Chapter 5:
They arrived at the castle just after dawn. Rydia was exhausted, more so then the others, as it took her energy to sustain Chocky outside of his demention. She was ready to fall asleep when she slid off her called chocobo. She scratched his ear one last time.
"Go home, Chocky. I'll see you soon though."
"Scwak!" he replied gently rubbing his large head against her tunic. He disappeared into a burst of light.
"I didn't know you could summon for so long," Cecil said, sounding impressed.
"My mommy used to make me practice holding Chocky in this world," Rydia replied. "As long as he doesn't take any damage, I can hold him here. But if Chocky gets hurt he goes home and I hafta spend more magic to call him back." She smiled. "Chocky's my best friend."
Rydia followed after the others, her head tucked down, as they went into Yang's castle. People stared at them as they passed. Not that she blamed them. They did look pretty strange, especially with a Dark Knight leading them. Rydia watched Edward's large feathered hat as they walked. It bounced up and down, and she knew that he had hidden his face under it. Edward did not want people to know he was a Prince, because they would treat him differently. Rydia did not blame him. She wished that she were more grown up, so that the others would not treat her like a little girl. She was just as powerful as any of them. She had taken out monsters on her own. She just wanted them to treat her like a member of the team, rather then as the little sister of the group.
They stepped into the throne room. Rydia copied Rosa and courtsied as the men bowed.
"Yang, where are the others?" asked the King of Fabul, his voice filled with concern.
"They are dead," Yang whispered. "We were ambushed by monsters during training. I, too, would have parished, if not for these people."
"Who are these people?" The King looked them over, his gaze hovering on Cecil. "Are you not a Dark Knight of Baron?"
"I am," Cecil admitted. "But you must hurry and fortify your Crystal! The Red Wings will be attacking."
The King glared at Cecil.
"You are from Baron, you have just admitted that. Why should I trust you? Why are you betraying your own Kingdom?"
"My King," Yang protested, "they saved my life."
"I would like to hear his answer, Yang."
"I have renounced Baron," Cecil replied softly. "I have been forced to murder innocent people, first in Mysidia, then in Myst. I swore I would never again follow an order that would lead me to murdering the innocent." Rydia felt tears in her eyes as Cecil talked about her village. She could hear the sadness in his voice as well.
Silence filled the room as the King of Fabul continued to stare at Cecil. "Please, sire, time is of the essence," Cecil whispered. Edward suddenly stepped forward and removed his feathered purple hat.
"Prince Edward, my friend, why are you here with this ragtag lot?"
"Damcyan has fallen," Edward replied softly. "Cecil, Rydia and Rosa have all saved my life time and again. Though Cecil wears Dark colours, I have never met a more honourable knight." The King nodded.
"Will you all help protect our Crystal then?"
"Yes," Cecil replied.
"Then would you girls help protect the citizens?"
"Of course, Your Magesty," Rosa replied, bowing. Rydia bowed her head as well, though she was disappointed. She knew that they were being 'protected' simply because she was young. That was always the way.
Rydia sat next to Rosa as they waited in the bowels of the castle. There were soldiers outside the heavy wooden door, ready to protect them. Suddenly, the castle began to shake. Rosa threw herself over Rydia until the shaking stopped.
"Red Wings?" Rydia asked softly, having seen the distruction they could cause first hand.
"Red Wings," Rosa confirmed. "I hope Cecil is all right."
"Help!" came a scream through the door. "Zombies!" Rydia's eyes went wide. She scrambled over to the door.
"Rosa, we can't leave them out there by themselves!" She began to unlock it. "Zombies are powerful, and nearly impossible to kill without magic." Rosa hesitated a moment.
"Let's go," she said at last. She turned to the other two White Mages. "Don't open this door until Rydia or I come tell you it's safe."
The two of them hurried into the hall. There were at least a dozen zombies. Most of the guards were laying on the ground, groaning or uncontious. The zombies noticed them and they began shuffling toward the two magic users. Rydia felt a surge of anger. These undead beasts had caused so much pain, and she wasn't about to let that continue. Her hands went forward, and before Rydia knew what she was doing, strange words were tumbling from her mouth.
"Fire TWO!" she screamed. Huge balls of flame exploded from her hands, turning the zombies to dust. Rydia dropped to her knees, panting.
"Rydia, how did you do that? You can cast a Two spell?"
"I dunno," she replied, forcing herself up to her feet. "I can do some really powerful magic when I am angry," she added. She looked over the hall. "But I can't controle it. Look at the walls, I scorched them. I should be able to controle my magic. If I don't I cause all sorts of damage. Like making mountains..." She trailed off.
"You saved their lives," Rosa said, as she bent over to heal the soldiers.
Rydia helped the soldiers into the room with the other white mages. As she was lying on of the last ones into bed, she felt a terrible chill in the air, an evil chill. Rosa looked at her.
"Did you feel that?" Rydia asked.
"Yes. . . I've felt it before too. That evil power. . . it's the same as Golbez." Her eyes went wide. "Cecil! He'll be in danger! We have to go to him!"
"Right behind you!"
The two of them ran back to the throne room, but Cecil and the others were not there.
"Kain!" came Cecil's excited voice from behind the throne. Rosa froze, her eyes wide.
"Kain's alive?" Rydia whispered. She suddenly felt relieved. She hadn't killed him!
"Kain, fight with us!" Cecil urged.
"Surely," replied a monotonous voice. "But against you, Cecil." Rydia felt her stomach drop into her toes. She broke into a run, Rosa quickly coming after her.
"Kain STOP!" she screamed as they entered the Crystal room.
Kain, in his dragon-helmet armor somehow darker then the last time she had seen him, had a black lance pointed at Cecil's throat. Cecil was sprawled on his back. There was terror in his eyes.
"Kain, why?"
"Kain, stop it!" cried Rosa. Kain turned to her. He paled, and something in his eyes changed.
"Rosa? Don't look at me, Rosa!" Whatever had changed in his eyes changed back.
"Why so upset, Kain?" asked a smooth, deep voice. Rydia and Rosa moved out of the way. Rosa knelt at Cecil's side. "Fetch the Crystal."
"Yes master," Kain replied, his voice once again monotonous.
"You will not get my Kingdom's Crystal!" Yang exclaimed. Edward and Yang moved in front of the alter where the Crystal was held.
Golbez chuckled. It was an evil sound that shook Rydia down to her very core.
"You insignificant flies have no idea who you are dealing with." He extended his arm, and a bolt of lightning cut through Yang and Edward. They sunk to the ground, and did not move. Rydia was too afraid to move. Then Golbez turned toward Rosa. "This girl is important to you? Then I shall take her. We shall meet again, Cecil, and I take her as a token of this promis." Once again he lifted his hand. Rosa was lifted into the air by some unseen force. Rydia reached for the white wizard, but she could not make her feet work. She could not chase after Rosa as the young woman flew into Golbez's grasp. She watched, helpless, as Kain strolled up and took the Crystal.
"Next time we meet, Cecil, you will not be so lucky," Kain said as he hurried after his master like an eager dog.
Rydia finally managed to make her feet move. She felt like crying. She had let Golbez take Rosa! She was useless.
"No," she thought, "I am not useless. I can still help them, just like they always help me." Rydia moved into the center of the room and cast a cure spell. Edward, Yang and Cecil slowly pulled themselves up.
"Thank you, Rydia," Edward said, tuffling her hair. "You okay?"
"Sure," she replied softly. "But, I don't know if Cecil is."
"Rosa," Cecil muttered, sinking to his knees. "I failed her."
"And we lost the Crystal," Yang added.
"Look guys," Rydia said, trying to smile, "we can still get Rosa back. The Crystal too. We know they are in Baron." She threw her arms around Cecil's neck. "Don't give up, Cecil. You can still help her."
Cecil looked up at Rydia. He gave her a half smile.
"Thanks Kiddo. You're right, you know."
"You should listen to me more often," she said with a grin. His half-smile bloomed into a grin.
"You are spending too much time with Rosa." He turned to Yang, going serious once more. "Do you think that your King will allow us to use a ship. Baron rules the skies, but the King has long neglected Baron's navy." Yang flinched.
"I cannot say what the King will decide, but there is no harm in asking."
The four of them went to spend the night in the inn, as the King had been injured in the fighting. Rydia tossed and turned all night, barely able to sleep, as she played the incedent over and over in her mind. She knew that if she had just been a little stronger that Rosa would still be with them. She ended up calling Chocky into the room, and she told him all that had happened, crying into his feathers more then once. Chocky curled up around her, cooing softly and rubbing his head against her, as if saying "I'm here, you don't need to worry any more."
The King agreed to let them have the ship. It took three days to get everything ready. Rydia spent most of her time tucked away in a corner, trying to cast Fire Two again, but she did not manage it. She knew that once they boarded the ship she would not be able to practice her spell, on the chance that she would burn the boat. Rydia was not looking forward to the long boat ride. Yang told her it would probably take them nearly two weeks.
Yang's wife was waiting for them at the port.
"Now you take care of yourself," she said sternly. "You had better come back to me, if you know what is good for you."
"I will, dear," Yang replied, smiling.
"I baked you some treats, Rydia dear," she added, handing Rydia a basket filled with cookies. "Don't worry too much, little one." Rydia grinned and took the basket. "Don't share too many with Yang. I don't want him to get too fat." She winked. Rydia laughed.
"Okay. I'll make sure he doesn't get too many."
"You'll turn Rydia into a pan-wielding fiend!" Yang gasped in mock horror. "Run, Rydia, before she corrupts you!" Rydia giggled. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood. After all, they were on their way to save Rosa. Soon, everything would be good again. Rydia climbed into the ship with her hopes high.
Four days into the voyage, things began to change. Out of nowhere, the sea became very rough. Rydia felt sick, the way the boat kept rocking was making her stomach flip.
"Rydia you should get below!" Edward called to her as he ran to help tie down something. The boat gave another violent lurch. Rydia slid across the deck and smacked into the rail. She cried out as the wind was knocked from her. She could hear the soldiers shouting, screaming.
"Master of the Seas!" one cried, pointing out to the ocean. Rydia looked up. They were being pulled into a whirlpool. Within the center of the whirlpool was a glowing point. Rydia blinked, trying to figure out if she was imagining it. The point of light reminded her of when she summoned Chocky. . . .
"Leviathan?" she whispered. No, it could not be the King of Summoned monsters. After all he was a legend, or so her mother had said.
"Hold on, Lads! Here comes another big one!" cried the captain. Rydia grabbed onto the railing. The boat was rocked with another powerful wave.
She wasn't sure what happened, but suddenly Rydia found herself in the water. It was shockingly cold, and she could not draw a breath. She faught to reach the surface, kicking with all her might, but the way the water swirled around her, Rydia wasn't sure which way was up and which was down. She managed to get up to the surface long enough to draw a gasping breath, before another wave knocked her under again. The cold water was all around her.
"Help me." Everything around her was starting to get darker, as if the sun was setting. Her arms felt heavy, and it became harder to fight the water. She felt something clasp onto her shirt, and she was pulled down sharply, the darkness becoming total.
"Do not give up yet, my darling. Your time is not yet up."
They arrived at the castle just after dawn. Rydia was exhausted, more so then the others, as it took her energy to sustain Chocky outside of his demention. She was ready to fall asleep when she slid off her called chocobo. She scratched his ear one last time.
"Go home, Chocky. I'll see you soon though."
"Scwak!" he replied gently rubbing his large head against her tunic. He disappeared into a burst of light.
"I didn't know you could summon for so long," Cecil said, sounding impressed.
"My mommy used to make me practice holding Chocky in this world," Rydia replied. "As long as he doesn't take any damage, I can hold him here. But if Chocky gets hurt he goes home and I hafta spend more magic to call him back." She smiled. "Chocky's my best friend."
Rydia followed after the others, her head tucked down, as they went into Yang's castle. People stared at them as they passed. Not that she blamed them. They did look pretty strange, especially with a Dark Knight leading them. Rydia watched Edward's large feathered hat as they walked. It bounced up and down, and she knew that he had hidden his face under it. Edward did not want people to know he was a Prince, because they would treat him differently. Rydia did not blame him. She wished that she were more grown up, so that the others would not treat her like a little girl. She was just as powerful as any of them. She had taken out monsters on her own. She just wanted them to treat her like a member of the team, rather then as the little sister of the group.
They stepped into the throne room. Rydia copied Rosa and courtsied as the men bowed.
"Yang, where are the others?" asked the King of Fabul, his voice filled with concern.
"They are dead," Yang whispered. "We were ambushed by monsters during training. I, too, would have parished, if not for these people."
"Who are these people?" The King looked them over, his gaze hovering on Cecil. "Are you not a Dark Knight of Baron?"
"I am," Cecil admitted. "But you must hurry and fortify your Crystal! The Red Wings will be attacking."
The King glared at Cecil.
"You are from Baron, you have just admitted that. Why should I trust you? Why are you betraying your own Kingdom?"
"My King," Yang protested, "they saved my life."
"I would like to hear his answer, Yang."
"I have renounced Baron," Cecil replied softly. "I have been forced to murder innocent people, first in Mysidia, then in Myst. I swore I would never again follow an order that would lead me to murdering the innocent." Rydia felt tears in her eyes as Cecil talked about her village. She could hear the sadness in his voice as well.
Silence filled the room as the King of Fabul continued to stare at Cecil. "Please, sire, time is of the essence," Cecil whispered. Edward suddenly stepped forward and removed his feathered purple hat.
"Prince Edward, my friend, why are you here with this ragtag lot?"
"Damcyan has fallen," Edward replied softly. "Cecil, Rydia and Rosa have all saved my life time and again. Though Cecil wears Dark colours, I have never met a more honourable knight." The King nodded.
"Will you all help protect our Crystal then?"
"Yes," Cecil replied.
"Then would you girls help protect the citizens?"
"Of course, Your Magesty," Rosa replied, bowing. Rydia bowed her head as well, though she was disappointed. She knew that they were being 'protected' simply because she was young. That was always the way.
Rydia sat next to Rosa as they waited in the bowels of the castle. There were soldiers outside the heavy wooden door, ready to protect them. Suddenly, the castle began to shake. Rosa threw herself over Rydia until the shaking stopped.
"Red Wings?" Rydia asked softly, having seen the distruction they could cause first hand.
"Red Wings," Rosa confirmed. "I hope Cecil is all right."
"Help!" came a scream through the door. "Zombies!" Rydia's eyes went wide. She scrambled over to the door.
"Rosa, we can't leave them out there by themselves!" She began to unlock it. "Zombies are powerful, and nearly impossible to kill without magic." Rosa hesitated a moment.
"Let's go," she said at last. She turned to the other two White Mages. "Don't open this door until Rydia or I come tell you it's safe."
The two of them hurried into the hall. There were at least a dozen zombies. Most of the guards were laying on the ground, groaning or uncontious. The zombies noticed them and they began shuffling toward the two magic users. Rydia felt a surge of anger. These undead beasts had caused so much pain, and she wasn't about to let that continue. Her hands went forward, and before Rydia knew what she was doing, strange words were tumbling from her mouth.
"Fire TWO!" she screamed. Huge balls of flame exploded from her hands, turning the zombies to dust. Rydia dropped to her knees, panting.
"Rydia, how did you do that? You can cast a Two spell?"
"I dunno," she replied, forcing herself up to her feet. "I can do some really powerful magic when I am angry," she added. She looked over the hall. "But I can't controle it. Look at the walls, I scorched them. I should be able to controle my magic. If I don't I cause all sorts of damage. Like making mountains..." She trailed off.
"You saved their lives," Rosa said, as she bent over to heal the soldiers.
Rydia helped the soldiers into the room with the other white mages. As she was lying on of the last ones into bed, she felt a terrible chill in the air, an evil chill. Rosa looked at her.
"Did you feel that?" Rydia asked.
"Yes. . . I've felt it before too. That evil power. . . it's the same as Golbez." Her eyes went wide. "Cecil! He'll be in danger! We have to go to him!"
"Right behind you!"
The two of them ran back to the throne room, but Cecil and the others were not there.
"Kain!" came Cecil's excited voice from behind the throne. Rosa froze, her eyes wide.
"Kain's alive?" Rydia whispered. She suddenly felt relieved. She hadn't killed him!
"Kain, fight with us!" Cecil urged.
"Surely," replied a monotonous voice. "But against you, Cecil." Rydia felt her stomach drop into her toes. She broke into a run, Rosa quickly coming after her.
"Kain STOP!" she screamed as they entered the Crystal room.
Kain, in his dragon-helmet armor somehow darker then the last time she had seen him, had a black lance pointed at Cecil's throat. Cecil was sprawled on his back. There was terror in his eyes.
"Kain, why?"
"Kain, stop it!" cried Rosa. Kain turned to her. He paled, and something in his eyes changed.
"Rosa? Don't look at me, Rosa!" Whatever had changed in his eyes changed back.
"Why so upset, Kain?" asked a smooth, deep voice. Rydia and Rosa moved out of the way. Rosa knelt at Cecil's side. "Fetch the Crystal."
"Yes master," Kain replied, his voice once again monotonous.
"You will not get my Kingdom's Crystal!" Yang exclaimed. Edward and Yang moved in front of the alter where the Crystal was held.
Golbez chuckled. It was an evil sound that shook Rydia down to her very core.
"You insignificant flies have no idea who you are dealing with." He extended his arm, and a bolt of lightning cut through Yang and Edward. They sunk to the ground, and did not move. Rydia was too afraid to move. Then Golbez turned toward Rosa. "This girl is important to you? Then I shall take her. We shall meet again, Cecil, and I take her as a token of this promis." Once again he lifted his hand. Rosa was lifted into the air by some unseen force. Rydia reached for the white wizard, but she could not make her feet work. She could not chase after Rosa as the young woman flew into Golbez's grasp. She watched, helpless, as Kain strolled up and took the Crystal.
"Next time we meet, Cecil, you will not be so lucky," Kain said as he hurried after his master like an eager dog.
Rydia finally managed to make her feet move. She felt like crying. She had let Golbez take Rosa! She was useless.
"No," she thought, "I am not useless. I can still help them, just like they always help me." Rydia moved into the center of the room and cast a cure spell. Edward, Yang and Cecil slowly pulled themselves up.
"Thank you, Rydia," Edward said, tuffling her hair. "You okay?"
"Sure," she replied softly. "But, I don't know if Cecil is."
"Rosa," Cecil muttered, sinking to his knees. "I failed her."
"And we lost the Crystal," Yang added.
"Look guys," Rydia said, trying to smile, "we can still get Rosa back. The Crystal too. We know they are in Baron." She threw her arms around Cecil's neck. "Don't give up, Cecil. You can still help her."
Cecil looked up at Rydia. He gave her a half smile.
"Thanks Kiddo. You're right, you know."
"You should listen to me more often," she said with a grin. His half-smile bloomed into a grin.
"You are spending too much time with Rosa." He turned to Yang, going serious once more. "Do you think that your King will allow us to use a ship. Baron rules the skies, but the King has long neglected Baron's navy." Yang flinched.
"I cannot say what the King will decide, but there is no harm in asking."
The four of them went to spend the night in the inn, as the King had been injured in the fighting. Rydia tossed and turned all night, barely able to sleep, as she played the incedent over and over in her mind. She knew that if she had just been a little stronger that Rosa would still be with them. She ended up calling Chocky into the room, and she told him all that had happened, crying into his feathers more then once. Chocky curled up around her, cooing softly and rubbing his head against her, as if saying "I'm here, you don't need to worry any more."
The King agreed to let them have the ship. It took three days to get everything ready. Rydia spent most of her time tucked away in a corner, trying to cast Fire Two again, but she did not manage it. She knew that once they boarded the ship she would not be able to practice her spell, on the chance that she would burn the boat. Rydia was not looking forward to the long boat ride. Yang told her it would probably take them nearly two weeks.
Yang's wife was waiting for them at the port.
"Now you take care of yourself," she said sternly. "You had better come back to me, if you know what is good for you."
"I will, dear," Yang replied, smiling.
"I baked you some treats, Rydia dear," she added, handing Rydia a basket filled with cookies. "Don't worry too much, little one." Rydia grinned and took the basket. "Don't share too many with Yang. I don't want him to get too fat." She winked. Rydia laughed.
"Okay. I'll make sure he doesn't get too many."
"You'll turn Rydia into a pan-wielding fiend!" Yang gasped in mock horror. "Run, Rydia, before she corrupts you!" Rydia giggled. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood. After all, they were on their way to save Rosa. Soon, everything would be good again. Rydia climbed into the ship with her hopes high.
Four days into the voyage, things began to change. Out of nowhere, the sea became very rough. Rydia felt sick, the way the boat kept rocking was making her stomach flip.
"Rydia you should get below!" Edward called to her as he ran to help tie down something. The boat gave another violent lurch. Rydia slid across the deck and smacked into the rail. She cried out as the wind was knocked from her. She could hear the soldiers shouting, screaming.
"Master of the Seas!" one cried, pointing out to the ocean. Rydia looked up. They were being pulled into a whirlpool. Within the center of the whirlpool was a glowing point. Rydia blinked, trying to figure out if she was imagining it. The point of light reminded her of when she summoned Chocky. . . .
"Leviathan?" she whispered. No, it could not be the King of Summoned monsters. After all he was a legend, or so her mother had said.
"Hold on, Lads! Here comes another big one!" cried the captain. Rydia grabbed onto the railing. The boat was rocked with another powerful wave.
She wasn't sure what happened, but suddenly Rydia found herself in the water. It was shockingly cold, and she could not draw a breath. She faught to reach the surface, kicking with all her might, but the way the water swirled around her, Rydia wasn't sure which way was up and which was down. She managed to get up to the surface long enough to draw a gasping breath, before another wave knocked her under again. The cold water was all around her.
"Help me." Everything around her was starting to get darker, as if the sun was setting. Her arms felt heavy, and it became harder to fight the water. She felt something clasp onto her shirt, and she was pulled down sharply, the darkness becoming total.
"Do not give up yet, my darling. Your time is not yet up."