WARNING - some graphic violence. not too bad, but you've been warned.

Everything in the room was new again. The marble floors were immaculate, the walls and ceilings were beautiful, clean, and ornate. The plants were alive. I stood frozen in confusion until I looked at the desk, which was also looking like it would have when the office was in use. Which couldn't have been too long ago, as Seymour Guado was standing behind the desk. "What the hell are you…" but I stopped short when I saw what was in the chair.

A man, presumably Jyscal Guado, lay sprawled across the desk in a pool of his own blood. The hole in his back was indication that someone had reached through and ripped his heart out. Before I could even respond the doors opened and a man strode into the room.

Me.

He was dressed in all black with a gunblade on his back. When I looked close I could see a few military bars on the shirt underneath the cloak. He stopped right where I was standing and though I couldn't feel anything, I leapt back out of surprise. This must be a memory.

Arek stopped with his eyes wide. "What's going on here? What happened?" he asked. "Who are you? Did you find Lord Jyscal this way? Who did this?" his voice kept getting more urgent, even though the truth hadn't dawned on him yet. Seymour smiled and raised a hand above the table to wave dismissively. It was covered in blood.

"Slow down my friend, or I fear I won't be able to answer your questions," he smirked superiorly. "I'm actually preparing dispose of this evidence and leave, I was just taking care of some business, I would be Seymour Guado, and yes, I found father this way."

"Do you know who did this?" Arek asked slowly. Seymour gave a big, genuine smile at this.

"Well I should think it would be obvious. I did," he said before laughing. He laughed not like a homicidal maniac, but like he had just told a really good joke.

"No… it's not possible…"

"Oh it's quite possible," Seymour grinned evilly. As he brought his other hand up to the table there was a squish and a thud. "You see, body has quite a difficult time living without a heart. My… late father here encountered that problem just recently," he chuckled again.

"How could you, you monster…?" Arek trailed off, eyes wide with shock. Seymour just smiled that same evil smile.

"I though I just explained it to you Commander Arek. Surely you don't need a more… detailed explanation?"

"But… why?"

"Ah, the million dollar question," Seymour droned and he shoved the body out of the desk chair and sat down. He put his feet up on the desk and continued. "It was quite simple really. There were two reasons. My father was a fool of an idealist," he spat. "He thought that our noble race could co-exist with scum like the Al Bhed. In fact, I believe you were here to finalize a deal on that matter?" he asked. Upon receiving no response he continued. "I simply couldn't have that. So I took matters into my own hands. Secondly, it makes it so much easier for myself. With my father out of the way I'm a shoo-in for Maester. Politics is a fickle friend, you know."

"So you'd murder your own father over some half-baked hatred of a race you don't even understand!" Arek screamed.

"You should be thankful, I'll be helping your people," Seymour said as he rose and began to pace. "They live in the desert toiling away their meager existence. Yes Arek, I know where your people live, it's only a matter of time before I see to it. They suffer in the heat, but soon they'll be free from suffering. Don't you see, Arek," he turned back towards him with a maniacal gleam in his eye. "Don't you see? Death is the release, it is the freedom! You'll be free from your pain, free from the suffering and the persecution! My plan is already underway Arek, and soon all of Spira shall be free!" With that he began a sickening laugh, one full of such evil that it made Arek's skin crawl. He didn't respond but instead pulled his gunblade off his back. Seymour noticed and stopped laughing.

"You would seek to stop me then Arek?" he asked quietly. "Surely you understand my grand vision, surely you must agree it is better for people to not suffer. You don't want people to suffer, do you Arek?"

"I don't buy into any of the bullshit you just fed me," Arek gritted out, "but I'd sure as hell like to see you suffer a bit." He advanced forward a step, sword at the ready. Seymour smiled a sad smile.

"I see. Very well then, if you love to suffer so much I shall grant you your wish. Perhaps after I deal with you I'll see to that wisp of a girl you seem to care for so much. I'm sure she would agree with my plan, and if not, she can suffer while your home burns to the gr…."

"NO! YOU LEAVE RIKKU OUT OF THIS!" Arek screamed. "You WON'T get away with this you sick bastard! You'll pay, I'll make you PAY!" and with that Arek charged full speed at Seymour.

i was seriously goona make this longer but i just haven't had the time. i know if i don't keep updating i'll never finish. i'm going as fast asw a can but i'm getting my last wisdom teeth ripped outthis week if they use gas i'll probably be too loopy to write well. i'll have another (hopefully longer) chapter out soon.