Author's Notes: The f-word is used quite a bit in this chapter, then again if you were in the same position, I think you would too.

Thefrogkiller: Okay, yes, you're right. It is very large, and yes, it does grow by the day. Mwa hahahaha! Yes, you get more story time in this chappie then the last couple of ones. I'm gonna miss you!

Chster: Of course you're in it again! You're a very important person in this story! XD

Sodo: Yeah, here you are, mentioned again. :D Just because I feel like it. X3

Warnings: Those who are easily affected by stories, are forewarned to have a pillow or cushion of some sorts to punch and keep it within grabbing range at all times. T.T

Chapter 7

"Heeeeyyy! I wanted that!"

"Too bad shrimp."

"GIINN! LILLII! Hal's being meaaan!"

"Hal stop picking on Bagel."

"Make me."

"Stone."

"AUGH!"

"Woot!" Mabs and Lazarus shook their heads.

"All that, for a rice ball?" Mabs asked Bagel who chomped down on one. He looked at them and nodded happily. Hal was glaring daggers at Lilli who was munching away on some mithkabobs while Gin was plucking away at Sandorian Grapes. Mabs and Lazarus were biting beef jerky. All of them sat on a mat that was spread over the grass in the courtyard, plates of various foods set out before them.

"So, you and Gin against each other. I wonder who will win." Opeth commented quietly as he drank a glass of juice.

"That is . . . if either of them can swing a strike at each other." Bagel commented sweatdropping. Hal blinked stupidly.

"Huh? Why wouldn't they be able to attack each other?" Bagel, Lilli, Opeth and Lazarus all looked at him at once with a stupefied expression.

"You don't know!" Lilli demanded.

"You haven't noticed!" Opeth yelped. Hal winced.

"Noticed what!" He demanded. Bagel sighed.

"Time for live demonstration." The Taru said confidently. "Hey Gin! Mabs! Look this way for a sec!" Both Elvaans turned to study Bagel quizzically. Clearing his throat, he suddenly yelled; "Mabs you're a moron!" Mabs looked puzzled, Gin looked furious.

"HE IS NOT!" She retorted. Bagel then yelled;

"Hey Gin you're a stupid-head!"

"TAKE THAT BACK BAGEL!" Mabs snapped angrily.

"Thank you ladies and gentleman that will be all." Bagel commented then flopped down onto the mat, grabbed another rice ball and began munching on it. Gin and Mabs blinked confused as Hal shrugged.

"So? What does that prove?"

"YOU DUMBASS!" Lilli snapped and smacked the Galka over the head.

"OW! What was that for!" He demanded pouting slightly as he rubbed the back of his head.

"For being a moron! Isn't it obvious!" She demanded.

"Uhm . . . . no?"

"-siiiiiggghhhhhh-"

"Okay . . . look Hal, Gin and Mabs are . . . well they're . . . they have . . . oh for Altana's sake." She climbed up onto the Galka's shoulder and whispered into Hal's ear. "They both have crushes on each other!" She hissed.

"SAAAY WHAAAAAAT?" Hal yelped in shock, both Gin and Mabs looked at him and he blushed furiously.

"I've said it before, I'll say it again. Dumbass." Lilli grumbled.


"Love those little teleporting white mages." Vin said cheerfully as she and Rom entered the streets of Sandoria.

"Hate those goddamn gil moochers at the crags though." Rom muttered sourly.

"Well it's a busy place, of course chocobos would cost a lot." Vin said cheerfully, undeterred. "Whatever, enough about the cheapskates at the crags, lets get going to . . . wherever we're supposed to go." She said looking around.

"That's the Chateau d'Oraguille."

"Right, since I hate this place and get lost in seconds, you lead the way. By the way, do we have a plan when we get there?" Vin asked glancing around. Rom froze to the spot and glanced at her sweatdropping.

"Err . . . ." Vin stopped and looked at him. All of a sudden she sweatdropped.

"Oh no, don't tell me you don't have one!"

"I thought that was your bloody job!"

"I'm not the strategist here!"

"Well neither am I!" Vinne sighed in exasperation and buried her face in her hands.

"We're doomed." Rom sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Well now what do we do?"

"What the fuck are you doing back here." A voice suddenly interrupted. It was not phrased as a question, more or less a statement. Both adventurers turned, and immediately Rominace paled. Nodding his head, although his skin was still pale, he acknowledged the Elvaan who had seemingly suddenly appeared behind them.

"Satyr." Rom murmured. The Elvaan scowled.

"I asked you what the fuck you are doing back here." He growled, hostile was evident on his face.

"Just business." Rom replied calmly. Satyr glared at him. He paused for a moment, then walked forward, as he passed Rom, he purposely shoved the Elvaan with his shoulder, Rom simply stumbled before regaining his balance and said nothing. Vinne narrowed her eyes.

"Hey-!"

"Drop it." Rom interrupted her furious call. Vin blinked at him.

"Rom?"

"Just drop it." The Elvaan whispered softly, his eyes filled with despair. "I deserve it and more." Vinne's face contorted with fury.

"No one deserves this kind of attitude." She yelled so that Satyr, who was walking off heard it. "And I have a problem with your language buddy!" She yelled at him. Satyr looked over his shoulder and glared.

"Why would I care what you say?" Vinne scowled and immediately held a hand up. A small sphere of white suddenly appeared and she prepared to throw it.

"Vin, don't. There are too many people around, you might hit one of them." Rom said putting a hand on her shoulder. Vin paused, then glowered, and the sphere vanished.

"Fine. But he deserves it." The Mithra grumbled moodily.

"No, he doesn't." Rom commented as he started to walk off and added as an afterthought '. . . but I do.'


"Fighters ready?" Zig called as he observed the two Elvaans. Both Gin and Mabs nodded.

"Ready!" They called as both Mabs and Gin drew their swords. They looked at each other and smiled.

"Do your best." Gin commented.

"My best is too good for you." Mabs teased, both set themselves into fighting stance, Zig paused, and suddenly time slowed down for him as he took in a deep breath. He could swear he heard his own heart pulsing from within his chest. And just as he was about to cry out the start of the match, a soft voice whispered into his ear, urgent and filled with anxiety.

Protect him! I beg of you Ziggeraut if you still have any faith in me, do not let him fight after this match!

Zig's eyes widened, he knew that voice, having heard it only two times in his life, this made it the third. Him? Protect him? Not her? As in Ginryu? Then time resumed normal pace, and his hand dropped as his mouth formed the word;

"Begin!" Instantly Mabs flew at Gin, his footsteps barely touching the ground. He swung at her at an angle, she blocked it easily and deflected the blow. Swinging her sword she made an arc while whipping the blade at his throat, he blocked that easily as well and matched her stroke with his own at the side of her neck. Gin sidestepped Mabs's lunge and pivoted on her foot to swing at his side, he leapt away, and landed light as a feather.

"Is that all you got?" Gin taunted him, a grin on her face. "That's weak, I know you have more strength then that!"

"You want power? Okay then, you'll get power!" Mabs called back laughing, lunging in at her again, he swung an overhead strike, and Gin blocked it with her blade nearest to the hilt, Mabs smiled and began to bore down on her with his sword, she held him off, then shoved him away and began an onslaught of continuous blows. Striking her sword away, Mabs leapt back and flew at her again, Gin raised her sword up to block his attack. Their blades struck together and immediately both jumped back, skidding onto her back foot, Gin pivoted off her front and flew at Mabs again. Mabs raised his blade, and flew at her at the same time, both their swords poised at angels. When their blades crashed together, sparks flew through the air at the intensity of the blow. Zig watched from the sidelines, his arms crossed yet again, but he was gaping at the skill of both duelers.

"So?" He whispered to Byuu who shook his head.

"Go Gin! Go Mabs!" Bagel cheered, Lilli kept giving encouraging calls as Hal laughed and cheered on both sides, Laz however was diligently watching the adventurers, but he focused more on the princes. Skipping apart from each other, Mabs and Gin clashed swords again, sparks flying in every direction. Mabs slashed forward, sending a shower of sparks cascading to the ground as his blade skimmed Gin's, she blocked it easily and struck back, skimming his shoulder. Mabs instantly jumped back and held his shoulder as blood welled up between his fingers. Gin looked at him worriedly.

"Are you okay?" She asked, her gaze apologetic. Mabs nodded grinning.

"Of course I am."

"Cure." Draish whispered, and immediately Mabs found the wound on his shoulder gone. He grinned.

"Now I definitely am." Gin grinned and laughed.

"Okay, let's put the advantage on my end then. Aero!" She suddenly yelled as she flung her hand out at Mabs whose eyes widened. Instantly a burst or wind flew from her hand, it flew at Mabs with remarkable speed, Mabs yelped and dodged out of the way with a roll, getting to his feet, he suddenly flew at her and swung his sword up, she yelped and dodged it by a mere hair, Mabs immediately swung down, and managed to catch her thigh with the tip of his blade, she yelped and stumbled. Hissing at the pain, she tried to push it down as she straightened. Mabs however was confused.

'Why aren't they curing her?' He wondered vaguely. Gin grinned and set herself into dueling position.

"You just gonna stand there all day?" She taunted. Mabs smirked as he swung his blade up, running forwards, he swung a blow at her side. She caught it with the blade just above her hilt easily and swerved it around in a circle forcing him to rotate his blade with hers before she finally thrust her blade up at his throat, he pulled back, and that is where he fumbled. He lost his footing and unfortunately for him, tripped over his back foot, Gin mentally grinned triumphantly as she dove in for the attack, still weary of any tricks he might pull on her. He suddenly catapulted off his back as he pushed off the ground with his arms into a flying kick, aimed at her chest. She dodged a main hit, but the blow caught her shoulder sending her into reels of pain. Clenching her teeth, she bit down on a growl and swung her sword up again. Mabs steadied himself, his sword grasped tightly in his hand, as she slashed down, he brought up his sword and blocked the strike before forcing her off and returning with an attack of his own, she parried the blow and with a pivot off her left foot, she performed a back spin strike, her sword aimed for his neck, he suddenly ducked and aimed his sword up, ready to strike at her stomach.

"Aero!" She suddenly cried catching him off guard. He had forgotten about her magic abilities. The wind propelled him 3 feet back, and he winced from pain as he skidded to a stop.

"Cure 2." Miaah whispered and the magic instantly took effect on Mabs.

'Again, they're curing me, but not her! Why!' He thought frustrated. Lazarus frowned.

"Something is definitely wrong, they're not helping her." He whispered to the others. All of them nodded.

"I don't like this . . . the smell of this air, it's too tense, and filled with too many dark secrets." Lilli whispered softly, her eyes had gone slitted. Even Hal had picked up on the negative vibe.

"That's it." Opeth whispered and raised his hands to cast a spell when Laz put his hand on the Hume's shoulder.

"Wait for it . . . somehow I don't think intervention at this point will be appreciated."

"What the heck are they gonna do?" Opeth demanded. "Draw their swords on me?" He asked sarcastically. Lazarus however glanced at him.

"I think they would if you did." He replied softly. Back to the fight, Gin ran forward, and again she swung her blade at his mid-section, dodging that, Mabs delivered a blow of his own, forcing her to skip back. Swinging her blade in an arc, she dashed forward again, poised to strike. Mabs smirked and dodged the blade by simply skipping back before slashing downwards at her form. She easily dodged that as well.

"You don't know when to give up Gin." Mabs taunted as he swung his sword at her, she bent over as the sword swung past her face, then straightened and with a swing of her sword and a twist of her body, she forced him to take a step back. Mabs, tiring of this battle and scared of what was going to happen if this battle continued any longer, finally went all out, changing the position of his feet he suddenly swung with all his might into one blow, she parried it and struck with a blow that like him, held all the power she could muster, he blocked it with the hilt of his blade and forced her back and started to go into an attack pattern series, she blocked all his blows with familiar ease, and returned her own attack series in an equally strong and paced manner. Mabs, finally deciding to go all out, blocked her attack, and forced her back, Gin squeaked under the sudden force and jumped back, Mabs ran forward in her brief moment of vulnerability and cried;

"RED LOTUS BLADE!" His blade turned red as he slammed it down at her, Gin swung up her blade, but the aftershock of the blow left her weak and trembling. Mabs pulled his blade back, and sweating, glanced at Gin, she gasped weakly, before falling to her knees. Mabs gasped in exhaustion.

'Why won't they call the winner? It's over! We're both tired out of our wits! Why won't they call the end?' He thought breathing harshly. It seemed the parents and their friends were wondering why as well. Gin smiled.

"I think I'm beat." She whispered and coughed, blood speckled her lips and her eyes widened with surprise when she tasted the coppery taste on her mouth. Mabs walked up to her.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah . . . I'm okay." She whispered and wiped the blood off her chin with the back of her hand.

"That's it!" Mabs yelled at Zig and Byuu. "I forfeit, I don't care what you decide, I won't fight her anymore! And what's wrong with you people! Why aren't you healing her!" He demanded of Draish, Miaah, Chster and Scwol. None of them would meet his eyes. Opeth, fed up with all of this, ran over to Gin.

"Here, I'll do what I can." He whispered and held up his hands, ready to perform the cure spell. He began his chant when a voice cut across his.

"Silence!" Opeth froze in shock as his ability to cast magic, was disabled. Glaring at the caster, he yelled;

"Why the hell did you do that!" He demanded. Draish lowered his arm and couldn't look him in the eye. His face was painted with shame and guilt.

"Get to your feet Madon." Pieuje ordered. Mabs obeyed, but glared around.

"What the hell is going on!"

"I want to know too." Lazarus declared stepping forward. Zig shut his eyes and took a deep breath. Opening them, he drew his sword.

"Sir . . . are you certain . . ." Byuu whispered.

"I must do this, it must be done, and I won't let anyone else." Zig replied softly and started walking onto the court, when all of a sudden Trion raised his hand. Immediately all eyes turned to him, then, everyone's faces turned to confusion when they heard the clinking of armor. Immediately, guards were found at every exit.

"Madon, onto the field."

"What is this?" Zig, Cahaurme, Lazarus and Mabs all demanded at the same time.

"Restrain them." Trion ordered. Immediately the soldiers went into action.

"HEY! GET YOUR FILTHY GRUBBING HANDS OFF ME!" Lilli shrieked angrily as gloved hands clamped onto her shoulders, disallowing her to move. Hal grunted as he was forced to the ground, his arms tied behind his back and three spears placed their tips to his skin, Lazarus had drawn his sword and was fending off the guards when a female soldier cried;

"Sleep!" Lazarus winced as the spell took affect.

"Shit . . . no . . ." He got out, before he pitched forward, a guard caught him and set him to the ground as others brought forward rope to bind his feet and arms. Bagel had been in the process of using his dagger to swipe the guards away, but a boot came down on his backside, pinning him beneath it, he winced with pain as the metal boot rested firmly on top of him, disallowing him the ability to move. Bagel's parents immediately started forward, when guards descended upon them, both were knocked out within seconds, and Hal's father was forced to the ground, just like his son, bound and unable to move. Alayna hissed as guards tried to tie her and succeeded in giving 4 of them heavy cuts and severe wounds with her claws when the 5th guard knocked her out from behind. Lillith was pinned against a wall, a sword tip against her throat as she stood rock still.

"What the heck are you doing!" Tya demanded as she drew both her kunais. She was immediately shoved to the ground, a spear leveled at her neck.

"Mom!" Mabs yelled, glaring he leveled his sword and ran forward. "Get away from her you- UGHK!" He yelped out when a guard came from nowhere and slammed his knee into the young Elvaan's stomach. Cahaurme cursed himself for not carrying his blade. He had let Curilla take it when he had been told he wouldn't need it.

"What is going on!" He demanded, then he froze when he saw two armored guards grab his daughter and haul her to her feet roughly.

"Let go of me!" She yelled fighting back, Opeth started forward.

"Let her go!" He yelled drawing his staff and charging them, the guard closest to him simply swung his hand out, it struck Opeth across the face, sending him flying into a wall, at which point he fell unconscious, the stress of the fight, and the hit shattering his already fragile condition.

"OPETH!" Gin yelled as she continued to fight back tooth and nail. The other guard drew his sword and leveled it at Gin's throat.

"Stop struggling." He ordered and she froze as the cold metal brushed her skin. Cahaurme turned cold at that. His courtesy, patience and attitude as a subject of the royal family shattered like glass and he turned death cold eyes on the princes.

"What the fuck is going on!" He demanded.

"Cahaurme, do not take that tone with me." Pieuje said calmly.

"Then allow me to ask the same question. What in the fucking name of all the nine fucking hells are you doing!" Zig demanded. Byuu was by his side, quill and paper pad long forgotten, the Elvaan had his spear drawn, and his wyvern by his side. Chster had also drawn his sword, as had Draish and Scwol while Miaah leveled her staff at the guards, all of them looked pissed.

"I am following the plan." Pieuje said calmly.

"This was not in the plan! The plan was for me to duel Madon, and that was all!" Zig growled. "It did not involve bodily harm to anyone else!"

"Ziggeraut, you are far too young to understand politics." Trion said calmly. Zig's eyes narrowed angrily.

"So that's it? You kept me out of this little change because of my age? Because I'm only 19 fucking years old!" He demanded angrily. Both his daggers were drawn and he was looking like he was about to jump them and slit their throats.

"It is no longer your concern. Curilla!" Pieuje called, immediately the Paladin stepped forward. The prince nodded to her, and she stepped forward, drawing her sword.

"Curilla?" Draish whispered in shock, his eyes wide, as she passed him, she whispered softly so that only he could hear.

"I am sorry cousin."

"Restrain them." Immediately guards swarmed in, they moved in with all the intentions of binding the adventurers, but were proven sorely mistaken.

"Banishga!" Chster yelled, immediately 4 guards went down under the holy assault.

"Firaga!" Draish cried igniting several guards, they squalled in pain as their armor burned red.

"I summon you to fight by my side . . ." Miaah whispered in cantations. "Garuda!" As the avatar appeared, a wind suddenly swept in, blasting the closing in officers off their feet and into the walls. Scwol, Byuu and Zig all stood in a triangle facing out.

"Raiden!" He called, instantly his wyvern began glowing. Byuu jabbed forward with his lance, catching two guards unaware and slicing their thigh muscles before his wyvern released a searing flame upon 4 more.

"Don't even try and restrain us." Zig growled as all the guards backed up nervously. As Chster took back his place beside his commander, Scwol ran over to Miaah, kicking a fallen guard out of the way as he did so.

"Miaah . . . are you alright?" He whispered worriedly as he examined her for injuries.

"Yes . . . I'm fine." She reassured him, then embraced him in a hug.

"Thank Altana . . ." The Paladin whispered, his knees weak with relief.

"Very well, we won't restrain you." Trion conceded. "But do not interfere."

"Like bloody hell I won't." Zig growled.

"If you attempt to do so, I will have my soldiers kill the Mithra first." Trion said as he signaled his guard. Immediately a dagger was drawn and put against Lilli's throat who squeaked in fear. Zig froze, then growled and swore under his breath.

"Fucking cowards . . ." He swore. Satisfied, Trion then turned back to Madon.

"Onto the battlefield, now." He ordered. Mabs glared as he was hauled to his feet, still woozy from the blow to his gut.

"Tell your soldiers to let my friends go now!" He snapped.

"Allow me to rephrase my command. Get onto the field now, or we torture your girlfriend." Mabs blinked in confusion, when all of a sudden there was a muffled scream of pain behind him. Whirling around, his eyes widened in shock.

"GIN!" He started forward, when a guard grabbed his collar and pulled him back.

"Hold on loverboy." He taunted. Mabs could only stared helplessly as a soldier dragged his dagger over Gin's arm, leaving a bloody line over her skin, her eyes were closed and her mouth was clenched, as if determined not to let out another sound. Mabs's eyes narrowed and he gritted his teeth with determination.

"Fine! Just call off your sadistic guard!" He snapped spinning around to meet their gaze. Pieuje nodded, and the guard stopped. Mabs picked up his fallen sword, which had fell to the ground after he had tried to rescue his mother, and stepped onto the field. Still weak and weary from his battle with Gin, he mentally paced himself. "Now what the hell do you want?" He growled. Pieuje smiled. Suddenly Mabs found himself facing Curilla. Gulping, he looked her over, if she was his opponent, he was doomed. She was stronger, more experienced, had better armor, and overall, she was fresh while he was dead tired.

"What are you doing!" Cahaurme yelled. Trion smirked slightly.

"Begin!" He commanded, mimicking Zig who glared at him silently, vowing revenge for this.

"Don't even think about casting a healing spell either." Pieuje commented to the adventurers. Miaah made a face, it appeared she had been about to do just that.

". . . .ig" A sound suddenly called to his ear. He blinked in surprise, then remembered to his shock, the linkpearl he had placed as an earring. It was made such by the person who had given it to him, because this organization was fond of it's privacy, it was an honor to be even given one.

"Zig." The voice said more clearly this time. Zig, knowing he couldn't speak, lest he give it away, merely coughed into his hand. It was enough for the speaker.

"I see it has already progressed worse then I thought. You must do what you can to prevent the fight from reaching critical levels, the results will be dire." Zig's eyes widened, but he didn't question the speaker's knowledge. This organization was a spy-network. Of course they'd know about this event. He made a questioning sound from the back of his throat. The question was clear, what were they doing about it?

"I have sent help, they should arrive any moment, please try to hold out as best as you until they get there. They will know what to do." Zig made a satisfied noise, and the speaker stopped talking.

"Would you like a cough-drop Ziggeraut?" Trion asked annoyed. Zig simply contented himself with glaring at his former comrade. Back to the fight, Mabs gulped.

"I have to fight you?" He asked softly. Curilla nodded. "Till when?" He asked softly. Curilla scrutinized him for a moment, before calmly declaring;

"Until one of us dies." Mabs gulped. Setting himself in fighting position, he took a deep breath to steady himself. Then he flew at her, swinging his blade at her side, he anticipated a block, or perhaps a narrow dodge, but no, she evaded it easily, relocated herself behind him, and delivered a swift blow to his back with the flat of her blade sending him flying forward.

"Shape up Madon, or you won't last more the three minutes." Curilla snapped. Mabs rubbed the bruise on his back, then glanced at her, in fear.

'She's on an entirely different level then me, there's no way I can win! She's out of my league!' He panicked as she rushed him, her blade a whirl of silver. Immediately she lashed out with her sword, and Mabs yelled his agony as a deep cut suddenly appeared on his arm. It bled furiously and he nearly dropped his sword from the pain that rose up. Quickly gathering his thoughts together, he barely managed to block her next attack, but the blow left him weak from the mere force of it.

'I won't last another hit!' He thought with fear.

"Stop it! STOP IT!" Gin yelled, tears streaming down her face. "LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

"MABS RUN!" Hal cried, before a boot slammed down on the back of his head, crushing his face into the dirt.

"MABS GET OUT OF HERE! SAVE YOURSELF! GET OUT!" Lilli cried, crying as well from fear and pain. Lazarus was still under the affects of the spell, Bagel was slipping in and out of consciousness while Opeth was still passed out. Mabs barely dodged a swing at his face, Curilla's blade whizzed by his head, clipping a few of his bangs as he did so.

"Are you telling me that's all you have?" Curilla taunted as Mabs gasped for breath.

'This is wrong . . . this has to be stopped, Altana help me please! What do I do!' Zig thought desperately. The goddess immediately answered one of her chosen.

There is no more you can do, it is all up to her. They taunt her trigger, and soon, it will do it's job.

'Her trigger?' Zig thought confused. 'What do you mean her trigger?' He asked of his goddess, but she said no more. Suddenly Curilla lashed out with her foot, tripping Mabs onto his back, and as he tried to get up, a blade was suddenly at the tip of his neck, it brushed his skin, leaving a paper thin cut.

"Goodbye Madon." Curilla said softly, then raised her sword to strike. Several things happened at this.

"NO!" Cahaurme yelled.

"STOP IT!" Tya screamed.

"DON'T!" Zig cried. Byuu moved in, regardless of orders, intent on stopping her. Draish began casting a paralyze spell, Miaah started casting sleep on Curilla. But regardless of all that happened, not one of them made an affect.

Only the light did.

Just as it had with Celan, light suddenly exploded into the area, all originating from one source. Ginryu. The guards that had been holding her were blasted back several feet before colliding into the walls and slumping to the floor, unconscious. Opeth was revived, the pain that should have been in his head non-existent. The guards holding Lilli, Hal and Bagel were thrown back into the walls, much like Gin's guards had been. Lazarus awoke with a start and scrambled to his feet. Bagel's parents awoke and before any of the guards could do anything, they were 'Aeroga'ed out of the courtyard. Tya, Hal's father and Lillith's guards found themselves in the same position as their children's guard, and the guards surrounding the adventurers were all knocked unconscious. Trion and Pieuje glanced at each other with triumph. Immediately closing the space between the two, Trion made a way to Ginryu. Opeth immediately stepped in his path, glaring.

"Stay away from her you freak!" He yelled at him. Trion raised his hand to shove the boy aside, when a bolt of light struck the shoulder of his raised hand, immediately pain flared and he winced. Glancing at the source, Ginryu smiled and let her hand drop.

"What is it you desire?" She hissed. Trion smirked. About to reply with; and why should I answer that? His mouth opened, but then his eyes met hers, and he froze.

"To harness the power of the light." His mouth whispered. He found to his surprise, they had moved on their own practically. Ginryu laughed.

"The power of the light eliminates all threats in my presence." She informed them. "As such, you have been deemed a threat." And faster then anyone could react, Ginryu whipped her hand up and a ball of light hit Trion square in the stomach, blowing him back 5 feet before he landed on the grass, unconscious.

"And now . . . for you." Ginryu hissed looking at Curilla whose eyes widened. Curving her arm backwards, Ginryu suddenly thrust her arm forward, and a bolt of light shot at Curilla.

"PROTECT 3!" She yelled in an attempt to protect herself, the shield flared 5 feet in front of her, but the bolt of light smashed its way through, undeterred.

"SHELL 3!" Draish had yelled at the same time. The magical barrier appeared right in front of Curilla, but the light bolt shattered it like a rock to glass. The bolt of light hit her and she was thrown back into a wall. Coughing up blood, she could only glance up, helpless and drained of strength. Mabs and his friends had by now regained their strength, Mabs had been restored to his former state, the wound on his arm nothing but a mere memory, his fatigue had been washed away, and he had no cuts to speak of, then he realized, that neither did she. The cut on her arm had been healed.

". . . . Gin?" Lilli whispered. Lazarus was at a loss for words as he gazed upon the girl known as Ginryu surrounded by a white aura. Ginryu walked across the grass, and stopped to glance up at Zig. He gulped, but stood still.

"You do not run, though you know why I speak to you. Why." She demanded, it was not a question. Zig took a deep breath to steady his nerves, then spoke.

"Because anything you have to deal as punishment, I justly deserve for my participation in the heinous crime." He said calmly. She observed him for another moment, then smiled.

"So be it. I deem you to not be a threat." And she walked off, just like that, leaving Zig to release a breath, he hadn't known he had been holding.

"HOLY CRAP!" A voice suddenly yelled. All eyes turned towards the entrance where two cloaked figures stood.

"Did we come in on the middle of a siege or something!" The female demanded. The taller of the two observed the field, then paled in shock when he saw Ginryu.

"Shit, we're too late! Vinne, we need to revert her!" Rom yelled. The Mithra blinked, then swore.

"Great." She moaned and they both started forward, only to screech to a stop when more guards appeared.

"Oh my god! Don't you people give up!" Lilli demanded. Vinne smirked.

"Oh look. Cannon fodder." Rom grinned.

"Ready to give them hell?"

"When am I not?" Vin asked cheerfully. Immediately Rom drew his sword and stood in front of her as the mass of soldiers charged. Vin began to chant a spell. Rom easily fended off the incoming troops with his shield and sword. Swinging his sword in an arc, he cried;

"SHINING BLADE!" Several guards went down, leaving the other 10 to glance at each other uneasily. Time for them to think however, just ended.

"FIRAGA 2!"

Char black, would not even do it justice.

Sheathing his sword, Rom and Vin dodged over the crumpled guards and ran up to Ginryu who regarded them calmly. While this was happening, Zig took this rare opportunity to do something. If what he thought was right, then they would need help soon, very soon. Grabbing a necklace from beneath his shirt he immediately began speaking into it.

"All linkshell users, respond, I repeat respond. This is Commander Ziggeraut, all those online respond." He said, and the one thing to note here was, Zig usually was as non-strict about protocol when it came to names as his soldiers, and never hesitated to say 'hey' or 'yo' as a greeting on the LS. The only time he resorted to titles, was when he needed help, or it was a serious matter. Immediately there came a flurry of responses. Chster and Byuu heard the call, and paid close attention.

"Laiata present sir. I'll have you know you're ruining my bath . . ." She muttered silently as an afterthought.

"Can it Lai, this is important. Avadon reporting in sir."

"Comradekage ready to go sir."

"Magetsu online sir."

"Vexed present sir."

"Cemeille here sir."

"Tammyxx accounted for."

"Kaifu online."

"You've got Koto." Zig's eyes frowned in surprise, as did Chster's and Byuu's.

"Where are all the generals? Amand, Kiary, Angel . . . where the hell are they?" Chster demanded.

"They're all out looking for you sir." Vexed said surprised. "They haven't found you yet?"

"Obviously." Chster grumbled.

"Yes well, Angel and Kiary were extremely distraught, they said they had important information for the Commander, but would not divulge any of it to us. They also said that they had to turn of their linkshells in case of a slip up and information leakage." Magetsu explained. Zig groaned, they didn't have time for this.

"Whatever." Zig suddenly broke in. "Laiata, you take head, I want you to round up all soldiers in the area, regardless if they are on vacation leave or not, this is serious. Have them gather at the Chateau, if any guards attempt to deter you, move past them."

"Sir!" Tammy demanded shocked. "That's breach of political treaties! If we do that we could lose our alliance with-!"

"I know Tammy, I know." Zig interrupted her sighing. "But this is retaliation, I repeat, I am not making the first move, this is retaliation." Utter silence took the shell, before Laiata drew a breath, and spoke.

"Who did they attack?"

"What?" Came the disbelieving voices of the others, Laiata had clearly realized that the royal family had broken the treaty by injuring someone.

"Puku, Maru, Tya, Alayna, Draish, Scwol, Chster, Byuu, and myself. That's adventurers alone." Zig replied calmly. Chster immediately groaned as did Byuu, they shared a glance.

"He had to add himself didn't he. That's not going to end well." Byuu moaned. Instantly there was an uproar.

"THEY ATTACKED YOU?" Cemeille demanded furiously.

"Well- they tried to! Scwol and-!" Zig began nervously, shocked at her outburst.

"OH THOSE BASTARDS ARE GOING DOWN!" Avadon snarled.

"Hold on, I'm going to get my poison dagger, so that when I cut them I can watch them writhe in agony." Com growled.

"We'll assemble as many as we can and be there as fast as possible, how long to do you estimate you can withstand them?" Laiata asked quietly, her voice seething with barely restrained fury. All of them felt the same, someone had dared to attack their commander, and there would be hell to pay. Zig sweatdropped and glanced as Vin charred the soldiers to crisps.

"Uh, I give it 15 minutes, tops."

"Done." And suddenly there was silence. Zig let the necklace dropped and proceeded to draw his daggers as Vinne and Rominace paused to look at him.

"Ziggeraut." Rom said nodding his head in acknowledgment.

"Commander." Vin copied the motion smiling slightly.

"Vinne, and Rominace. Glad to have you here." He said nodding to each one.

"Well then, to business." Rom commented and they both headed towards Ginryu.

"So we have to get her back to normal?" Vin whispered to Rom who nodded.

"You heard Past, we have to keep her out of this form as much as possible, the more time she spends in it, the more time it hurls us to the apocalypse." Rom replied softly. Vin shook her head.

"I don't understand how though . . . she's just a child!" She hissed.

"Yes, well this 'child' took out thousands upon millions of beastmen." He replied calmly.

"Point taken." And then they reached her. Ginryu glanced at them coolly. But before one of them could speak . . .

"HEY! GET AWAY FROM HER!" Mabs yelled. Instantly he stood in front of Gin, sword drawn, looking ready to fight. Both adventurers blinked in surprise at the young Elvaan, who was suddenly joined by 5 more.

"You want to get to her, you'll have to get through us." Lazarus snarled. Ginryu blinked, then smiled softly at them.

"Thank you." She whispered. Cahaurme was in the midst of holding his wife, and they both glanced fearfully at their daughter.

"What's wrong with her?" Lillith whispered.

"I don't know, but I'm worried for her." Cahaurme replied softly. "All we can do now, it watch. And wait." Pieuje was steadily recovering from what the light had done to him, and unfortunately for the others, he had summoned more guards.

(AN: Yes I am aware that it seems like he has a never-ending supply of guards.)

"Goddamn, well this could be an issue." Vin commented seeing the miniature army of troops assembled before her.

"What's the issue?" Zig asked coming up to stand beside them.

"I have no issues protecting myself, neither does Rom, neither do you and your guys, it's the kids and non-combatants I'm concerned about."

"Don't worry about us." Lazarus suddenly interrupted, they all looked at the Elvaan whose ice cold eyes were glaring down the soldiers.

"We were taken by surprise before, they won't get us again so easily this time."

"And we will be here to help." Cahaurme declared calmly as he came to stand by them, he had taken a sword from one of the fallen guards and now held it firmly in his grasp. Lillith stood by him, looking just as determined, as were the rest of the parents. Pieuje was amused.

"Stop playing Cahaurme, you swore an oath of loyalty to me, you wouldn't break it, you're too honorable for that." Cahaurme simply glared at him.

"Yes I swore an oath, but as part of the oath I swore fealty so long as you never harmed me or my family, and beyond all doubt, you have." Cahaurme hissed venomously. While this exchange was occurring, Draish kneeled down next to Curilla who was still badly wounded, her armor could have been paper for all the good it did.

"Hold still." Draish ordered here as he started casting a cure spell.

"W-why . . .? I betrayed you Draish . . ." She coughed. "I deserve everything I got." Draish shook his head.

"You were following orders, I can understand why you did what you did." Draish murmured. "Cure 4!" White light spiraled around Curilla as life seeped back into her skin. She coughed again, but her voice was stronger.

"I'm sorry." Curilla whispered, her voice filled with resignation, she was indeed truly sorry.

"Tell it to Madon." Draish said without hesitation as he cast another cure 4. There was a pause in his voice, before he looked at her straight in the eye.

"Curilla-"

"Don't." Curilla broke in. "You know I can't." She continued softly as she struggled to get to her feet.

"You don't even know what I was going to ask!" Draish growled.

"I do. You were going to suggest I leave Prince Pieuje's services and work for Commander Ziggeraut. I can't Draish. Lord Pieuje saved my life, I swore a life's time of servitude to him."

"Following him will get you killed Curilla!" Draish swore angrily. Curilla glanced at him, and simply smiled.

"Thank you Draish, the adventurers don't know how lucky they are to have someone like you." She hugged him, then walked onto the field, and stood behind Pieuje.

"Ah, good to see you up on your feet Curilla." He commented.

"Glad to be so sir. Sorry for my absence."

"No matter."

"Sir," Cahaurme began. "you must stop this! Think of the hostilities you've created already! If you continue to attack the adventurers- their very LEADER! You know that the Adventurers Army has several ties with Bastok, Jeuno, Tavnazian and Windurst, not to mention alliances with all of the other nations! As their allies, the other nations would be forced to take action and declare war on Sandoria! I have national pride Pieuje, but even I know that Sandoria stands no chance against 5 allied forces!" The knight cried in futile, Pieuje simply laughed and shook his head.

"Declare war?" The prince asked incredulously, and Byuu had a sinking feeling something bad was about to happen. "Cahaurme, then knew." He said still chuckling.

Dead silence.

Zig was the first to break it, his face clenched with anger as he gripped his daggers fiercely.

"What do you mean they knew?" He demanded, his voice seething with anger. Pieuje laughed again.

"Via teleportation and linkshells, the heading powers of both Bastok and Windurst as well as Trion and I, sent messages and communicated. We took the original plan, and altered it to our specifications, the plan that was executed before you today. Jeuno officials knew of course, but wanted nothing to do with the plan, however, they did not do anything to stop it either. And Tavnazian? We'd be fools to tell them, since it is overrun with Adventurers, and the people would be infuriated if they knew someone was betraying their precious leader." The Elvaan explained ruthlessly. "If you want proof, here." He tossed three scrolls at them, all of which Byuu caught, opening the first, his eyes quickly moved over the lines, and his skin went gray.

"As the leader of Bastok, I hereby declare that the plan to attack one of the girl's friends in hopes of activating this power, to capture it and use it for our own use, is approved." He voiced sourly. "It has an official seal." He dropped that scroll and opened the next, this time his eyes turned sad, as he spoke again.

"As the leading party of Windurst, we declare that the plan Prince Pieuje and Prince Trion d'Oraguille have created is agreed upon. It is also agreed that we are not to inform Tavnazian or the leader of the Adventurers' army, Ziggeraut Doransevay, sighed the consul of Windurst. It has an official seal." That scroll was quickly dropped as well and Byuu, after a pause, opened the last one. He speedily read it, then closed his eyes with a broken faith.

"The council of Jeuno has no wish to partake of this plan, but you are free to proceed as you wish, we will not intervene by informing any of the Adventurers, but we will not aid you either. We hope what you have decided to act upon, will be shined with the light of our goddess and fortune. Signed the leading party of Jeuno. An official signature from all of the members of the council are present on this scroll." He whispered dropping the scroll disheartened.

"You . . ." Zig's voice shook with barely restrained anger, and it was a perilously close battle to not launch himself at the prince this instant and kill him with his bare hands. "You son of a . . ."

"I have heard, quite enough." A voice suddenly intervened. All eyes immediately refocused on the speaker, Ginryu. "You make me sick." She said icily, and the white aura around her body suddenly flared back into life. Rom gaped in shock, before regaining composure and nodding to Vin who nodded back. Gin laughed mercilessly and grinned sadistically. "I believe it is time you died." She suddenly raised her hand in a move to attack, and Zig could suddenly swear time had slowed yet again. As Gin raised her hand, a sphere of light appeared in it, and several things occurred. Curilla moved forward drawing her sword, in hopes of protecting her prince, the surrounding guards immediately tried to stop her by moving in, Zig immediately tried to jump out of the path of fire, Byuu had shoved Chster out of the path, as Vin and Rom suddenly dove in. Appearing behind her with inhuman speed, Rom gave a quick chop to the neck, and Gin suddenly pitched forward, unconscious.

"HEY!" Mabs and Lazarus yelled moving forward, but Vin had already caught her.

"Don't argue, fight!" She yelled drawing her staff as Rom followed suit in drawing his own weapon, and suddenly guards that had been knocked out by Gin's power, awoke. Though many of them ached and were sore all over, all of them drew their weapons and resumed their positions, adding strength to the already great number of guards.

In summary, it was 60 guards roughly, against less then 10 adventurers, a knight, and a few odd non-combatants with 7 children, one of them knocked out.

Doomed didn't even describe it.

"Now it's time to surrender." Pieuje said calmly. "Hand over the girl, and I'll overlook this treason." Curilla at this point heard a groaning behind her, and glancing over her shoulder, her eyes widened and she immediately left her post without a second thought. Kneeling down beside the slowly awakening Trion, she supported him gently, her face full of worry.

"Your highness?" She asked softly, Trion looked at her surprised. Blinking his eyes as they watered rapidly from pain, he brought a hand to his aching temple.

"I'm . . . I'm fine." He muttered. Getting back to the conversation between Pieuje and Zig . . .

"I have one thing to say to you Pieuje." Zig said calmly. "Fuck you." Pieuje sighed.

"Very well, it is time for you to say goodbye Zig, I'll see to it that someone loyal to me becomes your replacement, as for you Cahaurme, I am severely disappointed in your choices." He shrugged slightly, then nodded.

"Kill them."

"Over my dead body!" A voice suddenly yelled. All eyes turned to the staircase, and Miaah suddenly grinned, Draish wanted to jump for joy, but it was Zig who called the name.

"Laiata!" The Elvaan female smiled, and she had with her no less then 20 adventurers, all looking severely pissed.

"Prince Pieuje d'Oraguille and Prince Trion d'Oraguille!" She called. "In retaliation for this unprecedented assault upon the leader of the Adventurers forces, we hereby do so declare that you are in violation of the Treaty of Altana and order you to surrender immediately, or else we will have no choice but to bare arms to your soldiers." She cried in a formal voice, her gaze steely cold. "Furthermore, you are in danger of destroying the Treaty of Nations, the pact that binds the lands of Vana'diel together in unity as one!" She paused for a moment to let that sink in. "So in basic summary," She finally continued. "surrender or we kick your asses!"

"With 20 measly reinforcements?" Pieuje scoffed. "There are well over 150 more knights within this vicinity, do you honestly think you can take them all down with less then 30 combatants?" It was here that snickering broke out among the adventurers behind Laiata, as she herself smiled.

"Prince Pieuje, I think it would be in your interest to inform you, that the remainder of your forces who are not in this clearing, are . . . well . . ." She smirked slyly. "Out of action for the moment. Go ahead and try to contact them." Pieuje glowered, then snapped his fingers.

"Curilla! Get me Captain Valga." Curilla nodded and pulled out a linkpearl.

"Calling Captain Valga." Curilla called into the pearl, there was a moment's silence before the knight tried again. "Captain Valga you are being summoned, respond. Captain Valga!" Pieuje frowned at the lack of response and glared at Laiata.

"You idiotic child, what have you done?" He demanded. Laiata hid a grin behind her hand.

"It isn't quite what I've done, more or less, it is what we did." She said with a wave to the forces behind her. "Us and the other 79 Adventurers outside." She finished blithely with a smirk. Zig whistled.

"How the heck did you get so many?"

"Let's just say . . ." Kaifu, a Hume who stood behind Lai commented. "A lot of Adventurers were . . . upset with the attack on you." He said cheerfully.

"Bloody homicidal more like it." Kotosumex, another Hume commented. "Goddamn Eashie . . . damned near killed me when she firaga 2'ed some guards behind me . . ." He hissed to an Elvaan beside him who nodded wearily.

"I know, Abbia nearly did me in with her shock spell." He groaned, but by this point Pieuje had just pretty much reached his breaking point. His anger became solely directed at Laiata, for ruining (as he surmised) his plan.

"You stupid bitch! Kill her!" He yelled furiously. The guards were about to agree, when they all felt it, a large wave of animosity that froze them in their spots.

"You . . ." Vexed, who stood behind Laiata began.

"Did . . ." Kaifu continued.

"SO not-" Cemeille added before Zig cut her off.

"JUST CALL HER THAT!" His roar was a furious bellow that would have put a Viking to shame. The adventurers present all felt the same way, Laiata was just as much of a heroic figure to them as Zig, and insulting either one of the Elvaans was a deadly mistake. Personally, Laiata couldn't see what the problem was, but that didn't stop the others from drawing their weapons in one unanimous move.

"Last chance Pieuje, surrender!" Byuu snarled, and he was actually hoping the prince would say no so that they could kill him. When Pieuje gave no reply, Zig smiled sadistically and started forward, both daggers drawn to cut flesh, but it was then that a voice intervened.

STOP!

The cry of despair echoed through the courtyard, and all living beings, whether they were Sandorian forces or Adventurers', stopped and glanced in the sky in absolute shock, it was a voice of sorrow, of agony.

Please stop! If you continue this fight, a great calamity will befall the lands of Vana'diel!

Pieuje whirled around, trying to find the source of this voice, though his voice quivered with surprise and fear when he spoke.

"What the hell is this?" He demanded. Zig glared angrily at the prince, a low growl originating from the back of his throat at Pieuje's impudence.

"Do not speak so rudely to our goddess! Surely even you possess more sense than that!" Pieuje blinked at him with shock, but Zig was already ignoring him, glancing at the sky the Elvaan spoke;

"What would you have us do then! They have violated our trust, betrayed us to the realm of the dead, why shouldn't we be angry with them?" He asked in a clear voice.

. . . I cannot tell you why. Please, do not fight, do not quarrel amongst yourselves, for it is exactly what they want. Protect her, she is all that stands between you- all that stands between Vana'diel even! And the rebirth of the crystal war.

Immediately all eyes turned on the unconscious Gin, her prone form was held by Rom who blinked in surprise. Zig's eyes, which were as wide as saucers, blinked, before he closed them slowly, his face one of resignation. He was still for a moment, until he reopened his eyes and nodded.

"I understand, and I obey my goddess." He proclaimed. There was no reply to his voice, but only because there was no need for one. Zig then turned to his forces and nodded, Laiata hesitated, before she sighed and nodded, with a salute, she herself turned around and started walking off as the Adventurers parted to make way for her.

"All forces withdraw!" She called. As everyone but Sandorian soldiers started leaving, Zig took a deep breath, before sheathing his daggers in a swift motion. None of the guards, moved, neither did Trion, Pieuje or Curilla, all were too stunned by hearing their goddess speak. Zig turned to them, his eyes narrowed into hateful slits, and perhaps for the first time, Pieuje and Trion were mortally afraid of him, they were scared of Ziggeraut and the animosity he projected.

"Pay attention swine!" He bellowed, snapping them out of their fearful trance. Pulling out his linkshell, the actual shell, he activated it, before standing straight and beginning a declaration, that would alter the lands of Vana'diel. Forever.

"I am Ziggeraut Doransevay! Leader of the Adventurers' forces, successor to Artemis Lukita! And in my name, I hereby declare that the Treaty of Nations, the pact that binds our people and lands as one, is broken!" Cahaurme, Lillith, and the children who were all in the midst of leaving, had not quite made it out the door when they heard this, and they all turned their heads to stare at Zig in shock at his declaration.

"As of this point the Adventurers army no longer holds an alliance with the nations Bastok, Windurst or Sandoria! All ties we have with the three countries named are hereby severed, all services and military agreements we have with any of the nations have been voided! We have been betrayed, tricked and deceived by the leading powers of all three nations, and as such we can no longer trust them! Furthermore, the Treaty of Altana which states that no power or force is to attack another for unprecedented reasons has been violated, clearly stating that the peace we have worked so hard for, has been broken!"


A stunned silence fell over the room. Faerune, an Elvaan soldier, who had been in the middle of delivering papers to the council of Windurst on orders had heard the announcement, and his leader's voice had carried across the entire room as the speech had been made from his linkpearl, but instead of being upset that his leader had severed the ties with the nation, his eyes turned dead cold. The Elvaan whirled furiously at the Taru and Mithra who stood in the room, some looked shocked, some looked guilty, some were enraged, and some looked just plain out confused. Regardless, Fae glared at them all and hissed venomously like a snake. Then he flung the papers at one particularly guilty looking Taru, before stomping out of there. Grabbing his pearl, he spoke into it.

"I hear, and I obey. Long live Commander Ziggeraut!"


Risx, a Hume who had been doing a task for the governing forces of Bastok had been in the middle of delivering his finished report when his linkpearl had blared into life, and emitted a voice that carried through the room and throughout the building. The minute he heard what his leader had said, he glared at the governor of Bastok who was sweating nervously and profusely. He suddenly spat on the ground in front of the Hume, before whirling around and stomping out the door, slamming it shut behind him so hard that it left a crack in the wood. Humes stared as he stormed past while grabbing his linkpearl from beneath his tunic. Turning it on, he called into it with a calm and firm voice;

"I hear and I obey. Long live Commander Ziggeraut!"


Calvin, a tiny Taru left the office with a vicious, homicidal gleam in his eye. Through his pearl he had heard what the officials had done to his leader and the army itself, and it didn't matter that Jeuno wasn't included in the severing of ties, but the linkpearl had been buzzing for the last 30 minutes that Jeuno had known all about the plan, and had done nothing to intervene. He wasn't a happy Taru. In fact, he was downright pissed, and the only thing that had stopped him from blowing that office in Jeuno to bits was his slowly dying self control. Though the shocked looks on the official's faces when he had left in the middle of informing them of a new plot by the Beastmen had been priceless. Everything was void now, they didn't need Adventurers' information. He grabbed his pearl and as he caught up to what the others were saying, he smiled satisfied.

"I hear and I obey." He cried. "Long live the Adventurers!"


Zig, finally turned his attention back to the two Elvaan princes before him, and snarled.

"As of now you no longer have our services, our military force, our spy-network, NOTHING. You are free to try and exile us from your cities, but just think how well that will go over, nearly 1 member out of every family is an adventurer. Your shops in the city rely on us to get their goods, transportation of these goods depends solely on our ability to keep the Beastmen under control and away from your caravans, you don't have enough troops to keep your cities and travelers safe, and how many people will be eager to sign up for your armies if you banish us?" He asked cruelly, a vindictive smile on his face as he watched their faces slowly dawn with realization. "We don't need your cities to live, we have Tavnazian, Norg, Kazham, Selbina and Mhaura, and we can offer them much more then you can since they're too far out and your soldiers can't keep traveling that far. Keep that in mind when you decide how to retaliate." And with that final word, he spun on his heel and walked out of the courtyard, with a stern face, but a satisfied gleam in his eyes. He had made it up the stairs and was heading out the hallway when he passed Cahaurme and Lillith, pausing for a moment, he then heaved a sigh, turned to the knight and his wife and kneeled before them.

"Please forgive the wrongs I have brought upon you and your daughter. I should never have agreed to even the original version of the plan." He murmured in apology. Cahaurme blinked at the humbled Elvaan before him, and suddenly all hostile feelings he had held against the younger warrior vanished. Placing a hand on his shoulder, Cahaurme smiled softly. Zig looked up in surprise and their eyes met for a brief moment of understanding, until Cahaurme nodded.

"It was not your doing, I know of nothing to forgive you for." He whispered in reply. Zig nodded.

"You have my gratitude for your words." He replied solemnly, standing, he gently took Lillith's hand, and brushed his lips against it as an informal apology, she too gave him a weary smile, and with a final nod to them, he took his leave. Cahaurme watched him go, and although he was tired and sick of politics by this point, he couldn't help but feel hope that Zig would bring forth a new generation of respectable rulers. Mabs, Lazarus, Lilli, Opeth, Hal and Bagel all watched Zig leave as well, their gazes full of respect and hope. After a long pause, Cahaurme finally looked at Prince Pieuje, his face set with determination as he walked back onto the grass drawing his sword. Curilla was about to move forward, her hand already pulling at the hilt of her sword, when an arm held her back.

"Don't, I don't believe he'll attack him." Draish whispered. Curilla nearly squeaked with surprise as she glanced at her cousin. He had moved to her side without her even knowing, and not even Trion had sensed him standing at so close range. Stopping a few feet away from Pieuje, the two Elvaans held a stare of animosity, before Cahaurme broke it by throwing his sword down onto the ground at Pieuje's feet. Pieuje glanced at in surprise.

"I resign, as of this day forth I am no longer in your service and I am no longer a Temple Knight." He said in a quiet voice, then turned and walked away. When he reached his wife, he searched her face for disapproval at what he had done, but she simply smiled at him, her eyes understanding and she stepped forward to hug him gently while whispering into his ear.

"You did the right thing sweet." She whispered softly, then stepped back smiling proudly at him, she had known how proud he was to be a Temple Knight, and to throw it away because his prince had harmed a child not even of their blood, only showed how much he truly cared for his family. Cahaurme smiled tiredly, and wrapping his arms around Lillith's shoulders, the two left without speaking another word to each other, or to their princes. Mabs and his friends all glanced at Pieuje who stared at the sword which lay at his feet quietly, then Mabs shook his head and spoke aloud.

"I hope you learned your lesson from this." Pieuje glanced up at Mabs's words in surprise and confusion, it was clear he had no clue what the young Elvaan was talking about. Lilli sighed exasperated at this and muttered something about stupid royal pains in the asses.

"You don't get it do you? What a dummy!" She snapped at him, hands on her hips as her ears twitched with agitation. Lazarus snorted as they all turned and started walking out, before they were out of earshot however, they all cried out at the same time, in one unified voice;

"Don't deceive your allies."


"Zig?" Laiata voiced when her Commander stepped out of the Chateau looking tired, weary and defeated somehow. He glanced up, and flashed her a tired smile.

"Hey Lai, listen, thanks for the backup, I don't think we would have lasted if you hadn't shown up."

"Just doing my duty sir." She responded immediately. "Are you okay? You sound . . . down." Zig glanced at her, and let loose a snort.

"I've just . . . had a bad day, I'll be confessing for years just to get rid of all the sins I committed today." He murmured tiredly. "By the way, where are the other 79 adventurers you spoke of?" He asked looking around. Laiata suddenly blushed.

"Well . . . I kind of fibbed. There was only a total of 36 soldiers in the city at the time, a lot of ninjas, samurais and thieves, so I had them all knock out the guards from behind instead of a front on glorious battle Pieuje was imagining. There were a couple of mages . . . but we had them wait outside because they were too spell happy." She said, motioning to some slightly crisped edges of her hair disdainfully. Zig laughed, and it sounded like it was bordering hysteria. The female Elvaan regarded him worriedly.

"Zig . . ." She began and her commander looked at her. "I just . . . I want you to know . . . that, well . . . that I'm-"

"COMMANDER!" A panicked voice intervened and both Elvaans snapped their gazes in front of them, they had been in the midst of crossing the parade grounds when all of a sudden the Adventurers' lost generals came running up to them. Zig immediately hastened his pace, leaving Laiata behind to see what was the matter and forgetting about what she was saying. The female Elvaan sighed wearily and whispered the last bit of her sentence.

"Here for you . . ."

"Guys? What's going on-?" He barely finished his sentence as Kiary launched herself at him and started sobbing into his shirt, her body shuddering with each wracking wail. Behind her stood a grim looking Amand, Angel and Kierra. Chster and Byuu was with them as well, but both looked completely bewildered compared to the other generals who all looked like they were withholding the urge to completely break down and start crying. Draish, Scwol and Miaah who had finally exited the Chateau came up behind the rear with Laiata, all who looked surprised at the broken hearted looking generals.

"What's wrong?" Zig asked urgently, already picturing the worst. Chster shook his head.

"I have no clue, me and Byuu ran into these guys outside the auction house and they said they needed to find you right away, so I brought them here. When I asked why, they simply said they had to tell you first." Zig blinked, then turned to his comrades worriedly. There was a sound of scuffling and suddenly Avadon, Vexed, Magetsu, ComradeKage and Cemeille appeared to the side of the group, they had come from Workman's way. Having spotted the defeated looking adventurers, Cemeille was already by her general's side worriedly, her face steeped in concern for him.

"Amand? What's wrong?" Amand glanced at her with watery eyes, cleared his throat and tried to speak, but all that came out was a hoarse croak and he suddenly fell to his knees, and his hands formed fists which slammed into the ground as tears leaked from his eyes, he let out a despaired and angry cry like a soul seeking vengeance. Zig who was still holding the sobbing Kiary could do little to help him, but Chster immediately moved in.

"Amand? Dammit man, what's wrong with you!" He asked panicked. Amand tried again to speak, but nothing came out and he simply kneeled there, head bowed and crying. Kierra had averted his gaze away from the others, he wasn't crying yet, but everyone could see he was perilously close and it looked as if the Hume even tried to speak he would break out into wracking sobs. Finally Angelsheart stepped forward, tears streaming down her cheeks as she struggled to keep a calm face.

"It's . . ." She tried when a sob broke out, she took a few minutes to regain composure to try again and Zig made no move to interrupt, because at this point she was fairing better than any of his other generals. "The S-ShadowRiders . . ." She got out. Zig blinked. The Adventurers army was split into separate factions, each with a distinct leader and roughly 100 soldiers to each faction. One of the purposes of these factions was to recruit people into the adventurers army. But they were mainly squads, battalions, the way the commander of the adventurers divided his great number of forces. As such, the leaders of the battalions were to distribute a linkpearl to any new recruits that Zig had control over to them, and it was also the duty of the leader to name his battalion. The ShadowRiders were such a group, it had been responsible for recruiting many of the highly ranked leaders in the army today, ruled over by Artemis and his second in command Bale, it had been the battalion that had recruited all of them. It had invited Kiary, Chster, Avadon, Amand, Cemeille, Angel, Magetsu, Kierra, Byuu, Vexed and most importantly of all, Zig. Its leader, Artemis had also been the former Adventurers' commander, until he had passed the role to Zig whom he thought could fill the position better.

"What about them? Angel what happened?" Zig asked, his face outlining the fear that filled his veins.

"T-their position. . ." She tried and bit her lip to keep the sobs at bay and Byuu blinked.

"What of it? They were stationed in Tavnazian." At this Angel broke out crying and buried her head into her hands.

"They're gone! Tavnazian was wiped out by the Beastmen Zig! Artemis is dead!" She wailed.

Disclaimer: I do not own FFXI, much as I wish to. I own all players belong solely to those who created them. Meaning I have some but I'm not getting into that.

Author's notes: Okay, several things to say. One, I am aware I did some severe Sandorian bashing here, and I only did it because it worked for the plot. But NO Sandy is not that horrible, evil and mean, though I admit some of the NPCs can be real jerks. XP

Second, this chapter is dedicated to Angel who quit the game, sorry to make you seem like a broken figure in this chapter, but you get cooler parts later on.

Third, you know Zig's speech? The one where he mouths off the princes and makes those declarations? Yeah, that's what inspired this chapter, I have been wanting to write that forever. :D

Fourth, as you may have noticed this is quite clearly connected to the intro of FFXI, yes, this is around the time of when that cute little boy and his sister were in Tavnazian and everybody was killed but him. The story revolves around it, and if you see some issues with the timeline, please note I am but a lowly rank 4, so I don't have them spiffy details yet.

Fifth, there is only one more chapter to go in this quartet. Yes, I have decided this story will be a quartet series. Those of my LS who are not introduced in the first story, I guarantee that those whom I said will be in the story will be introduced in the first few chapters of the second one, which I am working on right after.

Sixth, (yes I have a lot of notes) I am aware I left quite a bit of loose ends, such as where our heroine is, where Rom and Vin vanished off to, what happened to all the adventurers who helped, what Rom and Sat's story is, so on so forth, these will all be explained in either the next chapter or (in the case of Rom and Sat) will be explained in the next story or stories to come.

And finally (seventh), I need help for a decision on the titles, if you have a vote on one of the titles feel free to put it in your review, please note I might not actually follow the poll, but I'd like a little help deciding anyway. :)

The options are;

A past of the future

Memories of the past

Necronia

Point of origin

Welcome home

Very last note, yeah I lied, just a simple rant, not important.

15 WHOLE FREAKEN PAGES! Dang my wrist hurts. /

Lol, I typed for like 2 hours straight. XD How I slave for you people. :D