Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Square Enix.

Note: Man, stupid school. It's making the updates slower than ever! Sorry everyone, but thanks for the reviews. And to Lady of the turning sands, I'll see to it that Movaak and Sophia get's their...moment. Well, hope you guys enjoy the story! :D

Chapter 14

The Trick of the Mind

"Whoa, WHOA!! Steady there now! AAAHHH!!" My chocobo screeched and bucked forward, making me fly through the air and crashing into the ground with a loud thump. Ow, riding these chocobos are pretty hard. We actually got them from these 2 chocobo guardians.

We passed through many old, historical buildings and several passersby while riding the chocobo. I didn't really get a good scenic view though, the ride was pretty bumpy. But it looked like Movaak, Leila, and Tsuki were actually in control.

"Hehehe, hey Will! You need some help over there?" Leila yelled out.

I grumbled while trying to get on my chocobo. "No...I don't need any assistance!" I grabbed hold of the reins and hoisted myself up. The chocobo squirmed a little bit.

Movaak rode besides me and stared at me with hard, examining eyes. "Will...you should hold the reins with BOTH hands tightly."

I gritted my teeth and stared at Movaak. "I WAS holding the reins with both of my hands. It just slipped."

Movaak furrowed his eyebrows and shook his head slowly. "I don't think so. And don't even deny it."

FLASHBACK: WHEN WE JUST OBTAINED OUR CHOCOBOS

I hoisted myself onto the chocobo and took out a rope out of the chocobo's bag pouch. "Hey guys, look at me! I'm a cowboy! Wheee-AAHHH!!"

The chocobo started streaking through the Mi'hen Highroad, while everyone else was staring at me with bewildered expressions on their faces.

Before I streaked through, I thought I heard Tsuki say, "What a dumbass."

END FLASHBACK

My face was burning. And everyone already caught up to me and Movaak, and they were all laughing.

"So...it's not a bad thing to play around for a while." Tsuki smacked me in the face.

"I hope you know that we're trying to save Anuy, right?" Tsuki asked softly.

I just sighed and nodded. "I know...come on guys, let's go."

And the ride through the Highroad was...uneventful. There weren't any Fiends to kill, no Hunters interrupting us...NOTHING!! I mean, how can that be?! Man, and going through the the Highroad took much longer than the game.

But an hour later, we finally came upon a building. It had green colored walls and a cone shaped roof. There was a corral that surrounded a group of Chocobos. There was a sign hanging up on the front door that read, "The Rin Agency". Wait...this is where we might meet...

The door opened and a women in green robes stepped out. She had her hair in a bun and she wore on greenish blue robes that went down to her ankles. She had a really kind face with some wrinkles on her forehead. There was a glittering necklace that was wrapped around her neck.

The women smiled at us and walked away.

"Excuse me, but are you Belgemine?" Tsuki asked as he stepped dropped down from his Chocobo.

The women, Belgemine, turned around to face us and bowed to us, Yevon-style. "Yes, my name's Belgemine. And may I ask, who are you?"

Wait, this lady is Belgemine, the Aeon priest?! What the...

Tsuki waved his hands towards me, Leila and Movaak. "My name is Tsuki, the girl's name is Leila, the spiky red head's name is Movaak and that short, black haired guy's name is Will. We're Guardians for a Summoner."

Belgemine glanced behind us and arched her eyebrows. "So, where's your Summoner?" We all looked at each other nervously.

I coughed and scratched my head in a nervous manner. "Um, ya know, she told us to go ahead and so we're just holding a spot for her at this...place." I looked towards the windows, and I thought I saw someone stare at me. I just ignored it and kept on talking.

"And now we're just gonna go inside and get our reservations."

Belgemine just smiled and walked away. Did I...just say that a little bit too forcefully? Belgemine stopped and turned her head towards us, so that we could just see her eye.

"Oh yeah, be careful. There was a group with another Summoner before you guys came here. And I challenged the Summoner...and lost. You might want to advise your Summoner to train up before going forward. It's gonna be harsh." And with that, Belgemine walked away briskly.

I just looked at Movaak and shrugged. "Better go inside huh?"

"Yep, let's go everyone!" Leila yelled out excitedly. And with that, I grabbed the door knob and opened. And wow, the interior was kind of...exotic looking?

There were several people in the lobby. There was a table with 2 chairs tucked in it. There were many shelves lined up on the walls, containing many books. There was a bright chandelier hanging from the ceiling. There was also a counter where there was a woman, talking to a man in a yellow coat with blond hair.

Movaak just grunted and walked towards the counter. Meh, I guess he's gonna make the reservations. We do need the rest, even though we're trying to rescue Anuy...

From the corner of my eye I saw Tsuki pick out a book from the bookshelf. I walked towards him, wondering what he was doing. Wait, why's he even reading?

"Hey Tsuki, whatcha reading?"

Tsuki looked up from his book and looked at me with a serious face. "Some kind of foreign book. I think its in Al Bhed." I walked behind Tsuki and peered above his head.

Wow, the content of the book was puzzling. There were many weird letters, from some kind of squiggly E to a rigid looking A. That's Al Bhed?

I heard a 'psst' sound from somewhere, and when I looked, I saw Leila beckoning me and Tsuki. Huh, she's at the counter.

"Hey guys, check this out!" Leila said in a whisper. Why does she even have to whisper?

Tsuki and I hurriedly got to her and watched as Movaak was talking to the yellow coated man. Movaak turned around to face us and pointed his finger towards him.

"Guys, this man's name is Rin, the one who manages all of the Rin Travel Agencies." I glanced at Rin. Oh yeah, he's that Al Bhed guy.

Leila then crossed her arms across her chest. "Wait, but the sign above the door says The Rin Agency. What's that about?"

Rin coughed and spoke in a very weird accent. "Well, I've been having some problems...with some people lately. So...this man, Movaak, " -Movaak then glanced at the door- "is willing to help me fend off these people. Will you guys be able to help as well?"

I wonder why Movaak just looked at the door. Strange.

I glanced at Leila and then Tsuki and nodded. "Yeah, we'll help. Hope we get something out of this though."

Tsuki sighed and pointed at Rin. "As long as we have free lodging and free meals, I'm good."

Leila just pointed at her shirt. "And as long as we can get new clothes, I'm okay as well."

What the...CLOTHES?!

Rin awkwardly smiled and nodded vigorously. "Ah yes! I will of course supply you with that! Thank you! You don't know how much this means to me! Please, go to your rooms and rest for a while!" Rin excitedly jumped up and went out of the agency. Weird.

Movaak took the door key card from the counter top and disappeared into the hallway. Me, Tsuki and Leila followed him to a blue colored, wooden door. There was a bronze plaque that states 10. So...our door number is 10. That's nice.

Movaak slid the card key through those slide machine thingies, and then opened the door with a clicking sound. He opened the door for Leila and Tsuki, but when I was about to pass...he barred my way towards the holy bed. Now what?

"Will, you're gonna be doing the guarding shift," Movaak said sternly. What the, I have to guard Rin? Right now?!

"NOW?! Why? What did I do wrong?"

Movaak nodded his head and pushed me back and closed the door quickly. No way...

I ran in front of the door and started ramming my fist at the door while yelling out their names. But some old lady who passed by told me to shut up. Err...maybe guarding Rin wouldn't be such a bad idea.

I walked through the hallway until I got to the lobby, and I saw something interesting. Rin was talking with a lady that had big boobs...long brown hair...cerulean eyes...wait, THAT'S SOPHIA!!

Sophia turned to face me and her eyes got wide. Rin also turned to see what was going on, and just smiled at me. Does he know who she is? SHE'S EVIL!!

"Ah, hello Will. Please, come over here."

I nodded and inched my way towards the two. Sophia was looking at me with cold eyes. Great, what's SHE doing here? Wasn't she in on the capture for Anuy? Wait...this'll be the best time to ask some questions. And I know she's not gonna give them just like that.

I was now right beside Rin as he introduced Sophia.

"Will, meet this beautiful woman! Her name's Sophia, from Home." Huh, Home? The Al Bhed place? Yeah right...

Sophia smiled and bowed her head. "Hello Will, it's nice to meet such a nice boy like you."

...What's with her personality? Something strange is going on.

Sophia then turned to Rin with a smile on. "Rin, darling, you know that they're gonna arrive very soon. You should get ready for the negotiation."

Rin just scratched his head nervously and stuttered a little. "Y-yes, I know. But...why WON'T th-they leave me alone about it! I t-told them that I'm already done with this! Please Sophia...tell them that I already quit!"

Wow, Rin looks so desperate. So pleading. Wonder what's wrong.

Sophia scratched her chin a little and nodded. "I'll try to work things out. But if it doesn't work, better have IT ready." Sophia waved at Rin and me and left the agency. Rin sighed and wiped his forehead from some sweat that was beginning to stream down.

I looked at Rin with a serious face. "Um, Rin, mind telling me what's going on? Like what this Sophia woman is doing here?"

Rin gulped and pulled on the neck of his shirt. "Well... she's someone who's working with the people who's been bothering me for a while. B-but she's the only one who's been kind to me."

I gritted my teeth and glanced away from Rin to the door. Sophia being nice? Well, that's possible, we did fight together against Misake. But she said that after the fight, we were enemies again. So then why didn't she attack me right here? She did have a good opportunity.

Rin had a concerned tone in his voice. "Will? Are you alright?"

I realized that I was starting to space off, so I shook my head a little. "Huh? Yeah, I'm alright. Anyways, I'm gonna protect you for this shift. The others will take my place after...several...hours."

Rin chuckled and pointed at some kind of coffee maker on the counter. "Want some hot chocolate?"

I half-smiled and nodded. "Sure."

SOPHIA'S PART

Sophia grabbed the door and opened it. It was already dark outside and stars were starting to dot the sky. The wind was also picking up, making the grass on the ground dance a little. The chocobos in their corral were already sleeping. There was no one about outside.

Sophia sighed and rubbed her temples. So...Will and the gang is here. They're already making up their mind to rescue Anuy. Typical.

Sophia strolled across the Highroad, just looking around. There were no Fiends anywhere. Zakuo was already somewhere doing ANOTHER mission. What a duty-freak.

Sophia then heard a sound in the tall grass. Sophia slowly reached for her pocket, her yoyo nestled. Wow, making such a loud ruckus. This is NOT a sneak attack.

She grabbed her yoyos and quickly swung it behind her. But before she knew it, she was thrusted down, her back on the ground. A hand was on her face, making her lose some air.

"Hehe, hello sweetheart. What are YOU doing on a fine night like this?"

Sophia's mind clicked. Sweetheart? That can't be...

The clasped hand suddenly let go and Sophia then opened her eyes. "It's...NO WAY!!"

Orange hair fluttering from the night breeze, Misake sneered mischievously. There was something different about Misake though. His right arm...was metallic instead of fleshy. From the right chest to his right arm was all metal.

Sophia gasped and took a step back from Misake. "What the...aren't you supposed to be...dead?"

Misake gave a low chuckle and flexed his metallic right arm. "Me, dead? Didn't I say that I was immortal? Just like the Maesters."

Misake walked right up to Sophia and placed his hand on her cheek. Sophia just closed her eyes and swatted his hand away. Misake closed his eyes and smiled.

"I'm just here to visit my lovely wife from her...sad night. Let's walk, shall we?"

Sophia just turned around. "I don't know why you're here, but get the hell away from me." Sophia started walking when...

"Well...if you walk with me, I'll get IT from Rin for you. That a good deal?"

Sophia stopped in her tracks and looked at Misake doubtfully with one eye.

"How can I trust you?" Sophia said venomously. She was starting to get annoyed by Misake, but something about this deal made her think that he was worth hearing out.

Misake smirked and pointed towards the building. "First, I'll kill the kid and his gang. And then I'll steal IT. Easy as pie." Misake shrugged and smiled, showing all his pearly white teeth. "So...what do you say Sophia, my love? Walk?"

Sophia scoffed and...slowly held her hand out. This...is one thing I don't want to do...but then...

Misake took her hand gingerly and smirked. "Now then, we shall walk."

Both Misake and Sophia walked through the Highroad in the night.

But no one notices as 3 shadowed figures are standing on a high cliff above the Rin Travel Agency.

"Hehe...look at them! A Hunter Guild member and a Yevon Army Maester going out! Whoo, its gonna get CRAZAY!!" yelped out a cheery-voiced girl.

"You know, you should quiet down. Someone's gonna hear you, " said a deep voiced man.

"I think that BOTH of you should quiet down," said a gravelly voiced person. Both the girl and man both became quiet.

The gravelly voiced person stood at the tip of the cliff, the moonlight exposing his appearance.

He had a red headband around his head with brown hair cropped out. He had dark brown eyes and some facial hair. He had a really tan, toned body and had a curvy T-shaped tattoo on his chest. On his left arm was a metallic prosthetic arm while he had a bandage-like cloth wrapped around his right wrist. He also wore black shorts with a orange skirt cloth that covered his right leg. And he was barefoot.

A huge black greatsword with a squiggly red line on the blade was strapped on his back. And a black blitzball was strapped on his hip.

The shadowed girl spoke up softly. "Um, are you okay...Jekt?"

The man, Jekt, sneered. "Oh...I'm getting a really excited feeling in me. So I guess I am okay." Jekt turned to face the shadowed figures and took out a little marble. Well, better report back to the Maester." The two shadowed figures nodded and all three of them suddenly turned into black, miasmic mist. A split second later, they disappeared.

A/N: I FINALLY updated. Why is it taking so long...but hey, I got a new comp, so everything's good! :D

But anyways, what was Belgemine doing in the Agency? And who was the Summoner that beated her? What was SOPHIA doing in the Agency? And what was the thing that she was talking about?

And it looks like now Misake has been revived or something...but how? And what does that metallic right arm of his do?

And then...who were those 3 figures? Who do they work for? And what's with this Jekt guy...?

Well, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and hope you guys can R&R!! :D

(Sophia and Misake...but then Sophia and Movaak? I think the several next chapters will have something for you, Lady of the turning sands. :)