Well, this is my (semi-late) Christmas present to you, my readers - the first part of the finale to this arc. I should have the second part up sometime at or shortly after New Year's, if all goes well.
Begin!
Book I, Part III: Mortal Conflict - Element of Treachery
Chapter XIV—Dancing Madly, Part I
[July 4, 2152 | Dollet, Jacinto Street | 9:46 AM]
"Katanas DeValle speaking."
The SeeD Commander's voice played loud and clear over the small device in Angel's hand as he walked down the Dollet streets, keeping a close watch on his surroundings as he moved.
"I think we've got more trouble than we first thought," Angel said, causing the man on the other end of the line to frown faintly.
"Explain."
"First, let me say that I don't have a bit of proof to back this up, but I think that most of our recent world trouble can be linked in some form or another to Destine."
"That's a bold claim. What makes you so sure of it?"
"Like I said," Angel began, sitting down on a nearby bench, "I don't have any proof to really back it up, but I've got a hunch."
Katanas knew full well that Angel never stated things without proof lightly – he was SeeD, after all, and he was one of the better SeeD that the organization had seen. Just like any SeeD, he tended to go above and beyond in his search for evidence…and Katanas had seen that when he said he had a hunch or a gut feeling, it seemed to be something that he just hadn't found proof for yet.
"I'll keep it in mind. What did you find out in Dollet?"
Angel thought momentarily about asking him how he knew before deciding against it. "Well, it seems that all these attacks on Galbadia and Esthar don't have any common links besides being government…but I'll get back to that in a moment. Speaking of Esthar, when your team was attacked? Those attackers were a group calling themselves the Royal Thieves Guild, and they made off with what amounts to an Odine Bangle and a Philosopher's Stone."
"I heard what was stolen, and I can reliably confirm that Destine is, in fact, behind that much," Katanas replied, causing Angel to nod to himself as part of his suspicions were confirmed. "I did not, however, know that the Royal Thieves Guild had been the ones to carry that out. Destine must have contracted them for the job to keep her own hands clean."
"Any guesses what she'd want them for?" Angel asked.
"We've got little to go on, really, but Ein and I reasoned that she may be using the Stone to increase the power of her followers – she has little need for more power, as I'm sure you're aware."
"Quite," the Vayash Moru muttered, sighing. "Doesn't explain the Odine Bangle, though. Some way to keep everyone in line, perhaps?"
"Possibly," Katanas stated, "though I suspect that it's more than that. I'd like you to return to Garden immediately so that we can begin operational planning on this matter."
"Commander, I'd like to check one more area out before I return, if you don't mind. It has to do with Deling's whereabouts right before his assassination." The pause in the transmission after he finished speaking said volumes to Angel – Katanas was probably deep in thought, weighing options and considerations as he tried to consider all possible situations. The SeeD Commander had a knack for rarely being caught off-guard, always being able to think on his feet and make the best of a bad situation, and any time he spent more than a few seconds in consideration generally meant that he was thinking very carefully about what he would say next.
"…Alright, but please try to hurry. I'd like to begin this meeting within the hour, if possible."
Angel nodded; he considered himself lucky that Katanas placed so much trust in him, as it meant that he had a bit more leeway in certain situations than might otherwise be had. "Don't worry, I'll be there. Bayloh out."
[July 4, 2152 | Galbadia City, Rubedo's | 9:58 AM]
Angel stepped out of the restaurant and back onto the Galbadia City streets, the look of frustration on his face clearly visible and evident to any passersby on the street. He'd gone to the restaurant in the hopes that someone would remember seeing Deling, hearing Deling, anything that would confirm the former president and pseudo-dictator's presence at the establishment the previous day. Unfortunately, he'd come up empty-handed, for several reasons – one of which was in plain sight on the door leading inside. A carefully written sign stating "Under New Management" sat in the middle of the upper half of the door, a sign that Angel noticed going in and that he'd hoped was just an indicator of future changes instead of present ones. Those in the restaurant had claimed to see nothing, some because they weren't there, others because they had been too busy in their own affairs to notice or care. Angel got the feeling from several responses that some may have been holding their tongues out of fear; Galbadia wasn't known for being subtle in investigations, and some seemed afraid that any response that suggested they were around would wrongly place blame for the death or involvement therein on their shoulders.
'Well, so much for that idea,' Angel thought, irritated that his lead had been so thoroughly killed before it even got off the ground. He sighed, preparing to Planeswalk and head back to Trabia to meet up with Katanas, right before stopping as he caught a flash of black out of the corner of his eye.
"Looking for me?"
The Vayash Moru turned to face the one who had addressed him, wondering all the while if he really had good fortune or if the universe had merely decided to toy with his existence as of late.
"Not particularly," he half-lied, deciding not to give her the satisfaction of feeling as if she was right.
"You're an awful liar," Destine stated, smirking. "Two hundred years of life and you still haven't figured out how to come up with a decent excuse. Disappointing, really."
Angel paused for the briefest of instants before turning and starting to walk off – he had nothing to ask the Pillar, nor any real desire to stay around her after what she'd just done. It was more a symbolic gesture than anything, really; it wasn't as if he had any real way to make her leave. True to form, Destine fell into step right behind him after a moment, moving up beside him as if there was nothing at all wrong between them.
"Aren't you going to stay and chat?" Destine asked. Angel's response was crisp and direct, addressed to her without even facing her.
"Other than ask why you're following me, I've got nothing to say."
"You've been asking about me all around lately – I just wanted to know what I've done to garner your undivided attention," she said innocently, the calm tone of her voice serving only to further irritate Angel after the dead lead minutes ago.
"Bullshit. Why are you really following me?"
"Because you're one of the few people I can trust."
Destine's prompt response caused Angel's irritation to momentarily give way to confusion, which turned to a short, almost mocking laugh moments later.
"I'm glad you think you can trust me, but rest assured that the feeling isn't mutual."
The smile that appeared on Destine's face as he finished speaking served to unnerve the Planeswalker more than he really cared to admit. "Despite the fact that Manes and I both attacked you, have I ever lied to you? Did you ever consider that I was testing you?"
Angel was still quite skeptical, but seeing as how he didn't think the Pillar was going to leave anytime soon, he decided to humor her for the time being. "Testing me for…?"
"I've been very concerned about the power structure of the Ethereal Plane," she said, her voice quieter than before. "I think that someone might be trying to unbalance it, and I am trying to uncover who."
Angel laughed again, but there was no humor in it. "Right. So, what are you testing me for?" Destine, in response, looked around briefly before pulling Angel onto a more or less deserted side street, away from the main road they were on moments ago.
"I need to know if I can trust you to help me uncover the face of the power who is threatening Mother."
Angel folded his arms, looking towards Destine with a serious and stern expression across his features. "How do I know you're not trying to trap me?"
"Fayt was involved. I've confirmed it, which is why I had no choice but to assist you in her defeat."
Angel's face didn't waver, but inside, his mind was working furiously. The Pillar seemed sincere enough, but that wasn't nearly enough to convince Angel that she was really telling the truth.
"The safety and security of the Ethereal Plane and mortal plane alike is of top priority," Destine added. "If I don't do something about it, we may not have the opportunity again. You're a Planeswalker under Mother's command; you have the responsibility to assist me if I believe that she is being threatened."
"If you needed help, all you had to do was ask!" Angel growled out, eyes narrowing. "You didn't need to commit so many atrocities here! People died because of what you did!"
"For that, I apologize," Destine replied, closing her eyes. "No one should have died for this. But now, there's precious little time remaining. Please…I can show you all the evidence I have to support what I'm saying. It should be more than enough to convince you, and maybe you know something that I don't."
She turned back towards the streets as Angel watched, still contemplating what she'd said so far. "I need to get back now; Mother's been looking for me for some time. I'll be in the Upper Court if you choose to help me."
Without another word, Destine's figure vanished in a faint spiraling pattern of energy, leaving Angel alone and conflicted in the Galbadia City alleyway. On one hand, he knew this could easily just be another of Destine's tricks, meant to sow more confusion in the ranks, as it were. But on the other hand, if she was actually telling the truth…
Angel bit back a curse as he thought about it. Freya had given him a second chance when no one else would, when he was the Scourge of Dollet all those decades ago and tormented the entire dukedom for years on end. She'd seen light in a dark soul, and he had repaid her with tireless decades of service in order to repay the debt that he felt he owed her in light of it. If Destine was speaking truth, he chose not to help, and something happened to Freya because of it, he knew that he would never be able to forgive himself after the fact.
Pulling out his GLD, he sent off a quick message to Katanas, letting him know that he was pursuing another lead. Then, he swallowed, trying to fight off the notion that he was making a terrible mistake as he stepped off of the streets of Galbadia City and onto the Crystal Path.
[Ethereal Plane, Upper Court, Destine's Domain]
The feeling that something was unchangeably, irredeemably wrong hit Liam Jacob Bayloh almost as quickly as the waves of paralyzing magical energy did.
A menacing chuckle wafted through the air, Destine's former gentle and caring façade washed away like sand on a beach as she stepped towards the frozen Vayash Moru.
"You should've followed your instincts, Liam," she taunted, circling around him like a shark sizing up its prey. She paused momentarily behind him as something caught her interest, reaching out towards the sheath on his back and carefully drawing the glittering blue blade stored there.
"Such a fine example of craftsmanship…hard to believe that it would be left in the hands of someone like yourself," she commented, turning the blade over in her hands to admire it.
"Hasn't anyone ever told you not to take others' things without asking?" Angel asked, trying to figure out a way to get out of the situation he was in. Destine simply laughed again, dropping the blade to her side.
"My dear Liam, when have I ever followed popular conventions?" she replied, stepping back around to his front once again. "Those in power make the rules, as it were…and I have the power."
The glittering blue blade sank into flesh, and Angel held back a scream.
[July 4, 2152 | Trabia Garden, First Floor, Infirmary | 10:13 AM]
Being able to walk again, painful though it still is, is like a gift from Freya to me right now. I loathe being bedridden with a passion that I can't put into words.
Having Tetsuya and Yuki stay around to visit was rather entertaining, I'll admit.
Besides the figurative slap in the face that was hearing about Deling's assassination, they talked about everything from recent dinner disasters involving Tetsuya and his family to things Yuki learned in some of her magic classes – the latter of which went over my head in a very short time span. Tetsuya and I both have one thing in common, at least, that being that both of us appreciate magic, given how useful and life-saving it can be for SeeDs, but would rather stay far, far away from most of the greater intricacies of the art. My one exception is, in fact, Alchemy, as I've found myself continually fascinated by just how diverse and yet specialized it can be at the same time – once all of this trouble is dealt with, I've sworn to myself that I'm going to throw myself into my Alchemy training with relish.
Even all of the conversation couldn't keep my mind completely off of Destine, though. I distinctly remember her helping us beat Fayt, and now all I can think is that she did it just so she would have less competition or opposition in the long run. She must have been hoping that Fayt would have taken out most of her opponents for her so that she could then step in and take care of Fayt, leaving everything more or less wrapped up in a nice, pretty package for her to deal with at her leisure. The other question on my mind is, oddly enough, why none of us have heard of Freya doing anything to help. That question bothers me even more than what Destine might be hoping to accomplish; Freya obviously has more than enough power to handily deal with the situation, so why hasn't she?
My thoughts are interrupted by the chiming of the GLD at my side, prompting me to pick up and answer the device almost without thinking about it.
"Powell."
"The Commander requests that you come to his office by 1030 hours to attend a mission briefing," the voice on the other end states, which I recognize as belonging to Ein Beoulve.
"I'll be there," I say, before pausing. "Did he say what the mission is dealing with?"
"Not to my knowledge," Ein replies. "Just that you were one of those who needed to be included in the briefing."
"Alright. I'll start heading that way now," I remark, hearing the transmission cut off on the other end a moment later. Whatever's up, it almost has to do with Destine, I figure; I'm not a member of command staff nor particularly high-ranking, and it's the only reason I can come up with as to why I'd be included in a mission briefing.
'But what's he planning…? Destine's a Pillar of Reality, surely he can't think that we can just walk into the Ethereal Plane and beat her down on our own; we had to have Odin and Xeios help just to be on even footing with Fayt…'
My mental musings are broken into by the sound of a female voice from behind me, one that I realize that I haven't heard much of in a long time.
"Hi."
I stop in my walking just long enough to let the source of the voice catch up to me, before turning and looking directly into the face of Yuna Kaname.
"Hey. Doing okay?"
"I should be asking you that," she replies with a small smile. "Rikku said that she heard you nearly died out there."
"Reports of my demise were greatly exaggerated," I counter, chuckling lightly as I glance ahead in the hall to make sure I'm not about to run into anyone. "How are they? Rikku and Paine, I mean."
"Good…they're good. They were worried about you…we all were, really."
It's hard for me not to notice that Yuna's tone of voice is nothing like normal, as if she's nervous and jittery about something that she's not telling me.
"Hate that I made you worry…you've got enough on your mind without worrying about me, it looks like. Care to talk about it?" I offer, hoping that there's something I can do to help.
"…What makes you say that?" she asks, almost a bit too quickly, which only serves to make my own worrying increase as to what might be bothering her so.
"Come on, Yuna – I've known you too long now not to notice. You're acting like you acted two years ago when you were still a summoner, all timid and quiet. Something's getting you down, but if you don't want to talk about it, I'm not gonna try and make you."
The former summoner doesn't say anything, causing the pair of us to walk in silence for several tense seconds, dodging students and instructors alike on our way towards the nearest elevator. Finally, she gives a short nod and a strained smile, which I figure is all the admission that I'm going to get right now.
"Looks like this is my stop," I say, nodding over towards the nearby elevator before facing Yuna again. "Hate to leave so soon, but I've got to get to Katanas' office – something about a mission briefing."
"After you just left the infirmary?" she asks, her own seeming dejection replaced by momentary surprise.
"If it's important enough to drag me out of resting after what just happened, it's worth going to. Granted, not like I have much of a choice, but if I did, it would be," I muse jokingly, pressing the button for the third floor and stepping back a bit. There's no immediate response, telling me that the elevator is on its way down. As I wait, I reach over and pull Yuna into a hug, lowering my voice a bit.
"Just…take care of yourself, okay? Rikku and Paine are there for you, you know – go talk to them if something's getting to you. Please?"
"I will, I promise. Just…be careful, Ben."
I let go of Yuna as the elevator doors open behind me, nodding briefly as I step inside.
"Always."
[July 4, 2152 | Trabia Garden, Third Floor, Katanas DeValle's Office | 10:20 AM]
(Play: Battle Ignition – Shiro Sagisu, Bleach Original Soundtrack 1)
Getting into Katanas' office this time around was simple, as Ein was already waiting to usher me in the moment I arrived. I was momentarily surprised to see that besides Katanas, Ein, and someone else who I'd never met, the room was entirely devoid of people. I didn't expect that at all, even suspecting that this wasn't a normal SeeD briefing…and now I'm really curious as to what Katanas has in store.
"Glad you could make it," Katanas says to me, nodding briefly in my direction.
"Can't ignore a direct summons from the SeeD Commander, sir," I reply, offering a salute that Katanas quickly waves off.
"I have someone you should meet," Katanas says, motioning to the sole person in the room I don't know. "This is Rubedo Alaberti, a close personal friend of mine and a Planeswalker for the Nether Plane."
"Benji Powell," I say, introducing myself and stepping over with an outstretched hand. The boy pauses for a moment before taking the offered hand, shaking it firmly before glancing back at Katanas.
"Benji is one of our SeeD here at Garden, as well as a Planeswalker for the Ethereal Plane – which, incidentally, is why I called him here," Katanas explains, giving me an understanding look.
"So it does relate to Destine, I take it?" I ask, figuring that I may as well venture the educated guess now.
"That it does," Katanas responds, giving a smile with little humor in it. "However, we're still missing someone."
"Who?"
"Instructor Bayloh. I was told that he was going to Galbadia City to investigate a lead, but he hasn't returned," Katanas replies. Walking over to one of the chairs around the room, I sit down, folding my arms across my chest as I do so.
"Not like him to be late to anything, is it?" I ask, to which Katanas shakes his head. "Think he got in trouble with Galbadian police or something? They're probably twitchy now because of all the action."
"It's hard to say. He's not responding to his GLD, however, which is also unlike him."
Despite myself, I can't quite contain the bad feeling that seems to flood my senses at Katanas' words. Garden policy mandates that GLDs are to remain with any on-duty SeeD officers at all times, and must be answered if at all possible. Failing to do that is insubordination, and – from what I hear – usually if not always gets the offender thrown in the brig for some period of time, if not worse.
"Angel wouldn't just ignore his GLD," I say firmly, staring straight at Katanas. "Something's wrong."
"I had that feeling myself, which is why I've already sent someone out. They should let me know if they fi-"
The subtle increase of magic in the air suddenly set my senses on alert, as it seemed to do for everyone else in the room. Quiet footfalls in the direction of the office door caused all eyes to shift in that direction just as the aforementioned door opened, allowing the Pillar of Destiny to languidly walk into the room with a wisp of a smile on her face.
"Hello, and welcome to the scene of the crime."
(End: Battle Ignition – Shiro Sagisu, Bleach Original Soundtrack 1)
"Speak of the devil," I remark, eyes narrowing at the sight of the black-clad figure that had a hand in nearly killing me less than a day ago. An uneasy silence seems to move over the room at my words as Destine looks over the four of us, her smile growing a bit wider at the sight.
"I hope you're not bitter, Benji. Business is business; I'm sure you understand that."
I want to say something in return, but Katanas beats me to it before I can open my mouth.
"What business do you have with us, Destine?" he asks, never taking his eyes off of the woman. If anything, her smile turns more eerie as Katanas finishes speaking.
"I'm simply returning a bit of trash that I found which belongs to you," she comments, waving a hand lazily in the air. A large shape suddenly appears in the air in front of her, falling to the ground with a heavy thud…and a moment later, we all realize just what – or rather, who – it is.
"There's a saying that you mortals have," Destine continues, watching as the four of us exchange looks with each other as well as the unmoving body of Angel, tattered clothes and bloody limbs allowing the crimson liquid to slowly seep into the carpeted floor of Katanas' office. "Simple, crude, yet a remarkably fitting statement for many instances throughout history."
"That being?" Katanas prompts, his voice still remaining calm despite the situation. Destine's grin turns positively wicked a moment later, and another flash of magic heralds the appearance of Angel's blade in her hand.
"Curiosity killed the cat."
Before our eyes, Destine raises the blade and stabs down into Angel's right arm, opening a fresh wound there before removing it and stabbing down into his other arm, causing the already impressive amount of blood on his body to increase. She pulls it free a second later, dropping the blood-stained blade on top of him as if daring him to try and get back up to fight her. Only the knowledge of how much power Destine still has in the mortal plane and memories of trying to fight Fayt are holding me back from attacking her myself.
"…Sadistic…bitch…" Angel grunts out from his position on the floor, simultaneously relieving me slightly that he's still alive and amazing me that he's still conscious, given the shape he appears to be in.
"I'm flattered, really," Destine replies, sweeping her gaze over all of us. "However, I have no further business with the lot of you. Enjoy your day."
With a final, mocking smile, Destine turns and begins to walk away, vanishing before she even takes three steps. Immediately, the room bursts into action, with Ein and me both rushing over to check on Angel.
"Ein, stabilize Angel and take him to the infirmary immediately. Powell, remain here – this just means that we must act now before any further harm comes to this situation."
Trying to force the anger back down, I turn back to Katanas and nod as Ein helps Angel sit up.
"Katanas…"
The SeeD Commander moves closer to Angel as he hears him speak, and I back away a bit to give Angel and Katanas both some room.
"She's…she's incredibly charismatic. She made me believe…believe that there was something wrong she was trying to correct," Angel says, even as Ein struggles a bit to get him into a standing position, albeit a supported one. "Katanas, I'm sorry. You've never done a thing to make me doubt you, and she made me doubt you, even if it was for a moment. But…I know now. She was trying to make a…spectacle out of me. I got too close; I knew too much; I went too far. She's been behind all of it, all the…things happening in the mortal plane. I don't have the evidence beyond my own body."
Katanas listens patiently as Angel speaks, never looking away, until he finally nods his assent and approval to the Instructor.
"I know. We're going to put an end to this; of that, you have my word. You've done more than your share, and it's time that you took a well-deserved rest. We will handle things from here."
He gestures to Ein as he finishes, who begins to lead Angel out of the room and towards the infirmary with as much haste as the young boy can manage. There's a faint shift in the air as the pair exits, and my hand immediately goes to my blade in fear of any further trouble, but I quickly relax as I see a form that would've been exceedingly welcome two minutes ago.
"Forgive my intrusion; I fear that I was a bit late in my arrival," Will states, the Pillar of the Future's demeanor looking more stern and serious than normal.
"Regretfully, I must agree," Katanas states, his eyes moving from the door and hallway beyond his office to the man in front of him. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"
Will's eyes slowly move past Rubedo, Katanas, and then myself before he looks Katanas squarely in the eyes, all pretense of casual conversation dropped in an instant.
"I came to help."
I had a lot of fun writing this chapter; each piece was done completely out of order, and so I had to do quite a bit of going back and reworking details to make sure everything was correct. Next up is the second part and, likely, the last chapter of this arc, and so I'll be doing my very best to make it a good one. To all my readers, have a very happy New Year's, and please read and review!