The Mystic's Farewell The Mystic's Farewell
Schala
Far away, she saw through her window the now-useless battle of the undead.
She shut her eyes against the scene below.
Shaking her head, she realized that she HAD become just a little too dark during her time away...
"Little"? Hah!
The darkness had penetrated every fiber of her being...It had always been there, it had just needed a catalyst to bring it out. She'd always known she had it in her, but had simply masked it with a facade of cheerfulness.
Everyone hid their darker sides, but sometimes the dark overwhelmed the light.
She turned away from the window. It had been too soon for her to interfere...for interfere was what she had done. And now she had screwed up royally.
Knowledge should not be revealed too early. Incomplete knowledge was dangerous as well. And that was what she had: incomplete knowledge.
What made her think she could have done something about it so soon after her return? Had she not pledged to abstain until she understood?
But now it was too late. What she had done, was done, and she could not take it back.
But she could prevent further interferences.
She gestured, and the window slammed shut. The pale moon, the
twinkling stars, and the breaking dawn were all shut out.
Isolation is one of the worst punishments...
But it was the only punishment she was fit for.
She sat down in her chair. She closed her eyes. She concentrated.
In the world below, the trees gently swayed with the force of her message.
If anyone understood it...they would know it consisted of merely one word.
"Farewell..."
Jaana
"Schala."
Schala opened her eyes. In front of her stood the transparent figure of a dragoon.
"Jaana?"
"Schala, what do you think you're doing?" The figure became a bit more solid.
"Jaana, what are you doing here?"
"I'm coming to tell you that you're not going to get out of this that easily."
"I can't participate in this."
"You don't have any choice. They won't let you out now."
"Who?"
"You know who........they simply won't allow it."
Schala stood up and crossed to the window. She drew the shades closed.
"How did you get here, Jaana?"
"Good question....." She looked down at her hands. "Hey! I'm
see-through!!"
"You must be a projection."
"All I know is that one minute I was sitting in my tent, the next,
they're telling me I have to come talk to you. Schala, we need you out
there. You can't just sit here and punish yourself."
"I don't have the knowledge I need.....I don't *understand*"
"Understanding will come. First, you must act........"
His Dark Lordship
"And ye must do it like 'twas your last.."
The two turn to the source of the voice, and it is the Dark Lord.
"'Tis been a little while, Jaana." he growls "If I were you I'd keep that Sephiroth bound so he quits getting into trouble." he turns to Schala. "M'lady, I wilt agree not getting involved might be a smart move. I assume ye hast heard from me that the gods have chosen the moogles as the winner of this war already. With the sudden appearance of the mystics and my friends, the Reptites, they are reconsidering, but I can assure ye that man isn't among their choices." he shakes his head. "HOWEVER, the fact remains that you have the chance to fight for your people. That, among itself, is an honor. Why else would every moogle leave his farm to kill and maime other people. 'tis a feeling of duty. Perhaps, with valiant efforts, ye canst turn their choice, but 'tis unlikely. The best advice I can offer is to fight for your people, to be remembered in sagas for the centuries that shalt follow."
"How'd you get in here?" asks Schala.
"Living on a higher plane of existence has its benefits." he shook his head. "My people's customs make it dishonorable for one to refuse a challenge that is within his power and morals. A warrior can't refuse a challenge for a duel, but he can refuse a challenge to kill his children. 'tis a very complex system that hast been built upon for generations." he stepped forward. "I challenge you to fight for your people. This challenge is within thy power, but perhaps not thy morals. But will ye accept?"