A/n: I just want to thank my fellow readers for giving me the motivation to continue writing, without them I would have never started redoing this story. All of them are incredibly talented and helped to keep ff9 fanfiction going. Also, If you haven't read it yet, check out Off Duty and its sequel, Audience of One by Anti-Broadcast. Both are incredible stories that I think you would love. As always if you enjoy this chapter, feel free to share your thoughts with me!
….
Lightning Flashed, illuminating the skies above Alexandria and rousing Garnet from her fitful slumber. With a light groan, she cracked her eyes open and squinted tiredly at the flurry of rain pelting against the glass doors leading out onto the balcony. She wondered vaguely what had woken her when a roaring boom of thunder answered her unspoken question.
Storms have become more frequent in the last few months. The farmers no doubt rejoiced in their reoccurrence, as it would mean that their crops need not fear a drought any time soon. Garnet, on the other hand, had never liked storms. She actually didn't mind the rain at all, even when they had been utterly drenched from it during their travels. No, most would have been surprised to learn that she enjoyed the rain and would sometimes stand in it just to feel its coolness against her skin. Thunder on the other hand was a different story entirely. She couldn't quite explain why, but thunder had always disturbed her.
She knew it would be pointless trying to fall back asleep. So, with a sigh of resignation, she lifted her head from the warm surface and sat up in the bed, instinctively covering herself despite knowing that no-one would be able to see her pale skin in the moonlight even if they were braving the weather and standing in the courtyard below the balcony. A light chill blew through the cracks of the balcony doors, causing her to shiver. If she was going to stay up, she needed to at least put back on her nightgown. A subtle warmth tinged her cheeks as she wondered where it had ended up earlier that night. Finding the discarded garment at the foot of the bed, She hastily donned it, pulling the fabric snugly around her and stole a glance at Zidane still sleeping peacefully despite the weather.
It was hard to believe it had been almost two years since Zidane had returned, keeping the promise he had made to her. His return had been both miraculous and unexpected, leaving her sometimes wondering if it was all just a dream that she'd suddenly wake up from like she had tonight. Only then, she would be all alone just as she had been in the year that he was gone.
Not liking where that train of thought was taking her, she got up and moved to the desk in the corner of the room. After taking a moment to light the candle in its brass tray, she began to busy herself sorting through the stack of parchment that had accumulated over the last couple of days. She had always prided herself on how efficiently she had tackled her duties as queen, but lately she just couldn't seem to find the motivation to do it. Steiner's accusation that it was due mostly to Zidane's influence, while she couldn't say he was entirely wrong having taken more time to do some of the things she actually wanted to do, wasn't the real reason. The truth was even when it wasn't storming, she had been having trouble sleeping the last few weeks. Zidane and the others' worry had been evident, with Beatrix going so far as to suggest that she might be pregnant, but none of the answers they had come up with could explain the vivid dreams that would wake her in a cold sweat. Setting the parchment down gently, she could recall the last dream she had as freshly as when she had first awoken.
Her heart was pounding almost as quickly as the chocobo's feet against the hillside as it raced across the plains moving as quickly as it dared without losing its passenger. On its back she held on desperately even though her vision was all but a blur and waves of exhaustion poured over her. Was she injured? She wondered detachedly, but strangely couldn't be sure. Her side was hurting, but it was a dull pain that seemed familiar to her somehow. Was it something serious that was slowly killing her? Even If she was, the only thing she had enough will to focus on was that she had to get to keep going.
"Why must you subject yourself to such perils, when all of your heart's desires can be granted if only you speak them?" A distant voice echoed to her.
"No!" She exclaimed sharply, shaking her head and holding on to the bird's neck even tighter.
"Why must you deny your own desires?" Another solemn question plagued her thoughts. "You are alone here…as you always have been… except for me… I am with you, always." It soothed her.
"Shut up! I don't care what you have to say!" She screamed, trying in vain to block out the mysterious voice. Garnet wasn't sure why she felt so strongly that she should ignore it but was sure all the same that nothing good would come from its intentions. "You trusted me once…. And I gave you exactly what you desired."
"No.." She found herself answering as the chocobo began to slow, drawing near to a stone structure jutting from the ground. The pent-up anger she felt inside of her was almost palpable. "You took everything from me!" She yelled, her anger growing as she looked down at something in her pack that she couldn't quite make out. "If you had never existed none of this would have happened!"
Dropping clumsily from the Chocobo and landing in a heap on the ground, she clutched her side and slowly climbed to her feet before limping towards a ruined building. As she drew closer, it began to rain. She barely seemed to notice as she braced herself against the wall, willing herself to keep walking forward. "Is anyone there?" she asked, looking around the corner. The grassy space between the buildings stood empty. The only reply that greeted her was a faint echo of her own voice. "Why does everything feel so empty? He said they would be here by now…" She breathed, trying to stay calm. "Why does it all feel so hopeless sometimes?"
"Because no mere mortal can change the course of fate…" The voice answered. "You must cast aside your woes and transcend to the status of a god."
She gritted her teeth in frustration and looked back at the chocobo that had also begun to show signs of exhaustion. Upon seeing her outstretched hand, it trilled and moved closer to her, ducking its head down to be petted. "It looks like it's still just you and me for now… but we're not gonna give up. Are we?" A melancholy smile tugged at her lips as the bird lowered itself for her to climb aboard. "I know you're tired too, but we need to keep going... I can feel It again... if we don't keep running they'll catch up to us." She sighed, climbing onto its back once again. After a few moments of getting readjusted, the bird trotted a few paces back towards the direction they'd come then stopped to crane its neck at her. "Don't look at me like that." She commented tiredly. "I'm fine; I promise. I'll rest when we find them…"
"Kweh." It chirped stubbornly, stomping its foot in protest.
"Please… just a little bit further alright?" She soothed, petting its feathery mane. "There's one more place near Alexandria that we have to look… after that I promise we'll stop to rest." When she raised her gaze to its eyes, she noticed it gazing intently at the ground not far away. "Huh? What are you-"
"KWEEEH!?" The chocobo chirped sharply, suddenly spooked. "What's wrong?" she asked, not expecting an answer of course, but all it took was another glance around them to know what had frightened it.
"Oh gods! not already…" She breathed as mounds of Tar-like goo began to seep up from the ground around her and slight tremors could be felt even atop her feathered seat. "We have to run now!"
As the chocobo once again shot forward, Garnet had jerked awake in her bed with a scream, sweating profusely and waking Zidane in the process. Even now, after two nights of not dreaming she could still feel that same sense of panic and urgency she had felt during the dream. Deciding that dwelling and obsessing over it wouldn't accomplish anything, she decided to focus her attention back to the pile of letters atop the desk. Skimming over the first one, she willed her nerves to calm. Were the dreams just caused by stress that she hadn't realized she'd been holding? She continued to skim through the letters, setting aside the ones from various nobles that she was familiar with until she came across one that the sender's name had been smudged past the point of recognition. At first, she started to put it back in the pile with the rest but curiosity got the better of her and so she decided to read it fully.
To: Her Majesty, Queen of Alexandria.
I extend my sincere apologies if I have not addressed this letter correctly. I have been informed by someone I trust that Alexandria is ruled by a benevolent queen who has earned the respect of her kingdom.
My companion and I are adventurers from a place far beyond your kingdom, and regrettably, I am not entirely sure where Alexandria is, having never been there. A peculiar creature, a Moogle, has assured me that it will deliver this message to you as swiftly as possible.
If all that I have heard is true, I wish this were merely a hopeful request to visit your castle and meet you in person. In my homeland, rulers who prioritize the well-being of their people over wealth and power are rare. Unfortunately, I fear that a chain of events has been set in motion that may jeopardize you and your people. I implore you to exercise utmost caution should anything even remotely seem out of place in the days to come.
It may be some time before we reach your kingdom to discuss matters that cannot be revealed in this letter. Until then, please take care and live well.
Sincerely, Ramza
Top of Form
"Ramza?" Garnet asked herself. Where had she heard that name before? She doubted they had ever met, based on the letter, but who was the other person he had talked about? Another booming thunder interrupted her already frazzled thoughts, prompting her to abandon any attempts at productivity. Seeking solace in the warmth of the bed, she discovered that Zidane had already woken.
"Can't sleep?" he asked softly.
She shook her head and scooted closer to him. "I think it's mostly just the storms as usual."
"Why didn't you wake me up?" He yawned, wrapping his arm around her. "I'll always gladly wake up for a chance to spend time with you. Hell, we can stay up all night talking!"
"Mhmm." Garnet smirked; her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Talking, you say?"
"Oh, absolutely." He replied, his voice laced with innocence. "I am above anything resembling perverse thoughts, my lady. My thoughts are as pure as the morning air." He countered, trailing his hand slowly down the exposed skin of her side igniting a shiver under his touch.
"Well then…" Garnet began, her gaze lingering on him with seductive intent. With a boldness that never failed to surprise him, she climbed onto his lap. "Since your thoughts are so clean… I'm sure you won't have ANY trouble concentrating on a conversation about all the things we have to do tomorrow, will you?" Her gown slowly fell open as she untied it, revealing her desire.
"Damn..." Zidane groaned, unable to resist the temptation. "No... No trouble at all..."
"What was that?" She teased, biting her lip and beginning to slowly grind her hips back and forth. "You didn't sound so sure…"
Zidane let out a low primal growl and gently grabbed her by the hips, moments later their conversation about tomorrow's tasks was forgotten in the passion and intimacy they shared in the embrace of the night..
….
As the night crept forward, outside of the castle dark rainclouds covered all but the faintest whispers of the full moon shining through from above. As strong winds blew the rain in a fevered frenzy, a cloaked man stood atop a rocky peak overlooking the waterfall near Alexandria. Arms outstretched and hands upright as if trying to catch the rain, he paid little or no heed to his surroundings. He would have been content to continue enjoying the feeling of it drumming against his exposed skin but was interrupted as a dark clad female approached him from behind and knelt respectfully.
"A fall from this height would be fatal to most, wouldn't you agree Lorena?" he asked, not turning towards her.
"Pardon my interruption Lord Tarius, but I bring news that I believe will hold interest to you." She spoke curtly.
He turned towards her then with a satisfied grin. "I knew that I could rely on you." Stepping down from the slick rock, he closed the distance between them. "You are not my servant, and yet you kneel. Why is that?"
"I do it out of respect, one I believe you have earned." She replied, slowly rising to her feet. She stood a full head shorter than Tarius but showed no sign of their difference in stature bothering her. Catching movement in the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but watch as a lone crow swooped and landed on his shoulder."
Was everything as I had predicted?" Tarius asked, seeming to already know the answer.
She glanced momentarily into his slate blue eyes then shifted her gaze back to the crow. "Yes, My Lord. Damian will be arriving in Alexandria soon; Father sent him just as you predicted, and Alexandria is openly vulnerable. That being said, I have noticed a few troubling things that may become an annoyance later."
"Pray tell, what is that?" he asked curiously, walking back towards the edge of the cliff. The bird cawed once as it gazed across the canopy of trees.
"Two unusual men, obviously not locals, were seen traveling not far from here. More curious still, I saw a woman riding very swiftly not too far from here atop a dark chocobo." Lorena replied matter-of-factly, following his movements with her gaze as he paced back and forth thoughtfully. She thought it odd that even the bird seemed to be pondering things as well.
"I have an idea of who those two men were, and though i had hoped they would not resurface I suppose it can't be helped. As for the woman, surely there must have been something more for her to have sparked your interest. One lone rider poses little threat."
"I sensed a dark power radiating from her." She nodded. "That power has become all too familiar to me."
"I see…So she holds one of the stones then?" Tarius pondered, rubbing his beard. "I thought most of them were accounted for, but it seems I was mistaken. This is very interesting indeed… you have done well and will of course be rewarded for your efforts if we succeed." He commented, placing his hand on her cheek as he again drew near.
"Then let me be the one to kill Queen Garnet. Unlike your brother, you know that I will not fail." She spoke suddenly.
"Of that I have no doubt…" Tarius confirmed, cupping her chin gently. "But unfortunately, that decision is out of my hands. My brother will succeed or fail all on his own. We shall watch and wait for the proper moment. I know patience isn't your strongest virtue, but please… place your trust in me as you have always done."
"I understand…" She answered, finally meeting his gaze fully. "I will resume my observations from a distance. And I do trust you, but please… be cautious if you are still going to go through with it."
Shrugging the rain from the collar of his coat, he walked Towards Alexandria with a dark smile on his lips. "I suppose I will have to show you that there is no need for caution when you've made all of the proper preparations."
….
At a small camp near Dali, the wind blew the rain with such savagery against the travel worn fabric of the tent that even had it been a new tent the rain would have still found its way in leaving its occupants soaked.
"Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like the rain, it's just.. It's ludicrous! Does it have to rain almost every day and night!? They say Burmecia is the place where the rain never stops, but I'm beginning to think it happens everywhere! We could not even start a fire!" Ranted the blond-haired man seated nearest the opening of the tent. The man appears to be in his early thirties, with a short beard just a few shades darker than his dirty blond hair. He wears battle boots, and a blue tunic with a cape that was once white. On his side rests a rune blade adorned with a small red crystal on its hilt.
"It seems your patience leaves you ever more the older you get." The second man laughed humorlessly. He was a little older with dark brown hair almost down to his shoulders. Most of his attire could be described as worn out or in need of repair. One thing that would have stood out however, would have been his sword. Despite its rust, its hilt was engraved with intricate words of a foreign language that glowed faintly.
"…Perhaps you're right Rasler. When I was younger, I had thought that maybe by now I would be living comfortably somewhere without a care in the world. But alas, here we are attempting to stop the world from being destroyed again." The blond-haired man sighed.
"I guess we should be thankful Ramza, I hear being dead is far more relaxing. He replied taking a slow drag from his pipe.
"That really is a bad habit." Ramza commented, waving smoke from his face with a cough. "And I suppose that's one way to look at it, though I believe you have been more pessimistic than I am. By the way, why did you help the tailed boy? While I of course agree we should do all we can to help people that need us, was he was already dead. As you know, bringing back someone from the dead is no small feat. I'm afraid to ask at what cost it came to you."
"Does it matter? It is my life to give is it not? And we will be here for some time. I fear even the stones will do little to help us prevent the inevitable."
"I am not judging your actions; I am merely curious as to why?" Ramza defended, attempting to squeeze some water out of his cloak.
"Truthfully, I do not know.. I heard stories of his strength and of his character. Perhaps I decided that he deserved a second chance far more than I did. Ramza gave him a look that showed understanding and a deep regret. "Rasler, the events that have happened were no fault of yours. You did everything you could to return to save them and return to your home. Believe me, I understand better than anyone else ever could, but you cannot hold on to this regret forever. One day you will have to find the strength to move on, as I have done."
"I trust you haven't forgotten the promise you made me, have you?" Rasler asked coldly.
"I remember." He answered simply, not meeting the man's gaze. "I always keep my word, no matter how much I wish I could do otherwise."
"When that day comes, Thank you Ramza. As for the boy, perhaps where I failed, he can succeed. Perhaps he will even find the kind of happiness that I will never know. More than that… I believe that he has a very important part to play in this battle as well." He replied as he suddenly gathered his meager belongings and started out the tent into the torrent of rain. "I believe it is time I made my way to Alexandria. If I hurry, I may yet arrive before our enemies lay waste to it. If you will, continue to Lindblum. I believe you may be able to do some good there."
Ramza laughed. "I believe I will wait till first light, or until the rain has slackened, but yes, I will head there and speak with the regent. Be wary as you travel, we do not know yet exactly what we are up against. I pray we are wrong and that it may yet still be nothing."
"Same to you brother, but I have wasted enough time; it is still a three-day journey by foot if weather is favorable, and it sure as hell isn't." He grunted, and without another word departed for Alexandria.
