Author's Notes: Hey, guys. What's up? It's me here again. This time, I'm done with Chapter Three!

There are no battle scenes in this one. There's a lot of talking, though. Anyway, please read and review! Don't hesitate to tell me what you think of the new Afterlife!

Thanks to Shadow knight1121 for the review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy IX. However, I do own Egil Black.


Chapter Three: To Die In This World

"Ugh…my head hurts…"

I groan in pain as I wake up to find myself lying on a bed inside a small room. At first, I thought everything was just a dream and I have waked back up in the hospital ward. It took me a few minutes to fight the dizziness in my head and realized that I was no longer on Earth but in Gaia. Vivi is still out cold, lying on a separate bed beside mine. I don't see Steiner anywhere. He must be in the music room.

I frown as a disgusting feeling take over my insides. I feel like throwing up any second.

"Ugh…" I continue to groan like a really sick man for several minutes until Blank enters the room, carrying two vials containing muddy green liquid in it. Please don't tell me that those are medicine.

Blank is a young man with red spiky hair. A leather belt is strapped around his forehead, almost covering his eyes. I wonder how the hell he can see like that. More leather belts are strapped around his leather vest and pants. He wears a pair of furry gloves and boots and carries with him a sheathed broadsword. Well, he's a pretty cool character, even though he's a little obsessed with belts.

I sit up to greet him. "Hey…Ugh…"

"You're awake, huh?" Blank asks, placing the two vials he carries on a small table beside my bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Sick." I lay back down on the bed. "My head hurts like hell."

"Yeah, that's what I thought," Blanks responds coolly before walking over to check on Vivi. The black mage wakes up as soon as Blank approaches him. Like me, he groans weakly and rubs his temples as he slowly regains his consciousness.

"Ugh… Where am I?" Vivi asks weakly.

"You're inside Prima Vista," Blank explains. "You guys are lucky. If it wasn't for Zidane, you'd both be dead. Some of the monsters reproduce by planting seeds inside other animals. And when the seeds sprout, it's hasta la vista, you become beef jerky."

Vivi's eyes widen in horror. "A-am I going to die?" he asks.

"No. You're going to be fine." Blank gives the black mage a convincing smile and uncorks one of the vials before handing it over to Vivi. "Here, drink this. It'll remove all the seeds inside your body."

"Ugh…" Vivi groans sickly as he receives the medicine and smells it. He swallows the muddy green liquid quickly and sticks his tongue out in disgust after that. "Eeyuck…"

So, Black Mages do have mouths. What a shocking discovery, at least it is to me.

"Here, this is yours." Blank hands me the other vial of seed-remover.

I resist the urge to vomit as I hurriedly uncork the vial and gulp the medicine down my throat. After a few seconds, my headache is lifted and the nausea disappears. It's the most relieving sensation I ever had. I feel like paradise.

I sigh in relief. "I feel a lot better. Thanks, err…"

"It's Blank. Don't mention it. Get some rest, will ya? Zidane will be here to see you two soon." With that, Blank waves us goodbye and leaves the room.

By now, Zidane should have done arguing with Baku about rescuing Garnet. Right, he is still one of Tantalus until later. Tantalus is a group of thieves from Lindblum, consisting of Zidane himself, Marcus, Cinna and Blank. They are joined by a duo of anthropomorphic moles named Zenero and Benero who are also known as the Nero Brothers. I'm not sure about Ruby though. Perhaps she is one of them as well. And least but not least, the Tantalus is led by Baku whom the others refer to as 'Boss'. I wonder if I get to meet all of them.

A few minutes after Blank left, Zidane walks into the room.

"…I can't believe he's such a coward…" He's mumbling something under his breath. Baku must have forbid him from going out to save Garnet from the evil plants. "Oh, you two are looking better already!"

"It's all thanks to Blank's medicine," I explain. "And you too for carrying us all the way back."

"Yeah, thank you very much," Vivi supports.

"Don't mention it. I didn't really carry all three of you by myself. I've got help from the Nero Brothers, actually…" Zidane says modestly. "Besides, it was your black magic and your arrows that saved the day!"

I feel somewhat happy, knowing that someone actually appreciates my help. How long has it been since I was last thanked by someone in my school? I quickly shrug that sad feeling off.

"You know, you've got some major power for such a little guy!" Zidane compliments the black mage.

Vivi keeps himself silent and lowers his head. His face turns sullen as he adjusts his oversize hat. He's probably thinking that he doesn't deserve the praise because of not doing anything earlier when the Prison Cage's got Garnet.

"What's wrong? Are you peeved at me because I called you little?" Zidane chuckles and pats Vivi's on the head. "Hey, you're a great mage with great powers, alright? To hell with looks. It's what inside that matters."

The black mage's expression lightens up a bit before he apologizes, "I'm sorry. I couldn't do anything when that monster caught her…"

"Hey, don't worry about the princess. I'll get her back, I promise!" Zidane assures with a thumbs up and a wide grin.

Vivi chuckles lightly in return. "Thank you, Mister Zidane."

"Whoa, that's the first time anyone's called me Mister," Zidane laughs, "Just call me Zidane, alright?"

"Alrighty…" Vivi nods, looking more cheerful already.

"Egil, you need arrows, right?" Zidanes asks. "Apparently, Cinna found a small crate of them while unloading the cargo. I'll refill the quiver for you." He grabs my empty quiver and hangs it over his shoulder.

"Thanks a lot, Zidane," I answer as he wave us goodbye and leaves the room.

What's going to happen next is probably Zidane walking up to Baku and have a little brawl with him because of him wanting to save Garnet so badly. Baku will probably kick him out of Tantalus for that.

" you think we'll get out of this forest alright, Egil?" Vivi asks worriedly.

I give him a confident smile and say, "Sure we will, Vivi. Don't worry, have some faith."

Well, at least I can be sure that Zidane, Vivi, Garnet and Steiner will get out of Evil Forest alive. That's how it was in the story. Though I've just said that to Vivi, I begin to worry and doubt things myself. I haven't count myself into the assumption I make. I'm not supposed to be in the story. And that's where the problem is.

Will my presence here affect the story? Will I cause someone that was supposed to live in this part of the story to, let's say, die? I'm not sure that with me adding into the story will disrupt anything. I just pray that we will all be safe.

"Thanks, Egil," the black mage responds with gratitude. "I'm going to rest for a little while…" he adds with a yawn.

"Go on, I'll wake you up if Zidane comes back," I assure him.

"Alrighty."

Vivi falls asleep almost instantly when he closes his eyes and lays his dozy head on the pillow. I stare at his cute face and can't help but smile at it. All is silent except for the tick-tocking of an old clock hanging on the wall. But several minutes later, a laughter booms inside the room. I jump in fright.

"Since when did one whom gave up on life knows of faith?" Enigma's voice speaks.

My face turns in all directions, trying to grasp hold of the voice's source but I find none. Vivi continues to snore away as if he can't hear the voice at all. I come to realize a conclusion that Enigma is speaking directly to my mind. And only I can hear him.

"Enigma? What are you doing here?" I ask in a whisper, trying not to wake Vivi up.

"I have been observing your actions the moment you stepped into this world. I supposed at this moment you have a lot of questions for me. Is it not?"

"You bet I do. What were you thinking? Sending me into a video game? That's the journey my soul has to undergo to make the big decision between life and death?" I feel a bit ridiculous at this. What's more, I'm talking to thin air. People ought to think I'm mental or something.

"Correct," Enigma confirms in a rather amused tone.

"But why?"

"Forget not that you are neither in the realm of life nor in the realm of death. And I cannot return you to the living, or send you on to the abyss. Alas, it is no difficulty for me to take you into an ideal world."

"You mean this world actually exists?" I am really amazed by the fact of it. "But it's a video game. How?"

"This world is born from the imagination of people. It has been here since the moment people began imagining its existence, and so it does. Deep is the power of imagination. One will never know what they can do with it nor comprehend the limits of its power."

I guess that makes sense, seeing the situation I'm in. One other question pops into my mind. A crucial one.

"What happens if I die in this world?" I ask.

"Your soul vanishes completely. Neither can you enter the realm of life or death. Your existence will be erased from history's course and be left without a trace. Anyhow, it is, let us say, the worst situation for you, Egil Black," Enigma explains briefly. "You will become a part of my realm—Nothing."

Still, I'm a bit confused at this but at the same time have a really horrified feeling. "Care to elaborate?"

"In other words, you will be forever forgotten. None will remember that a person named Egil Black had ever existed. None will recall that you'd walked in their memories. You will be exiled from both the realm of life and death. Your soul will forever be isolated. And as you wander the void eternally, as you look upon the world that you'd once lived in, you will feel true sorrow and despair."

A long silence follows. I'm stumped, really stumped. Maybe it will be like you staring at a person who was your closest friend, only that he or she doesn't know that you've ever existed, and didn't know that the two of you have been friends.

"If you are still confused, then allow me to give you the best example," Enigma continues, "Your parents will never remember that they'd once have a son call Egil Black."

"No…" I gape flabbergasted at what Enigma said.

"That is the nature of this realm. You must accept it."

"I will be worse than dead? The hell you've gotten me into? Do you have any idea how dangerous this world is?"

"It is not me to blame for your entrance into this world, Egil Black, but the uncertainty you carry with you. And I did not select this world out of my own will. You are guided here by your heart."

I pause to take a deep breath before continuing. I guess I lost my cool back there. "Sorry about that… I just find it hard to accept with everything coming to me so quickly."

"No apologies are required, Egil. You are merely confused. I shall visit you another time. I wish you luck on your journey. Farewell."

"W-Wait!"

I inadvertently extend my right hand towards the thin air before me and cry out as Enigma's presence leaves my mind. I want to ask him more. I want more answers. But he's gone for the time being. And I have just waked Vivi up. I guess the questions will have to wait. Enigma said he will be visiting another time anyway.

"What's wrong, Egil?" Vivi asks in a concerned tone as he rubs his eyes.

"Oh, I was just dreaming…" I lie. I don't want people to start thinking that I'm crazy right now, talking to myself and such. "Sorry, did I wake you up?"

Vivi adjusts his oversize hat and shakes his head. "It's alright. Um, can I ask you a question, Egil?"

"Go on," I permit with a smile.

"Where are you going? You look like you're travelling the Mist Continent," the black mage asks curiously.

"Well…you can say that…I'm searching for an answer to something," I smile weakly, trying to improvise. "I'm always wandering around. And before I know it, I was already at Alexandria watching the play."

"Wow, you're travelling all by yourself?" Vivi sounds amazed. "But…won't your parents worry about you?"

"Nah, my parents died long ago when I was still a kid," I bluntly reply.

"O-oops, sorry…" Vivi apologizes, his face turning sullen. "I don't have any parents myself…"

I don't know what to say. Hearing this directly out of Vivi's mouth is different than knowing it from the game script. My heart sank a little at this.

"So…who brought you up? I grew up in an orphanage," I ask.

"Grandpa took care of me," the black mage answers. "What's an orphanage?"

"It's a home for parentless children," I explain. "You're lucky to have your Grandpa."

"Yeah, but Grandpa passed away. I'm all alone now…" Vivi adjusts his hat depressingly.

"Hey, don't feel sad, alright? You're not alone. I promise I'll stick together with you no matter what!" I assure him with a smile.

The kid smiles weakly and nods. "Thanks, Egil."

Our conversation is then cut off by the opening of the door. It creaks noisily as a beaten up Zidane and a grumpy looking Steiner walk in. Zidane's arms are bruised and he's wiping blood off his chin. He must have gone through a rough fight.

"What happened to you, Zidane?" I play dumb, though I knew perfectly what happened.

"Boss happened, that's what," he explains, "He was against my idea of going out into the forest to rescue the princess, you see. We had a little fight."

"And you got your ass kicked," I grin.

He sighs. "Yeah, that's pretty much what happened. In the end, I got kicked out of Tantalus. So, now I'm free to do whatever I want to. No restrictions from the Boss anymore. We're ready to go look for the princess."

"Really? That's great!" Vivi exclaims happily. "Be careful, okay?"

"Actually, Vivi," Zidane scratches the back of his head, "We want you and Egil to tag along with us."

"Not a problem," I immediately agree. For a moment, I will have been worried that he'll have me left behind with those Tantalus guys.

Vivi's eyes go shockingly wide. "H-Huh? But I can't do anything?"

"Hardly, Master Vivi," Steiner interrupts. "Your magic was highly effective against that monster. In all honesty, I hold your power in greater esteem that I do this scoundrel's," he adds with a deadly side-glance at Zidane.

"B-But…I'm scared. I couldn't even move last time," Vivi says in his puny voice. He bows his head and begins to adjust his hat again, a move I always see him doing whatever the situation his. I guess it's a Vivi thing.

"It's normal to be afraid for someone of your age, Vivi," I chime in. "But we need your magic to save the princess. Please, Vivi?"

"U-Um…" the Black Mage stammers.

"You don't have to worry about getting hurt," I add. "We'll protect you. That's what comrades are for."

"Please, Master Vivi. For the sake of Princess Garnet and all of Alexandria, I humbly request your assistance," Steiner pleads desperately.

"Come on, you're a black mage, for crying out loud! Show us what you got!" Zidane drags Vivi out of the bed, which the black mage allows quite willingly. When Zidane sees that Vivi has made up his mind, he continues, "Alright! Let's get going!"

"Alrighty, I-I'll try my best!" Vivi nods a bit more confidently.

"Thank you, Master Vivi!" Steiner bows in gratitude, his armor creaking uncomfortably as he does so.

I grab my bow and hang it over my shoulder before leaving the room first with Zidane. Steiner and Vivi stay behind for a little while as the knight wants to discuss about his little idea to combine Vivi's magic with his broadsword. Zidane leads me all the way towards a large hole in the wasted Prima Vista;s wall. I guess that's the way out. We are helping ourselves across a floor of broken planks when all of a sudden Blank's voice comes from the side.

"Sheez, you really dig her, huh?" the red-haired thief says coolly. He's leaning against the wall and has his arms crossed. I still can't figure it out how the hell he can see through that huge belt buckled around his forehead.

"I can't sit around knowing a girl's in trouble. Goes against my nature," Zidane quickly replies with a grin.

"Whatever. You're full of shit."

"Ohhh…I get it. You're jealous that I'm gonna get me a sweetie pie," Zidane teases. This guy is officially a play boy in my records.

"Pshhh… She's not even my type. I came down here to give you this." Blank throws a vial to Zidane and he catches it. It's the same seed-remover potion that Vivi and I drank earlier on.

"You're always thinking about me, but I don't need a love potion to reel this one in."

I did a facepalm and Blank rolled his eyes, or I assume he did. Damn that belt.

"Why don't you get your mind off girls for a second? This is the medicine I gave to him," Blank jerks his head at my direction, "the black mage and the knight. It's sort of like a seed remover."

"Cool, this will really come in handy," Zidane whistles.

"Why am I always helping you?" Blank sighs. He separates his back from the wall and turns to leave.

"Thanks, Blank. I'll see you when I see you!" Zidane waves him goodbye.

"See ya," I did a two finger salute.

We then continue through the hole and find ourselves outside the Prima Vista, staring into what looks like a pile made of all sorts of junks. Around the pile are several wood crates containing different types of items. There's one for weapons, one for curative items, one for armors and accessories, one for wasted airship parts and so on. Cinna's doing a messy job sorting the things out. He's rummaging through the piles when Zidane and I approach him.

Now Cinna has quite the comical appearance. He wears an iron pot for a helmet, has a big round nose and one hell of a mustache and beard. He wears a leather vest so small that it can't contain all of his body but only his torso, leaving his belly exposed. Leather belts are strapped around his wrist and he holds an iron hammer in his right hand. Cinna, upon noticing us, stops his job and walks over to greet us in that tight leather pants of his.

"Hey, Cinna, how're the arrows I asked you to get?" Zidane asks.

"I've got them ready, alright. But I'm gonna have to charge you for that, since you're no longer a member of Tantalus," Cinna states. "Sorry, Boss's orders."

"Come on, Cinna. For my sake?" Zidane pleads. But Cinna's answer remains no.

"Let me handle this, Zidane," I interject. "Go find Vivi and Steiner and see what's taking them so long."

"You sure about this?" Zidane raises an eyebrow at me.

"Trust me. I've got this," I grin. With that, Zidane nods and goes back through the hole to call on Vivi and Steiner.

Cinna bursts out in laughter. "You? What're you going to do? Hell no. Stop wasting my time. I've got more important things to do," he says as he turns his back on me and starts rummaging through the pile again, muttering, "Oh, where are it…"

My grin grows wider hearing this. "Oh, we'll see about that. What if…I know what you're looking for in that heap of junk and where it is?"

I kind of emphasized on the word it. Cinna's face shot back up at me, looking somewhat shocked and horrified. I grin evilly.

"That's right, I know where your Princess Garnet doll is," I say.

"Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-You!"

"Don't worry, your secret is perfectly safe with me," I assure, still grinning. "So, how about we make a deal? My arrows for the location of your precious doll."

Looking somewhat embarrassed, Cinna nods rather unwillingly. He grabs a quiver full of arrows from one of the crates and hands it to me. "You've got yourself a deal. Now, where's my doll?"

"It's in the music room."

"Tee-hee-hee!" Cinna let out a girly squeal as he sprints off immediately into the Prima Vista, passing by Zidane, Vivi and Steiner on the way. I hang the quiver of arrows over my back as I greet the three.

"What did you say to Cinna?" Zidane asks. "He's acting weird."

"I just did him a little favor. So, are we ready to go?" I ask.

"Stop blabbering! The princess's life is at stake! We must make haste!" Steiner interrupts.

"Whatever, Rusty." Zidane rolls his eyes as he approaches one of the crates and examines it. "Might as well snatch a few Potions while Cinna's away. Take that, Baku. Hah!" He grins as he grabs several vials containing blue liquid and stuffs them inside a pouch attached to his belt.

"You done there, Zidane? Time to roll," I say.

The thief nods before jogging up to join us. Fully prepared, the four of us begin towards the inner parts of the forest. And so we are on our way to look for Princess Garnet…

And so my journey begins…


A/N: I'm having some changes with the plot. Not now but later in the story. Yes, people, be prepared to get surprised by what I will do. ;)