Chapter One: The Dark Knight
The landscape swiftly passed under the bellies of the majestic Red Wings, the prized airship fleet of Baron, as they made their way home from a successful mission. Anyone not used to the breath-taking view would find it hard to focus on anything else, but the crew had long since lost their interest in the land below. Instead their minds were locked on a much more gruesome subject, something none of them wanted to contemplate too deeply for fear of their worlds turning upside down. The Red Wings, the noble protectors of Baron. The Red Wings, the great technological marvels.
The Red Wings, the murderers.
"Captain, we will arrive in Baron shortly." One of the crew spoke up, looking over his shoulder at the solemn man clad in black armor standing on the deck. The dark knight looked up, and though it was hard to see this face through his helmet, his mood was obvious through his tone of voice.
"...Very well." Cecil replied hollowly. He looked down at the deck of the ship silently, his shoulders slumping. One of the more bold crew members turned to the man next to him.
"The captain seems kinda down." He said quietly, casting a quick glance at the dark knight.
"After what we did, who wouldn't be?" The other man sighed, leaning against the railing and frowning. "Orders are orders, but killing innocent people to get the Crystals isn't right."
Cecil overheard the men, despite their attempts to mask their conversation, and, though he would rather not think about it again, his mind unwillingly drifted back to the events earlier in the day.
They had landed in Mysidia, the town of mages. At first their reception had been warm, why wouldn't it be? It was the famous Red Wings, coming to pay a visit, most likely for official business with the elder. But it quickly became apparent that their intentions were less then honorable, and before they could flee many were felled by lance and sword. They made it to the Crystal tower with surprising ease, where two black mages and a lone white mage stood, guarding their elder, and their Crystal, with their lives.
The first to fall were the black mages before they had a chance to cast their spells. It had been in a flash, and the shocked white mage looked around with wide eyes at the soldiers from Baron. In one last, desperate effort, he dashed at the nearest intruder, only to quickly be cut down. The elder was spared, and the Crystal seized.
The dark knight slowly drifted back to reality, his crew now afire with what bordered on treasonous conversation.
"The Red Wings are supposed to protect people, not harm them!" One of them shouted, and there was a roar of agreement.
"That's enough!" Cecil hissed, and though he hadn't spoken loudly, the crew fell deathly silent. They had a deep respect that bordered on fear for the exalted knight, and nobody felt that they ever wanted to cross the man. It was silent for a time, but then the one of the crewmen spoke up.
"But, Captain, surely you don't condone what we've done?" He asked meekly.
"All of you, listen well. The raid on Mysidia was imperative. His Majesty and his counsel concluded that the Mysidians, and their broad knowledge of the Crystals, posed a serious threat to our kingdom. For Baron to prosper, we need the Crystals. As soldiers of the Royal Air Force, we much achieve this by whatever means necessary." The dark knight said, and even to his own ears the words sounded hollow and meaningless. Nevertheless, it was all he had to justify his own actions, and he was going to hang on to it for as long as he could. He looked around at the crew. None of them could meet his eyes.
"Captain..." One spoke up. Cecil glanced over at him, noticing the need for some better explanation in his expression. Cecil merely sighed and looked away.
Suddenly the deck heaved under the surprised men, and all but a few tumbled to the ground.
"Captain! Monsters sighted dead ahead!" One of the crew shouted.
"Prepare for battle!" Cecil ordered, and the men scrambled for their weapons as the airship shuddered under another impact. With a screech a rather ugly monster fluttered onto the deck, it's single large eyeball fixing itself on the nearest person--Cecil. Two others soon found their way onto the battered airship, attacking the crew. Cecil wasted no time, and quickly drove his sword into the monster's eye. It let out an anguished cry, and Cecil kicked it over the side of the ship as he yanked his sword free.
By this time, only one was still alive, and had set upon one poor man who wasn't fast enough with his sword to fend it off. The man screamed as it's claws dug into his leg, causing him to fall over onto his back helplessly. Cecil dashed forward and dispatched the creature with a quick swipe of his sword.
"Ugh..." The man gasped, dragging himself to his feet.
"Are you alright?" Cecil asked concernedly, but before he could get an answer a shout warned the men of more danger.
"We've got more hostiles!" A man said urgently, which quickly became obvious as a huge blue eagle landed on the deck, nearly pitching the airship over.
"Dammit!" Cecil exclaimed, getting his footing and charging towards the bird. He dodged a badly aimed swipe of it's talons, and stabbed his sword into it's side. Immediately after it was stuck by at least ten more as the crew pitched in, and the bird let out an almost indignant-sounding squawk before falling to the deck. After some heavy lifting, the bird's carcass was chucked overboard, and Cecil looked around, sheathing his sword.
"Is everyone okay?" He asked, looking around at the crew and seeing no serious injuries.
"All accounted for, sir." A man reported, much to Cecil's relief. "We've been encountering a surprising number of monsters lately..." He trailed off thoughtfully.
"Could it be...some kind of omen?" Cecil mused aloud, and the crew exchanged nervous glances.
"Captain, we are now over Baron." The man piloting the airship said.
"Very well. Prepare for landing." Cecil replied, relieved to finally be home.
The airship slowed to a stop before drifting down into the docks, followed by it's sister ships. Cecil exited the ship as quickly as he could, and strode towards the castle. The guards gave him a respectful nod, and before he could open the door it opened for him, revealing a man with short blonde hair, wearing stately red court clothing and a matching cape.
"Well done! So the Crystal is now ours." Baigan greeted the dark knight happily, a broad smile on his face. Cecil felt no such joy.
"The Mysidians put up no resistance. In fact, they were completely helpless." Cecil reported, guilt seeping into his voice.
Baigan's smile faltered, replaced with a frown.
"Is this pity I perceive?" The counceler scolded, turning and walking into the castle. "Hmph! Come, Captain. His Majesty awaits."
Cecil followed wordlessly, as his feet followed the familiar path to the king's throne room. He didn't even look up until Baigan suddenly came to a halt, and Cecil nearly ran into him. The counceller raised an eyebrow.
"If you'll excuse me, Captain, I must speak to His Majesty in private. Please wait here." Baigan said shortly, turning with a flick of his cape and dissapearing into the king's chambers, leaving Cecil waiting outside and feeling like a new recruit again.
Baigan rushed to the King's side, and said in hushed tones, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid Cecil can no longer be trusted. He clearly questions your authority."
"I suspected as much." The King replied calmly. "It matters not, so long as I obtain the Crystals. Send him in."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Baigan replied humbly, giving a quick bow and poking his head out of the room to retrieve the the humiliated Cecil.
"Captain!" Baigan said curtly, making him jump. "His Majesty summons you."
Baigan withdrew back into the room with a chuckle, and Cecil quickly complied, entering the room and bowing low before the King.
The King waved a hand, and Cecil stood. "The Kingdom of Baron hails your return. May I have the Crystal?" The King asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Cecil replied, handing the shimmering stone of water to Baigan, who passed it to the King.
The King gazed at the Crystal in a way that unsettled Cecil, and his words further distressed the knight.
"So this is the Crystal. What splendor..." The King said lovingly, turning the gem over in his hands. "You are dismissed, Cecil." He stated without looking up.
Cecil turned and had nearly exited the room when he once more remembered the shocked face of the white mage in the tower. He only just realized how young the man looked. His hand tightened on the handle of the door and he took a deep, steadying breath before turning around and dashing back in front of the King.
"Your Majesty!" Cecil said hurriedly, all thought of courtousy gone.
The King looked up at the dark knight, his eyes narrowing. "Yes?" He asked slowly.
"Captain, what is it?" Baigan asked, looking ruffled and annoyed at Cecil's lack of respect.
"Your Majesty, forgive me, but what are your intentions?" Cecil asked, hardly believing that he was speaking to the King in this manner. "My men are confused and displeased."
"And you? Do you question my command?" The King asked, a dangerous edge in his voice.
"No!" Cecil replied quickly. "I only ask--"
"Silence!" The King roared, and Cecil suddenly felt very small. How could he have possibly thought he could talk to the king that way? What was wrong with him?
"Dissension only leads to treason, and that I will not tolerate." The King growled, scowling at the dark knight. "I hereby relieve you of your command of the Red Wings.
"Your Majesty!" Cecil gasped, his eyes widening.
Two of the guards darted forward, blocking Cecil's path to the King.
"Now, I charge you with anther duty." The King continued as if he hadn't been interrupted. "Slay the phantom beast that infests Mist Valley, and deliver this Bomb Ring to the village of Mist. You leave tomorrow, at first light."
Cecil tried to get around the guards, but they continued to block his path. Suddenly the door burst open, and Cecil whipped around to see a man in light blue armor with a dragon helm held under one arm, and his unruly blonde hair yanked back into a pony-tail. He glanced over at Cecil with his blue eyes and he gave him a quick grin.
"Your Majesty, I beg you to reconsider." The master dragoon implored, striding forward and standing next to the dark knight. "Cecil has done no wrong."
The guards shoved the two back, and the King jumped off of his throne, outraged. "You insolent cur!" The King bellowed. "How dare you barge in here! If you are so concerned about him, you may accompany him! Now, take the ring and begone!" The king threw the ring at the dragoon, who caught it easily.
"Your Majesty!" Cecil begged once more, hoping against hope that the King would listen. The guards shoved them out the door, and slammed it in their faces.
The downtrodden dark knight turned to the dragoon and sighed.
"I'm sorry, Kain." He said heavily.
Kain waved a hand dismissively, and gave Cecil a reassuring smile. "Once we have completed the mission, the king is bound to forgive us both. We will rejoin the Red Wings in no time."
Cecil stared at the ground, not convinced by Kain's comforting words. Kain put a hand on his shoulder, though Cecil couldn't feel it through the armor.
"Get some rest. Leave tomorrow's preparations to me." The dragoon said cheerfully, turning and strolling over to a nearby table where some of the lower-ranked dragoons were having a friendly drink. Cecil followed after him, slightly amused at how the younger dragoons were stumbling over themselves and trying their best to impress Kain. Kain looked over and saw Cecil standing nearby, and for the first time that night a frown crossed his face.
"What's wrong?" He asked concernedly.
"...I'm sorry to have dragged you into this." Cecil said once more. It was all he could really think to say, knowing how much his best friend's future could be affected by the fall from grace.
"My actions are my own." Kain replied calmly, pouring himself a drink.
"I mastered the dark sword at His Majesty's orders. But it was to protect Baron, not to plunder." Cecil continued, feeling the need to vent to someone.
"Surely the king has his reasons." Kain reassured his friend.
"I envy you Kain." Cecil sighed heavily, leaning against the wall. "I envy the path you chose."
Kain took a sip of his drink and looked at his friend thoughtfully before replying. "I suppose I could have attained higher rank, had I become a dark knight. My father, who passed away while I was still young, was a dragoon. I felt that I could keep some sort of connection with him if I became a dragoon as well."
Cecil looked at his friend curiously, never before hearing this detail about his past. Kain, misinterperating Cecil's look, said "I didn't mean to bore you with my stories. Anyway, I don't need your concern." For a split second Cecil thought he saw a pained kind of look cross Kain's face, but it was gone so quickly he wasn't sure whether he had imagined it or not. At any rate, Kain swung back into his normal cheerfulness as though nothing had happened. "The only thing you should be concerned about is slaying creatures tomorrow. I don't want to be the only one doing his part."
Cecil smiled, excepting the unspoken challenge. "Oh, I will. I'll slay twice as many as you!" He boasted.
"That's more like it." Kain said happily, a grin spreading across his face. "We should get some rest. We rise early tomorrow." With that he stood up, giving the younger dragoons a salute that they clumsily tried to repeat, but were a tad too drunk and nervous to pull off correctly. This only added to Kain's mirth as he walked off to his quarters. Cecil followed suit, exiting the main building and heading towards the tower his room was held in.
"Cecil!" A feminine voice rang out, and Cecil turned to see a beautiful woman dressed in very light armor, with a white cape and long blonde hair. Her brown eyes were filled with worry, and the small measure of happiness that he'd managed to get talking to Kain evaporated. He couldn't face her. Not after what he'd done.
Rosa seemed oblivious to his discomfort and rushed up to him, giving him a hug then stepping back, smiling at him. "Thank goodness you're alright." The white mage said breathlessly. "I was so worried. You left on such short notice."
"We're fine." Cecil replied, his voice cracking. "I wish I could say the same for the Mysidians we slaughtered..." He turned and started to rush off, glad his helmet could hide his face.
"Cecil!" Rosa cried out, running to catch up with him and grabbing his arm. He turned slightly to acknowledge her. "I'll visit you later, okay?" She pleaded, her eyes trying to catch his.
"Very well..." Cecil replied reluctantly. Rosa let go of his arm and walked away, knowing that he would prefer to be alone. She glanced back at him before going back inside the main hall. He continued towards his quarters, and was just about to open to door to the tower when a gruff voice addressed him.
"Well, well, well. Look who's back. Rosa was worried sick about you." A scruffy looking man wearing grease stained clothes and pilot's goggles growled at the dark knight, walking up to him and poking a finger into his armored chest. "Don't you ever worry her like that again, you hear?"
Cecil didn't respond. Cid glared at him for a moment more before taking on a more cheerful tone. "So, how are my airships? I bet you and your goons wrecked them up something awful." He said, letting out a deep throated chuckle. Cecil shuffled his feet, and Cid frowned.
"Hey, what's the matter with you, kiddo?" Cid asked, wondering why the dark knight wasn't his usual self.
"Well, one tends to get slightly depressed when they've been stripped of their former posts and sent on meaningless errands." Cecil replied dryly.
"What!" Cid exclaimed, lifting his goggles up and peering at Cecil. "The king demoted you? What about the Red Wings? They'll be a mess without you!" He paused and rubbed his beard thoughtfully.
"What's come over the king? He's been acting peculiar. He ordered me to build him an airship that he can use to slaughter people! Everyone's worried about His Majesty... You be careful out there, things are getting odd around here. Make short work of that mission and get back safe." Cid shook his head and looked around, jumping as if he just realized that night had fallen. "...Whoa! I have to start heading home, or my daughter's gonna kill me!" The short airship engineer ran off in a rather comical fashion, and Cecil turned and opened the door to the tower, slipping inside and shutting the door behind him, glad to have finally escaped everyone.
After climbing a few flights of stairs he came to his room to see a maid exiting it, a bundle of dirty sheets in her arms. She smiled when she saw the knight, and said, "I've changed your sheets, sir. I hear you are to depart tomorrow morning. Good night." With that she bustled off, somehow navigating the stairs with her sight hampered by the sheets.
Cecil entered his room and unstrapped his armor, happy to finally get the burdensome stuff off. When he removed his helmet, it exposed a surprisingly soft face framed by long silver hair. He looked into the mirror hanging on the wall and frowned. I sure don't look like a dark knight.
He climbed into bed and stared at the ceiling, not knowing how long he lay awake, unable to sleep due to the thoughts drifting through his head. What's happening to the king? He covets the Crystals as though he's possessed. And he'll resort to any means to get them. Nevertheless, I can't defy him. How could I cross the man who raised Kain and I like his very own? The chivalrous knight whom I've adored and admired since childhood? I will not betray him. I can't.
He was startled to hear the door open before he heard a soft voice say "Cecil?" Cecil turned to see Rosa standing in the doorway, a troubled look on her face. He turned away and faced the wall.
"What's going on? You just returned from Mysidia, and now you must journey afar to battle this phantom beast?" She asked, her voice laced with worry. "You're acting very strange."
"...Nothing's wrong. Everything's fine." Cecil said firmly, still not facing her.
"Cecil, look at me." Rosa pleaded softly. Cecil clenched his eyes shut and remained facing the wall.
"...In Mysidia, we killed innocent people to steal their Crystal. It was horrible." Cecil said slowly, not knowing why he was telling her such gruesome things. She remained silent, inviting him to continue. "I suppose it's my fate as a dark knight. Soon, I won't even feel remorse for my actions." Cecil finished hollowly. He finally rolled onto his back, and was surprised to see that Rosa had made her way to the edge of his bed.
She put a hand on his arm and said softly, "You and I both know that would never happen." Cecil looked at her for a moment, then turned away again. He couldn't bear it. He couldn't fathom how someone could be so forgiving and stand by him after all the things he had done. He didn't deserve to be near her.
"Still, I can't defy the king. I'm a hopeless coward." Cecil hissed. Rosa removed her hand from his arm and turned away from him.
"The Cecil I know would never whimper like this!" She scolded. Then her voice softened. "The Cecil I love..."
At this Cecil turned away from the wall, staring at her back. She...?
"You leave for Mist tomorrow, right?" Rosa asked, anxiety creeping back into her voice. Cecil got up and put an arm around her shoulder.
"Yes, but don't worry. Kain's coming, too." Cecil said reassuringly. She still looked anxious, and it pained Cecil to see her worry so much over him. "I'll be fine. Trust me." He insisted.
Rosa looked up at him, and suddenly pulled him into an embrace. "Please come back to me in one piece." She whispered. She quickly let go of him, then dashed out the door, not wanting Cecil to see her cry.
Cecil watched her go, a small smile drifting across his face.
She loves me.
"Thank you, Rosa. Though as a dark knight, you know we could never be together..."
He climbed back into bed, and was finally able to drift off to sleep.
X
"So, are you ready for some real combat?" Kain asked, twirling his lance expertly between his hands to show off to the dark knight.
"Always." Cecil replied, tempted to knock the blasted lance out of the dragoon's hand.
"Lead the way." Kain said, motioning for him to go first. Cecil smiled, hoping that Kain wasn't planning on tripping him as they exited the castle, out onto the great plain. The only real features were a river in the distance, a small town on the outskirts of the castle, an unimpressive forest, and the mountain range which was their destination that seemed to be a long, long way away.
