Disclaimer: Final Fantasy Tactics is the property of Square/Enix. I do not challenge their copyright in any way, though I wish they'd put out a sequel on a system other than the GBA.

Author's Notes: I know FFT is a pretty old game, but I've had a story idea for it knocking around for a while now, and I guess I'll write this thing just to get it out of my head.

Honest criticism is always welcome; flamers will either be ignored, laughed at, or violently counter-flamed, depending on my mood.

Just a note: I do NOT support any of the numerous pairings I've seen on FF.net, especially the highly popular Ramza/Agrias combo. In truth I consider that pairing to be baseless, as I cannot recall the two of them ever talking about anything important (except for a short snippet in the middle of a fight at Golgorand), much less do anything intimate. Heck, Ramza/Meliadoul or Ramza/Rafa or even Ramza/Ovelia would be more likely than Ramza/Agrias.

….Just my opinion! Don't hurt me! (Runs away) ^_-

Chapter One

Murond Holy City (A few days after Ramza's defeat of Altima)

The great doors of the temple shone golden in the midday light, reflecting sunlight off their polished surfaces and almost blinding anyone approaching with their gleaming magnificence.

They were the gates that led into the sanctuary and headquarters of the Glabados Church, quite possibly the most sacred location in Ivalice, and no expense had been spared to remind anyone who viewed them of that fact. Elaborate carvings depicting scenes of St. Ajora's life and works covered the massive set of twin doors, inlaid with precious metals and sparkling gemstones. As ornate as they were, they had very little defensive value in a siege, but what did it matter? No one would dare to attack Murond. The Church's haven had stood inviolate for many years, and many of the faithful had believed Murond would last until the end of the world, lulled into complacency and a sense of false security.

Now all of that was over. The mighty Church had finally been humbled, centuries of tradition smashed like an egg crushed by a sledgehammer. Glabados was reeling, leaderless and vulnerable for the first time most of the priests could remember. They knew that many of the less pious nobles resented the Church's vast wealth and the moral authority they held in the eyes of the masses. They also knew that when there was blood was in the water, sharks would inevitably begin to circle. Over the years the Glabados Church had watched that same death scene numerous times as opportunists swarmed over weakened governments, snipping off whatever they could until there was nothing left but a picked corpse. In fact, the Church had often profited from wrenching what it could from dying opponents. This time, though, it was different. This time it was Glabados that was bleeding, and if the Church fell, the clergy would fall with it. Action was required to ensure the Church survived without losing power to the constantly hungry nobles, and it needed to come fast.

Those dark thoughts were foremost in the mind of the man that strode up to the magnificent gates of the temple, coming to a halt several yards away. Several knights were on guard in front of the doors, though it was a priest who came forward.

"Who demands entry into Murond Temple?"

The man squared his shoulders, straightening to an imposing height as he shook his shoulders, briefly readjusting his voluminous robes. He had a full head of thick, dark hair that was only starting to turn gray around the edges, though his craggy face was lined from years of following his stressful calling. His voice, when it came, was deep and filled with the unmistakable ring of authority.

"I am Lakus Pardejan, Pagan Examiner of the Glabados Church. By the will of Saint Ajora, I demand you open the gates!"

The priest's eyes widened briefly. He had heard of this Pagan Examiner, and he knew he was not a man to be crossed. Almost of their own will, his eyes drifted past the senior churchman's shoulder, to the hulking figure dressed in shining golden armor covered with a green surcoat. The Shrine Knight's face was hidden in the curve of his hood, but he'd seen enough of them to know- this man was a Divine Knight, which meant the trouble dropped in his lap had just been increased twofold. His tone became far more respectful, and he bowed.

"Forgive me for failing to recognize you, Pagan Examiner. Enter, and feel welcome in the house of God." He turned to the guards. "Open the gates!"

Lakus marched through the doors as soon as they were ajar, not even waiting for them to be fully opened. All of the gate guards scrambled to avoid touching or inconveniencing him. They moved back with only slightly less haste to avoid his Divine Knight escort. Inside the temple, another acolyte scurried forward, bowing as low as was humanly possible while remaining standing.

"Your Eminence! The Cardinals and the other Pagan Examiners have all arrived already. Their meeting has just begun. Would you-"

Lakus gestured impatiently.

"Enough wasting time then. Lead me to them."

"Of course, your Eminence! Please, follow me!"

The young priest hurried away, glancing back to make sure they were following. Lakus smiled thinly, imagining how close to God he must feel after escorting some of the highest officials in the Glabados Church to the council chambers. Perhaps he'd spend the night praying after his exalting experience. He himself had long since gotten used to dealing with high officials. The senior churchmen were all extremely adept at burying their heads in the sand and ignoring any possibility of anything threatening their comfortable monopoly; the other Pagan Examiners ranged from fanatics so immersed in dogma they saw heresy around every corner to bored cynics who had lost their faith. It was no wonder the Church had fallen on hard times with men like these running it.

A pair of guards opened the doors to the council chambers, and Lakus and his bodyguard swept inside, bypassing the door guards and the young priest, who kept bowing as they went by. The doors boomed shut behind them.

"Good, Lakus, you're finally here." Cardinal Gudros leaned forwards, steepling his fingers. The Pagan Examiner noted the old man's palsied hands were shaking, and his voice sounded even thinner than the last time he'd heard him.

"Have you been informed of all the recent…happenings?"

"No, Cardinal. I came here as soon as I received word that something was amiss." Actually, Lakus had already gotten some detailed information, but he wanted to see how much they'd tell him and how bad they thought it was.

"It is simple enough. Cardinal Draclau's murder has been followed up here. The High Priest was assassinated along with most of the priests here at Murond and most of the senior clergy. There were no witnesses to most of the killing, but the heretic Ramza Beoulve was seen here on that day."

Lakus drew in a deep, hissing breath. The young Beoulve had been someone who'd interested him, and after hearing that he'd killed Zalmo he had been intent on tracking him down and bringing him to justice after he'd finished some other business in Zeltennia. Apparently, he shouldn't have waited- it had cost the Church dearly.

"The Shrine Knights have been decimated- their leaders have been missing ever since the massacre here and most of the Knights are missing as well. Orbonne Monastery's priests were also slaughtered by someone- again the renegade Beoulve was spotted going there by our informants. Apparently Vormav was there too, but all of them seem to have disappeared without a trace."

Although he said nothing, Lakus could feel the heat radiating from the knight behind him, and he smiled mentally. The angrier he became, the more effective a fighter he was. This Beoulve would have to be very careful…

"Why did you call me here?"

The assembly of watching eyes did not intimidate him in the least, but he sensed that there had been a general consensus regarding him before he'd even arrived. Something was up…

The Cardinal leaned back slowly in his seat.

"The Church is in disarray. Many of the senior clergy are dead and it will take a while to bring the Shrine Knights back to full strength. We are more vulnerable than we have been for centuries." His eyes bored into Lakus.

"Should any word about the former High Priest's plot ever get out, we will have been dealt a blow we may never recover from. The heretic Beoulve and the new King, Delita both know about it. We can count on the King's silence; if word gets out the nation he spent so much time piecing back together will erupt into civil war once again. Ramza, however, is too dangerous to be allowed to live. You must hunt him down, if he still lives. He has in his possession the Germonik Scriptures and a number of the legendary Zodiac Stones that Funeral was planning to use to recreate the Zodiac Braves. Recover them all. You are the best Pagan Examiner we have left after Zalmo's death. This Beoulve must be found and silenced permanently. It does not matter how, or what it will cost."

"I always thought Funeral was a fool to twist the story of the Zodiac Braves for earthly power." Lakus' mouth twisted into a sneer. "Those stones are one of the centerpieces of our faith and you old men are only worried about political upheavals. You are all pathetic. I will find the stones, and the Scriptures, and I will hunt down the Beoulve, but not for your reasons. Do not presume to give me commands. I'll carry out the mission I was sworn to accomplish as a Pagan Examiner, but not under your orders!"

The old man sighed.

"We don't care what motivates you, Lakus. Just get it done and we can rebuild. I am sure you would agree that the Church must survive."

Lakus did not bother hiding his contempt as he turned away and strode off, his escort following after.

Watch your step, Ramza Beoulve…