Chapter 7: Flashbacks and Plans

Disclaimer: I Striking Dancer do not own any Final Fantasy characters, other than my own OC characters, and quite frankly all of these formalities are starting to give me a headache!

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Winter's point of view:

" Yes, Winter I will join you and the Resistance. I would not dare think of letting you go off on your own again! What would Basch think?" Fran said with a laugh. I turned to look as Bast came walking into the room where I was resting.

" How are you feeling?" he asked gently.

"Much better thank you." was my reply. Turning back to Fran I said relieved,

" That's good to hear Fran, but tell me I thought you had died during the Last Free Battle of Ivalice, how did you come to be here?"

" The Last Free Battle of Ivalice! " Bast exclaimed "Fran did you fight in that battle?"

Fran gave me a look that said, You haven't told him?

" Bast," I began, "Both Fran, and I fought in that horrific battle. I wanted to wait until the right time to tell you, but it seems that time has come sooner than I expected. I told you that my mother gave me the name of someone who could help with my training, and that someone was your grandfather Basch." Before Bast could interrupt I continued,

" I lived with you grandfather Basch, and he trained me until I was ready for battle, ready to avenge my family. That was when I joined the old Resistance. We were a bigger group then, and we had the Dynast Queen, Ashe, and her soldiers on our side. Her Kingdom was the last to fall under Shota. The Last Free Battle of Ivalice, as they call it now, was suicide, and everyone knew it. Not only was I a prime weapon fighting for the Resistance, but I was also a healer." I paused for a moment as the flood of memories assaulted me. I took a deep breath, and continued,

" We had been battling for days, our numbers were few, and our troops weary. Shota knew that, and gloated in our weakness, Ashe called her remaining soldiers for a final attack. I remember it as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. The sky was pitch black, with no moon to light our way. The sounds of death were all around us, and you could feel Shota's evil presence creeping around you, like an oily mist. I saw her there standing in the midst of battle, not a sword daring to touch her. I was fighting in the front lines along with the Resistance's strongest warriors when I heard a desperate cry."

I turned to Fran who had tears in her eyes, but she nodded for me to continue.

" Balthier, a leader in the Resistance, and a friend to us all, had been felled by a Shotan soldier. Ashe, Fran, your grandfather, and I were trying to hold off a group of mages when we saw what had happened. I wanted to stay. I knew they had no hope against such a large group of mages without my help, and I cold sense that any effort to save Balthier was futile, but one look from the others, and I knew I had no choice. I ran to Balthier and did everything I could, but his wounds were to great. I said a prayer to give his soul guidance, and went to find the others. The scene I met then has haunted me for the rest of my life. Ashe, and the others, my only family I had left had been wounded by the mages. I found Ashe dead holding on to a picture of her belated husband, and your grandfather laying on the ground beside her barely holding on to the thread of life. Arrows punctured his armor, and he had many wounds. I leaned in close to hear what he was trying to tell me."

" I have spent my life protecting others. he whispered in a husky voice, I have never regretted it, until now. My only wish was to see you happy my dear one. You who are like my daughter. No..... you who are my daughter."

"He reached for his locket that he always wore close to his heart, but it was gone."

I said as I struggled not to cry. " I should have been there, but I was to late!" I cried.

"I looked everywhere for it, and it seemed as if someone had stolen it. I never thought I would see it again, but then I found you Bast."

I felt Bast's strong arms surround me, as he whispered nonsense words to sooth me. I cried in his arms until I fell asleep there exhausted, not awaking until dawn.

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Fran's Point of view:

I watched Winter lie there asleep, long after Bast had left, and I wondered,

" What had happened to the young girl who was always smiling, and quick to laugh. Now all I saw was a world hardened woman, who was afraid to love, and struggled to hide her feelings.

"I guess she grew up" I whispered out loud, as Winter mumbled, and turned in her sleep. " I guess.....we all grew up." After Winter's story I began to think of that which I had not thought of in years........

Fran's Flashback:

Dark,.....dark,...... so dark. Sounds of running footsteps,..... footsteps, and pain. Smells of terror, and blood. Head hurts...... Voices speaking to fast to hear. Dark... getting dark again.....

I awoke to the sounds of dripping water, and the smells of wetness, and rot. My eyesight was still foggy, and I was struggling to view my surroundings. Almost immediately I realized where I was. I had been here once before a long time ago, and I had hoped to never return. I was in Nalbina.

" So you finally decided to wake up." I turned to see a dark haired solider sneering down at me. " I am aware that you are a leader in the inner circles of the Resistance. My name is Perin what is yours fair one?"

" And why should I tell you?" I spat at the tall, striking man.

"Well, unless you plan to tell me right now what you know about the Resistance, we are going to be spending a lot of time together." He laughed sickly poking me with his boot.

"Not on your life!" I snarled standing with the last of my strength, and spit in the soldiers face.

"Such spirit I see. I'm going to have such fun breaking you!" I blacked out again as he slapped me hard across the face.

End Of Flashback

I looked up shivering, when I felt winter's hand gently touch my shoulder.

" Are you okay?" She asked

I nodded, knowing what was coming next.

" Fran can you talk about it? Winter asked feeling what I was holding in because of her power.

"Yes. I whispered, and began to tell Winter what happened during my time in Nalbina.....

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Bast's point of view:

I knocked on Winter's door, and was immediately told to come in. Winter was dressed, and was talking to Fran who was helping her pack a travel sack with food, and weapons.

"Good morning Bast." She told me as I walked through the door. She seemed to be in a good mood this morning after all she went through last night. I figured she just needed to get it all out. I could not imagine keeping all of that inside for so many years without breaking down.

" We need to discuss where it is we will be headed to next." Fran said breaking me out of me reverie." Winter has explained to me what you found in the Palace treasury in Idendryll. I think perhaps our next move should be to Mt. Bur- Omisace. Ever since it has become deserted there has been a strange portal that has been opened to allow you to speak to the dead." I imagine she must have seen the look on my face because she continued,

"Well not the dead exactly, but more of your memory of them. The magic in this place senses your bond with past loved ones, and if strong enough, enables you to speak with them. The reason no one knows about this other than the Viera is because, we keep it blocked off with our magic. It is too dangerous for people to risk their lives to talk to mere memories. Not only is it a treacherous journey up the mountain, but when you speak to the departed it drains you of your strength, and makes you want to give up living to join the dead. If you stay there long enough the desire to live will flee from you, and nothing can stop you from joining those whom you love."

" It sounds dangerous, I replied after I had thought about it, but I don't see any other choice."

"Glad you see it that way." Winter said " One more thing, and I know you are not going to like it, but as you said this journey is dangerous. I think we should take only a small group with us, and leave the remainder of your troupes here in Golomore."

I frowned, and thought a minute, then I said, " I know you are right, and I must agree with you although I dislike the idea as you said. Whom do you have in mind for this group?"

"You, Fran, Randa, Jason, and myself." She replied strapping her golden dagger to the side of her boot.

"It is a small group." Fran replied "But I feel it is necessary if we plan to escape Shota's detection."

"Very well then go get Miranda, and Jason, and tell them to get ready

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Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review, I really need the feedback. You can look forward to a new character in the next chapter, so please check it out!