Chapter 12-An interlude important to the story, Present Day Part 2 and
Flashback #2-Schneider's Past
There were two main topics in Ivalice for discussion. One was the on goings of Marche and Clan Nutsy. This was a regular topic, as it never ceased to amaze people. Publishers were frantically signing up authors to write Marche-based books, while the people were discussing what happened at Delia Dunes.
The other was the newer one. And it is this.
- - -
"So, what do you think of that hospital Lady Nanabu is building?"
"What? The one for crazy people? I think it's stupid."
"Why? They'll be properly looked after! Isn't that good!?"
"Well...yes, but I don't see why we just don't just do what we usually do."
"Because...it's wrong! Back me up here!"
"It's a good idea...but she should have picked a better spot. I mean, right next to Ambervale? EVERYONE knows what goes on there."
"Yeah...oh well. Wanna go buy weapons?"
"Yeah ok."
- - -
There was a great debate on the hospital that Lady Nanabu was building. It wasn't on the idea itself. Most people thought it was a great idea, as it would mean they would have proper help, or in the case of horrible people, that it would stop them being a nuisance. However, the place she had decided to build it on wasn't appreciated by anyone, and it was only due to the queen stepping in that it was built. There was still a lot of protest though.
There were two reasons why there was so much controversy about the positioning. One was that the Bishops of Ambervale said it was Sacrilege to build on Holy Ground. This was something that few people agreed with, but they saw their point of view. But there was a far more insidious reason.
For the last few weeks, people have been hearing things coming from Ambervale, like screaming, laughter, and yelling. This was a regular occurrence as the builders held frequent parties. However, there was sightings of a mass amount of cloaked people seen wandering through the wood. And of course there were the people that were going missing.
There was also a third reason, but no-one actually knew it. The New and Exciting Evil, in his infinite wisdom, decided to set his main base here.
All he needs to do...is to wait.
- - -
Meanwhile, Clan Destiny didn't know what to do. They were trapped, and Llednar was basically invincible. "Ah dammit," Marche yelled.
Thenardi tried sending a Firaga Ball at him. The fire enveloped him, licking everywhere, but when the flames settled, he was still standing. "Err...I second Marche's opinion."
Llednar grinned. "It's that pesky Fortune Law again, isn't it. OMEGA!!!"
Massive light beams shot out of his hands, heading for Montblaunc. He screamed as the beams enveloped him, burning the fur and flesh from his body. He collapsed an empty shell. Marche was about to leap forward, both swords raised, to try and hurt Llednar in any way possible.
It was lucky that at that point, Cid arrived.
- - -
Meanwhile, Ritz was trying desperately trying to get to Marche. Shara's spell had worked wonderfully on her, and she was losing control of her body and mind. A voice whispered in her ear, "There really is no use trying to resist. Kill...him...now! Remember, the reward is good. You get to live. You would be the most powerful person in Ivalice. And alive, don't forget the living part!"
The New Evil, now realising that Clan Destiny was actually a threat to him, had gotten Shara to boost the speed of the Mind Spell. This was because Ritz and Shara were his last hurdle, apart from his secret weapon. Then he himself would have to get his hands dirty.
However, a blessing had come along in the form of the Mental Asylum. Where it was built was a great Magical Source. It was hard getting used to the holy ground, but being an almighty evil beast-thing, he had a knack for adapting to situations.
"Bah...can't wait to unveil the secret weapon," he grumbled, before going back to convincing Ritz to kill Marche.
- - -
"Damn it..." Llednar muttered. "You arrived too early. Don't worry, Marche. I will come back for you. And when I do, you will die."
Llednar suddenly vanished, leaving everyone with a chilled feeling. "Thanks Cid. I owe you a big one there!" Marche exclaimed.
Cid grinned. "You realize that the search for you can only get worse. Don't you? But I'll need your help, and I'll try to make sure to help as often as possible. I need to see Ezel, just now though."
"You rang, your Judgyness?" Ezel stepped out of the mass of Clan Nutsy.
"Err...yes, if you would be so kind..."
They stepped off into a corner and started talking about some sort of card. Marche turned to Thenardi. "Listen, I know it's not much of a reward for helping us these past few times, but please take this, as a token of our appreciation." At this, he produced an incredibly intricate Rod.
"It's called the Saphre Aude," he said. "Only one in the world, it's really powerful. So you hold on to it, it might save you one day." Thenardi grasped it, and shook with a feeling of power.
"Thanks a lot."
Marche looked around, seeing someone he recognized. "Tim! Why are you with them!!!"
Tim looked shifty. "They...err...um...LOOK!!! MONTBLANC'S REMAINS ARE BEING EATEN BY A COUERL!!!"
Marche turned round and saw just that. "DIE!!!" Marche yelled, before running to destroy the Couerl.
"Let's go quickly," Tim said, already running.
No-one noticed Shara hauling a bag full of Foobar around.
- - -
"OH YES!!! We're so great!!! WOO WOO!!! Who's the best!"
Shara and the New and Exciting Evil were skipping around the asylum singing this over and over again. It had worked perfectly.
Shara was pleased because she had killed something.
The New Evil was happy because he now had a body he could use to start the ritual to summon the secret weapon.
So things were good in the Evil Base.
- - -
In a forest somewhere, a Dragon had just picked the wrong Ninja to mess with.
This was a particularly fierce Dragon, who goes by the name Haeteptus, and he had been raiding Baguba Port for many years. He was hungry all the time, and there was always plenty of food.
Unfortunately, he picked the wrong time to be hungry.
The Ninja leapt in a sudden arc and threw his katana down, skewering Haeteptus, but he had been skewered a good few times, so he was able to survive this. The Ninja looked slightly stunned, and Haeteptus took the opportunity to take a bite out of his left shoulder. He was greatly surprised by this, and turned around, only to get a Veil of Wood thrown at him. He was greatly surprised by this, and didn't notice the Beastmaster coming out behind the trees, playing the Harp.
Instantly, the beast was soothed, and the Ninja suddenly jumped on his back. He threw a bag of coins at the Beastmaster, and Haeteptus realized he was fooled. But he had a strange yearning to do what the Ninja said, because of the Music.
Wasabi the Ninja grinned, before flying to fulfil a part of the New Evil's plan. Without knowing it.
- - -
Wasabi the Ninja is one of the few people who travel on their own in Ivalice. He doesn't need anyone else. They'll just slow him down. Well, in his opinion.
He was currently headed for Ambervale, on account that there was apparently a big, bad thing there which was going to kill everyone. He thought that it was stupid, but he wanted to look good, so he went there. Unfortunately, he will unintentionally help the New Evil.
Oh, and he's related to David.
- - -
So Clan Destiny, now incredibly large, parted company with Agatha, who had the feeling she was forgetting something.
Thenardi asked, "Where are we going now?"
"Ambervale, everyone." Tim replied. "Babus told us all that the New Evil would go there. Not sure how he knew that...bet he's a devil worshipper."
"You're on," David said, well aware that Babus wasn't a devil worshipper, due to his aura.
"Wait...Ambervale?" Schneider tensed up. "Oh...oh no."
"Why, what's wrong with Ambervale?" Madeline asked.
"Err...nothing, no reason, not at all!"
Schneider remained quiet for the first few miles of the journey. Thenardi kept asking him why he was so nervous, but he said nothing. After a few hundred times of asking, he eventually gave up and said, "You really want to know? Fine...tell everyone that I'm telling everyone why I'm nervousss."
- - -
Schneider told his story, which went something like this...
- - -
Schneider is actually over 60 years old. This took part when he was 46.
He was Chief Bishop of Ambervale Church. He had the power of the entire church at his disposal, but he never did anything bad with this power. This was what made him so popular among the religious community.
One day, there was a new priest who wished to enrol into the church, a human White Mage called Rothus. He had a wide knowledge of religious matters, and got on well with everyone, especially Schneider. He was eventually appointed co-Chief Bishop. They were both on the verge of rekindling the interest of religion again among the people of Ivalice.
Until they found something...
- - -
Rothus walked through to the main hall of the massive church of Ambervale, looking for Schneider. He was incredibly excited as he saw him praying. After blessing himself in the name of Mateus, he ran to talk to him.
"Schneider! SCHNEIDER!!! I think we're on the verge of a great discovery!"
Schneider turned around. "Really? How?"
"Well, I found a door outside the Church, and I think it may have a specific ruin of some sort!" Rothus was bursting with enthusiasm.
Schneider grinned. "What sssort of evidence do you have?"
Rothus was waiting for him to ask him that. "After seeing it, I remembered studying a sort of super-powerful weapon that existed under the Holy Ground. This could be it!!!"
"Firssst, that'sss not great evidence. Sssecond, we don't need or want a weapon."
Rothus nodded. "Exactly. Which is why we should take it, to stop anyone else using it!"
Schneider thought about it for a second, and then smiled. "Ok, usss two will go. The othersss won't like it."
Rothus grinned, and then ran outside. Schneider ran, trying to keep up with him. Eventually, Rothus stopped and pointed dramatically at a wall. "There it is..."
Schneider looked.
And looked.
And looked.
"Err...not to sound stupid here, but I don't see anything!"
Rothus walked up to the wall and muttered something, causing light to burst through the area that he was tracing with his finger. Schneider followed the outline, and eventually saw that a door now stood in the wall. He gaped. Rothus grinned. "Are you coming in or not?"
Schneider groaned, then followed him through. Then he gaped some more.
The entire chamber was filled with arcane pictures, torturing, and a sort of prophecy. Everyone in the Church knew the prophecy. It was the End of Days prophecy, except this was the full one. It had one with a boy with a knife in his eye, and another with an Archer standing triumphant. This was the Tainted One, as they called him. Or, as more stupid people call him, the New and Exciting Evil.
"Hey, I found the weapon!"
"DON'T TOUCH IT!!!" Schneider yelled, but it was too late. Rothus grasped the handle of this weapon, and heaved it out with one motion. Schneider gaped yet more.
This was not a sword, or a scythe, or a rapier even. It was a Rod, the Heretic Rod, second most powerful staff to the legendary Saphre Aude. Schneider could only watch in horror as the staff's dark energy suddenly flew out of the Rod, and into Rothus. He convulsed as the energy swept over him. Schneider ran and hid.
This was a good idea, as later in the day, Rothus burst into the church, slaughtering everyone in there. Schneider survived only by hiding in the Statue Hall, the place that no-one went into.
Rothus eventually went into the Statue Room, looking for Schneider. "Come out Schneider...I won't hurt you. You're my friend, I'd never hurt you! I want you to help me! Just like old times!"
Schneider stepped out from behind a statue and stared at Rothus. He was smiling. Schneider opened his mouth and said:
"SSSECURITY ACTIVATE!!!"
At once, all the Statues activated like they should have done at the first sign of danger. A little beam of light focused on Rothus from each of them. Rothus looked at them. "Err...I can see that the church really had a tight security system."
"Trussst me, they do. DIMENSION SHIFT ACTIVATE!!!"
The beams of light suddenly enveloped Rothus, who couldn't escape. Schneider looked at him. "I'm sssorry. But I want to live."
The Beams compacted into themselves to another dimension. Schneider sighed, then walked silently out of the church and of his old life.
There were two main topics in Ivalice for discussion. One was the on goings of Marche and Clan Nutsy. This was a regular topic, as it never ceased to amaze people. Publishers were frantically signing up authors to write Marche-based books, while the people were discussing what happened at Delia Dunes.
The other was the newer one. And it is this.
- - -
"So, what do you think of that hospital Lady Nanabu is building?"
"What? The one for crazy people? I think it's stupid."
"Why? They'll be properly looked after! Isn't that good!?"
"Well...yes, but I don't see why we just don't just do what we usually do."
"Because...it's wrong! Back me up here!"
"It's a good idea...but she should have picked a better spot. I mean, right next to Ambervale? EVERYONE knows what goes on there."
"Yeah...oh well. Wanna go buy weapons?"
"Yeah ok."
- - -
There was a great debate on the hospital that Lady Nanabu was building. It wasn't on the idea itself. Most people thought it was a great idea, as it would mean they would have proper help, or in the case of horrible people, that it would stop them being a nuisance. However, the place she had decided to build it on wasn't appreciated by anyone, and it was only due to the queen stepping in that it was built. There was still a lot of protest though.
There were two reasons why there was so much controversy about the positioning. One was that the Bishops of Ambervale said it was Sacrilege to build on Holy Ground. This was something that few people agreed with, but they saw their point of view. But there was a far more insidious reason.
For the last few weeks, people have been hearing things coming from Ambervale, like screaming, laughter, and yelling. This was a regular occurrence as the builders held frequent parties. However, there was sightings of a mass amount of cloaked people seen wandering through the wood. And of course there were the people that were going missing.
There was also a third reason, but no-one actually knew it. The New and Exciting Evil, in his infinite wisdom, decided to set his main base here.
All he needs to do...is to wait.
- - -
Meanwhile, Clan Destiny didn't know what to do. They were trapped, and Llednar was basically invincible. "Ah dammit," Marche yelled.
Thenardi tried sending a Firaga Ball at him. The fire enveloped him, licking everywhere, but when the flames settled, he was still standing. "Err...I second Marche's opinion."
Llednar grinned. "It's that pesky Fortune Law again, isn't it. OMEGA!!!"
Massive light beams shot out of his hands, heading for Montblaunc. He screamed as the beams enveloped him, burning the fur and flesh from his body. He collapsed an empty shell. Marche was about to leap forward, both swords raised, to try and hurt Llednar in any way possible.
It was lucky that at that point, Cid arrived.
- - -
Meanwhile, Ritz was trying desperately trying to get to Marche. Shara's spell had worked wonderfully on her, and she was losing control of her body and mind. A voice whispered in her ear, "There really is no use trying to resist. Kill...him...now! Remember, the reward is good. You get to live. You would be the most powerful person in Ivalice. And alive, don't forget the living part!"
The New Evil, now realising that Clan Destiny was actually a threat to him, had gotten Shara to boost the speed of the Mind Spell. This was because Ritz and Shara were his last hurdle, apart from his secret weapon. Then he himself would have to get his hands dirty.
However, a blessing had come along in the form of the Mental Asylum. Where it was built was a great Magical Source. It was hard getting used to the holy ground, but being an almighty evil beast-thing, he had a knack for adapting to situations.
"Bah...can't wait to unveil the secret weapon," he grumbled, before going back to convincing Ritz to kill Marche.
- - -
"Damn it..." Llednar muttered. "You arrived too early. Don't worry, Marche. I will come back for you. And when I do, you will die."
Llednar suddenly vanished, leaving everyone with a chilled feeling. "Thanks Cid. I owe you a big one there!" Marche exclaimed.
Cid grinned. "You realize that the search for you can only get worse. Don't you? But I'll need your help, and I'll try to make sure to help as often as possible. I need to see Ezel, just now though."
"You rang, your Judgyness?" Ezel stepped out of the mass of Clan Nutsy.
"Err...yes, if you would be so kind..."
They stepped off into a corner and started talking about some sort of card. Marche turned to Thenardi. "Listen, I know it's not much of a reward for helping us these past few times, but please take this, as a token of our appreciation." At this, he produced an incredibly intricate Rod.
"It's called the Saphre Aude," he said. "Only one in the world, it's really powerful. So you hold on to it, it might save you one day." Thenardi grasped it, and shook with a feeling of power.
"Thanks a lot."
Marche looked around, seeing someone he recognized. "Tim! Why are you with them!!!"
Tim looked shifty. "They...err...um...LOOK!!! MONTBLANC'S REMAINS ARE BEING EATEN BY A COUERL!!!"
Marche turned round and saw just that. "DIE!!!" Marche yelled, before running to destroy the Couerl.
"Let's go quickly," Tim said, already running.
No-one noticed Shara hauling a bag full of Foobar around.
- - -
"OH YES!!! We're so great!!! WOO WOO!!! Who's the best!"
Shara and the New and Exciting Evil were skipping around the asylum singing this over and over again. It had worked perfectly.
Shara was pleased because she had killed something.
The New Evil was happy because he now had a body he could use to start the ritual to summon the secret weapon.
So things were good in the Evil Base.
- - -
In a forest somewhere, a Dragon had just picked the wrong Ninja to mess with.
This was a particularly fierce Dragon, who goes by the name Haeteptus, and he had been raiding Baguba Port for many years. He was hungry all the time, and there was always plenty of food.
Unfortunately, he picked the wrong time to be hungry.
The Ninja leapt in a sudden arc and threw his katana down, skewering Haeteptus, but he had been skewered a good few times, so he was able to survive this. The Ninja looked slightly stunned, and Haeteptus took the opportunity to take a bite out of his left shoulder. He was greatly surprised by this, and turned around, only to get a Veil of Wood thrown at him. He was greatly surprised by this, and didn't notice the Beastmaster coming out behind the trees, playing the Harp.
Instantly, the beast was soothed, and the Ninja suddenly jumped on his back. He threw a bag of coins at the Beastmaster, and Haeteptus realized he was fooled. But he had a strange yearning to do what the Ninja said, because of the Music.
Wasabi the Ninja grinned, before flying to fulfil a part of the New Evil's plan. Without knowing it.
- - -
Wasabi the Ninja is one of the few people who travel on their own in Ivalice. He doesn't need anyone else. They'll just slow him down. Well, in his opinion.
He was currently headed for Ambervale, on account that there was apparently a big, bad thing there which was going to kill everyone. He thought that it was stupid, but he wanted to look good, so he went there. Unfortunately, he will unintentionally help the New Evil.
Oh, and he's related to David.
- - -
So Clan Destiny, now incredibly large, parted company with Agatha, who had the feeling she was forgetting something.
Thenardi asked, "Where are we going now?"
"Ambervale, everyone." Tim replied. "Babus told us all that the New Evil would go there. Not sure how he knew that...bet he's a devil worshipper."
"You're on," David said, well aware that Babus wasn't a devil worshipper, due to his aura.
"Wait...Ambervale?" Schneider tensed up. "Oh...oh no."
"Why, what's wrong with Ambervale?" Madeline asked.
"Err...nothing, no reason, not at all!"
Schneider remained quiet for the first few miles of the journey. Thenardi kept asking him why he was so nervous, but he said nothing. After a few hundred times of asking, he eventually gave up and said, "You really want to know? Fine...tell everyone that I'm telling everyone why I'm nervousss."
- - -
Schneider told his story, which went something like this...
- - -
Schneider is actually over 60 years old. This took part when he was 46.
He was Chief Bishop of Ambervale Church. He had the power of the entire church at his disposal, but he never did anything bad with this power. This was what made him so popular among the religious community.
One day, there was a new priest who wished to enrol into the church, a human White Mage called Rothus. He had a wide knowledge of religious matters, and got on well with everyone, especially Schneider. He was eventually appointed co-Chief Bishop. They were both on the verge of rekindling the interest of religion again among the people of Ivalice.
Until they found something...
- - -
Rothus walked through to the main hall of the massive church of Ambervale, looking for Schneider. He was incredibly excited as he saw him praying. After blessing himself in the name of Mateus, he ran to talk to him.
"Schneider! SCHNEIDER!!! I think we're on the verge of a great discovery!"
Schneider turned around. "Really? How?"
"Well, I found a door outside the Church, and I think it may have a specific ruin of some sort!" Rothus was bursting with enthusiasm.
Schneider grinned. "What sssort of evidence do you have?"
Rothus was waiting for him to ask him that. "After seeing it, I remembered studying a sort of super-powerful weapon that existed under the Holy Ground. This could be it!!!"
"Firssst, that'sss not great evidence. Sssecond, we don't need or want a weapon."
Rothus nodded. "Exactly. Which is why we should take it, to stop anyone else using it!"
Schneider thought about it for a second, and then smiled. "Ok, usss two will go. The othersss won't like it."
Rothus grinned, and then ran outside. Schneider ran, trying to keep up with him. Eventually, Rothus stopped and pointed dramatically at a wall. "There it is..."
Schneider looked.
And looked.
And looked.
"Err...not to sound stupid here, but I don't see anything!"
Rothus walked up to the wall and muttered something, causing light to burst through the area that he was tracing with his finger. Schneider followed the outline, and eventually saw that a door now stood in the wall. He gaped. Rothus grinned. "Are you coming in or not?"
Schneider groaned, then followed him through. Then he gaped some more.
The entire chamber was filled with arcane pictures, torturing, and a sort of prophecy. Everyone in the Church knew the prophecy. It was the End of Days prophecy, except this was the full one. It had one with a boy with a knife in his eye, and another with an Archer standing triumphant. This was the Tainted One, as they called him. Or, as more stupid people call him, the New and Exciting Evil.
"Hey, I found the weapon!"
"DON'T TOUCH IT!!!" Schneider yelled, but it was too late. Rothus grasped the handle of this weapon, and heaved it out with one motion. Schneider gaped yet more.
This was not a sword, or a scythe, or a rapier even. It was a Rod, the Heretic Rod, second most powerful staff to the legendary Saphre Aude. Schneider could only watch in horror as the staff's dark energy suddenly flew out of the Rod, and into Rothus. He convulsed as the energy swept over him. Schneider ran and hid.
This was a good idea, as later in the day, Rothus burst into the church, slaughtering everyone in there. Schneider survived only by hiding in the Statue Hall, the place that no-one went into.
Rothus eventually went into the Statue Room, looking for Schneider. "Come out Schneider...I won't hurt you. You're my friend, I'd never hurt you! I want you to help me! Just like old times!"
Schneider stepped out from behind a statue and stared at Rothus. He was smiling. Schneider opened his mouth and said:
"SSSECURITY ACTIVATE!!!"
At once, all the Statues activated like they should have done at the first sign of danger. A little beam of light focused on Rothus from each of them. Rothus looked at them. "Err...I can see that the church really had a tight security system."
"Trussst me, they do. DIMENSION SHIFT ACTIVATE!!!"
The beams of light suddenly enveloped Rothus, who couldn't escape. Schneider looked at him. "I'm sssorry. But I want to live."
The Beams compacted into themselves to another dimension. Schneider sighed, then walked silently out of the church and of his old life.
