(BGM: .hack GU: Avatar Space)
"Have you found the source of the disturbance?"
"Not yet…I've been monitoring the one who survived Fate's Decree."
"Ahh…the wielder of Chaos…a sole mortal with the power of existence. I still say we should destroy him…"
"And rend our chances of ridding our universe from this taint? I think not."
"He is mortal…he will be corrupted by its power."
"He's lasted this long. And if he is to answer the call of any, it would be Existence itself who summons him."
"Then explain that power he released not but days ago!"
"That…was my doing."
"Destruction? Explain yourself."
"You saw not his face. You felt not his fear, his pain. I did what needed to be done to ensure he not fail, long before he has his chance to succeed."
"Your actions have torn open a hole in reality! A gateway between worlds that should not-
"Oh go stuff yourself. Balance and Creation both agree my actions were just. The two of them are working to repair the distortion as we speak. I do not see Death complaining."
"What is there to complain about? You did for me what I could not, and for that I thank you."
"What is it you speak Death?! Why has that mortal not passed yet?!"
"Are you a fool? That mortal as you call him, was graced by the touch of both Destruction and Creation. Existence herself has blessed him with her power. Life has told me not to claim his soul unless he is truly forever gone. He is the Psion of Balance. Darkness and Light both agree he is to be monitored, but as well agree he is to be left alone lest he misuse his power, which he hasn't as of yet. Why do you insist on claiming his soul Mortality?"
"You answer your own question Death. He has not yet misused the power given to him…but I fear-
A sudden cold chill shot through all present.
"What was that?!"
"I have no idea…"
"Something…has changed…"
"Balance?"
"Someone…something…has shifted. For a while now, I have been uncertain as to whether or not this universe would hold…but something has just shifted that answers my question."
"Well?"
"Have you not noticed that the binds upon Clotho wane? With each act of purifying a world, her chains shatter. She still retained her power to weave. Even if it is severely weakened."
"You knew of this and said nothing?!"
"Balance must be maintained. I have been watching carefully…and it seems that Clotho is soon to be released."
"We must act now then!"
"We cannot."
"Why?!"
"To interfere now would be pointless. We cannot slay one another…only a mortal with the power of a God can slay a deity…"
"Shinzaki…"
"Yes. However…there is something else."
"Why do I not like the thought?"
"Do not fret…it is…to our advantage…"
"Speak Balance. My patience wears thin."
"Well if you are to act that way…"
"Stop toying with us!"
"Oh fine…ruin my fun. We all recall when Clotho first became weaver…correct?"
"Such brilliance had never been seen in our realm for many lifetimes…"
"And then that shine faded as she watched Mortals proceed with their lives."
"Until she became cold…emotionless…"
"It would seem…that with the Psion's acts of late…that part of her that was once curious…that part of her that was once loyal, compassionate…has been jarred."
"Explain."
"The side of Clotho that once loved the world…is about to be freed. But…it will not be easy. She still recalls everything she originally knew…only there will be a hole…"
"A hole?"
"In her heart…waiting to be filled. And I believe I know exactly who will end up filling it."
"You can't mean…"
"Yes…she calls to him now…as he delves deeper into his own mind."
"So that distortion…"
"If Destruction had never acted as she did…we would not have this chance."
"But…that means…"
"Unfortunately yes…without the shackles of her old persona holding her back…Clotho will be bent on the complete end of all worlds…unfortunately, her return is required for the next stage of this universe's growth."
"Blast it all…are we to just sit idly by and place our hopes on a single mortal?"
"Not just one. Fate's Chosen, the Keyblade Masters…they are with him."
"And the girl, Kairi…she holds part of my power…"
"The coming battle is not as one-sided as we'd think. They have a great deal of chance to succeed…but it all requires him to unlock his full power. Clotho's past persona will help in this endeavor greatly…and the love from his Princess will further that. Combined with the alliance of the Keyblade Masters, and the strength of the Thirteen, he is likely to succeed."
"We can provide no assistance?"
"We cannot…Death has been guiding him as best she could…but with her awakening, Death's lead is no longer required…which means we can do nothing but watch…and pray."
"What is Lachesis' take on this?"
"It is uncertain…his thread has bound itself to the threads of the universe…and he is spinning his own destiny. She cannot tell what will happen…which worries her for that is her lot."
"In her place…I would be worried as well."
"We can do nothing now…let us hope…that everything falls into place…"
"Tch…it is Mortals we deal with…nothing ever goes as planned when bartering with them…"
The Thirteenth Order
Chapter XVI: My…Name…Is…
(BGM: Onimusha Dawn of Dreams: Hideyoshi's Decisive Battle)
A blurred figure darted from shadow to shadow. The cavern walls providing outcroppings for it to hide, plan, and strike.
This is harder than I thought…looks like she was right after all…
Light sandaled feet patted along the rocky ground, dashing farther from the entrance…and with it dashing away from safety.
Check…enemy types in this place…Great Malboro…Master Tonberry…Varuna…those disgusting larvae things…oh and assholicly powerful Elements…great. One enemy that COULD knock my ass out in one shot, an enemy that can kill me in one shot, an enemy that constantly buffs itself…and two things that are damn near immune to physical attacks…
I hope friendly fire's been turned on…or my ass is grass…
Dashing along a path, the figure almost ran straight into a Great Malboro.
CRAPSHIT! Damn…ok, just go the other way…
Slipping around the pillar it was using as cover, the blurred figure ended up simply following a path BACK to where he ran into the strange half plant/half tentacle creature.
FUCKNUT-TWATBASKETS! Great, and the only other way is THROUGH that fucker…well…time to see if this Ribbon works the way it should…
Bounding from shadow to shadow, he slowly made his way to his target. The writhing mass of roots and eyes stopped its unusual movement, stretching out its senses. Before it could react, it felt a sharp blade pierce it from behind. Releasing a horrid screech it turned around faster than the figure anticipated, but still too slow to catch it. Rolling out of the way of a flung tentacle, the figure seemed to flicker out of view, and then reappear on the cave wall. Its position was held for only a moment, because it flickered out of view again, and the creature cried out as more of its form was sheared by its assailant's blade.
Rolling in the air to land on its feet, the figure whirled around in time to see the disgusting creature wriggle violently.
Oh SHIT!
The figure back-flipped repeatedly as a putrid green mist spewed from the creature's jagged maw. Noting the cave wall behind it, the figure quickly bounded off the cave wall, praying that it still had the skills to pull off its intention.
Bouncing off the arced wall, the figure vanished, appearing on the ceiling. Just as gravity was about to enact its hold upon it, the figure kicked off the ceiling at an angle, landing behind the Malboro, and outside of its "breath" range.
Dammit…why is this thing so hard to kill?! Gah…must be because it's a fiend…but…wait…fiends…are no more than gatherings of pyreflies held together by negative emotions lingering from the hearts of the dead. Nothing more than shells…
And if that's the case…by removing the shell, there is nothing holding the pyreflies together…which means there's no reason that the creature can exist!
And if there's one thing I know how to do…
It's get rid of shit.
As he came to that revelation, the figure's eyes flashed silver. Hundreds of interconnected lines appeared all over the Malboro, which was wondering where its assailant had gotten to. All of the lines seemed to converge upon a single point…right above where the figure had made its initial strike.
The figure crouched and then burst into action. Sensing movement behind it, the Malboro tried to turn…but it was to no avail. The figure had pierced its 'death point' and the Malboro's form suddenly shred to particles, pyreflies released and flowing into the air before dispersing.
Damn…that was too close…If I hadn't remembered Lulu's impromptu lesson on fiends…damn bloody voice…half a mind to just tell it to go fuck itself…but…
It looked down the cavern way.
I've come this far already…I'm halfway to where I need to go…no point in stopping now…
Never did tell me her name…
"Come…"
What? Another one?
"Come…me…"
Come…you? I…don't think I want to know what you're trying to say.
"Come…to…me…"
I make it a habit to ignore any broken freaky voices in my head.
"Free me…"
See that's a problem. When people get locked up, there's usually a good reason for it.
"Need…me…"
Floating in the depths of his mind, Zero gazed into the darkness.
Sorry, but I've got everything I need.
"Love me…"
Err…wha?
"Help me…heal me…love me…need me…come to me…free me…"
Oh…kay…getting a creepy stalker vibe here…
"Ze…ro…"
And now it knows my name. Wonderful.
"You…need…me…"
I don't even know who the frig you are!
"Power…"
I have power.
"Not…enough…more…"
I don't want more. I'm happy with what I have.
A glowing violet flame appeared.
"No…you need more."
Oh, you can speak clearly now?
"I am trapped in this world. The world of-
Oh great, ANOTHER trapped soul.
"What?"
What aint no world I heard of. They speak English in what?
"Wh-what?!"
ENGLISH MOTHER FUCKER, DO YOU SPEAK IT?!
"I…you…ugh…you're annoying."
I know. Now who are you and what are you doing in my head?
"I have awakened. But my body is bound. You must release me…"
Yeah…no. Not happening.
"I know why they have appeared. I know why your world was destroyed…and I know ways to make you even stronger."
I'm practically a god already. I don't need more power.
"You rely on your magicks too much. You have power…and skill…but you have used your other abilities more than your natural ones."
…alright…I'll give you that one…
"I…need to be released…you MUST release me…but as you are…you have not the skills."
Bullshit.
"Perhaps. There is an item…an object called "Door to Tomorrow" in the Omega Ruins. I trust you know of it?"
Obviously.
"Yes…retrieve that item. The beast, Ultima, has returned. Omega was destroyed, but his lingering feelings remained. Ultima will grow into another Omega unless you slay it…however…"
You want me to fight him without magic?
"Oh gods no. You would get slaughtered. No…I want you to reach him…with only your physical abilities. And yes, you are allowed to use your eyes."
What do I get out of it?
"I know things…things you have forgotten. Skills you have forgotten. I know your past…I know you…help me…and I shall help you."
Fine. I'm bored anyway.
"That's the spirit."
Your name?
"What?"
What. Is. Your. Name?
"My…name…is…"
Besaid: Midnight.
A black cloaked figure stepped out of one of the many huts in the village.
I don't remember where the Omega Ruins were…not offhand at least. I need a vessel…
Leaving the village, he looked to the sky, standing next to the monument. Floating just past the temple…was the Celsius.
Perfect.
A dome of darkness engulfed him and carried him to the docked airship…
Besaid: Morning
Alicia was pacing, muttering to herself. Inside her mind, Valkyrie was laughing at some of the things she was thinking about Zero's sudden vanishing act. Her favorite one was something along the lines of: "I'm gonna kick him in the nuts, kiss him until he's begging for air then kick him in the nuts again for good measure…leave ME behind the little bastard…"
Riku had a wide smirk on his face, internally laughing his ass off at Alicia's pacing. Kairi was giggling nervously, Naminé was drawing and Sora and Roxas were going back and forth about whether or not Alicia's plan would backfire on her the next time she tried to bed him.
Tidus, Yuna, Rikku and Paine all entered the hut.
"Nothing. Nobody's seen him…"
"Hmph, for that matter it looks like the Celsius is gone too."
"Wasn't that your ship?"
"Oooooh that just burns me up! Where does he get off taking our ship?!"
"Buddy and the others aren't down here…which means he took them with him. If that's the case, it's possible he doesn't plan on keeping it for long."
Alicia, sick of not knowing, whirled to Kairi.
"Kairi, can you find him?"
"I don't know…he's always the one who starts up the connection…"
"Please…just try?"
Uncertain of her ability to do much…Kairi nodded. I have to…for Zero…and Her.
Everyone silenced themselves as Kairi closed her eyes…focusing inward.
"…eel…e…"
What?
Within her mental depths, Kairi heard a voice unknown to her.
(BGM: Wild Arms 3 – Omen)
"Help me…"
Wait, who are you?
"Heal me…"
Who's there? Do you know where Zero is?
"Love me…"
Who ARE you?!
"Feel me…"
Wh-what?!
At that moment, a brilliant flare of violet light erupted into her 'vision.' A glowing purple orb, releasing a faint but maddening voice…
"Help me…heal me…love me…feel me…touch me…taste me…hurt me…hate me…kiss me…kill me…fuck me…fill me…"
Slowly…Kairi's mind began synching with that of the voice…to the point where her physical body began reciting what was being said.
After a few moments of nothing…Alicia tried prodding the girl. "Kairi?"
"Help…me…"
Immediately everyone's eyes widened.
"Help…me…heal…me…love…me…feel me…touch me…taste me, hurt me, hate me, kiss me kill me fuck me fill me scold me mould me free me BE ME!"
"KAIRI!" Naminé shouted at the girl, her own connection to her springing to life…but that simply caused the redhead to open her eyes…eyes that were a dark crimson.
"What…is this? Oh…I see…so the girl has a stronger connection to him than I thought…"
Immediately four Keyblades and a sword were thrust in the girl's face.
The action was met with naught more than a giggle.
"Please…as if you'd endanger your dear friend's life over something so trivial. Lower your weapons; I have no intention of fighting you."
"Then get out of Kairi's body."
"Oh I will…in a moment. The girl stumbled upon me as she was tracing the connection to our dear friend Zero. Of course, she didn't know I was holding the connection in place, cutting them off from one another so he could focus on his task rather than be distracted by some fool red head banging on his mind's door."
"That fool redhead as you call her is our friend, we'd like her back now."
"Very well…I've no use for this body anyway…once Zero returns with the item then I'll have my own again…how wonderful it will be to walk the surface once more…I've missed the smell of the flowers…as for her initial inquiry, well…you'll know where to go when the time comes."
The purple glow faded from her eyes and she fell back, caught by Sora. She blinked a few times and shook her head to clear it.
"Kairi! Are you alright?"
"Yeah…wow…that was…incredible…"
"What are you talking about Kairi? Some spook just ghosted your body and you enjoyed it?"
Flushing, Kairi retorted.
"Well…it's not so much I enjoyed it…but…the sheer amount of power in that…whatever it was…but it was so…controlled…so…elegant…like a woven quilt…it was amazing. I heard every word she said…I felt every emotion she did…the level of confusion, wonder and pure interest she feels towards Zero…as if he's the most fascinating thing in the universe. I could feel her wants…her needs…she wants to know how he thinks, she wants to see how he reacts, she wants to FEEL how he does…as if his very existence is a puzzle to her…and she wants to solve it…"
The pure amazement on the girl's face surprised everyone present. Alicia frowned. "Should I be worried?"
"I…I don't know…I wasn't synched with her long enough to tell…but she does…love him…but maybe not him…but what he represents…a question, an uncertainty…a single being capable of changing the destiny of entire worlds just from a single act…And she knows things. By the GODS does she know things. She knows so much…but knows so little at the same time. I don't know who she is…or even what she is…but she's going to be important…and Zero is at this moment on a quest to bring her back."
"Dammit…did you get where he was?"
"Only that it ended in –Ruins. I don't know the first word…it was like a fading echo. He's safe…for now. I think I sensed she noted he was almost done actually…"
(BGM: Persona 3 – Master of Shadow)
SFX: BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
SHIT-Pickle!
Zero had reached the giant beast known as Ultima. The fight was not going in his favor. Just now, he was forced to narrowly evade a large sphere of energy fired from the mutation. And unfortunately for Zero…
SHIT THERE'S NO WALLS!
His evasion, a roll to the side, caused him to drop off the platform…dangling from the edge.
Fuck, FUCK, FUUUUCK! DAMMIT VOICE!
He cursed his employer. She had bound his powers so he would have to fight his way through the cavern with only his natural skills…unfortunately, though she claimed that she would remove the binding once he reached the target…she never did.
He relaxed his muscles then tensed, yanking his body upwards…just in time to avoid a claw swipe from the massive beast. Flipping over in mid-air, the world seemed to slow. The colors his brain picked up on seemed to invert for a moment…before a single black line appeared on Ultima's body. Drawing his glowing red katana, he twirled the blade once in his hand and then brought it through the line.
The strike acted as some sort of mini explosion for some reason, a wall of energy shattering around the beast's body, knocking Zero backward, but thankfully not off the edge again.
Wait…was that a-
A small green band on his right wrist began to glow. At that…he gave a very vindictive smile.
Well…that answers my question. Now…I just need an opening. This thing is smart though…so I won't have time to charge it right off…I need to trick it…
Back-flipping over a claw swipe, the answer came to Zero.
Well there's the answer to that one. He's smart…it has a mind…which means it can most likely comprehend speech…and in that case…since this is Omega in a lesser form…
"Tch, no wonder they kicked you out…you fight like a drunken barmaid."
The beast's left arm twitched, but it gave no response.
"Yep. You were too ugly to keep around…and your mother was a ten gil an hour hooker."
The beast roared and swung, missing as Zero jumped backwards onto the ramp leading out of the area.
"She probably blew every single Yevonite she came across. Hell probably got a few undead dicks in her too. Oh hey that means you could be the spawn of a Zombie!"
Man I haven't ribbed some idiot like this in far too long.
Another roar, this time it tried to bring both arms down upon Zero, who rolled under the strike.
A good opening, but his recovery time from it is just out of my timeframe…
"So how's it feel to have been denied your right because the one who spawned you was a cock-juggling thunder-cunt?"
A glint of light.
There!
A series of beams began gathering at Ultima's core. As the rays became a ring, Zero began running towards the monster. Just as the sphere solidified, Zero was in point blank range. Ultima launched the sphere a half second after Zero had rolled underneath and behind the beast, right arm glowing.
The explosion blew off a large chunk of the platforms. Enraged, Ultima tried peering through the dust…when it heard a soft but defined whirring noise behind it. It stomped around as fast as it could…only to see a crackling white light in Zero's hand.
Around his wrist was a glowing green ring, and above that, rotating in place was a transparent ring, only this one red, and looking like a floating bracelet. In front of the rotating bracelet were thirteen red glowing plates that looked like glass shards pointing towards Zero's hand. Behind the plates but connected to the bracelet were four rotating plates that resembled fan-blades.
"Buh-bye."
A moment later, the rotating blades stopped, and the second they did, hundreds of random streams of color launched from the strange object. Each one pierced into a part of Ultima's body, corroding and erasing whatever it touched, until the pyreflies that it was composed of collapsed upon themselves, Ultima's form morphing into that of a tiny object that gently clinked on the ground.
The strange glowing thing on Zero's wrist vanished as he stepped forward.
"…o…ero…Zero…Zero! Can you hear me?"
"Louder than I'd like to, voice."
He knelt down and picked the object up. It looked like a miniature doorway, complete with knob and hinges, unusual looking runes engraved on the frame.
"I thought you said you'd undo the bind when I reached Ultima."
"Sorry…I didn't realize how much Psychic Force that thing was creating…all I could do was watch…I trust you have it?"
"Oh yeah sure, don't worry about me, I only took on a twenty foot tall demon with only a sword and my wits."
"That's how I know you're alright. You're cracking jokes at a time like this…get out of there Zero. It's time for the second half of my quest."
"Yeah, yeah…this better be worth it…"
(BGM: Ar Tonelico – Legend of Artonelico: Mule Birth)
Alicia stopped, standing rigid.
"A…R…"
"The heck…?"
"Alicia?"
The blonde started looking around frantically.
"T…"
Valkyrie…is that you?
"No…I don't know who it is…"
"I…hear something…"
"O…"
Kairi stood up. "Something? Like what?"
"A voice…but…just…letters…"
"N…E…"
"It's like whispering…in my head…"
"L…I…"
She closed her eyes…letting her senses fan out. Within her mind…was a long golden strand.
"C…"
Following the strand, she raced along a golden pathway. Streams of white began flickering in her 'vision'.
"O."
Her eyes snapped open…just as Yuna's transmitter crackled to life.
"Yes?"
"Yuna? Good, you're ok."
"Buddy? Why wouldn't we be?"
"I don't know if you've noticed, but there's a TON of Pyreflies just appearing out of nowhere."
Rikku jumped to her feet. "Hey! They're alright!"
"Yeah, we're fine. Brother took a hit to his ego though."
"What do you mean?"
"Some kid appeared on the ship last night. Asked us to take him to Omega Ruins. Said we didn't need to hang around after we dropped him off…that he'd find his own way back. But…when Brother protested, the kid seemed to vanish…and then Brother got knocked out. Kid looked pissed. Called him a 'Vilgehk celg ehpnat ehclacdeym cyht aydan.'"
Rikku and Yuna flushed heavily. Tidus ran the words through his mind, linking letters, and then gave a hearty chuckle. "Yeah…that sounds about right."
"Tidus!"
Riku was lost. "Mind telling us what that means?"
"NO!"
Tidus chuckled and decided it was worth risking Yuna's wrath.
"I think your friend called Brother a 'Fucking sick inbred inscestial sand eater.' If my Al Bhed is still good."
"TIDUS!"
Buddy chuckled over the 'com. "Man, it sounds like you're in for it now! Anyway, we're coming up on Besaid now. Get to the ship and we'll show you what I'm talking about…"
All over the world, Fiends were vanishing right before people's eyes, turning into Pyreflies that took to the heavens. Gasps of shock and awe simultaneously ran through Spira as they seemed to form a cloud of writhing rainbow lights.
"WOW! This is incredible!"
"So many…Yuna…what does this mean?"
Alicia stepped up.
The group was standing on the deck of the Celsius. They were following the path created by the flowing pyreflies.
"I think it has something to do with that voice I heard…"
"Guys! According to the waves, it looks like they're all gathering at Zanarkand!"
"Alright then. Everyone back to the bridge! Buddy, as soon as we get there, full speed to Zanarkand!"
"Done!"
A giant whirling mist of Pyreflies surrounded the old, decrepit Blitzball dome. Just as the Celsius reached Zanarkand, a beam of multicolored light fired into the air from the center of the dome. Nearly half the world's pyreflies were absorbed into the beam…while the others formed a spiral around it.
"Come on! This is the place!"
The Gullwings plus Tidus all raced out of the ship. Alicia was right behind them, and just behind her were the Keyblade wielders. Speaking of which…
"Why did the Keyblade suddenly show up like that?!"
"I dunno Kai, might be something important in there after all!"
As they entered…nobody noticed the beam flicker blood red for a moment…
Following the glow created from the beam, the group entered a small clearing devoid of rubble or debris. The glow faded just as they past through the sole doorway leading into the very center of the dome…only instead of running on collapsed buildings and roadways, they were on solid ground.
As they entered, they spotted a familiar figure standing in front of a smaller, unknown being. As they got closer, it became obvious the newcomer was completely nude…and in a move that nearly made Alicia trip, she jumped into the familiar person's arms and kissed him full on.
"THAT HUSSY!" Zero…
Kairi was the only one to notice. A series of lines suddenly appeared around Zero's body…before a faint glow seemed to appear…and then shatter as the girl-who looked no older than ten at best- pulled away.
Long, and I mean LONG black hair cascaded nearly to the floor…ending just above her calves. Two long bangs streamed down her face and reached beyond her chest, ending just under her pelvis. She wore nothing…ghostly white skin illuminated by the faint glow of the remaining pyreflies. Dark crimson eyes gazed at the group.
"Looks like we have an audience…"
Zero stretched, feeling familiar energies course through his body.
"God-damndoes it feel good to have it back…"
His smaller companion gave a faint smile. "I take it you missed them?"
"I'd like to see you take on a giant demon made up of some random dude's hatred without magic."
She shook her head, hair flying…and yet still able to cover up her naughty bits.
"I'd rather not…and besides, I told you I was sorry about that."
"I dunno about this one Alicia..." Riku had a dark look on his face. Irritation paramount, he decided to take a jab at Zero. "Looks like he's into little girls."
At the exact moment his sentence registered, Zero's good mood vanished and he twitched in absolute fury, barely holding back the urge to emasculate the blasted albino.
His companion on the other hand...had no such restriction.
The young girl's crimson eyes flared with anger as she flung out her hand, a sphere of condensed darkness materializing just inches in front of it. Milliseconds later, the sphere launched from her palm, the sheer pressure of its presence binding everyone in place. Riku's eyes widened in complete horror as the sudden attack neared him...before he was smacked aside by an invisible force.
The sphere continued on its path, past where Riku once stood, colliding with one of the few remaining buildings, engulfing it...only to have the building burst into particles.
"Violent little thing aint she?" Tidus quipped.
"Why?!"
"We need him." Zero looked at his new companion, who stared up at him, a confused angry glare in her eyes. "Though if he talks like that again...I'm not object to finding a replacement." The nude girl seemed placated at the response, opting to turn her glare upon the white-haired teen instead.
Something prickled in the back of Zero's mind. In a split second his jacket was off and he'd slipped behind the younger girl and draped it over her shoulders. She looked up at him gratefully as he seemed to slowly step away. After a moment, her irritated mumbling had him turning back to face her as he was about to address the group.
"What's wrong?"
Her head was lowered as her small fingers seemed to struggle with the zipper.
"Stupid fucking zipper got caught on my damn hair!"
Zero gave a snort at that. He pulled something from behind him and tossed it to her just as she managed to succeed in closing the jacket. She gave a start and barely caught...
"Ki…tetsu? What-
Decadence flared into Zero's right hand.
"I hope you know how to use that thing."
"Why?"
"We're about to have some seriously unhappy company…Alicia!"
The blonde said nothing, still uncertain about Zero's…well…just Zero. The young (HAH) warrior in question just sighed at her silence…opting to continue despite it. "Gonna need more than just your sword for this one. Beowulf will help a lot against what's coming."
The blonde just nodded.
Dammit woman don't be like that.
Her eyes widened.
What the-
Oh good, it worked.
What…Zero?
I know you saw her kiss me. I know what you're thinking. The kiss was a combination of her way of saying 'thank you', releasing the bind she placed on me as a test, apparently restoring some of my old memories that I supposedly forgot…and strengthened the connection between you and me.
So…I can…
Yes, it's just like with Kairi. Speaking of which…
Yes, I'm here too. I heard it all.
Wait…will she always be able to hear us?
Nahh, open channel. Naminé can hear it as well.
Forgetting about me already Zero?
Well no shit…you STILL haven't told me your name.
I…well…
"It's not like I don't know who you are…"
The little girl jumped at that, her eyes widening.
"You…know?"
"Strings."
She said nothing but lowered her head…grip upon the sheathed Katana tightening.
"If you know…"
"I know who you are…but I don't know your name."
Her head lifted, eyes watering.
"…Feyjan."
She looked at him.
"Fey, for short?"
Rikku mouthed 'Weaver?' to Yuna who shook her head in confusion.
She just looked.
"Well it's either that or Oriko…"
"Both."
"Both?"
"I like them both."
"Well…pick one for now."
"…Feyjan. My name is Feyjan…"
As she said that, a series of Fiends appeared around them.
"Well then my dear Fey…let's kick some ass!"
I made a promise to an important friend of mine that this would be up last week.
I have failed.
I made another promise…that it would be up before I left for vacation.
In this, I will NOT fail.
Twenty five pages before the Author's Notes.
I wanted to throw in a fight scene for after Fey was born…but I don't have time…besides…it's as good a place as any to stop.
For anyone who knows where the idea for Fey came from SHHHH!! Don't spoil it now!
Like I said, I'm going on vacation. In fact the day after this is posted; I go back to New York for a week. Yes, I'll be around a computer, but don't expect any updates for ANYTHING…I'm not saying it wont happen, just that it's very unlikely.
And by the way, yes that is authentic Al Bhed. Thank the gods for the intraweb.
RCRS: Damn right I do. Rambling is a skill of mine…but never is it without purpose. If you liked Zero's rant, check my profile. I've got personal rants on characters I think you'll love. Need to update it though…
SPIDERS ARE EVIL.
D&S Master: Indeed. Everyone has a fear. Sometimes they don't know it, but they fear it.
Ominous? Maybe…
Well…that's all for now. Hope this keeps everyone busy for the week…