my mind when I was seven." Harry accused. "You brought me to Ivalice from Earth."

"It was necessary to ensure your survival." Another told him. "From the dawn of time we have watched over thousands of worlds but another race grew as we did. Truly immortal they were not, merely long lived, yet we became friends. They were tied to all worlds as were we and though they were many they sat beside us as equals, never seeking to conquer or harm the many races that grew upon the many worlds under our care."

"In time your race, the Vaettir, built massive cities upon most of the worlds, travelling between them, exploring the worlds. When we did not wish to abuse our powers to ensure the survival of races they stepped in to aid them unknowingly." Yet another continued the story and Harry stopped thinking of them as separate entities. "Many races came to know us, the Occuria, and the Vaettir for what we really were and we formed friendships."

"Gateways were built within the Vaettir cities and among hidden locations around each world so that the Vaettir could move between worlds easily." Finally the last spoke up. "Giruvegan was the city upon Ivalice. Upon Earth the city was named Atlantis. A thousand years ago the Vaettir abandoned many of the worlds, collecting in but a few cities until finally only those within Atlantis remained. And then only your ancestors and finally only two Vaettir were left alive. Only two now survive."

"Two?" Harry drew himself up. "Who and where?"

"Your mother was Vaettir, adopted by humans, and she had an older brother, much older than she was. He has now fallen to wars upon Earth but there is one child remaining. With your kind it was common for Vaettir to find their Soulmates among other humanoid races but the children have always remained Vaettir, without the taint of other races." They seemed to go around in a circle as they spoke but this information was chilling Harry's body and raising the hairs on the back of his neck.

"His son lives on." One told him. "Your cousin."

"Is he on Earth?" Harry demanded. "Can you send me there to get him?"

"His human mother is yet protecting him and the situation here requires your assistance."

"My family comes first." Harry stated simply. "Even if I've just heard of him."

"And your brother Balthier and your Soulmate Vaan?" A new one asked as it appeared to him. Had they finished talking to Ashe then?

"Can they come with me?" Harry asked.

"Not yet." They told him. "If they leave this world then Ivalice will fall to ruin, destroyed by Vayne and Cid."

"Then I stay and fight and when we have peace you will show me how to travel to Earth so I can find and protect my cousin." Harry demanded. They all bowed to him in agreement.

"You must also kill Venat." They told him. "Until Venat is dead Ivalice cannot be safe. Nor can Earth."

"The humans from Earth." Harry tilted his head. "Who are they?"

"They rule most of Earth." They told him. "Death Eaters. Their master killed your parents and has now found a portal to Ivalice, the doorway open because of your presence here."

"I'm leading them here?" Harry asked.

"We can cut the connection but in doing so they will find their way to other worlds where you are not present to fight them should they succeed in escaping the portals." They told him. "In past times the Vaettir would have dealt with them to allow the humans of Earth to live in freedom but if we were to intervene we could create panic amongst them."

"So you want me..." Harry started but suddenly they all faded.

"In time, our Avatar." They whispered before the Song rose back to its normal volume and finally he knew his place in existence. And as long as the Song was there he knew that the Occuria could see him and were watching over him and ready to help him. He'd have better answers one day but right now he needed to rejoin the others.

"Will yourself to the portal to Ivalice." One of the voices told him and he shut his eyes and focused on Ivalice and Vaan and when he opened his eyes again he had a second to brace himself as Vaan barrelled into him. They were back in the chamber in Giruvegan and Vaan was clearly happy to see him back.

"What happened?" Basch asked.

"It's rather personal." Harry told him. "Let's just say that the Occuria know of my race. Or what's left of it."

"Left of it?" Balthier swallowed sharply and moved forwards.

"Apart from myself there is a young child, baby actually, living on Earth. The world I came from." Harry spoke quietly but they all heard him. "He's my cousin actually."

"Can you go to him?" Vaan asked stepping back finally. Clearly he didn't care what the rest of the group thought.

"I can." Harry nodded. "But the Occuria are watching him for the time being. When Ivalice is no longer about to destroy itself I shall go to him. He deserves that much."

"Is that what they took you away to tell you?" Ashe asked.

"Among some pieces about the history of my race." Harry shrugged. "Basically, as far as you need be concerned, my race are older than any race on Ivalice. They watched the growth of the races here and built Giruvegan to live in as they watched the world and lived their lives. They'd travel between worlds, exploring and helping the races to grow and survive."

"That's incredible!" Ashe smiled at him. "At least you know a little now."

"What did they tell you?" Harry asked.

"They gave me a way to carve pieces of Nethicite for myself, to stop Vayne and bring peace, just like the Dynast King did." She sighed. "I'm not sure I like the idea of waging war like that."

"Then what will you do?" Harry prompted.

"Use the Sword of Kings to destroy the source of the Nethicite." She announced and the Song in Harry's mind took a strange turn, as if concerned by her decision.

Harry flinched but shut his eyes and concentrated on the situation. If she could destroy the source of the Nethicite and then get rid of Vayne then Harry could leave this world safe in the knowledge that the countries were even and weren't about to destroy themselves. "Let her do this." Harry muttered and the Song calmed instantly. They'd agreed with him.

"What?" Vaan frowned.

"The Occuria were not happy with her decision." Harry sighed. "They are in agreement now however."

"You cannot go with them." One of their voices announced. "You must not be anywhere near to the Cryst when it is destroyed."

Harry deflated slightly and turned to Vaan. "I cannot go with you."

"Why not?" Vaan gasped.

"Even from Arcadia I felt the Midlight Shard destroy Nabradia. From my ship the Dusk Shard almost killed me." Harry shook his head. "I do not wish to discover what would happen to me if I was anywhere near the Cryst when it is destroyed."

"What will you do?" Basch asked.

"I shall travel back to Rabanastre and return to my Fleet." Harry announced. "From there I can keep an eye on what is happening."

"How can we find you though?" Vaan asked.

"If Balthier has the courage than he can fly into my Fleet." Harry smirked at his brother. "If you require something more subtle then go to Nalbina Fortress and leave a message for me. It will get to me."

"It has been an enlightening experience travelling with you, Judge Magister." Ashe bowed her head.

"I imagine we shall see each other soon." Harry pointed out. "Especially with the trouble you seem to get into."

It wasn't until they were at the long walkway out of Giruvegan when Harry touched both Vaan and Balthier on the arms and pulled them to a halt. The others noticed but after a glance carried on to give them some privacy. "Balthier, brother."

"Harry." Balthier nodded.

"Protect Vaan." Harry requested and Balthier nodded sharply. Harry closed the gap and hugged his older brother gently. "And look after yourself."

"Don't I always?" Balthier asked as they pulled apart.

"When we were kids I was doing all of the looking after you." Harry pointed out. Balthier grinned and stepped back to let Harry and Vaan have a moment. Harry leaned down and touched his lips to Vaan's and they shared a gentle kiss that was alive with their magic. When he pulled away Vaan had a tear in his eye. Harry was better at controlling his emotions but they both didn't want to part ways. "You take care of yourself and listen to what Balthier tells you."

"Alright Harry." Vaan nodded. "You too?"

"Of course." Harry leaned in and hugged him and Vaan hugged him back tightly. When he pulled away he looked at them both. "When this is all over will you both come with me to Earth? To find my cousin and help him?"

"Of course!" Vaan grinned with a bright smile. Clearly he'd been worried that now Harry knew the truth about his race he'd leave to return to Earth for a while and Vaan couldn't follow. Now he knew he could.

"We're family." Balthier nodded abruptly. "I'll be happy to come. What about...?"

"Fran?" Harry finished for him before nodding. "Penelo can too if she wants. I don't know how long we'll be there for and I don't know how bad the situation is. Those bodies we found were from the group that rule Earth and they were the ones to kill my parents. They're not nice. The Occuria can't intervene but they might ask me to."

"And will you?" Balthier asked.

"Only if I can safely." Harry shrugged. "It's not my world but their war has cost me my parents and my Uncle."

"That should be interesting." Vaan deadpanned before grinning. "Fun too!"

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

End Chapter