From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 XXXVII 𖥸

|| The Einherjar ||
|| The Naldia Narrow ||

By the time Lyra regained consciousness a few days later, her body was healed. There wasn't even a scar left behind from Barnabas' attack. She realized her head was resting in someone's lap. As her vision cleared, she saw it was Jill's lap her head was resting in.

The silver-haired woman sighed in relief. "Thank the Founder..."

Unlike Jill, Lyra's hands weren't cuffed with crystal fetters. In fact, she wasn't shackled at all. She was surprised as she lifted her head from her friend's lap and looked around to see they were in a cell. Feeling the swaying of the sea, it only took her a few seconds to realize where they were. "This is..."

"I'm afraid so," Jill replied weakly, her strength having been sapped because of the crystal fetters. "We're aboard the Black Galleon."

Lyra looked around the cell they were trapped in before she looked back at Jill. "Are you injured?"

She shook her head. "No. You protected me."

"Then...why didn't you escape?" She asked. "You could have avoided being captured if you had left me behind."

"I refuse to leave you behind, especially in the hands of such a man," Jill replied.

Lyra got to her feet at the same time the door to the brig opened. She turned to see Barnabas and Indra. She glared at both of them as they approached the cell. "You have meddled in the affairs of mortals as well, Indra."

The corrupt god chuckled. "How could I not? Though I still see them as fodder, they are quite amusing, to say the least." He then glanced at the king. "Unlock the door."

"As you command." Barnabas didn't complain as he opened the cell door. It was clear he was more than willing to listen to the god.

Indra entered the cell and stalked toward Lyra, but he stopped the movement Jill placed herself in front of her. "Do not touch her!" she hissed, glaring daggers at the god.

He calmly spoke to the silver-haired woman. "You are only here as leverage to ensure Gaia does not act out. Behave, mortal."

"Why, you—!"

Lyra stopped Jill by stepping out from behind her. She willingly approached the god. "What do you want, Indra?"

"Your cooperation. Come, Gaia." Without laying a hand on her, he exited the cell. When he saw she wasn't following him, he eyed her through the bars. "If you do not cooperate, I will see to it your friend here is punished in your stead."

Lyra's glare morphed into a horror-stricken expression. She looked at Jill before making her decision. "If I do as you command, you will not lay a hand on her?"

"You have my word," Indra reassured her.

Lyra lowered her head. She couldn't allow Barnabas nor Indra to hurt Jill. Reluctantly, she walked out of the cell.

"Lyra!" Jill shouted.

She managed to smile at her friend. "It will be all right, Jill. Trust in me, always."

Following Indra out of the brig with Barnabas trailing behind her, Lyra was escorted to the captain's cabin. To her surprise, the king bowed to the god and didn't follow them inside. She expressed her shock to him when the door closed behind her. "What is the meaning of this, Indra?"

"This ship may sail only at the behest of Waloed's king, but he is under my control as Ultima declares it," Indra stated calmly.

Her eyes narrowed. "It sounds almost as if you and Ultima are close friends."