Author Notes: I just wanted to thank Asga, my new reviewer.
Chapter XIV: The power of the plaques.
Locke, Setzer, Mog, Gau, Master Duncan and Sabin ran full speed until they finally reached the room with metal black doors. They would've arrived sooner, but they got lost (thanks to Sabin and Locke) and it took some time to find the right way to the top of the tower.
-We finally get here – said Setzer, panting as they stopped in front of the door.
-Then, lets get in – said Master Duncan.
They nodded and they pushed the doors until they were open. And their yes widened when they saw what was happening inside.
Relm and Strago were helping a smoking Thiago to stand while Celes kept using Runic to absorb the spells that a man with bright red was casting. Terra was standing behind Celes, watching helplessly the efforts of the former general.
-Celes! – shouted Locke as soon as they entered the room.
Celes recognized the voice of her beloved and said watching him from the corner of her eye:
-Finally you're here. I was beginning to get worried.
-We would've arrived sooner if it wasn't for... - began Setzer upset, but Sabin interrupted him.
-What matters now is that we're here – then staring at Milan he asked – So, that's the guy.
-Yes – said Terra – His name is Milan, and he's Gestahl's elder son...
-So the old man in the capsule is... Gestahl – muttered surprised Locke, then raising his eyes he said – And the things above the capsule are...
-The plaques – finished the sentence Relm after she helped Thiago to stand.
-I'm lost... - said Sabin – Gestahl is dead. We saw when Kefka killed him. Right? Then how...
-I just wanted my father to witness how I destroy those who caused his doom... - said Milan, smiling.
-But he cannot see, because he's dead – interrupted Locke frowning – Looney – he mouthed to Celes, when he suddenly felt a huge electric shock all over his body, making him scream in pain. Celes ran next to him to help him recover.
-I don't like to be interrupted while I'm talking – roared Milan, then after a cough, he continued – As I was saying, I'll destroy you with my amazing and unique power, and I'll rule over the world, because I'm the chosen one to do it.
-And who says that? – asked Setzer frowning.
Milan pointed the plaques.
-Are you saying...? – said Duncan, then he asked – Has he...?
Strago nodded.
-He just unite his power with the power of the plaques – said the old mage – And his power is beyond his imagination. Before you arrived, we witnessed how he threw a powerful attack to almost all the towns, kingdoms and cities of the world. If we have survived is thanks to the ability of Celes and the boldness of Thiago.
They all stared each other in horror.
-Now, that you're all reunited, I'll smash you like the filthy insects that you are – said Milan.
-That's not true – said Terra – Edgar and Clyde are missing.
Milan smiled.
-That's because the King is busy – he said.
-What do you...? – tried to ask Terra, but Milan kept talking.
-Enough of senseless talk. You are the only obstacles between me and my goal, so I'll end you right here and right now – then staring at Terra he said – I haven't forgotten the reward I owe you, you'll live long enough to see how I end with the miserable lives of all your pathetic little friends.
-And what make you think we'll allow you to do that? – said with a challenging tone Setzer as he shuffled his deck.
-Yeah – said Sabin preparing his claws – We wont lose against someone like you.
Master Duncan also prepared his claws, Gau was taking his Rage position, Mog prepared his spear, Locke has his knife and boomerang ready, as Thiago prepared his metal stick, Celes and Terra prepared their swords and Relm and Strago their rods (although they knew they wouldn't be of great help).
Milan stared at them, amused and prepared to fight.
The first one to attack was Setzer, throwing his cards, but they all froze abut 10 inches from Milan that moved his right index finger, making the cards change direction and attacked Setzer, that barely jumped to avoid them, but his right leg was cut by the sharp edges of one of his cards.
-How did he...? – murmured Setzer as he pressed the wound with his hands.
Locke threw his boomerang but Milan avoided it with a great speed and manipulated it, because it returned to Locke with a great speed and force that it hit him violently in the face, making him fell, completely knocked.
Sabin and Master Duncan decided to attack at the same time, using Pummel. But the attack was reflected and they received all the punches.
Mog and Gau also decided to attack together, but Milan with a single move of his left hand, sent them to crash on the nearest wall.
And before Thiago even thought of attacking, Milan casted Bio, Celes wasn't able to stop the spell with her Runic technique so Thiago immediately fell on the floor, poisoned.
Strago and Relm were the next ones to receive a powerful attack from Milan, that caught them in the whirlwinds of Aero.
-He's too powerful – said Celes running next to Strago and Relm, while Terra used an antidote on Thiago.
Locke regained consciousness and went to Setzer.
-I think the only way we'll be able to inflict any damage on that psycho is attacking all together – he said to the Gambler, that was improvising a tourniquet with a piece of fabric of his shirt.
-I agree – said Setzer – But the only ones that could still fight are Master Duncan and Sabin. Relm and Strago received a very powerful attack, and I don't think Thiago recovers any time soon. And I don't wasn't to risk Terra and Celes.
-You're right – said Locke – If only Edgar was here – he sighed – But we can't wait for him. Lets tell our idea to Sabin and his Master.
They went to Sabin and Master Duncan were lying. He helped them up, and communicated his idea. They agreed and prepared to attack.
Locke threw his boomerang and Setzer his darts.
-Don't you understand that you can't defeat me? – said Milan already blocking the attacks, but he didn't notice that Master Duncan and Sabin dashed and attacked him with Pummel. Milan wasn't able to dodge the attacks and was brutally hit that he knelt on his left knee.
-We did it! – said excited Sabin as Milan spit blood.
-Good thinking - said Master Duncan to Locke, that smiled.
-It was obvious that he couldn't do two things at the same time, or he paid attention to Setzer attack and mine or he blocked yours – he explained. Then turning to Celes he asked – How are they doing – and he pointed Strago and Relm.
-They're unconscious... I'm afraid they have some internal injuries, but I think they'll survive – answered Celes, that smiling to Locke she said – I don't think I could have come with a better plan.
-Yeah – agreed Terra – That was brilliant.
-Now, lets finish the work – said Setzer, when suddenly they heard a laughter coming from Milan's direction. They all turned to see Milan, that was standing slowly, with his head still lowered.
-You really believed this was going to be that easy? – he said as he raised his head, he had blood dripping from the corner of his mouth and he had a strange sparkle that was lighting his eyes in way that was scary – NOW, IT'S TIME YOU PAY FOR THIS... - he shouted with a hoarse voice that was full of hatred as his body began to glow with a black light.
-This is not good – said Setzer.
-I don't like this – muttered Locke.
The black energy around Milan grew in intensity, it was so intense that the tiles of the floor began to levitate as the walls began to crumble.
Celes knew that he was going to use a spell, and she prepared herself to absorb it with Runic, while the energy around Milan transformed into a sphere, that he hold in his hands.
-NOW, TASTE MY POWER – he screamed – INFERNO!!!!
He released the black sphere, immediately Celes raised her sword and used Runic. The sword began to absorb the spell, but it began to turn black as it trembled.
-It's too powerful! – yelled Celes – I can't hold it any longer! – and suddenly the sword exploded in her hands, covering the whole room in darkness as the screams of pain slowly faded.
-Are you sure is this way? – asked Clyde to Edgar.
-Of course – answer the king – I've been there before, remember? – and he pointed his broken arm - And even if i used the levator the first time, the way up is quite obvious.
-Yeah, right – said Clyde with a small smile.
They were two floors from getting to Milan's room, and they were going as fast as Edgar's condition let them, although his wounds weren't too serious, he was certainly tired and worn out.
On the way to Milan's room, the words that Gaston said, chosen one, kept echoing in Edgar's head as well as the words encrypted on the first three plaques. There was no way that Milan could be the chosen one that the plaques said, for the simple reason that Milan's heart was everything but pure, but if Milan was the chosen one, the who was that person, because that person maybe the only one capable to end Milan's threat of taking over the world. Then the iamge of Terra and then the image of Celes appeared in his mind.
-Maybe... - he muttered.
As they reached the floor below Milan's room, they suddenly heard the sound of a huge explosion as the whole tower shook.
-What the hell...? – said Clyde.
-It came from the room above us – said Cyan.
-Come, lets hurry – said Edgar as they rushed upstairs, then he thought – You guys better be okay... Terra...
She opened her eyes slowly. Her whole body was achy and she was dizzy. She tried to stood but her legs couldn't bear her weight, so she fell on the floor, again. She scanned the room with her eyes. And she covered her mouth in horror when she saw all her friends on the floor, bloody and unconscious.
-I told you, you live long enough to see your friends die – she heard a voice said. She faced Milan, that was sitting in the throne, smiling. And maybe for the first time in her life, she felt hate.
-My, my – said Milan amused by the look in Terra's eyes – Why you looked me like that? I just fulfilled the promised I made you – he stood – And now it's your turn to join them – he walked to her and grabbed her from her neck and raised her in the air. Terra tried to released from Milan's cold and deadly grip, but her efforts were vane.
-You could've been one of the top generals of my father's army – said Milan as he strangled her – But you chose to join the pathetic Returners, and for that you are a traitor, like Celes and Edgar... - he smiled – But they got their punishment and now it's your turn... DIE!
Terra's eyes widened as she felt the pressure on her neck become stronger and when she thought it was the end for her, so she closed her eyes when a familiar voice shouted:
-Let her go! – and she could hear how Milan moaned in pain as she felt the pressure on her neck ease. Milan put her down. She immediately began to cough as she eagerly gasped for air. Then she felt a hand in her back, rubbing it gently.
-Are you okay? – asked Edgar's voice, concerned.
Terra opened her eyes and met the worried face of the King of Figaro. She immediately hugged him tightly as she said, panting:
-Were... have ... you ... been?
-Busy – was Edgar's answer as he broke the embrace to verify, Terra's condition. After confirming she was fine, he asked:
-What happened to the others? – and he pointed his fallen friends as Clyde was with Relm and Strago and Cyan with Gau.
-Milan... and the plaques... he has obtained their power... he used a spell... Celes tried to stop it with Runic... - her eyes watered – but it was too strong ... and the sword exploded... then the room was all dark... - she covered her face with her hands and began to cry softly.
Edgar patted her back gently as he heard Milan ask:
-What you did to Gaston? He was supposed to kill you.
-You said it, supposed – answered Edgar – But he, unfortunately for you, failed.
Terra uncovered her face and noticed Edgar's condition. She saw his bone cutting through the skin on his left arm, the cracked breast plate, the blood on his face and on his right thigh.
-Well, my dear Terra – said Milan as he removed the shuriken from his left hand – I guess I was wrong by saying all your friends were dead... It seems I have to do things myself if I want them well done.
-But you're wrong about them being dead – said Clyde, with a smile – They aren't dead, just unconscious.
-WHAT!? – yelled a surprised Milan.
-Yes – confirmed Cyan – Lady Celes Runic must have lessen the power of the spell of thou.
-Well, then – said Milan – I'LL JUST HAVE TO KILL ALL OF YOU TOGETHER ONCE AND FOR ALL!
-Really? – said Edgar with a slight sarcasm – And how are you going to do that?
Terra stared at him, frowning. Milan began to laugh.
-That's a dumb question – said Milan – Even for you. You felt my power before I acquired the power of the plaques. Now my power is greater that it was before...
As he talked, Edgar whispered to Terra.
-Try to wake Celes.
-Why...? – she tried to ask but Edgar interrupted her.
-I'll explain later. Just do it.
Terra nodded and bent next to Celes and shook her shoulder gently. Milan kept talking. Edgar went with Clyde and Cyan and told them.
-I've got an idea, but I need your help.
-Sure, what is it? – they said.
-Help me to distract Milan. He's a megalomaniac, so, let him keep talking about his greatness and in case he intends to attack, attack him first. I now it's risky, but I think I know a way to beat him.
They nodded. Terra kept shaking Celes, until the former general opened her eyes.
-Terra... - she murmured. Then remembering what happened she stood rapidly and asked – How's Locke? And the others?
-Their unconscious, but alive – answered Terra.
Celes sighed relieved.
-Edgar, Clyde and Cyan are here – said Terra excited.
Celes smiled and then she asked:
-And Milan?
Terra pointed Milan, that was still talking about his greatness, although no one was paying attention. Edgar noticed Celes standing. He dashed to her after he nodded to Cyan and Clyde.
-Good! You're up – he said to Celes, smiling.
-What the hell happened to you? – she exclaimed, seeing his wounds – You look like you fought a behemoth all by yourself.
Edgar smiled.
-I'll tell you later. Now I need to ask you a question – he said, but he never formulated the question, because he heard Milan said:
-Now... I'LL KILL YOU ALL!
Cyan, Clyde and Interceptor, stepped in front of Milan as Clyde said:
-But first, you have to go through me.
-And me – said Cyan.
Milan laughed and said:
-I have no problem in killing you first.
While they began to fight, Edgar asked Celes and Terra.
-Do you remember how Milan obtained the power in the plaques?
-Yes – said Terra – He chanted the writings in the plaques.
-And that was it? – he asked as Cyan was being smashed brutally on the floor.
They nodded.
-And you think you could do that? – said Edgar.
-What? – they asked in unison.
-The chanting – he said – You think you can do it?
They stared at each other.
-I remember it – said Celes.
-Me too – said Terra – But why you asks us that?
-Because I strongly doubt that Milan is the chosen one the plaques talk about.
-And how you know that? – questioned Terra frowning.
-Simple – answered Edgar – He doesn't posses a pure heart, and according to the plaques, the chosen one, must have a pure heart.
-And what do we have to do with that? – asked Celes.
-I think that maybe one of you is the chosen one – said Edgar.