Author's Notes: I decided to start this back up again. At the rate I'm going, I may finally finish this story in about 2015…
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy is not mine, etc.
The Promise
Chapter 6: Dark Streets of Treno
"Is she ever gonna wake up?" Vivi asked fretfully. Darkness had already befallen them as Blank set up camp. After their defeat of the Black Waltz, they'd taken off as quickly as they could to get as far from Dali as possible. Who knew where the clowns had gone or when they would be back.
"Don't worry, Vivi, she's just really tired. She'll wake up again soon. Whatever kind of magic she pulled was a little more than she could handle, I think," Blank said, pausing in the set up of their tent to look down at the exhausted princess. It was true. The amount of power that had been in the air had literally made his hair stand on end. Whatever was beneath the surface for the Princess of Alexandria was dangerous. It made him feel a little uneasy. What would happen if someone ever turned her from her sweet nature and molded her into something evil?
Her enemies would never survive it.
Blank knelt down next to Dagger, taking her hand in his. But she could never be anything that she wasn't. And she was one of the kindest people he had ever met. Nothing would ever change that. Right? After all, he'd heard strange rumors about the Queen… but best not to ever go there.
"Blank…" Dagger's voice was soft as her dark eyes opened.
His heart sped up a little, hearing his name spoken with such trust in it.
"Right here, Dagger," he replied earnestly, squeezing her hand. "You okay?"
The girl thought for a moment before providing a weak smile. "Just tired. And hungry. Do you think there's anything to eat?"
Blank offered one more squeeze of her hand before standing. "Coming right up, Your Highness!" he said, bowing with a flourish. As he turned to rustle through their food pack, he spoke again. "We're several miles from Dali now. Heading for Treno. I think we'll have the best luck there trying to get a ride to Lindblum. I've got some connections that could smuggle us through the border checkpoints."
Dagger began to sit up, wrapping a blanket that Vivi had offered as she listened to the plan. "Treno… there are a great many possibilities in Treno," she agreed. "But aren't you worried that someone there could recognize me? A great number of the nobility from Treno have been to the Castle in Alexandria and to court."
"It's definitely a risk," Blank agreed. "But we might be better off avoiding those sections of town entirely. Go incognito. Besides, you're not the same girl you were when you left the Castle. Just look at how far you've come. They wouldn't recognize you, even if you jumped up and down right in front of them, screaming like Rusty." As soon as he spoke the words, though, he regretted it.
"Steiner… do… do you think he's alright?" Dagger asked in a small voice.
Blank took his time in answering, instead focused on pulling some dried meat and some bread together and bringing it back to Dagger. "I think that if anyone can survive what's coming, it would be Steiner," he said. "Besides, doesn't he work for your mother? If anything, we'll be seeing him in a few weeks, screaming that we didn't wait for him and everything will be right as rain."
Dagger smiled. "I do hope that you're right, Blank."
X.X.X
The group stood on the edge of a long cliff, staring down at the mist-filled ravine, and then across to the dancing lights of what would be Treno.
"So… how exactly do you plan to get us across?" Dagger asked, amusement filling her eyes.
"I'm getting there," Blank muttered. He knelt down, peering carefully over the edge. It was steep, to be sure, but with enough patience, they could easily climb down and then up the other side.
"I don't like heights," Vivi protested.
Dagger seemed uneasy herself. "Perhaps there is a better way," she said hopefully. "One that doesn't involve us tumbling to our deaths, please?"
Vivi thought hard, trying to remember all of the lessons his Grandfather had taught him about the area.
"Long ago, before the armies of Alexandria conquered everything, and we were ruled by one person, the towns and villages survived on their own."
"How could they do that?"
"Trade, my boy. Our economic systems are our way of life. Even today they're very important. Without it, how could we get what we need but don't have? Treno was one of the leading cities because they did whatever it took to get what they needed, sometimes taking secret routes through the mountains and over cliffs to reach their destination.
"Legend has it that on the far plains at dusk, you could sometimes see entire wagons disappear into the very rocks themselves, all of them weighed down with cargo. It got to the point that they thought the area was haunted by the spirits of long departed settlers that would never be at peace until they found land to call their own. But everyone with a brain knew that it was really smugglers trying to get their black market goods to Treno where they could sell them for a profit."
"Do you believe it really existed, Grandpa?"
"I do. They called it Ghost Wanderers Passage. Men I knew swore that the Passage really was haunted after a massacre that took place by the Queen's guards about twenty years ago. The men tried to hide from soldiers in the passage but were caught on both ends. Not a one of them survived…"
"Ghost Wanderers Passage!" Vivi said with a start, blinking out of his memory.
Both Dagger and Blank stopped and stared at the young boy in confusion. "Ghost Wanderers Passage?" Dagger asked. "I've never heard of it, and I thought I knew Alexandria territory inside and out."
"What's Ghost Wanderers Passage?" Blank asked, already unfurling his map and bringing it closer to the light.
"It's a place my Grandfather told me about," Vivi explained. "I think we can get across to Treno through there…"
X.X.X
The passage was dark, damp and so very abandoned. Dust lifted with each step the trio took. It was at the far end that they could see the rosy sky of the eternal dusk that always surrounded Treno.
As Vivi first stepped in, he shivered. Maybe the place really was haunted, but he didn't want to say it in front of anyone else. "Let's get through as fast as we can," he suggested. "It feels like something's watching us."
"But maybe something is…" A cavernous voice echoed down the passage.
"Shit," Blank whispered. They were in the middle of a cramped space, without much room to run if needed. It was an absolutely terrible place to get into a fight and everyone knew it. Vivi wouldn't be able to fling his spells without risking hurting someone else.
Dagger backed up a little, right into one of the side walls. "Blank…" she whispered. "What's that?"
One end of the tunnel became blotted out by dark feathers and dark glowing red eyes.
"Dagger, get back!" Blank shouted as his sword came out from its sheath. "It's another one of those damned Black Waltzes." He felt a moment of panic. How were they going to survive this one?
The dark wings flared and they found themselves confronted with the second of the Black Waltzes, stronger and faster than the last. Also more cruel, Blank noticed. He feared what they would mean for the third and final one when they came across it.
"You will be destroyed!" The Waltz thundered as it lifted its hands, sending rapid-fire Fira spells at the group. It did not even seem to notice that some of those spells bounced dangerously close to Dagger.
Blank's head whipped around as he heard Dagger cry out, a burn blistering across her pale skin. The Waltz just cackled. "You will all die and then, Princess, you will be taken back to the Castle."
Anger began to well up inside of Blank. It was hot and angry. His fury for everything that had happened since he had left the company of Tantalus. His best friend was gone. He'd let down one of his teammates. Dagger was in danger again. There was so much bearing down on him. Could he even manage to survive the next ten minutes?
A bright light began to flood the small tunnel and it took a moment for Blank to realize that it was coming from him.
"W-w-what's that light?!" Vivi asked fearfully, hopping back a few steps, spell caught on the edge of his fingers.
"It's Trance! I've read about it," Dagger said excitedly, even as she clutched at her wound. "It happens when the person feels a strong emotion that it gives them access to more strength."
Blank could feel the power rushing through him. It was like a huge adrenaline rush but different. He had always considered himself a proficient fighter, but this seemed to put him on a different level. Reaching deep within himself, he charged at the Waltz, bringing the sharp blade up in a quick series of movements with a speed that he never could have achieved on his own.
The Black Waltz never stood a chance against something so powerful.
"You… you will be destroyed," it coughed out. "The third is the most powerful of us all…"
All three looked to each other with concern. "Why are they always so ominous as they die?" Blank asked with a sigh. "Can't they just croak like a normal person? Let's keep going so number three doesn't catch us in here."
X.X.X
As they pushed through the gates of Treno, Dagger took in a deep breath. It had been many years since she had last been here. Since she was a child and her father brought her here to rub elbows with the nobility of the area. You'll one day find your place amongst them, he had promised. When she would become Queen.
"Stay close to me, guys," Blank said quietly, keeping one hand on Vivi's shoulder and the other drawing Dagger away from a half-drunk man staggering his way out of town. "We'll head straight to the safehouse so you two can stay out of sight while I check with some of my contacts."
Right in front of her eyes, Dagger was able to see the transformation from the beautiful, breathtaking architecture that she had always associated with Treno, to the rough slums that could barely support or contain itself with the number of people shoved into the crowded streets. "Blank, this is terrible…" she whispered into the thief's ear. "How could people live like this?"
"It's not a choice, Dagger," Blank replied with a grim look and keeping his gaze in front of them. His hand tightened on Dagger's arm, drawing her closer. "The wealthy make sure the poor don't interfere with their beautiful homes and lazy lifestyle."
Dagger started to protest again, but the look in her guide's eye made her stop short. Were things like this in Alexandria as well? Was there even a small portion of her people suffering like these were? She would not have it.
Blank stopped in front of one of the rickety houses, pounding on the door three times.
"Name," was the gruff reply, a small window in the door opening to reveal two golden eyes.
"Blank."
"Password."
"Are you kidding me?"
"Password!"
Blank sighed. He cleared his throat and took a step back, raising one hand to the skies. "No cloud, no squall shall hinder us!"
In the background, Dagger couldn't help but giggle at the quotation from I Want to be Your Canary. Blank tossed her a less than amused look but held his tongue, waiting for the guard to open.
"That wasn't funny, Zantos," Blank growled as the group was escorted inside. It was rough, but clean and simple. "We need transportation back to Lindblum. We have anyone heading in that direction soon?"
"What's in Lindblum, boy?" a thundering voice halfway shook the house, making Blank wince. He turned slowly and bowed his head down in deference. "Boss. Boy am I glad to see you all." A brief hesitation. "What are you doing here in Treno? I would have figured you for being in Lindblum."
The leader of Tantalus, Baku, shook his whole body, like a dog removing water and clapped a heavy hand down on Blank's shoulder, almost making the tall youth collapse under its sheer strength. "Let's talk in private, boy. Leave your Princess-" He thankfully did not comment on why the girl was still with him, "And little mage friend in the back room to get some rest."
Blank nodded. "Dagger, Vivi, go get some rest. You're gonna be safe here," he promised, touching both of their arms. "The boys here will protect you no matter what, so rest easy."
Dagger frowned, her gloved hands twisting anxiously together. "Blank…" she uttered slowly before being cut off.
"It's fine. Just stay here. Please," Blank interjected, sighing in relief as she nodded the affirmative.
X.X.X
"Hell's Bells, boy. What are you doing, carting those two around?" Baku growled as they tramped through the winding dark alleys on the slum-side of Treno. "We figured you lost with Zidane in the Evil Forest when you didn't meet up at the rendezvous. Sure, she's a damn fine piece of ass, but you oughta know better than that."
Blank immediately bristled under the comment about Dagger, but he shook his head. "I made a promise to both Zidane and Dagger that I'd see her safely to Lindblum. I had to see that through, Boss. No matter how bad you'd kick my ass when I got back. But why are you here?"
Baku gave a grim smile. "We've been doing research on curing Zidane," he explained. "Rumor has it that an item called the Supersoft will heal him without reawakening the Evil Forest. Some hoity toity here in town is supposed to have it. Some Doctor fellow."
"I want in," Blank said immediately. "Zidane was a brother. Dagger will understand if we delay our trip a few days so I can do this."
Baku's shaggy brows raised. "You're still planning on taking this girl all the way? We can arrange transportation for her with our crew. But your place is with us, Blank. Can't let you go wandering off whenever you want."
Panic rose deep inside Blank. He'd always just assumed that he was going to be with Dagger and hadn't even considered what would happen after Lindblum. All he knew was that he felt better when he was near her and lost when he wasn't. Now suddenly there was the chance that he might be separated from her.
"No," he said firmly. "I'm sorry, Boss, but I can't leave her."
"Boy, think about what you're saying," Baku warned with more concern than anger under his voice. "You're getting dangerously close to saying that you're quitting th gang." His meaty arms crossed over his enormous gut. It wasn't so much that Baku was fat (even though he kind of was), but that he was so incredibly large. Weight. Size. Height. All of it. It was a rather intimidating presence at times.
"I have thought about it," Blank replied. He was six feet tall and somehow he still felt short next to Baku. But this wouldn't dissuade him. "Tantalus is my family. You brought me in and gave me a home when there was nothing else, and I'll always be grateful to you for it, but Dagger…" He shook his head. "I can't explain it."
Baku sighed. "Figured as much. But you know the drill, boy. Whenever you leave, you gotta fight me and win."
Blank rubbed at the back of his neck. He'd never been as good of a fighter as Zidane, who was the only one who'd ever been able to defeat Baku. "How about a compromise, Boss. Let me get the Supersoft. I do it and you let me go. I fail and I'll stay with the gang."
Baku stroked his bright red moustache in consideration before he nodded, slapping Blank on the back again. "Deal!" he barked out with a deep belly laugh.
With a grunt, Blank nodded and silently thanked his stars. Zidane might have been the better fighter but Blank was the better thief. "Just point me in the right direction and I'll get the Supersoft," he promised.
X.X.X
Blank sat at the café, reviewing the menu and enjoying a cup of coffee. It had been way too long since he'd been able to just sit and enjoy city life. For the moment, he'd changed from his battle attire and into the only decent clothes Tantalus had been able to scrape together in his size. A white silken shirt hang off his muscular frame with the top few buttons left undone and black leather pants. It was simple and he still didn't fit in to this kind of crowd, but at least he didn't stick out like a sore thumb.
"Can I get you anything, sir?" the waitress asked, gliding by yet again to try and capture his attention. She was young and pretty but Blank just didn't have the time or interest to deal with her.
"Special," Blank ordered absently. His attention was focused on a large stone tower that was just across the water. It stretched up into the night sky with the very top capped with a glass ceiling and a large scope poking out.
"Two specialis," the soft voice ordered from behind Blank. Dagger passed by and sat down opposite him. At least he thought it was Dagger. She had changed so much that he felt uncomfortable just being near her.
She looked every inch a noble of Treno in a silken green and white gown that belled out from her small waist and a wide brimmed green hat that swooped down to cast her face in a shadow. The Princess' long black hair was a cascade of dark curls spilling over the pale white skin left open at her shoulders and chest.
Blank's mouth was dry as he stared at her, suddenly aware of just how beautiful she was. "I-uh… what are you doing here?" he stammered, trying to get his brain to start thinking again. "Dagger… I mean, wow. You look… well… uh…"
A soft smile curved Dagger's lips as she looked across to Blank. "You as well, kind sir," she said softly. The waitress was still lingering, eying her sudden competition up and down. At least until the Princess passed a cool, dismissive look in her direction. And then the girl scurried off to fulfill their orders as quickly as possible.
"What are you doing here?" Blank repeated.
"I followed you," Dagger admitted. "You and Baku. I heard everything. Let me help you, Blank."
Blank's brows rose. He was suitably impressed that she had grown so much that she was able to follow them through the most dangerous streets of Treno without ever being detected. The student had truly become a master. "How do you think you can help?" he asked mildly. "You've learned a lot, Dagger, but let's face it. You're no thief."
Dagger laughed softly, its sound making Blank's heart beat even faster. "I'm not a thief," she agreed. "But you've been staring at the tower of a highly respected doctor, from what I have learned. I thought that perhaps we could simply approach him as a wealthy pair looking for rare items and at least ensure that he has the item before you break in."
"Color me impressed," Blank said admiringly. "You really have learned a lot, Dagger. That's actually a very smart plan." He smiled, reaching out to take her hand. "Why do you want to help with this though? You're…" His voice dropped. "You're a Princess. You shouldn't be letting yourself get caught up in this kind of business."
"You… you saved me," Dagger replied. "Not only in the Evil Forest and the Ice Cavern and Dali... You've saved me again and again from physical danger, but you also saved me from myself. You introduced me to a whole other person I could be. You've taught me and been patient and Blank… I just couldn't imagine you not being there with me all the way to Lindblum. It's selfish, I know, but I don't want you to leave me just yet." She stopped short, cheeks flushing. "I-I-I mean that you're advice has been invaluable and your friendship is quite important to me," she backtracked.
But it still made Blank smile and squeeze her hand in return. "Your friendship is important to me as well," he said. "But let's just put that behind us for now and focus on having a nice meal and then getting the Supersoft to save Zidane."
X.X.X
"Stop fiddling," Dagger hissed under her breath as she held on to Blank's arm as they waited on the steps outside the tower. They had rung the bell and now had to see if the good doctor would reply.
Blank just grunted and readjusted the collar of the jacket Dagger had procured and insisted he wear.
The door swung open and a small owl-like creature answered. "Yes?" he inquired, adjusting thick frames on the bridge of his beak.
"Doctor Tot!" Dagger gasped, immediately stepped forward to hug the man.
"P-p-princess Garnet! What are you doing in Treno?" the Doctor asked, clearly flustered and confused. He glanced aside to Blank with more confusion before he gestured. "Come in, please. Before anyone sees you."
He escorted them inside and up the many flights of stairs to his observatory, gesturing to seats as he fussed over drinks and a few snacks. All the while Dagger and Blank were just staring all around them in complete awe. The majority of the room was taken up by a large broken globe that housed a huge telescope that pointed up to the stars.
As Doctor Tot finally returned, he set food and drinks before them and then hoisted himself into his favored armchair. "Now, Princess, tell me what you're doing here. The last word I heard from Alexandria was that you had been kidnapped by thieves on the celebration of your birthday." His eyes skipped over to Blank and held steady.
"Ah, well… that is true to a point, Doctor Tot," Dagger admitted. "But I asked them to. I had to get to Lindblum. Still do, in fact. We came here to Treno to find a way of getting to Lindblum. However we have another task before us now. We must find the Supersoft. People have said that you have it."
Tot chuckled. "Oh, my dear girl, you have not changed in the least bit." He listened earnestly during her speech but nodded on its completion. "Yes, I do own the Supersoft," he admitted. "And I would even be willing to part with it, but at a cost."
"We have money," Dagger said immediately. "We would not wish to take it from you without seeing that you were compensated."
Blank winced a little but stayed silent. This was clearly Dagger's arena and not his.
"No, no, my dear girl. You mistake me," Tot replied. "I would not seek money from you, Your Highness. What was it that I always taught you as a child?"
Dagger considered for a long moment. "Knowledge is power," she finally said.
Tot nodded. "Yes, knowledge is power. And in this case, I seek knowledge from you. Tell me why you so desperately need to get to Lindblum and I will give you the Supersoft."
Blank subconsciously leaned forward himself. He had risked his life time and time again on this journey to get her to Lindblum and now, embarrassingly, he realized he still didn't know the real reason behind needing to get there.
"Very well…" Dagger murmured quietly, gathering her hands into her lap and staring down at them. "Doctor Tot, you have seen that Mother has been changing over the past few years," she began. "It was why you left the Castle yourself."
Tot nodded his agreement.
"I cannot go into too much detail yet for all I have is conjecture, but she is not herself any longer," Dagger said with a heavy sigh. "She is no longer the kind, sweet woman that the entire populace of Alexandria loved so dearly."
"The death of your father hit her quite hard, Your Highness," Tot pointed out gently. "They loved each other very much and she certainly felt lost without him."
Dagger shook her head. "It is far more than that," she said. "I know that Mother grieved for Father, just as I did, but… there has been another man at the Castle and he has changed her. I need to reach Lindblum to get help. Or at least warn them of what could end up happening if nothing is done soon. It is my duty as a Princess."
Tot's head bowed down in silence. He studied the floor, unable to find the correct words for the longest time. "Go safely, Your Highness. And with the Supersoft. I fear you will need everything that you can get for this. And do be careful. I would not wish anything to happen to you."
Dagger let out a sigh in relief. There was still much that she had not said about her trip to Lindblum and she was thankful that Tot had not pressed her any further on the matter. "Thank you, Doctor Tot," she said softly. "I will never forget this."
X.X.X
"Save Zidane, Boss," Blank implored as he stood at the entrance of the safehouse, Dagger and Vivi right behind him. The party was completely restocked with food and supplies to get them to their next destination and even further. They were going to be smuggled on to an airship headed for Lindblum in the next hour.
Baku just grunted. "Don't need to tell me twice, boy. We're gonna get it done. Already sent Marcus with the Supersoft toward the Evil Forest. We can only hope that it will work and the stories aren't a load of crap."
"Thank you, Mr. Baku," Dagger said, bowing before the leader of Tantalus. "I will forever be in your debt. Not one, but two of your men have saved my life and I will always be grateful."
Their goodbyes were short before Blank pulled them all back out. It was time for them to head on. Because their next stop was Lindblum. Their journey was finally coming to an end.