Split Ends

Introduction: Ha! Geez it's been a while since I last updated eh? Sorry about that, school's been murder for the past week or so. Chapters will be churning out a lot slower than usual this month and possibly next, but I'm going to wrap the story up in a few chapters anyway. Hehehe, by the way as Llednar's character gets a bit more fleshed out as the story progresses, keep your eye on Ujuidar, he's going to prove very critical to the story.

Italics- thoughts, memories, etc Bold- important stuff, actions

X

*****

A bloodied sword landed at Llednar's feet. Its contact with the marble rang out as if announcing itself. "I'm going to kill you for that Llednar…"

  Ujuidar stormed in after his sword, holding his bloodied hand, which was now swollen and purple in color. Drifting after him weakly came Ztir, her eyes slightly clouded. She collapsed onto one of the ruby red couches, hiccupping. Llednar stepped back from the window, turning to Ujuidar with a grin. "Why is that?"

   "You told me slaughtering them would be simple," Ujuidar growled. "I just had to go in, case Marche in, and slay him."

  "That should've been a piece of cake," Llednar was clearly enjoying his rage. "For a soldier of your stature."

   "Damn you!" Ujuidar spat. "They maimed Ztir once, and now that damn boy made her cry in feigning death!" He grabbed Llednar's shirt collar in his free hand and lifted the blond boy several inches off the ground. "I will not tolerate such actions toward Ztir!"

   "You are blinded," Llednar said gently. "Do you truly care for her that way? If so, why are you still with me?"

    Ujuidar put him down, fuming. "Because, my lord, I am your creation, I must obey you."

   "Ah…" Llednar stepped away. "But you are also supposed to be unfeeling. It is amusing that you would rebel against me for her safety. Is that not correct Ujuidar?"

  Ztir stood. Llednar, we brought you the blood. We have our final ingredient regardless of whether or not the boy is dead.

  Ujuidar turned away from Llednar, thoroughly peeved. Llednar walked over and picked up the bloody sword. He examined it closely. "Well done Ujuidar. Is the boy dead?"
   "After a blow through the back?" Ujuidar spat venomously. "What do you think?"
 "Very well," Llednar said, snapping his fingers. The black mage arrived, and Llednar promptly handed him the sword. "Take this to the cauldron, mix the blood in well. Consult the book for reference."

   The mage nodded and trotted from the room. Ujuidar was still fuming. "I forbid you to send her back there. I will go in her stead."

   I concur!! Ztir's eyes narrowed. She walked briskly to him. Ujuidar stared coldly at her. "I do not want to see you get hurt!"

   Who says I will?! And you, with your bloodied hand! You have no right to tell me what to do!!

  He bit his tongue. "You dare defy me?!" He raised his hand as if to strike her. She did not waver and stood still, staring defiantly at him. Llednar watched in amusement before stepping in. "Although this argument is positively adorable…" he laughed haughtily as Ujuidar shot his a nasty look. "I must break you two love birds up."

    The two turned their backs on each other. "I'm only concerned for your safety… as I am for Llednar's…" Ujuidar said firmly.

   I understand that… Ztir stormed over to the door and tore it open. She turned and glared at Ujuidar. But I am NOT a prize to be won!

 She slammed the door so hard it shook the palace. Llednar grinned. "Touchy."

*****

    Ritz clung to Marche as they fell, waiting for the moment they'd hit rock bottom. Colors swirled around her, dancing madly before her eyes before she had to shut them in fear of going blind. Blood was splattered all over her dress, Marche's face embedded in her chest. Her hands clung to him, keeping him in position so she wouldn't lose him.

  Soon she got over the fear of falling. They had been falling for a while, and it sometimes seemed like they were falling up and not down. This is crazy…

  Suddenly the abyss around her turned black; they were getting closer now. She glanced below her to see a growing figure of a bedroom as their speed accelerated. She shut her eyes tight and prepared for impact.

   Next thing she knew her feet had alighted on a cool wooden floor. Her eyes flickered open as her clothing settled. It was as if she had been set down like a doll after being toyed with. Everything was so still.

  She looked around in surprise. Marche was still in her arms, and his weight was slightly pulling her down. She lugged him across the room, taking in her surroundings. I've been dropped in someone's bedroom…

  She glanced around; there was a bookshelf in the corner by the window, where a few books had been carelessly jumbled together. Right next to it was a desk with a small lamp, still turned on oddly enough. In front of the desk was a small chair, and right under it a great blue rug with a yellow stripe for a border. Next to the desk was a bed with blue bed sheets and comforter, and on the other side of the bed was a bedside table with a small, plump lamp on it.

   She looked the room over again it seemed strangely familiar. Then she spotted something on the bed, a small brown, slightly battered stuffed bear. She looked at it strangely, stepping closer. Her foot bumped into something soft and looking down she found it was a first aid kit, lying half open next to a futon that had a little blood on it.

   Ritz gasped. I'm in Mewt's room.

 Gently she laid Marche onto the futon, checking his pulse. Still breathing, thank god…

  She sighed, drawing herself up on the bed to touch the small bear. She remembered how the three class bullies had teased him so much he never wanted to return home from Ivalice. Ritz smiled. Marche never gave up on us… he tried his very best to convince us to come home, even when we were so sure we'd never want to leave…

  How very wrong we were… She turned to where Marche lay, his back still bleeding. Swiftly she picked up the first aid kit and set to work on healing him. She had found out very quickly that she could not use Earth Heal back in the real world, nor did she have a phoenix down. That must be why Ujuidar threw us here, so Marche would have a lower chance of survival…

  Very soon she found that although his wounds were patched, he had lost a great deal of blood. After washing her hands in the empty house's bathroom she checked his pulse, which to her horror was fading.

   She pressed one ear to his chest and listened for a clearer heartbeat. He's fading… he can't…!

   She found a cup and tried to get him to drink water, eat, anything that might help him revive. He stubbornly wouldn't open his mouth, and when she did manage to pry it open the water merely dribbled off the corners of his mouth. "Geez! Marche please eat, drink… anything!"

   Her voice rang out in the empty house and she realized at once she was completely alone with a dying friend. She knew very well that she should not move Marche anymore for fear of using up more blood. She sprinted to the phone and tried to call an ambulance, but the phone was dead.

  Ritz raced back up to Marche's side, frightened and upset. There was nothing she could do, it would take way too long just to get to the hospital and by that time Marche would've long expired. Tears started to flow again, much faster than before.

   Frantically she tried his pulse again, which was now faint. No… Marche…please no…

  Ritz racked her brain for other options. She was pacing the room until finally it occurred to her. CPR.

   If she could breathe more life into him, it could buy her time to find help or just at least keep him alive. Without a second thought she opened his mouth and breathed into him slowly. She checked his heartbeat. Nothing.

   Come on Marche, you have to breathe… She tried again. Still nothing.

 Hope drained from her heart and mind as she tried a third time. She sat on the side of the futon and waited. Her shoulders lowered. Nothing was happening.

    She didn't even know if she had done the CPR correctly in the first place. She prayed she had done it correctly, that half listening to Mr. Leslaie had done something. She waited a few more minutes, until finally hope left her.

   Ritz cried out, thrusting her fist at the wood paneling. Tears flowed down her cheeks, dripping on the paneling. She didn't care. She had been pounding the floor for a few minutes making quite a dent in the floor. She didn't care.

   Please… don't die on me…

Ritz curled up by the bed and cried. She cried for Mewt, who was held up in Llednar's castle. She cried for Doned, and Shara, and for everyone else. She cried for Babus, who had died a painful death. She cried for all the times she'd dyed her hair and mistook her mother's look of remorse for being inadequate. Most of all however, she cried for Marche.

  Her tears had run dry, but she was still crying. But something odd started happening. A blue mist suddenly overtook the room, and Ritz immediately ducked down toward Marche. She glanced up to see a misty form a Babus standing before her, smiling gently in the haze. "Babus…?"
  "Please don't cry anymore young miss…" Babus said, his voice having a slight echo to it. "The copy of the book is in good hands… your friends are fighting to find you as we speak, and the two enemies have vanished to the palace."

  "Babus! Babus how can we get out of here?!" Ritz cried desperately. "I have to find help! Marche is dying!"

  Babus nodded and stepped over to Marche. He put his two paws together. "I feel my service is needed… one last time…"

   Ritz's eyes widened. "Babus…"

"Please… thank Marche for saving Mewt for me…" A single, glistening tear slid down Babus's misty face. "Thank him for helping… and bring the bear to the palace, she will come."

   "I will…" Ritz smiled gently. Babus nodded and cast his spell. "Sacrifice!"

  Ritz watched in amazement as Babus's form disintegrated and flew up into the spell. The spell hovered over Marche and gently descended into his body. Ritz felt Marche's body shudder, and the mist disappeared. Her lower lip trembled. Goodbye Babus… thank you…

  Slowly Marche's features gained color and warmth. Next he started breathing, and finally he slowly opened his eyes. He looked around wearily, as if just awakening from a deep sleep. He spotted Ritz, and touched her cheek. "Ritz…"

   Ritz's heart lifted, and as he sat up she fell into his arms, crying happily. "You're alive!"

  Marche smiled. "I saw Babus… Ritz… did he…?"

"Yes," Ritz hung her head. "He sacrificed his spirit… all for you…"

   Marche sat there, staring at the door and playing gently with Ritz's hair. She could feel his breath grow slightly rougher, and glanced up at him. "Marche…?"

  He was crying. "Babus… I didn't mean for this to happen…"

  "Marche," Ritz touched his face. "Marche, it's all right. Babus gave you a gift, a gift of life. We must fulfill his wishes and bring Mewt and St. Ivalice back, safe and sound."

  "I know…" Marche said shakily. "But still… it hurts… he always thought of someone other than himself… he was a truer friend to Mewt than I was…" He wiped his tears, which quickly came back. "I'm not a very good friend…"

  "That's not true!" she blurted out before she gave it a second thought. "You're a great friend Marche! You're always trying to do what's best, you don't want to see anyone get hurt!"

  He stared at her sadly and stood. He walked over to the window and stared out into snowy St. Ivalice. "You're just saying that."

"No I'm not!" she said, a little agitated. "You were the one who understood how bad things would get if we stayed. You were the only one who defied your feelings for this place and knew we had to come home. You tried to bring all of us back! And… you never gave up, not on Mewt… not on me…"

   She hugged him. "You're the best friend I've ever had Marche. Mewt would agree. You're strong." He continued to stare outside as she continued. "That's why Babus led you to Mewt last time, he knew you were the only one who would be able to help. You and him were the best friends Mewt could ask for…" She sighed and released him. "I'm the one who hasn't been there for you guys… if anything I wasn't a good friend."

  He turned and embraced her. "No… you're a good friend… you were just doing what you thought was right too."

   Her arms slid around his waist. They held each other for a moment, realizing how comfortable they felt in each other's arms. Marche buried his face in her snow-white hair and kissed the top of her head.

   This surprised Ritz. She looked up at him just to make sure what he just did was not her imagination. "Marche…?"

  A weird feeling over took him as he leaned in closer. "You were just like me in Ivalice… doing what you thought was right…" he whispered gently. Ritz blinked in surprise; he was much too close.

  He knew that they should find a way to get out of here, but for some reason he valued this time alone with her. He cocked his head slightly, wondering for a brief moment what he planned to do this close to her. But his mind wouldn't allow second thoughts, and next thing he knew, his lips were connected to hers.

   Ritz stood there, allowing him to kiss her. She was very confused, which was unusual for her. Usually she always knew what was right and what was wrong, how she should act, and to disregard those who gave her wide berth. But this, this was unexpected. She had no idea what to do. What was surprising her more was that her eyes were closed and she seemed to be kissing him back.

   Something sparked Marche back to his senses, and he realized how awkward this must be for Ritz. He was released her, watching her in surprise. She had a look that mirrored his own, and he prepared for the worst.

   Ritz gulped and took a step back. She tried to smile, but it only came up weakly. "W-well…" she said shakily. "That was unexpected…"

  The two turned away from each other, afraid of what had just happened. Both blushing furiously and slightly shaking, they stood in silence facing opposite walls. It was a long, awkward silence that both wanted to break but neither knew how.

  Ritz finally found her voice. "Babus mentioned that we have to bring Mewt's bear… something about 'she will come'. Do you know what that means?"

  "No," Marche said quietly, not trusting his own voice. "But we have to find a way out of here…"

   Ritz took a step forward in her direction and looked around. "Well, each place in St. Ivalice has a counterpart in Ivalice…" She thought a moment. "When the world changed into Ivalice, I was in the palace… and Mewt landed in jail… and you-

  "I was in Cyril…" Marche nodded. "So that means that my house is parallel to Cyril, yours is probably Ambervale considering how far your house is compared to ours, and that Mewt's is the palace."

  "So in illusion," Ritz said, picking up the bear. "We're in the palace."

"Exactly…" Marche sighed. "Now we just have to find a seam…"

    As if on cue the familiar black warp appeared. Ritz grabbed Marche's arm, alarmed. "What's happening?!"

   "For some reason I can find seams easily," Marche said. "How did we get here anyway?"

  "Ujuidar tore open some portal and threw us in here," Ritz said. "If you can find seams… maybe your counterpart can make them!"

  "He never closed the seam," Marche wondered out loud as the warping grew. "I wonder why…"

  "Um… Marche?" Ritz's grip tightened on his arm. He shielded her as the warp blasted out, transporting them somewhere else. "Hang on!"

****

 Montblanc felt the rough cobblestone, frantic. Ujuidar and Ztir had picked up and left with the black mage the moment Ritz and Marche disappeared, Ujuidar promising them a death sentence if they so much as touched the palace doors. Shara stood behind Monblanc, watching her panicked friend in concern. "They're gone Montblanc."

   "No… that can't be… they were just here!" Montblanc cried shakily. "And Marche…"

 "Damn it all!" There was a hard clang behind them as Colin threw his sword at the earth, enraged. "Why?!"

  Lyle sunk to his knees, his eyes slightly clouded. "They're gone…"

 Guiness stood with Nono, watching half his friends take out their anger, their panic, and their remorse. He sighed. "Well at least we don't have those two loons breathing down our necks…"

   Nono tugged at his distressed brother's shirt. "Brother, do not worry kupo. We'll find them. I'm sure Marche is in good hands with Ritz."

   Montblanc sighed and put his head in his arms on the ground. "They could be anywhere… that was a seam."

   Lyle sighed and stared up at the sky. "I think the best we can do for now is get to the Palace."

  Montblanc stared at him. "Are you kupo?! We have to find them! What if they're hurt… or worse?!"

  "Calm down little dude," Guiness said, patting the moogle's head. "Lyle's right. We'd waste time looking for them if they're probably already on their way to the palace. And time is something we haven't got right now."

   Miss. Radiuju stood in silence a few feet away from them, staring blankly at the spot where Marche and Ritz had just been. Colin looked over at her and walked over to her. "Hey… are you all right?"

    She sunk to her knees, still staring straight ahead. Her mouth opened as if to speak, but then it automatically shut. Colin sighed. "Listen, if we go to the palace Marche might be there, he's probably trying to get there anyway. Let's just go there and if they don't show we'll find them."

   She was still silent as a mouse.

 "Miss. Radiuju?" Lyle stepped forward, but Shara beckoned both boys away from her. "What?"

    Shara nodded over to the distressed mother. "She is in pain, for she just witnessed her son's death."

  "But he's not dead!" Montblanc bellowed. "He was only severely injured!"

  "Only?!" cried Lyle. "Not many humans can survive a sword through the chest!"

"That can be reversed here!!" growled Montblanc. "But I doubt it can be in your wo-

   It just occurred to Montblanc where the seam might have sent them. "Oh my god!"
  "Our world is not called 'oh my god'," Lyle said pointedly. "It's called St. Ivalice."

 "I know that!" Montblanc cried. "But Ujuidar probably sent Marche and Ritz through a seam to St. Ivalice!"

   Colin blinked. "Why would he do that? Isn't their point to keep us from going home?"

 "No, listen," Montblanc said hurriedly. "Ujuidar probably sent them to St. Ivalice because then Marche would have little chance of survival!"

  "What?!" Lyle cried. "That bastard!"

  "Well there go our chances of finding them at the palace…" Colin pulled off his hat and held it to his chest. "Poor Marche…"

 Miss. Radiuju stood slowly. "He's alive."

   Shara nodded. "Indeed, I do not hear him walking in the spirit world."

"You can hear people in the spirit world?" Nono said brightly. "That's so kupo! Say hello to my father for me will you?"

  "How do you know if he's alive?" Colin said to Marche's mother, who was still very pale. She smiled serenely, "A mother always knows…"

  "Is Doned alive then?" said Montblanc. Miss. Radiuju nodded.

 Shara piped in. "They're alive all right."  Shara directed her attention to the West. "And they're heading to the palace right now…"

   "What're we sitting around here for?" Montblanc cried happily. "Let's go! We have the book, so maybe it can help us find them! To the palace!"

  "To rescue Mewt!" Lyle declared. Guiness poked him. "If he needs rescuing. He's no damsel."

  "Whatever, he looked like one with those weird cones on his head last time we were here," Lyle retorted.

  "Come on you two!!" Montblanc growled, motioning for them to come as the rest ran ahead of him. Guiness beamed and took off, dragging Lyle with him.

    Behind one of the distorted pillars, Ztir stood very still, listening to their conversation. A smile curled upon her lips, her cold eyes glittering. So… they're walking straight into our little trap…

******

    One minute the two of them were in each other's arms, spiraling through a seam in the fabrics of an illusion, and the next minute Marche found he was lying on something soft and lumpy. He opened his eyes and glanced around; he was in the palace waiting room, the same place he had been last time when the guards figured out who he was.

   Something moved under him that made his jump. He flipped over onto his stomach, immediately grabbing whatever was under him. He ended up with two human wrists, his face inches from another. "Ritz!"
  "Ugh…" Ritz moaned. "What a way to land…" She was lying on the marble floor with him on top of her. She looked up at him and blinked. "Oh… only you…"

   The two stared at each other for a moment, blushes creeping onto their faces. Marche pounced off her, and Ritz drew herself away from him. They sat apart on the floor, trying very hard to mask their sudden burst of emotion.

    Marche stood, not meeting Ritz's eyes as he scanned the room. "The next room is the throne room…" There was a pit in his stomach; his last trip to the palace had been a dangerous one, considering Llednar had been trying with all his power to kill him. He shuddered at the thought of being under the brunt of Omega again.

   Ritz wandered over to the door, her fingers curling around the solid gold doorknocker. The bear was still held in one hand, hanging gently from her fingers. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open, peering around the door into the throne. She glanced around and motioned for him to follow.

   Stepping into the throne room, Marche found that it was exactly the same as last time, minus the huge dents Omega had bored in the walls. The wide room was huge, much too big to be just for one small person.

   "So, you've finally made it here."

The two jumped in surprise and looked down the sprawling throne room. Sitting on the throne about a yard away was a black mage.

   "Marche…" Ritz clung to his arm. "Who is that?"

 The black mage was sitting in the chair horizontally, his feet dangling over the side and his hat tipped forward. He flipped right side up and adjusted his hat. "Ah, excuse me. I've forgotten my manners. Welcome."

   Marche walked a few steps forward to get a closer look at who was sitting in the throne. "Ritz… is that Mewt…?"

   Ritz squinted. "No…"

   The boy stood slowly and walked toward them. Marche could now clearly see that the boy was not a black mage at all; he was a mageknight. "Who are you? Where's Mewt?"

  "Mewt?" the boy's voice was oddly familiar. "Mewt's safely tucked away, I assure you. My big brother is dealing with him right now."

   "Your brother?" Ritz said, squinting.

 "Yes," the boy said, standing a few feet away. He pulled off his hat, smiling. His eyes glittered maliciously. His eyes were a brilliant blue, his hair a crisp reddish brown. It was cut short, a little too short. "But I'm curious… what is it you plan to do now that you're here?"

   Mom cut his hair too short on one side in the back… so she cut off the rest…except in the front, so his bangs could be seen… The thought swam in Marche's head. But he hated that hair cut and demanded we go to a barber… He stared at the shorter boy and gasped. "Doned?!"

**To Be Continued**