Mira had hoped that taking out her frustration on the vegetation outside the city would improve her mood but after shuffling into the temple to find Braig leaning against the wall inspecting the immense piles of gold, her anger reignited all over again. He was the picture of nonchalance, standing there like he hadn't insulted her that morning and it pissed her off. She pointedly looked away from him when he lifted his gaze to hers, averting her eyes toward the conmen instead.

Tulio was admiring the treasure with Chel, offering her a pair of golden earrings to replace her clay ones. A shadow of anxiety dimmed his glee. "Miguel, how're we gonna keep this up for three days?"

"You worry too much." Catching sight of her, the blond waved Mira over. She passed by Braig, making a point to pretend he wasn't there. "I was wondering where you'd gone, Mira! Were you by yourself this whole time?"

Braig shifted toward them, but a quick glance revealed his attention squarely on an intricately carved goblet. If he wanted to eavesdrop, she'd give him something to listen to. Mira shrugged. "I'm used to it. It's not like I need a chaperone; I am a grown woman, after all." Braig's shoulders stiffened.

"Right you are! And a beautiful one at that!" Miguel gave a cheeky smile. "In the spirit of taking in beautiful sights, would you like to join me for a walk around the city-?"

"No!" Tulio exclaimed, hopping over some of the gold to cut Miguel off. "How many times must I tell you to lie low?!"

The blond threw his hands up. "But Tulio, this place is amazing! I mean, I wonder what's-"

"No! Don't even move! Just... stand there!"

Miguel gasped. "For three days?!"

"What's happening in three days?" Mira asked.

Braig tossed the goblet back onto the pile with a clang. "While you were off sulking, these two talked the chief into building them a boat so they can leave. It's gonna take three days to make."

She scowled at him. "I see. So," she turned her back on him to face Miguel, "we lie low. Sounds easy enough. What do you plan on doing once you've sailed away on the boat?"

The blonde pouted and Tulio cut in. "We're going back to Spain to live like kings! But," Tulio crossed his arms, "that's only if someone doesn't blow our cover first. Promise me, Miguel!"

"Yeah-yeah-yeah, uh-huh."

Tulio sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, and Chel sauntered up, flaunting her new earrings. They were quite stunning against the warm tan of her skin and her ebony hair. He flicked one of them, softening. "Now, it you'll excuse me, I have to gloat over my gold."

Mira furrowed her brow. Hadn't Chel been eyeing Braig? Not that Mira expected him to become involved with anyone on this world, but her change in attention was odd... Despite her initial interest in the sharpshooter, Chel's attention had shifted solely to Tulio. She hardly paid any attention to Braig now. Though, it seemed she had some competition for Tulio; the same desirous looks he shared with her were also being directed toward the gold as well. Mira wandered toward the entrance of the temple to look out over the city and avoid further exposure to the sight of Tulio kissing the precious metal. Miguel followed.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Miguel sighed. A dreamy smile stretched across his face. She elected to say nothing. It was nice, but it wasn't home.

"You know," came Chel's voice behind them, "You really shouldn't miss it."

"Yeah, but Tulio..."

"Go ahead. You too, Mira. I'll cover for you." Chel wore a mischievous grin.

"Before I go, can I have a word?" When the other woman nodded, Mira pulled her out of earshot of the men. "Forgive me if this is too personal, but when you asked if Braig was available, I thought..."

Chel chuckled. "Oh honey, he's an attractive one for sure, but I know when I've got no chance."

"What do you mean? Did he say something?" What kind of standards did he have if a beautiful woman like Chel didn't fit the bill? Then again, it could be because they would be leaving this world sooner or later. No sense in getting attached to people they'd never see again.

"You should ask him." Chel winked. Mira opened her mouth to retort, but she made shooing motions with her hands. "Now go on – I wasn't kidding about seeing the sights."

She pressed her lips together; using the same words she'd said the day previously was not lost on Mira, but there was little else she could say as the other woman herded her toward Miguel.

"Shall we, Mira?" Miguel held his hand out to her.

Mira cast one last glance behind; Braig was openly staring at her, troubled. What was with him? He's the one who picked a fight with her; if he didn't want her to be angry with him, he shouldn't have acted like such a prick. Mira clenched her fist, letting out a sigh. "Sure, beats watching him kiss gold." It also beat dwelling on whatever was going on in Braig's head. Perhaps getting away for a while longer would help clear her mind; and if she was lucky, she'd learn something about what was causing the darkness to surge in this world.

For a city that was bustling the day they arrived, El Dorado was now a ghost town. Silence hung over the area like a wet blanket and aside from the occasional guard, the streets were deserted. She looked around, furrowing her brows. Had something happened? Where had everyone gone-?

"You know, I'm glad you decided to accompany me, Mira," Miguel said, breaking the oppressive quiet. He smiled at her. "That bodyguard of yours takes his job a little too seriously."

Her cheek twitched. "Braig's not my bodyguard."

"Really? I just assumed what with him not being your husband but never letting you out of his sight that he was here to protect you or something. It's funny," he chuckled, "whenever I tried talking to you at the party, he was always there with a nasty look on his face."

"That's just his face," she said stiffly. After all, the alternative was that Braig was intimidating people to stay away from her, implying that she couldn't handle herself... Mira clenched her fists.

"Did... something happen between the two of you? I know it's not my place, but if something's upsetting you, I'm happy to listen," he trailed off.

Mira hesitated. There was no harm in talking to someone she'd, realistically, never see again. Words spilled from her lips before she could think to stop them. "We argued this morning after the tribute. He thinks I was too reckless for trying to save that guy's life and that I should've let things happen as they may. I get things could become dangerous around here, but that's no reason not to do the right thing!"

Miguel nodded, frowning pensively. "I agree with you – something had to be done. But-"

"Exactly!"

"-have you considered that he may have another reason for being angry?"

She raised a brow. "Explain."

He shuffled, scratching his beard. "It's only a guess, but do you think it's possible that... maybe he was afraid for you?"

More like afraid to lose standing and worthiness in her master's eyes. Did Braig think she was so weak? "I was fine on my own, long before I met him, and frankly, it's insulting that he thinks I can't take care of myself!"

He came to a stop. "Are you sure that's what he thinks?"

"That's how it sounded..." Mira bit her lip and continued quietly, "I don't want him to look down on me."

"I don't think you need to worry about that." Miguel offered an encouraging smile and patted her shoulder. "From where I'm standing, I doubt he looks down on you. Far from it."

"What do you mean?"

"It looks to me like he cares about you. Perhaps a touch more than he's willing to admit."

Her heart skipped a beat. "That's not... You don't even know him that well."

"Maybe not, but I don't need to know him to know what I saw. The way he looked at you at the feast, the concern he's showing for your safety – need I go on?" He raised a brow. "All I'm saying is that I know the look of a man in love, even if he doesn't know it himself."

Love? Had the conman indulged in some of the suspicious leaf the locals enjoyed? "Who said anything about love?" He was only doing this for the keyblade. He had to be. Otherwise... that meant all the flirtations and jokes, the time he spent with her... She flushed.

"And judging by the look on your face," he gave a sad smile, "you feel the same, don't you?"

Mira averted her eyes. "I'm... fond of Braig. But I'm not looking for love or any other foolishness." She didn't have time to waste on tender feelings or romance – not while her friends were missing or worse, and her master was lost to her. And it was a non-issue anyway; Miguel had to be mistaken. There was no way Braig felt anything for her.

"Why not-" There was rustling in a nearby alleyway, startling some nearby birds. Miguel peered around her, confused. "I think I just saw..." He shook his head. A guard stood ahead of them in the middle of the street – the same pelt-wearing one who'd led the chase for Chel. "Excuse me! Um, where is everybody?"

Perfect. A distraction. And a reason to focus on something else; something that was more important than matters of her heart. The warrior's eyes widened at the sight of them. "They've been cleared from the streets my lord, so the city can be cleansed, as you ordered." He bowed his head to her. "My lady."

"Cleansed?" Something told her it was more sinister than conducting routine cleanings to keep the city gleaming. Chel had mentioned something about cleansing...

"Yes, so the Age of the Jaguar can begin, as you ordered, my lord-"

"Get back in!" They whipped around; two guards brandishing spears shoved a man to the ground, nearly sending him crashing into the stone steps.

"Hey, stop that!"

Miguel pushed the two guards back. The man cowered at the steps, and Mira kneeled beside him. "Are you okay?" The man flinched, shielding his face. Movement further ahead caught her attention and she squinted to get a better look. The shadows in the trees were moving...

"But my lord, anyone who disobeys your orders must be punished, as you ordered!" insisted the pelt-wearing warrior. If he referenced their supposed orders one more time...

"It seems I've been giving a lot of orders, haven't I?"

"Tzekel-kan has made your commands clear, my lord."

Mira blinked. If Tzekel-kan was acting on behalf of the 'gods' to exert his will on the people of El Dorado, he could prove dangerous if they crossed him and his faith further. Braig was right, though it pained her to admit it. They would not be protected by fragile superstition for much longer. Worse yet was that the movement in the woods was growing more and more agitated. The darkness was stirring, and these people would be in danger if it came out to play.

"I'll see you later, Miguel. I'm gonna go on my own for a bit," she murmured, not waiting for him to reply. The jungle beckoned.

It had been hours since she'd left Miguel to go on her own; the jungle was darker than it had any right to be in the middle of the afternoon. Somehow, the shadows were deeper, more alive. But no matter how hard she looked, there was nothing but vegetation and wildlife to be found.

A horn sounded in the distance. What was going on?

Mira rushed back into the city, following the sounds of the horn; it blared at various intervals, but the message it was trying to send was unclear. Was it a cry for help? A war horn? There were no signs of battle or struggle; the city was as empty as before-

She turned the corner only to find high walls blocking her view. A din of voices just beyond grew louder with every step closer. Mira raced up the stairs, summoning her keyblade as she reached the top, only to stop short, scowling.

Crowds cheered, overlooking a deep arena where hulking men with a ball faced off against... She blinked. What were Miguel and Tulio doing down there? What happened to lying low? And why was it fifteen against two? Her eyes rested on a familiar face watching the proceedings with thinly veiled amusement. Braig looked up, meeting her gaze. When she blinked, he was gone-

"Ah, just in time."

Mira froze, mouth going dry. "Huh?" was all she could muster. Just in time for what?

"The idiots are about to officially blow their cover by losing a game they supposedly invented."

She peered down into the stadium just as the pair made an impossible toss through the hoop. It was almost gravity-defying... The horn sounded and Mira raised a brow. "There's no way they could've made that. Are you helping them?"

He chuckled. "Not me. They've been cheating for a while, but I doubt they'll take the win."

Leave it to him to do nothing, even if it could've assisted in prolonging their stay. "How long's this supposed to last?"

"Chel said until the shadow from that building reaches the line." He pointed toward the other end of the playing field. The game would be over soon, and they were tied with the opposing team. "By the way," he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, "where've you been? Miguel said you bailed on your walk."

Her conversation with the blond man came rushing back and a light dusting of rose stained her cheeks. The intensity of Braig's gaze was not helping. "There was something weird about the jungle, so I went to investigate."

"And?"

Her shoulders drooped. "Nothing. Aside from it being really dark in there and the moving shadows, everything was normal." He only hummed. The shadow was very nearly at the line and Miguel gave one last, desperate kick to send the ball through the hoop.

Only, it didn't go through. It was stuck in the middle.

"Oh, come on," Braig snorted, making a waving motion. The ball rolled through, falling to the ground; the horn blared one final time and raucous cheers erupted from the audience. "That's better."

"What'd you do that for?"

He shrugged. "They'd worked so hard at cheating; it'd have been a shame for them to lose at the last minute."

"That's uncharacteristically nice of you," she remarked drily. "Too bad you couldn't have channeled that in service of – oh I don't know – saving someone's life? Like this morning?"

Braig sighed. "You're not still mad about that, are you? You got what you wanted-"

"That's not the point!"

He blocked her view of the arena, grabbing her hand. "Then what is your point? I won't apologize for trying to look out for you."

Her heart fluttered. "I didn't ask for your concern," she mumbled shakily.

"Maybe not," he murmured, "but I can't help if I'd rather bring you back in one piece."

"There you go again, insulting my competence." She averted her eyes. "Do you have even a shred of respect for me at all?"

"Of course, I do. But it's not my fault that you have a chip on your shoulder. Maybe the problem isn't my respect for you, but your insecurity about your own independence." Mira wrenched her hand from his grasp, throat tightening with emotion. Unshed tears burned in her eyes as she glared up at him. He sighed. "The angry look doesn't suit you, Princess."

"Your opinion is irrelevant," she snapped, turning her back on him. They were just words. They didn't matter. He didn't matter. Even in her mind, the sentiment rang hollow.

A collective gasp echoed around the arena, pulling her attention back to the sport below. "Look Tzekel-kan! Forget the sacrifices – we don't want any!"

The priest leaned into the blond's space – uncomfortably close. "But all of the sacred writings say that you will devour the wicked and the unrighteous!"

"Well, I don't see anyone here who fits that description."

"Well, as speaker for the gods, it would be my privilege-"

"The gods are speaking for themselves now! This city, and these people, have no need for you anymore!" Miguel shoved the priest back. "There will be no sacrifices! Not now, not ever! Get out!"

Cheers erupted from the onlookers, drowning out anything else they might've said. Miguel's words were admirable, but... Mira tracked Tzekel-kan's path out of the arena as he bowed pulling the pelt-wearing warrior after him. Where were they going?

"Looks like things are getting interesting, hm?"

"Yeah. I can't imagine Tzekel-kan taking that humiliation lying down..." She cleared her throat. "But I've got it handled here. You can go back."

"Not a chance."

Mira crossed her arms. "Fine. I'll let Tzekel-kan know that I'm nominating you for the next sacrifice. I know he's been itching to do one."

His grin set butterflies loose in her belly. "No, you won't." Braig moved into her line of sight, blocking her view of the priest's retreat. She tried looking around him, but he only blocked her again. "You'd miss me too much – and he'd never catch me."

"Any chance at missing you is dwindling with every word that comes out of your mouth." Braig made to reply, but she jabbed her finger into his chest. "Go away!"

He furrowed his brow. "Wait, you're serious?"

"Why wouldn't I be? I'm sick and tired of the people I care about having so little confidence in me, and I'm not going to put up with it from you."

"You care about me?"

She levelled him with a cold stare. "Sacrifice is still on the table. Don't push me."

"Well excuse me, Princess," he laughed, turning to leave. "We'd better get a move on then. Wouldn't want to miss your big chance to have me sacrificed." Braig paused. "By the way, what do you plan on telling Ansem if I don't return?"

"That your big mouth got you into trouble. Something tells me he'd believe that." Braig only laughed.

They followed Tzekel-kan and the pelt-wearing warrior back to a pyramid adorned with an ominous skull over the doorway; it was a prominent building near the center of the city, but the locals gave it a wide berth as they went about their activities. There were no windows and no other apparent entrances. Mira ran up the steps and crouched by the opening, peering in. The pair stood before an ornately carved depiction of the gods in the dim chamber. Further behind it loomed the massive stone statue of a jaguar. Like the other architecture and art in the city of gold, it was carved and fashioned with painstaking detail.

Braig kneeled close beside her; close enough to press their thighs together and warm her with his body heat. She took a deep breath, trying in vain to calm her heart. The priest's voice reverberated around the room, drifting up to them. "Do you know why the gods demand blood?" Tzekel-kan sliced his palm with a ceremonial knife, smearing his blood over the slab. His lackey shook his head. "Because gods don't bleed." Darkness covered the wound; when it dissipated, it was gone.

That didn't bode well, considering Miguel's proclamation that there would be no more sacrifices. If they were the gods they claimed to be, it would be akin to willfully starving oneself. "He knows..." she whispered.

"What about the girl?" asked the warrior, clutching a heavy tome to his chest.

The priest rubbed his chin. "She does have the sacred weapon and has demonstrated powers beyond those of mortals... But she is too soft to do what needs to be done."

"Too soft?" she muttered. "I was literally ready to fight him off that guy." What a jerk. Braig shook with soft chuckles. Ears burning, Mira risked a glance at him, but quickly averted her eyes. "Pipe down, you."

"It's time to take the future into my own hands. And the city will be cleansed, even if I have to do it myself! If she stands in our way, we will eliminate her." Tzekel-kan snatched the tome from the other man's arms, flipping through the pages. "There are dark magics here, and power, and... oh! My-my-my," he grinned maniacally, "it's not called the Age of the Jaguar for nothing." Throwing the tome back to the warrior, he dusted off his hands and strode to the stairs leading out of the chamber.

Mira's eyes widened; they were coming their way! A hand snaked around her waist, pulling her against a warm body. She blinked, and they were crouched around the corner of the pyramid out of sight of the two men. From their distance, the only thing she could hear was a muffled "...bid the false gods... goodbye."

"Did you hear that?" she whispered.

"I lost an eye, not my hearing," Braig joked. "We can leave if you're worried, but he's on the outs with the whole town, so we can probably stick around for a little longer."

Though disgraced, Tzekel-kan still had the power of the darkness. And he was up to something. How much longer before someone stole into the temple to hurt them? "We should keep an eye on him."

"You got it, Princess."

In the side room she'd taken as her own, long after the sun had set and the candles were blown out, Mira tossed and turned atop her cushions and blankets. They'd covertly stalked the high priest across El Dorado, but other than procuring some dubious supplies, he didn't do anything interesting. Her legs ached from crouching and keeping out of sight. But no matter how much she struggled to relax, sleep avoided her weary mind. She and Braig had only been gone for a handful of days, but how much time had passed in Radiant Garden? Was Ansem the Wise any closer to unlocking Xehanort's memories? They had no way of knowing whether progress or devastating failure had occurred. And with nothing to show for this entire trip thus far, she was beginning to regret ever coming to this world.

"Psst." Mira sat up, ears straining to find the source of the disturbance. Was Tzekel-kan making his move? "Psst!" The sound came again. "Princess?"

She let out the breath she'd been holding. "What is it?" she asked, keeping her voice low.

"I need to talk to you."

"...Right now?"

"I'm coming in." The drapery blocking her room from the rest of the temple swished, revealing a sliver of moonlight before falling back into place, leaving them in darkness. She heard more than saw Braig take a seat beside her makeshift bed.

"Make yourself at home," she muttered.

"In that case," he flopped onto the cushions, jostling her, "don't mind if I do." He took up much of the small sleeping area she'd thrown together, leaving only the small sliver she sat on.

"Oh come on!" she hissed. "There's no room left for me!"

He shifted and patted the cushions. "There you go."

"Not the point! If I'd known you just wanted to steal my bed-"

"That's not why I'm here," he interrupted. "I wanted to talk to you about something. I've been thinking a lot about our argument."

Mira exhaled loudly. "What about it?"

"When you stopped the sacrifice, all I could picture was the priest turning on you and throwing you into that whirlpool-"

"But he didn't – not even close." Though, after what Tzekel-kan had said about her in the pyramid, her confidence that she'd been perfectly safe had eroded significantly.

He sat up and took her hands in his. "I'm trying to tell you I was worried for you. And not for a stupid reason like impressing your master."

Her breath hitched at his admission. "Then why?"

Braig huffed. "You really want me to say it, huh?"

Mira nodded her head, only to realize that it was so dark he couldn't see it. "Yes."

"Of course, you do." Pulling her into his side, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and leaned his head atop hers. "Is it so difficult to believe that I care about you?"

Her mind supplied all the times they'd chatted or teased each other. Or the way he'd watched over her and held her while she cried over her master. Miguel had been right, despite having known them only for a few days. Her cheeks warmed. Mira put her head in her hands, all the fight leaving her. "I'm sorry for the trouble I've put you through since we got here. I never wanted you to get hurt for me-"

"You don't need to apologize. I don't regret it, and I'd do it again. For you."

"Thank you," she whispered, burying her head in the crook of his neck. She breathed in his scent, shoulders relaxing with every exhalation.

Braig sighed softly. "There's something else, Mira, while I have you here..."

"This is my room," she muttered, though her heart thumped erratically.

"True. But I wanted to ask..." He cupped her cheeks, lifting her face. "Are you sober?"

She blinked, confusion and nerves warring for dominance. "What kind of question is that? Of course, I am-"

"Good." What was he-?

A warm mouth pressed against hers, and her mind blanked. Braig took his time, languidly moving their lips together, thumb rubbing soft circles into her cheek. Mira couldn't help but shut her eyes and be swept up in the sensation. She stroked his face, gently brushing her fingertips over the scar tissue, pressing closer to him. All too soon, he pulled away, leaving one lingering kiss on her forehead. "Now we're even," he murmured.

Mira bit her lip, both grateful for and frustrated by the cover of darkness. At least he couldn't see how flustered she was, but what was he thinking? Had he planned that, or was it a spur-of-the-moment thing? He wouldn't toy with her... would he? "Braig," she said, suddenly weary, "you can't do something like that without meaning it..."

"Who says I didn't mean it?" He brushed a knuckle over her cheek, and she realized, belatedly, that he wasn't wearing his gloves. "I'd do it again if you let me..."

Her heart skipped a beat. "Maybe another time. It's late."

Braig let out a warm chuckle. "As you wish. Goodnight, Mira." He got up from her makeshift bed and padded out of her room, back into the temple's main chamber.

She touched her fingers to her lips, replaying the memory over and over in her mind. He kissed her. Braig kissed her and he meant it. Mira failed to suppress a giddy smile. So, this was what Chel meant when she'd said she had no chance. It was either a testament to the other woman's keen observation that she'd seen Braig's true feelings so clearly when Mira could not, or a failure on Mira's part for being oblivious. She was inclined to believe the latter. Regardless of which scenario was the truth, Mira indulged in the warmth it brought her, at least for the moment.

He'd let his heart guide him in that moment; and for the first time in a long while, he was confident he'd made the right decision.