Grazing The Sky

Zidane looked up, eyes trailing over the pale-gold carpet, the pyramid staircase, before movement caught his eye. Gurenok's freakishly short body running down the stairs, arms out in hopes for balance. Arms that seemed to reach out further than possible, as if they could somehow extend and reclaim their length again.

Zidane always thought it so revolting, how she'd diminished her own life guardian.

His stare traveled up the steps, up the wide golden carpet, his sight landing on her throne.

Her legs were crossed, trapping part of the elegant dress she wore. Sleek with the hem ripped to pieces, some floating around her. One elbow on the armrest, one hand perching her slim jaw.

Her mouth adorned a smile, eyes narrowed at him and him alone.

"So, finally you come," she said, her voice echoing down to him. "Shame I have to drag my own pet."

Zidane willed himself not to look away, keeping his dark eyes on orange irises swirled with gold. Even if it hurt, seeing that color. Even if it always would.

"Thought you could figure out the deal's off."

"Hm." Ezyta shifted, placing her arm on its respective rest, reversing her crossed legs. "And here I thought you too stupid to back out again."

A sweeping flash; a feeling like his consciousness had just been cut. Something to do with Lance.

Lance? No answer. It was as if the connection had been severed.

Ezyta smiled. Her fingers tapped against the armrest's large orb, playing to a rhythm only she knew. "How many things does your human not know?"

A breath shot out from Zidane, mind willing fire to take him back to Yowlitch's forest of Ereithri. He remained there, trapped in Ezyta's presence. Feeling her energy swirl, push against his back and cause a light stumble. He refused to look away from her, glare evident.

Her words came back, spoken with ripping malice.

"Betray me again and I will destroy your existence."

Is that what she was doing? What she had done?

"So many lies..." Her head slowly tilted to one side, smug smile only increasing.

The connection clicked.

"No..." His eyes went wide. She couldn't have... "You... You didn't..."

A sly smile curved Ezyta's lips.

"We're even."

Fire swarmed him, and in the next moment, Zidane was in the forest of Ereithri again.

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