Dissidia Final Fantasy Chronicles (Fanfiction)

Chapter 18- Escape from the castle (Part 3)

They followed the plan Cloud had proposed, but first they searched for a way to reach the castle from that underground. Eventually, after fighting some more slimes and crossing through the dark corridors, they discovered stairs hiding behind an "invisible" wall. "For real?!" Tidus exclaimed. The stairs were actually leading upwards.

They ascended them and just in seconds, they found a door. It was of course, locked, but again, it was easy for Bartz to find the hidden lever to open it. It was so lucky for them that people on that castle used more levers than keys to close their doors, maybe it was just the tradition or maybe because it was so easy to jimmy a door's lock.

They opened it and they found themselves in a long corridor. Just by looking at the place, they could know they were already inside the castle. There were no people in that place so they proceeded until they reached another door. Cloud sneaked inside and noticed that, surprisingly, that door actually leaded to the throne's room, and it was of course full of guards and courtesans.

"Alright, try to blend as much as you can" Cloud told Bartz

"Um...I don't think I can blend that much!" he said

"Well, try!" he said and pushed him out of the door and then he closed it

Bartz ran fast and hid behind a column and then, took a deep breath and just walked in the room as if he was sightseeing. Obviously, he caught up everybody's attention and so he was immediately surrounded by guards. For his surprise, the king was there, sitting on his throne so his sudden appearance caused even more of an uproar. As he was brought in front of the king by the guards, he was interrogated by the monarch about his identity and intentions.

"I am..." he said and rapidly glanced around the room; he managed to catch a piano in the corner of his eye "a traveling musician!" he said

"Who invited you here?" the king asked

"It was your majesty!" he said

"I have not invited anyone here! Leave immediately!"

"Your majesty, I heard you were in down spirits because of the latest events so let me entertain you for a while"

"I don't want anything like that!"

"Just let me perform for you! I can assure you will forget about your concerns! Please allow this traveling musician who has crossed this terrible storm just to come here and entertain you!"

"Bah! Fine! But you'd better be good!" the king finally exclaimed

"(Yes!) I won't disappoint you, your majesty!" he said and then the guards put down their weapons. The wanderer, then, walked fast towards the piano, sat down and began playing it. Courtesans, the king and the warriors turned to listen to him. He felt nervous as he had never performed with so many people staring at him, but he was confident of his abilities at it so, he began playing a very familiar song.

As Cloud and the others listened to the song, the exSOLDIER went into the room and as he noticed they were all distracted by the song, he jumped behind a column and assaulted a knight from behind. Another one noticed and turned to help his ally, but Cloud also assaulted him and a third one right after. He, then, told the others to come in and take off the guards' armors so they could all wear them. Cecil was still hesitant of that and was constantly regretting it but in the end, he did it and followed the others. Tidus and Vaan complained about the armors being so heavy. They had to find the exit before Bartz finished. They were still missing one disguise, but fortunately for them, there was a sleeping warrior just right behind a column. They took advantage of it, of course!