~x~

Final Fantasy VI: The Sands of Time

Book 1: The Beginning

Chapter 7 - Confluence

Many of the older cultures and religions of the world were lost with the War of the Magi a thousand years ago, and along with them valuable clues as to what our ancestors believed in, what gods they worshipped, how they lived their lives. Undoubtedly, the Thamasans are our greatest allies in the quest to understand the way the people of the past lived. They and they alone have maintained an unbroken record of history from before the War of the Magi, and in this new era of comraderie, have opened up their stores of knowledge to the world. Their homeland of Crescent Island has also yielded great surprises and even greater questions to perplex my aging mind. As I stand on this dry soil and stare at the lone mountain remaining on the island, I feel as if I am gazing into the very center of the universe...

-From My Travels, by Cid del Norte Marguez, 14 AF

Part 7.1 - Reigns of Power

In the years since Sade came to power, many changes took place within the Order of the Pearl. As Sade and the people he hand picked for his close advisors solidified power, theorder turned from a sect dedicated to peace and the preservation of the natural balance to one only concerned with its own secrecy. In the past, the public looked upon the Order as a relatively common place religious group, whose practices were harmless. Now, with their doors closed to the light, the public did not know what to think of them. The aura of mystery was exactly what Sade wanted, and the type of people that were attracted to this mystery were exactly the type of people Sade wanted. No holy men here, only those with a thirst for knowledge and an interest in the darker side of the workings of the world.

Many of the old functions and rituals of the Order had been abandoned, at least in public. There were still those who were loyal to the old ways, and they tended to keep to themselves, only identified by their traditional white robes. Following Sade's example, more and more followers donned black robes with each passing year, either out of true respect for the fearsome, yet compelling man, or out of fear of being ostracized, or worse. Those who still wore the white robes were either too old and stubborn to consider changing their ways, or knew what the Order once was, and tried in their own way to keep its history alive. Sade did not pay these followers much attention in public, but there were fewer and fewer of them each year, and more than one would suddenly vanish from their quarters, never to be seen again.

Now, as the thirtieth year of Sade's reign came to a close, the leader of the Order of the Pearl felt he was in the proper position of power to put his grand plans into the next phase of action. A rather fortuitous event had happened in the past year that finally put him in control of all the resources he needed. A promising initiate into the Order had finally completed her grueling ten year path through the inner secrets of the Order's new rituals - a mixture of the old ways that were convenient to Sade's ideals, and the new practices he had slowly introduced over the years. Now she stood before him a fully realized priestess of the Order, completely in accord with his own plans, as far as he chose to reveal it to any mortal being. That ambitious initiate was Eva Dehr, head of the Committee for the Preservation of Peace.

Sade had carefully planted one of his order inside the Committee to make contact with the newly elected President Dehr. He was a lesser member, but one who's cowardice and obvious, but hopeless ambition made him easy to manipulate. That man was Adam Cruz. Through his own pitiful schemings for power he had risen just high enough to be in regular contact with the President, and was a trusted advisor in his own right now. Sade used this contact to make his move, and the rest was easy. He knew a follower of power such as Dehr would hungrily lap up his promises of greater power if she joined his Order. All he had to do was ask.

With the head of the most powerful organization in Narsille under his thumb, Sade knew he could finally put into motion all his long sought after plans of vengeance. Dehr only knew of the power he promised to her, and indeed she would find tremendous power through his guidance. But only Sade knew the truth behind that power, and what arcane tasks would need to be done in order to achieve it. So Dehr deferred to him in all matters regarding the "Crystalline Prophecy", and it was through Sade's watchful eye that the son of Karn was sent into the desert to face his destiny.

And it was through Sade that either Captain Levi or Captain Bismark would be lost to the Goddess. For even Sade did not know everything. The prophecy was vague in parts, and Sade's dark master guided him intermittently, and his words were usually only slightly less cryptic than the prophecy itself. Sade's interviews with the Vengeful Master were never pleasant experiences, and he sought him only when absolutely necessary. But everything had worked out so far, and Sade knew if something was wrong he would have felt it in his soul. The Flames of Dis acted like a compass, threatening to burn his very essence to nothing if he strayed too far from their Master's course. Dune had been chosen by the crystal and his own dark master, and Levi lost, but not truly gone. Now the time was at hand to enact the final part of his plans, and achieve the power needed to exact his revenge on the world that had lied to him, then thrown him away.

Sade sat in the familiar meeting room of the Committee headquarters, along with President Dehr and Under Secretary Adam Cruz. They were discussing the final phase of their plans involving Dune, and preparing for a very important, yet very dangerous guest.

"So, you are sure the second crystal has been claimed?" Dehr asked from her seat at the large, but mostly empty table that filled the meeting room.

"Yes," Sade replied.

"But how can you be sure?" Cruz asked testily. "Agent Phantom never reported back, and we know little of what happened in the Mordic." He was always the one with the least information, and did not like Sade's short, and usually inexplicable answers.

Sade did not even bother to look at Cruz as he spoke, but a slight wave of heat rippled through the room as he expanded on what he thought was a sufficient answer to Dehr's question.

"I am sure because I can feel the flow of energies between the three of us," Sade said. "Dune is alive and his connection to Doom is growing stronger by the day. He would probably die if the crystal was taken from him now."

And take whoever was foolish enough to try and steal it with him. Sade thought, but did not speak aloud.

"Levi is now one with the Goddess," Sade continued. "I felt the connection being made, and the fact that the scarce reports we've received claim his ship destroyed and all hands lost under the waves accords with the prophecy. I do not need that useless fool Phantom's word to confirm what I already know to be true. Bismark could just have easily been the third, but fate chose as was its whim. Do not doubt the word of the gods, Adam, or you will regret it."

Cruz remained silent, but he smoldered in his seat with anger. He had worked hard for both Sade and Dehr for ten years, and this was how he was treated. Someday he would have his way. Already there were those in the Committee, and in other lesser organizations, that feared the almost supernatural goings-on that surrounded the President and her enigmatic aide, and Cruz was the one they came to with their concerns. His unique position of being trusted by Dehr and Sade, and not being feared by the rest of the powers-that-be in Narsille gave him unparalleled opportunities for alliances. He had done his best to convince them to follow Dehr for now, but he knew he could turn their minds to his own ambitions when the time came that the President overstepped her limits, or his patients one too many times. Cruz just had to sit and wait, and time would deliver his plans to fruition.

"Now then," Dehr spoke up, breaking the tense mood that had settled over the room. "I trust Sade's word, which means it is time to enact the final leg of our plans. Once Dune returns from his mission, we will immediately set out for the Crescent Island. I assume you know what to do once we get there, Sade?"

"I do," Sade said quietly. "The path that we must take is clear to me. Once this final mission is done, the power of the three will be released, and we will be there to claim it. make sure you are ready to leave as early as tomorrow. Dune approaches within the hour."

"But will he listen to us?" Cruz spoke up once more. "He was not very happy with this last mission, and to immediately send him out again may be more than he can take."

Sade only smiled at Cruz's lack of faith. "He will follow us whether he likes it or not. I have one more card to play, and he will have no choice but to do everything we ask of him. There is nothing to worry about from him."

"But," Dehr interjected, "there is another on his way here now that may make things more complicated than they need to be. Do you know how we should handle the 'ambassador' from Jidorik, Sade?" Dehr spat out the word 'ambassador' with emotion that was unusual for her calm demeanor.

"Ah...him...," Sade spoke slowly, considering his options carefully. "He is something unexpected. I know not the make if him yet, and will have to see when we meet him shortly. I suspect he will not be as easy to manipulate as some, though."

"Then it will be a game of chess we are about to play?" Dehr said. "He seems no more than a barbarian to me. Let him come to us and say what he will for his people. We'll listen with all the graciousness of the great city of Narsille, make a few empty promises, and then see him on his way. I wouldn't worry about a dog from some barely developed country ruining our plans at this point. We have come too far for that."

A device lighted up at Cruz's part of the table and he glanced at it. "He is at the door now, Madam President," Cruz said, putting on his usual officious air. "Shall I let him in?"

"Yes, let us see what this man is made of," Dehr said with disdain.

Cruz got up and opened the doors for the ambassador, then stepped back in surprise as the man stood before him. Before him was a tall, powerfully built man in gleaming red robes lined with white fur. Under the luxurious robe of Jidorik royalty the man wore a beautiful suit of formal armor, made of pure gold. On his head was a modest circlet signifying a king not yet crowned officially. A glowing blue sword of unknown crystal hung at his side, made neither of metal or mythril.

As soon as Dehr saw him she knew Sade was right, this would not be an easy man to contend with after all. She put on her best face and prepared to greet this unwanted, but necessary visitor.

"Lord, I welcome you to the city of Narsille. I am Eva Dehr, President of the Committee for the Preservation of Peace. To whom may I extend the honors of my city?"

The man spoke clearly, with a deep, rich voice of natural authority. "I am Draco Christophe, Lord-Regent of West Jidorik. I am honored to make your acquaintances. I come here in the name of peace, to renew the vows of non-aggression made by my predecessor, Prince Chad Ralse. Will I be heard?"

Dehr responded in accordance with the treaty texts.

"You shall."

With that, the four were seated, and the game of chess began.