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 twenty-one ~ The Final Summon
The next day greeted them with warm sunlight, but the feeling in the air was gloomy and dull. They had gathered at the entrance to Eiko's house, avoiding each other's regards while they waited for the girl to come.
Dagger shifted uncomfortably.
Everyone is so quiet.
'It's natural before a fight,' Odin reassured her.
'But if everything goes well, no one will be hurt.'
Finally, Eiko appeared, with Blank right beside her.
Her blue eyes went over the people waiting for her before she nodded slightly.
"We should leave now."
Her words broke the rigidity they all suffered from, and slowly, they walked through the Alexandrian streets to the ferry.
The night before, Dagger had been too busy fighting her way through the mass of soldiers. But now, when the streets were calm, she had the time to examine the damage that had been made to the city.
The once proud city laid mostly in ruins. Little was left from the marvellous architecture of Alexandria.
Dagger shivered upon seeing the smoking holes left from the mages' reckless attacks; some of the houses had broken down from the impact, and others looked as if they had been teared down before the battle, supplying the erected barricades with log piles.
The dead bodies of the soldiers were still lying around. Especially on the market, the round lot in the heart of Alexandria, leading to each district of the city as well as to the ferry, the bodies were countless.
Most of the soldiers laid with their faces down, but Dagger's could still see the frozen screams of agony on some of their faces. Their skin was pale, the eyes empty, and the blood that had dried on their faces had dried up to a disgusting crust.
Dagger's stomach rebelled against the cruelty she saw.
This was our doing, she thought and guilt made her heart ache.
'Don't give in!' Bahamut sternly demanded. 'It is exactly what that sorcerer wants.'
Shaking, the princess nodded.
They slowly walked past and across the corpses, and Dagger tried to distract herself by seeking her Eidolons' advice.
'You knew it all along, didn't you?'
She didn't address any Eidolon in particular; there was no need to, because they all admitted to knowing.
'The time was not right to tell you,' Shiva was the first to respond, her voice like an icy wind.
Dagger nodded. She knew that before that talk with Eiko, she would have been angry; she wouldn't have understood.
But now, I do. The princess lifted her head as she stepped on the ferry, naturally placing her hand on Zidane's.
I wouldn't have believed it. No one would have been able to convince me of this... absurd fact. No one but Kuja himself.
She cringed at the memory of Kuja holding her in his arms. Zidane, who noticed her twitching, tilted his head in worry, but Dagger shook her head reassuringly before he could ask anything.
She laid her head back, looking up to the castle they were approaching.
"It's about time I teach you," Eiko said.
Zidane and Dagger turned towards the small girl, both of them nodding.
Eiko took each of them by the hand, closing her eyes.
"It is a fairly simple process," she started. "Since Ark can only be summoned by the two of you, there was no need for complicated spells or bindings. All you have to do, is chant this."
And with this, she sung, in a tongue Dagger had never heard before. Just as Eiko had said, it was fairly easy; the song was a repetition of a thirty second sequence, but since neither of them knew the language, Eiko had to repeat it several times to make sure they would do it right. She only allowed them to sing in turns, so they wouldn't accidentally summon Ark.
"I don't think he'd come if you call out by chance," Eiko said, "You need to focus with all your heart and mind to summon him. But in the unlikely case he'd come during the practice, it might use up all of your energy; we shouldn't risk it."
Finally, when both Zidane and Dagger had confidently memorized the song, Eiko nodded satisfied.
The others had watched them silently, and as their eyes met, Zidane could see the doubt and worry on their faces.
He understood their point.
That such a little song is supposed to defeat that crazy guy, he almost shook his head.
With a quiet thud, the ferry docked on. Once again, Zidane felt awe looking up the castle, but Eiko didn't allow them to waste their time and quickly guided them to the top of the castle.
"Do you really think he's there? After all, that's where we... met him yesterday," Freya asked doubtfully, but Eiko nodded.
"Exactly. It would have a dramatic effect."
Zidane nodded to himself.
Yeah, that sounds just like that guy.
Just like the day before, no one opposed them on their way up. Zidane's tail twitched nervously.
Why isn't he trying to stop us? He thought warily. He must know about Eiko. Does he already know our plan, too? No, that can't be. He'd try to kill me in that case, so we can't summon Ark.
He shot a regard towards Eiko. Blank stood by her side, but Eiko's expression seemed so rigid and prepared that Zidane was sure she could do well without the thief.
Zidane's stomach curled in in nervousness as they climbed the final staircase.
This is it. We're betting on all or nothing.
They stepped into the soft daylight, shielding their eyes against the rays in the first moment. By daytime, the sight from the platform was breathtaking. They could easily see over the entire city, and if it hadn't been destroyed so brutally the night before, it would have been even more stunning. In the far, he could spot the glistening of the ocean, as well as the outskirts of the Forgotten Forest. Doves flew by and a gentle breeze swept his hair from one side to the other.
It was a peaceful sight; too peaceful for what they were going to do.
Tearing his gaze away from the scenery, Zidane blinked repeatedly, scanning the area for a trace of Kuja.
And there he stood, as if he hadn't left the platform since their last encounter. He stood as tall as ever, but there was something odd about his posture; his right shoulder sat a bit lower than the left, twitching from time to time.
"Madeen," Dagger whispered almost silently, and Zidane nodded. They could see some of his silver blood running down Kuja's shoulder, but if the wound hurt, the sorcerer didn't give it away.
"Ah, there you are, my sweet canary," he spoke with his melodic voice. He turned, wearing an evil smile.
"It really wasn't nice of you, escaping my perfectly set stage yesterday," Kuja lectured. "After all the trouble your mother and I put into erecting it."
"Where is Mother!?" Dagger demanded with a wavering voice. She made a step forward, but Zidane, who still held on to her hand, held her back, faintly shaking his head.
Kuja's eyes narrowed to slits, and he shot Eiko a glare.
"As I can see, you got yourself a storyteller. Well, I don't mind," he seemingly indifferently sighed. "It destroys part of the play, but that's just how you humans are; you disturb the beauty of this planet and everything connected to it. It's a shame you have defiled it so much. But luckily, I am here to end this." He smiled maliciously.
Dagger shook her head. "We won't let you!" She quickly sent her eyes over to Amarant, Freya and Vivi. Her friends nodded, quickly drew their weapons and rushed towards Kuja.
The sorcerer laughed as he easily escaped Amarant's deadly claws.
"Again, my canary? Haven't you realized yet my power is not from this world?"
He blocked Freya's spear with what seemed like a light tap of the back of his hand, and Vivi's concentrated spell deflagrated before it hit him.
Dagger quickly turned to Zidane and took his hands like Eiko had told them to. The blue haired girl stood in front of the two, closing her eyes and starting a chanting of her own while Blank stood close by her side to protect her; she was preparing for summoning Madeen, in the case Kuja succeeded to shake off the joined efforts of Amarant, Vivi and Freya.
Everything has been prepared for this moment, Dagger thought with fear before she turned her head back to Zidane.
"Ready?" she whispered nervously, and Zidane worked up a grin.
"Sure. Let's do this!"
The last thing Dagger saw before she closed her eyes were Zidane's oceanic pools. He emitted confidence and security, and he gently squeezed her hand.
I can do this, Dagger thought as she took a deep breath. I am not alone.
She felt the vibrations of the Eidolons inside of her. Each of them lend her their grand powers to support her mind and soul during the summoning.
Dagger's lips formed the words she had been taught by Eiko, and she heard Zidane's tongue chanting them as well.
Soon, the sounds of the battle before her were drowned in the song, and all she felt was the resonance with Zidane's soul and power.
She didn't hear how Amarant yelped in pain as a strike of lighting struck his shoulder.
"Amarant!" Freya yelled and carelessly turned her head.
"Fool," Kuja laughed and sent a spell her way.
Freya jerked her head, but she couldn't escape the burning ball of fire flying towards her. She opened her mouth to let out a cry of fear, tightly closing her eyes as she prepared herself for the impact.
But instead, she heard an almost silent groan if front of her. She opened her eyes blinking; someone had thrown himself in front of her, blocking the magic attack with a spear bigger than her own.
"Fratley!" Freya gasped surprised, and the man turned his head back to her.
"Darling," he simply said with a soft smile. His white fur wore traces of battles, dirty and bloody, but the eyes under the wide, brown hat were as positive as ever.
"Why?" Freya could not help but ask, clinging on to Fratley's arm. "Where? How?"
Fratley smiled. "I will tell you everything, my darling, but now's not the time."
As if on cue, Kuja spoke another spell, and Fratley's feet were pushed deeper into the platform, his claws screeching protestingly against the stone.
Freya's eyes darkened upon the struggle of her lover. With a cry, she threw herself forward, her spear dancing around, each swing promising certain death.
Amarant regained his posture, shaking his body before readying his hands again.
"I will not let you harm her," he growled darkly as he blew his claws at Kuja.
"Noble words, coming from a murderer," the sorcerer commented and Amarant roared.
Eiko, who had still closed her eyes, gestured towards Blank.
"Help them."
"But, if I leave, you will -"
"I'm fine," Eiko interrupted calmly. "Madeen is here. Now go!"
Blank hesitated for a moment, then he dashed forward with a curse, swinging his falchion at their enemy.
The sorcerer still laughed, but he was pushed into the defensive with the combined powers of the five; they couldn't harm him, but it wasn't as easy for him to shake them off either.
Zidane and Dagger were still chanting; a bright light enclosed them and Kuja jerked his head. His eyes narrowed dangerously, and suddenly, his expression became more fierce.
"What are you trying to do, little girl!?" He yelled at Eiko who stood before the two. The girl didn't move, but that seemed to make Kuja even more furious.
"Answer me! What have these weak Eidolons been plotting behind my back!?"
They all heard the fear sounding from his voice, and while it reinforced their hopes, it also meant bad: Kuja doubled his efforts, magic dancing from his finger tips, hammering down around the platform.
"Madeen!" Eiko called out, and the Eidolon manifested itself above her, just in time to catch a bolt of lightning aiming for Zidane and Dagger.
"How dare you defy me!?" Kuja spat bewildered, putting more strength into the spell, but Madeen shook it off.
Eiko clenched her teeth as Madeen used her soul to amplify its strength. She moaned weakly and Blank jumped forward.
"Eiko!"
"Stay back!" She cried at him and wrapped her arms around her chest while Madeen caught the spells directed at the summoners behind her.
Blank cursed and let out a yelp of helplessness before he turned back to fight the sorcerer.
Zidane and Dagger didn't realize any of this. They were caught in their summoning, repeatedly chanting.
Faintly, Dagger could hear the cries of the battle.
What is-
'Concentrate.' It was Bahamut, his voice stern and dark.
Dagger gulped, but otherwise continued to sing.
She felt how her power, the magic of the Eidolons and Zidane's strength came together, forming a grand orb of bright light, pulsing with energy. Her knees started to feel weak and suddenly, Zidane squeezed her hand more.
'Don't be afraid,' his voice sounded in her head. For a second, the princess was startled; but then, she realized that their minds and souls were so closely connected that it was only natural for them to hear each other's thoughts.
She mentally nodded. 'As long as you're with me.'
The orb grew bigger and brighter, almost absorbing every part of Dagger's mind and soul.
'Ahh.' It took Dagger a moment to realize that it was Shiva's voice inside of her growling in pain.
'Shiva! What is -'
'Don't worry about me!' The Ice Queen regained her composure, though her presence wavered.
'Concentrate on summoning Ark,' the Eidolon demanded.
Dagger shivered. If it wasn't for the support of the Eidolons, her energy would have long been used up.
'I'm sorry,' the princess thought as she continued the summon.
She couldn't say for how long she and Zidane sang. It could have been merely minutes, but just as well hours until suddenly, the orb exploded in light.
The power that ran through Dagger's body threatened to devour her, and it was only for Zidane's tight grasp that she didn't fall to her knees.
She stopped her singing, as Eiko had told her to, but Zidane kept on chanting. They were different words, and he spoke them as quickly as he could without messing up the rhythm of the song.
Dagger shook in fear.
'Zidane, what are you doing!?' She called out, but it was as if a wall had been erected around his mind – she couldn't get through to him.
Suddenly, it was Zidane who shook and shivered, his knees becoming weak, and this time, Dagger had to keep him up.
Zidane's words stopped abruptly, the silence around them disappeared to the cries and groans of the battle their friends fought.
Their hands somehow lost each other and Zidane stumbled around, breathing heavily.
Dagger clutched her hand to her chest; partly because she felt dizzy, but mostly because Zidane's weakened state terrified her.
"Zidane!" She called out his name and the thief shook his head as if to shake off a bug.
"I'm... I'm fine," he slowly said, but his shaking eyes gave him away.
"What-" Dagger made a step forward when she suddenly heard a cry.
"What is this!?" Freya stared up directly above Dagger's head, so the summoner swirled around. Her jaw dropped.
Above her hovered an airship as big as the entire castle. It didn't look like an ordinary airship, though; it was mostly long, and two airscrews at its top were rotating constantly in high speed. Four wheels – at each corner one – were attached to the thing, and a massive, long sword stood out from the front of the airship, as long as the rest of its body. At its bow was something that resembled a dragon's head – a mechanical one, that is, in gold with dark eyes.
It was a terrifying, overwhelming sight.
Dagger gulped, her mouth was dry.
"This... this is Ark," she could only mumble. The others stared as well, and even Kuja had frozen. Not only was Ark's size incredible – though it would have been enough on its own already – but the Eidolon gave away an aura of power that was second to none. Dagger couldn't imagine how anyone, or anything was supposed to oppose that monster.
Suddenly, the wheels at Ark's sides started to spin. The mechanical mouth opened and a loud screech occurred that pinned Dagger and everyone else on the platform to the ground.
"Guide him!" Eiko hollered over the deafening sound. "Quickly, before he runs out of control!"
Dagger nodded, raising herself on to her legs. She shook and Ark's cries made it next to impossible for her to stand. She stumbled over to Zidane, who stared at their summon with wide eyes, and grabbed his hands.
"Zidane, concentrate!" She yelled above the noise. Zidane turned his head, his eyes alarmingly empty, before he nodded slowly.
"... Yeah."
They both closed their eyes again, reaching out for Ark's soul. It was mostly Dagger's job, since she could use her horn, so Zidane only contributed his energy to it.
The mind of Ark was fundamentally different from the other Eidolons and Dagger was scared to even scrape it. It seemed to expand over the physical boundaries of Ark's body, spreading so far that Dagger couldn't tell where it ended – she might even be inside its reach (which was a scary thought.) The soul was a whirling pool of power, and there was a constant noise in it, almost deafening Dagger's inner ears.
When she mustered her courage, Dagger soon realized that words didn't seem to mean anything to Ark, so she tried her best to imply what she wanted through images and feelings.
There was a sudden silence, both inside of Ark's soul as well as outside. It seemed to take a moment to adjust itself, and then, it turned, unnaturally quiet for a thing of its size, until the sharp tip of the gigantic sword pointed towards Kuja.
The sorcerer paled and screamed something with trembling lips. A swirling pool of energy formed in between his hands, but as soon as it reached a size bigger than a watermelon, wisps of the energy were drawn to Ark, getting lost between the rotating airscrews.
Kuja's face paled even further, looking like a ghost, and he hastily chanted another spell. But just like the one before, it was absorbed immediately.
Dagger could see the panic in Kuja's eyes; he stumbled over his words, trying to find a spell Ark would not absorb, only to walk backwards when he saw that there was none.
"What is this thing!?" Kuja screeched terrified when the wheels on Ark started turning, proceeding to move the Eidolon forward.
Kuja's eyes widened when he suddenly laughed madly.
"Oh, so this is it!" He spread his arms out wide with maniacally glistening eyes. "This is the one and only Ark – the Eidolon of the legends, the strongest being on this planet!" The sorcerer fell onto his knees, still laughing, and bowed his head graciously.
"Oh, Ark, master of all Eidolons, connected soul of the two worlds, messenger of darkness – it is an honor to meet you, a soul akin to mine!"
Kuja raised his head, obviously trying to suppress the scared shivers of his body as Ark came closer and closer.
"Both of us have been born by the Eternal Darkness from these planets' cores! We share the same beauty of finality in our servants' eyes, we bring death to every thing we touch!"
Ark screeched even louder, the tip of its giant sword was only inches away from Kuja's nose.
The sorcerer inadvertently twitched, a drop of silver blood running down his nose, but otherwise kept up his posture.
"I have been waiting for you, Ark," Kuja continued to say with a lowered voice, dark of secrets and evil plotting. "I had been waiting for a chance to meet you, and now, it has finally arrived! Become my ally, my master, my dark messenger, and together, we can consume these petty planets in the haunting beauty of crepuscule!"
For a moment, Dagger held her breath.
Why doesn't Ark kill him!? She panicked.
It didn't seem to listen to my words, how can it understand him!? He doesn't even have a horn, he's -
'Silence!' Bahamut interrupted her chaotic train of thought with his low growl.
'Wait,' was all he advised her to do, and despite her heart almost jumping out of her chest, she gulped and tried to calm her shaking hand.
Suddenly, she felt how Zidane reached out for her, his fingers wrapping around hers, and he gently squeezed her hand. She looked up, seeing how his usual grin adorned his face, and she slowly managed to nod.
Ark became completely silent. Even the airscrews didn't create any sound. They all waited anxiously; Freya pressed herself against Fratley, both of them pointing their spears towards Kuja. Vivi was clinging on to his staff, his small hands shaking, but Dagger was sure to see him readying a spell nonetheless. Amarant wore his typical frown, ignoring the blood that ran down from his injury in thick, heavy streams, keeping his claws up and ready for battle. Blank had wrapped one arm around Eiko, who was trembling from her summon. And Kuja seemed to have frozen.
Time seemed to have stopped as they waited for Ark to do something. The silence became unbearable, almost deafening in a numb way, when suddenly, Ark's mouth opened wide. No sound escaped the mechanical construct, but the Eidolon flew up in the sky, and transformed its body. The different parts of its figure readjusted their positioning until the Eidolon resembled a grand mechanical knight, though it's head was the sword. The screws and wheels spun madly and suddenly, a laser shot out of its body, drawing a glyph on the platform with Kuja in the center.
The sorcerer shrieked in fear, trying to get up to flee, but Ark wouldn't let him. Explosives were fired from its wings, cloaking Kuja in scorching fires. Among the flames, Dagger could spot Kuja's magic dancing wildly, trying to find a way out of the pain, but as soon as it reached the corners of the glyph, the power faded into nothingness. By the looks of it, the amount of magic present in that circle was more than enough to destroy an entire planet – just as Eiko had said.
Kuja's voice had reached a pitch higher than anything Dagger had ever heard; it hurt her ears, so she pressed her hands on her head, but she couldn't turn her gaze away from the horrifying scene in front of her.
The fog and dust seemed to clear, but before she could spot Kuja – or whatever had been left of his body – Ark shot down a giant laser, as thick as a tree's trunk, and Kuja cried out one final time. The heat threatened to burn Dagger's face; she smelled burnt flesh and hair, her stomach felt sick and she finally closed her eyes.
Kuja's screams vanished, and soon did the flames.
"It's over, Dag'," Zidane gently shook her shoulders.
Blinking, the princess opened her eyes. Ark had disappeared, the sky seeming empty without the giant figure of the Eidolon. The platform had burst where the glyph had been, leaving nothing but empty space, though Dagger was amazed that anything in Alexandria was still standing after Ark's attack.
'Nothing else had been hurt because of your chanting and believe,' Bahamut explained, and Dagger shook.
'Does that mean that if I wavered, Ark would have destroyed us all?'
Bahamut took his time to reply. 'I... don't think so.' Something about Bahamut's voice seemed uncertain, but before Dagger could ask, her friends started moving again.
"Is it... really over?" Vivi asked, his yellow orbs blinking.
"It is," Eiko responded quietly, and after another second, they all released their tension.
Freya and Fratley sunk to the ground, hugging each other tightly while laughing. Vivi fell down on his butt, did his hat with that typical shy gesture, and put his staff aside. Amarant allowed a small smile to form on his face before he sat down, grimacing as his wound hurt.
"Oh, Amarant!" Dagger realized and rushed towards her guardian. She almost gagged upon the sight of his burnt and torn flesh, but she took a deep breath and placed her hand on his wound.
"Save your energy," the warrior grunted, trying to shake her off, but Dagger didn't move.
"I will heal you, whether you like it or not!"
Amarant grumbled something inaudible, but heaved a sigh as the pain disappeared.
"Are you alright, Dagger, my dear?" Freya asked; she still held on to Fratley's hand, looking as if she refused to ever let go of him.
The princess nodded. "What about you?"
Freya laughed, though her ribs seemed to hurt as she did. "I'm fine, thanks to him showing up." She jerked her hand and Fratley stumbled forward, laughing.
"You must be Sir Fratley!" Dagger breathed and quickly bowed her head, a gesture which Fratley mimicked.
"It is an honor meeting you, your excellency," he said with his calm voice. "I am sorry I showed up this late; but even though I had learned of Kuja's plotting, I failed to find the crystal." The Dragon Hunter chuckled. "Had I known the crystal was a person, things would have been a lot easier for me."
"So that's where you had been!" Freya exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, darling," Fratley apologized and took her other hand as well. "I wanted to tell you, but I feared that Kuja might kill everyone related to me. I couldn't bare the thought of bringing you in danger."
"Idiot," Freya mumbled as she leaned towards her lover. "You knew I was going to follow you, didn't you? I would follow you anywhere, no matter how dangerous."
"I knew, but I foolishly hoped you wouldn't."
Dagger smiled upon the sight of her reunion, then she turned to Vivi to inspect his body for injuries.
Zidane watched the scene with a smile.
We... finally did it, huh? He lifted his head to the sky and a tightness clutched his heart. He caught Eiko glaring at him, but he ignored it. He knew what was going to happen; she didn't need to remind him of that.
First, it came very slowly, almost sneakily: A blue light that encircled his body, starting from his chest. It grew bigger and bigger, until it finally attracted the attention of his friends. Their smiling faces quickly turned worried as they turned to him.
"Zidane!" Dagger yelped and ran up to him.
He grinned sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Dag'. Looks like I can't stay to your coronation after all."
"No," Dagger whispered as she understood.
"No! Why!? Where are you going!?" She screamed her protest, shaking as she wrapped her arms around his chest, tears streaming down her face.
Zidane turned his head to look at Eiko, examining her before turning back to Dagger.
"I'm going... home," he slowly explained, patting the princess' head.
"My job on this planet has been fulfilled. I'm going back to Terra."
Dagger sobbed, constantly mumbling 'No's, 'Don't leave me!'
"Zidane," Freya spoke with a heavy voice.
The thief looked up. The light had engulfed him completely, and his skin started to become see-through.
"I'd apologize for not being able to search for Fratley with you – but as I see, he's here already. Iron-Tail!" He greeted the Dragon Hunter who chuckled with sad eyes.
"I wish our meeting wasn't as ill-fated," Fratley mumbled, but Zidane only waved it away.
The thief briefly looked at Vivi, sending him a smile, while the mage mumbled: "So that's what it was all about."
Zidane caught Amarant's serious regard. The warrior's eyes were narrowed, arms crossed over his chest.
"Don't forget your promise, Amarant."
His eyes narrowed even further. "I won't."
By now, Zidane found it hard to see. The magic from Terra that was calling him home slowly dissolved his body. Still, his sight was good enough to see Blank clenching his teeth.
"I'm sorry, brother," Zidane quietly said.
Blank growled something dark, the knuckles on his hands turning white, before he let out a surrendering yelp.
Suddenly, Zidane's feet left the ground. Dagger gasped as he was slowly pulled away from her grip.
"No! Zidane, no!"
Zidane worked up a smile. "I'm really sorry, Dagger."
"If you don't leave, there's nothing to be sorry about!" Dagger pleaded as his body was out of her reach. She stretched her arms, but even if she jumped, her fingertips couldn't even reach his shoes.
Zidane smiled even wider, though his eyes were saddened. The remainder of his body faded away, the wind carrying his final words.
"I'm... really happy I chose to go with you."
"No! No, no, no!" Dagger cried, but Zidane was gone. She fell unto her knees in the attempt to grasp the thin air. Her orange jumper teared up, her knees were bruised, but she didn't feel that pain. She lowered her head to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, clutching her hands to the chest where she was sure her heart was breaking into pieces.
Author's note
Please don't kill me! I know, Zidane is gone, but that was really necessary - after all, he belongs to Terra, not Gaia. I'm sorry if some of you are hating me from separating Dagger and Zidane - please, spare me! I'm just as devastated ;_;
But, on a brighter note, Kuja is gone! I hope the whole Ark and Eiko combo didn't seem like a deus ex machina to you - I have tried to leave hints all along the storyline. But I didn't want things to be too obvious. If you read the story once more with all these things in mind, I'm sure you'd catch more of the subtle hints along the way.
Before I get death-wishes, go ahead and read the long, looong, epilogue. It will be worth it, I promise. There are still some lose ends in this story, but the epilogue wraps up everything, I can guarantee that!
Excited to read your thoughts on this chapter!
- Ruska