Of Angels and Salamanders
Chapter eleven: Justice with a sword.
Hours had passed as they exchanged thoughts about the Flaming Salamander, Amethyst Coral. During their conversation in that filthy place, Beatrix came to realization that Amarant may turn on her. He would not betray her to aid his father but to aid himself, after all, they had both made a promise to kill Amethyst.
When it was time to rest, all three of the visitors decided to sleep in Beatrix's room due to the fact that there was a door. An open door in Treno was a thief's welcome.
Lani lay at the foot of Beatrix's bed while Amarant slept on the sofa. Lani, the last of the three to fall asleep, took one last glance at Beatrix and smiled as she saw that there were now three in the bed. Under crossed arms lay Beatrix's beloved bear, just the same as when they shared a room in the castle many years ago.
When the morning sun sat in the sky, illuminating the rooftops of Treno, the three visitors went to a small cafe in the town square. As they looked across the street, the divide between the rich and poor was evident.
On their side there sat various working class people, dressed in their respective uniforms, whereas on the other there were many nobles, dressed in corsets, suits, corsages and the like. The way in which the nobles were dressed gave the impression that they had been up since the wee, small hours dressing themselves. Of course, they most likely paid someone else to dress them.
As Lani swallowed a whole, syrup soaked pancake, it became obvious to Beatrix that the girl had shunned the manners forced upon her in Alexandria. Whether it was an act of rebellion against society's standards was unsure, what was sure was that she ate like a pig, with even the occasional grunting sound to be heard.
Witnessing the way in which Amarant devoured his food, she could find no reason to suspect her bad manners to be his influence. Sitting down to eat with the Salamander, caused her to feel that fate was playing a cruel joke on her. On that rainy night, many moons ago she had witnessed a man murder her mother and now she was sitting down to breakfast with that man's son.
Whilst she pondered this turn of events, she failed to notice the two men who were fast approaching Amarant. Two hands gripped each of his armpits and yanked him from the chair. On closer inspection the men seemed to be Treno's Guard, the closest thing to policemen in Treno.
"You are under arrest!" The man yelled at the top of his voice, tightening his grip on Amarant.
"Under arrest?" Amarant asked as he struggled to break free. "What for?" For a moment Amarant thought that the burglaries which he and Lani had masterminded had finally caught up with him. That couldn't be it, they had planned the robberies from every angle and he always concealed their tracks.
"For the murder of Lady Arahime." the man continued. "Come with us now."
"I didn't murder anyone!"
"Well, a witness saw a Salamander matching your description flee the scene of the murder last night."
Lani and Beatrix could only watch as Amarant was dragged away by the two men, all the while protesting his innocence. Amarant couldn't be guilty, he was an honest soul with a guilty past but he couldn't have done such a thing. Could he?
"Lani, how well do you know Amarant?" asked Beatrix, displaying no sign of emotion.
"Bea, I really hope that you aren't accusing him." Lani grew defensive as Beatrix's eyes fell upon her. The fact that Beatrix had remotely hinted that Amarant was to blame was making her angry.
"Lani, do you trust him? I have to know."
"Yes, I trust him with all my heart." Lani's eyes shifted nervously before being cast to the floor. "He's different, he's like me, so I know he's innocent."
"Very well. I trust you."
"Why do you ask?"
Come to think of it, why was she so curious? As long as she had known Beatrix, she had known that every word and action had a motive. Some of these motives were obvious, others weren't but there was always a motive.
"We're breaking him out of prison tonight."
"What!?" At first Lani assumed that she was joking, yet there was something in her tone of voice that suggested otherwise.
"It had to have been Amethyst who murdered that woman. We'll need Amarant if we are to find him."
After finishing their breakfast, a pleasure which Amarant had been denied, both girls paid a visit to the prison. The prison itself, was an appendage to the Treno Guard Station, with a stone corridor linking them together.
"Hmm." Beatrix said as she surveyed the grounds. Like a detective in one of Alexandria's grand plays she took in every detail. Detailed schematics were created in her mind allowing her to find a method for Amarant's escape.
"What is it, Bea?" Asked Lani as she noticed the smug expression on her friend's face.
"I know how to get him out."
"How?"
No answer was granted. Beatrix simply charged from the alley to her next destination as Lani tried to keep up.
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To Beatrix's shock and surprise the chocobo that she had left at the Treno stables was still alive and well, it seemed that he hadn't been sold for meat after all. When her hand had slipped the appropriate amount of gil into the grubby mits of the stable owner, the bird was returned to her.
Warking happily, the bird's bright pink tongue lapped her cheek. He seemed glad to see her. The bird was more than likely glad to be free. It is often said that chocobos are more sensitive to emotions than Gaians, so the sense of suspicion and fear that drifted around Treno would have been more noticeable to him. A friendly face would have helped to calm him once more and grant him solace from the emotions that haunted the town.
Beatrix leapt onto the bird's back before charging off to meet Lani, with the knowledge that on the very day that sat down to breakfast with the offspring of her mother's murderer, she would break the very laws that she had vowed to uphold.
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Amarant lay on the thin mattress within the cell, with his hands behind his head, gazing at the ceiling. The rusted pipe that ran across the ceiling was dripping. For the last few hours, in boredom, he had actually been counting the number of drops.
"Six-thousand, three hundred and ninety six..." His tone was low and his boredom was evident.
"Amarant." A whisper echoed through the dull, damp cell. "Amarant."
Seeking the source of the whisper, his eyes glanced to all four walls within the cell. It took a short while before his eyes drifted up to the small, barred window above his bed where he could see Lani's face in the moonlight.
"Lani?" He asked.
"The one and only." that cocky attitude that he had witnessed evolving over the past few months was had returned. "Gotta admit though, your cell is much cleaner than our room at the hostel."
Lani began to thread a length of rope around the bars, weaving from one side to the other before tying a knot. To test the strength of the knot she gave the rope a tug.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"Granting you an early release."
Lani looked back into the dark street and gave a nod to Beatrix. Beatrix, who had been stroking the chocobo returned the gesture. Behind her in that small street, she heard Lani leap to the floor as she tied a rope around the bird's chest and back.
"Go!" Ordered Beatrix.
The bird was having none of it. Perhaps the memories of his time in the stables had returned, making him act like naughty child.
"Go!" She yelled again.
The bird warked before nibbling on his feathers, most likely looking for a tick or some other insect. He lifted his head before continuing to nibble on his feathers once more. Beatrix decided that if the bird were to act naughty, he would be punished as such.
"I am sorry but you leave me no choice." Beatrix said, raising her blade.
As the tip of Save the Queen made contact with the creature's backside, a deafening wark echoed throughout the city streets. The bars were torn from the window as the bird charged, leaving a small hole in the wall where the bars once sat.
Amarant stood on the bed within the cell before hoisting himself up and into the small hole. Like a worm on a hook, he wriggled violently before coming out on the other side.
Amarant screamed as he fell face first towards the dirty floor. Luckily, he was able to use his arms to break his fall. With a few minor bruises, he climbed to his feet and smiled.
"Stop messing around!" Lani scolded him before picking him up.
"You have to believe me. It wasn't me!" Amarant protested, still in Lani's arms.
"Calm down," Beatrix began. "We believe you, that's why we broke you out. I think that you-know-who is the culprit and if he's here, you can help us find him right?"
Amarant nodded. "Yeah, I'm your man. Let's get out of here first. I'm sure that damned bird woke up half of Treno.
"I think you may want these." Lani handed the Salamander his Dragon Claws, with a smile on her face.
"Dragon Claws," he said as he placed them on. "Never leave home without them."
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At Arahime manor there weren't many clues to be found, the rain and wind had taken away any footprints that may have been left behind. As Amarant surveyed the grounds he found very little evidence of his father's presence and the fact that the snow was beginning to fall only added to his problems.
It occurred to him that his father may have also learned the ways of a tracker, which would make this task all the more difficult.
Deciding that it would be worthwhile entering the house, Amarant lead both girls inside. As he looked around the entrance foyer he found various footprints, which only lead back outside to the clue-less garden.
On the floor, a short distance from the chalk line that lay where Lady Arahime's body once rested, Amarant saw a small red gem. He took it from the floor. As he turned the item over between his fingers, he turned to his companions.
"We'd better hide." He warned.
"Why?" Asked Beatrix.
"You see this?" He displayed the gem between his thumb and forefinger, allowing Beatrix to have a good look.
"I do." She replied, unsure as to what the item was.
"This is flare stone, it belonged to my mother, when I dream of her, she wears this on a necklace."
"He will return?"
"I have no doubt. She was his world, no matter how far he goes along the dark path, he won't forget her."
Amarant placed the gem back upon the floor. All three intruders hid upon the staircase, cloaked in shadow. Shortly after midnight, Amethyst Coral had returned.
He was the same as in her nightmares, if not a bit older looking. That hair of his burned brighter than ever, and the smell that she had taken in on that night had returned. He smelled of blood and sweat, neither of them his.
To the surprise of both Amarant and Beatrix, Lani leapt out at Amethyst from the darkness as he retrieved the gem. A smirk crossed his face as Lani swung her Ax and the monster. She froze in shock as Amethyst held the weapon by the blade. An intense heat shot through the weapon, burning her hand.
As Lani recoiled from the heat, the blade began to melt in his hands. Beatrix ran towards him but collided with Lani, who was thrown towards her. Both girls lay on the floor and could only watch as Amethyst fled.
Amethyst quickly took to his heels and ran from the building. Amarant, who was undetected by his father, contemplated giving chase but Lani needed his help. As Beatrix and Lani returned to their feet, a smile crossed Amarant's face.
"Finally! Tracks I can follow." He remarked.
"What about my Ax? I can't help you fight him without it." Lani was distraught. After all of the things that they had been through, she had to be there at the end of all things.
"Lani, my sweet," Beatrix began. "This isn't your fight."
As Lani glared at Beatrix she spotted a rack of ornamental weaponry behind her. One of the weapons was a large battle Ax, the blade was much larger than her previous weapon but she could wield it. Lani ran past Beatrix and took the Ax from the wall.
"Sorry Bea, this is my fight. I've been fighting it for you since I got here. I have sacrificed my body for you on many occasions since I have come to this damned place. I'm fighting, but you are right. This isn't my fight. It's our fight."
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Tracking Amethyst took no time at all. They simply had to follow his footprints. The trail had lead them a busy street. The rich dined and danced in the area as live music was being performed.
"There he is!" Lani yelled into the street, gaining the attention of many nobles.
"Father! It's me, Amarant."
"Amarant?" Amethyst was puzzled. Surely the Sadhe's would have murdered his son. Why would they have let him live?
Amethyst turned to his son and smiled, that was until he saw the company that he kept. It was the swords-woman and the young girl with the Ax. His son was betraying him!
Amethyst held out his left hand and then his right. In each palm he held a red sphere. Actually, he didn't hold them. They levitated in his hands. Each sphere was dropped to the floor.
The balls rolled across the cobbled floor before leaping into the air. They circled each other they flew towards the three warriors. Each of the three scrambled in different directions as the balls struck the wall behind them. The wall proceeded to explode behind them, sending bricks in every direction.
A barrage of fire balls were thrown in random directions, denting buildings and causing chocobo carriages to collapse. Windows were shattered, expensive wigs were singed and one or two people were injured. Every noble in the vicinity screamed in terror and fled the scene, leaving the four combatants in an empty street.
"You didn't tell us that your father has super powers!" Lani screamed at Amarant who simply shrugged his shoulders.
"I didn't know."
"Lani, Amarant, attack his arms!" Yelled Beatrix as she took charge.
As the three charged towards Amethyst they witnessed him clap his hands together. As he did so, each of his hands became engulfed in flames.
"Upgrades," began Amethyst. "It is amazing what one can accomplish by blackmailing a mage."
"Don't let him touch you!"
Before Beatrix's words could be comprehended, she and Lani were struck by Amethyst's flaming fists. Both girls were thrown across the street before striking the snow covered floor. Behind him, Amarant could hear their groans.
"Amarant, my boy." Amarant froze at his father's words. His voice was just as he had remembered, warm and kind. "You know that I love you, right?"
"Yes."
Their eyes locked onto each other as the world paused. Nothing and everything was said with a single stare. As they stood eye to eye for a time, they forgot what was happening. Despite the dreadful situation, they were truly glad to see each other.
"Then you understand why I must do these things?"
"No."
"Do not be foolish son. They took your mother from you. You know that they must suffer, that I am doing the work of the gods."
"You see that girl with the sword?" Amarant voice was filled with anger and sorrow as he pointed to Beatrix who was climbing to her feet. You took her mother from her! You ruined her life! She did nothing to you and you took everything from her!"
"I cannot be blamed for the misfortune of others." There lay no hint of remorse in his tone, in his heart and soul, he honestly believed he was doing a service for the world." It his her bad luck she was in the way of my divine cause."
"Divine cause? You are a rapist and a murderer!" His rage was growing with each syllable.
"Labels, my boy, labels. Let us dispense with these pointless words and allow me to ask you only one thing. With the knowledge of the things I have done and must continue to do for those above, do you still love me?"
Amarant stared into his father's eyes red eyes. Not a sign of doubt could be seen in his eyes as he responded.
"I do father. I love you."
Beatrix and Lani froze at Amarant's words. Was he going to turn on them? Was Lani's trust in him misplaced? Although her body was still, her hand gripped Save the Queen tightly. She didn't want to hurt Amarant but she would if he got in her way.
His tone lowered and he seemingly became less angry as sincerity filled every word. A smile crossed to elder Coral's face. At long last he had found his son, his beautiful boy.
In this moment of joy, Amarant's body became a blur. His Dragon Claws tore at Amethyst's flesh in random directions at frightening speed. Before Amethyst could fight back he was bleeding from various wounds. His eyes opened wide as he felt the cold steel of the dragon claws slice his throat. As the sharp metal cut across his neck Amethyst lashed out. Both of his hands struck Amarant's chest with amazing force. The younger Coral flew across the street before striking his head against a nearby wall. He now lay unconscious.
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As he witnessed Beatrix running towards him, Amethyst knew that she would kill him. Despite the pain that consumed him Amethyst thought clearly. He had decided that if he couldn't fight, he would find another to fight for him.
By some minor miracle Amethyst regained control of his body. Ignoring the wounds on his arm, he reached into his pocket. Within the dirty material he gripped the flare stone that he had taken back earlier. Holding them gem in his hands he turned his palms to the floor and allowed the gem to fall before he himself fell to the floor.
The flare stone shattered against the cobbled floor like a fallen glass. From within emerged a grey wind that screamed ferociously into the night. The world came to a halt as the wind changed form. Where once existed a cloud of non-existence, there stood a shadow. The figure was humanoid yet defied any more description
"I am Carnage! I loan you my powers," said the creature. "I am your aid in-"
The creature's words ceased as the eyes that he didn't have locked onto Beatrix who stood before him.
"You! You are the Alexandrian warrior, the slayer of Chaos!"
"That sounds like me." Beatrix sounded arrogant. Of course, after the gruelling battle to which he had referred, she reserved that right.
"My brother took your eye. Now, I shall take your life!"
Rather than perform a single attack before returning to darkness, the shadowy-like figure shot towards Amethyst. Colliding with the salamander caused a fusion between both beings. Amethyst's trademark locks changed from red to the darkest black and his eyes became an icy blue colour. His muscles grew so large that the ragged clothes upon his back were torn to shreds.
"I shall succeed where my brother has failed!" Said Carnage.
The Eidolon/Salamander hybrid held up his left hand, his opened palms facing the sky. From thin air there appeared a small golden ball that began to spark like lightening. Beatrix looked on as the ball of lightening was thrown into the distance. As the ball soared through the air, it began to grow larger and larger before hitting the ground with a dull clunk.
Beatrix found it hard to stand as the earth began to tremble under foot. The recently fall snow had began to melt as though the sun shone brightly. There was a slight rumbling noise that resembled the sound of a chocobo cart on a stone road. The noise grew and grew until it began to resemble an airship engine. It continued to grow until it became deafening. Before anyone had the time to cover their ears all was quiet, all was calm, all was still.
BOOM!
As a deafening explosion rocked the town, an old building exploded into a million bricks. It began to rain concrete as Beatrix ran for cover. Lani, having common sense dragged Amarant into a doorway to hide from the odd weather.
"Lani! Take Amarant and run!" Ordered Beatrix.
"I wont leave you!" The girl replied.
"Do it!"
With unnatural strength Lani lifted Amarant from the slushy ground. Droplets of melted snow flew into the air from under her heels as she sought safety. Another lightening ball appeared in his palm. As he made an attempt to strike Lani, Beatrix struck the ball with her blade, casting it into the distance.
One of Treno's surrounding mountains exploded sending ancient stone into the night sky. As it rained boulders Beatrix ran for cover again. In the short space of time that she had to create a battle strategy, she decided to improvise, after all, how could she kill a demon that controlled an element as powerful as lightening.
As she ran towards the demon another ball was thrown her way. This ball was different from the others. It was smaller and moved independently. As she aimed for the ball she realised that it was too small for her to strike due to her lack of depth perception.
She could only guess where to swing. Blindly, she swung her sword. The sphere cut an arc in the air and struck her blade. A searing heat shot down the metal causing Beatrix to throw the blade towards a nearby building. Within moments the blade was buried under a mound of snow.
She couldn't see it! Where was her sword?
Before Beatrix had time to search for her weapon, Carnage ran towards her. The Eidolon dived towards her and with all of his power he threw Beatrix and himself into a building. The two of them burst through the wall and into a vacant sitting room.
Beatrix felt as though a sledgehammer had struck her spine as she lay beneath Carnage. The pain she now felt was immense but she had to get up. Summoning long forgotten strength, she threw the Eidolon from atop her.
At an alarming speed her eye shot around the room in search of a weapon. Two blunt, ornamental swords were pinned to the wall but they were too high to reach. She was drawn to the fire place where a fire poker sat in a golden bucket. She ran for the poker as Carnage gave chase. As she gripped the makeshift weapon, she threw herself to the left.
A punch, surely intended for her, struck the flu of the fire. Where there once lay painted steel and old brick, lay a hole housing Carnage's fist. As he pulled his fist from the hole, the fire poker that Beatrix had lifted was thrust into his back.
Inside of the hybrid's mind, thoughts of Amethyst's wound at the hands of Kaze Sadhe came to him. As he convulsed in pain, Beatrix fled from the room, through the entrance that Carnage had created, in search of her sword.
Now that Amethyst was incapacitated she just had to find the blade and return to the house. With the hybrid injured it would be simple to dispose of him. Right?
Another blow struck her back, throwing her fifteen or so foot into the street. Despite the agony, she leapt to her feet. A flurry of punches were thrown her way, as she tried desperately to avoid and parry them.
They froze. The adversaries stood before each other, none of them making a move. As she stood eye to eye with the Eidolon she noticed a small glowing light in his eyes. The enchanting light danced in his eyes like a playful pixie, all the while growing brighter and brighter before exploding into a blinding flash.
Beatrix screamed as she realised that she couldn't see. She had lost one eye to his brother, which was bad enough but now she was blind. Before she had time to give it anymore thought, a fist struck her chest. Where she had expected to fall, she didn't. Carnage gripped her arm, burning her flesh and snapping the bone in his hand. More screams of pain came from Beatrix as her left arm was broken.
Unknown to her, Amethyst's eyes were returning to their previous colour. Patches of red appeared throughout his black hair. Amethyst was returning. The thought of a beautiful woman in pain was bringing him back. .
Beatrix was cast to the floor as both inhabitants of Amethyst's body began to fight. With no vision, her other senses went into overdrive. She could hear the snowdrops. She could also hear his heartbeat and it was slowing.
"You fool!" Screamed Carnage. "Coral! Return control to me! I command you!"
Footsteps in the distance...
"You are already dead! Forget your perversions and give me your mind."
"No!" This time it was Amethyst's voice. "I want to kill her! Me! Not you!"
There was a shrill whistle in the night sky, quite unlike anything Beatrix had heard. It was an eerie sound, that called to her like a mother to her child. The rhythmic pattern of the snow drops became uneven, something was changing their tune, something was preventing some of the snowflakes from reaching the floor.
Her eyes were blind but she could see, sound was converted to sight as she lay on the soaked ground. She knew exactly where Carnage stood. She also knew what the whistle was. The blind warrior's working arm shot into the air and grasped a familiar object. Her sword lay firmly in her grasp.
"Beatrix! Take him out!" Lani smiled proudly as Beatrix was able to catch the sword that she had thrown. She had to admit, it was a close call, if the blade had fallen any lower, it could very well have injured Beatrix.
As Carnage and Amethyst continued to argue, Beatrix called forth all of her remaining strength. With the force of two, one arm dragged the sword upwards. The blade sliced into Amethyst's body, from the crotch upwards. When Beatrix felt that the sword was resting inside of Amethyst's chest she paused.
"Justice...with...a...sword!"
The blade continued to slice through the rest of his body, shattering bone and slicing flesh. Beatrix's vision returned just in time for her to see both halves of the monster fall in separate directions. The expelled blood turned to a pool of thick slush. It was a distressing sight but Beatrix knew that the world would be safer without Amethyst Coral.
Lani ran to Beatrix's aid, helping her friend to her feet. "Beatrix, are you okay?" As Lani lifted her, Beatrix winced in pain. The pain in her arm was excruciating
"Uh...I'm fine, I think that bastard broke my arm though but I did it, I kept my promise. I found him Lani! I found him!" Beatrix hugged Lani tightly with her uninjured arm. During their embrace she saw Amarant come towards her. He looked disappointed.
"Excuse me, I'm happy for you and everything but I've failed. Kaze wished that I rid the world of him."
"You're wrong. You did keep your promise. Your attack killed him before the Eidolon he summoned granted me my turn.
"So, together we killed him twice?" Perhaps it was the concussion but he did look genuinely confused.
"Yes, either way we kept our promise."
"What about the Guard? Wont they be looking for me?"
"Look at him." Beatrix pointed to one half of Amethyst's body. They'll just think that he is the same man that they arrested. They wont notice the difference."
"Good point. You really did think this through, didn't you?"
"To be honest, no."
"Hey," said Lani. "This is good and all but Bea, your arm is broken and Amarant, you must at least have concussion. What do you say we go get you both fixed?"
"You two go ahead. I have something to do." Replied Amarant.
Both girls began to walk away as Amarant walked to where the remnants of the shattered gem lay. Despite being buried under the snow they still glowed. He took them remnants from the ground and dropped them into his pocket.
"Father. I wish for you to understand what I have done. You were beyond thoughts of reason and took the lives of many innocents. I miss mother too but what you did was wrong. I have granted you your freedom. Farewell."
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That night, Amarant was kept under close watch by Lani as he slept. She worried that he may never wake up due to concussion or any other ailment caused by the impact. She had only allowed him to fall asleep because was adamant that he would be fine.
Beatrix lay sleeping in her bed, lying awkwardly with the bear lodged between the splint on her arm and her body. Gentle snores escaped her as she slept, dreaming of better days.
There she was, Lani, General, warrior, whore, with the only two people she had ever called friends and she was sick with worry. What would happen next was a mystery, she could only hope that fate would be less cruel in future
No matter how far they grew apart, she knew that the events they had been through would bind them together forever.
As on the night before, Lani crawled into Beatrix's bed, planting a friendly kiss on the sleeping warrior's cheek. Taking her place at the foot of the bed, Lani cast away her worries and journeyed into dreams. She forgot her fears, forgot her pain and for a time forgot herself.
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Lani awoke at dawn. The first thing to come into her vision was Amarant, who lay sprawled across the sofa, still sleeping.
"Big lug." She commented.
As Lani stretched her legs and came into contact with nothing, she came to the realisation that she was the only one in the bed. She sat up quickly to inspect this.
She was wrong. She wasn't the only one in the bed, at the top left corner of the bed sat that old brown bear. The bear's button eyes stared back at her with a sewn smile upon its face. Under the toy's left arm lay a rolled up piece of parchment.
She removed the parchment and began to unroll it. Before she began to read what was written she took the bear and placed it under her arms, hugging it tightly.
Dearest Lani,
I'm sorry that I have to leave like this. Parting with you this way brings pain to my heart, and great sorrow to my soul. Whilst I considered waking you, I thought it best that I should leave you in good thoughts and high spirits.
I thank you for the suffering that you endured to aid me in my cause. Although you may not think so, your actions led me to him. I've you hadn't been so selfless and remained in Treno, I would never have been brought word of your fate, I would never have met Amarant and I never would have found him. Thank you for allowing me to fulfil my promise.
Thanks to you my mother's soul shall rest.
If you ever wish to find me, you know where I will be.
For now, I leave you with my love and a promise that I shall never forget what you have done for me.
Your friend,
Beatrix Potter.
P.S I leave my bear to you so that part of me remains with you always. May she comfort you when your heart is heavy and your burdens are many.
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Outside of Treno, the morning clouds opened up above Beatrix as the chocobo that carried her charged toward Alexandria. The heavens cried and softened the earth underfoot as the bird tried to make haste. During the journey she was consumed with the sorrow that came from parting with her dear friend yet she was smiling.
Although she had left Lani behind, she now knew that she was good and well. Best of all, Lani wasn't alone. She was with a man who would look after her, fight for her and surely die for her.
If only Amarant Coral had been a girl.
She thought.
As she rode on through the wilderness, tears and raindrops fell upon her smiling face, each indistinguishable from the other.
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Well, that's the end of that chapter. In fact, that's end of this story. I hope that you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed the sleepless nights that I spent writing this fic.
To all my loyal reviewers,
Thank you all for coming back to this story even after a month or so without updates, for pushing me to complete this story. If you never review another of my works, I still wont forget you.
To anyone, who is interested in any of my future works, I have to apologise for the delay before I begin my next story. I'm moving into my own place soon, so I have to concentrate on that. When I move out however, I will be much more productive without the quarrelling siblings and annoying father.
If you wish to learn of my next story read on, if not....
Please Review. Collapses
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I have two ideas for a new story, I'm not sure which I will choose.
It will either be (working titles)
Battle Royale: Fatal Fantasy.
Based on the Koushin Takami novel, Battle Royale.
A tale in which the protagonists of Final Fantasy 7-10 are pitted against each other in an evil game, created by a childlike god for his own dark pleasure. With the most evil scientist in Midgar as his games master, carnage I assured.
This game gives random weapons to each of the heroes and forces all of the combatants to duke it out until only one remains. With each combatant forced to unbreakable metal collars
set to explode when a rule is broken or a forbidden area of the battleground is entered, there is no escape.
Friends turn on friends, lovers turn on lovers, in the end only one can survive.
This story will include an impressive number of characters, each with their own reason to fight.
OR
Labours of Love.
Based on the Greek myth of Hercules.
Cloud Strife has been slipping farther and farther into the depths of depression since the day that he witnessed his beloved Aeris's death. He has shunned his friends and become a reclusive alcoholic.
When brought news of a Spirit Sage, a creature with the ability to revive the dead, from the friends he had turned his back on, Cloud drags himself out of this slump and goes on a grand quest.
On this quest he must endure seven deadly labours but he is not alone. Although his friends cannot journey with him the Sage grants him an ally in the form of his old soldier buddy Zack.
Will Zack's love for Aeris aid or hinder Cloud's quest. Only time will tell.
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