Author's Note: Greetings, everyone! The next couple of chapters will center primarily around Zidane. Garnet will return later. This chapter is also relatively short, compared to previous chapters. As always, please continue to read and give critical reviews.

Memories are bittersweet.
The good times we can't repeat.
Those days are gone,
and we can never get them back.
Now we must move ahead.
Despite our fear and dread,
we're all just wishing we could stop, but life goes on.
Come of age,
turn the page.
Time rolls on.
Wipe your eyes.
Yesterday laughs,
tomorrow cries

"Can't Repeat"—The Offspring

Mother Terra

Chapter VIII

Two hours after Zidane left port, he relaxed in a bar drinking beer with his Tantalus brothers—or at least what was left of them. Of the Tantalus members Zidane grew up with, only Marcus and Cinna remained.

"I think Tantalus is coming to an end," Marcus said, after he took a drink.

"What makes you say that?" asked Zidane.

"Well, think about it. You're gone. You're married with a kid. Blank's gone. He's married, but has no kids yet. Cinna and I're really all that's left, with the exception of Baku."

"I know it hasn't been too long ago since Blank left, but it's been four years since I left."

Cinna nodded. "Yeah, but you were still around us one way or another during that time, but now we hardly ever see you."

Zidane took a drink. "I guess that's just life."

"What is?"

"Getting older—people marry and have kids. We can't do the same things we used to…But even though we can't do them anymore, we can always remember them."

Cinna took another drink. "It's true that we can always remember, but I'd like to create some new memories; and they don't exist anymore in Tantalus…Maybe it's time for me to grow up and move on."

"Move on?" asked Marcus.

"Yeah, go out on my own, like Zidane…Maybe we both could, Marcus?"

"…Yeah…maybe we could."

Zidane smiled. "Well, whenever you guys're ready, I'm ready to go back to the hideout."

"Yeah," Cinna said, as he finished his beer; "I'm ready to go. But I'm going to think about this whole idea later."

"Yeah, same here," added Marcus.


When the three returned to Tantalus' hideout, Baku approached them. Or more specifically, he approached Zidane.

"What's up, Boss?"

"Zidane, you need to go to the Castle immediately. Regent Cid said that it's urgent."

"What is it?"

"I don't know. Regent Cid just said that it's urgent."

Zidane nodded. "Okay, I'll go. I'll catch up with you guys later."

After Zidane left, Baku turned to Marcus and Cinna.

"Boys?"

"Yes, Boss?"

"I know things've been pretty damn dull around here lately…"

Marcus and Cinna were stunned. It was almost as though Baku was with them at the bar.

"…But things're about to pick up! We're going on another adventure!"

Marcus and Cinna gasped.

"We are!" asked Cinna. "Where to?"

"To Alexandria! Get the Prima Vista ready. We leave immediately!"

"Wait, Boss!" added Marcus. "What about Zidane?"

"We'll see him there. Although I said I didn't know, I actually do know what's going on."

"What!" responded Cinna. "Then why didn't you tell Zidane!"

"…I'm kind of kicking myself in the ass for that. Let's just say that it was one of those things I couldn't tell him…To be perfectly honest, it'd be hard to tell anyone what Cid's going to tell him."

At that statement, Marcus and Cinna became worried.

"What do you mean, Boss?" asked Marcus.

"I'll tell you on the way. Let's board the ship."


In Lindblum Castle, Zidane encountered Regent Cid in the throne room.

"Regent, I received a message from Baku that it was important that I came see you. So what's up?"

Cid was stunned by Zidane's question. "What! Baku didn't tell you!"

"N-no…What's going on?"

The regent sighed. "I guess Baku couldn't tell you. It'd be hard to tell anyone…"

"Cid what is it!"

"…Zidane, Garnet and Hunter have been kidnapped."

Zidane gasped. "What!"

Cid nodded. "I don't know the details very well. Steiner messaged me about forty-five minutes to an hour ago, and told me the news. He said that who did it were two genomes who had been living in Alexandria for a while, and that you were familiar with them."

"…There're only two people then it could be—Goldwin and Aldous…But how's Steiner certain of this?"

"He told me that a note was left on the floor of the royal chamber, and he said that he found it after he became suspicious when the two men he allowed to see Garnet never seemed to leave after a certain period of time."

"What did the note say?"

"I can't remember. Steiner told me, but I don't remember all the details."

Zidane nodded and began to pace. He was staying remarkable calm for someone in his situation. "Regardless of what the note says, there's one thing I don't understand."

"What's that?"

"If Goldwin and Aldous kidnapped Dagger and Hunter, how were they able to get out of the Castle? You can't just walk out of the Castle with the queen and the prince at knife point…or whatever the hell those bastards used!"

Cid nodded. "Good point, but that's a question I don't have an answer to. Hopefully when you return to Alexandria, you'll find the answer."

"Same here, I'm going back to Alexandria immediately. Tell Baku and the others that I left."

Again Cid nodded. "Certainly, but I have a queer feeling that you'll be seeing them again real soon."

"You're not leaving by yourself, Zidane!"

Eiko's voice caught Zidane off guard. "Eiko!"

The ten-year-old nodded. "I'm coming with you! There's no way I'm letting anyone hurt Dagger or Hunter!"

Zidane returned the nod. "Very well, come along with me then, Eiko."

"Please let me know whatever new information you can," added Cid.