Hey , it's me! I've got another chapter up! Ok, every few chapters there may be a time change (like this one.) Just thought I'd let you know! Ok, I do not Final Fantasy, or Black Mages/White Mages but I own the plot and the characters and their personalities.

Enjoy...


It had been two months since Neo and Catalina got married. It was now September, and the leaves began to fall off the trees. The weather was still nice, just a little cooler than in the summer months.

Catalina still used her maiden name Addison, because people didn't realise that Catalina got married secretly. But Andrea and Catalina both knew that Catalina's surname was actually Cosgrove.

Catalina still snuck out of her village to see Neo, in which Neo done the same thing. The two loved each other, and they would have done anything just to see each other. Of course, they walked and talked in the forest, out of sight from the White Mages and the Black Mages. The couple had been meaning to consummate their marriage, but they couldn't get away from their villages long enough to do so, and they were both busy too.

Neo was helping Elder Therris get back on his feet –the vial was in fact a cure – and it cured Elder Therris. Neo was also helping his sister – who was now eight weeks pregnant with twins - around the house and with her pregnancy. He promised he would help her and protect Nina and her children. Neo and Nina both told Seul that Nina was pregnant with Seul's children. At first, Seul was shocked at this, and he panicked a little bit. But Nina reassured Seul, and eventually, Seul took this in, and became glad that he was going to become a father.

Catalina's father, Leon, had returned a couple of days after Catalina got married to Neo. Leon suspected nothing about Catalina or her marriage to a Black Mage. He was more focused on Catalina's fiancé, Alex. Leon noticed that Alex and Catalina weren't talking as much as they should be, so Leon would have often made the two spend the day with each other. Catalina dreaded it. She wasn't fond of Alex, and there was certainly no way that she would ever love him. They got to know each other better, and Catalina learned that Alex wasn't anything like Neo.

While Neo was more of the shy, friendly type, Alex could be a bit more outgoing, and sometimes, he was quite boastful of himself. Neo wouldn't be like this. This phrase had always shot through her head every time she learnt something new about Alex. Catalina had also learnt that Alex thought of himself, and other men, were much more worthy and superior than woman. Catalina didn't want a husband who would rule over her, it was unfair, as she thought that all women had equal rights just like men did. His way with words and would come in handy to him if he ever got in a fight with Catalina. It would be enough to convince Catalina to stop arguing with Alex. Catalina was dreading the day she had to marry him, but there was really nothing she could do.

As for Andrea, she trained to be midwife and learnt much more powerful White Magic. She focused on her studies everyday, and she was taking her new profession seriously. In fact, since Andrea learnt powerful White Magic, she had to change to the higher White Mage job class, White Wizard.

The White Wizard job class was just a higher rank for White Mages. They wore the same robes, except, they were a little grander and little longer in the sleeves and the robes. They also had a more powerful rod for more powerful spells.

As for Laron, he still made his living as a thief, although he still thought about how he should really stop his thieving ways. As Neo said, Laron should really stop making his living as a thief he was going to start a family. But generations of his family had made a living from thieving from others. Laron's father was a thief, Laron's grandfather was a thief, and many of his forefathers were thieves. Laron couldn't just break the tradition now, but if he wanted to have a family, Laron would want the best for them. He learned that sometimes in life, you have to let go of some things, hence the term, 'If you love something, let it go."

And Andrea and Laron? Well, Andrea stayed in close contact with Laron, and when she couldn't meet up with him, Andrea sent Laron letters. Andrea mostly sent letters to Laron, due to Andrea's studies getting in the way. Sometimes, Laron came to visit her when he couldn't bear without her. A lot of people saw Laron and Andrea together, in which some thought that Laron wouldn't be acceptable for her, with others saying, "At least he's not our sworn enemy."

Catalina and Neo didn't see each other for a couple of weeks, since they were both so busy. Neo had sent Catalina a letter telling her to meet up with him in the forest, so he can see her again. Catalina longed to see Neo again. They both tried not to see each other all the time, as people would be suspicious of this. But they both longed for each other so much, and it felt painful for both of them to not see each other. If only Black Mages and White Mages lived peacefully together. If only these two young adults' love didn't have to be a secret. If only that would be possible…

Catalina sat on her bed, the sun beaming on her face, reading over her last letter from Neo the day before. The letter read, "Catalina, how are you? I am sorry that I haven't had the time to see you in the past couple of days. Elder Therris is getting back on his feet, which is great news, as Elder Therris is only seventy-four years of age. He is ageing rapidly, but I suppose that's what happens when you grow older. My sister is now eight weeks pregnant, and her stomach is now beginning to show it. I can't wait until the little twins are born, the thought of being an uncle is amazing, and Nina is thrilled about becoming a mother. How is Andrea? I hope she is doing well, as I heard she is training to be a midwife. I hope her studies endow her with great knowledge. If you are not busy, would you meet me near the wellspring in the forest tomorrow sometime around four in the afternoon? If you are busy, I understand. It would be great to see you again. Your love, Neo."

Catalina thought about if she would be free to go down to the forest to meet Neo. How she was going to get past Leon, was going to prove some difficult. Leon usually thought that Catalina was always out with Alex, but half of the time, she had snuck down through the field and into the forest to meet Neo. Alex was out for the day, so the 'I'm going to spend time with Alex' excuse wasn't going to work. How was Catalina going to do it…?

Footsteps were then heard coming up the stairs outside of Catalina's bedroom door. Catalina quickly hid away the letter from Neo in her bedside table draws. She locked it with a key, and hid the key in dresser draw, in amongst Catalina's clothing. Catalina then rushed to the window sill - which had a blanket and a few pillows on it for comfort while sitting – and sat down. She began to stare out the window.

The door opened, and Catalina's father appeared. He smiled at his daughter. "How are you? You've been up here since after breakfast."

"I just wanted to spend some alone time. Hanging around Alex all the time, and organising this wedding is such a big fuss. So, I decided I needed alone time, just for the day."

"Ah, I see." Leon replied. "What have you been doing?"

"Just reading the book Mom used to read to me when I was a child." Catalina looked down at her feet, sadly.

"I miss your mother too, Catalina." Leon walked over to sit beside Catalina. He hugged her. "Your mother would be proud of you."

"Yeah, I know, because you tell me every day." Catalina giggled.

Leon chuckled. "Everyone's proud of you, Catalina. You have grown into a beautiful young woman, just like your mother was."

Catalina smiled sadly. She missed her mother. Catalina wanted her mother right next to her, so she could still talk to her.

"Oh, I forgot to mention to you that Andrea is downstairs."

Catalina looked up at her father. "Why didn't you tell me?" Catalina laughed. She got up from the window sill, and started walking towards the door.

"Oh, and she wants to go out for the day with you, and then you two can stay in an inn for a night or two." Leon added.

Catalina through her hands up in the air. "Do you keep everything from me?"

"Well, not everything…" Leon smirked. "Andrea and I thought it would be a good idea to spend the day with each other, since Alex is away with some of the other men."

Catalina hugged Leon. "Thank you! I'll be downstairs with Andrea." Catalina began walking to the door again. She gave her father a wave. "Goodbye!"

Leon sat there, looking after his daughter. "She really has grown into a beautiful young woman." Leon put his hand to his chin. "Wasn't I meant to tell her something else…?"

Catalina walked into the kitchen, where Andrea was waiting for Catalina. Catalina folded her arms. "You didn't have to…"

"Oh, but I did." Andrea smirked. "I already packed your suit case, so let's get going!" Andrea started to drag Catalina out of the house, with Catalina saying countless goodbyes to her father.

Andrea dragged Catalina out of the house, and shut the door. She looked around herself and whispered to Catalina. "Look, I organised this so you and Neo could spend time with each other, and Laron and I could spend some quality time with each other."

"You didn't!" Catalina gasped.

"Shh!" Andrea put her finger to Catalina's lips. "It's a secret." She giggled.

"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Catalina grabbed Andrea's arm and dragged her along the village with their suitcases in hand.


Neo sat in Laron's kitchen drinking some herbal tea that Laron acquired, along with many other things. Laron was sitting down with him, drinking normal black coffee. They were both having a general conversation together.

"So, you invited Catalina out here to see her again?" Laron asked.

"Yes." Neo replied.

"In my house?"

"Well, technically, I asked her to meet me in the forest by the wellspring." Neo smirked. "I'm just waiting for her in your house."

"Well, you'll be happy to know that I invited Andrea over." Laron smiled. He had finished his cup of coffee, and walked over to the sink to put his cup in it.

"You really like this girl, Andrea. Don't you?"

Laron turned pink and blushed. "I absolutely adore Andrea. So she's so different from everyone else."

"Do you want to count the ways?" Neo played about with his cup, while looking straight at Laron.

"Well, number one, she actually loves me for me, not for what I have." Laron brought his first finger out, to symbolise that was number one on why he thought Andrea was different from other girls. "Number two, she's sweet and kind, like a White Mage should be…" Laron blushed. "I don't know if you know this, but I really like White Mages…"

"Well, it is obvious, Laron." Neo laughed.

Laron blushed again. "And number three," Laron said, completely ignoring Neo's comment. "She's, well, pretty…"

Neo raised his eyebrows. "Fair enough." He got up with his mug and walked over to the sink, where Laron was standing. Neo put his mug into the sink with Laron's mug. He sat up on the kitchen counter. He sighed. "I'm so glad I'll be able to see Catalina again…it has felt like months since I have seen her…"

"When really it's been only a week."

Neo nodded. "What about you? Have you seen Andrea lately?"

Laron nodded. "Yeah, I was speaking to her the other day. She was telling me she had organised a few days away with Catalina away from the village, so they could spend time with us."

A look of confusion appeared on Neo's face. "How are they going to get away?"

"Well, they are supposedly staying at an Inn somewhere around Cornelia, so the White Mages think that Andrea and Catalina are travelling to Cornelia. But really, they're just coming to stay with us for a few nights." Laron leaned on a counter beside Neo, with his hands behind his head.

"Ah, right. That is a very clever plan." Neo smirked. "Kudos to Andrea then."

"Yep." Laron replied. "Ooh! And number four, she's smart!" Laron smirked at Neo.

Neo raised an eyebrow and shook his head at his thieving friend. "Laron…"

"But it's one of my many reasons why I think Andrea's different!" Laron whined.

Neo shook his head. "Just forget it." He looked out the window in Laron's kitchen, where he saw all the leaves falling off the trees. Although it was quite far away, Neo saw a little exit out of the forest, which didn't lead to the fields. The sun always shone out in the exit, and Neo was curious where that exit lead to. "Hey, Laron?"

Laron looked up at Neo. "Yes?"

"Do you know where that exit leads to?" Neo pointed out the window to the exit, where the sun was shining through.

Laron walked over to the window and squinted. "I have no idea. I've never gone through that exit before…"

"I was just wondering, as I am oddly curious about that exit. I'd like to see where it leads…"

"Same here." Laron agreed. "Legend has it, that it leads to 'The Promised Land'. Boy, would I love to go there…"

"The Promised Land?" Neo cocked his head to one side.

"Well, yeah. Everyone has heard of it. You showed me in a book once, remember?"

Neo put his hand to his chin. I can't remember showing Laron that… Neo shook his head. "Sorry, I can't remember."

Laron sighed. "You gave me the book, but I don't where I've put it. You honestly don't remember?"

Neo shook his head. "I'm sorry…"

Laron shrugged his shoulders. "That's ok. It's not like it's important anyway." He walked out of the kitchen into the living room next door.

Neo jumped off the counter and followed Laron. "Not important? It sounds very important if you ask me."

"Well, not to me it doesn't." Laron walked over to a bookcase. "Ah! Here it is." Laron took a red leather book out of the bookcase. He walked over to Neo and handed him the book. "This is what I was talking about."

Neo took the book from Laron, and started flicking through the pages. He instantly remembered what Laron had meant. "Yes…I remember now…"

"See? I'm not going crazy!" Laron cheered, and he pumped his fist in the air. "I'll be right back; I'm just going to get the mail." Laron walked out of the room and into the hallway.

Neo was only half-listening, as he was reading the book. He heard a door closing, and looked up to find that Laron had disappeared. Neo shrugged his shoulders. He sat down on one of the many comfy chairs in Laron's living room.

He began reading a poem in the book, which talks about 'The Promised Land.'

Neo began reading the poem to himself. "The Promised Land, a place of living, just like our world. The Promised Land, a place where lives continue on, with other lives resting along side them. The Promised Land, nothing compares to it; Great Kings and Mages rest here, waiting to start a new life once more. Ways of travelling to the Promised Land? That has yet to be discovered."

The poem ended there, and the poet's name was never printed in the book. At the end of the poem it said, "By Unknown Poet."

Neo closed over the book. He walked over to the bookshelf where Laron had been five minutes before hand, and placed the book back into an empty gap in the shelf.

Neo sighed. "I wonder if that's where my parents are…" Neo wondered. He walked around the living room for a bit, wondering where Laron was. "He's been gone for awhile…" Neo murmured. "Better go look for him."

Neo walked out of the living room into the hallway, and out of the front door. He treaded through a mixture of colours of leaves. Orange, red, yellow, some were even green. Neo looked around himself, wondering where Laron had gotten to. He better not have fallen down a hole.

Neo walked out of the forest and near the field. He stopped, and looked around him. Neo then spotted the silver-haired thief sitting, up against a tree with a letter in his hand, not even looking at it. Instead, he was looking out amongst the field of sunflowers, sighing.

Neo walked over to Laron, with a concerned look on his face. Laron didn't even bother to look up at Neo.

"Laron, what's wrong?" Neo asked worriedly.

Laron didn't reply. He was still staring out into the field. Then, he looked down at his letter, hesitant for a moment. Laron then held the letter out towards Neo. "It's addressed to you."

Neo blinked a couple of times. He then became hesitant to take the letter from Laron. Laron still didn't look at Neo. "…I suppose I have to read it out?"

Neo shook his head and snatched the letter out of Laron's hand. He opened up the letter and began reading it. Neo's eyes widened, and started shaking his head. "No…no this can't be…"

"…I'm sorry, Neo." That was all Laron managed to say. He didn't need to say anything else.

Neo shook his head, and dropped the letter, running off into the field.

Laron crawled over to the letter, and lifted it up. He unfolded the letter, and began reading it again.

"Neo, you must come home immediately. It is about Elder Therris. I am afraid to inform you, that he has died. I suggest you come home to see your sister and the others. Sincerely, Seul."

Laron sighed and closed his eyes. He shook his head. "I am so sorry, Neo…I truly I am…"


Catalina was waiting for Andrea to leave a shop, which they both passed 'on their way to Cornelia.' Andrea just had to have a 'little look' inside the shop, which sold trinkets and books, which would supposedly help Andrea with her studies.

"Andrea, can we please leave? We're already late as it is!" Catalina moaned.

"Cat, I'll only be a few minutes." Andrea said, as she flicked through pages of a green leather book.

"You said that five minutes ago." Catalina retorted.

Andrea flicked her hand at Catalina, still looking down at the book she was reading. The hand flicking usually meant 'whatever'.

Catalina looked around the shop again for the forth time. She was so bored, that she counted how many times she had looked around the shop. Catalina didn't see anything that interested her, so she was standing awkwardly waiting for Andrea to buy something or sell something. Anyway, Catalina wanted out of the shop, and she was getting impatient.

Catalina started daydreaming about Neo. I wonder what he's up to… She thought to herself. Probably with Laron, drinking his favourite herbal tea. Catalina smiled like an absolute idiot. She got to know Neo a little more since she married him, and became glad that she said yes to Neo's marriage proposal. I can't wait to see him again…it's felt like months…

"Ok, Cat, let's go." Andrea's voice startled Catalina, since she was in daydream land.

Catalina nodded and followed Andrea out the door of the shop, glad she was getting away from the shop. She was finally on her way to see Neo, who she thought was the most magnificent man in the entire world.

Catalina and Andrea got down to the invisible line at the field, and crossed over at the right side to head into the forest. They got onto a green patch of grass and began waling to the forest entrance, until they noticed Laron sleeping under a tree, which leaves were falling off of it. He was lying on his back, with his hands behind his head.

Andrea giggled. She ran quietly towards Laron. Andrea then sat on top of Laron, who only gave out a small, tired moan. Laron was obviously enjoying his nap, and Andrea didn't seem to bother him in the slightest. Andrea giggled. She leaned down towards Laron's face, so her nose touched Laron's. "Laron, wakey wakey." She whispered softly.

Laron's eyes opened softly, to find Andrea sitting on top of him. He smiled tiredly. "Oh, hi there…"

Andrea giggled. "Did you have a nice sleep?"

Laron smiled again, nodding. He let out a sigh as he stretched his arms and his body. "And where have you been?"

Andrea blushed. "Sorry, I saw this shop on the way here, and I just had to look inside."

Laron chuckled. "Why am I not surprised?"

Andrea smiled at Laron. She kissed Laron softly on the lips, and Laron done so back.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but…um…"

Andrea and Laron both looked up at Catalina, who was just standing there awkwardly. "Sorry…" They both murmured. The couple sat up, and listened to Catalina.

"Where's Neo?" Catalina enquired.

Laron looked down at the ground and bit his bottom lip.

A look of confusion appeared on Catalina's face. "Laron?"

Laron didn't reply to Catalina, and continued to look at the ground.

"Laron…please tell us…" Andrea laid a hand on Laron's lap.

Laron sighed. He pulled out the letter which was addressed to Neo from earlier, holding it out to Catalina. "Read it."


Neo had run home back to his house, to find most of the village packed around it. After trying to get through the crowd of people, Neo eventually got into his house, to find more people inside. Seul was sitting with Nina on the sofa, along with Seul's friend, Rupert, and five other Elders stood in the house. They all turned around to look at Neo.

Neo felt slightly awkward and uncomfortable, but stayed calm. "I am so sorry I'm late…" He walked over to his sister, Seul and Rupert. "How did he…?"

Nina stayed silent, and shed a few silent tears.

"He passed away in his sleep." Rupert said quietly. Rupert had brown hair and brown eyes, and had his face covered like most other Black Mages.

Neo closed his eyes and shook his head. "Gods bless him…"

"We thought that the cure we found had something to do with his death, but the doctor confirmed that he just passed away in his sleep." Seul added. "Gods, it had to be this soon…"

"How long has he...passed away?" Neo enquired.

"An hour or so." Rupert replied.

"So, what now?" Neo asked calmly. He was really aching inside, his heart was broken, but knew how to keep a brave face.

"We'll need to hold a funeral, and burn his body and turn him to ashes." Seul replied.

Neo nodded. "When should it be held?"

"Tonight, if possible."

Neo looked up at the ceiling. He then looked around the room at the others. "That's ok with me. If, it's ok with all of you?"

Everyone nodded.

"I'll go and announce this to everyone." Rupert got up and walked out of the house, walking into a crowd of people.

"The five of us will go and make preparations," One of the five Elders said. "We are so sorry for your loss." With that being said, the five Elders walked out of the house as well, leaving Neo, Nina and Seul alone.

Neo sighed. He sat down with his sister, and looked at her. Nina looked back at Neo, still shedding silent tears. Neo wiped away her tears with his hands. "You have been so brave. And I thank you, for taking good care of Elder Therris." Neo smiled sadly. His voice began to break. "He's away to the Promised Land now…where mother and father is…He will live another life there now…" Neo started shredding tears too. The twins both hugged each other tightly, both sobbing for the loss of their guardian.


:'( What did you think? Did you like this chapter? Please tell me in a review! (or private message ;)) Please R&R!