UnShaekable (FFXII)

XXIII) The Henne Mines

Even the moonlight feels like its kissing my skin, raining down light that isn't produced by a magic flame. I take a deep breath and reach out a hand to stroke mine and Vaan's chocobo's face. My fingers disappear underneath layers of golden down. I can feel Larsa standing at my side, eyeing the bloodstains trailing down my shirt.

"Are you going to wash up?" he asks.

"Eventually," I shrug. "I don't mind showing what I've survived, though," I add, giving him a gentle, teasing smile. "Think it'll scare those Imperial soldiers away?"

"They might just believe they're seeing a ghost," he nods, smiling. He turns to Ashe. "Will we be making camp here?"

"It's all we can afford," she admits, glancing over at Balthier and Fran. "I'd rather not return to the garif people tonight."

"Understandably so," I nod, pulling myself away from the chocobo and turning to face Ashe and Basch. "Are we holding up well?"

"As well as I can be," Basch replies with a nod. "And you? You took a beating."

"A little sore," I shrug, wandering toward the towering stone walls creating a sort of valley between the jungles and the plains. "But, all things considered, I'm doing pretty #%^& good."

"I'm glad," Larsa nods, earning a gentle smile from Ashe.

Conversation fades and I curl up against the side of the stone, my back facing everyone else. Sighing, I close my eyes and let the weight of my exhaustion cover me like a blanket. Slowly, ever so slowly, I drift off to sleep, drawn back from the edge only by the feeling of someone pressing their back to mine. A sleepy smile draws across my face and I push closer the slightest bit to absorb their warmth. Goodnight, Larsa.

In the morning, I'm the last to rise. Quickly, Ashe has us prepare and hop onto our chocobos. I wrap my arms around Vaan once more, nearly on the edge of sleep as we take off with my cheek rested on the back of his shoulder. The chocobo sways gently with every step, only picking up speed when Larsa points out the best way to the Henne Mines. I fight to stay awake as we ride some more, startled as we leap over a long gap and I gasp, clinging even tighter in surprise. They laugh at me; I roll my eyes. Finally, I slide off the back of the chocobo when it stops. Vaan starts to speak when Penelo cuts him off.

"W-what is that?"

I turn to see a pile of bloodied, mangled bodies stacked outside the mouth of the cave. Shuddering at the heavy scent of blood, I step closer, Larsa at my side. I kneel in front of one of the bodies, my fingers tracing over bent and torn armor.

"Researchers from the Draklor Laboratory," Larsa muses. "What were they doing here?"

"Research," Balthier replies dryly.

Without anything else to add, I straighten and head for the mouth of the cave, drawing my spear. After yesterday's fiasco, I can't fall behind again. I can't be a liability. The first bat that dives at me is dead with one sharp stab from my weapon. We travel deeper into the mine, the walls swapping between brick designs and dirt constantly. Tracks trail along the ground, ready for minecarts to return overflowing with nethicite.

Basch takes a good slash across the front from an angered cluster of seekers, Vaan constantly pressing buttons that open and close gates for our path. The mines are a labyrinth, winding with tunnels and locked doors and a variety of flan. The harder I try to stay alert, the more exhausted I feel. I meant for the skies and quick travel, not chocobo rides and day-long walks.

"It's so dark in here," Vaan complains, frowning at his blood-stained dagger.

"If you would like to add to the mine's budget for electricity, I would not mind," Larsa replies smoothly, a coy smile lifting across his lips. Penelo laughs, shaking her head.