A/N: Well, there aren't much chapters left in this. I'll do my best to make sure its a story you enjoy. Comments, reviews, criticism are welcome, or just a sign that you've read this story and actually enjoy it, so I don't feel like I'm throwing words into the void here.
Final Fantasy, characters, and all trademarks within are owned by Square Enix. Thanks to the FF Wiki for information regarding the Royal Dragoon Corp.
Day 3
Kain stirred from sleep as the sun rose in the sky. Cecil's presence had had some soothing effect, his rest unhaunted by the dreams that had troubled him before. Looking around the room, it was quickly apparent that Cecil had awoken already and had already departed, which Kain took as a sign meaning that nothing had happened last night.
Feeling more refreshed than he had before, he ate a quick breakfast before donning his armour and heading outside. Not far away from the inn, he found Cecil waiting for him.
"Nothing happened last night," reported the Paladin. "Perhaps it was because we were together."
Kain released a breath he didn't realize he had been holding in. "That's good."
The two began walking towards the center of town, a silence developing between them that was familiar, yet also uncomfortable, as if both had things they wanted to say, but did not want to speak first.
Finally, Cecil spoke up. "Kain, have you seen Rosa?"
Kain shook his head. "No. Why do you ask?"
Cecil shrugged. "I was just wondering where she is." He sighed. "You should keep searching for clues. I'm sure Rosa is around here somewhere."
Kain nodded in agreement. "Alright." The brief conversation coming to a close, Cecil headed off into a different part of town, Kain watching as he left.
After returning to the scene of the crimes to make sure that nothing new had been uncovered, he made his way to the training room below Devil's Road to see if the investigation had turned anything up, especially with regards to the lance he had delivered to them. But that only resulted in disappointment as well. The blood was from the weapons vendor, as he could have guessed, and the only fingerprints on it were his own. Just looking at the weapon continued to unnerve him, not helped by their continued inability to locate whoever the lance belonged to.
Making his way through town, Kain made a stop at Rosa's house. He was curious where she was, and figured it would help to allay Cecil's fears by finding Rosa for him. Coming up on the house brought back many memories, some good, some not so much. It was a sight he was painfully familiar with, and the tidings within did not help, as Rosa's mother had no idea where she was. There was no reason to panic yet, as Cecil was looking for Rosa, if he hadn't found her yet and was just being negligent in telling her parents.
Tired from his long day of walking, talking, thinking, exercising, and the growing lateness of the day, gave him cause to return to the inn. He was on the way back to his room when a little girl ran up to him, hands behind her back. "Are you a dragoon," she asked, looking nervous around the blue armoured figure.
Kain nodded automatically. "Yes."
The followup question came quickly, one he was used to being asked. "So where's your dragon then?"
Kain gave her a rueful smile. "The Dragoon Corp used to have dragons a really long time ago. Once we got airships, it was decided that dragons weren't needed anymore. After all, you don't need to train an airship, and it doesn't eat people."
The girl pouted in disappointment. "I think it'd be cool to have a dragon. Then we could be friends." Kain wasn't sure about that, since dragon taming was a difficult art at best. But it would be nice to have someone he could talk to without worrying about his reputation. Perhaps it would be something worth looking into later. So he might not disagree with her after all.
The castle bustled with activity. Peasants were moved to safe areas, water was prepared to put out fires, and soldiers armed themselves for the battle ahead. Through this turmoil moved Kain like a swift breeze. He was already wearing his armour, and had his weapons as well.
Entering the throne room, Kain bowed before his liege. "King. I came as fast as I could."
The King nodded in approval. ""Good." His voice was a deep rumbling bass, carrying the weight of authority and power. "Kain, our enemies march upon us. Mysidians, Damcyans, Eblanians, Troians, aided by a fifth column in our own ranks of Baronians. They seek to destroy our mighty kingdom, to undo what took our ancestors generations to create." His piercing gaze bored in on the Dragoon." You, and the rest of the Royal Dragoons, must protect the castle at all costs. You are the elite, and I have the utmost confidence in you. Now go!"
Ka9in bowed and rushed out to take his position upon the walls. What he saw from there sent a chill through his bones as he stared in shock. An army was camped beyond, stretching to the horizon, a confusing mass of colors and battle standards as the rest of the world marshaled against Baron. They were preparing for an assault, and it would be a miracle if the Dragoons could hold against a tide like that.
A shout arose from below, and Kain rushed to see what the commotion was about. At the gates leading out of the castle, he found Baron's knights engaged with a man wearing the armor of a Dark Knight, who was fending them off while simultaneously attempting to open the gates. Kain drew his lance and leapt into the fray, vaulting over the soldiers to intercept his blade.
"Why do you do this? Why betray your allegiance," he demanded as the two pushed against each others strength.
The Knight sneered. "Because I can. Because Barton will fall, and I would not fall with her. And because it is fated to be."
"I will not let you do s you wish simply because you think fate wills it," growled Kain, and the dance began anew. Lance clashed against dark steel as they moved, seeking to slip past the others guard.
With a quick thrust and a flick of the wrist, Kain scored first blood. The Dark Knight stepped back, dabbing at the red liquid that seeped from the joint in his armour before licking it.
"Very good Sir Kain. But all for naught." And with that, he took yet another step back and swung his sord, the enchanted metal cleaving through the chain behind him like a knife through butter. With a clatter and a loud groan, the gates swung open, admitting the horde beyond.
Faced with this turn of events, Kain leapt into the fray, his lance carving a path of fury wherever he went. But for every one that he defeated, three more were waiting to have a go at him. He was not overwhelmed, but quickly could see smoke from the castle rising to join that of the town beyond as the defenders fell.
Desperately, Kain fought his way to the throne room, only to be brought to a standstill by the sight before him. The King was sprawled on the ground, a pool of growing crimson surrounding him. The Dark Knight before was sitting nonchalantly upon the throne.
There were no words to say. With a roar, Kain rushed at the man acting as if he didn't have a care in the word, as if slaughter wasn't happening around him. It was not to be. Moving almost too fast to see, the Knight reacted, grabbing the lance and yanking it forward as a gauntleted fist slammed into Kain's helm, denting the metal and sending the Dragoon to the ground.
Struggling to rise, Kain glared at his enemy a he knelt by Kain's head. 'Don't worry Sir Kain. I have too much respect to kill you. Instead, you will be able to watch as I restore Baron to how it is supposed to be."
Kain spat at his feet, the only gesture of defiance he could think up. The Knight merely smiled, patting his head like he was a dog. "Don't worry. In time, you will see I'm right." He rose and motioned to some soldiers. "Take him away."
Despair filled Kain's heart as his body began to move. He'd failed.
Kain's eyes flickered open, his dry mouth making itself immediately evident. In addition to the noise from the floors below.
Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes. "Ugh. Another dream," he grumbled to himself as he grabbed some water from the nearby desk Taking a swig, he swished the water around to banish all trace of the uncomfortable dryness from earlier. With that done, it didn't take long for him to realize that he wouldn't be getting to sleep for a while, so he got dressed and headed downstairs to take a walk.
Exiting the inn, he hadn't made it very far when he saw Cecil, and he immediately made his way over towards him as the full moon shone down upon them. The Paladin was pacing about frantically, his eyes ringed with a black that Kain would more expect on himself, and he also bore a distressed look.
"Cecil," Kain said in greeting with a curt nod.
"Kain," replied Cecil, half distracted
Kain frowned, having an idea of what was bothering his friend. "What is it? Did you find Rosa?"
Cecil shook his head. "Not yet."
Kain was surprised that Cecil hadn't been able to find Rosa in all this time, and he felt some fear for the White Mage's safety as well.
"Will you help me find her' implored Cecil, as if that was something that Kain could refuse.
"Of course," came the automatic response. With his agreement, they set out to resume their search.
With most of the town asleep and the stores not open, their search was limited somewhat, giving them a smaller area to cover. The two quickly split up to cover more ground. Kain took up a good pace, occasionally jumping to a rooftop to get a better vantage point. But Rosa was nowhere to be seen. She wasn't at Cid's house, or in the fields to the west, or at the pool beyond the city's walls.
Leaving out foul play for now, Kain turned his mind towards places where she might be, spots nobody would think of looking for Rosa at. Areas they had frequented when they were younger and more naive. Feet making their way along cobblestone paths, he headed towards the water collection centers north of town. It was Rosa's thinking spot. Where she could be alone with only the sounds of bubbling water and nature to keep her company as she reflected on whatever she was thinking about at that time. He had been there a few times, but generally stayed away out of respect for Rosa's privacy.
Heading up the stairs that led to where he could usually find her, his gaze was quickly drawn to a surprising sight, There was Rosa, bound and gagged in a corner. He rushed forward to get to her, realizing he might not have long before the kidnapper came back.
With a quick snip, he removed her gag, the action stirring her to a waking state. Fear flashed through her eyes for a brief time before she recognized who was standing before her. "Kain...Where's Cecil," she asked groggily, half question, half accusation. There was the slightest hint of a quiver in her voice, something that he wouldn't have expected from her before.
Kain nearly rolled his eyes, but restrained himself. "Around. Here, let me give you a hand." Kneeling down next to her, he pulled out a knife and began working on thew ropes binding her.
Just as he finished, Cecil arrived. "Rosa!" Relief was evident in his voice s he came up the stairs. Kain took a few rapid steps back as Rosa leapt up despite not having circulation back and how that must make her dizzy, and the two collided in a tight embrace, holding on like they never wanted to let go. Of course, this had the effect of making Kain feel more than a little awkward to be witnessing it.
"I knew you'd come," Rosa said with a certainty Kain wished was directed at him.
"Your mother is worried. I'll walk you home," replied Cecil, not lessening his grip.
Rosa nodded, the two of them only moving slightly apart as they headed back down the stairs into town. Kain watched them depart, his face expressionless. Despite her being safe, he wasn't as happy as he thought he would be.
Typical. Not even a thank you. A little too much to expect, was it? And even then, she just wished for Cecil, when he was nowhere to be found and couldn't even find her without my help, thought Kain bitterly.
He shook his head. No. He shouldn't think of his friends like that. Rosa had to have been through a difficult ordeal, and it was only natural that she would turn to her closest friend for comfort, however much Kain might have longed to be in his place.
With an inaudible sigh, he made his way back to the inn. Passing Rosa's house saw the lights on, but he didn't go in. She would want time to recover, and he didn't think he was the one who could help her in the way she needed. There would be plenty of time to talk tomorrow, and to learn what had happened.
With more than a little regret, he passed by and returned to the inn. Until tomorrow then.