FFOG Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Paradise Lost

"Absolutely... OUTRAGEOUS!!" Silver roared, first to break the silence that ensued the news in the letter. "I can't believe, after what we just did!"

"After the massive disturbance you five caused," Siddhearth corrected, "it really comes as no surprise that she would do away with us in such extreme haste."

"But the Fire Crystal! It's infinitely more important! And it–"

"Could have waited until we knew! You practically damaged half Erikaira City!"

"The part that was underground and abandoned! Don't even start on me, Seamus! They ought to thank us for all the trouble we went through to destroy those beasts, shimatta!" the tiger continued to curse in the Kazuki language.

"You didn't see the consequences that you caused on the surface," Cid sighed. "Stone structures of all kinds were cracking from the clash of cold below and hot above. Seismic activity. Even a power-surge in one of the newly installed generators they've invented. And that doesn't even scratch the damage that Zel apparently caused when he attacked you. Her Majesty has a kingdom to preserve, and you seemed determined to tear it down."

"Just let me at that pompous b–" Silver growled, but Cid quickly intervened.

"No, no, the Queen is justified to give us the boot. She was warned not to accept us, she ignored that as long as she could, and devastation occurred, just like promised. She can't be blamed for fearing worse."

"I understand, it's just..." Silver shook his head and lay down.

"Now then, where was I...?"

"Mr. Seamus," Uargo interrupted. "We need to forgo these reprimands and be on our way."

"What we need to do," Ian interrupted suddenly, taking a tone of authority over the group, "is to find out exactly what the Queen dreamt of. The minor damage caused by Zel and ourselves is likely just a scratch of the coin of what the Empire could do. If she's as courageous as you say, Mr. Seamus, it must be quite horrendous."

"She wouldn't tell us," Cid replied. "All we learned was what we told you, unfortunately."

"Would it be something like Telo'Nak?" Asura shuddered, memories of the gruesome Black Reapers returning to mind. "No, I don't believe so," the knight mumbled. "It would be a waste of the Empire's resources for them to send the Reapers just because of ten people, especially considering that Valkeryie has not declared any form of war with Voltaire. It's obvious that they want to keep us on the move, and so far, all we can do is fulfill that wish.

"We need to find out what else they might have planned to do to Valkeryie, so that we can be prepared if it is fulfilled on any other kingdoms. And we need a new place to take refuge..."

"New Continent?" the archer spoke up again, more memories springing up of her childhood.

"Too risky," Cid shook his head. "Voltaire has too many claims there."

"Cortez will be the place of choice," Siddhearth continued. "We'll gain nothing by returning to places that we've already been, and which have probably been selected as prime areas for Imperial conquest anyway due to our presences there. So we shall take one of the Valkeryian airships and fly to the city of Pentz. Hopefully, Biggs will have some family there that will sympathize with us. We owe them an explanation of his doings after he left, anyway.

"Or we could go to these Caussack Islands..."

"Not until Sensei has overthrown the deceitful uncle," Silver began, "will our home be free from Imperial influence."

"Cortez, then. Valkeryie's airships are a bit crude compared to the Victoria, but at least they can–"

"I'm not leaving the Gigyas," Aaron said simply. "I'm not leaving again."

"A Schooner could never get past the Cortez Armada these days, Captain," the composer sighed. "We've no choice."

"We can build it into an airship then. With the plans for the Dove, I could..."

"Aaron," Cid interrupted. "Even my first airship design, the Maria, was so complicated that it would take several months to build even when I knew what I was doing. We don't have that kind of time, and the Dove's blueprints are far more complicated than the Maria's."

"Can you fly a Valkeryian airship?"

"Of course I can. I sold the Maria's plans to Valkeryie years ago, so all the airships here are based off it."

Aaron shook his head. "Take an airship, then. I'll meet up with you eventually." Before more could be said, he added, "Veriol had gotten past the armada hundreds of times. I could easily."

"Fine," Cid growled as he threw his arms in the air, not willing to further postpone their departure with endless bickering. "We'll miss you." Why am I always the one stuck with those who have delusions of grandeur...?" he added silently.

"Silver and I will accompany you," Ian turned to Aaron, earning a snarl from the tiger. "I know some things about getting past the armada from my own pirating days."

"No, I'll go alone. Better to risk one than three."

"Better to risk no one at all," Asura put in. "Your point?"

Aaron glanced down. "We need this ship."

"Indeed we do," Lich's voice sung through Aaron's mind. "Bring it, or you lose her." He didn't even have to point out who she was. "I need it. Bring it alone."

"Enough," Cid cut them off. "If anyone could, it would probably be Aaron. Now then, about finding out the Queen's problem... a letter will solve the problem nicely."

"Not likely," Siddhearth disagreed. "Her Majesty was warned to avoid contact with us. Even if she doesn't immediately toss such a letter, she will not reply."

"We could go back in to find out," Ian offered sadly.

"Going back would not be the wisest idea," Siddhearth pondered. "Perhaps we should just ignore it for now."

"How about Fay?" Jeice asked, as he and Reno re-entered the group.

"She disappeared about the same time the Phoenix did. I can't say we have the time to find her. Nor do I trust her, Jeice."

"She seemed nice, though," Reno mumbled. "That cat really took to her."

"And she took well to you, brother," Cid grinned. "You should've taken up on her invitation to supper," he added with a wink.

"Don't change the subject." Siddhearth's face started turning red. He snatched up his handkerchief and rubbed at his nose. "I'm allergic to felines, I think.

"Ahem, I mean, the only ones of us who didn't draw major attention to ourselves here were the ladies and Uargo. They all look to much like peasants to get an audience with Her Majesty."

"Mr. Seamus!" Uargo scolded. "You are addressing the former Ambassador of the Colnelian Republic and the daughter of a Colnelian Coaster as... as... commoners?!" "Don't change the subject," Siddhearth repeated, catching the mediator's wry smile.

"I..." Karolie spoke up nervously. "Well... I do know some things about going around incognito. And if anyone associated us with you..."

"Ah, thank you for staying on topic, Miss Bessadio. And you're volunteering, very good!"

"Volunteering?" Karolie's eyes went wide. "I... uh... well, I thought..."

"Maria... er... the Queen likely isn't sleeping well now," Cid mused. "Karolie could go as a sleep therapist, ask some questions about the nightmare and mystery figure to find out the information we need on what the Empire could do, then leave with Aaron, so that the rest of us could be gone within the hour."

"No," the two in question said simultaneously, before Aaron added, "I'm going alone, we agreed on that."

"Alright, alright, I know..."

"Even if Her Majesty is desperate for sleep," the younger Seamus spoke again, "it will be hard for you to get in. Do you have any idea how you could get past the guards?"

Karolie glanced about nervously. She didn't even want to go in the first place... She caught Aaron's gaze, the other at the opposite side of the room, leaning in a corner. He nodded slightly to her, then looked away, pretending to examine a picture on the wall. Lich isn't gonna kill you for glancing at me, ya oaf...

"I can handle getting in."

"Good, good. How?"

"You'll find out someday..."

"If Cullen were here, it would be a great asset to getting in," Uargo sighed, fixated on Aaron. "You know, if we dyed your hair and beard red, Captain... changed your wardrobe a bit... you could..."

"No," the other two Colnelians replied again, much to their frustration at being in unison. "We don't really know how or if Cullen knew the Queen," Karolie sighed, going on with the excuse. "Let's not risk that."

"Well then," Cid nodded, drawing to a close. "Let us be off."

Blaine had set off early that morning for the palace, and it was still quite early in the morning when he arrived. That was in fact the best time, as the guards wouldn't be as aware that early.

He easily snuck past two and opened, then closed the passage he wanted to get in and crept along silently. Suddenly, he collapsed and writhed in the tunnel for a while. Just as quickly, it stopped, and he was on his feet once more. He continued along the winding passages, knowing that the throne room was just down the hall, and that to the right of it would be his uncle's bedroom.

Slightly nervous, his mind pondered why he had had that seizure attack. Then it came to him. The Crystals! Something had happened to the Wind Crystal and another! He had to finish this job quickly, so he could aid the others sooner!

He dashed down the hall and was at the throne room a mere six minutes later. He crept into the room, then slunk to the door. A pair of guards were heard, sleeping outside. He slid the door open and closed it quickly, noiselessly. Quickly, he crept down the hall, hiding behind vases and suits of armor until he reached the desired room.

He knocked out the two conversing guard with a sleeping gas bomb he had made a while ago, then snuck in and closed the door. Silently, he walked up to the bed and smacked his sleeping uncle across the face.

"Wake up, uncle dearest!" the samurai sneered peevishly.

Chang bolted upright, looking at the dark figure that claimed himself his nephew just now. He was in his night robes, but was soon out of bed, his ten-foot battle bow in hand, and quiver strapped on his back. The figure cast a light spell that illuminated the room.

"Who are you!?" the man exclaimed, pounding his fist into an open palm. "Why do you come here to fight me?!"

"I, uncle, am Blaine Hala Yien, son of your older brother Kai!" a growl emitted from Psycho's throat. "It took me a while, but I've finally returned to take back the throne! Ah yes, and in case you don't believe me...!"

He slid off his right gauntlet to reveal the new one that was now part of him. After giving Chang a while to look at it, he put it back on and drew his two katanas, then took a defensive stance.

"You may be the chosen heir," Chang hissed, preparing his own weapon, "but I will never, NEVER, relinquish the throne!!"

The bow began to fire in a seemingly endless stream. Blaine used his agility and timing to block most of the shots, yet still he was struck in the assault. He tossed a katana in retaliation, lodging it in the ceiling behind Chang. Blaine used the chain's retracting feature to pull himself speeding towards Chang. As he raced forward, he prepared a nasty bicycle kick, which became intercepted by Chang's face. Psycho pulled out the blade and landed feet first upon his uncle, but was easily kicked off. Chang fired an energy burst at Blaine, who rolled to his feet and formed a shield out of the same type of energy to block and even absorb some. He flung the shield at Chang, pinning the treacherous relative to the wall. Then, he placed his hands in front of his chest at a horizontal "V" shape and thrust them forward. A blue ball formed between his hands, growing and growing, until finally...

"KIA O HALA!!' the samurai bellowed, waking the entire castle with his intensified voice. The beam fired, highly concentrated blue energy powered forward with an equally powerful orange beam spiraling about it, turning it into a drill of pure force. Chang freed himself and fired a blast of his own, but it was pushed back and through his chest. The Kia ‘o' Hala attack drilled his uncle's lifeless body for a bit longer, then the two beams exploded, tearing out a large chunk from the wall. His uncle was no more. The doors burst open and Blaine was promptly surrounded on all sides.

"You... you shall pay for this, you infidel!" the captain of the guards roared aloud. Blaine spun on his heel to face him, then slid off his right gauntlet and showed the captain the one beneath it. The jaws dropped on all of the guards and soldiers in the room. "Your... Your Highness! I had no idea. I thought that that... that you... were just a mere legend. I'm sorry, terribly sorry. Please, take my head for this sacri-"

"I will not hear of this," Blaine said calmly. "I cannot stay long in my homeland much longer. The outside world needs me, and so I place Dr. Areo in charge of the archipelago. You, captain, shall remain in the living to act as his council. You have shown great loyalty, even to an undeserving Emperor.

"I must leave at once!" he said suddenly, switching subjects. "I fear something has happened to the Wind Crystal I once guarded and bonded with."

"I see, sir. We shall get you our finest airship, with our best crew. Twenty-five of our most elitist soldiers shall accompany you on your quest."

Within the hour, Karolie found herself on the road to Palace Intarkria. Her light brown hair was streaked with blonde and tied into a bob that covered the back of her neck and stopped at shoulder height. A rare kind of eye drop she had been presented with in her early dancing days was used to change her eye color from purple to dark brown, and she wore square-lense spectacles at the edge of her nose.

She was clothed in a loose and short-sleeved, button-up blouse and a tight wrap-around skirt, both of the same light green color, as well as a spotless white trench coat and brown loafers.

"This isn't going to work," she mumbled to herself. "I look nothing like a doctor... I'm doomed... I–" "Well, hello there," a lady called to her left, sauntering over. "I'm Fay Donovano, owner of the famous Dancing Cat Casino chain. And you are...?"

"Um..." Dargh! I forgot an identity! "Um... Roenellanna. Marci Roenellanna, sleep..." What did Cid call it again? "...doctor."

"Oh! A sleep therapist!"

"Yeah. I heard that Her Majesty was having some trouble sleeping, and..."

"Came to help, eh?"

"Uh huh." You're giving too much information. Why don't you just paint ‘SPY' on the coat and get over with it?!

"No you didn't." Fay reached down and picked up a cat that had been rubbing against Karolie's leg, to her discomfort. "Stray can spot a liar from a mile away." The woman squinted a bit, her eyes darkened by the shadows from her long-brimmed hat. "You weren't with Cid Seamus when he had that second audience with the Queen, were you?"

"I don't... don't know what you're talking about..." You're stuttering...

"Neeja!" Fay called. "Come on over here and give me a hand with this!" A man nearby turned and walked over. He wore a fairly plain outfit for Valkeryian men, musty blue colors of his shirt and pants. A blue turban was wrapped tightly about his head, covering any hair that might have been there, and he wore a white cape on his shoulders that stuck up as if two spheres rested between it and the arms. He had a fairly healthy tan, except around his eyes, which was much paler. It was as if he usually wore glasses, but wasn't now. Somehow, he seemed... familiar...

"Neeja is a business associate of mine," Fay continued. "If we ever get my casinos spread to Valkeryie, he'll probably manage them.

"Anyway, she look like someone we know?" the gambler asked him.

Neeja squinted at Karolie, as if looking straight into her heart and mind, the spheres under his cloak shaking. Finally, he said, "Kalindiera Bessadio, definitely. I never forget someone who has met the Queen Herself."

So much for this disguise... she groaned.

"You come here alone?" Fay asked, peering around. "Is Cid Seamus with you? Well, obviously not. He'd be drawing a big fuss about himself if he was. Well then, since you're alone, would you mind if we escorted you? I wish to talk with her Majesty further about spreading my casinos to here. Maybe we can help each other out, even." "How?" Karolie noticed nervously that Neeja was still looking at her like he had earlier.

"You'll see, kid," Fay winked.

Don't call me kid...

Finally, they continued on to the gate, where Fay immediately stepped up to the guard at the post and caught his attention.

"Name-ame please," the armored man echoed.

"Donovano, here to meet with the Queen again."

"You-ou have already exceeded your-our appointment. File for-or another if you wish-ish."

"But..."

"Do not-ot resist my authority-ity, or I will-ill use force."

Fay snorted angrily in his face and walked back to the other two. "You give it a try, kid."

Don't call me kid...

Karolie nodded and walked over to the guard, trying to look more her age than she looked.

"Name-ame please."

"Roenellanna, here to help the Queen with her sleeping troubles."

"She has-as not requested for-or any assistance in the matter-atter."

Karolie sighed. She would have to do this the hard way... Valkeryian guards were told to be quite unpopular with the population, particularly women... Aaron, please forgive me... "You know, the way you look in this armor, with the early morning light shining across you like that..." The guard stared straight forward still, so she wrapped her arms around his. Time to kick in the pheromones... "Nice and strong..." she mumbled, voice dropping seductively. She could feel him start to quaver, so she pulled herself up to his ear and pressed her lips close. "Maybe if you just came over here..."

"I-I-I..."

Karolie shrugged off the trench coat and reached down to pull at the edge of her skirt. The guard spun, and before Karolie could react, kissed her as hard as she figured he could. Her eyes went wide with shock, as did Fay's and Neeja's, she noticed. "I'll do anything you want," he mumbled. "Anything..."

"You know what you can do?" she whispered. "You can let us in to see the Queen."

"I'll escort you personally."

"That... er... that won't be necessary, thank you."

"As you wish." He stepped aside and pushed the heavy metal doors open. Karolie grabbed her coat and nodded to the casino duo, then walked through quickly.

"Thanks," she said again with a fake grin. The guard nodded vaguely and slammed the doors shut behind them.

As soon as she heard the click of it locking, Karolie pulled the coat on and rubbed her mouth vigorously. "Oh my gods, oh my gods! Never again!"

"How did you do that?!" Fay crowed, astonished. "Those guards are as cold as a glacier, yet you cracked him like that!" She snapped her fingers, startling Stray.

"I'm not easily impressed," Neeja agreed, "or enticed. But I must say, even I was feeling... heh... attracted."

"It's a gift," Karolie grumbled. From evil itself... She had been hesitant to use any ability Lich had given since she found out he was the benefactor, but then, Aaron used his Geomancy like a third arm, and he seemed better off for it. Aaron, I'm so so sorry...

Fay leaned close and whispered, "You'll have to teach me how to do that sometime."

"Maybe. Can we just go?"

They nodded and followed her as she stomped through the gold-lined halls. Eventually, they reached the twin silver doors that led to the Queen's chambers. Fay walked up and pressed her ear against the doorframe. "There's someone already in there. Hope you don't mind waiting..."

As if in response, the doors flung open, splaying Fay to the ground and sending Stray into an absolute tizzy. A dark-robed figure stepped out of the room, all but his bronze-hued hands hidden under the garment. He stopped momentarily to help Fay to her feet, nodded to Neeja, and looked hard at Karolie, before gently patting her on the head. "Don't let him go," he whispered mysteriously, voice hard to make out. As he spoke, though, she could see a glimpse of his face under the shadows. Aaron...? No, it wasn't him. But the face was vaguely similar. His hair and beard were reddish than her love's...

"Cullen?" she asked him curiously. He made no reply back, but simply continued on his way until he was gone from the Palace."Cullen?" Fay asked, pulling Stray away from a sofa that he had taken to clawing apart in his frenzy.

"An old friend." Karolie shook her head and moved forward, into the Queen's presence. Before she could speak to the woman, her large form curled into a fetal position on the throne, Fay cut in.

"Your Highness? It's me, Fay Donovano. I wanted to try and finish our discussion about the casinos."

"I'm sorry dear," the Queen mumbled, quite a sight to see in her depressing pose, "but we are in no mood to discuss anything right now..."

"Alright, alright. Can I at least schedule another meeting?"

The Queen sniffled loudly and shook her head.

"Perhaps I can change your mind with a gift. It has come to my attention that you are, of late, plagued by a nightmare in your slumber, as well as some very queer visitations. Therefore, I have hired the assistance of this woman behind me, a trained specialist in this matter, to assist you, Your Highness. I would be honored if you accepted the gift and considered my other proposal."

The monarch glanced up at Karolie, tears in her eyes. "Very well. We shall take all the help we can get, and we shall put more consideration into your establishments. But only if we aren't disappointed..."

Karolie tensed. Not disappointed? Oh no, oh no...

Fay bowed courteously, as did Neeja, and the two headed back toward the door. "You'll do fine, kid," the gambler mumbled as she left. Neeja nodded only slightly, the spheres of his shoulders quivering once more.

"Yeah, but..." But Fay was gone.

Don't call me kid...

Karolie turned to the Queen slowly, took her shaking hands out of her pocket and quickly re-hid them by crossing her arms behind her back. "Why don't you start by telling me about this despicable dream you had, Your Majesty?"

"You really don't have to do this," Aaron mumbled to himself, watching the rest of the group walk away from the deck of the ship.

"Oh, but you do..."If only...

The captain shook his head and glanced about. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a bit of smoke rolling out of a nearby alley. A fire, oh great. He gazed skyward, caught sight of a rain cloud he could influence, then jumped down the gangplank and ran to the thickening steam.

He skid to a stop at the opening of the lane, and froze in place at what he saw. A massive, red-eyed, white-and-brown furred steed glared down at him. The smoke he had seen earlier was billowing out of the beast's nostrils with each exhalation, each of the holes in the snout wide enough for Aaron to put both fists in. The creature, only its face visible under the thick smog, looked Aaron up and down. Apparently not liking what it saw, the beast snorted hard at him, whipping his hair out of place, though Aaron dared not move to fix it.

From the vapors, however, he did see someone approaching, wrapped tightly in a black robe. The figure paused at the sight of the other, then adopted what seemed to be a cocky sort of stance. " Captain Aaron Vidar Nyoran..." he crowed. "You're still alive, eh?"

"So are you..." Aaron grunted, recognizing the voice almost immediately. He tried to move closer, but the robed man leapt up onto the monstrous horse and backed the beast away a bit. At that moment, Aaron saw that it was no ordinary horse. The creature had six legs, all working in perfect coordination with each other.

As if stung, the steed charged forward, leaping Aaron in one swift bound. The geomancer spun and prepared to give chase, but six legs moved far faster than his two. The others stopped and turned at the sight as the horse and rider disappeared into the dawning light, then dashed to Aaron.

"Who and what was that?!" Reno exclaimed, followed by the everyone else's similar sentiments.

"An old friend," Aaron mumbled in reply.

Only one person came to everyone's mind. Cullen?

"That blasted girl," Jean scoffed, as he and Fay entered their inn. "She should've brought Seamus with her!"

"What's so special about Seamus?" Fay mumbled, setting Stray down in a bed she had made for him. She looked up to watch Jean stumble about the room in search of his trademark blue mask.

"I thought I explained this to you already!" he growled. "Those buffoons following Seamus, including Apalock... are carrying the crystals. We need the crystals to raise the Dove. We need bait to get the crystals. Who better to use than the one they consider their leader?" Fay nodded and walked over to the other, took a firm grip on his arm. Jean jumped back. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing, nothing... I just thought I would... well, you know... I just wanted to help you find your glasses..."

"I don't need your help," he countered, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the desired article, then sliding it on. "If you really want to help, find my clothes. I can't stand being in these rags." He loosened the turban he wore, letting his silver hair peek out.

Fay found the robes he searched quickly, then handed them over after Jean yanked off the cape covering his scan spheres. He took them thanklessly and walked behind a wooden screen.

"Let's hope Bessadio didn't recognize you, eh?"

"She didn't," he said smugly, more to himself now than her. "My disguise was flawless. Without my mask, I'm invisible." He tossed the Valkeryian "rags" over the edge of the frame.

Fay bit her lip, tried to stop her irritable twitching as she watched Jean's silhouette change behind the screen. If only I could flirt with him like that girl did... She shook her head. The way Jean treated her, it would be a wonder if she ever got the chance. That younger Seamus seemed real tempting now, and at least he was a gentleman...

Jean poked his head over the frame. "I asked you a question, Miss Donovano."

"Hmm? Sorry, I was... preoccupied..."

Jean sighed angrily. "If it's not out of your range of ability, would you please go get the fighters? When I scanned Bessadio the second time, she unwittingly revealed that Seamus was going to see Gerad Arguoine about purchasing an airship... while the others are getting their stuff to leave. If we hurry, we may still be able to pull off this kidnaping that you bungled."

I bungled?! "Um... sure." Yes indeed, the younger Seamus was looking very fine...

A few hours after his fateful battle, everything had been prepared for Psycho’s departure. The Blue Shogun III, the airship they had given him, was basically a smaller version of the Dove in his blueprints, though it lacked the natural sacredness and anti-magic shields. It had the advantage to the fact that it could also fly by use of propeller, an option that had long been discarded in airship production since balloons were more favorable. Of course, if the balloon became punctured, not many ships could still fly without it. The ship generally possessed a thirty-five man crew, but could comfortably hold upwards of seventy-five men. A grand total of twenty-five cannons dotted the wooden base, perfect for hit-and-run tactics, if ever needed. The ship's name, however, had a bit of a poor record to it. There had been a helium leak in the Blue Shogun I's balloon, causing it to explode shortly after takeoff, taking a skeleton crew of fifteen with it to the grave. The dilemma with the second was that it had been too big, and the crew couldn't control its handling. As such, it couldn't turn fast enough... and careened into a mountain side. Both of those quirks had been worked out for this time... hopefully...

"Take good care of the nation for me," Blaine called out sadly from the Blue Shogun's deck. "When I return, I shall bring back our chosen one, and hopefully all will become well." He had wanted to learn more about the goings on of his people in the thirteen years since he had run away, yet there was no time. The elegant ship took off on the spot, and was soon past the perilous storm ring.

Sliver, can you hear me? I only hope... Tell the others that I am quite well, and I've acquired an airship. If you truly can hear this, make sure that at least one of the Seamus brothers can get in contact with me. I want to know where you are headed next. Thank you, old friend.

The Queen took a deep breath, "It began like this...

"I was in the Sky Gardens above the castle, tending to the fruits and flowers. But as I reached to pluck an apple from a tree, it was consumed by millions of termites, which snapped at my fingers as I pulled them away. The entire tree was soon engulfed, and then they grew together again the shape of a dark man."

"Behind him ghostly creatures, covered in shrouds of dark clothing followed him. The man stretched his arms out, and the creatures began to cut down every plant, which in their place would emerge more of these sickly creatures. When there was nothing but dust and those creatures, the man finally looked at me and pointed a finger...."

The queen shuddered, " I recall his words clearly... 'To this shall also your lands become', just before he vanished."

Karolie felt a chill go down her spine as a voice spoke in the back of her mind, A most interesting story, no?

The queen looked her in the eye, "What does it tell you?"

Karolie swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded, "It is... a message of prophecy... from the spirits themselves... but you shouldn't-"

To this... shall also you become, a voice warned Karolie.

"Ignore this at all..." She answered slowly, "Does this connect to any recent events?" "A man..." The queen said slowly, "From Voltaire came to me with a warning"

Karolie closed her eyes as she continued, "Then for the sake of your country... you should take heed of the warning..."

The queen looked down, "I think... you are right. You may be dismissed"

As the dancer left, she could literally feel a cold hand on her shoulder. She shuddered as she left, the control of the spirit gradually loosening, but remaining terribly close to her. The return to the others was a slow and awful one.

Fay walked to the door, "I suppose I'll be getting the kidnaping on with, then..."

Jean shook his head, "Never mind that, one of the fighters spied the captain... he's going on alone"

Fay raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

"Foolish notion, I should gather," Jean replied, "So it's a change of plans. You are already doing well with Jeice and his group. Continue on with them, I shall pursue the Colnelian Captain in the Mist Dragon"

"Fine," Fay answered shortly, "That girl should be back by now, I'll go meet her"

Jean nodded as he strapped the mask to his face, "The captain and his ship will make for perfect ransom..."

Out at the marketplace, Cid and Siddhearth had gone to purchase the airship while the rest of the company had parted to gather a few supplies.

"Hm, isn't that a bit steep, brother?" Siddhearth asked.

Cid shrugged, "Not a price that can't be overcome, as soon as I am back with my business again, it shall be of no consequence"

Siddhearth nodded solemnly as Ian and Silver came to join them, Siddhearth nodded, "Supplies?"

"Taken care of, we hired some men to carry it the ship when you have it ready," Ian explained, unconsciously stitching his hands inside the metal gauntlets.

"Master Seamus," Silver said suddenly, "Sensei has sent word to me" Cid and Siddhearth both turned, the latter answering, "What has to say this time?"

Silver nodded, "His uncle has been overthrown, he has an airship on the way..."

Cid frowned, "I wasn't aware the Kazuki Empire were in possession"

Siddhearth shrugged, "Wasn't aware they existed until our samurai friend"

Silver continued, "He requests our location to meet, he wishes to rejoin us"

"Hm," Cid mumbled, as an eyebrow raised, "I'm not so sure Captain Nyoran will be safe. Despite his misgivings, it would do us better if Psycho- ah... Mr. Yien rendezvoused with Captain Nyoran, then meet us at Cortez"

"I shall tell him," Silver answered, returning to his quiet.

"Ah, yes! That one!" Cid continued pointing at an airship in the shipyards, "That shall do quite nicely"

The merchant nodded, "Pleasure doing business with you Mr. Seamus...."

Soon enough Jeice and Reno arrived, shortly after followed by Uargo and Asura. After one hour the airship, dubbed "The Pinion" by the former employee, had been loaded and was only waiting for the company of Karolie to join them. Aaron had long separated from the group after some brief, emotionless farewells. It was evening when Karolie had finished her business and traveled back....

"I couldn't convince the Queen otherwise..." Karolie explained, "But as you can see... I met up with Fay on the way back..."

Fay nodded from the wall she had been leaning from, "I learned that you were heading on and I thought I'd bid you farewell, I'm returning to my homeland near Cortez to-"

Reno looked up, "Ah! We're going there!"

She contained her grin, "Really? What a coincidence... perhaps I might come along. Travel into Cortez is difficult to come by"

Cid looked over at his brother, "I suppose that is possible... we are in your debt for earning us our audience before, but..."

"It's fine," Siddhearth finished, "We have rooms to spare on the ship, anyhow"

"Then I shall gather my things, they are merely at an inn a five minute walk away"

The Blue Shogun sailed over the blue waters, creating only the slightest of waves in its wake. The ship, like the rest of Kazuki's sea fleet, were built to go through one thing... The Storm Ring: Deadly black clouds that had surrounded the islands for centuries, keeping anyone from getting in.... or out.

Sensei, the Seamus Brothers have requested you to come to the assistance of Captain Nyoran, en route to Cortez on the Gigyas Pred. We have recovered the Fire Crystal...

Psycho stood at the very end of the ship, digesting the information as he sat over the rails while the waters below parted around the ship. He would soon head in as they approached the storm and the raging waters. As he gazed up at the clouds, something green and brightly shining passed in the clouds. He looked closer at the clouds, but the sight did not return to him. He soon headed inside the ship to allow Captain Mihashoo to guide them through the storm.

Later, Psycho sat in the lower chambers of the ship, using his sense of balance to stand while the ship cradled back and forth over the waves. During his deep concentration, the ship lurched dangerously, sending him off his feet. This was, of course, nothing new as far as storms and ships were concerned, but Kazuki ships never tossed so dangerously, unless...

The samurai quickly made his way up to the captain's covered bridge. "What did we hit?" Psycho demanded.

The captain turned to him only slightly, "Nothing that should be out there..."

Two of the warriors were already at the door, one of them saying, "We're going to see what it is!"

Psycho was soon with them as well, the captain looked to the three, "Be careful the storm!"

The three samurai cautiously examined the around the ship, all of them not liking the fact they had found nothing. Psycho looked up in the sky suddenly as he saw a green flash in the clouds. Just like before... he thought to himself...

A sudden cry to his right brought him to attention, he gasped at the long snake-like tentacle that had emerged from the water. It struck at the two warriors, who dodged with ease at the gigantic tentacles. Another tentacle emerged behind him, and more, then several more all around the ship. Soon ever trained warrior on the ship was on the deck, slashing at the beast. Canons fired from the inside of the ship, sometimes lopping entire tentacles off. After two or three tentacles had been successfully cut, the rest suddenly dived in the water again.

The warriors fingered their blades warily, waiting for anything to happen.

Almost anything. They were all alarmed as a high-pitched screech came from above, and was followed with the spray of water. The green flash landed in the water, screeching as two tentacles seized its lower body preventing its escape. If the lightning and waves were not enough at this point, the eruption of flames above was enough to drive the average person to tears. Three heads, bursting with flames, were in the air screeching out he most hideous sound the warriors had ever heard.

The tentacles and strange green creature was momentarily forgotten as the canons were diverted to the air as far as they could. The warriors were to their crossbows and anything else in their personal arsenal they could launch at this monstrous beast. The rain, the roar of thunder and waves, the screech of the strange creature and the dragon heads, and the sound of metal and canon blasts filled the air.

Psycho however, fixed his eye on the green creature. It seemed to draw him, as he stepped to the edge of the ship, his guards yelled out as he stepped up over the edge. Swimming in the water, he climbed up the night-colored tentacle and used his katana to smoothly separate it from the body, quickly jumping to the next tentacle before being pulled in the water.

Before he could slice the next tentacle, it released the green creature and lashed underwater. Forced under by the pressure, Psycho opened his eyes to the glaring red eyes before him. Around him he could see half-length tentacles, several normal length tentacles, and then the ink filling the water. He started swimming in the air again, as he gasped to look up, he saw that the green flying creature was up in the clouds, summoning the wind to force lightning in the clouds, attacking the three-headed dragon.

Psycho was pulled on the ship by his men, or was almost pulled up, the ship was suddenly hit like before, the strange tentacle-bearing creature was attacking. Psycho ran over to the captain's deck, "We have to go in the air!"

The captain regarded Psycho, his eyes wide, "The ship'll never survive the storm to get airborne!"

One of the warriors beside Blaine looked up at the dragon fighting the green creature, "We aren't going to survive down here, either!"

The captain gritted his teeth and gave the command. The crew was shaken up at the command, almost unwilling to make the risk. The captain waves hid hand in the air, "On my signal, launch the first booster!"

The ship was already speeding along, the black water creature following them while the canons were fired at it in vain. The captain made a motion with his hand, and the crew quickly responded. Using the flames from a torch, they lighted a small wick. The flame followed the wick a short distance, and within seconds a loud explosion was heard. Behind the ship the explosion generated a great deal of speed and pressure, not only speeding the boat along but also momentarily stunning the monster. The propellers were also then started in addition, finally the underwater one, a crucial power of the ship, was activated. Around the ship the water groaned in protest, spraying the deck of the ship as the last of the warriors retreated to the safety of the ship's lower chambers. They did not realize until it was to late that their emperor had not returned inside. Instead, he stood at the far end of the ship, watching the battle between the creature and dragon ensue. By now the ship had begun to rise from the water and the creature had submerged, it's form only showed in the lightning flashes as it headed out of the storm ring to the south...

The ship was in the air, Psycho could not help but gasp as he saw the green creature swoop under the ship and appear in front of them far ahead. The dragon followed it as well, but as soon as it was within range, a bolt... The biggest bolt of electricity Psycho had ever seen, even in the distance, emerged from the clouds, conducting through the strange green bird and then separating into several smaller bolts as it hit the dragon.

If man had harnessed electricity at the time, the amount of electricity the creature generated from the clouds and through itself would have easily powered the Grundon capital for a full day. The dragon, once the lightning had subsided and the magnificent light faded, began to fall. It fell to the seas at that point, while the mighty green creature desperately flapped its wings - if that's what they were - to remain airborne. As the dragon splashed in the water far below, the creature abandoned it's flying ahead of the airship and as gently as it could manage, landed on the deck of the ship.

At this point they had cleared the storm, as Psycho kneeled in front of the creature's head, several members of the crew and elite guard had joined Psycho around the creature. The captain was the first to speak, "Emperor Yien, we must destroy it before it awakens us!"

Psycho frowned as he looked over it, "It had done no harm..."

"Emperor, your head was not injured, was it? It did not harm us because we evaded it!"

One of the guards voiced his opinion, "Such a thing is spoke of in legends as the evil creature that created the storms that isolate our islands!"

Psycho glared at them, "This creature is under my protection! Unless it kills me, any of you who try to harm it will have to do so through me!"

The other warriors and crew stepped back reluctantly, watching their emperor from a respectable distance. The head of the now pale green creature turned to Psycho...

I am Quetzacoatl... Friend of the First Emperor of the Lone Peoples...

"Lone peoples...?" Psycho asked, more to his own mind.

When the armies of the trickster attacked, it was your people who protected me in my weakness and I bonded for one century with the emperor... the Golden Emperor... and in gratitude for his protection... I fulfilled his wish... For those centuries since, the storms have surrounded the islands from the evil of the world around it... or so I tried....

"My uncle..." The samurai said slowly.

The trickster leaked through the eyes of my master Alexander, and so he slipped through mine... But you Emperor Blaine Hala Yien, redeemed my mistake and purged the evil... But the fiends, Kraken of Seas and Tiamat of Skies, would ensure that my protection would falter and your island’s redemption comes to reach no consequence... As I had failed my master and the promise with your emperor... so now I fail your land's redemption...

"How? Why?"

My strength is gone, my power diminished. I exhausted my powers to defeat the Fiend of Skies; it is only a matter of time before the storm rings is swept away by the free winds of the world... Alone I cannot serve your people... but through you I can help serve the fate of the planet...

Psycho paused, "What do you plan to do...?"

Put your hands on my head... and close your eyes...

Psycho did so, he noticed at first that the gauntlets glowed with the same green fire he had seen Quetzacoatl flying with in the skies. A sense of clam passed through him as he slowly closed his eyes. He was knocked over by a sudden rush of energy, as was the crew and warriors by the same rush and blinding light...

When his eyes opened, he found himself alone now. The bird creature had vanished, and the gauntlets on his arms glowed only slightly, warm with an energy that spread to his spine and through his entire body. He slowly stood to his feet and turned to his crew and paused only shortly before he spoke, "We must find the Gigyas Prey and meet my allies at the country of Cortez!"

The ship swayed gracefully from side to side as it sailed along the currents. Aaron stood at the port side of the ship, gazing out at the shores he was presently sailing by.

Alone. He liked it best when he was alone. He was safest when he was alone. As was everyone else, for that matter.

Aaron had toyed with the idea of stopping back at the Mage School for the day, seeing as how he could at least pass it off as an excuse for sailing out alone, and an airship couldn't land in the Ancient Forest.

At first, he decided against it, that he shouldn't make the others worry about him. But he finally decided to go after all, seeing as how visiting them all would only raise his spirits. So that was his destination as his vision became increasingly darkened by shadows. Storm clouds, no less. How poetic, for one in such a mood as his.

Aaron gazed skywards to see the blasted clouds, when he noticed that it wasn't an approaching storm at all, but rather an airship in the distance. He had asked them not to follow him...

As the airship bore closer, however, Aaron realized that it was not Valkeryian in design. The vessel, much more majestic than the simple ships that Valkeryie produced, easily caught up to the Gigyas and slowed to go parallel with him.

Sky pirates...

A crude rope ladder rolled down from the deck of the airship. Why it had been thrown, though, Aaron didn't know. The first man down simply jumped, landing in a graceful roll of black clothing. "Glad I met up with you, Captain," he said, coming to his feet.

"Psycho?!" Aaron exclaimed, glad to see the samurai despite their past experience in the place of destination.

"Please, call me Blaine."

"Yes, sorry. How did you... No, let me guess. Cid requested that Silver tell you to escort me." Aaron scowled, remembering Lich's words, and glanced aside.

"Captain Nyoran, he only had the best intentions in mind..."

"I am well aware of that, yet I have to go alone. You cannot possibly understand what I–"

"Emperor Yien," another voice spoke. Aaron spun at the words. "You are sure this ungrateful, and quite foolhardy if I may so add, sailor is the one you seek?"

"Yes, Mihashoo." Blaine motioned to Aaron. "Captain Aaron Nyoran, I would be honored to introduce you to Captain Makko Mihashoo of the Blue Shogun III. Mihashoo, this is Captain Nyoran of the Gigyas Pred, a man I would hopefully call friend. He trapped me under a Wyvern once, you know..."

Mihashoo nodded and eyed Aaron warily. "I could imagine so much."

" Em-per-or!?" Aaron stuttered. "I knew your home was in trouble, but you didn't say you'd come back an... EMPEROR!!"

Blaine turned to Mihashoo. "Go back up and... wait on me..." He added a wink with his lone eye to the statement. The captain nodded and began to scale the ladder. Blaine turned to Aaron. "It's true. I am Emperor Blaine Hala Yien of the Kazuki peoples, and I'm doing everything in my birth-destined power to remain calm and not knock you upside the head for setting out on this fool's venture."

"Yeah, yeah. I appreciate your coming to my assistance, but the best you can do for me now is to get right back on that airship, fly to Cortez, and keep the armada there from blasting me to ribbons."

"But Capt–" He was interrupted by a thunderous pounding. The pair turned to face the prow of the ship, where a serpentine Anguiform was pulling its slithering bulk onto the deck, causing the vessel to tilt precariously towards its end. A lone barrel rolled forward, tripping the captain and emperor. They dropped to their backs and slid at the beast's enormous maw.

Blaine managed to catch hold of the deck's railing, then snapped his hand around Aaron's arm and swung him to the railing as well. "If you'll give me the pleasure," he smiled, twisting to press his feet flat against the rail. He sprung off of it and performed a half-flip in midair, landing face-first on his stomach.

As he skidded along the hard planks, Quetzacoatl appeared above him, and with a mighty squawk shot forward into the Anguiform's mouth. The Great Spirit ripped through the sea serpent's innards and emerged from the tail in a blur of green, then returned to Blaine. The samurai pulled his katanas and watched with satisfaction as they began to glow yellow, charged with electricity. He crashed into the beast swords first, pummeling it with rapid stabs until it finally disappeared with a puff of purple. The ship slid smoothly back to the water, and Blaine looked up to see one of his escorts peer over the deck of his airship.

"Thank goodness you're safe, Emperor!" the man cried. "We hadn't time to turn the cannons on that monstrosity."

"All is forgiven," Blaine nodded. "I enjoy a challenge from time to time."

"You've been up to more than becoming an emperor," Aaron noted, getting to his feet.

"Quetzacoatl," the samurai replied. "It created the Storm Ring about the Caussack Archipelago I once called home. It was injured by the Kraken and Tiamat on our way out.

"You're... absolutely positive you don't want our help?"

"Absolutely. Maybe someday I can explain... Go forward to Pentz and wait for the others, try to dissuade the Armada. When Cid arrives, tell him that I've stopped at the Crescent Moon School of Magistry to... ‘reminisce' with my old family."

"Very well. Blue waters to you, Captain."

"Clear skies to you, Emperor."

Blaine grinned and leapt back to his airship with a smooth bound. One of the benefits of having a flying Spirit, no doubt. A book lay in the spot the emperor had just vacated. Aaron quickly scooped it up and called to the samurai, but the Blue Shogun was gone in moments.

Aaron glanced sadly at the title of the book. " Diary of a Samurai," he read aloud. Psycho's diary... He wouldn't mind if I just peeked. Heck, I'm a scholar. It's my duty to be well read in all subjects. Including day-to-day life as my own associates... Aaron flipped experimentally through the pages, glancing at dates, noting the extreme changes in handwriting. One entry finally caught his interest.

We were banished from Kazuki by Uncle Chang; Father, Mother, Sensei and I were fleeing only moments ago. We managed to get a ship before anyone came hunting us for having left late. Sensei was quite disappointed in Father for his poor choice of schedule. On the way to our boat, I became separated and stumbled upon some poachers. They were carrying a dead tiger with them, and another had a newborn tiger under his arm, which looked to be greatly malnourished.

I tried to fight the poachers, but my training is far too incomplete, and they took my left eye, as well as gave me a horrible scar on my right cheek. Sensei came to my rescue and scared the poachers away, then he and Father buried the poor tiger, dying a cut of its fur black and giving it to me as an eyepatch. They gave me the cub to raise, but it was too late to save him. Fortunately, Sensei told me that he is a special, Rara Silver Tiger, which encases itself in an egg right before death and is reborn good as new. When he hatches, I think I'll name him... Silver...

Aaron grinned. The date recorded this as thirteen years ago. The handwriting said Psycho had been about six when he wrote this, despite the eloquence of his words. He must've been awfully brave, even back then... Or as foolish as he is now...

He flipped to a second entry, not far from the first.

Sensei's decided to start a traveling school here in the Desdemona Forest, ever since Father ran off and left the three of us to our own resources. It was a disgrace to our name, according to Sensei. Poor Father...

Several students have already enlisted for this school, having heard the legends of the great Keero Lio. To protect anyone from connecting themselves to him, Sensei has given everyone code-names. I have been given the name Psycho. Sensei himself is now called Shadow. Everyone else I failed to pay attention to v_v... Ah well, I hope the school works...

And that's how he got his name. Aaron couldn't help but wonder if Psycho had always had his eccentric personality. It wouldn't be such an odd name for Lio to give his best student, in such a case...

He flipped farther ahead. Most of the next entries were about training, something Aaron didn't care to read at the moment. Finally, another entry came to his attention. About four years later, it seemed...

Sensei's oldest student, Rehdtoo, left the school today to return to his homeland in Grundon. Or Mr. Gage, I should call him. Most of the students that leave the school adopt their old names, even though Sensei asked them not to... Poor Mr. Gage, he didn't even get past the blackbelt class. Or monk, as they're known in Grundon. I hope leaving so early doesn't blow up in his face...

Wedge? Wedge must've known Psycho the whole time, and never got the chance to tell him. Nor did Psycho, if Psycho even knew...

Aaron shook his head. Wouldn't that just figure...

Emperor Yien had stood in the same position as he had when first getting back on the airship, arms crossed behind his back, gazing out into the sun.

No one paid him mind, naturally. They didn't need to bother him. Only Mihashoo finally found the courage to approach the young leader, and wave a hand through the body, dissipating the duplicate altogether.

"Let me get this straight," one soldier said, stopping behind Mihashoo. "Emperor Yien created a double of himself before boarding, due to the fact that Captain Nyoran had asked for no assistance. The real Emperor hid himself in the ship somewhere, then controlled this double through the battle and conversations that followed?"

"Correct," Mihashoo grinned. "You deduced this yourself?"

"Yes sir."

"I ought give you a promotion. We'll see how well you do in the conflict that's bound to come while dealing with this Cortez Armada."

"We're still going through with that?"

"Emperor Yien requested that we give Captain Nyoran whatever he wanted, except for solitude. So let us."

The airship sailed on into the dusk.

"Are you of the scholar's command?" the librarian of The Pinion, something only Cid and Siddhearth had expected to find on the ship, asked.

"I... well, I was under the care of a scholar for a few days." The librarian gave Karolie a hard look. "I'm a dancer..."

"The books you requested do not exist. Terribly sorry. If you were a scholar, I would ask you for copies of them, as I've never even heard of them..."

Karolie nodded and walked back to the airship's halls. Dancers aren't allowed to deal with reapers.

"Hello there, Karolie," Fay cut into her thoughts, rounding the corner to face her. "Why the long face?"

"Nothing, nothing. I just ran into some difficulty trying to find a book."

"I see. You, ah, wouldn't happen to be looking up anything on that flirtation you pulled back in Intarkria, would you?"

Karolie looked up at Fay's nervous expression. "You were serious about wanting to know how to do that? That's why you followed me from the Palace?"

"Among other things..."

"Well, alright. But it's not as easy as saying some words and looking attractive in general. It's easier. There's these kind of hormones that fill the air when I try to flirt, which attract all but the strongest-willed of men. Like Aaron... "Here, I can demonstrate," she added as she noticed Reno walking quickly down the hall.

The boy darted past without even looking to the women, so Karolie stuck out her elbow as he passed, spinning him around. "Hi Reno."

"Oh, hi Karolie, Fay. Can't talk now, I gotta–" He stopped suddenly, face blushing as he looked up at the dancer, a stupid grin splitting his face. "Wow, I never noticed how..."

"Gotta what?" Karolie interrupted in a forced deeper voice, trying to seem less attractive. Reno's expression held.

"Gotta go... stone Jeice..."

"Oh!" Karolie gasped, regretting that she had held up his progress. "By all means, go!"

Reno nodded and walked off.

"There then. You see?"

"Yes," Fay nodded thoughtfully.

"Here, I'll trade you."

"Eh?" "I read it in a book when I first learned how to do this. I can pass over these ‘pheroglands' by way of a Mimic spell."

"Well, if you don't mind..." I didn't want to attract that bad, kid. Just trying to get on your side, sheesh...

Reno shook his head as he walked through the door to his and Jeice's room. What... was that?! Shaking his thoughts loose once more and massaging his temples, Reno entered.

Asura sat on his bed, legs crossed as if she were meditating. While it would've been his natural impulse to ask why she was there, he instead blurted, "Your roommate's weird."

"Which?" Asura grinned, opening her eyes to look at him. "You two are my roommates now. I figured Fay should take my bed, seeing as how Karolie is the one she's talked to the most by now."

"Fine, that other female is weird."

"Which?"

"Well, both at times, but right now I mean the... er... the younger one. Karolie."

"What'd she do?" Asura swung her feet around and stood.

"She said "hi" to me."

"Very weird. I see exactly where you're coming from." Asura snickered under her breath.

"Oh shut up! You've been so mean without your face covered anymore. Anyway, I felt all tingly and odd when she said it. The only other time I felt remotely similar to that was around Trilphy... er... this one girl... and this was worse still."

"Well, she is a dancer. Don't tell me you haven't heard of some of their seductive spells."

"Yeah yeah, but why on me?! She lonely after that fight with Aaron?"

"You should hope not."

"Yeah, um... I guess you're right. I should. What're you doing on my bed?"

"Yours? Sorry, I had assumed this was Jeice's. He said I could take his bed after he found out that Fay took mine. Only quiet place on this entire ship, until you came in."

"Well, alright. So long as you don't snore." Asura shook her head and walked over to a cot in a corner, then began to unfold it. "I'll put this as far from you as I can, then. Jeice offered to sleep here, but he should have the bed. Relieves his ‘stiff' muscles." She expected Reno to at least snicker at the joke, but he gave no response.

"Where's he at, anyway?"

"Helping Siddhearth with his latest composition."

Reno nodded... and waited.

Aaron arrived at the school by nightfall, the crescent moon just now showing fully in the sky. The school, one of the few open gaps in the forest, was shrouded in light, from the shingles of the roof to the opal flowers blooming in the garden. It felt surreal, nothing like it had in the ten years he'd spent there.

Something was wrong...

He grabbed the crescent-shaped doorknob and twisted. It was locked. It had never been locked before. Except for a month after someone from the school...

He turned and looked to the forest, a path leading back to the graveyard.

Rec... Something did happen to Rec...

He sprinted down the path, afraid of what he might find. Aaron collapsed to his knees upon entering the resting grounds and began to scan each of the headstones. Blue Mage: Zerxon, Black Wizard: Denlenn, White Mage: Faltasy, Sage: Eldodidan, Gold Wizard: Heren...

Geomancer.

Namoeg.

Aaron sat down at the grave, legs pulled to his chest. It's my fault... all my fault...

"It wasn't your fault, Aaron," a voice said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Aaron turned and looked up at the Mistress Teska. She dressed as the time wizards of old, a red cone decorated with crescents and stars sat atop her long blonde hair. A white shoulder plate rested around her neck, with a star pinned to it above her breast. A blue cape flowed from it, and under it a red dress was worn.

He glanced back at her black eyes, and got to his feet. "You don't know how much it was..."

"Come, Madigan shall explain. There's more you must partake of..."

"Perfect."

"No one saw what happened, sadly," the new school headmaster replied. "Teska and I had been away performing our afternoon duties, and the pupils had all been sent to their rooms to study for an upcoming exam. When I returned at night, I found him there, dead. Scorched, the obvious markings of his own backfire. So, after the rituals of tending to the dead, I took his place as headmaster, and Teska adopted my place, then set out to find a third master since all the students were too inexperienced at this time."

Aaron didn't respond, hardly listened, but instead just glared at the floor. "He's really dead." Chock up another one I should never have gotten attached to... "Who'd you find?"

"I got lucky and ran into a mage knight almost right after I left," Teska replied. "Master Kelvin Crism shall be joining us shortly."

"There's more to this story, Master Nyoran. There was a shattered knife on the floor when I entered, engraved with Master Ohtipe's name. Lugi... hasn't been seen since. There were footprints leading from the door, Voltarian boots by the design of the soles. I'm afraid..."

"And you didn't even bother to tell me?!"

"I did. I sent almost fifteen carrier pigeons to Valkeryie in hopes that you would intercept even one."

Aaron glanced at the floor again, then jumped up suddenly, knocking over the chair. He's winning. Lich is winning... So that was that dead pigeon I saw by the Slepnir... He turned and ran out, pushing over the man waiting in the doorway in the process.

"I remember," Kelvin mumbled, pushing himself up and combing his reddish hair with his fingers, "that's how I reacted when I found out that Sara Heimdall had left Desdemona without even a goodbye. And of course, that's when I became an Imperial. To ‘ease' the pain..."

"Aaron..." Madigan sighed. He turned to Kelvin. "You did put Rec's hat on the ship?"

"Easily. There was a guy there who said he was traveling with Aaron. Knew right where to put it so Aaron would find it. Better hope that calms him down."

"Yes... Close the door, Master Crism."

She was in the Sky Gardens of... Valkeryie? She'd never been in a Sky Garden, so she couldn't actually tell... The breezes rolled through, rustling the thousands of plants on the floating turf, freezing cold against her bared skin, rustling the hair that curled and pooled around her legs.

She looked at the flower and shears in her hand. The flower... Aaron! Aaron's face sat between the yellow petals of the flower, cold... lifeless... She hadn't...

He was dead in her hands.

Dead at her hands...

The stem of the flower bulged, suddenly, and she tossed it down in shock. The bump flowed upwards, and a small black insect ripped out of Aaron's face. Smoke filled the air around her, and the bug disappeared, replaced by a black-cloaked demon...

LICH!

The reaper grinned at her mental scream, then tossed back its hood. Her breath caught.

Aaron stared at her with hollow yellow eyes, a frighteningly calm smile on his face. He raised a rotted hand to point at her. Her skin was suddenly crawling with those black insects, stinging her, pulling at her hair. They dragged her backwards, and she glanced over her shoulder to where they were going.

A tornado. But it did not spin. It stood, winds almost visible by the dust and clutter floating in midair. They tossed her inside it, and all at once it began to spin, tearing the garden to shreds. More of the face-bearing flowers flashed before her... Jeice, Asura, Uargo, Fay...

And all at once, it stopped. She was in a pitch black room. Cold, blind, naked, hungry... No longer her old self, but a new creation. One she didn't wish to be, but one she couldn't possibly escape...

The wails Karolie emitted in her sleep jumped Fay into action, and she was out of her bed like a dart to Karolie's side.

"Kid!" she shouted, shaking the girl's shoulder. "KID!!"

Karolie's eyes snapped open as her mouth snapped shut. She pushed herself up slowly, glancing around the room, as if she didn't know where she was. "F-Fay?"

"C'mon now! It's tough enough to get some sleep around here without all this noise you're making!" "I'm sorry," she stuttered, tears streaking her face. She swung her legs to the side and stood shakily.

"Alright then. I'll forgive you... this time... You, uh, you all right?"

"I'm sorry," Karolie repeated, grabbing her robe and stumbling out the door. Fay watched her go, then flopped back down atop her bed sheets. Did everyone around here have to have blasted nightmares?!

The wind blew across Ian's face as he gazed over The Pinion's deck. He found it quite enjoyable. At least something could dare to touch him and survive.

It's all his god-dern fault...

The air smelled sweet and clear.

It's that bad-luck monster bringin' those demons in here!

A lone cloud hung in the air, some ways below the place he stood.

This guy's gonna get us all killt's what he's gonna do...

The cloud kept pace with the airship, rearranging in the soft wind.

I say, the sooner we dump this bas**** off in some god-forsaken jungle, the better.

The cloud began to take the shape of a man. Remarkably so...

Stay there...

The cloud man stood as if backed into a corner, standing precariously on a ledge...

Oh no...

The cloud turned and dove away. Down it plummeted, until it finally disappeared in a poof of black steam.

"You're clear for tonight," Diablos mumbled softly, laying a black hand on Ian's shoulder. He shrugged it off. Diablos shook his long head, black wings quivering. "Why must you go on living, Ian Zarrier?"

"They need me," Ian sighed.

"So you tell yourself. But what good are you to them? They aren't your friends. They only tolerate you. You make their lives worse. Master Apalock must suffer every night thanks to you." "And you've no part in that?"

"I only work to please Grashharaboras."

"What do you propose I do, then?"

Diablos moved to his left and motioned with his enormous palm over the rail. "Jump."

"What?"

"Kill yourself, and I shall die with you."

"Or you shall be released from me, free as your brethren."

"More likely, yes. You wouldn't have to waste such a life, though. If only you would accept my control... The Vanir are very powerful, yet you support the fool Aesir. Gilgamesh... Carbuncle... HA! They're only using those two idiots..."

"They were willingly accepted by Jeice and Reno."

"How would you possibly know that? Were you present at the fusions? Can you confirm with your own two eyes that it is not merely a ruse that Gilgamesh and Carbuncle display?"

". . ."

"I thought not." Diablos backed a step, then outstretched a lanky arm. "Join me, Ian Zarrier."

Ian remained passive, expressionless as he stared at the moon in the sky. A blur of cold steel, and the Vorpal sword sliced through Diablos's wrist. "Tempt me not, demon."

Diablos looked at his hand, shriveling on the deck, then at his stump of a wrist, and finally to the stairs leading down. Footsteps... "Have it your way, Ian Zarrier. You won't last much longer, anyway." He scooped up the hand, twisted it back onto his wrist, then dove into the point of the Vorpal sword, causing the black to glow an ominous black.

Ian turned and walked to the stairs, just as Karolie emerged. "Did I wake you?" she asked timidly.

"No, no. I've been here quite some time. What brings you up?"

"Ugh, the Queen gave me nightmares."

Ian nodded softly, then placed a steel-covered hand on her shoulder. "Good luck, then. I'm off to my resting place." He continued back into the hull of the airship. Karolie walked forward to the rail, then sat down on it and turned to face out into the night.

"Good evening, my dear."

The voice would've normally started her into the abyss, but she had been expecting it. She gave no response.

"Have you been sleeping well? Interesting dream the Queen gave you, no?"

Still no response.

"Have you begun missing Aaron already?"

She turned to face Lich, a pleading look on her face. "Please don't make it worse..."

He grabbed her robe and lifted her from the rail, then floated forward to hold her over the brink. "I shall do as I please, Miss Bessadio, whether it soothes your troubled heart or not. Understand?"

Karolie nodded, and Lich dropped her on the deck. "Now then. What were we up to today?"

Blaine stood on the deck of the Gigyas, hopeful that Aaron would not come back for a bit longer and discover him.

To lose his mentor must have been a deep blow for the captain. The samurai reached into his pocket and fingered the crystal that held Lio. He pulled it loose and held it up to his eye level. The man he knew was inside there, no bigger than his thumb, it seemed. He was surrounded by a black aura, the aura of whatever d*mn Spirit Dr. Robbins put inside him.

"You'll forgive me, Sensei, yes?"

Naturally, the man could not hear his apology through the crystal walls. He could see Blaine's lips moving, though, and read them. The crystal flashed black in Lio's rage. He wouldn't listen to rational words.

Blaine sighed and tucked the crystal away again. As he did, something caught his eye in the distance. Another ship, it seemed, coming towards them. He squinted with his right eye, trying to see the vessel better.

In the dark, he could barely make out the silhouettes of around ten men on the deck, bustling about, preparing cannons and the like. Did they intend to attack him?

Likely... Blaine placed a hand on his katanas. Ten against one was hardly fair. Perhaps it would be best if Aaron did come back. And with all of his mage friends while he was at it...

The ship drew ever closer to the Gigyas Pred, and Blaine stood alone on the deck, knowing that he would have to defend the ship on his own. They couldn't possibly over-power him, and if they actually did, they would have to kill him. Or worse, they could capture him, dishonoring him completely, and he'd have to kill himself, because a samurai cannot live without honor.

I'm going to do my best! he thought, to raise his spirits. I can't be captured if it will disgrace the family name and my people! I cannot allow that to happen! My honor, this ship, and possibly my friend Aaron's life hangs in the balance of the outcome of this fight. I guess it all end here, ten-on-one? It's going to be brutal, sure. I can take ten Imperials, but they're probably far weaker then these ten are, if my senses are true. I just cannot lose this battle!

Soon, the two ships were side by side, gently swaying because of the small night swells. Blaine's muscles tensed and tightened for the fight soon to come, yet he hungered for such a fight. And this just may satisfy that craving. Knowing full well that they were here to capture the captain, Blaine decided to play dumb.

"Good evening gentlemen, what brings you to this humble vessel on such a peaceful night as tonight?' Blaine called aloud, warmly hiding his obvious knowledge quite well.

"We're here for the party! What do you think we're here for, ninja boy?" one of the fighters sneered.

"Now now gentlemen, no need for conflict. Is there? We're civilized men, so can't we settle this dispute without senseless violence and bloodshed?" Blaine asked sweetly, like a schoolteacher would to some squabbling schoolboys.

"Quit pushing your luck, ninja! We want the ship and we're taking it whether by brute force or by your surrender!" another one hissed.

‘Yeah now move it, you idiotic ninja!" the first piped in.

‘I'm warning you all leave now and no harm shall come to you. Also, I'd refrain from calling me a ninja. I am the emperor to the Kazuki lands and a noble samurai, so show some respect!" Blaine scowled, losing his patience slowly yet steadily. His rage was flaring. Oh how he longed to wipe these fool off the face of the earth.

‘I'm sick of you now prepare to di-‘

"Wait!" Just then, a blue wizard appeared on another part of the deck, two blue spheres floating over his shoulders They disappeared and reappeared around Blaine, emitting an eerie blue light, then disappeared and reappeared to their original position." Blaine Hala Yien, Emperor and samurai. He doesn't lie, so I want him alive as additional bait. He may prove useful later on!" the unknown blue wizard shouted.

‘But Mister Ocean, what good could he be?" the second fighter asked coldly. "That is not your concern. Just take him alive!" he shouted. Anger flashed in his masked eyes.

"You infidels shall not take me with out losing some of your number!" Blaine shrieked in pure fury. He thrust his right hand forward and cried out "TRI BEAM!" The brilliant and powerful triple-eminent beam fired out and hit one of the fighters before he could jump over to the Gigyas Pred. The beam tore through him for a while, then exploded, killing the poor fool. The explosion hit as well as damaged the enemy vessel, sending several fighters flying into the air. Most landed in the sea with a splash, while the others landed on the deck of the Gigyas Prey with a sickening thud. The remaining fighter leaped onto the deck and the ones that landed in the water climbed on board as well, sopping wet. They formed a ring around the samurai, closing in on him. Thinking quickly, he drew a katana and flung it onto the mast above the crow's nest. Blaine used the retracting feature to go zipping upward, barely missing slashes from at least three different blades at once. He was soon up in the crow's nest.

He pulled the blade out of the mast and caught his breath for a bit. Then he saw that the fighters were surrounding the mast and beginning to climb it. Blaine just sighed and leaped off the mast, then swung his blade, timing the strike just right. He cut the left arm off of one of the attackers on the mast. But he landed harder then he expected, his ankles shattered by the impact, preventing him from walking, running, jumping... He was a sitting duck. He couldn't even pull himself to his feet. So he took a bag out of a large pouch on his belt and spilled its contents out on a circle around him Caltrops, small steel balls that were covered in steel spikes and were black so that they made no glare, poured out. If they were going to get to him, he would still cause them all pain before he was caught. He began to prepare his next two moves...

First he prepared another odd spell he knew that few others did. The fighters once more formed a ring around him and advanced. His spell was ready, but he waited longer. Not yet... His attackers wailed out in pain as they stepped on the caltrops, and were too busy attempting to pull them out without hurting their hands to see it come.

"Bio Blast, you fools!" Blaine cried as he lifted his hands in the air, and a green thick fog appeared. It quickly went to work poisoning and blinding the poor fools. Then Blaine felt himself fall weary. He knew his energy and strength couldn't last longer, and he couldn't let these fools know about the proximity of Quetzacoatl, much less that they had fused together. So using the last of his strength, he prepared a final assault. "Fire Beam!" he roared with anger as he thrust his right hand out blindly. The beam of mystic fire energy shot forth and incinerated another foe. Then Blaine's eyes closed as he passed out.

Little did Blaine or his captors know that Aaron has finished his time at Rec's's Tomb and was heading toward his ship. He had nary a clue about what he would see when he got to it, but he didn't care at the moment. He was far to angry due to the loss of his mentor...

Meanwhile, the night back on the Pinion, passed with little further event, and dusk gave way to dawn. Each of the passengers who had spent part of the night abovedecks pondering their problems were fortunate enough to be granted sanctuary in sleep, and reprieve from their tangible problems.

Bright moonlight poured in through the porthole from the full moon hanging just outside the porthole of the cabin, and it's light flowed over a few unfurled abandoned rolls of parchment with littered a side table, and illuminated scores of patterns of black dots hung on straight black lines. The paper glittered and the paper rolled up and out again slightly, with the slight and gentle tilting of the ship.

In the middle of the cabin, the composer's long gangly form slumped down into a chair, his long folded legs stretching out before him. His chin was sunk upon his ruff, his eyes gazed out hollowly across the long, empty cabin, and his arms hung limply over the sides. His light breathing was the only sound in the empty cabin, aside from the steady hum of the engine and the propellors.

It had been a few hours since his companion had bid him farewell before being led out the door to be readied for the night. After ruminating on the deck, Jeice had come downstairs to visit his old friend and the two enjoyed a tranquil, if brief, visit. It had been a steady exchange of pleasantries and idle small talk, empty and numb, just for the friends to share together a portion of this first peace the travellers had known for a while, and for more of which there was no promise. Subjects related in any way to recent events made way to chat which feebly attempted to recapture more stable times past, despite the link between their current trip and one of the most recent tragedies to shake the group, and more personally, which marked the final chapter in the history of the Polite Society from Grundon. Instead, it was more a last-ditch grab at the normalcy they had left far behind them. Siddhearth had actually taken up his pen to music sheet, and he and Jeice discussed notes and simple, benign melodies, until he had to go.

Shortly afterward, Siddhearth set aside his implements and assumed his current position. In a chill, he had sat, waiting, alert, in anticipation that the hungry revanant quiety and obtrusively cast it's shadow over his friend's life might, in it's single-aim flight-path materialize through one of this cabin's very walls and glide silently, without a glance to it's occupant, on it's way to it's beacon.

The specter did not, in fact. Finally, Siddhearth knew that the Reaper must by now have already made it's appearance, simply from some other direction, and even now must be holding it's quiet vigil over Jeice's stony form.

His leg jerked ceaselessly. His face, though he hadn't looked at it in a while, was noticeably thin and tired from the problems that held over all of them, from their own individual demons to the shared sensation they now all faced, of isolation and being set adrift.

In the dark ocean far below the airship, the gentle rolling of the waters gently rippled. The moonlight shimmered on the tips of the crests as they swelled a bit. The surface broke and droplets of water cascaded down off of the golden ball like raindrops of crystal and they ascended upward toward the underside of the Pinion.

He alone should have been happy, for he appeared to remain the only one not beset by curses, close personal tragedy, or what have you. Even the terror of displacement would have less meaning for him, since over the course of his busy career, he had made the world in it's entirety his home.

His leg continued to jerk. Dark circles hung around his eyes, ye the felt no pull to sleep. His stomach was empty, but food did not concern him. His violin lay untouched on another table. The moon shone brightly in.

And then, emanating from a small corner of his numbed brain there came, small at first, but slowly expanding, a shadow or reflection of a distant melody. Siddhearth's eyes lifted up a bit at the strange crystal-clear sensation piercing his numbness. He paid attention to his ears, but that had no effect. This reflection of a song came at him from within his head, effortlessly, as of it's own accord. Siddhearth didn't know if it was the result of vague inspiration or not. It didn't feel like when he usually had an idea for a piece. This was different. He let his mind rest on it. In a strange, inexplicable, almost cliche way, it seemed to offer to help him relax for him.

His muscles relaxed, and his breathing slowed some. Calm let itself in, and his consciousness of the room around him let him free of it's grip. It felt good to have this comforting presence nearby him, to relieve him of the stark isolation. He nodded politely in response when it addressed him in a polite, quite formal voice, and went on to express admiration for his fine work and taste in art. It was nice to at last have company that so easilly expressed an understanding of his anxieties, and to assume part of his burden in sympathy. He sat back and listened to his violin being played with the same relaxing melody he had heard hummed in his head, and exchanged a grateful bow at the end. Late next morning, Siddhearth awoke just before the airship was to arrive in Cortez, and joined the rest of the crew with a sligthly less distracted bearing than of late, with only a vague recollection of what had transpired the night before, as if it had been some oblique half-dream.

The airship landed safely, and most of the crew prepared to disembark. Jeice quickly caught up with Siddhearth, to exchange some words about the day's plans, to meet the Bellows family.