Note: Nothing has changed. I still don't own Final Fantasy, but I own the names you never heard of.
"I desire something far greater."
-Ashelia B'Nargin Dalmasca
Chapter IV:
Something was wrong. I could feel it. Basch was being so secluded, and mother barely talked to him. Something was going on, and I needed to know now.
The early evening fell upon us rather quickly. With all the events that had happened today, I needed to sit down and think. Unfortunately, the evening meal was not the place for that. When I came out of my room, it was darker than I expected. A lone light shone from the far end of the hall, in Basch's room. Knowing my adolescent mind, I had to go investigate. I walked down the hall, and when I came upon the door, I opened it slightly. The first thing I saw was father's formal combat armor. When I opened the door even more, I saw father's saber. So this is where the shroud of mystery had led me. What was he doing? I think Basch noticed me, because he instantly stopped what he was doing. "Noah," he said, not even looking at me "Leave me be. I'm busy." I looked at him, eyes widening. "Basch, I just want to kno-." He interrupted. "Leave me be, Noah." Basch repeated, now with an inflection of anger and despair. I left the room with tears welling in my eyes. Basch was planning something…I had to find out what.
When I went downstairs, I found my mother sitting at the table already eating. She now claims the head chair, which father used to occupy. Mother looked up at me and smiled weakly. "What took you so long?" she said with a maternal tone so soothing, it could stop rage in it's tracks. I looked down as I put my hand on the high back chair. "I was speaking with Basch…I was trying to figure something out." She stopped eating and raised her head to look at me. "…Did you figure it out?" I studied her face: It was as though she was screaming on the inside, as though she wanted to yell something vital to the heavens, but couldn't mutter the words. Mother began to eat again, contemplating on each and every morsel of food. She knew something; something I needed to know.
After a long period of awkward silence, I finally conjured up a good amount of courage to finally pry the information from my mother. The secrecy would end here. "When I went to go see Basch," I started, slowly putting down the fork "He was packing up father's armor…and his sword." I looked up at her and my eyes met her gaze, which I suspected was on me the whole time. "…What's going on?" Suddenly, her eyes shifted beyond me, in the hallway. I turned in my chair and what stood in front of me, dressed in full armor, a large pack on his back, and a sword on his side, was Basch. He stood there, motionless, his face frozen into a scowl. "Basch." Mother said, almost moaning. He just stood there staring at me. "I've come to say goodbye…" He said with no emotion at all. Mother stood up from her chair, and walked to him. She put her hands on his cold metal shoulders, and Basch gently pulled her into a hug. They stood there, savoring the last few moments they would have with each other. "Don't get yourself killed," she muttered into his chest. Mother was sobbing now, staining the iron chestplate with fresh tears. I couldn't believe this: Why wasn't I informed that Basch was leaving? Was I not important enough to know that my only brother is leaving my dying mother and me alone? I slammed my fists on the table, almost knocking over a small chalice. This caught their attention. I pushed my chair out from under me, and I swiftly turned to face them both. "So, this is it? You were just going to leave without even saying a word? I am as important as you are! What? Am I not valued enough to know of your life altering decision?!" He said nothing, standing there with no sign of emotion. I grunted as I flung my arms to the collar of his chestplate and pulled him to my eye-level. "Damn you, Basch!" I said screaming into his face "Answer me! Why didn't you tell me?!" He smiled smugly and replied, "Because I knew you would react this way." Suddenly, Basch's hand met my chest and I met the ground with a loud thud. Mother ran to my side, but I jumped up before she could offer any assistance. His smile faded instantly as he looked down and picked up his bag, which he threw at me. "I've said my farewells." He said, walking towards the door "Bring my bag, Noah." I flung the bag with all my power in front of me. Basch turned to the side and looked at me with fiery eyes. "Take it yourself." I said in a silent rage. Basch's foot met the ground with a metal clang. "Get the bag…Noah." he said, now demanding. The rage in my eyes met his, and in time it overpowered his patience. He grew tired of waiting and took the bag himself. Basch looked at me, then mother, then turned on his heel and walked out the door. I ran out after him, and when I reached the top of the stairs, he stopped packing his luggage onto the Chocobo. This animal looked familiar. I began to think, and I remembered that this was the Chocobo that brought us to my father's death. It looked just as beautiful as the first time I laid eyes on it. But, when I saw its eyes, I noticed a gruesome injury. The Chocobo now possessed a scar on its left eye, running through a significant part of the animals' face. The iris turned a deep red; the color of blood. Pity started to fill in the empty crevasses in my chest. I looked to Basch, who had already mounted the creature. I walked down two stairs and met his gaze. "I hope you know what you're leaving behind." I said through clenched teeth. He sighed and then grasped the reins tighter. "I do know…all too well. I can't let you and mother hold me back. This is something I must do. I'm…sorry." My eyes grew hard. "Save your apologies for someone who cares. You mean nothing to me." Basch's eyes grew weak. He looked at mother, who was standing at the door, then looked ahead. With one gesture of his wrist, the Chocobo broke into a full sprint.
With all hope and feeling I had left in my body, I muttered three words in the dust, knowing Basch would never hear them:
"I hate you."
(A/N: Thanks to everyone for the reviews. Keep them coming as the story progresses xD.)
