.:Beginning Notes:.

Hi. I wrote this, my original story.

The story is ©Me 1/25/2005.

The Characters, Places, Names, and major plot events are all ©Square-Enix

.:End:.

.:Chapter 1:.

It was about my time in front of the Windurstian Council of Ministers, and I was fully prepared for this day. But even before that, I was told by the TaruTaru that pushed my shuffling feet along that I was to see the Star Sybil, to see if I could be redeemed. The climb up the Starway Stairway's steep steps was enough for me, and my breathe was heavy as we reached the top, a single bead of sweat slipping down my cheek. It was then that my pudgy captors pushed me to my knees, bringing my face to their face-level. I hissed at the nearest one, only to be answered by a small hand which flew across my face, leaving naught but a small, pink blemish upon my blanched cheek. The other however, came back from his conversation with the Sybil guards, and at once the great Vestal Chamber doors opened, only to reveal, quite antic-climatically, another TaruTaru, draped in fine robes, wearing a circlet atop her tiny head. She moved with an unearthly grace, even though she waddled like a toddler just learning how to walk. And then she did something I did not expect. With a simple nod, I felt the restraints loosen, and then disappear completely. It felt as though my burdens were lifted with those restraints, and so was all my hatred and anger that was welling inside of me. In one daunting move, she had freed me. And so, with a dazed look upon my face, I bowed to her in worship. Her infantile hand landed upon my shoulder, and then she said to me:

"Do not hate us for what we have done to you, what our ancestors have done, or what the beastmen have done. Do as I do, feel the burden of grudges and hatred lift, and look towards a brighter future. Now without that enmity, follow me."

And she left me, ambling up the stairs at a comfortable pace; with each Sibylline guard bowing slightly as she passed. So I did, wending my way up the stairs, receiving sneers, scoffs, and the occasional jab in the ribs from each guardian I passed. The worst I received was when I reached the last step in the staircase: The Mithra there struck me with an iron-fist. My head reeled back from the blow, my feet slipping from their uneasy position on the steps below. They slipped sending me face first into the wood of the Great Star Tree. I felt her put her foot upon my back, pushing my face into the tree's polished wood.

"Kiss the barrrk of fair Windurst. Let your sins be rrrepaid with blood. Let our sisters be avenged by your humiliation. Let your death rrrelease our souls, but damn yours."

With this she lifted me to my feet, with her hand already back, ready to fly at me and impart to me what I so deserved. I readied myself for the colossal blow, and realized that I would not survive this alone. I could feel the rage from the guardian's breath. It was hot. Sticky. Like that of burnt bones. And then the wind of retribution. The fist screamed at me but never hit. I opened my eyes sheepishly to find an arrow piercing the tekko of both hands, and its buried head in the trunk. I couldn't feel the pain of the wound which bled droplets of blood from my nose. I traced the path of the arrow to another Mithra, this one with a large, green bow. She stretched her hand out to me, and I took her offer, rising to my feet. She gave me a pat on the shoulder, releasing a cloud of dust with it.

"I am Semih Lafihna, Captain of the Guard of the Star Sybil."

"And I am…" I was cut off by Semih, who had been told of my coming.

"Penthesilia. I know you from the Sybil herself." She spoke with a the grace of a refined Mithra, having lost the characteristic rolled 'r' sound. This time, I was the quickest.

"The Sybil forrresaw my coming? She knew all along I would be here? That I would be coming for her?" I asked Semih with an inquisitive look upon my face.

"Yes…She interpreted the secrets of the stars, and told no one but me. Nevertheless, I cannot say anything more. You have to see her." She had answered my question, and my mouth opened for another, but she placed one padded finger against my half-open lips.

"She will answer all your questions in greater magnitude than I ever could." With this she gave me a firm pat on the back, walking the way I came. At the bottom of the first step, she paused, not turning to face me. She then asked a question that caught me out of the blue.

"Why did you come?" I could sense an uneasiness in her voice, like a cross between anger and sadness. A mixture of the Sybil's and the Guardian's voice. I waited a second, then, in a clear voice, I spoke to Semih:

"I came because the starrrs willed me to…," I paused another moment, letting that answer permeate, "That is why I came. I did not come to rob you of your sacred mother."

She paused, waiting a short time before answering me with a answer as vague as mine.

"That may explain why she yearns to see you. But go now, do not keep her waiting. Though she may be patient, she will not be around forever." And with that said, she left the stairway, as did I, pushing the door to the Sibylline chambers open.

The air within the chamber was filled with sweet aromas I could not even begin to describe. The Star Sybil was dwarfed by her instruments of clairvoyance, and by the Sybil guards which were, to my surprise, behind me. She turned to me, stretching her babyish hand towards a pillow. She placed it in front of her, then patting it twice.

"Please kneel…It makes these processes much easier on the both of us." I wasn't expecting refinement from her. Every TaruTaru I had encountered in my life had always repeated words and had added '-aru' to words that ended with a 't.' So I knelt, feeling the feather-softness of the pillow on my knees. She spoke again as the two Sybil guards bound my hands and feet.

"I beg your pardon for the restraints, but they are for both our safeties. Sometimes these memories can be painful and persuasive…"

She saw my shivers of anxiety placing her tiny, warm hand upon my bare shoulder. I could feel a warmth spread throughout the entirety of my body, and then a slight tingle. I cried in utter joy at this feeling, then beginning the story, my story, from the as far back as I could remember. It took me a moment, and the Star Sybil sat in the Lotus position with her hands on her knees. It was at this time I felt a "mental knocking" of sorts, and I let her feel my emotions herself. The room was silent but I could hear her speak into my mind.

"Now just remember as far back as you can. I will be able to see all of what you say." and so I began to remember back to my stint on Zepwell Island, on Altepa as it is called now. I closed my eyes, and let my attention drift.

My story began on that ill-fated isle.

Chapter 1: End