Chapter 2) The General
"I don't think he's the one… I probably made a mistake, my lord!" Delita heard as he awoke.
"Don't kid yourself, Janet! The boy has what seems to be muscle… he looks like the one to play the role, it'll all work out as planned" A grey haired man told her.
"What plan? What are you going to do to me? Where the hell am I!?" Delita panicked.
"Calm down…" Janet got on her knees to put a hand on his shoulder.
"Take the boy to rest… we'll be ready to go in the morning" The old man left the room.
Janet turned quickly, "G-Good night sir!" She cried hoping he'd hear her. But there was no response… "Hmm…" She sighed.
"Get away from me!" Delita backed up towards a wall. "Please!"
"What seems to be the matter?" She asked.
Delita glared, " What's the matter… What the hell do you think is the matter!? What the hell do you want me here for?" He yelled as continued to panic.
Janet sighed; "It's for your own benefit you know" She looked at the boy who still continued to try and back away from her, though he was backing into a wall…
"Could you just tell me what it is?" Delita struggled to get the answer from her…
"We're going to make you a hero… Delita" She said.
"I don't want to be a hero! I want to go home!" He cried.
Janet shook her head, "I'm sorry… I knew it would turn out this way" She looked up at him.
Delita looked up at her, whimpering, "Turn out?"
"Like you, I don't want to be a slaved psycic… but it is my destiny… you are the chosen one for this path"
"Why don't you and I runaway then? I don't want to be here, and you don't either, right?" Delita suggested.
Janet stroked her hand through her long blond hair, "I wish it were that simple too…"
"I've been used all my life! I don't want to be used again once more! Everyone I love has been killed because of me! If I didn't let father Beoulve take me and Teta… maybe this wouldn't have happened…"
"I'm sorry, Delita… It was fate"
Delita stood, "Not it wasn't! Are you telling me that my sister's death was all part of god's plan to send us to paradise? That horrible death she died… was intentional? Sorry miss… but I no longer believe in faith" He walked towards the door at the far left-hand corner of the room.
"Don't go… they'll kill you"
Delita turned to make eye-contact with Janet, "Then I guess its my fate… isn't it, miss?"
"Delita!" Janet called him. "You're supposed to kill the princess Ovelia, in two days from now… if you escape… Vormav will do it for you"
He turned quickly, "The princess?" He clarified. "I won't let another innocent life be taken because of me…" Delita looked towards the window. "I'm going to save her!" He walked towards the ledge, but realized he was missing something. Delita turned and grabbed Janet's staff.
"What are you doing?" Janet asked.
"Guess" He smashed the window with her staff, and then dropped it as he lifted himself up to kneel on top of the ledge. Delita sat for a moment… listening for guards. He turned to Janet "You're coming with me!" He said.
"As I'm supposed to…" She mumbled under her breath. Janet grabbed her staff and grabbed Delita's hands as support to get to the ledge as well.
"Where the hell do you people keep your Chocobo?" Delita looked around the small and crowded barn.
"I don't know…" Janet replied.
He turned to her, "You don't know?"
"I was kidnapped and brought her… as a slave" Janet explained.
"I see… better make a run for it then!" Delita grabbed her hand and began running.
"Wait!" Janet noticed two men sitting on Chocobo, guarding the exit. "Let me work my magic first…" She began casting a spell. "I call upon thee, Bahamut!" A large dragon floated in the air above the two, Delita looked up, terrified of the creature. He turned back to the two men on Chocobo, they screamed in extreme pain as the dragon's fire burned right through their bodies… they fell to the ground within seconds… dead. Janet turned to face Delita, once more, "Chocobo?" She asked, humor in her voice.
Though terrified of the girl's superior power, he nodded.
"Here!" The two arrived at a very large, and at the same time very old building. The windows had beautiful paintings of angels drawn on them… though there were other people of the bible also, the angels stood out the most.
Delita hopped off his Chocobo, and ran towards the building… "You'll wait for me, right?" He asked.
Janet nodded reassuring him.
"Okay…" Delita looked at the large wooden doors in front of him, he wouldn't be able to just open them! So he paused for a moment, slightly afraid and confused … he realized why he was here. "The princess" He said as he rammed into the door with his body. Delita fell to the ground, having hit it a little too hard. "Ah" He put his hand on his shoulder, which began to bleed right through his sleeve.
"Just a moment Agrias" He heard. Delita began to follow the sounds of the voices coming from the first floor of the castle.
"They're here!"
"They won't get the girl if I can help it" Delita stood and peaked over the balcony still listening to the conversation…
"I'm not longer a knight…" He recognized the blond man's face.
"Ramza? Beoulve??" Delita was in shock.
Everyone left after a moment more of discussion… everyone except for the priest and Ovelia that was.
Delita watched and waited for the doors to slam shut, and as soon as they did, he dashed out from behind the stair well.
"What was that Simon? I'm scared!" Ovelia cried.
"No worries, my dear" He tried to calm her.
Delita walked up slowly behind the princess and grabbed her, holding her arms down so she would not be able to even attempt escaping from him.
"Simon! Help!" She cried.
"Shut up, girl! Or it'll be the last thing you say!" Delita pulled a knife from his pocket and held it to Ovelia's throat. "Same goes for you, old man!" Delita dragged Ovelia up the stairs and back to where he had arrived.
"Go Janet!" Delita yelled.
"You go her?" She asked.
"Right here!" He announced holding Ovelia by her wrist, "Come on!" Delita demanded of the princess.
"Why should I listen to you?" She kicked him.
Delita shook his head, "What an annoying princess" He punched her gut area, leaving her unconcious. He put Ovelia on the Chocobo first and then mounted it himself.
"Wait! Stop!" Delita heard another voice. "You can't!"
He looked at the woman standing there, and shook his head "Blame yourself or god," Delita prepared the Chocobo for a run, and was off…
"Now where to?" Delita asked, as he held the unconcious princess over his arm.
"Back to camp…" Janet said.
Delita looked at her, and cracked a smile, "No… I'm serious" He laughed.
"I see you've taught the boy well, Janet!" Delita turned quickly to see the old man.
"You… you lied to me! You weren't kidnapped either were you?" He began yelling at Janet. "I thought you would be the only one I could trust!" Two men grabbed him from behind, as Vormav took Ovelia off his shoulder. "You liar! You traitor! You've used me like all the others!" Delita struggled to get away as he continued to yell at Janet.
Vormav began to chuckle, "Don't worry, Boy… when we're done with you, you'll be quite happy… here's your reward" He held a large bag of gill out to Delita's reach.
Delita looked at the man and then the money, he reached out for it, but watched it move back to Vormav's pocket… "Can you tell these two to let me go?" He asked. "Le me go, so I can kill you!" He jumped up, though again forced back to the grip of the men.
"Back to camp now…" Vormav stated.
Delita growled… but let the men force him to the way they were headed.
That night would be a long one… longer than the others Delita had faced before it… with his hands tied behind him. Delita sat with his eyes closed, waiting.
"The girl saved my life… why couldn't I have been there to save hers? Karina is dead now… just like Teta… I'll never get out of here"
The thoughts crossed Delita's mind…
"I can't trust anyone from now on… they just kill those I love! And I'll be next… I know it!"
He rested his face in his knees… "This isn't fair" He mumbled.
At that moment, Janet entered the room. Delita lifted up his face to glare at her… Janet laughed, "What's the matter?"
"What do you think?" He said in a sarcastic tone. Janet only continued to laugh, "What? What's your problem?" Delita was embarrassed at the fact he had trusted her, and had let things turn out this way. "Why did you have to kill her?"
Janet stopped, "Who?" She wondered.
"Karina… Why?" Delita looked up his eyes, a pale red color.
"I didn't…" Janet stated.
He looked back at his knees, "Oh… Then I guess it was him" He pictured Vormav in his mind.
"Look Delita, I…" Janet was only able to get out before a slight interruption.
"You there!" Vormav pointed at Delita, "Come this way" He demanded.
Delita sighed, "Now its my turn to die I guess" He let out a sad smile… and with the help of his watery puppy eyes, he was able to make Janet sympathize for him. But that was all she would do…
"What?" Delita stared up at the old man…
"Go check on the girl…" Vormav told him, "And come here" Delita did as he was ordered. Vormav turned him with a harsh grip on Delita's shoulders, and untied the rope that kept his hands together.
"Vormav!" Janet ran into the room. "Draclau is here, Sir!" She announced a familiar name.
Delita shook his hands beside him, and then felt a push, which threw him to the ground, "I meant check on the girl now!" Vormav said.
Delita got up, "Yes sir…" And said sarcastically.
Delita stared at Ovelia, "Aren't you going to eat?" He asked, "You can't go on without food" Ovelia only stared at the dish. "No one will mourn your death. In fact, it should make most people happy" He said sarcastically. Delita sighed, "You won't die. Just eat the food"
"I knew you were with the cardinal… If you weren't turning me over to Larg, what's your plan"
Delita remember how Vormav told him of making Ovelia Queen, "Taking you somewhere you belong, that's all"
Ovelia glared, "So, you're using me too. But you can't make me do whatever you want" She turned her head away from him.
Delita sneered, "You have no choice, if you want to live"
Ovelia turned her head back, "What's that mean?" She asked bravely.
Delita put his hand on his scabbard, "It means…" He stopped to turn around hearing others enter the room.
"So, she is Ovelia?" Vormav clarified.
Another old man stood with him, "How are you Princess? If you'd behaved, you wouldn't be here now"
Vormav laughed "She's almost too good a substitute" The other three turned to face him quickly.
Draclau smiled, "Heh, heh… Mr. Vormav, She doesn't know yet"
He grinned, "I see… poor girl"
Ovelia looked at the man in disbelief, "What are you talking about?" At this point in time Delita was completely lost in the conversation.
Vormav sighed, and relaxed his shoulders, "Listen carefully" He began, "You're not Ovelia"
The girl, who thought she had been the princess all along, stared up at him with her eyes extremely wide.
"The real princess died long ago. You're a substitute" he explained.
"No, that's a lie!"
Vormav began to grow frustrated, "It's not a lie, you're not Ovelia. Old senators who didn't care for the princess Luveria made you… so someday you'd succeed the throne, ousting the princess. They killed two older princes, making it look like illness, and adopted you as princess. They all thought Omdolia was too weak too make another son. So you took the throne" Vormav paused, "However, Orinas was born. Even now, No one's sure if the prince is really her son. Larg may have planted "seeds" to make his sister the King's mother. In any case, the old man's plan was ruined"
Ovelia glared at him, "Liar!" She yelled, "I don't believe it!"
Vormav grinned again, "Think what you will. Whether you're a princess or not doesn't matter to us. What matters is we have an ace up our sleeve called a "princess"…"
Ovelia whimpered, her eyes as watery as the could be, "What are you going to do with me? What do you want?"
"Nothing" Vormav answered, "Just be a "princess" as you are now"
"My ancestors with Atkaschas! No one can control me!"
Vormav laughed at her, "The what? If Larg catches you, he'll kill you… right? We just want to help you take the throne…"
With a puzzled look on her face, "Who are you?" Ovelia asked.
"We're neither allies of Larg nor supporters of Goltana. Just "Collaborators"" Vormav explained.
Draclau stepped in, "Vormav, let her calm down. Once she comes to her senses she won't refuse our help"
He thought about it, "Yes… You're right" The two walked towards the exit door. Vormav turned to the boy who stared at a crying Ovelia. "Let's go, Delita!"
He heard his name and followed the men.
"Oh Crap!" Delita put his fist in his other hand, I dropped my wallet… back there"
Vormav shook his head, "Well go get it! And meet us on the second floor"
"Yes, Sir" Delita bowed and went back to Ovelia's chamber.
"Hey, Princess?" Delita peaked his head in. He saw her eating the food he'd offered her a minute ago. "Why'd you change your mind?" He smiled.
"I'm gonna die anyway, so I'll do it with a full stomach"
"Did you not listen to a word Vormav just said?" Delita questioned her. "Either way, I'm getting you out of this hell hole" He listened to hear that the men had gone upstairs.
"When…?" Ovelia said sarcastically, with disbelief also in her voice.
"Now! Come on!!" Delita yelled at Ovelia.
"Wait!" Ovelia cried, "Whose side are you on?" She asked.
"You'll find out" He laughed in a slightly evil tone.
Ovelia began to tremble, "Help!" She began screaming.
"What the hell are you doing?" Delita grabbed her hand and dragged her along.
Ovelia screamed, as his grip was a tight one "Either way I'm going to be killed, So I'd prefer later" Delita now began to feel regret for what he had told her earlier.
"Princess!" He heard Janet's voice.
"I'm…" Delita covered her mouth with his hand.
He glared at her "I won't kill you… not yet anyway"
"Delita!" He heard Janet again. "Delita! You'll never get out of here, alive at least"
"Oh, go to hell!" He yelled back and led Ovelia to a wall, which he hid the two of them behind.
"If I go, we'll both be going" She began playing mind games with him.
Delita heard Janet's foot steps, they grew louder as she came closer. He put his hand on his scabbard… and drew his sword. "Shh…" He warned Ovelia. She nodded, though her mouth still covered by Delita's hand. As he saw one green shoe appear on the ground to his left, he stepped out with his sword… and placed the tip under her chin. "Where's the fucking exit?" He said in the way of a threat.
"Why should I tell you?" Her last word was said in a higher pitch than the others were for she felt the blade coming closer.
"Because, My dear…" Delita raised her head with his blade pushing up under her chin, "If you don't I'll kill you" He smiled, his eyes burning with an evil desire.
"Down the hall to the left"
"Was that so hard?" Delita said as he slowly began to back up.
"They'll kill you Delita… I'll have the Hokuten sent to find you, if that's what it takes" Janet threatened, as Delita backed up still covering Ovelia's mouth with his hand and his sword by his side.
"Is it that time of month? Or do you just need to get some? Either way, best of luck" He mocked her, and then pushed the door open with his shoulder.
"Bastard" Janet mumbled.
"Where are we?" Ovelia asked, breathing heavily from the large amount of running the two had just done. "Well?" Ovelia waited.
"Shut up for a minute!" Delita listened as he heard voices amongst the two of them.
"Goltana said that the psycic girl predicted the kidnapper and the Princes Ovelia would be here!" He heard a knight say amongst the few arguing.
Delita kicked his foot into the ground, "Shit!" He began cursing.
"Just hand me over and go to jail!" Ovelia suggested.
"No… they'll kill you" Delita explained.
Ovelia walked towards him, "So… you're protecting me?" She said sweetly, and rested her hand on his shoulder.
"Off!" Delita snapped and turned around with his usual glare. "I'm not your prince charming girl!" She stepped away as Delita came closer.
"There! There he is!" A knight came running towards Delita, who drew his sword quickly and slashed at the man's face. "Ah!" The knight screamed falling to the ground, blood pouring from the wound across his nose and lips.
"Not good" Delita stood in front of the Princess, and put his sword back.
"Delita?" He heard a familiar voice. "Delita, what are you doing here?" He turned to see a blond boy who had his hair fluffed out like a mushroom.
"Ramza… Beoulve…" Delita said in shock as he froze, "No time for that now!" He drew his sword from its scabbard again and prepared for a battle. As his second victim came running towards him, Delita dodged the attack, and then delivered one of his own.
Ovelia ran up the hill, and at the same time, quickly and in a desperate way casted a magic spell on herself. Thank God Ramza had brought reinforcements! Other wise she would have been dead already!
Delita stabbed another knight, and forced him to the ground with his sword leading the man down for more severe pain. As soon as he knew the man was dead, Delita removed the blade and waited for Ramza and the Blond woman on his side to finish off the last one.
"Leave the Princess with me" Delita said, "Its better for her"
The blond woman pushed Ovelia back. Ramza stared at him curiously, "Delita, What are you scheming?"
Delita lifted his hands and held them in mid air, "Scheming? Don't be foolish. I'm telling the truth. Think about it. Where would you take her after making an enemy out of the Hokuten?" Delita paused to let Ramza think, "Crack Hokuten troops will come here looking for you anytime now. Just where the hell do you plan on escaping to?" He asked sarcastically.
Ramza made eye contact with him, sheepishly, "W, well, I…"
Delita dropped his hands back to his sides, "Think carefully. The princess knows this was Prince Larg's plan. The royal family is not on your side. So what about Goltana? No, he'd execute you just to clear himself" Delita explained.
The blond woman looked over at him, "What would you do?" She asked.
"I'd do what you can't" Delita laughed.
Ramza stared at him, with a confused look on his face, "What do you mean?" He questioned Delita.
"I can't tell you…" He turned around, "I'll leave the princess with you a little longer" He took a step towards the opposite way Ramza and his group would be headed.
"Delita, I'm glad I could see you again" He heard Ramza's voice.
Delita blinked, and looked towards the falling sun, "Teta saved me…"
"What?"
"Teta saved me back then…"
Ramza only thought about it, as Ovelia stepped forward, "Thank you, Delita" She said, happy to be reunited with Agrias.
Delita saw her in the corner of his eye… "See you again, Ramza" He ignored Ovelia on purpose as he made his exit. Only two thoughts crossed Delita's mind after the battle, the deaths of the two people who would have been the most important in his life. His sister, for she was the last bit of family he had, and the one who saved him after the explosion… then there was Karina, only now did Delita realize those strange feelings of affection for her were those indicating love.
She had taken care of him, and nursed him back to health, like his sister would have. These two girls were the only two that had loved him back the way he cared about them, and now… because of him… they were gone.
Not even his best friend since child hood cared as much as even his late friend, Karina did… but why? What did Delita do to deserve this? He was a reasonable young man. Was God telling him something? Or was it just a fact that bad things always happen to good people.
But sometimes, good people can become bad ones, or even worse, those that are full of pure hate or evil! And without realizing it, Delita was becoming one of those… this just ads proof onto the belief of nurture over nature. The ones around you can have an amazing impact, if only Delita would have realized it at this point… maybe fate would have turned out for the better.
And maybe the first thing on his current to do list, would not have been, "Kill Prince Goltana" and at the same time, blame it on Prince Larg… but before he could do that, he needed to earn the man's trust.
No one would tell him what to do anymore… after being used his entire life, he decided to end it here. From now on, Delita would be his own boss. It was his turn to use and abuse, whatever it would take to get him where he wanted to be… Delita would be a general one-day, maybe even a hero… and he would do it on behalf of both Teta and Karina.
The dark side of his adventure would begin… Now
Again, for the eighth morning in a row, Delita had awoke bright and early, even early enough to get a glimpse of the sunrise.
With the gill Delita had stolen from the soldiers he defeated in yesterday's battle, he was able to afford one night in a cheap hotel.
Delita stretched his arms out, and blinked a couple of times before heading to the door. He turned the knob, and walked out into the hallway, down the stairs and into the entrance room where he would have to pay. He lined up behind two other people.
While he waited Delita noticed a mirror behind the desk, he moved closer and noticed his hair out of place. Delita touched his tongue with his finger and tried to straighten out the hairs that had come out of place. But they only continued to fall back to the way they had been before. So instead, Delita decided to pull a couple of more out from the same side…
"Sir! Excuse me, Sir!"
Delita jumped up quickly, "What?" He snapped.
"Are you ready to pay?" A woman with short red hair asked him.
"Yes…" Delita said.
"Alright, that'll be three thousand gill!" She proposed.
Delita's eyes grew wider, "Um…" He knew he didn't have enough, and checked the prices on the sign… he had stayed in the wrong suite. He had been in the second most expensive one.
"Well, Sir?"
"What's a pretty girl like yourself doing in a place like this anyway? I think I've seen you around before… wait! Shouldn't you be modeling somewhere?" Delita smiled.
"Oh… Why thank you" She blushed. "In that case… I'll give you half price" She giggled.
Delita knew he still did not have enough, "Or how about you pretend I wasn't here at all? That way I can save up my money to take you out for a big expensive dinner, what do you say?" He decided to try lying his way out of the mess.
"Well… I don't know about that"
Delita smiled again, his teeth showing only slightly, "Shh… don't tell and no one will know, am I correct?" He tried being more persuasive as he put his pointer finger on her lips.
She smiled back, "Alright" She giggled again, "Thank you, sir! Please come again!" She noticed the manager right behind her.
"Hey, call me Delita" He winked at her and then left the scene, missing how the girl almost melted over the counter. "I could be a bloody mediator" He mumbled as he pushed the exit door open.
Now the first thing he would have to do to successfully complete his first mission… find out where the bastard is! Sure the murder would be easy, but where was the victim?
"Make way for the prince himself, Goltana!" Delita heard. People screamed and cheered, and few others booed as the fat man came strolling in, protected by plenty of knights.
"Pure luck" Delita grinned.
Acting inconspicuous, Delita began following them. After all there was a crowd as well, he acted as one of the supporters, though he did not cheer. There was much pushing and shoving, but he was able to handle it without throwing a fit.
Delita stopped and tripped, as the crowd around him came to a stop… "What happened?" He asked the man beside him.
"Looks like he's entered that castle… so I guess no ones aloud to go any further" He stated.
Delita frowned, "Oh, that's too bad" He looked around to see a gate, and a small cliff. He predicted that he would have to come later on, while there was a change in shifts amongst the guards.
The full moon was out, and the city life had died off, for everyone was now asleep, tucked safely in their beds. On the other hand Delita waited behind the small cliff to the left of the gate of the opening to the castle. He had brought a bag with him, full of equipment he may have needed to reach the castle with.
As he heard the voices of two men, he backed up behind a tree, and held his breath. The voices slowly became softer and softer, until they were gone. Delita decided now would be the best time… he separated the flaps, and placed his hand into the bag, searching for a certain item. Delita pulled out a rope, and tied a loose scout's knot at one end.
With one hand on the end and one hand to swing the rope Delita aimed it at a certain large rock on the cliff above him. He threw the rope up at it, but missed the boulder. Delita pulled the rope back, and repeated the same procedure, and after this attempt had grasped the rock, with his rope tied tightly around it. Delita tugged on it checking it was secure, and put his back against the tree behind him. He kicked his feet out and slowly began to pull himself up, and though the strength required was a great amount, Delita was already half way up, when he heard a sound almost similar to that of crackling.
Quickly, he felt himself loosing his grip; Delita let go of the end of the rope, which had broken off. He lost his balance, but kept his feet out and back pinned against the tree. He breathed quickly, nervous, as he was quiet high up in the air. If he fell now, he would have broken every bone in his body.
Delita began pushing himself up, and slowly but steadily he reached the other end of the rope. He grabbed onto it as it swung his way. He let his feet fall, and hung in mid air for a moment. Delita pulled his way up until his was at the peak of the small cliff, and then pulled himself up.
He dusted himself off, and then heard the clinging of two metals. Delita looked up to see a girl with short blond hair, camouflaging with the night's sky as she wore completely black, except for the Silver cowboy's hat on her head. A small cape covered the shirt underneath but not the choker around her neck. Her eyes could not be seen as the cowboy hat was worn so low on her face, just above her eyes, so light did not reflect among them. She held two ninja knives at her sides; her hands were almost completely covered by her gloves, though the fingertips of the gloves missing, to show her white skin.
"You won't be doing my mission, boy" She got into a fighter's stance.
"What do you mean?" Delita was fascinated by her cherry red lips.
"You're here for Goltana too, no? Why else would you sneak in at this time of night?" She questioned him, with a slight laugh in her voice.
"Well… if you consider the act of a first degree murder being here for him, then yes" Delita smiled.
She had a smirk on her face, "I knew it"
Delita drew his sword knowing this would lead to a battle, "Why would a cute little thing like yourself be interested in murdering an old fat man running for ruler of Ivalice?"
She slashed at him with both her knives, but each was reflected by Delita's sword, "Firstly, don't add the stupid little nicknames, and secondly I've been sent out on a mission, and nothing is going to stop me! Not even a pretty boy wannabe Convict like yourself!" She dodged his sword with a quick turn to the side.
"Convict? What makes you think I'd want to be one of those?"
"Murder" She said the simple word.
Delita shook his head, and tried a right crescent cut with his sword, "No, I'm on a mission also… a personal one, and if this bastard died it would just help me out"
"So… what your saying is, as long as he's dead? Fine then! I'll kill him, now get out of here!" She blocked his sword, and did a simple straight kick, hitting Delita in a sensitive area.
He cried out in pain, and fell to the ground. The girl stood above him, and put her knives back into their scabbards. He grabbed her ankle and knocked her off of her feet and to the ground also. Delita frantically got onto his knees, and pinned her to the ground, holding both her arms down. "I don't trust that you'll do it… either we'll both go, or I'll give you a nice wet one with some tongue" Delita pressed his nose against the girl's.
"What makes you think I don't want a kiss?" She said sarcastically. Delita lifted his face up and down towards her lips, "No! Don't!" She cried.
"That's what…" Delita laughed, "Now, are you in or out?"
She bit her lip, and after a moment or two, "Fine" She said in agreement with Delita's plan.
"Do you even know where the hell you're going?" Not even half way up the stairs they had already begun arguing.
"Well, you could help me out! We're both here for the same thing, are we not?" Delita yelled at her. She stopped walking and halted Delita, as he was behind her. "What did you stop for?"
"If I had it my way, he would be dead already!" She snapped.
Delita glared at her, "Then go for it, princess!"
Though Delita couldn't see her eyes, he could feel her glaring at him. She punched him in the face, "Go to hell!" She yelled after the shot.
Delita covered his nose as he felt it begin dripping blood. "What was that for?"
"Are we going to find him or not, pretty boy?"
"Fine, but what the hell was the punch for?!" Delita was angered by the fact she had started a flow of red liquid leaking from his nose.
She continued up the stairs, "I warned you not to give me any pet names…" She glared once more.
"I guess I should have listened to your pretty little voice then…" Delita sneered.
"I'm not going to hit you again, I said names"
Delita snarled, "Alright… let me think a couple up, how about buttercup?" He followed her.
"Shut up, so I can think" She came to a three-way passage.
"Alright, we'll continue tonight's meeting, after a One and a half hour intermission" The two of them listened to hear their victim's voice.
"And that's our dead line" Delita stated.
The girl smiled, "Now your thinking" She took her two knives from her pockets as Delita pulled out his sword. "The room, front right"
"Thought so" Delita knew that was where the voices came from.
"How about we wait until half of them leave, and then attack?" The girl suggested.
"Are you out of your mind? He'll probably leave to!" Delita began another argument.
She turned towards him, "Am I out of my mind? At least this way we'll have killed the half in the room before the other half comes back to get us!"
"But then he won't come back because he'll see their bodies on the ground! Then what do we do?"
"You should both get out of here" The two looked at each other nervously, and turned around the see a man with long grey hair.
"Count Orlandu!" The girl was shocked, and quickly got onto her knees.
"Don't do that… you are both here to fulfil a murder task I presume?" It appeared he heard the two talking to each other earlier on. He helped the girl back to her feet.
"Ya… so what of it?" Delita asked.
"He's in his bedroom, next floor to first room on your left" Orlandu winked at the girl.
She smiled at him, "Thank you, sir! Now, come on, boy!" She bowed to the older man, and dashed towards the stairs, "Tell Olan I say hi!" She laughed on her way up.
"Why are you helping us?" Delita asked.
"I don't fancy the prince too much myself" The man chuckled.
Delita grinned, "Well… alright then thanks, I owe you one!" He smiled and ran after the girl.
"Do you hear him?" Delita asked as the girl pressed her ear against the door.
"No… not yet" She said. Delita watched her for a moment without saying a word, she turned to face him, "What are you staring at?"
He looked at her with a slightly serious and slightly innocent face, "What's your name?" He asked.
"Why do you care? We're never going to see each other again" She pushed her ear up against the door again.
"You never know"
"I don't like your spirituality… it freaks me out" She stated.
Delita laughed, "Can you just tell me or what?"
"I don't have one…" She explained.
Delita broke out into laughter almost crying, "Ha, ha! That's the funniest thing I've ever heard!"
"Its true… but those I work with call me Silver"
Delita bit his lip, "The hat?" He asked, controlling his laughter.
"Yes… now shut up, you're distracting me again!"
"Don't you want to know my name?" He asked.
Silver looked up at him, "Hey! Guess what? I really don't give a damn!! I'm busy right now"
Delita smiled, "Well… if you do wanna know, its Hyral. Delita Hyral"
"That's great… now!" Silver jumped up holding two of her knives in her right hand. Delita stood behind her, ready to attack.
"There they are!" The two heard the voice of the enemy.
"Damn you!" Silver yelled at Delita, "If it wasn't for all your damn complaining he would be dead now!" She put her knives away and ran quickly down the hallway. Delita put his sword back into its scabbard and followed her.
"When will you be back for him?" Delita asked realizing in a situation like this, an accomplice may be a good thing.
"Leave me alone! I'll do it someday on my own! Now go get captured or something!" She climbed onto a desk by the window, and opened it to jump out.
Delita grabbed a piece of paper that looked like an agreement on his way out.
"I don't think he's the one… I probably made a mistake, my lord!" Delita heard as he awoke.
"Don't kid yourself, Janet! The boy has what seems to be muscle… he looks like the one to play the role, it'll all work out as planned" A grey haired man told her.
"What plan? What are you going to do to me? Where the hell am I!?" Delita panicked.
"Calm down…" Janet got on her knees to put a hand on his shoulder.
"Take the boy to rest… we'll be ready to go in the morning" The old man left the room.
Janet turned quickly, "G-Good night sir!" She cried hoping he'd hear her. But there was no response… "Hmm…" She sighed.
"Get away from me!" Delita backed up towards a wall. "Please!"
"What seems to be the matter?" She asked.
Delita glared, " What's the matter… What the hell do you think is the matter!? What the hell do you want me here for?" He yelled as continued to panic.
Janet sighed; "It's for your own benefit you know" She looked at the boy who still continued to try and back away from her, though he was backing into a wall…
"Could you just tell me what it is?" Delita struggled to get the answer from her…
"We're going to make you a hero… Delita" She said.
"I don't want to be a hero! I want to go home!" He cried.
Janet shook her head, "I'm sorry… I knew it would turn out this way" She looked up at him.
Delita looked up at her, whimpering, "Turn out?"
"Like you, I don't want to be a slaved psycic… but it is my destiny… you are the chosen one for this path"
"Why don't you and I runaway then? I don't want to be here, and you don't either, right?" Delita suggested.
Janet stroked her hand through her long blond hair, "I wish it were that simple too…"
"I've been used all my life! I don't want to be used again once more! Everyone I love has been killed because of me! If I didn't let father Beoulve take me and Teta… maybe this wouldn't have happened…"
"I'm sorry, Delita… It was fate"
Delita stood, "Not it wasn't! Are you telling me that my sister's death was all part of god's plan to send us to paradise? That horrible death she died… was intentional? Sorry miss… but I no longer believe in faith" He walked towards the door at the far left-hand corner of the room.
"Don't go… they'll kill you"
Delita turned to make eye-contact with Janet, "Then I guess its my fate… isn't it, miss?"
"Delita!" Janet called him. "You're supposed to kill the princess Ovelia, in two days from now… if you escape… Vormav will do it for you"
He turned quickly, "The princess?" He clarified. "I won't let another innocent life be taken because of me…" Delita looked towards the window. "I'm going to save her!" He walked towards the ledge, but realized he was missing something. Delita turned and grabbed Janet's staff.
"What are you doing?" Janet asked.
"Guess" He smashed the window with her staff, and then dropped it as he lifted himself up to kneel on top of the ledge. Delita sat for a moment… listening for guards. He turned to Janet "You're coming with me!" He said.
"As I'm supposed to…" She mumbled under her breath. Janet grabbed her staff and grabbed Delita's hands as support to get to the ledge as well.
"Where the hell do you people keep your Chocobo?" Delita looked around the small and crowded barn.
"I don't know…" Janet replied.
He turned to her, "You don't know?"
"I was kidnapped and brought her… as a slave" Janet explained.
"I see… better make a run for it then!" Delita grabbed her hand and began running.
"Wait!" Janet noticed two men sitting on Chocobo, guarding the exit. "Let me work my magic first…" She began casting a spell. "I call upon thee, Bahamut!" A large dragon floated in the air above the two, Delita looked up, terrified of the creature. He turned back to the two men on Chocobo, they screamed in extreme pain as the dragon's fire burned right through their bodies… they fell to the ground within seconds… dead. Janet turned to face Delita, once more, "Chocobo?" She asked, humor in her voice.
Though terrified of the girl's superior power, he nodded.
"Here!" The two arrived at a very large, and at the same time very old building. The windows had beautiful paintings of angels drawn on them… though there were other people of the bible also, the angels stood out the most.
Delita hopped off his Chocobo, and ran towards the building… "You'll wait for me, right?" He asked.
Janet nodded reassuring him.
"Okay…" Delita looked at the large wooden doors in front of him, he wouldn't be able to just open them! So he paused for a moment, slightly afraid and confused … he realized why he was here. "The princess" He said as he rammed into the door with his body. Delita fell to the ground, having hit it a little too hard. "Ah" He put his hand on his shoulder, which began to bleed right through his sleeve.
"Just a moment Agrias" He heard. Delita began to follow the sounds of the voices coming from the first floor of the castle.
"They're here!"
"They won't get the girl if I can help it" Delita stood and peaked over the balcony still listening to the conversation…
"I'm not longer a knight…" He recognized the blond man's face.
"Ramza? Beoulve??" Delita was in shock.
Everyone left after a moment more of discussion… everyone except for the priest and Ovelia that was.
Delita watched and waited for the doors to slam shut, and as soon as they did, he dashed out from behind the stair well.
"What was that Simon? I'm scared!" Ovelia cried.
"No worries, my dear" He tried to calm her.
Delita walked up slowly behind the princess and grabbed her, holding her arms down so she would not be able to even attempt escaping from him.
"Simon! Help!" She cried.
"Shut up, girl! Or it'll be the last thing you say!" Delita pulled a knife from his pocket and held it to Ovelia's throat. "Same goes for you, old man!" Delita dragged Ovelia up the stairs and back to where he had arrived.
"Go Janet!" Delita yelled.
"You go her?" She asked.
"Right here!" He announced holding Ovelia by her wrist, "Come on!" Delita demanded of the princess.
"Why should I listen to you?" She kicked him.
Delita shook his head, "What an annoying princess" He punched her gut area, leaving her unconcious. He put Ovelia on the Chocobo first and then mounted it himself.
"Wait! Stop!" Delita heard another voice. "You can't!"
He looked at the woman standing there, and shook his head "Blame yourself or god," Delita prepared the Chocobo for a run, and was off…
"Now where to?" Delita asked, as he held the unconcious princess over his arm.
"Back to camp…" Janet said.
Delita looked at her, and cracked a smile, "No… I'm serious" He laughed.
"I see you've taught the boy well, Janet!" Delita turned quickly to see the old man.
"You… you lied to me! You weren't kidnapped either were you?" He began yelling at Janet. "I thought you would be the only one I could trust!" Two men grabbed him from behind, as Vormav took Ovelia off his shoulder. "You liar! You traitor! You've used me like all the others!" Delita struggled to get away as he continued to yell at Janet.
Vormav began to chuckle, "Don't worry, Boy… when we're done with you, you'll be quite happy… here's your reward" He held a large bag of gill out to Delita's reach.
Delita looked at the man and then the money, he reached out for it, but watched it move back to Vormav's pocket… "Can you tell these two to let me go?" He asked. "Le me go, so I can kill you!" He jumped up, though again forced back to the grip of the men.
"Back to camp now…" Vormav stated.
Delita growled… but let the men force him to the way they were headed.
That night would be a long one… longer than the others Delita had faced before it… with his hands tied behind him. Delita sat with his eyes closed, waiting.
"The girl saved my life… why couldn't I have been there to save hers? Karina is dead now… just like Teta… I'll never get out of here"
The thoughts crossed Delita's mind…
"I can't trust anyone from now on… they just kill those I love! And I'll be next… I know it!"
He rested his face in his knees… "This isn't fair" He mumbled.
At that moment, Janet entered the room. Delita lifted up his face to glare at her… Janet laughed, "What's the matter?"
"What do you think?" He said in a sarcastic tone. Janet only continued to laugh, "What? What's your problem?" Delita was embarrassed at the fact he had trusted her, and had let things turn out this way. "Why did you have to kill her?"
Janet stopped, "Who?" She wondered.
"Karina… Why?" Delita looked up his eyes, a pale red color.
"I didn't…" Janet stated.
He looked back at his knees, "Oh… Then I guess it was him" He pictured Vormav in his mind.
"Look Delita, I…" Janet was only able to get out before a slight interruption.
"You there!" Vormav pointed at Delita, "Come this way" He demanded.
Delita sighed, "Now its my turn to die I guess" He let out a sad smile… and with the help of his watery puppy eyes, he was able to make Janet sympathize for him. But that was all she would do…
"What?" Delita stared up at the old man…
"Go check on the girl…" Vormav told him, "And come here" Delita did as he was ordered. Vormav turned him with a harsh grip on Delita's shoulders, and untied the rope that kept his hands together.
"Vormav!" Janet ran into the room. "Draclau is here, Sir!" She announced a familiar name.
Delita shook his hands beside him, and then felt a push, which threw him to the ground, "I meant check on the girl now!" Vormav said.
Delita got up, "Yes sir…" And said sarcastically.
Delita stared at Ovelia, "Aren't you going to eat?" He asked, "You can't go on without food" Ovelia only stared at the dish. "No one will mourn your death. In fact, it should make most people happy" He said sarcastically. Delita sighed, "You won't die. Just eat the food"
"I knew you were with the cardinal… If you weren't turning me over to Larg, what's your plan"
Delita remember how Vormav told him of making Ovelia Queen, "Taking you somewhere you belong, that's all"
Ovelia glared, "So, you're using me too. But you can't make me do whatever you want" She turned her head away from him.
Delita sneered, "You have no choice, if you want to live"
Ovelia turned her head back, "What's that mean?" She asked bravely.
Delita put his hand on his scabbard, "It means…" He stopped to turn around hearing others enter the room.
"So, she is Ovelia?" Vormav clarified.
Another old man stood with him, "How are you Princess? If you'd behaved, you wouldn't be here now"
Vormav laughed "She's almost too good a substitute" The other three turned to face him quickly.
Draclau smiled, "Heh, heh… Mr. Vormav, She doesn't know yet"
He grinned, "I see… poor girl"
Ovelia looked at the man in disbelief, "What are you talking about?" At this point in time Delita was completely lost in the conversation.
Vormav sighed, and relaxed his shoulders, "Listen carefully" He began, "You're not Ovelia"
The girl, who thought she had been the princess all along, stared up at him with her eyes extremely wide.
"The real princess died long ago. You're a substitute" he explained.
"No, that's a lie!"
Vormav began to grow frustrated, "It's not a lie, you're not Ovelia. Old senators who didn't care for the princess Luveria made you… so someday you'd succeed the throne, ousting the princess. They killed two older princes, making it look like illness, and adopted you as princess. They all thought Omdolia was too weak too make another son. So you took the throne" Vormav paused, "However, Orinas was born. Even now, No one's sure if the prince is really her son. Larg may have planted "seeds" to make his sister the King's mother. In any case, the old man's plan was ruined"
Ovelia glared at him, "Liar!" She yelled, "I don't believe it!"
Vormav grinned again, "Think what you will. Whether you're a princess or not doesn't matter to us. What matters is we have an ace up our sleeve called a "princess"…"
Ovelia whimpered, her eyes as watery as the could be, "What are you going to do with me? What do you want?"
"Nothing" Vormav answered, "Just be a "princess" as you are now"
"My ancestors with Atkaschas! No one can control me!"
Vormav laughed at her, "The what? If Larg catches you, he'll kill you… right? We just want to help you take the throne…"
With a puzzled look on her face, "Who are you?" Ovelia asked.
"We're neither allies of Larg nor supporters of Goltana. Just "Collaborators"" Vormav explained.
Draclau stepped in, "Vormav, let her calm down. Once she comes to her senses she won't refuse our help"
He thought about it, "Yes… You're right" The two walked towards the exit door. Vormav turned to the boy who stared at a crying Ovelia. "Let's go, Delita!"
He heard his name and followed the men.
"Oh Crap!" Delita put his fist in his other hand, I dropped my wallet… back there"
Vormav shook his head, "Well go get it! And meet us on the second floor"
"Yes, Sir" Delita bowed and went back to Ovelia's chamber.
"Hey, Princess?" Delita peaked his head in. He saw her eating the food he'd offered her a minute ago. "Why'd you change your mind?" He smiled.
"I'm gonna die anyway, so I'll do it with a full stomach"
"Did you not listen to a word Vormav just said?" Delita questioned her. "Either way, I'm getting you out of this hell hole" He listened to hear that the men had gone upstairs.
"When…?" Ovelia said sarcastically, with disbelief also in her voice.
"Now! Come on!!" Delita yelled at Ovelia.
"Wait!" Ovelia cried, "Whose side are you on?" She asked.
"You'll find out" He laughed in a slightly evil tone.
Ovelia began to tremble, "Help!" She began screaming.
"What the hell are you doing?" Delita grabbed her hand and dragged her along.
Ovelia screamed, as his grip was a tight one "Either way I'm going to be killed, So I'd prefer later" Delita now began to feel regret for what he had told her earlier.
"Princess!" He heard Janet's voice.
"I'm…" Delita covered her mouth with his hand.
He glared at her "I won't kill you… not yet anyway"
"Delita!" He heard Janet again. "Delita! You'll never get out of here, alive at least"
"Oh, go to hell!" He yelled back and led Ovelia to a wall, which he hid the two of them behind.
"If I go, we'll both be going" She began playing mind games with him.
Delita heard Janet's foot steps, they grew louder as she came closer. He put his hand on his scabbard… and drew his sword. "Shh…" He warned Ovelia. She nodded, though her mouth still covered by Delita's hand. As he saw one green shoe appear on the ground to his left, he stepped out with his sword… and placed the tip under her chin. "Where's the fucking exit?" He said in the way of a threat.
"Why should I tell you?" Her last word was said in a higher pitch than the others were for she felt the blade coming closer.
"Because, My dear…" Delita raised her head with his blade pushing up under her chin, "If you don't I'll kill you" He smiled, his eyes burning with an evil desire.
"Down the hall to the left"
"Was that so hard?" Delita said as he slowly began to back up.
"They'll kill you Delita… I'll have the Hokuten sent to find you, if that's what it takes" Janet threatened, as Delita backed up still covering Ovelia's mouth with his hand and his sword by his side.
"Is it that time of month? Or do you just need to get some? Either way, best of luck" He mocked her, and then pushed the door open with his shoulder.
"Bastard" Janet mumbled.
"Where are we?" Ovelia asked, breathing heavily from the large amount of running the two had just done. "Well?" Ovelia waited.
"Shut up for a minute!" Delita listened as he heard voices amongst the two of them.
"Goltana said that the psycic girl predicted the kidnapper and the Princes Ovelia would be here!" He heard a knight say amongst the few arguing.
Delita kicked his foot into the ground, "Shit!" He began cursing.
"Just hand me over and go to jail!" Ovelia suggested.
"No… they'll kill you" Delita explained.
Ovelia walked towards him, "So… you're protecting me?" She said sweetly, and rested her hand on his shoulder.
"Off!" Delita snapped and turned around with his usual glare. "I'm not your prince charming girl!" She stepped away as Delita came closer.
"There! There he is!" A knight came running towards Delita, who drew his sword quickly and slashed at the man's face. "Ah!" The knight screamed falling to the ground, blood pouring from the wound across his nose and lips.
"Not good" Delita stood in front of the Princess, and put his sword back.
"Delita?" He heard a familiar voice. "Delita, what are you doing here?" He turned to see a blond boy who had his hair fluffed out like a mushroom.
"Ramza… Beoulve…" Delita said in shock as he froze, "No time for that now!" He drew his sword from its scabbard again and prepared for a battle. As his second victim came running towards him, Delita dodged the attack, and then delivered one of his own.
Ovelia ran up the hill, and at the same time, quickly and in a desperate way casted a magic spell on herself. Thank God Ramza had brought reinforcements! Other wise she would have been dead already!
Delita stabbed another knight, and forced him to the ground with his sword leading the man down for more severe pain. As soon as he knew the man was dead, Delita removed the blade and waited for Ramza and the Blond woman on his side to finish off the last one.
"Leave the Princess with me" Delita said, "Its better for her"
The blond woman pushed Ovelia back. Ramza stared at him curiously, "Delita, What are you scheming?"
Delita lifted his hands and held them in mid air, "Scheming? Don't be foolish. I'm telling the truth. Think about it. Where would you take her after making an enemy out of the Hokuten?" Delita paused to let Ramza think, "Crack Hokuten troops will come here looking for you anytime now. Just where the hell do you plan on escaping to?" He asked sarcastically.
Ramza made eye contact with him, sheepishly, "W, well, I…"
Delita dropped his hands back to his sides, "Think carefully. The princess knows this was Prince Larg's plan. The royal family is not on your side. So what about Goltana? No, he'd execute you just to clear himself" Delita explained.
The blond woman looked over at him, "What would you do?" She asked.
"I'd do what you can't" Delita laughed.
Ramza stared at him, with a confused look on his face, "What do you mean?" He questioned Delita.
"I can't tell you…" He turned around, "I'll leave the princess with you a little longer" He took a step towards the opposite way Ramza and his group would be headed.
"Delita, I'm glad I could see you again" He heard Ramza's voice.
Delita blinked, and looked towards the falling sun, "Teta saved me…"
"What?"
"Teta saved me back then…"
Ramza only thought about it, as Ovelia stepped forward, "Thank you, Delita" She said, happy to be reunited with Agrias.
Delita saw her in the corner of his eye… "See you again, Ramza" He ignored Ovelia on purpose as he made his exit. Only two thoughts crossed Delita's mind after the battle, the deaths of the two people who would have been the most important in his life. His sister, for she was the last bit of family he had, and the one who saved him after the explosion… then there was Karina, only now did Delita realize those strange feelings of affection for her were those indicating love.
She had taken care of him, and nursed him back to health, like his sister would have. These two girls were the only two that had loved him back the way he cared about them, and now… because of him… they were gone.
Not even his best friend since child hood cared as much as even his late friend, Karina did… but why? What did Delita do to deserve this? He was a reasonable young man. Was God telling him something? Or was it just a fact that bad things always happen to good people.
But sometimes, good people can become bad ones, or even worse, those that are full of pure hate or evil! And without realizing it, Delita was becoming one of those… this just ads proof onto the belief of nurture over nature. The ones around you can have an amazing impact, if only Delita would have realized it at this point… maybe fate would have turned out for the better.
And maybe the first thing on his current to do list, would not have been, "Kill Prince Goltana" and at the same time, blame it on Prince Larg… but before he could do that, he needed to earn the man's trust.
No one would tell him what to do anymore… after being used his entire life, he decided to end it here. From now on, Delita would be his own boss. It was his turn to use and abuse, whatever it would take to get him where he wanted to be… Delita would be a general one-day, maybe even a hero… and he would do it on behalf of both Teta and Karina.
The dark side of his adventure would begin… Now
Again, for the eighth morning in a row, Delita had awoke bright and early, even early enough to get a glimpse of the sunrise.
With the gill Delita had stolen from the soldiers he defeated in yesterday's battle, he was able to afford one night in a cheap hotel.
Delita stretched his arms out, and blinked a couple of times before heading to the door. He turned the knob, and walked out into the hallway, down the stairs and into the entrance room where he would have to pay. He lined up behind two other people.
While he waited Delita noticed a mirror behind the desk, he moved closer and noticed his hair out of place. Delita touched his tongue with his finger and tried to straighten out the hairs that had come out of place. But they only continued to fall back to the way they had been before. So instead, Delita decided to pull a couple of more out from the same side…
"Sir! Excuse me, Sir!"
Delita jumped up quickly, "What?" He snapped.
"Are you ready to pay?" A woman with short red hair asked him.
"Yes…" Delita said.
"Alright, that'll be three thousand gill!" She proposed.
Delita's eyes grew wider, "Um…" He knew he didn't have enough, and checked the prices on the sign… he had stayed in the wrong suite. He had been in the second most expensive one.
"Well, Sir?"
"What's a pretty girl like yourself doing in a place like this anyway? I think I've seen you around before… wait! Shouldn't you be modeling somewhere?" Delita smiled.
"Oh… Why thank you" She blushed. "In that case… I'll give you half price" She giggled.
Delita knew he still did not have enough, "Or how about you pretend I wasn't here at all? That way I can save up my money to take you out for a big expensive dinner, what do you say?" He decided to try lying his way out of the mess.
"Well… I don't know about that"
Delita smiled again, his teeth showing only slightly, "Shh… don't tell and no one will know, am I correct?" He tried being more persuasive as he put his pointer finger on her lips.
She smiled back, "Alright" She giggled again, "Thank you, sir! Please come again!" She noticed the manager right behind her.
"Hey, call me Delita" He winked at her and then left the scene, missing how the girl almost melted over the counter. "I could be a bloody mediator" He mumbled as he pushed the exit door open.
Now the first thing he would have to do to successfully complete his first mission… find out where the bastard is! Sure the murder would be easy, but where was the victim?
"Make way for the prince himself, Goltana!" Delita heard. People screamed and cheered, and few others booed as the fat man came strolling in, protected by plenty of knights.
"Pure luck" Delita grinned.
Acting inconspicuous, Delita began following them. After all there was a crowd as well, he acted as one of the supporters, though he did not cheer. There was much pushing and shoving, but he was able to handle it without throwing a fit.
Delita stopped and tripped, as the crowd around him came to a stop… "What happened?" He asked the man beside him.
"Looks like he's entered that castle… so I guess no ones aloud to go any further" He stated.
Delita frowned, "Oh, that's too bad" He looked around to see a gate, and a small cliff. He predicted that he would have to come later on, while there was a change in shifts amongst the guards.
The full moon was out, and the city life had died off, for everyone was now asleep, tucked safely in their beds. On the other hand Delita waited behind the small cliff to the left of the gate of the opening to the castle. He had brought a bag with him, full of equipment he may have needed to reach the castle with.
As he heard the voices of two men, he backed up behind a tree, and held his breath. The voices slowly became softer and softer, until they were gone. Delita decided now would be the best time… he separated the flaps, and placed his hand into the bag, searching for a certain item. Delita pulled out a rope, and tied a loose scout's knot at one end.
With one hand on the end and one hand to swing the rope Delita aimed it at a certain large rock on the cliff above him. He threw the rope up at it, but missed the boulder. Delita pulled the rope back, and repeated the same procedure, and after this attempt had grasped the rock, with his rope tied tightly around it. Delita tugged on it checking it was secure, and put his back against the tree behind him. He kicked his feet out and slowly began to pull himself up, and though the strength required was a great amount, Delita was already half way up, when he heard a sound almost similar to that of crackling.
Quickly, he felt himself loosing his grip; Delita let go of the end of the rope, which had broken off. He lost his balance, but kept his feet out and back pinned against the tree. He breathed quickly, nervous, as he was quiet high up in the air. If he fell now, he would have broken every bone in his body.
Delita began pushing himself up, and slowly but steadily he reached the other end of the rope. He grabbed onto it as it swung his way. He let his feet fall, and hung in mid air for a moment. Delita pulled his way up until his was at the peak of the small cliff, and then pulled himself up.
He dusted himself off, and then heard the clinging of two metals. Delita looked up to see a girl with short blond hair, camouflaging with the night's sky as she wore completely black, except for the Silver cowboy's hat on her head. A small cape covered the shirt underneath but not the choker around her neck. Her eyes could not be seen as the cowboy hat was worn so low on her face, just above her eyes, so light did not reflect among them. She held two ninja knives at her sides; her hands were almost completely covered by her gloves, though the fingertips of the gloves missing, to show her white skin.
"You won't be doing my mission, boy" She got into a fighter's stance.
"What do you mean?" Delita was fascinated by her cherry red lips.
"You're here for Goltana too, no? Why else would you sneak in at this time of night?" She questioned him, with a slight laugh in her voice.
"Well… if you consider the act of a first degree murder being here for him, then yes" Delita smiled.
She had a smirk on her face, "I knew it"
Delita drew his sword knowing this would lead to a battle, "Why would a cute little thing like yourself be interested in murdering an old fat man running for ruler of Ivalice?"
She slashed at him with both her knives, but each was reflected by Delita's sword, "Firstly, don't add the stupid little nicknames, and secondly I've been sent out on a mission, and nothing is going to stop me! Not even a pretty boy wannabe Convict like yourself!" She dodged his sword with a quick turn to the side.
"Convict? What makes you think I'd want to be one of those?"
"Murder" She said the simple word.
Delita shook his head, and tried a right crescent cut with his sword, "No, I'm on a mission also… a personal one, and if this bastard died it would just help me out"
"So… what your saying is, as long as he's dead? Fine then! I'll kill him, now get out of here!" She blocked his sword, and did a simple straight kick, hitting Delita in a sensitive area.
He cried out in pain, and fell to the ground. The girl stood above him, and put her knives back into their scabbards. He grabbed her ankle and knocked her off of her feet and to the ground also. Delita frantically got onto his knees, and pinned her to the ground, holding both her arms down. "I don't trust that you'll do it… either we'll both go, or I'll give you a nice wet one with some tongue" Delita pressed his nose against the girl's.
"What makes you think I don't want a kiss?" She said sarcastically. Delita lifted his face up and down towards her lips, "No! Don't!" She cried.
"That's what…" Delita laughed, "Now, are you in or out?"
She bit her lip, and after a moment or two, "Fine" She said in agreement with Delita's plan.
"Do you even know where the hell you're going?" Not even half way up the stairs they had already begun arguing.
"Well, you could help me out! We're both here for the same thing, are we not?" Delita yelled at her. She stopped walking and halted Delita, as he was behind her. "What did you stop for?"
"If I had it my way, he would be dead already!" She snapped.
Delita glared at her, "Then go for it, princess!"
Though Delita couldn't see her eyes, he could feel her glaring at him. She punched him in the face, "Go to hell!" She yelled after the shot.
Delita covered his nose as he felt it begin dripping blood. "What was that for?"
"Are we going to find him or not, pretty boy?"
"Fine, but what the hell was the punch for?!" Delita was angered by the fact she had started a flow of red liquid leaking from his nose.
She continued up the stairs, "I warned you not to give me any pet names…" She glared once more.
"I guess I should have listened to your pretty little voice then…" Delita sneered.
"I'm not going to hit you again, I said names"
Delita snarled, "Alright… let me think a couple up, how about buttercup?" He followed her.
"Shut up, so I can think" She came to a three-way passage.
"Alright, we'll continue tonight's meeting, after a One and a half hour intermission" The two of them listened to hear their victim's voice.
"And that's our dead line" Delita stated.
The girl smiled, "Now your thinking" She took her two knives from her pockets as Delita pulled out his sword. "The room, front right"
"Thought so" Delita knew that was where the voices came from.
"How about we wait until half of them leave, and then attack?" The girl suggested.
"Are you out of your mind? He'll probably leave to!" Delita began another argument.
She turned towards him, "Am I out of my mind? At least this way we'll have killed the half in the room before the other half comes back to get us!"
"But then he won't come back because he'll see their bodies on the ground! Then what do we do?"
"You should both get out of here" The two looked at each other nervously, and turned around the see a man with long grey hair.
"Count Orlandu!" The girl was shocked, and quickly got onto her knees.
"Don't do that… you are both here to fulfil a murder task I presume?" It appeared he heard the two talking to each other earlier on. He helped the girl back to her feet.
"Ya… so what of it?" Delita asked.
"He's in his bedroom, next floor to first room on your left" Orlandu winked at the girl.
She smiled at him, "Thank you, sir! Now, come on, boy!" She bowed to the older man, and dashed towards the stairs, "Tell Olan I say hi!" She laughed on her way up.
"Why are you helping us?" Delita asked.
"I don't fancy the prince too much myself" The man chuckled.
Delita grinned, "Well… alright then thanks, I owe you one!" He smiled and ran after the girl.
"Do you hear him?" Delita asked as the girl pressed her ear against the door.
"No… not yet" She said. Delita watched her for a moment without saying a word, she turned to face him, "What are you staring at?"
He looked at her with a slightly serious and slightly innocent face, "What's your name?" He asked.
"Why do you care? We're never going to see each other again" She pushed her ear up against the door again.
"You never know"
"I don't like your spirituality… it freaks me out" She stated.
Delita laughed, "Can you just tell me or what?"
"I don't have one…" She explained.
Delita broke out into laughter almost crying, "Ha, ha! That's the funniest thing I've ever heard!"
"Its true… but those I work with call me Silver"
Delita bit his lip, "The hat?" He asked, controlling his laughter.
"Yes… now shut up, you're distracting me again!"
"Don't you want to know my name?" He asked.
Silver looked up at him, "Hey! Guess what? I really don't give a damn!! I'm busy right now"
Delita smiled, "Well… if you do wanna know, its Hyral. Delita Hyral"
"That's great… now!" Silver jumped up holding two of her knives in her right hand. Delita stood behind her, ready to attack.
"There they are!" The two heard the voice of the enemy.
"Damn you!" Silver yelled at Delita, "If it wasn't for all your damn complaining he would be dead now!" She put her knives away and ran quickly down the hallway. Delita put his sword back into its scabbard and followed her.
"When will you be back for him?" Delita asked realizing in a situation like this, an accomplice may be a good thing.
"Leave me alone! I'll do it someday on my own! Now go get captured or something!" She climbed onto a desk by the window, and opened it to jump out.
Delita grabbed a piece of paper that looked like an agreement on his way out.
