de’Rieste Dossier

What is this white light? Where is Stiggy? Where is my cousin? Where is my sister?Where is that Elvaan Woman? Where am I?

I looked around and found I was still in the Throne Room, where we had made what I thought was our last stand. My head hurt and the bright white light wasn’t helping it any. I don’t know who the being who is engulfed in it is, but she is pretty enough.

I sat there looking around. This room was so much prettier in the white light. The ornate carvings looked almost delicate in nature. I closed my eyes as the being moved across my vision to where the body of one of my fallen comarades lay.

Startled, I stood up as a shock wave cracked the wall between me and the door. I ran toward where my cousin had fallen.

“What was that?” I asked my voice trembling.

“I am forever in your debt, Altana,” Stigmus spoke softly as he knealt respectfully before the Entity that was engulfed in the white light.

“Who is Altana?” I felt like the more I remained in Vana’diel the more questions I would have.

“That felt like a shockwave of some sort, Dusti,” my cousin answered me as he rose to his feet.

“Duski!!! My name is Duski… as in D-U-S-K-I if you actually learned to spell when you were growing up.” I crossed my arms.

“Don’t mind him,” Stiggy said as he waddled up behind me. “He thinks he is something special…”

My cousin helped the Elvaan female to her feet… …and then the ground shook!

“What in Heaven’s name was that?” I shouted as rubble began to fall from the wall near the door.

“Save Yourselves!” I thought I heard shouted from outside. I began to scrabble my way to the door.

As I reached the doorway, I noticed that the entryway was no longer attached to the bridge where we entered. We all stood in the doorway as the tower creaked and listed further away from the bridge.

“So, how are we to get out of here?” I asked a bit irritated.

“Down there,” the Elvaan woman pointed at a bridge lower down on the tower. “With the way the tower is tilting we should be able to walk down the exterior walls to that bridge.”

“Ok,” Stiggy headed out the door. The Elvaan woman followed close on his heels.

“You aren’t going to stand here all day!” Stigmus looked down at me. “Get moving!”

“If my father heard you talking to me like that he would…” I looked up at my cousin and scowled.

“If you plan on being able to tell him, you better get your backside out that door and down that wall, runt!” Stigmus shoved me out and then followed quickly on my heels.

We walked down, or should I rather say that Stiggy and I tumbled down as the two elvaans slid down the wall. I found it more unnerving than the fight for me. The whole time in my mind I could see myself tumbling down past the bridge and into the darkness. I knocked a piece of a stone loose as I fell and it tumbled down towards Stiggy and the Elvaan woman.

“Look Out!”

The words had no more crossed my lips when the Elfaan female grabbed Stiggy and tossed him towards the bridge. I had to stiffle a giggle at the glimpse of what I saw as I tumbled closer to where the Elvaan Female had wedged herself.

With the Elvaan female making her way more cautiously down the incline towards the lower bridge, my cousin and I soon closed the gap between us and them. As we reached the bridge, I realized that the gap between the lower bridge and where we were had widened since the Elvaan Female had crossed.

“I can’t jump that,” I stammered as I wrapped my arms and legs around my cousin’s leg.

“You don’t have a choice, runt!” Stigmus roared as more rocks came tumbling down from the crumbling walls of the tower.

“But the gap is too big, I can’t jump that far!”

“You either Jump or I will throw you myself! And I can’t promise my aim will put you on the bridge!” Stigmus looked cross when I looked at him pleadingly. “Alright throw it is!” Stigmus wrenched my hands from his leg and positioned himself in such a way as to throw me towards the bridge.

I hit stone at the middle of the bridge and slid across towards the edge near the open doorway. I stopped sliding just shy of falling off at the wall. I scrambled to my feet as I saw the tower list futher. I couldn’t see my cousin.

“Stigmus? Are you there?” I couldn’t hear over the noise that was reverberating back from the stone tower collapsing into the chasm. I made my way through the rubble that had fallen on the bridge to the edge that had once attached to the tower.

“Do you need my help?” I asked as I saw him hanging by his finger tips on the jagged edge of the bridge.

“I think you have helped enough, runt! Don’t you?” Stigmus struggled to reposition himself onto a more secure stone.

“I can go get Stiggy and That Elvaan Woman.” I offered.

“Her name is Darling, and you do that!” he managed back, his voice tight with the strain of his exertion. “And be quick about it why don’t you!”

I scurried off towards the door. In the doorway I could hear the clash of metal against metal and the grunts of deflected blows. As I rounded the corner in the corridor, I found that Stiggy and The Elvaan Woman were fending off an ambush. They weren’t going to be much good to Stigmus until they were done with those creatures.

How was I going to help? What could I use to get my cousin up on the bridge? How could I help those two defend our position until we were all together again? What if I couldn’t get my cousin up on the bridge?

Just then I heard the clammor of a metal weapon as it was dropped from the claw of one of the newly defeated monsters.

‘That’s it!’ I thought to myself. I snuck into the fray and dragged out a great big sword but I found that I grew tired as I tried to drag it back to where my cousin hung precariously from the edge of the bridge. As I reached the opening in the bridge, I decided I would have to go about this a different way or I wouldn’t have the strength to help.

I dropped the big sword and made my way to a crack near the center of the bridge. I shoved the sword I carried that I had brought with me from the other realm into the crack all the way to it’s handle. I took the rope that I wore around my waist and tied it to the handle of the blade and the other around my waist.

I closed my eyes. “Altana I know I am not one of your children, but I am trying to help them, Please protect me,” with that I ran and jumped over the edge of the bridge. I heard a distant scream as I reached the end of my rope.

I opened my eyes and looked around beneath the bridge, my cousin was gone. Where was he? Did I put myself in danger for nothing? Would I have the strength to pull myself up again?

I grabbed ahold of the rope and began to climb it like the vines that clung from the dome in my father’s audience chamber. I guess being an inquisitive child that hated being religanted to ignorance was finally going to pay off. Hand over hand I climbed until I reached the top of the ledge.

I looked up to see my cousin with a foot either side of the rope. He reached down and pulled me up. When I began to protest about leaving my sword and rope, he grabbed them both and threw me like a sack of meal over his shoulder.

He ran with me over his shoulder to where the other two waited after clearing the ambush.

“Grab the runt and let’s go!” my cousin shouted at the Elvaan Woman.

“What about my father’s saber?” I screamed above the rumbling of the falling walls.

“What? That Puny Dagger?” my cousin shot back. “Don’t worry Runt! I got it.”

The two Elvaans ran down to the gates of the keep before they stopped and rested.

My cousin wrappped me up in the rope and growled at me as he wedged the blade I had carried between to stones. “This is so you don’t go trying anymore heroics that make me have to go rescuing you again, Runt!”

As stood to my feet, dazed and confused I saw Menerva facing the creature which called itself Loki, I swung my sword at him from behind, but in my weakened state Loki saw the attack coming from the corner of his eye, as he blocked my attack Loki began his savage attack, it was then I felt his claws pierced chest.

“Shae, you always wanted his heart even as child, here, you can have it.” Loki laughed as he tore through my rip cage and ripped my heart from my chest.

“Mercury!!!” Menerva screamed.

My body fell back in crumpled heap on the floor as my heart was tossed beside me, Menerva ran to be beside my lifeless body, as her beloved laid motionless before her eyes, Loki turned his back to her, raising his arms in the air.

“All this, Vana’diel, its people, kingdoms belong to me now. Not even an angel of Altana can stop me!” He turned and pointed his claw-like hand at Menerva.

“I’ll stop you somehow and take revenge for you have done to my husband!” She growled taking a step forward and raised her club and shield into a battle stance.

“I think not little Mithra.” Loki laughed as he turned his back again.

Menerva was about to make the first move when the ground started shaking, as Menerva looked to see what was causing the tremor she caught sight of the remains of her Marcureal. My body had rose to its knees, it was as if  I was watching from outside my own body, Menerva watch in horror as I scooped my heart off the floor and placed back inside my chest.

As the damaged veins reconnected the wound started to close as my heart began beating again, the damage that my armor had sustained was also regenerating.

“Marcureal…?” Menerva’s voice trailed off.

“Muuuggh!” I scream as my body was racked with pain, holding my sides I could feel my skin burning.

“What! Doesn’t anyone know how to stay dead? Flarega!” Loki screeched in anger.

“No! Not this time, Shellra V!” Menerva shouted and cast just in time.

The blast from his spell shattered the stone door behind us leading back into the castle, as flames and smoke clear to reveal further changes had occurred, my skin had changed to jet black as my eyes glowed a blood red, demon wings had finally sprouted from my back and expanded out.

“Marcureal?” Menerva gasped.

“I am…. the gatekeeper…  You! Back to Hell!” As I pointed at Loki.

“I don’t think so, Gatekeeper… Hades, or would prefer you old name … Diabolos!” Loki grinned to himself.

Menerva shocked by events that had transpired just stood listening.

“You escaped me once, not this time.” I drew my sword.

“But tell me, how do you plan on defeating me in such a short time that you have before you kill your host body?” Loki laughed as he materialized his great sword and expanded his wings to take flight.

I shoved Menerva back I took to the sky engaging Loki in a volley of parries and strikes, using my Vorpal Blade attack I was met with a lock of blades, as sparks flew from the impacts of our strikes Loki retaliated with his Spinning Slash attack knocking me slightly back, as I regain my stance Loki had charged with his Sword in full swing, as I blocked with my shield I returned the favor as I lunged with a Swift Blade attack knocking Loki back, it was then that Loki gained the upper hand as he cast fire ball which sent me crashing into the side of the castle wall, followed by his claw like hand around my throat, parts of wall broke away from the force of impact, which had also cracked the foundations of the tower causing it move.

“Why this host Diabolos, surely you could have offered me a better challenge.” Loki taunted as he tighten his grip.

“To honour a pact…” I was able get out.

It was then Menerva flew up and attacked with Black Halo drawing Loki’s attention and breaking his grip from around my neck.

“Give back control, Shae can help!”I said in my head to Diabolos.

“Very well… But my power will be limited to you. Rely on your own strength…”Diabolos replied.

“Drink this, My Child” a soft voice said in the darkness.

Carefully a chalice with some liquid was placed to my lips. The liquid stung as it passed my lips. It burned as it trickled down my throat. Slowly the fluid chased the chill from my flesh.

Startled, I opened my eyes. There, knelt at my side, was a being engulfed in a white glowing light. I shielded my eyes.

“Don’t be afraid, my child.” She gently touched my face, “I will not harm you.”

“Who… Who are you?”

“I am the one whose blessing was called for when you were joined with Marcureal,” her voice sounded familiar to me, but I could not for the life of me figure out why.

“Why would you bring me back from the lands beyond?”

“You made a oath before me, one that cannot be broken even in death. Do you remember that oath, My Child?” Her voice reminded me of my mother’s voice, almost angelic in its tones.

I dropped my paw to my side and pushed myself up. “Marcureal?” I swallowed hard. “Is he?” the words caught in my throat.

“He needs his Sword, just as you need your staff.”

I looked down and figited with the ring on my left paw. “But… he… abandoned…”

“He left the beach on your wedding night to protect his family, his whole family including his beloved, Shae.”

I felt the color wash from my face as I looked at her. “I… where is he?” I attempted to scamper to my feet only to find I was very light headed.

“Careful, My Child.” The being reached out to steady me.

“Who are you? Why do you call me your child?” I looked at her confused.

“I am the beginning and the end. ”

“But… But, you can’t be Altana. No mortal has ever laid eyes on Altana.” I averted my eyes in fear.

“That is true, My Child.” She gently turned my face towards her. “But, like your mother, and her mother before her, you are no mere mortal, Shae.”

“Then what am I? Some Demon?”

Altana shook her head. “The Emperial family has been how my angels have walked among the children of Vana’diel. Knowledge of their true self is not  revealed until just before they are taken from this world, or until a time of Great Need in Vana’diel.” Altana smiled at me. “You, my child were blessed to have not walked alone, as most of the Angels do…”

“I know, I have Mercury!”

Again Altana shook her head at me. “No, Shae that is not what I mean. Most angels only ever walk among the children of Vana’diel as only them, no other Angels, but you have had Justice and Wisdom, Courage, and Innocence all with you at times in your life.”

“How?” I frowned. “But… Who were they?” My head began to swim again I leaned my back against a collumn to steady myself.

“Have you yourself not said that your grandmother was the wisest you have ever met, and fair?” Altana smiled at me once again. “Did you not tell Marcureal that your mother had more courage in her little digit than you have ever seen in anyone else in your life?”

Without even thinking I nodded. It had been many years since I had spoken of either of them, but that is how I have always seen them.

“Did you not weap bitterly at the loss of innocence that came with Kiashera’s death?”

I bit back tears and stared harshly at Altana, “Why would you bring up my daughter’s death?”

“She too was my child, just as her mother, her mother’s mother and her mother before that are and were my children.” Altana took a deep breath. “You were not alone as you wept over Kiashera’s loss.”

“If I am an angel then what am I the angel of lost causes and broken hearts?” I snapped bitterly.

“No, My Child, you are the one who does not give up on lost causes and tries to mend broken hearts… You are the Archangel of Compassion. It is most unfortunate that in order to have such compassion as you possess that you must feel the pain not only of your own, but of others as well.”

I stood there a moment watching Altana. Trying to figure out what it is that I really was seeing. Was she just some dream? Was she a figment of my overly tired mind?

“…sister come and  face me…” came a voice that chilled me to the bone. I started and turned towards the voice. Almost as if I had been charmed, I moved towards the door to the throne room. In the doorway I stopped cold. In the distance I saw two figures, one crumpled in a heap at the foot of the other and the one who called out standing over him.

“Altana, Grant me the Strength and Courage of my mother and the Justice and Wisdom of her mother before her,” I prayed softly.

“Bless you My Child with all that you need to persevere.” Altana gently touched my back.

I don’t know when I got them but as I stretched I felt soft downy wings behind my shoulders. They were folded, but they were there none the less. I stepped closer and the figure on the ground became more visible.

“Mercury!” I gasped softly. From deep within me I felt the same will that had kept us both alive this long. I stepped just close enough to cast on him. As I cast Divine Seal and then Raise III, the strongest Raise spell I knew, I quietly prayed that the monster who stood over him would turn on me and leave Mercury alone.

As the Creature sensed the magic I was casting, it charged me. I finished the spell just before it reached me.

“Who are you?” it growled as it grabbed me. “Why do you not stay dead like a good little Mithra?”

“I am Shae Doen Che-de’Rieste Ragnark. Empress of…” The creature gripped my throat to stop my speach.

“You are Menerva, the Adventurer from San d’Oria. That is not what I asked. Why do you not stay dead? I finished you off after my servant injured you.”

“I am born of the blood of Altana,” I croaked as he continued his grip on my throat.

With those words he released me. “Is my sister so afraid of me that she must send one of her Angels to fight me in her stead?”

“Why would Altana fear one such as you?” I asked calmly.

“Does my appearence not strike fear into your very heart?” he snarled.

“No. Should it?” I raised an eyebrow as a stared calmly at the creature before me.

He looked at his own form and saw the same thing I did. Magnum, a man I had once known and cared for.

“Hmm,” he paused. “If this visage is not scary enough for you. How about this one?” He ripped his flesh from his flesh to reveal his true form. He smiled menacingly at me as the second skin he had worn for an indeterminate length of time, collapsed in a heap of skin at his feet.

I set my jaw and steadied myself. I fought the urge to flinch or shudder. “Is that supposed to be more frightening?” I stealed myself against his next move.

He leaned close to me, his breath heavy in my face. “I am the most evil creature you have ever faced. No one survives an encounter with me.”

“When you have taken from me all that I hold dear, that is supposed to scare me?” I laughed in his face. “You have learned nothing in your time here, have you? The blood of your blood chose to give her life for the life of one who was no blood relation to her. Don’t you see, Love and Honor are stronger than you ever were?”

“What do you know of those things?” he laughed. “You are so fickle that your longest relationship was with someone who was never around. As for honor, you wouldn’t know what that was either as you didn’t honor the vows you made at Promise Lake in front of all those witnesses.”

“There you are wrong. All of my life, for a far back as I remember the only thing I wanted was Marcureal’s heart to be mine. Any vows made by me at Promise Lake that day were empty as one cannot promise something that is not theirs to give.” I tilted my head back and smiled as he began to seethe. “I was married to Marcureal Ragnark when I was 16 years old, that is why they never issued us the marriage certificate.” I stretched out my wings carefully as I stood before him.

He towered above me extending to his full height. In the dim light he seemed somewhat taller than the young Elvaan Healer Ponkale that I had met in my journeys since I found Mercury again, and broader than my old Galkan friend Stoney. I did not flinch as he raised the back of his claw to me.

“Save The Empress!” I heard coming from the chamber.

“Save yourselves,” I commanded. I stealed myself as a scowl further contorted his face. “You would dare hit an Angel of Altana?”

In a confusion of motion he leveled a blow that hit Mercury as he sprang between us and knocked him against the floor of the bridge to the Throne Room. I flinched as the floor cracked beneath him.

“Mercury!!” I shouted and ran towards him.

The foul creature took to flight and beat me to Mercury’s side. “Is that what you really always wanted, Shae, his heart? I will gladly oblige you…” he stepped towards Marcureal…

I pushed the door open as it creaked my eyes slowly adjusted to torch lit room. The smell blood and death hit me as I entered the throne room. The floor and walls were stain and dripping with blood and there, stood in centre of all the chaos, was my sworn enemy.

“MAGNUM!” I shouted.

As he turn to face me, his Armour and polarm dripped with blood of my brothers. Stiggy  lay next to a female Tarutaru. Judging by her gear, she lack any real battle experience to of been any help against Dragoon master. On the stairs my brother lay next to a female elvaan Blue Mage. My mind pondered how these two could have been defeated if they were working together.

“Ahh… Marcureal I see you finally come to take centre stage with rest of your worthless family,” he smirked.

“You bastard! Where’s Shae!” I shouted.

Magnum walked over to the far wall where Menerva had crawled with final moments she had  reached up to where we had etched our names.

“What? This garbage?” Magnum picked up Menerva’s lifeless body by throat.

“STOP IT! Leave her alone.” I screamed.

I watched in horror he tossed her to back chamber like a rag doll. I began to run towards her but my path was blocked as Magnum warped in front of me.

“Forget about her, shes long gone by now.” He taunted.

“Move! Or I’ll go through you” I yelled.

“My, aren’t we bossy one, but all I see talk and no action.” Magnum grinned as he readied his Polarm.

“”I’ll show you action!” I growled.

Drawing my sword leapt and into the air, coming down heavy connecting with middle of his polarm, as he blocked my attack the force of impact created a shockwave which sent me flying back outside the throne room.

“Why do you continue fight, even after losing everything.” Magnum taunted as laid his strikes against my shield.

“I’ll keep fighting to protect those that care about.” I replied as swung my sword into his parry.

“My what a wonderful job you’ve done.” Magnum taunted.

Magnum leaped into air and rebounded off the nearest pillar sending him flying towards me with his lance primed for the killing blow. I flipped backwards narrowly dodged his attack which landed me in the centre bridge, Magnum leaped back slightly and recalled his polarm back to his hand.

“As you can see powers have grown since the last we fought.” Magnum smirked.

“I wouldn’t call a cheap parlor trick using a wire to recall your  polarm a increase in power.” I laughed.

The battle came to a stand still as Magnum lowered his Polarm while raising his left hand in the air calling fourth storm turning day sky to darkness, as the rain fell and the lightening filled the storm clouds, Magnum spoke again.

“You really don’t understand what’s going here do you? Well allow me to explain it, during fateful day.” He paused for a moment.

“The battle Duchy” I replied.

“Yes…. The one with supposedly no survivors, yet here you are, just how did you survive?” His cold stare broke for just a moment.

“What do mean here I am? You were at that battle too, I should ask you the same question Magnus!” I said as I began to wonder where this was leading to.

“Quite simply Magnum didn’t I have merely taken his body for my own.” He grinned.

“Just who or what are you!!” I shouted drawing my sword into a battle stance.

“I am the darkness!” He screamed as charged at me grabbing me and slamming into sided pillar. “The pain of Vana’diel!” As he threw me in a pillar. “I am the brother of Altana who has no name!!”

Magnum landed his polarm in my stomach as he pierced my armor I felt the tip exit my back, as he lifted me off the ground and tossed me against the door which lead back to the castle.

“Pity I was hoping for more interesting fight, sister come and  face me…” The creature demanded.

“J-just who..” I tried to speak but  I was losing blood fast from my injuries.

“I am Loki..” He grinned.

The darkness was consuming me as I felt my life draining from me, the last thing I saw before the darkness was a light coming from the throne room.

I squared my shoulders to face the vile creature who had taken on the name Magnum. In the years since I had first encountered him he had become more bitter than I remembered him. Could this be the same man who stood before me and swore on his honor that he protected all life?

I fought the urge to finger the scar that runs down the full length of my chest and abdomin. Can I really face the man who gave me this scar? Can he really not remember me?

I drank a Yagudo Drink and then cast Bludgeon. I followed it up with Spinal Cleave and watched as a bright light cut through Magnum. He staggered back and looked at me confused.

“Did you really think I would not do what I could to keep old wounds from being reopened?” I smiled wryly though he could not see it through the veil that covered my face. “I am not the Elvaan you once pretended to care for…” My words escaped my lips before I realized what I had said in front of Stigmus.

I pulled my double scimitars from their sheaths at my hips and brandished them. I stood in a defensive pose as I waited for Magnum to regain his composure. I remembered that the deepest felt blows for the man I once knew were to his ego.

“You and him?” Stigmus asked in a hurt tone. “But, I thought…” his voice trailed off.

I froze as I realized that Magnum was just given the true identity of the one in my journals. I looked at Stigmus, the terror in my eyes must have spoke volumes as the next thing I knew Stigmus had lunged towards Magnum.

“Marcus! No!” I uttered involuntarily.

“Oh, so you are the fool who was too blind to see Darli was so madly in love with you?” Magnum goaded Stigmus. “It is a shame you missed out on…” Magnum grinned menacingly as he easily deflected Stigmus’ frenzied blows.

“Missed out on what?” Stigmus asked through clenched teeth.

Magnum laughed. “If you were a Man, you wouldn’t need me to tell…”

Stigmus backhanded Magnum with his fist closed around his sword. “How dare you say that about Darling?”

“Quite easily. Or has she never told you about the man who made her a woman?” Magnum shoved Stigmus from him. “Go on ask her.”

As Stigmus turned to me questioningly, Magnum threw his lance at Stigmus and literally ripped out his heart. All I could do was stand there and feel as though I had betrayed the only one I had ever truly loved.

When Magnum recalled his lance, Stigmus collapsed to a heap at my feet and all the years of Rage against Magnum welled up within me. I had buried my anger at his betrayal. I had buried the pain that he leveled upon me when he tossed me aside like a half eaten mithkabob in yesterday’s refuse.

I looked down at Stigmus’ limp form at my feet and closed my eyes before swallowing hard. “Altana, guide my weapons, make their vengance true and swift!”

With that prayer I opened my eyes and lunged towards Magnum. I managed to cast a few more spells as I parried his lance. I was in the process of casting pollen when he leveled a blow that knocked me from my feet.

I reached to my chest and found it wet with my own blood. He had once again opened the wound that ran the length of my torso and abdomin. As my life gushed from me, Stiggy charged Magnum. Only moments before I lost conciousness, I heard the high pitched scream that could have only belonged to a Tarutaru female, then everything went black.

“Shae!!” I screamed.

The light hurt my eyes as I tried to open them. Closing them, I tried to make sense of my situation. I quickly opened my eyes as the vision of my beloved’s death returned… Was it real or just horrible nightmare?

Slowly crawling to the nearest wall, I was able to prop myself up into a sitting position. My body felt like it had been ran over by a herd of Galkas. Looking down, I saw the remains of my sword and shield. ‘Looks like they’ll never see another day of battle.’ I thought to myself. My eyes followed to where I was first laying, Stigmus’s Great-sword!

Reaching over I pulled the sword towards me. Every time I saw this sword I always felt that it was missing something, like it should be attach with my great sword. I tried to clear my head of such silly thoughts.

“Perhaps they are meant to be one sword…” Came voice from the shadows.

“What the!” I said as I look for the source of this voice.

“Try it, what have you got to lose,” said the cloaked figure as appeared from nowhere.

I slowly got to my feet as I drew my Great-sword with one hand and held Stigmus’s with the other. It was odd I could feel the pull of the swords, as if they were pulling towards each other then as the two swords met the began to glow brightly.

‘What power!’ I thought, as I could feel it traveling from the swords to me as if it was renewing my strength. I closed my eyes for a brief moment as the light had become to bright. It was when I opened them that I saw my Shield fully repaired on my left arm and right hand I saw I held my father’s lost sword… Excalibur!

“How did you know?” I turn to face this mysterious man, but he was gone.

‘This is turning out to be one strange day,’ I thought to my self. My travel of thought was broken with the blood curdling scream coming from the throne room. ‘Damn,’ I thought as I remember why I came here as I rushed to the chamber door, for what I saw sent chills down my spine.

I watched in horror as the Hume known as Magnum lowered his weapon forcefully down into my sister’s prone form. I watched as the Elvaan my cousin called Darling carefully pulled my sister’s limp form to the edge of the room. I didn’t like it, but it made sense enough, I guess. But then…

“My name is Darling d’Arienne de’Rieste. You are the scoundrel who killed Milady, my niece, my Empress. Prepare to Die!”

Her niece? Was Darling my aunt too? Was more of my family’s blood to be shed today?

I stood in the corner out of the way as my cousin had instructed me to do. I didn’t like it one bit, but I didn’t see as I had much choice.

I watched as this Magnum person laughed at Darling. “You, a half whitted spell-caster, think you can take me?”

Darling cast two spells and gets knocked back by the reprocussion of it.

Stigmar had collapsed finally, Shae must have done her job. I watched as Stigmus reverently lay his Great Sword next to his brother. Now we had to get to her before it was too late. I had made an oath to protect the Empress. I had made a oath to the Lord of Isendel to bring his daughter safely home, granted to a home she had never been to, but as she was his daughter it was her home.

I wouldn’t be able to do that if this Magnum person finishes her off. From what I had heard said about him, it would fit his way of doing things to attack when one stops him from getting his way. I would not let myself think of my encounter with the Army commander who had become known as Magnum, to do so might have weakened my resolve, as the last encounter hand nearly been the death of me.

I ran for the door. Just a short ways a way from the door I saw something glisten in the dim light. I picked it up. It was the vile that Shae was supposed to have taken. I tucked it safely away, turned to the door and hit it with the side of my closed fist.

“Shae!!! Open up the Doors! Let us in to help you!” I shouted.

Stigmus didn’t give her a chance to get to the door and it is a good thing that he didn’t as what I saw after he burst through the door made my heart grow cold in my breast.

With one blow, Magnum ended an Era that had been without end for hundreds of generations. In one blow he severed the bond that had been my soul purpose for learning my craft well.

As Stigmus, Stiggy and Duski Rose approached Magnum, I carefully pulled Shae’s limp form to the edge of the room.

“May Altana’s Tears flow freely for you, Milady.” I whispered as I bowed for what was to be the last time in front of the person I had sworn a oath to protect with my last breath. Though I knew it was most likely futile, I poured the contents of the vile into Shae’s mouth.

I turned towards the vile creature who had spilled the life’s blood of my Empress. “My name is Darling d’Arienne de’Rieste. You are the scoundrel who killed Milady, my niece, my Empress. Prepare to Die!”

Stigmus stopped in his tracks at my declaration. “Your neice?”

I went and stood beside Stigmus. “When me avenge my blood, then I will tell you.” With that, we lunged.

Even in my weakened state, this was not a fair fight I was headed into. My body had been weakened by the oils on that Elvaan’s blades, but my mind was still sharp.

We had formulated a plan to get me past the empty shell of what had once been my beloved Mercury. Whoever controlled him must not know what it is like to have a heart. I carefully made my way past him, I still didn’t want to believe that mindless murderer was my beloved.

Once inside the throne room I stared at the interior. It had been a long time since I had cast a shadow within this room. I carefully made my way around the room admiring the detail work of the carvings, I found where Magnum had carved our initials, his and mine, in a corner of the woodwork to show that we had been here and conquered the Shadowlord. I took out a small knife from my bag and scratched my name from the etching. As I put the knife back in my bag, I heard a rustling behind me.

I walked into the center of the room. I looked up at the throne and felt my heart grow cold within my breast.

“Why, Menerva how nice of you to come down off your High Chocobo and join us.” she hissed as she stepped from behind the curtains to stand at Magnum’s side.

“I see the rumors are true, Magnum. You settled for a cut-rate Ceremony to a Second Rate excuse for a Mithra.” I stared at the Hume who presumed to sit on the throne.

“I see you have not lost your fire…” Magnum smiled as he signalled with his hand that the Mithra at his side was to stay.

“And to think, it must have been that fire that you seemed to be attracted to like a love blind Moth. I guess you wanted the body of the Mithra with the submissiveness of the weakest pet that even a poorly trained beastmaster can charm.” At that Magnum didn’t try and stop her.

She pulled out both daggers from her hips and came at me. I smiled. I was not the Mithra she had stabbed in the back so long ago. I had found my feet, I had learned how to wield my weapons well. As she reached the bottom of the staircase, I drew my staff.

“A Whitemage with a staff, Too Weak,” she snarled.

“I would prefer to be a Whitemage with a Staff over a backstabbing Thief anyday. Face me if you think you are the better Mithra. If not, why don’t you just do what your concience would tell you, if you had one… and go hide in shame at all the deciet you have spread.”

“Deciet? That is laughable,” she hissed. “I am not the one who tried to convince my husband to leave his betrothed of a year for her.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as she lunged with her words. I blocked her with my staff. “Is that what he told you? Funny, he told me that you had left him and after what he had done he didn’t expect you to ever forgive him, or return to him. Something about an affair with a Hume?”

“How dare you!” she lunged again. “You tried to steal Magnum and then you succeeded in stealing her fiance from her.”

“In honesty, I didn’t try to steal Magnum. He came willingly. Just like he went willingly into the arms of that same Hume whose fiance you accuse me of stealing.” If I could just keep my cool a little while longer, I would be able to show her that this Whitemage had more up her sleeves than she had counted on. “As for that Hume and her supposed fiance, she never had a claim to him. He was my husband when I was just a girl of 16.” I smiled softly. “Besides what does it matter to you who my husband is with? Are you afraid you are not enough of a Mithra to keep you husband at yourside when that Hume is still on the loose without a significant other?”

“She would never be so vile as to try and be with my significant other,” she hissed as she lunged in anger at me once more.

“How can you be so certain when Magnum has not been with her since your union?” I smiled wryly. “After all you weren’t with him twenty-four hours a day,” and, with that, I used Spirit Taker against her and knocked her across the chamber. There was a sickening thud as she hit the far wall of the chamber and collapsed against the floor unconscious.

“Impressive,” Magnum cooed. “And to think you used to tell me that you didn’t think you were good enough to be at my side.” Magnum slowly descended the stairs as though he believed himself to be King and was descending from the throne to greet one of his beloved subjects.

“I was never meant to be at Your side.” I turned to face him as he reached the bottom of the stairs. “I am not so tolerant as some Mithra about someone sharing my bed and then the bed of every other female he takes a fancy to.”

Magnum smiled. “I see you have done well for yourself.” He reached to caress my cheek. “I must admit I am quite impressed by your progress since we parted ways.”

I pulled back from him. “We did not part ways. You decieved me…”

“‘Decieved’ is such a harsh term.” Magnum smiled charmingly and again attempted to approach me. “I needed a Whitemage at my side.”

“And your Mistress was not enough of a Whitemage for you?”

“How do you know about…” He stopped short assuming I was bluffing him. “I didn’t take a mistress when I was with you.”

“I was never the only one in your life, we both know that… Please don’t think me as naive and blind as your wife is. I knew you chased the Shellholder of every Linkshell we joined. If you didn’t try to get with them, you tried to get with their significant others. I know you have a girl in every port and I was just one of them.”

“Baby, you were never ‘just one of them’. You…” Magnum again turned on his notorious charm.

“I was a Whitemage you used to get yourself stronger and then turned your back on and attempted to ruin the reputation of when I doubted myself.”

“But, you were wrong to doubt yourself… After all look at your impressive skills with your staff.” Magnum smiled softly.

I laughed. “If you think that is impressive,” I smiled as I tossed my staff aside, “wait until you see what I can do with this.” I fastened my Numinous Shield and took up my Martial Wand.

Magnum laughed. “You think you have something to show me with a club?” He laughed again as I nodded. “What? That you can refresh your Magic now?”

“Wait and see.” I growled softly.

“I will do you a favor and let you get out your disappointment at not being my true bride. You can hit me and I will not raise a hand against you.” He smiled as he called his Wyvern to his side.

I recast Stoneskin, Blink and Auqaveil, knowing my opponent well enough to know he would send Firewing against me, as that would not make him a liar. I stepped forward and hit him with the club.

“You are going to have to do better than that to hurt me.” His amusement spread accross his face as he sent Firewing against me.

I kited Firewing for a few in an attempt to lessen his blows.  “Has he poisoned you against me so, Firewing?” I asked the Wyvern in the same tone I had used on it each time I had approached it when I had been with Magnum. I stopped back in front of Magnum and stared. “Tell me Magnum, in your advanced years has senility set in or do you remember this?”

I turned on Firewing as he approached me at full speed for an attack. “Take a closer look at my shield, Firewing!” With those words I did a move my beloved had taught me, I sheild bashed Firewing, knocking it to the ground.

Magnum tried in vain to revive Firewing with a spell as I stepped over towards him.

“That is not the only trick I have learned since we parted ways. Watch the birdy.” I flashed him and then used Hexa Strike on him. While he was stunned I reached for the vile of Marcurel’s blood around his neck. I yanked hard on the vile and the braided cord gave way. He began to come round to his senses again just as I dropped the vile from my paw to let it shatter on the cold stone beneath our feet.

“Don’t you dare…” Magnum uttered just as I let go of the last bit of chain. “How dare you? Do you realize what you have done?” He stepped towards me and raised his hand.

As the vile shattered on the stone I looked at him and put away my club, leaving my shield where it was fastened. I took a defensive stance. “I have freed yet another soul from the prison that is your association.” With that he back handed me, I was able to block most of the blow with my shield, but the force of it sent me to bended knee.

“Now? Now you would show me proper respect?”

“No, now you will finish the job your henchman started when he invaded my home. I have accepted that, but I have a feeling someone else will have my revenge.” I stared coldly at him as I felt my strength waning with the moon.

“There is no one left to make me answer for what has been done here.”

It was then that he backhanded me a second time, knocking me completely to the ground. The last thing I remember was the sight of him readying his High Quality Mezraq for the finishing blow. I said a silent prayer to Altana and blacked out.

As I watched from the distance, I saw Stigmar dragging a corpse across to the edge of the bridge and toss it over. This could not be my brother. How could anyone be so cruel? It was as if I was in a dream and I could wake from this nightmare.

“Stigmar!!!!!!!” I cried.

He turned to face me and waited. His stare was cold, callus, as he was nothing more tha a empty shell, there was no sign of any emotion…

‘If I am to face him in battle how am I supposed to read him,’ I thought to myself. Suddenly the doors opened and the mastermind behind it all was revealed at last.

“Ah Stigmus, how good of you to join us. I see your investigation skills have served you well.” Magnum smirked.

“What have you done to Stigmar!?!?” My temper was begining to get the better of me.

“Me? I haven’t done anything… In fact Stigmar joined me of his own free will. However I am sure your a bright lad and will figure it out.” He laughed.

“Liar!!!” I shouted.

“And what’s this you have brought me? I have no need for a court jester.” He continued.

“Why YOU!!! Let me at him LET ME AT HIM!!!” Stiggy snarled as Darling held him back.

“A Blue Mage? Why my dear I don’t think we been introduced… Then again the last Blue Mage that I met with… well, A gentleman never tells.” He grinned to himself.

“No one ever accused you of being a Gentleman, Magnus Draconis” Darling muttered under her breath as she placed her hands on the hilts of her scimitars.

I placed my hand in front of Darling to block her movement as I realized the blue mage he was talking about was her.

“Two skilled swordsmen, let the show begin! Fight on young gladiators, fight on! Stigmar, show no mercy!” He commanded as walk back into the throne room.

Stigmar drew his sword and shield, walked to the centre of the bridge and waited. This was how he would act if he wanted a one on one fight. There must be something left of him still fighting to come to the surface. Or, was this part of Magnum’s sick game.

“Everyone stay back! This fight is mine and mine alone! Menerva I’m gonna try and snatch the cure off him. Once I do, drink it and run as fast as you can to the door,” I shouted.

I drew my great sword and walk to the centre of the bridge and waited. The wind blew cold and fierce as the slience fell. The nights here seem to go on forever as the sky darkened. The stone beneath my feet seem to have never seen  the light of day. 

“Shae! Get Ready!” I shouted.

I lunged in with my greatsword as Stigmar parryed the blow. He sent one of his slashes towards me. I responded with a parry of my own. We struck at the same time locking our swords in the dance.

“NOW!!!” I shouted.

Menerva dashed in grabbing the potion which was attacted to Stigmar’s belt. She began to head to the door, as she did a shockwave came from Stigmar’s blow knocking myself back and sending Menerva to the ground near the throne room entrance.

“This… is the… Last Stand!!!” Stigmar yelled.

Menerva looked behind as she began to pick herself up of the ground. I watched as Stigmar’s attention had turned to her. I crawled to grab Stigmar’s feet from behind as I shouted to Menerva to run. Stigmar turned his attention back on to me. He grabbed me by the hair and lifted me of the ground, tossing me against the wall. I watched as she made it through the door and it slammed shut behind her.

“Watch out Stigmus he’s used Invinceble! Hang in there!” Stiggy yelled

“Damn it! Mercureal! It’s me! Don’t you even recongize your own brother?” I said.

With that Stigmar swung his shield into my gut sending me flying. I staggered to my feet again the blood was dripping from my mouth as I placed one hand on my ribs. ‘That last blow must have broken a few,’ I thought to myself as I dug my sword in the ground to steady my balance.

“DAMN IT! Listen to me, all those years we trained together as kids… It wasn’t so we could just kill each other!” I yelled.

Stigmar stepped back a little then continued his advance, this time with a hastened pace. Our swords became locked in a frantic foreray of moves. I managed to land a damaging blow to his shield as I watched my sword leave its mark making it unuseable. Then I swung my blade for and overhead slash which was to block his blow, however the force of the impact was enough to crack his sword.

Again another shockwave came from the force of our blades hitting. This time I chose to stand my ground no matter the cost as did Stigmar. The bridge began to crack slightly from the force of the shockwave. It was then I notice the gem on his helmet had cracked as well.

“Take a good hard look at who your fighting!!!!” I screamed

My words shocked him as he leaped back.

“Stigmar tell me who I am!” I yelled.

“S-Stigmus…” he finally responded.

Then Stigmar let out a yell in pain, holding his head as the gem on his helmet shattered. Dropping his damaged sword and shield, he finally fell to the ground unconcious. As I sank to my knees, I gave a sigh of relief. I placed my Great sword down on the floor next to him.

I watched as Darling walked over to the door and picked up a bottle off of the ground. It was then I heard a Magnum’s yell come from the throne room. As I drew my hand sword and shield from my back, I began to run to the door.