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 enjoy=)
Ch. 2��Unknown Threats�
King Sabin Rene Figaro stood on the castle tower. He stared down at the desert far below. He had been like this all day. His countenance was that of deep and troubled thought. He hardly ever smiled anymore. Not since that time�
King Sabin�s eyes snapped into focus. In the distance he saw the dark outline of three travelers. He grabbed his sight scope, peering into it. He recognized them. In a flurry of robes, King Sabin descended the stairs.
He sprinted down the halls, rushing past civilians and servants. He accidentally tripped in his haste, though he was up a second later. By the time he reached the front gates, he was winded.
�Hey!� he breathlessly called.
The guard on the turret turned and looked down. His surprised face belayed his thoughts. The king hardly ever associated with his subjects these days. �Y-Yes, your majesty?!� he stammered out.
�Open the gates!� he returned.
Again, the incredulous look. �A-Are you sure, your highness?! The castle is on combat alert status!�
As if he didn�t know. His infuriation at the obvious caused him to glare upward. King Sabin barked out, �Do it! Now!!�
The guard immediately fumbled for the switch. He flipped it. There is a creaking sound as the chain wheel lifted the security bar off the gates. Half a dozen men pushed on them. They swung outward with the king running out.
The travelers were only about 100 meters away now. King Sabin shouted out, �Hey!� and ran out to greet them. They stopped dead in their tracks. He laughed, picking the woman up. �Relm! It�s so good to see you!� he exclaimed.
She gave a hearty, �Whoah!� as she was spun around. Her companion gave a rueful smile, lowering his weapon. The dog studied this silently. He made no action against the two.
After hugging her fiercely for a few moments, the king set her down. On shaky legs, she swooned over slightly, exclaiming, �Holy Hemophyt! Vernash, did you get the number of that Tyrannosaurus?!�
Grinning, King Sabin noticed the dog. He held out his hand. �Hello again, Interceptor. How have you been?�
Interceptor sniffed his hand. He snorted and sat in the sand.
At about that same time, the three members of the royal guard came running up. Swords drawn, they placed themselves in front of the king. Relm�s companion, Vernash grabbed her. Raising his Hawkeye blade, they backed up a few paces, . Interceptor growled loudly, taking a defensive stance.
While keeping them at bay, one of the guards said, �Sire, whatever possessed you to leave the castle?!�
The king placed his hand on the person�s shoulder. �It�s alright, Derek,� he said calmly as if talking to a child.
�These are old friends. You remember Relm, don�t you?�
The guard lifted his visor to his helmet. He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the girl. An air of intake upon remembrance, and he took off the Crystal Helm.
Relm saw an attractive man around the same age as her. He had long brown hair with handsome dark eyes. The name Derek seemed familiar� She widened her eyes. �Of course! You�re Sabin�s son! Er� King Sabin�s son,� she corrected, glancing at him.
Derek gave a quick, quaint smile. �Yes, well, forgive my rudeness, but my father
hasn�t quite been himself lately��
The king interjected, �Hold on a minute now! I�m still the same I ever was. Don�t make excuses, Derek.�
While slipping behind the crowd, Derek muttered, �As you wish, father��
In a cheery tone of voice, King Sabin turned his attention back to Relm. �I�m very glad you came to visit! It�s been too long��
�Yes, well��
�Though I must say you�ve come at an inopportune time. You know about the war, correct? Good, because it hasn�t been going too well for us. In fact��
�Father!!� came Derek�s voice. The king stopped. �I can�t believe you�re giving them classified information��
�Now listen, son��
As they argued, Vernash observed them. He was the type of person who watched things happen around him from a distance. Doing so had saved his life many times. While others talked, he listened.
Appearance-wise, King Sabin was one hundred percent royalty. He wore gold armor with a cloak, Figaro�s emblem being affixed to them. He was a very tall man, once physically huge. While still large, he lacked the powerful muscles he had when he was younger. His straight blond hair fell to his shoulders. His beard was thick and well groomed. He also had icy blue eyes that shone wisdom, if sadness.
�Don�t you think it would be a wonderful idea if we stayed here for a couple days, Vernash?�
Relm�s voice pulled his mind from distraction. She was standing between the two that were arguing. All three were looking at him. �Absolutely,� he replied, pretending to be aware on what was going on.
�Wonderful,� the king said warmly. �Let�s all return to the castle.�
____________
Later that evening, Relm and Vernash were having dinner with the king. Upon seeing the trays heaped with succulent food, Relm protested, saying she couldn�t possibly eat as much as that. Vernash joked about her eating habits as of late. Relm then hit him with a chicken leg. King Sabin laughed, assuring her that whatever they did not eat would go to others in the castle.
The topic turned serious when the king mentioned Strago. �I�m very sorry about your grandfather, Relm. I wish I could�ve been there.�
�Don�t be,� she gruffly said. �Nobody else came either. I sure as hell wasn�t��
Underneath the table, Vernash�s hand grabbed Relm�s wrist. She gasped at the pain, and glared at his eyes. Let it go, he silently commanded. Your anger will turn away those that still care about you.
Relm looked away suddenly; sharp tears springing to her eyes. She clamped her mouth shut and swallowed the lump in her throat. Vernash released her.
The king blinked in confusion. Obviously something had occurred between them. Trying to change the subject, he asked, �So, Relm, how are your paintings going?�
�I�m� not actually doing that anymore,� she said after a moment of chewing.
�Really,� King Sabin stated. �I thought� you loved to do it.�
�I did�I mean, I do. It�s just that� I haven�t been really inspired at all lately.�
�So� what are you doing now?�
�She�s been performing,� Vernash said unexpectedly.
King Sabin quirked an eyebrow.
Relm smiled sheepishly. �It�s nothing, really. Just a hobby.�
King Sabin asked, �What kind of performing?�
Vernash told him, �Singing. Relm is really good. I had the pleasure of catching her practicing by herself.�
She pinched his side under the table, but Vernash just sat there eating his food. Irritated, Relm instead upended his plate into his lap.
The king laughed, �You two make quite a pair! Tell me, how did you both meet up again?�
Relm looked to Vernash and vice versa. They didn�t say anything. King Sabin could tell they were talking with their eyes. His brother and he used to do that trick. Were they closer than they let on? �Boring story, huh? Don�t worry. There�s a lot more to be concerned about in the present.�
�Do you mean about the flying triangle?� Relm asked.
King Sabin stood up. He walked away from the table, staring out the window. �I�ve been meaning to take Derek to the country for awhile now,� he said abstractly.
Relm and Vernash looked to each other. �What� do you mean?�
�It�s strange� how much time you think you have for those close to you. But when they�re gone� You realize how little spent.�
After a moment, Relm got up. She went to him. �Are you okay? Did something happen?�
He shook his head. �I�m sorry, it�s all my fault. I never should have let him go.�
She touched his shoulder. �Who? What are you talking about?�
King Sabin sighed deeply. After several seconds, he said quickly, �Setzer is dead.�
Stunned, Relm took a step back. �H-How�?�
�He took an airship to investigate it. Claimed he was having nightmares about it. He pilots near, and the airship explodes.�
Relm�s face went deathly pale.
Vernash was there, holding her hand. She gripped him tight.
�I wish I could go back and change it,� King Sabin said. �A lot of things��
�When was this?� Vernash asked.
�Two weeks ago,� he replied. �It was when the giants nearly broke through the front lines. There were so many things happening at once�I was distracted��
Relm looked away. She folded her arms, walking away. Setzer� dead? It couldn�t be. The free spirited, eccentric adventurer she knew and loved? No way that could happen. Tears come to her eyes. How was she supposed to accept that another was gone, when hearing about it like some stranger?
Vernash watched Relm leave, wondering if there was some way to avoid reporting this.
____________
Atop the castle tower, the huge blue moon shone brightly. Even in the darkness, the desert could be seen well into the distance. A small white bird descended. It landed on the person�s arm.
They untied the paper from the carrier pigeon�s leg. It read: �Continue the mission. Go to Narshe. The magic has reappeared.�
They tied a note of their own to the bird. They commanded the bird. �Hekate.�
Immediately, the pigeon took off. It flew to the south, out of sight.
____________
That night, Relm lay in bed crying her eyes out. She wept for Strago, Setzer, and Edgar. Why did they all die? Her dear friends� Why did it all have to change so much? She remembered when she was still a kid. Traveling all over the world with them, spending time and joking around. Those days were gone forever. They all had other lives now. What did she have to look forward to? It seemed there was nothing to look forward to in her future. She cried harder.
The door to the room cracked. Relm heard, and was immediately silent. Vernash looked in. Seeing her lying silent, he went in.
He said softly, �Relm, I heard you crying.� Her head was covered under the blanket. She didn�t move.
He sat on the bed, touched her shoulder. �Please� you don�t need to hide from me.� He reached for the blanket, slowly pulling it down.
Relm lay there on her side, staring at nothing. Her eyes were red, and she breathed shallowly. He tenderly touched her curly hair. �I admire you so much,� he quietly said. �This is so hard for you, yet you keep going. You really are strong.�
She closed her eyes tight and shook her head. �I feel� really weak inside.�
�You know better than that,� he replied. �You�re the girl who helped destroy Kefka, and saved that city from goblins, remember? So I know you can handle anything.�
Relm sat up. �But I�I feel� this is too much for me. I feel so alone! We�ve all grown apart�� Her composure broke. She started to cry again.
Vernash shook his head vigorously, bringing his face close to hers. �No, you hear? You�re not alone. Don�t you ever think you are.�
�But, Vernash, I have nobody there for me. Someone to share myself with. My thoughts and feelings� They don�t mean anything to anybody.�
�They do to me. I�m here for you, and I�m��
She kissed him. She leaned to him quick, presses her lips tight. Her inexperience held her there, immobilized.
Vernash blinked in confusion. He hadn�t meant this. She was many years younger than him. Though seeing her innocence and purity, he was filled with desire. Easing his lips, he worked hers with gentle rhythm. Her eyes were closed. He brought his hands up, to touch her face.
She responded, a low sound at the back of her throat. She became excited, moving her hands over him.
He did the same. They began to undress�
____________
The old dog roamed the castle. Around the castle, through the halls, he patrolled the entire palace. Never content until not a sound could be heard anywhere. Even the creepy things were silent.
As usual, the dog was in a disheartened mood. If his numerous years taught him anything, protecting his master and getting fed were the main priorities in life. However, with age came awareness. He was no longer a young pup anymore, controlled by hormones and thoughtless breeding. Want of home and hearth weighed heavy upon him.
He wandered into the throne room. King Sabin was inside, sitting on his throne.
He had a glass of wine in one hand, a scowl on the other. Upon seeing the dog, he sat up. His blue eyes shone, a warm smile. �Hey, Interceptor��
He cautiously approached him, his ears pricked upward. �It�s good to see you again, puppy,� he continued soothingly. �You look like I feel�� Interceptor stopped a few feet from the throne.
King Sabin rose in a melancholy manner. He knelt in front of the dog. �You�ve had an extraordinary life, you know that, buddy? >SIGH< You�ve always been around. Not many dogs get to do what we did.� He continued to scrutinize the dog as he sat. Interceptor had a calm expression. �Remember when we first met? You nearly bit my arm off. But when you met Relm, I�m told you played together right away.�
After a moment of silent study, he said, �Is that because you didn�t like me, or was Shadow correct? I was a stranger then, but now�� King Sabin reached to pet the dog. �Do you trust me, Interceptor?� He placed his hand on his head. The dog didn�t move in a threatening manner, rather he tipped his muzzle upward. His cold nose went up into the sleeve of his robe. The king was forced to pet him. He laughed, �I�m so glad, Interceptor! You�ve just made my night.�
�From what you used to tell me, father, that dog was so ferocious no one could ever get near it.�
The king stood up facing his son, any trace of joy gone. �True, though I suppose you can trust anyone given enough time, Derek.�
He was leaning against the pillar with his arms folded. Derek still had his crystal armor on, as always. �Pah! Trust should not be for people, father. They lie, cheat, and steal all the time. Especially lie.�
King Sabin sighed. �I�ve never lied to you, Derek.�
�On the contrary, father, you have a really bad habit. You like to betray people.�
Angrily, he replied, �Watch your tongue, Derek! I am still your father, not to mention your king!�
Derek was silent a moment, brooding. He then calmly said, �I suppose you are my father. Don�t get me wrong, I do appreciate all you�ve done for me. I just don�t get it. I�m not your real son. Do you keep me around just because of guilt?�
He shook his head vehemously. �Never��
�You always made me feel like excess baggage. Now that my mom is gone��
�Enough, Derek! What happened to your mother is not my fault! We only have each other now, so if you�d only think��
�No, father, you�ve been alone for a long time�� He walked away then, leaving King Sabin alone with Interceptor again.
____________
�Are you sure you can�t stay any longer, Relm?�
Relm returned King Sabin�s steady gaze. �Yeah. We want to head to Narshe. It�s been a long time since I�ve been there.� She glanced to Vernash and Interceptor by her side. �Besides, we won�t learn anything about the flying ship by staying here.�
King Sabin nodded. �Well, I wish you all luck. It�s been really good having you visit. Come by again, soon, alright? I miss having you��
Derek cleared his throat loudly. He had come into the courtyard just a moment ago. They looked at him. �Er� father, you have a very full schedule today. We need to get to work.�
�Yes, of course�� he trailed off. �A couple more minutes.� He turned to Relm. �May I speak to you for a moment?�
�Uh� sure.� They walk off together a few meters.
Left alone with Derek, Vernash crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. Interceptor sat there, his expression always unfriendly. The boy shifted uncomfortably.
Relm�s voice rose to a shrill proportion. �You want me to what?!�
Everyone turned their heads toward them. Relm saw them. She gave a queer expression. �Heh, heh.�
King Sabin continued intensely. �Please, Relm, take him with you. He�s not happy here. You remember why I left Figaro when I was young, right?� She nodded yes. �It�s the same thing. He feels trapped. Being here is not going to help him. He needs to find himself. I can�t teach him anything more.�
She sighed. �I suppose it�s okay. Just make sure he doesn�t try to take charge. I don�t like his attitude at all.�
He nodded. Turning around, he walked over to the others, with Relm following. King Sabin clasped his hands behind his back and announced, �It�s decided! Derek Piette Figaro, I am officially promoting you as Tertiary Ambassador in charge of investigating the U. F. O. phenomenon. Your job description is to assist Relm Arrowny and Vernash Kimbau any way you can. You are to travel with them, and find out why it is here, whatever it may be.�
Derek was speechless. He didn�t move at all.
Vernash said, �You know we�re about to leave, right?�
�Of course!� King Sabin said with gusto. �Derek, go over to the chocobo stable and bring three of them around. If you have anything you want to take with you, you have ten minutes to get it. Just remember, pack light.�
With Derek at an utter loss, he had to be led away by an attendant.
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Author�s Note: Sort of a talky chapter I know. Although I hope I did a good job at character interaction=). Looks like Setzer�s missing� heheh. Don�t worry. I have something planned on that. You don�t think I�d let my namesake get destroyed, wouldja? Yeah, Relm and Vernash kinda get it on� What do you think about it? And I know Derek�s an a-hole. I made him that way on purpose. He�s the knight of the group. Kind of a cross between Steiner and Sabin. He�s the kid that Celes had to save in the World of Ruin in order to recruit Sabin. And as for what happened to King Edgar, it�s all revealed later in the story�
Chapter 1 / Chapter 3