Chapter 8: The Mage's Cavern

As Zidane and company traveled towards the Kingdom of Lindblum, and as Dagger and her friends desperately awaited Regent Cid's news about Zidane and Blank, the Princess of Alexandria was being dragged into the darkness of the Earth.

After the battle in the air with Baku's ship, the Mage's traveled back to their secret hiding. It was a dark cave on the Forgotten Continent, away from civilization.

"Did you bring the girl!" a voice boomed out of the cave. The Mage's were just coming out of the ship, carrying Taira on their shoulders. There were noticeably fewer Mage's than before they departed, and the mysterious figure noticed it.

"What happened? Did you get the girl?" the secret voice boomed again.

"Yes, Master, but we suffered a great loss." A mage replied. He was obviously the Head Mage as he was the biggest and was the only one of his color.Gold.

"Who cares? I can always make some more of you idiots. Now, let me see the girl."

The Gold Mage grabbed the girl from the other mages and carried her into the darkness. Taira was still asleep from the Sleeping Spell they put on her. The Mage continued through the darkness, carrying the sleeping child in his arms. The Gold Mage walked deeper into cave, darker and deeper. Light didn't dwell in a place like this. The only thing you saw was the pair of eyes the Mage had. The sound of metal hitting metal echoed the cave. Some kind of machine was running, and the sounds got louder with every step the Mage took. Finally, the Mage stopped and opened a hidden door and stepped inside.

//Back at Lindblum Castle//

"Uncle! Have you found Zidane yet?!?!" cried Dagger as she ran towards the King of Lindblum. Dagger has been up all night, staying awake so she could be the first to hear any news. However, her body took control and she dozed off. The sun was now up, and after her long rest, Dagger jumped out of bed and ran towards her Uncle's room.

"Calm down child. My messenger just came in this morning, and they said there was no trace of him in the Evil Forest. However, they did find remains of a campfire and some dropped supplies."

"Oh, Uncle!" Dagger wept as she fell into her Uncle's arms. "I can't stand this anymore."

"It'll be alright. Trust me." Regent Cid replied as he tried to console her niece. As Dagger's tears soaked into his, he closed his eyes and prayed to the Gods for help. Suddenly, something crashed through the roof of the castle. The impact caused Dagger and Regent Cid collapse to the floor. It was the Mage Ship! Dozens of mages jumped off the sip and landed on the floor, surrounding Dagger and Regent Cid. The Gold Mage stepped up and ordered the mages to find Eiko. "Find the other little girl!" the Gold Mage barked. The rest of the mages left the room, leaving the Gold Mage alone with the two of them.

"Leave my daughter alone!" Regent Cid shouted as he jumped off the floor and ran towards the mage. The mage flicked his hand in front of him and a flame appeared in his hand. With another flick of the wrist he sent the fireball flying and hit Regent Cid in the stomach. He fell to floor and fell unconscious. Dagger leaped to her collapsed uncle and tried to use her Curaga spell. The mage quickly broke the spell as he knocked Dagger onto the floor.

"MUHAHAHAHA! You can't destroy me alone! You're magic has gotten weaker. Now you will both die!" the Mage grinned as he raised his hands above his head. Dagger closed her eyes and awaited the final blow, but she heard a blast and opened her eyes to see the Gold Mage flying across the room.

"She can't beat you alone, but I can!" Vivi cried as he came running into the room. Vivi stood there, coat flying, eyes blazing, and ready for another attack. The Gold Mage looked at Vivi with a pair of blazing eyes of his own.

"You can't beat me! I was specially created to be the strongest Mage alive! MUHAHAHA!" the evil mage laughed. The Gold Mage closed his fist and fired an Ice spell towards Vivi. Vivi quickly deflected the spell with a Fire spell and flipped backward. While in the air, Vivi sent a Thundaga spell zipping towards the mage. The mage was struck and fell on his knees.

Suddenly, the mages returned with Eiko in their filthy hands. Only 5 mages came back, the other were still fighting the guards.

"We have the girl!" the mages said.

"Hurry! To the ship!" the Gold Mage replied quickly. They ran towards the ship as carrying Eiko in their hands. The Gold Mage looked back at Vivi with a confused look. How could he be stronger than me? The Mage continued to look into Vivi's eyes, but Vivi wasn't looking back. He turned to see what Vivi was looking at. There was Stenier.sword in the air.

"Firaga Sword!" Steiner shouted as Vivi cast the spell into his Excalibur. Steiner jumped and hit the mage carrying Eiko. Eiko was tossed into the air and landed with a hard thud. The rest of the mages fled, including the Gold Mage. Before Vivi could cast his Flare attack on the ship, it vanished into thin air.