A/N: I think this is the longest chapter yet... just over five pages. But a
lot happens in it! We go all the way to Alexandria and it turns out Kuja
hears some things he's not supposed to... erk! What will happen? Well, I'd
need to repeat it too tell you, so you may as well just read it!
***
Some days later
Zidane was on his way to the house where Kuja was staying. As he entered the door, he watched Kuja. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
Kuja stood up. "Good enough." A strange fire burned in his eyes that Zidane had not seen before.
Zidane watched Kuja's face. "You look... different somehow... Never mind, we're leaving as soon as you are ready. Mikoto is waiting." he said.
Kuja left the hut with Zidane and Mikoto. Just outside the village was the Hilda Garde 3. Vivi and his children were waiting outside. Kuja knelt down beside Tuesday and stared into her eyes, long and hard. When he stood up, all he said was, "These... are different... not mine... more like..." He frowned slightly, and boarded the ship.
"Daddy?" Tuesday said in her small voice, "That man scares me."
Vivi patted her on the head. "Don't worry. You'll probably not see him much after the flight. He's not going to hurt you." Then he ushered them all gently onto the ship, into the bridge, where he found Regent Cid with Eiko, who had her hands on her hips and was glaring angrily at something... Vivi followed her line of sight and found Kuja, who was frowning, as if trying to remember something. Then it clicked. "You are Cid."
"What on Gaia are you doing here?" he said angrily, taking a step forward.
Zidane rushed in with Mikoto behind him, skidded to a stop and sized up the situation at a glance. "Whoa, whoa, whoa." he said. "Cid, Eiko, he's with me. I'll explain later." he gave Cid a meaningful glance which added: When he's not listening.
Cid nodded, but still looked at Kuja suspiciously. "Very well." he said, "I will trust your judgement." He turned to Erin. "Set a course for Alexandria!"
*** In Alexandria castle, Queen Garnet Til Alexandros XVII was pacing her room with Lady Beatrix standing by the door.
"You miss him, don't you?"
"Of course I miss him." Garnet replied. "Every time he leaves, I start to wonder... what is he doing? Where is he going? When will he be coming back?"
"That is only natural."
"Perhaps, but..."
An Alexandrian soldier ran in and saluted. "Your Majesty, the Hilda Garde 3 has arrived!"
He saluted again and left. Garnet and Beatrix ran down to the docks to see Eiko rush out of the ship, jumping with excitement.
"Garnet! I haven't seen you for so long!"
Garnet smiled. "Likewise, Eiko." They shared a sisterly smile.
Regent Cid followed Eiko at a more sedate pace. "Good to see you so well."
Garnet bowed. "Welcome, uncle."
Behind Cid came Mikoto, looking around her at a strange new place, so full of life and so busy. She shook hands with Garnet. "Alexandria is very beautiful."
Garnet did not have time to greet Mikoto, however, as she was much more preoccupied with the blur rushing out of the ship...
"Zidane!"
Zidane hugged Garnet. "I've missed you a lot." he said, with a grin.
Garnet spotted someone she hadn't seen before, though something about him was surely familiar... he obviously did not want to be noticed. Garnet hadn't seen him leave the ship, and he covered his face with the hood of his white cloak.
"Who is your new friend, Zidane?"
"I'll explain later." said Zidane out of the corner of his mouth.
"But-"
"Come on! Mikoto hasn't seen the castle properly yet!"
Garnet shook her head and followed Zidane, who ran up to the conference room. "Listen, we need to call a really urgent meeting." he said. "Who's in town?"
"Me, Eiko, Lani, Beatrix, Steiner, Vivi and you." she said. "Is something wrong? I don't-"
"Call them all up here. Can we send a message to Freya and Fratley very urgently? They'll be in Burmecia. God knows where Quina and Amarant are- we should be okay without them. Oh, and get Cid and Mikoto too."
A day later, the group were all assembled in the conference room.
Zidane waited until everyone was seated, then began. "Right. We'll start without Freya and Fratley. I want you to hear me out on this one. Wait till I've finished. It's gonna sound pretty outrageous..."
Zidane told them how Kuja had arrived in the Black Mage Village, told them the entire story. When he had finished, they were all shocked.
"But- Zidane..."
"I can't believe you..."
Zidane held up his hands. "Look, I know it sounds crazy, but I really think he wants to change."
Steiner shook his fist at Zidane. "You brought that evil, twisted sorcerer under our roof? Are you out of your mind? What if this was just a plan to get into the city, near the Queen-"
Zidane cut him off. "Steiner." he said. "I think if that was his plan, he'd have done it by now. None of you were there in the Iifa Tree. I think he finally realised what he'd done. He's my brother."
"He's your brother?" Eiko screeched. "That doesn't mean anything, Zidane! Kuja killed so many people... destroyed so many towns... there's only so far people can go before they can't be forgiven!"
"Blood is thicker than water." said Zidane stubbornly.
"Zidane..." Beatrix shook her head. "Letting Kuja into the castle isn't a good idea. What if he isn't telling the truth? What if he wounded himself so you would take pity on him? After all, if he survived the Iifa Tree's collapse..."
"Why isn't he dead?" Garnet asked quietly. All heads turned to look at her. "Garland said... he only had a limited lifespan... just like the black mages..." She looked up at the faces around her. "Surely that time has run out?"
"Yes," said Zidane, thoughtfully. "It has. But surely that doesn't matter? He's alive, and I can't kick a man when he's down."
"You're making a grave mistake!" said Steiner.
"I think..." said Beatrix slowly, "we should let him stay, but under strict conditions. After all, none of us were there in the Iifa Tree. And what was said there is between Zidane and Kuja. He shouldn't be allowed to leave the castle. Maybe we should even confine him to just one floor, or just one room. He should be under strict probation, for at least a few months. Any slight signs that he is his evil self, and he's out."
"Fine with me." Zidane said, slightly relieved someone was prepared to agree with him.
Garnet looked to Zidane pleadingly. "Zidane... how can we live with this man? He... he killed my mother, Zidane. He has done... so many.. terrible things."
"I know it's gonna be hard." Zidane agreed. "But... can't we forgive? He's really torn up about this. I doubt the last thing we wanted to do was come crawling back to us... to see all those mages whom he despised so much... but I guess he thought we were his only chance. He was really on his last legs when he reached the Black Mage Village. I mean, look, he's even come to Alexandria for me. I don't doubt most people in this city would want to kill him if they got the chance. He's risking that to be here for me."
"There's a lot to ask forgiveness for, and a lot of people to forgive him."
"I know." Zidane said. "But surely time heals all wounds... just give him a chance..."
"On your own head so be it, Zidane." Freya spoke up. "I would not trust or forgive Kuja as readily as you. Maybe that is a good thing; maybe not. But the first sign of trouble and I don't think I would hesitate to kill him."
"Fair enough." came a familiar voice. They all turned to see Kuja sat in a corner, with his hood swept back.
"How did you get in here?" Steiner demanded. Kuja looked up at him.
"You didn't know I was here?"
"What-"
"I came in through the door, like the rest of you. I didn't realise I wasn't supposed to be here. I guess you're less observant than you'd like."
"I thought-"
"Never mind." Kuja swept towards the door.
"Wait, Kuja!" called Zidane. Kuja turned. "Maybe you should stay."
Kuja looked around at Freya, Garnet, Eiko, Steiner, Beatrix, Lani, Cid, Mikoto and Vivi. All of them had good reason to kill him. "I don't think I'm wanted here. After all, I'm just an evil, twisted sorcerer."
As he left, he called back: "Don't worry, I'll stay inside the castle."
Zidane scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed. "Holy Bahamut, I can't believe no- one noticed him. Well, anyway, I think we've cleared everything up. Except- Freya- where's Fratley?"
Freya looked down. "He has left."
Everyone exclaimed in shock.
"What? Not again, Freya?"
"He has not been the same. I have noticed he has been depressed. He has often had sudden fits of rage, and when he knows nothing about him, yet attacks everything. Before he left, he gave me his spear and told my that Fratley was a broken man, and he was setting out to rebuild him."
Freya laid the spear on the table, almost reverently. "His soul is in great turmoil."
His soul...
"... make mindless beings from the dregs of souls!"
"...Trance enhances the powers of the soul..."
"I'm gonna die just like the black mages I so despise!"
Zidane suddenly realised. "Guys... what about Kuja's soul?"
Steiner looked at him, puzzled. "Whatever do you mean?"
"Well... you know that Kuja's body was just a vessel for the soul, right? Garland needed to build something capable of containing a soul. The Invincible trapped the souls for him, right? So a soul... a soul doesn't die. It just goes through Gaia's natural cycle. What if... what if Garland did his job too well? Kuja was a prototype, right? The first attempt. What if Kuja's soul is trapped inside his body?"
Freya's eyes widened. "Such an effect could have disastrous consequences!"
Zidane nodded. "Exactly. What if the soul is the only thing keeping Kuja alive? Garland said he only had a year or so, right? There are limits on his life... but what if Garland was wrong?"
Beatrix understood. "You mean..."
"Kuja's soul is caught inside a dead body."
***
A/N: *dramatic music* Oh no! Kujaku!!! He heard all that conversation about how Freya wouldn't mind killing him, and how they hate him. Oh, villany is a lonely business... Oh yeah, for those of you who don't know, A/N means Author's Note. As if you hadn't already worked that out. R'n'R people!
***
Some days later
Zidane was on his way to the house where Kuja was staying. As he entered the door, he watched Kuja. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
Kuja stood up. "Good enough." A strange fire burned in his eyes that Zidane had not seen before.
Zidane watched Kuja's face. "You look... different somehow... Never mind, we're leaving as soon as you are ready. Mikoto is waiting." he said.
Kuja left the hut with Zidane and Mikoto. Just outside the village was the Hilda Garde 3. Vivi and his children were waiting outside. Kuja knelt down beside Tuesday and stared into her eyes, long and hard. When he stood up, all he said was, "These... are different... not mine... more like..." He frowned slightly, and boarded the ship.
"Daddy?" Tuesday said in her small voice, "That man scares me."
Vivi patted her on the head. "Don't worry. You'll probably not see him much after the flight. He's not going to hurt you." Then he ushered them all gently onto the ship, into the bridge, where he found Regent Cid with Eiko, who had her hands on her hips and was glaring angrily at something... Vivi followed her line of sight and found Kuja, who was frowning, as if trying to remember something. Then it clicked. "You are Cid."
"What on Gaia are you doing here?" he said angrily, taking a step forward.
Zidane rushed in with Mikoto behind him, skidded to a stop and sized up the situation at a glance. "Whoa, whoa, whoa." he said. "Cid, Eiko, he's with me. I'll explain later." he gave Cid a meaningful glance which added: When he's not listening.
Cid nodded, but still looked at Kuja suspiciously. "Very well." he said, "I will trust your judgement." He turned to Erin. "Set a course for Alexandria!"
*** In Alexandria castle, Queen Garnet Til Alexandros XVII was pacing her room with Lady Beatrix standing by the door.
"You miss him, don't you?"
"Of course I miss him." Garnet replied. "Every time he leaves, I start to wonder... what is he doing? Where is he going? When will he be coming back?"
"That is only natural."
"Perhaps, but..."
An Alexandrian soldier ran in and saluted. "Your Majesty, the Hilda Garde 3 has arrived!"
He saluted again and left. Garnet and Beatrix ran down to the docks to see Eiko rush out of the ship, jumping with excitement.
"Garnet! I haven't seen you for so long!"
Garnet smiled. "Likewise, Eiko." They shared a sisterly smile.
Regent Cid followed Eiko at a more sedate pace. "Good to see you so well."
Garnet bowed. "Welcome, uncle."
Behind Cid came Mikoto, looking around her at a strange new place, so full of life and so busy. She shook hands with Garnet. "Alexandria is very beautiful."
Garnet did not have time to greet Mikoto, however, as she was much more preoccupied with the blur rushing out of the ship...
"Zidane!"
Zidane hugged Garnet. "I've missed you a lot." he said, with a grin.
Garnet spotted someone she hadn't seen before, though something about him was surely familiar... he obviously did not want to be noticed. Garnet hadn't seen him leave the ship, and he covered his face with the hood of his white cloak.
"Who is your new friend, Zidane?"
"I'll explain later." said Zidane out of the corner of his mouth.
"But-"
"Come on! Mikoto hasn't seen the castle properly yet!"
Garnet shook her head and followed Zidane, who ran up to the conference room. "Listen, we need to call a really urgent meeting." he said. "Who's in town?"
"Me, Eiko, Lani, Beatrix, Steiner, Vivi and you." she said. "Is something wrong? I don't-"
"Call them all up here. Can we send a message to Freya and Fratley very urgently? They'll be in Burmecia. God knows where Quina and Amarant are- we should be okay without them. Oh, and get Cid and Mikoto too."
A day later, the group were all assembled in the conference room.
Zidane waited until everyone was seated, then began. "Right. We'll start without Freya and Fratley. I want you to hear me out on this one. Wait till I've finished. It's gonna sound pretty outrageous..."
Zidane told them how Kuja had arrived in the Black Mage Village, told them the entire story. When he had finished, they were all shocked.
"But- Zidane..."
"I can't believe you..."
Zidane held up his hands. "Look, I know it sounds crazy, but I really think he wants to change."
Steiner shook his fist at Zidane. "You brought that evil, twisted sorcerer under our roof? Are you out of your mind? What if this was just a plan to get into the city, near the Queen-"
Zidane cut him off. "Steiner." he said. "I think if that was his plan, he'd have done it by now. None of you were there in the Iifa Tree. I think he finally realised what he'd done. He's my brother."
"He's your brother?" Eiko screeched. "That doesn't mean anything, Zidane! Kuja killed so many people... destroyed so many towns... there's only so far people can go before they can't be forgiven!"
"Blood is thicker than water." said Zidane stubbornly.
"Zidane..." Beatrix shook her head. "Letting Kuja into the castle isn't a good idea. What if he isn't telling the truth? What if he wounded himself so you would take pity on him? After all, if he survived the Iifa Tree's collapse..."
"Why isn't he dead?" Garnet asked quietly. All heads turned to look at her. "Garland said... he only had a limited lifespan... just like the black mages..." She looked up at the faces around her. "Surely that time has run out?"
"Yes," said Zidane, thoughtfully. "It has. But surely that doesn't matter? He's alive, and I can't kick a man when he's down."
"You're making a grave mistake!" said Steiner.
"I think..." said Beatrix slowly, "we should let him stay, but under strict conditions. After all, none of us were there in the Iifa Tree. And what was said there is between Zidane and Kuja. He shouldn't be allowed to leave the castle. Maybe we should even confine him to just one floor, or just one room. He should be under strict probation, for at least a few months. Any slight signs that he is his evil self, and he's out."
"Fine with me." Zidane said, slightly relieved someone was prepared to agree with him.
Garnet looked to Zidane pleadingly. "Zidane... how can we live with this man? He... he killed my mother, Zidane. He has done... so many.. terrible things."
"I know it's gonna be hard." Zidane agreed. "But... can't we forgive? He's really torn up about this. I doubt the last thing we wanted to do was come crawling back to us... to see all those mages whom he despised so much... but I guess he thought we were his only chance. He was really on his last legs when he reached the Black Mage Village. I mean, look, he's even come to Alexandria for me. I don't doubt most people in this city would want to kill him if they got the chance. He's risking that to be here for me."
"There's a lot to ask forgiveness for, and a lot of people to forgive him."
"I know." Zidane said. "But surely time heals all wounds... just give him a chance..."
"On your own head so be it, Zidane." Freya spoke up. "I would not trust or forgive Kuja as readily as you. Maybe that is a good thing; maybe not. But the first sign of trouble and I don't think I would hesitate to kill him."
"Fair enough." came a familiar voice. They all turned to see Kuja sat in a corner, with his hood swept back.
"How did you get in here?" Steiner demanded. Kuja looked up at him.
"You didn't know I was here?"
"What-"
"I came in through the door, like the rest of you. I didn't realise I wasn't supposed to be here. I guess you're less observant than you'd like."
"I thought-"
"Never mind." Kuja swept towards the door.
"Wait, Kuja!" called Zidane. Kuja turned. "Maybe you should stay."
Kuja looked around at Freya, Garnet, Eiko, Steiner, Beatrix, Lani, Cid, Mikoto and Vivi. All of them had good reason to kill him. "I don't think I'm wanted here. After all, I'm just an evil, twisted sorcerer."
As he left, he called back: "Don't worry, I'll stay inside the castle."
Zidane scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed. "Holy Bahamut, I can't believe no- one noticed him. Well, anyway, I think we've cleared everything up. Except- Freya- where's Fratley?"
Freya looked down. "He has left."
Everyone exclaimed in shock.
"What? Not again, Freya?"
"He has not been the same. I have noticed he has been depressed. He has often had sudden fits of rage, and when he knows nothing about him, yet attacks everything. Before he left, he gave me his spear and told my that Fratley was a broken man, and he was setting out to rebuild him."
Freya laid the spear on the table, almost reverently. "His soul is in great turmoil."
His soul...
"... make mindless beings from the dregs of souls!"
"...Trance enhances the powers of the soul..."
"I'm gonna die just like the black mages I so despise!"
Zidane suddenly realised. "Guys... what about Kuja's soul?"
Steiner looked at him, puzzled. "Whatever do you mean?"
"Well... you know that Kuja's body was just a vessel for the soul, right? Garland needed to build something capable of containing a soul. The Invincible trapped the souls for him, right? So a soul... a soul doesn't die. It just goes through Gaia's natural cycle. What if... what if Garland did his job too well? Kuja was a prototype, right? The first attempt. What if Kuja's soul is trapped inside his body?"
Freya's eyes widened. "Such an effect could have disastrous consequences!"
Zidane nodded. "Exactly. What if the soul is the only thing keeping Kuja alive? Garland said he only had a year or so, right? There are limits on his life... but what if Garland was wrong?"
Beatrix understood. "You mean..."
"Kuja's soul is caught inside a dead body."
***
A/N: *dramatic music* Oh no! Kujaku!!! He heard all that conversation about how Freya wouldn't mind killing him, and how they hate him. Oh, villany is a lonely business... Oh yeah, for those of you who don't know, A/N means Author's Note. As if you hadn't already worked that out. R'n'R people!