Chapter 6:  What is an Enigma?
                     ------------------------------

After hearing the message that the Goddess of Magic gave to her, Natasha
decided that she should go back to where Tzen once was and consult, once
again, with Rooks.  He would know what to do, considering that the
Goddess had given her no clues on where to find the other two Goddesses
being held captive by who-knew-what.  She knocked on his door, and once
again Rooks answered with the same message.

"You're late," Rooks said.

"Sorry, Rooks," Natasha replied, "Nothing happened until nightfall."

"No matter."  Rooks opened the door, inviting her into his cave of
rubble.  "You did speak with the Goddess, right?"

"Indeed," Natasha answered.  "Rooks, if you know so much about my quest
already, why didn't you tell me?"

"Would you have believed me?" Rooks asked.

"No," Natasha said with a laugh, "I guess not."

"So you are going to free the Goddesses?" Rooks said as he poured her
some hot broth.

"I have to," Natasha answered back.

"That is an interesting sword," he said, pointing to her newly acquired
black blade.

"Isn't it?"  Natasha smiled.  "I found it at the ruins, along with some
other junk.  But this sword looks fairly new."

"It might be a gift."  Rooks laughed.

"It just might be," Natasha replied.  "What do I do now, Rooks?  She
didn't tell me anything, except free the Goddesses."

"And that is what you must do," Rooks explained.  "But neither you, I,
nor the Goddess know where they are.  This evil is something like the
world has never seen."

"Greater than Kefka?" Natasha asked.

"Who really knows?  Kefka destroyed the world; you can't get much worse
than that," Rooks replied.  "However, I suggest that you rest on it.  I
have your bed prepared for the night.  Tomarrow you set out wherever you
choose."

"You've been very kind to me, Rooks," Natasha smiled.  "I'll never forget
you."

"You had better not."  Rooks laughed.  "You might be back here before you
know it."

That night, Natasha had another dream.  This one was different; she could
see where she was.  Well, sort of.  She didn't recognize it, but she
could see rocks and trees, not just fog.  Once again, Natasha noticed
that she didn't have a sword.  A shadowy figure appeared.

"NATASHA," it spoke, "I AM THE GODDESS THAT YOU SPOKE WITH."

"If you are, then tell me where I must begin." Natasha demanded.

"YOU WILL FIND A WAY," the Goddess said, "EVIL IS ALL AROUND YOU.  SOONER
OR LATER, YOU WILL FIND OUT YOUR DESTINATION."

"I thought you said it was to be sooner!" Natasha yelled.  "What if the
Goddesses are not released and this evil opens the gate between worlds?"

"Then... I will rule the world," a voice said from behind her.

Natasha spun around to see another shadowy figure.  "Identify yourself!"
she yelled.

"THAT IS THE EVIL!" the Goddess said.

"Evil?  My fair Goddess, what is so evil about merging the worlds?
Everyone will live in peace, and under my control, or they will die.  It
is that simple.  Nothing evil, I just want peace," the figure explained.
To Natasha, it continued, "However, you - Natasha Chase, isn't it?  I am
nothing, but I am everything.  Therefore, I can be anything you can dream
of.  A living puzzle.  So you can call me Enigma, okay?  I suggest you
give up.  Just go back to South Figaro and wait tables.  I will remember
your cooperation when I rule the world.  Your parents... that is why you
are on this quest.  My advice to you is forget them.  They will cause you
more pain and anguish than you know.  In one way or another, we will see
each other again, Natasha.  Hopefully it will be under peaceful
circumstances, I would hate to terminate such a beautiful young woman."

With that, the Enigma disappeared.

"NATASHA, THE SWORD YOU FOUND IS MADE OF WHAT WAS ONCE MAGICITE," the
Goddess said, "NOW YOUR SWORD IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT IT ONCE WAS.  USE
IT TO DEFEAT THE ENIGMA AND FIND OUT THE TRUTH OF YOUR PARENTS."

Natasha awoke.  She couldn't believe the dream.  It was so confusing to
her.  An Enigma.  What was an Enigma, anyway?

"Enigma?" Rooks laughed that morning.  "You mean to tell me that the
Goddesses have been captured by an Enigma?"

"What is an Enigma?" Natasha asked.

"Well, dictionary-wise, an Enigma is a puzzle or riddle," Rooks replied.
"But now, I guess this Enigma could be anything."

"Anything."  Natasha sighed.  "Either way, I've go to go."

"Where?" Rooks asked.

"I don't really know," Natasha said.  "I'm going to head to where Jidoor,
Zozo and Maranda should be.  Three towns on that land mass could really
help me."

Rooks smiled, "Then go.  Good luck, Natasha.  When I see you again, you
will know much.  Be careful."

Natasha hugged him.  "Thanks again."

Ten minutes later, Natasha was leaving town, when she saw something.
Acctually it was a someone.  The person was quite odd-looking to her.  He
was all white, including his skin and hair.  As they approached each
other, they spoke.

"I've never seen a pure albino before," Natasha said.

"Hope I didn't frighten you," the figure replied.  "I am Lahndo."

"I am Natasha Chase."  She smiled.

"A pleasure to meet you."  Lahndo smiled back.  "Where are you headed?"

"Albrook," Natasha answered, "I've got some things to attend to in
Jidoor."

"Jidoor," Lahndo said.  "Interesting.  Did you see that lightshow the
other night at where Kefka's Tower once was?  Something was really going
on there."

"I did see it, as a matter of fact."  Natasha laughed.  "It was amazing."

"Well, I've got to get to where Tzen was so I can look for some friends
of mine."  Lahndo bowed.  "Hope to see you again someday."

"I'm sure we will."  Natasha winked.  "After all, it's a small world."

Walking away from each other, Natasha wondered why she didn't tell Lahndo
the truth about her quest.  She wanted to, but didn't.  Maybe it was best
to keep it a secret until she found some people she knew she could trust.
Natasha headed south, to Albrook.