CHAPTER TWENTYTHREE: THE DARKNESS

A swirling vortex of dark purple and black twisted around Alain's body as all feelings of stability left him. It felt as if his body was afloat in a thick sea that was carrying him off somewhere. His body refused to obey him and did not move an inch as he felt himself slip and be pulled downwards.

Ripples of purple energy tying around sections of his body before peeling off and floating up were accompanied by a deep gurgled howling that did not stop. The monstrous droning was coming from further down, where he was being drawn. His body began to spin as more energy whipped by like lashes and caused momentum. Eventually the deepest point came into view.

A huge hole opened in what could only be called the floor. The purple lines of energy were coming from this mouth. Teeth lined the outside smeared in thick red blood that was drawn into the air like bubbles. As the blood met with his descending body the droplets burst and covered him. More and more purple lines shot from the thing in the floor binding his form and drawing it in faster than ever.

There was no way to fight back, no way to even call out. Everything refused to work. His eyes stayed open (as he could not force them closed) as he was drawn into the mouth. Darkness engulfed him as it shut behind.

All sensations of even having a form vanished. He felt disembodied and totally alone. Something was different inside the new darkness and he could no longer look downwards and see his blood covered armour. Before him inside the darkness a dark purple cloud spread out in front of his eyes.

In the centre was a figure. The hulking mass became recognisable after only a few seconds. His figure was largely hidden because of the lack of light, but the eerie purple mist provided some insight. Though it did not seem possible, Zeid stood before him. Suddenly his body felt as if it was there again and he could see his hands thanks to the purple mist.

Who…are you?

"I am Warcloud," The Galka replied.

It had read his thoughts. Was it a spectre of some kind or a doppelganger taking on the form of his former mentor? There was no emotion in the Galka's voice and he only stared forwards as if looking at something behind.

You're Zeid…aren't you?

"In another life, perhaps I was," the spectre said. "All those who face the darkness leave something behind in order to draw on its power at will. I am the thing that person left."

So you aren't real?

"I am real enough. I am part of the one you know as Zeid. I am the one he was before the war. I am the one who killed the Shadowlord for the first time. I am the one who had my glory stolen by Volker. I am the one who wanted vengeance against that Hume. I am the one filled with rage."

Tell me, what happened to me… What am I supposed to do?

"Face the darkness and steal its power. The price is the same for every mortal that treads foot here; a piece of your soul. You will face all aspects and one shall be chosen. You will act out that which you secretly desire and it shall be taken from you to dwell in this abyss with me. Then, and only then, shall you obtain true power."

The figure that looked like his mentor vanished after those words and once more he was enveloped in darkness. Time went by, but how much he could not fathom. Another cloud of purple mist appeared and he felt his body move against his will. His arms raised and formed a large circle shape in front of his chest. The purple mist polluted the area inside his encircled arms in the shape of a pillar that gradually let something pass through.

His lips met with hers. It felt real, even though he had no control. She felt warm. His arms rested on her back as they kissed passionately. He closed his eyes as she closed hers and then it was over and once more his body was controlled.

It felt like he was dropped to the floor, or at least on one knee. Purple mist surrounded him and took on the shape of friends enjoying a party. He was with them having a drink and toasting the occasion while they all laughed at stupid jokes and played tricks on one another. Another toast was made and his glass was raised in his hand to meet theirs, but as the glasses met the mist took control and the scene was taken away.

His hands moved as if they held a weapon next as the mist created someone by his side. They fought off invisible enemies by the dozen easily defeating all of them under his orders. He felt safe and defended with this person and knew what he had to do. He swung the imaginary sword at a few more enemies until the mist once more caused the moment to end.

The next scene created by the mist made his heart stop and a chill run down him. His hands were thrust forwards as if still holding the sword, but now it was stuck in the gut of a tall faceless figure. He looked at the figure with a panic stricken face and tried to make his hands pull the sword out but they refused to move. He tried and tried but nothing worked. He was forced to watch a face form and for blood to flow.

The mist around the half hidden face distorted enough to change the figure one-by-one to those he knew and loved. Each bore his blade in their gut but showed no reaction while the blood continued to drip around his feet.

He wanted to scream.

"The darkness has chosen," he heard Zeid say. "You must now act out this event that has created so much pain in your soul."

The mist took away the form and spread all around him and took on the shape of walls as if he was in a huge pillared room. He was in full control of his body and wielded his Great Sword. In the centre of the room the mist formed a smaller pillar that took on the shape of a person. Catherine stood before him and seemed real. Zeid, or Warcloud, was instantly behind him.

"Strike her down," he ordered.

He found his voice, "I won't do it."

"You must if you want power."

"I won't harm her."

"You must!"

"I said I won't!"

"If you remain this weak you can never hope to protect anyone!"

He twisted around to face Warcloud, "What the hell would you know about protecting someone? You only care about yourself! You could never understand!"

He rammed his sword into Warcloud's gut and the mighty Galka's figure burst into mist. He spun back round to look at Catherine and was shocked to see a double of himself. The double was dressed as he was, looked as tired as he did, and even had stained blood in the same places.

So this is the part of us you want to leave behind?

The double's lips did not move yet he heard it speak as if it had. It spoke directly into his mind using his voice. He did not reply though he knew that his own voice was there to stay this time. The double half smiled and shrugged his shoulders. The double out stretched a hand.

Desire is a strong emotion…it was a tough call, am I right? …Desire, inhibition, happiness, playfulness, bravery…all so strong in us. So strange for a Hume to have so many emotions, don't you think? But there's one that is much stronger; hate. We hate him so much… that is the thing about us that the darkness wants to remain here. That is who I am. I am our hate for him.

"I don't…"

You can't lie to yourself. I will stay here for us to let you draw on this power. We pass the test. We disobeyed the darkness and struck back at it. There is still a price despite that and I am it. Go back now and face come what may. I will be watching.

Quicksand Caves came snapping back all around him. He was still on his knees in front of the collapsed passage filled with sand. His hands were still pressed against it, but sand had kept falling and engulfed them. He tugged them out and smashed both into the ground from a surge of anger.

His body was surrounded by black light as he rose to his feet, grabbing his Great Sword one handed as he did and swung it up at the collapsed pile. It burst inwards from the sheer force of the swing and was turned to cinders from the black energy. He walked into the room beyond still covered.

A number of Antica warriors still stood in the room. They came for him at the same time. One wielding a short sword swiped for him, but a quickly raised wrist shattered the weapon. His Great Sword (which he still held one handed) cleaved the Beastman's head clean off. With the momentum of the attack still carrying him, he twisted three hundred and sixty degrees to ram the blade up through the centre of the next enemy, splitting it in two. The third fired and arrow that bounced of the black energy around him as he darted forwards and skewered it with his sword. Its corpse dropped to the floor in pieces and all was silent.

His body felt strange, it tingled and pulsated with power. He breathed deeply and felt like he could take on an army. He looked around the room. A huge scorch burned into the earth travelled across the area where he had blown the passage open. He could not be sure if it was him that had caused it. He looked for signs of Rost.

There was nothing at first. Then he found a newly formed cave. It looked as though it had been formed by an explosion or something similar. Inside the walls were drenched in red blood. He tightened his grip on his Great Sword as he glared at the blood. Antica did not have red blood which meant only one thing.

He dropped to his knees still surrounded by energy and screamed from a mixture of rage and heartache. The darkness spread around him like a sphere, leaving his body, and expanding. It took out a section of the roof and made the ground shake. He saw droplets trickle down his face onto the floor in front of his face and then fell.

-

Catherine could not be sure what happened. They had all started to backtrack after the first huge explosion but then another slightly smaller one rung out. It was lucky the entire section of caves did not collapse. They fought through Antica trying to flee the dangerous area and inside found evidence of a horrendous fight. It was there they also found Alain, unconscious in a small alcove surrounded by blood that was neither his nor Beastmen.

She knew what horrible thoughts were running through everyone's heads as they carried the unconscious Dark Knight back out the caves and to the Highwind. No one said it at first, but she knew. They thought Alain and Rost had fought again and this time it had reached a hideous conclusion.

While they waited for Lion and Zeid to return she tended her dear friend's wounds. There were strange injuries and did not seem to be caused be a blade of any sort. An arrow wound was in the top shoulder, but there was something else. It was as if his body had been put under terrible strain and pushed to its limits far more than before. Alain's temperature had still not settled and he seemed to be having nightmares. No amount of her Healing Magic could help stop them.

For now they had left him resting in a bed on board with only her by his side. The rest were talking in the meeting room. She could hear raised voices over the engine that only purred slightly since they were on solid ground. Duty and justice fought against friendship and trust.

She stroked his forehead (that almost burnt to the touch), "Oh, Alain…"

After she had confirmed that his condition was stable they decided to move him. She protested, but Gerdinus thought it best since they did not know what frame of mind he was in. Zeid and Lion agreed with this course of action upon their return, though only after more lengthy arguments.

Catherine gave in trying to protest and escaped to the study on the top deck. She had to get away from hearing the accusations. Shortly after, Nokum-Akkum and Hanaa let themselves in and sat down beside her in silence. She had not taken the seat behind the desk full of alchemy equipment and instead chose the floor in a dark corner.

"We can't be sure what happened to Rost," Hanaa said softly, "but I'm damn sure that he didn't do it. Not our Alain…"

"Cathy, I wantaru a hug," the Tarutaru sniffed and sat on her lap.

She let him embrace her, but could not bring herself to return the sentiment. Her mind kept wandering to what had happened. She had grown up with Rost in San d'Oria and was probably the closest to him out of all of them. She had seen the side to his personality he hid well, the side that showed compassion and kindness. It brought tears to her eyes.

"I admit we didn't get on…but I'll miss that Samurai," Hanaa sighed.

"Please don'taru cry, Cathy!"

She tried to smile for him, "I just can't believe he's gone. But that's not it. I'm scared that Alain might have…"

The Mithra butted in, "He wouldn't! Sure they argued and even came to blows, but Alain would never kill Rost!"

Catherine wiped her eyes.

"There's a chance he did it. You heard what Zeid said, something about a darkness that Dark Knights have to fight against…he said it was possible Alain simply lost control and had no idea what was happening…like he was in a dream, but in reality it was actually happening…"

"No our Alain…"

"The worst thing is," she said, stumbling over her words, "that if he really did it… …If he really did kill Rost… I don't think I can ever forgive him…"

-

"Finally awake are you, dear boy?" someone asked rhetorically.

Alain mumbled an incoherent reply.

"It seems we are victims of fate to end up meeting formally like this again. Would you not agree, Alain?"

He tried to speak and move. His legs worked fine, but could only part a few centimetres. His hands were the same. He could not get up. The Highwind's engine purred loudly so he guessed that he was on the bottom deck of the ship. There was a loud clink as he tried to force his hands apart. They, like his legs, were bound in steel shackles.

"Here we both sit, two prisoners of sorts once more… my crimes are the same as when we last met, but from what I heard going on earlier it seems that yours have become more serious?"

Through blurry vision he traced the familiar voice to an Elvaan resting against a wooden wall across from him bound in a similar way. He glared at the Gentlemen Thief and curse words were the first understandable things to come from his lips. The elderly Elvaan simply smiled at the insults and did not retort.

"Bastard…what's going on? Why am I like this? Where is…"

"Those questions are best directed at our erstwhile guard, I would say."

The Gentlemen Thief pointed lazily towards his right. Alain turned as best he could without having to twist around and saw a figure hidden by darkness in the corner of a tight passage. He now recognised where in the Highwind they were; the front end of the lower deck where food barrels were kept. He also recognised their guard; it was Shadow.

Had the Ninja been standing there silently the whole time? Was he content with watching him squirm helplessly and not even offer an explanation of any sort? He demanded to know what was going on. The hired mercenary dressed from head to toe in black shrugged. Alain continued to demand answers and seemed to make Shadow lose his temper.

"You killed the Samurai in cold blood. Do you know what a predicament you have created? My contract may be in jeopardy, there was no clause for one of you fools murdering one another."

Alain was silent, resting on his knees with his hands limp in front of him as he thought back. Rost had thrown him into the passage and blocked the way and then he had broken through to try and find him. He found a fresh gap in the wall filled with blood and then he remembered nothing. Though he could not be sure of what happened in the missing sections of his memory he knew for sure that he could not have done what he had been accused of.

"I didn't do it, he…saved me…then I broke through and found the wall drenched in blood. I didn't kill him!"

The Ninja was silent once more.

"Where's Catherine? Where are Nokum-Akkum and Hanaa? They'll believe me!"

The Gentlemen Thief leant over to him and explained that he believed his friends were one deck up in the meeting room. Though he had gotten his answer Alain was still furious at what he was being blamed for. Did his friends turn on him so quickly? He needed to speak to them.

"Get these things off me, I need to go and speak to my friends," he muttered as he tried to stand.

Shadow remained silent as he managed to hop onto his feet, before falling backwards onto the floor. A second attempt went better and he was able to balance himself, but was unable to take more than very delicate sliding steps forward. The Gentlemen Thief made no attempt to copy or to follow and simply watched from where he leant.

Alain took a few more steps forward before the Ninja reacted. A swift hand raised and let off a hook with a rope attached that twirled around his feet. Shadow tugged gently on the end, causing Alain to fall backwards again.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!" he growled as he got up again. "If you do that again, I'll-

"Kill me?"

He paused.

"You are clearly not of sound mind. Facing the darkness has made you unstable just as the Dark Knight said. You are no longer of use to your friends in this battle and are a risk to everyone, including yourself."

While cursing and attempting to get up, Alain glared at the Ninja. Shadow moved across the room swiftly giving him no time to react. He saw a potion bottle in his hand. The Ninja's arm wrapped around the side of his head as his knee dug into his shoulder, applying pressure to the arrow wound. Alain could not help but cry out and, as he did, the potion bottle was forced into his mouth. Involuntarily he took two choked gulps of the liquid and the room began to spin.

"Come now!" he heard the Gentlemen Thief cry out. "There was no need to do that to the poor boy."

Time went by, he did not know how much. The engine had cut out and there was very little coming from the bowels of the ship. He heard water knocking against the side of the Highwind through the wood. It was not a calm sea.

Very dozily, he tried to move and hurt himself after forgetting he was bound. Through a haze he saw the Gentlemen Thief smiling at him from where he had sat before. On the floor between them was an empty potion bottle. Droplets of what was left had poured out and soaked into the dark wood. He turned to look down the passage and was surprised to find that Shadow was gone.

"The mercenary left with the others some thirty minutes ago," the old Elvaan explained without prompting. "I presume that the only other people on board besides us at this point are the crew. My guess is that he thought you would be knocked out for far longer. I am surprised that you seem to be so resilient against Sleep Potions."

"Where has everyone gone?"

"Delkfutt's Tower. This airship rests in the rocky seas near the cliffs of Qufim Island. It seems that inside that tower is where the Zilart will attempt to open the way to the heavens."

-

The Gentlemen Thief had learned over the years to speak less and listen more. Even over the noise of the engine his sharp hearing picked up sections of conversation between the people on board the airship. Pretending to be asleep has also led to hearing some interesting talks between the hired Ninja assassin and others.

He heard much talk of the tall white tower. Its peak attracted lightning whenever the weather condition spread across the snow filled crags. The purple blades of lightning would strike down upon the peak and light it for just a few seconds. It was a strange sight to behold and completely unexplained. In that tower the Zilart brothers were trying to reactivate a reactor that would open their way.

Of the Zilart he had known little before witling away his hours in secret on board by reading any books he found. The Zilart brothers had tried once before, after a long dead ancient King had a vision depicting their race falling from paradise, to return.

The five beings that served them were known as Arc Angels and were born from the crystals to destroy the taints of their respective races. They were created to cleanse the world and protect the ancient seal guarding the crystal. Just like the Arc Angels, the books he read hypothesized that all beings on Vana'diel were born from the crystal leading to an undetectable connection between every single thing.

Nothing seemed clear on what would happen when the Zilart obtained that which they sought after for so long, that which they would orchestrate an everlasting war to obtain. It was all beyond someone of his age, but he still imparted what he had learned to his fellow prisoner.

"So if the Zilart activate whatever is sitting dormant inside Delkfutt's Tower they can reach paradise? Zeid must have learned this in the Chamber of Oracales…"

"Oh yes," the Gentlemen Thief replied. "That was the name I heard mentioned. Something about spirits speaking with them inside that chamber and then Prayer Stones being given as gifts of power. It is all beyond me, my boy. I can tell by the look in your eyes that you want to go help them, am I right?"

"Of course I do!" was the immediate reply. "What about you? Do you care? You read all those books and heard that… do you realize how big this is? This is more important than stealing purely for the sake of stealing!"

The elderly Elvaan sighed, "You still do not understand me."

Alain rolled onto his side and then sat up again. He tried to stand up again but was still wobbly due to the after effects of the Sleeping Potion and fell over. Though out loud he laughed, inwardly he admired the determination. It was an attribute of the young that he envied.

"Dear boy, if you want to escape so badly, why not just ask me?"

The Dark Knight turned to look at him. He raised his own bound hands and knocked them together. The shackles clunked uneasily before loosening and falling to the floor with a thud. A quick kick also removed his leg irons.

"You…when did you…!" Alain stuttered.

"Please, such old things are a trifle. I unlocked these a few seconds after they were placed on me, but saw no need to try and escape. I have grown quite fond of this airship."

"Are you going to let me out straight away this time or do I have to beg again?"

The Gentlemen Thief stood tall and groaned as his back cracked. He had sat in the same place for far too long. He walked over to Alain and took up the shackles he wore to examine them for the weak point.

"Oh I think that this time I am obligated to free you so that you can help your friends. I do, however, require a promise from you."

"…A promise?"

"Yes. You must promise me that you will never raise your blade against a friend with the intent to strike them down. I know nothing of any darkness surrounding Dark Knights, but that is my sole condition for freeing you. Only monsters are capable of such horrible things and you are not a monster. Always remember that. Do we have a deal, my boy?"

"Alright, I promise."

-

Lion walked a few steps in front of Zeid as they entered the ancient tower after fighting off a few stray skeletons guarding the entrance. The others had gone on ahead while they despatched the weak fiends and they wanted to catch up as soon as possible.

"Hey! Wait!" someone called.

The Pirate's Daughter turned and smiled happily as she saw Aldo approach them both. He asked them both to slow down and then greeted Zeid. He simply nodded and did not accept an outstretched hand.

The leader of the Tenshodo wore what he always did; garb of foreign design that he either had specially made or imported in illegally from across the sea. It was a mixture of murky brown, dark grey, and black in colour. A red sash was tied around his waste and his boots were brown leather. A turban with a silk tassel concealed some of his youthful face and blond hair.

"Be nice now," she said and nudged the Galka.

"We do not have time for this. What do you want?"

"My sister, Verena, was taken in the night. I believe the Archduke has taken her and brought her here.

Zeid immediately questioned why the Zilart would want to kidnap an innocent girl, but Lion guessed straight away. Aldo's sister had the unique ability to understand and speak with all forms of Beastmen. She had witnessed it a few times while visiting Aldo. Verena would happily chat away to Goblins that run a shop in Lower Jeuno in their strange native dialect and then a few seconds later speak normally. She slipped in and out of languages with ease and astounded everyone, largely because she had been taught nothing and simply did it naturally.

Zeid frowned, "A girl who can speak with Beastmen… Stay here, we will stop the Zilart and see that no harm comes to her."

"Huh, quite forward about things, aren't you?" Aldo replied and drew his dagger. "I am here to rescue my sister and to pierce Kam'lanuat's heart with this. His treachery against us all has become common knowledge amongst those open to the truth, it will go no further than this place."

The Dark Knight turned away from them both and began to walk away.

"Fine, just don't get in my way."

Lion sighed and looked at Aldo, "He'll never change. We've got some help that went on ahead so we need to hurry. Let's go rescue Verena and put an end to this."

-

Alain walked out of the armoury on the top deck of the Highwind. Across the way at the top of the stairs Samuel and Pop looked on with concerned faces. He adjusted his sword on his back and then brushed down his black and red trimmed reinforced armour. He had found a hauberk and matching thick gauntlets, leggings, and boots. They would offer far more defence than any armour he had worn thus far and would most definitely be needed at the expense of some mobility due to the mail's weight.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Alain," Samuel said with a concerned look.

"They won't be happy to see you," Pop added.

"But I still need to go."

Alain turned to the Gentlemen Thief and asked if he was going to come and help. The old Elvaan exclaimed that he was far too weak to try fighting Arc Angels and would be happy to protect the Highwind in their absence.

Without any expression on his face, Alain out stretched a hand. The Gentlemen Thief did the same and they shook hands. Their gaze met, but neither moved. Words were exchanged silently and then they parted.