Chapter 13 The Corpse Exposed

"Left, right, left, right - " Rinoa muttered as she frowned at the intersection. Seifer was beside himself with irritation. "For Hyne's sake, woman! Make up your mind! We can't be hanging here all day!"

"Oh shut up." She snapped. "Do you remember in which direction is the Throne Room? I'd avoid any blunders if I were you."

"We're in this together, and I say we go left.' Seifer decided matter-of- factly but Rinoa did not seem convinced. Seifer's senses were alert for any sign of the enemy, but the whole castle was silent. Apparently the soldier was still out cold.

"I think we should go right." Rinoa said after a while. "I thought I passed that coat of arms just now. we go right."

Seifer was about to answer to that when something caught his eye. With a yell he brandished his sword. "Ghost!!!"

Rinoa spun around and her blood turned cold. Protruding out from the wall behind her was a ghastly head, dull gray in color and with glittering yellow eyes. It looked like a pile of sludge with a face. And it was grinning horribly. "Righty, Lefty, what should it be.?"

"Vysage!!!" Rinoa yelled and in a flash was behind Seifer. Vysage cackled - a dry, rasping sound. "I see you need help.shall I show you the way.?"

"What are you?" Seifer yelled and slashed madly, but Vysage simply ducked away, like he was part of the wall or something. "He's an Ortagon, Seifer!!!" Rinoa hissed. Out of the blue a hand traveled down from the ceiling and came within proportion of the disembodied head. "What noise you're making, Princess. come with me."

"Run!" Seifer yelled and they broke into a sprint, but didn't go very far - a hand suddenly popped out of the ground and halted them. Vysage's head soon rose out of the stone, grinning like mad. "This is not the right way." He began advancing towards the two, and Seifer turned around to run the opposite way, but was stopped again by another phantom hand. Rinoa clenched her fists. There must be a way to escape Vysage!

Call me...

Rinoa blinked. Who was it? A soft, melodious voice, warm, like Mother...

Call me...

Who is it...? Her mind began to whirl as a cold wind invaded her senses, slowly prying her body out of control.

"Diamond Dust!!!!"

Seifer watched, openmouthed as Rinoa was surrounded by green light and the floor suddenly turned cold, freezing Vysage and his hands. A huge ice formation suddenly burst up from the ground and inside was the trapped body of a woman, glaring at Vysage. A blinding light enveloped them and Vysage howled as a million icicles slashed through him.

Seifer could only blink as Rinoa came out of her trance. ".Shiva." She whispered hoarsely. But whatever it was, it worked. Vysage had disappeared. But the Ortagons were not finished yet. Even as one fell, the others continued...

"What in frickin' hell is THAT?!" Zell yelled as he narrowly escaped a lightning bolt. Lightning bolts don't appear out of nowhere, and in an instant Squall knew, and especially not in large, dark, castle corridors - "An Ortagon!"

"We're so near..." Irvine grit his teeth. Selphie was furious. "Hey big guy! Do you think it's funny to singe my hair?!" She yelled furiously and Irvine groaned out loud. "You and your hair preoccupations! Don't you have any other - "

"Watch out!" A voice cried and Irvine was pushed aside as another lightning bolt hit the spot he was standing on.

Irvine dazedly got up as his savior jumped out and pulled out a staff with blades on either end. "Who - "

"Zidane!" Zell yelled in relief as the puckish thief grinned. "You would have been fried there, my man." He nodded at Irvine. The Knight frowned. He had seen this guy in the caravan... "What are you doing here?!"

"Sent by the pretty blonde." Zidane grunted and looked around. "Where's the enemy?"

"Looking for me...?" A loud hiss, followed by a buzz and suddenly a creature came out of the shadows, its eyes blazing. It looked like a huge wasp, except it had three spikes protruding out of its back, and these sparks were crackling with electricity. "So you defeated Sphinx - impressive."

"Scared, aren't you?" Zell taunted. "Buzz of!"

"I take that pun was not intended!" The bug hissed. "I, Tri-Point will make you regret!"

"Save the vows for later." Zidane grunted and swung his weapon again. But Tri-Point was fast. "Useless..."

"He's a smug one." Selphie grimaced. "Here, Irvine, he's yours."

"Oh? Chickening out, lady?" Irvine tipped his hat as Selphie drew up to her maximum height - which was not much. "That does it mister!" She shrieked. "When we get to the Princesses, I'll whoop your sorry ass!"

"WILL YOU TWO STOP IT?!" Squall roared, and the two turned to Squall, who was defending himself from Tri-Point's attacks. "If you don't get here fast I'll be the one to whoop you!"

"We're so scared," Selphie said sarcastically as she drew out her nunchaku. Zell glanced at Squall, who looked utterly furious. "Royalty don't get much respect, huh?"

Squall grit his teeth.

Meanwhile, Irvine was thinking fast. They were attracting a lot of noise - if this is one Ortagon, he couldn't imagine if help arrived...

"Ranzekuken!!!" Squall yelled as he repeatedly slashed at Tri-Point, ignoring the electrically charged air. Selphie whistled. "Woo-hoo... that ought to hurt."

"Let's go!" Irvine hissed as Trip-Point exploded into bug mush. They ran down a corridor, lead by Selphie. "Exactly where are we headed?" Zidane asked her critically. Selphie ignored him. In truth, she herself wasn't sure where to go. The castle was under siege - where was the Regent and Queen? And what happened to Princess Ellone?

Selphie came to a pair of double doors and with surprising strength, kicked them open. They rushed in and stopped dead.

Ultimecia smiled twistedly as the team stopped abruptly. Behind her, the Regent and Queen were held by an enormous golden machine, squirming helplessly. "Regent Cid!" Selphie cried but the Regent warned her to stay away.

"A pretty party. "The Empress snarled. "So you called for help, Cid? Then you leave me no choice but violence..."

"No, please!" Edea cried. "Empress, please listen to us!"

"You'll do the listening. I'll do the scheming around here." She laughed wickedly and turned to Squall and the others. "So You have defeated two of my Knights - commendable, but your vain crusade ends here." She raised her arms to release a spell but was halted by a series of loud explosions coming from outside. Frowning, she walked to the windows and narrowed her eyes. "So..."

The City of Trabia was in flames, and in the midst of the chaos she saw several figures battling with her soldiers, slowly making their way to the castle. "Who are they?!" She snarled angrily and whirled around to face Regent Cid. "Fool! You'll pay for this tomfoolery!" before she could say another word the side doors burst open and Seifer and Rinoa burst into the room. Her eyes widened when she saw the Regent and his wife, but Seifer was looking that way. He had seen Squall.

"Ah, so the party is complete." Ultimecia laughed triumphantly. "Vysage has brought you to me."

"We killed Vysage!" Seifer growled, but Ultimecia seemed amused. "Oh dear, he must be quite furious. But enough of this. I will have the Guardians and the heads of you! Trauma!" She called the golden giant and it whirred in reply. "Since you do not wish to disclose the whereabouts of the Princess, then I will hang your heads in the marketplace - ahahaha!!!"

She's insane... Rinoa's head was spinning. She's gone truly crazy.

Release me...

Rinoa felt the coldness again, and Shiva was speaking to her, imploring to be set free. "No... I can't - "

The doors suddenly burst open again and Squall nearly fell as he saw King Loire, Princess Ellone, Quistis and Dagger storm in. "Dagger!" Zidane croaked, turning white. His wife was not pleased. "You'll have your go when we get back!' She hissed angrily and gave him a smart knock on the head with a racket. Squall instantly dropped down to one knee, as did Seifer. "Father!!"

King Loire was regarding the scene with distaste. His eyes fell on the Empress and his lip curled. "Empress Ultimecia."

"King Loire, what a delightful meeting." She purred and her eyes gleamed. "Princess Ellone..."

"You monster, unhand my parents!" Ellone was furiously kicking at Trauma's lower half. Ultimecia nodded and it slowly lowered the Regent and Queen. They embraced their daughter happily.

"I don't seem to see your soldiers, King Loire." Ultimecia narrowed her golden eyes and King Loire gripped his sword. "I knew what you were up to, Empress. They're not moving an inch from Balamb."

"So...you have... ruffians fighting for you?" She looked out once again and Zidane snarled. "Don't insult my family, sorceress!"

Squall eyed Quistis who promptly went down on one knee. "Forgive me for disobeying your orders, Commander! But King Loire implored me to come with him..."

"It's not her fault, son." King Loire nodded. Squall shook his head helplessly.

"A truly historical moment." Ultimecia laughed. "The heads of two warring nations, together in a same room... Hereby, King Loire of Esthar - " She paused, eyes glittering strangely. "I propose... a merger."

The air seemed to hang suddenly. Seifer was beside himself with repulsion. "A merger?!"

"Or shall I put it in better terms... a royal wedding." She swept her arm to Rinoa, who stood rooted to the spot. "Between my Crown Princess, and your Crown Prince."

Rinoa felt herself turn slightly red. Marriage? With... Seifer?! She could see the prince looked uncomfortable too. "But Mother..."

"Surely you prefer to end this... endless war, King Loire?" Ultimecia's voice was soft and silky, but anyone could tell the underlying threat.

King Loire was in a quandary. On the surface, it was the perfect idea - Galbadia and Esthar can finally put aside old feuds and will be at peace, at last. But knowing the Empress, she certainly has a different purpose. Yet, if he declines, it would seem that he was the one who refused peace, and this will cause trouble in the long run. But with such a merger, he could be assured of the Guardians' safety... he heaved a long sigh.

"An... excellent proposition, Empress, I commend you. But it's best if you confer with your daughter beforehand... I don't think my son would want an unwilling wife."

Rinoa turned red and shyly scuffled the carpeting with one foot. "I... have no objections, Mother."

Seifer turned truly the purest scarlet.

"Very well." King Loire nodded slowly. "Then it shall be announced. The royal wedding between Prince Seifer Almasy of Esthar, and Princess Rinoa Heartily of Galbadia."

Empress Ultimecia tapped her chin amusedly. "But King Loire, that doesn't seem right!"

His blood turned cold. "What do you mean, Empress?"

"I mean, that you are not being honest. The wedding should be between the Crown Prince and Princess... therefore, I believe... it is your other prince;"

"Prince Squall Leonhart," She finished with a triumphant smile.

Author's note: Seen that coming? I didn't! Muahaha... as the procedure goes: Reviews, please? Just a simple word would do! Thank you!