Finding a Voice

by Bart415

Sequel to Voices Past Present: A voice from the past calls upon the daughter of Garnet and Zidane. The princess wonders the meaning behind the mysterious voice and sets forth on a spiritual journey with her closest friend and Eiko to seek the answer. During which Garnet has begun dealing with a political dilemma brought upon her after revealing her deepest secret to Alexandria.

13. The Crossing Pt 2

-Chapter 13-
The Crossing Pt. 2

"It feels strange…I'm not sure how to interpret this feeling I have inside of me. Is this fear? Am I nervous? Am I overthinking?

…Maybe…

I hear the sounds of the gargan traversing through the caverns of the underground lair. I've never in my life have been through here before. It seems so different than flying on an airship or even a chocobo stage coach. I wondered if this is what mother and papa saw during their travels. Myself, Rose and Eiko conversed a lot during the travel; I did see the many miners as we passed through Fossill Roo where they were all excavating to find treasures that laid deep in the earth beneath us. Our conversations ranged from Eiko speaking about her time with our parents, to memorable experiences when me and Rose growing up, and a brief history about the Eidolons who watch over Gaia.

I can only imagine how mother and papa will feel tomorrow, knowing that I am not going to be present for morning meal…for afternoon tea, for dinner, or even coming home from a trip to a nearby village or nation. I've never in my life ever woke up one day thinking I would not see them for a long period of time. Yet I'm not the only one who feels that way, I can see Rose who sat across from me; the feeling of not seeing her parents for a long time. She loves them so dearly that it's unheard of for her to ever separate from them for even just one day.

We both are in this together, we both seek the feeling of being independent and being able to care for those around us who mean much to us. We've been through so much together and we trust each other with our own lives. I will do everything I can in my power to look out for my dear friend. I want to be the inspiration she seeks to give her that self-confidence she has been building to embolden her abilities to be a strong woman in this world. After all, Alexandria has always been led by powerful women in our history, it only makes sense for her to be proud of the place she was born and raised in, even if it means living elsewhere.

There are many eyes looking over me now that I have left Alexandria…

I hope that I have not caused anymore stir than I already have, I know there is much to do when I return."

"GARGAN APPROACHING! GARGAN APPROACHING!"

Several Black Mages on the loading platform raised their arms in the air as they stood all around; the purple coat and steeple hat group looked towards the tunnel as the loud ticking sounds on the vines grew louder and louder. They could see a small flicker of light coming from out the tunnel.

"DISEMBARK CREW! COME FORTH!" A Black Mage called out as two tailed genomes appear from a nearby platform came over and stood beside the railing with a small opening.

"Be ready to unload any cargo that comes through here." The Black Mage said as the two genomes nodded.

"Yes sir." The genomes said.

"I can see the gargan, full view sir!" A Black Mage at the end of the platform called out. "Prepare for stoppage!"

A genome standing next to the black mage raised his hands while holding a small yellow floral arrangement in the air; a loud howling growl echoed in the tunnel as the flickering light became more prominent from the tunnel. The giant blue creature carrying the small carriage beneath it appeared before the workers as it made its way to the scent of the floral arrangement coming to a slow crawl.

"RELEASE THE WATER!" A Black Mage called out, a loud crashing noise erupted in the area as a wave of water started pouring behind the gargan, the creature with its massive head reached for the floral arrangement before it taking a snack at it as the carriage carrying three people and a dog was being tied up to the platform. One of the three passengers was surprised by the people she saw on the platform, her tail stiffened straight out of her robe the moment she laid eye contact with one of the genomes.

"…Papa?" she said to herself as the genome stood up from tying the last knot to the carriage, his blonde hair and blue eyes was clear as rain to her. The genome blankly looked towards her as she continued staring back. It was the first time she had ever seen a genome, she didn't know what to say or how to feel. The stories she heard from her father and aunt, of the soulless beings walking among them, created with almost no purpose, lost among the living, now before her.

"Uhm miss? Is everything alright?"

Sarah shook her head and looked towards the black mage standing next to the genome. He waved his hand towards Sarah as she blinked a few times.

"Oh, my apo…I mean I'm sorry…I'm just a little sick from the ride. That's all." Sarah half lied.

"Hmm? Are you alright?" Rose asked as she laid a hand on Sarah's shoulder. Sarah looked over her shoulder and shook her head.

"Just…a little." She responded as she looked back to the black mage.

"Oh goodness, we do have some herbal medicine that can fix that, it's very rare we have travelers coming through these parts now a days. Please step this way and let our workers help you with tho-"

"Nah! We're good here! We can take our own bags!" Eiko said as she pushed Sarah and Rose's satchels before them from behind. Sarah and Rose picked up their satchels; carrying it over their shoulders as they smiled to the black mage and genome.

"It's alright for us to carry them." The genome blandly said, the voice was too coincidental to Sarah's ears. Her entire life the voice of her father is memorable, not even on stage when he must adapt to the characters he's casted as. His soft gentle mid-tone, his sly words, his kindness; the genome's voice sounded uncannily liked Zidane's. Sarah felt her face heating up, her heart thumping louder than normal to her own ears. What was this feeling inside of her, was she confused? She took a deep breath and carefully stepped off the carriage; she carefully wrapped her tail underneath her robe making sure nobody would notice it; followed by her pet companion who started sniffing the genome.

"Zoe! Leave…him alone, he's doing his job." She said as the pet walked back towards Sarah. The genome took note of the pet while Rose and Eiko stepped off the carriage as well.

"What is a Zoe?" The genome asked.

"Huh?" Sarah looked at the genome staring blankly towards her.

"Tis only a pet, you've seen them around." The black mage responded. Sarah looked over her shoulder towards the Black Mage confused then looked back towards the blank faced genome.

"She's…it's her name…she's my pet who I travel with a lot." Sarah said.

"A pet?" he said. "What is its purpose?"

"By gods please focus on your work, you can ask questions later during break." The black mage snapped as the genome looked towards the Black Mage.

"Understood."

"I don't mean to sound so harshly you three, he's barely started here and our workload lately hasn't been as much as it normally is lately."

"Hmm?" What do you mean?" Rose asked.

"It's quite odd, several months ago there has been less shipping requests around these parts, our home village and Conde Petie hasn't seen much merchants passing through here. I'm not sure why but business has been slow as of late."

Eiko raised an eyebrow.

"So what gives?" She asked as she stood behind Sarah, Rose and Zoe.

"I'm not sure to be honest, though sorry to quickly change the topic but I must ask to see your travel documents, since you're coming from out of the continent."

The girls nodded, one by one each of them pulled out a sheet of paper, handing them over to the Black Mage as he inspected them. Rose was in awe by the glowing eyes, she had always been fascinated by the Black Mages all her life, even when playing with Vivi's children while she was younger. She wondered if there was a chance she would see them again on their journey. Eiko kept surveying the entire area they stood.

She could spot many workers just standing around doing nothing, a few genomes and black mages conversing with one another. Cranes just towering over several platforms in the port area with nothing to load or unload. A few stands in the distance leading out towards an archway that led towards the Outer Continent itself and crates all around just towering over sections of the area. Her last passage she recalled the same sight; it was a bit strange that nobody was passing through here anytime she took the gargan passage going back and forth between Lindblum and the Outer Continent. Despite many merchants preferring the easier and cheaper route of shipping their merchandises through here, she wondered if the new airship port in Alexander caused some sort of ripple effect yet it didn't add up since it was more than a year ago that it opened up.

She looked back to the black mage as he finished reviewing their papers; he handed them back.

"Everything looks good here." He said as she quietly sighed with relief.

"Thank the gods Garnet was able to forge these, we don't need too much attention on us, let alone anyone finding out who we really are." Eiko thought to herself.

"And the three of you are making your ways towards Conde Petie?" he asked.

The three nodded.

"Hmm, taking a relaxing vacation, it's been quite dull back in Treno." Sarah smiled.

"Treno?" Rose looked over as Sarah carefully nudged Rose. "Oh…ye…yes…it's been awful with school."

"Treno sounds scary." The black mage shivered. "Well, there is some fog out here at the moment, please be careful while traveling there. It will be quite a walk though; then again we've been begging the locals at Conde Petie to build some sort of lift mechanism into their home to make traveling easier from their over passage."

"Over passage?" Sarah tilted her head.

"Conde Petie you'll spot it on your route when it's normally clear but you have to go around the basin just to get to it."

"I think I read about this at school…built over a canyon, from adobes and large branches that hold up the structure between here and the nearby beach." Rose noted.

"You certainly know your geography young lady." The black mage was impressed.

"We got this! I've been here a couple times so I'm used to it." Eiko grinned.

"Well now, please do careful now, and Miss Rachel Dent, please help yourself to some herbal medicine at the stand there." The black mage pointed to a small stand near the exit of the area. Sarah looked along and nodded.

"Will do, thank you so much." Sarah responded.

"Hmm! Rachel, Alex, let's keep moving, dun wanna stay out in the fog too long, plus I'm starting to work up an appetite!" Eiko said as Sarah and Rose looked to her and nodded.

"Hmm let's go then." Sarah said. The group and Zoe started making their way towards the archway of the port, Sarah however kept her eye on the genome as they passed him. She couldn't shake the idea the genome standing before her, despite wearing a clean brown collared shirt tucked in his massive dark brown cargo pants; a mirror image of Zidane. The genome did however at the last moment stare back at her, sending a chill down her spine. She felt her tail flinch nearly revealing itself from underneath her robe, but quickly with her free hand grabbed it before it slid out.

Despite the pain it brought her, she purposely bit her tongue trying not to say something out of line or give herself away. Zoe looked up to her wagging her tail happily; Sarah briefly looked down towards her pet. "Do you think…he looked like papa?" She said thinking her pet would understand.

Rose looked over to her friend as she vaguely heard her friend's words.

"Sa..er…Rachel…are you alright?" Rose asked.

Sarah looked up to her friend, she smiled.

"I…I am…just a bit…surprised." Sarah said.

"Pretty weird huh?" Eiko looked over as Rose and Sarah looked towards Eiko.

"What do you mean?" Sarah asked.

"I could tell you were pretty shocked, aside from only knowing your pops and Mikoto, I had a feeling you'd be surprised to see the genomes up close and personal." Eiko said.

"Hmm…." Sarah looked around the area as they continued walking. The genomes around her all seemed lifeless just standing around, it was as if she was standing in Terra itself as Zidane described his first encounter with them. Though his reaction was more realizing than it was surprising, Sarah herself didn't know how to feel about her encounter. It was somewhat confusing to her, to see her father more livelily than the genomes around her was puzzling, in the many years since their arrival on Gaia one would think they would've been more social than just standing around.

"They're not like papa…" she said.

"Hmm! That's probably because they've more than likely be secluded in Black Mage Village than given the chance to really travel the world like we do. I don't know if it's because Mikoto isn't taking risks or something."

"Hmm…"

"I know this isn't going to be easy to see all of this but, remember don't let this distract you from the big picture here."

Sarah looked towards Eiko and nodded.

"I understand…I will do my best."

"Good! Now realistically speaking, let's make sure we don't stay to long here; I'm not getting any good vibes here. I know it's just black mages and genomes but the air here isn't sitting well with me." Eiko said as she looked forward towards the archway leading to the outside.

"Is…is everything alright?" Rose asked.

Eiko shook her head.

"It's kinda hard to explain but it will resonate with Rachel if anything." Eiko looked to Rose.

"It will?"

"Hmm! It comes with the summoner's feelings, though for her since she doesn't have a horn." Sarah looked over. "The idea of knowing your surroundings based on a sensory feeling we tend to have. I dunno if you can feel it like I can but it doesn't mean that something isn't there when it is there. If that makes sense."

"Hmm…" Sarah looked around the area, surveying anything that seemed out of the ordinary to her. "I don't believe so…" She looked back towards Eiko.

"Like said, it comes with the sense that we as summoners have. If anything I thi-ACK!"

Eiko collided with a person in her walking path, they both fell over and Eiko dropped her satchel. She lifted herself up with one hand and held her head with the other.

"The fuckin hells is wrong with you!?" A man called out who stood over them, with Sarah, Rose and Zoe stopping before them. The girls kneeled down to help pick up Eiko and the man. "YOU BLIND OR STUPID!?" The fallen man stood up as Eiko dusted herself off.

"Well excuse you too! I was distracted okay? Jeez it's not like I ruined your clothes or something!"

"Oi stupid ass, Why duncha pay ttention to where ya walkin!?" The man adjusted his red bandana covering his hair.

"Oh well EXCUSE me PRINCESS THING! You two got a date together or something!?" Eiko snapped back as she picked up her satchel.

The two men gave a dirty glare towards Eiko, the two wore matching light brown colored and various ripped up portions of their tunics, one had a black coat one while other didn't. Both boring black leather belts with tiny satchels attached to them.

"You seem like a yappy type; you come here often?" The black robed man said as he reached carefully on his hip. Sarah took note of the man's hand movement and quickly stood in front of Eiko.

"And if she is!?" She snapped at the man; Rose let out a small gasp as she noted Sarah standing firm on her ground. "Rachel I can handle this, trust me." Eiko said as he put her hand on Sarah's shoulder.

"Rachel huh? Them beautiful blue eyes look quite alluring now." The hoodless man said as licked his lips; sending chills down Sarah's spine.

"UGH! Disgusting, you kiss your mom with those lips?" Sarah said as she placed her hand behind her back.

"Oh ho ho; is that the best you can do gorgeous?" the man responded.

"Rachel….I mean what I said, I can handle this." Eiko reiterated as she nudged Sarah to step aside. A growling noise came from beneath the two as everyone noted Zoe growling towards the man with her legs spread out in a pounce like position.

"Oi! Whose lil bitch is this now?" the hooded man said. Zoe let out a vicious bark that echoed in the entire area; several black mages and genomes looked over, the black mages without giving any second thought fled from the area while the genomes stood by lifelessly just observing.

"Is anyone really gonna just sit here and watch this shit take place!?" Eiko yelled out as the genomes just stood by not even wincing their heads. "…figures…." She said to herself.

"HAHAHA! I see you ain't from around here huh?" The hooded man said as he reached for Sarah. Instinctively Sarah slapped his arms away from her as Zoe barked louder.

"BACK OFF SCUM BAG!" Sarah howled, startling Rose unexpectedly. Rose felt her body trembling. Her heart began thumping, louder and louder and louder. She didn't know whether to say something or not it all seemed to happen so fast she didn't know whether or not to reach for her rapier.

"Oi lookit that now, this one got lil fight in her now dun she?" The bandana wearing man snickered.

"Rachel seriously…back off now!" Eiko commanded Sarah as she looked over her shoulder.

"Cousin I ca-AHH!" Sarah was pulled forward as the hooded man revealed his knife and held it against Sarah's throat and his other arm wrapped around her upper torso. Eiko bent her knees and raised her fists as Rose gasped in shock. Zoe pounced for the man's legs gripping them with her teeth, the man shook Zoe off as his partner kicked the dog with all his might in her stomach. Zoe let out a wail and ran off towards a large pallet of boxes nearby as Sarah looked on in shock. "ZOE!" She looked back to the unhooded man. "YOU FUCKIN ASSHOLE!" Sarah shook with all her might trying to break free from her captor but couldn't get any ounce off of him.

"Make a move and you'll be sleeping in the tunnels with the gargan!" He said as he brushed the knife against Sarah's neck. The cold steel felt nerve wrecking to the princess, she looked at Eiko who was holding herself back from making a mistake that could cause her own death. Without thinking Rose found herself drawing out her rapier aiming it towards Sarah's captor.

"By…by…by order of Her Royal Highness, I….I….I….I ORDER…you…to release…her!" Rose stuttered as the two men laughed at her. Rose swallowed her breath; she felt her entire body trembling, her hand felt heavy as she held out her rapier.

"Her Royal Highness!?" The hooded man said as he laughed. Eiko couldn't believe Rose potentially revealed Sarah. The Princess looked at Rose's fearful demeanor, she knew her friend didn't mean to reveal her true identity but she was trying her hardest to stand by her promise.

"I…I…I mean it." Rose trembled so much blade itself could be seen shaking between everyone.

"Dammit! This isn't exactly what I had in mind!" Eiko thought to herself.

"You two bozos don't realize who you're messing with!" Eiko called out trying to divert the men's attention.

"Not yet you're not." A deep tone voice called out from behind, as the group looked over towards an approaching group of men, being led by a man with long bushy brown hair, a large scar protruding from his left lip cutting across part of his cheek, wearing a long sleeve maroon collared button shirt covered by a ripped apart brown vest, a dark black leather belt with various sheaths, and chocolate brown slacks and knee high brown boots. Wielding a small dagger in his right hand constantly shaking it while making chewing sounds while slightly hunched over studying the girls intently.

He lifted up his left hand upward as his small entourage of five stood back as he walked up towards Eiko first. Eiko looked at his black like eyes as he studied every inch of her face, he took his free hand and grabbed her cheek moving it left and right. She didn't know whether to shake him off or throw a punch without putting Sarah and Rose's lives in danger.

"Oh look at this now a horn you have, tell me you feelin little horny tonight?" the man said as his breath disgusted Eiko as she closed her eyes letting out a gagging sound.

"Your foul stench of a mouth makes it less arousing now." She snapped back as he threw her head to the side throwing her off balance as he let out a maniacal laugh.

"OH! So you're a witty one! I like it when they're witty!" he said while laughing. Sarah watched the scarred man as Eiko stood up while holding her throbbing neck with her hands. Rose redirected her rapier towards the man; still trembling before everyone.

"Ohhh someone with a little bedazzle now aren't we?" he said as he eyeballed Rose and let out a wicked smirk.

"Stand…stand back!" Rose yelled out. The man continued to make his chewing sounds as he stepped closer to the blade, he could clearly Rose's trembling hand helming her rapier, he lifted his dagger and brushed it against Rose's blade as the steel made an unbearable sound that hurt the girls' ears. Rose felt her face cringing tightly with the man laughing at her.

"Stand back you say? More like stand up for yourself." The man knocked the rapier out of Rose's hands with his knife as Rose yelped, the rapier fell on the ground sounding louder to Rose's ears as she held her wrist from the pain she felt from the rapier being knocked out of her hand.

"Y'know if your gonna point a sword at someone you better be sure you're gonna use it." He said while Rose looked back towards him.

"Tha…tha…that was my mother's…gi…gi..gifted to me!" She blurted out as she brought her hands closer to her; still massaging her wrist.

"Oh yu…yu…yu…yu…your mother's sword is it now?" He laughed; Rose could feel the tears slowly creeping their way out of her eyes as the scarred man circled her, she kept her eyes on his as he looked at her like an animal ready to pounce to her.

"You gonna cry now little girl? Do you need your mommy now?" He continued to laugh at her. "If you're these girls protector you certainly failed miserably already!"

The scarred man's followers laughed along. Rose looked around herself, hearing their laughter, their eyes terrified her. She could hear herself breathing hastily, letting herself drop to her knees; shaking with guilt. Her entire body froze, her tears warmly sliding down her cheeks, unable to comprehend what to do next, gazing upon her fallen rapier, hearing the voices of her parents reminding her how proud they were of her, meaning nothing to her in the moment she was in. Sarah could see her friend feeling like an utter failure in the moment; she clenched her fists tightly.

"YOU ASSHOLES DON'T REALIZE WHO YOU'RE MESSING WITH!" She screamed loudly as the knife wielding man stopped laughing and gazed deeply towards Sarah.

"Oh really now? Are you're Her Royal Highness as this little girl claims?" he said as he walked towards her.

"And if I am? What of it?"

The man studied the Princess carefully, he rubbed his knife against her robe, Sarah could feel the blade rubbing through her robe.

"Fucking hells! IF YOU EVEN LAY THAT DAGGER IN HER I WILL KICK YOUR ASS!" Eiko yelled at as she stood her ground raising her fists up again.

"And lose out on the all the fun?" The scarred man looked to her. "Two very vocal girls and a little worthless shit, seems like quite the find we got here today, tell me where you three are from hmmm?"

"Your mother!" Sarah called out as the man looked back to her and back handed her across the face. Eiko gasped and made an attempt to lunge towards the captor as the scarred man rested his knife against Sarah's chest. Eiko backed off and looked around as she was being surrounded by his followers.

"AH AH AH AH AH AH AH! Don't get any ideas now, wouldn't want this little princess to be heartbroken now do we?" He said as he licked his lips and continued chewing. Sarah carefully shook her head from the burning sensation on her cheek, she looked back at the man even more upset yet had no idea what to do next.

"Like fuckin hells you are, don't you even think about it!" Eiko snarled as she clenched her first harder while thinking of freeing Sarah and the means of escaping.

"Seems like your outta luck here young lady, tell ya what, let's make this more interesting shall we? You two take the girl back, I'm sure you two can handle her, she doesn't seem like much trouble now don't even get any ideas until I get back there understood? I want a piece of her when I'm done with these two."

"Yes boss!" Sarah's captors said. "Aight you! MOVE IT!" Sarah started getting dragged as she struggled to move her legs, Rose looked on and felt more distraught as Sarah looked to her. "Don't worry! We'll be alright, I promise!" Sarah spoke as she was punched in the gut. "SHUT IT YOU!"

Rose couldn't find the strength in her to call to her friend being taken away, her voice lost in thought, her eyes dilating on their own. Before she could even come up with another thought in her mind, she was suddenly was thrown to the ground face first. Her face covered in dirt she tried getting up but was pushed back to the ground from someone's boot putting pressure on her lower back.

Eiko looked towards Rose.

"I swear if you hurt her I will burn ALL OF YOU TO HELLS AND BACK!" She snapped.

The scarred man looked back towards Eiko, he started walking around her like a hawk stalking its prey as Eiko watched him with her eyes.

"You must be the one leading these two huh, aren't ya?" he said as he brushed his hair with his dagger.

"Who the hells are you exactly?"

"Just a pain in the ass around here, that's all there is to it. Why so interested?"

"Because this area isn't known for having a band of thieves roaming around these parts."

"Thieves? You call us thieves? OH HAHAHAHA!" he man started laughing at Eiko while hopping around her he then grabbed her from behind and raised his knife against her neck.

"I prefer being called an artist, an agent of chaos as they say." He continued to make his chewing sounds as he brushed the knife against Eiko's cheeks. "Tell me horny little girl, why are you so interested in me?"

"So I know what to write on your tombstone."

"Oh really now, lemme show ya something real quick." He looked over towards Rose as she was looking at them, he cocked his head at his two followers hawking over Rose.

One of men with all his might threw a kick across Rose's face as she cried out in pain. The other kneeled to the ground and began punching Rose's face over and over again. Eiko grew more enraged by the sight of Rose's abusive attack, despite being a good distance she could see small hints of blood from the few cuts scattered across her face leaking from the poor girl.

Rose's cries echoed in the port area, none of the lifeless genomes nearby did anything to intervene with the situation; each painful attack from her attackers made Rose slowly lose her conscious little by little. Her ears started echoing, the laughs drifting away, Eiko's cries grew more distance, her eyes losing focus. Her head was picked up, her cheeks being pressed in tightly as her eyes saw Eiko's shocked look towards her, blurring out more and more.

Rose's hair was pulled back and then her entire head thrown forward straight into the ground, dust kicking up in the air around her. Her eyes sealed themselves for desperate safety, her mind suddenly stopping, her breathing still continued yet her mind couldn't fathom the ability to move its entire body, leaving her motionless. The two men took a few steps away from Rose's motionless body as they smiled with delight.

"Ambition knows no boundaries, you see I come here for a paycheck, someone pays me to steal supplies, I steal supplies. Someone pays me to kill someone, I kill someone. Someone tells me to be on the lookout for three girls and a dog, I am on the lookout for three girls and a dog."

Eiko gasp and looked at the scarred man.

"Oh so now I have your full undivided attention."

Eiko started shaking vigorously but the man tightened his grip around her.

"How the hells did you know we were coming through here?"

He placed his knife just beside her lip as he stared deeply into her eyes.

"And why does that interest you?"

Eiko rolled her eyes.

"Lemme tell you something little girl, you and your little girlfriends here, my job is the make sure none of you ever make it back to Alexandria whatsoever. That was all I was told, didn't matter how it's done, for me personally I'm a man who loves to watch people suffer." He carefully brushed the tip of the blade against Eiko's cheek.

"As I can see, I'm not doing my job well enough if you're not even batting an eye over the fact that your little girlfriend here was just pummeled nearly to death."

"And if I was?"

"Then I be having the time of my life now." He brushed his dagger against Eiko's upper thigh; she let out a gagging sound.

"Like hells you're not going to even THINK about getting that close now!"

He licked his lips while continuing his chewing sounds.

"I'd be more than glad to do this with ya in seven hells then."

"Then I'll meet you there later!" Eiko with all her strength kicked her let straight upward towards the man's kicking the knife out of his hand while following up with a backflip over his shoulder, rushing her shoulders into his back pushing him forward. His followers started rushing towards her as she threw herself in the air spinning, she let her feet land as she lowered her entire body as low as she can revealing her flute in hand and her mouth just above the head joint.

She immediately blew into her flute as it whistled a tune and a large barrage of green orbs flew out of her flute with a wave of mint colored aurora borealis came shooting up from the ground beneath her followed by a flash of white light exiting her flute. Everyone except her grabbed their eyes nearly falling amongst themselves to the floor. She pulled the flute away and watched everyone struggle to get a hold of themselves but her scarred man stood up while covering his eyes wailing along while yelling I'm blind as he slowly walked towards her.

Eiko took a few steps back, she quickly looked towards Rose still on the ground motionless, and looked back towards her captor. She stood up as he kept getting closer and closer still wailing for a moment to strike until he uncovered his eyes still normal and laughing unharmed by the summoer's magic spell.

"What the hells!?" she said. The man uncovered his vest revealing a small feathered hat as he twirled it around his fingers and picked up his knife. "Never leave home without this!" he continued laughing.

"SHIT!" She placed her mouth near the flute's head joint in an attempt to cast another spell but was immediately kicked out of her hands before she got a note in.

"Oh no no no! No more magical spells here young lady." He snarled at her as she raised her fists in the air.

"Just because I don't have my flute doesn't mean I don't know how to fight back!" Eiko snapped back.

"Oh we're past that now, I think now is the right time to meet your maker." He raised his knife before his mouth and licked the blade as Eiko felt grossed out by the sight, he raised his left hand and held his knife close to his chest.

"Let's put a smile on that face of yours!" He said as he bent his knees a little.

"Come and get me!" Eiko said the two started lunging towards each other when suddenly an apparition flew past the two as it land just a few feet beside them with a loud clank sound making contact with the scarred man's knife and a small trail of blood followed along, Eiko ran past the man as he fell to his knees snickering at the sight of his slit wrist, he looked over spotting a white robe and red triangles on the hood, and upper torso, Eiko looked over spotting the hooded person.

"It can't be…" the summoner said under her breath.

The robe covered person stood up beneath their robes revealing two daggers, they turned their attention towards the brute as they bent their knees and held their daggers before their face. It was none other than the Princess of Alexandria herself; giving full concentration on her target as he looked back at her.

"Ahhh you got a little spunk in ya duncha?" He snarled with a smirk.

"I've learned a thing or two, I'm not afraid of you!"

Eiko's studied the princess' battle stance, no doubt it was Zidane's; the years she traveled with him she would never forget how he fought beside her. Down to the daggers Sarah was holding in her hands, Eiko couldn't believe what she saw, in her left hand was Zidane's Orichalcon and in her right was also his Mythril Dagger. Eiko shook her head in disbelief, did she steal her own father's weapons?

"Sarah whe…where did yo-"

"Not now cousin!" Sarah shouted back, Eiko then realized she may have just revealed the princess' true identity to their assailant "SHIT!" Eiko blurted out.

"So you are the Princess of Alexandria after all." He smiled wickedly.

"And if I am so what? Won't do you any good, you're gonna deal with me first before you ever THINK about hurting anyone else!" She noticed past his leg her fallen friend, Sarah peaked over and gasped in horror.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER!?" she screamed as she gripped her father's daggers tightly.

The scarred man looked over to the fallen Rose then back towards Sarah.

"Your little girlfriend here thought she could play knights and bandits; clearly she lost the game." He licked his lips.

"I swear to gods I will murder you for this!"

"Sarah calm down!" Eiko called out but Sarah ignored her.

"Mark my words, I will do whatever I can to kill you for hurting her, nobody in this planet ever and I mean EVER! Hurts my best friend, I will kill you nine times if I must!" Sarah tightened her knees and her tail stiffened straight out of her mother's robe from behind her.

"There will come a time little girl, where those around you aren't who they say they are." He snickered, Sarah slightly lowered her dagger slightly confused by his words.

"Say what?" She said, in an instant he lunged towards her with his dagger, she quickly blocked it with her daggers crossed, he spun to his left as Sarah took a step to her right, he threw his right hand outward as she ducked from its trajectory aim. Eiko stood by and watched as the two exchanged blows with one another with their weapons, she couldn't believe Sarah was able to hold her ground well, she never once saw her take any sort of fighting lessons from anyone at the palace when she lived there for the short time they had. The metals clank loudly with each other, Sarah kept dodging each attack with ease. Eiko noticed their assailants were slowly one by one pulling out small bottles and dousing one another's eyes with them.

"Shit!" She looked back at Sarah as the Princess swung her left hand towards her attacker, he snarled as he threw a kick with his left leg aimed at her torso as she took the hit falling to her knee, she quickly looked up to him and swept her legs towards his as he was swooped up from it falling on his back, she immediately attempted to jump on top of him but he rolled over as her daggers made contact with the ground.

Eiko quickly eyeballed her fallen flute, she quickly cartwheeled to it picking it up in the process and blew into her flute, causing small blue orbs to appear from the end of the flute as another small blue wave of an aurora borealis surrounded her and an orange wave of light flew across their assailants, causing them to now cover their mouths as they now struggled to communicate with one another. One by one they began standing while Eiko sheathed her flute behind her and started attacking each individual one by one making her way towards Rose.

Sarah continued her fight, she notice in the corner of her eye as Eiko was knocking down their attacker's one by one, she knew this could be their only chance at escaping, she continued her attack. The man kept laughing as he kept receiving each attack one after another.

"If you think killing me is going to stop me you are very wrong little girl!" he licked his lips as he stood up from a fairly good distance between himself and Sarah.

"No but it's a start!" She lunged forward and jumped over him while with the back of her dagger's helm made a direct hit on the back of his head as he rolled forward and rolled back up looking back at her while she landed rolling back up to her feet. She lowered herself as low as possible with her daggers as far behind her as she could, her tail shooting straight up from behind her dirtied robe.

"Then I guess you've made my job a lot easier now!" He lunged again towards Sarah as she waited for him, out of the blue a large black and white furred created lunged itself towards him as it bit his wrist, growling as loud as it could while he struggle to shake off the animal.

"Zoe!" Sarah screamed, the dog made sure not to let go of her grip as the man with his other hand as tried to take a swing at the dog, instinctively Sarah dashed forward immediately throwing her entire body into man knocking him onto the ground, allowing Zoe to release her grip on his wrist and circled around the two as Sarah continuing rolling over away and stood up with Zoe behind her.

"Good girl Zoe! Stay behind me!" Sarah looked over towards Eiko still continuing her onslaught as she quickly joined along. Sarah and Eiko one by one laid their arms against their assailants knocking them onto the ground swiftly and quickly, Eiko was amazed by how fast Sarah picked up the situation they were in yet was still surprised by her ability to move swiftly and handle her father's daggers with ease.

"Sarah! Let's grab our stuff and Rose and get the hells outta here fast!" Eiko said as Sarah looked over and nodded, the two simultaneously laid a punch together at their last standing assailant, Eiko made a dash for their belongings while Sarah and Zoe rushed over to Rose.

"Rose come on and get up! ROSE COME ON! GET UP!" Sarah screamed as she sheathed her daggers behind her back. She rolled Rose over and brushed off her dirt and blood ridden face. "Rose come on! Please!" Sarah cried again; no response from her fallen friend.

Sarah quickly placed her hands under her friend's body and lifted her up with all her strength. She spotted Rose's rapier on the ground, she jumped beside it. "Cousin!" Sarah called out as Eiko looked over. Sarah placed her foot underneath the rapier and kicked the sword into the air towards Eiko; Eiko quickly caught the rapier carefully with her hands and make shift sheathed it around her belt as she picked up everyone's satchels.

"LET'S GET OUT OF HERE! FAST!" Eiko yelled out as Sarah nodded and made her way out with Zoe and Eiko following along towards the fog covered arches leading to the outside of the Outer Continent.

The scarred thief stood up from his stricken state as he watched the girls leave the area, he smiled wickedly and licked his lips while picking up his dagger.

"This paycheck is going to be worth even more now." He said.

…

The thick fog of the Outer Continent proved to be a blinding experience for anyone one venturing out on the land. No piercing light from the sun could help search and rescues seeking lost travelers among its lands. For Sarah, Eiko, and Zoe; they found themselves hugging the nearby ledge that was their only guide leading towards their escape path towards Conde Petie. The three ran for as fast and long as they could hoping they had put much distance from their attackers; Sarah and Eiko were beginning to show their fatigue the more they continued running while Zoe remained agile following along. It felt like the trip venture lasted hours, Sarah still carrying her friend in her arms would not let her down for any given moment.

The weight of her friend meant nothing to her, only her safety.

"Gods I don't remember taking this long! It feels like the ledge is staying the same height, when the hells does it end?!" Eiko said as she was beginning to slow her pace down.

"Cousin we can't slow down…they could be on to us." Sarah said as she looked to her cousin; Eiko suddenly dropped all their satchels and placed her hands on her knees leaning over to catch her breath. She looked up towards the Princess as she looked back at her.

"For starters it's been a long ass time since I fought like that…let alone having to fight off people in general." Eiko said as she fanned herself with her hands. "And number two where the seven hells did you learn to fight like that!?"

Sarah stopped and looked over between Eiko and the nearest ledge closest to them; Zoe stopped beside the princess looking up to her and Rose. Sarah walked towards the ledge then carefully kneeled down and placed Rose against it. Zoe trotted beside Rose and began licking her hand gently trying to see if it'll heal the young woman.

"Well!?" Eiko snapped as Sarah stood up.

"I…I taught myself..." Sarah slowly responded.

"And you were going to tell me this when?"

Sarah shook her head.

"I'm sorry…"

"Okay for reals this time, where did you find the time to fight like that and two why didn't you mention anything about your pops teaching you?"

"What…makes you certain papa taught me how to fight?"

Eiko crossed her arms.

"First of all Sarah this isn't a game, second I know that stance all too well. There's only one person on Gaia who I know has a fighting stance like that and I traveled alongside of him and your mother. Don't pretend you learned from someone else."

Sarah lowered her head.

"Sarah seriously, when did your dad teach you how to fight and does your own mom even knows about this too?"

"…."

"Sarah I'm not going to play this game, does your mom know about this?"

Sarah shook her head.

"No…she…she doesn't…"

"Alright then now my question again, when did you take the time to learn how to fight like that?"

"…For the past month…"

Eiko arched an eyebrow.

"This past month? How did you managed to sneak it in without anyone at the palace taking notice?"

"….We practiced by the gazebo…since…there was much tall hedges around it, me and papa practiced there. It was out of sight and only a small vision could be seen if you stood by the entry area of the garden."

"Huh…well that would explain the times I couldn't find ya. Alright then so now my next question is…did you take those daggers without asking?"

Sarah shook her head.

"Papa let me have them…"

"Hmm hmm…alright so now…why in the seven hells did you THINK it was a great idea to pull them out like that? I told you I had EVERYTHING under control." Eiko uncrossed her arms and stood up.

"But…everything happened so fast I…I couldn't just let them take advantage of us that way…"

"The best way to get out of a situation like that is waiting for the right moment to strike back. You don't go looking for trouble, you have to be ready to defend yourself when the opportunity becomes apparent."

"But they hurt Rose and Zoe…I couldn't let them hurt them or you …"

"I get that…trust me I was there and I was fuming pissed the way they hurt them. But thank gods they didn't kill either one of them…"

Sarah looked over to her unconscious friend while Zoe continued licking Rose's hand.

"I just…I just can't believe anyone would want to just hurt someone like this."

Eiko let out a sigh and placed a hand on Sarah's shoulder.

"The world isn't all nice and friendly like Alexandria Sarah…unfortunately this is what's really out there…least…not all places are like this…"

"I understand that…but…why would anyone want to do something like this."

Eiko took her hand off and shook her head.

"The truth is…I don't know…there are just…sick people out there who enjoy this kind of stuff…" Eiko looked towards Rose, she kneeled before her and checked her head making sure she wasn't hurt anywhere near a sensitive part of her head.

"Cousin…I meant what I said, papa did train me and he did give me his daggers…"

Eiko stood up and shook her head.

"…."

"Cousin?"

"…I know you're not lying…."

"Hmmm?"

"It's just…I promised your dad and mom I would protect you…because I know how much you mean to them." Sarah looked to her cousin, Eiko looked back at her. "I would've felt like crap if you both had gotten killed back there…I'd have a lot to explain towards both of your parents. I can only imagine how Beatrix and Steiner would feel if gods forbid Rose didn't make it. Let alone if they saw her like this, they would more than likely be on a murder spree trying to find those assholes back there." Eiko looked back towards Rose.

"I know that you and Rose both decided on this together and I'm the responsible person to look out for you both. I know you want to do everything you can to protect us as well…I'm not only here to be your teacher but I'm also here to be your guardian as well. I know what I am capable of if we get ourselves caught like that. I want you to understand that you have to listen to me, both of you, because one wrong move could be the difference between living and dying."

Sarah sighed.

She continued looking towards Rose, it dawned on her that her own actions almost costed her friend's life. She closed her eyes.

"Swing your arms this way and…GOOD!"

"Like this?"

"Perfect! Now swing outward like so….now try to hit me"

"Huh? But…"

"HIT ME!"

"…GOOD!"

Zidane gently pushed away Sarah's daggers as he took a deep breath. He smiled as his daughter lowered her own daggers beside her hips. He sheathed his daggers and placed his hand on her shoulders.

"You've a natural at this, I shoulda taught ya sooner if I knew you'd catch on so fast." He smiled.

"But papa…I don't want to upset mother by doing this behind her back…" Sarah said as Zidane purposely fell to the ground and crossed his legs. "I know but I don't want you to feel worthless while you're out in the real world." He said.

"Hmm…" Sarah slowly sat herself on the ground sitting in front of Zidane as he stretched his arms apart.

"Sarah, I want you to know that Eiko is going to do everything she can to take care of you and Rose. Please make sure you listen to her no matter how tough the situation gets. Everything I'm teaching you is not about trying to kill someone, it's to protect yourself and them as well."

"Hmm…I understand papa." Sarah said as she looked at the pair of daggers she has. Seeing her reflection on one and her father in the other.

"I mean it, don't under any circumstances let your emotions get the better of you, you're still young and still learning about the world around you. It's not going to be easy out there on your own but with everything I'm teaching you, please don't let your emotions be trifled with. If you do, you may end up hurting those around you instead, remember what I told you about trance?"

Sarah looked up to her father, his concerned eyes directed at her own.

"I…I do…"

"It builds off your emotions, those emotions can cause more harm than good. Remember Eiko is going to teach you how to control your emotions so you don't hurt the people around you. I'm sure even she worries if you have the ability to summon based on emotional stress levels.

Sarah closed her eyes and opened them looking back to her father.

"I understand…" took a deep breath. "I don't want to hurt anyone if I become too emotional…"

Zidane smiled.

"Sarah you are stronger than you are giving yourself credit. Trust me, I wouldn't be teaching you any of this if I didn't believe in ya."

Sarah let out a gasp.

"You…mean it?"

Zidane nodded.

"Of course I do, I wanted to teach you all of this myself, you think I'm gonna send off my little angel without knowing a thing or two to defend herself? I still remember when I taught our friend Vivi how to scream for help in case someone nabbed him. Told him to yell BACK OFF SCUM BAG!" The words startled Sarah as he laughed.

"Sorry didn't mean to spook ya like that. Then again I'm sure your mom told ya how she tried it."

Sarah chuckled a bit.

"Poor mother, trying it on Thorn and Zorn; she must have been embarrassed it didn't work on them."

"She did try her best but y'know it gave her the courage to stand up for herself at least."

Sarah nodded.

"Papa…I'm glad you are teaching me how to defend myself…do you think it's alright if…if…"

"Say no more. They're yours to take."

Sarah blinked in disbelief and looked at the daggers.

"You mean? I can take these with me?"

Zidane smiled.

"Only if you promise to use them only for self-defense only. Don't let your cousin know about them until you absolutely need them. Understand?"

"I fully understand papa." Sarah smiled.

"That's my little angel. Come ere!" Zidane extended his arms out. Sarah carefully placed her daggers to her side and leaned into her father's warm embrace.

"Papa…I promise not to let myself become too emotional during this journey." Sarah said as she wrapped her arms around her father.

"I know you'll do a great job Sarah; you've always been one for success." Zidane smiled as he lead slowly caressed his daughter's back.

"Hmm!" Sarah buried her head as deep into her father's blonde hair as much as she could. Zidane looked past his daughter spotting Garnet in the distance with a smile on her face and nodding her head approvingly. He smiled back at her.

Sarah opened her eyes, she let out a disappointing sigh.

"I got carried away…didn't I?"

Eiko kneeled beside Rose as Zoe pulled herself away and took note of Eiko's presence.

"It's alright, we all make mistakes, trust me, you did much better than I thought to be fairly honest." Eiko smiled as she wrapped a warm coat around Rose. "Come on cousin, let's get Rose to a safer place than here, I'm sure a warm blanket and hot tea will fix us up and a bowl of water for Zoe. Zoe let out a bark as Sarah weakly let out a smile.

"You're right…I'm sorry…I'll do my best not to let this burn me over." Sarah said as she walked over towards their satchels. "I'll carry Rose this time, you can carry our stuff." Eiko winked.

"You got it!" Sarah lifted all three satchels over her back as Zoe wagged her tail while circling around Sarah, the princess looked towards her pet and smiled. "You did well too Zoe." Sarah said as her pet let out her tongue panting.

Eiko picked up Rose with all her strength and rose up from the ground, she looked at Sarah.

"Shall we?"

Sarah nodded.

…

"Rally-ho…oh dear goodness! Ain't she alright lassy!?"

"Hmm! We just need a bed for her, she was just attacked, nothing serious but the sooner the better!"

"Aye! We do have beds at the inn, they be small but they'll do ya well! Quickly right dis way!"

The small heavy coat wearing dwarf escorted Sarah, Eiko; still carrying Rose; and Zoe to the nearby Inn just a brief walk from the entrance of Conde Petie through a hallway. As the group entered the Inn the keeper took note of Rose's unconscious body and immediately ushered the guests to the nearest bed.

"Aye lassies please place her in that one uder dere." The keeper pointed.

"Aye lad! Danke mooch!" The small dwarf pulled the bedsheets away from the pillow as Eiko laid Rose on top of the bed, Sarah dropped their satchels beside the bed and began pulling off Rose's boots, Eiko carefully took of the large coat and dropped it to the ground then pulled off Rose's belts one by one sliding them off her and dropping them on the ground beside her all while Zoe was sniffing Rose's jacket, belts and boots being dropped to the floor.

Sarah carefully adjusted Rose's legs under the bed sheets and covered her up with the assistance of the dwarf that guided them.

"She be fine now dat she in safe haven, where ya three coomin from now?" The dwarf asked.

"From the Mist Continent, we just passed through the port not too long ago." Eiko said.

"Aye you three lassies managed to survive?" The Inn Keeper spoke out surprised.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Sarah looked up to the Inn Keeper.

"Lately dere be some thieves stealing some passer byers lately, some not so lucky unfortunately. It's why the steeple hat people and tailed folk be the ones thar. Sum reason they won't mess with them but only the merchants when we go by be losing their goods as of late." The Inn Keeper said.

"Aye, me Danny boy had over ton o gil and wares stolen from him just last week. His worker however not so lucky, he be not among the living unfortunately." The dwarf said as he removed his yamaka and placed it near his chest.

"Oh goodness…" Sarah lowered her head.

"You mean to tell me that the port isn't safe anymore?" Eiko asked turning her attention to the inn keeper.

"Aye, it be lucky the three of ya made it alive."

"I've gone through that port many times and this is the first time I'm hearing this." Eiko placed a curled finger under her chin. "How long would you say this has been happening?"

"Hmm would say aboot almost three moonths now." The inn keeper said.

"Hmm…I see." Eiko said as Sarah looked towards Eiko. "Is something wrong?" She asked. Eiko shook her head. "No just…piecing the puzzle together that's all." The summoner said as she lowered her hand.

"Do you mind if we have some privacy for a bit? It's been quite a venture getting here and all." Eiko looked to the dwarves.

"Aye lassy of course, by all means; ifin ye need anything from us, we be outside now." The Inn Keeper said.

"Aye, glad ye be fine now you oot of the fog. Please rest as long as ye need, the market place here will have all yer needs, medicine and food." The small dwarf said as he placed his yamaka back on his head.

"Hmm thank you both very much." Sarah said as she looked towards the Inn Keeper gently bowed to him.

"Aye, get all the rest ye can lassy, hope yer friend feels well soon." The keeper said. "Let us knew if ya need anything else now." The two dwarves made their way out of the inn as Sarah and Eiko watched, Sarah let out a relieving sigh as Eiko stretched her arms out.

"Cousin…is there something going on that I should be aware of?" Sarah asked as she looked across the bed. Eiko shook her head.

"Not really…just something they said that's all."

Sarah arched an eyebrow.

"Cousin…please…I really want to know if there's something I really should concern myself with. It's very important to me."

"And why is that?"

"I…" Sarah looked down towards Rose; she placed the back of her hand on her left cheek, feeling guilty about letting her friend succumb to the pain she suffered from. "I feel responsible for all of this…"

Eiko knew those words all too well.

"Your mom was like that too." Sarah looked up to Eiko. "Trust me, not the first or the last I'd ever hear them, I know you want to take on the responsibility for your own actions but you can't take the blame for other people's decisions also. Rose knew exactly what she signed up for but…ultimately it was my responsibility to look out for your two."

"But she wouldn't have been hurt this badly…if I hadn't asked her to come…."

"You didn't know…it's an honest mistake, I know she'll forgive you for bringing her along; she must've been terrified during that whole ordeal. I can only imagine what must've been going through her head."

"Hmm…." Sarah looked to her friend; she found herself slipping to her knees beside the bed as Eiko watched. Sarah buried her head on the bed sheets. Zoe poked her head between Sarah and the bed letting out a soft wail, she placed her paw on Sarah's knee. Sarah was unfazed by her pet's action, she could feel her body becoming numb.

"Sarah I mean what I said, don't take the blame for all of this, I'm sure Rose would be doing the exact same thing if she was in your shoes too."

Sarah shook her head.

"I know she would…but it doesn't change the fact I got her hurt like this…"

Eiko walked around the bed and knelt beside her cousin.

"Look, we made it out there alive, she just needs some rest that's all. I'm gonna clean her up real quick so when she wakes up she'll be good as new. Mind giving me a hand at least?"

Sarah lifted her head and looked to her cousin and pet. Zoe lifted her fore paws on to Sarah's lap and tried licking Sarah's face. The princess instinctively pulled back but couldn't in time before Zoe's tongue made contact with her cheek. Eiko couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "See? Even Zoe wants you to feel better too, you and her really kicked ass today." Eiko grinned.

Sarah laid her hands under Zoe's body and pulled her up as the animal kept her rear paws on the ground as Sarah managed to let out a smile.

"I guess we did huh?" Sarah said as Zoe panted. "Cousin…be honest with me…what could I have done differently for us to not…have gotten out the way we did.

Eiko crossed her arms.

"For starters, next time listen to me. Don't be like your pops where he listens with his eggplant and not with his brain."Eiko snickered. Sarah let out a soft chuckle.

"Was papa really that reckless?"

Eiko nodded.

"Yup! He had his moments too, but long as we all listen to each other, we'll be able to not go through anything like that ever again."

"Hmm…I understand…and…I'm sorry for not listening."

Eiko smiled and stood up, Sarah carefully lowered Zoe to the ground and stood up as her pet watched.

…

"Kirameku sanrei waki-desu tsumetai mizu wa

Shiratsu matotta kiyorana mori ni shimi-iru"

"…Hmm?"

The sounds of water flowing and crickets chirping could be heard from inside the Inn as one guest found themselves waking up to the sounds around her. Sarah rose up from her sleepy slumber, the two moons of Gaia barely made the room visible as she looked around.

"Kidaki sugatade sakihokoru sono hana no

Yose-au hana-bira usumurasaki ni kagayakite"

She continued looking around for the voice singing an all too familiar tune, she looked around the Inn once more seeing Eiko and Rose asleep in their beds. She leaned over the edge of her bed spotting Zoe curled up in deep slumber on the floor.

"Where…are you?" she said as she slid herself out of bed, walking on the cold cobblestone floor beneath the soles of her feet. She looked slowly walked towards the entry way of the Inn as the voice she heard continued to sing her dream's song.

"Fukisusabu kaze ni sae mukuno hitomi wa kesenai"

She continued to follow the sound of the voice, she hugged herself as tight as she could against the cold hallway, she forwent finding a warm coat to wear as she walked along the hallway, only with her white night gown was all she had; as far as she knew nobody in Conde Petie was up, she wondered if there were any night guards out and about with her. Nobody was in sight, she small light emitting the entire hallway was her visual guide while the voice was her audio guide.

She walked up a small stairway in the hallway, slowly taking each step, seeing her breathe from the cold air surrounding her, she spotted something on top of the stairs. Something red with tassels hanging just outside the entry way.

"Hikari ga atsumaru yasashi kozue no moto de

Osanai kokoro ni fushigina chikara yadorite."

"Are you up there?" she asked out loud hoping for a response.

She continued up the stairs as she entered room spotting the a towering man made balcony with a red leather canopy with golden tassels hanging off of it, to her immediate right a large boat like structure being held up by arches beneath it, with a golden stain glass finish to it and red velvet colored carpet inside the structure. It's beauty however didn't catch her attention as a familiar two tone brown robed being stood on top of the boat, looking up to an opening where the two moons glow beamed on her, like a musician singing in front of a crowd.

"Yutaka ni sosoida hotaru no kawa no nagare ni

Dakarete nemureba harukana omokage izuko."

Sarah slowly approached the boat from the side, as the robed person lowered their hands to their sides and slowly turned their head towards Sarah.

"I'm relieved you made it her safely…my dear child." The being said as Sarah slowly stood just before the steps of the boat.

"I'm going to assume you saw the whole thing earlier…didn't you?" Sarah said as he brushed her arms with her hands.

"If I said I did, would that make you feel better?"

Sarah rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"What difference does it make? You already came to me once back at the palace and are constantly calling out to me in my dreams."

"I am well aware of, young child I am only to merely observe you as you undergo this venture you say you are seeking."

Sarah arched an eyebrow and began to shiver; she started rubbing her arms with her hands trying to keep in the warmth she was generating.

"Are you cold?"

Sarah shook her head.

"I'm alright…I can tolerate this."

"I cannot say the same for your dear friend."

Sarah stopped her hands as she felt her fingers dig into her own skin.

"I rather not talk about it…"

"Why not? Do you feel the shame you could not protect her?"

"No…I just…I just wish I could've done something better…."

The being curled a finger beneath her chin while keeping her face out of the sight of the Princess.

"Is it not true that you caused her pain from your potential recklessness?"

"If this is some trick into making me feel bad, I'm not buying it…Eiko told me not to let my emotions get the better of me!" Sarah threw her hands to her sides.

"Yet here you are."

"I said I wish I could've done something better!" Sarah threw her hands in the air in defeat. "Why the hells are you playing the what if game with me if you saw the incident yourself!?"

The being lowered her hand.

"Because we are all responsible for every action we take, a cause and effect is what our world revolves around."

Sarah turned her back towards the woman and crossed her arms.

"I already hurt my best friend in the world today and I don't want her to get hurt anymore…"

"If such is the case, there was no knowledge that this would happen to begin with, am I wrong?"

Sarah felt a twitch just above her eye brow as she looked around the room. She never had the chance to look around Conde Petie before her and Eiko decided to sleep in early given the rough housing they had went through. They only relieved themselves by taking a warm bath in the nearby bath house then immediately rest in their beds. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Up against the wall little girl!"

Sarah was pinned against large towering palette of crates as let out a growl towards the two men holding her. The bandana covered man let out a wicked grin while his partner snickered at her.

"Boss said we can't start the fun without him but I'm feeling a little perched right now Butch, what say we get a head start while he's dealing with the other two?"

"I don't see why not, what he doesn't know can't hurt right little girl?"

"I swear to gods if you both don't release me you're both going to regret it!"

"Oh ho hooo now you seriously think you are the Princess of Alexandria are ya now? HAH what's a little bitch like her doing round these parts?"

Sarah clenched her fists, she let out a small growl as the men laughed.

"You really think you're her huh? Tell me, is it true the Queen of Alexandria is nothing more than a common orphan from that dead village now?" Butch smirked.

"Oi oi or how bout that Zidane fella? Heard he's some third rate actor who think he got imself a Queen right?" Butch's partner said as Sarah felt her fists shaking.

"I swear to gods you're BOTH going to regret those words!" Sarah snarled.

The two men laughed.

"Oh really now? How bout little kiss huh!?" Butch forced his own lips against Sarah's as she bit the man's lips as hard as she could! Butch continued shaking off Sarah while his partner slapped Sarah's face forcing her to let go of Butch's lips as he covered his mouth with his hand.

"OI! FUCKIN LIL TWAT BIT ME!" he snarled as Sarah fell to the ground. Butch's friend quickly grabbed Sarah's arm standing her up.

"OI you stupid tosser! Lemme show ya how to treat someone with respect huh!?" He back handed Sarah's face. She turned her attention to him with her ice cold fierce eyes glaring to him.

"I'll warn you one more time! LET GO OF ME!" she hissed. Butch rubbed his lips with his hand and pulled out his knife.

"I'll put ya in the hole with the boss after I'm through with you now!" He said.

Sarah briefly closed her eyes and with all of her strength, she threw up her right leg as high as she could landing her right boot across Butch's face as his partner lost hold of her. She quickly one handed cartwheeled behind them and flipped backwards as high as she could then landing with her left leg out as far as she could and her right leg bent as low as possible then pulling out her father's daggers crossed before her and looking up towards her assailants.

"Oh look at you now, think yer tough with them daggers huh?" Butch smirked as Sarah rose up positioning her daggers behind her.

"I've learned from the best." Sarah quickly dashed towards Butch and his partner jumping over them as they watch, Butch took a swing with his knife towards the Princess as she crossed her daggers against his; blocking his attack; she then quickly retaliated with a roundhouse kick to Butch's face, then propped herself up with her dagger in her right hand as Butch's partner attempted to throw a punch towards her, she threw herself off the dagger and bounced off of his head with her boots and landed behind him, she kicked her dagger from the ground towards him as the helm made contact on the back of his neck knocking him to the ground. The dagger spun in the air as she quickly grabbed it with her hand and made eye contact with Butch taking a turn towards her.

"I warned you, but you didn't listen." Sarah smirked.

"I'll kill ya myself!" Butch snarled as he dashed towards Sarah. Sarah grinned and forward flipped towards him as she crossed her daggers together and flushed them outwards making contact with Butch's knife knocking them out of his hand, she landed on her feet and quickly swept his legs with hers causing him to fall on his back, she back flipped from her spot and landed on top of his chest and began crushing his head with her legs.

"And the best was my papa!" She smirked as Butch struggled to throw Sarah off of him. With all her strength she smashed the helms of both daggers onto Butch's forehead knocking him out cold. She stood up above his unconscious body taking deep breaths from her attack. She then heard a scream in the distance; she looked over briefly and started dashing towards it.

Sarah opened her eyes taking another deep breath. She turned her attention back towards the being standing before her still.

"You're right…" she said. "But…I know I could've done better…to protect everyone…"

"Great warriors before you make mistakes like everyone else does. There is no right or wrong way to protect those around you."

"…..What do you mean?"

The being looked up towards the moons above them through the hole in the ceiling letting their light in.

"Dear child, even more your mother made mistakes like we all have, even now she must fight her own battles that you may not see before your very eyes."

"….If you mean her past trauma with her past…I know she is doing well…we did all we could to help her overcome them…it may not be perfect…but she is much happier now than she was then."

The woman smiled.

"You are most correct about that…but that is not the battle she faces now…"

Sarah shook her head.

"Wha…what do you mean?"

The woman turned her attention towards Sarah, the princess tried to sneak in a peak of the being's face once more to assure what she saw the night they first met was no illusion.

"She too has to worry about your own wellness as well dear child. One may say that she has her own secrets being kept from you as well."

Sarah gasped.

"Mother…she…she would never do such thing!"

The being shook their head.

"You've held your tongue from her once, how does one know she would not do the same with you?"

Sarah froze for a moment, she remembered now, her secret about their encounter.

"I…" Sarah looked away.

"The world makes mistakes dear child, you and her are no different from each other. I only ask that you two find it in your hearts to do the right thing.

Sarah looked back at her.

"And that would be?"

The moonlight suddenly lit brighter around the woman, her face from beneath her hood revealed by the moonlight. Sarah gasped again, confirming her suspicions about the face of the being before her.

"….Please tell me…who are you?"

The woman shook her head slowly.

"That my dear child, is not the question you should be asking."

The woman slowly began dissipating before Sarah's eyes, Sarah quickly rushed up the small stairway reaching for the woman, as she slowly disappeared. Sarah looked around room trying to see where she went, she was tempted to call to her but not without the risk of waking out the people.

"Dammit!" she said as she kicked the carpet. She shook her head and threw her hands up in the air, in the blink of an eye she felt a wind breeze flow threw her as a shimmer light from the balcony across from her caught her attention.

She made her way towards the balcony, stepping off the boat back on the cobblestone, she walked up the small stairway into the balcony keeping her attention to where the shimmering light was. Upon reaching the top she noticed a book on a mantel overlooking the entire room. Sarah slowly approached the book; she took a notice the page it was on was blank. Another wind breeze blew past her as the pages suddenly flipped on their own. Sarah watched as the pages slowly let up; she leaned in on the page it landed on spotting two familiar signature she knew all to tell.

She picked up the book and read the page, there were some words that were faded where she couldn't make out some of the writing but two very prominent signatures caught her eyes at the very bottom of the page.

"Mother…Papa." She said to herself as she let out a smile.

She brushed her hand against the ink with her parent's name written, the parchment paper felt nice to her fingertips. This was the same place she heard the story about her parent's first marriage together. Sarah looked out to the boat, imagining to herself how it felt for her mother to stand there lying to her father for the first time in order to pass through to venture their way to find Kuja.

Sarah let out a sigh and looked up in the star lit night above her.

"This is my reality, this is my choice in the matter at hand. Today I've learned what it really means to be out here in the real world.

I've not doubt in my mind that it's only going to get harder from here on out, I must not let my emotions get the better of me or else I may lose more than my own life…

Tomorrow morning will be the second day we venture out to Madain Sari and I must heed to the words of my cousin while protecting Rose also. I hope she will forgive me for what happened today…I let myself succumb to my emotions and put us in great danger. If this person that resembles my mother is trying to teach me something…it must be for what's up ahead.

She certainly knows something I don't know but maybe it's a test…could it be possible that…she may be an Eidolon as well? She seems to so much about the world, including myself and mother too…

Could she be foretelling my future? Is it possible that something big is coming in the future ahead? I remember cousin Eiko said that Eidolons may call to us for a higher calling; meaning grave danger is ahead of us. I can't help but wonder if it's something with mother; I know I've hidden my encounter with this woman to her but…I doubt mother would hide something from me…

Would she?"