Forever Means Always
(Part 7- Emotions)
By Alria
Disclaimer: Ughdo I have to? Fine, fine. Here it is. I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE FF 9 CHARACTERS OR SETTINGS. Sighthough I wish I did
Author's Note: Hellooo! I know I've been slouchingI'm sorry! Anyway, I'm glad I have some pretty loyal fans out there. All I can say is that I'm doing my best, and if it stinks, bear with me. I can only hope my story brings some people out there a little relief from their boredom. J Thanx for reading, it really boosts my confidence. Now, on with the story!!!
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"What do you mean? Everyone knows you can't bring people back from the dead. They're gone," General Beatrix said as she looked at Zidane with a confused expression on her face. Zidane only smiled and shook his head.
"You're wrong. The dead aren't gone," he answered. Beatrix shook her head.
"They're in the underworld!"
"Exactly."
Beatrix's eyes widened in fear.
"Zidaneyou're notyou can'tthe living can't go to the underworld! And come back, anyway!" she cried. Zidane just smiled confidently.
"Normally, no. But I know someone who can go to and from he underworld, unscathed," he said. Beatrix jerked back.
"What!? Have you lost your mind? No human can go to and from the underworld!" she insisted. Zidane nodded.
"You're right. No human can do accomplish such a feat. But I didn't say she was a human."
"Zidane, what are you talking about? Who could possibly go to and from the underworld, human or not?" Beatrix asked, becoming somewhat annoyed with Zidane's quire answers.
"Her name is Liana." Beatrix rolled her eyes.
"I need more of an answer! What IS thisif she isn't human?"
"She's a sorkin. A sorkin is a being from the underworld with the power of life and death. She can kill with a touch, as well as shape-shift." Beatrix shuddered.
"Sounds dangerous. But how in the world did you run into something like that?" she asked. Zidane, unfaltering, responded.
"I know her because she was the thing that crashed the Hilda Garde 4. Then, she rescued me from the debris of the airship. She took me to her house and gave me a powerful sleeping drug, which I overcame. I ran away after thatand then she came here. Beatrix, Liana was the one that killed Dagger."
Beatrix nearly leapt out of her skin.
"What!? You can't go and talk to thatthat THING! And besides, why would she help you? Zidaneshe'll kill you! We don't need you to die again!" she insisted. Zidane shuck his head.
"Only with her help can I bring Dagger back, and I'm willing to take the risk. And she will help me. I don't know how I'll get her to do itbut I KNOW she will. Somehow," he said quietly. Beatrix looked up at him, eyes moist.
"Soyou're really going to do it? You're really going to leave againon another crazy quest?" she asked, voice quivering. Zidane nodded.
"If I can help herthen I have to. I can't sit here and do NOTHING when I know there's a chance I could bring her back."
The two friends sat in silence for a long time, each letting the shocking reality sink in. This was nothing like anything thing they had encountered before; with the biggest gains for successand the most grievous consequences for failure. What if Liana didn't help? What if Zidane never made it out of the underworld? There were so many things that could go wrongwas there even a tiny glimmer of hope beneath the bad?
All of a sudden, Beatrix leaned over and wrapped her arms around Zidane in a tight hug. It was the embrace of a loyal friend, the embrace of trust. And at that moment, no wordsno other actions would have helped Zidane more. The two friends sat, arms around each other, for what seemed like ages, each drinking in the strength and courage of the other. Finally, Beatrix spoke.
"Bring her back safely, Zidane. If anyone can do it, it's you," she choked through her tears. Zidane nodded.
"Thank you, Beatrix. I won't fail youor Dagger," he said quietly. Finally, the two dropped their arms, shattering the mystic bond of friendship they had formed. Without another word, Beatrix stood up, straightening her tunic. With one, last, teary-eyes smile to Zidane, Beatrix turned and walked silently out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Zidane stood up, stretching his taut limbs. Looking down at Dagger once last time before he left, he gently stroked her long, brown hair.
"Dagger, hang on just a little while longer. I'm coming. I promised I would love you forever. And forever means always," he said softly. Then, overcome with emotion, he leaned forward and ever so gently kissed her cold, pale cheek. And then, head bowed, Zidane walked out of the dark room without a second glance back.
As he walked down the long, spiraling staircase, Zidane began to think. By pursuing this dangerous idea, he was risking everything. He might never get to come home again. Never feel the cool wind blow against his cheek. Never breathe in the soothing, salty air of the sea. All of this, he could lose forever. Butif he didn'the would lose Dagger.
The thought of losing his precious Dagger was too much for him to bear. She had always been there for him, boosting his spirits when he thought no one cared. She had always had that special smileher smile just for him. Forever and then some she had been there for himand now it was his turn. Confidence swelling, Zidane nodded in resolution. There was no turning back now. He had to do thisfor Dagger.
With the aid of a castle stallion he borrowed from the royal stables, Zidane made it to Liana's cottage in less then half and hour. As he dismounted, Zidane felt his knees begin to shake. He had ignored the question up until nowbut as he stared at the small cottage, he realized he couldn't run from it anymore. How in the world was he going to get Liana to take him to the underworld? He knew how mad she had been after he ran awayshe would probably just kill him and that would be that. Sure, he had his dagger tied to his belt, but if Liana decided she was going to end his life, there was really nothing he could do to stop her. But still, he couldn't give up now. If Liana killed him, so be it. At least he would have tried.
Gathering to remainder of his courage, Zidane stepped up to the door. His heart was pounding like a drum, and sweat rolled down his forehead in tiny beads. Doing his best to push back his fear, Zidane unsheathed his dagger (which he hoped he wouldn't need!) and knocked twice on the wooden door.
It opened almost immediately and there in the doorway stood the blond-haired, blue-eyed Liana Zidane knew. She smiled at him as she dried her hands on a small, white apron.
"Zidane! What a pleasant surprise. And what brings you here, today?" she asked in her all too perfect singsong voice. Zidane only scowled.
"Don't play dumb with me! You know perfectly well why I'm here! You murdered my true love!" he cried, enraged. Liana shook her head.
"Well, if you hadn't been so cruel and burned my poor arm, I wouldn't have had to get revenge now, would I? And put that dagger away before you hurt yourself," she said firmly. Zidane felt as if he was going to explode.
"ME!! CRUEL!? You were trying to KILL ME!!! What was I supposed to do? LET YOU!?" he screamed. Liana rolled her eyes.
"Alright, enough of that yelling. I killed Dagger; this we can agree on. If she is dead, why in the world did you come here? For revenge? You realize you'll only end up in the underworld like her," she said smugly. Zidane shook his head, jaw clenched tightly.
"As much as I would like to take this dagger and slice your pretty wings into tiny pieces, it wouldn't bring Dagger back. I'm here to ask a favor," he said. Liana looked at him quizzically.
"A favor? From me? Interesting" she said quietly. Zidane took a deep breath before he continued.
"Lianayou can from the underworldright?" he asked. Liana nodded.
"Yes."
"And you can go back there anytime you want?"
"Yes."
"Take me with you." At this, Liana stepped back, startled.
"What!? You want me to take you to the underworld!? Why would you want to go there?" she asked. Zidane rolled his eyes.
"Why do you think? Dagger is in the underworld! If I can go there without being killed, then maybe I could bring her back," he explained. Liana groaned.
"You mortals are so stubborn. I killed her to get revenge on you, and here you are asking me to help you get her back! UghI should have killed you when I had the chance," she muttered. Zidane's eyes fixed on her, solemn and cold.
"Then why don't you do it now? It's not as if I can stop you," he said sternly. Liana turned to face him, and suddenly their eyes met. But, instead of seeing the cold, heartless eyes of a sorkin, Zidane saw something else. For a brief moment, Zidane could see two eyes filled with emotion. Happiness, sorrow, anger, fearit was as if a gate had been opened, and these feeling were pouring out. Zidane stepped back. Sorkin eyes were supposed to be cold and lifelesswhy did Liana's suddenly have such emotion? But, as quickly as they had appeared, the emotions were gone, and Liana's eyes returned to be empty holes.
"II just can't. ButI will take you to the underworld, if you'd like," she said quietly. Zidane's eyes widened. Could this be true? Had Liana actually volunteered to take him? She hadn't even put up a fight! What was going on? What had caused Liana to have such a sudden change of heart? Zidane opened his mouth to question this, but then shut it quickly. Liana had agreed. If he questioned her decision, she might refuse the request. Zidane smiled.
"Thank you," he with a smile. Liana, looking down at the ground, shook her head.
"Don't thank me just yet. I may be able to take you thereonly Karten can bring her back," she said softly. Zidane looked up at her in confusion.
"But I thought you said you had the power of life as well as death. Couldn't you help me get her back?" he asked. Liana sighed.
"I can only resurrect mortals with Karten's permission. He, however, can do it whenever he wants. You'll have to go see him, and I can take you there," she said. Zidane nodded.
"Fair enough. Butwho IS this Karten guy, anyway?" he asked. Liana hesitated.
"Hehe is the head sorkin. And by far the most powerful," she said shakily. Zidane smiled.
"The head man. Well, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get Dagger back," he said confidently. Liana smiled meekly.
"I just hope you're right."
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Okay, I know I ended it kinda weirdbut oh well. And don't worry; Zidane and Beatrix are strictly friends in this story. Please continue to review, and I would be SOOOOO happy if you guys would IM me! I'd love to talk to you! Who is this Karten guy? Why did Liana suddenly have a change of heart? Find out in chapter 8- Soulless!!!!