Someday, Dalmasca will be free, she thought, her eyes full of hopes as she watched the sun coming up.

From where Ashe was standing, the soldier ordered her to step into what looked like a flying elevator platform. There were two soldiers that accompanied Ashe, though she paid them no attention. She looked at the large airship, hating Vayne for arresting her.

Vossler, hopefully you aren’t captured like me, she thought. The platform then landed inside the Leviathan, and a soldier pushed Ashe out, almost forcing her to trip.

“That is no way to treat a lady, haven’t your parents ever taught you that?” Ashe hissed, making the soldiers looked at each other; they shrugged their shoulders like they had no idea what she was talking about. Easy, Ashe, don’t mind these Imperial dogs, she thought to herself. Ashe was then escorted through a hallway; there she saw small rooms which contained convicts and prisoners alike, their face drained of faith.

The door opened up to a room which was bright with the sun’s rays shining through. Ashe could see that Vayne was standing there, awaiting her arrival, he had come on the Leviathan before her.

“Ah, the princess of Dalmasca, welcome, please listen to what I have to say,” Vayne told her, smiling mischievously. She was surprised that he recognized her as Royalty.

“After what you’ve done to my kingdom, what is there that you want to say to me, you Imperial piece of trash!” Ashe harshly scolded Vayne, stepping up to him but was held back by a guard. She knew that the bastard could kill her any second if he wanted to, but she wasn’t afraid to speak what was on her mind.

“Well well well, pardon me for being so rude to you, Your Majesty, but I am here to inform you that we have captured quite a number of The Resistance the night of the fete,” he chuckled.

No, Vossler… Ashe thought.

“We were surprised that you weren’t part of it, princess,” he then walked up to her and stared at her straight in the eye. She swore that someday she would rip that smirk off of his face; she then lowered her brows to frown at him.

“I was, but I had to retreat as a mean of safety,” Ashe scoffed at Vayne.

“Sounds like you were being a coward, wouldn’t you say?” Vayne asked her. The question had angered Ashe so much that it made her spit in his face, he closed his eyes and gave a mere chuckle. The guards next to Vayne started to come towards Ashe, meaning to take her down, but Vayne waved them off. “Fierce, but can’t even stick to own words,” Vayne commented her action, wiping off her saliva.

“What have you done to them?” Ashe asked.

“Don’t worry, princess, I can assure you that they are ‘safe’ inside a prison somewhere in Nalbina, or so to speak.”

Ashe knew he was also talking about the people whom she met during her time inside the Garamsythe Waterway.

“Catching that large of a batch of fish had never been easier,” Vayne said, “We weren’t able to capture the other leader of the Resistance, but we did manage to catch you, ‘Amalia’.” Ashe grinded her teeth together, the action was obvious to Vayne. However, she was relieved that Vossler wasn’t imprisoned.

“Where are you taking me?” Ashe asked.

“Where else besides the capital of the Empire? I will look forward of your arrival, Majesty.” he replied and turned around.

“Guards, bring her in.” Vayne ordered the soldiers. “Sir!” they hastily replied and ran to Ashe to grab her arms; she couldn’t help but look back at Vayne with a look of disdain.

Days have passed slowly since she first came on the Leviathan. Her prison cell was isolated from the rest, making her unable to talk to the other prisoners. The cell had bored Ashe so much for the past three days, as it did not have anything to do; a bench/bed structure was the only thing in the room, which had a door connecting to a bathroom. She was fed with food that she hated, made from raw rabbit meat and onions.

The days have gone by so slow that it made her forget it was already a week past that she had been on the ship. She continued to think about the acquaintances she made that night inside the Waterway, and her conversation with Balthier. I’m sorry it was my fault that you are imprisoned, Ashe thought, May we meet again, Balthier, Fran, Vaan, she paused abruptly and continued, Vossler.

Suddenly, a guard came in her cell, “His honor Judge Ghis needs of your presence,” he told her.

“What is it now? Another meeting with an Imperial dog?” she monotonously replied.

“Your stubbornness will only get your head cut off,” the soldier said.

“You should mind yours first,” she said, looking straight at him, though she couldn’t see through his helmet.

The door once again opened to the same room that she had her conversation with Vayne a week ago. This time a figure in armor and a helmet that had horns attached was waiting for her from inside. He was a judge, and judges were established by the Empire to provide justice, but in reality they were puppets that were used in order to execute others.

“Princess Ashelia B’nargin Dalmasca,” he said, his voice sounded muffled through the helmet. Ashe was furious to know that another member of the Empire knew her true identity. “I can see you are alive and well. I am aboard this ship with Vayne’s twelve-year-old brother, Larsa Ferrinas Solidor, and we will see you to Archades, the capital of the Empire,” he said.

“You should be ashamed of yourself to even talk to me; you are nothing but a puppet of the bloody Empire,” she hissed, her eyes full of rage.

“Mind your manners, Majesty, it isn’t right for a lady of royalty to talk to others like that,” the Judge said, but Ashe turned to face the other way; refusing to look at him.“Also, we have captured the prisoners who escaped from the Nalbina Dungeon the other day, and we have brought them aboard this ship.” When Ashe heard that, she was surprised, while still remaining quiet towards the Judge.

“If you chose to ignore me, then fine, I just thought we’d let you see your allies before you are given your sentence in Archades,” the Judge said, putting his hands behind his back and walked around Ashe. She still refused to face him. “It’s awfully nice of Vayne to do this for you, isn’t it?” Judge Ghis chuckled inside his armors.

“The prisoners, my Lord.” A soldier announced.

Ashe turned around as the door opened to reveal Balthier, Vaan, and Fran who were with each other. Accompanying them was-Basch?-the princess angrily thought, and gave a deep gasp. Ashe was shocked at the presence of the group, but even more shocked that Basch fon Ronsenberg was still alive; she couldn’t believe the person who killed her father was right in front of her face, thought to be dead two years ago.

Without much thinking, she furiously walked straight up to Basch. “Majesty-“ Basch said, but was stopped when she angrily slapped him on his left cheek.

“After what you’ve done! How dare you?! You’re supposed to be dead!” she furiously hissed at Basch, who looked back at her with a look of sorrow. If it weren’t for her armless state, she would’ve stabbed Basch right through his heart.

“Come now, come now. Have you forgotten your manners?” Ghis asked while stepping up beside her, “This is hardly the courtesy due, the late Princess Ashelia B’nargin Dalmasca.” She ignored his words and continued to look at Basch with hatred.

“Princess?” Vaan curiously asked, as Balthier and Fran exchanged a look of confusion behind Vaan.

“To be sure, she bears no proof of her former station. No different than any mean member of the Insurgence,” Ghis continued.

“The Resistance,” Ashe sternly replied, while still angrily staring at Basch’s face.

“His Excellency the Consul asks the ministry of the disthroned royal family in restoring peace to Dalmasca,” he said, raising one of his hands, “Those who foster instability and unrest, who claim royal blood without proof, they shall meet their fate at the gallows. There are no exceptions.”

“I will not play puppet to Vayne,” Ashe angrily said, turning to Ghis.

“King Raminas entrusted me with a task,” Basch spoke, “Should the time come, he bade me give you something of great importance,” he continued, “It is your birthright, the Dusk Shard,” he then turned to face Ghis, “It will warrant the quality of her blood, only I know where to find it.”

“Wait!” Ashe quickly interrupted, “You took my father’s life! Why spare mine now?! You would have me live in shame!” she angrily said.

“If that is your duty, yes.” Basch answered. She let out another gasp, this time she knotted her eyebrows tightly.

“Stop being so stubborn,” Vaan said, “Keep on like this and you’re gonna get us all killed-”

“Don’t interrupt!” Ashe yelled at Vaan, then squinted her eyes. The boy was annoying Ashe while she was trying to confront the traitor. There was silence after Ashe spoke; Vaan looked down at his feet, embarrassed.

“What?” he slowly stepped back, noticing the magicite in his hands was glowing again.

“Vaan, that stone,” Bash remarked, looking surprised.

“I-it was in the palace treasure.” Vaan answered.

“Well well,” Judge Ghis gave a snotty laugh, “You’ve brought the Stone with you! This spares us a great deal of trouble.”

“Don’t give it to him!” Ashe quickly raised her voice, as a guard held her back. Vaan then hesitated whether or not he should give the Judge the magicite. He looked back at Balthier and Fran, Balthier gave him an annoyed grunt, while Fran nodded at Vaan.

“You have to promise: No executions.” Vaan told Ghis as he handed over the orange magicite stone.

“A judge’s duty is to the law,” Ghis said, making Ashe step up, but was held back again by the soldier. “Take them away. Lady Ashe is to be quartered separately.”

Ashe let out a sigh; the soldier then pushed Ashe out into the hallway, leaving the others behind. She took one last look at the party and turned head, avoiding seeing Basch.

Inside, many feelings enshrouded her. She was happy to see that Balthier, Fran, and Vaan were okay, but at the same time, she was furious that Basch, the traitor, was still alive. Not only that, it seemed he was an ally with the others, which only made Ashe confused even more.

The guards then pushed Ashe into the same room that she stayed in for the last seven days. She angrily walked in and sat on the bed, dizzy from confusion.

She was mad that it wasn’t her that killed Basch for treason two years ago, but then again, now it is revealed that he was alive. She could take this chance and slay him with her own hands this time, but she wasn’t sure if she could.

About an hour later, her cell door was opened. Ashe was startled and stood up to see that it was Vossler and the rest. She was shocked that he was aboard this ship, wearing Imperial armors, he must’ve sneaked in with it.

“You are unharmed?” Vossler asked.

“Vossler! I-” she fell forward from dizziness, but was caught fast by Vossler.

“Majesty!” He said in a concerning tone.

“It’s nothing, I’ll be fine,” she answered him. Basch then stepped up to Ashe, she stared at him with a hateful look and gasped, “You.”

“Come on, come on! Let’s go! What are you waiting for?” Vaan disrupted her, “Penelo’s still out there.” Ashe didn’t know who Penelo was but she was sure that if Vaan was concerned about her, she must’ve been his friend.

“We should hurry, they won’t be long,” Balthier informed them.

“We will talk later,” Vossler told Ashe, she nodded in agreement.

When the party ran out from the room, the alarm goes on. “Majesty, we’ll cut you a path,” Basch said.

“I will not place my trust in the sword of a traitor!” she replied quickly.

“Yet trust his sword we must, traitor or no, I see no other way,” Vossler said, “We track back, commandeer a ship and make our escape.” Ashe was confused of how everyone had turned to trust Basch except her. She let out a frustrated sigh and followed Vaan, Fran, and Balthier as they ran, leaving Basch and Vossler behind.

When the party ran out of the hallway containing Ashe’s cell, they encountered Larsa, Vayne’s younger brother, along with him was a blonde haired teenager of about sixteen. She looked at Vaan and smiled happily as a sign of relief.

“Vaan!” she said, running towards him and hugged him.

“It’s okay, we’re okay,” Vaan assured her. It was obvious that this was the Penelo Vaan was talking about.

“Ghis knows you’ve escaped. You must hurry.” Larsa informed them, he then looked at Vossler, “You are Captain Azelas, you will follow me. We must reach the airship before they do,” he told Vossler.

He took a look at the twelve year old, “You would let us leave knowing who we are?” Vossler asked Larsa, Larsa nodded lightly, he then looked back at Ashe.

“Lady Ashe, by all rights you ought not even to exist. That you and Captain Ronsenberg were made to appear dead, is like a hidden thread laid bare.” He said, staring at the two of them, “Your actions hereafter will pull at that thread, and we will see what it unravels. This is our chance, we must see it through, and get to the bottom of it. I believe ‘tis for the good of Dalmasca, and the good of the Empire.”

Ashe was quite surprised at how mature Larsa was, being only twelve years old, she’d never thought that the younger brother of the evil Vayne would be the complete opposite of him.

She then nodded her head, “Very well then.”

Larsa then came up to Penelo, apologizing, “Penelo, for you, may it bring you good fortune.” Larsa said as he gave a blue stone to Penelo. Vaan just stood watching the two of them, rubbing his nose.

“Thanks,” Penelo said. Vossler and Larsa then left the party, and they were forced to keep running to find a way out of the ship. Ashe paid no mind to Basch while they were escaping.

They were stopped on the way by Judge Ghis, who was awaiting them on the bridge. “Such a great shame,” Ghis began, “I must confess I thought you the one who would help us restore peace to Dalmasca.” The door was then closed behind them as guards came in. “No matter, for we hold the proof of your royal lineage.”

Ghis then took out the magicite Vaan gave him earlier, forming a magick fireball. The fire came at the party, but was neutralized by some mysterious force. Everyone stepped back and look at Penelo, who was holding the blue stone Larsa gave her a while ago, it was absorbing the attack.

“What was that?” she asked.

“The nethicite.” Balthier answered her, letting her know the stone she was holding was a nethicite.

Ashe furious ran toward Ghis, giving him a look of hatred. “Your Majesty does not disappoint. Ever quick to spurn an honorable surrender, just like your father,” Ghis spoke.

Ashe was raged by his statement, “You know NOTHING of my father!” She yelled, knotting her brows.

The party then engaged in a fight with the Judge as he came towards them, slashing blindly. His techniques were not that good, as the party dodged most of his attacks and counter them with their own. The guards aiding him weren’t so great themselves either. Ghis was soon depleted of his health, his head fell forward and he dropped his helmet, revealing his face. Vossler entered the room at that instant.

“We’ve secured an Atomos, come!” he told the party. Atomos were small battle ships made by the Empire.

“An Atomos? All skiff, no ship, hardly fitting for a leading man,” Balthier complained.

“So I can fly it then?” Vaan excitedly exclaimed.