Chapter 6
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"I wondered what could stir up so much emotion in my little balding friend"
-Quistis Trepe
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I cringed as a mouthful of sand was thrown into my face. I hastily wiped the grittiness from my eyes, and spat the bitter substance out of my mouth. Glaring down at the floating creature, I made it stop in its tracks. Oh yeah, feel the wrath of the woman in charge.
"I hope you like Sushi," I said in my coolest secret agent voice, "Because you're about to become as dead as Murphy's sex appeal!"
The sandfish cocked its slimy head in mock confusion, its beady little eyes filled with humor. Wrong move, fishy. Making fun of my superior wit will only make me angrier!
I rushed forward, preparing for my standard physical attack. Raising my hand into the air, I rotated my wrist, sending the leather strands flailing into the stale air. The whip came down with a deafening crack, and the monster I was battling fell to the ground.
"I hope this send's a message to all your friends," I said smugly to the corpse laying at my feet. "No one messes with Quistis Trepe and gets away with it!"
I laughed haughtily and struck a dignified pose. I had truly outdone myself this time. It was too bad that I couldn't try out my witty repertoire on more challenging monsters. These sandfish were really quite a waste to my responses. I looked down at the huge corpse with disdain, and gave it one last kick before I prepared to leave.
As my boot met the thick slimy skin, a mouthful of sand united with my face. That had done it. Now I was mad. Letting out a horrifying screech, I advanced on the fish.
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The descent into the cave was a quick one, as I was used to coming and leaving quite often since I came here. It was only seconds before the lift met with the rocky ground, and I stepped off into the dim underground world.
Surprisingly, I felt pretty good today. There's something to say about unloading all your rage on a single kill. Especially when you imagine that it's not a sandfish that you are killing.... but a certain annoying individual...
"Quistis! Thank Hyne you're back!" Speak of the devil.
Murphy ran up to me wobbling slightly with the effort. His eyes were filled with a child-like wonder, and I nearly expected him to start jumping up and down like a maniac. I sincerely hoped that he'd refrain from that... I didn't know how much more my stomach could take.
"What is it?" I finally asked. Might as well not keep myself in suspense.
"They've found something! Come quick! We need your assistance!" Assistance...? Uh oh..
Murphy grabbed my arm and dragged me across the tunnels without another word. I barely kept up with his increasing speed, which surprised me. I mean, Murphy is a good foot shorter than me.
"We're almost there!" he shouted to me with excitement.
I wondered what could stir up so much emotion in my little balding friend. Maybe they found a blow up doll.. With a real voice pack included! I laughed silently as we neared a group of diggers, all in awe of the object in front of them.
I looked anxiously towards the group, a feeling of unease creeping up my spine. I knew these people were wacked out scientists... but really, this was too much.
"She's here!" Murphy yelled at the group, making them turn around and stare at me with unmeasurable expectation. Kind of creepy, if you ask me, the way the lights made their eyes glow.
Resisting my urge to cringe, I walked slowly towards them. "So.." I started a bit nervously, "What do you have there?"
Leon walked away from the hushed crowd and took me by the arm. "It's amazing, Miss! Please Follow me."
Following Leon's lead, the crowd opened, allowing us to get through. It wasn't very long before we saw the item in question. The harsh lights shone on the most beautiful object that I had ever laid eyes on. More beautiful than the gem that I had received days ago.
It was a long box like structure, quite big, and raised on a metal platform. As I walked closer towards it, I noticed that the stunned crowd stayed many feet behind. I turned my head questionably towards the group, getting only a slow shrug from Leon.
They were... afraid of it? Was that why the needed me? Or was there a more dangerous reason?
I ignored the strange behavior of the group and walked slowly towards the structure again until I reached the box. It was then that I realized what it was.
It was a coffin.
A very hauntingly beautiful coffin, to be exact. I marveled at the intricate carvings that covered the frame, and shivered slightly. The whole display gave off a ominous aura. Angels, devils, and pictures of monsters never imagined filled the coffin's surface. I ran my fingers over a winged demon engraved into the mahogany wood and trembled. Like the jewel, the coffin gave off a strong sensation. But unlike the jewel that filled the body with a pleasurable feeling, the coffin spread a cold response into my form; Like icy fingers reaching into my soul.
I drew back my hand quickly and looked at the group with an accusing stare. "What do you want me to do?" I asked a bit harshly.
They stared at the ground sullenly, as Leon spoke up nervously. "We need you to open it."
My eyes opened wide with surprise. Open it? They didn't know what was inside, so they wanted me to find out. They were terrified, so they wanted to sacrifice me.
"Why can't any of you open it?" I defended myself sharply.
"Quistis," Murphy came forward with a reassuring tone, "This is the reason why you were stationed here. We knew of the coffin; It was what we were looking for all along."
I rubbed my temples slowly as I drew together the situation. Was this a suicide mission that Cid had brought on me without my knowledge? Was this his way to get rid of me once and for all? I stared at the coffin with slight trepidation. Was there really something horrible inside that would kill me? Would it send upon me some horrible curse?
I shook my head with annoyance. What could be the worst that could happen? I was being childish and stupid to believe in bloodthirsty mummies and old curses. I didn't need fictional horrors; I had enough of the real kinds in my life already.
I turned my head to Murphy with a look of impatience, "What are we waiting for? Let's open this baby up!" It couldn't hurt for me to throw in one of my favorite secret agent lines.
There seemed to have been a weight being lifted off the crowd's shoulders, as many grinned with relief. A quiet murmur erupted behind me as Murphy handed me a crowbar. I grabbed it confidently and advanced on the coffin.
"Now be as gentle as possible with that, Quistis," Murphy warned me, "And be careful."
I nodded in his direction as I placed the crowbar in the opening slot. I was not afraid of an ancient coffin. The sooner we opened this old box, the sooner I would be back home. Ignoring the faint eerie feeling, I applied pressure to the crowbar, resulting in a creaking of the aged wood. Slowly, but surely, the coffin lid finally opened.
As the lid snapped harshly open, I was rooted to the spot. I couldn't move! It was all true! I was cursed to spend all eternity in that very spot... forever being tortured by Murphy's advances... my only family the mole people!
I heard a person rush forward to me. "Miss? Are you alright?" It was Leon.
"No, I can't move!" I yelled, "Does it look like I'm okay?!"
"Take it easy.." Leon stated in a cool tone, "You are just scared.. Open your eyes."
It was then that I realized that I had my eyes shut, and I was trembling like a leaf. So much for being brave. I had failed as a secret agent... well... a SeeD.
I felt myself relax, as I gained control of my muscles again. I slowly opened my eyes. The coffin wasn't empty.
Both Leon and I stared transfixed on the man in the coffin, both of us amazed at his preservation. It was like.. He was still alive. He did not decompose at all. My heart beat quicker with a certain fear, but I couldn't look away.
He was beautiful, in the same kind of hauntingly familiar way that the coffin was. With long ebony hair and porcelain skin, he demanded an air of dignity and respect. He was dressed in a black suit, but not a tuxedo that one would expect from a funeral. But his arm.. It wasn't human.. It was a large metal device. My brows furrowed in thought as I wondered who this man was, and how he still looked the way he did.
My thoughts were interrupted however, with a slight movement of his eyelids. My heart went up to my throat as I gasped. Did I just see that? A muffled groan radiated through his throat, making the group and Leon step farther and farther back. I was on my own... and I was paralyzed with fear once again.
My eyes bulged wildly as a stared at the man who was waking up. His eyes opened slightly, revieling tired, red eyes. His irises were red, like blood. My heart felt like it was going to explode with fear, as his eyes focused on me. I dropped the crowbar.
A sort of recognition reflected in his eyes when he looked at me, making me even more afraid then I thought possible. His voice was gravelly as he spoke to me with wonder.
"Lucretia?"
It was then that my body won out over my paralyzes. I had finally fainted.
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A/N: I hope you all know who just entered the scene ;). Yay! He has finally arrived! I hope you liked this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was a long one, for all of those who complain my chapters are too short. Anywho, review and tell me what you think of these new turn of events!
Kimmie
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"I wondered what could stir up so much emotion in my little balding friend"
-Quistis Trepe
_____________________________________
I cringed as a mouthful of sand was thrown into my face. I hastily wiped the grittiness from my eyes, and spat the bitter substance out of my mouth. Glaring down at the floating creature, I made it stop in its tracks. Oh yeah, feel the wrath of the woman in charge.
"I hope you like Sushi," I said in my coolest secret agent voice, "Because you're about to become as dead as Murphy's sex appeal!"
The sandfish cocked its slimy head in mock confusion, its beady little eyes filled with humor. Wrong move, fishy. Making fun of my superior wit will only make me angrier!
I rushed forward, preparing for my standard physical attack. Raising my hand into the air, I rotated my wrist, sending the leather strands flailing into the stale air. The whip came down with a deafening crack, and the monster I was battling fell to the ground.
"I hope this send's a message to all your friends," I said smugly to the corpse laying at my feet. "No one messes with Quistis Trepe and gets away with it!"
I laughed haughtily and struck a dignified pose. I had truly outdone myself this time. It was too bad that I couldn't try out my witty repertoire on more challenging monsters. These sandfish were really quite a waste to my responses. I looked down at the huge corpse with disdain, and gave it one last kick before I prepared to leave.
As my boot met the thick slimy skin, a mouthful of sand united with my face. That had done it. Now I was mad. Letting out a horrifying screech, I advanced on the fish.
______
The descent into the cave was a quick one, as I was used to coming and leaving quite often since I came here. It was only seconds before the lift met with the rocky ground, and I stepped off into the dim underground world.
Surprisingly, I felt pretty good today. There's something to say about unloading all your rage on a single kill. Especially when you imagine that it's not a sandfish that you are killing.... but a certain annoying individual...
"Quistis! Thank Hyne you're back!" Speak of the devil.
Murphy ran up to me wobbling slightly with the effort. His eyes were filled with a child-like wonder, and I nearly expected him to start jumping up and down like a maniac. I sincerely hoped that he'd refrain from that... I didn't know how much more my stomach could take.
"What is it?" I finally asked. Might as well not keep myself in suspense.
"They've found something! Come quick! We need your assistance!" Assistance...? Uh oh..
Murphy grabbed my arm and dragged me across the tunnels without another word. I barely kept up with his increasing speed, which surprised me. I mean, Murphy is a good foot shorter than me.
"We're almost there!" he shouted to me with excitement.
I wondered what could stir up so much emotion in my little balding friend. Maybe they found a blow up doll.. With a real voice pack included! I laughed silently as we neared a group of diggers, all in awe of the object in front of them.
I looked anxiously towards the group, a feeling of unease creeping up my spine. I knew these people were wacked out scientists... but really, this was too much.
"She's here!" Murphy yelled at the group, making them turn around and stare at me with unmeasurable expectation. Kind of creepy, if you ask me, the way the lights made their eyes glow.
Resisting my urge to cringe, I walked slowly towards them. "So.." I started a bit nervously, "What do you have there?"
Leon walked away from the hushed crowd and took me by the arm. "It's amazing, Miss! Please Follow me."
Following Leon's lead, the crowd opened, allowing us to get through. It wasn't very long before we saw the item in question. The harsh lights shone on the most beautiful object that I had ever laid eyes on. More beautiful than the gem that I had received days ago.
It was a long box like structure, quite big, and raised on a metal platform. As I walked closer towards it, I noticed that the stunned crowd stayed many feet behind. I turned my head questionably towards the group, getting only a slow shrug from Leon.
They were... afraid of it? Was that why the needed me? Or was there a more dangerous reason?
I ignored the strange behavior of the group and walked slowly towards the structure again until I reached the box. It was then that I realized what it was.
It was a coffin.
A very hauntingly beautiful coffin, to be exact. I marveled at the intricate carvings that covered the frame, and shivered slightly. The whole display gave off a ominous aura. Angels, devils, and pictures of monsters never imagined filled the coffin's surface. I ran my fingers over a winged demon engraved into the mahogany wood and trembled. Like the jewel, the coffin gave off a strong sensation. But unlike the jewel that filled the body with a pleasurable feeling, the coffin spread a cold response into my form; Like icy fingers reaching into my soul.
I drew back my hand quickly and looked at the group with an accusing stare. "What do you want me to do?" I asked a bit harshly.
They stared at the ground sullenly, as Leon spoke up nervously. "We need you to open it."
My eyes opened wide with surprise. Open it? They didn't know what was inside, so they wanted me to find out. They were terrified, so they wanted to sacrifice me.
"Why can't any of you open it?" I defended myself sharply.
"Quistis," Murphy came forward with a reassuring tone, "This is the reason why you were stationed here. We knew of the coffin; It was what we were looking for all along."
I rubbed my temples slowly as I drew together the situation. Was this a suicide mission that Cid had brought on me without my knowledge? Was this his way to get rid of me once and for all? I stared at the coffin with slight trepidation. Was there really something horrible inside that would kill me? Would it send upon me some horrible curse?
I shook my head with annoyance. What could be the worst that could happen? I was being childish and stupid to believe in bloodthirsty mummies and old curses. I didn't need fictional horrors; I had enough of the real kinds in my life already.
I turned my head to Murphy with a look of impatience, "What are we waiting for? Let's open this baby up!" It couldn't hurt for me to throw in one of my favorite secret agent lines.
There seemed to have been a weight being lifted off the crowd's shoulders, as many grinned with relief. A quiet murmur erupted behind me as Murphy handed me a crowbar. I grabbed it confidently and advanced on the coffin.
"Now be as gentle as possible with that, Quistis," Murphy warned me, "And be careful."
I nodded in his direction as I placed the crowbar in the opening slot. I was not afraid of an ancient coffin. The sooner we opened this old box, the sooner I would be back home. Ignoring the faint eerie feeling, I applied pressure to the crowbar, resulting in a creaking of the aged wood. Slowly, but surely, the coffin lid finally opened.
As the lid snapped harshly open, I was rooted to the spot. I couldn't move! It was all true! I was cursed to spend all eternity in that very spot... forever being tortured by Murphy's advances... my only family the mole people!
I heard a person rush forward to me. "Miss? Are you alright?" It was Leon.
"No, I can't move!" I yelled, "Does it look like I'm okay?!"
"Take it easy.." Leon stated in a cool tone, "You are just scared.. Open your eyes."
It was then that I realized that I had my eyes shut, and I was trembling like a leaf. So much for being brave. I had failed as a secret agent... well... a SeeD.
I felt myself relax, as I gained control of my muscles again. I slowly opened my eyes. The coffin wasn't empty.
Both Leon and I stared transfixed on the man in the coffin, both of us amazed at his preservation. It was like.. He was still alive. He did not decompose at all. My heart beat quicker with a certain fear, but I couldn't look away.
He was beautiful, in the same kind of hauntingly familiar way that the coffin was. With long ebony hair and porcelain skin, he demanded an air of dignity and respect. He was dressed in a black suit, but not a tuxedo that one would expect from a funeral. But his arm.. It wasn't human.. It was a large metal device. My brows furrowed in thought as I wondered who this man was, and how he still looked the way he did.
My thoughts were interrupted however, with a slight movement of his eyelids. My heart went up to my throat as I gasped. Did I just see that? A muffled groan radiated through his throat, making the group and Leon step farther and farther back. I was on my own... and I was paralyzed with fear once again.
My eyes bulged wildly as a stared at the man who was waking up. His eyes opened slightly, revieling tired, red eyes. His irises were red, like blood. My heart felt like it was going to explode with fear, as his eyes focused on me. I dropped the crowbar.
A sort of recognition reflected in his eyes when he looked at me, making me even more afraid then I thought possible. His voice was gravelly as he spoke to me with wonder.
"Lucretia?"
It was then that my body won out over my paralyzes. I had finally fainted.
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A/N: I hope you all know who just entered the scene ;). Yay! He has finally arrived! I hope you liked this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was a long one, for all of those who complain my chapters are too short. Anywho, review and tell me what you think of these new turn of events!
Kimmie