New chapter is here. I really don't have a lot to say in these things without repeating myself from earlier chapters...

I'll just do the usual and move onto the story.

* * * * *

The Duelist of Dawn: Thanks, glad you liked the chapter. The impulse jet stream took a bit of working out, specifically, 'how can I use it without it being overpowered?' I just hope I got it right. It took me a couple of goes with the battle too, so much I wanted to add, so much that didn't flow right, in the end, I'm happy with how it turned out. Now, let's see how this one turns out.

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Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy IX or any of its characters, they are property of Square Enix, I do however own my OC Sepheris.


Final Fantasy IX: Legacy – Disc 1/Chapter 7 – Flight to Lindblum

* * * * *

Seph's Point of View

* * * * *

Slowly, I could feel the force gather, completely covering my body and the area around me. I closed my eyes to concentrate, trying to feel everything around me... trying to paint a mental picture. As the power of my force increased, so too did the wind currents around me. I came able to predict the way the wind around me moved, and soon, using this, I came to see objects as they moved through this wind. I started trying to judge who was who, using size and speed, then I sensed it. A large one was charging straight at me, 'The Black Waltz,' I nearly stopped to face him but another stepped between us. Judging from the speed it was likely Zidane, as he held the Black Waltz, another approached, smaller than the Black Waltz, but bigger than Zidane, 'Steiner,' I realised as he struck. Now I who was who and where they all were.

I opened my eyes for an instant, it was brief, I nearly lost all my senses, but I saw Zidane dead ahead, and as luck was have it, he saw me looking and he nodded. My chance was now. My eyes closed again, I followed his run straight at the Black Waltz, so I started, "Impulse..." I wouldn't get another chance at this, the pressure was mounting, and I saw the Black Waltz move back, incredibly fast, "Jet Stream!"

All my built up force was released at once as I charged the Black Waltz. At this speed, he was actually slower than me, but I realised a miscalculation. My strength was leaving me at an incredible rate, I was going to collapse before I even reached him, and the distance wasn't even over 20 feet. So I did what I thought was logical, I jumped. In the air, my speed would easily carry me the distance, and with my feet raised, the kick should hit him hard enough. Thankfully, Steiner should be in just the right place for the Black Waltz.

As I neared, feet raised, I felt the Black Waltz turn towards me, and everything disappeared. I couldn't feel anything... couldn't see anything, only my black eyesight, slowly being filled with light.

* * * * *

"Holy crap!" I shot up from my sleep, "A... dream..." I looked around, the room was empty, and I was in Zidane's bed, 'Nice to see I got a bed this time,' I thought, as I pulled myself up. I was running through what had happened, "No... it wasn't a dream..." I realised, remember our encounter with the Black Waltz, '...yesterday was it? Hell, I don't know, how long was I asleep for,'

"Glad to see you up," I looked towards the door to see that Zidane had entered, "I heard you yell, bad dream?"

"You could say that," I told him, "Is the Black Waltz...?"

"Dead," he confirmed, I was relived, "Yeah, Steiner got him after you kicked him in the face," he informed me, as he grinned remembering it, "You were out cold, so we rested up. Some more than others," he looked over at me.

"Sorry, didn't realise that it used that much strength," I admitted.

"Lemme guess, one of Alex's little secrets?" He asked, still not trusting Alex 100%.

"You could say that," I answered, "It tired him when he used it in Alexandria, I just didn't realise how much,"

"Well, you're okay now, we were slightly worried when you didn't wake up after we made you drink an elixir," he told me, "but now, I'll round up the others, shouldn't be too hard, Rusty was watching the airship and Dagger was with Vivi at the windmill,"

"Okay, I'll meet you at the airship then" I told him, before adding, "Oh, and do you really think that airship is going to Lindblum? Steiner was acting suspicious before and it's strange that he wants to help all of a sudden,"

"Don't worry," he waved off my concerns, "you're probably right, but I'll handle it," and that was that. He left me in the room to get ready and meet at the airship.

I was still wearing my blue shirt from yesterday and, while a little worse for wear, it'd do. I grabbed my satchel I dumped here earlier and headed for the door. Stepping into the next room, I saw that the Innkeeper was 'asleep' again, and a horrible idea struck me for revenge.

I stepped into the middle of the room and began to gather an Impulse Burst, but like in the underground facility, I let my rage wash over me. Soon the whole room was in a vortex of wind. Paper, books, stationary, small figurines... all manner of small object were either carried in the wind or strewn about the floor. This soon grabbed the attention of the Innkeeper as he sharply looked up and saw me; he flinched back in an instant as I glared him down.

"You!" I near yelled at him, "I know you did it! I know you're responsible for what happened to my friend!"

"I-I-I..." he stammered out, unable to get a word in edgewise.

"Silence! Consider this your retribution!" I faced my open palm at him, "Impulse Burst!" the unformed sphere shot forward to hit him in the face.

"AAiieee!" he screamed before falling backwards in his chair, unconscious.

"Pft, baby," I turned to leave the Inn, "there was barely enough force there to even be considered a hit," and I left the Inn, feeling a lot better after letting all that out.

* * * * *

I casually strolled towards the airship, hands behind my head while I looked up, watching the clouds float past. As the airship came into view, I tilted my head back towards ground level to see everyone looking towards me.

"Hope I didn't make you wait too long," I said as I came to rest in front of them.

"Nah, we're just glad you're okay," Zidane responded, clapping a hand onto my shoulder.

"Although, we did hear a scream earlier," Dagger told me, "We were concerned about you,"

"Hmm? Oh that," I waved it off, "I just gave the Innkeeper a tip,"

"Must've been one hell of a tip then," Zidane said.

"You could say that..." I trailed off, a grin plastered to my face, "Anyway, I think we've delayed enough, shall we get going?"

"Yeah, but just wait here a second," Zidane turned towards the ship, "I'll just go ask them if we can hitch a ride,"

"I-I shall go ask them," Steiner stammered, stopping Zidane.

"Oh, really..." Zidane cast a sideways glance at me, recalling what I told him earlier, "How come?"

"I-It is not for your benefit," Steiner clearly hadn't thought this through, "I am only doing this for the princess!" he didn't let us respond as he ran towards the airship and proceed to climb the ladder to board.

"Steiner..." Dagger watched him as he left, "He was so adamant about going back to the castle before... An airship full of the barrels like the ones I saw at the castle... Steiner was against going..." It was fun watching her piece together all the information, "Zidane, is this ship really heading for Lindblum?"

"Seph came to the same conclusion," he told her smiling, "It'll probably take us straight to Alexandria,"

"But why...? Didn't you just say we should get on the ship?"

"Yeah, I know. Trust me," something about Zidane made him a very trustable person... and knowing how this'll play out probably helped too.

"...Zidane," Vivi spoke up; he had been quite since I arrived, likely thinking things over.

"What is it Vivi?" Zidane asked, looking towards the little mage.

"Those dolls they were making underground..." Vivi probably couldn't get it out of his head, "Did you think they looked like me?"

"Maybe a little..." he admitted, "But they're just dolls,"

"O-Okay, what about you Seph?" the little mage looked at me. Seeing those eyes made it hard to lie.

"Zidane's right, there was some resemblance," I chose not to lie, "but you're you, Vivi, and that's all that matters to us,"

Vivi nodded, thinking over what we told him. As my attention went back to the airship, the engines on it started up.

"It's moving!" Zidane stated, seeing what I saw, "What the heck is Steiner up to? Alright, we have to get on, Dagger,"

"On a ship that's not going to Lindblum!?" Dagger was still a bit wary about this idea as Zidane took her by the hand towards the ship.

"I don't have time to explain. This way," Zidane told her while me and Vivi ran to keep up.

The ship still hadn't moved, but the propellers were getting faster. Vivi was the first to climb the ladder. I looked back at Zidane and Dagger as I followed after Vivi.

"Hurry up! you have nothing to worry about," I could still hear Zidane trying to get Dagger to board, "Hurry, before she takes off!"

"But..." Dagger was still uncertain.

"I'll take you to Lindblum, I promise,"

"Fine, I'll get on," Dagger told him, finally caving. I pulled myself up at the top to stand on a small balcony with a single door leading inside.

"It's taking off!" Zidane called, making a jump for the ladder as the whole ship lurched, started to lift off.

"Ahhh!" whether on purpose or accidental, likely the former, Zidane had managed to place his hand on Dagger's back-end.

"Oooh, soft," was Zidane's only comment as they climbed up the ladder.

I watched Dali shrink away as we climbed higher into the sky. As Dagger neared the top, I knelt down to give her a hand up.

"Come on, it's not like I did it on purpose," Zidane was telling her.

"Please, enough," Dagger told him, wanting him to drop it, "Thank you Seph," she looked at me as I pulled her to her feet.

"There's that royal tone in your voice again..." Zidane trailed off as he pulled himself up and had a look at us, "Are you okay, Vivi?"

"Feels like I'm going to be sucked into the sky..." Vivi staggered a bit, as if the events at Dali weren't enough, the little guy disliked flying.

"Let's go inside Vivi," Dagger told him, taking his hand and leading him through the door. She turned to address Zidane before she left, "I trust you, Zidane," Zidane took a step to follow before she slammed the door in his face.

"I get the feeling she doesn't quite trust me yet..." he mumbled, "Maybe she'll reward me if I try hard enough,"

"Hmm, doubtful," I dashed his hopes, "at least if you continue to pull things like you did on the ladder,"

Zidane grinned a moment as Dagger rushed back outside.

"Zidane... Seph..."

"What's wrong?" Both me and Zidane blurted out at the same time.

"It's Vivi," That was all she needed to say.

"Vivi?" Zidane queried as the three of us entered the ship.

We appeared to be in the engine room. All around, the machines were operated by...

'Black Mages...' I thought, as Vivi was trying, unsuccessfully, to talk to them as they just ignored him and continued about their work, 'oh crap... forgot about this,'

"U-Um..." Vivi stuttered, still trying to get one of them to respond.

Zidane looked over them, a look of shock on his face, "Wow, they're alive, and they're moving around,"

"The mages built in the village must bring back the new ones," I observed.

"Oh, Vivi..." Dagger trailed off, watching the little mage trying to talk with the others.

"Vivi!" Zidane called, grabbing his attention. Vivi walked towards us, looking upset as he stared at his feet, tears falling to the ground, "Were you able to talk to any of them?"

"No... It's like... they do not even... see me at all..." Vivi answered, trying to choke back the tears "I tried again and... again... but... they will not even turn around..."

"Vivi," Zidane tried to talk to him, but Vivi wouldn't look up, so he turned back to me and Dagger, "I need to go upstairs for a little bit. I gotta turn the ship around before it reaches the castle," he looks back at Vivi for a moment, "Keep an eye on Vivi, okay?"

Both me and Dagger nod so Zidane rushed up a flight of stairs at the opposite end of the room leading up to the deck. I kneel down and place a hand on Vivi's shoulder.

"Vivi..." I tried to get his attention, but the whole ship shuddered as I assume Zidane took control of the wheel, "Sonova," I mumbled, stumbling to the floor. I tried getting up, but in the end, Dagger gave me a hand, pulling me up with my stone arm, "Thanks," I tell her as I return the favour to Vivi, "You two hurt?"

"I'm fine," Dagger informed me.

"Me too," Vivi confirmed, "Hey look!"

Vivi pointed at the Black Mages as they started climbing the stairs, "They haven't responded to anything until now," I pointed out, "I have a feeling Zidane did something to get on their nerves. Come on," I wave them over as I follow the Black Mages up the stairs.

* * * * *

Just as we climbed to the deck and approached the cockpit, another Black Mage with wings and a crescent moon staff descended onto the ship, 'the third Black Waltz,' I shuddered.

"No..." Vivi mumbled after being knocked back by the lightning of the Black Waltz.

"Vivi, are you okay?" Dagger asked, as the two of us rushed to his side.

"So, No. 2 was defeated by a small child," He eyed Vivi before I stepped into his vision, "Ah, you must be the one that kept up with No. 2... Well you are no match against my power! Kwahahaha! Princess, stay there while I eliminate this pair!"

The Black Waltz began to advance on us, but stopped as his path was barred by the Black Mage crew members as the lot of them formed a wall between us. The three of us took this chance to join up with Zidane and Steiner in the cockpit, well me and Dagger did, we had to drag Vivi back.

"Are you protecting them?" the Black Waltz questioned, unsure of their behaviour, "...Nonsense! you are no different from mindless dolls!"

"Glad you could join us," Zidane greeted as we entered.

"Can it," I told him, "the third Black Waltz is here,"

"What!?" Zidane said, as we all looked out at the gathered Black Mages as they faced the lone Black Waltz.

"What can you do? Get out of my way! You dare to fight a Black Waltz?" The Black Waltz questioned the mages as he began to charge magic in his hands, "I said, get out of my way!"

The sights we saw as he unleashed a powerful thunder spell were terrible. The lightning arced from his hands all over the deck of the ship, ripping through the mages, sending them overboard. The power destroyed the three barrels that made up the cargo of the ship, sending the still sleeping mages towards the ground. Part of the deck were ripped up from the power of the spell and the glass in front of us shattered, showering us with glass. Vivi watched the destruction in painful silence as the mages were killed off.

"Wh-What cruelty," Steiner was the first to break the silence.

"...Ahhhh!" Vivi charged onto the deck to confront the Black Waltz, unable to take anymore.

"Master Vivi, I shall assist you!" Steiner called, chasing after him.

"Vivi! Steiner! Leave some for me!" I shouted, grabbing a few potions and dumping my satchel to the floor before running out onto the deck.

The three of us were staring down the Black Waltz, weapons at the ready, waiting for Zidane to join us.

"Why...?" Vivi was the first to talk, "Why would you do such a thing!? Weren't they your friends!?"

"You fool!" The Black Waltz yelled back, "Do I look like some lowly Black Mage soldier?"

"Even if they weren't your allies," Steiner retorted, "What you did was reprehensible,"

"Kwahahaha! Worry not about them: many more are being produced even now!"

"Grrr, that doesn't matter!" I shouted at him, "They were living beings, what gives you the right to slaughter them all like that!"

"The right!? I am Black Waltz No. 3! I do as I please!"

"What are you?" Zidane joined us, leaving Dagger to steer the ship, with his weapons drawn.

"Ah, the princess's bodyguards have gathered! How very convenient!" The Black Waltz taunted.

"Answer me!" Zidane demanded.

"It wouldn't do you any good if I answered, since you're all going to die! Kwahahaha! I will eliminate all who stand in my way!"

As soon as he finishes, all the emotions trapped inside Vivi break to the surface as he achieves Trance. His usually worn out robe looks new and shines with power, his usually droopy hat was now pointed, like he Black Waltz's. And to top it all off, he had a look of determination and confidence to contemplate the new power that he had.

Without waiting for the Black Waltz to act, Vivi blasted it with a Fire spell. The Black Waltz staggered back from the blast, shielding himself with his staff. He didn't get a chance to retaliate as he was hit by thunder, as Vivi used the ability of his double cast to hit him twice in rapid succession.

"Y-You are not supposed to be this strong," The Black Waltz recovered from the double hit and pointed his staff at Vivi, "Thundara!"

The thunder magic was sent straight at Vivi, "Impulse Barrier!" I dashed in to block the attack, "Argh!" to minimal success. The thunder completely overpowered the shield and shocked me. Thankfully the barrier held and had stored some of the magic, "Impulse Thundara Wave!" I sent the energy back at the Black Waltz.

"That may have worked on No. 2, but this is my magic!" The Black Waltz taunted, and broke my attack with his staff.

While the attack was gone, the Black Waltz staggered back, somehow hurt. It raised it's left hand over it's shoulder, covering it's wound. While it was injured, Zidane dashed in and delivered a twin slash across his chest, he jumped back in time to avoid the Black Waltz's staff, but this is the chance Steiner was looking for as he slashed the Black Waltz across it's back, the wound bursting into flames.

"Gah," The Black Waltz staggered forward. He removed his hand from his injured shoulder and something clanked to the ground. Laying at his feet was the tip of a sword blade that was embedded in his shoulder. I cast my eyes towards my sword, it had broken leaving only a couple of inches of metal exposed after the hilt.

"M-My sword!" I stammered.

The magic was too powerful to hold, I am sorry I didn't provide a better weapon, but I never thought you'd use your power like this.

I put the remains of me sword away and raised my fists, I was without a weapon, but I wasn't useless. I looked back towards the Black Waltz as it was hit by two fire spells from Vivi. As the smoke cleared, he raised his staff, charged with magic, "Die insects!"

He unleashed a thunderstorm among us, similar to the way he blasted the Black Mages earlier. All of us were sent to the ground. I tried pushing myself up on my right hand, but I was covered by a shadow, I cast my eyes upward to see the Black Waltz towering above me.

"For that little sword trick, you die first!" It raised it's staff, the tip crackling with lightning.

"Impulse..." I raised my hand, forcing magic into it in an attempt to defend, but, 'Wrong hand!' I realised as the usual impulse force wasn't there. It was my petrified arm, but... it was glowing grey, 'Screw it,' I thought as I directed the new magic at the Black Waltz, "Break!" the magic shot forward.

The Black Waltz reacted quick, it leapt backwards, using it's staff to block the spell, then cast it to the ground. I looked at it and watched as it changed to stone, 'Wasn't this guy supposed to be immune to it...' I thought to myself. Then I added it together, casting my eyes towards to my arm, 'it's a stronger petrify than normal,' I grinned as I charged magic into my petrified arm again, stepping towards the Black Waltz.

I grabbed three potions from my belt and tossed them towards Zidane, Vivi and Steiner, "Guys, heal up, I'll distract him," the three of them drank the contents and I drank one myself, feeling the burning sensation of the thunder fade away. I saw them get to their feet, and I attacked, "Break!" the magic shot forward, but the Black Waltz dodged and a part of the floor turned to stone. But he jumped straight towards Steiner who struck the Black Waltz in the back. As it turned, Vivi used double cast again to hit it with Thunder and Blizzard.

The Black Waltz was heavily beaten, but he pulled himself up and charged another big spell.

"Seph!" It was Zidane, he saw what the Black Waltz was doing and he planned on ending it. He dashed in, delivering a cross slash across it's chest, and I finished it.

"Impulse Blast!" I unleashed all the force at once, this time, all aimed at the target, before jumping out of range of any retaliation.

The Black Waltz staggered back from the blow, before facing us, "You...You scum...! I exist only to kill!" It threatened before using it's wings to lift itself from the deck and retreat. To top this off, Vivi's trance faded in a flash of light as the threat was gone.

"Just how many Black Waltz do we have to fight?" Steiner complained, "This is becoming ridiculous!"

"I think that was the last one," Zidane answered him.

"How do you know!? Are you...!?" Steiner wasn't sure how he knew.

"He said 'Black Waltz,' right?" Zidane tried to explain, "Don't you think No. 3 would be the last one?"

Steiner looked at him confused, still not understanding entirely, "He means that their names are a reference to the dance of the same name, the 'Black Waltz,'" I explained in detail, I saw Zidane look towards South Gate that were were rapidly approaching, "The dance uses three beats, so three Black Waltzes makes sense,"

* * * * *

Third Point of View – A small ship watching the fight

* * * * *

"Did you see that?" A short blue and white jester spoke, Zorn.

"That I did see," Another short jester responded, this time red and white, Thorn.

"Our enhanced Black Mages!" Zorn cried

"Our Black Mage enhancements!" Thorn echoed.

"All defeated!" Zorn complained.

"Betrayed us, Steiner did!" Thorn reasoned, "It's all his fault!"

"Huh?" Zorn mumbled, releasing his grip on the small skiff that they rode, following the cargo ship.

"Unstable, the ship has becomes!" Thorn yelled, grabbing the steering wheel, "Don't let go of the steering wheel!" Thorn berated.

"No. 3 is coming back!" Zorn informed his partner.

"True is it!? Hurray!" Thorn cheered.

"But something is wrong..." Zorn observed, "It's broken!!!"

"Made it's magic too powerful, we did!" Thorn realised.

"There's nothing we can do now!" Zorn told him.

"Depart we shall," Thorn decided.

"We shall depart," as Zorn echoed his sentiment.

"Run away!" They both said as they jumped off as the Black Waltz lands in the now empty skiff.

"I exist only to kill! I exist only to kill! I exist only to kill!" it repeated over and over as it took control of the skiff to give chase to the cargo ship.

* * * * *

Seph's Point of View – Deck of the Cargo Ship

* * * * *

Zidane had just gone back in to help Dagger steer as the gate neared, leaving me, Vivi and Steiner out on the deck. Vivi was stood near the railing, starting at one of the steepled hats that fell off of the Black Mages. I approached the edge to see how far we had travelled, but another sight greeted me instead.

"The Black Waltz!" I shouted, "It's chasing after us!"

Steiner didn't hesitate a minute and ran into the cockpit to inform them of the danger. I ran over to stand by Vivi, as the Black Waltz shot past out ship, knocking the steepled hat loose with the wind, sending it to the earth below. Both me and Vivi followed the Black Waltz as it turned and began casting another thunder spell.

"Fire!" In retaliation, Vivi blasted him, the explosion making the Black Waltz loose control of his skiff and fall behind, but Vivi had exhausted himself as he collapsed.

"Vivi!" I worried as I picked him up to pull him to the safety in the cockpit, but the ship shuddered send the two of us towards the railing. Vivi fell over, but I didn't release my grip on him, "Just hold on!" I looked up to see the Black Waltz approaching again, "Man, this guy just won't quit!"

The two of us had a front row seat as the Black Waltz began charging his magic once we were in range, but he didn't control it too well as one of the lighting arcs struck his engine, setting it alight. It must have seen mine and Vivi's reactions as it turned to see the damage, but it didn't react like it did in game. Instead of panicking, it spread it's wings to fly after us itself.

'Crap,' I thought as none of us were in any condition to fight, 'if it's ever going it hit, let that time be now,' I raised my left hand, magic coursing through it, and aimed at the Black Waltz as it was about to take off, "Break!" I blasted it. Thankfully, the attack struck home, but not completely. One of it's wings petrified, preventing it from fleeing.

Now it acted like it did in game, panicking, gripping the steering wheel to try control the skiff. I fell back onto the deck, pulling Vivi with me, after exhausting myself, 'That uses a lot of power... or I just don't have much since I'm not a mage,' I thought as we caught sight of the skiff as it exploded along with the Black Waltz, the wreck plummeting to the ground below as the gate closed, us having safely made it across.

Me and Vivi walked back to join the others as we continued to fly towards Lindblum.

"I think we pushed it a little to hard," Zidane observed, turning back to us after looking over the engine, "Why so silent, people? We made it! Come on, cheer up!"

"South Gate was badly damaged..." Dagger was the first to speak, "It was my fault, wasn't it...?"

"Don't worry about it! They'll fix it up in no time! "Zidane tried to reassure her.

"You idiot! The cargo ship was wrecked, we lost all of the cargo and South Gate was destroyed!" Steiner berated him, "I can't believe I played a part in this debacle!"

"Steiner," Dagger interrupted his rant.

"Yes, Princess?" Steiner responded, immediately at attention.

"I didn't mean to get you involved... but you saved us. I thank you," Dagger told him, instantly cooling his anger.

"Such kind words, I am not worthy" Steiner thanked her, on one knee, before standing up again, "Well, now I've made up my mind! I vow to protect you, Princess, until we return to the castle!"

"How do you feel about that, Dagger?" Zidane asked, unable to keep a straight face, "He'll follow you to the end of the world,"

"It's okay Zidane," Dagger responded, before seeing it, "Hey, I can see the main gate of Lindblum!"

"That's Lindblum castle!?" Steiner said, gawking, "How gigantic..."

"The city of Lindblum is inside the castle," Dagger informed him.

"Wow," I responded, seeing the true majesty of Lindblum for the first time... in person.

"Guys..." Vivi spoke up for the first time in a while, grabbing the attention of all of us, "Those... Black Mages and I... Are we... The same...?"

All of us stand in silence for a couple of moments, unsure of how to initially respond. Steiner was the first of us to answer.

"I don't understand, Master Vivi," he started, "Just what seemed to be the problem...?"

"...I don't know," Vivi shook his head, turning to face us for the first time in a while.

"Master Vivi, why would those mages be the same as you?" Steiner questioned him, "And why would it matter if they were...?"

"Steiner's right," I told him, earning a confused glance from the knight "It's like I said earlier, you're you and that will never change,"

"They're right," Zidane nodded, "You're an individual no matter what happens, Vivi,"

"R-Right," Vivi responded, seemingly feeling better.

"Let's check out the deck, Vivi!" Zidane said, making to drag him out.

"W-Why?" Was all Vivi managed to stammer out.

"You've gotta see Lindblum from above! It's the best!" Zidane informed him, "Look, the Falcon's gate is right in front of us!"

I followed them out onto the deck, grabbing my satchel, wishing to see the sights myself.

'Well,' I thought to myself, 'I wonder where the story will lead me to from here. After those Black Waltzes, I'm looking forward to sleeping in a comfy bed,'


And done. That's another chapter, and next time we get to explore Lindblum and hopefully the Festival of the Hunt (depends on how long it takes to write, I want to fit them both into one, so that is the likely result)

Also, watching through the video of this, seeing the Black Waltz unleash his lightning upon the ship and Black Mages and Vivi's reaction was not my highlight of the day. I'd have given anything to be there in person just to plant my fist in his face.

Anyway, reviewers review!

Random Question: I was thinking about this, but those of you who write stories too, how do you go about the battles? Do you plan them out in advance? Or do you just write it as it happens?

For me, I play out the battle in my head as it happens and write the result. Sure, I reread and reword it at times and add parts here and there, but I don't really plan anything for it

New Skills

Break: Like the black magic spell of the same name. By focusing his magic through his left (petrified) arm, Seph can inflict the petrification on others. As he wasn't built to be a mage, constant use of this spell drains Seph.