CHAPTER SIX: BACK TO IVALICE
The six of them came through the portal in Povalorain. Somehow this city had a feeling of home to them.
"Good to be back." Marjorie said softly. Katejina looked at the others before turning to Marjorie.
"Hun." Katejina said her voice a soft tone unusual for her. "You're staying here with Hastings and Roxanne." Marjorie looked at Katejina then at the others who averted their eyes as to not meet her gaze.
"Fine." She said and walked to the house. Katejina and the others followed all slightly surprised she didn't protest more. Marjorie was ahead of the group but when she entered she let out a piercing scream! Katejina raced in and found Marjorie standing there in shock the house was wrecked with tipped over furniture and torn curtains. Katejina noticed a note attached to the wall. All it said was a simple
Look upstairs
Katejina darted upstairs followed closely by Marjorie they heard the others coming. Katejina was first upstairs where she saw a stuffed moogle hanging by a noose.
"HASTINGS!" Marjorie shrieked. Katejina shook her head.
"Not him." She said. "There's a note pinned to it." Marjorie took the note from Katejina's hand. She read it and her face grew dark and the young viera grew angry.
"We'll find them." Katejina said, she didn't know what was on the note but she knew it involved Roxanne and Hastings. Marjorie simply stood there her young body shaking with rage. "We'll look for them as soon as we find a safe place for you." Katejina continued.
"NO!" Marjorie hollered as a flash of light pulsed from her body the other where all stunned by the bright light.
This was long enough for the lightning swift and headstrong Viera to make her getaway. Yuna was the first to recover though she was still seeing spots dancing around her vision. She went to Tifa who was shaking her head in an effort to clear it, Lenne was helping Rimoru get to her feet, Katejina was already on her feet but very shaky.
"You ok Kate?" Tifa asked. Katejina shook her head and leaned back against the wall. "Lenne, go to the shed and see if our old cart is there. Rim, go and buy five chocobo's, two to pull the cart and three for us to ride. Yunie your with me." They all nodded and Rimoru and Lenne left to do their appointed tasks. Tifa went to Katejina who leaned there starring into space.
"Kate." Tifa said. Katejina looked at Tifa and began to leave, Tifa grabbed the sleeve of her jacket. "We'll do this together." Katejina shook her head and pulled her sleeve from Tifa's grasp. She went to the door when she paused her hand went down to her midsection where blood was beginning to soak through.
"Dammit." Katejina whispered as she fainted. The last thing she heard was the voice of Tifa and Yuna crying her name in unison.
Katejina awoke an unknown amount of time later, she was on a bedroll, and a clean shirt on her body her jacket folded on the floor. She saw something, she weakly tried to reach out. She felt a hand on her and she felt her hand rest on her stomach.
"Rest my friend." A voice said. It sounded like Lenne, it had that horse but gentle edge to it.
"How long have I been out?" Katejina asked. Lenne now came into full focus. She smiled kindly at her friend.
"Twenty eight hours." Lenne said. "Tifa was worried about you, we all where. You reopened your wound, had you left and passed out on the road you could have bled out. We're lucky you passed out where you did."
"Marj?" she asked. Lenne shook her head.
"No sign of her Kate." Lenne said. "I'm sorry." Katejina looked away, Lenne could have sworn she heard her sniffle, she placed her hand on Katejina's hand. "Kate, we'll find her and bring her back to you."
"I want her in my arms now." Katejina said. "Milly is back, she kidnapped Roxanne and Hastings to draw Marjorie to her. Milly is ruthless she'll kill Marjorie without a thought."
"You need to be fully healed before you go running off." Lenne said. She was about to continue when Yuna came in back from the drivers' area of the wagon. She looked at Lenne. Lenne nodded and patted Katejina's hand before going up to take Yuna's place. Yuna looked at Katejina for what seemed like a long time before she spoke. As always her voice was gentle and soft but Katejina could tell the serious tone of it.
"We talked." Yuna started. "We decided that you should go in search of Marjorie. I know it's a cold thing to say but…"
"You've been sidetracked too much." Katejina finished.
"You can come back to us of course when you find her." Yuna offered. "That's if you wish to." Katejina looked at Yuna for a long time. Three months ago she would have left the group and lived on her own. Katejina knew she wasn't that same person, the cold hearted person, she learned to open her heart again. To allow herself to be loved, but also hurt at the same time.
"I'll find them." Katejina said. "First however I wish to give you some words of wisdom. From the feel of this road it's going to fork off into four directions. You'll need to split up." Yuna gave Katejina a quizzical look.
"How do you know?" she asked.
"It's enough I do Yuna." Katejina said as she sat up.
"We're breaking for the night soon Kate." Yuna said. "Will you at least stay with us through the night?" Katejina nodded with a smile
"Lady Yuna, it would be my honor." She said. Yuna gave her a grateful smile. Not five minutes later the wagon came to a stop for the night. An hour later they where all settled and fed. They decided to rest so they could leave early the next day. Katejina offered to take the first watch, they all agreed.
Tifa however was restless, she was tired she just couldn't settle herself down enough to get to sleep. She got out of her sleeping bag, she saw Katejina not too far away. She didn't have much to say when Katejina said goodbye. Times have indeed change the old Katejina Tifa would have been happy to see leave. However this Katejina, she liked her, maybe she liked her all along. Maybe it's just that they grew to like each other. Tifa went up next to her but said nothing, instead she shivered the chill wind making her do so. She felt something heavy on her shoulders, she looked and saw Katejina's jacket.
"It's heavier than it looks." She said. "Thanks Kate. Won't you get cold?" Katejina shook her head.
"The cold never bothers me my friend." She said. "Was there a reason why you're up?" Tifa nodded.
"I couldn't sleep." She told her. "Just couldn't get my body to settle down and sleep. I also wanted to say goodbye."
"It's not for good my friend." Katejina said with a small smile. "We will meet again after I find Marjorie." Tifa nodded then she paused and yawned before Tifa knew it she had faded into sleep. Katejina caught her and carried and placed her back in her sleeping bag. She gently removed her jacket. She smiled as she brushed a stray strand of hair from Tifa's face.
"I'll miss you Tifa." She whispered. Katejina stiffened as she heard a sound it sounded like, drums? Katejina squinted into the darkness and saw a small Vah shir running towards her followed by Kremis, Talanic and a runaway hatchling.
"Looks like we'll be keeping an eye on you after all." Katejina said in an amused tone. She kept watch alongside her new companions.
Later that night Yuna who took the second watch roused Tifa for her turn at the watch. Upon waking up she saw the new guests. The hatchling and kitty waved at her.
"Tee-faw!" the hatchling cried. In spite of herself she smiled and picked up the two young ones. The kitty nuzzled Tifa's shoulder she giggled, though she wondered how they would care for them. They weren't expecting them, it's not like they could care for the little ones. Tifa thought her best bet would be to return them to Povalorian, but that would take time, something they wasted too much of as is. She noticed Kremis dragging something out his tail was moving a mile a minute. She joined him and saw a very large bag, but how did it get there? She looked at the hatchling who shrugged, as did the kitty. The kitty jumped out of Tifa's arms and proceeded to sit on Kremis' head. Tifa sighed as she carried the heavy bag to the rest of their supplies. She looked around for Katejina but to her surprise the Viera was gone.
'Just like her.' Tifa thought. 'Not a word to anyone she just took off, can't say I blame her. For all we know this could be the final farewell for all of us.' After scouting the camp Tifa waited until the others woke up. After she filled them in they were on the move again. Hopefully to put an end to the whole thing once and for all.
The Northern Crater, the last place the members of the resistance force known as AVALANCHE fought the insane Sephiroth. Since then it has been abandoned and forgotten about. There were many stories by the locals who dwelled in Icicle Inn about strange lights and sounds. Those where dismissed as crazy talk, no one ventured up there in near four years now. Yet the crater was alive with activity and has been for nearly a year now.
Inside the man known as The Visionary observed a testing process being used on a young Viera. It involved the use of some of the creatures found in the crater. Most where weak and died before the odd process even began to work. He sighed as an Iron Guardian was dragged away.
"I'm sorry sir." A scientist said. "Nothing seems to be able to even survive the testing process."
"Try the Scissors creature we found." The Visionary replied his eyes not leaving the Viera's form.
"Sir, the scissors is very aggressive he killed three good men just bringing him into captivity!" the scientist protested. "Surely you don't want me to lose more men!"
"Course not." The Visionary replied. "Send women this time around." The Scientist gulped but turned to three well-armored women flanked by two women in lab coats to try to sedate the creature. They nodded and went to where it was being held. Instantly it sprang forth killing a scientist by plunging it's hand in her chest! She fell back spurting blood and convulsing already dead before she even hit the ground. The guards fire tranq darts at it but they had no effect. The other scientist scrambled to jab the sedative into the creature just as it beheaded a guard and gutted another one! Then it fell to the ground and the one living guard dragged it to a tank adjacent to the Viera.
"That three more people lost." The male groaned. The Visionary called over the female scientist who walked over.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Tersai." She replied.
"Ok Tersia." He said to her. "Want a promotion?" She nodded her expression didn't change. "Good, kill him!" The scientist opened his mouth to protest but was shot in the head before he could get the words out. Tersai looked around her co worker lay on her back the blood still pouring out of her mouth her skin was as white as her coat. The guard that was gutted also lay on her back, Tersia went to her side. The guard moaned as she looked at Tersai before she was shot and lay on the ground dead. Tersia put her gun back and allowed the cleanup to do their job.
"All liabilities taken care of sir." She said. The Visionary nodded as he watched the process. This time the Viera seemed to be growing the sharp claws of the Scissors creature the placed in there. He smiled satisfied the transformation was taking effect this time around. He turned to his new assistant Tersia.
"Observe the process." He told her before he turned his back and walked away into another room.
The Visionary found Snowbane, Millie and Teilla all waiting for him. He looked each one over before he spoke.
"Teilla." He said. "Tell me what happened with the rouge?" Teilla looked at him and swallowed before she spoke.
"As requested she is taken care of." She reported. "the reaction however was not as expected. If I could have another chance I'm sure I could take care of Shaden."
"Shaden was never your goal." The Visionary said calmly. "The rouge was, and if she's dead I need you elsewhere." Teilla nodded though her teeth where clenched. He turned his attention to Millie.
"You seem to be forgetting your place." He told the crazed Viera. "You do what I tell you to do." Millie snorted and gave him a look.
"I'll kill you where you stand." She growled. The Visionary looked almost amused by the Viera's anger. He produced a small device that almost looked like a remote control.
"Remember when we brought you in you where sedated. While you where unconscious I implanted this in you. Cute little device capable of creating intense pain. Allow me to demonstrate." He pressed a button and Millie instantly screamed in pain and fell to her knees. She glared at him but he smiled. "That was the lowest possible setting my dear. Go against me again and you'll feeling the second lowest setting." Millie nodded her breath coming out in heavy pants and she was drenched in sweat.
Satisfied The Visionary turned to Snowbane. The white furred Vah Shir stood before him.
"You're one who actually did as told." He said. "Had you killed her as you wanted to my plans would be crippled. You will be rewarded, after we are done with her, you may kill the singer." Snowbane nodded happy her obedience was rewarded. Again The Visionary left that room for another room, a room that held a dark purpose.
It was mid day the following day, they had entered the Dread Bog two hours ago, the climate was warm and moist. Rimoru took off her kimono, Tifa pushed up her sleeves. Even though winter was coming the dread bog ignored the calls of the seasons. It was always like this except in the summer when it was worse. Yuna whipped the sweat from her brow. She cast a glance in the wagon where the dogs and the babies where sleeping. She felt a canteen in her hand and looked at the supplier. Yuna smiled at Lenne thankful for her generosity. Lenne nodded, she had her hair tied in a ponytail in a futile attempt to beat the heat.
"Thanks." She said. "How much we have left?" Lenne shook her head.
"Not much at all." She replied. "We were ill prepared for this kind of climate. I'm surprised no one has passed out due to the heat." Yuna sighed at this news. She knew they couldn't hold out much longer like this, they expected some drinkable water. However since all the water here was murky swamp water not fit to drink that point was moot. Yuna then felt her world spin as she staggered before falling into Lenne's awaiting arms. Lenne noticed Tifa turn to go to Yuna's side but she staggered and fell forwards. Lucky for her that Rimoru was there to steady her.
"This is crazy." The teenager exclaimed. The other three nodded. "There has to be drinkable water around here somewhere."
"There is." a harmonic voice said. They all turned to face the owner of the voice. The person was female her skin we green and her hair was black. "You just have to know how to find it. By ways of introduction I am Verthil a dryad. Hold on let me call Spout." The quartet simply stood there not knowing what to expect next. Then a slender female made entirely of water sprang forth from the filthy water..
"Ugh I hate this bog water." She exclaimed. She then noticed Yuna and her friends as well as Verthil.
"Spout." Verthil started. "These people need drinkable water. Snap to it." The water nymph said no more and plunged her hands into the water. The swamp muck left it leaving it pure and drinkable. The four women where quick to fill their canteens.
"We are in your debt." Yuna said after she filled hers. Verthil simply nodded before addressing the foursome. They then found themselves in a different part of the bog. This part was colder and had four paths.
"Each of you needs to take one path." Verthil explained. "You'll be able to get to your destination this way."
"Wait." Tifa said as she looked around. "where are the babies and animals?"
"They'll be reunited with you soon." Verthil comforted. "Now be off quickly and best of luck to you all."
Wordless the four each chose a path and proceeded. Verthil sighed as she watched them leave.
'Thank the green I got them out of here in time.' She thought. She then turned as she heard a sound. She was face to face with the Warlord. He scowled at the dryad.
"Your too late." She declared. He said nothing and swung his axe. The dryad dodged and moved to entangle him in vines. However she gasped as his axe sunk into her chest. She gurgled blood as she fell to the ground. The Warlord cleaned her blood from his axe as he heard someone else come out. Ferthorn came out and saw her body. He rushed to her side and cradled her in an attempt to find life, and attempt that was in vain.
"She's dead!" he cried.
"It was the outsiders." The Warlord lied. "Their leader, the fist fighter killed her. She tried to persuade them from here. They refused."
"No." Ferthorn said. "They wouldn't!"
"My lad." The Warlord said. "We have had our differences in the past. Today however I speak the truth, what will happen if they find your family? Surely they will kill them like they did Verthil. You must stop them! For their sake." Ferthorn nodded. The Warlord pointed down the third path to the left.
"Her killer went down there." He said. Ferthorn nodded as he set Verthil's corpse down.
"Goodbye." He whispered to her he then left following the lies he was just fed. Satisfied with what happened the sinister Warlord left as well.