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Chapter 11

Mikoto ran up the many stairs into Lindblum Castle. At several points she had to climb over debris blocking the wall. The many decorative statues and fountains now lay in ruin, the stone shards tripping her.

She passed panicked survivors, searching for help. Lindblum guards lay on e the ground, wounded. They were being tended by Alexandrian guards.

Alexandrian guards?

How did they get here? The airship dock was destroyed. Unless…

The harbor.

Mikoto ran to the lift. Squeezing in with the wounded survivors. They avoided looking at her, no they avoided looking at anything. Their gazes lifeless, dead. Like people who have lost all hope. They huddled together, drawing on each other for security. Human, Burmecian, DemiHuman, it didn't matter. It was amazing how disaster brought people together.

As the lift descended, more voices could be heard. Some angry, some soothing, but most panicked or frightened. When the bottom level came into view, faces could be associated with all of the noise.

Mikoto was amazed so many were in such a cramped spaced. Of course it was the safest place in the city, being far underground. The carts ran back and forth, carrying the people out of Lindblum, either through the Dragon's or Serpent's Gate.

She waded her way through the crowd, focused on the cart to the harbor. Squeezing her way past people covered in dirt, grime, and desperation.

The genome made it onto the cart, standing in the middle while more people loaded. She was cramped so bad she could hardly breathe. What air she was able to draw in smelt of blood, sweat, and dirt.

"Yeoch!"

Of course someone had to step on her tail.

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Mikoto searched the docks for the Alexandrian flagship, Dagger's Melody. The large ship floated on the glassy surface of the water. Fires from the city highlighted the fleet.Guards continued to pour out of the accompanying ships. Hurrying into the lift area.

Fighting the flow of bodies, Mikoto boarded the ship.

"You two, move your asses! Get these supplies out! I want to see this room totally cleared out. I- Mikoto!" Zidane turned to his sister, "What are you doing here? Where is Tantalus?"

"At the playhouse, I needed to see Terra and Leo, to make sure they were alright."

"They're fine, sleeping like babies. But we need you topside, helping out." Zidane pushed her out of the room, "Dagger's at the Dragon's Gate, there's a temporary hospital there on the plain. I'm sure she's doing all she can, but she probably wouldn't mind some help."

She had wanted to see the children, but people needed help, "I understand, I'll do all I can."

"Thanks sis, you're the best, glad you're ok." He gave her a quick hug and hurried off to yell at more incompetent guards.

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Mikoto leaned over another wounded Lindblum citizen, reciting a Cura spell. The healing energy flowed from her outstretched hands into the victim's body. Connecting muscles, tissues, and bones.

A Lindblum guard rolled the victim out of the way, disappearing into the chaos around her. Mikoto swayed abit, then steadied herself. The drain of energy leaving her dizzy.

She reached behind for an Ether, not feeling it on the table.

"Where are the damn Ethers?"

"Here you go, we're running out, so they got us making more. Just be care ful with your magic usage, and-"

"-Blank?"

The redhead looked up from the bag, realizing for the first time who he was speaking to, "Mikoto? Shit you look drained, how long have you been healing?"

The genome looked to the pinkening sky, "Maybe, six hours?"

"Here, take this."

He handed her one of his potions from his bag, Mikoto uncorked it and drank the cool liquid. Letting the drink soothe her aching body she sat down on the nearby table.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, thank you…. But now I feel sleepy." Mikoto shut her tired eyes and breathed slowly and deeply. She felt arms around her as she drifted off. A rhythmic beating of a heart. A brushing of emotion.

(Mikoto was surrounded by fire and smoke. The flames lashed at her bare shin, but it did not burn. The smoke curled into her nostrils, but did not suffocate her.

The beat of heavy wings were heard all around.

She stood high, overlooking the destruction of Lindblum. Hot air blew into her eyes, filling them with a vision of red.

-Come to me…-

She raised her arms. Spreading them wide, as to engulf the city.

-Give me strength-

She felt strength pouring into her very being, her every fiber. Filling her cold, dead, empty soul.

-Obey…-

She smiled a devious smile, and laughed as she grew stronger. Stronger, while the people of Lindblum died.

Suddenly, she turned around, her smiled morphing into innocent fear.

It wasn't over yet…)

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Mikoto awoke later, vaguely remembering the dream she had.

"My sister, the narcolept."

She focused her sleepy eyes on her smiling brother, groaned and sat up.

"Fire."

Zidane jumped up and down, trying to put out his fiery behind.

"Where am I?"

Her brother walked gingerly towards her, a grimace on his face, "You sure know how to welcome a guy, dont'cha?"

"My question?" she held up her hand, prepared to send another spell.

"We're headed back to Alexandria, we need to put our heads together and figure out our next move." He started pacing, "We left a regiment in Lindblum and an invitation for any survivors. We're pulling out to give our citizens some support. The attack in Lindblum really panicked Alexandrians. Beatrix and Rust-Steiner," he corrected himself, " are watching things, but it would be better if Dagger were there."

Mikoto nodded, " The presence of the Queen will calm the people's hearts."

Zidane came over and kneeled by her, "You know, you are really the best. I still can't believe you healed for six hours straight. When Blank told me-"

Blank…

"Is he still here?"

"Yeah, said something about Baku sending him along. Why?"

Mikoto brushed her bangs out of her eyes, "I'm going to get him, he gave me a sleeping potion and carried me off."

Her brother just laughed, "Heard about that too. You must have made quite the impression for that much attention."

She glared at him, "Hilarious."

"Still no sense of humor? A shame." He shook his head in mock disappointment, "Well, duty calls. We'll be in Alexandria in a few hours, so be ready. The ship is dropping us off, loading up, and then back to Lindblum with supplies."

"Don't worry, I'll be ready."

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The ship sailed along the coast, headed towards Alexandria, skimming along the waves, and sending ice cold spray onto the deck.

But Mikoto wasn't on the deck, she sat comfortably in the armory, propped up against a cannon. It was nice and quiet. The only sound was the slap of the waves on the ship.

She thought about her dreams, the one the night of the attack, the one on the Prima Vista II, and the most recent, and most disturbing.

She laughed at the destruction of Lindblum…

That wasn't me she told herself.

Then who was it?

"Am I interrupting?"

Blank stood there, leaning against the adjacent cannon. He held her charka out for her.

"Thanks, I forgot I left it-You!" she snatched the weapon out of his hand, "What did you think you were doing?"

"What?"

She held her charka under his nose, " The potion."

"Oh yeah," he looked a bit sheepish. "Sorry about that, truce?"

"For now."

"Hey, just looking out for you."

She turned away form him, "I can take care of myself."

"Everyone needs help sometimes."

Mikoto looked back at him, realizing he would be staring at her if he wasn't wearing that belt over his eyes. She wondered why he would wear it. What was he hiding? Was it really that bad?

She didn't think so.

"Why are you down here all by yourself?" he sat down heavily.

She noticed the change in topic, but let it slide, she had too much to worry about as it was, "Just thinking things over… so much has happened."

"You can say that again." He chuckled, almost sadly.

She heard the sad note to his voice, and also felt it flowing off of him. She could only attribute it to one thing, "I'm sorry for your loss."

He sighed, "Baku really took it hard, I mean we all did," he looked to her, " but to Baku, Lucelle and Bunce, he loved them like his own kids. After you left he seemed to realize something, your words must've got to him." He paused, "Then all of a sudden he started shouting orders, and got everyone helping out."

"He's not mad at me?"

"No, he even asked me to look out for you."

Mikoto smiled, pleased that Baku was not angry at her for her harsh words, "I'm glad, you know I did enjoy most of the trip."

"Even Cinna's cooking?"

"Yes, even Cinna's cooking. It was quite a change in pace for me."

"That? That was nothing, you should've been there the time we-"

Mikoto listened to his stories as the ship sailed, there woild be plenty of time for seriousness later.