Shortly after we met up with Sabin, we arrived at the Rebel base. It was in a very strategic location between several mountain valleys. As we came into the cave, I noticed how dark and dreary it was. The only light was from torches setup around the cavern. You could hear water flowing from somewhere. It was evident why the Empire had such a hard time finding this location.

There were a few hundred soldiers each doing different things: There was a squad doing basic training, there was a squad that was practicing swordplay, there was another squad that was doing research. It was quite obvious they were preparing for war. The only problem is, if this is all the rebels are, it was a battle they would probably lose.

As soon as I entered, many people seemed to appear nervous. No doubt this is due to how they must know who I am. This made me feel very, very guilty. I must have done a lot to these people to have them be afraid of me, with just the sight of me. Locke came up behind me.

"Are you okay?"

"They are afraid of me…"

"Don't worry… I will help them to understand that you were not the cause of what you have done."

I had to admit that was very sweet of Locke. But I just wondered if they would be forgiving, and if they would accept me. In any case we continued into the base. Then this man who must have been about 60-70 came out. He wore very old robes, and had a very huge stench to him. This could be due to having to live in such conditions.

"King Edgar, what is going on?

"Banon, we brought the girl with us."

Banon walked over towards me. He began to look into my eyes, tugging and thinking.

"Is she the one who can talk to Espers?"

"Espers?" I asked.

Locke suddenly took out the slave crown and tossed it to Banon.

"Seemed the Empire was in complete control of her."

Banon examined the crown.

"What treachery, I never thought that the Emperor would stoop this low… No wonder she was able to wipe out over 50 troops in just 2 minutes. We all thought they had just found someone with no remorse, or pity, or mercy."

I could not believe what I heard and felt a few tears welling up in my eyes. 50 troops in two minutes? What has the Empire done with me? I have killed people with lives, with families, with homes, with futures. I suddenly did not want to live.

"That is a lie, I muttered."

Locke came over to me and placed a hand on my back to comfort me.

"Banon she does not remember anything."

Banon approached me.

"Perhaps you have all heard this story… Once people were pure and innocent. However, there was a box they were told never to open. One day someone decided to open the box. He unleashed all the evils of the world. 'Violence, Control, Envy, Greed, Pride.' All that was left was a single ray of light: 'hope'"

I was not sure why he was telling me this story. But he continued.

"We are confronting those evils… and you could be our last ray of light, our hope."

Locke glared at Banon.

"Banon!"

Banon suddenly turned around.

"I have grown weary with the hour, allow me to rest."

Locke and I walked to a room, with a bed.

"Thanks for comforting me back there."

Locke placed a hand on me.

"Is what he said true, about wiping out 50 troops?"

"I am sorry you found out that way… I know the last few days have been nothing but shocks for you. I know it is not easy."

I walked over to the bed, suddenly feeling very tired. But there was something I just had to know.

"Why do you care so much Locke, about me anyways?"

Locke came over to me.

"I rarely tell people this, but I almost married a girl once."

"What was her name?"

"Rachel."

"So what happened?"

"She died, under an Imperial attack led by Kefka… It is a wonder he didn't burn all of the village, but the Empire was still young, and they were afraid if they did something like that, other nations would crush them, prior to them gaining all of the power. Anyway… get some rest."

Locke left the room. I could tell there was more to it than that, but whatever it was, it was far to painful for him to bring up. I layed down. The bed was not comfortable at all. It was just some sheets with some hay on top of some boards. But with as tired as I was, I could have slept on hot coals.

"Lets test your abilities, Kefka said, follow me."

There were over 50 troops in the Empire's training ground. All of them were armed. About half were in Magi-tek armor. The other half had very protectice armor with very sharp swords. Kefka just laughed.

"Now troops, I want you to come out and fight your hardest, remember, if you lose you die, don't hold back."

A man in a yellow lab coat came out.

"The timer is set to begin at your signal Kefka."

"Excellent, Dr. Cid."

Again Kefka Laughed.

"Troops form your squads of ten each."

He then turned to me.

"Bitch, get in your suit."

I nodded, and implied. I did not want to do this, but I had no control over my body. This crown made me jump in.

Kekfa laughed again, and drew a flare gun firing it.

I approached the first 10 troops and used bio-blaster.

I awoke with a huge jump. Tears came down from my eyes. I could not hold them back any longer. I wept. I wept for the troops I killed. I wept for their families. I wept for their children. I felt like I was a psychotic killer. I did not deserve to live. I got up and walked over to the place I left my sword… I could end my life. It would be so easy, and fitting. After all I took so many lives. What do I have to gain by living?