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. 6��The Shadow Conspiracy�
The town of East Figaro was bustling near sunset. Stores were shutting down, and the large streets were filled with the townspeople. Ships were closing up in the port. Once called South Figaro, it was renamed several years ago. The reason for this being moved by magical forces. While technically not south of the countries capitol, Castle Figaro, anymore, it was now located near the eastern shore of the Damcyan continent.
It had once been known as a city of thieves. This was still mostly true. Although in the years immediately following the cataclysm, numerous guilds had sprung up. They established stability in the city. The three most powerful were the Merchant�s Guild, Mercenaries Guild and Treasure Hunter�s Guild. Each had some power over the other two.
The Merchant�s Guild was formed by a group of wealthy businessman. They combined their resources into a monopoly. As a result, goods and supplies from ships and traders were taxed a fair share. They regulated what was imported and exported. Therefore, they had a good amount of influence over the Treasure Hunter�s Guild. Despite this power, it was dependent upon the Mercenaries guild for protection of cargo.
The Mercenaries Guild was the most scrupulous. The most dangerous of the lot, they were founded by men for hire. Thugs had been known to be employed in their ranks. It was even rumored that assassins had come from there. On the whole, people belonging to the guild took any and all jobs, even those normal men would not. Because of this, they were not completely trusted by the other guilds. It was held in check by the other two.
Adventurers mostly belonged to the Treasure Hunter�s Guild. It also had the highest percentage of thieves. They sought out anything valuable. From monster hides to archeological artifacts, they were good at acquiring things from great distances. This guild was the most influenced by the other guilds. They depended on mercenaries and merchants to make money. However, without them, merchants would have to rely solely on the Merchant�s Guild for jobs. Frequently, teams of treasure hunters and mercenaries would work together.
Belonging to a guild meant status. Who you were affiliated with determined your path in life. To be high up in the organization meant a comfortable life. While everyone sought to be rich, not all sought power.
Seven travelers on chocobo appeared at the outskirts of town. They went to the chocobo stable. Paying the proprietor, they left the mounts there to eat and rest. They went to the inn next. Relm and Mokga got their own room, while the males shared a larger room. They all got together in the larger room to talk after settling in.
�So what do you all want to do tonight?� Relm asked them.
Mog asked, �Whatcha mean?�
�Well we just can�t stay in our rooms all night,� Relm told him. �East Figaro is filled with stuff to do.�
�That�s right,� Derek chimed. �A park was built a few years ago, as I recall. A museum and theater too.�
Mokga plopped down on the bed. �Count me out,� she said. �Ya seen one human city, ya seen �em all.�
�I� wouldn�t mind seeing the sites again,� Derek conceded. He sat forward in his chair. �Would you like to see the park, Detrick? They have some swings and a sandbox there. I�m sure some other kids will be there, too.�
He had been sitting on the floor, listening to the adults talk. Even though they were looking at him now, he didn�t appear shy. He nodded eagerly.
�Vernash?� Relm prompted.
He looked up from his pack. �Pardon? Oh� Sorry, not tonight.�
�Why not? C�mon, let�s all do something together.�
He slung his pack over his shoulder. �I have some business I need to take care of,� he replied. He gave a small smile to her. �Have fun out there.� Without another word, he opened the door and walked out.
�Well I�m game,� said Mog.
Relm sighed. �Okay. Sure you don�t want to go out with us, Mokga?�
The pink moogle was already sleeping. Flat on her back, her soft snores sounded like little mumbles. Relm shrugged, �Oh well.�
Mog, Relm Detrick and Derek left the inn and headed outside. Interceptor went with them, then disappeared. Although she wasn�t overly concerned. He frequently went out on his own.
It was a hot summer night. The stars in the cloudless sky shown bright. The streetlights, a relatively new invention, made light shine down on the paved streets. The bulbs atop the poles chased the darkness away, giving an illusion of security and safety. Derek reminded them to stay away from the alleys and dark places.
Despite that, families were walking around freely. Relm suddenly felt somewhat self-conscious. They were just walking together not saying a whole lot, when she was struck by a thought. It almost seemed as if Detrick was her child, holding his father�s hand. Derek was talking to him, telling about the town and buildings. His real child would probably be just as handsome as his father�
�Earth to Relm,� Mog said.
She looked to him, feeling flush all of a sudden. Was she staring? �Um, what did you say?�
Walking to her side, he cocked a furry brow. �I was asking where you wanted to go first.�
Relm laughed at herself self-consciously. �Oh! Heheh! Any place is fine! Doesn�t the theater have a matinee tonight?!�
Hearing her talking a little too excitedly, Derek asked, �Is something wrong? Your face looks a little red��
His concern made her blush harder. �Oh! Well, um, it�s nothing.�
�Sure you�re not coming down with a cold or something?� he asked, reaching a palm to her head.
She backed up a little too quickly. �Of course, I�m fine!� Nearly tripping over Mog, she stumbled right into somebody. Clutching onto them, she looked up, saying, �I�m so sorry!�
The elderly woman said, �It�s alright, my dear.� Her husband helped Relm to her feet, asking, �Are you okay?�
Derek chuckled a little, saying, �She�s clumsy sometimes. C�mon, Relm, we�re not done seeing the sites yet.�
All smiles, the elderly woman asked, �Spending the night out? Ohoho! What a lovely family you have.�
�You must get a lot of compliments,� her husband commented.
With a grimace and strange expression, Relm dashed off. Derek and Detrick were at a loss of what to say. Mog chased her for a few steps. �Hey, where are you going?!� he called.
�I�ll meet you there!� they heard her yell in the distance.
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Awhile later, they found Relm at the theater. She was walking away from the ticket box.
�There you are!� Mog exclaimed.
Relm smiled as they all walked up. �Hi guys! Got the tickets!� she said brightly, holding them up.
�What the heck was that about?� Derek demanded. �I had to apologize for your behavior back there.�
Uncomfortably, she explained, �Well, I um, had to run back to the room for something.
�What was that?� he returned.
She said with hands on her hips, �Don�t you know better than to ask a lady her personal business? It�s rude!�
Seeing Derek�s glare, Mog quickly dismissed, �Oh, she probably just forgot her money.�
He grumbled, �Let�s just� find our seats.� Taking Detrick�s hand, they left the lobby.
With a, �Hmph!� Relm followed him.
Mog trailed behind, wonderingly.
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�What are they doing?� Relm asked.
�See that guy there? He�s about to kill his brother. He betrayed the family to the Countess. That�s her in the flashy dress surrounded by guards.�
She nodded in the dark, even though nobody saw it. �What are they doing now?�
He pointed, �That guy that just jumped in� he�s about to save him. He was the enemy before.�
�I see� How come they don�t say anything?�
�It�s all interpretive,� he explained. �See them dancing around? Instead of talking, there�s music.�
A sudden loud boom, and Relm jumped. She clutched onto Derek�s arm. Everybody on stage scattered. She let go of him. �Uh� pardon me,� she muttered.
He smiled, leaving over to her in the next seat. �That gets everybody the first time.�
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Later, Relm found herself sitting on a bench in the park. Detrick was on the swings, being pushed by Derek. Mog sat next to her.
�And then,� Mog said, �after I was thrown into the treasure pile, I saw this statue�� he trailed off, seeing her staring over there. �So then I ate a banana and let them get ate by the Blue dragon,� he finished with.
Relm nodded to him, without taking her eyes off them. With a sly smile, Mog got up. He went over to Derek, saying something to him. He nodded, stopping the swing. Detrick got off, and followed Mog. Derek headed toward Relm.
Her eyes snapping back, she sat straight up. Swiping a few blond curls out of her face, she looked at some of the other children playing with their parents.
Derek sat heavily on the bench. He looked to her expectantly, then frowned. She wasn�t paying the least bit of attention to him. Shrugging, he looked toward what she was fixated on. After a moment, he finally said, �So� what did you want to talk to me about?�
Relm was like, �Talk to you about?!�
�Well, yeah. Said you had something on your mind.�
She sighed. Typical Mog. �Oh. Well, I have nothing to say,� she shrugged.
Well that shut him down. Confused, he just watched alongside her. �Do you want kids?� he asked.
Startled, she asked, �What the heck does that mean?!�
�Nothing�� he returned. After a minute, he said, �I want a family of my own.�
Relm couldn�t believe he told her something like that. Unfriendly, anti social, rude Derek? Why would� he share that�? �Well� yeah. Someday�� She asked him, �But have you ever been in love?�
It was his turn to be surprised. �Well, I�ve� uh��
Earnestly, she said, �You can tell me��
�Nobody�s� ever wanted me before. How can you� miss something you�ve never had?�
�You have to at least like somebody,� she assured.
Derek defensively said, �I like a lot of people.�
�In that� special way?�
He was silent.
Relm continued, �I think I do� in that special way. But how can you know if they like you? It can be so humiliating to expose yourself like that.�
Derek didn�t know the answer. She finally looked at him. She smiled. �Guess I�ll just have to make the next move, huh?�
He found her smile to be so desirable. He felt somewhat uncomfortable. �Maybe that�s� what he�s waiting for.�
Relm giggled, standing up. �Now where did those two go�� She scanned the park, then spotted them. With a spring in her step, she bounced over. �You guys ready?� she asked with a smile.
Derek appeared next to her, looking at what they had done. Mog and Detrick were in the sandbox. There was a three-foot high sculpture. A ferocious dragon was baring its fangs at a regal looking moogle in battle armor atop a pile of treasure. While nodding, Derek said, �Interesting.�
�Mog!� Relm authoritively said. �Have you been putting weird thoughts into Detrick�s brain?�
Mog laughed in his grainy voice. Derek said, �I think some danger is just what a young kid needs.�
She threw up her hands. �I�m surrounded by such� men.�
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After the park, they decided to eat something at the pub before going back to the inn. Since it was getting somewhat late in the evening, they had to be careful about taking Detrick to such an establishment. Mog vowed to stay by his side while they were in there.
Opening the doors, they were greeted by an atmosphere that was harsh to the senses. Big, burly men drank alcohol in large glasses. They talked loudly and belligerently. There was a heavy smoke permeating the air. The pipe smoke made their eyes water. The smell of sweat and grease from the kitchens was overpowering, making it hard to breath.
�Maybe we should� find some other place.� Relm turned back around to be greeted by a dozen people trying to get in. They pushed and cajoled, laughing in harsh voices. She and her companions were carried along in the wave.
When they were able to gather themselves, the pub was a lot more crowded. Standing in the center, they saw an empty dancing stage, a bar, and tables filled with people and liquor.
�Where should we sit!� Derek said.
Relm wasn�t able to hear him, even though he practically yelled. �What did you say!? Come on, let�s sit down first!�
They found a small table in the corner that wasn�t being used. It was less noisy away from the center. After situating themselves, Relm and Derek went to the bar to order some food. They tried several times to grab the barmaid to no avail. While looking, they saw Vernash at the counter talking to a large man. They went over.
Relm tapped his arm. �Hey, what are you doing here?�
At first leaning over the counter, he turned his head. Surprised to see them, he said, �Having a drink! I thought you two were going to tour the town.�
�We did, but now we�re trying to get some food.�
He nodded. Grabbing the arm of the barman, he told him, �Get their order.�
He stopped what he was doing and hurriedly crossed the bar. Derek spent the next several minutes arguing over the menu.
Seeing the large man staring at Relm, Vernash said, �Hey Relm, this is Jurnam. He�s one of the men who owns the Mercenaries Guild.�
Towering above Vernash by at least a foot, he bent down to shake her hand. His grip was surprisingly gentle, as was his voice. Even though he didn�t yell, his deep voice carried far. �Nice to meet you.�
She watched her small hand being engulfed in his. �Are you� part giant?�
He nodded. �I heard about your employment of one of my best men. I hope he has served you well so far?�
Relm was surprised. She didn�t know he was one of their members. �Oh� sure!� Remembering that the sign above the door said Mercenary Tavern, she asked, �You� own this place?!� He nodded, and she asked, �How come it�s so crowded?�
�We are having a Shadow contest tonight,� Jurnam said.
Jaw wide open, she returned, �Shadow contest?!�
�Yes. We are trying to decide who will win the title.�
Relm was confused, as well as uneasy. �But why? Where�s the original Shadow? Is he here?!�
Jurnam shook his head. �No. It is said he was killed years ago. Many people want his name recognized as theirs in our guild. The title of Shadow is our highest recognition.�
The lights of the pub dimmed, and everybody quieted. Three dozen men appeared on stage, dressed completely in black. They wore cowls to obscure their faces.
A man walked on stage. A thin, sickly looking man with a mustache, he announced, �Tonight, the contestants competing for the title of Shadow will perform three tasks. Whichever of you can survive and complete them before dawn tomorrow will be recognized. While I remind you there is nothing in the rules that says you can�t hinder other contestants, the tasks must be accomplished. I will now hand out the cards��
As he did this, a voice sounded from no one they could see. �Foolsss� don�t you realize there�s only one true Shadow?�
From the rafters, a ninja dropped to the floor in front of the stage. The man slowly stood up from the crouch. He was dressed all in black, his cowl uniquely ornamented. It was part metal above the eyes. His presence was powerful and menacing. All eyes were on him.
Relm gasped. The uniform looked the same as it did all those years ago. She said with awe, �It�s� it�s really him.�
Vernash grinned, stepping forward.
The Shadow that had suddenly appeared yelled, �I am Shadow of the Ninja Guild! The Mercenaries Guild is finished! Kill them all!!�
Over twenty of the men on stage pulled out weapons. They started fighting, jumping from the stage. The mustached man tried to run, but suddenly found a dagger through his back.
Pandemonium erupted as the patrons of the bar realized the danger. Everybody tried to pull out their weapons. Those closest to the stage were cut down. A waiter carrying food from the kitchens was hit by throwing stars. Some tried to run out of the tavern. An explosion at the entrance blew the doors inward. More ninjas poured forth.
Vernash had leaped toward the center of the pub. Now he realized he was severely outmatched. The ninjas were so fast that seasoned mercenaries were getting sliced as easily as ham. He decided that a retreat was in order. Pushing people out of the way, he tried to get back to the bar.
A throwing star flew through the air, sticking to the wall. Detrick�s head was inches from it. Mog leaped upon him just as two more shuriken hit the spot they were sitting in.
Derek shielded Relm as they were getting attacked. Shuriken that were killing others simply stuck to his crystal armor. He was able to knock others away with his broadsword. Backing up, Relm tripped on something, landing on her butt. She saw Detrick and Mog crawling past. She pulled Derek down, pointing. Crawling after them, they made it behind the bar.
�What now?!� she asked.
�You tell me!� Mog exclaimed. �We were just getting out of the way!�
�You don�t know where you�re going!?� they both said at once.
They heard a sharp whistle from the corner. Vernash was knelt down in front of a door. They rushed over, following him through it.
There was nobody in the kitchens. Hopefully, it would be a few minutes before the enemy reached the back of the pub.
Vernash opened one of the large stoves. �Crawl inside!� he ordered.
�But that doesn�t go anywhere,� Derek protested. �Out the back instead��
�This whole place was a trap!� Vernash snapped. �They�re swarming outside. Think! How did the people in the kitchens escape?�
Without another word, Relm crawled inside. Mog and Detrick followed. Derek tried to go through, but his armor wouldn�t fit inside. Vernash told him to take it off. He hesitated. �Just stay here then!� Vernash said, crawling inside.
With disgust, Derek threw it off. He wouldn�t give up his sword, however. He squeezed through with it moments before the kitchen door was kicked in.
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They emerged from the tunnel fifteen minutes later. There were people in the underground room, who greeted them. �Vernash!� one man said. �We just heard. There�s fighting in the streets. They�re hunting down everybody that looks like a mercenary. That whole block is on fire.�
He nodded. �It was some people called the Ninja Guild. The guy in charge said he was Shadow.�
His eyes bugged out. �Unbelievable! He�s back after all this time? We had no idea.�
�Well you need to close that passage,� he indicated. �The pub and most likely the people in it are gone. And we�ll need a small ship. I think we�ll have to leave the city tonight��
He saluted, �Right away, sir!�
If Derek had any suspicions, he didn�t voice them. He was still too upset over losing his breastplate. Although he did ask one of the attendants if they could retrieve it after the riot was over. He promised to look.
As the five of them rode on the ship from East Figaro that night, Relm�s head spun. Was that really her father? He seemed� totally different. And then there was the stranger from Thamasa� Her promise to Celes was the only reason she didn�t stay. If they were captured, what would happen to Detrick? They had to get to Doma. Terra and Cyan lived there. They had to know something about what was going on. One thing that did keep nagging at the back of her mind was the feeling of leaving something behind.
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From the window, bright morning sunshine covered the room of the inn. The rays were very warm, to which the moogle soaked them in. The small ink creature was still asleep, in total comfort. Slowly, she found her eye opening.
She saw the room empty, to which she closed it again. Lazily, she rolled over on her side, stretching languorously. �Mmm� thanks Gogo� That makes so much sense now� Don�t worry, I�ll tell them when they get back,� she mumbled.
After a moment, Mokga sat bolt upright. Startled, she looked over the room. None of the other beds had even been slept in. �Hey, where did everybody go?�
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Extra: In the next exciting chapter of FF: Era of Change. Gok�er, Derek finally masters the secret technique of the sword. While Relm searches for the 1 who can uncover the secret of the evil intent. Can a love of pie reveal the mighty sword of Excalibur? Plus! Inklings of allegiance manifest themselves. More postulating than action occurs. What�s this!? It looks like Mokga & her canine companion begin an adventure well in hand! All this & more in the next exciting chapter of FF: Era of Change!
Things Most Dear
Author�s Note: I wasn�t planning on this chapter to go as far as it did� At first, I only wanted for the group to go straight to Doma. I guess this 1 kinda got away from me. ^^;; The guild idea came up from replaying Breath of Fire II. And I wouldn�t say that Relm & Derek go out on a date, per se. Although their relationship will go somewhere� In the park, Mog�s referring to the Ancient Castle event in the game where they found Odin�s magicite. I plan on having something special happen there again, as well. Lastly, Mokga kinda got the shaft. lol. But I think this is a good thing. Trust me;-)
Chapter 5 / Chapter 7