Ballad of a Fallen Angel

Chapter Six

'I…lost…my…sketch pad…' –Relm

Tsuan twirled a single strand of his long brown hair around his gloved finger in some irritation, as he seemed to be thinking and awaiting for some news if they had found his precious K' yet. Though, he knew that she would come back regardless even if he didn't send his minions out to search for her. She would sooner or later. He knew that she couldn't survive much longer out in a world she's never seen before. His thoughts wandered back to their last encounter. Just before she had disappeared.

Steps were heard as they made their way slowly to the wooden door that was well guarded by three soldiers. They stepped aside as 'he' was walking towards them, one of them opening the door for him as he emerged inside the room and then shutting the door as he was inside. The room seemed to be dark as the only source of light seemed to be coming from the window as the moon cast its blue rays into the room onto the floor and near the wall. There was slight shuffling in the room and along with small sounds. He walked around to the other side of the bed where a figure was sitting in the corner; part of the moon's rays fell slightly over the female's form. It fell just over her eyes and then her lap; the rest of her body was over shadowed with darkness. Her hands were in her lap as she was breathing gently. The light reflected off her dark orbs they giving a small glimmer. He was standing in front of her, but her vision remained looking at the floor.

"My dear, what are you doing sitting alone in the dark again? I seem to always find you here when I check on you." He said, looking at her.

She looked up momentarily looking into his own eyes and then glanced over at the window. Strands of her dark hair dangled in front of her face as her melancholy expression didn't change, but she did begin to speak.

"Tsuan…why do you keep me in your grasp to tightly and enclosed behind the walls?" She said in a monotone, looking from the window back to him. Tsuan just laughed and then shook his head. A hand brushing some of his chocolate tresses behind his ear, that was tied back neatly with a bow. He looked at her looking slight amused by her question.

"You are being quite naïve. Why must you ask questions you already know the answer too? But if you want me to tell you again, then gladly. I keep you here since you are very precious. Besides, people like me and only me of course, should own precious things." He said, holding her chin and looking at her.

Own…so she was just someone's possession. To stay incased behind glass, like a fragile china doll for only looks. Was that her only purpose? She looked at him as he held her chin and then looked down in some disappointment. He only gave a smirk and kissed her forehead before he leg go of her.

"Maybe you'll realize how important you are in time." He said, before standing up and moving away from her as he went over to the door, it opening up before him slowly and then closing behind as he left, leaving her alone once again. She crawled herself over to the window and looked up at the full moon.

Tsuan chuckled just a little, shaking his head. Yes, she would know exactly how precious she was. Ah, yes this appeal to him amusing, but he did want her back. The girl was his most prized possession along with the valuable thing with her that he needs and that was…

Tssssuuuuaaannn…

He opened his eyes as he heard his name, as there was a low hissing noise in the room. Tsuan yawned and pulled his head back and looked up at the ceiling at the figure creeping on all fours. It didn't look quite human. It's skin seem to be pale and it was bald, leather straps crossing over its face. It dressed in body suit that stopped at it ankles, as it's feet were large and flat and had long sharp toenails that was about the same as it fingers. There seem to be a few more these creatures lingering around the room, some behind the curtains, others on the wall, and on the floor. The one on the ceiling fell down off the ceiling and then onto the floor on its feet nimbly. It squatting down with its arms hanging down and it's nails dragging against the velvet carpet. Tsuan then pointed a fan at the creature, "Watch what you're doing. You'll tear up my velvet rug." The creature hissed once again before it crawled towards him up the steps where the throne was. Tsuan then sat up coughing and unfolded his fan and held it in front of him. His hand covered over his mouth and nose, "That's as far as you will come near me. The sight of you in my presence is bad enough, but your fowl odor is worse." He said, in a distasteful tone as his fan waved back and forth. The creature stopped, of course and stayed in its squatting position before it began to speak in a hissing manner.

Youuuuuu called for usssssss master?

"Of course, you wouldn't be here if I didn't. It's not exactly often that I summon such repulsive creatures before me. That's beside the point, I want you and your retched lackeys to be ready to head out to find K'. And you know whom I mean too. I'm certain that Titus hasn't found her yet. If he doesn't you will be sent. Understood?" He said, looking at the creature. It nodding its head and hissing in a low tone.

Yessssss, we will beeeeee near sirrrrrrrree.

"Yes, yes. Now take your vile selves away you're starting to spread your stench through out my castle." He said, fanning his face. The creatures obeyed they crawling out of sight and leaving the room as quickly as they got there. He despised these creatures; the only thing they were good for was killing others. That's the only reason why he would keep such nefarious creatures. He coughed, as he could smell that stench that was left behind. "Lovely, now the windows have to be open to get rid of that disgusting stench." Tsuan fanned himself for a moment and glanced at one of the large windows, his eyes narrowing at it.

I might have to consult the prophet…if it has to come to that…

Colors of blue faded into a lighter blue, then to a yellow, orange, and a peach color as the colors seem to pain the sky as the sun was setting. The sounds of laughs and giggles echoed through Castle Figaro as Relm ran through the hallways with Interceptor trailing behind her as she was playing a game of tag. The dog seemed to know the concept of the game as he chased behind her trying to touch her with its nose. No one really bothered telling her to stop especially when that dog was around. In one of the bedrooms, K' was lying on the bed, a light sweat coating her face as she groaned and turned onto her side. She had been sleeping since she was given new clothes to wear. Strange, that's all she seemed to really do. She had told Relm that she was having a bad headache and was going to sleep for awhile. Relm decided to let her sleep awhile, well mostly because Shadow recommended she did. She groaned and turned her head to the side, she was having another nightmare. Darkness, her whole body was surrounded by darkness just like before. Chains were endorsed to her wrists and ankles as she was bonded securely. More of them seem to emerge from the assent darkness. K's hand clawed at the pillow under her head as she gave a small groan and turned her head side to side. Her breathing was slightly shallow as she inhaled and exhaled. The earrings she was wearing were starting to give off strange glows, as she was still asleep. The more she went into her nightmares, the more the earrings gave off radiant glows. A strange chill, out of nowhere, passed through the room. The curtains flapped back and forth gently in the air and the back down to the floor. K's eyes then opened suddenly, as the loud sound of barking woke her up. She sat up in the bed, her face having a light sweat. Her eyes gazed in front of her as she could see Interceptor at the foot of the bed barking. It nearly scared her out of her wits, just giving a shriek; she backed up to the headboard as the dog gave out alarming yelps. The room felt colder as the earring on her left ear stopped glowing. The other earring then stopped glowing now, as Shadow had walked in. He looked at Interceptor and then at K' who was sitting against the headboard looking slightly disturbed. Relm poked her head inside and looked around, "Hey, what's going on?"

"I…Interceptor just startled me as I woke up. That's all," She said, wiping her forehead. Interceptor gave an uncomfortable growl. Shadow looked down at his disgruntled dog.

"I don't know what has gotten into Interceptor, but I'm sure it won't happen again…" He said, the dog stopping his actions.

Relm walked over to Interceptor and waved a finger, "Yeah, Interceptor. That wasn't nice." The dog lay on the floor and gave a groan and whimper from the meager scolding it got from Relm. Its head lay on its paws as it gave another grunt. Relm then rubbed her arms and looked around, "Ooh, it's really cold in here."

"I probably left the window up while I was sleeping," K said quickly as she got up off the bed and put her shoes on and walked towards the door, "I think I'll take a walk around the castle or just look around."

"Oh! Let me show you around, I've been everywhere!" Relm said, taking her hand and running out the door dragging K' along with her.

Shadow watched them as they left and looked at both of the windows. Neither one of them were opened or even cracked. It was barely night and it surely wasn't that cold outside in the middle of a desert. He looked around and then up at the ceiling. To his surprise, he found there was some slight frost on the ceiling.

Now, this is very unusual…

He thought to himself for a moment. Something wasn't right, he knew there was something amiss. Though, he just couldn't put his finger on it. He looked back at Interceptor who wagged its short tail at its master. "I guess you sensed something wasn't right either…" He said, looking at the dog and then around the room not seeing anything else that looked unusual before he exited the room with Interceptor trotting behind him.

Relm about went around the whole castle as she was showing K' nearly every inch of it. She was even showing her the chocobo stables. They couldn't put Scallop in the stables with the other chocobo's, namely because the black chocobo doesn't get along with the other birds. There were feathers and squawking, as Scallop wasn't exactly making a good impression. Relm was enjoying this more than K' was. She's never had so much fun, since she use to travel among the land with everyone. She opened the doors from the inside, going out onto the balcony looking outwards. "Look, isn't it pretty?" She said, smiling. K walked up to the balcony shortly with her hands over each other. She glanced at the sky as sun was making patters on pink and orange and painted over the blue that was left in the sky. It did look beautiful. She remembered looking at the sky, but from behind the surface of glass most of the time. Her fingers gripped at the edge of the stone under her hand as she looked at the sunset, her eyes glistening as she looked at the sight. Relm looked at her for a moment with her head turned noticing her expression; it looked like she was on the verge of tears now. The young girl turned her head looking at her in concern.

"Are you all right?" She asked, looking at her with her round blue eyes. K' snapped out of her thoughts. She blinking before her eyes dried a bit as she turned her head towards the blonde hair girl who looked at her uneasily. She gave a reassuring smile to her and nodded.

"I'll be fine…I was just thinking…" She said solemnly.

"About what?" She asked, curious.

"Um, well about something that happened awhile back…that's all," She then smiled and looked at her. "Well, thank you for showing me around the castle."

Relm grinned ear to ear and nodded her head, "You're welcome! I had fun doing it. Oh, I know what I can show you next!"

K' smiled and looked at the girl a little amused, "All right, what is it?"

"My drawings." She said, smiling.

"Draw.ings…? They're like sketched or art right?" She said a little questionably. Relm nodded.

"Yeah, I keep them all in my…" She paused as she had just realized something. Her eyes widen; her expression filled with worry and dismay, "No, no…I don't believe it…" Her blue eyes glistened a bit as she realized something. K' placed a hand on the girl's shoulder looking at her in concern. She feeling a twang of pain, she never saw anyone else cry before…except herself. She felt a bit sorry for the girl; she jumping a little as Relm buried herself into her stomach and rubbed her face back and forth against the fabric of her shirt leaving stains of wet tears against it. K' hesitantly rested both her hands on the girl's shoulder as she tried to soothe her the best she could. Watching Relm sniffled and mumbled a bit as she sobbed.

"I don't understand…what is troubling you so?" She asked, not quite making out her words at first. The words were starting to become clearer slowly, as she listened to her.

"I…sniff…lost…it…sniff," She said between small sobs and sniffles.

K' blinked looking at her quizzically, "Lost what?"

"I…lost…my…sketch pad…" She said, lifting herself off of her and rubbed her eyes. "I must have left it behind when Shadow had found me unconscious…I thought I had it with me. It's really important to me…because I got it for my birthday three years ago, which is also tomorrow." She said rubbing her puffy red eyes. K' looked at her blinking wondering what a 'birthday' was. She knew she had heard it once before. Hmm, oh! Now she remembers. It's the day, which one was born on and they sometimes celebrate it. She thinks she remembered reading it in one of her books…K' thought for a moment and wondered if she ever had a birth date. She looked at the blonde shorthaired girl with some sympathy. It must be hard to lose something that's dear to you. Somewhat how she lost her freedom…

"I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe, whenever we can we can go back and retrace steps…" She said, trying to reassure the girl. Relm gave a small nod and dried up eyes a little.

"I guess…" She said, stopping her sobs. "I think…I might go lay down. I'm kind of tired…" She said, as she turned around her face not holding that joy and spirit she had once before as she walked through the large doors and disappeared. K' frowned a little and then turned her head outwards looking at the sky colors dimming down into darkness and the outstretching desert. The cool winds brushing against the sand as the desert's night winds came. Her raven hair billowing sideways with strands brushing against her face. A thought coming across her mind for a moment, before she turned around and emerged back inside of the castle of Figaro.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Terra held her head for a moment as the pain subsided, she staggering from the bed and over to the window as she regained her balance now. Her eyes looking through the pane glass at the sleeping town of Narshe, as a blanket of night had covered over the town. Smoke emerging out of a few houses, as residents left their fireplaces or pot belly stoves on through the night to keep their homes heated. A few guards, that had the night shift, roamed the damp streets of Narshe. Nothing really happens at night that much, but it made the citizens feel safe at nighttime though. There was less trouble making in Narshe, it was pretty much a peaceful town. Terra gave a small sigh, relaxing a little as she watched the town that was settled into peaceful silence and darkness. It seemed to relieve her, a trickle of sweat running down the side of her face. She rubbing her hand against her wet forehead, it coming through her long tresses of green hair that was tangled a little. Creaks were made as the sounds of footsteps were made, as someone outside the room was walking up the stairs. The steps stopping at her door and then knocks coming. Terra turned her head, she mumbling softly.

"Come in…" She said.

The door opened slowly making a few squeaks, a young man walking in with short dusty blonde hair. It looking a bit of gray and blonde mixed though. He wasn't wearing anything on his feet, as they were bare. He was clad in dark blue jeans and a white T-shirt. He looking over at his female companion in concern, "Terra, are you all right? I heard footsteps moving around upstairs and then that scream before you were moving around."

The green hair girl looked at him with her dull eyes for a moment. She nodding slowly, but her face held fear and worry. She clearing her throat a bit, brushing a strand of her hair from her forehead, "Yes…I'm fine Locke. I just had a bit of a nightmare…that's all…" She said, glancing at the window looking at the puffs of smokes rising from chimney's and pipes and rising up into the air and dissolving. Locke looked at her for a moment.

"Lately, you've been having a few nightmares for awhile, do you want to talk about it?"

Terra was silent for a moment. A finger tracing small designs into the wet dim surface of the pane window, as moistness was coated over it. Yes, it was true. The nightmares had been becoming more frequent lately, along with the mild headaches here and there. Though, she dare not tell him about it…yet. She doesn't need him worrying about her and she didn't want to burden anyone. She thought they would go away, since 'he' wasn't around anymore. No more control, no more pain, no more being a slave…just freedom. But now…she felt as if he never had died. That somewhere he was still here and still torturing her so with the frequent nightmares and headaches. It wasn't physical pain just yet, just mental pain and emotional. It tears a hole into her heart once more. Terra sighed and turned around facing her male companion, he looking at her obscure a little and awaiting her answer. A few strands of her hair fell in front of her face once more as she looked as if she haven't slept in ages and also almost a sadden expression that was seen in her eyes and upon her lips.

Locke looked at her for a moment before speaking, "Never mind. You should go back to bed and get some sleep." He said, as he turned around and started to make his departure before a hand touched his shoulder. He turning his head and looking at Terra's face that looking at him. Her head turned down at the floor, he looking at her in question.

"Wait, I…" She hesitated for a moment before continuing to speak, "I…do want to talk about it. I need to talk to someone…I need to talk to you…"

~TBC~

Finally, this chapter is done. So, sorry for the wait. I've been busy with school and everything else. I've actually had the chance to complete this now. Bet all of you were eager about it huh? Well, thanks to the ones that pestered me about it. ^^; heh, well I hoped you enjoyed this and read some of my other FF stories. Review if you like.