Sorry for the late update, but I've been really busy with school (I had to read like a ton of books to read and write the same number or essays) and I was really stressed and worn out, so last weekend, my family and I went to this beautiful place called Valle de Bravo and to a ranch called Avándaro, so the country side airs helped me to relax and I recovered my lost inspiration. Also a thanks to my new reviewer WildfireDreams. So, with nothing else to say, here is chapter XIII. Enjoy.
Chapter XIII: Fights.
Celes stared in horror as Milan was covered by the black energy. She unsheathed her sword and jumped to attack Milan, but she was rejected by an invisible force around Milan. She tried again, but the result was the same. When she was about to try a third time, she felt a hand on her shoulder:
-Why you stop me, Terra? – asked the former general to the half – esper.
-Because I don't want you to get hurt, like Thiago – said Terra pointing fallen Thiago with her head.
-But we must do something! – screamed Celes desperate.
-I'm afraid there's nothing we can do – said Strago with a impotent tone – Even if we tried something, we just waste our energies... We just have to wait and see what happens next.
-But... - Celes began, but she just dropped her sword and sighed – I guess you're right...
-Lets hope the other get here soon – said Terra in a low voice.
Celes only nodded as she thought:
-You guys better get here soon....
The fight was even. Master Duncan and Sabin kept trying to hit Kraven but it was worthless. Everytime they tried to punch or kick him, he transformed into a shadow and prevented the damage. On the other hand, Kraven was incapable to even touch them, so he only tried to covered them in darkness, but he was also incapable to do it.
-How are we going to defeat such an enemy? – asked Sabin to his Master, when his Pummel failed one more time.
Master Duncan didn't answer, he just stared at Kraven as he transformed from shadow to human.
-There's always a way – he said seconds later – Remember that, Sabin.
Sabin nodded, but he wasn't sure what his Master meant by that. But he didn't have time to stop and think about it, because Kraven was already transforming into shadow and began to move rapidly around the room. Sabin jumped to avoid Kraven trapped him in darkness while Master Duncan kept thinking on a way to defeat Kraven. Sabin landed next to his Master that was scanning the room with his eyes, when suddenly his eyes met with the bulbs that where lightning the room.
-Sabin – whispered Master Duncan – I think I have found the way to defeat Kraven.
Sabin stared at the old Master with his eyes wide open.
-How? – he asked.
-I need you to turn off all the light bulbs – said Duncan.
-What!? – asked Sabin confused as he saw how Kraven transformed again into a shadow.
-Just do as I said – was Master Duncan's answer.
Sabin shrugged and sighed. He used his Aurabolt and one by one the bulbs on the room exploded, leaving the room completely dark.
-What the...? – said Kraven's voice, completely surprised.
-No listen to me carefully, Sabin – whispered Master Duncan to his pupil – I will light the room by using Fire Dance, as soon as you see Kraven, use the Fire Dance on him. Understood?
-Yes – said Sabin in a low voice.
Master Duncan used the Fire Dance and the room lightened slightly. Kraven smiled and became a shadow.
-Now! – said Master Duncan.
Sabin nodded and did the Fire Dance before Kraven attacked them. The fire immediately caught Kraven with it's flames as he returned to his human form. As the fire consumed Kraven, he screamed in pain.
-Please forgive my failure, my Lord Milan – said Kraven in agony, before burn until he became ashes.
-That was a brilliant plan, Master – said Sabin after the dreadful spectacle – How you think of such a plan?
-Simple – said Master Duncan as he scratched his beard – The only way that a shadow doesn't appear in when everything is totally dark. So I thought if the room was completely covered with darkness, I could light the room in a convenient way for us, so we could control Kraven movements when he was a shadow, and that way defeat him.
Sabin nodded impressed. The remembering Kraven's last words he said:
-I wonder who this Milan is. Kraven called him Lord.
-Well, I'm sure we'll discover that soon – said Master Duncan.
-Yeah.... We better get going – said Sabin.
They abandoned the room and ran through the stairs wondering if the others where already in the top of the tower.
-What's wrong with this picture? – murmured Setzer as he slowly stood from the floor where he just crashed few seconds ago.
-What's wrong!? – screamed Locke as he rubbed his sore back – I tell you what's wrong! We are four against two and WE ARE GETTING ARE BUTTS KICKED, literally KICKED.
The battle against the men in the red and purple armor was not going very well. Since the moment the fight begun, Setzer, Locke, Gau and Mog, were unable to even touch the men. The moved with incredible speed and always were one step ahead and they were amazingly strong. Their attack consisted in a series of synchronized moves in opposite directions that ended in a very powerful whirlwind that caused their targets to crash in the nearest wall or floor.
-I cannot believe their power – said Gau helping Mog up.
-Yes, kuppo – said Mog – How are we going to defeat them, kuppo?
-We need to make a strategy – said Setzer.
-You sounded just like Edgar – said Locke scratching his head.
Setzer only smiled. But they didn't have time to think on a plan, because the men began their attack procedure, and without noticing, they were lying in the floor, with sore bodies.
-I'm getting sick of these! – yelled Locke angrily. He took out his boomerang and he was going to throw it, when Setzer stopped him by grabbing his arm firmly.
-What the hell are you doing? Why are you stopping me? – said Locke surprised.
-Don't attack so hasty. We need to think properly how to attack. Use your brain not your guts.
Locke just lower his arm. The men stared at them and said at the same time:
-You give up? But you can't give up, because you haven't fought at all.
Locke messed his hear desperately and said:
-Why you always speak at the same time!? Do you share the same brain!?
-That's not of your business – they answered in unison.
Locke was at the verge of losing control. Setzer put his hand on the shoulder to calm him as he thought of what Locke said: "Do you share the same brain!?".
-Maybe not the same brain... - thought Setzer, the he said rapidly – I think I know how to beat them.
-Really?! – said Gau and Mog.
Setzer nodded. He explained his plan as the men began their attack. Setzer and Mog moved to the left side of the room, while Locke and Gau went to the right. Each men began to make the same moves and they began to gain speed. They began to move in circles around the room. When they crossed in front of them. Gau used his Rage skill and used the abilities of Rhinox. While in the other side of the room, Mog used his Earth Blues song and attacked with Land Slide. Gau attacked missed, but not Mog's. The man in the red armor stopped his movements. Setzer used his perplexity and throw five darts that hit it's target. Each one hit him in vital point. The other man stopped and stared confused and surprised how his partner fell. Locke also used that moment and buried his knife in the man's throat.
-It's over – said Locke wiping the blood from his knife.
-My whole body sores – said Gau rubbing his abdomen and back.
-Mine too, kuppo. Those guys gave us a lot of problems, kuppo – said Mog.
-Well, we finally beat' em – said Setzer smiling.
-How you thought of such a plan, sir Setzer? – asked Gau curious.
-Actually – answered the gambler – Locke gave me the idea.
-I gave you the idea? – repeated Locke confused.
-Yes. When you asked them if they shared the same brain, I realized that they did until some point. They needed each other to perform the attack, so if we managed to stop one of them the attack would be useless... That's when the plan came to my head.
-Well, I charge you later for giving you the idea – said Locke smiling. Then after the smile faded from his lips – We must go with Celes.
The others nodded and rushed towards the door. On the way they met with Sabin and Master Duncan and hurried to reach the last floor.
Edgar kept dodging the deadly blows from Gaston's sword. He was in a clear disadvantage. His left arm broken and his whole body sore. That and the fact that Gaston could use magic, was a great handicap against him.
-Are you going to ask me for mercy? – said Gaston in a mocking tone, when Edgar stumbled by one of Gaston's powerful blows.
-Never... - said Edgar standing slowly and taking an offensive stand – I rather die before asking you anything.
Gaston smiled with his cold and cruel lips and continue to attack. Edgar avoided the attacks, but he couldn't help his left thigh get a deep cut.
-I'll kill you, even if that means cutting you into small pieces – said Gaston with a dark voice as he licked the blood from his sword.
Edgar frowned a little disgusted.
-He's certainly crazy... - thought the King – I wonder if his mental state has something to do with is magical infusion...
-Why you stared at me like that? – asked with a threatening voice Gaston.
-I was... just wondering if you're really Milan's young brother – said almost mumbling Edgar.
Gaston bursted into a maniac laughter before he answered:
-Of course I'm his brother – said Gaston still laughing – Milan is not the type of person that plays with that type of things. And he is the only one that can bring a bright future to this world, the chosen one to become the ruler of this filthy world – and he laugh with an even crazier laughter.
Edgar repeated the words chosen one in his mind. Why he said that Milan was the chosen one? Where he got that idea? But he didn't have time to kept thinking. Gaston almost stabbed him in his chest if he hadn't ducked. In the floor, Edgar used his sword and managed to hurt Gaston in his left eye. Gaston dropped his sword, covering his face with his hands as he screamed in pain.
-Miserable!... Bastard!... My eye!... My eye! – Gaston screamed moaning in pain. He uncovered his face and said with the coldest of voices – Now I hate you even more... I hate you for being a traitor... I hate you for betraying my father... I hate you for destroying his dreams... And now I hate you for marking my face... - he smiled with hate and madness – But you'll pay... you'll pay... - and he prepared to cast a spell.
Edgar couldn't help to feel the chills all over his back and shiver almost unconsciously when he saw the face on Gaston's face. He never imagined a person hate the way Gaston seemed to hated him. He tried to think on a way to calm Gaston, but his brain was numb and the ideas ran away from his mind.
-Firaga – he heard Gaston's voice say.
Huge fire balls fell from the sky and crashed near Edgar, that jumped and run to avoid them, but one of the balls hit him in the chest making him fly several meters until he crashed on the floor. The breast plate of his armor cracked, but resisted the violence of the impact.
-I would've died if it wasn't for this armor – murmured Edgar as he recovered from the impact checking the armor and standing slowly.
-Next time you wont be so lucky... - said Gaston as he prepared to cast his next spell.
-This is getting uglier every second – thought Edgar as he avoided the rays of the powerful Thundaga.
-I won't hold this attacks any longer – muttered the King of Figaro as he kept avoiding the spells from Gaston – My left arm hurt's a lot and I'm beginning to get tired... There must be a way... - then the words, chosen one, came to his head – Unless – he whispered.
After he dodge the last ice spear from Ice, he said:
-I have a question for you – Gaston only raised his eyebrow surprised but stopped attacking. Edgar sighed, and asked – What did you mean, when you said that Milan was the chosen one?
Gaston laughed several minutes, until he finally answered:
-I told you before... He's the only one that can bring balance to this world... He's the only one capable to rule this lousy world... And together, we're going to bring a new era... Yes, a new era.
-And what makes you think he'll share power with you? Power can be really addictive and intoxicating, you know – said Edgar calmly.
-Talking by experience? – replied Gaston with a smile.
Edgar shook his head.
-I was raised and educated in a way that it would never happen to me... - he answered, then smiling he continued – But I can say the same thing about your family... Remember your father? He didn't seem to want to share anything with anybody. Maybe that happens to your brother.
Gaston was surprised by this. Maybe Edgar was right. Maybe Milan wasn't willing to share the power with him. Maybe he was only using him. He shook his head violently. That wasn't true. His brother never betrayed him. He trusted his brother. But...
-Shut up! You don't know anything! – shouted angrily Gaston – My brother never...!
He didn't finish the sentence. The ground began to shake and as well as the whole tower. Then a single black ray was shot from the top of the trident. Once in the sky, the ray multiplied in several rays and flew across the sky.
-Milan... - said Gaston in a low voice, but Edgar managed to listen.
-Is that the power of the plaques? – thought Edgar – I better hurry – he stared at Gaston's confused face and said – So that was the power you were supposed to share with your brother? – Gaston gave a single nod almost unconsciously. Edgar smiled and concluded – See what I mean?
Gaston sent him a very strange glance. A mixture of hate, anger, surprise, sadness was reflected in his gray eyes.
-SHUT UP! – shouted suddenly Gaston with a hoarse voice. He dashed towards Edgar and grabbed his face with a single hand and raised him from the floor, then with an incredible strength, he threw Edgar to the nearest wall. The impact was so violent, that Edgar's helmet broke in to hundreds of pieces.
-I don't have more time to waste – said Gaston – I'll kill you now – he grabbed his sword from the floor and ran where Edgar was lying.
Edgar pretended to be unconscious. And while Gaston bent to pick the sword, he took out his Flash.
Gaston stood in front of him and prepared to stab his heart and when the sword was ten inches from his chest, a dizzy Edgar used the Flash. Gaston was immediately blinded by the intense light. Edgar slowly stood. He was really dizzy. He put one of his hand in the back of his head and discovered he was bleeding. Once again the armor saved his life. He looked for his sword but it wasn't with him. He lost it when Gaston used him as a projectile against the wall. He spotted it in the middle of the platform and ran to pick it up, while Gaston recovered his sight.
Gaston's eyes recovered completely and he immediately began to attack Edgar, but the blows were even stronger and more precise. His right arm had a deep cut and a scratch on his abdomen. He knew he had to act soon, but even the speed of Gaston was increasing. He thought of a plan quickly, hoping it'll work.
Gaston insisted in attacking with his sword. He felt an intense rage and wrath all over his body, he could only see Edgar as a way to release all the anger inside.
-Why are you so angry? – asked Edgar as he blocked as he could the blows – Are you like this because of your brother?
-SHUT UP! – roared Gaston – You know nothing about us... You don't know us... And I'll make you pay for... for... ARRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH! – and he almost chopped Edgar's head from his body.
-Why you sound so confused? –asked Edgar after he dodged with his sword the attack of Gaston.
-You... you... you – said between gasps Gaston – confuse... me...
-Really? – asked Edgar – I confuse you because I said the truth about who you're brother really is... He is just like your father: twisted, evil, maniac, self centered but above all things, selfish. Maybe I don't know your brother for so long as you do, I just talked to him for some minutes, but those minutes where enough for me to realize that he is just like Gestahl, and for that reason, he would enjoy this power ALONE, not with you. He just used you...
-That's... no... he... - babbled Gaston. He dropped his sword and fell on his knees as he kept babbling. He put his hands on his head and began to scream, like if he was in a great pain. Edgar realized it was the moment to end with that battle. But for some reason, he didn't want to kill Gaston. After the meeting with Milan and all that Gaston said, he realized that Gaston was also used by his own brother as a puppet, like Gaston once used Terra. Another instrument on Milan's twisted plan to conquer the world. And suddenly the hate he felt disappeared as well as his desire to avenge Umaro's dead and Terra's manipulation. The only thing he felt now for Gaston was pity and compassion. The one who was going to pay all those crimes was going to be Milan. So instead of killing him, he knocked Gaston with the hilt of his sword. Gaston fell on the floor unconscious. Edgar then sighed and sat in the floor, exhausted and achy. He remained sitten for some seconds until he heard a voice calling his name:
-Edgar!
Edgar turned his head to the direction he heard the voice. It came from the door where Clyde and Interceptor were standing. Edgar smiled and stood with a lot of effort, like if he were carrying bag full of stones. Clyde an Interceptor ran to him.
-What happened to you? – asked concerned Clyde when he saw the physical state of the King of Figaro. Edgar pointed Gaston with his head as he told everything that happened since the moment he entered the chamber of Milan.
-That's why I you weren't there with the others. So I offer to look for you. I was about to give up, when Interceptor found a door that was camouflaged – he handed a potion to Edgar – Drink it. It wont heal your wounds but it'll ease the pain and you'll recover some of your energy.
Edgar nodded and drank it.
-What about that guy? –asked Clyde – What you want to do with him?
-I was thinking to tie him and leave him here until we... Well, until we return from the top of this place – said Edgar – I don't think he'll wake up for some hours.
Clyde agreed and tearing the cloaks of the armors they were wearing, they improvised some ropes and tied Gaston firmly.
-We better get going – said Edgar after they tied Gaston – We must meet with the others. They might be in great danger...
Clyde nodded. They re entered the tower and while they were running through the stairs, they found Cyan that decided to join the fight inside after the alliance took control of the outsides of the tower.
-What happened to thou, Sir Edgar? – asked Cyan noticing the wounds on Edgar, specially his arm.
-Long story – answered the King of Figaro – Tell you on the way.
As they ran to the last floor, Edgar told everything that happened in his battle against Gaston.
-What's been bothering me is that Milan keep calling himself chosen one. I wonder were he got that idea – said Clyde after Edgar end his tale.
-I don't why but I have the feeling that the plaques have something to do with it... - said Edgar, then, after a pause he continued – Now I know what I have that feeling. Remember what plaque number three said?
Cyan nodded and said:
- But beware, only the chosen ones can unseal the power...
The ones with magic inside...
Clyde widened his eyes.
-He got that idea from the writings in the plaques... - he said surprised.
-And if that is true... – began Cyan.
-He just unsealed the power the plaques talk about – concluded Clyde.
They remained in silence as they hope they still find their friends alive when they reached the chamber of Milan.