Crimson Rain

by The God Slayer

Decades after the planet has finally known peace, through great sacrifice and struggle, something ancient and sinister stirs beneath the surface. A mad man rises with power the world thought was extinct and declares war on the planet, igniting a turn in history millenniums in the making.

7. In the Dark

Notes: Remade, not simply updated. Slowly slogging through the chapter remakes. Sorry it is taking me so damn long...

*see the bottom for the old responses, notes or the like. They will be marked.

In the Dark

Terra had sent Hals off with his instructions after a long argument of whether or not it could be done. Hals kept insisting that the risk was too great, but Terra told him the risk to her daughter staying was even greater. Finally she had put her foot down and told him to do as he was told, and he caved. He had only ever meant to help, of course, Terra knew it, but Terra didn't know how long she had before her daughter lost control.

Once she was done, she returned to her daughter and was alarmed when she entered the room to find her daughter packing by herself, crying. Terra glanced around the room quickly. Cadence would not have left her alone, not unless there was an emergency.

"Emma, what is wrong? Where is Cadence?" when she noticed that Emma started to smash her things into her carrier with greater ferocity, Terra went to her side and reached to stop her. She took her hands. "Emma, speak to me...what happened?" Her daughter started to sob, letting go of the clothes to wrap her arms around her mother. Terra smoothed her hair and pressed her close. "Oh sweety, whatever is bothering you, I promise...everything will be fine."

"I—I don't understand," she cried. "What—what's wrong with m-me?"

Terra was confused. "Is this about leaving? I thought we had talked about this."

"There's s-something wrong with me," she cried. "That's—that's why e-everyone hates me...isn't it?"

"That is nonsense," Terra said, smiling. "I love you to pieces. What could possibly make you think such a thing?"

"I did something wrong and made them mad at me," she finally said, trembling, and Terra knew who she meant. There was nothing in Terra now that felt relief that her daughter was finding peace, or perhaps strength, to talk of her attackers, because it was becoming increasingly apparent what her next words would be. "That's w-why they hated me...that...that's why they hurt me...isn't it?"

Terra was at a loss for words. She knew it was nonsense, and she wanted to say the words, but there was something stuck in her throat. Guilt. Anger. Fear. Sadness. Something powerful, something that froze her. It was the one time in all her life Terra had wanted someone to feel immense pain, to die. If she could get her hands on the others, she knew she would do something horrible.

Willing herself from her rut, Terra held her daughter tightly. "No Emma...no...sometimes...sometimes people hurt others because they feel nothing at all...some hurt others because they like it. I swear to you that you did nothing to deserve it, I swear it. There is nothing you could ever do that could warrant someone hurting you."

"Then why...why am I h-hurting again?" she begged her mother. "Why did he do this to me w-when he promised he wouldn't hurt me?"

"Who dear? Who?"

It all made sense the moment her daughter said his name. "Alex." her heart had been broken, and on the eve of her departure, and to make matters worse, by the first boy she truly ever liked, who she had given her trust to after her assault. Terra had known it was a dangerous game to allow her daughter to play after her rape, but the signs she saw in her daughter whenever she had seen Alexander were so positive she couldn't bare the idea of tearing that influence away. There was a hope in her, a flickering light of happiness. All of which had been snuffed out in a day. She supposed it was just a matter of time. She knew Alexander would never take her daughter seriously, but she had hoped foolishly that maybe he could.

"I see," she muttered. "Emma...listen to me." she held her daughter back, so that she could see her daughter's eyes. "Listen to me...I know it feels like not having Alexander's affections is the worst thing in the world, but I promise the pain will subside and that your heart will learn to love again, and when it does, it will find someone to call home with that will cherish your love."

"But I love Alex," she cried.

"I know that my sweet, I know, but just as you cannot control how your heart feels, neither can he."

"If I w-w-was different..."

"Never think like that," Terra said as she brushed tears from her daughter's eyes. "Love is not love if you must change who you are to find it. If Alexander could not give you his heart because of who you are, then what was between you is not love. You must find someone who cherishes you for every piece of who you are Emma." she hesitated, wondering if she should pry any further, but she knew her daughter. And she knew her daughter didn't seem the sort to tell Alexander these sorts of things. And if Alexander had insinuated in the slightest that if she changed she could be with him, Terra would be furious, however trying to figure out how this discussion of how she felt towards him came up seemed impossible. What's more...in between the time of leaving her, how did her daughter find the time to even talk to him about this?

Confused, Terra asked, "Emma...when did you talk to Alexander about how you felt?"

Emma looked at her strangely. "W-what do you mean?"

"I'm just...trying to help. Perhaps I could go talk to him—"

"No!" Emma shrieked. "You c-c-can't!"

"Heavens," Terra gasped over the sudden shout, placing a hand over her heart, startled. "There's no need to shout at me, Emma. If that is what you want, I'll respect it." she glanced around the room, and then sighed. "Let me help you pack, dear, and then we can do something to take your mind off of him. Does that sound nice?" her daughter nodded and hugged her mother tightly. "Alright then...let us get to work."

••••••••••••

When Terra had finished helping her daughter pack for their departure for Thamasa—and pack reasonably, of course—she turned her energy to trying to sooth her daughter from her grief. Her daughter did not say much after her initial revelation of the events, but Terra could easily glimpse that something strong had happened between the two to strengthen her feelings, something that, now broken, left her wheeling. Confused so thoroughly that she would ask something she had said no word of since her assault. Terra would be lying to herself if she acted as if she was not happy when her daughter spoke of it. Too often had she heard from so many that her daughter's path forward must be sought through sharing, and too often did she notice how far her daughter slipped the more she refused to speak. Yet she knew, understood, that her daughter's assault lingered so painfully on her mind that it could not be described, but pushing it aside would do nothing but harm her.

What kind of mother am I to wish she would speak more of it even should it may help her when it distresses her so? she thought as she watched her daughter slip into the turbulent and fervent, fitful rests that became so normal for her after her rape. She had prescribed the rest to her daughter herself, when it was clear the emotional distress of Alexander's rejection of her adoration was doing more than what was normal. Terra had seen it immediately, the fever and the clamminess, and she would not risk it. She had spiked the tea immediately. While her daughter slept, she would have her taken to the ships and they would depart immediately. I am sorry for all that has been brought down upon you, she thought, watching her daughter's eyes flutter fitfully. She leaned forward to kiss her forehead. In time, we will be on Thamasa, and everything will be settled again, and I will tell you everything. With that, Terra stood and smoothed hair from her daughter's face, tucked her in gently and left her to her slumber.

There was still much to do, and very little time in which to do it. With her daughter clearly gaining quicker ground toward an emotional break, Terra knew she needed to move the wheel faster than it was turning. She sent for a guard and had him carry demands to Hals to have the ships ordered into mandatory overwork, though she knew she would get a puff out of that from the workers, it had to be done. A night from them could mean a life for her daughter. Even should they never know what they were giving her child. And when the guard ran off, Terra went to the last place she intended to visit before starting her last acts as Queen in Figaro until her return. Visiting her son. She knew she could not take him with her. He was a time bomb around his sister, and even though she loved him so dearly, she could not risk him breaking her daughter right now.

She found Benjamin alone in the studies, not really doing anything but stare at the pages of a dusty tome of something she knew had never interested him before. She suspected he just picked something up and started with it, half paying attention, with the way his eyes looked. She approached softly, thinking over the best way to tell him she was taking his sister to Thamasa...and staying. She knew he would not take it well no matter how prepared she started the discussion, but she had hoped to avoid the heated anger she saw so many times as of late.

"Benny," she said gently, the nickname she had given him when he was just a boy, a nickname he only tolerated from her. When he had been born, she had cherished him so dearly the maids thought she was a ninny. He had quickly become her little lion, her little handsome prince. The mommy's boy, she often heard other kids snicker, but he had not cared. Now though, now she knew he'd snap and fight if he heard such things. The anger in him burned so brightly.

At the call of the nickname, he lifted his eyes from the book. Eyes that were so much like his fathers. There wasn't hate or love in them, just emptiness and defeat. When he took in who it was that came to see him, he moved aside his book. "Mother..." he tried to raise from his seat, but she motioned for him to remain where he was, so he sat back down. She came near. "What are you doing here?"

"There is something I need to tell you. It is important, and you should hear it from me before you hear it from someone else." she glanced across the table and saw some of the books he had been reading. Several were about engineering, but a few were rich history tomes about Figaro, ones she had often seen her daughter reading. Beside them were epics she knew her daughter had read, as well. Something seemed wrong. "What are you doing here, Benny?" she went for one of the books, and he covered it with one of the engineering books quickly.

"I'm just...trying to relax, mother." he took a second to continue. "What did you come here to tell me?"

Terra knew she had to tell her son. He had known the reasons, most at least, why his sister had been truly sent to Thamasa as a child. There was no need to avoid the truth here and now. "It is about your sister." that made his eyes spark with what she could only describe as fear. "She has...she has shown the signs that she needs to return to Thamasa, and quickly."

His expression relaxed, but only slightly. "She's sick again?" he had stressed that word, knowing he could not talk about the real issue aloud.

Terra nodded. "Yes, and it is getting worse every day. I'm afraid that her galled temperament the last few months have been indications of her declining health." she knew by the awkward look in his eye that he understood what she meant by her temperament. Her reactions to him, the violent outbursts. Even if he had deserved anger in response, it was out of the ordinary for her to lunge at him like a savage animal.

He lowered his eyes from hers. "When do you plan on taking her back to Thamasa?"

"Originally, we were set for the morning," she said quietly.

He sensed it. "However...?"

Hesitating, because she knew Emma had told her these things in private, she said, "Emma experienced an emotional break in which I believe is going to drive her further toward a..." she did not continue from there, he understood.

"What was the cause?" he asked, and Terra strangely saw concern in his eyes.

Seeing no point in keeping it hidden, for as soon as they departed for Thamasa it would be news about the castle, she said, "Alexander broke her heart. She's not...she's not in the best of emotional positions right now."

"The bastard," he muttered, jaw tightening. Terra stared at him, unconvinced. Benjamin saw the disbelief, and what's more, the anger, in his mother's eyes and sighed. "I know. You can barely stand to be around me right now. And I do not blame you one bit." Terra was unsettled when she saw the tears in his eyes. "I did...I did such horrible things, for such selfish things and for things I don't even rightly understand myself." he took a breath, shallow as it was. "I don't expect forgiveness, not from you and especially not from Emma. I don't deserve it. I'm not even asking for it...I just want you to know that," he hesitated, exhaling sharply. "That I will not cause anymore problems, that I won't say anything to her again." and then he seemed to remember their conversation, and shook his head. "Right...Thamasa."

"How could I even trust you?" she asked him, so patiently it made him feel even worse. "Benjamin...you have tormented her beyond words. The hurt you caused...I don't know if it is even repairable."

"I know," he mumbled. "I know I fucked up, that I hurt her so much, but I swear on my life I will never hurt her again." he looked towards the table, at the books, for just a flat second before looking back at his mother. "It doesn't matter though. I know you would never send her back to Thamasa alone, not again. You're going back with her." she nodded after a moment of considering admitting to it. "That's good. You should go with her." that surprised her. The angry Benjamin she had come to know since Emma's assault would have definitely snapped at that. "She will need you, far more than anyone here in Figaro. Uncle can handle the kingdom while you are away."

He was understanding, and accepting, that he was not invited. Terra took him into a hug, holding him so gently, like she used to when he was just a little boy frightened by something from his nightmares. "No matter what you do or say Benjamin, I will always be your mother. I will always love you." she kissed his cheek. "We will talk more of this when we return to Figaro."

"Of course," he said, stepping aside. "Will you be leaving today, then?"

"I must," she said through a sigh. "I simply need Hals to have the ships readied now. It will mean stopping more than I intended for supplies, but better we be on our way now than regretting I delayed another day."

"It is a wise decision." he said. "If you want, I can inform uncle, tell him that you need to see him in the foyer."

"He was informed yesterday of the plans, but with the change, I hadn't the time to call for him...yes, that would be helpful Benny." she reached out to touch his cheeks, smiling. "Benny...give it time. I am sure, even over what was said and what was done, she loves you dearly. That is just the person she is."

Benjamin smiled weakly and removed his mother's hand from his face. "I do not want her forgiveness so easily mother. I want to earn it, and I do not feel I will ever earn even a shadow of it." he bowed to his mother before departing. Terra glanced at the books collected on the table once more before leaving.

She still had to see Hals and then finally Sabin, but she had very little time to complete both tasks in. She didn't know if the dose she had spiked her daughter's tea with would last long enough, so she knew she needed to be quick. Hals wasn't in the first three locations she checked though, but when she finally found him in the naval offices, she issued the others out of the room with great urgency and then slammed the doors behind them.

Hals looked at her with great alarm. "My Queen, what in heavens is going on?"

"Hals, we must depart today, as soon as you can launch the ships."

"My Queen, that is...that is not advisable. We haven't all the supplies needed to make the journey, not without stopping to restock and—"

"Then we will do that," she cut in sharply. "Hals, we need to leave. Today. Immediately. Do you understand?"

He hesitated, but nodded. "Yes, yes, of course your majesty. I will head to the docks myself and prep the ships. Is there anything else you need?"

"Sabin will be left as Regent in my stead, so you must answer to him. There are snakes everywhere Hals, and they will not hesitate to strike when they know I have left Figaro. And...and protect my son."

For a brief second there was surprise in his eyes. She knew it was because she had just admitted Benjamin would not be joining her, but he did not question it. He was always ever so loyal, trusting. He bowed. "I will do everything in my power to help his majesty in your absence, and protect your son, but please my queen...promise me you will keep yourself safe."

She patted him on the arm. "I will be plenty safe, Hals, now hurry along. I will go talk to Sabin, and then we will depart for the docks." he bowed again, said his goodbyes and hurried off.

••••••••••••

A pressure flashed through her mind. Wake. She stirred, groggy and confused, unable to keep her eyes open. The room was dark, and the curtains were shut almost completely. A small sliver of light streamed through the slit of curtains, across the floor. Her mouth felt numb, and tasted weird, bitter.

She tried to lift herself up but every muscle in her body protested, and her arms gave out under her, and she fell back into her pillows with a muffled groan of disorientation and confusion. What...what happened. Her fingers felt thick and heavy as she felt around the surface of her bed for her mother's hand, as she had usually stayed around, but there was nothing.

Her voice was stirring. Get up. Emma could not lift herself, it was as if something was pressing her down, as if her body was filled with rocks. Every inch of her body fought her, as if she had run a thousand miles and would never wish to get back up. Get up. One by one, entranced by her voice, she shifted her legs over the side of her bed and scooted off the side. For a flat second she was standing, and like a stone tower left to weather the sea winds, she crumbled to the ground. She bit her tongue on the impact, and tears swelled in her eyes. Nothing seemed to be working right. What happened to her? She tried to think on the last thing she could remember, but it was all a blur. Vague memories of her mother, of...of something, formed in her head.

Get up, her voice said again, oddly encouraging. Emma reached up for the table beside her bed, using her legs to lift herself up, and caught sight of the empty glass. A painful pulse rippled through her head at the sight of the glass. Suddenly she saw her mother, handing her a glass of tea, and then she couldn't remember anything else. Her heart started to sink as the realization of what it meant. The voice was whispering something but all Emma could think was if her mother had drugged her. This feeling now felt familiar, only amplified. The pain medications her mother had made her take so often had left a vagueness of this in her before, but she had never been left feeling so...so numb.

She did this to me, she thought, horrified. Why? Why?!

The voice's words lifted from its ambiguity. Think, she prompted. Think. What did she want? Emma thought. There was still so much that was a haze, but as the clouds drifted, she recalled more. Thamasa! But that had already been decided. She had accepted her mother's decision. Why do this to her?

Yes, that's right, her voice hissed. Why do this to you now when you are meant to leave tomorrow? Think! Suddenly all of the puzzle pieces fit together. It had seemed so obvious now. Her mother wanted to ship her off in the dead of night, without so much as a goodbye from her family and loved ones, without gracing her the chance to say goodbye to those she cared about. Emma slumped back to the floor, trembling, tears building in her eyes. Did her mother even intend on going with her? Was that a lie too?

It doesn't matter now, her voice said soothingly. We are awake. We can go as we please, see who we please.

"I can't," she cried. "N-not without their help..."

Nonsense, the voice snapped, irritated now. You left your room before, you have the courage needed. You just need to find it again.

She sniffed "I don't have it...I never have."

The voice was quiet for a moment. You are wrong. You have more courage than you will ever know. I know it Emma...we are one, after all. Emma did not answer. We still have to say goodbye to him...don't we? The voice asked softly, and Emma could feel her desire to see him, that flame that burned just as brightly as it did in herself. Even though he had spurred their affections, it lingered just as passionately. His face started to form in her mind, that carefree smile and those warm eyes, eyes that had never looked at her with repulsion. The tears built much easier now. Yes, even now she still wanted to see him, to say goodbye, even should he never wish to see her again. He had always been so nice to her.

She couldn't leave without seeing him, she knew it. She took a deep breath. "Okay...I'll try." she felt something stir inside of her, like a well of strength untapped suddenly surge. She pulled herself back up with the table. Inch by inch, she felt strength return to her. When she saw the glass again, she smacked it off the table, shattering it across the ground. That's right, her voice said. You are not to be handled like some beast. Pick yourself up and ready yourself.

Emma took a staggering breath, feeling the stiffness in her joints waning as she took each careful step toward the end of her bed. Each step riveted through her dully. She nearly collapsed, but caught herself on her bed. The voice whispered, I have you. Keep going. And she did. With each step, the numbness in her, the hazed feeling, dulled. Something was pulling it away, far far away, and replacing it with a fire in her chest. Finally, at her window, she tore the curtains open and closed her eyes against the blinding late morning sun. How long had she been out?

We haven't much time, her voice said. We must hurry.

••••••••••••

Cadence waited patiently in the foyer to the Gabbiani residence as Maria made them drinks in the next room. There wasn't time for this, she knew, but when she tried to fight the woman on it, she had nearly been chewed to pieces. Maria hated being a bad host, after all. After several minutes, she came out with a tray of cookies and fine tea and sat it down on the fine oak table before the sofas.

"So Cadence," she said, sitting down. "What brings you here?" she reached for a cup of tea.

Cadence ignored the drinks entirely and hoped it wouldn't insult the woman. "I need to know when your son will be back today, Maria, it is important."

"Important you say?" she mumbled. "Well, if I knew I would tell you. Setzer only told me they were returning today."

"Do you have any idea when they usually return? Morning, night?" she knew she sounded borderline hysterical, but if she could get Alexander and Emma in the same room, get him to admit how he felt, perhaps she could then talk to Terra about how the two felt. Maybe...she didn't know what else she could do, but she knew she wanted so desperately to help Emma.

"Heavens...it does sound serious," Maria said with a frown. "What did my son do wrong now?"

"That is just the thing," Cadence said quickly. "He did absolutely nothing wrong. Maria...he made Emma fall in love with him."

Maria took the information with a gasp. She hurriedly sat her glass back down, but her eyes never left it. Cadence knew the woman had heard dozens of stories of girls falling for her son, all of the heart ache he caused often rushed back to her and Setzer with thunderous anger from the girls' parents, but this Cadence knew would unsettle Maria the most. Maria swallowed hard and took a deep breath.

"Gods...I'm...I don't know what to say. I should have know he was doing this." she swore something under her breath. "Of all the heartless things he could do..."

Cadence reached over to take her hand. "Maria, you need to know he never touched her, he always treated her with kindness and respect," she looked at Cadence and there was surprise in her eyes. "but that's not why I'm here. Emma is leaving for Thamasa again and I need to find your son because...gods be good...I have reason to think he's in love with her too."

Maria's face paled a bit with that. "W-what? My son, in...in love? And with the princess of Figaro?" she hastily got up. "I...I think you are confused, Cadence. Gods be good, I should only be so lucky if my son fell in love with such a gracious girl, but their wrath be upon me for setting a scoundrel upon her, for I know his intents are always the same."

In that moment Cadence realized just how she, herself, sounded to Alexander when she had doubted him over and over again for how he could treat Emma. It felt...wrong. He was her friend, and she never gave him the trust friends gave one another. Even his own mother doubted he could fall in love, to treat a girl kindly for anything other than his own selfish desires.

Cadence stood, slowly. "I know it is difficult to accept, given his history, but Maria...you do not know the things he has done for Emma, or the way he has acted around her. With all the other girls it was always about getting what he wanted from them." Maria looked away, ashamed. "But with Emma, he has always been giving, kind...respectful. I didn't believe it either. I doubted him every turn of the way. If you knew the things I did about the reasons why he even began talking to her, you would doubt him more, but day after day he made excuses he didn't have to just to see her. He brought her gifts and laughter, gave her comfort her family couldn't even give her. He stood between her and her father, for no other reason than to protect her. Maria..." she shook her head. "That idiot is in love, he just refuses to accept it."

"And if you are wrong?" she asked cautiously. "What if he hasn't changed? What if he hurts Emma the same way he has hurt those other girls?"

"I know he won't and I think you know he won't too. You have seen the change in him." Cadence smiled. "When was the last time he even looked at another girl, Maria? Talked about them?"

Maria softly smiled at that. It was something she didn't even have to think on, she knew immediately. "...before he met Emma."

Cadence smiled back. "He's in love, Maria." she walked toward her and took her hands in hers. "Please...if you remember anything about when they might return, tell me."

Maria sighed. "I honestly don't know Cadence...usually they return around midday, but with the war, things have been sporadic."

Cadence swore and turned around to head for the door. "I need to go. I have to delay Terra's departure, if only for a few hours."

Maria said, "Wait, Cadence..." the woman turned to look at her. "Good luck."

••••••••••••

The castle always looked so insignificant from so high up. It made him feel uncomfortable lately, and he wasn't sure why. He used to enjoy flying with his father, seeing the world zoom out beneath him into specks, but now it seemed daunting, too much. He didn't tell his father of the change, he was sure he would be teased endlessly if not worried over, but he couldn't stop thinking something was seriously wrong with him.

His father was already too worried, and a bit too angry, with him right now as well. When they had arrived to pick up the supplies, he had tried to spring a different girl on him nearly every other, perhaps to get his mind off Emma or to convince him never to see her again. He couldn't be sure which it was, but it only served to remind him how much he missed her.

"We're landing now," his father shouted from the wheel. "Get yourself away from the railing, boy." Alexander, lost in his thoughts, quietly went to the captain's deck and took hold of the railing. The aerodome roof parted open for them slowly, allowing them entry. The descent was slow, and with each second Alexander's thoughts flew back to Emma and Cadence. Was she told yet? Did Emma hate him now? Did the queen know, and banish him? Would he ever see that smile again?

When the airship landed and jostled the ship, he lost his footing—all because his thoughts laid on that beautiful girl-and he stumbled into the railing. His father shook his head. "Thank the gods you weren't over by the port or starboard when we landed, least you fly over the side." he was getting chided, he knew, but Alexander couldn't find a piece of him that cared right now. When he didn't snap back, Setzer glanced at him, slightly amused. The engines were still cooling down, so the noise around them was loud. "What is the matter with you? You have been acting strange the entire trip."

Alexander felt a pang of sharp pain when he thought of her again. Would it ever stop? He sighed. "It is just...by now she should know..."

Setzer understood without much else needing to be said. His eyes grew a little dark with anger, and annoyance. "I see," he grumbled. "Cadence told the girl, hm? Well, for the better. It couldn't come from you. It is one thing to hear that the boy you like, let alone feel you love, has been playing you for a fool from a friend, but to hear it from the man himself is too much I'd imagine."

"That wasn't my intention," he tried to insist, angry.

"Your intention was to trick her into affections because you thought it would help her. Isn't that playing her for something? Wouldn't you call that being a fool for believing the story those involved crafted so neatly around you?" Alexander looked away. "Look, Alexander...I will not lie to you. What you did was wrong, but I do not think it is impossible you can earn her forgiveness. It is clear you still value her friendship and that is enough to try and earn her forgiveness, isn't it? You should visit her, explain to her that you never meant her harm. Try your best to explain your situation. If it doesn't help in the end...you tried and that is all that matters."

Alexander didn't know if he could earn her forgiveness. He had only ever wanted to make her happy, to show her the world outside her room, to show her that there was something worth seeing and trusting in. That she was everything, that someone could fall for her, but had he just broke her trust beyond repair?

"Father?" he hmm'd as he checked the engines "Do you mind if I take off early?"

He shook his head. "Of course not, Alexander, just don't delay too long on what you should do. Talk to her or not, it needs to be decided on quickly." he reached over to squeeze his son's shoulder. "And son...I trust you will figure out what is right, I know it." and then he went back to his work.

••••••••••••

When Cadence arrived at the aerodome, she berated herself. It had landed already, and the only people left working were Setzer's employees and Setzer himself, whom was tiredly checking the propellers. She hurried over.

"Setzer! Setzer where is Alexander?"

He startled at her. "Gods damn it, woman, don't shout out of nowhere like that." he sat aside his notes. "What in the gods' names do you want with him?"

"Please, just tell me!"

"Alright, alright, calm down," he rubbed at his neck. "He seemed distracted so I let him off early. As to where, I'm not sure. He didn't even seem to know where he would go, to be honest."

"Gods!" she howled, annoyed, before turning. He stopped her.

"Wait, what is this about? What did he do now?"

"Ask your wife, I have to go!" she ran off.

"Cadence, wait!"

She could not afford to waste another minute though. For all she knew Terra had Emma on the docks already. She needed to confront Alexander, make him admit how he felt, if only so he could admit it to Emma before she left. If anything in the world could make that girl happy in the situation she was in, it would be knowing that Alexander harbored feelings for her. And she would deserve to know it if it was true, even should her mother and family think the powerful emotion would stir her trance abilities.

Where could you be, you stupid man? She checked the library and all of the places he found quiet, but only found the confused stares of employees and soldiers when she came barging into the room shouting his name. it wasn't until she bumped into Loreto and Angelo from their training that she knew where to look.

"Boys, boys! Thank the gods I found you!" she stopped them by their arms. "I need to know where your brother is! Have you seen him?"

Loreto looked concerned. "Yes, we saw him earlier. Why, is he in trouble?"

"Where?!" she snapped impatiently. "Where did you see him?"

Angelo quickly said, "The garden, the garden. He didn't even say hello to us, just walked by us."

Cadence thanked them quickly and ran off.

It was obvious which garden the boy meant. It was Emma's favorite, well, second favorite after the one directly below her room. The willows bloomed red flowers there and the rose gardens grew into walls of red and blue. She had told Cadence once it reminded her of the mazes back in Thamasa, and Cadence knew in many ways the girl had missed the simple ways of Thamasa. If Cadence knew about the garden, she was certain that Alexander did. Emma shared most if not everything with him, a benefit of having someone's complete trust and love.

As she turned into the inner chamber of the rose maze, she saw him sitting on the marble bench, staring up into the willow branches with a thoughtful look. Cadence couldn't help the anger flare in her again upon seeing him, but she remembered what she was looking for him for and settled it down quickly.

"There you are," she approached him with a look she knew showed her impatience and annoyance. He looked at her quickly, surprised, and stood to greet her but she quickly gestured for him to remain seated. "I have been everywhere for you, do you know that?" He fumbled over a reply. "Don't answer that, you buffoon!"

"I'm sorry Cadence if I did something that upset you, again, but I'm not in the mood to deal with you today." he sat back down, and that only fanned her anger.

"All should be well then," she snapped. "This isn't about me, it is about Emma." Alexander became alert immediately.

"Is she okay?"

"No, she isn't," she snapped. "Alexander...she's going back to Thamasa, today."

His eyes widened. "What, why?"

Uncomfortable, Cadence knew she could not tell him the truth. She looked away from his eyes. "She is unwell, and Terra fears it will grow worse and that soon it will not be possible to take her to Relm and Gau for help due to the war. It is now or never."

"Gods," he mumbled. "But...but she's okay for now, right?"

"Well enough, but she declines quickly Alexander. It is urgent she returns as soon as possible."

"I understand," he said, sighing. "Thank you for letting me know." he turned his eyes down, toward the ground, and silence fell between them. For a moment Cadence thought he would say something else, but it lingered. Finally her patience snapped, and the last of her anger swelled and exploded.

"Is that the extent of your worry Alexander?!"

"What more do you want me to say, or do?"

"For gods' sake!" she threw her hands up. "Alexander, why must you be so oblivious even to your own feelings?"

"I'm not sure I understand," he said. "I'm very much aware that I feel sorrow over her departure and—"

"Enough!" she cut in. "Alexander...I know how you really feel, about Emma." he corked an eyebrow at her. "I'm sorry I only ever doubted that you could be good for her, that you could change, I was wrong."

Alexander stood. "Look, Cadence, I don't know what you think you know, but...I don't feel anything for Emma except friendship." he gestured to the marble bench but she refused to sit. "You were right from the start. I...I had acted selfishly from the start towards Emma, and she did not deserve it. I grew to respect her and adore her, yes, but as a friend."

"A friend wouldn't try to have sex with another," she said, glaring.

He smiled a bit. "Come on now Cadence...it is just sex, and we stopped. It was a mistake thankfully avoided before it was too late."

"Was it,a mistake?" she challenged him, crossing her arms. He was stumped. "Alexander, she adores you more than I can rightly describe. You bring her a sense of security, and happiness she cannot find elsewhere. She smiles whenever she thinks of you or whenever someone says your name. She left her room, a tremendous effort considering the fear she has, because she wanted to ask me something concerning you." that had taken him aback. "It is true. You are a flirt, a pig headed tease, but you make her smile and laugh and feel safe—"

"Cadence—"

"But it is your change that is far more dramatic," she continued, eyes blazing. "You arrived at that dinner thinking of conquering her like all those other girls." he looked away, shamefully. "I know it Alexander. You were never...cruel to the others, but I knew the hearts you had broken. You started that path for Emma but you couldn't bring yourself to do to her what you did to the others the more you got to know her."

"Because she's not like them," he said. "She is my friend."

"Friend?" Cadence laughed. "Alexander, you have friends. Robert and Danessa are your friends, but you wouldn't do for them what you have been doing for Emma."

"And what is it that I have been doing for Emma?"

"You make the effort to come up with ridiculous reasons to see her, even when you do not need to," she started, very much annoyed, and aware that she was talking very loudly. "You flourish her constantly in gifts, verbal and physical, you are constantly at her side giving her emotional support, often times beyond the kind a friend would give. Support her family cannot even understand nor give her. You are the only one who has understood the part of her she cannot or will not share with the rest of us. And...and you stood between her and her father, Alexander. Her father."

"That...that was because he was—"

"You haven't spoken of nor looked at another girl since you met Emma, Alexander."

"I've been distracted and regardless, it is that—"

"You have done nothing but talk of and think about Emma," she said softly now. "Alex...don't you see? You are in love with Emma."

"That is insanity," he said. "I'm not in love with Emma, how could I be? She is a child." he approached Cadence. "Regardless, you know how I feel about you..." he took her hand and she ripped it away.

"I will not hear of this any longer!" she snapped at him, eyes blazing so much like her mother's. "We both know you do not love me. You have only ever wished to compete with Cambyses because you hated him, you both hated each other for reasons I will never understand, but do not think to insult me by standing here and telling me that you love me when it is clear to a damn child whom your heart belongs to!"

"I told you, I do not love Emma. You have known who I have loved since I was a boy...you know the truth." he took a step towards her but she lifted a hand to stop him.

"We've discussed this, I will not listen to you—" Alexander leaned in and kissed her and for a hot second there was horrific confusion on Cadence's face before it shifted to anger and she pushed him away and slapped him.

"How dare you! You know I am with Cambyses! That I am in love with him!"

"He cannot provide for you Cadence, he is not a man. Look at how he treated his sister!"

"Oh, and you treated her any better?" she shoved him back and he nearly toppled over. "You, who used a girl? Who tricked her into falling in love with you? Yes, you are a very different sort of man indeed!" she shoved at him again. "You can't even admit how you feel. I would rather love the man who had bullied his sister, and reformed, than ever love a man like you!"

"That is insanity!" he hissed through his teeth. "You would rather love a man who was abusive than a man who you perceive to be something he is not? Cadence, I could be good for you!"

"No, you couldn't, because you are blind and ignorant and selfish!" there were soft tears in her eyes now, and it surprised him. "I'm trying my hardest to get you to understand because I know you love her...I can see it in the way you look at her, the way you ask about her and care for her, yes...even the way that you want her, but gods...I don't know if it is because you are that stubborn or just that stupid."

"Cadence—"

"She's leaving Alexander, and I don't know when she will be back again. She...she may never be able to return. This could be your only chance to tell her." he let the silence linger, not sure what to say. She sighed. "Fine...then just answer this question for me. If you can answer this, then I will drop it."

"...what is it?"

"What would you do if Emma fell in love with someone else?" he visibly stiffened. "What would you feel if she didn't want to see you anymore, if she spent all of her time with that man?" awkwardly he looked away. "What if she married him? If she gave him a family? Would you honestly tell me that wouldn't bother you in the slightest?"

Alexander was quiet. He couldn't even imagine never seeing her face again, it was difficult enough accepting that she was being sent back to Thamasa. Spending this time he had away from her side had been painful, but was that all love? He wasn't sure. And yet when he thought of another man at her side, giving her the things he had, the comforts and the gifts, the emotional support, kissing her, touching her, sleeping beside her and soothing away her fears...it brought upon him a fury he couldn't explain. The man's face held no discernible feature in his mind, but whoever this make-believe man was, Alexander had wanted to murder him.

Something made his heart start to pound, to ache so terribly. Was this love though? Couldn't it just be friendship? Simple jealousy? It couldn't possibly be love, the love that Cadence had thought he harbored for the princess. He wasn't sure. This feeling was foreign to him.

"Alex?" she prompted him quietly. "Well?"

"I...I..." the words fumbled in his throat. His mind whirled around him, back and back again to Emma's face. Smiling. Giggling. Blushing. Crying. Suddenly he was remembering the day in her room, when he had given her The Swan. The smell of her, the feel of her touch, the look in her eyes, the softness of her voice and how strangely it made him feel to have her look at him like that. He wanted that. He wanted her to look at him like that all of the time, for the rest of his life. He didn't want to share that with anyone else. He wanted her, and all for himself. His heart started to race faster.

Was this love? That feeling to want someone, or something from someone, always? Suddenly he felt tears build in his eyes as Cadence's question repeated in his mind and the realization that Emma had been told he had tricked her came to him. "I...I would hate it. I would hate it so much."

Cadence's demeanor softened and she reached out to take his hand. "Alexander...it is okay to love her. It isn't wrong. Not...not if you will treat her right."

"I...I've treated her so wrong." he said. "How...how could I ever face her? How could she ever forgive me?"

"That is the thing about love, Alex," she said, smiling. "It is a strange and wonderful thing. You won't know until you confront her."

"Cadence? Please...take me to Emma."

••••••••••••

The halls outside her room opened wide before her, frightening as they were now, but yet the tingle in the back of her mind had driven her from the isolation, the safety, of her room. Two guards were standing to the far right of her door, laughing over something they were discussing privately to have noticed she exited her room. At least, not at first.

One of the guards, laughing, glanced up and caught sight of her. His eyes went wide and he grabbed his friend by the shoulder and shook him until he got the pointed look in his eyes. The other turned to see what the matter was, and froze when he saw it. The princess, standing less than five feet away from her door.

Emma herself was distracted by the confusing emotions boiling in her. The fear, mostly, but when she turned, heart thumping, and saw the guards standing—staring with mouths agape and eyes wide—she hesitated.

Do not stop now, the voice said, ignore them. Emma awkwardly turned from the soldiers and started for the stairs. She took fourteen steps—she had counted—before they ran after her, calling for her to wait. Ordinarily, she would have stopped then and ran back to her room in tears, but something kept her where she was.

"Princess, please, wait!"

She tried to pick up her pace, but one faltered step made her trip and she went face first into the stone floor. The soldiers panicked and surrounded her, well, keeping a distance of course. One of them reached to lift her up, but stopped. "Princess, are you okay? Should we get your mother?"

She lifted herself back up. "No! Go away!"

"But princess, we were given strict orders not to leave your side—"

"Please!" she cried. "Just leave me alone!"

The other soldier stepped away, and said, "I'm sorry princess, but we cannot leave you alone. If not for our duty, for our concern. Please, let us accompany you wherever it is you are headed. We swear upon our lives we will keep you safe, that we will help you achieve whatever it is that you need to do."

The other soldier glanced at him worriedly before looking back at the princess and nodding. "Whatever it may be." he added with a smile.

Hesitantly Emma wiped at her eyes and asked, "C-Could y-y-you help m-me find someone?"

"It would be our pleasure," and "Of course we can." they said, smiling. They asked who it was and Emma's cheeks reddened a bit. Her voice hissed. She didn't approve of seeking the assistance of the soldiers, nor being around them at all.

"His n-name is Alexander Gabbiani."

One of the soldiers, with shaggy red hair, smiled a bit. "Oh, the shipmaster's son." her blush only deepened. "We can certainly help you look for the lad."

"I know he was scheduled to return from his trip today," the other soldier said, whom had very dark eyes, so dark they looked black. "We can start at the aerodome, if it pleases the princess."

Emma smiled at them. "Y-Y-yes please."

The walk to the aerodome took longer than planned. Emma did not want to be seen, and so was very reluctant to take paths that took her before people. The soldiers were very understanding though, and often found her ways around them. When they couldn't, they would clear the area ahead of her. Emma was sure they were annoyed, angry, but every time they came back to her side they were smiling. She was confused. Why weren't they angry with her? Surely they were pretending?

It doesn't matter now, her voice said.

But even as they led her toward the doors to the aerodome, she knew it did matter. She wanted to thank them, to apologize to them for constantly having to stand guard at her door and never hearing even so much as a thank you from the person they guarded, but the words froze in her throat.

They came back to her side. "The aerodome is relatively empty. The few crew still working are at the back. Would you like to go in, or would you like us to ask them if they have seen him?"

Emma hesitantly mumbled, "I...I will go in." they walked ahead of her and held the doors open for her. She kept her eyes down. Her voice warned her to keep her guard up around them. The aerodome was largely empty. Most of the workers were at the back, hauling a large piece of an airship away, for repairs she could only assume. They had paid no attention to their entry.

Immediately, wishing to depart from here as quickly as she could, she scanned the room for Alexander. Not a single one among the workers possessed his color hair, or even his height, so her hopes vanished quickly.

The shaggy haired guard noticed the change in her demeanor and said, "I will go ask one of the employees. Dayton, stay with the princess, I will be just a moment." he hurried off quickly towards those in the back.

Feeling uncomfortable for being alone with the princess, Dayton shifted on spot and said, "Don't worry princess, we will find the Gabbiani lad." she was beginning to think they wouldn't. The other soldier returned.

"They had no solid information, but one of them thought they heard him say something about taking a break in the gardens." Emma's smile brightened. "The castle has six royal gardens though, to check them all would be an enormous task with only the few of us."

"I think...I think I know where to look." The soldiers looked at her at once, surprised she spoke up. They smiled though, and the shaggy haired one asked where. "The...the rose maze gardens."

The shaggy haired one passed an amused smile to his friend. "Then that is where we will go, princess."

It took them several minutes to make their way through the castle. Emma kept frightfully looking around, thinking they would bump into her mother or Cadence or uncle, or worse her brother, but strangely enough the only people her loyal guardsmen ever had to shift out of the way were employees and other soldiers, and those who were asked to move aside did so with smiles and no clear indication of anger.

They are very kind, she thought, looking at the two soldiers ahead of her as she walked. I misjudged them....

You were simply cautious, her voice said warmly, pitifully, though Emma heard a hint of shame herself. There was nothing else from her voice on the matter. She had made it clear time and time again that nothing else mattered but her own protection, even over family. Emma did not see that sentiment changing here and now, even after seeing the attitudes of the people herself. Though Emma too couldn't help but feel the same fear despite the kindness the soldiers and people bestowed upon her as they walked.

After a few minutes, the two soldiers in front of her stopped and faced her. Dayton offered her a warm smile. "We have arrived at the garden, princess. Would you like us to scout the garden first?"

From Emma's experience, hardly a soul walked the gardens. It was the least popular of them, but she did find the soldiers presence comforting, so she asked if they could stay at the entrance for her. They agreed and took positions at each side of the garden's arched entrance and wished her good luck.

Emma stood facing the gardens, fingers twisting through each other nervously. A few words...that's all. I...I can do it. She took a deep breath, trembling, and walked into the garden. The scent of the roses filled her senses immediately, and the sound of the pond crept into her ears slowly as she went deeper into the twisting maze of roses. The center willow served as her guide as she went, its white flowers fluttering in the wind ushering her feet to move quicker and quicker.

As she drew closer to the center of the maze, her heart began to race faster. I...I will just tell him that I like him and then I will leave. She didn't want to humiliate herself any further than that. She just wanted to tell him, to hope that the pain in her chest would lessen having told it. As the arched marble statues of the maze's center came into view, her fears tripled and she nearly turned and fled, but the sound of his voice had carried through the wind and everything else froze for her.

Drawing closer to the statues, she peaked around them. It was Cadence and Alexander, but why were they here? And why did they look so angry?

"I told you, I do not love Emma. You have known who I have loved since I was a boy...you know the truth." Alexander tried to step closer to Cadence, but she stopped him with a hand. The words rang through her, drowning everything else out but his voice and the pounding in her ears. No...no... she felt her chest tightening painfully. Cadence was right. He did not love her. She had hoped against hope that maybe...just maybe! Tears filled her eyes. She was such a fool!

Cadence's voice was sharp, angry. "We've discussed this, I will not listen to you—" and then Alexander kissed her, and everything froze for Emma. The sound that drilled into her head was a loud ringing that reverberated down to her core. Her vision flashed and she turned away from them, breathing ragged.

Her voice was screaming in her head, raging against the mental bars that had constricted her for so long, teeth barred, as hurt and angry as Emma was. Each step away from the maze had darkened her thoughts, had echoed the pain deeper into her soul. How long had she been party to Alexander's foolery? How long had Cadence wanted Alexander? Another flash of her vision made her trip but she caught herself on one of the pillars. Her hand touched the stone and it began to melt away, though she hadn't noticed. They lied to me! They...they tricked me...why...why...

Her voice was seething. In her mind, the flashing colors were bright and angry. How dare they! How dare they do this to us! Get up! Get up and kill them! Her voice was right. They shouldn't get away with treating her like this. A painful rush drilled through her body and she cried out, hand passing through the stone completely and allowing her to collapse to the ground. The ringing in her ears increased, so loud it drowned everything else out around her. The voice, angry, kept thinking of Alexander kissing Cadence, demanding their deaths, and seeing it only fueled Emma's anger—both with Alexander and Cadence, and with her voice.

Stop it! She begged, feeling something foreign stir, something she feared. Stop it! but the voice could not, for the rage in her could not be quenched, the grief could not be put out. The headache exploded behind her eyes, and Emma let out a scream. Through the voice's anger Emma felt her own merge with it, and it was frightening.

Shadows loomed over her a moment later, but she couldn't make out the sounds muffled through the ringing. Go away! Go away! The seething anger was hungry, so very hungry. And she was so close to letting it feast. One of the owners of the shadows knelt and Emma saw who it was; Dayton. No. No no no no. He reached a hand toward her, voice quiet against her anger, and before she knew it he was twisting upward into the sky in an energy of red and black.

Something powerful stirred within her, and she was on her feet before she could even think. The voice was hers now, and her own just barely a whisper. The other soldier, gaping momentarily, turned and started to run but Emma outstretched an arm toward him and racing forward from her fingers an energy stormed after him, wrapping around the man and lifting him off the ground. She constricted them for just a moment, watching them struggle, before flinging them aside, out of view. All at once the ringing in her ears cleared with a loud pop and Emma wheeled around and vomited.

Go back go back go back go back go back. The voice cried, showing images of Alexander and Cadence, torn to shreds, and Emma fled to the only place she could think of. The halls were empty as she ran. Her breath was short and her fingers burned, and something urged her to turn around, to go back, but she fought it so hard that it hurt. She knew just by how frightening the feeling was that it was connected to her voice, and that she was losing control of it. She tried to hurry, to push herself to her room, but as she reached the stairs to her wing, she paused.

Six soldiers were standing guard now, two of which were sitting on the steps, helmets off so that they could drink from their waterskins. The others were standing around, chatting. Emma felt a pressure build in her head, and the feeling in her fingers increased. Quickly she tried to chart out an alternate way to her wing, but her mind was muddled, distracted with her attempt to keep the voice at bay. Sloppily she stepped back, hoping to back out of view, but made a noise.

The soldiers looked up and noticed her. They were all smiling and walking towards her immediately. No! She thought lifting her hands to block her way from them. "Stay back!" and they stopped. Over and over again she saw what she did to the others in her head, the voice tempting her again. No...no...please...

"Princess...are you okay? You look sick." One of the soldiers stepped toward her. "Please, let us escort you to your room. We will get your mother after."

"I said stay away!" the cage was crumbling, and it felt like fire was burning her up from the inside. She took a step away from them and pressed hands against her head. No! Please, I beg you...don't...please!

The voice snarled. I only uncover what you yourself desire! The soldier touched her arm and like a dam breaking, her wrath flooded out. Arms flew out of her and the ground, snatching up the nearest men and pinning them high up against the stone roof. The others were stunned only momentarily before turning their eyes, widened, to Emma with complete disbelief.

She stumbled toward them and fell to her knees, crying. Kill them! The voice howled. Kill them now! More arms started to seep up through the floor towards the last free soldiers, but they quickly scattered to the remaining exists by the stairs, leaving their comrades. The arms holding the men captive glowed for several seconds before dropping the men to the floor, who laid there, unmoving. At once the arms vanished and Emma lifted herself, trembling, to look over what she had done.

Emma didn't know what to do. She got up and hurried to her room. She slammed her door shut behind her and stumbled backwards, falling down so hard she hit her head. When she was up, she looked at her hands, remembering them all...remembering Dayton, flailing about helplessly, frightened, confused. Tears built in her eyes. What...what...what is happening to me?! A flash of pain raced through her again, and she dropped to her knees with a scream. Her fingers dug into the floor, breaking through the floor effortlessly.

The voice would not stop. It kept showing them, kissing, laughing, reminding her of all the time she had spent with Alexander, all of the times Cadence had tried to get her to move away from Alexander. More and more, her anger grew. The tears burned in her eyes like fire. He lied to me! He humiliated me...! The voice kept cycling through her memories, each tender smile, all of the intimate conversations, every touch. He...he made me think he liked me! Finally the memory of the two talking in her room came to her, when he had admitted he had asked her to the ball first, and an explosive energy flew from her, disheveling the room.

"Liar! Liar!" Emma cried. The voice whispered in the back of her head, willing her to act, even as Emma got to her feet and began trashing her room. More, the voice said, more. And Emma moved, without thinking, smashing everything. Energy built around her, arms of red and black bubbling out of the ground and out of the walls. That's right, the voice laughed against her host's building rage. How long have you sat stiffened against their bullying? Their insults? Their betrayals? How much more must you endure before it is too much? The tears ran blood down her face. You know what you must do! She again envisioned killing all who had ever wronged her, even in the slightest, killed by her own hands in the most gruesome of ways.

It tasted so sweet to her now, the idea of wrapping her hands around Cadence's throat and watching the life slip from her eyes, or stabbing Alexander a thousand times until he knew even a fraction of the pain he had caused her.

Frustrated by the alien, powerful thoughts, Emma turned and pressed her hands against her hand. No! Get out of my head!

The voice laughed. This is not my doing anymore. This is your anger and my anger. Is it so crazy that you should be angry to realize those who had coddled you over the months had done so just to toy with you? It is natural to want them to hurt after seeing what you saw. The voice began to hurt her and Emma stumbled and unable to control the energy swirling around her, caused it to fling outwards, smashing through her bed and everything nearby. Let me remind you what we have had to endure in this life! Perhaps then you will stand up for once in your life and fight for yourself!

No, stop! Please...I...I can't see it again...

You must remember it, she snapped, and memories of her rape flooded into her head. Emma tried to block them out, tried so desperately to think of anything else, but the anything else kept returning the smiling face of Alexander, which only fueled both of their anger. Yet he had brought her so much happiness she could not help it. You fool! You are nothing but a god damn fool! It was all fake! He fooled you just like Luke did! Can't you grasp that, you idiot?

Emma began sobbing. I know...I don't mean anything to anyone...but my feelings...I can't control them!

Use your love to fuel your anger then, just stand up and fight, the voice said, and it was then that Emma could hear the pain and sadness in her shouting. She had been just as hurt as Emma had. It was as she said so many times, after all. They were one. Whatever one felt, the other felt. Make him pay. She brought up Alexander's face. And then everyone else. Cadence, Benjamin, Cambyses, her father, Luke and his brother Erik, Kysle and the Council. Over and over again. Make them pay!

I...I can't do it...I can't. The voice howled and Emma felt something breaking inside of her head, trying so desperately to get control. The pain was immense, so intense that her ears popped and her vision flashed. If you cannot, then I shall take this body from you!

Horrified at the numbing feeling radiating down her body, Emma tried to wrestle the control from the voice. No! I won't let you touch them!

I didn't ask for permission!

••••••••••••

Terra had finished with her preparations. It was time to retrieve her daughter and depart. She hoped her daughter would forgive her for acting so quickly, of depriving her the chance to say goodbye, but Terra knew she had little time. And when they landed on Thamasa, she would be sure to tell her daughter the truth. So that she understood the extreme steps were necessary however painful they were.

On the way she bumped into Sabin. He looked every bit as sad as she knew he would be to have them leave. "Terra," he said, frowning. "I...I understand you have to go, for Emma's sake, I do...I just don't think I can do this."

She put a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "You can Sabin, I know you can."

"What about my little niece?" he asked, tears in his eyes. "I don't want her to leave."

"I know, you cherish her very much," she reached up to touch his cheek, covered in graying hair. "That is why you are such an amazing man, and a great father and uncle. You do not have to worry. Once Edgar breaks the war, we can try to bring her home, and if not...you can always visit. You always did love Thamasa, right?"

He sniffed, nodding. "Can I come say goodbye, at least?"

She laughed. "Of course."

When they arrived at the princess' wing, they were greeted by a horrific sight. Several of the soldiers stationed at the stairs were lying about the hall, pale and unmoving. Sabin swore and ran to one of them as Terra went to another. She knelt to check his pulse, but could not detect anything. He was warm to the touch though. She shook him just to be sure, but he did not stir. She glanced over and saw that Sabin had gone to check the last few, but it was the same. He shook his head, frowning.

"They're gone."

Terra stood, quickly, suddenly frightened. "Emma!" and then she started running up the stairs. Every horrific idea sprouted into her head, every nightmare she had since the war began. The Roskovian storming the castle, night raiders, pirate attacks, rebellion—she couldn't take it. When they arrived at her room, they found that the door was blocked. Terra couldn't open it.

"Emma!? Sweety, open the door!" but there was no answer, and as hard as she pushed, she could not open the door more than an inch. She looked at her brother-in-law, and he gently pushed her aside. With one hard shove, he forced the door open, clearing whatever it was that had blocked it. Terra wasted no time, she hurried in and nearly fell over the debris that had blocked the door and now littered her daughter's room. Sabin reached out to grab her arm to balance her.

What they saw around them horrified them. The room was completely destroyed, as if a tornado had torn through it. The walls were broken through in random places, the roof drooping in splinters towards the floor at the back of the room, and the window shattered. At the center of the mess, kneeling and clutching her head, crying, was a half monstrous version of Terra's daughter. Her entire left body was consumed in red and black fur, and a giant, twisted horn was ripping through her forehead. Dense energy swirled and bubbled up around her, popping and whipping wildly about her.

Terra was frozen, unsure of what to do. Sabin's sharp shout of her name woke her to her senses. "We have to calm her down, now!"

Terra drew herself toward her daughter. The energy was giving off so much heat it choked the air from her lungs but she persisted. Sabin cautiously followed after her. She reached out to touch her daughter's shoulder gently, and the girl jerked away painfully.

"Emma, it is your mother." but she did not budge or acknowledge her. The monstrous part of her crept further to the rest of her body. Terra knelt and forced her daughter to look at her. Her daughter's left eye was red and the other crying tears of blood. "Listen to me...I know this is frightening, I know it hurts, but you can control it. Please, listen to me."

"Go," she cried, tearing out of her mother's arms, trying so hard to get away. "P-please...just go."

"Emma, please, I understand what you are going—"

"No!" she snapped, and something flew between them, shoving Terra away. "You do not know! You could never understand!" The voice that cracked through Terra did not recognize. "You people have always lied to me! Treated me as if I mean less than you! It stops now!"

"Enough of this!" Sabin shouted. "Emma, you need to calm down before you hurt yourself or anyone else!"

At once Emma collapsed and Terra went back to her side, lifting her up into her arms. She winced and looked at Sabin. "She's burning up. This...this...this doesn't feel like normal Sabin."

"Look at her!" he gestured toward the girl, whose body, even unconscious remained divided between human and esper. "I know I'm not an Esper Terra, but I don't recall seeing you like this at all! It was either one or the other! That is definitely not normal!"

She snapped, "I'm trying my best Sabin! Please, just help me get her to the basin. I need to cool her down. And don't touch her or you will be—" it was too late. He touched her skin and recoiled with a loud scream. His left hand had been burned and steamed hissed off of Emma's arm from where he had touched her.

"What the hell was that?"

"I tried to warn you," Terra said, frowning. "I'm sorry Sabin. Here, take this so you can touch move her. And hurry, we must cool her down." she handed him a spare blanket from the floor and then he lifted the girl in his arms. Terra hurried ahead of him to set the basin. The water ran ice cold. She knew her daughter would hate it, but it was the only thing she could think of to bring that fever down.

"Carefully Sabin, please," she said, when he began to lower the girl into the basin. "Keep her head up, you won't be able to help if she slips under." he did as instructed, and carefully lowered his niece into the icy cold water. Immediately she started to tremble, and the water began to hiss and steam. Terra switched places with him, cradling her daughter's head, so that her body could be fully submerged in the water.

Sabin backed away slowly, frightfully, hands shaking. "What...what do we do now?"

After a moment's hesitation, Terra said, "I don't know."

"But Terra, she's going to transform and we don't have Relm and Gau."

"I know," she said, trying very hard not to cry.

"Terra, we have to—"

"Sabin, please, let me think!" she snapped, and the room went very quiet. The only noise was Emma's whimpering and the water steaming. Terra watched the painful expression on her daughter's face. There has to be something I can do, she thought, horrified. Why...why is it so different for you? Why can't I help you with this? She reached out to smooth hair out of her daughter's face. I'm so sorry Emma, for everything.

Terra sighed. "Sabin...we need Celes."

Sabin's eyes widened as he realized what that meant. "Terra..."

"It is the only way I know how to break her out of the transformation," she kept her eyes on her daughter. "Please...get her." Sabin hurried away, leaving Terra with her daughter. She brushed her fingers over her daughter's cheek. I will help you...I promise.

••••••••••••

Alexander could barely breathe. Every step they took towards the princess' wing drew more of his strength and courage away. He knew he had made a mess of things, an unforgivable mistake, one that she perfectly had a right to hate him for until the end of days. Cadence was certain only Emma could answer that, but he wasn't so sure. Emma had gone through so much already, so much pain and betrayal, and even if he hadn't meant it the same way that Luke had, it was still trickery and pain in the end.

He flexed his hands, nervous, aware he was sweating. Saying sorry was never going to be enough for her. He could drop to his knees before, pour out his heart before digging it out of his chest for her, and it wouldn't even be close to a start. She had given him every inch of her trust, her adoration, and he used it.

I could never deserve her, he thought, watching the stone go by beneath his feet as they walked. Gods...I want to try and earn her love. Suddenly he bumped right into Cadence, nearly knocking her over. She glanced at him quickly before gesturing ahead, to where a row of soldiers stood guard at the stairs to the wing which the royal children slept. They weren't ordinary soldiers, either. They wore the dark blue and black armor of the highest rank available in the Figaro army.

"What's going on?" he asked Cadence, but she could only stare, brows furrowed thoughtfully. "Cadence, why are there soldiers—"

"I don't know," she snapped at him before charging towards them. Immediately the men brought their halberds down to block her path of entry.

"Entry is prohibited by order of the queen until further notice." one of the men said, looking at her with stone cold eyes.

"There must be a mistake," Cadence said. "My name is Cadence Galene Cole. I am a friend of the princess. I visit her frequently with the permission of the queen."

"The queen has ordered us to not let a soul beyond these stairs," the soldier said. "She did not specify anyone beyond the prince Sabin Rene Figaro for permitted entry. Leave the area or be escorted out."

"This is nonsense!" Cadence shouted. "Let me through this instance!"

One of the soldiers shifted, as if he was going to move on her, and Alexnader stepped forward to pull Cadence back. "Cadence, enough. Don't antagonize them."

Cadence ripped her arm out of his hand and shoved a finger into the face of the soldier who refused her entry. "You listen to me," her eyes were burning so much like her mother's now. She would not be denied. "I will not be turned away and if the queen knew you turned me away she would be furious." one of the guards tried to grab her arm to remove her and she shoved him away. "Do not think to touch me! Or do you wish to incur the anger of the crowned prince?" that caused momentary hesitation on the soldiers. "I will ask you once more to step aside or I will—"

"What is going on here?!"

They turned on their heels to see Sabin charging up with Celes at his heels. Celes' eyes focused on her daughter before shifting to Alexander for a hot second. "Cadence, what are you doing here?"

"I've come to see Emma before she leaves for Thamasa, but these idiotic soldiers won't let us through."

Again Celes passed him a look. Alexander wasn't sure what to make of it, but it felt...weird. He looked away. "The princess will not be leaving Figaro today," Celes said smoothly, and if you didn't know her, you would say coldly. Finally around the corner, Locke came running up, winded. "Sabin, order these fools aside please."

Sabin laughed nervously and told the soldiers that those around were to be trusted with entrance. The soldiers immediately parted to allow them through. As they ascended the stairs, Locke came up to Celes' side and whispered something to her. Alexander was beginning to worry. Something was really, really wrong. What was up with the armed guard keeping everyone out of the wing? Why was Celes and Locke here?

Before they reached the top of the stairs, Sabin stopped them, standing in front of them. "Listen..." he hesitated. "I allowed you through," he was directing Cadence and Alexander, because Celes and Locke went on through without stopping. "because I know you two care for Emma deeply. I know that but...I need you two to stay out here, okay?"

"What's going on?" Cadence asked.

Alexander watched the prince's expression soften with fear. It was bad. Something in Alexander started to tick faster, so fast it hurt. "It...it is something we can handle. In the mean time, you two stay out here. If we need you or if something changes, I will come get you or tell you." he hesitated again before turning away and hurrying up the stairs.

When he was gone, Cadence faced Alexander. "I don't like this..."

"What's wrong?" he asked. "Why did Emma even have to leave?"

"She was..." she sighed. "She is very sick Alex, and her mother needed to take her back to Thamasa."

"So now?" he looked up the stairs, fearfully. "What does this mean?" Cadence wouldn't answer him. "Cadence, what does this mean? Is she going to be alright?"

"I don't know Alex! Let me think for a moment, please!" it was then that he noticed she was crying, and he knew there was something bigger going on, and she knew. She knew and wasn't telling him. And it was serious.

He grabbed Cadence by the arm and turned her to face him. "Tell me what is going on, now!"

She ripped her arm free. "Never think to do that again!"

Before he could respond, their spat was interrupted by the queen arriving at the top of the stairs. She looked exhausted. "Cadence, I'm so sorry the soldiers denied you entrance. I thought they would have the sense to realize that you would be permitted..." she noticed Alexander and her beautiful lavender eyes narrowed on him with what he could only describe as disappointment and irritation. She knew. She knew everything. How, he could only guess. "What are you doing here? Have you no shame?"

He looked away from her eyes. He had guilt. It wasn't enough, it wouldn't ever be enough. Cadence said, "Terra, we came here to talk to Emma before she left, but we see something happened. Is she okay?"

Terra looked at her. "Alone," she said, very clear to her meaning. She doesn't want me to know anything about her daughter. He didn't blame her though. He disgusted even himself. "Please, follow me to her room and I can explain everything." but it wasn't enough. Not anymore. He had spent so much time ignoring what he felt that he had to make up for it. He had to see Emma, to tell her what he felt, to tell her he was sorry for everything, even if she should not forgive him, he had to let her know he was sorry. That she was everything to him.

"No," he spoke up over the queen, surprising both the women.

"Pardon me?"

"I said...I said no," he said louder. "I came here to see Emma and I won't leave until I do." Terra's eyes widened, and Cadence smiled a little. "I understand you do not like me right now Terra. I deserve that, I do, but I have something very important to tell your daughter and I do not intend to leave until I have said it to her. So if you do not intend to have the soldiers drag me away, then you best just let me go with you here and now."

For a moment it seemed she would allow his outburst without a response, but then she straightened, reapplying that majestic hardiness she had learned through her years as Edgar's queen—a path she had to dig through from unforgiving nobles and council—and glared at him. "You expect me to allow the very scoundrel that earned my daughter's trust and love under false pretenses into her room?" he fumbled over a reply. "The very same young man who continued to do such things even after her rape?"

"I didn't mean—"

"You meant many things, Alexander," she said, very loudly. "You meant to seduce my daughter, to have your fun and damn the feelings she might develop for you during your games. What you felt for her after you began means little to me." How could she know any of that? He glanced at Cadence, wondering if she had told the queen, but she shook her head. "Do not look at Cadence. Do you think I'm a fool Alexander? I have had to hear over the years of my daughter's life how unbearably ugly she is, how she lacks the attention necessary to be something of value, how she would amount to nothing. Suitor after suitor desiring my daughter's hand not because they could love her, but because of the power that came in her name. Did you not think I found your presence in my daughter's company suspicious?"

He had no words. He tried to say something, but there was nothing. No excuse. He had caused so much pain. "I..."

"I had hopes for you," she said, her voice shaken. "The way that you treated her made me so happy. Every day you left her, she was happy, she was in a better mood, and for that I was grateful—to a point of blindness, I now see. I thought that maybe there could be someone worthy of my daughter after all, but in the end you were just another disappointment. A disgrace meaning to use my daughter for your own disgusting means and to toss her aside as soon as you had your fun."

Cadence tried to speak up, "Terra, let him speak, please—"

Terra cut her off. "You are right Alexander," she was trembling and her eyes were filling with tears. "No matter how angry I am with you for betraying my daughter, I do not have the right to keep you from telling her whatever it is that you wish to. It is only because I need you and Cadence today though that I am allowing you through, and only for that reason."

He gaped. "W...what? Why?"

Her eyes narrowed on him. "You caused more turmoil than you think." and the sharpness in her tone was like a blade gutting him. "Do not think to do or say anything out of line. If I tell you to leave, you leave. Do you understand?"

"Y-yes, I understand."

"When it is time, I will explain in full what is happening."

Cadence was as pale as a ghost. "Terra, are you sure about this? There's no going back after this."

Terra sighed. "I am sure." she looked at him squarely. "I am trusting you once more, and only once more. Follow me and keep quiet."

Terra led them to her daughter's room without so much as another word. Why are they acting like this? He thought, terrified. Is she really that sick? Why are they wasting time keeping her here? Why haven't they flown her to Thamasa yet?

When they entered the princess' room, Alexander's heart sunk into the darkness of a fear he had never felt before. The girl's room was destroyed beyond recognition. The majority of the room had been torn to shreds, so destroyed it was beyond salvage. Locke was standing in the middle of the room, holding a bloody cloth to his face.

Cadence gasped and hurried over to him. "Father! What happened?"

"It is just a nick," he said through a chuckle, lifting the cloth to show the tear through his cheek. It wasn't too bad, but it bleed pretty steadily. "I will be fine." Alexander couldn't help but notice he didn't say how he got it.

Terra said, "Let me take care of it for you."

Locke waved her aside. "No...save your energy for Emma, you will need it. I said I will be fine."

Having enough, and feeling frustrated beyond words, Alexander said, "Could someone tell me what is going on?!" they looked at him, as if having the patience of the world in their hands. He gestured to her room, lain in ruins around them. "Look at her room! And yet you three are...are acting like nothing is wrong!"

Locke simply looked at Terra. "Why is he here?"

Alexander felt his anger swell. Terra explained. "This morning I found my daughter in an emotional wreck because of him," she did not look at him, but he felt her eyes piercing him nonetheless. "I left her, foolishly I might add, but I was pressed for time, and returned to this situation. It is no coincidence."

Locke oh'd. "I see...you think he's the cause."

Terra nodded. "I do."

Alexander stared stupidly at them. Me? I caused this? How?

Cadence said, "Where is she?"

"Celes is in there with her. Sabin's with them, too."

"Please!" Alexander stepped between them. "Tell me what's going on, please!"

Terra's eyes finally set with anger. She reached out and grabbed his arm, digging fingers into them. He winced. "Fine! You want to know what's going on, then I will show you what you did to my daughter." she started to drag him toward the basin room. Cadence tried to calm Terra down but she wasn't listening. Locke simply went to sit down on some rubble. She threw the door open to the basin room and then practically slung him forward. He nearly doubled over but he caught himself on the table to his left.

Celes stood up immediately, alarmed, but froze in place when she saw who it was. Sabin was standing aside, arms crossed, face cloaked in worry. His eyes remained on something around the corner, out of Alexander's eyesight. Celes' eyes, betraying her to no emotion, locked on Terra.

"What is going on? Why is he here?"

Cadence tried to intercept. "Terra thinks he can help—"

"He caused this," Terra said, placing a hand on his back to push him forward. "And he wants to know what is going on. Let him see what he has done."

"This is hardly the time for this Terra," Celes said, a bit hotly.

Sabin finally looked over at them. "No. Terra is right. He caused it, maybe he can help undo it." he unlatched his arms and motioned for Alexander to come forward. Slowly he did as the giant of a man bid. His legs wobbled beneath him. Whatever could he have done to cause the princess' room to...to explode? To make her ill? He felt his heart tightening. Gods...gods please let her be okay.

And when they turned around the corner of the basin room and the basin came into view, his heart stopped. Lying in the basin, shivering, was what he could only assume was the princess. Half of her was being consumed by something grotesque and she looked frail, with skin as pale as milk. He wasn't sure what was happening to her, but he knew it was Emma beneath that blackness, and that she needed help. Alexander swallowed back a string of questions and took a step toward her, only for Sabin to grab him by the arm.

"That's close enough. It is for your own safety..."

"What...what is happening to her?"

Terra said, "We know you don't care what happens to her."

"Terra, please," Cadence took her hand. "He has made mistakes, I know, but he is trying to make amends. Please, give him the chance to." the queen looked at him, measuring his worth, for just a moment before looking away. He saw tears in them.

"Is this her illness? Sand Fever?" he asked again.

Celes shook her head, but it was Sabin who spoke. "Does this look like an illness to you, boy?" he had never heard the monk speak so harshly before. Celes calmed him down with a whisper. He looked abashed, but he did not apologize, something he normally would have done.

Terra spoke up. "No, this is not Sand Fever Alexander..." she looked at her daughter with a soft expression. Alexander followed her eyes to the princess. The girl was clearly in discomfort. "...this is just what my daughter is. What she always has been and always will be."

"I..I don't understand."

Terra took a deep breath and said, "No. You don't understand...and you never will."

He didn't quite know what to make of that, but he suspected that whatever it was, Terra nor anyone else in the room was going to tell him. He knew though he wanted to talk to Emma. He looked at her again, feeling the powerful urge to hold her close, to keep her safe until she was better. He tried to move toward her again, but Celes' voice stopped him.

"We should let her rest," Celes said, uneasily. It was obvious she didn't want Emma to wake up. "Her symptoms are still extremely worrying."

"Maybe we should listen to my mother," Cadence leaned down to grab Alex by the arm to lift him up, but he wouldn't budge. "Alexander, please." finally, he allowed Cadence to lift him away. Celes went to tend to the princess but just as she knelt to press a cloth against her forehead, her eyes fluttered open.

Terra quickly leapt forward and scooped her daughter's hand up and squeezed it tightly. "My sweet darling girl, I was so worried." she kissed her daughter's fingers. "It will be okay, I promise."

Alexander could only stare as the girl tried to pull her hand away from her mother and twist fitfully. "No...please...you...you have t-to go...please!"

Terra persisted though. "I won't leave you Emma, it will be okay. I have brought help. It will be alright." she leaned out of the way, so that the others could be seen, though Emma did not look. She kept her eyes squeezed shut. Alexander could see blood dripping from them. It made his heart plunge. "I have brought Sabin and Celes, and look, Cadence is here too...even Alexander."

He felt something strange stir in the room, like a pressure press against him. Her eyes were suddenly on them, and he couldn't see anything that belonged to the princess, the sweet girl who mumbled shyly and looked away from your eyes. What he saw was something else entirely, something otherworldly. Angry. He felt a cold sweat draw over him. Something wasn't right.

Her snarl came through fangs and then she tried to leap toward him. Terra went to pin her back into the basin. Sabin went to her aid immediately. "Emma, settle down, please! Settle down!" her mother's pleas fell on deaf ears. Alexander could see only wrath in her eyes. After a moment she seemed to cool down, and Terra's strength on her daughter relented.

"We don't know exactly what you did to trigger this," Sabin said, still looking at his niece but very clearly directing Alexander. "but as you can see...we're pretty damn certain you're the cause." Celes' eyes locked onto Alexander. The accusation was clear as to what she thought specifically what the reason was.

Cadence shifted uneasily beside him and closed the distance between her and the princess. "Emma, you must tell us what is wrong, so that we may help you."

"Please, I don't...I don't want to h-hurt anyone else," she cried. "Y-you have to go." she grimaced and sunk lower into the water, seeking comfort in the cold water.

"You, hurt someone?" Cadence knelt beside her and took her hand. It was transformed now. Delicate fingers once were now clawed and trembling. "There is nothing in the world I trust more than the fact that you could never harm another person. You are just sick Emma, delirious."

"We really should let her rest," Celes said very worriedly to Terra, quickly. Alexander caught the tone easily. She was trying to get them out of the room. Something was much more worse than they were letting on. "Terra," she insisted when she didn't do anything. "Now Terra."

"No," Alexander said. "I'm not leaving her until I know she is okay."

Celes was not in the mood to be defied today. Her eyes burned with great anger. "You are the reason she is like this. You are lucky Terra even allowed you in here, let alone that Sabin decided not to pummel you for what you have been doing to her." so it was certain. Celes knew.

Abashed, he looked away from her and to Emma, who twisted around painfully, as if she fought desperately against what was right. He didn't deserve to be here. He deserved the full weight of the princess' anger, and that of her family's. But they had no idea the weight of what it was now in his heart to realize the intensity of his feelings for her, the worry he now held for what was happening to her, and the desire to make everything better, to do everything in his power to make up for what he did. To re-earn her trust. He felt his tears then, unable to stop them. How could he have screwed everything up so royally? Edgar and Cambyses was right—he was nothing.

"Please..." he asked, keeping some of his strength for this request. "Let...let me say goodbye to her, please."

Celes only glared, but Terra allowed it with a gentle touch on the shoulder. Cadence stood up to allow him to get closer to Emma. The princess didn't even seem conscious of his approach. He took her hand from Cadence and winched. It was cold, colder than he knew was okay. He caressed her hand and hoped to impart her with some warmth, ignoring the claws.

"Emma, I know you are sick and fighting something that I could never understand, and that you need your rest...I just want you to know that I am," he hesitated. An apology here, when she could not fully respond to it, didn't seem right. He tightened his hold on her hand. "I want you to know that I am always going to be here for you, no matter what. But I know you...you are strong. You can pull through this."

"That's enough," Celes barked. Sabin shook his head, even he was a little miffed with her anger, though he wasn't going to say anything. Alexander sighed and kissed her hand.

"We will see each other again, when you are well. There is a lot we must discuss...that I must say to you. To make up for." he stood. "Until then, Emma." he tried to walk away quickly so that he did not change his mind and fight the limited generosity granted to him, but the steps were heavy. His heart ached, for he knew each step drew him further away from the princess.

"This is madness," Cadence snapped, looking between her mother and Terra, who guilty looked away. "We know he caused this, we know it, but we don't know if he can talk her out of this or not. You have to let him try."

Celes said, "It is too dangerous Cadence, you don't know when she could—" Emma's scream of pain echoed through the room. The ground shook beneath them. Alexander almost tumbled to the ground the shake was so tremendous. Sabin protectively went for Terra, holding her up even as the the room continued to quake. Cadence gave a sharp cry and went for the floor to cover her head. Celes, still so cool, knelt to grab the basin and steady herself.

Alexander glanced back and saw a beam of black light streaming up from the basin. Something was bubbling out from the flooring and as he stared, he swore they looked like fingers. They were inching their way toward Cadence. He tried to balance himself on his feet, stumbled at first, but managed to grab her and pull her away. At last arms swung out of the ground at him, just inches away from his face. He fell backward, safely out of distance. Cadence was startled, but squirmed out of his arms and gaped at what had tried to attack her.

Celes was already up. The quaking was over. She was glaring at them. "Get out of here! Now!" she tried to reach into the basin, but the beam of light threw her back into the sink. She steadied herself and saw that they were still there, stunned. "I said go damn it!" Cadence snapped out of and took his hand to guide him out. He wouldn't budge, he could only stare at what was happening to the girl his foolish friend had made him realized he loved. Sabin was wrestling back one of the arms, keeping it away from Terra, who was trying desperately to reach her daughter through the beam of light.

"Alexander, please! We have to leave, now!"

We...we can't just leave her here!

Cadence tried to pull him away again. "Gods, please Alexander, listen to me! We have to go! Now!" he let himself be moved, though Cadence had to drag him practically. As they left the princess' room, he heard a scream he knew, deep down, belonged to her. He wanted to throw up. He didn't understand a thing. Why were they all so calm about this? How could Cadence leave her behind so easily? What...what was happening?!

Finally at the base of the stairs, he pulled his arms away from her and stopped. She turned to him, panting, tears in her eyes. "Alex..."

"I'm not moving from this spot...not until you properly explain to me what is happening!" his anger was flaring. "What was...was that thing back there?"

When she saw his eyes she looked away. "Alexander...Emma is different to us. She has always been."

"Not this bullshit again," now he was pissed off with her, and he never got so angry with her before. "I don't care if she is different! That is what makes her so special!" he turned to go back up the stairs, but Cadence hurried in front of him and held him back.

"Alexander, wait, I didn't mean anything by it, I'm just trying to explain what you want. Please, just listen to me...please." he tugged out of her hands and crossed his arms. "You might not like it...but the fact is, Emma is different than us. Just like her mother. It doesn't make her wrong, it just makes her not like us."

Alexander's brows furrowed. "How so?"

"You know the history of the Espers and the War of the Magi, right?" he nodded. "Then you know what Terra was...is?"

His eyes widened. Everything was beginning to slip into place, to make sense. "Terra was part Esper...but...but that part of her died with magic. That's what the Returners said."

"It did." Cadence said slowly. "For a while. It came back...when Emma was born." when she saw his expression she nodded. "Yes, that's right. Emma is part Esper too, in some portion. What you saw earlier was her transformative state taking control. Emma has never been able to control it, and it is triggered by emotional stress or powerful emotions."

Suddenly he was recalling all of her emotional outbursts, all of moments where her anger got the best of her. That can't be, he thought. How could she have not transformed all of this time? "Cadence, but how? She had so many reasons to transform before now."

"You're right, but that is why she was sent to Thamasa as a child, it wasn't solely because she was sick. Relm and Gau are capable of magicks—magicks that can seal Emma's abilities away, to keep her from transforming. We suspect the seals weakened from her sickness and stress, and then..." Alexander reached to take her hand when he saw the tears. "We should have seen the signs earlier. We...we could have stopped it all. She could be safe right now."

Alexander was certain about one thing. If that was Emma up there—and there was no doubt to suspect that of course—than there was no reason to leave her behind. She could never harm them, or him. She needed their help, now more than ever. He wasn't about to abandon her. Not again. He let Cadence's hand go. "I'm going back." her eyes widened. "I can't leave her..."

"You don't understand," she said. "She's...she's not the same when she is like this. She cannot control herself. She's just her anger."

"Even so," he said through a smile. "I like her even when she's angry with me."

Cadence laughed dryly and wiped her tears away. "Gods, you are so stupid Alexander..." she exhaled, sharply. "Fine, but I am going with you."

When they made their way back up to her room, the door to the princess' room blew open before them and Sabin flew out, smoking. His shirt was smoldering and there was a tear through his right cheek, but he didn't seem to pay any of it any attention. He immediately got up, muscles flexed. When he caught sight of them, his eyes widened, fearfully.

"What are you two doing back here?! Get out of here, now!" as soon as the words left his mouth, an arm of black and red energy flew out of the busted doorway and smashed into him. He lifted his arms to guard himself and hold it back, gritting his teeth. "Please, you have to go! This isn't a place for any of you!"

Cadence gripped at Alexander's arm, frightfully, but he could not be convinced to go. Emma could not be left here, alone, especially if he was the cause of this. He looked at Cadence. "Please, you can't go any further, it is too dangerous. I caused this, so I cannot go until I can make it better."

"Alexander, don't be stupid—"

"Cadence, please," he cut her off. "I have made so many mistakes in my life, but...I don't think any of them will top what I have done to her. Let me make this right, do not make me worry about you while I try."

Her eyes darkened with anger. "I love her too Alexander, I will not leave."

Sabin's shout drew their attention again. He tossed the energy arm out of the way and leapt back into the room, out of sight. The arm de-materialized slowly. Alexander hurried forward, trying very hard to ignore the explosive noises that were ahead of him.

Inside the room was torn to shreds, and the walls facing outwards were blown outwards. Celes was at her husband's side, who was still injured but trying very desperately to lend a hand. To Alexander's astonishment, she was casting magicks, ice elemental magicks. Toward the transformed state of Emma, who simply floated in spot at the center of the room, deflecting what they threw at her with her energy arms. Terra was on the other side, throwing orbs of water and shooting flames at her, but to no effect.

Cadence stopped at his side, gaped at the scene, and muttered, "Gods..."

"I just need a distraction," he said. "I need to get to her."

Immediately at the sound of their voices, the princess turned her head toward them, molten eyes locking onto them. A teethy smile grew across her face and slowly she descended from the sky all the while her materialized arms cared for her defenses. Cadence startled and took a step back, but Alexander stood his ground as she advanced towards them.

Terra shouted for them to run and tried very hard to keep Emma at bay with a water spell, but was thrown aside by an arm. Emma was very clearly annoyed by the interruption. Celes, noticing her daughter's approaching danger, swore loudly and charged forward. She unsheathed her sword and covered it in an ice spell before swinging it toward Emma. The blade hit an invisible wall several inches from Emma's head and then exploded into a thousand ice shards. Celes tried to pull the blade away, but something held it firm, cooking the blade red hot until she could no longer hold it. With a cry, she let the sword go and stumbled backwards.

Annoyed, Emma turned towards the general. "Enough of this!" a cage started to form over Celes, made of black energy. And then she turned back to Alexander and Cadence, turning her head, as if she puzzled them. "I was wondering when you two would show up." her voice was a stark difference to the voice he knew. It was like poison. Utterly menacing. She stood only four feet away from them, almost as if she dared not to get closer, but he feared he knew that was not the case. He could feel Cadence trembling. "You are late." Terra took one step toward them, clearly meaning to stop her daughter, but Emma stopped her by turning to face her. Several arms grew before her mother, stopping her advanced. Emma's eyes focused on her mother, the rage hidden perfectly behind her mocking tone. "Tsk tsk mother, clearly I am in the middle of a conversation, and one must never interrupt someone in the middle of conversation."

Terra did not continue her approach, but she held her daughter's eyes. The contrast from her daughter's rage, her hatred, was immense. Terra's was love and understanding. "Emma, you must stop this madness, please. If you hurt someone, there is no going back."

The smile drooped into a scowl. Whatever amusement her daughter found in this confrontation quickly soured into anger. "Madness?" she asked her mother, energy popping around her. "You want madness, mother? I will show you the madness in me!" and with a flash, she turned back to Cadence and Alexander and was standing before them. Alexander barely had the time to react, to try and shove Cadence out of the way. He knew what Emma was going to do, but it was too late. Emma lifted her off the ground by her throat, dangling her above him. She struggled noiselessly against her demonic captor's hands.

Alexander knew he couldn't press Emma to free Cadence, he could neither overwhelm her or free Cadence. His best bet was talking her out of it. But the sight of Cadence dying was quickly strangling his sanity and patience. "Emma, please, Cadence is innocent in all of this. I am the one that hurt you, that betrayed you...please, let her go. You don't want to hurt her, not truly." Emma's eyes focused on Cadence and the hand tightened. Cadence started to kick desperately. Celes shouted for daughter's life, but it fell on deaf ears. "Emma...look at me please." she did not. "Please...remember what Cadence was...is to you. You love her. Do not punish her for what I have done." finally, the hand loosened and Cadence dropped to the floor in gasping breaths.

Alexander went to her immediately even as Emma staggered back, hands tearing at her head. "No!" she screamed. "Not now!" using the distraction, he helped Cadence up, who was too disoriented to stand herself.

"Come on, you have to get up, now," he pulled her to her feet, but she nearly collapsed. "I'm getting you out of here."

Coughing as they walked towards the exit, Cadence clawed at his arms. "A-Alex...please...don't...don't b-blame her for t-this..." he could never do that. He knew Emma was sick, that she was lost. "She's...she's hurting...and—and..."

"I know," he said. "Save your strength, for now—"

"No!" suddenly Emma was in front of them, but half of her was transforming back into a human. Cadence stumbled backwards quickly, throwing Alexander off balance. "I didn't give you permission to leave!" she smacked Cadence aside and then kicked Alexander square in the chest, sending him back into the center of the room. He knew he heard something crack when he hit the floor. His vision flared and his ears popped. He crawled over on his knees, wheezing. He looked up and saw Terra still trapped by the arms, and Celes in her cage. Locke was trying desperately to break through the cage. Sabin was still battling off energy arms that materialized faster and faster.

Something kicked him over so he was on his back. He wasn't surprised whatsoever when he looked up into the one orange eye of the esper and one eye of the girl he loved, he was only grateful. Because it meant she had abandoned her pursuit of Cadence. For the moment. She placed her foot on his chest and pressed, hard enough for him to wince. "Now..." she snarled. "Where were we?"

Alexander kept her gaze. She didn't look away. He knew then this was not the girl he had come to know. This transformation had changed her completely, but if he could reach her, should she even still be in there, perhaps she could wake herself from her state. "Fine," he said, ceasing to resist her assault. "If hurting me or killing me will make you feel better for the pain I have caused you Emma, then carve your satisfactions out of me as you will. I deserve it."

She pressed harder. "I do not need your permission."

"No, you don't," he agreed. "But I know you are angry because I had come to know you through trickery, that...that I made you believe things I didn't feel, that I made you feel things for me. I know your revenge won't taste so sweet to you if I don't acknowledge what I have done to you. You can take what you will of me and be done with all of this."

Her eyes narrowed at him and then a smile crossed her face. "Is that so?" she lifted her foot from his chest. Confused, he shifted up on his elbows. "Is that what you think?" she laughed and looked around the room, at all of the faces staring at her in horror and confusion. "That killing you will make my anger satiated?" she started to laugh. "Oh no. You are just the beginning. The taste of the blood to come." she turned back to Alexander though and lifted him by his throat. "But you...you I will make suffer for fooling me, but not before I make you watch me tear your precious Cadence into pieces."

His eyes widened. "She has nothing to do with this!"

"She has everything to do with this!" she shouted, squeezing his throat. "She told me to tell you how I felt," she started to squeeze harder and harder. "filled my head with lies and lies, until at last she tore from me the last of what I could call my own, all the while she went after you! Do not think to lie to me, I saw all that happened between you two." he could barely breathe now. He tried to pry her fingers from his throat. "You have always been a liar," she said, tail whipping angrily behind her. "but I was the fool to buy it all. You told me I was beautiful in a world where I was only told I was ugly, told me I was worth something when my own parents couldn't even stand the sight of me, but it was all a game for you!" her claws were digging into his skin now. "But now I will play my own game, and the world will get to be the pawns in it."

She brought her tail up, meaning to stick the end through him, but something smashed into the side of her and knocked her down. She dropped Alexander and he hit the ground hard. The air rushed into his lungs like fire. Pain rushed through him. His spine felt like it was going to be pulled through his skin. His ears were ringing so loudly it hurt, and his eyes were filled with tears.

He felt someone's hand on his shoulder. When he tried to look up, he could barely see through the tears and dulled vision. The words echoed through the air dully. Whoever it was began to lift him to his feet. He could determine from that alone it was Sabin. Finally as his vision and hearing cleared, he could see Terra and Celes standing protectively in front of him. Locke was behind him, still heavily injured. He had an arm around Cadence's shoulder. Sabin was standing beside Alexander, trying to determine if he was okay.

He knew he was going to sound strange, but he had to get the words out. "We...we can't hurt her," he cried. "Please...she's not thinking right!"

Sabin patted him on the shoulder. "Alexander, we will take care of this. You need to leave with Cadence and her father, please."

"No," he shouted. "I can't. She is like this because of me! She...she saw us in the garden!" Cadence's eyes widened. "This is all a misunderstanding, ad she doesn't know it! I...I can't leave here, not with her like this! I can't!"

"Listen to him, boy," Locke said. "Right now, that's not the girl you know. She will kill you for fuck's sake," he coughed and lifted a hand to his chest. "We need to go, and now. Do not put my daughter at risk because you want to play a bigger fool than you already have!"

"Father, please, you don't—"

"Quiet Cadence," he snapped. "You defend him too much. I know you love him, but he fucked this up! Look at what he did to that poor girl! He wanted to use her like she was nothing but a whore, toyed with her, and look where it got us..." he coughed again, this time blood came up with it. "If he wants to make up for his stupidity, fine, but he can't find his redemption here, getting in the way and getting killed. That would just put more blood on the poor girl's hands."

Missing what he had said about blood, Alexander knew he was right. "You're right," Alexander couldn't deny any of what he said, but he knew he couldn't abandon Emma again. "I am a fuck up. I have only ever fucked things up, all my life, but not once have I regretted it...until Emma." he looked from Locke to his daughter. "I will help you get your father out of here, but I can't leave her. I will never abandon her again."

Cadence smiled softly at him. "I understand."

"Emma, stop this!" Terra tried to get through the arms, but they threw her back. "Don't make me fight you...please!"

The girl lifted herself from the ground, steam rolling off her body. Her tail twitched around her even as her wings tried to unfold further in the restricted room. They hit the roof, folding inward. When she stood, her eyes were centered on her mother, blazing with anger. As Alexander helped carry Locke away, he saw the human side slowly burning away to black and red fur again.

"You mean little to me," she snapped at her mother. "Only something to my shadow and I will be rid of it soon enough!" she threw her hand toward her mother and a pillar of black fire raced toward her. Terra effortlessly threw her hand up, creating a wall of water, blocking both her and Celes from the attack. Celes immediately counter-attacked with a storm of ice shards, small but so sharp they tore through Emma's wings and arms and legs. She gave a painful howl and flew away from them, letting her materialized arms grow up from the floor to block the rest of the ice from hitting her.

Terra immediately glared at Celes. "Do not hurt her unless you have to!"

"Damn it Terra, we can't win this if we do not fight her seriously! Regardless, you know we cannot harm her in this f—" an explosive ball of bright red light went off behind Terra's wall of water, throwing them back. The brunt of the attack hit Celes, burning her entire left arm. She gave a loud swore as she struggled up to her knees and covered it with water. Terra was dizzy, but as she tried to get up to help her friend, her water wall collapsed with another explosion of the same light. The force was so powerful, it threw them all to the ground.

Alexander dropped Locke, who landed on his arm. Cadence nearly fell out of the room through one of the holes in the wall, but she reached out and caught one of the dangling pieces of timber. From the steam, Emma emerged, floating toward her mother and Celes. The roof was completely destroyed now and rained debris down upon the center of the room. From where Sabin was, he was holding a beam over his head, trying to keep it from falling on Celes. Annoyed with him, Emma slapped him and the beam aside so that she could get to Celes.

Realizing what was about to happen, and not wanting Cadence to see, Alexander lifted Locke by the arm—he gave a cry, but not for himself, for he saw what was happening and was trying to get free of Alexander's grasp—and reached for Cadence. She struggled against his arm when she saw Emma lifting her mother by her arm and preparing a ball of fire in her other hand.

"Alex, let me go! Let me go now! Please, gods, she's going to kill her!"

He knew Emma was about to cross a line she was never going to be able to forget, to repent for, but the danger now was saving those he could, to prevent Emma from harming anyone else she cared for. To clear the room so he could get to her, alone. He knew if he could ask Celes, she would tell him to get her daughter out of here. Locke was still trying so hard to get out of his grasp, but his attempts were weakened, replaced by cries.

I'm sorry Cadence. I'm sorry Celes. I'm so sorry Emma. He was at the door now, with no obstacle to block him. And it was all thanks to Emma's blood lust. Cadence saw something he couldn't and screamed. I'm sorry for everything!

"Let her go, Emma!"

The floor trembled so violently he nearly lost his footing. It was enough that he had to let go of Locke to hold onto Cadence. As soon as Locke was free, he was limping away. To keep Cadence at bay, he had to turn around and struggle to turn her around into his arms, but it allowed him to see that it was Sabin who had caused the quaking. He was glowing orange and in his hands was an iron beam, almost as thick as his arms. He leapt towards Emma and smacked her across the face with it. She gave a horrible cry and let Celes go, clawing blindly into the air for her assailant as she flailed backwards. Celes fell hard onto the ground, but was otherwise fine, unscathed by the fire.

Cadence started to cry and ceased resisting Alexander, but he could only stare as Sabin began beating Emma with the bar, over and over again. His heart stopped and the world stilled around him. The sound of the bar hitting her body echoed through his ears, amplified. Her cries of anguish were unreal. He let Cadence go, trembling. When Emma knelt, claws digging into the floor, Sabin smashed it against the back of her head, snapping the beam in two. One of her horns cracked from the force of it.

Acting quickly, Sabin went to kick her, but she reached up to grab his foot, stopping him completely. The room began to get hotter and hotter. "Enough!" and with a fling, she threw her uncle out of the room, through the open wall into the garden outside. "Enough!" she shouted again, and Alexander saw tears running down her face, tears of black blood. She flew toward her mother and before she could even so much as bring her hands up to cast a spell, Emma was there, less than a foot in front of her. "I will skin you from head to toe!"

"Terra, kneel!"

Emma turned, too slowly, and howled as Celes' blade cut through her left wing to bone. Without stopping, Celes tore her sword from Emma's wing and brought it back down on the other wing, nearly removing it whole. The scream that tore through the room was horrific. Alexander could only stare, hopelessly, as Emma crumbled to her knees, blood as black as pitch pouring from her wings. Move! He told himself. Move! But his legs could only wobble, his fear had run to his gut so thoroughly. He could vaguely feel Cadence's hand on his arm, vaguely hear her words.

Celes brought the sword down again, completely removing Emma's right wing. Again the scream pierced the room, but this time the ground shook so tremendously the walls began to crumble around them. Emma fell to her hands, panting, even as her mother approached, slowly. The look on her face was nothing but grief, not a bit of the horror that plastered the others' faces earlier.

Terra looked up from her daughter to Celes and the words she spoke were forced, painful. "Keep her still." Celes nodded and pinned the sword through Emma's left calf, creating another sword out of ice to pierce the right side to the ground. Emma snarled and reached up to snap at her mother, but Celes pierced her hands to the ground next. Finally Terra knelt before her daughter and brushed her hand against her daughter's face, wiping blood from her cheeks. "I know you are tired and hurt...I will make it better, I promise." her answer was another snarl.

"Terra, what do we do without Relm and Gau?"

She looked at Celes, almost pitiful, before standing. "I may know a way, but..." she sighed. "we will need to remove the pins and be quick about it, or she may attempt to escape. Can you be ready at a second's notice?" Celes nodded. "Good. Once they are removed, prepare a barricade around her as thick as you can. I need to keep her contained."

They got into position, all the while Emma snapped at them like a rabid dog. Celes removed the sword and removed the ice swords at once, and Emma leapt toward Terra. A bubble of hard ice formed around them, so that Emma could not escape, but they could fight. Terra smashed her to the ground with a rock spell. Before she could recover, Terra began the next incantation. Light began to build up in the protective bubble, until spheres began to appear around Terra. Celes joined in too, using the same spell. Emma noticed and fearfully fired spell after spell at Terra, but they vaporized before they reached her.

After a second, Terra pointed one hand at her daughter and Celes followed suit. "Ultima!" they shouted in unison. A wave of white spheres flew towards Emma, at first passing harmlessly through her, but then they expanded around her and started to exploded into brighter lights.

Alexander didn't understand what was happening until he saw the white flames catch on Emma's flesh, then his legs finally started to move. He tore out of Cadence's hand and ran toward the protective bubble. Her screaming pushed him forward until he was pounding his fists against the ice shield. Emma was clawing at her own skin, trying to get get the fire off. Terra and Celes just stood aside, watching, while he screamed.

"Stop it! You're killing her! Stop it!" he was crying now. "Please! You'll kill her! Terra stop it!" she looked at him briefly before saying something to Celes, but the woman said something short, and looked angry. The ice shield did not go down. Terra shook her head at her friend and removed the ice shield herself. Alexander fell forward but quickly sprang back to his feet to race towards Emma.

By the time he reached her, the flames had gone out, leaving only smoke. He dropped beside the smoke and reached into it even as Celes and Terra approached. Cadence slowly walked forward with her father, afraid. Alexander never felt such fear in his life, such an overwhelming desire to see someone before. Please, gods, let her live. I will do anything...let her be alive! When he touched skin, he breath caught and he lifted her out of the smoke. Her skin was oddly icy to the touch despite the flame having just gone out.

Her clothes had been burnt away and her skin was as pale as milk, but despite the damage she had sustained in her fight as an Esper, she was ultimately unharmed now. Her hair was loose around her face and she trembled from the cold, but she was okay. He could no longer hold the tears back. He brought her up to him and pressed her against him, sobbing.

Terra said, "She will be fine Alexander. Celes and I had to cause her extreme pain and exhaustion to draw her out of her transformation state. It...it had to be this way."

Celes uncomfortably looked away, wincing at she drew pain from her burns, and walked over to somewhere to sit down. Locke went to her immediately to check out her arm. Cadence knelt beside Alexander and Emma. "Alexander, we have to move her, quickly. It isn't over."

Terra shook her head. "No, it isn't. Her seals have been broken completely. She is a great risk to everyone right now. We have to keep her sedated until we get her to Thamasa." she looked over at Celes and Locke. "I will heal you two the best that I can, but then I need you to check on Sabin. I'm sure he is okay, but..."

Locke nodded. "Of course Terra, we understand." Terra glanced at her daughter and Alexander once more before walking over to her friends to help them. Alexander gently set Emma on the ground before removing his shirt and covering her with it.

Cadence touched his hand. "You heard them Alex...she will be okay. Terra knows these things."

"I never should have gotten involved with her...you were right." he squeezed her hand, hoping he was passing his strength and warmth to her. "I...I ruined her life even further."

Cadence said, "No...you made her happy, if only for a time."

He smiled tightly. "That's what matters Cadence. Until I didn't."

Terra came back then, looking even worse, as if she would drop. Celes and Locke were heading out of the room, very quickly. "We need to move my daughter. Unfortunately, I have only you to ask this of Alex..."

"Please Terra, let me help in whatever way that I can."

She ignored his words. "I need her taken to a secure location, one that the council cannot locate."

"The council? Why?" Cadence looked alarmed. She stood up. "Why would...you don't think..."

"They are going to investigate the destruction," Terra said. "I don't have much time before they realize I either did it or one of my children, and since Cambyses is not within the country and Benjamin is out of castle, it would leave them with Emma. And given that they have hounded me and my daughter since our arrival in Figaro, this would be the perfect opportunity for them to seek a way to our throats. I must deal with the aftermath here."

"Where should I take her, then?"

Terra thought for a moment, and then said, "Take her to the southern wing. When you reach the main hall, turn left. You will see a locked door. The key to it is behind a loose wall to the right of the door. Inside there will be a descending staircase. Once inside...you will understand what to do." she touched his shoulder. "Keep her safe." she looked at Cadence. "Go with him. I will join Celes and the others. If everything goes according to plan, I will come get you in an hour. Now go, quickly." Alexander carefully lifted Emma into his arms and waited for Cadence to hug Terra before he guided them out of the destroyed room.

They moved as quickly as they dared to. Alexander could feel Emma trembling in his arms, cold and weak. He pressed her closer to him and picked up his pace. Cadence tried to keep his stride but fell short of him just a minute later, wincing. He had forgot she was hurt. He paused momentarily. "You need rest, too."

"No, we can't afford to wait." she straightened. "I can keep going." she glanced at Emma and quickly removed her sweater to drape it over her. "If I fall behind again...go on without me." they pressed on again. Alexander caught Cadence falling behind three more times but ignored it. There was no way he would leave her behind. He knew just how much she loved Emma, that she would wish to be with her as well. And if Emma woke, she would want a friendly face around should her mother not be.

When they arrived at the southern wing, it was almost completely full. Servants and soldiers hurried out of their way in surprise, staring in disbelief as they ran by, wondering why the princess was in the arms of some stranger. None of them stopped them though, as if they all sensed the urgency from them.

The main hall was within sight. Alexander pulled Emma closer to him. "We're here, we're here," he hoped she could hear him, sense the safety within reach, but just as they reached the hall, from around the corner twelve armed guards appeared, spears drawn towards them. Alexander stopped, and Cadence nearly collided into him. "Move out of the way! This is an emergency!"

The soldiers did not move. A second later, from behind the men, two figures appeared. Councilmen Lord and Brud, and at their side, a few soldiers who looked awfully afraid. "What is the meaning of this?! Tell these men to move!" Cadence snapped. "Now!"

Brud gave her a look, one a parent might give a child. "You have no authority here, girl. You are no queen, not yet." he turned his eyes from her, as if she was nothing, and sat them on Alexander. He felt sick when he saw his eyes fall to Emma. "You are to hand over the girl. If you do so now, you will be spared."

Alexander took a step back. "What madness is this?! She is your princess!"

Lord laid a hand on Brud, silencing him. "Pay him no attention. No harm will come to you or Lady Cadence. We seek only the princess. Release her to our custody without resistance, it is for the best."

"Why would he ever do something like that?" Cadence demanded. "What makes you think you could make such a demand?"

Brud pushed through the soldiers to point at Emma. "That...that thing is no princess, no human." Alexander's eyes widened. "It is a beast, a demon, as we have been saying since it was born, since the king took to bed filth! If we had been listened to from the start, today's massacre would not have happened."

"Massacre?" Alexander repeated. "What are you talking about? She didn't harm anyone!"

One of the soldiers who had arrived with the Councilmen shouted, "Lies! She attacked us in the halls! She killed my friends! She turned into a monster!"

Brud smirked. "As you have heard it," he gestured to Emma again. "Release her. Immediately."

"I would rather die," he took several steps back again. "If you were all smart, you would think clearly about what you are doing here. If the king finds out what you are doing..."

"The king can either deal justice fairly or stand aside while others deal it. Family or no, it is how it should be done," Lord said. "Do not worry yourself, Gabbiani. Princess Emma will receive a fair trial, as would anyone."

"Fair?!" Cadence cried. "You...you all have hated her since the day she was born! How could you call it fair when her trial would be comprised of her enemies?!"

"Enough!" Brud said, stamping a foot. "Arrest them!" the soldiers pressed forward, and Alexander turned to run, shouting for Cadence to run, to find Terra, and she took off. Soldiers chased him, shouting profanities and threatening to run him through with their halberds. Cadence was already out of sight and he was praying she could reach Terra fast enough to warn her of what the council was planing, to send help, but the fear in his gut told him it wouldn't reach him fast enough.

He was almost at the turn into the other wing. So close to getting into view of other soldiers, to shouting for help, but one of the soldiers had reached him and tackled him. He landed hard on Emma, and she gave a cry of pain. Before he could even move, the soldier was on him again, lifting him from Emma and dragging him back.

"Let me go, gods damn it! Let me go!" The other soldiers caught up and ran over to Emma to secure her. "Don't you fucking touch her! Don't you dare!" they turned her over to tie her hands up and he lost his temper completely. He shoved his weight against his captor, knocking him over and charged towards the three men. He threw himself into the men, throwing them to the ground and began pounding his fists into the face of one of the men.

"For gods' sake, someone secure him," he heard Brud's voice. The last thing he saw was being dragged off the man and two others rushing to Emma before he was hit over the head.

••••••••••••

Terra was helping Sabin with his cracked ribs while Celes directed the few soldiers who had removed the bodies of their fallen comrades earlier to a secure location. Terra knew she had to make it public, to share their deaths with their families, but she needed some time to present the situation to not only the public, but the council. Sabin winced when she placed her hands on his ribs and began the spell.

Sabin chuckled through the pain as his ribs healed. "Who knew my little niece was so strong." Terra gave him a look and he smirked. "Okay, so too soon...just trying to lighten the mood."

"We have no mood, nor the time, for your behavior," Celes said from the other end of the hall. Three men came into the room to report to her. Locke was rotating his arm, pleased with Terra's healing. "Terra, the men have finished with their orders. We are ready to proceed."

"Good," she stood and gently patted Sabin's shoulders. "We need to see the council first, and then I will make—"

"Terra! Terra!" Cadence broke through the three soldiers and fell forward, crying. The men, startled, tried to help her to her feet but she shoved them away to hurry towards the queen. "Terra...Terra...they...they..."

Taking her by the arms and trying to calm her, Terra said, "Breathe Cadence, breathe! What happened?"

"The c-council! They took Emma! They took her!"

Horror struck her like lightning. Immediately Terra turned to Sabin and Celes and Locke. "We need to move, now! Sabin head to the prison blocks, see if they brought Emma there. Locke, I need you to watch the gates, pay the guards to make sure they don't move my daughter out of the castle. Celes, you are coming with me. We will be going to the council chambers and talk directly with Lord, he is the head power among them. Perhaps I can convince him this is foolery."

"Terra, please, tell me what to do."

"Cadence, you have done enough, I can't bring you into this more than I already have."

"I want to help, please, let me."

"Fine, you may come with us, you can act as another witness to Emma's character. Come, we must hurry!"

••••••••••••

There was much to be done in such a little time. He had successfully imprisoned the princess of Figaro, but he did not know for how long he could keep that success in his hands. He set his men to the girl's cage and hurried to his private chambers and began writing. The king of Alúzar would need to know of the recent development before it carried to his ears on the wind, and his anger thereon back to him. He wrote quickly, telling him of his success and then asking of his next steps. He sealed it and then reached into his raven cage. He stuck the letter into the carrier and opened the latch to his window, allowing the bird to fly.

Moments later, his door flew open and a soldier entered. "Councilman, the queen is at the council chambers with the other councilmen. She demands an audience, immediately."

Brud scoffed. "She has no power without her king."

"Councilman Lord demands your audience as well."

"Fine. Run ahead, let them know I will be there momentarily." the soldier nodded and ran off. Brud hid away his writing equipment, straightened himself and calmed down, and then went to meet the council and whore-turned-queen.

When he arrived at the council chambers, it was quiet. The eyes of the other councilmen were instantly on him, but it was the queen's hateful, murderous glare that made him proud of himself. How long had he been trying to get at her? Twenty years now? Finally he had snapped her will, her happiness. What was left to do was deal with her bastard demon child and then her husband.

He made a point of not looking at her as he went to his seat. Lord sighed, annoyed with his lateness and refusal to direct the queen, as was customary. "It is good you have decided to finally appear, Brud, but I would appreciate it if you showed your queen her due respect."

"The mother of a murderer," someone, unable to be pinned, said from the council. Brud smirked. It was going exactly as he planned.

Terra's eyes blazed, but it was the tears that burned through her anger that pleased him the most. She was losing it. "Enough!" Lord shouted, glancing over the council. "We cannot yet judge on hearsay. The princess will be judge fairly, in court. We will accumulate evidence of guilt or innocence, am I understood?"

"Let us ask the queen if she is guilty," Geric said, smiling, as if he knew the answer already.

Mural lifted his hands and leaned back into his seat. "We know the girl is guilty. We do this charade for the good of the queen, who cannot even admit to herself what her daughter is. This is a farce, a waste of time."

Kirem glanced at them, annoyed. "Justice is never a farce, Mural. Please, let us hear what the queen has to say about her daughter." he gestured to Terra. "Please, your majesty, speak." Brud knew this would be good. The sniffling would be perfect.

"You all have always suspected my daughter was...strange," she purposely avoided Brud when she looked them all over. "I know you suspected there was something wrong with my daughter, with me, but I swear to you, my daughter is the sweetest girl you could ever meet. Her difference is her blood, and she cannot help that. I...I cannot help what I am. You knew my blood when I married Edgar though, but the same cannot be said for my daughter."

"Yes...we were aware." Lord agreed. "But we were under the impression that piece of you had died. You yourself told us."

"That is because I thought it had," she said. "And it did, for a time, but I must ask you all...if my magic had never died, would you have turned me away from Edgar? Denied your king my affections simply because I possessed magic?"

Kirem shifted uncomfortably. "Your majesty, magic has brought this world only suffering—"

"But have I?" she asked him softly. "What have I, who have only ever been capable of magic, done to deserve this prejudice?"

Brud knew she was cracking their shells, softening them up, and stood up, annoyed. "You are not your daughter. You haven't murdered with your power, but your daughter has."

Terra faced him finally. "You are an ignorant man, Brud, but I have always known this." he snarled. "The other councilmen are very much aware that I have murdered with my power." his eyes widened and he looked at the others, confused. Lord simply nodded.

"The queen was enslaved by the Empire, Brud, used through the control of a device. Her powers were abused by the Emperor's general...of which I am sure you know very well." he looked away, abashed.

Kirem shook his head. "I do not wish to talk of this. I have always said I do not tolerate Brud's lineage being allowed in the council, and if I have to hear it once again here and now, I will lose my temper!"

"No," Terra said, looking at the fair minded Kirem. "It is for that reason that it should be brought up. Just as Brud cannot help he is the son of Imperial scientists, my daughter cannot help the blood that flows through her, or that she cannot control the power that courses through her. You all do not know the extent of her power, the inability she possesses at controlling it. She is not like me. She could never control it. The moment she was born it was not within her grasp."

The queen was now digging her daughter's grave deeper and deeper. "So you admit...your daughter has been a beast since the start and you have hid it from us?" Brud asked.

"I admit that my daughter's birth somehow...and I do not know how...brought magic back to the world and that, looking at my daughter, I could not tell the world who feared magic that my daughter was of Esper blood. Not when there are still those out there who seek that power, when I had been attacked throughout the ages after The Fall because of my heritage." she brought her hand up before the council, showing a flame in her hand. They stiffened in their seats, both afraid and surprised. "Yes, I possess power and my daughter possesses power, but you would have asked me to admit my daughter into a world hates magic? In a world that hated her so furiously even when they knew nothing of her heritage?"

Kirem drew his eyes away, thoughtfully. Lifkin sighed. "It is not that we don't understand your plight, your majesty, but if your daughter murdered...what would you have us to? Ignore it? It...it is a crime. She cannot be above the law."

"Exactly!" Geric snarled. "She is a beast! Beasts must be caged, destroyed...removed from society!"

Mural laughed. "Hysterical overreaction as always," he smacked at his table heartily. "Though I do agree the girl is guilty despite the queen's pathetic emotional appeal, I do not disagree she might not have been in control of her actions. It doesn't, however, change her guilt."

Cadence said, "As long as I have known Emma, she has only been thoughtful of others, meek even to the point that any other sane person would stand up for themselves. We're talking about a girl who has never even stood up against her bullies, for gods' sake. There is no way she could ever intentionally harm another person."

"If you can overlook the inability of control, of conscious decision making, for your queen," Celes said. "Then how could you judge your princess differently under such similar circumstances? Especially when you know, even should you dislike her yourself, that she is a sweet and harmless person? You must understand this situation was an extreme, that it was something out of control."

"It would set a dangerous precedence if we started to judge on this intent, or rather lack thereof," Saem spoke up, his voice quiet against the others. "Let us say we let the princess walk, that we believed earnestly she had meant no ill intent towards those she had supposedly murdered, what should we do on the morrow? When someone unintentionally poisons half the castle with their negligence? What should we do if someone unintentionally murders a child that crosses the street, running him over with his carriage?" he locked his fingers together. "I do understand your position your majesty, and that of your daughter's, but not all situations are the same. You, and I am deeply sorry it happened to you, were quite literally robbed of your will. Your daughter, however, was not. She may or may not be able to control herself, but it was through her own action regardless that she had committed these crimes. It is the extent of her guilt that we must determine, however." he looked at Terra. "And I swear upon my life, it will be made fairly and that we will consider everything presented to us. Yes, even your daughter's lack of control. I will not allow a decision to made that does not grant your daughter that benefit."

Terra looked unsure of what to say. "I..."

Yes. It seemed Terra's appeals were for naught. Lord sighed. "We are getting nowhere right now." he stood. "We will go for a small break on this matter. In the mean time, we will allow the queen to see her daughter—"

"That is madness!" Brud stood up immediately. "She will try to break her daughter out!"

"Silence, for once you miserable maggot!" Kirem snapped. "She is the girl's mother, for gods' sake! Show some decency!"

"There will be soldiers stationed about, regardless...I am positive the queen will not try anything," Lord said, rising. "If that is all...we will continue the matter at another time when we have gathered more evidence and the queen has had time to talk with her daughter. You are all dismissed."

Brud stopped Lord by his arm. "We cannot let her have her way simply because of her past. The daughter had no slave crown on her head at the time of her actions."

Lord removed his hand from his arm. "Brud, I suggest that if you do not like the way this country conducts justice, you remove yourself from the council and relocate yourself. We must take into consideration all angles of this incident, even the possibility of the princess' inability to control her actions, be it related to illness, blood or the like. We must not condemn the sick or the inept for what they cannot control."

"So we let them walk free for their crimes?" he challenged him.

"We decide a punishment suitable for all occasions and judge them as they should be," he said as a final piece on the matter before walking away towards the queen. Brud furiously turned away from the council and stormed out of the chambers.

••••••••••••

Alexander paced the tiny cell for hours. The rest of the cell block was emptied for his arrival, the other inmates moved to the other room, but he couldn't be sure why. Were they going to put Emma in one of these cells, these cold and wet cells? Or worse...one of the cells with the other prisoners? He smashed his hand against the bars, hoping to catch the attention of the guards outside. "Let me out, gods damn it! Now!"

The door opened and, to his surprise Sabin came in with two guards. The monk's eyes widened when he saw Alexander. "Release him, immediately." the guards hurried over to his cell and opened the doors. "Damn it Alexander...I'm glad we found you, but I have to be honest, I'm not happy it was you instead of my little niece."

Alexander, filling with fear, thanked the guards and approached the monk. "You haven't found her yet? Gods...they could have taken her anywhere by now!"

"We have put up measures to ensure they can't leave the castle grounds with her, and Terra went to the council chambers to talk with them with Cadence and Celes. I was sent to check if Emma had been locked in the cells, but I've checked all blocks...she's not here."

"That's not possible," Alexander said. "If she's not in the cells within the castle, where could she be?"

"Possibly, and it could be bad...a councilman's private estates. Most of them have their own cells, to deal with issues of their own. I suspect we know which..."

Anger soared through him. Alexander wanted to choke the life out of the councilman. "Brud."

"Yes," Sabin said, tiredly. "I suspect she's being kept there and I doubt in a very humane way. We have to get back to Terra, inform her of the situation."

"No," he said quickly. "We can't wait. One of us should go tell Terra and the other should go find where Emma is being kept."

"We won't be able to check the council's estates without Terra. I do not possess the same power and rights as she does, and we have to wait for her to return from her meeting with the council to proceed."

"Screw the council! I won't sit here while Emma sit in a cell!"

Sabin took him by the shoulders, steadying him in place and calming him. "Listen to me Alexander! We could make matters far worse for Emma if we just bust into their estates, it could look like we are trying to free her."

"That is what I am trying to do!"

"For gods' sake!" Sabin shook him. "Whether or not you love her Alex, she is being held on suspicion of murder! Listen to me! If you press it like this...you will just make her look more guilty. Trust me on this, please." Alexander looked away. "We need to find Terra first, find out what happened and tell her what we know."

Alexander couldn't stand the thought of leaving Emma alone for another minute, but he knew he didn't understand how far the council would go to harm Emma, so he relented. For now. Hopefully Terra would have better news than they did.

••••••••••••

She woke shivering. A splitting headache throbbed behind her eyes, so painful it shook her to her core. She cried and tried to move her hands to touch her head, feeling something wet against her face, but her hands were bound behind her. Something hard and cold cut into the flesh of her wrists. Confusion began to swirl through her head.

Where...where am I? The room was so dark, so very dark. The only thing she could see was the silhouette of something in front of her, far out of reach. Darker against the black. She struggled against her bindings and tried to lift her head out of the water, but the strength fled her and she collapsed. Frightfully, she cried hoarsely into the dark for her mother but the only answer was a distant drip. She began to cry. "Mother...please..." the dark around her felt so constricting. "Anybody..."

She couldn't keep track of the time that went by in the dark, but her growing hunger and the pain from her wrists provided ample distraction from that soon enough. What's more the pain in her ribs and back started to slowly ebb back, and it was growing unbearable by the minute. She knew she had to shift her position to relieve some of the pain, even should it hurt. Forcing herself up, even as whatever held her hands bound cut into her flesh, she scooted back until the pressure on her hands started to loosen. Soon her back hit something hard and soaked. She wiggled her fingers to feel it and knew immediately what it was. Stone.

She knew immediately what it meant. A prison cell. She slumped back to the ground, trembling. But why was she here? She knew what she wasn't remembering was serious, serious enough to warrant throwing her inside this place, without so much as a light or a source of warmth. She started to sniffle when she realized her mother had to realize she was down here and was doing nothing. I...I must have done something horrible, but w-what? She expected her voice to answer her, but the silence grew from just the room to her mind, and isolation grew even more constricting. How strange that she had grown so attached, in some bizarre way, to her voice. What happened to it? Why was it gone? She tried to press for it, to sooth it from its cages, but it wouldn't creep out. I have to remember...I have to.

A sound started to thump in the distance of the darkness somewhere ahead of her, near the silhouettes, and she froze. It grew closer and louder, until at last from in front of her the shadows opened and a bright, burning light spilled forth. Her eyes burned against it, forcing her to look away. The noise was close to her now, and then it stopped. She tried to look at the light again, but it hurt.

Finally, a voice drew from the light. "Good. You have awoken." her heart sunk. She knew that voice. Lord! "It pains me to leave a royal in a place like this, but you left us no choice, princess."

"I would rather we secure her better than this," another voice said. Geric.

"Always special treatment for royalty, it seems," and there it was, what she feared the moment she heard Lord's voice. Brud. Her heart started to beat so fast she couldn't think straight. "If it were up to me, she would be headed for the gallows right this instant."

"Thankfully it isn't left to you, Brud," Kirem said very loudly. "I cannot grasp why it is that you continue to open your mouth and taint this justice system so, but one day I will not hold myself back when you speak."

"Gentlemen, please," Saem said loudly, cutting their bickering short. "Please, let us have order."

"Finally, some sense," Lifkin grumbled into the cell, echoing chillingly. "Let us be done with our business here. I loathe the stench and spirit of this place."

"I am in agreement with Lifkin for once!" Geric laughed heartily. "Let us be done with this place as swiftly as possible."

Emma was at a loss for words. She couldn't understand why they were all gathered here, why she was here, but she knew it was not good. She had heard all her life just how corrupt the council was, and if they had all gathered in one place outside of the chambers, here in this place, it meant great misfortune for her.

Lord quieted them and faced her. "Princess, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you that you are being held for the crimes against the crown and that your trial will be held in a fortnight."

Her eyes widened. "Crimes?" she looked over their faces. Some of the faces stared back her smugly, and the others were calm, betraying not an inch of whatever it was they thought of the situation or of her. "W-What crimes? What did I do?"

Geric started to snicker. "Do not think to play dumb with us, girl. We will not buy the amnesiac act from you."

Saem's eyes focused on her, inspecting her. "I do not think she is acting, Geric. The girl has a long history of amnesia, after all."

"Should we believe it," he grumbled. "Which I do not."

"Regardless of whether or not she recalls what she has done means little," Lifkin added in. "She will go to trial for what she has done."

"Please," she started to cry. "Tell me...tell me what—what I did."

Brud smirked and crossed his arms. "You murdered several men, men of your own guard." she looked at him in disbelief. "And then you attacked your own family, even your mother. You harmed them severely."

"N-no, I...I couldn't have," she tried to walk toward them, but her chains locked her in place and she fell back into the wall. "I wouldn't!"

"Oh, but you did," Brud said, gesturing at nothing in particular. "You savagely attacked your own mother, even your uncle was defenseless against you. You drew the blood of Lady Cadence Cole and the ship master's son, as well."

Alexander's face appeared in her head, suddenly bloodied, and Cadence begging helplessly for help. She snarled and leapt toward them, again denied by her chains. "You're lying!"

"Enough with tormenting a child, Brud," Saem ordered, unfolding his arms and turning away from the prison cell. "It is beneath any honorable man, for gods' sake."

Brud glared at Emma one last time before turning away and marching out of the room. Geric and Mural followed hotly after him. Lifkin whispered something to Kirem and quietly left the cell as well. Lord sighed. "This did not go as I wanted it to, but oh well." he dismissed the others and waited until they cleared the room before speaking to Emma again. "Your trial will commence when evidence has been gathered on our side, but I cannot call it justice if you are not well prepared to defend yourself. So please, do attempt to prove your innocence princess...I really would hate to judge you in a criminal light." he bowed to her and then started for the door.

Emma tried to stop him, the details tearing at her. Murder? How could she have killed anyone and not remembered it? "Wait, please..." he turned to look at her, the light blinding over him. "Please...tell me what I did."

He sighed. "I cannot be the one to tell you that, princess. It is best that it fall on others. You will find it more agreeable. Now...good day." he bowed again and left, closing the door behind him and sealing her once again in the dark.

"No! Please!" she struggled against her chains. "Don't l-l-leave me here, please!" but it was too late, the darkness settled around her again, and the silence gripped her until the dripping focused on her. She started to sob, dropping to her knees. Someone, please...help me.

••••••••••••

A week later, after arguing with the council for hours, Terra was finally given consent to see her daughter. It was the support of Saem and Lord, mostly, that changed the tide of the vote. As they were clearing out of the room, Saem had taken her aside quietly before the others could see her. Sabin closed the doors behind them, to be sure that none could follow them.

"Your majesty," he greeted her with a bow. "I feel I must warn you before you leave here to see your daughter that the conditions she has been living in since her capture are not very...homely."

Terra held back a tart reply. It was clear that with his approach, Saem was not of the same opinion as the others, at least not entirely. "Which councilman holds her?"

"Since we could not agree on which of the active members to use," he said softly. "a vote was cast and the majority voted for your daughter to be sealed within..." he hesitated, very clearly uneasy with what he was about to say. "...they voted to put her in Olmpa's prisons."

Terra's eyes widened. "What?"

Sabin furiously smashed his fist into the wall. "Those cruel bastards...!"

"There was worry among each of different plots between you and prince Sabin to break her free, and none of us besides Geric trusted Brud with the girl." he crossed his arms behind his back. "I am afraid, as cruel as it was to put her there, it was in fact the safest place to put her. Geric is more alike to Brud than the rest of us care to admit when it comes to your daughter. Mural is very traditional when it comes to women, but he holds no distinctive grudge against your daughter the way those two do, but harbors one in his own way. Lifkin and Kirem's cells were not suitable according to the standards we had previously agreed upon, and with Feugen in the Veldt for the foreseeable future, it left it between me and Lord."

"Why didn't you use your own cell, or Lord's?" Sabin demanded. "To put my niece in that scum's manor...it is inexcusable!"

"I am well known among my peers to be biased," he simply said. "It is the curse of refusing to immediately pick a side when something stirs, I'm afraid. And Lord, as the High Seat, could not put himself in that position either."

"Of all the places," Terra said, tears in her eyes. "You know what he tried to do to her! You...you know what has happened to her since!"

Saem sighed. "I do, but she does not know where she is. The others have been forbidden from telling her. I am here telling you this all so that you do not walk in there blindly. It may be Olmpa's manor and his cells...but it is Geric and Brud's men who guard her and treat her."

Terra knew where they were already, but she was afraid if she showed up there alone, she would be too furious to control her anger. She felt a piece of her fighting to tear them to pieces. "Lord Halim." he paused at the door to look at her. It was rare for a man of the council to be called by his given name, especially by royalty. "Please...I know you think my daughter is a monster," he looked uneasy at that statement. "but I know you are a good man. I know you understand that my daughter is a good person beneath the blood you distrust. Please, I beg you with all my being...do not let this mistake—a mistake she could not even control—be the death of my daughter."

Saem said as he opened the door, "I do not find your daughter a monster, your majesty, but it matters not what I think. I cannot intercept this trial any further than I already, your majesty. If your daughter is innocent, you must prove it." and then he was gone.

Sabin smashed a fist into his hand. "Those councilmen...! Just when you think one of them is decent, they reveal they're nothing more than snakes too!"

Terra walked over to lay a hand on his arm. "Sabin, I can sense that Saem is a good man...it is just complicated. He cannot help us if it conflicts with his views and position on the council. His honor will not allow him to."

"That isn't honor," he grumbled.

"It is to him," she said softly. "Come, we must be off to Olmpa's manor. Hopefully we are not too late for the day's meeting."

About three hours later they arrived at Olmpa's manor on the outskirts of the castle limits. Since his arrest, it had been abandoned and locked so that others could not enter. Even Olmpa's remaining family, little as they were, were forbidden entry as his assets had been seized. Though they had come to the crown and apologized deeply for his transgressions and wanted nothing to do with him anymore, it remained an eyesore—an expensive eyesore.

A squad of men loyal to the council, specifically Terra knew to Brud, stood outside of the manor's gates. They watched them approach with stone cold eyes, stopping them only when they reached them. Sabin wasn't in the mood. "Get out of our way. Now."

"Unless you have written forms authorizing you, I cannot allow you through."

"If you don't move right now," Sabin said, fists tightening at his side. "I will show you through the gate head first."

"Sabin, enough," Terra recovered a document and handed it over. "We came from the council earlier. We wouldn't even know she was being kept here had it not been for them, right?"

The soldier looked it over suspiciously before stepping aside. "Very well. Be mindful though. We are watching. Do not attempt to break her out."

Terra could feel the anger from Sabin. If she didn't get through this quickly, she was sure the normally peaceful monk would ring the man's neck. "If we wanted to break her out," Sabin's face was turning a shade of red Terra had never seen before. "I wouldn't have bothered stopping at this gate."

"Enough of this," Terra said. "We do not have time to meddle here." the monk scoffed and followed after the queen. As they ascended the stairs into the manor, Sabin swore under his breath.

"I should break her free...this isn't right. She shouldn't be here."

"If we break her free, we will anger the council and we will never be able to keep her here in Figaro." she also wished to steal her daughter away, but with nowhere to go, it was a foolish plan. The world was an even more dangerous place no thanks to the war. Where could she even take her daughter? Thamasa was too far, and the trip to them would take money and man power. Something she would give up in breaking her daughter out of prison. She sighed. "For now...we do things the council's way."

"And...and should it fail?"

Terra could not think on that outcome, but she looked at him. "Then we deal with it then."

He nodded. "Aye. We deal with it then."

Inside of the manor, they were approached by another set of guards, four in total. They were gentler in character, but strict regardless. They walked them through the manor toward the prison wing and instructed them on the rules, but did not antagonize them. They even said that they could come and freely visit, provided they go through the security each time. When they arrived at the wing, they were stopped so the guards could search them. Sabin was furious about this, but he allowed it when Terra calmed him.

"All is well Sabin. They are only doing their job."

When the guards were done, one of them nodded and stepped back. "You are cleared to go in." He stopped them just as they neared the door. "Your majesty...I know I am on the wrong side of this trial. It was never my intention to stand here. I go where I am ordered." the other guards looked at the one talking, some with contempt others with understanding. "I just want you to know that and..." he hesitated. "To know what you see in there is the cruelty of the council...not us."

Terra's heart started to sink. Saem's warning from before. So it wasn't just something to scare her away. "Is...is she okay?"

Another guard spoke up. "She is well enough," he said. "but it would be a lie to say she's being treated right. They won't let us treat her any better than a war criminal."

Sabin said, through bared teeth. "What will we see when we walk in there?"

The first guard to speak up looked away and then walked off to a small counter where he and the others took their breaks. He took a basket of foods and drinks, clearly meant for them, and walked toward him. He handed it over to him. "I'm sorry...for everything." he simply said, lowering his eyes. Sabin took the basket without a word and looked at Terra. She had tears in her eyes but she thanked the men before turning for the door and walking in. Sabin nodded to the men before following.

The staircase leading down into the prison was dark and constricted, and poorly lit. Terra fumbled her hand around the wall for a torch quickly and when she found one, she quickly lit it aflame with a fire spell. Sabin chuckled about its convenience and how he missed it, and Terra could only think how she would easily trade away her magic for her daughter's safety.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, the rest of the room opened up before them, dark and dank. Rats scurried across the floor before them, fleeing from the light. Terra stepped back, so they wouldn't run over her feet, and held the light higher, to see ahead of her. Empty cells opened up before her sight. She started to walk. Sabin was close behind. Every cell the light encased was empty, and her heart grew heavy, but as she reached the end of the room and the light revealed a slumped form lying against the back wall, horror flooded through every fiber of Terra's being. She quickly pressed the torch in Sabin's hands—he nearly dropped the basket trying to adjust himself to carry both—and grabbed the bars.

"Emma! Sweety wake up!" she pounded on the bars. "Emma, please! Please wake up!" her daughter shifted gently and then she lifted her head weakly, opening her eyes just enough for Terra to see them before closing them again with a soft groan.

"We have to get the door open," Sabin said. "Now."

"We can't bust it open, or the council—"

"Give me a moment, I will talk with the guards." Sabin sat the basket down and then slid the torch into a notch on the bars and then hurried off.

When he was gone, Terra tried to open the door to the cell, but it wouldn't budge. "If you can hear me Emma, we will make it better, I promise." but her daughter remained motionless, slumped up against the wall. Please gods...do not take her from me! A moment later, Sabin returned with the guards. The one that had spoken first asked her to step aside and then unlocked the door for her and allowed her in, before locking it again. He had given her the basket before sealing the door.

Terra hurried to her daughter's side and gently checked her over. She was bound by her wrists to the wall, and they were bruised grotesquely and bled. She was cold to the touch and pale, and did not respond to touch or word. Terra looked up at the guard. "Does she need the binds? She will not go anywhere."

"It isn't my call, your majesty."

"She is in great harm, she's bleeding and..." she stopped when she realized she was arguing with the wrong people. She looked back at her daughter and the binds and then reached for them. She used her magic to melt them away, causing the guards to gasp. "I am not trying to free her. I just want to help her, and it isn't possible if she is bound like this."

Sabin said, "Besides...my niece won't try to escape. We will talk to the council after leaving here about keeping her out of the cuffs, don't worry." and then he paused for a moment. "And if they continue to neglect my niece in this manner, I will rip their limbs off."

Terra stood and looked around the cell. There wasn't much of anything in here. Whatever bedding was laid out for her daughter was damp and old, and scavenged heavily by the rodents that scurried about. This environment was not good for her daughter's health, she knew it, and if her daughter spent any more time here...who knows what would happen. She looked into the other cells, and spotted a large, flat piece of dry wood and asked the guards to retrieve it for her. After a moment, they slid it between the bars for her and Terra laid it in a spot where the water did not drip. Next she removed her cloak and laid it down on the wood, and went for her daughter.

When she lifted her daughter, she gave a cry. "I know sweet girl, I know, just a moment...just a moment..." and then she laid her daughter down on the dry, warmth of the cloak. "There we go." she brushed damp hair out of her daughter's face and then began a more thorough search over her daughter's body for any serious trauma. The most serious, it seemed, was the injury to her wrists. Anything else Terra could not see, nor mend. Her starvation would need to be mended when she woke. With a quick spell, Terra healed her daughter's wrists as much as she could.

"You cannot be here for very long," the soldier said softly.

"We can stay as long as we please," Sabin said hotly.

The soldier sighed. "Alright...I will stay here until your daughter wakes and you have a chance to talk with her. I will be upstairs with the others. Come get me if you need anything." Terra thanked him before he bowed and then led the others out.

Sabin waited until they were gone before he said, "She looks cold, here, take this too." he removed his cloak and tossed it to her through the bars. Terra smiled at him before she tucked it around her daughter and took her cold, little hand in hers, hoping to pass her daughter some strength and warmth. She kissed her daughter's knuckles and then hid her hand away under the blankets.

"All will be well now, my sweet little girl...I promise."

Just as the guard had promised, he stayed for hours. Terra sat with her daughter, checking on her every now and then to be sure she was doing okay. Sabin had gone out to talk to Lord about his niece's living conditions and demand a change. It had been three hours, so Terra was certain he was making a change, and if he wasn't, fighting his hardest.

Don't worry Emma...soon I will have you out of here, she brushed hair from her daughter's face. And when you are free, I will take you far away from here, so that they can never touch you again. Her daughter's eyes fluttered gently and Terra straightened. "Emma?" she whispered. "Emma are you awake?" and then her daughter's eyes opened and Terra felt such relief she started to cry.

"Mother..." she closed her eyes to sweep back tears. "Y-You're h-h-here..."

"Yes my sweet girl, I am here," she soothed her daughter by stroking her hair. "I am here now."

"I'm s-sorry," she cried. "I'm so sorry."

"Oh Emma," Terra wiped her daughter's tears away. She soothed her daughter's cries away. "Listen to me, my love, listen. It seems like the world has abandoned you, that you stand alone in the dark, but know that I will never leave you."

"D-Did I r-really kill p-people?"

Terra did not know if she should tell her what happened, entirely, so she brushed her hand across her daughter's cheek and nodded, gently. "Yes, my sweet girl, but you mustn't listen to the council...whatever they told you was not true. You did not mean to do it, you were not in control."

Emma started to cry. "How...how could you s-still love me? After w-w-what I have done?"

"A single mistake does not define us, Emma," she said. "And your mistake was not truly your own. You must trust me." she reached to help her daughter up. "I do not have much time here with you Emma, but I must be sure you are well before I go."

"Y-you're leaving already?" she pushed herself up, trembling. "Please mother, don't l-leave me here!"

Terra took her by the face and steadied her so she looked her in the eyes. "I will get you out of this place Emma, but it must be in time. I cannot take you from here now. The council will not allow it."

"But...but..."

"I will sit here with you as long as I can," she took her daughter's hand. "I will not leave until they force me to." Emma sniffed back more tears and leaned over to hug her mother. "Sssh now my sweet girl...you need your energy."

After some time, when her daughter had calm downed, she set up the food for her and used the distraction to cure her daughter further. The effort it took was immense. She had little rest after her battle with her daughter, and even less energy stored, but she would not leave here knowing her daughter was in any sort of discomfort. When she was certain her daughter was well in that regard, she leaned back with a haggard sigh and watched her daughter eat. A week of starvation made her dig into the sweet bread with ferocity and trembling hands.

The council will pay for this, she thought, anger filling ever inch of her being. I will be sure of it. Her daughter coughed over her food, having ate too fast, and Terra quickly reached for a glass of water. "Emma, I know you are hungry, but you must slow down. Here, drink this."

Emma reached for it and dropped the glass. She started to cry. "I...I didn't mean to."

"I know that," she reached for the cup and the container of water. "Don't worry, I have more. Here, take it with both hands. Carefully...that's it." Emma had put one palm under the flat of the glass and the other around the handle. When she finished the water, Terra poured more. "You need to hydrate yourself, but drink it more slowly this time, or you will be sick." without a word, she obeyed.

The doors to the cell block opened then, letting in more light. Emma's eyes, adjusted to the dark, burned against the light, and she dropped the mug to latch onto her mother and hide her face. Terra looked over and watched as the guards hurried down the steps towards the cell.

"Your majesty, it is time that you leave."

"Please, I need just a moment longer with my daughter."

"I'm afraid that is not possible, the council has—"

"Just one moment to say goodbye, please."

The soldier in charge uneasily granted her request, promised her one minute and then took the rest of the soldiers to the stairs so they would have some privacy. Terra removed her daughter and made her look at her. "Emma, I must go now, but I will be back. I promise you."

"Please...please don't leave me here." she started to cry. "I d-don't know what I did and I'm afraid..."

"I will tell you later Emma, for now I...I cannot." she kissed Emma's forehead. "You must remain strong. This is not for long." Emma hugged her mother very tightly. "I love you, my little girl." Emma mumbled it back, and Terra smiled. She took the cloak from earlier and wrapped it tightly around her daughter's shoulder's. "Be strong, my dear, be strong." and then she stood. "I will be back for you." and started to walk away. Emma began to cry, but she hid her face in the cloak instead of begging for her mother.

Outside the cell and by the stairs, she latched her hand around the arm of a nearby soldier. "If I ever come back here and see my daughter in such a state again, I will tear you all limb from limb, do you hear me?"

The lead soldier went pale as milk. "We...we were ordered not to serve her until her trial, your majesty."

"They may be serving as the judges in my daughter's trial, but I am still the queen in this country. And I will not be disobeyed. Do not let this happen again, do you hear me?" He nodded, keeping his eyes down. "Good. I know you were only following orders, but you must understand...that is my daughter."

"Yes, your majesty."

"Before I go, make sure you provide better lighting for her. It is much too dark in here. Good. I will take my leave." and then she walked away, as if she was never angry with them at all.

••••••••••••

Terra found Sabin shortly after leaving the manor. He was leaving the council's chambers, steaming. Terra stopped him as the council filed out of the room and down the other hall, whispering.

"What did they say, Sabin?"

"I managed to convince Lord to hire a set of our guards to make sure Emma is being cared for properly."

"Thank the gods," she said. "We have another task to do, and we have to do so quickly and quietly."

"What is it?"

"Get Hals and meet me in the solar, quickly." Sabin ran off and Terra hurried to the solar. When she was there, she took out a quill and parchment, and began writing to her husband. She told him everything that happened. To the charming little crush that had bloomed in their daughter's heart for Alexander and how it blossomed into love, how Alexander had been trying to encourage their daughter's adoration in some horribly misplaced attempt to help her and even how it ended up crushing their daughter's heart, which led to her transformation and attack of innocents. She wrote it with a heavy heart, and left it with a desperate plea for him to save their daughter however he could.

By the time she was done writing, Sabin returned with Hals. The good general bowed when he entered the room. "Your majesty...prince Sabin tells me that you require my assistance?"

"Yes, this," she held the letter towards him, now sealed within an envelope. "Must be taken to my husband immediately, and discreetly."

Hals tucked it into his surcoat without hesitation. "If your majesty requires it, I will deliver it. This concerns the princess, doesn't it?"

Terra worriedly looked at Sabin before asking how he knew. "I'm sorry your majesty, but...it is a growing rumor. I fear the council is spreading it, the whole of them or some, I do not know it. I heard the tale of it from a few men in the tavern just this morning. They...they said she killed the men guarding her room?"

She could not meet the man's eye. She knew he valued Figaro tradition, and her laws, very deeply. She suspected he would not wish to deliver the letter should he know her daughter truly did take the lives of innocent men, but he would never understand her inability to control herself. It wouldn't take away his fear, or the pain of the families who lost loved ones. "Is it true, your majesty?"

Sabin said, "If it was...would you decline our request?"

"I am sworn to the crown," he answered him honestly. "And if you have your reasons for protecting your niece, even should she have killed...well I should expect it is for good reason. I will respect that, if only that."

Terra thanked him. "There isn't a need to thank me, your majesty. I shall be off now."

"Wait," Terra turned and dug through a small drawer for something. A smaller letter, crumbled horribly. She hesitantly handed it over as well. "I...I would like you to give this to my husband as well and..." she took a breath. "And demand an explanation for me as to why he would write such a horrible thing."

Hals looked at the letter quickly before pocketing it as well. "Of course."

Sabin cleared his throat. "If that is all Terra?" she nodded. "Good. I will go with Hals to the port, to be sure he departs without issue from the coast guard. Terra, if the council gives you any trouble, please...for the love of gods...do not rise to their bait. I will be back shortly."

Terra promised him and watched as the men filed out of the room before she sat in her husband's chair, tired and lonely.

---

It was early in the morning and Edgar was already several hours into filing through reports. His fingers and back was sore, and his eyes burned, but he had much to do and little time to do it in. And if he could complete it quickly before his next task needing doing, he could sit down and write yet another letter to his wife, whom hadn't answered in little over a fortnight. It was beginning to worry him. What could have transpired?

Someone outside the pavilion called to him at the entrance and he reached to cover the reports, so that vital information could not be seen, and cleared his throat. "Enter." To his utter surprise, Suon entered the room with Hals at this side. Edgar stumbled up to his feet.

"Hals...what in the hells are you doing here?! Who is left at Figaro defending her? Defending my family?"

"It was her majesty that ordered me to come here, your grace, and I could not deny her orders. It was urgent that I come here, and I will leave swiftly once the matter is done."

"What could have possibly happened that my wife decided to do something so monumentally stupid?" he knew his wife, she never would have done something like this unless it was with the utmost need, nor would his brother allow it, so the dread was beginning to fill his belly.

"It is best that you learn it through your wife's words, my grace." he reached into his surcoat and uncovered a letter. "She sent me because she could not trust another to deliver it." he handed it over.

Edgar tore it open and began to read. The letter detailed so much that had transpired in his absence, that had changed his daughter's life. She had found adoration in Alexander Gabbianni of all people, and heartbreak, and that had caused her to transform and claim the lives of her security detail. The council was out for blood, save a few. His wife was alone and afraid in a war against vipers in a desperate attempt to save their daughter.

"Gods..." he blindly reached behind him for his chair and sat down. "I...I never should have left."

Suon said, "And leave Figaro, and your family, vulnerable to Roskovian attack? You made the best decisions you could in a horrible position, your grace. Whatever it is that happened in Figaro...you can deal with it, you can fix it."

"How can I fix this situation from here? The only option I have is to abandon my position in the war, it is the only way to save my daughter...and yet if I do, I will abandon the victory to Alúzar and abandon my son."

"A tough decision," Hals muttered. "Yet, a king makes them for the good of the nation."

Suon glanced at Hals sharply before walking towards Edgar and laying a hand on his shoulder. "I have a suggestion, my king. Authorize the girl to be brought to you, under banishment, until you can go home to see to the girl's trial yourself. The council may hold power, they may vote in laws, but you must remember that above all else you are still the king of Figaro and what you say goes."

"Aye," Hals said. "If you wished to pardon your daughter, you have the authority to do so."

"Yes, but I would have to deal with the repercussion of doing so, both with the council and with the civilians." he looked away, thinking. "Do you believe the council will harm my daughter?"

Suon nodded. "Several of them I believe would easily do harm to your daughter. I would name Geric among them without hesitation, and Mural."

Hals added, "Saem was the only, I am aware of, that helped your wife with your daughter even should his vision of justice prevent him from further helping her. I do not think he would vote on anything that would harm your daughter, but he is in a minority I am afraid."

"Hals speaks a painful truth," Suon said. "I am afraid that if you do not act swiftly, your daughter may be in grave danger. The council has been after your wife since the day she arrived at your court, and when she gave birth to your daughter their hatred only tripled. They always wished you for the nobler women, my grace, do not think them higher than their savagery."

Edgar had made so many mistakes. The council should have been disbanded first...executed if need be. What had he done, leaving his family behind with those vipers? He nodded. "It is decided then. I will have my daughter brought to me. Hals will carry the order with him, and an act against them will mean treason, punishable by death."

Hals straightened. "Your majesty, I will require it in writing."

"Yes, yes, I will get it written in a document for each council member and for every noble lord serving in Figaro."

"Your grace?" Suon looked surprised.

Edgar looked at him. "I am laying the ground work for their removal. The lords will have to pick a side. Their king, or the snakes that pit them against each other from the shadows."

"This could cause a civil war, your grace," Suon warned him, voice a little sharp. In all the years Edgar had known him, he never heard him so worried.

"Aye, it could, but I suspect by now half the kingdom knows about my daughter and if they do not, my wife is announcing my daughter's heritage to get an upper hand on the council. The lords adore my wife. They trust her. Those that do not we will know whose side they are on immediately and Sabin will be able to deal with them on my behest."

"We cannot possibly fight two wars," Hals argued. "This...this is madness, your grace."

"If it falls to war," he said. "I do not believe it will. When country learned of what Alúzar had done to my daughter, they did not turn their backs on her justice, they rose to defend her, to avenge her. I do not believe they would find her less than just because she is half of them."

"You place too much on them, your grace," Suon mumbled. "but I will be with you, as I always have."

"That is good to hear, Suon. I am thankful that I have had your friendship and guidance all these years." he gripped the man's arm firmly, in a friendly manner, and went to finding a clear document to write upon.

"My grace, if you would let me speak," Hals said, catching Edgar's attention once more. "Before I depart, I must bring something else to your attention that the Queen demanded I get answers to." he brought out another letter, crumbled. "This...this is harder to discuss, your grace, and plagued many back in Figaro." he handed it over. "She wishes to know why you wrote such a thing."

Edgar, confused, smoothed the letter out against the surface of his table. Suon stood at his side, glancing down at the paper as his king tried to make it more eligible. Finally, he turned to grab the nearest candle and brought it closer and read the top of the letter. It was addressed to his daughter, and appeared to be in his hand writing.

He read the letter and felt sicker with each word directed to his daughter, in his own hand writing. How could this be? He thought, staring. I never wrote such a thing! He looked at Hals, anger rising. He stood, barely able to contain himself. "What manner of trickery is this?" he demanded. "Who wrote this?!"

Hals looked confused. "You did...your grace."

"I most certainly did not write this!" he shouted, just as Suon picked the letter up to read it.

"How can you explain the writing, you grace?"

"This is impressive," Suon said, glancing over the letter. "Whoever did this, must have had access to previous letters, but this is certainly not the king's hand writing. You can see the difference in how this forgery's rs and ms merge compared to the king's. What is more than that, I know the would never write something so cruel, especially to his own child."

"This is the letter, the queen said, that was meant to be the girl's gift," Hals said. "It arrived when it was meant to. It will be mighty hard to explain away the writing and the timing, my grace."

"By the gods!" Edgar howled. "I did not write this damnable letter! In fact, the one I had written for my daughter was a far cry from that forgery! Suon was here when I wrote it, ask him."

"Aye, I was. This is certainly not what he wrote. I don't suspect the person who wrote this to expect Edgar to have witnesses around at the time of the letter's creation. However, my grace, I doubt it will serve you any good to have me as a witness. This letter has done its damage as the forger intended."

"If it wasn't you...then who could have written this, and why?"

Edgar was fuming. How could Hals doubt him so? Even if the letter was convincing didn't he know his own king? "If I knew I would..." something tore him from his words entirely. Something he hadn't thought of in so long it was like a passing dream, a log in a drifting river of fog. The anger from before had tripled as a horrible realization began to dawn upon him, of what everything that had transpired came from, and why.

Suon reached for his shoulder. "Your grace...are you well?"

"I...I know who did this." he felt ready to explode from the anger, from the seething desire to kill. "That bastard...when I get my hands on him, I swear to the gods there will be no mercy for him!"

"You will have to tell us more, your grace." Suon said.

"Bertrand," he snapped. "It was Bertrand Maçon. He made the forgery."

"And how do you know this?"

Edgar looked down at the letter. "I...I just do."

"I do not know if your wife will accept these answers, but I will tell her everything you told me. I will leave as soon as you have those letters written up for the lords. In the mean time...I am tired from my voyage."

Edgar nodded. "Of course...Suon, show Hals to an empty tent. I need some time to think."

Suon bowed. "Yes, your grace." and then he led the other man out, quickly.

When they were gone, Edgar smashed his fist into the table with a loud swear.

---

Terra had visited her daughter many times in the two weeks after she sent Hals off. Her daughter was always on the edge of starvation, but she was being fed now at least, and Terra could at least be thankful for that. She had to do everything in her power to keep her daughter distracted when she was around, from thinking of what was to come, if Hals had failed to reach Edgar in time, if he failed to reach Figaro before the trial began. Luckily Emma was just grateful to have her mother visit her so she just sat with her, quietly, clinging.

Sabin came by every so often, to check on them, to be sure his demands were being met. He didn't know if he should impede on them ever, and it made Terra feel guilty. He loved Emma as if she were his own, always had, and she knew Emma wouldn't have minded one bit, but the old fool wouldn't step into the cell to see her in fear of breaking what they had.

Whenever Terra had to leave her, she felt as if she failing her daughter all over again.

On the even of the 13th day of sending off Hals, as she was deciding to write a note in desperation to her husband, a soldier burst into her room. "Your majesty! Hals has returned! He is in the solar, requesting your audience."

"Heavens!" she turned to throw what she was writing into the fire and hurried by the soldier and down the hall. Three guards sat outside the solar and immediately parted to allow her entry. When she threw the doors open, there he stood, looking exhausted and weathered by the sea, but glad to be home and to see his queen.

He bowed immediately. "My queen," he straightened. "I bring tidings from his majesty the king, and they must be executed immediately upon hearing them."

She nodded. "Of course, of course." she feared Sabin should be here, but she would fill him in later. "Tell me...what did he say?"

"Any action taken against the princess of Figaro will be considered high treason and must be dealt with in the highest severity. Any member of the council, or man or woman, who touches the princess will be arrested and sentenced to death, without trial."

Her eyes widened. "Edgar said all of this?"

"He did, your grace." he reached into a large poach at his side, bulging, and sat a thick pile of documents on the table. "Furthermore, every high lord of Figaro must be hand delivered a copy of these papers before each member of the council receives a copy. It is important, he said, that the lords read them first."

Terra reached for one of the papers, and read it. It was a declaration of independence from the council, and a call for all noble lords to respond to the injustice against his daughter that has been committed by the council since her birth, as well as that against his wife since the royal marriage. She could scarcely believe what she was reading. They had been talking about this for years, tried so many times, but never came close to dismantling their power. Would the lords truly side with their king?

Finally, Hals said, "His grace said if you have not already made an announcement about the girl to the kingdom to do so now, before the council can. It is the most important step of this. At the same time, someone must be taking these notices to the lords."

Terra looked at him, alarmed. "He wants me to tell the kingdom about Emma?"

"He suspected that you were thinking about it already, if you hadn't already, in order to get a hand over the council."

It was true she had thought about it, but it was thinking that Edgar would greatly disapprove of it as a tactical disadvantage that she stayed her hand. "I don't understand...why now?"

"It is important the kingdom understands the humanity in you and your daughter before the council twists their views," Hals said. "They must understand the complexity of the situation, be reminded of the girl she was, the pain she was made to endure, to understand her inability to control what she had done. If there is any hope of staying the council's rise to power and the execution of the princess. You must do this."

Terra nodded. "Fine. You need to find Sabin and have him led the notices for me, Hals."

"Consider it done already, your grace." he bowed, and took the papers, stuffed them back into his poach and hurried off. Terra took a deep breath, collected her thoughts and turned out of the room. The Chancellor was going to have a fit with what she was about to do.

••••••••••••

It was too much. It had been weeks and they still denied him a chance to see her. Even Cadence wasn't allowed to see her, not even once. He had hoped for a chance just to say he was sorry, to hold her close and tell her she meant everything to him, but there wasn't a sole in the kingdom now who had the authority to grant him the permission to see her outside of the council. And they saw enemies in everyone and every shadow. Cadence had told him they had fought tooth and nail with the queen about visitation, thinking she would spring the girl from captivity. There was no way they would grant him entry.

His father had told him to leave it be, to let it work itself out, that Terra was doing everything she could and he was risking her work by acting like this, but his father didn't understand. Emma was in this situation because of him. He had acted selfishly, horribly, and it hurt her. He couldn't just stand around their residence being useless! He couldn't stand how his family didn't seem to care as much as him. He stormed out, angry, and made his way to the capitol square, where the taverns were. A drink might help drown his sorrows away, if only for a few hours.

The tavern was as it was every other time he visited it; poorly lit, smokey and congested with drunkards and wenches. The floor was covered in beer, making his boots stick to the boards with every step he took, and yet they served some of the best ale around the capitol.

Alexander took a seat at the bar and ordered a mug. The bar keep smiled. "Alexander...haven't seen you in quite some time. I guess whatever lady that got you finally let you go, eh?"

He sighed. "I suppose you could say that..."

"Well, nothing a couple 'ole ales won't knock out, eh?" he turned away to serve a few others at the bar. As he reached for his mug, a fellow across from him started speaking to his mate.

"Did you hear? The queen is calling an announcement at the castle."

Alexander perked up, setting aside his mug.

"Aye, why should I care?" the other asked, drinking.

"Could be related to the war, you know," the first said. "Bet we finally won. Abe might be comin' back."

"Aye...dead."

"Don't say that," the first grumbled.

Alexander leaned towards them and said, "Excuse me...what were you just saying? About an announcement?"

The first fellow leaned into view to look at him. "The queen's calling the public to the castle. Suppose it is a big one, ain't suppose to call the public unless its big."

He stood up. "How long ago was this?"

He thought for a moment. "Maybe half an hour ago, I guess...wait, you gonna drink that?" he asked, but Alexander was already running out of the tavern.

The square was so overwhelmed with civilians by the time that he arrived that Alexander could scarcely move through them. The castle's terrace, where the king and queen made announcements, was currently occupied by two soldiers of the Lion's Guard. There was no sign of the queen, so he prayed he hadn't missed the announcement yet.

There was a row of guards at a staircase leading up to a lower platform below the terrace where the queen would speak, so Alexander dug his way through the rowdy crowd to talk with the men. One of the soldiers drew a spear to stop him, clearly annoyed and without any idea as to who he was. "Halt, in the name of the queen. All civilians will stand in the square to hear the announcement."

Another soldier laughed. "Where did this fool even get the idea he'd be allowed through?"

"I'm not a commoner," he snapped. "I am Alexander Orazio Gabbiani." that shut the men up quickly. Everyone who hadn't their heads under a rock knew the shipmaster, though it was more common to know Setzer and his family by the enormous fortunes they made through their casinos and other investments.

"Our apologies, sir," the first said. "What can we do for you?"

"I need to speak with the queen?"

The second one laughed under his breath, but the first said, "Even if you are the son of Lord Gabbiani, we can't just bring you to the queen."

"You clearly do not know who I am as well as I thought you would," he said, getting angrier. "I am dear friends with Cadence Cole, whom I am sure you know is very much involved with your crowned prince. I habe also been..." he hesitated. What have I been to her? He thought, thinking of Emma's face. "I have been a friend to the princess for quite some time."

"Look, even if that was—"

"Just tell the queen I am here, she will wish to talk to me. If she turns me away then I will go."

It seemed like they were going to deny him entirely, but the first guard sighed and sent the laughing one back to talk to the queen, Alexander assumed. For several long minutes they stood there, against the loud clamor of the civilians and the stern looks of the other soldiers, until at last the laughing soldier returned looking displeased. He whispered something to the first soldier, who nodded.

"It is as you said, sir, the queen wishes to see you. I am sorry for the delay, but as things are, I couldn't take a chance."

Alexander thought to dismiss the trouble, but he had no time. He thanked the men quickly before hurrying up the stairs. At the top of the stairs, pacing nervously, was the queen. Sabin was off to the side, arms crossed, looking every bit as nervous but only through the stare he pressed on his sister-in-law. The Chancellor was here too, standing aside with a large parchment. He was the only one who didn't seem nervous, though the look in his eye was something else entirely.

"My queen, we have kept them waiting long enough. I think it is time, or if it is too much...dismiss them."

Sabin said, "Terra, you have to decide."

Terra looked up, meaning to say something to the monk, when she caught sight of Alexander. She sighed and motioned him in. As he cleared the distance, he caught sight of Cadence to his right, sitting on a chair, with her father and mother beside her. They looked distressed, but otherwise exhausted. The youngest prince was nowhere to be seen.

"I should have known you would appear...it seems fate keeps bringing you to my daughter." she sighed and stopped pacing at last, to face him. The look in her eye was fierce. "Why have you come here, Alexander?"

He felt all the strength leave him as he formed the question. "Are...are you announcing her execution?" he knew she would understand who he meant. Terra's eyes widened, and Sabin leaned away from the pillar he was against, face darkening in anger. "Please...I know the council reigns terror over everyone, that Emma...Emma made mistakes, but don't let them rule over you."

"Alexander, that isn't what this is." she said gently. "Do you think I would ever stand aside as they hurt my daughter?"

"You dare come here and accuse the girl's own mother of abandoning her?" Sabin barked. "You have some nerve!"

Cadence cut in sharply. "Sabin, now is not the time, please!" he scoffed and looked away.

Alexander decided to ignore the monk for more important things, though Alex knew the man was righteously angry with him. He had earned the trust of the man's niece and betrayed it. Whatever forgiveness he could earn had to be earned rigorously. "If that isn't what this is about...what is it for?"

Terra said, "I am announcing Emma's heritage to the kingdom, before the council can twist it for their own goals."

"What if that makes it worse?"

"What will make matters worse," Celes said, standing. "Is if the council gains control of the civilians. If he has their support by convincing them that Emma is a monster, some animal need caging, then not only will she be doomed but we all will be. Our best bet is to try to explain the situation to the people and hope they fall to our side."

"You are placing everything on the chance that they are compassionate, that they care," Alexander said. "But once you tell them she can't control herself, that she already claimed lives, they will turn on you like vipers!"

"We are hoping that they and the lords will side with us...given our past." Locke mumbled, leaning into his chair with a sigh that said very clearly he wasn't very sure it was going to work out.

Alexander turned his eyes sharply to Terra. "You told the nobles?" he could barely believe what he was hearing. "What if the council has them in their pockets, Terra?! What if they alerted the council?!"

"Then we will know where we stand," she said sadly. "And I will have lost everything."

"Gods damn it! This was a horrible idea!"

"What else was I supposed to do, Alexander?" she shoved him back. "I had no other course of action! My daughter is rotting in a cell right now because of actions that you took!" she shoved him again. "I had two viable options; let her rot there in hopes that the council would vote to banish her, which I knew they wouldn't since the majority of them have been after my daughter's head since she was born or; follow Edgar's plan to try and get the nobles on our side to kick the council out of power so that they had no power to harm her!" again she shoved him back, and this time he fell to the floor. "I wouldn't have to do any of this if you had just treated my daughter like she was a human being! If you...if you had just..." she started to cry, in which Celes immediately went to her side to hold her.

Alexander stayed on the floor, watching, feeling every inch of the guilt the queen laid on him. Tears built in his eyes. "You are right...it is all my fault. I will never be able to live with what I had done to your daughter Terra. I will live with it for the rest of my life, but I am trying...I want to try everything in my power to help her. To help you." he got up and stubbornly wiped the tears away. "I think I know how. Make your announcement." her eyes locked onto his. "Make it Terra. I know that you will have the lords' support...but you will have it and more. I swear it on my life." he bowed to her. "I swear it." and then he turned and left them.

••••••••••••

Terra watched him go, feeling unease and guilty for pushing so much of the blame on him. She knew his betrayal had been the catalyst for her daughter's transformation, but the truth of the matter was that it wasn't his fault at all. She knew that eventually that her daughter would come to this, over anything under the sun, she just didn't know when. Alexander had just been the heartbreak.

Locke said, "What did he mean by that?"

"Let Alexander wander around aimlessly," Celes said softly. "He wants to to try to be useful...let him. Terra, you have something more important to do right now than to worry about him or anything else. It is time."

"The lords aren't here yet," Cadence pointed out. "What if..."

The Chancellor cleared his throat. "Be that as it may...the queen may not have the time to wait for their arrival. The lords can proclaim their loyalty afterward."

Terra sighed. "And what if they take it as an insult that I did not wait for their answer?" she turned to face the terrace, the open of the kingdom. "Everything...the life my daughter...weighs on this."

"That is precisely why you cannot wait," Sabin said. "It is time Terra. Tell the world." he gave her a reassuring smile. "We will be there with you, every step of the way." she thanked him gently and turned to the Chancellor. Without a word, he went on ahead to the terrace. Immediately the sound of the crowd deafened at the sight of him. They knew immediately what it meant.

Terra took a deep breath, pressed her dress smooth, fixed her hair and then walked stiff and proud out onto the terrace. All at once, and as loud as thunder, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause and shouting. Her eyes went over the vast number of them, so crowded they packed all the way to the buildings and in between, and on the roof tops. It had been thirteen years since they had made an announcement like this. They knew it was something serious. Edgar hadn't even used the terrace to announce the war. He had sent officials out to the lords and the streets. Terra knew it brought painful memories for him, and standing here now, it boiled inside of her with her own memories and grief. She was once again standing here in hopes of saving her daughter.

For a moment she listened to the crowd, too afraid to begin the words, to start the painful truth that could turn them against her daughter. Sabin appeared at her side and reached for her hand. The Chancellor reached into the air to signal their silence, and it grew quiet. Her legs felt like jelly as she walked to the edge of the terrace.

"People of Figaro," her voice came out strong, despite the fear in her. "I stand here today to tell you of a grave incident that happened within the castle walls a little over a fortnight ago, but I stand here equally as a queen and a mother, and so I plead with you all to listen fully with your hearts and minds and consider it with every ounce of compassion the gods might have given you before you make a judgment of it." the crowd was still dead silent, but she knew her words had scared them. "As you all know my heritage as a hybrid of an esper and human died the day we defeated the tyrant Kefka and magic fled this world on its dying breath...I had lost a part of my soul, a part the gods had given me." tears burned in her eyes but she refused to let them fall or taint her voice. "I grew weak. I grew tired. I wanted nothing of the world. And then your king, my husband, brought a light into my world, a world I thought would remain dark until I had my last breath, and suddenly I grew strength in me again, and my nights weren't so fitful. I became his queen, a queen to a wonderful nation. I mothered two lovely sons. Proud princes of Figaro." the crowd cheered. "And then I grew life in me again. The gods had blessed me once more. I thought, surely, your king, my dearest Edgar, would get a third son...but I prayed and prayed for a daughter. And the gods had answered my pleas. The first daughter to the Figaro line in three generations was born within the castle walls during such an angry storm." she hesitated, and this time Celes laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Terra..."

"And on that night, as my daughter took her first breath...the world had changed once again. The heritage I thought had left me...that I thought had died...had come back." the crowd began shouting, but Terra could not discern the intent of it. "I was esper again, but I could not understand why. I have not, to this day, understood why. My daughter...the princess of Figaro, Emma Aden Aria Figaro, was also born of this heritage. Born part esper and human. She could not control her power, and she remained in her state for some time, and other times, in and out...and worst of all, she had grown sick with Sand Fever. Your king and I had grown afraid. Afraid of what the world would think of our little girl, after what the Empire had so cruelly done using magic, so we hid her heritage. We hid her. We even hid the truth from her. Even when she grew sicker and sicker, and her memories failed her, and we had time and time again to tell her, our fear remained. We couldn't lose her. We couldn't imagine a world without our little Emma. The sweet little girl who I had dreamed of and the gods had given me." now her tears were falling. "We sent her away, to deal with her Sand Fever and her magic. We thought we could seal her magic away so that we would never have to tell her or the world about her, but when we thought it was over and we brought her home...Alúzar's king had planned so meticulously to lure my daughter into a trap and have his sons beat and..." she felt her own anger rising. "And rape her. And now we are at war. And I am standing in the middle of several messes I cannot ever hope to step out of."

The Chancellor leaned over and said, "My Queen...you must inform them of what happened."

She nodded. "I know I have told you all so much, and I have asked you to hold on until the end to make your judgments, so I will conclude it with what I have come here to tell you and hope that you have it in your heart to understand. I only ask for understanding and mercy...for compassion. To take into consideration what I have just told you before you act." she could not look at them while she talked, so she looked down at her hands, gripping her dress. "My daughter had transformed a little over a fortnight ago after a tremendously stressful altercation and unable to control her abilities...attacked several of her guards." the words froze in her mouth. She knew the hunt her people would go on the moment it came out. "and...and killed them." as she had predicted, the crowd began screaming and cursing, and the soldiers below began forming a line to protect the entrance of the terrace so that the civilians could not enter. "I beg you!" she shouted and looked up to face them. "Please understand...my daughter has never been told of what she is, of what she could do, or how to control it! She has been abused in the most unimaginable ways and is tormented day and night by what the Roskovian royalty did to her. I know it doesn't make what she did go away or make it better, but I am begging you to understand her situation. She is a child unaware of her situation, handed a power she hadn't known she had, which is tapped into through emotion. If you must be angry with someone, if you must seek blood, I beg you to take it from me. To spare my daughter, for it isn't her fault. Have mercy, my good men and women, have mercy!" and at that, she bowed to the crowd, placing her hands on the terrace railing and then her head on her hands.

The civilians had quieted.

••••••••••••

"My prince, there is a man in the solar requesting an audience with you."

Sitting on several large cushions under an open area of a room where the sun could pour through was a tall, brawny man with olive skin and thick, dark hair that came down to his shoulders. He was lounging back into the cushions, enjoying a bowl of figs and a glass of wine. He sloshed the wine in the glass around, sipped it and relaxed into the cushions.

"I do not recall a meeting."

"You do not have one scheduled for today, my prince."

He waved his hand. "Then send whoever this is away. I am busy."

The soldier, dressed in a robe that covered half of his chest, bowed very apologetically. "My prince...he is very enthusiastic about talking with you."

The prince raised a brow. "How so?"

"He claims he knows some of your brothers."

He smiled. "And which brothers, under the blessed sun, would they be?"

The soldier said, "He said the seventh and the sixth, and the damnable fourth."

The prince started to laugh heartily and then threw a fig at the soldier. "Well then, what are you waiting for? Bring this brazen fool in here."

A moment later the soldier left and re-entered the room with the man in question, whom was a tall and rather broadly built fellow, but he did not look like a Figaro man whatsoever. The prince furrowed his brows, curiously, and leaned forward, drink still in hand. The soldier bowed.

"This man would greet himself before the Second Son of the king of the Veldtic Empire, Amos hed Sh'elda, the Breaking Dawn."

The man bowed respectfully as one would in their culture and said, very clearly, "Your grace, I am Alexander Ozario Gabbiani." Amos' eyes widened. "And I have met your younger brothers during a—"

"Aye, I know of you," he said, cutting him off. "You are the infamous little thief that stole from our gardens. You are quite lucky that Bara and Ekram thought it was hilarious, but you are most lucky that Asif favors his youngest brother Qudin so that he would spare you on his behest. I do not know if I could be so tolerant of thievery, Alexander, but then again...I am not the First Son of a great Empire, or the Seventh. I am merely the Second Son of the First Wife of King Dumuzi of Barash, which expands all of the wonders of the Veldt."

Alexander rubbed at his throat dramatically. "Yes, losing my head over a few flowers would have been quite a mess for my mother, I would say."

Amos merely smiled. "You do not take threats very seriously, do you? Figaro men certainly have thick heads."

"Aye, they do, but luckily I am not of Figaro stock," Alexander said. "I am of old Miranda blood."

"You say that like it is any better," he chuckled, leaning back into his comforts, and digging into the figs though he never ate them. "Tell me, great thief of gardens, why is it that you have requested my audience? If it is my brother Qudin you are after, he is not in Figaro. He is lucky enough to have his feet on Veldtic soil soaking in our beautiful sun, while I sit here, rotting beneath yours."

Alexander got to his knees and bowed, very deeply. Curious yet again, Amos dropped his figs and sat aside his glass of wine. "I have come here to plead with you, with all of my strength if need be, for your assistance."

"I will listen, if only because you piqued my interest, Mirandan. Speak."

He looked up. "At this very moment, the queen of Figaro is making an announcement to the public concerning her daughter in an attempt to stop the council from using the same information, information that regards her daughter, to climb up to a seat up power that could dethrone the Figaro line. The council has been seeking the throat of the queen ever since she married the king, and began their long hunt for a pair when the queen gave birth to a daughter."

Amos knew there was something in t his that the lad was hiding, but he knew if he pressed it right now the lad would keep it from him, and he was just too curious to not know now. "And what would you have me do, then? Slaughter these vermin for you? My father always told your king he should dispose of them before they got any ideas in their heads and now look where this kingdom stands...you westerners. You will never learn."

It was very clear he had annoyed the boy, because his eyes darkened. "I have come here not because I wish you to shed their blood, though I would sleep just well should they perish."

"I grow tired the more you talk, boy, and less curious. Tell me what it is that you need and do not think to keep the truth of the matter out of it. Speak it all and truly, or leave this place now."

Alexander hesitated for a moment before saying, "The princess was born sickly your grace, and different. This difference is what drives the anger and hatred of most of the council into their desire to kill her."

Amos asked, "The Figaro council aims to kill the princess? Foolishness."

"It is the truth. They have her imprisoned this very moment, and desire to put her through a mock trial comprised only of their fellow council members."

"Even should this be true, and I honestly do not doubt that it is, the council wouldn't be able to imprison royalty without good reason," he crossed his arms. "There is much here that you are refusing to tell me, and I hate it when someone wastes my time with half truths. It disgusts me."

"I do not intend to keep things from you, your grace, there is just a time to tell you these things. I wanted you to know the council's plans first before I told you the rest."

"And what is that?"

He straightened. "The princess, in a fit that is not her fault...killed several men of her guard."

Amos for a moment was quiet, but then he burst into laughter, further enraging his guest. "You expect me to believe that the princess of Figaro, that tiny little thing that Edgar is so proud of, killed?" his laughed boomed in the room. "Heavens, this comedy truly was worth the time."

"It isn't funny," he snapped. "She is part esper."

He stopped immediately and stared at his guest in shock. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me," Alexander said. "The blood of espers flows through her, but she had no idea what she was, what she could do. So she had no idea the extent of damage she could do if she lost control, or to try and learn control. She was kept in the dark, and when she lost control..." he looked away. "When I...when I hurt her, she lost control and hurt people."

Amos rubbed thoughtfully at his chin. "So the magur were right...magic has returned to the world. We thought it was something of our dreams come to haunt us during the Red Moon, but...but this confirms everything. The Esper blood returned to the queen too, hasn't it?" Alexander nodded. "And now the princess burns bright with magic...to be touched and unable to reach for it without burning others. It is wrong. The magur will be disgusted."

"Damn the magur!" Alexander shouted, tears in his eyes. "Emma will die if...if I don't do something!"

Realizing what this was all about, not just about saving another simply to save, Amos smiled. "Ah...I see what this is now. You love the girl." he chuckled. "Well then boy, why aren't you saving your beloved little princess from her doom?"

"I can't...the council has her locked away and even if I could break her out of her prison, she could never be safe in Figaro lands. They would hunt her down like some rabid dog for...for a horrible mistake that I had caused. She doesn't deserve any of this. She is the sweetest person I have ever met."

Amos let the quiet sit for a moment before dropping flat into the cushions, so he could stare up into the sky. It was clear of clouds, and the sun burned bright above him. He sighed. "And why bring this all to me?"

"I...I need your help."

"What could I possibly do to help? You already turned down my offer to slit those snakes' throats, I don't see how I could be of help."

Alexander bowed again. "Before the queen made her announcement, she sent letters per the king's directions to every noble lord telling them to begin dismantling the council. If they should side with the crown, they should already begin the movement now, but if we are outnumbered due to the council gaining more support, crown support could change the game considerably. If the nobles knew that the queen and king had the Veldt on their side, that the Veldt believed in the princess' lack of mental control over her actions, then they would side with the king's decisions to begin dismantling the council and to dismiss the mock trial and eventual execution of the princess." he placed his head on the floor. "So I am here to beg you...please help me save the princess of Figaro. Do not let her die because of my mistake!"

Amos considered it for a moment. His father had placed him in rotation in Figaro with full diplomatic power for these very situations, no other but a son could be trusted for these situations after all. What would his father do though? He was very close friends with Edgar, surely he would wish to protect his friend's daughter, but would he risk a international incident by acting to protect a murderer prematurely? Promising a crown full support was a serious matter. If only he had the time to contact his father.

He smirked and whistled for his men. Two soldiers filed into the room, confusing Alexander. Amos stood and stretched. "Bring me to the queen. Immediately."

••••••••••••

"Enough of this debacle!"

Terra stood and turned to face Brud, Geric and Mural. The others were standing behind him, looking less inclined to shout about like children, but still very willing to be there. There at the announcement. This was not good. Sabin snarled and walked toward them.

"Get out of here. This is crown business!"

"It stopped at the crown when it seeped into the muck that is your filth of a niece," Brud said, glaring.

"How dare you!" Cadence cried, taking a step toward him, but her father stopped her. "Have you no shame at all Brud! What has that child ever done to you?! Why do you hate her so much?!"

He scoffed through a chuckle. "Nonsense, child. I am merely doing my duty, and acknowledging what the girl is. Take it as you will."

Lord spoke up. "My Queen...this announcement speaks volumes as to your intent. We know you were plotting against us, and to free your daughter. It is very clear to us that your daughter is guilty and you were attempting to hide her crimes."

"No!" she cried. "I..I was just trying to find her mercy. I know you will not grant her that."

"You dare to look into our minds?" Geric snapped. "You impudent...!"

Saem looked at him sharply. "You would speak so nastily and openly to the queen? Have you lost your mind, Geric? As for the lot of you," he looked at them all. "It is well within the queen's right to make an announcement such as this, even should it be to convince her kingdom to turn their blades against us. You are dishonest vipers if you think it isn't. She is a queen, you thugs! We are shadows of a power meant to advise! You have let power seep into your bones and convince you that you sit on thrones!"

Kirem sighed. "He speaks sharply, but he speaks truly. It is a nasty business to be plotted against, but did we really leave the queen no other course?"

Lifkin shook his head. "This is all madness...all of it."

Lord raised his hands. "It matters not. We will have the trial and it will be on the morning now, as to not risk any trickery from the queen."

"Afraid to lose power, Lord?" Sabin snarled. "You always seemed one of the few in the council to have reason but you shake in your boots now and steep so low."

"I practice the law as it is written. You think I care for anything else? I have no plots despite what you think of me, my prince. I have never thought wrong of the princess or the queen. I have pledged myself to this crown fully, but do not think I would stand aside as one member of the royal line commits atrocities simply because their father was king. If the girl is guilty she must pay, but if she is innocent she will be dealt with fairly. You have my word!"

"I will not stand idly by while you tow my daughter through hell," Terra said, loudly. "You think me weak...you think my daughter a disgrace...but we aren't the things you make us out to be. My daughter is the most loving person I have ever known and since the moment you have met her you have plotted against her. A little girl with a sickness that claims most who have the misfortune to be born with it, who has never lifted a hand against another until..."

"Justice will fall on your daughter. I will make sure she burns for what she did and I will not stop there. Every crime she committed, be it little, will be turned over until her penalty is so soaring even the king cannot look over it." Brud said. "You think it ends here? The crown will crumble for the mistakes it made in accepting you, in letting that...that monster live." her cries made him smile. "Sniffling about your daughter will change nothing. Your plea to the people did nothing but—" he paused, eyes widening. He shoved by them and ran to the terrace edge to look over it. Everyone else turned, confused, and tried to figure out what was wrong. And then it set in. Terra heard it first, and it made her drop to her knees, crying.

Princess! Princess! Princess! Princess!

Over and over again the crowd cheered. Brud's face was red. He turned, eyes wild, and looked them over. His eyes fell on the Chancellor, and gaped like an idiot. The man had held the button for the amplifier while the conversation had gone on. Everything had been heard. "You dirty snake!" he charged toward the Chancellor, but the doors flew open and it caused him to pause in his tracks.

Terra looked over her shoulder, and standing there were the six noble lords of Figaro. At the far right was Kensly D'etello, looking gruff. He was dressed in a studded doublet, and armed with his sword. Go left of him was Osbert Salsbor, Hans Hüller, Aerik Easton, Jon Oaks and Durham Nyeport. Surprisingly, at Durham's side as his eldest son, Nash. And there he was, at the far left. Alexander. Terra stood, staring. He had brought all the lords, but she could not be sure how. She took a step toward him, but another man stepped into few from behind Alexander.

"I have heard many a things about this council," the man said, revealing a thick accent and deep voice. He was tall and brawny, and had dark skin. Terra knew him the moment her eyes set on his. She had welcomed him into the castle walls when he arrived, but he had stayed out of view since. She had heard he was reclusive, unlike his brothers. The Breaking Dawn of the Veldt, the most fierce warrior of the Immaq, and the second son of the first wife of the king of the Veldt; Amos hed Sh'elda. He stood straight, with long hair draping down his shoulders and fierce green eyes glaring passed her to the men who circled her like she was prey, all except Saem, Kirem and Lifkin. At his waist hunt his curved blade, open from a sheath, handle wrapped in fine red silk.

The council grew quiet, except for Saem, who was Veldtic himself. He took a step forward and bowed. "Prince, Second Son of the Veldtic Tribes," he straightened. "I am honored to meet you. If I had known you were within the castle walls..."

Amos raised a hand to stop him. "Saem I presume?" the man nodded. "It is because this man behind me informed me of you and your comrades of your higher character that I will not slice you through from your waist here and now. I care not for men who terrorize women and children...let alone little girls." he turned his eyes to the other council men, whom he had clearly not been directing. Brud took a step back. "Here this now, council of Figaro. The lords of Figaro stand with the crown on the act of dismantling you, and so does the Empire of Basara."

Lord's eyes widened. "This...this is madness!"

"Do not interrupt me when I speaking," he barked, and the man backed down. "I have come here to guarantee you hear this, but I have also come here to shout before you all and this kingdom that should even a hair fall out of place on the princess I will bring fifty thousand soldiers to Figaro and I will rain havoc upon you like you have never known before. And this," he drew his dagger, startling the council, and drew blood from his palm. "Is a blood oath from an Immaq warrior and the second son of the king. Do not think to test me!"

"The girl murdered!" Geric growled. "We cannot let her walk!"

"You can and you will," Amos said. "Or you will be the first I gut."

Brud laughed, and all eyes turned to him. "You can threaten us all you like, but this action will cry for revolt. You disregard the love of the families the girl destroyed to save her...do you think that will die quietly? You and your dogs of the Veldt can slaughter as many of us as you wish, but the winds will soar crying injustice because the girl will walk. And so long as I live...I will see her hang for it!"

Amos whistled, and his men came in. "Take the council into custody." the men hurried over to grab them, all except Saem, Kirem and Lifkin. "I want them to suffer the pain the girl had to and more. Be sure that they do." the soldiers dragged the men off, before Amos turned to the queen and helped her off the floor. "Your majesty...I am sorry for all of the pain the council has caused you and your daughter, but look forward to the future now. You are free of their clutches for now."

Terra sniffed and reached to hug him, surprising him. "Thank you...thank you. I wouldn't have my baby without you...thank you so much."

Amos said, "It is the boy you should thank. He begged me, but I must admit...my father's ties with your husband and the cruelty I have heard of your council has reached my ears long enough. To hear what your daughter has endured from this man," he gestured to Alexander. "was hard to hear, and it was difficult to decide...I hope it was the right one in the end."

"She is a good person," Terra said, wiping at her eyes. "I swear to you."

"That I do not doubt," he said, smiling. "However, I fear this is not the end of it, your majesty. Though your nobles have stood behind you and will sweep the land to help you dig out the roots of the council's powers, you must understand their power ran deep. Deep enough to run up favor."

Terra looked disturbed. "I...I don't understand."

"Your majesty...it is not safe for your daughter here, not with your husband fighting this war."

Alexander gasped. "What are you talking about?! We did all of this to protect her, to save her!"

"Aye, you did," he admitted, letting the queen go and crossing his arms. "Brud just proclaimed in front of you all he will not stop until he kills the girl. I have known many wicked men in my life, and I have seen the fires in his eyes burning. He means what he said. He will try everything within his power to get at your daughter if there is a way to reach her."

Terra frightfully said, "I will entrust her with all the guards in the castle if I must!"

"Guards whom the council could have paid off," he asked. "Listen to me...you need to send her someplace, someplace with which the council could never reach."

Cadence had an idea. "What about Maranda? We could protect her there."

"Figaro land," Sabin muttered. "Amos is right Terra...I'm afraid it just isn't safe here anymore. Not until Edgar can deal with the council, with Brud. We need to send her away. I think...I think Thamasa would be the safest bet."

Celes cut their conversation short. "No." they looked at her. "As your friend and as your general, I cannot allow you to make rash decisions so easily. If you must send her away, keep her here and send a letter to Edgar first telling him your efforts here were a success and you now need to discuss the safety of your daughter until the waning power of the council can be dealt with, particularly Brud's open threats."

Amos nodded. "That is a wise suggestion. Since I have done what I needed to, I will take my leave. If you require me again, I will be in my quarters. Your majesty." he bowed, and then elegantly turned to depart their presence. The noble lords parted to allow him to leave before Kensly approached.

"Your majesty, I know I have no right to speak to you after what my son did to your daughter," he got to one knee and bowed his head. "but if you would allow me to round up the council's guard for you, I would be honored."

Terra looked at Celes for advise. She glanced over the lord momentarily before nodded. Terra lifted Kensly up. "I would allow it. Take Lord Osbert with you, his men are stationed within the walls already and should provide ample support."

He bowed. "Thank you, my queen. I will have their men secured so that you may rest a little easier and your daughter may know a day with a little less fear than the days before." he turned and hurried out with Osbert. The other lords received orders to go to each council man's manor and raid them and establish their own men there, all except Saem, Kirem and Lifkin's manor would be completely raided, to be sure of their true loyalty.

Soon enough they were alone again, and Terra began to cry. "Is...is this really over?"

"Not yet, Terra," Locke said. "We still have much to do before you don't have to worry about the shadows. You need to go to the study and write that letter. The Chancellor and Celes will handle the public. Sabin and I will help the lords with their objectives. Once you are done...you should see Emma."

Alexander suddenly perked up. "Terra I..." he paused when all of their eyes went to him, and he felt all his strength leave him. Judging, angry eyes. "I...please let me join you if you see her. Please."

"I do not think that is wise," Terra said. "At least, not now Alexander. It is still so soon."

Cadence said, "Terra, please, give him a chance. Give Emma a chance. You now know what to do if she transforms again, but I don't think that will happen. You said it yourself earlier...she doesn't even remember." they missed Alexander's eyes widening. "Let him see her."

Terra sighed. "Fine, but you should know that I am bringing Benjamin with me. You will behave or I swear to the gods you will never see her again."

"I understand Terra, I do."

"Good," she said, turning to Cadence. "Will you join us, Cadence? Emma would love to see you, and you have a way with her when she gets...unsettled."

Cadence smiled. "I would love to join you."

••••••••••••

Alexander stayed at the back of the small party as they went for the study. Terra first had to write her letter to her husband. It was crucial, of course, that Edgar knew their plan went off successfully. He was the only one who could come up with a way to protect Emma against the council's power and revenge for losing their seats. The way Brud had threatened Emma so openly had startled Alexander. He never would have expected it, and the way Sabin had restrained himself from killing the man was all too clear. If Brud had been slaughtered there, before the public, it would have been bad.

At least they had several victories today. Emma wouldn't need to fear the council as much as now.

Terra spent several minutes in the study writing. Alexander stayed outside of the room with Cadence, quiet and pitiful. He knew Cadence blamed him as much as the others, she just would never say it. He knew it was his fault though, so he did not fault her if she thought it. If he hadn't have treated the princess the way he did, if he had listened to Cadence...or if he had just realized how he felt just a few minutes earlier or from the start, everything would be different right now. Would they be in her room right now, talking over her day? Would he be making her laugh? He sighed, catching Cadence's attention.

"What is wrong Alexander? Today was a good day. We established the start of the council's dismantling. They are imprisoned, like the rats that they are."

"I know, and that is great of course, I just can't stop thinking about how..." he hesitated. "how it is all my fault. How I ruined her life."

"Leave that to Emma to decide, Alex," she said, in a very sharp tone. "It was all a misunderstanding that caused this. If Emma knew, things would have been different."

"It doesn't change that I had caused it," he sighed again. "Is...is it true she can't remember?"

Cadence shrugged. "Terra said she doesn't remember the incident, but how much I can't say. Terra didn't say much about it."

Alexander felt a sickness in him. It wasn't right that she couldn't remember it. "I...I need to tell her. It isn't right."

"No, it isn't," she agreed quietly. "Terra won't let you though."

He smiled at his friend. "I won't tell her then."

---

Well that is it for the remake of chapter 7 as of November 7th 2019! Yes, I know, it is strange that I do these remakes in random order, but that is just how it seems. I have them all written out but it takes me forever to go over them and reconstruct them a bit different so it flows a bit nicer. I also use the time to iron out more errors or a few inconsistencies due to last minute decision making that were made in later chapters, like name changes or location changes.

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed it! Onward! :)

P.S

And yes, the title is a reference to In the Dark by Billy Squier, as it fits quite perfectly I think with Emma's mental state at the major moment (though really throughout) of the chapter.

*(Keeping this old response up: To: Someonyoudontknow—I'm so sorry I never saw your comment! Deary me, forgive me please! I should have looked harder! Anyway, thank you ever so kindly. Yes, if you were talking about Emma (right?) you will see her break—hopefully you'll love it. I hope all my readers will love the rest of this story.)