THE MARK OF AN ESPER

Rating: PG
Genre: Adventure
Setting: FF9 landscaping
Main Characters: Zidane

Note from the Authoress: It's a bit short! Sorry. However, this is the last part! You may get a sequel at some point, but not for a while, and not til I get more ideas. Enjoy!

Part 7

Zidane watched the eerie figure of Terra floating like a puppet above a large rock in the middle of the Eidolon Wall. So once again Gaia's safety was in his hands. But what match was he against the magic of the shadowy figures? He turned his attention on Diamond. She was talking fast. He guessed there wasn't much time left.

"By coming here the power of the Esper within Terra will be awakened. It will attempt to flee her, which would be an unfortunate occurrence. You see her life has been shared with that of the Esper. If it should break free, not only will they be able to harness its power, but also the girl will die. There isn't much time. I will distract them; you have to stop the Esper from breaking free. Stop Terra from touching the rock near the centre of this place. Get her out of here. I will give you as much time as I can." Zidane took a breath. This was going to be dangerous. "Ready?" Zidane gave a nod. It was now or never. Diamond leapt out from behind the rock, muttering an incantation that Zidane did not know. He took the moment to run straight at Terra. This isn't right, he thought, as sounds of explosions reached his ears. I should sweep the girl off her feet, that's how stories are supposed to work. Not like this. He took a leap, tackling Terra and knocking her to the ground. He took hold of her, before gasping. Her arm was burning hot. He gritted his teeth, and pulled her away from the rock in the middle. A bright light lit up the area. Zidane glanced around. Diamond's eyes were closed, and she was surrounded by the glow. He was pleased to see that the cloaked figures were on fire, and had stopped casting their spells. Diamond opened her eyes. The bright light surged towards the figures. Followed by the loudest explosion of all. Zidane ran past the Tantalus crew, gesturing them to run. Thankfully they obeyed. They just got clear of the area before heat rushed over them.

Zidane lay gasping on the floor, Terra beside him. He looked at her. She was unconscious but appeared to be breathing still. He gave a sigh of relief. Then his thoughts turned towards Diamond. He stood up and ran back into the Eidolon wall. The sight that met him wasn't pleasant. Small fires had erupted everywhere. The walls were scorched and the floor blackened. The cloaked figures were reduced to nothing but dust. And in the middle lay Diamond. Zidane ran up to her. She was lying incredibly still. She was probably just exhausted. The last spell she cast seemed to be a powerful one. He took a breath, immediately wishing he hadn't. The air smelt sickeningly of scorched flesh. Fearing the worst suddenly, Zidane rolled Diamond over. He shut his eyes. Her skin was charred, and she was clearly dead. She had given her life to buy him enough time to rescue Terra. He felt guilty. He had never really believed that she had been on their side. He had gone along with her plan only because it helped him to save a pretty girl. And because of this she had died. He lifted her up, wincing as he heard her body crackle, and carried her outside.

The Tantalus Crew were gathered around Terra. Zidane heard the girl give a small sigh and sit up. Baku looked up at Zidane, his face falling when he saw him carrying Diamonds body. Baku stood up and walked to Zidane, silently taking her body from him. Zidane went to check on Terra. She was no worse for the wear, except slightly shaken. Silently, Zidane helped her up.

The Tantalus crew buried Diamond just outside of Madain Sari, Putting up a small, decorative cross on her gave that they had on board the ship. After her funeral Blank approached Zidane.

"At least the world is safe." Zidane looked around. Terra was standing silently on board the Prima Vista, gazing out over the horizon. She still wore her cloak and the small breeze caught hold of it, making it blow softly. He turned back to Blank.

"For now. But how long before someone else tries to steal her power?" Blank rested his hand briefly on Zidane's shoulder, before heading back to the ship. Zidane turned back to Diamond's grave. He gave a small smile. He would protect Terra, in honour of the mage's memory, no matter what danger it might put him in. Slowly, he headed back towards the ship. He would keep Terra safe.

THE END