Author's Note: So many years ago, in a life that seems far, far away, I conceived this story. It started as a one-shot titled "A Call to Darkness" and was simply inspired by my need to explain how Kain was brought under Golbez's control. When I finished the fic I felt incredibly satisfied with it. And yet, there was a twinkle of inspiration left by the end that nagged me to make something more of it. Now it has become a short story of only five chapters...a five-shot if you will. This story follows Kain after the tragedy at Mist and will cover some unseen moments in the game leading up to Kain's confrontation with Cecil in Fabul.

I do hope you enjoy it, and as always, feel free to drop comments and critiques. I'll always return the favor.

Twist & Turn

The Fall of Kain

A Final Fantasy IV Story

by Spaceman Spiff

Chapter One

The Promise

"Kain"

The voice was distant at first, hollow and questioning, grazing his ears softly and intimately, pulling something deep inside of him, yet still pushed so far away.

"Kain"

There it was again, filling his head much louder now, making that pain shooting between his temples flare, and yet soothing it at the same time. If he were conscious enough to think, he would wonder what voice could do such things, and yet at the same time he knew. He would always know.

"Oh my God! Kain"

The woman bent down, elegant, grasping the Dragon Knight's cold wet hand, drops of morning dew standing deathly still upon the ocean of his armored body. The chilled sensations that filled her palms drove the feeling of the dead through her, but she knew better than that. Though his chest barely crested with each short breath, he was still breathing nonetheless, and she could feel his heart beating inside.

"Kain, please say something..."

Her voice was growing frail through her sadness, seeing this man she knew, shattered here on the ground. Her tender fingers stroked his rough cheek, wiping the filth that rested upon his face. Gently she removed the dragon that sat upon his head, his helmet broken in so many places, nearly falling apart in her hands. Tousled tufts of damp blonde hair fell wild upon his brow, soon to take a pinkish hue. A trickle began to run down his forehead, a stream of deep red racing down his face to its ultimate end on the earth below.

Pain was all that he could feel at that moment, his senses blind to everything but this great pain that pounded and tore down walls inside his head. If he were conscious enough to think, he would scream, but he knew no one would hear him. No one ever did. He knew this warm touch upon his skin was not meant for him, and it would not hear his cries for more as his heart screamed so loud within.

When her hands left his skin a feeling of all hope lost washed over him. He wanted so badly to simply cease living at that very moment. But his heart kept beating, as though it was mocking him, keeping him alive for the simple sake of watching his tormented soul. Tears felt as though they would burst from his eyes, but he was past the point of weeping, past the point of caring so much. So his tears simply fell within, dripping down his dry heart down to his feet where they pooled beneath the sole of his soul.

As quickly as his hatred for his heart had come, it passed as her hands once again graced his body, but this time with such a warming sensation filling him. He could not explain it, but he was saturated by a river of light flowing from her holy hands, and was happy to drown in it all. If he were conscious enough to think, he would call to her...

"...Rosa," the words just barely escaping his lips as the last of her healing magic seeped into his skin. His eyes opened wide to the searing sun that clawed so viciously at them. His hand quickly shaded his face as he tried to adjust his focus, unable to actually see his own skin.

"Kain, I'm so glad you're alright," she spoke with love and affection, but Kain still couldn't help feeling that it was not truly meant for him. He slowly turned his gaze to the woman at his side, her graceful face but a blur, but still so beautiful in his eyes.

"I'm so glad you're here," Kain let out, raspy from the dried dust collected in his throat. As if the sound of his voice had unchained her, Rosa launched herself upon his chest, hugging him dearly as one does seeing a long lost friend. A friend…nothing more, he thought, as if he could turn his mind away from this longing.

His eyes started coming around, finally able to see his surroundings clearly, the humble trees perched within this valley, the small village torn in half by churned earth, and the hint of smoke still lurking in the air. But that all seemed so disconnected from his mind's eye, which could only see the glowing beauty of all creation laying there with him, sharing a brief moment of a bond Kain wished could run so much deeper. As Rosa picked herself up, leaving a few tears to mix with the dew drops on his blue steel skin, he gazed at her angelic figure, glowing lovely under the sun.

"Give me your hand," she instructed, his hand immediately reaching for hers as he only wanted to have it at every moment. She just smiled as she gave a playful tug. "Now up!"

She helped him to his feet as best she could, though in his condition he would've been better off with a strong rope tied around a tree. His legs wobbled a bit under the unexpected weight of the rest of his body, but he had a kind shoulder to lean on as he gained his balance. Staring at her lovely face seemed to be the only thing his eyes could do as they stood there face to face, her lips still curled wide in a smile. He nearly collapsed again as she wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him warmly once more as though he might die if she let go. Kain found his hand stroking the silken strands of her blonde hair, so bold and bright under the sun, as she spoke so melancholy.

"I was afraid I would never see you again," her voice reflected off his shimmering armored plates as her face rested upon his chest. Kain didn't know what to think of it, but he didn't want it to stop. He didn't want her to take her arms from around his body, to take the warmth away from his soul. He was lost in a moment of pure bliss, as he held the woman he had always dreamed of in his very arms. Such a moment could've only been ruined by one thing, and Kain saw it coming before she even spoke, as her head lifted from his chest and her eyes gazed so deeply through him. He knew exactly what she was about to say, and it seemed to tear a bit of something from him as she spoke so sincere. "Where is Cecil?"

"Cecil..." He was still surprised to hear the question hit his ears, even though he had been expecting it, and it brought some alarming sense to him. He realized he hadn't even thought about Cecil since Rosa revived him, hadn't even given his friend the dignity of a thought. Cecil could've been dead for all he knew and it seemed as if he didn't even care. He was so overtaken by these feelings for Rosa, this overwhelming love in his heart, and he never even had an ounce of consideration for his most true and faithful friend.

Rosa's expression seemed to change from worry and woe to a face more of irritation as she watched Kain's blank face, his eyes lost in some other world. Kain couldn't find any real words to spit out, but Rosa was quickly upon it to try and wring a few out of him.

"Yes, Cecil," she sternly repeated to Kain's estranged expressions, taking a step away, her arms leaving his waist. She hadn't noticed it, but Kain slightly winced when she did this, and she had no idea what shot of pain had just pierced his heart. She continued to speak, rather annoyed that he didn't seem to have more of a mind for his friend. "You know, your best friend? The one you came here with?"

"I...I don't know," Kain spit out through bumbling lips, so consumed with this mixture of two emotions pouring over him. He had to make up his mind, and he finally pushed his love for this angel away for a moment. He tried his best to compose himself, now looking at Rosa with more knowledgeable eyes which seemed to turn down her irk level a few notches. He had to keep his mind on the matters at hand, which were first and foremost finding his lost comrade.

"You really don't know?" Rosa was losing her state of irritation and returning to levels of anxiety. Her eyes seemed to beg of him to tell her something, something to comfort her. Unfortunately, he had nothing, and he knew he could never comfort her with the words he would say. He truly had no idea where his friend was, and only fragments of memories of what had happened the night before were able to seep through the cracks.

"We were..." Kain tried to recall the events for Rosa, but they were hidden somewhere so very deep. His fingers rubbed his temple harsh, as though perhaps the punishment would bring out the memories. "We were sent to Mist to deliver something..."

Rosa was becoming more and more anxious with each word he spoke, and she drew closer to the Dragon Knight as he continued. Though he was easily distracted by her proximity, he fought hard to focus on the bits and pieces of what he remembered.

"But something went terribly wrong," Kain began to see just what had happened, and it took all of his strength not to stumble as it came back to him. "Cecil was holding something..."

We were there for something else, some other reason than a simple delivery, Kain began talking himself through it within his own mind, rushing to find words to explain the story. As he remembered, he and Cecil had approached the village of Mist by dusk, and things seemed peaceful enough. But what it was that was so horribly wrong about it was escaping him.

"Kain, it's okay," Rosa tried to calm him with her graceful touch. She wanted to know what happened, but not at the expense of Kain's mental breakdown. "Just take it slow, don't try to force your memories."

Somehow we were responsible for the destruction of this village, Kain continued to mumble in his head. He took a deep breath as he closed his eyes, letting the scene play out against the darkness within. He didn't even feel Rosa's touch, although he could feel something warm inside of him. His heart was reacting to her presence on its own.

"We were used..." Kain finally let out, Rosa's eyes begging for more"...by His Majesty, for some reason, to destroy this village."

"Kain, what are you saying?" Rosa asked anxiously, not wanting to believe what she had heard. She couldn't possibly understand why the King would send Cecil and Kain to annihilate a tranquil village such as Mist. Her hand was wrapped tightly around Kain's arm as she listened anxiously, and had it not been for his armor she probably would've been leaving a nice bruise.

"The package..." And that was it, those two words unlocking the key to his retention. The night played out perfectly from there, the intense flash of light as the small box opened in Cecil's hand, followed by high pitched screams ripping through screens of thick smoke. The town was burning alive, everything ignited in a single, literally breathtaking moment. His eyes opened to Rosa's fearful face. "The package contained a fire fiend, and we were ordered to bring it here under the guise of a peaceful offering to burn down this village. We were sent here to wipe out these people."

"Why would the King do such a thing?" Rosa was simply appalled to hear such words. She didn't think the King of Baron was capable of such evil. Her hand tightened on the slick steel around Kain's arm.

"Genocide," the single word was all Kain really had to say, but the look in Rosa's eyes seemed to ask him for more. "His Majesty wanted to eliminate those who could call the power of otherworldly monsters, whom all happened to live here in this village."

"You mean Summoners?" Rosa was beginning to understand as Kain drew out the King's intentions. Kain gave Rosa a sure nod to her question, and she sank back in a pit of realization, releasing her death grip on his armor. "So it is true what the townspeople have been saying. The King truly is mad."

"It would seem so," Kain replied solemnly as they both looked out on the smoldering ruins of this valley haven. Scanning the rubble drew out mixed reactions in Kain, from disbelief, to sadness, to pure, unbridled hatred. But then his gaze once again fell upon the woman at his side, a refreshing sight in comparison that was hard to resist. A smile was beginning to creep out upon his face, but had he known it he never would've let Rosa see it. Unfortunately she caught him in the act, and immediately gave him a questionable stare, an eyebrow quirked at him.

"What is it?" she asked with that adamant voice that she used so well. Kain's smile seemed so untimely considering their surroundings, but even she couldn't resist his admiration. Her hands found her hips as she stood there before him, impatient for an answer to her question. "I don't think this is any time for you to be smiling. You know you—"

"May I ask you something?" Kain interjected, leaving Rosa a bit stunned. She wasn't used to being interrupted, and she didn't usually take it very well. But this time she was a bit curious of what he had to ask.

"Well, I suppose," she gave him the respect of allowing him through, though only on one condition. "As long as it's more important than what I was saying."

"Well then, I probably should remain silent," Kain admitted through a cute grin that actually seemed to keep Rosa's commanding aura at bay. He found that he had to continue. "But I must know, Rosa, why you are here?"

"Oh, don't you start with that!" She immediately drew a finger at the Dragon Knight, playfully yet at the same time quite menacingly aiming it between his eyes. "We've known each other for long enough, and you should know by now that I always know when you and Cecil are in trouble. I won't just sit around waiting for you two, especially when you could be coming back in a casket!"

"Patience is a virtue, my dear lady," that little comment got Kain a hard shove in the gut. He stumbled back a few steps, still not entirely stable after just waking up a few moments ago, but he couldn't help but laugh. She just scowled at him, though she was smiling just as well underneath it. She shook her head and waved her hand at him, as if to shoo him away, or at least shoo his thoughts away.

"See if I ever come and save you again, mister," she gave him a quick irritated look before turning her eyes away from the stupid smile still drawn across his face. As her sights set upon the demolished ruins of a once lively village, she was reminded of what she was here to find. "We still must find Cecil. I'm worried about him..."

Kain's smile seemed to dim quite a bit as he realized she was still thinking about her love, Cecil. His eyes fell upon the grass, wet still with dew. He wanted another moment, like the blissful moments before, where he could lose himself in love. This is not the time, nor the place. Get it together! he thought, barely able to push it away. Though he usually succeeded in tucking his feelings away, he knew they would just come back stronger the next time. Kain pulled himself together and walked up to the woman draped in white.

"Come on, we'll go find him," Kain offered as he laid a gentle hand upon her shoulder. She was still looking off into the village, but she responded as her hand fell on his, soothing, relaxing. Her head turned slowly, or at least it seemed that way to Kain, for everything felt as though in slow motion when he was so close to her. Her eyes eventually met with his, and he thought he saw a wall of tears behind the gleaming hazel.

"What if we don't?" she dared question, though Kain had the same thoughts trafficking inside his head.

"We will," he assured her, trying his best to brighten her spirits with a smile. He hated to see her so depressed, and he could only take it upon himself to relieve her of that. "He can't be far. He's probably on the other side of the village."

"I hope..." her voice trailed into the breeze, the breath of nature on her face moving hair randomly about her porcelain skin. Kain took her hand and began to lead her into the earth ravaged ruins of Mist, though she seemed reluctant to set foot upon the soil. He figured she was scared, or maybe just a little shaken, but he had no idea what was truly chasing her thoughts. He had thought about asking her, but it seemed as if she could sense it coming, as if she could see it on his face although she never once looked at him. "You know, Kain I—"

"Shh!" Kain had stopped dead in his tracks, and only for his hand tugging against her, Rosa stopped as well. They stood silent for a moment, as Kain's eyes had begun searching the skies behind them for something neither could see. Seconds seemed to drag on for even longer minutes, as Kain's senses went off and on, drawing small pieces of a puzzle he had yet to build. It all started coming together as a light hum filled his ears, the silent strokes of steel cutting air, and the stench of death ever so pungent. They were coming for them.

"What is it?" Rosa whispered to her friend, whose mind milled over courses of action. She became a little tense as Kain's hand squeezed hers so slightly, and she knew something was wrong. "Kain?!"

"It's the Red Wings," Kain responded to the sky, still keeping his attention on the sound. He still could not see them, but the sound was growing rapidly, pounding upon the drums of his ears. He felt a faint tug on his arm, and it was all that was needed to take his attention away as his eyes came back around, staring beautiful blue at her. She peered into those deep oceans, so strong and handsome, and without ever speaking a word, she asked him why.

"They're coming for us, Rosa."

Kain wondered why he had said such a thing. It sounded as if Baron was out to get them, as if they were criminals on the run from an airborne assassin. Yet he knew that the King had expected them to die on this mission, and had it not been for Rosa the mission would have likely been a complete success. His Majesty didn't even know, and probably much less cared, that Rosa was here. They were coming to make sure the job was done, and to clean up what was left, if necessary. Unfortunately, that meant that they would more than likely be killed, or jailed for being witness to all of this, and Kain didn't want any such thing happening to the wondrous woman at his side. She begged with her eyes to hear his thoughts, and he graciously fed her curiosity.

"Rosa, you have to go," Kain began to explain, but Rosa was already unhappy with the plan so far. She glared a bit harder into his face, trying to see any logic in his words. Kain knew she was going to be obstinate to his idea, but he had to get her away from him, as much as it pained him to think it. "You can't be here when they arrive."

"Don't tell me what I can't do!" Rosa snapped a bit at him, and she figured by the look in his eyes that she had already broken him. But it was a different kind of brokenness, something Kain would never admit to.

"Rosa, please," Kain persisted, hearing the sound of airships closing in even louder now, though Rosa still seemed deaf to it all.

"I'm not going to leave you here," she declared, tearing her hand from his in mild anger, her foot driven strongly through the grass. "I could've lost you today, and I don't want that to happen again!"

It tugged so warmly at his heart, hearing how she cared for him so much. She truly would never leave him behind if the choice was hers, but this was not her choice anymore. Kain knew he could not keep her here, even as his heart beseeched his conscience. He actually found his face in a distasteful frown, as he stared harshly back at her, and it hurt him to see the soft, fearful surprise in her eyes.

"Listen, if they see you here then they might..." Kain didn't want to use the words that were springing into his mind, but he had to make his point. "They will kill you."

Rosa was no longer standing so strong against him, as his brief voice of forceful truth hit her hard. She realized he was only trying to protect her, but she still could not find it in her to leave him alone. As if a sudden floodgate of realization had opened, she remembered that he was always so alone.

"Kain…"

"Rosa, please…just go," he cut her off so gently, trying not to hurt her delicate spirit. He had to make her see, and he knew how to do it. "You still have to find Cecil. He needs you."

That surely did it, for the dawning of his words brought upon her the look of someone giving in to some great injustice. She knew she had to find Cecil, for his life could be resting on a thin line, one that could break at any moment. But she still couldn't understand one thing.

"Then why must you stay here?" she asked, so plain and unemotional, as though she was fighting her anger and her sadness, and was sitting somewhere between.

"I must face up to this, and discover the King's true motives," Kain answered just the same, though he wished he could sound more caring for her struggling mind. He knew what she wanted to ask before she even could spill the words from her mouth, and he answered calmly. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

"I know," Rosa replied, a bit distraught still. She had to make sure he would truly be okay. "But you said they would kill me. So what's to say they won't kill you?"

Her eyes were so worried as they sat on a face still trying to fight the emotions behind it. Kain wanted to soothe that strain, and he tried as he broke into a smile. The twinkle in his eyes as his brow lifted, open to the sun, seemed to calm the worried woman a great deal. She knew that confident face too well, and it made her feel that much better to know that he would be alright.

"Like I said, I'll be fine. I can defend myself," he assured her with an easing, cheerful voice, breaking barriers in her quickly. She could only smile back at him, for he was nothing but deserving of it. "After all, I am a Dragon Knight."

Kain was surprised to have her arms immediately tied around his waist, squeezing so tight that if he had no armor he would be unable to breathe. Her face was buried in the blue waters of his chest, and just as the dew continued to roll down his body, so did her tears. It was another moment of pure bliss, and he basked in its warmth, taking in the sweet aura of emotion. He placed loving arms around her slim figure as well, only letting her go softly after a moment as she took a step back. Her wet eyes reflected endless rays of sunlight, and it only made her seem that much more divine. She certainly was a gift from the gods, although not his gift...Cecil's gift.

"I better see you when I get back," she said as she clutched her dangling robes. She didn't want to leave him behind, and Kain didn't want her to go either, but the thought of what would happen to her if she didn't was more than enough to send her away.

"I'll make sure of it," Kain responded as honestly as he possibly could. He knew in the back of his mind that there was never a guarantee on anything, but she seemed so desperate to have it.

"You promise?" she asked so sincere.

"I promise."