Disclaimer: Feh. I don't own any of this besides possibly any OC's I may introduce for the sake of story, you know? But other than that, naw. Thank SquareSoft/SquareEnix for the amazing characters.
A/N: The story is set just after the victory against Altima, when she decides she's going to go supernova on everyone and a BIG BOOM occurs. This is the story after that, well, you know, in a fanfictioney kind of way.
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The stars were exceptionally bright this night. Ramza Beoulve, the unknown hero of the Lion War, sat quietly by a small, burning campfire. He slowly raised a hand to casually move his bangs from his view of the stars, sighing heavily. The blonde boy closed his eyes slowly, remembering what happened just a few weeks ago...
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Ramza lead his surviving friends and team members through the burning wreckage of the underground area of Murond. He struggled to hold back tears of pain and sorrow, holding his sister Alma's hand fiercely as he ran. Ramza turned his head back quickly, looking at each of his friends with a smile. "Don't ANY of you dare stop running, damnit! We'll make it out of here alive, each of us! If you fall over, I'll turn around and drag you by your hair! We can't die here! We can't let Orlandu's sacrifice be in vain!" he yelled, turning his head quickly to keep focused on the burning, collapsing passageway.
Cidolfas Orlandu died a hero that day, using his body and his mastery of the sword arts as a shield for his friends. Altima thought she'd have the last laugh if she obliderated the heroes, but Orlandu made sure that would not be the case. Orlandu's last, dying wish was to tell his adopted son, Olan Durai, that he died a hero, protecting those he loved.
Ramza swore he'd keep that promise, no matter what. As Ramza lead his friends higher and higher out of the basement of Murond, Ramza felt a sudden pain in his chest. Something wasn't right. Ramza stopped, turning and grabbing Mustadio's arm, putting Alma's hand in his. "Get her out of here. Don't ask any questions either. All of you keep going!" Ramza said, a firm, almost scary, voice backing up his words.
Mustadio grinned, nodding. "You haven't lead us wrong yet, or lied to us, Ramza. Come on, Alma, let's go before your brother has that damn robot blow me up again." Mustadio said with a smile, taking Alma with him as he ran, despite her obvious protests. "Let go of me! Ramza! Brother Ramza! RAMZA!" she screamed as she disappeared up the stairwell.
Ramza looked back downwards, observing as the airship remains burned away. He tilted his head backwards, sighing heavily. "Why did you stay? I'm not planning on running back or anything, I just had to make sure the bitch was really dead." he said, wiping his brow slowly.
Agrias Oaks stood behind Ramza, letting slip a rare smile, something the young man was one of few to experience. "Because you've done stupid things before that somehow manage to work out, I had to make sure you didn't do something stupid alone." she said, calmly moving next to him and looking downwards. "He gave it to you, didn't he?" she asked, turning her head to look at Ramza's sword belt.
Ramza slowly nodded, taking grasp of the legendary sword at his side, the Sword of Kings, Excalibur. "Yeah. He told me that if anyone deserved to wield it, it would be me. Funny, I have no intention of being a ruler. I'm sure Ovelia can handle it well enough. Agrias, thank you...I'm not sure how far I would have gotten if you and everyone else weren't there to support me. I..." he was interrupted as a gloved finger touched his lips, the Holy Knight looking at him closely. "Now isn't the time, Ramza. We should get going before we die." she said, taking his hand in her's and running up the decaying stairway.
Ramza held back a smile for the moment, focusing on making sure he survived to see daylight again. The earth would rumble and shake violently, the stairwell suddenly collapsing at an alarming rate. "Shit!" Agrias yelled suddenly, grabbing Ramza by both arms and suddenly throwing him. Ramza twisted his body in mid air, turning and grabbing the Holy Knight's arm as she suddenly fell through the stairway. Ramza kept a grip on her hand and on the remaining part of the stairway, grunting heavily as he tried to pull them both up.
Agrias looked down at the bottomless pit, slowly turning her gaze up at Ramza. "Ramza, let go. You can't pull us both up and you know it. You can't die here, Ramza. Alma needs you, you're all she has left now. Let me go." she said, her voice as steadfast as ever.
Ramza looked down at her, shaking his head. "Shut the hell up, Agrias! We lost Orlandu, and I'll be DAMNED to hell if I lose you!" he screamed, mustering everything he could to slowly begin to lift himself, and the Holy Knight, up.
"Ramza, we're going to fall! Let me go!" Agrias demanding, going as far as lifting her other arm and starting to wrestle herself from Ramza's grasp. Ramza tightened his grip on her hand, turning towards her again, his face having a cold, almost deathly serious look. "Agrias, if you try that again, I swear I'll be following straight after you with this damn sword!".
Agrias looked at the young man, her face in a state of shock. She looked away, a tear slowly forming and sliding down her beautiful face. "You're an idiot, Ramza." she said quietly. Ramza struggled and looked up, his strength giving out as the two slowly began to fall.
"PRIORITY SET: MISSION ACCEPTED." shot through both of their ears as a cold pair of metal hands grabbed the two falling heroes, pulling them up. Worker 8 firmly held them both as it began to run, accelerating quickly up the stairway. Ramza sighed heavily, punching the robot over the head. "Why the hell does no one listen to me?!" he said, half pissed, but half happy. The robot continued charging up the stairwell, responding. "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. SIR MUSTADIO ORDERED THE RESCUE OF SIR RAMZA. SIR RAMZA IS THE MASTER. THE MASTER SHALL FALL TO NO HARM." Ramza sighed heavily, turning and grinning at Agrias. "Fall literally, huh?" he said, Agrias shooting him an annoyed look.
Worker 8 shot out of the 'Holy Place' at an alarming speed, immediately running Mustadio over. Worker 8 stopped suddenly, letting Agrias and Ramza down with a 'plop'. Ramza slowly turned his head as he watched the church shutter and shake, suddenly collapsing on top of itself and sinking down into the ground. "Damn, kind of ironic it happened again." he said, getting a few dirty looks from his friends.
Mustadio, after brushing himself off, slowly walked over to Ramza, sighing. "You know, Alma wouldn't stop pulling my hair until we had someone go and rescue you. So the big guy over there kind of flared to life and charged down after you. It was kind of funny, in a way." he said, scratching his head slowly. "You were probably better off dying down there, though. Alma's going to kill you now." he added, but too little to late. Alma was already on top of her brother, pinching his cheeks and pulling on them.
"You jerk! How could you DO that! You could have DIED! If the...whatever that is didn't go down there and save you, I'd have lost all three of my brothers!" she screamed, punching him in the chest a few times. Ramza grunted, shaking his hands in defense. "But I HAD to check to make sure she was dead! You don't want to get possessed by a floating scantily-clad woman again, do you?!" he said, trying to escape. Alma sighed heavily, glaring at him coldly. "I won't forgive you, Brother Ramza, unless..." she trailed off, in thought.
Ramza blinked slowly, looking up at his sister with a tilted head. "Unless...?" he asked, fearing the worse. Alma slowly stood up, helping Ramza up and immediately circling around him, pointing. "Lose. The. Butt. Pants." she said, pointing directly at the odd piece of armor Ramza wore.
Ramza sighed heavily as a sudden burst of laughter arose from everyone around him. He shook his fist in the air, pointing all around. "KNOCK IT OFF!" he yelled, sighing and nodding his head. "Okay, okay. I get the point. Bad choice in armaments. Look, I have something important to say, so we'll discuss my 'Butt Pants' later." Ramza finished, which set off another chain reaction of laughter.
After a few minutes of humiliation at Ramza's expense, Ramza sat everyone down.
Mustadio Bunanza, the curious, intelligent, and strong willed engineer of Goug.
Agrias Oaks, one of the few true and good Holy Knight's of Ivalice, and a close companion.
Alma Beoulve, Ramza's sister and wielder of exceptional healing arts.
Rafa and Malak Galthana, the Heaven and Hell assassin's.
Meliadoul Tingel, a Divine Knight and loyal ally of Ramza.
Rad, an ally and friend of Ramza from his mercenary days.
Alicia and Lavian, strong knights and loyal companions of Agrias.
Beowulf Kadmus, a Temple Knight and lover of Reis Dular, a mysterious girl with the power of Dragons.
Worker 8, Ramza's personal Steel Giant and all around muscle.
Cloud Strife, the mysterious SOLDIER from another world.
Byblos, the quiet, friendly creature found deep within the...Deep Dungeon, whom decided to follow Ramza after their epic battle against Elidibs.
Last, but not least, one of the most feared allies of Ramza and company, Boco, Ramza's loyal Chocobo and all around friendly member of the group.
Ramza smiled softly, nodding at each one of them. He sighed heavily, lifting his head up slowly. "I don't want any of you speaking a word of any of this to anyone. In fact, it'd be best if we left the region entirely and moved on further north or east. While I know most of you may object to this, what we've experienced would send Ivalice into a state of chaos. I don't care if I'm a hero or not, I've done my part. You're free to do whatever you wish, though, but do realize the Church will not take very kindly to any of us now, and you may be killed. If you're with me, meet me fifty miles east of Zeltennia, three weeks from today. Otherwise, leave Ivalice in your own way or else..." he ended quietly, looking down at the ground.
The laughter had ceased, and smiles turned to frowns. Ramza stood slowly, walking way from the group. He turned slowly. "I ask this, if you'll be joining me, step over here. If not, remain seated. I will not think any more or less of you regardless of your decision, but I beg of you, please leave Ivalice. I don't want anyone else to die..." Ramza finished, fighting hard to hold back his tears.
Without question, Alma stood and went next to her brother, hugging him tightly. "I have nothing left here, brother. I'll go with you wherever you go." she said, smiling lovingly. Ramza nodded slowly, wiping away a stray tear. Boco stood and preened himself, going over to Ramza and cooing, nuzzling against his head gently. Ramza raised a hand to slowly pet the loyal chocobo, nodding. "Anyone else?" he asked calmly, looking at his dear friends.
Mustadio stood next, stretching and sighing. "I'm all for it, Ramza, but let me head back to Goug first. I can't leave my dad in the dark, you know? Also, we need to get Cloud here back home. I'm sure you wouldn't mind." he said, grinning as he gestured to the SOLDIER. Cloud slowly nodded his head, remaining seated. "Besides, I'm sure my dad would want to go too. We've heard rumors of some pretty interesting stuff to be digged up in the Far East..." Mustadio finished, rubbing his chin.
Ramza nodded his head slowly, smiling a bit more. Worker 8 was at Ramza's side soon after, not saying a word. Beowulf slowly stood, helping Reis up as well. "We'll be returning home, Ramza. We'll be glad to see you off though, but we won't be joining you, at least not on your way. We may see you around, though." Beowulf finished, looking at Reis and nodding. Reis looked at Ramza and smiled, bowing her head gently, and saying quietly. "Thank you, Ramza..." which came to a shock to everyone, as Reis hadn't spoken in public at all since she was restored to her true form. Ramza felt choked up again, but held it all back and nodded.
Byblos remained seated, tilting it's head curious. It scratched it's head, seemingly thinking of the possibilities. Byblos had no friends other than these strange people it had joined with. The 'leader', it acknowledged, was kind and gentle. The bird was a good source of conversation, and would be a shame to not have around. Byblos stood, slowly walking towards Ramza. It looked up at Ramza, questioning him.
Ramza slowly kneeled down, a hand gently placed on Byblos' head. "You stick out like a sore thumb, but I promise we'll keep you safe. I hear monsters in general are a bit more accepted in the Far East, so you may be better off. Heck, I've heard of weird creatures called Tonberries there. Maybe we'll dress you up in one of their outfits so you don't stick out, eh?" Ramza said, chuckling quietly. Byblos slapped him across the face with it's tail, slowly going over to Boco and settling down next to the bird, yawning.
Ramza sighed, rubbing his cheek slowly. "Very well. Anyone else?" he asked, looking forward. Meliadoul stood next, looking at Ramza with a slightly flushed face. "R-ramza...as you know, there's no one left here for me either. If I could, may I join you?" she asked, looking down quickly. Ramza smiled, nodding his head. "Of course. I'm offering, so why would I say no?". Meliadoul looked up, a smile covering her face as she went over, bowing her head again. "T-thank you, Ramza..." she said in a whisper, before moving out of the way.
Rafa looked at Malak, who in turn looked at Rafa. Malak coughed, slowly standing. "Well Ramza, as you can tell, we're in the same boat you're in. While we'd love to join you on your next adventure, Rafa and I will be heading east as well, but we've got a goal in mind. We've heard rumors of people with powers similiar to ours in the Far East, so we planned on investigating it sooner or later." he said, looking over at Rafa.
Rafa stood slowly, nodding her head. "That's right, Ramza. We'll be seeing you around, though, I assure you! For now, though, we want to find out the truth." she finished, slowly walking up to Ramza and leaning forward, kissing him gently on the cheek. "Thank you though, for everything." she said, giggling to herself as she moved back to Malak, who rolled his eyes. He knew exactly why she did that, from the obvious expressions on Meliadoul and Agrias' faces, who had trouble hiding their obvious rage and jealously. Even Alma was somewhat steamed at what Rafa just did.
Ramza blushed to himself, coughing and nodding his head. "A-Alright..." he said, regaining himself and slowly turning. Ramza tilted his head towards Rad now, who was looking at Ramza with a stupid look. "You're kidding, right? Come on, Ramza. I've been here through all this crap, I'm coming with you. Besides, you pay for my meals. Free food isn't something you give up, especially when the other option is being burned at the stake or something." he finished, waving a hand passively and flipping calmly through a spell book. Ramza laughed to himself, nodding.
Ramza stared at Agrias, gulping quietly as he gazed at the beautiful Holy Knight. Though he wasn't caught up in just her beauty, which he never noticed just how cute she was while blushing, even slightly, it was the fact her sheer presence effected him somehow.
Agrias slowly stood, walking up to Ramza and staring at him closely. "I'm a Knight of the Church. I have my duties and my responsibilities. I can't be expected to just leave everything behind and join some reckless young man and his friends on some crazy adventure." she said firmly, looking away for a moment, sighing. She smiled, looking at Ramza with that smile. "However, as you can tell, the Church isn't exactly what any of us thought it was anymore, and Ovelia isn't exactly needing my protection anymore. You, however, can use all the protection you can get. You attract danger like cheese attracts a mouse, Ramza. So, if you have room, I suppose I can go...and if Alicia and Lavian wish to come, I hope they are welcome." she finished, her smile fading as she turned to look at the two knights. Both girls were immediately at their feet, bowing.
Ramza sighed, lifting a hand, and gently punching Agrias in the arm. Agrias turned, looking at Ramza with a shocked look on her face. Ramza leaned forward, dangerously close, his bangs brushing against Agrias' forehead. He looked straight into her eyes, his lips barely an inch from her own. Agrias' breath caught up in her throat as she stood, nearly petrified. Ramza slowly opened his mouth, speaking quietly. "Like I told Meliadoul, I'm offering. Now quit acting so tough and let's go." he finished, slowly moving back and smiling.
Agrias didn't move or speak at all, as she was still stunned. Meliadoul was fuming to herself, jealous over how close Ramza was with Agrias all of a sudden. Alma was speechless as well, looking at Ramza like he was possessed. Ramza sighed, turning and looking at everyone. "Then it's settled. Not a word is spoken, and we've all got our paths. Everyone, may luck guide as through whatever obstacle is STUPID enough to stand before any of us. Let's not throw away the lives the Thunder God himself gave it all for." Ramza announced, slowly unsheathing Excalibur and raising the brilliant sword to the sky. "For Orlandu, let us live our lives fully and happily!" he yelled. There were no exceptions from anyone around him, each lifting their respective armament to the sky, cheering in victory.
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Three weeks had passed after that day. Ramza yawned heavily, sitting up and gently poking at the burning fire. He remembered seeing Olan on his way, and spoke to him quite briefly, as well as passing on Orlandu's wish. Ramza had also given Olan the same offer and warning, but Olan insisted on remaining, as well as eventually showing the world Ramza's bravery and heroic actions. Ramza didn't try to convince him otherwise, as he knew Olan was devoted to anything he put himself towards. With a quick goodbye, Ramza knew that would possibly be the last time he ever saw his friend.
Alma sat close to Ramza, leaning on his shoulder, sleeping soundly as she rested against him. Ramza grumbled, having to move Alma with him to keep her from falling over and waking up. He slowly moved himself against the tree behind himself, settling Alma against the tree as well. She mumbled in her sleep, clinging right back onto him. "Stopppit..." was her response to his actions, which made the blonde sigh heavily.
Ramza slowly began to slide out of his jacket, bundling it up quickly and settling Alma down with it, watching his sister cling tightly to the jacket to keep warm. Ramza flashed a grin of victory as he stood, stretching his body and sighing. "I hope I didn't interrupt a family moment." said a voice, Ramza suddenly turning, a hand on the hilt of his sword.
Agrias stood in front of him, her sword already at his neck. Ramza sighed, smiling. "Got me again." he said, admitting defeat. Agrias nodded, sheathing her sword and looking at him. "I should just kill you for what you did before." she said, looking away quickly.
Ramza blinked, tilting his head slowly. He snapped his fingers, grinning. "Oh, right, that. Ha ha, sorry...I just figured you needed some reassuring, that's all." he said, scratching the back of his head, chuckling. Agrias turned, looking at him with a solemn look. "Hmph." was her only response, turning away from the blonde boy.
Ramza sighed heavily, circling around and standing in front of her. "Oh come on, Ags! Don't be pissed at me now." he said, frowning at her. She grumbled, rubbing her forehead slowly. Damn the nickname to the very depths of hell, which they more or less were in before.
Agrias looked up at Ramza, sighing. "Why shouldn't I be? You embarrassed me in front of everyone! I should...should..." she couldn't finish, as Ramza slowly wrapped his arms around her and hugged her gently. The Holy Knight was at a lost for words at how close the stupid, stupid blonde boy was. She slowly raised her arms, slowly wrapping them around Ramza as she returned the hug. Ramza slowly moved his head back, looking straight into her eyes. A blush crept up on both of theirs faces as they slowly leaned forward, their lips brushing ever so slightly...
Until Worker 8 immediately crashed into Ramza, throwing him a good few feet into the air and crashing somewhere. Agrias immediately regained her composure, coughing and looking away. Mustadio stood in front of her, grinning wickedly. "I saw what you did theeeeeeeereeeeeee..." he said. Agrias panicked, immediately drawing her sword and bashing Mustadio over the head. Luckily, the engineer was used to this treatment, and quickly regained himself, retreating. "Sorry! I'm sorry! Blame the robot! BLAME THE ROBOT!" he yelled, running away from the pissed off Holy Knight.
Besrodio stood a few feet away, watching his son being chased by Agrias. He sighed heavily, rubbing his temples calmly. "Well, at least he's got a thick skull. Maybe he'll learn not to scorn women again." he said, looking at Worker 8 and patting the robot on the shoulder. "Go fetch your Master and sit him by the fire. I'm sure he'll need a good night's rest after all this...". Worker 8 nodded, and zoomed off to recover the KO'ed blonde.
Within the hour, Byblos had arrived first of all, immediately going over to the resting Boco and settling down nearby. Alicia and Lavian had arrived around that time as well, having figured a little alone time with Ramza might prove beneficial for Agrias. Sadly, this wasn't quite the case, as they were able to watch Agrias continue to chase Mustaido. Meliadoul arrived soon after that, along with Rad, whom she had bumped into on the way. Rad was too busy laughing to notice anyone else, and Meliadoul was simply confused at what was going on.
Ramza groaned heavily, looking at everyone in a daze. "Omph...it's going to be...one hell of a journey...to..Ordalia..." he managed, before passing back out, snoozing quietly next to Alma.