Era of Change
Author: Furysetzer
Disclaimer: I don�t own the Final Fantasy characters. It�s all copyrighted by Squaresoft. I�m only trying to create something to read for pleasure. Hope you enjoyJ
Ch. 1��Leaving Home�
Relm Arrowny sat apon the grass, staring to the woods. Her expression was pained, her mind far away. The day was clear, sunshine radiating warmth. Even though the scenic countryside was beautiful, it was a day of mourning. Her grandfather had passed away.
A man walked up to her. He was middle-aged, with long, dark brown hair slicked back. He was dressed as a mercenary. He wore brown leather clothing with chain mail armor. At his side was strapped a weapon, little more than a long piece of Mithril metal blade. He said softly in a deep voice, �Hello.�
She turned her head and smiled. At the same time, a tear streaked down her cheek. �Hi, Vernash.�
He stared at her a moment, unsure of what to do next. What he saw was a beautiful young lady trying to hold it all in. Quite a change from when he last saw her as a ten-year-old girl. Now, she was a young woman. Her curly blond hair came down to her shoulders. She had a fair face, with clear green eyes and a light smattering of freckles. She wore a long dark green velvet dress, with a matching bright yellow blouse. Vernash tried a jestive approach. �Hey c�mon, don�t be sad. Whatever happened to that spunky girl that never took flak from anybody?�
Relm chuckled, catching it in her lungs. She leaned over, coughing a bit. Afterward, she inhaled deeply and let it out in a shuddery breath. �Sorry, I�m not myself today, I�m afraid!�
�I know�� he said sympathetically. �I just hate seeing you like this.�
Relm stood up, dusting off her clothes. Resolutely, she studied the tree line. �In those woods� is the old cemetery of Thamasa. My mother is buried there, as well as my honored ancestors, the Mage Warriors. But now� no one will rest there anymore. Not since the Era of Change��
�It�s not so bad,� Vernash said. �Ever since then, the town has grown. Many more people have moved here, to start a new life. It�s only natural for them to expand and change some things.�
Relm smiled melancholy. �I know. And after all those times I bickered at them for trying to hide from the world. Now they have all sorts of people living there. It�s a well-known city. Still� sometimes I yearn for the days when it was quiet.�
Vernash looked at her. He laughed. �What are you, twenty two?!� Goodness, girl! You�re talking as if you�re an old maid!�
Relm laughed at herself. �That�s pretty silly, huh?!�
He squeezed her shoulder affectionately. �Don�t worry about it! I�m sure Strago will be at peace, no matter where we lay him.�
She looked down self-consciously. �You�re right. I just want to hear that he would be proud of me. Even though I left��
�Absolutely,� Vernash reassured. �Now let�s go. It�s time for the ceremony.�
�Of course.� Relm whistled sharply. �Interceptor! Shush-KAtah!�
From the woods, a large dog sprinted toward her. It is well-muscled, covered in short black fur. The Doberman reached her. Looking up, it sat on its haunches. Relm smiled and petted him. He wagged his tail in appreciation.
Relm took her beret from her pocket. It was the oldest thing she owned, her most
favorite possession. She had never parted with it. She put it on. Nodding to Vernash, they started heading back to Thamasa.
____________
Today, the town of Thamasa was quiet. Despite the multitude of people outside, the atmosphere was subdued. They talked in soft tones, their mood somber. More so, when Relm and Vernash appeared from the main road.
It had been a long time since Relm was here last. Before, there weren�t nearly so many buildings. The mansion that burned down so long ago had been rebuilt. The stone walkways had been replaced by cobble streets. Though the thing that had changed the most was the town square. In the past, a huge pine tree once stood. After it had been struck down, a plan was made to construct a plaza. It was built about five years ago, one of Strago�s last projects. Thanks to dwarven architecture, a fountain was structured where the stump used to be. It was a popular place for people to have their portrait done.
They walked up to it, ignoring the stares and awkward silence. They looked into the pool for a few moments. Relm leaned over, sighing. �Why�d he build a fountain over the Evertree, huh?!�
�Maybe he wanted to turn what the Empire did here into something positive,� Vernash offered.
She shook her head. �I don�t want to listen to logic. He used to always take naps here under the branches. Now it�s gone. He�s gone��
His voice suddenly sounding cold, Vernash said, �You�re only thinking of yourself. What about what he meant to others? He obviously wanted to give something to the townspeople. You would deny them his goodwill?�
Relm turned around and shot back, �That�s not the point! I was his granddaughter long before he was mayor. Don�t I deserve something to remember him by?� Noticing everyone in the square looking at her, she raised her voice louder. �And just because he helped save the world didn�t mean that you people had to leech onto him! I helped, too, but did I get any recognition?! No! I was just a kid!� In frustration, she kicked the ridge of the fountain. �This isn�t what he wanted!� Fuming, Relm marched out of the plaza. .
Vernash watched her go. Interceptor followed close behind. He didn�t follow her. She needed time to cool off. Besides, nothing would happen to her here.
The voice suddenly by his side commented, �She�s a feisty one, eh? Still upset about the past.�
Vernash looked down, seeing a dwarf to the side of him. Dwarves, as a race, were a short, humanoid species. Of all the creatures in the world, they most closely resembled man. They were intelligent, spoke common and had a rich culture. They lived underground, in isolation, shunning outsiders. As such, no one knew too much about them. This one was about four feet tall. Like all of them, he had a thick mustache and beard. �Hello, mayor,� Vernash says.
The dwarf scoffed, �Don�t start that �mayor� stuff with me! I didn�t even want the job. Name�s Teros.
Vernash nodded. �I don�t suppose, Teros, that we can just forget about the eulogy?�
Teros shook his head somberly. �I�m afraid not. He was a great man, and I have big shoes to fill. The people demand a proper burial. Why does it concern you, anyway? Is she your woman?�
Vernash covered his mouth with his hand to conceal the smile. �Hardly. I�m just her bodyguard.�
The dwarf shrugged.
Vernash walked away. �I�ll go get her now. The sooner we finish, the better. Don�t worry, we�ll be at the cemetery in time.�
____________
During the ceremony, Relm was in a state of numbness. Emotionally, she could not feel anything at all. Here she was at the cemetery, one in the crowd of a couple thousand. Many people stood in front of the casket. Each in turn, they made speeches about him. She would be forced to speak last.
Currently, the priest was talking. He spoke of the Fates, of how he had been chosen, and to celebrate, instead of mourn his passing. When he mentioned her name, Relm knew she was next. Suddenly in a panic, she broke from the crowd. She made her way to the rear, practically shoving people out of the way.
Relm broke through. Breathing heavy, she started to run. Although she hit someone, knocking them backward.
She stopped, her eyes wide. She couldn�t believe it. She had pushed down a holy man. Studying him, she saw that he wore simple white clothes. The only accessories besides simple shoes were a black sash and a plain ring on his finger. Like all monks, his head was shaved. Although, his most predominant feature was his scar. It was large, and covered half of the left side of his face. The skin was gnarled from the top of his forehead down to the jaw. His left eye and ear were spared. They looked normal. Relm looked to the ground, her face flush. She stammered, �I-I�m sorry, master��
His face expressionless, he got up. Without any aggression, he placed his hand on her shoulder. �It is alright, Relm. Eventually, all
things are forgiven.�
Startled, she looked up. He was a couple inches taller than her. His eyes were a soft gray, compassionate. Familiar, yet� Of course, everyone knew her here. Relm dismissed the notion. �Th-Thank you master.�
A hand tapped her back. Turning, she saw Vernash. He and everybody else were staring at her. Gulping down her fear, she slowly walked to the front of the audience. She gripped her papers tightly.
Relm reached the tabernacle, on which the casket rested. Mercifully, it was closed. She suddenly had a flashback of General Leo�s burial. Of Celes clutching her paper, tears falling freely. Grimacing, she determined not to show weakness. With a stiff upper lip, she turned to the crowd.
She spoke clearly, rapidly. �Strago Magus was my grandfather. Not by blood, but by every other sense of the word. He was a great man. He was kind, brave, empathetic, moralistic, sacrificing, wise and giving. Though despite all these righteous things, he did have one fault. When someone takes advantage of another person because they are meek or timid, you not only dishonor them, you disrespect yourself. You shame yourself! You trash everything he worked so hard for. Mark my words. All of your deeds will be paid back tenfold one day. If you don�t start treating each other as equals, better than yourself even��
A fierce wind gusted out from nowhere. It was so strong; Relm�s beret was blown off. She knelt to steady her balance. The bright sun was blackened out as a dark shadow moved over the land. People looked up, pointing and crying out. Protectively by her side, Interceptor ferociously barked at the sky. Arm shielding her face, Relm looked up also. What she saw was beyond amazing.
Something metal and gigantic was in the sky. It was almost as large as the city.
Looking straight at it, its shape was completely flat. The perimeter was a perfect circle. It passed slowly overhead, causing strong winds.
After several agonizing minutes, it passed them. The winds stopped. They could see the sun again. As if nothing had happened, it shone silently. The flying metal thing was a half-mile away now, so they could see more of its structure. It�s top half resembled that of a pyramids. Its three-sloped sides extended to the top, triangular spire.
It was nearly a speck in the distance now. Still, they all stared at it speechlessly.
Vernash was protectively by her side as well. He exclaimed, �What was that thing!?�
Breathless and shaking, Relm said, �I� don�t know. I�ve never seen anything like it.� She then noticed the gathering. They were all staring at her in fear.
____________
Sometime later�
Relm sat in her grandfather�s room. She was on the floor, rummaging through his old possessions. He didn�t have many. Besides his multitude of books, he lived a rather simple life. He was truly a Blue Mage, fascinated by monsters. Most of the things he owned were pieces of them. A claw here, a bone there. Not only could he work magic used by monsters, he studied them. Their habits and behavior, species and social structure. He would often argue that most were intelligent, more than simply animals. Relm had a similar power, too, once. Although it was relatively weak, she managed to increase her abilities to control the actions of them as well. But that was gone now�
Relm found a small chest among his things. It was wooden and plain looking. The lock on it was flimsy. She opened it to find two things inside.
One of them was his cape. It was five feet long, made of red velvet. She used to laugh at him, because it was an inch too long. He would often trip on it. Still, he loved it like nothing else. He told her that her deceased mother had made it long ago, before Strago shrunk in his old age.
The other was a piece of folded paper. She picked it up, and something fell out of it. It was a small golden ring. Opening the paper, she saw writing. It was from Strago. Her heart running like a crazed chocobo, she began to read it.
My Dearest Granddaughter;
How I have missed you so! I wish to write this letter because I have something to tell you. I feel I have very little time left. I have lived a full and rich life. I have no regrets except for one - losing you.
Relm stopped reading. She buried her face in her hands. Tears flowed hot and bitter. He never lost her. She was the one who abandoned him. It was an old and tired argument. He always gave all of himself to others, whereas they just used him. Finally disgusted with him for not sticking up for himself, she left. Relm took a few moments to compose herself.
Though please don�t blame yourself. I understand all too well the fervor of youth. I also know that it is unlikely I�ll see your beautiful face again before I pass on. I only want to tell you more of your father.
As I told you before, your mother was killed by Hidon. Although, your father was not. I know this is hard to believe, but he is alive. When you were still an infant, he left you in my care. He knew the path he walked was a dark one. He did not want you to share his curse. I did not see him again for a long time.
When I did, he was Shadow, the ninja. I do not know what happened to him
during that time. Although I can guess whatever happened has stained him deeply. I want you to find him again. Perhaps you can soothe his troubled soul.
He wears a ring exactly as the one in this chest. They were marriage bands they both shared. The whole left side of his face is scarred. He barely survived the battle that took your mother�s life.
I see so much of him in you, Relm. Despite whatever your feelings for him may be, I implore you. Do not let negative things prevent you from experiencing the love you deserve. Please tell him I apologize, and that I only ask him one last thing. Please don�t reject your daughter. She has turned into a lovely young woman.
Forever yours,
Stragus Magus
Relm stared at the paper after reading it all. Her eyes were far away. She felt as if she had been drained. She couldn�t think, couldn�t move. Her mind drifted�
____________
Vernash Kimbau sat at a table. Leaning back in the chair in a perfunctory manner, he stared across at an old man. He awaited his
reply silently.
The old man was small with shoulders stooped. His round face was weathered and wrinkled. He had a flat nose, slanted slits for eyes. Once, he was a strong adventurer in his youth. Although he was decrepit now, his unwavering voice still commanded a certain amount of strength. He slowly said, �Let me get this straight. You think I have information that will allow you to contact the ninja Shadow?�
Vernash nodded patiently.
The old man exhaled sharply. �You�re wasting your time. I barely remember the individual. The only time I have ever seen him was when he was recovering here after the cataclysm.�
Vernash smiled slowly and pleasantly. �Please pardon my dishonor, though I believe you are not telling me the truth.�
The old man did not move or even blink.
Vernash continued, �Let me explain. You see, these things I know for a fact. You grew up with Strago. You were best friends. You left when you were young, and he stayed. Your cousin, Sabrina, married and had a daughter, named Silvia. She married, too, to an outsider named Clyde Arrowny. You came back after this. All of you became close. After awhile, mysterious diseases came into town. Many people died, including Sabrina along with her husband. Eventually, it was discovered that they came from Hidon, a diseased, undead monster you and Strago used to hunt as children. One night, it attacked the town. It killed Silvia, almost killed Clyde, too. You, along with the townspeople, managed to seal it up underneath Ebot�s Rock, but by then�� Vernash trailed off. With a tilt of his head, he shook it sadly.
The old man said, �That still doesn�t explain why you think I�m lying.�
�But I haven�t gotten to the best part, yet. Clyde was an emotional wreck after that. He left town, but not before leaving his baby in your care. You didn�t want it, so you gave it to innocent, guileless Strago. Soon after, you left.�
The old man slammed his fist on the table, rising up. �I had no choice! I was penniless. I didn�t know how to raise a child. He did. I had to leave because�� He stopped abruptly, widening his eyes.
Vernash narrowed his eyes, challenging. The situation had been realized.
Horrorstricken, the old man sat back down. He spoke simply, with defeat. �Kill me if you wish. I have nothing more to say.�
Vernash rose. He walked over to him and leaned close. He flinched as he placed his hand on his shoulder. �Relax, Gungho.
We�re not interested in you. Your time was long ago. We don�t want to hurt anybody. We need what he took.�
He looked up at him. �I don�t believe you.�
Vernash took a step back, scratching his head. �I don�t get you. We�re only working for the better good. Been around hundreds of years. But you quit. Why?�
He said simply, �Truthfully, he has not contacted me in many years. I have no idea where he is.�
He shrugged in return, starting to walk away. �Oh, well, I tried. It really doesn�t matter to me, anyway. I have a great lead as it is. She�ll lead me to him��
The old man�s hand whipped out, grabbing him by the sleeve. Vernash looked him straight in the eye. �Don�t you dare hurt her.�
With disdain, he jerked his arm away. Reaching for the door, he said across his back, �What are you going to do about it, old man?�
____________
There was a loud pounding on the front door of the house. It continued for several minutes, getting louder every second.
As the whole house started to shake, the front door opened. Relm appeared, her cheeks red and flush. She looked down, snuffling. �Can I� help you?�
The small boy held up an envelope. �Dis came fuh yoo fwom duh postht offith,� he said.
�Oh?� Relm dug in her pockets. She held out a few gold pieces. �Thank you.�
He snatched the money from her hand. He took off after slapping the letter into her hand. She heard him call over his shoulder, �Yoo wewcome!�
The small boy passed Vernash, who was walking to Strago�s old house. He joined Relm, who was already reading the letter.
�What�s that?� he asked.
�It�s from the king of Figaro,� she replied.
�You mean King Sabin?� asked Vernash. Relm nodded. �What does he say?�
She sighed, �He�s� sorry he couldn�t come to the funeral.� Relm gasped at what she read next. �Oh my��
Vernash asked, �What�s wrong?�
Relm showed it to him. �See for yourself.�
He skimmed over it briefly. He read the last paragraph. Twice. �So,� he said at last, �that flying triangle was there, too. But what does he mean by trying to contact it?�
�I don�t know�� she answered. �But I can tell you this. I felt magic from that thing. It was intense and powerful.�
�After all these years�� Vernash mumbled. �You sure you�re not mistaken?�
Relm quietly said, �Yeah. We have to leave to go to Figaro Castle. Today if possible.�
He shrugged. �It�s fine by me. But we�ll have to hurry. The airship leaves in a couple hours. And the next transport won�t be back for a few weeks.�
Relm went back in the house. �I�ll meet you at the airstrip in a little while.�
Vernash nodded in acknowledgement. The door to the house closed. With a look of complete business, he left to gather his things.
____________
The house was boarded up. The chimney and windows were nailed shut, the doors locked. Relm gave the key to the broker, instructing him to sell it to a poor family. She promised a large bonus if he kept his word. He agreed with a vow of his own.
Strago�s possessions were donated to Thamasa�s Historic Museum. It was a small building without much support. Although she didn�t know what else to do with them. They received everything that was his, except for the contents of a certain chest.
Before leaving town, she looked to the town plaza. She wanted to burn one last image of this town in her mind. Back when she was a painter, she always used to do portraits of this place. But it wasn�t home now.
Despite the warmth of the sun, Relm wrapped herself up in Strago�s cape. It smelled of wood and spice. His smell. She supposed a lot of people would be happy to see her leave again. No matter. She had her happy memories; that was enough.
As she walked to the airstrip to join Vernash and Interceptor, Relm was overcome by two emotions. One was the sense of finally leaving her childhood place behind. The other was the feeling that somehow she knew she would never come back to Thamasa again.
____________
Author�s Note: I hope this is an overall better work than my previous effort. Vernash is my first original character. He�s modeled after Beowulf from Final Fantasy Tactics. Think of him and you�re right on the money. He actually had a small role in my novelization of the game. He was a mercenary that was at the Fanatics Tower, trying to get the Gem Box relic. He helped them fight Strago when he was brainwashed. Also, he is closely related to one of the heroes from the game. I�ll let you figure out who it is. ;-)
Prolog 5 / Chapter 2