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| Journey to Another Side; FFIX Fan Fiction | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 21 2010, 08:25 PM (306 Views) | |
| PathToTheDusk | Jun 21 2010, 08:25 PM Post #1 |
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fal'Cie Omega
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Chapter I: Reminiscence of when we parted ways Spoiler: click to toggle Her mind was racing with memories of that fateful day just six years past, Sarah aka Queen Garnet Til Alexandrios XVII sat there in that same chair in her bedroom that she'd often fallen asleep in many times prior, but for every time she fell into slumber while sitting there her dreams were filled with memories of events that had already come and gone. It was already dawn, the sunlight soon shone through her window catching the highlights on her waist length raven colored hair, but though the light of dawn was growing ever brighter she did not wake. In her mind she saw it all clearly as if it happened just the other day, there he was the man she'd fallen deeply in love with, his hair sandy blond tied back into a short ponytail, standing there before her and she with a painful expression had just learned something awful about him. Sarah had heard all the gossip there was to be told, she never really paid it any heed, but one day just a mere five months after they had gotten married she had heard a curious rumor about her new husband. According to the gossips he was having an affair with an old flame of his named Ruby, who ran the theater in Alexandria, in fact they even said that they would even have sex backstage when no one else was around or so they thought. Try as she would Sarah could not shake the looming suspicion that the rumor might have some merit to it, so after debating with herself agonizingly she finally concluded that the only way to put these fears to rest was to confront him with it. Nervous beyond anything she'd ever felt before she eventually managed to work up the courage to ask him if the rumors about him and Ruby were true after about 15 minutes of just standing there staring at him in silent terror. "Is it true...............Are you really cheating on me with.............her?" Sarah asked point blank in an almost cold tone. "You've been listening to the gossip too much, you really shouldn't worry yourself about such things dear." Zidane replied casually, perhaps a little too casually. "You didn't answer my question...................and I'll not repeat myself." She said sternly, narrowing her eyes at him slightly. Zidane just stood there silent for awhile, as if thinking up some sort of excuse to get out of answering her, meanwhile Sarah stood firmly across from him studying him carefully and he knew there was no talking his way out of this one, exhaling deeply he decided to answer her honestly. "As much as I hate to admit it, I fear the rumors are true my dear I've been unfaithful to you...........But I swear it only happened once, Ruby and I had a few drinks together and well one became two and two became three and before we knew it we were lying naked next to each other....." He answered finally, Sarah gasped and fell to her knees in dismay. "How................How could you????" She screamed angrily, before rising suddenly to her feet to slap him hard across the right side of his face with her left hand, her legs suddenly felt like jelly soon causing her to collapse onto him. He grabbed her to keep her from falling to the floor, to the red regal rug she'd always had in her bed chamber, she recovered quickly and began thrashing violently trying to free herself from his grip, he let her go right away to avoid any further abuse she may have chosen to inflict upon him. "Please Sarah don't let this one mistake ruin what we have, please my love.............forgive me?" He pleaded in a low, unusually calm voice given the current situation. She glared at him with a fierce determination, how dare he be so calm about this, while the idea of slapping him again would give her much satisfaction it would not change the sense of betrayal, nor the pain she felt deep within the very fiber of her being. "Tell me something Zidane, why didn't you tell me right after it happened? Why did I have to learn about your affair from the local gossips?" She questioned him coldly, almost bitterly. Before he could respond the bedroom door flew open, and a woman with shoulder length blue hair barged into the room. "Yer Majesty we gotta have ourselves a little ch...........Zidane?????? what are you doing here hun?" Ruby blurted out, with a dumbfounded look upon spying Zidane in the room as well. "It's too late Ruby, Sarah knows everything..........I.........just told her now." He informs her grimly. "Ruby you have incredible timing, perhaps you can answer my previous question to Zidane, why did you two keep me in the dark about this for all this time?" Sarah demanded angrily. "Don't get me wrong darlin, I wanted to tell ya, but Zidane made me swear on my life not to breathe a word of it..........but the guilt was eatin me alive like you wouldn't believe, so I decided nuff is enough and that you ought to know all that went on." Ruby answered solemnly. "I see..........well Zidane tells me it was a one time event and that it was all a big 'mistake'" Sarah tells the blue haired woman in an almost vindictive tone. Ruby appears crestfallen upon hearing what Zidane told Sarah about them, but she soon grits her teeth and works up the nerve to tell Sarah the whole truth and what Zidane is clearly leaving out. "Sarah if he's tellin ya it only happened once he's lyin like a dog, we've been sneaking around for months and by my count we've been together at least a dozen times, mabbe more............and as for it meanin nothin he told me the sun rose in me eyes and that the twin moons paled in comparison to my beauty, and that he'd loved me even since we was in Tantalus together." She states strongly. "Ruby I think you need to leave.............." Zidane tells her in a calm, yet intimidating voice. "No I think YOU need to leave Zidane....................Leave my sight and never return, I'll have your things packed up and they'll be waiting for you outside near the boat that leads to town............." Sarah cuts him off, before turning her back to him. He does not even try to argue with her, but instead storms out. "Are ya..................gonna be awight darlin?" Ruby asks Sarah, sounding genuinely concerned about her. "I don't know.............but you should go too Ruby, before we do or say anything we'll both regret........." Sarah responds calmly, for she no longer is capable of feeling anything at that moment, her body feels numb and void. Ruby nods and leaves without saying another word, closing the door behind her gently, after she is certain Ruby is long gone Sarah dives onto her bed and begins sobbing into her pillows and eventually cries herself into restless slumber from exhaustion. ================================================================================================================================ "Mommy!!!, Mommy wake up it's past mid dway, Lady Beetwicks twold me to fetch yoo." Shouts a young girl with hair much like her mother's own raven locks, she wears a pretty pink dress with pink ribbons adorning it, her pale blue eyes gleam like the stone after which she was named. Sarah opens her eyes and sees her daughters beautiful rosy cheeked face, though her thoughts of the past are still fresh on her mind she realizes that she was merely dreaming about them as she had done countless times before. "Opal forgive me sweetie I must have fallen asleep sitting here again..............You said Beatrix was looking for me?" Sarah says lovingly to her now six year old daughter, whom has no idea about what really happened to her father, or why her mother is still haunted by the memories of the events that lead up to where they are today. Opal smiled innocently at her mother, how Sarah wished she would never lose that innocence, never become aware to the harsh reality surrounding her father's disappearance, Opal had asked about her father several times, but Sarah would tell her that he was far away but no matter where he was that he was proud of her and that he loved her dearly, even if it was all a lie considering Zidane never even knew Sarah had gotten pregnant by him and had his child. Sarah planned to tell him but the rumors of his infidelity prevented her from sharing such joyous news with him, once they had been confirmed she knew that telling him she was pregnant was NOT an option, if he knew he would never have been able to let her go and to be with him after all the lies he told would've made them miserable and bitter and Opal would've suffered for it most of all, so she kept it hidden from him and then about two months after she kicked him out of the castle he went missing; part of her was glad that he was gone but not knowing where he was disturbed her greatly. "Yeah she was wonderwing if yoo forgot about the meeting." Opal chimed into her mother's thoughts. "Oh no the meeting with the contractors who came all the way from the Lost continent, I completely forgot and I'm an hour late too......." Sarah recalls frantically, before rushing to her bedside mirror to brush her hair, she runs the pearl handled brush through her hair with quick furious strokes, once she deems her hair reasonable she quickly changes clothes into a formal gown suitable to attend such a meeting. Opal can't help but giggle at her mother's frantic movements, for she was normally so graceful and dignified, Sarah then smiled at her giggling daughter before leaning down to kiss her on the forehead. "Now Opal I have to literally run out of here, but before I go to the meeting why don't I drop you off at Doctor Tot's on my way to the tavern." She informs her calmly. "Yayyy I get to pway hide 'n seek with Dotwer Twot's books again!" Opal shouts excitedly, which causes Sarah to sigh before chuckling, she takes her little girl by the hand and guides her out of the castle, they both then wait for the little boat that ferries people to and from the castle and the town just outside the castle walls. Chapter II: Meeting with Destiny Spoiler: click to toggle Ten minutes pass before the little boat finally arrives, Sarah with Opal in hand step on board causing the ferry to rock back and forth slightly, since there is no one else waiting to head to town the oar-man pushes off away from the castle. He begins rowing gently toward the town to the south west, after half the time it took for the boat to arrive to the castle they reach the town. They both disembark, Sarah thanks the oar-man, then the pair head to the residential area to where Doctor Tot's new house is now located. Doctor Tot used to live in Alexandria years ago, but due to conflict with the late Queen Brahne, Sarah's adoptive mother and the grandmother Opal never got to know, he left and sought residence in Treno to the south east. But after returning from her long journey, Sarah assumed her role as Queen of Alexandria, leading Doctor Tot to decide to move back to the kingdom's capital so that he might educate the new Princess. Upon reaching the door to his house Opal let go of her mother's hand and started knocking on the door repeatedly until it opened, revealing a short bearded man whose eyes were hidden behind thick eyeglasses, he sported his usual top hat, and wore clothing that gave away his occupation as a scholar/ tutor. "Hewwo Dotwer Twot!!!!" Opal greeted him excitedly before rushing into him, almost knocking him over. "Good afternoon Miss Opal, what a splendid surprise to see you today. And you too your Highness, every time these old eyes see you I swear you've grown even more beautiful." The Doctor remarks warmly, his latter comment causes Sarah to blush. "The feeling is mutual Doctor Tot, I really hate to do this to you on such short notice but........." Sarah informs him, her voice trailing off. "I know, you want me to watch over Miss Opal for you while you attend your........meeting right?" He finishes her sentence calmly. "Yes............I hope it's not too much bother?" She states, seeming slightly ashamed for just showing up and asking such a favor of him without any sort of prior notice. "Nonsense I'd be honored to watch Miss Opal for you, besides she has a few lessons we need to go over..........." He answers with a smile. "Thank you so much Doctor Tot, you are truly a magnificent and wonderful man." Sarah exclaims joyously, she even hugs him before running off toward the tavern. "Now Miss Opal, you aren't going to hide my books on me again?, are you?" He questions the little girl seriously, yet still kind. "I won't pway with them, I pwomise!!!" She answers sweetly, but actually has other plans for them. ================================================================================================================================ Sarah dashes as fast as her legs will take her to the tavern, after several minutes she arrives but stops just outside, leaning over gasping for air. "I...........Hope I'm................not............too late." She exhales, before regaining her composure, with her head held high she enters the tavern and heads over to the barkeeper, a rough looking man with balding blond hair named Ashley. He looks at her with a mischievous grin, she rolls her eyes at him and waits for him to speak. "Was beginning to think you'd never show, them contractor's are right wasted now, looks like you'll have to reschedule then eh your majesty." He informs her with a snicker. "Dammit.........I.....um err mean that's too bad, tell me Ashley where is Lady Beatrix?" Sarah asks him, somewhat embarrassed about her choice of opening words. "She got worried when you didn't show on time so she went and searched town for you, and when you weren't turning up she went to where your mother the late Queen was buried." He replies. "I see...........thank you Ashley that will be all, good day." She says before turning to leave, but before she reaches the exit someone bursts in, causing her to stop dead in her tracks. "It cannot be..............you.........you are........" She stammers, unable to move due to shock. "Greetings Sarah...............or should I say 'Queen' Garnet?, I couldn't help but overhear the townspeople talking about you. It is..........good to see you again." The mystery man says, he has long silver hair that now reaches his ankles, and wears clothing that would suggest he was a 'she', with a slender tail trailing behind him. "Kuja.............you are alive??????" She blurts out in disbelief. "Yes I think I still am.........." he says, pausing to take a deep breath in and exhaling. "Yup I'm still breathing so that technically means I am alive." he adds in a humorous tone. "Hey that's mean, how did you expect me to react, Zidane told me you died..............." she scolded him, crossing her arms in front of her, her voice however trailed off after uttering his name. "I should have died, but for whatever reason she brought me back to life and said that I had a second chance to live my life the way I should have all along........" Kuja explains, looking down toward the floor. "She?" Sarah asks with a hint of curiosity. "Mikoto...............apparently Garland gave her quite impressive...............abilities." He answers, his gaze still fallen to the floor. "I see............Which leads me to my next question, why are you here?" She asks carefully. "I came to see him, heard you actually married him, figured he'd be here in Alexandria with you." He tells her ,returning his eyes to meet hers. "I'm afraid you came all this way for nothing, Zidane has been missing for almost six years now...................he disappeared not long after Opal was born..." She states, narrowing her eyes. "Who is Opal?, and what's with you Alexandrians and your Jewel names..........." He mutters casually. "She is my daughter, and Zidane is................"Sarah attempts to explain, but doesn't finish her sentence. "Heh I bet she's cute, like you were when you were her age.........so he has a daughter, yet he's no where to be found." Kuja comments with a smile. "Since you came all this way................why not come to the castle for dinner?, I.........Have many questions..........and you could meet Opal." Sarah offers almost hesitantly. "Are you serious?, even after the castle was destroyed because of me............" He states solemnly. "What's done is done, furthermore it's in the past now, the castle has been completely rebuilt and now it's far better than it ever was. So I guess I should be thanking you..............please have dinner with me and my daughter..............Kuja." She assures him, grasping one of his hands into her own. "Alright I'll have dinner with you, I know better than to say no to you anyway.........." He accepts her offer, with a chuckle. "Good it's settled now let us go fetch Opal from Doctor Tot's." She exclaims, sounding genuinely happy for once in a very long time, Kuja nods and follows her back to the Tutor's residence. "Your majesty thank goodness you've returned, this naughty young lady hid my research references on me..............again................." A reasonably stressed out Doctor Tot informs Sarah, Kuja smirks and Sarah shakes her head. "Mommy!!!!" Opal cries out happily, attacking her mother with a big hug. "Opal why did you hide Doctor Tot's important books?" Sarah questions her sternly. "I dunno...........I was bwored, can we go back to the castle now?" The six year old answers, sounding not the least bit sorry about it. "Opal please apologize to Doctor Tot and then go get the books you hid." Sarah instructs her firmly, her daughter groans and goes off and comes back with two incredibly thick books. "I'm sowwy............Dotwer Twot, I won't do it agwain............" She mutters, not looking at him. "It's quite alright Miss Opal, the main thing is that these books are safe and still intact, you see I was mainly worried about them because they are rather ancient and must be handled with great care." He states, sighing a sigh of relief, Opal smiles and hugs him before clinging back onto to her mother. "Thank you again so much Doctor Tot, I'll see you at the castle when Opal has her 'princess' exam." Sarah tells him before turning to leave, Opal holds her mother's hand. "Mommy who is dat pwerson standing there?" She asks pointing to Kuja. "He is...................someone I knew before you were even born, someone I have not seen nor ever expected to see again........." She explains briefly. "Why?" Opal states the ever so typical child response. "It's complicated, I'll tell you everything once you're older..............." Sarah informs her. "I was right, she resembles you perfectly, but I also see him in her as well...............she has his nose for sure." Kuja comments. "Whatcha mean you see him in me.............who're ya twalking about mistwer?" Opal questions him curiously. "By 'him' I mean your................father." he answers carefully, noticing the glance Sarah is giving him. "Yayy I have Daddy's nose!!!!!!!!!" the child chants gleefully. "Kuja.............shall we head to the castle now?" Sarah suggests to him, still giving him that serious piercing look. "Um yeah............I guess." he states quickly. "Is mistwer Koojahh gonna pway with me when we get home?" Opal asks, in a pestering fashion. "That is up to him............." Sarah states, before the trio head off in return to the castle. Chapter III:Dinner plans seldom go as planned........ Spoiler: click to toggle Within a massive dining room the three of them sat at a table with a feast fit for a small army, the domed glass ceiling revealed a star filled sky above them, with twin moons glowing crimson and azure respectively. Despite the overabundance of food Sarah barely touched anything on her plate for she was far too anxious to hear Kuja's reasons for seeking out her now long since 'missing' husband, Opal ate quickly before demanding dessert and Kuja ate very slowly between sentences. "Please tell me...........why did you come seeking Zidane?" Sarah asks nervously, while holding her fork over her plate without actually poking it into anything on it. "After Mikoto brought me back, she said something strange..........she told me that the Lifa tree concealed one more secret and that it was up to Zidane and I to get to the bottom of it." Kuja answers carefully. "Mommy I want more chocolate pudding!!!!!" Opal randomly shouts, which causes Sarah to sigh. "Alright sweetie, go into the kitchen and see if cook has some extra for you." She informs her with a smile. "Yayy!! Thank you mommy, I love you so much!!" The excited little girl gushes before rushing off toward the kitchen. "She's really sweet...............a tad spoiled, but sweet never the less." Kuja comments. "So was I when I was her age and I'd like to think I turned out quite well...........anyway what could this secret be that Mikoto mentioned?" Sarah replies, her expression changing to one of worry. "I wish I knew..........I'd hoped to find Zidane here so that we could find out and get it off of our minds, but if he's truly missing then we may never know for sure............." He states with a sigh, before taking a sip of red wine. "Did she say you absolutely needed Zidane to be with you in order to find out?, or could someone else fill in for him perhaps?" Sarah suggests, her fear slipping away slightly. "Not exactly..........but I got the sense that if I tried to find out on my own it might be too dangerous............" He answers her, taking another sip of wine. "Why don't I send you with some of my finest knights, this way if something bad happens they can cover you." She suggests suddenly, causing Kuja to almost choke on his last sip of wine. "Ahh I can't ask you to do that, besides wouldn't you rather devote those knights to finding your missing husband? That little girl..............shouldn't have to grow up without a father........" He states, proceeding to refill his wine glass back up. "I.........can't do that................not after everything he's done........." Sarah retorts getting defensive. "Wait..........don't tell me the rumors are true..........that.......that bastard he cheated on you and then pulled a vanishing act to escape the shame and scandal of it all." Kuja shouts angrily. "They are true, but despite what he did I do not believe his disappearance is intentional..............he rejoined Tantalus after I threw him out, last I heard he and some rookie member went on an exploration trip.........and were........never seen nor heard from again." She adds quietly. "Your Majesty!!!!!!!!! I must speak with you at once it is of the utmost urgency!!!" A male voice suddenly interrupts their conversation before Kuja can say anything further. "What is it Steiner?, has something happened?" Sarah questions the middle aged knight carefully. "The night patrol has spotted several............suspicious characters prowling around the city, what's more they have attacked and killed three of my finest soldiers, I fear their real target may be the castle we must ready our defenses at once!!!" he announces insistently, before dismissing himself to gather the royal guard. "How can this be happening............why now?" Sarah utters in slight disbelief. "Perhaps we should find Opal and withdraw to the throne room?" Kuja suggests, she agrees and they head into the kitchen. ================================================================================== Much to their surprise the kitchen is empty, no sign of Opal and the cook is missing as well which worries Sarah because it's not like him to leave his post with a sink full of dirty dishes, Kuja frowns and Sarah notices something in the corner. "Oh my.........................." She faints before she can complete that sentence, Kuja rushes to her side to keep her from hitting the stone floor. A truly gruesome sight awaits him, there in the corner near the massive sink lies the cook.........or rather what remains of him now, a thick pool of blood surrounds his corpse and a very distinct dagger is sticking out of his blood soaked chest. "That dagger..............it looks identical to the one Zidane always used............but that means...........he's here??" Kuja comes to a startling conclusion. Meanwhile Sarah regains her senses and nearly screams at the grotesque sight before her, Kuja places his hand gently over her mouth to silence her and whispers to her to stand up, she nods and rises shakily to her feet. "Who could have done this.................and where is my daughter?????" She demands in barely a whisper. "See that dagger................it's just like one of the ones Zidane always used, I don't know how or why............but Sarah..........I think he's here somewhere in the castle and chances are Opal is with him." Kuja informs her quietly. "Why would he take her...............it's not as though he knows that he's her................." her voice trails off, before she rushes out of the room in a worried frenzy, Kuja concerned for her safety follows after her. Sarah leads Kuja to the throne room, she feels deep in her soul that whomever has her daughter most likely would seek to exit the castle without being seen, and relying on the secret passage in the throne room would accomplish just that, but not just anyone could know about the hidden passage.........she doesn't want to accept it, but she realizes that Kuja could be right about the kidnappers identity. The pair burst into the room, but discover nothing, no Opal and no sign that anyone had activated the hidden passage recently. Sarah looks around the room frantically before collapsing into a heap sobbing into her dress, Kuja attempts to comfort her but she doesn't respond very well to it. She eventually rises to her feet, wipes her eyes, runs out of the room and down the grand staircase rather quickly, Kuja once again chases after her out of both concern and curiosity. She bolts out of the front doors and spies a dark figure and a smaller figure approaching the ferry, without warning Sarah calls forth an Eidolon which attacks the ferry before the unidentifiable figures can board it, the small boat catches fire before sinking into the semi deep water. "Whoa Sarah what on Gaia did you do that for???" Kuja questions her, sounding slightly alarmed at her reckless actions. "I had to stop them from getting on that boat, come on Kuja we can still catch them if we hurry!!!" she shouts, chasing after them and not waiting for a response. The smaller figure runs toward Sarah upon her approach, it is none other than Opal, the other taller figure stands there shrouded in a hooded black cloak, this figure is clearly masculine due to his broad shoulders and defined chest, he simply stands near the fountain that is a few feet away from the water's edge. Sarah pulls her scared and somewhat confused little girl close to her in a loving embrace, all the while she peers over her daughter's shoulder in an attempt to get a better look at the man who almost succeeded in abducting her. "Mommy!!!! why'd you use your summon magic on me? I almost caught on fire!!!" The child demands in a frightened, yet scolding tone. "Sorry darling..........mommy did what she had to.............to keep the bad man from taking you away." Sarah answer solemnly. "B-But he's not a bad man..............he told me that he's my daddy and that he wanted to show me something really fun!!!" Opal protests. "Your.........father, but sweetie that's impossible.............you know your father is far, far away.........." Sarah replies carefully while narrowing her eyes at the mystery man, whom has yet to speak or do anything. "So you thought you could keep my own daughter from me did you.....................that was your first mistake, but fear not it won't be your last.............at least not yet." the cloaked figure growls in a bitter tone before leaping into the water and swimming into the darkness of the night. "What happened??" Kuja asks after catching up to her. "You were right..............though he never showed his face I have no doubt that was.................him............and I fear this won't be the last we see of him either........" Sarah tells him, still holding a now crying Opal close to her. Chapter IV: Unmasking the Truth Spoiler: click to toggle The night was filled with enough restlessness to go around, only Opal managed to drift into peaceful slumber, Sarah meanwhile laid on her bed unable to sleep. Though her eyes were closed she simply could not drift off into slumber, too much had happened her head raced with thoughts, 'Could it truly be.............him and if it is then why did he come back after all these years...........why now????', her thoughts continued to pester her until finally after what seemed like an eternity she finally fell asleep. Dawn came swiftly and with it more problems, Sarah woke up and dressed as she normally did before going to check on her daughter, Opal was still asleep in bed, her mother smiled and leaned over to gently kiss her forehead before exiting the room. Sarah descended down the first set of stairs, she was not even halfway down them before Beatrix spied her, prompting her to rush over to her with a grave look of concern on her face. "Your Highness it's terrible, I've personally led search teams to try and locate the mystery man that tried to abduct Miss Opal, but I fear I've turned up nothing..........worse yet our soldiers seems to be vanishing at an alarming rate........." Beatrix informs her. "I see...........You've done well Lady Beatrix, but I fear I may already know the identity of this 'mystery man', and if I know him he won't be caught unless he wants to be............" Sarah states following with a sigh. "My Queen..........What are your orders?" Beatrix requests with a salute. "I want you to scale back your efforts with regards to finding him, rather I order you to instead try to recover or at the very least account for our missing soldiers." Sarah instructs her. "Consider it done My Queen, by your leave!" Beatrix salutes her once more before rushing off. 'I hope you can find them.................maybe if you find them.............they might know where 'he' is.........' ================================================================================== Meanwhile Kuja is doing a little manhunt of his own in the western part of town, the slender man brushes back his long silver hair while carefully surveying the area, but to his dismay there's no sign of anyone matching the cloaked one from the previous night, in fact oddly enough he hardly spies anyone outside of their homes. "Guess everyone is staying indoors after they heard about the ruckus at the castle.............Still there's no way he could ever hope to hide from me, after all we are connected............and I definitely sense him nearby........." He mutters under his breath, before heading to the mini Theater. The theater is equally as deserted as the rest of town, save for Ruby who is sitting behind a piano playing a fast paced piece, upon seeing Kuja she totally screws up the last part of the song before stopping abruptly, he snickers at her before walking over toward her slowly. "Wot in tarnation are you doing here, and wot the hell are you laughing at??" she demands angrily. "I'm..........looking for someone and as for what I'm laughing at I'd say your spectacular ending to that particular piece speaks for itself.........." he replies, grinning slightly. "Hmph!!! who asked fer yer opinion anyway.............and not to be nosy but who're ya looking fer maybe I've seen em?" She shouts at first before her inquiry. "You've probably already heard about this but.............I'm looking for a man wearing a dark hooded cloak, he was at the castle last night............killed a man, tried to kidnap the Princess...........he got away.........." Kuja informs her grimly. "Hmmm..................ya know I may have seen someone like that early this morning, If I remember correctly I saw him dash into here.............I chased after him to try to tell him that I wasn't open yet, but when I got down here he was gone.........looked all over fer him too............" She states with a confused expression. "So..........he was here but you couldn't find him when you got down here...............are there any hidden passages linked to this place by any chance?" Kuja asks her, while thinking carefully. "Not that I know of but then there's probably lots of stuff I dunno bout this place, yer free to look around if ya like, actually it's perfect timing cuz I gotta run to the tavern and help out Ashley, his waitress quit this morning and he's got no one to serve his customers so I offered to help out til he could hire a replacement." she answers before running off. With Ruby gone Kuja takes the opportunity to carefully search the theater for some sort of hidden passage leading out of it, he examines walls, the ceiling and the floor before he discovers something out of the ordinary, the floor underneath the piano is loose upon moving the piano he lifts the loose section of floor up revealing a hidden staircase. "So............this is how he was able to escape, but it would be unwise to venture any further on my own..............better inform the Queen about this first." he concludes aloud before returning to the castle to find Sarah. ================================================================================== After learning about his discovery Sarah insists that they both go explore the secret passage, but Kuja questions that suggestion, but since neither Lady Beatrix or Lord Steiner have reported back he decides to let the Queen accompany him, they leave the now awake Opal with Doctor Tot before venturing into the depths of the theater. "Who knew there was a hidden passage under the theater of all places...........but then this building wasn't always a theater, I've heard it was once a hideout for a group of thieves that once terrorized Alexandria, but my father had them all executed for their treasonous crimes." Sarah explains while walking down the stone steps slowly. "Most people wouldn't know..........but then Zidane was a member of the infamous group of bandits known as 'Tantalus', therefore they must have known this place's secrets even if Ruby didn't." Kuja adds. The pair soon find themselves in a small room, at first glance it doesn't appear to be anything more than your average storeroom, but an oddly placed cabinet leads them to believe there's something more to it than meets the eye. Upon moving the surprisingly lightweight cabinet they discover a battered wooden door behind it, with no visible lock or keyhole Kuja attempts to open it, though the door resists a bit he manages to open it. "Be careful...........who knows what's down here, it's..........not too late to turn back.........." he warns her. "I've come this far, I'll see this through until the end.............besides I have to know.............." she insists firmly, he nods and enters the narrow doorway first, Sarah follows close behind him. After wandering down a maze of corridors and small scattered empty rooms, they eventually find one door that seems different from the others for one thing it's quite securely locked. "Figures we'd stumble upon a locked door sooner or later, what should we do now?" Kuja asks her. "I for one cannot turn back now, I say we bust that thing down!!!" She suggests, causing Kuja to smile fiendishly. "Heh............I was hoping you'd say that, now stand back I'm gonna hit it with a Flare spell." He states before doing so. The door flies off of it's hinges in pieces almost effortlessly, however the person on the other side is immediately alerted to their presence, he shouts at his guards to capture them and before they know it they're kneeling before him, their hands are bound behind their backs and it seems one of them activates some sort of anti magic field that soon envelopes the room. Realizing she's been caught Sarah lifts her head to gaze upon the man in charge, she nearly screams in shock upon looking at him, Kuja also takes a peek before a smile forms on his well kept face. "So I was right..............It really is you after all........." Kuja states. "It can't be.............it's not real..............none of this is real!!!!!!!" Sarah screams in confused denial before fainting. Chapter V: Dark Ambitions Lead to Darker Consequences Spoiler: click to toggle Though the room was dimly lit his face was clearly visible for all to see, peering over them Zidane stood but mere feet away from Kuja and Sarah, the latter of which was still out cold.
"You two have been interfering quite a bit, why if it weren't for your...needless meddling I would have accomplished what needs to be done here by now..." Zidane speaks but his voice is cold, emotionless. "What is that supposed to mean?" Kuja asks him, while examining the other man carefully. "You would not understand...besides there is little point telling you since you both will not be allowed to live for much longer." He states simply, his expression never changing. "Why kill us? Killing me makes perfect sense considering what I did to you, but Sarah?? You're supposed to be in love with her!!!!" Kuja demands with a slight touch of emotion. "She kicked me out, threw me away and denied me my own daughter, how can you expect me to love someone like that?" Zidane counters, clenching his fist. Kuja unable to think of anything more to add just kneels there, waiting, wondering just what this man has planned for him and Sarah, several minutes pass before Sarah regains consciousness. "K-Kuja? Is he still here?" She asks, still somewhat dazed. "Unfortunately yes, and he plans to kill us both, I am assuming it is because we 'know' too much..." Kuja replies with a frown. "Kill us??????? What on Gaia for, all we did was thwart his kidnapping attempt and just happen to stumble on his hidden hideout underneath the town.........." Sarah sputters in shock. "Glad you could return to us my 'Queen', yes sadly you must be executed along with this....terrorist, I simply will not tolerate any further interference by either of you..." Zidane answers her, his face completely devoid of emotion. "This is not right.....who are you???" Sarah suddenly demands angrily. "Don't tell me you have a sudden case of amnesia, you know perfectly well who I am!!!!!!!" Zidane growls at her. "That is a lie, the real Zidane loved me, he would never treat me like this much less threaten to have me killed....You're nothing but an impostor trying to trick me, but it will not work!!!!!!!" she screams at him. "I hate to say this Sarah....but he is the real Zidane, though he may not be acting like it, there's no doubt in my mind that it is in fact him." Kuja informs her, while still studying Zidane. "Then why is he doing this.....why is he being so cold and heartless?" she asks trying desperately to grasp what is going on. "That is for me to know and you to wonder about forever, enjoy your final moments for your end is nearing." Zidane tells her before turning to one of his thugs, he whispers something to him and then Zidane leaves the room. Elsewhere in Alexandria Castle a reasonably concerned Lady Beatrix is pacing back and forth inside the throne room, she has not heard anything about the whereabouts nor the condition of the Queen for some time, though she has sent soldiers to locate the Queen none have returned with any leads. "Where could she be??, and why hasn't she contacted anyone....Please be safe my Queen..." She wonders aloud, her thoughts wander before being pulled out of them by the General under her command. "Lady Beatrix!!! Reporting back, I believe I've located the Queen!" She states with a salute, Beatrix nearly weeps with relief. "Pray tell me where has our beloved Queen gone?" She asks, having composed herself. "There's a woman in the foyer who claims to know where the Queen was last seen, it's not much Milady but it's the only lead we have." the General answers solemnly. "Very well...Thank you General, Dismissed." Beatrix sighs before saluting the General who then leaves the room. Deciding that speaking to the woman in the foyer is really the only course of action left to her Beatrix heads out of the throne room, down the staircases and spies a familiar face awaiting her. "Ah there ya are, was beginning to think ya weren't coming, course I wouldn't expect ya'll to bother with lil old me." Ruby states with a hint of nervousness. "Don't be silly Ruby, you know I would never be so elitist as to treat you like that, but to a matter of more importance I was told you know where the Queen was last seen?" Beatrix replies as she descends the last set of stairs. "Aww don't ya be worrying none I was just teasing, and yeah I know where she went, in fact I could show ya'll if ya like?" Ruby offers, fiddling with her hair. "As you wish, I'll gather my troops........whats left of them that is." Beatrix answers with a smile. "Alright then darlin meet me at the mini theater in town I'll fill ya in there." Ruby tells her before running off. Some time later Beatrix manages to amass a squad of only four people other than herself, her squad then heads to the designated meeting place, what they find there is something out of a mystery novel, first off there's no sign of Ruby anywhere and secondly the lights are off. "This is odd... Ruby should be here waiting to meet us....." Beatrix states sounding baffled. Before she can ponder it further the lights come on suddenly, revealing a gagged and bound Ruby, she has been gagged with a red silk bandanna and tied to one of the chairs with thick ropes, she is motionless but still breathing most likely knocked out. A lone male figure stands beside Ruby, he sports the same hooded cloak he wore the other night during the botched kidnapping, though Beatrix cannot see his face he is in fact sneering at her. "What is the meaning of this??, and just who do you think you are?" She demands, grasping the hilt of her Save the Queen Knight-sword. "Who I am is of no concern to you, but if you value this woman's life you'll keep that sword of yours sheathed........" He threatens, holding a shiny dagger to Ruby's throat. "Very well, but I still expect you to answer my question, who are you and what have you done with the Queen??" Beatrix states releasing her grip on her sword. "Come now Lady Beatrix do you really take me for a fool?, and yes I know exactly who you are, as for your precious Queen I fear she has become a thorn in my side and is about to be eliminated as we speak......." he answers her followed with an evil laugh. "No............even a criminal like you wouldn't be so bold as to murder a member of the Royal family, you realize it's punishable by death?? No you just want me to think she is dead so I will cease my search for her." Beatrix exclaims resisting the urge to draw her sword and attack the man where he stands. "Believe whatever you want, it will not change the facts, as for her being a member of the Royal family you and I both know that is not entirely true, technically Queen Garnet is a substitute for the true Garnet who died due to illness at the tender age of six......" He mentions, his voice cold...almost inhuman. "How did you know that??? No one aside from a select number of people knows the truth about the Queen's lineage, and I know for a fact that none of them would ever volunteer this knowledge freely or willingly............" Beatrix demands, clearly taken aback by his previous statement. "What makes you think that I am not one of those 'people'?, what would you say if I told you I was and that I was once very close to the Substitute Queen........." he declares, but before she can respond he removes his hood and she recognizes him instantly. "Zidane!!!!!!! So you have returned, but why are you doing all of this... this isn't like you at all!!!!!!" Beatrix almost chokes on her words, she begins to feel dizzy as her mind tries to grasp all of what has transpired before her eyes. "Let's just say I have my reasons and leave it at that, I'm willing to let you go and try in vain to rescue your dear majesty from certain death, all I ask in return is that you allow me to leave without being followed, well Lady Beatrix do we have a deal?" he later makes her an offer, when she regains her senses she carefully considers it in her mind before answering him. "I swear on my honor as a Knight, I will not have you followed and my Knighthood as you know is not something I swear on lightly." She answers. He puts the Dagger away and slowly skirts the room before making his exit, as soon as she is sure he's long gone Beatrix rushes over to Ruby and cuts her ropes with her sword proceeding to then remove her gag, Ruby manages to wake up after the gag is removed. "W-What in tarnation!!!! Where am I??, what happened?" She demands in a dazed, confused tone. "Thank goodness you're unharmed, I believe he must have knocked you out and then had you tied up here." Beatrix answers her quietly. "He?, don't ya go beating round the bush with me darlin just tell me what sort of thug did this to me?" Ruby requests her confusion turning into anger. "You might not believe this, but had I not seen him with my own eyes I too would never have imagined that it was Zidane of all people...." She states with a look of disappointment. "Git outta here yer pulling me leg ain'tcha??, No way my boy Zidane would go turning traitor on me much less Sarah the love of his life......" Ruby says in sheer disbelief, but after several moments of awkward silence she comes to realize it's true. "I'm so sorry Ruby, I don't know what I could say to you after telling you all this, but please you must tell me where the Queen went before it's too late....." Beatrix pleads with her with a sense of urgency. "I'm alright darlin, it might have thrown me for a loop but I always bounce back, Sarah went to the hidden tunnels under the town, the entrance is in the cellar of this place, just move that piano there and you'll find the hatch." Ruby informs her. "I and all of Alexandria are eternally in your debt, I just pray that I find her in time..." Beatrix thanks her, before her and her squad head down into the cellar below, into the network of tunnels in search of their Queen. Edited by PathToTheDusk, Feb 15 2011, 04:03 AM.
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| Hlfranklin | Jun 21 2010, 10:05 PM Post #2 |
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Rising out of the flames
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Very nice bro. |
![]() Anime-Planet.com - anime | manga | reviews | |
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| Unforgiven | Jul 23 2010, 02:04 AM Post #3 |
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Burning Angel
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Love it, you have talent. |
| ~Downed but not out, here i am a coming back~ | |
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| PathToTheDusk | Sep 6 2010, 12:39 AM Post #4 |
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fal'Cie Omega
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I added another chapter and plan to write number four before I leave on my holiday. ^.^ |
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| Unforgiven | Oct 23 2010, 09:58 PM Post #5 |
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Burning Angel
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I eagerly await the next chapter ^.^ |
| ~Downed but not out, here i am a coming back~ | |
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| PathToTheDusk | Feb 15 2011, 04:04 AM Post #6 |
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fal'Cie Omega
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Chapter 5 has been added ^.^ |
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| Hlfranklin | Feb 15 2011, 03:44 PM Post #7 |
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Rising out of the flames
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Very nice. |
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| PathToTheDusk | Feb 27 2011, 12:13 AM Post #8 |
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fal'Cie Omega
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Chapter VI: Loss and Recovery Spoiler: click to toggle The events that had unfolded before her seemed to occur in slow motion, her mind desperately tried to process what had happened mere moments ago, but for whatever reason she just couldn't seem to make sense of any of it. Sarah saw herself being taken away by thugs into a small room, where she was bound to a battered old chair, then as if to say a final farewell the thugs slowly exited the room never taking their eyes off her until the dirty looking wooden door slammed shut behind them. "Where am I?, and what's to become of me now..." Elsewhere Kuja has been taken to a similar dingy room, but one of the thugs decides to stay in the room to keep an eye on him, Kuja can't help but wonder why they're bothering to keep him alive at this point. "So what now?, I know too much yet you're keeping me alive...Why?" Kuja questions the thug carefully. "I'm to keep an eye on you until the boss tells me otherwise, you're damn lucky cuz were it not for the boss' strict order to keep you alive you would be dead by now..........." he answers sneering down at Kuja. "Heh...I see so for reasons unknown Zidane actually wants me kept alive, at least for the moment and if you were to...say execute me without waiting for further instructions...then Zidane would most likely kill you without even a second thought." Kuja states snickering. "I don't remember saying you could talk, so why don't you just shut up or I'll give you a damn good reason to!!!!!!" the thug threatens him. "These games of yours are remarkable, but I know that there's more to them than meets the eye...just what could you be after Zidane....and just how far will you go to get whatever that might be?" Beatrix and her squad search the tunnels for hours but fail to turn up even a simple sign of where the Queen could be being held captive, until one of the soldiers spies something laying on the dirt floor, it is none other than the ring that Queen Garnet valued more than her own life second only to her daughter. "Lady Beatrix!!! I think you'd better come have a look at this." the soldier shouts urgently. "A ring?, wait let me take a look at it....Oh my Goodness this can only belong to the Queen!!!!!!" Beatrix exclaims while examining the ring . "My Lady if that ring does indeed belong to her majesty then she cannot be too far away, shall we focus our search efforts down the tunnel near where the ring was found?" the soldier requests saluting. "Yes of course the Queen must be found at all costs, but do proceed cautiously we do not know what to expect further ahead." Beatrix agrees, she salutes the soldier and places the ring in her pocket. "My Queen be of sound health for we're coming to rescue you!!!!!" After what seemed like an eternity a thought suddenly crossed Sarah's mind with regard to her current situation, here she'd been dragged off , left alone in this tiny room and seemingly forgotten by her captors. "Why am I just sitting here waiting to be rescued....It's not like Zidane is gonna just snap outta it and save me from all of this, furthermore if I intend to escape from here I'll have to make it happen on my own...but how?" She wonders aloud, she struggles to break free of her bindings in vain before giving up. "Looks like freeing my restraints isn't in the cards for me, ohh there has to be something I can do besides just sit here like some weak helpless monarch.........wait of course I almost forgot I can summon Eidolons!!!!!!!!" She states excitedly, she then attempts to call forth Ifrit demon of Flame. The room explodes with firey fury as Ifrit appears before her, the Eidolon grins at his master before speaking to her, though most of his body is covered in glowing flames there are patches of bare exposed skin and rippling muscles. "You summoned me master? and what's with the gloomy surroundings...phew is it hot in here or is it just me?" he remarks coyly laughing at the end. "Ifrit this is no laughing matter, I need your help!!!" Sarah scolds him, but still manages to admire his nice physique. "Lemme guess you want me to burn those ropes behind your back so you can ditch this rat trap?, am I getting warmer or are you just happy to see me....." he states with a fiendish grin. "Please if it's not too much trouble, I must escape before they do who knows what to me, and If I die so will you and all of my other Eidolons too.........." She requests frowning. "Well when ya put it like that I guess I really have no choice, ya know you really should summon me more often...I need to start working out." He replies before shooting a fireball that flies around her and then burns the ropes binding her hands. "I promise I'll summon you more often, now you better go back before I attract any unwanted attention, you have my deepest gratitude...." Sarah tells him, smiling as she rises to her feet. "You're welcome Master, Call me anytime we'll have a wild time!!!!" he shouts joyfully before vanishing. "Time to make my daring escape, I pray that I can find my way out of here...." she utters silently before heading to the door. "Surely you have far better things to do than babysit me, like every guy's favorite pastime all you need is yourself and your hand and you're good to go." Kuja teases, not seeming to care if it could get him killed or not. "That's not funny man, everyone knows I'd never do it with someone around.........Erm wait I didn't mean it like that.....y-you bastard!!!!" the thug shouts at him, his face going several shades of red. "There's no shame in admitting it, we've all tried it at least once, but let me tell you it's a lot of fun when you have an audience trust me....." Kuja states, smiling his famous vindictive smile. "H-Hey I'm not like that....and nothing you say is gonna get me to do that in front of you got it!!!!!!" the thug growls sheepishly. "But you still wanna do it don't you....so if you won't do it in front of me then why not go off somewhere else and do it, it's not like I'm going anywhere you got me tied up so tight i can't feel my hands anyway....." Kuja suggests to him, his smile never fading. "Hmm you got a point, plus even if you found a way to get yourself free just how far could you get in 10-15 minutes? Alright I'm ah.......gonna go see a guy about a chocobo........you be good and don't try escaping on me now....." the thug informs him before leaving the room. "Damn that was almost too easy....poor guy I'm gonna have to spoil his happy hand time and make sure he can't warn anyone that I'm loose..." Kuja mutters before focusing all his power into his hands, they begin to glow brightly and soon the ropes burn and melt away. "Now if i were a thug looking for some....quality time where would i go?"Kuja wonders aloud before leaving the room he was in. Beatrix and her squad are racing down one tunnel in particular, when suddenly Beatrix crashes into someone coming from the opposite direction. "Halt!! who goes there?" she demands after having gotten back onto her feet. "Beatrix? is that really you??" a nervous voice requests. "You can't be...........Queen Garnet are you unharmed??" Beatrix is elated to see her Queen sitting before her, she helps her up and gives her a relieved glance. "Yes I'm fine for the moment, but we cannot remain here, we must withdraw from these caverns and return to the surface, but first we must locate Kuja I will not abandon him............"Sarah answers. "Very well, by the Queen's command we shall find Kuja, troops move out search every nook and crevasse for him!!!!!" Beatrix orders her squad, they nod and head off into the tunnels. "Aren't you going with them?" Sarah asks. "No. It's my sworn duty to protect you, I must focus on getting you out of here and to safety first." she states solemnly. "I thank you for your concern and admirable sense of duty, but I'm afraid I must insist that you help with the search...Please Beatrix...do this for me, let me stand on my own two feet for once, I cannot always wait around to be rescued or for you or Steiner to hold my hand......" Sarah tells her in a serious tone. "I understand, though I probably shouldn't comply with this at all....are you certain you'll be able to protect yourself??" Beatrix asks her, while appearing quite concerned about her. "Yes if need be I can summon for help, now please go and aid your squad.......they need you every bit as much as i do........I'll be praying for your success." Sarah answers honestly, seeing as how her mind is made up Beatrix bids Sarah farewell and heads off in search of her troops. It doesn't take him long to find the guy he's looking for, Kuja manages to track down the thug that had been holding him captive, at first he searched random tunnels and rooms to no avail, but then he began to hear noises coming from somewhere....all too familiar noises. "I've got you now....hope it was worth it..." he whispers to himself before quietly entering a dirt covered door. What he finds on the other side of it is both amusing and kinda pathetic, there with his back to the wall is none other than the same thug he'd spoken to before, in a rather...compromising position, what's more the guy clearly has no clue that Kuja is even in the room watching him..........'tame' the snake for his eyes are tightly shut. "I must admit I never thought he'd actually fall for it, much less go off and do it........though I gotta say this is one sight you don't see too often........." "Ahh yeahh that's it baby.............come to papa...........ohh yeahh!!!!" the thug grunts as he soon achieves what he set out to do, when his eyes open he immediately spies Kuja grinning at him. "Hey there..........'Big' boy did you miss me? and next time make sure your ropes are heat resistant......." Kuja tells him. "Damn you!!!!!!, I can't even leave ya alone for five minutes...............and just how long were you standing there spying on me???" the thug demands, while making himself presentable again. "Long enough to know you enjoyed it, you know you could have locked the door right?" Kuja taunts pointing to the giant lock on the door. "Shoot why didn't I think of that!!!!!!! you.....you're not gonna tell no one what you saw are ya???" the thug questions him, his eyes wide with panic. "Relax I'm not gonna rat you out, that is if you don't rat me out, the deal is simple let me go and I won't tell your boss that you left me to go do a flute solo and got caught, well do we have a deal?" Kuja offers, while trying not to burst into endless laughter. "Alright you win, I'll let you go..........by the way...how was i?" he concedes before asking a question that makes Kuja lose it. "Let's just say I've seen worse and that you're not among the worst of them............If he doesn't end up killing you, how about we have a few drinks sometime?" Kuja answers with a smile. "Yeah I'd like that............hey you're not bad at all, good luck to ya Kuja and don't underestimate the boss he's scary and he always seems to get what he wants..........." the guy warns Kuja, they then say goodbye before Kuja leaves the room and begins looking for a way out. Sarah carefully treads through the seemingly endless tunnels, seeking the ever elusive exit, she can't even begin to guess where exactly she is, but she knows that moving forward is her only option. Before long she begins to feel fatigue rearing it's ugly head, struggling to stand she leans against a wall for support, after catching her breath she pushes onward only to collapse a few moments later. Chapter VII: A Narrow Escape and Pursuit to Follow Spoiler: click to toggle Having eluded his captor, Kuja continues his escape from the underground tunnels, he soon finds himself quite lost, all the tunnels seem to look the same and he decides to stop for a moment. "All these tunnels..........I'm not even sure if I'm even going the right way.....is there even a right way?" He rips himself from his thoughts and presses onward, after walking for what seems like hours he spies someone laying face down in the dirt floor a few feet ahead, he runs up to them to see who it is. "Hm now who do we have here?" he wonders aloud, before turning them over, upon seeing their face he gasps in stunned surprise. "Sarah?? Hey wake up!!, Come on don't do this to me....." He pleads with her, shaking her gently, she stirs and opens her eyes slowly. "Ugh....W-Who's there?...So dark....C-Can't see..." She mumbles silently. "It's Kuja....how did you manage to escape?, I'd think they would've had you under lock and key..." He tells her, before helping her up to her feet. "I was surprised myself, they left me alone in a dingy little room, I summoned an Eidolon to aid in my escape and there were no guards waiting outside at all...so I made my way down the tunnels before bumping into Beatrix." She explains carefully. "Beatrix found you?, then why isn't she with you....that doesn't sound like her to leave you all alone..." He replies. "She wanted to stay with me, but I ordered her to lead her squad in finding you....but as luck would have it you ended up finding me instead, Come Kuja we must escape together." She answer with a relieved smile. "You sure you're up for it?, I could......carry you the rest of the way?" He offers. "Perhaps you should, I wouldn't want to collapse like that again, thank you.......Kuja." She accepts, he picks her up and holds her in his arms in front of him, the two then move onward. "Lady Beatrix, we've covered almost the entire complex of these tunnels and there's no sign of anyone down here besides us, what should we do now?" A Female Soldier asks a deep in though Beatrix. "This is bad, no sign of Kuja or anyone at all.........and we're running out of time.........what can I do? Majesty please be safe........." "Milady? did you hear what I said?" the soldier asks again. "Hm.......Oh forgive me I was just thinking.....What was it you asked me again?" Beatrix states apologetically. The soldier repeats herself, Beatrix frowns before answering her, for she knows that time is of the essence. "There is little point staying down here, perhaps Kuja was able to escape just as her majesty the Queen was able, Attention Troop!!!! Your orders are to retreat to the surface, we'll then plan our next move once we're out of these tunnels, that is all Move out!!!!" Beatrix announces followed by a salute, the troops nod and return her salute before carrying out their orders. "These Tunnels are extensive, far more than I could have ever conceived, but alas we will find our way out..." She later states to herself as she follows behind her squad. Meanwhile Sarah and Kuja finally manage to make it out of the tunnels, the soon find themselves in a wine cellar, there are voices speaking from above them as well, faint muffled voices and the occasional laughter can clearly be heard. "From the sound of it we must be right below somewhere with people, but whether or not these people are friendly remains to be seen...still it's our only way out." Kuja whispers while looking at Sarah. "We've gotten this far, let us see our way through together, I think I can walk from here......" She replies, he nods and puts her down gently. They then carefully head out of the cellar and find a set of stone steps leading upward, Kuja takes the lead and slowly ascends the stairs, not quite certain of where they might lead nor what danger could be lurking beyond. Elsewhere in the basement of the Mini Theater, Beatrix and her squad emerge from the endless tunnels, they swiftly climb the ladder leading into the theater where a somewhat bored Ruby is waiting. "Wot the.......oh well tan my hide and call me a Chocobo!!, wot are you gals doing coming outta my basement so soon, and where's Sarah didn't ya'll find her down there?" Ruby asks them with a curious grin. "We found her majesty, but she insisted that I remain with the squad, in fact I'm beginning to regret following that order even now...." Beatrix answer with a worried sigh. "Sounds like Sarah to me, always going off on her own, trying to prove she's not some pampered princess, even though technically she's a Queen now." Ruby states with a chuckle. "Please give me some good news Ruby, what have you been able to uncover?" Beatrix requests in a exhausted tone. "Well I was able to discover that Zidane is in fact behind all of this, and he's also the leader of a no good gang of thugs that call themselves the 'Crimson Daggers'." She reports. "Odd...I've never heard of them before, perhaps he formed it recently, if so then there's only one thing he could possibly be planning to do..." Beatrix states, narrowing her eyes. "It might not mean nothing but, if I was him I'd take over the town and then set my sights on the castle...wait you don't suppose?" Ruby voices her opinion. "You may be on to something, Troops!, we must secure the town before they make their move, providing they haven't yet...Move out!!" Beatrix declares her orders, the troops leave the theater and await their leader outside. "Ya know...It might be a better Idea to make sure Sarah and Kuja are alright before ya go trying to secure the town, but hey I'm just a theater owner so what do I really know about nothing." Ruby suggests while she begins sweeping the stone floor with a straw broom. "Nonsense, your works ring true with me, I'm worried about them, and even if it's against her majesty's wishes I cannot simply go on about my other duties, not knowing if she is safe or not......Thank you Ruby, I've decided to follow my heart and seek out my liege." Beatrix informs her, smiling. "There ya go, now if yer wondering where's the best place to start looking, try the tavern and see if Ashley is hanging around, if anybody knows what's going down it'd be him." Ruby tells her, Beatrix thanks her and leaves the theater, she then tells her squad to patrol the town and to be on the lookout for any suspicious characters, they agree and split up into two groups and head in opposite directions. The voices grow louder as Kuja and Sarah climb the well worn stone steps, they soon end just outside a dark wooden door, pale light shines through what appears to be a small keyhole in the door, leaning over Kuja decides to take a peek through it. "Well?, what do you see?" Sarah demands in a low whisper. "Shh, just hang on for a second....hey this place looks familiar..." he replies. "Sorry......it's just I'm so anxious, we've barely escaped certain disaster, and now there could be even greater danger just beyond that door, which is our only means of escape." She apologizes. "Well it's a good news, bad news scenario, good news is we're inside the tavern, bad news is I know for a fact this door is always locked for obvious reasons...." he informs her. "Can't you just....blast the door open?" She asks him without hesitation. "Whoa!! I can't just go around busting doors, I have a reputation to keep ya know." he states smirking. "If you won't do it then kindly move out of my way!!, I'll summon for some help." she tells him point blank. "Tch fine you win I'll do it, but if anyone asks and is wanting me to pay for it then you're footing the bill..." He concedes. "Fine by me, anything to get out of here!!" She exclaims before getting a safe distance back. Kuja shakes his head before holding his hands out in front of him, he chants a few words as flames begin to manifest in front of him, upon completing the spell he shouts the final part and blasts the door with all his might. The thick heavy door flies off it's hinges and crashes into a far wall, this sudden event frightens everyone in the tavern causing them to scream and shout in shock, Kuja signals to Sarah that the coast is clear, she smiles her satisfied smile as she climbs the stairs behind him. "What's going on here!!, aw and just look what ya did to me cellar door, do ye have any idea how much one of those costs now?" A frantic Ashley demands as Kuja enters the main room of the tavern, Sarah soon appears behind him. "Forgive us Ashley but we had no choice, worry not about replacing the door, I will gladly pay for any damage that was caused." Sarah tells him. "I know better than to argue with a Queen, I'm sure you had yer reasons, and I also know better than to ask what they could be..." he says, sighing. "I know this might not be the best time for it but, mind if I grab a quick drink before we get moving again?" Kuja asks Sarah. "Not at all, In fact I could use something to take the edge off myself...Ashley!, a bottle of your finest red wine, put it on my tab." She orders. "Coming right up yer highness, can I get ya anything else?" Ashley answers. "No that will do, thank you." She states. The pair find a vacant table and take a seat on opposite sides of each other, Kuja then looks around at the other patrons to see if he recognizes any of them, aside from the everyday regulars there doesn't appear to be anyone out of the ordinary there. "Looking for someone?, or are you really that nervous?" she asks him. "Ha as if I'd be nervous, and no I'm not looking for anyone, he's probably long gone by now...." he answers. "He?" she says, looking at him carefully. "Just this guy I met.......no one special, I promised him I'd buy him a drink...that's all..." he tells her reluctantly. "Hm If I didn't know any better I'd assume he was rather special to you, don't fret Kuja, if he has any sense he'll take you up on that offer sooner or later." She assures him with a grin. "It's not like that....seriously we're just casual acquaintances, nothing more....why are you looking at me like that, s-stop it you're creeping me out..." he states, blushing slightly. "Relax Kuja, I was just kidding....besides your love life is none of my concern, but I will say that you have my support regardless." she tells him, placing a hand over one of his, which leads him to shiver. Their wine soon arrives and Kuja pours some into two glasses, he then hands one of them to Sarah, he makes an appropriate toast and they clang their glasses together before taking a swig. They no sooner get to a second glass before Beatrix enters the tavern, she sees them almost immediately and races over to them. "Your majesty and Kuja!!, you're both safe thank God!!" she exclaims happily. "Beatrix am I glad to see you, please sit down and have a drink with us?" Sarah tells her with a warm smile. "Are you sure this is the best time to be drinking?, we could be in for a lot more trouble...but I must admit a drink sounds wonderful right about now... very well I'll have one." Beatrix agrees, taking a nearby seat. "Sorry I wasted your time, but I do appreciate the fact that you were looking for me." Kuja states, taking a sip from his nearly empty glass. "Don't be silly, I could never leave someone in trouble stranded, it goes against the Knight's code of honor, plus her highness insisted that I help search for you and that was more than enough." Beatrix tells him, holding her glass in the air. "Beatrix have you found out anything further regarding all of this?" Sarah questions her suddenly. "Yes, it seems Zidane is the mastermind behind all the recent incidents, and from what Ruby tells me he's also the leader of a group of criminals that call themselves the 'Crimson Daggers'." She answers, taking a sip from her half empty glass. "So he's formed a group already, then he's surely planning an overtaking, perhaps we should grab Opal and head back to the castle to plan our next move?" Kuja suggests. "I agree, we cannot stay here where anyone is liable to overhear us, Lady Beatrix...I'm sorry I sent you away before, please I'd be honored if you would accompany us." Sarah humbly requests. "You've done nothing to apologize for my Queen, and it would make me most proud to go with you." she accepts, finishing her drink. The trio prepares to leave the tavern, but before they can even set foot outside one of Beatrix's soldiers comes rushing into the place, she appears to be quite frantic and upset. "Lady Beatrix!!, I'm afraid I have the most horrible news to report, The Crimson Daggers have already closed the gates leading out of town and are poised to start shutting the entire town down, it's only a matter of time before they set their sights on the castle...Milady what are we to do now?" she informs everyone. "This is going from bad to worse....very well let us withdraw into the castle we'll make our stand there and hopefully drive these bandits out!!" Beatrix declares, before she and the others race out of the tavern, they stop at Doctor Tot's house long enough to warn him about the situation and to collect Opal, before returning to the castle. Chapter VIII: Looking Beyond The Mask He Wears Spoiler: click to toggle What would later be known as it's darkest hour, all of Alexandria seemed to come to a screeching halt, everyone was banished into their houses or buildings where they did business in order to keep the criminal syndicate from destroying them. It was almost like a dark cloud had covered the entire town in fear and grave uncertainty, the soldiers were the only people who still walked the otherwise vacant streets and alleyways where others had been loitering mere moments ago, and though they tried to keep the peace it was only a matter of time before the enemy picked them off like insects. Back at the castle our heroes quickly regroup and hold a meeting in the throne room, they all have worried expressions save for the cheerful smile on little Opal's face, the others fully grasp the severity of the situation at hand all too well, time seems to have run short for them all. "This is it!!!, we have to put an end to this unrest before it turns into all out mutiny." Steiner exclaims frantically. "I agree, this has gone too far, we are Alexandrians!! We shan't be overrun by mere bandits." Beatrix adds proudly. "Shall I rally the troops and send these clowns packing out of town?" Steiner inquires with a sense of urgency. "You'd only be wasting your time.........Zidane is here and he's not gonna just go away because you want him to, the only way to end this is to confront him." Kuja states grimly. "I Fear he may be right Steiner, we can't risk any more lives, I must........face him alone......" Sarah concludes, her dark brown eyes falling to the floor. "No my Queen it's far too dangerous!! Please let us Knights handle that scoundrel!!!" Steiner begs her to reconsider, but she merely shakes her head. "I'm the one he's after, me and my daughter....so it's only fair that I be the one to face him." She later adds. "This bickering isn't getting us anywhere, we should all make a united front and face him together, understand Sarah? this isn't the time for heroics......" Kuja informs her. "Perhaps you're right, Forgive me everyone....I guess I wasn't being rational, at any rate he's surely planning to take the castle tonight, we must make our stand when he makes his move." Sarah concedes. "On my Honor, I'll not allow him or anyone else to harm you or Lady Opal, I would gladly lay down my life for both of you." Beatrix vows solemnly. "That goes double for me, the two of us combined should be more than a match for any ruffian." Steiner offers, bowing. "Thank you..........both of you, your unyielding devotion to me means so much...........but I fear this might put it to the ultimate test..." Sarah states graciously, as she tries in vain to mask the fear in her voice. "Well now that we're all agreed , what's the battle plan? are we gonna hit them with everything we got or what?" Kuja asks crossing his arms out in front of his chest. "We aren't going to do anything.............at least not right away, I want to hear him out, I have to know why he went to all this trouble......" Sarah answers gritting her teeth. "Ah a sound plan, once he's explained himself we'll put a stop to his misdeeds." Steiner boasts confidently. "Don't get ahead of yourself Steiner, things could go from bad to worse at the drop of a hat, we must be prepared for the latter........" Beatrix scolds him. "Enough!! He'll be here soon we must hurry and make ready for his arrival.......Please be careful everyone." Sarah shouts. Everyone then goes their separate ways in preparation for what they think is to come, but nothing could have ever prepared any of them for what did unfold next..........blissfully unaware the residents of Alexandria were, for what was about to happen was merely the beginning of their nightmare. After the preparations were complete everyone went to their designated battle stations, Sarah sat upon her throne, the perfect bait, Opal was safely tucked into her bed, fast asleep. As for Beatrix and Steiner, they stood at opposite ends of the massive front entryway leading into the castle, Kuja on the other hand chose to keep watch over Opal, he figured it was the easiest thing to be done. There Sarah sat, counting the minutes, even the seconds as they slowly ticked away, waiting for him to arrive, eagerly looking forward to an explanation, she wouldn't wait much longer before Zidane finally appeared before her through an open window. He now sported a red silk cape, with the symbol of his gang of ne'er-do-wells, pale moonlight shone through the breached window, catching his eyes, his cold, seemingly dead eyes. "So you came for me....just as I anticipated, We're alone so you can speak freely......what do you really want from me?" She demands firmly. "Wouldn't you like to know.........but I'm feeling generous tonight so I'll tell you. I want......revenge, for what you've done, for what you've all done!!!!!" He answers bitterly. "What do you mean? What have I ever done to you........Y-You're the one who betrayed me, and then you left for over six years and never told a soul........so if anyone should want revenge it should be me!!!" She screams at him, her anger and hurt beginning to bubble to the surface. "Hah I don't give a damn about any of that!!!! No what I seek retribution for is on a much grander scale, what you fools did.....you had no business doing!!!" He growls furiously at her. "W-What are you?..............you're not human at all..........." She whimpers, cowering into her cushions. "What I am is the least of your worries, rather you would do well to concern yourself with what I'm planning to do with you........I'm sure you won't like it at all........." he informs her coldly, she shivers upon hearing his response. "So that's it.......You want to kill me is that it?" She questions him, almost dreading the answer. "You wouldn't get it even if I told you, so I won't waste my breath, instead I'll take from you that which is rightfully mine, then I'll destroy this wretched kingdom!!! I'll banish it into Oblivion!!!!" He replies cackling maniacally. "I won't let you take MY Daughter!!!! You hear me!!! NEVER!!!!!!!" She screams frantically at him. "You can't stop me.........nothing can, you'd only delay the inevitable......" He informs her with a wicked grin. "You're Wrong!!! I can.....and will stop you even if it costs me my life!!!!!" She shrieks at him as she conjures all her might into summoning The King of Dragons: Bahamut. In a blazing flash of energy, Bahamut appears before her, filling the entire room, Zidane doesn't even flinch. The massive dragon snarls at him and emits a ear shattering bellow, again Zidane doesn't seem the least bit phased. "Is that all you got? fine hit me with your best shot......that is IF you even can........" He challenges her, his evil smirk never fading. "Bahamut I command you..........Destroy him at once, show him the power of your Mega Flare!!!!!!" Sarah orders, the dragon accepts her command and opens it's mouth as it gathers energy. "When will you fools learn your place........these powers are far too much for you, but fear not for I shall strip all of you of them once and for all!!!" He states merely laughing at her right before the dragon unleashes it's most devastating attack. The entire room flashes bright with light, Sarah covers her eyes until the light fades, when she looks over where Zidane was standing she soon discovers that he's no longer standing there. "Could Bahamut really have done him in.............no there's nothing there, no shred of remains which means he likely avoided the attack and used the opportunity to escape, oh no!!!! Opal I must get to her before he does!!!!!" Sarah thinks aloud, she dismisses her Eidolon before scrambling toward Opal's bedroom. Meanwhile at the front doors, Steiner and Beatrix, who were expecting to face a swarm of bandits are astonished to discover that no one appears to be coming to storm the castle, they soon wonder if the enemy was ever really plotting a direct approach. "It's far too quiet, it almost leads one to think that we've been set up, waiting for the brunt of the enemy forces that were never intent on storming the castle tonight." Steiner concludes shaking his head. "Perhaps you are right, but Zidane could still sneak into the castle if he wanted to....." Beatrix nods in agreement. "Well I say we retreat into the main hall and keep watch from inside where it's warmer?" Steiner suggests, shivering a little. "Very well, it would appear our enemy isn't coming anytime soon, plus they could be watching us from a distance, if so then retreating inside would perhaps deceive them into a false sense of security and they might even decide to attack." She concurs, they two of them then head inside and make a unusual discovery. "Uncle Koojah.......why are yoo sitting there staring at me......it's kindwa kweepy......" A half asleep Opal asks, rubbing her tired eyes. "It's nothing, 'mommy's' orders........now you get back to sleep, little girls shouldn't be awake this late at night." Kuja replies followed by a chuckle. "Awww but I wanted yoo to weed me a bed twime story.......Mommy always weeds the won abowt the Pwincess that gets kidnapped by a group of thieves, Mommy said they were pwetending to be actwors that put on a pway." She whines cutely. "Heh that's based on a true story you know, but I think you're still a little young yet to know who that tale is based on........" He answers, smiling. "Pwease!!! Uncle Koojah won't yoo just weed won chaptwer?" The little girl pleads. "Alright, but only because I'm such a nice guy.......now where does 'Mommy' keep this book?" He requests giving in to her demands. "Yayyyy!! It's the big wed bwook on the top of my bwookshelf, yoo're the best Uncle Koojah!!!" She informs him happily. Kuja merely sighs before grabbing the requested book, upon opening it he recognizes the writing right away, it would appear Sarah wrote this 'Bed Time' story personally, basing it on when she was abducted by Tantalus when she was running away from the castle some seven years ago. He is only able to read the first half of the first chapter before Opal is fast asleep once more, once he notices her sleeping he quietly closes the book and puts it back before taking his seat across from her bed again. "She looks like an angel when she's asleep.........It's up to me to keep her safe, but what if I can't? Nah I ain't gonna think like that, whatever Zidane has planned, bring it on, I won't let him take her without one hell of a fight!!!" Sarahs mind is racing faster than the rest of her body is as she sprints toward Opal's room, panting hard she almost falls over, but manages to grab a massive stone pillar where she stops to momentarily catch her breath. "I......must get..........to......Opal.......Before.......It's......too late....." She utters in barely a whisper, as she conjures all of her strength to press onward. She eventually reaches the hallway leading to her daughter's bedroom, but something just outside the door catches her eye, it appears to be someone wearing a dark hooded cloak, she tries to scream at them to get away from that door but no sound escapes her lips. Before she can attempt to scream at it again the figure turns around to face her, evil laughter suddenly echoes down the hall at her, sounding as though it were coming from all directions. "What are you doing??? G-Go away!!!!" She finally manages to shout. The figure says nothing in response but instead vanishes into thin air, Sarah rushes over to where it had been standing mere moments ago, the air right in front of the door was cold as ice, a strong shiver is sent down her spine from the feeling of the arctic air hitting her flesh, like a blizzard wind. "So cold.........Brr!!!! What Was that.........thing?" she ponders for a moment before shaking off the creepy feeling she was getting before. "Opal is just beyond this door.......I hope I'm not too late." She prays, before entering the room. Chapter IX: Running Away With Fate Close Behind COMING SOON!!! Edited by PathToTheDusk, Sep 9 2011, 02:35 AM.
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| Unforgiven | Apr 5 2011, 01:05 AM Post #9 |
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Burning Angel
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Keep up the great work ^.^ |
| ~Downed but not out, here i am a coming back~ | |
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10:51 AM Jul 11