A/N: I'm going camping for the rest of the week, so I really wanted to pound out two back-to-back chapters!

Chapter Nineteen

Sarah awoke as the sun began to break over the mountains in the distance. She sat up in bed, letting out a long yawn as she raked her hair back from her face. She gazed around her room, almost disappointed she hadn't found Dante waiting for her with his boyish smile. Sarah decided to go rouse Alex. It was time to wash her hair and the young princess never did a thorough cleaning. Sarah pulled her robe on. The mornings were getting chillier and chillier. As she entered the sitting room, she stopped dead in her tracks upon seeing someone on the couch. Sarah hurried forward and gazed over, laying eyes on her father with his face pressed into a pillow. She furrowed her brow, inspecting his bruises and stitches. Silently, she came around the couch and knelt down, reaching out to touch his shoulder.

"Daddy?" Sarah gave him a gentle nudge. "Daddy?"

Slowly, Zidane's eyes fluttered open and he blinked rapidly. He propped himself up on his elbow, rubbing his eyes. "Good morning, Sarah."

"When did you get back? And why are you sleeping on the couch?" Sarah tilted her head to the side. Her father let out a wide yawn and sat up completely now, stretching his back.

"I got back last night. I was so excited to see you three, I decided to sleep here," Zidane grinned.

"Okay, last question," Sarah looked to him. "What happened to your face? And... your neck?"

"That's a long story," Zidane said, adjusting the collar on his shirt. "But I'm okay. I'm just going to need a couple days of bedrest and I'll be just fine."

Sarah looked at him with seemingly hard eyes. He could distinguish that look quite well. Dagger had given it to him well over a dozen times. They were knowing eyes that could see through an opague piece of glass. "It's because the war has started, hasn't it? And they're trying to pick off the strongest so they're coming after you?"

"Not necessarily the last part," Zidane shook his head. He sighed, pressing his elbows to his knees. He spoke quietly to Sarah as she sat on the floor beside him, her nightgown flaring out around her slender legs. "But... war is going to happen, Sarah. I can't shield you three from the world any longer. What I learned in Lindblum... well, I have to start taking action. And I guess that action comes with the obligation of an explanation..." Zidane paused, hunching his sore shoulders. "I will talk to all of you at breakfast."

Breakfast was always the time Zidane told the girl's important things. It's as if he believed a cherry pastry and yogurt could make all the problems seem much more simplified. It's when he had told them of their mother's developing illness. It's where he had delivered the news of his impending travels. It had always been breakfast. Fleetingly, Sarah's eyes glanced to her duffel bag that had been hurriedly stashed beneath the couch from Steiner's gaze.

After a moment, a door creaked open and Alex squealed in an octave unknown to humans. She raced across the room, flinging her arms around Zidane. His entire body radiated with pain as she dove into his lap. Upon pressing her face to his neck, however, she was pulling back to realize he was bandaged up. Alex stared intently with her dark eyes, furrowing her brow.

"What happened to you? Did you get in one of those pub fights?" Alex asked.

"Sort of," Zidane shrugged, tenderly pushing her blonde curls from her face. It felt so wonderful to lay eyes on his girl's again. He only knew it would be a long emotional day, however, after the next hour leading to breakfast. He pinched Alex's rosy cheek. "I sure did miss all of you."

"It was so boring without you," Alex crossed her arms over the tangled lace on the chest of her nightgown. "Steiner is no fun. And he's awful at Tetra Master."

Zidane grinned lopsidedly. "Hey, he's an old man. Be nice to him."

"He won't even let me put three marshamallows in my hot chocolate," Alex shook her head furiously at the thought. "Like one more marshmallow could make the whole universe explode!"

Bella's door finally opened and the dark groggy teen emerged from her room. She rubbed at her eyes, her short black hair fanned out around the frame of her face. She looked displeased with all the racket, but upon seeing her father, her face lit up and she came to the back of the couch. It was quickly extinguished, however, as she looked closely at him. Bella's dark eyes darted all over his face as she analyzed the bruises and stitches.

"It's really happening," Bella said, feeling her insides constrict. "Daddy, I did this to you."

"Hey, hey," Zidane lifted Alex from his lap, quickly coming to his feet. He rounded the couch, pressing his hands into her shoulders. "You didn't do anything, okay? None of this is your fault, Bella."

Bella's face flushed as she looked towards his heavily bandaged neck. "Did the white haired man do this to you?"

"W... what?" Zidane felt a chill come over him and his hands loosened on her wiry shoulders. "Why would you say something like that, Bella?"

"Because he told me he had harmed you," Bella replied, her voice etched in concern. "I only thought he was joking. He's just a figment of my imagination, how could he? He said it was for your own good."

Zidane pressed a hand to Bella's cheek, relieved she was not running a fever. He pursed his lips, glancing to the other girl's, who were wrought with worry. Zidane walked a few paces towards the door and stopped. "Each one of you take a bath and get dressed. We'll talk at breakfast."

...

Breakfast that morning hosted a full house. Sarah, Bella, and Alex were delighted to see Freya at the table. It was foreign seeing Steiner and Beatrix opting to sit for the meal. Princess Eiko seated herself beside Zidane. The king felt refreshed after taking a bath and combing his hair. His head throbbed heavily, however, and his lack of sleep was rearing an ugly head. Doctor Tot sat on the other end of the table, his plate arranged with various berries. Alex was delighted by the company after such a long spell of boredom. Sarah and Bella, however, were sitting on pins and needles as they collected biscuits, jams, and fruits onto their plates. Eiko looked to the side of Zidane's face in the vibrant sunlight that bled into the tall vaulted ceilings of the dining hall. The bruises, scabs, and stitches leapt out at Eiko, making her want to wince. Zidane kept his eyes trained down, aware of her staring. Sarah looked between each adult at the table who seemed quite preoccupied. She gripped her silver fork tightly, pursing her lips.

"Why is breakfast such an event this morning?" Sarah asked, directing all eyes towards her. "Daddy, you said you were going to talk to us. Why is everyone here?"

Zidane had been trying to organize his thoughts in those first five minutes of silence. Upon his daughter's demands, he felt everyone's eyes rest on him. Zidane looked up, gazing down the table. He felt the weight of leadership fall onto his shoulders again. A heavy burden washed over him. Everybody at this table was dear to him. How could he be certain he was doing the right thing? How did he know he could really keep everyone safe? Why did everyone look to him for guidance? Zidane felt as if he was nothing more than a sailboat encased inside a thick fog. Which direction would lead them to safety? Zidane was no more than blindly guessing.

"I want everyone to hear it from me," Zidane lowered his silverware, clanging it to the edge of the china dish. "War is going to happen. We're going to plan carefully and as long as we all stick together, everything should be alright." He didn't believe a word that was coming from his mouth. He was certain his voice carried no notes of confidence.

"War with who?" Alex asked, lowering her half eaten strawberry back to her plate.

"The same man we all unfortunately dealt with all those years ago. His name is Kuja."

"And what does he want now?" Sarah asked, furrowing her brow. "I thought you and Mother stopped him. Why is he doing this all again?"

Zidane felt himself withdrawing inside. These were questions he expected, but felt no energy to confront and answer. He ran his hand along his stubbly chin, clenching his jaw together. He felt Eiko's eyes again staring into him. Zidane sighed, pushing his hands through his fading blond hair.

"I can't sugar coat this anymore," Zidane's hoarse voice said, drenched in frustration. "It's like trying to make the most bitter and ugly of medicines taste sweet." He pressed his palms flat to the table, looking between each of his daughter's. "Kuja is a very powerful mage. He knows all sorts of magic and he knows what he wants. He wants to control Gaia. And he wants Bella to work with him."

"Is this... the white haired man?" Bella's face was exceptionally pale now.

"Yes, he's visiting you in your dreams. He visits me, too," Zidane said. It felt so wrong directing these words to her. He could see the very fabric of Bella's world crumbling from beneath her. "We're not going to let anything happen to you, Bella."

Bella threw her linen napkin directly into her plate, coming to her feet. "This is all your fault!" Bella pointed towards Eiko, whose bright blue eyes lit up in surprise. Everyone at the table watched in a solemn yet shocked silence. "The world was normal before you tried to convince me I was gifted. I'm not gifted at all. I'm a hell-mongering pawn. How could you do this to me?!"

"Arabella, relax," Eiko held her hands up. "You are gifted. But don't believe for one moment you've transpired these events. These actions belong to Kuja."

"All you've made me believe is that I have just put a target on the backs of my family," Bella's cheeks had grown red now and a fired roared in her eyes that Zidane had never quite seen before. "He's only done this because you've allowed me to open his door of opportunity. Everything my mother fought for, you carelessly threw it away to make me believe Summoners are something to celebrate. It's not! Just like Daddy said, it's dangerous. And so are you."

"Arabella..." Eiko's voice oozed with hurt at her mentees words.

"Arabella, if I please may elaborate," Doctor Tot stood from his end of the table now. Bella gazed towards him, her slender body tense. Everyone glanced to the emotional princess as if they were looking at an upset Princess Garnet all over again. "It's not fair to say Kuja has only become inspired by your Summoner heritance. Why, Kuja is fascinated by you because of both of your parents. Part-Summoner, part-Genome, Kuja is under the assumption you are the perfect candidate to aid him in his malicious tasks. He's a fool, of course, for assuming you would even entertain the idea of being his mentee."

"Genome...?" Sarah echoed. "What does that mean?"

"I am a Genome," Zidane said, folding his hands beneath his chin. He seemed so utterly spent. "I was born on a planet named Terra and brought here. And you all have the Genome code inside of you."

"We're not... completely human?" Sarah could hear her heart throbbing in her ears.

"You're not far off," Doctor Tot assured them.

"Daddy's an alien?" Alex looked around the room of adults with a face of bewilderment.

"Well, that's a rather primitive way of saying he's just different," Freya lowered her tea. "None of us are completely human, wouldn't you agree?"

"If he can do this to Daddy, what's stopping him from just taking me against my will?" Bella looked to Eiko. "Why did you let me do this and learn all of this? You knew I always wanted to be useful but now I wish I was nothing but useless."

Zidane stood now, too, looking intently at his daughter. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, Bella. This isn't your fight. It's mine. And now it's finally time to take care of what I should have seventeen years ago. You're not staying here in Alexandria. You will leave with Freya after breakfast for Burmecia."

"What?!" Alex cried.

Sarah stood, wrapping her arms around Bella's shoulders. "You can't just send her away, Daddy! We have to protect her."

"This is how we will protect her," Zidane replied. "Bella can't sit here and wait for Kuja."

Sarah tightened her grip on her younger sister. "By being frightened, you're letting Kuja win. If he thinks he's so tough, he can come here and try to take Bella. I won't let him, Daddy."

"Sarah-"

"No," Sarah shook her head defiantly. "My mother fought for her crown and I will do the same. Alexandria is my home and my refuge. I won't allow for the throne to fail Bella."

"There is more to consider," Zidane told her. "We don't know what we're completely up against, Sarah. Bella may not have to be away for long, but the best thing we can do is keep her from harms way. And you're not doing any fighting."

"I'm not some petulant child!" Sarah snapped back. "You said no more sugar coating, right? Well, good, I'm sick of it, Daddy. This is the real world. You'll let dozens of young men in town enlist. Do me the honors and let me fight for what we believe in. Don't tell me to sit down and look pretty when my mother's legacy is at risk."

The room fumbled into silence as the breakfast guests watched the princesses combat the king. It was as if Zidane was staring at Dagger. Standing directly infront of him, fiery as ever, passionate and loving, unwilling to give in. Zidane felt a rush of blood overcome him and in the next moment, his body was swaying. Eiko yelped, leaping to her feet to grab hold of Zidane's arm as he began to fall over. She was unable to stop his impact against the ground. His chest bobbed as he fell across the floor. Doctor Tot was racing down the table as the guests came to their feet.

"Daddy!" Alex screeched at the sight. Quickly, Freya swooped the small princess up into her arms, pulling her back from the scene. Sarah and Bella fell to their knees beside Eiko.

"Grab his arms, keep him still," Eiko directed the princesses. "His temperature is rising again."

"So is his heart rate," Doctor Tot looked up from holding Zidane's wrist. Eiko pressed her hand to his forehead. His bangs had already become sticky to his skin.

"Dammit, Zidane," Eiko whispered, brushing his hair from his face. His body jolted again. With great anguish, Bella and Sarah pressed their weight to his arms and shoulders. Eiko slapped at his cheek. "Come on, come on, dammit!" Eiko grew impatient as Zidane would not come to.

"Look!" Sarah pointed towards the side of his neck.

Quickly, Doctor Tot tilted Zidane's head, laying eyes on a vein that was quite a dark green beneath his skin. "That's the main artery that sends blood to the brain," Doctor Tot observed, adjusting his bifocals. "I've never seen a vein turn green before." Doctor Tot turned towards Steiner. "Make haste. We must get Zidane to the infirmary. He needs medicine."

The dining hall fell into sheer chaos.

...

Zidane's head was against something divinely soft. He assumed he was in the infirmary, but he couldn't ever recall being this comfortable. The sounds of tweeting birds reached his ears and he opened his eyes. He realized in that moment that he felt no pain. It was as if his entire body had been completely patched up. His sight, however, was greeted by something that had his heart plummeting in his chest. A grinning girl with porcelain smooth skin and big dark brown eyes looked at him. Her dark raven locks fell around her heart shaped face, russled from a long night's sleep.

"And so the king awakens..." She whispered. Her voice was smooth as silk and made Zidane tremble. "I do believe the help is going to think we died in our sleep if we don't get up soon." Her slender arm came out and she pressed herself to his body. Zidane could feel her electrifying touch as her body touched his. Zidane could only stare at her in near disbelief. Everything felt so real. Everything felt so... right. Dagger's hand reached up, gently combing over his cheek. "Did you have a pleasant dream?"

Zidane grabbed her wrist, tenderly bringing his lips to her knuckle. He could smell her intoxicating aroma. His entire body swelled with heat. He knew none of this was real, but he so desperately wanted to believe it was. All of his senses were working. It was the first time he was seeing Dagger in ten years. Hurriedly, as if she would disappear, Zidane wrapped his arms around Dagger, passionately bringing her against him. His fingers curled up in her dark hair and his body shook.

"Zidane?" Dagger pressed her hands to his chest, drawing her eyes back to look at him. "What's wrong? Are you alright?"

Zidane cupped her cheek. "I love you," Zidane said, almost in a hurry. "I love you so much. You're my whole world. You're my one and only." His hands slid down her neck, resting on her curvy and creamy shoulders. "I would do anything to protect you. I would walk across the world for you, Dagger."

"Where is all of this coming from?" Dagger asked, arching her bold brows. She gently stroked his jaw. "Are you nervous about the baby?" Dagger grinned and Zidane felt his heart leap with excitement. "You know, the nurse said it's always scary with the first one. But it will be fine, you'll see."

Zidane felt his eyes grow wet and again, he brought his hands up to cup her face, tenderly stroking her over and over again. Dagger gripped his wrists, sensing his inner confliction. Tears streaked down Zidane's face as he felt Dagger beneath him for the first time in ten years. Their legs interwined and tangled, just like their destinies. It all felt so real and it hurt Zidane because he knew it wasn't. He knew this couldn't be happening. This all wasn't some bad dream. He reached his hand down, his heart thundering in his chest as he felt the swell of Dagger's belly against him.

"I understand you're nervous... I am, too," Dagger said, placing her hands atop his. "We've been through so much, though. How could we not handle a baby?"

Zidane's eyelashes fluttered. "It's going to be a girl."

"Mmm, I think it's going to be a boy. The nurses agree because of how the baby sits inside, apparently," Dagger wiped away his salty tears.

"Trust me," Zidane said, running his hands along her smooth skin. "It's a girl."

"Okay," Dagger grinned. "I trust you, Zidane." She leaned her head forward, pressing her lips to his. They were still that soft silk he had remembered. It resonated through his body like a wild flame. Zidane held her tenderly as he kissed her. The sensation felt so real. It was exactly how he remembered it. And it sickened him. Their lips parted and Dagger gazed up to Zidane, her fingers running against his collarbone. "Do you trust Kuja?"

Instantly, Zidane tensed, looking to her. "I... don't think there's any reason to discuss that."

"Zidane, he will destroy Alexandria. You have to stop him."

"Dagger, what are you talking about?" Zidane sat up.

"If you don't do what he says, he will flatten the entire city. Again."

Zidane clenched his jaw, his hands curling into fists. "So, what?! I'm supposed to sell out and work for Kuja? I should do his grunt work?"

"Don't you want to save the one's you love?"

Zidane stood up, staggering about the room. "Kuja, if you want to talk to me, don't you dare send my dead wife in to do your negotiating!"

In the blink of an eye, Zidane was ankle deep in ash again. He shook his head as the ash came across his face. Standing before him, in his cocky purple cloak, was Kuja once more. He was grinning, almost like he was amused.

"You're still holdin' out on the thought I'm going to work for you, huh?" Zidane crossed his arms over his chest. "What was all that? Some way to break my psyche down? You're so predictable, Kuja, and your allusions suck. Even I know they're not real."

"Well," Kuja shrugged so nonchalant. "It certainly didn't stop you from nearly making love to her."

"What's your deal now? What do you want?" Zidane asked with a huff.

"Goodness, can you not spare a moment for your brother?" Zidane clenched his jaw, making Kuja grin. "That is my offer. You can work for me or you can give me Princess Arabella. Or... I'll flatten Alexandria, simple as that. I will destroy those souls and recycle souls of Terrans. You've done well populating the city. It will be a generous amount for our cause."

"What if I do one? How can I trust you won't just turn around and pulverize my city?" Zidane held his arms out at his side. "Garland failed for obvious reasons, Kuja. You can't just use another world as your vessel."

"Some Gaians will live, I have come to terms with that," Kuja folded his hands behind his back. "But I can and I will populate the planet with Terrans. Some are born every day now. And I only grow stronger with each one. There is no stopping what I want, Zidane. Either you can join a quiet, elite, and anonymous force that removes the wretched and replaces them with the divine. Or your daughter can be taught how to be the Goddess of Mass Destruction she is destined to be. Or... you can rot beneath the rubble of your kingdom. It's your choice and I'll make well on whichever it is. Keep that in mind."

All Zidane could see in his mind was Dagger and her words. Don't you want to save the one's you love? Zidane pursed his lips, his eyelashes fluttering as ash drifted by. "No... Dagger wouldn't say that. She would never want me to work for you, Kuja. Why don't you stop being a coward and make an appearance in person? I'm not your mode of message."

"I haven't left the Iifa Tree in seventeen years," Kuja paced a few steps through the thick clumps.

"If you flatten Alexandria, we will flatten the Iifa Tree."

"I'd like to see you get through the magical fortifications around the roots," Kuja smiled, looking over his shoulder at Zidane. "It would be a pleasure to watch you try. There's only one person who can break that seal." Kuja paused for a moment, taking his time to come closer to Zidane. "Arabella, the Goddess of Mass Destruction."

Zidane charged towards Kuja, ramming him into the edge of a jagged mountain. Kuja wheezed but quickly began laughing. Zidane clenched his cloak tightly in his hands, holding him firmly against the wall. "That is not her title. Fuck you, Kuja. I don't want you to ever say her name again, do you understand me?"

"Ah, but she'd be an excellent companion. Bright and inquistive, just as she is in her dreams," Kuja continued languidly, unworried about being pressed into pointy lava rocks. "I can see a lot of you inside of her, Zidane. If I can't have her, well, the next best option is you. Which is it?"

Zidane's grip loosened and he looked at Kuja with hard eyes. "If I... work for you... what's in it for me?" Zidane asked, nodding his head towards Kuja. He became acutely aware in that moment how silent it was around them.

Kuja grinned. "It will be very secretive, untraceable, I can promise you that. Your friends don't even have to know you're a traitor." Zidane's body tensed as he looked at Kuja. "There's just a special suit you wear and you can have all the power you would like. And I can guarantee Alexandria's safety. You will be immune to any damages that may occur in this process. Your daughter's will remain unharmed."

"Will you tell me how to get this virus out of my body?" Zidane asked.

Kuja tilted his head back and forth. "Maybe. If you prove your loyalty to me." Kuja walked towards the edge of the cliff, looking out towards the dark void that sprawled before them. "Instructions will be forthcoming. Expect a midnight visit in future days. I suppose you don't have to send Bella to Burmecia, afterall, now." Kuja laughed when he saw Zidane's face. "It's easy to predict you when I can just... read your mind. We're in agreeance, though, correct? You work for me. I leave your kingdom alone."

Zidane crossed his arms over his chest, feeling his insides constrict at the thought. But if it meant keeping Bella safe, Zidane knew he had to do this. He would think of something else, surely. Doctor Tot would be able to remove the virus, he had to have faith.

"Okay, deal," Zidane finally said. "As long as that is the deal."

"Oh, it is," Kuja nodded. "You've chosen wisely, Zidane. I guess I'll see you soon. Until then."

...

Zidane jolted forward, gasping sharply. His shirt had been removed and again, he found himself beneath linens of ice. Zidane cough profusely, falling onto his elbow. Around him, he found his daughter's and all the breakfast guests crowding his bed now. Zidane wiped his hair from his sticky face, panting as if he had been underwater for too long.

"Daddy, oh thank goodness," Sarah came forward to hug her warm father.

Weakly, he wrapped his arm around her, still fighting to control his breath. He fell back against the pillow. "Don't take Bella to Burmecia..." Zidane shook his head. Alex brought him a glass of water. "Kuja knows. He knows everything because of me." Zidane sat up again now. "Doctor, please tell me you know some form of medicine I can take?"

"I have none that don't risk your heart stopping, Zidane. We can control your temperature and provide you with air, but we might not be able to get your heart pumping again if we try."

"Fine," Zidane said, swinging his legs to side of his bed. "I'm going to see Kuja."

"Are you insane?" Eiko furrowed her brow. She pressed her hands to his shoulders and promptly pushed his weak body back into bed. "You can't just go see Kuja!"

"We're working an arrangement out," Zidane looked to her through his messy bangs. "This doesn't concern you, Eiko. I'm the only one who can fix this."

"You're acting ridiculous," Eiko still prevented him from getting out of bed. "You just said two hours ago that the only way through this was together. You can't do this alone, Zidane."

"Well," Zidane swatted her arms away from him. "Give me some time before I let you in on the plan, alright?" Zidane came to his feet and was slightly unsteady in the moment. "I need to be alone." He said, briskly leaving the room.

"Princess Eiko, please be patient," Doctor Tot said, gazing towards the frustrated looking young woman. "Try to understand it's emotionally taxing for Zidane given the circumstances."

"He has more to consider than just emotions," Eiko muttered to herself. "This is war."

Sarah reached for Beatrix, who had been quiet all morning. She had certainly been mulling about in her mind. And she hadn't slept well at all the night before. When Sarah touched her, she felt like she reconnected to the planet again, entering the Alexandrian Castle once more.

"Beatrix, I have to help this cause," Sarah said. "Please, you must let me."

"There isn't enough time to teach you sword work," Beatrix shook her head. "And we cannot send you in not properly trained. You'll be killed."

"I already have had my lessons," Sarah replied, gripping Beatrix's arm tighter. "Dante taught me. I even have my own sword."

"You... what?" Beatrix glanced around the room before leading Sarah away from the group. "Dante? Is that... the boy from your birthday party? When was he here? Did Steiner know about this?"

"Actually, I'm proud of how well I kept him off my tail."

"Well, he never was the best investigator," Beatrix tilted her head back and forth. "Sarah, this is not to be taken as a joke. People will die. And they will bleed. Cry. Scream. And eventually... perish. Does your father know you have a sword?"

"Not a clue."

"Your father will never give the OK to allow you in the squadron," Beatrix shook her head.

"Beatrix, please. What kind of queen will I be one day if I don't fight for what I believe is right? That's why the people loved my mother so much, isn't it? She was willing sacrifice all for her throne. I'm willing to do the same."

Beatrix pursed her lips for a moment. "I'll see what I can do... no promises, though."