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Chapter One: The First Battle
"I find the rain quite pleasant," sighed Kuja overtly, striding over and interrupting her conversation with the queen. "It feels as though the raindrops are blessing our victory."
Beatrix narrowed her eye and sent a glare that had killed lesser beings in the effeminate man's direction, ignoring the queen's reply. Insufferable, she thought as Queen Brahne rambled on about the Burmecian king. Why they put up with each other…hell, why I put up with them both, I'll never know. "Beatrix, what's taking so long?"
The Alexandrian General pulled her thoughts away from foolish wanderings. "I don't know, Your Majesty. I've ordered Zorn and Thorn to search the perimeter, but there's been no word so far." She half-turned away. "I will join them, and lead the search right away."
"You're wasting your time."
Beatrix turned. "What?"
"Rats often look for new homes when they sense an earthquake."
Blood roared in her ears. So soon? They left for Cleyra so quickly. Beatrix barely registered Kuja pointing out the obvious to her somewhat slow and quite power-hungry queen and her Majesty's response. I can hardly believe – well, yes, I can. This truly complicates things. "Cleyra…" Beatrix murmured, half to herself. "Unless we can get through that sandstorm, it'll be impossible to attack them."
"Sneaky little rats," snapped Queen Brahne. "Kuja, what do you think? Surely with your powers, there must be something you can do?"
Beatrix ground her teeth in frustration as Kuja boasted his response. Alexandria's troops were more than enough to take care of the Burmecian rats hiding in Cleyra. To have to fight alongside the black mages with that…that… "Of course, Your Majesty. I will present you a marvelous display of my power. I am certain you will be most pleased." It took all of her self-control to refrain from scoffing and mocking his last phrase. He was staring at her. She jumped inwardly before glaring into his knowing smirk. "I was wondering if you would gather your troops near Cleyra? I'm certain those filthy rats will retaliate in full force, and my black mages may not be enough."
"Those filthy rats," as you call them, have more strength and honor than you can ever hope to attain, was the scathing reply Beatrix longed to issue, but years of training and self discipline held her back. She was, however, grateful for his respect of her position, and his acknowledgement of her competence.
"Indeed, Kuja. I'll see what I can d – move!" she snapped abruptly as a lone Burmecian Soldier ran into the room.
"Burmecia will never fall! Prepare to die!!!" he yelled, ready to draw his sword.
Beatrix gave him a quick once-over. He was strong, yes, but also young and foolish. And she wasn't one to prey on children. "You wish to fight me, Beatrix of Alexandria?"
The young soldier straightened, tail falling in the equivalent of a human blanch. "B-Beatrix!?"
"I commend your courage, but I will show you no mercy."
"Hold it!" As if on cue, a rat and a boy Beatrix recognized as one of the Tantalus actors landed behind her. With an internal sigh, Beatrix turned, allowing the Burmecian Soldier to run past.
"You'll have to deal with us, first," challenged the she-rat, whom Beatrix noticed was dressed as a Dragon Knight. She turned to the soldier. "We'll take care of this. Go find the King. Protect him with your life."
"…Thank you, Freya."
Ahh. A name at last. The soldier fled, replaced by a small black mage. It was too much; Beatrix allowed her laughter to bubble up. "I've never been so humiliated in my life. I once killed a hundred knights single-handedly…to me, you are nothing more than insects," she laughed before they charged.
She easily took care of the two boys with her Shock Attack; the Dragon Knight was not so easy. She employed her Jump Attack, rendering the General's wish to strike useless. This is taking too long, thought Beatrix as she dodged another jump. "You're no match for me!" she snapped, before executing Stock Break with unerring precision. "Ignorant fools. How ridiculously weak." She sighed, turning away from them. Lifting her face upwards, she asked the sky, "Isn't there anyone who is worthy of facing me?"
"Bravo," came a pleasant timbre from her right. "How beautifully you executed your final blow, Beatrix." She spun to face Kuja, retort ready on her lips to – finally – put him in his place. But what she saw in his eyes stopped her.
"Do you mean to mock me, or merely provoke me?" she purred, outwardly poised but inwardly severely shaken.
"Oh, Beatrix," he sighed, her name a prayer falling from his lips, "I do not mock you." Hips she could easily come to envy sashayed in her direction, bringing him closer with every step. "And were I to provoke you…" She could feel the heat radiating off his body. "…Please, rest assured that I would never use so modest a means as language."
Beatrix's eye widened in shock. He – he was flirting with her!
"Come, Beatrix. We must prepare to attack Cleyra." With great difficulty, Beatrix tore her gaze from Kuja's, and, with a mumbled "Yes, Your Majesty" turned and left.
It took a rather conscious effort on his part to tear his gaze away from the stunning General of the Alexandrian Guard. Beautiful. Quite stunning…. He thought to himself with a trilling chuckle at his own pun. She is, indeed, worthy in her own way…. With a toss of his head and a throw of his hip, he turned his attention to the trio on the ground. "Now, what do we have here…? Another filthy rat, and…" A delicate eyebrow raised. "Hmm… this boy could become a problem." A few slow steps brought him closer to the three defeated fighters lying listlessly in the rain. They all could become a rather nettlesome problem. I shall have to speak to Beatrix about this. With a smirk, Kuja brushed a wayward strand of hair from his face as he turned towards his Silver Dragon. I could take care of them now, but where would the fun be in that? The actors must all fulfill their roles, the play must ensnare the audience, and the show must go on. With his casual elegance, Kuja mounted Ginryuu, mind pondering sensuous interludes and delicious innuendos, all involving his strong, worthy prey.
end chapter one
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