The Kandarinian Citadel loomed high above the rest of the city in its center. It was originally the Asgarnian shield spire, captured and retrofitted by the Kandies for their dastardly exploits. A phantasmal Alex stood outside the perimeter. Since he was essentially invisible, he could walk right in and find Midna.
Alex released an echoed sigh and looked at himself again. He was cast in an unearthly bluish glow, as well as being partially transparent. He noticed that in this form, he was not wearing his P.C.S., but rather, his old jacket and pants.
He started down the hill towards the primary portcullis that kept unwanted visitors out. Any who wanted in would have to convince the hardened Kandies to lower the drawbridge over the stagnant moat that circled the spire, and then let him across. Many citizens knew that so much as approaching this structure was suicide. The Kandies were trained to spear anything that moved.
Luckily, these external defenses would be simple for Alex to bypass. Prior to arriving at the citadel he had done his best to get used to how to move and perform actions in this new ethereal body. While no veteran, Alex was convinced he could cross the wide moat without the need of a bridge. While appearing a daunting distance, Alex set his light feet down on the ground and concentrated.
He thought long and hard about being on the other side, about avoiding the moat. Before long, his feet had risen off the ground and he was drifting slowly to the other side. He softly landed without any noise at all. The Kandies were none the wiser. In fact, Alex was so confident in his stealthy approach, that he casually walked straight through one Kandie and into the spire gates. The Kandie shuddered as he felt a feeling of ice course through his body.
"What's with you?" The other Kandie asked, turning to his comrade.
"Urgh, nothing. Must be the wind or something."
Alex passed through the wrought iron gates and appeared in the foyer. He had never been inside the shield spire before, but its enormous structure was intimidating. He had no idea where to start to look.
He then remembered what Caulus had advised him to do, about using his senses. Trying his best, Alex tuned out all outside distractions, and thought solely about locating Midna. No sooner after he did this a bright spot showed up in front of him. Briefly floating for a second, it flew over to the stairs and spiraled up the helix. Whatever it was, it wanted Alex to follow, so he did.
Through many tiers of Kandarinian war rooms, prisons and barracks Alex followed the strange orb, sometimes passing through the occasional Kandie. Alex chuckled a little bit as he saw them shudder a little from having a feeling of icy daggers.
Soon, Alex could go no higher. He was at the top of the spire. The view from the balcony was amazing, the city of Asgarnia sprawling out for miles in each direction. Down below rebels and Kandies scattered like ants, engaged in a street war. The rebels were most likely planning an offensive on the citadel in order to regain control of the city. Alex turned his attention to the orb. As if by magic, it began to speak.
"So, you're Alex, huh? Caulus told me about you, how he raised you and such. It's such a pity, human life is so fragile. I suppose you want me to help you out."
Alex was dumbstruck. "Wait, so you're..."
The orb sparked, and took the form of an impish creature.
"That's right. I'm Midna."
What Alex saw could best be described as a floating female imp, roughly a meter or so tall. One eye was obstructed by a tall stone-like helmet she wore, the other was an eerie red eye. She had long, pointed ears and one fang-like tooth among other human-like teeth. Her skin was a combination of dark and a pale-blue color, her arms and lower body covered in glowing green markings.
(For those with difficulty to visualize it, here's an image)
Alex was aghast. This...thing was supposed to help him return to his human form?
"I can see you're perplexed...allow me to explain. Somewhere along the line, you've suffered a near-fatal injury and your spirit was jettisoned into limbo. It's here you will remain until someone either revives you or someone, such as myself, deposits you back into your body. I know your old mentor, Caulus. He was a good man, while he lived that is. It's quite fortunate that you were raised by him..."
"Listen, can you get me back into my body or what?" Alex barked.
"It surprises me that you wouldn't treat someone such as myself, your only lifeline to the waking world, with a little more...respect. Perhaps I should reconsider this."
"Listen, and listen good, you whatever-you-are. I'm coordinating a massive uprising effort against the Kandarinians, and without a leader, they won't be able to do jack-shit for themselves."
"Ah, so you're with that rabble in the streets?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"Surprisingly, no. You see, it was a Kandarinian sorcerer who cursed me to this fate I'm in now...I was once a beautiful young girl, the destined ruler of Asgarnia, until that...that...URGH! He challenged me for my spot on the throne, and when I backed down, he turned me into this imp and took it anyway. What he doesn't understand is that his power is false."
"So, let me get this straight. We're both working towards a common goal..."
"You need your body, and I need my throne. Maybe we can help each other out. If I do restore you to your former self, you must vow to front all effort into fighting those...those..."
"Kandies?"
"For lack of a better term, yes. If you can help me reclaim my spot on the Asgarnian throne, perhaps I'll have an even greater reward for you. So how about it? Do we have a deal?"
Alex was silent for a moment, until finding the guts to come up with that one binding word.
"Deal."
Midna raised her tiny hands, glowing and crackling with unknown energies. With one motion and one grunt, these energies enveloped Alex. His vision flickered, and then faded to black.
Alex came to lying on his back on the ground. He made the effort to lift his arms, which was now possible. Even more relieving, he saw he was again cocooned in his protective armor, which had mysteriously been repaired of any damage. He was able to get up, he felt no pain, no aching, no nothing. It was as if he had never engaged those golems mere hours before. Midna drifted down next to him and giggled.
"See? I told you I could help you. Now you have to help me, yeah?"
"Yeah," Alex said, his voice again hollow and distant through the suit's helmet.
"Great," the little imp replied. "You know, just to prevent raising panic, I can hide in your shadow until you need me."
Midna flew down onto the ground and manifested herself into the form of a black silhouette of Alex.
"See? No worries. Now, on with you! We DO have a deal, remember?"
Saying nothing, Alex pulled himself over the brick walls of the Industrial District and back into Asgarnia proper. Midna then instructed him to return to the citadel. Rifle in hand, Alex charged in a one-man/one-imp assault on the Kandarinian capitol.
