Disclaimer- I don't own any of the Final Fantasy characters in this story.

Author's notes: OK, I'm afraid it's good news/bad news time.

The good news is that my review show is going better than I anticipated. I have a Facebook page dedicated to it (Link in my profile, feel free to join), and I've submitted it to TGWTG for further views, and (if I'm EXTREMELY lucky), consideration for publication on their site. The Green Lantern is out, and my next reviews of The Relic and The Last Song look like they're going to be really good as well!

Now, for the bad news. As some of you already know, I work for the United States Federal Government (that's right, I'm a Fed!). Sadly, the idiots in congress can't do their jobs right, and as such, I'm currently working without a paycheck and no guarantee that they'll come through with back pay (and even if they do, I'll be taxed more for it). As such, I've decided to take a month off from Shattered Mind so I can work on my show more. But rest assured, THIS IS IN NO WAY GOING TO STOP ME FROM CONTINUING SHATTERED MIND. I just need to work on some more episodes, hopefully to help elevate me as a reviewer so I can take that on as a real side job. And nothing will stop me from giving you guys an absolutely kick ass chapter for December, since that's SHATTERED MIND'S 7TH ANNIVERSARY! XD

I'll try to have a special something set up for you guys by then, possibly through my show. In the meantime though, have fun with this month's chapter! :D

Also, I'm sorry this chapter was late. I just got really sick for the last few days and wasn't feeling anything creatively. XP

Chapter 4: Identity Shattered.

XXXXXXXX

The halftime show was a military tattoo, playing as the noonday sun shined overhead. 32 fighters had been reduced to only 8, and the quarterfinals were set to begin after we had all been given a short chance to rest. Freya, Amarant and I had finished our fights quickly and easily. Freya and I weren't in the mood to screw around with any untalented hacks who were fighting way out of their leagues. Amarant was just going along for the ride, though he understood our frustrations.

Seki's loss still pissed me off. After that Kashiim guy tossed her aside, he strolled back into the bloodworks, even before he had been declared the winner. Seki had been healed and was kicked out of the tournament. Embarrassed and ashamed, she hadn't gone to join the others in the stands yet. My guess was that she was sulking by herself either in the festival or on the ship. The results of her fight had been within the tournament rules, but that didn't make it any better.

"Trevor!"

I was pulled out of my thoughts and saw Freya standing at my side.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yeah, just watching the show," I said, as the Knights of Pluto demonstrated their formations. These guys had very few talents. Syncing their formation was not one of them. Individually, they were fine, but the point of the tattoo was to show the collected strength and teamwork of the troops. As a team, they were sloppy and discoordinated. Steiner was turning red just watching from the booth. It looked like it took all his willpower not to yell down at them in front of the entire kingdom.

"The Knights of Pluto everyone!" the barker came in. It looked like he had interrupted their routine, but the knights took it in stride, waving to the crowd as everyone clapped half-heartedly. "And next, from Lindblum, the Gunslinger Corps!"

"Hey, I'm upset too," Freya said. "But you can't let that cloud your judgment."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Seki underestimated her opponent. It happens. Just don't take it out on everyone around you."

"I haven't snapped yet, have I?"

"You cut your last opponent's sword in half and threatened to do the same to him."

"Verbal threats aren't against the rules."

Freya sighed. "Just stay focused until your next fight. If you're going to take your aggression out on anyone, let it out against him."

I scanned the room as the show outside reached a crescendo. My next fight was against Kashiim Ordell, the asshole who beat Seki. He stayed by himself in the back of the bloodworks. So far, he hadn't even been touched. No one had come close to hitting him. That would end with me. I frowned as I stared at him, and even though I couldn't see his eyes through his heavy cloak, I could have sworn he was staring me down too.

The rest of the tattoo concluded with a show by the Dragon Knights in a battle formation very similar to the dance Freya did at Cleyra, and two more shows by the Alexandria Army, a formations display and a performance by the military marching band. It was an impressive display by everyone, but I wasn't really in the mood to enjoy it.

The tournament was full of shows and surprises. Even Tantalus put on a performance of Lord Avon's short plays after the first round of bouts, with a second performance planned for after the semifinals. Same as the tattoo, I wasn't in the right mood to enjoy it, but it was good to know Dagger and Zidane were putting their all into this tournament.

The fights began again when the military cleared the arena. The barker called, "Amarant Coral and Milo Woodharp!" to the center. Amarant sighed and picked himself up from the floor, having missed the halftime show, preferring to rest instead. His opponent was a small man in a red cloak with matching steeple-crowned hat. He was a red mage, and a good one too, focusing on offense, but bolstering his defense with spells like Protect and Shell. He was small, but definitely not weak.

Amarant flexed his shoulders as he walked outside. Little Milo brought out a staff with a red gem at the tip. The staff stood a few inches taller than he was. Both fighters stood opposite each other and readied themselves for combat.

"BEGIN!"

Amarant wasted no time and burst into a rush. He swung his Rune Claws wide, but Milo was already ahead of him, casting Protect the first chance he got. He managed to get the spell off and a white light surrounded him. The light shattered as Amarant attacked, crashing into the smaller red mage and sending him flying. However, despite the crushing blow and subsequent explosion, Milo was no worse for wear, as the spell absorbed all damage for him. The worst he got was the scrape from sliding on the sand when he landed, but by then, he had another spell ready.

"Fira!" he cried, casting before he even stood up.

A plume of fire erupted from the ground inches from where Amarant had been standing. He tumbled out of the way, avoiding most of the fire, though his leg wound up lightly singed. As he pushed himself up, he could tell this fight would not be as easily won as his others.

Both fighters rose again. Milo was casting again, but Amarant held himself back. His legs were taut, ready to propel himself to the left or to the right, whatever the case may be. He kept himself unpredictable for Milo's magic.

The moment came and Milo's red gem flashed. "Thundara!" he called. A bolt of lightning broke through the air, giving Amarant almost no time to react. He jumped away, but a stray spark caught his burned leg, only adding to the damage. He gasped in surprise, landing hard on his side. The crowd cheered as Amarant climbed back to his feet, but by then, Milo was casting another spell.

"Thundara!"

Amarant didn't repeat his last mistake, this time running through the casting. The spell missed him, but the exertion didn't help his leg any. His pant leg was torn and scorched. A ring of cloth fell free, nearly tripping him as he kicked it off. Milo took the chance of Amarant's run to charge another spell.

"Blizzara!"

Freya and I watched the fight in silence, with only a hint of concern. In a fistfight, Amarant was one of the strongest fighters on the planet, but up against magic, he could be outmatched like anyone else. And Milo was no pushover. He used magic quickly and with clever strategy. So far, Amarant had bowled over his opponents, ending the fights in seconds. This time though, he was in trouble.

Amarant continued to run, doing his best to avoid the magic cast at him. Milo cast another Protect spell on himself, then returned to offense. The whole time, he kept Amarant at a distance, moving only slightly when needed, forcing the bandit away. With his injured leg, Amarant didn't see a real chance to attack, but he had fought far worse than this. He would make one.

"Fira!" Milo cast again, this time aiming for the ground in front of Amarant.

Amarant saw the attack coming and nearly ran into the flames, but twisted his entire body at the last second. He felt the incredible warmth cover half his body as he dodged at the last second, but now he was where he had to be, facing Milo. He tore into a mad dash, ignoring the pain racing up his leg and gritting his teeth.

Milo saw his mistake and began casting another spell. Thundara had done well for him, so he channeled his spell as quickly as he could, numbing his sense of imminent dread. The spell shot straight at Amarant at an arc, giving the bandit no time to dodge this time. However, what Milo didn't see was Amarant was preparing a spell of his own. Their cries mixed as both magics launched at once.

"Thundara!"

"Demi Shock!"

A bolt of lightning crashed into Amarant's chest, stunning him for a moment, but he only slid to his knees, recovering after half a step. Milo had been caught unaware as a dark orb surrounded him and compressed the very air about him. His Protect spell had guarded him from physical attacks only. Magic still penetrated as if he had done nothing to defend himself. Milo felt his skin and bones shrink, crushing him like he was trapped under a collapsing building. Just as the spell finally seemed to let up, it sent a jolt of energy through him, numbing him to the core.

The spell had been unexpected, but what had really surprised him was Amarant's sudden appearance before him. Amarant had never slowed his run, and now towered over Milo like he had at the start of the fight. One punch knocked Milo to the ground and shattered his Protect spell, then the other came in, driving into his back. The explosion had knocked all the wind out of the red mage's small frame. The only thing to save him was that his red cloak hid the blood welling up on his back. He could only breath in small gasps as Amarant kicked his staff away.

The crowd roared their approval of the sudden turnaround. "The winner!" the barker cried. "Amarant Coral!"

White Mages came to tend to Milo's injuries, but he only healed himself and walked out of the arena. Amarant continued on his way, not waiting for the mages to heal his leg as well. Instead, he found a spot to sit down in the bloodworks near Freya and myself. A pair of White Mages inside the room healed him as he sat, without waiting for him to ask for help.

"Good fight," Freya said. "You had us worried for a bit."

"Yeah," I agreed.

"Wasn't much to him," Amarant admitted. "He cast quickly, but his spells didn't have a lot of impact to them. He's probably just used to fighting young monsters and maybe a few weak alleyway punks."

"A shame," Freya said. "If he studied more, he could be formidable. He's already quite the strategist."

"Next up!" the barker called, with the audience still high on the last fight's ending. "Trevor McEvoy vs. Kashiim Ordell!"

"This is it," I said. My heart beat quickly like my first fight, but this time it wasn't out of enthusiastic excitement. There was a twinge of fear weighing me down. My legs didn't move at first, until Freya patted my shoulder.

"Trevor, breathe," she said. "I know you're worried, but you need to clear your mind and focus."

"Who's worried?" I said, brushing her hand off. "I'm just pissed."

I found myself moving finally. Kashiim was already ahead of me, walking out of the tunnel. I tried to study him in his second fight, but I still knew almost nothing about the guy. He was incredibly quick, had at least one sword underneath his thick cloak which he could wield as dexterously as a dagger, and he had no obvious weaknesses. I didn't know if he could cast magic, if he had other weapons, or even what his face looked like. This man was dangerous.

We met in the middle of the arena, silent, save for the cheering crowd all around us. The two of us had set records for skill and fast rounds, so everyone had been looking forward to this match. I pulled out my swords and immediately started pouring my magic into them. The chi flowed forth like water down a rooftop, collecting at the tips. Kashiim only stood there, looking back at me. I still couldn't see his eyes.

"BEGIN!"

To counter Kashiim's agility, I would need something to match. As much as I wanted to cut through him like a Jedi with my Demon Sabers, it was too likely he could duck underneath and hit my core. I would need something closer, yet stable. My power welled, and a pair of purple spheres capped each blade. The Explosions would allow for flexibility, yet could still cut like a Demon Saber when I needed them to. Plus, they could blow up on command if all else failed.

I was ready, but Kashiim didn't move an inch. I took a step forward, adopting a defensive stance, but he still didn't budge. "What's with you?" I demanded, roaring over the crowd. "I know you have a sword! Take it out!"

I could practically hear Kaiten's voice, telling me to calm down. Relax. It's a mind game. He's trying to psych you out. Don't let him! It was almost as if Kaiten and I had never parted.

Kashiim's cloak fluttered in the breeze, but he still didn't draw his sword. He was waiting for me to attack. It was how he won both fights. The attacker would get close, then he would counter and drive his sword through their torso in one decisive blow. He wouldn't get the same chance with me. I had to stay focused and end this quickly.

I took a running start and jumped. Kashiim barely even flinched as I flipped over him. When I landed, my entire body twisted, leading my blades at the cloaked villain. He only took a step back, turning around to face me as I did, and kicked a wave of sand in my face. I blocked what I could with my arm, but I still got speckled. I held up one short sword to defend myself while the other desperately clawed at the sand in my eyes.

Kashiim didn't move to attack though. He stood still, waiting for me to recover.

I spat a few grains as I spoke. "If you're trying to piss me off, it's not gonna work! I have much better control than you think!"

"I don't care how angry you get," he finally spoke. "I want you to suffer. I want you to know you're weak! To know you could never have won!"

"Keep talking," I said. "You'll let your guard down!"

"Not likely."

In a flash, I changed the Explosions to Demons Sabers. My effective range more than doubled, putting Kashiim within my reach again. I swung in a quick, but precise dance. I had perfected the form after sparring with Kaiten. But despite that, Kashiim dodged each swing, sometimes even diving between the blades as they passed.

He was making a show of this and the crowd was just eating it up! My cheeks burned as every attempt failed to land a hit. How could someone I had never even heard of make me look this inexperienced? I almost would have thought it was Kaiten in disguise if I didn't already know he was sitting in the bleachers. I had to do something drastic.

Thinking quickly, both blades pulled back into Explosions again. I adopted a different stance, aiming more for area coverage and making it impossible for Kashiim to grab or counter me. The blades flew wildly, overhead and around me as I advanced. Kashiim stepped back in time with me, not foolish enough to get too close. He kept an even distance, not letting me get any closer or further away. Every now and then, I would dart forward, but he would only jump back exactly as far.

Perfect.

As I kept up my defenses, I jumped forward and swung low at the ground, cutting through the sand. Kashiim did the same, leaping backwards and keeping up his pattern. As Azure reached the low point of the swing, I detonated the Explosion. Sand blasted into my stomach, but it was small damage, easily walked off. What I was aiming for was Kashiim. As a wave of sand overtook him, he covered his eyes with an arm.

I stepped in to the sand, pushing against it as hard as I could. I drove my remaining Explosion forward, transforming the blade into a Demon Saber and quickly shortening the distance between us, seeking to lance Kashiim's heart. Time slowed as I lurched forward, but Kashiim still saw the assault coming, and reached for his sword. Either way, it didn't matter. Either I'd pierce him, or cut his sword in half. I would still win either way. Kashiim's blade moved up to meet mine.

Got you!

As his sword met mine, not only did it not break, but it actually deflected. I was pushed off balance and fell to one knee. Reacting quickly, I punched the ground, using the momentum to step back as Kashiim made his own attack, stabbing the ground where I had been kneeling half a second before.

I stared at him in surprise, but he stared back, his face hidden beneath his cowl. He made no move to advance, keeping his sword drawn and at his side.

"How the hell did you do that?!" I demanded. "That should have cut your sword in half!"

"Maybe you're not as strong as you think," he said.

I knew it was impossible. My Demon Saber was basically a lightsaber. Out of everyone I had ever fought, the only person it didn't work on was Kaiten. Purple magic couldn't cut through other purple magic. So did that mean…

XXXXXXXX

Trevor's blade hit, that much Kaiten was certain. But when the fight didn't immediately turn in Trevor's favor, the hairs on the back of the Terran's neck rose. No one could have resisted the Demon Sabers, except for Kaiten himself. He would often infuse his Masamune with purple magic when dueling Trevor just so he wouldn't lose his favored weapons. The magics countered each other, but no one else on the planet could use purple magic. It was an art one had to be born with, something which didn't occur on Gaia.

While the crowd cheered, Kaiten speculated. What is going on?

XXXXXXXX

"You can use purple magic?!" I said. "I thought it was just Kaiten and me! How did you learn to use that?"

Kashiim refused to give a straight answer. "We all have our secrets. Now that you've forced my hand this much, there's little point in holding back."

He slipped his hand underneath his cloak and pulled a second sword out. His swords were a strange combination of eastern and western style swordcrafting. They were both thin blades, smaller than Kaiten's swords, but similar in build. A small crossguard protected both hands, but held deadly points. If he punched me with one of those, he would go right through any armor I had.

"Now we end this!" he shouted.

Kashiim rushed right for me. I took a step back and prepped my Explosions for another defensive dance, but he was on top of me before I was ready. His slashes came in soft, but so quickly that they were nearly invisible. I felt cuts grow all over my arms and legs before I saw them. I swung my short swords out, trying to gain distance, but Kashiim wasn't giving me a second to breathe. Blood sprayed everywhere and I was becoming a red, sticky mess.

Nothing I tried worked. By now, all I was really doing was flailing around, trying desperately to guess where the next attack would come from. As soon as I tried to parry though, Kashiim went right for the spot I happened to leave exposed. Whoever this guy was, he had far more experience than I did. He was toying with me. I redoubled my efforts, absorbing another slash on the legs instead of retreating, but it gave me a chance to strike in on Kashiim. I took the opening and grew Explosions on both short swords. The blades crashed together and blew up, engulfing both of us in a huge blast, causing incredible damage!

Or so I thought.

As I looked ahead to where Kashiim had been standing, I saw only my short swords. A light rustle from behind told me he had jumped over me and avoided most of the damage. I extended a single Demon Saber and tried to swing it all the way around, but it wasn't enough.

"You're done!" Kashiim said.

This time, I saw the sword before I felt it. My shirt tore and the metal broke free through my stomach. Two feet of steel protruded in front of me, covered in gore. I tried to call out, to scream from the anguish, but I only spat out a mouthful of blood. Kashiim kicked me hard in the back, pulling his sword free. I fell face down in the arena as the sand clung to my fresh wounds.

"This is your best?" Kashiim asked, circling me. He dragged the tip of his sword on the back of my neck, taunting me. If I tried to get up, he would sever my spine. "This is pathetic! How could someone like you ruin Terra? Or brainwash the Lieutenant?"

What?! I had no idea what he was talking about, but the way he said it made me break out in a cold sweat.

He knelt down to me, sword pressing harder against my neck. "I can tell you this now since the fools in the audience cant hear me, but I know all of what you did. Every single atrocity. Every single move. I know about the experiment, how you controlled the Lieutenant after he was injected into your head. I can only assume you played dirty to sway him. I know what you are. Earthling!" He said the last word like he was calling me a Nazi.

Now I was really worried. Except for Captain Delores and General Beatrix, I hadn't told anyone outside of the World Heroes that I was from Earth. Who was this guy and how could he possibly know who I was? How did he know Kaiten and I once shared the same body? I would have pondered these questions more, but I was concentrating too much on the sword gently gracing my back.

"It looks like this is the end folks!" the barker called from the center of the arena. "Despite a very worthy effort, Trevor McEvoy is pinned! It looks like Kashiim Ordell is our next winner!"

"Don't even think about that," Kashiim taunted. "They won't get a chance to save you. You'll be dead before the white mages cast their first spell."

He dragged the blade, this time digging it into my skin and tearing my armor apart. The mythril I wore was nothing compared to the old obsidian armor I lost in Memoria, and gave way to the purple magic in his sword. He stopped dragging and sank the blade slowly, agonizingly into my lung. Breathing became even harder than before, and every gasp sputtered up more blood.

"That's enough!" the barker called, running to my aid. "The winner is Kashiim Ordell! Now let him up!" White mages were running right behind him, one was already casting.

"No you don't!" Kashiim said. With his first sword still lodged firmly into my chest, he sank his second into the sand. A second later, an explosion erupted from underneath the mages, which sent them flying. The barker was calling for assistance from the city guards, but Kashiim took it all in stride, laughing all the while.

"Isn't it great?" he cried, as if he was talking to the entire coliseum, but I could tell it was meant for me. "None of you have any idea what's in store for your primitive planet! You've only stalled us! You haven't stopped us!"

Everything was going dark. Every twitch sent a jolt of fire through my entire chest. Every cut on my body burned. My clothes clung to my skin. Kashiim was fending off everything the guards sent at him and having the time of his life. This was not how I pictured today going.

But it wasn't how I was going to let the day end!

Tightening my grip on my short sword, I sent a trickle of energy forth. It wasn't much, but I was able to form a thin ring at Crimson's tip. Kashiim didn't notice it at first as the red blade rose, lining up with his arm. It pushed the energy forth, weakly coughing a new mouthful of blood.

"Pulse…"

The biting ring of energy cut through the air. It wasn't much, but it was enough. Kashiim must have assumed me either dead or too weak to fight him, because the Pulse actually hit him! There was very little to it though, and it only sliced him, instead of severing his arm off. Kashiim jumped up, giving me just enough room to push myself back onto my knees, and then to my feet. I powered up a very small Demon Saber and cut the sword in my chest in half. The blade fell and I pulled the hilt out from my back. Another spurt of blood splashed onto the ground.

"You," I gasped, pointing to the barker. "Match is still goin'… I ain't dead yet…"

The crowd ate it up. There wasn't a single person in the coliseum who wasn't cheering their loudest. I was still bleeding though, and with the fight back on, I wasn't going to get any help from the white mages. I had maybe a minute before I bled out. So far, my training and my magic weren't working. Well, most of it. I still had one trick to play.

"You are persistent, I'll give you that," Kashiim admitted. The wind had ruffled his cloak a little and I could see how wide his grin was. Most of the cloak was covered in my blood. "Most people would have been killed by now. How can you stand right now?"

This pain was nothing. On Terra, when we attacked Innural, I was the one who had endured the para-lance as Kaiten pushed it out of our body. That whole experience nearly made me black out. Compared to that, this pain was just a bug bite. "I took a spear for a buddy once. Much worse than your chopstick there. And I might have the edge now that you're missing one."

He chuckled. "It's all I've needed so far, and you'll be dead in a minute whether I attack or not. And along with your massive blood loss, your purple magic is fading as well. You have nothing left."

He laughed, but so did I. "You're right about one thing." I unlocked another magic as more magic poured form my sword. Azure began to cry as water trickled down from the blade. A small spark lit at Crimson's tip and Kashiim eyed both blades carefully.

"These short swords were made by some Black Mage smiths for me," I said. "Very good. Top of the line. And I've never been able to do them justice until only recently."

"What did you have in mind?"

"I own a flamethrower."

Azure's trickle became a surge as water blasted out like a broken fire hydrant. I brought it and Crimson together, lighting the flowing stream and setting it alight. The rushing inferno came, so wide and fast that Kashiim never had time to dodge. He covered his head with his arms as the fire overtook him, burning him all over.

When the flames died down, I fell to one knee, drained. With as little strength as I had left and my injuries catching up with me, that was the best attack I had left outside of trancing, and I was already too weak for that. However, all my efforts were for nothing. As the flames cleared, Kashiim was still standing tall. All I had done was burn away his cloak. But that wasn't what surprised me.

His armor was a heavy, but flexible kind, dark blue in color. An armor set I was quite familiar with. "You're wearing obsidian armor? How? That only comes from Terra!"

Kashiim towered over me now. His dark blond hair fell flat against his cheeks and his dark eyes looked down at me in rage. This man wasn't just set for a tournament. He was set for war.

"You just had to push it didn't you!?" he yelled. "You couldn't just roll over dead! But I suppose there wouldn't be any satisfaction in killing you if you were really that weak."

He stepped up to me and delivered a solid kick to the jaw. I fell back, hard, and he pressed his foot down on my neck. As I laid choking, the barker tried to rally the guards and white mages. Kashiim ignored them and pressed a finger to his ear until something clicked.

"Guy's, it's time!" he said to apparently no one. "Remus, Cyl, take out the target. Zareth, keep everyone else busy."

I tried to bring my short swords up to attack, but Kashiim just kicked them away. "You're not getting up. You'll have to suffer for taking Kaiten away from us!"

Kaiten?! I wondered, as everything started to go dark.

XXXXXXXX

"Copy that boss," Remus said. He pushed himself up from the stony seat. Too bad. He had just gotten comfortable. "You ready big guy?"

"Of course!" Cyl said, rising beside him. He stood out only a little from the crowd, but as there were other armored knights in the audience, he didn't draw too much attention.

A booming roar echoed over the city, coming from outside the coliseum. "Sounds like Zareth is already on it," Remus said, channeling his magic. "Which monster do you think he chose?"

"By the roar, I would guess Belias." A pillar of flames erupted a few blocks down, taking with it an entire house. "Yes, Belias, certainly."

"Then it's our turn. Watch my back, I'm gonna take out the False Terran in one blow!"

Remus aimed for the Alexandrian royal booth, and unleashed a Firaga at the front window, forcing its way inside.

XXXXXXXX

By now, the fight had gone from epic showdown to one-sided brawl. The crowd was growing worried since Kashiim only seemed interested in torturing and maybe killing Trevor. The fact he was willing to attack the city guards made it obvious to Kaiten that it was time to intervene, but when he saw who was under that heavy cloak, he was grounded.

"Aitris…" he gasped. His old Sergeant, returned from the dead, just like Kaiten had been. How was it possible? Innural said he had used all the souls of the Spectral Knights. That lying bastard had tricked him again!

"Kaiten!" Dante shouted, waking the Terran from his stupor. "Are we just going to stay here? Trevor's dying!"

By now, Aitris was standing on Trevor's neck, choking the life from him. Twin explosions rocked the city as flames burst out of the Alexandrian Royal booth and deeper in town. A fissure opened up and fire erupted from the cracks, demolishing entire streets in seconds. It was a standard tactic they often employed by using Zareth to distract while taking out a specific target. That target had to be Trevor.

As the town came under attack, the Barker shouted for everyone to leave, which they complied with hastily. Families were separated and people were trampled in the panic. It seemed that out of the entire coliseum, only Kaiten and Dante stood tall.

"Wayne," Kaiten shouted over the screaming crowd. "Take the kids, get to the Invincible, and get out of here! All of Alexandria is under attack!"

"Fine," Wayne said, taking the kids by the hand. "But what about you?"

"Dante and I are going to fight! Dante, be ready for anything! We don't know how many of the Spectral Knights are here, so another attack can come from anywhere. Keep your head on a swivel!"

Dante pulled a rifle from his back and cocked it. "I'm right behind you!"

The ground shook from Zareth's summoned monster, which was busy destroying everything in sight. Wayne lead the kids to safety while Kaiten charged down the steps towards the arena, and untold danger.

XXXXXXXX

"Your highness, we have to leave!" the Lindblum guard shouted.

"Yes, of course!" Regent Cid agreed. "Hilda, Eiko, come now. We must make our way to the Hilde Garde 4!"

"But the Alexandrian Royal Booth exploded!" Eiko said. "What if they're hurt? We have to stay and help!"

Lady Hilda knelt down to EIko's side and quickly said, "Queen Dagger and King Zidane are protected by Captain Steiner and General Beatrix. They're much safer than we are. Your father's right Eiko, we need to leave."

"But I can help!" Eiko protested. "I can heal anyone who's hurt, and help them get away! And I can summon Mog, and fight—"

"NO!" Cid shouted as another explosion rocked the building. "I will not allow my own daughter to create those monsters! Now Eiko, do as I say and follow the guards back to the airship!"

"But father—"

"I SAID NO! AND THAT'S FINAL!"

Another explosion disintegrated a row of vendors in town. Each blast was coming closer to the coliseum. Eiko knew that if they didn't leave now, they would all be caught up in the ensuing frenzy. She lowered her head and said, "Yes, father."

"Good," Cid said. He nodded to the captain of their royal guard. "Nigel, send a runner to the Hilde Garde. Tell them to start the engines, but to let on anyone they can carry. We have to help any refugees who come our way. Take them out of the city and we'll bring them back when the chaos as subsided."

"Yes sir!" came the reply.

"Good. Now Hilde, Eiko, shall we…Eiko?"

People were hurt. People were dying! Eiko did not face down the end of the world to cower in a world of puffed pastries and fancy dresses. Running back into the royal booth, she pulled her Angel Flute from her sleeve and leapt through the open window into the stands.

Regent Cid lost sight of his daughter in seconds, even as he raced after her. "Eiko! EIKOOOO!"

XXXXXXXX

Something had exploded in their booth. It was so sudden that it was remarkable that Beatrix had been able to react at all. Putting up a Shell to deflect it, the valiant warrior had protected Garnet and Zidane from harm, but at personal cost. Her sword arm had been badly burned and a trickle of blood graced down it. The spell was phenomenally strong.

"Diana!" Steiner shouted. He was to her side in seconds.

"I'm fine Adelbert," Beatrix insisted. "It's merely a scratch."

"You nearly lost your arm!"

"That doesn't matter now!" Beatrix rose and addressed the royals. "Your highnesses. Are you unharmed?"

"Yes, thanks to you," Dagger said. "Vivi, how about you?"

"I-I'm fine," the little mage said. It had been so long since his last fight that he wasn't used to them anymore. "That spell was so strong! I'm not sure I could cast a Firaga like that!"

Dagger turned back to the General. "Did you happen to see where the attack came from?"

Beatrix charged a spell, casting Cura on herself. "From the stands to the left, but I didn't see where specifically."

"We have to get out there!" Zidane said. He pointed at a guard. "You, run to the castle and grab The Tower!"

"Zidane, don't!" Dagger said. "We need to stay back! You're king now, so we can't risk your death!"

"But we can't just stand here! Just look at Trevor!"

"And we won't!" Dagger walked behind her throne and pulled her staff out. She charged a spell, standing by the window only briefly, then casting a Cura over Trevor. "Beatrix, I need you to take the guards into the arena and arrest that man! I will not allow him to get away with this! And send a second squadron into the city to stop whoever else is creating these explosions!"

"At once your highness." Beatrix unsheathed her bloodstained blade. "And if they refuse to give in?"

"You have full authority to execute all of them."

"Very well," Beatrix saluted.

"Be careful," Steiner called after her as she ran out the door. "In that case your highness, I shall remain behind and defend you with my life!"

"No, Steiner," Dagger said. "We have enough guards already. What I need you to do is find whoever attacked us here. Like Beatrix, you are to take him down by whatever means necessary."

"Very well," Steiner said. "But I may need help. Master Vivi, would you join me?"

"Me?!" Vivi blurted out. "But… I haven't fought in so long!"

"Perhaps, but we will be facing a powerful mage. Who else better to fight him than someone who has mastered the very magic we hope to overcome?"

Vivi looked back at Dagger and Zidane, then thought of Trevor, who continued to fight even with a sword sticking through his lung. They had all faced far worse odds than this. Lives had to be saved. He could be brave one more time!

"Alright," he said. "I'll try my best!" He now used his staff as a walking stick more times than not, but the Mace of Zeus was still one of the most powerful artifacts imaginable. Vivi carried it with him everywhere. He could already feel the magic flowing through him. It was just like old times.

"Hold on to me," Steiner said, hoisting Vivi onto his shoulder. As soon as the little mage had a good grip, Steiner stepped into the stands below, and then into the chaos.

"It's not enough," Zidane paced. "We should be out there, leading the troops!"

"That's what we have Beatrix for," Dagger said, trying to calm her raging husband. "Zidane, I've told you before how reckless it was of me to venture into Memoria with you. If I died, the Alexandrian royal lineage would fall. The country needs its ruler."

"Yes, but you also said that you don't regret going to Memoria!"

Zidane's quip caught Dagger off-guard. She cold only look below at the guards now entering the arena. Curiously, she also saw Kaiten and Dante of the Tempest Brotherhood jumping in, as well as Freya and Amarant coming out of the Readying Room. Soon, the fighter known as Kashiim Ordell was surrounded. Surely he couldn't stop all the fighters at once.

Just then, one more person entered the stands, barely catching Dagger's attention at first. She squinted as a familiar sparkle shined just outside the arena.

"Eiko?"

Dagger gripped the namesake stone at her chest. "Zidane, I was wrong. There is something else we have to do!"

XXXXXXXX

A white light passed over me as a Cura came from somewhere. Most of my wounds patched themselves up and the pain subsided somewhat in my chest. I wasn't about to question the sudden turn in luck, though Kashiim still had a pretty good hold against my neck. I thrashed underfoot, just trying to take a breath.

I looked around for my short swords, but instead saw Kaiten rushing the arena. Most of the audience had fled, leaving the stands bare, save for Steiner and Vivi, facing off against a heavily armored knight and another man in a cloak and steeple-crowned hat. They looked like reinforcements for Kashiim.

"AITRIS!"

Kaiten led the way as he and Dante jumped into the sandy pit. Dante immediately took aim, though a wave of Kaiten's hand told him not to fire. A contingent of Alexandrian guards led by General Beatrix came in from the left, while Freya and Amarant joined from the right. They soon closed the gap, leaving Kashiim, or Aitris as Kaiten called him, secluded. I tried to think back, remembering that Airtis was Kaiten's second in command of the Spectral Knights. But he was supposed to be dead! Even with my own death notwithstanding, this seemed unlikely.

"You're surrounded!" said Beatrix. "Turn yourself in and we won't have to kill you!"

"Turn myself in?" Aitris asked. "Why? None of you could provide a challenge. And besides, what I want is right here anyway." He turned to Kaiten and gave a brief salute. "Lieutenant. It's good to see you again."

"Aitris!" Kaiten gasped. "It really is you! What are you doing here? Get off of him!"

"Sorry, can't do that Kaiten," Aitris said. He kept his sole sword ready. I could feel it burning hot with purple magic. "We know what this bastard did to you. He has to die!"

"Casters!" Beatrix called to her troops. "Ready yourselves!"

"Hold it! All of you!" Kaiten shouted to everyone. "Everyone stay back. This is between him and me. Aitris, what do you mean what he did to me? Are the others alive? How many of us are left?"

"All of us!" Aitris said happily. "We're all alive boss. We just need you back, after I kill this bastard here." I stopped my struggling when Aitris' blade found its way to my throat.

"Aitris, STOP!" Kaiten yelled. He charged his own blades with magic and stepped forward. "You can't do that! Leave Trevor alone, he has nothing to do with this!"

"He has EVERYTHING to do with this! We know he brainwashed you! Turned you against Terra! That's why you went along in trying to destroy it, isn't it?"

"Destroy? Then Terra really is gone?"

Aitris smiled. He sword lifted a few inches away from me. "No, it isn't! We found a way to bring it back! There is a way Kaiten, and we want you there with us when it happens!"

"I'll gladly join you," Kaiten said. He sheathed one sword and took a few steps forward. "We can go right now, but this is enough! No one else has to die!"

"BUT THEY DO!" Aitris shouted. The sword was against my throat again. I could feel a trickle of hot blood dripping down to my back. "He, and the False Terran! They tried to destroy Terra! And this one! He took you away from us! He tricked you, played you. The rest of us can help you! But first, I have to kill him!"

The blade at my neck grew hotter, burning my skin. I grabbed Aitris' ankle and tried to lift him off, but he was too strong!

"Aitris! Stop this!" Kaiten swung his Masamune sharply, sending an Arc into Aitris' chest. As the maddened Terran finally fell from on top of me, he shot a bolt of magic from his sword, which cratered into the ground mere inches from my head. I scampered to my feet, picking up my short swords and turning to face him once again. I was just glad I could breathe.

"Kaiten?" Aitris said, slowly getting back to his feet. He looked hurt, like he had just been stabbed in the back. "No, it's ok, I'm not mad at you. But you!" he pointed his sword at me. "You're going to die for this! I'll see to that personally!"

As if the situation couldn't get any worse for the surviving Spectral Knights, two new shadows were cast over the coliseum. Emerging from summoned light, Madeen appeared behind Freya and Amarant, while Bahamut appeared behind the Alexandrian guard. Aitris looked between the two titans and frowned. He pressed his fingers to his ear and said, "Zareth, we're against a wall here. See if you can find your way to us."

There was an explosion behind the coliseum, and Aitris looked at his former lieutenant. "Kaiten, don't worry! We WILL rescue you, I swear it!"

XXXXXXXX

So far, the Spectral Knights were putting up a much bigger fight than either Steiner of Vivi could have expected. Steiner couldn't even touch the armored man, and Vivi's spells were being deflected like flies. Every hit that Steiner made was ineffective. The few that made it to the giant man's sword couldn't block didn't even scratch his armor. Even Steiner's Armor Break skill proved useless. Vivi opted for the fast cast technique Trevor had taught him. He used simple Fire and Thunder spells, but the new spellcaster simply intercepted them with matching spells, muting them like a lightning rod. What confused him though, was that this man didn't cast with a staff. He just seemed to use his bare hands.

Steiner and Vivi fell back, apparently in for more of a fight than they expected. "They're strong," Steiner said. "No luck on your end I suppose?"

"None!" Vivi said. "It's like he can control everything I throw at him!"

"And I'm having similar luck," Steiner admitted. "But I do suppose there's a way around their defenses. All we need to do is trade targets. I'm sure your magic will be more than enough for the knight, and the mage doesn't look like he would fare well against a broadsword."

Vivi looked at the giant and gulped, but gripped his staff bravely. "Alright. I'll… try my best!"

But before they could move into action, both assailants dropped their guard and pressed their fingers against their ears. They each looked around as Madeen and Bahamut made the scene and nodded. "You got it Sarge!" the mage said.

Both soldiers pulled small canisters form their belts and pulled a tab on the top, throwing it away. The knight dropped one can at his feet while the mage tossed his to the fighter in the arena.

"What are you doing?" Steiner demanded. "What is that?"

"Just a delay," the mage calmly answered. "Don't worry, we will finish this!"

Just then, the stands erupted, sending debris and concrete in every direction. An intense heat came over everyone remaining in the coliseum as a beast with an enormous body, four arms and large rams horns atop his head. He was covered in red fur, coating him like a mane, fueling the fire that danced about him. He carried a staff, adorned with horns matching his head, curving into a gnarled twist.

"What?!" Steiner gasped. "Is that an Eidolon?!"

"Esper," the mage answered. "But we don't have time to stick around. See ya later!"

The canisters exploded, releasing a thick cloud from them. Steiner and Vivi were so surprised that they both jumped back, blinded by the smoke and thrown into a coughing fit. The canister below exploded as well, sending the whole coliseum into a dark haze. Everyone remaining tried to wave the smoke away and clear the air, save for one man. One man too shocked to even react. One man who couldn't believe his friends were still alive.

XXXXXXXX

Kaiten stood alone in the field. Though allies, friends and his employees, surrounded him, he hadn't felt this alone since he woke up in Hart Innural's testing labs, surrounded by the soulless bodies of his team. The Spectral Knights were alive and well, and apparently even wanted him back, but something was wrong. Very, very wrong, and Kaiten had no idea what to do or how to find them. He was no longer the sole Terran he had once been, but as the smoke finally cleared, he saw fully the damage done by his former team.

Alexandria was burning. The Army was already hard at work putting out the flames, but several city blocks were destroyed, and who knew how many lives had been lost. Even the tournament had been ruined, with Trevor very nearly becoming one of the fatalities himself. As he turned back, Kaiten felt the accusing eyes from some of the guardsmen, as well as General Beatrix. Though Trevor and Dante, two men he now considered friends, stared on in concern, it did little to offset the emotional turmoil and confusion he felt.

"Terra can be rebuilt," Kaiten muttered to himself. "The Spectral Knights shall never die."