Chapter 15: 47:00 (1... 3 Hours Remaining, Process Interrupted)

The heroes were at the airship in a flash, and were quickly flying towards the cliff they had seen in the sphere. Kuja awoke while they were preparing en route, and quickly began making preparations himself. As for the Bretheren, Dregan and Zentarou equally divided their Gems again, and although it was a little low for their liking, it would have to do.

"Next time I go anywhere away from home," Zentarou said, loosening his sword in its scabbard, "I'll be sure to carry a spare bag of gems with me." Dregan managed a grin.

"You're telling me."

"So, what's the plan?" asked Orko.

"Seems simple," Zidane answered. "We go in, bust up some demons, and get Cal out."

"Well, that's about as much as we can do," Garnet agreed. Steiner spoke up.

"We should designate a select group whose only goal is to get through to Cal. That way the rest of us can concentrate on keeping the demons off of them."

"Ok, who goes?" Of course, everyone wanted to be in that group.

"I have a right to," Vivi said, and of that no one questioned.

"We four work together well," Dregan added, speaking of the Bretheren. "Plus magic tends to do a good deal of damage to demons, and Zentarou's and my sword skills will work nice as well."

"I'm in," Zidane insisted. "These guys have messed with Vivi too much."

"You'll need a healer," Garnet pointed out. "So I'm in."

"My Queen," Steiner began, but she cut him off.

"You've got to stay behind, Steiner, and hold the demons off. We need a knight out there." He couldn't deny her logic, and nodded.

"I made the Black Mages," Kuja said softly. "and I'll be dammed before I allow someone to turn them back into the Mindless Puppets I once made them as." His voice brooked no argument, so none were offered.

"And I think the rest of us should focus on defense," Beatrix finished. Everyone looked solemnly at each other, knowing that this was serious. If they failed...

"We're coming up on the cliff!" shouted the pilot. Everyone set for battle.

They flew up to the entrance, the mages firing off spells to keep the demons at bay. A quick lowering of a board to cross on, and the heroes were on the attack. Instantly they formed up around the 'rescue group' making a shield and pressing through. Demons swarmed around them from all sides, but they focused on just getting the rest through to get to Cal.

"I see a passageway!" Steiner shouted, batting aside a demon with his sword. "You get going!"

"Right!" Zidane called back. The defenders made their way over, and made a gap for the rescuers to get into the passage, then moved to defend it at all costs.

"Just hurry!" Beatrix shouted, working with an Alexandrian soldier to push a demon away. "We can't hold them off forever!"

"Right!" Vivi replied, and they darted off into the weaving, winding corridor.