AN: Hey guys, Sorry its been while since I last updated... anything really on here, but well, Life got serious and decided to pile a hell of a lot of shit onto me recently, so yeah. Anyway, I kinda had to break my promise about the Festival being in this chapter, but hopefully the way I've done things is up to standard, and the set up for the festival will be ensuring I cant put of the festival for the next chapter. Also, I got a Co-writer. Its a friend of mine who goes by the Alias's Nier and Bailey33. Not sure if he has an account on here, but he helps a lot and it really does help to have someone to bounce ideas off of. Anyway, time to begin, so I hope you enjoy Chapter 10.

Chapter 10

Zidane's POV

I cracked my eyes open and yawned, the light peeked through the curtains as I got myself out of bed Man these little inns beat that stuffy old castle any day.

There was a day until the festival started so there was plenty of time to kill, it was more a case of what to do then anything else. I looked down at the daggers strapped to my side, they were pretty crappy looking after all the battles maybe a trip to the weapon shop wouldn't hurt. I left the inn and headed toward the air cab, luckily I got there just before it left for the business district, ten minutes in the air cab definitely beat two hours walking.

Skip to the weapon shop

I stepped into the weapons shop, taking a quick look at the weapons on display most of it was those clunky broadswords Man those things suck, don't know how rusty can use them. So instead I walked up to the shop keep and called out to him "Yo old guy, show me what daggers you got"

The old guy frowned over at me, probably didn't take to well to being called 'old' "We have your generic daggers and some Mage Mashers"

I groaned inwardly, they didn't have anything new? "You haven't go anything better then Mage Mashers? Oh man...guess I'll just get some of those then." the old guy looked at me approvingly, probably just happy he was getting some business "Alright that'll be 500 gil"

I sighed heavily and handed the money over, paying for things always sucks "Thanks..." I turned to leave but the old guy spoke up "Hey, why don't you check out the synthesist? Its just a little further down the way"

I immediately perked up after that, there was bound to be something good at the synthesist so I thanked the old guy and headed over there.

Skip to the synthesist.

I walked up to the counter at the synthesists and tried to get the shop keeps attention, he was pretty old just the weapons dealer so I spoke up "Hey, old man tell me what you have." he took a moment to register that, before suddenly shifting and speaking up in a raspy voice "Eh? Old? I'm not old, just seasoned is all. What do you want eh?"

I slowly shook my head and asked my question again "What do you have? I need a new weapon." the old man looked thoughtful for a second before suddenly piping up again "With those two Mage Mashers you have there, I can make you a pretty decent weapon called 'The Ogre'"

I nodded my head eagerly, it sounded like a pretty cool weapon so I handed over my Mage Mashers "Alright, here are the Mage Mashers when can I come get it?" the old man didn't seem to hear me as he turned around and called out to someone at the back "'Ey boy! C'mere we got a job" he quickly turned back to me to finish his sentence "And you, your weapon will be done in about an hour, come back later."

I nodded my head and walked out the store, I reckon I could kill an hour around here there was bound to be something fun to do.

Skip an hour, back to the synthesist

I walked back into the synthesist raising my voice so the old guy could hear me "Hey old man, you have my weapon for me?"

The old, who looked like he was sleeping in his chair, jumped up glaring towards me "Not old! Just seasoned!" his glare turned to confusion before continuing "Huh wha? Oh yeah, you're here for your weapon yeah? C'mere"

I stepped towards him and held out my hands expectantly for my new weapon "Well where is it?"

He bent down and pulled a double bladed sword from under his desk. Now I'd always been one for the daggers but even I had to admit, this thing looked bad ass. I reached out to snatch it up, but the old dude pulled it back saying "That'll be 900gil"

I sighed and paid up, once again paying was not my style but I really had to have that sword "Thanks, can I have the weapon now?"

The old dude nodded and handed over the sword while he counted the money. As soon as it was in my grasp I twizzled it experimentally with this huge grin on my face before strapping it to my back "This'll do awesome, thanks old dude." I immediately turned to leave him before he could start ranting about his age that I had a new weapon I wasn't really sure what to do with myself, there was plenty of things around but most of it got boring quick Maybe a should visit the hide out, yeah that's what I'll do!

With the decision made I wandered off towards the air cab, sort of hoping the cab to theatre district hadn't left yet.

Skip to Tantalus hide out

I stepped into the hideout, breathing in the musty air and take a quick glance around "I figured there wouldn't be anybody here. It looks like nobodies been here for a while." I walked over to the wall and leant against it "What to do, what to do..."

As I thought out loud, the clock began to move striking to gong to show that a play had just ended "...I wonder how Dagger is doing."

Tantalus hide out (After Dagger ATE)

I was thinking about Dagger when Bunce and Lucella walking in broke me out of my Daze "There he is!" said Bunce

"I told you he'd be here" Replied Lucella

I slowly pushed myself away from the wall and walked over to the kids as they continued there little rant "Why didn't you tell us you were back, we're in Tantalus to you know"

I took a second to process that information before replying "What?"

"Yeah! Uncle Baku if we find some treasure, we can be in Tantalus too!" said Lucella. It was weird, this didn't sound like the old man at all.

Bunce nodded eagerly "Yeah! Check this out!" he strode over towards me with a proud look on his face as he pulled his 'treasure' out of his pocket.

To me, it looked like a pair of ordinary trick sparrow wings but you know me mister nice guy all over "Wow, these are are trick sparrow's wings! That sure is some treasure you've found, alright!" I made myself sound suitable impressed and it seemed to work judging by the "Yay's!" and "Yipee's!" the kids were now making.

With that over the kids started asking me questions about the plan "So did the plan work?"

I wasn't to keen on sharing it with them but it couldn't really do any harm now "...Yeah, Princess Garnet is at the castle."

The kids broke into great big smiles with Lucella shouting out "Really!? Wow! So, what's she like? is she cute?"

I almost laughed at the questions, it wasn't something you expected to hear from a kid, nevermind a little girl. I had an even harder time when Bunce asked "Did you ask her out yet?"

I didn't usualy talk to kids about my love life, but hey I guess i'm quite a soppy guy after all "No...I think she's pretty busy. Plus, she's a princess and I'm a...you know, so...I don't know."

The kids looked up at me with their innocent little eyes "I bet she misses you" piped Lucella, closely follow by a little advice from Bunce "You should go see her!"

Before I could answer they told me "Good luck" and ran off. Man...look at me getting advice from kids. Though the kids were right in a way "I wonder if she got to see Cid, Maybe I should go see her..."

With my mind made up I wandered out of the hide out and headed off towards the castle.

Akio's POV:

I awoke to the sounds of someone having the shit beat out of them, I opened my eyes and blinked a couple of times, realising with the stylish roof, and collums around a part of said roof that I was in the Guest room, and that it was more than Likely Zidane beating the shit out of the general and stealing his armour. I sighed lightly and waited until I heard zidane mutter "Well that was easy," and leave with the armour on and the general in the cupboard.

I get up and crack my neck, before replacing my cloak and weapons to where they were, along with my pack and getting Koro onto my shoulders, as I noticed that Daggers song was echoing throughout the castle, making me smile a little. I slowly followed Zidane at a distance, and since the soldiers knew that Cid is letting me live in the castle and see him at any time, I just passed the soldier guarding the lift once Zidane got off his.

Luckily, he was just turning the corner when my lift got up there, and I was quickly able to tail him, Occasionally having to use Shadow Step to move so that Zidane wouldnt notice me.

Once he entered the room with the engine and the path to the roof, I waited a little bit, before following him up there.

Now, I dont think this is made too clear, but this is the actual roof of the entire Lindblum castle, So its on the top of the massive ass Castle you see in the CGI, and all you can really say is that the View is Fucking Beautiful. If it wasnt for the fog, you would actually be able to see for miles, and with one side facing the rest of the continent with a telescope, and the other facing the sea, no matter which side you look from, its beautiful to see.

But something struck me as odd during the game, and even moreso now, The roof here is so much older than the rest of the entire city, with the material being a lot more different, and being more dilapidated than the rest of the town. I dont quite know why this is, but no matter what happens to lindblum, the roof of the castle doesnt seem to ever take damage... Its odd, but I dont have time to look into it now.

Once up there, I stayed on the lower tier, listening in to their conversation, until Zidane said, "Oh hey! There's a telescope. Let's go check it out!" And with matching their footsteps, I moved to one of the collumns close to where the telescope was.

Again I listen in to the conversation, and, to be clear, I'm not actually behind a collum, I'm on a side facing the direction in which Dagger faces when she begins to sing, but with where I am as well, I'm also in a shadow so unless they specifically look for me, I wont be spotted outright. The Conversation quickly moves forward, with Zidane giving Dagger the Sleeping weed, and Dagger beginnging to sing.

I smile at the song, before pulling out my Ocarina and perfectly matching the song, creating a song that flowed through the streets of lindblum, light enough so that, if you heard it, you would think it was only the wind, but loud enough that the entire city could hear it.

Sadly, this ended fairly quickly as Zidane noticed me,

"Akio?"

This shocked Dagger out of singing, so I reluctantly stopped playing, and looked towards them, commenting with a light smirk, "Nice to see you two getting along."

This got Zidane somewhat embarrased, and Dagger refusing profusley, but I just waved it off and asked, "So what were the both of you doing up here?"

Zidane said, "I heard Dagger singing so I got up here to see her,"

I sighed and said, "And you woke me up in the process, I was asleep in the Guest room you know."

Zidane Flinched lightly and said, "Sorry, I didnt think anyone would be in there after Steiner left."

I waved him off and looked towards Dagger, "And you?"

She sighed and said, "I was feeling somewhat cooped up, with not being able to leave the room so I Snuck out and came here to relax."

I nod in understanding, and look back towards Zidane, "So you ready for the Festival Zidane?"

He smirked and pulled out a dual bladed sword, and stated, "With the Ogre here, I'm well set to kick both your and some monster Ass!"

I smile and mentioned "The weapon doesnt make the Man, Zidane. And I plan to get some training done out in the field before tomorrow,"

Zidane let out a small laugh "Well, lets see who win's tomorrow then, I'm half expecting Freya to slaughter our asses, Although I have heard that there is an extreamly skilled Archer entering the tournament, along with a number of other people."

I nod in appreciaton of the information, and smile slightly before responding, "Well how about we have a little bet between the three of us?"

This got their attention, with Zidane responding with, "The bet and Stakes being?"

I grinned "We bet on who wins, and we chose our own stakes, Ill start, I bet I win, and i'll put up what would have been my prize out of my own pocket."

Zidane's eyes light up, and Dagger seems very interested, Zidane exclaimed "Same stakes but with me winning,"

We both turn to Dagger as she Decided "The stakes will be Me going on a Date with Zidane, and I say the winner will be the Archer Zidane mentioned earlier."

I smile and finalise the bet with "So if I win, I get Zidane's prize and Zidane gets a Date with Dagger, If Zidane Wins he gets my prize and a date with Dagger, and if the Archer wins, Dagger gets what both of our prizes would have been." and with both of their nods, I hold out my hand,

Both of them take it, and the bet is sealed.

I smiled "I better get going and get some training done then, See you both later." as I turned and left them both on the roof.

Buisness district:

I quickly caught the next air cab from the castle into the closest district to town. I quickly made my way out of the station, and towards the gate.

Outside Lindblum:

As I made it to the fields outside Lindblum I sighed in relief at finally reaching my destination. I mutter to myself, "Damn it, do they really have to make paths that long?" What with the walk taking a number of hours, and now the sun is about half way to setting. I sigh, and proceed to keep walking, hoping to find something to practice on.

After a little while, I find something. A single Carve Spider, near one of the mountains on the Plateu. I raise an eyebrow and mutter, "While not what I was hoping for, it'll do for a warm up." whilst drawing Cecil and Angels's blades.

I quickly moved towards it, and drew Cecil's blade back for my first attack, "Unholy Thunder." With which I quickly thrust the blade forward, and sent a black bolt of lightning towards the Spider. The Lightning quickly tore through it, and struck the mountain behind it.

However, thats where something odd happened, the mountain wall crumbled and opened up into a well made cave. I blinked in surprise, but sheathed my blades and continued into the cave, wondering what was inside.

A short distance inside

I have been following this cave for a good half an hour, and all that has happened, is that it has become more cleanly cut as I go, and there are no turn offs what so ever along the way. This was striking me as odd, but not too surprising if this cave was what I thought it was. After a while, I came out into a wider cave, with smooth stone walls, and two torches on the left and right walls, Between the two torches was an enshrined Dark Knight Blade. Meaning another Dark knight's soul was enshrined here.

Again I walked forward, and again, the black flame in the air that represents a Dark knights soul appeared with, "Hold up there"

I stop and bow slightly to the flame, "I am Akio Matsuki, Unbound Dark Knight, One who does not wield his own blade, the one who wields the blade of Angela and the one who inhabits the body of Cecil, Both of which are fellow Dark Knights. May I ask who you are?"

The flame flickered sightly before replying, "You need not be so formal Akio, but I am Lee, fallen Dark Knight of Lindblum."

I ask, "Whom did you serve under?"

"Lord Cid Fabool IX, why?"

"I see... If you bond with me, you will learn why, so it would be quicker to do the test, so if I do manage to bond with you I wont have to waste time explaining."

Lee's flame bobbed in agreement, before it stated, "Very well then, My test is simple, but immensly difficult. You must either Visit another world, Or have Visited another world, within 5 years of the second you accept. Do you accept?"

I blink. I blink a second time. Then I state, "I accept." Before I, along with Angela and Cecil in my mind, Burst out laughing at how I managed to complete this test, before I even knew it was a test.

Lee's flame flickered curiosly, before he noticed his blade change to a pair of spiky Chakrams, and he flickered as he figured it out. "Heh, I guess my test doesnt work with a world traveler... Take my Chakrams Akio, You will need them in the coming months."

I am smiling from my laughing spree as I take the Chakrams and attach them onto my belt. I then comment offhand, "Now I need to practice..." Then I remember something, "Damn it, most of the monsters around here are too weak to practice properly."

Then Lee comes to my rescue, "Well there is the cave behind my shrine, It has some stronger monsters in there, a good number of them as well, along with something in the chest that I think your gonna need."

I nod my head at Lee's comment and walk around where his blade was enshrined and knocked aruond on the walls until I heard one give an echo back. I smile and use Cecil's blade to knock down the wall.

Note to self, Knocking down walls when you know something fairly strong is behind them is a bad idea.

The second the wall falls, I get knocked back and into the shrine. Thing is, it wasnt phisical, It was a wave of some sort through the air.

I jump to the side guessing, correctly, that another of what was fired to send me back was coming my way before looking up at the monster.

It was odd, something like a humanoid Bat, except no eyes at all, larger ears, larger fangs, and a pair of arms along side the wings and clawed feet.

It began twitching its head in multiple directions, and with noticing that it had no eyes and large ears proved it depended on Echolocation like normal bats, and thus, easily confusable. I smile slightly and replace Cecil's blade in its sheath before drawing Lee's chakrams carefully, making no sound, before bursting forward and slicing at him, causing sound in a variety of places.

It seems that the Echolocation in these humanoids is fairly strong, because despite all of the different sound echo's it was able to determine exactly where my attack was coming from, and defend itself, blocking my blow with his arm. Once he did that, I smiled slightly, before screaming at the top of my lungs, deafening it. It stumbled back, which gave me enough time to remove its head with the chakram in my left hand. I smirk, and turn back to the cave, and prepare for the others within.

I then hear a screech and see two of the same beings come out of the cave, I settle into a ready position as Lee's voice echo's in my head, 'I have three skills that you can use now, Dark Fira, Soul Eater and Death. Lets see how you handle them.'

I smirk and state, "Lets do this, Dark Fira!" As the black flames encased my Chakrams, I charged forward, between the two whilst slashing at them, removing one of each of their arms. Since the blades were on fire, no blood was spilled, and with them screeching in pain, which disorientated the other, I was quickly able to throw both of the chakrams and remove their heads.

I then roll forwards and retrieve the chakrams as another being comes at me, I look it over carefully before I smirk and state, "Soul Eater" Causing the flames on the chakrams to be replaced with a black energy. I quickly charge forward and slash at the being. As I was doing so I noticed that each time I landed a slash with Soul Eater active, I regained health, making me smirk even wider, as I sped up my blows, dealing more and more damage to the being, until it eventually succumbed to its wounds and fell over dead. I crack my neck as a larger and more bulky version of the beings comes out from the hole, roaring.

I narrowed my eyes, and stated, "Time for Death to pay you a visit." As I channeled the last of the skills granted to me by Lee. Once the spell was prepared, I noticed I had an odd claw on my right hand and my chakrams had placed themselves onto my belt. I grinned as I charged towards the being, dodging its overhead strike along the way, as I launched the claw into its chest, bringing out a glowing ball. I smirk as I crush it, which caused the large being to collapse. Dead.

I stumble as the skill finishes, it taking a good amount of strength from me. I pant as I retrieve a Potion from my pack and drink it, giving me back my strength, and allowing me to go into the hole in the wall and see what lies beyond.

Turns out it was an extreamly small cave, and the only thing left in here is some bones, a hole above, probably how the beings got out to hunt, and a treasure chest. I go up to the chest, muttering "Hope something good is in here."

Opening the chest I find a number of Hi-Potions, which I quickly put in my pack as I smile, and slowly walk back to Lindblum, noticing that its starting to get late to the look of the sky from the hole, so I decided to head back and get some sleep, I'm gonna need it for the Festival tomorrow.

Next day Guest room: The beginning of the festival:

I was leaning against the wall near the cupboard while I was waiting for the Festival of the Hunt to begin. Within this room was everyone you normally see in the game in somewhat the same positions, however, there was a blonde girl with green eyes and wearing somewhat worn leather clothes standing near the doorway in the kinda pose that you see on the people that feel extreamly awkward in the situation they are in.

I was surprised at how many people actually entered this thing when I saw the sign up sheets. Yes, Plural. Turns out that there are a lot more than the three districts then what are shown within the game, which shouldnt be a surprise. However, over 500 people signed up to this competition. I wonder how this would work before I realise that there would be distinctions within the competition, and only certain people would actually compete against each other. I smile as the guard comes in and begins asking for the rewards. Something that surprised me again, was that you could literally ask for anything, and so long as you were willing to wait, said thing would be indebted to your family until it was delivered. Since I am/was/will be the regents son, I could ask for what I plan to, very easily.

"Master Zidane, what would you take as a reward?"

Zidane smirks and states, "Gil, and lots of it."

We all roll our eyes at that answer, knowing what he was going to say.

"Master Freya, What would you take as a reward?"

Freya thinks for a moment before going with, "I would take an Add-on"

"Master Akio, what would you take as a reward?"

I grin, and state, "A small airship that runs without mist."

Everyone doubletakes at me, before the guard clears his throat and states, "You do realise that may take a fair amount of time?" I nod and he moves on.

"Master Kara, What would you take as a reward?"

The Blonde at the door stumbles for a moment, before answering, "A Bow, Crafted by a master"

The guard nods and moves on to the final contestant, "Master Vivi, What would you take as a reward?"

Vivi stumbles majorly before he lookes wide-eyed at the guard and states, "W-what? I didnt enter myself in the hunt."

Zidane grins and states, "I entered you Vivi, I figured you needed some practice with your magic so I put your name down, and besides, With the amount of power you have, It should be a snap for you to do good, if not win."

Vivi looks somewhat nervous with the amount of pressure put onto him with Zidanes confidence, so while Freya and Dagger chew him out, I go up to Vivi and state, "Vivi, Dont think of this a competition, Think of this as a way to train. Just go out and fight the monsters, using them as a way to get more in practice with your magic, so it responds easier to you. Can you do that for me?"

Vivi looks at me with his wide eyes and I can tell he is grateful as he nods, and looks at the guard, before stating, "I-I'll take a Rare Card."

The guard raises an eyebrow before reading back the list, "So Master Zidane will take Gil, Master Freya an Add-On, Master Akio an... Airship that runs without mist... Master Kara a Bow crafted by a master, and Master Vivi a... Rare Card..." He sighs before he continues with the speech about the hunt, but it actually goes on for Three hours, not half an hour. We all nod in acceptance, as the guard goes onto the starting locations. "Now, because of the extrodinarily large amount of people entering the hunt this time around, we have split the city into a number of sections, each with 3 districts within them, This group has the Buisness District, Industrial District and the Theater District to take care of. Master Akio will begin in the Theater District, Master's Zidane and Vivi will begin in the Buisness District and Master's Freya and Kara will begin in the Industrial District. Any questions?"

Everyone shook their heads. He then smirked, "The hunt will begin once everyone has made it to the districts they are designated to start in. May Lady Luck grant her blessings upon you."

We all follow the guard out to the air cab platform, and I smirk, thinking 'This Is gonna be one hell of a party, lets hope I win.'

AN: And done, Hope you enjoyed, and I hope you guys leave a review, since it would let me know if i'm doing things right or wrong. Again, flames will be ignored, Hope to see you guys later.