Wild Rose

After their rather emotional encounter with Garland, Lightning and Firion somehow managed to stumble across a whole new area – one that Lightning couldn't recognize in the least, but Firion knew right away.

"Great. Now, we're lost." she grumbled.

Firion just shook his head.

"No. I know exactly where we are."

She looked at him in question. Clearly, he had piqued her curiosity and she was waiting for him to explain.

As he saw her face, he couldn't believe she honestly couldn't detect any sort of threat here. Of all places, this was by far the most expected for any sort of trap.

"What are you not telling me now?" she asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice.

Firion didn't react in surprise or worry. He didn't even hesitate. His only real problem at this moment…was where they were. Still, he didn't answer her question directly as he looked around for a second.

"Could it really be?" he mumbled.

Lightning was growing a little impatient that he was dancing around the subject. She scowled a bit as she folded her arms again.

"Firion!" she said, annoyed.

"Huh?"

He jumped at her voice and saw her expression, figuring he might as well tell her what she wanted to know. After all, there wasn't really any point in keeping it to himself. It was nothing personal by far and besides…it wasn't like Lightning couldn't take care of herself should any trouble come their way yet again.

He looked at her calmly as he started to explain.

"I know this place."

Lightning looked at him with no reaction whatsoever. She didn't seem surprised, intrigued, or stunned in anyway by this. Then again…he figured that by now, some things were just obvious when it came to him. Lightning had pretty much said that not long ago.

However, before Firion could continue to speak, they heard another voice – one that he knew instantly and had been expecting right upon their arrival.

"And, I'm afraid your merry trip stops here."

They quickly turned their heads to see a man with long, blond hair, a purple cape, and a rather peculiar staff. He approached them menacingly with a straight face.

Firion got into position at the sight. This time…he was ready for battle.

"Emperor!" he said, angrily, clutching his sword at his side.

The Emperor just looked at them with a quick grin, his staff in hand as he stood across from them calmly and proudly.

"Well, well. Firion. It seems you've haplessly stumbled upon my abode. As is such, I hope you might stay for festivities. After all…why not gratefully welcome the Cosmos' dear tools." he said, laughing to himself a little.

Lightning and Firion glared at him.

"Tools?" Lightning repeated.

She took a step forward and Firion reached out to stop her.

"Lightning!" he said, worriedly.

Lightning stopped as he touched her arm, continuing to glare straight at the Emperor with an undying hatred – towards someone she didn't even really know.

"Who are you to talk to people like their nothing?" she grumbled.

The Emperor was unaffected by her reaction. He couldn't be entirely certain why or how they'd come across his territory, but he figured they could be of some amusement while they were there.

He smirked at the thought that entered his mind mixed with the clear anger and spite towards him in their eyes.

"I think it's time you took a long rest. You must be tired having come all this way." he said, smugly.

Lightning didn't show fear or concern in the least as she kept staring him down.

"No thanks. I was never one for naps anyway." she said, playing his game to a tee.

Firion knew him all too well by now: the way he thought and acted. He knew what was coming and stepped in front of Lightning.

She looked at him in a bit of surprise.

"Firion!"

Firion didn't reply – just kept glaring at the Emperor ready to fight. Obviously, there was no way around it if they wanted to get out here. If he wanted a fight, that's exactly what he'd get. Besides, after their previous encounter with Garland…he needed an outlet for all that consumed him.

The Emperor saw his face and knew his intentions immediately, laughing to himself at the thought.

"Oh, how you poor pawns so easily play into the hands of the gods."

Another thought came to his mind at that moment as he glanced at Lightning. Playing off of the moment, and wanting to test Firion's will, he took aim at the warrior as fired a huge ball of fire at her.

"Lightning!" Firion hollered, as he ran towards her quickly.

Lightning stared down the fireball – seemingly willing to take it on or so as she showed no fear while it flew towards her at a great speed.

Right before it would have hit her, Firion pulled her to the ground as the ball of fire flew past them. Lightning looked at Firion in shock at what just happened as she slowly sat up.

"Firion!" she said, with wide eyes.

She didn't know what to say or think about what had just happened. It was so sudden and caught her completely off-guard. What could have made him do such a thing – especially for her?

Firion didn't say a word as he yanked his head toward the Emperor in anger, having now reached his peak – the latter smirking smugly once again as they glared at each other. Without hesitation, he tore off toward the warrior as he yelled loudly in anger – Lightning watching speechlessly at the scene as a million thoughts raced through her mind.