A/N: I HOPE YOU LIKE THIS STORY, IT'S A MIXTURE OF TWO RPG GAMES AND ITS IN REAL LIFE AND NOT JUST A GAME I HOPE YOU ENJOY MY NEW CHARACTERS TOO

NOW WE SHALL TELL YOU A TRAGIC STORY OF INNOCENT LOVE TORMENTED BY FATE IN THE MIDST OF WAR...

CHAPTER 3: GIVEN GIFTS ~SO THIS IS WHAT THE SKY LOOKS LIKE~

I am the Terror of Death

Skeith the Flame of Heaven

And...

I wield you, my power

It flew forward hitting Johan straight through the chest with tremendous force that tossed him to where Lancer and Miyuki were standing. "Damn that hurt!" Johan said through gritted teeth. "Are you alright!" Miyuki and Lancer helped him up to his feet. "So you were talking to that thing, although it's strange that I didn't hear it" Lancer said helping Johan to his feet. "The lost son of Tris-" she was silenced with a finger on her lips. "I'm only Johan the digger, but still, it has a nice ring in to it" Johan winced at her.

There and then Johan felt that his back and his hands are being carved using a hot knife. "GAAAAAHHH!" He cried in agony. It was painful his skin is being burnt, it's like getting a tattoo using a very hot needle, he twitched and struggled, he fell to the ground screaming in agony. Miyuki and Lancer could only hold him down until the pain ceased, if it was going to cease. "This will only take a moment, please endure it for now" a voiced said to him, Johan only replied with more wails of agony. Miyuki dithered, she didn't know what was happening; all she could do was watch as Johan's back and both of his hands began to smoke with red fumes of blood, a black line started to form on the back of his two hands; it formed a circle and inside of the circle was a star, on each of the stars edges formed several galtean symbols, from outside the circle were words that surrounded it, Caladbolg, Caliburn, Avalon, Dyrnwyn and Excalibur were the words, they were written in a circular motion following the circle.

After three minutes of painful agony, the pain finally stopped. Johan was panting for air; he was kneeling to the cold solid ground. "I'm sorry, but it was necessary" the voice from before said. "Damn it! Get out of my body you darn ghost!"Johan commanded through his gritted teeth 'damn it my back hurts'. "My name is Skeith and whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me kid" he said in a matter of fact kind of tone. "hoo! hoo! hoo! Well isn't this an auspicious event" an old man's voice laughed from behind them. The group turned around to find an old man wearing a white with blue and gold designed robe. From his right hand he was carrying a staff and from his left hand he carried three bags and some white, blue and black coloured cloaks. "Master Ogam!" Miyuki straightened herself, showing respect to her teacher.

"What do you mean by auspicious Ogam?" Johan asked standing up awkwardly from the ground, he was facing Ogam; he crossed his arms and stood on one leg awaiting the reply of the renowned sorcerer. "The seal has been placed; you must now walk your own path to destiny young ones, and carve out a new path with your own strength ..." Ogam ignored his question and raised his staff and pointed it to the opened old stone door; he chanted something, there and then a small ball of red flames came from the tip of the staff. It slowly grew in size and it changes color from red, to green then to blue. "I better stand back if I were you" the three quickly reacted to Ogam's warning and raced to the walls to take cover. Johan quickly pulled Miyuki to his side and pushed her to the wall; he covered her with his own body. "I wouldn't want to let you get hurt now" Johan winced at her; he braced himself for what's to come. Ogam quickly made use of the fire ball at the target; a huge explosion was heard, leaving the room in a sea of smoke.

Johan felt a warm breeze shower over him, he opened his eyes to find Miyuki was alright and so was Lancer that was beside him. He looked at the old stone door to find that it was gone and was replaced by a hole, an opening that showed a warm light and a field of grass from outside. Johan went to face Ogam "You will need to go to the city of Rabanastre. An old acquaintance of your Father is their waiting for you" Ogam handed them the bags and cloaks. "What are you getting at old man?" Johan glared at him. "...If you were to leave now, I never saw you. You will be painted as dead or killed in action. Now go! Your Clan primers and some provisions are inside the bags, to enter Rabanastre you are required to be in a guild" Ogam turned to leave, "What's the meaning of this old man!" Johan shouted at him.

Ogam stopped at his tracks; he looked over his shoulder "Don't you wish to know why your mother banished you here? Well don't you want to know Lord Johan Christ Alastor Von Krieger? The man that you're going to meet, his name is William Farnese he is the owner of a theatre there, tell him 'the Iris has not yet withered' he will know who you are if you do" He looked seriously at the speechless Johan for a second then he smiled. "Ogam, you knew didn't you? From the very start, you knew who I am and yet you never told anyone, why Ogam? And by Farnese did you mean the noble house of Farnese, that old hag Ariel Farnese?" Ogam didn't answer, the old man went on his way leaving the three alone.

"Here is your chance to make a difference kid, savour it" Skeith said to him in his thoughts. 'Thank you, Johan' he heard the mysterious girls' voice, but now it sounded like she was happy, a small smile graced his lips. "Johan, what are we going to do?" Miyuki looked troubled, Johan took the white cloak;he spread it and placed it around Miyuki, covering her body. "What else, we're going to Rabanastre" he said covering her face with the hood, He too also wore the black cloak. For a moment he noticed that one of his members was missing, he looked around to find Lancer picking up something on the floor. "What do you think you're doing?" Johan asked a little bit annoyed. "Well if we're getting the heck out of here, then I need some Gil and these gems will do nicely" Lancer started picking up more gems.

"I'm scared, let's just live in peace, with the currency we have now, we could live fulfilling lives. You, Me and Lancer we could travel..." She was cut off by a finger on her lips. "I will always be by your side, watching over you, I promise that I will always protect you, but now I need to get what rightfully belongs to me. Also, you deserve better than this, that is why after I get my title back, I will help you get yours" He said reassuring her with his smile, for somewhat unknown reason, she felt the heavy weight on her, being lifted up just by seeing his smile, she nodded silently to him without uttering another word. "Sounds interesting, I think I'll tag along with you guys" Lancer said picking up more jewels for his bag. "Are you sure, it'll be dangerous, a single mistake and we might end up in a dungeon" Johan warned him. "You and Miyuki are like my siblings, I can't just leave you two alone when you need me the most" He said placing his arm around Johans' neck. Lancer went closer and whispered something in his ear "...Besides, after you get back your royalty or whatever thing that you're going to take back, you'll reward me handsomely right" He whispered, Johan rolled his eyes to that. " I was only joking" Lancer added.

OZMONE PLAINS -7:00 AM

A party has been made, composing of a Knight Cleric, a Lancer and a Death Knight. Upon leaving the Henne mines, Lancer looked up and for the first time he saw the clear blue sky "So this is what the sky looks like" He said in awe, letting the rays of the sun give warmth to his pale skin. "Get used to it, you'll be seeing it every day from now on" Johan patted his shoulder. "Johan look there" Miyuki with a scared voice tugged on his shirt; she was pointing to a group of nine Zahgnals who were approaching them.

"Can't a guy get some rest around here?" Lancer was replied with a huge roar. The Zahgnal lunged at Lancer, sending him flying about ten meters away, landing on his left shoulder "Sucks to be him" Johan said shrugging. The massive beast tried to punch Johan with its huge fist, he quickly evaded; side stepping for every punch the beast tried. Damn it, my back's still killing me, damn it hurts to much' readying his left arm to summon Caladbolg he was interrupted by a red spear hitting the Zahgnal on the chest killing it with one strike.

"No one those that to me" Lancer said walking over to the dead corpse; he pulled out his spear and positioned himself in his battle stance. "HEAL" Miyuki chanted healing some of the wounds on Lancer, "Be careful you two" she said, worried. Johan summoned Caladbolg; he unsheathed it and grabbed his black pistol from his back pocket with his left hand. "Back us up Miyuki" Lancer said charging at the group of Zahgnals.

Lancer ran straight to the monsters evading the incoming punches of the Zahgnals until he reached the other side, cornering them. Johan used Ebony which is the name of the black pistol on the monsters that Lancer just passed; getting their attention he placed his pistol back to his back pocket and he tossed his sword to his left hand; He prepared himself by dropping into a partial crouch position, both knees bent, left arm drawn back and right arm extended forward; he grasps the tip of the hilt of his sword with his left hand and rests the tips of his fingers of his right hand on the blade near its tip "Sudden Death!" Johan shouted.

"So are you going to show me your magic or what!" Lancer shouted, "That depends, just for now let me show you my Deathblow" Johan replied. "BLIZARA!" Miyuki shouted, impaling every Zahgnal with sharp pieces of ice. "You're so Sly Miyuki" Lancer said unsummoning Gae Bolga. "It saves us the trouble so don't complain" Johan scolded, defending Miyuki. "Hey I'm just saying, no need to be all protective like on her" Lancer said. "Moron" Johan averted his eyes, "Johan and Lancer are such good friends so please don't fight" in an enthusiastic manner Miyuki tried to calm the two down.

"Where are we?" Lancer asked, looking around the green plains. Lancer's mouth gaped open to find a massive airship in the horizon. "It seems that we're at Ozmone plains" Johan walked over to his side accompanied by Miyuki. "Centuries ago, a war was once fought on Ozmone Plains and thus the landscape is littered with crashed airships and other ruins" Johan said, lecturing his companions. "Let's go this way" Johan added pointing his hand to an opening between two huge rocks that was blocking the exit. "Why there? Can't we go this way, it seems safer" Miyuki asked pointing to the opposite direction. "That side leads to Golmore jungle and to tell you the truth, I don't want to get involved to such a place, that's why were heading to Jahara Village" Johan went off, Lancer and Miyuki following.

The party walked along, following Johan's lead they came upon several ruins. There and then they felt the earth shake "Johan!" Miyuki shouted pointing to the herd of black chocobos heading their way. "Well isn't this convenient" Johan sarcastically said, He grabbed Miyuki's waist and made a hand sign to Lancer, he nodded to Johan. At the very instant that the black chocobos is at point blank range Johan side stepped with Miyuki, evading the first chocobo. Once it was behind them Johan jumped on its back then he quickly reached out for Miyuki and pulled her up to the chocobo, Lancer did the same.

They rode the chocobos until they saw a man wearing a bird like mask that had huge horns skewering a viper with his spear. "Miyuki hold on tight to me" He ordered Miyuki; she quickly placed her arms around his neck. With that Johan grabbed her thighs and quickly jumps off the black chocobo. Lancer saw Johan getting off and he did the same. Upon falling down, he bended over letting Miyuki stand on her own. Johan walked over to the Garif leaving Miyuki and Lancer behind. Johan is currently talking to the Garif while Miyuki is examining a device like touch screen pad that seemed to be the clan primer. "Hey Miyuki what are they talking about?" Lancer asked and was replied with a shrug.

After a moment Johan returned to his party "We've been granted entrance to the village, if we're lucky their might be a chocobo merchant their" Johan looked at the garif warrior who was signalling to them to follow him. The three followed the masked man to the so called village of Jahara, it was only a short leisurely walk and they came to small path that had two massive rock like mountains. Lancer noticed that the ground that was full of grass change slowly to a plain lifeless brown color each time they walk further in.

JAHARA VILLAGE-7:27 AM

When entering the village Miyuki quickly spotted a Moogle merchant that was handing down some maps to some adventurers, Lancer was looking intently at the Garif that was beside him, clearly suspicious of the masked man. "I-I guess I should by some bandages for you two!" Miyuki hurriedly went across the bridge to buy some ointments. "Let's look around the village, we might find something useful" Lancer went off leaving the Garif and Johan alone. "What a nice bunch you are, it's not everyday that humes come to visit our humble village" The Garif warrior said, "Although they could be a real handful sometimes" Johan gave a huge shrug, his shoulders were getting stiff, his injuries during his earlier battle in the mines has started to sting.

"Though it may be, I am really surprised to see a nobleman such as you to even walk these lands" the Garif warrior started walking to the bridge. "Hey! How did you know I was a...?" Johan called out. The Garif looked back on him. "I can sense an aura from you, faint though it may be; you have the aura of both a Von Krieger and an Occurian" he turned to leave. "Occurian?" Johan muttered ignoring the Von Krieger part. 'What the hell is an Occurian?' Johan thought to himself. 'Must be food or something' Johan gave another shrug and walks off to find Miyuki.

While Johan was looking around the shops, he couldn't help but to notice... all of the eyes around him seemed to be focused on him alone. It gave him an edgy feeling and uneasiness. "Youngman, forgive me for my rudeness but I must ask you to follow me, the Grand Chief and the War Chief wishes to speak to you" Johan nodded and followed the Garif herder. Upon crossing another bridge he could see a hut and smoke was coming out. The Garif stopped at his tracks and motioned for him to go in. Upon seeing two Garifs he quickly bowed at them and walked over, he sat near the fire place across from the two. The two Garifs looked at each other; the other Garif had these huge horns on his mask meaning that he must be the Chieftain of the tribe.

"You look disappointed for some reason" Johan tilted his head and gave a small smile, amused by how the two acted. "Apologize, but...we were kind of expecting someone...more... well more. Once again my apologize for being rude to our guest. Thank you for answering our summons, but I must go and fetch something of importance, if you'll excuse me" The War Chief stands to leave, letting the two have their privacy. Johan looked at the Chieftain with a serious face, "Look at you, even though you're only young. Your eyes show great focus. An admirable trait I must say, you look and act beyond your age" The Chieftain clasped both of his hands, observing the Death Knight in front of him. "I'm overwhelmed, thank you for your kind words... but surely there is something else that you wish to discuss with me?" Johan looked sternly at the wise old Garif. The Garif Chief didn't answer 'it seems Dad was right, Garifs are insane' Johan sighed.

"Tell me what Occurians are?" Johan demanded, with authority in his voice. "One of your men told me that I have an aura of an Occurian inside me. To tell you the truth I'm quite fascinated about it" Johan added looking into the old Garifs' eyes with his green snake like ones. "Apologize, if only it was not a secret known only to us warriors of the land, but if you wish to know, you should ask that thing that's inside you". He pointed at his chest. "Don't tell me, you know about Skeith?" Johan asked and was answered with a nod 'So Skeith is an Occurian?' He wondered, "Please don't compare me to such beings" Skeith said in his thoughts. 'then what the hell are you?" Johan shouted in his thoughts

"Let us leave it to that, young one; you are here for a purpose are you not?" The Chief said. 'Purpose huh?' Johan thought a bit frightened, "To tell you the truth, I don't really know what my purpose is yet" Johan shrugged without a care in the world. "Has that ever stop you before? The hume spirit is limitless, no one can stop such immense power of will. Aim for the heavens and you shall find your answer" The Garif Chief said. 'What does that got to do with anything?' Johan sighed. 'They really are a hopeless race, I'm glad I ended up with you' Skeith said in relief. 'I never said you could possess my body you moron!' Johan shouted back in his thoughts. 'You're cruel Johan, so cruel... See? You've gone and hurt my feelings now' the Flame of Heaven replied, feigning a hurt tone of voice as Johan rolled his eyes at that. Crossing his arms the hume shook his head.

"My Chief I have brought what you have requested" The War Chief said upon entering the hut accompanied by three Garif herders, snapping out of his train of thoughts Johan looked to the War Chief and then to The Grand Chief. "Come my boy, I want to give you something; it will be of great use to you" The Grand Chief stood up and walked outside. Johan couldn't quite understand what was happening but he stood up nonetheless, 'What's happening now? This is so troublesome' his suspicion taking hold upon the Garifs. Upon exiting the hut, he looked to his left and what he saw made his emerald eyes widened in surprise "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING!" he shouted.

RABANASTRE- PALACE- 7:43 AM

"What dress do you think flatters me the most Satsuki?" Lacus asked, facing the mirror while holding up a red dress. "Anything suits my Lady, though I recommend something that will make Lord Vaan head over heels in love with you" the maid replied happily. "Oh, I guess I should were purple then" Lacus looked down. "What is it Mistress? You don't seem to be happy. Are you and Lord Vaan fighting?" The maid asked. "No, it's not like that, Lord Vaan is a very nice person it's just that..." She trailed off. "It's not love, is it?" The maid finished her sentence, Satsuki sighed. "Satsuki, tell me, what is love?" She asked picking up another dress. Satsuki placed a finger on her chin, "Well, love is like giving your life for the one you love most, and sometimes it's the very least that you can do on such short notice" she answered smiling to her.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Lacus are you awake? may I come in?" a familiar voice called out. "Come in!" Satsuki answered, "Sorry for the intrusion my Lady I just finished training" Vaan opened the door; he was wearing a long sleeved cotton shirt, black pants and a white towel hanging on his right shoulder. He approached her with ease, giving her a rose, "It's not much compared to you, but next time I'll be sure to give you enough roses to match your infinite beauty" He said stiffly. "Please talk to me in your usual manner Lord Vaan, are you still going to act like that after we get married?" She pouted, pointing the finger of authority at him. 'She's so adorable, I just can't get enough' he thought, faking a sad look.

"I'm sorry; I thought I could invite you to breakfast with lady Primula and lady Trisha, I guess I was hoping for too much" He turned his back on her faking an obvious sad voice, he had a sheepish smile on his face while waiting for an answer. Lacus sighed at his silly attempts to woo her, she smiled playfully, "Lord Vaan, what dress do you think flatters me the most?" she asked showing him two elegant gowns. He turned around with a smile, "Anything suits you my lady, you're as radiant as a rose, I'll be waiting at the balcony, okay" he made his exit leaving the two alone. Lacus looked to the side seeing Satsuki shiver in pleasure "You were enjoying that, didn't you Satsuki?" Lacus asked raising an eyebrow. "Very much, I always get shivers everytime I see romantic scenes like that" She said twirling around, Lacus tilted her head and smiled to that. 'Now I know why Johan was so silly back then, it's all because Satsuki is his personal maid since he was still a baby' Lacus thought giggling.

OZMONE PLAINS

Upon exiting the hut, he looked to his left and what he saw made his emerald eyes widened in surprise "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING!" he shouted. His eyes rested upon a black winged horse with the tail of a dragon, it had reins and a saddle on it and it seemed like it was completely tamed, "It is called a 'Dragon Steed' a newly breed race known only to us Garifs" The Warchief said. The mighty stead stared at Johan; it started to move slowly, approaching him with caution. Johan didn't know what to do; he just stared at the thing. Now its face was inches away from his, Johan raised an eyebrow, in reply to that its ears started flapping around.

Johan touched the horses head with his palm, gently caressing its fur, in compliance to that it started to nuzzle his chest, "The smell of Irises, he is fond of its smell" the Garif herder said, watching Johan pet the Dragon Steed. "What's his name?" Johan asked the Herder. "It belongs to you now, you must be the one who will give it its name" The Herder said, taking his leave. 'A name huh' Johan thought, "Why don't you just name him Skeith just like me, we could be twins" Skeith joked, though he was ignored by him. "Well do you like it?" The Grand Chief asked. "Yeah" He muttered, still petting the Dragon Steed. "The truth is, we have another one but that's meant for the girl you were with just now" The Warchief said. 'Oh shoot! I forgot about Miyuki!' he panicked.

"Where do you think you're going boy!" The Grand Chief asked Johan before he could run even farther. "I'm sure Miyuki is looking for me now. if I take too long she'll snap" Johan said making his way to the bridge. "He could have brought you along with him" The Grand Chief said caressing the Dragon steeds' fur, in reply the Dragon steed neighed three times. "Today more than yesterday, yesterday more than today, he grows stronger with each time he fights, and so the curtain closes down upon this world of ours, thou shall be the sun and the other will be the moon, both shall seek light from the twilight as two forces collide, I wonder which one will win in the end. I'd like to see what kind of change he will make, the chosen one" he muttered, watching us Johan ran to his comrades.

"I wonder where he went off to. I haven't tended to his wounds yet" Miyuki said worried carrying some bandages and ointments. For the past ten minutes she was looking around the village, searching for her friends. "You know, you'll get tired easily if you keep that up" Lancer said at the corner, his wounds had already been tended to by the Garifs, now he's just eating and recuperating his strength. "Lancer! Have you seen Johan? I haven't tended to his wounds yet, what if he collapses!" Miyuki panicked, over exaggerating her sentiments. "If you like him that much, you should confess now or forever be silent" Lancer snickered. "I-I don't, your mistaken! I'm just worried that's all!" She turned her back on him, her face completely flushed. "No need to be so defensive, everyone already knew you had feelings for him, even Johan knew your feelings for him" Lancer said shrugging; he took another loaf of bread and started munching it.

'He knew...my feelings...for him' Miyuki felt her heart skip a beat. "Well I think he knows" Lancer said when he saw Miyuki being all jittery. "What do you mean by you think'?" Miyuki asked snapping out of her awkward movements, "It means that I'm not so sure" Lancer said, chewing bread. Miyuki gave a disappointed look "Oh is that so, let's just forget about it. I'm gonna start looking for him again, I need to tend to his wounds" she said walking away in a fast pace. "Like a little puppy girl smitten by puppy love" Lancer muttered, a devilish smirk of victory crept on his face 'It's too obvious Miyuki, you can't hide it away from me forever, I'll expose it and I'll get to see that look on both you and Johans' face! Heh I just love it when I play hardcore matchmaker' He thought, his smirk getting wider.

"Johan! Where are you?" She shouted getting the attention most villagers. Her shoulders dropped in defeat. 'Where could he be?' she sighed, feeling the weight of fatigue. "Well I could be right behind you, if you wish" Johan said taping his finger at her shoulder, she shrieked in surprise she turned around with longing eyes, "Where have you been! I was so worried!" She shouted at him, waving her hands around. "... The usual, I saw this adorable girl and I couldn't help myself so I talked to her and then we went to this secluded place and we did this and that together, it almost drained me out of my stamina" Johan said frankly at her, with an emotion less face. He waited for a few moments to hear a reply, if he's gonna get one that is. There and then he felt a dangerous aura around him. He looked at the person in front of him and analysed her form, Miyuki's head is facing the ground, Johan couldn't help but to wonder why, so he slowly and gently poked her forehead.

There and then she quickly grabbed his cheeks with one hand and pinched it hard, making sure she had a tight grip on it. She pulled him down to her head level, now their faces were inches from the other; Miyuki was glaring at him with murdering eyes, dark lines of power appeared just below them. Johan couldn't help but to smirk, he was enjoying it, and at the same time his face was sweat dropping in fear. "Where is she?" Miyuki asked sternly in a low tone of voice. "Calm down Miyuki... I was only joking... this is truly unbecoming of you, I was talking with the chief of the tribe he told me that he had something for you" He said trembling in fear and yet he still had that calm smirking face. Snapping out of her insanity she quickly let go of his cheeks that made him fall on his butt. She turned around to hide her flushed face, "I-Is that so? Fine! Then I guess I'll just talk to the chief then" She said crossing her arms ignoring the fact that Johan had wounds. Johan quickly stood up and went close to her, he placed his left hand on her waist and he held her close to him making her yelp, he then poked her red cheeks with his right hand "Aww don't get mad" He said playfully teasing her, her face had turned blood red.

"Hey, take it easy now" Lancer said pushing Johan away from Miyuki. "Now Johan, I know you can't keep your hands off Miyuki, but please control yourself, you and I are only commoners, don't you think she's way out of your league" he said sarcastically, Johan only had this bemused expression as a reply, he then turned to Miyuki "and you Miyuki, stop acting like a jealous little puppy, honestly you hormone driven nobles are always full of quirks" He scolded at her and then he turned to leave, returning to his morning breakfast 'You never cease to amaze, not even one bit' Lancer thought looking at Johan with a knowing look, Johan in turn replied with a dubious look on his face. Miyuki couldn't move, she had this shock expression in her face. "Umm? Miyuki? Can you please heal my wounds, it stings quite a lot" Johan said bringing back her outer spaced self. "Oh! I'm sorry; I'll get to it right away!" Miyuki grabbed Johan and hurriedly went to the nearest healers' tent.

"OUCH! BE A LITTLE GENTLER!. NO DON'T USE ALCOHOL! NOOOOOOOOOO! LLAAAAANNNCEEEEEERRRRRR!" Johans' screams could be heard throughout the village. 'I really hate to be him right now, sorry Johan but I can't save you' Lancer thought eating another piece of bread, ignoring the painful screams of his friend, 'This is too much! Even for her! Someone, anyone, please make her stop!" Skeith could also feel the pain he is enduring; if he could cry and die he would have probably done it ten minutes ago. "Haaa, young love" The Grand Chief yawned. "Young men and women these days" The War Chief said.

TO BE CONTINUED