A\N: Much longer chapter than the last two. I'm *finally* getting into the
plot. At the end there are several flashbacks. There are all the same
person, just in a different place. The flashbacks are in chronological
order in the person's life. Confused yet? You'll understand when you get
there (I hope.)
Jack: Thank you for the feedback. And I'm having loads of fun!
Dragon Lady8: Thank you! I was trying hard to keep them in character, as that's not one of my strong points, so I'm glad it worked! Um, and Nina, I didn't name anybody supercalafragial whatever, as I cannot even spell it.
Disclaimer: Do not sue me! Do not sue the sight! I do not own FF. I own the plot and a few characters! So do not sue me!
------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 3- "Akiel"
The pinkish hue around Zidane began to fade, as he reached the Invincible in the hangar. Quietly he willed away the spirits of Trance and walked up the ramp into the Invincible. It rose slowly and began to hover, waiting for the clueless Knight of Pluto to figure out how to push a lever so that he could open the gate. No less than ten minutes later the Invincible was finally in the air.
"Rusty and his damn Pluto Knights! I don't have time to wait! I have to find Dagger!" Zidane raged, to no one in particular. Now was not the time to have to deal with the Pluto Knight's bumbling. He was furious. Dagger was missing, and nothing would stop him from annihilating whoever took her.
"Especially not people who are supposed to work for me!" He thought. After he calmed down, he tried to think logically. From what he remembered of the fight with Davall, before he had become tranced, these kidnappers were skilled in defensive magic. There was also something else, something strange about them that he couldn't quite understand. He vaguely remembered something about their eyes, something that wasn't quite right, something unnatural. From what he had heard about the angel, he had become fairly certain that they were telepathic. He would need someone that was more powerful than the average soldier to help him, and there was no time to go to Lindblum or call the Silver Guard (not that he thought having a "silver guard" was necessary). The angel would have to do.
------------------------------------------------------------
Tierra prowled the halls of her castle, cat-like in her movements, her dress, her features. She looked like a cat. Here she was called a queen. Long ago, she was called a witch.
"And soon," she said to herself, "A goddess." A lone soldier ran up to her, waving his arms frantically, screaming, "A live one, a live one!"
"Perhaps my little plaything has some use after all." She whispered to herself. Davall was approaching, with Garnet in his arms. His whole face was covered in his haughty grin.
"My lady, I have completed my task, in my arms lies the summoner of Alexandria." He announced, as much to his own assembled peers as to Tierra herself.
She wanted so desperately to say something disparaging to wipe that idiotic grin of his face, but she decided against it. She would allow her puppet a little light, so that he could taste the power of fame.
"I see you have. My pleasure rests upon you. Where are your servant-men that I might congratulate them as well?" She asked, having read his mind.
Davall distinctly thought he heard sarcasm in that tone, but ignored it. How could she know that the little king had beaten him so badly? Well, it was often said of her line that they knew things that no one else could know. He had no more time to dwell on this, for he knew that his queen was rather impatient.
"They linger still in the Room of Mana, replenishing their strength. Shall your servant fetch them?"
"No, I must discuss something with you privately. And bring the girl." She added, gesturing towards Garnet
"Yes my liege." He responded with a hint of nervousness
"Soldiers, fetch the servants of Davall." She finished, and waved her hand, signifying that the conversation was indeed over. She motioned for Davall to come into her dark chamber. He followed gingerly.
------------------------------------------------------------
The angel was hovering just above the surface of the ocean, focusing intently on the many signatures of energy floating around him. It had become much easier to sense energy after the fall of the Iifa Tree. Zidane's signature had faded significantly a few moments ago. It had also become very muddled, hidden within a much larger one.
"There he is." He said, having finally caught Zidane's energy. He had a clear, focused signal now. He still wondered about the other signal.
"Please don't let it be that dammed..." He stopped suddenly. His pale blue feathers were slowly turning a bright blood red. He felt his control slipping. He knew that thoughts of his old life would only bring about more misery. But it would feel so good to be free of Heaven's control, to have his own wings.
"No." He said simply, mastering his more basic instinct, "I've got to find her. And that will NOT help."
He allowed his wings to carry him forward, towards Zidane's signature. The signal was strong, Zidane must have been focusing very intently. The angel wondered whether Zidane could sense energy as well, for his signature seemed to be getting nearer. He needed to find Garnet soon, so that he could leave those remnants of his past behind. They weren't suitable for an angel. Especially an angel that needed to stay a hidden angel.
------------------------------------------------------------
Tierra glared at the pitiful form of Garnet. She was still unconscious. Davall must have used something much too strong. She should've already been awake.
"Tierra?" Davall asked uncertainly
"You may address me as Tierra." Tierra conceded
"Thank you."
"Now, tell me, how did you survive the king's attack?"
"You know about that?"
"Surely you know there are no secrets to the Priestess of Jupiter. Secrets displease me."
"Oh, yes, I knew."
"No you didn't."
"You're right, of course. Well, my lady, the king changed. He started glowing strangely, and his eyes glazed over." Davall said, his eyes grew wide. He was afraid of the memory of Trance. Not that anyone could blame him.
"Yes, I thought as much." She muttered, "Continue."
"Well, he stopped talking and just glared at me. I knew from the profile that he could not use magic, but that must have been incorrect. Not to criticize your profile, my liege!" He added quickly, in fear of her wrath.
"There is no need to fear. I realize not all of my soldiers are as competent as you." She responded, placating with just a hint of sarcasm, like spices in her speech.
"He whispered a few words and then, he just..."
"He what?"
"It was like there was pure magic. It was as if it was flowing out of him, smashing into me. It was like, like, I don't... I can't, I-I just... It was..." He choked, barely able to speak the enormity of Trance. With those images running through his head he could only whisper, "I-I nearly died."
"I see. You may go. I must speak to the girl."
"I nearly died." He croaked, reliving the experience
"DAVALL! Leave now, before I show you things that will terrify you far more than a little boy and his crazed magic. You don't want me to have to hurt you, do you?" She said, smiling a seductive smile, almost as if she wanted him to stay. Almost as if she wanted to hurt someone, purely for the sake of destruction.
"I'm going!" He said, running quickly out of the presence of his crazed queen
------------------------------------------------------------
"There he is!" Zidane cried. He was surprised that his plan had worked. The Invincible seemed to be in tune with his Terran physiology, so he had just concentrated as hard as he could on the angel, and willed the Invincible forward. He was sure that the angel was nearing him too. But there was something different...
"What the hell?!" He suddenly screamed, seeing the angel.
The angel was writhing in pain.
"That ship!" The Angel cried, "No. No! NO!" His pale blue feathers burned. It was as if they ignited with blood red flames, spreading throughout his wings. His eyes glowed blood red as well. His hair was charred black as the angel went up in flames. His whole being was consumed in flames. If he had not already passed through death, he would have thought he was dying. Even his dress changed. It was ripped to shreds. The broken shards of his clothing hung like loose rage from his tourtured being. He closed his eyes. The vision appeared.
------------------------------------------------------------
/Flash/- Madain Sari
The room was decorated in black marble. The Ian-Iku, the shaman, sat on the throne of the ancestry. He was young, foolish, but tied to a sense of responsibility. He wanted to do what was best. And he thought this was best.
"Akiel, son of the line of princes. The gods have spoken. I have spoken. Leave."
"Ian-Iku, I implore, spare me. The rain of sorrow has fallen onto my house. My lady has lost her son. Shall you add still more sorrow? And what of my daughter, that lies in her mother's womb? Crimes? She has committed none!"
"But thou hast, knave. Leave."
/Flash/- The Conde Petie Mountain Pass
"My sweet, my love." He said broodingly, "He who has taken you from me shall fall to my hand. I swear vengance!" He changed his mind. One man was not enough.
"No, no, all must suffer. My sorrow shall fall upon the world!"
Akiel stood alone in the Great Passage. He thought for a moment. He did not know where to turn. He had been led here by the soldiers of Ian-Iku. It was wrong. And nothing was right.
/Flash/- A castle on the Forgotten Continent
"Never again. I repent. I lay myself on your mercy. Forgive me as I could not forgive this world."
Akiel kneeled before the few last inhabitants of the civilization he had destroyed. With a few summons, the once-thriving city had fallen to his fury. He had never wanted their riches, or their technological prowess. He had wanted to kill. He had wanted death. He wanted practice for the day that he would return to his homeland as the mightiest summoner to ever live. He thought that he would need more power so avenge those who needed no avenging. He saw the error of his ways, much like a Genome would years later, the moment that his power was broken. He almost died at the hands of Sashin and his crew. He now humbled his broken self before the princes of the land.
"Some among us cannot forgive you. Many can. However, here I am king." Sashin spoke, "And therefore I decide. We would ask you to stay with us, and as penance, allow us to research your powers, and learn about you. Are these acceptable terms?"
"I am honored."
/Flash/- The Forbidden Continent
He left Sashin's castle. He had lived there only six months. Then he returned from an exploration of the land. They were all dead. And all he saw was an eye. He returned to his homeland, hoping that he could visit his wife one last time. He had been gone one year.
/Flash/- A hidden cave on the Mist Continent
The eye. Again. Again it had taken everything. It turned to his home and killed his wife and his child. Once again he could think only of revenge. He researched it to no end. He found out more than any mortal cared to know about the strange world of Terra. But once again the unquenchable rage burned in him like fire. He stood before the void, the black void. It held fire and death. So did he. He would destroy Terra. He would kill everyone. He entered the void. He never returned to Gaia.
/Flash/- The present
"Until now." Akiel whispered to himself. He passed through the walls of the Invincible. He saw Zidane.
What are you doing, scumbag? What happened to the angel?!" Zidane asked
"Master of the Invincible, prepare to die."
------------------------------------------------------------
That was the longest chapter I've ever written! Yes, I know it was confusing. And it was only six pages, but it's a personal record, okay! Annyway, if you don't understand anything, I'll try to repost this chapter and clear it up. But if no one reviews this chapter, it'll stay confusing! Now that I've tried blackmail, I'll turn to begging: please, please, please read and review!
Jack: Thank you for the feedback. And I'm having loads of fun!
Dragon Lady8: Thank you! I was trying hard to keep them in character, as that's not one of my strong points, so I'm glad it worked! Um, and Nina, I didn't name anybody supercalafragial whatever, as I cannot even spell it.
Disclaimer: Do not sue me! Do not sue the sight! I do not own FF. I own the plot and a few characters! So do not sue me!
------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 3- "Akiel"
The pinkish hue around Zidane began to fade, as he reached the Invincible in the hangar. Quietly he willed away the spirits of Trance and walked up the ramp into the Invincible. It rose slowly and began to hover, waiting for the clueless Knight of Pluto to figure out how to push a lever so that he could open the gate. No less than ten minutes later the Invincible was finally in the air.
"Rusty and his damn Pluto Knights! I don't have time to wait! I have to find Dagger!" Zidane raged, to no one in particular. Now was not the time to have to deal with the Pluto Knight's bumbling. He was furious. Dagger was missing, and nothing would stop him from annihilating whoever took her.
"Especially not people who are supposed to work for me!" He thought. After he calmed down, he tried to think logically. From what he remembered of the fight with Davall, before he had become tranced, these kidnappers were skilled in defensive magic. There was also something else, something strange about them that he couldn't quite understand. He vaguely remembered something about their eyes, something that wasn't quite right, something unnatural. From what he had heard about the angel, he had become fairly certain that they were telepathic. He would need someone that was more powerful than the average soldier to help him, and there was no time to go to Lindblum or call the Silver Guard (not that he thought having a "silver guard" was necessary). The angel would have to do.
------------------------------------------------------------
Tierra prowled the halls of her castle, cat-like in her movements, her dress, her features. She looked like a cat. Here she was called a queen. Long ago, she was called a witch.
"And soon," she said to herself, "A goddess." A lone soldier ran up to her, waving his arms frantically, screaming, "A live one, a live one!"
"Perhaps my little plaything has some use after all." She whispered to herself. Davall was approaching, with Garnet in his arms. His whole face was covered in his haughty grin.
"My lady, I have completed my task, in my arms lies the summoner of Alexandria." He announced, as much to his own assembled peers as to Tierra herself.
She wanted so desperately to say something disparaging to wipe that idiotic grin of his face, but she decided against it. She would allow her puppet a little light, so that he could taste the power of fame.
"I see you have. My pleasure rests upon you. Where are your servant-men that I might congratulate them as well?" She asked, having read his mind.
Davall distinctly thought he heard sarcasm in that tone, but ignored it. How could she know that the little king had beaten him so badly? Well, it was often said of her line that they knew things that no one else could know. He had no more time to dwell on this, for he knew that his queen was rather impatient.
"They linger still in the Room of Mana, replenishing their strength. Shall your servant fetch them?"
"No, I must discuss something with you privately. And bring the girl." She added, gesturing towards Garnet
"Yes my liege." He responded with a hint of nervousness
"Soldiers, fetch the servants of Davall." She finished, and waved her hand, signifying that the conversation was indeed over. She motioned for Davall to come into her dark chamber. He followed gingerly.
------------------------------------------------------------
The angel was hovering just above the surface of the ocean, focusing intently on the many signatures of energy floating around him. It had become much easier to sense energy after the fall of the Iifa Tree. Zidane's signature had faded significantly a few moments ago. It had also become very muddled, hidden within a much larger one.
"There he is." He said, having finally caught Zidane's energy. He had a clear, focused signal now. He still wondered about the other signal.
"Please don't let it be that dammed..." He stopped suddenly. His pale blue feathers were slowly turning a bright blood red. He felt his control slipping. He knew that thoughts of his old life would only bring about more misery. But it would feel so good to be free of Heaven's control, to have his own wings.
"No." He said simply, mastering his more basic instinct, "I've got to find her. And that will NOT help."
He allowed his wings to carry him forward, towards Zidane's signature. The signal was strong, Zidane must have been focusing very intently. The angel wondered whether Zidane could sense energy as well, for his signature seemed to be getting nearer. He needed to find Garnet soon, so that he could leave those remnants of his past behind. They weren't suitable for an angel. Especially an angel that needed to stay a hidden angel.
------------------------------------------------------------
Tierra glared at the pitiful form of Garnet. She was still unconscious. Davall must have used something much too strong. She should've already been awake.
"Tierra?" Davall asked uncertainly
"You may address me as Tierra." Tierra conceded
"Thank you."
"Now, tell me, how did you survive the king's attack?"
"You know about that?"
"Surely you know there are no secrets to the Priestess of Jupiter. Secrets displease me."
"Oh, yes, I knew."
"No you didn't."
"You're right, of course. Well, my lady, the king changed. He started glowing strangely, and his eyes glazed over." Davall said, his eyes grew wide. He was afraid of the memory of Trance. Not that anyone could blame him.
"Yes, I thought as much." She muttered, "Continue."
"Well, he stopped talking and just glared at me. I knew from the profile that he could not use magic, but that must have been incorrect. Not to criticize your profile, my liege!" He added quickly, in fear of her wrath.
"There is no need to fear. I realize not all of my soldiers are as competent as you." She responded, placating with just a hint of sarcasm, like spices in her speech.
"He whispered a few words and then, he just..."
"He what?"
"It was like there was pure magic. It was as if it was flowing out of him, smashing into me. It was like, like, I don't... I can't, I-I just... It was..." He choked, barely able to speak the enormity of Trance. With those images running through his head he could only whisper, "I-I nearly died."
"I see. You may go. I must speak to the girl."
"I nearly died." He croaked, reliving the experience
"DAVALL! Leave now, before I show you things that will terrify you far more than a little boy and his crazed magic. You don't want me to have to hurt you, do you?" She said, smiling a seductive smile, almost as if she wanted him to stay. Almost as if she wanted to hurt someone, purely for the sake of destruction.
"I'm going!" He said, running quickly out of the presence of his crazed queen
------------------------------------------------------------
"There he is!" Zidane cried. He was surprised that his plan had worked. The Invincible seemed to be in tune with his Terran physiology, so he had just concentrated as hard as he could on the angel, and willed the Invincible forward. He was sure that the angel was nearing him too. But there was something different...
"What the hell?!" He suddenly screamed, seeing the angel.
The angel was writhing in pain.
"That ship!" The Angel cried, "No. No! NO!" His pale blue feathers burned. It was as if they ignited with blood red flames, spreading throughout his wings. His eyes glowed blood red as well. His hair was charred black as the angel went up in flames. His whole being was consumed in flames. If he had not already passed through death, he would have thought he was dying. Even his dress changed. It was ripped to shreds. The broken shards of his clothing hung like loose rage from his tourtured being. He closed his eyes. The vision appeared.
------------------------------------------------------------
/Flash/- Madain Sari
The room was decorated in black marble. The Ian-Iku, the shaman, sat on the throne of the ancestry. He was young, foolish, but tied to a sense of responsibility. He wanted to do what was best. And he thought this was best.
"Akiel, son of the line of princes. The gods have spoken. I have spoken. Leave."
"Ian-Iku, I implore, spare me. The rain of sorrow has fallen onto my house. My lady has lost her son. Shall you add still more sorrow? And what of my daughter, that lies in her mother's womb? Crimes? She has committed none!"
"But thou hast, knave. Leave."
/Flash/- The Conde Petie Mountain Pass
"My sweet, my love." He said broodingly, "He who has taken you from me shall fall to my hand. I swear vengance!" He changed his mind. One man was not enough.
"No, no, all must suffer. My sorrow shall fall upon the world!"
Akiel stood alone in the Great Passage. He thought for a moment. He did not know where to turn. He had been led here by the soldiers of Ian-Iku. It was wrong. And nothing was right.
/Flash/- A castle on the Forgotten Continent
"Never again. I repent. I lay myself on your mercy. Forgive me as I could not forgive this world."
Akiel kneeled before the few last inhabitants of the civilization he had destroyed. With a few summons, the once-thriving city had fallen to his fury. He had never wanted their riches, or their technological prowess. He had wanted to kill. He had wanted death. He wanted practice for the day that he would return to his homeland as the mightiest summoner to ever live. He thought that he would need more power so avenge those who needed no avenging. He saw the error of his ways, much like a Genome would years later, the moment that his power was broken. He almost died at the hands of Sashin and his crew. He now humbled his broken self before the princes of the land.
"Some among us cannot forgive you. Many can. However, here I am king." Sashin spoke, "And therefore I decide. We would ask you to stay with us, and as penance, allow us to research your powers, and learn about you. Are these acceptable terms?"
"I am honored."
/Flash/- The Forbidden Continent
He left Sashin's castle. He had lived there only six months. Then he returned from an exploration of the land. They were all dead. And all he saw was an eye. He returned to his homeland, hoping that he could visit his wife one last time. He had been gone one year.
/Flash/- A hidden cave on the Mist Continent
The eye. Again. Again it had taken everything. It turned to his home and killed his wife and his child. Once again he could think only of revenge. He researched it to no end. He found out more than any mortal cared to know about the strange world of Terra. But once again the unquenchable rage burned in him like fire. He stood before the void, the black void. It held fire and death. So did he. He would destroy Terra. He would kill everyone. He entered the void. He never returned to Gaia.
/Flash/- The present
"Until now." Akiel whispered to himself. He passed through the walls of the Invincible. He saw Zidane.
What are you doing, scumbag? What happened to the angel?!" Zidane asked
"Master of the Invincible, prepare to die."
------------------------------------------------------------
That was the longest chapter I've ever written! Yes, I know it was confusing. And it was only six pages, but it's a personal record, okay! Annyway, if you don't understand anything, I'll try to repost this chapter and clear it up. But if no one reviews this chapter, it'll stay confusing! Now that I've tried blackmail, I'll turn to begging: please, please, please read and review!