What do you know? Three chapters in and I decide to do a spat as one of the story's characters. He's not one of the original party though, so he doesn't count right?

Being more specific on the disclaimers; Jonas, Arthas and Sain are original characters, most of the others are not. I'd like some credit and warning if you intend to use any of the originals if you please. There, that's outta the way, on with the show.

Chapter Two

Enter the Maester

He slowly strolled to the balcony, listening to the panicking people come to and fro.

"Why all the ruckus?" Maester Seymour asked, knowing full well the turmoil outside.

"M-Maester!" The guard stammered, "Fiends have appeared in the stadium! Its pandemonium! We are doing all we can to keep the VIP Balcony safe, Your Eminence!"

"I see." The situation didn't worry the Maester. He heard someone approaching him and instantly recognized him. "I trust you heard all of that, Kinoc?"

Maester Kinoc nodded, "How did they get in in the first place? The Crusaders were assigned to guard this place. This smells like an assassination attempt if anything."

Seymour couldn't help but chuckle his deep melodious chuckle. Kinoc was always so paranoid, so unprepared to die. It reminded him of a saying: 'He who always looks behind them for the dagger usually gets stabbed from the front.' He smiled thinking of how appropriate that would be for Kinoc. "My friend," he began amiably, "You think too much on a mere trifle. Worry not, for I will take care of everything." Before waiting for his response, Seymour walked calmly past him to step outside to the balcony.

Mother, He thought, calling to his aeon, you're only son calls for your help. Come and rid these annoyances from my sight.

V

Jonas shuddered. "Something's… someone's calling an aeon!" he said to his friends.

"Where? Where?" Arthas asked, darting his head back and forth and struggling to get to his feet. Before anyone else could speak, the sky darkened. The ground in front of the four darkened, forming into a swirling crimson portal. From thin air the chain and anchor plunged deep into the portal and began to pull something out.

What came from there brought Jonas to his knees. That…That creature, bound in chains, it was so grotesque, yet it looked so human-like. That eye…that one eye bound in the bandages, the skin, so withered. It looked like a creature that spent eons in eternal torture, and when it screamed-that inhuman, pained wail-a wave of nausea hit Jonas. The creature began attacking, and he felt it, felt the Aeon's pain and suffering. He saw fiends dieing, falling to its power, and wondered if they felt it too. Suddenly it was too much for Jonas. The last thing he heard was that ghostly keening as his head hit the ground and he faded from consciousness.

"Dryd…dryd drehk!" The Al Bhed breathed, "E fuimth'd fyhd du ryja du vekrd dryd!"

Sain grabbed Jonas' arm and slung it over his shoulder. "I don't know what he just said, but I think I can agree with him. Arthas, give me a hand, willya?" Arthas grabbed the other arm and they both lifted him to his feet. "Poor Jonas," Sain mused, "He felt it just a little too acutely."

"Yeah," Arthas replied, "This has been quite a day; actually a pretty good one, if you consider were leavin' tomorrow, huh?"

Sain didn't say anything. The heavy feeling in the air was beginning to lift as the aeon began to return to its portal. Anima, he thought the name was. He had read on the fayth before, and it included an entry on this particular creature. Now, as the pained creature disappeared into oblivion, its impression stayed with him as a dull head ache. He thought of how powerful it was, the repercussions of standing so close to it, and the only thought he could offer himself was I need to remind Jonas to acquire that one.

V

Seymour took the expected praise with dignity.

"A most excellent performance indeed." Grand Maester Mika warbled, "Though perhaps you were too hasty in calling your most powerful summoning, as you over estimated their strength."

"With all due respect," Seymour countered, "I did not wish to hold back when precious lives were at stake. Besides, it has been far too long since Anima was allowed out of her hole into the fresh air."

Kinoc nodded, "But there still is the matter of how the fiends got into the stadium. I will send monks to investigate."

"There is no need." Seymour said his voice as even as ever, though somehow he managed to grasp the room's attention. "Why would you waste man-power finding that out?

Kinoc stared at him, talking like the answer was obvious, "That attack may very well have been an assassination attempt on us. For all we know those Al Bhed bastards may…"

"Be quite skilled with machina," Seymour interrupted, "But I don't think that manipulating fiends is in their skill sets." Seymour so enjoyed the look on Kinoc's face as he spoke, "Peace, Wen, just think about it: if it was an attempt on just our lives, it was too spaced out. I am sure the guards will tell you that no assassins entered in the chaos, so it wasn't a diversion. It would make more sense to coordinate the attack, and fiends aren't exactly what some would consider 'co-operative'."

"But, we still need to find out how it was perpetrated." Kinoc pointed out.

"If there are any noticeable qualities about you, it is your attention to detail, however, why can you not just let it remain a mystery. It is safe to assume that if an assassin or assassins were involved, they couldn't just cart that many monsters in unnoticed, so whoever you ask will most likely provide you with little or no information, so your best bet is to just prepare for your little operation at Mushroom Rock."

Kinoc was about to protest, but was stopped by the Grand Maester's words. "Maester Seymour has a point, Kinoc. He is smart, much like his father. Do not concern yourself with the fiends, and instead focus on Operation: Mi'hen."

The Maesters dispersed, and Seymour called for his subordinate when he was finally alone.

"Are all of the fiends gone?" Seymour inquired

"All of them were exterminated, Lord Seymour; you took the remaining out with your aeon."

"That is good; the last thing I need is evidence against me. Prepare my carriage for travel. I intend to go check in on that operation."

"Yes Lord Seymour, it will be prepared at once."