CHAPTER 8:
SEIZE THE DAY
In one of the cabins of the Blue Narcissus, Mikoto sat next to Wedge, drawing comfort from his presence. Aside from Zidane, he had been the most kindest to him since her attempt at self-destruction…suicide, though Garnet, Freya, Vivi and Cid were sympathetic. Steiner was somewhat distant, and Amarant? He didn't seem to give a shit, period. Eiko kept her distance, looking at her with suspicion. The Qu who had accompanied them on and off, Quina Quen, didn't know what was going on.
Zidane had concocted the antidote for Cid's metamorphosis, but it was a failure. It changed him into a frog of all things, and Cid had decided to head in search of Kuja and Hilda without delay. They were going to stop by the Black Mage Village, find out why the sentient Black Mages had joined Kuja first, before heading to the Desert Palace.
Mikoto had offered to come with them, if only to make sure Kuja was dead. And Wedge opted to come with her. Zidane and Garnet were also in the cabin, sitting opposite them.
As they sailed away from Lindblum, Mikoto looked at Wedge. "Why did you come with me?"
Wedge chuckled. "That's Ipsen's line."
"Excuse me?"
"Long ago, there was an explorer called Ipsen. I once read a book of his journeys. I think he discovered that Mirror Castle you mentioned, the one that was a Terran building. Anyway, a contemporary of Lord Avon's, called Ben Marlo, wrote a play called Ipsen's Travels(1). In that play, Ipsen is sent a message to come home. He was working in a tavern in Treno with a friend called Colin. Anyway, they had a lot of adventures. I think Ipsen's home was in Daguerro, which is quite a long way away, and as they had no airships, never mind any that could run without Mist, well, after a bunch of adventures, he asks Colin, 'Why did you come with me?' Those exact words. Colin's reply was 'Only because I wanted to go with you'."
Zidane chuckled. "You know, I told Dagger the same thing at Madain Sari. Not many people like Marlo's works nowadays, Wedge."
"I actually prefer them to Lord Avon's. I like Lord Avon, but I prefer Marlo. Of course, there's more to it than that," Wedge said. He looked down at his feet. "You were involved in the war Brahne started, invading Burmecia, Cleyra, and Lindblum. I only heard about such things at one remove. But I hated all the loss of life. I came to a realisation, when Lady Freya was telling me of how she witnessed Cleyra being annihilated by Odin…when we see death tolls in broadsheets, even when they're being discussed, they are but numbers. But every number represents a life lost. I like being comfortable, but Doctor Tot often admonished me that comfort and familiarity are dangerous traps to the inquisitive mind. A true scientist ventures forth into the unknown. Perhaps I should not have taken him so literally, and yet, Freya, Eiko, Vivi and Mikoto, they spoke of far-off lands, even another world. Cid and Tot tried to dissuade me, because of the danger, but…my father always admonished me to show more bravery. Maybe this will prove it. Maybe this will prove I am more worthy than my own brother. A selfish notion, to be sure, but…it's not the only reason."
"Mikoto, right?" Zidane asked.
"Of course. Look at it from her point of view: stranded in a strange world, a world she believes to be, if not savage, then primitive and profoundly alien. And then, her own creator, and someone who is the closest thing to having a father figure, not only disowns her, but declares her life to be worthless. She needs someone to show that her life has worth, has meaning." Wedge looked to Mikoto. "Apologies for speaking of you in the third person, Mikoto."
Mikoto nodded mutely. Eventually, she spoke, "Zidane…you have held up well, knowing what you were created for."
Zidane shrugged. "Well, the thing is…maybe it was the right time for me to know. If I'd finally made it back to Terra, and then got told all this at once by you and/or Garland, who knows how I might've reacted. But…you already told me some of the truth. Not the important parts, but it helped prepare me a little for the truth. But…I know what I am. And what I am and what I was created for are two different things, Mikoto. I'm Zidane Tribal, master thief, actor of Tantalus, and…well, ladies' man, I would say…but my heart now belongs only to one. I will fight the fate Garland has written out for me with every breath in my body and every beat of my heart. Gaia is my world, not Terra. But Mikoto…I know you said we were only distantly related and all, but you're my sister. I don't care what you were. Wedge is right. Your life has meaning beyond being a so-called Angel of Death. We'll show you. The Black Mage Village is proof of that. They were once created by Kuja and Brahne as mindless soldiers for the war on the Mist Continent. But these guys have grown beyond that. They're like Vivi, now."
"But some if not all are working for Kuja," Wedge mused. "That is what Cid said. Kuja must have found a way to suborn them. You said Kuja created them. Mayhap he had some means of controlling them that he had built into them."
"I don't know." Zidane shook his head. "Vivi's taken it very badly."
"I can scarcely imagine what it is like for him. He spoke of his story while Mikoto was modifying the radio. A tragic tale, to be sure. As you pointed out, the parallels between the Genomes and the Black Mages are manifold. Kuja probably did so out of a perverse sense of irony. He doubtless finds it highly amusing."
"Well, I ain't laughing," Zidane snarled quietly. "Getting off on the misery of others…like Cid said, I can understand him wanting to stop Garland, but he enjoyed death and destruction so much…"
"It was his purpose," Mikoto said quietly. "To cause death and destruction." After a moment, she looked up at Zidane. "What is your purpose?"
"What do you mean?"
"Aside from stopping Garland and Kuja. What is your purpose in life?"
Zidane pursed his lips. "…Well, I dunno, really. I mean, Garland created me with one in mind, but…I guess if I have a purpose, well, I have several. To act and…acquire with my family in Tantalus. To protect my friends. To enjoy my life. I mean, we don't always have a choice in life, I know that. But Kuja, oddly enough, gave me an opportunity to have a wonderful life. And that's what you have, Mikoto. You can find your purpose in life. You're lucky. Wedge seems to have taken a liking to you, and even though you lied to us, lied to him, he's forgiven you. Because he knows you can be better than just an Angel of Death. And I know that too. If I can do it, you can."
Mikoto didn't reply. However, she leaned in to Wedge, who blushed a little at the close proximity of the Genome, especially as her tail wormed behind his back and began gently caressing it, as if trying to search for reassurance. Garnet seemed to giggle silently, and Zidane smirked. "I think what Eiko told me was right. You guys do have a crush on each other." As Wedge spluttered denials, and Mikoto merely blushed deeper, Zidane leaned forward, and said, in a stage whisper, "You want any help in getting a date with her, Wedge, I'm your man." He then waggled his eyebrows meaningfully.
"I say!" Wedge yelped indignantly. "I am not like my brother!"
"Never said you were. Anyway, from what I heard, your brother is a syphilis-ridden grade-A prick," Zidane said. "Dunno how he gets the ladies."
"Trinkets from the Treno Auction House," Wedge said.
"Ah, say no more. But I use a silver tongue rather than golden coin," Zidane said.
"Ruby had spoken to me of your so-called 'silver tongue' when we watched that play in her mini-theatre," Mikoto said. "Given what she said, your silver tongue is a touch tarnished."
Garnet was laughing silently, clutching her stomach, while Zidane scowled in mild annoyance. Garnet nudged Zidane in the ribs, and when he looked at her, she indicated Mikoto, as if to say, She's got you there.
"It's a touch too early to consider a date, anyway," Wedge said. "I have known Mikoto for a few days at best. It's not exactly proper."
"Wedge, you're a good guy. But sometimes, you've gotta live dangerously. I mean, besides going on an adventure, anyway. I'll be honest, I have quite a lot of regrets. But I also try to live in a way that they're my regrets to make."
"You sound like my brother," Wedge said with a scowl.
"Hey, maybe we do have a similar philosophy, but I try not to hurt people along the way. Wedge, I'm not saying you should be more like your brother, drinking and whoring himself to an early grave. Just…live a little. What's that old saying? Seize the day?"
"Given your life in Tantalus," Mikoto remarked, "for you it would be 'seize the Gil'."
Zidane gaped. "Did you just make a joke, Mikoto?"
Mikoto didn't reply, though a faint smirk seemed to twitch at her mouth.
"I'll be damned, my little sister has a sense of humour," Zidane said. "And before you say anything, Mikoto, I'm still going to call you my little sister. I'll be damned if I call Kuja my brother, but you…well, I want to think of you as my sister. The little sister I have always wanted to have so I can protect her."
"…You feel this strongly towards me? Even knowing what I was?"
"Yeah. Your eyes didn't lie, you see, when we first met. You lied by omission, but you know what I saw in your eyes? A scared girl, lost in a strange world through no fault of her own. Not only that, but you told me what I was, something I wanted to know. Okay, you lied about that whole 'Angel of Death' crap, but you told me I was a Genome of Terra. I have waited all my life to know what I was, where I came from. You filled a big hole in my life. It doesn't mean I'm gonna abandon Gaia. As I've said, Terra may be where I was born, but Gaia is my home. But…you gave me a gift nobody else has been able to give me. So you get a protective big brother in return."
Wish mine was as protective, Wedge thought to himself bitterly, though he kept such thoughts to himself. He had railed against his brother enough times in front of these people. Better that he not annoy them too much with his own problems.
The Black Mage Village, once they arrived, was very rustic and ramshackle. His father wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere near it unless he could work out some sort of trade, and his brother would have sneered at the thought of golems creating their own settlement. But Wedge, although he thought it a bit too primitive for his liking, thought it interesting.
A shame most of the Black Mages had left. Only three remained. Two of them tended to a Chocobo egg, while the leader, given the wonderfully creative name of Number 288, was waiting in the graveyard. Vivi began questioning 288, who replied to some questions, revealing that the Black Mages joined Kuja's side because he claimed he could extend their lifespans, which were appallingly short. He refused to betray the others by revealing where Kuja was.
"It is a moot point," Mikoto said. "I know where he is."
288 turned to Mikoto and Wedge. "And you are?"
"I am Mikoto, of the same people as Zidane, and Kuja," Mikoto said.
"Wedgewood J Bishop," Wedge said, doffing the wide-brimmed hat he now wore. "You may call me Wedge, though I wish we could have met under better circumstances, Mr 288."
"I agree."
"A Black Mage golem, walking about and thinking…" Wedge smiled. "Very fascinating."
"And frightening," 288 said. "We live for but a year, give or take."
"…Ah. My apologies, old chap. Or rather, young chap. Sorry, I sometimes put my foot in it," Wedge said.
"No, I've taken no offence," 288 said. "If you knew where Kuja was, why did you come here?"
"To find out why the Black Mages joined him," Zidane said.
Vivi nodded. "…You stayed behind because you were worried about the Chocobo egg, weren't you?"
"…I don't know, to be honest. I wished to follow Kuja, if only because I was scared of dying. But…I realised that if I left, I would be leaving something truly important behind."
"…Did Kuja say anything about me? If I'm going to die?" Vivi asked after a moment's silence.
"I don't know. Kuja did mention a prototype, one that would function for longer, but even that would die eventually. I'm sorry, Vivi."
Vivi shook his head. "…I was really confused when Grandpa died. 'Vivi, no need be sad', he said, and so, that's what I told myself. Don't be sad. That's why I was confused when I heard of all the mages here stopping. I mean, dying. I didn't know what to do, how to feel…until I saw Dagger sobbing over her mother's body. In spite of everything Queen Brahne did…I felt sad. Mr 288, we're not puppets, I know we aren't! Puppets cannot feel."
Wedge noticed Mikoto stiffen at that sentiment. "Puppets…cannot feel," she parroted softly, bringing a hand to her chest.
"I hate him. I hate Kuja!" Vivi continued. "He's turning people into his own puppets just to kill others! I don't care why he's doing it! He does it out of enjoyment, and not just to escape his master! It's not fair…"
288 was confused. Mikoto then said, "You have more in common with Kuja than you think. He was created for destruction, as were you. And the other Black Mages. And Zidane. And myself."
"But we're breaking free of that!" Zidane declared. "We don't have to be defined by what we were created for, any more than you guys do. We're trying to stop him!"
288 looked at them, before finally admitting, "There are two entrances to Kuja's palace. The first is hard to access, save by airship. But there's another entrance, hidden under quicksand." He then looked at the others. "Perhaps one day, I hope we can be as strong as you are, to break free of the shackles of fate."
Wedge nodded. "Be steadfast, old chap. I'm sure it's easier than you think." The rather fatuous words felt hollow to him, though, even as he spoke them. He thought about the shackles he was still trying to break, from his ties to his family, so that he had the freedom to do what he wished.
Yes. He had his own fateful fetters to break…
CHAPTER 8 ANNOTATIONS:
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I dunno how long it'll be before the next one comes out, though.
Anyway, some basic stats, commands, and Trance explanations for Mikoto and Wedge.
NAME: Mikoto
AGE: 15
RACE: Genome
CLASS: Red Mage
WEAPON: Sword
COMMANDS: White Magic, Black Magic
TRANCE: Appears similar to Zidane when he goes into Trance. White Magic and Black Magic are replaced with a single command: Forbidden Magic. Although these spells drain a lot of MP, they are also powerful, including Full-Cure, Meltdown, Scathe, and Ultima. This is rather like Harry's Trance in A Third Summoner.
NAME: Wedgewood 'Wedge' J Bishop
AGE: 15
RACE: Human
CLASS: Alchemist
WEAPON: Crossbow
COMMANDS: Mix (like the Alchemist job, or like Rikku's Overdrive from Final Fantasy X), Analyse (like Cid's ability in Final Fantasy IV, but with a 1/8 chance of giving the next attack from any character a critical hit, or enhancing elemental damage).
TRANCE: Looks like a shinier version of a Red Mage. The results of Mix become more potent, regardless of them being healing or offensive items. Analyse gives a 1/4 chance of a lethal hit on a subsequent attack, save for on boss enemies and enemies immune to Death, in which case, it's a 1/2 chance of a critical hit with the next attack.
1. This is the name I gave to the play and its author in Amethyst and Garnet. Ben Marlo is a name derived from two of Shakespeare's contemporaries: Ben Jonson and Kit Marlowe.
