"What's wrong?" Xyo asked, with a look of concern. Merine shook her head. She couldn't speak; the shock was too great. Instead she pointed to her front, and somehow managed to stutter, "S...s...soldiers."

Xyo was surprised, to say the least. At both the soldiers and Merine. She had no idea that Merine was so afraid of soldiers. She knew that she was in Kohligen when it had been invaded, but that was it. What could they have done to her to make her like this? "Our whole trip - useless! All for nothing!" Merine wailed, having regained her voice.

"Not completely useless. We can still go to some other town. But let's stay at an inn for tonight."

"But we have no money!" Xyo pointed at her ears. "No! Not my earrings! They're the only things I have left of Sascha..." The earrings had been a birthday present from Sascha, and Merine had worn then for the past three years. But even as she said no, a shaky hand took off one earring. "Maybe that'll be enough," she said sadly.

*****************

"600 GP apiece."

Wanting to get the most out of it, Merine said, "These were given to me by Sascha herself."

"Who's Sascha?" the marchant asked.

Merine was aghast. "How about Afkek?" He shook his head no. "Then whose soldiers are these?" she asked, exasperated.

"Why, they're Edgar's." It was his turn to sound surprised.

"Edgar? King of Figaro? But isn't he meant to be..."

"A good man? Used to be. Don't know what made him go evil, but he is now." Merine felt sick to her stomach; she thought that Afkek had been lying when he said Figaro was an enemy. <About how much else is true?>

Xyo, never having heard of these people, was getting bored. Not to mention sleepy. "C'mon, let's go," she said impatiently.

The man gave Merine her 600 GP, and added, "If you want to know more current events, ask Banon. He's somewhere in this town."

Before Merine could ask more about this Banon, Xyo pulled her out of the store.

"Oh no! My face is unveiled!" Xyo frantically searched for her veil. Merine shook her head.

"No, no. Look at yourself in the mirror." Xyo ran to the bathroom while Merine waited patiently. Across Merine heard a shriek, and she smiled. A flushed Xyo came in. "You don't look dead anymore." Which was true. Xyo's face was still pale, but the color improvement was undeniable. Especially now that she was blushing. He hair hung dirtily from her scalp, but it wasn't as lifeless as it had been when it was clean.

"It must be the sleep. How good it is too sleep after all these years! It's not nearly enough, thou..." Xyo stopped when she saw Merine gaping at her. She quickly realized that she had let something slip.

"Years?"

"I'm... um... just exaggerating. Yeah, that's it." Xyo laughed nervously. "What was it that you wanted to do?" She asked, changing the subject. Merine was still giving her looks, but she answered Xyo's question.

"I want to meet Banon. The guy I sold my earring to mentioned him, remember? Anyways, I think he can help us even though Jidoor is *gulp* invaded." Merine looked away, to hide the tears swelling in her eyes. <Damn it, it's not my town. Why do I so care so much about it? Because you know how terrible an invasion is, Merine. You've seen it yourself.>

"Then let's go look for him."

**************

"Banon?" They had searched for him for nearly two hours straight, and finally find out that he was in the town bar.

"Yes?" This was the most comical person Merine had ever seen in her whole life. Even funnier then that clown that had been hired for her eighth birthday. Merine would've laughed at the man's star formed hair hadn't her reason to see him wasn't so serious. Taking a big breath, Merine recited the speech she had thought up the night before.

"I have some news you might find of interest." <Urgh. I sound as if I have some evil idea.> Merine awaited an answer, but all Banon did was watch her patiently, as if she was some child that had told him that the sky is falling. <But it might as well be.> "Kohlingen... Kohlingen has been taken over." Merine nearly choked on her words.

"Kohlingen? Are you sure? And by whom?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I was there, after all." Merine gritted her teeth. "It was by Afkek." Xyo poked Merine. "And by... by Sascha." she said to the floor, in a strangled voice.

"Tell me about it." Banon prodded gently. Biting her lip, she looked straight at him and burst into tears.

"It was horrible!" She wailed, shaking, remembering. "Not one person... not one person knew what was happening! They were all worshipping them! As if they had a favour to them by burning their houses, and building factories in their places! In their prayers before going to bed, I bet they thank God for 'leading' Afkek to them. My own family, raving lunatics! They watched our house burn down to ashes, and my father praises every move Afkek ever made. My little sister Rana would never go near Sascha when she was younger, and now she follows her with such faith. My mother, always boasting to her friends that her own daughter was best friends with Sascha."

"Friends? You were friends with her?"

"And I still am! She's under the same influence that Afkek put on all the other town people! I'll help her, no matter what she does!"

"How can you be so sure that she really is being put under control?"

"She has to be! She really is a good person! She always wanted to help protect the earth and it's citizens! She's my friend, and I'll never desert her!" Merine realized that she was screaming. "And I don't see you accusing all the townsfolk!"

"She has a stronger will than those people do and ever will. Anything she does would be her own choice. Look at you - you managed to escape the same fate all your other friends did."

"No! No! You're lying! I'll do everything and anything to save her! And no one's going to ever stop me, not even you!" Crying, Merine ran out of the bar.

"Sascha wasn't under mind control," Xyo said flatly. "I felt her conviction and ambition 20 miles out of the city."

Banon nodded. "You are an empath?"

Xyo shrugged. "So to speak."

He studied her for a moment and turned back to his wine. "'Tis hard time when so much evil in so many forms is loosed on the world."

Xyo said nothing and Banon chuckled to himself.

"At least, during the last war, the evil was one definite threat. Now, everyone wants a piece of this destroyed world. Many have nothing else to turn to for hope, guidance, or aspiration." Banon shook his head sadly. "The world needs someone or something to follow. Someone to unite the lost people and bring the world back together!"

Xyo glanced at her own water in doubt. "So we look for a leader? I thought you were the leader of the Returners."

Banon frowned. "I am old. They need someone who can lead them charging into battle."

Xyo snapped distastefully, "Ah, a dashing young man of incredible skill on a white stallion, wearing golden armor and slaying dragons..."

Banon laughed. "Not that extreme. But I don't think there is someone already prepared to lead an army and rally the people."

Xyo rubbed her temple thoughtfully. "He would need to be a peer. A working class citizen of a small town."

"Does it have to be male?" Banon murmured... he was staring at the wall behind Xyo, not really listening to her.

"A woman?" Xyo said scathingly.

Banon snapped back, "What was that red-headed girl's name again?"

"Merine."

"Ah, she is a strong girl."

She looked doubtfully at him and he nodded.

He continued, "Oh, yes. I think that once she has come to terms with her loss, she will be incredibly strong-willed. Her mind was strong enough to resist the mind control of Sascha..."

Xyo leaned forward, "Are you suggesting... her?" Her voice was beginning to rasp.

Banon shrugged. "A young country girl from a small farming town. Betrayed and battle worn. Would seem ideal, don't you think?"

Xyo stood up, "You've got to be crazy old one."

Banon sighed, "Don't tell her, but keep a close eye on her. I will watch her too... when she is ready, it will already be reality... mark my words!"

Xyo leaned on her staff, her eyes narrowing. "Why do you want me to watch her? Do you really like to go about asking shady strangers to watch after your hopes?"

"Let's say..." Banon turned to walk away. "I know a Dryad, too."

Then he walked out of the pub, leaving Xyo in a state of shock.

* * * * * * * *

When Xyo regained her senses she shuffled out into the sunlight and glanced around. She realized that Merine still had the money, so she had to find her in order to get their supplies. She figured that she had gone back to the inn and proceeded there.

No such luck. She sighed and pondered where a heartsick girl would go to mope. She grinned and proceeded to the docks.

* * * * * * * *

She found Merine sitting at the end of an empty pier. Her boots were off and she was dangling her feet in the water. She didn't even hear Xyo approach.

"I thought you were sick of fish," Xyo rasped briskly and Merine jumped.

"Huh?" Merine gasped. "Oh, yeah, I am, sort of. I was just wanting a quiet place to think."

"I need the money so I can buy us some supplies while you 'think'."

Merine nodded, still looking away from her,"Sascha is under mind control... right?"

Xyo sighed, "That is something you will have to decide for yourself. You know her the best, I have never met her..." Xyo stopped abruptly.

Merine didn't seem to notice. "Did you talk any more to Banon?"

Xyo opened her mouth and then paused. "No," she said flatly.

Merine sighed, and stood up and detached her pouch of gold coins. She handed it to Xyo,"You go, I need to be alone for a while longer. I'll be back at the inn by sunset."

Xyo took the bag and tucked it into her robe, saying nothing, she shuffled off the pier, leaning more heavily on her staff.

Merine sighed and turned back to her thinking.

***********************

"Look behind you! A monster!" Merine twirled. There really wasn't any monster behind her, but that was the point of pretend play. Merine whipped out the cardboard dagger she had so carefully made the other day. With a high yell, Merine sliced the air in front, as if she was cutting a slice of bread.

"There!" Her voice triumphant. Before she could, Sascha said it for her.

"Good shall always prevail over evil!"

***********************

"I don't like you hanging around with that Sascha."

"Oh, mother," Merine said, taking a bite in her apple.

"No, really. She's always so angry. She isn't a good example for you."

"There's Sascha! See ya!" Merine ran out of her house before her mother could say anything else.

"Hi, Sascha."

"Hi, Merine." Sascha glumly kicked a pebble in front of her.

"What's wrong, Sascha?"

"It's them." Merine knew what she meant when she said 'them'. She meant her parents, townspeople, the whole world. Except for Merine. "Again they were teasing me." It was amazing how Sascha had gained so many enemies over the past few years. Especially since she had been so popular when she was younger.

"Oh Sascha, you know they aren't your friends. What do they know, after all?" Merine was never teased, and never looked down upon for being friends with Sascha. Not that she was friends with them anymore; she had stopped playing with them as soon the first insult had been laid upon Sascha. Why they didn't tease her for her own great ambitions, she didn't know. As Locke said, Merine could probably get away with world domination.

"And I heard your mother talking with you right now. Why can't they understand how dull these stupid town is?" Sascha was near tears. "So what if I want to become more than Sascha DelAubre, daughter of an innkeeper?"

"It's their own problem if they can't think more than visiting the Opera House, Sascha. Always be you - that's the most important thing in the whole world.

"Even more important than friends?"

Merine thought about that. "No. Friends will always be there, and will help you be yourself. Without them, it's impossible to know who you are."

"Thanks, Merine. I'll always be your friend." Sascha said seriously.

"So will I, Sascha. God be my witness, I will never hurt you," she replied solemnly.

***********************

"Good-bye, Sascha, I'll miss you." Merine gave Sascha a fierce hug, tears in her eyes. "I'd go with you, but my family... they need me."

"Good-bye, Merine. I'll never forget you. You've helped me in more ways than I could ever imagine. I can never thank you enough."

"Be sure to visit me after you're become a famed adventurer." She was totally serious.

"I will. And Merine...?"

"Yes?"

"Here." Sascha jammed her a package into Merine's hands. She gave Merine one last long look. Waving, Sascha turned onto the dirt road leading to the world. Merine stood there, holding her tears, waving sadly. Once Sascha had disappeared around a corner, Merine looked at the package in her arms. Inside was a note, reading:

Merine,

I don't know where this adventure will lead me, but I'm hoping that it will show them what I really am. Through all these years, you've helped keep my sanity. And myself.

I know your birthday isn't until next week, but here's my present.

Merine. don't ever change.

Sascha DelAubre

Merine lifted the gold stud earrings out of the package. "Oh Sascha, don't die..." Losing her best and only friend for the past few years, Merine burst into tears.

***********************

"Who's the @&! that did this?" Swearing was something she rarely ever did, but when one's home is being burned, one tends to get mad. Her father returned, an upset look on his face. "Well?" Merine demanded impatiently.

"Sascha."

Her eyes wide, she shook her head frantically. "No, no! Sascha would never do this! Not to me! Not to Kohlingen! Not to the world!..." In her anger and grief, Merine fainted.

***********************

"Sascha... I still believe in you..." She said softly. "But I'll have to fight to see you again. I'll kill Afkek for what's he's done to you. But never, never will I hurt you. Never again."

Merine began to cry again.

Merine refused to sell the other earring. Xyo could understand her reasoning, though she had never really been in her place. It was painfully obvious that getting over this Sascha person would take some time. If anything, it would get worse before it gets better. Xyo grimaced as she lugged the stuff back to their room.

When she got there, there was a note on the small table. She dumped the goods on the bed and picked up the note. Her eyes grew wider as she read:

Xyo and Merine,

I know our meeting was a bit unsettling and abrupt. Please

accept the satchel and it's contents in good faith. I pray, that

you will come and join us underneath the city for a safer, and

cheaper rest.

-Banon

PS: A guide will come for you tonight if all goes well.

Xyo shook her head in amazement and picked up the satchel on the floor next to the table. She gasped as she fished out the short sword that lay within. It was a fine blade of mirrored steel and there was a tag tied to the hile. She looked at the tag and realized that this was for Merine. She tossed the sword onto Merine's bed and look into the bag again. She fished out a smaller pouch. Inside was a goodly amount of gold pieces, about 400. Which was good; they could buy a backpack or something.

The only other thing in the bag was non-descript ring made of pewter. It was smooth, she tried it on and it fit her index finger perfectly. Sighing, she sat down on her bed exhausted, she laid there and stared at the ceiling till Merine came back later that evening.

When Merine walked in, she immediately spied the blade. "What's this?"

Xyo didn't even look at her. "From Banon. He thinks you could use practice. He also left us some money, and he's invited us to their network underneath the city. We should be getting a knock on the door any moment now."

"It's a nice blade..." Merine said, almost in a daze. It was as if the reality of possibly using a weapon was beginning to hit her full force.

Xyo sat up and studied her with interest. Merine glanced up and glared at her. "What?"

Xyo shrugged. "Nothing... you seem... distressed."

Merine hurriedly placed the blade back on the bed and walked into the bathroom without a word.

A knock came from the door.

Xyo slid of the bed muttering irritably and called, "Who is it?"

"Dorat, sir, I believe Banon mentioned me?" A young mans voice called through the wood.

Xyo could sense the sincerity and opened the door and looked at the stripling of a boy standing there nervously fidgeting. "Come in for a moment, and help us gather our things."

Dorat hurriedly darted in and stood by the table awaiting instruction.

Xyo walked over to the bathroom and knocked on the door. "Hey, our guide is here. Time to get ready to go."

A quiet reply answered her. "I'll be a moment."

Sighing, Xyo turned toward Dorat and then gazed around the room.

"Help me get this stuff packed. I am too weak to do it myself."

Dorat nodded; he was obviously afraid of her. He began to put Xyo's earlier purchases into the sack. Xyo picked up the sword and slid the blade into its scabbard and left it on the bed.

"How difficult is the journey?"

Dorat, startled, looked up, "Uh, well, there might be some problems. There are wererats down there, though one usually never sees any."

Xyo nodded. She sat down and waited for Merine to come out of the bathroom. After a few minutes, she came slowly out, somewhat numb in expression, and went over to the sword. She picked it up and attached it to her belt. Merine looked at Xyo. "I'm ready."

Xyo nodded and stood up, absently checking that her veil was in place, she motioned to Dorat to lead on. The trio quietly left the inn and stole into the night.

* * * * * * * * *

The trip through the sewers was hardly uneventful. Dorat had underestimated the size of the rat infestation. It was all Xyo could do to knock the hungry rodents away with her staff. Dorat and Merine both used their swords and fought fairly well for ones who had little experience.

They reached the heavy metal doors that led to the hideout with an ample amount of wounds. Xyo was beginning to wonder if it was worth the effort. When they got inside Banon was there to greet and heal them.

Dorat left with their stuff, to be put in their new quarters, no doubt. Xyo sighed and sat down in a chair and placed her head in her hands. Merine sat down next to her and looked expectantly at Banon, "Thanks for inviting us," Merine said, "and thank you for the sword."

"I wish I could do more, but funds do not come by easily these days." Banon sighed. "After the defeat of Kefka, times have been tough and reconstruction has been slow enough without all of the attacks from various evil entities."

Merine nodded. "Things had almost been back to normal in Kohlingen before... before..." She choked back a sob and remained quiet.

Banon stood up, "I hope your stay here is uneventful, but there will be a meeting tomorrow that I would like you both to attend. We are going to discuss Kohlingen. Till then, sleep well, Dorat will show you to your quarters."

Xyo watched Banon until he had left and then turned towards Merine, "Are you going to sleep all right?" Xyo asked.

Merine nodded and stood up as Dorat entered the room. They followed him to a small room with a couple of sleeping bags on the floor. It was not as nice as the inn but it would do. Merine settled in and was the first to fall asleep. Xyo did not sleep at all; she just stared at the cavern ceiling waiting for tomorrow to come.

"Today's our big day."

Xyo looked a bit startled, having snapped out of her thoughts. "What big day?"

"We get to go to a meeting. Happy happy joy joy. Now are you getting out of bed or not?"

**************

The meeting was tedious. It was hot and muggy in the cavern, and being in a small room with too many people to fit in it didn't help. Merine had tried to pay attention, but lost interest as they conversed about how to gain money. The only money she had ever earned was by selling her earring. And she knew they wanted more than 600 GP.

"Two main threats..." <Ohhhh, this sounds better. Let's see what they have to say.> "One, we know, is Edgar. But the bigger threat seems to be Sascha and Afkek. If they do indeed have mind controlling powers, it will be hard to attack them."

"How would we fight them?" Complaints went around the table, that they didn't want to be mind controlled, that they were very happy as they were, thank you very much. Banon motioned for them to be quiet, and continued.

"There are those that can escape their powers..."

"But how will we know a person can?" Even more arguing.

"HUSH!" The table was silent as Merine glared down at all of them. "The lot of you make my ears hurt. I'm leaving." She turned around, and left the room impatiently. There were many curious glances at each other to see why the red-head girl would just leave like that. Eventually they ended up staring at Xyo, awaiting an answer.

"Ho boy..." she murmured. "Thanks a lot, Merine."

************

She had no idea why she was so mad. <They were trying to help, for God's sakes. What will they think of me now?> Walking quickly down the hall, <I thought... I thought that I could confront the truth. But what is the truth? I know that Sascha probably isn't under mind control, at least not like the villagers were. But what she's doing is so out of her character.

<Face the facts, Merine,> said a nasty, nasal voice in her mind. <Sascha's evil, and if you came in a hundred feet radius of her, you'd be her slave. Not because of her magic - but because you think she's God. You idiot, I can't believe you reside in this body. You make me sick.>

<Would I do that?> Merine asked herself. <Whom do I believe in? Am I as bad as Sascha?> Confused and angry, she kicked the wall. The pain was great, but it felt good. She kicked again, this time with more force. As she sat on the floor, holding each throbbing foot, she thought, <Always be you, Merine. Always be there for Sascha. Even if there is the risk of turning into her puppet.>

Limping somewhat, she walked back to the meeting room.

There was a murmur of approval. Xyo raised a hand and waved them back to silence, then continued, "I would surmise, since mass mind control is difficult to obtain while one's town is burning down to the ground, that it was magic."

"What?" The whole room erupted in questions.

"Magic? That powerful?"

"The espers are gone, right?"

"How could magic still be here?"

"But magic still does exist." The last voice was Banon.

The room noise died down again as Banon began to speak again. "Once the mind control is countered, the core of Sascha and Akfek's army supplies will be hindered and most of the controlled territories will be in upheaval."

"If the towns realize they have been controlled, they will turn to follow the one who freed them." That came from another Returner.

"Exactly," concluded Banon. He looked up and everyone turned to see Merine slowly walk back in and take her seat.

The Returners all began to talk. "So all we need to do is find out how to counteract the magical effects."

"But how do we find out what type of magic they are using?"

"We could send a spy in!"

The room hushed up and Banon looked around as if he was assessing each and every one of them. "A spy?" he asked himself. "Yes, yes, all good and well that we rush off and send a spy into the works." He looked up at his hushed followers irritably,"Is it once again time for such a sacrifice?"

They looked at each other. Banon harumphed. "Besides, what if anyone who gets close enough to find out such truths become brainwashed as well?"

Merine was at a loss; she bit her lip and mumbled something.

Banon looked up and saw a look of horror on Xyo's face. "What was that, Merine?"

Merine looked up. "What if you send in someone immune to the magic."

"I'll go!" said someone standing against the cavern wall.

Banon turned towards the young man as Merine gave a sigh of relief.

"Why you?" Banon inquired.

"I am from Zozo," the man said quietly. "The town has been taken. I was one of the few who were not mindless and ran."

Once again the group murmured in disbelief and Banon stood up. "Zozo too? This is most unfortunate. Are you sure you would be willing to go back there?"

The man bowed his head for a moment. " I - I need to, to help my family. It was a rough town, but it had its perks."

Banon nodded, "We will talk and make preparations then. What is your name?"

"Velron." he replied.

* * * * * * * *

Xyo walked with Merine back to their quarters. "Well? Now what? Do we wait here and rest?"

"I'm not sure, Xyo. I'm tired... yet I want to do something."

Xyo nodded. "I have a feeling that we will be shown direction quite soon."

Merine sighed and they entered their quarters.

"Why?"

"Oh, you know why. I escaped the mind control powers of Afkek and Sascha -" Merine managed to just cough at the mention of Sascha. "- just as well as he did."

"We can't send all of our spy possibilities all at once."

"But I could've gone this time."

"Are you feeling resentful tonight?"

"No, but -"

"Then why are you complaining so much?"

"Because I feel guilty. If he gets caught, he has no hope. But if I were, I could use being a friend of Sascha and maybe get out alive."

"Merine, you're probably considered a traitor right now. If anything, you'd be treated worse by the citizens."

"Maybe... maybe Sascha would let me live..."

"What are the chances of that happening? Merine, can't you understand that your friend no longer exists anymore? That in her place, a fiend feeds on misery and pain. And that fiend is NOT some magical force; it's Sascha's own anger." Merine bowed her head down. *Wow, she's improving. Yesterday she would've walked right out of here in tears, I bet.*

"I'm not staying here all day; I'm going to the town for awhile. It's too dreadful in this lousy cavern. Want to come with me?" She said, changing topic abruptly.

"I might join you later." Nodding, Merine left.

**************

Walking down the street, Merine heard someone singing. Following the sound, Merine wound up at the pub. Inside, there was a crowd surrounding a woman. She wasn't particularly beautiful, but her voice was. Merine tried hard to understand the words, but all she understood was:

"Dreams are hard to follow

But don't let anyone

Tear them away

Hold on

There will be tomorrow

In time

You'll find the way."

She looked around, and saw that much of the gathered crowd had tears in their eyes, just as she herself did. <They must feel just as awful with Jidoor's invasion just as I do about Kohligen's.>

The woman continued to sing song after song, all of which were heart breaking to the audience and Merine. In fact, it even the singer's eyes weren't dry. When the 'concert' was over, not one person wasn't inspired. <Thanks, whoever you are.>