"Why do I have the feeling it's a mix of both? That we poked a hole or two in her arrogance and opinion of us, and didn't just curl up in surrender." She crossed her arms and turned away for a moment. "But I think that does account for those in the city. After all, they were prepared to fight as well. The Moogles, though," and she looked back up, "I have no idea why they were brought along."

Moral support for the Heroes? A reminder of what the Heroes were fighting for?

"That's one hell of a ruse," Sheena commented. "But it obviously worked. I can't help but think there's another reason for this. While we're here, what's happening in Aqures Ixen and the rest of Crystallis? She gave us a month to find her. A lot of damage can be done in that time."

And Palitutu would still get what she wanted. The current Heroes gone and a restart.

"I can't help but agree with you on that," Sheena admitted. "And it's not just use she's made an enemy of--but to the people of her own world just because she felt she was the only one with all the answers."

From her tone, it was obvious that this wasn't the first person Sheena met like this.