Chapter 59

Maduin woke up and stared at the tree lying across his chest. He put his hands against it and with enormous effort managed to roll it off him. He stood and brushed the dirt off his shoulder spikes. He turned to see Ifrit lying nearby, covered with dust. He shook him gently; noting the enormous heat the Esper's body was radiating.

"What the…." muttered Ifrit.

"You still in one piece?" asked Maduin.

Ifrit opened his eyes and carefully got to his feet. "Yeah…I think so."

They looked around to see that most of the forest had been leveled. The Blood Rose lay on it's side, clearly visible from two miles away. Jidoor was hidden by thick black soot, like a smoldering funeral pyre.

"Dammit!" cursed Ifrit, striking his fist through a tree stump.

"What the hell happened?" asked Cyrus as he limped by.

"Well, we're not dead yet," said Maduin.

"Maybe we are," said Ifrit thoughtfully.

Cyrus rummaged through the fallen log, wiping soot from his face as he did so. He threw aside a tree limb and found Ganamede lying underneath. He touched her shoulder. Her eyes flicked open.

"By Poltergeist, what was that?" she asked wearily.

Cyrus helped her to her feet. "It felt like an explosion crossed with an earthquake."

She shook her head and looked around her. "It looks like I'm your prisoner."

Cyrus released her arm. "It doesn't matter anymore."

"Where's Golem?" asked Maduin.

As they looked around Ifrit noticed a huge bird flying over the ruined town. He held a massive claw over his eyes to shield from the glare of the sun.

"It's Palidor!" he yelled.

As the bird got closer they made out the forms of Ramuh and Shiva, along with some people Ifrit didn't recognize. Palidor circled and landed nearby. Ifrit ran over to them.

"Glad you made it my boy!" said Ramuh cheerfully.

"Shiva…." began Ifrit, choked with emotion.

Shiva jumped off of Palidor and tackled him to the ground. She wrapped her arms around his neck. A faint hiss of steam rose from their embrace.

"Don't say anything," she said softly.

Ifrit nodded and gingerly held her as close as he dared.

"No time for a reunion children," said Ramuh thumping them with his staff, "We have to stop the Temples!"

Shiva looked up. "The Temples Grandpa?"

"The Temples are freed from the land and are moving together," said Ramuh grimly, "If they are allowed to meet, they will destroy what's left of the world."

"We have to move quickly," said an elderly lady stepping off of Palidor's back.

Shiva got off of Ifrit. "This is Terrato."

"The young lady is Fenrir and the lad is Stray," said Terrato.

Ramuh smiled. "This man is Cyrus, the Esper is Maduin and the girl is…."

"Ganamede Willow," said the Blue Mage.

"Charmed," said Ifrit as he stood up.

"So how do we stop the goddesses?" asked Fenrir in a sullen tone.

Terrato glanced at her. "We defeat the Avatars."

"Avatars?" asked Cyrus.

"After each Magus died, their blood opened a portal that allowed an avatar of that goddess to appear in this world," said the old woman.

"Now it's too late," said Shiva.

"Not yet," replied Ramuh, "The Avatars can be defeated."

"Not easily," said Ifrit with a sigh.

"I'll go with Shiva and Ifrit to the Temple of Doom," said Ramuh, "Cyrus, go with Maduin and Ganamede to the Temple of Poltergeist."

"And I'll take Stray and Fenrir to the Temple of Goddess," said Terrato.

"Wait!" said Ganamede.

They stared at her. She blushed self-consciously. "I want to go with you!" she said.

"You're Eboshi," said Ifrit.

"So?" she snapped back, "I want to save the world too!"

"Don't worry Ifrit, I'll take her," said Cyrus as he shouldered his lance.

"What am I, some ball and chain?" she retorted.

Cyrus tried hard not to smile. "Let's go," he said.

Ramuh, Shiva and Ifrit climbed on Palidor, who carried them off. Terrato turned into a giant snake and picked up Fenrir and Stray. Cyrus, Ganamede, and Maduin made their way toward the Blood Rose. They found Cid and Kelvin busy working on the engine.

"How long until repairs are completed?" asked Cyrus.

"Nice to see you too," replied Cid, "A few hours."

"Make it quick," said Cyrus, "We don't have much time."

"We're doing our best," said Kelvin.

Cyrus nodded and looked to the south. He would see this through to the end.