Author Notes: In the previous chapter, the last sentence should've said:
"Gaston's laughter". A little typing mistake. I also want to use this
space to thank the reviewers: Nintendofan, Lynda – chan, Erin Tribal, lzn64
and last but not least ZRO4825. To be honest I didn't expect any reviews, I
just write for the pleasure of writing, but having reviews only motivates
me to put my best in each chapter, hoping you keep enjoying my story. By
the way, ZRO4825, I promise Edgar will go ballistic on Gaston in future
chapters, you just wait.
But now, here's the next chapter.
Chapter IX: Puppet.
The battle was almost over. Thanks to the strategy that Cyan suggested. In the previous fights, the army of Figaro waited until the army of Gaston marched until they were 300 yards from the castle, where the army of Figaro waited for them. The men of Gaston attacked in blocks of about 100 men. But with the rain, the strategy of the blocks didn't work at all, and the idea of Cyan of marching as the enemies marched, worked perfectly, because they got confused on how to attack. Three hours after the beginning of the battle, the enemies began to retreat, that was when Thiago left his hideout and ran away with them.
-Men, that was exhausting! – exclaimed Locke as they returned to the castle.
-I've never fought in conditions like the ones out there – said Clyde while they entered the throne room – But we won.
-Yeah – said Sabin smiling – We certainly kick their butts.
Celes and the others (except Terra, although no one notice her absence) arrived to the throne room, where all the satisfied warriors told their version of the battle. Everybody seemed pretty satisfied, but Edgar, that was sitting in the throne, all covered with mud as his friends, frowning. Gaston didn't appear at all, and that was something that preoccupied him. He thought, actually, he was sure that Gaston was going to be in the front line, eager to fight with him. But Gaston didn't show up. And Edgar was sure that he was up to something, and he had a feeling that it was something not good.
Setzer noticed his friend's expression and walking next to him, he asked:
-Are you worried about Thiago?
Edgar returned to reality and answered:
-Yeah, that too.
-That too? – repeated Setzer.
-It's just that I didn't see Gaston tonight, so I was wondering the reason – said Edgar with a tired tone.
Setzer nodded.
-Maybe it's just a part of a new strategy or somethin' – said Setzer with calm.
-Maybe is just that – repeated Edgar sighing as if he was trying to believe those words.
-Why don't we go to rest? We're pretty tired – suggested Setzer in a loud voice so everybody listen to him.
They agreed with the gambler and left to their rooms. Edgar was the last one to left the throne room. He walked slowly to his room, but when he was about to open the door of the tower where his room was, he saw Terra, walking to the tower where her room was. Edgar remembered what happened in the top of the castle, and decided that it was the right time to talk about it.
-Terra! Wait! – he yelled. Terra stop in her tracks. Edgar ran to her as fast as his tired legs let him. He stopped next to her, inside the tower, panting heavily.
-I just wanted to talk with you – said Edgar after he recovered his breath.
"Don't kill him yet."
Terra just looked him with a strange cold glance and said:
-About what? – and her tone was as cold as the ice in Narshe.
Edgar stared at her frowning, but he said:
-About what happened yesterday... You know, in the tower...
"Don't kill him. Make him suffer".
Terra kept staring at him with inexpressive, icy eyes and said:
-That's not important.
Edgar's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and pain as he muttered:
-What?
"Make him feel pain".
-I said that what happened it's not important at all. I just let go with the moment, but it didn't matter at all – said Terra with a cold tone, rare in her voice – And I don't want you to get close to me like that again.
Edgar couldn't believe his ears. That couldn't be the same Terra he almost kissed, the Terra he madly love. Why she talked to him like that? What was wrong with her?
-Is that all? – asked Terra even colder.
Edgar could only nod. Terra left to her room without even staring at him. Edgar close the door behind his back and stayed on the rain, feeling his heart hurt, and the rest of his body numb.
******
"Get me the plaques".
Terra waited in her room, until she was sure she would be free to wander around the castle. She left her room quietly and walked al the way to the library, with care, avoiding a couple of sleepy guards. She opened the door, and was surprised when she saw Braguin, still awake, studying the plaques.
"Bring me the plaques, now".
Terra walked next to Braguin. The old archeologist felt her presence and said to her:
-Miss Terra? What can I do for you?
"Do what you must to steal the plaques and bring them to me".
Terra's answer was pushing Braguin from his chair and grabbing the plaques form the table.
-What are you doing!? – yelled Braguin. Terra just stared at him as she put the plaques in a leather bag she had in her belt. Braguin began to yell, asking or help. Some guards entered the library.
Seeing that the door was blocked, she looked for another way out.
"Use any method to get out".
Terra took out a little bomb from her pocket in her skirt and threw it against the wall, that exploded as soon the bomb touched it, making a deafening sound. The soldiers and Braguin dove into the floor, trying to protect from the flying rocks that were all over the library. She used that moment of confusion to escape through the hole.
"Good girl".
******
The sound of a distant explosion woke Edgar abruptly. The noise came from the main tower. He was sleeping still dressed, so he only put on a cloak, grabbed his sword and his tools and ran to see what happened. In the way, he found Setzer, Locke, Celes, Sabin, Clyde and Interceptor. The others were so tired, that remained asleep.
-What was that? – asked Sabin as they kept running.
-An explosion – answered Edgar.
-But how something can explode inside the castle? – said Locke.
No one dared to give an answer to that question, they just kept running until they reached the library. Edgar was the first one to enter. The dust cloud impede his vision. He covered his mouth with the cloak and began to yell Braguin's name as the others helped the guards. He heard a moaning from below the table. He dashed towards it, and helped Braguin out.
-Are you okay? – he asked concerned. Braguin nodded coughing – What happened here? – asked Edgar.
-The... plaques ... robbed – was Braguin's answer.
Edgar's eyes widened as he repeated:
-Robbed? By whom?
Braguin tried to answer but he kept coughing. Edgar began to shout, cursing. Clyde suggested the guards to take Braguin to the infirmary. Interceptor began to bark as he saw the hole in the wall. Clyde walked next to his dog and after examining the hole he said:
-Interceptor can fin the responsible.
-Are you sure? – asked Locke and Sabin in unison, as Celes tried to calm Edgar.
-Interceptor's never wrong – said simply Clyde.
-Then lets follow – said Edgar. The others nodded and they jumped through the hole following Interceptor.
******
As soon Terra jumped through the hole, Kraven, that was waiting for her, covered her with her cloak and transported her to where Gaston was waiting. They arrived to the cave of South Figaro and Kraven took her to the mysterious shrine. Kraven uncovered her.
-Good girl – said Gaston with a grin from ear to ear – Now hand over the plaques to me.
Terra grabbed the leather bag from her belt and gave it to Gaston that opened it, eagerly. He took out the plaques as he said ecstatic:
-Finally, they are in my hands – he smiled to Terra and continued – And all because of you, half – esper. For that I must reward you – he grabbed a sword that was lying next to the altar and gave it to Terra that took it like an automaton.
-Now I must recharge their power – said Gaston he put the first one and the blue blinding glow lightened the room.
******
Interceptor lead him through the desert, that now was more a swamp, until they reached the cave of South Figaro. They entered the cave, and even none of them said it out loud, they knew they were heading to the shrine. After all, it made sense. The shrine recharged the magical powers of the plaque and Gaston seemed to want more magic.
They reached the shrine. They entered it but immediately squinted for the bright blue light that was shining intensely. When the light faded, they were able to distinguish three figures, and they almost faint when they discovered that one of those figures was no other but Terra. They stared at each other confused. Then Sabin staring at Kraven said to his brother:
-Edgar, that's the guy we saw the other day enter here.
Edgar followed his twin's eyes and nodded. Gaston stared at their faces and began to laugh:
-Surprised to see us here? Well, let me tell you that I'm surprised you're here – he stared at Interceptor and said grinning – So that's the dog you told me Kraven... Now I understand how you got here...
-What have you done to Terra? – asked Edgar with a demanding tone as he stared at Terra's strange attitude.
-Watch your tone... You want to know what I did to her? – said Gaston. He walked next to Terra and said to her – Terra, say you love me.
-I love you – repeated Terra with an inexpressive tone.
Edgar heard this feeling how rage began to posses his body.
-She also brought me the plaques – continued Gaston.
-What?! – exclaimed Edgar and the others – That's impossible.
-You don't believe me? – said Gaston. He asked to Terra – Tell your friends who stole the plaques and put a bomb in the castle.
-I did – said Terra with the same tone.
-But... Why Terra? – said Edgar in disbelief.
Terra didn't answer. Gaston stepped behind her and cut the ribbon in her hair, letting her hair fall to her shoulders.
-I think you look better like this – said Gaston ignoring Edgar. Terra nodded.
-Tell me what you've done to her – said Edgar whose face was red of anger as he clenched his fists. The others just watched the scene with their eyes widened as Kraven just stared at their movements carefully.
-Oh... You want to know – said Gaston with a mocking tone. Edgar move a step forward. Gaston smiled and said as he caressed Terra's cheek with his finger – She's under my control, because she's wearing the improved version of the slave crown.
Edgar stared at Gaston frowning.
-Yes, my stupid King - kept saying Gaston – I decided that if I wanted the plaques once and for all, I had to use other methods, so when we met in Narshe I decided to use one of your friends, and who better that Terra, that once was manipulated by the Empire, so, last night when you were playing war, Kraven her – he pointed Kraven – brought Terra to me, I put the device on her and... well, you know the rest. Oh! I almost forgot. She's conscious of what she's doing, but she can't help doing it. She'll do everything I tell her to do, no matter what it is, she'll obey me.
-But how we didn't notice she was taken away? – asked confused and surprised Celes.
Gaston stared at her with a strange look, as he kept caressing Terra's cheek.
-Kraven showed them – said Gaston still staring at Celes. Kraven nodded and transformed into a shadow and moved quickly around the room, and returned next to Gaston and materialized.
-How...? – murmured Sabin.
Gaston put his hands on Terra's shoulders and said as he turned her to face him:
-I have to go now – he said. And after a quick glance to Edgar he kissed Terra in the lips. They stared at them shocked, unable to react as Gaston kept kissing Terra with is eyes fixed on Edgar's reaction, whose face was now totally transfigured with wrath and rage.
Gaston moved apart, still his eyes on Edgar that finally managed to move and began walked towards Gaston, preparing to unsheathe his sword. Gaston whispered something to Terra. Edgar was about to unsheathe his sword, but Terra stepped in front of him. Edgar stopped in his tracks when Terra unsheathed her sword and pointed it to his chest.
-Terra, please move – said Edgar with plea in his voice. But Terra stayed firm.
-Well, I leave you now – said Gaston – But I leave Terra with you, so she can have some fun with you – he whispered something to Terra's ear again and the said – See you later. Lets go, Kraven – The latter nodded and they disappeared.
-Gaston wait! – shouted Edgar, but Terra kept pointing him with the sword.
"Kill him. Kill the traitor".
They stayed still some seconds, until Terra threw a blow directly to Edgar's chest. The attack was so fast, that he barely avoided it, because he had a small scratch in his chest that also torn his shirt.
-Are you okay? –asked Sabin concerned to his brother, that nodded.
-What we do now? – said Celes in despair – We can't fight Terra. We might hurt her.
Edgar didn't have time to say nothing, because Terra attacked again, this time Sabin blocked the attack with his fangs, making Terra jump backwards, preparing the next attack.
"Kill Edgar first, then kill the traitor of Celes, then kill the others. Kill them all".
-Gaston mentioned she had a device that make her act like this... - said Edgar as he unsheathed his sword to block the attack of Terra, but she immediately attacked him again cutting his right arm, above his elbow. She attacked again, but this time Interceptor blocked the attack, and try to attack Terra, but she easily dodged the attempt.
-But, where is she wearing that device? – said Locke scanning Terra – I don't see it.
"Attack. Attack until they die".
Terra now attacked Celes. The former general blocked the attack, incapable to raise her sword against Terra, that attacked her again. Locke threw his boomerang to Terra's hand, making her drop the sword. Clyde tried to grabbed the sword, but Terra kicked him in the stomach and with great ability, she backflipped and grabbed the sword and she brushed the hair from her face.
Edgar saw a strange sparkle in Terra's temples. He was going to say that when she focused her attacks on him. He kept dodging the blows, but he was tired and the wound on his arm was begging to bleed a lot. As he block the attacks, he again saw that sparkle in Terra's temples.
-You saw that? – he asked to his friends as he kept defending.
-What? – asked Locke, Celes, Sabin and Clyde. But Setzer said:
-I did... It was like a silver sparkle – he then realizing something he said to Edgar as Terra jumped and attacked Edgar from above – You think it is...?
"Murdered them. Murdered them all".
-Yes – said Edgar as he barely blocked the attack, but the blow was so strong that make him fell on his knee. Terra dashed to Edgar but Clyde steeped on and began to fight her.
Edgar stood slowly, with the help of Setzer and said to the gambler:
-I've got an idea. She's focusing most of her attacks on me, so I'm going to work as a decoy, and when she attacks me, I use my Flash, to blind her and you can destroy the devices with your darts, just hit where you see the sparkles.
-Are you sure? – asked Setzer.
-It's the only chance we have – said Edgar as he prepared his Flash – Is that or prepare to get killed, because even if we wanted to fight her, I never imagined Terra can be so good and strong with the sword.
-Okay.. Lets do it – said Setzer, preparing his darts.
-I trust in your aiming – said Edgar as he ran to face Terra. Setzer only nodded, preparing for the right time to attack.
Edgar ran to Terra as fast as he could. Terra kicked Locke in the face and center her attention in Edgar.
"Now is the time. KILL HIM".
Terra prepared her sword and prepare a deadly blow. But when she was about to attack (a blow to cut his head) he used the Flash. The blinding light make Terra to close her eyes, so she only scratched Edgar's face. She covered her eyes after she dropped the sword.
-NOW! – shouted Edgar to Setzer, that saw the sparkle and throw the darts, that hit each of Terra temples. Two shiny things fell from her head and fell into the floor. They stared at Terra holding their breathes. She uncovered her eyes and after staring at them, she fell on the ground unconscious.
Edgar ran to her and hold her in his arms, as Setzer bend over and picked two small silver triangles.
-Look – he said to Edgar showing him the triangles – You think these are the devices?
Edgar nodded as he took them and put them in the pocket of his pants. He verified if Terra was breathing, and he felt relieved when he saw her chest moving slowly up and down. He stared at her face for some seconds as he thought how was she going to react when she opened her eyes.
-Is she okay? – asked concerned Celes.
-Yes... she's just unconscious – answered Edgar standing slowly with Terra in his arms.
-And you, bro? – asked Sabin concerned noticing the wounds of his brother.
-Just some scratches, nothing serious – said Edgar – And you guys are okay?
-I think she may broke my nose but I'm fine – said Locke pointing his bleeding nose.
Clyde had some pain in his ribs, Celes had a sore leg and Sabin some bruises as well as Setzer. Interceptor was the only one harmless.
-Why don't we return to the castle? – suggested Edgar – We have a lot of things to discuss, now that we lost the plaques.
They nodded silently and walked outside the cave to the castle of Figaro, with a mixture of feelings that went from anger, hat, sadness and worry. Edgar stared at Terra's face and thought:
-I only hope we can do something to stop Gaston, before it's to late.
But now, here's the next chapter.
Chapter IX: Puppet.
The battle was almost over. Thanks to the strategy that Cyan suggested. In the previous fights, the army of Figaro waited until the army of Gaston marched until they were 300 yards from the castle, where the army of Figaro waited for them. The men of Gaston attacked in blocks of about 100 men. But with the rain, the strategy of the blocks didn't work at all, and the idea of Cyan of marching as the enemies marched, worked perfectly, because they got confused on how to attack. Three hours after the beginning of the battle, the enemies began to retreat, that was when Thiago left his hideout and ran away with them.
-Men, that was exhausting! – exclaimed Locke as they returned to the castle.
-I've never fought in conditions like the ones out there – said Clyde while they entered the throne room – But we won.
-Yeah – said Sabin smiling – We certainly kick their butts.
Celes and the others (except Terra, although no one notice her absence) arrived to the throne room, where all the satisfied warriors told their version of the battle. Everybody seemed pretty satisfied, but Edgar, that was sitting in the throne, all covered with mud as his friends, frowning. Gaston didn't appear at all, and that was something that preoccupied him. He thought, actually, he was sure that Gaston was going to be in the front line, eager to fight with him. But Gaston didn't show up. And Edgar was sure that he was up to something, and he had a feeling that it was something not good.
Setzer noticed his friend's expression and walking next to him, he asked:
-Are you worried about Thiago?
Edgar returned to reality and answered:
-Yeah, that too.
-That too? – repeated Setzer.
-It's just that I didn't see Gaston tonight, so I was wondering the reason – said Edgar with a tired tone.
Setzer nodded.
-Maybe it's just a part of a new strategy or somethin' – said Setzer with calm.
-Maybe is just that – repeated Edgar sighing as if he was trying to believe those words.
-Why don't we go to rest? We're pretty tired – suggested Setzer in a loud voice so everybody listen to him.
They agreed with the gambler and left to their rooms. Edgar was the last one to left the throne room. He walked slowly to his room, but when he was about to open the door of the tower where his room was, he saw Terra, walking to the tower where her room was. Edgar remembered what happened in the top of the castle, and decided that it was the right time to talk about it.
-Terra! Wait! – he yelled. Terra stop in her tracks. Edgar ran to her as fast as his tired legs let him. He stopped next to her, inside the tower, panting heavily.
-I just wanted to talk with you – said Edgar after he recovered his breath.
"Don't kill him yet."
Terra just looked him with a strange cold glance and said:
-About what? – and her tone was as cold as the ice in Narshe.
Edgar stared at her frowning, but he said:
-About what happened yesterday... You know, in the tower...
"Don't kill him. Make him suffer".
Terra kept staring at him with inexpressive, icy eyes and said:
-That's not important.
Edgar's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and pain as he muttered:
-What?
"Make him feel pain".
-I said that what happened it's not important at all. I just let go with the moment, but it didn't matter at all – said Terra with a cold tone, rare in her voice – And I don't want you to get close to me like that again.
Edgar couldn't believe his ears. That couldn't be the same Terra he almost kissed, the Terra he madly love. Why she talked to him like that? What was wrong with her?
-Is that all? – asked Terra even colder.
Edgar could only nod. Terra left to her room without even staring at him. Edgar close the door behind his back and stayed on the rain, feeling his heart hurt, and the rest of his body numb.
******
"Get me the plaques".
Terra waited in her room, until she was sure she would be free to wander around the castle. She left her room quietly and walked al the way to the library, with care, avoiding a couple of sleepy guards. She opened the door, and was surprised when she saw Braguin, still awake, studying the plaques.
"Bring me the plaques, now".
Terra walked next to Braguin. The old archeologist felt her presence and said to her:
-Miss Terra? What can I do for you?
"Do what you must to steal the plaques and bring them to me".
Terra's answer was pushing Braguin from his chair and grabbing the plaques form the table.
-What are you doing!? – yelled Braguin. Terra just stared at him as she put the plaques in a leather bag she had in her belt. Braguin began to yell, asking or help. Some guards entered the library.
Seeing that the door was blocked, she looked for another way out.
"Use any method to get out".
Terra took out a little bomb from her pocket in her skirt and threw it against the wall, that exploded as soon the bomb touched it, making a deafening sound. The soldiers and Braguin dove into the floor, trying to protect from the flying rocks that were all over the library. She used that moment of confusion to escape through the hole.
"Good girl".
******
The sound of a distant explosion woke Edgar abruptly. The noise came from the main tower. He was sleeping still dressed, so he only put on a cloak, grabbed his sword and his tools and ran to see what happened. In the way, he found Setzer, Locke, Celes, Sabin, Clyde and Interceptor. The others were so tired, that remained asleep.
-What was that? – asked Sabin as they kept running.
-An explosion – answered Edgar.
-But how something can explode inside the castle? – said Locke.
No one dared to give an answer to that question, they just kept running until they reached the library. Edgar was the first one to enter. The dust cloud impede his vision. He covered his mouth with the cloak and began to yell Braguin's name as the others helped the guards. He heard a moaning from below the table. He dashed towards it, and helped Braguin out.
-Are you okay? – he asked concerned. Braguin nodded coughing – What happened here? – asked Edgar.
-The... plaques ... robbed – was Braguin's answer.
Edgar's eyes widened as he repeated:
-Robbed? By whom?
Braguin tried to answer but he kept coughing. Edgar began to shout, cursing. Clyde suggested the guards to take Braguin to the infirmary. Interceptor began to bark as he saw the hole in the wall. Clyde walked next to his dog and after examining the hole he said:
-Interceptor can fin the responsible.
-Are you sure? – asked Locke and Sabin in unison, as Celes tried to calm Edgar.
-Interceptor's never wrong – said simply Clyde.
-Then lets follow – said Edgar. The others nodded and they jumped through the hole following Interceptor.
******
As soon Terra jumped through the hole, Kraven, that was waiting for her, covered her with her cloak and transported her to where Gaston was waiting. They arrived to the cave of South Figaro and Kraven took her to the mysterious shrine. Kraven uncovered her.
-Good girl – said Gaston with a grin from ear to ear – Now hand over the plaques to me.
Terra grabbed the leather bag from her belt and gave it to Gaston that opened it, eagerly. He took out the plaques as he said ecstatic:
-Finally, they are in my hands – he smiled to Terra and continued – And all because of you, half – esper. For that I must reward you – he grabbed a sword that was lying next to the altar and gave it to Terra that took it like an automaton.
-Now I must recharge their power – said Gaston he put the first one and the blue blinding glow lightened the room.
******
Interceptor lead him through the desert, that now was more a swamp, until they reached the cave of South Figaro. They entered the cave, and even none of them said it out loud, they knew they were heading to the shrine. After all, it made sense. The shrine recharged the magical powers of the plaque and Gaston seemed to want more magic.
They reached the shrine. They entered it but immediately squinted for the bright blue light that was shining intensely. When the light faded, they were able to distinguish three figures, and they almost faint when they discovered that one of those figures was no other but Terra. They stared at each other confused. Then Sabin staring at Kraven said to his brother:
-Edgar, that's the guy we saw the other day enter here.
Edgar followed his twin's eyes and nodded. Gaston stared at their faces and began to laugh:
-Surprised to see us here? Well, let me tell you that I'm surprised you're here – he stared at Interceptor and said grinning – So that's the dog you told me Kraven... Now I understand how you got here...
-What have you done to Terra? – asked Edgar with a demanding tone as he stared at Terra's strange attitude.
-Watch your tone... You want to know what I did to her? – said Gaston. He walked next to Terra and said to her – Terra, say you love me.
-I love you – repeated Terra with an inexpressive tone.
Edgar heard this feeling how rage began to posses his body.
-She also brought me the plaques – continued Gaston.
-What?! – exclaimed Edgar and the others – That's impossible.
-You don't believe me? – said Gaston. He asked to Terra – Tell your friends who stole the plaques and put a bomb in the castle.
-I did – said Terra with the same tone.
-But... Why Terra? – said Edgar in disbelief.
Terra didn't answer. Gaston stepped behind her and cut the ribbon in her hair, letting her hair fall to her shoulders.
-I think you look better like this – said Gaston ignoring Edgar. Terra nodded.
-Tell me what you've done to her – said Edgar whose face was red of anger as he clenched his fists. The others just watched the scene with their eyes widened as Kraven just stared at their movements carefully.
-Oh... You want to know – said Gaston with a mocking tone. Edgar move a step forward. Gaston smiled and said as he caressed Terra's cheek with his finger – She's under my control, because she's wearing the improved version of the slave crown.
Edgar stared at Gaston frowning.
-Yes, my stupid King - kept saying Gaston – I decided that if I wanted the plaques once and for all, I had to use other methods, so when we met in Narshe I decided to use one of your friends, and who better that Terra, that once was manipulated by the Empire, so, last night when you were playing war, Kraven her – he pointed Kraven – brought Terra to me, I put the device on her and... well, you know the rest. Oh! I almost forgot. She's conscious of what she's doing, but she can't help doing it. She'll do everything I tell her to do, no matter what it is, she'll obey me.
-But how we didn't notice she was taken away? – asked confused and surprised Celes.
Gaston stared at her with a strange look, as he kept caressing Terra's cheek.
-Kraven showed them – said Gaston still staring at Celes. Kraven nodded and transformed into a shadow and moved quickly around the room, and returned next to Gaston and materialized.
-How...? – murmured Sabin.
Gaston put his hands on Terra's shoulders and said as he turned her to face him:
-I have to go now – he said. And after a quick glance to Edgar he kissed Terra in the lips. They stared at them shocked, unable to react as Gaston kept kissing Terra with is eyes fixed on Edgar's reaction, whose face was now totally transfigured with wrath and rage.
Gaston moved apart, still his eyes on Edgar that finally managed to move and began walked towards Gaston, preparing to unsheathe his sword. Gaston whispered something to Terra. Edgar was about to unsheathe his sword, but Terra stepped in front of him. Edgar stopped in his tracks when Terra unsheathed her sword and pointed it to his chest.
-Terra, please move – said Edgar with plea in his voice. But Terra stayed firm.
-Well, I leave you now – said Gaston – But I leave Terra with you, so she can have some fun with you – he whispered something to Terra's ear again and the said – See you later. Lets go, Kraven – The latter nodded and they disappeared.
-Gaston wait! – shouted Edgar, but Terra kept pointing him with the sword.
"Kill him. Kill the traitor".
They stayed still some seconds, until Terra threw a blow directly to Edgar's chest. The attack was so fast, that he barely avoided it, because he had a small scratch in his chest that also torn his shirt.
-Are you okay? –asked Sabin concerned to his brother, that nodded.
-What we do now? – said Celes in despair – We can't fight Terra. We might hurt her.
Edgar didn't have time to say nothing, because Terra attacked again, this time Sabin blocked the attack with his fangs, making Terra jump backwards, preparing the next attack.
"Kill Edgar first, then kill the traitor of Celes, then kill the others. Kill them all".
-Gaston mentioned she had a device that make her act like this... - said Edgar as he unsheathed his sword to block the attack of Terra, but she immediately attacked him again cutting his right arm, above his elbow. She attacked again, but this time Interceptor blocked the attack, and try to attack Terra, but she easily dodged the attempt.
-But, where is she wearing that device? – said Locke scanning Terra – I don't see it.
"Attack. Attack until they die".
Terra now attacked Celes. The former general blocked the attack, incapable to raise her sword against Terra, that attacked her again. Locke threw his boomerang to Terra's hand, making her drop the sword. Clyde tried to grabbed the sword, but Terra kicked him in the stomach and with great ability, she backflipped and grabbed the sword and she brushed the hair from her face.
Edgar saw a strange sparkle in Terra's temples. He was going to say that when she focused her attacks on him. He kept dodging the blows, but he was tired and the wound on his arm was begging to bleed a lot. As he block the attacks, he again saw that sparkle in Terra's temples.
-You saw that? – he asked to his friends as he kept defending.
-What? – asked Locke, Celes, Sabin and Clyde. But Setzer said:
-I did... It was like a silver sparkle – he then realizing something he said to Edgar as Terra jumped and attacked Edgar from above – You think it is...?
"Murdered them. Murdered them all".
-Yes – said Edgar as he barely blocked the attack, but the blow was so strong that make him fell on his knee. Terra dashed to Edgar but Clyde steeped on and began to fight her.
Edgar stood slowly, with the help of Setzer and said to the gambler:
-I've got an idea. She's focusing most of her attacks on me, so I'm going to work as a decoy, and when she attacks me, I use my Flash, to blind her and you can destroy the devices with your darts, just hit where you see the sparkles.
-Are you sure? – asked Setzer.
-It's the only chance we have – said Edgar as he prepared his Flash – Is that or prepare to get killed, because even if we wanted to fight her, I never imagined Terra can be so good and strong with the sword.
-Okay.. Lets do it – said Setzer, preparing his darts.
-I trust in your aiming – said Edgar as he ran to face Terra. Setzer only nodded, preparing for the right time to attack.
Edgar ran to Terra as fast as he could. Terra kicked Locke in the face and center her attention in Edgar.
"Now is the time. KILL HIM".
Terra prepared her sword and prepare a deadly blow. But when she was about to attack (a blow to cut his head) he used the Flash. The blinding light make Terra to close her eyes, so she only scratched Edgar's face. She covered her eyes after she dropped the sword.
-NOW! – shouted Edgar to Setzer, that saw the sparkle and throw the darts, that hit each of Terra temples. Two shiny things fell from her head and fell into the floor. They stared at Terra holding their breathes. She uncovered her eyes and after staring at them, she fell on the ground unconscious.
Edgar ran to her and hold her in his arms, as Setzer bend over and picked two small silver triangles.
-Look – he said to Edgar showing him the triangles – You think these are the devices?
Edgar nodded as he took them and put them in the pocket of his pants. He verified if Terra was breathing, and he felt relieved when he saw her chest moving slowly up and down. He stared at her face for some seconds as he thought how was she going to react when she opened her eyes.
-Is she okay? – asked concerned Celes.
-Yes... she's just unconscious – answered Edgar standing slowly with Terra in his arms.
-And you, bro? – asked Sabin concerned noticing the wounds of his brother.
-Just some scratches, nothing serious – said Edgar – And you guys are okay?
-I think she may broke my nose but I'm fine – said Locke pointing his bleeding nose.
Clyde had some pain in his ribs, Celes had a sore leg and Sabin some bruises as well as Setzer. Interceptor was the only one harmless.
-Why don't we return to the castle? – suggested Edgar – We have a lot of things to discuss, now that we lost the plaques.
They nodded silently and walked outside the cave to the castle of Figaro, with a mixture of feelings that went from anger, hat, sadness and worry. Edgar stared at Terra's face and thought:
-I only hope we can do something to stop Gaston, before it's to late.