"Damn," Maddie muttered as she turned the corner. "Err, I mean, darn," she corrected herself.
Edgar looked up at her, "not who you wanted?"
"Not exactly," she sighed. "I was looking for my mom. But I give up," she found a chair and hobbled over to it.
"I apologize," Edgar tilted his head towards her.
"Don't, it isn't your fault," she shrugged.
"Yet, I always feel the need to," he turned to work with materials on a bench in front of him.
"I guess I'm not making it any easier," she bit her lip.
Edgar smiled, "I suppose it's your right."
Edgar continued to work in silence, Maddie nonchalantly looked at his project. She thought about leaving, but she realized that they have been this way for the past three days. Sabin would be incredibly angry if she didn't even attempt to build a bond of some sort. So, in a way she was doing this for him. … Yeah. Right.
Instead of sitting down she hobbled cautiously towards Edgar. She watched his hands deftly assemble an electronic device. Several springs and rods were laid out meticulously in front of him.
"May I ask what you are working on?" she finally voiced.
He looked at her, raising an eyebrow, "just something resembling something I used long ago." He turned his head down.
"Okay, so are you going for aloof or mysterious?"
"If you would give me a couple of seconds here, I can demonstrate," he announced. He pulled back on a spring, placing a rod upon a latch. His finger slipped and the spring bounced to the other side of the room. "Damn."
"I'll get it," Maddie volunteered and limped to the spot where the spring landed. She brought it back to him.
"It's been a while. Could you do me a favor and hold this," he offered, pointing down at the spring. "For some reason, I feel like I've lost a couple of fingers."
"Out of practice?" Maddie followed his visual instructions.
"Maybe. Or maybe my hands are just weak," he muttered. He made final adjustments. "Almost done," he put several round rubber washers on the rods and tightened it with a couple of screws. "In practice I would put more plating around it, but for a demonstration…"
He turned the object around and holding in his hand what looked to be a handle of some sort. He pulled on a trigger that responded to the lightest of pressure. He aimed at three targets placed against the wall. Within an instant, three arrows were embedded into each target.
"Ah ha! It works!" he grinned madly.
"Awesome, but what it is?"
"This, my dear, is the newly refined and updated 'AutoCrossbow!'" He smiled proudly. "I had a more primitive version several years ago as we fought against Kefka."
"Oh," Maddie replied. "So, how is it refined and updated?"
Edgar frowned, "I didn't think you'd ask me that."
"I know, it's quite a shock I'm talking to you at all," she mumbled.
He put down the metallic object. "You need your time, Madeline," he said gracefully. "I understand and want to give you, your space."
She nodded solemnly, "Thank you."
They were silent as Edgar tightened up the AutoCrossbow, adding some more safety plating. "There we are. All good to go!" He announced proudly.
"Sabin said you were an expert machinist."
Edgar smiled modestly, "I wouldn't say expert. I do have a knack for tools it seems."
"Are you always this modest?" Maddie raised an eyebrow.
Edgar opened his mouth to speak, but finally responded, "no."
Maddie chuckled. They were silent for a moment. "So, you're my dad…" she started.
"Apparently," Edgar answered.
She cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, I'm not exactly sure how to do this… talk to you, get to know you. I just feel all awkward, weird… scared."
Edgar nodded slowly, "I certainly do not want to scare you." He sat down in a chair and motioned for her to sit across from him. "I've got an idea. Just ask me questions. Anything that you ever wanted to know about your father."
She sat down slowly, looking back into the kind king's eyes. She felt her cheeks flush and she looked down at her hands. "I don't know."
"I suppose I could just start talking. Realize, I am a king, as well as a speaker. I can talk for hours. Let me think. Oh yes, well, I was born at a very young age…"
Maddie giggled, "Okay, okay, stop."
Edgar smiled gently.
"How about, when did you meet my mother?"
Edgar closed his eyes and smiled. "That was an amazing day. Many years ago, obviously before Kefka's defeat, I had been doing behind the scenes deals with the Returners. As far as the Empire was concerned, we were still loyal to them. I had made friends with a person of dubious profession."
"Locke?" Maddie raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," he smiled. "Anyway, he sought out protection for your mother and brought her in front of me." His eyes twinkled. "I could feel my heart drumming loudly."
Maddie frowned, "why?"
"She was beautiful. I could tell that she was hurt and confused. I just wanted to pull her into my arms and protect her forever. But she had to find her own path. I have mine." He paused reflecting on the memory.
"When did you know that you loved her?"
"I don't know. I don't know if it was the moment she first spoke to me, or the moment she chided me for using a 'line' on her. I loved her ever since."
"Do you still love her?" Maddie asked.
Edgar nodded, "yes, very much."
"Even after finding out about," she paused, "about me?"
Edgar smiled broadly, "absolutely." He leaned forward. "I barely know you, but I'm proud of you."
Maddie suddenly felt extremely shy. She almost didn't notice her mother walk in quietly. She stood by Edgar and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You still love me?" Terra asked timidly.
Edgar stood taking Terra's hand in his. "I cried the day of my wedding. I thought I lost you. I spent a miserable 15 years without you," he placed his hand gently against her cheek. "You are the one I love. For yesterday, today, and forever. I do not know what the future brings, but I will not acknowledge anything but a future with you."
"Edgar," Terra's cheeks reddened and she looked down.
"That is, only if you feel the same," he took a step back.
"No, stop, of course I do," she smiled. Her lip quivered lightly. She slid her hand up his arm to his face. She gently urged his lips down to hers.
"Ugh, I'll be going now," Maddie stood.
Edgar pulled back from the kiss, "oh no you're not. You are finally starting to talk to me."
Terra turned and smiled at her, "I agree."
"Okay, but I don't need to see any more of … you know… that stuff," Maddie shook her head. She shuddered.
Edgar held onto Terra's hand and slipped back into his seat. Terra squeezed his hand, "I'll leave you two alone."
Maddie watched Terra leave the room. She turned back to Edgar chewing on her lip. "So, what was Uncle Sabin like as a kid?"
Edgar chuckled.
"This is a tragic time for the people of Figaro. My heart weeps for every citizen who feels the loss of our king as much as I have," the queen dabbed her eyes with her beige hankerchief. She looked beautiful and solemn this day she gave the announcement to the people. Her long raven black hair fell down in ringlets. A modest golden crown rested on top of her hair. Her cream skin stood out against her long straight black dress. She was flanked by the captain of the guard on her right and the chancellor on her left. Each stood folding their hands, their expressions melancholy.
"I have been fortunate to have the support of the workers here in the castle. You are all to be commended. Edgar loved each and every one of you," her voice quivered.
"But it is time to move on. We cannot find him, and we can only assume that his sickness overcame him," she sobbed. She took a moment to bury her face in the small cloth. "I am sad that these are the circumstances, but the king's son, Roni Figaro is poised and ready for the responsibilities and duties required of the king. He's trained for this position since he was very small.
"I urge all advisors and friends to support us in this act. This is not the time to grieve and let Figaro become weakened by uncertainty. We are prepared. We will continue and not let any kidnappers challenge our way of life," she spoke each word with passion and emotion, each of the assembly applauded their oh-so-brave queen in this trying time.
"Thank you, at this time I believe Chancellor Jueton has a few words," she nodded to the dark haired bearded man on her left.
"Thank you, your highness," the chancellor took a stand behind the podium. "Trusted advisors, elite citizens of Figaro, I move that we plan for the coronation at the end of the month."
The queen held on to the arm of the captain of the guard as each member in attendance voiced their agreement to the notion. As soon as she was out of sight, a grin pulled at her lips. The captain escorted her to her quarters.
She walked into her room, shrugging off her robe, and faced the captain. "Report," she stepped towards him.
"We have no sight of him, ma'am," the captain held his hands behind his back.
"Have you checked with his friends," she raised an eyebrow as she closed in on him.
"We have undercover surveillance following each of the heroes, ma'am. There is nothing. I'm sorry," the captain looked down at the woman.
She narrowed her eyes, "this bothers me, Felix." She patted his chest gently and eyed him head to toe. She made a brief sound of approval and walked away from him.
Felix cleared his throat, "is there any place the king preferred? Vacationing or anything?"
"You know about as much as I do," she gritted her teeth. She picked up a vase from the table and hurled it across the room. "This could ruin everything," she seethed.
"Your highness," Felix started.
"Wait," she held her hand up to hold off the captain. "The caves, the Returner's Caves…"
"The Returner's Caves? I thought they were destroyed after Kefka sent the world into ruin," Felix answered.
"They exist in some form or fashion nowadays. Check it out," she ordered.
"Yes, your highness," Felix nodded. He turned on his heel and left the room.
"He knows too much," the voice hissed at the queen.
"He is very useful," the queen responded.
"He must be destroyed," the voice grew angry.
"In due time, my lord. Everything is going according to plan, otherwise," she replied.
"Except for the king has gone missing. Do not underestimate him. He will be a power to be reckoned with if he is allowed too much time and freedom."
"We will keep applying the pressure. Even if we cannot find him, we will cut off his resources," the queen responded. "Roni will be king in a month, and you will be able to assume the role you have desired, my lord," she reasoned.
"So be it. We have come to far to let this deter us," the voice resolved.
"You worry too much," she began.
"You don't worry enough," the voice argued.
"My king," the guard captain still loyal to Edgar called to him. Edgar had been working on other odds and ends at his workbench. He turned to the man.
"Yes, Sergio," the king placed his project down.
"New intelligence has arrived from the castle," he started. "There is talk of a coronation at the end of this month."
"I see." Edgar paused quietly looking down. "Any word from Sabin?"
"Nothing really, but there are castle guards everywhere, which is slowing down his efforts," the captain continued.
"Very well. Try to send word to Sabin. Tell him to gather what he can, but come back as soon as possible. Time is not our luxury it seem."
"Yes, your highness."
The queen, followed closely by the guard captain, entered a large dark chamber. If it weren't for the torch Felix was carrying they would not be able to see inches in front of them. This room was adjacent to the wine cellar and barely used by the kitchen staff. The room was completely useful, but as a result of the earth's shifting due to Kefka's interference, the room was crushed whenever the castle submerged.
The castle had no reason to submerge anymore, and most felt it probably couldn't after all these years. The room remained unused. Several of the kitchen staff refused to enter it due to stories of ghosts. Stories of angry allies with Odin or invisible demons who had sworn allegiance to Kefka were passed around the workers, so none dared to put the room back in use.
The floor of the room was littered with rubble and rocks of various sizes. Candles formed a circle in the center of the room. The queen gracefully went to her knees in the middle of the candles. Felix placed the torch in her outstretched hand. She lit the candle to her left and then each candle lit one after another similar to dominoes falling.
"It is time my lord," she announced aloud in the room handing the torch back to Felix. She reached her arms up and closed her eyes.
The quiet room suddenly came to life with several small breezes that became stronger and stronger in force. They traveled around in quick succession encircling the queen and Felix.
Felix, who was forever loyal to his queen, was more unnerved by the magical events than he allowed his stance and features to show. He was not a stranger to magic. Strange happenings occurred throughout his life, but this seemed more than strange. This was more sinister, darker in nature. He was used to doing what it takes to get to where he was in life. Some were surprised he attained his position in the king's guard so quickly.
He now realized that he was being used. It wasn't his talents that were being rewarded. He had a latent ability that seemed to be awakened by the odd events that his queen initiated. He lusted for her. He maybe even loved her. That did not matter anymore.
He was no longer himself. He was no longer here. His soul drifted away from his body and he watched the events unfold as an ethereal bystander.
His body walked in front of his queen and reached down to pick up the beautiful woman pulling her in for a deep fierce lustful kiss. She responded in kind. His hands slid down her body and back to her neck. The ghost of Felix turned away at the sound of the wet snap that brought the end of her double-crossing pathetic existence to an end.
The candles were extinguished. The queen's body fell turning to dust along with her clothes. Felix looked at his face that no longer belonged to him. "Good work," the body smiled and walked out of the room.