Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy IX... SquareSoft does....
Dedication: To all who are being VERY patient with me...
[Summary: The names are the only thing that's been changed, besides for something else that I'm sure you'll find interesting to read on about... ]
***
~*~Stop Hurting, Stop Hating, Forgive Me~*~
*~* Prologue *~*
**Was royalty meant to die in cold blood?**
It had been a long day as Queen Lizette Til Alexandros the 16th slowly made her way up to her room, limping as she walked, her skin pale and smeared with blood, a small, warm bundle wrapped in a warm baby blue blanket that she cradled dearly to her chest.
Not even two hours ago, she had given birth to a baby boy with curly dark honey-gold hair, and the deepest and darkest shade of green for his eyes that she had ever seen in her entire twenty-nine years old living on Gaia.
Her time was drawing near; the crystals and wise man had spoken to her through her dreams, telling her that she should expect the worst soon. Lizette glanced down at the small baby in her arms and smiled gently as a light pink flush of sleep decorated his chubby cheeks. His small pink lips were pluckered outwards as his long, soft, dark lashes fanned his cheeks.
" Zidane Til Alexandros the 17th.... not bad. Kind of catchy though... maybe it should just be Zidane Alexandros.... ", Lizette thought outloud as she climbed the flight of stairs to her bedroom.
Lizette's personal, and most loyal bodyguard was walking behind her in silence, his head bowed deeply, his hands hanging stiffly at his sides. His name was Mikala Steiner. His grandfather; Tidus Steiner had served under her mother; the desceased Queen Yuna Til Alexandros the 15th.
' Oh Gods... let him live a wonderful and easy life. Please don't let him live the life I had to live and don't let him have to go through the same fate as every other male Til Alexandros... ', she silently prayed as she stopped in front of her door.
Mikala quickly and gently brushed past her to reach out and grasp the knob of the door. He then pushed it open and went into the room first, making sure that there was no one hiding out in the shadows in the far corners of the room.
He glanced over his shoulder and gave one brief nod before moving aside to allow his Queen to enter the room and make her way over to the small cradle that hung from the ceiling, veiled over with white satin, transparent sheets.
Lizette gently eased the sleeping babe into the softness of the cradle and brushed aside some of the golden curls that hung in front of the babe's closed eyes. A small smile touched her face and she sighed in happiness and yet sadness.
Mikala cleared his throat, " Majesty... if you be not needing me anymore, then would it be alright if I retired now? ", he asked gently, his voice deep with a soft tone to it.
Lizette stood up straight and turned to face him, her clear blue eyes, freckled with orange, and deep gold specks sparkled brightly in the candlelight that was burning by the bedside, lit up by Mikala.
" Yes, Mikala... you may take your leave. Tell your wife that I bid her well when she delivers your little bundle of joy. I hope to have him or her as a personal guard for my little Zidane as your other eldest son; Adelbert... ", she smiled at him as she walked over to him and gently hugged him hard, almost as if she were never ever going to see him again.
Mikala returned her hug and pulled away slowly. He looked at her and watched as a lone tear slid down her cheek. He reached out and wiped it away with the pad of his thumb.
" Please, Majesty... don't worry about it. It's going to be alright, I'm going to protect you with my life... I'll make it sure that you are never slain down by the sword of that evil... wicked wizard; Xanthus. Now... please, get some rest so that you'll be refreshed in the morning for his Highness... "
Lizette smiled and nodded lightly, " Thank you, Mikala. Could you please make sure, on your way out of the castle, that Kuja is asleep? I do hope that he didn't take off again... "
Mikala chuckled and slammed his fist against his chest in the Alexandrian salution, " Majesty, I will do that... now, rest... ", he replied lightly before he disappeared from the room, closing the door behind him.
Lizette sighed heavily as she sat down on the edge of the bed, her head in her hands as she propped her elbows on her knees. She listened to the soft sounds that Zidane made while he slept, sometimes crying out as he slept or just breathing heavily until it would die down to an even breathing.
" My poor child... I do pray that you don't end up like Kuja. It's bad enough that your father had a tail... now you and Kuja have been cursed with that wretched thing. But... your father did go in peace.... ", she whispered lightly to the sleeping baby in the cradle not far from the bed.
Wet, warm tears slowly slid down her cheeks as she weeped silently as the memory of her husband's death came into her mind again. She didn't want her children to have to go through that pain and suffering. She wanted them to find wonderful, beautiful women who would love them dearly and care for them, as they would for them.
The more she thought about it, the harder she wept. Lizette wept so hard that she didn't even hear the door open and then closed silently. Her slim shoulder shook as her entire was now racked with sobs. Her long white hair with dark honey-gold streaks fell in front of her face, curtaining it from view.
Silent as the light, warm breeze that flowed into the room from the open windows, her unknown vistor advanced. He quickly unsheathed a long sword that had a deep green jewel placed in the hilt. He lifted the weapon over his head as he now stood directly behind his Queen.
Lizette sniffled lightly and lifted her head to wipe away the tears from her cheeks. As she looked up, she saw something bright run across the ceiling and she knitted her transparent brows in confusion and curiousity. She stood up, and just as her butt left the soft mattress, a loud whizz was heard behind her and she felt a sharp line of fire run down her back.
She reached up behind her and placed a hand to her back, feeling the warm, sticky substance ooze through her fingers as she pressed them down onto the wound. Lizette brought her hand back around and lifted it up to her face. Her face went even paler then it did before she entered the room as she watched the crimson run down her arm from her hand.
Lizette shook her head and whirled around, doubling over slightly from the pain in her back that now flared to life with the movements. She stood face to face with her attacker; the head priest at the temple in the bottom of the castle; Xanthus.
His violet eyes gleamed dangerously in the dim light of the candle in the corner as he brought the sword to rest on his shoulder as he quickly and effortlessly jumped over the bed, his red, gold, and green robes flaring out behind him and then coming to a halt as he landed on the floor, crouched slightly in front of Lizette who was beginning to back away.
" No... ", she whispered.
Xanthus grinned deviously as he nodded and took a step towards her, " Yes, Lizette. I'm terribly sorry to have to do this to you... considering you're royalty. But.. what must be done, must be done.... "
Lizette took another step back and her butt bumped into the cradle, causing it to rock to and fro slightly. She jumped back and winced as pain shot through her body from her back. Xanthus chuckled lightly and took one more step towards her.
" Come now, child... you have no need to worry about it. Your mother went through it, and her mother before her as well. It happens to all the women of royal Alexandrian blood... "
Lizette stepped to the side, trying to make her way towards the door, even though she knew it was impossible to escape her destiny. Xanthus sensed her actions and he reached over, grabbing her roughly by the arm, and dragging her back to stand in front of him. She let out a very loud scream as she was dragged roughly towards him.
Her entire back felt like it had ripped in half as she doubled over before him, showing great signs of weakness. Her long hair fell in front of her face and Xanthus reached down and brushed it aside, tucking it behind her ear as he grabbed her chin and yanked her face upwards along with her upper body, so she could face him.
A light cry from the cradle caught Xanthus' attention. The light cry grew louder and more insistent when no one moved to pick up and soothe the small, frightened child. He looked over Lizette's shoulder at the baby and he snorted at it before lifting his sword and placing it's blade against the smooth, pale skin.
" Say goodbye, my Queen.... your death will not be forgotten, nor will it be remembered... ", Xanthus said in a low tone, his eyes flashing a dark evil.
Lizette closed her eyes, swallowed against the blade and then let out a loud cry of help. She wasn't going to let him get her baby, " Mika --- "
Xanthus snorted in disgust at her stupidity as he pressed the blade into her neck and sliced sideways, cutting off her pitiful cry for her bodyguard; Mikala.
" I don't think you'll be able to try that again.... not while I'm living on this planet... "
Dark crimson sprayed onto his holy robes and soaked them completely. Spots of crimson decorated his hard featured face as he let go of Lizette's chin, causing her to slump against him and then slid down, leaving a larger, wider streak of crimson on his robes.
Xanthus kicked at the corpse to make sure it was dead before stepping over it to peer into the cradle at the infant who was now slightly purple in the face from crying so hard and so loud. Xanthus watched the child for a moment before lifting his blood stained sword over his head, preparing to plunge it deep into the small bare chest of the baby.....
Dedication: To all who are being VERY patient with me...
[Summary: The names are the only thing that's been changed, besides for something else that I'm sure you'll find interesting to read on about... ]
***
~*~Stop Hurting, Stop Hating, Forgive Me~*~
*~* Prologue *~*
**Was royalty meant to die in cold blood?**
It had been a long day as Queen Lizette Til Alexandros the 16th slowly made her way up to her room, limping as she walked, her skin pale and smeared with blood, a small, warm bundle wrapped in a warm baby blue blanket that she cradled dearly to her chest.
Not even two hours ago, she had given birth to a baby boy with curly dark honey-gold hair, and the deepest and darkest shade of green for his eyes that she had ever seen in her entire twenty-nine years old living on Gaia.
Her time was drawing near; the crystals and wise man had spoken to her through her dreams, telling her that she should expect the worst soon. Lizette glanced down at the small baby in her arms and smiled gently as a light pink flush of sleep decorated his chubby cheeks. His small pink lips were pluckered outwards as his long, soft, dark lashes fanned his cheeks.
" Zidane Til Alexandros the 17th.... not bad. Kind of catchy though... maybe it should just be Zidane Alexandros.... ", Lizette thought outloud as she climbed the flight of stairs to her bedroom.
Lizette's personal, and most loyal bodyguard was walking behind her in silence, his head bowed deeply, his hands hanging stiffly at his sides. His name was Mikala Steiner. His grandfather; Tidus Steiner had served under her mother; the desceased Queen Yuna Til Alexandros the 15th.
' Oh Gods... let him live a wonderful and easy life. Please don't let him live the life I had to live and don't let him have to go through the same fate as every other male Til Alexandros... ', she silently prayed as she stopped in front of her door.
Mikala quickly and gently brushed past her to reach out and grasp the knob of the door. He then pushed it open and went into the room first, making sure that there was no one hiding out in the shadows in the far corners of the room.
He glanced over his shoulder and gave one brief nod before moving aside to allow his Queen to enter the room and make her way over to the small cradle that hung from the ceiling, veiled over with white satin, transparent sheets.
Lizette gently eased the sleeping babe into the softness of the cradle and brushed aside some of the golden curls that hung in front of the babe's closed eyes. A small smile touched her face and she sighed in happiness and yet sadness.
Mikala cleared his throat, " Majesty... if you be not needing me anymore, then would it be alright if I retired now? ", he asked gently, his voice deep with a soft tone to it.
Lizette stood up straight and turned to face him, her clear blue eyes, freckled with orange, and deep gold specks sparkled brightly in the candlelight that was burning by the bedside, lit up by Mikala.
" Yes, Mikala... you may take your leave. Tell your wife that I bid her well when she delivers your little bundle of joy. I hope to have him or her as a personal guard for my little Zidane as your other eldest son; Adelbert... ", she smiled at him as she walked over to him and gently hugged him hard, almost as if she were never ever going to see him again.
Mikala returned her hug and pulled away slowly. He looked at her and watched as a lone tear slid down her cheek. He reached out and wiped it away with the pad of his thumb.
" Please, Majesty... don't worry about it. It's going to be alright, I'm going to protect you with my life... I'll make it sure that you are never slain down by the sword of that evil... wicked wizard; Xanthus. Now... please, get some rest so that you'll be refreshed in the morning for his Highness... "
Lizette smiled and nodded lightly, " Thank you, Mikala. Could you please make sure, on your way out of the castle, that Kuja is asleep? I do hope that he didn't take off again... "
Mikala chuckled and slammed his fist against his chest in the Alexandrian salution, " Majesty, I will do that... now, rest... ", he replied lightly before he disappeared from the room, closing the door behind him.
Lizette sighed heavily as she sat down on the edge of the bed, her head in her hands as she propped her elbows on her knees. She listened to the soft sounds that Zidane made while he slept, sometimes crying out as he slept or just breathing heavily until it would die down to an even breathing.
" My poor child... I do pray that you don't end up like Kuja. It's bad enough that your father had a tail... now you and Kuja have been cursed with that wretched thing. But... your father did go in peace.... ", she whispered lightly to the sleeping baby in the cradle not far from the bed.
Wet, warm tears slowly slid down her cheeks as she weeped silently as the memory of her husband's death came into her mind again. She didn't want her children to have to go through that pain and suffering. She wanted them to find wonderful, beautiful women who would love them dearly and care for them, as they would for them.
The more she thought about it, the harder she wept. Lizette wept so hard that she didn't even hear the door open and then closed silently. Her slim shoulder shook as her entire was now racked with sobs. Her long white hair with dark honey-gold streaks fell in front of her face, curtaining it from view.
Silent as the light, warm breeze that flowed into the room from the open windows, her unknown vistor advanced. He quickly unsheathed a long sword that had a deep green jewel placed in the hilt. He lifted the weapon over his head as he now stood directly behind his Queen.
Lizette sniffled lightly and lifted her head to wipe away the tears from her cheeks. As she looked up, she saw something bright run across the ceiling and she knitted her transparent brows in confusion and curiousity. She stood up, and just as her butt left the soft mattress, a loud whizz was heard behind her and she felt a sharp line of fire run down her back.
She reached up behind her and placed a hand to her back, feeling the warm, sticky substance ooze through her fingers as she pressed them down onto the wound. Lizette brought her hand back around and lifted it up to her face. Her face went even paler then it did before she entered the room as she watched the crimson run down her arm from her hand.
Lizette shook her head and whirled around, doubling over slightly from the pain in her back that now flared to life with the movements. She stood face to face with her attacker; the head priest at the temple in the bottom of the castle; Xanthus.
His violet eyes gleamed dangerously in the dim light of the candle in the corner as he brought the sword to rest on his shoulder as he quickly and effortlessly jumped over the bed, his red, gold, and green robes flaring out behind him and then coming to a halt as he landed on the floor, crouched slightly in front of Lizette who was beginning to back away.
" No... ", she whispered.
Xanthus grinned deviously as he nodded and took a step towards her, " Yes, Lizette. I'm terribly sorry to have to do this to you... considering you're royalty. But.. what must be done, must be done.... "
Lizette took another step back and her butt bumped into the cradle, causing it to rock to and fro slightly. She jumped back and winced as pain shot through her body from her back. Xanthus chuckled lightly and took one more step towards her.
" Come now, child... you have no need to worry about it. Your mother went through it, and her mother before her as well. It happens to all the women of royal Alexandrian blood... "
Lizette stepped to the side, trying to make her way towards the door, even though she knew it was impossible to escape her destiny. Xanthus sensed her actions and he reached over, grabbing her roughly by the arm, and dragging her back to stand in front of him. She let out a very loud scream as she was dragged roughly towards him.
Her entire back felt like it had ripped in half as she doubled over before him, showing great signs of weakness. Her long hair fell in front of her face and Xanthus reached down and brushed it aside, tucking it behind her ear as he grabbed her chin and yanked her face upwards along with her upper body, so she could face him.
A light cry from the cradle caught Xanthus' attention. The light cry grew louder and more insistent when no one moved to pick up and soothe the small, frightened child. He looked over Lizette's shoulder at the baby and he snorted at it before lifting his sword and placing it's blade against the smooth, pale skin.
" Say goodbye, my Queen.... your death will not be forgotten, nor will it be remembered... ", Xanthus said in a low tone, his eyes flashing a dark evil.
Lizette closed her eyes, swallowed against the blade and then let out a loud cry of help. She wasn't going to let him get her baby, " Mika --- "
Xanthus snorted in disgust at her stupidity as he pressed the blade into her neck and sliced sideways, cutting off her pitiful cry for her bodyguard; Mikala.
" I don't think you'll be able to try that again.... not while I'm living on this planet... "
Dark crimson sprayed onto his holy robes and soaked them completely. Spots of crimson decorated his hard featured face as he let go of Lizette's chin, causing her to slump against him and then slid down, leaving a larger, wider streak of crimson on his robes.
Xanthus kicked at the corpse to make sure it was dead before stepping over it to peer into the cradle at the infant who was now slightly purple in the face from crying so hard and so loud. Xanthus watched the child for a moment before lifting his blood stained sword over his head, preparing to plunge it deep into the small bare chest of the baby.....