Hello, O' Clock . Nine here and reporting for duty, fanfic readers. This chapter was typed while I was very sick with a horrible disease called the Flu. I'm dramatic, I know, but you got to admit, the Flu is very… bleah. But not anymore, I'm feeling just fine now so you don't have to fuss.

In this chapter, there is a new character but she will be introduced in a flashback. And yes, she is relevant to this story.

Anyway, go and read this chapter that I've conjured for you guys (in much pain).

Chapter Title: Chapter 2 / Broken Chains
Description: Nearing the end of the Passage, the Party encountered a large problem near the exit.
Warning: Fighting scene, temporary character death, nothing big (to me at least)
Characters: Barheim Passage Party, Kirit, and Mercade
Disclaimer: All characters and settings in this story belongs to the creators who made this awesome game, except for my characters.

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Now, when she said the water is cold, she meant it was frickin' cold. Kirit is now wading in the lake, having fallen in from a blow inflicted by-

"Goddamn Zombies," she growled with malice dripping through her teeth.

It was then an idea popped in her head and she sighed in irritation that she didn't realize it sooner. Reaching in her heavy black cloak underwater, she pulled out a glowing light blue stone. It was the piece of ice magicite from earlier. Droplets of green water covered the stone but was quickly melted away as it brightened a whole lot more. Despite the glowing that was hurting Kirit's eyes, it didn't brighten up the blackened cavern one bit.

With a exasperated yell, she screamed, "Go!"

As she said it, she threw the bright stone high up in the air. It was suspended midair as it crackled loudly to one pair of ears. The magicite of ice broke into pieces and dissipated throughout the cave to their targets. It was silent save for the two whistles that followed. The stone had found the targets; one was the undefeated Mimic and the other hidden Mimic was up and around the slope. Unheard to the others' ears, the ice flew across the area to their targets with an roar. It was silent as the clouds of ice wrapped themselves around the Mimics before hardening. Two loud explosions of ice breaking reached the woman's ear.

And then it was quiet once again.

Electricity crackled from above and Kirit looked up to see the sparks traveling haphazardly through the ancient wires to the lamps. The area brightened considerably, making everybody squint from the sudden event.

'Oh shit' was the thought that ran by through their head as they were bestowed with a sight of Zombies spawned all over the place. The rotting fleshes, A.K.A. dead people, paused in their actions of mauling the party to look up at the light that suddenly appeared. Some of them groaned in confusion and some were… limping in circles, trying to stop the confusion inflicted by the brightness. A pair was off to the side and they were confusing one other as their enemy, slapping each other repeatedly before one of them fell. The victorious one then kept hitting itself before dropping dead… permanently.

"Use Phoenix Downs!" The wounded party whipped their heads to where Kirit is.

Technically, was.

It seems that the woman fell into the freezing water once again as she slipped on the slippery broken platform. A moment passed before a hand broke through the water and grasped the railing. A human body encased in a drenched cloak emerged from underneath and an angry aura emitted from her. As amusing the sight was, the party scrambled for any available Phoenix Downs they had before the confusing Zombie regained their bearings.

Vaan, unfortunately, had none but he went to the nearest Zombie and started hacking it. Basch pulled out one white plume and threw it to the one in front of him. It stared dumbly at the feather on its nose before collapsing in a small pile of glitters, shrieking all the while. It was then the former Captain started beating down the nearest Zombies as fast as he could. Fran sported a few gashes and stood off to the side, sending arrows through the air and hitting the Zombies in the critical points. Balthier looked worse for wear; his white shirt was torn in many places, a buckle on his vest was broken, and his forehead is bleeding. Despite all the blood covering his right eye, he was shooting with an incredible accuracy.

'Are you serious?' Kirit stared incredulously at the group. 'Only Basch have a Phoenix Down?'

With a groan and a heave to move her still drenched cloak, Kirit joined into the fray which had a fairly few Zombies left. Pulling out the Zwill Blade, having lost her pole into the dark abyss of a water, Kirit hacked down the final Zombie. As it finally fell, a groan escaped Kirit, causing all weary eyes to stare at her. When she shifted, a certain Viera noticed that a rather large spot on her cloak had a red tinge to it.

With a gasp, she spoke in a soft voice, "Blood."

Just as she said it, Kirit began to stumble despite her sword sticking into the ground. She fell to her knees, knuckles white from gripping the sword so hard. With her long legs, Fran strode quickly to Kirit's side and caught her before she collapsed. Her heart made no beat, her eyes were dull…

And she is not breathing.

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"You can't do this to me!"

That was all the girl heard before the doors slammed shut, erasing her sight of the horrible man being dragged away by a couple of Imperial soldiers. Her jaws slacked open at the fact that she is now free.

Free.

"What is your name?"

At the sound of the question, she turned to face the healthy King and the four Judges behind his throne. They were all staring at her expectantly, making her feel like wanting to blend in the chair and disappear… forever.

"U-um, I don't know," she meekly answered, earning a few gasps. "I… I guess I forgot."

"My lord!"

All heads turned to the double doors that banged open and the Judge who ran through it. He was holding a tan folder that was thick and full of miscellaneous colored paper.

Bowing down to the King, he held the folder up and spoke, "This folder was found in Doctor Elton's file cabinet, my lord. It contains everything about her."

Now, all eyes glanced at the King, who remained silent with a thoughtful look on his face. A Judge on his right exclaimed a quiet 'Oh!' and leaned down to whisper into the majesty's ear. Whatever the idea was, he seemed to agree with it as his eyes widened and nodded. The same Judge straightened and said in a feminine voice:

"Why don't we let Judge Zecht here-" At this, she gestured to the Judge that was holding the papers and the said Judge jerked at the sound of his title. "-read the files so that we may learn about you. That is, if it is okay with you."

"…" The girl pondered over it and, without any hesitancy, answered, "I'll like to know things about myself once again, if you will please."

Zecht hummed at her sudden choice of words but proceeded to read the thick papers, "Ahem," he coughed after this but regained his posture, "Mercade, five of age-"

"Nine," 'Mercade' interjected.

"… Nine. Okay, where was I? Here. Born of Nabradian parents, have light brown hair and grey eyes - My lord?"

The King looked up at one of his many titles and asked, "Yes?"

"I… I think this file is wrong. The paper says that Mercade here have brown hair but… it's white."

"Do you think a child would be born with white hair? I'm of Nabradian blood. My family all have white hair when they age… But-but he made my hair turn white earlier by stressing me out… and I would like a bed right now," the girl explained to the Judge with a frown on her face and whispered the last.

Unfortunately for her, everybody heard it and they were filled with hatred for the 'Doctor' that harmed this little girl. The King stared hard at her and came to notice the faint black circles under her eyes and the way she swayed.

"Why don't you get some sleep and-" Mercade fell down onto the floor and promptly fell asleep. "…Poor thing."

Silence.

"She is set for Rabanastre."

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A/N: So… What do you think? I think it was too confusing to me. Hmm… I think my friend likes it. (She's reading this over my shoulder) The flashback was actually the hardest part to write… I wonder why. Oh well, I hope you enjoyed it.

Again, if you spotted some typos, or are confused about a point in this chapter, review or send me a message, I'll fix/reply as soon as possible.