Fractured Fantasy: A CK2 Style Final Fantasy quest

Trance Studies

Hojo shuffled down the sterile hall, a pair of lab assistants flanking him. They'd not even reached the corridor with the specimen holding cells, and the telltale din of the current specimen's supposed bodyguard still echoed past their ears.

Demands to be released. Demands for the specimen to be released. Mostly demands, really. Shouted through the door's window into an empty hall. One could almost tune it out at this point. Though the good news was they wouldn't have to as soon as the bodyguard outlived his usefulness. An associate was much more expendable than a proper specimen.

Hojo and his retinue turned the corner, finally reaching the hall and getting the full force of those shouts in their ears. Mercifully, the shouts came to a brief stop when Hojo stood in front of the window.

"You! One of the head researchers of this place, I presume? Cease this disgrace and release the princess!"

So. Very. Loud. "That won't be possible. Not until we acquire a thorough understanding of her summoning ability."

He grabbed at the bars, even shook them. "I am Adelbert Steiner, captain of the Knights of Pluto! By Alexandria's will, release her princess!"

Hojo sighed. "Yes, well, seeing as we've yet to locate any settlement calling itself 'Alexandria' in this strange, misshapen world, the only people I'll be answering to are the executive board of Shinra. Does that put your predicament into perspective, Mr. Steiner?"

Steiner clenched his utterly square jaw and gripped the bars tighter. "It tells me we will be getting as far from here as possible when we take our leave of this place!"

Hojo stared. In the end, he shook his head. He held a hand to an assistant, and they promptly set a clipboard in his hand. "Now then, the point of this visit. You're close with this 'Garnet Til Alexandros,' as far as I gather. What do you know of her summoning ability? Her heritage, her powers, her limits?"

"As if I'd answer to the likes of you!"

Hojo tapped the pen against the still-bare page. "Please bear in mind, your responses may let our research proceed more quickly. Measuring Garnet's vitals can only get us so much, and she's been very quiet to our questions." He narrowed his eyes at Steiner. "The blood tests were fascinating, to be sure, but inconclusive. Likely more will be necessary."

Steiner froze. Eyes wide, he stared straight back at Hojo. "Her... Her blood? You mean, you...!" If he shook the bars before, now his redoubled fervour had him quaking them. Even the door shuddered. "Scoundrels! Savages! Fiends!"

"Yes, yes, I've heard quite a bit of that in my career." No doubt that broadsword would be poking through the bars to skewer Hojo's head if Steiner had been allowed to keep it. That and his armour, for however much it'd help despite the rust, were safely locked away in storage. Though, they'd at least offered some pants in return for the armour. Not much under it, for whatever reason.

Still, Steiner didn't quiet down. If anything, the door's complaints grew, along with the grunts and insults of all persuasions. "You, you lot laid your filthy hands on the princess! Brought her harm! Hold her captive, and have the audacity to stand there and ask questions?!"

Hojo blinked. Around the bars, those hands were giving off a shimmering lavender and cream energy. Just wisps, but more gathering by the second.

"I! Am Adelbert Steiner!" The energy snaked along his limbs... "Captain! Of the Knights! Of Pluto!" It spread, all over his body, even tracing itself along his face. Gathering, thickening, almost like... "And you! Will! RELEASE HER!"

Like armour.

"Fascinating..." Hojo reached up to his ear, tapping at the earpiece within as the door gained a new bend and dent with every pull. "Specimen breach. Containment cells. Unknown anomaly, requesting SOLDIERs." With that, he darted away from the cell door, his assistants stumbling after him. Before they'd even gotten halfway down the hall, the thunder of the door crashing into the opposite wall rippled through the building.

Hojo spared a glance back at the metallic footfalls gaining speed. That same armour they'd confiscated, but not a speck of rust or grime. A pearlescent sheen, accented with an iridescent lavender, and a full helm instead of his open one. And those wisps of energy trailed off him all the while. Incredible.

An assistant slammed the door's switch on their way out, but Steiner barrelled right through with the crunches and shrieks of metal rent from its form.

When the group finally reached the lab, Steiner was scarcely paces away from them, and the assistants scattered. He paid them no mind, though. Perhaps to be expected, he stayed right on Hojo's tail. As the trailing energy wisps floated by, most any instrument meant for reading vitals cranked its readings as far as they could handle, sometimes farther in a burst of sparks and smoke. That said, the wisps were much greater in number than earlier. Trailing away from Steiner faster.

"Perhaps..." As one of the doors slid open and a pair of 3rd-Class SOLDIERs hustled through with plenty of grunts, Hojo angled his path right by them. A SOLDIER planted themselves ahead of Steiner's charge, and on impact, he actually stopped. Briefly. The skidding of the SOLDIER's boots left scrapes in the floor, but they held firm. At least, until Steiner shifted his grip, then threw the obstacle behind him, the SOLDIER landing with a crash onto one of the lab counters. The other kept their distance from Steiner, but Hojo simply smiled.

"That energy, I wonder... How long does it last?" Even now, the wisps were nearly billowing off of the armour. With one last war cry, Steiner charged straight at Hojo, to which he didn't move a step. As that glistening gauntlet wrapped itself around Hojo's throat, he saw it. The glint, the sheen, the utter flash of energy, bursting all at once...

To now be staring down into the eyes of an unarmoured, strained man whose demeanour was more fitting for a rabid hound.

The second SOLDIER took the opportunity, clocking Steiner across the back of the head and sending Hojo stumbling back from the former chokehold. Breaths came rough, pressure still ate at his neck and throat, maybe even a few abrasions. Yet his mind rushed with possibility. Possibility now offered by this bumbling oaf with a noisy streak.

Hojo smiled wide, and the SOLDIER flinched back from restraining the unconscious Steiner momentarily. "Get him a new cell. If I'm right, some dosage of sedatives will keep that from happening again while we're unprepared. Also..." He whipped out the clipboard he'd been handed from earlier, clicking the pen. "Get me the paperwork for a new specimen study."

--

I am quite aware the policy shall be to avoid the shiny transformation outfits in main stuff. Good thing I'm not main stuff.

So anyway I was informed Steiner's Atk Score is tripled during his Trance. Simple, effective, and holy shit Steiner the door's already dead,

Trance Studies

Shinra has many, many prisons. Prisons for dissidents, for victims, for monsters, even some for genuine criminals. To those who dig beyond the company's gilded exterior, that didn't come as a surprise. However, they might find that one of the most secure cells usually reserved for powerful beasts or lab experiments was instead occupied by a single, dour-faced man.

Thick iron shackles bound his wrists, forearms, and ankles while an equally excessive chain anchored him to the wall, further limiting his movements. At the other end of the admittedly small room, outside of the chain's reach, was a SOLDIER. No, not a soldier, a SOLDIER, one of the mako-infused supersoldiers Shinra reserved only for the most dangerous missions complete with inconveniently sized sword.

For his part, the man looked somewhat annoyed, "Release me at once you vile cretin!"

The SOLDIER, Albric, briefly looked at the myriad of chains binding the man, "I don't think I will." He droned. As the man grumbled at him, he continued, "Can you confirm that you are Adelbert Steiner?"

Steiner was caught off guard by the question, "Yes, of course. I haven't gone anywhere."

"It's just something the eggheads want me to ask, something about procedure." The SOLDIER explained halfheartedly, "Normally, interrogations are held by the Turks or one of the scientists. Do you want to know why I'm the one stuck interrogating you?"

"What's a Turk?"

"Don't worry about it, just answer the question." The ill-tempered interrogator snapped.

The Knight of Pluto thought that some manner would serve the man well but, barring a miraculous intervention, he was stuck here. Humoring the man wouldn't hurt. He stroked his chin as he pondered the question or rather, tried to. The many bindings restricted his movement enough to where he was left swiping at the air in front of his chin. "No, I cannot begin to guess why they would put someone so ill-suited to conversation in charge of it." He answered honestly.

The supersoldier narrowed his eyes, "It's because they only trust a SOLDIER to handle you."

"Not to disparage your talents, but I have gone through a few of your soldiers."

"What? No. Not a soldier, a SOLDIER."

The man stared at him.

"You know, a SOLDIER! S-O-L-D-I-E-R."

Steiner looked concerned, "Are you feeling well?"

The SOLDIER rubbed his brow, "Primitives." Great, now he was sounding like one of those eggheads as well, "A SOLDIER is modified to be stronger, faster, better than your average trooper."

"So are you not a soldier?"

The SOLDIER scowled, "I just explained that I was."

The soldier shook his head as much as his bindings allowed, "No, you said you were a SOLDIER but that doesn't mean you are not a soldier. Are SOLDIERs soldiers? Perhaps only some of them?"

"Once a SOLDIER, always a SOLDIER." The SOLDIER explained with growing frustration.

"But are they soldiers?" The soldier asked, matching his tone.

Albric was about to respond when he was struck by an epiphany. This man was playing him. Making him frustrated so that he would make a mistake, perhaps say something he shouldn't. Clearly he had more wits than he let on. "Irrelevant." He declared conclusively. "I am here to discuss the incident you were a key part of."

Steiner glowered, "Are you referring to the time that Princess Garnet and I were unlawfully apprehended by you reprobates?"

Ablric's brow rose but he was quick to control his expression. Princess? Ridiculous. He was trying to throw him off again, surely. "No, I was referring to the time you broke out of a cell, tore a bloody swath through security personnel, and nearly murdered Hojo, the head of the science department."

"Slew."

The interrogator blinked, "Pardon?"

"I nearly slew him." Steiner corrected, "Murder is killing in cold blood. This Hojo is responsible for the Princesses unjust confinement so it would not be murder."

Albric took a steadying breath, "I am referring to the incident in which you nearly slew Hojo. An unarmed man should not have been able to do all of that, yet we have the body count and Hojo has the scars to prove it."

"Ah, yes, I recall that quite clearly." Steiner said, nodding along, "You see, I was quite furious."

Albric's eye twitched when it became clear the prisoner wasn't going to elaborate, "You were able to break out of a prison cell with your bare hands because you were furious?"

"Well it's not that simple." Steiner calmly explained, "I was in Trance."

Finally, some progress, "And putting yourself in a trance helped you break solid metal. Is this a form of casting?"

"I was not in a trance. I was in Trance." Steiner clarified, "Oh, and it's not a type of magic." He added after a moment.

He was going to murder this man. No, no he was going to slay him. No sane man would call this cold blood with all of the mental anguish he was being put through. Albric then judiciously killed every emotion he was capable of feeling, finally becoming the scientist he so dreaded, "What is Trance and how did you 'enter' it so to speak?"

The knight adopted a thoughtful look, "Trance is a mental state one enters when overcome by a powerful emotion. I suppose that does in fact make Trance a trance-"

"Witnesses stated you were glowing while you carved through the hallways." Albric clinically interjected before he lost more brain cells.

"It is true one undergoes physical changes when they are in Trance."

"So it must be more than just mental."

Steiner's brow furrowed as if that was the first time he had considered that, "That's true, when under Tance, one is stronger, faster, and tougher, but I do not fully understand it myself. It isn't exactly a science."

Albric let out a breath, "Clearly. There must be more to entering Trance than just an overwhelming emotion." If that were the case, he would have entered it about three minutes ago. "Nobody from my world has entered a state similar to what you have shown. Not to Shinra's knowledge at any rate, "Is there a genetic component?"

The man blanked, "I don't believe I have a genetic component. I don't even know what such a part would look like."

"Is it passed from parent to child?" Albric asked impatiently.

"Why didn't you say that? No, it is not hereditary."

The SOLDIER become scientist considered the outworlder's words for a minute, "Can you describe to me what you felt leading up to and after entering your Trance?"

"If I do so, will you release Princess Garnet from her confinement?" Steiner asked genuinely.

"I can't promise that but I'll put in a good word." Or at least a less bad one.

"Very well." Steiner closed his eyes and leaned back, getting as comfortable as he could whiled covered in heavy metal chains, "It started when those ruffians-"

-=#=-

The two guards bodily shoved the unarmed and unarmored Steiner into the cell. The incarcerated knight turned around just in time for the cell door to be slammed into his face, knocking him onto his back.

Steiner scrambled back onto his feet and slammed into the cell bars, "Release me at once you diabolical miscreants! You have no right to keep me here and certainly not the Princess!"

One of the guards partially turned towards him as he walked away, "Dinner's in an hour."

Steiner pounded on the bars a few times before kicking it. He found his prison wear was far softer than his sabatons and bounced on one leg while nursing the bruise. Even after temporarily admitting defeat he couldn't bring himself to stay still, electing to pace back and forth in the small cell.

"What's got you in a tizzy, Hume?"

The knight jumped at being addressed so suddenly. He was so engrossed in his worry, he didn't even notice the other prisoner sharing his cell. At first glance, he appeared to be Burmecian but stouter, more rotund, and possessed a thinner snout. The prison garb seemed to fit him quite poorly.

"I simply cannot stay here, I have a duty to my liege which cannot be fulfilled if both me and the Princess are locked away in some forsaken farce of a prison."

The Burmecian-like man shrugged, "If getting out of here were that simple, then none of these cells would be filled."

"So what would you suggest, I merely wait?" Steiner scowled, more at the situation than the man.

The stout man lifted a claw, "Wait and hope you don't get selected."

The man blinked in confusion, "Selected?"

The Burmecian-like nodded, "Every so often, guards take away someone. Sometimes, they come back in really bad shape but most of the time they never come back at all." The man leaned, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "I've heard the guards talking about the fate of those who've disappeared and if even half of it is true…" The man shuddered.

Steiner's eyes widened, "That means Princess Garnet could be in grave peril."

"I wouldn't be too worried." The man assured, "They're mostly interested in non-Humes."

The knight's eyes softened. That probably meant the Princess was safe for now. She was about as human looking as one could get.

"Well, that and anyone who possesses an aptitude for magic."

Steiner's eyes nearly bulged out of his head and his eternal frown deepened.

"Oh." His cellmate uttered upon seeing his expression. "Well, uh, as long as they don't know about it the girl's probably fine."

Steiner put a finger on his chin as he recounted the battle that led to their incarceration. While the details were fuzzy, he distinctly remembers seeing Ifrit slinging a few fireballs around.

"The Princess must be in grave danger!" He bellowed before slamming against the cell doors with all his might.

"H-hey." The Burmecian-like man stuttered, "Q-quiet down, you'll attract the guards then they'll take you away."

"Let them, but only after I tear my charge from their grasp!" As the knight ranted, light began to pool around him, "A knight does not shy away from danger, not when they have something to protect, not ever!" The bars began to creak and streaks of pink energy flew off him, "And if that means I must strike against a legion-" As the light crescendoed, a resounding crack echoed through the prison block, "-then it is my honor to make the attempt!" The light dimmed to reveal the man giving off a brilliant glow. Even the drab prison garb gave off a noble aura, one befitting of a knight. Without further ado, the knight sprinted off.

Only to poke his head around the corner not a moment after, "You wouldn't happen to know where I might find a high value prisoner?" He asked, raising a finger.

It took a minute for the cellmate to find his words, "I've… I've heard the name Hojo thrown around.

The knight gave a sharp nod, "Good man." He then turned and ran off again, the sound of his footsteps gradually fading into the distance.

Slowly, the cellmate approached the opening. He slowly looked left, then right. Noticing the coast was clear, he quietly slinked off. Opposite the direction his momentary cellmate went of course.

--

As Steiner sprinted through the hallways, he found himself hopelessly lost. The sleek metal and fluorescent lights made it feel like he was going in circles but he couldn't stop, not until he found Garnet.

"Hey! You, stop!" Ahead of him, two guards charged, brandishing swords.

The lead guard swung at him but the heavily armored man evaded every strike with an agility that defied his stature. Seeing an opening, he punched the man in his gut, sending him reeling. Forcefully taking the man's sword, he used it to parry the second guard's attack before slashing him across the chest. In the same breath, he skewered the first man before resuming his run before the guard hit the ground.

He couldn't keep this up forever, his Trance would run out before he got close to Garnet at this rate. As he passed an intersection, he skidded to a halt. Backing up a few steps, he noticed a group of guards conversing with a white robed individual.

"Well he looks important." He mused aloud before running at the group.

It only took a few seconds for the group to notice the glowing convict bounding at them. While struck by the absurdity of the sight, the trio of soldiers was quick to prepare themselves for a fight.

As Steiner approached, he leveled his stolen blade at the three, "I will give you a chance. Tell me where Hojo is and we can avoid unnecessary conflict."

The soldier's exchanged glances before charging as one. Steiner deflected the lead's thrust, interfering with the second's strike. The lagging soldier lifted his sword high, opening himself up to a pommel strike the the face, dropping him like a sack of bricks. The second recovered quicker than expected, catching the knight's upper arm. Grimacing at the wound, Steiner feigned an overhead strike then brought his blade low, slashing the man's thigh. As the man staggered, Steiner brought his sword down, creating a deep gouge in the soldier's chest before bringing his sword up in time to catch the lead's attack. Directing the sword away he cut a gash into the man's forearm, causing him to drop his weapon. Without a moment's delay, he closed the distance and headbutted him. The soldier fell to the ground, groaning but incapable of getting up.

The scientist looked on in horror as the trio was rendered unconscious, killed, or incapacitated over the course of about ten seconds. He almost didn't notice the blade being pointed at him.

"Where is Hojo?" The knight demanded.

The spectacled scientist weighed his options. While he could get into trouble assisting a criminal, said criminal was putting a pretty heavy thumb on the other side of the scale! Besides, it was Hojo. Nobody likes him anyway. With a shaking hand, he pointed down the hall, "I-i-it's t-the third observation l-laboratory on the r-right."

"What's a lab- oh I'll figure it out." Without another word the intruder bolted down the hall.

As he left, the scientist slowly teetered forwards and fainted face-first onto the floor.

--

The entrance to the laboratory burst open, drawing every eye to the glowing figure that emerged from it. "Hojo!"

Professor Hojo spun on his heel, "That oaf!?"

Steiner readied his sword, "Answer me now, fiend, where have you confined Garnet?"

Garnet poked her head out from beyond the scientist, she was being held in a large cylindrical chamber, "Steiner?!" She exclaimed in disbelief.

The knight gasped, "Garnet!" He called out joyfully.

"Guards!" Hojo yelled furiously, slamming a button on the chamber. Within seconds, the chamber collapsed into the floor, taking Garnet out of sight. As he did so, the scientists manning the monitors quickly filed out while side doors opened, letting half a dozen soldiers into the room.

Steiner scowled behind his helm and readied himself for battle, "If you relinquish Princess Garnet, I swear no harm will come to you or your men."

"Kill him." Hojo uttered.

The soldiers charged, Steiner was quick to meet them. Alone and against so many opponents, the knight could barely think even in Trance, having to resort to muscle memory and instinct to react fast enough.

Strike, deflect, avoid, strike, deflect, parry. The luminous man was a whirling dervish of skill and steel but even then he could feel the occasional strike break through his defenses. Suddenly, with a diagonal slash across the chest and another to the throat, it was suddenly a four versus one. The odds just swung decisively in his favor.

Then the knight caught movement out of the corner of his eye. He drove the four back with a wide slash before bringing his sword up just in time to catch the newcomer's overhead strike. The blow was overwhelmingly powerful, strong enough to bring the knight to a knee even in his Trance. His borrowed weapon creaked ominously as Steiner locked eyes with the newcomer who regarded him with cold indifference. Between his strength and far large weapon, it was clear this one was a cut above the rest.

Unbeknownst to him, Steiner was going up against a SOLDIER.

Angling his sword to divert the strike, the knight put some distance between him and the strong swordsman. The three remaining soldiers arranged themselves around him giving him nowhere to run, not that he intended to.

The SOLDIER advanced, and attacked with a flurry of blows no one should have been capable of with a weapon that large. Every deflected blow sent reverberations down Steiner's arms. He only knew one human stronger. With a heave, Steiner guided the SOLDIER's blade downwards, temporarily embedding it into the floor. With a quick thrust, he stabbed at his foe. Only for nothing to happen.

The knight's brow furrowed, he brought his weapon up to realize what was wrong. Only to realize his sword was no no more than a hilt, the blade having shattered after the final redirection. The knight hummed anxiously.

Meanwhile, the SOLDIER freed his sword and brought it down on Steiner. With a yell the knight leapt back, the ground where he once stood was obliterated less than a second later.

One of the soldiers swung as Steiner grew close only for the glowing man to sidestep the swing, grab his shoulder and shirt, spin around in a circle, and throw him over one of the desks and through one of the monitors. The knight dusted his hands off and turned to address the bigger threat in the room only to notice a fireball heading straight for him!

With a startled yelp, Steiner jumped after the soldier, landing hard but remaining unscorched. There was a groan next to him as the soldier turned projectile lifted his head groggily. A backhand from Steiner knocked him out properly and, hey, a free sword.

The cautious knight peeked around the desk. The now quartet had gathered around the SOLDIER who was preparing another spell. Steiner cursed his luck, not only was this man oppressively strong but he had magical aptitude as well? Without his Trance he would stand no chance against such a foe and he could feel his beginning to wane. The knight tasted static as it became clear what the SOLDIER was going to cast. A desperate idea entered his mind. It was reckless but there was no time to plan, he had to act now.

He jumped up onto the desk and leapt off of it towards the SOLDIER the same time the Bolt spell was cast. Steiner's blade intercepted the spell. Electricity coursed through him, nearly blinding him by pain alone. It worked though, pink lightning crackled down his blade. He brought it down on the group with the force of a glowing comet. Lighting exploded from the impact, sending the four sprawling.

Steiner staggered to his feet. Channeling magic through his sword was nothing new for him but he had only ever done that with Vivi and certainly not using an enemy's spell. And for good reason apparently, that was excruciating! He was in no rush to ever do that again.

Unfortunately, his relief was misplaced. Across the room, the SOLDIER got back up to his feet, his previous indifference replaced with a broiling anger. Immediately, he began channeling another spell. Steiner felt his Trance wane but if he failed here, how could he ever face the others? He quickly formed another plan and this one relied on more knows than unknows, fortunately.

It was still going to hurt like hell.

He charged at the soldier, his blade beginning to glow a light blue. The fireball was sent forth and instead of trying to dodge it, he barreled through it. With a cry that was equal parts agony and fury, he slashed at the SOLDIER with a Minus Strike. The SOLDIER's eyes widened, there was no time to block or dodge, he didn't expect anyone to be so idiotic as to run through a fireball. The strike left a glimmering trail of blue sparkles and struck with enough force to send the foe across the room only stopping at the wall.

Steiner struggled to stand, his Trance was practically spent.

Across the room, Hojo hummed thoughtfully, having been the only scientist not to do the sensible thing and leave an ongoing battle. He was troubled. Not for the myriad of dead soldiers or crippled SOLDIER who fought in his defense, nor for his own safety. He was simply angry that he overlooked such a fascinating specimen. Being wrong was his least favorite thing. Fortunately that rarely happened.

"How fascinating." The scientist declared in a tone that was equal parts reluctantly impressed, interested, and annoyed, "Though you might have won, Guwah!" Hojo exclaimed as a sword was introduced through his abdomen courtesy of Steiner's throw.

His Trance now fully spent, the knight collapsed to his hands and knees, his aura petered out leaving a smoldering, wounded man in its place.

The doors burst open as scores of soldiers flooded the room. Steiner looked around in horror and grabbed the nearest sword. He would get no chance to use it. One of the soldiers casted another Bolt and turned the man from medium to well done. Finally, the knight collapsed in a smoldering heap.

A lieutenant stepped forth, "Secure the Professor!" He turned to look at the unconscious Steiner, "I'll deal with the prisoner." With slow deliberate steps, he approached the downed knight, wary of any final tricks. As he stood over the man, he leveled a pistol at his head and fired.

Only for someone to slam into him and throw off his aim.

"What do you think you are doing?!" Shrieked Hojo.

The lieutenant gaped at the scientist for a moment, shifting his gaze between the man's apoplectic glare and the sword that was still embedded in his gut. "Taking out the escapee?"

Hojo jabbed a finger at the smokey form of Steiner, "This specimen just defeated a SOLDIER though unknown means and you wish to dispose of him before we understand how?! He is more valuable than your entire squad and had you executed him, I would have you take his place!"

The soldier paled from fear faster than Hojo was through blood loss. He gave a crisp salute "S-sorry sir, I will have him taken to a more secure cell. Safely!"

"See to it that you do." Hojo hissed before letting out a pained gasp. Only then did he let himself be seen to.

Only after the mad scientist was out of the room did the lieutenant and remaining soldiers relax.

"You heard the man, take him away."

-=#=-

"…You defeated a SOLDIER?" Albric asked in disbelief.

"As well as a number of soldiers, yes."

Albric leaned back against the wall. He supposed it made sense the eggheads wanted someone like him to run the interrogation. Not that he would admit that to them, they already had over inflated egos.

He took a minute to collect his thoughts, "You seem awfully calm after almost dying." The SOLDIER noted.

"After coming down from a Trance, one is often emotionally exhausted. It takes a lot out of you."

"You said it ran out? Is there a time limit?"

Steiner hummed thoughtfully, "In a sense. Trance is based on strong emotions, you can't feel that strongly forever. On top of that, the more you express that feeling through action, the harder it is to hold onto."

"And anyone from your world can enter Trance?"

It took a moment for Steiner to respond, "Well, not everyone I've fought has used it but as far as I am aware, there are no restrictions on who can enter Trance." He shrugged, "I'm simply not knowledgeable enough to give a meaningful answer."

Albric nodded, "How does Trance allow you to store spells in your weapon?"

Steiner waved him off, "Oh, I don't need Trance to do that, just a mage to imbue a spell into my sword."

The SOLDIER was shocked, "Anyone from your world can just… capture magic?"

"Well, no. As far as I am aware, I am the only one who has done such a thing."

"What makes you different?"

"Nothing."

Albric felt his hackles rise, "Nothing?"

Steiner nodded, "Nothing."

"So how does it work?"

"I've told you, get a friendly mage to embed a spell into your weapon."

"How does that work?"

"It simply does."

Albric took a deep breath, "I believe we are done here." He said in a tone a pitch higher than usual. Without another word, the SOLDIER unlocked the foot thick metal door and left.

After a few seconds, Steiner could have sworn he heard a muffled scream though it.

--

It's hard to judge Steiner's character given he goes through a lot of development during the course of the game and I don't know at which point in his timeline he was taken from but I think I've captured it well enough.

As a side note, I hate that SOLDIERs are called SOLDIERs. Not because it doesn't fit them but because SOLDIER isn't an acronym. It's probably a translation thing but in my head canon a scientist labeled the project as SOLDIER, resolved to figure out an acronym later, then forgot.

AVALANCHE isn't an acronym either by the way.

Twofold Pilgrimage​

You were a bit nervous about your upcoming meeting with Lady Yuna, and who could blame you? From what you could gather, she was the daughter of the previous High Summoner, who had set out on her own pilgrimage, had it interrupted by the Upheaval, and safely found her way home. Everyone you talked to gave her at least as much respect as Rydia, sometimes more.

Would she judge Rydia for having a guardian like you? Would she give the poor girl more pressure and responsibilities? Given that she was a summoner, and the daughter of the previous High Summoner, she must have some serious sway in the Church.

So you were a little concerned. At least, until you met her.

Your first, rather unflattering thought, was that 'Lady' (She didn't look much older than Yuffie) Yuna looked like a doll.

Her hair was immaculately groomed, she moved with practiced poise, her clothes were perfectly in order, she just looked 'perfect' in a way that made you feel like she was putting on a performance. No one looked like that unless they were trying to make a statement.

"It's nice to meet you, Lady Yuna." Rydia said, imitating a Spiran bow with as much elegance as she could muster. "And this is my Guardian, Barret."

"Lady Yuna." Your attempt was stiff in comparison, it felt odd bowing to someone almost half your age.

"Yuna is fine. It's nice to meet you Rydia, Barret." She bowed back, thankfully not commenting on your arm for once. "Please, come inside."

The house certainly didn't look like it belonged to a powerful figure. It was shaped like a dome, a wooden frame with a circular roof, and a curtain instead of a door. It only had one room, a large circular space with rugs over a wooden floor. Surrounding the edge of the room were various odds and ends, pots, vases full of flowers, a stove, a blitzball and a doll sitting on a wooden shelf.

You jumped slightly when you noticed Yuna wasn't the only occupant. A Ronso with dark blue fur and a broken horn was standing at the side, hand resting lightly on a spear. You were a big man, but the Ronso was even bigger.

"Kimahri, don't menace my guests." Yuna lightly chided. Kimahri huffed and leaned the spear against the wall, crossing his arms. It was hard for you to tell if he was scowling at you, or if that was just his resting expression.

"My pilgrimage is going to start soon, but we're trying to figure out where to go." Rydia explained. "You've been on a pilgrimage before so I was hoping you could help us."

"I'm very flattered but, I am hardly an expert. I only visited two temples before my pilgrimage was… interrupted. And that was before the world changed."

"So? I've only been to one." Rydia countered. "Tell me about your pilgrimage."

Yuna got a faraway look in her eyes. "It was difficult, very difficult. We fought so many fiends, and even had an encounter with Sin itself. More than once I was required to Send those who had fallen, and it weighed heavily upon me."

"It was also the most fulfilling time in my life." For the first time her tone wavered, warm nostalgia bleeding into her voice. "I met so many wonderful people, visited so many beautiful places, and it felt like I was making a difference. I even hoped that I might defeat Sin someday…"

You couldn't help but nod along. You had similar feelings about your journey. It was hard, you were in constant danger, and yet the world never seemed more lively than when you shared it with your companions.

"But then The Storm happened. My guardians and I were separated. The only one to find their way back was Kimahri. Maestor Seymour found me and brought me home. I am grateful of course but… I'm afraid this is where my story ends."

"Are you giving up?" Rydia asked, a hint of accusation in her voice.

"Rydia-" You protest.

"It's fine." Yuna insisted. "The truth is… I've always relied on others. I never would have made it anywhere on my pilgrimage without my guardians. I… don't think I can make the journey without them. Besides, Maestor Seymour needs me."

"He needs you?"

"Maester Seymour and I have entered a courtship." Her voice was flat, devoid of the joy that should come from a statement like this.

You have to bite your lip to keep from asking 'Isn't he a little old for you?' But even ignoring that, the statement doesn't sit right for you. There's some weird, power-dynamic shit going on here, and you don't like it one bit.

"We've gotten a bit off track. What did you want to ask me again?"

"Oh, right. Barret, you've got the map?" You nod and place down the temple map. It was rough around the edges, but most importantly it had the locations of the Aeon's temples on them. Unfortunately…

"Killika temple is in the Empire's territory?" Yuna asked.

"Can we call it Killika temple when it's not in Killika anymore?" Rydia asked.

"No, I suppose not. "

"The important thing is, one is in Empire territory, one is in Cocoon territory, and one is in Dalmasca's territory." You explain. "The Church has no problem with Dalmasca but the others…"

"Better than Shinra." Rydia spat.

"My path was going to be Valefor, Ifrit, Ixion, Shiva, Bahamut, and then The Final Aeon. Normally I would suggest following that path but… Ifrit is in Empire territory." Yuna frowned. "They have… what's it called? Magitek?"

"Just a fancy word for Machina," Rydia said dismissively. "Still, I don't want to deal with them this early."

"Cocoon is having skirmishes with that place they call the 'city of revelry.'" Makes you think of the Gold Saucer. All that unearned opulence... "Let's not poke the beehive there."

"Couldn't I just grab Bahamut right now? He's the strongest Aeon right? What's stopping me from going back to Bevelle and learning to summon him?"

"You are not ready to summon Bahamut," Yuna said firmly. "Most people visit Bevelle last for that very reason, so they can prepare to call the dragon to their aid."

"So what does that leave us, the one near Dalmasca's territory?"

"Shiva, originally from Macalania temple," Yuna said, pointing at the temple on the map. "You'll have to cross the ocean to get there, but Dalmasca certainly seems like the safest territory to visit."

"Alright, Shiva it is." Rydia stood up and bowed to Yuna gain. "Thank you for your time, Lady Yuna."

"I told you, just Yuna is fine." You couldn't read the expression on Yuna's face like she was restraining… something. Some bundle of emotion. Rydia was ready to leave but you…

The way Yuna lit up when she talked about her journey, and nearly shut down when talking about Seymour. She wasn't happy, and Seymour... Well you didn't know him that well, but something about him seemed off.

You didn't have all the pieces, but you got the feeling something was very, very wrong there. Was Seymour taking Yuna, daughter of the previous high summoner, as a trophy wife? Was he using her as some political pawn?

… Ah fuck it. "Why don't you come with us Yuna?"

For the first time, the carefully constructed mask cracked as Yuna looked at you in shock. "I- well… Seymour wouldn't approve…"

"I'm not asking Seymour. I'm asking you."

"I don't know if…-"

"You said the pilgrimage was important to you, right? Don't you want to finish it?" Rydia egged her on. "Even if you don't want to do the full pilgrimage, you and I could still find Shiva together."

"Shiva…" Yuna stared for a moment, clearly at conflict with herself. But the answer came all the same.

"Yes. I'll go with you." Yuna said with a smile, a real one this time.

Shit, You really hope you didn't just make things worse...

---

I'm not sure if I'm happy with the color scheme I picked for Yuna, might come back and change it to like... peach or something. But my initial attempts at finding a good light pink/shade of white didn't seem to work, so I settled for dark blue like her skirt.