My name is Erica. I got up every morning wished to be taken somewhere far. Then my alarm would go off, a rude awakening. My life consisted of school, and sleep. Every night I dreamt of magic, I wish for it. This is before someone found me. He made me fall in love.
Chapter 1:
First star I see tonight I wish I may...
It was a cold December night. I felt particularly alone tonight. I looked to the sky to make a wish. There was only one star out, the North Star. So, I made a wish. A wish to be taken away, far away. I saw little white specks. They looked like fireflies. Then all of a sudden they disappeared. Mom pulled me back to the house. It was late so I went to bed.
Chapter 2:
The New World
I woke up the next day, everything was different. There was no computer. A bigger bed, the walls were clearly wood. I couldn’t believe what I saw next. I looked out the window. I jumped back. There were clouds racing past the window. I guess he heard the crash, because he rushed in. He gently picked me up off the floor. His hair was a cross between dirty blond, and blond. His pants were tight at the waist, loose at the knees, (no dought for agility,) tight again at the ankle. He had an undershirt with a blue wind breaker. He had a tannish, furry tail. That’s not what surprised me though. It was his face. It was a pure, baby, angel boy face. He wasn’t smiling though, he looked very concerned. “Are you alright?” He asked. I didn’t answer, I was to busy studying him. Finally I asked “What’s your name?” “Me, my name is…” He stopped so did my heart “Chris.” He finished. “Well?” He asked. I nodded my head. Chris tilted his head questioningly. “I’m FINE” I screamed back. I had a feeling that was bad. But he just laughed. “You’re forgiving.” I murmured. “I have to be, to get a girlfriend.” He remarked. “What’s THAT supposed to mean?! I screamed back. He just laughed more. I started laughing to. Suddenly he got serious. It scared me, a lot. “Do you know where you are?” he asked. Why did he have to ask?
Chapter 3
A land unknown
“No… I was starting to feel better! Why did you have to ask? HUH!” I screamed. His pretty face didn’t matter anymore. I was too angry for it. “Whoa, I didn’t mean to anger you that much, at least not now.” He was mumbling, but I knew he wanted me to hear. “Then exactly what were you trying to do? Ah, let’s see here, scare me, make me happy maybe, I don’t know maybe you wanted to seduce me, no, I won’t flatter myself,” I was screaming when Chris finally butted in. “Okay, first thing you wouldn’t be flattering yourself. Second of all, why would I want to scare you? And lastly, you’d have to be CRAZY to be happy about not knowing where you were.” I interrupted him by screaming “Now I’m crazy?! HOW DARE YOU?!” Now his screams matched mine. I blacked out. I didn’t know what I was saying now, but my mouth hurt. Suddenly I realized what I was doing. Here was this cute boy basically telling me that I’m perfect for him, and here I was yelling his ear off. I stopped in mid word (In case you were wondering what the word was it was incompetent). I just stood there, mouth wide open. I looked like an idiot. “Where am I?” I more whispered than said. “I’m… ready to listen now.” “I don’t know if I want to tell you. Ah heck with it. Planet geia, right now we’re over Lindblum square. I don’t appreciate loosing an ear, you know. One good thing though, you’ve sure got a nice yelling voice. Aren’t you going to yell? You did last time I gave you a compliment.” He seemed to go on and on. He didn’t seem angry anymore either. I was glad of that. For the first time in what seemed like ages I just listened. No sound was coming out of me, no way.
Chapter 4
A guy named Baku
There was a loud roaring as I rolled off the bed. The entire room shook. “Home!” Chris cried out as he caught me from falling to the floor. I tried to keep my mouth shut but, I kept staggering my thanks. After he stood me up, two men walked in the door. One was fat, he had signs of trying to grow a beard, but all he had was a few whiskers. He was bald, but the other one was skinny and had red hair. His face was cleanly shaved. The sight of them surprised me and I hid behind Chris. He dragged me out from behind him and told me that they were his friends. Cinna and Blank. “They scared me.” I explained. “I was pretty scared first time I saw Cinna to.” Chris joked. Cinna and Blank looked at each other, and Blank started to laugh. “Man that hurts. I wash up every morning to, you know.” Cinna shot back, “let’s go, Baku’s waiting.” They all left the room. I didn’t know who Baku was so why would he want me to go? Chris came back in the room. He had just realized that I don’t follow him everywhere he goes. There was a look of sheer surprise, on his face. He was acting as if he was very angry at first, but when he saw I wasn’t fooled he just laughed. “Aren’t you coming? I’m sure Baku’s very excited about meeting you.” Chris asked me. I was going to say what, but in mid word Chris grabbed my hand, and practically pulled me out of the room. I couldn’t help but to start laughing out loud. We reached a big door that said ENGINE ROOM on the front. Chris was still pulling me along because I couldn’t stop laughing, and I couldn’t stand up. He put me up against the wall. He told me to try to calm down, and I did… for about two minutes. Then I started giggling. He told me again. This time I gained control over myself. The others thought that Chris gave me drugs. I was completely calm when I saw Baku though. He told me I was to see Regent Cid and he shooed us away.
Chapter 5
Lindblum
When we got outside I was amazed. Here was this big city and I was to see the regent! Chris took me elsewhere first though. We went to the hotel and got a room. We went to the theatre district to see a play. And then we went to the castle. Regent said lots of strange things like, how he missed me. And that I was his niece. He hired the group of Tantalus to kidnap me. Only so I would be safe. The Regent also, by the way, was an oglop. He insisted I stay in the castle, as it is dangerous outside the walls. He called a banquet. Everyone ate and ate. Afterwards when it was time for him to leave, Chris told me he was heading down to the pub for some REAL food, I asked to go with him. It was then that I realized something. I had a princess sort of accent. “Look Garnet, you’re a princess, I’m a thief how would that look.” Chris asked me. I stood and pouted then I realized what he called me. Garnet. “Garnet is not my name. It is Erica.” He told me that I should get some sleep. That I would remember in the morning. But I knew perfectly well what happened in my past. Dad died when I was six… We moved to Virginia… The nightmare group moved in…We went to dinner I made a…I made a wish. I saw white glittery things. That was it!! The wish must have come true! But how to get back… how to want to go back. I strolled up to the top of the castle watched the people. Watched Chris, down the stairs, into the trolley. To the business district, into the pub. I wished I was with him. For now I was thourowly depressed. I went back inside and for the first, but not the last time these years I cried.
Chapter 6
“I came to see you”
The next morning I had a bad back ache. The beds were as soft as rocks, and I had slept only for an hour. The maids were careful to ensure that I was warm, that I slept well, and that I was there. I wished I could go home, or to be with Chris…naught happened. I went to the banquet hall starved, and left not different. I had a slice of grapefruit that I couldn’t eat without choking I wished more than ever to leave that torture when Chris came up the stairs. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and blinked… there he was, he was real! “What are you doing here?” I asked. He just stared at me unbelievingly that’s when I realized that I was now wearing a light blue silk dress with white fasinings. Finally he seemed to wake out of a long trance and informed me that he was to show me around town. He seemed to be able to tell that I was starving so he quickly added, “And maybe get a bite to eat.” Those three words brought so much joy into my heart…bite to eat. He went to lead me out but I knew that if I wore my gown it would be an upstart so I asked him if he could wait while I changed. Upstairs I looked in my wardrobe… nothing but gowns in the whole lot. I decided to where some clothing Chris thought I might need and headed back downstairs. There the regent Cid was asking why Chris was there. He said that he was here to see Garnet; he saw me come down the steps and said “I came to see you…right.” “Yes Uncle Cid he is to show me around town.” I couldn’t help but smile. Uncle Cid didn’t seem to mind. So we left.
Chapter 7
The best food ever made is here
When we left the castle there seemed to be something on Chris’s mind then just getting to the tavern but when I asked him what it was he just said it was old memories, and dreams. Finally we made it to the tavern. All of a sudden Chris turned to me and said “The best food ever made, is made here.” He looked at the board for specials. It was in a language I did not know, so I asked him what the special was. “Mog skin on a stick.” he said teasingly, I started to protest because from a book I knew that a mog was a little cat with wings that I had started to call catbats. “Actually it’s white clam chowder.” He looked disappointed that I protested but he soon recuperated. When we went in we were the only ones there… I felt as if I was on a date. “Hey bartender I’ll have a hamburger and Gar-urg Erica will have,” he softly asked me what I wanted; I told him I wanted the special. “The special.” The guy told us he’d have it made quick. I looked around. There was a bar that we were sitting at. Long and narrow, with a marble top. Behind me were four sets of tables. The stools at the bar were red and, silver. I spotted Chris watching me, just watching. That’s when the meal came. Neither of us talked much, just an occasional “this is good.” From me, and a “how do you like the food?” from Chris. When we left I noticed that we weren’t heading towards the castle. I didn’t know where we were going but I also didn’t want Chris to think I didn’t trust him, so I kept silent as we walked. Chris noticed something was on my mind and he asked me what it was. I was tempted to say old memories and dreams but I didn’t I told the truth. That I didn’t have a clue where we were going, I also made sure he knew I wasn’t worried. He told me to just follow and that he was going to introduce me to his friends. We ended up in the theatre district. Here there were lots of people so I stayed closer to Chris than usual. I felt a tug at my arm and knew it wasn’t Chris. I looked toward the thing; it ducked out of my sight. I figured it was gone when it tugged again this time it hurt. I went to the other side of Chris. Again it happened different arm but more powerful and painful. I let out a gasp and Chris noticed that my arms were red. He pulled me in front of him so I wouldn’t be harmed again. He whispered that if it happens again to tell him. It happened again. I leaned against Chris to let him know. Chris grabbed the hand that was around my wrist. Pulled up the slouching thing and up came a red face. Chris slapped him and told him not to do it again. The person ran away. “Who was that Chris?” I asked. He told me it was just some beggar who likes to rape women. I was shocked. The only reason I kept moving was because Chris was helping me.
Chapter 8
They aren’t here
Chris looked all around the old house. It had a table in the middle but no chairs. There were old bunk beds in the top left corner and little incoves on the right most wall. The entire place was in dire need of dusting. Finally Chris announced rather loudly that they weren’t there, then he whispered “I think” into my ear. No one jumped out as he anticipated. He then checked the top bunk; he picked something out from the sheets. “Uh Oh this ain’t good.” Chris murmured. “What’s not good?” I couldn’t help but ask my questions. Chris didn’t answer right away but figured I’d be safe to tell. “We keep our money there on the top bunk. We only take it down to bet with. They promised not to gamble while I was gone yet the moneys missing and so are they. There is no card house in Lindblum so they didn’t take it there, Ruby’s planning on making a theatre house just down the road; maybe she took it! It would be safer if you wait in here… the road is dangerous for a beautiful princess such as yourself.” That’s when we had our second fight. With my “I’ll come!’’ and his “you’ll stay” we made quite a racket until he backed me into a corner and scared me half to death by slipping his hand into my shirt and on my back. That was his winning touch, for I was paralyzed. He left and locked the door behind him. Soon as I could move I tried to pick the lock. I wasn’t quite skilled enough yet. So I went and sat back in my corner. I sat for ten minutes when I heard the lock being successfully picked. I stood up thinking it was Chris back with the money. The door opened slowly a head peeked out…Not Chris the same beggar who had been pulling at my arm. Wait, didn’t Chris say he liked to rape women? He did. I tried to back up forgetting the wall was there. I looked around. No other way out. I had to fight…or delay. “Who are you?” I said anything I could think of. “Why are you here?” He just grinned a wicked grin. That won’t work. He started to walk closer to me. I looked around desperately for a weapon. There on the bottom bunk lay a rusted sword. I ran for it but the rapist blocked me off. I tried to get around but he grasped my arm again. I tried to ignore it…get the sword get it now! He squeezed harder. “Let go!” I cried desperately. Suddenly I realized he isn’t going to listen. I was going to be raped and I was telling him to stop. No I wouldn’t let that happen. I jerked my hand away. Amazingly it worked. I ran again for the sword and picked it up. It was heavy to heavy for me. Yet I picked it up and cut the man’s shoulder. He froze unable to believe that I cut him. I cut his other shoulder and wanted to hurl. Blood real blood. I dropped the sword and sat feeling nauseas. The man no longer stunned took his chance he pushed me down but as he tried to unzip his pants Chris grabbed him by the hair and flung him away from me. He offered me his hand and as he pulled me up he said “I’m back!” I couldn’t believe that he was making a joke at a time like this. The man had the sword I dropped and was running at Chris with it. I screamed and Chris turned around and curved the sword into the old bed. Shock again hit this man and Chris took advantage; he pulled the guy outside, called for a guard and threw him out. I asked if Ruby was there with the money. “Ruby was there, the money wasn’t. She told me of a robbery. Ruby herself almost got stolen. No money left.” Chris looked so worried. It made me want to cry, but even more I wanted to help. Without even realizing I did it I declared “I want to help too.” Then I realized what I said. “All I need is a light weight sword. One even I can control.” Chris shook his head. “No.” was all he said on the subject. I was more determined then he knew. Normally I wouldn’t talk back about something like this but this was an exception. “Yes, I will and you can’t stop me so it would be in your best interests to help me help you.” I had said this so sternly that Chris sat down. “Oh, is that right? I kept you in this house.” He said dignantly. “What makes you think I can’t keep you in the castle? Like I said before, no.” this was getting annoying. He had to add one thing before I could talk. “It’s too dangerous for you anyway.” This made me more angry than anything else could, I was not a baby. “As for your keeping me in here I’ll acknowledge that, but look what happened!” I said, pointing to the sword. “And as for it being to dangerous, well, I am not a baby! And I will go with or without you. You bet all your life savings on that and get double what you earned!” There I had told him off. I did it for once. Chris was speechless. One last touch that’s all I need to change his mind, but what? “I think I should get back to the castle. Goodbye Chris.” Perfect! I started to walk out the door but I felt a hand around my wrist, strong yes, but it didn’t hurt like the other mans did. He wasn’t tugging at me. In fact he was walking with me. Not what I was expecting. Then I realized why he was coming, I didn’t know which way to go, and the rapist was still out. I was thankful he was coming even though I knew he would ask the regent not to let me out of the castle alone, or with someone I could manipulate. I sighed.
Chapter 9
Alexandria where’s that?
When we got to the castle I heard Chris talking to the regent, not a word about me not leaving the castle, but there was talk of my going to Alexandria Castle. Then out my window I saw Chris leave. Was I to help, is that why I am leaving? I went to bed exosted, worried, and excited. I woke up much the same. I went to the breakfast hall there was Uncle Cid. “Darling, please sit down.” Now I felt like a dog being commanded by the regent. I sat all the same. “Darling you’re going to go home today.” The regent told me. By now I didn’t know where home was anymore. “Home…” I tried to remember the conversation I had heard before. “Alexandria Castle? Home?” Regent Cid looked worried. “Yes dearest niece.” Now I was ready to hurl. All this darling and dearest, was getting on my nerves. I ignored that to the best of my ability. “Who is to accompany me on my trip…? Chris perhaps?” If you like, darling; is all he said. A plate of pancakes were placed in front me. I cut one up and ate a peace. Grapefruit pancakes. I didn’t eat. About ten minutes after I had stopped eating Regent Cid said he would go summon Chris so we could leave. The maids ushered me back to my room to get dressed in my best dress. (Meanwhile Chris is running around trying to find the one who stole the money) When I went back downstairs Chris was there. A big smile was on his face. Regent Cid must have told him he was requested. The regent showed us where there was a big airship. And waved as it took off.
Chapter 10
A close encounter
“Chris? Are you there? Chris, where exactly is Alexandria Castle? Chris are you Ok? Chris you there?” Chris poked his head out the door. “ Yes princess I’m here, and I am quite annoyed, now please let me sleep.” He more yawned these words more then said, or even muttered them. This angered me, but I knew better then to make him angry. I went to the driver, and asked him where exactly Alexandria was. No answer, this had to be bad for I knew that people from the castle have to answer me. I looked at the steering wheel. No hands. Nobody was controlling the ship! I checked the mans pulse. No beats. Dead? Is he dead? I ran for Chris’s room. When I got there I banged as hard as I could on the door. “WHAT IS IT!” Chris was obviously angry. When he saw the look on my face he calmed down a bit. For I was extremely worried, both that Chris would do something to me, and for the ship crashing. I was now angry also. “ First of all,” I said very calmly, “my name is Erica, not Garnet… and the pilot’s dead.” Chris had a look of sheer amazement. I led him to the pilot’s chamber. Now he was sprawled on the floor. There was a big rustle sound, I hid behind Chris. “Erica come here darling, its not safe there.” A voice said from behind the curtains. Chris didn’t let me move. “Erica please come where it’s safe. Just push him out of the way.” I found myself pushing. I told myself not to trust this voice but my body wouldn’t listen. “Chris help me!” I called out. I felt his arms around my waist. “Smart girl unfortunately. But she’ll come around to our way of thinking.” I gained control over myself again. “ How many are there? You tell me wench!” Chris was loosing control, anger took over him. “Hm No I don’t think so boy, you’ll figure it out!” then there was a big flash behind the curtains along with two words, you’ll see. Chris ran for the curtains. I tried to hold him back but I was no match for his arms. All of a sudden I knew what to do. “Chris calm yourself! The ship is uncontrolled, I don’t know how to control it.” Nothing happened. “Chris please help!” He snapped out of it, and ran for the wheel. “ You want to learn how to drive it Gar… urg Erica?” my life lit up “Oh yes please, oh would you teach me Chris?”
Chapter 11
Alexandria castle
When we landed there were lots of people around. Everyone one was asking for my autograph, and they kept calling me princess. Chris cleared a path and led me to the castle. It was big and stone. When we walked in there were red carpets down, and blue banners on the wall. When we got to the Queens room the queen was there. She wore a long dress, and looked as if she weighed two tons. Her face was blue; she had red lipstick, and purple eye-shadow. This blimp was queen Brahn. “Darling, Garnet, I’m glad your home from your vacation!” I wanted to hurl again. Yes I was here, but not home. “Uh, well, I guess your tired, Kuja, where is Steiner? She seemed to call to a tall thin man with white hair. “Waiting for her majesty, your majesty.” “Take Garnet to him would you dearest? Ah thank you.” I seemed to remember this castle in a distant memory, but Kuja wasn’t part of it. He took my arm, led me to the hall. It just didn’t seem right… I felt more like a servant then a princess. “I don’t remember you… refresh my memory please.” I asked, really meaning. I don’t know you get your hands off of me. He pulled at my arm and I heard Chris cry “Hey! Don’t you hurt her!” I looked back. I was so scared. This man didn’t seem nice, pleasant, or caring towards me at all. The man standing in the hall I knew though. Not me…Garnet. He rushed towards me, and pushed the scary man away. “Hello sir Steiner, I’m back!” I said automatically. Then I whispered “Get this guy away from me…” “I heard that princess.” He heard me; will he sneak into my room and kill me? Rape me perhaps? I shivered. “Its late princess let me escort you to Beatrix, as you know I am only aloud near your room with her. A woman with short curled brown hair walked up. Half of her hair covered one eye, the rest of her hair was held back by a white cloth. She carried a sword with red diamonds on it. She wore brown pants, with a white coat. “Hello princess, you look worried, what’s wrong? Steiner go guard the queen! Kuja… Go invent something! Now princess, what’s wrong?” She waited patiently. How I wished I could tell her everything, about the wish, the longing, the feeling, but I couldn’t. I just told her she couldn’t possibly understand…at least not now. She accepted that answer. She took me to my room. It was gigantic! I had a canopy bed, a bureau, a desk, a window and lots of space to live. I lay down on the bed. Soft as cats’ fur. I slept without a problem.
Chapter 12
Where are you going Chris?
I woke up the next day and Beatrix rushed in. “Time to get dressed princess! The thief is leaving, thank goodness.” she saw the look on my face. “You want to see him off don’t you…Well, you are the princess…We better hurry in order to see him off.” She smiled. She thought she figured out what was bothering me…she didn’t. I got dressed (or more she dressed me) and we went downstairs. Chris was on his way out. I tried to run, but stumbled in my heals. He heard the crash of one breaking and ran to catch me before I fell. He did this successfully. Before the guards could here me I whispered “Where are you going?” He stared at me. He saw that I’d miss him. “Home.” He whispered back. That’s when he got on the airship. I prayed that this driver wouldn’t die. “Chris…” “You’ll see me again soon princess.” The ship took off. I watched with tears in my eyes. Beatrix took me to the banquet hall. Garnet’s place used to be on Brahn’s right side. Now I was on the left side. Instead of me Kuja sat. After I ate I sat. Reading about mogs. It was utterly boring.
Chapter 13
What play? When?
“There’s going to be a play soon. It’s your favorite.” I tried to remember…play, favorite. Nothing came up. “What play?” I finally asked, then quickly added “When?” Beatrix laughed “In a week and it’s called I want to be your canary.” I was still tired, so Beatrix let me sleep. It was then that I gained ability to see things that have happened, and are happening. I had a dream.
Chapter 14
My powers in dreams
“Don’t you hurt her!” Chris yelled after me. “Don’t worry, she’s quite safe. Worry about yourself.” Brahn’s voice was cold and harsh. Whoa! Is this lady wound tight or what! I realized that I was in Chris’s memories. “I think I’ll spend the night at the pub. Bye.” Chris walked to the door. He found it to be locked. “Shit…” language, I thought. Then the doors swung open. “Thanks” he said and walked out. I blanked out. Then again I saw the castle, saw Regent Cid. Black out again. Then I saw the airship. Chris was talking to the crew. Three men that I didn’t know were there, Along with Baku Cinna and blank. It was like a movie I watched while Chris sat backwards on the chair. Blank had his legs crossed. “We are going to act in a play next week. Marcus and Ruby will be the beggar and Princess. During the first act, Chris will put sleeping weed in the tea. Chris what do you do next?” Chris shrugged and said “That’s when we kidnap the queen right?” “That’s right we’re going to kidnap the biggest ugliest fat ass bitch of the world… Be serious!” Baku seemed fed up with jokes. “Ok, Ok, that’s when we kidnap Eri…urg Garnet right?” “That’s right we’re going to kidnap the most babe-licouse beauty on the mist continent.” I blacked out.
Chapter 15
Reading reading reading reading
I got up and all I could remember was I want to be your canary. So I looked in the library for that play. There it was up on the top shelf. How prof. Tot tried to get to it! Wait whose prof. Tot? Oh well. I got it down and read it. An hour later it was finished. I read it again. I read it sixteen times. That’s when Kuja walked into the room. “Hello princess Garnet… or should I say Erica.” I gasped. “You like that thief don’t you? Well that’s too bad. He has an early end coming to him. I will ensure that.” He stroked his hand up the book case. “But then again…so do you.” He paused cruelly. “Do you know what that amulet is Erica? It allows you to summon. It also gives you limited telekinesis.” He started to walk towards me. I got up and tried to run. “There is no use running Erica. You can’t anyway.” It was then that I realized that I couldn’t move. “It’s not time yet, I just wanted you to know your powers so you can train them. Hahahahaha.” Then he disappeared and I went back to the seat, picked up the book and ran to Beatrix. (I didn’t know my way to my room.) I went to bed and dreamt about the play.
Chapter 16
The play…and escape plan
I woke up a week later. I knew that play by heart. Beatrix dressed me in a white hooped gown. It had what looked like vines growing on the breast. Beatrix left and I sat by the window. I watched as the doves flew around, and I gazed at my city. I closed my window and got an extra outfit, and a hooded cape. It was an orange jumper with white sleeves that were belled at the end. I tied it to my hoop. The cape was white with pink on the end of the hood, and on the sleeves. I added that to the jumper. I was now ready to escape! I left the room and Beatrix escorted me to Steiner, who in turn escorted me to my seat. The show started with a man in a kings suit Talked to us all. He looked quite like Baku. When he left three men walked on stage. First was a man with a bandana on his head. He called another man out. He looked a lot like Blank! Then the third man entered. Was it? Could it be? Is that Chris?! Indeed it looked so. The man who was “playing” Marcus led a cheer for his love Cornelia. They rushed out into a battle with the king. There were three big booms and the guards ran off the stage. The king stayed until Marcus cut him. He ran off too. Then the guy who looked like Blank said “Maybe Marcus shouldn’t marry Cornelia. Maybe she should marry the prince! Then peace would reign all through both of our kingdoms!” The guy who looked like Chris shouted back, “If all were so simple why, we would have no quarrels in this world! Marcus loves the princess! Why can’t he have her!?” The guy who looked like blank drew his sword, and tried to strike the Chris look alike. He guarded, and a fight began. After the fight both actors left the stage. I told the guards that I had to use the restroom and was finally safely alone. I changed clothing and ran for the door. I had the hood up just in case I met someone. As I ran I almost bumped into the Actor who looks like Chris. I just stood Praying he wouldn’t recognize me. He circled me, and examined me. “Do I know you?” I finally asked. He looked at my face and said “No I wouldn’t let such a pretty girl pass me by.” Now I knew it was really Chris. “I…I must go” I said swiftly and ran. “Catch her! Catch her! That’s her!” I could hear Chris’s shouts, but they were not getting any softer. I ran, not knowing where I was going. Out the main door up lots of stairs to the top of a tower. No way to go! Except down. I climbed up to the railing. Looked and saw Steiner on the other tower. I looked back and there he was right close. I grabbed a rope, smiled, and let myself fall backwards. Chris jumped too. He grabbed the end of the rope. We both fell through a tent. Him first. I ran left first, then right. In the room there was a girl in a princess dress. Behind her there were stairs. I said excuse me, but she got in my way. I heard Chris coming so I pushed my way through. I don’t know why but I stopped running to listen to their conversation. “What kinda cattle is she chasin Chris?” he tried to push through but couldn’t. “Just let me talk to her Ruby.” Ruby moved aside. I ran again. A door! I tried to open it but it was locked. So I pressed my back against it, I was scared to death. Chris came running down the steps, and said, “(huff, heave) Hi Gar…urg Erica. What’s wrong? I told ya I’d see ya soon. Hahahaha.” I was still scared. “Why were you running?” He was serious for once. I decided to answer him. “I’m trying to escape the castle… you act?” he wasn’t distracted. “Kuja’s not good news Chris.” I paused. “Now I have to stay don’t I?” I was now sad. Chris could tell. “No…actually I was planning on kidnapping you. This wasn’t the plan but it worked. What’s that sound?” It was true there were heavy feet running up above. It was Steiner. I tried the door again, still locked. Chris hadn’t a key. Cinna came out of some shadows. “Cinna! Do you have the key? I left mine in the engine room!” Cinna walked over and unlocked the door. Chris pushed me in. “It is a dead end!” Now I was thoroughly angry. Chris laughed and clapped; the table in the middle of the room popped up and opened a path. Chris jumped in and got ready to catch me. I jumped in and landed next to him. “Your oftly acrobatic for a princess. That’s too bad… it’s a waste.” I scowled. The next jump was higher. Chris jumped first. Then I tried, I would’ve landed on my butt had Chris not caught me. Then we ran into a room, Steiner was already there. “I’ll save you princess!” he seemed so sure of himself. A pluto night came down and said “Not if I can help it.” “You…Your not one of my nights!” “Duh” Chris looked angry. “You” Chris said, “can” Cinna said “leave” The night said. “The princess to us” they all said at the same time. Steiner pulled out his sword, so did my friends. I picked up a club and rushed in. Chris pushed me back. “I want to fight!” I said. “I don’t care if you want to fuck Cinna” Chris said. “Language Chris…” I muttered. Chris glared at me. “I’m fighting! You cannot stop me. I’m not a baby!” Chris glared again. Cinna threw me a sword. I missed it but picked it up off the ground. Just a little too heavy…I could deal with it. It was then that Blank let out lots of oglops. Everyone but Chris and me were hopping around. Chris shoved me onto a platform and pushed a button. As soon as he was on it, it went up. Steiner got on the other platform and went up.
Chapter 17
The meeting of kinds
When we got up Marcus was there. Fighting with the king. I found that I was the new Cornelia. Marcus said “Ah there is my love now.” And Baku said “Nonsense Cornelia is to marry Prince Gwen.” He pointed to Steiner. I immediately played my part. Marcus went to thrust his sword into the king and I jumped in and felt the sword go between my arm and my side. “Forgive me Marcus, I have been selfish. I still love my father.” Then I pretended to die. In the back of the audience there was a big ruckus. Up to the stage ran a young black mage. He stood behind me, and I heard Brahn whining about why Cornelia had to die. “(sob) Now where is that girl” Guards came up on the stage in front of me. The mage used a fire attack and instead of catching the guard on fire, he got me. I jumped up and flung off my burning cape.
Chapter 18
There’s gonna be trouble
“THERE SHE IS!” Brahn cried. I looked up. She was pointing a long, bony, blue finger at me. Chris grabbed my arm and said, “Time to go Princess.” I was tugged along but I didn’t laugh. Steiner stopped us before we got to the door. The others were busy fighting. The Black mage ran for us, and took out his staff. “Do something Garnet!” It only made sense that he call me Garnet in the castle. “Steiner, I command you to step aside.” I said this rather calmly. Steiner looked at me like I was going crazy. Then he frowned even deeper then usual. “I’m sorry princess but that’s an order I cannot obey.” Then he drew his sword. Chris winked at me. I knew that meant, go around Steiner. So we did. I picked up the mage. And we ran. I followed Chris. We got on the airship, and it looked like a clear ride. I was wrong. There was a big boom and a bomby came towards the ship. Steiner also got on the ship. We engaged in battle. This time I fought. Only with a club, but I could pick it up. I did the healing. When the Bomby got on the ship, Chris told Steiner to look behind him. “You don’t think I’ll fall for the oldest trick in the book do you? You imbecile.” “No Really Steiner There is a bomby behind you!” That didn’t work. He just attacked Chris. When he got back to his place the Bomby grew, and grew, and bumped Steiner in the back. He ran to our side. Between me and the mage. “Why didn’t you tell me Princess?” HE asked me. I growled. The bomby blew up and knocked a part of the ship off. The ship started all the same. I could see Brahn yelling at the guards. All of a sudden there was a hook in the side of the ship. The ship jerked and I almost fell off. I had to lie on the floor. Chris put his arms around me and made certain I wouldn’t fall off. Someone successfully cut the rope. We flew off over a forest, but the ship was still shaky. Chris let go for about two seconds and a fell off. I heard Chris shouting “Erica I’m coming!” Then I hit the ground and fainted. Again I dreamt.
Chapter 18
What’s up Chris?
“Ug, ah” Chris panted as he fell. Thump. “Where is she?” Chris asked himself violently, “And where’s the mage? Ah hell, where’s the ship!?” Language Chris. He started walking anywhere he could think of. Finally He arrived at the crashed ship. Baku was standing outside. Blank came out and informed him that everything was burning. “So put it out.” He said rather sarcastically. Chris jumped down the hill and met Marcus. “Where is Cinna? And the others…Have you found Garnet?” There was a huge amount of worry in his eyes, and voice. “No” Was all Marcus said. Across the field a man was complaining about how they would all be hanged for killing the princess. Baku went inside the ship. Chris went up to the place where we jumped into the mist room. There he found Cinna. “How am I supposed to sleep without my Garnet doll” Cinna said. Chris just left. That name bothered him now. All he could think of was, “She must be alive, she has to be…” He went to see if he could get Baku to send out a search team. When he found Baku, and asked, Baku looked worried. “I only worry about my boys, and she ain’t one of em.” Chris pleaded, but Baku said “No is no, and that is that.” Chris left almost in tears. He sat on the stairs to try to rid his mind of me. NO Chris! DON’T forget! SAVE ME! I was making a connection! Chris got up off the stairs and went outside. Looked out into the trees. Blank came out and said “You really miss her don’t you Chris? I hope she’s alive, I mean…” Chris got angry and I could feel the anger rising up, his and mine united they stood, angers. “I AM ALIVE! I shouted. It came out of Chris mouth mingled with his “SHE IS NOT DEAD!” Blank stood back, He knew I had powers untold, but he thought me dead. “Chris Go after her…your right she’s alive. But not for long if you don’t go…I can cover you about Baku, just go. That girl has a destiny, now go ensure it is fulfilled.” Blank headed towards the airship. He turned back once. “Hurry” he said. Chris ran into the woods. Lots of wolves. One attacked him, and the wolf waited to be included in a civilized battle. “Whoa cool” Chris said and drew his knife, It was broken. Chris had a spare and so he took it out. As he got ready to fight the wolf waited. When the battle began the wolf transformed. That was no wolf! That was a monster named the Hell Hound. Chris seemed unsurprised He raised his knife and cut into the beasts’ neck, blood spurted everywhere, but the demon was not dead. “This is how you kill a monster Erica, whether you can hear me or not. Please protect yourself until I get there…” Then he realized what he was doing. The monster attacked Chris and bit his leg. Chris cried out. The fangs were poisones. I felt the poison rush through him, I felt so helpless if only I could help… Chris raised his knife and stumbled towards the monster. “Take this you bastard.” I wanted to say language Chris but I couldn’t. The demon died and turned to dust. Chris tried to go back but couldn’t. He fainted. A mog came, his name was Stiltzskin and he healed Chris. The mog ran away before Chris awoke. The black mage showed up and recognized Chris, so he woke him up. Chris took the child back to the ship, on the way he asked the mage what his name was. “Blindanious Vivi, but you can call me Blind. I am a black mage and the princess has been kidnapped by a big plant thing… I can read your thoughts, me oh I’m about six.” Indeed Chris was wondering where I was, and about how old this kid was.
When they got to the ship Marcus took Blind away to a room for testing. Blank came out, he was all bruised. Chris knew why. Baku ran out of the ship all angry, this time we both knew why. Chris walked around Baku and into the hall. He went upstairs to where his room would have been, blown away… He sat on the stairs and thought, “I guess I can’t save her. Hm… Kidnapped by a plant thing… no imposable to get her back now.” There was a break of thoughts then, “What’s wrong with me? Here is this cute girl in trouble, and here I am. I’m supposed to be the rescuer of damsels in distress I have to save her… That means I will have to leave the group. Well it’s worth it.” Chris got up and went to the engine room that Baku’s always in. “I’m leavin boss. Got to save Garnet.” Baku frowned. “Will you be alright by yourself? I mean.” He added quickly. “You have to fight your way out, Come to the music room when you’re ready; oh I forgot we’ve got the knight in the junk closet.” Chris left and took a nap.
My concionceness left him and went to Baku. “Poor boy… Always told em love’ll kill him someday. Hahaha. Well, I guess it’s his choice… I will miss him though.”
Chris awoke and went downstairs. Baku was waiting. When Chris listened at the door he heard, “WAHHHHH…sniff sniff” and “Calm down Baku, he’ll be here soon… ah c’mon.” It stopped. Chris walked in. He had a new knife. “I’m ready.” He said confidently. Baku took out his sword. And it started. I didn’t want to see, this was like a battle between father and son. No matter who won there would always be guilt, anger, and pain. When the battle was over Baku declared himself beaten. He walked over to Chris and punched him one on his shoulder. Chris rubbed where he was punched. He pulled his punches till that last one…ow. “Go get the mage and the knight… like I’ve said a million other times, this is my last order to you. Chris walked up the stairs, but I made him look back.
When he got to Blinds room Blank was there.
“He was poisoned trying to save her.” Was what he said, knowing better then to say my name. He left leaving Chris and Blind alone. “Your pretty powerful for such a little boy, you know…” Chris stopped because Blind was staring. “What? Are you peeved at me for calling you little? Ah well, lets just cut to the chase. I’m going to save Gar…urg net.” Blind looked excited. “Ok then Mr. um whatever your name is, good luck bye!” Blind said enthusiastically. “Well actually I was hoping you’d come too.” Chris said hopefully. Blind just nodded. “Ok Mr. Chris I’ll come.” “WHOA no-one calls me mister, it’s just Chris.” Blind got up and went down to the hole in the wall at the second floor. Chris proceeded to the closet where Steiner was being held…he had been poisoned also. Chris walked in and said “Sit back down.” Before Steiner got up. “I’m going to go save the princess; this is your one and only offer. Take or leave?” He got up and grumbled something Chris couldn’t hear. “You, a thief, cannot possibly save the princess, I can however.” They both walked out.
I jumped to farther back, in Alexandria, I was with Blind. He was very excited, so excited that he was running to the ticket booth, he had a ticket to see the play! When he got to the booth and gave the man the ticket the man said, “Wait, there’s something wrong with this ticket.”
It read
FRONT SEAT
The show is about a princess who falls helplessly in love with Marcus the peasant. What will happen I wonder!
I WANT TO BE YOUR CROW
“Ha this is a fake, kid… Don’t Cry. Here take these cards and play cardman Jack to get a real one!” The man tried to be a tough guy but, he wasn’t. He couldn’t stand to see blind crying. He ran to look for cardman Jack. He bumped into a kid with an orange hat and found himself missing his ticket. He sighed and kept searching. Down by the blacksmith he bumped into the kid again. “HEY. You’re that kid with the fake ticket aren’t you!” The boy said. “…Yes, it’s fake.” The boy grimaced. “If you promise to be my slave for a while then I can get you to the play…well good see if any ones coming.” Blind looked back. No one was coming. So the boy took the latter and ran for the bell tower. “It’s dangerous going up this latter so you go first… to ensure it’s safe for ME.” Blind climbed up to the center when a mog fell threw and knocked Blind down. “OUCH!” Blind cried out. “Oh I forgot to tell you. That’s slave #1. Stiltzskin. Oh and you are…” He was asking a question, to a slave. “Blind… Blind Vivi.” The boy climbed up the tall latter with another latter in his hand. “In order to make this up to you I will come by when you or your friends need healing, kupo. I will notify my friends of you, and tell them to help out, kupo.” Blind was glad to know he had protection. “HEY get up here! Slave number two I told you to get you’re ass up here, now move! Blind climbed up without a word. When they got to the top the boy walked the boards. Blind stopped. “NOW what the matter? Your afraid of heights aren’t you? Just pretend you’re on solid ground. It won’t fall!” Blind walked across and didn’t fall. He stopped at the second one. “Not again. IT WON’T FALL!” Blind walked half way across and had to jump for his life. “Hahahaha I guess it fell!” Blind glared. They kept going except Blind walked on the roof tops. Inside one of the chimneys he found one hundred five dollars. When they got to the play house I blanked out. Then when I got back to Chris, he was walking out the door. Blank was standing there. He handed Chris a bottle with a reddish pinkish substance. “Sorry but I don’t need a love potion to get this one, she’s already mine!” Chris said, handing back the potion. Blank scowled. “She might be poisoned. It’s the same stuff I gave the mage and the knight. Get you mind off women for once!” He stopped briefly to give Chris the potion back. “Why am I always helping you?” He asked and went inside.
Chapter 19
He died…to save me…?
I regained part of my contionceness. I still couldn’t move however. I saw big vines, they were all around me. Then I saw Chris, he had his brand new knife out, and was ready to fight. I wished I could move, and help. I couldn’t, it was unbearable. I saw every slash, every slap that Chris suffered. When I started to panic Blank came. I was happy, but not overjoyed. When the vines came apart at last Steiner rushed over and lifted me up. Everything in the forest grew red. The flowers sprouted legs and ran after us. The forest was large, and as we went everything tried to stop us. Steiner tripped and I flew out of his arms. Chris caught me and ran. “CHRIS, CATCH!” I heard and I saw Blank through a paper as he was lifted up by the branches. Chris held me with one hand and caught the paper with the other. Blank through it rather hard so Chris had to run for it. Steiner now had Blind up, and was running as fast as possible. When we got out I was exhausted so I fell asleep in Chris’s arms, until I felt the serum slip through my lips. It tasted like strawberries, and chocolate. I still had the firm support for my body yet now I was lower. Finally I was able to stand, though only for a second or two before I fell back into Chris’s arms. He sat me up against a normal tree. Even though I couldn’t stand I could talk. “What on earth happened here…and what’s with that forest?” I had just notice that there was what looked like a monument by a large lake. When I looked at Chris he seemed saddened. “Chris…” I whispered meekly. “Chris…is Blank Ok, Chris look at me!” This would drive me crazy, I didn’t know why but just the thought of a sad Chris pierced my heart. Steiner looked up at me. “What’s earth princess?” I was now aggravated. Chris was here on the break of tears, and Steiner wanted to no what earth was. “Never mind Steiner, Chris…you will talk, you always said talking makes people feel better right? C’mon Chris.” I was now trying to be soothing. Chris looked up and with great pain murmured, “Ok Erica, That was the evil forest… I killed the boss so the evil in it left, It didn’t leave much…and as for Blank he died… The forest got him…” Chris looked back down. And there, he had been there saving me! He died saving ME! I never should’ve come…it’s my fault. I couldn’t help myself… “IT’S ALL MY FAULT!!!!!!!” I cried out. Chris shot to me like a bullet. “No…It’s not Erica” He looked me in the eyes. I felt partially soothed but not completely, “but had I not tried to escape, we never would’ve had to run from the forest! And, and, you wouldn’t understand, and I am NOT ready to explain…just trust me Chris it’s my fault…” Chris tried once more then he caught on. “What do you mean I won’t understand?!” Tension was high. I got sort of scared. He could tell. “Your afraid of me aren’t you? Damn I shouldn’t have scared you at the meeting house…” Language…was all I could think. I turned my face away. Chris groaned. “Look, I’ll ask later just right now, just know it is NOT your fault… and, I couldn’t hurt you if I tried.” I looked back up at him. His face was sad, and hurt, I just wanted to give him a big hug, to tell him that no matter what happens that I will always be there, right next door to hope. Blind spoke up for the first time. “Yes Erica, you, hope, and Stiltzskin. My heart skipped a beat. How did he know what I was thinking? How did he know my real name? “Search, Erica you’ll find the answer deep in your heart…” Then Blind realized what he was doing, and centered himself on performing a fire spell so I could cook.
Chapter 20
Realizing the gift
Chris left to get some meat. I insisted on coming along. Chris wouldn’t let me do anything besides sit, or sleep in the tent, where I was safe. While I was there I searched through my thoughts. I remembered a melody I hadn’t heard before. I started to hum it and everything made perfect sense to me. I remembered all my dreams, I remembered the fight between Baku and Chris, the last smart alecky remark he made to Blank, everything. That was my favorite song; I called it the song of memories. What I didn’t understand was how Chris so easily gave up on Blank; he wasn’t dead, only petrified. I sighed and laid down to sleep. No dreams came.
Chapter 21
Where do we go from here?
Chris crawled into the tent, and shook me awake. When I saw him he expected that I would crawl over to the corner but I didn’t. “Can’t cook dinner without the cook I’m afraid. And um…” this he whispered into my ear, “You might want to pull up your outfit. Not that I’m complainin!” I looked down and realized that I was one short move from having my breast exposed. “Thanks…” I whispered. And pulled it up. When we got outside I was amazed by all the meat. Chris looked at me questioningly and I just stared at the meat. I walked hastily to the meat. The fire Blind had started had long since gone out. “Blind, a little help please.” I said confidently. Blind started a fire in the middle of the camp. Steiner was asleep near another far tree. “He’s keeping watch…castle style.” Chris whispered in my ear. I permitted myself a laugh. It was a bright sunset. When all the food was done roasting, Steiner wasn’t awake yet so he didn’t eat. Chris ate his share as if he had never eaten before. “My god this is great!” I knew he was only putting on a show for me but I was flattered all the same. “Erica…your face is red… are you Ok?” Blind asked me in an innocent voice. I laughed, and continued eating. When it was all gone the whole group got into a circle (I was closest to Chris.). “So now where do we go…? I don’t know about you but I want to go back to Lindblum.” Everyone looked at me because I was the first speaker. “Whatever you want Erica.” Chris answered. “First of all, her name is Garnet! Second to YOU she would be your highness, and third we are going back to Alexandria.” Steiners speech left me speechless. “C’mon Erica lets figure out a way to get to LINDBLUM.” He said Lindblum extra loud so Steiner would hear.
Chapter 22
Big fish
Somehow Chris talked me into letting him sleep in the same tent that I was in. I let him in but when he tried getting next to me I kicked him out. We were up earlier then anyone, I thought I was the only one up so I sang my song. When I went outside there was Chris trying his best to start a fire. I ran over to help him. He looked at me suspiciously. “Let me do it.” I said without thinking. Instead of adding anything I just started the fire. “Wecos vinosec…” I murmured, trying to figure how to do it, and still use magic. “Igiveup.” I said suddenly without any breaths or pauses. A huge flame erupted from the pile of leaves and wood Chris had made. Chris laughed out loud. While we sat by the fire, we talked of what must be happing at the castle, and we discussed Lindblum. Suddenly Chris said rather enthusiastically, “Let’s dump sir Rustalot and get out of this place, Erica, just you and me.” I sat my mouth wide open. Had he read my mind, for I was thinking how great it would be, for it to be just Chris and me…I didn’t know what to say. I just laughed, not full heartedly though. “That would be great Chris, but what about Blind? I wish more then anything that I weren’t a princess…that, Oh what am I talking about? I’m no princess; I don’t even know why I am here! Yet still, it feels so real, Oh how I wi…” Chris cut me off. “Wish you could get away? Isn’t that what we’re doing?” I gazed at him. I knew now he wouldn’t understand, at least not yet. “I’m going to get some…” Chris stopped seeing the frown on my face. “Fish…” I whispered. Great, now we’re finishing each others sentences. “Unless you don’t want me to go…or maybe, if you want, you can come.” He said this hopefully. My face brightened, until I looked back at Blind. I swore I heard him whisper “Go with him Erica.” I looked back at Chris, face still full of hope. I nodded my head. When we went to the lake a monster tried to attack me. Chris grabbed me away from harm, and stabbed the beast. It was big and had horns, it resembled a bull. “Am I to be used as bait?!” I cried, trying to sound as un-sarcastic as possible. Chris laughed. Chris pulled down a branch from the large oak tree. He pulled out a string and tied it around the end of the stick. I cleared my throat, for I couldn’t reach the branches. Chris looked at me as if I were crazy, “You want to help?” he asked finally. I nodded my head. He pulled down another branch, and took out another string. As he tied it he gallantly asked, “Do you know how to fish? Want me to teach you?” He looked hopeful of this as well. “I can fish, but not well…” I looked at Chris, hoping he would just tell me he would help out. He did. I purposely held the stick wrong. “Here let me show you.” He said, as I had anticipated. I may help a bit, but I’m still going to play hard to get. He stood next to me and showed me. “Ok I think I’ve got it…um…like this?” I was still holding it wrong. Chris sighed and walked to a place where I couldn’t see him. Next thing I knew, he was behind me with his hands over mine. Using my hands he turned the pole so it was more comfortable in my hands. When he let go of my hands the string fell off the pole. We both laughed. “Ok, ok let me see the pole.” Chris managed to get out. I handed him the pole. While he was fixing it I saw something move in the water. “CHRIS, CHRIS,” I shouted, “LOOK!” Chris looked up to where I was pointing. Whatever was there had gone underwater. Chris busied himself again in tying the knot tight. He gave me back the pole. I sighed. When I tried to cast the line I hit the tree instead. Chris laughed. I was gasping. “But how, how will we ever get it down?” Chris just smiled, waited until I turned back to the water and disappeared. “Now what are you up to Chris?” I wondered aloud. I turned back to the water, using my logic. If he left while I was turned away, he’ll come back while I’m turned away. When I turned back, sure enough there he was, same sly smile on his face, except now, he held the pole. I laughed and as I looked back I saw a large red thing, swimming up the shore. Chris’s smile vanished. “Chris what is it?!” I asked alarmed. He didn’t answer; all he did was draw his dagger. “I’ll fight too!” I declared, while struggling to climb the tree to get a stick. “Got this for ya.” Chris said, pulling me down from the branches. He drew a golden sword from the brush. I gasped. He was going to let me help. “It ain’t in the best condition but it still cuts fine.” I gasped again. Then I realized that I was supposed to take the sword from him. I walked towards him, all the while watching the gigantic thing. “Here.” Was all Chris said to me. Now I had the sword in my hand, I was ready for anything. We ran up the shore. The red thing was actually a big fish. It came up to the shore. When it got there I was amazed because it sprouted legs. “Be ready Erica, this ain’t no ordinary monster, it’s a fiend.” Now was just the time for a lesson. I sighed. “Lesson please… what is the difference between a fiend, and a monster.” Chris rolled his eyes. Later then, I thought. I drew my sword to a ready to strike position. The fiend stumbled over and sucked me into his stomach. All I could see was red, and I didn’t feel so good either, I heard Chris’s voice telling me to cut my way out. I tried but couldn’t, the tissue was too tough. Eventually he got a stomach ache, and spit me back out. While I was out I couldn’t get up. Chris through something up into the air and it landed on me. Almost immediately I was able to stand. I stood and fought again. The fish got hungry and ate Chris up. I totally panicked. All I could do was keep slashing at the stomach to try and get Chris out. After a while the stomach came open. Chris came rolling out, almost to the point where he couldn’t move. Chris slashed the beast once more and it collapsed. “Guess we have our breakfast!” Chris cried out. I was astonished. “We almost were breakfast!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I shouted, I was still panicked. Chris laughed that sly and tempting laugh. He started to walk away. “C’mon Erica, lets get going.” I knew that something would happen, he’d do something, or I would, or a monster would. I hesitated; did I really want something to happen? I decided that I now could defend myself, so what was the worst that could happen? I followed him, but we didn’t head strait to the camp. “Where are we going Chris?” I asked rather casually. Chris looked back at me, and all my fears disappeared. I followed more closely. I found that staves were being thrust up after us. I looked at them and looked at Chris. “Um…Chris do you know where we’re going? Because…We cannot go back.” Chris looked at me again. I sighed and said “Alright…” We walked and walked until we found ourselves at the back of the camp. “How?” I gasped. Chris just pulled the meat to the center of the camp. I sighed, I was always cooking it seemed. Blind still wasn’t awake. “The fire went out…Erica put it back.” Chris was daring me in disguise. I said the same words I did last time. The fire arose. I looked back at Chris; there was a look of sheer amazement on his face. I started cooking the dead fiend. When it was done I woke Blind up. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. I tried to get to Steiner to wake him up but Chris held me back. I gave up and distributed the food between the three of us. We didn’t talk. After words Chris packed all the stuff. We walked west towards a huge cave. As we were passing him I woke Steiner up.
Chapter 23
A beautifully deadly cave
As we walked Steiner turned back very often. It was a ways longer then I expected. We bumped into three parties of monsters. The first were imps and Steiner was amazed that I fought no matter how hard he tried to stop me. The second were little blue squirrels, they were little but they bit hard. The third were the hell hounds; they were much easier to kill when we were together then alone. When we did finally get to the cave, it was beautiful. The entire cave was made of ice. “It’s beautiful…” I murmured. Then unable to help myself I said, “It’s called the Ice Caverns right Chris?” Chris looked at me. He nodded his head. That’s when he said he said, “It sure is beautiful…beautifully dangerous.” Chris said sarcastically. Steiner glanced over at me. I rolled my eyes; they were always treating me like a baby. Chris waved me to get going so we walked inside. There was a ledge with a treasure chest on it. Chris jumped up and opened it. “Ah, a phoenix down! We might need this.” I scowled and Chris asked me what was wrong, “Isn’t that called stealing Chris? Is this place uninhabited or something?” just as I finished talking a small mammoth jumped on top of me. I screamed as the others tried to get it off of me. Finally it died. I was all bloody when I got up and I could hardly stand, we walked and Chris, Blind, and Steiner kept farther monsters from attacking me. Chris was hopping around, opening chests; we came to a wall of ice with a chest behind it. Blind melted the wall. Inside the chest was an ether. I tried to move farther but I fell, and almost slipped down the slope into a HUGE hole. Chris caught my hands and pulled me back up. “Here, it’s the phoenix down I found in the chest.” I felt the bundle lie on my chest and immediately I could walk again. It scared me a little; I mean a little package can heal a person? “What in the world happened?” I asked, unsure of myself. No-one answered. We walked into a large, windy room. I heard somebody say “Come here sweet Erica.” That’s when a fell asleep, I thought I was dead. My body was blown down into a ditch with a latter on both ends.
Chapter 24
Dreams Dreams Dreams
Chris jumped down to where I was. Steiner was
Lying up on the path. Blind was next to me, he had fallen asleep also. Chris tried to shake me awake, but I couldn’t wake up. Then he tried to shake Blind awake, wouldn’t come to. There was a faint music in the air, just loud enough to put someone to sleep. “What is that damn music?” Chris asked himself, feeling rather sleepy himself. LANGUAGE CHRIS!!!!! I was tired of saying it. Chris rolled his eyes and started towards the music. The music grew louder and the melody was haunting, it was no wonder I fell asleep. It was a beautiful tune. When the player saw Chris he stopped playing immediately. I felt a strange, pulling feeling. “Ah hello, Erica, and whoever’s body you are using. Come over here, he will be in a great amount of pain soon, I wouldn’t want you to suffer.” He seemed to say my name joyfully. A voice from out of nowhere said, “I think I’ll be safer here, thanks.” It was my voice, and I was saying it. “How many?” Chris asked calmly. The thing laughed. We have to fight Chris. Chris drew his knife. The thing laughed again. A large dragon came out of an ice patch. Chris panicked; my being there was the only thing keeping him even close to steady. Chris attacked the great dragon, and it countered. The thing laughed. I felt a pain in my ribs. The thing made the dragon well with a healing spell. My turn. My spirit left him and flew up into the sky. I felt power rush through me, without knowing it a summoned a great goddess, Ixion. She stood in front of Chris, and I stood next to him. An eerie sound was heard, my voice. “Thores’ Hammer!” I shouted and the great horse with her crescent shaped horn gathered power. The dragon attacked, but Ixion absorbed the pain. A great bolt of lightning shot out from the horn. It connected to a copper pole he had produced, three more popped up out of the ground, and the bolt connected to form a circle around the enemies. They started to float and a sphere produced around them. They were lifted up into the sky and a shock wave went up to the sphere. Ixion waved the sphere all around and finally dropped it, causing the dragon to die. A large portal appeared in the air, and Ixion jumped through. The thing tried to run away but Chris caught him. “Who are you, and why are you after Erica?” The thing tried to get away but Chris pulled the knife close to the creature’s throat, threateningly. “Okay, Okay, I’m Black waltze number one. There are three of us!” Chris let him go. I entered my own body once more.
Chapter 24
Dali
Chris came down and woke me up. I looked at the others, still asleep. Without thinking I said, “I won’t tell if you won’t…” Chris nodded his head, “Okay.” Was all he said. Together we woke everyone up. Chris led us up to the battle grounds and through it. On the other side was a huge ledge. “This is pinnicle rocks. Down there is the small village of Dali. There people are sure to know the name Garnet, so you should pick another name.” Chris said to me. Blind gave me suggestions, and Steiner insisted that I would not change my name. “Alright, I know! But Chris before I say, what is that knife called?” Chris told me that he would tell me afterwards. “Oh well…I picked Erica. Chris and Blind already know me by Erica, so it would be easiest.” Chris looked satisfied. “Okay Erica, There are various types of fighting knives. What I have is a dagger; if it was a little longer it would be a short sword, that’s what you have, now, where was I? Ah yes Longer still is the sword, and…” “Chris, that’s enough.” I cut in. Chris was astonished. “Maybe later Chris.” I didn’t want to get on his bad side. The ground below was larger than it looked, but there were no monsters. When we got to the town no adults were around. Chris took us to the inn. Blind stood behind me, and in front of Steiner, to be safe. The man was asleep, until Chris cleared his throat. As soon as he saw Blind he stared at him. “Hey mister, I know she’s cute but it’s impolite to stare.” The man looked at Chris, “Oh, Oh yes um actually I wasn’t looking at the young lady. Um well, the rooms that way.” He pointed to the only other set of doors in the room. Inside there were four beds, a mini library, and a good luck stone verifier. Chris looked at the books, “How to get fast money, be a millionaire today, save to earn. Sheesh he’s collecting “The worst books, a history”!” I laughed, and sat on the bed in the left top corner, Blind laid on a bed directly down the wall. Chris went to sit on the leftover bed on the top, but according to Steiner, that was to close to me. They ended up screaming and when Steiner went to ask Blinds opinion, they found that he was asleep. Finally they decided to ask me, I picked Chris, for I was not afraid of Steiner at all. I woke Blind up because he had told me he wanted to see the windmill. Steiner left to see when the next airship would come, while Chris tried to reteach me how to speak like a commoner. “Like this… Hi...” I said it like I was an immigrant. Chris frowned. “More like this…Hi.” He didn’t make a big deal about it. “Alright, Hi?” Chris’s head dropped. “So much to learn in so little time, instead of saying Alright, try Alrighty then, or Okay, or something Okay?’’ I frowned at the task. “Um…Alrighty then. Like that?” Chris laughed. “Maybe I should talk to some townspeople.” Chris looked amazed that I had a good idea. But he was worried about me. “Okay, but if anyone tries to hurt you, you just say… Git off me, you scumbag. Okay? Okay.” We both left and headed separate ways. I went to the farm, behind the inn. On my way I checked to ensure Blind was okay. In the garden, there was an old lady, killing oglops on the plants. One jumped at me and I caught it. The lady was amazed that I didn’t scream. I left there and went back to the store to talk to the owner; there was no Chris in sight. The owner wasn’t there either, so I went back to the inn. I sat on the bed, humming my song, and I saw Chris peering down at me threw the window when I blinked, so I looked at the real window. Sure enough there he was, watching me. He left, but a couple minutes later Chris walked threw the door. He sat on the bed opposite me and asked me if I wanted to here a story, I was quite board so I said yes. He started calm, but whenever the fighting began he always was parrying imaginary sword fighters. When he spotted me glancing out the window he asked if there was something wrong. “Am I boring you?” He asked, discouraged. “No! um I’m just worried about Blind. He should be back by now.” Chris got up and got ready to escort me around town. I looked at the windmill first, no Blind. I ran to where Blind had stood. I heard a strange sound…Kweh. Chris heard it to. “That’s a Chocobo. Where is it coming from?!” That’s when I saw the hole in the floor. I heard a crying mingled with it, “Blind? Blind I know it’s you! Are you alright?” Chris scowled at me. “What have we just spent two hours trying to learn?” He asked me. “Sorry Chris…um I learned, um, that people look at me strange if I’m not afraid of oglops. Oh Alright, I’m supposed to say Okay, right?” Chris didn’t look amused. “Guys!!! Help me!!!” Blind finally bumped in. Chris started to pull me into double doors with a design of a sun on the top. There was a big round thing on the floor. Chris unlatched it and gestured for me to go down. “What about Steiner?” I asked, convinced that if there were monsters down here that we were in trouble. Chris laughed and asked, “What about him?” I was appalled. I wasn’t about to move without Steiner there, so Chris wound his tail around my waist and lowered me into the pit. I wasn’t deep so it was easy. Chris climbed down after me. Immediately after he was down a giant beetle came after us. “Shit.” Chris muttered. I groaned. “LANGUAGE!!!!” I shouted. Chris hushed me; we didn’t want to be caught. “Well, I’m tired of saying it.” Chris had an idea, “Then don’t say it.” Chris said calmly. He pulled out his daggers. “When did you get two?” Now I was very angry, not at Chris, but at myself. I should have bought reinforcements to. “I got you a better sword.” Chris seemed to read my mind. He tossed me a brand new short sword, it had diamonds on it. “C’mon its time to fight.” I drew my sword so I could strike easier. The battle began. I struck the beast in the neck but it made a clanking sound. That’s when I realized my mistake. It’s a beetle, beetles have hard shells! I have to hit its stomach. The beast rushed over and bit me. It didn’t hurt much. When it was my turn I slipped my sword under the legs and brought it up. The beast died. We ran past it, to a room with lots of barrels. Chris stopped me from walking out of the barrels, when I asked him why, he showed me the three people holding Blind captive. That’s when I saw Alexandria’s mark on one of the barrels. I pointed to it, and Chris almost gasped. When the people left we went and untied Blind. He was still crying. I held him as a mother, or a sister would. He finally stopped crying and I went to head out. Chris, however went the opposite way. I sighed and followed him. In the next room was a chocobo stable. In the next room was a mist machine. There we saw dolls coming out of the end. They all looked EXACTLY like Blind. Blind started to cry again, now he knew why he was being held captive. “No!!!! I’m real! I’m not a doll!” Blind was more pleading then insisting. Chris couldn’t believe what he saw. We exchanged meaningful glances, and left. Steiner met us at the door.
Chapter 25
The airship
He said he had found an airship. “Really Steiner? Where does it go?!” I was excited. Steiner hesitated. “Alex-um Lindblum!” Something was wrong with his story. Chris seemed as enthusiastic as Steiner, so I just went. Steiner took Blind and ran for the ship. I was scared; I didn’t want to go back to Alexandria, back to Kuja. “Chris, Where does this ship really go?” I asked. “Alexandria.” He said calmly. I stopped. “I…I won’t go back, I won’t!” Chris rolled his eyes. “Learn to trust me will you.” He said. A black waltze flew down on us. “You may have defeated number one, but there will be more.” And he left; I had gotten out my sword. I started to walk again, forgetting the ships destination. Just before I got on, I stopped. Chris rolled his eyes again. He saw that I wouldn’t move, so he walked to a place where I couldn’t see him. I felt arms around me, they were strong, and they were carrying me to the latter. I tried to get away, but couldn’t. He just got me high enough for him to get under me. He knew I’d do anything to keep him away from me. I started to climb up, but stopped. I felt a soft rub on my buttocks. “Ooh soft.” I heard below me. “AHH” I more groaned then screamed, and hurried up the latter. I stood by the door into the engine room, trying to pear through the mist. Chris stood in the left corner, trying to make me look at him. Steiner was in the cabin, and Blind was in the engine room. “C’mon Erica, It’s not like I meant to!” I had had enough of this nonsense. “Please, that’s enough, if it’s alright with you.” Chris scowled; I could hear it in his voice. “There’s that princess sound.” I saw Blind running around in a panic. I ran in after him, and found that all the workers were dolls. I went to get Chris but before I did I heard Chris saying, “She thinks I’m takin her back. Hahaha. Soon enough she’ll reward me, Hahaha. Maybe even with a kiss.” I ran out to get him and the first thing he said was, “Already?” I scowled, should I turn back and handle it on my own? “Chris, come here, it is Blind!” I decided that I needed help. Chris ran in with me. Blind was crying on the floor. “They won’t answer, they just won’t answer me.” Once again I held him. Steiner came running down. “We’ll be there soon!” he said rather cheerfully. “Steiner where does this airship go?” I asked. He frowned. “To Lindblum princess, like I told you.’’ “Steiner, let me tell you something, You are a horrible liar.” He frowned and tried to catch Chris as he ran upstairs. I ran after them, knowing that Steiner would probably try to kill Chris. When I got up, Chris was hanging on a pole by his tail. I must admit I was impressed. “Hey Erica!” Chris said to me. It got Steiner to turn around. While he was turned, Chris leaped over to the steering wheel. He pushed the doll over. I was all the more impressed. Just then a back waltze got up on the deck, I didn’t see it. It came up and grasped my arm. “NO!!!” I heard someone cry. It was Blind, his staff out and ready. He casted fire on the waltze and angered it a bit. “Foolish doll! You think that a simple one fold spell will melt me? This is how you cast fire.” Flames erupted from his arms, and multiple fire spells hit Blind, rendering him nearly dead. Steiner rushed over and cut the waltzes hand. He let me go. I noticed that the ship was turning around. “Erica! Come here, drive the ship to Lindblum, and oh try not to crash it…” Chris sounded hesitant. This time I was glad not to fight. On his way Chris threw a phoenix down to Blind. I watched as the battle began. Chris did his fancy flips, and Steiner had a short conversation with Blind. Soon as it was Steiners turn, he winked at Blind. Blind nodded his head, and started a spell. Steiner held his sword in Blinds magic path and it caught on fire. Before the fire went out, Steiner struck the evil guy, and he flinched a lot. Chris attacked him and hoped that it would kill him. The waltze felt his own weakness, and started a multi fire that would kill them. All the dolls from down below stood in front of them, blocking the rays. One by one each died. It was strange to me, I had seen that they were nothing but dolls, but they had sacrificed themselves to save my friends, and possibly me. I shed a tear, but didn’t realize why just yet. Why weep for dolls? Chris ran towards me once there had knocked the waltze off the ship. I let Chris take the wheel. As we started to pull through the South gate, the waltze caught up with us. He was riding an air scooter. He jumped back on the boat and all he could say was, “Get princess…kill others…Get princess.” I ran to it and, since it was broken I was able to push it off the ship. He landed on his glider. He rammed into our new ship. I screamed, being startled. The gate officers had seen the fight and started to close the doors. “Chris! They’re closing the gate on us! Chris hurry!” Chris could tell that I was scared to death. He accelerated on the speed and cried out, “HOLD ON!” Blind had nothing to hold on to, so I grabbed his hand and tried to get to the door. We both started to fly out. Chris ran out and grabbed my hand, I felt Blinds hand slip. “NO!” I cried out, I wouldn’t let Blind die. More dolls started coming out, one pulled at Chris, the other two helped me hold onto Blind. Finally we were safe, inside the gate I watched as the scooter crashed into the closing doors, as he got smashed into bits. Finally I could relax again.
Chapter 26
Sacred tradition?
We had a safe, strait flight to Lindblum. When we got to the castle the regent called a meeting, “I’m so glad you arrived safely Garnet, oh if only I had known about those mist dolls…What is it doing here?” he was pointing at Blind. “He is our friend, uncle.” I didn’t believe that I had the guts to talk back to a regent. The regent dismissed us, and Steiner led me to the rock beds. Somehow I managed to fall asleep. I dreamt about Chris, in the pub that was no surprise, but then I flashed to Blind, I thought he would be asleep! But there he was in a shop, looking at kupo nuts. He walked over to the storekeeper and bought it. Blind saw a little sign on the table that said,
Ocem ot het vftiasel
Neislt ni het vftiasel yrt ouyr gorucae
“Ooh, a festival!” Blind knew I was there so he read the sign aloud. “Come to the festival, enlist in the festival. What festival is that?” The shopkeeper rolled her eyes. “It’s the festival of hunter chance, they let out a bunch of animals and have people chase them.” The lady murmured. Blind got excited, “Sounds like fun!” and he ran out with his new kupo nut. I stayed in the store. “Fun? What’s fun about chasing ravage beasts? Wait, did I say animals again?” I woke up, knowing Chris would enlist.
Chapter 27
Grapefruit, again…
I practically skipped down the stairs, I was so excited. I came to a rough halt when I saw Chris in the banquet hall. A maid helped me to my seat, and a peace of grapefruit was placed in front of me. Chris saw me gawk at it and winked, suggesting the pub to me. I pretended to eat it, each time placing a peace into the table cloth. I dumped it into my dress, and in a ladylike fashion I walked, skirt over my ankles. No-one guessed that I had Grapefruit in my dress. When I got to the guest room I dumped it out into a drawer, not realizing that Chris was standing behind me. “Saving a bad breakfasts’ isn’t like you.” He said teasingly. I jumped; I didn’t think anyone had followed me. I turned around slowly, being sure not to provoke him. He laughed and insincere laugh, that said how stubborn I was. “You told me at the camp… you said you knew something I wouldn’t understand. What was it?” Now was not the time. I knew he wouldn’t understand it, he couldn’t! Half the time even I couldn’t, even though it was my wish. I settled on an answer to give him. “This is not the time for questions.” I said simply, as if telling a child, afraid of the dark to not come in a parent’s room during a special moment. My eyes drifted for a way out, there were two doors, but one led to the roof, and one was behind him. I tried to walk past him but he grasped my arm. He was strong, not hurting me, but strong. Chris locked eyes with me, I couldn’t try to get past, I didn’t want to anymore. He led me to a chair, and I had to try so hard to keep it all from spilling out. Chris pulled up another chair, locking me from either escape. I fought, and fought, but part of me just wanted to let go. Chris took my hand, and that was the last stone down, I broke into tears, and he squeezed my hand, afraid to hold me directly. “I, I have to tell someone!” I gasped between sobs, Chris was ready to listen. “Just before I was on that airship, I was in another world, it was late and there was a single star out. My mother was busy, talking to my grandma, so I wished.” Chris seemed eager to know what I had wished for. “I wished to be taken somewhere far away.” I looked down, trying to avoid his eyes. “I have gone through a lot in my life, anyway, mom rushed me into the house, to get some sleep, I woke up in that airship. That’s the short version.” Chris sat, trying to absorb it all. “I better go, I’ll be right outside the castle, come out when you’re ready…Okay?” I was happy; he didn’t take me for a moron, or at least didn’t say he did.
Chapter 28
Legend?
“Come here Erica! I need to tell you something!” I had just arrived outside of the castle; it was a chilly day, so I wore my orange outfit. I ran over to him. He was holding a book. Chris picked up my hand from my side, and led me to a library. “You might find this interesting.” He whispered to me on the way in the library. Here EVERY THING was quite. He led me to a table, where he laid down the book. He let go of my hand and sat down. “Sit.” He said calmly. Like a well trained dog I sat. On the cover of the book it said, Premonitions ancient, and today. I looked up, I didn’t understand Chris’s logic, and what did a premonition have to do with me? Or Chris for that matter. I raised my eyes questioningly. Chris opened the book, and on the page three hundred twenty nine, was the premonition of five girls. I gasped. A witch on her death bed had one last dream, a dream of three girls, all brunets, but they all came from different lands. One was called Geia, one was called earth, one was called Spira, and one was called lagasha. The old woman said that, they were all the same spirit, and that when they united, they would relieve the evil in five lands. Her exact words were, “four girls, as will be one. Ridding they’re worlds of evil, and one other one. With twenty companions, she will have one true love, which keeps her alive at his own expense, yet really loses nothing.” This puzzled me, my first world was Earth, could this premonition be talking of me? Who knows? “I’m starved Erica, lets head over to the pub.” I was ready to leave anytime.
Chapter 29
Doves
After we finished eating, we separated; I knew where he was going, to the ticket booth. I headed toward the shops, there were lots. Weapons, potions, food, everything was there, I looked for some armor, but didn’t know where to start, so I went back to the castle, The maids changed me back into my gown, and I sneaked up onto the roof, only the guards knew I was there. I leaned over the stone, trying to see the city, when doves flew to a place near me. Eventually I realized that the birds were surrounding me, I put out my finger and a dove landed. It allowed me to stroke its breast, while I hummed my song.
Chapter 30
Knowing, yet not knowing
Down below People were running around like crazy, trying to find me. I saw Chris say that he would look everywhere, but he saw me enter the castle. As he was on his way out he heard something, it was a sweet voice, surely the same one he heard in Dali. What!?!? He heard me in Dali? He fallowed the voice, up to the door, but the guard, only let people of high stature up. So Chris went downstairs and woke a sleeping guard up, he said that there was a suspitouse looking man in the hall. When the man went to look, Chris told him that he was walking into a closet, the man then swirled around and walked strait into the REAL closet, for a while I didn’t see Chris, but then the guard walked back out, wait, that was Chris! Chris walked up to where the stairs were and climbed up. When he appeared I forgot the dream. I knew he was coming…yet I didn’t.
Chapter 31
A WHAT!?!?
When I saw him, he was in his normal clothing, al the birds flew away, as if to leave us alone together. “Hi…” I murmured halfheartedly. Chris could tell that I was thinking. “I heard you sing.” He said, hopeful to start a conversation. “Oh.” I knew that that should scare me, but it didn’t. “I never heard a song like that, you sing it beautifully.” He was still trying. “Oh…Thank you…I mean, thanks.” Chris smiled that tempting smile. “Could you sing it again for me?” I sighed, my heart said yes, sing for him, but my mind said don’t be stupid. My heart won. “Okay I’ll sing my best.” Chris smiled again; we seemed to hear harps, playing with my singing. It was almost like it all was destined, and destiny was helping me sing well. When I finished Chris clapped so hard, it was a wonder ha still had hands. “So Erica, when did you want to take that cruise?” I turned, and he realized that he was talking about airships to that girl in the pub before he saved me. “damn.” He said, my heart was torn, but I didn’t know why. “Looks like you asked the wrong girl…” I tried not to show my emotions, I walked over to the telescope at the edge of the balcony I searched for anything, a lake, a mountain, anything. Though the area was vast, and mountainous all I saw was pain. “Uh look, Erica there’s this hunter chance thing going on tomorrow…” he hesitated, “If I win, how about we go out on a date.” I swirled around, so surprised I thought I couldn’t stand. “A what?!?!” I just couldn’t take it in. He could tell I was pleased. He just smiled, “Okay…” I murmured, his face lit up, as bright as mine. “Chris, what was your original plan…to kidnap me?” He told me the complete plan I was in complete awe of its complexity. “You said sleeping weed? Can I borrow some? I’ve had trouble sleeping lately.” Chris looked at me suspitously. Then he smiled. “Maybe all you need is a little company.” He said slyly. I was amazed he’d say that. “How naïve do you think I am?” I asked in bewilderment. Chris shrugged. “Hey it was worth a try.” I allowed myself a laugh. “Anyway, we should be getting down to the meeting.” I jumped, “meeting?” Chris rolled his eyes, and nodded his head towards, the stairs. We walked in silence.
Chapter 32
I AM NOT A BABY!
When we got inside, the meeting began. They were talking more about me than to me. I just ignored them, unless I heard my name…or Garnets name. In the middle of the meeting a wounded soldier broke threw the doors. The guard tried to throw him out, but the regent stopped him. “But sir! I can’t allow ANYONE to see you in that state!” For once the regent rolled his eyes. “He has been blinded by a wound, let him through.” The guard hesitated, than opened the door once more, “Burmecia… Alexandrian… help…” After those three words the man died. The regent sighed. “We will send Chris, Blind, and Steiner.” The regent droned. “What about me?” I was paying attention now. “I’m not a baby!” the regent sighed. “Princess, how did you feel just now when that man died?” Chris asked me something. Maybe if I got it right, I could come. “Angry… and sad” That seemed the right answer. “Really? Didn’t you feel scared?” Chris had out smarted me. “Well…yes but” “No Garnet, you’re staying here. They’ll try after the tournament… Well as I was saying, whose going to try.” Somehow the subject got off of me. Chris raised his hand and took Blind aside. I could just overhear the conversation. “Blind, why don’t you try? I mean, if you win you could get lots of stuff.” Blind must have shaken his head. “Okay, okay, if you win I’ll set you up with the princess.” “Wow, me and the princess?” Steiner walked over, “I believe I heard the princess being mentioned.” Chris walked away, and gave Steiner one of those; mind your own business, looks. Blind signed up.
Chapter 33
Hunter Chance
Blind and Chris walked out onto platforms. Chris was in the Business section, While Blind was in Living space section. The trumpet men started their song. People were shouting from all over. “C’mon Chris! Go for the big one!” I shouted. Steiner scowled at me, and then added a scream of his own. “GO BLIND! The best defense is an offence! NO, the monsters that way!” I was busy watching Chris. I turned for a while, just to see how Blind was doing. When I turned back, Chris and some woman had the fiend cornered. I gasped, “C’mon Chris! Get that final blow!” Chris looked up at me, and I quickly turned away. When I looked back, Chris was attacking the beast, it fell. It was Chris’s points! Suddenly, the music stopped, and the time was up. In the quarters, the first three were, Chris, Some woman, and Blind. “Sir Chris, you came in first, do you want cash, items, or cards.” Chris looked so pleased with himself, to bad it had to end soon… “Cash, if you will.” The man handed him three thousand dollars. “Lady Reba, you came in second, do you want cards, or items.” Reba, so that was her name. “Items.” She replied coolly. She was no normal woman, her face was shaped like a rat, and she also had a tail. “And sir Blind, you came in third, here are your cards.” Blind also looked unbelievably happy. I knew I would shatter that soon. “Now lets all have a banquet, celebrating their victories.” Chris pulled me aside. “Hey, Erica, what’s wrong? I won!” Obviously he could tell I was mourning something. “Nothing Chris, I’m just going to do something stupid.” Chris gaped at me. “Don’t worry.” He took my hand and led me to the banquet.
Chapter 34
Asleep but not dead
Everyone ate immediately, except me. About two minutes into the meal, everyone except Steiner and me fell asleep. Steiner made a big deal out of it. “I’m sorry princess…I should have tasted for poison first…now I hope you survive, because I won’t.” I rolled my eyes. “Steiner, there was none in your plate.” I replied, out smarting him. “Oh…now that you mention it I feel fine.” I swiped the hair out of my face. As we glided past the people I couldn’t help but to stop at Chris. “I’m sorry…” I whispered, and hurried along.
Chapter35
Objectives
On our way, we had to head through South gate. On the way to the train we missed it, for Steiner had to by a new sword. In the waiting room, I met Cinna, and Marcus. Both waiting to go to Treno, which was on the way to Alexandria. We sat and talked, while Steiner paced. They told me of how they thought I was dead. Cinna had to go on a different train, so instead Marcus came with us. The ride was twenty minutes, and all the while we talked. He mostly told me how fond Chris was of me, I tried to keep him out of my head, but with Marcus reminding me of him, that was hard. He told me that he knew a way to save Blank. All he needed was super soft. He was headed towards Treno, to find some. I volunteered to help; after all it was my fault. “No, no, no, princess. We just cannot help thieves.” Steiner seemed braver now. I rolled my eyes. “So as I was saying we’ll head to Treno, and then to Alexandria, I have to stop her before there are more deaths on account of me.” Marcus and Steiner gasped. “Chris already tried to talk me out of believing that, but I do…” They sighed, “Well, that’s your choice. As soon as we got to a rest spot, I slept and dreamed. I wanted so badly to see Chris once more…
Chapter 36
Relieving dreams
When I saw him, he was in a field, fighting a red dragon. He looked up empty hearted in my direction; he must have sensed my presence. I wanted to call to him, to make sure he knew where I was headed, to make sure he knew how sad I was. As though I was pulled I blanked out. Next time I saw them they were at the mouth of a gigantic cave, “Wherever Erica went I hope she didn’t come here…” Chris was really worried. The ground was scattered with bodies. I watched as two black mages tried to burn them, Reba killed one by lancing it, and Blind killed one with blizzard, a new spell I had recently taught him. When they came to a spot under a bridge, two jokers sent three mages to kill them. Chris did a fancy move to kill one, then looked up to where I was, hoping to see me watching, smiling. Blind used blizzard again, and Reba lanced the last one. “This is not good!” The pink one exclaimed. “Good this is not!” The blue one exclaimed. “Come down here you little bastards!” Chris shouted to them. Again I thought language Chris… “What is that presence?” the pink one asked. “That presence is what?” The blue one asked. They both shrugged. I noticed that their were three fiends, approaching the group. A voice rang out, loud and clear, “WATCH OUT!” It was me again, playing guardian angel. Chris swirled around and I was pulled away by evil. I saw a large city. I was raining, and Kuja was commanding mages. Beatrix, was obeying Brahn’s orders, and looking for something in the rubble. A rat man, who looked a lot like Reba, ran out to stop the search. Kuja, with his magic, sliced the man in half. Then he looked strait at me. “How did you like that, Erica? Is it enough for you?” Then he laughed his evil laugh. “Is her presence here, Kuja?” He nodded his head. An army of five men all ran out. I knew what would happen, I tried to pull back, but Kuja had me trapped there, the way you trap a bird in a bird cage. I watched as each man died a different way. The first was burned to a crisp, the second was slashed in half, the third was blown up, the forth was shot by a magic arrow, the last was slashed in the neck, but he died slowly, of loss of blood. Kuja laughed his evil laugh again, and I felt anger boil up in me. Suddenly I just wanted to pounce on him and beat him until he bled, then let him bleed to death, that’s what he deserved.
Chapter 37
Finding Super-soft
When I awoke, I found that I was in a motel in Treno. Ruby was sitting at the desk up a wase, and Baku was standing in a doorway. When I got up, Marcus rushed to me and made sure I was alright. I was still scared to death, but this is where my strength came in. I ignored the feeling. Marcus showed me out, into Treno, to find super soft. I knew I couldn’t find it but, I would feel guilty had I not searched. I came up upon an auction; there they had everything from chocobos, to jewelry. Right next to that was a store. The floor was made of a cage; inside the cage was a griffenlike monster. As I walked, a man bumped into me, when I looked again, my money was gone. “Oh geez… what should I do now?” I was lost; I had just walked past a drunk saying, “hic. I’m not drunk, hic. I’m just tired.” I started to get scared; I had remembered the bum that tried to rape me. There was no Chris here to protect me. How I wished I hadn’t tricked Steiner into staying in the motel. A man walked up to me, he had black hair, and looked extremely oily. “Hey cutie, why don’t ya come n hang with me an my buddies.” I knew that he was not a good person. So I said, “No thanks.” I tried to walk past him. “I don’t think ya heard me, I said to come see my buddies.” He now had a hold of my arm. What on earth was that phrase Chris taught me, “Git off me you scumbag!” The man didn’t seem distracted at all. “Oh look, the lady talks tuff.” He laughed. Three other guys came out from the shadows. I felt so overwhelmed; I thought I would be murdered. A man with red hair walked out of a door. “Leave her alone.” He said. I couldn’t see his face. The men were dumbfounded. “No.” The leader said confidently. “She’s ours.” The rest added. I felt as if I would faint. “She belongs to nobody.” I looked up, I didn’t know this guy. “You didn’t stop us with the other girls, Salamander.” I remembered Brahn talking about a man named Salamander. The man brought his hands out of their folds. On each hand he had a set of claws. The group holding me started oohing. “Oh look, he’s gonna fight for the girl.” The leader sneered. He let go of me for a second, thinking his buddy would grab me. Echoing in my mind was one simple word, run. I ran, not knowing where I was going, or where I’d end up, but I ran. I found myself deep in the darkest parts of Treno. When I came to a corner, I saw a face I knew. Marcus was scanning the alleyways for me. He saw me, but when he looked behind me he gasped. “WHAT DID YOU DO!?” He shouted to me as we ran. I looked back, noticing for the first time the parade following me. “I don’t know!” I had no idea why they followed me, being thugs; they must get a lot of girls, so why chase after one? We ran into the noble district. The thugs hesitated, than continued their pursuit. Marcus led me back into the hotel, where other thieves took up guard. I looked around, there were people with instruments who had started to practice their song, I recognized it as The place I’ll return to someday. It was from the play, I want to be your canary. On a poster, just above a table with makeup on it was the same man that saved me. Marcus informed me that he found the super soft, in some old mans lighthouse. He guided me to a boat which would take us there. Steiner ran clumsily after us, shouting, “You- you can’t rob an old man! That’s against the law! Princess come back!” I ignored him, thinking that he was just an officer, who couldn’t break the law and still be happy. I climbed into the old paddle boat, and sat down. Steiner climbed in, and stood in front of me. “Why’s he coming?” Marcus asked me. I just shook my head. “I must protect the princess.” Steiner answered, in a matter of fact attitude. “Always talking of you duties.” Marcus said back. “Don’t you have a mind of your own?” Steiner was not happy, “hmpf.” I could tell by the way he just stared out into the water that he was pondering the idea. We arrived at the lighthouse. I searched though some boxes, everything looked familiar. There was a creek on the stairs as an old man hobbled down. Steiner ran out from behind the boxes, “Profecer Tot! Why do you live here?!” He glanced over to where I was hiding. I stepped out. “Hello profecer Tot. I was wondering…” I hesitated, “I was wondering, do you have any Super soft?” the Idea was totally bazaar. He hobbled toward a box, and pulled something out. It was a bottle. I glanced up at the stairs, I had heard a creek. “You had better hurry, Garnet, feel free to stop by if you need help okay?” I knew we would be back. We all crammed into the boat again and headed back; I couldn’t wait to sleep, so that I could see my friends.
Chapter 37
The war in Burmecia
Chris and the others survived, in the city, it was raining hard, Reba kept looking for someone. I felt an evil presence, not dangerous to them, but to me. I deliberately went to Kuja. “Ah, I love this rain, it’s like it’s blessing our victory.” Kuja looked up at me, “That’s right Erica, I won.” I tried to warn Chris of where they were, for I knew exactly what room they were in. “No you don’t” Kuja murmured. I must have stayed longer then I thought I did because Chris and the others arrived on the screen. I tried to enter Chris’s thoughts again, so I could fight, but I could only watch. I thought Kuja would fight, but he turned coward and disappeared. In his stead stood Beatrix, I tried to shout, knowing that Beatrix would listen, but no sound. I watched as the three got in they’re lines. Reba jumped, Blind casted blizzard. Chris attacked, as soon as he realized I was there, his entire body started glowing pink. Blind then casted fire. It was Beatrix’s turn. She held her sword in front of her and started to mutter. Her sword glowed red, and arrows shot out of it, mainly at Blind. I managed to put up a shield, to mostly protect Chris and Blind. Chris raised his daggers up into the air; I could tell he was concentrating. He shot forward and tried to slash her shoulder, there was no mark. Reba jumped back down, missing Beatrix with the lance. “Enough play.” Beatrix said coldly, and slashed her sword. Three dark spheres erupted, each sphere engulfed each person, then it turned into one large sphere. I couldn’t see them until the darkness disappeared Beatrix had won; all of them were sprawled on the ground. That was not what I had expected. “Finish them.” A familiar voice called, it was Brahn. “I can’t, your majesty. They are down.” I knew in my heart that Beatrix couldn’t kill them because one of them was my friend.
Chapter 38
Traitors
I got up, and looked around. I thought for sure I’d be in Burmecia, beaten with the others. Steiner led me to a lighthouse. When I looked up, the light had been broken. “This is where prof. Tot lives?” I asked. Steiner continued up the stairs. The walls had all been torn off, except a little room at the top. I looked at Steiner to see how he was taking it. He had been happier ever since he discovered my plan to go back to Alexandria. When we got inside, there was a large globe. On the globe were what looked like countries, and bodies of water. There was a hole in the side that the profecer was standing in, he was looking through a telescope that was installed on the other side. I got a better look this time, he was about how tall a two year old should be, and he had a mustache, and beard. Steiner explained our plan to him. I followed the man with my eyes as he hobbled up some stairs to a trap door, that wasn’t hidden. “Through here you can reach Alexandria moat. If you continue on the boat I have left you, you will be shot out of the fountain in the dungeon.” Steiner nodded his head, and guided me to the hole. I let Steiner go in first, and as I climbed in, and got to where the profecer thought I couldn’t hear him I heard him say, “Oh princess forgive me…” I kept climbing. On the bottom were some switches. As Steiner pushed them all down, a giant ant walked down. It was upside down, and had a boat tied to it. Steiner opened the door for me and I walked in. It was a peaceful ride, the ant walked very smoothly. At a certain point I saw a boat, when I walked out; I was already on the boat. The ant had gotten so close, that it only took one simple step. The boat was swift; I wondered when I would get to Alexandria. When I stated this, we landed port in the dungeon. When we got out and started to walk, a wall closed in front of us. I started to walk back. Another wall closed, we were stuck. “I think we have got them.” I squeaky voice chimed. “Got them I think we have!” another voice shouted. “Thorn, Zorn, This is Steiner, I’m escorting the princess home, LET US OUT!” Two little bodies popped out, as Marcus ran for the cage. The back wall opened, and Marcus ran in. It closed again. “I don’t think so!” The pink one stated. They both jumped down, along with two apes. Each ape took hold of a person, as Thorn, and Zorn took hold of me. They opened a gate, and led me to my room. “Dress.” They commanded. I closed the door. I wished I had not come back. I got on the white gown, with green vines. When I got out they led me to Brahn’s bedroom, all the time saying, “The power is ours… Time to see your mother.” Or “Ours is the power… See your mother the time it is.” When I walked in, she sat me in front of her. She was going to try to be convincing. “Darling Garnet, we are now at war. I’m sure you have come back for something.” She gave me a chance to talk. “Mother, Please stop this at once! Burmecia has ALWAYS been kind to us!” Brahn looked shocked. “Darling, they were planning an offence. I cannot let our precious kingdom be destroyed.” She gave me another chance to talk, “I DON’T BELIEVE YOU!” I shouted back. Brahn gasped. “Now why would you not believe your own mother?” Kuja walked in the room. “Let me handle this your grace.” He bent down and kissed her hand. Brahn walked out of the room. I backed away. He laughed. I looked around desperately for something that would help, nothing. “Come my canary.” I tried to stop myself, but my legs were being controlled. I was very frightened. I walked closer, until he pushed me down into his arm, as if he was going to kiss me. “I’m going to take you to a world of dreams.” He told me just before he waved his arm over me and I fell swiftly asleep.
Chapter 39
Almost my last dream
When I slept, I found myself seeing something that Kuja had hidden until now. He was standing in the middle of a floor. There were sconces on the walls. Kuja had a globe in front of him; I saw what he was watching. It was me, poisoning the food. He murmured something just loud enough for me to hear. “That’s right; come my canary, fly right into your bird cage.” He watched me, laughing. I willed myself to go to Chris. They were all standing. In fact, they were standing on Uncle Cid’s airship. “You should go to the forgotten plains; I hear that that’s where the mist is coming from.” Regent Cid told them. “NO!” Chris screamed suddenly. “I WILL NOT leave Garnet behind!” I was glad that he didn’t hate me for running off. The regent headed back toward Burmecia, where mages were being called back. Without thinking, Chris jumped into one of their portals. Reba did the same. Blind, however was less brave. I knew he’d need encouragement. “Blind, go on, you do want to see Erica right?” Blinds thoughts blinded him. “Erica! Where are you?!” He always was sensitive to my powers. “I’m a prisoner in Alexandria castle, Please Blind they need you to get me out!” I didn’t know that I knew all this stuff, but I did. I zoomed to Steiner and Marcus. They were stuck in a small cage that was hanging from the ceiling. They had an idea, but they couldn’t cooperate. I went back to Chris. He along with Reba and Blind were on an airship called the red rose. Chris started searching for me. I tried to make a connection with him, but his mind was too clouded. Finally I got into Blind, and talked threw him. “Chris! She’s in the castle! Not here!” He stopped looking, and started heading up to where Brahn was. Beatrix was with her, they were both gazing into a jewel. He over heard them talking. “Ah the first one! I wonder what city I can use it on! BEATRIX! Get the other two!” Chris was appalled. “Yes your majesty.” Chris jumped down, and hid in a barrel. Beatrix stood on the balcony, thinking. “I can’t believe what I have become… Attacking cities for no reason at all…” she laughed a sad laugh. “Not even a thank you or good job from the queen…” She walked into a room. Chris started out when he heard Brahn. “BEATRIX!” She shouted. Beatrix ran hastily to the queen. Chris listened. “Make an appointment with the beheader. As soon as we get Garnets Eidolons she will no longer be needed.” Beatrix gasped. “Dismissed.” A cold Brahn said. Beatrix walked stiffly into a room. “Damn, she’s gonna kill Garnet! Damn.” He was panicking, but not nearly as much as I was. I couldn’t even make out two words, language Chris…I was to busy thinking over my life. I started to cry, the group looked up, startled. My tears were falling, like a gentle rain. “No…” Chris murmured. “I won’t give up! I won’t let that bitch kill her! Even if it means my life!” I felt a rush of courage. I wanted to shout out. I felt…needed. I knew that my life would go on, and that I would be strong. “Let’s go!” Chris said confidently. He balled his hand in a fist and bent his arm. “I don’t know this girl, but if she does this to you I’ll help.” Reba stated. She twirled her lance. “We gotta save Erica.” Blind stated, as he tossed his staff in the air. The airship stopped. They snuck out of the airship. As they hid they heard on of Beatrix’s knights tell her that the beheading was in thirty minutes. Chris had a sudden loss of courage. “We’ll never get there on time…” I got despirate. Chris getting there was my only chance. “Chris,” I whispered in his ear, “I’m counting on you, please.” He stood. “What the hell was I saying!” and they started to run. They arrived at all the cells. I wasn’t there, but Steiner and Marcus were. Reba and Chris jumped on top of their cage, but it wasn’t enough weight. Chris reached over to catch Blind as he jumped. He did this well, and the cage fell. Chris then picked the lock. Gasping, he managed to get out, “Garnet’s dead in thirty if we don’t save her.” Steiner took a deep breath and rubbed his head. “The queen would NEVER alow something like THAT to happen.” Steiner was too loyal. Chris rolled his eyes, “Come and see then.” I blacked out. I saw Thorn and Zorn, dancing around me. They were saying strange words. I felt a pull at my neck, where the amulet had been resting. They pulled it off of me. Why was it I could still see?” I jumped back to Chris. They were in my room. They searched all around. Reba looked at a clock on my wall. “Ten minutes left… Let’s search the queens room.” Reba surprised me; I didn’t think she would care. “You can’t do that!” Steiner exclaimed. The others headed out the door. I zoomed into Kuja. “Hehehehehe. Had she watched herself she’d be able to help.” He laughed. “The powers are MINE!” I zoomed to Chris he was in Brahn’s room. He was about ready to give up. He rested on a wall next to the fire place. I then realized where the trap door was. I guided Chris’s hand to the sconce on the wall. He pulled it down, and the logs on the fireplace moved aside. In their place was a staircase. They ran down, and jumped on a spinning platform. It wasn’t spinning fast, just enough to get to the chests on the right side, and the door in the front. Chris didn’t even stop for the treasure. Soon I saw myself; I felt the hope boiling up in me. When the two saw Chris they engaged in battle. “Oh my god!” Steiner shouted. “We’ll take care of these two Chris, get Garnet.” Reba was speaking for Steiner, but not Blind. “Take Blind with you, you’ll run into trouble. We’ll be there soon as possible. Chris ran past the clowns, as Steiner and Reba kept them busy. He gently picked me up, hoping it wasn’t too late. He ran past again, just as Steiner attacked. He jumped on the platform, and sent Blind to get the chests. As soon as we got to the top, Chris had to rest; he had been running as fast as he could. He sat me on the bed that Brahn was sitting on earlier. “Chris…is she dead?” Blind finally had energy enough to speak. Chris glanced at me. “No Blind she’s just sleeping, because she’s tired.” I could tell he doubted it, but the kid couldn’t be traumatized. The two clowns ran away, toward the door, Reba, and Steiner followed close behind. Chris picked me up, and ran after them. Kuja watched us go. But he tossed me something, up into the air. When I caught it, it was my amulet. I was puzzled. Brahn wanted the gems so badly, so why did Kuja let me keep them?” When we got out I felt faint curing spells. None worked. We headed Toward Cleyra, there was a healer there. We reached the city safely; this is where the runaway Burmecians went. The two cities used to be one, but they couldn’t get along. So one was covered in rain, and one in sand. The man cast a spell on me so strong that I awoke.
Chapter 39
The Cleyra settlement
The first thing I saw was Chris standing over me. When I looked past him, I saw that I was in a church I felt like I just had to show how sorry I was, “I’m sorry…I’m so, so sorry. Please forgive me.” I was on the brink of tears. “I couldn’t stop her…” Chris stared for a while, and then murmured, “It’s alright Erica…” I stood, expecting to fall back, but I didn’t fall. Chris took my hand, and led me to a balcony where I could see the sand storm. “I’m sure you know what happened while you were gone…” Chris was aware that I was with him while I slept, but wasn’t angry at all. “But I don’t know what happened while I was gone.” I knew he was trying to get me to talk. I sighed. “A lot.” Was what I said, I didn’t feel like talking. Chris sighed, “Like what?” He probably wanted to know the whole story. “Well, I headed toward Alexandria, on the way I met Marcus, and Cinna.” Chris interrupted, “But I didn’t introduce you to Marcus.” “I saw you guys talking about the plan to kidnap me in a dream, anyway. Cinna had to separate from Marcus, so he left later than Marcus and me. In Treno, I found out that Blank could be saved by and item called Super Soft. While I was looking for it in Treno, a group almost murdered me,” I shuddered, “Except some guy with red hair came out of the shadows and saved me.” Chris interrupted again, “What was his name?” “They called him Salamander, anyway. Marcus found the super soft so we went to steal it, except the man caught us because of Steiner, and he gave it to us. The man was proffecer Tot. We gave it to Marcus, and I took an ant to a boat which in turn took us to Alexandria dungeon. Thorn and Zorn trapped us, and took me to Br- mother. Mother sent for Kuja, Kuja put me to sleep. Thorn and Zorn took my pendant. You came to rescue me.” I said the last bit so fast, that I had to gasp for air. Chris was shocked. He was also looking for something romantic to say. “So when did you want to…” He stopped because he had heard a scream.
Chapter 40
Eternal harvest
A woman ran up the stairs, trying to notify everyone. “MAGES, BLACK MAGES, AND BEATRIX!!!” The woman shouted. “C’mon.” Chris murmured and grabbed my hand. We ran to the church that I woke up in. There were dancers standing in the floor, but two were missing. “What is all this about?!” I was confused. “The dancers power the sand storm, if we can get it powerful enough, then we can save our village.” The priest explained. “Your missing two people, it can’t work.” Reba seemed to feel guilty. “Garnet! You’re a princess right? You should know the dance as well as I do!” The priest had a burst of hope. “Then please help, with a dragon knight and a summoner this should be a triumph!” I panicked. “But I don’t! Chris help.” Chris understood. I was not always Garnet, but this was an emergency. “Try it.” He murmured. I couldn’t believe my ears. Well if Garnet knows it, I do to. I thought. I and Reba stepped into the front; it was the two stars that were killed. The harp started. The second to the back row walked up, stepping to the beat of the music. They stopped. The same beat started again, in a higher note, the back row walked up. Suddenly I knew exactly what to do. We started to dance, I remembered it, but at home it was called clogging. We turned to each other and twirled around each other, always clogging. In the middle of the dance Beatrix walked into the church. She was surprised by the sight of me. “I thought!” She started, “I’m sorry princess. I have orders. You might want to get out; your mother is going to unleash your eidolon Odin on this town. I have said too much…” She cut the strings on the harp with her sword. She took the glimmering ruby from atop the harp. I looked outside; there was no more sand storm. Chris took my hand and started to run. He tried to guide me out but Beatrix stopped him. “She can leave, but you cannot.” Beatrix still followed the queen. I drew my sword. “If he cannot,” I paused, “Than I won’t.” Beatrix was astonished, she knew I liked him but didn’t think I’d give my life for him. “Very well.” She murmured, as she stepped aside. We ran as fast as we could. Chris was holding my hand, I was holding Blinds hand, and Blind was holding Steiners hand. We got out just in time. I turned away, so I couldn’t see the town being destroyed. Reba watched with tears in her eyes. With great pain I looked at Reba. “I am so, so sorry…” Reba turned away. I tried my best not to cry. More people had died because of me. Me and my stupidity.
Chapter41
Ramah
As we traveled, I noticed that all the monsters had changed; it was as if they lost their will to fight. I was rather board. There was nothing left to talk about, and I felt so bad, I didn’t even want to talk. We couldn’t fight, there were no monsters. So we trudged. We decided to head to Lindblum; there at least we could get an airship. We stopped in Treno and boarded an airship headed to Lindblum. It wasn’t a long ride, as we rode everyone else was in a good mood, I hoped it would rub off. Ever since I had left Cleyra, my eidolons had been gone. I hadn’t depended on them, but I missed them all the same. I thought for a while, wondering what would happen should we crash, would I survive. Where would I land? I closed my eyes and hummed my song. I knew something would happen I just couldn’t panic. The ship began to shake I thought for sure I’d fall off, but Chris came, and the shaking stopped. I became calm. I was safe, so I thought. I knew the airship was cursed yet I didn’t care until it started shaking again, I panicked, Chris led me outside. He saw the engine, it was on fire. He glanced at me, I got scared. He seemed to make up his mind. I knew he’d protect me but I also knew he’d jump off, and take me with him. “Ready?” He asked me. I gulped. Wondering how I’d end up. I hesitated, “What other choice do we have?” He laughed. I heard an eerie music. It sounded rather beautiful, but defiantly evil. I knew it was jump, die, or live at the castle for a half hour. I had a risk of dying in each choice, but if I was with Chris, it was lowered. I got a knew confidence I never had. “Chris, I’m sorry about the people in Cleyra, but I must keep going, I can’t dwell on the past anymore.” I watched the others running, “We don’t have time to wait!” Chris realized aloud, “MEET US AT LINDBLUM!!!” He shouted, he took my arm and jumped. I watched as the others jumped too. Blind landed on me, I landed on Chris. I was perfectly fine, but Chris had a backache. However, I remained asleep for longer. Chris and Blind moved me over to a small boat that they had pushed ashore. Chris went around to scan the area. When I woke up I saw Blind looking over me. I looked around, “Where’s Chris?” I said suddenly. “Is he alright?” He came out from behind the bushes, “Erica, Erica, Erica, What are we supposed to say?” He was still adamant about my accent. “I’m supposed to say okay.” I murmured, unbelieving of myself. “What’s the sentence?” Chris asked. I relaxed, Chris was fine. I rolled my eyes, “Is he okay.” Chris nodded his head. I rolled my eyes again. “Is that a common attitude? We have to celebrate!” I laughed. Chris always knew how to make me laugh again. I glanced over to the river passing below. I hadn’t noticed before but there was an old man floating level to the land, but not on it. He was sitting cross legged, and seemed extremely comfortable. “Hello…” I murmured, unsure of myself. He just sat there; I thought I was seeing things. “Are you an eidolon?” I asked bravely. He nodded. “Are you a summoner?” he asked me. I nodded. “My eidolons were stolen from me. But not my power…” I missed having my eidolons, I missed knowing that if things got to ruff, that I could summon. “Could you continue along with us on our quest?” I was eager; I didn’t like the idea of no “insurance” as we call it on earth. He thought. “If you pass my test, you will prove yourself worthy of an eidolon. As you walk around, find all the parts of me. Each will tell you a fragment of a story. When you have all five, come to the end of the rocks and tell them to me in your order. Depending if I like the story, and can draw a moral from it, I might join you.” I nodded. I would pass any test in order to get an eidolon. “I except.” I stated. “This fragment is called, sacrifice. The man knew that the only way out was to sacrifice one of the crew. As he thought, he realized he was the only one he was willing to kill. So he climbed out of the hole and made a deal with Mervania. “I will give you my life, if you will spare the others.” He told the beast. Without hesitation she grabbed him up with her giant pincers and placed him on her web. As she spun a type of cocoon around him she allowed the others to go free of harm. That is that portion.” Chris led me down into a lake, where a gleam of light caught my eye. I let go of Chris’s hand, and walked over to where it was coming from. Sure enough there was the old man. “This fragment is called Spider. As the men climbed the aperance of spiders increased. The leader killed one, as it tried to bite him. Webs started increasing, until they arrived at one big one. There a giant spider was crawling. The beast had the head of a woman with black hair, and eyes blacker than coal. Her face was almost as black as her body. “You do not belong here.” She hissed. A large hole formed behind the leader; all his followers fell through. “Unless one of you gives your life for the others, you will all die.” She said menacingly. She knocked the leader into the hole. “Mervania will kill you all.” She stated to herself. That is the end of this fragment.” The old man added swiftly. I ran back to Chris. “What do you have so far?” he asked me. “Spider, then Sacrifice makes sense to me.” I answered scanning the water. Up higher I noticed an old man. But Chris pointed one out just in front of us. “This section is labeled as Denial. When the group headed toward town, the leader’s sister stopped them. “Where is my brother?” She cried. All but one man lowered their heads. “He sacrificed himself for us.” The man answered. He lowered his head also. “NO! He wouldn’t do this! NO!” She screamed and ran for the barn. The man ran after her. “I won’t ever leave him again!” she cried out as she tied a loose to hang herself with. The man took it away from her, and pressed her to his chest. That is that portion.” The old man finished. We continued walking, always trying to find our way up. Finally we found the man in a corner. “This portion is called better off. The man who had long loved the chief’s sister now sat, holding her hand. “Will you consider marrying me, as an alternative to killing yourself, and your family?” The girl gasped. “You would be better off.” He said. The girl nodded her head, and found herself weeping. That’s the end of this one.” The old man finished. I was surprised that it ended so soon. Chris led me up a vine; he had spotted a way to the last old man. “This portion is called Marriage. The groom waited at the pedestal for his beautiful bride. As she walked down the isle she watched the people crying, and laughing. It was an outdoor ceremony and it was very warm. She noticed her husband-to-be was watching her. When she got to the alter she gathered her courage. “Do you Penny take this man…” her mind blanked out. She thought of her brother, he’d liked to be here now. Poor Rick. “I do.” She murmured. “And do you, Tom, take this woman…” He thought of his leader. How he sacrificed himself, so that this, or something like it, could happen. “I do.” He murmured. “You may now kiss the bride.” The preacher stated. Everyone around applauded them. That is that.” I looked over at Chris. I had a dreamy look in my eyes, he would later tell me. “Let’s go.” I felt ready to pass now, I had heard all five parts, and had mentally put them in order. We walked the vine to the end of the path. There the old man waited. Automatically I started. “Spider comes first, Sacrifice is second, Denial is third, Better off is forth, and Marriage is last.” He nodded. “And what is the moral?” He asked me. “Don’t kill spiders.” Chris muttered under his breath. I playfully slapped him on the arm. “The moral is…If you kill yourself, you can never live a happy life.” He nodded again. “I liked mine better.” Chris muttered again. “You have passed young one. My name is Ramah, but you can call me anything.” I was overjoyed. I had done something big. Ramah disappeared, and I continued on the path; humming my song I was happy as a lark. “I have a feeling Ramah would’ve come anyway.” Blind informed Chris. A voice from the tree tops sounded, “Your right little one, but I wouldn’t have helped. I would just’ve made sure she didn’t die.” I ran ahead, seeing Lindblum, I collapsed.
Chapter 42
Destruction
Chris ran out to the field. Without looking at the town he asked me, “What’s wrong?!” I couldn’t speak, so I pointed to Lindblum. He looked up. He had been crouching by my side. He stood. “Oh my god…” He murmured. I looked up. “No…” I looked back down to the grass. I was almost peering behind me. Chris ran up a few steps to get a better view. Seeing my state, he ran back. He sat next to me, and offered me his arm. I took it, and let myself cry. He moved closer and stroked my back. For a while he watched his city being destroyed. He placed his forehead on his arm, which was now resting on my shoulders. He whispered soothing words to me. Blind stood, unbelieving. Even though the city wasn’t in complete ruins, I was. When I heard the bombing stop, I looked up. The town was almost completely gone. But the castle was completely in tact. I stood. I never could handle anger well. “I’ll STOP HER! I SWARE!!! Somehow… I will.” I broke out into tears again. Chris pulled me into his arms, I couldn’t resist, I was too weak. He held me, and aloud me to cry. I had had to get it all out; I had been holding it in for so long. When I was done Chris released me. “Let’s see what’s left.” Chris murmured. I nodded. Just as I looked up I saw the red rose fly away. I through a stone at it. “Did that help?” Chris asked me. “No.” I answered crossly.
Chapter 43
Stuck
When we walked in, I noticed that Alexandrian soldiers were marching around. Chris told Blind to find a place to hide; he knew that there were black mages here before. The people of this town would surely attack at any costs, just to kill one black mage. We proceeded up to the castle, I noticed every crying child, who had lost a parent because of me. I noticed a group of people torturing a fallen mage. I kept my face hidden from the officers. When we arrived at the castle we had to fight our way through many forces. When we got through, the little oglop, that was my uncle, hugged me, and thanked god that I was alive. He told us that Kuja was supplying all the weapons. He was making them out of the mist. If we stopped the mist, Brahn would be out of ammo, and Lindblum could liberate itself. Chris asked him where the mist comes from, and this is what he told him, “There is a tree, to the west. But not on this continent. It is on a continent called, the forgotten continent.” Chris rolled his eyes. “So like, can we use your airship?” he asked. Cid sighed. “Boat?” Chris asked hopefully. Cid shook his head. “All controlled by the queen.” He murmured. There was a ruckus outside the door, as it was opened. I immediately shut my eyes to see what it was. Two guards were holding Blind, each one held an arm. Blind was pleading with them, “But, I didn’t do anything!” he screamed. I opened my eyes again. Cid opened the door, and seeing Blind, ordered his release. “But sir!” the guards protested. He raised an arm, “He is just dressed like one to be safe, and he’s too small to be one of Kuja’s creations.” They dropped him. “Ouch!” Blind cried. The guards left. “You’ll have to go by foot.” Uncle Cid murmured. He walked us down into the dungeon, “Here you’ll get out of town,” He started searching through his robes, “Ah, here it is, the family treasure.” He murmured. Chris took it and stared at it confused. “It’s a rag.” He murmured, unsure of why the treasure should be a rag. Uncle Cid glared. “It’s a map.” He shouted; just quiet enough that we wouldn’t be caught. “Now, just a minute.” Cid coughed. He hobbled into a hallway, apparently looking for something. “Here it is!” he called back. He pushed down a lever. A little cart, just big enough for two adults, and one child to fit in, came rolling down the tracks. Cid hurried us in. “There’s a trading man, down at the end of the tracks, here’s three thousand gill for supplies.” He called, tossing a bag to us. “What about you uncle?!” I called to him. He laughed. “I’d get you caught! And if they caught me they’d squeeze all the oglop juice out of me.” He waved and ran back upstairs. Ahead I saw a man, standing behind carts and carts of items. Chris did all the talking, while I looked around. The cart we were riding in, was black, it had a white stripe on it. I looked at the door; on the top was a sign saying, “Dragons gate”. Chris walked up in front of me. Apparently I was staring, because he waved his hand in front of me. I shook my head and looked at Chris. We walked out, hoping no Alexandrian soldiers had seen us. Instead of Alexandrians, Reba spotted us. She jogged to catch up. “Where’s Steiner?” I asked her. She just shook her head.
Chapter 44
The Quen swamps
As we headed off, we met two dragons, Reba had to spear them. We came up to a swamp Chris had pointed out to me, on the castle roof. Inside, there were two mogs, they were talking. “Wow… you sure know a lot mogster!” said the littlest one. “Yeah I know.” The big one replied. They didn’t seem to notice (or care) that we walked past them. We came up upon, a particularly swampy area. There a creature, was attempting to catch a few frogs. It turned around and saw us. It wore a pink shirt, covered with a white skirt. The skirt had a couple of trouser straps holding it up. The creature itself was white; its long tongue was hanging down to the end of its blue bib. It had on a chef’s hat. As we approached it said, “I Quina, who you?” I looked at Chris, wondering what I should say, or do. He walked up to the creature and offered a hand. Quina took it as Chris said, “My name is Chris, nice to meet you.” The thing shook his head. Chris gestured to Reba, to show me what to do. She walked up, shook its hand, and said, “Reba… hello.” Reba was in a very bad mood. Chris rolled his eyes. I walked up, “Hello, my name is… Erica.” Chris nodded his approval. Like I needed it. Blind walked up murmuring something. “My name is Blind, pleased to meet you.” He answered the thing. It nodded. Another one walked out from under a canopy of bushes. “How are you doing, Quina?” he asked. It shook its head. The older one nodded for us to follow him. On the way, Chris explained to me that Quina was a Quen. “Oh…” I murmured. Up in the old cottage, we introduced ourselves again. The oldest creature’s name was Quen. Chris told Quen of our mission. “OH! Will be food?” Quina asked. Chris nodded. “Behind this cottage, is a cave. Through that cave you can find your destination. Take Quina with you, she needs much knowledge before she can become an elder. That is all.” He walked out of the room. So did we. As we walked through the maze of weeds, we encountered I giant turtle Quina stuck it in the head with her fork. It died. A half hour later, Quina started running through the weeds, yelling, “I smell frog! I smell new frog!” We followed her, where she led us, was to a large, stone door. Little frogs were hopping everywhere. We had to let Quina catch frogs for a while before we could proceed.
Chapter 45
Dark and deserted cave
When we walked in, a cage was to our left. In front was a wall, yet the path continued to the right. Chris peered into the cage, trying to see what was in it. “It’s to dark…” he murmured. “Let’s just go…” Blind answered. Chris nodded. As we walked down the path, we heard a rumbling behind us. When we looked back a giant machine was charging us. It was yellow and pink, with a dark blue twisted blade on the front. We ran for our lives, Chris always made sure that I was in front of him, and in back of Reba. That way if the machine caught up, it would get Chris, not me. And should there be a pit, Reba would fall, not me. Everyone stopped abruptly. There in front of Reba, was a pit. And on the other side, a pendulum. Reba jumped over, and ran through the pendulum. Chris threw Blind over the pit. He timed when to get to Reba. With Chris’s encouragement, I jumped just in time to run through. Chris, seeing the monstrosity if the machine, jumped, along with Quina, who jumped over the pendulum. We continued running, stopping only when we were far from the pit. We watched as the machine fell through. The blade was cut off by the pendulum. We walked to the corner where we were blocked off by a woman. She had brown hair, an off white shirt that had the top part of her breasts cut out. She had a red skirt, with red shoes. There in front of her sat a giant ax. In her hair was a headband, in the headband stood a feather. “I am Lani, the bounty huntress. I have come to get that amulet from you.” She stated. Chris got in front of me. “You’ll not have it!” I cried out. She lowered her head. “I worn you princess, the queen does not require your safe return.” She said softly. I gasped. “Tha…that cannot be true! My mother would never order that!” Lani laughed. I glanced around, as everyone drew their weapons. Lani tried to pick up the ax, but she couldn’t hold it for long. The battle began. She dragged the ax over to me and swung it, my jumping away, just nearly saved my hide. Chris was enraged and started glowing pink again. “What is that?” I asked him. He rolled his eyes, “Trance. You get it from extreme emotions.” I shrugged. Chris raised his hands into the air. His body formed a Y. He seemed to be whispering something. Next thing I knew. Lani, had white lights coming out of her. She fell, depending on the ax for support. “You may have gotten out unscathed this time, but next time I will have that necklace!” she cried as she leaped back the way we came. “I hungry…” Quina murmured. We all looked at her. We shook our heads and continued walking.
46
Surprise!
After a few hours of walking, we came up to the end of the passage. Right there in front of us was a forest. “Maybe there will be berries in there we can eat…or maybe water.” Chris murmured. We continued up into the forest. We spotted a mage doll walking. We followed it to a large clearing. We continued walking, and were shocked to be in the front of a small village. We walked into the stable on the right. There stood two Black mages, who were caring for an egg. They were very friendly. They told us where the weapon store was, where the items store was, and where the hotel was. Chris and I proceeded to the hotel, Blind stayed to talk; Reba went to the weapons store, while Quina tried to get the mages to fry the egg. Chris walked up to the counter. “Two rooms please.” He asked him, handing him a hundred gill. The mage took the money and pointed to the right. When we looked there was a bunk bed, and a single bed in each room. “I was going to sleep in a different room then the girls, but there are too many girls…” Chris murmured. “Here’s my plan, you me and Blind sleep in this room.” He pointed to room 206. “And Reba and Quina sleep in this room.” He pointed to room 207. I nodded. I ran to the bottom bunk, “This one’s mine!” I cried out. Chris laughed. “The top ones mine.” He managed. We both laughed. “I’m gonna head to the weapons store, you commin?” He asked. I shook my head. “I think I’ll stay here and catch up on my dreams.” Chris sighed. “Will you,” he hesitated. “Will you be alright?” he asked. I rolled my eyes. He left.
Chapter46
Old dreams, new dreams
I saw Steiner; He was talking to Uncle Cid. Cid told him where we were headed and Steiner gaped. “The forgotten continent?!” Cid nodded. I saw Kuja next. “Just as I planned… Ah Erica, don’t meddle in other people’s affairs, it could cost you dearly one day, hahahahaha!” I jumped to Brahn. She was talking to Lani, and the man who saved me in Treno. “Get that amulet, by any means necessary. And that cat boy has been getting on my nerves; there will be an extra 20,000 gill for whoever kills him.” Salamander nodded. “It shall be done your majesty.” Lani said in the middle of a deep bow. “Good, dismissed.” The queen murmured. I jumped to Blind. He was in a very small graveyard, talking to a mage. “This is where we put our kind when they stop moving.” The mage murmured. Blind took in a deep breath. “Do you stop moving early?” Blind asked, trying not to let his fear take over him. “It is kind of you to put it in our phrase, but you would call it dying, and it differs.” The mage answered. I jumped to Quina, She was still complaining of hunger, but now to a mage. I went to Reba. Sitting outside, thinking about a Burmecian named Sir. Ratly. I jumped to Chris. “I’d like that set of daggers, that staff over there, that spear the sharp one and that sword please.” The mage walked over to a set of bronze plated daggers, and brought them to the counter. He sluggishly walked over to a red spear, with a blue crystal. He tossed it to the counter. He pointed to a series of short swords. When he got to the one with a royal blue sheath Chris said, “That’s the one.” “Is that all?” the mage asked him. Chris nodded. I was awakened by a soft tap on my shoulder.
Chapter 47
They match?
When I woke up, I realized that it was Chris, urging me to wake up. “Hi, I guess I had a lot to catch up on…” I murmured. Chris nodded. I laughed nervously. Chris pointed to the bag that lied on Blinds bed. I got up to see what he bought, even though I knew. “Daggers, a staff, a spear, and a sword. Well equipment for every one, but what about Quina?” Chris looked up. “That’s alright; I know they didn’t have any large forks…” I continued. “Check out your sword.” He told me excitedly. I drew it out of the sheath, the blade was bronze plated. I gasped, as Chris drew his daggers. His blades were bronze plated also. Although his sheath was silver, our weapons matched. “They match?!” I asked in astonishment. Chris nodded. I knew he got us both weapons, but I didn’t know they matched. We spent the rest of the day talking about whether or not Steiner would catch up, and what exactly Kuja was planning. Toward eight o clock, Blind came in. Chris handed him the wooden staff he had bought for him. “Wow…” was all he said. I still couldn’t get over the fact that Chris bought us matching weapons. “Blind, Chris, have you noticed that Quina doesn’t like it when we call her Quina?” I asked. Both boys nodded. “What should we call her then?” I persisted. “Froggy.” Chris answered. I thought it over. She did like frogs. “Good idea.” I stated. Chris laughed. “It was a joke.” Chris murmured. All three of us laughed. “But it makes sense!” I persisted. Chris rolled his eyes. “It’s kinda late…is it okay if I go to bed?” Blind asked. I nodded. “I think I’ll hit the sack to.” Chris yawned. I lay down.”
Chapter 48
Letting out the pain in disguise
I stared at the bottom of Chris’s mattress for a while. I was to confused and worried to sleep. I hummed my song, wondering if I missed something. “Can’t sleep?” Chris asked me. I stopped humming. “No.” I answered careful not to awake Blind. “You don’t have to whisper, Blinds awake, and out of the room.” Chris informed me. I sat up. “Where is he!?” I asked urgently. “I dunno, maybe he wanted to give us a little time alone.” Chris answered slyly. I rolled my eyes. I lay back down, and closed my eyes. Chris laughed. “Maybe a bedtime story will help.” He said. I opened my eyes and rolled them. “How many times do I have to tell you” I started but Chris cut me off, “That you’re not a baby?” Chris asked. I nodded. “There was a boy who had no parents,” Chris started, “he was five at the time. A man who lived in Lindblum adopted him. The man taught him the arts of thievery, and how to be silent. At the age of fifteen the boy ran away, he headed to Treno, where he stole to survive. He wasn’t very successful, so at the age of sixteen the boy went back to Lindblum. When he went into his house, his father was there. He beat the shit out of the boy, and…and laughed. Can you imagine laughing after you beat the shit out of your kid? Anyway for two years the boy was miserable, until he was eighteen when the man stole the most desirable animal in the world. This is where the story ends.” Chris ended it quietly. “Chris…” I whispered. He peered down at me. “Is that man in this room right now?” I asked. Chris nodded. “I see…” I added and turned to my other side. I fell asleep, thinking about that story.
Chapter 49
The only way through
While we were on our way anywhere I asked Quina If we could call her Froggy. She said we could just when Steiner caught up to us. “Oh no! Sir Rustalot caught up!” Chris shouted sarcastically. “Chris, cut it out.” I scolded, “We missed you Steiner.” I told Steiner. As we continued I asked Chris where exactly we were going. “West, to the Lifa tree.” Chris answered. Steiner grumbled. I introduced him to Froggy. Within twelve hours we reached a town. Totala was a very strange town. Chris asked a man how to get to the Lifa tree, and this is what he said, “People ony get dare eye getten mard, an goin on dare oneymoon.” “Okay,” Chris murmured. “Where’s the hotel?” he asked the man pointed. When we were safely out of ears reach from the man Chris asked, “Did anyone understand a word he said?” I nodded. “He said,” I started, “The only way to get there is by getting married, and going there on their honeymoon.” Chris murmured something I couldn’t hear. We walked back out of the room. “So the only way to get there is by getting married?” Chris asked him. “Dats what I said.” The man replied. I don’t know what came over me, other than pure desperation to save more people from their deaths. To do that, I would sacrifice anything. “Then I’ll have to get married.” I whispered, and then said it aloud, confidently. Everyone stared. Chris walked me back into the hotel room, the others at our heels. “Who were you planning on marrying, Chris?” Reba asked me. “Who else is there?” I asked her. “I can’t very well marry Blind, he’s too young, Froggy's a girl, you’re a girl, I just couldn’t marry Steiner…he’s, sorry to say this but, he’s too old. Chris is the last option.” I continued. The whole time, Chris was in shock. So much for hard to get… I thought. “Well?” I asked. Chris didn’t say anything. Reba slapped him on the back. He gasped. “When?” he asked me. A rush of excitement raced through me. “I don’t know, but sometime soon. I need to go think… I’ll be wading in a lake somewhere…” I told them. I walked out.
Chapter 50
Amazement in the lake
As I walked, everyone followed me except for Chris. They each stopped at a different place. I was shocked to see how clear the water was, and the giant plant, that hung over. I went waist deep, for fear that there might be a fiend waiting for me. As I thought I got more and more comfortable. I closed my eyes and watched Chris. He was running, looking for each person. Each one gave him a clue as to where I was (Froggy said, “Ask some else”). When I opened my eyes, Chris was asking Reba where I was, and she pointed to the great plant. He saw me, my back was turned but I could sense him, in a way. “Hi…” He said, so I’d know he was there. “Hi…” I murmured. I turned around and watched as Reba walked away. It was silent. “You know,” Chris started, “I was really surprised when you said that. And… um…” he stopped. I wondered why all of a sudden he was shy. “Um, here.” He said quickly, handing me a small package. I opened it up. There was a golden band, with three diamonds on it. I gasped. “Oh my god…” I said under my breath. My eyes started to water. “Are you Okay?” Chris asked me. I realized that I was weeping. “Yes… It’s just…(sob) I thought no one would ask, I thought I’d have to do it all on my own, and…(sob) and…”Chris waded over to me. And drew me into his arms. “Erica?” he said, cutting me off. I looked up. He kissed me. At first I was surprised, but eventually I just let myself accept it. Next thing I knew, we were drifting around, under water. We separated, I held his hand, to afraid to let go, for fear that I might drown. We went from one hand too two, and I looked into his eyes. He pulled me close again, and pressed his lips to mine. We turned, always holding each others hands. We separated again, a twirled. The gap between us formed a circle. I had felt nothing like that. Even his touch made me tremble. It was so wonderful that that was all I could think. In my mind a love song played, it was in a different language, but I understood every word. As we came up to shore, Chris asked me if I was cold. “Why?” I asked him. He looked down. “Because you’re shivering…” I looked away. I laughed nervously. “I’m just excited…” I told him. He thought it over. “Why?” He asked me. I laughed again. “Because that was my first kiss…” I stated, blushing. He stopped dead. I looked back. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “I never would’ve thought…” He answered. I walked back to him. “Never would’ve thought what?” I asked him, I was getting scared. “That someone a beautiful as you could be untouched…” He quietly answered. I turned. I didn’t want him to see me blush, even though he had before. I started to walk again, knowing that every time before he had come running. He picked up his pace.
Chapter 51
Weddings are for the group
The next day, realization hit me. I had two bridesmaids, Reba was the made of honor. Before then I hadn’t realized that this was real, I wouldn’t be able to go to the messed up life I called home. If I screw it up this time, I had to deal with it. Should I really marry this guy? Afterwards, I wouldn’t be able to enter this town, without being Mrs. Tribal I think I’d like to keep Alexandros… Next thing I knew I was walking down the isle, watching as Chris stared in astonishment. The priest was wearing long red robes, but that was the last thing I’d think about. I was wondering if all this would do any good… Would Blind, Froggy, Reba, and Steiner be able to come? Directly in front of me was Froggy. We had used her as the flower girl. Waiting for me, at mid section was Steiner; he was unwillingly giving me away. I wondered where Blind was, I had left Chris in charge of the men (and boys). I felt Steiner take my arm. We continued to walk, everything in my mind sounded like an echo. I was terrified, but when I saw the look on Chris’s face, I calmed. “Do you Chris Tribal take this girl…” The echo said, but I heard Chris interrupt. “Woman.” He said. My face lit up. “Woman, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, forever and beyond?” The priest corrected himself. I closed my eyes for the answer. “I do.” Chris murmured. I smiled. The priest turned to me. “And do you Erica Solomon take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, forever and beyond?” I took in a deep breath. Do I? “Yes… I mean, I do.” I smiled. Chris turned to the isle, and pointed. There was blind, holding a pillow on his hand. Blind was the ring bearer. Chris took one ring, and placed it on my finger, it fit into the engagement ring. “With this ring, I thee Wed.” he clearly said. I picked up a ring. “With this ring, I thee wed.” I mimicked. “You may now kiss the bride.” The priest told us. Chris leaned over to me, and gently kissed me. I knew he was trying not to get too into it, but it was hard to tell. When we came apart, everyone clapped. I threw my bouquet, hoping someone in our group would get it. An old lady, with a young boyfriend caught it. I didn’t care; I was too busy being carried off, to the hotel room. When we got there I was gasping for air. All I could say was, “Isn’t it wonderful!?” Chris was beaming. “What were you thinking about Chris? While you were waiting for me.” He laughed. “Now, that’s something I’ll never tell anyone.” We both laughed. The others came in. “Um, did we come in at a bad time?” asked Reba. That’s when I realized Chris and I were sitting on the same bed. “No.” Chris happily answered. “Not at all.” He continued. “Better not have…” Steiner threatened. All of us laughed except Steiner. “Here’s the question of the day, how do we get there?” Reba asked. “Reba, you should marry Steiner, and Blind should marry Froggy.” Chris had an answer for everything. “I don’t think so.” Reba declared, glancing at Steiner. “We can sneak you out!” I declared suddenly. Everyone looked at me. “Anything for my beautiful wife.” Chris said. I looked down. I was blushing again. “Well… We’ll go tomorrow then.” Chris continued. We filed into our two rooms. Me and Chris in one, the rest in the other.
Chapter52
The cat-bat girl
The next day, we asked if we could take someone with us, on our honeymoon “an thing da bide wans.” He said. “Any thing the bride wants.” I translated for Chris. On the way out, we saw a girl rushing out of town. There were people behind her screaming, “STOP THIEF STOP!!!” I grabbed a hold of Chris’s arm. “We have to help her!” I told him. Kissing my cheek he said, “Anything for my beautiful wife.” And he ran out into the crowd, “She went that way!” he cried out, pointing back up the streets of town. Everyone followed his finger. I turned away again, I was blushing. Taking my hand Chris continued down the path. All the others in close pursuit. There was the girl, hanging over the edge of a pit. “Mog! Don’t leave me here!” the girl shouted, as the tiny cat-bat flew away. “I’ll make mog soup out of you when I get home!” She called after it. “Chris! We have to help her!” I told him. “Anything for my beautiful wife.” He whispered in my ear. I giggled a little. The girl kept yelling at the little cat-bat until she looked up and saw Chris offering her a hand. She took it, and I could tell, that I would have, very young, competition. The girl had blue hair; she had a pearl white horn that came out of her head. She wore a red shirt, with yellow trousers. “My name is Madain.” The girl enquired. “Maybe you should get home little girl.” Chris told her. I was glad not to be the only one he treated as a child. “I’m not a little girl! I’m not like him!” she cried, pointing at Blind. “But you don’t look much older than me.” Blind answered. “Well I’m nine years old!” She answered. “Well, what’s your name then?” I asked her. “Madain.” She grumbled. “Nice to meet you.” I said, offering my hand. She grumbled. “Okay…” I murmured, bringing back my hand. “I guess I owe you. C’mon I’ll show you where I live, and take you wherever you need to go.” I looked at Chris. Madain took us through the plains. I always made sure I was close to Chris, and whenever I would suggest, or ask for something, Chris would whisper in my ear, “Anything for my beautiful wife.” And I would giggle. These seemed to me the happiest years of my life. The years that I was with Chris. We arrived at what looked like an old abandoned city. “Well, this is home!” Madain told us. “It hasn’t been in the best condition since six years ago, but I’ve learned to live with it.” A whole group of cat-bats, started flying towards us. I moved closer to Chris. I had read about them, but didn’t know if they bit. Chris laughed. “What’s so funny?” I asked him. “They only bite people who are threatening them.” He informed me. “Just make sure that’s none think I’m threatening them…” I murmured. He whispered “Anything for my beautiful wife.” Into my ear. I giggled.
Chapter53
Madain Sari
“This is Madain Sari! The city I’m named after! Are you hungry, tired, or aggravated? I’m kinda hungry, so I’m gonna cook something. Want some?” She was standing right in front of Chris. “Yes, I think we’re all hungry.” I answered for him. She seemed to just realize that Chris wasn’t the only one that followed. Chris put his arm around me. “Of course.” She murmured. “Chris, I’ve got to talk to you.” Chris lowered his head. I rolled my eyes. “Chris I gotta talk to you.” This time he answered. “Okay, let’s go over there.” I nodded. We walked hastily over and sat on a bench “Chris…I was wondering. Is my last name Tribal now?” Chris was astonished. “How’d you know my last name?” he asked me. I rolled my eyes. “Marcus told me. Answer the question!” Chris sat back, and smiled. He could tell I was getting angry. He whispered in my ear, “Anything for my beautiful wife.” I giggled. “Whichever, Tribal or Alexandros, whatever you decide.” He answered. “Tribal.” I told him. He was astonished. He grinned. “Anything for my beautiful wife.” He whispered. I giggled again. A cat-bat came flying to us. “The food is ready.” He told us. We followed it to a little house. It was the only one undamaged. Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Lani, but when I turned, she wasn’t there. As we sat down to eat, Chris made sure he sat next to me. I was on his right side. Somehow the conversation came around to each of our powers. “Okay! Let’s start with Chris, and move to the right!” Madain happily declared with a clap of her hands. “Al…Okay, lets see. I’m good with daggers, and,” he looked at me, trying to figure something out, “I can kill a monster with one hit, if I’m it trance.” Chris finished. I was glad he didn’t decide to say anything about being able to make me shake. “I…” I started. “What can I do?” I asked Chris. He laughed, and waved his hands around under the table. “I can summon!” I declared. Madain’s head shot up. It went to Froggy. “I eat.” She said quickly. “I can jump, and land on the monster when I come down.” Reba answered. “I can cast firaga.” Blind said. “I fight with a heavy sword. That’s special enough.” Steiner said. It was Madain’s turn. “I can also summon.” She murmured. I jumped up. “Another?!” I cried. My amulet started to glow when I turned toward Madain. I gasped. “Could this be the chosen?! The one I’m to meet?! The one like me?!” Madain cried. “Chris I’m scared!” I cried. I felt a heat wave go through me, but I was shaking. Chris stood and took me into his arms. “Come!” Madain said hastily. I tried to stand on my own, but fell back into Chris’s arms. “She can’t walk?!” Chris cried. Madain pinched the top of her nose. “Then guide her!” she reluctantly ordered. Chris started to walk, my only movement, was my legs, which seemed to be electric.
Chapter 53
Wall of sacred Beasts
When I was guided in I got my strength back. “Let me walk.” I told Chris. He let go, but only after whispering in my ear, “Anything for my beautiful wife.” The wall was in a circle. There was only one opening, the one at the base of it all. As I stared at the first picture I began to understand. The one I looked at first, was a great beast. He looked like a bull standing on two feet, atop a fire ball. “Ifrit…” I murmured. Madain nodded. I moved to the next one. It was a woman wearing a crown. It looked as if she had a band that cut across her breasts. She was getting ready to snap her fingers. “Shiva…” I murmured. Madain nodded again. The next one was a dragon. It had no wings; it just floated just above a water fall. “Leviathan…” I murmured. Madain nodded. I came to another. A large dragon. Wings spread out. It was getting ready to flap. “Bahamut…” I murmured. Madain nodded. The next one was of an old man, floating. “Ramah…” I murmured. Madain patiently nodded. The next one glowed white, and it was moving. It was of a dragon, which seemed to wrap its great wings around me. I closed my eyes. “The great Eidolon… Alexander.” I murmured, opening my eyes. “Yes. The one the pawn is after.” Madain whispered. I turned. “You mean Kuja.” I said confidently. “Huh?” Chris asked. I realized Chris didn’t leave. “If you are the chosen, you must travel to lands you don’t know… you already have, haven’t you?” Madain asked. I nodded. “Protect your eidolons…and your worlds. It all depends on you.” She added, “We were destined to meet.” I wiped my eyes. “Are you one of those, riddle talking people?” I asked her. She laughed. “Only when I’m spoken through.” She answered.
Chapter 54
I thought you were a good guy.
As we started to leave I felt a yank on the neck of my jumper. I looked around, trying to figure out who it was, when I realized, everyone was in front of me. Before I could gasp, I was pulled back, and a hand was placed over my mouth. I looked over. In his other hand, he was trying to gag Madain. “HELP!” She screamed, just before he gagged her. Chris spun around. “Erica.” He murmured. “Erica! I’m coming!” he cried. Reba held him back. “If you hit him now, you’ll either hit Erica, or Madain.” She told him. He calmed down. “Why don’t you let her see your face…Salamander?” He asked him. He removed his hand and I ran to Chris. He pulled me into his arms. I turned around. “I thought you were a good guy!” I cried. “I hate being tricked!” I continued. While in my head I was thinking, “Unless Chris is the trickster…” I watched as Salamander readied himself for battle. He jumped up onto a pillar and placed Madain on top of it. He jumped back down. He placed a set of claws on his hands. “I’ll just have to tear that amulet right off of your neck!” he cried. “Chris! Where’s my sword?!” I asked him. He tossed me my never used sword. Chris drew his daggers. “Who else is fighting?!” I cried Reba ran in with her old spear. Chris tossed her a new one. Blind ran in also, with his staff. “Thanks.” Reba murmured a little late. Salamander made a cutting action at my throat. Chris jumped in the way. “Chris!” I cried. He winked. I stuck my sword in the ground and started to chant words I never heard before. Ramah appeared above us. He held his staff in the air. Lightning sparks began to fly. When I looked over I couldn’t see Chris, Reba, or even little Blind. I was the only one there, besides Salamander. Ramah disappeared, and my friends appeared. I took in a deep breath. Salamander made another attempt to slash my throat open. He cut me, and I felt it. But I didn’t die. “Chris, I should be dead here…” I murmured. “Things are different here. Here we have hit points. You have one thousand twenty eight left. Be happy you’re not as easy to kill.” I groaned. Chris ran over and did a circle cut. Salamander fell. “Why are you so strong?!” he asked. “I have friends.” Chris answered. He hesitated. “Can I join, so I may learn?” Salamander asked. “Okay, but you have to change your name. It’s too hard for the littler ones to say.” I told him. He groaned. “Call me what you like, but my name is my name.” He said. “Bronze then.” I said. Rolling his eyes he jumped up and got Madain down. “Is that the only Eidolon you have?” she asked me. I nodded saying, “Mother took them away from me.”
Chapter 55
The Lifa Tree
After wards, we started to walk toward a gigantic tree Madain called the Lifa Tree. Its roots were all twisted, and there was mist rising from the leaves. “What’d we have to kill?” Chris asked. No one answered. “Okay…” he murmured. Bronze tried to walk strait into the door, and was pushed back. “WHAT THE HELL!!” he shouted. I looked at Chris. “Can’t you watch your language? We’ve got wee ones here!” I scolded Bronze. I could tell Chris was itching to make me giggle. “They can’t be too small; they’re on this field trip.” he growled. “Field trip!? Chris hold me back I wanna kill him!” I cried. Chris took hold of my arm, and turned me into his chest. Bronze laughed. Chris held me for about five minutes, “You okay?” he asked me. I nodded. “Figgie tongue, tubule dibble. Sepal show mana jiggle!” Madain chanted. The barrier lifted. “What did those words mean?” Chris asked her. Madain laughed. “I don’t know, they were just for the show.” She answered. On the way in she called back, “Tricked ya!” It was very hard climbing up tree limbs. Even the tiny door led to a group of them. Some were steep, while others were slippery. And some were both. A number of times Chris had to hold on to my arm. When we finally reached the top, there was a floating leaf. “I’ll go.” Chris said. Before anyone could say anything he was on his way down. Riding the leaf. “NO!” I cried, jumping down onto the leaf. “What the!?” Chris murmured when he saw me. “Oh I get it.” “Either I go, or nobody goes!” I told him. He smiled. “Anything for my beautiful wife.” He whispered into my ear. I giggled. He grabbed hold of my waist with his tail, and jumped up to where the others were. “It goes down inside the tree. Probably down to the heart where this fiend is.” Chris informed us. We all stepped onto the leaf. It started going down. When we got to the bottom of the tunnel, I could see lots of flying monsters, a twisted vine that went all the way down, and darkness. The leaf started gliding around the vine. “No wind… There must be a force field around this leaf.” Chris said. A monster started flying toward us. As soon as it got close enough to attack, it exploded. I guarded my eyes, for fear of organs hitting me. When I removed my arm, nothing had happened. “What the!?” I cried. Chris hit himself in the head. “Force field.” Chris reminded me. When we landed, it looked like we were on a ship. “LOOK OUT!” Blind shouted. Everyone was off of it except for me. I looked behind me. There was a giant snake, ready to bite me behind. I ran for the stairs. Its tail blocked me. Chris leaped over the shaking tail and stood in front of me. “You want to eat her?! You’ll have to go through me! I’m making an oath here, and now! I Chris Tribal, promises to protect this woman, Garnet till Alexandros the thirteenth, A.K.A, Erica Solomon, A.K.A, Erica Tribal, It won’t matter how weak I am! I will die before this woman does, and most likely I will die protecting her! NOW GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!” I laughed, and stopped as soon as I realized once more where I was. Chris drew his daggers. “Toss me my sword!” I called down. My royal blue sword came flying up like a spear. Chris attacked the snake, just as I caught my sword. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I held the sword in front of me. I closed my eyes and started to chant. When I opened my eyes Chris gasped. “What is it?” I asked him. I brought my sword down forgetting it was my turn. A wave of air came out of it, and hit the snake in the mouth. It died. “Chris, you must have hit that snake hard…” I murmured. “One hp…” Chris answered. “Was that a fiend? Did I just kill a fiend with one hit?” I asked staring at the corps. Chris nodded. “Wow.” I said. “That’s my chosen girl!” Madain cried out.
Chapter 56
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When we got out of the tree, the first thing we saw was the red rose. “Oh my god…” I murmured. I looked up, there was no more mist coming out of the leaves. “What’s going on?” Madain asked ignorantly. “NOT AGAIN!!! I cried. Chris pulled me into his arms. “You might look at the fact, that if she bombs the tree we’ll be the only people to die…” He said, trying to sooth my worries. “I don’t think that helped too much…” Madain murmured. I heard a bone chilling laugh from up above. “Kuja…” I murmured. “Get your ass down here, before I shoot you down, you ass hole!” Chris shouted at him. I closed my eyes, wanting to get away from this spot, where my husband was to die. “Stupid girl! You’re not aloud to die yet!” Kuja called to me. I followed his finger to a giant statue. “What is it?” I asked him, finding him to be once, a friend, then an enemy. “Leviathan, you can kill your mother with it.” He answered. I opened my eyes. “NO!” I cried. Kuja laughed. “Then I will.” He told us all. I gasped. “A little fill in please…” Chris whispered in my ear. “Madain! Where’s the statue of Leviathan?” I asked her. She pointed to a great statue. “Kuja’s going to try to get it; I have to get there first!” I cried. Kuja laughed. “That’s what you think!” he called back. “If he’s going to kill Brahn for us, then what’s the problem?” Chris asked me. I pinched the top of my nose. “She may not be the best person in the world, Chris, but she is still my mother.” I calmly murmured. “I have lost two fathers; I will not lose a mother with out a fight!” I cried. Running for the statue, I thought over my speech. She wasn’t my mother, she was Garnets mother, but Now, here I was in Garnets body, she’s probably in mine… Her mother is my mother, her guard, my guard! I plopped down on the ground before the statue. It started to rain. I placed my hands together, and prayed. Then aloud I murmured, “I need your help…please guide me on my quest.” It started to rain harder. “Please guide me on my quest.” I repeated, growing louder, and louder, until I was shouting at the top of my lungs. I saw the ghost of a dragon, leap out of the statue. I was afraid it might kill me. I raced towards me as I stood up. I tried to run but couldn’t move. The dragon raced into my chest, and didn’t come out the other side. I sighed, happy that it was over, at least until I saw Kuja riding on his white dragon. I started running up the roots, crying, “I’ll save you mother!” Chris followed me. “What are you doing?” he asked me in short breaths. I growled. Standing on the same branch Kuja was standing on, I summoned. The great blue dragon shot out of my chest. Everything became silent to me. I could see that there should be loud bombs, but I could not hear them. A slow song played in my mind. It was a played on the piano, I had heard it somewhere before. It reminded me, that I was trying to stop the inevitable. I saw flames erupt from the ship. “Put them out! Save her!” I cried to my beast. I saw bodies falling out of the decrepit ship. One I saw, toward the end… was Brahn. “NO!!!” I cried running back down the roots. Toward the mid section of the tree I slipped. I landed on my back, and slid the rest of the way. I saw, over near the beach, was mother. I ran to the waters edge. “I’m sorry mother… I’m so sorry.” I cried. I was weeping. I looked up. “I’ll get you for this Kuja!!!” I screamed. “I’ll kill you Kuja!” I added. “I have to…” I muttered. Chris tried to draw me into his arms again, “I need to be alone…” I told him, before he had his arms completely around me. He nodded. I walked over to where the other bodies lied. I felt like I was neglecting some duty, but I didn’t know what it was, so I just sat down, and cried.
Chapter 57
It all sets in
On the way back to Lindblum, I just didn’t feel the same. The others were rambling on and on, about things I’d probably care about had I listened. Although they asked me about this and that, I rarely said a word. When we got into sight of food, I decided to tune in. “I used to think that I was just a doll, but when I saw Erica crying, I felt sad inside, and I don’t think dolls have feelings. I think that those dolls are modeled after me!” Blind said cheerily. Everyone laughed except for me. “Let’s check into the castle, this town belongs to Erica now.” Chris chimed. “No…” I muttered. Everyone said, “Huh…” “This city belongs to my uncle.” I answered. Everyone nodded. “Ya know, that’s the most you’ve said on this entire trip.” Chris told me. I sighed. We walked on one of the air taxis that line the city. Chris walked me up to the guest room, “Your gonna have to get over it sooner or later… look, Cid's holding this meeting in a half hour, wanna go?” Chris asked. I shook my head. I closed my eyes and hummed my song, hoping for some consolation. I saw Kuja; he was in the auction house in Treno. “So how was it in Burmecia?” The auctioneer asked him. “It would’ve been better had the cow-lady not been there.” Kuja answered. I raced the next vision. It was Kuja, on his white dragon. He touched his forehead. He brought down his hand; it had a red liquid on it. “Blood…” He murmured, and started to laugh. “Good, I hurt him…” I muttered. He looked up. “Good I hurt you!” I cried at him. He laughed even harder. “Enjoy that laugh! It’s one of your last!” I yelled at him. “I curse your name!” I added. He pushed me to Reba. She was thinking how pathetic I was. To Steiner he was thinking, she’s queen now, can she handle it? To Bronze he was thinking, how will I get my pay? To Froggy she was thinking, wonder how would taste… To Madain, She’ll need to toughen up in order to fulfill the prophecy. I jumped to Chris, Why won’t she let me help? I saw through my eyes once more my dead mother, Realization hit me. She was dead; I had a city to run… Beatrix is probably dead… I don’t even know my way around the castle. I jumped to the meeting, they were talking about how they’d get me back to Alexandria, and that there were no princes to marry me… They heard a scream. I woke up. It was the maid. I tried to tell her that nothing was wrong, but I couldn’t speak. I started to panic. The group came running up the stairs. Chris was in the lead. “What’s wrong?!” He asked urgently. “She won’t talk, I don’t think she can!” The maid answered. He ran to my side. “Can you speak?’ he asked me. I shook my head. “Get a doctor! The princess has gone mute!” He cried. Everyone gasped. “Let her tell us herself!” A man near by stated. “She has gone mute.” Chris told him slowly, “Meaning, she cannot talk.” He clarified. A man came running up the stairs. “Yep she’s mute.” He said immediately. “You a doctor?” Chris asked him. He nodded. “How do people get like that? How long will it last?” He asked. The doctor hung his head. “Anywhere from four minutes to forty years… and any traumatic episode.” The doctor answered. Chris turned red, “See ya later.” He said. I sat up strait. “Where are you going?” Madain translated. “To kick Kuja’s ass.” Chris answered, “Excuse my language.” He added, nodding to me. I sat back down and tilted my head. “Don’t go!” Madain translated. Chris spun around. He walked over to me, and in my ear whispered, “Anything for my beautiful wife.” I giggled silently. “We’ll walk to Alexandria, stay there until Eri- Garnet heals, then we’ll kick Kuja’s ass.” Chris said merrily.
Chapter 58
Back to Alexandria
It was a short trip back to Alexandria. We rode on an airship, this time. Blind kept shivering at the memory of the black waltze. Chris stayed by my side the entire time, while Reba stood alone on the deck. Froggy searched the entire ship for food, getting more discouraged after she searched each room. Bronze stood by the engine room, thinking. Madain kept running around checking on everyone, and keeping me up to date. Chris told me jokes, and stories the whole of the trip. There were so many times I wanted to add something to the story, or joke that I couldn’t. Finally we landed at the port, and Beatrix escorted me off of the airship. I waved my arms around, and Madain came to my rescue. “She says that she thought you were dead.” Madain informed her. “Why would she think that?” Beatrix asked puzzled. I waved some more. “That’s what Kuja said.” Madain added. Beatrix gasped. “Why doesn’t she tell me this herself.” She asked questioningly. Chris stepped into the conversation. “She’s gone mute.” He said. Beatrix gasped again. “Well, I guess you would like to see your mother’s grave.” Beatrix said, reminding herself of formalities. She pushed Chris away and led me into my room. “Is it true? Have you really gone mute? Or is this some kind of sick joke?” Beatrix asked me. I waved my arms. “You can nod.” She added. I nodded. “As I thought.” She muttered as she placed a purple gown over my head. She put a set of beads around my neck. “There now…aren’t you just beautiful.” She said, stepping away from me. I frowned. “Have you gotten used to casual dress already?” Beatrix asked, handing me my jumper. “You ware what you like. You’re not going on a parade today.” She teased. I nodded, and she left. I struggled to get the dress off, and put on my jumper. I took of the beads, and put on my amulet. I left my room, and Beatrix guided me to the garden. I could’ve sworn someone was following us. Beatrix must’ve known also, because she took us around in circles, until she was sure nobody followed. She left me to be alone at mother’s grave. It was as tall as I was, and about five feet wide. I walked over to the bush by the lake, and picked some flowers. I arranged them into a bouquet and placed it on her grave. When I walked back into the hall, Beatrix walked me to the throne room. “This will be your throne.” She said, as she pointed at the throne on the right. “When you marry, your husband will sit here.” She said, pointing to the throne on the far left. “When you have a child he, or she, will sit here.” She said pointing to the middle seat. I nodded. “Come it’s late.” Beatrix mumbled as she glanced at the sun dial. She guided me to my room. “Get a lot of sleep, and practice to talk in the morning. The ceremony is tomorrow evening.” She told me softly. As she left, I started to silently hum my song.
Chapter 59
Dissipating sorrow
As I dreamed, I saw Chris. He was sitting in the tavern. “Gimme another drink…” he told the bar tender. He refused. Chris slammed his hand against the bar. “Give me another drink!” He commanded. “No.” The bartender said. “Fine.” Chris muttered. He walked over to one of the tables, turned the chair around, and sat, facing the table. Blind walked in. “Chris, I’ve been looking for you!” He said merrily. Chris grunted. “I’ll go get Reba if you don’t lighten up.” Blind warned. Chris grunted again. Blind left. “Can’t… stand… this is horrible. Hey, mister,” he muttered, addressing a passing man, “Get me a beer will ya?” he asked handing the man money. Reba walked in the door with Blind. “Blind told on you.” She said brightly. Chris grunted. “Look you can’t kill yourself on this.” Reba persisted. The man came back with a beer. “Thanks…” He told the man. Reba left, disgusted. I tried to talk to him, but even in dreams I was mute. Baku, Blank, Cinna, and Marcus walked in. Each of them took a seat around the table. Chris sat up. “Hey guys, can I get back in the group? It’ll be just like old times!” He said. They shook their heads. “You’re no Tantalus boy!” Baku told him. “Tantalus boys get what they want! And you want that girl. If you want back in, get her back first!” Baku scolded. Chris slumped back down. “I can’t, she’s queen…” he murmured. Blank laughed. “That didn’t stop you before he said. Chris stroked through his hair. “Here’s the point, you want her back? You get her back. All problems go away.” Cinna remarked. “Here’s the deal, either you go to that girl, or we’ll all play a part in beating the shit out of ya.” Marcus added. “Now go get some sleep.” Baku said, yawning. “Sweet dreams.” Marcus said. “About Erica.” Blank added. Chris placed his head on his hand. The four left. Chris stood with difficulty. At first, I didn’t understand why he was so depressed. But then It came to me, He thought that I would become queen, and that we would never see each other again. I sobbed silently, just before I jumped to Madain and prof. Tot. “You’re a writer of sort’s right?” she asked him. He nodded. “Can you write a love letter please?” she asked. He nodded. “Who shall I address it to?” He asked. Madain was puzzled. “Who is it for.” He clarified. “His name is Chris.” Madain told him. On the paper he wrote in their language, but I now could read it. It said…
Dear sweetheart,
Meet me at the docks when the moon is full, and know who really cares.
Your companion and unknown
Admirer
“How’s this?” Tot asked Madain, after he read it to her. She wrinkled her nose. “How did you know I wanted to include and invitation to the docks, and the moon?” she asked. Tot just laughed. “I used to tutor a girl like you, she once asked me to write a love letter to the prince of Burmecia, before he died.” He answered. Madain nodded. “I’ll go have Blind give it to him!” She said, running. On the balcony she slipped, just as Baku passed underneath. “Ho there!” he yelled. Madain’s dress was caught on an iron spike; otherwise, it would’ve been a fatal fall. “This is bad timing, but could you give this to Chris Tribal please!?” she cried, tossing down the envelope. I followed Baku. He started jogging, and wasn’t looking when he was crossing a sidewalk. The other three bumped into him, knocking him down. The letter flew out of his coat. It landed on the ground, in front of the water, forgotten. After tucking me into bed, Beatrix walked out to think, gazing into the murky water. She stumbled on the letter and read it. “Companion? Could it be? No…It couldn’t…Steiner?” she muttered. So she waited, Madain crept out and hid behind one of the set of stairs. Steiner came out for his evening watch. Beatrix gasped. “You wrote this?” She asked trembling, and holding out the letter. Madain became enraged. “NO!!! I did!!! For Chris!!! Why do you have it!!!???” she asked confused. “I found it here…” Beatrix muttered, confused. Madain put her hand on her forehead. “I’ll kill that fat guy…” She murmured. Baku came out from the shadows, guffawing. “Seems like it did them a lot better then it would’ve ever served you!” He managed. Madain growled. “You messed everything up!” she cried. I decided to let them be, before Kuja realized what I was doing, but it was too late. “Go to sleep little one, you shouldn’t be nosing around tonight, someone might be planning something!” he scolded, thrusting me back into my own body.
Chapter 60
Reunion
In the morning, Beatrix seemed extremely happy. She dressed me in my white and green dress. She let my hair hang down, but only before she gave it a bit of curl. She put gold earrings on me, they had sapphires in them. “You’re going to see your friends today.” She told me. “Their waiting down in the hall.” I got excited. She put white gloves on me, which reached up to my elbow. “Alrighty then, let’s go to your friends.” Beatrix said. I walked out onto the hall/balcony that I had run from Chris on. “Wow…” Madain muttered. Chris stared at me, not moving, not talking, and not doing anything. “You look beautiful.” Reba told me. Bronze wasn’t there. “Ditto…” Blind murmured. Reba punched Chris on the arm, muttering something I couldn’t hear. Froggy asked me where the food was. I lowered my head, so that the only one I could see was Chris. “Visiting hours are over I’m afraid.” Beatrix told us, taking me back to my room. I wished so badly that Chris would’ve thought of something to make me laugh again. As soon as Beatrix left, I sung my song silently. There in the dream, I saw m worst nightmare to be true… Chris chose not to talk. I woke myself immediately, it was too much to handle so I cried, by the time Beatrix came back, I had cried off all my make-up. “Oh dear…” Beatrix muttered as she walked in. I had stopped crying, but was not yet stable enough to put it back on. “There, there, what’s all this about?” She asked me, forgetting I was mute. I placed my hand on my nose, she finally remembered. “Oh I’m so sorry!” She gasped. She replaced my makeup, and walked me out the door.
Chapter 61
Ceremony
Trumpets started, along with the drums, I felt like I was to take place in a giant battle. She walked me to the throne. I mentally asked Beatrix what was going on, she told me that I was to summon the strongest a human can summon Eidolon, Bahamut. Oh, I only have to summon? I thought, I hadn’t noticed that Kuja kept one eidolon. I tried to summon, but couldn’t. I then realized Kuja kept Bahamut for himself, so I Summoned Leviathan instead. “That’s not Bahamut!” Someone in the audience cried. Another Summoner stepped out of the crowd. “If you beat me, you will be worthy of the crown. He Summoned Ifrit. I placed my hands together; this was just a contest of Eidolons. I muttered silent words, as I rose up on a stone pillar. The other summoner rose as well. Leviathan rose as high as us, but not on a stone pillar, instead, beneath her was a growing waterfall. She formed a circle atop it, and there was a great river, beneath us. “IFRIT!!!” The summoner cried. A tsunami formed on the other side of the stage, it covered Ifrit completely. “She is worthy!!” The Summoner cried out. I stretched my arms out, and made the water disappear, for mercy of the poor Eidolon. I brought my arms down, and the pillars went down as well. Beatrix walked me to my throne, and sat me down. “This woman has been declared worthy of the throne!” She cried out. “So with the power vested in me by her mother Queen Brahn, I place this crown, which has been passed down for centuries, on her head!” She finished, triumphantly placing the crown on my head. I beamed. Beatrix walked me back to my room. “Tomorrow you will sit on the throne, inside.” She told me. You should get to sleep, you’ll start your full time job.” She added. But I couldn’t sleep; thinking about Chris kept me awake. I got redressed, and walked out to the balcony. Everything was asleep. It was my job to insure they will wake… could I do it? What if there was a war… “You worry too much…” Beatrix said. I swirled around. I waved my arms, trying to tell her I didn’t hear her come out. “I know…” She said. I waved my hand around, trying to tell her that I wanted to be alone. She nodded, and left. I gazed down at the pub, hoping to see Chris walk out, and start running for the castle… I didn’t.
Chapter 62
Panic and hope
I heard a scream, a gazed a where it came from. I was immediately swept into a vision. My friends were on Uncle Cid’s airship. Madain and Chris were staring towards Alexandria. I came back to reality. My eyes popped open. Suddenly I heard my song playing, it was beautiful. “Where is that music coming from?” I thought. I followed it, through the hall, into a locked door. I came unlocked as I approached. I tried to go through a door, but it wouldn’t open, so I tried the other door. There was a spiral staircase with statues on the sides. I tried to run back, but all other doors were locked. So I walked up the stairs. I heard something clap. I turned around. The statues behind me had joined swords. “No going back now…” I thought. I continued up, as statues kept me from going back. I came to the top of the castle. My necklace started to glow, and another staircase popped out of the roof. That’s where the music’s coming from! I thought. I ran up the stairs just to find myself looking over my burning town. I saw a giant black dragon flying over, and blowing fire. I clenched my amulet. I saw a vision. Madain noticed that her crystal necklace was glowing. “Erica’s in trouble!” she cried as she jumped off of the ship. She started to float towards Alexandria. I woke up. I was now face to face with Madain. “Oh my!” she cried. “We need Alexander.” She added. She took my hands. “Can you speak yet?” She asked. I shook my head. “NO matter, your eidolons will speak for you.” She pulled me down to kneel. She started chanting words I couldn’t pronounce, even If I could talk. After a while the words started coming out of my mouth as well. Wind started rushing threw our hair, and our amulets glowed. I noticed that a design formed in the center of the circle. Our hands were released, and Madain flew to one side of the giant platform, and I to the other. The design grew, getting more and more complicated. It became a portal. A gargantuan dragon flew out of it, and stretched its angelic wings. “Alexander…” I thought (And tried to say…). Alexander flew up into the sky, and flapped his great wings. I saw Kuja in a vision. He was laughing. Alexander flew behind the castle, and encased it in his white wings. I saw Kuja again. “Yes Alexander… protect the castle. And when you’re done I’ll have your chariot waiting for you. I sure you’ll love it.” He sneered. I came back, and ran to Madain. I looked up. There was a giant red eye in the sky. I pointed it out to Madain. Bahamut shot Alexander in the wing. It flew higher. I was to witness, a fight between two dragons.
Chapter 63
Scurmish of the silver dragon
Bahamut fired a Fireball at Alexander, who in turn, gracefully dodged it, and fired his own holy ball. It hit. Kuja laughed. I saw Chris; He was pointing, and shouting. I saw Uncle Cid. He was asleep. I saw Alexander; he was pushed back into the castle. Kuja laughed. I saw Chris, running through battles on the field. Kuja laughed. I knew what I had to do. Sacrifice my kingdom, to save the world. I tried to call Alexander back with my voice… I had none. I thought to him. He withdrew. I looked at Kuja to see if he was still laughing. He stopped in mid laugh. “SHIT!!!” he cried. “Language Kuja…” I thought. “You’ll die tonight.” He told me calmly. I came back. I saw Chris running up the stairs. “C’mon!!” He cried. I tried to run with him, but fell, and twisted my ankle.
Chapter 63
Moment of panic
“GO!” He shouted to Madain. “What about you?” She asked. Chris rolled his eyes. “I’ve got to get her out of this.” He answered quickly. Madain ran for the others. I screamed silently, as just before Chris could pick me up, Kuja used his power to sweep me away from Chris. I lay at Kuja’s feet. “Get away from her!” Chris cried. Kuja sneered, placing his foot on my chest. This made it hard to breath. I coughed. Chris ran for us, but was paralyzed, the same way Kuja paralyzed me in the library. Chris shook it off, and pushed Kuja away from me. “If you touch her again, your dead meat Kuja, ya here me?!” He shouted. He looked down at me, “Are you alright?” he asked. I laughed. “Isn’t it supposed to be okay?” I asked him. He gasped. “And when did this happen?” He asked annoyed. “Just now.” I answered. “Save the I can talk scene for in hell please.” He breathed. “Language Kuja!” we both cried. Chris was standing over me. “Tsk…I will kill you later!” he said suddenly, as he glanced to the red eye. “What just happened?” I asked Chris. He shrugged. I tried to stand up. I screamed, because it hurt… a lot. Chris rolled his eyes. I managed to almost stand up, when Chris swept me off my feet… practically.
Chapter 64
Appearance change, Identity change
The next morning, Beatrix woke me up late. “Their leaving again today.” She said. “No…” I murmured. “That one though… he wants to see you at your mothers grave in,” She looked at the sun dial, “Well, ten minutes.” She finished. I gasped. I threw on my jumper, and placed the amulet around my neck. I brushed (or pulled out) my hair, and put it in a quick pony tail. I ran for the doors, getting lost three times. When I finally found it, I redid my hair. The hair wrap, was a bit low, just at my shoulders. I walked out. “Late as usual…” Chris muttered. “But it looks as if you hurried to get here.” He added, noticing how heavily I was breathing. I laughed. “I asked you to come here,” he paused, “To say goodbye.” He added, he was having a hard time saying it. “NO!” I cried out again. I turned around, I knew I was blushing. “Look…” He said, turning me towards him. He drew me into his arms. “You can’t come, you’re a queen. You can’t come with us…” I noticed that his words were more spaced out than usual. “Then stay here!” I begged. He laughed sadly. “I can’t…” he said. “I’m a thief. It wouldn’t be good if your people knew you were affiliated with a thief.” He answered. “Then we’ll go back to the forgotten continent, we’ll live in Totala!” I cried. He laughed again. “People would recognize you!” He told me. “And,” he added, “I’m a thief, like I said, I am only worthy of another thief…” he added. I gasped. “That’s not true!” I cried. “Yes it is.” He said. Alright, you want a thief, I’ll be a thief. I thought. I saw Chris’s dagger at his side. I carefully drew it, as I kept talking. “You could teach me!” I suggested he thought it over. “I doubt it… I gotta get going.” He said, letting go of me. “Chris!” I called after him. He turned around. I showed him the dagger, took my hair, and with a quick sweep, cut it just above the hair band. I looked to Chris for encouragement. He smiled and nodded. “Can I come now?” I asked. “I’m a thief, and I look different.” I added. He laughed. He seemed almost overjoyed. He made a motion for me to hurry. “Wait!” I gasped. “I forgot to tell Beatrix!” I added, hitting myself on the head. “Don’t do that.” Chris said worriedly. “What? Leave her a note?” I asked. Chris rolled his eyes. “Don’t hit yourself.” He answered. I laughed, as I fished for some parchment, and a quill. Finally, I found them. The letter (translated) said-
Dear Beatrix,
I couldn’t stand the idea of my friends leaving me again, so I went with them. There will probably be questions as to who will be in command while I’m gone. You are.
Princess…no
Queen Garnet Till Alexandros
“I’m ready.” I said when I was done. “Let me see.” Chris said curiously. I handed it to him. “Nice handwriting.” He said at a glance. I rolled my eyes. “Short, and to the point, very good.” He said, as if he was my teacher.
Chapter 65
Changes
As we rode off on the airship, I wondered how Beatrix would get things straitened out. Madain kept staring at my hair, as if she was sad that I had cut it. I went down into the cockpit. They had used a couple sheets to make rooms for the most of us. They (the group) treated me differently now. I had my own space. I walked over to my mirror, to check my hair. I had cut it uneven, but it was different. Just like everything else. I had grown tired of change. I knew I would never get away from it. Even my best friend here on Gaia had changed around me. Without noticing, I started to sob. Everything on earth had changed (earth started disappearing in my mind). I had wished to get away. When I did, I was happy… for a while. I made friends here, but that also changed. They no longer were friends now they’re just battle comrades. How could I leave my country, when it needed me most… especially with my used to be friends? I saw movement in the corner of my mirror. I slowly walked over to my drawers, and took out my sword. All the while, keeping my eyes on the mirror. I saw another movement. Closer this time. I had by then lost my ability to panic. I drew my sword, and skillfully placed it beneath the persons chin. It took me a couple moments for me to realize, that it was Chris. When I did, I started to blush. “I’m so sorry!” I gasped, bringing down my sword. He laughed. I turned around, quickly. I watched his face in the mirror, he was concerned. “Why were you crying?” He asked me. I looked up, and saw my red eyes. “It’s nothing… I’m fine.” I muttered. It was a weak attempt to be strong. I looked down. “No your not.” He told me gently, as he turned me around. I tried not to turn, but at least one thing hadn’t changed… I was still no match for his arms. “What’s the matter?” he asked me again, as he wiped away a teardrop. Over his shoulder, I saw Madain running down the steps. Seeing us, and more my bloodshot eyes, she ran back up. I shook my head. Chris closed his eyes briefly in frustration. He knew I needed to talk to someone, but he also knew, I would do my best not to. He seemed to have an idea. He would try to guess. “Well, let’s see… are you worried about Alexandria?” he asked. I shook my head. He knew I was lying. “Okay, so that’s one thing…” he muttered. How could he understand me so well? “You’ve got a chance to tell me the rest, It would be a lot easier than my having to guess.” He added. I opened my mouth to tell him the rest, but closed it quickly. He rolled his eyes. “Are you angry at any of us?” he asked hesitantly. I bit my lip. I nodded. “Who?” he burst. “I mean, who?” I started to weep again. He pulled me into his arms. “Just about everyone… everyone but you.” I muttered. He held me tighter. “Aw… Look at the cute little couple.” a voice boomed. I looked up, and Chris let me go. It was bronze. “This is just to fucken cute.” He added. “That word is not an adjective.” I told him calmly. He brought his head back. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked curiously. “Look in a dictionary, if you know how.” I told him. Thinking of a new insult I said, “If not, Madain, or Blind would help you.” I finished. Chris stared at me. Bronzes eyes almost popped right out of the sockets. He left, not being able to think of anything smart to say. Chris swallowed. “Why are you angry at everyone… but me?” he asked me. He sat me down on my bed, the way he had in Lindblum, except now I was on a bed. He pulled over a chair, the same way. I bit my lip. “Everything’s changed so much! Everyone treats me different now!” I Cried. Unable to stop myself. Chris drew me back into his arms. For once he didn’t know what to say, other than, “I’ll be right back.” He ran up the stairs, leaving me to sit on my bed. I don’t know what he said, but from that day on, nobody addressed me as my lady, or your highness, or anything like that.
Chapter 66
Search
We arrived at Lindblum at eighteen hundred hours (Uh oh, I’m starting to talk military time!) (6:00). Chris walked me up to the castle, he remembered all to well my turning mute in that castle, he told me that he was planning on staying near me at all times. That he wouldn’t allow anything to happen to me. All I could remember was all the times he had made me laugh in this town. I couldn’t imagine all the memories in Totala, (More so the kiss). The guard tried to make Chris leave when I got to the guest room. He had recognized me as the new queen of Alexandria. I told him that I was on vacation (Which I kinda was…). He still tried to make Chris leave. Unfortunately, the guard ended up in a-coma. I bit my top lip. I seemed to do that when I was flattered lately. Chris seemed to treat me like a lady, but not quite royalty. That’s the way I liked it. I asked him why, when the maid left. This was his answer, “You have too much of an attitude to be treated like royalty. I guess I could say that I thought you would tell me off.” I laughed. “In other words you were afraid, right?” I asked him. He placed his left hand beneath his neck, and stepped back. “Now that’s where you’re wrong!” He said. I knew he was planning something, yet I knew not what, so I went along with it. I stood up, and raised my fist. He squealed, and hid. When he saw me laugh, he hid somewhere else. When I couldn’t find him, I started to wonder. Knowing Chris, he’d probably wait until my eyes were closed and he’d pop up in front of me. Before I had a chance to close them, I felt strong hand covering my eyes. “Who do you think this is?” he whispered into my ear in the most seductive voice he could find. I laughed. “Hi Chris!” I said merrily. He removed his hands and snapped. “How’d ya know?” He asked me. I smiled. Steiner ran up the stairs. His eyes danced from me to Chris and back again. When he finished, he said, “There’s a meeting in twenty minutes.” And he ran back down stairs. He stayed down for a couple seconds, he ran back up. “And make sure your dressed fit to see the headmaster!” he shouted at us. He looked all up and down Chris. Then he left. “Oh well.” I said. “Guess we better get down there huh?” Chris asked. I nodded. We looked at each other for a couple of seconds, deciding whether or not we should race. I started running for the stairs. “HEY!!” Chris called after me. He started to run too. We ran down the stairs, Right past the guard. I was laughing so hard, that I couldn’t breathe. I stopped at the big water fountain to catch my breath and to decide which way it was. I saw Chris coming up behind me, so I started to run again, remembering the correct way. I turned into the elevator, and pushed the button rapidly. Chris ran into the elevator just before it went up. I took the time to catch my breath. The elevator reached the top. I ran for the door but stopped to look behind me. Chris had disappeared. When I went to run again, there he was at the door. “How’d you do that?” I asked him exasperated. He just smiled. “Wait! How’d you get in front of me?!” I asked him again. “Would you tell me if I guessed?” I finally asked him. He nodded. “Okay… You used your tail didn’t you!” I guessed. He shook his head. “No?” I thought. “I’ll Tell you after the meeting,” he told me, “If you listen this time.” He added. I opened my mouth to say something, but he put up a finger. I did both put up a finger, and open my mouth. Chris hushed me, and walked in the door. “But that’s not fair!” I told him. He shrugged. So I decided to listen. There was a throne much to large for Regent Cid in the front of the room. In front of him, was a mapping table. Blind, Reba, Madain, and Froggy were sitting. Bronze was leaning against the wall, Steiner wasn’t there, and Chris and I had just arrived. “Where’s sir Steiner?” I gasped. Then I looked at the regent. “I mean… Where could sir. Steiner be?” I corrected myself. Chris looked up at the ceiling. “He went looking for you, your highness.” Reba told me. “Chris your late!” she scolded Chris. My eyes glanced from Reba, to Chris, I wanted so badly to tell them it was my fault, and it was after all. I decided to argue with Chris… didn’t I? I bit my bottom lip. “On any case.” Uncle Cid interrupted. “We must start this meeting now.” I walked over to a place as far away from Bronze as possible. Chris stood next to me. “This concerns my wife I’m afraid.” He told us. I stood up strait. I seemed to remember a tall woman, I called my aunt. It seems Kuja has found her at last. I would like to go save her…but in this form?” he stopped talking. Prof. Tot walked in. “I have found it! I have found it!” he cried over and over again. “I have found the cure!” he added. “Well what is it then?!” Chris snapped. He knew I was tired of seeing Uncle Cid as an oglop. Tot glared. “He needs the potion of beauty, Odd potion, and potion of kindness!” the small man gloated. “My queen?! Is that you?!” he cried. “I’m sorry for not bowing!” he added. I lowered my head. “Let’s just get the medication!” Chris interrupted. Tot glared again. Chris pulled me out of the room. “I listened!” I reminded him. He rolled his eyes. “While you were turned, I slipped around the other side.” He said. I scratched my head. I thought it over. I could see how he would do that. “The others are coming!” he cried. “Is that a bad thing?” I asked him. I realized that he wanted time alone with me. “Let’s go!” I cried. We ran for the elevator. “I know a trick for these.” He told me. I was a bit skeptical, but what was the worst that could happen (stupid question now that I think about it)? Chris pushed a few buttons. The door closed. I inhaled deeply. He pushed another button, and we went down. “Wow!” I gasped. He laughed. We landed right outside the taxi station. “Where would they be?” I asked Chris. “Maybe in the business section.” He told me. We rode there. A shop keeper was boasting about a new potion he had just found. Chris asked him what kind it was. “Odd potion.” The guy answered. “The lady over there told me.” “How much?” Chris asked. “One hundred thousand gill!” he said. I held my chest. “Here’s three thousand, do you except?” he asked the shop keeper. He shook his head. Chris shrugged, and pulled me away. “Here’s 4,000 gold, offer it to him.” He told me. “Why?” I asked. “Trust me.” He said. I knew I could (should) trust him. “Okay.” I answered. I offered the man the money, and when he tried to get the potion, he found it was missing. “Sorry.” The guy told me. He gave me back the money. I walked away, wondering where Chris had gone. I waited for him at the taxi station; I couldn’t believe he had actually let me walk by myself. I guess(ed) he knew I had my sword, and Eidolons. Again, I felt strong hands on my eyes. I knew where I was, so I figured it could’ve been anyone. But when a small bottle was placed in my hands, I knew it was Chris. “Don’t tell me… Chris, you didn’t…” I muttered. He moved his hands. I looked down. On the bottle was a label that said
Odd potion.
“You did!” I cried. “How sweet!” I muttered. I had to clench my fists, so I wouldn’t hug him. He opened his arms. My nails started digging into my flesh. “Hey hey hey!” he said, seeing the blood poor out of my hands. He unclenched my fists. “Now look what you did.” He muttered. My eyes practically popped out. I hadn’t known I could do that. He took a bandage out of his pocket. When he was done wrapping it around my hand, he muttered “There.” I rested my forehead on my hand. It stung, but I didn’t care. “Let’s go to the theatre district next.” He suggested. “No, let’s do that last; now let’s go to the residential. Chris shrugged. “The others are in theatre right now!” I told him. He helped me into the taxi. In residential, we went into the house of a card freak. We had met him outside, and he told us that we were welcome anytime. We asked him if he had the potion, and he gave it to us without hesitation. It was the potion of kindness. We walked to the theatre district. An artist flagged us down. “I’m having a yard sale of stuff that doesn’t work! Here's a pretty pink liquid! It’s supposed to be Beauty potion; you can have it for free!” He cried. Chris snatched it out of his hands. “It’s too early to go back now…” Chris started. “And?” I asked him. He gulped. “Would you like to see a play, we can go to Ruby’s playhouse.” He asked quickly. I nodded. As we walked, I remembered the beggar/rapist. Chris kept me close to him, just in case. The play house was closed, so we ended up, back at the castle. Chris told me jokes while we waited for Tot to boil a healing potion, and for Uncle Cid to drink it. We finally got the news. The potion… didn’t work.
Chapter 67
Understatement
We went back down for a meeting. “Sir, how did you get like that in the first place?” Chris asked him. He readied himself for a long story. “Well, my wife and I weren’t getting along the way most couples do, so she got a bit angry at me. She had been studying the dark arts for a while, and the last time we got into a fight she called me an oglop, and ran away. When I awoke the next (wok) day, I was an oglop.” He told us. “I fear I cannot save her, that’s why I called this meeting. I need you to save her. I got in a fifteen year fight, but I still love my wife.” He continued. We left the hall. “A little angry?” Chris asked me. I nodded. “What an understatement.” I nodded again.
Chapter 68
Air fun
We got on Cid’s airship. “Where do you think he is?” Madain asked me. I closed my eyes, and saw a desert. “Somewhere in a desert.” I told her. “Well, let’s just relax till we get there.” Chris suggested. I yawned. “Good idea.” I muttered. Chris walked me to the room (another three people room). “Who got the single rooms?” I asked. Chris smiled. “Madain, and Bronze.” He told me. I laughed. “What’s so funny?!” He asked, as he scratched his nose. “Maybe now you’ll have your chance.” I told him. He scowled. “A chance for what?” He asked. He was trying to make me say it. I thought, and thought. How could I tell him what he said, without cussing. “To kick Kuja’s Donkey!” I exclaimed. Chris looked at me as if I was crazy. “Oh use a dictionary!” I told him. He thought and thought. “Another way of stating it please.” He said. I thought. “To kick Kuja’s butt!” I exclaimed. Chris hit himself in the head. “I know, I’m to smart.” I joked. Chris outstretched his arms. I high fived him. We both laughed. I felt a violent jerk, which nobody else could feel. “We’re here!” I cried. Shaking again. “Stop the airship!” Chris cried.
Chapter 69
Trap
We landed, and got out. It was all one giant earth quake. When we got inside everything was quiet. Then the earth started shaking, and I didn’t know what to do. It all calmed back down. I walked closer to Chris. “This is a trick Chris!” I exclaimed. Nothing happened. “I don’t think so.” Chris muttered. An earthquake started again. I screamed. Kuja stood in front of us. He smiled, and disappeared. All was quiet, yet it seemed like something was broughing. Not quite evil, but upset. Thorn and Zorn jumped in front of us. We fell through a pit. It was just me, but Chris jumped after me and Madain after him. We were in a circular room. The only exit was up. Thorn and Zorn stood, ready for battle. There was a mysterious era around the place. I saw Chris run ahead of me, and he attacked Zorn. Zorn laughed. I looked to my other side. Madain attacked Thorn. Reba jumped down and landed on Thorn. I was stunned. I had no idea that they would jump into a no-exit room for me. Steiner ran past me, and attacked Zorn. The real battle began. Thorn, and Zorn, transformed into one beast.
Chapter 70
True mother
I drew my sword. The beast tried to attack me. Chris jumped in the way. “Chris!” I cried. I summoned, Leviathan. “It’s about time I got my Bahamut back!” I cried up to where I sensed Kuja. I heard a laugh. “Attack Leviathan!” I cried. He bit the monster. “Chris,” I asked. “Is this a fiend?” he nodded. “OH.” I said. “Tidal wave!” I cried. Leviathan engulfed the beast in water. The fiend pushed the water back at us. “NO!!!” I cried. Madain’s Mog came out of her dress. Time stopped. It hovered just above the waters surface. “Madain!” It Cried. “Fight well!” Madain gasped. “Don’t talk like your leaving me!” She cried. “But I am…”It muttered. “But first you should know who I am.” It told her. I tapped into Madain’s mind. She was carried into a space world. She saw her mog, floating. It transformed into a beautiful young woman. She had dark brown hair; it went down to her waist. The woman began to age. The green eyes became clouded, and the hair grew steadily shorter. It came to her shoulders. It went into layers. There was a movie. It was Madain Sari. A great army invaded, the woman, so afraid, sent one of her daughters in a small raft. She looked like Madain now, except, she was waring the same amulet that I was. The other, she hid in her dress, she ran, hiding her child in a closet. She saw soldiers coming, so she got her staff, and got ready to summon. The soldiers walked into the house. The woman stood in front of the closet down. “You won’t have my babies!” She cried. She summoned Bahamut. It killed the soldiers, and destroyed the town, but it also killed her. Mogs came and took care of the baby. One of them had a lighter head then the others. Hers was pink. The others were red. I thought of the mog Madain always had in her dress. Pink head. “You see?” The mog asked. “I’m both of your mothers.” I gasped. I was back, staring at the hovering mog.
“Fight well my children; I will no longer be there to aid you.” She said, and the water disappeared. Along with her, and the fiend. I dropped to my knees. I had just realized something. This woman looked exactly like my mom on earth. I looked up. Madain was crying. I walked over to hold her, the way I would my cousin. “It’s alright.” I told her. “I thought she finished herself off!” Kuja exclaimed. “I’m ready Kuja!” I shouted. I stood up. “This is enough!” I added. Cid’s wife ran out. A rope was lowered. It was the others. They helped the regent's wife out. When I started to climb, the rope fell. I looked farther up. The airship was flying away. “No!” I cried. Everything got dark. “It’s not over is it Chris?” I asked Chris. “Nope.” He said. I felt a hard thud on my head. I passed out.
Chapter 71
Trapped
Again I resorted to dreams. I saw myself; my head was resting on the wall. Chris was kneeling in front of me. “Damn. She warned us.” He muttered. I laughed. “Sorry bout the language Erica.” He said, gazing up, trying to find me. Everyone else was standing. We were all in small rooms. They were circular, and the floor had a peculiar design on it. It looked like the belt that luggage came out on, except, it was wider, and was all hooked together. I woke up. Chris wasn’t there. “Where?” I asked myself. I closed my eyes as tight as I could. Kuja had called Chris out of the room, and opened a door. I saw Chris walk out; he walked between the two mages. He disappeared. I jumped to Kuja. “Hello Erica, looking for your boyfriend?” he asked me. “Well there he is now.” I stared at the door. Chris walked through. “Go back to your body Erica, I will put us on loudspeaker.” He told me. I obeyed. “What did you call me for Kuja?” An angry Chris asked. “I have a favor to ask of you.” He answered calmly. “I wouldn’t do anything for you, if you threatened my life!” Chris told him. “What about Erica’s life?” Kuja asked. I looked down. The floor was opening. In the bottom, I could see Lava. I ran for the wall. “Chris!” I screamed. He bit his top lip. “Okay okay!” he said. The floor paused. I sighed. “What’s the mission?” Chris asked. “And for mercy’s sake, close that floor.” He requested. “You have to ride my airship, and get the dark stone, in the temple of malis.” Kuja informed us. “Why don’t you do it?” Chris asked. “There is a magic barrier; you’re the only one I know to be stupid enough not to use magic.” Kuja answered. “Who can I take with me?” Chris asked. “Any three companions.” He answered. “The rest will be kept here to insure that you come back.” he added cruelly. Kuja put up a list of people, and rooms. “I want, Erica.” Chris said without even looking. Kuja nodded. Chris looked down. “Bronze and Reba.” Chris finished. Kuja nodded again. “Take this map, and go get them.” Kuja instructed. “Enter the portal and ride with Thorn and Zorn to the land.” I gasped. “Mother killed them!” I cried. “No, idiot, I saved them.” Chris stepped closer. “Don’t you call her an idiot, Call me what you like, but leave her alone!” Chris muttered through clenched teeth. Chris ran to the portal. He landed right In front of my cage. He opened it up. I ran through the door. “Chris!” I cried. I let him pull me into his arms. “Come now, let’s go get the others. “But really Chris, why on Gaia did you get Bronze?” Chris laughed. “There’s a” Chris started. “I know.” I cut him off. “He doesn’t use magic.” Chris told me. “I hate to say this- what am I saying, I love saying this, I told ya so!” Chris rolled his eyes. “Do you have to say it like that?” Chris asked. “Would you rather a royal accent?” I asked. Chris laughed. “No.” He said quickly. “Tooo baaad! I told you so!” I said in the most royal accent I could make. “REBA!!!” Chris started shouting. “Didn’t you get the map?” I asked. “Damn… I mean darn. I knew I forgot something.” He said. I held my temple. We heard four voices. “Reba and Bronze keep yelling, everyone else SHUTUP!” He responded. “How rude!” Madain chimed. Chris picked Reba’s lock. “Head for the black mages.” He ordered us. Reba went, but I refused. “I’m going to stay where ever you are.” I informed him. He turned around. “Why?” he asked. “Every time I stray, something bad happens!” I persisted. “Okay.” He said. “But Chris that really isn’t… wait a minute you said okay?” I asked. He nodded. “Cool.” I muttered, and ran to catch up. Chris picked Bronzes lock quickly. “Aren’t you impressed yet?” Bronze asked me. “Silence!” I shouted. “No.” Bronze told me. I couldn’t comprehend the idea that he had talked back to me. Chris pushed me towards the mages just enough that I would walk.
Chapter 72
No wonder
The airship took us a mile or so away from the castle. “If you’ll need items, buy them here, there are no more stores on this continent.” Thorn said. “Items if you’ll need, here buy them, stores on the continent there are no more.” Zorn said. “No thanks.” Chris murmured. We started heading for a giant Black Castle. “Oh, No, this is too creepy…” I muttered when we got closer. I got closer to Chris. “No magic huh? Does that mean no Eidolons?” I asked. Chris nodded. I gulped. “It’s just like me to bring the group bad luck.” I said. Chris rubbed my back. “It’s not your fault.” He reassured me. We walked into the castle. A bat flew at us. I blocked with my sword. It cut the bat in half. I stared at the corpse. “c’mon.” Chris whispered. We walked mainly without a fight. Once in a while, a monster would come out, and everyone would try to kill it. All they ever got was zero. However, I killed them with one hit. We ran up to the pedestal. There was a purple flame around the stone. “No wonder he let you come!” Chris told me. I stuck my hand into the flame, and held the stone. For a while, I couldn’t move my arm. It didn’t hurt. In fact, it was quite comfortable. I felt as if I was being powered up. “Let’s go.” Chris said when I got my arm out. We headed out to the airship. On the airship, I checked to insure that the others were Okay.
Chapter 73
They’ll find us
Madain was out of her jail thing, and was freeing all the others. Madain opened Blinds cage last. “What about Erica, and Reba, and Chris, and that other guy?” He asked. “They’ll find us.” She told him gently. They ran for any road they could take other than to Kuja. I ended up back in my body. We had arrived at Kuja’s Lair. “Where are our friends!?” Chris asked as soon as we came face to face with Kuja. He showed us a hole. Inside it appeared that there were people…our friends. I looked in. “That’s not them.” I muttered to Chris. “In any case, here’s the stone, I’ll go set them free, and we’ll be on our way.” He told Kuja. “I can push a button and let them out.” Kuja said slyly. “No.” I answered quickly. We left the room, and there were our friends. “Let’s go.” I cried. We started to run, but Madain stopped. “What’s wrong?” I asked her urgently. “I left my flute.” She told me. “We’ll get another!” Chris muttered. “No, I need that one!” Madain cried as she ran back. We heard a scream. “Madain!” I cried as I ran after her. I saw Thorn and Zorn carry her to Kuja in a net. I tapped into what was happening. “Take her eidolons.” Kuja ordered. “But she’s too young! It will kill her!” Thorn protested. “I don’t care; we don’t have another nine years to wait.” Kuja said cruelly. I ran in the room. “You won’t have them!” I cried. “And you won’t have her!” I added. I drew my sword and cut Madain free. “Do you really think you can defeat me?” Kuja asked. “Forgive me for my language guys,” I told my friends, “No, not yet, but I can run a helluva lot faster than you!” I added. The lights went out, and the group was on the airship. Chris began to clap. “What’s all that about?” I asked. “You actually cussed!” He exclaimed. “Well I got angry…” I tried to protect myself. “Who’s driving this thing? “Mages, I’ve told them to take us to Lindblum.” He answered. I stretched. “Feels good to be safe!” I exclaimed. Chris moved next to me slyly. “Not this lifetime buddy!” I scolded him. “What?” he asked as he brought out his hands. We landed in Lindblum.
Chapter 74
Promises
We headed strait for Regent Cid. He was a human now. “Thank you for bringing my wife back to me. I apologized, and she made me human.” He told us. “Thank you, for aiding my husband.” She said. “I understand now that Kuja is evil, but he did treat me with respect.” She added. “No prob.” Chris answered. I nudged him playfully on the arm. “Well, you are on your own now; however, Kuja IS NOT dead.” Uncle Cid lectured. “We know, uncle.” I inquired. Madain stepped into the conversation. “I heard him say something when he kidnapped me!” She cried. “We don’t have time for your nonsense!” Aunt Ganalia (Cid’s wife) told us. “Actually, I’d like to hear it.” I said, getting up into my aunts face. “He said, that there was only one more, that when he got it, he could return to Terra, and kill that… that…”Madain hesitated, “Ah! That old man!” she said. “Was that his original words?” Chris asked her. “No.” Madain answered truthfully. “We need original words.” Chris said as calmly as possible. I could tell he was irritated. “But!” She cried. I nodded. “Okay… The word he said was…was… bastard.” Chris looked at me. “No matter.” Aunt Ganalia told us. We left the meeting. “Wow, she’s a bitch.” Chris said as soon as we were out of ears length of aunt Ganalia. “That’s horrible!” I told him. He backed me into the wall. “If there’s one thing you learn from me, never forget to be carefree.” He told me. I grinned. “Then you always remember to think things through!” I answered. He squinted. “Uh, no.” he told me. I moved away from him and continued walking. He grabbed my arm. “Promise.” He told me. I pretended to think it over. “No.” I told him swiftly. I jerked my arm free. I walked again. “And if I promise? He asked me. I turned around. “Then I will too, but till then.” I shrugged. I turned back around. “I promise” Chris called out to me. He got my arm again. “And you?” he asked. “As do I.” I told him. He thought it over. “That doesn’t work.” He called after me, struggling to catch my arm. I turned around and rolled my eyes. “I promise.” I told him. He smiled. “What’s all this about?” Steiner asked us. He stepped between me and Chris. “Your too close.” He scolded us. “We are married.” Chris reminded Steiner, he had just remembered himself. Steiner moved. “Thanks.” I said cautiously. Chris Grinned. “Anything for my beautiful wife.” He whispered in my ear. I giggled.
Chapter 75
Racing for the gold?
“What’s the plan?” I asked when we got into Chris, Blind, and my room. “We get the stone first.” Chris told me. “Easier said then done.” Bronze told us walking into the room. I saw movement outside the door. I stood up. “Oh look who’s here.” Bronze said when he grabbed hold of her skirt. He pushed her into the room. It was Lani. I took out my sword. “Please! I’m unarmed!” she pleaded. I put my sword away. “What did you come here for?” Chris asked her sternly. “I would like to beg forgiveness.” She answered. “Because I’m queen?” I asked. “No… because I was wrong…” Lani admitted. “If you forgive me, I will help you on your journey!” She bribed. “That’s…” Chris started. “Wait!” I commanded. “Do you know where I can find the stone of elements?” I asked her. “No, but I know how you can find out. Go to the forgotten continent. There you will find two castles. Go to the one that looks like two put together. Search there, you’ll find the key.” She informed us. I thought it over. “You are forgiven.” I told her. Bronze let her go. She ran off. “Why did you do that? She tried to kill you!” Chris questioned me. “You once told me, that I don’t need a reason to help someone.” I answered. That’s not a valid answer!” Chris stuttered. I laughed.
Chapter 76
The red eye
We no longer needed Uncle Cid’s airships, now we had Kuja’s. It was very big, about five times bigger than my uncles. As we flew, We ALL had our own rooms. I tried to make my way to the front, but I kept getting lost. Finally Chris came and found me. “Where you headed?” He asked me. I looked around. “Hopefully the front driving room.” I told him. He laughed. “What’s so funny?” I asked him, offended. “It’s through that portal there.” He told me, pointing to the portal behind me. “Are you sure?” I asked him. “Let’s find out.” He told me. “Remember your promise.” Chris reminded me. “What if we get lost… again.” I asked. “It’s better to be lost together, than alone.” He told me. We walked into the portal. Sure enough it took us to the front. The ship was driving itself. “You should be driving!” I cried. He laughed. “Had to find you first.” He told me. I looked down. We weren’t moving. “In any case, we’re here.” He told me. I stared through the glass floor at the castle. “It’s beautiful…” I muttered. Chris grinned. “Not as beautiful as you.” He told me. I blushed. I some how maintained composure, and told him, “More so.” I got into the portal to take me down, off the airship. I looked up at the bottom. It looked like a red eye. Chris apperated behind me. “What’s the rush?” he asked me. I saw the group waiting at the foot of a high staircase. “I don’t know if I can walk that…” I told Chris. He smiled. “If not, I’ll carry you.” He told me. I bit my upper lip.
Chapter 77
Contest of single or group
When we walked up to the stairs, Bronze asked, “Chris, why do you keep all these brats around you? You’d probably be stronger alone, like me.” Chris rolled his eyes. “Especially her” he added, pointing to me. Chris stood up strait. I ran to his side, to hold his arm. “Never…” Chris started. I started to panic. “Call…” He continued. “Erica… names!” he shouted. “Chris, calm yourself!” I scolded. “You’ll see, we will go into the castle, Bronze on his own, me with the others. Whoever gets the instructions first, and gets out first, will have their way.” Chris burst. We ran up the stairs. I stopped half way, because I no longer could move. Chris picked me up, just as he said he would. When we got inside, I was fully rested. “I can walk again.” I told him. “Are you sure?” he asked me concernedly. I nodded. He put me down. Bronze and the group went our separate ways. We fell into a hole, it was small, and Chris was the first to fall. I jumped in after him, and before I knew it, the others had jumped as well. There were three strips of floor; the rest was a giant hole that led to the bottom of the castle. Chris saw a pole we could climb up. Somehow I managed to climb it. I almost fell when I got towards the top; Chris grabbed my hand, and swore he wouldn’t let me fall. I looked down, even though he told me not to. I was just over the hole. I looked up, everyone was staring at me. They helped Chris pull me up. When I was standing again, I ran over to Chris and gave him a big hug. “Whoa!” he gasped. “What’s that for?” he asked me. “You saved my life.” I told him. “They helped, but you saved.” I added. I looked at Steiner. His frown was making wrinkles in his face. “Don’t look so sad Steiner, we are married.” I told him. He frowned deeper. Chris pointed to a door, “Let’s try that way.” He suggested. We started to walk. Chris grasped my hand. I turned to him, I was startled. He was beaming. “All I did was hug him.” I thought. When we walked through the door, Madain tripped, and almost went flying over the edge of the floor. I wasn’t lucky enough to catch her hand, but I did get her dress. “Give me your hand!” I cried. She reached up to me. I growled. I knew I couldn’t reach. “Chris, get her hand!” I cried. He grasped her hand. Together, we pulled her up. As we continued walking, we came to balcony; on the other side was the door. Blind, as always ran ahead. The floor fell from under him. Madain jumped down, and relied on her wings to catch her; she caught his hand, and started flying back up. They landed on the other side, the question was, how do we. Reba jumped, as she does in battle, she aimed for a place on the opposite side. She landed safely. Steiner made a leap, he fell a foot short. Reba grabbed his armor. She jumped again, and this time when she landed, it was by the door. “Shall we?” Chris asked. He was still in a good mood. I frowned. “I can’t.” I told him sadly. Chris wrapped his tail around me, and leaped across. He landed safely. He unwound his tail, and we proceeded. When we walked through the door, we found ourselves in a labyrinth. “Now what?” I asked. Chris pointed down. I looked. At the middle was a door. We started following the path. Finally we ended up in front of the door. We walked through. There were two fancy tables, and three walls… one door. “Shit!” Chris cried. Blind walked over to a fancy wall. There was a carved mural. “Chris!” he cried. “It’s a trap door!” He told us. Chris ran over. “Let’s see…” He said to himself. He kicked it. “AHH!” he shouted in pain. I gasped. He threw his body against it. Nothing happened. Chris cussed, and decided to rest on the wall. Surely if he had thrown himself against it, and nothing happened, a little weight would not do anything. He leaned against it. The wall turned sidewise, and a map was shone. We ran in after him. We stared and stared at the map. “There are separate pieces.” Reba informed us, taking one out from where the ocean was. She read the back.
In a place beneath the snow, and in the sea, you will find the first key
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Chris asked. “I dunno.” I answered puzzlingly. Blind pulled out the other three. “There are inscriptions on all of them.” He informed us. “We’ll look at them in the airship. Let’s get Bronze. We won.” Chris suggested. “Let’s wait outside.” Steiner suggested. “You said whoever got the keys, and got outside first.” He added. Chris nodded. We looked to our right. There was a trap door. Chris peered down, and jumped in. We jumped after him. We landed on one of the three slabs of floor. Chris pushed me up the pole, and we headed out. We waited at the bottom of the stairs for an hour, no sign of Bronze. Finally Chris said, “I’ve had enough, I’m gonna get him.” He ran up the stairs. I tried to catch up, but I felt weak half way up the stairs. I called Chris. “I’ll get you on my way back!” he called to me. I closed my eyes, and followed Chris. He slid down the pole. There on the third slab of floor, was Bronze. Chris ran over to him. “Are you alright?” He asked. Bronze laughed. “Why did you come back?” he asked, now serious. “I can’t leave one of the group.” Chris answered shocked. I snickered. “Erica! Can’t a guy get some privacy, there’s a reason I left you on the stairs!” He scolded. “Are you alright?” I teased. Chris rolled his eyes. “C’mon, before Erica has too much fun.” Chris told Bronze. I woke up, and I was back on the ground. Chris had his hands on his hips. “What?” I asked as innocently as I could. Chris hit himself on the forehead. “I hate it when you do that.” I scolded. Chris laughed. “Who are you, to be scolding me, when you won’t leave me alone?” he asked. Everyone Oohed. “Oh shut up.” I told them. Chris laughed. I glared at Chris.
Chapter 78
Inscriptions
Madain pulled me behind the others. “I have to ask you a question.” She told me. I could see it a mile away, and was not ready to answer it yet. I was still trying to figure it out myself. “I don’t think we have time.” I told her. She nodded. “C’mon Erica!” Chris called. “Coming!” I cried back. I ran for the airship. Madain stayed a couple seconds, and then she ran after us. We all gathered in the driving room. “This red one says,
On the land under the sand
You will find a key
What does that mean?” I read. “This one says
In the tornado that never dies
Perhaps you will realize
Where the key is.” Chris read. There are four keys. I now realized it. “The map said that they all have to be done at the same time.” Madain told us. “We have to find these places, and we’ll split up. Erica will keep an eye on us, and tell us when to do whatever we have to do. We won’t go in, till she tells us too. It’ll be easier on her.” Chris ordered. “I’m with Erica!” Madain chimed. “I’m making the groups!” Chris said. “You just want to be with Erica.” Madain informed us. “FINE!” Chris shouted. “I mean okay. Now, Madain will go with Erica, to the water shrine. Bronze will go with Reba, to the wind shrine. Blind will go with Steiner to fire shrine. I’ll go with Froggy into the sand shrine.” He assigned.
Chapter 79
Water shrine
Chris found the exact locations of the four shrines. We flew over by the fire shrine first. There Steiner and Blind got off without a problem. Next we headed to the Wind shrine next. “Do I have to be with her?” Bronze asked. “I’m sorry; did you want to be with Madain?” Chris asked. Bronze jumped off into the shrine. We headed to the water shrine next. “See ya later.” Chris told me. I looked down, I felt like there was a large possibility that I wouldn’t see him later. Chris hugged me. “I promise.” He reassured me. I nodded. I and Madain got off into the shrine. I watched as the airship flew off. “Finally we can talk.” Madain sighed. We walked inside. She went on rambling about something, and I interrupted, “It’s too quiet.” I said. Water balloons started falling from the ceiling. I grabbed Madain’s hand and started to run. I heard that if you drop a penny from the empire state building (on earth) that you could kill someone. This ceiling was taller than that, and the balloons were bigger and heavier. We came up to a pedestal. A serpent slithered out of it. I held Madain back. The serpent stood, and became a snake/lady. “Kuja warned us of you. Time to dye little ones.” She told us. I brought out my sword, and summoned. This time, Ixion came. She electrified the snake, and I waited at the pedestal, watching the others, telling them when to put down their piece. I saw Chris.
Chapter 80
Sand shrine
Chris and Froggy were walking along a quiet hall, the same as us. “I so honored you pick Froggy.” Froggy told him. “Well I got stuck with the leftovers I guess.” He said, thinking of what was wrong with the picture. Froggy stopped. “Oh I so happy!” She cried. Chris turned around. “Why?” He asked. “My tribe taught me leftovers good!” Froggy answered. Chris turned around. “Something’s wrong…” He thought aloud. “Erica, you here?” He called out into the ceiling. “Yes.” I answered shakily. “There’s something wrong, what is it?” He asked me. “The halls too quiet, there’ll be a trap.” I told him. The ground started to shake. “Don’t go away on me now!” he pleaded. “I won’t.” I told him soothingly. “You there already?” He asked. “I know I wasn’t supposed to leave till you told me, but I had to get in, before the quicksand got us.” He told me defensively. “I didn’t say anything about that, and yes, I’m in front of the pedestal.” I told him. Parts of the floor began to rise and fall. I gasped. “Concentrate, forget I’m here!” I cried. They did. Chris jumped over each one hastily. He had to go back to help Froggy. They got off the moving floor. “Careful, there are guards.” I warned. Chris drew his dagger. Froggy drew her big fork. They walked up to the alter, and Chris stabbed it. A giant flying skeleton flew out. “Kuja warned us.” He said. “That about two nitwits would come see each of us.” He continued. “I forgot to tell you that.” I told Chris. “I forgive you.” He called. “Ah, three nitwits, how exiting.” The dead thing said. “Let me kill him!” I cried. “I’m NOT a nitwit!” I continued. “Go ahead.” Chris told me. I summoned Ifrit. He attacked it, and it fell apart. “YEAH!!” I cried. Ifrit disappeared. “See to the others.” Chris instructed.
Chapter 81
Fire and wind shrines
When I got to the fire shrine where Blind and Steiner were, I found that they were already waiting. I didn’t even let them know I was there. I went directly to the wind shrine. “Head in.” I instructed. “Let us handle this. We don’t need any tips.” Bronze told me. Reba stayed silent. They headed up the hall. The trap took them by surprise. When they got past Bronze exclaimed, “Damn you girl, why didn’t you warn us?” “You told her not to remember?” Reba reminded him. “We don’t need any tips, that’s what you said.” She scolded. They walked to the alter. Reba got closer then Bronze. “It’s a trick, WATCH OUT!” Bronze cried. Reba jumped back just in time. “Chris told me not to forget to tell you that these guardians knew we were coming.” I told them once the beast was out. Bronze stared up at the invisible me. “I’ll kill you next time we meet.” He threatened. “R-right.” I told him, trying to be sarcastic. He laughed. “I’m leaving!” I told them, as I went to see Chris. I was shaking.
Chapter 82
NOW!
“Hi Chris.” I said, even my voice was shaky. “What’s wrong?!” He asked, even though he knew Bronze had said something. “B-B-Bronze threatened me!” I cried. Froggy sat down. “I hungry.” She said. Chris rolled his eyes. “What’d he say?” Chris asked, trying to hide his anger. “He said that he’d kill me the next time we met… I didn’t tell them about the beast guardians…” I confessed. Chris placed his hands on his hips. “Why?” He asked. “He told me not to interfere! Even Reba tried to defend me.” I cried defensively. “I’ll pick you up first, and I’ll stay with you until he forgets.” Chris vowed. “Now go do your job.” He told me. I checked Bronze and Reba. They were done. “Put it in at 7:35 exactly.” I told them. I told Steiner and Blind, and finally I came back to Chris. “What time?” He asked. “7:35” I answered. I came back to my body, and waited. At 7:35 I placed down the slab. It started to glow a pale blue. Water started gushing out of it. “Let’s go!” Madain cried. We ran for our lives. Out the circular room, into the long hallway. I felt the water creep up my ankles. The door ahead of us was closed. Water bombs fell down around us. I stopped for a second to see how Chris was. Sand was coming out of his. “Chris, we’re in trouble! Water’s coming out, and the doors are closed. If I die, I won’t let you rest!” I cried, I felt the water up to my knees. I started to run again. It was up to my waist now. “I can’t run anymore!” I cried. I heard Ramah telling me to summon Leviathan. So I did, with difficulty. I climbed atop the dragon, and just as Madain started to sink, I pulled her up. Leviathan busted through the doors. I looked back, the water stayed inside. I checked on Chris, he couldn’t move, the sand was up to his neck. I reached down, and somehow got his hand. “What the?!” He gasped. “It’s me.” I told him. He hit his head with his free hand. Then, quickly caught Froggy on our way out. “It’s about damn time!” he scolded. “Watch your language…” I muttered. Two people are heavy; I didn’t even think I could hold Chris. “Stand on the sand for a minute.” I told them. Chris let go. “Dispel!” I cried. The sand disappeared. “Now run!” I instructed when they landed on the ground. I went to Blind and Steiner, Fire was racing after them. Blind had cast a weak shell, but it was fading fast, and Blind was out of magic. I cast a strong shell on them, and left. A tornado was after Bronze and Reba. “I have half a mind to leave you here Bronze!” I told him. “If you do, I’ll become a ghost and kill you a thousand times!” He informed me. I put shell on them, and slowed the tornado. I cast haste on Reba. “That’s something I didn’t think of! Bronze cried, casting haste on himself. I came back to Madain. “Erica, I have a question to ask you. Do you love…” Madain started. The airship arrived as she was talking. “Maybe later Madain.” I cried, running for the airship. “WAIT! That’s not fair!” She cried after me.
Chapter 83
Finding a place called Terra
I ran into the airship. I paused at the door to check if Bronze was there, when I saw Chris, I ran into his open arms. “I was so scared…” I whined. Madain stood in the doorway. “Erica, I’m going to ask you whether you like or not.” She told me. “It’s your choice, I can ask you in front of Chris, or I can ask you in privet where NOBODY will hear.” She said looking at Chris. I walked into my room, and placed a do not disturb sign up. “Do you love Chris?” Madain asked me quietly. I thought it over. I didn’t want to think about it, even for myself. “Yes, I think I do.” I muttered unbelievingly. Madain lowered her head. “Okay, I’ll stop tying to steal his heart then…” She promised. We left the room. Chris was waiting for me at the wheel. “You wanna drive?” He asked me. I shook my head. “What’s wrong?” He asked me. I livened up. “Nothing Chris, everything’s just as it should be, Sure, I’ll drive!” I told him cheerfully. I had learned on Earth to hide my emotions, but here, I couldn’t. I was so happy; I used to wish for love on Earth, and here it so happens, my loves on a whole different planet, just as I had hoped. I got both my wishes, I’m far away from the life I hated with such a passion, and I’m in love! I ran up to the wheel. “Can we get Bronze last?” I asked. “There are only two shrines, he’s the farthest away.” Chris told me. I beamed. We took off. I nearly crashed into the mountain I was supposed to land on. “How do I land?!” I cried. Chris took the wheel. I backed up. “Like this.” He said as he pushed the blue button. We landed next to Blind. “Thank you Chris.” Blind said. “For getting her off the wheel.” He added. “She’s landing next time.” Chris told them. Our eyes popped out. Chris moved out of the way. It was a smooth ride to the Wind Shrine, but the turbulence kept carrying us off. When I gathered control, I deliberately almost ran Bronze over. Then I landed smoothly. They got in. “You let her land? Are you crazy?!” Bronze asked. “Actually she drove the entire way.” Chris told him. He gasped. “I think she did it on purpose.” Reba suggested I nodded. Bronze came after me with his claws. I didn’t flinch; Chris blocked him off with his dagger. “You want to kill her; you’ll have to kill me first.” Chris snared at him. Madain jumped in. “And me!” She chimed. “And me.” Steiner muttered. “And I.” Reba added in. “I hungry any way.” Froggy threatened. Madain pulled Blind in. “Me too…” He muttered shakily. I had the entire group (save for Bronze) protecting me. They drew their weapons. Bronze backed off. He sulked to somewhere in the airship. “You know where we’re goin?” I asked. Chris pointed to a large white ball. “I guess there.” He answered. “Whatever.” I told him, and drove to the town below. I landed smoothly. We ran through the town, and the great white ball sucked us in.
Chapter 84
Terra, new secrets
Inside was a little town. The paths consisted of branches. An old man met us at the pub. “Chris, you’re home!” He cried. Chris stepped back. Allow me to explain.” The man said. “Away from here.” He added. Chris and the man started to disappear. “Chris!” I cried. He reached out his hand to me, but when I grabbed it, it, he was just an illusion. Even that illusion disappeared. “We have to find him!” I cried. People started coming out of the houses. They all looked like Chris, they all had tails. “NO!!!” I cried. A girl stepped out that looked like me. Except she had no tail, only a horn like Madain’s. I stared. “No…” I muttered. “CHRIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I cried as loud as I could. Bronze came at me again, now assured Chris couldn’t protect me. The others stepped in front of me. I was too panicked to notice. I heard a dragon roar. I looked up. There was Kuja, riding on Bahamut. I saw a doorway. I summoned Valefor. He flew us into the door. We found a jail like place. Chris was walking the halls like a clone, no like one of those people. “Chris!” I cried. I ran to me. “Go away.” He ordered. I balled my fists. “No.” I told him. “I want to help you!” I cried. “Why, nobody could possibly want to become involved with someone like me.” He told me. “Is that what he told you?” Madain cried. I held his arms as best I could. Chris shook me off, and I went flying. I knocked into the wall. I gasped. He didn’t care. “I care about you Chris and so does the group!” I cried. He snapped out of it. “Erica!” He cried. He ran over to me. Bronze started to laugh. “First you throw her into the wall, and then you act as if you care about if she’s alright? Really you musta tried to kill her!” Bronze started. Chris bent next to me. “Did I…” he started. I nodded. He took in a deep breath. “I might as well stay here.” Here said, after thinking it over. “NO!” I cried. I ran to him. He was too afraid to hold me, so I placed my arms around him. “I’ll never let go…” I muttered. “What’s the secret?” I asked. He bit his lip. “I’m not really human, I was made here. The old one made two of us with souls that can feel, and think. Me… and Kuja.” He told me. “Well, we better get out soon because, Kuja’s wrecking the place.” Madain reminded us. “We have to save the others.” Chris and I said at the same time. “You two need some time alone.” Madain told us. “You two evacuate the terra place, while we help em’ out.” She instructed. “Just run around yelling” Reba told us. We got on separate elevators. “Did you mean it?” Chris asked me slowly. “What?” I asked. “When you said you cared.” He answered. I hesitated. “Of course.” I told him. He looked at me. I looked back. His eyes were so wide, I could see his thoughts. We headed out. “Do they speak English?” I asked quickly. “They speak every language.” He answered. “RUN! GET OUT!” We cried as we ran for our own lives. They weren’t moving. I ran to each one, and pushed them to the portal, and pushed them out. Chris helped. “Why do they mean so much to you?” Chris asked me curiously. “They saved my life.” I told him. “We are all one, we are all the same.” Chris told me slowly. I turned to him. “You're different, you have a soul. Look into my eyes.” I instructed. “We really don’t have time.” Chris warned. I directed his eyes to mine. “No one cares about them, I care about you.” I told him. He turned away, and guided them into the portal. “GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK HEAD!!” I cried. He turned around surprised. I helped them get out. “How did they save your life?” Chris asked me. “Bronze went after me again.” I told him. Chris ran over to me. “Are you hurt?” He asked me concernedly. “No, they saved me.” I told him soothingly. I helped the last one out. “That’s the last.” He told me. “No… there was one that looked like me…” I told him. We ran back in. In the pub, she was still serving drinks to invisible people. We guided her out, but I started to feel dizzy. As soon as she was out, I passed out. Chris picked me up, and jumped out with me. As soon as we were out, I was fine. “Did you tell him?!” Madain asked me. I nodded. “Tell me what?” Chris asked. “I told you.” I told him. Chris grinned. He had remembered. “Tell me again, I forgot.” He told me slyly. “I don’t want to say it again.” I pouted. “We can go in a room alone.” Chris suggested. “Either way, your going to say it, I won’t leave you alone until you do.” Chris told me. He was back to the same old Chris. I laughed.
Chapter 85
Preparing for the fight
We brought the people from Terra to the black mage village. The people were somewhat used to Terra. There it never got dark. Here that’s when we sleep. We bought new Weapons. Every half hour, Chris would ask me if I was ready to say it yet. I would always say no. “Be carefree, remember the promise?” Chris told/asked me. I pulled at my hair. “Alright… I mean okay. I care about you.” I told him one night when everyone was out except us. Chris beamed. “So I wasn’t dreaming!” He shouted. “SHH!” I hushed. I checked on Madain. “So I wasn’t dreaming!” Chris’s voice rang out. “She told him.” Madain muttered. I came back. “We gonna fight Kuja soon?” I changed the subject. Chris nodded. I thought it over. “Can we kill Kuja? I mean its seven people against a mad man that destroyed not one, but two towns!” Chris nodded. “Are you listening to me!?” I cried. He nodded. “I’ll be outside, thinking.” I told him. I walked out the door. I hated thinking. Whenever I started to think I remembered something I didn’t want to remember. This time, it was when Alexandria got attacked. I wondered. Am I really the chosen one? Or is Madain? Do I even really know the chosen one? I covered my eyes. I didn’t want to think about it. Am I really angry at Chris? Or am I angry at myself for not sticking around. If I am the chosen one, where will I be next? I shook my head. “Erica?” I heard Chris’s voice. I had tears in my eyes when I looked up. I had sat down on the floor, beside an empty chair. Chris was towering over me. I wiped my eyes. “Yes?” I asked. He offered me his hand. I took it. It had rained recently, and the ground was wet. He pulled me up. “I’m sorry.” Chris told me. “You didn’t do anything.” I reassured him. He pulled me into his arms. “I know it’s hard.” He told me. I shook my head, bringing myself out of his arms. “Hard Chris? You haven’t a clue how hard it is for me! You didn’t just watch the city that you were placed in charge of destroyed! You don’t know how it feels to have everything taken away from you! You don’t know! You don’t know!” I cried. I burst out in tears, and sat back on the ground. Chris didn’t know what happened. He tried to comfort me. I waved his hand away. I was crying harder then he had ever seen me cry. Madain came running. “Erica?” She asked concerned. Madain bent down next to me. “Do you want to talk?” She asked me. I shook my head. I realized what I was doing. If I didn’t hold it in, yet again, I would lose EVERYTHING! “She’s been through a lot.” Madain told them. Madain was the only one who understood just why I burst out that day. Chris pulled me into his arms, even though I tried to stop him. Finally I just gave up, and let myself cry on his shoulder. As he patted me on the back, I began to feel better. Everything started to make sense to me, except, why it made me so sad. I had gotten my wish. It must’ve been one of Kuja’s tricks so he could slow us down. I looked at the sky. It was a light gray. “Mist!” I cried. Chris let go of me, and looked up. He saw it as well. “But we killed the fiend!” Madain pondered. “We have to go to the Lifa tree!” I ordered. We all got into the airship. I headed to Blind. “I used to question my existence.” Blind told me, “But now I wonder, do any of us REALLY exist?” I walked out. I saw Chris. “Your right Erica, you don’t need a reason to help someone.” I left. I went to Reba, “I wonder, which is worse, to have your love be dead, or to have your love forgotten you?” She asked. I left. I thought on my own. “I am queen, but I will always be myself.” I made a pledge. “Whoever myself may be,” There was a large purple ball atop the Lifa tree. “Here goes nothing.” I murmured. And we flew inside.
Chapter 86
We’re on our way
When we got out of the airship, it was like another Terra. “This place gets images from you hearts; we’ll go through a place that matters a lot to each of us.” Madain told us. We walked along the path. We came to another room. When we stepped inside, it filled with water, and a boat was floating on top. In the boat was a girl, only about three years old. She was asleep. “This is yours Garnet.” She screamed into my ear. To me it sounded like a whisper. My eyes began to water. “Why can still breathe?” Froggy asked. “It’s an illusion.” I told her. “Move on.” Chris instructed. In the next room, was Treno, we were in front of the auction house. Bronze laughed. “How does this pertain to you?” Madain asked him. “Chris probably doesn’t remember, but back before I went to jail fifteen times for stuff I did do, I was a guard of the auction house. Chris walked out with something that he didn’t buy, I stopped him, and called the police, and he stuck it in my pocket, and said that I had stolen it from him, and that he was the one that called.” Bronze answered. “That’s the reason I keep attacking her, you care more about her then yourself.” He added. We walked out of that room. The next room was a funeral. I stopped dead. I looked into the casket, there was my father. My mother stood crying, giving everyone hugs in the line. I stood next to her, crying as well. I fell. “Of all the things…” I muttered. I ran to my mother. “Wake up! Stop this!” I cried. Chris took me into his arms. I punched his chest as hard as I could; I was finally able to get all the anger out. Chris never gave way. Once and a while he would flinch, but when I stopped, He asked me if we could leave now. I nodded, and he helped me out. The next room was in Burmecia. There was a man rat standing in the corner. Reba ran to him. “Sir Fratly!” She cried. “I’m sorry, do I know you?” He asked. Reba backed up. “Sir Fratly is Reba’s true love.” Chris filled me in. Reba shook her head, and left into the next room. We were in a cave. There was a Quen, standing over a baby Blind. “Still not big enough to eat.” He muttered. Blind ran over to me and hugged my legs. I bent, and held him, as I would my little brother that I don’t have. That’s when I realized it, I think of Blind, as my little brother. “Let’s go.” I told him gently. He ran out. The next room was the swamps. Froggy ran through it without watching, but the rest of us didn’t. It was a baby Froggy, She was catching frogs. One of them turned into a monster. It wasn’t a frog, it was a mimic. It tried to eat Froggy, but she ran away.
Chapter 87
The final battle
We went to the next room. There Kuja stood. He didn’t look the same, in fact, he was in trance. “It’s about time you showed up.” Kuja scolded us. “You kept me waiting.” He added. “You won’t be waiting any longer!” Chris cried. We all got into battle formation. “Bronze, did you get your revenge yet?” I asked him. He nodded. “So you’re going to be the last battle?” I asked skeptically. Kuja through a fire ball at me. I dodged. “No offence!” I cried. Kuja laughed. “I’ll show ya what’s funny!” I told him, as I tried something I had never before done. I tried to withdraw his eidolons that he took from me. I succeeded. Bahamut was once again mine. Kuja gasped. “That makes no difference.” Kuja told me. “Does this?” I asked as I summoned Bahamut. The great Black dragon flew high, and a laser came down, it hit Kuja exactly. The laser grew, and it engulfed Kuja completely. The laser exploded into flames. Kuja was badly burnt, but not even close to dead. Chris turned pink, he was now in trance. “Too stupid to use magic huh? Chris asked. He raised his daggers into the air. Nines appeared all above him. He ran over to Kuja, and hit him nine times. It hit Kuja for 9999 points. Kuja used a spell that I knew how to use, but Blind never got it. The whole room lit up, and before it darkened, we all were two hundred points less, except for me. Blind used a spell I nor Kuja could place. The room was light, yet dark, and Kuja was hit with multiple spells, First Firaga, than Blizzaga, than Waterga, and Thundaga. When I looked, Blind was in trance. Reba jumped. Kuja threw a fireball at me. Steiner put his sword in blinds flames, and struck. Reba’s spears shot down. They floated back up, and the next time they came down, Reba was with them. Kuja still stood. I started to glow purple. I was in trance. I summoned Shiva. The ice covered Kuja, and finally, she snapped her fingers, and the ice broke. She disappeared. “If I’m going down, I’ll take you with me!” Kuja cried. The ceiling and walls started to fall. We ran, avoiding all the beasts that Kuja sent after us. We got out, and off the tree quickly. “It’s not right.” Chris muttered. “What’s not right.” I asked. He lowered his head. “Take care of Erica, Steiner.” Chris ordered. He ran for the tree. I realized what he was going to do. “NO!” I cried. Chris turned around. “He would’ve done the same for me. I would’ve done the same if I were him, there are a million reasons.” Chris told me. I ran after him. He took me into his arms. “I have to go.” He told me. “What are you going to be?” Chris asked me. “Carefree.” I answered though my tears. “You?” I asked. “I will think things through.” He told me. I let go. “Just come back safe!” I cried. He continued to run. I got onto the airship. I watched as the Lifa tree blew up, but the purple sphere was still there. That blew up too. “NO! CHRIS!” I cried. I sat on the floor and cried, even harder than I cried in the Black mage village. “I have to go on with my life.” I decided. “I was queen, I had to be strong.”
Chapter 88
Getting on with my life the best I can
All through the following year, I spent most of my time sitting at the window. The people thought I was a wonderful queen. Of course, after having my mother as queen, can you blame them? Every once and a while, lyrics would drift into my head, along with a melody. I called that song melodies of life. The words always had to do with tragedy, the beginning always sounds like it’s both Chris and me singing, but in the end it’s just me first, and then just him. It expressed exactly how I felt. On my seventeenth birthday, I asked Tantalus to put on the play; I want to be your canary. They as well as everyone else had started to call me Queen Garnet. Last time I was called otherwise, was when Chris…well…you know. I sat in the chair Brahn used to sit in, I wore the same dress I had exactly one year ago. Afterwards, I was scheduled to meet my friends. It was to be the one happy thing I would have done this past year. I was so excited. The play started, the same time it did last time. Three men ran out. Marcus was playing the part Chris was playing last year. The lead man had a long cloke, so I couldn’t see him. Blank played the same part. I knew the play by heart. I was reciting the words with them. Ruby was playing the part of Cornelia. After the part where Chris Steiner and I came in last year, the man with a cloke realized that his love didn’t come to meet him. He stood by the boat, and called out loud and clear, “Oh why has my love been taken away from me!” He pointed to a paper moon; “Oh moon, bring me back my love, bring me back my sweet,” he hesitated; being sure he had everyone’s attention. He flung off the cloke, “My sweet Erica!” He cried. I stood up. Under the cloke was Chris. I ran down the path that Blind first ran up to see the play. I kept stepping on my dress because I didn’t hold it up. I didn’t care. My amulet came undone, and flew off my neck behind me. I turned around, and decided that it wasn’t important enough for me not to see Chris this minute. I turned around and ran again. Letting my guards pick it up. I flung myself into Chris’s arms. How did you survive?” I asked exasperated. Chris waited for me to calm down. “I sang, every time I was sad, or in deep shit, I sang… our melodies. Melodies of life.” He told me. I looked up. Tears were falling down. For the second time, Chris kissed me while I was crying. As far as I knew, there was nobody around but me, and Chris. Chris took me into the hallway, but before we could get out of ears length of the guards, we disappeared. “See ya soon.” Chris told me.
