Clive pushed open the door to the chapel. He and the others entered, the large door closing behind them. When the quietness of the chapel surrounded them, Cid looked around before his curious eyes landed on Lyra. "So tell me—any suitors from your past our dear Clive has to concern himself with?"

"We're walking directly into danger and you ask me that?" Lyra remarked.

"You thought you were the only one to ask questions at odd moments? You'd be wrong if you did."

The golden-haired woman sighed. She could tell Clive was interested in the question when he slowed his stride. "Truly an unsavory question at a horrid moment..."

"No need to be shy. Just tell us," Cid urged her.

Deciding not to keep the question lingering, she told him the truth. "My previous life was 200 years ago. Even if I did, they are long gone." She turned her narrowed eyes to the man. "Satisfied?"

"Perhaps. Perhaps not."

She groaned and rolled her eyes. "Let's just keep our wits about us. We are in enemy territory."

Reaching the gate that sealed the chapel, Clive opened it. Across the way, a large stone statue of Greagor stood tall. Parts of the chapel were in shambles and some of the pews were turned on their sides.

"What the hell happened here?" Clive asked.

From one of the pews that still stood upright, the woman who had been waiting for them stood. At seeing her, Cid stopped Clive when he saw he was about to draw his sword. He then addressed the woman. "Little late for prayer, isn't it?"

"Do I seem so desperate as to grovel at the feet of a false god?" Benedikta sneered.

"No, but we've got a real god with us," Cid said with his usual smirk, gesturing to Lyra. "Why not grovel at her feet?"

"Ha!" Benedikta laughed. "A goddess who walks among us mortals is no goddess at all. She is nothing but a washed up deity looking for a power that surpasses her own so she can selfishly return to the heavens to abandon us all!"

Lyra took a step forward. "I could not care less about what you think of me. Where are the Bearers you took from Lostwing?"

The short-haired woman crossed her arms. "You mean where's the Dominant. Waloed shall be requiring his services indefinitely." She then turned her gaze to Cid. "Come back to me, Cidolfus. I need you. Think of all the things we can create together—the world that we can build."

"You need me? Hah," Cid scoffed. "Your king needs me. I'm all for building a new world, just not his. That bastard's dreams are as twisted as his promises are false. And I want no part of them."

Benedikta's anger festered. "King Barnabas saved you, and this is how you speak of him? Have you no shred of loyalty?!"

"What, to a leader who'd use me? Like he uses you?!"

Her eyes narrowed in a sharp glare. "You know nothing of me, Cidolfus!"

"You're right," Cid confessed. "I don't know who you are anymore. Or what you want. I only know what you used to say—that you were tired of running. That you just wanted to be free. Free of it all. You weren't lying to me then, so what changed? What made you think you had to sacrifice who you were to get what you wanted?"

"Sacrifice?!" Benedikta shouted furiously. "I use my talents to my advantage and you would tell me there is shame in that?!"

"If there is no shame, then why do you feel so sorry for yourself?"

"A rousing speech, Lord Commander. I was a fool to believe you might have changed." She threw out her arm toward him. "The only person I feel sorry for is you. I can't do this anymore..."

Lyra tried to approach the woman when she lowered her head with a weak cry. However, Clive stopped her by grabbing her arm and pulling her back.

Benedikta, who was overcome with emotions of grief and anger, made up her mind. "If you would stand between our liege and his dream, then you leave me no choice." She raised her head, her anger glinting in her eyes. "Goodbye, Cidolfus." Embodying the Eikon of Garuda, she accessed her power and semi-primed. Wings sprouted from her back as a powerful wind blew through the chapel. She flew upward, ready to strike.

"Stand back, Clive," Cid warned the man. "And take your sweetheart with you."

"Cid," Lyra called out worriedly.

He cast a smirk in her direction. "I'm honored you're so worried about me, my goddess, but let this humble man handle this." Stepping forward, he channeled Ramuh's power and semi-primed.

Clive and Lyra, with Torgal next to them, backed away as Cid and Benedikta began fighting. They watched the battle, wondering what they could do for their comrade. When the battle grew in intensity and parts of the chapel were crumbling, Clive pulled Lyra protectively into his arms to shield her from small pieces of rubble that fell from the ceiling.

Once he released her, she looked to see Benedikta had summoned Chirada and Suparna. The three flew toward Cid and attacked him.

"Bollocks...!" Cid shouted as he defended himself. "Three against one now, is it?"

Clive and Lyra were desperately trying to hold themselves back after seeing Cid was now facing three opponents. It wasn't until Benedikta managed to strike him and knock his body across the chapel did they know he would need their help. His body collided with the statue of Greagor. He fell to the floor and the statue tilted before falling on top of him.

Angered, Clive drew his blade. "Oi..."

Benedikta didn't see the point in entertaining him. "Finish them," she commanded her sisters before leaving the chapel.

Chirada and Suparna did as she commanded.

Lyra was quick to take out her talismans and infuse them with her magick. She stood next to Torgal and Clive.

"Well, Cid..." Clive glanced at Torgal and Lyra before looking back at the two wind sisters. "At least it's not three against one."

"I'll take the one on the left," Lyra said.

"Then leave the other to me," Clive replied.

"Torgal will be the go-between. Let's do this."

Clive fought against Chirada while Lyra handled Suparna. Torgal would switch between the two to provide help for both of them. They made quick work of the wind sisters and the chapel fell quiet when the enemies were slain. With no one in their way, they ran over to the injured Cid. Clive and Lyra kneeled before the heavily-wounded man.

"Cid! Are you all right?" Clive asked worriedly.

"Do I look all right?" Cid remarked. Suddenly, he was wracked with a horrible cough and covered his mouth. When he removed his hand, he saw the blood he had coughed up. Slumping back, he let out a groan and spoke to Clive. "Benedikta will be on her way to collect the Dominant—if she hasn't already. You can't afford to let them leave. Remember: she has wings, you don't."

"What about you?" Clive asked.

"Before or after I catch my breath?" Cid winced when Lyra smacked him lightly on a part of his arm that wasn't wounded. "Aren't you supposed to be gentle and kind?"

She smirked before speaking to Clive. "Leave him to me. You and Torgal should go after Benedikta. Once I get him on his feet, we'll catch up with you."

Clive nodded and looked back at Cid. "You're in good hands, Cid."

Cid managed to smile. "Don't I know. This wouldn't be the first time I've been in our fine goddess' care."

Clive found himself grinning a little before looking at the canine in their company. "Come on, Torgal."

Lyra watched him and the dog run up the stairs to search for Benedikta. She then focused her attention back on Cid. "Let's get you patched up, shall we?"

"Or perhaps you can let me to wallow in pain for a little while longer as payment for my foolish mistakes," he feebly chuckled.

"Oh, heavens..." she sighed. "Enough of your nonsense. Or would you prefer I left you here by your lonesome?"

"Heal away."

"That's what I thought."

Lyra healed the wounded Cid. It took a few minutes and she sighed heavily. "With my magick in its current state, there is not much I can do for injuries caused by Eikons. I've healed what I can, but you best not push yourself."

"I am grateful for your aid, Lyra," Cid said.

"Let's get you on your feet." She gently helped him off the ground. He was still unsteady on his feet and she hooked his arm around her neck. "Come now, old geezer. We best catch up to Clive."

With a feeble grin, Cid accepted her help. They made their way through the caer and could hear the sounds of battle. The structure shook around them and small pieces of debris fell.

"Sounds like Clive and Benedikta are getting along," Cid sarcastically said.

"Best hurry to prevent them from toppling the entire caer," Lyra replied. She aided him in going up the stairs and walking down hallways until he was able to stand on his own. When he stepped away from her, she asked, "Are you certain you're all right, Cid?"

"Give me some time," he replied. "These old bones may creak, but they're not broken."

"If you say so."

Pressing on, Cid and Lyra kept going up to reach the top of the caer. Along the way, they found dead royalists. They figured it was because of Clive and Torgal.

Eventually, they reached their destination to discover Clive had beaten Benedikta. They were too late for the battle, but they were relieved the man was victorious.

Benedikta was on the ground, frustrated at her defeat. "How did you do it? How did you even survive?! HOW?!"

"The answer is simple, Benedikta," Cid spoke up as he and Lyra came to stand beside Clive. "He was fighting for something he believed in."

"Shut up! Why aren't you dead?!" Benedikta cast her sharp glare toward Lyra. "It's because of you, isn't it?! Damn you, Gaia!"

"We've played your games," Clive spat. Sword aimed at the woman, he stalked toward her menacingly. "Now tell me where he is!"

Frightened, Benedikta fell backward and scooted away as the blade threatened to pierce her flesh. "Who—What are you....?"

Consumer by anger, Clive reaches down to grab the woman. His hand stopped a few inches from her when an emerald light escaped her body. The particles of light coalesced into Clive's body, causing him to stumble back in shock.

"Clive?" Lyra called out worriedly. She could now sense a part of Garuda residing inside him. "This... How...?"

Suddenly, an intense pain courses through Clive's body. He screamed and grabbed his chest. It was too much and he fell to the ground.

Lyra rushed over and fell to her knees next to him. "Clive!" As his body was wracked with pain, she placed a hand on his arm and used her healing magick to ease him. She watched him go limp when he lost consciousness.

"Shit—Clive!" Cid shouted, kneeling next to the emerald-eyed woman to check on the man.

Torgal bore his fangs, growling as his piercing eyes were focused on Benedikta. The woman wasn't sure what was going on, but she didn't have time to figure out as the Dominant trapped inside the caer had broken free and was setting the place ablaze. She knew what she had to do. "Enough of this!" She stood up and tried to use her powers.

Cid and Lyra looked toward the woman and were ready to defend Clive but noticed Benedikta's power fizzle.

The woman gasped in shock and looked at her hand. "Wh-what?" She tried a second time. A small gust of wind was formed, but it vanished in seconds. She slumped over in defeat when she couldn't sense the Eikon within her. "She—She's gone..."

Lyra's attention was drawn back to Clive when she saw him regain consciousness. She didn't understand how he was able to siphon part of Garuda's power, but she doubted he understood either. She kept a hand on his shoulder as he pushed himself into a kneeling position. "Are you all right?"

"What... What's happening?" Clive asked. He, like his companions, were confused. He looked at his hand and saw the familiar emerald light before glancing over at the woman by his side.

"You absorbed part of Garuda," Lyra said. "I cannot explain how or why, but I sense a part of her in you."

"Give her back..." Benedikta hissed. "Give her back! Give her back!"

A large explosion shook the caer. The flames were spreading and threatening to burn everything.

Suddenly, a man by the name of Gerulf pushed open the door to the roof and called out to Benedikta. "My lady!"

Benedikta was still distraught and angered. "Where is she?! Where is Garuda?!" She stumbled backward, her back colliding with the stone wall before she sank down to the ground. "What have you done to me?! What have you done?!" Her body shook as she gazed alarmingly at her hands.

Gerulf stormed over to her and tried to get her cooperation. "Look at me, my lady. We need you here!" He hauled her to her feet and dragged her toward the door. He grabbed a sword as he supported her body. "What the hell is going on?!"

When Gerulf and Benedikta were gone, Cid turned to Lyra. "Is it true what you said? Clive took her power?"

"Only a portion. Garuda still resides within Benedikta, but she has lost a portion of her powers," Lyra said. "I...cannot explain how or why it happened."

Another explosion shook the caer, startling the group. They looked around to see the flames were growing brighter.

"Fuck me... I hope the Bearers found a way out," Cid said before turning to his companions. "Clive. Lyra. This place is ready to collapse and I'd rather not be here when it does."

"The temperature does seem to be rising as do the number of explosions," Lyra said.

Cid quickly stopped the man by grabbing him when he picked up his sword to search for the Dominant. "If your Dominant started this fire—and I'm betting he did—he'll be long gone."

Clive looked away in defeat. "Damn it all!"

"Let's go!" Lyra shouted.

The party quickly evacuated Caer Norvent before they could fall victim to the flames. They ran out the front entrance just in time to see the sunrise.

"Oh look. Morning has broken," Cid commented. He looked further down the path to see imperial soldiers. "And here come the cavalry, itching to butcher the bastards who made them miss their morning gruel."

"We aren't exactly in a good position that would convince them we are innocent," Lyra said.

"Agreed," Cid replied. "Come on. If they catch us leaving a burning caer, people might jump to conclusions."

Clive nodded. "Right."

To avoid drawing the attention of the imperial soldiers, they skirted around them. While doing so, Cid questioned Clive. "Benedikta said you'd taken her power. You don't...still have it, do you?"

"I..think I do. I can feel it," Clive confessed. "It's...inside me...along with the flames."

"Well... Are you not keen to try it out? What could possibly go wrong?"

"Save it for later," Lyra advised. "We need to get away from here."

They headed in the direction of the Holy Eye, a bridge that spanned across the river. To their dismay, a group of imperial forces blocked their way and they had no choice but to fight. They cut down the enemies and cleared the way, crossing the first bridge.

Suddenly, Torgal's fur stood on end after they crossed. He growled, ready to pounce. Cid and Clive were about to draw their blades. Lyra had her talismans at the ready and created an arch of wind that pushed back the person when they rounded the corner. The person yelled out as they were knocked to the ground.

She gasped when she recognized the person. "Oh, heavens! I'm terribly sorry, Gav." She ran over to him and helped him to his feet.

Gav chuckled. "Your reflexes are as sharp as ever, my lady."

"You're not hurt, are you?"

"Aye, I'm all right."

Cid withdrew his hand from the hilt of his sword. "You're lucky she held back, or you would've been sliced in two. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"It's not me who's been playing with fire!" Gav rebuttals, looking at the smoke coming from Caer Norvent. "You don't do things by halves, do you..."

"In our defense, we didn't cause the smoke," Lyra said. "Our Dominant did."

"Ah, I see." Gav then gestured for her and the others to follow him. "This way."

They proceeded down a small trail into the woods to avoid being seen by any more imperial forces. Once they were far enough from the main path, they found the perfect opportunity to talk.

"So if it wasn't you or him who freed the Bearers, who was it?" Gav asked after Cid told him what happened inside the caer.

"Good question. Someone who didn't have their hands full fighting a bloody harpy, at a guess," Cid responded. "But what matters is they're safe—something they wouldn't be had it not been for you, Gav." He patted him on the arm with a proud smile.

"Ah, just doing my job, like." Gav glanced over at Clive. "So, er...what about his Dominant?"

"Gone. And after we were so close!" Clive replied, frustrated at not being able to confront the mysterious Dominant.

Lyra placed a hand on his arm. Even though she knew the truth, she was curious about this Dominant. "We won't give up, I promise."

Gav walked over with an offer. "Well, I can track him."

This came as a complete shock to Clive. "Why would you...?"

"Cid told us about your family," Gav confessed. "Lost my own to imperial steel. Sometimes vengeance is the only thing that keeps you going."

He was more than grateful for the scout's help. "Thank you."

"Stay safe, Gav," Lyra said, smiling at him.

"Aye, I always am, my lady. As long as I have your blessing, nothing can stop me. I'm more worried about you," Gav replied. He then addressed Cid and Clive. "Go safely, brothers. And keep our lovely lady safe!"

With that, Gav left.

"I reckon he likes you," Cid said to Clive.

Clive crossed his arms. "To me, he seems to like Lyra much more."

"What do you expect? A beautiful and kind lass such as herself doesn't come around every day, nor do they happen to be an almighty god from the heavens." Cid elbowed Clive in the side with a playful smirk. "You're a lucky man."

Lyra turned to make a comment about how she could hear their conversation, but she was consumed by dread. Her body felt cold, almost as if her blood had frozen in her body. At the same time, the sky turned gray and the wind picked up. Her emerald eyes locked on the large vortex that formed in the distance. It was almost as if she had been lost in a trance after realizing what was happening.

It wasn't until Clive shook her shoulder did she notice he and Cid were looking at her in concern. She blinked a few times, trying to ignore the cries of the land as Garuda tore up the forest. "I cannot allow this to happen. Benedikta has absorbed too much aether. If she continues, this whole forest will be sapped of aether and the Blight will consume it."

"What are you planning to do?" Clive asked.

"Stop her, or at least try. I still have yet to regain my power, but that won't stop me from trying to keep her from destroying the forest." She took only a few steps forward before Clive tried to stop her.

Cid grabbed him and yanked him back. "You might want to stand back a bit."

Clive looked back at the man before his gaze returned to Lyra. He didn't understand what was happening until a bright light engulfed the woman. In the blink of an eye, a heavenly being appeared in her place.

The goddess of life, Gaia, was in her true form. Her size was slightly bigger than Shiva's. It was the perfect form to face off against Garuda.

Clive stared in awe at the goddess before him. "So this is her true form..."

"Not an Eikon, but a living and breathing goddess," Cid said. "I find it odd how such a being would even bother with this fucked-up world..."

Gaia glanced down at the men. "Leave the forest. I cannot guarantee your safety."

Clive stepped toward her, his brow knitted in confusion and anger. "Do you truly plan to face her on your own?"

The goddess turned her large form in the direction of the vortex. "Yes. If you insist on being stubborn then...Cid, take Clive to safety."

"I will do my best, my goddess," Cid replied, knowing Clive would be a stubborn rock to move.

"That is all I ask."

With swift and nimble movements, the goddess soared toward the vortex.

"Lyra!" Clive shouted. He pulled away from Cid and sprinted forward, only to stop when he heard a strange voice call out to him. He stared at the vortex and was almost blown off his feet when a powerful gust of wind blew through the forest. Cid was knocked to the ground.

"Lyra's right. She's drawn in too much aether..." Cid tried to keep himself from being blown further away. "She can't control it! If Garuda isn't stopped, that vortex'II swallow this whole forest. And us along with it! Will Gaia really be able to stop Garuda in her current state?"

"I'm going to help her," Clive declared as the wind died down.

"You? Help her?" Cid asked in disbelief.

"I heard it again. Someone is calling me." Clive started to walk in the direction of the vortex.

Cid got to his feet and shouted at him. "Damn it, lad! That doesn't mean you have to listen!" He pursued the man and groaned. "Lyra's going to string my ass up..."