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Kohlingen was one of many town that managed to survive the apocalypse. Where Kefka quite literally ended the world as everyone knew when he distorted the balance of the Warring Triad. Taking the vast amount of their power for his own. Those that were not even aware of what was going on between the Returners, Kefka, and the Empire that fateful day one year ago. The tower in the center of the world that literally named after him and his ability to rain down pain (well more pain consider the state of the world) and suffering. Everyone learn pretty quickly about him and his new acquired powers.

With the town's pub was Setzer who also managed survive the destruction of his beloved Blackjack. However because the ship was destroyed it felt at time like he had died or at least a piece of him had did all with. Thus the entire year since after recovering from the mere fall, the gambler has been in stupor spending all his time within the pub. Just how he managed to get the constant stream of money to continuing doing so when he biggest money making was in pieces. That was something that puzzle people at first however he was not called the gambler for no reason. So that how he pretty much made some cash off various people.

Though there was also house on the northern edge of the town where people just tended to avoid. Back when before the world had ended lived an old man that was well known herbologist . Rumors were going around that he was keeping a dead body in his basement. This was mostly the case because he was always getting herbs, the kind that were needed for preserving things. Also the troublemaker known as Locke was seen entering the house from time to time. After the Empire attacked and killed a large number of people, among them being Rachel and her family.

So they managed to put two and two together as Rachel's body was never really found when came time to perform the last rights for those that had died. Thus many thought that Rachel's body was being persevered in that house on the northern edge of town. No one got close to the house or even dare question why the two were trying the impossible. If they were crazy enough to think that the dead could be revived then who know what they capable of should someone try getting in their way.

However the herbologist seem to have changed after the world was destroyed. They were no longer talkative as it was not like he overly talkative though to begin with though. The herbologist would usually try to strum up some kind of small talk. This was not the case anymore, as just three months after he simply came to get the herbs and nothing more. They did not say anything to anyone nor did they stop to acknowledge anyone they past by. Even if the herbologist bumped into someone they just kept going not even stopping. When someone did try and stop them the result was them being violently shook off. Once they disappeared into the house no ever saw the herbologist again until they ventured out for more herbs.

'Great Setzer still trying to drink away his problems' Locke thought with disappointing sigh after arrived in town and saw the man still in the pub.

'No time to think about him though as I finally managed to find the legendary esper, Phoenix. It was strange that only way to find it would be after the world itself was destroyed' the self proclaimed treasure hunter said with slight laugh.

Of course other then Setzer no really talked to him as not only were they pissed at what happened to Rachel was his fault but they also blamed him for the world's current state. Claiming that if him and his group did not try so hard to stop the Empire. The world would not be in the state it is in now, completely forgetting the fact that the Empire once came here to kill them.

No matter he had finally got what he had been searching for so adamantly for the last year, thus at least one his goals would be met today. It was rather tough getting as he had to pay a fortune to Shadow to make him hand over the prize. Though with it in hand despite seeming damaged he was such it would work, then with this out the way he focus solely on his other goal.

It was rather strange that the herbologist was not home as he was always was here as he did not really seem to have anywhere else to go. Not that anyone really had anywhere else to go with the way the world was now at least. Making his way to the basement there was Rachel's body was. She was lying in the bed like she had since the day he dropped her off here.

He was about to place the Phoenix on Rachel's body when he felt strange chill in the air for a moment. Turning he saw that there was no one around yet he could swore he earn a voice that sounding like the old herbologist . Blinking once he then looked around to again to see the herbologist just standing there motioning him to get on with it.

Well the that he did as all his hard work was finally going to pay off today. Placing the esper on his dead love, her eyes opened as the legendary creature did as the legend said it had brought her back to live.

Rachel then looked at Locke after looking at herself. She had feeling something like this would have happened when she died. She had lost her memories and thus at the time never spoke out against her parents. Despite in her heart knowing that he was someone important to her yet ignoring it. Something she came to regret as her memories came rushing back right before her death.

Though feeling that something was wrong as maybe it was the fact that the Phoenix esper was cracked or this glooming feeling she could place. However she just had to got this out as Locke had to know this so that he would continue on as she guess he had.

Locke listen to me there something I need to tell you the purple hair girl started

This confused her love as he certain the esper had done it job so why did she seem like they had little time

"I have to go now... ...But thank you so much for all the happiness you've given me... Please, let go of chains that bind your heart... I release you... Give your love to the one who now dwells in your heart... Love her...as you loved me... Phoenix... Be reborn! And give your power…" Rachel said however when she what she thought would be her final word she began holding her chest.

"Rachel…RACHEL! What's wrong" Locke asked very worried.

Looking he saw the esper that entered her body come out again yet rather then being cracked. It was whole again yet there was something else off about it. It was not the typical color of magicite when was green with red center. No this was color of flame with the center being purple.

When he tried to get close Rachel pushed him away with shocking force.

"Stay back!" his first love yelled

He could the esper apparently melting and starting to cover her body. It was how it was doing so that was what really worried him as it was sight he wanted to forget yet never could. Her torso was becoming a metallic cream color. Her arms and legs were now taking on the color flames while her head was three separate colors. Her mouth which was now just mouth plate was cream color while everything above where her nose once was had become flame color. Her purple hair had become wires yet maintained the appearance of hair. Her eyes just became two purple orbs that stared emotionless at him.

Turning around after bumping into something he saw that the herbologist was not here anymore but someone else instead. It was none other then Ice who looking down at him with similar emotionless gaze.
Ignoring him entirely she walked over to where the formerly Rachel was standing and the two of them just stood there for moment. That was only until Fire just teleported into the basement and dropped something at Locke's feet.

It was the body of the herbologist …the real herbologist who had been dead for over a year now according to the timer that was stapled to their chest. In shock Locke looked up from the old man's body to see that Ice's form shifted to that of the herbologist as apparently she was able to assume other forms.
Shortly after this the three of them disappeared along with Fire just leaving Locke there alone. Alone and having lost all three of the ladies in his life. Rachel, Celes, and to some extent Terra were all out of his reach now and no more then just robotic slaves to Kefka.

Setzer got some company later that day as Locke joined in his drinking stupor to the point where he out drank him
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At Kefka's Tower….

The isane clown looked over his latest Slave Armor as he knew that Locke might eventually find the Phoenix esper and knowing it was cracked. He had feeling that Rachel would try to repair if possible so it could lend Locke its power. So he had Ice go and kill the herbologist then inject nanobots via an injection needle to the heart. No extreme method like when he had Fire go to collect Sketch.

"Hmmm…I guess since you are the Phoenix esper merged with the thief's first love. I call you Nix for now" he said.

"As you command Master Palazzo" the newly dubbed Nix replied.