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Final Fantasy VI: The Sands of Time

Book 1: The Begininng

Chapter 8 - Dream's End

Part 8.13 - The Unstoppable Cetus

The only thoughts that filled Bismark's mind as he awoke to the mortal world for the second time were blood-tinted thoughts of revenge. He came back to life in an explosion of confusion and anger, only half-aware of where he was and what he was doing. One thought kept racing through his head more than any other, threatening to drive him truly insane with rage.

Kill Levi. Kill the Leviathan.

Dimly aware that he no longer needed his legs to move at all, Bismark simply willed his body forward, letting his wild emotions direct him where they may. His senses were disorientingly foreign, and everything seemed smaller as he thrust his massive body straight into the blackness ahead of him. There was a slight sensation of colliding with something hard and cold as he flung himself into the sky, but nothing would stand in the way of his wrath.

Good... Seek out the Herald of Astarte. Let your raw hatred guide you, my Cetus.

Bismark heard the distant voice of Doom inside his head, and grunted in anger as he flew through the sky on a wave of watery energy. His memories were a painful blur, but that voice filled him with a loathing he couldn't explain. And that was not his name, he was sure of it.

"...I am...Bismark..."

It was a struggle to form coherent thoughts, and even harder to actually speak through lips that felt far larger than he remembered. His voice sounded oddly muffled, as if he was speaking through a thick veil. What was happening to him?

You are Cetus, a vessel of Chemosh! The voice of Doom growled angrily inside Bismark's head.

It hurt when the foul voice spoke, and Bismark felt a harsh pull on his soul that only increased his overwhelming urge to destroy. But he would not let himself be controlled so easily. He knew something terrible had happened to him, but he was still Captain Mobius Bismark. And this monster goading him on was going to know it.

"No...! I am...Bismark!" He shouted as loud as he could, pushing away the red haze from his senses a tiny bit. A cold fury at being defied filled Bismark's being with pain, but he stood his ground and used every last ounce of strength that was still his own to maintain his identity.

As his vision cleared in his moment of lucidity, Bismark saw that he really was flying through the skies above Narsille. A bright blue light surrounded him, but he could not see his body. It felt so heavy and awkward, as if he was a great boat that needed constant adjusting to stay upright. One thing was certain, his body was no longer his own.

Prodding Bismark forward relentlessly was that unquenchable desire to find Levi and kill him. The electric essence of Leviathan's power drew him deeper into the city, guiding him in an ever-increasing spiral of hate like a ship caught in a whirlpool.

You will fight for me, Cetus. That unstoppable will of yours will serve my ends, one way or another.

"No!" Bismark flailed, drowning in his bloodlust, but fighting all the way down. "I am the captain of my own ship!"

No matter. The will of Chemosh will consume you eventually, Captain. Fight against me all you like, it only fuels the negative energies of Cetus, and brings you closer to me, to your Doom!

Doom's voice was filled with haughty laughter, and despite an immense effort, Bismark knew he was right. The whirlwind of emotion that was clouding his mind was a constant struggle, and it was only a matter of time before it would exhaust him. Then he truly would be Cetus. Until that moment, though, he would fight this false god with all his being.

"I am...Captain Bismark..." Bismark said thickly, the red-tinted fog of destructive influence coming over him again. "I must kill Levi!"

Doom's faraway voice continued to laugh, confident he would win this struggle of wills. It was only a matter of time.

Bismark's blind rage continued to pull him like a baited fish through the city's stormy skies. Towering blue buildings swerved in and out of his vision as he soared through the dark faster and faster. The watery energy he felt welling up inside him grew as his murderous rage grew, pushing him towards his goal without mercy. Levi's essence crackled closer and closer, and in a moment Bismark would reach the beast that had become the center of his world now. Soon...

Levi! I'm coming for you! Bismark's thoughts swam in the murky sea of his mind. Levi...

"LEEEEVIIII!" He roared as the serpentine form of Leviathan rose up before him, coiled malevolently atop one the mythril towers.

The watery energy growing inside him burst like a tidal wave, and washed over all rational thought. The only thoughts left in Bismark's mind were images of ripping his hated rival to pieces. He could hear the sound of rushing water fill his ears as he let himself go, and it was like music. It was the timeless song of the sea, but its notes were only of destruction in the hands of Cetus, the Demon Whale.

For that was what Bismark had become. As he closed the distance between him and Levi, he could see his great form reflected in the glowing fish eye of a very surprised Leviathan. His body was now the body of a ghostly white whale, as massive as Leviathan's twisted form, but only half as long. This was the body of the Esper Cetus, created for one purpose - annihilating the Esper Leviathan.

Without slowing down or paying attention to anything around him, Bismark let his mighty girth slam into Levi, knocking the Esper off balance and sending the two of them tumbling downwards over the side of the building.

Yes! Destroy the Herald of Astarte, my Cetus, and claim this realm for your Master!

"I am...Bismark!" Bismark's invincible spirit raged through the sea of destructive energy that was engulfing him. The force of this power was unfathomable, but Bismark was determined to keep himself amidst the chaos of his new existence. Doom could not win.

"What?" Leviathan gasped in shock as he writhed against Bismark's onslaught. "Bismark? Impossible!"

"I will destroy you, Levi!" Bismark snarled, turning his fish-like body away from Leviathan and swooping in for another strike. Before Leviathan could regain his balance, Bismark struck the Esper hard, sending the two of them into the side of the building. The tower wavered, but took the blow. There was a huge cracked depression in the building's side shaped like a giant fist had struck it, but the mythril frame remained intact, for the moment.

Leviathan twisted away from Bismark and tried to wrap himself around the wide whale's body, but Bismark was too enraged. Every time he tried to trap Bismark, the maddened Esper would bellow in rage and break free with nothing but brute strength. Leviathan may have been larger, but the unbridled fury emanating from the rival Esper was unmatchable. No matter how hard he fought back, Leviathan kept finding himself overwhelmed by the sheer will of his hated enemy. Such humiliating weakness infuriated the proud Herald of the Goddess. He was the most powerful being alive! How was this creature overpowering him?

"Feel the power of the Goddess, insect!" Levi screeched, pulling away from Bismark's relentless attacks. He let loose a wave of lightning from his black eye, hoping to paralyze the crazed Esper. The branching bolts struck Bismark and he recoiled in obvious pain, but nothing would stop him. Again he simply shook off the attack and charged straight at Leviathan, sending them both back towards the shaken tower.

This time, their combined force smashed through the thick walls and destroyed everything inside, emerging on the other side of the building in a shower of glass and rubble. The entire roof of the building collapsed, leaving a smoldering crown of destruction at the tower's peak.

Bismark felt a distant pain as broken glass and chunks of metal and mythril gouged his blubbery new skin, but he continued to push against Leviathan, against the pain. With each blow he felt stronger, but less in control of his thoughts and actions. It was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain his sense of self the longer the fight dragged on, but he had to keep going. Levi must pay for his crimes, even if it cost Bismark everything. Levi must die.

Keep fighting, Cetus. Keep fighting until there is nothing left but the blood of your enemies and the endless flood of your hate!

Bismark tried to shake Doom's voice away, but it was too strong now. Another spasm of raw emotion rippled through him, and he felt a new surge of that watery energy deep inside him. He rushed at Leviathan again, cloaked in a foamy barrier of conjured water. What was this power? It was frightening and wild, and the more he fought with Leviathan, the stronger it became.

"Levi!" Bismark yelled again in mindless rage.

"Bismark!" Leviathan roared back, raising himself up like a snake ready to strike. He saw the wall of water racing towards him, and could do nothing but summon his own wave of water to meet it. "You are no match for the Lord of the Sea!"

A giant wave materialized from the rain behind Leviathan and flowed around and over him, rushing towards the charging Bismark. The two magical juggernauts collided, sending a bubbling shockwave of mist and foam through the air. Leviathan watched as the two waves smashed and churned against each other, expecting his adversary to be ground to pieces in the violent collision. His gruesome jaw lowered in horror as the shape of Bismark slowly pushed through the maelstrom, his one good eye glowing with a cold blue light that struck the first chord of real fear into Leviathan's heart since he became an Esper.

This was not happening!

"Damn you, Bismark! I will not fall to you!" Leviathan tried to move his cumbersome body out of Bismark's path, but it was just too long and his enemy was just too fast. Leviathan cried out in pain at the sharp blades of water that cut into the end of his tail as Bismark passed him. "No! I will survive! Come to me, my servants!"

Bismark rushed past Leviathan in his watery charge, and felt the satisfying slice as his blow connected with the monster's tail. But before he could turn to continue his rampage, two shadowy forms appeared on either side of him. One of them raised a ghostly hand towards Bismark as if to hold him down. Suddenly, he felt heavy, even heavier than his giant whale's body should have been. And it was getting heavier. What was this pale new arrival doing to him?

"Grrrah!" Bismark rumbled, barely able to speak through his seething hatred anymore. His body was beginning to fall as the massive weight on him continued to grow. It was as if the very air was pushing him down.

"Phantom! Increase your gravity field! Do not let him escape!" Leviathan yelled out to his ephemeral Esper ally, struggling to regain his composure and hide his fear. Bismark's rage may have given him the edge in a one-on-one fight, but Leviathan had the advantage of numbers, and one more surprise he knew would stop the old fool in his tracks. The prideful Leviathan did not like resorting to his Esper servants like this, but he would not be defeated when he was so close to gaining everything he had ever dreamed of.

Bismark fought against the invisible pressure surrounding him, growing angrier with each foot he descended away from Leviathan. Again his unstoppable rage rose up inside him and burst outwards, and again he felt the growing abyss creep closer to his own soul. He would keep fighting, though. Nothing would stop him from exacting his revenge. At the end of this battle, Cetus may be the only thing left, and at this point, Bismark no longer cared.

"Phantom...!" Leviathan groaned with renewed fear. Bismark was no longer sinking down into the depths of the burning city, and was unbelievably rising back towards the battlefield. "What are you doing! Subdue him!"

But the Demon Whale could not be stopped. Bismark struggled upwards, swimming through the unseen magical energy that kept pushing him down. His body felt like it weighed as much as the moons themselves, but he focused his thoughts on defeating Leviathan, further narrowing his own self-awareness.

Yes, yes! Soon now, there will be only Cetus... Doom's voice echoed in Bismark's head, closer than ever.

...Bis..mark... This was all Bismark could force his failing mind to grasp. He held onto that name with everything that was still his own, but he felt his grasp weakening with each passing minute. Doom may win in the end, but Levi would not. That was all that mattered.

"Grrr...Phantom don't stop casting!" Leviathan commanded his servant as he turned to face the other unknown Esper that had appeared beside Bismark. "Now, my bride, put this mindless animal under my control!"

The other Esper came into view, pouncing on Bismark with razor sharp claws. It looked like a monstrous black cat as large as a person, but still tiny compared to the giant Bismark. There was a wild look in the cat's eyes that matched the madness in Bismark's fierce stare look for look. As the feline Esper dug into the whale's thick back, a strange look of confusion stole across Bismark's face.

"Yes, use the power I gave you!" Leviathan said with renewed confidence. "How do you like my lovely pet, Bismark? Even you cannot resist the allure of Cait Sith!"

Bismark struggled now with a new force inside his mind. The power of Doom faded slightly, and the hypnotic presence of Cait Sith invaded his thoughts. He thrashed against the cloudy influence stealing over his thoughts, but found he was helpless against this new enemy. In an impotent rage, his body spun around senselessly, resuming its slow descent into the ruined city. A sea of flames lit the streets below, threatening to incinerate Bismark if he fell too far.

Kill...Levi...must...kill...kill...kill...

"LEVI!" Bismark howled, letting himself go completely to the maddening urge inside him. He had no choice, Levi must be destroyed. With one final push, he let himself drown in the power of the Demon Whale Cetus.

Pain wracked his body as he twisted himself backwards, striking his own body mercilessly with his wide tail fin. Blue blood poured from the self-inflicted gash, but power returned to his limbs, and he felt the seductive embrace of Cait Sith release him. The cat yowled in frustration as it was flung from Bismark's broad back, but did not try and attack again. Bismark had struck fear into this small Esper just as surely as he had the mighty Leviathan.

"You worthless cat! How dare you shrink away from the enemy!" Leviathan shouted at his poor Esper slave, once again baffled by the strength of his opponent's will. There was only one thing left to do, then. "Don't think you've won yet!"

Leviathan let loose from his eye a single bolt of lightning upwards into the storm clouds high above, then grinned maliciously at the steadily approaching Bismark. The billowing tendrils of darkness swirled away from where his bolt had entered the mass of clouds, revealing a hidden figure hovering among the flashes of lightning. It looked like an old man with a long, flowing beard. He wore the regal-looking blue robes of a judge and in his hand he held a wooden staff high, calling the storm to himself.

"Come, Ramuh! Show our friend your thunder!" Leviathan said gleefully. "Does this new foe look familiar, Bismark? Do you not see the face of your dear friend Professor Indra in the ancient face of Ramuh? You may dream of killing me, but can you fight against a comrade with the same intensity?" Leviathan laughed as he watched Bismark's snarl of hate turn to a pain-filled grimace.

"Strike him down!" Leviathan shouted savagely at his servant. Ramuh obediently raised his staff higher, then slashed the electrified air in front of him, pointing the weapon directly at his former friend. A massive surge of lightning erupted from the gleaming tip of his staff and raced erratically down towards the stunned Bismark.

Bismark's body convulsed in agony as the lightning struck him. There was nothing he could do but squirm helplessly as the power of Ramuh filled him with pain. He felt the oppressive force of Phantom's strange gravity-altering power on him again, and could not stay aloft. But he would not give in, even now. His bloodlust was beyond his control now, and even with the face of his old friend staring down at him in silent judgment, he could not stay the demonic power he had unleashed.

There are too many for you alone, my Cetus. We will regroup and return with an army of Espers. For now, flee. Flee, I say!

Bismark heard the voice of Doom in his mind, but the urge to destroy was stronger. Disobeying his Master, Bismark continued to struggle against Phantom's pull and Ramuh's might. The pain was excruciating, and he felt like his body was being crushed against its own weight, but there was no stopping his rage. He must destroy everything. Levi must die!

Bismark felt fresh new pain as Cait Sith landed on the wound he had made in his back and once more tried to control his thoughts. There was almost no mind to control now, unfortunately for the small Esper, so she resorted to slashing at his open wound with her sharp cat's claws, sending rivulets of blue blood soaring into the sky. But Bismark bucked and twisted, resisting every hypnotic thought and every painful slash. Even against Ramuh, Phantom, and Cait Sith, the Demon Whale would not be defeated. Not until Levi was dead at his feet.

Flee! I command you! You are outmatched! Doom said in futility.

"I have you now, Bismark," Leviathan said with a murderous gleam in his eyes as he watched all three of his servants combine their strength to take down the impossibly stubborn Esper. Not wanting to miss his chance to land the killing blow on his hated rival, Leviathan glided down to where Bismark was desperately trying to hold his position. When the mighty Esper's strength was exhausted, Leviathan would swoop in and finish him off before the flames of Sade below could snatch his prey from him. This would be a victory for the Goddess, not for the Poltergeist.

Damn you for deserting me, Maduin... Doom raged hopelessly in Bismark's crimson-stained mind. I must have a new Herald or my vessels are nothing more than mindless beasts. Cetus, you WILL obey me! But I must find another Herald to control you... Doom's voice faded to silence, and for a brief moment Bismark was free from his Master's control.

Being free from Doom's presence sadly no longer matter to the possessed Bismark. He had succumbed to the violence that had always resided inside his heart, and was now acting out of pure hate and wild anger, with no hope of salvation in sight. Leviathan rushed towards him and whipped his body with the tattered feathery tail Bismark had ravaged previously. The sound of Leviathan's heartless laughter filled Bismark's ears as he was tortured on all sides from the four Espers of Astarte. With ever lash of Leviathan's powerful tail, Bismark grew even more incensed, blind with rage. He had to fight, and would keep fighting until his battered body was torn to pieces, as much by his own violence as that of his torturers.

As Bismark's mind began to fade and his indomitable spirit finally ebb, the cold fingers of Doom crept back into his soul, more powerful than ever before. There was a new strength in them, one that was impossible to ignore. His voice was everywhere inside Bismark's dying mind, and he had no choice but to listen.

I have found my new Herald, my hate-filled vessel. He is a mighty soul, indeed, worthy of the title Herald of Chemosh! Do you feel his power flowing through you? Such is the power of a Herald, the sole conduit through which my power may flow unhindered into this world and into my servants within it! And now you WILL obey my voice, Cetus! Flee this place! I command you!

Bismark gave a guttural howl as his will was forcefully lead away from his single-minded obsession. He suddenly dropped out of the sky, giving in to the full power of Phantom's influence, and momentarily breaking free from the assault of the other three enemy Espers. Before they could understand his strange act, a gush of water shot out from below, spreading into a thick mist that obscured their vision. Bismark, under the control of Doom, rocketed away from the battlefield, fighting against his own body for every inch. The last thing he heard was the defeated roar of Leviathan as his victory was snatched away from him.

It was no use to struggle, and Bismark submitted to the irresistible presence of Doom inside him. Cetus was in full control now, and Bismark only a faint glimmer of willpower clinging to the side of the mighty whale, like some helpless barnacle.

I am Bismark. Bismark said weakly inside his own mind.

"I am Cetus." The great Demon Whale spoke aloud.

You are a vessel of Chemosh, Esper. Never forget that. Doom said with a resounding presence inside Bismark's being.

Bismark watched helplessly as he put more and more distance between himself and Leviathan's forces. He would have his revenge someday. It was all he had left now. That, and the persistent hope that his remaining friends would somehow find a way to free him from this prison of his own making.

You will have your revenge, my Cetus, but you will never have your freedom. Doom spoke in his mind, almost pleasantly. This is only the first battle in the war. We have lost today, but with my new Herald we will regroup and make a stand again soon. And then, Leviathan will be yours to unleash the full power of your hate upon! For now, we go south, away from this fiery realm. There the next battle in the war of the gods shall be waged, and this time, we will emerge victorious!

Bismark did not understand his Master's words, but he knew where Cetus was going now, and was filled with a renewed sense of loss at the familiar sight ahead of him. The Maiden of the Sea sat loyally in the tumultuous harbor on the edge of Narsille, waiting for its captain to return. What did that fiend have in mind? Would he be forced to slay his own crew and destroy his beloved Maiden? Bismark felt that was exactly what he deserved for letting his emotions control him, and resigned himself to the consequences of his actions.

Doom had other plans for his vessel's former ship and crew, however.

These will be the first recruits in the army of Chemosh. Now, command them, Bismark. You are still their captain, and they will listen to you as surely as you must listen to me.

No...I cannot... Bismark moaned, appalled at the thought of dragging even more innocent victims into his web of disgrace.

"Maiden!" Bismark's deep Esper voice boomed across the waters, startling the frantic crew.

They were finished preparing the boat, and were only waiting for some sign that any of their friends had survived to return to them. The sight of a flying white whale was the last thing they had expected to see emerge from the flaming city. And several crew members recognized that voice as their Captain, despite the Esper's distortion. First among them was Connor, the acting captain while the Bismark and Alex were away. He had no idea what had happened to their Captain, but that was his voice, and Bismark's voice was always obeyed, even in the face of certain death. They trusted their Captain, absolutely.

"It's your captain! I'm Captain Bismark! Ready the anchors, we leave immediately!" Cetus said in a cruel mockery of Bismark's voice. It was a convincing performance, and despite his appearance, the crew listened to their transformed captain the same as they had before.

Cetus was only an extension of Bismark himself, after all, and he knew everything Bismark knew. Cetus was the embodiment of all the negative emotion inside Bismark, but with the dominating influence of Doom and his mysterious new Herald, that raging emotion could be controlled and directed. And now, Doom was directing the Esper Cetus to usurp Bismark's ship and take it into yet another blood-soaked battleground. He called out to Elia, but he could only hear the voice of Doom now. Bismark cried out in despair as he watched his faithful crew follow him into the mouth of hell yet again.

And follow him they did, quickly raising the anchors and setting sail at full speed down the Lethe River with only a few sorrowful glances back at the city and friends they knew they were leaving behind. They listened to every order he gave through the mouth of Cetus without hesitation, not knowing where they were headed or why. They did this because he was their Captain, now and forever.