Chapter Three: Desires Burn
Those golden, bright, yet lifeless eyes followed Beatrix as she and Kuja made their way back to the inn. Everywhere she looked, the general saw those eyes. In the candle light that flickered out from the windows of the small, dome-shaped houses; they watched. They bore down on her from the night sky. In the black water of the town well, they peered laughingly at her. They even glared out at her from the flaming hearth in her shared room. If she hadnt known any better, she might have thought Kuja had cast a spell on her. There was no magic at work here though, only Beatrixs imagination.
The Black Mages bothered the swordswoman in a way she could not yet place. The only thing she truly knew was that her very soul rebelled against such creatures. Disgust filled Beatrix to the point of overflowing. How could the queen condone the creation of these mages? Mindless, killing machines born of the Mist and dark magic.
Kujas magic.
That fact alone made the general weary of the weapons the sorcerer was so gladly handing over to her queen. Sure, Her Majesty was paying the man with mountains of gil and power, but what would the real price be in the end? What price would Alexandria pay for unleashing these demons upon the world, for even obtaining them?
If Kuja had the power to make those abominations in great numbers, then he surely had the power to do far worse evils. He was rich, already a noble, and from only Alexander knows where. The man was an enigma, and a dangerous one . Money, though a powerful motivator for any man or woman, was not Kujas motivation. Beatrix could see that as easily as she could see his beauty. The sorcerer coveted only power, whether it was physical or political did not matter.
The silver tongued weapons dealer had a plan for the queen, princess and all of Alexandria. He was getting something out of the wars to come, and it wasnt just gil. If Beatrix could figure out what it was he had to gain, she knew she could find a way to get him to make a mistake. Maybe, if she worked quickly and carefully enough she could stop the Black Mages from ever being used.
My dearest General, what is so very interesting about that flame? You have been staring at it for nearly an hour. Kujas silky voice washed over Beatrix like ice cold water, causing goose bumps to rise on the back of her arms.
The general reluctantly turned from the warm hearth and glanced at the pale sorcerer. He was sitting on the edge of the bed closest to her, resting his slight weight on those delicate hands that were stretched out behind him. There was a smile on his face, not his usual one meant to charm, but one that suggested a deeper knowledge of her. The way he was staring at her made Beatrix wonder if he knew exactly what she had been thinking about.
Hm, you would prefer I look at you for an hour. Beatrix stated flatly, purposefully removing her gaze from the man. She did this as much to annoy him as to keep herself from doing just as she said. The way the fire light flickered over his form made the generals thoughts wander to places she would rather not have them go where Kuja was concerned.
Amused laughter floated over to Beatrix from the arms-dealers direction. Im not sure that even I could handle such scrutiny from you, Lady General. Kujas tone was mocking, goading her.
The rustle of silk against coarse cotton caught the blondes attention and, before she had the time to react, Kuja stood a mere three inches behind her. Beatrix was certain that she hadnt heard his metal shoes connect with the wooden floor boards. How had he managed that?
But I wonder; could you handle such scrutiny from me? The sorcerer breathed, the heat of his words searing Beatrixs ears. It was a challenge, one the warrior was glade to accept. She could wage a war with words just as easily as he could.
The scrutiny of a queen far out weighs that of a nobleman, Lord King. Beatrix turned his own attack against Kuja and reveled in the sudden stiffness in the air around him. As quickly as the agitation rose in the sorcerer it was gone, soothed back into that unwavering calm. He was prepared to counter.
True, very true, General. Smug superiority slithered through Kujas words, causing Beatrix to tense for his next strike. But what of the scrutiny of a sorcerer? He asked smoothly, reaching out and running his hand down the generals right arm.
There was no stopping the shiver that ran through the swordswoman, no matter how hard she resisted it. That shiver quickly turned to lightning-fast action as she felt the energy around them concentrate at Kujas hand. Save the Queen was out of its sheath before the general made the conscious move for it. A second later, Kuja found himself shoved against the fireplaces brick mantle with a sword at his throat.
Kujas angelic features were void of fear or anger, his body totally relaxed. His mouth slowly moved to form that infuriatingly smug smile that had Beatrixs blood boiling. Silence reigned for an instant as the two stared each other down, then both were moving again.
Kujas hand moved to the fire, drawing the flame into his hand and throwing it quickly at Beatrix. She blocked it with Save the Queen, though a few strands of her hair were singed at the ends. The smell of burnt hair filled the room and the general watched as Kujas look of amusement faded to one of disgust. Those brilliant blue eyes drifted to Beatrixs damaged blond locks and the sorcerers expression shifted again, this time to disapproval.
How careless of me! the arms-dealer announced, tutting to himself and shaking his head. To damage such a beautiful rose is a sin indeed. Kuja said, stepping forward and stopping when Beatrix visibly tensed. Truce? the sorcerer offered, lifting his hands as a sign of peace.
Beatrix searched the mans face, considering the offer of peace for a long moment. He certainly seemed sincere enough, but one could never truly tell with him. Fine. The general said stiffly, finally, dropping from her defensive stance and moving Save the Queen to her side. She did not sheath the deadly blade, though, she knew he awaited the action. It was peace she was offering in return, not trust. Never that, never trust.
Kuja sighed dramatically, disappointment barley veiled within his features. Words, as were so often flowing in abundance where the sorcerer was concerned, did not come as the general had expected. The otherworldly man simply glided forward with a silence that was absent in his usual nature. His expression, one akin to a beast stalking its prey, shook something deep within Beatrix that she could not place. Not for the first time, she felt the urge to back away from him. Before she could give into such a weakness, Kuja was a mere inch before her.
Startlingly blue eyes gazed into Beatrixs own hazel ones, igniting the spark of tension once again. The general tensed, anticipating a powerful blow despite the recently established truce. All of her being screamed for her to shove the nobleman away, out of her personal space, and make the point clear with the tip of Save the Queen. No, she could not do such a thing without violent provocation. Kuja was nobility, whether she liked it or not, and was not to be harmed without just cause. She must let him play this game until he crossed the tentative line they had drawn only moments earlier.
The expected attack never came, but the familiar warmth of healing magic washed over the side of Beatixs face. The general would have startled, but knew the reason why she had missed his movement. The damage dealt to her dusky-blonde hair had all been sustained on the right side; her blind spot. Kuja must have been repenting for his sin by working his strange brand of magic. A mirror was not needed for Beatrix to know that, once the spell had done its work, her hair would be back to its original state.
There, all is as it should be. Kujas silky voice was accompanied by an equally soft hand brushing back Beatrixs hair and grazing her shoulder. The overly warm hand lingered longer than strictly necessary and suddenly Kujas cold eyes were no longer so icy. A small ember of fire whispered behind those blue depths, stirring that unknown something within Beatrix.
Desire; it was all that she could feel radiating off the ashen mage. Beatrix mirrored the same emotion, she knew. What she didnt know was what the desire was for, in either of them. Was it a desire to kill, conquer, possess, or embrace? It could be any one of those reasons for Kuja, all of them even. Beatrix only wished it was one of the former two and not the latter, in her case.
..
Neither paladin nor mage made a move for a few moment of pregnant silence. Beatrix did no want to retreat from Kujas scrutiny. Kuja did not want to release Beatrix from his hold. This stalemate was swiftly ended for them, as the doors to their room snapped open and they both took a reflexive step back.
In the doorway stood the flushed form of the mayors young attendant, his expression slightly startled at the sight before him. A-a problem with one of the black mages, L-lord King. The servant stammered, bowing down as an afterthought and remaining that way.
What? Kuja demanded, stepping forward quickly and gesturing for the boy to stand.
I-it will not listen, sir. Its attacking the other mages! The boys voice became urgent, his feet shifting beneath him nervously.
Where? Beatrix urged, gripping the hilt of the holy sword in her hand even tighter. She felt her muscles tighten; readying for action.
T-the field, near the cargo ship! It broke free from the box!
The boy had barley finished the first sentence and the general was running out of the bedroom, and out of the inn. The town flew by in a dizzying mix of concrete and light as Beatrix rushed towards the raging abomination. She cared not for the damage it was sustaining to the queens new weapons, but worried for the lives of the workers. The mages could be replaced, Alexandrian citizens could not.
Leaping into the air, Beatrix soared over the small garden and its fence, landing in the middle of the mages destruction. Much of the surrounding grass was burnt away, some still burning. One of the oversized barrels was broken open, all its contents destroyed and still aflame. Thankfully, the cargo ship had been spared any damage, but the turned over cart nearby did not bode well. Nor did the smell of roasting flesh.
Quickly rounding the airship, Beatrix found the silently shrieking form of an injured Chocobo. The large bird was badly burned, most it feathers scorched away. It was still alive, though, and attempting to call out for aid. The poor creatures throat was partially skewered bay an icicle; its vocal cords severed. The general rushed towards the bird, her good eye darting around for the rouge mage.
H-help!! A female voice screeched from the other side of a barrel, drawing Beatrixs attention.
Lightning sparked to life before the barrel, the mages form becoming visible in the blue-white light. The spell grew, reaching to a newer height. If unleashed upon the peasant, it would surely kill her.
No! Beatrix ordered, charging the black mage and pulling its attention towards herself.
The mage turned, its red eyes nearly startling the general to a stop. It loosed the spell at the swordswoman, Its mouth opening and croaking a single word: Kill!
Beatrix caught the spell with her blade and held it there. The mage could not have chosen a worse element to throw at her; lightning she knew well. Continuing her charge, Beatrix added her own strength to the spell and brought Save the Queen down hard on the mages head. No sound parted the golems lips as the sword passed through its steeple hat and cleaved straight through its skull. Lightning blossomed out of the sizable wound, destroying any chance of recovery for the mage. The creature was dead.
The sound of clapping came from behind the general and she didnt have to turn to know who was there. In fact, she refused to turn and greet the man that had caused this whole problem. If he hadnt created this dreg of the mist, she would not have had to save the woman that now stood before her, thanking her. No thanks would be necessary if the sorcerer had just left Alexandria alone. Save the Queen would not need to bear the blood of this unholy monster if it were not for him.
She would not have to feel this hatred and this desire burning in her veins if he had not set foot in Alexandria, if his eyes had never settled on her.
Thank you, dear General. You have saved me the trouble of destroying a defect. Kujas voice called to her, making her turn without really wanting to. The sorcerer stood beside the cargo ship, his body half covered in the fires light, half in shadow. It was this way, cast in shadow an light, that Beatrix liked the man most. It had her mind wandering again; away from the hatred she felt for him and towards the desire.
Laughter bubbled out of Kuja; he had noticed her staring.
The general shook herself and diverted her gaze towards the Chocobo, still clinging to life, at the sorcerers feet. Azure eyes looked pleadingly towards her, begging for help. Beatrix took a step forward, intending to save the creature.
Kujas gaze followed, his eyes considering the dying bird as if he had not noticed it before. Poor beast, it must be put out of its misery. The sorcerer cooed, lifting his right hand and unleashing a single ball of white light at the Chocobos head.
The paladin stopped mid-stride, the cure spell she had been preparing dying at her finger tips. Beatrix could not help but stare at the decimated Chocobo, her mind racing with a sudden realization. She, herself, was not too unlike the dead bird. She was crippled by her desire for a man she knew to be dangerous, by her loyalty to Alexandria. So, she would plead quietly for help, silenced by her own pride and the promises made to a dead king. Like that bird, she would be trapped within her own pain and confusion until someone would released her from it. And, just as that bird had been, she was at the mercy of a sadistic sorcerer who sought nothing but her destruction.