Prologue: Eiko
A wind brushes gently around me, catching my sleeves and the wings at my back. It is the only noise that disturbs the silence of this place. I did not expect to be back here so soon, or for this reason. Zidane, his arm around Dagger's slender shoulders, leads our small procession into the peaceful clearing that serves as the final resting place of the Black Mage Village. Steiner follows, looking solemn but composed, with an unusually subdued Quina. I take a deep breath, and Amarant puts his hand on my shoulder, walking me to the place where the others have stopped. I turn and watch Freya walk slowly up the path, carrying Vivi's hat before her. Behind her Mikoto leads the rest of her village to file in silently behind us. Amarant pulls me slightly closer, laying a hand on my head as Freya reverently places Vivi's hat on the staff marking his grave, and we begin to say goodbye.