Author's Note:Terra Branford is one of my favorite characters in Final Fantasy III/VI, but what do you expect? She is the main character, after all. If the others hadnât met her, how would they have gotten into so much danger and adventure? Anyway, I was really looking forward to a developing relationship between her and one of the characters. (Call me a romantic) When Locke came on the scene I thought, 'Hey, this looks promising,' and then I was let down in a big way when Celes caught his eye and his heart.

Donât get me wrong!

Iâm happy for both of them because they deserve each other, but what about Terra? What about this sweet, shy young woman who helped these people out of dangerous situations at the risk of her own life? Goodness! She even sacrificed who she was (an Esper creature and thereby a 'magic' creature) by helping them destroy 'magic'. Iâd say she deserves something more than what she was given. True, the love of children is a blessing because I have had many an experience with it myself, but come on! Why canât she have a Îsomeone specialâ to let her know that just because sheâs lost a major part of herself, doesnât mean sheâs less of a woman or friend.

So here it is. Itâs my first fanfic, and I hope it isnât my last. Iâve had fun writing it and learned a lot about what my perceptions of each character actually were. If you have any ideas on another story youâd like written, give me a Îbuzzâ as well. Iâve been dreaming up other ideas for stories based on game characters and would love to hear from you. For instance, what ever happened between Edge and Rydia in Final Fantasy II/IV? And did Janus/Magus ever find Schala? (Magus is such a tortured soul. I would love to write a romance for him.) And did Robby/Robo actually exist in the future after Lavos was destroyed?

If you have any comments or irritations, donât hesitate to let me know what they are. After all, criticism strengthens character. J

1

Terra Branford stared out at the fading sun with an unseeing gaze before she closed her eyes, the breeze ruffling the light green waves of her hair. Deep down, where she seldom let her mind travel, she could still feel the thrill of freedom as she let her memories drift to the days when she had been free to soar. The days before the end of magic. The days before who she was had been redefined in a mere moment.

A tear slid down her pale cheek and she lowered her head as she crossed her arms.

"Mamma!" A young girl screamed as she ran into the room, her blonde ponytails sopping wet. "Mamma, Robby dumped his water on me," she sobbed.

Terra managed a small smile as she turned to scoop the weeping six-year-old into her arms. The little girl snuggled into them and cried into her shoulder, haltingly weaving a more detailed story - and certainly more exaggerated - relating the horrible action of her Îbrotherâ.

"Itâs alright," Terra said in a soft voice. "Itâs only water. Youâll be fine in a moment."

The quiet, soothing tone that seemed to represent Terraâs inner uncertainty quieted the girl until she was merely sniffling as she clung to Terraâs neck. It seemed only yesterday that Terra had looked at the small group of children in fear and doubt, not truly knowing how to care for herself let alone so many young children. Saving the world from Kefkaâs insanity had seemed so much easier on that day. Little had she known that a type of instinct would have helped her. An instinct that she hoped she had received from her mother...

Terra pushed the thoughts away and turned away from the window. "Come on, Cera. Letâs get you dried off and go find Robby."

Cera sniffed a few more times and looked at her ÎMammaâ with a puzzled gaze. "Why?"

"Because weâll dump water on him and see how he likes it," Terra said with a smile. "Little boys love picking on little girls until they see that those little girls can take care of themselves. Then... Then, well..." Terra hesitated and her smile widened. "Iâll tell you when youâre older."

Cera was still confused, but the prospect of giving Robby the same treatment made her eyes twinkle with delight. "Oh goody!"

The little girl wriggled down from Terraâs grasp and squealed with glee before streaking from the room, leaving drips of water as she went. Terra shook her head, sent another longing glance over her shoulder at the pink and lavender sky, and then followed her. It had been months since the long series of battles at the Tower of Kefka where her friends had defeated the tormented soul of its namesake. But those months since magic had ceased to exist had left her feeling strangely hollow. Only the visits of her friends and the love of her children had kept the emptiness at bay.

Or so it seemed.

Locke and Celes came to visit whenever their busy schedule permitted, but they were so involved in discovering each other that being in the same room with them often made Terra depressed and withdrawn. Terra somehow figured that Locke suspected something was wrong, but how could she tell him that seeing the two of them so happy made her wonder if that type of love would ever find her? Locke would feel guilty and try to help her, although she knew that he wouldnât have the foggiest idea how, and then Celes would have misunderstood and called off the entire wedding.

More than likely, anyway.

Terra sighed. Even Shadow occasionally materialized. Terra had no idea what to say to him when he did, but he always appeared content in his silence as he watched her with the children. Even Interceptor had seemed to amuse him as the massive beast played and roughhoused with the kids. Shadow would then stay for dinner, tell a brief story to the children that Terra could only imagine as to the truth factor, and then disappear into the night without another word. ÎThank-youâ or otherwise. She tried so hard to understand him, but it grew harder with each visit.

Especially, when Terra often wondered if she appeared to be as much a recluse and loner as Shadow.

With a shake of her head, Terra took hold of some thick towels she had somehow made herself and proceeded to help Cera dry herself off and change her clothes. Doing so made her think of Gau. ÎSuch a sweet boy. Strong and resourceful, yet helpless and in need of attention just like Cera. If only we could have persuaded his father...â But it had been impossible. The old manâs mind had completely rotted away with the loss of both his wife and son. His wife to childbirth and his son to The Veldt. When Gau had been rejected yet a second time, he had forgiven him in his own unique way and continued to love a father who didnât want him.

Gau was proof that inner beauty often came in strange and irritating packages, and that a personâs heart was, many times, larger than they were.

Cera was dried and dressed, Robby was tracked down and drenched, and the duo left Terra on the back porch of the house with a greater respect for the other. Terra watched them leave and then turned to sit on a grassy patch of ground. She lay on her stomach and picked a strange white flower, staring down at it as the wind whistled in her ears and through her hair. The world was slowly recovering from Kefkaâs evil influence, but she knew it would take time before it was the same grassy Îparadiseâ that she had come to know and love. It would take time and patience.

ÎTime,â she sighed. ÎThatâs what everything needs. Time. Even General Leo said that I should give myself time to love.â True, he had been right, but the deep, self-sacrificing love she felt for the children hadnât been what sheâd been expecting. She had wanted to love like Locke and Celes. Or like Cyan had loved his wife Elayne. Or even how Setzer had loved both Daryll and Maria. ÎBut when? And how? Iâm always here with Cera, Robby, and all the others. How will I meet a man? How will a man meet me? This Îtownâ has been deserted for so long that I donât think anyone but my friends realize itâs even still here.â

Nobody ever really came to visit other than a couple of her friends, but they never brought anyone new and never asked her if she ever wanted to visit them. Although, Edgar had occasionally sent her a flower along with an invitation to a ball or some other type of party. Of course, she never went because she couldnât leave the kids, but it had always brought a smile to her face to know that he still thought of her. And that he was still up to his Îold tricksâ with the fairer sex. Still, she wished he would visit as Sabin did. After all, Sabin had to travel almost as far as his brother and yet he managed to stop by her house more than once a month. When he did show, he played games with the young kids, taught the older ones some of his easier Blitz attacks, and impressed Terra with his compassion and understanding when talking to her.

It made her miss Edgar even more.

Terra understood that Figaro couldnât take care of itself, but everyone else had always found the time to stop and visit with her at least once a month. Even Setzer would drop in and offer to take her and the kids for a ride in his newly remodeled airship. Edgar was the only one who had never visited and it sometimes hurt her feelings. After all, he had been the one to help her in so many ways when she had first escaped from a life controlled by Kefka and his Slave Crown. Terra knew that Locke had saved her life as well, but Edgar had risked his kingdom when heâd refused to surrender her to the Empire. In a way, he had risked his life to help Locke get her to the hideout of the Returners. What was so difficult in visiting her now? She understood that Figaro Castle was a long journey, but he was king! Couldnât he have found a way?

Terra tossed the flower aside with a breath and rolled over onto her back to gaze up into a handsome face with a full smile and twinkling blue eyes.

She sat up sharply. "Edgar!"

He bowed deep, his typical lopsided grin heightening his blonde good looks as he made a flourish with his ever-present cape. "At your service, my lady," he said with laughter in his voice. "Your wish is my command."

He offered her his hand and she accepted it hesitantly. For some reason, she didnât know whether to be annoyed that he had waited so long to visit, or happy that he had come at all. Terra finally let herself be happy. She had missed his smiling face and flirtatious glances.

"What are you doing here? And alone? Donât you usually have a Îbodyguardâ with you," she asked with a slight smile.

Not that she really cared, or that it was even really needed. After all, he was one of the foremost minds when it came to mechanical battle weapons and could certainly hold his own.

AI have come to see you," he said as he helped her to her feet. "Not watch my entourage guard us guarding every word we say to one another."

Terra could only focus on one phrase. He had come to see her. "Me?"

He smiled and bowed again. "You, my lady, are the light of my heart. How could I stay away from that?"

Terra saw the unmistakable mischievous glint in his eyes and laughed. "Edgar, you always were a tease, werenât you," she said as she released his hand.

"Iâve forgotten that you knew me when. Iâm sorry, Terra. Running a kingdom smoothly depends on smooth talk and I am the king, after all."

"In more ways than one," Terra teased.

He bowed again. "Your servant."

She passed by him and sat at the bench that a few of the older boys had painstakingly built on the side of the house. She offered him the space beside her.

"Seriously, Edgar," she told him. "What brings you here? I was just thinking about how you never visit."

"Ah. Such must have been the reason for the scowl," he observed as he sat with a flourish of his deep purple cape.

He leaned back, his brilliant blue eyes focusing on the horizon. He seemed to transform the dilapidated bench into a velvet lounge simply by his aura.

"Iâm not angry, if thatâs what you mean," she assured him with a hint of a smile. "Do you know how impossible it is for me to get upset with you, Edgar? Youâre the only one who gets me to laugh at myself."

Edgarâs cheeks dimpled with his smile and he sent her a quick glance before refocusing his gaze on the horizon. "I have been a cad, though," he admitted freely. "Sabin has made it the point of his existence to remind me of that fact each time he sees my smug face."

"You donât have a smug face," she protested.

"This is what I have always thought." And the smile in his voice was crystal clear. "However, Sabin is sure that I have done you a great wrong and I was determined to set it right."

"How?"

Terra watched him lay out the reason for his visit with a smile and barely kept herself from shaking her head at him as her thoughts drifted. Edgar was the only person who could bring a smile to her face that was genuine and not forced. Whether it was his boyish charm or his innocent belief that he was a Îladies manâ she simply didnât know. All she remembered were the many times together when he had found some way to make her laugh and forget the power that lay dormant beneath her shy surface. He had been the only one to ease her mind when it strayed to the possibility of her life ceasing once magic was eradicated from the planet. Edgar had only needed to Îoozeâ charm and witticisms and she had laughed despite herself.

Edgar had never let her stay miserable.

"·So, as you can see, I have a problem."

Terra flushed. "Iâm sorry. What can I do to help?"

Edgar looked over at her reddened cheeks and chuckled. "You werenât paying attention, were you my lady? Here I am laying my heart at your feet and you havenât heard a word Iâve said." He shook his head and covered his heart with a hand. "My heart is broken."

She flushed even darker and stood from the bench to stare at the sunset. "I said I was sorry," she told him in a frustrated voice. Terra didnât remember being that frustrated before. "Besides, itâs me who should be saying that, Edgar. After all, here I thought you were my friend and Shadow has come to visit me more than you have."

Terra wrapped her arms around herself and chewed her lower lip to keep back the tears that burned at her eyes and tightened her throat. She never let her fears or tears show. Especially, not in front of her friends. She had too much respect for them to do that. Too much respect for how she knew they thought of her. Strong to the last moment. Strong, silent, and always fair to everyone.

ÎSo how fair am I being now?â Terra asked herself.

Edgar came to stand beside her and the breeze ruffled his cape so that it gently caressed her leg. Terra rubbed at her forehead and took in a deep breath as she sent him a sidelong glance. His face was unreadable as he stared out at the distant mountains and that fact made Terraâs stomach knot up. She had never seen him like that before. Distant. Deep in thought somewhere else. Somewhere inside where she would never reach.

"Edgar," she said softly as she turned to face him. "Edgar, Iâm sorry. I didnât mean to sound so angry. Itâs been a long day."

"So it has."

His voice sounded strange and Terra didnât know what to say. "Um... Did you want to stay for dinner? Iâm sure everyone---" When Edgar looked down at her, she broke off at the dark look in his eyes.

He smiled. "Unfortunately, I cannot stay. I promised the Chancellor that I would be back to our camp before the sun set and, as you can see, I am already past my curfew. Not only that, weâre leaving for Figaro Castle quite early in the morning."

"Will you come by before you leave?"

Terra knew that she asked the question almost too quickly, but she wanted to find any reason to have him stay. Anything that would make him discuss the old times when all her friends had been together fighting a common enemy. Anything that would make her laugh like she once had when they had all been together.

"I-Iâd love it if you would," she added, hoping that fact would make him decide.

One side of his lips tilted in a smile and he bowed, tossing his cape over his shoulders with a flourish as he turned to leave. Terra watched his tall frame as it disappeared around the house and then turned with a deep breath. At that particular moment, she wished with all her might that she could have morphed and flown off into the night, far away from all her problems.

2

King Edgar of Figaro clenched his hands behind his back as he stood on the top most battlement of Figaro castle. The slight breeze teased his tightly combed blonde hair. ÎI should have said good-bye,â he told himself sternly. But knowing how she felt hurt at his infrequent visits had made him uncomfortable. And a little guilty because he had already had a similar Îdiscussionâ with Sabin.

ÎWhy donât you ever visit her, brother?â

Sabin would hurl the question at him as if it were one of his infamous Blitz attacks and then expect an honest and just as rapid reply. But how could Edgar admit to Sabin that the reason he had never visited Terra was because he didnât know how to talk to her? Sabin would have found that uproariously amusing and never let him forget it a day of his life.

He being the original ladies man.

Edgar turned from the tower wall and made his way downstairs, frowning at the less than picturesque way the two friends had parted. ÎI should have stayed for dinner. I should have invited her to the campsite. I should have...â He should have what? Terra had been through so much in the time he had known her that it made him unsure of how to talk to her. Mostly it was because of her loss of the use of magic. How did someone talk about something like that? Before, when she had seemed frightened of the future on their many adventures, he had somehow been able to divert her mind from it and get her to laugh. But that had been in his more Îself-centeredâ days when he had still wanted all the attention...

ÎWasnât it?â

The Chancellor rushed up on Edgar waving contracts and building plans, but Edgar waved him aside to lock himself in his bedchamber. To blame the Chancellor for Terra and his parting the previous week would have been too convenient, especially when Edgar knew that no one was to blame except himself. So many times when Locke and Celes had come to visit him they had mentioned how Terra seemed more withdrawn - even Setzer had commented on it - but Edgar had pushed it aside and voiced the assurance that she was simply longing for her lost powers. He had allowed the kingdom to come between his friendship with her. He had never done such a thing before, not even with Locke.

Had that been what had brought him to her doorstep? Had he wanted to prove to himself that they had all been exaggerating and that she was truly fine? Had he wanted to prove to himself that his friendship with her had still been what it was in the months and years gone by? Edgar shook his head and threw himself into a chair to prop his foot up on the table. Either way, Terra Branford had been anything but Îfineâ and it hadnât been because of the loss of her powers.

"Lost powers," Edgar muttered. "Sheâs a woman and she needs a man."

But would she accept him as that man?

Edgar glowered at his finely crafted, leather boots and heard his brotherâs voice ring through his memory yet again. ÎYouâre crazy about her, brother. Why donât you admit it to yourself? She doesnât believe a single, smooth-talking phrase from your over-active mouth and she still calls you Îfriendâ. Not only that, you respect her silent strength and determination so much that itâs obvious to 'naïve' little Relm, and still you think itâs nothing?â

The door opened and Edgar didnât bother turning. "Locke, I wish you wouldnât do that."

"If you donât want me to pick them, donât lock them. You know it just presents a challenge."

"I needed some privacy. Ever hear of it?"

"Of course, but nowâs not the time for that." Locke leaned against the table and crossed his arms as his steel-gray eyes pierced Edgar clean through. "So what happened?"

"What are you talking about," Edgar mumbled.

"I know that you went to visit Terra." Locke sounded annoyed. "What happened? Is she coming to the pre-wedding party or not?"

"Not."

Locke pulled a dagger from somewhere on his person and ran his finger along the blade with a deep breath. "Edgar, whatâs the matter with you? I thought you were a Îsmooth talkerâ?"

"I told you before that Terra doesnât believe a word of it. She never did," Edgar mumbled in his defense.

"Hmm. Sheâs got more sense than I thought," Locke said with a smile.

Edgar made a gruff sound and strode to the fireplace where he stared into the flames.

Locke watched him a moment and then continued playing with the dagger. "What did you say that made her mad?"

"Never mind."

"More of that Îsmooth talkâ, I bet."

"I said never mind."

"Okay, okay. Iâll drop it." Silence fell over the two men and Locke sheathed the dagger, but both of them knew he couldn't let the subject drop. "Did you just come out and tell her why you wanted her to come? Or did you not even get to the point?"

Edgar didnât say a word.

"I donât get it," Locke admitted finally. "You guys were as close as anything during that whole fiasco with Kefka. Why do you think I warned Terra about you before I went off to South Figaro that time? I was sure she would fall head over heels for your charm because she was so... inexperienced, I guess. I didnât want the kid getting hurt."

"Apparently, I hurt her without trying, Cole." Edgar sent a glance over his shoulder. "Just drop it."

"Well this is news." Locke came to stand by Edgar and leaned against the mantle. "How do you figure that?"

"From Terra."

Locke seemed surprised. "She told you that?"

"Not in so many words---"

"Excuse me, Your Highness," the Chancellor interrupted outside the door. "Thereâs a young woman here to meet with you. She seems a little frantic."

Locke and Edgar exchanged a glance and then he straightened with a deep breath. "Alright. Tell her Iâll be right there." The Chancellor left the room and Edgar turned to Locke. "Just forget about it, Cole. I appreciate what youâre trying to do, but it wouldnât work. Terra and I are from two different worlds. Literally. I was born to be a bachelor and she was born· Well, she was born Terra. Try and set her up with Setzer or Sabin. They seem taken with her."

"Sure, but only you love her."

Edgar clenched his jaw and straightened his royal cape. "Locke."

"Okay. Iâll drop it, but only for a little while. Celes wants it to be a double wedding and Iâm determined to give her what she wants."

"Fine, then marry Shadow off. He needs a good woman to change his fashion tastes."

Locke chuckled and followed Edgar out of his bedchamber. "Yeah. Like Iâd be able to even bribe someone to marry that walking freak show."

"Stranger things have happened."

"Then maybe youâll marry Terra."

Edgar sent Locke a dark look, but he ignored it as he stared down the hall with a smirk on his face. "Locke Cole," Edgar growled, "you smug old scratch. You always think you know everything."

"Who says I donât?"

"Celes."

Locke threw back his head and laughed.

3

Terra gripped her hands together, clenching them again and again until her fingers were sore from the effort. ÎWhat could be taking him so long?â There was a sound behind her and the Chancellor came back into the throne room. Terra hurried up to him and waited for his answer.

"His highness shall be here presently."

Terra nodded with a sigh of relief and shook her hands out in front of her before beginning to wring them again, desperately waiting for Edgar to show up. ÎHeâs the only one who can help,â she thought frantically. ÎI just hope Iâm not too late!â She fought the tears and paced back and forth in front of the empty throne where she had first seen him. But the pleasant memories weren't enough. ÎHow could this have happened? I was so careful!â

"Terra?"

She looked up sharply, her throat tightening with relief as Edgar and Locke filed into the throne room. Terra only just kept herself from rushing forward and throwing herself into Edgarâs arms.

"Theyâre gone," she cried in a choked voice. Terra squeezed her hands together tighter and cleared her throat. The tears were still there when she attempted to speak again. "Theyâre all gone. All my kids are gone·"

Her voice cracked and she covered her face with her hands, completely unprepared for the strong arms that embraced her. That firm and gentle grip made the tears come as she hid her face in the soft, scented fabric of his royal clothes.

"What happened," Edgar asked in a soothing voice.

"I donât know," she forced out. "I was out gathering food from our little garden and heard a shriek. I think it was Cera. When I got there... When I got there... Edgar, when I got there they were gone," and her voice faded into sobs.

"Could Setzer have Îabductedâ them in his airship," Locke asked gently. "You know how they love that."

"I-I already asked him before I came here. Heâs waiting out by the airship," she choked out. "Setzer thinks that theyâve been kidnapped by a slaver·"

Locke cringed in surprise and shock, then glanced over at Edgar. "We better take off as soon as possible. Iâll send a message to Celes in Kohlingen and have her get the others together to start looking in their area, but Iâm going with you."

"Alright, Locke."

Locke strode from the room and Edgar continued to comfort Terra. Her sobs quieted as he tenderly stroked her hair.

"It will be alright, Terra. I promise. Weâll get our gear together, Iâm sure I still have it in storage, and set off in search of them. Iâm sure theyâre fine."

She pulled back and gazed up into his kind blue eyes.

Edgar smiled down at her and absently brushed a strand of hair from her face. "There now. Tears were never meant to be in those eyes."

Terra blinked at the softness in his tone. "I-Iâm sorry."

"ÎTis nothing. Iâll show you to a room where you can get ready for the journey and then Iâll hunt down Locke. Heâs more than likely speaking with Setzer about details." He wrapped her arm around his and led her from the throne room. "Leave the details to me. You get yourself ready."

She nodded slowly, her mind and heart strangely calm as she stared at the flagstones that moved beneath her feet.

"Here you are. I shanât be a moment."

With that, he kissed her hand and departed with a twirl of his cape. Terra watched him leave before she turned away, the new and raw emotion of terror for her children's safety hitting her brain with numbing precision. She groaned and desperately tried to concentrate on getting the appropriate armor, relics, and weapon from the storage room that would compensate for her Îreducedâ powers and abilities.

ÎIf only I hadnât left them they would be fine.' But sheâd done it so many times in the three years that she had raised them. What would have made this one time so different in her mind? In anyoneâs mind? Mobliz was a deserted town that no one thought of as a home to anyone. Who could possibly know of them?

Terra's hand wrapped around a familiar feel and she raised a sword from itâs resting place. She felt the age-old power rush through her arms as she remembered the many times she had wielded it in defense and attack against enemies a normal woman would have turned from with horror. Rage filled Terraâs heart and soul and she sheathed the Ragnarok with a harsh motion.

She would get her kids back.

Edgar and Locke met her just outside the storage room.

"Terra," Locke said carefully, "Setzer thinks he knows whoâs responsible for it."

Terra pressed her lips together and began slipping into her armor, strapping her scabbard and sword around her slim waist. "How can he be sure?"

"Because he was in a card game with him recently."

Terra looked up sharply and paused slipping on her gloves. "A card game?"

"A card game. In Zozo. It figures, really," Locke said. "Personally, that place gave me nightmares. I don't know what Setzer was doing there."

"Making money, I dare say," Edgar said with a grim look.

Terra finished slipping into her Zephyr Cape and Gigas Armlet and then strode out into the dim morning sunlight. "Come on. Letâs get going. Chances are he wonât have taken them to a place like Zozo because of the danger to his own life."

"Meaning: he wouldnât want to get killed by someone wanting to squeeze their way into his sudden claim to fortune," Locke said in a quiet voice.

Terra cringed and nodded. "Exactly."

"What do you suggest," Edgar asked with a strange look in his eyes. He adjusted his grip on the spear.

Terra struggled to keep the feelings of helplessness out of her voice. "I donât know. Not yet. Letâs go to Jidoor and see if anyone there has any information."

"And if they donât?" Edgarâs question, again, was soft.

Terra gripped the handle of her sword and surrendered to the feeling of power she remembered from days gone by. She turned at the entrance of the airship and locked gazes with Edgar. "Then we keep searching."

Locke stepped between them and gave Terra a nod. "Youâve got it, Terra. Weâre with you all the way."

Terraâs eyes strayed to Edgarâs again and then she turned and entered the massive airship.

4

Setzer pulled out a chair and gave Edgar and Locke a shielded glance. "I havenât seen her like this since Phumbaba attacked her and the kids. Man, was she pissed that day!"

"As I recall, she beat him soundly," Edgar reminded quietly. "What do you suppose sheâll do to... What was his name?"

"Ledo. Ledo Grikea."

Locke flung a dagger to the opposite side of the ship with a scowl. "I donât really care what she does to this guy. She can flay him alive for all I care."

Edgar raised his eyes. "Locke, that isnât right and you know it. There are laws to follow. If we donât abide by them then we are no better than the ones weâre after."

Locke wielded another dagger and sent Edgar a hard look. "Thatâs a crock, Edgar, and you know it. Stealing kids? That's about as low as anyone can get, in my opinion."

"I agree," Setzer admitted as he calmly shuffled a deck of cards.

"This slaver needs to be taught a lesson and I think Terra is just the person to do it." Locke finished the comment with another dagger tossed across the room.

"You gentleman don't understand, do you?" Edgar stood sharply, his blue eyes angry and annoyed. "If Terra does this sheâll go mad just as she had before. Remember the episode with the Esper in Narshe? It wonât be exactly the same, I grant you, but close enough in any regard. She will be forever changed if she surrenders to the rage. She will become unable to control her anger. Come, Locke! Donât you remember how it was when your friend was captured by the Empire?"

Locke leaped from his chair with clenched fists. "That was different and you know it!"

"Was it? Was it really? Terra may go too far and itâs up to us to make sure that doesnât happen!" Edgar insisted.

Locke and Setzer dropped their gazes to the table and Edgar paused in the room a moment more before turning sharply and slamming from the room. Locke and Setzer stared after him.

"You donât think he may be right?" Setzer nonchalantly dealt a game of cards without even glancing up. "After all, heâs known her longer than I have."

"Yeah? Well Iâve known her longer than he has," Locke countered. "Deal, Setzer."

The gambler smirked and dealt the cards.

Edgar strode to the top deck and gripped the railing. ÎWhy wonât they listen? Donât they see that who she is will be forever changed if she does this? Donât they realize that she will no longer be the quiet and compassionate woman of strength that weâve come to love?â Edgar was surprised that Locke was so oblivious to the problem. He had always seemed to be over-protective of her. Like he saw her as a sister he had never had. ÎWhy then is he being so blasted pig-headed!â

Edgar let out a quick breath and turned from the railing to stride toward the bow of the airship, his eyes automatically searching for Terraâs full head of light green hair. She stood behind the wheel with a grim look of determination on her face as she steered their course. There was something in her eyes, though, that spoke clearly of the inner terror that one of her kids was hurt.

He came to stand beside her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "You alright?" Her grip tightened on the wheel and she only nodded. "Did you need a rest?"

"Iâm okay, Edgar. Iâve been through tougher times than this." Her voice sounded strained.

"No. No, you havenât, Terra. You never had to go through anything like this alone. Not even with that incident with Kefka at the entrance to the Esper world. We were there, too."

She was quiet for a while and let her head drop after a momentâs pause. "And here you are again. Itâs been a long time."

"Too long."

Terra raised her head and sent him a glance. "Do you ever miss it?"

"The battles? Hardly," he said with a smile. He clenched his hands behind his back. "Kefka? Definitely not. But the constant companionship? The laughter? The good times? Yes, I miss that beyond a shadow of a doubt."

"Being a king is hard work, I guess."

"At times. Actually, most of the time, but the people of Figaro are in my blood, Terra," Edgar said fondly. "Theyâre my reason for existing on some days. They get me through the darkest times."

Terra made a slight alteration to the course before speaking. "Your father would be proud of you, Edgar. Of both of you. You are helping put the world right again. Heâd be so proud."

Edgar was silent, a little uncomfortable with the praise. Thoughts of his father were never far from his mind, as well as an uncertainty as to how his father would have reacted to his sonâs different decisions regarding Figaro and itâs short-lived treaty with the late Empire. So many of his friends were sure that his father would have been proud, but Edgar was never so confident. Perhaps that was what made him strive so hard to be fair in all he did. That was why he couldnât bear to see Terra make a mistake such as he feared she would. To his father, a friend had been the most important thing beside his family and kingdom. Edgar wanted to think that in this one thing his father and he were alike.

"I know why youâre here, Edgar," Terra said quietly.

Edgar watched her profile with a smile. "And why is that?"

"You want to drive."

He chuckled and shook his head. "No, no. I came to be a friend, Terra. I havenât been a very able one and Iâm attempting to change that."

She turned her head to look at him and a strange emotion flickered in her eyes. An emotion Edgar didnât remember seeing before.

"Thank you," she said softly.

He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Youâre quite welcome."

Terra leaned against his hand for a moment before turning her head back to the view ahead of them. Edgar forced himself to release her shoulder and breathed in slow to calm himself. She seemed so lost. So alone. So afraid to face what she was feeling. ÎHow do I help her open up? Like she once did?â

"What if I donât find them, Edgar?"

The strain in her voice was as clear as it could be as he watched her delicate profile. "We will, Terra. We will. There is no ÎIâ when youâre among friends. There is only Îusâ and Îweâ and Îtogetherâ."

Terra sighed with a slow nod. "I know, but· Theyâre just so young. The oldest is only ten. What will this do to them?"

"Everything in life makes us stronger. You know that. Look at your own life. You used to be fearful and unsure of everyone around you. You were even troubled of who you were. Now look at you."

Edgar rubbed her back before he could stop himself and his fingers burned at the warmth of her skin. Again, she seemed to lean against his touch and Edgar decided to indulge himself. ÎI havenât seen her for months,â he reasoned. ÎIâm entitled to something, arenât I?â

"But I donât feel like Iâve changed," she was saying. "What if I do something that gets them hurt? Or... or killed?"

"Terra, during the pursuits, intrigues, and conspiracies of Kefka you were the consummate soldier. The reliable ally. The trustworthy leader. Donât doubt yourself now. Not when you need those skills the most. You will be fine, as you always were."

"But, Edgar·" She turned her head toward him. "Edgar, Iâm not the same Îsoldierâ I was before. I canât use magic and Iâm not as strong as I was then. What if thatâs enough to change everything?"

Tears glistened in Terraâs unique eyes and Edgarâs throat tightened around all the assurances he wanted to give her. He choked on all the promises he wanted to make good on. ÎWhy canât I lie to her as I did before? Why canât I offer her the easy answers I know so well?â

All he could do, though, was smile down at her in his most charismatic manner and lightly touch her nose with a finger.

"Your beauty and charm are magic enough, my lady. The ruffians will have no chance of resistance."

Terra smiled, albeit a little reluctantly, and hesitantly placed a hand on Edgarâs cheek. His face flamed at her touch. ÎTerra, be careful,â he silently warned her. ÎThese waters rage deep·â

"I have missed you, Edgar," she whispered. "I have missed you so much."

"And I you."

Edgar couldnât resist. He took her hand from his cheek and pressed the palm against his lips for a long moment, his eyes still holding hers. Her eyes registered something, but Edgar wasnât sure what it was. The emotion seemed to be as unique as Terra herself. ÎDonât hope for too much,â he told himself. ÎYou are her friend and that is all she believes to be true. Do not begin to hope that she feels more, for she doesnât understand any love other than the love she feels for her children. Be her friend,â he told himself firmly.

But the hope was so easy when she looked at him·

"Donât stay away so long next time," she pleaded in a strangely soft voice.

Edgar lowered her hand, but continued to hold it. "This I swear, my lady. This I swear."

5

When the four arrived at Jidoor, Edgar could tell that Terra was hard-pressed to keep herself under control. A type of quiet hysteria seemed to radiate from her that even had the normally 'laid back' Setzer champing at the bit. Edgar tried his best to be as stable and controlled as possible just for her. He even stayed as close to her side as possible without causing comment from Setzer and Locke. Setzer and Locke, however, were too busy arguing among themselves as to the best place to start.

Terra was about to come unglued.

"Gentlemen, calm yourselves," Edgar told them in his most authoritative voice. The two men looked at him with dark glares. "This constant contention is not assisting anyone and it will only serve to make it more difficult for us to work together when the time comes to face this---" Edgar glanced at Terra and repressed the curse. "This Îgentlemanâ, and believe me when I say I use the term loosely."

"Theyâre not here." Terraâs sudden statement was so certain that all three of them stared at her in quiet stupefication. "He hasnât been here," she said again with narrowed eyes. "Something just doesnât feel right about the place. Itâs too... I donât know. Itâs too relaxed. Too normal."

"That doesnât necessarily mean heâs---"

Terra sent Locke a glare. "Heâs not here, Locke. Heâs not going to come here, either. Slavers arenât welcome in Jidoor. They never have been. Not even the upper class use slaves. Why would he come here when he knows he couldnât make a sale?"

Locke looked around a moment. "Fine. It makes sense. Iâm still going to go ask some questions."

"Fine."

Locke took off with a grumble and Edgar hesitantly decided to follow. "Iâll assist Locke. Terra, remain with Setzer until we return."

She turned away without a word and Edgar raised an eyebrow before sending Setzer a Îdonât leave her for a momentâ look and hurried after Locke. He was waiting by the entrance to the auctioneerâs house when Edgar caught up with him.

"Iâve never seen her like this before, Edgar," Locke said in an angry voice.

"I know, Locke. Neither have I."

"Maybe you were right."

Edgar knew that statement meant a lot coming from Locke Cole because the Îtreasure-hunterâ never had conceded to being wrong before. Not in all the years Edgar had known him. Then Locke had met Celes and had begun a slow, quiet transformation into the man he was now. Confident still, yet able to admit a mistake more easily than before.

"Locke, you must try and understand her position. She believes that she has let these kids down. Terra blames herself for their abduction because she wasnât there constantly. Until she is able to leave the guilt behind her she will be a bear to work with."

"I kind of guessed that." Locke sighed and ran a hand through his pale brown hair. "So how are we going to do this? With her snapping our heads off we wonât be able to work together without killing each other. Or her, at least." Edgar glanced away and Locke raised an eyebrow. "Youâve got an idea, donât you?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"And I donât know if I could do that to her. Not now. She's so lost. So confused· I can't, but I feel I must."

"What? Do what?"

"Seduce her."

Locke stared at his long-time friend with a slack-jawed gaze. When he had gathered his wits enough to speak, his voice was hard. "Edgar, you better explain yourself or youâre liable to find a dagger in your gut."

Edgar let out a deep breath and dug at the ground with the spear that was taller than he was. "When I was on deck with Terra on our way here I noticed the change in her. She was calmer. More controlled. She talked about how and why she felt the way she did. She seemed to be more... more like the old Terra we knew before."

"So where does the Îseduceâ part come in," Locke prompted suspiciously.

"Itâs the only way I know to keep her mind from the rage and lust for revenge. Iâve wooed and pursued ladies my entire life, Locke. I know just what to say to keep her off balance."

"Edgar, buddy, I hate to break this to you, but youâve never been a very good Îwooerâ. Ladies never believed a single word of your sweet-talking horse hockey. What makes you think Terra will now? You know she never did in the past." Locke clenched his jaw and ran a hand through his hair in aggravation before he continued. "This is easily the worst, most unethical idea you have ever had! Trying to encourage a feeling that isnât even there just to distract her from what you think she will do? I knew you were an arrogant old scratch, but this beats all!"

Edgar leaned against the spear and finally caught Lockeâs eyes. "I believe Terra feels something for me that she didnât before."

"And youâre going to use that?" Locke made a disgusted sound. "Thatâs low, Edgar, even for you."

Edgar glared. "Why? If it prevents her from going insane when we find this blaggard then I will do whatever it takes."

"But are you going to follow through when this fiasco is over? You said so yourself, Edgar, that you were born to be a bachelor. Are you going to just walk away when her kids are found and she can go home? Are you going to say to her face that it was all a plan to keep her under control?" Locke crossed his arms and his steel-gray eyes sparked. "Thatâs a bald-faced lie and you know it. You want to know what I think? I think you want her so bad that youâre willing to risk a future with her just to score a couple easy nights!"

Edgar clenched his jaw and straightened. "I thought you knew me better than that, Cole. Terra, first and foremost, is a friend and I would never do anything to hurt her."

"A friend?" Locke's question was disbelieving. "You'd treat a friend like this, Edgar? You'd screw with a friend's mind like this? You'd lie to them like this?"

"For the greater good, yes." Edgar paused and took in a slow breath to control his anger. It was time to do some confessing. "I told you that I doubted whether or not I could go through with this because my greatest fear is that she wouldnât want me. Do you have any idea what thatâs like? Of course not," he said through clenched teeth. "You and Celes have been crazy about each other since you rescued her from the Empire in South Figaro. Youâve never known the self-doubt that comes with the knowledge the woman youâre in love with may want nothing to do with you."

Locke didnât say a word.

"Terra Branford believes Iâm nothing but a flirt, a rake. She truly believes that whenever I say something gallant Iâm simply being a tease. Do you know what itâs like to be haunted with that, Cole? Do you know how it hurts to have her smile at me and say Îyou always were a tease, werenât youâ and not have the faintest idea I was sincere?"

"So why would you even consider it, Edgar? If you're so sure she won't buy it, why are you going to do it?"

"What if this is the only chance I have to show her? What if this accursed kidnapping is the only opportunity Iâll ever have of telling her that I love her? That I do honestly believe sheâs the Îlight of my heartâ and whatever other nonsense Iâve confessed on occasion. Would you be able to pass that up? Tell me, Cole. Would you?"

Locke grudgingly conceded defeat. "I still donât like it, Edgar. Sheâs just a kid."

"Have you really looked at Terra lately? Sheâs anything but a kid, Cole. Besides being stunningly beautiful, sheâs one of the most mature and responsible people I know. How else do you think we were able to defeat that blasted lunatic Kefka? Her skills have saved our backside plenty of times, and you know it."

Locke jabbed Edgar in the chest with the end of his dagger hilt. "Sheâs still a kid, Edgar, and I donât like it. You just watch yourself. Carefully."

6

It was Lockeâs turn at the wheel, but because of a prior incident with a previous airship Setzer wasnât too comfortable with the idea of letting Locke have that turn by himself. So, Terra was left alone with Edgar for their entire trip to Zozo. Terra had to be truthful with herself when she admitted that she didnât know whether the short trip to Zozo with him would be too short or too long. There had been something in Edgarâs manner when he and Locke had returned from Jidoor that had made her wary. Then, when Locke had suggested a turn at the wheel that would conveniently leave the two alone... Terra hadnât known whether to be eager at the prospect of more time with him, or terrified because of how eager she was.

"Are you sure traveling to Zozo is such a wise idea?" Edgar came to sit beside her. "You mentioned before that he wouldnât set camp there for fear of losing his treasures."

"I know," she sighed as she rubbed her face and neck, "but Iâve had a chance to think." Terra looked over at Edgar to catch him watching her. It was a little disconcerting. "Doesnât it make sense that someone there would be willing to give us information about his operation if we offered enough money? Surely if Setzer was able to discover a name we could do even better."

Edgar stood with a smile and came to stand behind her, his hands gently massaging her shoulders. "Thatâs why we always made you leader, Terra. Not only are you beautiful, but youâre bright."

Terra waved his comments aside and looked down at the map of the newly formed world. "I just donât know," she said in an exasperated voice. "Itâs been too long, Edgar. I donât remember how to plan anything."

His touch was beginning to irritate her and she stood sharply, pulling away from him to stand by a window.

"Terra," Edgar said as he came to stand behind her. "Terra, you musn't be so hard on yourself." Edgar placed his hands on her shoulders again, but she shrugged them off and moved away. "Youâre pushing yourself too hard."

"If I donât push myself, who will? I canât just breeze through this and expect none of them to get hurt. I have to think everything through and get it right."

"Terra." He turned her around to face him, but she kept her head lowered. "Weâre a team. No one expects you to solve this alone. All of us are with you in this."

"You donât understand."

"Then make me understand. I wish to help, Terra. Whatever it is. Whatever youâre going through."

Terra turned away. "Itâs my fault," she said in a choked voice. "If I had just taken them with me this wouldnât have happened."

"There was no way you could know that. You might have only been taken along with them---"

"There had to have been a way, Edgar. A way to stop this! A way to know! I left them alone so that I could have some time by myself." Terraâs voice was laced with guilt and pain. "Donât you understand? I... I left them." Edgar was silent, his eyes dark as he watched her. "It was my job to watch them. They looked up to me for protection and I let them down. I walked away and let them get taken---"

The control broke and the sobs ran free as Edgar stepped forward to wrap her up in his arms.

"Terra, youâre not to blame. Not by any means. You deserve time alone as much as any of us do. As much as I do." Edgar pushed her back and held her face in his hands, his thumbs caressing her tear-stained cheeks. "Itâs not your fault. It was chance---"

"It is my fault," she insisted harshly. She pushed his hands from her face. "All I had to do was watch them because they had no one else and I couldn't even do that! How can you stand there and say it isnât my fault? You donât know what youâre talking about, Edgar! You... y-you donât know·"

She covered her face with her hands to hide the tears and felt his arms surround her again. Terra clung to him and sobbed.

"I know more than you think, Terra," Edgar said. "I understand that youâre afraid youâll lose the only people youâve ever loved. I know that youâre terrified the anger you feel building inside will take control."

Terra wanted to believe him but something held her back. Something dark. Something lurking in the back part of her mind. Something that scared her.

"Shh," he whispered as he stroked her hair. "Shh. Itâs alright. Itâs alright to be scared. Kings get scared, too. I was afraid you wouldnât want to see my face again after I had acted such a fool. Then there you were, on my doorstep asking for help. I was thanking my lucky stars that day."

Terra looked up at him and reluctantly smiled, her eyes still glistening with tears as her chin quivered. "Oh Edgar, you and that silver tongue of yours," she said as she wiped at her face. "Canât you be serious about anything?"

He smirked and helped her dry her face with a silk kerchief he pulled from his pocket. "When Iâm holding a lovely creature in my arms such as yourself? Donât be so cruel."

She shook her head with a reluctant laugh.

"Thatâs better. We cannot be having tears in a ladyâs eyes on an adventure such as this." He kissed the kerchief while her eyes watched in surprise, and then tucked it carefully back into his satin vest pocket. "Now, give me your hand and letâs have a laugh or two before tackling the problem again."

She slipped her hand into his and he brought it to his lips for a long moment before smiling down at her with a strange expression in his eyes. Terra turned her eyes away and let him lead her back to the table.

7

Locke looked over at Setzer with a shake of his head. "I donât like it," he grumbled for the countless time. "I donât like it at all."

Setzer smirked and did some fancy shuffling of his cards. "Leave them alone, Cole. Life is a lonely mistress. Those two deserve what theyâre getting."

"But she doesnât know Edgar like I do. The last thing she needs is him putting the moves on her and kissing her so she can barely think straight. I donât care what he says about it calming her down. Sheâs just a kid," he insisted as his hands gripped the wheel.

"Terra is a woman and Edgar is a man."

Locke rolled his eyes. "Donât remind me."

Setzer laughed. "I thought you wanted them to be married, Cole."

"He hasnât exactly put a ring on her finger, has he?"

"Do you truly doubt he will? Edgar is a man of honor, Cole. Donât trifle with that or youâre liable to get your head cleaved in two. Besides," Setzer paused and palmed the Queen of Hearts. "Besides, I donât believe anything but a few passionate embraces are being shared. He respects her too much to rush her into more than that."

"You donât know Edgar."

Setzer seemed to get annoyed at that point. "Only Edgar knows Edgar," he said as he stood. "Trust your friends and leave it at that. Iâm going below."

"If you come back a little pink around the ears, Iâll know you were wrong," Locke grumbled.

Setzer chuckled despite himself. "Itâs nothing I havenât experienced myself," he tossed over his shoulder. "And a little amusement would be just what I need right now."

Locke glared after him.

But when Setzer made his way below, Edgar and Terra were sharing anything but a tender embrace. The two were gathered around the table examining maps and talking in low tones while pointing at different areas. Setzer smirked with a shake of his head. Terra didnât even appear the least bit disheveled. ÎPity,â he thought to himself. ÎSheâs in need of some good lovemaking to make her a woman.â Heâd do it himself if it wasnât for the fact that he was sure Locke would skin him alive.

Edgar looked up and greeted Setzer with an easy smile. "I believe we have solved the mystery."

Setzer raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? You two certainly have been busy."

Terra didnât even flush a slight color of red and Setzer raised an eyebrow.

"Before this world of ruin there was a trade route from Nikeah to about here." She traced a line on the map, then pointed to a section where there was only polluted water. "The Imperial base was there, but as you can see, it doesnât exist in this world."

Setzer leaned over the map with a nod. "Right. Shall we all observe a moment of silence for the loss?"

"Hardly," Edgar scoffed. "But Terra and I recalled the fact that the Empire once used slave labor in order to..." He grimaced. "Save money. Harvesting prime Îcandidatesâ had become quite a problem in years gone by. Before Kefka turned our little world upside down, that is. People of all ages would disappear from their homes in the middle of the night and never be heard from again. Whole schools would disappear without a trace."

Setzer noticed something strange about Terraâs face, but pushed it aside. "So are you saying that our Empire friends have found a way to resume their charming way of life?"

"Maybe not the Empire directly, but perhaps some of the leftover scum who donât know any better," Edgar said.

Terra changed her gaze from Edgar to Setzer with a nod. "Weâre not sure of anything yet, but itâs possible. Do you know anything about this Ledo character? Do you know if heâs had anything to do with the Empire in the past?"

Setzer sat in a chair across from her and leaned back to prop his feet up on the table. "Your typical Zozo slime. Arrogant. Ugly. Anything but charming, to say the least. A real piece of work. Money and power are that characterâs only real loves." Setzer hesitated and a frown twisted the scar over his left eye.

"Do you remember something?" Edgar asked.

"It seems to me that he was throwing a lot of money into that game without flinching. Throwing it and losing it."

Terra and Edgar exchanged a glance. "What does that mean to you, Setzer?" Terra asked.

"It means that he had just been paid a lot of money. Not only that, he was expecting to be paid more. And soon."

Terra took in a slow breath and stared down at the map. "I donât suppose he mentioned anything about it?"

Setzer shook his head. "No."

"Blast," Edgar said.

Locke chose that moment to come in to the room. "Youâve got that right."

"Zozo?" Edgar asked.

"Zozo," Locke said with a cringe. "I hate this place. Not only does it stink to the heavens, but the population are the worst possible thieves."

"Iâm sure you could give them lessons," Setzer chuckled.

Locke sent him a glare. "Ha, ha, ha, very funny."

"I suppose we should go," Terra said as she rolled up the map. She set it aside and then slipped into her sword and scabbard. "Weâve wasted enough time."

Setzer stood and collected his razor edged cards and Îenchantedâ dice. "Iâd like to think that weâve invested time, Terra. ÎWastedâ is such a harsh word."

Terra sent him a small smile, which he returned. 'Ah. The Terra we all know and love seems to have returned. Bravo, Edgar. Bravo. Why didnât I think of doing it before? Terra would have presented an interesting challenge.' Setzer thought a moment and then decided against it. Challenges were well and good, but Terra was anything but his type. ÎNow Celes·â But he didnât even waste the time to finish. Locke would have gutted him had he even suspected what the gambler was thinking about his soon-to-be wife and he had too many things yet to do. ÎAh well. Such is the toss of a coin.â

8

Terraâs grip on her sword hilt tightened as the group of four entered the dark town of Zozo. It was raining and Terra grimaced at the stench of rotting corpses. The last time had been so different. Transformed by the Esper Tritoch, she had been drawn to the top of one of the buildings by Ramuh's power. She had been so afraid of herself and the power that had seemed so limitless. So terrified that she would hurt someone without meaning to. It had been here that Locke, Edgar, Sabin, and Celes had found her. Here where all her friends had discovered her terrible secret.

Her father, Maduin, had been an Esper.

Terra led the group further into the city now and pressed her lips together as she saw a group of residents edging closer. "Keep your eyes open," she warned in a voice only her friends could hear. "It looks like weâre going to have company."

"Bring Îem on," Locke grumbled. "Itâll give me a chance to work out some frustrations. And, believe me, I have a lot of frustrations."

Setzer chuckled. "You always do when youâre away from Celes for any longer than a day."

Edgar gripped Lockeâs arm to keep him from hurling a dagger and sent Setzer a hard look. "Gentlemen, this is neither the place nor the time. Our goal is to locate Terraâs children, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah. I know. Sorry, gambler."

"It's quite alright."

Locke looped his thumb on his belt. "So where to next?"

Terra shook her head. "Iâm not sure. This place... This place·" She shook her head again and brought a hand up with a cringe. A spark seemed to have shot out from the very center of her brain causing yellow and white spots to flash in her eyes. "Ooh. My head."

Edgar stepped closer and gripped her shoulder when she stumbled. He tilted her chin up and examined her face and eyes. "Whatâs wrong?" He felt her forehead and glanced sharply over at Locke. "Sheâs burning up, Cole."

"What?" Locke strode forward and touched her forehead as well, then checked her pulse. He shook his head. "Something spookyâs going on, Edgar. We've got to get her back to the ship."

Terra shook her head feebly and tried to straighten. "No. No, we have to go on," she insisted.

"Terra," Edgar said firmly. She locked gazes with him. "Terra, if something here is causing you distress, you are not going on. Setzer will take you back to the ship while Locke and I discover what we can."

Terra pressed her lips together and dropped her hand from Edgarâs arm to straighten under her own power. The pain surged through her body, but she forced herself to not recognize it with even the barest hint of a cringe. She took in a slow breath and willed herself to ignore the burning agony that seemed to melt her brain.

"We will go on as a group, Edgar," she said firmly. Her voice didnât even quiver. "A group of four in Zozo is bad enough. Two is a suicide mission."

Edgar shook his head with a reluctant smile after a long pause. "Very well. We will stay together, but Iâm only agreeing so that I can keep an eye on you."

Terra forced a smile.

"Youâve had your eye on her for long enough, donât you think? Iâd say you need to get a little more physical than that."

Edgarâs ears flushed pink and he shot Setzer a warning glare, ignoring Lockeâs loud laugh that even had the Zozo residents looking amongst themselves in confusion. To get the focus off himself, Edgar pulled a small bottle from a pouch on his belt and handed it to Terra.

"Here," he said. "Take this. It may not take away all the pain---"

"Edgar·" Terra took it with a grimace.

"I think it will help. And donât deny that youâre hurting. "

"Thank you. Iâll save it for later---"

"No," Edgar pressed firmly. "No, you will take it now. I have plenty more, as do Locke and Setzer."

Terra removed the stopper and took in a deep breath as she prepared herself for the super-sweet taste of the herbal potion, as well as the bazaar effects that would linger for several moments afterward. With a last hesitation, she swallowed the thick, greenish-blue liquid and grimaced as she handed the glass bottle back to Edgar. The liquid slid down her throat slowly, causing her whole body to shiver as itâs healing effects tingled and warmed her insides. The burning in her brain receded a bit, making it easier for her to ignore, and the sparks that had begun to cascade through her body from toe to fingertips all but disappeared.

She swallowed several times, desperately trying to clear the remaining sticky substance from her mouth as her limbs began to feel a little heavier than normal. The heaviness was due to the effects of the potion and would pass by quickly. The tingling and hard to control energy bursts caused Terra to worry. Especially when they were pussyfooting around a town like Zozo.

"Better?" Edgar asked.

Terra gave Edgar a small nod. "Better."

"Good, because our company is getting closer," Locke warned.

Terra sent them a look, carefully gauged the challenge, and decided that there really wasnât any. "Nothing to worry about."

Setzer smirked and lightly fingered his deck of cards. "Well said, but a challenge nonetheless. We have, after all, been out of the fighting business for quite a while."

The tingling began to transform into small pockets of energy and Terra sent Setzer a smile. "Come on, gambler, are you telling me youâve forgotten how to use those cards of yours?" She slowly pulled her sword from itâs sheath and sent Edgar a wink. "Come on, letâs show them how itâs done."

"Terra! Wait!"

Edgar tried to grab her arm, but she took off with a war cry that scattered the less assured ruffians while causing the more arrogant ones to gather around her. That move blocked any avenue of escape she might have had.

The trio stared after her with shocked gazes.

"What's gotten into her? Sheâs never been this way before," Locke said in confusion.

Edgar holstered his chain saw and hurried forward after her. "Itâs the potion," he shouted over his shoulder. "It has to be!"

"What kind of potion did you give her," Locke asked as he followed. "Have you had that thing in your pocket your whole life or something?"

"No," Edgar shot back. "Itâs reacting to whatever is causing Terra to be ill."

Locke grit his teeth. "Remind me to tell you---"

"Save the Philosophy lesson. Weâve got work to do," Setzer said calmly as he palmed at least 5 cards. "She may be a good fighter, but sheâs not as powerful as she used to be. Not only that, I believe 5 or 6 Zozoians would be too much for any woman."

Locke's gaze followed Setzer's and he groaned. "Man, we can't take her anywhere without some kind of trouble."

Setzer shook his head and sent Locke a smirk. "What are you saying? Leave her home? That would go over well."

"It's a thought, okay? Take her flank, Setzer. Edgar, take the--- Edgar!"

But Edgar had already begun hacking his way through the closest residents to attempt a clearing of Terraâs right side. Setzer flung his razor sharp cards at the Zozoians attacking her rear and they whistled through the air with a high-pitched whine before hitting their mark with a thud followed by a pain-filled cry.

Locke grinned. "Show-off!" He made his way to one of the last shrouded figures and readied his Gradius and Swordbreaker. Before he could attack, though, he was disarmed and staring stupidly at the black figure that had done the deed. "What the---"

"You need practice," the dark figure said to Locke.

Locke could hear the smirk in the voice and sent it a shocked look. "Shadow, what are you doing here?"

Shadow returned Lockeâs weapon and silently dispatched the last Zozoian with a shuriken to the throat. "Interceptor smelled trouble."

"Oh wonderful. Now weâve got a psychic dog added to this crazy bunch."

Shadow was silent a moment and knelt down to retrieve his shuriken from the gurgling throat of the barely conscious victim. Locke cringed and looked away.

"I suggest you go home to your woman, Locke," Shadow finally said. "Your mind is anywhere but here."

"My mind is just fine," Locke said as Setzer came to stand beside him. Edgar, on the other hand, was desperately trying to calm Terra down. "I knew it was you all the time." Setzer raised an eyebrow with a chuckle and Locke continued. "So whereâs your dog?"

"He picked up a strange trail and decided to investigate. He will know when he is needed."

Locke shook his head before turning to check on Edgarâs progress. Terra was still anything but her usual self.

"There is evil at work here," Shadow told them in his usual somber tone. "The people of this town are uneasy and prone to fights amongst themselves."

"Arenât they always?" Setzer asked.

"Not like this. People act differently when here. I havenât yet been able to determine the reason, but itâs evil. Of this I am sure."

Locke looked over at Terra and rubbed at his scalp before sending the ninja a probing stare. "Have you noticed any kind of symptoms?"

"Of medicines I know little. All I know is what I see and what Interceptor senses. Things are not right here."

"How come Setzer and I are okay then?"

Shadow was silent for a long moment before answering. "Are you?"

Locke and Setzer exchanged a glance. "We get your point," Locke said.

"We have been a little more short-tempered than usual, my friend." Setzer offered.

"Yeah. It's just that I hate the fact that some low-life took Terraâs kids, Setzer. It makes me feel helpless, useless, and generally hopeless because there wasn't anything we could do about it. I donât think it has anything to do with Zozo or whatever Îevilâ is here."

"Perhaps it is reaching outside of Zozo," Shadow said.

"Doubt it. Terra was fine until she stepped inside here. Then, wham, heart beat going like mad and temperature through the roof."

Again, Shadow was quiet for a long time. "There is a connection between this evil and Terra."

"Then whatâs the connection between it and the people who actually live here?" To that, Shadow gave no answer. He simply turned and made his way to Edgar and Terra. Locke followed with a slow exhalation of breath. "Didn't I say it before? A walking freak show, thatâs what he is," he grumbled.

Setzer smirked and pocketed his cards with a shake of his head.

9

"What is the matter with you," Edgar asked harshly. "You scared me to death with your foolhardy charge into those brigands. Are you mad, woman?"

"Donât be ridiculous," Terra said, her voice edged with annoyance and anger. "Iâve been in tougher situations than that when I was on my own and lived through them just fine."

"Terra," Edgar said through clenched teeth. "Youâre not alone anymore. When will you finally realize that?"

"Well maybe if youâd visited me once and awhile I wouldnât feel as if I were," she shot back. "You ever think of that?"

Edgar pressed his lips together and let out a slow breath. The guilt he felt at the truth of her last statement helped him get his temper back under control. "Weâre not discussing me---"

"Of course not," Terra cut in sharply. "We can never talk about you. Something might slip out that would give us a clue as to what you really think about anything or anyone. We couldnât have that, could we?"

The venom in her tone shocked him and he flinched.

"I mean, after all, if you started talking about yourself you might need to actually trust someone with something and that just isnât acceptable for King Edgar of Figaro Castle! He has to be a mystery. He has to be a stranger to everyone who cares!"

Setzer, Locke, and Shadow had gathered around her by this time and they stared at her flushed face and wild eyes in amazement. Edgar was speechless, not even really hearing the insults being hurled at him because of the hatred that made her eyes burn. Had he ever seen her like that before?

"Terra," he asked slowly, "whatâs wrong with you?"

"Nothing," she snapped. "I am getting so sick and tired of you people running around under my feet like little bugs trying to figure out whatâs wrong with me when nothing is. Edgar, what do you take me for? Some kind of weakling? Some waif bawling for a handout?"

Edgar blinked. The calm, compassionate, overly sensitive woman he had known for -- what was it? Years? Months? -- she was gone. Vanished. Disappeared without a trace to be replaced by the seething, glassy-eyed, flushed-faced woman now before them. Edgar was at a loss for words, as were the others.

"Terra---" Edgar attempted again.

"No," she snarled. "No more, ÎTerra, whatâs wrong?â No more ÎTerra, donât cry.â Iâve had it up to here with your smooth talk and flirting. Itâs all lies and you know it! Just leave me alone and quit babying me!"

With that, Terra turned with a rage-filled screech and ran into one of the many dilapidated buildings that the citizens of Zozo had the misfortune of calling home. Edgar watched her go with a dead weight in the pit of his stomach. He felt more alone now than he ever had as a young king of Figaro. All the secret feelings and doubts he had ever told her had been thrown back in his face as if they had been lower than imp slime. It hurt. It hurt a whole lot and she seemed to like it that way.

Locke broke the shocked silence. "Who was that? It wasnât Terra, that I know for sure."

Setzer nodded and fingered his cards in thoughtful silence.

"I donât know," Edgar said in a quiet voice. "I donât know anything anymore."

"What made our dear Terra go off like that? I didnât think she had a hostile bone in her body," Setzer said calmly.

Shadow knelt down and studied the ground in silence.

Edgar shook his head. "She doesnât."

Setzer hesitated. "I believe you should re-think that. Apparently, she does."

Edgar looked off in the direction Terra had taken and narrowed his eyes. "Was it her," he asked, almost to himself.

"What do you mean: Îwas it her?â You heard and saw her with your own eyes. We all did," Locke said.

Edgar shook his head. "It wasnât Terra. I donât know who that was."

Lockeâs eyes opened wide and his mouth gaped in shock. "Are you on something?"

Edgar turned his head to meet Lockeâs wide-eyed gaze and then grabbed fistfuls of his own hair. "I donât know, Cole. I donât know. All the time I was trying to seduce her on the ship I didnât feel a thing. Not a spark, tingle, or blasted bit of warmth!"

"Pardon me," Setzer interrupted with a hand on Edgar's arm. "Seduce? What sort of game have you been playing with Terra's heart?"

"We'll tell you later," Locke mumbled.

Edgarâs hands dropped to his sides and his eyes glazed with a faraway expression as he went on. "Before· Before there was light. There were flames. Passion. Everything I had searched for and never found. Terra and I didnât need to touch for the spark to be there."

"Maybe youâre just getting over her," Locke offered.

Edgar gave Locke an incredulous glance. "Getting over Terra is as likely as getting over living or breathing. My friend, it simply does not happen. When I went to visit her for the first time since the battle with Kefka, my breath nearly left me completely when I saw her resting so innocently on the grass. The desire to spirit her away nearly overcame my reason. You remember how it is, Cole, donât you? Just being by her side set my skin on fire!"

Locke turned his head away. "I remember."

"Even at the castle I was tempted to have the Chancellor put me in chains so that I would not give in to temptation." He turned away. "Terra felt so good in my arms..."

"And on the ship?"

Edgar sighed. "As I told you before, on our way to Jidoor she opened up to me. She talked about how she felt and why."

"So when did it change?"

"When we left Jidoor," Edgar said miserably. "I wanted to kiss her so bad, Cole, but Iâll be hanged if I felt a blasted thing when I touched her face or kissed her hand. There was nothing! Not a single spark!"

Locke turned to Setzer. "Was she in your sight the entire time that Edgar and I were in Jidoor?"

Setzer thought about it for several moments as he absently shuffled his cards. "Terra came aboard and immediately went below deck."

"Drat," Locke mumbled as he rubbed his scalp.

"I donât know what to think, Cole," Edgar went on. "Is it her? Is it me? Was it my imagination?"

"That tongue-lashing certainly wasn't," Locke reminded carefully.

"So what am I to think? Itâs almost as if someone had Berserked her, but magic no longer exists. According to Strago, anyway. The statues were magic and we had to destroy them in order to battle Kefka. Conceivably, magic no longer exists. Is that correct?"

Setzer put a hand on Edgarâs shoulder. "There are many things we donât understand about magic and Espers, my friend. Whoâs to say that Terra hasnât drawn a bad hand?"

Edgar clenched his jaw. AI know. I know. Donât you think I am well aware of the kind of hand sheâs been dealt? Her father an Esper and captured by the Empire. Her mother murdered by Gestahl. Terra didn't even know what Îraceâ she truly belonged to: human or Esper. She didn't even know how to care about someone because of being raised by the Empire and then wearing that accursed Slave Crown almost her entire life---"

"Edgar." Locke gestured to the top of a building. "Edgar, whatâs that?"

A strange, purplescent glow lit up the sky and burned their eyes if they tried to examine it for longer than a mere moment. Edgar pounded the ground with the haft of his spear in thought and then strode toward the building. ÎI want some answers,â he thought harshly. ÎAnd Iâm bloody well going to get some!â

"I believe it would be safe to assume that weâre soon to find out," Setzer offered.

"No kidding." Locke followed Edgar with a shake of his head. "This whole thing just keeps getting weirder and weirder. Kidnapping, strange lights, stranger women.... I should have stayed at home and helped Celes make those blasted garlands for the wedding."

"How charming. Locke weaving flowers." Setzer chuckled under his breath and palmed a couple cards. "I would pay money to see that."

Shadow followed silently behind them, his eyes searching the alleys for danger.

Locke caught up with Edgar. "Do you have a Remedy you could give her?"

"No. I never cared for that powder. It always caused me to sneeze. Plus, it was always so expensive."

"Edgar, who cares? It might help better than that Potion you gave her."

"I have one," a voice said from behind.

Locke gave a start and sent Shadow a glare. "Donât do that! Youâre going to give me a complex!"

Shadow ignored him. "If it will help her, I will give it to you."

Edgar sent the ninja a reluctant smile. "Thank you, Shadow, but before we give it to her Iâd like to know whatâs causing the problem in the first place."

The others nodded.

"Itâs just so strange," Edgar continued, almost to himself. "One moment sheâs fine and the next sheâs going wild-eyed crazy and taking off for the hills. It couldnât be anyone but her because sheâs not been out of our sight long enough to do any kind of switch, or whatever they would attempt."

"I cast my vote for Esper intervention," Setzer said.

"Espers are dead." Locke paused and sent Setzer a strange look. "Aren't they?"

"Donât be so sure," Setzer said in a lazy tone of voice. "Like I said before, we donât know a lot about them. Maybe they just... I donât know, warped to a different dimension and now theyâre calling to her. It could be anything."

"Then why only the people of Zozo?" Edgar asked.

"Maybe it has nothing to do with Zozo," Locke insisted. "These people always were on the darker side of insane. Besides, living in a hole like Zozo the way the world is now? It would drive me insane." Locke sent Setzer a look. "Donât say it."

"I wouldnât dream of it."

"I hate to argue with you, Shadow," Locke went on, "but I really believe Iâm right. Iâm not saying there isnât anything Îevilâ going on in Zozo. There always is. I just donât think it has anything to do with Zozo. Maybe thatâs why the guy that's doing that freakinâ light show chose Zozo in the first place. Cover."

Shadow nodded and Edgar was surprised. "Locke, old boy, you must be on to something if Shadow doesnât argue with you."

"I try," Locke said with a grin.

Setzer smirked. "Try harder. Maybe weâll solve this before the day is over and get to go home to wine and women this evening."

"Here, here," Locke agreed.

ÎI only wish to return home with Terra,â Edgar thought to himself.

They entered the building into which Terra had disappeared and Shadow froze in the dark hallway. He crouched, 3 shuriken in his hand. Edgar didnât even hesitate before readying his spear and checking to make sure his chain saw was prepared for a quick change. Setzer was absently shuffling his razor-edged cards as his eyes narrowed to scan the distant shadows and Locke was nonchalant as he pulled his blades free.

"What is it?" Edgar whispered. His eyes strained against the dimness of the hallway, but his untrained eyes couldnât even detect movement. "What do you see?"

"An old friend," came Shadow's stealthy reply.

Edgar, Setzer, and Locke exchanged raised eyebrows and then turned to again search the shadows. What they saw made their hearts freeze in their chest. The man was tall with eyes so evil they seemed black and endless when Edgar looked straight into them. He wasnât muscular by any means, but there radiated such a power from him that the group took a step back before they realized what they were doing. All but Shadow. A firm determination emanated from him that heightened when the figure stepped from the blackness that he seemed to create by his mere existence.

"Ledo," Setzer and Shadow said at once.

10

"We meet again."

The voice was strange in that it didnât seem to fit with the rest of his body. It was almost as if the deep rumble came from the air instead of the man in front of them. Edgar didnât like it and sent Locke a glance that conveyed as much. Locke simply grimaced and adjusted his grip on his daggers.

"This is my home," he continued. "I donât take kindly to people barging in with weapons drawn."

Edgar took a step forward, carefully adjusting the grip on his spear. "As we Îdonât take kindlyâ to people kidnapping children." A chuckle rumbled deep in the floorboards of the building and Edgarâs stomach twisted. "Where are Terra and her children?"

The chuckling began again and Edgar clenched his jaw to control his rising anger.

"Please, please," Ledo said in a sarcastic sneer, "letâs not waste this precious time together by speaking of them."

"Then you do have them," Locke said sharply.

Ledo chuckled. "I didnât say that. You assumed that I knew whom you happen to be searching for." He changed his gaze to Shadow. "Shadow, itâs been so long. What have you been doing with yourself." Shadow didnât speak and Ledo appeared annoyed. "Come, come. Are you still angry about that woman? Itâs been years. Let bygones be bygones."

Again, Shadow was silent.

"Mister," Locke spoke up in a careless voice, "we donât give a fig about your Îbygonesâ with Shadow. All we want is our friends. Tell us where they are or·" He lifted his blades with a smile. "Or face the consequences."

"You have the nerve to threaten me in my house," Ledo asked in an angry voice. "You should quake in your shoes at the sight of me, little man!"

Lockeâs cold gray eyes looked the man up and down before he adjusted his grip. "Sure, at first glance youâd curdle cream, but I can assure you weâve seen worse. Beaten them too. My friends and me will give you one more chance. Terra. Where is she?"

There was a bright flash, several shouts as the groupâs eyes reacted violently to the sudden change, and then all was dark silence.

Locke sheathed his blades with a sharp motion and put his fists on his hips. "What a freakinâ pansy! I was looking forward to poppin' the guy once or twice."

Shadow was still cautious, but his stance relaxed somewhat. "Ledo is a techno-mage. He has never failed to see the importance of a well-timed retreat."

The ninja made his way to where Ledo had stood and knelt, touching the ground with a few fingers and then his palm. Edgar and Locke came to where he was while Setzer hung back.

"What is it, Shadow?" Edgar sounded as if he were wary of the answer. "Whatâs wrong?"

"He was never here." Shadow straightened, his eyes searching the dim hallway as his sensitive senses tested the air.

Locke slapped his leg with his cap. "I thought so," he mumbled.

"Locke?" Edgar asked the question with a raised eyebrow.

"I donât know how to explain it. After I got over the initial shock of the guy's ugly face, something wasnât right." Locke shrugged. "I donât know what it was. Maybe it was the way the shadows flickered on his armor or something. Itâs an instinct, Edgar. Thatâs what I get for how Iâve lived my entire life. A sixth sense."

"It would have been nice if youâd let us on to it before challenging him in our name, my friend," Setzer told him. "There are still many women I have yet to make love to."

Locke actually smiled. "Hey, Setzer, Iâm not exactly in a big rush to check out either, you know. Celes would kill me if I missed our wedding."

Edgar had been watching Shadow as he examined the foreign technology in the room and didnât like the look on his face. When the ninja was in the far corner, Edgar left Setzer and Locke to their jovial discussion and followed him.

"Shadow, is this techno-mage responsible for the kidnapping of Terraâs children and her own strange behavior? Or even of that purplescent glow we saw on the roof?" Edgar asked.

Shadow paused his examination of some strange wires and pierced Edgarâs eyes with his own. "Ledo is capable of much, Edgar. He seeks power and will do all possible to receive this power."

Edgar knelt down and continued to hold the ninjaâs gaze. "But Terra and her children? Why?"

"We have not actually seen proof of the childrenâs disappearance," Shadow reminded. "And Terra was much feared and hated by the Empire," he continued. "He who controls her, controls much power."

"But the Empire no longer exists. Besides, her power left her with the disappearance of magic." Shadow turned away and didnât respond. Edgar took in a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, Shadow. Alright. I understand."

Rebel forces always existed, whether evil or good. It was a fact of life because one could not have good without the presence of evil. And Terraâs Esper power had never truly been understood. Who was to say that it still didnât lay dormant?

"These wires lead upstairs," Shadow observed as he stood.

"Then letâs go." Edgar returned to the others and tried to keep thoughts of Terra well hidden.

11

Terra cowered in a corner of a dingy room, her nose burning at the stench as she dropped her head between her knees. Her arms tightened around them and she stifled the sobs. Memories hit her like bombs of light. Memories she had buried long ago. Terra felt herself slipping beneath them. Losing her identity in the bombardment of images from her time with the Empire.

Droning voices of people telling her how to make every blow count.

Mysterious voices filled with hate accusing her of murder and acts too numbing to recall, even now.

Times on the battlefield defeating yet another hopeless cause.

The charred bodies and spilled blood of innocent soldiers by her hand.

Thousands mutilated and tortured at the simple request of a mad man.

Screaming children crying in the darkness of her mind. For their parents long dead. For their homes long since burned.

The memory that hurt her the most, however, was the one of Edgar.

ÎWhat is wrong with you,â he had snarled. His eyes had held such anger.

ÎBut why wouldnât he listen to me? Why did he keep accusing me of things I didnât do?â She had desperately tried to hold back the tears, but she hadnât been that strong. They had come and Edgar had launched a fresh attack.

ÎNo more ÎTerra whatâs wrong?â No more ÎTerra, donât cry.â Stop expecting me to baby you all the time!â He had yelled at her.

And he had said so many things, the others just staring at her in silence as if they agreed. ÎWhat went wrong? What happened to the Edgar I knew before...â

Terra wanted to die.

Her kids were gone.

Her friends no longer cared.

And Edgar...

Terra moaned, the pain beginning again. Throbbing, streaks of fire and ice. Bright light. Voices. Pain. Terra gripped her head in her hands and screamed, her lungs and throat burning with the intensity of it. Even the crumbling walls seemed to shake with the vibration of the agony.

"Stop! Stop!"

Terra screeched, but the pain went on, growing in fury as she attempted to fight it. The voices didnât stop. The volume grew and Terra fell to her side, tucking her knees to her chin as her hands tightened their grip on her head. Voices. Whispers. Screams. Laughter... Terra screeched and screamed until her throat was raw and bloody.

Terra blacked out.

12

Edgar looked up sharply, his eyes narrowing. "What on earth is that?"

Locke and Setzer exchanged a glance, but Shadow examined Edgarâs face and began to listen.

"Whatâs what?" Locke asked. "I donât hear anything."

Edgar continued to listen and his face went pale. "Itâs Terra." He turned to the others and his eyes were desperate. "We have to find her," Edgar insisted. "Theyâre torturing her!"

"What?" Locke listened again. "I donât hear anything, Edgar."

"You canât hear that?" Edgar gestured wildly behind him at the ascending stairs. "Locke, sheâs screeching loud enough to wake the dead!"

"No, I canât hear it," Locke said again. "Whereâs it coming from?"

Edgar looked a little green by now as he looked around the building. "I donât know... Itâs all around---" Edgar broke off and his eyes glossed over with terror. "It stopped."

Locke cringed. "I hope sheâs okay."

"What now," Setzer asked softly.

Shadow stepped forward, his gloved hand resting on the massive head of the beast he called Interceptor. The dogâs black hair was bristling and the growl that rumbled deep in his chest was threatening.

"Interceptor has found something."

"Donât stand there, man," Edgar said harshly. He gestured at the stairs behind him. "Where is she?"

"There is a trail leading out of Zozo---"

"No," Edgar cut in. "I heard Terra here. In Zozo. I shall not leave to wander after some mysterious trail!"

"Edgar," Locke reasoned with hands outstretched, "we donât know that sheâs even here. We canât search each building hoping weâll trip onto something. This is the best lead weâve had all day!"

Edgar strode up to Locke with such a look of rage on his face that Locke actually took a step back. The treasure hunter, in all the years he had known King Edgar of Figaro, had never seen him like this. ÎWell I'll be,â he thought suddenly, Îhe really does love her, doesnât he?â And that shocked him. How many times had Edgar told him of his most recent conquest, all the while chuckling at the naivete of the woman when she believed his ÎI care for youâ line.

"Cole, it doesn't matter to me if this is the only lead we receive," Edgar was saying. His tone was a harsh whisper. "I will not leave Zozo without her. Leave me by myself, it wonât matter. Iâm bringing her out alive and in one piece."

"We canât leave you in a place like this on your own! Thatâs a suicide mission!"

"So youâd leave Terra?"

"I didnât say that," Locke protested harshly. "Donât twist my words."

"Then you better say what you mean, Cole, and quickly for Iâm leaving with or without you."

Locke glanced over at Setzer, who shrugged and turned away, and then changed his eyes to Shadow and Interceptor. Shadow seemed withdrawn, even more so than usual, and that made Locke uneasy.

"What do you say Shadow? Itâs your dog. Do you think the trail is bogus or the real deal?"

Interceptor grumbled and sat on his haunches as he licked his chops, his black eyes pinning Lockeâs gray ones.

"It is real," Shadow said.

"Will it still be there, say, in an hourâs time?"

"That I cannot say, but to risk it could mean losing the trail permanently."

Locke nodded absently and turned back to Edgar.

"You know I cannot leave her," Edgar said. He was more controlled and the hands gripping his spear were the only indication of his struggle. "I must find her, Locke. I must."

"Yeah," Locke agreed reluctantly. "Yeah, I know." He dug around in his pockets and pulled out a silver shard that was about the size of a human fist. He offered it to Edgar. "I donât know if it will work, but itâs all I can give you."

"A warp stone. Thank you." Edgar put it in his own pouch and shook Lockeâs outstretched hand. "Iâve cheated death many a time, Locke Cole. Donât be so sure youâve seen the last of me yet."

Edgar turned away and ascended the stairs, his cape fluttering in the breeze, giving him a melodramatic appearance. When he disappeared around the corner at the top of the staircase, Locke finally turned away.

"Smug old scratch," he mumbled.

Setzer chuckled and followed as Locke led the group back out into the rainy afternoon. When Shadow took the lead, Locke glanced over his shoulder at the building once more before following them. Locke clenched his jaw. ÎGood luck, my friend.â

13

"Sheâs rejecting it. I told you this would happen!"

"She is rejecting nothing. Be patient and have faith. Her body is adjusting. It takes time."

"We donât have time!"

"Procedures such as this cannot be rushed. She is an unique specimen and must be handled with care."

"Care be hanged."

"Have I failed you thus far?" Silence. "Then leave her to me."

14

Blood trickled from Terraâs ears and she awoke with a groan. The pain had faded, but she could feel it waiting, perched at the outer edge of her brain biding itâs time. Patiently gauging the appropriate instance to renew itâs presence and power. Terra stared vacantly at her hands, unbound, and numbly wondered why she didnât flee. ÎFlee? Am I in danger?â But she wasnât sure. She wasnât sure of anything. Disjointed images, blurred memories, and jumbled emotions were the only thoughts that greeted Terra. The effort required to make sense of them caused a muted throbbing behind her eyes.

Terra struggled to her feet, leaning almost her entire weight against the moldy brick wall. Rats scurried from under her and she moaned again, the sound of rushing blood all she could hear. ÎWhere... Where am I?â She tried to remember and the pulsating in her brain stopped her. It hurt too much. ÎI need to get out of here...â However, she suddenly didnât know why. When she had first awoken, there had been an underlying sense of fear and desperation. Now it was replaced by a strange sort of calm. Peace. Belonging. Terra rubbed at her forehead with a frown of mild confusion. Something wasnât right. She felt disconnected and numb for brief moments and then a drug-like feeling of peace followed.

Something warm trickled down her jaw and she rubbed at it with a cringe. When she pulled her hand away from her face, it was smeared with blood. She wiped the liquid on her leggings with an absent motion and took a few steps forward. A strange longing to be outside kept pulling her forward. ÎOutside. I must get outside. Everything will be alright once I am outside... Fly.â

The thought struck her as familiar, and yet it seemed odd. ÎI canât fly in a building,â she reasoned calmly. ÎI would hurt myself---â

Pain seared through every corner of her brain and Terra screeched in terror, her hands grabbing fistfuls of matted hair as she collapsed to the floor. Sewer rats clambered up and over her, sniffing, scratching, and biting at her, but she could only feel the burning in her head. The melting... The boiling... The agony... She screamed again and the rats scurried away when she began to thrash.

Then was still.

15

"Ledo, what have you done?!" A voice screeched. "Youâve killed her! What good is she to me dead?"

Ledo turned from the massive array of machinery and crystals with a dangerous gleam in his black eyes. "Terra Branford is an Esper, you fool. Espers do not die."

The short, fat, balding man pointed a chubby finger at the glass tubes that held moving pictures of the cells in Zozo. "What did I just see then?" He pointed at more glass tubes and then wagged his finger in Ledoâs face. "Even your precious demon-machines say sheâs dead," he snapped. "You failed and youâre through in this Îindustryâ of yours. Youâll never---"

Ledo struck out with a gargantuan hand, blue-white sparks leaping from his gloved fingers to the fat manâs chest. The man fell back, his eyes permanently open in a shocked gaze of death as Ledo turned away.

16

Edgar rounded the corner and flinched at the repulsive odor that nearly made his toenails curl. He knew he wouldnât need to pluck nose hairs for the rest of his life. He coughed a couple times, brought a kerchief up to his nose and mouth, and then fumbled around in his pockets for a match. >Blast! Never a light when you need one---' His foot rubbed against something and he knelt down to touch it as he squinted in the blackness. It was cold to the touch and Edgar shook his head. ÎAnother body,â he told himself as he straightened. Edgar had found three already: two men and one woman. All of them had held such an expression of agony on their faces that it had nearly turned his stomach.

Edgar turned and left the room, closing the rickety door softly behind him with a sigh. ÎPoor soul. To die in a place like that...â He hoped he wouldnât find Terra in such a position and his mind steered away from the possibility.

But Terra persisted in fluttering in and out of his mind like a determined butterfly. Teasing him with memories of touches and laughter that he dreamed meant more than they probably had. Then there was the strange reaction he had felt toward her while on their way to Zozo. Feelings could not disappear in less than an hour, that he knew, but he also knew that his reaction couldnât be logically reasoned away. It was frustrating and did nothing to alleviate his growing rage. Terra wasnât to blame, but someone was and they were going to pay with their life.

There was a slight scratching to Edgarâs right and he turned sharply, his spearhead instinctively poised at the point of origin. It was a door. The scratching sounded again and Edgar stepped closer, lifting the bar across the door with his spear. It dropped away and the door swung open, the hinges screeching in protest. Edgar rushed forward, dropping his spear and chain saw with an exclamation as he knelt down by the bloody figure of a young woman. He pulled her into his lap and wiped the blood from her face and eyes as well as he could. Her opened eyes didnât react to the movement and Edgar dug in his pocket for everything he owned. Potions, Phoenix Downs, Eye Drops, Antidotes, Echo Screens, and Lockeâs Warp Stone.

Edgar carefully measured two drops of the eye salve into her eyes and watched as they began to track motion and sound. He sighed, but didnât dare let himself relax. Instead, he popped the cork from the potion and gently lifted her higher to ladle the honey-like mixture of herbs and roots into her mouth. Minutes passed and he continued his gentle ministration of the potion, keeping his eagle eyes on her staggered breathing that rattled in his ears, and the ghostly whiteness of her clammy skin.

"Come on, Terra," he whispered close to her ear. "Fight this thing. Fight it like I know you can."

He gently massaged the liquid down her throat with a finger lightly stroking her neck and paused long enough to wrap his cloak around her when her light tremors began to worsen.

"I will not leave you," he promised softly. Edgar ladled more of the potion into her mouth and caressed her cracked lips with a finger. "I will not leave you ever again, Terra. You have my word."

When the last of the potion had finally trickled down her throat, and her breathing had become less of a struggle, Edgar carefully lifted her into his arms and stood. ÎIf there is a God in charge of this detestable planet we live on, then let me get out of this hell-hole without a problem.â He didnât think it was too much to ask, but then again, what did he know about God and His time schedule. Edgar pressed his lips together and stepped into the hall, not caring that his spear and chain saw were still lying on the bloody cell floor.

He would be hanged if he let anyone stop him from leaving Zozo.

An odd sound gurgled in Terraâs throat and Edgar looked down at her pasty white face. The healing effect of the potion wasnât working on her internal bleeding. She needed an alchemist or someone more knowledgeable than he, at least. Edgar was at a loss as to what to do to keep her from drowning in her own blood, and that feeling of helplessness quickened his step.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry, mister?"

Edgar halted mid-step, his jaw tightening. "That is none of your affair."

"Well, well. Ainât we the King of Figaro with your high-falootinâ way of yammerinâ."

Edgar didnât turn, nor did he think it wise to own up to how close the hoodlum was to the truth.

"Ainât you a pretty sight," the man sneered. "Iâm thinkinâ I want me some of those pretty clothes of yours."

Edgar gently laid Terra on the floor and shrugged out of his deep purple cape, his richly embroidered vest and jacket, and took off the gem-encrusted cufflinks on his white silk shirt. He put them in a heap beside him, still without turning, and then lifted Terra into his arms once more.

"Well Iâll be," the Zozoian cooed. "That was easier than guttinâ a stuck pig."

"If that is all·"

"Now donât be in such a rush there, mister. I shure could use a new pair of boots."

Edgar finally sent a look over his shoulder at the haggard, half-starved ruffian and raised an eyebrow. "If you keep me one more moment, I shall give you a boot directly in your ass, you swine. I have given you more than you deserve and I shall take it back if you ask for more."

The Zozoian was so shocked that Edgar was able to exit the building before he was even able to stutter out a reply. Edgar listened for his footsteps and let out a thankful breath when there were none. ÎNow for the final walk through Main Street,â Edgar muttered to himself. He knew that he didnât have enough to bribe the entire city and, unless he found a weapon on his way out of town, he was defenseless as well. ÎIâm a fool for leaving behind my spear.â But he knew that he wouldnât have been able to carry Terra and the weapon.

Terra moaned and began to thrash, Edgar increasing his grip on her as he continued to stumble forward.

"Do be still," he mumbled. She proceeded to unknowingly hit him on the side of the face and neck. "Stop it, woman. Youâll hurt yourself more than you have already."

Terra groaned and whimpered, her arms still flailing while her upper and lower body twisted and writhed against Edgarâs grip. He stumbled to a halt, barely 100 yards from the exit of Zozo, and desperately attempted to adjust his slipping hold.

"Terra, if you donât quiet down weâre going to have a lot of unwelcome visitors."

She cried out and arched her back, her arms and legs suddenly going rigid. Edgar staggered to keep his balance under the sudden change.

"What is it," he asked as he slowly knelt.

Her eyes drifted wildly, not focusing on anything, and her body remained stiff and unbending. Edgar repositioned her in his arms, his eyes continuing to search for danger in the surrounding buildings, and gently began rocking her back and forth. He pressed his lips against her forehead. ÎWhat do I do? Is she dying? Is she still under the influence of that blasted craziness? Is it me? Is it Zozo?â Edgar couldnât keep up with the questions and they were beginning to make him feel an odd sense of paranoia. An urge to flee and leave Terra to the mercy of the residents nearly overwhelmed him.

"No," he snapped. "I will not leave her."

Edgar pressed his lips together and pulled his arms out from under her. He took a firm and gentle hold of her face, took in a slow, deep breath, and lowered his head to press his lips against hers. There was nothing. No response. No spark. No emotion. Edgar continued to kiss her in the only way he knew how. Passionately. Thoroughly. He kissed her the way he had dreamed of kissing her for so many months.

Her lips were cold, unyielding, but he pressed on. His mouth became more coaxing as he desperately attempted to persuade the Terra he loved to come back to him. Her body remained rigid, her back arched in protest and he used it the only way he knew how. Edgar wrapped his arms around her and pressed her closer against him until he could feel the steady beat of her heart against his chest.

Then it happened.

Her lips began to move against his.

Sparks burst behind Edgarâs eyes and his lips turned to fire, the molten passion running a trail of ecstasy through his entire body as her response continued to grow. ÎSheâs back,â his brain shouted. ÎTerraâs back!â Her arms wrapped themselves around his neck, her fingers burying themselves in his hair, and Edgarâs scalp tingled as his mouth trailed down her neck. He pulled her so tight against him that she cried out in pain.

"Thank God," he said against her neck in a strangled voice.

Terra began to sob and he scooped her up into his arms, holding her against him as he strode forward.

75 yards.

"Edgar," she sobbed in a rough voice. "Edgar, where am I? Whatâs going on---"

She broke off with a shudder and Edgar picked up speed.

"It hurts· My head is on fire, Edgar·"

Terra breathed in sharply and shuddered so hard Edgarâs teeth were nearly jolted from his head.

"Hold on," he whispered between deep puffs. "Hold on, Terra. Weâre almost out of here."

50 yards.

"Why is this h-happening? Wh-why me?"

She convulsed, throwing Edgar off-balance for a moment, and a sharp cry was ripped from Terraâs throat.

"Iâm sorry," he said through clenched teeth as he regained his footing. "Did I hurt you?"

"N-no. Itâs m-my---"

Terra broke off with a strangled scream as she began to claw at her face and ears. Panic made Edgarâs heart skip a beat and he began to run toward the exit of the dark city, her wails of agony ringing in his ears. When she went limp in his arms, Edgar could feel the blood drain from his face.

"Terra?"

She didnât stir and when he jostled her slightly, her head and arms fell back with no resistance.

"Terra? Terra, do you hear me?"

His voice sounded panicky and his mind somehow forced himself to continue forward.

"No," he said sharply as his eyes drifted to her body again and again. "Donât you die on me, Terra Branford. Not now, blast it all! Not now!"

17

Locke looked over his shoulder, again, and shook his head with a deep breath. The group of 3 was headed for Jidoor, much to Lockeâs surprise, and had left the airship at Zozo for Edgar. Setzer hadnât been too thrilled with the idea of leaving it, but had given in to the common sense of the situation. After all, Interceptor was a miraculous beast, but he couldnât follow a trail that was on the ground when he was in the air. Not only that, Locke had wanted to leave Edgar a quick way to Figaro Castle in case Terra was hurt or dying.

"Cole, whatâs wrong," Setzer asked. "Youâve been silent and distant the entire day."

"I donât like leaving them."

"I can assure you that the rest of us don't like it either. We didn't have a choice."

Interceptor grumbled at Shadow about the noise and Shadow stroked the beastâs head. "The trail is stronger. Prepare yourself for the unexpected," he warned.

"If itâs unexpected," Setzer countered, "how are we supposed to prepare ourselves. Thatâs what Iâd like to know."

Shadow ignored him and Locke smirked with a shake of his head.

"Are you sure this is the place?" Interceptor sent Locke a dirty look and he raised his hands. "No offense. Itâs just that we came here first and Terra was positive the guy wasnât here."

Shadow glanced at Locke sharply. "Terra?"

Locke examined Shadowâs eyes before answering. "Yeah. She took one look at the place and said it was too quiet for anything to have happened recently. She also brought up a good point: why would the slaver bring his business there when they donât use slaves."

Shadow refocused his haunted eyes on the town of Jidoor. "Ledo is no slaver, Locke Cole. His one desire is power and that is what he wishes to receive from Terra."

"But what about her kids?"

"They are still at home."

"What?" Locke turned Shadow around with a hand on his arm. "What are you talking about?"

"I suspect the urgency of her childrenâs disappearance was a ploy to lure her from the safety of her home."

"Are you telling me Terra wouldnât notice her kids still at home before leaving to get us?" Locke asked doubtfully.

"If Ledo is involved, many things will not be as they appear. He is an expert at deception."

"So youâve said."

Setzer came up to the two and gave them an incredulous stare. "Are you hinting at Îbrain-washingâ?"

Shadow turned and began walking for Jidoor once again. "I mean mind-control."

Locke and Setzer exchanged a glance and then hurried after him.

"Mind-control? Are you crazy? How? When could he have gotten to her?"

Locke made a move to grab Shadowâs arm, but he turned sharply, a dagger at the ready as Interceptor growled with a snap of his teeth. Locke backed off with raised hands and shocked gray eyes.

"Easy, Shadow. Easy."

"Do not doubt my words and knowledge so easily, Locke Cole," he said in tight tones. "I know this demon Ledo, and I know what he is capable of. I know he was once an Imperial dog who would have sold his own nationâs soul to Hades for power. I know that Technology is his mistress and he is fully aware of what it can do. I know that he can toy with a personâs mind using tools we cannot understand and thinks nothing of killing children and babies. I know all these things and more."

Locke examined Shadowâs face as he lowered the dagger. "This woman Ledo mentioned·"

Shadow turned away without an answer and Locke sent Setzer a look. The ninja had always been a mystery to everyone in the large group of friends, and no one had ever known how to talk to him about his past. No one had really thought about it much, either.

"What do you think," Setzer asked nonchalant. "Should we ask for an explanation now or later?"

"Either time would be a risk to our lives," Locke said. "Heâs like that and you know it."

"We need answers, Cole, and you know that. Stumbling along blindly is not my idea of a well-thought-of plan. Neither is trusting Shadowâs twisted sense of justice." Setzer gestured after the ninja and his eyes narrowed. "This whole thing stinks to high heaven. You know it. I know it. Hell, Interceptor even knows it! We canât fight as a team if we donât act like one."

Locke gave Setzer a helpless look. "Donât you think I know that? What do you want to do, Setzer? Shadow isnât a force to be reckoned with."

Setzer turned to stride after Shadow. "Donât be too sure," he tossed over his shoulder.

Locke stared after the gambler in surprise before following. "What do you mean by that?"

"I guess you donât find it the least bit strange that good old Shadow took time out of his busy schedule to track Terra down?"

Locke remained silent and Setzer continued. "Sure, he said Interceptor smelled trouble, but wouldnât both of them have needed to be at Terraâs home in the first place? Wouldnât that explain him knowing the kids are safe?"

Locke watched the ninja and his dog as they carefully examined a shack outside of Jidoor. "Go on."

"Didnât you notice Shadowâs change of mood when he suggested we leave Zozo to follow this trail? That man cares what happens to her, just like the rest of us."

"So?"

"So?" Setzer was shocked. "So? What are you, Cole, a blasted ignoramus or something? If we can get the guy to see heâs not doing Terra any favors by keeping the information a mystery, heâll start talking."

Locke shrugged. "I doubt it, but, sure, why not."

The two strode up to the dark pair and Interceptor bared his teeth. Shadow didnât even pass them a glance.

"Shadow," Setzer began, "if you know so much, why are you keeping it to yourself? Teamwork is needed to beat this guy and, right now, we have anything but."

Shadow sent them one of his infamous guarded looks and Locke picked up where Setzer dropped off.

"We understand your obsessive desire for privacy, but Terraâs life is at stake here. How do you expect to save her by yourself---"

"I have defeated Ledo before," he said coolly.

Setzer and Locke let out an exasperated breath.

"Well, heâs back again, isnât he?" Locke said. Interceptor snapped at him. "Stay out of this," Locke ordered. He turned back to Shadow. "So youâve got a score to settle. So itâs a pride issue. Join the club, Shadow. Terra is our friend and this blasted techno-freak got to her through us. You canât get all the vengeance. Give us some information, Shadow. Trust us for once in your life!"

Shadow faced the two men with a cold stare, his presence distanced from them though he stepped closer. A chilled breeze ruffled a gloomy, dark embroidered sash at his waist and it did nothing to relieve the feeling of doom blanketing the group.

"Do not attempt to understand that which you could not possibly comprehend. My life is my own and it shall stay thus." Shadow paused, barely. "Terra is my friend, yes. This I will not deny for she has risked her life for mine many times, as I have done for her. Now I do this for that honor she has shown me. For the compassion she has given. For the welcome she has offered."

"Let us help, Shadow," Locke pressed. "We agree with every thing you just said, so quit making us stumble around in the dark! Give us a clue!"

Shadow pulled out a dagger and turned, slicing several snake-like wires that trailed from the side of the shack to a mansion on the outskirts of Jidoor.

Locke sighed with clenched teeth and glared over at Setzer. "Now what?" Setzer only shrugged. "Oh, youâre a big help. It was your idea in the first place."

"I never said it would work. Shadow exists. Period. No one knows anything about him and he never offers any inside information."

"But what about that Relm connection we always wondered about?"

Setzer shrugged again. "Who knows? We canât ask her because sheâd have been too young to remember anything. We canât ask Strago because he never gives us a straight answer. And we certainly canât ask Shadow because... Well, because he just doesnât talk about it. Weâve just got to go with the flow, Cole. Thereâs no other way."

"That doesnât help. Not a bit."

"I never said it would."

Locke shook his head and strode toward Jidoor with a glare. "If he doesnât start giving us a clue as to what the plan is, Iâm going to kill him myself."

"Setzer thinks Locke is crazy."

"Right now, I donât care what you think," Locke said. "If he wants to save Terra so bad, he can trust us with some info. You see him doing that?"

"You never know, Cole, he may be doing just that in his own way."

Locke let out an exasperated breath. "Yeah. Yeah, I know. It just pisses me off to know that he doesnât trust us after all weâve been through."

"For someone like Shadow, trust is a hard thing to earn. Or give." Setzer paused and squinted in the distance. "What the---"

Locke looked up and followed Setzerâs gaze. An eerie glow of gloomy purple radiated from one of the houses. "That's not good. Itâs the same light that was in Zozo."

"Did you notice it here before?"

Locke shook his head. "No. No, I didnât. Do you think it could have been here when... you know. When Terra said the guy wasnât here? Do you think that same light had something to do with this mind-control Shadow was talking about?"

Setzer nodded slowly. "I think it does. Coincidences such as this just donât happen. Not to me."

They entered Jidoor at the back and caught sight of Shadow gesturing to them from behind another small shack similar to the one outside the city. They rushed over to him and skidded to a halt at the smiling faces that greeted them.

"Sabin! Celes!" Lockeâs face broke out in a grin. "What are you doing here?"

"We came to help." Sabin stated the obvious in his usual get-down-to-business way and gestured to Celes. "She got your note and had some pretty good ideas of what to do."

"Locke," Celes said carefully. "Locke, Terra's kids are still at home."

"Yeah, so Shadow just told us," Locke said somberly. "And when we saw the purple light outside· Well, we think we know why Terra was so sure this wasn't the place now. Someone put the thought in her head."

"Just like the thought about her kids being missing?" Sabin asked the question with a nod. "It makes sense. We don't really know what they did to her while she was with the Empire."

"Well·" Celes dropped her eyes. "I have an idea."

Setzer smirked. "Why does this not surprise me?"

Celes stepped forward suddenly and pulled Locke aside as Sabin went into further details of how the duo had tracked them to Jidoor.

"Locke, donât leave me behind when something like this comes up. Okay? Iâm anything but a helpless woman, and I think I deserve to be included. Besides, Terra is my friend too."

Locke flushed with embarrassment and glanced over his shoulder to see if the others were hearing their conversation. "Sorry, princess. I lost my head."

Celes smiled and caressed his cheek. "Iâm not mad. I was a little annoyed, but the fact you sent me a note helped me get over that fast enough. You never thought youâd be doing that, I bet."

"Doing what?"

"Checking in with the Îmissesâ before running off on some glorious adventure."

Locke chuckled and planted a kiss on her upturned lips before grabbing her hand and leading her back to the group. "Hey, you're not the old battle-axe yet. Besides, thereâs nothing wrong with that. And the benefits are worth the change."

It was Celesâ turn to flush and she smacked him upside the head. "Not in front of everyone, Locke."

Setzer chuckled and shook his head. "Now that the lovers are reunited, can we get back to the business at hand?"

Shadow knelt and sketched a rough outline of the city of Jidoor, as well as the shack positioned on the outside of the city. "The lines from this shack run to this house here." He drew an Îxâ on a square that represented the building across from them and then placed his palm on the shack they were using as cover. "This shack holds a power source, as well as the connecting lines from an additional power source in the shack outside Jidoor to Ledoâs house there." Shadow gestured to the same house.

"Power source," Sabin repeated. "What power source? Like in Narshe?"

"No. Not steam," Shado