UnShaekable (FFXII)

XLIV) The Occuria

The glowing path beneath our feet casts an eerie green glow across our faces. The darkness in the center of the temple now glitters with a constellation of some unseen substance, lighting up the dim, damp space surrounding us. After travelling in silence for so long, no one wants to break the quiet air of thoughtfulness as hundreds of thoughts swirl around each person's head. However, it doesn't seem to surprise anyone when Penelo finally speaks up, pacing toward the edge of the translucent walkway.

"I can't shake the feeling we're somewhere we're not meant to be," she says softly, swinging her arms at her sides as she gazes out at the glimmers of light in the near distance.

"Yeah," Vaan replies, coming up behind her. "It's exciting."

"Exciting?" Penelo repeats, frowning.

"You are not troubled by the unknown?" Basch asks, stepping closer to the two. "Who can say what lies ahead? We may encounter the very creators of nethicite."

"Yeah," Vaan sighs, lacing his fingers behind his head. "I don't know what we'll find."

"But it's all part of the experience," I remind them, cocking my head to the side. "That's what makes it exciting. Where's the fun in knowing the ending to a tale when you've only just started it?"

"Exactly," Vaan nods. "I like it better that way."

"You're sounding more the sky pirate every day," Basch points out, a slight smile tugging at his lips.

"Isn't he?" Balthier raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "And here was Shae thinking I was a bad influence."

"You are," I scoff, rolling my eyes. "The boy's been in more trouble the past few weeks than he ever would have had you never met him."

"As have you," Basch points out. Balthier practically snorts.

"She has a knack for finding it all on her own."

"Can we get off this bridge?" Penelo blurts, staring down at the cold abyss of nothing through the clear parts of the floor. "I feel like it's going to disappear any second."

We head down to the other side where, instead of meeting another lengthy stretch of blue crystal, we find ourselves on solid stone that's accented by a glowing green tile that leads to an enormous door. Left with little choice, we head toward the opening, pausing outside the doors. Penelo twists her hands around her staff nervously.

"What's in there?"

"Likely some formidable beast we need to defeat in order to continue," Balthier sighs, glancing at Vaan. "I trust that you can stay out of peoples' way?"

"I'm not that bad," Vaan huffs, drawing his dagger. "Let's go."

"Fine, fine," Balthier mutters, pushing the door open. We all tense, ready to face whatever may charge at us head on. But there's nothing. Only another path and a set of stairs—though I suppose we could attack those if we really felt like it.

"Huh." I tuck my spear away. "I guess life realized it was getting too predictable."

"Must have," Basch sighs. "More walking it is, then."

More walking it is, indeed. We follow a winding maze of roads, tracing along only the ways that glow with the green of the magick paths in hopes that they'll take us the right way. They have so far—or so we think. We have no real point of reference for where we're headed. I'm not even entirely sure why we're in here. If Ashe hadn't lost it for those few moments, we'd still be outside waiting for Cid and his lovely friend, Venat. It may have been a bit boring, but I'd choose that over dragging my battered body around this madhouse any day.