Chapter Six

The Rogue's Dagger teetered unsteadily, tired engines hissing and moaning as Blank set her down outside the Black Mage Forest. Blank sighed with relief.

'Well, Cid's gonna be pissed…' he thought, chuckling to himself. They had pushed her hard, and he wondered if she'd even be able to make it back to the Mist Continent for repairs. Burmecia was closest, and although the City of Eternal Rain had come a long way since its destruction, he knew Cid would prefer to work on the ship himself.

Freya and Steiner were already working to unload the capsule when Blank exited the bridge. Meanwhile, Sumaru searched the floor, carefully collecting the pieces of Soulstone that had been dislodged and scattered during their escape from Terra. He watched them absently for a moment, until Steiner, walking backwards, lost his grip just long enough to drop the capsule on his toes. The metallic thud resounded through the room and Blank stifled a laugh as he moved to help the two Knights. They had just made it outside the ship when Dagger and Mikoto caught up to them.

"How are the engines?" Blank asked; exhaustion hung in his voice, thick and grimy like the pine sap that perfumed the balmy air. "Think she can make it back to Lindblum?" Dagger pursed her lips.

"I'm not sure, to be honest," she admitted. "They might make it to Alexandria, but I don't know about Lindblum."

"Damn. Well, Cid's gonna be pissed," the redhead joked half-heartedly. "Pretty sure he gave me specific instructions about not breaking his ship."

"I think he'll take it okay," Dagger assured, recalling the letter she had written back at the water shrine. "I was going to write to him again anyway; I'll see if he can send someone to fix the ship."

They continued in relative silence as they continued to the Black Mage Village. Dagger heard Eiko's voice nearby, chattering away about something-or-other. A tired-looking Genome rounded the corner from the Chocobo barn, and moments later, a familiar shock of violet hair came into view.

"Dagger!" she squeaked, abandoning the Genome she'd been pestering before as she charged towards the group. "You're back! What's all this stuff?"

"This technology is from Bran Bal," Mikoto interjected quickly. "It was used for the vessels back on Terra. I am hopeful that, with some slight modifications, we can use this to help Zidane. Draven, can you take these to my cabin?" she added, passing him the panels she had removed from the lab.

"What about this?" Blank asked, gesturing to the capsule. Bright sea-blue eyes cut to Dagger, and the queen hesitated.

"Mikoto, will that be okay to stay here for a bit? I think we could all use a break, and a bite to eat," she offered finally.

"Of course," Mikoto replied gratefully. "Why don't you all go ahead to the mess hall? I will catch up shortly. Sumaru, I can take those," she added. Sumaru gladly passed the armload of small, shimmering shards to the Genome and followed the group towards the end. Eiko stopped suddenly, noticing that Dagger had not moved.

"Dagger? You coming?" she asked.

"I'll catch up in a minute, Eiko, okay?" Dagger returned, offering her a small smile. Large emerald-green eyes blinked as the summoner tilted her head, studying the queen for a moment.

"Okay! But don't take too long, okay?" she responded cheerfully. Dagger gave her a small nod, and Eiko headed off. When she was sure none of the others were coming back, she turned her attention to the Genome.

"Thank you," Mikoto blurted, before the queen could speak. Dark eyes blinked, taken aback by the words. Neither seemed sure of what to say next. Raven locks tickled her cheeks as a cool breeze blew from the southeast, tousling them gingerly as it danced between the long grass and tree leaves. A thick, fluffy cloud blocked the late afternoon sun as it wafted idly across the sky. Ears caught the soft cooing of doves, and Dagger spotted the pair in a tree nearby. She watched them for a moment before they took flight, leaving behind only the whisper of fluttering wings and the memory of that day in Lindblum, when Zidane had heard her singing…

"Did you want to go see Zidane?" the Genome asked softly, as if reading the queen's mind. Dagger considered her for a moment. She smiled softly, the memory still warm in her heart, and shook her head.

"He's there, isn't he?" she queried absently. "At your cabin?" Mikoto didn't respond. "Can…can I see him?" She turned to the Genome; brilliant sapphires studied her carefully.

"…May I ask why?" Mikoto countered. Orbs of rich smoky quartz wavered as the queen looked away.

"…I don't know," she admitted finally. The Genome watched her cautiously, brushing a dark blonde lock away from her eyes. She sighed.

"Come with me," she said, the words quiet and taut, as though she had pried them from her throat. Without pause, she headed off, footsteps echoing hollowly against the old wooden walkway. Dagger followed her wordlessly until they reached a house near the back of the village. Mikoto hesitated.

"Just…just prepare yourself…" she said, the words barely a whisper, and Dagger thought she saw the Genome's hand quiver as she turned the doorknob. The room was small and lit dimly by the afternoon sun. The furnishings were standard of what Dagger had seen in other homes in the village. In a corner near the door, a small hand-crafted table sat against the wall. A woven rug covered a large area of the floor in green and brown – no doubt something made by the dwarves in Conde Petie. A wooden nightstand, topped with a single burning candle, stood beside a cot in the back of the room –

Breath caught in her throat, and Dagger froze. The formidable Genome who had once been her enemy now lay still across the cot. But where Zidane had appeared to be peacefully sleeping, Kuja looked more like a corpse that had been placed in a coffin. Eyes cut across the room; Mikoto stood by the table in the corner and seemed to be studying the shards of Soulstone they had collected from Bran Bal. Her gaze shifted back to Kuja and she could feel herself shaking as she stepped closer. Silver hair was draped across the pillow, framing elegant features set in porcelain. Purple-black stained his ashen skin like ink blotches on parchment, and a large gash on the side of his forehead had been stitched together. Some of his armor had been removed, and she could see another bruise spilled across the curve of his neck and shoulder.

"His body is in stasis," Mikoto reminded her quietly, a weariness that Dagger had not noticed before now laced in her words. Dark eyes met cool blue, and she could see the defeat in the Genome's eyes just as clearly as she had heard it in her voice. "Which means his body isn't able to heal itself." Dagger was quiet, gaze drifting back to the frail, battered form of Kuja.

"Mikoto…I…" the queen stammered, unable to grasp the words. "…I'm sorry."

"Your friends will be missing you – we should get going," the Genome replied, not meeting Dagger's gaze before turning to the door.

"We have to tell them," Dagger said, and Mikoto stopped in her tracks. She sensed the blonde was trying to muster an argument against it, and she sighed.

"No, we don't," she countered.

"Mikoto – they'll find out eventually," she pointed out. "We might as well tell them now, so that – "

"So that what?" Mikoto snapped, turning on heel. "Kuja wasn't exactly someone that your friends cared about. Kuja has done a lot of bad things, Dagger, and made a lot of enemies in the process – you of all people should understand that!" Bright eyes burned as they stared the queen down. "What if they find out and they want him dead – did you ever think of that?!" Dark chocolate-brown eyes were locked with hers, wide with surprise, and she suddenly realized she had been shouting. Heat bit at the corner of her eyes and she looked away, gaze settling on the unmoving form of her eldest brother. "I have to keep him safe," she said, almost a whisper.

"None of them are going to feel that way," Dagger assured, knowing perfectly well that the statement was quite possibly not true. "At the end of the day…none of us would have made it out alive that day if it hadn't been for Kuja. Everyone makes mistakes –"

"'Mistakes?'" Mikoto scoffed. "I'm not sure that quite covers it." Well, Dagger had to give her that one.

"I won't disagree with you on that," she admitted. "But…we still need to tell them. Don't worry," the queen added before Mikoto could protest. "I'll protect him, too. I'll summon Bahamut if I have to." Both of them laughed.

"…Okay," the Genome finally agreed.

*~*~*0*~*~*

"Geez, do we need to send a search party after them?" Eiko whined, rocking in the rickety wooden chair. She folded her arms and slouched back, eyes flickering up to the door.

"Perhaps we should check in on them, just to be sure they're both alright?" Freya suggested, taking another glimpse out the window.

"Maybe Dagger just wanted some time to visit with Zidane," Sumaru offered quietly.

"Master Sumaru may be correct," Steiner offered, pacing around the inn. "But I can't imagine that Dagger would not have shared that. Perhaps I shall check the mess hall for her?"

"She's going through a lot," Freya finally said. She turned, studying the loyal captain, before shaking her head. "Both of them are. Perhaps they just needed some time alone." That same feeling had swallowed her the moment she saw Fratley alive, and had eaten away at her for weeks after Cleyra's demise. It wasn't until months after they both returned home that it had finally begun to subside.

"I guess so, but I wanted to talk to her!" Eiko protested, tearing the Dragon Knight from her thoughts. The young summoner heaved an exaggerated sigh as she settled back to her chair.

"You're awfully quiet," Freya said, and all eyes turned to the redhead, leaning against the wall near the door and clearly lost among his own thoughts. A moment later he startled, realizing that the Burmecian had been addressing him.

"Huh? Oh, sorry," Blank muttered, shifting his weight. "Maybe they're just off doing, you know, girl talk or something, I dunno," he said with a shrug. "Either way – it's not like we're in the slums of Treno or something – I think they'll be fine."

"Do you think something happened with Zidane?" Steiner asked, still pacing.

"I've been keeping a close eye on him," the summoner replied. "I was just leaving from there when you guys got here, and he was fine then." The Dragon Knight peered back to the redhead and their eyes locked for a moment as she read him; he knew something, she realized – something the rest of them didn't… A creaky board and footstep tore her attention away, and she glanced over her shoulder to the window.

"They're here," she announced, and a moment later, the door opened.

"Well it's about time!" Eiko said, not bothering to hide her impatience as she leapt down from her chair, hands resting sassily on her hip. "Where were you?"

"Sorry, Eiko," Dagger offered.

"Do you want anything to eat?" Freya asked, standing to retrieve the covered plate of food from a nearby counter. Dagger shook her head, taking the chair that Eiko had left vacant.

"You really should try to eat, Dagger," Steiner implored. "You need to keep your strength up." She smiled; the Captain sometimes still forgot she wasn't a helpless little girl anymore. Nonetheless, she accepted the plate. Freya looked to Mikoto, offering her a plate.

"I'm fine, thank you," she mumbled. "I'm actually not feeling well; I think I'll go rest for a while." The Genome exited abruptly without waiting for a response.

"So what were you two up to, anyway?" Eiko inquired, feigning nonchalance.

"Hey Dagger, did you get that letter off to Cid?" Blank piped up suddenly. She blinked, taken aback by the quick change in subject – but nonetheless grateful.

"Oh, no…I forgot," she admitted, taking a bite of bread. "I'll do that now."

"Good," he replied, ignoring the emerald gaze that ogled him with contempt from beneath a frame of violet hair. "Cause if we need to take another field trip, we'll be screwed if the ship isn't fixed. See if he can send Zebolt – aside from the regent himself, he's the best at repairs." The queen nodded as she stood, approaching the innkeeper behind the counter. "Leave her be," he muttered, cutting his attention to the young summoner. "She's had a rough day – she doesn't need you pestering her."

"'Pestering?!'" she repeated, outraged.

"Just back off for a while...sheeze." The redhead didn't wait for another childish response, instead quickly slipping out the door. Awestruck, the violet-haired summoner glanced towards Freya and back to the door, mouth still ajar with blasphemy.

"…He's right," the Burmecian said. "It's been an emotional few days for Dagger…perhaps we should allow her time to process." Eiko stammered a protest, but Freya interrupted, "…She'll talk to us when she's ready."

*~*~*0*~*~*

Nearly a week had passed since their return from Terra, and Mikoto had holed up in her cabin attempting to get the technology salvaged from Bran Bal operative. Blank had kept busy helping Zebolt with the repairs, giving him ample opportunity to avoid the knowing gazes of the Dragon Knight; while he was sure Freya didn't know what he was hiding, he knew that she was aware that he was hiding something. But it wasn't his business – Dagger needed to be the one to tell them that the formidable Genome still lived.

…She just didn't know how to tell them.

Dagger had not expected the regent himself to venture to the Outer Continent, and yet somehow the queen wasn't surprised. After all, she knew well that her uncle preferred to oversee repairs to his ships, and while he may have made exception with the Red Rose in the past, it was hard to imagine him passing up the opportunity to dote over Eiko. Still, she had been avoiding him, too, for the most part, knowing well that he could see right through her calm faade; and if he asked her what was wrong…

Instead, Dagger had been doing her best to help Mikoto set up the technology. While she knew that the Genome resented her help, she couldn't sit idly at his bedside anymore, talking, consoling…crying… She knew only Kuja could help the blond rogue now, and so, she would help Kuja – if that's what it took… Dagger sighed, shifting on the bank of the creek. Fingers brushed away a stray lock before curling once again into the tufts of grass on the hill.

…She had to tell them. Today. But…how…?

"Cid says the repairs shouldn't take much longer." Dagger startled from her thoughts, eyes finding the redhead as he leaned over the nearby bridge. "He's sent Zebolt to Conde Petie for some parts. How's it going with Mikoto?"

"…You really think the dwarves will have parts for a Lindblum airship?"

"If we can find something that will rig it for now, we should be good to get back to Lindblum for final repairs. The mages have a forge, so we can make it fit," he said. Leaves shuddered in the afternoon breeze as it drifted lazily across them. "…You didn't answer me," he added, knowing well that the queen had attempted to dodge his question.

"Great," she answered tersely. Blank shifted his weight and the bridge gave a soft whine; she bit back a snide remark about her contempt for the Genome and what they were doing, instead shaking her head. "She's confident it'll be operational today."

"…So…?"

"How am I supposed to tell them, Blank?" she asked, voice quivering with desperation…with defeat. She could feel his gaze boring into her, but she couldn't bring herself to meet it. Instead, she let her focus fall to the gentle trickle of the stream, flowing in ripples over smooth stones like fabric in the breeze. In the distance, she could make out the quiet "kweh" as Bobby Corwin greeted his caregiver. So distant…like the underground factory in Dali – almost unnoticeable at first. That was when she had first learned of the black mages, of her own mother's darkness… Everything…had changed… Finally, she let her gaze travel to his, a dark eye barely visible beneath the leather headband and a tuft of red.

"…I don't know…" he responded finally. Wide eyes beseeched him, and he shook his head. "I know I'm not a fan of the idea…but I get it. At least…I get where she's coming from," he shrugged, "but I can't say that everyone else will."

"I know…" Her mind drifted again, imagining their reaction: jaws dropping before quickly demanding his blood. "I know I have to tell them today…before she gets it working. I just…I haven't figured out how to."

"…Have you thought about telling Cid?" he asked and she laughed coarsely.

"He'd be no better than the others." She leaned up, folding her legs in grass. Absently, she flicked a baby ooglop from her pants.

"But he's your uncle right?" he countered; not biologically, but still… "Maybe he would, coming from you. After all, you fought to save your mother, and she attacked his home." The redhead had a point. "Anyway, I just wanted to check in."

"…Thank you, Blank…truly, I appreciate it," she said, giving him a weak smile and nod – something to lead the redhead to feel accomplished, though all she felt was like vomiting. He returned the gesture and she sighed…maybe he was right…maybe Cid would understand. Vaguely, she heard the redhead's footsteps as he headed back towards the mess hall, likely to grab some food before the engineer returned.

Now was as good a time as any…

With a frustrated huff, she pushed herself up from the bank, and followed the path to the edge of the village. Hesitantly, she glanced back over her shoulder, making out the roof of the Chocobo shack over the hill… She sighed, and before she could convince herself otherwise, she turned abruptly and followed the path to the edge of the forest. As the trees thinned and daylight peeked through the canopy, she could make out the tiny clinks of fingers tinkering with metal, and the grunts of the hard-working regent as he piddled with parts until Zebolt's return. She smiled to herself as he swore quietly under his breath, though audible like a whisper among tree branches. Suddenly aware of the approaching presence, the regent turned, a smile unfurling beneath his moustache, before going back to his work.

"I thought you were Blank," he admitted, busying himself.

"He's at the inn, getting some food," she replied. "He sounded like you've been keeping him incredibly busy."

"That boy is wasted as a thief," the regent said tersely. "Quick hands, quicker wit…I've been trying for a year to get him to come on permanently, as Zebolt's apprentice."

"He doesn't want to?"

"Bah, he feels he 'owes it to Baku' to stick around." He shook his head and sighed. "I think he just doesn't know his own potential – he could become a highly-skilled engineer. He's been working with me on a few projects here and there…"

"I could tell." She smiled, leaning against a nearby tree, still keeping her distance.

"Though, he did a number on my ship…"

"Actually…that was me…sorry…" her voice trailed, and she gave a sheepish grin as eyes considered her. Finally, the regent went back to his piddling, shaking his head silently; for a moment, the silence lingered over them – awkward, tense, and reluctant. Finally, Cid wiped sweat from his brow, and turned to the queen.

"So…have you finally decided to stop avoiding me?" Taken off guard, wide eyes stared at the regent a moment too long, and a coy grin twitched beneath a furl of silver. "You didn't think I'd noticed?"

"Uncle Cid…" When the regent made no response, she sighed, allowing herself to slide down the tree until she sat on shaded earth. "…I had hoped you wouldn't. It's just…I don't even know where to begin."

"Is it about Zidane?"

"…Sort of," she answered. When she didn't continue, the regent sighed, and approached her, finally sitting beside her.

"None of this is 'easy,' Dagger," he said finally.

"…I'm afraid you'll be angry with me," she admitted quietly, not allowing her gaze to betray her, and instead studying the tufts of wild grass laced between barren earth. Busying himself, he slid off his greasy gloves, and brushed a sleeve across his face.

"I promise to keep a level head."

"That's not something you're known for." She laughed quietly, and Cid amusedly considered the queen's quip.

"I promise to try to keep a level head," he chuckled. Finally, she let her eyes meet his, soft and dark, the same gaze that comforted her at her father's funeral – what seemed a lifetime ago. A finger gingerly brushed a lock of hair, and she smiled at the paternal gesture.

"…I need to tell you something…everyone, really," she admitted finally, letting her gaze fall back to the ground. She knew this would be difficult, and she could only imagine the regent's soft expression contorting with anger as he demanded the Genome's blood. "When we went to Terra…I found out something from Mikoto, and I just…I don't think they'll understand." She paused, and while part of her wished her uncle would encourage her to continue, she appreciated his patience as she gathered herself. "When she found them in the Iifa Tree, she thought he was unconscious. While Kuja had managed to shield them from the impact of the roots, he was incredibly weak, and Zidane had been injured by the tree." Dagger stole a glance to her uncle, whose eyes studied her with vigorous intensity, though he bit back any impatience.

"Zidane…he isn't just unconscious," she sighed. "Mikoto believes he was – accidently – placed under an incredibly powerful spell when Kuja realized he was injured." Dagger swallowed; she knew the silence was dragging on too long this time, and her uncle was nearly ready to cave to his exasperation. "She thinks that…only…only Kuja can reverse it." Burly eyebrows furrowed as he considered the queen, and her gaze met his, hoping she wouldn't have to say it. His expression shifted, and she knew he understood.

"Kuja is alive?!" he demanded, and she could hear the outrage trembling in his voice. "That menace – he's here?!"

"Uncle, please…let me explain!" she interrupted. He bit back his response, holding his breath to prevent it from escaping – though the anger and contempt showed through on every inch of his expression. "You said you would try to keep a level head," she reminded him. Finally he exhaled, no doubt beginning to feel lightheaded from his pent-up response. "He isn't…exactly alive. He's…in a stasis – frozen in time…until Mikoto can extend his life. If she reverses it now…he'll die.

"I don't know how much you know…" she continued, realizing that he hadn't been there when Zidane had explained to everyone why he had to return for the silver-haired Genome. "Kuja wanted to destroy everything after he learned that his life was limited. He felt he couldn't allow the world to continue without him. And despite everything…Zidane said he had to save him. Because…if not for Kuja…Zidane would have been the one to see to Gaia's demise. After everything that Kuja did to me…my homeland, my mother, my kingdom…I…I don't want him back – I'm afraid it's a mistake. But…he is still Mikoto's brother…and…Zidane risked everything to save him…" She hesitated; now she understood. "…I have to honor Zidane's wishes…" Cid's gaze fell, studying his dust and grease covered clothes, scuffed boots, and the ground beneath them.

"…And, if she is right, and he is the only one who can wake Zidane…" Dagger's heart leapt and her eyes studied the regent's worn and uncertain features, dark eyes that desperately clung to reason. "…Then it is what must be done."

"Uncle…!" she breathed, and with her exhale fled her anxiety, her doubt.

"Come what may, we'll deal with the consequences as they come." Unable to contain herself, she lunged towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck, sobbing into his shoulder. Strong arms embraced her, a gentle hand touched her head paternally, and the regent smiled. "…There is one thing." Teary eyes glanced back up to his, and their gazes met.

"…I know. I have to tell the others."

*~*~*0*~*~*

A bright blue light engulfed her vision as she opened the door to the shack, and the queen shielded her eyes. Mikoto whirled, pale skin washed cerulean in the light, and vivid eyes met hers.

"…It's operational?" Dagger queried, and panic settled over her.

"Yes!" she replied with excitement that the queen hadn't realized a Genome could muster. "I've almost finished the calibrations – it should be ready soon." Dagger's chest felt heavy and her whole body seemed to go numb; it was only a matter of time. "What is it?" the blonde added as crystal eyes absorbed the shocked expression. Quickly, Dagger blinked away her alarm, shaking her head.

"I just…I…" her voice trailed, and Mikoto frowned.

"…You didn't tell them?" she inferred; guilty eyes beseeched the Genome, and Mikoto shook her head. "You're the one that was so adamant about telling them in the first place. Why…?"

"I haven't figured out how to," the queen answered quickly. "I promised you that I would protect him…I was afraid…maybe they wouldn't understand."

"…Then why tell them at all?"

"After everything that happened, everything we went through together…" Dagger fell quiet for a spell, letting her eyes drift down to her fingers as she picked at a loose thread in the seam of her glove. "I can't lie to them. Kuja took Freya's home, targeted me – my mother, and nearly destroyed Steiner's kingdom. He tried to steal Eiko's Eidolons the way he stole mine…" Dark eyes met bold blue, somehow brighter in the eerie glow, and she sighed. "This isn't about him trying to destroy the world…its personal – for all of us. They deserve to know." The Genome looked away, busying herself with the control panels; a shrill sound briefly reached her ears, and the light dimmed just slightly as she calibrated the technology.

"…You're telling them now…?"

"…Uncle Cid is getting everyone to the inn," she confirmed. "…I wanted…to see if you wanted to come with me…" Eyes, alive with the blue light of Terra, struck her as the Genome considered the request, finally falling to the fragile form resting lifelessly on the cot. "I told you…I will protect him."

"…Fine…" she agreed reluctantly. Floorboards creaked as Mikoto approached her and the hinges gave a small shriek as she closed the door behind them. The Genome hesitated, eyes lingering on the door, but wordlessly following the queen across the path and towards the inn. When the door opened, the mage behind the desk gave a small nod to Mikoto, who returned the gesture as he excused himself.

"Dagger!" Eiko beamed. "Where've you been?"

"…Helping Mikoto," she answered. "I…have something I must tell you – all of you." Her eyes flickered to the regent, who offered a small gesture of encouragement. "I know this will be a shock, and…it isn't what any of us wants to hear, but…please…just hear me out." Silence settled over them, only broken by the crackle of fire from the wood-wicked candles and the chorus of crickets and cicadas from the forest beyond the window. Green eyes struck the rogue as Freya caught Blank's eye, but he pointedly avoided her gaze, instead focusing on the brunette as she cleared her throat.

"There's…no easy way to say this," she admitted as gazes anxiously bore into her. "The technology we salvaged from Terra wasn't just to save Zidane." She glanced at the nearby Genome, and sighed. "…It was also to save Kuja."

"WHAT?!" The group gasped all at once; Freya and Steiner both stood, anger and outrage pouring over their expressions, and Eiko gave a small shriek that Dagger wasn't quite was fearful or fury.

"Please – hear me out!" Dagger pleaded over them; her gaze found the regent and silently implored his support.

"You can't be serious!" Freya exclaimed. "Have you forgotten so easily everything he destroyed – the pain he's caused?!"

"Please, listen to what –" the regent attempted, but he was cut short.

"Agreed! We cannot allow that menace to return!" Steiner piped up, shaking his fist eagerly.

"Dagger, what the heck are you thinking?!" Eiko begged her. "Did you forget –"

"Just shut up and listen!" Blank yelled over them. Suddenly, silence fell over the group and all eyes fell on the redhead. "After everything this guy did to Dagger, personally, do you really think she'd let this happen without a good reason?" Eyes glanced at one another, considering the suggestion. "Sheeze, just give her the chance to explain." Finally, all eyes fell to the queen, and she swallowed dryly.

"When Zidane returned to the Iifa Tree, he wanted to try to save him. He told us that, he didn't know why he had to…he just knew it was something he needed to do. And so, we left him to do what he felt was right. We trusted him to do what was right." Dagger looked to Mikoto, the Genome's features unreadable in the dim lighting of the inn. "When Mikoto found them, she thought Zidane was just unconscious. He was partially petrified, and she had to use a Supersoft to cure him. Kuja…had saved him…or at least, he had tried to. She believes that Kuja unintentionally put Zidane under some sort spell while trying to save him."

"Can't the spell be reversed?" Freya asked.

"I've tried every remedy available to me," Mikoto answered quietly. "…I believe that Kuja may be the only one who can reverse the spell."

"He can't be trusted, Mikoto – surely you realize this," the Dragon Knight replied.

"After all, it was Kuja who destroyed your home, and had intended to let the Genomes perish as well!" Steiner agreed.

"We need to let go of the past," Dagger argued. "Zidane taught me…sometimes…we have to let go of the past."

"But Dagger…!" Eiko squeaked in protest. "He stole your Eidolons and destroyed Alexandria! And he destroyed Madain Sari!"

"…I know, Eiko," she said. "But…this may be the only way to save Zidane." Freya and Steiner looked to each other, gazes silently considering the statement, and she could see them fighting for a counterargument. Finally, their gazes settled upon the determined queen.

"My queen…" Steiner began. "It is my sworn duty to protect you. I shall honor your wishes."

"Dagger…I trusted Zidane with my life," Freya said finally. "…as do I trust you. If this is what you believe is best…I will stand behind you."

"…If it's for Zidane…" the violet-hair adolescent trailed quietly, her eyes unable to meet those of the queen. Dagger exhaled quietly, suddenly relieved.

"…When?" Blank asked, and eyes settled over the Genome rather than the raven-haired queen.

"…The technology is operational," she answered. "I have almost finished the final calibrations. It will be ready tonight…but, it will take time for Kuja to recover and regain consciousness."

"So…Kuja wakes up and Zidane wakes up, or…?" the rogue's voice trailed, and the blonde shook her head.

"I do not know for sure," she replied quietly, and tension settled among them. "It could be that Kuja's waking will break whatever spell he cast…but, more than likely, Kuja will have to actively reverse the spell once he's recovered."

"…And you're sure this is the only way?" Freya inquired once more.

"…I am…" The Dragon Knight nodded, finally accepting the reality as she leaned against the nearby wall. "If you'll excuse me, I need to begin soon, before the Soulstone disperses." Mikoto crossed to the door, footsteps loud against the silent inn. Fingers reached for the scuffed brass knob, but she hesitated. "I…I want to thank you all," she added softly, turning once more to the group. "I know what is being asked of you is not easy. I know Kuja has damaged your lives in unimaginable ways, and that you resent him for what he has done. I do not blame you for resenting him, nor for denouncing his life. But…Kuja…we owe him a lot. Kuja defied the fate of the Genomes, and showed us that we were more than mere vessels. That our lives, too…have meaning." She sighed quietly, blinking back the salty heat that nipped at her eyes. "We are still learning what it means to live…and I want Kuja to have that chance, too." Quietly, the blonde turned, letting herself out into the crisp summer night.