Final Fantasy IV: The Novelization
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Final Fantasy franchise or any characters associated with the franchise. All rights belong to Square Enix. This is not my intellectual property, and no financial gain is made from this nor will be sought. This is purely for entertainment purposes only. Most of the writing is original, but there is some dialogue that is borrowed from the DS/iOS version.
Chapter 1: The Adventure Begins
I stole a precious crystal from innocent people...people who guarded it with their lives yet they never really fought back against us...why did we have to do this? We were only following the King's orders, but I don't remember His Majes-
"Lord Captain!" A man's voice shouted. "We're about to arrive back home in Baron!"
"Yeah..." the captain sighed. His face, dripping with sweat, maintained a gloomy expression as he lifted up the visor of his heavy black helmet. Despite the fact that he was a young man, his face looked as though it had aged ten years over the last few hours due to the immense grief and sorrow that consumed him. His long silver hair was pressed back against his face, even getting in his eyes, which were as blue as the crystal he just snatched. He quickly turned his head over his shoulder. He was flying through the clouds on a majestic airship, the hot summer wind softly blowing past him from behind. The captain quickly glanced at his crewmen, known as the Red Wings, who wore shining red armor. They were whispering to each other.
"It troubles the captain as well," one of them said to the man beside him.
The captain overheard what the man was saying, and he hung his head even further, gazing down at the polished wooden floor of the airship before losing himself in his thoughts again. Why did I, Cecil Harvey, have to do this? I am a much better person than that!
The terrible incident replayed in Cecil's mind. The city of Mysidia in flames. Forcing their way into the Tower of Prayers. The bloodbath that ensued as the mages of Mysidia fought back against the soldiers of Baron. The glistening tears in the Elder's eyes as he helplessly watched his best friends die in front of him. The pathway being cleared as the remaining mages and the Elder raised their arms in defeat. The coldness of the water crystal that gleamed in Cecil's hands. The frantic run back to the airship...
"Lord Captain," one of the men piped up, snapping Cecil out of his thoughts. "We are the Red Wings, the very pride and soul of Baron! We are supposed to protect people, not harm them!"
Cecil couldn't take it anymore.
"ENOUGH!" Cecil cried, stomping his foot on the floor, taking everyone else aback. He did agree with his crewmen's statements, but he wanted so badly to forget about the whole situation. He slowly turned around to face them.
"But Lord Captain," the same man continued in protest, "the Mysidians offered no resistance!"
"And yet we still mowed them down," the man beside him sighed and hung his head.
Cecil cleared his throat. "Listen," he said, staring at each and every one of the Red Wings. "The Mysidians knew too much about the crystal and its secrets, which could have posed a serious threat to the kingdom of Baron. His Majesty deemed it so. We need the crystals to gain prosperity for our kingdom. WE are the Red Wings of Baron, and we must do whatever is necessary to achieve this. Our king deserves utmost loyalty, so we shall not question his orders. Understand?"
"Aye, Captain," they all saluted in unison.
A few seconds of silence followed. The only sound that could be heard came from the fluttering sails as the wind breezed through them. But then there was another sound coming from the back of the ship in the form of quick, hurried footsteps. A crewman ran up to Cecil.
"Lord Captain, monsters at the fore!"
Cecil quickly whirled around to face the front of the ship. No less than eight Float Eyes flew up to face them. They were giant blue creatures with tiny bat-like wings and an enormous eye in the middle of their heads.
"Prepare for battle!" Cecil commanded to the Red Wings. They all unsheathed their swords, and Cecil whipped out his dark sword. The air was full of the sounds of hacking, slashing, shrieking and screaming as Cecil and the others hacked away at the beasts, their claws narrowly missing the humans by inches. One of the Float Eyes did manage to gouge a large bloody incision into the man beside Cecil, and he dropped to the floor, screaming in pain. Cecil slashed the last Float Eye, cutting it cleanly in half with his sword before tending to the fallen Red Wing. He dug out a vial of liquid potion and poured it down the man's throat. After five seconds, the cut was mostly healed and he stood upright.
"Thank you so much, Captain," he smiled with gratitude.
"Glad to help. Is everyone else okay?" Cecil asked.
"Aye," the other Red Wings responded.
"What is with all of those monsters? Creatures that were once docile are now our enemies, and they're invading areas inhabited with innocent people," a crewman said worriedly.
Another crewman ran up to Cecil. "We've reached Baron Castle, m'lord!"
"Prepare for landing, men!" Cecil commanded to his team.
"M'lord," the Red Wings saluted before Cecil lowered the airship to terra firma.
Baron Castle was a majestic stone structure with many towers. It was home to the King of Baron, the Red Wings, and other important residents of Baron, including Kain Highwind, who was the Commander of the Dragoons, and Rosa Joanna Farrell, a powerful White Mage and one of Cecil's childhood friends.
After the airship touched down, Cecil tiredly walked through the front entrance as he usually did, but this time there was a somber mood surrounding the castle. No one was there except for two guards in purple uniforms giving Cecil an emotionless stare.
"Cecil!"
A young man dressed in rich scarlet robes walked up to him before sweeping back his shoulder-length blond hair. Two badges were visible on his chest, indicating that he was of a much higher rank than a normal Baronian soldier. His name was Baigan, and he was the Captain of the Guards at the castle as well as the head of Baron's security forces. His eyes looked like tiny pitch-black holes, and they contrasted with the gleaming smile he always displayed.
"Ah, Cecil, I knew you'd make a triumphant return!" Baigan applauded. "Do you have the crystal in your possession?"
"Yes, the crystal is ours now," Cecil sighed as he lowered his head. "But the Mysidians didn't even resist."
"All the better, then," Baigan smiled. "One does not try to oppose the almighty will of Baron! Come, His Majesty awaits us." He gestured with his hand and they walked through the large wooden entrance doors.
The interior of the castle was quite splendid for a military base. Despite the fact that the walls were cold and gray, every other surface displayed warmth and grandeur. The floor they walked on was made of the softest cherry-red carpet available, and the railings of the stairwells were made of pure gold. The arched ceiling was so high that one could barely even see it from ground level. Busts of elite Baronian soldiers from present and past flanked both sides of the main corridor. Flaming torches hung from the walls, bathing the whole area in a soft orange light. Despite the surroundings, the thoughts that ran through Cecil's mind were anything but warm. The screams of the Mysidians seemed to echo inside his helmet, which he then lifted off his head, allowing his silver hair to fall down his shoulders. He took his first comfortable breath of air in what seemed like forever.
After Cecil and Baigan passed the stairwells that led down to the black and white magic classrooms, they walked through two more sets of double doors before Baigan stopped so suddenly that Cecil nearly toppled into him. Baigan turned around and looked Cecil in the eyes.
"A moment, my lord," Baigan told Cecil. "I need to speak to His Majesty in private." He quickly bowed before turning around and walking through the massive, heavy throne room doors.
Once the doors were completely closed, Cecil pressed his ear against them to listen to the conversation.
"Your Majesty," Cecil heard Baigan say, "I believe that our lord Cecil has developed quite a rebellious attitude."
"Thank you, Baigan," the King said in a gruff voice, "for continuing to express your utmost loyalty. I only want the crystal. Please, bring Cecil before me. We MUST do something about this!"
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
Cecil took a deep breath, but not before hearing Baigan's booming voice through the doors.
"His Majesty summons you, Cecil! Please, come in."
After taking another deep breath, Cecil pushed open the doors to the throne room. The throne room was a grand chamber, with pillars that sparkled with small flecks of gold. A few wide steps led up to the throne where the King of Baron sat. He was a rather large man in his fifties, with angry-looking eyes that clearly gave the impression that he was not someone to mess around with. The lower half of his face was dominated by a large beard that was as white as the freshest winter snow. His large golden crown studded with shiny red stones sat perfectly on the top of his head, complemented by his red and gold robes.
Cecil walked up to King Baron's throne and respectfully bowed down on one knee.
"Thank you so much, Cecil, for completing your mission," the King said with gratitude. "Present me with the crystal."
"It's right here, Your Majesty," Cecil replied as he stood upright. Baigan held his hands out and Cecil passed the water crystal to him. Baigan repeatedly turned it over in his hands, examining every single facet of the precious gem. He then handed it to the King.
"So that's the crystal," the King said with more than a hint of greed in his voice. He lovingly ran his fingers over its glass-like exterior before turning back to Cecil with a wicked grin on his face. "Your mission is complete, Cecil. You may leave now."
Cecil bowed down to the King and proceeded to walk back out of the room. Halfway to the doors, he paused as a thought crossed his mind. I must seek the truth. I must know about his motives and what he plans to do with the crystal, and the Red Wings ought to know as well. He then marched towards the King and Baigan, who were too busy examining their prize to anticipate Cecil, who cleared his throat loudly.
The King and Baigan gasped and jumped, and Baigan's usual smile became a glare of anger and hatred.
"What is it?" Baigan and the King questioned simultaneously. The King crossed his arms and Baigan put his hands on his hips.
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but what exactly do you plan to do with the crystal?" Cecil inquired. "We do not understand why we had to murder all of these innocent people just for a crystal."
The King stood up from his throne with an angry expression on his face. "Cecil," he coldly questioned, "am I noticing that your tone conveys a sign of ignorance and hatred? Hatred of your Majesty?"
Cecil was struggling to maintain a neutral expression at this point. He felt as if he had just swallowed a boulder. "N-n-no," he stammered. "I do not mean that at all! I mean-"
"Do you take me for a fool?!" The King barked and slammed his fist on the throne. "After all I've done for you, Cecil, your words wounded me. That leads to treason, and I will not tolerate that! You are dismissed from your position as Captain of the Red Wings!"
"B-but Your Majesty!" Cecil squeaked.
"Instead," King Baron announced, "I have another task for you. Deliver this ring to the village of Mist. They have been eagerly waiting to receive it for a few days now. An eidolon guards the borders. You will slay it and then deliver the ring. They will know its meaning. You will leave at first light tomorrow morning."
Suddenly, a loud bang shook the room as the doors flew open. A slim yet built man clad in shiny blue armor marched past Cecil and stopped right in front of the King himself. His helmet was shaped like a dragon's face. His own face was visible beneath the helmet, and his bright blue eyes, which were normally friendly, were narrowed and gleamed of pure anger.
"Your Majesty!" The man growled and stomped his foot on the ground. "You know that Cecil would not betray you under any circumstances!"
"Kain," King Baron spat, "how dare you barge into this room! You seem to be concerned about him, so accompany him on his mission! Now take the ring and begone!"
The King threw the small golden ring to Cecil. It had a single glimmering ruby embedded in the top. At once, the King's guards ran towards Cecil and Kain and roughly grabbed their arms, pushing them back out of the room. Cecil struggled against them, but to no avail. With one final push from the guards, Cecil was tossed out of the throne room and Kain went flying backwards a few moments later, landing on his back. The doors were locked about two seconds later.
"I'm sorry, Kain," Cecil apologized to his best friend. "I really did not mean to draw you into this."
"Nah, it's okay," Kain smiled. "We just have to slay the beast and our mission will be completed. All of this will be forgotten sooner or later, and you'll be Captain of the Red Wings again before you know it! Go get a good night's sleep and I will take care of all the preparations."
Cecil stared down at the floor, still troubled both by what happened in Mysidia and that he was stripped of his job. He weakly lifted his head up to face Kain.
"Good night."
Kain gave Cecil a reassuring pat on the shoulder before walking towards a table where the rest of the Red Wings were having a few drinks. Wanting to leave the anguish behind, Cecil began hastily making his way towards his room.
As much as he tried, Cecil just could not shake the awful memories off his mind. He felt the same pain and anguish that the Mysidians must have experienced during the massacre.
"Cecil!"
Cecil immediately froze when he heard this voice, a voice which belonged to someone he couldn't bear to face under these circumstances: Rosa, his childhood friend. He could hear her footsteps as she walked closer to him.
"Thank goodness you're all right!" Rosa proceeded to hug Cecil, but he never turned around since he feared that she would see the anguish on his face. He could tell that she was smiling due to the tone of her voice.
"We survived, but I can't say the same about the mages we fought," Cecil said. He finally turned around to look at Rosa, who had a slight frown on her face upon hearing his words. She had long golden hair that flowed down her shoulders, and a tiara made of pure crystal rested on the top of her head.
"I'll..." Rosa began to reply, but her voice caught ever so slightly. "I'll see you in your tower very soon." With that, she turned around and hurried away before Cecil could see teardrops forming in her eyes.
Cecil made his way out into the castle's northwestern courtyard, and he sighed with relief as he breathed in the cool night air. His tower barely stood out as a silhouette against the night sky, where hundreds of white stars twinkled softly. As beautiful as the sky looked, he was still very eager to get to his bedchamber. Suddenly, another good friend appeared before him.
"Well, look who's home today! Rosa was so worried about you!" The gruff voice came from a middle-aged man named Cid. His wild orange beard dominated the bottom half of his face, and his eyes were covered by large goggles that he never seemed to take off, even while asleep. He was the chief engineer in Baron's army, and he designed and built the entire fleet of airships that Baron prided itself on.
"Please, whatever you do, don't make her cry again," Cid continued, "otherwise you'll have me to answer to, got it? Speaking of girls, how are my lovely airships doing? Burn out any engines?" He laughed and gave Cecil a playful slap on the back. It was only then that he noticed Cecil's rather mute expression. "Is everything okay, bud?"
Cecil let out a deep sigh. He did need someone to talk to about what had happened, to hopefully purge the thoughts from is mind. Other than Rosa, Cid was the one that Cecil had the closest friendship with.
Cecil told Cid the whole story, from the moment he received the mission all the way up to the encounter with Rosa from only two minutes ago. Cid was getting angrier and angrier with each word that came out of his friend's mouth.
"How will the Red Wings survive without you?!" Cid spluttered after Cecil finished his story. "Obviously something is up with His Majesty. He's been ordering me to start building warships! What is he thinking?" He violently shook his head. "And now he's sending you away to Mist! Well, take care of yourself, kiddo. I must go home otherwise that daughter of mine will want me dead!" Cid waved to Cecil just before he dashed into the castle.
Cecil walked through the door to his tower. As he ascended several staircases that led up to his bedchamber, he grew more and more tired with every step. When he finally stood beside his bed, he removed his heavy and dirty armor, changed into his pyjamas, and burrowed beneath his bedsheets. No matter how hard he tried, sleep just would not come. His eyes remained open, the wretched thoughts still crossing his mind.
What happened to His Majesty, the man who took me in as an orphan and raised me like his own son? Why is he suddenly so greedy over the crystals? He made me rob a coveted possession of a peaceful civilization. I cannot betray him, though. I consider him as my father. Even though he ordered me to take on this mission, I cannot forgive him for what we've done.
As soon as Cecil closed his eyes, he heard the door open quietly, followed by soft footsteps. He steeled himself to look at Rosa as she strode over to the side of his bed.
"Cecil, what is going on? First you were sent off to Mysidia, and now you have to journey to Mist to slay a beast? Did something happen in Mysidia?" Her voice was quiet but accusing. Cecil rolled over to face the wall, and his eyes counted the bricks and traced the perimeter of the window. Anything to get his mind off of this topic.
"No, it's nothing," Cecil said blankly.
"Please don't look away," Rosa gently whispered as she laid a hand on his left shoulder. The hand slowly traveled down the length of his arm before their fingers were intertwined. Cecil closed his eyes just so that he would not have to look into hers.
"In Mysidia, we stole a crystal from innocent people," Cecil began. "I guess this is what being a Dark Knight leads to. I've worn this armor for so long now that there's no light in me whatsoever. Not even in my heart."
Rosa lightly squeezed his hand. "You're not like that, Cecil."
Cecil finally willed himself to sit up, and he opened his eyes to look Rosa straight in the eye.
"I cannot defy the King," Cecil said. "I'm a coward who cannot even defy orders he knows he should not follow." He closed his eyes and lowered his head in shame.
"The Cecil I know would never whimper like this," Rosa berated as she lifted his head up so that he was forced to look at her. "Not the Cecil who I love."
Cecil let out a small gasp and his heart started beating really fast. He proceeded to stand up, and Rosa backed away ever so slightly.
"You leave tomorrow morning for Mist, am I right?" Rosa asked.
"Kain will be with me," Cecil reassured her. "I'll be fine." As he finished that sentence, he involuntarily pulled Rosa into a tight embrace, and he held her there for as long as he could.
"Be careful," Rosa whispered to him as they finally let go. She then turned and fled from the room before Cecil could se her crying again.
The room fell completely silent again, and Cecil crawled into bed. "Thank you, Rosa," he whispered to himself, "but I know what I have become. We can never be together." And with that, he finally managed to drift off to sleep for the remainder of the night.
...
The next morning, Cecil woke up as the sun shone its first sliver of golden light over the horizon. He donned his heavy armor again and he hurried down to the entrance hall, where Kain would hopefully be waiting for him.
Kain was already there, leaning up against a pillar. He smiled when his friend arrived.
"Hey, my friend," Kain cheerfully said as he patted Cecil on the back. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, I think so," Cecil replied.
"So, ready for some combat?" Kain asked while he pulled his helmet down over his glimmering eyes.
"Always," Cecil grinned. Kain always knew how to brighten up anybody's mood.
"There's nothing to fear. Lead the way," Kain mockingly bowed before sheathing his lance behind his back. Cecil did the same with his dark sword. The guards opened the wide front gates and watched Cecil and Kain as the two friends set off on their adventure.
And so the dark knight Cecil, stripped of his command of the Red Wings, set out for the distant Valley of Mist.
Together with Kain, commander of the Dragoons, he would pursue a faceless quarry and a chance for redemption.
The advent of the airship marked the realization of mankind's most ancient dream. But man is a creature seldom sated, and he was quick to dream anew.
With the unparalleled might of the Red Wings, Baron's military soon reigned supreme. Why, then, does its King now seek the Crystals?
And why have fearsome monsters suddenly begun to overrun the once calm land?
If the Crystals know, they shed no answers, only their pure and silent light.