Closer to You
Chapter 10 Characters: Natsu Obinata, Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Claudien, Jannie Eyradoux, Urianger Augrulet, Thancred Waters, Patient Heaven, Keith Summers, Carter Summers, @mintibunny 's Minti Chocolate Rating: T for Teen Notes: Thank you @driftward for the mechanics pass and @mintibunny for blorbo sharing
Natsu clung to Fuyu'li as they hit a sharp turn. Within a bell of Claudien's announcement, they'd awayed to Gridania and boarded a small railcar near Baelsar’s Wall. Claudien seemed to have made a device to track auracite, and with Fuyu'li's help they'd found the strongest signals east along Abalathia’s Spine. As promised, the Summers brothers and Minti had been called to meet them. Once assembled, the auracite had started to shift west, toward Mor Dohna and passing onwards toward the west before the tracker shorted out from getting too close to Silvetear Lake.
“These parts of the railway are old, there's no way for her to escape us now beyond leaving the tracks. When she turns around at the ruined station in Carteneau, she'll be routed back into us,” Fuyu'li explained, holding tightly to a bar as they sped along, jerking at every turn.
“Then we'll see her cornered and take care of this madness before she figures out a way to damn us all,” Thancred growled.
“For your sake, our friends better be there,” Carter gruffed from behind.
Fuyu'li gulped only to have Natsu gently tug on the stringed balls on his coat. “It'll be okay. I don't think she's hurt them,” Natsu assured him.
“How can you be so sure? While we did provide amenities…ignorant of her ultimate plan I cannot be sure what her endgame was. As my master, she said she wished to use their Echo as a means to find a way to his sister. Obviously the veracity of that is now brought to light and with the information she gained from my knowledge of resonance…,” Fuyu’li said before shaking his head, “She's already killed someone too, right?”
Natsu frowned, “Yes…I had nearly forgotten and yet something feels off about that too. I cannot place the feeling though.”
Fuyu'li’s ears flattened, unconvinced by her words. Suddenly the railcar lurched and started to screech as the brakes engaged. He held Natsu tighter as she covered her horns and winced in pain from the shrill sound of metal against metal.
“We've made it to the train yard…she must be here,” Thancred said, yanking open the door to let them hop out.
The group cautiously advanced forward into the abandoned plaza. It was mostly ruined, trains turned over off their rails, some buried in the station itself. Only one portal remained unblemished and seemed to hold a functioning model.
“On your guard,” Thancred warned, advancing ahead.
“Wait, look,” Fuyu'li said, grabbing the man's shoulder as he pointed out three black chambers with windows on the front.
Each one held one of the missing people inside, breath fogging the glass as a promise of life. Carter spotting Hayzel quickly advanced forward, pulling his blade from his back before charging to liberate them. A mechanical whir suddenly sounded out, one of the nearby trains charged to life. As a puff of scolding steam blew out toward Carter, he found himself yanked back toward the group and to Minti's side by a dark aura. Carter dropped his sword, cursing as he held his wrist, hand burned from the bit of steam that had hit him.
“Now now. That won't do,” a voice scolded, echoing through the train yard.
Everyone drew their weapons, readying for an attack while Jannie pulled Carter aside to try healing his hand. Stepping forward, Fuyu'li cleared his throat, “Ma’am, your ruse has ended. Return to us the Echo users and perhaps we will be shown leniency in light of our crimes!”
An amused laugh sounded out then stopped abruptly. “Very few of us here have made it to us without having done something awful on the way. Thancred Waters who let himself be taken over by an Ascian and unwittingly aided Gaius van Baelsar then caused such devastation to Northern Thanalan that it might never be repaired. Urianger Augurelt, ever duplicitous, though so far always for the greater good. You Fuyu'li cen Zhwan, how many people were tested to their mortal limits because of the research you helped procure for the sake of the empire? A Warrior of Light who has struck down so many lives. Two sons of Gyr Abanian nobility who slept in warm beds and had their pockets lined with gold while their countrymen fought and died in their place. And I'm sure the hands of two pawns of Gage Acquisitions haven't been left unstained by that organization. No one here is without sin!”
“Fuck you,” Carter roared, pulling away from Jannie only to be knocked back by his big brother.
“Whatever we've done…we will one day answer to the Traders for. I might not understand a lot of what you're doing here, but I know at the end of it you won't be no god. You've got no right trying to bring everyone down to justify what you've done,” Keith huffed out.
Soon he froze, G'raha dropping down into the middle of the yard. Standing upright, the Miqo'te held a knife to his own throat, looking as if he was in tears. “Please! Just drop your weapons and go or she'll make me move my arm!”
Keith took a step back, loosing his plated knuckles. And yet he wasn't alone, everyone besides Natsu and Thancred abandoning their weapons in shock. “I'm wise to your tricks! You're not Ryne! There's no possible way,” Thancred shouted before finding Natsu launching forward past him. “Seven Hells Natsu! Don't engage her!
“I’m the only one who can see her as she is,” Natsu called back as everyone scrambled for their weapons.
Patient raised a brow as the rapier met her knife, then frowned as she used her strength to push her back. “You poor thing. You see me as I am? Have you truly never felt love in your heart for anyone?”
Natsu swiped at the woman with her rapier, only having each blow blocked, “I don’t see what that has to do with anything! And you! What would your sons say if they could see you now? Didn’t you love them? Is this what they would want? Hurting people? And for what?”
Patient glowered then pushed Natsu away as the rest advanced toward her. “This,” was all Natsu heard before being blinded by a bright red light.