Disclaimer: Though this is an original story, I don't own the concept of Final Fantasy. I own most of the original characters, but the Gaiden Spirits (Guardian Forces) belong to Squaresoft, as well as the names Biggs, Wedge, and Cid. I don't own the gunblade either, but I love the gunblade! Anywho I hope you enjoy this. I have been working on it for two years and it is so far my longest story on my computer. I want to submit it to Squaresoft someday, so please tell me if you think it is worthy of becoming a Final Fantasy installment. Enjoy!
The lightning bolt streaked across the night sky, as reflected in the puddle of water upon the dirt. The balance of the water was interrupted as someone walking by stepped into it, disturbing it's peace.
The lightning crashed down again as two soldiers marched down the dirt road, escorting between them a young girl, who had her gaze lowered to the ground. Her face was hidden by her shoulder length black hair.
She recalled a piece of what happened. Her vision blurred, she stumbled backwards, beginning to recognize the sapphire stones creating the walls of the cave. She held her hand to her face until her vision was fully restored, then noticing she was holding something in her right hand. Removing her hand from her face once her vision returned, it was seen she was beautiful for her age, with sapphire blue eyes. She wore a red kimono with silver star patterns with a green ribbon around the waist, a dark blue headband in her hair and black sandals. As she looked down at the object, she gasped as it was a blood covered sword.
She quickly stopped remembering the incident as the rain quickly began to fall from the dark clouds above. The lightning crashed down once again, followed by a boom of thunder. She normally would be afraid, but she promised her parents she would be strong. She closed her eyes, which forced out a solitary tear. It ran down the side of her face, then it fell from her chin to land into another puddle upon the ground.
Suddenly in her mind, she found herself in darkness, which suddenly became filled with many voices. She was able to make out a few voices . . .but the questions almost made her lose her mind.
"You are charged with the crime of murder . . ."
"Your sword is proof of evidence that you were the one who murdered your sister Mesmizka Kazar . . ."
"How can you do such a thing? You're only 12 years old . . ."
In her mind she found herself screaming, holding the sides of her head with her hands as she dropped to her knees. She then remembered her night inside that cold cell at the jail house. Her only light was from the moon, the only other person to communicate with struck fear in her heart as he always held a dagger between his teeth, and her only comfort coming from the fact she knew she wouldn't be convicted . . .
The guards then began talking, which caught her attention away from her memories. They mentioned the gates, which convinced her to lift her gaze. She frowned as the saw the gates out of the village slowly come into view. She felt more tears gathering, but managed to keep them back, not wanting to believe what was happened.
Suddenly, her mind went back to the cave, where she remembered what happened next. She found herself looking ahead, to see a silhouette of a man, only with horns, and wings not of feathers she was able to tell. Looking toward his hands, she saw he possessed a blade too, only she found it piercing the body of her sister. Hearing a maniac laugh, she looked and put more distance between her and the shadow, seeing him removing the sword, then grabbing the body. He tossed it at her, which fell at her feet. Noticing blood upon the shadow, she figured the blood on her sword meant she must have injured him somehow. She became filled with rage, which possessed her to charge forward, swinging her blade. The silhouette smirked, then raised his sword to block hers. He then brought his foot forward and used a sweep kick to knock her to the ground. He kneeled down and held the blade to her neck, then snickered, and released her, walking away, though the cave entrance and out of sight.
The gates drew ever so closer as she was escorted, knowing what was to happen. She looked to the guard on the left which carried her sheathed sword. On her right, the other guard carried a backpack. Looking up ahead toward the gates, she recalled the day her sentenced was passed.
She stood at the podium inside the courthouse, her hands chained in front of her, her expression toward the floor. The judge sat at his bench and straightened out some papers. He then straightened out his glasses before holding the papers where he could read them.
"Now we will read the verdict for the crime of the murder of Mesmizka Kazar." said the judge. "This was a case which played upon our emotions as we've never really had one so young being committed for such a serious crime. At first we considered execution . . ."
There was a sea of gasped and horrified shocks as he spoke of execution. There were then protests from the many people there, especially her parents. The judge lifted his gavel and slammed it against the bench.
"Order! Order!" he shouted
The room became silent, then everyone retook their seats. The entire time, she remained silent, not moving, not reacting at all physically. The judge cleared his throat and continued, but her mind was lost in thought.
Why should I listen to the judge when he wouldn't listen to me? I cannot help it if I am not able to remember the entire incident . . .and they laughed at me when I tried to explain about that creature . . .they thought I was crazy! Oh well . . .it's too late now. I might as well listen to the judge to see what I am to be subjected to . . .
"We considered an execution, but we feel it isn't answer, for two wrongs cannot make a right, and we want our young criminal to remember her crimes for as long as possible. Jail would not serve a proper purpose, and once old enough, she may think of a way to escape. On the other hand, we just cannot let her go without something done . . .which is why we have come to this conclusion. Tomorrow night, Miss Kazar will be escorted to the gates of this village, where she will be handed supplies and her sword. Once given to her, she will then be forced through the gates . . .proclaiming her sentence of banishment."
Once again, there were more angry protests and desperate plea's as he proclaimed the punishment. She refused to move, as she could not accept what her ears heard. Tears flowed from her eyes as she was escorted away back to the jail.
She returned to reality as she heard the guards tell her they had arrived to the gates. The rain was now pouring down toward the earth as if to signify the tragedy of the situation. She looked up to see the wooden doors, then looked as she was unchained. Handing her the backpack, the guard helped her get it onto her back. She then turned to receive her sword. As he looked ahead, she remembered the last memory of the village she would have in her mind.
Not too long ago she stood outside of her house, hugging her parents good-bye. The clouds were only beginning to gather in the sky, with echo's of thunder booming in the distance. They tried to hard not to cry she remembered, but it helped for her mother to tell her to be strong, and take the punishment as best she could, even though she was still so young to take on the world alone and in such a forceful way. The three then looked behind them to see the two escorts approach with her equipment. They nodded, signifying it was time for her to go. Knowing she shouldn't cry, she nodded her head, then joined the escorts, who chained her hands together, then began leading her toward the edge of the village.
She returned to the present situation once more, looking out into the wilderness beyond the gates, as outside the walls incasing the village was a thick forest. She found her hand gripping a pendant hanging around her neck, which was the first gift given to her long ago. She suddenly gasped as she felt hands grip her shoulders. She looked to see both escorts holding onto her tightly. She took a deep breath, then felt herself being pushed forward. She stumbled, then tripped, falling forward to land in a mud puddle. She looked back to the escorts who had just closed the gates.
Still not able to believe what happened, as she brought herself up from out of the mud. She wiped her face with her sleeve, standing there for the longest time staring at the gates of what she once called her home. She turned to face the forest, where she could have sworn she heard a coyote. Not fearing anything at the current time, she proceeded forward to enter the forest, and disappear in it's cloak like shadows, ready to face the world, in the way thrown upon her . . .
Author's Notes: So . . .? Do you like? I surely hope so. I plan to post a chapter every few days as I've got 151 pages of this already written, with a great deal more to go. Please review with your opinions, but no flames. I can't handle flames. See ya later!
