Yay reviews! Thank you all! Anyway, onto the Disclaimer.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Ocean, Kingdom Hearts, or Xenosaga.
Chapter 11: The vision
A group of people in black cloaks sat around a large table inside of the old mansion. The corners of the room were covered in cobwebs and there was dust all over the place. A black cloud appeared and shaped into a spinning black oval. As the cloud faded another man in a black cloak walked out.
"Welcome back Xigbar, did you get your job done?" Asked the man at the center of the table.
"Yes, I nudged Luther a little more. Now we just have to leave this to Vox," replied Xigbar as he took a seat.
"Speaking of Vox, why isn't he at this meeting?" Asked a man on the right.
"I gave him orders to watch over Alex and his comrades," said the man to the left of the man at the center.
"It's just a matter of time. Soon our plans shall fall into place," said the large muscular man in the seat to the left of Xigbar.
"That's going to be an awesome day! The day our objectives are finally completed!" Exclaimed the man to the right of Xigbar.
"Would you just chill out and shut up already, Demyx?" Asked Xigbar.
"You can't make me!" Exclaimed Demyx. While several of the men joined into the conversation/argument, the man in the center looked over at the man on the left.
"Tell me your opinion about the current situation," said the man in the center.
"But you are the Superior, what does it matter what I think?" Asked the man on the left.
"I am just curious, Saix."
"I agree with Xaldin, soon our plans shall fall into place. Once Vox completes his job everything will begin. We will also be able to retrieve her."
"Yes... she is very important. I knew you would bring her up." Saix didn't say anything for a moment, as if he was in deep thought.
"About Alex... he is HIS son, right?" Asked Saix after awhile.
"Yes, Alex is indeed the son of Aldax."
"I see, at least our plan kills two birds with one stone." The Superior chuckled.
"Exactly, at least none of us have to do any dirty work."
"And what of Luther?" Asked Xaldin.
"Once he fulfils his part in our plans he will be no longer needed. With some luck Fayt and his friends will get rid of him for us. But if they don't take him out..." Said Saix.
"We will have to dispose of him ourselves," finished the man to the right of Saix.
"You got that right," said the Superior.
Meanwhile back on the Diplo... (Alex's POV)
I was on the bridge with Maria. She was talking to Mirage about various things that I didn't bother to pay attention to. I remembered that I was planning on training Maria, Fayt, and Sophia how to use their powers. Since I knew a lot about symbology it wouldn't be that difficult. But first I wanted to know how much time we have till we reach Elicoor II.
"Mirage, how soon till we reach Elicoor II?" I asked.
"About a day and a half," replied Mirage.
"Good, that should be enough time."
"Enough time for what?" Asked Maria.
"I have decided to train you, Fayt, and Sophia how to use your powers effectively. It will come in handy if we encounter any more Convictors."
"Alright, I will call up Fayt and Sophia." Maria turned on the intercom. "Fayt and Sophia, please report to the bridge." Within a minute Fayt and Sophia arrived.
"What is it?" Asked Fayt.
"Alex has decided to teach us how to use our powers effectively."
"Really?" Asked Sophia.
"Yeah. Now the question is: is there anywhere in this ship big enough for training?" I asked.
"The hangar on the second basement of this ship. It is rarely used so it shouldn't be a problem," said Maria.
"Alright then, let's go," I said. We walked down to the hangar and I started teaching Fayt, Maria, and Sophia. Within several hours all three of them had learned a lot. To put their new skills to the test I made three tests, one for each of them. The first test was a sparring match with me, this was Fayt's test. Fayt had become unbelievably strong, he was able to cut a 10 foot cube made out of the hardest metal known to exist into two halves. Finally the time came when Fayt and I sparred together. I had a hard time keeping up with the speed of Fayt's attacks and enduring their power. At one point after I had blocked one of his attacks he zoomed in and slammed me in the gut with the back of his sword sending me flying back several feet.
"Wow Fayt, I think you overdid that last attack," said Sophia.
"Yeah your right, sorry Alex," said Fayt.
"It's no problem, it just shows that you have become really strong. Well done Fayt, you have passed your test," I said as I got up.
Maria also learned how to use her powers effectively during that training session. I taught her how to manipulate objects and reshape them into something else. At one point Maria made a sword out of water from a glass (and then launched it at me). Maria's test was simple, she had to manipulate various objects into other things and turn part of a wall into a door that could be opened.
"Well done Maria, you too have passed," I said after she finished her test.
Because of Sophia's power being the power of connection I thought at first that there wouldn't be much to work with. During that training session I was proven wrong. It turns out that Sophia can convert mirrors, sheets of glass, and anything else clear into a portal. But the one major limitation to this power was that Sophia could only transport to places she had been to before. Sophia also learned how to activate inactive portals and make them useable once more. Sophia's test was to teleport out of the hangar and teleport back in.
"Nicely done Sophia, you have passed as well." I cleared my throat and continued talking. "I must admit that I am very impressed with the progress you three have made today. If you apply these powers into combat you will become much stronger." For the next few hours I didn't do much. I sat in my room thinking about all that had happened. So many things have happened, so many questions and few of them have gotten any answers. Who was that mysterious person that was talking with Vox and Luther? How was this person involved in any of this? Was he part of Omega getting corrupted? Where does Vox come into the picture? I just hope that the answers will come soon. Once I have gotten all the answers to my questions I can go back to living my life the way I was before that incident, right? Thinking about these recent events brought back memories of the day Luther became the owner of the Sphere Company. We were both 17 at the time.
FLASHBACK
Luther sat at the desk with the Owner outfit on. He looked very proud of his promotion.
"Hey, is it just me or does it seem like that outfit was made for you? Somehow it looks perfect on you," I said. Luther looked at his outfit.
"Yeah, I think you are right. It somehow DOES seem like this was made for me," said Luther.
"So what are you going to do with this company? "
"Right about that, I have the greatest idea for a business."
"Really? What is it?"
"How about we create a simulated universe? One where people from our world can go into and interact in?" Suggested Luther as a spark of creativity flared up in his.
"I like that idea, it sounds pretty interesting. Do you think we can use the technology available to us to accomplish something like that?"
"Of course! We will use Symbological Genetics to create the foundations and the entire universe will be coded in symbology."
"Oh yeah Symbological Genetics! I have heard that it is possible to use it as a code for programming."
"If we combine that with binary we should be able to make a complete replica of a universe that everyone will enjoy. It will make the Sphere Company really famous, I know it!" I smiled.
"I will do whatever I can to help!"
"Thanks, I knew I could count on you," said Luther as he returned the smile. Luther's face shifted to an all business/serious face. "Anyway, I have decided to give you the job as System Moderator of this simulated universe." My eyes widened in surprise.
"System Moderator? That's quite a job," I said.
"Yeah, I figured I should give you a good position in this company. Due to the laws of our world Blair has to be co-administrator. Moderator is the best position I can get you." I started chuckling. "What's so funny?"
"It's just with that face you really do look like one of those superior businessmen that are both successful and ruthless." Luther chuckled as well and then he put on the business face again. He pointed in a random direction.
"You! You aren't being paid to sleep at work! Get that work done now!" He pointed in another direction. "I don't care if you are tired, get that data table finished or I am going to cut your salary!" Luther folded his arms. "It's nothing personal, it's business!" We both exchanged glances at each other and we burst out in laughter. Later that day Luther held a meeting where he discussed his plans for the Sphere Company. At the end of the meeting Luther told us if we had any questions we should ask them now.
"I have a question," I said.
"What is it?" Asked Luther.
"Have you thought of a name for this simulator?" I asked.
"After awhile, I did come up with a name. I have decided to call it: The Eternal Sphere."
END OF FLASHBACK
I looked up as the door opened. Cliff walked into my room.
"So this is where you were hiding," said Cliff.
"Were you looking for me?" I asked.
"Yeah, I wanted to let you know that dinner is ready. Just don't expect a 5-Star meal."
"Okay, thanks for the heads up," I said with a grin. We left my room and headed to the kitchen of the Diplo. As we were walking towards it I saw the door to the sick bay open up and Peppita came out sitting on a floating chair. "How are you feeling Peppita?" She looked over at us.
"A lot better that's for sure," said Peppita. She let out a sigh. "But my legs need time to heal so I have to sit in this thing all the time. They said I wouldn't be able to go with you guys."
"It might be better if you did stay here, you need to rest and relax. That is the only way to get better," said Cliff.
"I guess your right." Peppita seemed a little disappointed that she couldn't go with us.
"Don't worry Peppita, we will get the job done," I said.
"Alex is right, and once it's all done we are going to throw a big party on the Diplo!" Peppita looked up with a big grin on her face.
"Really? A party? I can't wait!" Exclaimed Peppita.
"Anyway, let's go to the kitchen." The three of us walked into the kitchen which wasn't too far from our current location. The dinner really wasn't anything worth mentioning. It was a bunch of sandwiches with various meats and other things in them.
"Alex, according to what Fayt, Sophia, and Maria said to me today you trained them how to use their powers, right?" Asked Dr. Leingod. I looked over at him and nodded.
"Yeah, that's right," I said.
"Do you think their new found powers will be enough to, if necessary, defeat the Creator?" I was silent for a moment. I started to realize that I was training the people who may end up taking my best friend's life.
"Yes, I think they will be able to defeat Luther." That night at dinner, no one really talked much. There was a lot on everyone's minds and I couldn't blame them. About an hour or so after dinner I went to bed. As I was about to lie down everything went black. I got up and looked around. "Wait, I didn't turn the light off... what's going on here?"
Suddenly a man appeared in front of me. He had shaggy, short brown hair and he had blue eyes and a scar ran down his right eye. He wore an all black outfit with a zipper in the center running from just below his neck to the very edge of the coat. On both sides of the zipper there were two lines of thread dangling down to the edge of his chest. On each end point was a beautifully carved bead. Overlapping the string and the zippers was a silver like chain necklace that hung from one end of the hood to the other. This man was wearing black gloves and strange black boots. I gasped as I realized who this man was.
"Father!" I exclaimed.
"Alex, there is something I must tell you," said my Father.
"What is it?"
"It's about the true, hidden purpose that the Eternal Sphere has."
"True purpose? The Eternal Sphere was designed for entertainment."
"On the upper level, yes that is true. But deep within the hard drive of the Eternal Sphere is a seal."
"A seal?"
"Yes, a seal that is protecting a very important place. If someone were to try and delete the Eternal Sphere, right before it is deleted the seal will emerge. If this happens, you must not let the seal be destroyed."
"I don't understand, why are you asking this of me? What could I do? And why would I be in the Eternal Sphere when it is being deleted?"
"The only one who can find the answers to those questions is you," said a voice behind me. I snapped around to see a small girl with orange hair and blue eyes. She wore an all white dress and brownish black shoes. Around her neck was a small cross with some sort of purple colored jewel shaped like a diamond in the middle. "You have to walk your path in order to find those answers."
"Who are you? Is she an aq..." I stopped as I looked over to see that my father wasn't there. "Father? Father? Where are you?"
"That was just an image of your father created by your memories and a part of his soul that he sent to you from a place far away," said the girl.
"A place far away? Just who are you anyway?"
"I am called Nephilim."
"So Nephilim, why did you come here?"
"I wanted to warn you."
"Warn me? About what?"
"Tomorrow will bring you no comfort. Tomorrow is a day full of pain and suffering for you. I just wanted to tell you this." I was a little taken aback by what Nephilim said. Tomorrow would be a day of suffering for me? But why?
"Why are you telling me this?"
"I came to you because of your fate. It is safe to say that I have come to guide you."
"Guide me?"
"Yes, I have come to guide you to fulfilling your destiny. It will be hard road, but your father believed and still believes that you have the strength to walk down it. That is why he sealed your fate."
"Sealed my fate? What do you mean by that?"
"There will be a time when I can discuss why, but that time is not now." With that Nephilim vanished.
"Wait! Don't go!" I exclaimed. It was too late, Nephilim was gone. Everything went back to normal and I was standing in my room. "What was all of that? What does it all mean?" I fell onto my bed and I starred at the ceiling for awhile. Those questions kept on repeating themselves in my head. I am confused and I have no idea what I am supposed to do. At first all I cared about was getting rid of the "Viruses" in the Eternal Sphere, then it changed to getting rid of the Executioners, and now it seems like there is some behind the scenes work between Luther, Vox, and that mysterious man. I just hope that nothing else pops up, I have enough problems already. I closed my eyes and went to bed. At late morning of the next day we had arrived at Elicoor II. We gathered at the transporter room.
"Well, this is it," said Maria.
"Time to end this journey," I said.
"Be careful all of you, you hear?" Asked Lancar.
"Don't worry, we will be fine," said Cliff.
"Get rid of those Executioners for me!" Exclaimed Peppita as she threw several punches into the air.
"Will do," said Fayt.
"Good luck, all of you," said Mirage.
"Thanks, we will be back soon with the good news," said Maria. We turned towards the transporter and walked inside. Our party consisted of: Fayt, Maria, Sophia, Cliff, Nel, Albel, and I. Just as I was about to enter the transporter room I looked back at everyone else who wasn't going with us. I turned back and walked into the transporter room. Within a second we were on Elicoor II.
"Let's go to Aquios," said Fayt. Fortunately we were transported not to far away from Aquios so it didn't take too long. We arrived at Aquios, walked inside the castle and into the Audience Chamber.
"We never expected to see any of you again," said the Queen.
"Your Majesty, I am sure that strange angel like creatures have appeared on this planet," said Maria.
"That's correct. We are having a hard time dealing with them."
"We have found a way to get rid of all of them," I said.
"Please explain."
"It's the reason we have come back. We need permission to borrow the Sacred Orb."
"The Orb? Impossible!" Exclaimed Lasselle.
"Silence Lasselle," said the Queen. She looked back at us. "If letting you borrow the Sacred Orb will get rid of those creatures then you have my permission."
"Your Majesty, thank you," said Fayt as he bowed.
"Please, get rid of those creatures. We are counting on you." We left the Audience Chamber and went over to Kaddan where the Sacred Orb is. When we arrived I picked up the Sacred Orb and activated it's power.
"Blair, can you hear me? It's Alex," I said. The Sacred Orb starrted glowing.
"I can hear you loud and clear," said Blair.
"We got the Sacred Orb."
"Excellent. Anyway, I have found the door to Luther's Private Lab."
"You have? Good, where is it?"
"There is a place called Mosel on this planet you are on. There is a altar where you have to place the Sacred Orb."
"Mosel, huh? We've been there before so this won't be too difficult."
"I will meet all of you there, be careful." The Sacred Orb stopped glowing.
"So it's at Mosel," said Nel.
"Yeah, seems like it," said Maria.
"Then what are we waiting for, let's go to Mosel," said Cliff. We left Kaddan and headed back to Aquios. From there we walked to Peterny, then across the Sanmite Steppes, through the unbearably hot weather of Mosel and into the ruins. After some searching we finally found the Altar that Blair told us about. I looked over at Sophia and handed her the Sacred Orb.
"I leave this in your hands," I said.
"Okay, leave it to me," said Sophia. She looked over at Fayt.
"Don't worry, I will stick with you," said Fayt. Sophia nodded and placed the Sacred Orb onto the Altar. She waved her hands around it several times and it started glowing. The wall in front of the Altar opened up like the jaws of a creature revealing a portal.
"Whoa," said Maria.
"This is it. The door to Luther's Private Lab," I said.
"Let's go," said Fayt. We all walked into the portal. As we walked through we arrived at the Firewall.
"There you are," said Blair as she transported down.
"Blair? What are you doing here?" Asked Fayt.
"I wanted to help you. I would have come in physical form but that wasn't possible. This is the pathway to the Owner's Private Lab, even us developers don't have access to it," said Blair.
"Yeah, the only time I have ever been to Luther's Private lab was on the day that we finished the foundations of the Eternal Sphere," I said.
"Are you saying that this isn't the Owner's Private Lab?" Asked Albel.
"Yes, this is just a passageway to the Owner's Private Lab," said Blair.
"Beyond this firewall is our destination, we are almost there," I said.
"Then let's go. The sooner we get through here the sooner we meet Luther," said Fayt. We started walking through the narrow passage ways of the Firewall. After awhile we finally found the transporter that leads to Luther's Private Lab.
"Here we are. Once we walk through this transporter we will be in the Spiral Tower," said Blair. Suddenly a black cloud formed on the ground and formed into a black, spinning oval. The oval faded and there stood Vox. But instead of wearing armor he had an outfit exactly like the one my father wore in that vision.
"You've done well to make it this far," said Vox.
"You again," snarled Albel.
"What do you want?" Asked Cliff.
"How did you get here? Who are you?" Asked Blair.
"So, your journey is almost over now," said Vox. He looked over at me. "Alex, did Nephilim also tell you the truth? Did she tell you what awaits you in Luther's Private Lab?" I gasped as I heard Nephilim.
"How do you know about that?" I demanded.
"There is nothing that we can't find out about you. We know very well that Nephilim and Aldax were talking to you."
"Aldax? My Father? Did you know him?"
"No, I have only heard stories." Vox chuckled. "I will be seeing you again very soon, Alex." A black cloud appeared around Vox and it formed into a black, spinning oval. As the darkness faded away Vox was gone.
"Who was that? How could have gotten access to the Firewall so easily?" Asked Blair.
"That was Vox, other than that I don't know what else I can say about him," I said.
"By the way Alex, who is Nephilim?" Asked Maria.
"I don't know, I talked to her once in a vision I had on the Diplo. She is as much as an enigma as the reason why Vox is wearing the exact same outfit that my father was wearing in that vision." I clenched my fist. "Damn it, these unexplained questions and mysterious just keep growing. Will there ever be an end to it? Anyway, let's go." We walked through the transporter and we arrived at the Spiral Tower. We started walking but then...
"Guys, something happened to Blair!" Exclaimed Sophia. We turned around to see that Blair was gone.
"Oh no, this isn't good," I said. Sophia was right, there wasn't a trace of Blair at all.
"We have got to help her!"
"No, let's stick with the original plan," said Fayt.
"But Blair..."
"Blair can take care of herself. We need to find Luther right away," I said.
"He's right, we don't have that much time," said Cliff.
"Alright," said Sophia slowly. We continued walking and we found the elevator that led to floor two. We continued searching for Luther on the second floor when we noticed something weird. Blair stood at the elevator to the Next floor. She raised her hand and a glowing triangle with various symbols appeared, deactivating the elevator.
"Blair! What are you doing?" I exclaimed as I rushed towards her. Everyone else followed me. Blair didn't say anything.
"Blair?" Asked Maria.
"Come on, say something already you maggot," said Albel. Blair started laughing.
"That's right, I am Blair and yet I am not Blair. I am a program he created in Blair's likeness," said Blair in an evil tone.
"Once again, Luther uses his genius in the name of madness," I said.
"You watch your tongue traitor, you are in no position to be calling the Owner anything!" Said the fake in a tone of anger. The fake started laughing again. "And quite frankly the Owner wants nothing else to do with you. Actually, he would like to see you dead. I will kill you and those bugs and then take your head to the Owner."
"Go ahead and take my head..." I activated my swallow. "If you can." I looked over at Fayt and the others. "Leave this one to me."
"Alright, be careful," said Fayt. I charged towards the fake. I slashed down at her but she back flipped away from me. I charged towards her again and I shot a fire bolt spell at her. The impact of the spell sent her stumbling back. I charged in and threw my swallow at her. She jumped high into the air.
"Die!" Exclaimed the fake as she activated Death Howl. The force of the energy attack sent me flying to the ground. I slowly got up despite the pain of hitting the hard ground and got ready for the next attack. The fake was descending down towards me with a symbology spell ready. As she got closer I jumped into the air and threw my swallow at her. It stabbed her thorough the gut but at the same time she fired her symbology spell at me. The impact of the attack threw me down to the hard ground and I struggled to get back up. The fake was barely standing, clutching her wound.
"Where is Blair?" Asked Maria.
"Blair? I know nothing about her," said the fake.
"You lie!"
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Am I? You will have to find her yourself." With that the Fake disappeared.
"Let's keep on going," said Fayt. We continued walking until we saw a pillar of light with Blair imprisoned in it.
"Blair!" Exclaimed Sophia.
"It's good to see you guys," said Blair.
"Not that I care, but are you really Blair?" Asked Albel.
"What do you mean?"
"We ran into a copy of you back there but it wasn't as nice as you," said Cliff.
"Oh, it must have been that fake Luther created. He really has gotten a twisted mind lately."
"Now how do we get you out of there?" Asked Fayt.
"I will take care of this," I said. I opened up a screen and started pressing a few buttons. With a matter of seconds the pillar of light disappeared and Blair was freed.
"Thanks Alex, I owe you one," said Blair.
"Are you okay?" Asked Sophia.
"Yes, I'm fine. Now, let's keep moving." We walked back over to the elevator to the next floor.
"Here is our current problem, that fake did something with this elevator and now it isn't working," said Cliff.
"I will take care of this." Blair activated a screen and turned off the security program that prevented access to the next level.
"Thanks Blair," said Maria.
"Don't mention it."
"We don't have much time left, let's go," said Fayt. We went up the Elevator to the next floor. From this point on we had to go through 8 more floors of narrow corridors, monsters, and puzzles until at last we reached a large decorated door. As I saw the door I hesitated. As I starred at those great large double doors I started to see something I had done my best not to think about. Once we are in there we may have to end up killing my best friend, and the thought of that scarred me. I couldn't see myself killing someone I called family.
"Alex, are you ready?" Asked Maria. I looked over at her.
"Why do you ask?" I asked.
"You look a little pale. Are you alright?"
"Yeah... I'm fine," I said slowly. Fayt opened the double doors. Light flooded out and we walked through into Luther's Private Lab.
I knew that some of my questions would be answered in Luther's Private Lab. I did indeed find the truth there, but remember this: The truth isn't always a pleasant thing to know.
So the final battle has come, what will happen? What is this truth that Alex is talking about? Find out in the final chapter of Destinies gone Awry. Anyway, please review.