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. 5��Search For the Sorceress�
Of the twelve thousand humans and forty-six monsters living in Narshe, only perhaps a dozen or so of them saw the aircraft in the sky. It was a metal machine with wings on each side. It had cylindrical nose, with a menacing face painted on it. The wording engraved on the side said �Airforce�. It came over the mountains, speeding directly overhead. It disappeared over the ridge.
Vernash looked at it with narrowed eyes. He muttered, �Must be the Gastrans��
For the past several days he had been wandering all about Narshe. Trying to find the key to the magic� What did they mean? There was nothing in this town except for peaceful citizens. However, one thing kept nagging at his mind�
The woman with his daughter�s name� Surely, it was coincidence. After all, it was fairly common to have that name in the part of the world he used to live in. The spelling of it was different, but the pronunciation of it was so similar�she still had the core name� Shaking that pointless thought, he looked around again.
Having never been in this town before, Vernash had listened closely to Relm of her memories of this place. Before the cataclysm, this had been a coal town. In a newly opened mines shaft, they found a legendary Esper frozen in ice. The Empire learned of it, tried to steal it. But they failed twice. The then-king of Figaro, King Edgar Roni Figaro, allied with the city, in the hopes of preventing them from invading.
With Figaro and Narshe�s army, they invaded the southern continent together. With defeat upon them, the Empire used the Goddess Statues in a last ditch effort. In the resulting cataclysm, the whole planet was ravaged. That was twelve years ago.
The city was a lot more peaceful and friendly since that time, Relm had told him. People were a lot more appreciative of what they had, since they came so close to losing it all. The population also grew, much like Thamasa had. People flocked here to be a part of a community in safety. So therefore, they were friendlier to outsiders.
A light snow covered the streets, on which he walked. A few people walked the streets. Most were assumingly inside. The mountains were indeed a beautiful sight to see.
An explosion in the distance could be heard. It came from the north. With haste, Vernash headed toward that direction. At the edge of town, there was already a large crowd of people. They were facing a cliff with a black hole blasted into it. There was a large mouth; familiar faces were in front of it.
The five individuals were a mess. Their dirty clothes and blackened faces showed that they had come from the explosion. They coughed vehemously, except for individual that was unconscious�
�Oh my goodness! It�s Locke!� one of them said.
�Hurry, get Celes!�
Vernash dashed forward to help Relm. She doubled over, hacking. He gave his handkerchief. She coughed into that. Others were on the ground as well: Mokga, a strange silver-haired boy, and Derek. He gave him a dirty glance, but ignored him. Vernash asked Relm, �What happened to you all?�
Mokga answered, �We found what you couldn�t.�
He quirked an eyebrow in return, not saying anything. Not hearing them, Relm recovered, saying, �We found� another statue. Kefka�s.�
Hearing this, Vernash widened his eyes. Before he had a chance to respond, a high-pitched voice cried out beyond them. The crowd gathered split, letting them past.
Celes Chere spotted them, exclaiming, �Locke!� Kneeling over him, she cradled his still head. �What happened to you?� she said, grief-stricken.
�He was put in a magical sleep,� Mokga said. �We really need to go back to your place.�
Looking toward her, she saw Detrick gazing with soulful eyes. He couldn�t talk�couldn�t tell her how he felt, but she knew. He was pleading.
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Mog the moogle opened the door to the house. Going inside, he saw the living part empty. From a side room, Celes appeared, distraught. She wrung her hands in a dishtowel. Her troubled, soft brown eyes were red from having been crying.
He said, �I just heard,� going straight to her.
She looked downward, her face hardening. �It�s not like� I haven�t ever experienced loss. Besides, I�m sure we�ll find a way to cure him,� she tried to say confidently.
He took her hand, squeezing it affectionately. Mog�s furry paw was warm to her cold hands. �Right. It�s just a matter of time.�
Celes couldn�t look him in the eyes. �I� had a feeling this would happen.�
Mog was confused by her saying this. �You� had a premonition?�
She shook her head aggressively. �Not since magic disappeared after Kefka was destroyed� I� it�s hard to describe� Celes led him to her bedroom. �Come see Locke� Tell me if you can see a way to help him.�
He followed her through the hallway. They reached the door, which was open. They walked in on three people. Derek was on his knees, talking to Detrick. He had his hand on his shoulder. He was talking to him intensely. When Celes and Mog enter the room, they looked toward them. With a small smile, Derek said to the small boy, �Remember what I told you, ok?�
Detrick nodded slightly, his earnest face filled with agreement.
Derek stood up, greeting them. �So, you�re� here to see him.�
Wordlessly, Celes walked to the bed. He lay on his back, arms at his side. She tenderly touched her husband�s cheek. Usually, his weathered face had a healthy tan. Though now, Locke�s ashen skin was clammy to the touch. The forty year old man�s grayed hair was smoothed down by her loving hand. It was prematured long ago, due to numerous hardships. Although his features were handsome when animated, he looked wasted away now.
�I�ve been thinking�� she started. �Back when we saved the world... afterward� Things were so peaceful. We were so happy, helping to rebuild the town. But when something like this happens� it destroys everything you hold so dear.� She closed her eyes painfully, holding his limp hand fiercely. Her golden long hair fell over her face, obscuring her tears. �Something is happening, threatening everything we helped save. Many of us are gone now� I don�t know what is happening to us, or why. But maybe��
Celes turned to them. �Maybe� you can find these answers.�
Derek didn�t know what to say. �Auntie�?�
She didn�t know what to answer. She didn�t know how to say.
Mog asked, �What do you need to ask us, dear?�
Celes put her arms around Derek from the back. �Take my son with you, wherever you are going. There is a strong magical power in him. He doesn�t understand it, nor can he control it. I feel it with every fiber of my being. He needs to get out of here. He isn�t safe.�
Detrick looked up at his mother, troubled.
Mog and Derek were totally flabbergasted. They looked to each other. Each of their faces was at an utter loss.
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�It�s started, you know.�
�That�s true, Mokga. Do you believe me now?�
She nodded her head. �It�s just as you said. We found him in that condition. But I don�t understand. Why not just take care of the problem instead of being so secretive?�
The individual talking to her didn�t answer right away. There was silence. Deciding. �I� have slept for over a decade. I am very weak right now, still healing.�
�I� guess that�s true. Considering what you are. But what do we do now? How are we going to find the spaceship? Even then, what are we supposed to do when��
A rough hand shook the small moogle�s shoulder. Instantly roused from her sleep, she looked up.
Vernash looked at her curiously. She had been sitting against the wall, sleeping. He knelt on the floor next to her. With a mask of undistinguishable emotion, he said to her, �We have to talk��
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Upon the snowfield, the view of the Narsis Mountains was beautiful. Huge rocky peaks jutted out, blocking the rest of the world. The air was crisp and cold out here in silent serenity. Dark twilight gave way to the bright silvery disk far above. As always, a blanket of pure white snow covered the mountain. Despite the midsummer night, this place would always be pristine highland, frozen against time.
A woman stood on one of the cliffs. She gazed out at the landscape. She was dressed in white as usual, her favorite color. The thick fur coat disguised the form. Only her head was exposed. A thick mane of cornflower yellow hair was stirred slightly in the wind. Her countenance was wistful, sadness and longing for something out of her reach.
Relm always thought her face seemed cold, distant. She had assumed that her nobility could offer her nothing less. In the light, her pale skin looked like marble. Although, perhaps she was mistaken. When Celes turned in her direction, she saw such compassion.
�Am I� interrupting?� Relm asked.
She looked for a moment at her path in the snow. A small smile, slight shake of her head. Celes returned to watching the mountains.
Relm walked up to her the rest of the way. She didn�t know what to say, so she stood silent.
�This is the spot,� Celes said softly.
�Here?�
�Yes,� she said simply. �My whole world was changed here��
�I don�t understand.�
�Tritoch,� Celes said wonderingly. �He unlocked Terra�s Esper side, and�� She trailed off.
Relm had heard of it before. Terra�s powers had gone berserk. She wasn�t able to control the magic, and she turned into a monster form. This was long before Relm and her grandfather joined them. �Why do you say it changed your life?�
Celes shifted, stomping her boots on the ground. After a deep breath, she said, �Because� that�s when I decided to not let the Empire control me anymore. After seeing what they had done to her, controlling her with the slave crown, and� something else��
�What do you mean, �something else�?�
Still looking up at the stars, she thought about it. �It�s sort of� hard to explain. Let�s see� when that happened, four minds became one. For a brief moment, when the electricity crackled, mine, Terra�s, Tritoch�s and Ramuh�s spirits were connected by powerful magic. It� bonded our souls to each other.�
�I don�t understand,� Relm said. �You mean to say that you�re all the same person now?�
Celes smiled. �Of course not. Don�t be silly. It just gave us all a link to each other. It let us sense each other. Ramuh summoned Terra to his tower in Zozo, and I was able to lead everybody to them. You see, a powerful bond like that can only be formed once in a generation of Espers. It�s called the Generation Link.�
�But you weren�t an Esper. You were human.�
She returned, �Yes, but I was fused with an Esper�s spirit as a Magitek Rune Knight.�
Relm said, �But I don�t see what you�re getting at. What are you trying to say?�
Celes turned to her. Her face was like rock, piercing icy blue eyes staring into her grassy greens. �I feel the Generation Link again. When balance was restored, it went away. But now I feel that something has happened to her.�
�You mean Terra?�
Celes nodded. �You have to find her. I don�t know where she is, but she is in danger, too. Just like my son��
�I�ll� try,� Relm apprehensively said.
�Thank you,� she said simply.
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Here they were, the group that could save the world. Six adventurers stood at the gates of Narshe. Young and old, from all different backgrounds, they had one thing in common. A desire to find the source of the evil intent.
Relm, the parties unofficial leader, was currently busy checking their course. She had a large map in hand, studying it. Her dog, Interceptor, lay at her feet. As the first to see the flying triangle in the sky, she took it upon herself to investigate, as she felt a strong, ominous power flowing from it. A delicate looking, twenty-two year old woman, she had a thin, 5� 7�� frame. She wore her hair shoulder length, the blonde mass of curls swept under her beret. Her clothing was loose and layered, a common traveling outfit. Her red velvet cape billowed about her. She carried a long staff, her weapon of choice.
Vernash, Relm�s bodyguard, was a mercenary. He was usually always by her side. He never talked about his past, and seemed like he had something to hide. However, he was a trustworthy companion, with crafty intelligence and a critical mind. He was a muscular man, around 5� 11��. At forty-six years old, his face was weathered by battles and the outdoors. Dressed in a light chain mail, he wore his weapon, the Hawk Eye, strapped to his back. It was little more than a thick and heavy piece of Mithril blade tempered to a razor sharp edge, a custom weapon that only he could use. He was currently knelt down, inspecting their gear.
Derek tended the chocobos, strapping supplies to their backs. The same age as Relm, he was heir to the throne of Figaro. Despite his nobility, his heart lied with the order. He was a knight, always carrying his crystal sword and armor. Even though only 5� 9�� with a lean frame, he moved about with light feet. He traveled with the group because of his father, who wanted him to experience more of the world. While he usually kept to himself, he secretly enjoyed their company.
Mog and Mokga, the moogles. They were short, teddy bear like creatures. They stood upright on 2 stubby legs. Their main features were small, red bat-like leathery wings on their backs(they were unable to fly), and a round pompom atop their heads, which stood upright by a small strand of hair. Whereas Mog had white fur, his daughter Mokga had pink. Once magical, their species was nearly extinct. They lived in a town with other monsters in the highland of the Giovino province until recently. An industrial country, the Gastrans, burned it to the ground. They were able to escape thanks to the others. As for the rest of the monsters� They were either killed or taken into captivity. Despite these hardships, they fight with them to free their kin.
While the moogles were playing cards, Celes was busy fussing over her son Detrick. She checked over his traveling outfit, making sure he had everything for the trip. A silent child of 8 years, he rarely spoke at all. Although there was a strong power within him. He was with them because his mother wanted him to travel for his own protection. While he couldn�t fight, there was something about him that was very dangerous.
�There,� Relm said cheerfully. �I plotted our course. Everybody else ready?�
�I�m finished,� said Vernash.
�I�ve been ready,� Derek told.
Mokga and Mog jumped up from the table. �You betcha.� �It�s about time!�
Celes squeezed Detrick�s shoulders. She gave one last smile to him. His expression was brave, yet uncertain. �Now you listen to Derek and Relm, okay? They�ll take care of you��
Derek took Detrick�s hand. �Don�t worry, auntie. I�ll protect him.�
Still knelt down, Celes nodded awkwardly.
Relm said, �You� want to go, too, don�t you?�
Interceptor got up, walking over to her. Celes pet him while he licked her hand. She stood up. �I can�t� Besides, my adventuring days are over. You�ll all do fine. I�m sure that once this is taken care of, we�ll all have a big supper to celebrate.�
Derek furrowed his brow. �I� hope you�re not cooking auntie. I don�t want to have to unchoke my uncle again.�
She feigned shock. �Hey now! My cooking is a whole lot better than it used to be. Only� two people have choked last month��
Relm giggled along with everybody else. Even Vernash cracked a smile. �Well at least that�s two more people with stronger stomachs.�
�Something bothers me though�� Mog said. �Some guards and I went to where you said those cultists were. We didn�t find anything. We even searched that area for hours.�
�Oh, I�ll bet they�re gone,� said Mokga. �Especially since the security of the town has doubled.�
Mog quirked a furry eyebrow. �How do you know about that?� No answer for that, so he said, �Ok, spill! Where did they go then?�
Mokga shrugged. �I dunno. What do I look like, a psychic?�
Mog promptly went for the throat, while Relm held him back. Though he was quick, slipping out of her grasp. Derek jumped in front, only to get knocked over with a mallet to the head. All four fall over Mokga. They sat up, dazed, and then started to laugh. All the while, Mokga cried out, trying to crawl out from the bodies. Interceptor barked, Detrick�s eyes were wide. Vernash just shook his head.
Celes studied him strangely for a few moments. She said at last, �Vernash� that name sounds familiar� have we ever met before?�
Dusting herself off, Relm replied, �Remember? He was the guy who helped us rescue my grandpa from the Fanatic�s Tower.�
�I see� it must be nothing, then,� shrugged Celes.
�We really should be going�� he said to Relm.
�You�re right, Vernash,� said Relm. �It�s getting pretty late in the morning. We�ll probably only make it to East Figaro today��
Everyone mounted their chocobos. Before Detrick into Derek�s saddle, Celes hugged him fiercely one last time. She whispered something in his ear, and he nodded. Derek placed him in front between the reins.
Mog and Mokga shared a mount. Mog said to Celes, �Don�t worry, dear. We�ll find a way to bring back Locke and Detrick safely very soon.
Celes looked to them all with pride in her eyes. Headstrong Relm� tenacious Mokga� noble hearted Derek� cunning Vernash� caustic Mog� and precious Detrick. Just like the group of companions that had saved the world before, she knew they would succeed. They had teamwork and righteousness on their side. This she told them. Bidding their farewell, they began to ride southward.
As the last to leave, Vernash hesitated. Turning his chocobo back around, he asked her, �Did you� by chance, ever know of someone named Cid Carpel?�
An uneasy feeling went over Celes. �He�s� deceased. I buried him.�
�I see�� He looked downward. He turned his mount around.
�Wait,� Celes commanded. Her heart was jumping, body already numb. �How do you know of my granddad?�
Tilting his head downward, he said over his shoulder, �He was� a family friend. A long time ago.� Spurring the chocobo forward, it sprinted ahead to catch up with the others. He did not look back.
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Author's Note: We've all gotten here sooner or later. Where the heck do I want to go with this story? This chapter is pretty straight forward, in the sense of putting the plot down a clear path. Obviously, the Gastrans are going to be back in a major way. I haven't decided how to put the cultists and Kefka's statue back in, seeing as how they were a sudden idea. More foreshadowing in here as well.
Chapter 4 / Chapter 6