Author's Note: I hope you liked those last two chapters, because it can only get crazier from here. Enjoy!
Reincarnation
Chapter 10-The Future of Gaia
Totetsumonari Kyuuden, Treno
11:57 P.M. Gaian Standard
Kuja:
I watched Kirika collapse on one of my couches and smiled. The child had obliviously been in something she had no business being in. Or was she? Kirika had made me genuinely nervous when she had left earlier. I hadn't figured out what she meant by 'I'll make you proud of me'. What was she planning to do? There was a small tapping sound at the window, which took my attention away from Kirika.
I carefully approached the window, my feet making small slapping sounds on the floor, and opened it. A small dove flapped in and landed on my hand. I could tell by the color and size of it that it was one of the Alexandrian royal family's birds. I took the roll of paper from its left foot and blinked as it flapped away, perhaps never to return. I unrolled the paper and read it carefully. It was from Zidane and he requested my appearance at the castle.
It was probably about Kirika. I yawned and closed my window. I had better things to do at the moment so Zidane could wait. I slipped my boots on and headed out of the front door of Totetsumonari Kyuuden. I had made sure to lock it with a spell only Kirika and the Auctioneer would know how to break. I was headed over to Dr. Tot's house to analyze the suspicious pattern of stars in Gaia's midnight skies. I needed to see if it was going to go away naturally. Otherwise, Gaia would be doomed.
Mikoto:
I stared up at the sky calmly, searching for the suspicious formation of stars. This was a bad sign. I wasn't sure what it meant since astronomy wasn't my forte. I knew that it was my older brother's hobby. But he probably wouldn't take a message from me now that I was involved in his death. So I would be patient to wait for a word from Zidane.
Kuja:
"They haven't gone away, Kuja."
Just as I thought. I would have to research this phenomenon. It most likely had something to do with Garland. And as much as I hated to think that, I knew it was a virtually impossible fact to ignore.
"Hmm…I'll have to get back to you on that one, Dr. Tot," I muttered thoughtfully.
I would have to tell Zidane about this also. And I knew he wouldn't be happy. I told Dr. Tot to continue studying the stars while I headed back to my palace. I needed to look in my library for Garland's research logs. I broke the spell on the door and went inside, moving past the couch Kirika collapsed on. She was still there, fast asleep. I picked up the rather large book from my desk and opened it, flipping past pages filled with sketches of genomes to the back.
That was the beginnings of Garland's 'master' plan. I scanned over the flowing script carefully until I found what I wanted.
'When my plan fails, in which it may to due to Zidane's influence, I have hidden a special device in Gaia that will automatically activate when I parish from both worlds. In turn this device will disrupt the Iifa Tree's natural patterns and overrun the planet with dangerous mist and dead souls. Project Process: fourteen years to complete.'
Fourteen years? It's been that long since he's died? And now Terra was the reason why we had that strange pattern of stars in the sky. This was serious. The Iifa Tree had a strong potential to kill. It was the perfect plan. I couldn't believe it. I put the book down and nudged Kirika softly. She groaned and opened her eyes. They were blood tinged on the edges.
"Come on, we're going to Alexandria," I whispered.
Kirika narrowed her eyes at me darkly.
"I don't want to go there," She snapped.
"You will stay in the Invincible where it's safe," I muttered.
Kirika sighed and got to her feet slowly.
"Let's go."
One Hour Later:
I stood in front of Zidane and Garnet in the throne room surrounded by guards. I really didn't like all of this security, but since Kirika actually got into the castle so easily (or so they say) they won't take any chances. I would question Kirika's motives later when I could return to the Invincible in peace.
"So you say you have news for me," Zidane said, his tone low and even.
"Yes, Zidane, I do. It seems like Garland had a backup plan for this world and Terra," I replied.
"You have to be kidding."
"No, I'm not. The stars in the sky now show the plan. Garland has placed a device on Gaia that will cause terrible things that involve the Iifa Tree. We could all die, Zidane."
Zidane sighed and shook his head.
"You expect me to believe this, Kuja?" He asked.
As much as I wanted to snap and curse at him, I kept myself silent. I knew that Zidane was acting like this for his wife. I didn't like it.
"This is curious," I snapped.
Zidane got up from his throne scattering the guards that positioned themselves around me.
"Your daughter just attacked my wife and killed Steiner just a few hours ago and now you tell us more bad news, Kuja."
"Do not blame your simple misgivings on me, Zidane. Maybe you deserved what came to you."
I was not in the mood for this. Garnet jumped out of her seat and snarled.
"How can you say that? Get out of my castle, Kuja!"
Kirika:
I idly scanned the ship's logs for any new information, knowing that it would take Kuja a long time to tell the royal family what they needed to know.
"So you're the little girl who took out Steiner and Beatrix. I've heard a lot about you, Kirika."
I whipped around from the Invincible's control panel and saw the same woman that had taken Kuja from me before.
"Are you here to kill me too?" I asked.
The woman smirked and smoothed her silver hair back.
"I may. However, I think you would serve me better alive," She said coolly.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Who are you?"
"I am Kirei and that is all you need to know, my dear."
"What do you mean by 'serve me better alive'?"
Kirei smirked and shifted her weight to her left leg.
"I can help you find your parents," She said.
"My father is in the castle. Perhaps you know him," I snapped.
She laughed.
"Kuja isn't your real father, Kirika. You are not a genome, like me."
What is a genome? I shook my head and balled my hands into fists.
"You're a liar."
"Come outside with me child," Kirei said softly.
I followed her outside on to the plains of the Mist Continent.
"Kirika, you know Treno is not your birthplace. Think about it, my dear."
Treno was my birthplace, along with Lindblum. That's where Kuja found me. Kuja…found…me. I blinked frantically, holding back silent tears.
"Where are my parents?" I asked.
"Check Kuja's library."
Kirei smirked as I caught sight of Kuja heading towards the ship.
"Remember, Kirika," Kirei whispered, vanishing as she the words.
So Kuja knew where my parents were. I had to wonder why he didn't tell me when I became old enough to understand…