Trust

By: Lucas McDrake

Chapter 3

~*~YERIK~*~

I became conscious of my spirit and body reuniting once my physical form fully materialized.

Beyond joy, I observed my hands, flipping them over as to observe myself. They looked different than the hands that I remembered having; the hands I witnessed as being currently mine were pale white and smooth, whereas my hands of memory had been rough and tan. I found that I felt a spectrum of mixed feelings about this; I had been proud of my tan, so much darker than everyone else in the court, because I was of a different race. Being raised differently than most of the guard, I was naturally faster and stronger than most. It was the reason I came to be promoted to Zeruda's personal guardian in the first place. However, now I felt even more majestic, with a prowess surpassing normality.

I beheld the rest of my body by twisting to glance at my back, and such. I was still wearing the same tunic, though I barely recognized it; it had the same design, but was now black, with white, intricate patterns sewn into the fabric. Guessing by my appearance, I assumed that my hair was still jet black, though slightly enhanced as the rest of my being was, despite the loss of my tan.

I was reminded of the moment before Zeruda and I had exited our existence. Black had been the last thing I saw before entering the light, for that was the color that had seeped throughout our whole being, including the clothes we bore. At least, besides the pure white that had leeched all the color out of our skin.

Shuddering, I felt endless reserves of energy streaming through my muscles, ready at a moment's notice to act. Curious, I decided to test my speed and power; I ran over to a wall of the canyon I had materialized within, and punched the wall.

The impact resonated throughout the desert-like terrain as the wall cracked. I didn't have the mind to be impressed by my prominence, however; I'd completely forgotten that pain existed during the few centuries that I'd spent in non-existence with Zeruda.

Jumping back and waving my hand wildly, I cursed myself. I usually was not prone to such idiocy.

"Who's there?"

I turned, and saw no one that could have spoken besides me.

Who was this? I was about to run towards the source of the voice, but felt a...presence. In my mind. I was about to ignore it, but was reminded of Zeruda.

Where was she?

After a moment's deliberation, in which I considered the possibilities of mind control-very slim, seeing as my surroundings were unknown to me, and I must be unknown to those within my surroundings, as well-I mentally reached out towards the presence.

Finally!

It was Zeruda's voice.

I was stunned. We could speak telepathically?

No, she answered my unspoken question. Technically speaking, I'd need my own mind, and physical form, in order to be conversing with you between minds that don't occupy the same space.

I hesitated for a moment. ...What are you saying, milady?

I could sense a slight outpouring of amusement as she questioned, Even mentally, you consider me as 'milady'? Even after I insisted at every given opportunity that you call me by my name?

I was desperately searching for an excuse. Milady, I-

We must breach another subject of conversation, she seemed to lightly laugh. What scenario have you been brought to be in?

Immediately, all of the occurrences flashed through my mind up to this point. Milady, I-

That will suffice, she declared. I just...experienced your thoughts as you consciously recalled that. She took a slight pause, in which she seemed to be...stifling an outright mockery. ... You're right. You're normally not prone to such idiocy.

Milady, I-

"What are you going to do to me?" Again the voice, tainted with terror, spoke.

Go! Zeruda ordered.

Right.

With that, we disconnected our mental connection, and I tried to locate the girl. I had the impression that she'd spoken from beyond the canyon wall that I had punched.

Quickly making my way around it, I glanced around the corner made by the ten-foot high canyon wall's opening, looking across the landscape with my enhanced vision. I would have sworn that her voice had came from here.

All I could see was more of the desert terrain, and more shallow canyon walls ahead. In the distance, I could glimpse civilization...

As I was looking towards the far buildings, the clouds revealed the moon, and I glimpsed, on top of a high ledge, hooded beings.

I was immediately reminded, again, of what had occured previous this existence, and preceding my non-existence. A slight anger flared within me. What were they doing now?

All of the beings turned their head towards the ringleader, signifying that they were about to proceed with the ritual, or whatever else you would call it.

Because the wind had ceased, and the surreal calm had come over the desert, I could hear her breathing. Shallow, quick. Terrified.

Looking for a fast way to where they were, I saw that the ledge gradually became one with the slope of the desert. I started my way towards the ledge, and around the edge to quickly intercede.

I heard a rush of wind as she jumped around, and looked at another of the beings. As she did this, the ringleader nodded, and they were out of my eyesight.

I sprinted along the stretch, grateful that this new physical form had extreme grace and stealth. None of my steps stirred the sand.

As I rounded the bend to advance onto the ledge, I saw that the being in front of the girl had unsheathed his sword, and was holding it out.

His bare arm was pale white.

Though I didn't stop, I found myself startled. I was...one of them?

My thoughts were brought back to reality as he impaled her with his sword.

"No!" His actions struck a chord within me, making the anger intensify to an unbearable degree as I pulled my sword free of its sheathe.

Everything seemed to shatter with definition, so beyond comprehension. I could feel a spurt of speed as I slashed through the closest being. After my sword finished its pass through his flesh, he shattered into oblivion.

By the time I slashed through another and came with the same results, the rest had fled via flashing into darkness, and vanishing from thin air.

I stood in place, glancing around as I breathed deeply, but quickly. Eventually, everything settled back into its normally enhanced state, and my highly defined state of fury ceased.

I heard a single whimper from behind me.

My anger had evaporated, leaving room for empathy. I sheathed my sword, and kneeled down beside her. "You're safe, now," I uttered, still flashing through my memories of this same experience, translated to my life.

"The..." She gasped, "The pain!"

Of course! Black and white seeped through her clothing, and across her skin. "It will end soon," I reassured her.

Finally, she released the tension in her muscles. Now, she was fully transformed.

"What happened?" she asked, looking up into my eyes. As she looked into my eyes, she became stunned, transfixed.

"You..." It was slightly distracting, the way she stared. Especially with those wide, silver pools of irises. They could only be silver, though, because of the lack of light... "You...have been transmogrified-"

She shook her head, anger filling her eyes as she backed away. "You're one of them!"

I hesitated for a second. "So are you," I calmly stated.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "But I-" She paused, placing a hand on her throat. "My voice..." She raised a hand to examine in the dim moonlight. "My hands..." She felt her face. "My...skin!"

She stood, horrified. "They...I'm one of..."

"Them?" I offered.

"... Yes." She composed her face, leaving only a blank expression. "I... I can't return like this."

"Return where?" I asked.

She looked up into my eyes as I stood. "To Rabanastre." She pointed towards the buildings in the distance. She observed me for a second more, then asked, "You...don't come from here, do you?"

"Excuse me?"

"Your attire. It's not from here."

"How would you know?" I questioned.

"I live here." She glanced back at the city. "At least...I've occupied space there for quite some time." She smirked, turning back to me. Her smirk vanished upon being conceived. "... What happens now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we...at least, I can't stay here. My new appearance would shock many...for obvious reasons. Most of the people here know me too well. I couldn't possibly stay around Rabanastre without being recognized, and arouse suspicions."

"Yes... If you don't mind, we'd like you to travel with us."

"We?" She looked around, narrowing her eyes. "What do you mean by 'we'?

I realized that I had slurred into the usual plural that Zeruda and I had used during our travels. "'We'...as in us. Sorry for my improper grammar. Just a moment." I reached out with my mind as I had previously, and asked, What is our objective, milady?

It seemed that she was about to ask a question, but pushed the question aside, and answered mine. I didn't think of that, before. She paused for a moment, most likely thinking of what to do next. Perhaps we should research who it is that did this to us. Maybe...we can return to Hyrule once this controversy is solved. She paused yet again. This is a good objective to have, is it not?

Yes, milady. I reviewed the preceding events that had just taken place, and then stated, Should we let her join our party?

I wouldn't say this is much of a party, she objected. After all, the only physical person amongst this 'party' is you. She made another of those mental sighs that reverbrated across my mind. If she wishes, she could be very useful. She obviously knows this area very well. She paused for another moment. ... Are we even remotely close to Hyrule?

Should I ask her? I suggested.

... Yes, she answered. However, don't hint at my presence at all. We still don't know if she can be trusted.

Of course, milady. "Are..." I decided to change my wording, for she might have never heard of Hyrule, and I didn't want to sound unintelligent. "Have you ever heard of Hyrule?"

"... No." She looked at me peculiarly. "At least, not in Ivalice."

"Is that where we are?" I asked, then inwardly cursed myself for being so vulnerable.

Hopefully, she doesn't notice, Zeruda hoped.

"Yes..." She observed me more closely, letting her eyes trail up and down my being. "Likewise, I have never heard of Hyrule."

Before I could say anything in my defense, she stated, "Look, I know that the things that just commenced were...unnatural. At least, I've never heard of a surreally pale humanoid being in Ivalice. So I'll give you some slack. Hyrule may be a place where you came from. It could be anywhere in the world...or you could be lying to me entirely." She looked back into my eyes. "Either way, we could be an asset to each other. Assuming that you know nothing of Ivalice, I could be your guide. And I, being now without a way to show my face publicly, could lie low with another fugitive." She stared into my eyes for another moment, then asked, "What do you say?"

Is this what we want?

Yes, Zeruda answered. Her explanation fits perfectly; we need her, she needs us. As long as we don't give away our secrets, we'll be fine. Zeruda sighed, this time in content. Be on with it.

"Agreed," I obliged, nodding my head in consent.

She nodded her head, then asked, "So...where to?"

~**~