ÿþ<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Paper Madness</TITLE> <STYLE> BODY { scrollbar-base-color: black; scrollbar-arrow-color: white; } a:link {color:gray; text-decoration:none} a:hover {color:black; text-decoration:underline} </STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY> <TABLE ALIGN="center" CELLPADDING="5" CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0"> <TR> <TD COLSPAN="2" WIDTH="800"> <H5><I>and they called it...</I></H5> <H2 ALIGN="right"><B><I>P A P E R M A D N E S S</I></B></H2> <H5><I>v 5.0 | 3:41 AM</I></H5> <HR SIZE="1" WIDTH="500" ALIGN="right"> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="top"> <P>This story belongs to me and my creative mind. However most of the characters, names, and places mentioned all belong to their respective companies, so don't yell at me for copyright infringements! If it offends you in any manner, sorry, and if it doesn't, then don't complain. <I>Remember, Italics represent a person's thoughts or the telling of past events.</I></P> <P>Enjoy...<BR />____________</P> <P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><I><U>F I N A L &nbspF A N T A S Y &nbspV I : I S O L A T I O N</B></I></U></P> <P ALIGN="CENTER">By Solitary Confinement</P> <P><B>Introduction: A Path to Unknown Lands</B></P> <P>The entire tower that Kefka, destroyer of life, once ruled from with an iron fist, began quaking on its foundation. The magical power that held the mighty structure together began to fail, thusly the tower began to lose the cohesion that held it in one piece. As the tower began quaking, two white dots of light sailed out from the top of the tower, sailing into the sky at a fast speed. No sooner than they left, the tower completely lost all of its magic and began falling apart. In what seemed like slow motion the top of the tower began crumbling downwards, pulling more debris in its fall, and adding to the momentum. Soon the entire tower fell to the earth, a massive cloud of black smoke and dust shooting out in all directions and across the land. After a number of hours, the smoke and dust settled down to reveal a landscape of wreckage and twisted metal, nothing left alive save one being. He was trapped, obviously, by the tons and tons of weight against every portion of his body, and even his godlike powers weren't enough to get him loose in his condition.</P> <P><I>Uwee hee hee! I didn't expect this kind of response from those fools, they have become quite strong! Oh, they must be celebrating right about now, hopping and dancing around and shouting for joy at their 'success'! Just wait, I'll soon have them dancing mad, once I recover I will extract my revenge. Oh, they will be mad once they discover that it was their actions that led me to this, mad indeed! Uwee hee hee!</I></P> <P ALIGN="CENTER">* &nbsp* &nbsp*</P> <P>"It only seems like yesterday since we killed Kefka, don't you agree?" Locke commented.</P> <P>Celes rolled her eyes back and sighed loudly, the joke was absolutely horrid, and was made worse because of its horrid subject. The rest of the people present also made appropriate signs of disapproval, many of them just moaning or mumbling curses at the joke.</P> <P>"That's because it was yesterday, you idiot!" She mumbled back.</P> <P>"Yeah, Locke." Edgar, in his usual greens and blues, snapped. "And if it was a joke, then you failed miserably."</P> <P>"Ah, come on! Can't you people take a joke?" Locke pleaded.</P> <P>Everyone present gave him a stern glare, and Locke shrunk back, realizing that they were all still sore on the subject of Kefka's elimination.</P> <P>"Locke, everyone here is still jumpy at that subject. It would be in your best interest if you didn't bring that back up for a while." Celes spoke seriously to the man.</P> <P>"Alright," He declared to everyone. "But I for one know that there was something about Kefka's death that didn't sit well with you, I can see it in all of your eyes. We've seen him face against impossible odds and come out victor, even against his so-called Emperor and General Leo, may he rest in peace."</P> <P>Everyone present lowered their heads in silent respect to their fallen ally, brutally killed by Kefka on the verge of a treaty of peace between Esper and the Empire they fought. A young woman with sea green hair flicked her fingers across her cheeks, ridding her face of a few tears.</P> <P>"But, I can see, even sense that you all doubt his death. Especially you, Terra, you suffered the most pain from him, yet you cannot accept his death even though you must have wished it thousands of times when you were a child. You all saw that he had incredible power, yet he was still a mortal and not a 'God' like he claimed himself to be."</P> <P>He glanced around at everyone, and he scowled when he saw them looking pale and frightened because of the thoughts he implanted in their mind.</P> <P>"Look at you all! He is dead! Every last of you saw his broken and battered body fall to the ground and disintegrate into the mist below. How can you possibly have any doubts of his death? We all saw it happen!"</P> <P>"We all know that, Locke!" Terra shouted.</P> <P>Locke's head snapped around, he never heard Terra yell like that before, her voice echoing pure anger and fear together as one, single emotion.</P> <P>"We all know he is dead! I myself delivered the last strike against his bloody body and split his rotten heart into two. But his death is like believing that the devil is dead, he's gone, but there is that nagging voice saying that he might be alive, biding his time to come back and spoil all we worked for! He reduced a legion of Espers to magicite within a few minutes, killed the Emperor and his greatest General all within a day! He managed to devastate entire cities with his 'light of judgement', slaughtered millions of people and animals without second thoughts. It can be hard to believe that a person with all this power could be killed so easily."</P> <P>"Easy!?" An old man leaning on a cane shouted. "I dammed near killed myself casting spells to keep his demon pets at bay, came closer when he came to fight in person! And I nearly killed myself trying to get Relm aboard the Falcon when we were escaping the tower!"</P> <P>"Calm down, Granddad, you'll have a seizure if you keep that up!" Relm shouted at him while tugging on his thick cloak. "But you are right, he was tough as hell to fight."</P> <P>"Yes, an his evil deeds are sown throughout the land. The village of Mobliz and Doma, Vector and the entire moral of humanity, all of them have suffered equally the wretchedness of his heart." Cyan, once retainer of Doma, spoke.</P> <P>"Oooau...he scare animals away! They all gone, no come back!" A wiry and raggedly dressed boy added as well.</P> <P>"He ruined my airship and came hell close to wrecking my second one!" A man in black cloak and silver hair finished.</P> <P>"Okay!" Locke shouted. "So he wasn't easy, but it still doesn't give any of you reason to fear him anymore! I repeat myself, but he is dead, and dead as anyone can get!"</P> <P>"Not quite yet, my little simpletons." A voice called out.</P> <P>;Everyone turned around and looked for the source of the voice, but there was no one present in the main room of Figaro Castle save themselves. A sudden, shrill laugh brought them to a dead silence, for that same laugh haunted them still, the sound of a madman. From above them, a figure materialized into the air and began drifting to the floor. He was dressed in a red shirt, orange pants, white lace on his shoulders, a green cloak around his body, and brown boots with silver clasps. Everyone bolted away and stood a good distance from the man, all of them holding their weapons or getting ready to cast a spell.</P> <P>"Kefka!" Terra shouted.</P> <P>"Uwee hee, in the flesh, my little war-doll!" He laughed.</P> <P>"Kefka...how did you..." Celes began.</P> <P>"Survive? Simple! The entire fight you waged against me was just against my shadow, at least a powerful version of my shadow!"</P> <P>"...!" Celes was speechless.</P> <P>"Aw, don't act so surprised, I pulled the same stunt on that fool Leo, and look what happened to him! At least it proved your not pushovers like he was!"</P> <P>"You cold, unmerciful bastard!" Locke shouted.</P> <P>"Such language, especially in front of the children. Dreadful!"</P> <P>"Go to hell!" Relm yelled. "We don't need this kind of crap from a dead man!"</P> <P>"Such a foul mouth for a kid! You're parents should be ashamed!"</P> <P>Edgar slammed the end of his lance on the ground, the metal clank getting Kefka's attention, and Edgar's glare and menacing stance did more than enough to show his intent.</P> <P>"Relax, all of you, I don't plan on killing any of you quite yet, although this might be worse than death for some." Kefka ordered.</P> <P>"Lies!" Cyan yelled. "Thou plans nothing more that to slay us and reap the rewards!"</P> <P>"Oh, just shut up already! Although you have a grudge against me, what's done is done, and that is that! Just listen to me for once!"</P> <P>"Alright," Terra began. "What do you have to say?"</P> <P>Kefka giggled madly, and he leapt forwards and into one of the thrones of Figaro castle, sitting down with his legs draped across the arms of the seat. Edgar tightened his grip on his lance, and Sabin, his twin brother, clenched his rock hard fists in anticipation of a vicious battle.</P> <P>"Well, first off I offer my congratulations! You all managed to beat my shadow, and also plunge me into the ruins of my tower for most of a day. My powers have been severely hampered because of this, but I still have power enough to summon a portal to the land of the Goddesses."</P> <P>"Land of the Goddesses?" Locke shouted.</P> <P>"Don't interrupt me!" Kefka snapped. "Yes, and in the land of the Goddesses I can be with those who are of equal power and strength to me. I will become a God alongside them, then return and wreak havoc with you miserable humans!"</P> <P>Everyone remained silent, and Kefka smiled and laughed.</P> <P>"I see that you are lost, so let me explain it in a nutshell. You all know that the three goddesses that came here were from a distant land, and they had incredible power. They came in a blinding light from the sky like the sun, but it was really a portal to their homeland. Somewhere, far within the heavens and the night sky, represented by one of those tiny dots of light, lay their homeland, a place where the inhabitants are all-powerful gods! Because I absorbed the three goddesses' power, the skills to open this portal are mine to use. Once on that planet, I will absorb the power of all the other goddesses for my own, and become a supreme god over all living things!"</P> <P>"No! I won't let you!" Terra threatened.</P> <P>"Oh, but I will! Although you can try, you won't be able to stop me."</P> <P>"We beat you once, we can do it again!" Edgar added.</P> <P>"Tsk tsk, you seem to forget that you haven't the use of your magic or espers to assist. You are just weak fools without the magical powers I control and master!"</P> <P>"We shall see!" Cyan yelled while charging Kefka.</P> <P>Cyan raised his sword, the pearl elemental Sky Render, high above his head to perform a fast, painless vertical slash, but Kefka was ready for it. He stood and quickly dodged to one side, the blade whistling past his head and driving itself into the stone. Kefka then drew his arm back, and made a powerful backhand slap across Cyan's head, knocking him back to his friends. Terra went to his side to see his injury while Locke and Celes drew back slightly, their weapons still at ready.</P> <P>"Bah, you fools don't know my real power. Although I was much more powerful than this, my current energy is more than enough to deal with you insects!"</P> <P>Locke raised his sword, the mighty Excalibur, on high, and he yelled a battle cry and lead a charge against Kefka. Kefka smiled and giggled lightly, but lowered his stance to get ready for the coming battle. Locke dashed forwards, and he swung the Excalibur in a wide arc, and Kefka ducked down to avoid the blade, but Locke kept coming. Locke used his free hand to reach out and push off Kefka's back, moving him behind him to free the others to attack. Kefka raised his hand to point at Celes, and he cast a powerful fire spell. Celes looked up to see the massive fireball race towards her, but she brought out her short sword, the Gradeus, and held it in front of her. The fireball continued onwards, but once it hit the blade it stood still and began shrinking until it faded away, using her Runic skill to absorb the magical energy of the spell for her own.</P> <P><I>Damn, forgot about that pestering ability...</I></P> <P>Kefka looked at Celes with utter rage, leaving him distracted long enough for Sabin to leap at him. Sabin gave his body a powerful spin, and he stuck his leg out to perform a roundhouse kick to the side of Kefka's arm, knocking him across the throne room. Kefka leapt up in time to meet the whistling sound of dozens of arrows come towards him from Edgar's crossbow. He quickly moved around, adjusting arms and legs to avoid every last arrow, leaving hid cloak as the only victim, now torn with many new holes. Locke was about to rush him again, but Celes held him in check along with the other aggressors, willing to see what Kefka would do next.</P> <P>"Well, it seems that you are still quite a menace." Kefka muttered while running his hair back.</P> <P>Kefka placed his ponytail back against his cloak, but his fingers found something amiss in his usual attire. He searched around his ear, and he found that one of his many colorful trinkets was missing. Locke noticed his obvious irritation, and he held up the small item he managed to swipe from Kefka during his attack.</P> <P>"Looking for something?" Locke teased.</P> <P>"M-my feather! Give it back!" Kefka stuttered.</P> <P>"Sure." Locke tossed the feather towards Kefka, and he raced to it and caught it was it drifted towards the ground. Kefka placed it back in his hair, and he placed his hands across his waist and regarded the people near him with a curious gaze.</P> <P>"Well, I've had enough fun for now. It's time for me to leave."</P> <P>Kefka quickly began chanting archaic phrases and moving his arms around, and the air around him began glimmering and wavering like air in midday heat. The air began wavering faster, reducing Kefka's body to a shimmer, and he soon faded away completely. Suddenly the air exploded in light, forcing everyone to turn away. When they dared to look back, they saw a large silver sphere hanging in the air, reflecting their images like a mirror.</P> <P>"What is it..." Terra muttered.</P> <P>"It's the portal, you dullard!" Kefka's voice declared.</P> <P>"Kefka, where are you?" Edgar threatened.</P> <P>"In the land of the Goddesses, I thought that you would like to know one small detail about their influence over planets they use their magic on. You see, once a planet gets a magical aura, it cannot survive without it. Without the statues here, and without me, once this portal closes, you world will begin to fall apart. I'll give you a day at most to watch as the land buckles and the oceans evaporate, and finally as the entire planet breaks apart at the core and get scattered to the four corners of the universe!"</P> <P>"No! You can't do that!" Celes yelled.</P> <P>"Just watch me! Uwee hee hee!"</P> <P>The silver sphere began shrinking, becoming smaller and smaller, but Terra felt an overriding sense of purpose take control of her body. Edgar watched as she leapt forwards and placed her hands into the portal, and her magical aura flared to life, causing the portal to cease shrinking. Everyone stared at the spectacle, not knowing what she was doing to keep the portal from disappearing.</P> <P>"T-Terra...what are you doing?" Locke asked.</P> <P>"I don't know. Something in me just snapped and forced me to act. I don't know how I'm able to do this, but I know it's draining my magical power pretty fast."</P> <P>"Then stop it!" Edgar shouted.</P> <P>"No! If Kefka said the world would end without the power of the goddesses', then he may be right. If this portal closes, then we won't survive. Even if he's wrong, he can still go after the other goddesses and claim their power, that's something we can't allow."</P> <P>"Then we can go after him." Edgar proposed.</P> <P>"Wait." Strago insisted.</P> <P>Edgar paused, looking at the aging man with irritation. "Yes?"</P> <P>"You must realize this will be a one way ride. Kefka said only the goddesses know the skill to open a portal, so once it closes, we are stuck there."</P> <P>"Terra, how long can you keep this 'portal' open?"</P> <P>"Not much longer, maybe a half hour, but no more, my magic is already getting weaker."</P> <P>"Celes, Locke, go and use your magic to help Terra. You and Relm too."</P> <P>"But how?" Celes asked.</P> <P>"Just focus your energy on me, your magic will flow from your body to mine and replenish my stores of magical energy. That should buy us at least two hours more."</P> <P>"But what about our people?" Edgar asked. "Once we lose this portal the world will go to pot, all of humanity will perish!"</P> <P>"Make an announcement, brother, tell them the situation and have them pass through the portal to the land of the goddesses. Have them bring tools, food, equipment, and materials to reconstruct an entire city if necessary. If all of this is true, then this land of the goddesses will be our new home for a long while."</P> <P>"No, tell them of his, but tell them to get ready for a rough ride." Terra ordered.</P> <P>"You have a plan, then?" Setzer asked.</P> <P>"Yes, if we five magi focus all our magical energy onto this portal, we could expand it to absorb the entire castle and take it through rather that build one from scratch. Setzer, get the falcon as close to the castle as possible, we will need it in the other land. Edgar, make the announcement, the sooner we do this the easier it will be for us to accomplish!"</P> <P>"But what of the people in South Figaro, Kohlingen, all the other cities and villages! If we don't help them, they will die!"</P> <P>"That cannot be helped." Terra muttered.</P> <P>"Setzer, can you go to South Figaro and-"</P> <P>"No can do. It would take me close to two hours to get there, and the Falcon can only hold a few hundred people out of, what, tents of thousands? Sorry, it would be futile to try."</P> <P>"......"</P> <P>"Please, brother, go and tell our people and get them ready for this. We can't help the others, but at least we can save those who are with us."</P> <P>"...Alright, I will make the announcement."</P> <BR /> <P>"People of Figaro Castle! Today I have grave news to share with you all!"</P> <P>Edgar waited a moment, addressing the people from the doors of his main hall, the people milling in the courtyard and murmuring with discontent. He swallowed, then steadied his courage and thought of how to break the news to them.</P> <P>"As you all know, we just defeated the slayer of humanity, Kefka, merely a day ago! We all thought that his threats were over and gone, but those facts turned out to be false. He came to us from the air, and he told us that he was going to flee to a new land, one where his power can become absolute. He also told us that his passing to this other world would signal the destruction of our own."</P> <P>The crowd began yelling and moving around, shouts coming from those who were angry or cries of despair from those who believed this to be the end. Edgar raised his arms up, and the crowd silenced itself after a few more seconds of sound.</P> <P>"However, as we speak, the five magi warriors we know as our friends and allies are keeping the portal Kefka used to escape open. We don't know what is on the other side of the portal, but it has been decided that we will go through it to the other land."</P> <P>More shouts came this time, but it was mostly dominated by cries and shouts of worry from his people, whose reality was just destroyed for them.</P> <P>"The magi warriors are going to use all their magical power to make this portal grow to engulf the entire castle, and it, along with us and the airship, will be sent to the other land. I tell you to go and get ready for this, prepare in any way you believe is necessary, but don't leave the castle. Sadly, our sister city is too far to be reached and saved, so we are going to be the only people to get through to the other land. I believe we may be sent into the portal within an hour, but if you see a silver sphere come out of the walls, then that is the sign the time has arrived."</P> <P>More shouting came again, but Edgar heard one voice reach above the others with a deep bass rumble.</P> <P>"But what are we going to do once we get to this 'other land'?"</P> <P>"I do not know. The magi warriors and myself and my brother will definitely assist in defending you all from Kefka, for he will be there as well. This other land is home to many powerful creatures, not unlike the very beings that created espers and magic on our world. I do know that we will take root there, and go and search for food and water, shelter and building materials. Once we go there, we must be ready to continue as the only humans left, for this other land is to become the new home of humanity."</P> <P>"I understand, sire, we will do everything in our power to help you!" the man replied.</P> <P>"What is your name, brave man?" Edgar asked.</P> <P>"Edmond Felter, sire, a blacksmith for the castle's mechanical parts!"</P> <P>"Glad to meet your acquaintance, Edmond Felter, it is good to see people like you in high spirits. We all need to see this as something good, be in positive spirit, or we might never become used to the other land. I am desperately needed back at the meeting for the journey, so I must bid you all farewell for now!"</P> <P>Edgar turned around, and with a dramatic flair of his cloak, disappeared into the castle interior through the main doors, inwardly hoping his people understood the necessity to adapt. He quickly closed off the main doors, and walked to the main hall where Terra and the others were holding the portal open and ready for use.</P> <P><I>I pray that Terra doesn't overexert herself trying to keep this gateway open, it will only serve to crush my spirit along with everyone else's.</I></P> <P>Edgar passed by two guards at the entrance to the throne room, and he passed them by without a word from either of them. Inside, everything was as it was just ten minutes ago, Terra with her hands inside the portal and every other magi warrior feeding their magical energy into her body. Sabin and Cyan were standing by them, watching with an unnatural interest at the portal before them.</P> <P>"How is Terra?" Edgar asked his brother.</P> <P>"Not doing so well, brother. It seems like this portal is taking more and more energy to keep open. Terra's magical reserves are getting dry, even with the help of Locke and the others. Its taking every ounce of her concentration to keep herself focused now."</P> <P>"We had best get this plan of hers in action as soon as possible, our time grows nigh." Cyan added.</P> <P>"What about Setzer and the Falcon. Any word from him?"</P> <P>"If you go outside, he has the Falcon almost touching the top of the castle. Now would be the best time to get going, but we need time to get the airship secured so it doesn't move." Sabin answered.</P> <P>Terra gave a sudden yelp, and the portal quivered like a water droplet, getting Edgar's immediate attention.</P> <P>"Terra!"</P> <P>"No time, we must do this now!" she yelled.</P> <P>"Alright!" Locke continued. "Everyone concentrate all your power to Terra, give her everything you have and more!"</P> <P>"Edgar, go tell Setzer we're going!" Relm shouted.</P> <P>Edgar complied, and he broke into a run out of the throne room to get access to the stairs that lead to the upper observation tower. He dashed by the two guards, startling them.</P> <P>"King Edgar, why-"</P> <P>"No time! Tell the people to get ready, we're leaving!" He yelled as he ran to the upper levels of Figaro castle.</P> <P>He ran as fast as his legs would carry him, his regal clothing holding his back with their thick weight. Edgar quickly undid the straps to his cloak, and the heavy ornament fluttered to the stone floor with a heavy whisper. He ran up the last flight of stairs, and he suddenly reached the outside, his legs still churning as if climbing stairs, causing him to fall over onto his face. He stood up and wiped his nose, hand coming back bloody from the injury, but he still looked up and saw Setzer working with many thick ropes to tie the airship down to the castle.</P> <P>"Setzer!" Edgar yelled.</P> <P>Setzer was startled, but he recovered quickly and looked down to see Edgar madly waving his arms at him.</P> <P>"Setzer! Terra has to enact the portal plan! Get down and come inside the castle now!"</P> <P>"Alright, I'm-"</P> <P>Setzer never finished the sentence. A massive gush of wind raced across the castle and airship, blowing Setzer s billowing coat around and loosening his grip on the ropes. His foot slipped off the wooden rail on the side of the Falcon, and he was then held in mid air by one rope. The winds kept on raging, and Setzer s coat made his body flap madly in the wind, loosening his grip until he lost all strength and began to fall. Edgar dashed forwards to the edge of the roof, trying to get underneath Setzer s falling body as the pilot was screaming off a chain of curses. Edgar's arms shot forwards, and he managed to catch Setzer by his shoulders and legs, the weight and speed of the fall nearly tearing his arms off. Setzer looked back, his eyes open and frantic for a moment, but he glanced up and saw Edgar glaring down at him. He smiled madly and wrapped an arm across Edgar's shoulder.</P> <P>"My hero!" Setzer spoke in his most sarcastic, girlish voice he could muster.</P> <P>"Oh, go jump in a lake." Edgar muttered as he dropped Setzer onto the floor like a stone.</P> <P>Setzer stood up and dusted his coat off, then began moving to the stairs while looking around him.</P> <P>"Really though, thanks." He offered.</P> <P>"Certainly." Edgar spoke. "But what was that wind from?"</P> <P>"Who knows, it must be a part of the beginning of the end of all life on this cursed sphere of earth within the infinite reaches of the heavens."</P> <P>"Don't get all metaphysical on me, Gabbiani, we haven't the time for it!"</P> <P>Both Edgar and Setzer began leaping down the stairs to the castle interior, clearing a flight of them in three leaps. They ran into the throne room, not noticing the guard s absence, and saw the portal shimmering and pulsing with the incredible energy the five magi warriors were producing. Every one of them looked tired and drained, but Terra looked the worst, her face pale and her body shaking like a leaf in an autumn wind. Edgar approached her to give her some support, but his hands never made contact with her shoulders. Small tendrils of lightning wrapped around her body, shooting through Edgar s hands, and he pulled back with a yelp of surprise.</P> <P>"What is that? My hands are numb. Is it the energy she is controlling?"</P> <P>"I don't know, but something's happening!" Sabin shouted.</P> <P>Everyone looked at Terra, and they saw the portal she was feeding begin to expand, engulfing her arms and body in its silver light. No one moved, mainly out of fear of this unknown energy they were depending on, also due to their own lack of options. They didn't know if this would kill them, if it wouldn't work and doom them, or work and send them to a foreign land. The entire situation depended on faith, faith that what Kefka said was true and faith that Terra had the energy to make it work as it was meant to. Edgar held still as the sphere's surface came and passed through his body, feeling a tingling sensation across his body. He looked back to see what was around the inside of the sphere, but he only saw the silver wall of the sphere. Eventually the bodies of Cyan and Sabin passed inside the sphere, as well as the walls and carpet of the castle itself.</P> <P>"Is this actually working?" He asked.</P> <P>"I don't know." Setzer stated. "It doesn't look like it."</P> <P>Cyan looked around in a daze, obviously not knowing what to expect from the portal.</P> <P>"Are you sure of Lady Terra's plan, King Edgar?"</P> <P>"Yes, I don't know if this is going to work, but I have faith in her abilities. We all need to have faith in her, she knows what she is doing." Edgar whispered back.</P> <P>"I'll have all the faith of the world if it gets us through this alive." Sabin worried.</P> <P>"Calm down." Setzer snapped. "She is powerful, we all know she is. I believe in her, and so should all of you. It won't help the spell, but it will at least keep your doubts in check...for now, at least."</P> <P>"Agreed, Sabin, we need to have faith in Terra's skills."</P> <P>Edgar looked back at Terra as she exerted her every ounce of being into her spell, trying her hardest to make the portal work for her.</P> <BR /> <P>Terra held herself as still as she could, her body wanting desperately to end this spell and collapse, fall to the ground and simply breathe. Despite her body's protest, Terra held herself firm in place, using her willpower to keep the spell going. Images floated through her mind, images of past events that drew upon her very existence to survive. A vision of Kefka driving her to cast just one more fire spell was central. Lying on the ground, barely able to breathe, Kefka simply kicked her in the side of her body, demanding her to stand or die. Images of her focusing her hatred and rage to lose herself in her magical fires, letting those soldiers who were part of the project scream and flail around, their bodies melting in the heat. Images of her body straining against her chair, trying desperately to get away, trying to escape Kefka and his slave crown. Images of her body being changed and altered into her esper form. Her broken body lying outside the ruined city of Mobliz. Her esper form being torn from her body like having her skin being ripped off her bones and blood.</P> <P><I>I survived against such odds, but do I have what it takes to harness the power of a goddess?</I></P> <P>Terra again forced more magic into the portal, feeling her mind and body become diluted within the sphere's power. The more she forced the sphere out, the more she felt disconnected from her body, almost as if she was forcing her spirit from her body. She remembered when she first changed into her esper form, she lost all control but still had her mind. It was like being trapped within another body, watching, but only being an observer from within her purplish esper form.</P> <P><I>I can do this, but will my mind become permanently separated from my body if I do?</I></P> <P>Terra again forced the sphere outside, hearing voices call that the entire castle was surrounded by the portal, that only a little more would do it. Energy from her friends continued to rush into her body, infusing their power into her veins like cold water into an overheating boiler. She felt her friend s desires and hopes within their energy, like a flavor to their individual magic, each one different and unique. Their strength fed into her own, and the portal expanded even further, and Terra felt even more separated from her body. Her entire form felt numb, like it was immersed into freezing ice, not even the familiar pins and needles tingled in her fingers. The voices from before called again like echoes in a cave, almost there, a little more, a few more feet is all, they all seemed like whispers of the wind.</P> <P><I>I have to go on, but I am afraid. There are so many doubts in my mind, what if I die, become a wandering spirit, even fail and doom my friends? This feeling of being disconnected, it seems so alien to me, yet comforting also, just like a dream...But I must keep going. All the power I have was made to destroy, but no more! Even if the cost is my life, at least I can repay the suffering I put my victims through, and repay the debt to my friend s kindness!</I></P> <P>Terra closed her eyes, finding comfort in the darkness, but knowing it would soon be her only point of view. She forced all her energy into the portal, every ounce of her spirit and soul into this last push for freedom. Her friends energy came into her body, filling it with power and many flavors, all reflecting the same purpose. The voices came again, but once stood out among the rest, covered with worry, determination, and fear: what do we do now? Terra recognized the voice, and she forced one last thought into her mind before everything within and without faded into nothingness.</P> <P><I>Edgar...</P></I> <BR /> <P>"What do we do now!?" Edgar yelled to the others.</P> <P>"I don't know, we must-" Strago began.</P> <P>"Terra! No!" Locke screamed.</P> <P>Edgar again looked at Terra, and he saw her legs quiver once, then her entire body simply fell to the stone like a marionette with cut strings. As soon as Terra fell, a sudden wind kicked up around them, and a low pitched rumble began emanating from all angles. Edgar looked around frantically, and he then saw the portal begin to draw back towards the point it originated from. The silver wall passed over everyone, then it hit the point of its origin, and in a high pitched screech, it shrunk down into a silver dot, then faded away completely. Everyone was still, looking at where the portal was, and then glancing to the others.</P> <P>"D-did it work?" Sabin croaked out.</P> <P>"I-I don't k-know." Celes stuttered.</P> <P>"The window, b-brother. Check it." Edgar muttered.</P> <P>Sabin took many slow, nervous steps to the window set behind the thrones, covered by thick purple drapes, and he took hold of them. He held them a moment, the closed his eyes and threw them open, shining bright light into the throne room. After a second, he opened an eye, and what he saw shocked him even more that Kefka and the portal together. Sabin tried to speak, but only croaks and half words came out, so he lifted a solemn finger to the window, and everyone approached to see what he was pointing at. Outside the castle was an open plains of tall grass, slight hills and a forest plus a small river, and large mountains in the distance.</P> <P>"It looks like it worked." Locke said slowly.</P> <P>"T-then welcome to the Land of the Goddesses." Strago declared softly.</P> <P ALIGN="CENTER">* &nbsp* &nbsp*</P> <P>"What's happening to the land!?" The Impresario shouted above the din.</P> <P>Outside the massive opera house that was presently planted into the earth on a long and narrow stretch of land that connected Maranda with Jidoor, the ground convulsed and shifted violently. The Impresario ran through the main doors of the opera house and stood outside, trying to keep his balance in the shifting earth. He looked across the horizon and saw the entire ocean frothing and churning, waves crashing against the shore with hurricane strength. The few trees nearby were wobbling and breaking off their trunks, and the earth seemed to bulge outwards to the sky. A sudden din was added behind him, and he turned back to see a swarm of the opera attendants rushing to get out of the opera house.</P> <P>"No!" He shouted. "Stay inside, you'll be safe there, the opera house is built like a guardian, it won't fall!"</P> <P>The people didn't listen to him, and they continued to try and force their way outside, but the Impresario wanted them in, knowing the consequences if they saw the landscape.</P> <P>"No, stay inside, all of you! It's for the best if you stay in here!"</P> <P>"He's right!" Maria, the opera singer shouted above the rest. "Stay inside and you won't be hurt! Who knows what s going on out there, but it can't be good. Remember those who were swallowed by the earth during the 'End of Balance'!"</P> <P>Maria's strong voice, coupled with her logic, made the crowds calm down and begin to move back into the opera house's seating area. She made her way to the main door, ignoring the glares from the crowd, and stood by the Impresario.</P> <P>"By Kefka, what is going on? It's looks like the end of balance all over again!"</P> <P>"No, there is no way Kefka would go this far again, what else is there for him to ruin?"</P> <P>"But what is causing it then?"</P> <P>"I don't know...I really don't know..."</P> <P ALIGN="CENTER">* &nbsp* &nbsp*</P> <P>"Duane! Our child!" Katarin yelled.</P> <P>"Don't fret, I've got him right here, darling!"</P> <P>Duane quickly rushed up from the basement of the messenger house, the underground refuge now becoming filled with rocks and dirt from the earthquakes striking the region, holding a small baby. Katarin immediately took the little baby, and she cuddled the crying boy in her arms, rocking him to calm his crying down. They both quickly ran to the open field to the south by the sea, where the dozens of children sat waiting for them to return. Once Katarin came, they all rushed up to her and began pulling on her dress and legs, looking for some comfort.</P> <P>"Katarin, where's mama?" One asked.</P> <P>"Yeah! Where is Terra?"</P> <P>"Terra! She promised to come back to us!"</P> <P>"What's going on? I want mama!"</P> <P>"Children!" Katarin shouted. "It'll be alright! Its just an earthquake, just a long one like before, no one is going to be hurt!"</P> <P>A number of the smaller children were crying, shouting out Terra's name between sniffs and coughs, making the other children uneasy. Duane went to one of the crying children and scooped her up in his arms, letting her cry into his shoulder and rubbing her little shoulder.</P> <P>"I want...want Terra! *sniff* Terra, come home! *cough*" The girl wept.</P> <P>"It's okay, little Jess, everything is okay." Duane cooed.</P> <P>"Where are we going to sleep, our home was buried!" One of the older boys asked.</P> <P>"We can sleep in the other homes, there are beds and sheets enough for all of you." Katarin answered. "Just hold on, this quake will be done before you know it."</P> <P>"Y-you don't think this is because of the man in the tower, do you?" Another asked.</P> <P>"I don't know, Marc, it might be, or it might not. Just don't think about it."</P> <P ALIGN="CENTER">* &nbsp* &nbsp*</P> <P>"By all that is good, what is going on!?"</P> <P>Gungho, the temporary Village elder of Thamasa, looked across the bay separating Ebot's rock with the mainland, and he saw the entire island begin to sink again. Rocks from the top of the small mountain were falling off, causing large splashes and churning the waters into a white froth. He kept his feet firm on the ground as another earthquake struck the region, rattling the buildings and windows violently. The people of Thamasa looked on in grim fascination, seeing the ancient island fall into the waters again, ridding island of the cave where undead monsters roamed. However, even as the island disappeared and the waves of the rocks stopped, the land continued to shake mildly, and the sky was growing even redder than it was after the end of balance.</P> <P>"What's going on? Is this Kefka's work?" A woman asked.</P> <P>"I'm not sure, but it sure seems like it is." Gungho answered. "Help me gather all the people up into the square with their belongings, we are leaving to open fields for safety."</P> <P>"Of course, Elder Gungho."</P> <P>The woman ran off towards groups of people, telling them their elder s orders and then going to find others again. After a while, the entire village of Thamasa was mobilized and on their feet, ready to leave to safer regions. Gungho stood atop a crate, a large sack across his back and a cane supporting his left leg.</P> <P>"Everyone, let's go!" He declared.</P> <P>Gungho jumped off the crate and began walking to the border of the city, every last one of its citizens following as well. The parents and older people of the city were burdened with the heavy loads of things they owned, bent over like old men. The children huddled close to their parents, afraid and worried about the earthquakes, Ebot's island falling, and the abandonment of Thamasa. The village leaders all stood close to Gungho, talking among themselves and asking questions they knew couldn't be answered now. Gungho wiped his forehead with a sleeve of his long shirt, his body becoming tired after the exertion of gathering the people and because of the temperature.</P> <P>"Elder, are you feeling okay?" One man asked.</P> <P>"I'm okay, it is just getting warm all of a sudden. Do you feel it too?"</P> <P>"Yes, it has been getting warmer as of recent, since the earthquakes began. Do you think the two have a connection?"</P> <P>"There is the possibility. Perhaps this is a new way for Kefka to amuse himself, turn up the heat and let our crops wither and die, let us melt and die. Come, we can go and rest in the shade of the forest to the south until this heat or earthquake fades away."</P> <P>"Elder, there are already people asking to rest." Another spoke up.</P> <P>"Tell them to hold on for a while longer. If any of them can use ice magic, have them use it to chill their water for those who need it." Gungho ordered.</P> <P>"Yes, Elder." He responded.</P> <P>The man dropped back and began to pass the instructions, and Gungho continued to walk towards the forests to the south. He knew that the shade would provide relief to those who are hot, and there were some streams that offered some cold water naturally. He looked at the distant forest through the haze of the sudden heat, and guessed it to be a twenty minute walk more.</P> <P><I>Where in the depths of hell did this heat come from? It seems too similar to the end of balance for my tastes. Could Kefka be plotting to exterminate all of humanity now? Maybe Strago and all of his friends tried to fight him and lost, or maybe they're all dead?</I></P> <P>It was a strenuous walk to the forest, and by the time they reached the edges of it the heat was almost like a raging fire across and exposed skin. The people all hurried, anxious to get to the shade and cooler air of the forest. Gungho kept walking, heading to a stream he knew was close by, hoping to get some chilled water for himself and rebuking himself for forgetting his own water.</P> <P>"Ah." Gungho muttered as he saw the glistening reflection of sunlight off the water.</P> <P>He quickly settled down by the water s edge, sitting on a fallen and moss covered log, and he lowered his palms into the water for a drink. Once his hands pierced the water s surface, he yelped and drew them back out.</P> <P>"By Kefka!" He yelled. "This water is hot!"</P> <P>"No, it can't be!" One man shouted.</P> <P>"Then see for yourself!" Gungho shot back.</P> <P>The man placed his hand in the water, and he also pulled it out surprised.</P> <P>"It can't be..." He began.</P> <P>"Sir!" Another yelled. "The people who know magical spells cannot cast them!"</P> <P>"What!" Gungho asked.</P> <P>"It's true, Elder, there should be at least thirty people who know ice spells and they can't cast them any longer. It's as if all magic has disappeared for us as well as all other humans, just like the end of the War of the Magi."</P> <P>"What are we going to do?" The first man asked.</P> <P>Gungho lowered his head in depression and worry. "I don't know..."</P> <P ALIGN="CENTER">* &nbsp* &nbsp*</P> <P>Deep within the massive pile of debris that was leftover after the collapse of Kefka's Tower, something stirred below it, moving with a determination. The metal and stone near it began slipping and falling down, melting into blazing hot liquids as it rose to the surface. As less and less debris blocked its path, it began climbing faster and faster, making for a spiral as it climbed up. After a few minutes, the air near the tower ruins began shimmering with fresh heat, and the debris began moving downwards. Suddenly, the entire tower ruins sunk down, followed by a massive gout of molten rock and metal spewed out in a pillar of lava. The lava shot high into the air, evaporating the clouds nearby and lighting fire to anything flammable within a few miles of the lava pillar. A literal wave of heat shout out, passing over the landscape and raising the temperature to unbearable heights. At the base of the pillar of lava, massive cracks appeared and began shooting outwards, lava spilling out of those as well, adding to the heat. Those massive cracks shot out from the lava pillar at incredible speeds, passing through any terrain and spilling lava out of them. The city of Tzen, the closest city to the massive tower, was first to be hit by the lava cracks. The crack sailed through the city, and the lava pouring out of it heated the air so much that the wooden buildings caught fire from proximity alone. The earthquakes that hit earlier suddenly grew much worse, and the crack widened and collapsed near the lava, engulfing the city within a few seconds. The crack that hit Tzen kept moving, passing into the ocean and beginning to swallow the sea and evaporate it with the massive heat of the lava.</P> <P>Near Maranda, a trail of boiling water brew ever closer to the shore it was next to, and the earthquakes began to grow worse. Within a moment, the crack broke to shore and struck the city in its middle. The crack split the ground open, letting seawater rush into the city as well as the lava, decimating the once glorious city. After a few seconds more, the city fell apart and was buried in the steam misted lava. The crack continuing without slowing or changing direction, and the waters began sending boiling hot clouds of steam to broil anything left alive.</P> <P>Across the globe, city after city fell victim to the spreading cracks of the single pillar of lava at Kefka's ruined tower. The entire ocean was beginning to boil and steam, and the earthquakes became worse than ever thought possible. Mountains began to crumble and entire regions of land began to shake themselves to pieces and fall into the ocean. Massive tidal waves rushed over cities and islands without remorse, eliminating humans like they were nothing. Massive pieces of land began to rise up on top of the lava, rising into the blood red sky, passing farther up than the eye could see. Pillars of lava began erupting all across the globe, rendering the land completely shattered and the sea a boiling entity being blasted into vapor. Clouds simply ceased to be, and anything that was alive was long since killed and melted into nothingness. Soon the lava began covering a great deal of the planet's surface, and the waters and oceans had fallen into the planet and turned into steam, racing into the heavens like the lava was. After a long time of waiting, the earth quaked with an energy incomprehensible to humans or anything else, and it began sailing into the heavens. From the view of the single circle of light that was the moon, the earth began expanding and exploding into space. Massive gouts of atmosphere sailed away into the reaches of space, and the lava and vaporized air began to cool slightly. Once the last upheaval of land occurred, the entire body of air on the planet simply shot outwards and into space, leaving a vacuum in place of the air once used by living things. The intense cold of space reached the lava, freezing it and ending its movements, and the vapor simply ceased all motions and drifted as tiny specks of frozen water. The once glorious planet was gone, leaving behind a collection of rock, frozen water, and solidified lava. The energy of the explosion was still enough that the planet continued to move out and away, so within a time every remain of the once wondrous planet would be gone forever. The single moon that depended upon this planet as a holding force was now released, and the moon broke orbit and began to sail away into space as well. After a time, there would be no evidence that a planet ever was there, much less a once populous and glorious civilization.</P> <P ALIGN="CENTER">* &nbsp* &nbsp*</P> <P>"Do you think that a goddess may come here to investigate our arrival?" Edgar asked no one in particular.</P> <P>"I can't say." Cyan responded. "Right now I'm much more concerned about whether or not Kefka knows we are here is this supposed 'Land of the Goddesses.'"</P> <P>"Brother, we need to go about and see how many people are with us in the castle and get them calmed down. Also we need to see about food stores and other things like equipment and herbs for the wounded and injured." Sabin motioned.</P> <P>"True. Sabin, go and alert the guards to scour the castle and have everyone gather in the courtyard so we may perform a count and get together some sort of plan."</P> <P>"Alright, I'll make it quick!" Sabin shouted as he ran off.</P> <P>"I'm going to check on my airship, gotta see if my Falcon is doing well." Setzer said as he departed to the roof.</P> <P>Edgar went to his throne and slumped down in the cushioned seat, his body melting into the throne with exhaustion and stress. Strago was resting against a wall, trying to catch his breath, Celes and Locke were on the floor resting against each other s backs, and Relm was checking on the fainted Terra. Edgar looked at the fallen woman, silently praising her determination and courage to go through such a stressing event.</P> <P>"How is she?" He asked Relm.</P> <P>"Good enough. She is a tough lady, just needs her rest and she will be up and able."</P> <P>"Thank Ramuh." Edgar sighed.</P> <P>"But what about your plan, Edgar?" Locke spoke between deep breaths.</P> <P>"That's right, we need to come up with a plan to deal with food and water mainly, then about seeing to the safety of the castle and building materials if its unsafe to live in. Also about the threat the goddesses and Kefka pose to us for now on. Any ideas, people?"</P> <P>"Well, we can send Gau here to look for any animals that could be nearby." Cyan offered.</P> <P>"Gau look for animals, check river and forest too!" The boy piped up.</P> <P>"Yeah, that'll solve food and water problems. Setzer and I can go check the castle interior for any damage to the machinery or foundation, and any of us can use the Falcon to check the region for anything dangerous."</P> <P>"Simple questions..." Celes began.</P> <P>"Simpler answers..." Locke finished.</P> <P>"Uhh..." Terra moaned and shifted on the ground.</P> <P>Edgar quickly stood and walked to her side, getting down on one knee and gently shaking her shoulder to wake her up. Slowly she opened her dark green eyes and looked into Edgar's worrisome brown eyes, and he smiled as soon as he saw her come around.</P> <P>"Edgar..."</P> <P>"Hush, you put yourself through a lot of stress, Terra, you need to rest."</P> <P>He rooted through his vest and took out a small gold orange crystal and held it in front of her chest.</P> <P>"Here, an elixir will speed up your recovery for sure."</P> <P>He broke the small crystal in half, and it immediately disintegrated, releasing tendrils and colored spheres of energy that flowed through Terra's body, healing her injuries and replenishing her magic reserves. Terra closed her eyes and sighed softly, enjoying the cool tendrils of the elixir massage her pains and exhaustion away. After the elixir was done working on her body, she sat up and moved her sea green hair out of her face, looking at a relieved Edgar.</P> <P>"Thank you Edgar." She spoke quietly.</P> <P>"Anything for you, m' lady." Edgar spoke as he helped her stand up.</P> <P>Terra managed to get up without much trouble, but she wasn't readily able to move, her joints stiff and sore after keeping them rock still for close to an hour.</P> <P>"It seems like I can't walk." She spoke worried.</P> <P>"Never you mind, Terra, rest is what the local doctor ordered for you, so rest it is. Come, I will help you to a guestroom and you can sleep for a week if you feel like it. Cyan, if Sabin gets back before I do, tell him to give the people an explanation to the plan for now, and get their moral up and steady."</P> <P>"Of course, King Edgar." He stated evenly while Edgar led Terra out of the throne room.</P> <BR /> <P>Edgar pulled the covers of the bed to the foot, and he gently helped Terra get into the bed and on the soft mattress. He then pulled the sheets back over her body, an idle finger gently moving a stray hair out of her face.</P> <P>"Comfy?" He asked.</P> <P>"Yes."</P> <P>"Good. Sadly, I must get back and tell our people about the current situation, so I bid you a restful sleep."</P> <P>Edgar moved to get out of the room, but something in his eyes made Terra curious.</P> <P>"Edgar?"</P> <P>"Yes, Terra?"</P> <P>"Are...are you sure that we can live up to being the saviors of the human race? The people here, they are all that are left of us now..."</P> <P>"Of course I am!" He declared.</P> <P>Terra continued to look at him, her deep green eyes piercing his own like needles, and he saw that she knew he was lying.</P> <P>"Well, truth be told, I don't know. Certainly I can manage a castle and its people, but to be responsible for the whole of humanity is certainly nothing to take lightly. I must be the only person ever to have had such a responsibility, to be the King of all humanity..."</P> <P>"I think you will make a good king for us." Terra commented.</P> <P>"And you'd be a good queen for us all." Edgar spoke absently.</P> <P>Terra drew back slightly. "Queen?" She repeated.</P> <P>Edgar's eyes widened once he realized he slipped up with his words, obviously shocking himself and Terra. He loosened his collar on his shirt and took a step backwards to the door.</P> <P>"I, I..." He began, but never finished as he quickly walked out the door.</P> <P>Terra stared back at the door, wondering what had scared Edgar so suddenly, and why he referred to her as a queen. However, she was too tired to think much about it before sleep made her eyelids fall over her eyes and drift into sleep.</P> <BR /> <P>Edgar leaned against the wall next to the door of the chambers Terra was sleeping in, wiping his brow nervously.</P> <P><I>I can't believe I let myself slip up like that! There is no time for me to be thinking about relationships until we get the people settled down in this area, maybe once that is done...</I></P> <P>As Edgar was thinking, Gau came bounding down the hallway and nearly collided with him before stopping. He scratched his head a moment in thought, then his face lit up when he remembered the message he received.</P> <P>"Oooau, Edgar! Sabin looking for you, want you to talk to people right away! I go look for animals outside, bye!"</P> <P>Gau then bounded away as fast as he came, leaving Edgar muddled for a moment before the hastily spoken words reached his brain. He left the bedroom and made his way to the main doors of the throne room, seeing his brother giving out the details of the plan they conjured up. Edgar waited patiently for Sabin to finish before interrupting him.</P> <P>"During the time that Setzer and his airship is flying overhead to map out the region we appeared in, I ask of you all to go and explore yourself. Check for things such whether or not the soil can maintain water to grow food, trails left by any animals that pass through for food. Now that we are alone here, every one of us are a vital part of the castle's survival, so we all need to do our part to see that we stay safe. If you feel the least bit in danger, tell someone and let us know so we can investigate."</P> <P>"But what are you going to be doing?" A voice asked.</P> <P>"I can answer that." Edgar responded.</P> <P>Sabin looked back and saw his brother approach, and he sighed with relief, knowing his brother superior way with words would help their people better.</P> <P>"I told them the plan, they just need some moral boosting to finish this." Sabin whispered.</P> <P>Edgar walked to the front of the crowd, high enough that everyone present within the castle saw him.</P> <P>"We have just as much an importance to the safety of the people as you do. Just because I am the King of Figaro Castle and effectively King to you all doesn't exclude me from that. No, instead all my friends and I will work, toil, search, and explore just as much as you all will. We cannot afford to think merely about ourselves when we have the entire human race's survival to consider, I trust you understand this?"</P> <P>"Yes, we understand your position, but will you still act as the king?"</P> <P>"No, officially we aren't in Figaro territory anymore, so I really don't have the power to act as king. Instead I could be considered the unofficial leader of Figaro, something akin to an elder or mayor, perhaps. Also I really don't consider this place to be much of a castle anymore, more like that of a colony. I believe it would be more appropriate to rename the castle and its people as Figaro Colony, for we are certainly settlers on a strange land. Do you approve?"</P> <P>The people all murmured words to each other, but a chorus of agreements soon followed.</P> <P>"Edmond Felter, are you present here?" Edgar shouted to be heard.</P> <P>"Yes, my Lord, back here!" A small voice shouted.</P> <P>The people near the bulky man parted away, letting him easily approach Edgar, and he kneeled once he came close enough to hear his words well enough.</P> <P>"Stand up, Edmond Felter, you don't owe me any more respect than anyone else here."</P> <P>"On the contrary, my Lord, it was you and your friends who saved us all from the oblivion promised by Kefka, so we all owe you our thanks."</P> <P>"Yes, and now I ask of you a request. I need to go through the basement levels of the castle interior to check on the machinery of the engine room to see if it sustained and damage. Having a blacksmith of the machinery with me would be a great assistance, if you are willing to go."</P> <P>"Of course, my Lord, anything to assist your efforts will be my pleasure!" He shouted.</P> <P>"I must depart and investigate the castle now, so I trust you all understood the plans we have set explained by my brother?"</P> <P>Another chorus of agreements followed the first.</P> <P>"Then I must go, goodbye!"</P> <P>Edgar and Edmond walked down into the crowds to go to the lobby hallway, where the entrance to the prisons and basement were. The people dividing and moving back to do their parts in the plan.</P> <BR /> <P>Setzer slowly passed his eyes over the large bulk that was the actual blimp sections that held in the gases giving the Falcon flight. He knew that even the slightest leak would require immediate repairs, for any damage done to the airship would be difficult to fix, especially the gas needed. It was by the great generosity of the Empire that he was allowed access to their factory that produced this gas. The IAF used this gas within their small collection of flying ships that were little more that two large engines surrounding a pod filled with weapons and a human pilot. The gas would be near impossible to re-create here, unless Edgar used his technological know-how to duplicate the gas. Setzer also listened carefully, he knew any leaks would be discovered easily by the sound of hissing on the blimp.</P> <P><I>Damn, though, why does this seem so tough now? I could do this in a heartbeat back at home, why do those nagging doubts have to show up now?</I></P> <P>Setzer continued to walk across the blimp, taking care not to lean too far off the top less he fall and die upon impact with the castle. He knew the airship was in good shape, it performed wondrous when he practically threw it into a complete nosedive to catch up with Terra as she fell. There wouldn't be any real amounts of damage to it unless the portal caused it, and he expected it to be readily visible. The scant few others who worked with him onboard the Falcon were also on the blimp, well versed in the workings of the airship to see any damage and deal with it. Setzer guessed that after a few hours of looking he could stop, there was only so much of the ship that could have been damaged, the blimp or complex engines.</P> <P><I>Daryl, you were so independent to actually look over this airship by yourself. You walked these very paths, checked for the same problems, fixed them too. You knew so much more about Airships that I did, it was your life's dream to be the best. We both gambled our lives, my risk was money, and yours was fame, at least your dreams came true in the end...</I></P> <P>"Setzer!"</P> <P>"Huh?" He responded absently.</P> <P>"Are you in there, that's the forth time I called your name! There looks to be some stress marks on engine three and four, you'd better go down and check up on them!" The small voice called.</P> <P>"Alright, you come up and take my shift while I fix them up!" He spoke forcefully.</P> <P>Setzer quickly began descending to the deck, passing by his equally hurried worker, the both of them sharing a knowing nod.</P> <P>"Bad engines equal bad hands in poker, right?" The man asked sarcastically.</P> <P>"Shut up, I can whip you faster than you can blink!" Setzer boasted.</P> <P>"We'll see!"</P> <P>Setzer dropped down the last few rungs of the rope ladder, hitting the deck and flexing his knees slightly. He then walked to the back of the airship to the engines, and he carefully stepped onto the wooden mounts that held the metal monsters in check. He pulled out a mallet and pounded down a metal flap holding the control door closed, and it swung open, revealing a mess of wires and gears. He flipped a few switches and the engine began to whir into action, and after a moment, the engine was gently idling in its seating, waiting for the special liquid fuel to be injected into its motors for use. Setzer then closed the door, and he moved his way to the front of the engine to see how it was running. The massive collections of pistons were hammering away, the propeller spinning at a pace that was hardly enough to make the Falcon move. He looked at the machinery as it moved, and he noticed that a few of the pistons were moving jerkily back and forth. Setzer moved back and shot the engine off, then went to the interior of the airship to get some lubricating oils to make the pistons move smoothly.</P> <P><I>I can barely begin to understand what you went through to achieve your goals, but I know it all revolved around your craft. I promise to you again, that I won't let the Falcon die, that she will fly proudly as a symbol to all you accomplished in your short, but sweet lifetime.</I></P> <BR /> <P>Cyan kept pacing in the throne room, waiting for Edgar or anyone to come back with something for him to do. Locke and Celes were idly talking about their future, Relm was scolding her grandfather as usual, and neither Sabin nor Setzer were back from their works. He gripped his katana tightly, feeling useless at the moment that didn't help keep his boiling emotions in check.</P> <P><I>How in the bloodiest of hells did Kefka survive? I managed to drive my sword clean through his shoulder, I saw him wince at the wound, I saw his blood, his pain! Why!? Why does he return and mock my effort and memory with his tainted presence? Everything I worked for, the peace I felt for avenging my liege and family and friends who died, it was all for nothing! He mocks me, says' and that is that' as if my honor would just be restored without payment from his death! He mocks me because I wasn't strong enough to kill him! Now he plans to become a god and forever prevent me from regaining my sense of honor and peace!</I></P> <P>By now Cyan was visible angry, his thoughts acting as a catalyst for his anger and rage, and he began to feel his self control break under the strain. His arms quaked in place, his hands were becoming pained as his knuckles popped under his intense grip on his scabbard. Locke was the first to notice the intense strain Cyan was under, and he stopped talking with Celes to look at him.</P> <P>"Hey Cyan, are you okay?" He asked.</P> <P>"No! I'm not okay!" He roared back.</P> <P>Now he had everyone s attention, but he didn't care, the anger within his soul was screaming and making itself known now that the opportunity was here.</P> <P>"How can I be okay! Kefka returned to mock me after all I worked for to rid myself of this anguish and pain he caused me! Now he is running loose in this foreign land all because I wasn't enough of a warrior to stop him when I had the chance! He thinks of my honor as something to be toyed with, but he doesn't know how much it means! My family, my liege, all my fallen allies scream for revenge, and I can't help them! All because of my weakness!"</P> <P>Cyan quickly drew his katana out, and with a scream of feral rage and anger, swung it into the brick and stone walls of the throne room. The pearly blade slammed into the stone with a painful screech, and it continued for many inches before stopping. Cyan then tore it out of the wall and held it close to his face. Locke and everyone else was now backed up, fearing that the stress of the days occurrences finally snapped their friends shattered mind. He gave out a heavy sigh, and his shoulders slumped down as if under a heavy weight.</P> <P>"C-Cyan?" Locke stuttered.</P> <P>"I...I apologize for that action. It's just..."</P> <P>"It's alright, I understand what you're going through." Celes offered.</P> <P>"No! That is the problem, that you cannot understand what I feel! That is why I am forced to deal with this pain alone, because I haven't a common soul amongst us all to talk to. Tell Edgar when he returns that I will leave the castle to meditate and deal with my anger, and that I will return when I feel as if my anger has been quelled."</P> <P>"Cyan, don't leave! We need your help here!" Locke yelled.</P> <P>"I am sorry, my friends, but I need time to myself. Farewell..."</P> <P>With those last words, Cyan walked out of the throne room and headed down to the main gates of the castle, sheathing his katana. He passed by many people, most of the talking about their futures, but some stopped to watch him. Cyan entered the front room of the castle, and he motioned to the guards to open the doors. The guards and a few dozen people watched as the first of many suffering humans stepped into an unknown land, walking into an unknown future.</P> <BR> <P>"Geez, it must have been years since you've had to go down here." Edmond commented.</P> <P>"Actually, we were down here a scant few weeks ago to repair the engines and get them running after the end of balance. It must be the atmosphere that gives this place an old feeling." Edgar muttered back.</P> <P>"Speaking of the place, how much longer is it until the basement and engine room?"</P> <P>"Just down this hallway. Be careful though, there might still be a lurking monster here that I didn't get last time."</P> <P>"What! You mean to say there are monsters living in Figaro Castle! Why did you tell me before I came down here, I haven't a weapon to defend myself with!"</P> <P>"Fear not, I can take anything here with ease. You just keep a look out for anything suspicious, and tell me the instant you sense anything wrong."</P> <P>"A-alright then, Lord Edgar."</P> <P>Edgar drew his lance out from its place across his back, glad to have the powerful weapon resting within his hands again. He glanced back at Edmond, and saw the nervous man holding a large wrench like it was a security blanket.</P> <P><I>Gods, I'm going to have to go around and see that everyone in the castle becomes versed in weaponry of some sorts. Sooner or later we won't be here to protect them from the monsters or goddesses that threaten us, or from Kefka. Someone is going to have to take up the role as prominent guardian, gain power and skills to fight as well as we do.</I></P> <P>Edgar shuddered inwardly, the thought of Kefka being around for so long worrying him. He knew that sooner or later Kefka would die as well, he wasn't immortal, at least at the present time he wasn't, but he could be.</P> <P>"You alright, Lord Edgar? You look as nervous as me."</P> <P>"Yes, just bad thoughts is all." He lied.</P> <P>The two people continued walking down the narrow hallway, the occasional monster looking at them with curious interest. None of them made any move to attack, for embedded within their small brains was enough intelligence to recognize the green one as an extremely dangerous one. After a slow walk, Edgar finally reached the door that held the engine room, and he slowly opened the large door to expose the engines as they slowly whirred. Edmond gave a whistle of amazement, looking up at the massive twin engines that usually powered the motors that drew the castle from Figaro to Kohlingen territory.</P> <P>"Alright. Edmond, go to the far end of the room and check the chains and drive shafts of the motors for any signs of stress. I'll be here looking at the pistons and gears. Also check the stone floor for any cracks, there shouldn't be any from my memory."</P> <P>"Sure, but what is this dull yellow glop?"</P> <P>Edgar turned back, and saw Edmond pointing his wrench at a dusty yellow tentacle lying by the engine.</P> <P>"It was a large monster, but I fought it and killed it long ago. Ignore it for now, we can clean it up later."</P> <P>Edmond shrugged his shoulders, then proceeded to go to the back of the engine room to check on the machinery. Edgar knocked the tentacle aside, then stooped down and began to inspect the engine's pistons as they slowly churned up and down in their settings.</P> <P><I>Seems like they're running in good condition...</I></P> <P>Edgar stood up as he looked over the pistons in a circular motion, passing over each one to see if it was moving jerkily or slower than normal. After seven pistons he found one that was moving slower than it should be.</P> <P>"Ah, now for some oil."</P> <P>Edgar looked around the area for any containers of oil, and he found a few strewn against the far wall. He picked one up and checked it, seeing that it was full and still good enough to use. He went back to the faulty piston, and he uncorked the container and spilt some of the oil onto the piston to get it moving immediately. He then pried off the cap that held in the oil for that specific piston and poured the remains of the bottle into it, then replacing the cap and checking the piston again. He noticed that it was moving a little faster, catching up to the rhythm and pace of the others that were working properly. Edgar nodded his head in satisfaction, then continued to inspect the other pistons too.</P> <P><I>After I get the oil checked for all of the pistons, we'll have to perform an engine shutdown and restart it to get the pistons in synchronization with each other. I hope that there isn't any severe structural damage nearby, then engine shutdown and restart my aggrivate it too much to be safe. If worse comes to worse, the entire engine assembly could shake itself to pieces.</I></P> <P>"Lord Edgar, it looks like we have a problem here!" Edmond shouted out.</P> <P>"Speak of the devil." He muttered to himself.</P> <P>Edgar walked to the far side of the engine room and next to Edmond, who was pointing his finger at a crack near the base of the number two engine.</P> <P>"I'll make a guess that the crack is a bad sign." He spoke solemnly</P> <P>"Your right, considering it's right at the foundation for the engine, it will complicate things once we restart them."</P> <P>"Restart?"</P> <P>"Yes. The pistons on engine one are pretty out of sync, so we have to shut them down and reset the pistons, fill them all with oil to the brim, then restart the engine and hope they all stay in sync."</P> <P>"That'll be quite the task for us two to complete in one day. We still have to complete inspections before going about repairs and restarts."</P> <P>"Quite right, so continue with the inspection and try to remember all the faults you see. We can record them on some papers, then get to it with the proper equipment and people tomorrow morning."</P> <P>"Right away, Lord Edgar!"</P> <BR /> <P>Locke stood by idly, waiting for either Edgar to come back from his trip to the basement of the castle or for Sabin to return from whatever he was doing. Celes was busy looking outside at the mysterious landscape through the throne room windows. Strago had long since fallen asleep, and Relm was pacing around and twirling her paintbrush between her small fingers. Locke was feeling terrible, mostly because of how callous he acted towards everyone just before Kefka arrived.</P> <P><I>Damn my luck, of all times I had to ridicule them for being afraid of Kefka he had to come back to destroy any chance of having peaceful lives.</I></P> <P>He glanced at Celes, and he saw that she was stunned with the scenery before her, but he also saw the sadness in here yes, the pain she felt within.</P> <P><I>Poor Celes, the woman just found all of her friends and got revenge against the man who ruined their lives once, now Kefka ruined her life again. From war glorious general to pitiful woman weeping over her lost life. There has to be something I can do to help her deal with this, but what...</I></P> <P>Locke thought of this for a while, then an answer hit him so suddenly he almost believed it was a physical attack against his mind. His solution, drastic, uncalled for, and certainly at the wrong time and most unusual place, but he didn't know what else might help her. He slowly walked to the window and stood by her, gently placing a hand on her hand at her side, getting her attention. She looked at him, and he saw that her eyes were red, cheeks retaining a few slick trails of tears.</P> <P>"Yes, Locke?" She asked quietly</P> <P>"Celes, I know this isn't the right time to say this, but..."</P> <P ALIGN="CENTER">* &nbsp* &nbsp*</P> <P>Terra slowly opened her eyes, letting her view get accustomed to the bright light filtering through the curtains onto her bed. She then fully opened her eyes and looked at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling close to her bed, giving illumination to the guestroom. She looked to her left and saw Celes, Locke, Strago, and Setzer sleeping in their own beds, silent breaths echoing in the room. She recalled sadly, that there weren't enough rooms in the castle for each person, so they decided to sleep in one large room to save space. Terra knew it was early in the morning, her body automatically woke her up once she felt the light warm her body. She leaned over and looked to her right, and was surprised to see Edgar sitting on a chair close to her bed, asleep and nearly falling of.</P> <P><I>Again? Every night since we've come here I've woken up to see him at that same chair, sleeping over me as if my guardian angel. I think that there may be some serious considerations in my theory about him. Might as well wake him up and ask him myself.</I></P> <P>"Edgar." She whispered as loud as she could.</P> <P>His body stirred slightly.</P> <P>"Edgar." She said a bit louder.</P> <P>Now he was waking up, brown eyes opening and squinting in the light, his head turning to the source of the voice he recognized. His eyes adjusted, he focused on Terra and her own green eyes.</P> <P>"Good morning, Terra." He spoke quietly.</P> <P>"Yes, it is a good morning thus far."</P> <P>"Um...you are awake pretty early, aren't you? I usually don't see you up and around until mid-morning or later."</P> <P>"I always get up this early, I just faked sleep until you left my side every morning, then waited a bit before getting up."</P> <P>Edgar's face blushed at those words. "So...you know..."</P> <P>"...That you've been sleeping on a chair by my side like a guardian every night since we came here? Yes, I know, and I find that humorous and very kindhearted all at once."</P> <P>"......"</P> <P>"If I may, why do you feel the need to watch over me?"</P> <P>"Well, I don't necessarily 'watch over you' like you say, its just..."</P> <P>Terra's eyes kept up their look, prodding him to continue.</P> <P>"...Its just that I enjoy looking at your face in the moonlight."</P> <P>It was Terra's turn to be silent, and Edgar placed a stray hair back across his neck.</P> <P><I>She knows it now. I'd better confess while I can...</I></P> <P>"Your face, during the daytime is stunning and beautiful, but at night, covered in white light, you look like an angel. I can't help but find myself attracted to such beauty, who could blame me?"</P> <P>Edgar and Terra remained silent for a long time, watching for any movement from the others present, and watching one another.</P> <P>"So...you are attracted to me?" Terra asked cautiously.</P> <P>Edgar sighed quietly. "So you figured it out. I expected you to be able to see it sooner or later, you seem to have a way of reading people like an open book. Yes, I can honestly say your every feature and trait makes my body yearn for your love."</P> <P>Terra kept still for a moment, looking into Edgar's brown eyes, and smiled.</P> <P>"That was bold of you, to come out and give me your heart like that. Bold and daring, just like you always were, just like you are now. I find that...admirable, desirable."</P> <P>"So..."</P> <P>"No, not now. Give me some time to sort out what is what. A lot has happened to us as of late, and I need some time to think."</P> <P>Terra slowly got out of the bed, stretching her arms and legs in her tattered war clothing, then turned to place her face close to Edgar's.</P> <P>"However, I can say that out of everyone here, you are the one I consider to be my closest friend. Given some time, we can certainly carry that close friendship to another level."</P> <P>She leaned forwards and placed a small kiss across his forehead, then quietly crept out of the guestroom, leaving a shocked and pleased Edgar by her empty bed. He finally stood up and touched his forehead delicately, as if trying not to smear the kiss left by Terra's lips.</P> <P><I>Well, that must be a good sign...I hope...</I></P> <BR /> <P>"Locke, I think that I have an answer for your question now." Celes spoke silently.</P> <P>Locke looked back from his seat near a window at the dining hall, placing his cup of tea back onto its plate. Celes was approaching him from the doors leading into the dining hall, her steps slow and deliberate. She was no longer wearing her unofficial uniform, so retired to a simple off-white dress and green vest, making her look much more approachable than before. Locke still wore his usual attire of blue pants, white shirt and torn up blue vest, and his purple-blue bandana keeping his hair in check. She ended up next to him, facing the scenery outside the castle, her eyes falling over the landscape of the mysterious land. Already much of it was becoming mapped out, for Setzer and Relm had paired up, Setzer flying while Relm sketched out a map. Celes stood by the window absently for a time, and Locke stood up to stand next to her. She took a look at him as he moved, and their eyes met, seeing into one another.</P> <P>"You said-"</P> <P>Celes quickly placed a finger across Locke's lips, stopping him from speaking, and she smiled and resumed looking out the window.</P> <P>"Back then, when you rescued me from the Empire's soldiers, all I did since then was ask questions. Why did you save me? That was the single question I asked you many times over during our journeys. It took me all this time to realize it, but I never did thank you for saving me back then, at least never seriously. I think it's high time that I thank you, Locke."</P> <P>She turned to face him and wrapped her arms around his body, her lips touching Locke's for a moment, the feelings they both felt akin to complete, undeniable joy. Locke moved his arms up and held her close to his chest, and he returned her affection with another kiss, this time their lips meshing together. They stood that way for what seemed like all eternity, no one present to make a snappy comment, no noise or interference to ruin the moment, simply alone with their emotions. Celes was first to break their embrace, she moved back to view Locke's shocked face, and she smiled at his confusion. Locke, however, was the first one to break the silence.</P> <P>"Well, that was quite the thank you! Maybe I should do you more favors that require your thanks later on! Ha!"</P> <P>Celes gave a happy laugh, but her face changed to a serious expression. "Locke, you asked me a question I didn't know an answer to, then. But I now know that I have an answer for you."</P> <P>She went to his side and whispered two words into his ear that made his face melt with happiness and joy.</P> <P>"I do."</P> <P ALIGN="CENTER">* &nbsp* &nbsp*</P> <P>"Then by the power vested in me, I hereby wed you as Locke and Celes Cole. You may kiss the bride."</P> <P>Locke lifted up the white veil surrounding Celes face, slowly drinking every feature of her face as she smiled expectantly of what was coming. He lowered his face to meet with hers, and once their lips touched, everyone present at the wedding ceremony stood up and applauded.</P> <P>It was only a few days ago that Celes accepted Locke's engagement, making for a furious two days of preparation for the wedding and the reception in the main hall. The ceiling was covered with white strips of cloth and other decorations, and a large and thick velvet rug awaited the Cole's trip past the guests to the main hall. As soon as the kiss was done, Locke and Celes turned and faced the guests, smiling widely as they began the procession to the hallway. Terra and Relm followed behind them along with the rest of their friends, while the children of the castle waited patiently for the opportunity to throw some rice at the newlyweds at the doors. Locke and Celes kept smiling as they walked to the main hall, everyone of the castle forming a path that winded through the courtyards, all of them in high spirits. Edgar and Sabin were formed up behind Terra, and they both were happy to see their people in such good moods.</P> <P>"Looks like Locke and Celes got my plan done for me! The people needed a moral boost, so what better a way that having a wedding?" Sabin joked.</P> <P>"Indeed, and the buzz of this will certainly last for a long time to come, provided we have more weddings!"</P> <P>"Yeah, maybe the people will party for a month if their bachelor King get hitched!"</P> <P>"And you can find someone to marry, make it a double wedding, and they might drop dead with excitement!"</P> <P>"But I really don't know anyone here. You, however, do know many women in the castle. The question is, which of these lucky ladies will get the honor?"</P> <P>"Who knows, brother, who knows..."</P> <P><I>Damnation, I know, that's who! Is he reading my mind and trying to get me to step it up with Terra? Or is he just using up more of his dumb luck again...</I></P> <P>By now the newlyweds entered the main hall, and now only their friends were allowed to follow along with a few other guests that were friends of the royalty. The main hall was buried under tables and decorations, and Edgar specifically gathered as many musically endowed people to create a small orchestra, enough for a dance. As soon as the first people arrived, the piano player struck up a lively tune, followed by the other people on violins and other instruments. At the end of the velvet path in the center of the room was a cake nearly as tall as Locke was in five different layers. Locke and Celes sat down at the head of a large table covered in foods and silverware, and everyone else filed in the table and talked with one another. People began eating the food, and after a while of food and talk, Edgar insisted that they serve the cake. Locke and Celes served each other the first piece of the cake, Celes gently giving Locke his slice while he tiled Celes' slice so some of the frosting got on her nose, drawing a crowd of laughs. During the event, Setzer looked over at the orchestra, and with a wink and the show of a smile, the people struck up a waltz. The guests went to the open floor and danced with one another while others talked amongst themselves or still enjoyed the drinks and food.</P> <BR /> <P>Celes was happy. After so many years of toiling and working with or against the Empire, she was truly happy since she could remember.</P> <P><I>So many times I felt like everything was against me, being a prisoner, in the Magitek factory, the solitary island...Now I feel so happy. The feeling is just like when I found that bird holding a scrap of Locke's bandana, but so much more intense...</I></P> <P>Celes smiled as another friend patted her shoulder and gave their congratulations.</P> <P><I>Everything about this day seems so unnatural. Certainly I know we are married, but this all seems too good to be true, too much happiness for me to comprehend after a lifetime of strife. The marriage, the kiss, the cake, first dance, the celebrating...all of it seems so distant, like it has been taking my whole life to get to this point.</I></P> <P>Celes tossed the bouquet high into the air, nearly touching the vaulted ceiling as the ladies present moved and dodged to catch it. The colorful flowers sailed down, landing softly in Relm's hands, the few loose petals drifting over her body like a gentle rain. The little girl immediately cheered and leapt up in joy, the adults clapping and patting her shoulder.</P> <P><I>I almost feel like I've never lived until now. Like all my life has been erased and left blank so I may live it all over again with my husband.</I></P> <P>Now Locke gave another high toss of the garland into the air, this time the more numerous men pushing past one another to get the prized ring of silky fabric. In the end, it was Gau, who leapt on top of Edgar's shoulders and vaulted into the air who caught the garland.</P> <P>"Ouaoo!" He declared loudly.</P> <P>Edgar rubbed his shoulder and looked at Gau, who seemed slightly confused about what to do with the thing he held in his hand. Edgar knew the man was supposed to place the garland on the thigh of the woman with the flowers, but he thought better of it, considering Relm's age. Instead he told Gau that you give the garland to the woman with the flowers, and he took it to Relm and stretched it over her head and let it mess her hair up. Everyone laughed a bit, making Relm flush bright red as she removed it and held it in her small hand. Gau simply scratched his head, not knowing what was so funny about it.</P> <P><I>I feel so much at peace, like nothing in the world matters but us being together. If I can truly believe in happiness now, then I can only wish that this moment lasts forever...</I></P> <BR /> <P ALIGN="RIGHT"><B>- End: A Path to Unknown Lands</P> <P ALIGN="RIGHT">- Next: A Generation of Failing Peace</B></P> <HR WIDTH="75%" SIZE="1"> <P ALIGN="center"><A HREF="isolation_01.html">Next Chapter</A></P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </BODY> </HTML>
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