Draco: You don't realize just how huge and complex Alexander is until you start trying to write him out. I thought he was simple. I thought he went up. He leans forward. The guy has freaking knees. You could house the NPC-inclusive population of four Fantasies in this guy and give everyone their own room. I'm not even going to pretend the way I described Alexander is anything like he looks in anything.

Characters, weapons, origins, locations © Square Enix. Monsters © Akihisa Ikeda.

Terra's Resolve

It was a bizarre sight, watching the four most important people in the Gestahlian Empire making their way through Vector. Kefka had an amused spring in his step, walking backwards half the time and keeping ahead of the other three. Celes, under the control of the circlet, was emotionless, walking militantly. Leo had an expression on his face that Terra could only describe as 'having narrowly escaped death' - at his hip was a sword with a flame upon the sheath that she recognized as a Flametongue. Emperor Gestahl's pace was slow, almost shocked - and although Kefka was prancing, he was moving slowly enough that he didn't gain any significant ground, with the other two remaining at the Emperor's sides.

Terra was focused on the Imperials, so she might be forgiven for not noticing the landing behind her until a voice whispered, "I haven't the slightest notion as to how they survived speaking with Alexander."

The dancer spun and nearly screamed before Cyan's palm covered her mouth. Once she was no longer attempting to scream, the samurai lowered his hand, whereupon Terra gave him a glare. "A little warning next time."

"Mine apologies." The werewolf glanced towards the Imperials. "That sword that the man in green is wearing... is that not one of thine?"

"It's the same as one of mine," Terra corrected. "I got my swords from our stint in the Asura labs."

"Ah, yes." Cyan set is his hand on his com. "Dances and I are near the city limits, at..." - he glanced at the building they were hiding behind, looking for anything to show its purpose - "...what used to be a shooting range of sorts. Let us gather, and discuss what we've learned. Be cautious on the approach, the Emperor and all three of his Generals have arrived."

There was a commotion of confirmation over the coms; Gau was the first to arrive, followed shortly by Locke, then Sabin, and then Edgar. Setzer showed up last, and he looked concerned.

"I got a call from that Banon character from Narshe," the gambler stated, raising his cell phone. "Apparently there were some Returners stationed here who saw the Roku, and they reported to him before retreating. It seems they arrived at this place in a... mad frenzy, smashed a few things, raised a little hell, and then... looked horrified. They took off as though they were scared of something."

"We'll have to speak to my Father about this," Terra insisted. "First things first. Celes is here. We need to get that crown off of her."

Edgar shook his head. "With Gestahl, Leo, and Kefka all in the same building, after having seen Alexander? They'll be on the highest alert."

Locke scoffed. "To hell with caution," he insisted. "Not only is she one of us, but she's dangerous if they can still control her."

Sabin rolled his eyes. "I'm guessing you have a plan to go with that insistence?" he inquired. "It's not like we can just walk in through the front door."

"Why not?"

Everyone turned to Terra; the dancer was quiet for a moment before reaching up and drawing her hood of her head, revealing her jade hair in its ponytail.

"That's exactly what we're going to do."

+x+x+x+

Gestahl stepped out into the entrance hall of the Imperial Palace, and was greeted with a very confusing sight.

Terra Branford stood there, in a hooded red robe - although the hood was lowered, revealing her hair to be in the same ponytail it had always been. To one side was a man that he recognized from the reports of Doma as the samurai Cyan Garamonde, a wakizashi in his hand. To the other was the wanted thief, Locke Cole, with a knife in his grip. Behind her were the brothers, King Edgar Roni Figaro and Prince Sabin Rene Figaro; the king had a crossbow of his own design in his hands, and the prince his arms crossed over his chest. Before her was a young boy with wild hair, restrained only by a band to stop it from getting in his face; he was clad in only makeshift shorts and a drape across his shoulders, both from untanned animal hides.

The samurai's blade was held to Terra's stomach; the thief's knife was poised over her shoulder; the crossbow was levelled on her legs; and the boy looked like he was ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

"Is this supposed to be a hostage situation?" the Emperor inquired.

Terra smirked at the inquiry. "Not quite," she admitted. "We're here for negotiations. This is just a... precaution."

The Emperor did not look like he understood any more. "Against what?"

"Against coronation," Terra replied. "I have no intention of wearing a crown."

"You're a bit young to rule, regardless," the Emperor argued.

"Don't play the fool, Gestahl," the dancer reprimanded. "You know full well what crown I refer to. That which Celes Chere is wearing right now. That which I shattered before the entrance to Roku Okoku. That which you forced me to wear, from the moment I could walk on my own two feet."

Gestahl's mask of unknowing vanished, replaced with a gaze of displeasure.

Terra's smile had vanished. "If you or anyone under your command should make any attempt at coronation," she warned, "my friends will strike me. I will set my flesh alight, and raze this palace to the earth. And you will have lost two wars in one lifetime."

A heavy breath emerged from the Emperor. "As it happens," he insisted, "I had meant to send an emissary to Narshe, and ask the Returners to send you and whatever escort you would desire here, that I might speak with you on that matter over a banquet of ceasefire. Alas, your arrival before the sending of my message means that nothing of the sort has been prepared."

"You seem to have confused me with one of your generals," Terra observed. "Unlike Kefka, I have patience. As do my allies. If you will speak with us over a meal, we will gladly wait until preparations have been completed."

"Very well," the Emperor replied. "It will take a few hours, at the least."

"Then we will wait here."

+x+x+x+

A few hours later, the banquet was assembled.

A dining hall resided immediately behind the Imperial throne room. It was here that Gestahl had elected to have the banquet prepared, with a great table adorned in a cobalt tablecloth and all of the finest silverware the Gestahlian Empire had to offer. The Emperor took the seat at one end, and insisted that Terra take the other; her five escorts seated themselves in the closest two and three seats on either side, with Edgar and Locke nearest her - the king kept his crossbow aimed at Terra's legs. Sabin was seated next to Edgar; Gau sat with Locke at one side and Cyan at the other (the samurai doing everything in his ability to make Gau come across as civilized). Leo took the seat at Gestahl's right; with Terra's permission, Celes was seated across from Cyan, although they had not removed the crown upon her head. There was an empty seat at Gestahl's left, that Terra presumed was for the remaining General.

"Will Kefka not be joining us?" the dancer asked of the Emperor.

"Forgive me for assuming that you would rather he not," Gestahl apologized. There were two men in hooded robes (Terra recognized them as what Celes had called com officers) at every entrance to the dining hall, and the Emperor turned to one of them as though to give an order.

"You assume correctly," Terra insisted, before he could act. "I was only confused by the empty seat."

The Emperor turned back to her, withholding any orders he might have been about to give. "Kefka is presently in his quarters," he explained. "I do not trust him to remain orderly in this situation, and so would only allow him to be seated here were you to request it."

Servants began to file into the hall, carrying all manner of the greatest food and finest drinks. The meal was set upon the table, and everyone was asked their drink of choice. They had thoughtfully brought a small bottle of Raiden Cola for the underage Gau; each of the others had a wineglass filled.

"Just water for me, please," Terra requested, remembering the last time that she had attempted alcohol.

Once everyone had their drinks poured, Gestahl picked up his glass of Black Cauldron. "Terra," he offered, "would you like to propose a toast?"

Terra took her own glass in hand, contemplating for a brief moment; then she raised it heavenward.

"To a balance between those who are different, in the hopes that they can accept one another."

The others all raised their glasses.

"To a balance!"

Glasses were touched to one another, and everyone took a drink; the Emperor was the first to lower his.

"The state of Vector seems to indicate that it was attacked," he observed. "I ask only for your honesty - do you know who attacked it?"

She had anticipated this question, and thought her answer out beforehand. "I know it was the residents of Roku Okoku," Terra replied, "but I know not their faces."

The Emperor bowed his head. "That monstrous community... Roku Okoku, you said? I had believed it sealed off from this world, never to be entered nor left. I seem to have presumed too much - and paid the price with my city." He lowered his glass. "May I ask... what is it you intend to do about this?"

"I can do nothing for your city," Terra said firmly. "Regardless of your actions, only a fool will deny that you deserved to lose something, for what you have done." A small smile rose on her face. "I imagine someone has already told you as much, during your trip to Doma."

Gestahl started, just faintly, at her words.

"However," the dancer continued, "if I am to be honest, I do not believe that what the residents of Roku Okoku have done was a conscious decision. I intend to find them, and speak with them myself. I will hear their side of the story, and choose my actions from there."

There was a silence across the table.

"Will you allow us to lend you our aid?"

That drew everyone's attention. Cyan's hand went for his wakizashi before Gau stayed it.

Terra glared across the table. A light sweat broke out on Gestahl's face. "On what grounds?" she demanded.

"Miss Branford," the Emperor insisted, "you understand, I presume, what I intended to do in Doma. I now know, by firsthand account, that I am opposed by forces beyond my understanding. I intend to make up for what I've done." He raised a hand before Terra could respond; "I understand that nothing I do can truly compensate for the ruin I have laid. I invoked the wrath of Feymarch - and my soldiers paid the price. But I will do everything in my power to see that never again does a man die because of what I have done."

Terra closed her eyes, and the entire banquet was set to silence.

"I will accept your aid," she replied, "but on one condition."

Gestahl bowed his head. "Name it."

"You swear to me, and to everyone at this table, on Feymarch's royalty, you will never let your soldiers raise their arms to monsters again."

A smile rose on the Emperor's face. "Very well."

Upon his chest, he braced one hand; and his gaze locked with Terra's across the table.

"Hand on heart, eye to eye, by the waters of Leviath, and the will of Asura, never again will a soldier of the Gestahlian Empire harm a monster - else my life be forfeit."

The lights of the dining hall began to flicker, drawing everyone's gaze - but for Terra and Gestahl, who kept their eyes on one another's.

Celes was the first to return her gaze to the table when they stopped. "Justice in the world is hard to find," she observed.

"Creeping in My Soul, Cryoshell."

Sabin's words caused Leo to turn to him. "I'm sorry?"

"That line," the monk explained, turning to the general. "It's from the song, Creeping in My Soul, by Cryoshell. I know that anywhere."

Leo turned to Celes; then he turned back to Sabin. "Been there before, but not like this," he quoted.

"Never Again, Nickelback," Sabin identified.

Everyone's attention was on the two as Leo spoke again. "Turn away, or face this day with me."

"With Me, All Ends."

Cyan spoke up now. "I don't care if heaven won't take me back."

"Angel With a Shotgun, The Cab."

Then it was Terra. "And you once said, 'I wish you dead, you sinner'."

"The Wolf, Phildel."

Leo glared at the nearest door, causing the two com officers standing next to it to step away as he roared, "Kefka Palazzo, you sick bastard!"

"Enough!" Emperor Gestahl shouted, causing everyone to turn to him. "I understand your anger at what has been done to General Chere, no matter how well any of you may mask it, but I cannot remove her crown without the aid of the one who applied it. If we let Palazzo into this room, while you are all here, nothing could convince me that he will not attack all of you simply for being in Vector. Please, remain calm."

Gau grabbed his bottle of Raiden Cola and growled towards the Imperial end of the table before emptying it one-handed.

The banquet proceeded in silence from that point on, nobody speaking a word except to request a dish be passed down to them. As the meal drew to a close, Terra spoke across the hall to the Emperor again. "I have one more thing to ask of you," she insisted; and before Gestahl could reply, added, "and I am certain that it will not strain you."

"What do you ask?" the Emperor inquired.

"The man who brought us here, Setzer Gabbiani, provided us with communications. Were your men listening in on us?"

Gestahl turned to the nearest com officer, who reached under his hood. "Report on com surveillance in Emperor Gestahl's absence." A pause; then, "Thank you." His hand was lowered, and he turned to Terra. "The observational feeds were voluntarily shut down when the monstrous attack began," the officer informed her, "so as to minimize the chance of the tech being damaged. The system remained intact, but the soldiers neglected to reactivate the feed when the monsters departed."

"Yes!" Locke threw his hands in the air. "Done! Victory!" Then his hand went to his earpiece. "Pay up, gambler! You lose! You damn well better start maintenance on that dice game you call an airship! I expect everything in optimal condition by tomorrow!"

"Can someone please tell me that he's joking." Setzer's voice coming over the com was defeated.

"Nay," Cyan replied.

Leo shot Terra a look. "Did you seriously just ask about our technology to settle a bet?"

"With the most devoted follower of Lady Luck," Terra confirmed. "He promised anything."

"And you claim the prize of his maintaining his airship?" Gestahl inquired.

Locke turned to him. "With the way that engine room was groaning? Yes."

General and Emperor exchanged glances... and shrugged.

+x+x+x+

"We'll arrange transportation from Albrook. Will you be joining us, or travelling on your own?"

Leo and Gestahl had joined Terra's group to the doors of the Imperial palace (with weapons held to Terra's body the entire time); now they were outside, where Setzer had been awaiting them, and the Emperor's question prompted Terra to contemplate for a brief moment. "Will Celes be joining us?"

"Yes," Gestahl confirmed. "I will have the crown removed - or, if that proves impossible, I will have Kefka's orders negated - and she and General Cristophe will begin the search."

"Then Locke and I will join you," Terra informed him. "The rest will stay here, in Vector, while Setzer is performing maintenance on his airship."

"Would you like a hand with that?" Gestahl inquired.

"No, I most certainly would not like a hand with that," Setzer replied snappily.

Gestahl nodded. "Very well. Meet us at Albrook, then."

"Do you have any leads concerning the whereabouts of the monsters who attacked?" Locke inquired.

"Intelligence confirms they headed northeast, towards a region known as 'Crescent Island'," Leo replied. "The village known as Thamasa is there - we can ask the locals if they've noticed anything."

Terra nodded. "Alright. Thank you."

The Imperials stepped back into the building, leaving the group standing outside. Locke sheathed his knife; Cyan sheathed his katana; Edgar hooked his crossbow on his back; and the seven of them made their way towards the castle.

"Is there a reason you don't want us to come with you?" Edgar inquired.

"I want you guys to keep an eye on the Empire at the source," Terra replied, her voice quiet. "Gestahl's vow means he cannot possibly order his men to act against us, but Kefka is a whole different story. I wouldn't put it past him to coerce a few men into launching an attack. If anything goes wrong, I need you guys and the Roku to act against him. Maybe come and get us in Thamasa."

Setzer nodded. "Alright. I'll head to the ship and start maintenance."

Locke turned to him. "I'm not really expecting you to have it done by tomorrow," he admitted, "but don't fly that thing unless the Empire launches an airship or until its condition is as optimal as you can possibly get it."

"We'll stay in the city and keep an eye out," Edgar assured him. "Setzer, I'll ring you if things go badly. If you get the ship prepared, give me a call and just trail your escape rope in laps around the city."

"Will do," Setzer confirmed.

Terra rolled her shoulders. "Alright," she prompted, "let's go."

Draco: Finally. I've been waiting for a chance to use this track.