Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I just haven't had the time or motivation to do so. I was just looking at one of my friends stories she wrote when I thought about this one. I thought it for a while and I decided to keep writing. BTW I would like to mention that I know my grammar is not the best, is someone could please help me with it I would be most grateful. I hope you like this next chapter!

Note- Just so you know this is more of a chapter that explains the history of the Emperor and such, just so you get a feel of what's going on. In the next chapter I will go back to the story. I hope you notice that I used name of places from the actually game this time, Yay! Also this story takes place in a era sort of like the dark and medieval ages combined.

Disclaimer- I still don't own Final Fantasy 8 (though I wish I did) and even if people decided to sue all they would get was a lousy 20 dollar bill that was meant to be used as lunch money.

A History Lesson

The mighty Hyne shines kindly down on the lands of Galbadia, or so people say. It was hard believe that at one time it had been nothing but a small kingdom, but now was the very heart of the Empire. It was also even harder to believe that only thirty-five ago, this small yet prosperous land had been torn apart from war. Like many of its sister kingdoms, it was on the brink of total chaos that if not calmed would break the tiny thread that held the warring nation together. Those long years were known as the Dark Days, when brother fought against brother. Those were the days that no one was safe against the ravages of war.

Many moons came to pass before the warring nations came to cease fire. Their leaders met in secret, and tried to find an end to the constant carnage of their people. While they disagreed on many matters, there was one fear that they all held in common, Esthar. Esthar was a vast kingdom to the east that was progressing rapidly, but while this made the kingdom wary, it was nothing compared to the great fear of the Sorceress Adel. The Sorceress was always feared above all in the world of men, for her malice and power to do evil was legendary, leading back to the days of Centra. Adel was powerful and had taken control of Esthar easily with little resistance, but there were those who wished to see her dead. Together the warring kingdom formed an alliance, one the stood for only one ideal, to kill the Sorceress.

And so they waged war against Adel and Esthar, never thinking of the repercussions. The war lasted ten long years, but in the end the Alliance overthrew the Sorceress and Esthar was liberated. Esthar soon after joined the Alliance and the great kingdoms were ready to accept the coming years of what they thought would be peace; peace however was further then the had thought.

One of the great Generals of Galbadia, had tasted the power; and longed for it. In his journeys through the world he had stumbled upon a strange woman, she had told him that he could have what he sought and more, if he was willing to pay a price when the time came. He accepted the deal, and asked who the woman was. She answered simply, 'I am called Edea, and with my help all that you desire with be yours for I am sorceress.' Startled but not afraid he knew the power he wished was now in his grasp.

A shrewd man, he manipulated the court and grew ever so popular in the ranks of soldiers. He waited patiently gathering his forces until the right time, and the time did come on a foggy spring night. He killed the Galbania king and queen while the slept, and threw the small newborn prince into the icy cold river that had not yet warmed from winter. He had took control of Galbania over night, but his lust for power did not end there. No his conquest would not end until he had control of all of Galbania's sister kingdoms.

War yet again ravaged the continent, the treaties were broken and all had fallen into chaos once again. In only a short year the general aided by Edea had conquered all of the continent and had killed all of his enemies. He went from a general to an Emperor in the span of a year. He began his rule over his empire, and held an iron fist over the citizens. Anger and hate was laced thick through the small town's and cities, but no one dared to revolt for the fear of the Sorceress and her evil. Life seemed set for the Emperor, for none could threaten him, at least that was what he had thought.

There was a prophesy that told of the Emperors downfall, a man who bore the mark of the lion would cleave the golden thrown in two chasing away the dark shadow of the Emperor and bestow peace to the land. The Emperor for the first time was afraid, he consulted Edea and told her of his worries. She told him that the child would be born on the next full moon to the mother that would die in birth. He waited while the moon waxed until it was full. A noble by the name of Raine had gone into labor that night, and had suddenly died afterwards. The child had been a boy, with a small birth mark shaped like a lion on his shoulder.

Julia, who had been a friend to Raine knew of the prophesy. She took the newborn and her own baby daughter and ran away seeking refuge away from Galbadia and the Emperor. She however did not get far through the Empire before she was caught by the Emperor and a small band of his army. Julia died that night trying to protect the boy, but what happened after however is still unknown. The child was said to have been killed, for the Emperor claimed that day to be holiday. And so the years passed and still the Emperor ruled on and the people of the empire go unheeded. The hope of the prophesy is dead, but one dark rider may renew that hope.

End of Chapter Two

Mwahaha, well there it is, I hope you get a feel for what happened and what going on. and tell me what you think, so I can know if its worth writing!