web hosting short URLs photo sharing

Disclaimer - Skies of Arcadia is copyright Sega and Overworks. I don't own these characters, places etc. Please don't sue me, if you do you'll be disappointed because I have no money anyway.

This is my first fic, I've been humouring the idea of writing one for some time. I finally thought Ahh what the hell what have I got to lose. Comments, suggestions etc are appreciated, send 'em to adamcannon@ic24.net.

Wrath of a god
by A. Cannon (no pun intended ;)

Chapter 5 - The Great Escape

Vyse could see nothing but darkness around him, the sound of his ragged breath was his only companion. Pain racked his body, pain from whatever it was that had pinned it him to the wall moments earlier. But for now the pain was blessing, it meant he was still alive. For some reason the killing blow hadn't yet come. Slowly he opened his eyes and was greeted with the tip of the blazing yellow energy a mere inch from his face. The hand that held it trembled and the sword winked out of existence.

He looked up at the person before him, into her green eyes that had moments before been filled with madness. The hardness within had vanished and were now filled with fear.

"Vyse," she said no more than quiet whisper.

It was Fina once more, the presence that had been there had vanished for now. Her knees gave way and she collapsed into him. He held her protectively, wrapping his arms about her.

Vyse wasn't quite sure what had happened. Something had entered Fina's body and had taken control momentarily, the black mist that had come from the Gigas that now floated seemingly dormant in the centre of the room. He had wanted to go to her, to pull her away from the mist, but when he had tried to move his body wouldn't respond.

Fina pulled herself out of his embrace and he regarded her tear streaked face.

"Vyse," she said quietly, her voice shaky and uncertain. "He's coming back, I can't hold on for much longer, he's to strong."

"What do you mean?" he asked, dreading the answer.

"He's inside me, Ramirez is inside me, I can hear his thoughts. He's insane Vyse, he's been consumed by the power of Zelos, he is Zelos, and he thinks himself a god because of it."

"Fina?"

"Listen to me Vyse. His power is already strong, you have witnessed it first hand. He plans to get stronger still. Anyone who refuses to worship him will destroyed. I cannot allow that to happen, we must stop him here and now."

"How?"

She reached down and picked up one of Vyse's cutlass's that he had dropped next to him, placed it in his hand and raised it to her heart.

"NO!" shouted Vyse, realising what she wanted him to do.

"You have to."

"I will not!"

"Vyse..." she started.

"Fina, don't you give up, don't you ever give up. There's another way, there has to be."

"There isn't"

"You don't know that!"

"How many people will die in search of another way!?"

"I don't care, I am not going to let you die!"

"Why!? can't you see that there is no other choice!?

"Because I love you!" The words were out of his mouth before he realised he had spoken them, pouring out in a torrent of emotions. He stopped, stunned by the revelation he had just revealed to himself. He had spoken the first thing that had entered his mind, and he knew the words to be true. In the five years since they had lived on Crescent Isle the two had grown closer. It wasn't until the other night, during that brief kiss outside her room, that he realised how close, and it was only now, faced with the thought of her death that he was forced to act on his feelings. The thought of him losing her terrified him.

"Vyse... I..." she tried to say.

"It won't make any difference one way or the other," he said quietly. "These people have a fleet of ships, hundreds if Gilder was right. People will still die even if you do." He discarded the sword to the floor and took her hands in his own. "Please Fina... don't ask of me what I cannot do."

For a moment she said nothing her eyes turned to the floor, to the cutlass lying on the ground. Then she looked up once more, and stared into his chestnut eyes, her own eyes glistening with tears that she was fighting to keep contained. "I don't have long left," she said finally quietly. "So listen carefully. He will try to find the remaining five Moon Crystals. Only with all of the crystals will he be able to use his full power. They still exist in deep sky, buried deep within the ruins of Soltis. He has a ship that is able to fly within the vortex."

"Then we'll get to them first and keep them from him."

Her hands tightened on his, "Promise me, that if you have to, you wont hesitate to kill me."

"Fina, I can't."

"Promise me! Please Vyse."

He said nothing for a moment, considering what she was asking of him. Finally he spoke "I promise you," he said "on my honour as a Blue Rogue, that I will do what you ask. But only if there is absolutely no other choice."

"Thank you," she said. She drew him forward and their lips meet for the second time. Where their first kiss had been quick, lasting barely a second, this one was filled with passion and a hunger for more and could of stretched on for infinity. However nothing lasts forever and finally, regrettably they parted.

"Go," she whispered, her mouth only an inch from his own "before it's to late."

Reluctantly his hands released hers, and he grasped the cool metal of his cutlass's. He stood up, and took a step backwards away from her. Then another, and another. His eyes never left hers, as if somehow by maintaining eye contact they could stay together. He was halfway across the room when Fina mouthed the same three words he had said to her only minutes ago. Then her turned around and ran from the room.

The tears that she had been holding back came then, as Vyse left through the broken stone doorway. She cried openly, not caring who heard her, as she felt the presence inside her build up and begin to overwhelm her. Only minutes after Vyse had left she found herself being forced back into herself, as her consciousness was pushed aside.

The tears stopped only after the being who now called himself Zelos regained control over Fina's body once more, and he howled with anger and frustration. "Vyse!" he yelled with Fina's voice. "If its the last thing I do I will see you dead!"

Four of the dark acolytes entered the room and bowed down to their god. He turned to them and shouted "I want their ship destroyed! NOW! They will not escape!"

"Yes my lord," they answered.

Upon leaving the room Vyse had gone straight to Aika who had by now regained consciousness.

"Where's Fina?" she asked him.

"She's not coming," he answered her quietly.

"What do you mean she's not coming?" asked Gilder.

"Vyse, is she..." started Aika, but was unable to finish her question.

"No," said Vyse "not while I still live and breath. I'll explain on the way, but for now we have to go."

They heard a violent howl of rage from the other room and then Fina's voice called down after them "Vyse!" came the voice "If its the last thing I do I will see you dead!"

Both Gilder and Aika stopped surprised by the sudden outburst until Vyse called to them "We have to go, now!" he yelled. "I'll explain everything once we're safe."

They all ran back down the stairs towards the small boat that had carried them. They got to the boat and caught site of another four of the black clocked acolytes. "Get in!" yelled Vyse.

The acolytes caught site of them almost straight away. The one closest to them raised his rod, now pulsing a bright red, sending several large balls of flame hurtling towards them. Vyse leaped into boat after Aika, just narrowly missing the missiles. They impacted on the wall behind them, exploding on impact and sending rocks hurtling down to the floor below.

The small boat jerked backwards suddenly, coming free of the tower, and swung around to face the Delphinus that was still holding where they had left her. Finally the little ship accelerated away from the black tower as two more fireballs were thrown towards them. The first one missed completely and passed underneath. The second impacted on the side of its hull jerking the ship about slightly and leaving the hull scared. It recovered quickly picking up speed as it went. The opening in the underside of the Delphinus's hull opened up once more as the small boat approached. The little ship was swallowed as the opening closed up once more behind it.

The three ran quickly towards the bridge. A large impact rocked the ship sending the three stumbling up the steps. They entered the bridge just as another impact rocked the ship.

"Captain," announced Ray as they entered.

"What's happening!?" he demanded.

"Three ships have just appeared from a cave in front of us, larger than the other two we encountered earlier."

Aika went to the weapons control and relived the person that was there. Gilder walked over the front of the bridge and peered outside. Vyse studied the three ships approaching them. They had the same pitch black hull and the star markings. Where the last two had just been simple gun boats, these two were large battleships. Still smaller than the Delphinus by half, and no match for her, but large enough to cause some damage. Three round rotatable cannons stood on either side of the forward deck, two torpedo tubes stood open at the aft. The bridge sat at the aft of the ships rising up from the deck in the same style as the Delphinus's. The ships followed on a small broad formation, completely parallel to each other. don't have to mess around with these, thought Vyse.

"Ray," he said "divert power from all systems except engines to the moon stone cannon. Aika, prepare to fire the cannon on my mark. Hob, point our nose directly at the ship on our left. Once the cannon fires rotate us around by sixty degrees."

"Aye captain," the three said in unison.

Almost immediately the light inside the ship dimmed completely as the power generated by the moon stones was shunted directly to the large cannon. The bow of the ship lowered completely and the large cannon was extended. The sound of it locking into place echoed throughout the ship. Streamers of energy began to run the length of the exposed cannon and began to collect. The ship began to vibrate as the stored energy fought to be released, and a whine appeared from the cannon growing steadily in pitch.

"Aika," said Vyse "Fire."

The noise that had been growing disappeared, the energy that had been working its way across the cannon vanished, and all went quiet. Just when it seemed that nothing was going to happen the tip of the cannon began to glow and the energy that had fought so hard for release finally shot out with such a force as to propel the Delphinus backwards momentarily. A great pink beam of pure energy erupted from the cannon with an ear-splitting sound and impacted against the ship on the left. The ships hull glowed a bright white for a moment before disintegrating completely, explosions raked its length as the beam cut through. The beam continued unhindered, impacting against the far wall of the cave, carving out the rock as it went. The Delphinus began to rotate, sending the beam slicing through the ship. The second ship meet with the beam of energy shortly after, pink lightning flashing up and down its length, and was sliced through in seconds. The Delphinus vibrated with the strain of the cannon, it seemed it would shake itself apart. It's three functioning propellers rotated rapidly to keep the ship stable.

The beam continued to swing towards the third ship which had now started a dive in an attempt to get away from the large beam of energy. Hob saw it immediately and tipped the Delphinus to slice the black ship down its centre. Separating completely, its for and aft sections of the ship. Its fore section plummeted to the ground below, the aft section containing its engines continued on uncontrollably and impacted finally with the cave wall. The other two ships had already fallen to the ground, their lower hull completely missing. Explosions racked the remains.

Finally the moon stone cannon lost its stored energy and the beam winked out. The length of the cannon itself glowed a white hot, several meters of it had melted away completely from the heat. The cannon had been active for far longer than it should of been. They wouldn't get another shot out of it until its barrel was replaced.

Power was brought back to all the ships systems and the bridge was lit up once more. "Hob, take us..."

"Vyse look," said Aika.

He looked over to where Aika was indicating. From out of the cave mouth ahead, another twenty ships were headed towards the Delphinus. With the moon stone cannon not operational the Delphinus wouldn't stand a chance. Vyse wasted no time in making his orders.

"Hob, bring us about, full rudder!" he shouted.

The ship lurched to its side slightly as hob swung the wheel around clockwise, shuddering under the strain of being forced to turn so quickly.

"Full speed ahead," he called once the ship had completed its turn. The ship accelerated rapidly in response, causing several of the people to stumble slightly.

"Ray, give us everything you got on those engines."

"Their already being pushed over there maximum captain," replied the chief engineer.

"Well push 'em harder!"

"Aye Captain, increasing to one hundred fifty percent. Any more and they'll fly apart. I've gotta get down to the engineering deck captain." Vyse said nothing, only nodded his reply.

"Cap'n," called Aika. "They'll be in weapons range in thirty seconds."

Vyse walked over to the helm. "Hob," he said "I'll take the wheel."

Hob said nothing, he relinquished his position without a reply. Everyone knew Vyse preferred to be at the helm of his ship when it went into battle. Now was one of those times. Hob stood away to Vyse's side, content to watch. The navigator stood on Vyse's right with the map he had scrawled, relying the directions through the caves.

"Ten seconds Cap'n," called Aika again.

Several large stalagmites stuck up from the cave floor in front of them. Vyse swung the ship violently to the left to avoid the first.

"Their in weapons range."

As soon as Aika finished the sentence cannon fire rang out about them. Vyse threw the ship to the right, around another stalagmite, avoiding the first volley. They impacted instead against the stalagmite which crashed down under the force, burying the two closest black ships in rock.

Several torpedo’s flew through the cavern, just missing the Delphinus as it turned hard to the right, disappearing through another tunnel, they impacted harmlessly against the cave wall. The Delphinus was slowly loosing ground to the eighteen ships behind it. Several of its own torpedoes were fired straight up at the cave wall, loosening several large stalactites that crashed down on another three of the black ships.

The tunnel forked in two, and the Delphinus took the right fork. The ships behind split up, five going left, ten following the Delphinus right. Cannons, blazed out behind the Delphinus, impacting against the ships hull. Torpedo's were fired, landing solidly against one of the Delphinus's propellers. It exploded instantly, damaging the two next to it and slowing the ship down as a result. Still the ship flew on, its two remaining propellers damaged but not destroyed groaning under the strain of keeping the ship moving.

The eight torpedo tubes on the Delphinus opened and fired one after the other, sending eight torpedoes into the air. They turned around, heading straight for the black ships. Two impacted perfectly on the bridge of the closest, its bridge exploding in a fireball. With nobody to control it the ship carried right and ploughed into another ship. Both ships exploded in a large fireball and crashed down to the cave floor. The other four torpedoes exploded against the black hull of another ship, causing severe damage but not enough to cripple it.

Ahead, the five ships that had disappeared down a separate tunnel appeared in front. They knew the caves better and had intercepted the Delphinus. Their cannons rang out, and torpedoes flew through the air. The Delphinus didn't slow, instead ploughed right through the cannon fire. It's forward hull was ripped apart from the barrage, one of its cannons was hit by a torpedo and was destroyed, but still the ship came on.

The Delphinus flew underneath the wall of ships, employing the same tactic that had crippled the Black Pirate Baltor's ship just days ago. It's torpedo's fired straight up, impacting against the engines of one, destroying them completely. Immediately the ship dropped like a stone and landed on the ship underneath it, destroying both in a huge explosion. The Delphinus carried on, cannon fire following it along the way. The ships behind were forced to slow down, or risk colliding with the other ships, giving the Delphinus the time it needed to make its exit.

The cave mouth of the Maw of Tartas was directly ahead and the Delphinus made its exit from the caves, into the darkness of Valua. The black ships followed it immediately, like ants out of a nest, cannons blaring, torpedo's firing. The Delphinus climbed up, and ploughed through the mid layer of clouds.

"Cap'n, they're still following, we're not going to make it back." called Aika.

"There's more ships here Vyse, directly ahead," said Gilder.

"They were waiting outside for us as well!?" asked Aika. "Their shooting!"

The cannons of the ships in front range out and torpedoes were fired. They flew past the Delphinus and impacted the black ships below, destroying two in the first volley.

"Their Valuan!" shouted Aika, "Their Enrique's ships. And the Claudia and Primrose are with them."

The Delphinus joined the small fleet of Valuan ships and together they quickly destroyed the last eleven black ships. The battle was over in less than five minutes.

Enrique stepped onto the deck of the Delphinus with all the grace that his position demanded. He wore flowing purple robes that billowed slightly in the wind. In his right hand he carried a small staff with a glowing yellow moon stone placed at its tip. The hilt of his sword poked out of his robes. He was flanked by two guards wearing yellow Valuan armour that completely covered them from head to foot, a sword was strapped to their sides.

"Vyse, Aika, Gilder" he spoke "It's good to see you all again, though I wish it could have been under better circumstances."

All present on the deck offered the Emperor of Valua a bow, "You to Enrique, I'm afraid I have some bad news."

"Clara informed me that Fina and Gilder had been taken. Where is Fina, is she alright?"

The look on Vyse's face told the Emperor all he needed to know for now. "I'll tell you everything on our way back to Crescent Isle. Where going to need a tow. We've only got two engines left, and we've been pushing them pretty hard to get out of there. They finally gave up a few minutes ago so we're dead in the water."

He turned around to the guard behind him, "You heard him." The guard bowed and then ran back to into the ship. "We'll have you back home in no time."

"Gilder!!" called a shrill voice. Gilder seemed to turn white and froze. They turned around and caught a figure in a pink dress running across the deck of the Delphinus and launch herself at Gilder. She caught Aika instead, who Gilder had placed in between himself and her. "I need to return to my ship," he said quickly "If you'll excuse me..." he ran off before finishing, up the plank that had been extended from the Claudia. Clara gave chase but the plank was raised before she got there.

"Don't think you can get away from Gilder," she called up after him with a wink and flashing him one of her smiles. "This time I have you." The Claudia moved away from the Delphinus to where the rest of the ships waited. She turned and walked back towards the small group that stood staring at her.

"Well Vyse," started Enrique "why don't leave the towing arrangements to my men while we figure out what to do about all this."

They headed to the dining room of the Delphinus where food and drink was provided. Gilder showed up, but only after Clara had promised she would leave him alone, at least until they arrived back on Crescent Isle. She also made him promise to spare her several minutes so they could talk. Vyse told of everything that had happened since the attack on Crescent Isle. Gilder told of the actual attack on the island itself, how both he and Fina had been captured. Vyse then told of his meeting up with the Primrose and then Clara explained what had happened to her after she had gone to Valua.

She had arrived at the dock in the new Valuan capital city and had immediately demanded to speak with Enrique. Enrique had been more than happy to provide an audience once he had found out who it was. Upon hearing of Fina and Gilder's capture he had ordered any ships that could be moved to proceed to the mouth of the Maw of Tartas hoping to able to provide some kind of assistance. Gilders crew had been eager to come along after hearing of Gilder's capture. And so they had all positioned themselves by the Maw of Tartas waiting for the Delphinus to appear.

Vyse then got to the part of what had happened to Fina. How she had been possessed by the Silver Gigas and then attacked him. How she had fought for control of herself and asked Vyse to end her life thus killing the presence inside her as well. And how finally she had asked him to find the moon crystals buried in the destroyed continent of Soltis in deep sky. He didn't however, tell of the kiss the two had shared. He then told of their narrow escape from the Maw of Tartas.

They had all retired for the night, since there was nothing else that they could do. Enrique had decided to return to Crescent Isle with them. He had ordered the fleet admiral, Decide to return to Valua and make ready the New Valuan Fleet for a possible attack. His ship, the Perseus was towing the Delphinus along with the Claudia and Primrose.

Vyse couldn't sleep, and so had walked around the Delphinus in an effort to tire himself out. Sleeps embrace had failed completely to greet him and so he stood on the fore deck, leaning on the railings, his mind awash with feelings and emotions. He looked out at the horizon. The sky was beginning to turn crimson as sunrise approached. To his right the beginnings of thick grey clouds rolled towards them with promises of wind and rain. The storm would hit them shortly before they arrived at Crescent Isle. Three large steel cables ran from the Delphinus to the three vessels directly in front as they towed her home. Her own engines had been completely burned out.

The sails of the Claudia and Primrose pulsed with the wind that propelled the forward. Enrique's flagship stood in the centre of the three, with the Claudia to its left and the Primrose to its right. Enrique's ship, the Perseus had been built with a modified version of the Delphinus's design, and as such the two were similar in shape. Due to the fact that there was no moon stone cannon in this design the Perseus was smaller, and as such much more manoeuvrable.

None of that registered to Vyse however. His mind was awash with thoughts of Fina. Every time he closed his eyes, every time he blinked, he could see her face. He had finally been forced to face his feelings for her, feelings that had kept hidden even from himself. It had come out in storm of emotions as he was faced with the possibility of losing her completely. He had spoken those three simple words before he had realized it, startling himself just as much as Fina. For the first time he had finally gave voice to feelings that were brought up every time they were together, every time he looked upon her. He loved Fina. He could freely admit to himself finally after so long, he had finally filled up that empty void inside himself. The memories of the kiss they shared hung forefront in his mind, he had never felt as complete as he had in that single moment of time. Not even sailing had ever made him feel that way. He had come to believe at first that sailing was all would ever need in life, now he would gladly give it all up if it would mean having Fina back safely.

He thought of the time that he had first meet her, when she had awoken onboard the Albatross. She had known nothing of the world around her, and yet she had changed it so completely. That year long quest they had undertaken had brought him and her closer then he realised.

That final promise he had made to her forced its way to his thoughts once more. She had made him promise that he would not hesitate to kill her if there was no other way to destroy the presence inside her. Could he do it even after he had given his word. He wasn't sure he could, he prayed that it would never come down to that. There had to be another way, Fina had fought her way through it once, couldn't she do so again? Couldn't she fight it so it was forced from her completely? He had to find another way.

"I thought you'd be outside Vyse," called a voice from behind. He looked around and saw Gilder walking up to him with a bottle of loqua and a metal goblet in hand.

"Gilder?" asked Vyse "What are you doing up?"

"Thought you could use some chearin' up," he said handing Vyse the goblet.

"Thanks, but I don't think this is going to work." Gilder started purring the green liquid into the metal container then took a drink stright from the bottle. He walked over to Vyse's side and lent on the metal railing, looking out over the steadily brightening sky. Vyse lifted the goblet up and took a drink.

"I heard what you said to each other, back in the tower," said Gilder.

"What? How much?" Vyse demanded.

"Enough. It's no big surprise really."

"What do you mean 'it's no big surprise'?"

"What are you kiddin'? Remember who you're talkin' to here. I've seen the way you two look at each other. I've seen that same look on hundreds of people." He reached over with his bottle and re-filled Vyse's now empty goblet. "You're not the first person to fall in love Vyse," he said before taking another drink. "Anyway I've come to offer some advice, some of your advice actually. Don't give up on her, she's stronger than she lets on. If anyone can beat that thing, she can."

They stood on the railings in silence for several moments. Finally gilder held up his bottle towards Vyse. "Here's to women," he said. They both threw the rest of the green liquid down their throats. "That's some good loqua."

A faint rumbling could be hear in the distance, as the first few drops of rain splashed down upon them. "Looks like the beginning of a nasty storm," commented Gilder.

"Thanks Gilder," said Vyse.

"What for, the loqua or the advice?"

"A bit of both," he laughed. "Come on, lets get of this rain." The two left the deck as the first crash of lightning lit up the sky. Yeah, thought Vyse, no matter how bad the storm there's always a way out. What Vyse didn't know was how bad the storm was going to get.

Midday saw the group in the meeting room of Crescent Isle. Overhead the the storm continued unabated, the rain could be heard pelting against the window. These type of storms were typical for this time of year on Crescent Isle. Some could last for days at a time, this seemed to be one of those.

The group was sat around a large oak table, Vyse was at the head, Aika on his left and Gilder on his right. Immediately on Gilder's left was Clara who clung to Gilder's arm and opposite her, on Aika's left was Enrique. Vyse's chief engineer Ray was also present and he sat next to Clara.

Directly behind Vyse hung a huge oil painting, which almost covered the wall. It depicted a sailing ship flying across an Island amid a see of clouds. It had been given to them by Enrique, and was a priceless work of art. Scattered around the room was varies items that had been stolen in the way of Blue Rogues. In the corner of the room under the painting stood a scale model of the Delphinus on a small oak stand.

"The repairs need to be completed as soon as possible," said Vyse.

"I've already got my team working on it Captain but she's been heavily damaged," said the chief engineer. "There's no way she'll be flyin anywhere until we get those engines repaired. The drive shaft needs to be completely replaced on two and three, and engine four needs to be completely striped out and a whole new engine put it. The forward cannon also needs to be repaired. Normally to get the ship up and running again it'd take twenty four hours tops. But you want to get into deep sky, so the hull's not only gotta be repaired but re-enforced as well. If we take her down without re-enforcing the hull she'll be crushed like a tin can. Also the submergence engine will have to be tested, it's been long time since it was last used. The moon stone cannon is gonna need a completely new barrel, the old one has been fused together from that last blast. We've got a spare, but it will take another day to put it. So that will have to be done once we get back. It can't be used in deep sky anyway so its not like its big loss down there."

"How long?" asked Vyse.

"It's gonna be at least two days."

"As much I wish I could join you for another trip down there I'm afraid I have to get back to Valua," said Enrique "I have to be there in case they attack, but I will leave my Second Admiral in my place. I believe you already know each other." He called over to the door "send him in."

The door opened a deep voice spoke "Hiya red, long time no see."

Aika paled at the sound of the voice, "This is some cruel joke right Enrique? There is no way I'm getting in the same ship as that!" She said pointing to the large burly figure standing by the door.

Vigoro stood there confidently with his great tree trunk like arms folded. He wore a tight blue vest and pants in an attempt to show off his vast frame. "So you did miss me then red," he said while striding to sit next to the Valuan Emperor.

"Vigoro is your Second Admiral?" asked Vyse incredulously.

"His proved himself to be very capable. To be honest I don't think Valua would of been re-built quite so quickly without him. You can trust him, I wouldn't send him if you couldn't."

"Okay, I'll trust you're judgment Enrique..."

"You can't be series Vyse," interrupted Aika, "we are talking about the same person aren’t we Vyse?"

"Well if you don't trust him then maybe you'd like to keep an eye on him, I'm sure Vigoro wouldn't mind with that." Aika shot Vyse a look that could kill but said nothing. Clara and Enrique giggled slightly.

"I'm coming along to," announced Gilder "you're not leaving me behind."

"Nor me," said Clara "where my Gilder goes so do I."

"Two days then, then we're going back into deep sky," said Vyse.

Everyone around the table rose and Enrique extended his hand to Vyse. "Good luck Captain Vyse," he said as the two shuck hands.

"Luck to you to Enrique, good luck to all of us," replied Vyse.

"So red," said Vigoro "looks like me and you are gonna be seein' a little more of each other. How about we go'n get somethin' to eat an' get reacquainted."

She turned and walked out of meeting room, Vigoro trailing after her.

"Not on you're life," she said slamming the door on him. The satisfying sound of Vigoro walking into the door a split second after followed. Aika let a satisfied grin spread across her face before taking the lift down after everyone else.

The being who had once been known as Ramirez, now Zelos stepped onto the bridge of the ship that would take him into deep sky. Behind him followed two of the dark acolytes. He found the person he was looking for testing the pressure shutters inside the bride. A tall man in his late thirties, his bearded face pale from spending so long down in the caves.

"How long until the ship is ready?" demanded Zelos.

"My lord," said the tall man falling to his knees and bowing down. "It will take two, maybe three days to complete the ship." His eyes never left the ground.

"Very well," he said before leaving the bridge. Soon, the crystals will be mine. Once all of them are in my grasp nothing will be able to stop me.

Authors Notes:

And so ends chapter five. Coming up in chapter six, Vigoro causes trouble for Aika, Clara confronts Gilder, a trip into Fina's past and the descent into the vortex.

Quick note -

If you're wondering where the name for Enrique's ship the Perseus comes from, its from Greek mythology. Perseus was the son of Zeus and Danaë. He slew the Gorgon, Medusa (that thing with the snakes in her hair) and cut off her head. The reflection in his shield enabled him to approach her without being turned to stone. He then rescued and married Andromeda, and became king of Tiryns, using the Gorgon's head, set on his shield, to turn the tyrant Polydectes to stone.

Wasn't that a nice bit of useless information. You learn something new everyday don't ya.