AAN: yay another chapter. Yep time to learn a bit more about the Zevaru ^^ And yes I picked an actual language for the castings now. And re wrote the first one with that language too. Made things much easy.

How to Stop The Formless

Karasi and Zarek seemed to be waiting for them when they arrived. Perhaps they had heard the news. Garnet and Zidane sat down and before they could speak Zarek took over.

"The only way to completely stop this creature is to seal it away. Trap it somewhere. Other wise every city will need a barrier." Garnet seemed lost for words a moment.

"How do we seal it away?" Zidane asked recovering first.

"There is another spell that can indeed do it. But you will need a mayose to make the creature come to you."

"What is that?" Garnet asked finally recovering.

"It's a magical item that draws spiritual creatures and demons to it. One can be created for this case, but you must figure out where to seal it away."

"Does it have to be a cave or something?"

"No, but it needs to be a place where people don't venture very often." Zidane and Garnet exchanged glances not sure where would be the best place.

"What about the Desert Palace?" Zidane suggested. Garnet looked very surprised.

"Why there…"

"No on goes there anyway and its secluded. It's the only place other then Madain Sari." Garnet had to admit he had a valid point.

"That is very true. I guess that will be the place then." Karasi stood then seeming stronger now.

"Then we should go and seal it away, it will be stronger at night."

"We both know how to create the mayose." Zarek also stood looking to Zidane, "We should use your ship it's faster then the others." Zidane looked at Garnet then nodded. The group headed out of the room to go seal this creature away.

Zidane got them to the site safely but seemed worried about all of this. Karasi drew a Star of David inside of a circle. Zarek then took a stick and placed it in the ground in the center of the star. Then they both cast the spell the stick grew into a tree in short order and emitted a magical aura. Garnet stood next to Zidane just as awestruck as he was.

"Now we must wait till it comes. But in the mean time we will teach you what you need to know to seal it." Zarek came over and handed them both a small stone with carvings in it.

"These stones will help to bind it." Then Karasi proceeded to teach them the words they would need for the sealing. The couple was surprised by the complexity but managed to master it anyway by the time the creature showed up. Karasi and Zarek seemed to be surprised by what the creature was. But didn't say a thing as it came to the tree gabbing hold of it.

"Now everyone" Zarek called, holding up his stone, the others followed suit. The 4 stones began to glow.

"Geest die benieuwd is en deze wereld vernietigt" they yelled in unison as they started there binding and sealing spell. "Wordt gebonden in deze plaats, wordt verzegeld weg voor eeuwigheid. Hinder hier deze wereld niet meer, berokken geen schepsel van. het verblijf in deze plaats bij vrede met de wereld en verliest uw vernietigende kant. Mijn is het in naam van Almachtig." A blinding light over took the area as the creature cried out in am ear piercing shriek of pain. When the light vanished the tree was now stone and had a seal on the outside of it in the language the spell had been cast. Garnet and Zidane looked to their guardians who seemed rather tired. A storm with heavy winds was coming, Zarek noticed it first he nodded to Karasi who looked to the Queen.

"A very bad storm is heading this way, it would be wise to find some shelter. The ship will not be able to fly through it very well." Garnet seemed surprised, looking at the storm that was approaching she could tell little from just sight.

"Where should we take shelter then, in the ship?"

"No, lets move the ship under that out clef in the mountains the storm is too strong for the ship."

"How do you know this?" Zidane asked, now very curious.

"We have a lot of senses that you lack. We wouldn't say something if it were not true. Our kind rarely tell lies, and never to trick. We are not very sneaky in our operations when it comes to that." Karasi assured smiling to the King and Queen. Zidane left to move the ship leaving Garnet to walk with the tired Zevaru to the out clef in the rock. While going there Garnet noticed Zarek drop to all fours to finish the walk. * He must be very tired to do that. They know so much yet we know so little *

"Is he alright Karasi?" The female Zevaru smiled.

"Yes, he is just worn out, it's easier for us to walk on all fours then upright. Its rare we use so much energy that we need to but sometimes it does come in handy."

Karasi noticed that Garnet seemed very curious and had noted once Zidane arrived that he was as well. * They do not know much of us… I am certain the curiosity stems from this fact but what can I reveal with out revealing too much. * "You are curious about our race, are you not?" Both Garnet and Zidane nodded. "I suppose it is fair that we reveal more of ourselves to you. Since you have given us a gracious amount of trust considering the circumstances." She glanced to her male companion who nodded in agreement even though he said nothing. Which was rather typical for him, he didn't speak often, but he decided to speak now.

"Is there anything specific you would like to know?" Zidane glanced to Garnet.

"How do you both know so much about what is happening when we do not?" Zidane spoke not just asking but almost demanding in his tone.

"A fair question, because we have watched from afar for a long time. We know many things you would never learn on your own. We are much older then you think we are. Thus are wisdom comes decades of study rather then just a few years."

"Zarek is correct. We are much older then we seem. Our race ages much slower then humans. As for the storm, I can sense its strength because my nose tells me how much moisture is in the air. Also I am getting a rather nasty headache from all the pressure associated with that storm front." She rubbed her temples a little bit in illustration. She indeed had a bad headache building. Zarek seemed sympathetic towards her but noted that Garnet and Zidane were very surprised by what they had heard.

"If you don't mind my asking, just how older are you?" Zidane managed to spit out in his confusion.

"I am 126 years old, and Zarek is 134" She smiled to them seeing their shock again.

"As we said we are older then we seem. We are but children compared to the Alpha. He is much older." Zarek added with a grin seeing their eyes widen. "But we do not know his exact age."

"I am not sure he does now." she chuckled; he nodded smiling.

"So what do you estimate his age at?" Garnet asked cautiously.

"Probably around 1400…" Karasi looked to her companion.

"At least that." Zarek nodded. Zidane and Garnet had been holding hands and they both needed each other to make it this far and knew they would not be letting go anytime soon.

"Alright, well why does your Alpha have an interest in us?"

"That we can't say. We are not he. We are only following our orders." Zarek stated simply, being more talkative then normal.

"I can say this, we know you are both important to this world's future as a whole. We have seen that for ourselves. You are a very special couple indeed. It's not everyday we meet a pair that was fated to be together from long ago." Karasi smirked, "Kind of romantic I think." Zarek made a face like he found that disgusting, then again he didn't seem the type to want romance. Karasi merely swatted him for the expression and earned a bearing of teeth in return, which promptly she ignored.

"Well I am not sure we are that special but we know we aren't the typical couple." Zidane admitted Garnet nodding in agreement.

"Do either of you have… a mate?" Garnet felt strange for using that word but it seemed to fit them some how. They looked at each other with an interesting expression; one neither King nor Queen could place. Karasi was the first to respond,

"No, I have no one. I have had a few I fancied over the years but that was unrequited love."

"I have had no need for a mate at this point. I am a warrior. As long as I remain as such I shall not take a mate." Zarek was simple in his logic and many males of his pack did the same.

"That seems like a lonely life." Garnet spoke at length.

"It is for now. Things may change later on. We are equivalent to a couple in their 20's so we have much time ahead of us to have a mate and a family if we choose to do so later." Zarek merely nodded in agreement.

"I see, I guess you do have some time then. Its just odd to us I guess." Zidane spoke carefully.

"Don't worry about it. Its not a sensitive topic with us." She smiled to them.

"So Zarek has physical abilities and you have magical?"

"Actually we both can use magic and physical abilities. Though each of use do have a strong point in one or the other."

"Is that common for your race?"

"Yes, very common. We know it's not among humans though so we are careful in what we use. We know that your knights do not like us at the moment."

"I think they are just worried. We trust you because we have spoken with you but they haven't." Garnet offered. Zidane snorted,

"Steiner has always been over protective. Still is even with me around her. Don't worry about him, old rusty is just being his annoying self." He smiled to Garnet who raised her brow but then smiled. Zarek and Karasi chuckled finding it amusing that the future king thought such of his knight. But they could see where he was coming from. They had witnessed his over protective nature themselves.

"It may seem odd but do you have those of your race who are skirt chasers?" Garnet asked on an impulse making Zidane look at her rather oddly. Zarek noted the glace his charge gave the Queen but said nothing. Karasi wanted to burst out laughing knowing somewhat why this was asked.

"We have a few males who enjoy the company of more then one female if that is what you mean. They often do not pick one mate, and instead decided to… have a family with more then one female. It's rare though; most females will not tolerate it. Especially in our pack, this is the case. Though some males pick females based on whom they would wish to rut with, they do not entertain more then one female at a time. Our Alpha will not tolerate it and he is the top male and will enforce that. Our Alpha Female does the same even though she is not of our race, though the race she is from is just as long lived. I do know there is a whole long and complicated story on how those two ended up together but I do not know all of it."

"So the Alpha Female has as much power as the Alpha Male?" Garnet asked now very curious.

"Yes and no. They share responsibilities. If there is a conflict between their decisions they generally work it out but in some cases the Male may over rule her. However, if she is willing to challenge his ruling she can, then they will fight. The winner of the battle will have final say."

"They literally fight? Like in fist fight?" Zidane was rather astonished, making Zarek chuckle.

"Yes, you could put it that way. It's a first blood fight usually. That's how most battles are determines within the pack. Keeps general injuries to a minimum but I have seen them fight to exhaustion once. But that was a major issue at the time they were arguing over. The Alpha Female won that as I recall. She can be a force to be reckoned with when she wishes to be." Karasi let out a chuckle of her own. Garnet seemed speechless for a few minutes not sure of what to make of such a strange hierarchy. "I am certain you don't understand our ways, but we don't expect you to at this point." It was now that Zidane realized that the storm had let loose a torrent of water and a great amount of lightning yet he hadn't noticed until now. The Zevaru seemed calm enough; then again they may not fear the storm since they knew it was coming. Zidane was somewhat wary of the storm considering where they were taking shelter but shrugged such a worry off.

"Do either of you have a weapon specialty?" Zidane asked wondering why he hadn't seen them with a weapon yet.

"We do, I prefer a bow if I can get it. But my claws do well enough when I need them and I can summon a magical bow when I need, though that takes a lot of energy to do so." Karasi smiled to the couple then glanced to the male next to her.

"I prefer a larger weapon myself. I do use a javelin or a battle-axe while in battle a lot. But I am capable of using a sword just the same or something like your Tower weapon. I also use my claws when I need to and, though Karasi is lest apt to bite, I will use my fangs just as freely as my claws. I can also summon a magical weapon of my choice if the need arises." He lay his head down on his paw like hands closing his eyes. He seemed very tired, and though Karasi was tired she was fairing much better then he was.

"So you both can use magical weapons and physical weapons?" Garnet seemed very taken aback.

"Yes, we learn what we need to in order to survive. Where we live is rather dangerous to say the least." Zidane nodded seeming to understand better then Garnet.

"Perhaps we should get some rest since you both seem tired. I know I felt quite a drain on my energy from that spell." Karasi merely nodded and lay her head down as Zarek had. Zidane placed and arm around his love and pulled her to him. He rested against the wall, letting her pillow her head on his chest. She smiled grateful for his warmth since the storm was cooling the air around them. Both of them closed their eyes definitely ready for a nap after such a huge drain on their energy.

When they awoke they smelled the glorious smell of hot meat being cooked over a fire. Zidane glanced around seeing Karasi tending he fire and turning the meat. Zarek was not near by that he could tell. Garnet smiled to Karasi glad for some food about now.

"I though you both might want something to eat when you woke. Zarek is finishing his meal out of sight. Our eating habits are not the most pleasant sight." Garnet nodded but glanced to Zidane not sure what they would be doing to need to be out of sight. Zidane also nodded then smiled to her.

"So you both prefer to eat your meat raw?"

"Yes, I finished before him because I tend to eat less being smaller. We both prefer raw hot meat." Zidane noted Garnet's realization of what raw hot meat meant and smiled.

"Thank you for the consideration. We appreciate it. It wouldn't have bothered me nearly as much as Dagger." He realized he said the old name he carried for her and was about to correct himself when Garnet stopped him.

"I prefer you to call me that Zidane, and only you." He nodded, understanding her reasons. "Thank you, I haven't witnessed anything like that before so it might have been a minor problem." She spoke as politely as she could. Karasi merely nodded.

"We had guessed as much." She noticed Zarek come back in, he had cleaned up since his fur didn't reveal what he had been doing.

"We should head back after you both eat." He stated, lying down again.

"Yes, I am sure the others are wondering what has happened to us."

"I am sure Rusty is freaking out by now." Zidane snickered, earning him a jab in the side with an elbow. But he took the meat offered to him and ate it as politely as he could. He had managed to learn some manners. He noted Garnet didn't care about manners right now. When both had finished they all boarded the ship and Zidane carefully moved it from beneath the rock clef and flew towards home. Garnet stood on the bridge with him while the other two stayed down below.

"Karasi, you know we can't reveal too much. Nor can we tell them what roles they play or just how much we know about them and their new enemy."

"I know Zarek, I have not forgot my orders. Their knowing some about us will only help not hinder us. They have sown ad great deal of trust towards us; I was repaying that trust with idle banter of our kind."

"I noticed that. I am just worried they will ask about that creature or about their enemy or how they should prepare. We have come to protect and train but not change their movements. I am just making sure you don't reveal things ahead of their time."

"I won't, don't worry so much. I am concerned about that creature though. I didn't expect that creature to come here, or be that strong. I was expecting physical enemies not spirits."

"It probably came because of the in balance already created in this world. That is the least of our concerns right now."

Garnet on the other hand had her own worries.

"Zidane, do you think we will ever know why their Alpha sent them? It seems odd they would come to protect us and know so much about that weird spirit entity."

"I am sure we will be told what we need to know we need to know it. I think they are on our side, they just can't tell us everything right now. Maybe some things we are better off not knowing at the moment."

"I hope you are right."

"Dagger don't worry about what you can't change, just focus on what you can." He grinned lopsidedly at her.

"Your right thanks Zidane." He nodded smiling at her.

"Why did you ask about skirt chasers Dagger?"

"Oh, because I wanted you to know you are not the only one out there, so don't worry about the past. I know you will stay with me… even if you mind does wonder to things less the appropriate at times." He blushed slightly thinking of a few things he had told her earlier. He noted the blush but said nothing about it.

"Thank you, I am glad I have you Dagger. I know this would be near impossible for me to do alone." He took her hand smiling, her other hand wondering to his tail to stroke it again. It didn't take long for the group to arrive back Steiner and Beatrix we waiting at the dock for them all. Steiner was hoping up and down, made that Zidane would take the Queen away for the whole day.

"Where were you both? There could have been another attack!" Steiner shouted still hopping up and down.

"Cool it, we where sealing that creature away. Its sealed at the Desert Palace, we didn't come right back cause a bad storm rolled in so we waited it out, before flying back." Beatrix nodded though Steiner was still fuming.

"Sorry for the disturbance upon you arrive back." She bowed to both the Queen and Zidane making Zidane rub the back of his head.

"Its fine, I assume things are going fine here and they the help we sent it being put to good use in Lindblum and Burmecia?"

"Yes, we have everyone accounted for and the rebuild of both cities has started." Garnet nodded then looked to Zidane.

"We should go and get some of your studies completed before night fall Zidane." He nodded not really wanting to do so but willing to nonetheless. Zarek and Karasi merely smiled.

"We will go back to our quarters to rest." Garnet nodded and left with Zidane. The two Zevaru heading another direct to where they had a room.

"I still don't trust those things…" Steiner growled after they left.

"They haven't shown and interesting in harming the Future king or our Queen. So hold you tongue until they do." Beatrix warned as she returned to duty leaving him to his thoughts.

Zidane was very grateful for some time alone with Garnet after his studies. He had learned something from the studies but the progress was slow. Garnet was ever patient with him though and encouraged him to keep trying. Garnet pulled him into bed with her satisfied in his prescience. She had changed in the adjacent bathroom and he had changed into a royal pajama set given to him. Beatrix had left them in garnets room signifying that she accepted them as a couple.

"Dagger, Beatrix bowed to me…"

"I noticed, she must really believe in you. I know she respects you, Steiner will come around in time."

"I know he will. I just didn't expect it, at least not yet." She smiled, and leaned up giving him a soft kiss.

"I know, it just shows how much she likes you. Don't worry about it." He nodded then gave her a kiss of his own, it was gentle nothing like what he had seen in his dreams. She sighed happily enjoying being in his arms. "Zidane did you want me to help you with your… fantasies a little?" her voice very soft in his ear, she was blushing her voice even showed it.

"Not tonight, I may ask for help later though. Right now I just want to sleep by your side." She nodded, very happy with that answer. She noticed he was soon asleep and decided to follow his example.

AAN: Yep a fairly lengthy explanation of the Zevaru, hopefully that gives you an idea of what they are like now. I promise the next chapter will have a lot more action.