FicWad

Six years after the events of Revenant Wings, manufacted nethicite has gradually lost its power, and the technology to make it anew is long gone. When Balthier steals the last piece from the Archad...

Saving the world yet again has its drawbacks.

"I missed you."

He stops. No.

Balthier lets his head fall forward as he groans.

Vaan, what did you do?

Balthier sighs. He does so often lately. "Do what you must."

All is not well.

The ornate helm hits the wall with a bang like a gunshot.

The rage in his gut is sudden and unexpected, and it rips Balthier's breath away.

"Oh Fran," he says quietly, "dear Fran. I have been such a fool."

"It is settled, then," Fran says. "We fly to the Mount."

Balthier rolls his eyes and turns away.

"Let them," Balthier says.

Vaan tilts his head, and slowly, he smiles back.

Balthier nods. "Let's do be careful."

"Balthier," Fran interrupts. "Perhaps you should speak to him yourself."

"I can't hear anything," Vaan says.

"Fine," Balthier says dryly. His voice is level, he notes. "We only fight an enraged esper with the power of gods in her hands."

The skin is tense around his eyes and pale, but he smiles slowly.

It breaks off, a blank where the name is to be.