1 month had passed. Cloud recovered enough to get moving around and participate in some physical activity. He learned how to read the language these people used. It was a wonder why he could understand their speech, but their written words had escaped him. Cloud assumed that it was because the spoke the same, but just had different ways of writing it down. He learned how to play a game called blitz ball which Wakka was a pro at. It took place in a sphere of specialized water and the object is to score with the ball into the opponent's goal area. Cloud became very skilled, very fast.
"Cloud, you've become a top blitz ball player, and you've only been playing for a few weeks, how do you do it?" Rikku looked at Cloud inquisitively.
"I…dunno, I'm just kind of good, that's all." Cloud stalked off back to the hut that had been made for him in the deeper part of the jungle. Cloud liked to be solitary.
"Pft, what's his problem, he never talks." Rikku look at Cloud indignantly.
"Aww, that's just the way he is," Wakka walked up next to Rikku, "Some people are just quiet, ya know?" He wrapped his arm around Rikku's neck and gave her a noogie with the other. "I wish you were more like him sometimes." Rikku struggled to get away, but Wakka wouldn't let go. They laughed and wrestled around for awhile as all of the other blitzball players walked away.
"Wakka! Everyone's leaving, lets go!" Rikku slipped out of Wakka's grip.
"Aye! Fine, fine, lets go." Wakka stood up and followed after Rikku. It was a bright and sunny day; nobody would have thought that anything could go wrong.
"Ha ha ha ha…HA HA HA HA HA!" The silver haired main stared down at Cloud. His eyes glowed blue with madness. "What's this? The mighty Cloud, reduced to this pathetic sight. I didn't think it possible." The man jumped off of the top of the hut and landed on the ground. He wore a white cloak and a feather in his hair. He had somewhat feminine, slight features. He was about half a head shorter than Cloud.
"Who are you, what do you want? You are not the one I am searching for." Cloud stood up and wiped the blood off of his lip.
"You're searching for someone? I would have never guessed. All you do is sit around this village, indulging yourself in that ballgame." The man walked over to Cloud, grabbed him by the neck, and hoisted him into the air. "Where is your sword Cloud? You can't hope to defeat anyone without that." The man flicked his wrist and tossed Cloud to the side. Cloud hit the ground and pushed himself onto his knees. His white and purple Besaid clothes were getting torn and dirty.
"When did I say I was trying to defeat you? What have I done to provoke you? Leave now." Cloud stood up and tried to walk past the man into the hut. The man sighed.
"Cloud, Cloud, Cloud," the man shot his arm out at Cloud and drew him to his face. "You've forgotten your mission. Find him; find the man with the green eyes." Cloud's eyes widened.
"You know him? Tell me, where is he and what is his name?" Cloud pushed away from the man and stood waiting for an answer. It never came.
"Now, now Cloud, if I told you everything, you wouldn't do anything for yourself." The man jumped onto a tree. "I'll give you a starting lead though. Go to the Zanarkand Military Academy. When you get there, tell them that Kuja sent you." The man, apparently named Kuja, jumped into the sky. There was a flash of light and he disappeared, but his voice lingered. "I'll be waiting for you Cloud." Cloud just stood there, looking to the sky. The wind blew through his hair. It was time to leave this place.
"What! You're leaving already?" Wakka stared at Cloud, mouth open wide. "You just got here. I bet you haven't even fully healed!" Cloud just stared at the ground. "This is fast. It seems like you just got here. I barely even know who you are." Cloud continued to stare at the ground.
"I barely even know who I am myself. That's why I must leave." Cloud stood up, not looking Wakka in the eye, "I thank you for your hospitality, but I cannot linger here." Cloud grabbed the pack set up for him and proceeded out the door.
"Wait!" Wakka stood up.
"I told you, I can't…"
"I heard you the first time. Here." Wakka held out a long leather-wrapped package. "This is for you." Cloud took it. "You remind me of a person I used to know. He used this sword. It was my brother's sword originally." Cloud unwrapped the package. There was a crystal blue, fish hook blade. Its craftsmanship was uncanny.
"Thank you." Cloud rewrapped the sword, strapped it to his back, and walked out the door. It was a nice place he was leaving. He knew he needed to find the silver haired man, but he didn't know why. There was that question again, why. Would he ever get to live in peace? Maybe, when this was all over, he'd come back. Maybe…
That's the end of the prologue chapters! The real story starts now.