�We can make our way through the caves to the south, Locke, and head for South Figaro. Once there, we can plan our next move. It seems that the Empire has its sights set upon the northern continent now. We must ensure the safety of my people before I venture upon this quest.�
Edgar�s desire to see his people secure struck a chord within Terra�s heart and the young woman knew that he was a magnificent king at heart. The very manner in which he rode the Chocobo was imbued with majesty and she wondered at how much he must have experienced during his short time as King of Figaro.
�Edgar! Terra! Look out!�
Locke�s warning came just in time, as the sand before them erupted with an explosion of flames, just to their left. The Chocobos, having been trained for battle, reacted instantly and fluttered into the air on their short wings. They landed onto the ground in a tight formation and turned rapidly to face the oncoming attackers. From the north, two large Magitech Machines strode towards the three companions menacingly, with all their armament exposed. A slim beam of pure energy lanced out from one of the charging machines towards the trio and the Chocobos smoothly split formation, easily avoiding the attack and then reformed their ranks just as quickly.
Edgar wasted no time once he was in range of the armored machines. The iron crossbow on his back sprung upwards off of a hidden spring-set hold and he caught it overhead while it was in mid-air, instantly settling the weapon on his right arm. Without even a second for aiming, four sharpened bolts sped through the air towards the closing attackers, each hitting their mark solidly and penetrating the metal armor of the machines� exterior.
The parties crossed paths now, as the Chocobos once again split formation to pass around the Magitech Machines, Terra�s bird carrying her between the legs of the right-most machine. She looked up towards the underbelly of the beast as she rode and the heat of battle took her. Without thought guiding her action, she drove her sword with all her might into the device�s belly, raking the metallic surface underneath asunder. Sparks of electricity burst forth in brilliant sprays as Terra rode out and away from the machine that now tottered forward awkwardly on it�s legs, before falling forward onto the sand. The bulky monstrosity erupted into a ball of flame and Terra rejoined her friends as they cheered her in victory.
The second machine now turned towards them and from its side-arms shot three missiles that tore through the air loudly towards the birds. Once again, the well-trained birds were swift in their evasion and the three missiles passed them without harm. As they streamed away, Locke skillfully threw a small dagger which he had pulled from his sleeve towards one of the rockets and it careened with the impact, swerving now towards one of its fellows. Looking back, Terra saw two of the missiles collide into each other and explode with a loud retort, while the third swayed unsteadily in its trajectory. Then suddenly, the last of the trio turned around and began to fly purposefully towards them again. Locke and Edgar were still focused upon the final machine, directing their assault upon its outer hull with intent and failed to see the rocket�s return. It was headed straight for Locke.
Terra gazed in shock as it flew in his direction and she saw Locke turn towards her. She reached out to him, opened her mouth to scream and suddenly... everything slowed.
She felt the steady rhythm of the Chocobo beneath her, a deep throb with each step as it rode along the desert sand; she saw the slow, deliberate progression of the Magitech Machine as it bore down upon Edgar now, extending a large, deadly vice towards his head; she saw Locke�s head continue its eternal turn away from her now as he saw the oncoming missile. All this she registered in a drawn daze of slow movement, and knew it was too late.
Locke�s eyes focused upon the missile that was now no more than twenty feet from him and closing rapidly. Edgar�s eyes fixed upon the terrible jaws that intended to crush him. Terra closed her eyes� and reopened them to reveal an engulfing, red corona.
The air sizzled before her hands, and Terra reacted.
Only the slow cackling of the now dying fires that engulfed the wrecks of the Magitech Machines could be heard through the desert. Terra sat in shock upon the Chocobo, staring at what she had just done. Locke and Edgar raised themselves from the desert floor where they were thrown during Terra�s display, staring at her now and making her feel quite self-conscious. She looked away from them as they walked over to her Chocobo.
�Terra� by the gods above, what just happened?� Locke exclaimed in awe.
Edgar was looking at her quite piercingly, almost as if he was looking deep into her very soul. �If I were a youngling,� he began slowly, stroking his chin as he spoke, �I would have said that I had just witnessed something�� he paused, as he chose his words carefully, �something magical.�
Locke turned towards his friend now in disbelief.
�Magical?� he said, and then turned back to Terra with the same piercing gaze. �Terra,� he asked with care, �was that force� was it really�� he swallowed now, unable to bring himself to ask the question, and then finally blurting it out in a rush. �Was that Magic, Terra?�
She could feel the tears forming in her eyes now, as she tried to explain.
�Please� please do not hate me. I did not do it intentionally, it was just a reaction. I couldn�t control what just happened. Don�t think ill of me� please.�
She began to cry now, openly and without restraint as she clasped her head in her hands, sobbing. The Chocobo beneath her, sensing her sorrow, turned its head around to her and nuzzled her softly with its beak.
Locke reached up from the ground and took Terra�s arm in his hands, pulling it free of her face and gently stroked her hand as her crying subdued.
�Be at peace, fair Terra. We neither hate nor judge you. This is as much a surprise to us as it is to you and I believe none of us could have guessed that this was the reason the Empire sought to make you their slave. In fact, I do not think any of us here can even begin to comprehend the implications of this revelation.�
Edgar stood next to him, staring off into space as Locke spoke.
�Magic,� he whispered softly, �by all that we hold dear� magic.� He turned now to Terra as well, kindness evident in his words. �Dear Terra, where could you have learned such ancient arts? Can you remember how you came about such amazing talents?�
Before Terra could begin to answer, Locke drew up to his friend, and held his hand to the king�s chest, indicating that he should go no further with the questioning.
�Edgar, be still. We would not have Terra interrogated. Not here, and certainly not now while the Empire closes on out heels. The only difference between her and us,� he said while signaling towards themselves, �is that she can use magic and we cannot. Her mind and her heart are with us both.�
Terra squeezed Locke�s hand as he said this, and smiled down at him.
�Thank you Locke. Thank you Edgar. You both are truly good friends and I am fortunate to have found you at this time.�
Edgar smiled up at her as well.
�Perhaps it is not fortune, but fate, that has brought our paths to bear, milady.� And he bowed deeply to her.
Swinging up onto their feathered steeds, the two men now strode alongside Terra as they continued their trek through the desert towards the caves to the south, which were now visible just at the horizon�s edge.
