In The Darkness

Vargas stood alone amidst his metal domain. The steel sphere shaped room glimmered with a dark radiance. A single alter laid before the fallen monk. Vargas looked to the one lone piece of Magicite that rested on it. The glow that the Magicite once had was lost. Its mighty power was taken from this world when the Esper's left.

"Time is of the essence," said Vargas. "I need your power, I must have it if I am to rule this world." The monk kneeled down before the metal alter. "Please, if you can here my voice, grant me your power."

The Magicite didn't waiver. Irritated, Vargas called forth again. "Esper, you must join my cause. Together we can be gods! There will be no one who can defy us. They will all bow down to our strength." Vargas hushed, watching the stone closely. Still, it sat unmoving. Rage built up within him. He rose up and struck the Magicite with his fist. An unseen force knocked him to the ground with a powerful blow. Vargas marveled at this.

"I knew it! I knew that the Esper's were not lost! This power that I have just witnessed proves it." He laughed aloud, basking in his accomplishment. So long had he called to the crystal without reply. But now he had his truth. Looking at the piece of Magicite, Vargas announced, "This is the time for action. This is the day we bring the world to its knees!" Turning, the monk exited the alter room.

"Prepare all of our forces," Vargas ordered. "Go forth and rape the towns and villages of their people and their possessions."

The second in command, a Dark Knight by the name Darris, left to ready the men.

After only a couple of hours, Vargas's forces were on the march. First they attacked the town of Maranda, which put up no resistance. The town was already controlled and ran by Vargas, but the monk wanted to show his might. He wanted the world to fear him. Next, Vargas's forces took Tzen, a town near Maranda. Vargas also controlled Tzen. But this town had heard of his coming and was already fending off the guards within. Once the main force arrived though, they quickly overtook it without problem. Other small legions were sent to different places around the globe. They had much tougher battles than that of the main force, but still managed to overtake them.

The town of Thamasa was about to see its final day of light. It was the town that housed two legendary warriors who partook in the battle to defeat Kefka. After the ordeal at Kefka's tower, Relm and Strago had gone back to Thamasa to continue their normal lives. Everything in Thamasa had stayed the same since the day of their departure for the campaign to stop Kefka from becoming a god.

Dark knights and thieves burst in without warning, killing everything in site. They slaughtered townspeople in the streets, in shops, and even in their own beds. Thamasa was no match for the overwhelming evil. But there were two who stood against them unwavering.

Two soldiers ran toward the old mage. Strago prepared his mind and unleashed one of his Lore techniques.

"Aero!" The old man shouted. A whirlwind swooped up the two foes in a single gust. Strago kneeled down, breathing heavily. His Lore had taken its toil on him. He was not as vigorous as he once had been. Even when he had gone Kefka's Tower, his body wasn't as broken as it was now.

Relm came to kneel beside him.

"You mustn't use that technique of yours again. It is draining your very life source," said the young girl.

"I…I must. These retched soldiers are killing our friends and destroying our home. We must save them. And if this means I have to sacrifice my very life, then I will."

Relm was quiet. A slight smile crossed her face, but not a smile of happiness, a simple smile of understanding. She realized that there was no escape, that this would be their resting place. The ground vibrated beneath them. Something big was coming. The two waited for the massive beast to come into site. A six-legged enormous monster rounded the corner of a nearby shop. Blue flames spread from its gapping mouth. Relm looked on in awe. The terrifying monstrosity held her body in thrall. Strago grimaced at the beast. The old man had met this very creature before.

"Atma Weapon," Strago said, spitting up blood as he did.

"You have defeated me once puny human, but you will not do so again."

"If I die here, I will take you with me." Strago stood to his feet and summoned every ounce of energy he had left. He put all of his life-force into his greatest lore technique. Stretching out his staff, Strago yelled, "Grand Train!"

But at that very moment, Atma leapt in for the kill. His teeth tore into flesh and bone. Relm burst into tears. Though pain and agony, she lashed forward and struck the creature with a small knife. The blade found its mark in Atma's eye. The mighty beast reared back, letting out a vicious roar. When it brought its massive head down, it too found its mark.

Vargas himself journeyed to the mining town of Narshe. But he did not go with only the purpose to conquer. He went with the purpose to locate.

The Monk stepped into the dank mining town. Snow flurries drifted lightly onto his shoulders. Under the shadows of his hood, he looked out to the battle that was raging. Houses were burning in flame. Citizens fought Vargas's men off with the sheer will to survive. The dark forces sent to Narshe were small, but Vargas knew how much power he wielded. He knew that he could and would take over the town single-handedly.

The Fallen Monk peered out to the mountains before him. He knew what he had come here to do and he didn't plan on leaving without it. A single man from Narshe broke through the lines and ran toward him. Vargas pulled back a single arm to his side, palm facing up. The man tried to strike with an old rusted sword. Vargas unleashed the blow. Looking into those inhuman eyes, the man toppled over.

"Sir, the forces are not advancing. We do not have enough men to take this city," a soldier stated as he ran up to Vargas.

Vargas turned his head toward the shaken man. "We will not fail," he said bluntly. "We have all the men we need to bring Narshe to its knees."

The soldier halted and looked into his dark masters eyes. He gazed into the darkness and found nothing. Was this man not a man at all, but a monster?

"Sir, I will try and rally the troops so we can break through."

"There is no need. Once I get what I've come here to get, there will be no stopping us," said Vargas, plainly. The Fallen Monk then made his way to the west side of town. He looked around suspiciously, searching for something. After he located it, he pulled the hidden lever. Rocks began moving beside him and an entrance opened up. He proceeded in.

There was no resistance at the cave entrance. Rats were the only life that was present. They all fled at the site of Vargas, scattering through small holes in the sides of the tunnel. No one had accompanied Vargas into this dank dungeon of a place. He walked alone on this mission, saying that he needed no help against such weaklings. In reality, he was greedy. Vargas wasn't going to take the chance of anyone else taking the power that lay in wait. Greed consumed him, eating his very mind. He thrived for another taste of power. Not being able to stand it any longer, Vargas burst down the corridor.

A single man wearing all leather and a headband stood before Vargas.

"I wont let you have it," said the man.

A blank stare of lust was in Vargas's eyes. He craved the power so much it was killing him not to have it.

"Out of my way!" Vargas launched his fist at him. The man dodged sideways and countered with a quick swipe of his dagger. Vargas was able to catch the man's wrist and prevent any damage. Squeezing tightly, Vargas was to the point of breaking the wrist.

Through clenched teeth, the man said, "I am Locke, one of the survivors of Kefka's Tower, and I will not fall to the likes of you!" He jumped up and kicked Vargas in the abdomen. The blow managed to knock loose Vargas's grip.

"I remember you…you were there on the day of my death at Mount Kolts. Well, what you thought was my death. You helped them in slaying me. But now I'm back, and I am stronger than ever. I am stronger than anyone on the face of this planet!" Those craving eyes of power burned once again. Vargas leaped into the air and spun around with a heel kick. Locke's back slammed against the cave wall. Before the lone thief could move, Vargas stuck again. The Fallen Monk's foot found its mark in Locke's chest. It crushed the chest cavity, killing him instantly. The enraged Vargas roared in triumph, shaking the very mountain itself.

"Now is the time that I receive what is rightfully mine…"

Walking into the last section of the cave, the Fallen Monk saw what he'd come for. There, in the middle of the room lay a piece of Magicite atop a small rock formation. Water droplets fell from the cave ceiling onto the Magicite. With every drop, the Magicite seemed to flicker a small ray of light. Vargas smoothly caressed it, its warmth burning to the touch, yet comforting to his lust. Kneeling, Vargas called forth to the Esper. "Esper! I am Vargas, strongest mortal that walks this plain! Will you grant me your undying power?"

Thin rays of light burst from the Magicite, illuminating the cave! Vargas's eyes shimmered with desire. This is what he had waited for. This is finally the power he deserved.

Within the quietness of the cave came a voice. "Mortal, I sense your inner power and desire. You are the one whom I've waited for. You can release me from this crystal prison. Too long have I quietly waited in this dungeon. Those fools thought they were protecting me, but they were only hindering my return. It has been generations since I last stepped foot in your mortal plain. I crave to be free; I crave to wreck havoc once again. There has yet to be one so strong enough to release me. But you are different. I can feel your inner energy. I can see that your monk training has prepared your mind."

Vargas stood there in awe, marveling at the power the Esper emitted. This was it; this is what he had hopped for. Unlike the rest of the rare Magicite left in the world, this one was dark. This one was…evil.

"Take me with you mortal, for I can not come into this world just yet. We will both have to make an inner link for me to do so. And this link will take time to complete. But I leave you with this. Once I am free, there will be no force on your plain to stop us."