Chapter 26
The Festival of the Hunt
In what seemed like hours, two days had passed since the party. Zidane and Tantalus had stayed in Alexandria for both days and were getting ready to head back to Lindblum in time for the Festival of the Hunt. Regent Cid, Queen Hilda and Eiko had gone back the day after the party. Amarant left during the party while Quina remained at the castle's kitchen. Freya had returned to Burmecia with her people and Vivi went back to the Black Mage Village with his children. Garnet and Harold remained inside the castle ever since the celebration ended. Steiner and Beatrix also stayed within the castle.
"Right. This is the last of the boxes, boss." Cinna informed Baku. "Ok boys! Let's go through the check list: Airship, house. Set, house. Props, house. Lights, mm-hm. South Gate Pass, got it. Cinna, house." Baku read. "Hey!" complained Cinna at the last item. "Gwahahahahaha! That's everythin'!" Baku confirmed. Blank and Marcus came in with their belongings, "We're here boss!" they panted after running for the airship. "I can see that, ya morons!" stated Baku. The Nero Brothers followed the two thieves and rushed inside the Prima Vista. "Get movin' ya Déjà Vu milkers! Go, go, go, go, go, go!" yelled their leader. "Ruby! Get yer butt on the airship! Yer comin' back with us!" he yelled. "Alrighty boss!" she responded and boarded the theatre ship. "Right, all were waiting for now is Zidane. Where is he?" he questioned. They all looked around and found no sign of Zidane.
The young genome was sitting by the moat that surrounded the castle, looking ominously at the sight. He sat with his legs crossed and his tail in a semi circle, twitching and swaying gently in the calm breeze. "She's a married woman now........ I still can't believe it....... To think that my friends, the people I trust, never told me about this." He thought. Zidane hopped to his feet and took one last look at Alexandria Castle. "I doubt I'll ever come back here...... So long Dagger, have a great life as a Queen." Said Zidane. Then, he made his way up the steps and back to the theatre ship.
"Ok, now I'm getting pissed off! If I count to ten, and he isn't here, were going without him!" declared Baku in a fury. He started to count just as Zidane arrived, "Whoa, whoa! Hold it boss, I'm here!" he informed his leader. Baku turned around and raised his fist, "You little—" he started before Zidane interrupted, "Hey, hey, hey! Who saved the world from certain peril?" the genome reminded the angered oaf. Baku thought for a second and lowered his fist. "Fine.... Just don't be late again. Ok, Blank! Fire her up!" ordered Baku. The Prima Vista reacted a few moments after Baku's voice. Sooner or later, it was in mid air and on its way back to Lindblum. The Alexandrian citizens waved the troupe off as they headed home.
"By the way Zidane. Tomorrow, we'll be coming back here." Said Baku. "What? Why?" asked Zidane. Everyone looked at him slightly astonished. The genome looked round at his fellow actors. "What? Hey! I've been in a coma for a year! How are you all surprised!" he yelled. "It's the peace ceremony! The four nations have arranged to declare peace. The ceremony is taking place in Alexandria tomorrow. Everyone's gonna be there. Everyone!" Marcus explained. "GEEZ! WHY DOSE NO ONE TELL ME ANYTHING! It was bad enough keeping Daggers commitment a secret from me but this just takes the biscuit!" yelled Zidane."We're sorry, Zidane. We were all caught up with work, what with the play an' all." Exclaimed Ruby. Zidane calmed down and headed for the front of the airship. "Just leave me alone for a bit. I need to come to terms with things." He said. "Sure. Whatever you want, bro." Answered Blank, and everyone apart from Zidane went inside. He stood behind the female statue on the front of the airship, working things out in his mind.
Hours later, they had passed through South Gate and returned to Lindblum. Tantalus returned to their hideout while Zidane made his way to the castle. The guards formally allowed his to proceed to Cid's chamber. As soon as he entered, he was greeted by Eiko. "Hey, Zidane! How do you feel?" she asked, concerned. "Fine thanks, yourself?" he replied. "I mean, about... Well.... You know..." she carefully said. Zidane scratched his head. "She means how do you feel about Garnet being married to Harold?" Cid simplified. "Oh right. I'm trying not to think about it." Zidane answered. "You do well." Complimented Hilda, "We won't talk about that either." She added. "Good idea." Said Zidane, he then turned to Cid. "Hey Cid, I what to enter the Festival of The Hunt. Is there still time left to sign up?" he asked. "No need to register, Zidane. I reserved a place for you if you ever wanted to enter." Cid answered. "Awesome! You entering Eiko? You're pretty tough." Asked Zidane. Eiko shook her head, "No, I'm a princess now! I've got better things to do that to fight monsters." She answered, "Besides, after all this time, all of us have become weaker. We've been living peaceful lives, no fighting. We're not the warriors that we were. Well, Amarant, Steiner, Freya and Beatrix are. But me and everyone else have lost our will to fight." She stated. "I see. Well, I guess that makes sense. No need for action means a drop in ability." Pondered Zidane. "Anyway, the festival starts soon, Zidane. You'd better find out where your start point is." Informed Cid. "Yeah, you're right. I'll be off then. See you later. Wish me luck guys!" Zidane called as he hurried out of the room. "We will!" they all called back.
Zidane made his way to the guest room where several contestants had gathered. He looked around and recognised none of them. "Man, feels kinda different by myself." He said to himself. There was a board pinned to the wall. On the board was a list of the contestants and their start points. Zidane skimmed down the list to find his name while seeing the names of a few other participants'. "Well, we got a lot of different kind of people in here: Schmidt, Renzo, Boyle, Klein, Reas, Jimbo and.... huh?" he said as he read the names, but was stopped when he saw a name he recognised. He looked around the room and found the matching man; it was no other that Sir 'Iron Tail' Fratley.
The genome pushed through the crowd and made his way to the legendary Burmecian dragon knight who was leaning quietly against the wall. "Hey, Sir Fratley!" Zidane called out from the crowd. Fratley looked around and spotted Zidane as he approached him. The Burmecian stood loyally before him, "My word. This is indeed an honour, Sir Zidane." He said, politely. Zidane groaned, "Don't call m 'sir'. Zidane is my name, Zidane. I don't like being called sir." He explained. Fratley chuckled lightly, "As you wish. Zidane. What brings you here?" he asked. "The Festival of the Hunt, what else? I assume you're here for the same reason." Explained Zidane. Fratley nodded, "Yes I am. This annual event is a perfect way to test a warriors skill." He answered. "You know, Freya entered last year. Me and her hand to team up to kill the massive hog thing." Zidane informed Fratley. "Ahh, yes. Dear Freya. She is truly one of a kind. She has told me all about your adventures." Said Fratley. "I bet she has. So, your here to be the best of the best huh. The Master Hunter?" asked Zidane. "The Master Hunter award is not really an achievement. It is merely a check point in one's life. It's the gate way to a new challenge where one must fend for his or her title." Fratley explained. "Not bad. You should write that one down." Said Zidane.
Then, Minister Artaina entered the room and called for attention. "Order please! Simmer down, simmer down. I assume that you have all prepared yourself for the Festival of the Hunt. Now everyone must go to their appointed start points. Some warriors are waiting in the city. Regent Cid, Queen Hilda and Lady Eiko wish you all the best of luck." He announced. The room erupted with cheering as the warriors made their way to the air cab station. Zidane and Sir Fratley followed closely behind the bunch of eager fighters. "So, where are you starting at, Fratley?" asked Zidane. "In the Industrial District, yourself?" he asked. "I'm starting in the Business District this time. Good luck." Replied Zidane as he boarded the air cab, "And to you." Answered Fratley, then the air cab took off and went to the Business District.
When it landed, the group of warriors rushed out into the streets that were overrun with monsters like Mu's, Fangs and Trick Sparrows. Zidane looked around and drew his knives. "Ok, let's roll...." he said.