Note - I tried to do another 50 prompts, but couldn't quite hit the mark. Still, I enjoyed writing these, and ultimately decided to post what I have.
Abate
Kain raised a hand to his aching forehead. This migraine seemed to grow with every step closer they took towards the crystal. He gritted his teeth at the screeching of beasts as he battled them. The Sealed Cave was filled with monstrosities and deathtraps of all sorts, and this pain was a distraction that he could not afford.
The scenery wavers before him. Shadows pull at the corners of his sight, and and whispers tugged at his ears.
He looked to the others, who seemed to be faring far better. Didn't they hear it? It rose with his every footstep and quelled itself when he stopped to listen.
He tried not to let his frustration show as the others chattered amicably. Their commentary was surreal in face of the weight crushing his skull.
This feeling is not like before. He is losing himself.
No. It's worse this time.
Rosa mentions that he's been quiet, moreso than usual. Kain offers a dim smile in return. It is enough to soothe her, and she lets the subject drop.
He should say something. Warn the others. The urge to shout pressed him, but received no answer. No words pass from his lips, and his march continues.
Eventually, this urge fades as well.
The journey had been long and painful, for both mind and body. And Kain's mind was so very, very tired.
When the change finally took hold, it was almost imperceptible. Kain's gait slowed, and became more measured. He trailed after Cecil, keeping close.
Ready to strike upon command.
Afterimage
The crystal glimmers, and Cecil sees himself reflected within. For a moment, he is in his old armor. Overshadowed by darkness. He flinches and his visage splits along the various facets. They each reflect a different image and a different man.
He knows it shouldn't matter. They are all a part of him, and he must make peace with this.
Cecil closes his eyes, squares his jaw, and then faces his reflection anew.
Beacon
A lone ship crossed the seas. And, from beneath the waves he watched.
They were crossing his domain, after all.
By the the direction alone, he knew that it hailed from the shores of Fabul.
Onboard, there was a summoner. A child. Her presence stood out, a small light in the vast ocean. The last of their chosen ones.
As king, the very least he could do was offer his protection.
But, there was another presence as well... A soldier of Baron. Upon him lay the scent of the mist dragon's blood. Rage filled the great Leviathan.
He would topple the ship of this murderer, and rescue the child.
Cannon
Yang closed his eyes. He could hear the distant pleas of his comrades from beyond the steel doors. Urging him not to throw his life away.
Yang ignored them. If lives could be spared with his death, then it was worth the risk.
He sighed, knowing his wife would be furious with him. He wished they could argue, if only once more.
Contact
Atop Mt. Ordeals, four people gazed into a mirror. Tellah in particular, studied it very closely.
"I cannot help but wonder, who put this here? And for what purpose?" The lenses of his glasses glinted as he faced Cecil.
Cecil shook his head. He had no answers to offer. He had achieved his goal, and became a paladin. He did not know how he had been judged worthy.
Or who had judged him, for that matter.
Cecil placed his hand on the cold plane of it's surface and stared within the mirror.
There was something there. More than just a reflection. He squints, trying to see the what lied beyond it's surface.
"My son..."
Cecil immediately withdrew his hand. The voice stops, and he feels a sense of both relief and unfounded loss.
"What is it?" Tellah asked.
"Nothing." Cecil replied. Tellah only stared at him before he turned away. He began ushering the twins to follow. He cast the mirror a ominous look. "We should leave. There is much more to this place than the old knowledge of spells."
Cecil was only too happy to oblige.
Current
When Yang jumped over the ship's rails, he never considered the consequences. There hadn't been time. Rydia wasn't that far from where he leapt. Her tiny frame struggled in the grasp of the sea. He could reach her yet, if he tried hard enough.
It was not to be.
A roar filled Yang's ears, and it was not the sound of rolling waves. The sun's light reached these depths, and with it, Yang saw Leviathan's true face.
A beast unlike any he'd ever faced. One that could not be destroyed with the force of fists alone. It coiled, driving the ebb and flow of the ship's destruction. White teeth flashed before him, and Yang's heart faltered.
His fear was meaningless. He was not who the creature sought.
The creature's gaze lit upon Rydia. A single movement, the snap of jaws, and she was gone. Taken into the beast's maw. And Yang was left to flail in the darkness of the pulling tide.
Daring
A small couple stood together, overlooking the desert.
"Are you sure you wish to do this?" Edward asked quietly.
Anna looked at him. She paused, and then looked at the hovercraft before them. It's gleaming steel bore an odd contrast against the pale sand. Such strange technology, and in the most desolate of places.
But, it was a mark of the future. Their future, and her choice.
"Father will forgive us. I know it." Leaning in close to Edward, Anna pressed her forehead against his.
"Now, please. Let's just go."
Dive
Kain leapt forward. He would deliver a blow to the center of the ogre's skull, and fell it with one strike.
The monster rose it's massive hand and caught the spear by the hilt. Effortlessly, it snapped the metal pole in half. Kain's breath hitched. He was not allowed time for a full scream.
With a single heave, the beast tossed him over his shoulder, sending him straight into Cecil. They careened into the ground, turning them both into a pile of battered steel and bruised flesh.
False
The twins could not be saved.
Cecil had given up using whatever restoratives they had on hand. All it did was was waste their resources and result in yet another fruitless attempt to revive the children.
They all had given up, save for Tellah. He had his spells after all.
But, even he had his limitations.
Inevitably, he sets down his staff, and steps away. Cecil, Yang, and Cid crowd around him, offering him another chance. They cannot help, but they are willing to give him all the time he needs.
Tellah just shakes his head. "Our foes will not wait. We musn't either."
He faces the twins and offers their ashen forms one final glance. "Another false hope." he mutters. Then he made for the door, leaving the two and their frozen forms behind.
Despite Tellah's words, his resolve was far from broken.
Once Anna was avenged, there would be time to save them. He would spend the remainder of his days looking for a cure.
Feather
Rosa sighed. Another battle well fought and hard won.
Cecil's blade, Edward's music, and her healing... For all their skills, this trek was proving difficult. Without Rydia's summoning, she didn't think their small group would ever make it to Fabul.
She might only be able to call forth chocobos, but it certainly had it's results. Still, Rosa couldn't deny how odd it was, to have the day saved by both a bird and a child.
A loud chirp rang out, and Rosa looked to see the summoned bird still perched by Rydia. She approached them quietly, in order not to startle the creature. Rydia spotted her and waved.
"I'm always surprised that it runs to your aid so quickly. Have they always responded like that?" Rosa asked.
"Yup!" the girl said proudly. She turned to her new friend, offering a small bushel of gysahl greens. The bird greedily snapped the leaves up out of her hands, causing Rosa to jump. Rydia didn't seem afraid though, and only giggled as it gnawed away at the treat.
Soon, she was fondly patting it's head. Rosa smiled at the sight.
Once finished, the chocobo set off, galloping back to the forest of it's home.
"Thanks for the help!" Rydia called after it.
Hibernation
The walk to the Red Moon's core was the longest he'd ever tread.
Had he ever been so weary? Golbez couldn't recall a time where he desired sleep more. It would be a relief to join the others in their rest. How wonderful it would be to forget the world, if only for a little while.
Still, his thoughts wander to the brother he left behind.
This would mark the second time that he's forsaken Cecil. The realization aches, and Golbez falters in his step. Would things be brighter when he woke? Would his sins seem less heinous?
Yet... Despite everything, Cecil had wished him farewell. That fact would comfort him throughout his long sleep.
Impetus
The dolls lay before them, shattered to pieces. They had no choice, but Luca would still be heartbroken.
Golbez looked only on their remains in disgust. "Broken vessels I can no longer use." He declared, as he turned to face them all. "But, I suppose you are familiar with that feeling, Kain?"
With a snarl of rage, the dragoon threw himself forward, the tip of his blade aimed at the usurper's throat.
Joyride
The grounds of the castle rattled as the Enterprise abandoned it's moorings and pierced the sky. Several of Baron's soldiers watched their escape in shock as Cid's masterpiece rose yards above their reach.
Every other available ship was out on patrol, on their king's order. There was no hope of pursuing them.
Cid cackled as he drove towards the sun, a free man once more.
Kin
Kluya was gone.
Despite their distance, Fusoya had felt his brother's death. The how or why of it had eluded him for some time. But, that was not what mattered.
All he could do now was ensure that his sons did not share the same fate.
Liability
Kain cringed as he felt Rydia and Edge stare at him. It has been this way since the Giant's defeat. Their distrust is a tangible thing. Like sensing ill intent from a beast. Judging.
He can't blame them.
Was he right to join them on their final mission? He wishes to redeem himself, but what if he cannot keep from falling once more?
Logical
"You know," The Elder began, "I've always questioned the wisdom of teaching the Fire spell to children. And yet, it is always the first spell we offer to novices."
"Indeed. I cannot imagine how that would go wrong!" Tellah sarcastically spat, as he brushed embers out of his charred beard.
In the background, Palom shuffled guiltily.
Naive
They tell him that he is too trusting. But, Cecil isn't so sure.
He keeps his gaze fixed on Baigan's corpse as Porom continued to lecture him.
When he had taken the trial on Mt. Ordeals, he had not meant to exchange apathy for naivety. Was it so wrong to offer trust to another?
Cecil's shoulders slump as new doubt overtakes him. What had these children seen that he'd been unable to face?
Rust
A deafening screech filled the air, so awful that Rydia clapped both hands over her ears. Tellah felt his teeth ache as the sound echoed through the cavern.
In the center of the stream stood Cecil, forced to a stop by the decay of his own armor. Traipsing through watery caverns had done him no favors.
Save
Golbez looks at their small party, and reflects on their battle with Zeromus. What grueling effort it must have taken, to defeat him.
They are smiling, but their wounds are grievous.
There is a moment where Golbez considers outstretching his hand. He thinks to offer his aid to their wounds.
But, he withdraws it when he realizes how fruitless that would be. White magic had never favored him. Even after all these years, he never did manage to learn Cure. He doubted that would ever change.
How foolish to think he could help them, when he couldn't save his father.
Shell
"I've worn this darkened armor for so long now..."
Rosa thought that he was exaggerating. She just couldn't comprehend.
Entire days passed where Cecil could not remove it. The casing swallowed him. Embracing him with unwanted intimacy, revolting him evermore.
The helmet clung to his skull, growing tighter and heavier each time he dared take it off. Eventually, he would not be able to remove it at all.
Worse yet, the day would come when he took off his armor, and there would be nothing underneath. Skin, flesh, and the man. Gone.
Leaving behind only the symbol, and the horror it inspired.
Sideshow
The girl twirled in front of Cecil, only to land in a crouch. The angle only flaunted her legs even more. "So how about it?" She asked, offering him a wink. "No one can teach you moves like I can."
Cecil let his visor slide down over his reddened face. He strode off after muttering an excuse.
Gods, these dancers were getting bold!
Title
Edge nodded decisively. "We'll call it the Falcon!"
"Why should you get to name it?!" Rydia pointed out. "You don't even know how to fly it!"
Edge blinked. "Ah. Right..."
He stepped aside, giving Cecil full access to the steering wheel.
Trample
"And that," Porom said calmly, folding her hands behind her back. "Is why you never tease a chocobo."
Palom glared at her through newly blackened eyes. He spat out a mouthful of bright yellow feathers. "Shut up."
Verdant
With Cid at the helm, the Enterprise soared over Troia.
Below, the trees had flourished and seemed to encompass all they touched. With a careful eye one could spot the castle and the tiny hamlet nestled beside. Yet, the towers of the citadel barely reached the peaks of the trees. Winding rivers occasionally marked the land, flowing from a tarn nestled within the neighboring mountains.
To a group of men accustomed to wide open plains and vast deserts, the sight was stunning.
"So this is what the Crystal of Earth is capable of." Cecil breathed.
"No wonder Golbez yearns for it." Yang remarked.
"Majestic forests as far as the eye can see..." Tellah shook his head in wonder. "None of the rumors did it justice!"
"Yeah, it's real pretty." Cid said grumpily. "But, where are we supposed to land?!"
Thanks for reading!