Gnothi Se Auton

-Act I-

The Trine Prophecy

A Final Fantasy IV Story

by SpacemanSpiff

Chapter I

The Message

Scene 1 – Castle Baron, Royal Suite

...until we meet again, brother...

"Cecil, we must not leave our guests waiting much longer," the sweet voice poured out of the small doorway, out onto the lonely balcony where white drapes swirled around a lonely man. He stood staring for a moment longer, pale rays of a distant moon gracing his features as he finally turned to walk back inside. "We're becoming rather unfashionably late, my dear."

"Yes, it's just that..."

Cecil could hardly put himself together fast enough to let the sentence roll from his tongue, leaving his wife, his true love, to stare at him blankly. A cool breeze passed through the balcony doorway, grasping at silk curtains and kissing the Paladin King's gentle cheek. For an long moment, Cecil shut his eyes and felt his father's hand fall strong on his shoulder. He smiled as he opened his eyes again to the essence of all beauty before him.

"Just what?" she said with a questionable grin on her face, standing so perfect as she waited for her husband's answer. Cecil took a few quick steps towards her before sweeping her into his arms, holding her as close as could be.

"It's just that you're so beautiful," Cecil whispered in her ear, "I would rather stay and gaze upon your face than to have to share it with the world."

"You're so sweet, Cecil, but you know what?" she said almost sincerely enough for him to believe her for a moment. He knew she wasn't falling for it.

"What's that?"

"You're messing up my dress, which took me several hours to prepare," she whispered with such a coy tone that it actually made the hair on Cecil's neck stand on end, even if she was telling him to let her go. "But a simple kiss will suffice."

Cecil unwrapped her from his bear hug, leaving his lips pressed to hers before finally letting her straighten out what small wrinkles had developed on her gown. It flowed like an ivory waterfall down the cliffs of her body, from her chest down to the tips of her toes. It was immaculate in every way, and on its own would have made her stand out in any crowd. But she still fancied her silk robes, which had men wishing every moment that she may get just a little too hot and perhaps take them off. Though she was now a Queen, she honored her previous title as a white wizard, even though the robes she wore now were much finer than any she had ever worn in those days. But she knew that's who she was, and she would always remember where she came from.

"I don't even know why we're having this banquet in the first place," Cecil muttered as Rosa made her way to a delicate sash hanging on the wall beside the tower door. She turned to him with a look of impatience, and Cecil could see her words coming from a mile away.

"Yes you do. Don't even try to get out of this one," she warned as she threw the sash over her head, leaving it to hang on her shoulder as it fell across her body. Ancient words and symbols were stretched upon the fabric, and it only added to her beautiful figure. The adornment was given to her for her unsurpassed knowledge in the arts of white magic. She was a true master of her skill. The sash bounced lively as she hurried over to her husband's side, wrapping her hand around his right arm and facing him towards the door. "Besides, this is the last one we will have to attend for a while. So suck it up, dear."

"I guess you're right," Cecil conceded with a faint sigh that was more of an attempt to get a rise out of Rosa than anything else. He smiled at her as he began to lead her slowly towards the door. "You always are."

"I just have more sense than most women." she said matter-of-factly, squeezing Cecil's arm just a little. As they stopped at the door, they looked at each other once more, smiles mirrored between them. Cecil took a step forward to open the door for his angel, who was still smiling rather coy at her husband. "I would've thought you had figured that out by now."

"After you, milady." Cecil gestured her through the door into the tower stairwell, lit by the warming presence of overhanging candle chandeliers. She briskly tugged Cecil along by his arm as they made their way down to join their guests in the banquet hall.