Chapter Twenty

The knocking on Zidane's small private broom closet came well before sunlight. He lifted his groggy head and blinked rapidly, noticing the moon was still in the sky. As he became oriented, his heart kick-started and he staggered from bed, as if Astrid's plans were unfurling at that very moment. Zidane hit his knee into the meager wash basin and he cursed under his breath, blindly grabbing his sword as top priority. He flung the door open to find Steiner there, with a face contorted in pain.

"What's going on?!" Zidane was nearly breathless, glancing up and down the vacant and dark hallway. "Are we under attack!?"

"No…" Steiner's voice was pinched. Slowly, Zidane lowered his sword, letting it fall back against the wall.

"What's happened, Steiner?" Zidane's voice was still husky with sleep as he furrowed his brow. He heard crinkling and lowered his head to see Steiner's hands nearly crumpling a letter. Zidane's eyes searched the wordless captain's face. "Well, what is it?!" He was beginning to panic again.

"It's Master Vivi…" Steiner whispered. "He's dying, Zidane."

Zidane was stunned into silence. He opened and closed his mouth many times, raking his hands through his hair. "What are you talking about? Says who?! You told me Vivi has been studying the longevity of their lives."

"It seems his life's passion is catching up with him," Steiner was nearly white as a ghost. "I sent a letter to him, asking him for help a few days ago. I received this back…" His voice nearly faltered as he untwisted the parchment in his hands. "From a Mr. 209… who said Vivi is weak and exhibiting all the signs of stopping. They don't know how much longer until the final moment…"

"No…" Zidane shook his head, feeling the pressure of tears well up against his eyes. "No, Steiner, they're wrong!" He didn't care if he woke anybody up. "Vivi would never give up like that."

"It was only a matter of time…" Steiner said, somewhat disassociated. Zidane pressed his lips together tightly as the first of his hot tears streaked his cheeks. Even Steiner could feel all of his emotions rising up in him, burning passionately and painfully. "I must go to him."

"I'm going, too," Zidane said with a tight throat, rubbing sorely at his cheeks to rid himself of tears. "I have to see him one last time, Steiner. I have to let him see me."

"What if Her Majesty wants to pay her final respects, too?"

"She doesn't need more grief, Steiner," Zidane said, lighting a match and bringing his one waxy candle to life. Hurriedly, he opened the cabinets and pulled out a fresh shirt and a black button up. He stuffed them into a bag, tossing his sword across the bed. "Besides, we have to look at Vivi's collection. There has to be some answer to help reverse whatever has happened to Dagger. The condition she is in now is no way to see Vivi off." Steiner firmly pressed his hands together and focused on the candle. "We don't have a lot of time, Steiner."

"I cannot believe it…" Steiner said, watching the flame. "I always knew I'd have to prepare for this day but I had always just hoped…"

"Steiner," Zidane looked up as he jerked the zipper closed on his bag. "Not now. We have to focus. Is Eliahna awake? She can navigate the dart-ship Regent Cid gave us."

"Beatrix is rousing her," The captain's voice was so hollow.

Zidane unhooked his helmet from the wall, holding it firmly beneath his arm. "Let's go. We can be there by early morning if we leave now." Steiner, however, didn't quite budge. Zidane was slow to pull his bag onto his shoulder. Steiner wasn't reacting to anything. Zidane charged forward, giving him a curt jerk to his shoulder. "Hey! You with me?"

"Yes," It was Steiner's turn for the tears to surface and he pursed his lips tightly, very dismayed that he was blubbering in front of Zidane. "I'm… I'm with you."

"Steiner…" Zidane's bag sagged off his shoulder and he found it hard to contain his emotions in that moment. For the young man, it was such a blood rush through his skull. Never had he imagined himself here. For all the moments he had shared with the serious man, the hard truths they had faced together, never had Zidane anticipated a scene like this; cramped together in a small soldier's bunk with tears in their eyes. They stared rather tensely at each other with their glossy eyes. Pensively, Zidane licked his lips. "Come on!" His voice was so scratchy. "We can't be like this, Rusty. We can't show up to Black Mage Village weepin' our guts out. Come on..!" Zidane took a deep, hard breath. "This isn't how Vivi wants to see us…"

Steiner gripped the end of Zidane's bed frame and looked away, trying to blink the tears into submission. "It's not fair, Zidane. Someone like Vivi should never face something like this."

"'Something like this'…?" Zidane was slow to shake his head. "Steiner, you know as well as I do that everything that lives and breaths and thinks has to die eventually. This isn't some fairytale. No one gets out alive."

"But it's just not fair," Steiner furrowed his brow. "A soul and being as innocent as Vivi deserves to transcend the ugliness, the true awfulness of a life and world like this."

Zidane kept his hand firmly pressed into Steiner's shoulder, his face rock hard as he watched Steiner's tears skid down his cheeks. "Maybe that's why it's his time, Steiner," Zidane's voice nearly wavered. "A world that's this ugly and awful doesn't deserve someone like Vivi." The twos eyes lingered on each other. "You can do this, Steiner. We'll get through it. Like we always do. Remember?"

"It was hard enough when I thought you were dead."

"I know, it'll be ten times harder 'cause you don't even like me," Zidane said. He managed to squeeze the smallest, saddest smile from the captain. "Come on, let's get out of here."

…

The summer warmth was showing the slow waning into autumn. The rays no longer pierced and kissed the skin. Instead, it gently met each being and clouds were becoming more present. It wouldn't be long before the trees began to glow yellow and red, slowly stripping their branches in anticipation of cool, dry air. Garnet found herself sitting at the window of her private study, watching the sky pass her by. Below, the sprawling garden still burst and gleamed with all kinds of sweet pastels and moody petals. The young woman felt like a jittery mess. And her mind was absolutely scattered. Garnet was having a hard time discerning what was wrong with her. Something felt… off. But perhaps the feeling of happiness or comfort had simply become foreign to her. In her lap, her hands nervously twisted together. She had a pile of work to sort through behind her, yet she felt no motivation. No true desire. And that was unnerving. The past few days could only be recalled as blurs. Garnet felt passive to all of it. In the moments she was alone, her mind skipped and prodded and it was tiring to keep up with. Liam occupied many of her thoughts. And every time Zidane did, too, she felt a headache come on, as if her body was begging her to shut it all down. She held in a sigh, pensively looking around the quiet room. The dark portraits loomed over her with their ever watchful eyes. Perhaps it was time to redecorate.

The door flew open, startling her, however. In came Liam, who seemed to have something on his mind. But he still offered a wide grin and, naturally, had a tray of tea and thumbprint jam cookies in hand. No matter where Liam's mind was, it always seemed to find itself back to a good snack. He pushed aside some of Garnet's impending work to make room for the tray, promptly pouring Garnet a cup and bringing it to her. "Sweetheart, how are you feeling?" He asked as she accepted the cup. Garnet let the steam lick up her neck and chin. Goosebumps puckered across her skin. Liam watched her cautiously as he poured his own cup. "I've been worried about you since the ceremony. It's no good to bottle things up, Garnet." He eased himself down onto a nearby ottoman. Behind him, the waning summer sun drenched his shoulders and burst through his dark hair. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"So sweet, as usual, to ask," Garnet said, reaching forward and giving his knee a squeeze. Her touch alone made him tingle. Her smile did so much more. She looked almost like a porcelain doll with her round olive face in the summer sun. Her dark hair fell down her shoulder in silky smooth waves. Just a small touch of gray made her seem so mature, so absolutely beautiful. Her full lips, poised in almost a regretful smile, and her round dark eyes with their thick, full lashes. Garnet truly was a work of art, Liam decided. She sighed, cradling her tea close. "I'm no stranger to death, however. My own mother passed away in my arms… I suppose it just hurt that it was… Zidane." For a moment, Liam saw a flash of pink come across her eyes and she pressed her fingers to her temple. "I suppose it's hard to explain. It's rather complicated." Liam watched her tensely. He hadn't anticipated the affect Zidane could have on her. His fingers tightened around his saucer. How could it be, after so much time and drinking a potion, that Zidane was still in the forefront of her mind? Wasn't his bronze plaque, his absence, enough proof to her that it was time to move on? He looked over her, though, as her tea steamed in her lap, and her confused dark eyes looked to the bright afternoon beyond the gold pane windows.

"Sweetheart," Liam did his best to smile and Garnet looked to him. "I'd like to treat you to dinner. Perhaps even dinner in Lindblum. We could have it on the deck of an airship as it careens us around the beautiful City of Industry. The finest wine, the best cheese, the works. Anything to make you happy, dear."

"I'm so lucky to have you," She tilted her head and her shimmering long black hair fell over her shoulder. Garnet's porcelain cheeks were warm and pink. It made Liam warm up in his cashmere vest. "You do so much for me to ensure I'm happy, even when I'm muddled here in my emotions for my dearly departed friend…" The flash pink came across her eyes again and Liam watched as her smile somewhat floundered and she again touched her head. "Perhaps when I'm feeling better, Liam. I think right now… everything is just… fresh."

There was a curt knock on the door before it opened, revealing a dark skinned girl with braids falling over her shoulder. Delta's eyes flickered to the poised Garnet before she held a rolled parchment up in her hands. "Sir Liam, a letter for you."

"Oh, probably just my mother asking when I'm coming home," Liam raked his dark hair from his face and stood, adjusting his vest. As he approached to grab the letter, he noticed the soldiers very knowing eyes. He furrowed his brow, slowly looking over the bland parcel string keeping the parchment together. His mother would never send something lacking so much character. Delta nodded to him before she closed the door behind her. Liam paced slowly as he undid the letter to find slanted writing that was partly curly.

Meet me at the Blind Fox. It's important.

"I imagine your mother and Uncle Cid miss you," Garnet said, setting her tea on her desk and wandering towards the window. "I love your company, but perhaps it is time to go home."

"Not yet, my love," Liam shook his head, approaching her from behind. Gently, he ran his hands along her shoulders, pressing his chin to her sweet smelling hair. Garnet's eyes gazed ahead at the sprawling garden as she felt his soft hands touch her. She felt something in her chest for a slight moment and she stiffened. "I still have some business here in Alexandria."

…

Zidane had never felt so anxious in his life, he was certain. He had paced the deck for hours before the wind grew chilly on his ears. He shuffled down the narrow stairs and was uncaring of his shoulders brushing the corridor walls. He felt absolutely deflated. Before, when only Kuja was their sworn enemy, Zidane hadn't felt so fearful. Not when he had a team of friends to stand beside him with their chests puffed out and their hearts on their sleeves. Now he didn't know what he was heading into, but it only brought doom to the pit of his stomach. Part of Zidane still dearly wanted to believe Steiner was wrong or simply over analyzing the message he received. Perhaps Vivi was only under the weather and dictated the letter. Or maybe Vivi was busy. Zidane pursed his lips together as he came to the spacious mess hall that overlooked the front of the ship. The slanted bow was nothing but windows and far below, the ocean glistened and tossed about, back and forth, like all of Zidane's internal conflictions. Steiner was sat at a table by himself, his head in his hands. When he heard Zidane's boots scuff against the planks, he lifted his face to reveal dry, sore looking red eyes.

"Hey…" Zidane said, slinking onto a bench across from Steiner. He looked towards the clouds that parted in their presence. It was shaping up to be a pleasant, golden morning. "How's it going?" Zidane asked, looking to the captain.

"I only wish this ship went faster," Steiner said. His eyes gazed out the windows but it was impossible to tell where in the ocean they were. Half way to the Outer Continent? Who knew. The small sporadic lonely islands did nothing to assuage his fears or indicate where he was. "What if it's too late when we get there, Zidane?"

"You can't think like that," Zidane shook his head, pressing his lips together. He straddled the bench, running his knuckles along the grooves. "We'll be there in time, Steiner. And we'll talk to him. We'll share all those stupid memories we made together…" He paused and furrowed his brow, watching misty clouds disappear beneath them. He opened his mouth briefly before he changed his mind, left to stare at the wavy wood he sat on.

"What?" Steiner asked. Zidane looked to him tensely, his eyebrows knitted together and his eyes pulsating with a desire to grow wet. Zidane only shook his head. "Zidane, we're in this together, alright? Throw your manhood aside and let's talk about death. This is Vivi."

Zidane heaved a sigh and hunched his shoulders, looking to the ocean below. "I just wish… I could take Vivi's place. This is gonna be hard on everyone when they find out, Steiner. Vivi was the glue of this team. Without him, I don't think a lot of us would have made it… not to mention he stopped any violence between us…" Steiner smirked for a fleeting moment knowingly. "In a way, Vivi was the leader of this whole thing, whether he wants to take credit for it or not. I don't think I'd be here without Vivi… but I'd give any chance to not be so he could, y'know?"

"I think we all feel the same way," Steiner told him, rather solemnly.

"Like you said, though," Zidane shrugged meekly. "It's not fair. Everyone thinks I'm dead, but I'm not. It's just piling on with Vivi."

Steiner looked towards the windows. "You had a choice, Zidane. Vivi does not."

Zidane ground his teeth together, looking across the table. "You think this is the decision I wanted to make? You didn't know me when I woke up, Steiner. I didn't even know myself."

"I'm not trying to pick a fight with you…" Steiner huffed, casting his eyes down. Fatigue was rearing an ugly head on the man. "Sometimes it's hard, though, holding in this secret. I've seen Master Vivi, Freya, Eiko, Amarant… they're all still torn up about you, whether they want to admit it or not. And I have to refrain from uttering a peep."

"And I'm sorry," Zidane nodded curtly. "I didn't even want you to know. You're the one who insisted on me taking my helmet off!"

Steiner pursed his lips tightly. "You think Her Majesty is acting weird… well, maybe it's time to stop being Zeke for her and start being Zidane if you're so worried."

"It's not so easy!" Zidane snapped before he uttered a sigh, coming to his feet. Tensely, he crossed his arms over his chest, approaching the horizon that was continually sucked under them. "I get it, Steiner… I've made a mess of everything. But I haven't felt right for a long time. Some times, I feel okay. And some times it happens when I'm tucked underneath a shield of armor. I'm trying, Steiner. I really am. But I just… I can't look all of you in the eye, after everything you did for me, and feel right about any of it. Some days are better than others. But now with Astrid and everything of my past just biting me in the ass, I'm… I can't do it right now, alright?" Steiner pressed his chin to his hands, searching endlessly in front of him. Zidane ran his tongue along his front teeth, looking to the captain. "Say something, please. What's on your mind?"

Steiner seemed wordless for a moment before his tired, searing eyes met Zidane's. "I fear my child is not welcome."

Zidane's body softened for a minute and he staggered to the table, pressing his palms to it. "How could you say that, Steiner?"

His eyes grew wet for several reasons, but he looked to Zidane, quivering in his own armor. "It's been five months, Zidane, and she still hasn't accepted it. Her belly has bulged, there is something in there that we somehow created and yet…" He blinked rapidly, turning his face away from Zidane. "I don't know if we can do this."

"Oh, come on, you're Captain Steiner and she's General Beatrix!" Zidane shook his head. "You're telling me a tiny baby is going to take you both down? Beatrix has single handedly laid forty-two men on the ground by herself. Even if she gave birth to triplets, it'd be a hard fought match to bring you two down."

Steiner only lowered his eyes as a few lone tears began to streak his cheeks. Zidane sighed and sunk back down onto the bench. He wanted off this emotional roller coaster. "She doesn't want the child, Zidane. I did this to her…"

"Hey, it takes two to make a baby," Zidane told him.

"But I cannot help but think I did this to her. I've caused all of this… She's unhappy, Zidane. She thinks her entire life is over and do you have any idea how difficult that is? Waking up every morning and seeing her sad face? Never running into her on our routes anymore… no more stealing kisses in secrecy… it's all over, Zidane. I think it will be the end of us once the baby is born."

"Come on… you know that's not true," The young man furrowed his brow. "I think when Beatrix holds it for the first time, it might change everything. Besides, can't say I blame her… she's gotta push a baby that'll have your big head on it out. That's gotta take a lot of mental preparation."

An airy laugh escaped Steiner's throat and he sniffled, shaking his head. "I don't know how you always manage to crack a joke when the scene is so solemn."

Zidane shrugged lightheartedly. "It's probably brain damage, always trying to make things jolly when everything is absolute shit…" Zidane sighed, pressing his elbows to the table. "I don't know what we're walking in on once we get to Black Mage Village… but I hope it scares the Zeke Tisdoll right out of me."

"Me too," Steiner said, smiling meekly.

…

Liam nervously fiddled with the buttons on his vest as he pressed through the streets. His airship coat jingled as he walked, glancing to the marketeers who closed their booths and the workers who stretched upwards after a long day of work hunched over. Liam ran his tongue along his teeth as the creaky sign for the Blind Fox appeared over the bobbing heads. It was still early enough in the afternoon that everyone bustled past with errands on their mind and the last of their chores before the sun set and the inky dark sky stretched over the city. Liam looked up and down the street, smoke wafting past from the food booths and men throwing coins to young boys for newspapers. Fleetingly, the airship engineer caught the front of the paper and he paused just short from pushing the door open. He fished through the pockets of his dark pleated pants and took an Alexandria Tribune from a boy with pointy ears who grinned excitedly when he saw the coin.

Lindblum and Alexandria: Shared Alliance on the Horizon? Was printed boldly on the front. Liam's boots clicked to the cobblestone as he wandered a few paces, the hurried crowd dividing around him. Rapidly approaching is the four year anniversary since King Emet's death. A solemn scene it was that late autumn day when news broke over the city that their fatherly and doting King had passed away peacefully in his sleep after a long fought battle of illness. He was survived by the heart-broken Queen Brahne and their daughter, Princess Garnet. King Emet and Regent Cid Fabool of Lindblum were a close duo, often reported to visit small bars and bistros together in the hearts of their kingdoms, gracing and speaking with their subjects while sporting a brotherly-friendship. It has been no secret of Lindblum and Alexandria's tight comradeship that exudes from the relationship the rulers shared. There has always been the question of how Lindblum and Alexandria could secure a formal and recognized alliance when Regent Cid and Lady Hilda had no viable male heirs to help inherit the thriving artisan city of Alexandria. Long reported, citizens of Alexandria have always wanted the technological innovations of the City of Industry, while Lindblum citizens have recalled the cozy and exhilarating aspect of artistic nature touching their booming city walls. Now it seems that can become a possibility after the one year anniversary of Queen Garnet taking the throne. Sir Liam Winters, the head engineer of Regent Cid's most honored and esteemed airship crew, has been spotted spending time with the Queen, most recently attending the honorary ceremony of the dubbed Hero of Prevailing Peace, Zidane Tribal. The possibility of Sir Liam Winters ascending the throne of Alexandria has many business owners excited at the prospect of what the two kingdoms can become together. With the recent uproar over the rising prices of textiles from Lindblum and the cost of artisan supplies such as clay and watercolors, many citizens are beginning to grow hopeful over the idea of a possible matrimony between Queen Garnet and Sir Liam Winters. "It would be better than merging with Treno, which would offer nothing of value to the Kingdom of Alexandria," one citizen commented. "Treno is becoming a cesspool of crime with an underbelly for scams. What Alexandria needs to better itself is the innovations of the Lindblum regency to help bring quality of life in Alexandria to grander heights. We are outgrowing our small time city infrastructure quickly and if this is what Her Majesty decides to do to help with that, I'm all for it. Otherwise, it seems we are all plum out of ideas."

Liam pursed his lips as he closed the paper, turning to again examine the rather dull and boring corner pub. It was everything he wanted and felt he deserved. To be a King with a brains for airships was exactly what a kingdom needed and everything he wanted to be. He couldn't help, however, the small pinch in his gut that made him feel guilty. In a way, he felt like a cheater. But he rolled his shoulders and shook his head. He was helping Garnet, he reasoned. Someone had to pull the poor girl from the depths of her emotions. Otherwise, she was going to drown and flounder. Liam tucked the paper under his arm and pushed the door open. The bar was somewhat stuffy with less than a dozen men hunched over tables. Cigar smoke barreled towards the exposed rafters and Liam's eyes darted back and forth as he realized everyone was looking at him. He spotted Astrid on the ratty couch in the back lounge area. She was having an ale and furiously scribbling in a pocket book held together with meager string. When she spotted Liam, she grinned and waved furiously to bring him over. Boris delivered an entire bottle of whiskey to the table, along with tumblers filled with ice.

"Welcome, welcome!" Astrid greeted him as he seated himself. She acted as if the bar was her home. Liam was beginning to suspect it was. She wore the same cream-white tunic and tired black cloak. Her brown cotton pants sported a new patch in the knee and her boots were wearing thin. But still, her bright face was jarring and deceiving. It could have just been Garnet in peasants clothing. "I see you've got a copy of the Alexandria Tribune. Do you like what is has to say?"

"Well, of course," Liam said, tossing it on the table and pouring himself a whiskey on the rocks. "I worry I can't keep up with the tabloids, even when it's about my own life."

"That's alright," Astrid grinned. "Just keep doing what you're doing; keep Her Majesty's heart nice and toasty."

"I don't know the purpose of you wanting to meet," Liam said, looking around the bar and giving his tumbler a shake. "But I'm glad you sent a message. I'm worried about the potion. Do you know of any side-effects they may cause? Such as headaches and a lack of energy?"

"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about," Astrid told him, helping herself to the whiskey as well. "I have inside castle resources and I believe Her Majesty needs an extra dose." She reached into her a cloak, laying a vial on the table between them. Liam stared at the liquid that gleamed in the dusty sunset bleeding through the window.

"'Inside Castle Resources'?" He echoed, slowly lifting his eyes. "Why would you have something like that?"

"You needn't worry about that, I have my reasons."

"You told me the potion would last a lifetime."

"I consulted with my alchemist," Astrid told him coolly, tilting her head back and allowing the whiskey to sting her throat. "It does last a lifetime, but in a special case like Her Majesty, with a heart so wretched and tired from grieving, she may just need an extra push. That's all. One more nice cup of tea delivered by her beloved to make all the rumors in the tribune come true."

Liam sat forward, pressing his elbows to his knees. "You told me you were in the business of dreams. Whose dreams do you take responsibility for?"

"Oh, anybody down on their luck who happens to stumble across the wake of my good fortune."

"The men in these bars?" Liam asked, hunching his shoulders. "Do you buy them drinks all day and then tell their bosses they deserve better? What about the shoe shiners outside the door? Do you give them more work?"

"Oh, Sir Liam, I do what I can as I see fit."

"Then why do you have castle resources? Why are you trying to help me? Do I look like a charity case?"

Astrid smiled from behind her drink and also leaned in, bringing her face within inches of his. "Oh, Liam, that's the awful thing about this world. Nothing can ever be fair, can it? The man with one hundred strokes of good luck seems to catch all the breaks, while another man misses his second stroke for the twentieth time. I can't help everybody. I have to be selective before I pull myself from the wake of good fortune itself. Life is all a balance beam. This world operates strictly within that rule, too. That man over there, with the sooty face, may have only a few coins to his name while you have dozens and dozens, but to the world, that may equal the balance we need as a humankind to carry on. There will always be poor people and rich people. Sick and healthy. That's just life. I do what I can, but I can only cheat the system so far."

"Why me, though?" Liam shrugged, shaking his head. Astrid grinned and gently reached forward to comb his dark hair away from his forehead.

"Sweet, just Liam," Astrid laughed with her velvety voice. "You've read the tribune yourself. What you're doing is good. You're giving all these poor bastards and chumps the hope they need to work another day and put food on the table. Imagine the good fortune everyone can have if I just help you expedite things. You've said it yourself, the Queen punishes herself. We're giving her the nudge she needs to transcend from the fog of her mind and do what's best in all of our interests. Lindblum and Alexandria can finally be one. Import taxes and innovation can skyrocket. I see you as a golden Chocobo, Liam. Helping you, helps me." Liam was quiet for a moment as he pensively reached for the bubbly pink vial, twisting it between his fingers. Astrid watched him cautiously. "You feel bad, maybe even hesitant, I can tell. I've helped people like you who have a sense of impostor syndrome. What you're doing is good, Liam."

"And yet it feels so wrong," He replied, his eyes still hovering on the vial.

Astrid gripped his wrist. "One more tea time this evening and I promise things will start to feel right. Don't you want Her Majesty to be happy? What about your mother and the kingdoms?"

"And what about you? Will solidifying Lindblum and Alexandria's alliance help you at all?"

Astrid smiled. "More than you would ever know, Sir Liam."

…

An owl hooted distantly and Zidane felt goosebumps pucker across his skin. Behind him, the dart ships engine was slowly dying away with a whirling howl. Soldier Eliahna saluted as Steiner climbed the ladder from the deck and the two men meekly slung their backpacks over their shoulders as they approached the dense forest that concealed Black Mage Village. Zidane found his heart pounding in his chest and all the thoughts that previously clouded his mind had completely dissipated. It didn't seem too long ago the young man was here, but it brought a chill to him to realize it had been well over a year. How could time move so quickly? Even more, how could he just let it slip by him so passively? Slumbering away in Morrid's bed of straw, unaware of all of it. Now, it all seemed to just rest on his shoulders. Beside him, Steiner stared through the twist branches and thick foliage as if it was death itself staring back at him. His entire body wanted to shake, but he held himself composed and took the first few steps forward, lifting the branches. Quietly behind him, Zidane followed. Birds and creatures seemed to scatter about at the disturbance as Steiner's armor rattled and Zidane's boots mushed through the leaves.

"Still know the way?" Zidane asked, ducking beneath a branch deftly. Steiner squeezed himself past a bush with bright purple berries.

"Of course," Steiner said, keeping his eyes forward. "You can see the boot marks. The Mages are not as discreet as they think."

Zidane looked to the moist forest floor that was very much different from the parched landscape leading up to it. He could see the wide foot marks that weaved around the branches. He furrowed his brow, however, and knelt, when he saw thinner marks in the bed of mud and dried leaves. "Are these… our footmarks? Look… they're human…"

Steiner paused and turned, holding onto his backpack strap. Behind him, an owl glided to the safety of another branch. Steiner pursed his lips, watching as Zidane brushed the dead and curled leaves aside. "No, those belong to the Genomes." Zidane immediately lifted his head with blue eyes filled with pain and confusion. Steiner turned his head away, unable to bear the look. "After we left you at the Iifa Tree, we came here to Black Mage Village. We… didn't know what else to do. We had a whole ship full of people who did not know a thing of regular human life. Vivi decided to stay with them then. And the Mages and Genomes have been learning together ever since."

Zidane looked back towards the tracks embedded in the dark terrain and ran his hand over the marshy mud once more before he stood and the men ventured further. The hooting of owls grew louder and much more cohesive. Zidane's nerves ground against his skin and Steiner's heart threatened to leap into his throat. Each tree branch that creaked and every foliage that fell over had the two men pensive as they found themselves in the narrow corridor that funneled them to the Black Mage Village. The crooked and weather torn wooden sides were creaky and tired. Zidane looked to them, almost longingly. Up ahead was the clearing where the forest broke apart to reveal a massive green pasture with even flowing hills. It was amazing the continent could support such lush flora and fauna. The dry wind met Zidane and Steiner's skin and they squinted as they stepped from the forest, looking around the empty land. Just straight ahead, they could make out the beginnings of huts and smell fire. Zidane took a deep breath, bringing his shoulders up.

"Let's go," Zidane said, keeping his eyes forward. "They're expecting us, right?"

"Yes," Steiner replied, somewhat numb.

The two were still. Zidane kicked a few pebbles from the path and turned to the captain. "We've come all this way. We can't waste anymore time."

"I know."

Still, nobody moved. Zidane lowered his head and the gentle breeze brought his brown hair across the frame of his face. "Have you… thought about what you're going to say?"

"No," Steiner shook his head.

"You'll figure something out," Zidane told him. "Come on, Steiner." Zidane walked a few paces, his boots crunching along the path. He stopped, however, when he realized Steiner hadn't budged. "No one wants to ever do this, Steiner. It's not gonna be easy. But we have to do it." Steiner was quiet. A hooting owl drew Zidane's attention out to the wide pastures spanning away from them. The fast moving clouds overhead cast rolling shadows down onto them. Zidane swore he saw a rabbit and he scanned the bright berry bushes. "Look, there's never a good time to die. But it happens eventually. One day, I'm going to die… you're going to die… along with Dagger and Beatrix and Eiko…" Zidane furrowed his brow and lowered his eyes. "One by one, we will all have to say goodbye. And what really sucks is that we don't know which one of us will be last. Who will be the one having to send everyone off but still wake up another day and live?"

"I hope it's not me," Steiner said, solemnly. "I hope I die long before Beatrix."

"I hope it's me," Zidane shrugged, kicking another pebble.

"Why would you say something so alarming?"

"Well… because I deserve it. After everything I've put you all through… I'm not a good friend, Steiner. I'm not a good person. I'm an impostor who got you all wrapped up in something awful and dark that's affected all of us, whether we realize it or not," Zidane told him with a stony face. "And I hope I have to send you all off so I can die with those burdens because they're mine- mine all alone."

"We all had something to fight for back then," Steiner said, taking a few slow steps forward. "I was fighting for my sworn duty. Her Majesty for her kingdom… Freya was fighting for her people, for justice. And Master Vivi… he was fighting for himself."

"And what was I fighting for, after all?" Zidane held his arms out at his side.

"You were fighting for us," Steiner grinned lightly before he began walking again, heading with a purpose towards the smell of life and flickers of light careening between the thick trunks. Zidane watched him a few beats with a hot face before he started after the captain. The moment their feet met the wooden plank steps leading into the village, Zidane felt a shiver come up his spine. A wave of deja vu rushed over him. Blood coursed through his ears as the tree branches lifted to reveal the quaint little huts and cabins of Black Mage Village.

Immediately on the first porch, Zidane spotted a Genome. Her blond hair was long and braided on her shoulder and she wore a blue coat with white cotton pants that gripped her ankles tightly. She looked and acted nothing like the soulless beings they were the last time he interacted with them. She was weaving with a wooden hoop. Two more Genomes were spotted raking hay by the Chocobo shed. They were grinning and speaking as they worked. A round black Mage emerged from a cabin to sweep the porch, but he did a double take when he spotted Steiner and Zidane and darted into the next house. Then a Black Mage leapt from the next door and the chain of word worked around the perimeter of the growing village. A Genome's leather shoes scuffed to the porch as she came around with a basket of vegetables. She slowed in her step to inspect Zidane but continued on without a word. Zidane cocked his head around and took a few steps forward. The village had more buildings. It reached further into the dense forest surrounding it. The Genomes all had a job, they were working in perfect harmony with the Black Mages. And it was all thanks to Vivi. Zidane couldn't help but feel deeply touched as he saw through a window a Genome on a ladder, handing things down from a shelf to a Black Mage. Vivi had made this happen and Zidane didn't even know about it.

"Zidane!" He heard a shrill, airy voice ring out. The sound of hurried footsteps carried down the porch and he spotted Mikoto. Her hair had also grown long and she experimented with beads in the wavy blond locks. She raced down the steps, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You're alive!"

"Mikoto!" Zidane was stunned as he gripped her hunter green coat. "You're OK, too. Thank the gods."

"I always knew this day would come," Mikoto looked to Steiner. "I always knew Zidane would find his way back to us."

"Where's Vivi?" Zidane asked, holding her arm. Her face softened. It was mesmerizing how well she had learned human emotion. She was expressing herself.

"He is not well, Zidane," She shook her head, her beads clacking together. "Let me take you to him. I fear he does not have much longer."

"Are you certain?" Steiner asked as she began to lead them along the twisty porches. The Genomes and Black Mages they passed nodded with respect, pressing their hands to their chests. Zidane felt a deep anxiety coming over him. His insides grew clammy and a rush of blood pulsated through his head. This was really happening.

"We have been through this many times, I am afraid," Mikoto replied, looking forward. "He is weak. His eyes are dim. It is his time."

"But what about his research?" Steiner shook his head.

"Master Vivi has made good headway," Mikoto looked over her shoulder. "But a feat such as that in alchemy takes time, Master Steiner. Many of our prophetic alchemies were finished after a long line of men attempted, but died before completion. Now, someone else will have to continue."

"Who?" Zidane furrowed his brow.

"We do not know yet…" They came upon a modest cabin built between two massive trees bursting with fan leaves. Zidane paused and cocked his head back. A faded flag of Alexandria was pinned by the door, waving in the gentle breeze that broke between the canopy. Mikoto carefully opened the door. Zidane rubbed at the goosebumps puckering his skin and glanced up and down the walkway. Similar little cabins were built in a twisty fashion around the village. "Master Vivi, you have visitors."

"They may come in," Came a familiar but tired voice. Zidane's throat grew pinched and he was numb. Steiner brushed by him, ducking his head to enter the door. "Steiner, it's you! You came all the way here for me?"

"Well, but of course, Master Vivi," Steiner grinned, bowing in the process. "I come with good tidings from Alexandria."

"How is Dagger? And Beatrix?"

"Doing well, as usual," Steiner said, formally.

Mikoto looked out the door, gesturing for Zidane to come in. But the young man was stuck in place, grinding his teeth together.

"Is someone else here?"

Mikoto again waved before she sighed and stepped outside, gently taking Zidane's wrists. "Come on… it will be fine…"

Slowly, Zidane stepped towards the door and a lump was beginning to grow in his throat. The room was covered in waxy candles, mountains of books shoehorned wherever they could fit. There was a small table beneath a window that was cluttered with writings and quills. A small bed was tucked in the corner with mountains of blankets weaved with interesting, familiar patterns. And buried beneath all of that was Vivi, laying against his pillow with a book. His hat had faded over the year from being beneath the sun. His yellow eyes fell on him, somewhat lightly and differently. There was a silence in the room as the two only stared at each other.

"Are… are my eyes playing tricks on me?" Vivi asked, looking to Mikoto. She only shook her head. "Zidane…?"

Zidane took in an uneven breath and his eyes grew wet. "Hey, Vivi."

"But how?"

"It's a long story," Steiner said, pressing a hand to his shoulder. "But first, are you comfortable? Perhaps a pillow and some tea would be good for all of us."