Chapter Four

M i k o t o

A light, summer rain began sifting from scudding grey clouds as Blank entered the dense forest. His surroundings became alive with a chorus of pitter-patter. Drops slid down leaves and wet the thirsty undergrowth beneath, including Blank.

He sighed and adjusted his bandana just enough so he could peer with distaste at the sopping balcony above. He'd never been one for rain. It seemed the gods were out to spite him, today.

The red head began the long, tiresome journey through the woods. He had mentally logged away the instructions Garnet had given him before departing on how to locate the infamous Black Mage Village. Something to do with owls… flying away, or something. After a few wrong turns he got the gist of it and was soon well on his way to the little village.

He encountered a few enemies, but none were a match for his strength and wit. Despite slicing through them with minimal effort, he was grateful nonetheless when he spotted a plume of smoke spiralling lazily into the grey sky.

He entered the village, an eyebrow cocked with mild appreciation. How anyone could draw together enough organisation and skill to maintain a prosperous village such as this in the middle of a forest was lost to him. And yet somehow these… mages had succeeded.

A genome appeared from a house, and for a disorientating moment he thought it was Zidane. But no. This one's face was too narrow, his eyes too far apart and the hair a lighter shade of blonde. The difference was subtle, but Blank could easily pick his Tantalus brother from a crowd.

The genome stared at Blank with a slight dash of curiosity settling hesitantly upon his features. He approached him, unperturbed by the rain, it seemed, and nodded in greeting.

"Um hi," Blank began slowly. "Mikoto around? I got a message for her. From Zidane."

For a second the red head thought the genome would not respond, but then he nodded slowly and said, "Ah, Zidane. Yes. Mikoto is by the inn." A pause. "Do you know where that is?"

Blank shook his head.

"It is by the moving waters," the genome explained vaguely. "The waters that run beneath the wooden street that stands on sticks."

Blank blinked. "You mean a bridge?"

The genome's eyes lit up. "Yes. Yes. A bridge. Bridge. I had forgotten, is all. She will be there."

"Thanks."

These kids definitely weren't like Zidane - and thank the gods for it!

He followed the 'moving waters' and, true to the genome's word, found the emotionless chick standing on the bridge, gazing into the churning depths below. Upon spotting Blank, who was soaked to the skin with red hair flattened to his forehead, she raised a nonchalant brow but said nothing.

"Hiya," the thief greeted warmly. "Alright? Remember me?"

"Vaguely. You were one of the strange ones that collected Zidane from the Iifa Tree, correct?"

She thinks I'm strange? "Err… yeah. Listen, Garnet sent me here to -"

"You want to talk about Zidane," she intervened smoothly.

"Yeah. He's been -"

"Acting most strangely. Showing symptoms of madness."

"Yeah… how do you -"

"Know? I knew this day would come as soon as Garland died."

"Oh. Will you -"

"Go with you? I suppose I better."

"Actually," Blank said. "I was going to say 'will you let me finish a goddamn sentence, woman'… but I guess you like cracking down to business." He winked and said: "My kinda woman!" But the joke was lost to the oblivious Mikoto.

The genome in question sighed, straightened her pink shirt and brushed away strands of sunshine-blonde hair, then nodded. "We should go, before it's too late. I doubt I'll be able to stop him, but at least I can warn others."

"Warn? What are you talking about?"

She closed the gap between them and Blank took a nervous step back. Clearly this deranged bird hadn't a clue of what the term 'personal space' meant.

"It is best," she said, "that I tell you altogether. It's a long story."

Xxx

Garnet, looking ethereal in a mauve dress and pearl tiara, leaned back into the leather chair, trying to absorb the information.

"Terran souls?" she repeated disbelievingly.

Mikoto nodded. "They've approached me, on occasion, more out of curiosity than anything. But I am of little use to them. Garland made me to take Zidane's place if he died on his mission to destroy Gaia. My powers are dormant until then, and the Terran souls know it."

Garnet nodded slowly. "So… what you're telling me is that… after Garland died and the Iifa tree was destroyed, the self proclaimed 'leader' of the souls is… ordering Zidane to continue the annihilation process?"

"That's right," Mikoto confirmed gravely. "I'm not exactly sure how, though."

"Yeah, what with the Iifa Tree capice," Blank agreed. "But this soul must know a way."

"They need new vessels," Garnet said, clicking her fingers. "You said to me once that the genome's had all developed souls, right? So, the Terran souls probably want Zidane to get them new vessels!"

Mikoto played with the arm of her chair, picking at the intricate woodwork. "Undoubtedly. But how they plan on getting them is beyond me. They'd need people without souls, and as far as I know Gaia is lacking that particular ingredient."

"Well, what about what Kuja did?" Garnet said. "You know… he made his own army of soulless mages. Maybe they want Zidane to do the same?"

"Nah," Blank said. "I'm sure they've figured out by now that Zidane's a tough nut to crack. There's no way they're gonna convince him to repeat what Kuja did."

"You're right," Garnet agreed. "He'd never do it."

A silence enveloped them as they wracked their brains trying to conjure an answer to their riddle. Maids came with refreshments but all were too distracted to drink, let alone eat. The room in which they sat was lined with dusty, leatherback books, and a fire crackled beneath an extravagant mantel. Blank approached this and threw a log on, almost absently.

"What's it like?" Garnet asked suddenly. "I mean, how is it that the souls are able to communicate with you and Zidane?"

"We are Garland's angels of death," Mikoto answered in monotone. "Telepathy was a unique Terran faculty that Garland installed within the genomes too. It seems the souls have not lost that ability."

"Would explain why he's talkin' to himself," Blank said.

"He's speaking to the souls!" Garnet balled her hands into fists. "They're telling him to get vessels! Oh, Zid, why didn't you say anything?"

Blank sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You know him. Too gods damn courageous to trouble anyone with his problems. Probably thinks he can sort it out himself."

"What should we do?" Garnet cried despairingly. "Surely the constant onslaught of voices will drive him mad?"

"It will," Mikoto said. "Undoubtedly. But there's nothing we can do. Now the souls are awake they will not rest until they can live again."

"No! There must be a way!"

"There is not."

"Mikoto, please, you must know something! We have to do something to save him," Garnet pleaded. "There must be a way to send them back to sleep, to kill them, even give them what they want!"

"If they get what they want then Gaia will become Terra," Mikoto said sharply. "Garland's plan will be realized, and Zidane will become his angel of death."

Garnet sank further into her chair, defeated, thinking of her love's slipping sanity.

Xxxx

"You're driving me insane."

(you are so stubborn, kami)

"So are you."

(you will change your mind)

"Never."

(we will make you)

"Never."

(you cannot abandon your people)

"You're not my people. You're Terrans."

(you are Terran)

"I am Gaian."

(no)

It was impossible for him to sleep with Murmur whispering in his head. Within the last few days Zidane's mind was constantly abuzz with the soul's urges, desires and protests. Nothing he said would make Murmur leave, and Zidane was tired, mentally and physically. His arguing was all but futile and his resistance was wearing thin. He had found himself, on occasion, actually considering ways to get them vessels, just so he could have a piece of mind. His mind.

"Let me sleep."

(you sleep too much. Garland should have created you minus these faults)

"Everyone needs sleep."

(I should have been in charge of the genome programme)

Zidane's grin was wide beneath the white sheets of his bed. "Oh ho? What's this? A trace of bitterness in your voice, Murmur? An actual trace of a bloody personality? Dear gods, don't stop on my behalf, please! Anything's better than your constant arguing."

(you are the one arguing, kami, not I)

"Whatever."

Realising he was going to get little sleep with Murmur's incessant ramblings echoing in his mind, Zidane got out of bed, dressed, and went in search of Garnet, of whom he had seen little the past few days.

He had been hurt to find that she slept in a separate bed to him. Upon discovering this, he had begged her to consider otherwise, swore on his Tantalus honour ('even thieves have honour,' he protested when she questioned this) that he would keep his hands to himself because being close to her was enough (though being close to her drove him wild) and he would keep every item of clothing on if she wanted it.

But alas, she would have none of it. She blushed violently and had the servants prepare his bed in a room adjacent to hers which, oh joys of joys, left him alone with Murmur day and night.

Zidane strode down the endless hallways, stopping to inquire of Garnet's whereabouts now and then, and eventually located where she was.

(any of these Gaian's will do, kami), Murmur whispered in his mind.

What? But they've all got souls!

(that doesn't matter)

That's not what you've been bloody telling me the last few days! If I doesn't matter then why don't you just take them?

(you misunderstand, kami. they must be cleansed)

Cleansed?

(by you)

Damn you, Murmur. Speak in fucking Gaian for once!

(listen well, kami. I shall tell you how to get us vessels. you must-)

"Zidane!"

Torn from his (and Murmur's) thoughts, Zidane looked down a narrow stairwell and spotted not only Garnet, but Blank and Mikoto, seated in Queen Brahne's private library.

"Hey guys," he shouted down. "What are y'all doin' in here?"

He was genuinely vexed. His Tantalus brother, his love and his sister in a room that was barely used. Their awkward pause and downcast expressions did nothing to quell his suspicious unease.

"Mikoto's visiting," Garnet said. "I sent one of the servants up to wake you… did they not come?"

Zidane shook his head, settling in a spare chair. He was no fool, clearly this assembly had something to do with him. The awkwardness hung in the air as obvious as Mist.

"Na, I guess I was snoring too loudly."

"I'll second that," Blank remarked.

Zidane's eyes rested on his sister, who returned his stare openly.

"Hi there, Mikoto," he chirped. "Long time no see, how've you been?"

(the third angel. She is useless to us for she -)

Not now!

"I am well."

"Good, good."

Do you… think she knows about the souls being awake?

(yes)

Damn. Does she know about you speaking to me?

(No. But it is highly probable that that it the reason why she is here. She is no use to us because she does not have -)

I know, I know. Shit. I guess she's told them.

(Highly likely though it is irrelevant to who knows. Soon all of Gaia will succumb to Terra's red light)

Geez, give it a rest would ya?

Suddenly realising that he must have been strangely silent for some time, Zidane yawned and stretched dramatically. "Man, I'm still pretty tired. Gotta stop takin' those daytime naps."

An uncomfortable pause. Zidane resisted the urge to scream out his problems to the world; it was clear they already knew. But for some reason… he held it back.

Blank started light conversation that Zidane picked up easily. Improvisation. Acting.

Garnet stared between the two in bemusement. She felt so frustrated, she wanted to scream and shout at Zidane for being so selfish, to beg him just to tell her everything. She wanted to make

everything go away for him, after everything he'd been through she just wanted him to be happy. No matter the cost. He deserved that more than anyone.

Subconsciously, Garnet's hand strayed to her chest and clutched empty air; the place where her pendant once hung. It was both a physical and emotional emptiness that weighed on her heart and mind despite Zidane's return. Her pendant was once both a negative and positive manifestation of her personality, and despite being glad that she had finally parted with it, she missed the old summoning jewel's comforting weight sorely.

Summoning jewel.

Summoning.

Garnet's eyes were wide as a possible realisation dawned. She gripped air with one hand, the chair arm with the other and took a sharp intake of breath.

Was it possible? Even if it was, could she do it? Would she gain anything from it?

Garnet abruptly stood and excused herself from the room, oblivious to the curious looks following her wake. She glided up the stairwell but once out of sight all dignity was lost. She raised the hem of her lilac dress and ran as fast as her dainty shoes would let her to the main library.

The corner she sought after was dusty and dark, despite the meticulous upkeep of the library. The books there were heavy, crumbling things, with pages stained by time and leather backs worn away and clinging with an increasingly tenuous grip to the spine.

Garnet dropped to her knees, distractedly pushing her braided her behind her shoulders. She scanned the bookshelf frantically and sighed in relief when she spotted the one she wanted. She had feared the librarians would have discarded it due to its withered state; it could be older than Alexandria itself.

Carefully, she slid the old book from its perch and blew dust from the cover. After checking she was alone, she gently peeled open the front and ran a fingernail along the list of contents.

There it was, just like she'd remembered.

Garnet smiled to herself, suddenly feeling not so helpless, and read the chapter title with delight.

'The Summoning Of Spirits'

Xxxx

Later that day, when the sky was tinged purple around the edges and the first stars winked in its midst, Zidane joined his sister on the turret of the castle.

He had found her by accident as he ascended the tower in an attempt to clear his head, but he was suddenly glad for company other than Murmur, and glad to get Mikoto alone.

"Hey, Mik," he greeted warmly, and stood beside her.

She was leaning somewhat precariously over the edge, staring expressionlessly down at the dizzying drop. She did not return his greeting but simply stated: "There are souls in your mind."

Zidane leaned against the cool stone, arms crossed, leg propped against the wall, and stared at the flags, lying limp in the breezeless night. He recalled with faint fondness the night he and Garnet had leapt from this tower, holding onto the string of flags for dear life. How long ago it all seemed now.

"Yeah," he replied finally. "I guessed you'd know."

"They came to me too, briefly," she told him. "But I am of no use to them. It's you they want, Zidane."

"I figured."

"What do they want?"

"You don't know?"

"…I have an idea."

"Go on."

"They… they want vessels, correct?"

"Bingo."

"But there aren't any."

"Right again!"

"So they need you to get some."

"You're good at this."

Mikoto turned to give him a long, steady stare. "You're not taking this seriously, Zidane."

He huffed and returned her gaze. "Sorry. It's just… sometimes I feel like… I'm going mad, y'know? It's tough having voices in your head and trying to… keep it from the people you love."

"They know."

He scratched the back of his head. "Damn."

"How do they want you to get the vessels?" Mikoto asked.

He shrugged. "Dunno. They just keep telling' me over and over to get 'em. Said I've got to become the 'reaper' or something."

Mikoto stared at the horizon, painted a vibrant orange by the setting sun. "Sounds ominous. I'll ponder it."

"Thanks," Zidane drawled, a little sarcastically. Then something occurred to him, and he recalled his time in Oeilvert, where he encountered a language only he could read. "Hey, Mik. Did Terra have its own language?"

Mikoto raised an eyebrow. "Yes. You should know that. It is what you and I communicate in when we speak telepathically."

Zidane grinned. "Didn't realise. So um… they have different terms from us - er - Gaian's, right?"

"Yes."

"What does 'kami' mean?"

Mikoto turned to look at him, her face a mask of shifting shadows in the dying light. "Why do you want to know that?"

"It's… it's what the souls have been calling me…"

Mikoto's expression altered slightly. "Zidane," she said. "They've been calling you 'God.'"

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