*The night sky of the planet Orca is obscured with rain clouds, however, the ominous glow of the moon can be made out. All is quiet, except for the occasional pitter-patter of raindrops. An owl is frightened out of its roost by the loud roaring of an airship engine. A large purple airship touches ground, and a group of people step out of it. The party consists of six people: a tall, silver-haired man in his thirties (Tifanel); a blonde teenager (Falos); a blue-haired man (Garin); a white-haired Dragonman of indeterminate age (Arkun); a thin, effeminate man with silver-purple hair (Kuja) and a girl in her late teens with long black hair (Laurenza).*
Laurenza: Everyone all set?
Tifanel: *Swings his sword.* I'm good.
Kuja: The castle is not far from here. We shall make it there before dawn.
*The warriors set off on a long path up a hill. The rain begins to pour down more heavily.*
Kuja: *Shivers.* Beautiful clear skies for days and days whilst we were planning this excursion, but now the time has come for us to set out for Orca, it pours down with rain. Aren't we lucky?
Garin: Maybe the cold weather would not bother you so much if you were not so barely dressed, Kuja.
Kuja: *Scowls at Garin.*
Falos: I don't like the rain much either, Kuja, so you're not alone.
Tifanel: Stop moaning and keep walkin', and we'll soon get there.
*The party travels for a while longer, and they then come to a ledge in the path. It is not particularly high, but too high to simply walk on to. They have to climb up it.*
Laurenza: I bet someone put this here on purpose...
Tifanel: It doesn't look too hard to get up, but I'll give you a hand if ya want.
*Tifanel helps Laurenza and Falos up. Arkun and Garin follow. Tifanel then begins to climb up himself.*
Kuja: Fine, don't help me. Not like I need it... *Waves his hand, and a spiral of Magick power weaves around him, levitating him over the ledge.*
Tifanel: Now that's just showin' off.

*They march onward, and then soon arrive at their destination, Orca Palace.*
Kuja: What is the plan, your majesty?
Laurenza: Well, I shall make my offer to Levanté to join the Circle. I have a feeling he'll refuse, so be prepared for battle.
Garin: And the strategy for this battle is...?
Tifanel: I run in and thwack, smash, pow!
Laurenza: Yeah, something like that.
Kuja: So basically, it's just randomly throw attacks at them in the vain hope that we might win? Sounds like a great plan to me...
Falos: It might work; we're pretty tough when we all get together.
Kuja: Enough talk. Let's go.
*The six warriors head inside the castle, and were apparently expected. They are met by a group of five: a very tall, dark haired man; a teenage boy who could very well be his son; a large Demon with fire-red fur; a short boy with spiky hair and a Kitsune boy in white robes.*
Tifanel: You're outnumbered. Wanna give up now?
Laurenza: Tifanel... Listen, Levanté, we do not come here to fight. I've come to make a proposition.
Levanté: What would that be?
Laurenza: I know what a powerful warrior you are; I've witnessed your skills with my own eyes. I think together we could accomplish great things. Join my ranks, Levanté.
Levanté: Do you think you could fool me with your lies? I know you, Laurenza Rendemal... I know your nature, and your true motives... I will never join you. I would rather die.
*Levanté's party draw their weapons.*
Levanté: But it is you and your little boys who will be the ones dying...
Laurenza: You're making a big mistake, Levanté.
Levanté: Oh really? We shall see about that... Attack! *He waves his hand and his warriors clash with Laurenza's.*
*It is a melee of swords swinging and spells being cast. Valshunies the Demon and Arkun, who has transformed into his full Dragon form, are battling each other with fire and water Magick. Tifanel is slashing with his long sword at anything he can. Falos and Kuja are firing Magick, which is being countered by barrier spells of the White Mage, Ayden and lighting Magick of Leon. The little warrior, Keith, has his teeth in Garin's leg. Laurenza and Levanté are going one-on-one in sword combat: Laurenza's medium broadsword, Windsong, against Levanté's huge sword, Diamond Rain.*
Levanté: You're quite good, Laurenza, for a foolish little girl.
Laurenza: I am not a little girl! I am the Dark Queen... Haze Blade! *She charges some dark energy on her sword. It wraps around the blade, making it appear twice as big. She swings it at Levanté, blasting him over.*
Levanté: *Gets up and laughs some.* Very impressive, little girl. But I have some little tricks of my own. *He tosses back his long, shiny black hair and reveals a shining third eye on his forehead. The room darkens, and it appears that they are all now stood floating in space, stars twinkling around them.* Supernova... *The stars then begin to explode, causing gigantic shockwaves that engulf Laurenza's party, but have no effect on Levanté's. The whole place is filled with bright light from the explosions. After the light clears, the room has returned to normal, and Laurenza's party are laying defeated on the ground.*
Valshunies: Let's finish them off!
Levanté: No, let them be, Valshunies old friend. The shame of being defeated so easily will be a fate worse than death. *Kicks Laurenza some and laughs.*

*We join our heroes at the beautiful crystalline palace, Castle Medra, in the world of Dalimoor. A few days have passed since their defeat on Orca. Laurenza is in the main chamber with Falos, whilst the other men have gone off to do whatever they please.*
Laurenza: *Sighs.*
Falos: What's the matter, your Highness? Is the loss to Levanté still bothering you?
Laurenza: Yeah, that, among other things. I thought we were unstoppable. I gathered you together from all corners of the Universe, searching you out because of the great powers you possess, and yet we still lost...
Falos: I'm sorry, my liege, I wish I were more help.
Laurenza: Maybe it's time we added another to the Inner Circle? Someone who could teach that Levanté Wildfire a lesson once and for all…
Falos: *Goes and fetches a crystal ball.* If there is an individual of great power nearby, this artefact will respond.
*He and Laurenza stare into the crystal ball, but see nothing but fog.*
Laurenza: No use...
*Slowly, the fog begins to clear, and they are presented with the image of a young, black haired man in the local tavern. He is dressed in dark clothing and has haunting red eyes. On his back, he is in possession of two white, yet black tipped, wings.*
Falos: It's found someone! But is he right for the job?
*Suddenly, the crystal ball smashes and a wave of power rushes out of it.*
Laurenza: ...He's our man.

*The Hanged Heretic, the bar in Dalin, is a lively place, but it doesn't take kindly to strangers. The young man with the shoulder length dark hair and wings is viewed by the locals as the definition of strange, so they kept their distance from him. Resulting from this, the man is sat alone at a table in the corner. Garin is sat at the bar with some friends of his, boisterously telling jokes and drinking one too many pints. Kuja, who is also sat at the bar, is wishing he wasn't.*
Garin: And then I said, 'that's no pit bull, that's my wife!'
*Some very drunk people surrounding him explode with laughter. Kuja raises an eyebrow and moves away from them, looking for alternative and less embarrassing company. He spots Thorn alone in the corner and goes over to him.*
Kuja: Billy no-mates?
Thorn: I was going to say the same thing.
Kuja: *Sits at the table placing down his drink, and his copy of The Song of the Cuckoo. Yes, well, as if I would want those drunken dunderheads to be considered my friends.
Thorn: You know them?
Kuja: Only because some of them work at the same place I do. *Picks up his book and begins to read.*
Thorn: And where would that be?
Kuja: At the None of Your Business Institute in Mindyourownbeeswaxville.
Thorn: I'm sorry I asked.
Kuja: *Eyes him with certain distaste over the top of his book.* What are you supposed to be anyway? On your way to some comic con?
Thorn: Now you're being the inquisitive one.
Kuja: I'm sorry; I just wanted to have a conversation with someone who can't count their IQ off their fingers. Or was that just wishful thinking?
Thorn: There's no need for such unpleasantness, Cuckoo Boy.
Kuja: This is a very good novel, but you wouldn't know that, would you? I know how difficult a skill reading is to master, for some people.
Thorn: You know how difficult reading is to master? Well, it's nice to know you can confide in me with something as delicate as that.
Kuja: *Looks mad for a moment, and then smiles as he sees locals giving scared or filthy looks towards Thorn, whilst keeping their distance.* Oh, I see you're very popular.
Thorn: I must thank my loyal fans, supporting me wherever I go...
Kuja: Heh... *Stands.* Well, I'm off. Some of us have homes, and jobs, and actual lives that we can't afford to waste in back street booze holes like this. Have a nice time. Bye bye, now. *Smiles in a nasty kind of way and leaves.*
Laurenza: *Enters the bar.* Garin!
Garin: Y-your Highness!
Laurenza: Remind me, Garin. Do I pay you to sit around and get pissed out of your head?
Garin: Actually, you don't pay me...
Laurenza: Silence! Get your big-haired ass back to the castle now, pronto!
Thorn: *Stands up.* Yes, Garin. It's time to tuck the Queen in for the night and read her a bedtime story.
Laurenza: Excuse me; do you know whom you are talking to? How dare you... Wait a second... *Looks Thorn over.*
Thorn: What...?
Laurenza: *Turns back to Garin for a moment.* Garin, castle, now!
Garin: Yes ma'am... *He leaves.*
Laurenza: *Turns back to Thorn.* You... you're him
Thorn: 'Him'...?
Laurenza: This is your lucky day. I saw you in my crystal ball. I have chosen you to join my ranks.
Thorn: *Laughs.* You really know how to hook a man, don't you? I don't even know your name...
Laurenza: If you seriously consider my offer, I might just tell you it.
Thorn: Tell me, who are you?
Laurenza: My name is Laurenza. I am Queen of this world.
Thorn: Charmed. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Thorn Thorizas.
Laurenza: Nice to meet you, Thorn. *Takes a handful of complimentary peanuts and eats them.*
Thorn: You do realize that it's customary in public houses such as these to use the peanut bowls as ashtrays.
Laurenza: *A sweat drop runs down her head.* I do... I like them better when they're covered in ash.
Thorn: *Laughs.*
Laurenza: Seriously, now. *Leans closer to him and lowers her voice. * I understand you are a man of great power...
Thorn: I like to think so.
Laurenza: You might not think it by looking at me, but I have my own share of power. We could accomplish great things together...
Thorn: And this isn't because you just want to use my power for your own ends, now is it?
Laurenza: Smiles.* Am I that obvious? I need your help, Thorn Thorizas. *Looks him deep in the eyes.* I believe you're the only one who can help me...
Thorn: All right, I will join you, just to see where this goes. Besides, how can I resist a plea for help from such a beautiful woman?
Laurenza: Flattery will get you nowhere, I assure you. *Smiles again.*
Thorn: *Smiles.* Pity...
Laurenza: Thank you for accepting my offer. You won't regret this. I have a feeling this is the beginning of something big.
Thorn: As do I.
Laurenza: So, back to the castle, I think.

*Laurenza and Thorn leave the bar, and they meet with Tifanel.*
Tifanel: What's this, a new member?
Laurenza: Yeah. Tifanel, this is Thorn.
Thorn: *Nods.*
Laurenza: Tifanel has been my Guardian ever since my parents died. Although, I'm not sure that I need him anymore.
Tifanel: Hey...
Laurenza: But I keep him around because he's a good friend.
Tifanel: That's better. So, you ready to go back to the castle, your Highness?
Laurenza: *Nods.*
*The three of them board The Destiny.*
Tifanel: *Sets the course for home.* It's not really all that far, but who can pass up any excuse to show off this flashy airship?
Thorn: *Laughs.*
Laurenza: Thorn, let me fill you in. We're going to storm the castle on Orca; to defeat someone called Levanté Wildfire. We need your help… your powers… to counter his, as he is quite the warrior himself.
Thorn: I can't wait.
Laurenza: I'm glad to see you're excited.
Thorn: As soon as I finish your mission, my Queen, I will take my leave. I have other things to attend to...
Laurenza: I understand. A man like you must have a full schedule. Oh well, I'll be sure to make good use of you while you're around. Heheh... Levanté won't know what hit him. That'll teach him to defy me...
Tifanel: *A mobile rings in his pocket. He answers.* Yello? Oh, hey Falos. Hey, how did you know? Oh, that's cool. You are...? Well, that's real swell of you, but... Oh... right... Okay, see you in a few.
Laurenza: What was that all about?
Tifanel: Oh, Falos said they fixed that busted crystal ball, and they saw us comin' back to the castle in it. He said that the guys are throwing some kinda welcoming party for Thorn, but I didn't get a chance to tell him he ain't staying.
Thorn: Well, how nice of them...
Laurenza: At least you'll get a chance to meet the Circle.
Thorn: Yes, I suppose that's a plus.
Laurenza: They're all guys. Tifanel, who you've met; Garin, you saw him at the bar, he's a bit of a slacker; Arkun, rather quiet and somewhat enigmatic; Falos, he's young and he means well; and Kuja, well, I'm not sure how well you will get on with him.
Thorn: I can't wait…

*They arrive at the castle, and walk through the entrance hall, where they find Garin carrying a six pack towards the main chamber.*
Laurenza: Garin, what do you think you are doing? You were slacking earlier and you need to be punished. *Grins a little then points to a broom leaning against a wall.* This floor's a little dirty...
Garin: *Grumbles some.* Yes, your Majesty... *He puts down the drinks, takes the broom and begins to sweep.*
Thorn: Hmm, now, which way to the festivities?
Garin: *Grumbles again.*
Laurenza: Well, it serves you right, Garin. This way, Thorn. *She walks into the main chamber with Tifanel.*
Thorn: *Looks at Garin, smirks and follows the others.*

*In the main chamber, they find a long table covered with lots of food and drink. There is music playing, and a large banner has been hung from the ceiling. It says, 'Welcome' and also has several names on it crossed off: 'Garin Kuja Vallisto Arkun Falos' until it says 'Thorn.' The rest of the Circle is in there, talking and eating. They all turn to Thorn as he enters. Kuja looks at him in horror.*
Thorn: Hmm. My Queen, I think I would be happy, working alongside you and your men. *Looks at Kuja.* Although it seems that not everyone here is male.
Kuja: I am not working alongside him!
Thorn: *To Kuja.* No. Well, at least I hope you are not...
Laurenza: Now, why can't you just get along? You're going to have to.
Thorn: Kuja? Aaah, now you would be in charge of the Queen's cosmetics? Are you not?
Kuja: No. I am the Mage of this castle! *Fires a huge burst of flames at Thorn.*
Thorn: *The flames wash around him, as if they were waves of the ocean.* I don't care for those who resort to fighting when they are angered. It shows a person's... mmm… immaturity?
Kuja: *Opens his mouth to say something, but Laurenza puts her arm on his shoulder.*
Laurenza: Cool it, Kuja.
Thorn: *Smiles* I'm sure the great Queen does not wish violence now, at such a merry event... *He goes to talk to Arkun.*
Kuja: You are a stranger here.
Thorn: Well, I'm sure you were once...
Kuja: True, true. But we don't need any more fighters.
Thorn: And you decide, do you?
Kuja: We are a strong team.
Thorn: I suppose I will have to see for myself.
Kuja: ... *Walks towards the beer.*
Thorn: *Walks towards Laurenza.*
Laurenza: Arkun's really the friendly one, eh?
Thorn: I knew... that I would not be accepted into your... Circle. The majority of people here do not wish my presence, maybe I should just leave... *Heads toward door.*
Falos: *Walks towards the chamber from outside and stops in front of Thorn.* Hey... hey you. You leaving?
Thorn: *Turns into a gaseous state and walks straight through him. He becomes solid again and heads for the exit.*
Falos: You're Thorn, aren't you? The one she's been looking for.
Thorn: *Stops.* She?
Falos: Her Highness.
Thorn: Oh, yes... 'she'. *Turns around.*
Falos: We really got beat bad last time we went to Orca.
Thorn: What happened?
Falos: We took our army, six of us, but they only had five. They were outnumbered but not outwitted.
Thorn: They over-powered you...
Falos: Yeah, they were real hard-ass…
Thorn: And you're heading back?
Falos: Yes... but this time, we have you…don't we...?
Thorn: I... made a promise... to your Queen... our Queen.
Falos: Thanks a lot. I'm Falos. It's nice to have you on our team.
Thorn: Thorn, I know you already knew, but I'm sure it's nice to be told straight from the horse's mouth.
Falos: Yeah... I'd like a horse. *Walks into the chamber and lights the torches.*

*That night, the sky is clear and cloudless, and the bright, near-full moon shines down on the castle roof, illuminating its crystalline tiles. Laurenza is stood there, gazing at the moon and trying to recall some poetic verse.*
Laurenza: "A shadow on a page, the chapter ends... The winds surround me... A change in destiny" Um... "I see a new star, diamond in velvet sky…" Argh, what's the next line? *Walks around for a moment, trying to remember it.* Oh yes! "What does it behold? A secret, unfold..." Oh nuts, I can't remember the rest...
Thorn: *Steps up behind her.* My Queen?
Laurenza: *Jumps a little.* Oh! Thorn, you startled me.
Thorn: Sorry. *Looks out at the horizon and sighs.* This is truly a beautiful place...
Laurenza: You really think so? *Looks also.* I suppose it is, I just don't often stop to appreciate it.
Thorn: What are you doing out here, anyway?
Laurenza: *Blushes a little.* Reciting poetry...
Thorn: Any particular reason?
Laurenza: It helps calm me, I guess. Gets my mind off the mission tomorrow.
Thorn: I'll protect you. No harm will come to you when I'm around.
Laurenza: So, you are coming after all.
Thorn: Yes. What's wrong with a little bit of fighting before I move on? *Moves closer to her.* Unless of course, I have a reason to stay...
Laurenza: *Smiles at him.* Well, it's up to you, really. If you wish to stay, you're very welcome. You could stay here, and... admire the beauty of this place.
Thorn: Hmm. There are other things around here more beautiful than the landscape, my Queen. *He leaves.*
Laurenza: *Stands there, smiling for a moment and then heads in herself.*
*There is a soft, scritch-scratch sound coming from somewhere on the roof. It is coming from a turret, where Kuja is concealed behind. He has apparently been there, hidden, listening to Laurenza and Thorn's conversation all along. Kuja is engraving something into the turret.*
Kuja: "The gleam leads me to go. To where, I long to know." I believe those were the lines she was looking for...