Hello, this is my first story here, or at all for that matter. I must warn
you forthwith that I am a slow writer, and I may not update frequently.
I do not own Final Fantasy, the rights to any of its games, or any other merchandise. So don't sue. PLEEEEEAS!!
Without further ado:
Final Fantasy: The Return of Golbez
Prelude
Cecil Harvey stood just outside the room where he was to fight Zemus. He had a serious look on his face as he prepared for his final confrontation with Zemus. His wavy silver hair flowed down to his shoulders, while his cape flowed majestically in the wind behind him. Cecil was deep in thought. Recounting the events that had brought him here.
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Cecil had once been the Captain of the Red Wings of Baron. He had picked up the dark sword and took on the distinction of a Dark Knight by the order of the king. When the King ordered the Crystal of Wind be taken from Mysidia, Cecil thought nothing of fulfilling the King's orders. On the return trip, however, the crew started questioning the motives of their King. At first Cecil defended his King, but slowly began to wonder the same things. Upon his return, Cecil questioned the King.
Infuriated, the King removed Cecil from his command of the Red Wings and sent him to deliver a mysterious package to the village of Mist. When Cecil's friend, Kain Highwind, tried to speak out in his defense, the king ordered Kain to go along with Cecil. Upon entering the village of Mist, the package opened, and started a series of fires to break out in the village, destroying the village in an instant. This was the final straw, and Cecil vowed to put a stop to the king's evil plans.
This started a chain of events that would later reveal that their king had been killed, and the throne of Baron was now in the control of Cagnazzo, Fiend of Water. Cagnazzo was taking orders from a mysterious figure by the name of Golbez, who sought to acquire the crystals of the Earth in order to open up the way to the moon, where a great power lies.
Golbez was under the influence of a powerful Lunarian Zemus who bore a great hatred. Likewise Golbez was able to control the dragoon Kain. Kain and Cecil both came from Baron. They were friends for years, but now Golbez had manipulated Kain to be his personal errand boy.
Cecil had resurrected the Lunar Whale from the bottom of the ocean with the help of the Elder of Mysidia. Cecil, along with Rosa, Rydia and Edge, flew to the moon and spoken with the Lunarian keeper, FuSoYa.
FuSoYa was an aged man. He had long white hair and a long white beard. His eyes were the only part of his face easily visible. They had a serene glow within them, a glow of experience and wisdom. FuSoYa was a wizard, a strong one. FuSoYa informed Cecil that he was half Lunarian. His father, Kluya, was a Lunarian who went to Earth, and married a human woman. FuSoYa decided to help Cecil stop Golbez since what he sought was the Lunarian Zemus. Golbez, however, did not know what it was he was looking for. Zemus had planted visions of a source of power on the moon.
Upon returning to the Earth, The giant of Babil was awakened by Golbez. Cecil and his allies entered the giant of Babil and defeated the fiends of elements, especially Cagnazzo who had personally killed the former king of Baron and impersonated him in order to acquire the crystals for his master. The group encountered Golbez at the core of the giant of Babil. It was then that FuSoYa broke Zemus's control over Golbez and it was discovered that Golbez was Cecil's Brother. FuSoYa and Golbez went ahead to destroy Zemus, leaving Cecil, Rose, Rydia and Edge to find their own way out. Just as it appeared hopeless, Kain appeared and showed them the way out. They went back to the moon on the Lunar Whale to destroy the upstart Lunarian, Zemus, before he could unleash hell on Earth. They made their way to the underground caves of the moon, which Zemus had made his layer.
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Though Cecil was still a young man, his features showed subtleties of experience beyond his age. Cecil wore his white suit of armor with gold borders and designs. The white of the suit of armor had a translucent glow to it. This was the fabled crystal armor.
Cecil was a fabled paladin, a holy warrior of light. Cecil was granted this distinction at the summit of Mount Ordeals, where Cecil drove out the remaining evil that existed in his heart due to his previous existence as a dark knight, a warrior of tremendous power derived from the dark arts. At the summit, Cecil traded in his dark sword for the Legend Sword, a holy blade. The Legend Sword was later changed into the Excalibur Sword, a truly powerful blade.
Cecil now wielded Ragnorak, the Crystal Sword of tremendous power with an inner light. He had obtained Ragnorak in the caves of the moon leading to Zemus, where the White Dragon guarded it. The Ragnorak was far stronger than even the mighty Excalibur.
Rosa now stood close beside Cecil. She was originally told to stay back on the Earth with Rydia, but had snuck back onboard the Lunar Whale. Rosa and Cecil truly loved one another. It was because of this love that Cecil objected to her following him to the moon. He believed this journey would be too dangerous, and the thought of his love dying pained Cecil to the point where he ordered her to stay behind.
Now it was too late to turn back, and Cecil could not argue that she would be an invaluable asset to their cause. Rosa was trained in the ways of a white wizard. Her powerful healing spells had saved the group many times.
Rosa's cape flew in the wind besides Cecil's. Rosa had blond hair and blue eyes, a beautiful face and a gorgeous body. Her white robes flow down her body, reaching the floor. A belt fastens the ensemble in place. Rosa would more than likely be concentrating on an assortment of magical defenses and curing spells, but carried a bow and a quiver full of arrows over her shoulder.
Kain Highwind was a lifelong friend of Cecil and Rosa. The three of them had grown up together in Baron. Cecil was orphaned at a very young age and taken in by the young King.
The dragoon Kain Highwind now accompanied Cecil once again. Kain was a longtime friend and ally of Cecil. They had worked together on occasion even before they had been sent to destroy the village of Mist. Kain wore a black suit of armor with blue scales and designs depicting a single dragon encompassing his entire body. The helmet was the head of the dragon. He carried a Holy Lance into this fight. Dragoons typically use spears and lances because they assist in their jump attacks. This particular lance, like Cecil's Ragnorak, was discovered in the caves leading to Zemus. The plague fiend had guarded the Holy Lance.
The summoner Rydia had also rejoined Cecil's quest after sneaking back onboard the Lunar Whale. Cecil and Kain, at the command of the imposter King had delivered a package to the village of Mist that had destroyed the town upon arrival. To get to the village, Cecil and Kain had killed a creature of mist. It was later revealed that Rydia's mother summoned this creature. Cecil had inadvertently killed Rydia's mother, since a summoner dies if the creature dies. Cecil, feeling great guilt for his actions decided to save Rydia, and take her with him. After Cecil saved her from a group of Baron's troops, who had come to finish the job that Cecil did not, Rydia decided to accompany Cecil.
Rydia was young when the village was destroyed, but after spending time in the land of summoned monsters had grown into a young woman. Since time flows faster in the land of summoned monsters, Rydia had closed the gap between her age, and the age of the other adventurers. She had green hair and green eyes. Rydia had a small frame, but could pack quite a powerful punch with her strong black magic and summoning powers. There was a whip wound and tied to Rydia's belt, but it was rarely used, as her true usefulness stemmed from her magical prowess.
Edge Geraldine, the Prince of Eblan, too had put his personal life aside in order to aid Cecil on his quest. Eblan castle is located south of the Tower of Babil, but the people of Eblan had abandoned their castle in order to take refuge in the mountains at the base of the tower. Rubicant, the fiend of fire, had been bombarding the people of Eblan to the point where they no longer felt safe in their own homes.
Edge, trained in the ways of the ninja, now sought justice for the torturing of his people. Edge also sought revenge for the unspeakable actions of Rubicant, who changed his parents, the King and Queen of Eblan, into fiends. Edge was now the rightful King of Eblan, but put his duties to his people aside in order to ensure the safety of all those living on the Earth.
Edge's bluish gray hair was pulled behind his head into a ponytail. He donned a maroon samurai outfit with a collar that rose to the tip of his nose. The collar was always closed functioning almost as a mask. Two samurai swords were fastened to his belt. These blades were the Masamune and the Murasame blades. Like Cecil and Kain, Edge had found these legendary blades in the caves leading to the very spot they now stood, right in front of the transporter that led to the inner sanctum of Zemus.
Cecil stepped onto the transporter and warped into Zemus's central location. His allies materialized behind him after he stepped off the transporter. In front of Cecil there was a staircase that led up to a wider clearing on the rigid floor. From the clearing, there were three staircases leading up to the main floor in this cavern a few feet apart from one another. As Cecil progressed, he saw Golbez and FuSoYa in the midst of a great battle against Zemus.
Golbez continued the attack by casting FIRE3 on Zemus. The spell appeared to have little affect on the powerful Lunarian.
FuSoYa cast the SLOW spell next, but with very little effect. Zemus, meanwhile, stood there and laughed off their pitiful attempts to thwart his evil intentions.
Golbez and FuSoYa wasted little time, and as soon as their first spells were off, began the incantation for their next spells. Golbez launched an ICE3, while FuSoYa cast HOLD on Zemus. Again, Zemus appeared bored at this pitiful attempt at an attack.
'I think I'll give them another two spells each before I completely eradicate them both,' Zemus thought to himself.
Golbez was the next to attack. He blasted Zemus with BOLT3. FuSoYa finally attacked Zemus with the HOLY spell. Again Zemus was unimpressed.
'Last try guys, better make it count, because you are dead after this,' came Zemus's personal thoughts riddled with sarcasm. 'No one can destroy me,' he foolishly believed.
"Cast METEO now," FuSoYa called over to Golbez, whom nodded in understanding. Both Golbez and FuSoYa started chanting the same spell in perfect harmony. Syllable for syllable, the same sound left both of the casters' mouths at the same time.
Zemus, meanwhile, was sparked with interest and concern. 'Can they actually pull that off?' Zemus wondered. 'Perhaps I should not be taking these two so lightly.'
"Die trying," Zemus wailed in protest, but by this time it was too late.
"W. METEO," yelled FuSoYa and Golbez as a shower of meteorites fell from the sky and smoldered Zemus in their wake.
Zemus sustained heavy damage from that final spell, and was on his last leg. "The body dies. but the spirit lives on," were the last words Zemus uttered as he fell face first on the ground, dead.
A feeling of relief filled Golbez and FuSoYa as the dead body of Zemus hit the ground.
"It is done," Golbez stated, feeling a sense of remorse for killing a fellow Lunarian.
"What a waste. A man of such power to be consumed with Evil," FuSoYa remarked, as he openly pitied the fallen Lunarian.
"Right on!" the two adventurers heard from behind them in what sounded like Edge's voice. They turned around to see Cecil and his companions come up and meet them.
"We meet again," FuSoYa observed.
"Shucks! You guys beat me to it," Edge bellowed in annoyance. The fellow warriors in the room paid him no heed. Tension mounted as Cecil came face to face with the man he had just found out was his brother, Golbez.
"Cecil." Golbez began, but any further words were stifled by uncertainty and lack of comfort.
Cecil was likewise tongue-tied.
"Cecil." Rosa spoke as she saw Cecil uncharacteristically quiet. She was worried. All the other people in the room were so interested in what was going on between Cecil and Golbez that they failed to observe another presence as Zemus's body dissolved and another form emerged.
"I am the incarnation of Zemus's enmity. Zeromus, the absolute darkness, the epitome of hate," Zeromus bellowed as the adventurers were made aware of his presence. Before the heroes were able to formulate an attack, Zeromus unleashed his Big Bang attack. Gusts of G-Force winds blew at the heroes while bolts of lightning barbecued them.
After the Big Bang attack only Golbez and FuSoYa were still standing.
"Death only increased Zemus's hatred," FuSoYa said to Golbez as mush as he did to himself.
"Zemus. of should I say Zeromus. I shall destroy you once and for all!" Golbez declared with great certainty at the bellowing banshee they saw before them.
They both stepped up to Zeromus in their battle stances.
"Your hatred ends with us!" FuSoYa promised Zeromus.
Golbez attacked Zeromus with a powerful METEO spell. The spell only seemed to make Zeromus more powerful, as the meteorites were absorbed into his body where they struck him.
FuSoYa, already in the throes of casting a METEO spell himself, was unable to stop his train of thought and hit Zeromus with the spell. Again Zeromus seemed to eat the power from the spell.
"METEO is useless!" FuSoYa observed, turning to Golbez "Use the crystal."
Golbez held up the crystal in his hand and it manifested its hidden powers. A wave a power assaulted Zeromus, but Zeromus was able to withstand its power.
"The crystal. It is eclipsed in the hands of darkness. It is no use," Zeromus bellowed as he laughed at their misfortune. Zemus then cast his own METEO spell. A shower of meteorites rained down from the sky and inflicted great amounts of damage on Golbez and FuSoYa. Zeromus was the last man left standing.
"Agony. Death. The hatred to rage on until all die." Zeromus shouted in apparent victory.
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Meanwhile back on Earth, friends of Cecil and his followers have gathered to wish them well in the town of Mysidia. The elder was in the room looking into the scrying pool looking on at their trouble.
"Elder!" spoke Porom, one of the two twin wizards that stood beside him.
"We got to do something!" said Palom, finishing his twin sister's thought.
The elder nodded and walked to the center of the room.
"It is time," The Elder began. "We must pray for them. We must pray for the world." The Elder turned back to the scrying pool and looked at the twins. "Palom, Porom we shall send everybody's prayers to Cecil.
The twins walked to either side of the Elder and began to concentrate their powers for the sending at hand. After a long moment of silent prayer for the adventurers, the Elder spoke once again finishing the ritual of sending.
"Moon of the heavens, receive our prayers."
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Cecil rose to his knees from the ground with strength that he did not know he possessed. It felt as though some intangible force was pushing him on. Cecil could not explain where this energy was coming from, but he was determined to make the best of it. Cecil rose to his feet and stepped toward Zeromus, who was too distracted gloating over his power.
Golbez and FuSoYa were on the ground. FuSoYa was unconscious, while Golbez was hanging on by a thread.
"Brother." Cecil spoke in a barely audible tone. He walked over to his brother and knelt down by his side. At this moment Cecil did not care that Golbez had tried to kill him. All Cecil saw was his only brother in bad shape.
Golbez looked up at Cecil with all the power he could muster. "Cecil. Here. Use this." Golbez handed the Crystal he had attempted to use on Zeromus earlier.
By this time Zeromus had caught onto the development going on underneath his nose. As he approached, Cecil stood up and matched Zeromus's motion. They stood before each other.
"Zeromus. For all life. and for those who gave their lives." Cecil was silent for a second as he remembered all those who had been killed because of Zeromus's actions. "WE WILL NOT LOSE!" Cecil finished almost in a scream of defiance.
At that moment the prayers of their friends on Earth reached them on the moon. Cecil heard the voices of his dearest friends in his head rooting him on. As he looked behind, he noticed his friends had also arisen, and appeared to be revitalized. At that moment, Cecil felt his own body heal and he was filled with a sense of purpose and a feeling of pure energy like he had never felt before.
The last voice Cecil heard in his head was Golbez. He was speaking to Cecil directly, unlike the others who were wishing the group well. "Brother. With your holy power trust the crystal." At that moment, Golbez spoke from the floor with energy that he should not have had. "Zeromus! Show yourself!"
Cecil stood next to his brother's fallen body and held up the crystal. Again the power of the Crystal assaulted Zeromus, but this time Zeromus could not withstand the power and he was weakened dramatically. He was weakened so much that he could no longer keep up the guise of the Banshee, and he was forced to reveal his true form.
Kain immediately jumped into the air preparing to hit Zeromus with a jump attack. Meanwhile Rosa began the incantations for her CURE4 spell. They were all at full energy, but she knew that would not last long. It was a good thing that she did because at that moment Zeromus unleashed his Big Bang attack. It took a great deal of energy from the group (except from Kain, who was too high in the air to be affected). Rydia and Edge were damaged the most, as they were not built as well as Cecil and Rosa.
Rosa finished casting her spell, and a wave of energy swirled around the group as they were reenergized. As soon as the spell had finished its course, Rosa was in the throes of casting CURE4 again. She had the powerful Holy spell in her repertoire, but doubted the opportunity to cast it would present itself.
Kain then came down hard on Zeromus. It damaged Zeromus a good deal but it looked as though it would take a lot more than that to fell this beast. As soon as Kain had regained his senses, he once again jumped into the air for another Jump attack.
Edge reached into his bag and began hurling Shurikens and Fumas, special ninja stars, at Zeromus. These ninja stars seemed to be affecting Zeromus, though it would take a lot more than he possessed to destroy this beast. Fortunately, he was not the only one fighting.
Rydia summoned Bahamut, the king of dragons, to hit Zeromus with its Mega Fire attack. She could cast the spell METEO, which was more powerful than Bahamut, but METEO took too long to cast.
Cecil drew his Ragnorak blade and attacked Zeromus head on. The blade cut a deep wound in Zeromus where the blade struck, but it was nowhere near enough to kill him.
Zeromus was not taking all of this damage without striking back. Zeromus attacked the adventurers with his Big Bang attack for the most part, with a few other minor spells in between, but after every Big Bang, Rosa would cast CURE4 and undo the damage he had caused.
The fight continued in this manner for several minutes, until Zeromus was finally destroyed. Zeromus's parting words were "I will not. perish. So long as evil. dwells in the hearts. of mankind." With a great scream of agony, Zeromus fell to the ground destroyed, and quite dead.
Cecil stood there looking at Zeromus, dead at his feet.
'Well done," FuSoYa congratulated the five adventurers in their valiant defeat of Zeromus. "Your powers have far exceeded my expectations. Indeed, your race has come far - - Transcended ours, perhaps," He finished while walking toward the group, now standing beside Cecil over the body of Zeromus.
"Yeah, we rule!" Edge busted out.
Kain, on the other hand, was not ready to celebrate just yet. "Zeromus's last words. What do you think.?"
"As long as evil dwells in the hearts." Rosa quoted the now deceased Lunarian while hanging onto Cecil's Shoulder.
FuSoYa, seeing that everyone was unnerved by Zeromus's dying words, began to speak. "In every heart, there resides good and evil." Seeing that he now had their attention, he continued. "Just as the Crystals of light and dark exist, just as the overworld and the underworld together form the Earth. Against evil will, good will arises; thus did you overcome Zemus," FuSoYa concluded, apparently calming their fears.
"Ahh, it was nothin'. I was born a hero," Edge boasted with great volume.
"Could you be more arrogant!? I'm surprised Zemus didn't control you," Rydia shot at Edge who had perhaps boasted one too many times.
"Hey, never me," Edge insisted. "I'm all righteousness."
FuSoYa, meanwhile, focused his attentions on Cecil once again.
"I must go now and sleep along with my people. And you?" FuSoYa questioned.
"WE are going home," Cecil responded looking to Rosa, who smiled catching onto what he meant.
"Our friends are waiting," Rosa explained as she tore her eyes away from Cecil for a moment to look up to FuSoYa with a huge smile plastered across her face.
"Ah, yes. You are truly blessed with fine companions. I look forward to our next meeting," FuSoYa said as he began to walk away.
"I wish to accompany you," Golbez suddenly said, walking toward FuSoYa.
"You?" FuSoYa nearly shouted in true surprise.
"I cannot go back - - not after what I've done. And I long to know more about the Lunarians, my father's people," Golbez explained.
"Ah, yes - - you are half Lunarian," FuSoYa said with sudden recollection. "A long sleep awaits us, mind you," FuSoYa reminded Golbez.
"I have no qualms," Golbez assured the elderly Lunarian.
"You called me 'brother,'" Golbez said, turning his attentions toward Cecil.
Cecil stood there silently with mixed emotions. He wished to embrace Golbez as his brother, but was filed with much hesitation due to the devastation wrought at his hands.
"I have caused you much pain.I cannot expect your forgiveness," Golbez said, ensuring Cecil that nothing was expected from him.
"Fare you well. We shall pray for peace on Earth," FuSoYa announced as their final farewell. "Come," he guided Golbez onward.
"Yes," Golbez said turning to follow FuSoYa.
"Cecil," Rosa spoke in a surprised questioning tone.
"So that's it?" Kain asked Cecil.
"He's your brother!" Rydia added.
It was obvious to Cecil that they felt he should forgive his brother, but there was something deep inside that it seemed would not allow him to do so.
"Farewell," Golbez offered one final time.
"Cecil!" Edge exclaimed as Cecil almost let his brother walk away without saying goodbye.
Cecil stood silent for a second more. In that second Golbez began to walk off, assuming that there would be no use in pushing further for his brother's acceptance.
"Goodbye.Brother," Cecil finally worked up the courage to say. It was in a sorrowful tone, almost as if he was saying goodbye to a deceased loved one.
It was Golbez's turn to stay quiet, as his brother's farewell caught him by surprise.
"Thank you, Cecil," Golbez finally acknowledged his brother's forgiveness.
Golbez then followed FuSoYa to the sleeping chambers.
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Rydia, Edge, Kain, Cecil and Rosa returned to Earth on the Lunar Whale. They returned to Mysidia to see that the Lunar Whale returned to the bottom of the ocean and went their separate ways.
Cecil and Rosa returned to Baron, where they were celebrated as the heroes of the world. The people of Baron decided to make Cecil their king. Cecil was a little reluctant to accept, but decided that it was the best thing for Baron. Cecil did not truly want this position of power. He was a warrior by nature and lived for the thrill of battle.
Kain went deep into Mt. Ordeals seeking solitude. Kain felt as though his weakness had put everyone in more danger than was needed. Furthermore, Kain felt betrayed. Kain was jealous of Cecil and Rosa's happiness. Kain had the love of Rosa when they were younger. However when Kain went away to train in the ways of the Dragoon, their love began to fade and the love between Cecil and Rosa was able to bloom. Kain just could not face them now. His two best friends had gone behind his back, and were now going to be wed. It made him nauseous.
Not long after everything returned to normal, all of the friends Cecil had made in his adventures were invited to come to Baron to witness his official coronation ceremony.
At his coronation ceremony, which Kain had not attended, Cecil was wed to Rosa. They had been in love since they were younger and their acts of heroism had brought them even closer. Cecil and Rosa were now inseparable, however their love had cost them a great friend in Kain.
During the adventure Edge and Rydia had developed a special relationship with one another. Anyone could see that it was love, but they would have denied it. After they returned to Earth, they went their separate ways at first. Edge returned to the people of Eblan, who under his leadership returned from the cave at the base of the Tower of Babil to their castle further south of the tower. Rydia returned to the Land of Summoned Monsters, where Leviathan welcomed her warmly.
After they went their separate ways, they both began to feel an emptiness they just could not explain in their hearts. At the coronation, they were brought back together and realized that there was more to their love. Edge returned to Eblan and soon made Rydia his Queen.
As king and queen of Baron, the most powerful country in the world, Cecil and Rosa planned on dedicating Baron's forces to fighting for peace. Using the military forces of Baron to mediate between warring nations, but that appeared to be futile, since all the powerful nations were now being run by former allies. Yang was made King of Fabul, where he was the most powerful fighter in a nation that respected power above all else. Edward was the rightful King of Damcyan, and began the processes of rebuilding the destroyed castle upon his return. The only towns that were not ruled by an ally were small towns that had no desire to rise to power.
Six months after Cecil's coronation, the world was once again in peril. A large piece of land from the western continents arose from the Earth, and was floating in the sky. The "Floating Continent" as it was dubbed was the center of much concern. Before Cecil could mount any initiative, another group of adventurers known only as "The Returners" stepped in and took matters into their own hands. The Returners were unable to put a stop to the terror. An insane man by the name of Kefka realigned the three goddess- statues of the Western continents, completely reshaped the world.
Though The Returners eventually put an end to Kefka's reign of terror, it had cost the world a great deal. The world was in ruins, and could not be returned to the way it once was. The once illustrious forests were burnt to ashes. The Plains had dried up into deserts, and the mountain ranges had shifted, so there were many valleys and cliffs. Traveling through the mountains had become even more dangerous.
I do not own Final Fantasy, the rights to any of its games, or any other merchandise. So don't sue. PLEEEEEAS!!
Without further ado:
Final Fantasy: The Return of Golbez
Prelude
Cecil Harvey stood just outside the room where he was to fight Zemus. He had a serious look on his face as he prepared for his final confrontation with Zemus. His wavy silver hair flowed down to his shoulders, while his cape flowed majestically in the wind behind him. Cecil was deep in thought. Recounting the events that had brought him here.
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Cecil had once been the Captain of the Red Wings of Baron. He had picked up the dark sword and took on the distinction of a Dark Knight by the order of the king. When the King ordered the Crystal of Wind be taken from Mysidia, Cecil thought nothing of fulfilling the King's orders. On the return trip, however, the crew started questioning the motives of their King. At first Cecil defended his King, but slowly began to wonder the same things. Upon his return, Cecil questioned the King.
Infuriated, the King removed Cecil from his command of the Red Wings and sent him to deliver a mysterious package to the village of Mist. When Cecil's friend, Kain Highwind, tried to speak out in his defense, the king ordered Kain to go along with Cecil. Upon entering the village of Mist, the package opened, and started a series of fires to break out in the village, destroying the village in an instant. This was the final straw, and Cecil vowed to put a stop to the king's evil plans.
This started a chain of events that would later reveal that their king had been killed, and the throne of Baron was now in the control of Cagnazzo, Fiend of Water. Cagnazzo was taking orders from a mysterious figure by the name of Golbez, who sought to acquire the crystals of the Earth in order to open up the way to the moon, where a great power lies.
Golbez was under the influence of a powerful Lunarian Zemus who bore a great hatred. Likewise Golbez was able to control the dragoon Kain. Kain and Cecil both came from Baron. They were friends for years, but now Golbez had manipulated Kain to be his personal errand boy.
Cecil had resurrected the Lunar Whale from the bottom of the ocean with the help of the Elder of Mysidia. Cecil, along with Rosa, Rydia and Edge, flew to the moon and spoken with the Lunarian keeper, FuSoYa.
FuSoYa was an aged man. He had long white hair and a long white beard. His eyes were the only part of his face easily visible. They had a serene glow within them, a glow of experience and wisdom. FuSoYa was a wizard, a strong one. FuSoYa informed Cecil that he was half Lunarian. His father, Kluya, was a Lunarian who went to Earth, and married a human woman. FuSoYa decided to help Cecil stop Golbez since what he sought was the Lunarian Zemus. Golbez, however, did not know what it was he was looking for. Zemus had planted visions of a source of power on the moon.
Upon returning to the Earth, The giant of Babil was awakened by Golbez. Cecil and his allies entered the giant of Babil and defeated the fiends of elements, especially Cagnazzo who had personally killed the former king of Baron and impersonated him in order to acquire the crystals for his master. The group encountered Golbez at the core of the giant of Babil. It was then that FuSoYa broke Zemus's control over Golbez and it was discovered that Golbez was Cecil's Brother. FuSoYa and Golbez went ahead to destroy Zemus, leaving Cecil, Rose, Rydia and Edge to find their own way out. Just as it appeared hopeless, Kain appeared and showed them the way out. They went back to the moon on the Lunar Whale to destroy the upstart Lunarian, Zemus, before he could unleash hell on Earth. They made their way to the underground caves of the moon, which Zemus had made his layer.
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Though Cecil was still a young man, his features showed subtleties of experience beyond his age. Cecil wore his white suit of armor with gold borders and designs. The white of the suit of armor had a translucent glow to it. This was the fabled crystal armor.
Cecil was a fabled paladin, a holy warrior of light. Cecil was granted this distinction at the summit of Mount Ordeals, where Cecil drove out the remaining evil that existed in his heart due to his previous existence as a dark knight, a warrior of tremendous power derived from the dark arts. At the summit, Cecil traded in his dark sword for the Legend Sword, a holy blade. The Legend Sword was later changed into the Excalibur Sword, a truly powerful blade.
Cecil now wielded Ragnorak, the Crystal Sword of tremendous power with an inner light. He had obtained Ragnorak in the caves of the moon leading to Zemus, where the White Dragon guarded it. The Ragnorak was far stronger than even the mighty Excalibur.
Rosa now stood close beside Cecil. She was originally told to stay back on the Earth with Rydia, but had snuck back onboard the Lunar Whale. Rosa and Cecil truly loved one another. It was because of this love that Cecil objected to her following him to the moon. He believed this journey would be too dangerous, and the thought of his love dying pained Cecil to the point where he ordered her to stay behind.
Now it was too late to turn back, and Cecil could not argue that she would be an invaluable asset to their cause. Rosa was trained in the ways of a white wizard. Her powerful healing spells had saved the group many times.
Rosa's cape flew in the wind besides Cecil's. Rosa had blond hair and blue eyes, a beautiful face and a gorgeous body. Her white robes flow down her body, reaching the floor. A belt fastens the ensemble in place. Rosa would more than likely be concentrating on an assortment of magical defenses and curing spells, but carried a bow and a quiver full of arrows over her shoulder.
Kain Highwind was a lifelong friend of Cecil and Rosa. The three of them had grown up together in Baron. Cecil was orphaned at a very young age and taken in by the young King.
The dragoon Kain Highwind now accompanied Cecil once again. Kain was a longtime friend and ally of Cecil. They had worked together on occasion even before they had been sent to destroy the village of Mist. Kain wore a black suit of armor with blue scales and designs depicting a single dragon encompassing his entire body. The helmet was the head of the dragon. He carried a Holy Lance into this fight. Dragoons typically use spears and lances because they assist in their jump attacks. This particular lance, like Cecil's Ragnorak, was discovered in the caves leading to Zemus. The plague fiend had guarded the Holy Lance.
The summoner Rydia had also rejoined Cecil's quest after sneaking back onboard the Lunar Whale. Cecil and Kain, at the command of the imposter King had delivered a package to the village of Mist that had destroyed the town upon arrival. To get to the village, Cecil and Kain had killed a creature of mist. It was later revealed that Rydia's mother summoned this creature. Cecil had inadvertently killed Rydia's mother, since a summoner dies if the creature dies. Cecil, feeling great guilt for his actions decided to save Rydia, and take her with him. After Cecil saved her from a group of Baron's troops, who had come to finish the job that Cecil did not, Rydia decided to accompany Cecil.
Rydia was young when the village was destroyed, but after spending time in the land of summoned monsters had grown into a young woman. Since time flows faster in the land of summoned monsters, Rydia had closed the gap between her age, and the age of the other adventurers. She had green hair and green eyes. Rydia had a small frame, but could pack quite a powerful punch with her strong black magic and summoning powers. There was a whip wound and tied to Rydia's belt, but it was rarely used, as her true usefulness stemmed from her magical prowess.
Edge Geraldine, the Prince of Eblan, too had put his personal life aside in order to aid Cecil on his quest. Eblan castle is located south of the Tower of Babil, but the people of Eblan had abandoned their castle in order to take refuge in the mountains at the base of the tower. Rubicant, the fiend of fire, had been bombarding the people of Eblan to the point where they no longer felt safe in their own homes.
Edge, trained in the ways of the ninja, now sought justice for the torturing of his people. Edge also sought revenge for the unspeakable actions of Rubicant, who changed his parents, the King and Queen of Eblan, into fiends. Edge was now the rightful King of Eblan, but put his duties to his people aside in order to ensure the safety of all those living on the Earth.
Edge's bluish gray hair was pulled behind his head into a ponytail. He donned a maroon samurai outfit with a collar that rose to the tip of his nose. The collar was always closed functioning almost as a mask. Two samurai swords were fastened to his belt. These blades were the Masamune and the Murasame blades. Like Cecil and Kain, Edge had found these legendary blades in the caves leading to the very spot they now stood, right in front of the transporter that led to the inner sanctum of Zemus.
Cecil stepped onto the transporter and warped into Zemus's central location. His allies materialized behind him after he stepped off the transporter. In front of Cecil there was a staircase that led up to a wider clearing on the rigid floor. From the clearing, there were three staircases leading up to the main floor in this cavern a few feet apart from one another. As Cecil progressed, he saw Golbez and FuSoYa in the midst of a great battle against Zemus.
Golbez continued the attack by casting FIRE3 on Zemus. The spell appeared to have little affect on the powerful Lunarian.
FuSoYa cast the SLOW spell next, but with very little effect. Zemus, meanwhile, stood there and laughed off their pitiful attempts to thwart his evil intentions.
Golbez and FuSoYa wasted little time, and as soon as their first spells were off, began the incantation for their next spells. Golbez launched an ICE3, while FuSoYa cast HOLD on Zemus. Again, Zemus appeared bored at this pitiful attempt at an attack.
'I think I'll give them another two spells each before I completely eradicate them both,' Zemus thought to himself.
Golbez was the next to attack. He blasted Zemus with BOLT3. FuSoYa finally attacked Zemus with the HOLY spell. Again Zemus was unimpressed.
'Last try guys, better make it count, because you are dead after this,' came Zemus's personal thoughts riddled with sarcasm. 'No one can destroy me,' he foolishly believed.
"Cast METEO now," FuSoYa called over to Golbez, whom nodded in understanding. Both Golbez and FuSoYa started chanting the same spell in perfect harmony. Syllable for syllable, the same sound left both of the casters' mouths at the same time.
Zemus, meanwhile, was sparked with interest and concern. 'Can they actually pull that off?' Zemus wondered. 'Perhaps I should not be taking these two so lightly.'
"Die trying," Zemus wailed in protest, but by this time it was too late.
"W. METEO," yelled FuSoYa and Golbez as a shower of meteorites fell from the sky and smoldered Zemus in their wake.
Zemus sustained heavy damage from that final spell, and was on his last leg. "The body dies. but the spirit lives on," were the last words Zemus uttered as he fell face first on the ground, dead.
A feeling of relief filled Golbez and FuSoYa as the dead body of Zemus hit the ground.
"It is done," Golbez stated, feeling a sense of remorse for killing a fellow Lunarian.
"What a waste. A man of such power to be consumed with Evil," FuSoYa remarked, as he openly pitied the fallen Lunarian.
"Right on!" the two adventurers heard from behind them in what sounded like Edge's voice. They turned around to see Cecil and his companions come up and meet them.
"We meet again," FuSoYa observed.
"Shucks! You guys beat me to it," Edge bellowed in annoyance. The fellow warriors in the room paid him no heed. Tension mounted as Cecil came face to face with the man he had just found out was his brother, Golbez.
"Cecil." Golbez began, but any further words were stifled by uncertainty and lack of comfort.
Cecil was likewise tongue-tied.
"Cecil." Rosa spoke as she saw Cecil uncharacteristically quiet. She was worried. All the other people in the room were so interested in what was going on between Cecil and Golbez that they failed to observe another presence as Zemus's body dissolved and another form emerged.
"I am the incarnation of Zemus's enmity. Zeromus, the absolute darkness, the epitome of hate," Zeromus bellowed as the adventurers were made aware of his presence. Before the heroes were able to formulate an attack, Zeromus unleashed his Big Bang attack. Gusts of G-Force winds blew at the heroes while bolts of lightning barbecued them.
After the Big Bang attack only Golbez and FuSoYa were still standing.
"Death only increased Zemus's hatred," FuSoYa said to Golbez as mush as he did to himself.
"Zemus. of should I say Zeromus. I shall destroy you once and for all!" Golbez declared with great certainty at the bellowing banshee they saw before them.
They both stepped up to Zeromus in their battle stances.
"Your hatred ends with us!" FuSoYa promised Zeromus.
Golbez attacked Zeromus with a powerful METEO spell. The spell only seemed to make Zeromus more powerful, as the meteorites were absorbed into his body where they struck him.
FuSoYa, already in the throes of casting a METEO spell himself, was unable to stop his train of thought and hit Zeromus with the spell. Again Zeromus seemed to eat the power from the spell.
"METEO is useless!" FuSoYa observed, turning to Golbez "Use the crystal."
Golbez held up the crystal in his hand and it manifested its hidden powers. A wave a power assaulted Zeromus, but Zeromus was able to withstand its power.
"The crystal. It is eclipsed in the hands of darkness. It is no use," Zeromus bellowed as he laughed at their misfortune. Zemus then cast his own METEO spell. A shower of meteorites rained down from the sky and inflicted great amounts of damage on Golbez and FuSoYa. Zeromus was the last man left standing.
"Agony. Death. The hatred to rage on until all die." Zeromus shouted in apparent victory.
**************************
Meanwhile back on Earth, friends of Cecil and his followers have gathered to wish them well in the town of Mysidia. The elder was in the room looking into the scrying pool looking on at their trouble.
"Elder!" spoke Porom, one of the two twin wizards that stood beside him.
"We got to do something!" said Palom, finishing his twin sister's thought.
The elder nodded and walked to the center of the room.
"It is time," The Elder began. "We must pray for them. We must pray for the world." The Elder turned back to the scrying pool and looked at the twins. "Palom, Porom we shall send everybody's prayers to Cecil.
The twins walked to either side of the Elder and began to concentrate their powers for the sending at hand. After a long moment of silent prayer for the adventurers, the Elder spoke once again finishing the ritual of sending.
"Moon of the heavens, receive our prayers."
**************************
Cecil rose to his knees from the ground with strength that he did not know he possessed. It felt as though some intangible force was pushing him on. Cecil could not explain where this energy was coming from, but he was determined to make the best of it. Cecil rose to his feet and stepped toward Zeromus, who was too distracted gloating over his power.
Golbez and FuSoYa were on the ground. FuSoYa was unconscious, while Golbez was hanging on by a thread.
"Brother." Cecil spoke in a barely audible tone. He walked over to his brother and knelt down by his side. At this moment Cecil did not care that Golbez had tried to kill him. All Cecil saw was his only brother in bad shape.
Golbez looked up at Cecil with all the power he could muster. "Cecil. Here. Use this." Golbez handed the Crystal he had attempted to use on Zeromus earlier.
By this time Zeromus had caught onto the development going on underneath his nose. As he approached, Cecil stood up and matched Zeromus's motion. They stood before each other.
"Zeromus. For all life. and for those who gave their lives." Cecil was silent for a second as he remembered all those who had been killed because of Zeromus's actions. "WE WILL NOT LOSE!" Cecil finished almost in a scream of defiance.
At that moment the prayers of their friends on Earth reached them on the moon. Cecil heard the voices of his dearest friends in his head rooting him on. As he looked behind, he noticed his friends had also arisen, and appeared to be revitalized. At that moment, Cecil felt his own body heal and he was filled with a sense of purpose and a feeling of pure energy like he had never felt before.
The last voice Cecil heard in his head was Golbez. He was speaking to Cecil directly, unlike the others who were wishing the group well. "Brother. With your holy power trust the crystal." At that moment, Golbez spoke from the floor with energy that he should not have had. "Zeromus! Show yourself!"
Cecil stood next to his brother's fallen body and held up the crystal. Again the power of the Crystal assaulted Zeromus, but this time Zeromus could not withstand the power and he was weakened dramatically. He was weakened so much that he could no longer keep up the guise of the Banshee, and he was forced to reveal his true form.
Kain immediately jumped into the air preparing to hit Zeromus with a jump attack. Meanwhile Rosa began the incantations for her CURE4 spell. They were all at full energy, but she knew that would not last long. It was a good thing that she did because at that moment Zeromus unleashed his Big Bang attack. It took a great deal of energy from the group (except from Kain, who was too high in the air to be affected). Rydia and Edge were damaged the most, as they were not built as well as Cecil and Rosa.
Rosa finished casting her spell, and a wave of energy swirled around the group as they were reenergized. As soon as the spell had finished its course, Rosa was in the throes of casting CURE4 again. She had the powerful Holy spell in her repertoire, but doubted the opportunity to cast it would present itself.
Kain then came down hard on Zeromus. It damaged Zeromus a good deal but it looked as though it would take a lot more than that to fell this beast. As soon as Kain had regained his senses, he once again jumped into the air for another Jump attack.
Edge reached into his bag and began hurling Shurikens and Fumas, special ninja stars, at Zeromus. These ninja stars seemed to be affecting Zeromus, though it would take a lot more than he possessed to destroy this beast. Fortunately, he was not the only one fighting.
Rydia summoned Bahamut, the king of dragons, to hit Zeromus with its Mega Fire attack. She could cast the spell METEO, which was more powerful than Bahamut, but METEO took too long to cast.
Cecil drew his Ragnorak blade and attacked Zeromus head on. The blade cut a deep wound in Zeromus where the blade struck, but it was nowhere near enough to kill him.
Zeromus was not taking all of this damage without striking back. Zeromus attacked the adventurers with his Big Bang attack for the most part, with a few other minor spells in between, but after every Big Bang, Rosa would cast CURE4 and undo the damage he had caused.
The fight continued in this manner for several minutes, until Zeromus was finally destroyed. Zeromus's parting words were "I will not. perish. So long as evil. dwells in the hearts. of mankind." With a great scream of agony, Zeromus fell to the ground destroyed, and quite dead.
Cecil stood there looking at Zeromus, dead at his feet.
'Well done," FuSoYa congratulated the five adventurers in their valiant defeat of Zeromus. "Your powers have far exceeded my expectations. Indeed, your race has come far - - Transcended ours, perhaps," He finished while walking toward the group, now standing beside Cecil over the body of Zeromus.
"Yeah, we rule!" Edge busted out.
Kain, on the other hand, was not ready to celebrate just yet. "Zeromus's last words. What do you think.?"
"As long as evil dwells in the hearts." Rosa quoted the now deceased Lunarian while hanging onto Cecil's Shoulder.
FuSoYa, seeing that everyone was unnerved by Zeromus's dying words, began to speak. "In every heart, there resides good and evil." Seeing that he now had their attention, he continued. "Just as the Crystals of light and dark exist, just as the overworld and the underworld together form the Earth. Against evil will, good will arises; thus did you overcome Zemus," FuSoYa concluded, apparently calming their fears.
"Ahh, it was nothin'. I was born a hero," Edge boasted with great volume.
"Could you be more arrogant!? I'm surprised Zemus didn't control you," Rydia shot at Edge who had perhaps boasted one too many times.
"Hey, never me," Edge insisted. "I'm all righteousness."
FuSoYa, meanwhile, focused his attentions on Cecil once again.
"I must go now and sleep along with my people. And you?" FuSoYa questioned.
"WE are going home," Cecil responded looking to Rosa, who smiled catching onto what he meant.
"Our friends are waiting," Rosa explained as she tore her eyes away from Cecil for a moment to look up to FuSoYa with a huge smile plastered across her face.
"Ah, yes. You are truly blessed with fine companions. I look forward to our next meeting," FuSoYa said as he began to walk away.
"I wish to accompany you," Golbez suddenly said, walking toward FuSoYa.
"You?" FuSoYa nearly shouted in true surprise.
"I cannot go back - - not after what I've done. And I long to know more about the Lunarians, my father's people," Golbez explained.
"Ah, yes - - you are half Lunarian," FuSoYa said with sudden recollection. "A long sleep awaits us, mind you," FuSoYa reminded Golbez.
"I have no qualms," Golbez assured the elderly Lunarian.
"You called me 'brother,'" Golbez said, turning his attentions toward Cecil.
Cecil stood there silently with mixed emotions. He wished to embrace Golbez as his brother, but was filed with much hesitation due to the devastation wrought at his hands.
"I have caused you much pain.I cannot expect your forgiveness," Golbez said, ensuring Cecil that nothing was expected from him.
"Fare you well. We shall pray for peace on Earth," FuSoYa announced as their final farewell. "Come," he guided Golbez onward.
"Yes," Golbez said turning to follow FuSoYa.
"Cecil," Rosa spoke in a surprised questioning tone.
"So that's it?" Kain asked Cecil.
"He's your brother!" Rydia added.
It was obvious to Cecil that they felt he should forgive his brother, but there was something deep inside that it seemed would not allow him to do so.
"Farewell," Golbez offered one final time.
"Cecil!" Edge exclaimed as Cecil almost let his brother walk away without saying goodbye.
Cecil stood silent for a second more. In that second Golbez began to walk off, assuming that there would be no use in pushing further for his brother's acceptance.
"Goodbye.Brother," Cecil finally worked up the courage to say. It was in a sorrowful tone, almost as if he was saying goodbye to a deceased loved one.
It was Golbez's turn to stay quiet, as his brother's farewell caught him by surprise.
"Thank you, Cecil," Golbez finally acknowledged his brother's forgiveness.
Golbez then followed FuSoYa to the sleeping chambers.
**************************
Rydia, Edge, Kain, Cecil and Rosa returned to Earth on the Lunar Whale. They returned to Mysidia to see that the Lunar Whale returned to the bottom of the ocean and went their separate ways.
Cecil and Rosa returned to Baron, where they were celebrated as the heroes of the world. The people of Baron decided to make Cecil their king. Cecil was a little reluctant to accept, but decided that it was the best thing for Baron. Cecil did not truly want this position of power. He was a warrior by nature and lived for the thrill of battle.
Kain went deep into Mt. Ordeals seeking solitude. Kain felt as though his weakness had put everyone in more danger than was needed. Furthermore, Kain felt betrayed. Kain was jealous of Cecil and Rosa's happiness. Kain had the love of Rosa when they were younger. However when Kain went away to train in the ways of the Dragoon, their love began to fade and the love between Cecil and Rosa was able to bloom. Kain just could not face them now. His two best friends had gone behind his back, and were now going to be wed. It made him nauseous.
Not long after everything returned to normal, all of the friends Cecil had made in his adventures were invited to come to Baron to witness his official coronation ceremony.
At his coronation ceremony, which Kain had not attended, Cecil was wed to Rosa. They had been in love since they were younger and their acts of heroism had brought them even closer. Cecil and Rosa were now inseparable, however their love had cost them a great friend in Kain.
During the adventure Edge and Rydia had developed a special relationship with one another. Anyone could see that it was love, but they would have denied it. After they returned to Earth, they went their separate ways at first. Edge returned to the people of Eblan, who under his leadership returned from the cave at the base of the Tower of Babil to their castle further south of the tower. Rydia returned to the Land of Summoned Monsters, where Leviathan welcomed her warmly.
After they went their separate ways, they both began to feel an emptiness they just could not explain in their hearts. At the coronation, they were brought back together and realized that there was more to their love. Edge returned to Eblan and soon made Rydia his Queen.
As king and queen of Baron, the most powerful country in the world, Cecil and Rosa planned on dedicating Baron's forces to fighting for peace. Using the military forces of Baron to mediate between warring nations, but that appeared to be futile, since all the powerful nations were now being run by former allies. Yang was made King of Fabul, where he was the most powerful fighter in a nation that respected power above all else. Edward was the rightful King of Damcyan, and began the processes of rebuilding the destroyed castle upon his return. The only towns that were not ruled by an ally were small towns that had no desire to rise to power.
Six months after Cecil's coronation, the world was once again in peril. A large piece of land from the western continents arose from the Earth, and was floating in the sky. The "Floating Continent" as it was dubbed was the center of much concern. Before Cecil could mount any initiative, another group of adventurers known only as "The Returners" stepped in and took matters into their own hands. The Returners were unable to put a stop to the terror. An insane man by the name of Kefka realigned the three goddess- statues of the Western continents, completely reshaped the world.
Though The Returners eventually put an end to Kefka's reign of terror, it had cost the world a great deal. The world was in ruins, and could not be returned to the way it once was. The once illustrious forests were burnt to ashes. The Plains had dried up into deserts, and the mountain ranges had shifted, so there were many valleys and cliffs. Traveling through the mountains had become even more dangerous.