The prologue might seem out of place, but envision, if you will, each of the special characters (Delita, Agrias, etc.) saying a little thing or two about a certain hero. The quotes are separated by capital letters to make it easier to read. Note that the last quote is several paragraphs long. I've given each character a certain way of talking, so you should be able to figure out who's speaking in each quote. In any case, I'm sure it will become clear as the story progresses. But if you know who's who, feel free to put it in a review
More Notes: No, I'm not adding any characters named "Donovon," "Alicia," "Rad," or any other hireling to the party. The cast is going to be astronomically big as it is, and killing off the excess party members just makes my life that much simpler. As soon as you see a name generated by the FFT Name Generator, consider them dead.
Prologue: Vignettes and Memoirs from Those Who Followed"MY BROTHER was always so kind. He'd always want to help everyone. Even after he knew just how bad and horrible people can be, he still offered that quiet smile and a helping hand. I admired him a lot…."
"THAT GUY…he saved my life. I owe him for that. And he was a great friend. Man, the times we got drunk at the bar…. He and I were a lot alike—never giving up, never getting scared. But you know, after things got really serious, I changed. I started to get scared. But him? No way—he kept on fighting…."
"IF IT weren't for him, I'd have lost my brother and I would have lost myself. The man I called father, the man who tortured me in ways that only a devil could, who took from me my innocence and my woman's pride…and it's only because there are people like that kind boy that I can still live with myself today…."
"THERE ARE few in this world who have that lad's courage. There are fewer that have his heart. I've never seen anyone so determined or so pure. It was…inspiring. I've tried to live a good life for the sake of God, myself, my county, and my son. But that lad…he didn't have to try…."
"I CALLED him a friend once. I loved him like a brother once. When we were kids, nothing could ever stop us. Those days are gone now. I called him a friend, but I was in actuality using him—a fact that I am aware of and accept without remorse. Sometimes at night I wonder how he does it. How he can still be a child. Every time I saw him, after that day at Zeakden, I asked myself: how? I changed at Zeakden. But he didn't. He was still the same as he was when we were kids…."
"FOR A long time, I thought I didn't need a man. It's not that I disliked men. I simply did not believe that every woman needs to be married or needs to take a lover. I wanted to be independent, strong, as capable as any man. The last thing I wanted to be was a damsel in distress. So I worked hard and earned my position despite the jeers and ridicule of my 'peers.'
"My accomplishments outshone those of my male counterparts. I was the best with a sword, the best rider, the best leader and tactician. The praises and medals given me were proof of my ability. Though it is unbecoming for a knight to do so, I reveled in it. Yes, I felt pride. Yes, I was ambitious. But no woman in this world could hope to gain prestige and equality by being demure.
"I can honestly say I was content with living a chaste life, married to sword, country, and duty rather than a man. It displeased my parents that I would throw away my responsibility as a noble daughter to become a soldier and knight, but it felt in my heart that serving God and Ivalice was the right choice for me. So I never gave marriage a second thought. But I never expected to meet him.
"It really is quite incredible just how fragile our little private worlds are. I was so sure I'd die a virgin, die in the cause I so believed in, with God as my only heart. But he threw all of that out the window. I must confess, even from the moment I met him, he confused me. He was so sure, so confident, so innocent. Yet, he was accomplished, a soldier…he smelled of blood even as he smiled so pleasantly. He was an enigma.
"I called him a fool once. I said his idealism was kind heart were a show of ignorance of the realities of our world. But I was wrong. He knew the depths of evil and depravity in men's hearts. But even to such despicable creatures, to whom even God would have turned away, he offered a hand. He said 'let me help you.' He walked up to them with open arms…and they would follow him, praise him, call him leader.
"To be sure, I admired him. The dichotomy of childlike innocence and world-weary wisdom was…charismatic, in its own way. But I'm just talking around the point, aren't I? I never could admit it before, but…I can admit it to myself now. I loved him, with all my heart and soul. There was no man—no person, man or woman—in the whole world who was as noble and kind as him. There will never be another man like him. And after loving such a man, I can never have another."
The Legend of the Zodiac Braves
Long ago, before Ivalice was united as it is now, the land was divided into seven countries that warred with each other in order to expand their borders. Of these, Murond grew to power. Its king, blinded by ambition, sought an easy victory over his enemies. He studied ancient spells and dark rituals, and summoned devils known as the Lucavi. None could comprehend the full extent of the horror his sinfulness unleashed.
The Lucavi slew the king and rampaged throughout Ivalice, shattering the seven kingdoms. Darkness descended, enveloping the land in what seemed to be an eternity of despair. But twelve heroes arose and took up arms against the Lucavi, brandishing blade and spell in the cause of righteousness. The Lucavi were defeated and sent back to the depths of hell, sealed by twelve magical stones bearing a Zodiac sign.
Each hero took one of the stones, to ensure that the Lucavi would never return. Because of this, they became known as the "Zodiac Braves."
Excerpt from the "Zodiac Brave Story"