FF3 Novella by Mark Yohalem yohalem@ix.netcom.com Introduction: I finished FFIII on a saved game today and said to myself: "That ending was nothing!" I was pretty annoyed that the designers felt they could mess around in Mode 7 and call it an ending for a game that had an incredible plot. The B&W sequences were DECENT but left you craving for more. For instance Locke and Celes had a great ending, but what did Sabin and Edgar's tell you? Or Mog's? So I came up with a story. Chapter One: The young king, Edgar Roni Figaro, sat heavily upon the throne. He had enjoyed over a year of peace after the defeat of Kefka and the rebuilding of Figaro and South Figaro was now complete. He sighed again. His life had very little meaning any more. How he longed to have the freedom Sabin enjoyed, lost to him by a false coin. He looked across the court to where the Chancellor stood. "Chancellor, what is the situation with the disarmament of our Chocobo legions?" "Sire, they have all been released into the wild, and have started to flourish in the Veldt. Councilor Gau could tell you more, being the range warden there." The chancellor looked a bit disgusted at the mention of the new advisor to the king. Edgar saw his look and frowned. "Chancellor, take over the court for me, I wish to take some time off." Edgar stood and smoothed his cape, walking across the room in a languid pace. *** "Oh your highness, you are SO witty," the young woman stared across the Cafe table with looks of adoration. Since the burning of Vector she hadn't had any place to work, and this Cafe had been the perfect opportunity. She wondered if Edgar remembered their previous meeting. "Well, I am at my best when with a ravishing woman like yourself, m'lady." Edgar flashed his winning grin, and took another sip of tea. "What was Prophetess Terra like before the Parting, Edgar?" Lucian asked the king. Edgar smiled and leaned back in his chair. "She was incredible. You remember the boy, Gau? She had his wild instinct, but controlled. She was like a tigress," an odd look filled Edgar's eyes. "The Parting took that from her, Lucian. She lost her animal instinct." Lucian nodded. At least he remembered when they met before. She saw his cup was empty and passed the kettle. He thanked her and poured himself another cup. "It wasn't the Parting that did all of it, though. When she returned from her journey, the children of Mobliz had grown up. No one needed her anymore. That's when she became the Prophetess." Edgar looked up at the water clock. Another hour before he had to get back to court. The innkeeper here had a standing tab... The doors of the Cafe burst open and a young man dressed in a black suit entered. Gau. Since Setzer took him under his wing it was hard to recognize the boy who once merely shouted "Uwaoo." "M'lord! I have just come from the Veldt, and I have horrible news to announce. The settlement of Cresentia was attacked and destroyed. The signs show..." Gau trailed off, looking around the room. "Show what, Gau?" Edgar was beginning to feel worried. Gau, his most exuberant of advisors was rarely one for tact. "Tell me." Gau's voice dropped to a mere whisper. "Edgar, it looks like Vector after the Sealed Gate was opened. If it wasn't impossible, I'd call this an Esper attack." Chapter Two: Edgar leapt up from his seat. "ESPERS! Impossible." He then looked over at the crowd of staring people and groaned. Wagging his finger he said, "Sorry, that was Espers are impossibly interesting to study." The crowd snickered at him, but went back to conversation. "King Edgar, if I could find any evidence to the contrary I wouldn't have even suggested this. But the city was DEMOLISHED. There were bodies burned beyond recognition, floods WITHIN buildings. If it wasn't Espers, what could it have been." "I can only think of one person who can understand this." *** "Come in Edgar," intoned the white garbed woman. Dressed like the White Magi of yore, the woman could not be seen under the hood and cloak. But Edgar recognized the voice perfectly. "As stunning as the day I met you, Terra. How did you know it was me?" Edgar sat himself down on the cushion on the floor. The Sanctuary was even more beautiful than Figaro Castle. "Who else wears a cape, Edgar? Who else would come to me to find out about Crescentia?" Terra seated herself and drew back her hood, her hair cascading down her shoulders. "How could you know about Crescentia, already?" replied Edgar, creasing his brow. Terra merely grinned. "You aren't the only one with helpers, Edgar. My advocates are very sound investigators." She stretched and stood. "I will tell you what I know. The attack on the village could only have been magical. The fact that excluding Kefka, myself, and Celes no one could have self maturing magic, that rules out Magi. The only people who had magic other than Celes and I were the rest of our friend, and all of us lost that power. That leaves only Espers as a viable source." "Gau surmised that," interjected Edgar. Terra truly had changed. The old Terra would have just told him, not gone through this intrigue. "Gau? Ah yes, I had forgotten Setzer had tutored him." Terra lay back against her cushion, looking much like the cat Edgar had compared her to. 'You remember perfectly well,' Edgar felt like saying. But he knew he could not. Even if they were at odds now, he and Terra were old companions. "Espers are indeed the likely source, but they have departed from this realm of existence, or so my father told us. Even so, they would not have done this kind of violence. Therefore, we must look to the other half of history: MagiTek machinery. Though the Empire destroyed theirs after the war, it was never proved that it failed to function after the Parting. Therefore, it may be possible for MagiTek weaponry to still exist." Terra shook her head sadly. "If this is so, there must be another Kefka planning another War of the Magi. As secular leader of the people, you must remove this threat. King Cyan is still too weak, and the other city states have no army." "My army is disbanded. Even so, I would not thrust my kingdom into war. It must be a small party, once more to remove this threat, if one even exists." Terra shook her head again. "That worked only when we had magic, Edgar. Against Kefka's true soldiers we wouldn't have lasted a minute. You know that." "We shall see. Perhaps my brother can lend aid." Edgar stood and turned to leave. "Oh, by the way, King Edgar. You forgot something last time you came." Edgar turned to look at the Prophetess. She handed him a two headed coin. Chapter Three: Edgar paced into his throne room. "Chancellor, take note of this and send it to my brother. Ahem. 'Dearest Brother, it is I Edgar. Recently a city under my rule has been attacked and destroyed by magic wielding foes. I shall meet you in Thamasa, where I will gather Relm and Strago. Please bring Celes and Locke along as well.' Do you have that, Chancellor?" "Of course, your highness. I shall send it promptly." He walked out of the room towards the couriers section of the castle. Edgar continued to pace anxiously... *** The wind whipped back the black clothing of the man upon the airship, Falcon. "Setzer, what makes you think that your beloved is still alive?" Shadow leaned back against the bulwark and stared down at the sandy region below them. "A note a received. It says that she is alive and waiting for me in a cave just south of here." He pointed to a small hill becoming visible. "In there." He steered the ship down and executed a perfect landing. He and Shadow took note of their bearings. "Would you like me to guard the airship, Setzer?" asked the once mercenary. Shadow looked bored. "Yes, I'll only be a moment..." Setzer leapt over the side and walked into the cave. Ten minutes passed. "Interceptor...go in and find Setzer." He slapped the hound on the side and it charged in. A scream followed. Shadow leapt down and ran into the cave, swords in hand. It was completely dark around him. "I've waited a long time for this, Clyde..." boomed a voice from the darkness. "I'll do for you what you wouldn't do for me." And from the shadows stepped... Chapter Four: "No, no, no! Step up with the left foot then change your weight to the right, and leap forward. Now do it again." Sabin groaned and leaned back against a tree. Ever since Duncan passed the duty of training more Blitz Masters he hadn't gotten a minute of rest. Duane and James were his first students; of the two, Duane was far more dedicated and powerful, but James had natural talent which he believed made him perfect. "Master Sabin, I have perfected the Suplex technique." Sabin walked over to James and said, "Try it." James spun forward, grabbing Sabin's leg in one arm, his head in the other. Shifting all of his weight backward, James sent Sabin flying over his head and into a tree. Sabin got up unscathed. "Good. Now do it fifty times to the dummy." Out of nowhere the sound of Chocobo riders filled the forest. Two couriers on the giant birds arrived, leaping off in great haste. "Sabin, a note from your brother, the King." Sabin sat upon a rock and read the letter, then turned towards his students. "I must go now. Train, and when I return we shall continue." Sabin headed at a jog towards the bridge connecting the Veldt to the mainland. *** Locke paced furiously around the living room of his house in Kohlingen. Why hadn't the doctors told him anything? What were they waiting for? He nervously tossed a knife in one hand, and stared out the window. His life had begun anew, but he couldn't help but remember old loves... "Mr. Cole? I believe you should come upstairs." The doctor motioned Locke over. "Is something wrong? Is Celes all right?" Locke was frantic, his hands shaking in terror. "Locke...you have a new baby boy." *** "How dare he!" shouted Terra. "He has no right!" She turned towards the servant who had brought the message. "You are sure that our ally in South Figaro has turned coat?" She stared with fiery eyes at the messenger. "He has, Prophetess. He says he will not embrace the teachings of the New One." Beads of sweat ran down the man's face. "Why will he not! Why does he refuse the absolute rule of Zeromus?!" Chapter Five: High above the world four beings stared at each other. One towered over the rest, and dark, malign power oozed from his very being. He laughed and turned towards one of the three. "You three have opened the way, now. Once you thought the binding could hold me! And once it did! But Kefka has set me free! And your own disciple, Terra, has given me the strength I need to bring an end to this world!" "No! You cannot do that, Zeromus! We created you and your kind! You cannot do this to us!" Poltergeist stared at the Evil One and prepared to defend herself, knowing she could not win. "Fools! Once you ruled the Lunarians! But my power has grown beyond that! Your statues were all that kept me from this world! I have been stopped from feasting once already, and now I will have my fill." "We cannot allow you to do this, Zemus of the Lunarians," spoke Doom. She raised her hands above her head, and in unison the Goddesses hurled their almighty power against the being. To no avail. "And now it ends, Mothers." *** "Baram?" Shadow stared at the figure before him. "Why do you hide your face from me, Baram?" The man stopped. "You left me to the mercy of Doma's torturers! I have scars outside, and within! Never! Never will I forgive you! You will pay for your evil, Clyde. Or should I say...Shadow." Baram lunged forward, only to receive a harsh kick to the gut for his efforts. Lying on the ground, gasping, Baram stared up. "I have become more than I ever was before, my friend. What have you done to Setzer and my dog?" Baram laughed. Shadow kicked him in the face. "I learned a lot, since then, Baram. I was a soldier of the Empire once, Baram." Shadow drew a knife. "And I learned a lot about pain!" "You...can...do no more to me!" Baram screamed and stood up. "Your friend's blood will feed the Dark One, along with your own!" And Baram began to shimmer.... *** "Oh Celes, I'm so happy!" Locke grabbed Celes and spun her in the air, tears of joy in his eyes. "What have you called him," said the thief, grinning and looking at the young, sleeping baby. "Leo." *** Sabin reached the Veldt Bridge and crossed to Nikeah, taking a ferry to Kohlingen... *** And deep in the ground, within an ancient city, an army massed for war. Chapter Six: The long awaited(I hope;)) continuation of FINAL FANTASY III NOVELLA. King Edgar and the South Figaro fleet arrived at Thamasa on a windy day. The four flagships soared the flags of Figaro high above the mast, boasting the prosperity of the oldest kingdom in the land. Relm Arrowny came out to meet them. Strago did not. Edgar rushed off the ship and approached the girl. "Your grandfather?" he asked, brushing off his tunic. "My grandfather has gone to Eboshi Rock. It is time for his passing." Relm looked oddly relieved at the news. Edgar grimaced. "I have no time for ancient customs! One of my cities has been destroyed, and by the Goddesses, I WANT TO KNOW WHO DID IT!" He suddenly calmed down. "How long until his soul joins the others?" "Five hours." "Then we have no time to lose." *** The massive for of Baram hulked above Shadow, his arms mighty pythons, and his lower body a massive tail. His head that of a hooded cobra, and he hissed with malign intent. "Clyde. Revenge isss mine. You left me! Now the One has given me the forsse to ssstrike you down." Baram's arms shot out and grabbed Shadow around the chest. He gasped for air as he was pulled into a lethal embrace. "Why, Baram? We were friends..." his voice died as he could fight no longer. Baram laughed, a sibilant hiss. "You left me. You would not kill me! You left me for Doma'sss men!" With that he reared his head and prepared to strike a death blow to the ninja. A blow that never fell. Before he could strike down, a shimmering rectangle slid through it's throat. A razor edged playing card. *** "Locke!" shouted Sabin, banging on the door of the cottage. Locke came rushing to the door. "Be quiet! You'll wake the baby." Locke grinned slyly. "BABY? I guess you beat Edgar in the race." Sabin clapped Locke on the back, and entered the house. "I was a perfect gentleman," replied Locke, imitating the Figaro King perfectly. "His name is Leo. Celes is still sleeping, and I was just making some eggs for breakfast. Do you want some?" "Sure. But I have business to deal with first. Crescentia has been attacked and destroyed. I was sent here to look for help. Can you come with me? Can Celes?" Sabin asked the questions, fearing the response. "I may be able to go. Celes will not leave. I am sorry." *** "Lord Cyan of Doma!" boomed the messenger. "King Edward Roni Figaro bids you greetings. His city of Crescentia has been attacked and destroyed. He regrets that you have no army to help, but says that you should 'ware attack yourself." The messenger bowed before the King. "He also said to beware the Prophetess." "Terra? Oh, Elayne, has it started again?" *** And beneath the earth, a leader arose. Chapter 8 [rewrite] Here it is... ---- Edgar rowed across the sea to the ancient rock of Thamasa. Long before anyone could remember it had been there, and Thamasan legend said that the Goddesses themselves had created the world from that very stone. Now they were gone... "Strago!" shouted Edgar, staring at the withered old man. The years had not been kind to Strago Magus. War, oppression, lynchings; for his almost one hundred years he had never known peace. And now on the verge of his death, the horror had started again. "Edgar...how nice it is, to," Strago coughed twice and continued, "to see a friendly face. Relm, I could not bear to see her anymore. Not like this...a young guy..like..me," Strago was interrupted by a fit of coughing. Edgar knelt down and stared at him. "Strago, I need your help. My city, Crescentia, was destroyed by magic. A foul magic." "Oh...goddesses. I wished I could leave Relm a better world...then when I was born. It...seems man can..never have peace. I cannot...aid you now, Edgar. I am too far...beyond. But I must tell you something." Strago leaned back against a stone. "Relm is not my grandchild, Edgar. I...love her more than anything, but she is not mine. Shadow..is her father, Edgar. He fell in love..with a young girl, a magus. She was hunted, by Doman troops...when she died, Shadow killed his emotions. He left Relm behind...for me. I never had any children...it was the greatest thing that ever happened...but now, she must know..." Edgar held Strago's hand. "Good-bye, old friend. I will tell Relm the truth, sleep well." Strago passed away, and Edgar felt his pulse stop. He stood and prepared to leave, but a chill wind made him turn back. Strago stood in front of him. "Lord Edgar of Man. I am Poltergeist, you know me." "I killed you, brach. You are gone from here." Edgar drew his weapons. "Put those down, Lord of Man. I was not killed, my idol was destroyed. By this act, you released a very ancient evil. Zemus d'Luna." "I've never heard of him. Why should I be afraid of some moon man?" "Zemus...no, he is Zemus no longer. Zeromus is a man of evil. He IS evil. He is everything that Kefka was personified. He is more powerful than anything this Earth has ever seen, and his sole wish is destruction. He will feed off the grief of the dying, and use the power to rule the Cosmos." "And you think I am afraid of him?" "If you are not, you are a fool, Lord of Man. I am dying now. Zeromus killed me. He killed all of us, at once, in our own home and we COULD NOT HARM HIM. Do you understand, Lord of Man? I am now passing to a place where no light ever touches the ground. I will live a life of such torment you COULD NOT BELIEVE. And it will never end. Unless you wish this fate upon this world, you WILL listen. Garner your forces, Lord of Man. The destiny of all of Creation lies in your hands. Ignore me, and let it all fall under the shadow of evil. Or you may heed my warning and stop it. What will it be, Lord of Man?" "Tell me." "Zeromus has been killed before. On many worlds, he was been defeated. His kind, the Lunarians, use a different source of magic than you. A very potent form of Neutral magic, based on the moon." "Neutral? But he is evil." "He may heal and he may destroy. But to destroy him, you must utilize a higher force. We Goddesses are not of the Existence. But a more powerful being created us. Into our hands he gave a single crystal, which we divided into many parts. Upon this...NOOOO!!!! He comes Lord of Man! 'Ware, for he is quick and deadly when he strikes. You must stop him..." And the voice of Poltergeist faded from human ears forever. *** Gogo stepped into his cavernous chamber. He dropped his robes and felt pseudoflesh slide from his body. Gogo was neither male, nor female. It was a robot, a creation made for one purpose, the hand of the Goddesses. It was Gogo's role to stop Kefka from exploiting the Goddesses' powers. Silently guiding, he eventually turned the tide in the favor of the heroes. Now, he relaxed. "Gogo." "Miztrez Poltergeizt. At lazt I hear from you!" Gogo said with the characteristic buzz of an artificial life-form. "Gogo, I am about to die. My life is over and I must give my duties to you. The Dark One has arisen once more. He is more powerful than I have ever seen him and it is he who has slain me." "NO! How iz it pozzible? How could he kill you? Miztrez!" "I understand Gogo, but forget me. You must save this world. Use your powers once more to destroy Zeromus and save this world. I am counting on you Gogo...please, save my planet..." And if robots could shed tears, Gogo would have cried. *** "Setzer, is rain common to this region?" asked Shadow, looking out the cave. "No...we're in a desert." Setzer stared out. "Damn! This is a hell of a storm we've got brewing." He leaned against the wall. "We might as well wait it out here." "Why? Why not go into your airship?" Shadow was annoyed when people decided to "rough it." He never understood why. "Because in the airship any weather can hit us. In here, we're safe." "Okay, but remember that I warned you..." *** Locke and Sabin walked out to the docks. "Strange weather, eh, Locke?" "Certainly. This kind of storm usually doesn't hit Kohlingen. Very odd." Locke and Sabin approached a portly looking captain, sitting on a barrel. "How can I help ye," asked the old man. "I need a ship to take you to Thamasa," stated Sabin, simply. "Har, har, har! That's a good one! Look at the sky," said the sailor, gesturing to the north. A huge storm was brewing. "Yeah, but Thamasa is to the south. And the south is..." Sabin stared south. "Oops." Another massive storm was heading from the south. "What the hell?" "I know. Very strange." *** Martin strode up to the Chancellor. "You called, Lord?" "Yes, this awful noise is making it impossible to work!" He gestured at the pipes. "Does it not disturb you?" A strange moaning noise filled the air, originating from the pipes. "The price of technology, Lord Chancellor. There must be a clog in the system. What do you want me to do about it?" "You insolence borders on treason, Guardsman. Tread carefully, for you are on thin ice." 'Damn egotistical bastard. I can't wait till Edgar gets back,' thought Martin. "Yes, Lord Chancellor," sighed the soldier. "I still don't see how I can help you." "Talk to the engineer, Private Martin. Tell HIM to fix the problem." *** Martin marched down the hallway, heading for the engine room. The damn sound was even worse in here. "Damn Chancellor thinks the world revolves around him! I wish I could.." Martin's mumbling trailed off as he entered the engine room. "Engineer?" "Yes?" replied the somewhat strange man. "Fix the pipes." "What's wrong with them?" "The blasted sounds! Can't you hear it?" "Yes..." "Well fix it! Chancellor's orders." "But...." "No buts, Engineer. This is of the highest priority." "PRIVATE Martin. As I was trying to say, I checked the system. There is nothing..." A scream cut him off. "What the hell!" shouted Martin rushing up the steps. "Oh..Goddesses. How can it be?" Martin died in a moment. For others, the battle lasted a few minutes. But within the span of an hour, all of Figaro was dead. And within the streets, it was the dead that ruled. An unstoppable, undead army. Bent on destroying the world. Chapter 9: A Time for War "Strago?" Edgar looked down at the man. The host of Poltergeist. He was dead now. Hopefully, he had gone to a better place. Now Edgar couldn't know for sure. "Sleep well old man." Edgar closed Strago's eyes and placed him on his boat. The raft floated out to see and vanished beneath the rising waves. "I have to get back!" Edgar rushed towards his boat, only to watch a wave shatter it against the rocks. "By the Three Goddesses! Damnation!" Edgar scanned the Rock. He saw the entrance to Hidon's Cave, and rushed towards it. "Edgar..." said a voice from behind. So soft. Edgar spun around. "Mother?" Edgar began to cry. "Mother!" He rushed forward to the beach. "I've missed you..." Then he noticed the stench of rotting flesh. "Oh Goddesses..." Edgar's mother grew massive, a hideous creature covered in tentacles and claws. "It's time to die, King Edgar," laughed the beast. "We shall see, monster." *** "Damn it, Edgar's going to need us, Locke!" Sabin stared out at the ocean. "What can we do about it? Not even an airship could fly in a storm like this. We'll just wait it out. There isn't any immediate threat is there?" "I don't know, Locke." Sabin heard footsteps and spun around. "Hello, Celes. How are you feeling?" "Fine, thank you. I'm sorry about the storm. Something just isn't natural about it." "Magic?" asked Locke, his eyes wide. "Maybe." "Then...could you Runic it?" Sabin asked, hopefully. "I can try, but it won't be easy." "Celes, I can't let you put yourself in danger!" shouted Locke. "I must, my love. Don't worry." "CELES!!!" "Runic!" shouted Celes, drawing her sword from the mantle above the hearth. Locke watched as it began to glow. Sweat beaded down Celes's forehead, and an aura of green light surrounded her. "It's...working..." Sabin looked out the window. No immediate effects where visible. "So much power...I have to get to the source..." Celes clinched her fists. "Celes, stop, you're hurting yourself," warned Sabin. "I feel the source...I must get closer...." "CELES!" shouted Locke again. "Celes, no, I can't bear to lose you..." "I have it! What...Terra?" *** Gogo slipped on his robe and voice modifier. "I must save this world for you, Mistress," he promised, stepping out into the rain. He stared at his wrist for the location of Edgar. "Thamasa." Gogo whistled a strange noise and a shadow descended from above. A Drake landed and Gogo climbed on. He whistled again and the flew off towards Thamasa. *** "The Dark Master comes, disciples! Feel him! Hear him! He is here!" screamed Terra. And it was true. *** Art ran down the streets of South Figaro. How could he have gotten caught up in such a stupid cult? But something very wrong was happening. This rain had come from the Prophetess, he knew it. He had to find Councilor Gau. "Gau!" he shouted. From an alley, the boy emerged. "You called." Gau loved making entrances like that. "The Prophetess is doing something, Councilor. Something very evil. And she is targeting South Figaro. That is what the rain is. It is a by-product of the spell. Something very evil." "Who are you? How do you know this?" questioned Gau. He stared at the man, an animal gleam in his eyes. "I...I helped her.." --- Okay, so the war didn't REALLY start. But everyone is getting in position. A Long Dark Day: Zeromus calmly looked over the crowd of chanting worshippers. "Very good, my Prophetess." "That you, o Lord of Dark and Evil." Terra dropped to her knees before the dark one. She solemnly kissed his feet and stared at the ground. "Very nice. But they are not useful to me in this form." Zeromus surveyed the crowd. "Bakers, blacksmiths, HUMANS. No, these will not do. I need the help of an old friend." "Who, my Master. Can I help you?" Terra begged. "No. Stand back." Terra scurried to her feet and knelt behind the altar. "From the Dark, I call the ghost of Rubicant." The Lord of Fire appeared and bowed. "Lord Zeromus. I have awaited your return. How may I serve you?" "Lugae. Your 'doctor.'" Rubicant shuddered at the mention of the monster's name. Rubicant was a man of honor, though he was of the Dark. "I see you remember him. He made...creatures out of humans. I need more. Do you have any records of his techniques." "Master Zeromus, as much as I desire to aid you, I do not feel that it would be justi..." "SILENCE, FIEND OF FLAME! You were created to serve. I could not correct your sense of honor, but I intend to ignore it. Give me Lugae!" Rubicant trembled; his fear of the Dark One far outweighed his sense of honor. "It is not magical, m'lord. He uses genetic merging. It is rather simple. Here are the designs for the machine." A scroll appeared in Zeromus hand. "You may go now, Rubicant. Return to your eternal torment." "But..." "I don't need any of you anymore, Fiend. Good-bye." *** "NO!!!!" screamed Gogo into the sky. "I must hurry. The Dark One has arrived and I must stop him." He whistled and the dragon landed. Gogo raised his hand above the drake. "Beast of Sky, upon you I give the intelligence of man!" The drake looked confused, then growled: "Who...am I?" "That is unimportant. I am now transferring information as to my mission into your brain. You will not forget it." A glow suffused the dragon's head, and he felt knowledge flood in. Horrible knowledge of killing and destruction, but somewhere inside, the power excited the beast. "Good-bye. Warp!" Gogo disappeared. Chapter 10: The Final Act --- Gogo appeared in Terra's chamber. Zeromus looked up. "Hmm...one of Lugae's creations?" "I recognize him, Dark Lord. That is Gogo...he...she...uh...it, is a warrior of Light. We must destroy...uh...it!" Terra hated not knowing the gender of Gogo. "Hello Zemus d'Luna. Poltergeist bids you regards. You will now join her." "HAHAHAHA!" Zeromus drew a black sword from his belt. Even as a human this creature was no match for Zeromus, lord of Dark. Zeromus watched Gogo draw raise his hands. Sheets of electricity engulfed the evil Lunarian. "You cannot win, Lord of Dark. You cannot destroy this world." Zeromus dropped to one knee beneath the tumult of energy. "You...are...nothing!" Zeromus suddenly exploded. Acrid sulfur filled the air and Gogo lowered his arms. "It is over, Terra. I now must cleanse you, to purge this world of his evil." Gogo raised his arms again, preparing to strike down his once ally. "Please." Gogo spun around. A hulking mass of churning green flesh stood before him. "This is the true Zeromus! With every scream of agony ever heard, ever mother's tear for a child dead, I grow stronger! Do you hear me, soldier of Light! I cannot lose again! This world," a tentacle gestured expansively, "so full of sadness, is so full of power for ME! I will corrupt it and then destroy it. And then I will kill every Lunarian and destroy every world in creation!" "No. You must not. I will stop you!" Gogo dropped his flesh and stepped out in his true form. "This is my destiny!" Gogo pulled energy from every system, and in a flash of blinding light fired it all into Zeromus. *** "Sna...oh?" asked Umaro. He started dancing around. Mog groaned. "Keep mining, kupo! Hear me? This is no time to joke around!" "Ung'h! Umaro..like..sna..oh!" Umaro grudgingly went back to work. And then Mog began to scream. *** "Setzer, the water is rising." "I see that, Shadow. But there isn't anything we can do about it." Setzer walked up towards higher ground. Already most of the cave had two or three inches of water in it. "Couldn't we get trapped? If the water level rises too high, we'd have to swim quite a ways to get out. And you aren't exactly in your prime." Shadow leaned against the wall and sighed. "Outside we stand risk of getting caught in a sand storm, or any other weather problem that's causing this. If the water rises too high, we simply leave." "Very well. Tell me about Darryl, Setzer. I was...busy...when you explained your history to the others." "It's a long story..." *** "Come on, you big monster! Too afraid to attack me?" mocked Edgar. He was sweating even in the rain, but he was uninjured. The same could NOT be said about the beast. "Why do you keep fighting, Human? Even if you kill me, the Dark Lord will kill you!" "Dark Lord? Ha! I brought Kefka to his knees. I've destroyed Goddesses. And you think I'm afraid of a little moon man?" Edgar lunged and jammed the Lance into its chest. "You...will...die for this. Even now...Figaro...burns.." The dark blood of the beast coated the rocks. "Oh Goddess, let it be a lie!" Edgar dove into the water and started to swim. *** "Lord Garamonde?" asked as soldier. "Where are you going?" "Do you hear that sound?" "No...what are you talking about?" "Screams, Corporal. Thousands of screams. Tell the army to be ready. Something very wrong is happening in Figaro. We leave in the hour. Now go!" Cyan slid his blades into his belt. He looked up, about to snap out, when.. "It can't be!" shouted Cyan, embracing the woman in front of him. "I have so little time here, Cyan, my love. You are correct about Figaro, there is great evil afoot. Higher forces than those of men are at war, and where I am...bad things have begun. There is a Master there. A Lord of Death and Justice that wishes you to have this blade. It is called the Gray Blade. In it are the powers of life and of death. I must go now, Love, but...for me...and Owain...save the world..." "Elayne!!!" screamed Cyan. "Must I lose you again, my love?" "Good-bye..." *** "What is the problem in Figaro?" "I don't know, I was just...I can't explain it," the man told Gau. "Very well." Gau walked to the corner and spoke briefly with the guard. He then returned. "You are being taken to the jail. I am going with fifteen men. If this was a trick, my men have orders to kill you. Do you understand?" "Perfectly, Lord Gau." Chapter 11: For the Memory Locke paced furiously. "Damn it, when will this rain stop?" he asked Sabin. Sabin shrugged. "Beats me. Apparently it was more magic than Celes could absorb. Strange, huh?" Sabin sat down. "Very. I watched her take an Ultima from Kefka. If this spell is that powerful...who would have the power to create it?" Locke stared out the window. "Not Terra..." "Unlikely. She lost her Esper half, didn't she?" "LOCKE!" came a scream from upstairs. Locke and Sabin leapt up and ran up the stairs. Sabin never made it. A massive Gigas swung its fist into his back and crushed him against the wall. He never moved again. *** The snow was burning his hair! His precious hair! "Umaro, let's get out of here, kupo?" "Un'g! We go!" Umaro grabbed the ore and trotted down the mountain side. Mog rushed after him. "Boss? Wha that?" said Umaro, staring at the massive dragon in front of him. "Aieee!" shouted Mog. *** Edgar dove into the water and swam frantically for shore. Even at the peak of his health, it was a hard swim. He was panting furiously and he was only half of the way there. A huge wave knocked him under, and he came up spitting out sea water. "What the..." Edgar saw a massive shadow moving towards him. A boat! One of his boats! "DOWN HERE!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. But they didn't hear him...and they were headed straight towards where he was floating! Chapter 12: Tears for the Dead, Death for the Living --- Sabin fell to the ground, white light filling his vision. He tried to move, tried to help Celes, but it was so cold. He twitched his neck, but couldn't turn to look. So cold... Locke stared at the two Gigi that stood before him. He looked at Sabin, still on the ground. "Whoever sent you here, beasts, he will join you in hell!" Locke pulled a dagger from his belt and dove towards the first. It laughed and pounded him to the ground. With a relaxed kick, it sent him flying into a wall. These were not the Gigi he had fought in Zozo, no they were far more powerful. Filled with the dark power of Zeromus, they were more than he had ever seen. "NO!!!" screamed Celes, charging with a scimitar in hand. She slashed through the first one's neck, leaving it dead. "Locke!" she moaned, and stared at the remaining Gigas. "For love, I will kill you!" Celes charged forward, lightning fast. The Gigas moved faster. Rolling to the side, it caught her ankle and crushed it. In another second, it slammed her head against a table. Rising, it stared at the destruction. And then it heard a child's cry. Its target. On the ground, the warriors moaned, incapable of doing anything. *** "We must hurry," ordered Cyan, charging towards the ferry. "Faster, men!" The soldiers leapt aboard in a moment, not doubting for a second their leader's order. The ship set sail for Figaro, and as they drew closer, the screams grew worse. "Everyone sharpen your blades. What we go up against is more powerful than anything we ever faced. I have been given the power to destroy it, and destroyed it must be. For Doma!" "FOR DOMA!" cried the soldiers. "For peace!" "FOR PEACE!" "For victory!" "FOR VICTORY!" And the ship plowed through the storm, preparing to destroy the menace of Figaro. For good or for evil, Doma had gone to war. *** "Damn it, I'm down here!" screamed Edgar. A sailor looked down. "By the Goddesses! Stop the ship! King Edgar is down there." The ship swerved to the side, and a rope was dropped. Edgar grabbed the rope and ascended onto the ship. "We must sail for Figaro. I have a horrible feeling that something is wrong." --- Part Two: Requiem for the Robot --- Gogo stared at the smoking mass of flesh before him. "It iz too late, Terra. Turn away from the evil. Pleaze. Terra..." Terra stared at the twitching robot, its shimmering silver skin dented and scratched. "You have killed my Master! Bastard!" Terra kicked Gogo's head and sent it flying across the room. It hit the stone wall and exploded. "Master?" asked Terra kneeling by the corpse. No response came from it. "Chant, disciples!" cried Terra to the horde of followers. "Chant! Inuma morta! Kiam suzak! Pretia chufa!" Terra screamed. The crowd followed. And by the will of the souls of hundreds of people, Zeromus began to heal. One by one the people fell, their bodies exploding in balls of flame. And the oozing mass of flesh began to jiggle. As the last corpse fell, Zeromus was born again. By the death of his followers, he could destroy this world and rule the cosmos. *** "So you and Darryl met in a race?" asked Shadow, after Setzer finished his story. Bored as he was, Shadow was still curious about this strange relationship. "Yeah. That was how we met, and how we parted." Setzer stared away. "But perhaps we shall meet again. Let us go to the airship, this rain is getting too heavy to stay in here." Setzer and Shadow headed towards the entrance with Interceptor in tow. "The airship..." whispered Setzer. "Oh my god!" The airship was melting away. The rain was...acid... --- "Dragon?" asked Mog, staring at the massive beast. "Gogo sent me here. You must come with me." The dragon gestured towards his back. "Climb on. I must find the others as well." "Ha. Get him, kupo?" said Mog, gesturing to Umaro. "Uwaoo!" shouted Umaro, jumping at the beast. A huge burst of flames enveloped him. It did no damage. "Ung'h!" the Yeti yelled, throwing the dragon to the ground. "Now we talk business, kupo?" *** Gau's men marched through the dark cavern. "Fan out," said Gau, drawing a sword. He preferred not to use his Rage unless he had to. "What smells?" asked Renald, one of his men. "Beats me. Just be careful." The smell was awful, choking the group as they moved in. It was like nothing he had ever smelled before, even in al of his days on the Veldt. They reached the exit and stared out into the desert. Swarming forth from the castle were thousands upon thousands of corpses, armed and ready for battle. "Oh shit," they all said in unison. --- Chapter Thirteen: {The prophesy is at hand, my brothers,} whispered the voice, silently. {It cannot be. So long after the Dragon bore the burden. We have grown weak,} moaned the Dark, sadly. {It must be. If a world falls under the Shadow, all is lost.} {Light is not the only Good.} {Nor is Shadow, my brother.} {A balance must be maintained,} sighed another, from the Light. {But we are weaker...even before, it took the most powerful of Mankind.} {We cannot allow the balance to fall.} {But should we be defeated....} {Then all is lost.} {But....} {There may no longer be doubts, my brothers. Join with us.} {I am afraid of the Light, my brother. Will it not drown the Dark?} {It cannot, so long as the balance is maintained,} groaned the Fire. {Please, give me time. I cannot risk...} {You must! All is lost if He does what he wishes. It was the wish of the Creator.} {We do not know that!} {So speaks the Prophesy,} cried the Water, giver of Life. {So be it. Let us join as once before.} *** "Oh Goddesses, Figaro is destroyed?" whispered Cyan. "I'm sorry sir," said one of the Guards. "I must....I must...." "There is nothing you can do, sir. The cave is closed. Until they come through...there is nothing you can do, I say again, sir." "Damn it all!" shouted Cyan, drawing the Gray Blade. It hissed to life and seemed to writhe like a serpent. "What in..." the guard backed off. "I don't know. Thou must help me. It is doing....AHHHHH!" The Gray Blade shot a beam of dull light into the sky, and Cyan, Lord of Doma, watched as it hissed into the cave. "Noooo...." moaned the guard. For he, like Cyan, knew that somehow the Blade had opened the cavern. *** "Setzer, your airship...." "NO! I cannot let it be destroyed!" Setzer rushed into the rain, and instantly fell back, his face pock-marked where drops had touched it. "I'm sorry, Setzer. It was the last bit of Darryl you had." "I can't believe it! We're stranded." And then he saw them. Fifteen men, riding upon huge chocobos, riding straight towards them in the rain. Shadow's sword hissed as it scraped out of the scabbard. "The Reaper has arrived." "What did you say?" "Nothing. Just talking to myself." *** "How long 'til we reach South Figaro," Edgar queried a sailor. He shrugged. "Damn it, how long!" "I don't know, my liege. Without MagiTek, we cannot reach the speeds of which we were once able." Edgar growled and paced toward his cabin, again. He froze suddenly. MagiTek.....Terra mentioned she had a large network of spies. He began to chuckle to himself. The Captain froze as a huge broadsword was brought to his neck. "Where are you taking me, you son of a brach?" hissed Edgar from behind. "South Figaro....m'lord." "TELL ME, OR I'LL SLIT YOU FROM NAVEL TO NECK!" shouted Edgar. Everyone turned and stared at him. "TELL ME!" *** Mog and Umaro were enjoying their ride upon the Dragon, however it was becoming more and more worrisome the more dives he chose to take. "Look, kupo. Where are you taking us?" "Edgar." "Why not just go to Figaro, kupo?" "He's not there." "Kupopo!" cursed Mog in Moogan. "We go sna'oh?" asked Umaro. "No, kupo! No snow!" "Umaro like sna'oh. Sna'oh hot." Mog sighed. Why did he hang out with this delinquent? "Dragon, why are you trying to find Edgar?" "It is what I was told to do." "Hmmm....so you are a slave, kupo?" "No." The Dragon suddenly took a steep dive, and Mog screamed in horror. They were crashing down into the ocean. Chapter Fourteen: {Locke!} called the voice once more. Locke looked up from his chair, his face pale and drawn. {Answer me, Locke!} it whispered, yet shouted. Locke's gaze spun as far as he could crane his neck, yet still he saw no one. "Why must you torment me! Have I not be punished enough?" Locke stared down at his now useless legs, which he could neither feel nor move. {I am not here to torment you, Locke.} "Who ARE you?" Locke reached for the Full Moon which rested next to his chair. {I am who we are. I am the Light and I am the Darkness.} "Do not tell me riddles. I have lost my son! My best friend! My Goddess damned legs, and you seek to speak to ME IN RIDDLES! Why must you toy with me?" Locke sobbed. {You can not understand the workings of the Universe, Locke Cole. Do not try to.} "Damn you!" {We are here to stop the Dark One.} Locke sighed. {And restore the Balance.} "I am no longer a hero! I am a cripple, damn you! My wife...oh god, and my wife can move nothing! Her face alone! And you come here to tell me to restore the fucking balance of the Universe?" {Nothing in life is easy, you should know that, Locke.} "Oh, do I know that!" {Then help us, so that we may aid you.} "How?" {Listen.} *** "Who are those people, Shadow?" murmured Setzer, slipping into Clyde's old name. "I do not know. But they are well armed." "Can you tell if they are hostile?" "Tell me this, Setzer: If a horde of armed men comes rushing you on chocobos, do you think they're hostile?" "Sorry I asked." "I does not matter. The Reaper forgives all." "What is you obsession with Death, Clyde?" "Sometimes it is easier to die than live, Gambler. Now ready yourself. The enemies arrive presently." Shadow readied himself and leapt into the air, soaring onto the back on one of the massive birds. His katana cleaved through its neck, and left it headless, squirming, on the ground. Setzer, on the other hand, merely reached into his large belt pouch. He withdrew a handful of coins and tossed them into the coming horde. Each slammed into a target. Each fell as heads, upon the desert sands. But as gallantly as Shadow and Setzer battled the unknown riders, their energy began to wane. And it was as both Shadow and Setzer fell to the ground, that the lead rider withdrew its mask. *** "M'lord, I know not what to say? I take you to the port of South Figaro, as you ordered me to do." "Liar!" "I speak the truth," screamed the Captain, prostrating himself. "You cannot! Why did you speak of MagiTek!" "I told you before..." "WARE, KING EDGAR!" screamed a sailor. From above the clouds, a massive flying reptile descended, slamming into the deck with jarring speed. "I speak for the Goddesses, King Edgar Figaro. Drop this man, and lend me your ear." The dragon spoke in a roaring voice, its red eyes drawn into tight slits. Edgar lowered his weapon. "You have my attention, friend dragon. And do get down from there Mog, you look like an utter buffoon." "Ba'foo'oon!" shouted a voice from behind. "Umaro too?" Edgar groaned. "My, my, we have a regular reunion." *** "What have I done?" whispered Cyan, staring at the now immobile Blade. "I do not know," replied the guard, equally shaken. {I have cleared the way, Lord Cyan Garamonde. I am the Gray Blade. I am Death and I am Life. You have bonded with me.} "What?" shouted Cyan. "What is the problem, Lord Cyan?" asked the guard quickly. "One moment, sir." {Thou art the Blade,} replied Cyan, mentally. {Yes.} {And thou hast cleared yon cavern pass?} {Yes. Would it please you if I spoke in Archaic phrases?} {Hmmm?} {Thee, thou, prithee, methinks, you know what I mean?} {Art thou mocking me?} {Never, m'lord.} Cyan could almost imagine the Blade grinning. {To business, anon. Thou hast cleared the cave, then surely those that live in death do come upon us?} {Aye.} {How may I strike them down.} {With fire, beheading, and piercing of the heart.} {That is all?} {Or, by my power, I may will them all dead.} {Thou art so powerful?} {Aye.} {Then kill them all.} {You are sure, Lord Cyan? Should I return them to death, you will absorb their souls.} {WHAT??} "Lord Cyan?" asked the guard, who had been staring there, mutely, as he watched Cyan mouth words. "One moment, friend guard." {Anyone you kill with my power shall give their souls to you.} {Any?} {And all.} Cyan sighed, pondering a question that meant Life or Death to hundreds. *** "Oh, how your power shines, Dark Lord!" swooned Terra, watching Zeromus mutate the people of the Temple into hideous creatures. "I am pleased you see it this way," replied the now humanoid monster. He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Perhaps you may serve me in another matter." "How, o great one?" Zeromus mutated another man, then sat down upon his golden throne. "I am deeply distressed as to the actions of the now recently deceased robot." "How is that? He is dead now." The Lord of Evil sighed. Why where humans so invariably stupid? "I am not worried about the robot itself, Terra. You see that robot was to someone as you are to me." "I do not understand," replied Terra, deeply wishing that in some way she could. She knelt before Zeromus begging forgiveness. Zeromus sighed once more. "My child. The robot...Gogo you said it was called?" Terra nodded. "Gogo served someone I believed dead." "Who, my master?" "The Triumvirate. The Three Goddesses. I slew them in the place you call 'space.'" Zeromus stared at Terra. "But he...it was following orders. Orders that could only have been given AFTER their distraction." "I see, Lord. You worry that they still live?" "Yes. You are very smart," Zeromus congratulated, patting her on the head. Terra gasped in pleasure at his touch. "They were one of the few forces that could defeat me." "You may be defeated? Impossible!" Terra blanched at the concept of a world without Zeromus. "Yes. But the other force lies far of in the cosmos, on a world where they must remain for eternity." Zeromus was never sure about this. Were the crystals indeed still upon the Blue Planet? Or had they been put upon the Lunar Station. "So you are safe." "Yes, Terra. And soon, this entire world will be within my grasp." --- Chapter Fifteen: The Crystal War "Give me your powers, and I shall slay your foe," whispered Locke, hatred burning in his heart. {He will be useful,} the Dark told the others. {Must you always use? 'Twas our power that created Zeromus.} {Given to this Mortal, might it not do the same?} moaned the Water. {Does it matter? This time, we shall destroy him before he gets too powerful,} answered the Dark. {It must be done,} answered the Light. And so it was. As the had done only once before, the Crystals of Light and Dark allowed their power to be drained into a mortal. And under the light of the moon in Kohlingen, Locke Cole began to laugh. His revenge was at hand. *** "The Goddess Poltergeist has sent me, King Edgar, to aid you in the preparation of your armies. The city of Figaro has been destroyed," at this Edgar wept and moaned, for with the death of Figaro was the death of his love. His dream of a kingdom in which everyone could enjoy freedom and happiness shattered. "Then what armies do I have!" shouted Edgar, slamming his fist into the wall. "None! Who attacked! Who?" Edgar's eyes scanned warily around the room. Umaro sat picking his teeth with a carved piece of bone. Mog was merely listening. Silent. "The forces of Zeromus." "I have heard that name before. A voice told me of him. So he is to blame?" "Some would say his is to blame for all evil in this Universe. My mistress did not think this. Zeromus lives off pain, suffering, and hatred. He would see this world thrown into anarchy and live off its agony. With that power, he could conquer the world that was once his. And wreak vengeance on his brothers of old." "These brothers? Where are they now?" "They fly through the cosmos, searching, some say, for a world in which they can live alone with their sins." "What sins?" "Let me tell you about Zeromus..." *** An icy wind whipped over the small outpost. Word had just arrived, the unknown forces had ravaged their world. FuSoYa stared into the darkness of the monitor. He knew what had happened. The crystals of Light and Dark. Why had they brought them together? In so doing, they had already condemned themselves to Hell. But then...Zemus. Something in the crystals connected with him. He had never been strong, not for one of those in Lunar Station. Lunarians, they called themselves. Once that had been funny. Zemus had been allowed to study their crystals. He said they spoke. Everyone had laughed. FuSoYa had dismissed it as the ramblings of a mad man. But Zemus kept working, through the night. And one day the crystals stopped shining. FuSoYa had ordered Zemus sent back to the homeworld. The ship came to take him away that day. Three days ago. Now the homeworld was destroyed. Such power as FuSoYa couldn't believe existed had been unleashed. The world was dead. And the ship was returning. Returning with Zemus. 'Zemus' meant joy in their language. How ironic. Zemus arrived that evening. He destroyed the primary lunar base with the raise of a finger. FuSoYa tried to fight him. Even with the aid of all of the others, FuSoYa only slowed him down. He sent CluYa, his assistant, to go to the Blue Planet they orbitted. He entrusted his disciple with the crytals, and told him to safeguard them, to scatter them across the face of the planet, and beneath its surface. Then FuSoYa realeased the spell of Sleep. All who were upon that cold, red moon fell into slumber. For one thousand years... *** "You are telling me Zeromus only just woke up?" asked Edgar, still pacing nervously. "No, he attempted to regain the crystals on that world. But he was defeated by warriors of Light. Rosa, Kain, Cecil, Rydia, and Edge. Apparently Zeromus fled here and killed my mistresses, sometime after Kefka caused so much misery." "But he was defeated?" "Yes." "Tell me." And through the night, the dragon told Edgar everything about the first Crystal War. About the trials of Paladin Cecil, and his love for the white mage Rosa. And of how they fought Zeromus. And as the ship neared South Figaro, Edgar began to develop a plan. *** The rider lifted the veil. Behind was the face of the most beautiful woman Setzer had ever seen. A little older than he had remembered, but..."DARRYL!" he screamed, rushing towards her. A group of three scimitar-bearing soldiers dissuaded him. "Darryl, I have missed you so. Oh Goddess, how I have missed you." Setzer took a step forward, hesitated, seeing the look of incomprehension on her face. "Who are you?" she asked, staring at Setzer. "I am Jaharin Selan. I am the ruler of this band, and ruler of this desert. You are foreigners. Why are you here?" Shadow moved forward. Soldiers stepped before him, but he ignored them. "We are here to find you. Do you not recognize this man, Setzer Gabianni?" "I have never seen you before, either of you," she replied, wary. "Don't you recognize this pendant?" pleaded Setzer, raising his finding to her. "It was ours! Don't you remember anything?" "I have never seen you before!" "Damn it, you have! Can you remember anything more than twelve years ago! Can you?" "I was left here by the god of the sky twelve years ago. He brought me down in his solid cloud." "NO! That was your airship! Don't you remember?" "No." Setzer fell to his knees, sobbing. The soldiers looked on him with disgust. They could not understand his agony. To have finally found his love, only to find she did not remember him. "Will you at least listen?" he asked. She nodded, tersely, and replied, "Follow us to our camp. You dark friend fights like an ifrit. He will be a welcome addition to our band." And off they went. *** The dreams came on Relm from nowhere. Shadowy dreams, of...something... something evil, calling her. But the voice was so soft, like Terra's, that she couldn't help but follow. Yet the voice was always just a bit ahead, leading her farther and farther into the darkness. The place she arrived in was filled with the dead. Her dream could not be broken. She found herself trapped within the confines of a mausoleum, all alone, and frightened. That was when she saw her mother. Illuminated, glowing, like an angel, she beckoned. But just as Relm reached out to touch her, the image disappeared. A cackle filled the hall. She recognized the laugh. Kefka.... *** Gau and Cyan stood alone before the onrushing throng of undead. Despite his attempts to send him off, Cyan could not convince Gau to leave. "I'll not leave you to face them alone, my friend," said Gau, smiling lopsidedly. "And if anything goes wrong..." "Naught shall go wrong, that I know," said Cyan, turning away. {Art thou ready?} he asked the Blade. {Always. You realize what you seek to do?} {Aye.} Cyan raised the blade, and corpse upon corpse began to fall. "Gau, it is, so, cold, Elayne...oh Goddesses, Elayne help me." The specter of his fallen wife seemed with him, somehow. For her, he knew he must do it. "Blade of Life and Death, give me your power!" he yelled into the onrushing wind. Beams of energy sprayed forth, destroying the legions of zombies. Cyan laughed, a cold, angry laugh, and turned to Gau. Gau looked into his eyes. They were no longer pale blue. Now they were Gray. "My friend?" asked Gau, looking away. "I am here. And I am not. I feel so strong," he mumbled, as he collapsed to the ground. Gau bent down. He was not dead, only fainted. But Gau had to wonder if that was good, or bad. Chapter Sixteen: Weapons of Light "Kefka?" shouted Relm. "Why are you here?" She scanned the shadows, and watched as the coalesced into the infamous villain Kefka. "To teach," was the simple truth. He stared at her. Very young. Almost as young as he had been. "I am not going to learn from you," she warned, stepping back a few paces. "Yes you are." Kefka disappeared and reappeared behind her. "You will learn everything I know. Every dark art and evil cantrip. Because you know you're going to need them in the War." "What war?" Relm asked, jutting her head towards the madman. "The Crystal War. Your grandfather died to aid the cause. You father wanders the southern realms for it. Will you not help save your world?" Kefka grinned and laughed. Relm knew the laugh. He laughed the same way when he turned the Espers to Magicite at Thamasa. "I'll not walk in the Shadow, fiend." Relm drew back again, this time dropping into a fighting stance. "Why not?" he asked, his voice an evil caress, tempting Relm to lower her guard. "You could be stronger than the Prophetess. Stronger than your grandfather. You could rule them all." "I don't want to rule!" cried Relm, fleeing into the Darkness. "Yes you do. Come back, little Relm. Kefka won't hurt you." She slunk back into the halo of light that surrounded Kefka. Another memory. Kefka atop the Tower of Corpses. Laughing, winged like an Angel. "These things I'll destroy..." "What is this war? And you mentioned my father. Who is he?" Relm shot off the questions, staring belligerently into Kefka's mad eyes. He smiled. "All in do time, kitten. Now listen to me. This is how you create fire." *** "What is your name, Northerner," the large man asked Clyde. He was badly scarred, it looked as though he had been in a knife fight. Clyde smiled. He liked it when little men thought they were tough. "Shadow," he replied. "How about you, Southerner? Or are you too ashamed?" Shadow leaned back, his muscles rippling beneath his Ninja suit. He smiled darkly. "You son of a jackal! You'll pay for your insult!" The desert dweller drew his scimitar, faster than Shadow had ever seen anyone draw a weapon. Shadow had never looked in the mirror. The man's hand dropped from his wrist, as blood spewed out from severed arteries. "You'd better get that cauterized, little man, before you bleed to death. Heh." Shadow turned away, walking towards the tent in which Setzer and Darryl were speaking. *** "Do you remember the cliff? We made love upon it, under the light of the stars. We flew forth in our airships, racing, competing, hurling insults at each other. We always made up in the end. Don't you remember, Darryl?" "My name is Jaharin Selan. I am the daughter of the Sky God. I do not know who you are, and I have never had carnal knowledge of a man. Perhaps you mistake me for a northern hussy, Ser Gabianni, but I do not find your words amusing." Darryl stretched back on the cushion she rested upon, sleek as a cat. Setzer stood, pacing nervously. "Would you come north with me?" he begged her. He dropped to one knee before her. "I ask you to do this for me because I love you. Because I think I can help you regain your memories." Darryl stared at him appraisingly. "My band has tried to cross the Northern Sea many times, but the weather prevents our passage. Do you have one of these 'airships' you spoke of? Could it carry my band across?" "It was destroyed in the acid storm. But if you have wood and steel..." "In a desert, Ser Gabianni? You are as crazy as I thought." At this point Shadow stepped into the room, smiling still from his encounter outside. "Ms. Darryl, Setzer," he said, nodding to each in turn. "I have been ungraciously eavesdropping outside, and I couldn't help but to hear your difficulty. I know of a way. It is called the Madman's Path." "How ironic," replied Darryl, smiling. "So tell us of it, Ser Shadow." *** By the time Edgar had arrived in the South Figaro harbor, Cyan had just recovered from his battle with the undead. He stood alone atop the wall, his hair flying behind him as he regarded the sunrise. "Elayne, can thou hear me?" No response came from the mountains or the sea. Cyan smiled. "I know thou canst, my love. I believe I am coming to thee. I cannot fight the Blade much longer. Each day, the urge to feed it again grows. I must go to Zeromus. And when I do, I shall die." The wind sighed. Cyan smiled again, wanly. "How do I know this? Never have I met a better swordsman. I can defeat anyone in a battle of steel. But I have no way to fight Zeromus. And the Blade cannot slay him, as it did the dead. I am cursed, then, to die." At this the wind picked up, howling around him in a fury. He suddenly burst into tears. "Elayne, I'm so afraid! I've never feared anything so much. Zeromus....he eats souls, Elayne. I cannot stand the thought of never seeing thee again. Should I fall in battle 'gainst him, he shall take me into his inferno, where I shall reside alone forever. I am afraid, Elayne, that I cannot tell thee how much I have loved thee." "Elayne? But thou said I would never hear thee again! Oh Elayne, canst thou speak to me once more?" Cyan leapt from the wall and rushed to the harbor, where King Edgar arrived. *** "King Edgar!" shouted Cyan, panting. "It is a pleasure to see thee again. I am sorry 'tis in such sad times." "Yes, old friend," Edgar replied. "I have consulted with the Drake," he said gesturing towards the dragon. "The Drake?" questioned Cyan, his face showing his puzzlement. "It embodies the knowledge of the Goddesses. It has told me much. We are to go to Figaro." "This I know. The Shade of my love spoke to me." Cyan looked towards the ground. "That is where we must be when the Harvest Moon rises." "That is two nights from now." Edgar was willing to move fast, but tactics had to be developed, forces mustered, and all of his other plans put together. "The Harvest Moon, King Edgar. That is when we must be there. This, too, I know." He stared at the smoky sky, to the northwest. "Locke will be there." "Locke? I thought he was in Kohlingen, with Celes!" King Edgar's life was never easy. Sometimes he wished he could be in Sabin's shoes. "I have been told this." The statement seemed to end the conversation. The Drake, however, stepped towards the two. "Mog, Umaro, and Gau will protect South Figaro. With the Guard here, that should not be to much of a trouble. I can take you to the city, but then I must leave." "Where?" "My time has come. I go to meet the Goddess." "I think I understand," answered Cyan, enigmatically. 'I think Edgar does too,' he said to himself. 'We all have felt the need to leave this mortal coil.' "The end of what I know comes, Edgar," said the Drake. "Beyond that, all is chaos." *** "Take me to Zeromus!" Locke told Air. "No!" shouted Locke. "My revenge first! Then your games of power! Zeromus must pay!" "Then how can I kill him! Is this all a joke to you! Do you seek to leave me to die?" Locke spat on the ground. He stood three miles out of Kohlingen, alone in the clearing near Darryl's grave. --- Chapter Seventeen: Christmas Special The winds of departed souls swept the sand across the face of Figaro castle. No other sound split the silence of death. It had rested, thus, for two weeks now, with nothing but rats to rule over its once mighty towers. Ruled first by life, then death, Figaro marked the Golden Age of peace that lasted so shortly, after the death of Kefka. Now, it marked the Reign of Zemus, and the destruction he had wrought. But as the wind howled over the stone and steel, two men, on foot, approached. *** "King Edgar, I'm so sorry," said Cyan, staring at the ravaged castle. "I had known it was overrun, but the magnitude...I did not know." "I did. I could feel it here," said Edgar, thumping his chest with a gauntleted fist. He stared into the sand, his face hidden behind a visorred helm, no flesh showing beneath his pitch black mail. "We will pay him back, Edgar, tenfold. For this and more. For each death, he shall suffer an eternity. It is for this that we were made. All our lives, all our triumphs, all for vengeance. We shall not fail." "No," whispered Edgar, marching forward. "No, we shall not." *** Atop the tower, Locke Cole, reborn, watched the two kings. Such weak fools, he thought. I am the only true power in this world. Zemus and I. That is all that matters now. And Celes... he told the Crystal of Air, harshly. Small zephyrs became torrents of writhing air as he was thrust violently into the chambers beneath. Waiting. Waiting for his old friends. *** "Locke?" called Cyan, shouting into the shadows. "I know you are here. We must speak of our war." The shadows parted to reveal Locke, his body glowing with red light as his pure white eyes stared, at what, Cyan could not tell. "I am here, Lord of Doma. My friends told me to come here. I do not know what good you and Edgar shall do." Locke swiveled his head to face the King of Figaro. "Your brother lies dead, Edgar, buried in Kohlingen." At this, Edgar cried out, in pain. "Dead by the same hand that crippled me and destroyed my wife." "Why...who...how?" questioned Edgar, his voice filled with agony. Locke merely smiled. "Servants of Zeromus. Now why are you here? I am far more powerful than ANYTHING you have ever seen. Kefka was like a child to what I am now. The powers of the Crystals flow through me!" To emphasize this point, Locke hurled fire and ice into the air, tearing apart the ceiling. "Locke. They are using you. The Crystals. They created Zeromus, turned him to the Dark Path. Don't let them do the same to you," implored Edgar, removing his ebony mask. "Don't let them destroy you." "DESTROY ME! Do you know what destroyed me, Edgar? The weakness of this world! Of its petty Goddesses! We were meant to be ruled by violence! The strong shall ever rule the weak, thus it has been, thus it must be. Because we failed to follow the natural order, the Empire nearly claimed all of our world! The Empire took Rachel away from me, Edgar, because you, and your weak nation, couldn't stop them! You, Cyan, you and your petty noble notions of honor and valor, these did you no good when your wife and son lay dead at your feet! Look around you, Kings of Weakness! We LET Zemus come and destroy us! Seeking the advice of the weak, we strove only to become weaker, to become mere shadows of what we could be! No, I am what I must be, a tool of Destruction! That is what we all must be, until our fury, and that of this world, has been vented. Then the cleansing fire of War may be completed, and our lands may once again be their own! For this, Edgar Roni Figaro, and Cyan Garamonde, for this and this alone do we fight! Not for vengeance, but to set this world right again!" Locke stopped, panting for breath. Edgar had tears streaming down his face. In Cyan only anger was alive. *** "You know fire, now, Relm. Now you must learn what creates fire. Not wood, flint, and steel, but the soul. It must come from within, Relm. You cannot make fire from a soul of ashes. Only those with the power can do it," at this Kefka laughed, a soulless sound. "I can make fire no longer, my kitten. Nor can Terra. She is just a pawn of the Black King, Zemus. You, you will be my Queen. Do you play chess, Relm?" asked Kefka, his eyes clear with a sanity she had never before seen. "No, Kefka. No I do not." Relm sat down, cross-legged, expecting another lecture. But Kefka was telling her things. Dark things, only whispered in shadows before, but things she had never known about herself. And he said he knew her father. "In chess, my dear, the King is the ruler of all. He is, nominally, the most important piece. But the Queen, Relm, the Queen may move anywhere she wishes. And she kills, Relm, the Queen kills them all. Even the mighty King, he too must fear the Queen." Kefka laughed, and the madness returned to his voice. "You must burn, Relm, you must burn them all. I set you free, now, to go to Figaro. When you are there, then you shall learn the truth about your father." Relm stood, staring up into Kefka's eyes, her own filled with fury. "You said you would tell me!" "I never said I wouldn't lie, now did I, my kitten?" Kefka smiled, his white teeth gleaming in the shadows. "Now go to Figaro, and bring your fire, Relm, for they await you there." Kefka suddenly faded back into the shadows, and Relm found herself alone, in her bedroom. *** "The Madman's path, it's called, because it is treacherous beyond belief. It is underwater, used only by the most foolhardy smugglers. Within it, the Empire conducted all of its experiments in magic, many monsters and horrors remain. I myself never dared to risk traversing it, nor would if there was any other choice." Shadow sat on one of the velvet cushions. "Will you do it?" "Why would I, Ser Shadow? Do you think I am crazy?" "A little, yes. You long for power you may never have here, in this wasteland." Shadow stood again, pulling a piece of lint from his black clothing. "Power is not all that you think it is, Ms. Darryl, or Ms. Selan, if you prefer. But if it is power you want, you must go to the north." Darryl leaned forward, staring into Shadow's eyes, barely visible within his mask. She wanted this man, more than anything she had ever wanted before. She wanted to take her men to the north, and conquer, with this man ruling at her side. All that stood in the way... "Will you do it, my love," asked Setzer, breaking her concentration. "Please, I feel that when you stand under the clouds of the north, you will remember our love, what is was, and what it will be again." Setzer was wild now, standing, pacing the room, "Please, I know in my heart that you will remember!" Darryl sighed, looking at Setzer. "Very well, Northerners, I will take my band to your home. To madness, my associates, and the fruit it yields!" Darryl stood smiling at Shadow. "Let us tell the others." --- Chapter Eighteen: The End Draws Near "So, Locke, thou seemst to be most pleased with thy self," hissed Cyan through clenched teeth. "Power hath corrupted thee, and I intend to sever this corruption at the source." Cyan began to circle Locke, blade drawn, ready to strike at any moment. "Oh please, Garamonde, a SWORD? How quaint. Let me show you what true power is! Fire, Ice, give me your power!" Sheets of energy flew from Locke's hands slamming Cyan into a wall and buffeting him with their unrelenting force. "This is what I was made for, Cyan, Edgar! You cannot hope to compare to me! I will destroy Zeromus!" Locke screamed his triumph into the empty halls of Figaro. The echoes were all that answered for a long time. "Locke. We are here to kill Zeromus too," Edgar whispered, barely containing his rapidly growing anger. "Look at my city, Locke, and tell me that I have not suffered as much as you! Alone, Zeromus will crush you. This I know. Together, perhaps we may send the fiend into the Abyss." Locke lowered his hands, and Cyan slumped to the wall, panting and bleeding. "Speak quickly, Lord of Figaro, before I lose patience." Locke smiled. "You would not want to get in my way." "He need not speak, Slayer," boomed a voice from the darkness. "Zeromus!" shouted Locke, calling upon the power of the crystals. "No, merely a tired man." From the shadows stepped a tall man, hunched, bearing a red cape over his body. "My name is Rubicant. Fiend of Fire." Images flashed through Edgar's mind. Forced to serve Zeromus, yet not giving up honor as had the other Fiends. Caught under the anger of a young prince, Edge, slain with the others in the Giant of Bab-Il. "You are alive?" asked Edgar. "The Dark Lord gave me life again. To take from me a the fruits of a mistake I shall pay for for all eternity. I wish to kill Zeromus, as do you three, and as does the fifth, who shall arrive presently." Rubicant raised his tired body, standing almost ten feet. He did not look so tired now. With a sweeping bow, he dropped to one knee and whispered, "My Queen Relm," as a great fiery portal opened. And cloaked in the blue robes of her father, Relm stepped out into Figaro Castle. *** "Gau, I do not like this." The guardsman stared at the frothing sea. "Can you not see those shapes in the water?" Gau shook his head. "You're just nervous, Kal. Relax." Gau stared out, trying to see what Kal was talking about. "Describe what you think you see." "It looks almost like...like...hmmm, lumps? They're moving beneath the surface of the waves, heading for the shoreline. I swear to you, Gau, I see them." Kal shuddered. It was very cold and wet out, but Kal was used to it. The frost he felt came from inside. Foreboding. Warning him. "Very well. Guardsman Lance, sound the alarm! Ready the guard!" The clarion call of the trumpet split the night, followed by the sounds of armor being girded and weapons drawn. "Kal, come with me, to the front ga....by the Goddesses!" Upon the beach, great rotting carcasses of serpents washed to the shore. As they split, great pus oozed out, followed by hordes of monstrosities, mockery of human shapes. "Weapons ready, men. We're gonna have a hell of a night." *** Shadow stared at Jeharan, smiling. She was like him, he realized. She lived for the rush of danger. She smiled back, looking very feline with her grin. "Ser Shadow, come here." Shadow quickened his pace, moving to catch up with her in the long procession. For six days they had been within the sea tunnel, four had died already, from what, he could not say. "Why is Gabianni so upset, Shadow?" asked Jeharan, knowing the answer without asking. She smiled, as Shadow answered "I do not know." He, too, knew the answer. "Well, forget Gabianni and shed this dark mood, Shadow. Why do you look so sad?" Shadow looked at her. 'Forget the past,' his inner voice urged. 'Forget what you have lost, and take what you have found.' "No reason," laughed Shadow. He felt himself regain some of the emotions he had killed. "Tell me, Jeharan Selan, how you came to be queen of this band." "It is a long story..." *** Setzer stared at Shadow and Darryl flirting ahead in the tunnel. "Fine, let her," Setzer muttered to himself. Setzer stared at the ground, his vision red and anger filled. That Shadow should stab him in the back like this rose an ire in Setzer he had never before experienced. "I trusted him!" Setzer whispered. "I believed he was a friend." Now he had lost it all. His airship. His love. Everything. All because of Shadow. Or so he told himself. Perhaps I should forget the past forever. *** "My Lord Zeromus, I feel something evil is happening." Terra wept, kneeling at he master's feet. "Calm yourself, Terra. What you feel is the wheels of destiny finally connecting. The prophesy draws near. Do you have it on this world? 'One to be born of a Dragon...' How foolish of Cecil to think it meant him. A Lunarian? A Dragon? Ha." Terra felt better, now that she knew Zeromus was unworried. "This prophesy foretells the coming of a hero, born of a dragon who will do many great things. Heal the moon of its sins. That means killing me, Terra. He thinks he can kill me!" Zeromus raised his hands above his head. "The audacity! I am the Chosen of the Crystals! It is I who united them, and bonded them within me! That this dragon-born would slay me, 'hoisting the Light and the Dark'! I shall show them darkness, Terra!" Terra shuddered at his feet. "May I help you, my Lord?" "Oh yes Terra, you will help me more than you could ever believe." ---- Chapter Nineteen: And Beyond...Chaos Here it is, the final conflict. Thanks to everyone who sent me poems. ---- One to be born from a dragon Hoisting the light And the dark Arises high up In the sky to The still land. Veiling the moon with The light of eternity It brings Another promise To mother earth with A bounty and mercy. --- "Relm!" shouted Edgar. "Why...why are you here?" Edgar stared into Relm's eyes, and saw something changed. Something dark, that he had seen once before. "Vengeance. Rubicant, now." Rubicant dropped to the ground, and then leapt up, encasing everyone in fiery spheres. "Thank you, Rubicant. Now, Edgar, Locke, Cyan, Rubicant, we five are here, united, warriors of the Light, slaves to the Shadow. Do you understand? It is the light that causes the shadow, but the light that hides it and purges it. Do you understand? It took me many painful nights to, but now I do. It is time, my allies. We go now." Fire erupted into the sky, illuminating the entire world for a brief moment. *** "I see them! Men, to arms, to arms!" screamed Gau. "We must attack now!" The small guard force rushed forth from the gates of South Figaro, overwhelming the first batch of demons. Where Mog and Umaro were, Gau did not know. Perhaps they slept, undisturbed by the alarm. "Lance, there, to your left!" Lance spun, only in time to see a huge claw fly into his face, ripping it to shreds. The giant, lizard-like being marched towards Gau, grinning. "Rage of the Behemoth, fill me!" Gau rushed forward knocking the beast to the ground and slamming his armorred fists into its eyes, blinding it. He screamed, feral, and bit into its neck, ripping out its jugular. Red glazed his vision, as he fell on demon after demon, but somewhere, inside, he could see his men falling, one after another, until only he and Kal fought, back to back, hopelessly. *** The marble halls of the Prophetess's Temple seemed to be filled with an evil miasma, and Edgar shuddered, for through an open portal he could see the stars. "Calm yourself, Edgar," muttered Locke. "We have nothing to fear from such things as Zeromus can send against us." {Is that true,} asked a voice in his mind. {No, you know it is not. Succumb to your impotence, Locke, like your wife did, and Sabin, and your son. And you. You cannot fight. Surrender. Kill them and I shall spare you.} "NOOO!" screamed Locke. His eyes rolled back in his head, and when he stared again, at his companions, they were crimson red. "Die!" A huge blast of wind pinned Relm and Rubicant to a wall, and he spun towards Edgar and Cyan. "Move!" Edgar shouted, running at Locke. Cyan leapt to the side, watching helplessly as Edgar was consumed in a massive fireball. "Bastard!" screamed Cyan. "For this, thou shalt suffer. For this, thou shalt die. Sword of Life and Death, strike him down." The Gray Blade began to glow, preparing to draw forth the life from the demented Locke. "No, Cyan, stop!" cried Relm, imploringly. "We need him!" Cyan lowered the Blade. "Explain yourself, Locke. Fast." "I must...kill you...I cannot defeat him." "You're right," answered Rubicant. "You can't. But we can, Locke, together. Open yourself, and let us join, and you will see." Locke lowered his head, and suddenly smiled. "I see. Then, let Zeromus meet our power." He leaned over to help Edgar from the ground. "I apologize...my friend." *** "Shadow, do you hear those sounds?" questioned Setzer. "Something is going on outside. We must hurry!" "Very well. Jeharan, mobilize the men!" Darryl quickly barked orders to her troops gathering them into formation. The group rushed forth from the tunnel, weapons aloft. Confronted with a vision of hell. Corpses of men and demons alike covered the ground, and blood was everywhere. In the midst of a clump of easily thirty demons stood what seemed to be some beast, covered in blood and gore, hissing and growling over the body of a fallen man. "Gau!" screamed Setzer. The man turned, as did the demons. Half broke off to charge the bandits. "Well, this is it, Setzer. We fight now for our lives." Shadow drew his katana and saluted the demons as they rushed forward. "For love," he whispered, stepping forward. "For you." *** "How cute," muttered a voice from deeper within the temple. "Come, come, I await you, Locke. You five shall be crushed! Forever!" "Now, my friends, we fight for all of Earth. For the past, and the future. For all that have died before us, to quench this black flame. We fight now to kill Zeromus!" spoke Edgar. "Let us attack!" Forward marched the five, the Chosen of the Light, into the shadows, into the darkness of Zeromus. The room was a scene from the nightmares of every man and woman. Tortured victims were depicted in grotesque frescos, showing horror that would destroy the mind of anyone who ever saw it. Horror that existed only in the most depraved beings, beyond anything Kefka could ever create. Bodies with oozing innards flowing forth from festering tears in their sides. Mad demonic shapes consuming still living human flesh, and in the center, a shadowy form was drawn. Almost a man, but with something wrong, inverted knees, no lips, or hair, claws for hands, Zeromus. Evil incarnate. Grown fat and powerful on the evil of the hearts of men. Smiling, standing over the scene of his victory. The death of all hope. "Welcome, friends," hissed the shadows. And flanked by Terra, and a strange boy, Zeromus stepped forth. *** Spinning and slashing, a whirling beam of light and steel, and darkness, Shadow killed, again and again, in a fury matched only by Gau. Setzer danced, hurling razor edged cards, and the bandits of Selan fought, killing, with Jeharan leading them in the lethal dance. But more and more demons poured forth from the rotting leviathan corpses, and the bandits died, leaving only Selan, Setzer, Shadow, and Gau to face them. And fight they did. Charged with desperation, it seemed that Setzer transformed, executing killing flicks of his wrist with speed unmatched by anything ever seen. Shadow seemed fueled with an inner fire, never tiring, and Selan matched him, killing with undying ire. And demons fell. But demons kept coming. *** "Do you like your son, Locke. His name is HuInay, the Killing Shadow. Bow to your father, Hu," the boy nodded towards Locke, smiling. "Can I kill him, master? Can I feast upon his flesh?" Zeromus smiled, patting the boy on his head. "Soon, my boy, soon." "Damn you, Zeromus!" screamed Locke, hurling force jets of energy. Easily blocked by Terra. "Please. You are nothing to us, Locke!" Terra stepped forward, her face wrinkled and haggard. It seemed she had gained decades since Edgar had last seen her. "You are mine, Terra," hissed Relm. "You were the one who sent the mind-sickness that killed my father!" "Your father was old and useless. I merely inspired him to leave this world. The ritual was his own." Terra smiled. "I am here to kill you, Zeromus, and with my mistress Relm, you will not be able to stop me." Rubicant stepped forward. "Now I fight with all my fury! My power, my fire, my life, I give to you, Relm. My soul, it is yours. See that I die not in vain." Rubicant rushed forward, charging Terra. Two bolts of ice struck him down, but as he died, Relm felt herself filled with inner fire. "Now Terra, let us do battle." *** As Terra and Relm began to fire bolts of energy at one another, Locke, Edgar, and Cyan faced Zeromus and Leo. "See his power, Locke. I have given him forces you would never believe possible. He is so far beyond what you are. Take him, Hu." Hu rushed forward, engulfing Locke in fire. Locke reeled backwards, stumbling and falling. "NO!" he screamed, standing again, and meeting the fire with his own. It was no match. "NO! So be it!" {He is taking our powers!} screamed the Dark to the Light. {There is nothing we can do,} moaned the Air. {We should have foreseen this. As always, we fail.} This from the Fire. The crystals shone, silently, on their far off world, as each shattered, gone forever. *** "We can't hold them off forever," Setzer called to Shadow. He was feeling his strength fade. He could not last much longer. "We must try. There can't be too many left." But there were. It seemed that the demons were limitless, pouring forth from some hidden darkness, some malign source. The four continued to fight, and kill, but their energy waned. It was as Setzer said. Nothing lasts forever. *** "You have dealt with the others, Zeromus," Edgar challenged. "But that leave us to battle. Do you really think you can face us?" Edgar drew the AuraLance and bowed. "This shall be the last you see." He and Cyan rushed forward, hacking at Zeromus. He merely laughed, throwing them back. >From the corner of his eye, Edgar could see Locke tiring, his energy slowly disappearing. "Cyan, they can't hold out much longer. We must destroy Zeromus and end the horror." The two rushed again, Edgar impaling his lance into Zeromus's heart. The man fell. Dead. The monster rose, incarnate. The gigantic demon, the true Zeromus, the Hatred, rose, its green flesh stinking, its hideous face smiling. This was the final horror. This was the true darkness. *** "Please, Terra, stop this madness," implored Relm, dodging to the left, and firing a Merton wave of fire at her. "Never. The Dark Lord gave me my life. He is my master." "The Goddesses gave you life! Your father and mother did! Remember, you were a being of peace!" "NO! I am a being of darkness! EVIL! HATE! HUMANITY!" Terra raised her arms, and shot forth pure darkness. "NOW YOU WILL DIE!" "No Terra, I cannot. I must destroy you, if you will not cease." Relm, too, raised her arms, and prepared to use the powers given to her by Kefka, the mad one. Preparing to kill. *** "My son, please, help me destroy Zeromus," begged Locke, as his energy was slowly pushed back towards him. "You are not my father. I am of your flesh, but of his soul. He is my lord." Leo, HuInay, pushed forward. "I hate you! You couldn't save me, but he did. He saved me from the burning Light. I despise you. I will destroy you." "Then let me be destroyed." Locke lowered his head, smiling. All that was Locke was gone, destroyed. Now, only Vengeance remained. *** Cyan dodged to the side, catching a claw across his ribs. He was bleeding from multiple wounds now, but so was the demon. He felt Elayne with him now, giving him power. He slashed again, severing a hand from the demon. He smiled. Edgar plunged the Lance into one of Zeromus's eyes, watching as black ichor oozed forth, staining the shaft, and burning the steel. He pulled it out, regaining his balance, and prepared to strike again. The chance never came. The world suddenly twisted under him, as if everything started moving backwards. He toppled, and watched Zeromus bend down and grab Cyan, crushing him in his one remaining claw. Edgar screamed as blood gushed from Cyan's open, silent mouth. Zeromus dropped Cyan's tortured body, and Edgar could swear he heard the words "I'm coming at last, Elayne. At last we can be together." The demon only smiled. *** Locke suddenly seemed to catch as second wind, forcing back Leo, slamming him into a wall. He cackled madly, screaming "DIE, DIE, DIE!" as Leo groaned for air, rolling to the side, barely evading death. "You will not kill me, Father, I am too powerful." Leo fired, back, but Locke deflected the blow, charging again, and again knocking Leo to the ground. "DIE!" he screamed again. "For you, Celes," he hissed, filling himself with all the power of the crystals. "For you." And streams of light began to pour from his hands. *** Relm collapsed to the ground, drained of all power. The spell was cast, and Terra lay crushed, blackened and burned by her side. How could she have done it? How could she have killed her friend, one of her companions of old. Relm wept, tears running down her cheeks and cutting little ravines in the ash that covered her face. She would have seemed very young, if anyone were watching. *** Edgar dropped to one knee, letting go of the dissolved Lance. He had no other weapon, so he rolled, grabbing a hold of Cyan's fallen Blade. A look of recognition and terror appeared in Zeromus's eyes, as he saw Edgar rise from the ground. "Now, Zeromus, we shall truly battle." Edgar leapt into the air, hacking off one of Zeromus's putrid legs. He smiled, seeing Zeromus fall back in agony. But Zeromus would not be bested so easily. He slashed down with his arm, slamming Edgar into a wall and knocking the air out of him. Edgar felt ribs shatter, crushed to powder under the force of Zeromus's attack. But he stood back up, swinging with the blade, this time slicing off the arm that had just struck him. Zeromus screamed. Edgar laughed. Now Zeromus fell to a defensive posture, trying to shield the myriad of blows that fell upon his massive body. It was a futile gesture, and both could see who was to be the victor in the battle. Zeromus rose, howling, as Edgar slashed through his throat. He fell, blood gurgling forth, and Edgar smiled. But some life seemed left in the demon, some power, for across the world, the words "As long as there is evil in the hearts of men, as long as there exists pride, hatred, greed, as long as men possess their humanity, I shall be Zeromus! I shall live again!" And with that, the black flame of Zeromus was quenched. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- It's only so often that I get to finish a story, so I'd like to start by saying thank you to everyone who e-mailed me with criticisms, compliments, complaints, and requests. I like to think that maybe I started a tend with FF stories, but I think that's a little arrogant. I don't think I would ever have finished this story without you guys, so muchas gracias. I would appreciate any overall responses to the story, now that it is done. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Epilogue In a flash of light, Edgar, Locke, and Relm found themselves returned to Figaro castle, as the evil of Zeromus collapsed in on itself, crushing the Prophetess's Temple. Locke stood over the charred body of his son weeping. With the rage gone, Locke felt empty, left with no power, no family, no soul. In his anger for vengeance, he had become the very monster he sought to destroy. Everyone was dead: Sabin, Cyan, Leo, Terra, and the old man Strago. 'How many of those are my fault?' Locke asked himself. Too many. It was time to redeem himself. "Edgar, give me the Blade!" shouted Locke, from across the room. Edgar looked up, shocked. "Now, Edgar." Edgar stared, sadly, at Locke. "I can't, Locke. I cannot trust you any more. You are not who you once were. The crystals burned your soul away Locke. I'll not create another Zeromus." "Please, Edgar, as your friend, I beg you..." Locke knelt by his son, staring into the mutilated face. "Please?" But Edgar only looked away, sadly. "Locke, if I give you the Blade, how can I know you will not use it? I remember your speech in Figaro. Why should I make you any stronger?" "Give it to him," called a voice from outside. Edgar spun around, seeing Relm, exhausted and disheveled. "Give it to him, Edgar. He has wronged you, but do not wrong him. He has been reborn. Please, Edgar, give him the Blade." Edgar dropped to one knee, and handed the Gray Blade to the stooped Locke. The power to give life, and to take it... *** "They're dying!" shouted Setzer, whooping with joy. The rotting monstrosities which had nearly killed him, Gau, Clyde, and Darryl, were burning away under the bright sun. It had been too long since a day like this had graced the world. Too long by far. "My love!" screamed Darryl. Shadow looked up, smiling, but then frowned, as Darryl turned not to him, but to Setzer. "What has happened, Setzer? Why are we here? I remember a race...and fire...but...what is this place?" "Darryl!" cried Setzer, rushing to embrace her. He clutched her in a passionate hug, as if trying to keep her from ever leaving him again. "We are in South Figaro. Your ship crashed and fell in a distant land. But you're home now, and we're together!" They kissed, deeply, as Shadow turned away, donning his black mask. "Setzer, Darryl, may I interrupt?" hissed Gau. "We still have to get back to the city. There may be more of these beings coming. And did you not hear that voice, only moments ago? 'As long as there is evil...'?" Gau trailed off as he realized the two were paying no attention to him. He grunted, and began to walk back towards the city, alone. Where had Shadow gone? *** Shadow walked, alone, towards the city of Figaro. That had been where Cyan was going. Evil and hatred. Such weak emotions. All emotions were weak. He had been foolish to break his solemn oath, to think he could return to the life of a normal man. It was too good to be true. A woman he loved. She loved him. What more was there to ask? He'd had it before. That was true. But...things were different. He'd been on the run. It wasn't his fault he had to leave, to leave her at the mercy of harsh Doman troops. She has gone to a better place. A place I shall never see. Clyde walked with his back to the sun, following his shadow to Figaro. *** "Thank you, Edgar. Now please, step back." Locke pushed Edgar, gently, backwards. "Do you see the words upon this Blade? Of course not. They are here," he said, tapping his head. "The key to life. Now please, cover your eyes." Edgar stepped back, shielding his face with his tattered cape. "What is broken, Let it be whole. What is gone, Let it return. What I have done, Let it be undone. Return to us, Leo Sabin Cyan." Locke intoned the sacred prayer in a wavering voice. At first nothing happened, then a shade, a vision of Cyan appeared before him. "Please, don't make me return." This, Locke could not deny. But slowly, he watched Leo Cole's wounds close, and watched as he took a breath, as if nothing had happened. As Sabin slowly began to form out of the light, Locke felt his own strength fail. He smiled. This was how he must leave. The world was saved, and, perhaps, in the hearts of his loved ones, he might be remembered as a hero. *** Shadow entered Figaro to see Locke collapse before the glowing, screaming Sabin. "Noooo! I was not meant to return! Don't you see, I don't belong here. Everywhere I look, I see death. Please, kill me!" begged Sabin. "But, brother, we are united once more!" moaned Edgar, rushing forward to embrace his kin. Sabin pushed him away. "No! Please, I don't belong here!" Sabin leapt to his feet and charged out of the building. Shadow followed, and overtook Sabin. "Don't do it, Sabin. I've been where you're going, and now I must return. It is not a nice place. It is beyond any horror you will ever feel or see. You will be more dead than when you went to the world beyond." "I can't stay, Clyde. This is no longer my world. I must find someplace else, where I can forget the horrors of this place." "I am Clyde no longer. I can say no more. I leave to follow the winds of death." "Then let me follow." "You will not like it." "I do not want to." "Wait here, there is one more thing I must do." *** Shadow returned to Figaro castle, one deed left unfinished. "Relm!" he called into the empty halls. His voice echoed, mocking its source. "I am here, Shadow," replied Relm, from just over his shoulder. "Relm, my daughter. There is so much I must explain. But I have not the time. Please, try not to remember me. I wish...I wish it could have been different. I meant to spare you pain, but it seems I am always doomed to fail." "Fa...father?" cried Relm, rushing to clasp her arms around his neck. Shadow allowed her to, but merely stared onwards. He could not allow himself a single tear. "I must go now. Please, try to forget me. And maybe, some day, you can even forgive me." Shadow turned and rushed out, and together he and Sabin left. Two men, cut off from love, never again to feel the warm glow of affection, or even sadness. Both casualties of the long chaos of the world's history. Relm watched them leave. Why must it always be thus? *** As sunlight began to fail, and the darkness grew in the poorly lit halls, Edgar sat alone on his throne. A king of a dead city. "Perhaps Locke was right. Perhaps we are nothing. All my life I fought for peace, the dream of a world of equality and brotherhood. Now look upon the ruination I have caused. My city, a home only to the dead. My brother, left, ruined by my inaction. My friends, half dead, now soldiers of this undending war. When will it stop? How can I ever forgive myself, or fate, for bringing this horrible pestilence?" Edgar rested his head upon his hand, and tried to rest. But sleep would not come. T H E E N D --------------------- Dreams Never Fade I have found that while it is easy to satisfy people in many ways, happy vs. sad endings remain a mystery to me. About half of my mail regards their hatred of the happy ending, while the other half berates my ignorance in writing the sad. Here is the happy, so that you may see both. --- The Temple was collapsing, that much was obvious. Edgar scanned the room, looking for an exit, but found none. Where were Locke and Relm? Or that strange man, Rubicant? He needed their help, and they were nowhere to be found. He looked down at the fallen body of his comrade, Cyan, who had given his life to defeat Zeromus. "Don't let it end like this," he prayed, kneeling to shield Cyan's corpse from falling rocks. And then it was over. A flash of white light. No pain. Edgar opened his eyes, finding himself in Figaro Castle. "What magic is this?" he muttered. Had the Goddesses truly heard his soft call, from so high up. He stared into the air, as he stood, almost happy, for the first time since he had left Figaro. "Edgar!" came a desperate cry. Edgar looked up, opening his eyes, and saw Locke. "The sword, Edgar, the Gray Blade. Give it to me, now. Please, I beg you, please! I need it, Edgar." Edgar looked with pity upon look, groveling on the ground, almost as if trying to cover something. Then he saw it, the scorched corpse of Leo Cole, Locke's son. His look turned to disgust. "I don't trust you any more, Locke. I heard your speech, your mockery of peace and Light. Why should I make you any stronger than you already are? I'm sorry, Locke, but I can't give this to you." Edgar raised the sword at Locke, menacingly. "Then you will have to kill me." Locke stood, and Edgar prepared for attack. None came. Locke merely stepped forward, then knelt at Edgar's feet, baring his neck for the final strike. "Kill me now, Edgar, for I cannot live with the pain I have caused." Locke was weeping, his voice scratchy, and for a moment Edgar hesitated. Then he remembered the fire in Locke's eyes as during their fight at Figaro. "I will make it quick, Locke," whispered Edgar, raising the sword above his head. His muscles groaned under the strain, but he held it aloft, muttering a prayer to the Goddesses. "STOP!" Edgar quickly lowered the Blade, and turned to face the voice. It was Relm this time. "Edgar, give him the Blade. Can't you hear it in his voice, Edgar? Locke isn't possessed any more." Edgar looked at her, ashamed. "I heard it. I'm sorry Locke, that I couldn't trust you." He handed the Blade to Locke. Locke merely shook his head. "Edgar, it is I who should be ashamed. Please...try not to remember me as I was when the Crystals ruled my soul. Now Edgar, Relm, please step back." He raised the Gray Blade, his face covered in soot, streaked with tears and blood and smiled. His redemption, at last. The power to give life, and to take it. *** "They're dying!" whooped Setzer leaping into the air. It was true. The light of the sun was dissolving the strange vessels, and the few surviving beasts that had poured out of them. He laughed for pure joy, the joy of seeing good triumph over evil, and felt energy return to his exhausted muscles. "Setzer? What is this place? Oh, Setzer!" cried Darryl, rushing to him. He felt her arms wrap around him, pulling him tight. "Setzer, what's wrong?" "Nothing, nothing at all, my love," he replied, returning the embrace. He stared in silence as he saw Shadow don his mask and leave to the north west. But he wouldn't let it change the moment. "I remember a race...and fire...but...what is this place?" she shook her head, trying to clear away the confusion of memories. "We are in South Figaro. Your ship crashed and fell in a distant land. But you're home now, and we're together, and nothing will ever take you away again, my dearest. I swear it." And then he bent his head, and put his lips to hers, and kissed her deeply. The fire of love still burned deeply in them both. *** "Clyde!" Shadow kept walking, ignoring the annoying voice behind him. He continued towards Figaro. "Clyde!" He spun around this time, towering over Gau, who had been dogging his every step. "My name isn't Clyde, kid. It's Shadow. Now stop following me." He spun around and kept walking. Ignore the past. Forget the pain. Love, joy, all these hurt far more than any wound. Ignore them, that's the true pleasure in life. Oh, why was it so hard to believe that now, now when he had been so close, so happy. Forget the past. "Clyde! Stop!" Shadow kept walking. "Clyde, I'll follow you! I'm not going to let you leave, not now, not after you've come back." Gau followed after him, crunching the sand of the desert. Shadow kept walking. *** "What is broken, Let it be whole. What is gone, Let it return. What is done, Let it be undone. Return to us, Lost ones. Leo Cole, my son. Hear the voice of a father's love. Sabin Rene Figaro. Hear the voice of a friend's call. Cyan Gar..." "NO!" yelled Edgar. "Not Cyan! He's at peace now, in the heavens. Don't take him away from his family, from his joy." Locke looked at him, with more understanding than Edgar believed possible. "Lost ones, Return. Return to life. Return to joy." Relm and Edgar stared in amazement at Leo Cole, as the hideous wounds began to close, not as if healing, but as if time was moving backwards, as if it was all truly being undone. They watched as his life came back to him, as his breath, ragged at first, once again filled his lungs. And they smiled. And as they watched, they did not see Locke, who, like the morning dew, was melting away before the wonderful light of Leo's rebirth. They did not see him smile, his face filled with such joy that it would have burned their eyes as surely as the sun. They did not see him disappear, laughing, to the heavens he so greatly deserved. Nor did they see Shadow, as he entered, trailed by Gau. "Relm...Edgar?" he asked, confused. They both looked up, shocked. And when he saw Relm's face, so young, innocent even beneath the bruises and cuts, he felt his vows waver. Why did it hurt so much to be with emotions? Oh, to be blind again, to never have felt the fire of love, so that it was so cold to leave it. He could not return to the ice now. Never again. "Relm...daughter." He tore off his mask, casting it to the ground, and rushed to hug her, lifting her into the air and spinning her about like a child. "Oh, dearest Relm, there is so much I would love to tell you. So much time lost. But we will make it up! Oh Relm, my beautiful, beautiful daughter." Tears of joy poured down his face as he hugged her, kissing her blood-stained face. *** It had taken time to find his students again, but he had all the time in the world. After he found them, and continued their training, he found that more and more flocked to the school. Sabin Rene Figaro was at last finding joy, seeing the same pleasure that Duncan must have felt from teaching him. He looked with pure adoration upon these students, as if each was his own son. Not that they didn't misbehave, or fail at times, but this was his joy, his life. "Very, very good, Gregory. Now, I believe, you are ready to begin learning the technique of the Bum Rush." He smiled, showing the boy the motions, slow at first, but with greater speed each time. Yes, this was what he was meant for. He couldn't remember what it was like, beyond this world, but it had not been right. Merely a waiting room, waiting to return to this joyous place. Now, back in this world, he had the role he most enjoyed. No, Edgar was indeed suited for his job, King, much more than Sabin ever would have been. "Though I don't envy you this event, Edgar. Good luck, big brother," he chuckled, saluting south west, towards the distant castle of Figaro. And then he returned to teaching the students. *** "Your mother is making miraculous recovery, Mr. Cole," told the doctor, as Leo handed him a purse of gold. "I don't understand it, but it is incredible." He turned to leave as Celes slowly walked towards Leo. It was truly amazing. Leo stared out into the night sky, wondering which of those distant stars was his father. They all glowed so brightly, filling the black void with points of hope. He smiled. Somewhere his father was happy. "You seem distracted, Leo," commented Celes, limping over towards him. Still crippled, Celes managed to retain her beauty and grace. Even with a limp, she moved like a dancer, fluid motions marking her every step. "I was thinking of father." He looked into the sky again, a tear shining on his dry cheek. "I guess I shouldn't brood on the past." "Your father wouldn't like you to feel sad for him. I wonder though, if up there he still remembers us. If he feels love towards those he left behind. I don't know if I'll ever be sure." Celes stared into the sky; the constellations seemed to look like his face. "I'm sure somewhere up there he still smiles on you, Mom. He's waiting. One day, you'll be together again and your brightness will fill the heavens with joy. For all eternity, you'll illumine our distant Earth, filling us with hope, no matter what happens." Leo fell silent. Celes turned away, unable to face her son. "He's grown up so quickly." Celes turned back to him and smiled, embracing him, remembering Locke. *** "And so then Dad pulled the old miser's hat down, and grabbed the gold pouch!" Both guffawed. Relm's stories were always hilarious, and it seemed she had so many to tell, now that Clyde was back. Gau smiled at her. "I can't believe how much he's changed since returning. The Thamasan Guard seems to get better by the day, and it seems your father just gets younger and younger. I saw a girl make eyes at him, the other day." Relm laughed again. "I'm sure you've had more girls stare at you than any other man in this city." Gau smiled. "But no one has changed more than you, Gau. Wild boy." Gau grinned, "At least I didn't wear a fake mustache and wield paintbrushes!" Both laughed, then sighed. Remembering the wars always did that to you. Gau smiled again. "But then again, there's still quite a bit of animal left in me," he said, winking at her. "You dirty little boy! You'll have to do better than that to catch this prey!" Relm leapt up, giggling. "There isn't an animal alive that can escape Gau, the Master Hunter!" he cried, rushing towards her. He grabbed her in his arms, and she looked up, smiling. *** "I'm rich! You can't bother me, kupo?" Mog challenged the salesman. He gave Mog a weird look. "I'm the great Mog, hero of the Wars!" The salesman looked astonished. "I'm also the richest man alive!" "Ungh'!" came the cry from the parlor. That was what finally got the man to leave. Umaro lumbered out, wearing a golden jacket. "More foo'ood!" he shouted to the servants, who rushed off to get more venison. Mog smiled, staring out at his estates. Ever since finding that ore vein on the mountain, he had been rich. He was living it up, but still he felt bored, and he seemed to be going bald. His life still felt incomplete as he looked out his window. He was lonely. But then he smiled, looking back at his old friend Umaro. Together, they would find the other Moogles. Somehow. *** "Today, we remember the defeat of the Tyrants: Gestahl, Kefka, and Zeromus. We do not remember their fall, for we do not wish harm on anyone, but instead we remember those people, who through their enormous effort changed the face of this world." The crowd roared, and Edgar paused, surveying his people. The city had grown. Ever since the end of the last war, hundreds had rushed in to fill the streets of Figaro. It seemed almost as good as new, the old horrors fading into nothing. He smiled, then motioned for silence. "This statue, to be unveiled now, is our physical memory of those who gave their lives for this cause. Hundreds did, but I feel that none more than these four. Strago Magus gave up a quiet life to help defeat the Empire and Kefka. He worked himself to death, using more energy than anyone I have ever seen. He is a model for all who wish to grow old with dignity. He was a friend, and a mentor, and I will never forget him. Terra Branford found her own happiness, but gave it up to return to war with Kefka. At the expense of her joy, she labored until the end, saving us from the madness of the Light of Judgment." Those who still harbored resentment towards Terra remained silent, and the cheers were deafening. Edgar beamed, feeling intense joy, both for the memories of his friends, and for pride of his people. "Cyan Garamonde was a warrior, but he never gave up honor. His skill with the sword was unparalleled. He fought on, even when sadness overwhelmed him.