AN
Hello everyone. This story popped up after I played Final Fantay, Tactics Advanced. Hope you enjoy it!
FFTA
Oath in Eternity
A fanfic by:Zetafire
''You can't judge a book by its cover...''
These words floated around in Marche's mind as he laid on a rather lumpy bed, staring into the ceiling crawling with insects. To his right were his clansmen; the ever helpful Montblanc, along with several others who had joined through the months.
He reflected on this word, knowing full well that it had been months since he had been sucked into this vast and mysterious world. Yet, even with much experience, he could not fully get settled. Much had happened since those events. The wish granter was no more; Mewt's mother, or his illusion of her. But, Marche hasn't gone back, he still hasn't disappeared from the fake Ivalice. Was it because he still wished to be here? Perhaps, but that was a wish, and the wish granter was no longer alive. If it wasn't a wish, and it wasn't any other supernatural force, then what was it?
He didn't find the answer when he drifted back to sleep.
Montblanc's eye fluttered open, and as he automatically reached for the tan cup full of water, he noticed movement on the corner of his eye. He froze, just as his fingers were touching the cup. Slowly, he turned his eyes towards the spot of motion. Sure enough, it was Marche shifting in what appeared to be another nightmare, or perhaps he was awake, oblivious to the fact that he was being spied on.
Montblanc knew the problems that have sprouted since everything went 'fine'. He knew Marche wanted to be with his mother, that he wanted to see his real Ivalice. But, even though that was suppose to happen when the queen died, it didn't. Instead, the prince, or Mewt, disappeared, but the rest stayed. Of course, many of this world are supposedly fake, but Montblanc knows that can't be true. If they are fake, than how does it feel real? He still remembers his childhood days, how he grew up and all. Perhaps it is that they are not fake, but rather that Marche and his friends are in another world, or in another universe for that matter.
He saw him shift again, and wondered what kind of nightmare he was in now. The last one he told about was pretty interesting, and somewhat freaky. He only went into the smallest details, and wore a pale face. Montblanc could tell he was very disturbed by it.
Suddenly, Marche sat up straight, causing Montblanc to quickly lay down, hoping that he hadn't been caught. Opening one eye into a slit, he could see the outline of Marche. Apparently, he had been right on the nightmare stuff. Marche's shirt was completely wet on the back, and he was panting. In an anger sprout, he removed his shirt and tossed it to the sides. Then, his face went into his hands, and he began to sob softly.
Montblanc had heard crazy things about dreams, but he had never seen anyone react so strongly to one. In the morning, he thought, he will find out what is troubling him. And solve this mystery once and for all.
8:23 AM
Sunlight filtered through the somewhat filthy windows of the inn. Sunlight that Clan Eclipse was used to seeing almost everyday.
Montblanc woke up with a start. He clutched his head, remembering Marche's nightmare and the following events, and it had just been a couple of hours earlier. Sleepily, he turned his head towards Marche's bedroll. To his surprise, it was empty of its occupant, meaning Marche had woken up before the rest of them. That was odd, because it was usually Cliffor who woke up first. More odd was that Marche was one of the last to wake up on his own.
Just as he was getting up from his bedroll, Montblanc was startled as Marche walked in with a mission scroll. He spotted Montblanc.
''Ah, good morning, my dear friend. It seems I broke a new record today, eh. No matter, just wake up the rest of the clansmen, and be kind to read them this mission we just got. It's hot from the pub. Well, I'll be waiting outside.''
He handed him the scroll and left, closing the door behind him. He didn't even give him a chance to speak. But, remembering last night, he was confused profoundly. Marche today didn't look like what he had seen in the darkness. Perhaps it was just a disguise to hide his state of being. If it was, then it was being too excessive.
He still decided to ask him about his dreams, but first he followed his orders.
'' Alright, wake up guys, we are going to lose all the missions to the other clans if y'all don't wake up soon, kupo. Hurry hurry!'' He shouted, receiving groans and yawns in response. Sandath came forward, '' Where iss Marche, he should sstill be asleep; he issn't an early bird.''
''Marche woke up before all of us, and even went to the pub to get us a nice mission, kupo.''
Sandath noticed the scroll, a big mission was more like it.
'' How many clanssmen will be needed?'' He ask.
Montblanc checked the scroll, didn't believe it first, then rechecked it. The mission called for sixteen clan members at least, more were welcomed. That was twice more than the usual calling.
''It says we need sixteen, the least, kupo'' He said it slowly, making sure everyone heard it right. When they did, all of them began to mutter.
''Why so many, there has never been a mission calling for more than ten clans men, and that was when the Eve war was on its climax.'' Said Cliffor.
''Exactly...'' responded Montblanc, as he read a certain part that had escaped his eyes.
The clan was confused. ''What do you mean by that, Montblanc?'' asked Orsiny, the alchemist. He didn't respond, but began reading the script aloud.
'' To all clans, the inevitable has happened. We are at war! With who else but the foreign country of Neverio, kupo. They have voluntary and deliberately attacked one our merchant ships that was heading around their cove. This was no accident; this was an act of war! For our sake, and the sake of the rest of peace-loving nations,kupo, we have promised to stop their destructive way of living. Together, we shall be victorious!'' He kept reading silently, and then spotted something more astonishing.
'' This mission is not obligated upon clans, they choose if they wish to help or not, kupo.''
Silence followed; eerie, dreadful silence.
''What has Marche done...?'' whispered Montblanc to himself. '' What has he done...''
''Is this some kind of joke?'' Shouted Gwyneth, the sniper. Just then, Marche walked in again, singing a fast paced tune. He stopped when everybody didn't said good morning.
''What up, guys? Why is everyone so serious today?''
'' Marche, what were you thinking, signing us up for the war? You do realize that in war death is more possible than in the jagds! Unless we were all immortal, we won't stand a chance,'' said Gwyneth
For some reason, Marche went into a fury.
''What do you think you are saying! Do you know who we are? We are the ones who destroyed the impossible. We destroyed Ivalice, yet it is still here! If we could destroy one country, what makes you think we can't destroy another? We could win this war all by ourselves! We'll be known worldwide. Now, I want your armored and equipped selves outside in less than ten minutes! The transport boats will not wait forever!'' With those words, he stormed out and slammed the door behind him.
The clan members glanced at each other; the same thought on their minds: This is not the same Marche. They didn't understand what he meant by Ivalice being destroyed. In fact, it was more developed than when he appeared.
But, nevertheless, they began heaving on their suits of rock-hard armor, clutching the deadliest weapons in Ivalice, and adding extremely expensive charms. Nothing is in short reach for them.
Nothing is too much for Clan Eclipse. And nothing will ever be while Marche is leading...
