Chapter 2- Dreams and Lindblum

Too see a world in a grain of sand,

And heaven in a wild flower;

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,

And eternity in an hour. -Lord Tennyson

The sky was dark when Quina and Black reached the cobbled streets of Lindblum. Quina seemed to have no trouble seeing, and neither did Black, for his eyes had already adjusted. The odd pair trotted (and waddled) along, looking for the inn.

"You've been here and I haven't Where's the inn?"

Quina looked around. "It here… hold a second."

What he should have said was 'hold a few hours'. They had to scour each district and ride the air cabs until finally they found the inn. Black wasn't entirely sure the innkeeper was still awake; or if the innkeeper would let a creature such as himself stay there.

They walked in and Quina rang the bell for service. It echoed faintly in the empty room. Silence. Quina rang it again, and Black yawned. Finally the innkeeper shambled up to the front desk, bleary-eyed. "Whaddya want?" he slurred.

Black wrinkled his nose in disgust. There was a faint scent of alcohol hanging in the air around the man. He resisted the impulse to sneeze.

"We want room. Very sleepy."

The innkeeper yawned and blinked again. "We?"

"Yes," Black placed his front paws on the desk and bobbed his head courteously to the innkeeper. "We've walked from Qu's marsh and we're both in need of sleep. We will be happy to pay full price for the both of us…"

The innkeeper stared at Black for a moment before shaking his head and leaning on one of his hands. "Thassit… I quit tonight." He turned around. "Both rooms're empty. Pay me in the mornin'."

Quina led the way. Black couldn't resist a grin at the way the stairs creaked protestingly and sagged beneath the Qu's wait. Finally they chose their room, and Quina plopped on one bed, while Black stepped gingerly onto his own.

He looked out the window for a moment and sighed. "Dear Beast of the Jhating Yatil… what have I gotten myself into? Sleeping in two-legger beds…"

Quina's raucous snoring soon filled the room. Black grinned again and lay down. Try as he might, he could not fall asleep.

"Dear Beast," he sat straight up and spread his wings slightly behind him, facing the window. "I need to understand my mission… there's no way I can reach Eiko Carol without explaining to the regent." He sighed. "What does this all mean? I know we are in danger, but I don't know why I'm brining these people together!" he looked up, "And where is my Guide? Before I came here you told me my Guide would come to help me… I need them now."

There was no answer from the stars. Suddenly an unexplained weariness rent through Black's mind. He shook his head to clear it. He needed to sleep… But against his protests, his laid upon the bed, relaxing, his wings folded, his eyes closed, and he dreamed, heeding some inner command…

In his dream, he was standing before a tranquil pool. The scenery around was cloaked in darkness. He raised a paw to test the temperature of the water when a voice rang out,

"I wouldn't do that if I were you!"

He looked up in time to see a mote of light drift tward the pool. It skirted the sirface once and stared at him. or, at least, he thought it did. It had no face to speak of...

"Why not?"

"This pool is poisoned." The mote floated in front of him, golden brilliance pulsing slightly. "Only those with permission may drink here."

"Hn." Black shrugged. He really wasn't thirsty.

"You don't know about this pool, do you? It's very special. You may never see one like this again."

"What does it do?"

"It answers Questions. But you have to have permission to ask it If you do, the poison will go away, and your Question might be answered."

Black stood up, wincing at the pain in his wings. "What must I do for permission?"

The mote tilted to one side. It seemed to be studying Black for a moment, then finally said, "What's wrong? Are you in pain?"

"Only a little." He shifted uncomfortably, but not impatiently. It had been a while sine somebody had questioned him of his well-being.

"Why?"

"I had to fly to reach a place called Qu's marsh. It is part of my mission. I haven't had much rest."

"What is your mission?"

"I'm... not sure, exactly. All I know, now, is that I must unite a group of people, or else my world may perish."

The light grew stronger. "You know not the purpose of your Quest, but you would fulfill it?"

"In the name of both my Mistress and the Jhating Yatil." Black lifted his head proudly.

"Oh, what are those?"

"The Jhating is the tallest mountain on my home planet. Within it dwells the Beast... the all-powerful One. My Mistress is a protector of out planet, sent from a far away place, long ago."

"And you have faith in them? For them you would go through pain, when none is necessary?"

"...yes." black lowered his head ashamedly. How would he be brave to the Mistress when he couldn't even take a few days of pain?"

"Do not be ashamed, Talsolia. I am very proud of you."

He lifted his head and pricked his ears. The mote's voice had changed to a strong feminine tone... it had used his Shiran name!

"Drink from the pool. It will become clear to you." The Mistress's light winked, and faded out.

Black, without further word, drank from the pool. He felt it slide down his throat and seep through his veins... he felt it surging through his wings, his legs, his eyes, his soul.

The Pain was gone. But he still didn't know what to do...

Then he awoke.

Black fell off his bed, thumping to the floor. He stood up, blinking rapidly. Why did the dream have to end there!? He stood and noticed Quina was gone. Great. He was on his own...

Then he balked. The pain was gone!

He sat down and tried to recall the dream. Then, suddenly, a new idea sprang into his head. With a joyous hoop, he raced out of the door. He knew what to do!

It took him two hours to find Quina. The Qu was, as usual, looking for something to eat. Black himself was getting hungry. But that could wait, he needed to see the regent. After he pried Quina from the counter at a restaurant, he was working devising a plan.

"Do the guards know you there?"

"Kinda." The Qu was having trouble keeping up with his brisk pace. "They see me before. Maybe they know my name."

"Good. Tell the, to trust me!"

They got into the castle without too much of a problem. When somebody stared at Black, Quina would simply say 'exotic pet'. They got the message.

Finally a guard blocked them off. "This is a restricted area, sir!"

"I need to speak to the regent." Black stepped forward, doing his usual head-bow.

"E-excuse me!?" the guard took a step back and hefted his spear, not entirely trusting the winged beast.

"It okay!" Quina held out his hands. "he with me. Maybe you hear, I Quina Quen!"

The guard considered this. "You used to be with that Zidane guy?"

"Yes."

The guard looked back down at Black before regarding Quina again. "Very well... I guess I can let you pass. But you keep that...thing on it best behavior, alright?"

"He one who need speak with regent." Quina remarked as they passed. The guard just stared after them, dumbfounded.

They were stopped by another series of guards. These blocked the dorrway with two spears. "What do you want?" one asked.

"We wish to speak with the regent." Black simply sat this time.

"The regent is busy. You'll have to make an appointment."

"But this is an emergency!" Black stood, eyes whirling anxiously.

The second guard, who had not spoken, lowered his spear. "Back off, thing. We don't take no crap from anybody."

Black looked urgently to Quina, who shrugged. Finally he sighed and asked. "When can I make an appointment?"

"The regent cannot see anyone for two months."

"TWO MONTHS!?" Black leapt back in alarm.

Several people turned and stared. The second guard snarled and poked Black in the chest with his spear. "That it! Out, both of you!"

Quina looked to Black, who was resisting the urge to growl. Instead he turned, fur bristling and head hung low. I've failed... after all that's been said and done, I've failed!

"Quina!?"

They both turned. A small girl- she could be no older than seven or eight- was grinning widely. Her purple hair hung not too long, barely reaching her shoulders and curved inwards. She was dressed in brightly colored clothes. But the odd thing about her was her horn, which projected from her forehead and between two locks of hair. She waved and ran over.

Black didn't want to scare her, so her lay down. He already knew this was Eiko Carol.

"Eiko! How you doing?" Quina

"I'm fine. Do you know how boring it here, though? Dad hardly ever has time to do anything, and mom can't do anythign without dad. But they try." She sighed. "What're you doing here?"

"Looking for you!"

"Why?"

"I no know."

"Huh?" She cocked her head, slightly puzzled. Then she noticed black. Instead of jumping back or squealing in horror, she blinked, wide-eyed with interest. "What's that?"

"I'm Talsolia." He stood and bowed his head. "You may call me Black."

Eiko raised a brow to Quina. "He talks?"

"Yup." Quina looked for a place to sit down.

"I'm sorry if I'm rushing things." Black walked over to Eiko. "We really should sit down."

"'Kay." She paused. "Why doesn't Quina know why it's here?"

"I know. Well, now I do." He grinned. Eiko plopped on a nearby bench, and Black lay down, facing her. "This is going to be a lot of information given to you really fast. You ready?" she nodded nonchalantly. "Okay. I am from another planet, Pterra IV. And my world is in grave danger. The forces of Dark inhabit one part of my lands, and they are gaining in strength the take our entire Continent. We thought we'd vanquished them before, but the job wasn't done. There is only one who can destroy the Dark Source and save us all.

Out Mistress, a protector of the planet, has uncovered an ancient prophecy:

When shadows rise against the light

And the Source's army stands proud and bold,

Dark's own Child shall destroy the Night

And restore the Chain of Gold."

Eiko shivered slightly. She didn't know why... but the words stirred something faintly in her memory.

"That is only part of it." Black went on. "But I have reason to believe that Dark's own Child is someone you once knew, Eiko."

"Who?"

Black stared up. "A Black Mage. A Black Mage named Vivi Orunitia."

Author's Note: Pah. I might rewrite it; but I must move on. Fwee, go 'head and tell me whatcha think.