FINAL FANTASY: INQUISITION
By Thomas Knapp
Act One- Scene Five
Tamara groaned softly, and put her hand to her head. It was at that moment the fact that she was still alive struck her. She didn't feel any sand, and also she didn't feel the weight of her armor.
Jerking upright in the bed she was lying in, blankets tossing wildly about. Her sudden movement drew the attention of a figure in a red robe, his green eyes looking straight into hers.
"Midas…" Tamara growled, and reached for where her sword would normally be. Midas looked at her almost with pity, then pointed over to the north corner of the wooden structure she was in, where her armor and weapons lied.
"Why have you brought me here? I will tell you NOTHING!" Tamara shouted.
"Well, there's a fine how do you do. If it hadn't been for me and my friends, you'd be scavenger fodder by now." Midas replied. Tamara eyed her sword in the corner, gauging the distance. If she could roll fast enough, she might be able to catch the Red Mage off guard.
"I wouldn't try that, Tamara." Midas warned. "If by the off chance that you DID succeed in killing me, you'd have to deal with 300 angry Outlaws. Besides, I spared you out there. It wouldn't be particularly honorable to kill me now, would it?"
The statement caused Tamara to realize that she HAD to be in the Outlaw camp, and that, as ludicrous as it sounded, had a point. Taking a deep breath, Tamara squashed her urge to disembowel the Red Mage. "Very well, what is it you want from me?"
"Nothing in particular. I suspect that Cid will arrive shortly, knowing that you've woken up, to take you back to the edge of the Outlands."
Tamara's eyes narrowed, "Do you expect me to believe that?"
Midas rose to his feet, staring down at the Knight. "Don't even pretend you know my intentions, Inquisitor Knight First Class Tamara. I want, or need, nothing from you. Now that you have recovered, we will escort you out of here. Unlike your kind, us Outlaws don't kill unless we have to."
From outside the hut, a deep, throaty voice chuckled, "You sure know how to pick 'em, don't you, Midas? Yet again, you drag in an ungrateful person that didn't want your help."
Midas's jaw set as Creed stepped inside. Addressing Tamara, Creed stated, "You're lucky Midas found you. No one else here has his noble and kind heart. Don't let his kindness make you think that us Outlaws are a peaceful lot."
"Creed, why don't you get the hell out?" Midas interrupted.
"Why don't you realize that some people don't want you to save their skins?" Creed hissed.
All of a sudden, Midas smirked, and retorted, "So THAT's what this is all about. THAT'S why you've been giving me hell these last five years. I understand now, Creed. I'm sorry that I ever even met you."
The monk flushed in rage, and growled, "You had no business interfering in my affairs. You ROBBED me just like you rob all those morons in Cairos, only you took something that I can never replace." With that, Creed stormed out of the hut, and into the camp proper.
Tamara had watched the entire exchange in silence. Then she looked up at Midas, and said, "Creed's wrong. I DID want help… I met him before I collapsed, and asked for directions to get out of the Outlands. He refused."
"That's Creed for you." Midas shrugged, "The man is the most anti-social creep I have ever met. Always blabbering on about the truth of the Outlaws, and that he can only depend of himself."
"Still… it was foolish, saving the life of your sworn enemy."
Midas nodded, "You're right, it was. But sometimes the right thing to do contradicts common sense."
Tamara frowned. That sort of nonsense is just like an unenlightened magic-user. Rationality would have dictated that he left her to die. Then again, the Outlaws were such BECAUSE they rejected such logic.
"Why did you save me?" Tamara asked.
"Because the magic users you hunt now are not the same as the ones your kind hunted 20 years ago." Cid interrupted as he slipped into the hut.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Midas and Tamara asked almost simultaneously.
"Midas, perhaps I should explain something about the condition the world was in 20 years ago. You know the propaganda that the Five Kingdoms circulate, that magic users, and the summoners who served as royalty especially, were abusive towards those who did not possess power, and must be exterminated before they can enslave humanity once again."
When Midas nodded, Cid added, "It's not entirely propaganda. The ruling class 20 years ago WAS rather corrupt and abusive, using their magic capabilities as a sign they were chosen by God to rule, and therefore entitled to do whatever they wished to those beneath them."
"On the other hand, many magic-users weren't that way, but got grouped into one giant group with those of malicious intent. Over the last 20 years, we have now seen a total reversal of roles, the have-nots are suddenly the haves, and are abusing the power of their position much like the ruling classes did before."
Tamara nodded, and commented, "I can somewhat agree with that last statement. The current king of Cairos is not the straightest arrow I have met. But that doesn't change the fact that you Outlaws are relics of an old society that continues to plot the downfall of the new age."
Cid chuckled, and retorted, "Is that what you think, Tamara? That us Outlaws are a legion of magic-users plotting a return to the old ways?"
"Of course!"
"What if I was to tell you that nine out of every ten people in this camp don't know one whit of magic? Magic users in this camp are actually a small minority. Most of the people who live here now are those who had been forced out of their homes because they merely QUESTIONED the Rationalists that revolted."
The elder sat on a small stool next to the bed Tamara sat in, "I'll admit that I've entertained ideas of overthrowing the current regime, but to think that I'd want to REPEAT the mistakes of old by re-establishing the way things were is mere foolishness. Hell, most of the people who live here don't even know what the old methods were."
"Tamara," Cid finished, putting a wrinkled hand on her wrist, "The reason most of us are here is simply because we don't want to continue the pointless circle of conflict and revolution. You've seen it yourself. Midas would give aid to you, someone who has tried to kill him, rather than see you die. He so sick of the killing that has occurred all throughout his life."
Tamara dipped her head, trying to process all this new information, that so drastically conflicted with what she had been taught since she was a little girl. "Let's just assume I believe you. I am still honor bound to the Inquisitors, and to the oaths I swore when I became one of their number."
"I am not here to convert you, dear Knight. I am merely here to tell you the history I have garnered, as well as to take you back to the edge of the Outlands. From there, you should be able to return to Cairos."
"I understand. I thank you, Midas, for coming to my aid when I was in desperate need, but be warned, when next we meet, we shall be enemies once again." Tamara declared.
"Very well, just don't expect my kind demeanor to show through when next you decide to end my life." Midas retorted calmly.
"MIDAS!" Fredros's voice shouted from outside the hut. He burst inside, nearly knocking down Cid. Muttering a rushed apology, the White Mage turned, and faced Midas. "I bring grave news. Creed… has kidnapped Yura, and demands that you meet him if you want to see her again... alive."
"WHAT?" Cid shouted in disbelief, "I've known Creed to be overzealous at times, but kidnapping?"
"I know what he wants." Midas seethed, "It took me a while to figure it out, but it all makes sense now. The traps he's been laying, his antics the last five years, they've all been for the simple purpose of trying to goad me into killing him."
While Fredros and Cid didn't seem to believe that rationalization, Tamara agreed, "That was the impression I got hearing your conversation with him earlier. He's wanted to die for some time, and somehow, you denied him that opportunity."
Midas continued to fume. "Well… I'll tell all of you this; he's finally pushed the right button. Kidnapping and threatening to kill someone to get to me… that is simply beyond ANYTHING acceptable."
Midas stepped to the entrance of the hut, taking his sheathed sword of the hook next to the entryway. "Perhaps it's due time that I ended this charade. Creed has wanted me to end his life for five years now. I think I better give him what he wants before this gets even FURTHER out of hand."
The Red Mage then stomped out of the hut, making straight for the exit of the camp. Tamara smirked, and said to Cid, "So much for your kind-hearted and gentle Red Mage…"
Cid grimaced, and replied sorrowfully, "I never said he didn't have his vicious streak. Much like any animal, humans have the tendency to do drastic things when they feel they've been cornered."
"Are you referring to Midas… or Creed?" Tamara queried.
"Both."
Creed's Cave in the Eastern Mountains of the Outlands…
"I am confused as to why you want to kill Midas." Yura asked, tugging on the thick hemp that tied her to what appeared to be a post normally reserved for restraining a chocobo.
"Let me make something clear. I don't want to kill him, I want him to kill ME." The monk answered.
"But why would you want Midas to kill you?"
"That's none of your business."
"I'M the one you have tied to a post as collateral. You better BELIEVE that it's my business." Yura argued.
"And if you don't keep quiet, I'll do it for you." Creed threatened, showing her the barbed claw weapon on his left hand. "Once I'm out the way, Midas will come rescue you, he'll be the hero again, and then the two of you can talk about how mentally disturbed I am."
Mere moments later, Yura heard a familiar voice, but it was tinted with an anger she didn't know it possessed. "CREED!"
The monk in question looked at Yura, and drawled, "Speak of the devil." Untying Yura, he led her out of the cave. Midas was waiting, his face almost the color of his robe.
"You've crossed the line, Creed." Midas screamed, "You want to die that bad, I intend to oblige you." Midas sword reflected the sunlight in a brief flash as he drew the weapon to a ready position.
Creed pushed Yura to the side so roughly that she fell to the ground. "Get behind him." The monk ordered, "I don't want you getting in my way." Yura scrambled to her feet, and did as Creed so ordered.
"Are you all right, Yura." Midas asked. "If he hurt you in any way…"
"I'm fine." Yura affirmed, then with a smile added, "I am touched by your concern, though."
"It has NOTHING to do with YOUR condition, specifically, so get that idea out of your head. I had no problem with Creed when he was just after me, but to drag someone else into this goes beyond what I'll tolerate."
Yura steeped back, and gaped, "You ARE going to kill him."
Midas nodded, determined. "It's what he wants, and he's shown that he will do anything to get what he wants. Might as well take care of it now before he hurts some innocent people."
"Are you just going to sit there, Midas, or are you going to finish this?" Creed shouted out, at the same time removing his clawed glove, and casting it to the ground. With a yell, Midas rushed forward, ready to end Creed's miserable existence.
"MIDAS!" A high pitched squeal shouted, and the three turned to see Borz rushing as fast as he could. Borz stopped once he made it to Yura, and dropped to one knee, panting. Finally regaining his voice, Borz gasped, "Midas! The camp is under attack! You have to come quickly!"
It didn't take Midas very long to make up his mind. As much as he wanted to end Creed's self-destructive antics, the people of the camp came first. He only hoped he could get there in time. "You'll have to take a raincheck on your death, Creed. We'll settle this later."
With that, he grabbed Yura's arm, and rushed back to the Outlaw hideout. Creed merely stood silent for several minutes, before finally he turned, and punched the mountain just outside his cave in frustration again and again until his knuckles bled.
Cid's Outlaw Hideout
Midas could barely look. The huts that had been the home of Creed and his fellow Outlaws had been burned to rubble. The smell of cannon powder lingered in the air, and Midas could see several Cairos soldiers standing guard.
"I think they're waiting for you to come back." Borz commented, to Yura's right behind the ledge they had taken refuge behind.
"Oh, by Alexander… what did they do?"
"The Cairos demolished the camp with their cannons." Midas replied. The smoldering rubble, and the smell of the powder used brought back the dream he had just a night ago. He then pointed down the ledge where three of the giant guns still remained, strung to chocobos. "See there? They just had their troops wait outside the camp, and blasted away. Then the troops killed anyone trying to escape."
"That's TERRIBLE!" Yura moaned, "How could they do such a thing?"
"Because they're a bunch of COWARDS, that's why!" Borz shouted.
Midas quickly hushed him, and hissed, "Be quiet… someone will hear you!"
Unfortunately, it appeared someone one did hear, as there was a faint rustle of rocks to the right. Pulling his sword ready, Midas sighed in relief as Trigger appeared around the bend, and relaxed.
"You're slipping, Trigger." Midas chided. Instead of replying, the ninja motioned for the three to follow. Keeping low on the ridge to avoid being seen, Trigger led them to a small natural depression less than half a kilometer from the camp. In the depression, three people were waiting; Cid, Fredros, and Tamara…
"Thank goodness Borz found you." Cid sighed as he spied their approach. "I was about to take Tamara back to Cairos, when all of a sudden we saw the cannons. I started the evacuation, but many didn't make it."
"Where is everyone now?" Midas asked.
"In the natural caves just west of here, but it won't take long before the Cairos decide to move on and hunt down any survivors."
Midas glanced over at Tamara, who seemed to be grumbling about something. Approaching her, Midas accused, "What are YOU doing HERE? Shouldn't you be helping your comrades in exterminating us?"
Whirling around, Midas saw the anger flashing in the Inquisitor's eyes. "These… COWARDS are not my comrades. They bombarded this camp from afar, then slaughtered the defenseless as the victims tried to flee. THAT is not a battle, that is merely a sick massacre. At least the Inquisitors would have done this camp the honor of engaging hand to hand."
Tamara turned back to the scene of the attack, and dipped her head, "Besides, I owe you a debt of honor for saving my life. Allow the chance to repay all of you by helping you rid yourselves of these… worms!"
Midas nodded, "Sure… why not? We can always use an extra hand, but these actions would probably have you branded an Outlaw like the rest of us. Are you sure you wish to follow through."
"I have a code of conduct that I swore to when I became an Inquisitor ten years ago, and that code requires me to come to the aid of any who are oppressed. Right now, that is your people." Tamara answered.
Cid shook his head, "No… no… we can't just retaliate, and continue the cycle of senseless violence."
Midas stared his elder in the face, and replied, "Speak for yourself. I personally feel we've spent enough time running. I intend to strike back. Who is with me?"
The response was unanimous. Even Fredros commented, "The way of Alexander was one of non-violence, but we recognized that there were points were aggression was necessary to protect those under our guard. This is one of those times."
With a sigh, Cid submitted himself to the majority, "Very well… just be careful, and don't fall into the same trap that those who have carried the sword into battle have done before."
Midas regarded the elder knowingly, and said, "Yeah… I know what you mean, but we'll worry about how we're going to do things AFTER we have brought down this terror." He looked over the small band with him, and said… "Seven against almost 50… those aren't very good odds. Tamara, Trigger, and I will take up the front lines. Yura, I need you to head back to the ridge we were just at, and start sniping off the reinforcements. It wouldn't hurt if you could use some of your eidolons to give us a hand."
As Midas said that, Fredros handed Yura her bow that had been left when she had been kidnapped by Creed. "Borz… just stay frosty here, and deliver items when we need them. Fredros, you know what you're needed for."
"Wait!" Tamara interrupted, "What about those cannons? I have no doubt that they'll come into play, even if their own soldiers were in range. After what I saw, it has become apparent they will do anything, even if it means sacrificing their own to achieve it. Midas, we'll need your magic to neutralize those guns."
"That would put just you and Trigger up against a whole regiment of troops!" Midas retorted.
"And if you don't take of those cannons, it won't matter HOW outnumbered we are!" Tamara shot back.
At this point, Yura stepped into the argument, "Pardon me… but we have someone OTHER than Midas who can take care of the cannons."
"Who?" Tamara and Midas asked together.
Yura then motioned to Borz, who had been sorting items, and thus was totally confused as to why he was suddenly to focus of attention. "Why is everyone looking at me?" Borz asked.
Midas snorted, and replied, "Borz doesn't know any magic."
"That's not true!" Yura maintained, "Remember the night we left for the Seaway Pass, and you were picking on Borz about his lack of skills. Well, after I went to see if he was all right, I watched him cast an Ice spell!"
Midas looked between Yura and Borz warily, then finally asked the short mage, "Is this true?"
Borz twiddled his thumbs, and nervously replied, "Yes… and no…"
Midas knelt down, and put his hand on Borz's shoulder, "What do you mean by that?"
Borz began to sob, and said between hiccups, "Because I always mess up! When I want to cast Fire, I get Ice. When I want Poison, I get Lightning! It's ALWAYS been like that…"
"Why didn't you tell me this?"
"Because you would have laughed at me." Borz pouted.
Midas glared, then retorted, "I would NOT… well, okay, maybe I would have laughed. But I still would have helped you."
"Really?" The little black mage said, sniffling, "But I guess it's too little, too late right now, huh?"
Midas shook his head, a relieved smile on his face. "Not at all. Borz, you've already done the hardest part. Actually casting magic, ANY magic, is the most difficult part of the whole deal. The rest is all just a matter of confidence. You have to MAKE the magic energy do what you want, and that means you have to believe you can do it."
Midas stood up, and said, "I don't doubt that I haven't helped matters any. All my jokes about 'Mr. Perpetually Silenced' probably didn't help your esteem at all. But let me tell you this. It isn't hard to take the final step, it's just a matter of doing it."
"Hey, you can do it, Borz!" Yura stated.
Even Tamara grunted, and replied, "You're our only chance to make this work. I'll be counting on you."
Buoyed by the support he was receiving, Borz turned to Midas, and replied, "What do you need me to do?"
Moments later…
Borz fingered his staff, waiting for the signal. For the first time, he didn't feel nervous at all. He was actually going to do something, and he WAS going to do it. Just ahead of him, Midas, Trigger, and Tamara jumped forward, drawing the attention of the Cairos soldiers.
That was the signal he was looking for. Rushing to the top of the depression, he gathered in the magical force. This time, there would be…
"FIRE!"
Borz watched through half-focused eyes as sure enough, flames burst up directly in front of the chocobos that were reigned to the cannons. The birds panicked, and started to scatter, sending the large pieces of artillery into disarray.
"I DID IT! I DID IT!" Borz shouted happily, jumping up and down.
Fredros quickly tapped the Black Mage on the shoulder, and replied, "You're not done yet."
Borz stopped, then remembered what else he was supposed to do. "Oh yeah… THUNDER!"
Bolts of lightning cascaded down into the battlefield, striking the cannons, causing significant damage to their mostly metal parts. At that moment, Yura jumped into play, first summoning Golem, then starting to pick off any soldier that came clearly into view.
Borz's second Thunder spell incapacitated the final cannon, and he turned his attention to the remaining soldiers, just now getting to together. But by that point, their superior numbers were much less superior, and dwindling with each passing second.
Midas watched smugly as the few remaining soldiers broke off, and took into full retreat. As his allies prepared to follow, Midas raised his hand, and shouted, "Hold on, butchering them would soil our hands just as bad as theirs are."
Then he smirked, and added, "Besides, the Outlands will most likely take care of them anyway."
The group assembling together, Midas spoke. "It's due time that we took the offensive. Cairos and the Five Kingdoms have made their most critical error, and it is time we made them pay. Tamara, you have to realize that you might come up against those who until days ago were your allies."
"I intend to return to Cairos, and explain what has occurred here. Once High Inquisitor Karma has learned of the hideous actions of Cairos, I expect they will assist us in bringing down the kingdom."
Fredros seemed skeptical, and asked, "Are you sure?"
"The role of the Inquisitors is to wage war against those who would oppress, and it is clear that Cairos is trying to do just that." Tamara replied.
"So, you people are going to take action against Cairos." A voice rasped. Turning in surprise, there was Creed, approaching the group. "If it is acceptable, I would like to join you in this endeavor. Perhaps it is fitting that I should die fighting those who made me what I am than you, Midas."
"I don't know about you, Creed, but I don't intend to die fighting Cairos."
"Really?" Creed snorted, "Just how to you intend to bring such a few number to victory against a kingdom?"
Midas looked expectantly at Tamara, and he said, "I have just the plan in mind…"