Sever All Ties

Chapter One: Realization

Disclaimer: I don't own Radiata Stories or any of the characters in the game; they are the property of the brilliant minds at Square Enix.

Author's Note(s): Words in '…' indicate a thought. Words in "…" indicate spoken words. This story will proceed based on the assumption that Jack has joined Ridley on the path of the non-human. This path would inevitably lead him to face his former friends and allies in combat. It is these fights I will illustrate in this story. Some creative liberties will be taken regarding who they face (i.e. Jack will face opponents in this fic that you don't get to face in the game). I hope you enjoy.

As Jack, Ridley and Gawain talked amiably as they walked down the road. The older man was deep in thought, trying to come up with a course of action for the non-humans. Both Jack and Ridley had contributed to the discussion in its early stages, but now that Gawain had been filled in on the situation, he was focused on his thoughts. After walking a little further, Fort Helencia came into view. Jack, seeing the opportunity, broke silence.

"Home sweet home," Jack said cheerfully. This seemed to bring Gawain out of his trance.

"Well, Fort Helencia," Gawain said. "It's been a long time since I've been here. It seems a little worse for wear, but sometimes that can't be helped. Jack, did any other humans come with you to the fort?"

"No," Jack replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Because there's two of them waiting for us," Ridley said, pointing to the doors of the fort.

When Jack looked, he saw that Theater Vancoor's Hecton Squad was waiting for them. Sergeant Jarvis and Daniel were there. Jack, happy to see them, ran up to the Sergeant. He had only a moment to get out of the way before Jarvis' Fathmil swung downward to where he had been standing. As he got a second look at the two men, he realized that neither of them was smiling.

"Hey Sarge, what is this," Jack exclaimed.

"Jack, what are you doing," Jarvis asked.

"Huh? What do you mean," Jack asked in response.

"Why are you here, helping the non-humans," asked Jarvis.

"We're here to take you back with us," Daniel interjected.

"I'm not going back," Jack said firmly. "I promised I'd protect Ridley, and I'm going to do just that."

"Jack, everyone back at Theater Vancoor is waiting, including the Acht Squad," Daniel said. "You have to come with us."

"Daniel's right," Jarvis said. "You're coming back with us if we have to drag you back."

"If the boy says he isn't going, then he isn't going," Gawain said, stepping between Jack and Jarvis. "That is, unless you plan to beat us"

"Hey, Sir Gawain," Jack began.

"Gawain," Jarvis exclaimed. "Gawain Rothschild."

"That's me," said Gawain. "Still want to go?"

"Jack," Jarvis said, taking a step back. "So this is the path you've chosen? You leave us no choice but to stand against you. Daniel, be on your guard son, this will be a tough one."

"Yes sir," Daniel said. With that, the two warriors from Vancoor rushed forward to face the three former knights.

"Ridley, stay back," Jack said, rushing forward.

Sir Gawain had rushed forward to face Sergeant Jarvis, and a clang echoed as their weapons collided. When Jack turned, he found himself facing Daniel. He jumped back as Daniel's axe hit the ground where he had just been standing. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Jack stepped forward and to his left. That way, if Daniel managed to bring his axe to bear, it would be a weaker left-to-right cut. Jack was quick to attack at this close range, and he felt his attack hit home. His blaze saber cut through the softer padding around his plate armor, and the smell of charred cloth filled his nostrils. His first slash was followed by another, and he then went into a quick thrust. Daniel brought his axe and blocked the attack, but was thrown off balance. This was the opening that Jack had been looking for. He launched a series of thrusts, all of which connected. On more than one occasion, he felt his saber cut through the very metal of Daniel's armor. As Daniel recovered his balance, Jack prepared to finish their battle. A quick sword feint made Daniel commit to blocking, but Jack sidestepped and followed with a thrust. As he pulled his sword free and ran on, he heard Daniel hit the ground behind him.

Jarvis was nearly beaten already, and was having trouble keeping up with Gawain. Now faced with the prospect of fending off both Jack and Gawain, it was only a matter of time before he fell. It was Jack who struck the final blow. As Gawain's blow knocked the Fathmil to the side, Jack's slice cut from left to right across his chest. Jarvis fell to one knee, leaning heavily on his saber. Jack and Gawain stood over him, but when Jarvis tried to rise, he was unable to.

"You've gotten much stronger Jack," Jarvis said, pulling himself to his feet. "We were no match for you, much less Sir Gawain. It's a shame you've chosen this path."

Walking over to where Daniel lay, Jarvis managed to pick the unconscious boy up. As he started to trudge away, he turned to look back at Jack. Much passed between the young swordsman and his former Sergeant in that look. Jarvis saw how his former subordinate had grown, and hoped that he would change his mind, all the while recognizing that the firmness and intensity he evidenced. Jack had chosen this path, and would see it through to the end. The look that Jack returned was one of regret. It was not that he regretted choosing the path that he had, only the circumstances it had presented him with.

"From this day forward Jack, all of your old comrades are your enemies," Jarvis said. "By choosing this path, you sever all ties you had with humans and Radiata. If you meet any of them in battle, you will have to be prepared to fight to the death. I'm sorry to see it come to this, but you've made your choice. This is the path you've chosen; I hope you're strong enough to walk it. Farewell Jack Russell."

With that, Jarvis turned around and began walking away, down the path Jack had just come. Doubtless he was heading back to Radiata through the Nowem Region. Giving up all thoughts of pursuit, Jack stood silently and watched as his friends walked away. The Sergeant's words echoed all throughout his body, with alarming clarity. He finally understood just what it meant to make the choice he had. What was about to happen went beyond he and Ridley. He hadn't given a second thought to following Ridley, and certainly hadn't changed his mind, but now he fully understood what his choice meant. And it hit him all at once.

Suddenly, Jack's legs gave out under him, and he collapsed to the ground, supporting himself with his sword as his former Sergeant had only moments before. Ridley ran to where he was, and Gawain put a hand on his shoulder. Jack sat for a moment, staring down at the ground, gathering himself. When he looked down, it seemed that each blade of grass was a friend who was lost to him forever. At this thought, he raised his fist and slammed it into the ground. A few moments later, Jack shrugged his friends off, and pulled himself to his feet.

"I'm okay," Jack said. "I'm not hurt."

"Not physically anyway," Gawain said levelly. "Come on, let's go inside."

When they got inside, Gawain left them, saying he needed to speak to Lord Zane, the leader of the Light Elves. Jack trudged quietly to his room and lay on his makeshift bed, staring at the ceiling, and thinking on Jarvis' words. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw someone from Radiata. All were friends of his; people he would either never see again, or would have to face in battle. Minutes later, Ridley came in. She said nothing, acceding to Jack's unspoken demand for silence. Her arrival only made Jack feel slightly better. Long moments passed, with neither saying a word. More than once, Ridley opened her mouth to speak, but could not find the words. Finally, she decided that she had to say something.

"Remember our first assignment in the Rose Cochon Brigade," she asked.

"Of course I do," answered Jack.

"Do you remember Clive," asked Ridley.

"How could I forget," Jack replied. "I saw him a lot in town too. He was a great guy."

"Of course he was," Ridley said. "And I'm sure that all of your other friends were as well."

"They really were," Jack said warmly.

"And you think they'll change so drastically because of this," Ridley asked.

"I'm afraid they will," Jack answered. "They won't see things as they actually happened. They don't know."

"What don't they know," Ridley wondered aloud.

"Why I made the choice I did," Jack said, seeming nervous.

"And why is that," Ridley asked, a little unsure of herself.

"You're one of the few people I would have expected to know," said Jack. "When you came to my place the night we left, I had received a summons to meet with Lord Larks and the Guild Leaders in Radiata Castle. I had to choose between going with you, or to the meeting. I chose you. When we got to the City Flowers, those Light Elves took you hostage. I took on all of Fort Helencia, including Natalie and Leonard, all by myself, so they would release you. At the time, Leonard said I was turning against my friends. I tried to explain the situation, telling him I was fighting for you, but he wouldn't listen. Now I think I know why. To everyone else, there is no other explanation for what happened. All they see is that we are helping the non-humans. Ridley, I don't know that I fully understand why you've sided with them, but I know enough about you to know you wouldn't do something like this unless you had really thought it through. You want to know why I made the choice I did? I did it for you. Not for Lord Zane, not because I believe in the non-humans' cause, but because I believe in you. And that's enough for me. If staying by your side and protecting you means that I have to turn against my former friends, then so be it. I won't hesitate."

"Jack…I," Ridley stammered. "Thank you so much Jack. I know this is going to be hard on you, but you don't know how much it means to me that you're staying."

His mind suddenly clear, rose from his bed and headed for the exit. As he walked through the fort, he carefully took note of the non-humans who had gathered to fight against the kingdom of Radiata. Dwarves and elves had already arrived, and the goblins would be offering assistance as well. As he looked at them and tried to measure the fighting prowess, he suddenly realized what kind of a burden he was shouldering. None of those assembled was strong enough to face the opponents they would be pitted against. They were not warriors by trade, and some were picking up weapons for the first time. He knew that if Ridley were to be protected, that duty would rest squarely on his shoulders.

When Jack went outside the fort, he began to strike the practice dummy, honing skills he knew would soon be put to the test. As he swung his saber, he mentally pictured it striking not a wooden dummy, but a friend. Each stroke fell upon a different former ally. He was steeling himself both physically and mentally for the inevitable conflict that was drawing nearer.

'Ridley,' he thought intently. 'No matter what it takes, I will protect you.'

Vegeta26: Well, that's it for chapter one. I sort of rewrote the meeting between Jack and the Hecton Squad, but I think it turned out okay. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this first chapter, and I'd love to hear from you.