Welcome to Part 2 of Destined to Die! I want to express a big thanks to all my readers who have been with me since the beginning. Particularly Fighter Oblivion! :DD
For this part, it will follow Kuja and his side. I am so glad I got this far and I hope that my writing will improve. Please let me know what you think of my new, but not permanent, style of writing. Let me know I still have some faithful readers out there!
Yours truly,
Mayris
EDIT: I got the chance to correct a few things, xD Had some grammatical mishaps, lmao, so I corrected them where I saw them. I'm going to type up chapter two, :D I'm limited with computer time, so updating will be every other week or so, but next monday, I can't get to a computer, sadly, but I will be writing. I'm updating my fanfic on notebook paper, but I end up writing more than I can type and it's odd getting back into typing mode when I'm away from a keyboard so much. I'll get back into the mode soon though, xDDD Thanks again to all of my wonderful readers! I love you all!
"Hah! You call that acting?" he asked, flipping his hair back with an unimpressed motion of his arms.
The blond man raised an eyebrow. "I'm not the one flaunting about acting all feminine and fussing over my hair like a woman," he retorted. "Wh-what are you doing!?" he growled angrily.
Kuja glanced back over, having tuned him out from the moment Zidane had opened his mouth. "Relocating the props. You see, the castle bridge is far too high and will undoubtedly cause accidents were it to fall and having the boat so close to it would open up the possibility of injury," he explained.
"What!? Marcus and Cinna will take care of that! And, not to mention, I trust anything Tantalus builds. The only way anything they make could be damaged is by direct, intentional attack," he argued.
Kuja's gaze had diverted. He was gazing up toward the royal balcony. "Mhm…" he said absently. "Oh! Red alert! Garnet's on the move!" he hissed, pulling the tall, black hat down over his eyes. It was adorned with a red border around the base. He pulled the long, red and black coat more securely over him.
Zidane dove behind one of the building props, heart racing madly. With only a small glance of her appearance, he was going crazy and his face was already crimson. Even through the hysteria he was feeling, he managed a smile behind his cupped hand. She had gotten taller and her hair was back to its full, rich length. Her eyes held that glimmer of light innocence and the hunger for adventure. The changes she had gone through had left him anxious for the day to arrive. The only obstacle was the fact that she appeared everywhere. It was getting harder and harder to hide. He enjoyed the rush though. Like a game.
~FFIX~ Flames of Rebirth~
Garnet sighed, feeling a tinge of disappointment. Her delicate hands rested on the embossed banister and she looked out once more, trying to ease her unsteady heart. She'd thought she saw him. But that had been happening a lot lately. She had imagined him buying supplies in the market, talking to Steiner in the conference room and even escorting a few children to the schoolhouse.
Maybe her longing to see him was getting to her. All the times of loneliness were weighting down. But no, she couldn't show weakness under that small, yet gaping strain. Garnet Til Alexandros XVII had to be there for her subjects. She needed to show strength for her people. They had endured devastating losses and many of them were still in fragile condition.
Reconstruction had gone well. She made sure to thank Ember Evans personally. He had been heading it since the beginning. A lot of weight had been taken from her shoulders thanks to him. Strangely, he had declined an offer to be a royal guard. This puzzled her for a moment until he mentioned that he already had the difficult, but important job of protecting his younger sister. After the explanation, he simply bowed and walked away. Apparently, he wanted nothing to do with the military, she found out later as his visits lessened.
She heard a rumor that one of his brothers had fallen severely ill. This concerned her and she wanted to help, but Ember didn't seem the type of person who would accept charities. Although, it did not dissuade her from feeling a strong sympathy for him. Perhaps her flaw in being a ruler was becoming too attached to her subjects.
She looked over the ground, eyes eventually resting upon the tall, charcoal-haired man with harsh crimson eyes. As he walked, she gathered her courage. Tonight would bring a change. She would move on and become more aware of those around her instead of remaining selfish and dragging out her sorrows. Smiling, she quickly pulled from the balcony, moving through the halls toward the ground level. The long, white dress was cumbersome, making her speed slow dramatically.
As she reached the courtyard, he glanced over. "Mr. Evans," she huffed, regaining her breath. He bowed and looked up with a concerned face. With haste, she straightened her dress, now feeling silly. He had somewhat become a crutch to her; a figure of comfort. She had grown up as an only child, finding strength and comfort from Doctor Tot—who seemed more like a father figure—and from works of literature featuring characters she felt she could empathize; mostly works by Lord Avon who tended to write inspirational works.
"Your Majesty," ember addressed respectfully, offering a bow beneath the large wooden beam secured upon his shoulder.
She pulled from the archway and motioned for him to walk with her. Without a word, the two set off.
From a distance, Zidane watched them both walk. "Who is that?" he asked, looking to all the faces of Tantalus. He received shrugs and blank faces. Kuja chuckled and put an arm about his shoulders, pulling him into the earshot of a whisper. "My poor, baby brother…" he tutted. "Seems the Queen fancies a potential suitor."
Zidane's eyes widened. "H-huh!?" Jerking away, he turned with his mouth hanging in shock. "A… a suitor!?" This… no! What bad timing! It's her 18th birthday and of COURSE I should have considered that she might begin to fancy someone else!" He paused, stammering for another sentence. "N-no… No! I won't have it!" Whipping around to see them again, he hesitated. He stepped forward, but tried to stop himself at the same time. Kuja circled him from behind, grinning widely. With a hard shove, he sent Zidane stumbling forward. He staggered and then ran full-speed, ducking behind statues and jumping onto walls, easily following and then laying in wait. Watching the two cautiously.
Ember handed the heavy beam over to two young teens and sent them off to help set up the amp theater for the play.
Garnet led the way toward one fo the many gardens. Sitting on the ledge of a fountain, she looked down to the water. Ember joined her, plopping down beside her casually. His eyes held boredom, as if he would be getting some kind of a lecture.
She smiled to him and said, "Are you excited about the play tonight?"
He shrugged. "Not going."
"Mmm… I see. Is it your brother?"
He nodded. "Seems like it."
"What's wrong with him?"
"High fever, low blood pressure… Now he's delirious. His sentences aren't connecting very well."
She nodded slowly and hesitated as she said, "W-we could.. have a specialist from Lindblum visit and heal him.:"
He looked over. "I appreciate your offer, Majesty, but it's unnecessary to trouble yourself with such small affairs."
Garnet met his gaze, looking to him pleadingly. "I… want to help you…" she stated, placing a light hand on his forearm. A small moment passed as he looked to her distantly.
"Queen Garnet…" he began slowly, standing to face her. "I appreciate your concern, words of comfort and your desire to help… however, there is a limit to what I will accept."
She sighed, standing as well. She held her head to the ground and then gripped his hands in hers. "Ember… I need strength…" her voice was low and cracking with the sound of sorrow weighing her down.
He did not pull from her grasp. "My Queen, you have brigade after brigade of soldiers watching over. Do they not provide reasonable strength for your position?"
She shook her head and looked up, face burdened with pain. "I want to ask you something."
He cocked his head sideways. "I'll listen," he agreed.
Drawing a breath, she said, "You're a wonderful support to me. A good friend. You've done your best to be there for me in my times of trial and changed." She paused and he gestured for her to continue. Biting her lip a little, she asked, "Might you be willing to stand by my side… and guide me in the ruling of the people of Alexandria?" She spoke the words as if she was speaking through a mask. It wasn't her saying the words, but one of her fictional characters she conjured when she needed to fake strength or get through something difficult. She was using her own defense mechanism to move on.
Ember's eyebrows furrowed. The fancy footwork of her words hid nothing but her childishness from him. This was a proposal. She wasn't in love with him. Not that way. He knew it. She knew it. The only bond between them was friendship. The only way it would develop into more than that would be through a test of chance. He was by no means a prince. He wasn't even Alexandrian. Ember was born in Dali. When he was a lad, he worked with Pa on the fields. What kind of a princess married a farmer?
Garnet was being hasty. She was young, lovely, and had a taste for adventure. Ember was older by a few years; calmer. He was quiet, reserved, and, much of the time, tired. She would easily get bored with him. He knew her potential exceeded his ability. He could not please her and he wasn't one to settle into the life of the upper class.
He let out a sigh, closing his eyes. Leaning his head back, he caught sight of a moving rope from around the trellis. He followed the rope and noticed a bit of movement from behind a rather large wall of vines. A face poked through and looked to Garnet pleadingly. Ember recognized that face from somewhere, but failed to place it. Shoulder-length blond hair and translucent, blue eyes.
Ember easily saw through his expression and his gaze wandered back to Garnet. She looked to him anxiously. He gripped her hands in his and fell to one knee, lips pressing lightly upon the back of her hand. "Your Majesty" he said softly, eyes looking truthfully into hers. "It is kind of you to ask a peasant such as I a question that powerful. I am absolutely honored." He paused. "Howe3ver, you know as well as I that you're waiting for someone. Please, My Queen, have faith," he stated softly, gripping her hand reassuringly. Moments later, he stood, bowing to her once more and stepping out of the small garden. He headed back to work.
Zidane sighed in relief and a part of him was hurting to see Garnet struggling with her own emotions. All his planning was already in motion. There was no reason to risk deflating all their hard work.
Holding back these little urges was the hardest discipline. It took everything in him to keep from jumping down from the trellis, scooping her into his arms and holding her closely. No. Tonight had the perfect timing.
As Garnet made her way back toward the castle, Zidane fell behind in silent footfalls, staying out of sight were she to turn suddenly.
Once the castle doors closed behind her, he caught up with Ember, locating him working on the stage. He leaned against the pillar, smirking as he folded his arms. "How did you know?"
"Hmm?" Ember grunted, glancing back to Zidane. "Know what?"
"That I was there, for one. And that I love her."
Ember sighed, kneeling to the threshold of the stage, signaling a mechanic to throw him the rope from below. "Your eyes."
"huh?"
"Translucent like the waves of water, but that just makes them easier to read." He grunted as he tied the rope taught, knotting it with practiced skill. "I've seen you before," he added. "once I connected your face with the Queen's, I remembered. Love is easy to see, but you two were connected. Two years ago, I remembered you and Tantalus kidnapped Garnet when she was a princess. My little sister persuaded me to take her to the play that night. We got in by offering our skills to assist with the stage assembly. We're not nobles, but we aren't desperate enough to rooftop gaze like my two younger twin brothers." He stood, securing the front of the backdrop, having moved upstage. He sighed again, suppressing a yawn. "Anyway, when the theatre ship uprooted from the ground, my sister was nearly crushed by a beam. After I intercepted the blow, I looked up in time to see that Garnet was with you and your crew, attempting to escape Alexandria and the wrath of Brahne." He stood once more, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Zidane blinked, almost like someone had struck him with a pebble. "You… remember me from two years ago?" he laughed. "Wow! A sharp mind ya got there!"
Ember shook his head. "Mind's normal. Your ship nearly killed my baby sister…" he glared dangerously.
"Eheh…" he shuddered, backing away.
"Don't worry about it," he grumbled. "She's gotten herself into enough messes lately. An entire Angel of Death ordeal to boot." He lifted a heavy board, scratching his head tiredly and seemingly unaffected by its weight. "Now where does this go again?" he mumbled.
Zidane was caught by the phrase 'Angel of Death'. "What's her name?"
"Whose?"
"Hers!"
"What?"
"The girl! I mean—your sister! What's her name?"
Ember turned, raising an eyebrow. "Why would I tell a pervert like you?"
Zidane reddened. "Perver—what makes you say that!? I just want to know your sister's name!" There was a long pause between the two. He added, "Please?"
Ember sighed, scratching his head. "Terra."
Zidane's mind reeled as realization hit like a wave of icy water. "Terra… Evas…?"
"No, no. Evans. With an N…" he trailed off. "You know her?"
Slowly, Zidane shook his head, looking morbid. "I know her Angel of Death."
Ember blinked, staring at Zidane in boredom. A long moment passed and Ember splashed Zidane with a bucket of water.
"Ack! Hey!" Zidane exclaimed, shaking his arms. "What's the big idea!?"
Ember looked toward the stage. "You looked dumb with your mouth wide open and your arms out. You're still a child," he mumbled, going off to secure the ropes.
Zidane glared, making angry motions behind Ember. As he turned away, fumingly, he easily remembered the evening they whisked Dagger away. Ember paused, remembering as well.
~Two Years Eariler~ The night of the play 'I Want To Be Your Canary'~
Town square was a good sight. The place to be to see everything in a city. A good pastime for a wandering thief like Zidane before a big performance.
"Embeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!" Terra whined, tugging his arm. "Please?" she pouted. He looked back to his book. Terra wanted to see the sights of the nobles swarming in that would be attending the play. "The theater ship is already here! They might need a few more people to help out with maintenance!" She continued pulling on his arm, wondering why it felt so heavy. He wouldn't even budge!
He lifted the arm she was tugging and easily turned the page.
"Hey! Are you even LISTENING!?" she bellowed.
Ember glanced up. "Yeah," he shrugged.
"Please, please, please!"
"Please… what?"
She growled, kicking his shin.
"Ow! What is it?" he growled.
"I want to see the play. Do you think we could offer some help to the troupe?"
"Why?" he went back to his book.
"Ember!" she cried. Sighing, she moved toward the castle. "I'm going on my own~"
"Mhm~" he responded sarcastically. "You can't even tie your shoes right."
"Wh-what was that!?"
"You're useless. A klutz like you would only hinder their efforts."
"But—"
"Thought you were leaving," he glanced up.
She pouted. "What if I get kidnapped?"
"Lesson learned?" he suggested.
"Jerk."
"Wuss."
"…Geezer…"
"Baby."
"Old fart!"
"Klutz."
"You Arse!" she screamed, causing a silence.
He blinked, looking up darkly. She covered her mouth, fearful of his glare.
Zidane looked over, interested in the fact that there was a girl and also interested that she had called someone a profanity.
Without a word, Ember stood, closing his book, and began walking toward the castle, Terra in tow. "You want to see the play?" he grumbled angrily. "Fine."
Despite his accommodation, Terra knew he was upset. He walked fast, gripping her hand painfully hard. She was afraid he might manage to break it.
"E-Ember…" she stammered, afraid of provoking him farther but not wanting to end up hurt physically. There was no choice but to walk. It was hard to keep from falling behind. Ember was so fast and too strong to break from.
It took everything in Ember to keep from admonishing her. But she was sixteen. She should have her freedom of word, spoken or written. But to disrespect him… Well, he had provoked her… a little.
Zidane weaved his way through, easily reaching the theatre ship before them.
As Ember neared the art of transit, he slowed. "Apologize." He stopped, waiting for her to answer.
"What?" Terra asked, puzzled.
"I'm taking you to the play. :east you can do is say you're sorry," he mumbled.
Terra nodded. "Alright. I'm sorry." She still felt a little bitter, but it was quickly vanishing. "May I ask a favor?"
"What?"
"You're crushing my fingers…"
He let her go quickly. "Oh. Sorry, Ter."
Zidane walked over. "Hey," he waved.
"Hmm?" Ember growled.
Zidane grinned widely. "We could use a few extra hands. Oh! A girl!" he grinned even wider. "What's your name, sweetheart?"
"Ah… um… it's Terra," she blushed.
He sashayed over. "Terra… how would you like a personalized tour of the Prima Vista? Hosted by moi?"
His grin sagged as a bucket of water was thrown in his face. "Skirtchasers like you have no purpose flirting with my baby sister," Ember grumbled coldly, moving to help out with the stage.
~Flashback end~
Ember and Zidane turned. Simultaneously, they pointed to one another and exclaimed, "You!"
~FFIX~ Flames of Rebirth~
A stringed instrument plucked lightly in the corner of the tavern. The smell of steamy, delicious food wafted through the air. A young, blooming waitress delivered two bowls of warm, Soup Du Confuse to the table, looking between them skeptically before resuming her duties.
Zidane stirred the soup nervously and then asked, "So… what changed your mind about me? A guy who throws water in another's face isn't too prompted to then take that someone out for a free meal." He took a spoonful of the soup, devouring it.
"My sister disappeared two years ago. A few months prior, she was abducted by someone and then returned, but then left again on a journey. She never told me why. On the night Bahamut assaulted Alexandria, she was touched and branded by the Angel of Death. When she was kidnapped, I had feared she was dead. As time went on, I noticed a change in her after her return. It was slow, but she began to lose her motivation. Terra stopped eating, and she opted to watch the sky instead of sleep. One morning, she just up and left. I've not seen or heard from her since."
Zidane paused in his grazing. "So… what does this have to do with me?"
"You said you knew her Angel of Death. Who is he?"
Hesitantly, Zidane put his bowl down. He sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose and leaned forward, rubbing his eyes. "Well… it's a difficult subject to explain… for me, that is. There was a time when I was called an Angel of Death. And another when my brother was referred to such as well. I hardly believe it's fair to say that either of us did anything of our own accord. I know I didn't do anything that went against my own morals though. I was busy helping to stop my brother from destroying Gaia… as well as Queen Brahne… and Garland."
Ember blosed his eyes and nodded, taking in the most important piece of information. "So your brother stole my sister away."
"Hey, hey! Don't be hasty! Even if the guy was evil, he's had a change of heart. Neither of us have exactly been… kicking for two years either."
"What do you mean?"
"We were trapped insi—"
"Zidane!" Blank exclaimed, rushing over. "Where in the blazes have you been!? What are you eating? Hey, share the wealth, man!" He took the seat beside Zidane and stole the bowl from under his nose. "Get to Tantalus. Boss needs ya!" he ordered between bites.
Zidane looked to Blank sourly and stretched, standing up. "Thanks for the meal, Ember," he yawned. "See ya back at the ship if you intend on helping out some more."
Ember watched him leave and then followed soon after.
~FFIX~ Flames of Rebirth~
"C'mon! We're gonna be LATE!" Eiko whined, stomping.
"I see no point in this silly occasion," Mikoto said, cocking her head to the side.
"Ahh! Don't you know ANYTHING!? I thought those black mages change you at least a little bit!"
Mikoto shrugged. "What do I care if we're invited to a play?"
Eiko growled, "Ooooh! What's wrong with you!? The invites are from Zidane! We gotta go! It means he's alive! Get it in that bimbo brain of yours!"
Mikoto thought about it. "Alright, I will not protest."
~FFIX~ Flames of Rebirth~
"An invitation, huh? Not even for a rematch…" Amarant clenched his fist. "Who does he think he is!? Promises me a challenge and then forgets completely. I'll show him!"
~FFIX~ Flames of Rebirth~
"Puck Irontail, where are you!?" Freya called, anger elevating quickly as she stormed up the stairs.
"Freya, dear, please do not fret. You know how he is," Fratley insisted, stopping her and putting an arm about her coaxingly.
She put her hand to her mouth. "Yes, but…" She closed her eyes and nodded. "I know he'll be fine, but this is horrid timing. Zidane is alive and he goes off without a word. Not even a note!" she crossed her arms.
"Please, I'm sure he's fine. He's strong, sharp and has astounding ways of gathering information. My love, I'm sure he's halfway to Alexandria by now. We should be on our way too. Regent Cid, Lady Hilda and Eiko are surely on their way with everyone else."
She smiled. "I believe you are right."
~FFIX~ Flames of Rebirth~
…7 months earlier…
"I'm telling you. We're lost," Kuja griped, trudging behind Zidane. He wore a light tunic that easily flowed with the movement of the wind, tired at the midchest with leather strings. A pair of dark trousers tuched inside a pair of brown, leather boots suited his lower half. Traveling such a long way on foot would cause his previous apparel to become cumbersome. He did manage to salvage his waist wrape. It was just as light as everything else, but it felt strange dressing so… modest.
Zidane glowered ahead, trying to ignore the eighth complaint from his companion. At this point, he would have preferred traveling with Rusty. He couldn't understand why Kuja had to complain or stop and rest every ten minutes.
"You're not listening to me, you silly underling!" he shouted, stomping his foot.
Taking in a deep breath, Zidane turned, looking glum and somewhat scary. "Y'know, I hear pansies wilt in the desert," he said darkly. "To think, you lived in it once. Feeling guilty that you made me trudge through it in search of Oelivert?"
He scoffed, "I let you ride my luxury craft. I feel no guilt." He paused, "But I am grateful you performed that favor for me."
"Anytime. What are captives and slaves for anyway?" he noted sarcastically.
Kuja sighed, "So much for forgiveness." They continued walking. Half an hour passed before he said, "Why is it… I did not die?"
Zidane inspected the tall mountains that stood before them, trying to remember where the path back to Conde Petie was. "I'm not really sure. Luck, pheraps?"
"I'm serious."
He sighed, pressing a palm to his forehead. They had to be off by at least four miles. "I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but now isn't the time to ask philosophical questions. Why don't you try asking the goddess or something?" He then grumbled something about 'annoying Narcissist' before continuing his search. He was beginning to miss the map Blank had given him which was rudely skewered by one of the branches of the Iifa Tree.
Kuja looked to him in shock. "So… it wasn't a dream then?"
Zidane stopped, seemingly frozen. "I… was hoping it was."
"The warriors throughout space and time…"
"And their nemesis counterparts summoned by Chaos."
"Was I… really a puppet to another's hand?" He looked down to his hands, suddenly feeling ill. "Ahahahahahah!" He drew a breath, sitting upon a rock and looking resentfully to the skies. "I-isn't it ironic?" He laughed again, not heartily, but rather forced. "Am I always to live as a pawn beneath another's hand? A mere… marionette…? Not even a lead… but… an extra…?" he choked a little, covering his eyes.
Zidane clenched his fists, looking up now. The skies were clear. Mist free. The sun beamed down on them warmly and the wind blew calmingly. Zidane closed his eyes, feeling heavy with tears. He remembered their time in that dimension with ambivalence. His friends. His enemies. Was any of it even real? Was it all a fabricated fantasy or dream which was shared between he and Kuja? Everything had seemed real. "Just to be sure…" he started, "The crystals…?"
"Yeah… the finale?"
Zidane looked down. "Perhaps it was to teach us all something…" he nodded.
"Oh?" Kuja looked up. "Explain."
He turned to him with a smile. "What do you fight for?"
Kuja smirked, looking down. "The truth is… My beloved… I fight for Terra Evans…"
The look on Zidane's face was priceless. With satisfaction, Kuja stood, stretching. "Ah… I feel much better! Shall we be on our way?" Not waiting for a response, he started in the direction of Conde Petie.
~FFIX~ Flames of Rebirth~
"No! I haven't forgotten my lines!" Zidane protested.
"Haven't you?" Kuja pestered, jabbing the script with his finger. "It's 'Therefore, Cornelia', not 'So, Cornelia'! Honestly! If you're going to butcher the play, then what's the point of rehearsal!?" He gasped, an idea hitting him. "Well, if you can't serenade the Queen, then I shall take your place!"
Zidane panicked. "G-get real! There's no way in Memoria I'd allow you to do that!"
"I dunno, Zidane," Cinna interjected. "The man's got the power, precision, personalization, grace and even the endurance to play Marcus."
"But—"
"I'll have to agree with Cinna on this. Marcus is a pretty intense character to pull off. Kuja doesn't even need to glance at the script," Marcus agreed, having played the character so much he was nicknamed after him.
"That's because—"
"Gwahahaha! The boys are right, Zidane! You're just not cut out for the lead!" Baku chimed.
"Gah! You guys! I'll work hard, I promise!"
"An hour before the curtain rises and you're dedicated?" Kuja teased.
"Argh! What's with all the harassment!?" he cried, gripping his head. Everyone laughed. Ruby skipped over, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Ya'll will do jus' fine, Zidane!" She kissed him on the cheek. "Just gon on out there, round up them audience's attention, given 'em the best Marcus ever and then bring 'em home!"
He smiled, nodding. "Alright! Let's get this show going!" With a fist in his hand, he signaled for the rehearsal to restart.
~FFIX~ Flames of Rebirth~
The play commenced. Kuja scowled, longing to have some part in the show. Alas, he was still a criminal to the people of Gaia. He witnessed the reunion between Zidane and the Queen. It was a tender moment. Smiling, he stayed hidden, backing out of sight. The cheering echoed across the city. There was a festival planned that night. He would find her then and they would join in the celebrations. By memory, he located her house. Climbing along the back, he reached her bedroom window. Looking through the dusty pane, he frowned. Something was amiss.
He loosened the window, pushing it up and climbing through. Dust circled his boots as he hit the floor. The smell was dank. The room was near lifeless. Slowly, he gave it a once-over. Disappointment succumbed his conscience. Still, he tried to bar the truth from his mind.
She was gone. No one had occupied this room for… months. Perhaps years. Had she rebounded to another lover? Was she happy? Was she safe? He nearly choked at the next thought. Was Terra… alive?
He searched the room for some kind of evidence. A weapon. Maybe a note. A marriage invitation. The desk against the wall held nothing of the sort. A wall of dusty books lined the top of the desk, scattered along the surface. None of them held a clue.
He clenched his fists, turning stiffly toward the window. Upon exit, he could see the parade starting. The colors and sounds meant nothing. His mind was careening upon thoughts of Terra. What dreadful thing had happened that would cause her to leave her dwelling?
Numbly, he watched the procession, mind mulling over all of his current worry. Time fled too fast and he was reintroduced to Garnet by Zidane. The three of them occupied a meeting room in Alexandrian Castle.
Kuja forced a smile and kissed her hand, more than relieved he wasn't being sent to execution. He wondered how much sweet talking Zidane had to pull off to barter for his life. There would of course be a trial of some sort, but his punishment would be very lenient compared to what was just. Garnet was known for her mercy. He considered himself very lucky.
When they had finished catching up, he said, "She's not here, Zidane."
The smile faded from Zidane's face. "Yeah," he sighed, feeling a little guilty as he scratched his head.
"Wait, you knew?"
He neared the window, staring out to the horizon. "Her brother said she had left rtwo years ago. She's still not returned."
"Did she say where she was going?"
Zidane glanced over his shoulder; seemingly trying to hide his irritation at their helplessness. "I would have told you if I knew."
Kuja reasoned and then nodded. "That is true."
There was a knock at the door. "Come in," Garnet called.
Steiner entered. He saluted and said, "The Royal Banquet has been prepared, My Queen. It is appropriate that—" he stopped abruptly, blinking. "You!" he pointed accusingly to Kuja.
"Me?' he returned innocently.
"Infidel!! Pompous reject!" Steiner shouted.
"Captain Steiner…" Garnet interrupted calmly.
"I'll have you shackled and imprisoned, ye fiend!"
"Steiner?" Garnet called again.
"To think! You're chit chatting away with the Queen like nothing is the least bit wrong!"
"STEINER!" Garnet yelled, glaring to him.
"Wh-wha…?" He turned his attention back to Garnet.
"I've no squabble with Kuja any longer," she stated modestly. "If to protect him during his stay on all of Mist Continent, I will accept him as my ward."
"Y-your wa—" his eyes widened.
"And there will be no harassment towards him. The past is done."
Steiner quickly bit his tongue, nodding. "Y-yes, Your Majesty! But, due to his past behavior, I would ask that we exercise caution."
Garnet studied the situation. It would be the wise thing to do. She could see the eager and apprehensive look breaking through Steiner's strong, disciplined face. "Alright. I agree to that. But no harassment. Is that understood, Captain?"
He nodded vigorously, relieved. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Garnet dismissed him and then turned back to Kuja. "Whom are you searching for?" she inquired.
"A girl by the name of Terra Evans," Kuja answered immediately.
"Evans?" Garnet inquired.
"Yeah. That man you proposed to earlier today is her elder brother, Dagger," Zidane grinned.
Garnet gasped, covering her mouth. "Y-you didn't really see that, did you!?" she stammered, face noticeably turning crimson.
Zidane kept grinning, nearing her face. "you're so cute when you blush, Dagger," he said dreamily.
She whimpered, looking away with embarrassment.
Kuja cleared his throat, seemingly impatient. "Zidane, I'm going to look for Terra."
"What!? You can't do that! You don't even know where to start!" he protested.
"Do you think I care?" There was a sharpness in his tone. Zidane and Garnet looked up at him a little uneasily. "The woman I've been longing for—my canary—is missing. W#hat in the seven hells makes you believe location is the first thing on my mind!?" He paused momentarily, eyeing them both. He allowed himself to calm. "Listen, I'll search forever for her. Even if I don't find her, I'll search again. And again! Until I expire, I'll search. If fate wills it, I'll die looking! But mark my words. I shan't give up until I've done all I can do to find My Terra!"
The room was dead silent.
"Well," Zidane began. "Sounds like you're going to need some help." He raised his hand. "Need a thief?" he grinned.
"And a summoner?' Garnet added, stepping forward and smiling.
The door creaked open and in the threshold stood a tall man with charcoal, black hair and crimson eyes. He leaned tiredly against the door frame, glowering. He merely glanced at Kuja for a second and said, "So, you're the Angel… who promised my little sister death…"
To be continued…