The thief and his princess

Summary:

When Zidane, the youngest thief in the infamous Tantalus group, meets the mysterious Dagger on the Alexandrian streets, he thinks of her as nothing but one of his many flirts. But with time, he will realize that the girl does not only hold the power to bind his heart forever, but that she is an unwilling part of a conspiracy that can easily destroy the world. - A FFIX AU Fan Fic

Chapter six ~ Unfortunate Events

"... so far the report", Zidane ended.

Baku was nodding his head. "So so, the queen seems to be somewhat weird. Making her own daughter prostitute herself, killing her own citizens... Well", he added as he turned around, "that's no longer of our businesses. We should keep an eye on getting to Lindblum on time."

Zidane shook his head. "What's with the hurt ones? How can we just leave 'em behind?"

Baku didn't move. "Listen, Tantalus got priority. We can not just take care on all the bad things in the world; we're a group of thieves, not nurses!"
Zidane clenched his fists and shook his head. "But boss..!"

"If ye don't like it, leave us. Otherwise: go to the little princess; it looks as if she's a bit shocked..."

Zidane opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but then, he nodded. "Alright, boss." He turned around and left Baku's office.

Again, the leader looked after his member with a weird expression before he sighed and gulped down some beer.

It had been over ten minutes and Zidane still stood in front of the princess' room. Over and over, he raised his hand to knock, but he never got the courage he needed. Even though he liked her a lot, he felt betrayed by her.

But on the other hand... She just lost everything. A mother, a home, a destination...

He gulped and raised his hand once more. Suddenly, he heard a soft, gentle voice out of the princess' room.

Is she... singing?, Zidane thought surprised and pressed his ear against the wall.

Indeed, the princess was singing a beautiful melody. Whilst listening, Zidane could feel all the pressure and fear falling from him. Without hesitating, he opened the door.

Garnet looked up surprised and stopped her singing.

"Please, don't stop", Zidane quickly begged, "it's beautiful."

For a moment, Garnet just looked at him. Then, she closed her eyes and went on singing and Zidane, who sat down beside her, closed his eyes as well.

Garnet's voice seemed to lead him to a world long forgotten. Where one could feel happiness, joy and love without any fears or doubts. Where one really was safe. Her song, though without any words, bore that sweet feeling of security and peacefulness a child is having while being in its mother's belly. It was a song mothers would sing to their children to lull them to sleep, or a song that people would sing when on their own, enjoying the beauty of the world.

Without him knowing, a single tear rolled down Zidane's face and Garnet ended her enchanting song.

"What's wrong, Zidane?"

The thief slowly turned his head to her, a question mark on his face.

"You cried", Garnet went on and touched his cheek, showing him the drop

"Oh, I did", Zidane said slightly surprised. "Guess that were the overflowing emotions of you singing", he then smiled.

For a moment, Garnet seemed to be hesitant, but then, she smiled back.

Both of them remained silent; but it wasn't an uncomfortable silent. It was a silent of peace – peace, that may be gone soon. Even more so, they wanted to enjoy it.

"Why... did you follow me all the way?", Garnet then asks after a while.

Zidane seemed to be thrown out of his thoughts: "Huh? Oh, why?" He thought for a moment. "Can't say. I just wanted to."

"Do you always do what you want to do?"

"Mostly", the thief grinned. "Unless it brings Tantalus in trouble."

"I do", Garnet said saddened. "I will... I'll bring you a lot of trouble."

"Don't say that", Zidane replied smiling. "If you were that dangerous to us, Baku wouldn't have given the order to kidnap you. I mean, you're a princess! How much of a danger can..." Suddenly, he stopped talking. The feelings of betrayal Garnet's song had put down now came up again.
"I wanted to tell you", she said as if she could read his mind. "I really did, you know? But... I've never come to trust people in life; I was afraid you wouldn't understand! I was afraid you could... reject me.

First, Zidane didn't say anything. Then, he just smirked at her. "I'll keep on calling you Dagger, 'kay?"

Garnet seemed to be surprised in the first place, but then, she smiled. "Okay. Dagger, then", she answered. "I'll call myself like that from now on, too. It's more suitable as well, don't you think?"

Zidane nodded.

"So, tell me, Dagger. Why this sudden decision to come with us?"

Dagger's face turned serious. "Four years ago, Mother had been starting to act strange. She would talk less and less to me; instead, she started to talk me into my... business. I didn't wanted to do as she asked me to, but... she put me under a strong spell. Being young, naive and untrained, I couldn't fight it. My mind was wide awake the whole time; but my body wasn't listening to what it said. Then, I learned how to fight against her spell and started my research on Mother's behavior. I remember a strange man visiting the castle more often and every time he left, Mother seemed to be stronger – and less herself. But even if I played the role of the cursed daughter, she would renew the spell frequently. She realized I fought it and put me under it at least every week. Being with you on that day made me free. I gained a freedom I haven't had the past years." For a moment, she paused and was in her thoughts. "I... want to ask my uncle in Lindblum if he could talk to mother. I really do not intend to use you, Zidane", she exclaimed passionate, "but I need to go to Lindblum!"

Again, Zidane nodded. "Since it's our goal anyway, why not? Well", he said and got up. "I still have some work to do on the ship. It will take us maybe two days to get to Lindblum. Why don't you use the time to prepare the things you wanna say to your un-"

Suddenly, the airship started to wiggle and rumble. A jerk went through the Prima Vista and Zidane stumbled. He turned towards the door.
"Stay here, Dagger", he said and left the room. He passed the corridors in which the crew ran from one side to the other. The young thief tried to stop one of them and ask them what happened, but all of them ignored him, trying to finish their businesses. The nearer he got to the deck, the more he recognized a golden shimmer and it became hotter and hotter. As he reached the front door, he wanted to open it at it's handle but it was so hot that the thief jumped back and held his hurting hand. "Dammit!", he said angrily and drew out his daggers. He used them to pull the door – instead of opening, it fell down. Now, the thief could see what was happening.

A bomber, a magical creature of flames, set fire to the entire airship! It had supposedly hidden after it had been thrown out in a bomb in Alexandria and waited for a good chance to do the most damage.

You sure have a good timing, fiend, Zidane thought sarcastically and pointed with his daggers towards the small round fireball. "But that's not gonna help you!", he exclaimed and rushed towards it. Before he could hit the bomber, it turned around and looked at the thief with an evil glare, almost seeming to grin. It threw a fireball against Zidane, who had to roll to one side to get out of its direction. Still, the heat reached his feet and legs and made the sweat breaking out all over his body. He silently cursed and turned back. With high speed, he rushed towards the enemy and struck it twice with his daggers, then he jumped back to be out of its direct reach. But instead of attacking him, the bomber made a back loop and during that, it became twice as big as before!

"Step back, bro!", a voice called from behind. Zidane turned around, to see Blank with his drawn out falchion, Vivi at his side. "This is a job for a black mage, ya know?" Both of them rushed towards Zidane and took place beneath him.

"Awright, then show us what you can do!", Zidane encouraged the young boy. As always, Vivi nodded hesitantly and drew out a staff. He swirled it and mumbled some imperceptible syllables, then he called out: "Ice!".

A ball of ice closed in the bomber and burst with a loud sound. Now, the bomber twitched a lot, but it still performed its weird loop and grew even bigger.

Blank cursed. "There's just one try left; otherwise, the bomber will explode! Hurry up and do some magic, Vivi!"

But the black mage breathed heavily. "I need some more time to collect the energy", he said.

The bomber attacked; this time, it flew directly at the boy and hit him. Vivi pulled up his hands to block the attack, but he got hit nonetheless, coughed and stumbled back - his gloves looked burnt.

"Vivi!", Zidane called out, and the mage shook his head.

"I can't move my hands anymore", he stumbled over his own words in pain.

All of a sudden, a soft greenish light appeared around Vivi and as it vanished, the bruises on Vivi's hands were gone. The three fighting ones turned around to see Dagger, holding her staff.

"Come on, Vivi! You can do it!", she called out to him and the black mage nodded and performed the ice spell once again. This time, the bomber made a seriously hurt sound and fell down, where it vanished into thin air quickly.

"I knew you've got talent", Zidane praised Vivi and smiled. "You-"

"No time for breaks, Zidane", Blank interrupted, "we have to extinguish the fires first."

"Ah, you're right", Zidane nodded, then he turned to Vivi: "You don't know a water spell, do you?"

The black mage shook his head. "It's quite a complicated spell and I haven't found time to learn it, yet."

"What a pity", Zidane said, then shrugged his shoulders. "Looks like we have to use the gold ol' water tanks."

But no matter how much water they used, the Prima Vista was dramatically damaged. In the end, Baku ordered to land the ship at the Forgotten Forest.

"Are you sure, boss?", Cinna, who governed the airship, asked. "It's the most creepy forest on this continent!"

"Do as I say!", Baku shouted back whilst clinging on to a railing so he wouldn't fall down, "the entire Prima Vista is going to explode soon! I want to get out of here alive."

Cinna still looked as if he wanted to talk back, but as another jerk went through their vehicle, he just cursed and lowered the height.

"How's it looking, Zidane?", Baku shouted towards the young thief who leaned with his head out of a window.

"The ground's coming nearer real fast, boss!", he answered. "If Cinna doesn't maneuver more gentle, we'll-"

But it was too late. The engines of the airship were completely destroyed by the fire and crashed down – and with them, the Prima Vista itself as well.
"It's going to get bumpy now!", Zidane warned the crew and jerked his head to see Dagger, halfway falling out of the window.

"Dagger!", he screamed and rushed towards her, as much as the wiggling let him. Just as the princess was about to fall out, he grabbed her arm. She hung down and clung on tightly to his arm, panic in her eyes.

"Don't you fall down", Zidane said to her, "I have you safe." A soft smile appeared on his face. Suddenly, another jerk occurred and Zidane couldn't hold Dagger any longer. Terrified, he had to watch how the princess fell down, screaming and reaching her arms out to him.

"DAGGER! NO!", he screamed in pain and was about to jump after her, but Blank grabbed him and held him tight. "Let go off me!", the younger thief ordered, but Blank didn't give in. "It's too late already, bro", he said calmly, "she hit the ground already. There's nothing we can do for her anymore."
"No, I don't believe you! She must've survived!", Zidane shook his head and made himself free. "You take care of the crew; I'll save Dagger!" He wanted to jump, but Baku grabbed his shoulders. "Remember what I told ye, Zidane", he said seriously. "Act against my orders and yer out."

"Like I care! I promised to protect her", Zidane said and shook off the hand of his boss. In that moment, the Prima Vista itself hit the ground with a giant shake. The thieves needed a moment to catch themselves, then Zidane tried to leave the burning ship, but Baku stepped in front of him. "Ye can not leave Tantalus by simply going. Ye know the rules."

Zidane gulped, then he nodded and drew out his daggers. "I'm ready", he said. He ignored the crew behind him, the hurt faces of Blank, Marcus and Cinna. All he could think of was saving Dagger as quickly as possible.

"Take this!", he shouted out and attacked his former boss. But Baku just jumped away and laughed. "Is this how ye expect to save the princess?", he asked sarcastically and started a complex attack with his sword towards Zidane. Only because of his speed, the young thief managed to escape most of the attacks; but not all of them. He gnarled as one hit cut a big wound on his leg. The next time, his daggers found their aim and Baku moaned as the steel cut through his flesh. Nonetheless, he tried to fight back; but stumbled and fell instead. Zidane took the chance to perform a finishing blow towards the leader; quickly and determined, his daggers flew through the air and cut Baku on several areas. Now, his boss fell down on his knees. "Ye won this time, Zidane!", he gave up.

Zidane breathed heavily, but he grinned nonetheless. He turned to his former comrades. "It's been a great time with you, guys", he said as suddenly, Marcus, Vivi and Blank approached him

"I found this a while back. I wanted to give it to you on your birthday, but I see you need it now", Marcus said and pulled out a dagger. "It's called silenquida and it's stronger than your ordinary daggers. It also includes the spell Silence, so it should help you in this forest a lot with all its magical and dangerous fiends."

Zidane didn't know what to say and just nodded thankfully. He took the silenquida and swung it a few times, then he nodded again. "Thanks, Marcus", he said and his comrade nodded back.

Then, Vivi stepped forwards. "Please, Zidane, let me come with you. I... want to help the princess as well."

Zidane nodded smiling. "Sure. You're such a good black mage; with your help, Dagger will be rescued within minutes."

The last one to step forwards was Blank. For a long time, he just looked at Zidane, who felt the same sadness and depression as he did. Then he pulled out a bottle and handed it over to Zidane.

"What's this? A love philter?", Zidane asked jokingly to loosen the situation. "No more of them please; I can't save myself from the ladies now, how could I -"

"It's a potion against the spawns of the fiends around here", Blank interrupted him harshly. "Most of them are poisoning. Drink this after an injury and you'll be safe."

"Ah, that's how it is", Zidane laughed and put away the potion. "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Hmpf. I would've... if you would've shut your mouth for another second."

Vivi looked between the two close friends with confusion. "What's wrong with you, I thought you were fri-" but Marcus put a hand on his mouth and the black mage couldn't finish his sentence.

"See you!", Zidane called, waving his hand and pulling Vivi after him.

Again, Blank grunted. "Hopefully, I'll never see your face again..."

"Zidane, wait", Vivi called out to the thief who kept walking really fast; almost running. Distracted, he turned around and looked at the young boy: "What is it?"

Vivi caught up to him, breathing heavily. "What has just happened between you and Blank? I thought you were friends!", he finished the sentence he didn't manage to finish earlier.

Zidane's cheerful smile crumbled down and he looked away. "Blank and I... We were friends ever since that special day."

"What special day?", Vivi asked and moved closer.

Zidane sighed. "I... I can't talk about it, not yet", he gave up, letting his head hang down. But Vivi's curious expression and the weight on his heart laid too heavy.

"I came to Tantalus ten years ago. Back then, I didn't know anything. I picked up fights with everyone in Tantalus including Blank. We used to hate each other", he admit smiling. "Though everyone tried to help and cheer me up, I felt... alone. I have no real family. There was no one to turn back to then for me. The bad feelings inside of me grew bigger and bigger, more and more until I couldn't accept anyone anymore. I ran away and searched for my real home."

"Did you know what to search for"?, Vivi asked and sat down beside the thief, but he just laughed sarcastically: "I knew nothing! I was found between the streets of Lindblum after lying there for probably days. Baku had found me and had no clue where I originally came from. And me neither. All I could remember was a blue light. How should I've been able to find it? I saw a lot of weird, terrible and happy things and learned a lot throughout this time. But I never found my home. One day, I came into a bad fight with a fiend. I managed to kill it, but it left me wounded to death..."

Zidane stopped and closed his eyes and Vivi, who felt pity, waited for him to take his time.

"Blank found me", Zidane continued to tell. "He nursed my wounds and took care of me all the way back to Lindblum. During that journey, enemies appeared. Though Blank had told me not to interfere because of my bad condition", he stopped and gave Vivi a short look. "You can guess it already, right? I tried to kill one of them on my own. Instead of succeeding, I naturally was taken down. As I screamed, Blank got distracted and turned around to help me. It was this moment his opponent destroyed his right eye."

"That explains how he lost his right eye – but why did you become friends, then? He should actually hate you, or not?"

Zidane nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, he should hate me. I didn't understand back then, either, but... He had realized in this moment that I stopped closing myself up from anyone. That I finally found the will to live and love again. And he used to say that this will was a lot more worth than an eye." Now, Zidane's eyes were teary.

Vivi seemed to be deep in thoughts. "But then, why did you part so cold hearted?"

Zidane sighed. "I guess we... I guess we both just couldn't bear the thought of never seeing each other again. It will be hard for me to ever rejoin Tantalus."

Suddenly, the young thief got up. "But now, enough of the talk. We need to find Dagger! Come on Vivi, let's go!"

The black mage nodded and got up, then he ran after the thief.

"This forest is... scary", Vivi mumbled whilst walking closely to Zidane. The thief was whistling a melody.

"Really? I think it's pretty calm. I don't get why Cinna was so freaked out when Baku ordered him to land in here."

At the corners of his eye, Vivi saw how something was moving in the shadows. "I think we're not alone here, Zidane", he tried it once again but the thief just laughed.

"My daggers and your magic will scare away any fiends around here. You should have more confidence in yourself. Or", he added and leaned towards Vivi, "is it because you're small? You shouldn't be concerned about your height; it's the heart that counts."

Vivi shook his head. "Nah-uh, that's not it. I... I just keep forgetting the spells when I'm anxious."

Suddenly, an isegrim appeared from behind, with him a goblin. Zidane drew out his daggers and grinned.

"Our first fight in here, Vivi", he called out while focusing on the isegrim. "Let's see what we can do!"

Vivi nodded hesitantly and prepared a fire spell, but the goblin was quicker and punched the black mage.

"Don't stay back!", Zidane reminded Vivi while striking the isegrim.

Again, the black mage nodded and finished his spell. "Fire!", he called out and the goblin was closed in a ball of flames. At the same time, Zidane finished the isegrim off.

He turned towards Vivi who let his head hang down. With a last look on the dying fiends, Zidane approached the black mage.

"Why so sad, Vivi?", he asked. "You're awesome at fighting – trust me."

Vivi looked up shyly. "Do you really think so?"

Zidane nodded. "For sure. I've never met anyone that good at using magic – it's gotta be so complicated memorizing the spells and stuff!" After Vivi gave him a slightly more encouraged smile, Zidane pat him on the shoulder. "Now, let's go, Dagger is waiting for us."

Zidane went ahead whilst Vivi did his pointed chap before he followed the young thief.

The twin moons started to crawl up on the night sky. Their blue and red light let the entire forest glow in an almost frightening way. Soft sparkles between the woods went up as if they wanted to join the moons and together with the soft noises of the sleeping wood, they created an atmosphere of haunting beauty. There were the trees that went up to the sky and almost hid it by their giant crowns of leaves, which glistened and moved gently. The wind flowing threw them sounded like whispers and when it stroke the two wandering through this place, it was a shadow-like touch on their skin.
"What are you looking at?", Zidane asked Vivi as he approached the boy.

Vivi turned his head, the giant yellow ovals seemed to be sad. "Will we... find the princess?"

"Of course", Zidane answered and sat beside him. "Besides, she's counting on us. We have to find her."

Vivi seemed to be in thoughts. "But.. what if she-", he tried to go on, but Zidane just got up and yawned. "You should stop worrying, Vivi. Better take a nap, and then, we'll go deeper into the forest."

The black mage watched the waves on the pond, caused by the little waterfall they were sitting at. "Even if we find her – how do we want to get out of here? Even your boss said this is a dangerous place."

Zidane followed Vivi's look. "If we follow this river", he pointed forwards, "we might get out of here. We should memorize this place in case we have to run." Then, he smiled at Vivi. "Take a nap. It's been a rough escape so far and we need to be fully recovered to rescue her."

Vivi nodded, although he did not want to sleep. His thoughts were too quick and too heavy.

How am I supposed to sleep in a place like this?, he wondered.

A few seconds later, Zidane was listening to Vivi's soft snoring.

Only some hours had passed, but the two were wandering the forest again already.

"You know where we're heading to?", Vivi asked shyly.

Zidane nodded, but he didn't seem very confident. "Sure, sure", he answered whilst looking around. Vivi had a bad feeling, but he kept quiet and followed Zidane. Before turning around the next corner, Zidane hide himself behind a giant tree. He pointed Vivi to be quiet and drew out his daggers. While sneaking sidewards, he frequently stopped in order to listen closely. When he reached the next corner, he inhaled heavily, then he swirled around it and started to run.

Vivi, who'd been watching him scared, took all his courage and his staff and ran after the thief.

Zidane was facing a giant monster. It looked almost like a big, wandering plant in brown and exuded gases. It had eight tentacle-like things that formed a hollow crown above its head. And in this crown laid the princess! She obviously was unconscious and had several bruises on her body – but she was alive.

"Dagger!", Zidane just called out and ran towards the fiend. The monster turned halfway and moved the two additional tentacles that functioned as arms. It slapped Zidane and jumped back at the same time. The thief stumbled back and stared at Dagger, still lying motionless. Then, he looked at his enemy. "You bastard. Give Dagger back to me!", he ordered and got up. Suddenly, a great light appeared around Zidane that completely held him in. It wasn't the greenish light of white magic but it didn't seem harmful either. Nonetheless, Vivi ran towards the thief and called out for him. "Zidane? Zidane, are you okay? Zidane!" Suddenly, Vivi could see how the bright light, consisting of the colors white and pink, merged into the young thief's body. Zidane jumped back on his feet and raised his right dagger in the air. The bright light had disappeared, but the glow and the colors stayed on his body.

Vivi ran to his side. "Wha- what is that?", he asked shocked whilst keeping an eye on the enemy.

"I feel like I'm gonna explode because of power!", the thief answered.

Vivi's breath stopped. "Could it be... trance? I've heard of it from my grandfather. Only chosen ones will be able to achieve trance. It's like a breakout of emotions and provides unknown strength."

Zidane grinned. "Is that so? Well, then let's tidy up!"

Zidane raised up his daggers and ran towards the enemy. With just one strike, the monster made a loud, hurt sound and jumped back once more. It raised his arms towards its crown and suddenly, a blue light took Dagger in. The princess, still unconscious, just groaned in pain as the monster took the life out of her.

"No! Dagger, no!", Zidane screamed and stroke the fiend once more. This time, he put all his strength into his attack and, as expected, the monster broke down. Zidane ran towards it to rescue Dagger, but the monster exuded a greenish miasma. The thief and the black mage managed to stay out of its reach, but they couldn't get closer either. Helplessly, Zidane had to watch the fiend getting up again, using his tentacle to attach itself to a tree and then, it simply jumped away, deeper in the forest.

"Dagger!", Zidane called out and reached his arms out. Again, the bright light appeared and left him looking as usual. "Dagger", he whispered once more, then, he stomped with his feet on the ground and cursed. "I failed. How could I..?". he asked himself.

Vivi stood beside him. "Don't worry, Zidane. We follow this fiend and when we find her, we will save her."

Zidane shook his head. "Did you notice how I could not kill it? Even in trance, it just sucked the life out of Dagger to heal itself. I am no match for such an enemy."

"Are you really this much of a looser?", a voice suddenly asked out of the dark. Zidane turned around. "Who's there?", but he got no answer to his question. Instead, he heard a sound of annoyance.

"Hmpf. If the princess wouldn't have chosen you herself...", the person muttered and started to walk out of the trees. Even whilst approaching, Zidane could already tell who he was.

"Amarant!", he gasped astonished as the redhead stopped in front of him. "Why are you here?"'

Again, Amarant just grunted. "I'm going to save Garnet, what else? I usually wouldn't bother talking to you..."

"Then why do you do it?", Zidane asked teasingly.

Now, Amarant hesitated. "Garnet... trusts in you. It is reason enough for me to take care of you not being killed. At least until we unite and I can ask her what to do with you from now on. However", he said whilst turning to Vivi, "I've never seen you being in her company. I don't have any businesses with you. Go, or I will kill you."

Zidane positioned himself in front of Vivi. "Don't! He is an excellent black mage. He will be helpfu-"

"I don't need any help", Amarant interrupted him calmly. He wasn't overestimating himself and Zidane knew that. "The only reason I take you with me is because Garnet said you're trustworthy. I can save her on my own."

Suddenly, Vivi raised his voice: "Then why did you come so late? You could've saved her just a few moments ago! You're...", he stumbled across his own words as Amarant turned his head towards him, "You're... not as strong as you let us think."

The silence was unbearable. Then, Amarant turned around.

"Follow me", he simply ordered and started to walk. Zidane nodded encouragingly towards Vivi and together, they followed the redhead. While Vivi stayed back, Zidane took his place directly beside Amarant.

"Where do you come from?", Zidane asked but Amarant didn't even look at him. "Why do you protect Dagger, anyways?" Again, no answer. Zidane took his time in thinking of another question to get Amarant to talk. "Where did you learn to fight so good?" But it was useless. Nonetheless, the young thief didn't give up and started talking about the events that recently happened in order to keep Amarant up-to-date.

After walking calmly through the forest for almost an hour, Zidane couldn't hold it in anymore. "Aren't we going to hurry?", he asked surprised and at first, it seemed as Amarant had no intention of answering the thief's question again.

"Garnet is able to defend herself", he then stated, maybe hoping, Zidane would shut his mouth, but he simply caused more questions.

"Are you sure? She seemed very helplessly back then", Zidane answered thoughtfully. He gave Amarant a long look. "Why do you think she can defend herself? Answer me, Amarant!", he demanded.

This time, the great warrior stopped walking. "You still... really talk much", he stated. Zidane just wanted to open his mouth to ask about the 'still' in Amarant's sentence, but this time, Amarant had decided to talk.

"I know Garnet for a very long time. When I tell you she can defend herself long enough until I come, you can trust me."

He made a pause, then he went on. "It is the same reason why I protect her. In Garnet, I found a master. Someone, who is able to defeat me in battle. Thus, trust me in this."

But Zidane didn't even think about giving up. "What do you mean she can defeat you in battle? We're talking about Dagger, right? Small, delicate and uses white magic? She is able to defeat you?"

Amarant sighed. "I've been talking way too much already. You can see for yourself, once we arrive."

And no matter how hard Zidane tried, Amarant kept silent.

Author's note

I'm so sorry for not updating for so long! I hope these two chapters can make up for it! I will definitely try to write more in the future - one of my new year's resolution ;) Hopefully, you'll enjoy these two chapters - I think they take the plot a bit further. For those of you who have played FFIX once, you might recognize some sentences or situations, huh? Well, the original is just too good to be left out completely.
Until next time, leave lots of reviews and share, pretty please :)
Love,

Ruska