|| The Naldia Narrow ||
|| The Open Sea ||

Clive, Joshua, Jill, Gav, and Mid were gathered in the captain's cabin. On the table they were gathered around was a map. Mid began her explanation. "There's a lot of sea between here and Waloed, but any ship heading north has to round Dzemekys and put through the narrow. Maintain our current bearing north-northeast... And we'll catch the Black Galleon before she vanishes again."

Clive pointed to a specific part of the map. "What's to prevent her from circling around Ash from the south?"

Mid put her hands on her hips. "With these winds in those waters, it'd take them forever and a fortnight to reach Stonhyrr."

"Mid knows what she's talking about, Clive. Better than any of us lot, anyway. I say we do as she tells—" Gav was interrupted by the sound of a bell.

Bosun, a member of the Enterprise's crew, stormed into the captain's cabin. "Sails on the horizon!"

Mid grinned excitedly. "She's ours!" Bolting out of the captain's cabin, she ran to take control of the ship.

Clive, Jill, and Joshua were quick to follow her to the main deck. They all could see black sails in the distance.

"Look alive, boys! Full ahead! And keep those furnaces fed!" Mid shouted to the crew.

"Aye aye!" the crew hollered in unison.

Jill recognized the black sails. "From what I heard of Indra's plan, Lyra will still be on board. We must retrieve her before they reach Waloed or we may lose her forever."

Clive met her worried gaze. "Nothing will happen to her. We will get her back."

Their attention was drawn to the cloudy sky when they heard a thunderous roar. Above them soared Theia. They also heard the cry of a deer. Looking down to the water below, they spotted Rhea running across the water's surface. Both beasts were heading straight for the Einherjar.

The trio ran to the front of the ship. They watched the beasts closely as they drew closer to the ship in the distance. However, they noticed an armored figure floating in the air. It was Barnabas with Odin's sword.

Mid also spotted the looming threat in the distance. "All hands! Battle stations!" She was grinning in excitement. "Let's see what this girl can do!"

Clive, Jill, and Joshua stared at the king before their attention was drawn back to the beasts. The dragon and the deer paid no heed to Barnabas as they ran past him without incident and boarded the Black Galleon.

"They are returning to Lyra," Joshua concluded.

"I do hope she's all right," Jill said.

Just then, Barnabas attacked. Creating a powerful blade of darkness, it was heading straight for the Enterprise.

Mid grabbed the wheel. "Great Greagor's gash!" She quickly turned the wheel starboard to avoid the incoming attack. The ship turned sharply, causing everyone to have to hold on to avoid falling overboard. Her swift movements and the ship's speed allowed them to avoid the attack.

Clive glared at the king. "Barnabas!"

"Hard-a-port! Heads down, you brutes! And brace for impact...!" Mid shouted as she grabbed the wheel and guided the Enterprise back on course toward the Einherjar. They were swiftly closing the distance and it wasn't long before they caught up to the Black Galleon.

As the Enterprise sailed up directly next to the Einherjar, Clive, Joshua, Jill, and Torgal ran to the edge of the ship.

"It's now or never!" Joshua shouted.

"Clive," Jill called out to him. "Find her, and bring her back."

Clive nodded. "I will." He, with Torgal behind him, jumped to the other ship. They landed on the main deck and were now aboard the Black Galleon just as the Enterprise was forced to pull away. The royalists on standby noticed him and the canine and were quick to attack.

He drew his sword and got to work cutting down the soldiers with Torgal's help. Within minutes, the duo had cleared the deck of all enemies. Sheathing his blade, he looked around the empty deck. "Where did you hide her, Barnabas? And where is Indra?"

With Torgal behind him, they headed inside the ship to search for Lyra. They only found the frightened souls of the deckhands who were cowering in the darkness. Seeing she wasn't there, he headed up the stairwell to return to the deck.

Clive looked around and saw the Enterprise in the distance. An explosion came from the ship as the battle between Joshua and Barnabas raged on.

"No!" Clive shouted.

"There he is!" a royalist soldier shouted.

He turned to see more enemies pouring in from the deck below.

"The king wants him alive!" another soldier shouted as they drew their weapons.

Clive glanced back at the Enterprise before grabbing his sword. "Hold on. I'm coming. For both of you!" With Torgal's aid, he was able to cut down soldier after soldier. He cleared the deck, only for more enemies to appear.

After dealing the final blow to a Royal Sveithvaldr, Clive returned to his search for Lyra. "She must be here somewhere..."

Heading below deck once again, he found his way to the brig once taking out more royalists. To his surprise, the cell was empty. "Where could she be?"

Torgal started to bark, grabbing Clive's attention. "What's wrong, boy?"

The canine took the lead and started to sniff around. He caught Lyra's scent and barked repeatedly.

"Take me to her," Clive told the canine.

Torgal barked and took off. He ran through the ship with Clive following behind him. To the man's surprise, his companion led him to the door leading to the captain's cabin. When the Eikon in him sensed the goddess' presence, he stormed into the room and looked around. He found her curled up on the bed and rushed over to her.

Kneeling on the bed, Clive combed a few strands of hair out of her face to see just how sickly pale she was. That was also when he caught sight of the shackle around her neck. He saw the familiar symbols of the language of the gods engraved in the metal. He could read them and realized the shackle was laced with poison. As quick as he could, he unlocked the shackle and freed her.

"Lyra," he called out to her worriedly, hoping she would wake up. He placed his hand against her cheek and turned her face. "Lyra, please...!"

The woman's eyes slowly open. Her once bright emerald eyes were dim due to how sick she was feeling. "Clive...?"

Hearing his name fall from her lips made him sigh in relief. He pulled her weak body into his arms and hugged her. "I'm getting you out of here. Hold on to me."

Lyra clung to Clive as he helped her off the bed and onto her feet. She leaned into his side, her arms wrapped around his waist when she could barely stand because of how unwell she was from the poison. He kept an arm around her shoulders as he began escorting her to the door.

Before they could even reach the door, Indra appeared and blocked their way. "Did you truly think I would simply let you leave?"

Clive's hold on Lyra tightened as he drew his sword with his free hand. He glared at the god as he pointed the blade at him. "Get out of our way."

"You aren't going anywhere with her," Indra replied coldly. "Leave her and you may go freely."

"Never," he hissed.

The god's expression remained the same. "The king demands your capture, but he is the one under me. Not even the mighty Odin can surpass me, and neither shall you, Mythos."

As the god took a couple of steps forward, Lyra felt Cronus' unrest within her. She, along with the beasts, had been weakened by the poison, but that didn't stop the wolf from fighting. She released Cronus and the beast materialized in front of her and Clive. The large wolf howled before pouncing on the god.

Indra was taken by surprise when Cronus was able to pin him down with his large form. He then screamed out as the wolf sank his fangs into the god's neck. "Damn you!" the god hissed angrily. As he was about to attack, the wolf used dark magic to create a void. Without hesitating, Cronus dragged Indra through the void.

Clive and Lyra watched as the god and the beast vanished into the void. The darkness faded and the void disappeared.

Relieved the god was gone, Clive sheathed his weapon.

When all fell quiet, the Einherjar suddenly shook violently. Unsure of what was happening, they were overcome with the sense of freefalling as the ship pitched violently.

Clive wrapped both arms protectively around Lyra and held her as close as possible. Torgal drew closer to them as they all were knocked to the floor. Loose items flew around the captain's cabin. Using what little magic she could, Lyra placed a barrier around them.

The moment the ship ceased moving and the sound of splintering wood was heard, Lyra dispelled the barrier and started to breathe heavily. The coldness that her body was suffering from because of the poison caused her to shake. Still, she didn't let go of Clive for a second.

Clive pulled them both to their feet. He wound an arm around her waist to support her weakened body. "Hold on," he whispered to her. "We're getting out of here."

Because of the tilt of the ship, they had to carefully navigate through the ship. Clive was able to escort Lyra out of the ship with help from Torgal. As they found a way to get off the ship that was now stuck on the sea floor, they could see the extent of Odin's power. The sea had been split down the middle. Their clothes were being soaked by the rain caused by the split sea.

Clive aided Lyra as they descended the rocky terrain to reach the sandy bottom of the ocean floor. She remained tucked against him as it was difficult for her to walk on her own. If he didn't have an arm around her waist, she would most likely collapse.

She looked up at the water that surrounded them. "We need to get out of here." She slowly pulled away from Clive and tried to take a few steps forward, but her legs were still weak. She only made it one step before she fell to her knees.

Clive was immediately by her side. He grabbed her arms to prevent her from falling further. "You are not well."

"The poison will fade. I just need to—" Lyra fell silent when she heard a strange noise.

Clive had also heard the strange sound and turned his head to see a cloud of darkness. His eyes narrowed at the person who appeared from the darkness. "You..." Seeing Barnabas stalking toward them, he pulled Lyra to her feet and pushed her behind him before drawing his sword. He felt her grab the back of his cloak to keep from falling. "What did you do to Joshua?!"

"The Phoenix? Oh, I expect he will survive," Barnabas replied. "This consciousness in which you coil your feeble souls is grown thick with desperation. And thus has my master turned to my blade. The world will soon be painted in black. And all that live shall gather in Death's autumn wake."

"Not if we remove the cause of this misery," Clive remarked. "Not if we destroy the last of the Mothercrystals and restore balance to the world."

"Come...do you truly think it so simple? The Blight is inevitable. Not even the Almighty might stop its endless march. Your efforts will avail us naught. Naught, that is, but suffering. You must embrace the truth, Mythos—accept your place with the Lord!" Barnabas shouted with a smirk.

Clive's glare sharpened. "Keep it! As long as there's a chance, there's a choice!"

"Ever led astray by your blind resolve." Darkness gathered at the king's feet before it slowly crept up his body. A helmet manifested over his head as Odin's sword appeared in his hand. "Now...it is time you learned the inevitability of your divine fate however much it may hurt. Not even your god can save you."

"Clive," Lyra called out worriedly.

Clive looked over his shoulder at her. "Get as far away as you can." He then glanced at their canine companion. "Torgal, take her."

"Be careful, please," she begged him.

Torgal went to Lyra. He allowed her to lean against him as he escorted her away from the impending battle. She looked back at Clive as the fight began. She stopped walking, which caused Torgal to stop as well. She looked down at the dog. "We cannot leave him. Go, Torgal. I will be fine."

She was surprised when the dog provided her with a bit of healing before running off to help Clive. She felt a little stronger thanks to him and could finally stand on her own. Looking back at the battle, she was eager to help but knew she would only get in the way due to her current state.

As the battle continued, Lyra felt Cronus return. She could feel he was weak, most likely due to fighting against Indra. Although Theia and Rhea had returned to her while she was unconscious, she still didn't feel complete without Crius. She could sense the fourth beast nearby, meaning Barnabas still possessed the crystal he was trapped in. She needed to get him back, but she didn't know how.

When Lyra felt a chill creep down her spine that wasn't caused by the poison coursing through her body, her head snapped back to the fight to see Barnabas send a powerful blade of darkness that sliced through Clive's body. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw blood dripping from his body. The moment he fell to his knees, she forced herself to run to him. This was the future the stars had shown her aboard the ship, but she was helpless to change it.

"Clive!" Lyra shouted. She reached him and kneeled down next to him. Torgal was on her other side, growling and bearing his fangs at the king. She used what little energy she had to heal him, which caused her to feel lightheaded. She blinked away the dizziness, knowing she couldn't afford to faint now. She cursed Indra for using such a potent poison.

Barnabas' helmet vanished as he lowered Odin's sword. "Do you not see? Your iron will weighs you down—dragging you ever further from your purpose."

Clive managed to lift his head. "And what is my purpose?"

"Mythos. Who are we? What are the Dominants?" A grin crept across the king's face. "The breath of the Creator still warm on our lips, we carry His light that we might guide the masses in His name. We are but mighty acts of God."

"We are more than that!" Clive shouted.

"You would be nothing without what He has granted you. The power we wield is His. And yet every time we draw upon it, it wears away at our very being. It breaks us—it unmakes us—that its immaculate aspect might reveal itself. The Eikon. It is too much for even His chosen few. Apart from you, Mythos. You wield the might of many, yet your body does not answer for its avarice."

He glared at him. "What are you saying?!"

"What I am saying..." Barnabas looked up at the sky. "Is that we Dominants are a means to an end. We were created for you, that you might drink deep of our strength and thereby fulfill your divine purpose."

"Which is?!"

The King looked back at him. "To feed. As you would know, could you only look beyond the walls of your prison of self-regard. As long as you choose to ignore this, you shall never penetrate my defenses. Still, you may take solace in the fact that you are not alone in your plight. The chains of volition shackle all of mankind. But there is yet cause to rejoice. For the Lord, in his mercy, has taken pity on his flawed creations. And shall see them restored to their proper forms."

"How ridiculous..." Lyra growled lowly, grabbing the king's attention. She stood up and cast a glare at him. "You fall at the feet of a false god who would see to this world's destruction simply because it is imperfect in his eyes. That thing you see as a god is a plague. He did not create this world. All he desires is control. I will not let you nor any false god manipulate this world any longer!"

Barnabas chuckled. "Such a naïve goddess. It is clear you are vastly different from Indra. Alas, my master and his associate see you as useful in the future of this world. You, Gaia, could have men groveling at your feet in the world He seeks. Loyal subjects heeding every word that falls from your lips. Just as they will for Him."

The goddess felt herself being consumed by anger. "Free will is a blessing and should not be toiled with. That is why the gods created this world so life may flourish. Free will is a part of the freedom of life. No one, mortal or immortal, has the right to manipulate the consciousness of others. Turning humans into mindless husks is not the way!"

Clive finally understood what Sleipnir told him in the Agora courtyard after listening to Lyra. "You mean to turn everyone Akashic!"

Barnabas grinned as he shifted his attention back to him. "Not turn, Mythos. Turn back. For too long has mankind been led astray by their clamorous wills.
It is time they returned to a world of quiet equality. Where they might once more know salvation."

"That is not salvation," Lyra hissed. "That is enslavement!"

"We don't need your salvation," Clive spat. "We'll save ourselves. And we'll do it on our own terms. Not yours. And not your god's! There is only one god I believe in and she will not fall into your hands as long as I draw breath!"

Barnabas' smirk fell. "With every defiant expression of your will, the tighter the chains of consciousness become. But perhaps that fact may be put to use."

Suddenly, a loud rumble startled them. They looked behind the king and saw the split sea was collapsing.

Lyra's eyes widen in fear. She returned to Clive's side and helped him up.

"The faster it binds you to the remaining Dominants...the stronger your hunger will become..." Barnabas disappeared as the roaring water of the sea began to fill the gap. His voice echoed around them. "Until it leads you back to the only answer there ever was. Mayhap not by the path my master intended...but back all the same."

Seeing the collapsing sea, Lyra grabbed Clive's arm and tugged him in the opposite direction. "We must hurry. I will fly us to Ash."

Clive grabbed her arm to stop her. "You're in no fit state!"

"We cannot afford to drown here. I am the only one who can get us to safety."

Before he could retort, she transformed into a dragon and grabbed both him and Torgal. She flew as fast as she could to avoid the collapsing sea and made it just in time to avoid being drowned. She flew across the sky toward Ash and was beginning to lose altitude because of her weakened body. Her vision was blurring, but she kept pushing herself.

Just as they reached the coast of Ash, she could no longer keep flying. She quickly lost the ability to fly as she was no longer able to flap her wings. Her body crashed into the ground and skidded through the ashen soil. She ensured to protect Clive and Torgal and released them only when it was safe. Her body reverted and she lay on her side as her vision started to turn black. She fought against her exhaustion and managed to push herself onto her hands and knees. Her arms were shaking while trying to support her upper body.

Lyra felt her vision clear when Torgal provided her with more healing. It was just enough to stave off the darkness that threatened to take her. She pushed herself up more and sat with her legs tucked under her. She slumped forward, placing her hands on the ground. Her breathing was heavy and the cold sweat returned as the adrenaline faded. She closed her eyes and tried to take deep and even breaths.

Feeling two arms wrap around her and pull her against a firm chest, Lyra opened her eyes as she was taken over by Clive's warmth. Even though his clothes were wet, she could feel his body heat and slumped against him. She clung as tight as she could to him in her current state.

"You're freezing," Clive said just above a whisper.

"The poison," she whispered. "It will fade in the coming hours."

"Is there nothing I can do to aid you?"

"You being here is enough," she replied, closing her eyes. "I should have known you wouldn't listen."

Clive held her tighter, tucking her head under his chin. "Not even the mightiest of forces could stop me from saving you."

She smiled feebly. "Thank you, Clive."

After some time, Clive had built a fire near one of the large rocks by the shore. They both stripped themselves of their soaked clothes and laid them on another rock so they could dry properly.

Because Lyra was still fighting against the poison, her body was still cold. At Clive's behest to keep her warm, she found herself sitting between his legs with her back pressed against his chest. She reclined her head against his chest and enjoyed his warm, bare skin against hers. Legs tucked to the side, she placed her arms over the ones that were hooked around her waist. She gazed at the dancing flames of the campfire.

As time seemed to blur, Lyra felt her body beginning to return to normal. Her body was finally warming up and the color returned to her cheeks. Although she was feeling much better, she didn't want to leave their current position.

"The others..." Lyra said, shattering the silence. "I do hope they are safe."

"The Enterprise was clear of the gap when we fell. They made it, Lyra," Clive reassured her.

"I should send Theia so they will know where to find us." She was about to stand up to do just that, but her movements were hindered when Clive stopped by keeping his arms secured around her waist.

"Stay," he whispered to her.

She could hear the sound of defeat in his voice. "What's wrong, Clive?"

He took a deep breath before confessing to her what was plaguing his mind. "This is the second time Barnabas has bested me. I'm powerless against him."

Lyra recalled what Barnabas said. "Unless you were to give yourself up to Ultima, the puppeteer of this world—one whose strings must be severed. I know you would never give in to a twisted being such as him."

"So you believe...but do you really know me?" Clive asked. "If what Barnabas said was true, then...I'm more monster than man. And each time I summon the flames from within... I burn away the things that make me who I am."

Slowly, Lyra turned around in his embrace to face him. Her emerald eyes locked with his sapphire ones. "If you are a monster, then so am I. But not all monsters seek destruction. There are ones that protect. You are the one who defines the monster within you. As someone who has been by your side for many years, I know for certain you have used such power to protect those dearest to you and have saved countless of people. We all have a monster within us, but our decisions determine how we use it. And you... You have chosen to tame the monster and use it for good."

Her words shook him, but he still had his doubts. His hands slid away from her waist. "I've also used it to kill. What if that's my purpose? What if it's all I'm good for?" Frustrated by what Barnabas said, he slammed his fist into the ground by his thigh.

Lyra gently grabbed Clive's hands and held them with both of hers. Her thumbs caressed his knuckles. "Ever since we were children, you were so focused on saving others that you forgot the most important person of them all—yourself. An endless cycle of ignorance of one's own value, one of which I should have saved you from all those years ago."

Clive stared at their hands. "Myself? I think I might be beyond saving."

"Nonsense," she remarked as a smile bloomed on her face. "You may have given up on yourself, but I have not. If you will not save yourself, allow me to. You survive to protect those you love. It is something you have done for years, and you haven't changed. You may think you have, but you haven't. You are still the same boy I fell in love with eighteen years ago."

"Lyra..." Clive muttered her name fondly.

She threaded her fingers together with his. "I...cannot bless you with powers, but I can offer you the Blessing of Creation."

Closing her eyes, she held onto his hands and recited the prayer in the language of the gods. Ribbons of green aether swirled around them in a gentle vortex of wind.

Clive understood each and every word as she recited the prayer. His eyes slowly widened as he felt the Eikons within him react to her words. He could feel them strengthening. Staring at her, he squeezed her hands as she blessed not only him but also gave him more strength so he could continue fighting.

As the threads of aether vanished, Lyra opened her eyes. "A blessing I haven't given in centuries... I know you will use this strength to shoulder this burden. I...have accepted the fact I cannot force you to share your burden if you choose to do it alone." Slowly, she released his hands and lowered her gaze.

Clive didn't hesitate to place a hand on her cheek. "But I'm not alone. These burdens I carry... My sins, my pain, my sorrow—I see now that they are all a part of me." He placed his other hand on her other cheek, his thumbs caressing her skin as he gazed deeply into her eyes. Leaning forward, he pressed his forehead against hers. "If I am to continue on, having pledged my life to those I love...then I will gladly bear your burdens, too. Until my last breath. I promise you, Lyra."

"The fate written in the stars..." Lyra began. "I shall see to it that it is rewritten. I will use everything in my power to ensure the world Ultima seeks never comes to fruition. I helped create this world. He will not take it from me or anyone else."

"We will find a way to escape this fate... Find a way to save each other..." He closed his eyes as he recalled the images of their many nightly rendezvous on the balcony when they were children in Rosalith to gaze at the moon. He then opened his eyes as the images faded. "That we might one day look upon the moon again... Together."

A gentle smile bloomed on Lyra's face. "And I promise, no matter how fate is written, I will be there by your side. Regardless of what awaits you, I shall never stray from your side."

"I know," he whispered, admiring the smile that was meant for only him. An overwhelming sense of happiness washed over him. "I never thought a smile could bring me so much joy. I love you, Lyra."

"And I never thought I would cherish someone so deeply as I do you," she confessed. "I love you with every fiber of my being, Clive, and that will never change."

Overcome with emotions, Clive pressed his lips against hers and kissed her passionately. He moved his hands from her face to her waist to pull her closer as he deepened the kiss. He caressed the soft skin of her waist while her own hands found their way around his neck. Slowly, he took full control and lowered her body to the ground without breaking the kiss. His larger form hovered over her smaller one as he was situated between her legs. His hands slid down to her hips before stopping at her thighs.

Once their lips parted, Lyra's fingers stroked the skin along his neck and his jawline. "You seem to be hesitating. What's wrong?"

"You are still recovering from the poison," Clive said. "Are you certain you aren't pushing yourself for my sake?"

"I am feeling much better. The poison is nearly gone," she reassured him. "Please, Clive. Take me. I am yours, always."

He squeezed her thighs. "Yes, my goddess."