The moment Terra stepped off of Ivalice, the air grew thin. In the flashes of light between planets, she grew faint. Sleep beckoned and if it weren't for Rydia holding her hand, Terra might float off into the nothingness, lost between worlds.

Bright blue shocked her back to reality and she stumbled to the ground, head loose on her shoulders.

"Take a deep breath," Rydia said. A warm hand rubbed her back. "We're on the ground now."

She inhaled. The air filled her lungs such that part of her—half of her—felt better.

Rydia brushed Terra's ponytail back over her shoulder. Terra caught her eyes before looking away. "Feeling better?" Rydia asked.

Terra nodded. "Very much, thank you. We should find Desch before we get moving."

"Ah." Rydia clasped her hands together, looking towards the solitary building in the distance. Terra could make out a few figures just outside, but it was too far to see details. "Is this the right place?"

"It is." Deep, lifeless breaths. She took a moment to ground herself before moving forward. Her legs threatened to fall out from beneath, but she was learning to deal with that.

Rydia hummed by her side and Terra focused on walking but her foot caught and she fell.

Esper-Drawn.

Arms wrapped around her and Rydia helped Terra off the ground.

Child of Maduin.

"I can't say you should be travelling," Rydia said.

Terra pushed back against Rydia. The older woman let go. "I have to find the Espers. But thank you for your concern—it is appreciated."

"Then I can't stop you."

They approached the Cottage and Desch ran to meet. "Hey!" he said. "I wondered when I would see you again! How'd it go?"

Rydia said, "I need some details, but I'm guessing it could have been better."

"Oh, hey. I'm Desch." He made a gesture with his hands that resembled knitting. "What about you?"

"Rydia."

"The Espers of Ivalice are different from my kin," Terra said. "They were made by something called the 'Occuria,' and I've been told I shouldn't speak with those beings. And while they have promised their aid… they won't leave their world."

"Guess that's about all we'll get. Better get back out there looking." He rubbed at the back of his head. "On my end, those kids should be sorted. The tiny one, at least. For the girl, they're still looking."

"Any chance they'll find what they're looking for?" Rydia asked.

Desch shrugged. "At this point, maybe? Nothing they've tried thus far has worked."

Terra struck up her stride again and the other two fell in beside her. "Where's our next destination?"

"They've been distracted with what they have already." Desch kicked at the dirt as they walked. Thank goodness for his smile, it made her feel… content.

Rydia said, "I've never been here before. What's the story?"

"We've got monsters to fight," Desch said, "and this is the best base of operations the universe has. We've got a dozen or so people from all over trying to gather and fix the broken minds that are out there."

"Among other things," Terra said.

A strong taste of magic drifted their way, growing stronger as they approached the Guild. From here, she saw two more of those gathered enjoying some sunlight and fresh air. One of the two, Setzer rolled a die between his fingers, smirking as he spoke with one of the Red Gods, Ace.

Setzer broke his conversation upon sight of her and all but leaped to join them. "How went your quest?"

Desch engaged Ace in in another conversation and Rydia regarded Setzer with intrigue.

"It wasn't as rewarding as I hoped," Terra said.

"You are pale as death." He swept a hand out to the side, gesturing to a chair. "You should sit and relax."

You have once come into contact with Chaos.

She snapped back to attention. "I'm alright."

Setzer scoffed. "I doubt that greatly, Edgar may berate me for trying to tell a lady what to do, but you should take a moment to rest."

"I've tried. It does little to help me."

"… Has it gotten so bad?"

As she pondered how to respond to that, a thick cloud of smoke billowed out from the cottage.

"What…?" Rydia covered her mouth with her arm and gave Terra a bewildered expression as shouting erupted nearby.

They followed the voices to the other side of the Cottage and found the twins working with Arc.

"I suppose," Porom said, dismissing the cloud, "if anyone discovers up to half a dozen dead frogs, we'll know why."

Palom shouted back, "There shouldn't be any frogs close enough! The stream is that way!"

"We got results, at least," Leonora said.

"But we're all still wide awake," Arc said, "so it was still a failure."

Vaan peeked in from around the corner and asked, "Wait, you were trying to cast a mass sleep spell?"

"It's not just a sleep spell," Palom said, "but a self-fueling sleep spell. Leech out your enemies' magic and all that."

Firion approached and said, "The three of you should consider testing this further from the cottage."

"And waste even more time," Palom said.

Leonora's eyes went wide with shock and she yelled, "Rydia!"

Rydia went stiff as the twins turned to face her and Porom ran to catch her in a hug. "You're okay!" Porom said. "Everyone at home is so worried, we haven't had word from you in so long!"

Palom scowled. "As if you're one to talk."

Rydia hugged Porom back. "How is Cuore?"

"Edge is taking care of her," Porom said. "They'll be so happy to know you're okay!"

Rydia released a shaky breath and let go. "Then the two of you joined the fight?" She asked, looking past Porom to Palom, who moved to stand by Leonora.

"We are the fight," Palom said.

Rydia walked up to him and whispered something Terra couldn't hear. Palom reddened and looked away.

Porom moved to talk to Arc, with not a few glances to Palom, Leonora, and Rydia. Vaan talked with Firion, who eased with Vaan's easy words. Desch and Setzer went to join Firion and Vaan. Ace disappeared at some point.

Speak with me.

A tingle in her arm and Terra leaned backwards. She caught herself before she fell and reached for nothing.

The tingle… the electric power of Ramuh ghosted over her fingers.

"Terra?" Desch asked.

They told her they couldn't speak.

Clouds rumbled and gathered. Her veins thundered and her throat dried. She used magic that her body didn't think she had.

Ramuh's power ripped through the air around her, desperate to be unleashed. It was no Esper, and she did not believe it to be an Eidolon either.

Flashes of light broke the skies and the group quieted. Rain fell in thick drops, wetting the burned ground.

"Ramuh!" Her voice darkened with the clouds, cracked with the thunder, and danced with the wind.

Another flash and Ramuh himself descended, circling in the air, eyes caught on her. He looked deep into not just her eyes, but into her soul, her drawn link. She returned it.

"You have something you want to tell me." She barely heard herself above the roar of thunder, wind, and rain. "Do you know where the Espers are? From the world that is now that of Ruin?"

I know of no such beings.

"One drew from Ramuh, as you do! He is dead now!"

Many draw of this font. Many have died.

"This one was kin to me!"

Ifrit colors you well, yet a part of you draws of Maduin.

"My father drew Maduin and my mother was human. They are both dead."

Maduin is drawn uncommonly, a font on yet few a world. Your progenitor came rare.

"I search for his kin!"

Your search is mountainous. You take many paths but there is another that calls you.

"How? I must find them before I myself die. I only have so much time, I…"

Ramuh did not take notice of her plea. There are drawn locked away by the machinations of the void being Chaos, poisoner of the first of all worlds. They have waited long for their freedom.

"How would I find them?"

It gains root yet still in all worlds, with the creations of the Lufaine. The Chaos facsimile and his eternal adversary. Traces to it lie in the souls of forced heroes and torn Manikins.

Distant bells rang in her head over a ghostly, ankle-deep lake. "Who do you speak of?"

You are one of many.

The tingling in her fingers and her veins was faded. She would not receive more answers. "I'll try."

Ramuh bowed, one drawn to another. Then vanished as the clouds dissipated above, returning the sun as though nothing happened.

Terra rubbed at her fingers. Chaos… Manikins… like she read it in a book once as a child.

"Get what you need?"

She startled. Desch, soaked to the bone, beamed at her with the wonder of a child.

"I… another piece of it, maybe. I think… I've forgotten something." She couldn't see anything beyond that lake. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you all."

"There's no predicting summons," Rydia said. "You'll get used to it."

Everyone watched her, some with suspicion, some with intrigue.

A world of shadows, twisted by the light of another. She needed to find that place.

"Vaan? Firion?" she asked. "Ramuh called to me. He told me of a being called Chaos and I thought you might know what he meant?"

Firion went still.

"No idea," Vaan said.

"He told me that there's a world out there, the first one. He talked about 'forced heroes' and 'manikins.'"

"Chaos." Firion looked away, a dark look spreading over his face. "And Cosmos."

"You know them?" she asked.

"My memories are few and distorted… but yes. I remember them."

"Could you tell me what it means?"

Firion shook his head and Terra felt a wave of disappointment.

Desch held a hand out and Terra took it without a thought. They moved around to the front of the cottage and left the others to their practice. Firion hesitated in following while the twins argued about the rain and Vaan and Setzer talked of herbal mixes.

She caught sight of a young child in red with a hat so tall and poofy…


It was dark. New voice said better that way, but they not let Gau leave. Said too hurt.

Lots of cloth around legs, head, neck, hand. Said wouldn't use again.

They used painful water in the cuts on his leg and face. Stopped using on his hand and neck a while ago. Said wounds might get infected since they were dirty. Same for Relm.

It was night out. That was why dark. Everyone else asleep. Supposed to be if they not watch.

Gau pushed away blankets made him heal faster that body would work. But hand never would.

Shadow voice said, "Take it slowly. You need to heal."

His leg hurt as he stood but didn't stop. He wanted to see stars. Reached the door and slid open. Jumped back at Relm on the other side. Slipped and caught himself with hurt hands.

"She should be in bed!"

"Shh!" Relm put hands out. Bandages all over her shoulder. Gau not know what wound looked like. Wasn't sure why he couldn't remember.

Relm looked at hallway and held hand out. "I'm gonna get some fresh air, you wanna come with?"

Gau nodded.

"You should not encourage her."

"Great, we gotta go before the doctors come looking." Relm moved low and put hand out. Not one with the bad shoulder.

Gau got himself to his feet, but pain in his leg. Kept most weight on the one that Kefka didn't cut up so much.

Relm grabbed his hand and pulled him down the hallway. Bright lights bad for hiding, but no one came. Not hard to get out door and into city.

"Come on." Relm went faster outside. Legs hurt worse.

"You're opening the stitches in your legs, Gau, you need to slow down."

Relm didn't go far. Up empty hill of flowers. She laid down and watched sky. Gau set down slow.

"It's so stuffy inside," Relm said. "Don't you think so?"

Moon lit her bandages. His too. She didn't say anything. Just watched twinkling sky. Bright sky not so bright because of other light. Quiet, but for the chirping. Supposed to be calm.

He couldn't look anymore. Stars looked like bloodstains. Looked like someone else in his head.

Watch was out patrolling. Couldn't see them cause too far and dark. Sabin wouldn't trust him on watch after.

Cold. He shivered and Kefka laughed.

Relm made a pain noise. "Oops," she said. Voice didn't like that. "Look!" She pointed up. "You see that little circle? The one with six stars? Strago showed me a while ago about how that's what most runes are based on."

"Runes?" Gau asked.

"Yeah, runes are six-pointed images that are kind of like names for spells when you write them down. It's a whole other language from centuries ago."

Writing. Gau wanted to read.

"Even with all that power, Kefka couldn't change the stars."

Voice come two nights before. Gau didn't talk to him then or now. Didn't want others in head.

"Are you gonna look?" Relm asked.

Gau could. Kefka didn't touch the stars. Looked up and saw stars. Not blood, just stars. Counted six in small circle like Relm said. He knew those. Stars didn't change. They were different at different places but not very. "Doesn't change," he said.

Relm sighed. "Not really. Strago says that some people use the stars like a map. Like, if you're on the ocean."

They moved some over the year but always go back. "Show time," he said.

"Huh? Oh, you mean like how they change over the year?"

"Circle always here. Even in cold."

"Yeah, that's part of it. You see, the Vidin circle, that's what it's called, is near the pole. Which makes it good, navigationally speaking."

She point. Gau copied.

"None of the six stars are actually on the pole, but they circle around it, so…" Relm looked at his hand. Dropped hers. He copied. "What are you doing?"

"Pointing?"

"No, it's supposed to… It's something you do when you're explaining."

He didn't see anyone else do it.

Shouts. "Relm! Gau!" That was Locke.

"Uh oh." Relm crouched down but the position bad. On a hill in low grass. Couldn't run and hide. Not with hurt body.

Locke on the hill. He stopped at the top and said, "Infirmary isn't happy with you two disappearing."

Relm stuck her tongue out. "Fresh air is important for healing."

Locke sat down. "You gave everyone a scare."

Gau was sorry. "Don't want scare."

"I'm not going back yet." Relm turned her back on Locke. Trusted him.

Gau tapped his skull. "Voice in my head."

"Wait, what?" Locke asked. "Gau, what voice?"

"Shadow."

"The point wasn't to tell people…"

"Shadow?" Relm asked. "Tell him that Interceptor misses him. But it shouldn't be too long until he sees Interceptor again. He's… slowing down."

"Interceptor will want to stay with her as long as possible."

"Interceptor want you."

Relm smiled. "Really?"

Gau nodded.

"You sure?" Locke shifted closer to Relm, watching Gau. He didn't trust Gau. Shouldn't.

"Why is Shadow here?" Relm asked.

"Someone needs to make sure that the people are recovering."

"To… fix."

"He doesn't trust us?" Locke asked. "Hey, can you give him some words for me? I've got stuff I've been holding onto for him."

"What?" Gau asked.

"Like the fact that he's a twit for leaving us like that and for burdening Relm with Interceptor. Tell him he's a jerk for dying on us like that."

Gau not remember all words, but Shadow said, "I understood him. But I will not dignify such with a response."

"No response," Gau said.

"Fine." Locke groaned and stood. "Let's get you two back to the infirmary, okay?"

Gau shook head. "No. Stars. Stay."

"Yeah!" Relm said.

Locke looked between them. "You have to be somewhere people can keep an eye on you. You understand that?"

"You would do well to heed your elders."

"Safe here." Gau patted the ground.

"Not necessarily," Locke said.

"For now."

"Then I'll watch you here a little longer," Locke said.

Relm said, "We don't need to be handled, you hear me? We'll be fine."

"Locke right," Gau said. "But stay."

"Yeah," Relm said, "don't let him push you around."

Locke eyes moved in defense way. Gau said, "No push. Only worry. But safe here."

"You keep saying that," Locke said. "Why?"

"Because true," Gau said. "Safe… not die."

Relm was quiet. Maybe… not hear. She said, "We're safe here, because no monsters are gonna come and get us. Except that maybe they are. Kefka did."

No. No. No, he saw no ghosts. Others said ghost follow. Thought they didn't. He knew what it looked like. "Not back. Gone," he said.

"You think so?" Relm asked.

"For now," Locke said. "Wish I could tell you he's gone for good, but that sicko likes his surprises. We're trying to talk to the dead now and see what they've got on him, but they're pretty hung up right now."

"He is gone for now. We'd like that it stays that way so none of you worry about him again."

Showed fear. Not sure meant Kefka could come back. "Shadow say gone," Gau said.

"You should talk to Sabin," Locke said. "He's worried about you."

Memories of not moving, held down, because of demon in his head. Didn't think he saw either since. Safe, they said. Who? Gau safe? Or safe from Gau?

But not okay. Not okay and not healing right and not good.

"You can do this, just take it slow."

Slow could be killed. But couldn't be fast with broken legs. Broken legs and broken neck and broken face and no run and couldn't escape. Trapped.

"You're right, you know. You're safe here." Calm.

Locke asked, "Wasn't there a rule about not coming back to your own world? Shadow? Doesn't seem like you'd be the first to break that."

"I'm not."

"Isn't he here to fix things?" Relm asked. "That's what Shadow does."

Shadow confirmed and Gau said, "Yeah. Come to fix."

"Fix what?" Locke asked.

Gau tapped his skull.

"He's trying to fix your head?" Locke asked. "By being inside it? Does he really think that will help?"

Gau's head was broken. He didn't know how to fix himself.

"Tell them the World of Ruin is filled with people who have been overexposed to death. This grants a special aptitude to their minds and openness to spirits. Both for good and for ill."

Gau did his best. "He say… world is lots of death. See more spirits."

Relm frowned and said, "I didn't see any spirits. That's not fair."

"Good or bad," Gau said.

"Then it couldn't be some evil person in your head?" Relm asked. "How are you sure it's him?"

"His voice," Gau said.

"Why would he come now?" Locke asked.

"Your mind is weak. I can help you rebuild your barriers, but only if you work with me."

"Head broken. Here to make stronger."

"Broken things can be made stronger than ever before, you see."

Gau didn't know of broken things that got stronger. Stronger to be better? But legs would heal, they said. Not hand, but legs.

"Are you guys gonna tell Strago about this?" Relm asked.

Locke nodded. "I'll keep the others notified. Are you finally ready to turn in for the night? Because I'm bushed."

"You aren't weak. You're healing and soon enough you'll be one of those that turn the tide in this cosmic fight."

Didn't want to fight. Didn't know what Shadow was saying. But accepted Locke's help back to the warm, dark room.


He came to in a clammy sweat, vision bleary. Sick to his stomach, too, but the sensation wasn't new. Not after… however long it was since he entered this room. He still couldn't find his grip on reality, but he told himself again that it would come.

The Headmaster left while he was out, it seemed. No one else occupied the dim room.

Maqui swallowed, mouth parched, and closed his eyes against the pulsing pain in his arms and legs that still felt too heavy to move. Against the blood that stained his skin red and showed slick on his clothes.

Why was he here?

"Bhunivelze," the Headmaster had said many times. He wanted information on Bhunivelze.

But…

Maqui gave it to him, already.

Why?

Maqui bit his chapped lip and tasted blood. Bhunivelze was gone. Or… his inspiration was. The drive that kept him going through the fog of delusion, the divine presence left inside him, that was gone. The Headmaster drove it from him like a disease.

That was… nice of him. Maybe Maqui should thank him in the end for forcing the poisonous thoughts from his head and cleansing him of corrupted power. And yet that took with it something… important.

Spasm in his shoulder and Maqui choked back tears at the painful throb. Begged for relief even though he was alone.

Bhunivelze never helped them against the pain brought on from overuse. He kept them alive somehow, but not healed. That was how he survived walking for days and not sleeping beyond a few hours a week.

Man, he wished Bhunivelze would have healed him up once or twice. Maybe then this wouldn't hurt so much.

"You're back, I see," came the Headmaster's voice. "Sleep well?"

Maqui squeezed his eyes shut, as if he could block out the sound of that voice.

"Are you ready for another round?"

"I've told you everything I know."

"I quite doubt that."

His heart raced. "B-but I told you about the Crystalchosen and Ellone and stuff! There's nothing else I know!"

"And yet…" The voice came closer. "… You display a certain talent for summoning more detail the more you talk. And I get the impression there's a lot more in there that I can wrangle out."

He fought to remember more of Bhunivelze's plan, but most of that remained shrouded in a fog of confusion. God hid what wasn't important to Maqui. Or maybe Maqui didn't think to absorb it when he got started on his mission.

It made sense the other day, but now how that all worked felt fuzzy.

"Don't sleep, now," said the Headmaster. "I've got a busy schedule. How about you begin with how the day started?"

That sounded familiar. Did he already answer that? "… Sunny?"

"Interesting. And when did you last see this 'Amarant?'"

"Yesterday. Or… the day before. What time is it?"

"That's not important."

Maqui risked opening an eye, though the sight of his own torn body didn't encourage him. The Headmaster jotted notes down on a pad like some bored officer. "Will you let me out if I get the questions right?"

"Sure. How do you know Ellone?"

Maqui fought to remember. The details grew so hazy over time. But he had to get it right for the world's sake. Think, think think….

Wait…. wasn't there something he had to say about Gaia VII? It seemed so important at the time.

The Headmaster struck him across the face. "Stay awake."

Maqui blinked stars out of his eyes and recited something about finding Ellone. It felt so rote leaving his mouth, he didn't know what he said.

The Headmaster healed him for that. Sent a wave of white magic through him that soothed the worst of the aches and burns. "And how do you feel about Irvine Kinneas?"

"I don't know. He's a student. You know about Blue Terra—isn't that more important?"

"Other planets don't concern me, my students do." The Headmaster leaned in. "How do Kinneas and Kreiss affect my school?"

Why did he kill Noel?

… Oh, hell. He killed Noel.

Breath caught in his throat and panic sprouted.

What would Snow say? Or Serah? He betrayed them both. He killed Noel.

Something stabbed his finger and Maqui screamed. The Headmaster said, "Answer me or you don't leave."

Maqui risked a look to find a needle in his left pointer finger. "I—Irvine meant to take the fall."

"For who?"

"Alyssa."

"Who's Alyssa?"

"Ellone!"

The Headmaster gave out a long sigh and pulled the needle out. Blood oozed from the prick. "That's not a consistent answer."

"Because Alyssa possessed Ellone." Maqui bit back tears. "Vengeful spirits do stupid things, man! It's not my fault!"

"Then whose is it?"

"I just told you!"

The Headmaster pushed him back and struck a knife to his chin.