Notes: Words in "< >" are spoken in the Moon Kingdom language Words in ** ** are thoughts Meanwhile, half a world away... The sun was lazily setting in the horizon, its soft crimson glow casting the pale ivory city in bronze. The dark-complexioned citizens went about their business, blissfully unaware of the terrible events happening elsewhere. Several children were playing at the steps of the Shrine of the Oracle deep within the city. Unlike the Bisho, these children were dressed in matching outfits of flowing light-colored cloth. The children were currently engaged in a heated arguement when the Oracle emerged from the Shrine. Amused, she silently observed their squabble. "" One of the children exclaimed. "" Another one replied. "" "" "" "" "" the ageless woman addressed the assembled youths, interrupting them. "" "" The children chorused. "" "" She asked. "" "" A dark-haired boy protested. "" A little girl with long braided red hair whined. "" a young boy with spiky blond hair added. "" "" Another boy, whose purple hair was tied back with a white ribbon, chimed in. "" The Oracle looked into each of the eager faces of the young children. She saw in their little eyes curiousity and innocence, yet there was also the spark of restless determination. The same looks that were mirrored by Tes Lassenkirche and Roy Bivg over twenty years ago when they asked for her blessing to marry them, since she was Tes' guardian... ...And the same look that she refused to see in her own daughter's eyes before she left to become Cid's student. Now she would never... "" The Oracle blinked away the tears in her eyes. She looked down and saw a little dark-haired girl tugging at her sleeves. "" "" The girl, who was named Uri, cutely asked, her curls bobbing as she spoke. The Oracle managed a weak smile, then took a seat on the steps leading to the Shrine. "" "YAY!" The children cheered as they gathered all around her in anticipation. Gyn Samson smiled again. She wasn't as skilled in story telling as her old friends and former travelling companions, but the interest these impressionable children had for stories made up for anything she might lack. And maybe, just maybe, she could make up for not being the mother she had tried to be. She began her tale. "" ==================================================================== FINAL FANTASY LEGACY Knights of the Round An ImproFanfic Series Started by Brian Stricklin And hosted by Improfanfic (http://www.improfanfic.com) Chapter 33 Loss and Regret This Chapter written by Signus Megido (maramala@hotmail.com) Chapter rewrite by Terence Fergusson Based on Concepts by Squaresoft ==================================================================== No one stood in Kyle's way as he searched in vain through the debris of broken GOLeMs, scattered across the battlefield. But, as Shizuka explained later, there was no way he could've ever found what he was looking for. The Final Heaven technique required massive amounts of energy and power. The flesh itself is burnt away as the practitioner throws his all into the final deathblow. It had worked. The effect on the GOLeMs had been devastating. But now, Kyle couldn't even find a body to bury. Later, after he had calmed down slightly, he dragged Davin out into the centre of the battlefield, a stone throw's away from the Dragoons' encampment. Some of them watched the two warily, but none were ready to approach for any reason, not so soon after the unexpected slaughter. Davin nodded grimly as Kyle explained what he wanted him to do. And so, the young geomancer called upon the spirits of the earth to form a small marker out from the granite of the ground. Kyle nodded in satisfaction as Davin finished his work. "It'll do," he said, before he turned and walked slowly away, not looking back. Davin shook his head, and then glanced down at the words Kyle had had him carve into the large face of the stone. He sighed. What else was there to say? THE LEAST OF WHAT HE DID, WAS FAR BEYOND MY EXPECTATIONS. AND EVEN IF I CANNOT FOLLOW ON HIS PATH, THE LEAST OF WHAT I CAN DO, IS TO REMEMBER. CHENEY -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Jil sighed, looking through the contents of the small pouch in her hands. She'd separated herself from the others to have a few minutes to herself... enough to make the decision she knew was coming. She glanced through a few miscellaneous gems and jewelry, and finally touched upon the masterpiece of the collection: a ring made of pure starsilver, an immaculately engraved sea-serpent coiling around the setting in the ring. Her eyes misted up slightly as the memories of that ring came back to her. Had it been that long ago? Jil shook her head finally, closing up the pouch again. It was time to get going. She got to her feet and headed down the mountain path, towards La Verde. A little over the rise Jil had selected for her moment of privacy, Marcine finally stood up, undetected by the departing captain. She bit her lip nervously, lost in thought for a moment, before simply sighing, and making her way back to Davin and the others. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The two travelers stopped by a small stream, half a day south of Achal. They let their chocobos rest and recuperate, while they took the chance to have something to eat. "Did you catch the rumours in Achal while we were there?" Cid asked after a while. Pearl nodded glumly. Even people out here were learning about La Verde's fate. Added to the rumours of Atlantea that had trickled through several weeks before, it was causing tensions within Church-aligned lands to slowly rise. They'd heard the same things in Koden when they stopped there to gather supplies a day or two back. They had been riding almost non-stop since leaving the Great Russa Forest, resting only when necessary. Pearl sighed as she thought about that particular visit. She had been keen to finally get home so that she could replace her weapons... but her treasured Starsilver scythes were lost forever, thanks to that psychotic knight. The mythril spares she had picked up lacked the silvery sheen of her old weapons... but at least she could defend herself adequately now. And then... there had been the statue. When they'd entered Koden's main square, it was as if she'd seen it for the very first time. She could see the truth behind the myth. And... it was enlightening. The Heartstone of Fire burned softly underneath the folds of her clothes. Cid nodded finally, finishing off his ration. "We'd better get moving again. It's still another two days to Tienne, even at full pelt." Pearl nodded slowly, coming out of her reverie. "I know," she replied. Mounting their chocobos once more, they raced south, fearing what they may find when they finally reached the ancient Church city. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- "Well, it be done," Jil announced. The party was assembled on La Verde's well-equipped docks, preparing for their departure to Tienne. "Really? That quickly?" Davin said, surprised. Jil shrugged. "The only problem there be was that I had tae deal with th' Dragoons rather than th' La Verde shipmerchants. Th' split was ... fortuitous for us though," she finished, uneasily. "How so?" Marcine asked. "Well, some of them be... not so loyal to th' Church no more. With Martin's help, I was able ta... buy ye a ship, as well as unhinder'd passage outta La Verde." "So which one's ours?" Mika piped up, running up to them at that moment. Shizuka trailed behind at a distance, seemingly hesitant of approaching too close to the young alchemist. "That one over there," Jil replied, pointing out one of the fast Tienne ships. It still flew the Tri-fan flag. "I've already rerouted those Ryukin louts onta th' new ship. They'll be gettin' ye to Tienne safely, at least. After that..." she shrugged. "Who be knowin'. 'Tis their ship now." "Wait... wait!" Davin interrupted. "*Their* ship? *They'll* get us there? You're not coming with us?" Jil nodded sombrely. "Aye." "But... I thought--" "He be needin', Highwater." Davin fell silent. It took no great leap of logic to work out who Jil was talking about. "He be hurtin'," Jil continued. "He's lost th' one person he mayhaps trusted th' most. He be sailing in unchart'd waters now. I well know how hard that be." She smiled slightly, shaking her head. "I be stayin' with him. I've cut the last of my ties." The young geomancer nodded, only half-understanding Jil's cryptic remarks. "Good luck then, Jil." He sighed, glancing at the others. "We'd best get going then. It's still going to take us two days to make it to Tienne... and the Manakyr have a head start." They left, heading towards the ship Jil had given them... all except Marcine, who waited, gazing at Jil quizically. "What is it ye be wantin'?" Jil asked testily, wary of the look in Marcine's eyes. "I... you cut the last of your ties. That's what you said. But... this morning, you were looking through that pouch you brought back. You sold it, didn't you." Jil sighed, and nodded. "Aye. My nestegg. What about it?" "What was the ring for?" Marcine pressed. Jil paled slightly as the young mage continued. "I... I'm sorry if I'm prying, but it seemed that it was the most important item in there by the way you were handling it. I... think what I'm trying to say is... why did you sell it? We could've found another way to get a ship. I'm sure of it." Jil cut her off, face darkening. "I'll hear no more of it. Tis none of your business!" Slowly, however, she relented. "No... that nae be right." She sighed. "I... I have ta tell someone, I guess. May as well be ye." She looked out over the sea as it lapped softly against the docks. "It all be that lug Biggs' fault, of course. Guess I was as bad as he though. We met for th' first time here, in La Verde. "I was impressed with his skills. Me old first mate had moved on. I was lookin' fer a new one... and Biggs fit the bill. I offered him a place th' very next day. He jumped at th' chance. But... he had a condition. He wanted me to bring his sister on as well. "At first I was against it. But... he was stubborn. And he be th' best first mate I'd ever seen. He'd grown up by th' sea... he was perfect fer th' job. So... eventually, I caved. I took his sister on board as a deckhand. "I... be not sure what happened over the next few months. We grew... close. It was five months later, when he finally gave me th' ring. I loved it. I told 'im so. "The next day, we entered th' North Channel. "We were used ta th' Channel by then. I'd sailed through it a couple a times in me youth. Scary as hell... but... exhilirating. Still... this time, we were on a time limit. Tis always time that made me run the Channel. La Verde ta Yahl Russa in seven days. Ye can't do that th' long way round. "But... I was careless. Elanor... Biggs' sister... died durin' a Sahagin attack. "When we docked in Yahl Russa... he left me crew, immediately. The worst part 'bout it was... he didn't blame me. He blamed himself. "For a long time, I couldn't even bear ta look upon th' ring he gave me. I wanted ta throw it as far as I could. I hated it. But... in th' end, I simply stashed it away. 'Twas my nestegg. "We were still on speakin' terms, of course. We were friends. Even when he went adventurin', and joined up with that wirey lout friend of his, we still met up from time ta time. But he never came back ta th' Lucky Star. She finally sighed. "Still... Biggs be dead. I cannae dwell on th' past. That be why I sold it. After all this time, I can move on." Marcine was silent for some time after Jil's tale ended. "Did... did you hear how he died?" Marcine finally asked tentatively. Jil shrugged slightly. "Highwater told me some of th' story. Killed by Dragoons outside of Tienne... sounds like somethin' that hothead Wedge would get 'im into. Never thought about th' consequences of his actions... an' now he's paid fer it. "As I said though... it be in th' past. That be why I sold me nestegg. Ta finally move on." Marcine looked at Jil carefully... then finally nodded. "I see," she said. "Jil... please keep my brother safe. I'm... I'm counting on you." Without waiting for an answer, Marcine backed away, smiling one last time at Jil, before turning and running to catch up with the others. Before she moved out of sight and earshot, she yelled over her shoulder, back at the silent captain. "Bring him back to me, Jil Fallensand!" Jil nodded to herself, then smiled slightly. "Aye," she said to herself. "I will." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Kyle found the old engineer a stone's throw from the shell of the Excelsior, surveying the damage. Bolgan had been a bundle of nerves since Armand's disappearance... but that didn't matter. Kyle needed his help sooner or later. "Can it be fixed?" he asked after a while. Bolgan started, having not even noticed the Dragoon's approach. "Uh... uh, yes! Yes. But... it needs a power source. I... I was foolish, so foolish... thought I was so clever." He shook his head, sighing, then suddenly looked at the Dragoon as if seeing him for the first time. "Hmmm... you. Is... is the girl alright?" Kyle nodded. "She is. She's left with the others already, though." "Good... good. Armand must've made a mistake... maybe he believes too much in me to think I was the cause of all this? Oh, I don't know! This is all so... confusing!" "Look," started Kyle, "I--" "You're Armand's son, aren't you?" Bolgan interrupted, a frown on his face. "Yes, yes, I've heard about you." Kyle sighed, realising what was on the old engineer's mind. "Look, I'm sorry about Rhyl. If I'd known--" "If you'd known nothing! ...just... forget about it, please. I have work to do. I need to... I need to figure out how to get this operational again. I'm sure the High Priest is counting on me!" Kyle blinked in shock. "Counting on you? Master Valecrest, you're miles away from Tienne, which is about to be plunged into war, and my father has *left* you! He set your own GOLeMs against the Dragoons! How can you still trust the Church?!" Bolgan rounded on Kyle, half-shouting. "Don't lecture me, boy! The Church has done more good in the past years than anything I can imagine! You want to blame something? Blame the Manakyr! Blame *magic*!" The Dragoon sighed, calming down. "Look... I'm sorry. I guess I'm a little on edge. But--" Bolgan snorted and turned away. "Leave me alone. Please. I just... I don't want to hear this right now. I have too much that already needs my attention... and you're just distracting me!" Kyle shook his head as Bolgan stalked away, back towards the Excelsior. There had to be a way to win the engineer over, to convince him that the Church he'd served for thirty years was going the wrong way. But he couldn't think of it for the life of him. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The news was only slightly better when Kyle returned to the makeshift camp he'd set up with Martin and Reill's help. Reill had gone amongst the Dragoons, trying to find out how they were coping. He made his report as soon as Kyle got back. "They're arguing. They're all arguing. It's even come to blows with some of them, Kyle, but most of them are still licking their wounds." "And I can guess what they're arguing about," Kyle noted, frowning. "Affirmative. A lot of them trained under you or around you, and believe you more than they believe your father. Then there's those who believe that Armand is just a hand of the Church, and that the Church itself can't be wrong. They're the dangerous ones. Some of the old guard also know your father well, and trust he knows what he's doing. And then...." "And then?" Kyle asked, raising an eyebrow. "...there's the broken ones. Kyle, these Dragoons have given their all to be in the service of the Church, only to be turned on by those mechanical monstrosities as if they were heretics themselves. They can't fight, they won't fight, and they barely have any will left in them. They're afraid of Armand, afraid of the GOLeMs, but most of all, they're afraid... and angry... at you." "At me?" Reill nodded. "Yes, Kyle. They blame you for breaking apart the Dragoons." Kyle nodded sombrely. "Then they have more sense than most." Reill ignored the comment. "Kyle, to be frank, I have no idea how we can salvage this. It could take weeks to repair their faith and confidence." "Then perhaps it be wise ta get them ta instead focus on a more common enemy, perhaps?" Kyle started, looking very surprised as Jil clambered down into the camp and settled down opposite the campfire. "Jil?! I thought you'd already left! You need to get to Tienne!" Jil waved it off. "Ah, they've already gone ahead. I decided ta stay behind." "But... but why?" She blushed slightly, which Kyle thought was most uncharacteristic of her, but she quickly covered it up. "W-well... I mean... I've always thought bein' on th' sea was as free as ye could be. But... that was 'fore I flew." She smiled. "Who knows. Mayhaps I'll be pilotin' those things yet." Kyle shook his head, chuckling. "I'm glad you're here, Jil." "Aye," Jil replied. "So am I." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The Ryukin sailors proved to be somewhat adept in getting the Tienne-made ship underway, a task likely helped greatly by the 'tutelage' they had received under Jil's command. Even Davin was able to take some time to rest while the crew went to work. The voyage itself was uneventful, despite strained tensions among the crew as they passed by the entrance to the North Channel. Even with as much berth as they gave it, no one complained about the need to have double watches. It was around this time that Mika finally cornered Shizuka at one end of the ship, a determined expression on her face. "C'mon, Shizuka!" she asked. "What's wrong? Why've you been avoiding me?" Shizuka drew a ragged breath. "This one... apologizes to Mika. She has failed to protect you in your time of need. If it wasn't for the Red Monk's heroic sacrifice, you would have followed Master Cid's student upon the execution grounds." "Shizuka, what are you talking about?" Mika pressed. "How could you have prevented things from happening?" "This one feels that she is but a burden to the party of the Legacy. She finds her usefulness limited, if at all." "You... you're not a burden, Shizuka. You've been a great help ever since you joined us. Especially now that..." Mika choked on the words, "...that Syeira d-died, we need you more than ever." "That is the reason why she failed. Master Cid's student should not have died then. It was this one's responsibility to safeguard the welfare of Master Cid's student in accordance to our family's debt, even if it means giving up our lives in the process. But instead of fulfilling our duty, she has made things worse for the Legacy and her friends." "It's not your fault, Shizuka!" Mika pleaded. "You've done everything that you could... How could you think so little of yourself, even after all the things you've done for us?" "Because... this one... *I* am a coward." She laughed slightly, glancing at the young alchemist. "There. This one has admitted her greatest fault. A moment's hesitation, a second's blink. This one's own failure to do the honourable thing and follow Master Cid's student immediately." She shook her head, upset beyond words. "Mika... here." She produced the Plume Bracer that had once belonged to Syeira, and pressed it into Mika's hands. "This one is sorry if the artifact causes you distress... but she cannot bear it any longer. This one has no right to such a possession." Finally, the ninja sighed, and began walking away. Mika could only stare at her departing back. Just before Shizuka was about to descend below decks, she turned, and gave Mika another soulful glance. "Mika... only Master Cid can decide on a suitable way for this one to repay her faults... for her very life was already forfeit. Please... please do not try to interfere." Mika was at a loss for words, and just stared after her. "Shizuka..." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The sun brightly blazed from high over Clea's sea, driving its harsh burning rays down over a clear, cloudless sky, battering the massive hulks of the Manakyr airships as if the very heavens attempted to stop them from their murderous cause. The winds howled on their passing, and the sea rose up in waves like hands trying to grasp the airborne carriers of destruction. The starsilver ships, uncaring of the desire of nature, continued on their journey, not pausing from their grim purpose. On one of the airships, a solitary figure gazed out to sea from his cabin window. His glassy eyes and blank expression gave no sign on what he was thinking. At the rate the airships were going, they would take one more day to reach their destination. Most of the occupants had already taken the opportunity to rest and prepare themselves for the impending reception upon their arrival. The Manakyr had waited over nine hundred years for the time to free their leader, Darovan, so a single day wouldn't matter. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The High Priest shook his head as he gazed outside the window in his office, a long slit-like opening that gave him a panoramic view of the city. Sunrise cast shadows across the entire city, bathing Tienne in its soft glow. Everything was set. He had just heard from the engineers that the prototypes were ready, and had already been moved into position. He just hoped they were up for the task. Armand was still out of contact. That was bad news. He had hoped that the Commander would at least still be in radio contact. Perhaps he would still get back in time? No. He couldn't assume that. He couldn't take that chance. Something was stirring the Dragoons based here though. It was only two days after the second flame had gone out, and already rumours were spreading. Panic was slowly gripping the city. Only the Temples of Courage accepted parishioners now. And as for the Dragoons... Lambert had heard a couple of rumours about La Verde himself. He didn't like what he had heard. But there was little he could do about it. All he could do now was point them at the enemy. The enemy that would soon be here. How long had it been? Five hundred years? And now it was his watch, his turn to beat back the Manakyr. He had tried so hard to prevent this... how could it have all gone wrong? No. No time for regrets. No time to think about the past. What was done was done. Everything had been necessary. Lambert looked down at a new report that had appeared on his desk earlier in the day. They had found her. After so long. Perhaps if they'd done it sooner, all this could've been averted? Probably not. But perhaps it could've helped. At this point, it didn't matter. It was his job to salvage this as much as he could. He was the High Priest of the Church. That came before morals, before the needs of the few. The safety of the Church and the world it protected came before everything. He went over the strategic defenses once more. Nothing could be left to chance this time. And there was only one more thing he had to do, to truly ensure the safety of the Wall. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- "<...And they lived happily ever after,>" Gyn concluded her tale, and sighed. Most of the children had dozed off while she was still narrating the story. Like the many previous times, only a handful managed to stay awake to listen to her. The redhead looked up from fiddling with her braid. "" "Ah, ah, ah..." she admonished them. "" Sure enough, the sun had already set for a while now, and the first stars had began to twinkle in the night sky. Two figures approached the shrine. They wore light shirts and pantaloons made up of what appeared to be vibrant, flowing cloth, with a colorful sash symbolizing their rank and status. The two dark-skinned people, a man and a woman, were surrounded by several floating orbs following their every move and lighting their way. The man carried a long trident encrusted with gems and mother-of-pearl, while the woman wore a light veil over her head. Upon seeing the approaching couple, the children who were still awake stood up on attention. "," they chorused. The woman silently smiled while the man raised a hand in greeting. "" "" Gyn replied. "" "" Roy decided. "" The woman beside him silently nodded. "" "" the children chorused as they were led away by Roy, the light globes trailing behind him. The two women regarded each other for a few minutes. "" Gyn finally spoke, breaking the silence. The younger woman did so, and sat on the steps beside Gyn. "" Gyn asked. Tes blinked, and took a deep breath before she replied. "" "" "" Tes blushed lightly. "" Gyn tsked. "" "" There was silence for a while as the two women continued to gaze up at the stars. The light globes following Tes floated behind them, giving them some illumination in the darkness. "" Gyn mused. "" Tes spoke aloud. "" "" Gyn shook her head in response. "" "" Tes stood up and faced Gyn. "" "" Gyn's face grew serious. "" "" Tes looked puzzled. "" "" Gyn stood up. "" **But what is it about this that has scared the Council into action?** she silently asked herself. **It... no. I must see for myself.** **...and maybe... just maybe... it is time for the Ashura Blades....** **...to be reunited.** -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ...and at that moment, in the sunlit waters of Clea's Sea.... It was late in the second day of the voyage when the party were roused by the sudden cry of "Land, ho!" Tienne was finally in sight. They made their preparations swiftly, attempting to be ready for anything that would face them once they finally arrived. The companions waited below deck as the ship approached the docks. An uneasy quiet settled between them as they waited, fearing what they would find in the Church's home city. Finally, Davin spoke up. "Marcine... did you... do you remember what Gaia said?" "What about?" she replied, perplexed. "She recognised me. She saw someone else in me. Maybe... maybe she knew who my true parents were." Marcine blinked. "That's right... you're adopted, weren't you. But... how would she know?" Davin shook his head, sighing. "I don't know. My adopted father was part of the Light Warriors... maybe that has something to do with it... ack, it hurts even thinking about it." "Well, it's not like we can do anything about that for now," Marcine finally said. "Maybe Gilgamesh might know what Gaia was talking about... if we can ever find him." "Yeah... maybe." Davin paused for a second, then his expression became concerned. "Marcine... are *you* alright?" The young mage blinked. "Why wouldn't I be?" "I mean... Kyle... and your father. I mean--" "I know what you're trying to say, Davin," she interrupted. "Kyle... I... think he'll be okay. I'm sure of it." "And your father?" pressed Davin. "I... he's a man of duty. He's... I don't think he understands. It's hard to explain... but I can understand what he's going through." "Marcine...." "It's okay. It'll be okay, I'm sure. I just... I just hope all this doesn't... hurt him more than necessary." Davin shrugged. "Doubtful... we don't even know what we're going to face in Tienne." "Eh... comlade!" Davin looked up as one of the sailors poked his head in, his Ryukin accent heavily evident. "We think you should see this!" Davin swiftly climbed up the steps, looking straight ahead at the approaching city. Parts of it were ablaze. Three great Manakyr airships slowly made their way towards the centre, while Church cannons fired flak at them, attempting to bring them down. On the ground, pitched battles between the few Dragoons Tienne had left and the fearsome Atma Beasts had already started. "It all begin while we approach it," the sailor explained. "Maybe there still is time." Davin nodded carefully. "Maybe." The appearance of some metal monstrosity on the docks caught his eye, but within moments, it had disappeared, having fallen into the water. "What was that?" "What is what, comlade?" "That--" The ship rocked, only a few tens of feet from the dock. Wood creaked horribly. And a metallic tentacle latched on to the gunwale. Davin rushed to the side and looked down. A single red metallic eye stared back at him, before slowly beginning to pull itself up. "Guys?! Get up here now!" he yelled. "What is it?!" Mika yelled as she appeared, the others right behind her. Davin drew his sword deliberately and readied his shield, preparing himself. "KRAKEN," he replied. (end, Chapter 33.) ____________________ Author's Skribulous: ...Damn, what a hectic chapter to write. ^^;;; Thanks to Brett Schimmel, Akodo "NDebugger" Makoto, Yonjuuni for prepreading this. A belated thank you also goes out to those who preread my last part that I forgot to credit. Sorry. Enjoy. -MaRaMaLa, D' Fat Dragon Scribe http://hello.to/maramala Finished, 12/02/2000 Terence's Addendum: Not much to say, really. Thanks to The Eternal Lost Lurker, Scott Schimmel, Demented Otaku and (last but not least) Signus Megido for giving this a look-over before posting. Apologies for the delay.