Together, Cosmos and Firion filled Rosa in on the new patrol schedule that Warrior drew up.
He re-classified missions, no longer using 'patrol' as a blanket term. Instead, it referred only to the defensives - the periodic circling of Sanctuary and of Cosmos' domain to keep Chaos' warriors at bay. Then there were stealth missions, which included reconnaissance and the gathering of intel. Then gateway clearings and targeted item retrievals. Lastly, there were offensive maneuvers, like seizing or guarding territories, destroying or commandeering enemy resources and items, fixing enemy positions, or 'disrupting enemy coherence', as Warrior put it.
When on missions, they would go in larger strike teams of seven, eight, or nine depending on the mission. Patrols and stealth missions would take seven warriors. Gateway missions would take eight. Offensive maneuvers would take nine. There were exceptions depending on Cosmos' judgment and the fluctuating threat levels of the missions, but for the most part, they would keep to those numbers.
No more than one mission was to be undertaken at any time, except in dire circumstances. After completing a mission, the warriors involved were allowed a shift of rest while another mission was carried out. After resting, three were selected to guard Cosmos. Everyone was required to pull a double mission shift at least once every three shift cycles.
Rosa suspected the changes were made to directly benefit her, but Warrior disguised it well under the guise of protecting Cosmos. It didn't make her feel so singled out. If she was resting in Sanctuary, both she and Cosmos would have warriors around them for protection. If there was an attack while she was guarding Cosmos, she would be armed and ready. When out on a mission, she had the protection of a larger group. The other warriors were in the exact same situations she would be in as far as numbers and shifts, and Cosmos had the extra protection that Warrior supposed she needed.
Cosmos also strongly suggested that Rosa stay within the Cornelia Plains if she chose to leave Sanctuary on her own. Otherwise, she was advised to take at least two other warriors with her in case of another direct attack against her. She couldn't be angry with the order, even if she wanted to be. She was grateful for the extra efforts made on her behalf, and she knew the suggestion wasn't an attack on her skills, or her ability to defend herself. Mild confinement was the price she would have to pay for safety and security.
It wasn't long before Cecil's group came back from whatever mission they were sent on. Rosa saw the flash of the teleport stone and watched as the group crossed the land bridge to Sanctuary's barrier. She could tell from their silhouettes that Cecil and Kain were in front, walking side by side. But another figure who towered over both of them caught Rosa's eye.
As they drew closer, the details became clearer. He looked to be over eight feet tall, if she compared him to Kain. His body was massive; he dwarfed everyone around him, even the largest and tallest of them, and the glances she caught of his chest, his arms, his forearms, his calves, and even his hands had her instantly wary of how imposing he was. He wore a full set of thick, navy colored armor that she could hear scraping together, even from so far away. It sported gold, silver, and royal blue accent colors - the same as Cecil's Dark Knight. He had a giant belt around his waist that held up thick cloth skirts, and the giant pauldrons on his shoulders were larger than her head, with spikes poking off of them - also the same as Cecil's Dark Knight, Rosa noted. The largest difference was in the helmet. While Cecil's featured a lifting face and cheek plates, the large man's helmet was a narrow slit. Two spikes, one on either side, zagged through the air, and a decorative sun motif sat atop in the center.
The armor had to be heavy, but he didn't seem to be struggling under its weight. He walked beside Cecil and Kain, and though his steps were heavy and loud, he moved with ease and a poise that was startling considering the size of him.
A motion from Cecil broke Rosa's stare, and she focused on him to see that he was waving cheerfully. She waved back. He said something to Kain and the large man and broke away from the group to jog to her, Firion, and Cosmos.
"Rosa," he said, holding his hand out to her, but she lifted her eyebrows to communicate her obvious question. And in case it wasn't clear, she flicked her eyes over his shoulder to their new arrival before placing her hand in his. He nodded his understanding, bowing slightly to raise her hand to his lips. "Cosmos, Firion," he said, with only a nod of his head towards them. He turned and beckoned the large man forward, and he spared a glance around Order's Sanctuary before stomping forward.
Rosa knew from his aura he wasn't a warrior of Cosmos. Though not as menacing as the Emperor, he still had an air of mild nefariousness - or perhaps a mean type of cunning. Despite his obvious allegiances, she noticed that no others in Sanctuary were alarmed by his presence. None made a move for their weapons, none were on guard, they all regarded him with familiarity, if not friendship.
The man paraded straight up to Cosmos, sweeping his cape behind him and dropping into an extremely low, reverent bow.
"Divine Goddess of Harmony," he said. He stayed low, head down, until Cosmos addressed him.
"Rise, friend," she said pleasantly. "You already know there is no need for such formality. What news?"
"Normal news," he replied. "News I will be more than happy to report, as soon as I extend to this fair lady a proper greeting." He gestured to Rosa.
Rosa blinked in surprise at the unexpected attention. He gave no indication that he even noticed her before, as he strolled into Sanctuary. She turned to Cecil for help but he was no longer at her side, making room for the newcomer. She stared at Cosmos instead, but Cosmos only nodded to the man, giving him her permission. He turned his back to her to face Rosa fully. The large man stared down at her, the light in his helmet that she hadn't noticed before stayed glued to her. He made no attempt to move towards her, and instead dropped into another low bow.
"Lady Rosa," he said.
"Who are you?" she asked him.
"You may not remember me, but I-"
"Then let me take her along as well . . ." Golbez said, wrapping his massive arms around her in a tight bear hug. ". . . to hold in trust until we are graced with the chance to meet again." He dragged her away and she struggled, wiggling and squirming as hard as she could against Golbez's hold.
The last glimpse she had of Cecil was his wide, horror-filled eyes, lying wounded on the floor.
The Fabul crystal room spun away from them, and before she could blink they landed again. Somewhere dark. Pitch black compared to the white radiance of the crystal room. Her eyes were unadjusted, and she couldn't see anything. It only renewed her panic. Rosa screamed, twisting twice as hard, but Golbez simply let her go, dumping her unsympathetically on the metal floor. She scrambled to a sitting position and scuttled as far away from him as the wall would allow.
"Where am I? Where have you taken me?!" She wanted her voice to sound strong, but the trembling in her tone betrayed her. He stomped to her and leaned over her, cupping her chin. The cold metal of his glove startled her, freezing against her face. She jerked away, but he only grabbed at her neck instead, holding her in place while he turned her face this way and that. Inspecting.
"You are indeed beautiful. I see why Kain fancies you - why they both do!" Golbez said. He threw her down, backing away from her. Rosa pulled the knife from her belt, but Golbez only waved his hand to the side. An invisible force slammed her wrist backwards against the wall, so hard she felt the bones in her hand gnash together. She cried out, the knife tumbled from her grip and clattered against the ground.
"I wouldn't," he said.
She glared at him and prepared a nasty retort, but the more her eyes adjusted to the dark the more she saw of her captor. He was hugely tall, with black armor darker than the room, and a helmet covering his face. It wasn't his physicality that frightened her tongue dead.
It was his aura. Pitch black and swirling around him was hatred in its most pure form and every variation of it. Hatred of everything and everyone. She felt bitterness, she felt violence, the intense desire to destroy and make others suffer without mercy. Notions of jealousy and contempt, images of choking the life out of the crystals and draining the world dry until not a single living thing was left alive. With it mixed a fiery-red rage that boiled inside of him. It was so strong she felt suffocated. He radiated an iciness that reminded her of death. She shuddered against it, all of her fight suddenly drained out of her as she realized the true evilness of the man in front of her. Without realizing it, she curled up, hugging her knees tight. He released her hand and she left her knife where it was.
"Where am I?" she asked again, but it came out as a choked whisper. He laughed at her, his aura surged, and her stomach sank.
"Golbez," she said, impulsively taking a step away from him, not bothering to hide the fact that she was wary of him. Almost instantly she reminded herself that something was different about him. About his aura and energy that she caught a glimpse of while he approached. Instead of rolling around him, it was immensely calm and steady. A silver that mostly sparkled, but was stifled by a fuzzy grey overlay - he held on to insecurities and past experiences that prevented him from reaching his full potential.
What she saw in the memory was pure evil. This was very obviously not the same man who kidnapped her and controlled Kain.
Still, though, he saw her retreat. He drew himself to full height and nodded once, as though to proudly resign himself to her reaction. "At your service. And," he said, turning back to Cosmos, "at yours. As I said, no news but that of Chaos' normal dealings. He maintains his normal distance, and still relies on Garland to devise and implement strategy. All ten of us are permitted to roam the lands indiscriminately until called upon for another purpose-"
"All ten?" Rosa blurted out, pushing her thoughts on Golbez to the side for the moment. "There are only ten Chaos warriors?"
" . . . Yes," Golbez said. "Only ten-"
"There are seventeen of us!" she yelled incredulously. "Fifteen before Bartz and I arrived. And this war has been raging for a long while - at least, that's what I can infer considering no one can tell me for certain. Fifteen warriors, over the course of . . . however long this war is, couldn't overwhelm ten warriors?"
Warrior's eyes hardened, as though Rosa attacked him directly. And perhaps she did, she realized, considering Warrior implemented strategy. Rosa turned towards him and directed her question at him. "Warrior? We haven't been able to defeat ten warriors yet?"
"No, we have not," he answered simply, matching her challenge. "You do not know the ways of this world, or this war. You do not know the means and strategies that Cosmos and I use, nor do you know the powers of those on Chaos' side. I suggest you refrain from commenting on matters you do not understand-"
Rosa prepared a nasty retort, but Cosmos yelled out first. "Warrior!" she scolded, and Rosa was glad for him. She wasn't sure what she would have said, but she knew Cosmos would be considerably less harsh.
"Cosmos, why haven't we defeated ten warriors yet, after all this time?" Rosa prompted, dropping her tone low. "Why haven't we been sent home by now?" There had to be a specific reason, she knew it. Highly strategic people like Warrior, or Cosmos for that matter, wouldn't sit back and wait for a war to turn in their favor. "Tell me why."
"Perhaps I underestimated them and their might," she said hastily. She threw her hand
up, shaking her head like she was only saying it to placate Rosa. "I could not forsee the ferocity with which Chaos and his warriors would attack us."
Rosa steeled herself, not ready to be deflected so carelessly. Not until she had a real answer to her question. At this point, she thought dryly, any answer to any question would be great. "What does that mean, Cosmos? Do not dismiss me - do you not measure your own progress in this war? Do you not know your own strategies, and do you not care whether or not they are effective against ten warriors?"
Cosmos' eyes slid to the side towards Warrior staring down at her. When she caught his eye, she looked up at him. Her eyebrows furrowed, her mouth parted slightly, and Rosa could feel the unspoken cry for help in her energy. Her plea bled through her eyes into the air and seemed to choke it.
"Why are we still here, Cosmos?" Rosa asked again.
Warrior stepped down from her throne, descending the stairs and placing himself between her and Rosa. Shielding her from additional interrogation and scorn.
Rosa scowled up at him, and he stared back, his face an unfamiliar mixture of emotion that Rosa didn't care to interpret.
"Pardon me. I do not mean to intrude . . . "
She blinked, the deep, grumbling voice cutting through the tension like a knife. She forgot there were others present in the midst of her anger. Rosa turned to the source, staring at the odd light in Golbez's helmet.
"Of course, Golbez," Cosmos said. "Continue, please. I apologize for the divergence." Her eyes flicked to Rosa, but she met her eyes and returned her gaze with as much resolve as she could. Hoping Cosmos realized Rosa wouldn't let it go until her questions were answered.
"My apologies," Golbez said. "If I stay for a long while and Chaos or Garland notices I am here, it could spell danger. As I was saying, Chaos maintains his normal distance from the fighting, and he relies on Garland to devise and implement strategy. All ten of Chaos' warriors are free to roam the world as we please, until we are called upon for a specific purpose. As before, I am usually trusted with counter-intelligence and espionage. Ultimecia and Kuja survey the land and search the Gateways for strategic positions and valuable items, and the three of us are meant to report to Garland. Sometimes, to Chaos directly. If the items are truly important, the Cloud of Darkness is sent, either to retrieve them or booby trap them so that you all do not come across them. Garland then uses the information we gather to synthesize a course of action. Kefka, Exdeath, and Jecht are typically chosen to lead our direct attacks and confrontations. Finally, Sephiroth completes the most important, most challenging and high-risk missions, whatever they may be."
Rosa tallied them off in her head, but she only counted nine. She felt who was missing rather than thought it. "What about the Emperor?" she asked.
"Previously, he would help Garland with strategy and the handing out of orders, but I have neither seen him nor heard from him since Chaos called our last meeting. They . . . had a bit of a falling out." Golbez paused, glancing down at Rosa. The emotionless light in his helmet offered no reaction. "I understand you're having trouble with him."
"A bit," she admitted, but at the same time Warrior spoke as well.
"No. Whether we are, or are not is none of your concern-"
"I was speaking to Lady Rosa. Cecil and Kain told me of his attack on you here in Sanctuary. If it would ease your mind, I could surveil him for you. I could watch him, note his movements, alert you to any deviations . . ."
Cecil jumped on Golbez's offer. "Yes, thank you! We could very well know the Emperor's moves and react accordingly before he has the chance to strike at Rosa again. Or the rest of us," he added.
The thought of having a pair of eyes specifically on the Emperor eased Rosa's mind considerably, and she could feel her heart lift. But Cosmos' head tilted to the side.
"I don't think it will accomplish anything significant. We would lose the intel you provide us about Chaos' side as a whole, Golbez."
Cecil snapped back, "He just told us that Chaos hasn't made a significant move in well over two cycles. With our new schedules and the numbers we send, we can very easily defend against his normal dealings."
Cosmos wrung her hands, shaking her head harder.
"Firion?" Cecil asked, abandoning his hope of convincing her. Rosa could tell how much stock he put into the idea of Golbez watching the Emperor for them. Firion's eyes squinted in thought, and they all sat in silence while he mulled it over.
"I . . . agree with Cosmos," he decided slowly. "I want the Emperor watched just as much as you do, but Golbez's talents for espionage and misdirection are better used elsewhere than focused solely on the Emperor. To ask that of him underestimates the Emperor's abilities to plan around it, and undervalues Golbez's usefulness in our military pursuits."
"It is not a matter of one, or the other," Golbez said. "Not either the Emperor, or the whole group. Both are perfectly feasible with how the Emperor spends his time. He is not so far in seclusion that to keep my eye on him would draw immediate suspicion. As your informant already, Cosmos, it would be very easy for me to keep my eye on him."
"You contradict yourself," Warrior challenged. "You said he was keeping to himself this time, did you not It very well may draw suspicion."
Golbez's shoulders tensed. "And what of it, if it does?" he asked. His silvery aura surged, and Rosa could tell he was growing fed up with Warrior's challenges. "The Emperor is so untrustworthy, it wouldn't be strange of me to say that Chaos asked me to keep an eye on him." Golbez suddenly chuckled, and his armor clanked together with every heave of his shoulders. "Ah, how I do enjoy these meetings, Warrior. Your full confidence in me is inspiring," he quipped.
Warrior's eyes narrowed, but he didn't grace Golbez's sarcasm with a reply. Golbez stared at him for an extra second, then turned back to Cosmos. "It would add another layer of protection for you, and for Rosa. You should consider it."
"I will," Cosmos said, but her voice didn't have her soft but steeled conviction. "Thank you for offering, Golbez."
"Of course. There is nothing more to report, my lady," he said, bowing his head to Cosmos. "I must be going. I shall not pursue the Emperor, but if I happen upon him, I shall note his dealings and report them to you, Lady Rosa."
"Much obliged. Thank you," she said. "I'd . . . I'd like the opportunity to speak with you again." The request felt awkward off her tongue. She knew that what she was asking was highly personal despite them just meeting.
Golbez understood her meaning. "Of course, my Lady. I don't doubt that I could help you regain pieces of your memory. The Eastern portion of the Cornelia Plains is often considered a neutral zone. Warriors of both sides often trade with the Moogle that resides there, and with each other - Items, summonstones, and other goods. If you would seek me out, wait for me there."
Golbez grabbed the edge of his cape, and swung it hard around himself. It made a whoosh through the air, and his form shifted before her eyes. Before she could blink he was gone.
Watching Warrior, it was as though someone uncoiled a spring. His jaw unclenched. All the tension drained out of his shoulders, his hard glare relaxed, and his usual mask of stoic professionalism materialized on his face. Even his aura, brilliant and yellow, calmed around him. Back to business as usual, despite the ferocity of their discussion.
Rosa was not about to let it drop, but Golbez's interruption diffused much of her initial anger as well. All of the fight drained out of her, and she no longer wanted to bother mustering up the energy to continue.
"Cosmos," she said, "I apologize." She took a deep breath, and exhaled the lingering dregs of her anger. "I don't mean to attack you, or appear as though I am. In truth, there is much I want to know, and not knowing frustrates me. You said you may have underestimated Chaos' warriors?" she repeated. The words felt awkward and weak off her tongue. She nearly stuttered at Cosmos' weak defense but at her slow olive-branch of a nod, Rosa swallowed her hesitation "I know full well how ferocious they can be - the Emperor, at least. I want . . . I want our next step to be a plan of action. I want to defeat these ten warriors as quickly as possible so that we all can go home. I want you to know that I am here to help. I'll do whatever you need me to do." A small, but necessary concession. She could feel in the air that an argument for the sake of an argument would be a poor choice. Cosmos was not willing to divulge anything more, and to probe her would only anger Warrior.
She resolved not to let it go, but rather put it on hold until she could get Cosmos alone. Until they could discuss it without growing angry.
Cosmos smiled, and it crinkled the corners of her eyes in the first genuine expression Rosa could remember seeing on her face. "Thank you, Rosa. We have been in dire need of a White Mage for some time. When I had enough power saved, I searched the realms, and you were an easy choice. You are extremely, extremely powerful, Rosa. More powerful than you realize. The best thing you could do to help us is keep your companions healed and healthy. Focus on them, just like you did for Firion after your battle with the Emperor. Keep us in this fight, and I'm sure with your efforts we can begin to move more fiercely against Chaos' ten warriors."
"Fine," Rosa said, dragging a hand down her face. Displaying her exasperation and discontent to all who saw it. Projecting that she was finished with this discussion, but the issue wasn't resolved for her.
As she said: a necessary concession.
She decided to leave the conversation where it stood, and bowed in a low courtsey to signal her departure.
"Wait," Warrior said, holding up his hand. "You're scheduled for patrol next." Back to business as usual. Either that, or impervious to her display. "Gather your belongings and prepare yourself."
"Where are we going?" Cecil asked, his overly-polite tone forcing the conversation to turn.
"The Northwest Melmond Fens, with Firion, Yuna, Bartz, Cloud, and Laguna-"
"Cecil just went on a patrol," Rosa said, interrupting him.
"Oh! I requested to pull double patrol shifts," he said, stepping forward. Stepping between her and Warrior. Well-played, Cecil, Rosa thought. If any one of them spoke out of turn again, a fight could ensue.
"Why?"
Cecil paused, "Well, I wanted every chance I could get to go on missions and patrols with you, Rosa. They're perfect opportunities for us to discuss memories and other things." He put his arms up, palms out in a gesture of peace. "If you'd rather not, I can always-"
"No, that's perfect, Cecil," she said. "I do have some questions I was meaning to ask you." The patrols would give her the chance to get to know him the way Vaan and Zidane suggested she did. It would be her chance to ask him questions deep-rooted in his caring nature. She could start to find out for herself the kind of person he was, and how deeply their ties of friendship ran.
"Excellent. Thank you." He smiled so widely, his eyes crinkled in delight, and the positivity of it melted away her negative emotions. He wanted the chance to talk to her just as much as she wanted to talk to him. "Before we go, we'll need supplies. Let me show you where our stock-pile is." He reached out, to take her hand-
The two of them ran towards their secret place, and he held her hand while she crossed the broken bridge.
She took his outstretched hand and walked with him to a free spot on the dance floor.
The rocks of the mountain were loose and the footing was perilous. "Let me go first," Cecil said, "and I'll help you across once I know it's secure." He scaled the face of Mount Hobs slowly, carefully, ensuring the strength of each foothold before he planted himself there. Once he crossed the ravine, he beckoned her forward. When she was close enough, he leaned far over the edge and reached for her hand, hauling her over and catching her.
Tons of little flares of memories, not large enough to give her pause, but small enough that she blinked rapidly. Suddenly, taking his outstretched hand felt incredibly natural to her, and she placed her hand in his without hesitation.
"Lead on," she said.