The current spat Mira and Braig up in a pool overlooked by a rock carved like a face. Water dripped from the eyeholes, giving the impression of permanently falling tears. The rising sun was obstructed by the mist, casting the area in a gloomy haze. Allowing the shield to fall, Mira slumped against Braig, her strength spent. He swam them to shore and carried her onto dry land. Seconds later, Tzekel-kan surfaced with a gasp, struggling against the water. Braig pulled her under the cover of some nearby foliage before the priest could spot them, and the pair sank to the ground, catching their breath. Her limbs were heavy, and the water made her clothes cling to her skin, but it was a small discomfort she could ignore. They'd survived. Her eyes slid to Braig, who laid on ground, chest heaving.
"You jumped in after me," she breathed. She scooted up beside him, arms and legs shaking with every movement.
His lips quirked and he let out a breathy huff. "Technically, you pulled me in."
"Idiot." She smacked his arm, but there was no strength behind it. "I'm trying to thank you."
He laughed softly. "You'd have been fine without me, Princess. I should be thanking you." Her pulse quickened when his eye flashed open, pupil dilating. "You were incredible..."
Her cheeks warmed, and it had nothing to do with the balmy morning air. That look made everything fall into the background, and her body moved of its own volition, leaning over him. Mira cupped his cheek, running a thumb over his scar. "Can I?" she asked softly, eyes darting to his lips then back.
Braig sat up, pulling her flush against him. "How can I resist when you're looking at me like that?" he said, voice husky and deep.
Heat shot straight through her belly, and she let out a shuddering breath. Mira didn't dare ask what kind of expression she was making; she'd likely die of embarrassment right there. Instead, she pulled Braig's face to hers, sealing their lips firmly, drawing a sharp breath from him. They hadn't kissed since he'd initiated it in the temple, nor had they spoken about it; but in that moment, whether they ought to discuss what was happening between them was immaterial. All that mattered was the sensation of his lips and his fingers tangling in her hair-
Heavy footfalls and the clink of armor cut through their passion, and they broke apart, searching wildly for the source. Her eyes rested on Cortes, widening in alarm as he glared down at Tzekel-kan's groveling form in disgust, gun drawn. She'd nearly forgotten he landed on the island!
"Where did you get this?" he growled, shoving the tip of the musket under the priest's ears, bringing a golden earring to light.
"My lord, follow me." Tzekel-kan pointed through the pass. That scheming wretch... he was going to lead Cortes's army straight to El Dorado.
"We have to do something-" the words died in her throat; she was too drained for another fight... They were going to slaughter or enslave all those innocent people and there was nothing she could do to stop it-
He kissed her forehead. "Way ahead of you, Princess." Braig stood, hoisting her up onto his back, and carried her piggyback through a dark corridor.
Despite the early hour, El Dorado was bustling with activity and celebration. Locals hauled debris and crushed stones from pathways, while others loaded the ornately carved boat with tribute and other treasures. The air was charged with celebration and excitement. Braig expertly weaved through the crowd despite the added burden of her weight. The warmth of his back along with the even cadence of his gait lulled her into a drowsiness that was difficult to fight. When they found Chief Tannabok embracing Miguel and Tulio amid a crowd of locals, Mira was struggling to keep her eyes open. Miguel spotted them first.
He gasped, breaking free of the chief's hold. "You're alive! I thought for sure-"
Tannabok whirled around, Tulio in tow. "My lady! You have returned!"
Mira stifled a yawn and bobbed her head. It was Braig who spoke. "We've got some bad news." He set her down on the steps to the temple and kneeled in front of her. "I'll be right back, okay?" She dipped her head, and he strode to the chief's side.
Miguel soon slid onto the stairs beside her. She blinked owlishly at him. "Mira, how did you survive? I thought for sure you'd..." he trailed off, unable to say the words.
"Magic, remember?" she murmured. "But I'm fine, just tired."
He cradled her hand in his own, squeezing with only the slightest pressure. "I'm glad. But what's this bad news?"
Braig's back was still turned to them, and he gesticulated every so often, causing the Chief's elation to deflate into concern. She sighed, pulling her hand from his to fidget with the drawstrings on her coat. "Tzekel-kan is leading Cortes here."
Miguel gasped. "He survived too?"
"Yes." Somehow, the darkness had saved him. Or he'd been incredibly lucky. Either way, it meant a headache for her. She wasn't in the habit of wishing people dead, but it would've been easier for everyone if he'd... not survived.
Tulio approached the boat, hesitating. He looked back at them, troubled, and Miguel averted his gaze, glaring at the stones instead. It was then that she noticed the blond was wearing a headdress and cape, while Tulio went unadorned, bearing a pack instead. "You're staying?"
He took a moment to respond. "I am."
"What about Tulio?"
"He'd rather forget about me and be with Chel."
Mira sighed again. She was too tired for this. "I see."
"Are you...?"
She inclined her head. "We've got to get home." They'd stayed too long as it was, with little to show for it. As soon as they could ensure the people of El Dorado were safe, they had to leave. Visibly deflating, Miguel returned his gaze to the ground. An uncomfortable silence descended over the pair. Braig was still in deep discussion with Tannabok, but their eyes connected when he glanced behind. She quickly looked away, heat creeping up the back of her neck.
"I hope he makes you happy," Miguel said softly.
Mira tensed. "We're not-" she cut herself off. That wasn't entirely true anymore.
The blond let out a huff. "That man jumped into a whirlpool after you. I think it's safe to say there's something there."
Considering the way he'd kissed her, that was a more than reasonable assessment. They'd admitted to caring about one another and things had changed between them, but to what end remained unclear. More than ever, her future – and his place in it - was uncertain and foggy... "We have more important things to worry about right now. I can't afford to be distracted."
Miguel smiled sadly. "Just... don't take the time you have with him for granted. You never know when it'll run out," he added quietly.
Didn't she know it? The same had happened with her family, her master, and her friends. Would she lose Braig too and wind up completely alone? The man in question turned and approached her, lips drawn into a frown. Mira ignored the way her heart sped up, and she straightened. Questioning whether she'd lose him (if he was even hers to lose) was a pointless exercise. Especially while he was right in front of her.
"We have a plan," Braig stated, wasting no time on pleasantries. "We're gonna bring down the pillars to block the entrance of the city. The wave from that should push us through the cave."
Mira raised her brows. Simple, but effective. "What do I need to do?"
He crossed his arms. "Nothing. You need to rest."
"But-"
"No. I'm not having a repeat of the last time you exhausted yourself." Mira bit her lip. He was right. She needed to adhere to her limits. But it didn't stop the twinge of agitation running through her. Her hands clenched into fists on her lap.
Useless. Weak-
A hand cupped her jaw, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. Braig's lips twitched, the barest trace of a smile on his face. "None of that now." She was struck by the tenderness in his voice. His thumb rubbed back and forth on her cheek.
Miguel shifted beside her, bringing Mira back to the present. She cleared her throat, pulling away from his caress. "So, when are we going?"
"Now, if you're ready."
Mira stood, stretching her arms high above her head before allowing them to fall back to her sides. "Let's go." Grey eyes glanced down at the blond. "See you around, Miguel."
He looked up at the sound of his name, something sad shining in his verdant gaze. He didn't reply.
The sun was rising higher; it was nearly noon, by her estimate. There had been some last-minute preparations as teams assembled to take down the pillars, but they were ready to leave at last. Braig followed behind as she made her way to the boat, hesitating briefly before he boarded the vessel. Poor guy, back on another ship. With Tulio at the mast and Chel steering, there was little for Mira and Braig to do but wait. They sat close enough for their thighs to touch, but other than that, they were aloof with one another, lost in their respective thoughts. The gold glinted in the sun, blinding her. Mira squinted, noting its haphazard placement on the deck with a critical eye. Those wouldn't make it if they met inclement weather at sea – none of it was tied down or anything. After all the trouble they went through to get the gold, most of it would end up at the bottom of the ocean. She snorted, drawing Braig's attention.
"Something funny, Princess?"
Mira opened her mouth to reply, but Tulio beat her to it. "Why do you call her that?"
Mira raised a brow, eyeing him expectantly. "Well?" He'd never explained why he picked such a stupid nickname, and she'd kind of just accepted it. But she was curious now, too.
He shrugged. "I mean, you are a little high maintenance-" She smacked his arm, and he caught her hand. "Would you rather I called you something else?" he asked in a low tone that sent a shiver through her.
"My name would do," she mumbled, unable to maintain eye contact.
"But that's so-"
"Get a room," Tulio grumbled, moving to the side of the boat. He waved his arms and yelled, "Okay chief! On my signal!" He brought his hand down. "Ready, hit the pillars!" Cracking stone boomed around them as the teams demolished the bases of the great stone pillars with battering rams.
Mira covered her ears, shielding them from the sound. The sooner this was done, the better. Braig tensed, drawing her attention. "They're breaking too fast!" Mira whipped around, eyes widening. Already, the destabilized structures swayed dangerously, threatening to fall despite the locals' attempts at holding them steady.
"Tulio! The sail – the sail!" Chel pointed frantically.
The conman tugged the rope, but the sail wouldn't release. "It's stuck!" Mira and Braig sprang from their seats, grabbing a portion of the rope, and pulling with all their strength. But to no avail. They weren't going to make it without the wind-
Hoofbeats reached her ears and Mira's jaw dropped when Miguel, astride Altivo, leapt off the street toward the boat. Miguel grabbed onto the sail, using his momentum to pull it loose. Immediately, the wind propelled them forward.
"Get off the boat Miguel or you'll never see the city again!"
Miguel said something she didn't quite catch, then, "C'mon! We've got a wave to catch! Now!"
The people of El Dorado let go of the pillars. Mira stumbled back with a gasp, falling on her bottom as they were released. They were gargantuan and spelled certain death if they were hit – were they out of range? She didn't have enough magic to stop them if they weren't. Her breaths came out in uneven rasps. Even if she was at full power, the sheer impact of the stone might still be too much for her to shield them from. But weakened as she was, she stood no chance-
Braig kneeled in front of her, blocking her view. How could he be so calm? They were going to die- "I've got you." He pulled her close, sheltering her in his arms. Mira breathed in his scent that had become so familiar to her.
The stone hit the river with a slap, displacing the water and pushing them toward the gate. The ship swayed erratically, and the others made varying sounds of terror. Mira jerked her head up, biting back a yelp. They were too high! The mast snapped against the golden arch of the gate flying somewhere out of sight. Then everything went dark. The water had blocked the sunlight and she couldn't see a thing. Her grip on Braig tightened and he squeezed back. His chest rumbled as if he'd spoken, but the roar around them was too loud in her ears.
They hit something and the boat jolted, throwing Mira and Braig to the side of the deck. The gold clattered. Her shoulder ached from where it'd smacked against the unforgiving wood. Light streamed in ahead – two thin pillars marked the exit. They were moving too fast to get through cleanly-
"We have to hit it broadside!" Tulio bellowed, barely loud enough to hear over the waves.
"That's your plan?!" Miguel yelled. "But the gold!"
"Just turn the boat!"
Everything moved in slow motion after that. They turned the boat. Mira and Braig held onto the edge of the rail, bracing themselves. Everything slowed; they would have to jump. Her hand found Braig's, and she squeezed as they started to tip forward. Just before the boat slammed into the pillars, Mira kicked off from the deck, Braig in tow, diving into the current. There was a crack, deafening even below the surface as the pillars crumbled, launching the gold as well as Miguel, Tulio, Chel, and Altivo into the raging waters.
Mira surfaced with a gasp, clutching Braig's hand in a vice. Her muscles screamed as she fought her way through the tumultuous waters toward the scarred man. She wrapped her legs around him and he clutched her against his chest. Treading water, they bobbed along in the current. Heavy stones from the collapsing cave fell around them and the current surged, propelling them faster and faster through the underground passage. Mira summoned her keyblade, deflecting an errant stone hurtling toward them and spots invaded her vision again. Her breaths came out in uneven puffs. She swayed in his arms, grip slacking.
In no time at all, they were spewed out of the cave into the pool beneath the waterfall. The force of their expulsion ripped Mira from Braig's grasp, and she fell into the water with a smack. Dull grey-blue light filtered through the depths, illuminating the silhouettes of her companions. Her lungs burned, screaming for air. Bubbles carrying her precious oxygen floated up and away from her as she sank deeper. She couldn't breathe. Her ears rang at the sudden quiet; compared to the cacophony of their journey through the cave, it was like sound had ceased to exist. Her arms were heavy. Maybe she could stay there... just for a little bit.
His arms protested as he tore through the water. She'd stopped struggling. Her short auburn hair floated around her, weightless. Why wasn't she swimming? She was born next to the water; swimming should've been second-nature to her... right? He reached, fingertips brushing hers. Almost there. Kicking with all his might, he slid his arms under hers, pulling her to him. He smashed their lips together and pushed what precious air he had left into her lungs. Her eyes fluttered open, shining silver in the pale light. Her keyblade appeared in her hand and he held on for dear life as they catapulted through the water into the open air.