Disclaimer: I do not own the character Freya, Zidane or Final Fantasy IX in any way or shape. I do however own Xilas Iliamet, Uncle Cornelius Crescent, the Air Pirates and everything about them, so ask me if you want to use any of them. Read this story if you will, or don't if you don't want to. This is chapter 4 of the series. Please R& R (Read & Review)

Written by Bahamut-dragon

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What You Wish For

Chapter 4

"Perfect," said Mordrey as the ship slowly swung around to face north. He took another look at the translation in his hand and moved so he was right up against his cabin window. He looked below to the barren land beneath the ship and breathed a sigh of relief. "After all these years I'll finally be able to have my wish come true," his face cracking into a smile as he said this.

"I'm sorry Zidane, I messed up," Freya said through the bars that separated them.

"Forget about it Freya, there was no way I would have expected anyone to hold on to that translation in the same situation," Zidane replied with a little smile, "and anyway just remember what it said about only the worthy being able to see Xilas, those pirates will never see him."

"True I guess," Freya said, letting a smile creep gently over her face. Why am I smiling? she thought I messed up whether he admits it or not, and I doubt we'll live to see Xilas if we get there anyway.

Mordrey now stood on the bridge giving out orders to his crew when the shout came down.

"Sir, strange woodland dead ahead, middle of nowhere," came the voice from the lookout.

"Very good," Mordrey replied, stepping out on deck to see it for himself, "land the ship just outside the forest and get the two prisoners from down below."

"Yes sir," replied one of the crew and scurried off. The ship descended from the air and as it settled on the ground Zidane and Freya emerged from down below, two armed guards beside each one. At a signal from Mordrey, the landing plank was lowered and the crew pushed the two prisoners in front of them, all following their captain. The crew was all very nervous at the sight of this strange forest, all of them a little superstitious. What made it even stranger was that the sand was burning hot, yet as soon as they entered the forest it was as though there was no desert and there never had been it was so cool. There was grass at their feet and trees over their heads; not palm trees like you normally found in the desert, but proper coniferous trees like a true forest, and it disturbed everyone to some extent. It was not a very large woodland, and the group reached the centre of the forest with ease, but what they saw was astonishing. There was a large grass clearing and at one end was a large statue of a Burmecian warrior, holding a great lance. As the group entered the clearing there was a flash of light as the statue's eyes lit up with a eerie green light, and a booming voice rang out.

"Stand forward and be judged," it said. Mordrey signalled for the prisoners to be pushed first, and everyone else followed. "Only the meek and worthy may enter here, so may those with dark intentions in their souls be cast away," it said again. The spear dropped down until it was pointed at them, and with a roar flames leapt from the end, engulfing the entire group. Screams of pain were heard for a second, then silence. Freya and Zidane opened their eyes and found that they were still alive and that their restraints were gone. They looked around to see only ash where their captors had stood before, but then a noise startled them and they spun round. They saw what they never would have guessed. Mordrey.

To Be Continued

Well, look out for the next chapter coming soon from me. Please read and review or you can e-mail me at bahamut_dragon_guardian@yahoo.co.uk Keep watching this space.