Chapter 8: Back for a day
It was early evening when the group returned to Alexandria. They were surprised to see hardly anyone on the streets. They stood in the main square, puzzled about the silence of the usually bustling city.
"Where the heck is everyone?" Chris said.
"M-maybe they went to b-bed e-early today?" Vivi suggested tentatively.
Eiko shook her head. "I highly doubt that. Well, maybe we should get back to the castle."
They walked to the small dock and rode on the gondola to the castle. Miranda noted that the Alexandrian soldier was not her usual chatty self. She held a whispered conference with her friends.
"Maybe something happened at the castle," she said in a low voice.
"Oh, I hope it's not Garnet," Kristin said worriedly.
They departed the gondola and hurried to the castle. It was dark when they entered. They took a few cautious steps forward.
"Hello? Anyone here?" Freya said loudly.
"WELCOME BACK!!!!"
The hall was suddenly flooded with light and everyone cheering. The group stood dumbfounded as Zidane appeared in front of them.
"Welcome back, brave explorers! Amarant has told us of your arrival and we hastily prepared this celebration for you!"
Eiko looked around. "Where is that red headed man anyway?"
"Probably leaning on something," Miranda said idly.
Indeed he was. Hidden in the dark shadows, he leaned against the wall, watching coolly at the scene.
"Took you long enough," he said to them.
"Well, it's amazing that you arrived here when you did!" Eiko retorted as she stuck out her tongue.
"Whatever…"
Miranda walked up to Beatrix and handed her the sword she had borrowed. "I won't be needing this anymore. Thanks."
Beatrix beamed at her. "Come on now. Show us!"
Miranda stood on the top of the first flight of stairs before it had the split. She drew the magnificent blade and the hall was hushed instantly as everyone gazed admiringly at the sword. Then, they cheered loudly, so loud that the birds in the forest outside the castle flew off startled. Miranda found herself lifted up onto Chris's shoulders.
He grinned up at her. "Well, lets lead them to the banquet table, shall we?"
She laughed. "You and your stomach!"
He looked innocently at her. "Can't help it! All that trekking gave me an appetite."
Miranda laughed and pointed her sword forward. "Well, then, lets go!"
Everyone followed them willingly, still cheering. Zidane went back upstairs unnoticed. As they entered the great dining hall, something caught Kuja's eye and he looked up at the balcony. There was nothing there (. wonder that could be…). Must be imagining things, he thought and sat down beside Kristin. The food was served and they ate heartily. However, Miranda just moved her food around.
"You alright, Miranda?" Kristin asked.
Miranda sighed. "I can't see how we can be happy when Garnet is up in her room sick."
"Do you want to go and see her?" Beatrix asked gently.
"I would like to see how she's doing."
"Well follow us then," Steiner said as he took another bite.
"We're coming too!" Eiko said.
"Lets all go together," Freya suggested.
They quietly got up and left the dining hall unnoticed and entered Garnet's room, still hearing the din of the dining hall. The happy atmosphere outside immediately disappeared. Though the room was brightly lit, it seemed dark and cold to Miranda. Garnet had gone back unconsciousness, coughing more often. Regent Cid and Hilda sat in two chairs pulled to the side of the bed. Eiko walked over to them and sat in Regent Cid's lap. She looked up at them.
"Is she going to be okay, Father?"
Regent Cid sighed. "We don't know, Eiko. She seems to be getting worse."
Tears sprung to Eiko's eyes. "S-she's not going to…to…"
Hilda picked her up and held her. "Now don't start talking like that. There's still time."
Mikoto and Kuja walked over to Zidane, who was sitting beside Garnet. The happy-go-lucky genome was now silent and grim faced. His tail hung limp over the side.
"What about one of the cure spells?" Kristin asked, knowing what her answer would be.
"We've already looked into that matter," Doctor Tot said, not looking up from a pile of books on the table. "Wouldn't do any good. The only cure so far that I have found is the Healing Flower of Systania."
"Systania?" Miranda repeated.
"Yes. Unfortunately, the flowers only bloom in Systania, and that civilization had died out ages ago. They consider it a lost civilization and no one knows where it once stood. These are all the books from Daguerro about Systania. Not a single one of them say anything about it, only that the people were summoners of some kind."
"Summoners?" Kristin repeated. "What about Madain Sari? Do you think we could find information there?"
Doctor Tot rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It is quite possible, being they were fellow summoners."
"Right, then we should go to Madain Sari as soon as possible," Miranda said determinedly.
"I second that," Chris said.
"I…uh…t-third that?" Vivi added. "Is that right?"
"Aye, us too," Fratley said, raising his spear to motion him and Freya.
"I'm in," Kristin said.
"Me too!" Eiko added. Mog appeared from her dress and looked at Eiko. "And Mog, of course!"
"We shall go along as well," Mikoto said for her and Kuja.
"Well, it's back to the original group except Amarant," Miranda said. "What's he going to do?"
"He's staying here," Beatrix said. "Unfortunately…"
"I suggest we leave tomorrow," Freya said. "The sooner we get the cure, the better."
"Right," they said in unison. They took one last look at Garnet and turned to leave. Miranda was about to leave when she heard her name being called. It was Zidane.
"Hey, Miranda," he called. "You, too, Chris."
She walked to him, Chris following her. "What is it, Zidane?"
He took a deep breath. "Do you know what you have in your hands?"
She looked at her empty hands. "Uh…space?"
For the first time in long time, Zidane smiled. "No…the sword, silly."
"Oh, yea, I knew that!" She unsheathed her sword from her back and held it in front of Zidane.
He took the sword and inspected it, nodding. "Yep, this is a fine piece of weaponry you got here, Miranda. It's not your regular sword that's for sure." He inspected the blade again. "Nope, this is no ordinary steel you got here, nor any piece of regular mineral or element either."
"What do you mean?" Miranda asked.
"This is no ordinary sword," he repeated. "Magic is already in it, meaning that you can perform third level black and white magic. Probably even some other stuff. This is extremely powerful. It could probably slice a mountain in two."
They stood wide eyed at him. "A mountain???"
Zidane handed the sword back to her. "Yep. I did some research on that thing. Don't know who made it, but the guy was some sort of wizard or something." He looked straight into her eyes. "Don't let it get into the wrong hands."
Miranda gulped. "Y-yes, sir!"
"Huh. Now don't go yes, sirring on me," he said giving her a wry smile.
"Uh, what did you want to talk to me about?" Chris asked.
"Just wanted to see how that Ultima Weapon was working out."
"It's great! It looks heavy, but it's actually fairly light."
"Good, good. That's good to hear. If you find a weapon of your own, just send it right back."
"Alright. Though I might be hesitant to depart with this weapon."
Miranda glanced at her watch. "It's getting late. Oh! We forgot the celebration!"
"I wouldn't worry about that," Zidane said. "They went home a while ago. But it's about time for y'all to get some rest."
The headed toward the door. "Don't worry Zidane, we'll do our best to find the cure."
"I have no doubt you will. Oh, and Chris, Miranda is going to help lead the group. That alright with you?"
"Uh…yea sure!" Chris stuttered.
"Night."
"Night!" they said and closed the door.
Miranda leaned against the wall outside. "Poor Zidane. He turned 40 in 3 days."
"I know," Chris agreed. "He was so energetic when we first saw him. Now, he's like a, I don't know, a…"
"Some solemn, wise father/ruler like person?" Miranda suggested.
"Hm…that works, I suppose."
Miranda sighed. "Well lets get back. Everyone's asleep already."
Chris stifled a yawn. "Good idea. What time is it anyway?"
"I think almost 11."
They walked to their rooms and bade each other good night. Miranda took a quick shower and laid in bed staring at the ceiling. Can we really make it time? she asked herself. She spotted her sword in the scabbard draped over the chair. The gems on the hilt glittered in the moonlight. She closed her eyes and sighed. Tomorrow's going to be the beginning of a long journey, she thought before sleep overcame her.
Author's Note: Uh…am I getting anywhere in this? I have a feeling I'm not…well, we should be going somewhere in the next chapter. Hopefully…Novel form stinks! It seems to give my story a dull atmosphere. When I type in script form, I could do funny characters and actions and stuff. You know like -.-' . . O.O ^^ O.o o.O V.V T.T and stuff like that. Did I say this already? Probably see it again later…o well…see you in chapter 9 and keep reviewing. Oh, and sorry about the delay. I've already written up to chapter 12 (and still going!) but my friend is SUPPOSED to be proofing it but she's not doing her job, so since I'm the author, I'm going to post this up and following chapters. I can always remove it and change it, right? Well, keep reading and reviewing! ^^