From: Zelda Zosa-Villalon zzv@csi.com.ph Date: Sun Dec 24, 2000 10:02pm Subject: Forever Guarded by the twin Lions Thank you all for more enthusiasm. I really apreciate it. See the smile on my face. So, here's chapter three. Really, really packed with Final Fantasy Tactics Spoilers here. I'm warning you. But if you're okay with it, here goes.... __________________________________________________ A warrior takes a sword in hand, clasping a gem to his heart... Engraving vanishing memories into the sword... He places finely honed skills into the stone... Spoken from the sword... Handed down from the stone... Now the story can be told. _________________________________________ Act 3: Vanishing Shadows The kingdom of Ivalice; forever guarded by the twin lions and the sun that shines upon them. It's been two years after the long prophesized war that would break out in Gaea concerning the ancient curse of Atlantis and a mysterious appearance of a hero from the Mystic Moon. The more superstitious people of Ivalice call this 'The Fifty Year War'. Although the actual version was quite simplified, most of the facts were hit directly, like the destruction and re-building of the nation of Fanelia. The war had been bloody and difficult to overcome, but in the end, all the other nations joined forces to defeat Zaibach. At the end of the 50 year war, a heroine named Hitomi Kanzaki plagued Ivalice's history books and interested scholars to no end. The moment this heroine left, Ivalice started having problems. The reigning king had died of a terminal illness and the prince to succeed him was only two years old. Of all kingdoms in Gaea, Ivalice was rich with religion and influencing factors of the church. The church was at the same standard as the government, commanding a god-fearing nation and condemning all and everything else. But the church can do nothing about the rapid growth of poverty in Ivalice. More and more survivors of the 50 year war were showing up, asking for the government's help. Without a king, there was no one to unite the country. The masses were starting to doubt the credibility of their own land, most of them became thieves, traitors and murderers. Crime was rampant in the cities, and the numbers of those loyal to the royal family were diminishing. In this moment of confusion, two political idols stand up at the same time, claiming heir to the throne. The queen's elder brother, Larg, was the designated guardian of the young prince, meaning that he was to take the throne and reign in his nephew's stead. But fearing an oppressive reign from the queen, The parliament ousted the potential Prince, Appointing instead the king's cousin, Prince Goltana as guardian. Prince Goltana and Prince Larg are both respected generals who proved themselves during the Fifty Year war. Prince Goltana had the support of the learned and powerful nobles, but disfranchised knights and nobles clearly supported Prince Larg. The other half of the nation , the common masses, were awaiting the near wedding of Princess Ovelia to the King of Fanelia's brother, Folken Fanel. They say that when this happens, Folken would take the throne and everything would be in order. But there are other groups who highly disagree. The crest of the black lion symbolizes Prince Goltana, while the white lion symbolizes Prince Larg. This is the beginning of what will later be known as 'The Lion War'. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* …Lord God, have mercy on us, thy sinful children of Ivalice… "Princess Ovelia, we must hurry." The knight whispered fretfully, glancing behind him every once in a while, making sure no one was planning to burst into the door. "In a while, Chesta." The princess said. "You must listen to Chesta, your majesty." The old priest, Simon said. Just then, the door burst open. Three teenaged kids stepped in. One was a timid boy, keeping his eyes to the floor. The other was pale with blue eyes and long brown hair tied up in a pony-tail, a light blue pendant hanging from his neck. The last one, the one acting as the leader of the group had short brown hair with brown eyes and a cruel smirk playing on his lips. "Princess, we need to go." The leader of the group said. "We've had some leakage and we're betting Prince Goltana's men are already on their way here. If someone was to pray quickly--" Chesta grabbed Miguel's shirt. "Down, knave! That's no way to act in front of the Princess!" Miguel pushed Chesta away roughly. "We're not in any dept to that 'princess'." He spat at his former ally's face. "We're not her bodyguards, nor are we part of the Hokuten Heavenly Knights like you are. We're just mercenaries, hired assassins paid to protect the Princess." He started to chuckle. "And you're acting like you weren't under Lord-Dillandau's command, Chesta. What's respect to someone who barely escaped death?" Chesta's temper flared. "Why you--" "That's enough." Princess Ovelia said firmly, making the sign of the cross before turning to the knights. "We're through here." Her eyes glanced slightly at the boy behind Miguel, the one who had the light-blue pendant. "There's to be no trouble in the Lord's house." Miguel scoffed. The doors opened again, and a girl knight limped in, pools of blood trailing behind her. She collapsed in front of Simon. "G-Goltana…" She whispered, before death took its toll on her. "Prince Goltana's men has arrived." Miguel rolled his eyes. "Yeah, Rinji. Like we couldn't figure that out by ourselves." He gave a bored look to Chesta. "We'll be doing our job now. Leave no one, men. There's no money in taking prisoners." Chesta protested. "There's no reason to waste more lives, Miguel. I'll take care of this." He turned to Princess Ovelia. "Princess, You should stay here. Don't come out until I come back." Then he left. Miguel rolled his eyes. "C'mon, people." The church doors closed, leaving Simon, Rinji and Princess Ovelia. "You'll be careful, won't you?" Ovelia asked, raising a hand to touch Rinji's face. Rinji closed his eyes, then opened it abruptly. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Follow Miguel, you'll be safe here. Simon can watch over you." He took his necklace off, putting it in her hand. "Here. I'll be back to take that from you. That means I can't die yet." The priest closed his eyes as the two shared a quick kiss. When he opened it again, the soldier was already gone. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "The crest of the Black lion?!" Chesta exclaimed, blinking the droplets of rain from his eyes. "What's wrong with Prince Goltana?! He's such an idiot! Does he want to start a war?!" "There already is a war." Rinji commented, fighting along side the former Dragon Slayer. He fended the inexperience trainee that worked for Goltana, cutting the other fighter down. "Ivalice is separated, everyone suffering and both Goltana and Larg aren't doing anything." "Reinforcement!" The timid boy who worked with them shouted through the pouring rain. Five shadows appeared to be walking toward them. "Fuck this, I'm finishing this fight!" Miguel shouted, running to the new-comers. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Allen peered into the distance. "How far are we from Ivalice?" He asked. The rain was pouring unto them. He checked around him. Folken didn't seem to mind the rain. Neither did Dillandau. Van was okay with the rain while Hitomi was under a cloak the young king offered her. The girl stopped in her tracks. "Wait. Do you hear something?" The group stopped, waiting, listening. Nothing. Dillandau gave an angered shout, moving quickly to pull Allen sword from the knight's scabbard, facing the enemy who showed up from thin air. They were face to face, sword to sword and nerve to nerve. Both fighters were trying to out-do the other. A fight ensued quickly until Dillandau got his opponent on the muddy ground. "Fool! Only idiots attack head on!" The former Zaibach captain exclaimed, a lesson he often taught his Dragon Slayers-- "Miguel?" The former Dragon Slayer fended his captain's sword, quickly remembering the fight back in front of the church. "Wait! Miguel!" Dillandau called, running into the rainy darkness. "Dillandau!" Allen shouted, running after his sister's husband. One thing led to another and the group found themselves standing in front of a tall cathedral, the ground not only muddy, but stained with blood. "This should teach you not to be a softie, Chesta." Miguel sneered, flicking the blood off his sword. "Get your hands off me!" The scream rebounded through the church walls. The first one to move would be Rinji, hurrying into the chapel without hesitation. "Ovelia! Ovelia, where are you?!" He shouted. A slight gleam caught his eye on the floor but there was no time for that. He was about to run after the princess voice but a boy in red grabbed him from the behind. "What's going on?" The boy asked urgently. Rinji pushed him away, his eyes scanning the chapel for any clues. "Ovelia!" A hard punch sent him tumbling to the side, a trickle of blood dripping down his chin. With an anguish cry, he lunged at the blonde guy who hit him. "Rinji, stop it!" Miguel shouted. Rinji stepped hard on the ground, trying to stop his steps. It was just a breath of a hair-strand that stood in the way of him charging for the blonde guy's naked sword in front of him. He fell on the ground, clutching at his face and panting hard. Chesta grabbed Rinji's shoulder shaking him. "Where's the Princess?" "I don't know!" Rinji retorted, pushing him away. He got up and picked his discarded necklace from the ground. Miguel sheathed his sword, a scowl on his lips. "That guy died. That guy who was tailing with us. What's his name, Rinji? The one with his eyes always on the floor. That's probably why he lost." The mercenary's eyes flickered to Dillandau. His eyes widened as he bowed down. "Dillandau-sama." He whispered in reverence. Chesta turned and saw his former captain and strategoes. "Folken-sama." He said, falling to his knees as well. Rinji raised his eyes to the silver-haired guy in black. "You're Folken-san?" He asked. His eyes turned into a shade darker. He kneeled down. __________________________________ Okay, I own Rinji. And he's got issues. Read on. This may start becoming confusing because I'm blending FFT with Esca in a very agressive pace. All questions shall be entertained, not to worry. Dilly and Celena are now maried because.... They look cute together. Ha! I don't have a sane answer. But this is as AU fic so it's safe, right? >> Kirei