Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy IX, Squaresoft does.
Madain Sari, the summoner village, stood in ruins. It had been this way for as long as I can remember. I've been told it was caused by a natural disaster, but what could cause this much damage? It had happened four years before I was born. Few survived and even they suffered a great deal. My parents were two of them. They fell in love and had a family: me. Unfortunately, they died when I was still a baby so I don't remember what they looked like…
"Kupo! Kupo?"
"Oh, Mog!" I exclaimed as I snapped out of my daydream.
Mog and I were born on the exact same day. We are best friends and are always together.
"Kupo."
"What? You have something to give me?"
"Kupo." Mog nodded. She handed me a yellow ribbon.
"…A friendship ribbon…? Thanks Mog. …Oh here!" I untied the red ribbon in my hair and gave it to Mog.
"Kupopo…"
I smiled. "Don't worry, from now on I'll wear the ribbon you gave me as a sign of our friendship."
"Kupo! Kupo!" Mog tied her ribbon around her small arm. "Kupo."
"It's a little too big for you now," I giggled, "but once we're both sophisticated ladies, we'll wear them together!"
"Kupo!"
"Eiko!" a voice called. "It's time for supper!"
"Grandpa…"
Grandpa and I were the only summoners left in the village. The others were underground, sleeping the eternal sleep.
"Eiko!?"
"Oh. Coming Grandpa!" I yelled. "See you later Mog." I ran towards my house, the only one left standing in the entire village.
"Kupo…"
* * *
"Wow Grandpa, that was really good! You'll have to give me the recipe."
Grandpa laughed. "So young and she is already acting like a little lady."
I smiled. I loved Grandpa very much. He taught me everything I know about the summoners and eidolons. Every night before I go to bed, he tells me a different story about our tribe's history. That is the part of the day I look forward to most.
"Let's get these dishes cleaned up," he suggested.
"Okay… Then can you tell me a story about the summoners? Please, please, please?"
"Anxious, aren't we? It's not even bedtime yet. …I'll tell you what, after we wash the dishes I'll tell you about your parents. Deal?"
"M-my parents…? Deal."
That evening I did the dishes as fast as I could. What was Grandpa gonna tell me about my parents?
"Done," I sighed. "Now can you tell me the story? I wanna know about mom and dad."
"Alright. Let's sit out under the stars."
When we were outside, I looked up at the stars.
"Boy, there sure are a lot of stars…"
"There sure are. …I thought I'd read letters your parents wrote to you before they passed away."
"A-alright."
He pulled out two yellowish papers. "This one is from your father,
'Eiko,
You are a treasure born to a dying village.
We are dying and there is little we can do for you.
We shall return to the stars with one wish in mind.
If legends are not born of eidolons, and eidolons but born out of legends, let us leave this place with one wish: if we can give birth to a legend, it shall create an eidolon that is friend and protector of humans.'
""… 'Return to the stars'?" I asked.
"Yes. Our people believe the summoners originated from shooting stars and when you die you become a star in the heavens."
"So… my parents are watching over me right now?"
"That is correct. Shall I continue?"
"Definitely."
"Your mother, my daughter, wrote this one,
'Eiko, my lovely child,
Until you turn sixteen and have your own eidolon to control, stay in this village.
Then build strong friendships with others.
I wish for your happiness from far away.'
"I looked up at the billions of stars. "I promise I won't leave the village until I turn sixteen, mother."
"That's a good girl, Eiko," Grandpa said.
"I promise, Grandpa," I whispered, giving him the biggest hug I could.
* * *
"Kupo! Kupo!"
"Huh? Wha-?" I opened my eyes. I was having a wonderful dream about summoning millions of eidolons. "Mog? Is something wrong?"
"Kupopo! Kupo!" Mog flew around and out of my room.
"Wait Mog! Where are you going?" I jumped out of bed and followed her out the door. "Mog, have you gone crazy? Wha-?" I stopped in midsentence. Mog had brought me to what she wanted to show me.
"What happened? Grandpa?"
Grandpa was lying on the floor. In his hand he clutched a strange jewel that I had never seen before.
"Eiko," he whispered.
"Grandpa, what's wrong!?"
"I will not be here much longer…"
"Wha-what are you saying?"
He held up the jewel. "This precious stone has been passed down in this village for generations. Take good care of it. It is a symbol of our heritage."
I took the jewel out of his outstretched hand. "G-grandpa…?"
"Be a good girl for me and always be honest with yourself…" He slowly began to fade away. "I love you, Eiko…"
"Grandpa! No… come back!" He was gone. I began to cry.
"Kupopo…" Mog flew over to me.
"Oh Mog, how to this happen?" I asked as I gave her the biggest hug I could. I looked at the stone in my hand. "Grandpa, I promise I'll never let anything happen to this. Our heritage will remain forever…"