Once the Wind Crystal was secure, Golbez called a retreat. The monsters pulled back from Fabul Castle, some returning to the landing airships, but most disappearing into the countryside to wreak further havoc. The Siege of Fabul would go down in history books as a brief, but bloody battle with terrible losses, but nothing compared to devastation of Damcyan, and later, Eblan. In the retrospect of history, Fabul considered itself fortunate to come out with their royal family and castle still intact.
Back on the deck of the Scarlet Prelude, Kain reluctantly handed the Crystal to Golbez, watching with envy as Golbez took the Crystal to the captain's cabin, to protect it with whatever enchantments he had. Kain didn't know what he'd do with the Crystal if he possessed it but could not help but fantasize what it could do.
They flew, not southwest toward Baron, but directly south, over the myriad of tiny islands that trailed down all the way to another continent, where Mount Ordeals dwelled. Kain wondered if that was a coincidence but was too afraid to ask.
Leaning against the ship's railing, Kain watched the westward sky, filled with a desperate longing to be home. And not just physically present in Baron, but back to when it had been best for Kain, when nothing could separate him from Cecil and Rosa. Now, a war kept him from Cecil. And as for Rosa…
Rosa, like the Crystal, was being held in the captain's cabin. Kain did not know if Golbez had bound her with chains or magic, or both. Kain had himself convinced he did not care and that his lack of interest was better for her in the long run, to persuade Golbez she was unimportant, that she could not be used to further manipulate Kain, only Cecil. Both of them knew Kain lied, but Golbez allowed Kain the mercy pretending to believe it.
Standing in the wild winds, Kain tried to let it carry his worry and anxiety away. But even after several cleansing breaths of fresh sea air, Kain could not shake the looming sense of dread as they flew closer to whatever their destination was.
Bring the Wind Crystal to the Tower of Zot, Barbariccia had commanded him – but where was that?
As if the mere thought of Barbariccia could summon her, she was beside him, her breath sighing in his ear. "You've returned triumphant. And you brought the Wind Crystal," she said, in a mix of awe and gratitude.
With Barbariccia came the memory of monsters cutting through Fabul, blood and viscera on the stone floors – would violence always precede Kain in life? Whatever peace he tried to seek out in the sky was forgotten.
"It might have cost me everything," Kain said, his deep voice rumbling in his chest. He made no move to embrace her or push her away but remained still. "Tell me it's worth it."
"It's worth it," Barbariccia said, her voice light with amusement, despite Kain's seriousness. "Do you need me to remind you of all that's been promised?" she asked as she tugged at his hair in a teasing gesture, pulling it free from its binding. The wind picked up a few blond strands, playfully whipping them back into his face. "Why hesitate when you're so close to getting everything you want?'
"Don't," Kain said, his jaw clenched, as he brushed his hair out of his face. "This is more than dragons and the throne of Baron." He thought of Rosa, alone with Golbez, and knew the shape of his own cowardice, unable to help but feel relieved it was her and not him. "People I care about are getting hurt."
"The girl?" Barbariccia asked, sounding genuinely surprised. "You still care?"
"Do I still care?!" Kain roared the question back at her, surprising both with his sudden outrage. "How could I not?! Or are you such a monster that you've never had loved ones before? Only those you use to get what you want?"
Barbariccia bared her pointed teeth, the wind hissing around them. "Mind your tongue, Dragoon. You stand before goddess descended from the sky and you would do well to remember it."
"You're a monster," Kain said, the words sharp with accusation. "Only a monster could have assembled such a savage and cruel army. You are not an esteemed goddess from the heavens but a lowly demon from hell." Kain's anger and fear (at himself) boiled within him, desperate for a release and having no other target but Barbariccia. "You—"
Kain was abruptly swept off his feet, as a tunneling whirlwind threw him against the railing. Kain scrambled against the force, gripping the railing tightly, trying to push himself back, but even in his heavy armor, the wind kept forcing him forward, until he tumbled up and over the railing. Arms swinging wildly, he tried to grab the side of the ship, but his fingers swiped through open air as he fell. Before Kain could draw the breath to yell, something grabbed his wrist and held him in place, his body dangling awkwardly mid-air.
"Tell me, Kain Highwind," Barbariccia's voice boomed like thunder. In an eerie echo of Kain's childhood nightmare, he saw her above him, her long hair swirling around her face, her teeth showing now in a fierce grin. "If I drop you now, who would you pray to for help? Would you beg me with the last screaming breath to save you?"
Kain looked down and saw the sparkling ocean breath him. Even if the ship was at low enough altitude for Kain to survive the fall, with no land nearby, he'd eventually drown. Would it be so bad? a hidden part of him wondered, longing for an end to the ongoing torment he endured while chained to Golbez.
"Answer me!" Barbariccia demanded, shaking Kain, like a worm on a fishing line. Kain swung dangerously, his legs kicking for control.
"Put him back," a new, raspy voice demanded.
Barbariccia looked over her shoulder and scowled, although the whirlwind of her hair settled back on her shoulders, and the wild winds that tore at Kain's dangling body calmed to no more than a breeze. But she did not pull Kain up. "I do not take orders from you," Barbariccia spat, full of contempt. "And certainly not from Scarmiglione, either. This doesn't concern you or your Master."
"It's not Scarmiglione's wrath you need to worry about," the mysterious voice continued; there was a hint of a mockery in the hoarse words. "But what will Lord Golbez do if you kill his champion?"
Barbariccia growled, a low rumble in her throat. Still, it was enough to prompt her to pull Kain up and over the ship's railing. The strength of her surprised him, and swinging with momentum, she threw him on the deck. Kain hit the deck, his whole body rattling inside his armor as he landed hard on his stomach and chest. With a groan, Kain pushed himself up.
Kain looked up in time to see Barbariccia disappear in a swirl of gold hair. Beside where she was, the dark knight, stood still and stiff, watching Kain from the empty gaze of their helmet.
"Who are you?" Kain asked as he got to his feet, still dazed. "Why are you following me?"
"Do you really not know?" the dark knight asked, a deep sadness echoing in the question. "Or are you pretending you don't know, because you are too horrified by the idea?"
"Who are you?" Kain repeated, feeling a new panic squeezing his chest. "I am tired of the games, of people not telling me directly what's going, of all the secrecy around me." He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the dark knight's words, trying to pretend they weren't right.
Unwillingly, Kain remembered – Scarmiglione, reeking of damp earth and decay; Elena's open grave and her missing armor and sword; Jon's terrified cries about the risen dead; the dark knight appearing, protecting Kain, saving him from harm.
"No," Kain said, shaking his head. "You're not her."
"I'm sorry," the dark knight said, voice choking.
"Mother?" Kain said, finally naming her.
Reluctantly, the dark knight lifted her helm's visor, revealing her face. While it was mottled with green and gray, and decay had sunken her cheeks, Elena looked remarkably like how Kain had seen her in his strange dreams.
Throughout his life, Elena had been a mysterious, non-entity. He had never entertained a fantasy about her being alive, as he had with Richard, simply because he had never known her and didn't know what to miss. And despite the dreams she had shared with him on Mount Ordeals and at her grave, she was still a stranger. What sort of emotion should he be feeling, Kain wondered. Anger, at her selfishness, in choosing to indulge in her Dark Knight power and her exposing Kain to it? Joy, at their unexpected reunion? Or profound sadness and horror at what she'd become under Scarmiglione's influence?
Feeling too many things at once, Kain said nothing, having no words.
Elena lowered her visor, hiding her face again, but not before Kain saw the deep disappointment souring her still beautiful features. She turned away from him, to leave him alone on the deck, but then hesitated. Looking over her shoulder at him, she said, "Be cautious around Barbariccia. She's a cruel, manipulative creature, who would have no scruples about using your feelings for others against you. She will whisper honey one moment, then spew poison the next."
Kain thought of Richard, then, and how it must feel for Elena to watch her husband under the thumb of another. Barbariccia's pet, the other Fiends had boldly said in front of Kain, what would they say in front of Elena? "My father and Barbariccia, does that bother you?" He wondered if his insatiable envy was an inheritance.
"Your father…" Elena repeated absently. She remembered herself quickly, continuing, "Richard's choice of company does not concern me anymore. Our marriage vows became irrelevant years ago." Then added, "Til death do us part, after all."
"What happened between you two?" Kain asked.
Elena hesitated, then spoke quietly, her hoarse voice barely a whisper. "Richard always wanted the best. To be the most elite dragoon with the highest rank, to eat the best cut of meat, to have the best view riding in a carriage, and to have the best woman in the room. For a while…" Elena paused, shaking her head. When she continued, there was a sad nostalgia in her words, "… that woman was me. But now?" Elena shrugged, as if indifferent, her armor rattling with the gesture. "Now it may be Barbariccia, if you could even call her a woman. She has promised him things I never could." She looked aside, her shoulders now deflating. "I wish them joy of each other," she finished, sounding perfectly neutral.
Kain frowned, about to ask more, but a sudden needle point of pain poked behind his eyes. Wincing, his hand at his head, he stumbled, a new command echoing within his head, Come to me…
"Go," Elena said, not approaching to offer comfort, as a mother might, but instead looking around, as if she expected someone. "Do not delay answering Lord Golbez."
"How did you know?" Kain asked through clenched teeth. "Can you sense him, in my mind?" The question felt dangerous to even ask; Kain expected retaliatory pain and was surprised when nothing happened. Did Golbez listen for her answer, or was he too preoccupied with Rosa and the Crystal to be lurking?
"I know the darkness well," Elena replied solemnly. "It doesn't matter what blocks the sun to cast its shadow, only that you cannot see the light anymore." She nodded toward the captain's cabin. "Go. Lord Golbez is not an easy master; you should not risk his impatience."
Kain started to go, then hesitated, turning back to her. "Can we… talk more?"
Elena shook her head. "Do not seek me out. It will only bring unwanted attention. But know this…" she paused, and Kain suspected she smiled behind her helmet. "As long as I'm standing, I will always protect you."
Kain wasn't sure what to say; there were no adequate words, too overwhelmed by a strange sense of gratitude. Elena didn't give him time to reply, but instead disappeared to the other side of the ship, probably to go below deck.
Kain looked to the captain's cabin with an increasing sense of dread, unsure of what terrible scene he'd find inside. He had a sudden urge to run and jump over the ship's railing into the open sky, to put Barbariccia's theory to test. Who would he scream for?
Shuddering, Kain pushed away the thought, and hurried toward the cabin.
Kain wasn't sure what to expect when he entered Cecil's captain's cabin, but it was not the calm scene before him: Rosa, seated at Cecil's desk, not bound or chained, but sitting with her hands in her lap. When she saw Kain, there was the briefest flash of hope in her eyes, but it quickly died. Somehow, that was worse than her having no faith at all – what could she sense from him that damned him so?
"Go on and try," Golbez said; he stood to the side, his arms crossed, watching both Rosa and Kain. Still wearing his helmet, but Kain could not tell to whom he spoke.
Rosa frowned, shaking her head mutely, still watching Kain with her assessing gaze.
"Please, indulge me," Golbez said, his deep voice surprisingly gentle. "I won't stop you if you succeed."
Rosa's brow furrowed, a sign of concentration that started back in their childhood, when she first took up archery. Kain saw her hands in her lap and realized they were now moving, tracing arcane circles in the air, her lips moving soundlessly.
Before Kain could cry out a word of warning, Rosa jumped from the chair and launched herself at him, mouth open in a wordless cry. She grabbed him by the shoulders, and the momentum of her body sent Kain stumbling back as he caught her.
Rosa's mouth was still moving, but nothing came out. She looked up at Kain, then around the cabin, her shoulders deflating. She disentangled herself from him, taking a few steps back. She looked at Golbez, defeat written all over her face.
"Good," Golbez said, his voice neutral. "You are more powerful than I expected from a white mage, but not nearly enough to counter me."
Rosa said nothing, sinking back into the chair, looking at her hands, her expression now empty and blank.
"What's wrong?" Kain asked before he could help himself, both to Rosa and Golbez.
"A Silence spell." It was Golbez who answered. "Your friend is a resourceful little thing, and nearly Teleported away." Golbez sounded amused, like it was a private joke between them. "Do you know what stopped her?"
Kain looked between the two: Rosa unmoving, still staring at her hands; Golbez tall and still, though Kain knew he smiled within his helmet. "What?" Kain asked, prompting, as he knew Golbez wanted.
"You," Golbez said, and this time laughed, a short, dark chuckle. "She tried to escape to find and rescue you."
Rosa closed her eyes, as if wincing, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes.
"We will be arriving soon," Golbez remarked as he passed Kain, armor rattling ominously as he moved. "Come, Kain."
Kain heard the command for what it was. "Yes, Master," he replied, the words in his mouth without thought.
Rosa looked up, eyes wide with horror, looking more scared than she ever had before.
Kain hurried out the door, away from everything she couldn't say with words but with the tears that now spilled and the mute sobs that followed.
Finally, as the Scarlet Prelude emerged from the thick clouds that surrounded it, the Tower of Zot loomed large over all, stretching impossibly high toward the sky, so much that Kain could not spot its top. It looked black against the white clouds, but as they landing on an outcropping of stone that looked designed for the purpose (how old was Zot? Airships had taken to the skies only a generation prior), Kain saw it was a dark gray stone.
Kain expected Rosa to be restrained as they deboarded, but she walked freely behind Golbez, her head lowered, looking uncharacteristically meek.
Kain knew this strategy – it was a tactic Rosa had learned in their childhood and used to great success. They'd be playing a town-wide game of man hunt, or capture the flag, or chase, and Rosa would be taken by the other team with the assumption that Kain and Cecil would bargain for her release. She'd play the docile prisoner and damsel in distress, compliant and unprotesting, until an opportunity arose for her to escape, always surprising her captors when she suddenly slipped away.
Kain watched her carefully, wondering if she did that now – but then the thought seemed dangerous. No, Kain told himself, Rosa was not that clever, she just knew that she had nowhere to run. Kain kept this thought at the forefront of his mind, mindful of Golbez lurking, possibly listening. If he knew Kain's thoughts, Golbez gave no indication.
As Kain stepped off the ship, he immediately sensed Barbariccia. She was all around them, tugging curiously at Rosa's cloak, throwing her hair around, whipping through her clothing. Then, Barbariccia materialized, spinning in her golden hair, looking smugly satisfied as she watched them approach Zot's open doors.
"You've brought me tribute," Barbariccia said, eyes glinting greedily in anticipation.
"You are a steward, of both the Wind Crystal and the girl," Golbez corrected her, but not harshly. He pulled the Wind Crystal from his cloak, presenting it to Barbariccia.
With a surprising amount of reverence, Barbariccia took the Crystal from Golbez, turning it over in her hands. Its yellow light cast a strange shadow across her face, making her look suddenly less human. "So much power," she whispered.
"Tell me, now with the Wind Crystal, what do you see from your tower?" Golbez asked.
"I see…" Barbariccia barely breathed the words, but Kain heard them, nonetheless. "Everything," she finished, eyes wide but distant. Kain suspected she did not see anything in front of her, but something else entirely. "Eblan has fallen, Richard and the Dragoons are searching for the royal family from the skies. The prince has escaped, but there is much blood in the air." Her breath caught in her throat in a gasp. "In Troia, the forest animals flee from the stink of dark magic as something runs from the castle." She abruptly looked in a different direction, not at any of them, but beyond. "The desert wind stings the eyes of a soldier digging a royal grave in Damcyan…"
"And in Fabul?" Golbez prompted.
"Fabul…" Barbariccia murmured, her brow furrowed in concentration. "A sailor tests the wind, wondering if they can set sail in the morning, and if the tides will favor their journey to Baron or if storms will worry the ship."
"Hm," Golbez made a non-committal noise; whatever he thought of the news, he said nothing.
"Is Cecil on the boat?" Kain asked, suddenly desperate to know, unsure of what he would do with the information.
"I cannot tell," Barbariccia said, frowning. She gave the Crystal back to Golbez, who took it readily. "But I can find out." She blinked out of existence, intending to rush out, riding the wind as she always did. But the Wind Crystal hummed with power, its glow suddenly brighter, casting a pale light as Barbariccia reappeared. "Why…" she started to ask, then glared at Golbez still holding the Wind Crystal. "What have you done?"
"The Tower of Zot was designed to amplify the Wind Crystals' power," Golbez answered, calm in the face of Barbariccia's growing fury. "It must have a guardian."
"You cannot bind me here," Barbariccia protested with a growl; the wind around them picked up suddenly, the skies overhead darkening. "The wind must be free."
"Everything must have a master," Golbez countered. "Even you and the wind."
Barbariccia did not answer with words, but only a mournful howl of anguish. Lightning flashed in the sky, followed by a close crack of thunder, as rain began to fall all around them, in hard, splattering drops.
Golbez did not acknowledge Barbariccia as he strode into the tower, like a parent ignoring a tantruming child. Rosa followed, reluctantly, more mindful of Barbariccia as she passed. Rosa hesitated, looking back at Kain, and Kain was surprised to see sympathy in her eyes.
"We are all prisoners here," Kain said, both to Rosa and Barbariccia, voicing the thought that neither of them could articulate. He thought of Elena, still onboard the ship, and how magic had bound her undead life to this service as well.
Then, dutiful as ever, Kain followed Golbez into the Tower of Zot.