Next chapter ready. I'm running out of ideas for chapter names, but this one should cut it for this segment of the moon's sub terrene. This one is still going to be somewhat action-packed. That goes double for the next few chapters. I don't know how many I should split the Depths portion of the novelization into, but I might not finish until Octobor at the latest. We'll see.

I can't say I'm going to be very accurate with Edward and Harley's conversation from the game and Edge and Yang's, but I'll improvise if I have to. Edward and Harley might be a bit OOC and cheesier than they were in-game, by the way.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy IV: The After Years and its characters were developed by Squaresoft.

Requiem of Water, Wind and Fire

The group woke hours later, feeling refreshed. Rosa, Rydia and Kain restarted the campfire to prepare breakfast, consisting of mostly fruit and some steak. Ceodore and Golbez went to scout ahead for a bit while their companions were waking, taking Cecil with them.

"You would think that we'd get somewhere, already. We've gone quite deep" remarked Edge.

"Not to mention the reincarnations of our past enemies" muttered Rydia, who was peeling a pear"But we should find something, eventually. Its not like we're gonna be stuck somewhere with no end."

"Hey, what should we do about the cottage?" asked Palom.

Porom shrugged"No sense maintaining that one, the magical properties within it would only remain stable for one night, it could collapse any moment since we used up the magic that was used to construct it in the first place. But we should have plenty more portable shelters. Rosa, how many did we pack?"

"Quite a few, Golbez said we might have a week at the most, so I made sure to buy enough for everyone for those seven days" replied the older White Mage.

Golbez's group returned from their patrol to see their companions up and getting ready. The older half-lunarian addressed Rosa"There weren't many monsters in the caverns next to us, but we still pick up the pace if possible."

"Least we know its mostly safe" said Rydia"How's Cecil?"

"Still hasn't fully regained consciousness, but he helped a little with some of the monsters we encountered while scouting" shrugged Golbez.

The group ate breakfast a couple minutes later before starting off left of the cavern-like passageway. Monster activity was minimal, so they pressed on to the furthest cavern and down the northernmost passageway.

'This cave sure is pretty, thought Ursula.'

"Crystal, dead ahead" Edge spotted a crystal blocking the way leading into another part of the caves. The area seemed to gradually darken as they approached, a familiar shelled monster was beginning to emerge.

"What the...?" Palom gasped.

"Is this...?" Porom trailed off.

The crystal shattered just as a bluish turtle-like monster appeared. Golbez readied himself"Cagnazzo... The drowned king..."

The Water Archfiend said nothing and sent a Tidal Wave as it summoned water barriers around itself, throwing the group back a bit. Rydia and Palom cast Thundaga, breaking the barrier while Ceodore and Kain cross slashed the monster. Cagnazzo countered with a Blizzara spell before withdrawing into his shell.

"Right" Golbez cast Blizagga as the Water Archfiend attempted to heal itself. Yang and Ursula pitched in, penetrating the shell and cracking it. Irritated, Cagnazzo emerged from his shell and cast Blizzara in retaliation. Palom countered with Firaga and Rydia with Ifrit. The Archfiend prepared to summon another Tsunami.

"Oh, no it doesn't" Palom quipped, zapping the monster with Thundaga. Ceodore and Kain rushed Cagnazzo with another Cross Slash, cracking the monster enough for Rydia to finish Cagnazzo with Ramuh's Judgement Bolt.

With its dying breath, Cagnazzo gazed at Golbez and whispered"Master..."

"Cagnazzo, I trust you'll sleep in peace this time, too" said the man in black as Cagnazzo disintegrated.

Rosa and Porom healed their allies wounds while Ceodore went to check on Cecil.

"If we're okay, we should probably resume formation with one group ahead of the other, we'll keep up the pace that way" said Rosa, glancing at Ceodore in case he had gotten hit by one of Cagnazzo's Blizzagas.

The cave beyond the blue cavern had a faintly greenish hue along the sides of the pathways. The group proceeded cautiously down the narrow paths and caves as they looked around.

A pair of Belphagor monsters intercepted them. Rosa shot down one with an arrow, while Kain took the other out with help from Yang. Ceodore shrugged"Wonder how many monsters there are, exactly."

"Another thing we'll have to find out" muttered Golbez"Let's just keep a lookout for now."

They soon came to yet another crystal, which shattered as what looked like a scantly-clad woman with yellowish green hair emerged.

"Its her, again" Rosa whispered"the Mistress of the Tower of Zot."

"Barbarricia" Golbez whispered, recognizing the Wind Archfiend.

Barbarricia shot out Thunder before wrapping herself into her tornado form.

"Figures, there's only one way through that" Kain muttered, jumping and slamming his feet into Barbarricia. The Wind Archfiend was forced out of her tornado wrap and countered with Petrify before throwing a thundara spell at the rest of the group. Rosa cast Curaga the group while Ceodore cast Esuna on Kain.

"Thundaga!" "Judgement Bolt!"

Golbez's spell and Rydia's summon staggered Barbarricia, who retaliated with another blast of thunder magic before going back into her tornado form, only for Kain to break her out of it, again. Infuriated, the Archfiend cast Tornado on the Dragoon, prompting Golbez to administer a X-Potion on Kain.

Barbarricia threw a Thundaga spell before going back into tornado form. Golbez zapped her with Blizzaga, followed by Ceodore's blade and Kain's jump attack. Rosa and Porom kept their allies on their feet, occasionally using Ethers to maintain their magic.

Yang and Ursula butted in, unleashing a jump kick at Barbarricia to keep her from shifting forms long enough for Ceodore and Kain to nab the Wind Archfiend with a Cross Slash.

Just before fading away, something in Barbarricia's mind clicked as she seemed to come out of whatever effect the crystal and whoever revived her had"Master Golbez... Forgive me..."

"It was not your fault" Golbez assured the wind Archfiend"We'll find whoever is behind this."

"Thank you..." Barbarricia whispered as she completely faded.

"I guess the resurrected Archfiends were being manipulated by whoever is in charge of this moon. I had no idea one of them was so beautiful" Ceodore whispered.

"The same thought occurred to me for a second when I first saw her, but enough of this" Kain mutterd.

The group proceeded onward to another cavern, which emitted a reddish hue. Seeing some stairs after going a short way in, they descended to find multiple cavern entrances and some Red Dragon Monsters.

"Let's take'em all out" Edge darted at one dragon, slicing it, only to get burned by its fire breath. Rydia cast Blizzaga on the dragon while Rosa cast Cura on the ninja king. Ceodore, Yang, Ursula, Golbez, Izayoi and Tsukinowa split to tackle the other dragons. Palom and Porom provided support by using their twin cast ability to cast a magical rain of stars and a flare attack on the monsters.

"This is such a drag" Tsukinowa gasped, exhausted from taking down two dragons. Izayoi managed to keep her distance and shoot down one or two monsters. Edge rejuvenated his two apprentices with Heal Pill while Rosa shot down a dragon that tried to attack Edge from behind.

"No doubt that this is more welcome than we deserve" remarked Palom, blasting a dragon with Blizzaga.

"This is a waste of time, let's just cut through the ones that matter and run" suggested Kain.

"Right, let's do it" Edge cut down another dragon. The group fought with a little difficulty into another cavern which led to a narrow passageway, leading them westward. There was a small cave built into the wall at the center.

"Let's rest here for a bit" suggested Yang.

"Good idea, we've been doing a lot of fighting, lately" nodded Rosa.

Back on the Lunar Whale, Edward was silently playing his harp at a corner on the ship's bottom level. As much as he'd wanted to help Cecil and the others, all he had for a weapon was a harp, of all things. Harley wasn't much more of a fighter, but she was decent with a whip.

"My lord?" said secretary addressed him as she approached, she had gone outside for a bit of fresh air for a while.

"Hm? Oh, hey, Harley" responded the Damcyan king.

"My lord, forgive me for asking... But might I ask that you play a song for me?" asked the Secretary.

Edward shrugged"I've been thinking on giving up the harp, actually."

Harley frowned, concerned"Why is that, my lord?"

"... One cannot create music with a heart so heavily chaotic" the bard replied.

"Chaotic?" Harley asked.

"There was a lot I had in my mind, things have changed so greatly these past years... Yet for me, its like I am... stopped in a undesirable moment of time from my memory. Even as I worked to rebuild our kingdom. I've yet to come to terms with my past experiences..." breathed Edward.

"Change is inevitable, as you say. If we were to consider change irrevocable for us, well... It is the same for me. The moon we embarked onto is much like the one that left us, yet is so different" murmured Harley.

The pair was silent for a moment before Harley spoke again"My lord, everyone is inspired by your songs."

"You really think so?" asked Edward, flushing.

Harley nodded"I myself am no different. Its always given me the strength to carry on... I never could imagine for some reason living without you or your songs."

"Thank you" smiled Edward.

Yang meditated near the fire as he and the rest of the group rested for a bit, feeling a presence in the ceiling"Edge?"

"Heh, not bad" the ninja jumped down behind him"So, how's Cecil doing?"

"He hasn't improved much... But I have faith that he'll find himself, again" shrugged the Fabulian king.

Edge was quiet for a moment"Speaking of Cecil, what do you think of Ceodore?"

"Ceodore has much potential, I do believe he'll turn out to be a fine king, someday. He's grown into a fine young man" said Yang.

"No kidding, and your daughter's nothing to sneeze at" grinned the ninja king.

"Not quite, she still has much to learn. And Edge, what do you intend to do with your kingdom?" inquired Yang"It would be a disaster for Eblan if you passed away without an heir."

Edge snorted"Oh, come on. You're sounding way too much like the Seneschal for my liking. I'm not old enough to worry about stuff like this, yet."

Yang shook his head"A king who does not think of the future cannot expect to make his subjects happy."

"Maybe so" Edge trailed off, glancing at Rydia, who was going through their inventory to check on their supplies. Yang took note of this, but kept quiet. It was somewhat common knowledge that Edge and Rydia have an affinity for each other, even though Edge hadn't gotten around to telling the Summoner his feelings for her.

"Is everyone ready? We may as well continue on" spoke Golbez.

The group got up and headed out the northern exit of the cavern they were resting in. A large plateau surrounded by lava awaited them as they went, a crystal stood in the center.

"This heat is intense" remarked Palom.

"This power... Is it...?" Rosa whispered.

Edge had an inkling who will emerge from this crystal and turned to address his comrades"Let me fight this one by myself. Call me reckless, I don't care, but I feel its personal between me and 'him.'"

"Edge, are you sure?" Rydia frowned, concerned.

"I'll be fine" Edge turned to grin at the summoner before turning in time to see the crystal shatter, as a red, caped demon emerged.

"That's the monster that attacked Eblan, seventeen years ago" Izayoi whispered as she saw Rubicante emerge.

Edge readied his Katana and attacked Rubicante before casting Flood. Rubicante countered with Firaga before shielding himself with his cape. Edge darted forward and slashed, only to get countered with an Inferno, prompting the ninja king to heal himself with Heal Pill. Rubicante attacked again with Firaga, blowing Edge backwards.

"Rubicante is the strongest of the four Elemental Archfiends, I've never heard of anyone able to beat him in single combat" murmured Golbez, frowning a bit at the ninja's recklessness.

"Should we help Edge?" asked Ceodore.

"No, he might just be able to win this, Rubicante doesn't seem to be thinking rationally at the moment" replied Golbez. Rydia, Porom and Palom watched nervously in silence.

Edge administrated a Hi-Potion before slashing at Rubicante, penetrating the cloak. Rubicante attacked once more with Inferno before letting his guard down"Now... Finish me..."

"He must be under enemy control, too" remarked Ceodore.

"Yeah, but I'd like to believe Edge can win. He's too stubborn to die" said Ryida.

Edge shot Flood, followed by Blitz at the fire Archfiend, who countered with Firaga. Edge kept himself on his toes with Heal Pill and slashed at Rubicante, staggering him. Rubicante made ready to counter with another Firaga, when Edge staggered him with a thrust. Rubicante recovered from the impact and cast Inferno. Edge healed himself once more and slashed rapidly as his nemesis.

"Enough of this..." Rubicante cast Firaga before putting up his cloak. Edge narrowly dodged it and struck hard with a stab of his katana. The Fire Archfiend staggered and let his guard down again to cast another Firaga.

"Okay, then..." Edge was a bit winded from the constant magic barrage and from constantly healing himself, but let loose with Flood before dashing forward and slashed twice at Rubicante then stabbing him.

"Urgh... Well fought..." Rubicante gasped as he came to his senses and healed Edge with the last of his magic"The fire burns within you even more stronger than it was before..."

As the fire archfiend faded away for good, Rydia spoke"Edge, are you okay?"

"Yeah" nodded the ninja, whose clothes were a bit scorched from his duel with Rubicante.

Porom glanced at the spot where Rubicante"He must have been an honorable warrior."

"Let's move onward" Rosa led the way into another cavern. This time, they appeared to be in some kind of corridor resembling that of the Giant of Babil's interior.

"We seem to be experiencing major deja vu" remarked Edge.

"No kidding, king obvious" Rydia muttered.

They walked down the corridor, hoping to find a place to rest a bit, as they had used quite a bit of magic getting this far. Setting up camp temporarily to regain their strength, they settled down in another safety field.

Okay, this is where I stop this chapter. The next one will cover the Giant of Babil's core, Asura and Leviathan and should end a little after an encounter with a certain special boss-type enemy that can only be beaten If Cecil and Golbez are in the active party in-game. I might also include Golbez and Ceodore's conversation.

Reviews are appreciated, as always.