CHAPTER

(-6-)

The Murderer and The Bodybuilder

The mountain was steep, but beautiful. Terra could see why Duncan's students used this mountain to meditate. The view was amazing, the slope had many green trees, and the atmosphere was somewhat serene, especially considering the circumstances. The higher up you went, the more beautiful the view became. They had considered stopping to rest, but none of them could get to sleep. For some reason, Terra had the feeling that she was being watched, but she dismissed them as figments of her imagination. They climbed at a slow rate, crossing over many rickety bridges. They even had to find their way over chasms, where the bridge had collapsed, by finding another bridge somewhere else. Finally, they approached the summit.

That being-watched feeling returned to Terra again, but she couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. They approached a flight of stairs to reach the actual summit. Terra had a really bad feeling.

"Sabin sent you, right?" A mysterious, even,threatening voice spoke from a rock.

"Who... Where are you? Where is Sabin?" Asked Edgar.

"You were the one who was shadowing us, Right?" Asked Locke

"You had the feeling we were being watched, too?" Asked Terra.

"Yes..."

"What does Sabin want with me?" The man said, more demandingly.

"I don't even know your name." Said Edgar.

"Don't lie to me, I know you're his servants." Said the man, stepping out of the shadow of the rock.

"I am Vargas, the best martial artist in the world. I'm a lot better then that old fool Duncan. Now tell me, where is he?" Vargas was tall and strong. He had pincher-shaped claws strapped to his hands. He had a pointed beard, and a bear chest. His face revealed a permanent scowl.

"I don't know." said Edgar slowly.

"Then you will die for lying to me. But wait, I see things are a bit uneven. Bears!" he said. Then, two bears leapt down the stairs.

Edgar raised his automatic crossbow and pulled the trigger. A spray of bolts launched out, but the bolts couldn't penetrate the thick fur.

"Fry them, Terra!" Yelled Locke.

"Blizzard" Yelled Terra. A large icicle formed above each of them. Then they fell, impaling both of the bears.

"I told you to fry them, but whatever you feel like works for me." Said Locke. "Now could you fry him?"

Terra took a deep breath, and then the faces of Narshe's guards appeared in her mind's eye, and she couldn't do it. "I... I can't"

Edgar raised his crossbow again, but to his dismay, he had only one bolt left. He dropped the crossbow, drew his sword, and charged. Somehow, Vargas managed to catch the sword in his claw, and and try to twist it out of his hand. But a great number of two-people-trying to-gain-possession-of-the-same-object matches with his brother had strengthened his grip. He managed to hold on, but then Vargas, still in possession of the sword, kicked Edgar in a very painful spot.

Edgar collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain. Vargas turned around and ducked just in time to dodge Locke's twin daggers. He managed to parry every one of Locke's stabs and slashes. He managed somehow, using a secret technique, to twist Locke's arm behind his back. He then raised his clawed fist and walked menacingly toward Terra. "Oh come on, I expected at least a challenge."

"Give it up, Vargas!" Said a serious voice. Suddenly, Sabin jumped from a shadow, knuckles extended. Vargas barely had time to dodge.

"You" said Vargas. "You stole my rightful place as Duncan's heir.

" "Why? Why did you kill your own father like that. You killed him in his sleep. He died without even a fight. We still can't find the body."

"Fool! I already said that he made the mistake of choosing you as his successor! He snubbed me, his only son. He was a fool and had to be taken care of."

"No! You were the one he chose!"

"You are a liar!"

"No! Our Master wanted you to be his successor, not me. He appreciated your spirit and zeal."

"Enough of your lies! Now, have a taste of my superior technique!" They fought hand to hand, literally. The battle lasted a long time and both of them were getting tired. By then both Edgar and Locke had sufficiently recovered.

"Ah, Sabin!" Said Vargas "The master taught you well!"

"I didn't want to, but I guess there's no avoiding this!"

"Fate made us train together, and fate will send you to your doom! You will die."

"I tire of this fight. Time to put an end to this!" He took a few steps back, and then leaped forward. He was punching at a speed which no mortal could. Vargas couldn't block or dodge fast enough.

"W-what the heck? He taught you.... that!?" Vargas said, then he pulled something out of his pocket and threw it hard on the ground. A puff of dark black smoke appeared and Vargas disappeared.

"Vargas," Said Sabin mournfully "If only you hadn't been in such a rush for power. You would have received it anyway, and you wouldn't need to be running."

Edgar was already on his feet "Sabin!" he exclaimed. Sabin turned around and slowly said "Big brother?" They ran toward each other and embraced.

"The brothers are reunited!" Said Locke "Younger brother?" Said Terra "At first glance I thought he was some body builder who had strayed from his gym." Everyone was dumbfounded, this was the first attempt she had ever made at humor. Sabin turned around,

"Bodybuilder, eh. I'll take that as a compliment. But, brother, what are you doing here?"

"We're on the way through the Sabil mountains." Said Edgar

"To the Returners' hideout, no doubt?"

"How did you..."

"I keep tabs on everything that goes on." Said Sabin "Figaro... will become a puppet to the Emperor if she doesn't resist."

"I know, I've got that taken care of." Said Edgar "Our time to strike back is now. The empire is going to pay for what it has and will do."

"Do you think a "bodybuilder" like me could help you in your fight?" He said, looking mirthfully at Terra.

"You mean... you'd actually join us?"

"I think Duncan would rest easier if he knew his star pupil played a part in bringing peace to the world."

"Then let's get going!" Said Locke.

"We should stay in one of these caves for the night," Said Sabin "then we should make our way down the mountain."

"Okay." Said Terra.

***

"Time to wake up." Said Edgar. Everyone woke up, and breakfast was already made (consisting of bread and bear meat). Edgar was in a very good mood. They ate breakfast and were ready to go. After a couple of hours of descending the mountain, they finally arrived at the base of it.

"Sorry guys," Said Sabin, "but I have some... business at South Figaro"

"Alright then." Said Edgar "We're going to South Figaro."

"But Ed..." Started Locke.

"We will go with him." Said Edgar, forcefully.

"Okay."

***

They traveled back to South Figaro. The two brothers chatted incessantly. Talking about everything from the various grand masters to Edgar's previous crushes (which happened to be most of the people at Figaro Castle).

"So, uh..." Said Locke "How were you able to move that fast with that move there? I can't even move half as fast as you can."

"What? Oh, that's just a blitz technique, that one was called 'pummel'. It's just a simple matter of slowing down time." Sabin said with a chuckle. Locke wasn't quite sure whether he was joking or not.

After they reached the city, Sabin led them all down the streets to a certain house. They knocked on the door. "This is Master Duncan's house."

"Hello?" said an old, but strong voice.

"Its Sabin" Said Sabin.

"Sabin? Well come on in. And who are your friends here?" Sabin introduced them as the Duncan's Wife sat them down and got them tea.

"Sabin," said the old woman "Where is my husband?"

Sabin got really uncomfortable. "Vargas, your son, you know he wasn't the best person in the world. He... He... He killed... Master." Tears were streaming down Mrs Duncan's and Sabin's cheeks.

"Vargas... He always suspected others of stealing what was rightfully his. That is what caused him to do it. He suspected you."

"It's alright." He said, comforting his master's wife, "For ten years you've treated me like a son. I will be eternally grateful."

"Fortunately, Duncan got the feeling that his son couldn't be trusted, so he taught his most secret techniques to you. That may make you one of the best martial artists in the world."

"I have decided to go with these three on a quest to restore some sanity to the world. It's... It's what Master would have wanted me to do."

"You all must be tired. Why don't you stay here for the night?"

"It's alright, you shouldn't..."

"I insist."

"Okay, we'll do that."

***

Meanwhile, in another house in the city...

George Golbez was sitting at his desk in his own bedroom in his house. George was the richest man in South Figaro. And he was planning on becoming richer. He was writing on a piece of paper. Every once in a while he would look up and glance about, as if someone was watching him. He looked at his piece of paper again and wrote some more:

To: Gen. K. Pallanzo of The Empire

From: Mr. G. Golbez,

Sir,
 I am writing in regards to the letter you sent me some time ago.
I know that I do not need the money, but it would make a great
addition to my collection. I have the information you need. The
best place t--

Suddenly, a maid walked into the room, George quickly but smoothly turned the paper over, the maid spoke "Here's your medicine, just as the doctor ordered." and handed him a flask of something nasty looking.

How can something like this be a cure for insomnia? he wondered. Oh well, I guess I can finish this letter in the morning...