Look, part two...and no, I'm not putting another disclaimer up.
The sky was even gloomier this evening then the night before, and Rydia found its colors to be depressing.
The beds below deck were continuing to grow with those they rescued that insisted on coming with them. Everyone from Gilbert's assistant to the twin mages from Mysidia.
Not only did their presence and well being make Rydia feel lighter, but the added strength of having most of her Eidolons with her again made her break into a smile for no reason.
Even if the world was growing dimmer by the moment, she no longer felt hopeless. They had a chance to save the world.
Again.
Scanning the Falcon, she watched everyone for a moment.
Tsukinowa had just disappeared back below, where he'd been spending a large amount of his time. She had noticed it was mostly centered around a certain pink haired mage.
Zangestu was chatting with Luca, who still flew their ship with all the practice ease they expected.
Gekkou was discussing something that looked important with the mysterious man whom Rydia still hadn't decided to trust yet or not. She figured that was probably what Gekkou was currently deciding himself.
Izayoi and Edge were a little ways away from her, talking although she couldn't make out what they were saying.
But whatever it was, Izayoi was as calm as ever. Rydia found her personality in need of some work, if you could call it a personality. She was always so even and controlled that she seemed insincere and a little cold.
The summoner frowned and leaned into the railing of the Falcon, continuing to watch them.
The dark haired woman touched Edge's arm, although it looked more like a poke, and he frowned at her.
Rydia's eyes narrowed at the two of them when Izayoi leaned forward to whisper something in his ear.
The summoner didn't like her being that close, especially when she had finished murmuring, she shot him a playful smirk which was the most character she had ever shown.
As for Edge, he looked more annoyed with her than anything, and slightly embarrassed.
Having seen plenty, she looked away and focused on the darkening sky. Obviously the two of them were very close, and although it surprised her, she supposed it shouldn't.
Truthfully she felt more ashamed then anything.
Shouldn't she be happy for him?
He was her best friend that didn't live in the Feymarch, and they'd known each other for years. In that time Rydia was actually surprised he hadn't ever gotten married, not that she invested much time in thinking about such things, of course.
But still, Izayoi was very skilled and beautiful, and she appeared to be extremely loyal, too.
She may not have been Rydia's favorite person in the world, but that could have just been because when they first met the woman tried to kill her.
With a sigh the summoner felt another stab of guilt; she should be happy for him instead of…whatever she was. She'd never felt this way and couldn't seem to figure out what it was.
Laying her chin on her hands, she watched another meteorite streak through the sky.
The doors were heavier then they looked and it took all five ninjas to finally slam the things shut.
Rydia breathed a sigh relief that ended with a cringe as they heard Ifrit collide with them on the other side.
"Okay," Edge said, trying to catch his breath, "any ideas?"
She checked her hands that were burned from trying to open another door a few minutes ago, "Same as the other Eidolons, we have to stop him somehow."
"How did you do it last time?" Tsukinowa asked, eyes wide.
Rydia sighed again, "By tiring him out first."
"He chased us around the whole castle! I'm pretty sure he's not getting tired," the boy argued, waving a hand back at the door.
"I know," she said, frowning.
Izayoi shifted her weight to one foot and crossed her arms, "If we could summon enough water and ice, maybe we could get through that fire barrier he has up."
"Unlikely if last time we tried was anything to go by," Edge remarked, rubbing his shoulder.
There were a few noises from the back of the throne room and a few people carefully drew their weapons.
Before they could any move, someone peeked out from behind the throne, dagger in hand.
The old man's eyes lit up, "Your young highness!"
"Seneschal," Edge sighed, sounding relieved and sheathing his weapon.
"Where have you been!" the old man asked, sounding exasperated.
"What happened?" Edge shot back gesturing to one of the free standing fires.
He crossed his arms, "I asked first."
Rydia snickered, although she tried to hid it behind a hand, it still drew the attention of the seneschal.
He looked at her suspiciously, "Aren't you…?"
She sighed, fed up with having to explain that she was not the same person as the blue haired maiden.
Edge rolled his eyes too, showing he felt much the same, "No, not her."
"Are you certain?" the old man question, glaring at her, "Can't she also call those….things?"
Rydia glared back at him, not liking what he was implying or the dirty look he was giving her.
Before she could defend herself, Gekkou stepped up, "Seneschal, I can personally assure you that this is not the same woman as the one who seeks the crystals. I trust High Summoner Rydia with my life and it has been an honor to fight alongside her."
She glanced at him, surprised by the high praise and a little flattered, too. He caught her eye and she smiled, mouthing, 'thank you'.
He nodded and they both returned their attention to the old man who as already on something else.
"Well fine, maybe she can help us get rid of that beast, then!"
Tsukinowa had his ear pressed against the door, "Actually, he's gone I think."
"Probably off to terrorize some other part of the castle!" the seneschal said frantically, before adding in a more rueful tone, "And I feel like we just rebuilt it…"
Edge sighed, looking more amused then annoyed, and waved his hands, "Hey, focus, would you?"
The man looked up and then narrowed his eyes, "Yes, focus on the fact that you didn't tell anyone where you were going! Again! You promised you wouldn't do that anymore."
Rydia put her hands on her hips, "You didn't tell anyone?"
"He didn't," Zangestu added, "we all got back and just guessed he was in the tower."
"Which he was, alone." Izayoi said, frowning.
Edge rolled his eyes and leaned his head back, "I'm sorry, okay? Stop nagging me."
"I'll nag you as much as I want. That was really stupid," Rydia said.
The seneschal nodded his head rapidly, "Yes, yes, listen to her."
"Five seconds ago you didn't trust her!" Edge shot back, indignant.
The man sighed dramatically, and Gekkou cleared his throat, "We still have Ifrit to deal with."
Everyone fell silent and Rydia wracked her brain to try and come up with something that could stop the fire Eidolon, but nothing came to mind. So long as he had the barrier of flame up, there was no way to reach him, and if their weapons and spells couldn't touch him, they didn't have a chance.
"Did you try throwing something at him?" seneschal asked.
Edge shook his head, "It melted before it even got close." He frowned, "I liked that sword, too."
Rydia swallowed, "Maybe I should try to talk to him again, I know he doesn't want to do this, so maybe I can free him from her hold."
"No," Edge said quickly, gazing sharply at her, "You tried to talk to him and he sent a wave of fire at you."
"I know, but-"
"No," he repeated firmly.
She frowned at him, wondering why he was acting so forceful all of a sudden, when he suggested the worst idea she had heard in a long time.
"I'll go fight him."
Everyone in the room stared at him blankly.
"You'll what?" the seneschal said, looking dubious.
Edge sighed, "We don't have another plan, and the longer we wait, the more people are in danger of getting killed by him."
"But you can't go alone," Rydia argued, walking a few steps closer to him, "What are you going to do that we can't together?"
He surprised her by taking her hand, "But I see how much it hurts you, to have to fight against your Eidolons. This time…I don't think we can save Ifrit."
She blinked, "Then, all the more reason I should go. If we have to…stop him, then I should be the one to do it."
His grip tightened around her hand, "And never forgive yourself for it?"
Suddenly she got the idea that this wasn't completely about her anymore, although she didn't doubt his sincerity in wanting to protect her.
"The High Summoner is right," Zangestu added from the other side of the room, making Tsukinowa nod, "She always is."
Izayoi shook her head, "I don't like the idea of you going alone. We are better if we stay together."
"Listen to them," Rydia pleaded, "they're right. Going alone is a death sentence and…you're much too important to die."
"I have a plan, okay?" he said, trying to sound light.
Rydia shook her head in disbelief, "No you don't! You never have a plan,"
He sighed and relented, "Okay, so I don't, but that doesn't change the fact that you're staying here."
She opened her mouth to say no, but he clamped his hand over her mouth, leaning forward a little to mutter, "No, you stay, Rydia. Don't you dare follow me. Stay here."
Looking up he called, "You four, stay here and make sure she's safe, got it?"
It took them a moment to answer, and they didn't sound thrilled by it, but agreed to follow the order.
Edge released her so abruptly she took a step back, still fuming that he dared to tell her what to do. He ran towards the door without another word.
"Edge, get back here!" Rydia yelled as loudly as she possibly could, but it was obvious he was ignoring her as he slipped through the double doors. She growled and tightened her hands into fist. She was half tempted to stomp her foot and she might have, had she been alone.
"This is a horrible plan!" she said, spinning around to face the others in the room.
Tsukinowa nodded, "Yeah, it is."
"And your okay with it?" she snapped, throwing open her hands.
"No," Zangestu amended, "we're just used to it."
Rydia rolled her eyes.
There was no way Edge going off alone to fight Ifrit was going to end well, and she was so angry with him for even suggesting it.
What, exactly, was he thinking?
She didn't know, but she was resolved to ignore his orders of staying here. Besides, she didn't have to listen to him, king or not.
Striding to the door she skirted the small fires that were still magical burning and rapidly tried to think up her own plan so she wouldn't do the very thing she was accusing him of doing.
"Where are you going?" Izayoi asked from behind her.
Rydia stopped and glanced over her shoulder to glare at the woman, "I'm not staying here, and I'm surprised you four are!"
"He told us too," Tsukinowa replied, shrugging.
Izayoi nodded and the summoner opened her mouth to recite that old line about jumping off a cliff if someone told you too, but then thought better of it when she remembered they actually had jumped off the Tower of Babil.
Instead she spun back around and groaned, "I should have known better then to ask you four for help!"
She took another step and then stopped, a new thought coming to mind. Slowly she turned back, her expression coy.
"Didn't Edge also order you too make sure I was okay?"
Gekkou nodded, "That he did."
She smirked, placing one hand on her hip, "Well, then, I'm going outside to fight that big fiery monster that is twice my size. Anyone think it's safe?"
Tsukinowa grinned, "Loop hole!"
"Loop hole," Zangestu agreed.
Izayoi, however, frowned, "But-"
"You don't have to come," Rydia snapped, tossing one last glare at her before hurrying for the door.
She didn't bother checking to see if they were following her, she trusted that they were. But before they entered the courtyard, Izayoi grabbed her arm with surprising strength and forestalled her movement.
They other three gave them both strange looks but the dark haired woman bent down to whisper so they couldn't hear, "I'm not sure why it is that you don't like me, but rest assured that you can trust me, and that I would do anything to protect master Edge, including die for him."
Rydia yanked her arm free, "That I know, so make yourself useful."
She didn't like what Izayoi was implying and so decided to ignore her.
They rushed through a few corridors and reached the courtyard in a matter of minutes, although a burst of wind pulled smoke straight towards them, making everyone cough a few times. Rydia squinted against the onslaught and scanned the area, finally spotting Ifrit. Before she could point him out to the others, they heard a high pitched scream as the fire Eidolon stomped towards a group of people who were trapped by a wall behind them.
"What is your plan, High Summoner?" Gekkou asked.
She didn't take her eyes off the creature and paused in her chanting to reply, "First off, stop calling me that, second, save those people."
She unleashed a blizzaga spell and wove the words to create a wall of ice instead of projectiles.
Ifrit roared in annoyance and they dashed over to the people who were cowering behind the fragile shield.
"What's happening?" one asked, her eyes wide.
Rydia glanced over her shoulder, "Bad things! Run!"
They didn't need to be told twice and took off towards the nearest door. But the moment directed the Eidolon's gaze and he moved to follow.
"Izayoi," she said, making the other woman turn to her, "you make mirages, right?"
"…Yes,"
"Could you make a target other than those people to draw Ifrit's attention?"
The woman seemed annoyed by the question, and Rydia sighed, adding, "I know you don't take orders from me but just this once could you do what I say?"
She didn't reply, but began to draw a pattern in the air that Rydia assumed was to do what she asked. She rolled her eyes and turned to the others, "After he's distracted, then we can attack him. Although I'm still working on figuring out how to hurt him…"
Suddenly a shiver went down her spine and she froze, blinking a few times. That was a sensation she hadn't felt in years, and it made her worry.
"High Summoner, are you alright?" Zangestu asked, tipping his head to one side.
Ignoring the fact that she already told them to stop calling her that, she nodded and then looked up at one of the towers.
"Can you four handle Ifrit for just a second? I have…a bad feeling that something is up in that tower worse then the rouge Eidolon."
Tsukinowa frowned, "If you feel something bad, chances are master Edge is there."
"Exactly my thoughts," she answered, glancing back at them.
Izayoi, having completed the illusions, spoke up, "We can keep the monster busy and away from harming others."
"Good, I'll be back as quickly as I can."
Without another word she made her way across the charred grass towards where she assumed the staircase was to head up the spire.
"Be careful!" Tsukinowa called after her.
She had every intention to do so, but if this feeling was what she thought it was, careful might not be an option.
The feeling was one of powerful magic, one that made her skin crawl.
Her boots tapped rhythmically on the stairs as she followed the path to the top. Finally she came to a door and grasp the handle, only to yank her hand back with a hiss.
"Second time…" she grumbled, annoyed by the fresh burns.
She would have to talk to Edge about all these metal doors in his castle.
Using a little ice to cool the door down first, she pulled it open and flinched back, away from the fire that threatened to hit her.
Rydia usually thought things through before doing them. She liked to think she was a reasonably cautious person.
But when she saw the scene before her, she ignored her common sense and ran out onto the balcony, charging an ice spell.
"Back off unless you want a face full of blizzaga!"
Rydia was glad she sounded far more confident then she felt, with the spell's aura lighting her hands, staring defiantly at the Archfiend of Fire.
Rubicante, however, didn't look the least bit worried.
"Ah, the summoner arrives." he said.
She glared at him, wondering if that was supposed to sound as sarcastic as it did. She didn't even want to know why he was here, she'd fought him two too many times already in her life and she wasn't eager for a third round.
The blizzaga spell was cast, and as expected, the fiend of fire just raised his arm and flicked it away.
But it had distracted him momentarily and in that second, she had uncoiled her whip and lashed it, striking him square in the face as soon as he lowered his arm.
Antagonizing the Archfiend was probably not the smartest thing to do and she took a step back afterwards.
Rubicante sighed, sounding more annoyed then ready to strike back and she risked a glance at Edge, who was kneeling on the floor beside her.
"Are you alright?" she asked, noticing without his answer that he wasn't.
"I told you to stay behind,"
"Did you really think I'd listen?"
He closed his eyes and sighed heavily, "Fine, it's your funeral."
Rydia looked back to their opponent and tightened the grip on the handle of her whip.
Noticing this, the fiend spoke again, "I'm not here to fight."
"Forgive me if I don't believe you," she snapped.
He ignored her, "Remember what I've said if you want to stop Ifrit."
Rydia made a face and glanced at Edge again, confused and feeling like she missed something, but then her attention was diverted when Rubicante shifted his gaze to her, "The two of you are a prefect match. Where one is order, the other is chaos."
She didn't know what he was getting at, but he didn't give her a chance to ask anything and swept his arm outward, sending a wall of fire at the two of them.
Rydia recoiled, surprised when she didn't feel any burns. Opening her eyes, she saw that the fire had indeed surrounded them, but it didn't threaten to harm them at all. After a second the flames died on their own and were reduced to embers.
There was no sign of the Fiend of Fire, and she shook herself out of a daze to kneel beside Edge.
"Are you alright?" she asked, resting her hand on his arm.
He winced, "Yeah, I'm okay."
"Drink this," she ordered, shoving a potion into his hands before standing and hurrying over to the wall of the balcony, leaning forward to look below.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
She continued to scan the area below, "Looking for Ifrit. I left the Eblan Four in charge of keeping him busy."
"You did what?"
Rydia whipped around and pointed accusingly at him, "Oh I'm sorry, I was a little busy coming up here to save your sorry skin!"
She sprinted for the stairway, "Now come on, we have an Eidolon to stop."
He followed her, scolding, "I told you to stay inside, and although I honestly didn't expect you to listen, I'm not about to let you go fight him!"
"You'd rather run off alone?" she retorted, boots clanking on each stone stair they hit.
Edge grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop, "I'd rather keep you safe!"
She closed her mouth, suddenly not in the mood to continue the argument.
"Do you have a plan to stop him?" he asked her seriously.
She shook her head, "Not at the moment, no…do you?"
He released her arm and frowned, "I don't know…something Rubicante said got me thinking…but I don't really know if-"
Suddenly the tower they were in rocked violently and tossed them into one of the walls.
Rydia cringed, worried it might collapse on them.
The quake finished and Edge pulled her upright again, leading the way without words back down the staircase.
"What did he say?" she asked as they ran.
"Something about fire fighting fire."
The summoner was dubious, "A terrible idea, his innate element is fire. The last thing we want to do is feed him."
They exited the tower and shrunk back as a tumble of rocks fell in front of them, kicking up dust.
Ifrit loomed of to one side, roaring to the sky and needlessly toppling any buildings near him.
Just as before, no weapons could get close without melting and all magical attacks made little difference against the barrier of heat surrounding him.
Rydia's eyes filled with tears and she covered her mouth with her hands as he smacked Tsukinowa a few feet away with just a flick of his hand. The boy got to his feet, but without some plan to stop him they were doomed.
"Maybe it's the way you use the fire…" he muttered.
Rydia glanced at him, "What?"
"Never mind, just get ready to fight since he's headed over here."
She did as she was told and held her whip in one hand while she extended the other and shouted, "Bio!"
The spell had little effect on the Eidolon, just as ice hadn't done any damage.
Ifrit's flaming arm swung towards them and she ducked, hearing the sound of metal scraping something.
When the shadow overhead was gone she looked up and saw the fire Eidolon lumbering away from them.
Edge tossed a partially melted katana away, "I think I nicked him, but at this rate I'm going to run out of weapons."
"Master!"
They both turned towards the call and met the Eblan Four in the middle of the courtyard, where they began to report on everything that had happened the last few minutes.
"Frost and Flood have had little effect, and both Zangestu and I have lost our blades." Izayoi said, armed now with a bow.
Tsukinowa shook his head, "I can run circles around him but it's not going to do any good if I can't hit him. I don't even want to try Gale. Everyone knows wind makes flames grow."
"It would seem we are low on options." Zangestu added.
Rydia had been listening, but she had also been keeping an eye on Ifrit and now saw him turn towards them, the fires along his back shifting between green, purple and red.
Her eyes widened, "Hellfire!"
There wasn't time to explain and she just shouted at the others, "Get behind me!"
The Eidolon was faster with his magic, but she wove her words to a different meaning and threw up a barricade of ice just as the flames spiraled at them.
Her blizzard was no match and the ice crackled, melted, and shattered, sending the six of them skidding across the ground while frost and sparks rained down around them. Rydia blacked out for a spilt second as she hit the ground, but then came too with a groan, vision taking a moment to focus. When it did, she saw that Ifrit was still as strong as ever, but he had used quite a large portion of his magic to try and kill them and needed time to recharge.
If they were going to strike him, it had to be now.
"Are you okay?" Edge asked, sitting up next to her and holding his ribs.
She nodded and struggled to her knees, "I think so…"
The others were in similar shape and slowly retrieved their weapons from the ground around them.
"Do you trust me?" he asked suddenly, catching her off guard.
"What?"
"Do you trust me?" he repeated quickly, one eye on the fire beast.
Rydia blinked and brushed her singed bangs off her forehead, "Of course I trust you, but-"
"Cast fire, as strong as you can."
She wondered if that toss had given him brain damage.
"You want me to use fire on a fire Eidolon?"
Edge sighed and looked at her fully, "Listen to me, water and ice can't take down his barrier, but a spell woven correctly with fire will burn it out."
She still stared at him so he made an annoyed sound and kept talking while he got to his feet, "When we fought Rubicante all those years ago, he used Inferno to heal himself, didn't he? But how did that fire make it past his cloak? Didn't that protect him?"
She blinked, "They canceled each other out, like two mages casting thunder at each other. The magic is rendered null and they have to start over."
"Exactly." he said, nodding.
She took a deep, shuddering breath, "But, there is-"
"Trust me," he said, holding out his hand.
Rydia hesitated for only a second and then let him pull her to her feet, "Just what are you suggesting Edge? That I cast firaga at him?"
"No, we need something stronger and less…um…composed."
Puzzled, she opened her mouth to ask something and he waved off her unspoken comment, "If you can set aside fear and merely use your willpower, you can literally fabricate magic into anything you want." he explained.
Her eyes widened, "No offense, but your magic isn't really predictable, are you sure you want to pour that much into it? What if you lose control?"
"That's why I need your help," he said, "your magic is calm, stable."
Rydia just stared at him, "Our magic isn't compatible, this isn't like two white mages merging a spell for increased healing, this is…" she trailed off and glanced Ifrit, whose flames were nearly restored.
"That's why I need to know if you trust me, Rydia." Edge said, holding out his hand again, "If you do, then I think this could work."
At it's core, the theory was sound.
Her black magic was smooth and serene, his ninjustu was wild and frantic, in theory those two opposing forces would either cancel each other out, or balance each other into something new.
But there were so many variables, and to test it here, in the heat of battle, was not Rydia's idea of fun.
Still, he had merely asked if she trusted him, and she knew that she did, without any doubt.
Rydia took his hand and asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"Cast fire, as much as you can, and pray that this works."
She closed her eyes and chanted the necessary words, fingers interlocking on one hand with his. At first, she wasn't sure anything was happening, but then, like a jolt, she felt it.
Another form of magic, one that was both like hers and very different, all at the same time. She knew the element, but its structure was completely different, and that's when she realized that some of the words she was interlacing into her spell weren't any that she had ever spoken before.
And then a moment of pause, of clarity, a sign her magic was indeed stabilizing the frenzied power and shaping it into something orderly, rather then chaotic.
As the spell reached its crescendo, she opened her eyes and held out her free hand, feeling the magic on the very tips of her finger, almost like it was asking to be released and do its job.
"Inferno!"
The force of the power unleashed kicked up a cloud of dust, and Ifrit, who was taking a step forward most likely to crush them, was thrown backwards, his flaming barrier instantly snuffing out with a massive explosion.
Rydia winced at the release of magic and realized how dizzy she suddenly felt.
There was a sense of loss now that the connection was broken, and for a moment she longed to have it back. She understood the term "drunk on magic" now when she'd heard Mysidian mages speak about the forbidden spells.
But as much as she wanted to bask in that power, a cry from the Eidolon reminded her that the battle wasn't over.
Reluctantly she freed her hand from Edge's and happened to catch the look on his face.
She imagined he felt much the same ways she did, but also understood there was no time to dwell on it.
Izayoi certainly wasted no time and sent a wave of frost at Ifrit, which encouraged the others to take a swing or two at him.
Now that his shield was down, they quickly discovered he could, in fact, be harmed.
Rydia had no idea where her whip had landed and instead tried to summon some magic, realizing rather swiftly that her senses had become tangled and her magic wouldn't heed her easily.
As Gekkou scored a nasty looking gash along Ifrit's leg, the summoner wondered if she would even need to cast anymore spells.
"Ifrit!" Rydia shouted, hoping they had inflicted enough damage to break the maiden's hold over him, just as they had with the others.
The fire beast roared and unleashed a blaze, causing the group to duck behind some of the rubble scattered across the courtyard.
Rydia took the chance to catch her breath, and after a moment she heard a whisper that bore the mark of the Feymarch.
She channeled magic and the voice sharpened to one she could hear.
"Rydia, summon me."
Her eyes widened, "But Shiva, it's against the Laws of Summoning for me to use you in battle against another Eidolon!"
"The law has had already been broken, child. You cannot reason with Ifrit, he has been driven mad by that witch. I can defeat him, if you trust me."
Still she hesitated, and Gekkou, who crouched next to her spoke, "You speak to one of the magical beings,"
"Yes, Shiva. She's an ice Eidolon, and she's asking me to put her in the battle."
"You hesitate."
"It's against everything the Eidolons are. They aren't supposed to be used as tools of war." she replied, peeking around the half wall to spy on Ifrit.
"That is not why you refuse to heed her advice,"
Rydia turned back slowly and fixed him with a stern gaze, "Your right. I don't want to put her in harms way or make her hurt her friend. They have been through enough and I will not force them into more pain."
She frowned at him and added, "You seem to know me very well for only meeting me a few weeks ago,"
"I have heard much about you and I feel as though we have already met."
The summoner blushed, wondering where he would have heard that much about her. She was skeptical Edge talked about her that much.
"Rydia," Shiva said, more forceful then before.
She sighed and stood, speaking the words to call forth the icy woman.
"You are certain?"
The air shuddered as the glyph of light formed beneath her feet.
"Yes."
Shiva wasted no time attacking the other Eidolon, and Rydia winced as they exchanged blows. Being completely opposite elements made the battle gruesome, and neither of them would give up. They were battling not only physically but also with their wills, using all the powers of the Feymarch to duel.
"Her hold weakens. Prepare your own spell, Rydia."
"You want me to kill him?" she said, shocked.
Shiva sliced Ifrit's chest, "If you believe you can free him, then do so. But if he poses too great a threat to you, then defend yourself. You are more important then any of us, and Ifrit would agree."
She shook her head, hair flipping over her shoulders, "No, I've already broken more laws then I'd ever wanted too. This ends now, and with no more needless pain and death."
Diamond Dust shattered at that moment, sending the fire Eidolon stumbling backwards, crashing through a portion of the outside wall around the castle.
Shiva knelt on the ground, burned and panting, and Rydia released her to the Feymarch before the horror could continue. His target gone, Ifrit growled and started towards them, fire burning what was left of the grass.
She leaned over and plucked an arrow from Izayoi's quiver, although she other woman noticed the action and questioned sharply, "What are you-"
"I need to borrow this," the summoner interrupted, grabbing her bow from her back before she had a chance to move.
The bow was not Rydia's favorite weapon, nor did she claim to be any good with one, but with a target as large as Ifrit, she knew she wouldn't miss.
She loosed the arrow and it hit him in the side of the face, halting his movements and inducing a sharp cry of rage.
"If you were trying to piss him off, it worked!" Edge commented sarcastically, yelling across the small field that separated them.
She ignored him and stepped out into the open, discarding the bow back to its owner.
"Ifrit!" she called again, holding up her hands.
He stopped upon hearing his name, and she smiled, knowing that the dark hold was weakened if he recognized her voice.
"I know you're enraged right now, but you know who I am, don't you?"
He didn't move and she took a step forward, squinting at the fire's heat as she got closer to him.
"High Summoner, are you-"
Edge shushed Zangestu, "Let her, she knows what she's doing."
Rydia appreciated the vote of confidence, but she was still afraid of her former Eidolon. She always had been. Although he was surprisingly gentle, he was still the embodiment of her greatest fear.
"Ifrit, please, I don't want to hurt you, but you have to stop this. Look around, look at the amount of destruction you have caused."
Ifrit did as she asked, his head swiveling around. He let out a whining sound that shook the ground, obviously noticing the damaged.
She licked her lips and took a few more steps forward, standing in front of him and looking up, "Ifrit…come back to me, give me your name again."
The formerly frightening monster cried out in remorse and crashed to his knees, the flames along his spine slowly dying down.
She breathed out and tentatively reached out her hand, laying it on his forehead.
"Oh Ifrit, don't be sad…it wasn't your fault. Are you free of her now?"
He was keening lowly, deep in his throat, but he nodded his head to her question.
Rydia smiled, "Good, then, will you allow me to summon you once again?"
He nodded again and moaned quietly, "I am sorry, Rydia…"
"I know, it's alright."
She felt him give over his life to her again and she released him back to the Feymarch, knowing that the others there would welcome him and make the last few weeks easier to bare.
"Tell them I'm sorry too?" Ifrit asked timidly from the magical realm.
She smiled, "Of course."
Glancing over her shoulder, she scowled at Edge, "Right after I lecture him about being an idiot."
Everyone was burned and exhausted, and Rydia took pity on them and for that reason alone said nothing as they made their way back towards the throne room.
The fires had been doused when Ifrit left the world, and now that everything was quiet once more, people were coming out and already commenting on the damage.
She tried not to take it personally, but it still stung to hear her sweet Eidolons described as 'monster'.
Upon entering the throne room, it was empty, which led Izayoi to ask, "Where is seneschal?"
"Probably off pestering someone," Edge muttered, rolling his eyes.
He glanced at Rydia and sighed at the look on her face.
"Go ahead, say it."
She spun around, "You're an idiot."
"And the rest of it…" he said, waving a hand in a 'keep going' motion.
She glared at him, "You could have gotten yourself killed! What is wrong with you? Did you learn nothing last time you did something like this? Do you have a death wish to die by fire because trust me, if you do, I can help you out."
He sighed, "I know, I know, but in my defense, I wasn't doing it to be selfish this time. I was doing it to keep everyone safe."
She rolled her eyes and he frowned, "Which reminds me, I'm pretty sure I told you to stay in here,"
Rydia propped her hands on her hips, "I don't have to listen to you, I'm not one of your ninja spies!"
"Yeah, that reminds me too," he said, turning to look at the Eblan four who were trying to look inconspicuous in one of the corners of the room, "I know I told you to stay here."
Tsukinowa winced and Gekkou nodded solemnly, "Yes, you did. However, you also told us to watch over the High Summoner, and she decided to leave this room and put herself in danger. We were doing what you asked."
Edge's expression was a strange mixture of frustration and pride that Rydia found extremely amusing.
He turned back to her, "Loop hole?"
"Yes," she said smugly, crossing her arms once again, "you left me no choice."
He sighed again and Izayoi frowned, "You should let me heal you."
"I'm not that hurt."
"I agree with Izayoi." Rydia said, the words leaving a bad taste in her mouth.
Edge crossed his arms, "Great, now you guys can gang up on me."
Tsukinowa grinned and Zangestu snickered slightly but they both didn't dare say anything.
"Sit," Izayoi ordered in her 'bossy' tone.
He shook his head, "Only if Rydia agrees to get healed as well."
"I'm not that hurt," she protested, clasping her hands behind her back.
Gekkou gestured to her hands, "Didn't you get burned on the door?"
She glared at him, "Whose side are you on, anyway?"
"I don't want to have to pick sides," Tsukinowa mumbled.
Edge looked pleased with himself but she glared at him, "Fine, you win. I'll get healed too but you go first."
"Fine."
Izayoi rolled her eyes at both of them.
Rydia was relieved he had listened, but unprepared for him to causally take his shirt off and haplessly toss it on the floor before sitting in his throne and crossing his arms looking terribly put out.
No one else seemed surprised by this behavior and she had to wonder if they were all used to it. Izayoi sat on the arm of the throne and poked his arm once, making him glare at her, before she turned back, "Tsukinowa, fetch some ointment."
"You didn't say please," the boy said sarcastically.
Rydia tried not to snicker at his attitude, and the woman narrowed her eyes, "Please."
He grinned and scurried to the door, returning remarkably fast, arms bundled full of supplies, "I got you some other stuff, too."
He deposited the goods at her feet and then added, "Oh, and code red; the seneschal is about two minutes away from coming in here.
Edge groaned, "Great,"
Izayoi snorted, "I feel no sympathy for you. By the way, this will hurt."
She didn't give him any time to prepare and just pressed a cloth on top of one of the nastier burns.
"Damn," he hissed, glaring at her.
She looked unmoved.
"Your young highness!"
Rydia turned towards the door and saw the seneschal running in, managing to look both worried and relieved at the same time.
But after he realized his king was fine, his expression changed to annoyance, "I see you managed to nearly get yourself killed,"
"I don't need another sermon, Rydia already beat you too it." he complained, wincing while Izayoi continued to poke around.
With a sigh, the old man sat down on one of the stairs, "Well good, I could use a day off. Maybe the High Summoner can stay here and I can retire."
"Only if you all stop calling me that," she gripped, crossing her arms.
"You are alright, aren't you?" the seneschal asked, glancing at him.
Edge glared at Izayoi, "I actually felt better before she started working on me. Where's a white mage when you need one?"
"Stop whining," the dark haired woman scolded, "I will use the healing spells I know, but I shouldn't have to explain that they aren't a cure all."
Rydia had always second guessed her choice to discard her white magic and keep her black, and most days she was content with her decision. But when she saw someone in pain, there was a strong urge to help them, and that made her regret not being able to through magic.
Regardless, something about Izayoi being in charge of healing Edge bothered her. It could have been because she didn't look very gentle, but something told the summoner it was something else entirely even if she couldn't put her finger on what.
"And you, are you alright?"
It took her a minute to realize the question was directed at her, and she looked up and blinked, "Me? Oh, I'm fine…"
Old man seneschal had been the one asking, and he didn't look like he believed her, "You should allow Izayoi to-"
"I'm fine." she interrupted, a little sharper then she meant too.
Rydia justified it that she was still feeling out of sorts from the Inferno spell and so rubbed a hand across her forehead, trying to ignore the burns on her fingertips.
"You are stubborn, just like someone else I know," the old man said, coming to stand in front of her.
He pried her hand down and opened the fingers, making the skin stretch painfully.
He frowned at her and she looked away, feeling a little guilty and sheepish.
The ointment stung at first, and she hissed, but afterwards it soothed the burn and she relaxed, watching the seneschal rub the oil over her palm and fingers.
"Thank you."
He smiled a little, "Your welcome. I suspect my king wouldn't be very pleased should something happen to you."
She gave him a puzzled look and he just chuckled, "Never mind, High Summoner."
After her hands had been treated he handed her the half empty bottle, "I'm sure you have burns elsewhere, but unlike some people," here he glared over his shoulder at Edge, "you know that there is a place for that kind of thing."
"It's my castle, I should be allowed to do whatever I want."
The seneschal rolled his eyes, "I don't feel like trying to set you straight today."
Izayoi stood and put one hand on her hip, "I can tell you're faking, something else is bothering you, what is it?"
Edge just shrugged, "I'm fine, it's nothing."
"His ribs," Rydia called.
Izayoi frowned and sat back down, forcefully moving his arm out of the way. The king glared at her, "Thanks a lot,"
"Your welcome."
Tsukinowa snickered, "Maybe she does need to stay here."
"It would make our lives easier," Gekkou agreed.
The summoner giggled, but still found herself annoyed by Izayoi, and by the fact that she couldn't place her finger on what this feeling was.
She couldn't sleep.
Rydia had been tossing and turning for over an hour and she was still no closer to falling asleep then before. She simply couldn't, not with her heart still racing from earlier.
She sat up and sighed, rubbing her hands up and down her arms for a moment.
Never had she felt magic like that before, and she had spent her life surrounded by it, studying it, casting it.
But this felt different, this was extremely powerful and wild yet, at the same time, tranquil and orderly.
Mind made up she slipped out of bed and threw a cloak over her shoulders, thinking that a walk might calm her down enough to rest.
The walk did not soothe her since the castle was in desperate need of decorations that weren't gloomy. Like potted plants, or candle sticks.
Rydia shrugged and continued on her way, mind still whirling about Inferno and wondering if other magic would mix as well as those two did. It wasn't completely unrealistic, as some ancient sages suggested the use of different magic to create new spells. Granted, the theories were found to be lacking and no one ever thought much of them.
"Rydia?"
She gotten so used to Edge materializing out of what appeared to be thin air that she no longer jumped when it happened. Instead she just turned and brushed some hair out of her face while explaining, "I couldn't sleep,"
"Me either," he admitted, coming to stand next to her.
She peered at him and saw the same restless look on his face that she was currently feeling.
"Magic," she whispered.
He nodded, "Magic."
They both broke into smiles and Rydia breathed out, "I've never felt anything like that before. Do you…feel agitated? I feel drunk."
"Agitated?" he asked, eyeing her.
She nodded and rubbed her arms again, "Yes, I'm light headed and almost feverish…I've never felt this way using magic before. I almost feel as though my blood is burning."
He was frowning, and she tipped her head to the side, "What about you? Are you anxious too?"
"No, and that's what bothers me." he mumbled, looking away at one of the shadowed hallways. "Magic is not supposed to mix."
"But it did," she insisted, confused as too why he seemed so unnerved by that fact.
Edge sighed, "Yes, but I think we somehow…reversed our magic. You feel feverish and me? I'm uneasy because I can't feel anything. Is that what black magic is supposed to be like? So…detached?"
She paused to think, "Well, I guess so…I'm not a black mage, though. I'm a summoner and because of that I feel the Feymarch at all times. But yes, normal black magic is dormant, you don't really feel it until you call it forth."
She blinked, "Wait, reversed? Is this what you feel like after you cast a spell?"
He looked sheepish and she shivered, "How can you stand it?"
"How can you?" he replied, "To not feel magic? How do you even know it's there?"
She didn't have a good answer for that and he eyed her again, "You're actually doing really well, considering. It takes years to get used to it."
"I thank the Eidolons," she said, shrugging, "I feel something similar when I summon them."
They both stared at each other and Rydia suddenly felt like she knew him better then she had before, even if the thought surprised her. They'd been friends for years, and in that time she'd told him things that she was hesitant to share with others and she was pretty sure that he had told her things he wasn't supposed too.
He'd once told her, after she'd pestered him for details, that the base difference between their magic was that she cast it and he used it. She had never really understood what he meant.
But after today, after having their magic unite into something entirely new, she felt closer to him and finally comprehended the difference.
Edge suddenly grasp her hand, "Come on, there's something I want to show you."
She followed him down a corridor she had never been allowed to go down before on her few visits. It irritated her that she wasn't able to walk freely in Eblan like everywhere else, but tonight it didn't matter because she was with Edge.
They came to a door and he opened it for her, finally releasing her hand.
Rydia's eyes widened in excitement, "Oh wow!"
The room was a library, not huge or even grand but still containing shelves of books. She walked over to the nearest and let her fingertips brush over the books as she went, impressed by the collection. Some looked as old as the books in the Feymarch while others seemed brand new. She found the contrast interesting and as if reading her thoughts, Edge mentioned, "A lot of books were lost in the fire, but we found quite a few. More then I thought we would, anyway."
She looked over her shoulder at him, hand still in contact with the shelf as she watched him search the very top.
"Including, this one." he said, using the bottom shelf as leverage to reach the top and pull one free.
He held it out to her and she took it reverently, realizing the age of the book as she held it in her hands.
"How old is this?" she asked, carefully opening the cover and tilting the book towards the moonlight streaming through a window in the back of the room.
"Old," Edge replied, chuckling.
Her eyes scanned over the page and she blinked before looking back up at him, "These are spells,"
He nodded and she took a deep breath, "Old spells…some of these symbols are from before the forbidden spells were sealed…"
She walked slowly towards a table, all the while studying the pages as she went. Ancient text always enthralled her, and this was no different, even if she couldn't understand half of it.
She laid the book on the table top and flipped another page, "Can you read these?" she asked.
It took him a minute to answer, "Not really. Some of it, but I'm not very good with the ancient language. I actually thought you might be able too."
Rydia shook her head and kept reading, "No, I know ancient Mysidian and summoner's script, but not this."
Edge stood by her side and rested his chin on her shoulder. He was doing it on purpose to annoy her, but she chose to ignore him and keep looking through the book.
Finally he reached around her and batted her hand away, to which she made an indignant sound, and skipped towards the end of the book.
"This is what I wanted to show you," he said, pointing at the page.
Rydia's eyes widened again, and she leaned forward, letting the light catch the page and reflect off a glorious painting of something familiar.
She blinked a few times and turned her head, "This is…"
"An Eidolon?" Edge replied, smiling at her.
She nodded and looked back, "I don't believe it!"
Her fingers traced over the words underneath the picture; a picture of a beautiful flaming bird.
"This is summoner's writing," she whispered, still surprised.
He finally moved away from her and took up a position leaving against nearest bookshelf. "I know, I can't read it. But, I know what it looks like, so I thought maybe you could."
She smiled slowly and he added, "Assuming of course you can tell me without having to kill me afterwards,"
Rydia giggled and rolled her eyes at him, "I trust you, you know that. Besides, as High Summoner and last summoner, I make the rules now."
She returned her attention to the page and read, "Light of life and herald of rebirth, high Eidolon Phoenix, the undying."
"Ring any bells?"
She sighed, "If I recall, Phoenix is a lost Eidolon, one that hasn't been heard from since before the new age of magic, when summoners still fought in wars, before we cloistered ourselves away. Apparently, it was both an Eidolon of destruction and rebirth…"
Rydia glanced up, eyes falling on a tapestry attached to the wall, before looking back to the book, frowning.
"Wait…" she whispered, walking over, the book in hand, and getting a closer look at the decoration. The wall-hanging showed the same image of a flaming bird, wings opened wide, embroidered in gold thread. Rydia looked over her shoulder, shocked, "Did you know about this?"
"Just tonight," Edge replied, looking amused by her reaction, "I couldn't sleep, remember?"
She laughed a little, "Amazing! To think…Eblan must have had a summoner back then…either that or they extracted the Eidolon from a summoner. That happened a lot back in those days, too."
"I like the first option better, even if I'm sure she wasn't nearly as talented or beautiful as you."
Rydia snorted and didn't bother facing him, "You already know flattery won't get you anywhere,"
"It's not flattery if it's true." he replied.
She rolled her eyes.
"I wonder what else is in this library…" Rydia said aloud, letting her fingers brush the painting of Phoenix one last time.
Edge took the book from her hands and she frowned at him, annoyed. He just grinned at her and added, "If that was a hint that you want access to this room, then consider it granted."
She blinked as he walked away and replaced the book on the top shelf, although it took more then one attempt.
"Really?" she asked, dubious.
He shrugged, "Sure, just don't tell the king. I hear he's a jerk."
Rydia chuckled lightly, "I don't know about that, but he is annoying."
Her eyes skimmed the other books in the room, trying to make out titles and wondering if any others showed the ties between summoners and the rest of the world. Most books from that era were gone; she knew because she'd already searched for them in other kingdoms. Even the Feymarch had limited records which was why there were still a number of Eidolons lost from that time that were never found. It was even possible that Phoenix could still be here, on these grounds, somewhere.
"Access, Rydia, but not tonight." Edge said, interrupting her thoughts. "Tonight you need to sleep."
"I don't know if I can," she complained, moving towards the door regardless, "I'm too anxious."
"We're no good if we aren't rested." he countered. "Besides, I think that whatever that spell did is wearing off. I do feel slightly back to normal."
She frowned, knowing he was right and hating it but complying anyway and exiting the library, casting one last look back.
Author's Note: Oh my gosh this is so LONG. And another battle scene? What was I thinking? I hate writing battle scenes...
Okay, explaination time for anyone who cares; I noticed while I was watching some YouTube videos all the tapestries in Eblan have Phoenix on them, not to mention that overly long titled Band (That seems more trouble then it's worth,) and I thought, "huh, that's a summon in other games" Thus, the aboe scene. It wasn't even in the story orignally, but I added it anyway.
And the Eblan Four bother me. They are glorifed cannonfolder. They have no back stories, shallow (at best) personalities and really have no reason to be included in this game as far as I can tell. I feel sorry for them because of this. I have fixed this in my own mnd and given them back stories and characters. Granted, I'm not covering all of that here because this doesn't need to be any longer, but I hope I've at least put something a little better in here for them. Thank goodness for copy and paste...I still can't spell 'Tsukinowa' without it, and I'll be darned if I try to say it out loud...
There is a 3rd and final part to this. Stay tuned!