"Natasha Chase," Amigne said, "you are the winner of the tournament. Congratulations, champion. Here is your 5,000 gold. Your trip will be on the boat "Sphinx" leaving from the port to the east. There is no town there, just a small port. It is my boat, and it will drop you off at Jidoor."
"Thank you, Mr. Amigne," Natasha replied, "You have been most helpful to my cause."
"I know, Miss Chase." Amigne smiled. "Indeed I know."
The next morning, Natasha boarded the "Sphinx." The boat was beautiful. Amigne appeared to be very wealthy indeed. The trip was also a dream. Soon, the boat reached land, and Natasha was let off.
"One last thing, Miss Chase," Amigne said to her. "When you reach Jidoor, I hope you will be careful. There is also something extra in the money bag, but do not open it until Jidoor."
"I will wait," Natasha replied. "Thank you so much."
"No, thank you." Amigne laughed.
Every step towards Jidoor brought back memories for Natasha. They were not very pleasant ones, but they were indeed memories. She wondered if the Karns were still around in Jidoor as she drew closer. Natasha decided to drop by, just to say "hi."
Natasha felt something evil as she entered the town, but thought nothing of it. The inn would be quite expensive, but the 5000 gold she had recently won would greatly help out. She paid for her room and entered it. She then remembered what Amigne had said, and she opened the back. With the 5000 gold, there was a note:
"What was once was backwards, is now back to old
I studied your fighting for 5000 gold
Tomarrow night, I will tell you your dream
It will help take out some of your steam
Just think who I am, without getting mad
Then you'll realize, 'I've just been had!'
-Amigne
Upon reading this note, she was very puzzled. Rooks had taught her to think everything out, so she read the note over and over again. Suddenly it dawned on her,
"Backwards," Natasha said, "Spell Amigne backwards!"
She spelt out on paper, "E-N-I-G-M-A."
"Mad at me, Your Highness?" a voice came from the window.
"Who's there?" Natasha spun around.
"Just me, your friendly neighborhood Enigma," the voice said. "Of course, I'm not really here - just my spirit. That way you won't hurt me."
"Shut up, you bastard!" Natasha yelled.
"Well, Your Worship, you sure are upset." Enigma laughed.
"Why do you keep referring to me like I was queen or something?" Natasha asked.
"Because you *are* royalty, my dear." Enigma laughed again.
"What?" Natasha asked.
"I'm gonna cheat, and tell you who your father is. And I won't even put it in riddle form."
"Why are you doing this?" Natasha asked.
"You'll find out, soon enough." Enigma chuckled. "Your father was a great ruler. So great that he should have conquered the world - if it hadn't been for Kefka throwing him from the Floating Continent."
"You mean my father is..." Natasha looked stunned.
"Yes." Enigma's smile grew. "Emperor Gestahl is your father, Princess Natasha!" He then disappeared.
Natasha was stunned. Emperor Gestahl was her father. One of the most cruel men over to cross the face of the world. Her father. If it wasn't for him, the World of Balance would still be around. Natasha did not feel so good about herself as she went to sleep that night.
"Natasha," a voice cried to her.
"Goddess?" Natasha asked.
"Yes, it is I," the Goddess replied.
"Did Enigma tell the truth?" Natasha asked.
"Well, Enigma cannot be trusted, Natasha, anything he says could be a..." the Goddess began.
"Goddess, is Emperor Gestahl my father?" Natasha asked.
"Your father he is," the Goddess sighed, "Do not give up hope. He did not tell you the whole truth. Free the other Goddesses and you will find it out."
"I will," Natasha replied. "Princess Natasha..."
"So, figured it out, did you?" a familar voice said.
"Rooks? Is that you?" Natasha asked.
"Yeah, it's me. I thought that Enigma would try something like this, so I decided to come to Jidoor and wait for you," Rooks replied.
"Emperor Gestahl is my father, Rooks," Natasha sighed painfully.
"Yes, I know. That is why I didn't tell you," Rooks replied. "And there is more to your past than you realize. Soon, when you free the Goddesses, you will find it out. Your mother..."
"What about my mother?" Natasha looked up, with tears in her eyes.
"Never mind, you'll find out soon enough." Rooks hugged her. "You've been through too much already."
"How did I end up in Jidoor if I was a member of the Imperial family?" Natasha asked.
"You'll see. Everything will be explained to you soon enough." Rooks smiled. "And when you find that out, you will realize the importance of your life."
"But with Gestahl being my father..." Natasha began.
"There are advantages to being the daughter to an Emperor, PRINCESS."
"That means I'm an heir to the Imperial throne," Natasha realized.
"Exactly," Rooks said. "However, I wouldn't go around bragging yet. The Imperial troops would probablly slaughter you."
"I see," Natasha answered, "Then..."
"Your time will come, Princess," Rooks interrupted. "The best thing for you now is to concentrate on freeing the Goddesses before Enigma..."
"You called?" an annoying voice rang in. It was Enigma.
"I see that you've managed to help her a little, old one." Enigma laughed. "But she will wish she was never even born when she finds out about her mother!"
"LIAR!" Rooks yelled. "You will not disrupt her mind!"
"Too late," Enigma chuckled. "But I'll tell you what, Princess. I'll do you a favor. After I severely beat you for meddling in my plans, I'll tell you the sad story about your mommy before I kill you."
Fire rose in Natasha's eyes. "You have a death wish, don't you?"
"Whatever are you talking about?" Enigma laughed.
"You never thought how my mind would react in time to this little bombshell you dropped on me." Natasha drew her black sword, "Well, you have made a major mistake in messing with my mind. I was ruthless before I knew of my heritage. Now that I know that my father was one of the biggest tyrants in history, don't you think that would make me more ruthless?"
"Uh." Enigma looked stunned. "Well..."
"Enigma, you're gonna love this." Natasha chuckled evilly. "This sword sucks magic power up. Well, with my first blow, I won't be able to hurt you because of your magic, but it will absorb your power and make you vulnerable to me."
"No! It won't!" Enigma screamed. "You don't know what you are doing!"
Natasha swung her sword like a true swordsman. The cut was clean, and quick. After the hit, Natasha looked over her shoulder at Enigma. He was unharmed, but he looked frightened.
"Natasha," Enigma said with a smile, "Let's make a deal. You leave me alone, and I'll free the Goddesses."
"Free them now..." Natasha gave him a cold stare. "... and I will leave you with some appendages."
A cold sweat ran down Enigma's cheek. "Uh, okay, here!" Enigma tossed two small rocks to her. Each was glowing white, brightly.
"What are these?" Natasha asked.
"Magicite," Enigma answered. "The only think that can be used to trap a Goddess."
"Interesting," Rooks mumbled.
Natasha grabbed Enigma and lifted him into the air, "Now you will return to the rat-hole you came from!"
"Yes, of course." Enigma looked worried. "I will never bother the Goddesses again."
"If I was as cruel as my father, I would have already have killed you," Natasha said. "Now leave."
Enigma ran out the door. "Thank you, Princess. You will regret this, I know it!"
"Excellent work." Rooks smiled.
"Thank you." Natasha sighed. "I'm still not over this, though."
Rooks comforted her as, for the first time in several years, Natasha cried.