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Chapter Two- The Unknown

Beatrix often grew uneasy when she wasn't the one staying up into the late hours watching over the castle and Queen. She knew that Steiner was a worthy knight, able to take care of things-- sometimes and was as least as dedicated to their duty as she. But, still she slept with a Dagger tucked in the drawer of her nightstand, so there would only be three feet between her and weapon if any one dare harass the great General. It was an uneasy thought and the woman didn't like causing more pain then she had to. After all people had lives, families, duties of there own and she was no monster, just dedicated. Or at least that is how she had been. Recently she had been having her doubts and almost left those years of service behind. But, weren't those thoughts behind her now?

She shook her head in confusion, wondering if Steiner would be enough to keep her there and opened the drawer carefully to what had to be a white cloth that held a sharp Dagger. She unwrapped the Dagger, squinting in the darkness of the room, feeling something was wrong. Her breathing grew quieter as she anticipated the phantom and her ears strained to hear the unknown steps on the stone floor. The knight moved cautiously from her bed, keeping the blade close to her breast and taking small, baby like steps. Her Paranoia was probably unfounded, these were peaceful times and the castle was greatly guarded, but still she proceeded with the quiet steps growing closer.

Come forth, face me like a man…

She heard a loud clank suddenly, and instinctively stabbed the Dagger into air, just barely missing Steiner.

"Lady Beatrix!" The middle-aged man yelled surprised.

"Steiner! What are you doing here?" He didn't respond to her at first and crossed the room wearing his faceplate from what she could tell in the darkness.

"Sorry, my lady I was done with my patrol and thought that as a fellow Knight, I would check on you. I hope I didn't scare you, I was trying my best to be quiet." Steiner replied embarrassed. She guessed his face was probably a bright red with embarrassment and she smiled to herself.

"That's fine, Steiner. You don't have to be so formal with me, I enjoy the fact that you were concerned about me," she said and laid the Dagger onto the bed exchanging it for the robe near by.

"I-I-I was just worried. Foolish isn't it? You are not going to leave after all, but if you did I don't know what I would do." His face grew further bashful and she was surprised of how honest he was being. She knew it was hard for him just to say a word to her and it was endearing in away.

"Yes, I plan to stay in Alexandria, but you already knew that. Is there something else you would like to say?" Her eyes gazed affectionately at the timid man as she sat onto the edge of the bed.

"Indeed…there is." The burly man unexpectedly grabbed for Beatrix and she attempted to back up, but his armor-clad hands grabbed onto her neck in the blackness. All she could make out was the way his armor reflected off the moonlight of her open window.

"What the hell are you doing?!" She yelled swinging her arm around trying to push him away. He covered her mouth and forced her head back as his other arm locked around her waist while he freed his hand and forced something down her throat that tasted like sleeping weed. And before she went unconscious she fell back onto the bed catching a glimpse of the man's eyes, they weren't familiar and she wondered what had happened to Steiner.

"Sleep peacefully, General." The stranger said with satisfaction.

* * *

A blinding blue light still enveloped a forgotten land and pierced into its darkest core. The bright, unnatural glow seeped into the black shadow where Garland was hidden. The man cringed at this light and whatever else might be down in the cavity with him. This light was the embodiment of all his hatred; it was why his cherished planet suffered, it was why he was created and he shielded his eyes from it, refusing to see it. The same way Kuja had refused to see his mortality, or Zidane his fate.

He stood up in the cavern he had retreated to for years after Kuja and kicked him down the tall ledge. Garland had wanted to die at that time, but for some reason that was beyond his power, he still lived as a pathetic soul without rest. Even when he was supposed to be dead he still clung to this planet like the ruins that remained. Kuja had destroyed almost everything with the power of trance and yet the old debris of the planet lingered, just like him. He couldn't stand it. Perhaps, it was just a matter of days until he ended it all, but one hope for the old soul still remained.

Stepping over the ruble of a great laboratory, he carefully began to pick through the dust, metal and glass searching for a certain glittering item. His aged body began to quiver from the cold of the ruins and he bit his lip trying to endure it.

Concentrate, concentrate you can't give up…

As a pawn he had to continue to fight for the souls of Terra, even now it was his destiny. "If only Zidane would except his." The man muttered to himself.

Finally, after clawing his way over grime and age he found a flat tablet covered in ashes. The inscription was hard to make out at first, but using a tattered rag near by he polished it until he could open the lock where he found a familiar paper.

The Legacy of Terra…

* * *

"Queen, are you Okay?!" Steiner pounded on the wooden door, alarming everyone in the hallways of the castle. Several of the Pluto knights had run from their positions when they heard their captain yelling for the beautiful Queen. They envied the young thief who, as the tabloids put it had, "Stolen the young Queen's heart." The same man who had helped saved the world years ago and inexplicably disappeared. Why he had been gone was hard to say, was it known? The only thing the knights were sure of is that they had all seen the way the fair Queen had acted.

"Please, answer me Majesty, I only want to protect you!" He continued to announce. Steiner felt embarrassed having to resort to such measures, but as often the Queen could care less about his concerns. He had watched over the girl for almost her entire life and even now she was unwilling to cooperate.

Garnet tried to ignore Steiner, but as he continued to yell she knew she had to answer the door. But, Zidane still held onto her.

"Zidane…"

He quickly let go of her and smiled sheepishly as he knew he hadn't appeared as casual as he normally did so she would suspect that was something more to his nightmares. There was. He watched her get up and draw her robe around her as a proper Queen would, then she opened the door for the overly concerned Steiner.

"Majesty! Thank heavens you are fine! I was so worried! There is an intruder in the castle… We have to get you to safety!" The Knight quickly explained.

"Steiner, I'm sure I will be fine staying right where I am if this is anything like last time…" Last time was when one of the knights of Pluto had reported one of their own as an intruder for revenge of a lost card game, besides years had passed since the last disturbance of any kind.

"Yeah, Rusty why does the Queen have anything to worry about as long as she has you and me hangin' around?" Zidane said over Garnet's shoulder.

"WHAT is HE doing here? Princess he was gone and-"

"Steiner! Stop it at once I will not hear you say such a things!"

Zidane laughed as he saw Steiner step back and bow his head.

"Forgive me Majesty, but we must leave at once, it is only for your safety."

"You are forgiven. Don't worry I will go… I guess we'll just have to talk about your nightmare later, Zidane."

* * *

Author's note: I have no idea what I am doing… lol Oh well deal with short parts they are more frequent and are easier to cough out. I promise to include some of the other characters in the next one .