Chapter Nine:
Kie awoke with a start. He had been dreaming about, someone. But who? He had a funny feeling somehow, but he didn't quite know why. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, pushing those thoughts away for the moment.
The sun was already over the eastern horizon, and judging by its place in the sky it was almost noon. He had slept for a very long time. Checking the wind, he was shocked to find that it was still heading northwest; shocked, but grateful.
Carefully he got up and stretched. I doing so he noticed something in the west that made his stomach flip. Land! Straight ahead, Kie spotted shore. That must be the famous Forgotten Continent. He had often heard Zidane speak about his adventures there during his time at the castle, but he never thought he would see it himself.
His heart swelled. That is where Nami is, he was sure of it.
In a flash he had taken a seat in the boat and was speedily rowing his way towards the land. Though his hands stung and burned he continued to row until his tiny craft bumped onto sandy ground. He abandoned it, lifting his pack out of it and onto his back as he made his way up the sandy hill. He had a feeling he wouldn't need the boat again.
As soon as he had passed the white sands of the northwestern shore he looked around him. He seemed to have landed just to the right of peninsula that jutted out a little farther south of him. To his right he saw the land stretch for who knew how long. Straight ahead there were several rises that turned into cliffs that towered over valleys. It seemed like this whole continent was full of high and low levels.
Looking around him Kie also saw no one in sight, let alone any sings that anyone had passed through here. Had he gone the wrong direction? Landed in the wrong area?
"She passed through here sure enough. He's just covered up the signs. He knows you're coming," said a young girl from behind him.
"How did you get here?" Kie asked, twirling around to see that same girl that had given him the boat. She looked nothing like a girl at the moment however. She was solemn and serious, with her hands clamped tightly in her lap. She didn't look like child at all.
"I've always been here," she said without much thought.
"Who are you?" Kie asked glaring at her.
She watched him intently for a second before disregarding the question. She turned her eyes back head of her and said, "I think the question you need to know at the moment is what else do you need to know."
Kie stayed silent and waited for her to tell him what she meant.
"There is a man that lives here, among other things," she began finally. "He has lived her for quite some time, and is just now beginning to put his long awaited plan into action. His name is Amadeus. He is the one that has called the girl here, through magic. She has power, Kie. Power you couldn't even imagine." With a smile she added, "But then again, you aren't too limited yourself." Before Kie could ask her what she meant, she went on.
"Nami is the daughter of two very powerful people. Garnet Til Alexandros XVII, and Zidane Tribal. Both have extraordinary powers, both are from two different worlds. But together they might have very well destroyed us all."
"You mean, Nami's power?" Kie asked.
"Yes. Both their magics were put together in one child of this world. I fear it might be too much for you all to handle."
"Why would it be too much for us to handle? If she doesn't use it what's the problem?"
"The problem is, she is now in the hands of the enemy. Amadeus had a grudge against this world, and he wishes to destroy it. With Nami he may very well accomplish this."
"Does he know how to use Nami's magic?"
"You must have seen the way her eyes went blank in Cleyra. The way she wandered off without telling anyone, not even you, her dearest friend. That was because he called her. He entranced her with his voice, and now she is under his control." Kie opened his mouth to ask his previous question again but the girl cut him off with a harsh tone. "Yes he knows how to use her. He knows exactly how to access the girl's magic with or without her consent. She is completely under his power."
"How do you know all this?"
"I know many things. I also know that you are our only hope."
"Me?" Kie asked.
"Yes you. You alone have the ability to stop him. It is in the fates. If you do not succeed, we all die."
"But what can I do?" Kie asked doubtfully.
The girl fixed her eyes on him. "More than you know." There was a pause before she looked ahead of her yet again and said, "She is in there."
Kie looked ahead also and nearly jumped. Their location had completely changed. They were no longer by the beach, but slightly inland. Before them stood a very old, stone building that resembled a castle of some sort. It looked older though, almost ancient.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"This is Amadeus' dwelling. The Empty Dwelling if you wish. No one but him has stepped foot in it for centuries."
"It feels strange," Kie commented.
"That is because it is old. But not only that, full of magic. Old magic has a way of feeling strange."
"And I must go in there?"
"Yes."
"Help us," Kie said struck with a sudden idea. "Help me."
"Do you think I would not have done so already, had I the ability?" she chided him. "No. I cannot go any further. This is where I must leave you."
"Why are you helping me so much?" Kie asked curiously. "What does this have to do with you?"
The girl smiled. "Another question for another time perhaps." With that she was gone, leaving Kie alone with the strange abode. Though she had answered many questions, Kie felt more confused than ever. How as he supposed to stop someone as seemingly powerful as this Amadeus character? How could he be their 'only hope' as the girl had put it. Fat chance the world had if he was their only hope.
And Nami's in there, he thought when his eyes caught the front doors of the old castle. Kie wondered if she was alright, and if Amadeus was with her right now? He wondered if she was safe.
"Only one way to find out," he said to himself. With that he made his way up the slight hill toward the house, straight for the doors.