Chapter 47: Possessed

After a few minutes, we touched down on the ground. As soon as we touched down, we disembarked from the ship. We approached Ipsen's Castle.

Zidane spoke. "Is this the old castle Hilda told us about? What a strange looking place... Like it's upside down or something."

I spoke. "It looks like half the castle is right-side up and the bottom half is upside down. Kind of like a mirror image. I wonder how they built it like that."

Zidane nodded. "Well, anyway, I'll take three of you along with me. The rest of you should secure the area." We all nodded, except Amarant.

Amarant walked towards Zidane. "Hey, Zidane."

Zidane turned to him. "What's up, Amarant?"

Amarant spoke. "I work alone. Always have, always will. I don't know why you bother carryin' dead weight all the time."

Zidane shrugged. "What's your point?"

Amarant spoke. "I'm sayin' working alone beats working in a team any day, and I'm gonna prove it. Hilda said there's some key here to break the seal, am I right?" He nodded. Amarant smiled "Let's see who finds it first. I'll be going by myself, of course."

Steiner looked furious. "Amarant! You selfish, ignorant fool!"

Zidane turned to him. "Calm down, Rusty."

Steiner looked taken aback. "b-but…" he paused. Zidane thought about Amarant's request.

Finally, he nodded. "Okay. I don't know what you're thinking, but if that's what you want, it's okay by me."

Amarant looked surprised. "Well, aren't you an agreeable fellow? Well, see you later." Amarant ran into the castle.

Freya spoke. "Are you sure about this, Zidane?"

Zidane shrugged. "What can I do? I can't change the way he thinks. Let's get going, everyone! We'll beat Amarant at his own game!"

Eiko spoke. "So, who are you taking with you?"

Zidane thought for a moment. "I'll take Freya, Dagger, and Michael."

I shook my head. "I'm not feeling well, Zidane. I'd only slow you guy's down." During the flight, I started having those weird feelings again, but this time, they felt more subtly. Last time, it was more direct.

Zidane nodded his head. "Alright…Rusty, come on." Steiner nodded, and joined Zidane, Freya, and Dagger. After Zidane had made his selection, they ran off into the castle.

That's when I remembered something important about the castle. I wanted to tell Zidane, but he and the others had already left. I sighed 'oh well, they'll figure it out. I'm sure' I thought.

Vivi turned to me. "You're not feeling well, again?"

I nodded "Yeah, I think I'm gonna lie down for a bit under that tree" I pointed towards the tree. "Wake me when the others get back, okay?"

Vivi nodded. "Sure, you just take it easy, and try not to sleep through three days straight, okay?"

I chuckled at this. "I'll do my best." I turned to the tree, but stopped momentarily.

I turned back to Vivi. "Oh, I almost forgot. I want to give you something, Vivi." I took the 'Reflect Ring' off, and handed it to him.

He looked surprised. "Why are you giving me this?"

I shrugged "I'm not sure. I just feel like it's a good idea to let you borrow it for a while." He nodded, and put the ring on his finger. A red aura surrounded him. The aura quickly disappeared.

Vivi looked up at me "thanks, Michael." I nodded, walked over to the tree, sat down, leaned against it, and fell asleep instantly.

I watched Michael walk over to the tree. As soon as he sat down, and leaned against the tree, I could tell that he had fallen asleep. I couldn't deny that I was worried about him. It wasn't just the nightmare I had; I've been noticing changes in him that indicated that something was wrong.

Ever since we left Earth, he's been tired constantly. On a few occasions, I also saw him grip his head as if he had a headache. I don't know what's happening to him. I don't even know if he's really that aware of it, but I feel something changing inside him, but…whatever it is, it seems to be more prominent when he's asleep. I could do nothing, but hope that he would be alright.

Someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around, and saw that it was Eiko. "You doing alright, Vivi?"

I nodded "yeah, I'm fine…I'm just…" I turned back to look at Michael.

I heard Eiko sigh behind me. "You're worried about him, aren't you?" I nodded, and turned to her. She was wearing a 'White Robe.'

I was surprised. "Where did you get that?"

She pointed to the stairs that lead into the castle. "I found a chest behind the stairs. This was in it. I think it looks cool, what do you think?"

I smiled. "I think it looks great."

She smiled at me. "Thanks." I nodded, and turned my attention back to Michael.

She walked up to me, and stood beside me. "You care about him, don't you?"

I nodded. "Yeah, he's my brother. He looks out for me. He teaches me. He guides me, but I wonder if he knows that I'm looking out for him, too."

Eiko nodded. "I'm sure he knows, Vivi. You guys wouldn't be so close if he didn't know that you looked out for him, but I want you to know something, too?"

I looked at her. "What?" That's when she kissed me on the cheek. I was shocked.

She smiled. "I want you to know that I care about you, too." She walked away from me.

As she walked away, I couldn't help but smile. I could feel a weird sensation in my stomach. I was either feeling a weird emotion, or it could be indigestion.

"And that's your lesson for today." Shortly after that, the bell rang. I spoke. "Alright everyone, have a great weekend, no homework for this weekend." That got a few cheers. The students quickly filed out from the classroom.

I sat down in my chair, and sighed. It had been a rough week; both for students, and teachers. I leaned back in my chair, and starred at the ceiling. 'Just three more weeks before summer vacation' I thought. I knew that even though I was looking forward to it; I couldn't help but feel some sadness as the summer quickly approached. I wanted to keep teaching my students. If only I had more than fifty minutes a weekday to teach them, I'm sure that all of them would understand the fundamentals of linguistics.

Suddenly, there was a knock at my door. I turned my head to see who it was. The figure walked into the room. I smiled when I saw who it was; it was Vivi. He looked up at me. "Hi, Michael, how'd your lecture go?"

I smiled. "It went alright, as far as I can tell."

He nodded. "That's good to hear." Realization crossed his face. "Hey, don't you have to be at the theater? I thought you were playing the lead in the play?"

I nodded. "That's right, are you and the others coming to tonight's showing."

He nodded "yeah, we'll all be there. We'll be cheering for you."

I smiled "thanks." He nodded, turned, and left the room. As soon as he left, I gathered my things, got to my car, and drove to the theater.

After an hour, Zidane and the others exited the castle. I was happy to see that Zidane had beaten Amarant at his own game. 'That'll teach him to be arrogant' I thought. I walked up to him "you came out first, Zidane!"

Zidane looked puzzled. "What about Amarant?" None of us said anything. Zidane spoke. "He was waiting for us at the top and left as soon as we got there! I thought he took off! Is he still inside...?" He turned to us. "You guys wait here. I'm gonna go look for him." Before anyone could say anything, he ran back into the castle.

Eiko spoke. "Why would Zidane risk his life to save that jerk?"

I turned to her. "I guess it's because that's the way he is. I don't think he'd leave any of us behind."

Eiko thought about this. "Yeah, I guess you're right, but that doesn't mean I have to like it." I smiled, and turned to look at Michael. He still seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

The performance was over, and I had to say, everyone did spectacular. I was in my dressing room. I knew that Vivi was going to be here in a few minutes, so I decided to just wait for him.

After a few minutes, Vivi finally arrived. I could see the happiness in his eyes. "Michael, you did great."

I smiled. "Thanks, Vivi. I'm glad you liked it."

He walked up to me. "The others and I are going out to dinner. You wanna come along."

I smiled "sure, I just need to get ready. I'll meet you guys out there." He nodded and left the room.

I changed out of my costume, and put on more casual clothes. I decided to wear a blue T-shirt with brown shorts. As soon as I was finished dressing, the lights went out. I looked around in confusion. 'Must be a power outage' I thought.

That's when I felt a dark presence. I was beginning to feel uneasy. I decided that it would be best to leave, and catch up with the others. I walked towards the door, and put my hand on the handle. That's when I heard a voice echo through the room. It was menacing yet musical.

"IIIInsolent boooy, this slaaaaaave of baaattle. Baaaaaasking in yooooour glooooooryyyyyyyy. IIIIgnooorant foooool, this braaaaave, young Black Mage. Shaaaaring in myyyyyy triuuuuuuuuuuuuumph."

I knew who it was, and began to sing as well. "AAAAngel I heeeeeear you speak, I listen. Staaaaaaay by my siiiiiiide, guiiiide meeeeeeeee. AAAAAngel my soooooul was weak, forgive me. EEEEEEEnter at laaaaaast Maaasteeeeer."

The voice sang again. "Flattering child, you shall know meeeeeee. See why in shadooow I hiiiiiiiiiide. Look at your face in the mirroooor. I am theeeeeeeeeeeere iiiiiiiiiiinsiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide."

I turned towards a large mirror that was built into the wall. At first, I just saw my reflection. Then, I saw the image of a man in a cape form inside the mirror. I was excited. Finally, after all this time, I was going to see the Angel of Music. I began to approach the mirror. I continued to sing.

"AAAAAAAngel of Muuuuuuuusic, guiiiiiiide and guaaaardian. Graaaaaant to me yooooooour glooooryyyyyyyyy. AAAAAAAngel of Muuuuuuusic, hiiiiide no longer. Come to me straaaaaaange aaaaaangeeeeeeeeeel."

"IIIIIIII am your AAAAAAngel of Muuusiiiic. Cooooome to me AAAAAAngel of Muuusiiiiiiic." I continued to walk towards the mirror, his figure became more defined. He was about 5' 9" and was wearing a black shirt with black pants. His cape was also black. He had black, short hair, and slightly tan skin, but it was his eyes that caught my attention. His eyes were glowing red.

"IIIIIIIII am your AAAAAAngel of Muuusiiiiiiiiiic. Cooooome to me AAAAAAngel of Muuusiiiiiiic." I finally walked up to the mirror, and reached out to touch it with my hand. My hand went through the mirror, and I felt the Angel take it. I felt a strange power flood through me. It was terrible yet intoxicating, I couldn't resist it. I walked through the mirror.

The world around me began to swirl as I looked upon the Angel of Music. His presence was awe inspiring. I felt a sudden urge to sing.

"In sleep, he saaaaaang to meeeeee. In dreeeeeams, he caaaaaaame. That voiiiiice which calls to meeeeee, and speeeeaks my naaaaaaame, and though I dream agaaaaain for now I fiiiiiiiind the AAAAAAAAngel of Muuuuuuuusic is theeeeeeere inside my miiiiiiiiind."

The Angel sang as well "Sing once again with meeeeeee, our strange dueeeeeet. My poooweeeer oooooover yoooooou grows stroooooonger yeeeeeeeet. And though you tuuuuuuurn from meeeeeeee to glaaaaance behiiiiiiiind, the AAAAAAngel of Muuuuuuuusic is theeeeeeere inside your miiiiiiiind."

The world continued to spin around me, but I paid no attention to it. I continued to sing. "Those who have seeeeeeen your faaaaaace draw back in aaaaaaaawe. I am the Maaask you weaaaaaaar. It's meeeeee they heeeeeeeeeeear."

"(My/Your spirit and my/your voooooooice in oooooone combiiiiiiiined. The AAAAAAngel of Muuuuuuuusic is theeeeeeeere inside my/your miiiiiiiiind.)"

The world was beginning to take shape around me. Of course, I was to busy singing to notice. "He's theeeeeeeeere the AAAAAngeeeeel of Muuuuuusiiiiiiiiiiic. Aaaaaaahaaaaaaaahaaaaaahaaaaahaaaahaaaahaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaah (Sing). Aaaaaaaahaaaaaaaahaaaaahaaaaahaaaahaaaahaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Aaaaaaaah (Sing for me) aaaaaahaaaaaahaaaaaahaaaaaahaaahaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Aaaaaaahaaaaahaaaaahaaaaahaaaaaahaaaahaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Aaaaaaaaaaaah aaaaaaaaaaah aaaaaaaah (sing for me). AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH."

The world stopped spinning, and I found myself in a cave. Angel was there with me. He turned to me, and sang.

"I have brooought yooooou to the seat of sweet muuuuusic's throne. To this kingdom where all must pay homage to muuuuusiiiic…muuuuusiiiiic. Yoooou haaaaave cooooome heeeeeere for one puuurpooose, and oooone alooooone. Since the moment I first heard you sing, I had needed you with me to serve me to sing for my muuuuusiiiiiic…my muuuuusiiiiiiiic."

I was entranced by his voice, and the power that radiated from him. I spoke. "Angel, you've been avoiding me for so long. Why?"

He chuckled. "My child, you simply were not ready to see me just yet, but don't worry. I'll make up for lost time."

I spoke. "Though it's great to finally see you, I can't stay here forever. I need to get back to my friends."

He nodded. "You will, Michael, you will. I want you to stay here, and continue singing. I will go and see your friends."

I smiled. "Okay, I'm sure they'll like you."

He smiled. "Oh, I'm sure they will." There was a flash of light, and he disappeared.

I smiled. "I'm sure they'll like him." I began to sing.

After fifteen minutes, Zidane emerged from the castle, Amarant was right behind him. Zidane smiled. "Found him, now we better get going." He looked around, and saw that one of us was missing. "Where's Michael?"

I spoke. "He's sleeping over there." I pointed towards the tree he was sleeping under.

Zidane spoke. "Vivi, can you go wake him up. We need to get moving." I nodded, and walked towards Michael.

Something didn't feel right as I approached him. Suddenly, a red aura surrounded his body. I could feel some sort of dark energy, but it was brief. The red aura quickly faded. Now, I was really concerned about Michael. That's when his body began to stir. He was waking up.

He kept his eyes closed, and got up to his feet. I spoke "Michael…are you alright?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."

There was something different about his voice. I couldn't put my finger on it. "Are you sure you're alright? You sound…different."

"I told you, Vivi. I'm fine." He sneered.

His tone surprised me. "Michael, something is wrong with you. I don't know what it is, but I can feel it. Please, tell me what's wrong."

He spoke. "Fine, Vivi. I'll let you know exactly what's bothering me. What's bothering me…is YOU!"

Suddenly, he charged towards me. Before I could react, he grabbed me by my throat. He lifted me up to his face. He opened his eyes, and I could see that his eyes were glowing red. My eyes widened. Those red eyes, it was just like my dream. I struggled in his grip. "Y-You…you're not…Michael."

He laughed. "How perceptive of you. I am Angel. I am your Angel of Death."

I'm sorry about how I wrote the song in this chapter, but it isn't easy to write a song when two people are singing at the same time and that they are singing something different from what the other is saying. The songs in this chapter are "Angel of Music (Reprise)" also known as "The Mirror" the other is "The Phantom of the Opera" both of these songs are from The Phantom of the Opera. I used the movie version of "The Phantom of the Opera" and I also changed some of the lyrics in the songs for obvious reasons.