Chapter 45: Mount Gulug

As we entered Esto Gaza, Vivi tripped. I helped him back up to his feet, but the noise attracted the attention of a man. He looked at us with slight dislike. "What do you beggars want? You are in a holy place. Keep the noise down." He looked at Vivi "hmph! Just like the other pointy-hats. No manners at all."

I was irritated. I've only just met this guy, and already I can't stand him. I decided that it would be better not to speak. It wouldn't do me any good to argue with him.

Zidane spoke. "Hey, mister, what did you just say? Have you seen some guys that look like my friend here?" he asked, motioning to Vivi.

The guy looked offended. "How dare you address me so! I am the priest of Esto Gaza, the holy place in which you stand. Mind your tongue, child. Are you in league with that brazen crew?"

'You may say your holy, but that is no excuse for being stuck up' I thought.

Zidane spoke. "Tell me where they went! Was there a little girl with them? My friend's life is in danger! Tell me what you know, now!"

The bishop looked annoyed. "All life is equal. The living will return to the stars. Through the Path of Souls of the Shimmering Island."

This confused Zidane. "What are you talking about? Didn't the black mages have a girl with them?"

The bishop spoke. "I just watched them. Besides, they didn't do anything wrong." He told us what happened.

"They barged in, hundreds of them! So, that was the dreaded black mage army... They headed straight for Mount Gulug without even looking at me."

Zidane looked curious. "Mount Gulug?"

The bishop nodded. "An enormous volcano that went extinct in the days of old. Legend has it that a race of great moles once lived within the caverns. But that was very long ago. No mortal has entered those depths ever since the entrance was mysteriously sealed. They passed through here and went straight to Mount Gulug."

Zidane spoke. "And? What about the girl?"

He nodded "Oh, yes. One of the black mages carried a little girl, too."

Vivi looked at Zidane. "That's gotta be Eiko!"

Zidane nodded. "Well, now we know! We gotta get to Mount Gulug!"

Vivi spoke. "I'm going, too! I wanna save Eiko. I think everyone will understand."

Zidane nodded. "Yeah. They can't let Kuja control them forever!"

I spoke. "I'm going, too."

Zidane nodded. "Alright. Dagger, you wanna come, too." She nodded.

I turned to Zidane. "Let's shop before we go into the mountain."

Zidane nodded. "Good idea." We went to the store in Esto Gaza.

At the store, we bought as much as we could afford; which was quite a bit. The best thing we bought though was an 'Octagon Rod' for Vivi. I also bought an item that I hadn't noticed or heard of in the game; a 'Gale Armlet.' I put the armlet on, and felt the words of two spells enter my mind. I smiled When I realized what spells were I must have learned; Aerga and Thundaga. I also bought what was called a 'Tide Armlet.' I put it on and heard the words to two more new spells enter my mind. The spells were Watera and Waterga. After buying our supplies, we went to Mount Gulug.

When we got inside the mountain, I looked down to try and see the bottom. I knew Eiko was down there somewhere. We had to hurry. We decided that four of us should go, and Zidane chose Vivi, Dagger, and myself. While we walked, I felt something large fly above us. I looked up, but saw nothing. I knew that it wasn't my imagination. I knew we had to tread carefully.

Eventually, we reached a well. Zidane started to turn the handle. We waited, but the barrel wasn't going down. Finally, after all of us turned it at once, the barrel descended down the well. We grabbed onto the rope, and climbed down to the lower levels. As soon as we reached the bottom of the well, we saw that we were trapped. That was until two Red Dragons broke through the wall. We readied our weapons, and prepared to fight.

Since we were in an enclosed space, the dragons couldn't fly. Also, with there large size, they had quite a disadvantage. I wondered if these two were the stupid ones of the flock.

I turned to Vivi. "Hey Vivi, wanna try another combo spell?" Vivi nodded, and I told him what to do. "You ready?" He nodded. I smiled, and cast a Water spell on the first Red Dragon.

The Red Dragon was now submerged in a large orb of water. While he was trapped in my Water spell, Vivi cast a Thundaga spell on the dragon. The water conducted the electricity, and it electrocuted the Red Dragon. After a few seconds, my spell dispersed, leaving behind the Red Dragon's charred, twitching carcass. I knew that it wasn't going to get up.

I turned to see how Zidane and Dagger where doing. I frowned at what I saw. Zidane was engaging the Dragon, and Dagger was trying to offer support. Something was distracting her, and keeping her from helping Zidane, and it was Zidane who was paying the price.

After a few seconds, Zidane was backed into a corner. The dragon reared up, and prepared to strike Zidane. Vivi and I both cast a spell at the Dragon. Vivi cast a Blizzaga spell, and I cast an Aerga spell. Both our spells hit the dragon, and it turned its attention on us.

It opened its mouth, and unleashed an Aerial Slash attack at us. Vivi and I both jumped into the air, and managed to avoid its attack. While in the air, I executed a "Ryu Tsui Sen Zan," and aimed for the Dragon's head. Before my attack hit, the dragon pulled its head back. I hit the ground instead, and quickly rolled away before it could attack me, but the dragon never attacked me.

I looked up, and saw that Zidane had plunged his 'Angel Bliss' into the dragons back. That's why it pulled its head back. I quickly executed a "Ryu Sho Sen," and targeted the Dragon's exposed neck. I successfully decapitated the dragon. Its headless body slumped to the floor, dead.

Zidane took his 'Angel Bliss' out of the Dragon's back, and hopped off the dragon. He smiled at me. "Michael, Vivi, thanks for the save."

I nodded. "Hey, no problem."

Dagger walked up to Zidane. She looked apologetic. Zidane turned to her. "Its okay, Dagger. You did all that you could." She still looked ashamed.

I turned to look at the hole those dragons made in the wall. I noticed a path. I turned to Zidane. "Hey, Zidane. Those Dragons opened a path for us." Zidane turned to see what I was talking about.

Once he saw it, he smiled. "Alright guys, let's go." We all nodded, and walked down the newly opened path.

As we walked on, Vivi looked over the edge. His eyes opened wide. He turned to us. "Guys, its Eiko! Kuja and the Black Mages are there, too!" We looked down, and saw Eiko, Zorn, Thorn, Kuja, and some Black Mages. Zorn and Thorn were performing some kind of ritual.

Zidane spoke. "That must be the extraction spell!" Dagger looked alarmed, and tried to run off to save her by herself. Zidane stopped her. "Wait, Dagger!" Dagger turned to him. Her face was a mix of concern, sorrow, and anger. Zidane spoke "I know. We know how you feel."

I spoke. "Zidane, if we don't get down their soon, I'm pretty sure that the extraction spell will kill her."

This alarmed Vivi. "I won't let him do this!" He ran off down the pathway. I quickly followed him. I sensed that Zidane and Dagger were following us as well.

We got to the bottom of the stairs, and were about to enter the room, when there was a blinding flash of light. The light was too bright. I quickly shielded my eyes. When the light dimmed, I saw Eiko standing in the room, the bodies of Zorn and Thorn at her feet. We rushed into the room.

Vivi ran up to Eiko. "Eiko, are you okay?"

She turned to him, and nodded. "I'm alright. Mog saved me... I never knew that Mog was an Eidolon. She always looked after me... disguised as a Moogle. Even though... even though she was weak... She fought her best to protect me." She looked really down.

I spoke. "So that's what that flash was." She nodded.

That's when Mog's ribbon fell into her hands. Eiko looked at it in surprise. "Mog's ribbon…Mog…"

Vivi put his hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Eiko. A part of Mog will always be with you."

She turned to him. "You're right. Thanks, Vivi." That's when she embraced him. Vivi looked surprise. I couldn't help, but smile. I looked at Zidane, and saw that he was smiling, too.

This scene was soon ruined. "How can that-" I looked up, and narrowed my eyes; it was Kuja.

'You really know how to ruin a moment, don't you?' I thought.

"That Moogle went into a Trance?" he said. Zidane and the rest of us got our weapons out.

Kuja saw us, but he wasn't too concerned about us. He continued to speak. "So...an eruption of anger against one's surroundings induces a complete Trance! It's not the will to live, nor is it the desire to protect another!"

I spoke. "I hardly think Mog protected Eiko out of anger."

He obviously wasn't listening to me. "That means...I simply need a powerful soul, even if that soul is not my own! No, wait..." that's when a look of realization crossed his face. "And it can be found there!" He began to laugh.

Zidane spoke. "Kuja! What are you plotting?"

Kuja turned to us. "I'm done with you."

Vivi looked angry. "W-wait a minute!" Vivi ran at Kuja, but was repelled by a force field that formed in front of the two jester's bodies.

I spoke. "Vivi, you can't face him on your own."

Kuja spoke. "Don't worry, I hear these twins put on quite a good show. Of

course, they're really not twins at all." Kuja walked out of the room.

Vivi spoke. "Wait! What about the Black Mages?" Vivi ran off after Kuja.

I tried to stop him, but Zorn and Thorn's bodies were starting to move. Slowly, they got back up, and began to merge into one. There one body began to grow to giant proportions. When it was over, the two jesters were now one large, inside-out, two-headed monstrosity. They had become Meltigemini. I unsheathed my normal sword, and sensed that the others had done the same.

I knew I had to end this fight, and fast, before it could unleash its Viral Smoke attack. I quickly looked for a good target. My eyes settled on the blue gem in its chest. Since Zorn and Thorn were now a monster, I could kill them. Merging into one was, in my opinion, the last mistake they would ever make.

I jumped into the air, executed a "Kuzu Ryu Sen," and hit eight areas around his chest. On the ninth hit, I plunged my sword into the gem on its chest. It screamed in pain, and fell to the ground. I didn't remove my sword till it stopped breathing.

After I was sure that it was dead, I pulled my sword out of its chest, cleaned it off, sheathed it, and hopped of its body. I looked at the others. Zidane spoke "wow, Michael. You made short work of that thing."

I nodded. "Yeah, I just wanted to end the fight as fast as I could." Our conversation stopped when Vivi entered the room along with two other Black Mages. I saw that he had a depressed look on his face.

Zidane turned to him. "Vivi, where's Kuja? Did he get away?" that's when he noticed Vivi's depressed look. Zidane looked concerned "Vivi?"

Vivi spoke; his voice was filled with sorrow. "Everyone knew he was lying...but they still followed him. He said that our life spans can't be extended, and that we were fools for believing him."

Zidane looked shocked. "What! Kuja said that?"

I narrowed my eyes. 'Damn you, Kuja' I thought.

One of the Black Mages behind Vivi spoke. "I-I'm so sorry...for all I've done..."

Zidane spoke. "You guys don't have to apologize." He turned to Vivi. "Where are the others?"

He pointed behind himself. "They were so shocked to hear it; they're all sitting down over there." He looked indecisive. "Michael, Zidane! What am I supposed to tell them?" I felt so bad for Vivi.

The Mages behind him left. Vivi turned to leave as well. Zidane stopped him. "Hey, Vivi, where're you going?"

He turned to look at him. "All I can do...is just sit with them." His voice was covered in hopelessness. He walked off.

I walked off after him. Zidane stopped me as well. "Michael, where're you going?"

I turned to him. "I'm gonna go and sit with my brother. If I can offer him even a little comfort, I will." I turned from him, and walked off after Vivi.

I walked into the room, and noticed all the Black Mages that Kuja had deceived were sitting around the room, brooding. The sight depressed me. I could feel the hopelessness in the room. I walked among the mages, and found Vivi. He wasn't too hard to spot, besides, I could feel him.

I walked over to him, and sat down next to him. He looked up at me "What are you doing here?"

I smiled sadly. "What? I can't be with my brother?"

He looked away from me. "Why are you here?"

I spoke. "Because I want to be here. I want to help you."

He shook his head. "You can't help us."

I put my hand on his shoulder. "I can try."

He turned and looked at me. I could see the sorrow in his eyes. I knew that even though he knew Kuja was lying about being able to extend the Black Mages life spans; he probably couldn't help but hope that it was in some way true. Now, those hopes were shattered. I couldn't help it, I embraced him. He accepted my embrace and returned it.

We sat there holding each other for a few seconds. Finally, I spoke "Vivi, I want you to promise me something."

He looked up at me. "What is it?"

I smiled. "I want you to promise that you'll always be there for me."

Vivi nodded. "Sure, I promise, and will you always be there for me?"

I nodded. "Yes, Vivi, I will. I promise." This lifted his spirits, and he buried his head in my chest again. I smiled and held him closer.

After a few seconds, I spoke. "Hey, Vivi, you want me to sing?"

He looked up at me, and nodded. "Yeah, that'd be great." I smiled, and began to sing.

"Maaaaaay iiiiiiiiit beeeee an evening staaaaaaar shines doooooown upooooon yooooooooou. Maaaay iiiiit beeeee when darknesssss faaaaaaaalls youuuuuur heaaaaaaart will beeeee truuuuuuuue. Yooooou waaaalk a loooonleeeeey roooooad. Oh, how faaaaaaar you arrrrrrre frooooom hoooooooome."

Mooooooooooornieeeeeeeeeee utuuuuuuulieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Belieeeeeeeve and you willlllllll fiiiiiiiind youuuuuuuuur waaaaaaaay. Moooooornieeeeeeeeeee alantieeeeeeeeeeeee. A proooooooomise liiiiiiiiives withiiiiiiiiiiin yooooooou nooooooow.

Maaaaay iiiiit beeeee the shaaadoooows caaaaaaaall will flyyyyyyyyyyy awaaaaaaaay. Maaaay iiiit beeee yooooou jouuuurny ooooooooon toooo liiiiiiiiight the daaaaay. When the niiiiiight is ooooveeeeercooooome you may riiiiiiise toooo fiiiiind the suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun.

Mooooooooooornieeeeeeeeeee utulieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Belieeeeeeeve and you willlllllll fiiiiiiiind youuuuuuuuur waaaaaaaay. Moooooornieeeeeeeeeee alantieeeeeeeeeeeee. AAAAAAA proooooooomise liiiiiiiiives withiiiiiiiiiiin yooooooou nooooooooooooooooooow." I stopped singing.

I looked at Vivi. He seemed a lot better. I smiled. "Remember,Vivi, a promise lives within you now." He smiled, and let go of me.

He spoke "I will, if you remember that a promise lives within you, too."

I smiled, and nodded. "I will remember, Vivi, I will."

That's when I noticed that all the Black Mages in the room were looking at us. One of them spoke. "Wow. That was a great song." I smiled at the praise.

Another mage spoke. "You two are brothers?" I nodded. That was when Vivi and I were bombarded with many other questions. By the time we answered all of them, Zidane entered the room.

He spoke. "Guys, we gotta go back to Lindblum! We found Cid's wife!"

I yelled from across the room, "Okay, we'll be there!" Vivi and I quickly arranged all the mages into nice neat rows.

After that we marched out of the room, joined up with Zidane and the others, marched out of Mount Gulug, Marched to Esto Gaza, met up with the rest of the group who were waiting for us there, marched out of Esto Gaza, and marched back to the Blue Narciss.

When we boarded the ship, Vivi and I decided to play some chess. The other Black Mages watched us play, and a few of them decided to play as well. I explained the rules to them, and they gave it a try. I beat each one of them, and decided to let them play against each other. I smiled as I watched them play. I also saw Vivi play a few games. He won each one, and I had to admit, he was getting better at planning his next move.

Before we went to Lindblum, we stopped off at the Black Mage Village to drop of the Black Mages. After that, it only took us a few days to get to Lindblum Harbor. When we finally got into the castle, I decided to rest for a bit. Oddly enough, I was feeling strange, and this strange feeling has been with me since I returned to Gaia. It was probably nothing to worry about.

The song I sang in this chapter is Enya's "May it Be." The first time I heard this song was at the ending credits for the movie The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

I have four new spells

Aerga

A spell that causes major wind damage.

Thundaga

A spell that causes Major lightning damage.

Watera

A spell that causes moderate water damage.

Waterga

A spell that causes major water damage.

Vivi and I have a new combo attack.

Water/Thunder

Either Vivi or myself cast a Water spell, and after it is cast, either Vivi or myself cast Thunder/Thundara/Thundaga at the spell. The water conducts the electricity, and instantly fries anything in the water sphere.