Zanu was holding Angel. The Mithra mage was crying in such a fashion she was shaking with each sob. Angel buried her head into Zanu's chest. All he could do was hold her. They had lost their only child. Terra was on the ground dead. A dark purple bruise surrounded half Elvaan half Mithra's neck. Elnroth moved to the child's body draping a cloak over it. Saying silent words Zanu took Angel away from the site.
"Angel, please. It will get better. You just have to be strong for us." Zanu whispered in her ear
As time passed Angel shortly stopped crying, only because for her own lack of energy she passed out into a deep sleep.
It was dark everywhere. In her own subconscious Angel walked. Angel's memories of suffering and pain haunted her.
"Why does this keep happening? Every time I get my family back, or something finally goes right for once it's all taken away from me." Angel sobbed
"Maybe its because you're too weak to defend what you have." A voice called out to Angel
Angel stood in the darkness alone. She looked around to her surroundings trying to pinpoint where the voice was coming from.
"What? Surprised that some one else is here with you?" The voice spoke again
A dark figure grew out of the shadows. Materializing Angel recognized this person.
"Apathy…" Angel said
"Yes, hello to you too." Apathy spoke. "I know your not entirely thrilled that I'm here, but, I am."
Angel looked at her teary eyed.
"What?" Apathy said confused
Angel walked to her counterpart.
"If you're looking to fight…" Apathy started
She suddenly stopped when she found herself being hugged by Angel.
"What are you doing?" Apathy yelled. "I'm evil, you're not supposed to be embracing me!"
"I don't care. You're not as evil as you say you are." Angel said in a broken voice
Apathy stood there confused and disoriented. With her hands up Apathy found Angel crying softly. She was looking at a truly broken woman. It went against every thing Apathy was created for but she slowly rested her arms around Angel. Apathy sighed deeply.
"This is really out of place for me to be doing this." Apathy complained
She looked down at Angel who dried her eyes. They were bloodshot from the stress and crying. Brushing herself off Angel stood up and tried to look presentable.
"I… I have a proposition to make." Angel tried to speak clearly
Apathy raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really. What does this entail?" Apathy asked
Angel started pacing around.
"You are a much stronger warrior than I am. And under recent events I want to call a truce." Angel offered
Dumbstruck Apathy stood in awe.
"What do you mean truce. I could kill you right here and now." Apathy yelled
"But you haven't. And I don't think you will." Angel said confidently. "Which is why I am bring this up."
"So you want me to just stop being evil and turn to the good side?" Apathy asked
Angel looked at Apathy with a straight face.
"No, because you're not as evil as you keep saying you are." Angel countered
Apathy grinned. Laughing loudly she sighed.
"What gave it away?" Apathy asked
"First, if you wanted to you would have dominated my body and killed everyone like you were told to do. And the second time the watch was used you would have just ran away. But instead you absorbed the bow saving everyone.
"But I killed Terra." Apathy said
"It wasn't your fault. When you attacked her, it wasn't my daughter. You did what you had to." Angel said sullenly. "That is why I want, no… need you're help. I can't fight this anymore on my own. I need as much help as I can get. This is why I am begging for your help."
Apathy was caught completely off guard. Stunned seeing some one beg for her to fight against those who had created her. Torn for a decision she thought.
"I'll do it. However, I need one conditional clause." Apathy said
"What is it?" Angel asked
"You have to let me out every now and then. It gets boring just watching everything happen." Apathy said
This time Angel smirked.
"Consider it done." Angel agreed
"Take care of that watch." Apathy said. "Our twin souls may be bound to this body, but that watch has more to it than keeping the time."
In a flash Angel woke up. She was under a blanket in a bed. Looking around in this room Angel saw things that she thought were long lost. Her old staff rested along the wall. Just below it was her rapier. A buckler and sheath companied it. Next to it was a closet. Getting up from the bed she walked over to it and opened its doors.
"Zanu…" Angel said
Inside rested a hanger holding a wedding dress. There was Angel's wedding dress. Next to it was Zanu's suit. Not really that much of a suit as it was a ninja outfit. Angel laughed to herself remembering that day.
"Well Apathy, you ready to come out and play?" Angel asked
"Yes…" Apathy answered
Angel took hold of the watch that hung around her neck. Hitting the switch she could feel her heart stop. The blackness that covered her hands moves. It streamed up her arms to the rest of her body. Black lines etched over her veins. Dropping the watch it hung from her neck by a silver chain.
"Heh, so this is how it feels." Apathy said
She stretched out her arms and then moved to her legs,
"Its weird being able to fully control this body of yours." Apathy said
Walking out of the room Apathy found herself in an underground dojo. Confused at first she read through Angel's memories and found her way out the secret room.
Up in Norg Apathy felt uneasy. Everyone was starting at her. Never seeing her before she could understand, but this was just down right creepy to have dozens of eyes on you at all times. Trying to mind her own business she found her self on the floor quickly. Apathy had run into someone, knocking them down as well.
Vivli was mindlessly walking around. She didn't really have anyone that was close enough to her to call a friend anymore. All the people Vivli was left with she didn't even know.
"I feel so out of place here." Vivli said to herself
Not looking as she walked she ran into someone. Falling backwards Vivli looked up to see whom she ran into.
"I'm so sorry I ran…" Vivli stopped
Eyes wide she looked into the face of Apathy.
"You really need to watch where you're going." Apathy said
Vivli started screaming for help. Apathy jumped to her feet. Now scared herself she thought rapidly.
"What the hell did I do now?" Apathy asked
Quickly there were two Elvaan's running to the scene. Vivli got to her feet and started backing away.
"Who are you?" One demanded
Holding her hands up defensively she said plainly.
"Hi, I'm Apathy. Nice to make your acquaintance." Apathy said
One looked at her and noticed the watch hanging from her neck.
"What did you do to Angel?" One yelled at her
"I didn't do a damn thing. We made a pact to work together and she let me out." Apathy confessed
The two glared at her.
"Don't believe me? Ask her your self." Apathy spoke
She hit the switch on the watch changing back into Angel.
"Hello." Angel said with a smile
The two looked at her confused.
"Have you gone insane?" Zanu asked
Angel held up her arms looking at the new marks that covered her skin.
"Isn't in clear that I most certainly have?" Angel laughed
"What are you doing?" Zanu asked
"I came to the conclusion that we are going to need all the help we can get to beat the Shadow Lord. So I asked Apathy if she wanted to play along with the good side." Angel explained. Lucky me she agreed."
"But why was she just walking around out here?" Zanu asked
"Well, Apathy wanted a clause where she could be released from time to time. And one of those times is now." Angel said clicking the watch
The rest watched as Angel shifted control back to Apathy.
Apathy growled.
"This friend of yours is more evil then you know. I think I'll start calling her Oni rather than Angel." Apathy said
Apathy looked at the ground. The expression her face looked like she was in pain. With a hand over her stomach she looked to the three standing in front of her.
"Why does my chest hurt?" Apathy asked innocently
"Well you've been out for three days now. I'm sure you would be hungry." Zanu said
In the tavern Andrew and Lucia were seated against the wall.
"So commander. What do we do now?" Lucia asked
Andrew was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed.
"I haven't the damned idea what to do." Andrew said plainly. "If it were up to me, which actually it is, we would stay here and forget very thing that was happened. Just forget about the world out there and barricade ourselves in here and stay till we die."
Lucia looked at him upset.
"Your telling me you've just given up? After that battle we were able to take out a bunch of the Shadow Lords generals. It should be a perfect time to strike now." Lucia exclaimed
"Who was it that actually killed all of those generals?" Andrew asked
"Well we got one of them." Lucia said
"And who got the other four?" Andrew asked. "By herself?"
Lucia stopped with her cheery attitude.
"Angel stopped them." Lucia said defeated
"Yes Angel did. Which means we can't do a thing for ourselves of she isn't around. So my plan is simple. We stay here." Andrew finished
As he did Zanu, Elnroth, and Vivli walked into the room. Shortly behind them followed a Mithra. But she didn't look right. Even though Andrew was preoccupied and had his eyes closed the moment the Mithra entered the room he sprang up aiming the rifle at her head.
"Yo, relax. She's on our side." Zanu said
Andrew lowered his weapon and sat back down. Turning back to Lucia he leaned back against the wall resting the rifle against the wall as well.
"So what do you like to eat?" Zanu asked Apathy
A grin crossed her face.
"The heart and souls of young warriors." Apathy replied seductively
She put a hand on his chest.
"And virgins are always fun." Apathy added
Zanu backed up away from Apathy. She laughed at him.
"You seriously need to get a sense of humor." Apathy laughed. "I don't really know what I like."
Vivli quickly perked up.
"I guess it's my job as a fellow Mithra to teach you about your race. And to start off we'll get you a plate of fresh fish." Vivli said enthused
Apathy looked at Vivli.
"Someone needs to get laid." Apathy said to herself
"What was that!" Vivli cried
Elnroth tried to hide a smile, where as Zanu was laughing loudly. Andrew and Lucia walked over to join the commotion. Apathy looked at Andrew.
"You look like a willing candidate. Why do you do the honors?" Apathy added
Andrew froze in place. Apathy turned to Zanu.
"How about you? You look like you could use it." Apathy blurted out
This time Elnroth was hunched over he was laughing so hard.
"Hah ha… I like this girl." Elnroth said
A plate of fish was quickly served to their table. Apathy looked that cooked fish that lined the plate. Pickling one up she examined it.
"What the bloody hell is this?" Apathy asked
Vivli quickly picked up a fish and started biting into it.
"This is fish. Try it." Vivli said
Apathy bit down on the cooked fish. Ripping off a chunk she rested it in her mouth. Confused by how it tasted Apathy quickly dropped the fish she held and grabbed her throat. Leaning over she spit the chunk of fish back up.
"That thing just tired to kill me." Apathy said gasping
"You're supposed to chew it first." Vivli said
This time everyone was laughing at Apathy. Zanu came up behind her and placed a hand on her head.
"This might be fun after all." He said
Apathy looked up to the Elvaan and smiled.
Hours later Andrew proposed a round of drinks. At this time Ginryu and entered, Seres and Cifer shortly after. After a few rounds Vivli dropped out quickly. A few more and Andrew said he was out. Lucia was immediately after him. Lastly it was down to Apathy, Zanu, and Elnroth.
"Ha, guess we win." Zanu said smugly
"We had a slight advantage. The three of us used to do this when every we were low on Gil." Elnroth explained
"Whee, the world is all spiny…" Apathy said
"But Angel never really got the hang of drinking that much." Zanu said
He took her hand and led her out of the building.
"I think its time our little princess's bed time." Zanu said
Apathy was clinging to Zanu. She didn't know why but she instinctively felt a strong attraction to be near him at all times. Very drunk she looked up into Zanu's eyes.
"You're cute… you know that." Apathy said
"Ok, it really is time for you to get to bed. That was just creepy." Zanu said
"Aw, aren't you man enough to take me?" Apathy said
"I take it back. That just sent a chill up my spine." Zanu said
"Kill joy." Apathy said
From above a figure was watching the two walk through the empty city. Dropping down she landed silently. Drawing a single shot revolver she ran out to the two. Stopping in front of them she had the gun up to Apathy's face. Pulling the trigger the assassin shot a bullet in Apathy's left eye. The attack sent her backwards. She fell limp on the ground. Zanu couched down over her.
"No, you can't be dead now…" Zanu said horrified
"It wasn't poetic. But it got the job done." Greed spoke
She reloaded the gun and pointed it at Zanu.
"Time to join your beloved wife." Greed said
"AHHH! DAMNIT!" Apathy yelled
Getting back up Apathy held her eye.
"That stung like a bitch." Apathy said
Reaching out she grabbed Greed's arm. Sapping the corruption magic from her body Apathy healed her wound. Breaking free from her grip greed went to shoot Apathy again but found her gun wasn't in her hand any more.
"What's this?" Apathy asked
She held the gun looking down the barrel through her right eye. Before Zanu could say another word Apathy's thumb brushed the trigger firing a second bullet into her other eye. Dropping the weapon she screamed in pain again.
"BLOODY HELL!" Apathy yelled
Grabbing Greed again Apathy sapped more of the corruption magic from her body to regenerate this wound.
"What the hell are you?" Greed asked
Apathy, still very drunk, laughed at her.
"Don't you remember me?" Apathy asked
Greed drew a dagger and lunged at Apathy. Apathy easily dodged to the side and pounced on top of Greed. At this point everyone from the bar had come out to see what was going on. Apathy had pinned Greed to the ground and was sapping her of the rest of the corruption magic.
Kiary looked up at Apathy.
"Who are you?" Kiary asked
"Oh, that's right." Apathy said
She hit the switch on her watch, thus changing back to Angel.
Angel held her head then moving them down to her robes.
"Why does my head hurt. And why is there blood on my clothes?" Angel asked
"She shot you in the left eye." Zanu said. "Then you shot your self in the right eye. Well, Apathy did anyway."
"What, why the hell did she shoot herself?" Angel asked
"Well, she was pretty drunk." Zanu said
"As interesting as this is, you mind getting off of me?" Kiary asked
Angel got up and started to wobble.
"I hate being drunk." Angel said
Seres ran out to Kiary.
"Mother. You're back." Seres cried
"How long was I gone?" Kiary asked
Seres just hugged her mother and buried her head into her.
"Too long." Seres cried
Zanu walked up behind Angel. Putting his arms around her he pulled her in close.
Angel sighed.
"I have to go get some rest for tomorrow. We have work to do." Angel said
As she tried to walk away Zanu grabbed her hand.
"You don't have to keep fighting. You don't give your self enough time to rest or recover." Zanu said
"I'm fine. Its nothing I can't heal myself." Angel said
She tried to leave now. But Zanu would not let her leave.
"How many times are you going to die for your cause?" Zanu yelled. "You don't have to be a martyr!"
"Please let me go…" Angel said
Elnroth stepped in front of Angel.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with Zanu here. You need to stay here until we figure out what to do." Elnroth said
Angel reached for the watch hanging from her neck. Elnroth swung his sword cutting the chain. With his sword he knocked the watch away. Angel was now struggling to get out of Zanu's grip.
"No, I have to get away. I have to leave." Angel was crying
Elnroth picked the watch up and put it away. Angel dropped to the ground. She was holding her head just talking to herself.
"I have to go. I need to leave." Angel repeated
"Angel… what… what are you saying?" Zanu asked
Angel blocked everything out. She was losing herself in a blind trance.
"Angel… do you really want to leave?" Apathy asked
Angel shut herself off to her own mind. Apathy was the only one still answering her.
Angel stopped. Closing her eyes she lowered her hands.
"Yes." Angel bluntly answered
Her body jolted. Angel forced her mind into her body and pushed Apathy out so she could hide.
Zanu held Apathy.
"Angel. Angel!" Zanu yelled
"Angel isn't here right now. I can take a message if you'd like." Apathy answered
Legal notice. I do not own FFXI. It is property of Square-Enix. All PC's and NPC's have thier rescpetive owners.