Antithesis Chapter 3 Beacon midattraction, a final fantasy viii fanfic

ANTITHESIS

Chapter 3

Beacon mid-attraction

"How long will you run?"

Edea woke to the Seneschal's voice. The question was posed quietly and rhetorically.

"Until he is dead."

Edea rose and leaned against the wall. The vigilant knight sat against the far wall, wrapped in hides similar to the ones little Xu had snuggly tucked around her tiny form. The child was absolutely cherubic in sleep. . .who could believe that this angelic creature had been brutally abused every day of her young life?

"So. . .you didn't kill him. How unfortunate." Vesper interrupted Edea's musings. Edea just shook her head 'no'. "Well- I promise that your nightmare will end soon." Vesper continued. "I will gut him myself, when the time comes. And it is imminent."

"It. . ." Edea tried to wrap her mind around that fact. "Vesper? You're going to kill him?"

"Would you mind if we did?" The elder woman asked softly. Edea's hands clenched at her sides.

"I would mind if it were an honorable or swift death. . ." She hissed. Vesper chuckled darkly.

"Then I will make it slow and painful. I will contradict my vows in this instance, for no one has the right to do the things he has done- to you, to your child, nor to the people of Esthar. My order will ensure that justice is served to those who are hungry for it."

"The Hyenite order. . ." Edea whispered. The alien epithet rolled off her tongue and into the conversation. Vesper nodded darkly and massaged her own neck.

"That's correct. I am Seneschal of the order."

"What. . .does that exactly mean?" Edea asked, feeling especially ignorant. She never claimed to be worldly, but she was embarrassed to reveal her inexperience and artlessness. Vesper raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry. . .I. . .probably should know, but I've lived a very sheltered, then very isolated life. . ."

"No- actually, in fact, you really shouldn't know. Which is why I'm not going to tell you." Vesper responded. Edea hung her head- her luxurious, dark tresses tumbled into her eyes and placed a silken barrier between the young woman and her social better. Realizing that she'd been a little tart in her statement, Seneschal Trepe flashed a brilliant smile and continued. "However- you may know that we are an organization working for the good of all peoples, of all nations. The leaders of our order promote peace and spirituality and speak the word of Hyne. . . they are truly wise and benevolent people. But. . .since I am not one of those leaders, I tend to give into justice through violent vengeance. And. . .I will protect you, if you need it. So. . .be comforted." She stood and brushed herself off, glancing around the cabin. Her eyes fell on Xu. "Edea- I'm afraid that you'll most likely need our help. You have Antonyas' child. Which means you've stolen some of Adel's property. The man-goddess will most definitely seek to reclaim what is hers, and I'm sure Lynyyd's male-ego will need to be stitched and sewn- most likely with the fibers of your carcass."

"Your metaphors are vile." Edea chuckled and stroked Xu's hair. "But she's not Lynyyd's child, and he knows it. I almost wish she was- then. . .at least he'd consider sparing her life. He. . .will revel in her death, even more than in mine. . ."

"I won't ask about the father, but it warms my heart to know they share no chromosomes." Vesper fell silent as Martine entered the room with a tray of rations.

"Not much left. . ." He muttered wearily, passing the food and wine to the ladies.

"Then I suggest you stop glutting yourself and tighten your belt- I know you're a growing boy, but it's not fair to anyone else if you continue to grow while we shrink." Vesper downed a stainless-steal cup of wine. Rolling his eyes, he offered some crusty bread and dried meats to Edea.

"She has a witty remark for everything- I hear it's gonna get'er kicked out of the order. . ."

"Your lack of wit is what's keeping you out in the first place." Vesper replied with yet another sharp remark. Edea had to giggle. Growling, the young man slunk against the wall beside Edea.

"That's not true, y'know." He explained to the young Galbadian woman, chomping on stale bread. "You have to be eighteen to be officially inducted and have to go through five years of squirehood and a year of sponsoring. I still have two more years. . ."

"Martine, you stupid thing- what would Cid say if he knew you tossing out secrets here there and everywhere?"

The young squire fell silent, Vesper's admonishment obviously well-founded. Edea choked down a gritty piece of jerky.

"Who's Cid?"

"He's a master Templar." Martine replied with a grin. "He's my mentor and and my sponsor- I've been training with him for three years and. . ."

"Martine!" Vesper whipped her emptied steel cup at the chatty boy's head. He ducked out of instinct and the metal slapped against the wall with a ping.

Little Xu stirred. . .but turned in her make-shift bed and stuck her thumb in between her lips and sighed.

"Lookit whatchyou did, Vesper! You almost woke the kid up! I'm sure her matron wouldn't appreciate that. . ." Martine huffed. Ignoring the boy, Vesper turned to Edea.

"Why 'matron'?"

"Pardon me?" Edea asked, drowning her wine. The look on Vesper's face was intense and critical.

"Why does she call you matron? You are her mother, aren't you? Is this her reasoning or yours? Surely a child should be able to address her creator properly. Doesn't it hurt you to hear her speak that cold label?" They met eyes. Edea shook her head.

"Does it sound cold? I. . .don't mean it to be. It's just that. . ." She paused to gather her thoughts. "Antonyas always made fun of the way Xu called out to me- the way she said Mama and mother. It's beautiful, and I miss hearing her say it, but it's too distinct. Anyone who's been to the Lynyyd manor has heard Xu address me. It's easy enough to change a child's appearance, which we will do as soon as we get to an available location, but the mannerisms and inflections are ingrained, so. . .I thought that I could start to train her. . .us, really. . .with games. This make believe fantasy world will become who we are, but it'll take a little conditioning." Edea sighed. Vesper accepted the answer. "I remember, as a young child in Dollet, there was a woman with fifteen birth children and ten adopted. All the children in the neighborhood loved her and we called her matron because she took care of all of us. I. ..think she was a type of role-model for me. So. . .I took on that title. I. . hope I can live up to it."

"Well. ..any woman willing to pump out fifteen watermelon sized social-drains through a passage the diameter of a toothbrush is definitely brave. So you have something in common. . ." Vesper murmured ironically. Martine rolled his eyes.

"Wow. . comments like that make me glad that you took a vow of chastity. I'd honestly feel bad for any fruity, social-drain that you produced."

Vesper ignored Martine's comment and continued to nibble at her tastless rations. An odd silence fell over the lot.

"We. . .should reach the coast by mid-day." Vesper announced, slicing through the eerie silence. "We'll drop you off at the lighthouse like we promised, and, if you need to, I'll send a message out for you when Martine and I return home. Is this adequate?"

"Yes-perfect. Thank you." Edea replied quietly, stroking Xu's bangs from her forehead.

"Vesper- why don't we just bring them with us to the Temple?" Martine interjected thoughtfully. "Y'know, there's plenty of room, and they can contact whoever from there and. ..oh." The stupid squire bit his lip nervously and fell silent all of a sudden. It was easy for Edea to deduce why by glancing at Vesper's enraged face.

"You really are a dunce- aren't you? Don't you think I would've offered if I didn't know that Seto would skin me? I mean- I like to piss him off as much as the next knight, but, hell Martine, I know that the combination of his diatribes/lecture and hours of forced meditation would drive me to suicide. Cid's taken the brunt of his blows for the last few stupid things I've done- I can't ask him to handle yet another of Seto's furious backlashes. Edea. . .I'm sorry that we can't extend. . ."

"No, Vesper. You've already done so much for us." Edea interrupted quickly. She knew they would simply be a burden. They were a burden to themselves already. "Besides, I would really like to check on the old lighthouse- I haven't been there since before my father passed away. And I've been telling Xu nostalgic stories about the place- I wouldn't want to disappoint her now. . ."

"No. You wouldn't." The Seneschal agreed, nodding sagely. "She's a very strong-minded and opinionated little girl, strangely enough. And, truly, she deserves all the happiness in the world. . . no matter how small and insignificant it may seem to others." Vesper stood, arching her lean back like cat and placing a delicate hand to her yawning mouth. "Well- I suppose I should get some sleep. Martine-make sure the ladies are provided for, okay? Then I want you to go check on the captain and bring him some tea. The poor man's barely caught a wink since we left the Shumi commune, and I doubt he'll rest before Centra. Get him some caffeine before he impales himself on the steering wheel spikes. Those things are a little dangerous." Yawning again, the beautiful knight waved and ascended the stairs leading from the hold to the main deck. Martine raised an eyebrow in Edea's general direction.

"Do. . .you ladies need anything?" He winked twice. Groaning internally, Edea waved him off.

"No, Martine, but thank you. Now. . .why don't you get some rest yourself. You're absolutely the dead walking tonight. You weren't even trying to hold your own against Vesper's wit. I was a little disappointed with the repartee this evening."

Martine grinned and scratched his head. "Yeah- y'know. I just don't function real well when I'm hungry. And, frankly, all this boat food makes me nauseous. You'd think that woman would'a stuffed some chocolate or sweets somewhere to sate her PMS or somethin', but she's such a well oiled-machine that she has no need! I know- I've searched every friggin crack 'n cranny of the whole boat. No Need. Of chocolate! Hell! I'm craving so bad, I'm just gonna glut myself when we get back to the Temple. I'm so hungry. . ." He moaned, holding his stomach. Edea chuckled.

"If I had anything, I'd lend a hand. But I don't even have a sugar cube, Martine. I'm very sorry."

"That's okay. .."The boy sniffled, rubbing his stomach. "I'm just gonna go to bed and dream of it. It's a bit of a tease, but at least I'll be unconscious. Good night." He waved and jogged up the narrow stairway. Edea curled up against Xu, her rambunctious angel, and fell into a heavenly sleep

*~*~*

"Matron, oh, matron! Look! There it is! Oh! It's so big and beautiful!" Xu squealed, pointing a quivering finger at the tall, white column glistening in the late-morning sun. Edea had to admit that the lighthouse was a sight for sore, tired eyes.

"You're right, Xuey." She acknowledged. "That's the lighthouse my father helped build when he was young, and he would bring my sister and I here so we could look in the telescope and swim in the ocean. We didn't come very often, because it was so far away, but. . .I did. . .do. . .love it here."

"Then I will too." Xu spoke cogently.

"Now. . .will you have everything you need?" Vesper interrupted, suddenly appearing from the hold. Edea nodded a response.

"Yes. There's a water purifier in the basement as well as a cold cellar full of non perishables and canned goods. We stocked up just in case there was ever an emergency with a passing ship. Luckily, there never was and there's still a significant hoard."

"And clothing- you have enough?" Vesper asked, glancing over at the little bundle of joy who was still scurrying around in her turquoise snow-suit and ratty galoshes. Edea nodded again.

"There's extra there too. Once we get to Galbadia, I'll finalize our identity makeover."

"Yes, and about Galbadia. . ."Vesper produced a pad of paper and a blue, ball point pen. "I need you to write down all the vital information concerning your transmission. Names, title, number, message, et cetera. . ." The blonde Seneschal handed the Galbadian girl the materials. Edea scrawled down as much information as she possibly could.

"I. . .don't know the number. In fact. . .I'm not even sure where she is right now. . ."

"Great." Vesper groaned teasingly. "Who is this?"

"My sister, Rose. . no. . .I'm pretty sure she's calling herself. . .let's see If I've gotten this right. . Evana Bo-cha-skee-ya. . .It's something like that."Edea added hurriedly."But. . .she's in the Galbadia armed forces, so you can reach her through them."

"Alright." Edea handed Vesper her note, which the knight read carefully. "So. . .You need her to somehow send a vessel to come and pick you up, quietly. . ."

"Our family has ship- It's fairly old, but Rose knows how to pilot it and she could get here in less than a week."

"All right. . .So. . ."Vesper folded the paper meticulously and stuffed it in her belt sachel. " You're sure that you'll be alright? I'm feeling a little uneasy about this. . .maybe I should leave Martine with you."

"Yes!"

"No!"

Xu squealed in delight and Martine shouted in protestation. Vesper chuckled.

"Someone has an admirer. . ."

"Vesper, sod off. . ." Martine stuck his tongue out.

"Don't worry about us," Edea inserted. "We'll be okay out here, as long as that message goes out. I never mentioned this place to Antonyas, so we should be safe. . ."

Vesper was obviously unsure of the idea, but, since there were very few options available, she accepted Edea's explanation and checked the life boat for the duo.

"It's solid and the sea's calm. We'll stand by just to ensure that you get to the shore. We can't get any closer on this shoreline."

"I understand. . ." Edea whispered softly.

"Edea. . ."

"Thank you so much Vesper. You. . .saved our lives." Edea's amber eyes met Vesper's cerulean ones. "And I don't think I'll ever be able to forget you. . ."

"Edea- I'm quite sure we'll meet again. This world is much cozier than people give it credit. But, so farewell, for now- you are an amazing young woman, and your child is a jewel in the rough." Seneschal Vesper Trepe bowed low. "May Hyne bless you and your child in this endeavor and protect you from your plaguing demons."

"Thank you, Seneschal." Edea bowed gracefully in acceptance of the blessing.

"It's all ready, Edea." Martine announced, securing the last pulley.

"Keep the boat, Edea. . .just in case." Vesper whispered. The Galbadian nodded gently as she picked up her wriggling package and secured them both in the dinghy.

"Thanks again. . ."

"Stop it." Vesper interrupted with a smile. "Take care of yourselves."

"We will." Chimed Xu. Then turning to Martine, she giggled mercilessly." Byeeee stoopid squire. . ."

"Bye squirt- I hope you turn into a moom-ba some day." Martine ruffled her hair.

"Don't encourage her. . ."Edea rolled her eyes.

"bye miss Edea- come visit, y'hear?" Martine winked. It was Vesper's turn to roll her eyes.

"Vesper. . ."

". . .So long."

The ship was lowered to the rippling surface of the gray-green sea. Edea pulled at the mechanism and instantly the small boat skidded across the water toward the land. The far flung sea spray was so white and thick that she couldn't even catch a last glimpse of the only friends she'd known in six years.

Had she been a weaker person, she would've shed a tear.