Chapter 17:  The Secrets of Tzen
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"What is this place for?" Hao asked.  "And why have I been brought here?"

"You have been brought here because an evil worse than Kefka has appeared
on the earth.  An evil that can only be stopped by harnessing our
powers," the orb answered.  "We will give you our powers.  Then you must
go to Figaro."

"But why me?" Hao asked.  "I don't want to be a hero, I'm just glad to
finally be back to the mainland."

"Patience, my friend, all things will be answered in time," the orb
answered.  "First, you were chosen because you want to live in peace.
You know as well as I do that there can't be peace until the evil is
defeated, and since you want to live in peace you will not be tempted
over to the evil side as some of the other warriors have been."

"Okay, why must I go to Figaro?" Hao asked.

"Because that is where all evil is amassing." the orb answered.  "The
final battle will be fought at Figaro.  But that is not your concern at
the moment.  You must rescue the King of Figaro, before it is too late.
His mind is possessed by the Demon, and he must be freed before it kills
him.  After he is freed from the evil of the Demon, he will be able to
help you defeat it.  Without Edgar, I fear it will not be possible to do
it."

"Okay, what if I don't want to do this?" Hao asked.

"Then many shall perish, not only on this world, but many others," the
orb answered.  "Including you and your friend."

"Maru?" Hao asked.  "I can't be responsible for her death," he thought,
"and I won't be."  "I accept."

"Good," the orb replied, "then I and the other orbs will give you our
power."

Suddenly Hao noticed that the other orbs had moved forward.  "I am the
orb of wisdom," the first one said as it moved up to Hao.  "I will now
give you the power to see the weaknesses of monsters."

With that the orb seemed to turn to mist and encased Hao; seconds later,
the mist was gone.  The second orb, the orb of Strength, came to Hao and
it too encased him in mist, giving Hao the Armor of Justice, light-
weight yet very strong.  The third orb, the orb of Agility, granted Hao
the Shield of Justice, a mighty shield capable of deflecting almost
anything, yet lightweight and not bulky because it was endowed with the
power of the orb of Agility.  And finally, the final orb came forth.

"We are counting on you, Hao," it said before transforming into the Sword
of Justice, a mighty sword that can cleave through solid steel.  After
taking a few practice swipes with the sword, Hao turned to Circe.

"Let's get back to the town," he said.