Author's Note: I completely forgot to mention that both Jacoby and Elnroth belong to Thefrogkiller, he sent them to me upon my request at the end of the FFXI Chronicles 2 for any useable characters. Sorry! I forgot about that!

And Phabrizoe, I'm glad to hear you ran into them! Shame I wasn't there. What I get for leaving an essay 'til the last minute. Yeah, Voldos acts very much like he does in this. Although he claims he doesn't chat up any girl, no, instead he 'carefully and selectively picks them at complete random'. Sure, that's an oxymoron, but this is Voldos we're talking about. He is a moron. I'd also like to point out despite Voldos's similarities to his character, and occasionally Bootus, the rest of us are not like them. At least, I'm not. I'm not scared of everything, break down and cry all the time and cling desperately to Zinkata! (Except when I get lazy and abuse the /follow command I guess…)

Finally, the updates may slow down now. As much as I love writing this story, I have exams rocketing towards me, and so need to be doing serious revision. I'll write as often as I can, but the 'once a day' may drop slightly. Which is a shame. I love writing and I love writing often for everybody, but I'm afraid I can't guarantee it'll keep going. I'll keep trying my best though, because I'll only miss an update when I physically have no time to write anything!

And now to get on with this 'writing' thing.

PART VI

Vivli woke up, but was still sleepy. She instinctively cuddled up to Zinkata's arm, which was still around her. She had managed to enjoy a peaceful night's sleep, dreaming of warmth and peace, although she couldn't remember specifically what happened. She yawned, and smiled happily. She was resting against Zinkata on the couch, who was still asleep, and who still held her in his arms. She ached a little from the awkwardness of sleeping on the couch, but that was a small price to pay considering she had gotten to spend the night in Zinkata's arms. She shuffled a little, and ended up resting her head on Zinkata's chest. She could feel his chest softly move with each breath. She accidentally let out a purr of happiness. Had she known Bootus was watching from the doorway, she probably would have tried harder not to do this.

Bootus repressed a laugh. He had, as usual volunteered to go and wake up Vivli (and thus Zinkata). He always took pleasure from annoying Vivli, and waking her up in the mornings was a fantastic way of doing that. But this time he had caught her. He had known she'd be resting on Zinkata, he knew she was very shaken up, and needed somebody to be around, but the way she was behaving now suggested something more. And he knew that if she felt that way, Zinkata would be oblivious. He knew Vivli all too well to know she'd never admit a crush. He rubbed his hands in glee at the thought of the blackmail. Zinkata woke up moments before he could enter.

Zinkata groaned a little, and Vivli felt his arms loosen as he woke up. He groaned. He had been having a very nice dream, but considering he had fallen asleep with an attractive young girl in his arms and such things could influence said dreams, it's probably better not to say just what that dream was. He shook Vivli a little to see if she was awake. Vivli just let out a slight purr, not really wanting to move. He shook her again and she opened her eyes. She looked up at Zinkata, her eyes glistening. Zinkata had never seen her look at him in that way before, but decided it was better to ignore it.

"Feeling better, Viv?" He asked, groaning again as he tried to figure out which parts of his body weren't dead.

"I'm not sure." Vivli replied uneasily. She got up, allowing Zinkata up.

"Come on." Bootus sighed. "Get into your gear." He smirked at Vivli. "Unless you like your dress." The two had fallen asleep in their clothes the previous night, and still hadn't changed back into their usual gear. Vivli stood up with a yawn. She looked at Bootus.

"Dress would probably look better on you anyway." She grumbled. Zinkata looked at Bootus for a moment, before bursting out in laughter at the mental image.

"Yeah, shut up." Bootus sighed.

Vivli was still following Zinkata closely.

"Viv, we aren't going to get changed in the same room." He told her. She had a slight momentarily look of disappointment.

"Urm, I know!" She stammered. "But I don't know if I can be on my own yet."

"Come on, you'll be fine." Zinkata told her. She hadn't felt as anxious yet, but had spent the whole time in company. Zinakta smiled, and disappeared into a room to slip into his armour.

Vivli stood alone for a moment. She gripped the robe in her hands tightly, twisting it. She began to shake. The area outside the room was just a short corridor. She backed up against the wall, looking down it both ways. She began to shake. She slumped down, curling up, her back to the wall. She started to cry. She couldn't stop herself. She simply couldn't.

Zinkata emerged sometime later, clad again in his full silver armour. His eyes went wide. He rushed down to Vivli, taking her in his arms.
"Viv!" He cried. "Calm down, I'm here! It's okay!" She sobbed against Zinkata. "Sweet Altana, you can't go on like this."

"I know." She wept. "I know." Zinkata held her tightly, trying to stop her from shaking.

"Maybe you should stay in the dress." Zinkata sighed, not wanting to leave her to change. She smiled slightly.

"I'll get over this." She swore. "I promise I will!"

"I know, Viv." Zinkata said softly. "I know. You just need a bit more time." She shook again, and looked up at Zinkata.

"Thanks for sticking with me through this." She said to him sweetly.

"Think nothing of it." Zinkata laughed. "You're part of the team. I'd do anything for the team."

"How about getting up and getting a move on?" Bootus asked grumpily. Zinkata laughed, and got up, helping Vivli to her feet. Bootus was back in his beaten gi, and looking proud for it.

"Knew you liked the dress really." Bootus laughed. Zinkata shot him a look telling him not to take it any further. Bootus decided to be quiet. "Come on, we had better go and meet the King." Vivli and Zinkata nodded, and the two followed him out. Vivli was still clinging to Zinkata.

"So what is with those two anyway?" Illuga asked.

"What two?" Voldos shot back.

"Who do you think?" Illuga sighed. "The mithra and the hume."

"Oh, nothing." Voldos laughed. "Vivli just got really spooked. She gets some kind of anxiety attack when left alone, even for a few seconds. So she stays with Zinkata most of the time."

"Oh right." Illuga nodded. "And she's a Light Warrior?"

"She's the Light Warrior. The one that started it all. Or so the legend seems to claim." Voldos answered. Illuga laughed.

"So you're the joker of the party." He muttered.

"No, I'm serious." Voldos said with a slight laugh. Bootus walked in, with Zinkata and Vivli close behind. Vivli was clinging to Zinkata's hand.

"Decided to stay in the dress?" Mocked Voldos.

"Yes." Vivli answered with a slight glance to Zinkata. "Unlike you I don't need to rely upon armour. Robe, dress. Whatever it is, I survive by skill."

"Or by having us rescue you." Bootus grumbled.

"I prefer it my way." Whimpered Vivli. Zinkata noticed she was clutching his hand tighter. Obviously the memories were coming back.

"Urm, shall we go then?" Zinkata quickly said to change the subject.

"I've already run to the Chateau." Voldos explained. "The King is perfectly willing to see us."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Zinkata asked.

Vivli clung desperately to Zinkata as they walked through the busy streets of San d'Oria. Every passer by was a threat to her. She shuffled closer. She had to fight away the tears. Even with Zinkata by her, she was so scared of the people around her. She found herself hating herself for being so afraid. There's no reason! her brain told her. She let down her guard by trying to think about this, and a tear escaped, running down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, but it was too late. Zinkata saw. He let go of her hand and put his arm around her. She turned into him, and started sobbing. The others turned around curiously, and Zinkata made a motion telling them to keep walking while Vivli cried. Clearly he didn't want them making any comment. Despite the looks of concern, they decided to walk on a bit further. They sat down to wait, out of sight of Vivli so she wouldn't have to worry about them.

Zinkata held her close again, letting her cry.

"Viv, please, you have to try to fight this." He told her.

"I can't." She sobbed. "I just can't. I can't control it." She paused. "I'm frightened, Zin. What if I never get over it?"

"You will." He said, hugging her. "It's just a matter of time." She tried a smile, and Zinkata wiped away the tears for her. "You can't see the King if you're going to cry you know?" He joked. "Give us a bad image." She laughed slightly. Zinkata was very glad to hear that. He was afraid she might take his joke the wrong way. "So come on. You'll be fine. Especially once we're inside the Chateau. That's perfectly safe. I'll be right there with you, as will everybody else." She nodded shyly. "Come on." The two walked, catching up with the others. It was clear that both Bootus and Voldos were burning with questions, and even Illuga looked concerned.

Illuga was a little confused. He wasn't even certain why he had taken up his quest to get vengeance on Sigmund. He saw a murderer, and wanted to bring him to justice. But there was no reward. He secretly thought that he enjoyed the chance to flex his own power against another black mage, and a very powerful one at that, but he had never expected to end up in such strange company. And now he was going before the King. He had suggested it after all, but he had never pictured it happening.

He still couldn't quite believe it as he knelt down in front of the figure of the elvaan ruler.

"Please, my friends." The King remarked. "Rise." They got up. "Picked up a new friend?" He laughed, motioning to Illuga.

"My name is Illuga, your highness." He said with a bow.
"Of course it is." Laughed the King. The five were stood assembled in a straight line, even spaces between them. Vivli was trembling slightly, her hand nervously fidgeting and reaching for Zinkata's. She managed to calm herself, gripping the sides of her dress. "A guess would say you are here because of the death of the parents of the now Lord Voldos." The King's expression became grim. "I am sorry for your loss, my friend." He said to the elvaan. "But at least the title is yours now."

"Why was there no funeral?" Zinkata asked, before getting to the deeper points.
"Because the case is still under investigation, to be honest." The King revealed. "As you seem to have guessed, orcs did not kill your parents."

"It was a man named Sigmund, your highness." Illuga revealed nervously.

"Sigmund?" The King laughed. "He did it himself?"

"I believe so." Illuga stated.

"He's been a thorn in my side since the war. He's a noble of large power, but spends most of his time in the criminal underworld. He manipulates thugs and criminals to do his bidding. It seems he's hell bent on usurping the crown, but has never been able to succeed." The King explained.

"He stole a box from Voldos's manor." Zinkata explained. "We don't know what was inside."
"A box?" The King pondered this. "I don't know either. But if he wants it, then we must get it back."

"Suggestions?" Shrugged Voldos.

"Inflitrate the criminal underworld." Zinkata suggested. "Fine somebody who knows what Sigmund is doing, and discover just what he's up to. Find him, reclaim the box, and stop his plan. Simple."

"You make it sound easy." Illuga sighed.

"Oh, this is just baby steps." Bootus told the black mage. "Sooner or later it'll turn out to be some super villain hell bent on world destruction."

"We're experienced in this kind of thing." Zinkata joked. "But seriously, where are we going to find a criminal contact?"

"You?" Suggested Voldos. "You were a thief."

"Only in Bastok." Zinkata reminded him.

"Elnroth?" Vivli tried.

"Elnroth?" Zinkata seemed almost offended by the suggestion. "You'd trust him? I mean, what kind of a guy robs a young helpless mithra?" Vivli looked at him.

"Urm, you did. Remember?" She said. Zinkata paused.

"That's hardly the point here!" He yelled sarcastically. Even the King sniggered. "Fine. Let's go to the tavern and see if we can't catch Elnorth." The five bowed to the King, and left. The King was left slightly bewildered. Running into the Light Warriors was always an interesting experience.

Zinkata was completely caught off guard. The instant they left the chateau Vivli threw herself onto him, grabbing him and hugging him tightly. She was clearly trying to hold back tears, but couldn't. It quickly became apparent anything she had said back in the chateau had been said while fighting off her own anxiety. Just being separated by a small space for that time and left her distraught. This time, Zinkata was clearly very concerned. It was becoming clear to him that Vivli was getting worse and worse, and he couldn't see an end to it. He knew in their line of adventure they got separated all the time, and he was afraid that if that happened to Vivli, she wouldn't make it. He couldn't picture her surviving any stressful situation alone. He took a deep breath, and made a decision. One he knew she would hate.

"We're heading back to the manor." He stated.

"What? No, I'll be fine." Vivli stammered.

"No you won't." Zinkata said bluntly. Vivli was clearly hurt. "Look, Viv," He began more sympathetically, "I know you want to be involved, but I'm worried about you. At the manor you can build up your ability to face things again. You can be safe. And then when you can help us, you can come with us again. I'll be there with you. I'll stay by your side." Vivli let all her guards down at hearing this, and so burst into tears.
"I've let you all down. I'm so sorry." She sobbed.
"Whoa, Viv, you haven't let us down." Voldos told her. Even Bootus looked sympathetic. Illuga stood awkwardly, not knowing what to say. "Go back to the manor with Zinkata. We can handle one crazy mage. You just stay there where it's safe." Vivli looked very upset, but she had the look of somebody who knew what she was being told was right.

"Fine. I'll go." She sobbed. "But don't you guys going getting into any trouble! I don't want to have to bail you out!"

"We won't Viv." Laughed Voldos. "Come on." The three wondered off towards the tavern. Vivli clung tightly to Zinkata. He sighed.

"Come on, let's head back to the manor." The warrior told her. Vivli looked up, tears glistening in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry Zin." She told him. "I'm so sorry! I wish I could face it! I wish I could!"

"It's okay Vivli." Zinkata said gently. "Really, it is." She smiled warmly at him, and rested her head against his chest. She was tired from all the crying. Her own fear was wearing her down.

Zinkata took her home, and rested her against the couch. She quickly fell to sleep without saying anything else. Zinkata looked down on her tiny form with great pain. It hurt him to see her like this, and he had no idea how he was going to help her through it. He just prayed there would be a way to help her soon. A way to solve her problems. He cared more about it than he did about Sigmund, the box or the plot to overthrow San d'Oria. To him, Vivli was all that was important, and he was surprised by it.