Chapter 33: Halfway to Home

Zentarou was silent as they once more glided the Paths of Stardust. The others left them to his thoughts, understanding the emotional turbulence he was enduring. And as for Vivi, his heart was racing with excitement.

He now held Natar's Emerald.

: Dregan: came the dragon's mental voice, : I will tell you that I sense your home very near to Zentarou's.:

"Really?"

: Yes. Shall I look for your home, or continue on the set course: Vivi instantly offered the emerald to Dregan, but it was refused.

"No. We set out course, and it will stay as is." He smiled at Vivi. "Lets find Gaia."

: Very well. I remember the marker well, for it was unusual.:

"Oh?" asked Vivi.

: Yes. For as long as my people remember, it has been unique, a marker in a marker. But then one day they tried to fuse, and failed. The outer marker shattered, and now floats in gray, translucent shards and mist around the inner marker. Never had we seen such a thing occur before.: Vivi nodded, knowing full well what the outer marker represented: Terra.

"That could be a good thing," commented Zentarou. "We'll be able to see it as well as sense it, and speed up the search." That brightened Vivi's thoughts from those of Terra, and he began to eagerly look around.

Natar rapidly glided on the Path. Since he was more familiar with this one, he better knew the path. His confident speed encouraged Vivi to believe he’d be home soon. Home. It felt good to think of that word and the place it represented. After all he’d been through, the Black Mages, Kuja, the Genomes, it was nice to be able to call any place home, where he could rest secure and happy. This led to thoughts of his friends and sons. Vivi could imagine how much trouble Turo and Sola were getting into, and how well Ollan would be able to play his music by now. Callan would be sword training with Steiner, and after seeing how both Dregan and Zentarou used both swordplay and spell play, the thoughts of the young Black Mage doing the same wasn’t as odd as Vivi had first thought. Nicara would have discovered at least a dozen new things by now, under Dr. Tot’s guidance, if not more. And Valian. Vivi’s youngest son was a lot like Vivi himself, and they shared a special bond because of their similarities. How he missed them all!

Only three or so weeks, not even a month, he thought. Doesn’t sound like such a long time, but it feels like years. I hope everything is okay. Suddenly Vivi frowned. He’d just remembered the demons. If they were from the same source, then they might be on Gaia; not a pleasant thought.

“You okay?” Dregan asked softly from behind him.

“Yeah. Just thinking about my family - and the demons.” Dregan nodded.

“Same for me. But hopefully we’ll find Gaia soon, and you should have fourteen hours.” That got a smile.

“Yeah, I will. Maybe enough time to visit the Black Mage Village.”

“Is that where your sons are?” asked Zentarou.

“No, they’re in Alexandria. But we’ve got airships that can get us there really fast. And at least everyone could see Cleyra and Bermicia, and some of the other places nearby, maybe.” He grinned. “You could even try riding a chocobo.”

“A chocowhat?” asked Zentarou, twisting to look back at Vivi, as did Orko.

“A chocobo. It’s a large bird.”

“Um... I think I’ll pass. My warhorse, Cloud, is enough for me.” Dregan chuckled.

“I might try. My brothers often say that I’ve got a crazy streak... and I’d have to, to live with them.” They laughed. Suddenly, Natar stopped to abruptly that the Bretheren were jarred forward against each other with a unified, “Oof!” After straightening themselves, they got a good look around. Dregan’s sharp elven eyes caught it first.

“Fourth from the immediate left, in the back!” All searched the area he pointed too, and then Vivi saw it. One somewhat distant marker that looked different, grayer...

Molted.

Vivi let out a shout of jubilation that sounded volumes louder than his normal voice could get. The instant he heard how loud he blushed and pulled his hat down over his eyes. The rest laughed good-naturedly as Natar veered towards it. When they got close enough to see more d detail, they all say that indeed it was a marker, surrounded by floating dull gray shards and a misty substance. Without hesitation Natar soared towards it, and opened the tear.

They appeared just over the mountains by the plateau which Alexandria was located on, the sky beautiful shades of sunset.

And the demons had already arrived!