Chapter Two Broken Soul

Trumpets echoed throughout the desert sky, as King Edgar's troupe returned to Castle Figaro from their yearly Desert Hunt. Every year, the king leads a challenge into the desert to search for the legendary Sand Lion who lives beneath the surface of the dull gray sand. Rarely has the Sand Lion even been seen, let alone even catching it, although they knew it existed. This year was far more successful than before, they actually confronted the fierce beast of the sandstorms. With the aid of Edgar's shining spear, and the beautiful Danitra's battle axe, they battled the creature and achieved victory. Sending the beast away in retreat, they managed to acquire one of the beasts ten horns. A true sign of victory.

After the Breaking and the defeat of the sinister villain, Kefka, Edgar devoted himself to his subjects and to the rebuilding of his damaged kingdom. It was his life, his purpose. More and more he worries though, as the condition of the world and environment do not seem to be getting any better. Is there any hope for a bright future? He often wondered, and wished. Even the sand has lost its color, turning to a dull gray as if in a state of decay. Everything seemed to be decaying, fading away from existence. In a way Edgar blamed himself, if only he and his comrades had been faster or stronger they could have stopped this from ever happening. It was no use blaming himself though, that was years ago and you can not turn back time. Time. How much time did this world have left? If he had anything to do with it he would heal this world, or at least his people's suffering. He owed the world that much. It was his duty.

He smiled upon hearing the trumpets, his subjects loved him dearly although sometimes he wished they would treat him merely as an equal. He kicked his heels, for his chocobo to speed up. His heart soars whenever he arrives home. Looking to his side with a mischievous smile, he watched the woman he loves, Danitra Trei'Sarr. Whom he met several years ago, after he returned to Figaro, putting his adventurous urges on hold once again. His life was nothing in comparison to his people. Their needs had to come first.

Three years ago she fell into his life, the castle patrol guards found her injured trying to fend off several beasts that were born out of the night. Shadow beasts that appeared after the Breaking of the world. She recovered from her wounds after a few weeks and decided to stay in Figaro as a member of the guard. Now she stood proudly as Captain of the Night Watch force under his command. The desert beasts came at night mostly. Mostly. His subjects had to be protected. And she was a shield, one that would never falter. He admired her, and in that admiration he found love, something he thought he would never possess.

They entered the castle gates with people cheering and trumpets blowing in welcome. Edgar held the Sand Lion horn above his head proudly and the people cheered heartily. They passed through the crowd and into the stables to dismount from their chocobo's, which needed major rest and feed.

Danitra leaped from her chocobo and fell casually into her lovers arms, their lips connecting in a wonderful kiss, enveloping each other in their embrace. "You were wonderful..." Danitra purred like a kitten into his left ear, her long black curls fell down her back tied with a white ribbon near the bottom of its length. It was an effort for Edgar to not entangle his arms within her curly hair. Her dark almond skin contrasted his pale white complexion. They were so different yet so much alike. Each made up the others weaknesses, together they formed a powerful union.

"Ah, get a room you two!" a tall muscular man shouted as he dismounted with a grin. He carried no weapons, his weapon being his body, having studied martial arts for the majority of his life. He was Sabin, Edgar's younger brother and best friend. Technically they shared rulership over Figaro, but Sabin refused to have anything to do with the throne or its responsibility. He was a wanderer at heart, but he always returned for the tradition of the Hunt.

Ignoring his brother, Edgar's attention never left Danitra as Sabin shook his brother's shoulder roughly with a chuckle in passing. Resulting in Edgar blushing. "You weren't so bad yourself my dear, it twas your blade that won the battle. After losing that horn it fled in terror."

"I hope it wasn't hurt badly... I still don't agree with this Hunt, even though I'm a hypocrite for participating." Danitra laughed as they left the stables, the citizens had returned to their daily duties. They walked toward the royal dining hall, arm in arm, with Danitra playing with Edgar's long blond hair.

Before reaching the dining hall a young soldier came running up to them, panting for breath as he spoke, "Y...Your Majesty! We have an emergency!" He shouted and tried making an attempt at a half bow.

"What is it soldier, calm yourself before continuing," Edgar replied calmly, although he was worried, an expression that he shared with Danitra.

"It's the grain sir, over twenty-five percent of our stored food supply has simply vanished in the past month, since inventory was last assessed." The boy was flustered with excitement. "Do you think someone stole it?"

"Well... don't you think someone would have noticed if someone stole that much grain?" The king responded with a grin, even though he knew this was no laughing matter. It was hard enough to grow or find food these days, they could not afford to have a thief in their midst. This matter had to be dealt with.

"Whoever is doing this must be taking out the goods a little at a time," Danitra hypothesized. "But my guards are on their toes, there is no way that anyone could be getting past us, I don't understand it."

"Summon the Chancellor," Edgar said to the boy. "This matter must be addressed immediately."

"Yes sir!" The boy responded hurriedly, as he turned and sprinted down the hall.

Edgar turned to his lover, lost in her dark eyes as usual, "What do you think?"

Her playful expression that she wore earlier had vanished, replaced with a stern, emotionless face, "I think there is more at work here than just a simple thief. No one outwits me on my watch!"

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Shadows played with Danitra's strained eyes as she crouched, perched atop the rafters in the storage building. Beneath her lay the assembled grain and food supplies acquired throughout the warmer seasons. She waited for her prowler, the one who had been acting beneath her nose, sneaking past her when she was not looking. She would discover the culprit, no matter how many hours of sleep she would lose. She was the best, she would not allow herself to be second to anyone.

The entrance to the storage room creaked open silently and slowly. A smile of triumph spread across her face as she gracefully leapt from the rafters, dagger in hand, landing behind an unknown intruder. Leaping at him from behind, she wrapped her arm around him and placed her blade against his throat. Whispering into his ear she said, "Who are you?"

Then embarrassment as she recognized the familiar blond ponytail and the scent of his regal cologne. It was her prince, Edgar.

"Uh... Danitra, could you please release me?" He asked with a nervous chuckle.

She spun around him, with a serious look on her face she placed her finger to his lips, a soft caress, for him to be silent. Then without a word she leaped toward some piled crates, using them as stepping stones to reach the rafters once again. She moved with the grace and dexterity of a cat, he was amazed by her perfection. Her feet never missing a step, never stumbling. She was sure of herself, sure of her every move.

Cautiously he followed her, climbing up the crates to reach the top. It was not difficult to do, he just could not do it as beautifully as she could.

Upon reaching the top he knelt behind her, as she stared intently at the space below her. She seemed to not even notice Edgar behind her until his strong hands were caressing her shoulders, a soothing embrace. She sighed and leaned back against him, his lips on her neck. Nibbling. Kissing. Danitra turned to face him, and as he leaned back lying against the rafter, she fell on top of him. Their lips connected, she moved her knee rubbing against his stiffening midsection, and his hands were now on her breasts. His fingers searching for the buttons on her slinky, black, bodysuit.

He moaned with pleasure as her hand disappeared within his leggings, grasping hold of his member in another form of massage. There was a creaking noise below them, causing Danitra to leap up, scanning the ground below for the source of the noise. Edgar let out a sigh of disappointment as he zipped up his pants and wrung his fingers through his hair.

Reaching to the side where her battle axe lay all of this time, grasping it in her hands, she waited for a sign of movement. Edgar watched to, his hair hung to his shoulders free of its ponytail.

Beneath the rug covered floor, a secret passageway opened out of the ground, and from within emerged three two-legged feline figures, with tails and long taloned fingers. The creatures snarled at each other as they bundled up sacks full of Figaro's grain. They passed the food down into the passageway, gathering several bundles. Suddenly one of the creatures looked upward and roared, pointing toward Edgar and Danitra.

Roaring, the creatures fled into the underground passage, forgetting to close the opening in their panic.

Danitra and Edgar leaped down from their perch, examining the dark passageway, "Why wasn't I told about this passage?" Danitra asked, looking to her lover.

Edgar crouched, observing the passage, "I didn't know about it."

"Well... we do know. Shall we my liege?" She asked as she gestured to the passage.

Edgar retrieved his spear which was resting at the bottom of the crates, then proceeded to the opening, leaping in without hesitation. Danitra smiled and followed his lead.

They found themselves underneath the castle, in a large underground cavern. Candles lit the corridor slightly, allowing them to somewhat see where they were going. Edgar snatched one of the torches from the wall and led the way, deeper into the cavern.

"What is this place?" Danitra asked in a hushed tone.

"There are thousands of corridors and caverns beneath Figaro, similar to the tunnel that the castle uses to transport to Kohlingen Desert." Edgar explained as they ventured forth. "Many of these tunnels have never been explored. Whoever our thieves are, they must have been hiding out down here for some time."

"Whoever? What ever those creatures are, they are most definitely not human." Danitra whispered back.

"Maybe, maybe not--" Edgar cut himself off when he saw two shadows approach.

As the figures entered the lit space around Edgar and Danitra their features became apparent, they seemed to be a mix between human and cat. Edgar doubted their humanity as he looked into the soulless eyes of one of the beasts. He realized there was nothing human about these cat people, only beast. Danitra stood next to Edgar, her battle axe ready for battle, as did Edgar, who spun his spear between his fingers.

The creatures roared and leaped toward them, barring their sharp fangs, and eyes glowing yellow. One beast leaped at each of them, the creatures were quick and agile, quicker then even Danitra. They dodged the humans attacks, as Edgar and Danitra were forced back the direction they had come.

Edgar parried the catman's flailing attacks with his spear, he did not have a chance to attack. The creature seemed to be fearless, several of the creatures slashes broke through Edgar's defence tearing into the King's tunic, scratching the surface of his flesh. Edgar cursed as he spun his spear over his head, kicking at the beast. His foot landed in the beasts mid-section, it roared again, this time a roar of pain. With the monster distracted he launched his spear straight through the beasts head.

At the same time Danitra was fending off her own assailant, it too swung wildly, cutting at her arms and legs. With its tail, the beast wrapped around one of her legs and tripped her to the ground, it then leaped on top of her trying to claw at her face, but she caught its wrists and wrestled the creature off of her . Now she was on top, she raised her fist and smashed the creature in the face, bloodying its nose. She then grabbed her axe and swung it with all of her might. With a downward blow at her disorientated enemy, she sliced her axe into the creatures abdomen and chest, splattering its blood and insides. Blood splashed on her face, and in the darkness Edgar could not see her smile as she licked the blood that was next to her lips.

Edgar pulled his spear free of the dead monster and reached for Danitra, "Are you alright, my dear?"

"Yes..." she replied, staring down at her victim, her breathing was heavy and her blood boiled, she lusted for more. Calming herself she turned to her lover, "I'm fine... lets continue onward."

Edgar hesitated, "I think we should return and get the guards, it is not necessary for us to risk our lives alone."

She turned quickly, filled with rage, "Coward! These beasts are nothing, we can dispose of them blindfolded!" She caught herself laughing as she shouted, her hand to mouth she found herself shocked that she had lost control like that.

Edgar was surprised to say the least, he was shocked that she had rose her voice to him in that matter. Plus he was hardly a coward, and she knew it. "Dear, you do not seem well... you're not acting like yourself." He was almost frightened by the way she was acting.

She looked to the ground, her hands were shaking as they covered her face, "I... I'm just scared, its been a while since I raised my axe in a real battle like this... it affects me like this. And I'm worried about you."

Stepping toward her, reaching out to her, Edgar wrapped his arms around her in a soothing embrace. "We'll look ahead a bit further before going back to the castle. We know there are at least one more of these beasts."

She nodded, and they headed onward down the darkened corridor until they found another torch giving them light. They continued for at least half an hour, then there was noise ahead of them. Too far away for them to see. Then they saw eyes, yellow eyes lit in the darkness creeping forth from the shadows. Dozens of pairs of eyes, watching, waiting for them to come closer in their den.

Danitra and Edgar hesitated, there were far too many of them for them to defeat, and now they were approaching slowly their figures visible in the darkness. Grabbing Danitra's hand Edgar turned to run, but she did not move. Instead she stood staring back at the yellow eyes. Edgar looked into his lovers eyes, and what he saw scared him. She seemed empty, cold and full of hatred. For a second she almost seemed evil, until she realized that he was watching her. Suddenly she turned as well, the pair ran back the direction they had come toward the castle.

Swiftly they ran through the corridor, not looking back at their pursuers, dodging past the bodies of the catpeople. They were just about back to the passage to the castle when they realized the monsters no longer followed them, there was nothing but silence behind them. Reaching the passage they climbed to safety, appearing in the storage room of Figaro castle.

"I'm going to get the castle warlocks, we're going to seal this passageway with sorcery. Those creatures will not steal any more of my peoples food!" Edgar yelled as he headed to the door. "Are you coming?" He asked when he saw her standing still.

Snapping out of a trance she looked toward him, emotionless. "I'll guard the passage while your gone." She said, but he still did not leave, "Go! I'll be fine." She stated, and soon he left leaving her alone.

Alone to her thoughts with only the darkness. She found herself transfixed with the dark passageway, she felt consumed and confused, the darkness captured her mind. No! She thought to herself, this is not the time. It could not be the time that her mission was to be fulfilled, or was it? Her mother told her that she would know the time. But now she found herself second guessing herself. Her mission would bring only sadness, even to herself. A sadness that she did not know if she could bear.

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Danitra lay upon her bed, wearing only her silk nightgown, watching the ceiling trying to sort out her thoughts and feelings. It had been earlier that night, that she had been fighting monsters beneath the castle with Edgar. Shortly after they returned to the castle, Edgar gathered the castle's sorcerers and had them seal the passageway with their witchcraft. There was no way for those beasts to penetrate the castle now. Yet she stirred in her security, the emotions and rage that had consumed her, frightened her. The negative emotions had been intensifying for some time now, she did not know how much longer she could control them.

Edgar entered the room, his tunic hung open revealing his well-built chest, and joined her on the bed laying next to her. "What is wrong my love?" He asked as he caressed her neck and shoulder. Her back was to him as they lay together, his hands upon her flesh.

"Edgar...don't," She whispered yet she did not move away.

Removing his hands he folded his arms behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. There was a silence between them for some time, until Danitra turned toward him. A expression of worry marked her face.

"Edgar...I have something that I must tell you..." she said as she looked into his blue eyes and he in turn became lost in hers. "I've been keeping a secret from you..."

"Whatever it is Danitra, it does not matter if that is what you're worried about," he responded sympathetically as he caressed her soft face. "We have all done things in our past, that is the past. The past is left behind for a bright future. All that matters is now, this moment you must be true. This is all that matters, and that is the fact that I love you..."

"Edgar, I am the daughter of a dark and evil man, and I fear that part of him is inside of me. Is it possible to inherit a dark soul, an evil heart. Can you be born with a darkness inside of you?" She asked as tears appeared in her eyes. Edgar's expression turned to concern. He began to worry as she spoke again, "Edgar, my father was your enemy, he was Emperor Gestahl..."

Surprise surrounded him, he had no idea that the emperor had a daughter, that she was here now in bed next to him, the woman that he loved, "like I said, that is the past. He was the past and we are the future. Whatever you are going through we'll get through it together." Edgar said as he pulled her close to him.

"I...I don't know my love. I just don't know..." she whimpered, a sense of security returning as she wept in his strong arms.

"Danitra, I must ask you this. I feel that this is the time for our hearts to become one," he said as he lifted her head up to his. "I wish for you to become my queen, for now and eternity."

She stared, frozen and shocked, "Edgar I..."

"You don't have to answer right now, you need some rest. I want you to sleep on it and tell me in the morning," the king said as he put his hand to her mouth, then removed it to fill her lips with his in a soft kiss. "I love you," he said as he left the room.

She stared wide eyed after him, even as the door closed she did not blink, her heart ached, her soul burned. She knew that this was the time, and she cried.

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Edgar stood atop the highest tower in Figaro, staring out over his desert kingdom. His heart was full of life and energy, as he thought of the future and his life with Danitra. He then began thinking of his friends, they would be here soon as he planned. Terra, Gogo, Setzer, and Relm were to retrieve Celes and Locke in the north and then visit him here in Figaro. Those were the only comrades that he could get in touch with, and with his brother here it would be a reunion. Soon they would all be together once again.

There was a noise behind him, one of soft footsteps. He turned to find his beloved standing behind him. She was no longer wearing her gown, instead she wore her battle suit that she was wearing earlier, and in her hand was a black dagger. She stared coldly, motionless, staring into his eyes. Something was dreadfully wrong.

"Danitra? What are you doing up here? What has happened?" he asked, shocked to find her awake, here, and armed.

Pointing her dagger toward the king she snarled, "I have come for your life!"

He fell back toward the ledge, shocked and dizzy. His world spun as he began to feel sick, "Wh...Why?" He stuttered, lips trembling, tears filling his eyes in disbelief.

She smiled a crooked smile, "A new era is approaching, an era that will deliver this world from darkness with the loving hands of the almighty Sirith, bringer of truth... but unfortunately you are in the way of that happening." She stepped forward, although she was hesitant, he could see her resisting the darkness.

Regaining his composure, he leaned back against the ledge, ripping his shirt open he spread his arms. "If you feel that this is what you must do, then so be it..." He shut his eyes, tears streamed his cheeks, tears of pain. "...my life is yours, as is my heart and soul...my everything."

She screamed, leaping forward with her dagger held high she thrust it downward, a thirst thriving for blood. She stopped, the blade halted right before his heart, its tip tempting the flesh. At that moment she was sure she could here his heart break. Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead, mixing with his tears. He was breathing heavily, her body pressed against his, the blade in her hand about to pierce the shattered remains of his heart. He wanted to die at this moment.

Tears covered her face, her vision blurred as she leaped away, disappearing down the stairs into the castle. He collapsed to the floor, filled with disbelief and sorrow, he did not want to move. She may not have stabbed him, but his soul was mortally wounded.

"Guards..." he whispered, his voice hoarse, trying to call for help, "Guards!" He pulled himself to the ledge of the tower and shouted out, "Shut the gates, do not let Danitra leave the castle!"

There was a yell of pain from below as the drawbridge crashed open, and from within shot forth the shadow of a woman, disappearing into the darkness. Then the night was silent, except for the weeping of a man, bleeding tears.