I give credit to square enix for final fantasy which this is based off. All characters are fictional.
Chapter 1.
The day started like any other, sun shining high in the sky, cloudless and a soft blue. The sound of the many animals howled on the breeze, everything was bliss. A woman gave birth to a baby girl on the ninth sun of the fifth astral moon, black of hair, pale almost white flesh and screaming. "Reah." The mother said to the midwife. "Reah Veafionne of the Waipettal."
Years pass, Reah grew into a beautiful young woman, one that was strong, independent, had no reason to fear anything. She trained every day, reading books on the components of magic, the gathering of the aether flow and channeling it into magic to be wielded, and how to control yourself while using magic. Every day she read her books, every day she would practice sword fighting with the wooden dummy she crafted for herself in the field, her mother watching over her. Reah wanted to be nothing but the strongest, most beautiful Elezen to ever live. She trained and trained and trained, it was all she ever did. She didn't go out and play with the others, or make friends, she had her books. It was all she needed.
Her name day was coming up quickly, Reah would now be 86, something had been bothering her for a few days, and there was a hunger, one that just couldn't be quenched. It was irritating her, causing her hands to shake from time to time while beads of sweat constantly dotted her brow. Getting up, she went to the kitchen to fix herself a quick snack, maybe her body was getting used to the learning of the magic, she did not know. Her mother entered the room, the sound of whispers filled Reah's head, turning, she saw her mother standing there, mouth moving, then her eyes grew wide, mouth opening as if screaming, fighting, but there was only silence in Reah's ears. There was no pain, except for her mother's face, then the feeling of warmth touched her cheeks, slowly running down her face, heavy. Her mother fell to the floor, horror struck face, eyes followed her down, trying to understand what was happening, eyes reached hands, covered in a copper red liquid, what was it? Blood? From where? Reah closed her eyes and shook her head, but it seemed to take forever as if time had stood still. Blood soaked the floor, "Mot—Mother?" Reah called out as she regained composure.
Snapping out of the dream like state, eyes wide with fear, her voice broken and unable to form anything but sobbing cries. Legs heavy, her feet moved on their own, carrying her away, away from what she had done. Running as fast as she could, tears streaking her face, she ran and did not stop until exhaustion took over fully and she fell to the ground. The coolness of the dewy grass felt comforting, blue eyes closed as a final tear fell.
Waking in a dark, stale air area, she woke her groggy mind. Realizing she was in a bed, her hand slapped backwards and felt a wall, she was in a room, but where? Who brought her here? "Ugh, my head hurts…" She muttered as she got up slowly. Looking around, she spotted a door and went to it. Feeling for a handle, it was found and turned, lucky for her, the door opened with a very loud squeal. The blinding light of the hall flooded the room, making her squint, she took a moment and let her eyes adjust to the light before peering out into the hall. It was bare, white walls, no doors except her own, small oval lamps clung to the walls as she stepped into the hall. Looking left and right, she decided to go left, walking slowly as she realized she had no shoes, her steps were silent. Hands touched at the rough fabric that swayed loose around her body, she was wearing a gown. "Where are my clothes?" she thought to herself as she walked on.
Walking for quite a while, she finally came across a door at the end of the winding hall. Windowless, she pushed it open and peered inside. It seemed to be some sort of laboratory. There were many beds, people walking around in white coats, but there seemed to be no patients at all. Then out of nowhere a man started talking and it seemed directed at her. "Ah, you have awaked! Good! Come here and let me look at you." The questions were commands and so Reah moved into the room, looking at everything, trying to see if there was a way out. As she neared the man, he gestured her to an empty bed and so she sat down and looked at him blankly, "Where am I, and what am I doing here?" Voice thick with confusion, she hoped he would answer. "You are safe first of all and you are in Mor Dhona. I brought you here myself when I saw you nearly dead in the Dravanian Forelands." He answered her. "Nearly dead?" She replied, perplexed by what he said. "You were covered in blood, barely conscious, breathing extremely low." He stated as he checked her over.
Her memory was so foggy that she dared not try to remember anything. Her body hurt, bones ached, "When can I leave?" she asked, voice soft with wanting to get out of here. "I'm sorry but you just cannot leave. There is much more to be done." He replied in a swift manner. "What? What are you ta…." Blurred vision crept up fast and before she could do anything, there was only darkness.
Days turned into months, months into years, years eventually turned into a century. Reah had grown into a woman now. She was known to everyone as the one who never died. No matter what test they ran, no matter how many times they tried to kill her, she willed herself to live. Her will was unshakeable and unbroken, she would not give into these people and each time they would inject her with something, she grew stronger, willing herself to be stronger, so that one day she would break free of these chains and go where no one would go, do what no one would do. Until one day, she died.
As if she had been sleeping, she woke in another cold dark room, blanket up over her face, she pushed it off. There were no lights, just a room full of doors that covered the walls from ceiling to floor. She got up and moved towards the exit, the door was heavy as she pulled it open. No lights filled the room, except here was one flickering down at the end of the hall where another door stood. Perhaps this was her way out? Her chance had finally come. She ran, as fast as she could down the hall, there was a warmth coming from the door and as she got closer, her breath caught in her throat. Slamming her naked body into the door, rushing it open and the sun licked at pale flesh and the scent of fresh ocean air hit her hard. She was free at last.
Stepping outside, a breeze passed over her naked body, goosebumps flourished instantly and she gasped. Closing her eyes, she set on, leaving behind the laboratory, she had no true idea of where she was in the world but she would not stop, not now and not ever. She had dreamt of this day for as long as she could remember. It was her only hope of survival. The grass was soft against her callused feet, heavy salt air clinging to her, everything was so new, so delightful, she could only hope that one day she would become someone great, someone that people would enjoy being around, but for today she would walk.
Days had turned into weeks before her eyes set upon a settlement. Rain and shine she walked through, dawn until dusk, nothing to wear but her own skin, she willed herself to stay warm, because in the end it was all she had. Walking down the dirt pathway, an elderly woman spotted her and rushed towards her, "My dear! Are you alright? Come with me, I shall get you something to wear!" Leading Reah into her home, an elderly man sat at the table reading a book before looking up to see his wife and Reah come inside. "I shall put on the kettle." He stated and got to lighting a fire and filled a heavy black kettle with water. As the elderly woman guided Reah to a bedroom, she looked at her, concern written over the woman's wrinkles, "Oh sweet child, I will not ask what happened to you but I will give you shelter for as long as you need it." "What year is it?" Reah asked. "What year? How old are you dear?" The woman asked quite confused. "I'm.. I'm nearing 200." Reah replied thinking quite hard about how long she had been there, trapped by those people. "My goodness! Nearing 200?" Turning away, she rummaged through some clothing and found some farmers clothes. "Here. I know they are not the best but they will do. I will find you something else on the morrow."
Leaving Reah to get dressed, the elderly woman closed the door behind her. Reah turned and looked out the window, holding the clothing loosely in her hands. It had been so long, she needed to get back to her home, to see her mother, to find out what had happened in that laboratory. Getting dressed, she felt a little ease leave her. She was a guest and shouldn't keep them waiting. Opening the door, she moved to the kitchen and took a seat at the table. "What is your name dear?" the elderly man asked. "I am Reah. Reah Veafionne of the Waipettal." She replied. "Pleased to meet you, Reah. I am Hausteion and this is my wife Enda." Hausteion smiled, "would you like a cup of tea?" Nodding to the man, she looked around, taking in how homey it felt. Something she never had, even as a child living with her mother in their little shack. When the tea was poured, Reah lifted the steaming hot cup to her lips and drank it all while the couple sat there in awe that she didn't burn herself. "Do you have something stronger then tea?" she asked, looking between the two. The man got up from his seat and went into the den where he pulled out a brown bottle. "The strongest stuff I got. Lominsian whiskey." Opening the bottle as he came back, Reah offered her cup and he poured her some. Once again, she downed it so quickly they were not even sure if she tasted the liquor. "Thank you." She stated and got up from her seat and moved to the door. Looking outside, she noted how dark it was getting. "Where is the closest town from here?" "About 4 days travel." Hausteion answered. "What is it called?" "Dragonhead. Just go north from here and you will get there." "Thank you." She said and left. "Wait!" Enda called out but her husband stopped her, "Let the girl go. She is lost. She needs to find herself again." Hausteion replied before getting up and carrying the bottle of whiskey with him. "Reah, take this for your journeys. Know that there are those who are kind and will not harm you." Taking the whiskey she set off on her way north.