Chapter Eight: But It's the Moon



We returned to the dwarf castle. There was nothing else to do. It was horrible to see the way the betrayal hit Cecil; he was dejected, all hope driven from his face. Edge and I watched as Rosa tried to comfort him. We had nothing to say; I had never expected it. From what Yang had told me at the banquet, I knew a little about Kain's initial treachery. But I had nothing to say about this. It didn't involve me. I watched from a polite distance as Rosa's attempts at pity, cheerfulness, and sympathy were all brutally ignored. Finally, Rosa also steamed off in a huff, vanishing below decks as Cecil stood, rigid, at the prow. Edge and I threw awkward looks at each other; but even that was uncomfortable, I decided, remembering all too well that last morning where we had forgotten everything except the challenge of each other. I went downstairs to comfort Rosa, leaving Edge staring overboard, brooding.

Rosa was sobbing, and she threw her arms around me when she saw me. "Rydia - oh ..." She buried her face in my shoulder. I took her over to a bench and sat her down. "It's all my fault," she said. "All my fault."

"How?" I absentmindedly brushed some hair back from her face, the image of a small child on Asura's lap coming to mind. "What could you have done?"

She drew a ragged breath. "It's - I can't help it - oh, Rydia, Cecil and I ...I couldn't do anything. And Kain ..."

"Rosa." I patted her back. "You make no sense."

She looked up at me, shocked, and I grinned crookedly. "I'm sorry. I'm not good with sympathy. I'm much too sarcastic, they always told me."

But she had momentarily stopped crying; wiping her face on the back of her hand, she said slowly: "You're right. And it's not the time for me to be crying, anyway."

"You can cry however much you'd like," I said. "I can always dry myself off."

She bowed her head. There was a soft pause, and then she said quietly: "It's my fault because ...because Kain is in love with me."

I said nothing.

"Kain is ...he has been my best friend forever. He and Cecil grew up together, and with my mother working in the castle, I saw them often ...we played together, did everything together. And I ...I fell in love with Cecil, and he with me. But Kain ...it was different ...and I didn't..."

I put my arms around her again. She said quietly (her voice was rather muffled, as her mouth was stuffed with part of my sleeve), "I can't love him, Rydia. I'm in love with someone else. He just wanted ...he told me ...and I can't. No matter what."

It felt like she was waiting for me to say something. "Rosa, I don't understand anything about love." She sat up and looked at me; I grinned sheepishly to shrug off the confusion I was feeling. "I spent my childhood surrounded by monsters. My mother and father were a three-headed war goddess and a giant sea serpent, respectively. I have no idea how affairs like that go. But I do know that - that you and Cecil - you are meant to be ...something. And I think Kain will eventually realize that. Just as eventually, he will realize what is good and what is evil. It's the heart that counts, Rosa. That's all."

Her eyes were dim. "Cecil is ...angry with ...himself ...and I think he's angry with me, indirectly. He knows that this fight is over me. And he loves Kain so much that ...oh, I don't know what he wants!" She stood up and violently tossed a pillow. "Would he expect me to go to Kain? Whisper 'everything's alright' in his ear? For the peace of the world!"

The engines dimmed; I assumed we were back at the castle. I squeezed Rosa's hand and grinned. "We have to go. Just smile. Take a deep breath. Things tend to correct themselves. It'll be okay."

She smiled at me. "Rydia, you are wise beyond your years."

"That's funny," I said. "Because in this world, I should only be seven."



"Welcome back!" boomed the dwarf king as he saw us approach. "Show us the crystal!"

Cecil dropped to one knee. "Actually," he said softly, "we do not have it. One of our members betrayed us. It is with the enemy now."

"What?" The King sat upright. "They have all the crystals? Nothing left ...unless the legend of the Lunar Whale comes true."

The Lunar ...oh, the Big Whale ... I remembered something about that from my schooling with Asura; some old, ancient legend, intertwined with the Light of Ordeals and the fate of the Underworld...

"What?"

"The Lunar Whale. It is spoken of in our most sacred legend. One to be born of a dragon..."

Hoisting the light and the dark ... I remembered now.

"The Mysidian Legend!" Cecil cried. A spark of wild hope appeared in his darkened eyes.

The King stood up; he was nearly as tall as I, which must have been mighty for a dwarf; but I am short among humans. "You know of Mysidia?" A similar gleam had come into his small beady eyes.

Cecil nodded. "It is the home of the wizards on the upper world. It was through them that I ...that I earned this blade."

The dwarves were astounded. "Mysidia really exists!"

Cecil nodded again. "I have met the Elder. He is praying for the world in his tower."

"Praying?" The king was excited now. "He must be praying for the Lunar Whale! Cecil, you must hurry to the upper world!"

"But the exit is sealed," Rosa offered gloomily.

"And we can't get to the Tower of Bab-Il any longer," Edge replied.

A voice from behind us called: "Then dig your way out!"

"Cid!" Cecil's eyes lit up.

"Look," said the old engineer, "I'll attach a drill to the head of the Falcon. You can get out that way."

"Are you ...shouldn't you be in bed?" Rosa asked, teasing.

"Oh, hush." He looked at her adoringly.

Edge took a step forward. "Can you really do it?"

"Who do you think I am?" Cid responded with a smile. "Piece of cake."

We picked up a few dwarf helpers and some materials and headed to the ship. Cid, of course, dragged Edge onboard to assist him with repairs. Much to my dismay, Edge kept turning and glancing in my direction, as if he were making sure I saw how helpful he was. Rosa poked me and grinned. "Look," she whispered. "That kid is taken with you."

I rolled my eyes. But the words wouldn't leave my head ...taken with you ...Rydia's got you whipped ...pretty girl? I looked at Edge with a new light. Just hours ago I had said to Rosa: I have no idea how affairs like that go. Was that ...could that explain why he had been so ...intimate with me that one morning?

I wasn't quite sure how I felt about this. My blood was rushing with sudden heat; I could feel his hand on my arm again, his strong grip around my waist. What was going on? I felt again the rush of electricity when his deep eyes met mine ...

I was watching him on the airship, pondering furiously. I saw him turn; slowly, slowly he turned his head. Some of that soft violet hair fell into his face as his eyes met mine. I couldn't move. He straightened, slowly, and then took a step - then another one. We were staring at each other, without blinking, in a rapture all our own. Suddenly I realized that I was studying him like I studied the fire, staring at him the way I stared only at my magic ...

I blinked, and just as suddenly realized that everyone was staring at us. My face flushed bright red and I turned away suddenly, shattering the dangerous connection. I could almost hear his thoughts ...no, I could!

Damn. Cid had grabbed his arm and was dragging him away from the edge of the airship, back to the work they were doing on the drill. She has gorgeous eyes. I want her to look at me like that all the time ...I'll lose it.

I heard Rosa laughing behind me. My face was flaming. What had I been thinking? I didn't mean to distract him. I didn't ...I didn't know much of anything right at that moment.

The dwarves and Edge were finishing up the drill; Cid was right in the middle of a sentence when he collapsed to the floor. Cecil and Rosa rushed to his side. He wasn't breathing and his face was pale. Rosa bent over him, washing him with invigorating magic, and soon he sat up weakly. Cecil scooped up the old man and carried him back to the dwarf infirmary. The nurses there placed him in his usual bed and bent over him. He looked at us, tired but still triumphant and teasing.

"Looks like the 'old windbag' should step out of the action," he said.

Rosa put her hands on her hips. "You've overworked yourself!"

He grinned weakly. "Other than fixin' airships, I don't seem to be much use anymore," he said, and coughed.

To my surprise, Edge approached the bed and grandly bent down on one knee to look at the old man. "My hat's off to you," he said. "You're really something."

A twinkle came into Cid's eye, and he glanced at me - I flushed - and then nodded to the prince.

"Get well, Cid," I offered.

"Take care of Cecil and Rosa," he replied.

"Don't worry," Edge said, standing smoothly. "Just stay here and rest."

"You take care," Cid said to Cecil and Rosa, but Rosa reprimanded: "You too, Cid!"

"Thanks for everything," Cecil began.

Cid struggled himself up in bed and said, mockingly angry: "Get outta here!"

We all laughed and boarded the ship. Cid had lightened the mood, and the promise of hope somewhere in Mysidia had lightened our hearts. The well-made drill bored through the ceiling of the Underground in no time and the airship soared up into the bright sky of the Overworld.

Cecil wasted no time; he piloted the airship directly to a small town on the coast. Mysidia! The legends were well-known, if somewhat antiquated, in the Land of Summons. I myself was excited to see the famed town. Wizards! With powers like mine!

We were immediately the center of attention as we walked in. It was obvious that everyone knew who Cecil was; they all treated him with reverence. They adored Rosa. But me? They looked at me with wonder. I could hear some of them thinking: Magic? Do you feel her magic? She's powerful! And she smells of monsters!

I wasn't sure what to think. Luckily I didn't have to decide; Cecil whisked us away into the main building of the town. We entered a building to see a tall man in a long, dark blue robe - the official robe of a powerful Sage. His face was lined with years and years, but he looked kindly and benign. He turned from his table and his face lit up when he saw Cecil. His eyes rested on each of us in turn, and I swear he smiled at me. But then he gestured, his long sleeves glimmering with embroidery:

"We have been waiting for you. Please follow me to the Tower of Worship."

We walked up a couple flights of stairs and came to a room full of wizards, both black and white, praying together. The room had tall walls of stone but was open to the sky and looked out over the vast ocean by Mysidia. I felt the power as soon as I entered. It filled my soul like a ray of sunshine. The air was suffused with light and radiance. I took a deep breath and sighed involuntarily. The Elder looked at me and smiled.

Yes, Rydia of Mist. You sense the power of Light.

I jumped. But before I could do anything the Elder had stepped forward to kneel on a heavy embroidered rug. He raised his arms, and the wizards around him joined him in prayer.

"One born of a dragon..."

The words were different, but I recognized the Prayer of Ordeals. I clasped my hands and bowed my head like I had been taught in the Underground. The feeling of ecstacy increased. I could feel the prayers empowering the very air around us until it was thick with promise.

"Pray, everyone!" The Elder raised his arms higher. "It is time to make our legend come true!"

I now saw why the tower faced the ocean. Over it, tiny bits of light were coming together, fusing into ...some shape. The sea beneath was roiling, shimmering with its own power. The Elder saw this and closed his eyes. "Look! Our prayer has been answered!"

The wizards all dropped to their knees. The lights came together; the monstrous shape approached the town slowly. As it came closer, a wondrous feeling came over me. The mass of light settled down on the shore, and the light faded ...

It was a ship. A giant airship of monstrous proportions, shining brightly. A giant ceiling curved over the base, and a large tale protruded from the back. It was laced with strong dark wooden supports and shimmering metal bindings. The Lunar Whale. It was beautiful.

We were all gaping at the giant ship when the Elder turned to Cecil and said calmly, "I heard a voice during our prayers. Someone awaits you on the moon, Cecil."

"What?" He turned in a flash to face the Elder. "How ...who? And how do we, er, get there?"

"The Lunar Whale actually came from the moon," the Elder said. "Inside is a flight crystal which will send you to our moon."

"I'll see what I can do," Cecil said slowly. He looked at us, the question in his eyes.

Finally I blurted out: "But it's the moon!"

The Elder laughed. "You will be quite safe." Then he looked at me, almost fiercely. Afraid, Rydia of Mist?

What?

I know what you are.

I blinked. Cecil was talking to Rosa; Edge was hanging off the tower balcony trying to get a better look of the ship. What do you mean? Speak plainly!

It is good for our world that you were hidden from Golbez's gaze so soon.

I have no idea what you're talking about, I thought fiercely in his direction. I don't even know why you're mad at me.

Not mad, child of Mist. I am testing you.

I had nothing to say to that. Why is it ...why do you say it was a good thing that Golbez ...whatever you said.

I can feel the most sacred of magics stirring themselves in your blood, Rydia. Flare, Meteo, and the forbidden spells: they will give themselves to you if you ask. If you are willing to pay the price. Can you imagine what Golbez could do with you in his clutches, not Kain?

I was furious. You actually think I'd join him? I am bound to Cecil! There's no way!

And the Elder smiled. That was what I wanted to hear, daughter. With all of your heart and soul behind it. Beware, Rydia. And be careful. If you ask, any door will open. And he left.

Only later did I realize what he had said about the forbidden and sacred magics. But my choice was made.

We boarded the majestic ship. Inside was a small cabin, shimmering with strange light. Beyond that was a small room with oddly shaped but comfortable beds. Beyond that was a place to store extra weapons and items that we could not carry. After exploring we all gathered in the front cabin, standing in a semicircle around a shining crystal.

"Are you ready?" Cecil asked us.

We nodded.

Cecil touched the crystal.

The ship took off smoothly, engines making the floor below our feet murmur. No one wanted to move; we were all somewhat afraid of what may happen. The ship was soaring, lightly, traveling faster than we had ever thought possible; but the ride was smooth, almost enjoyable. Finally the ship lighted on something. The engines slowly quieted, standing by. Cecil wrenched himself away to look out the window.

"Well," he whispered. "We're here."

As one we all ran to the portholes. The moon! The rock was violet, and blue, and gray, and glowed faintly. There were outcroppings of brownish caves standing around. The ground was littered with large crystalline growths. And the sky - black, blacker than the Underground, sprinkled with stars ...

Rosa gasped. "Look! A castle!"

Far away stood a high tower - no, three. Made of some shimmering blue glass, three slender spikes twined their way into the night sky. Cecil gently flew the Lunar Whale past. We could not get there directly, so he landed the ship on a nearby ledge and we prepared to explore for the right path.

Edge stood by the door, obviously eager. "Come on! Let's go!"

I stammered, "But - but it's the moon!"

Edge laughed at me and jumped onto the surface.

We followed, slowly, picking our way through rock and crystal and occasionally horrible, twisted-looking monsters. We entered one cave; the walls were lined with gray and silver, the metals in the rock twisting into delicate spikes. The cave led us to another cave. After a bit of exploration, that cave led us to the foot of the castle. Cecil took a breath and walked inside.

"Welcome!"

The voice was loud and booming. We all jumped and immediately drew our weapons. But the sound of chuckling came from before us - a familiar and safe chuckling, like a wizened old man. We walked forward slowly. Before us was a tall dark pedestal. Atop it was a bright silver light. As we watched, the light grew, until it coalesced into a vaguely humanoid shape.

"Thank you for coming."

The light dimmed and before us we could see what looked like an old man under a profusely long pile of hair. He wore deep purple robes in some foreign style and had a thin silver crown atop his head above a pronounced widow's peak. From his head and chin flowed long, silky white hair. He looked ancient.

"Who are you?" Cecil asked, the fear in his voice replaced with wonderment.

"I am FuSoYa, Guardian of the Lunarians."

"Lunarians?" Rosa had approached Cecil's side and clasped his hand.

The old man nodded, his long beard swishing. "Millennia ago," he began, "there was a planet between Mars and Jupiter that was about to be destroyed by a fearsome power. Those who survived escaped on ships and headed for the blue planet."

"The blue planet?" Cecil was thinking. "Our ...our home?"

"Yes," the old man said, "Earth. But the people of Earth were still evolving. The survivors did not want to interfere, so they created another moon, where they now sleep."

"And these survivors ...they're the Lunarians," Edge said. "And are they still sleeping?"

"Some did not want to sleep." FuSoYa's voice became dark. "One schemed to destroy the evolving people of Earth and take over the planet."

I gasped. "Who?"

The Lunarian continued. "I forced him to sleep, but his thoughts were too powerful. His will has corrupted many, leading them to gather the crystals."

Cecil nodded. "Golbez ...being one of them."

"So," Edge said impatiently, "Who is it?"

"Zemus." The Lunarian said it as if it were a curse. "He needs the Crystals, which are an energy source, to activate the Giant of Bab-Il and annihilate life on Earth. We Lunarians know this is wrong. We are waiting for the people of the Blue Planet to learn and grow and commune with us."

"What about ..." There was something on Cecil's mind. "What about the Lunar Whale?"

FuSoYa smiled. "My brother, KluYa, made it long ago to travel to the Blue Planet. He taught your people about airships and the Serpent Road. He also ..." The Lunarian drew a breath and a look of kindness crossed his face. "He fell in love with a woman of earth and bore two children. You are one, Cecil."

It was as if someone had sucked all of the air out of the room. We were all staring at Cecil, so we all saw the incredulous look of wonder pass over his face. I found myself believing it almost immediately. There had always been something about Cecil; even as a six-year-old child I had known that he was some sort of special person, some nobility. Rosa's eyes met mine for a second and I saw that she agreed with me.

"Me?" Cecil whispered. "Then - the Light at Mount Ordeals - it must be..."

FuSoYa smiled. "The spirit of your father, no doubt. You resemble KluYa."

Cecil looked at him, shocked, but he had to smile at the peaceful look on the old man's face. Well met, uncle, I heard him think as the smile deepened.

"That Light," Cecil whispered, "that Light is my father..."

The Light of Ordeals? It hit me suddenly; Cecil was descended from an old ancient legend! The creatures of the Land of Summons treated the Light of Ordeals like a deity; it was as if Cecil were the child of a god!

"KluYa gave you his power to fight Zemus," FuSoYa said sternly to Cecil. "We must stop him - for the sake of our two races. We must hurry to the Tower of Bab-Il!"

"But," Edge said hesitantly, "the Tower's shielded."

"I can neutralize the shield," the Lunarian said almost flippantly. "I will come with you. Now we must hurry!"

We retreated to the Lunar Whale and headed back to our planet. So much was going on; I was confused and distracted. We've been to the moon and back; Cecil's the son of one of our most powerful legends; and there's a sleeping Lunarian who's trying to destroy our world. Somehow through all the commotion I found myself grinning. At least I didn't have to worry about purpose anymore!

We landed on the earth very near to Mysidia, but at once the airship was caught in a giant explosion. The air was shaking; the sky was dark and forbidding. Something flashing caught my eye out the window.

"The Tower of Bab-Il?" Cecil was incredulous.

FuSoYa sighed and bowed his head. "We are too late."

"Too late?" Edge asked sharply. "Too late for what?"

The old man looked up at us, ages of wisdom and sorrow in his eyes. "The Giant of Bab-Il is about to appear..."