Chapter 35: A full circle has gone...
                   -------------------------------------

Akfek and Sascha were waiting at the bottom of the Fanatics' Tower for an
update from McArthur.  An airship, carrying McArthur, arrived and parked
itself beside 'The Prince'.  McArthur walked out, with Cid beside him,
followed by a dozen soldiers.

"What brings you here, Cid?" wondered a curious Akfek.

"I have some interesting information for you.  My research has come up with
a method for strengthening some of your soldiers."

Akfek's eyes brightened.  "Why, it sounds interesting.  Could you enlighten
me on this research of yours?"

"My pleasure.  As you know, Luna has the ability to change the forms of
some creatures at will.  Now, Shade, being an elemental of the dark and
evil, could add his power to Luna's ability to 'change forms.'"

Sascha's interest was aroused as well, and she demanded more from Cid.
"And?"

"Well, I have formulated a potion that has the ablility to transform a mere
person into a more powerful creature but I lack two essential ingredients -
I need Luna and Shade's power for this potion."

Akfek pondered about Cid's invention and a heinous smile developed across
his face, "So be it."  Akfek raised his hands, chanted a few words, and two
streaks of light flew out from them, one dark black and one yellow.  They
entered the flask containing the potion and the potion swirled around and
around and then settled peacefully.

Cid brought out another potion and handed it to Akfek.  "It's the antidote
to the potion," said Cid.  "Oh, one more thing - this potion was difficult
to make so I can't mass produce this potion - please use it only on a
special occasion."

Then Akfek turned to McArthur, and inquired about the latest reports.  "So,
what is the latest news?"

"The rebellion that we suspected is more than the joke that we first
thought of it."  McArthur turned to the airship and hollered, "Bring the
traitor out now!"  Four soldiers exited the airship bringing with them a
beaten up waitress.  The waitress tried to fight her way from the
soldiers until one soldier tripped her and pushed her to the ground.  The
soldiers then dragged her across the ground to Sascha and Akfek.

"My, my, what have we here?" inquired a curious Akfek.

"The Black Hand caught her informing a group of people about the Empire.
It seems as if she somehow evaded Shade's control," replied McArthur.

Akfek walked over and lifted the waitress' face from the ground.  Tears
poured from the waitress' face which was pattered with dirt all over.
"Betray the Empire, will you?"  He turned to McArthur again and asked,
"What else did the Black Hand discover?"

"Within the group of people the waitress informed, former General Celes
was present as well - unfortunately, we were not able to identify the
others with her.  I believe the waitress has told us all she knows but
further interrogation of her could prove useful."

On a moment's impulse, Sascha moved over to Akfek and suggested, "Perhaps
we should use Cid's potion when fighting those foolish rebels."

The smile on Akfek's face grew into a devilish grin, "An excellent idea
indeed!  McArthur, return to Doma and prepare an assault force to attack
these 'rebels.'  Before you leave, is there any more news that you have for
me?"

"Our sources report that Zozo is relatively empty with few people living
there.  It is damaged, but when we occupy it, rebuilding can commence on
your command.  There should be little resistance if we attempt to take
it.  Zeta 2 and Zeta 5 are ready to arrive in Zozo on your command."

"Very well.  Lady DelAubre and I will visit Zozo.  Send Zeta 2 and Zeta 5
there along with a few ships with repair crews.  We will arrive in Doma
after my visit to Zozo - I will oversee our taking of Zozo personally.
Take Cid back to Vector as well.  And the waitress - hold her for further
interrogation.  When you are done with her, have her hanged.  That is all."
Akfek released his grip on the waitress' face and the soldier dragged the
waitress back to the airship.  As McArthur entered the airship and returned
to Doma, Akfek and Sascha left to 'The Prince', and at once, 'The Prince'
set off for Zozo.

			*	*	*

Shortly after 'The Prince' arrived in Zozo, the rest of Akfek's forces
appeared, and on his command, they entered Zozo.  There was no resistance
at all, and the few that lived in Zozo could only watch as the Empire
marched through the town.  Akfek waited until the his forces had seized
full control of the town and then he entered with Sascha.

"Ahh, Zozo.  It has been a while since I last saw you - you have not
changed much.  I see it is still raining."  A memory stirred in his head
and Akfek remembered about the past when he first left Zozo.

	Afkek felt the rain pouring down his cheeks.  It was time to begin
	his surge to power.  But where should he go?  Afkek was unsure
	about his destination - but moping around in Zozo would be very
	useless.  Perhaps another town would have information?  Afkek
	headed towards Zozo's entrance, stepped outside and looked back at
	Zozo.  "One day," he whispered to himself, "You'll be MINE."

Sascha could hear Akfek murmuring to himself.  "Yes, I said 'You'll be
MINE.'"  He paused.   "The day has come and it is so."  Akfek raised his
voice again and he was eager to know if Sascha had rembered their past,
"Sascha, do you remember the day we met outside of Zozo?  There I saw you
that day and there I met you - an innocent girl who had just fled her
family.  Do you recall this?"

Sascha became a little confused - of course she remembered - how could
she forget?  "Yes, I remember you saved me too.  That was the day
everything would change in my life."

A shriek of laughter sprang forth from Akfek, but this time it was a
merry laugh, not a laugh of death.  "I am glad you remember.  This town
means a lot to me - it was here where I decided to continue my brother's
journey.  Although he conquered the world, he lost it.  I am here to
conquer it again - may our family rule this world... Forever...."

			*	*	*

"Come Sascha.  There is a tavern nearby - we must drink to sunrise - that
is, if there is a sunrise in this clouded town.  Then we will go back to
Doma.  Come Sascha.  Join me in our triumph."

Sascha began to reminisce about that day too - the day she met Akfek.  So
much had occured since then - yes, so much, she thought.  She had fled her
town to look for a better life.  Now, she ruled her own town.

Akfek drank till he fell asleep like a drunken man.  Sascha was reluctant
to join, but on Akfek's request, she could not refuse.  As the night passed
and a new day was born, the two woke up the next day and prepared to head
for Doma.  Before they left, Sascha and Akfek overheard some man asking an
officer if he could join the Empire in their fight.