FFOG Chapter 9

Characters Introduced: Vicks, Umbriel, Madreid, Ken Shrun, Trilphy, The Court

Villains Introduced: Brigid, Lugi, Hugo

Spirits Introduced: Siren (with Brigid), Fenrir (with Cullen), Ramuh (with Hugo), Palidor, Cait Sith

Summary: The GSPI arrives at Cortez, where they discover that Biggs was once a prince. Jeice reunites with his mentor, Umbriel, only to watch him be captured by Zel's agent. He later leads a group to Mount Dracodore to find the Earth Crystal, but fails to get it. Cullen returns to the group along with Aaron and Psycho, and reveals that Fay is working for Jean. She forgoes his employment and stays with the group, however. Psycho and Reno run away to Voltaire.

Death Comes in Threes

Chapters in Final Fantasy OG

0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10

Masamune

The soldiers were quick the approach the Pinion which had landed but a hundred feet south of Pentz Harbor. Uargo and Cid were quick to settle the issue of them landing and the guards had decided, for safety, they would issue an escort for the groups, as well as keeping a number of men on board the airship as well.

Jeice approached one of the soldiers, shortly after speaking with Siddhearth, "Guard, could you give me some directions?"

"Sure"

"Can you direct me to the Bellows residence... or someone who would know them?"

The guard frowned, "Hm... I think I know who can do that." The guard turned to the soldiers nearby, "Lieutenant! A question, please."

Another soldier walked over and looked over Jeice. The soldier was dressed in a dark green armor, but lacked his helmet at the time. He had dark scruffy hair, yet otherwise he was clean shaven. "Yes, what is it?"

"He wants the Bellows family," the guard replied.

"Indeed," Jeice said, "I have news about one of their relations... Biggs."

The solider narrowed his eyes, "How do you know him?"

"We were co-workers and friends..." Jeice explained, "Did you know him?"

"You're dismissed private," The soldier said to the guard, "Yes... I knew him. I'm Vicks Bellows."

"Then you're his..?"

"Brother," Vicks finished, "What happened to him? Did he come here?"

"No..." Jeice said slowly, "I don't want to say it now, I'd rather say it to the rest of his family."

Vicks frowned, "Fine, but our father, he... nevermind that, I'll escort you"

"I'll go get Reno, so-"

"No, mother doesn't like strangers."

Jeice thought about it, right now it was very early morning, he had plenty of time.... "All right, then let's go."

"Right," Vicks said, "Private, I'm putting you in charge."

"Ah... yes. You know of the Seamuses?" Jeice asked, the man nodded, "If you see one of them, tell them I went alone to the Bellows residence."

---

Jean scowled at the body of Psycho, he had taken down a fair number of men. Three of them had to be given a Phoenix Down and most of the others were wounded and needed some potions as well. The samurai had apparently reached his limits, holding it back up until then. Jean had to be ready though... This was a Mage School, there was going to be the Geomancer himself, Aaron... In addition to the Masters of the school, Magidan and Teska...

The other master is gone now...

He was correct, for the most part. Aaron was already near him and saw that the Gigyas Predator had been seized. But in addition to those two Master Mages, there was also Kelvin, the BLANK Mage. Mumbling a few words, Aaron focused on the water near the ship, willing it to rise into a mist. But something else caught his attention...

They suddenly heard something behind them, they four magicians quickly dived out of the way as they looked to see their attacker... A huge snake like creature with six arms... all with swords. But more was heard behind them. Aaron whirled around to see flames in the sky. Arrows were flying... arrows from Jean's Fighting Squad. They were firing at a three headed dragon. Focusing his mind, he summoned the plants around him.... Hell Ivy...

The roots and vines of the ground lashed out, as the creature struck them with it's swords. As he continued willing the roots into attack, he heard Magidan yell out something, "Two of the fiends, Maliris and Tiamat!"

He recalled hearing Malirirs from Jeice... And he though Psycho mentioned a dragon similar to Tiamat. The Four Fiends...

At the Gigyas Prey, Jean focused as he looked around at his group, "Mighty Guard!"

The fighters were wrapped in a defensive magic blanket, but Aaron was shocked to see one other warrior focus magic into his blade and fire it at the dragon. He had not realized Jean had other magic users in his group. But he had no time to dwell on that fact, he doubled his efforts to attack...

Or was going to, Maliris was gone. And when he turned around, he realized Tiamat was also gone. Had they succeeded in scaring them away? The sound of water send him looking to the right. A sudden blast of water had been directed at him. Instinctively he summoned the ground below him to create a shield. But the pebbles did not so much as rattle, with no time to move, the water sent him flying back into a tree before he was loosened from it's monstrous power. My magic..? Did Lich take it!?

---

"My magic! It's gone!" Kelvin shouted.

---

Aaron stood up as he pulled out the boomerang-hatchet weapon. With my magic, I've hardly needed this...

Kelvin was quick to draw out a sabre to attack, while Magidan and Teska, who relied more on magic, had no more then their staffs as defense. Aaron swallowed and stood, tossing his weapon as accurately as he could at the attacker. With the water gone, he was dressed in the traditional black mage garb. Complete with the big hat and robes...

The hatched teared at the robe as the attacker dodged out of the way. As Aaron retrieved the weapon as it flew back, his eye caught notice of something in the sky. A bright humanoid descending, but though her mouth did not move, a melodious music surrounded her...

Aaron heard arrows flying as he realized to his horror that the fiend Tiamat was back. Which meant... As could be predicted Maliris had returned, the powerful blades that intended to skewer his head. But they did not, Magidan and Teska, with their rods, were quick to his defense to hold the blade off. They were easily tossed aside, as the snake like creature reared up to attack again. As the blade came towards him, he raised his arm as he heard behind him...

---

"Dragon Force!"

The blade struck his arm, ready to yell out the pain, he opened his eyes in wonder as the blade hit his arm and did no more but to damage his coat sleeve. He jumped back to turn around, there stood Jean. "Why...?"

Jean cringed, "Believe it or not, I can't defeat them alone. You being dead would ruin my chances for survival"

Jean pointed his hand towards Maliris again, "Shadow Flare!"

It did no good, though. As the other mages, his power was soon gone. Aaron looked around wildly, "We've got to spread them out!"

Jean's fighters did their part, five taking on Maliris, four taking on Tiamat... And one notably absent. Kelvin, Magidan and Teska did their part to help against those creatures, while Jean and Aaron teamed up against the Black Mage. Aaron cursed, "This battle is hopeless, we can't win!"

"There is no never!" Came a voice behind Aaron, he turned around to see, of all people, Psycho charging blindly at the Mage. His initial slash was avoided, but he was able to land a solid kick into the mage. Following Psycho, the last of Jean's fighters joined them, one who had used a Phoenix Down on him... One that Aaron instantly recognized, despite the red outfit he had like the other fighters.

The battle continued still, while the bright figure slowly landed. A sudden yell distracted everyone from the battle, the strange female had grabbed Kelvin around his neck without his realizing it. The fighter with Jean and Aaron suddenly turned around and yelled, "NO! Don't do it!"

The woman only smiled as she lifted Kelvin over her head, then levitated him beyond her reach. Tiamat flapped it's massive wings, sending all it's attackers to their backs, then flew up in the air and grabbed Kelvin in it's claws. They could not risk arrows... They had no magic. There was nothing they could do. The black mage pointed his hands at the ground, sending blasts of water from them. The force propelled him into the air, far into the sky, so that when he stopped he fells into the ocean. Likewise, Maliris leaped in the air, then burned a hole into the ground.

The strange woman made her return into the air, while the fighter ran at her, "Brigid! Brigid! WAIT!"

His pleas fell on deaf ears as she continued in the air. He fell to his knees and clenched his fists, "Not again... not again!"

"Psycho, does Quetzacoatl know who those spirits we-" Aaron asked, before being cut off.

"Leviathan and Siren," Jean interrupted, Aaron just then noticing his orbs flying back, "Fused with Brigid and.... Lugi"

"I knew it... and now they have that other guy!" Aaron growled.

The fighter suddenly stood up and turned around, his eyes wet with rage and sadness, "Zel brought those two to mess with our minds, those two fiends would have been able to take us out..."

Aaron looked at him with a cold gaze, "Why did you abandon us, Cullen?"

The fighter looked up, "You guys... you guys were running. I can't run anymore! I can't! I found out my sister was alive, I couldn't just go an run away while I knew I could get a chance to save her!"

Jean nodded, "We met back at Goralend while he was making his money in his... own way."

"I pegged him for somebody who wouldn't run way," Cullen said, "Once we got the Dove, I figured..."

One of the other fighters turned to Jean, "The Silence magic is still in control! We can take them all easily!"

"No," Jean said as he scanned the mages and the exhausted samurai, "We will do it fairly. But I do have something for you"

Aaron glared, "And what's that?"

"My sources have discovered Zel has a new plan to destroy your friends. A new set of fiends worst than the first. They have the first all ready.... and now the second. The third is within their grasps and the fourth..." Jean decided to not finish, "I give them no more than two days at most."

Jean looked to his fighters, "Everyone! Back on the ship! This job is foiled, let's hope the other one succeeds."

Cullen looked over, "I'm sorry, but I can't go. My sister will be there, in Cortez..."

Jean waved his hand dismissively and made his way back to the ship. Aaron looked over, Psycho had been knocked out in the battle, all ready completely exhausted from fighting Jean's squad. He looked over to Magidan and Teska and sighed, "I wish I could stay, but..."

Magidan nodded and put his hand on Aaron's shoulder, "I understand. Your friends are in danger."

Aaron nodded, walked over to Psycho, knelt down and put him over his back. He then turned to Cullen, "Your old room is empty, that is, if you want it."

Cullen shrugged, "I... I lost Ironfang... I don't have either sword now. But... I still have my sister, if I can find her again."

---

Meanwhile... at Monaracez City...

"Biggs died avenging his frend, Weston..." Jeice explained gravely, "I tried my best to defeat his attackers, but..."

The king nodded sadly, "Was... was he happy with you and your friends?"

"Yes, I suppose... we were the best of friends, but why would you ask that..?"

"I did a great wrong to my son," The king said slowly. Finding out Biggs had been the son of the Cortezian ruler had been a huge surprise for Jeice. He had figured him as being related to a poor family, but this had been a huge surprise.

"A wrong?" Jeice asked.

"When his mother died, I completely ignored him and dedicated myself to Vicks.. to make sure he would be a fitting ruler," The king explained, "He disappeared one night and never came back, only leaving not so much as a note. We looked for a long time, but never found him..."

"I'm sorry..." Jeice said.

"I cannot blame you... I wish to meet your companions, have them meet me over dinner tomorrow," the king said, "But the weight of this news weight heavily on me, so for now I wish to be alone."

Jeice was escorted out, where he found Vicks waiting for him. The prince glanced at him, before turning away. "My brother always was that way. We may have been brothers, but he never took his royal duty as serious as he should have."

Jeice said nothing.

"He was so used to attention that he got from being younger, but when mom died he lost it... he couldn't face up to it."

Jeice remained silent still.

"He ignored his lessons, wouldn't take his royal duties serious, ignored father, shirked his duties with Captain Apalocks, wouldn't-"

"Apalocks!?" Jeice said suddenly, ".... Umbriel Apalocks?"

Vicks nodded, "Of course. Why?"

"He's an old... friend. I didn't think he was around anymore... do you know where he lives?"

"He retired to an old home in the forest," Vicks explained, 'I haven't visited in awhile... I suppose we could go visit, he'd probably want to hear about Biggs"

Jeice murmured to himself, "Why didn't he ever mention his royalty.... or Umbriel...?"

---

Jeice and Vicks took the walk to Umbriel's home. He lived in a forest a ways west of the city. The two had no trouble dispatching of the enemy. As it turned out, Vicks was a dragoon, the unique warriors that were Cortez's special forces. The cabin Umbriel dwelt in was a simple one. It was nothing extraordinary, had Reno seen it, he would have said Asura's hermitage was far better.

Vicks knocked at the door, stood back, then knocked again. Shrugging, he pushed the door open and went in. After Jeice entered, Vicks looked back him with a shrug. "I guess he isn't home, he likes to go hunting now and then, so I suppose..."

"I don't appreciate people coming in my home when I'm away," A voice interrupted behind them.

Jeice quickly turned around as recognition hit him. Those same sparkling green eyes, the long white hair, the elite green dragoon armor... Age did little to make him different from the Umbriel Jeice remembered as a fatherly figure those short years they spent together...

"Umbriel..." Jeice mumbled, not knowing what to say.

"Jack...?" Umbriel said, "Wait, let me guess, you stuck with the name Jeice you enrolled with?"

Jeice nodded slowly, "I thought you had died..."

Umbriel shook his head, "I was a scouter for the New Continent... I'm sorry Jeice, they had me recalled for war. I didn't get leave again until I retired and by then you had left the Mage School..."

"I see..." Jeice said, "I really never expected to see you again...."

Umbriel nodded glumly, then turned to Vicks, "And the prince came too? Looks like you've both grown up a lot."

Vicks nodded, "Jeice came with word... Biggs was killed..."

---

"...and that's what happened," Jeice finished.

Umbriel sighed, "That's the imperials for you. As much as I love my country, I only wish they would take action... but the king only bolsters his only defense. If his wife still been alive.... but nevermind that, perhaps it is time I finally come out of retirement."

"Tomorrow my father is holding a dinner for Jeice and his companions," Vicks said, "I'm sure he would be honored with your presence."

Umbriel nodded, "There's a chest out in my shed... it has some things I wanted to give you Jeice... Vicks too."

The prince looked at both of them and frowned, "You two look like you have some catching up to do, I'll go get this chest."

Umbriel nodded. As Vicks left, he spoke up again, "Vicks... was he this cold when he heard the news of his brother?"

Jeice nodded somberly, "It only served to make him angry..."

"He was jealous," Umbriel said with a sigh, "Even though Biggs never took anything very serious, Vicks always envied him his freedom and adventurous spirit. To find out he died... so heroically, makes him feel as if he has something to prove now. He doesn't like that."

Jeice nodded, "Hmm... maybe we should just go out and help him."

Vicks suddenly entered the room, followed by another man with bright yellow hair and a pale, blue haired woman.

The man spoke with a twist of sarcasm, "I don't think you'll be needing to go out"

Jeice grimaced, "Jinn... Dove..."

"In the flesh," Jinn replied.

"I can see you have more personality without Zel around," Jeice muttered, he looked to Umbriel, "These are the ones I spoke of."

Umbriel nodded, "I see."

Dove looked up at them, "Surrender and this punk here doesn't have to die."

"Punk!?" Vicks bellowed, "I'm Prince Bellows!"

"Who you are is irrelevant," Dove retorted, "Give yourselves up or..."

Jinn frowned and looked over, "What the...! Hey! Wake up!"

But it did no good, Jeice's sleep spell he cast had taken effect. Vicks elbowed Jinn and rejoined his companions.

"Hurry!" Jeice said, "This place is too small and dangerous to fight them, is there another way out?"

Umbriel nodded and ran out a back door, followed by Jeice and Vicks. Jinn was able to get Dove up easily enough and get her to help him pursue them.

Jeice was all ready preparing his magic, while Umbriel and Vicks showed off their dragoon skills by taking mighty jumps in the air. A quick Barrier spell helped Jeice take off the brunt of the damage Dove and Jinn served him. The two dragoons came down on them and took them both out easily.

"Wow," Jeice replied, "That was a little too easy..."

"Of course it was," A voice interrupted, behind them stood a old man leaning over a cane. He pointed a weak hand towards Umbriel and encased him with electricity and held him, "They were distractions only... oh, pardon me. You must not like surprises. I am Hugo Humphrey, recently fused with the spirit Ramuh... Not that it matters, but my master likes this sort of attention"

Vicks and Jeice both pointed their spears that way, but Jinn and Dove were soon in their path. Hugo turned to Jeice, "I'll be taking your friend here now, you can resist if you feel like it, but it will do you little good."

Jeice grumbled, "B... blast..."

---

Vicks stood over Jeice as he knelt in front of the case. It was easy enough to accomplish. Looking inside, there were many things. On top was a will of sorts... He read it out loud...

"To whomever should read this...

"If it has come to pass that this is being read aside from me, something happened to prevent me presenting these things before I intended to. Contained inside are the magic Dragoon Boots of old... They do not have the power they once did, but those who had some practice can catch up witll full fledged dragoons of these days....

"To Vicks, one of my best students, I have reserved the spear I used during the wars. For Jack I also one of my spears, one that was used in my time trekking through the New Continent with him. To him I give him the boots, so as to make up for the training I neglected to finished. To Frederick..."

Jeice did not finish reading it, seeing that it continued on with several more people he did not know. Umbriel was not dead, there was no point in reading it anyhow. He dug inside the chest and pulled the boots out as he looked at Vicks, "He intended to give them to me... I can use them to help save him..."

Vicks nodded, "I understand..."

Jeice looked through the rest of the things, idly picking up a map as he looked through. It was a map of the City-States north of Cortez... But it's design was very familiar...

It was like the map Reno had for the Fire Crystal... only it seemed to lead to a different one....

"The Earth Crystal..." Jeice mumbled.

Psycho

Near the Imperial Camp by the ruined city of Telo'Nak, was a small collapsible log cabin of sorts. Inside of that were clippings of the Imperial Times, the unofficial newspaper circulating the area at the time, pegged up on the wall. Articles abounded, referring to the latest new in the Empire, spanning the last thirteen years (it had been quite popular in Desdemona some time ago...), everything from strategy to who Zel was testing on. The majority of these articles revolved around several disturbances at the camp caused by a mystery man, a master of disguise. Once, the town of Wasraw, a small town (or large village, depending on how one looked at it) was completely liberated from Imperial rule by this mystery man, but it was soon recaptured and converted into a fortified city and base.

It was only a few hours from. A traveler tossed and turned on the bed as if hunted by a never-ending nightmare. He wore the typical traveler's garb. His hair had been shaven off, save for an elegant braid on the back of his head that reached down past his shoulders. Aside from a few grey hairs here and there, he quite resembled Blaine Hala Yien, though he was still older-looking, and had completely different hair color.

Slowly, he woke from his troubled sleep. He staggered over to the wall and picked up a long orange robe with a red sash around the middle. He slipped the robe on and took down all his collected newspaper articles, then put them in his bag. In turn, he took out of his bag two golden gauntlets, brightly shining in the morning sun. He hid them in his robes, along with two tanto knives, miniature katanas. He rolled up his futon and took it outside, then came back in, folded up a collapsible table, and took it outside. With the most important objects out, he took apart the cabin piece by piece and shoved it, the futon, and table in his bag, no longer surprised by the large amount of objects he could put in such a small space. He snatched up the walking stick he left outside, then began the trek toward the camp.

He arrived at the camp some thirty minutes later, disguised flawlessly from his normal appearance. He rapped his knuckles softly on the gate, prompting a small sliding window open. The eyes of a trooper peered out, eyes twinged with anger and sleep-deprivation. He seemed ready to kill.

"What do you want, Priest?!" the trooper snapped. "If you're here to question the prisoners about their personal religions, they are believers, so-"

"No no, not that," he replied smugly. "I'm simply a traveling priest and a supporter of the mighty Emperor Zande. I decided that while I was here in the area, that I should bless this camp to serve the Empire well. Please, let me in."

"Hmm... well, okay. But as a civilian, you can only go as far as the center square in the camp, near the temple and mess hall. There's some troop barracks in that area too. I'd suggest staying away from those, for your nose's sakes..."

"That will be fine, sir. Please, open the gate and take me there. Just a quick blessing, and then I'll leave." "Fine."

The gates opened slowly and the man found himself inside the camp walls. The gates quickly slammed shut, preventing any escape. Inside, it was a bustling area, somewhat of a city, an interesting atmosphere. Naturally, the prisoners and slaves were given less privileges than the soldiers themselves, but they seemed to make the best of the free domes they were given, no matter how meager the housing may be. Soon, the two had arrived at the square, and the Imperial soldier gave a sneer to his "guest".

"Well, you going to do this or what?!"

"Patience is a virtue, my son. Yes yes, just give me a minute.'

The man began to concentrate, then a sly smirk crossed his face. He never took his eyes off the face of his escort, then, and managed to say:

"Seismic Smash!" he bellowed and leapt into the air, about half as far as any Dragoon could. He crashed hard to the ground, causing a mild shockwave that rattled some of the buildings and ripped large holes in the shoddy stone walls, though not strong enough to kill anyone. In the chaos, most of the imprisoned men and women managed to escape. Only the infants and their mothers, elderly, and the sick vouched not to escape, because they couldn't. Every soldier in the camp rushed out and surrounded the man, readying their weapons. The imposter priest used some metal clamps to attach his tanto knives onto his golden gauntlets, then slid them on. He threw off his robe, revealing his true grab. Every soldier's expression soured enough to make even the most bitter and heartless man jealous, realizing who this man was. The intruder took a defensive stance and readied himself for the attack.

Several of the sword-bearing soldiers charged at him first. He jumped, ducked, punched, and kicked his way out of their ranks, but due to the tanto knives on his gauntlets, made sure he added more than his own share of offensive. Once clear, his fist began to charge with electricity, as did the blades of the knives. "Thunder Fist!" he growled, rushing the troops. Every blow he landed sent jolts of electricity into his opponents. He felled several before they managed to surround him again.

The troops were ready to strike, until a loud voice rang out, "STOP!" The crowds parted, and the lone protagonist's eyes widened in shock as the speaker approached. Before him stood an elite warrior, one of the very few of his kind. A regal archer. Despite the commonness of common archers, the regal archer was almost never trained for anymore due to the intensive training, and rumored to be invincible for that same reason. The regal archer blended the traits of both the hunter and paladin soldiers. As such, this kind of warrior could use a wide variety of weapons and was highly skilled with any of them.

"Alright then, scumbag, reveal your name. I want to know the identity of this pitiful fool who has plagued the great Empire, though pathetically, for so long as I can remember. I, of course, shall start the introductions. I am Imperial Lieutenant Gestahl Grondea. And I can tell by the look on your face that you know how immensely powerful I am just by the sight of me.

"Now, who are you?" he sneered.

"I am... former Emperor Kia Hala Yien the Third... of the Kazuki people, and I for one don't care what you may be. All I know is that you're my prime target, seeing as how you run this camp. Go ahead, try to kill me. Even if I perish, my son is alive and well, and that's all that could matter to me. Now, quit your blabbering and start fighting!"

Gestahl nodded and drew a broadsword from his side, then sneered again. Kia readied his gauntlets. In a blur of speed, both rushed at each other and clashed in mid-charge. The two traded attacks for quite some time, but oddly, Kia was only using one hand, the right. His left hand hid behind his back, and was covered in flames before Gestahl could strike at either hand or blade.

Kia held Gestahl's weapon at bay with his right hand, then slammed his other hand against the thick armor. Before long, the regal archer was encased with flames and sent reeling into the air. He landed on his back, but was soon on his feet.

"How did you like my flaming uppercut, Lieutenant?" Kia sneered as Gestahl put his blade away and took out his crossbow. He fired a quick stream of arrows at Kia, who dodged them as best as he could. He grew furious at this suddenly untouchable opponent, so he dashed forward ignoring the constant pelting. He leaped forward into the air and kicked his foe square in the jaw, then braced himself. His appearance became quite comical, for he still had some arrows sticking out of him like wooden quills.

The ground began to shake abruptly, and from behind Gestahl came an enormous tidal wave, comparable to the ones that Leviathan or Ogopogo could produce. It crashed down upon the base, destroying the walls and all the buildings, sweeping away most of the troops. Kia was slammed up against the remnants of a stone mess hall wall by the force. He got to his feet, only to be greeted by another slew of arrows. Kia couldn't bear to stand any longer. He moved into position to end the battle, using a rare samurai energy technique passed down for generations. Ever since the forming of the Storm Ring, an energy wave had been created, which was so powerful that if it didn't kill the user upon use, it would only leave him with enough strength to breath for several months... at most... Yet the situation demanded it now...

Kia took a defensive stance and placed his hands forward in front of him in a line, then began to concentrate. Power gathered into his body, causing it to glow colors that represented each of the elements. Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Red, Blue, Green, Yellow... He started to talk in a hushed voice, chanting in the Kazuki language. The glow continued and became brighter and more intense as he continued, Gestahl still pelting him with arrows, though perhaps more cautiously now.... Then, taking in a deep breath some twenty seconds later, Kia shouted at the top of his lungs, "EVERMORE TIDE!" A river of raw force flowed out from his outspread hands, as tall as a single story building. It glowed the same colors as Kia had not long ago, before it struck its mark, disintegrating the arrows that continued to flow and crashing into the shooter himself. Amazingly, Gestahl held off the blast with his crossbow, until it exploded under the pressure and pounded the lieutenant, sending out a brilliant and blinding flash that could be seen for miles away.

The smoke cleared. Kia and Gestahl lay on the ground, motionless. Kia's breathing was so subtle that he looked dead, and Gestahl had held no better off. Medics came by after several painful minutes, and set to work on healing Kia, despite who he was. Once he could walk on his own, he was to be tried by the Imperial High Court, then pumped for information in "The Imperial Inquisition".

Gestahl, on the other hand, was un-treatable by common medicine. He was sent off to see Dr. Zel Robbins, who had immediately heard word of the incident and demanded the Lieutenant. The Medics had a hard time making out Zel's mumblings through the telecommunications crystal after that point. Something about "another failure" and "needs a Spirit to live"... This, of course, was disregarded.

Luigi of the Pipes

They stood watching from the port at Pentz. In the distance, but rapidly closing in, an airship approached.

Brother and brother, mage and mage, watched it come. The captain of this particular airship- Meekashoes, or something of that sort- had reported ahead for his new hosts, via telecommunication crystal, that he wished to meet with the Seamus brothers immediately upon arrival. They had accepted and remained at Pentz, along with Reno and Asura, in case this ended up as some Imperial scheme. The others had gone ahead to Monaracez City to prepare tidings with the king. King Bellows...

So they stood, waiting for the Blue Shogun III to land. Reno, calling from his extensive knowledge, made note that a Shogun was along the lines of the "chief" of the Samurai. Cid also recalled that Psycho had used two names along with his surname. That second name slipped him at the moment, so he filled it in with Meekashoes. Blaine Meekashoes Yien.

The only question, where was the Gigyas Pred?

The airship descended slowly, throwing up a storm of dust with his whirring propellers that the quartet on the landing field were finely coated in, a dry, filmy taste growing on their mouths.

Finally, the airship dropped and settled to the ground like a great nesting bird. A hatch, twice as long as likely needed for the passengers aboard it, began to descend slowly with the creek of turning pulleys and the grinding of musty rope. The massive door settled to the ground, revealing a man at the lip of the entrance.

He stepped out, dressed in robes reminiscent of Psycho's and a flattened triangular helmet with a chain mask over his mouth and chin. He nodded to the four present, then pulled the mask down to under his jaw, straight-mouthed and serious expression revealed.

"Cid Seamus, yes?" he spoke up. "And his brother... uh..."

"Siddhearth," the musician filled in politely. "Not the most common name you come by..."

"Ah, yes. What about these two? I thought I asked you to come alone..."

"These two are Asura Crismon and Reno Lupus," Cid answered, motioning to each respectively. "They are employees, bodyguards, for myself and my most respected sibling."

Asura began to speak up at not being under Cid's employment at any time whatsoever, but Reno jostled her arm. They would have to be Jeice until he got back.

"There was no mention of how large our greeting party could be," Cid went on, "and it would only be polite of you to allow us that decision, considering that you are the one requesting of our acquaintance. One can't be too careful these days."

"Very well. I am Captain Mihashoo of the Kazuki people. Emperor Blaine Hala Yien has told me of your plight, and sent me to you with a message from him, due to loss of connection with his telepathic tiger partner..."

He continued, but none took note of his words. Reno gaped in awe. Asura stepped back in shock. Siddhearth whistled in wonder, then pretended to be reciting one of his latest pieces, not wanting to seem impolite. Cid remained calm, having faced far worse surprises in his times. "What is this message, Captain?" he demanded softly, cutting Mihashoo off.

"Ah, right. We convened with your Captain Nyoran and found that he is in the process of taking a detour to the Island of Lore. Emperor Yien himself managed to smuggle onto the ship, well aware that he and yourself were warned away..."

"Very well, then. We shall be expecting them by tonight."

"Tonight, sir?"

"Never sailed with a geomancer, eh?" Siddhearth grinned. "They'll make it before the banquet King Bellows is having prepared for us, no doubt."

"Yes then. Would you mind escorting us to Monaracez, Captain?"

He jumped, soaring high above the two-story hut that was once his friend and mentor's, then plummeted. Flailing his legs, as he did now, did nothing to help keep him up and instead made his landing even more painful.

"Pathetic!" Vicks roared, seeming to shudder the leaves right off the trees. "If you were a Dragoon, and you most certainly aren't with those pathetic skills, you wouldn't even survive the military hazing!"

"Dragoon Wizard..." Jeice groaned, getting to his feet. "You're right, though, Lieutenant. I can't do this..."

"What?! What kind of defeatist talk is that, you red-bellied..."

"Cut it out, already! I'm not in your army!"

Vicks shook his head, then poked at the boots that were secured to Jeice's feet with rough green straps. "I'll regret having said this, but it's really not your fault. These boots are ancient, probably passed down from Apalock to Apalock for decades. Only a Dragon Horn could hope to counteract the loss of their Palidoran magic."

"Palidoran?"

"Of course. Don't tell me you've never heard of The Palidor..."

"Sorry..."

Vicks sighed. "The Palidor is an age-old legend among the lands of Cortez. It, the legendary bird of paradise, nests there, atop that mountain in the distance." He motioned to a mountaintop several kilometers away. "Mount Dracodore."

Jeice rubbed his eyes as he stared at the rocky steeple. Was that The Palidor? He swore he could see a flutter of wings, or some other type of movement at the peak. Probably some delusion planted by Vicks... "I hear ya."

"No one has ever seen more than a silhouette of it as it routinely embarks from the cliff for sustenance," Vicks rambled on. "As it flies, it showers the countryside with its feathers, much like this one." He pulled a scraggly green feather from his hair and turned it over a bit for Jeice to see, then stuck it back where it had been. "We call them Dragon Horns, for some ridiculous reason. When The Palidor flies, we collect the feathers and use them as such. Some have their fibers torn apart and sewn into Dragoon Boots, just like yours or mine."

Jeice nodded, grazing a finger over his own feather, stuck to his plumed hat, a wing from the Hexadragon. "Are there any of those feathers left?"

"Sadly, no. The Palidor hasn't flown for some time, and we've already expended the resources we had. The Dragoon Boots can still help you learn to jump as we do, but it will take much longer..."

Jeice nodded, Gilgamesh poking a question at his mind that blurted out in the Spirit's own voice. "What else about The Palidor?"

"Well, I can't tell more about The Palidor, per say, but there is something about its cliff. When it leaves, the clifftop seems to shine with a warm, crystal light."

Jeice started, and he felt Gilgamesh's grin. He reached into his hat and pulled out the crumpled map that had been in Umbriel's chest. Like with Reno's map, the Earth Crystal had disappeared from this one, but he still had an idea of where it had been. "This is a chart of Mount Dracodore, isn't it?" he asked, grabbing his feather and trying to scratch an image of the crystal in its proper spot. The map wouldn't be torn. Fine, if that's how it must be...

Vicks peered at the map, then nodded. "What do you think you're doing?"

"The Earth Crystal is there. We have to go get it, now..."

"What the... Earth Crystal?!"

"I'll explain it when I've got the time, alright? If there's a crystal on that peak, we're gonna need it."

Vicks began to sputter. "Mount Dracodore is restricted, you twit! We dare not disturb The Palidor, lest it stop its bounty of shedding to us! I won't allow you to go up there!"

"I have to. Darnit Vicks, this is the kind of thing your brother would fight for! That crystal will help us put an end to the Empire! And I need it for..." My curse...

"For what?"

"Nothing, nevermind. Come on, now."

"Oh no, you'll be going alone. Even if I were willing to help you, as a Prince, I can't risk such things as angering the people at the monarchy."

"Fine then. I'll get the others."

"You'll do so after the banquet. Father has some important things to discuss, and you simply can't ruin that."

Jeice nodded his consent with a sigh, considering that it would be near night by the time the feast was over. He sadly fell into step with Vicks as they started their way out of the forest.

"Ah, the great Imperial Lieutenant, Ghastra Grondea, so proud of his extensive training, so capable, so cunning... And look what happens to the scum!" Zel gestured angrily at the commander, laying half-dead on a pallet. "Killed by a Priest, of all things! You're a worse failure than Dove and Jinn combined! Well, no more..."

Zel turned to look at his row of bodyguards. Ice Spirit Shiva, Fire Spirit Ifrit, Water Spirit Leviathan, Song Spirit Siren, Thunder Spirit Ramuh... still missing the Death Spirit Hades... "Hm, a Wind Spirit should do you well, I believe. Help carry your arrows, yes?"

Zel stepped over to a rack in the corner of his lab, glowing crystals placed delicately in its carved holes. He picked one of the gems up and studied it in his palms. "Bahamut? No, no. While it has a bit of control over the skies, the king of dragons has someone else in mind for a host..."

He continued fumbling through the pieces. Titan... Golem... Terrato... All earth, how ironic. Finally, he found the one of choice.

"Ah, Mr. Chupon, demon of Typoonultros, controller of winds and sky. You should do quite nicely..."

He turned back to Ghastra, panting for breath at the stubby table. "Hm, you should be easy to control after this process, just like Brigid. Let's see if you can live up to your title, though..."

They stood erect, six in a line, awaiting the words of their master, who stood before them.

"Alright then," Zel coughed, clearing his throat. "We may have lost Gilgamesh and Carbuncle for the time being, and gotten a less-than-satisfactory report from the Fiends on the statuses of Quetzacoatl and Fenrir, but this next grab should hopefully make up for it. Several of these fool Spirits are gathering in one area, Cortez. It's as if their following the Grundon Society, I swear...

"Right then, all six of you shall be going. Brigid shall stay at Pentz Harbor and intercept our opponents' ship when it comes to shore. Once they arrive, deal with the captain and his companions, and see what you can do about Hades and Fenrir. Another Spirit will likely be passing through the area at that time, but avoid him at all costs, dear. Direct him toward Mount Dracodore, if you can.

"Master Ohtipe and Lieutenant Grondea will head toward Monaracez City and examine the area for that elusive Cait Sith. The Grundon Society will likely be there, so be wary. Get a second opinion on the compatibility between Miss Bessadio and Barbariccia while you're at it, but leave her capture up to Lich, as he requested.

"As for the last of you three, go toward the Dracodore Mountain and see what you can do about Palidor and the Earth Crystal its guarding. Try and squeeze some information from it as well about where in blazes The Phoenix escaped to.

"Off with you six then. For goddesses' sakes, be careful with the airship this time."

The sextet saluted in unison and left, leaving a grinning Zel to himself. It was working out rather well, if he could say so himself. After working on this group, he simply had to kill Mr. Apalock and Mr. Lupus, retrieve the Spirits from them, and search out any ones he may have missed.

But for now, he had an Inquisition to attend to...

Finally safe within the gold-lined chambers of the majestic Cortez Palace, Reno let his boyish restlessness settle in and paced the halls in a rather bored fashion. He had been getting used to the constant tension and unease they had experienced through the duration of their trip, and could hardly contain himself inside monster-secured towns anymore.

Two guards had been following him through the castle the entire time, due to the fact that King Bellows had immediately recognized the similarities between his son and Reno, and had taken the precautions necessary to keep his home in tip-top shape. It was rather annoying, the mage decided. He could feel the soldiers flinching every time he raised a hand to point at something.

Most of the time when he pointed, the guards blurted out some quick fact about the object in question. It only furthered Reno's peevishness with them, as he had been asking Carbuncle for an appraisal, not them, with their monotone rambling.

He spent a good amount of time walking about, not caring what the others may be doing at all, until his attention was deviated by a most wondrous aroma. His stomach grumbled in interest, so he plodded off in that direction. The guards rebuked him as he pushed through the doors into the grand kitchen, though he paid them no mind.

A banquet was being prepared: plump foul rotating on shining wooden spits, decorative condiments being added to the top of almost every dish, chilled desserts being stirred and portioned out. The smell of spice permeated the air, enough to cause a mouth to water. Reno grinned at the preparations being made for him and the rest of the traveling team of would-be heros. More now than ever, though, he felt the eyes of the guards, and the cooks, on him, fearful that he would create some impurity on this heavenly cuisine.

He made a full revolution of the room, peering into each and every chef's business, then sighed in greedy anticipation. It had been weeks since he'd had a really good meal, it felt.

Carbuncle howled.

Reno didn't question the interruption, but rather dropped to his stomach as gracefully as a bird swooping to grab its prey. A surge of water rushed overhead of him, with enough force that it would've rammed him into the wall had he not fallen. Instead, the water blazed on, tipping over an enormous cauldron of some confectionary sweet that splashed across the floor in a sticky puddle. The chef at that respective station roared, though he should've been grateful that the caramel had not spilled on him.

Reno got back to his feet, stepped accidently into the yellow goop on the ground. "What? You can warn me about the water, but not this stuff?"

I'm only one Spirit, young Lupus...

"Uh huh..." Reno glanced toward the blast. A small boy, covered completely with a brown robe and a long-brimmed grey hat stood in the shadows, eyes watching him with an eery purple hue. "Isn't that..."

Leviathan!

Carbuncle, you once again? You failed me...

What was I to do? I was under the same situation as you.

Liar! And you, boy. It's your fault I was weak and easily captured in the first place!

"No no, that was Aaron. But, as I was saying," Reno cut angrily through the clashing voices. "It's that mage kid from the school. The one that wouldn't leave Aaron's side. Why would Zel bother with a kid like that?"

Lugi glared at Reno, then held out his hands. A ball of water formed between them.

You may want to duck...

"He's not even a decade old. How good could his aim b-!"

The water slammed into Reno's gut, wrenching him to the floor.

You listen when I warn you the first time, but now?

"Great. Now I need to clean these..." Reno pushed himself off the floor, rubbing his hands vainly at his pants. A second gush of water flew toward him, but Reno quickly countered with "ICE!" The liquid solidified as it went, then shattered harmlessly against Reno's outstretched knife. Lugi attacked again, but the other dodged and retaliated with a quick thunder spell. It went wide and hit a wire that several ducks hung from, causing them to jostle free and land in boiling stews or open fires. The clouds of smoke that ensued was matched with shouts as all present drove their ways towards the doors.

Reno found it quite difficult to see anything, even with Carbuncle's supernatural assistance, so he didn't bother preparing another spell. Rather, he pulled his short sword and charged through the shroud toward where Lugi had been. A flash of purple caught his eye, and he quickly swung the broadside of the sword at it. With a loud thud, the figure collapsed to the ground. Reno grinned, then began to wave away the mist.

One of the guards that had been following lay at his feet, a badge on his green-armored chest glowing brightly purple. Reno gasped, then glanced up at the other guard, grim-faced over his partner.

"Zee banquet!" a voice roared in the background. "Eet ees ruined!"

"Well, uh..." Reno tried to laugh. "This doesn't look good, now, does it?" The guard fixed his gaze even harder...

"Oh come on! It wasn't my fault!" he defended himself against the others of the Grundon Society as the guards dragged him in. The Seamus brothers and Jeice surrounded him immediately. Fay and Uargo glanced away from the card game they had taken up in the downtime. Asura stopped whittling at her bow a moment. Karolie and Ian watched from the couch against the back wall. Silver perked at the latter's feet. "I was attacked!" Reno continued.

"That's not what the witnesses say," Cid sighed, sipping at a mug of some stimulating drink.

"How would they have seen anything? He was in the shadows the whole time!"

"Wasn't that convenient..."

"Oh come on!" Reno repeated angrily.

"Who was it, then?" Silver grunted. "Who's the next victim in that madman's experiments?"

"Kid from the mage school. And Leviathan."

"You know," Jeice mumbled, almost as if he didn't want anyone else to hear, "the banquet is ruined, and we're free for the rest of the night... Mount Dracodore awaits."

"Reno is not going anywhere," Cid sighed. "King Bellows himself is forbidding it until due punishment has been selected for this outrage."

"It wasn't my fault!"

"I've got six hours to midnight."

"After how long you spent in the Valkeryie Chambers, though..."

"Then I'll cast Stone on myself."

"You can't!" Reno blurted. "The spell is nullified by its caster."

"Asura can come along."

"Excuse me?" the archer grimaced.

"She can reflect the spell, right?"

"I tried. I surrender." Cid threw his arms up. "You have a word with him, Siddhearth. He at least turns his ear to you."

Siddhearth turned his pocketwatch over in his hands, aimlessly. "Make sure you know the spell, Jeice."

Two ships floated side by side in the foaming sea. Old one. One new. Three stood upon the deck of the second ship, though legions stood on the deck of the first. Gigyas Predator was painted brightly on the side of one, while the other boasted the name of Gigyas Prey, scratched off and given way to its new designation, the Ragnarok.

The ships would not part, no matter what efforts were made. The Reapers stood stock still on the deck of their molding vessel, watching the other ship with great interest, it seemed. None were at the steering vain making the ship stay next to the other, though it did, as if it were a magnet.

Cullen the Red's face beaded with sweat, running down his wrinkled brow and dripping off his bearded chin. Though the Reapers did not attack, he made sure they wouldn't try to any time soon. Using his extraordinary gift to enchant weapons, formerly restricted to his own departed cutlasses, he had cast a Wall spell on his new iron sword. By holding it up, he kept the Wall in place, which hopefully was discouraging the Reapers. His arms were weak, quivering, and the only support gained was from the cold, double-gauntlet hands of Blaine Yien, who held his limbs steady. Aaron desperately spun the wheel of the ship from side to side, hoping that he would evade the other ship, or even crash into it. Nothing worked.

"This is why I was supposed to come alone!" Aaron mumbled angrily to himself. He found himself glancing again and again over the rows of Reapers on the deck, relieved that none bore the distinctive headgear that Lich wore. Who knew how long it would be before the earth fiend showed up, though... They wanted to try again. They can't be satisfied with pure torment, so they try again. And again...

"I can't hold these bloody knaves off ferever!" Cullen snorted.

"I'm trying! Can't you see I'm trying?!"

"I'm sick of holding him up, if I can say!"

"You didn't have to come!" Though maybe it was for the best...

Nothing worked. The Reapers were no less than determined to make the Nyoran family suffer for the outrage on their chief.

"Alright, alright! Drop the Wall. You'll need your strength to hold them off from here..."

"But Cap'n!"

"Do it! I'll just go over and futz them up a bit, while you get to Cortez."

"Aaron!" Psycho growled. "You think you can hold them off and not me, the assassin? The one that spent all his life training for this kind of stuff?"

"You, Emperor Yien, need to survive for your country! And you, Cullen the Red, need to protect Fenrir! All I do is sail the ship!"

Psycho looked at Cullen. "Fenrir?"

"Right, right. Ye were dozing off when I told him about it. Didn't want te wake ye."

"I knew. Quetzacoatl told me. How?"

"This ain't exactly the best time, is it?"

"Go on..."

Cullen shook his head. He and Psycho hadn't ever seemed to get along... "We'd just gotten to Valkeryie ahead of them, n' we saw Fenrir, who said he'd just gotten attacked by a trio of brutes lookin' fer Phoenix, n' that he was about to stop existin'. Mr. Ocean n' Miss Donovano didn't even raise their eyebrows at him, but he was pleadin' with me to take his hand... er, paw. So I did. How was I s'pposed to know he was one of those "Great Spirits" the wizard told us about? We lone wolves got to stick t'gether, anyway..."

"Drop the Wall, already!" Aaron scowled, coming down to stand at their side.

"Wha? Oh, right!" Cullen started, then flung the sword downward and shoved it gracefully into its sheath, causing the faint red barrier about them to fall.

The Reapers still did nothing. Their ghoulish heads tilted only slightly when they saw Aaron create a walkway from the water below them, and they slid only slightly apart for him as he tensely passed between the ships. Before making the full pass, the captain turned and shoved the Gigyas forward, assuming that Cullen and Psycho wouldn't have left him had they the choice.

He walked to the center of the rotting ship, surrounded, waiting.

Even if he were on his way, Lich wouldn't meet Aaron at the moment. Two words thundered out, drawing attentions to the bow of the ship.

"ATOM EDGE!"

A gust of wind passed across the ship, seemingly from nowhere, and pulled Aaron along with it. Realizing that he was no longer in the midst of his enemies, he opened his eyes to see he was riding atop a horse, the same one he had encountered from Valkeryie. He looked back to the ship and watched as the upper-halves of the cleaved Reapers desperately tried to reattach with their lower halves. Aaron turned finally to the assailant.

"Odin..."

He didn't reply, but continued to drive his beast over the water, skimming across the surface like a thin-legged bug.

It was barely a few moments before the Ragnarok was out of sight and the Gigyas was nowhere to be seen. They blazed past the few ships in the water that guarded the western coast as representatives of the Cortez Armada, then came to a halt on a secluded area of the shore. Odin tosses his enormous frame from the horse, then wordlessly lifted Aaron to the ground as well.

"Allow me to adopt a more familiar presence," the knight boomed loudly before either could get a word in. Aaron was prompted to blink his eyes, for what reason he wasn't sure. When he opened them again, Odin Veriol, adopted son of Eureven Veriol, stood before him. A forty-year old man with tousled brown hair, crisp black eyes, heavy gold-and-white armor, and two distinctive scars upon each cheek. Just as Aaron remembered him.

Odin stepped forward, arms open, as if embracing a brother he'd not seen for ages. The grin that grew on his face was shattered as Aaron swung his fist into it, sending the other back. Odin held his jaw in mild surprise, and looked up. The steed reared in anger at the attacker, but its master held his hand to calm it. "Down Sleipnir..."

"Don't even act like you didn't expect that. You deceived me. You deceived and killed my captain. You tried to kill me. And you got my crew killed. Great Spirit or not."

"Understandable, then," Odin grunted. "I was only doing what I had to do."

"I read your journal! We didn't even suspect you, you idiot! I didn't even know what a Spirit was!"

"Leviathan?"

"Just another beast to me. Hell, I thought there were two of them!"

"There were."

"You know what I mean!"

"I'm sorry you had to be a part of it. I'm sorry you still are a part of it. But what's done is done."

"Yeah, that's sure helping me out, isn't it?"

"It wasn't all my fault. Your grandfather was the one who tempted Lich. And..." Odin paused. "Perhaps I shouldn't go on... I did save your life back there."

"Anyone would've..."

"I followed you from Valkeryie just for this. Mighty hard keeping out of sight at Lore."

"Following me, great."

Odin grimaced. "You wouldn't believe how relieved I was to see you at Valkeryie. I killed you for all the wrong reasons..."

"Great..." Aaron repeated.

"Do you even know why I was at Valkeryie? I hate what's happening right now as well. I want just what you want, a normal life. I was proposing a litany to the Queen."

Aaron looked at him, brow wrinkling.

"I could marry her, become an ordinary king, and Zel wouldn't even have known. Nor would... Alexander. When I was refused, he demanded of my following you."

Aaron turned and dropped to the ground.

"Your love is quite the looker, if I may say. She seems a bit young for you, though."

"Would you stop?"

Odin sat down beside him and lay a hand on his shoulder. "I can't do anything to please you. Words mean nothing to a thick-headed old scholar like yourself. I might as well try, though. Take this off my hands, would you?" Odin held out an enormous mallet before Aaron, lightning bolts carved about the handle. Aaron took it curiously, and collapsed under the weight. "Ha! Use some leverage!"

"What is it?"

"You remember ol' Thor, don't you? Mighty strong guy. Made that hammer on his own, was the only one who could wield it. Claimed he could make it shoot thunderbolts if he wanted it to. Bunch of rubbish..."

Aaron stretched his arms to raise the hefty hammer, then turned to Odin. The Spirit was already gone, Sleipnir with him. "Well... then..."

The Gigyas was sliding up to shore when Aaron looked back to the rolling sea. He got to his feet and swung the hammer up onto his shoulder, then trudged to the ship and joined his comrades as they departed. They expressed their shock at his survival, but refrained from asking any questions. A sailor from the Armada, sporting red-and-gold body armor that contrasted with the green-and-silver worn by Dragoon warriors approached, ending conversation.

"Hello there gentlemen," he said, tipping his hat. The sailor then brushed his bushy eyebrows flat, twisted the ends of his blond mustachios, moved down and stroked slightly at his goatee, and finally decided upon crossing his arms over his small chest. "Sorry, it's a habit. Judgin' by the name on your ship, you'd be with the Grundon Society, yes?"

"Madreid!" another sailor shouted. "Quit clowning around down there! We've got more work to do!"

He grinned and huddled the trio closer to him. "Don't pay Captain Beavett up there any mind. He doesn't mind any that I come and socialize with newcomers, just says he does for show. Now, which one of you is the royalty around here?"

"That would be me," Psycho said calmly, attempting to show some diplomatic grace. "I am Emperor Blaine Hala Yien, representative of the imperial nation of Kazuki and of the Great Spirit Quetzacoatl." Aaron gave Psycho a look, not sure if it was their intention to make the Spirits widely-known.

"Nice to meet you then. And... you're the captain, then?" He turned to face Cullen.

"Me? Nuh uh. I'm just... Cullen. If y'want, you could say I represent Fenrir, like he does Quetza... somethin' 'r other."

"I'm the captain," Aaron replied, drawing Madreid's attention.

"Don't you represent any o' these Spirits, then?"

"No. Judging by some that I've met, I'm glad I don't, too..."

"Well, huh, I'm Madreid. Fran Madreid, Lieutenant of the ship Empresa Exótico." His black eyes glanced to the ship in question, then back. "Don't feel too special about some guys who know the Seamus brothers, I must admit," he blushed. "Anyway, King Bellows wants t' see you guys about some banquet."

"Bellows?" they mouthed in unison.

"You know him too? Gall dang, you boys must get out a lot! Even I don't know him, n' I live h-!" His words drifted off, and Madreid suddenly fell to the ground, dead asleep. Other sailors around the beach dozed off as well, leaving only the traveling three awake. Cullen went pale.

"Brigid! No!" he hollered loudly, looking at the darkened sky. His sister hovered above, humming a soft lullaby that she suddenly turned upon them. Aaron and Psycho staggered, and collapsed. Cullen blinked rapidly, yawned deeply, but was awakened by an ear-splitting howl.

Don't go to sleep! Fenrir roared. She's come for me!

"I can't fight my sister, ye bleedin' dog!"

Wake them up, then! She's come for me!

"But..." Cullen looked at Brigid, who had grounded herself near Psycho and began rummaging through his suit. Finally she pulled out a black-stained crystal, and grinned wickedly. "Brigid! Stop it! Ye don't know what yer doin'!"

He stomped forward and jabbed his arm out, snatching the crystal away. "You let him out agin, n' there's no tellin' what'll happen!"

Brigid's green eyes flashed with malice as she glared toward Cullen. She opened her mouth and let out a piercing scream that brought him to his knees. "I know exactly what I'm doin'. You always were overprotective, you weak excuse for a..."

"Brigid..."

She grabbed a harp from her uniform red armor and dashed it over Cullen's head. He fell, but only for a moment, and was back on his feet in a moment, sword drawn.

"Thick-headed as ever."

"Brigid, please..."

"Silence!" Brigid dove at Cullen, wrapping around his waist and driving him to the ground, then pummeled into him as best as she could. She stopped as the Thor Hammer slammed into her back, throwing her clear of the assault.

"It's more effective if you swing it down on her," Psycho mumbled.

"You think you could do better?" Aaron remarked.

"I think you could do better."

"Don't hurt her!" Cullen squawked at them.

Psycho grinned and nodded. "We'll be careful." He cracked his knuckles, katanas hanging loosely at his sides.

"No!" Cullen pushed himself up, but his arms flailed and he collapsed backwards again.

"We've got it underhand, don't worry. Just scratches, not scars."

Psycho dashed up to join Aaron, who had been walking slowly toward their opponent. Cullen flipped on his stomach to see better, and pray that they all walk away unharmed.

Madreid joined at Psycho's left. "I'm not the best fighter around, but it's better than nothin', right?" They circled Brigid as she slowly regained her balance.

"Brigid... no..."

She glared around the circle, then leapt into the air as Aaron broke the earth below her, nimbly escaping. Madreid turned first, and swung his flail, only to have Brigid lift a gauntlet and knock it harmlessly aside. Psycho and Aaron came around and surrounded her again, but before they could attack, Brigid turned to face Psycho and mumbled, "Hell's Song". Waves of black soundwaves, barely visible in the dark night, resounded toward the samurai. Madreid shouted and dove into Psycho, pushing him away from the attack and taking it upon himself. The aura surrounded him, causing him to toss into spasms as he fell to the ground.

Psycho regained his composure, and, without thinking, rushed Brigid. She ducked and stuck out her foot, tripping him into Aaron, who both sprawled against the ground. Brigid took the opportunity to run, feeling no reason to postpone her stay. She was gone in a flash.

"Ha! Coward!" Psycho shouted. "You forgot Lio!" He quickly got to his feet and grabbed the crystal from Cullen, should she actually hear him.

He turned back to Aaron, and almost tripped on Madreid. The sailor had stopped shaking and lay stone still, pale as a ghost. Psycho's heart began to sink as he bent down to support the man, though he couldn't tell why. "Sir... I... Thank you..."

"Just glad..." Madreid gasped. "Glad to be of service..."

A Reaper approached from the shadows surrounding them and shoved Psycho aside, then wrapped its arms around Madreid's neck and chest. It set its eyes on Aaron a moment, then disappeared, leaving Madreid's lifeless body on the sand.

Psycho leaned over and picked up Madreid's hat, laying on the beach a few feet away. He shook the sand off of it, then looked up to Aaron. "He saved me. I... I didn't expect... Didn't think anyone would... would ever..."

Aaron remained staring at the place the Reaper had been. With a whisk of his coat, he turned and spotted a Chocobo Stable, just outside the city walls of Pentz. A silhouette stood in the distance, observing the entire event, then turned and raced toward the far-off Mount Dracodore. Still around, Odin? At the base of that mountain will be my destination as well, then. "Get Cullen to Monaracez City, would you? I've got something else that needs to be done. Remember to let them in on the secret about Donovano."

Psycho looked at him quizzically, then nodded.

Jeice leapt to the top of the jagged cliff, then uncoiled the rope around his shoulder and tossed it down for his partners to climb up. Asura came first, then helped Jeice brace the rope as Siddhearth struggled up. Finally, at the end, Uargo wrapped the rope about his waist and held on tight as they towed him up. The elderly man groaned as he reached the top, leaning hard against his staff for support. "Palidor sure had better have something good to say," he grumbled. "I'm too old for this..."

Jeice kept the rambling clear from his thoughts as he appraised the next cliff above, trying to find the sturdiest spot. Using judgment he didn't even know he had, he picked one and leapt to it. The jump came short, and Jeice desperately reached out to grab the cliff crevices. His fingers slipped off one, broke through another, and he came tumbling down like a devastated airship. Asura, nearest to the cliff, braced to catch him, only to fall face first to the stone platform as his weight overtook her own strength.

"Thanks anyway..." Jeice blushed, shaking the dirt from his plumed cap.

"Don't mention it. Just don't expect it to happen again." She unconsciously ran her hand through her hair, then shook her robe clean.

Siddhearth watched them with mild interest, traded glances with Uargo, then paced to the cliff and stood scrutinizing it. Finally, he seemed to have determined what he searched for, and called Jeice over. He cupped his hands and held them for Jeice to place his foot in. A quick push, and Jeice was atop the mountain once more.

They continued on this way up the Mountain Dracodore until at last they came to what appeared to be steps carved in the cliff side, spiraling upwards to the pinnacle of the vast landform.

"Strange," Siddhearth mumbled, rubbing a hand over the jagged step. "Lieutenant Bellows said that no one was allowed to come up here, didn't he? Why would a staircase be of any necessity?"

"These weren't carved for typical human-use, naturally," Uargo replied. "They're too sloppy. Thrown together in a moment's notice."

Siddhearth started up the steps a ways. "Made in a hurry. As if someone wanted to get up here... before us..."

Jeice skipped up the steps to Siddhearth's side. "Let's go, then! We all know who that most likely is, and what they came for!" He continued before anyone else could get a word in, spear already in hand.

Dark had long fallen by now, pitch black and cloudy, so that not even the stars could shine through. Time was growing short, so the wizard persisted evermore. He leapt the last step, and collided hard into the stolid form of Jinn, stumbling back several steps.

"Well well well, what have we here?" the general chuckled. "So good to see you, I must admit. Shows that some of our enemies actually have a bit of nerve!"

"Jinn!" Dove snarled from behind. "Leave him be for the moment and help me restrain this blasted..."

Jeice looked up, and noticed that not only clouds blocked the night from view. A large multi-colored bird was clawing desperately at a perching stone on the center of the plateau top. Dove sprayed Palidor with sheer force of ice, causing it to slip, though remain there. Finally, her frustration getting the better of her, Dove pointed downward at the pedestal and froze Palidor's feet to it instead, then worked her way up.

Jeice, now is not the time to gawk...

"Right." Jeice summoned upon Gilgamesh's magical entity and retrieved the spell of Fire, forming it about his hand. He tossed it hard at the freezing Spirit, only to have it intercepted by the blazing Jinn.

"Naughty boys shouldn't play with fire, you know," he taunted, closing his fist to snuff the flames. "Ha! Good thing that's not applied to myself, eh?"

Jeice brandished his spear forth, lunging at Jinn with as much force as he could manage. He froze as Jinn braced for the attack, then switched to hit Dove instead, only to get stopped as the former swung his leg into him. The spear flew up as Jeice went back, and Jinn caught it with little trouble.

Jeice landed on his rear and returned quickly with an ice spell, though it went wide and only served to further freeze Palidor. "Perfect..."

Jinn stepped ever closer, jabbing the spear at Jeice's chest more than once as the other slid backwards. A loud scrape sounded as metal ground against rock.

"That hurt!" Steeltooth crowed. "Gimme a chance in the sun fer once!" Jeice reached back and pulled the unwieldy cutlass from his sheath. "If I'd a-known bettah, I'd a-think you loved that spear more n' me!"

"I do."

"Well, if you're a-going ta be that way..."

Jinn poked Jeice again, causing him to slide hard down the first few steps.

"Wait wait, hold steady! I see somethin' down there at the shore!"

"Now's not a good time!"

Jinn laughed heartily at the exchange and reared back to knock Jeice over. He prepared to block.

"Lookin' like the ship came back in! Cap'n's comin' our way, and the samurai's headin' for the Palace with some other guy. Wait a dern minute, it's Cullen! Cullen's back!"

"What?!"

Jinn clubbed Jeice hard, toppling him over the mountain. With a second thought, he tossed the spear down with him. "Hurry it up, eh?"

Jeice... Jeice...

Jeice blinked his foggy eyes, and rolled his head to the left. Asura looked at him wide-eyed. No, not at him... above him. He looked up into hollow yellow eyes, and instinctively swung his left arm and cape to hide his face. He jolted as the scythe ripped through the red cloth and stabbed into him, but relaxed as it stopped.

"Cast... the... spell..." Asura whispered slowly, glowing green with the effect of a reflect spell. The Reaper's free hand drifted slowly toward him...

He pointed at her with his right hand, put the pain aside and let the grey spell fly. It bounced with a bright splash and hit him, then everything returned to dark.

Jeice! Jeice!

Jeice blinked his foggy eyes, and rolled his head to the left. "Asura...?"

"Oh, thank goodness!" Uargo exclaimed. "You had quite a bad fall, young one!"

"Asura...?" he repeated dizzily.

"She and Siddhearth just left. Over here, Jeice. On the right."

"What... happened...?"

"Palidor's gone." Uargo sighed, and looked upward. "Didn't even get a chance to talk to it. Miss Davies was carrying him away just a little bit after you landed down here. Frozen solid. That Jinn fellow didn't go with her, and we assumed he's still looking for that crystal. No sign of that Mr. Humphrey anywhere, or the one that Reno mentioned."

Jeice tried to roll over, but Uargo grabbed his side. "Lay still, now! You want to get better or not?"

"Steeltooth?"

"What about him?"

"Where is he?"

"You don't have him?"

Jeice grimaced. "Great. Cullen's going to kill me..."

"Cullen? What about... oh, don't you worry now. We'll find the sword. Asura and Siddhearth probably have already, in fact. They're looking for Jinn. Figure that he's trying to dig into the mountain, if that pillar of fire we saw a bit ago means anything..."

"Alright." Jeice tilted his head back to look over the cliff. A single green feather rested in front of him. A Dragon Horn...

"I saved it for you. Just relax, alright? You don't need it right now."

"Midnight already... where are they?" Cid mumbled, pacing through the halls as he referred to his pocketwatch once again.

"Starting to wish I had gone along, Cid?" Reno grunted, arms folded and leaning against the wall.

"It's Mr. Seamus, if you would please. I would have preferred it had Jeice not gone, is the problem..."

They waited at the main doors of the palace, both tense but only one showing it. Everyone had been granted private beds for the duration of their stay, which Ian, Silver, Karolie, and Fay had immediately taken advantage of. The two remaining awake were far too tense for sleep, it seemed.

The little cat Stray sat at the foot of Fay's bed, attentive, alert, flicking its minute black ears back and forth for any disturbance. It seemed to bore of waiting, and leapt down to the cold floor with nary a sound. It arced its back and splayed its legs out in a relaxing stretch, then strutted out into the hall as best as any four-legged creature could.

Stray pranced through the area to where Cid and Reno waited, then mewled loudly for their attention and rubbed its fur against Reno's leg. The boy bent down to examine Stray more closely, then gently scooped it up and began to stroke its fur. "Cats, huh..."

"I should have said no pets for any airship chartered by myself or my brother," Cid mumbled, rubbing at his nose. "I believe I'm coming down with an allergy to all this fur..."

Reno nodded vacantly as he continued to pet the animal. So soft and warm...

Stray's hair shot on end, and it's claws dug into Reno's arm as it let out a frightened yelp. Reno did as well, and shook the cat to the floor, where it darted away. "What was that about?!"

Then the wall caved in behind them. With Cid and Reno pinned under the rubble, two figures entered the palace in high esteems, eager to make an easy catch.

Psycho

Blaine nodded calmly to Cullen, then braced him as they began the long walk toward the castle. He could feel that something was wrong both at the mountain and at the castle.

Madreid's limp body was slung across his free shoulder, as it would only be courteous to the man to give him a good funeral. Poor Madreid... didn't even get the chance to see how much his sacrifice was truly worth, how he had single-handedly and unwillingly broke through Blaine's emotional barrier with his death. It was all the samurai could do to keep himself in check. He could not show weakness or emotion at a cruel time like this...

He walked slowly, with Cullen braced by him. They walked along in silence.

Blaine was feeling and that was eating at him. Feeling was the last thing he wanted right now. Physical feeling, he could handle, and to him pain was but another part of life. But emotions were something he had shunned since his childhood.

"EXTRA EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!! GANG OF MYSTERY SABOTEURS CAPTURED!! EMPIRE IS PERPARING THEM FOR TRIAL AND INQUISITION!!" A newspaper boy bellowed to be heard of the sounds of the grand Monaracez City. "READ ALL ABOUT IT IN THE IMPERIAL TIMES!!" he cried again.

Blaine's curiosity getting the better of him, he walked up to the boy. "Wouldn't you have more luck selling these in Voltaire, son?" he grinned at him.

"I wanted to expand my horizons, what's it to ya?"

"How much for a paper, then?" he politely inquired.

"Well, you're my first customer... and the only one that hasn't tried to stone me... so I'll let you have one for an easy 25 Gil."

"Well, that seems awful steep, but here..." Blaine commented and handed over the money. He walked back over to Cullen with his copy of the Imperial Times in hand.

Soon, the two were off again. Cullen was doing far better and managed to support himself as well as handle Madreid (he was accused of slipping some Potion while Blaine was buying a paper, but denied it).

Blaine, now open-handed, began to read the cover story of his paper. As he did, his heart began to feel as if Zande himself had ripped it out of his chest and had squeezed it for an hour, then continued by stomping on it. It appeared that Blaine's own father, Kia Hala Yien the III, was the leader of the "so-called" gang, and was expected to be on trial soon, followed by a most painful inquisition. Blaine's heart sunk even further. His father's armor felt like it was made of lead as it pressed down across his shoulder blades. His face, hidden still by both a helmet and a mask, paled, and he must have flinched after a bit because Cullen took note and swiped the paper from his hand.

The Red's face went white as he too finished the article. Then he gave it back to Blaine. "Psycho, I... I'm so so sorry. It wasn't none o' my business to read that article. But somethin' seemed wrong n' I just had to find out. So why didn't you ever tell anyone about your father?"

Blaine sighed, emotions showing again for a brief instant before his barriers were back up, making him once more the emotionless assassin of the group. He spoke. "It's a private matter, and one that I never want to think of or even discuss again. I would rather that we drop this for a while and head forward.

"After all, I'm sure everyone will be absolutely delighted to see you again," his voice tinged of sarcasm. "And besides, I need to pay some last respect to our sailor friend here."

Cullen calmly nodded, and they continued on in silence.

Luigi of the Pipes

A blazing red cloud gathered at the summit of Mount Dracodore as the wee hours of the morning past. A pillar of flame continued to spiral periodically from the craggy Dracodore, causing the area to glow bright as day despite the coldness of the night all around them.

Those who stayed up late were witness to the sight. Many had been called from their beds just to see it. It was an incomprehensible phenomenon to them. Some would accuse it on the legendary Phoenix, just recently sighted over Erikaira Square, or even Palidor. Others blamed the band of traveling miscreants that had sprung up from Grundon, who had not only caused damage in Valkeryie, Grundon, and the Voltaire-owned territories of the New Continent, but now rested this very moment in the palace of the king.

There was one other explanation, however. One that they all knew and believed, but were too afraid to confess aloud...

Aaron yawned deeply as his rented Chocobo waddled the last few steps to the foot of Dracodore. The night had taken its toll on his vision, as well, and for a moment, he thought the Spirit before him was nothing more than a chunk of the rock. Odin's armor blended well with the stone surrounding him, but despite that camouflaging, Aaron recognized the look of a grimace on his face after rubbing his eyes a few times.

"I was too late..." Odin mumbled, the only recognition he gave of Aaron being there. "Palidor is gone. And the Earth Crystal..."

"There's still time for that," Aaron replied, glancing about in search of Sleipnir. Odin turned to look at Aaron. "That is to say, Jinn's still here, and if they already have Palidor..."

"He must have some reason to still be here," Odin nodded. He turned and whistled for Sleipnir, who came prancing from his grazing spot around the bend of the mountain. Odin flipped nimbly onto the horse and cracked the reins, sending Sleipnir into a haphazardly dash up the cliff side.

A glowing streak lashed forth and rammed the horse from behind, tumbling him down the mountainside. Aaron turned sharply from watching them to the source of the electric bolt.

"Hello, little one," the green-robed man to his right grinned. "I've been expecting him, but you're somewhat of a surprise, I must admit."

"Yeah... uh, hi."

"Seeing as how I'm a rather kind, elderly man, I'm going to give you a fair warning." He crossed his arms in a sage-like manner and bored his eyes into Aaron's. "Were I you..." He turned to regard Aaron's yellow Chocobo, which was picking through its feathers with its beak. "I'd turn around, take that crazy bird of yours there, and ride it and yourself right over a ravine of some sorts..."

"Don't threaten me..." Aaron growled.

"I sense no Spirit in you, boy. Perhaps you shouldn't threaten me..."

Aaron straightened his back.. "Alright, alright. About that advice you just gave me then..." The man's hands began to glow a pale yellow. Aaron stiffened. "Well, I would love to ride in a ravine, really. But every time I try, something seems to go wrong..." Static began to leap from the elder's hands. "This!" Aaron jerked his hands skyward, lifting a segment of earth up between the two. The lightning hit it with nary an effect. "Sort of thing always pops up and fills the pit. It gets annoying."

"Well well, the boy's a comedian now, is he?"

Aaron waited for more, but he said nothing... made no noise. All was silence. Odin still had not risen from his spot. Tension grew on Aaron, until he finally shoved the blockade back into the ground. A bolt of lightning caught him in his before he could further react. He stumbled backwards, feeling himself go numb, and bumped his head as he met the ground, falling unconscious.

"So easy, these mind games we all love to play," Hugo mused. "Be glad that was just the first-level spell. I've got much more in mind for you now..."

Leave him be. The horseman is your target now.

"Yes... as you say, Ramuh..." Hugo turned on his heels to face the mountain again. Sleipnir was finally recovering from its nasty fall and pushed to its feet. "Fresh meat!"

The horseman, Hugo! The horseman!

Hugo ignored the Spirit and whipped his staff at Sleipnir. It stabbed into his side, but Sleipnir brayed only momentarily before reaching to pull the staff out with his polished teeth. Before he could reach it, Hugo sent another bolt into the staff's metal tip, conducting it through Sleipnir's body. Sleipnir stumbled and fell again.

Odin awoke at the sound of the bray, but found himself pinned underneath a massive boulder from the mountain's collapse. No amount of pushing or pulling would move it, and he was forced only to be subjected to his friend's agony.

Sleipnir staggered forward through the storm of electricity that Hugo sent and swung his left forefoot into the elder, sending him flying back. Hugo was saved from a more painful experience, however, by Aaron, as he crashed into the captain, knocking him out again.

Hugo was back up in an instant, and an instant more found him shelled safely away inside a ball of his own electric form. He rolled it toward Sleipnir with surprising speed, weaved past him, then bounced backward into the back of the horse's hind left kneecap. Sleipnir fell again, and would not rise again after Hugo's final snap of lightning caught him.

The force of the lightning worked to Odin's advantage however, jostling the rock that bound him away. He ignored Hugo, who struggled to dislodge his staff, and lifted Sleipnir's muzzle to face him.

"Odin..." Sleipnir whinnied, eyes fading. "Bad... man... die... You kill... bad man... You kill... all... bad man..."

Odin nodded and lay the horse's head back down as he slid the eyelids shut. He pushed to his feet and spun about, unsheathing his blade and pointing it toward Hugo with murderous passion. "ATOM..."

Hugo snapped his fingers, creating a tiny spark that grabbed hold of the tip of Odin's steel blade. It slowly slid up the weapon, growing larger and larger with every inch, until Odin could no longer see around it. Only it, and the steel hilt of the sword in his hand.

He threw the weapon away fast, but it was too late. The spark had reached his gauntlet and leapt greedily from the sword to grab him.

"How deep do you suppose he's gone?" Siddhearth asked, looking across the hole to Asura.

"I have no idea," she mumbled, growing displeased with his, and all of their assumptions that she should know such a thing. They peered down the hole again, just barely catching a glimpse of Jinn as he leapt from one horizontal tunnel across the main chasm to the other. "He hasn't found it yet..."

"If it's to be found... Frankly, I'm still not up to believing this whole crystal nonsense is that important to us. My grandmother's last words to me were, and I quote, ‘Never trust a crazed martial artist that tries to behead one of your friends.' Wish I would have listened sooner..." He rolled his shoulders. "We ought to be relaxing back at home with a bottle of Shilnarae, not running around like superheroes..."

They glanced up at each other when Jinn reappeared, then back down when he had hopped away again.

"Well, we've been putting this off long enough..."

Asura nodded and created a lens-shaped, glowing blue Wall to plug the hole in the mountain. They stepped on, and Asura willed the Wall to slide downward slowly. Through the blue glow, they saw Jinn again, though he took no notice of them. The general leapt down to the bottom of the vertical pit he had created and shot branches of flame in all directions, melting the rock and forming another set of tunnels in the wall.

"He's going to collapse the entire mountain if he keeps this up..." Siddhearth noted with distaste. After a few minutes of the fire, Jinn finally stopped and jumped into one hole. Asura slid the Wall down to that level, and they clambered off into the tunnel after him. "This rock cooled rather fast..." Siddhearth tapped the molten stone, the sound echoing through the tunnel. Jinn froze. "Oh dear..."

The general turned, holding a polished yellow stone in his hand, with a bemused grin. "Too late. I found this little gem hours ago." He tossed it in the air playfully, then caught it again. Tossed. Caught. Tossed. Caught. Asura reached for an arrow and some rope, but as she did, Jinn shoved the crystal back into his pouch.

"Why did you bother with the mountain, then?" Siddhearth called back. "Waiting for us?"

"That would have been a good idea, sure, but I'm doing this for a much better reason. You ever read up on Cortez legends, smart guy? When Dracodore begins to spout fire, the world is about to end." Jinn chuckled to himself. "It's so simple. People are gullible idiots. They see this happening, they panic, and they turn to Voltaire for protection. Only Voltaire has the power to prevent a cataclysm."

"That's what this is about?! Nothing more than a way to get Cortez, to own the world?"

"Do you mean this particular day, or our actions in whole?"

"A world-wide Empire would be the end of us! You wish to bring about..."

"A better world! Enough of this!" A wave of flame flew from Jinn's hand. Siddhearth and Asura pressed against the walls to avoid it, but it was not wide enough, and the flames caught the ends of their cloaks. Asura dropped to the ground and tried to pull Siddhearth down too, but he stepped back and whipped his coat away.

Jinn sent another wave at them. Asura rolled aside, dodging the attack and putting out the blaze on her robes, but Siddhearth proved not so lucky. The heat of the fire as it burnt around him caused him to pass out.

Asura took an arrow from her satchel and dipped it int a sleep-inducing powder in her pouch, then shot it hastily into Jinn's thigh. As he staggered to the tunnel floor, the other lifted Siddhearth up and carried him back to the opening in the mountain. Willing another Wall, she clambered on and urged it upward, focusing her healing spells into the musician when her mind cleared.

Jinn emerged from the tunnel moments later and hurled a fireball up at them. The Wall jostled, but refused to capsize until they were out. Asura raced down the mountain path until she reached Jeice and Uargo. With a prompt, "Come on!" from the mage, they were off again.

***

Aaron awoke slowly, his head throbbing in his ears, and looked up. Odin collapsed before him with a final crackle of electricity. Hugo already held a crystal ready to contain him. He pressed his muscles to lift him up, but they remained too sore.

Hugo planted the crystal at Odin's feet, and he began to flow into it. "I must say," the old man droned. "I would have expected more challenge. A geomancer, a night mare, and a Great Spirit, and I lick you all with only one hit to myself."

"Get up... get up..." Aaron mumbled to himself, straining harder.

"Mr. Nyoran," a voice squeaked beside him. He looked down to see a tiny human-like being with a long grey beard, giant nose, and large, magnifying glasses, wearing a dull purple hood-like cap, brown rags and a dirty orange vest. He pushed a cup of some red liquid to the captain. "Drink this, you'll feel better. And may I say that..."

"What?"

"Oh, yes, you're not mistaken. I'm a dwarf. Barely two-hundred, in fact. And may I say that it's an honor to meet you."

"I know what you are..."

He stopped pushing the cup and leaned against it, then removed his cap and bowed. "Kenneth Shrun is my name. Call me Ken though, if you will."

"Dwarves aren't this small though, are they?" He held his index finger and thumb barely a decimeter apart, representing the other's size.

"It's on account of this pendant that I wear around my neck." He held up a golden chain with a like-colored pendant attached to the end and a bright purple jewel embedded in that. "Our minisculery pendants allow us to become smaller at will, so we can live just about anywhere. Like there." He pointed to a mouse-hole in the side of Mount Dracodore. "Keeps out trespassers, at least. Though it's been incredibly hot in there tonight. Couldn't tell you why..."

"Next question, then."

"How I knew who you were, most likely? This isn't your first trip to Cortez, is it?"

"Guess not."

"What brings you here now?"

"How did you know who I was?"

Ken sighed. "Alright then, I'll go first. You smuggled some of the Empire's supply of molding crystal to a dwarf named King Shrin, didn't you? About twelve years ago?"

Aaron blinked. "I remember that. He gave me a Crystal Buckle as an extra thanks. I still wear it, under my sash." He lifted up the white cloth wrapped between his briches and shirt, revealing the sparkling piece.

"That's wonderful, wonderful! If you're still wearing that, then you don't have any hard sentiments to dwarves, no?"

"Not that I know of."

"And you won't mind me coming along on your smuggling runs!"

". . . What?"

"Please, sir! His Majesty, Shrin, is dying, and I am the candidate to take his place. But he has given me an ultimatum: that I must sail with the Captain Aaron Nyoran, or I shall never adopt the crown. It was a stroke of fate when we saw you out here."

"I haven't smuggled for ten years."

"Oh... dear, well, I see. Alright, I'll just..."

Hugo's sore laughter filled the air, cutting the dwarf off. They frantically faced forward, to see that he and Odin were gone.

"Oops..." Ken mumbled.

"You distracted me!"

"Honestly, I didn't mean to, I just..."

Aaron grabbed the cup from Ken and drank it down quickly, then jumped to his feet and turned around. Hugo was standing a ways off, watching him. Aaron reached back and grabbed his hammer, holding it as best as he could.

"Still want to play, little boy?" Hugo cackled. He fired a bolt from his finger. Aaron lifted the hammer to block it, only to have it absorbed into the metal, instead.

Claimed he could make it shoot thunderbolts if he wanted it to...

Hugo threw another bolt, and another, but each one was caught. The hammer began to glow with the energy it held. Aaron swung it down into the ground, lancing out a thunderbolt of his own. Hugo caught it with ease and threw it back, hitting Aaron before he could find the leverage to lift the mallet again.

"Fighting fire with fire? Honestly, you should know that doesn't work!" Hugo turned and began to run, gone before Aaron could recover.

"Odin..." the captain mumbled as he regained his senses. "I'm sorry." He turned to look for Ken. Not finding him, he continued. "I should have forgiven him."

"You still can." With a flash of smoke, Ken appeared, at his full four foot height, and handed Aaron a crystal. "He forgot this."

Aaron stared into the crystal, seeing the captive inside, and grinned. "Thanks."

"Aww, twern't nothin'... But... if you really want to pay me back..."

"Yeah. My situation's a bit different from smuggling at the moment, though. You might not be willing..."

"I'll deal with any danger. Kinghood is something I've pined for for my last hundred years. But tell me about it later. We dwarves can crack that crystal and get him out. We'd better hurry, too. Doesn't look like he has much time." Ken rummaged through his pocket and pulled out another minisculery pendant. "You just put it on, and press the jewel in... like so..."

***

Three weary travelers watched from the foot of the mountain as Jinn leapt out of its peak and was gone.

"I'm sorry, Jeice. I couldn't get the crystal."

"Don't sweat it none. Did you see Steeltooth?"

"You don't have him?"

He sighed sadly. "Cullen's going to kill me..."

"If this walk back home doesn't first," the third spoke up. "And we gotta get there fast. Can't teleport us or anything, Miss Crismon?"

"No..."

"Well then, short of a miracle..."

They rounded the mountain, where a yellow-feathered Chocobo was picking at itself with its beak. They looked at each other, then back at it. One walked forward and lay the fire-scorched fourth that they had been carrying on top of the bird. "Let's go."

***

"What in blazes happened here?!" Cullen said as he and Psycho entered the Palace of Monaracez through the hole left in the wall. "Do they build castles with these holes in them nowadays?"

Psycho ignored him and walked forward through the rubble. A loud groan stopped him. He looked down, then stepped back and began pushing rocks away. Before long, Reno was pulled out.

"Heal Force..." the samurai mumbled, perking Reno right up. "What happened?"

"Some guys came in and crushed us. Zel's men."

"Zel!"

"Do you have to jump every time we mention him?"

"Where'd they go?!"

Reno pointed left. "That way, chasing after Fay's cat."

"Fay?"

"Right, you weren't here when we met her. But they went that way, yeah."

"How long ago?"

"Not long. Not over five minutes, I don't think. How should I know? I was a bit busy being crushed..."

Psycho jumped across the rubble and ran off that direction.

"Yeah, nice to see you again!" Reno shouted after peevishly. "Creep..."

"Same Reno," Cullen grinned, crossing his arms. "Nice to see you again."

Reno blinked, then grinned. "It's about time you got back. Now help me get Cid out of here."

"Hold on. This Fay woman... there's something I have to talk to you and the rest... about her..."

Lupus

“Honestly, Cid's being crushed, and you want to talk about her?”

“Uh... sorry...”

Cullen bent down to where Reno was crouched, and immediately began pushing the stone from one pile to another. Cid's eyes blinked up at them from the dust filled debris. “Cullen?”

“You're alright... right?” Cullen replied quickly, ignoring him.

“I think my leg's broken, but nothing any local chemists couldn't fix.” Cid hopped to his able foot with Reno and Cullen's help. The three stood in silence for a few moments, as if trying to think of something to say.

“Blaine!” yelled the boy suddenly, dropping Cid's right arm and sprinting off down the ruined corridor. Cullen struggled to hold the elder up, and managed to haul him over to an intact bench hinged to the wall.

Cid laughed like a grandfather would to his son's son, then glared up at his helper. “Cullen, my boy, you must tell me your fascinating story of how you cheated death!”

“Fay...”

“Now now, I’m sure the samurai and Reno have it all under control.”

“It’s important, Mr. Seamus. You must tell me where Jeice and his friends are!”

Cid mumbled something under his breath, before turning to Cullen. “Mount Dracodore, if it is of any relevance. I do expect you to stay and find an able chemist before running off for no purpose?”

“No time, Mr. Seamus.”

The Red Warrior turned and abandoned the crippled man in what seemed like a flash.

***

“You’re absolutely sure you didn’t see anyone who is a stranger to these lands?” Blaine insisted, apparently showing no respect for the King.

“Apart from you, no. I do suggest you leave my humble castle before I call the guards in-”

“I will eliminate any guards,” Blaine interrupted. “Do not waste innocent life on an angry Emperor, King. I respect you and your Kingdom, but I do not respect your ignorance towards me. Tell me if you saw any strangers rush by here.”

The King snarled. “I told you, stranger. I did not see any strangers apart from you enter my throne room!”

“What about a cat?” Reno’s voice came from the doorway of the room.

“You! The party spoiler! More inconsiderate beings are entering my room without even consulting with me first?” the King spat, almost leaping off his throne with fury.

“What about a cat?” the black mage repeated. The King got the message.

“A cat, you say? Not even on my dead body! A cat would never be allowed within these halls of my keep! I would not tolerate it!”

“I do insist you calm down, Sir Bellows. We need your co-operation if you value your life.” Reno mumbled, staying calm the entire time.

“You are threatening me?”

“Not I, Your Highness. But others in this castle are.”

The King shook his head. “This is disgusting. First you barge in here, now you are making up lies about the length of my life? You should be strung up from the ceiling until you choke.”

“You give us no help, Sir King,” Blaine announced simply. “We shall be on our way.”

The two turned around and began to walk towards the throne room’s entrance. Half way across the chamber, the wooden doors swung open harshly and in charged a dozen armed soldiers, lead by a young teenaged girl with braided brown hair that was a bit shorter than shoulder length. The troupe barged past the samurai and mage, making their way towards the royal throne. The girl stopped about three meters away from the King, drew her sword and knelt down, her blade in front of her face. Her men followed suit.

“Your Highness...”

“I was wondering when the Court of Spayaré would show up! It is heart warming to know of your wellbeing Kayth!”

The girl stood up, sheathing her sword. “And the same for yourself, Your Highness.”

Her men launched to their feet in one motion, strapping their swords to their backs. The King inspected them all keenly. He seemed to have lost all rage from his previous conversation, in fact, he seemed to have forgotten that Blaine and Reno were still standing in the room, behind the soldiers.

“If you do pardon my rudeness, Your Highness, I do think we should get to business.”

“But of course, Kayth. I do not expect you to stay long. What information do you have since our last meeting?”

“The Empire is forming rapid legions of troops all throughout the countryside of Ananke, Grundon and Voltaire. Of course it is all from Emperor Zande’s command, as other projects are involved with other happenings within his army. Such as Doctors Uel and Robbins...”

Blaine and Reno, who were walking towards the door to exit, suddenly stopped at the names and locations the girl had just listed.

“Robbins?” the King smirked. “You mention Reginald Robbins?”

“Zel, Your Highness.”

The King’s smile faded. “I am too old to know of current professors within our enemy leagues. Do go on.”

“The Imperial capital disguise the groupings as routine checks, a new scheme they’ve developed to keep an eye on surrounding... eh... spirits, if you will. It reminds us much of Sir Gelgonde of the Old Knights, in his terrorising of major cities in the western world.”

“Dark days were they, definitely. It’s a pity so many look to the Empire for heralding and peace keeping.”

“A pity it is, Your Highness. I also bring other news. News that, until recently, has not added itself onto our schedules...” Kayth reached into her robe and pulled out a scrunched newspaper. She handed it to the King, who folded it out and began to remove the creases it had obtained in Kayth’s pockets. “I purchased this just outside your castle, Your Highness. Read the cover story, if you could.”

The King began to scan the cover. He “mmmed” and “ahhhed” while he read.

“It continues over the page, sire.”

The King flipped the page and continued reading. He finished, then redirected his eyes to Kayth. “It is interesting how something the Empire wants to keep quiet ends up on a front cover of The Imperial Times outside my keep.”

“I’m not so sure they want to keep it quiet. It could bring Gil and pity of the world to them. Just what they need at these times...”

Reno gulped. Almost instantly the King had changed from a bad-tempered father of one of their former partners into a politically speaking rebel against the Empire. The conversation between the Court and him obviously wasn’t meant to be heard by any other ears outside of their groups, as assassination of the King was quite possible, and probable if it ever leaked out that the King was against Zande. He’d heard of the Court of Spayaré before, but only ever as the courtdom of Ananke. The leader of the court was the common equivalent of a King or Queen. The young-teen girl who honoured the King of Cortez so obsessively was pretty much Queen of Ananke.

Blaine had obviously taken note that they now were speaking of a subject so close to him, without even realising he was there. It bothered him, but he stood silent as an only choice to find out what they were to do.

“We head for the New Imperial Continent in one night.”

“I will supply your soldiers with the finest in mythril arms and the finest of foods as a welcome.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. When we reach the Imperial Continent, we will try to stay low as weary Raentillo men-at-arms camped away from home. We release the innocent men and women who risked their lives to-”

“It’s just one man you’re after...” Blaine mumbled, staring at his feet, his back to the room.

Kayth span around, her men moving out her vision line. “Who are you who listens in to royal business?”

“I am Emperor Hala Yien of Kazuki, although I do not feel like an Emperor right now. My father is the one they speak of in that newspaper.”

The King laughed. “You do not expect me to believe you are Emperor of Kazuki? I find your lies laughable, though disgusting.”

Blaine moved so fast it seemed as if he warped. One moment he was staring at the marble floor at one side of the hall, the next he had a katana pointed at the King’s neck. The iron hiss of the Court drawing their swords echoed through the chamber. Kayth held up her hand to signal her men to draw back.

“Blaine, calm down!” Reno yelled across the hall.

“It is a personal matter, Young Lupus. I suggest you stay out of it. I do not wish to wash any more blood from my hands today, but if I must, so be it.”

“You’re crazy...” Reno spoke, shaking his head.

“Crazy for defending my pride? You would not do the same if you were in my position?”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

“Then we are different, Young Lupus.”

“It’s Reno, Psycho,” the mage corrected.

Blaine smirked. “It’s Blaine, Young Lupus.”

“Sir Blaine!” Kayth interrupted. “I believe you are true Emperor, though His Highness doesn’t. That is no reason to destroy his life, is it?”

Though Reno’s words didn’t work, the Court leader’s did. Blaine instantly dropped his katana, and it sparked on the throne. Once again, his gaze dropped to the floor.

Kayth turned to face Reno.

“Reno is it?”

SHE KNOWS.

“Yeah...”

“Leave these halls now. I think you have extended your welcome to its limit.”

SHE’S WAITING FOR YOU TO SAY IT.

“Alright...”

“Take the Emperor of Kazuki with you. The King doesn’t forgive and forget as easily as you or I.”

YOU AND HER.

“Okay...”

“I am saddened to say our introduction has been a very unpleasant one, though no harm was done.”

DON’T YOU REMEMBER?

“I am glad you take no offence from our actions...”

“I bid you farewell.”

SHE’S DONE THAT BEFORE. JUST SAY IT.

“Say what?”

“Excuse me?” Kayth questioned from Reno’s irrelevant blurt out.

SAY IT!

“What are you talking about Carbuncle?”

Kayth’s eyebrows rose. “Carbuncle?”

“Uh... sorry...”

I’M NOT CARBUNCLE.

Sorry, my friend... I don’t know what that is...

Reno took a step back. Kayth frowned, disappointed, then she turned to face the King.

“I am sorry, Your Highness, but we must leave now for the castle and rest for our training tomorrow. Your allegiance to Ananke is respected amongst the Court.” Kayth bowed, span around on her foot and walked out, her men following her.

Blaine had taken position beside Reno once more.

“And they call me Psycho,” he taunted.

Reno ignored him. Just now had he realised what was going on, but before he could react, the King announced them.

“Reno Lupus and the supposed Emperor. I plan for us to forget this little accident, and for you to go on with your lives.”

“When do the Court leave?” Reno interrupted.

“Tomorrow. But it is just the beginning of today, why do you ask?”

“It’s... nothing.”

Ditto

Dove cursed and froze another guard with Shiva's assistance, "Come on out little kitty and we may think about sparing your partner."

Lugi looked up at the general, then shook his head in a condescending sort of manner.

"Hmph."

Lugi shot a blast of water to throw open the next door. Sure enough there stood Fay with the cat standing right next to her. She held a gun ready to fire at either on of them. Dove simply laughed.

"You've tried my patience, now put that toy down."

"You take me for a fool?" Fay retorted, firing a shot at the ice woman.

Dove was hit in the shoulder and stepped back to examine the wound. She then looked up with her teeth gritted, "You'll pay for that..."

Lugi looked over and scowled out a warning.

"But of course," Dove replied as she unsheathed the ice sword on her back, "But you just know I'm going to enjoy this."

Lugi grunted and decided to watch. Fay fired another shot, but Dove was barely phased as she prepared to strike. Fay was against the wall and had nowhere to go. But before the blade hit, it was suddenly deflected by another. When she looked it was that Ian Zarrier who had stepped in.

"I don't appreciate you attacking my companions." Ian said. He put more force behind his sword and pushed Dove back.

She glared at him, full of hate, "At first I hated you for making this happen to me. Even though I have grown to like it, I still plan to get my revenge."

Lugi suddenly scanned the room and snapped a sound at Dove.

"Blast it!" Dove growled. "Cait Sith got away. Zarrier distracted us."

Dove sheathed her sword, "This is most unfortunate. Don't think this is the end Zarrier, I've got an old score to settle with you."

Lugi used the force of his water to blow a hole through the roof. The two then took to the air and escaped. Ian sheathed his own sword and turned to his left, "You can come out now."

The lamp in the far corner of the room suddenly faded away, replaced by Fay with Stray on her head. She smiled and sat on the bed, "Well, that went well.'

Ian frowned, "Diablos isn't saying anything, but I know that isn't any simple cat. I think you have some explaining to do."

Kenneth led Aaron through the small entrance to the dwarf city. Once they had reached a certain point, they both deactivated the pendants and returned to their original size.

"No use mining out specks." Kenneth explained.

When they ended the cavern they came into the very depths of the mountain. From the top to the bottom it was a winding city that continued into the depths of the earth, far beyond what Aaron was able to see. Everything was lit by the magma from the depths and a wealth of magnificent crystals above the city. From different parts of the city, four huge lights were pointed at the crystals. Each one glowed with a symbolic color: Green for earth, red for fire, blue for water, yellow for wind. The crystals reflected the light out in a dazzling array, coloring even the magma in various ways, and Aaron found himself wishing that out of all these crystals, the ones they were seeking had been included among them, just sitting there and waiting to be picked.

"Quite the spectacle, isn't it?" Ken sighed wistfully, gazing about the room as if it was only his first trip into it. "See where most of the light shines down on one point? That's the throne. Right in the center of the whole mess, eh? Took us ages to orient those crystals to that effect, I'll tell ya..."

Aaron nodded and turned Odin's crystal around in his hand. "How are you going to get this open, again?"

"Ah, yes. A friend of mine, Jekin Hardhammer, is a master crystal slicer. He'll get through that crystal with no trouble. He's right this way." Ken spun sharply on his heel and marched off to the left.

They reached an area that appeared to be a form of living complex. Doors lined the walls, surprisingly close to each other, and even a few windows had been included, though each one had a picture of a nice grassy field on it, as if to remind the dwarves of the joys of the outside world.

Ken walked up to the third door to their left, then walked in without so much as a warning. Aaron peered in tensely, then started to follow. His forehead rang sharply against the doorframe. Rubbing the bruise, he ducked and followed.

"Jekin! Where the devil are... Jekin! You old fool! Just like you to leave a business hanging like this!"

A rough scraping across the ground alerted them to an approaching figure. Slowly, a dwarf woman made her way down the set of stairs concealed in the corner and shuffled up to the desk, rubbing her eyes. "Ken? What's the matter with you? It's nighttime, for goddesses' sakes..." she mumbled, scratching at the curled brown hair on her head.

"What do you think I need, Kasana? If that lazy brother-in-law of mine would just be here when he's supposed to be, then I wouldn't..."

"You know perfectly well that he's not open this time of night. Jekin sleeps, like all we sensible dwarves do. He..." She paused, suddenly noticing the guest behind Ken, slouched over to keep his head from clashing with the low-bearing ceiling. "You... you... brought a Man here?!"

"This isn't just any Man, Sister," Ken said, a grin starting over his face.

"How'd you get him past the guards? He's..."

"They were asleep. Like all sensible dwarves... But, like I said, this isn't just any..."

"Ken, are you... do you... want to ruin the colony?!"

"Kasana, please. A word. Don't you recognize this Man's rugged beard?"

Aaron shrugged his shoulders in a mock embarrassed way.

"The magical cloak of the ancient scholars?"

"Well, I wouldn't say magical," Aaron blushed.

"The intricately designed pattern of his sandy yellow tunic?"

"Please, you're mocking now."

"Ken, get to the point," Kasana sighed.

"It's Aaron Nyoran. I'm gonna be king afterall."

Kasana stared at them, unblinking, then suddenly fell backwards and burst into a fit of laughter. "Oh Brother!" She looked Aaron up and down, still giggling. "How much did my brother have to pay you to dress up like that, sir?"

"Contrary. I'm the one who paid him. But I think I'll be recalling that money if we don't finish our business soon, hmm?" Aaron waved the crystal at him jeeringly.

"Yes, right... Can you please just go and fetch Jekin, Sister? Tell him this Man will pay him double the usual amount if he does the job now." Aaron scoffed. "Oh, you wanna go triple?"

Kasana looked back and forth between them, then nodded and went up the stairs. "Well this is a fine mess," Ken grumbled. "Word'll fly like crazy now that I pulled in some bum off the mountainside and dressed him up like you just to get the crown. Imagine, me doing something of that sort. It's preposterous!"

"Triple?"

"Don't worry, I'll get it reduced by family discount anyway..."

Jekin arrived to join them within a half our, still in his robes and rubbing his eyes. By the light of his candlestick, he listened with a critical eyebrow raised to Ken's account of things, particuarly when he mentioned Aaron. After Ken finished making his case, Jekin looked back and forth between them.

"Ken... you're a remarkable dwarf. A Spirit trapped in a crystal, that's one thing to face when awakened. Another is that, in the same breath, you say you've brought Aaron Nyoran."

He looked at Aaron.

"I don't now how he convinced you to come up here to impersonate a guy like Aaron, but..." He looked at Ken. "Blarney, all right. Give me the stone. I can have it for you by tonight. But you're going to have to stay here and do work for me all day while I do it. Money don't grow on trees."

Ken shuffled his feet, but agreed reluctantly. Aaron was relieved... he'd just have to tell the others... and then hope he didn't collapse after working all day on little sleep.

***

That evening, with one final crack of the hammer, the crystal shattered, and Jekin looked amazed when he did not see among the shards a small knight-person like he had seen when the crystal was whole. It didn't matter, of course... Aaron felt the wind of a Spirit curling around him, and knew that, even though Odin wasn't currently physical, he was there... with him.

"And if ye really plan to be King, Jekin, next time try to conjure up some PROOF that your friend is Aaron."

Luigi of the Pipes

Back in the morning...

Cullen ran as fast as his feet could carry him, throwing off the heavier portions of his armor as he went. Fenrir's strength flowed through him: the coolness of a breeze on a warm summer day, minimizing or completely removing any handicaps he may have had as a runner before meeting the lone wolf. Within moments, he was approaching a trio of travelers, with a downed fourth member laying on their Chocobo.

"Jeice!" Cullen cried happily, stopping as he did several paces away from them. "Oh, thank the goddesses I've found you all!"

"Steeltooth was right," Jeice noted, flicking on a bit of sadness before returning to the glad that was knowing that Cullen hadn't died. He picked up his pace and met the man in a moment, hugging him, welcoming him back from the land of the dead.

Asura and Uargo stood confused for only a moment, then Uargo rushed forward as well. "So, the Sahags didn't get you after all, eh?" he crowed, tapping Cullen's side with his staff, then grabbing his hand and pumping it warmly. "Good to have you back, indeed! Tell us, what happened out there?"

"No time right now. There's something very important I've got to tell you. She might strike any-"

"What's important now," Asura interrupted, her slight distaste for the uncultured braggart slipping into her voice and overcoming her own private joy at his safe return, "is that we get Siddhearth to a cleric. I can't keep his vital statistics stable for much longer."

"But..."

"Oh, just tell us along the way." She nudged the Chocobo forward, walking past the three men.

"Well, yeah... Didn't think o'that, I guess."

"Of course."

"You'll tell us everything!" Uargo said, slapping him on the back.

***

Fay stroked Stray's fur harder, tense over the attention she was being given by the swordsman before her. Ian's blade disappeared into its sheath with a loud hiss as he noticed her unease, but it did nothing to quell her emotions. "Stray's... no ordinary cat, right. He's been..."

"That's her?" Psycho's voice interrupted nonchalantly as he and Reno rounded the corner, somewhat out of his usual character.

Reno pointed a finger toward Fay and growled out, "Traitor!"

Ian's head snapped from Reno's face to Fay's in surprise. Silver and Karolie burst from their rooms at the shout. Silent moments passed as they mulled over Reno's accusation, then the boy abruptly backed down, giving way for Psycho to do his thing.

He didn't. The samurai instead turned and stared out the window in a depressed sort of way, as if just remembering a painful memory. "Uh... Blaine?"

"Hmm?"

Reno looked down at Silver. "What the heck's his problem lately?"

Silver slouched. "I have no idea. I can't feel his thoughts anymore. We've become... disconnected..."

"Reno!" Ian cut in, nodding at Fay.

"He's lying!" Fay cried.

"Am not!" Reno retorted.

"I don't have time for these games!"

Reno's reply was cut off as Cid came huffing around the corner, his fractured leg supported by his cane. "What's the meaning of all this shouting!? Explain yourselves, lest I have to meet with King Bellows's temper for all of you again!"

"She works for Jean Ocean," Psycho mumbled, not turning from the window. "She's trying to take the crystals and ransom us to the Empire."

Everyone gasped and looked at Fay.

"Liar! You have no proof of such an outlandish accusation! I did nothing of the sort!"

Everyone gasped and looked at Psycho.

He shrugged. "Cullen told me, is all."

Everyone gasped and continued to stare at Psycho.

"Oh, sure. Me and Aaron ran into him yesterday morning. He was working for Jean, trying to find his sister, until he came back with us. He says a 'Fay Donovano' was the one who recruited him."

Everyone gasped and looked at Fay.

"Cullen?!" she spouted in exasperation. "You said Cullen was dead!"

"Me? Dead?"

Cullen rounded the corner with Jeice and Uargo, Asura having taken Siddhearth to a local cleric.

Everyone gasped and looked at Cullen, smiles crossing their faces.

Cullen remained serious. "Came as fast as I could. Had no idea when she'd pull off Jean's plan. What all did he tell you?" he asked, pointing to Psycho.

"I told them everything."

"And it's..." Fay huffed, then lowered her head. "It's all true."

Everyone gasped and looked at Fay.

"Caught in the act," she sighed. She lifted her head again, and the barrel of her pistol came up as well to press against Ian's chest. "Fools," she laughed bitterly. "So gullible. If it hadn't been for him," she nodded at Cullen, "I would have carried this mission off without a hitch."

All stared at the pistol intently. The hair along Silver's back prickled as he growled menacingly at the gambler. Reno kept his hands poised over the tiger, in hopes that he could stop him from doing something rash.

"Hand over the crystals..." Fay breathed, sounding very serious, "and no one will get-"

"Honestly, little girl," a smooth voice purred. All looked expectantly at Silver, who in turn stared at the cat leaning in the corner. Standing up on his hind legs, forelegs crossed over his chest in a sign of defiance or even sarcasm, and tail flicking mischievously about behind him, Stray stared up at Fay with a human expression of amusement on his feline face.

Jaws dropped.

Stray chuckled lightly and continued with, "Don't you think you're being a bit cliched?"

"Stay out of this, Cait," Fay growled, refusing to look down at him. "You're on my side."

"Oh? Which side are we on? I know, but I think you're starting to forget."

Fay blinked. "What?"

"We're either working for the Aesir, or for the Vanir, right missy? Most of these folks have Aesir with them, and you know I'm never going to help my father and the Vanir again."

"Aesir? Vanir?" Cid stuttered. "What in blazes are you-"

"Jean doesn't work for the Vanir either," Fay continued.

"Maybe not. But, unlike these fine folks, Jean isn't doing a blasted thing to stop them. You know who Jean's looking for, and I'll be damned if I ever want to see Coyote or Kappa again. Working with these guys sounds like a pretty good choice to me. I mean, look how flerkin' cool the whole situation with them is! Eleven wayward travelers..."

"Twelve," Karolie corrected, naturally being the one to remember their missing captain.

"Twelve wayward travelers..."

"Thirteen, with Steeltooth," Cullen added.

Jeice grimaced. "Thirteen with Ironfang."

Cullen gave Jeice a frightened look, which was returned by the wizard. "Twelve," they said sadly in unison, both understanding what had happened.

"Twelve wayward travelers and their guardian spirits taking on an entire Empire of people. Come on Fay, let's make it fourteen!"

"I demand to know what-" Cid tried.

"Shut up!!!" Fay squalled at him, stopping him short. "I need... I need to... I can't think about this now! Dammit Sith! Stop distracting me!"

"What's there to think about?" Stray asked, filing one of his claws with another. "I've decided that I'm going to stay with these people. I decided that the moment I realized their intentions, really. You still wanna be my friend... companion... confidant... then you come too. Otherwise, get lost. You're hopelessly outnumbered now."

Sweat began to bead on Fay's brow. "But... Jean... I can't just give up on him."

Stray made a gesture akin to a shrug. "Why does he matter?"

Fay licked her lips, focus faltering, then lowered her head. Ian reached up and gently took the gun from her grasp. "I can't do this..." she mumbled. She pushed past Ian and made her way for the main hall.

Stray dropped to all fours and scampered after her, the others making an aisle to let them through. "Fay! Fay, turn around! Look at me!!! Are you positively out of your- are you insane, woman?! You're giving away all of this, all of these potential friends, and me for some creep like him?!"

"You don't understand!"

"Like hell I don't! Now you look here- now you listen to me- now you... you..." Stray's ears perked up as an idea came to his mind. "Alright, fine. Let me raise the stakes here a bit. Just hang on a minute."

Stray went rigid, then slowly drooped his eyes shut. He settled down onto his stomach, hind legs tucked under his rump and forelegs crossed over his muzzle. His tail flattened on the ground, and his breathing steadied as if he'd fallen asleep. Reno leaned over, curious, to rouse him from his catnap. He stopped short as a shimmering ball of fur shot harmlessly out of Stray's back, bounced off the ceiling, hit the floor just before Stray's face, ricocheted off the roof again, then landed on the floor looking completely different.

What stood before them now was a cat with fur patterned identical to Stray's, though the creature itself was much larger, sporting a slightly blood-stained green scarf and a pair of pinkish boots. Standing straddle-legged, back arced as he stared into Fay's shoulders, the creature seemed to hold itself as would a statesman. His right paw was hooked into some invisible pocket on his hipbone, the left curled around a Saber-toothed Moogle doll.

He extended his right paw toward Fay. She flinched back. He looked down at his hand, eyes widening as he realized that his claws were still out, then quickly rectified the situation with a massive, innocent grin and a quick twist of his wrist.

"Take my hand, Fay Donovano. Come on, I dare you."

"Cait Sith... this is one gamble you shouldn't have made."

"Come on now. I know you. You've wanted me to fuse with you instead of that kitten ever since you found out that I have the natural gift of luck. I'm feeling lucky today, and you ought to be too. Here's your chance, babe."

Fay looked at the paw, thoughts ripping through her head in a frenzied maelstrom, breaths coming out ragged from her chapped mouth. Shakily, she lifted her arm and slapped her hand down on his.

He squeezed it gently and gave her a wink. "Good choice." In a flash of light, he was gone.

Stray mewled out a yawn and strained his limbs as if just waking up from a nap. Fay dropped to her knees and scooped the kitten into her arms, hugging him hard to her shoulder. She looked up at the faces of the others, faces hardened with distaste. All except Ian, who seemed to bear a warm, understanding expression. Idiot... why can't he just be mad like the rest of them? She got to her feet, still cradling her little pet, and slowly slid toward the exit. "I've violated your trust, all of you. I'm sorry for what I've done, and I understand your verdict. If you just give me time to gather my things, I'll be gone in-"

Jeice caught her shoulder. "You're with us now, Fay. You can't just leave."

"But... you want me to."

Cid hobbled up. "Just give us time. We'll forgive you."

"Maybe I want me to, then." Maybe Jean'll find a place in that small, frozen heart of his to accept me still...

"You owe it to Cait Sith to stay with us," Ian replied.

Fay lowered her head. "He should've known better than to trust the likes of me."

"Is that really who you are?" Karolie added. "Do you really want to lie to your friend like that?"

"I lied to you."

"We weren't your friends then."

Fay opened her mouth to say something, stopped, tried to say something else, and got cut off instead.

"The safest that Cait Sith can be is in our care, Fay," Uargo noted. "We are the only resistance to the Empire who knows of these things, the only ones prepared."

"Please stop..."

"Besides," Reno tacked on, "it's like old Cid just said. No matter how angry we are, we'd rather have you along than, say, Cullen."

Cullen mussed the boy's hair. "You made the right choice with Sith, Fay. You gonna ruin all that and turn your back on us now? What's it gonna take to convince ya to stay?"

Fay stared at the floor, helpless.

We're in this together now, Fay. We are, as someone overly dramatic might say, one. You do this, you betray my request like this, and you're just betraying yourself.

"Alright, alright. Knock it off. I'll stay."

"My dear," Cid said, cupping her free hand in both of his, keeping his cane under his arm for support, "let me be the first to forgive you and point out that we shall all do our bests to honor this incident as you see fitting, which I would assume would mean our forgetting of its very nature. Have no fears."

Fay nodded.

"Now, if you would please explain to me what the devil you were talking about before?"

She nodded again. "I guess it all started two decades ago, on my seventh birthday. My best present that year had been Stray here..." She hugged the kitten harder. "He was just your ordinary kitten to most, but he was more to me. I didn't get along with others well, so he was... my best friend. We spent hours out in the field behind my parents' cottage. He was always faithful, never ran away, never got lost, always followed me home.

"No one had any idea how dangerous that field was. I figured that I was always safe. I'd heard of dogs that saved your life if you get attacked by wild animals, even risking their own lives, and thought that Stray would do that for me in a heartbeat. But I was wrong...

"One day, during our usual games, we got attacked by a wolf. Stray was out of there in a second, leaving me to bear that monster's attacks on my own. Like any cat, Stray didn't understand the meaning of the word 'friend'... Sometimes it seemed like I didn't either, and I had such a temper at that age...

"The wolf scarred my shoulders pretty bad, but I finally drove it away with a good smack from a stick I found. I was furious. My forearms were an absolute wreck, and instead of blaming it on a beast that was already long gone, I blamed it on the one that didn't fill my expectations..."

A girl storms over to a kitten shivering in the tall grass by the river and kicks it sharply before it has time to react. The kitten whines and tries to run, but the girl catches its tail and begins to strike it. An imp floats by in the water. The sun strolls overhead.

"I didn't understand at the time that it shouldn't matter to me if Stray didn't know what a friend was. All that should have mattered to me was that I knew what a friend was. By the time I figured that out, it was too late..."

The kitten stops moving, barely breathing. The girl stops too, suddenly aware of what she's done. She scoops the pet up and desperately tries to heal it, but nothing works. She breaks into tears.

"And then he came along..."

A pair of paws grab the girl's forearms, and a pink nose comes down to examine the sixteen rectangle-forming scars on her shoulders where her shirt has been torn away. The girl doesn't bother to pay attention.

"Hmm... can you take pain, little one?"

"What?"

"Can-you-take-pain? I can make these scars look pretty, intentional even, if you can bear a little bit of pain."

"What are you..."

"Yes or no."

She sticks out her lip and nods. A claw flicks out of one paw's forefinger and scrapes a pinch of skin off the shoulder in the shape of a diamond. The claw continues its work, scraping out other shapes: hearts, spades, clubs, as the girl flinches through each movement. The claw retracts, and the paws wrap a green scarf over the reddened shoulders to hold off infections. A large cat plops down next to the girl.

"Something wrong with your friend?"

"No."

"Oh oh, that cat's dead."

"He is not! He's just doing this to make me feel guilty."

"Look, missy. Kittens are very fragile. You hit them in just the wrong place, like... here," He taps a spot on the kitten's body, "and it's curtains for them. It might just be my imagination, but I distinctly see a bruise on that spot."

"Stop it!!! He's not dead! Stop jeering me!"

"Alright, alright. No, he's not dead."

"Really?"

"But he is badly hurt. If you don't do something for him fast, he will be dead."

"What can I do?"

"No clerics around?"

"They don't like us."

"Blast... Only one thing that can be done then, I guess." He looks around nervously, as if feeling the wait of two pairs of eyes on him. The wolf growls in the distance. The imp bobs its bowl-shaped head out of the water. "Here, hand him over to me. I want to try something."

The girl reluctantly hands the kitten over. The cat takes his scarf back, pulls the tatters of the girl's shirt tighter over her shoulders, then turns his attention to the kitten. He strokes its fur, then grabs one of the limp paws. In a flash, he's gone. The kitten leaps into the girl's lap and licks away the tears on her face. She hugs him hard, and cries harder.

"Over time, Cait Sith explained everything to me about his being a Great Spirit and how he was trying to run away from these Coyote and Kappa characters, which is why he was in the area. Wouldn't explain to me why he's running, of course..."

She stroked Stray. "He's going to run away the second he recognizes me. I don't... I didn't..."

"I'm sure things will work out," Cid replied calmly. "What about these 'Aesir' and 'Vanir', though?"

"Great Spirits," Ian interrupted. "Aesir are like Gilgamesh and Carbuncle, aligning themselves to righteousness and balance. Vanir, like Diablos, work for destruction and chaos."

"You knew all this time and-"

"You never asked."

"Right..."

"Well, are we done?" Reno sighed. "I haven't slept all night."

All looked at Fay, lower lip trembling as she nodded. Slowly some made their ways back to their room to save what they could of the night. Others took Cullen aside to hear his entire tale and congratulate him on giving death the slip.

Psycho, on the other hand, dragged himself outside, Silver following along in his concerned way.

Psycho

Blaine walked out into the courtyard with his faithful tiger by his side. He stopped walking and looked at his companion for the last thirteen years of his life. My friend, it is not your fault that we were disconnected, it is mine. I have far too much on my mind right now... I hope you can understand. Once I’ve learned how to deal with these new threats to my mind, our connection will be stronger then ever old friend.

I understand just fine... but where are you going?

"I’m going to scale the tower; I need some time to think. . . . I would prefer it if the others stay away, but if they ask where I went, just tell the truth.”

I see... yes, I will do that for you. Good luck, you nut. I don’t want to hear anything about you falling off that tower.

Blaine half-chuckled. “I doubt if that will happen, but you never know my friend... you never know."

Blaine was soon at the base of the tower. Two guards were on duty. They saw him coming and opened the doors for him. “No thank you, gentlemen. I plan to get to the top the hard way...” he said quietly as he leaped into the air and latched onto the wall ten feet above the door frame. He slowly began his climb up the side of the tower, with the two guards standing below looking up dumbfounded in awe. To their recollection, not even the Prince Vicks had been able to climb the outside of this tower, even with the necessary equipment. But yet this samurai was doing it?

Sliver sat and watched Blaine slowly climb the outside of the tower, locking his fingers into the cracks between bricks as best he could. The tiger then walked slowly back to the hallway to where the group was staying. Hoping against hope that his best friend and the only one he would consider calling Sensei would climb his way up a tower that was several stories high, with next to no proper handholds, and next to no margin of error, wasn't going up for the reason he thought he was going up for, Silver's nervousness was making him unknowingly shed a bit.

Emperor Blaine, why are you doing this? It’s crazy... and that’s being incredibly loose with the term.

Because I need some time to think and what not. Plus, I need a challenge, so why not go for the two-for-one deal, eh?

I see... I just hope you don’t fall, for our sake and the sake of your people...

Relax, I’m being as careful as I can. I mean no disrespect, but please be quiet.

I will, and you’re right.

The young emperor climbed on. As he continued to ascend, the hand and foot holds were less stable and the margin for error continued to decrease. His hand slipped once, but he caught himself in time to avoid falling.

***

After listening to the entirety of Cullen’s tale, Karolie decided to take a walk to help her get back to sleep. She saw Silver in the hall, and could tell something was up. “Silver? What are you doing here alone? And where did Psy--Blaine go? I haven’t seen him since the incident with Fay,” she questioned, with some worry in her voice.

“Blaine is climbing the tower. He needed some time alone to clear his head. I just wish that he would take the stairs, but no… he had to try and scale it from the outside. I swear, he is so thick at times,” Sliver replied with an anxious tone in his voice. “!!! Up the wall?! You didn't try to talk him down? Pfah, I’m going to talk with him now!” she yelled as she raced off, giving him no time to answer. When she got to the tower, she could see that Blaine was halfway up the tower and quite a crowd of soldiers and guards were watching the whole thing.

She pushed her way through the crowd and was soon at the doors. She pushed them open and began to race up the steps as Blaine continued to ascend the dizzying heights from outside. Within another hour-and-a-half, Blaine had gotten to the tip of the tower and looked down at his spectators. He sat down and closed his eyes, entering a meditation.

Karolie raced up the stairs as best she could. There was only one wall and they scrolled up at a very steep incline, but none the less she was almost at the top.

Blaine began to shake in meditation. He had come across one of his least favorite memories... He fell to the floor of the tower and began to thrash around violently, yelling out names from this particular point in his past. Just then, Karolie burst through the door. Her face paled. She had no idea what was going on, nor why he was screaming "Mefos", "Eriolen", and "Fire" aloud. Within a few minutes, the thrashing slowed down and finally stopped. Blaine sat up and opened his eyes to see Karolie standing in front of him, staring with a frightened face.

“Miss Bessadio? Ehh... what brings you to this tower? Uhn... and why are you so pale? Urg... don’t tell me you heard from Silver about what I was doing, and decided you needed to talk with me... then you saw my little flashback, correct?” Blaine answered his own quieries with his usual emotionlessness.

“Yes, that’s why I’m here... but if you were having a flashback, why were you thrashing around like that? And... what was it about?” she inquired, with enough empathy in her voice along with concern.

"Well... it’s a long story. One that I would rather not tell... but you won’t leave till I do, so here it goes. Back when I was six, I was captured up by the Empire, and eventually shifted into the hands of Zel Robbins, where I became one of his many pets. He artificially infused me with magic... I was used to conquer, if not level cities that wouldn’t join the Empire on New Continent and the City-States.

"I remember the slaughtering the most... I hated myself for that one for year. I was the reason the phrase "Get the hell out of Mefos" was created...

We see a beautiful city by a river and near some mountains, well fortified with a hardwood wall that is braced with stell. Three Imperial guards approch the city, along with the boy Blaine, whose hollow, empty eyes echo with nary any free will anymore.

“Heh, the town o' Mefos, home to a large portion of the world’s greatest smithys. They refuse to join our cause, boys, so let’s level the town and head back to base,” the first soldier said with a cruel smirk on his face.

“But Lieutenant Grondea, if we are to destroy the place, then why did we have to drag the kid along?" a second inquired.

“Fool! That boy has incredible power. He’s the one that’s going to level the place. We’re just his armored escort!” the lieutenant barked.

"I see sir. Well, let-"

“Hold it right there! You Imperial dogs make me sick!” Just then a tall man, seven foot to be exact, jumped from the top of the wall and landed at their backs. He was a blacksmith, and apparently a good one, for he was well armed. In his right hand was a dangerous-looking long sword, five feet of beautifully-crafted steel. Strapped to his left arm was a seven foot door shield, also masterly-crafted. "You Imperials make me sick!" he repeated. "Using a small boy to do yer dirty work! I’m goin' ta polish yee off here an' now!” the man raged aloud. “I’m Mems Eriolen, and I’m not letting yee destroy me home for the last twelve years!”

“Hah! Fool, you’re not going to win! Boy, Fire Beam the wall!” the lieutenant barked out.

Blaine raised his hand and shouted, "Fire Beam!” The flames shot from his hand and headed for the wall. Mems leaped in the way, but the beam tore through him like paper and began to incinerate what was left. It soon hit the wall, and the fire spread, trapping the citizens inside the town as it burned to the ground.

“No!!!" Blaine shrieked in rage as he temporarily broke the control he was under. He grabbed the lieutenant’s sword and impaled his foot, then stabbed the other two as well. He hid the still intact shield and sword, and then he lost his freedom once more...

"You see what I go through?! I have no proper place in this world! I’m an abomination! I don’t deserve to live!” Blaine yelled in self rage.

An interesting tale, no? the voice crept in Karolie's mind again.

Shut up. I...

"But, what about your people? You’re an emperor too! . . . You are an emperor... right. You have to sirvive for them!" Karolie countered his evidence with some of her own that Cullen had given her.

“Pfah! I am no emperor! I may be the heir to the throne, but I shouldn’t have taken it. I would lead my peope to ruin. I know nothing about being a leader! I only know how to fight!" He shoved Karolie away in a display of his words. "I won’t let my imcompetence destroy my people!" Blaine shrieked in rage.

He tore off down the stairs of the tower and was soon back to the section of the castle where the group had been standing. He crashed into Reno and Jeice, who were conversing over breakfast ideas to give to the chefs.

“Jeez Blaine, what’s your problem?” Reno piped up.

“Yes, do tell us where’s the fire?” Jeice chimed in.

Blaine's eyes brightened. “Look, I want you two to do me a favor! I want you to... kill me."

“WHAT!?” they both yelled in suprise.

"Kill me, damn you! I deserve death, we all know it around here! Now kill me, or I’ll do the task myself!” Blaine bellowed aloud.

Then he drew a kitana and made to impale himself...

When, "Stop!” rang through the halls at Jeice's command. The spell hit and Blaine was frozen dead in his tracks, with a red glow surrounding him. "Look, we have no idea what in the blue suns has gotten into you, but-“

“But we’re not going to let you die. Are you nuts?! Now tell us what’s going on!’ Reno demanded.

Blaine remained silent until the spell wore off, then he sheathed his blade and went into the nearest room, and locked the door. Jeice and Reno immediately pounded against it, trying to knock it in, but Blaine remerged seconds later wearing a different outfit and carrying a bag by means of shoulder strap. He had a blue bandana covering his face from the nose down. His silver bangs hid his eyes, leaving only his eyepatch to be seen. He wore a white shirt with matching pants, and a blue and red cape with the Yien family crest on the back. As usual, his gauntlet of succession was present. The braid he kept his hair in, now free, fell down about halfway down his back.. "I’ll explain later. Now tell me where the smith shop is," Blaine said aloud with a tone of relief in his voice.

After getting directions from Reno, he was soon at the shop, with Silver once more by his side. Within two-and-a-half hours his armor had been reforged to fit his new choice of underclothing and his katanas were sealed in the bag he had slung over his shoulder. A bo he ordered to be forged was in his right hand now. He had also made a rather nasty looking knife attachment for it, to be concealed in his clothing. The bo itself was a good six foot long and about two inches thick with a one inch diameter.

He was soon back with Reno and Jeice.

“Now I answer your questions. I had a lot on my mind and I blew up in Miss Bessadio’s face and I really do feel that I deserve death and what I’m wearing now is closer to the famiy robes than what I had before. If I am to be an emperor, then I shall at least look the part. If only my father were here... he could've told me what to do before that mess went up,” Blaine said with a bit of remorse in his voice.

“I've got idea, Blaine," Reno said, pulling away from Jeice an kindly motioning to him that it was private. "Why don’t you come with me? We both heard that that Ananke court is leaving on their recconaissance tomorrow. If we sneak in, we may be able to rescue your father.."

“. . . Perhaps... come and get me when you’re ready to go. I must do some more meditating. And apologize to Miss Bessadio..." Blaine said. With that, he headed into his newly reserved room, Silver in tow.

Some time later, Karolie was walking to her own room just as Blaine was leaving his. The two bumped into each other. She was taken aback a bit with the sudden change in his wardrobe, especially since the two scars he bore were mostly visble. Wide and deep, they were echted across his face. The bottom third of them were hidden behind his bandana.

“Miss Bessadio... I’m so sorry for going off at you like that. I had no right to do so.” Blaine broke the silence with this statement.

"It’s... okay. Not the weirdest thing that's happened on this trip. I shouldn’t have tried to pry like that. I... I guess I never knew you that well. Didn't want to make the same mistake I almost did with Cullen. But I shouldn’t have asked, I... sorry," She apologised as well.

The two then went their separate ways, Blaine to get some supplies from town and Karolie to her room.

Lupus

The dusty, dimlit room’s silence was sharply broken as the wooden door slammed open, the eyepatched samurai walking in with a crunching headache. Dropping his two old katanas to the creaky floor with a bang of cluttered steel, he collapsed on his bed face down, eagle spread.

What a useless day...

Blaine’s drifting thoughts carried nowhere particular. Despite the fact his private life was being more and more broken into, he couldn’t help think what they would say if it all came out.

I see no reason for you to live a life in exile, Blaine, but if that’s the way you want it...

“I can do without the narrative, thanks very much,” Blaine mumbled into the bedclothes.

We are now like brothers, you and I, Blaine. You’ll need to step out of the shadows someday.

Blaine flipped over onto his back. The only light source for the room was the splint of light peering through the ajar door, and he watched as dust spiralled up into the unplugged overhead. “No more... I don’t need it, I’m telling you!” He sharply hit his fist into the bedside table, a small piece of paper sliding off onto his pillow. Looking at it carefully, he picked it up in his right hand and flipped open the folds with his thumb, holding it out completely. Untidy scrawl was jotted across the paper, in three quick written lines.

Meet me in the castle courtyard before dark
Time is important.
Reno

Not stopping to wonder what it was about, Blaine got to his feet and quickly fastened his newly acquired fighting pole onto his back, not knowing whether he’d need it or not (it was better to come prepared), he pulled open the creaky door and marched out into the much nicer looking hallway. He caught even more surprised glances, as the royal soldiers were clearly afraid of him now, if they weren’t so before. Ignoring them he continued around the corridor of mazes that was the castle, until he finally stepped out into the fresh air of the courtyard.

The courtyard itself was about as large as four peasant’s houses, high walled from the outside of the castle, and many large arches looming up from the second floor. The diameter was laced with various trees and rare plants, obviously expensive, and in the middle was a large, marble white fountain, which softly spurted fresh blue water from a carved central piece. Blaine, interested, and with Reno nowhere in sight, walked towards it for a closer inspection. The carvings were certainly of expert design, as they comprised of three major figures. Nodding, Blaine stepped away, only to hear a thud from the stone path behind him. Blaine span around, pole already in his hand, to see Reno on his knees.

“Woah, sorry if I frightened you. I was just peeping in on those above us!”

The thirteen-year-old pointed up above the entrance to the courtyard. The window to the main hall on the second floor. One of Blaine’s eyebrows rose, a slight grin crossing his face.

“You were spying on them?”

Reno nodded. “And good thing I have been, too. Change of plan. The Court are leaving in an hour. So you better pack your bags before then.”

“I carry no bags,” the other replied immediately, as if it was instinct. “I go with whatever I have on my back.”

Reno was half surprised that Blaine didn’t seem shocked, or rather, didn’t even seem to care that the time schedule had just been abruptly changed. “Good, then. I heard that they’re just going to be doing maintenance checks for the next hour, before leaving. If so, there’s a good chance their airship won’t hit the ground after they’ve taken off the first time. We should go now.”

“We can go now.”

Reno silently nodded, and turned to the courtyard entrance. “They’re set up down near the lake, if you’re interested. We should wait there for a right moment.”

***

The airship of Spayaré was one of the wonders of the world, and was widely known for its beauty and luxury. It was, at first glance, just an oversized airship, it’s design mirroring (only in larger form) an airship you could purchase at many places around the world. The main wooden base of the airship stretched impossible lengths, harbouring hundreds, maybe even thousands of people inside its decks. Mounted on top of the ship was the main tower, the Fort of Spayaré, which itself was its own portable castle. The entire airship was the Castle of Ananke, and it’s incredibly dangerous balancing and weight caused it to be propelled by not only the wind, but also by trained dragons and creatures of the air.

It was fifteen minutes later when the duo arrived at the north side of the lake. They weren’t alone by any standards; hundreds of soldiers, obviously waiting to take off, were standing around talking, feasting and involving themselves a variety of pastimes from target practice to just plan hoop-toss. In fact, the popularity of the spot was so recognised, that many of the city’s merchants had camped down there for the day.

The Fort of Spayaré itself was hovering above the lake, showering the water and its north side in darkness. Loud noises came from above, and from the sounds of things they were working on repairing whatever was bust. Iron cables were thrown from the edges of the ship high above and fastened down to the grassy dirt below, causing the airship to halt in place. And, of course, the cable bases were under constant inspection, in case one should break.

Reno and Blaine sat down on the wet grass, thinking they’d have to wait awhile before take off. But almost as soon as they did, a large, thin plank-like metal object was flipped down from the edge of the airship above. The soldiers on the ground below moved quickly to avoid getting hit by it, and soon after another followed, a few feet to the side of the first. A couple of soldiers rushed forward as soon as the two planks’ sharp edges had broken into the dirt, and rearranged the planks so they were perfectly aligned. Then, from above, another plank was lowered, only it was faced the other way, and it slid between to original two. It hit the dirt, and the bottom soldier secured it, thus forming a ramp to the craft.

And just in time too.

Three obviously important people came over the mountain from behind the lake and walked over, dressed in almost royal robes. After talking to the soldier at the base of the ramp, they began their walk upwards, followed by the rest of the guards.

“We must act now,” Reno mumbled. He grabbed Blaine’s arm and painfully tugged him up, and over towards the bottom of the ramp. Hiding in the shadows below, they waited until the footsteps had finished overhead, and just like clockwork, the ramp began to retract. Reno grabbed on to one of the supporting poles and hauled himself up, helping Blaine do the same.

“Hold on tight. If we fall now, we’ll only get skinned knees. If we fall later, we’ll get our backs broken.”

Blaine silently nodded. “This is a manoeuvre that only samurais or those who wish to die would risk,” he said calmly, grinning.

“I’m neither,” the other replied, still holding on with both hands. “But it is the only way up without them seeing us.”

The ramp continued to slide upwards towards the airship, to the side of the deck where several guards would be waiting to pull in the ramp and pack it away...

“We have to get off soon,” Reno mumbled. Blaine nodded from beside him.

“I also just noticed what you are thinking. Follow my lead when I say.”

The ramp finally retracted most of its way, and the guards walking up had just jumped onto the deck. But something unexpected happened; the ramp flipped up into a horizontal position, in a preparation for its withdrawal. Reno and Blaine quickly grabbed ahold of the pole they were sitting on previously, and waited as the ramp hit the deck quietly, quickly letting go. A second later and their hands would have been crushed.

They fell hopelessly down the side of the airship’s wood paneling. Thinking fast, Blaine whipped out his bo and implanted it into the side of the ship, grabbing Reno as he fell past. The bo bent with their weight, but didn’t fall out or snap.

“Now what...?” Reno asked hopelessly.

Blaine glanced around. The ship was starting to vibrate, the blades beginning to spin. Sure signs of takeoff. At various positions around the ship, the wood would slide back to a small dragon nest where the dragons would be let out.

“That’s what,” the samurai mumbled in response. Before Reno could ask what he was talking about, the samurai removed the bo from the wood and they began to fall again. Blaine hung onto the wall and slided vertically into a newly opened nesting area, making sure to, once again, grab Reno as he fell past.

“Lucky save.”

Blaine attached his slightly bent pole to his back once again, and walked into the tiny storage room full with hay. The dragon resting was just waking up, and a man was attaching a collar-type instrument to it. The collar was attached to a chain, which, in order, was attached to the ship.

The two stowaways stepped out into the staircase leading up the side of the ship, and made their way up onto the deck quickly. Hundreds of workers and guards pranced about the ship doing many things, so Reno and Blaine just took shelter from behind a strap post.

“I can’t believe we just got on board the most technology-equipped airship of present times.” Reno said, slouching down to the ground.

“And I can’t believe my pole is already bent, and it isn’t even a day old yet...”

“Either that or our lives. I know which I’d choose.”

“If you put it that way...” Blaine sat down, shaking his head.

“That reminds me,” Reno said suddenly. “There must be hundreds of thousands of people on board. We should keep a low profile until we get to the Imperial Continent. And even then we should keep a low profile.”

The two talked for awhile, resting up behind a strap post while the buzz of workers carried on behind them. The dawn slowly broke upon the Kingdom below them as the craft flew by forests, deserts and fields towards the ocean.

“So just how are we going to rescue your father?”

“I thought you had an idea...”

“Sorry to disappoint you.”

Blaine chucked. “I’m sure we’ll figure out something when we get there. Why are you coming along anyway?”

“Eh... that Kayth girl...”

“Don’t tell me!” Blaine grinned stupidly. “You have a crush on her, huh?”

“You sure get straight to the point...” Reno blushed again. “But it’s more than that. Just think of me as someone who finds people who are presumed dead.”

“That doesn’t make a whole lotta sense to me...”

“I expect it wouldn’t,” the other replied. “She has the power of telekinesis. She was talking to me by voice and by mind at the same time back in the throne room. It’s not the first time she’s been in my mind.”

“I’m still not getting it.”

A rain drop fell and landed on the Kazuki Emperor’s nose. More followed, faster and faster, splattering the cold wood that they sat upon. It began to pour as the time steadily approached midnight, and the workers on the front deck of the airship began to yell out commands through the storm. The dragons held by the strap posts where hauled up, screeching from being wet. They were herded into the underbelly of the ship to keep warm, and most of the workers followed, leaving a few scouts and soldiers behind.

“We won’t be able to sleep here,” Reno informed the other. “We’ll need to sneak inside.”

“That doesn’t sound too hard for me. I presume we’ll be doing much more sneaking when we arrive.”

Reno shrugged and got to his feet, making sure he was still half hidden behind the strap post, but before he could do anything, Blaine had already hurried himself over to the corner of the square structure and looked out from beyond. Reno half expected him to wait until the guards had turned, then make a run for either the actual aircraft steps or the gate to the tower. He did neither. Instead, he just stepped out.

“You guards!”

They turned to him in perfect alignment, almost as if they had been trained to do so. Instead of drawing their swords, they went down on one knee. One of the scouts spoke, while keeping eye contact with the rain-splattered deck.

“We bow before the Emperor of Kazuki,” he said instantly.

Reno glared. “How did you know they knew who you were?”

“I didn’t. I was expecting to have to beat them up until they gave us hospitality.” Blaine turned to face the bowing soldiers. “I request a room for me and my friend.”

The scout nodded and stood up. “Your command is our doing.” He turned around and walked down the steps into the airship. He returned a few moments later with a pair of heavily armoured commanders, whose plates were so thick they looked like giants. Their helmets were off, revealing light blonde shoulder length hair with a matching goatee on one man, and dark red hair on the other. Their hair was soaked in almost an instant from the storm.

The blonde goateed one spoke. “I am Onion Knight Alsteris of the Court of Spayaré. This is my compatriot Onion Knight Eudoras. We hear you have requested a room in our flying fort?”

Blaine nodded softly.

“I will not bother asking you why you are here. I will leave that to Lady Ganymede. You wish to meet her before your rest?”

“No,” Blaine quickly said.

“Yes,” Reno spoke over the top. “Blaine can go to his room. I’ll meet him there later.”

Alsteris stood still for a moment, then bowed. “Follow me, then. The Emperor can go with Eudoras.”

Alsteris lead Reno towards the giant tower, while Eudoras and Blaine made their way into the airship. The front gates of the tower were made of solid steel, and the two guards who wore helmets so low it was amazing they could see, removed the solid bar. The commander and mage walked on, through stone passages and up steps, past hundreds of workers, soldiers and other civilians. They seemed to walk around in circles around the steps. The path led higher and higher until they reached another steel door.

“This is the Court of Spayaré. I do recommend you wait until they leave to speak to Lady Ganymede...”

“Is there a meeting right now?”

“I am not sure. I am not told of such things-“

Reno pulled out the metal bar and opened the doors. It was a round table in another large room. Kayth floated a meter above the table, her eyes closed, meditating. She had heard the door open, but had taken no notice of it.

“Lady Ganymede, we have a visitor here to see you,” Alsteris announced.

Kayth opened her eyes. She spotted Reno, and slowly erased the Float spell from around herself and lowered herself to the table. “Very well, Alsteris. You may leave.”

Alsteris nodded and exited, closing the iron door behind him.

“I was wondering if you were coming or not,” Kayth said, pushing herself off the table and sitting down in one of the many chairs around it. “I began to think you had forgotten me.”

“I’m very confused here, Trilphy. I thought you were dead... the mage school thought you were dead...”

Kayth shook her head. “I’m sorry, Reno. I kept thinking of how much trouble I would have caused.”

“A little explaining of what happened that night wouldn’t go astray...”

“I didn’t fake my own death, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

Reno shook his head. “Believe me, I’m not angry at you at all. I’m more happy than angry. I just wish to know what I missed.”

“Well, I suppose it is my fault. Heren casted Life3 on me in lessons that day. I didn’t believe it when I woke up, I thought I was gone. I walked back to the Mage School and found Master Heren. He was horrified. He thought someone was playing a joke on him. He didn’t remember casting any spells on me, but I convinced him and he told me to leave quickly. To make a long story short, I arrived in Ananke and joined the army... that was, of course, only for the money so I could start living my life, but I grew found of it all.”

“And you advanced ranks pretty quickly, I should think?”

“I was the youngest Lord or Lady of the Court by several decades. Most rulers were over 25, at least. No one expected a 12 year old to become Lady of the Court. And now it is one year later.”

Silence one again followed. Reno glanced around at the stone walls, and nearly jumped out of his skin as Trilphy leapt at him, hugging him tightly.

“Woah... watch it...”

Trilphy let go. “I heard Heren killed himself... he must have had some breakdown after seeing a ‘ghost’. I’m still not sure why I left...”

“Why are you calling yourself Kayth Ganymede?”

“A tribute to my mother, I guess. That and I didn’t want you to hear about me still alive and become angry at me.” She smiled, tears in her eyes. “I completed my White Mage training, if you care. I’m also one of the youngest White Wizards in the world...”

“AND you know how to use a sword?”

“Yeah, I guess...”

“You sure are talented.”

Trilphy turned red. “I still can’t destroy an entire city yet, though.”

“You heard about that??”

“Of course. I’m Lady Ganymede.”

***

Blaine was in the large wooden room below deck, scribbling in an open journal. He lifted the quill, dipped it in ink and turned the page. He placed the ink back on the paper again, dotting a few spots.

“I arrive at my homeland, I leave. I arrive at my destination. I leave. It seems nothing in this world today stops for a breather.”

The door suddenly opened, and in walked Reno, wearing a black mage robe, the hat in his hands. “Ta-daa!”

Blaine looked up. “Good Zeus! What the hell is that?”

“It’s a black mage robe, idiot,” Reno said jokingly, then span around. “How’s it look?”

“It looks okay. Nothing in comparison to what I’m decked out in though.”

“It’s made of pure Leprin fur. Supposed to up your magic power.”

“Well I must say, Reno, if that proves true, I’ll eat this pen!” Blaine jested aloud, twirling his modern quill in his fingers.

Reno grinned, and took a look around the room that the people of Ananke had so willingly given them. It was well furnished and even had a fireplace that had something cooking on the flames. Then, as the young mage spotted the bo leaning against the desk where Blaine was seated, he decided he would ask something that had been bugging him for the last half of the day.

“Blaine, not to be rude or anything, but why did you switch weapons?” he inquired, and Blaine turned around from his writing. “I mean, come on, a pole against swords, pistols, or just about every other kind of weapon in the world? It doesn’t make any sense to me...”

“If you had trained under my sensei Keero Lio, it would,” the simple reply came. “You see, the bo, or fighting pole as you call it, can be just as deadly as the sword. Rather than slicing off limbs you can crack your poor foe’s skull right in or you could spin it at an incredible speed to block arrows, maybe even arrows. It’s also the easiest weapon to transfer energy through... besides your hands and feet, that is.” Blaine kept turning back to his journal and scribbling a few lines every sentence he spoke. Suddenly he stopped, the ink quill positioned above the paper, Blaine thinking hard. Instead of writing a new line, he turned once again. “If I may inquire, Young Lupus, what was life like on the streets for you? I’ve lived on the streets of cities, towns and villages throughout the world and each one, I had different experiences in.”

Reno thought for a moment. “Well, it wasn’t too bad at most times. I had some friends and we had a lose alliance. If we were in a group then we watched over each other’s backs, and even when we weren’t we tried to do the same. But one day I remember in particular would have turned out a lot better if I had brought along a friend.”

A ten year old boy walks down the market street in Telo’Nak, hands in his pockets and humming. He reaches a baked goods stand, greeted by the fat merchant. Suddenly, he grabs a large loaf of bread and turns, sprinting, down the street.

“Get back here you thief!” the merchant cries aloud through the packed streets. All eyes turn to the boy, and three guards begin their chase. The boy hurriedly climbs a ladder onto the rooftops, running as fast as he can, knowing the guards are hot on his trail. He reaches a clothesline that is attached to a lower roof. Using his light weight, he slides down it on his feet and makes it across to the opposite building, still running.

He looks back while running to see his followers scrambling down the rope one at a time, desperately trying to reach him. Suddenly his feet catch air, and he tumbles off the side of the building and crashes through the cloth roof of a horse stall. He lands in a pile of hay silently, twisting his ankle and falling into a dark corner of the street. The guards arrive, and desperately search the hay for him. Deciding he’s escaped, they stalk off back into the crowd to look for more thieves. The boy sighs, thinking how lucky he was that they didn’t pull out the daggers to search the hay. He pulls himself out, brushing himself off, and stumbles down a back alley, away from the crowd.

He collapses into the stone wall, breathing heavily. But he soon is joined by a group of fifteen year old boys, none of them looking too happy to see the boy.

“Well well, lookie here, a little street urchin has tumbled onto our turf. What do you think we should do with him, fellas?”

“Let’s beat him up!”

“Report him to the street guard!”

“No, you idiots! Let’s just take his bread. It’s what he’s so focused on!”

The ten year old shook his head wordlessly, and the first teenager grinned.

“If you refuse, we’ll beat you up even worse! Give us the bread and you can continue on unharmed,” the bully speaks again, with a touch of sadism in his voice.

“No...” the ten year old replies, holding the bread tighter. “No way, this is mine! Get your own, creeps!” The boy suddenly quivers, realising his nearly broken leg wouldn’t get him anywhere.

“Wrong answer kid!” the second teenager says, laughing.

Before the ten year old knows what was happening, he is flung against the wall and all three bullies plow into him. After a good five minutes of torture, he passes out for a few hours. Only tree hours later is he able to return to his hideout and turn in for the night.

“Hmmm. I see,” Blaine responded, his unpatched eye’s brow raising. “But even if you had brought along a friend he still couldn’t have forseen the coming of the three thugs. And even if he had, he wouldn’t have stayed to watch the fun?”

The samurai got up from the desk and went to the fireplace. Taking out the burning pot, he got a small bowl and produced a pair of chopsticks from his belt. He then set them on the table.

“Would you like to try a bowl? It’s a recipe I’ve been trying to recreate for years. Sensei used to cook... how do you phrase it?... soup. But I’ve never been able to get this one part correct and tonight I think I have, thanks to the kind people who have given us room on their airship. It’s just fish, a bit of special soy sauce, noodles, some parsley, and the special ingredient. Though I won’t tell you what it is until you at least try some.”

“Sure, I’ll try it. But I’ll just use silverware if that’s fine with you,” Reno replied politely, and a bit sheepishly.

“Of course, chopsticks take months of practice to become even proficient with,” the other replied in an equally polite tone, while using the chopsticks to pick up a few noodles from the bowl and tasting them. His eyes lit up, and he smiled for a moment. “I knew it! Garlic salt in the noodles! Ha, why didn’t I think of that all those years ago?!” Blaine was practically jumping in the air with excitement. He then noticed the black mage who was looking at him strangely. “Oh, sorry.”

He filled his bowl with the soup, then got another bowl and gave Reno the rest. “Tell me what you think, and be honest. I won’t be upset if you don’t like it, after all, Kazuki foods are quite different than the rest of the world’s,” Blaine commented.

Reno took a spoonful of the soup and swallowed it. About five seconds later, he coughed, standing up.

“No offence, but this wouldn’t happen to be poison, now would it?”

Blaine grinned. “I didn’t think you’d like it.”

“No kidding.”

Luigi of the Pipes

Aaron stretched his arms and groaned. Jekin's definition of work was surely not the same as a scholar's or a cabin boy's. Poor Aaron could almost feel the mischievous grin of the dwarf as he shattered Aaron's expectations of polishing, or even counting and sorting the remaining shards of his finesse. Rather, Jekin had decided to tax Aaron's height and strength by assigning him to such strenuous exercises as hefting crates of shards up onto the shelves of the workshop that Jekin himself could only reach by stepladder.

Even after Odin had melded with him and the work had been finished, his weariness dragged on. The Great Spirit was far too weak to offer any comforting strength to Aaron, let alone to himself. Many times he had tried to, or even just attempted to offer some praise to Aaron for his great forgiveness of him, but the mysterious thunder-wielder had robbed him of so much strength that he could barely communicate.

Buh wha dih yuh fogif meh? the Spirit had mumbled to him once, upon which Aaron had calmly replied, "We're brothers. Murderous and vengeful aside, we still have to look out for each other. For ol' Veriol's sake." For the most part, however, Aaron attempted to ignore the half-spoken thanking and tried to focus on the many things that Ken was telling him. At the moment, the dwarf seemed fixated on explaining the way they'd get home.

"Jekin's finally gonna let us go, so I figure we can..."

Thae gue, thae gue Aion! Odin slurred along.

"... can take the..."

Thae gue...

"...and we'll..."

Thae...

"Stop!" he shouted, clutching his temples angrily as the voices continued to ring. A headache was quickly forming.

"What did I say?!" Ken exclaimed, embarrassed.

"No no, you go on. Explain how we'll get back and all that..."

Suhree...

"Bah, you were doing it on purpose, and you know it..."

"What?"

"Talk dwarf, talk!"

"Well, we've got some mine shafts under here that can take us right to Monaracez. So long as King Shrin left a cart when he ventured there this morning, we'll reach it in record time."

Vicks paced silently through the halls of the castle, only his footfall alerting himself of his presence. Another set of footsteps flowed into his conscious. He sped up. They did as well. He slowed down. They didn't. Abruptly he spun, ready to strike at his pursuer, but Jeice had dropped to the ground before he had even flung his fist.

"Apalocks! The devil are you doing, stalking behind me like that?"

Jeice stood, and Vicks took note of the fine garments he had worn specially for tonight. Certainly more cleanly than those ancient Ranger clothes he had when he first arrived. "Your father asked me to remind you that the banquet is tonight, and in progress as we speak."

"I am aware, yes."

"Then why aren't you...?"

"He wishes for me to write a eulogy in memory of Biggs. I do not wish to." Under his breath, he added, "I could not bring myself to..."

"Why not?"

The wizard's hearing was greater than he expected. "It is no concern of yours. Go on without me. The king has tidings that you may find helpful in your quest against the Empire." He stalked away quietly, leaving Jeice to sigh and start back.

"Very well," King Bellows began as Jeice came back in with no Vicks. "If we are all in attendance..." He sat at the height of the great table in the banquet hall. A pair of his closest advisors sat to his right, though the seat closest to his right had been reserved for his son. On his left sat a king of the dwarven people who resided in the nearby area, with three of his own subjects sitting to his left as well. King Shrin, as Bellows explained, had been invited to the banquet to discuss with the Grundon Society their recent disturbance of Mount Dracodore, where his throne sat. The dwarves of this country had never particularly liked the men of the world, save for the Dragoons and one captain of a smuggling crew that they spoke of in recent legend. The only reason for his being liked, in fact, was due to a long and daring smuggle he had done for them once, which ended up in their getting the ingredient needed to start their magical 'minisculery' art. The recent event with the mountain, of course, only made their liking of men worse.

As for the Grundon Society, they had all dressed in the most appealing clothing provided to them by the king's subjects, hoping to get on the better side of their already peevish host. All save Asura, who insisted that she wore a most exquisite gown... under her same brown robe. Cid had seated himself across the table from Shrin, with Uargo, Cullen, and Ian taking up the three chairs to his right. On his left and across from Bellows sat Siddhearth, who had Jeice, Asura, and Fay to his left, Stray curled up at the latter's feet, still altogether confused about the events that had brought him this far. At the far left end of the table sat Karolie, across from the chair on the far right she had reserved sadly for Aaron. Psycho and Reno, having already lost all favor with the king, were not even invited, let alone told of the banquet itself. Only Silver, curled privately at Ian's feet, knew that they wouldn't have attended even if asked, though he remained in quiet shock at having been abandoned by his Sensei again.

"Master Shrin desires to know what possessed your insane ambition of scaling to the peak of the restricted sacred mountain," Bellows went on almost casually as they waited for dinner to be served, though they could feel the resent in him. "But we will discuss these matters at a later time. I first wish to bring up this country of Ananke, whose court has just left us on a private business venture. Cortez may be allied to them, but I feel wary, suspicious even of them. I have no mistrust in the court itself, especially not their benevolent ruler, Lady Ganymede, mind you. It is those that make up the citizenry of the country that unnerve me. If you have studied your history as well as I hope you have, you will well know that Ananke released the terror of Knight Gelgonde upon Grundon some thirty years ago."

Cid nodded painfully in remembrance. Gelgonde's raids of the area had been the chief reason for his investment in the construction of Valkryie.

"In addition, I find it quite curious that the land is so close to Cortez's shores. About a decade ago, things were not so. It was rather near to Grundon. There is no true explanation for the mysterious drifting of the continent, save for an unlikely tale that Lady Ganymede told me once when I questioned. It involves primarily a blue crystal relic that they hide somewhere deep in the heart of the island, which was told to have controlled the oceans itself in the ancient times. It had been attempted to use it before, but all trials failed. That is to say, all trials failed until one day, when a man by the name of Heimdall showed up. Being one of great charisma, he was not refused in seeing, and even touching the crystal. When held, it bestowed him and him alone an amazing control over the water, reminiscent of the magic that the long extinct Environmentalists once used. Lady Faltasy, the ruler at the time, took immediate notice of this skill and pleaded with Heimdall to move the island far from Grundon's shores, so that Gelgonde would never want to return if he tired of Grundon. The waves roared fierce under Heimdall's control, and Ananke was brought to its new resting place. Heimdall, however, disappeared before he could take so much as a thanks. Quite an unlikely story indeed, would you not agree?"

Asura had stopped sipping her drink at the very mention of the name Heimdall. Though no one watched her, she suddenly felt embarrassed and tossed her hood over her face, then returned to the Vaelin drink in the emptying cup.

"Perhaps it is the Water Crystal," Silver purred to Ian. "Is Master Seamus aware that..."

"Perhaps this is the object we seek?" Uargo questioned aloud.

"Blazes, not you falling for this craziness too, Uargo," Siddhearth mumbled. "We thank you for this information Lord Bellows, but..."

"I have not finished," the King interrupted. "I wish for you, as payment for the damage that has been done to my lovely castle since you took temporary residence, to investigate their loyalty for me. Ananke remains a good ally to Cortez, but like the lesson of Sir Gelgonde, alliances themselves can be misleading."

"Very well," Cid consented. "That shall be our next move. It is not a far journey, is it?"

"Not far at all. You no doubt passed it on your way here, actually. It's only about fifty leagues at sea to the west of Pentz, faster by air."

Cid turned to look at the empty seat at the table. "We... we will be..."

"Sailing," Ian interrupted politely. "We already own a fine ship, and I have had my own experiences on the high seas. Even if Aaron doesn't return, we shall be..."

"He'll return," Karolie replied solemnly. Cid nodded to her, though the gesture was hardly reassuring.

"It is funny that you should mention that name, Aaron," Shrin spoke. As he did, a loud knock rang through the halls. A guard rushed to answer the door, and was paid no other mind. "That reminds me of the other business I had to mention in coming here." He stood and began to pace about the table. "I am growing old, friend Bellows. Already have I reached the age of five hundred, and I have no suitable heir to my throne for my approaching end. My solution to this was quite ingenious, as solutions go. I offered a series of tests to several of my eligible subjects, and narrowed that number down to a decent amount. But I fear that my final test is too difficult for any of the finalists, and it is to late to recall it in fairness to those who failed. You see, I had once, about ten and nine years ago, taken time from my royal duties to be a part of a smuggling crew. The captain was a fine man, and later provided me with bountiful molding crystal from the Empire that we have used for minisculery. I admired this man like no other, and have even written a song in his honor. Would you like to hear it?"

Before any could reject, Shrin cleared his throat and began a quick song:

Strong as the wind that graces the trees Yet gentle as he sails through the seas

"As you can tell, it is but a work in progress..." The others groaned.

"But so you see, I requested of my possible heirs to find this man and sail on one of his voyages. He has not been seen for a good decade, sadly. So I now ask of your favor, perhaps as another form of reprimands for your disturbance of our sacred mountain. You are on great travels. If, on one of these, you happen upon a smuggler calling himself Air N., tell him that he is wanted in Cortez. He may be going by the true name he confided me with, though, that being..."

"Aaron Nyoran," Cid nodded.

"Correct! Have you seen him?"

"Yes, actually, he was..."

"Is!" Karolie blurted at him.

"Our own captain for these voyages."

"You don't say," Shrin brightened. "Well, this will make things very easy indeed."

"He hasn't been seen since his arrival, however," Cullen spoke. "I last saw him a night ago, making his way toward your own Dracodore."

"Considering the perils that we four went through when we approached the mountain," Uargo cut in, "we are not feeling as hopeful of his return as we would like."

"Oh, well that is-"

He was stopped as the guard who had left burst back into the room, dragging a man and a dwarf behind him by the collars of their long coat and vest, respectively. "I found these begging outside the door, milord," he explained, dropping to one knee without loosening his grip. "When I refused them entrance, they tried to force their way in."

"Kenneth!" Shrin growled, pacing over to the dwarf. "Well, this is quite a disappointment! I cannot believe that you would..."

"Aaron!" Karolie shouted at the same time, jumping from her seat. She stopped suddenly as Aaron gave her a saddened glance and a chill brushed her spine, then excused herself with a curtsey and sat back down.

"Aaron?" Shrin said, turning from Ken to look at the other. "Aaron... Nyoran? It is really you?"

Aaron nodded as he pushed himself up, then looked down at the dwarf and caught his breath. "Shrin? Njord Shrin?" They threw their arms around each other, sobbing with joy. "Oh, it's been so long! You're lucky you left when you did!"

"Why?"

"The others... reapers got them..."

"Oh d-"

The recognition that they were before a group struck them both, and they parted tensely, grunting and spitting (into their hands) to prove their manhood.

"Ah, those guys had it coming to them (tell me everything later). Ever see that idiot Odin, again?"

A sharp kick jolted through Aaron. "You might say so..."

They took their seats again, King Bellows sliding unhappily into Vicks's chair so that Ken could sit by King Shrin, and the guard returning to his spot with an all together flabbergasted expression at the turn of events. The others took little notice of the odd turn, or hid it rather well.

The captain went into a not-so-brief discussion of his time smuggling, and of the mage school, following into the explanation of their current doings, which the others added o on to as well. He promised more confidentially to explain his doings at Dracodore to the Grundon Society after the banquet, then Ken cleared his throat.

"I'm, ah, I'm going with Aaron, Master Shrin. If it pleases you, that is."

Shrin grinned warmly. "You were... usually... my favorite pick for heir. It pleases me greatly."

The food was served, and everyone filled themselves to their own desires. King Bellows rambled on with King Shrin most of the night about this and that, until the hours grew long and even Siddhearth felt himself growing weary.

"It approaches midnight," the composer commented, checking at his pocket watch. Jeice nodded and excused himself for a few minutes, then made his way to Reno's room.

Quickly he opened the door and stepped in. "Reno, I need..." He looked around the room. Reno's few belongings were gone. "Reno?" A sloppy attempt at making the pillows look like the boy mage was hidden under the covers of the bed. "Reno!"

Lupus

"Emperor Yien!!"

The samurai jumped down from the edge of the ship, landing on the deck with a squeak. Looking behind him he could just make out the figure of a female soldier approaching him from the closest entrance hatch. Smiling slightly, he turned once again, to rest on the barrier.

"What are you doing out here? You'll catch a cold!" the girl spoke wearily, and with a slight stutter in her voice. She was dressed in a heavy cloth robe, a large furred collar around her neck and yet she still shivered in the night air. The other just stood unaffected.

"Merely taking the sights, Miyuki. It's been a long time since I've been on an airship. And I must say, the sights are impressive."

"You find the water to be impressive? Endless stretches of ocean to be interesting?"

The samurai didn't respond for awhile. He felt the girl behind him growing weary from the cold, and finally decided to speak. "You look at a field, you see flowers. Do you think that field is ugly? Or a beauty of life, Ms. Kumo?"

Miyuki shook her head. "I think it is a beauty of life. It is a wonder we still have such things at this age. A rarity that cannot be passed."

"Then tell me, Ms. Kumo. Why do you not look at an ocean and see the same thing? The grass could be ripples, the flowers rocks. My father taught me never to take anything for granted. The ocean is just as magical as the field on land."

"Still the same, I insist you come inside. It's getting late."

"It's getting early, my dear. Don't worry about me. I can last a little longer than most people without sleep." Blaine turned to face her again. "You should take your own advice, besides."

"I am the only scout on duty, Emperor. If I were to leave we would have no warning of approaching aircraft or flying monsters. And besides, I'd be fired."

"You're forgetting me. I can take over for you. And I think my night vision would be more defined than your own." Blaine motioned his hand away. "Please, I'm willing."

Miyuki reluctantly nodded and made her way back across the ship and into the hatch. It clunked shut, and Blaine resumed his position on the bow of the ship, in the shadow of the entire Fort that loomed behind him. The sea was just as dark as he remembered it, and the sky was starless. In fact, it was pretty much dark wherever he looked. He still focused on nothing in particular, no thought running through his mind besides what to do when they landed. So far he hadn't thought of anything, and they were steadily approaching their location.

Suddenly his mind was full with thoughts and tactics. The night trudged on, and eventually his body got the better of him and he fell to the wooden deck, asleep.

"Is he asleep now?" a familiar voice said calmly.

"I think so, doctor. His body has been put in a temporary freeze. Whether he is still conscious or not is unknown. But I think it's safe to talk now."

"He's our most precious subject to date. You think you can improve on him?"

"Not for the moment. I've been experimenting with a way of splicing. It's a detailed procedure and we don't have the funds to do it yet. But no worry, I think this boy will bring us more than enough money before his usefulness is drained."

"What then? He is but ten years old..."

"We just dispose of him. He is an important boy to Kazuki, or at least he would have been. His uncle spoiled his father's chance at the throne. We would've nabbed him as well, if it weren't for the fact our troop had completely lost track of him."

"And the mother?"

"A woman by the name of Adrastea Leda Ling. She died soon after the boy was born, a problem that was easily dealt with. We have her son. A blood relation is just as good. And these types are some of the most pure blooded in the world, so it was no surprise that this boy was the main target for the New Empire."

Blaine's eyes flicked open once again, thoughts of the memory still stained in his mind. He was awake back then, aware and completely with it at that time. He had heard it all. But he couldn't remember the Empire ever wanting to get their hands on his parents as well. Can't wait until I can finally show them how much I've 'improved'.

And that's when he saw it. From behind the Fortship, from the east, the snout of a smaller airship peeled its way from the darkness. There was heavy movement on board, and Blaine eyed carefully as the tiny figures scuttled around on deck. Shaking his head to make sure he still wasn't dreaming, he slid down out of sight, still spying them carefully.

The airship soundlessly slid itself up to the side of the much, much larger one, and a bridge was connected between the two. Quickly enough, a heavily armoured Moomba leaped from the bridge unto the deck without a noise, drawing his broadsword from his side. The bridge was unhooked and the unidentified airship slided temporarily into the darkness, waiting for a report from the scout Moomba.

Looking around with his beady eyes, he spotted no movement on the dark ship and acting thusly by sheathing his sword once again, then began his way towards the main fort tower entrance.

Bad move, Blaine thought to himself, sliding out from the shadows and quickly flattening the Moomba to the deck with his bo.

"Moomba, explain your presence on this ship."

The Moomba got to its feet slowly, while Blaine kept his fighting pole in a steady position.

"Emmmm... Emmmm...Emperor Chang?" the Moomba replied carefully, after sniffing a few times.

"Chang is no longer Emperor. I shan't think you'll live if you are on his side."

"Nooooo! NoooOOo! ...Air Fllll of Volt... Voltaire..."

"And what do you want with us?"

"Nos... NOOOooS... Ghhnral Rhhhmmmina... Lugi... Whhht me to ask you... whhhhhht you ahhr doing ssooosoooo close to.... Volt...."

"OK, I get the picture. General Romina you say?"

"Yhes!!"

Blaine grinned. "And I trust you think he is a tyrant and the only think you truly want is freedom?"

"Yhu yhu are correct! CHANG! CHANG!"

"I am not..."

At that very moment, a figure appeared from the closest hatch, his sword across his chest. Glancing through the darkness at the two figures, he plodded across the deck towards them. The Moomba quivered and took a few steps backwards.

"What's all the commotion? Emperor Yien! I mean no disrespect but there are people trying to get to sleep below you! If I had a gil for every complaint I have received over the last five minutes, I could retire to Valekyrie!"

"I am sorry, Sir Alsteris. We just have a night time visitor, is all," Blaine replied with an unworried grin. Alsteris rose his eyebrow at him, then plodded closer, inspecting the armored Moomba.

"What's your doing, Moomba?" he spoke suddenly.

"He snuck on board from another ship a few minutes ago. Claims to have been sent by the Air Fleet of Voltaire, by a certain General Romina. Inspecting any airships flying close to their land, I suppose."

Alsteris scratched his goatee. "Another ship, you say? Where is this, uh, other ship?"

Good question.

"I think it disappeared as soon as it dropped this guy off. He's a mere scout, and he doesn't seem to speak much of our language. Could you try to get some more sense out of him? Don't hurt him..."

"I didn't plan to. We'll see what we can do, Emperor." Alsteris motioned for the Moomba to follow, and he turned to head back inside the ship. A second later, he turned with a puzzling look on his face. "Where is Ms. Kumo?"

"I told her I would take over her post for her. Why?"

"Just wanted to know, that's all. Come, Moomba."

Alsteris entered the hatch once again, the Moomba leaping after him. As soon as they disappeared, Blaine returned to the edge of the ship, and shrunk into the shadows again.

Any minute now...

A sudden change in wind a few moments later told him his wait was over. Peering over the edge, he watched as the airship slipped back into sight, awaiting the return of it's scout. Acting quickly as if it were planned, the Emperor used one hand to boost himself over the edge of the giant Fortship, and plummeted into the darkness below. He closed his eyes, hoping to the gods that he'd made an accurate jump. His feet soon recoiled against the hard floor of wood, and he opened his eyes to see a smaller deck swarming with both Moombas and humans. Luckily his landing was silent, and none had seen him. Listening carefully he heard the soldiers converse to each other, mostly about the return of their scout.

The deck cleared completely, the soldiers and Moombas heading below deck, as if making a landing pad for their friend. Agreeing to himself that it was the correct time, Blaine stepped out. No one here. Good. Now I can sneak inside, find out some information, and maybe steal a few items of valuable. Heheh, and no one will even see m-

"Who are you?"

Blaine span around instantly, his bo clattering against his armour. Behind him stood a tall man with red hair and an eyepatch, and from the look of his weaponry belt he wasn't ready to die too easy. On his shoulder patch was the certain mark of an Imperial Captain. But Blaine kept his cool, and replied instantly with the first words that came into his head.

"Airship Inspector."

The Captain grinned, an obvious expression of doubt lingering in his eyes and mouth.

"Really?" he said sarcastically.

"Yes. I have reason to suspect this airship is carrying illegal war supplies into Voltaire. That is a no-no. You, of all people, should know that."

The Captain's grin faded, and was replaced with a menacing snarl. "I suggest you leave this ship, Inspector, before someone gets hurt."

"Now now, there's no need to make empty threats. I could report you to the Empire for plotting against them."

"I have no TIME for your pathetic lies! Who are you?! I demand you to tell me!"

Blaine scratched his head. His mind flickered and stopped on the name which he had just recently learnt. "I was sent by General Romina to check your progress on the investigation of that Fortship."

Just as suspected, the Captain fell for this idiotic trick. "General... Romina? You're not kidding? Wow..."

"Your progress seems to be going quite well, I would say?"

"I agree sir. We got information of two of Zande's rivals onboard the ship. Some little punk and a ninja wannabe."

"Ninja.... wannabe?"

"Yeah, the one they call Psycho or whatnot. I heard he was a dummy for the Empire a few years back. Hah, what a fool. I bet he couldn't even hurt a Moomba..."

The Captain let out a loud laugh, booming through the night sky. Blaine smirked.

"This is where you get off, Captain."

The Captain immediately halted his chuckling and stared into Blaine's eyes carefully. "What are you talking about, sir?"

"You either get off yourself, or I throw you off."

"...You weren't sent by General Romina, where you?"

"One point to you. Unfortunately I am already ten points ahead."

Before the Captain could reply, Blaine's bo found its way into his stomach, knocking him out cold. Blaine picked up his unconscious body and tossed it aside the ship barrier, throwing it like a ragdoll into the ocean below. And you thought I was a ninja...

"You have made more than enough noise, Blaine."

The speaker was yet another high official, standing in the dim light from the hatch below ship, and he leant on his longsword like a staff. He was surrounded by six green-clad soldiers, all of who which looked like ninjas. They held katanas in front of their faces, waiting to strike.

"Yes, I know your name. It's not exactly hard to find out, in any case, from the information we were given..." he replied to see Blaine's awkward look. "You may have thought sneaking on board our ship would be a fun pastime. But can you enjoy that pastime when you're dead?"

With that, he clicked his fingers. The ninjas rushed forward, their katanas spinning madly. Blaine backed away as he pulled his skilled weapon, and defended himself more or less as he usually would in that situation. Doing so, he managed to floor two of the six guards, and all the while blocked the slashes and thrusts from the others.

"You fools cannot defeat me! You shouldn't be wasting your energy!"

Blaine was cut short by a burning pain across his chest. A katana had sliced him upwards, and he felt the blood staining his torn clothing. He fell to his knees as the four uninjured and the two slightly injured ninjas withdrew to the place beside their master.

"As you can see, Blaine, we have defeated you. Do you feel shame?"

"Ugh..."

Blaine tried to speak but the pain flattened him to the deck. He tried to stay conscious, but his body was urging him to fall out of it. He felt his energy slipping away constantly, and soon his throat decided to stop working. That was all there was to it.

"CURA!"

The sudden bright light shone through the night, reflecting from the dusty airship and into the ocean like a second moon. It hit Blaine in his back, and he could feel the pain vanishing from inside him, and almost quicker he was able to breathe again. He was still crippled against the deck, but a middle level healing spell like Cura was able to keep him alive. At least for now...

The source of the spell was hardly surprising. Blaine looked up with some of his regenerating energy, and found the six green ninjas with swords against their throats, all wielded by six of the Spayaré Court. Trilphy herself stood in front of Blaine, a remnants of a Cura spell swirling in her palm, while Reno held his Shortsword to the chin of the Officer.

"I'm not sure if this is real or not..." Blaine muttered. "It seems an awfully big convenience..."

Trilphy shrugged. "Well, you'd probably be dead by now if that Moomba Alsteris was talking to didn't keep on crying. It woke half the lower deck up. When I came out to check on you, you'd gone, so fitting together that with Alsteris' story about the disappearing ship, it was plain obvious. That and the fact these morons didn't bother sinking out of sight again before they attacked you."

Blaine slowly got to his feet, dusted himself off, and gazed into the sky. "Where has the Fortship gone to?"

"You didn't hear it leave?"

"...Leave?"

"The Fortship is heading to Ananke. It's a much more appropriate way to sneak into Voltaire by using one of their own ships, don't you think?"

"...It's gone? My belongings..."

"Don't worry about them. They'll be kept in a safe place back in Spayaré. You can pick them up after you're done..."

"Uh, Lady Ganymede? If it's not too much of a problem, do you think we can start the negotiations now?" one of the Court members shouted, his blade still fixed to the neck of a ninja.

"Sure," Trilphy agreed, before turning back to Blaine. "These are Bordoon Zetse, Fkoud Iglespei Resi, Mars Dolen, Efeg "Griffin" Hirich, Jere Blaekus and Creon Cransen, the most elite half of our Court."

"Uh... who?"

"Don't worry about their names. I'm sure they'll answer to 'hey, you!'," Trilphy explained.

Blaine nodded carefully. "What are these negotiations he speaks of?"

"Our piloting of this ship, of course."

"So you plan to dispose of all the soldiers on board, including however many Moombas, just so you can get into Voltaire without a problem?"

"Actually, we're just going to 'recruit' them for the time being. They can help us get into Voltaire, and then they can help us get to where you father is imprisoned. It's a much easier way, I think."

The leader of the ninjas pulled away from Reno's blade reluctantly. "Give me one good reason why I should command the soldiers on board this ship to join you."

"Because we'll kill you if you don't," Blaekus said happily.

"That is a good reason," the Officer admitted.

"Hey Blaine, I think that problem about making a plan to bust your pa out has finally been solved," Reno mentioned.

"I just hope it works."

Chapters in Final Fantasy OG

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