Author's note: This is a collaboration between Ceara Ivory and myself. We don't own Final Fantasy IX!
Distant Memories
Disc 3, Part 7:
Kidnapped
Kuja and Alex quickly got dressed, the mood now completely ruined knowing that just in the next room was the Captain of the Pluto Knights, and, it seemed, Alexandra's ever present shadow. They approached the knight with no small amount of trepidation and/or irritation. Alex glared at Steiner. "Why are you here? How did you find me?"
Steiner smirked, "I knew you'd be here… I've recalled Kuja being referred to as the 'Lord of Treno.' So I figured it was as good a shot as any. I'm here to offer you my protection. Airlia was quite adamant about you possibly being in danger from Garland still."
Alexandra frowned. "I didn't want anyone following us. We purposely chose it because we hoped you wouldn't think to check here since it's so obvious. We wanted to be alone!"
Steiner shrugged, "Honestly, I don't care if you are intimate with him. It doesn't bother me. I just want to make sure you're safe. It will ease Airlia's worries ten fold. You should have heard her screaming at Beatrix because of some… poorly chosen words. I know she was on your side, but her words could have been a bit better picked."
Alexandra frowned. "I'm sorry I worried Airlia… but I was afraid she'd stop us. Or that she'd want to come with us and… On your honeymoon, three's a crowd."
Steiner shook his head. "All she wants is for you to be safe. She knows Kuja will protect you. But since as I mentioned before, Ramsus is adamant about her not facing off with him… You know who I mean… Airlia's the toughest swordswoman or swordsman out there. If he's that worried, then it gives me pause to consider her fears valid. Especially since we were thrown back to your world and she wasn't there to try and stop him."
Alexandra shook her head. "That's another reason we had to leave…" She frowned. "For some reason, he really seems to hate me and I'm a target. So staying in the castle makes Garnet, Airlia, and Mom... Her Majesty a target too…"
He shook his head, "No, Airlia actually had a point on this. By everyone being near her, she could protect you. Kuja could help her and so could Ramsus and Zidane. I could have and Beatrix too. We're stronger in numbers, split apart we could fall away and be grabbed."
Alexandra shook her head and felt tears start to well up. Kuja took her in his arms. "She didn't feel like she could stay. She heard that talk Beatrix had with the Queen, and according to what she heard it sounded like the Queen agreed…"
Alex clung to her husband and lover. "I couldn't bare it if I brought disgrace on the Royal Family and I just don't know what I'm doing! I don't know the rules, I personally don't care to learn them. I don't need someone helping me dress or do my hair. I don't help bathing. I can make my own meals. I'm a big girl. But in the palace, everyone expects me to just...let them do everything for me. Steiner, I can't do that. And the Handmaiden didn't understand that and just made me feel bad because I couldn't follow the rules. I can't go back. Kuja can protect me and I can protect myself quite frankly. I don't want to walk on eggshells constantly wondering if Her Majesty has finally given up on me or not."
Steiner offered her a fatherly embrace. "I know my dear. I understand it. And as I said, Beatrix does too… she just didn't choose her words the right way to try and explain it to the queen. However, all Airlia wants to do is keep you safe. And you've yet to really fight. How do you know you can protect yourself if Ramsus is afraid for Airlia's life by taking on Garland? He is genuinely afraid for her. He doesn't want her getting killed. If you haven't even so much as thrown a punch but Airlia can wield a sword better than anyone here… then like I said, she has reason to be concerned for you."
Alexandra sniffed. "If...if she wanted to...join us here…" She looked at Kuja. "I can't go back…" She lowered her head.
Kuja… He took her… Garland took Airlia… I need your help to go after her brother...
Kuja gasped as he heard his brother's words echo in his head and grabbed Alexandra's hand. "Unfortunately we don't have a choice. We have to go back now… Garland grabbed Airlia. Ramsus needs us there to help him get her back."
Alexandra gasped. "Airlia! No! Come on Kuja. Take us back, now!" The sooner the better, she knew. She wouldn't argue in this case.
Kuja nodded as he took both of their hands and vanished, appearing in Airlia's room. It was apparent there had been a big fight in the room. The bed was half bloodied and mangled, a large dent in the wall was present as he looked about trying to figure out just what in the hell happened. "This isn't good." He muttered as they looked at the jesters that Garnet was healing. He walked over to them and frowned, "What happened?"
Garnet explained about the attack, or as much as she could. "We heard the screams and came here. I found Zorn and Thorn and it looks like Airlia had fought against them, so they must have attacked her. Ramsus was screaming like someone was killing him and she's gone! My sister is gone!"
He glared at the jesters, looking at Zorn, who had the lighter of the wounds. "Talk, now!"
Zorn glared back. "Garland betrayed us. Ordered us to kill or kidnap the servant girl. We failed. He left us for dead." He was clearly angry at being left behind.
Vivi stomped his feet nearby. "Well why did you do what he said anyway!"
Zorn looked over at the distraught young boy. "We do what the Creator tells us to do. Until now!"
Kuja had to mask a snicker as he coughed out, "Funny thing… That servant girl said to not throw you in jail when my Alexandra said to do just that. Where is Garland going? Where would he have Airlia?"
Zorn looked away. "I don't know. He said he was going to force you all to go to Terra to save her though. Now we are just like the rest… We'll die like the rest too…"
Kuja shook his head, "No, you're not going to die, and neither are the mages. You shall have your life cycle. But first I must help my brother to save his wife. Then when we end that miserable old bastard's life, I can figure out why you're ending too soon. I can reverse it so you can live normal lives like that of humans."
Alex stood in the shadows of the bedroom. She wanted to comfort Garnet, but she was keeping her distance. Surely she was as much an embarrassment to Garnet as to the Queen. She felt like screaming and stomping but that would have drawn attention and as far as she was concerned, she just didn't exist here. She didn't belong here.
Ramsus felt the sobs choke him as he traced his fingers along the hilt of her blade. It was apparent she had give him a hell of a go, but she had still lost as he predicted. "Airlia… Airlia… Come back…"
Kuja went to his brother. "We'll get her back. Apparently this is his way of forcing us to come to Terra. To do things his way. We'll save her brother… I promise."
Finally Alex spoke, coming to her brother-in-law. "Yes, we will save her. I won't let Airlia be hurt." She brought a dagger she found over to her brother-in-law.
Ramsus looked at the blade and saw the blood on the end. He had to half chuckle, "Yes we will Alex… Kuja… thank you both for coming to help. I didn't think Garland could even be touched… But this blood… it's not hers. It's not my beloved knight. If she can catch him, even in a surprise three on one… he is certainly able to be killed."
Alex hugged him. "I promise, we will save her. She'll be back with you before you know it."
Kuja smiled gratefully to his wife. It was a good thing they got along. He had a feeling that when they got Airlia back that they'd be visiting often.
Ramsus smiled at her. "You know something? I know Steiner went to find you… but Airlia said… when things are done and there is no more threat to Garnet… We could leave the palace and find our own place somewhere. Maybe we could make a home somewhere near you guys… Not too close… but enough to make it easy to visit whenever any of us want to."
Alex nodded happily. "Yes, close enough. Though, I didn't want to make her feel she had to leave. She at least knows this game better than I do. I can't even hope to learn it."
Ramsus smiled. "She didn't do it because you made her feel that way… I have a feeling from what she said… and how… it's been something building up in her for a long time now." He turned to Garnet who was just staring at the group. "Did they give us any more useful information?"
She shook her head, breaking the spell. "What the hell did you think you were doing leaving me Alex? You're my sister! You don't have to worry about those pretentious fops and what they think."
Alex gaped at Garnet. "Did I say in my note that I was worried about those pretentious fops?" She demanded. "No, what I said was they made me think essentially. The fact is, I don't belong here! I didn't grow up in this sort of place. I'm not a princess!"
Garnet shook her head, "It comes down to you were worried about tarnishing the royal name. Which does translate to worrying about what those fops think of you. Who gives a care? You're my sister." She didn't mean to scream or get mad… it's just now Airlia was missing too after saying she was going to be leaving once the threats were done. Her two sisters were flying away from her, leaving her alone.
Alex shouted back, also worried and also mad at everything. "I don't care what they think, I care what she thinks! And even she agrees that I could never learn this, but oh, I'll assimilate to the culture… Maybe I don't want to assimilate! Maybe I want to be who I am but I can never be that here because there's always someone watching and waiting in the wings, waiting for any big scandal to exploit for their own selfish gain! Well, I won't do that! I won't be the bait for them, but I can't just change who I am either. Kuja loves me for who I am and that's all I care about. Anyone who can't take me as I am can frankly shove it!" She felt her throat hurting. "I don't want to worry everyday that I've finally disappointed Her Majesty to the point where she gives up on me! I don't want her to be my mother out of some obligation."
Garnet nodded as she ran to her sister and hugged her tightly. "Alex, I want you to be happy. I just wish you had come to me about this… Had come to Airlia. This way we could expect it and let others bicker while we just take in relief that you're safe. But now… Now I've lost Airlia too. I don't even know how to tell mother that she's missing. That I want to go after this fiend and kill him for hurting her. Cause it's obvious that she didn't go quietly."
Alex hugged her sister back. "We'll get her back Garnet. Garland is going to wish he never met me. He's going to wish he never set so much as his eyes on me. Because I'm about to because his worst fucking nightmare!"
"What happened here!" Beatrix' voice came from the doorway. "Where's Airlia! We heard screaming!"
Ramsus stood, cradling her sword to him, it was the only thing he had to link them. He couldn't even feel her emotions… "Garland sent those two to distract Airlia into a fight so he could attack her from behind before she could even read that he was there. He took her… My beloved knight…" He let more tears fall from his eyes as he slowly moved from the grief stage into the rage stage.
Alex returned to hugging the man carefully. "We'll find her, I promise, we will. Don't let the grief get to you because we will get her back. The only one who will need to grieve is Garland, for the loss of his dick. I'm going to cut it off."
"No, young lady you will not." Brahne's voice cut through the group. She had heard most, but she wasn't about to let her firstborn go after someone.
Alex stood up and faced the queen, her face as hard as stone. "I have to Your Majesty… Airlia is my best friend, my sister… I will find her and bring her home and then I have to make sure that jackass knows to stop messing with my family! Because I'm done with him."
Brahne shook her head. "You will not be going anywhere. Lady Beatrix and Captain Steiner will go with them. They will bring her back. You will be staying here."
Defiantly, for the sake of her friend, Alex shook her head. "I'm going. End of story. I'm a big girl Your Majesty. I've taken care of myself for ten years. I don't need someone telling me what to do and what not to do!"
Brahne shook her head. "Can you even fight? No one has told me of you even throwing a single punch through this journey. Someone who cannot fight is a burden on the group. This is why mages are specifically in the rear, because their magic does the same amount of harm or good even if they can't fight. You're not a burden to me, but in the logical aspect of a fight you would basically have a target on your back and Kuja would have to watch it and the rest of them doubly so for it."
Alex felt tears in her eyes as she thought about the word 'burden' and she realized that's exactly what she was. She was only ever a burden on her adoptive parents, now she was a burden on her biological mother and now her friends. She hadn't done them any good on the journey through this strange new world, and now she would be nothing more than a source of ridicule for the family of Alexandria. She felt her lip tremble and she ran from the bedroom before anyone could stop her.
"She heard you last night Your Majesty, making excuses to Beatrix for her strange behavior…" Kuja said. "She thinks you only kept her out of obligation. Because of something she calls DNA."
Brahne frowned and put a hand to her mouth. "She's my daughter… I thought she was dead… to have her back now… It's a dream to me still… I don't expect it to be bred out of her. I just want to have her close for even a short time because I've missed her so badly. Garnet and Airlia helped the void some… But it's different when it's your biological child. You will understand when you have one."
Garnet spoke up somewhat sadly. "But Mother, don't you see. She vanished, you thought she was dead. You found me and adopted me, but it was more than that. You made me her. You replaced her with me."
Brahne nodded, "Grief is a miserable thing… It had hurt so badly, and I didn't even know how I would explain it to my people… Then I found you. Grief led me to do that selfish act. Grief of thinking I would never see my daughter again. Had someone told me she was still alive somewhere… and I would have reacted differently I suppose. But you will all understand when you have your first borns. Put yourself in my shoes, imagine they died and someone looking identical to them showed up with no family or memory. Only once you have your children, put yourself in my shoes. Tell me you would have done differently."
"Put yourself in her shoes yourself Your Majesty," Steiner dared to speak up. He had seen the photographs on the mantle in her world. He had seen how forced the family photos were and how few they were in number. "You pretty much admitted that you pretended the accident never happened, and essentially that this firstborn never existed. She's thrown into this world and this strange family adopts her, she doesn't remember one solitary thing about her home and family but this family does something odd. They say they love her but for some reason or another cut her out of their lives. Coming and going from the home like she's not even there. Celebrating her birthday once a year out of obligation and leaving her to feel like she's a disappointment because they don't fit with what they think she should be. Now she's back here, where she belongs, and you basically say, that you replaced her as easily as one replaces a pair of shoes or a dress. She wants your love but she wants it be because you honestly love her and she's not going to beg for it. She's not that type."
Brahne scowled. "How dare you Captain Adelbert Steiner! I only want to enjoy her being home for a time before she flies out of the nest, and possibly out of my life again. The pain is tremendous right here." She put a hand to her heart. "Is it all that selfish of me to want to know my daughter? To see the incredibly strong woman she's become? If it is, then fine. I don't care. Do as you all wish." She stepped out of the room and hurried back to the throne room, tears sparkling in her eyes.
Steiner went after her. "You told that to the wrong people, Your Majesty! We're not the ones you have to convince." He told her from outside Airlia's door. "And we can't do it for you."
Ramsus groaned as a surge of emotion flooded him… Anger… Rage… Confusion… They weren't his as he leaned on the sword. "Airlia… Where are you… Tell me my love… my beloved knight."
Kuja looked up at his brother. "Ramsus! What is it!"
He shook his head, "She's awake… She's alive… And she's angry, really angry. I can feel it… but I can't tell where she is." He put his head in one hand.
Garland smirked as he saw the little princess brat run off in tears and the further dissension in the ranks. "Excellent… Soon they'll come to me to save the little whore… But if they work together… that could be dangerous."
Airlia groaned as she awoke. "You fucking bastard, when I get out of here, I'm going to kick your ass!" She struggled against the chains.
He chuckled, "So high and mighty for one so weak. Tell me though, did you have a good time with that worthless wastrel?"
Airlia lunged at him, pulling at the chains that held her to the wall. "I'm going to fucking tear your throat out you bastard. Don't you ever refer to him as that again."
Smirking, Garland turned back to the orb and waved his hand, to see a man in a cell, still angry about being thrown there. "I think it's time to put the next piece into place. Then it will be checkmate as they say." He laughed as he vanished.
He appeared behind the guard who was to keep a watch over the prisoners and waved his hand, rendering them useless and lifeless. He took the keys and turned to the man. "You want your revenge on the little whore?"
The Guard looked up at the strange man standing there. "Revenge? How? Who are you?"
Garland shook his head and extended a small vial in his hand of a clear substance, "Who I am doesn't matter. I have a need to seek revenge against her. But I can't get even close. And while you can't either… there's a way to hurt the little bitch. Through her sister… Alexandra. Put this into her tea and you will have your revenge on the bitch."
The Guard looked at the offered potion and stood up. "I'll do it. Anything to hurt that bitch! Too bad she won't be able to see." He accepted the vial.
Garland opened the cell door with the keys before dumping the other guard in there. "Use this helmet so that people don't see your face clearly. Pretend that you can't talk either… Fake a really bad case of sore throat. If they know it's you, they'll know something's fishy. And I promise you, the little whore will be helplessly watching what you do."
The Guard grinned evilly and put the helmet on. "Both those whores will pay! That fake princess especially. I don't care if she has some pendant…" He went to find the one Alexandra.
Alexandra sat in the garden, thinking, trying desperately to cheer herself up the only way she knew how. "When the cold wind is calling, and the sky is clear and bright… I will chase the wind and touch the sky…"
"That's a lovely little melody Alexandra." Brahne said coming out of the castle. She was at a loss of what else she could say.
Alexandra was no longer as mad as she had been earlier. She was ashamed at herself for yelling at Brahne when the last time she'd yelled at her parents… "I'm sorry...I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I'm sorry I just left like that but I didn't want to start a fight with you and I didn't want to be a burden on you…" She looked at Brahne. "It's okay. You can tell me you don't want me anymore. I understand…"
Brahne looked at her daughter in shock. "Never! You're my daughter, I love you! Is it really so selfish of me to want you around for even a little? Are you that ashamed of me? You're my daughter, my first born. I found myself filled with grief and despair when I made the action I did. But I had no idea you were even alive. I am so proud of the strong woman you've become. Please try to understand I didn't mean for it to come out the way it did, for it to sound as if I'd replaced you."
Alex shook her head desperately. "I could never be ashamed of you, you're my mother. But I know things are meant to be different here. You say you're proud of the strong woman I've become and yet the first thing done is I'm assigned someone to help me get dressed and shower and comb my hair. Even though I tried to say I didn't need that. And all the Handmaiden could even say is that I needed to let her do it because it's her job. I just felt bad because my independence was inconveniencing someone else. I heard you and Beatrix and she's right. The people will never accept me as I am Mother… And I quite frankly don't feel like melding with a set of rules I feel are outdated. Kuja already says he loves me as I am, and that's enough."
Brahne sighed as she stood up. "Well, I think I'm going to go inside now. If you want to join me, you may. You don't have to. Forgive me for trying to spoil my little girl who I have just been reunited with after thinking you were dead for ten years. I know I'm likely misunderstanding what you've said, but I know you've misunderstood equally. I'm tired of hurting everyone around me." She went inside the castle, trying desperately to hide her tears.
Alex groaned as she felt the guilt she knew would come. She ran after the woman and put her arms around her as best she could. "I'm sorry Mother, I'm sorry… Please don't cry. You've done nothing to hurt me...I just don't want to hurt you. Please understand…"
Brahne shook her head, "No. Everyone's pointed out just how much I've hurt you since we came home. I don't want to hurt you any more. I just wanted you to feel like a princess for even a day or two before you become married." She tried to leave.
Alex clutched the woman tighter. "Please… Mother… I'm sorry. I don't know what everyone's talking about. It's not you that's the problem!" She insisted.
Brahne shook her head, "Everyone has been saying how I've tried to force you into the role of a princess when I merely want to enjoy it for a short time before you marry. Then you've basically complained about anything I've done to try and make you feel like one, to force you into a role. That was never my intention and for that I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me."
Alex wept. "It's not you!" She all but screamed. "I was only ever a disappointment to my adopted parents! I could never bear it if I disappointed you too! And everyone just kept saying how I'm not behaving like a proper princess! Then I heard Beatrix talking to you and it sounded like you were agreeing with her, but it sounds like I misunderstood. I'm sorry!" She refused to let go. "I'm sorry, please… don't give up on me like they did!"
Brahne shook her head, "You could never dissapoint me. I'd never give up on you. You're my daughter. As far as the 'burden in battle' I just don't want you getting hurt going into a battle having no training. Airlia was battle trained from the moment she agreed to be a handmaiden, and he still got her. I can't lose you… I just hope you can forgive a selfish, lonely old woman like me who couldn't properly heal from her daughter's death. Now why don't we go inside and have some tea. It will calm us both and we can plan Airlia's rescue with the others."
Alex nodded, wiping tears from her eyes and followed her mother into the castle.
Ramsus was silent as he felt for his love… he knew she was on the Invincible, but was it still close? Hiding in the clouds above? Or in the mountains nearby? He grabbed the scabbard for the sword and put it around his waist, then slid the sword into it. "I will find you my darling, I promise. It will be okay… I promise."
Kuja looked around the room for any clues, any sign of where Garland could be. "Damn you Garland... You're causing this strife between my family aren't you?" He asked himself out loud. "Taking Airlia, influencing people to say things to hurt my love... I won't tolerate it..."
Ramsus nodded, "You're right Kuja. It has to be him. Taking advantage of weakness is his specialty after all. He knew he couldn't go directly after my wife, not head on. Cause even in a surprise attack, she still got him. Head on… he knew his odds weren't nearly what they would be otherwise. Still stewing over what has happened isn't going to help us." His head was clearing of the fright. He was proud of his love for having the gumption to go against him.
Garnet finally finished healing the jesters. "Are you sure you can't tell us anything? We have to find him before he can hurt her. Please. We know you were just doing what he told you."
Zorn shook his head, "I don't know much, but he has a tendency to run at the mouth. He originally planned to have us drug Princesses Airlia and Alexandra at Airlia's wedding, but he suddenly changed his mind. But he is going to force you to go to Terra somehow. So long as you lay your assumptions there, and head towards Terra, you will find your way to her. She is useless to him dead, because he knows she is connected with Ramsus now. He would know if she were dead."
Kuja nodded his head. "Garland changes his mind a lot. Except on his ultimate plan which was save Terra by destroying Gaia and using its souls to fuel the assimilation."
Ramsus smiled as he realized something, "And that is where he will fail. He doesn't realize it can't assimilate. The worlds are completely different and they have to have more than eighty percent similarity for it to work. The fact that both have soil, water and air isn't enough. When we go to Terra you'll see what I mean."
The Guard had since stolen the outfit of one of the servants. When the Queen requested tea for her and the Princess Alexandra, he knew it was his chance. He put together the tea aptly and put the stuff into the cup he knew had since become Alexandra's preferred cup. Carefully he took the tea down to them in one of the many sitting rooms.
Brahne smiled as she took the tray, "Thank you." She handed Alex the preferred cup.
Alex accepted the tea cup and added her sugar and cream. Slowly she stirred the tea. "I'm sorry I reacted as I did Mother. I just couldn't handle it if I disappointed you in any way or tarnished the family name because of my peculiarities... I shouldn't have punched that man..."
Brahne let out a hefty chuckle, "It's quite alright. Honestly, I would have done so myself if I were younger and faster. He shouldn't have said what he did about Airlia. She's been nothing but faithful above any and all in my kingdom and yet they continue to try and degrade her."
Alexandra lowered her head. "I hate how they talk about her. They think she's some slut simply because she used to be an indentured servant? I've met real sluts, I went to school with many of them. Sleeping with anything with a pulse or money."
Brahne nodded. "That's why I can't hold it against her for wanting to leave the palace when the fighting's over. She's been through enough. And she had a point that nothing has been done with regards to getting people to understand that she wasn't a slut… No matter what I say or try, I know they whisper. But I can't do anything if they don't say it around me or those who know her… They don't dare do it around me or Beatrix. But you get some like that guard… they know who they can seem to whisper around without fear of being locked up."
Alexandra swirled her tea in the cup, trying to get the last of the sugar and cream dissolved, just as she used to do with her coffee. It also helped to cool the liquid, as she really didn't desire to burn her tongue off. "If they could see what it was like in the other world, they'd be hailing Airlia. But I guess… Since you knew already that she was an indentured servant and knew the rumors behind that, they couldn't use that against you. But a Princess who speaks like an absolute commoner, punches like a commoner, and behaves like a commoner… The Handmaiden got irritated with me because I wouldn't let her help me dress or pick out my clothes. I tried to explain to her that where I come from, a girl of any class is expected to be able to do this herself by age four at the very least."
Brahne nodded. "And on her behavior, I apologize. I had thought she was one of the more understanding handmaidens. I gave her explicit instructions to only assist you if you needed it. Some of the dresses are a little more… complicated in terms of closing. Ones with built in corsets that have to be laced I mean. And you aren't fully versed in some of the tools we use here for our hair. Meaning that you have things in your world that we don't and we use methods you may not have used. If you had desired to have your hair in a way that you weren't sure how to achieve, she was to help you there. She had no right to degrade or force you to allow her to do her job."
Alexandra agreed. "And in that manner, I would have had no problem letting her help me. But I picked out a simple dress for that reason and I'm totally introducing that tailor to the concept of zippers. A little device where the only help a woman might need is someone to pull it down in the back."
Brahne nodded, "Yes, they were recently introduced a year or so ago. But they're not in mass production yet because it's difficult to make. Cid has been working with the clothier who came up with it to try and find a way to produce them where it won't be so exorbitant in price before they can be used in any and every clothing. Regardless, things will change. I will find a more understanding handmaiden for the few days you might hopefully remain here before going to live with Kuja."
Alex nodded satisfactorily. "I can stay a few days I think… we have to find Airlia after all." She finally brought the cup of tea to take a gulp, again as she used to do with her coffee.
Garland chuckled as he looked at Airlia, "Now watch as your friend falls ill, and you're powerless to stop it whore. I'll make you both pay for taking my favorite puppets from me."
Airlia screamed as she watched the cup approach her lips. "Noooo! Alex!" Her growing sense of dread filled her as she willed her love to realize the danger!
Ramsus had finally felt the clarity before a sense of unease filled his mind, his spirit growing with dread and horror. "Ahhh!" He cried as he clutched at his head. "Airlia… What's wrong my love?"
Kuja watched Ramsus, his heart filling with dread. Something wasn't right. "I have to find Alexandra…" He left the room at a run.
Alex swallowed the tea and grabbed at her stomach as a strange pain struck her. "Uhhh what did I put in my tea? That was sugar right? Not Xylitol?"
Brahne shook her head, "We don't have anything like this Xylitol… I don't even know what that is…" She set down her cup and began to try to comfort her daughter, "I need a doctor! Now!"
Alex doubled over as the pain became terrible. "Ahhh… What's wrong with me?"
Brahne pulled her daughter into her arms, trying to soothe her. "What's the matter? Kuja! Come now!"
Alex trembled with cold as it felt like all the heat was leaving her body. "It hurts Mother...it hurts…"
Brahne held her daughter, feeling the chill to her skin, and began to rub her briskly, "Guards hurry, get Kuja and warm blankets, and hot water. Immediately!" She bellowed, "Go!"
As the guards scrambled, Kuja came rushing in and realized why Ramsus had felt that dread, why it had entered his own heart feeling it within his brother. "Alexandra!"
Alex looked around for the voice. "Kuja… Kuja… My love…"
Kuja hurried to her and took the woman into his arms. He pushed away her hair from her face, feeling the chill in her body as he tried to warm her with his heat. "Alexandra what happened?"
She trembled in his arms, unable to answer while Brahne grabbed the empty cup. "She drank her tea and then suddenly fell ill."
Kuja frowned as he tried to smell the tea, something was off but he didn't know what. Brother, I need you… now. Something has happened to Alexandra.
Ramsus came into the room having followed his brother after the pain finally left his head. The pain had been paralyzing, and he couldn't help but wonder if Garland had counted on it. "What's happened to her?"
Kuja shook his head. "I don't know… She drank from the tea and doubled over…"
Ramsus took the cup and sniffed it. "I know that one… They call it the devil's venom. It will slowly kill her from the inside. It's a nasty poison that makes one suffer before killing them. She needs to be kept warm." Damn you Garland. You bastard.
Alexandra trembled as the chill slowly became a boiling heat inside her. She cried out with pain as it felt like her body was burning from the inside out. "Kuja… Kuja…" She clutched his mantle.
Kuja kissed his love's forehead. "Alexandra, you're going to be fine." He growled darkly as he screamed to the air itself. "Garland, you bastard! Where the hell are you?! Show yourself!"
A dark, chilling laugh filled the room preceding Garland's appearance. "Ahh Kuja, I knew you'd be calling to beg forgiveness soon enough. It was only a matter of time." He looked and pretended gape in surprise at the woman sick in Kuja's arms. "Oh, were you a little too rough in the bed last night Kuja?"
Kuja snarled, "You bastard! What have you done to my wife?" He gently passed her to Brahne so that he could be ready to kill the old man if the need arose. He had to play things right… They didn't know where Airlia was or if he was going to threaten Alexandra further.
Garland shrugged. "I simply did as I promised I would do. If you couldn't kill her yourself, then I would do it for you and I would make it as painful as possible. It would have been far kinder to just do it yourself, don't you think?"
Ramsus snarled for Kuja as he spat, "What have you done with my wife?! You want to pick a fight with us, fine. But you leave them out of it!"
"Your precious whore is already dead… or practically so. If you don't obey me, she will be quite so," Garland stated simply.
Ramsus's amber eyes slowly turned onyx as his rage filled him. "What the hell do you want us to do? If you want us to do anything… you will show a sign of good faith and heal Alexandra." I know that Airlia's alive… I feel her… Alexandra is in the more precarious of dangers right now.
Garland shook his head. "If I do that then Kuja will have no reason to do as I command and you will both feel my wrath for disobeying me." He looked at his eldest son. "So what's it to be brat? Do you return to your mission? Or do you let your slut and your...unborn child die?"
Kuja froze, "I will return to the mission… To save Terra. But you will heal Alexandra first. Show me that you're going to do your part." Brother, forgive me for my words… I have to try to save my wife and possibly my child… "You holding Airlia is enough. She is my wife's sister. It would hurt her for something to happen to the knight. And stress is enough to cause a miscarriage. Isn't that enough to cause me to stay to the mission?"
Garland gave a cheshire grin. "For all I know that bitch will have told this slut princess something along the lines of...leave her if it meant her protection. You will do as I command first." He held up a bottle. "I have the antidote right here." He placed the bottle on a nearby table but before anyone could touch it he erected an electrified border around it. "As for you… boy!" He looked at Ramsus. "Worthless creature though you are, are you willing to let your precious die just to exert your ill-gained independence?"
Ramsus spat at Garland, "I will follow you once again, just let Alexandra live. Holding Airlia prisoner … I will do whatever you say. But let this woman and child live. They have no power to fight you."
"If Kuja can complete his half of the mission in time, then they will live. If not… well, ample punishment I think… I'm trying to be fair here sons. I'm trying to be lenient," He warned them. "I could easily just take back that bottle, or better, destroy it." He raised his hand as if to do just that.
Kuja screamed out, "No! I will do it, just don't… don't smash that vial Garland. What is left of my mission to complete?"
Garland began to vanish as he laughed. "You know what is left of your mission. Now get to it! You have, maybe three days at most…"
Kuja collapsed to his knees. "My mission… was to gather souls. I can't do that… I will go to Terra and make an antidote. The Invincible isn't so perfect that it's the only way to go to and from. My dragon can take me there."
Ramsus shouted. "No brother, you can't do that! You can't just leave her! I'll go… Airlia would kill me if I let her sister die. And I'll save them both!" He knelt.
Kuja looked at Ramsus, "Just be careful about Airlia… If Alex is pregnant… Airlia might be as well." He looked down at his love and smoothed her hair from her face. "On second thought… the three of us will go. Closer to the antidote so we're not wasting time going back and forth." Wasting precious time…
Brahne looked at the man. "I can't let you take my daughter anywhere like this! What if that horrible man finds her and you alone and just decides to…"
"Well he's not going alone Your Majesty!" Zidane announced his presence. Garnet had found him and Eiko playing hide and seek in the courtyard. "We're going with them."
Vivi came over to Kuja and Alex. "I'm coming too…"
Steiner nodded as he stepped forward, "I'm coming too. Beatrix, stay here and protect the queen." He didn't say it but Beatrix could practically hear his words in his words in her head. I smell a rat.
Beatrix nodded as she turned to Ramsus. "Take this blade. Excalibur Two as it was dubbed. I had planned to give it to Airlia on her next birthday for all she's done. It is the ultimate blade and will cleave any foe in half. Give it to her and tell her to let that man have it."
He gave a deadly grin as he nodded. He couldn't deny how strong his love was. He knew she was angry and so long as he could feel some emotion from her… He knew she was alive. It was torturing Ramsus to know that Airlia could still die… "I will. And then we will end this for good." He took the blade and replaced the sword that was hanging at his hip.
Alexandra was nearing delirium in her state. "How did you get the Excalibur Two? You can't get to the Gate to Space in Memoria on disc four in twelve hours?" She looked at the sword. "Stupid programmers."
They looked at her in confusion as Kuja shook his head. "She must be talking about something in that game of hers… The poison is making her delirious. We have to hurry."
