Chapter 6

Sabin opened the iron doors of his bedroom, letting Selena sleep comfortably for the night, and went out. "Galahad... why Galahad?" he leaned against the wall. "I'm finally home, and it doesn't feel at all like home...Everything had to happen now..." He brushed his hair out of his eyes out of irritation. "At this rate I'll be chewing my nails too. I wish Dad was back... he'd know what to do."
He didn't feel like standing in one place, so he walked around the castle, checking the guards.

The guards in their light-weight but sturdy uniforms reported that they had lost three upper-tier guardsmen; they weren't responding to their calls. Sabin crossed his arms and thought about the situation. Upper-tier guardsmen rarely shirked off; they were promoted to that level because they didn't. But three at one time... things could change, but he didn't like it.

"Where were they assigned?" he asked.

"The bottom floors, My Liege, and the basement that houses the engine."

Sabin sighed. "All right, let's check it out."

Sabin and the two guards headed for the basement, pushing open the doors to the darkness within. The guards shivered at the sudden cold. "My Lord, it is unusual for the basement to be so cold..." the other guard nodded in agreement. "And so dark..."

Sabin ventured out from the door, his fists up and waiting for anything foolish enough to pick a fight. The guards raised their bows defensively. Sabin felt around for the main power switch, and flicked it. Nothing. He tried again, but there was still no power. "That's odd... Edgar rewired this thing not too long ago... You two stay here, I'll go deeper in for a look." He picked up a stick swathed in a cloth, and lit it with a spark of the Fire Dance Blitz. Holding the burning stick in front of him, he ventured further into the darkness.

Once he was far enough from the guards, he stopped to gather his nerves. This was no big deal, he'd been on a Phantom Train! There were no ghosts to be scared of here... except... he turned quickly, shining light on the dark. Except for the ghosts of his ancestors. He gritted his teeth and trudged on through, keeping himself alert. Unwillingly, he thought of his father, and his mother. "Will their ghosts be in here? No, no of course not... I'm not even close to the Royal Tomb... not even close." He gulped anyway, he was still nervous.

He halted at the sound of a maniacle laughter, one that made his hair stand on end and his hackles rise. There was something else in that laughter, a vicious snarling that made it maddening, and... screams... He held his torch higher and ran towards the sound, his mind screaming to run in the other direction.
He thrust open the door right past the engine room, the treasure room, and was met by a truly horrific sight that would have made him turn his eyes, had it not been for the enemy in sight.
He had found the three guards, or rather, what was left of their hideously mangled bodies. Blood was spattered all over the room, on the suits of armor, and the treasure vaults. He could not recognize the three unfortunates, they had been so carelessly ripped apart. And then, there was, the thing.
Twice as tall as Sabin, he stared into the deep, mad eyes. Blood dripped from its jaw, from its six inch claws. Sabin stepped back holding the torch in front of him for protection as the creature advanced on him. It had enourmous horns protruding from under its thick brown hair, wicked canines designed for ripping and tearing, heavily muscled but very agile legs, and clawed clubs for arms.

It let loose a terrible scream. "E-e-e-e-e-enri-i-i-i-i-i-i! Help me-e-e-e-e!" It reached for Sabin, dark blood dripping. Sabin stepped back and fell on his backside, staring open-mouthed at the thing. "Help me-e-e-e-e-e-e!" It reached for him still, and Sabin scooted back against a wall, there was nowhere to run.
It plowed on towards him, terrible intent in its eyes. "Look what they did! To, me! Enri-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i! I ki-i-i-i-ll them! Ki-i-i-i-i-i-i-ill! Enri-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i!"

Sabin worked his mouth silently, wanting to scream. It suddenly reared back, clutching its head. "Enri-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i! Save me-e-e-e-e! Help me-e-e-e-e!" The voice sounded familiar but he couldn't place it. He could only stare, paralyzed, as it barrelled out of the room, leaving its terrible carnage behind.

It was gone for a full fifteen minutes before he had gathered his wits enough to support himself to his feet.

The slaughter had painted the walls a gaudy crimson color, and it would take a long time to erase it, but it would never be erased from his mind. He lost his balance and fell against the bloody wall, and recoiled as it sank in. The suit of armor in the middle of the room that had not been damaged by the creature moved to reveal a platform in the ground.

Sabin, not thinking of any particular consequences, stepped on it wearily and closed his eyes as it went down. He could hear voices... voices...

Today I have established our new desert nation, Figaro, and I, Galadra Figaro, will be the first king to rule this prosperous nation...

The queen Sera, and I, King Chrono Figaro, will be embarking on the ship Dark Storm tonight with our children, Tetro, age eighteen, little Sera, age twelve, my blind son, Rasonar, age six, and a little one on the way. Sera and I have decided to name the son, Enri, when he is born, which I hope to be soon. If the Fates are with us, our negotiation with the Empire will go smoothly...

It's been so many years since my father died, I never knew him that well. I, Enri Figaro, son of Chrono, am Figaro's current king, and I intend to lead this kingdom to greatness, and establish it a seperate nation from the Empire. Twin boys will be born to my wife Sabil and I, very soon, we'll name the children...

Sabin shut out the voices, he didn't want to hear any more, he just wanted to get to the bottom, to wherever this elevator led.