Heh, I've been summoning Siren in FF6 a lot more since I figured out
that her ass is exposed.  I guess either Square missed that little
detail, or they finally figured that we deserved to see a piece of ass.
Oh, right, the fanfic.  Sorry.  Read on!


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


Freelancer



"Another variable is the type of sacrifice used.  Generally, gods like
virgins, and who doesn't?  So if they have to use a virgin, then it'll
take longer for them to find one, since, of course, there's like,
almost none left, especially here."

Steph had been prattling on about ressurection processes ever since
they left the warehouse.  Maggie found it altogether boring, since she
already knew about the whole process, but Mewtwo found it utterly
fascinating.  This was an aspect of the universe he had never even
imagined, and it was very, very interesting.

"Now, the god in question is also a factor.  Some gods take a little
while to get up in strength, while others are ready to rock the minute
they're brought back."

"How does a god become dead in the first place?" Mewtwo inquired.

"Well, gods are really just immortals with supernatural powers, and
killing immortals isn't that hard, as long as you know how to do it.
Same thing with gods, except they sometimes have internal magical
defenses.  The hard part is bringing them back, since it takes a good
deal of power to bring back something that strong."

"Listen, what are we going to do about all this?" Maggie asked, finally
interrupted Steph's lecture.

"Simple.  We try to find out who's involved and which god they're going
to bring back."

"And how do we do that?" Mewtwo asked, still very interested.

"Well, the best way would be to split up and comb the city for vampires
or mages and beat the shit out of them till they talk."

Surprisingly, that idea attracted Mewtwo.  "So when should we go?"

"Now."

***

Early the next morning, the plane landed in the country of D'gala, and
the city of Kryshlan.  Eric was still asleep, so he didn't see Michael
walking off the plane.  Someone happened to wake him up, so he did
manage to get off the plane and get to the shuttle bus that would take
him to his hotel.  Michael was on the same bus, but he sat in the back,
and his face was blocked by a man with a surprisingly large head.

They arrived at the hotel a few minutes later, still unaware of each
other's presense.  Eric got off with the front crowd and immediately
went to the front desk, whereas Michael got off only a few seconds
later and went into a nearby alley.  There was a bright flash of light
a few seconds later, and Steph stood there when the light went away.

"Good to see you made it on time," she said.

"Yeah."  His attitude was cold as usual.  "So, where's the kid?"

"He's...around."

"Where's the guy who knows where the book is?"

"That I've been having a little trouble with.  I've managed to find out
that there's a computer somewhere in the city with a bunch of info on
the book, but I'm not sure which computer."

"I'll check around."

"Right.  Also, there's been reports that Chris is back in the city."

"Damn.  I'll take care of him later."

"Okay.  See you later."  She disappeared again, and unbeknownst to
Michael, her next destination was inside the hotel.

***

The room wasn't the best.  There was only one light switch, and there
wasn't much light cast from the single forty-watt bulb in it.
Considering the technology in this world, it was an extremely low-tech
hotel.  Then again, Eric didn't plan to stay in the hotel very long.

Suddenly a flash of light illuminated the room, as well as most of what
was outside the window.  "Hey, Steph," he greeted her.

"Hey."  She looked around the dark room, and snorted with disgust.
"I've got some information on the book."

"Yeah?  Let's hear it."

"There's a computer in the Epsilon Center that has the information, but
the place is under heavy guard day and night.  There's been some
break-ins recently."

"With the ressurection fairly close, I'm not surprised.  I'll go and
take the tour, see what kind of stuff I'll be dealing with."

Steph began to fade into nothingness.  "Okay, I'll talk to you later."

"Bye."  She was out of sight a few moments later.  He tossed his bag
onto the bed and pulled out a small gun, a dagger, and a small silver
cube.  Hopefully he wouldn't have to use the last one.  He quickly left
and headed for the Epsilon Center, intent on seeing a tour and visiting
the gift shop.  Then blowing it up.

***

In the city of Ysalin, Maggie walked down an abandoned district,
looking for...someone.  Mages tended to use the empty buildings in the
projects for laboratories free of rent.  It was a nice plan, but it
made them easy to spot sometimes.  Like the one in the window of the
building across the street, who was experimenting with fire spells and
had burned down half the building.

She crossed the street and walked up the porch, when a group of men
came out from the alley nearby, each one wearing a permanent leer on