66. Dangerous Territory
67. Boundaries
68. Unsettling Revelations
69. Shattered
70. Bitter Silence
Until the death of the summoners could be confirmed, the Misty Valley was dangerous territory, Golbez had warned.
As Barbariccia rode the wind high overhead, she witnessed the summoners' destruction firsthand: the mountains looked like they had been torn apart by giant hands. She scanned the rubble for movement, prepared to strike down any survivors.
Instead, there was a Dragoon, also searching. Changing direction, Barbariccia landed beside him. He looked briefly startled, then intrigued as he pointedly looked her up and down. Barbariccia knew the effect her appearance had on mortals, especially men, and smirked.
Dangerous territory, indeed, Barbariccia thought.
Barbariccia was eager to show Kain there were no boundaries in the sky, or for her. She was everywhere – the strong current guiding him along, the breeze whispering in his ear, the intimate embrace of the wind. She took what she wanted without regard, demanding his loyalty and devoted worship. She was a wind goddess, after all, and deserved everything offered as tribute.
"You will go to Fabul and bring me the Wind Crystal," she told Kain.
"But..." Kain started, but Barbariccia's greedy mouth was on his, stealing his breath. He was hers, she decided; nothing would come between them.
Something had changed.
There was prisoner – a woman – and Kain seemed strangely distracted as he guarded her. Eventually, Barbariccia's curiosity brought her to the tower's top, where she listened, hidden by shadows.
"Soon, you'll realize," Kain said, "and you'll know I'm the better man." His heart beat louder as he neared the woman, sending sound waves rippling into the air. "I love you."
The unsettling revelation of Kain's true desire sparked new in Barbariccia, something dark and dangerous: jealousy. Who was this woman, and how dare she compare herself to an Archfiend?
She must die, Barbariccia decided then. Very slowly.
"I'll leave your eyes free," Barbariccia said as the stone paralysis crept up Rosa's torso. "So you can watch as I slowly shatter your limbs into pieces."
Rosa said nothing, her eyes full of fear.
"So much passion wasted on you. Why?" Barbariccia asked incredulously. "Why you?"
"Enough," Kain's voice boomed from behind.
Barbariccia faced him with fury of a raging tornado. "How dare you!?"
"Let her go," Kain demanded. "Golbez's orders."
Barbariccia pouted, turning away.
"I'll protect you," Kain whispered to Rosa, touching her carefully as he administered a Soft potion.
Why her? Barbariccia wondered again, her heart shattering.
"Traitor," Barbariccia hissed at Kain. "You may have bested me, but the last Archfield remains." She collapsed, her power dissipating.
Confusion filled her. She had given Kain everything. They could have ruled the skies together, as a goddess and her champion. Was being hers not enough? Was she not enough?
Stay with me, the wind whispered to Kain; Barbariccia's last temptation. I can give you anything.
Kain glanced briefly at Rosa but said nothing; his bitter silence answered Barbariccia instead.
"You won't leave here alive," Barbariccia declared; hatred consumed her, raw and raging.
Around them, the tower began to fall.