Chapter 28

Impossible to Kill

The Behemoth sat on top of the theatre, with the dead fang hanging from its mouth, gazing down at Zidane. It was breathing heavily and growling deeply. Its drool trickled down the wall to the ground, creating a little puddle of the Behemoth's saliva. Its tail swished from side to side as it waited, intently, for Zidane to make a move. Blood covered the tip of its horns and claws.

Zidane, short of ideas, stood motionless as he started back at the enormous creature perched on the theatre roof. "Where the heck did they find one of those?" he thought. The tension between them was building quickly. Neither of them made a move or sound, it was scarily silent. The only sounds that could be heard were the faint shouts and yells of men and monsters as the Festival of the Hunt continued. The Behemoths bulging red eyes continued to glare upon Zidane Tribal, who appeared as though a mage had casted 'Stop' on him. Even his tail was completely still. His heart was pounding within his chest and his brain was aching with thinking of solutions to this seriously dangerous predicament. One move could send the Behemoth crashing down after him. At this point, however, that event seemed inevitable. All Zidane needed was a good game plan, but, unfortunately, his brain wasn't with him today.

"The tensions killing me! I can't put up with it anymore..... This bastard ain't smarter than me." He thought. Suddenly, the tension was broken as Zidane darted for the stairs as quickly as he could. He didn't have it in him to turn back, but he could feel the vibration that the Behemoth sent through the ground as it jumped down from the theatre to pursue him. He climbed the stairs as quickly as he could; even straining himself to try and escape the 10 tons of purple death chased him. Zidane could hear and feel the loud thuds that it made when moving. The genome sprinted past the hideout, up the stairs and into Michael's workshop. It was empty during the festival. He jumped down the ledge, ignoring the steps and got as far back as he could against the wall. Seconds later, the massive Behemoth rammed into the building and shattered the frame of the door, giving it room to stick its head inside and try to snatch Zidane up.

The genome backed into the left hand corner so that he was as far away from the beast as possible. He drew his daggers and stayed on the defence. The Behemoth struggled violently to get further inside the workshop. It swung its huge head from side to side whilst roaring loudly as it wrecked the whole room. Tools were scattered all over the floor and Michael's paintings were ruined in the monsters warpath. It had completely devoured the Fang and no trace of it was left in its mouth. The Behemoths bellows shook the room and forced Zidane to take cover under his arms. The creature impaled its razor sharp horns in to the wall opposite the door and scattered bricks everywhere. One hit pelted Zidanes arm, resulting in a yelp of pain and shock. The genome did his absolute best to stay away from the monster. It continued to rip a hole for its head to fit through; forcing its way inside the workshop. Then, it reached out as far as it could to try and bite down on Zidane. The genome took his chance and slashed the fiends jaw. "Take that you bastard!!!" Zidane yelled. Blood squirted from its wound and it wailed with pain. It drove its horns through the roof in its tantrum, bringing more bricks crashing down on Zidane.

As it was facing upwards in rage, Zidane dashed forward and stabbed the creature in its vulnerable neck. It let out a second, louder screech and pulled its head out of the workshop. It rolled around on the ground, roaring at the top of its lungs. The genome escaped from the destroyed workshop and formed his swallow blade. After a few moments, the Behemoth regained its stance and faced Zidane. "C'mon." Ordered Zidane. The huge bellowed in anger and charged straight at him with full force. Before it heaved him, Zidane skidded underneath it and slashed its back legs, causing it to topple over to the ground.

As it got back up it curled its tail and lowered its head. "Huh? What's it doing?" Zidane wondered. Before he knew it, a meteor came crashing down and slammed into Zidane before he had a chance to dodge. The explosion sent him 3 meters across the ground. The genome climbed to his feet and spotted the Behemoth in the reflection of his dagger about to strike him. He quickly dodged in the nick of time, rebounded off the ground and buried his steel into the Behemoths back. It bellowed loudly and attempted to shake Zidane off its back, causing the genome to drop one of his daggers. Zidane twisted his remaining dagger into the wound and blood quickly oozed out and covered his chest and arm. The Behemoth ran around in circles and jumped into the air, trying to get Zidane off its back. The genome shoved his weapon further into the wound and twisted it further, making the monsters shriek in pain. Eventually, he lost his grip and was launched off the creatures back.

The Behemoth turned to face Zidane again and charged at him, horns first. With seconds to formulate a plan, the genome spotted his dagger a foot away from him. He managed to avoid the monster and grab his knife. Then, the beast bit down into Zidane's leg, making him cry out in agony. It lifted him of the ground and swung him from side to side. Dazed from the pain, Zidane managed to get a tight grip on his dagger. His blood from his leg wound was staining his white shirt red. When the chance rose, Zidane swung round and stabbed the Behemoth in the eye. The pain filled roar that followed was so loud that it almost deafened Zidane and everyone in Lindblum could hear it. Blood poured down the Behemoths face as it shrieked out loud. With his other arm, Zidane forced the dagger deeper into its face until the entire blade was within its eye. Suddenly, the monster stopped screaming and everything fell silent. Then, the Behemoth fell to the floor, dead. Zidane had pierced its brain.

The genome crawled away from the jaws of the beast after he removed his dagger from its eye. He slowly crawled round to the other side of the monster and reclaimed his other dagger. Zidane sprawled out across the floor, covered in the Behemoths blood. His leg had deep wound s from the creature's teeth. Then, a loud bell sounded throughout Lindblum. "Participants! Time is up! Everyone has been monitored and scores have been totalled. The winner of this year's Festival of the Hunt is............................................. Zidane Tribal with a staggering 367 points!!!!!" a voice over said. The genome barley had it in him to cheer. Then, paramedics emerged from the air cab station. "There he is!" said one of them. They approached Zidane, moved him gently onto the stretcher and carried him back to the castle.

Later on, Zidane's eyes fluttered open and he found himself in the infirmary. He looked around to see doctors and nurses rushing around after injured participants. Most of them were yelling and screaming in pain. His leg was bandaged up and his clothes were in a neat pile next to him, washed and dried. He was wearing white pyjamas. "Zidane! You're awake!" cried Eiko in joy was rushed up and sat in the chair next to him. "Hey, Eiko. You ok?" he asked with his familiar smile. "Am I ok? You're the one in hospital! You've been out for an hour now." she informed him. Zidane laughed at her, "Boisterous as ever, ha ha." He chuckled. "You won, Zidane! You won! How on earth did you kill that Behemoth by yourself?" she asked. "Grit, spit and a whole lot of metal." He joked. They both laughed. A man with a check board approached them, "Ah, Zidane. You're awake. You have won first prize, congratulations." He said, crossing Zidane off his check board. "Thank you. This was the toughest one yet. Easily." Stated Zidane. "Alright then, you may go and see Regent Cid to collect the Master Hunter and your chosen reward. What was it again?" asked the man. "Gil." Answered Zidane. "Oh yes, of course, I'll see you soon." He said, "Wait. Has Sir Fratley come back yet?" asked Zidane. The man checked his board, "No. He's not returned yet." He answered and walked off.

Zidane looked concerned. "What's wrong?" asked Eiko. "Don't you think Fratley would be back by now?" he asked. "Maybe he got held up by some fans." She suggested. Zidane shook his head, "I don't think so, he's the type that would ignore them." He said. "He'll be back soon." She said, "Just relax; you need your leg to heal. A lot of people still need to comeback yet." Informed Eiko. Zidane laid back into the pillows of his bed, "Yeah, ok." He said.

An hour later, there was still no sign of Fratley. Eiko had gone back to the royal chamber. Zidane was filled with concern for his missing friend. No one seemed to be doing anything about it. "Hey! You!" he called to a nurse. She walked over to him, "Can I help you, sir?" she asked. "Yeah, where the heck is Sir Fratley? He should be back by now." He said. Erm, I'm not sure. Just wait, I'm certain he'll be back soon." She said. "I don't think so. We're talking about one of the most powerful dragon knights that ever lived! He should be back by now. Can't you send a team of guards out to find him?" he demanded. "I'm sorry, I have no authority to perform such an action." She answered. "Fine! If you won't go, I will!" he declared, climbing out of bed. The nurse rushed over to him, "Sir Zidane! You must rest!" she insisted. "No time for rest! He could be in danger for all we know!" he snapped. Zidane unravelled his bandage but left his wound covered up. He quickly got dressed, grabbed his daggers and headed for the door with a slight limp. "Sir Zidane! I cannot allow this, even for your sake! If you leave, I'll have to call security!" she informed him. "Do your worst! Just remember who you're talking to!" he called back as he ran out of the infirmary.

"Fratley said he was in the Industrial District. I'll go there first." He said to himself. Suddenly, he was ambushed by four guards in the airship dock. "Sir Zidane! We demand that you stand down! You're fussing over nothing!" one of the guards insisted. "Move it! I need to find Sir Fratley! He could be in danger!" Zidane ordered. "I'm sorry sir, but we cannot comply." Informed the guard as he and the others gripped their pick axes. "Just remember that I fought against the eternal darkness and won. What can a few guards do?" said Zidane. All four of them stood motionless, realising the futility of their actions. Zidane casually walked past them towards the air cab station. He climbed aboard and got a lift to the Industrial District.

As soon as he got there, he rushed outside. He looked around and saw Sir Fratley leaning against the stature of Cid the VIII, covered in wounds. "Fratley!" called Zidane as he rushed over to him. The dragon knight looked up "Zidane.... You're (cough) here!" he uttered. "What happened to you!? You're bleeding!" Zidane cried. "Ugh! Their just scraps! Zidane, you have to help me. I'm being stalked!" begged Sir Fratley. "Huh? Stalked?" asked Zidane. "Yes. After the hunt was over, I was on my way back when I was attacked by a mad man. I tried to fight back, with everything I had, but he was too strong." Fratley explained. "Who could be so strong as to throw you around like a rag doll? Your Sir 'Iron Tail' Fratley of Burmecia for crying out loud!" said Zidane. "I'm aware of that, but this villain is stronger than I am. I managed to escape him but he's still after me. He could even.... (Gasp!)" Fratley began. He listened carefully. "What is it?" asked Zidane. "He's here...... I can smell him, he's watching us." He answered, quietly.

Zidane looked in every direction for any sign of life. He held onto his daggers firmly and took a defensive stance. Fratley got on his feet and copied Zidane. Then, from behind them, a bolt of energy was fired at them. The both jumped to dodge in opposite directions. Zidane landed and watched the bolt smash into the stairs, leaving a huge cavity. "Phew... That was close." He said to himself. "ZIDANE!" cried Fratley, urgently. The genome turned his head to see the dragon knight pointing at him. "LOOK OUT! HE'S BEHIND YOU!" he shouted. "What!? Behind me!?" Zidane called back. On that note, Zidane heard someone breathing behind him. He was ever so close. Then, the voice started to laugh. The laugh spurted one of Zidane's memories. The thought surfaced and Zidane became filled with horror. "No........... It can't be...... Not him! He's dead!" Zidane uttered. He quickly turned around to come face to face with a very much alive Ares. He appeared undamaged from their last fight. "Hello, Tribal. You recognise me don't you? AHAHAHAHAHAHA!" laughed the sinister alien.