Chapter 24: The Last Bastion

His heart went out to the twins as they were denied the ability to aid once more. Not that he was surprised. He knew the moment he and Alisaie had returned to Victors' Spoils to find Alphinaud injured and the Garleans baring their proverbial fangs, they would be hard pressed to find anyone willing to accept their aid, let alone listen. And maybe it wasn't the greatest thing that he was willing to let the survivors be, take care of the tower, and leave but he sure as hell wasn't above doing just that.

His heart went out to those starving and cold but what else could he do if they would never accept outside help without some sort of intervention?

"As you wish," Quintus responded, making at least their prolonged stay somewhat interesting, at least. "I had no intention of locking you up, as by dawn you would be frozen stiff, and you are no good to me dead. You are free to move about the encampment. But there is one condition. Collar them."

Collars? Like, anti-magic collars or something? Not that he was sure those existed but he wouldn't be surprised what with the magitek he'd seen Garleans make. Two soldiers approached the twins, one each attaching whatever the 'collar' was to the twins' necks. Neither twin turned so he couldn't see what the apparatus looked like but Alphinaud voiced his question for him. "What are these?"

"Incentive. You will be watched at all times. Stray too far or act suspiciously and we will administer a rather painful shock." His expression flattened. Of course they were shock collars. Why would they be anything other than shock collars. His tail gave an agitated twitch behind him as one of the soldiers stepped towards him in turn. "Stop." Anticipation shot down his spine as his drifting focus snapped back to Quintus. "Keep away from that one. The champion of Eorzea is not so easily cowed." Dread seeped into his veins. No. Quintus wouldn't. "Even if he allowed himself to be collared, the shock would be no more than an itch. No─if he refuses to obey, we will activate the twins' restraints instead."

Outrage surged through him, dragging at his lungs as he took a solid step forward to fight those words, to demand that he be collared as well, to demand-

The twins turned as one, barely letting him get his weight behind that first step and halting the words in his throat with their calm expressions. His breathing was ragged as he stemmed the rage as best he could to meet their gazes with as much kindness as he could manage. From the sympathy that flickered across both their faces, pain had replaced the rage.

"You needn't worry about us," Alphinaud reassured him.

Alisaie nodded. "We'll forget we're even wearing them soon enough."

That didn't make it any better!

"Even now, you still…" Quintus muttered. He glared at the man, though Quintus seemed unbothered by it as the man steadily met his gaze. "Why go to such lengths? What is it all for?"

Did he humor the man and actually answer or could he get away with being petty in this situation because he was not at all pleased with the twins being used as leverage.

His gaze flickered over both twins. Though they were both steady, he noticed how pink the tips of their ears had become, how red their cheeks and noses were; and almost lazily he was reminded of Ishgard, of experiencing its biting cold for the first time after everything had gone to wreck, of Haurchefant's care through it all, and he knew the man would be disappointed in him if he ruined everything the twins had barely managed. So he answered as evenly as he could. "On the coldest, blackest of nights...meager though it may be, we must share the warmth of our fire."

Quintus shook his head. "You are a curious one. A far cry from the merciless barbarian others paint you to be." He rolled his eyes as Quintus turned his attention to Jullus. Was that supposed to surprise him? People were wont to bend his image in whatever way suited them. To make him out as such was to be expected. "You will be their warden. Take them away."

He couldn't tell if Jullus was surprised or perturbed by the command but the youth saluted without complaint and led the way out the door. The twins dutifully followed. The outrage still thick in his chest demanded he stay and tear Quintus a new one. He didn't dare listen, instead forcing his feet after the twins. He was not about to risk their well being for something so petty.

He also vehemently ignored Quintus as he left; if he paid the man any attention, he was certain to at least punch him.

The twins were waiting for him at the bottom of the short steps and he hooked an arm around each of their shoulders, pulling them into a crushing hug. Their cold faces found his neck as their arms snaked around him, clinging back. His breathing was ragged again, this time from fear as much as it was from rage.

"We're ok," Alphinaud muttered into the measly space between them. "We're going to be ok."

The quake in Alphinaud's voice dissipated the longer he spoke but it still cut through what little resolve Echo'a had. He pressed his face into Alphinaud's hair, choking on the frustrated sob he wasn't willing to let out.

"It'll be ok," Alphinaud whispered as both of them tightened their grip, taking his weight as if it would be enough to encourage him to let go for a moment.

"I hate this," he bit out, swallowing against the rest of the tears. He appreciated their thoughtfulness but now was not the time to throw a tantrum. "Hate every little thing about this." He pulled back, cupping a hand to either twin's cheek. Both of them pinned his hand in place with their own. "You two should never be used as collateral and I don't care if you two volunteer for it or not. I will not have you two suffering for my stupid mistakes."

"We trust you," Alisaie said simply, as if that trust was enough to negate the wrong of the situation.

He pressed his forehead against hers, shifting his hand on Alphinaud to tug the other forward by the back of his head and press Alphinaud's head against his shoulder again. He felt more than heard Alphinaud's sigh when Alphinaud settled there. "You shouldn't. Not in this." He gave her a tight smile. "But the thought's appreciated, nonetheless."

"You three done bonding or whatever over there?"

Jullus's voice cut through the moment and while the rage from earlier flared in indignation, he found it easy to ignore. He pulled away from Alisaie before releasing both twins. He offered them a tired smile because that was the best he was going to manage for the time being. "Best to not keep him waiting."

The twins nodded and as one, turned and started for Jullus.

He paused long enough to take a steadying breath before he followed after them.