Here is the first very good chapter I promissed. Welcome in the Black Mage Village. What will happen here?

A place to call home

The black mages that saw us quickly ran in hiding. I couldn't blame them, thought. The only humans they knew were the rangers and we didn't look exactly like forest-keepers. I looked at the village. It was made of several wooden huts, all tied by wood walkways and I noticed passageways built atop the roofs. The huts seemed a bit rudimentary but some were well-made and adorned with magic patterns.

Of course, Vivi tried to run after them, but he couldn't make two steps before he found himself with an arrow pointed at his face. The man threatening him was tall and muscular, with black hairs running halfway to his neck, a beard that lined his jaw and a mustache that circled his mouth. He had grayish-blue eyes and was wearing blue clothes covered by a light leather armor and knee-high forester boots. His gloves seemed tough and his bow was made of three parts, all in different materials and engraved with runes. Vivi backed up and finally ran behind me. Drawing my bow, I frowned.

"Who are you?"

The man had a smirk.

"I could ask you the same. Who are you to disturb the black mages in their haven? Are you from Alexandria?"

"No. We ran away from it. The queen wanted to kill my friend Vivi, and Dagger, our white mage."

"And what are you doing in Tamassa?"

I looked deeply at the man. He was a ranger. I had finally found my people, but the welcoming committee was a bit too cold for my taste. I raised my head and smiled deviously.

"Looking for clues … and you, while we are at it."

The man was surprised.

"Looking for me? What does that mean? Wait … you're a ranger!"

I lowered my bow and presented my self.

"I am Si'Nai, son of Solan of Selvaren. Those are my friend, Zidane Tribal, Vivi the black mage and Dagger, our white mage and summoner. We're looking for a man called Kuja, as well as my tribe, the rangers."

Now the man was surprised.

"Si'Nai? No ways! After all those times …"

He lowered his bow and sheathed it. He then came to me and looked at me deeply. At a moment, he took my head and looked at it in every way possible. After this, he took a step back and smiled.

"At last you come back, my dear nephew. I am Seld, leader of Selvaven. Solan was my brother."

It was our turn to be shocked. I looked at the man and frowned.

"Really …. Are you really Seld?"

"Yes, I am. Come out, everyone! There is nothing to fear!"

One by one, the black mages came out. One of them turned to Seld.

"Are you sure, Master Seld?"

"Absolutely."

He turned to me.

"I blamed Solan for a long time to have run away with you. But after the Cataclysm and the Plague have come from the north, I was glad that you were safe in the Mist Continent."

He looked at the sky.

"Given how much summoner blood flows in you, I doubt you could have survived the Plague."

I frowned.

"Something bad happened?"

"Yes, ten years ago. Well, follow me. I'll take you to the inn."

We followed the man through the village. The large roofs and pathways gave a welcomed shadow and fresh air in a place quite warm and the fact the houses were close gave a cozy feeling. The trees were very green and wildlife was heard non-stop. At the inn, sitting at a table, was a woman with long black hairs and shaded greed eyes. I turned to Seld.

"Is it aunt Aria?"

The man nodded and turned to a black mage.

"234, bring some more chairs, please. We have guests."

The black mage obeyed and came back with fruit drinks. I looked around.

"This place … It isn't Selvaren."

"Right. It is the black mage village of Tamassa."

Zidane looked around.

"We met black mages before. They were soulless golems Queen Brahne used for war. Those ones seem different."

Seld nodded.

"You're right. Those black mages were once like the ones you met. But one day, they became self-aware and sought to find a haven, a place away from the way. It was about two years ago."

He closed his eyes and looked at the sky.

"We rangers are tasked with keeping the forest safe. Unfortunately, Magdalene Forest is tall and we are not enough to clean it well enough, especially after the Plague. When we first met the black mages, scared, lost, we sought to help them. We became their teachers, their mentors. We helped them build this village and, with our combined magic, cast a spell over the forest surrounding Selvaren and Tamassa, so that only a ranger or a black mage could find its way. We also placed an illusion upon the region to make it look dead, thus earning the name of Dead Forest."

Dagger looked around and smiled.

"But this place is beautiful and lively."

"Thank you. We're doing our best."

He turned to Vivi.

"I see there is a black mage with you. Vivi, is it?"

Vivi timidly nodded. Seld was quite friendly, yet the kid didn't forget the arrow at his face. The man smiled.

"The black mages are quiet and timid, with a deep respect for life. They are still naïve despite our teachings but if they have a heart, then it is made of pure gold. Their powers are great but they only use it for menial tasks. For a black mage, being aware is like being born. They don't recall how it happened, it is like they come out of a daze. At first, they are bewildered and scared, as one could be to find himself naked and memory-less. Given a proper mentor, they can become great people, but there is an issue that causes us great problem."

"What issue?" Dagger asked.

"Death. A black mage's lifespan is usually limited to a year, hardly more. What can one do in a year? Not much. A few of them have died, or 'stopped' as they said. For black mages are no really living creatures, only self-aware golems."

I turned to Vivi.

"What about him then?"

Seld looked deeply at the kid.

"He's different. This, I can tell. He is unlike any other black mage and I feel in him a power greater than any of his peers. He is special. How much, I don't know."

My heart tightened. Vivi was young, a kid who was discovering the world. To think he would die soon … Seld shook his head.

"We looked for a way to save the black mages, but it was in vain. You can visit the graveyard, near the outskirts of the village. It is kept by 288, the Elder and, legally speaking, the ruler of Tamassa."

We nodded. Vivi rose from his seat and left. Feeling better, Zidane and Garnet also went their way. I stayed with Seld and Aria and asked them about my people.

Normal POV

Vivi went straight for the graveyard. There were two mages here, one with simple purple vest and white pants and the other with a long purple coat adorned with golden decorations and armor on his pants. He was holding a staff.

"Are you the one who came with the group of humans?" He asked.

His voice was deep and a bit rash, as if his throat had problems.

"You are aware, just like us. I can see it to your eyes. I heard that you are friend with a ranger …"

"That's right … Err, um, is it the graveyard?"

"Yes."

"And, um … what is it?"

"It is a place under which our friends are buried."

"Buried? Why?"

The black mage besides 288, 56, spoke.

"I … I came here with Mr. 36. We escaped together. We had so many things to learn. It was really scary at first, but we helped each other, and the rangers helped us too. Then, one day, Mr. 36 stopped moving. He just stopped. Wouldn't move or say anything. My friend, who was taught by the rangers, told me that this was what 'death' was, and we had to bury him. Mr. 36 is buried under the ground now, but I don't understand why. He's going to come out one day, right? When he does, I'm going to wash him off in the pond."

Vivi was surprised and turned to 288, the one Seld called the 'Elder'.

"Wh … what's he talking about? Was it a disease? Or was he hurt? Tell me! Why?"

"That's because …"

Zidane and Dagger walked quietly through the village. Thought the black mages were a bit distant toward them, the fact that Seld considered them as friends seemed enough for them to accept the newcomers. As Dagger went to a house with a chocobo drawn on the door, Zidane entered a shop. The black mage, Mr. 163, welcomed him.

"Can I help you?"

Zidane looked around and noticed a strange headband. The moment he saw it, his belt began to buzz. An Artifact? He turned to the mage.

"How much for this headband?"

The mage took it.

"200 gils."

"Only? That's cheap."

The black mage shook his head.

"I don't really know its true value but I noticed it has the same wolf head as your belt. I reduced the price since you are a friend of Seld."

Zidane smiled and tied the headband around his head. It was a long band made with a strap of wolf fur covered by another one in leather. A small wolf head was drawn in it, circled by a crescent moon. Looking at his face in a mirror, the thief smiled. It suited him well. Also … When he looked around, he noticed things he had missed before. There were several chests unlocked and hidden the thief had no troubles to find. When he removed the headband, the chests disappeared from his sight.

"A magical headband, eh? That's perfect."

When he came back from the shop, Dagger was waiting for him.

"Zidane, have you seen the chocobo egg in the small hut? The black mages really care about it!"

"They keep a chocobo egg? Why? They want it to hatch?"

"Yes. The rangers told them how to take care of it after the chocobo mother passed away."

"Seld didn't lie, then. They are very nice people. Well, how do you find my new headband?"

Dagger came closer and gave a look.

"It's nice … and it suits you well. Is it fur?"

"Yep, wolf fur. I found another Artifact for my set."

Dagger smiled.

"That's great. What does it do?"

"Reveals things to steal easily. I found three chests hidden around with it."

"Zidane!"

"What? I am a thief. Stealing is what I do. They weren't locked anyway."

Dagger playfully punched him and Zidane found himself blushing. She was cute, very cute. For a moment he was tempted to take her in his arms and kiss her, but his gallantry stopped him in time. Of course he was a flirt, but he never wooed a woman before. Never.

Si'Nai, Seld and Aria talked for a very long time. The young ranger told his uncle and aunt his life on the Mist Continent and the adventure that led them here. Seld was sorry for his brother's death while Aria was amazed by the tale of their journey. More than anything, she was interested by her nephew's summoning powers.

"It is very rare to find someone able to use both nature magic and summoning magic. Seld can only use nature magic and I am only able o use summoning magic. Even then, after the Plague almost killed me, my powers have greatly diminished and I can only summon Magic Pot, Doomstrain and Bismark, while I was once able to call up to twenty eidolons to help me."

Si'Nai was surprised.

"Twenty? Ramuh said that my mother was powerful as well."

"Faith … I remember her. She was my sister by heart and looked a lot like me, except for the hairs. I don't know if she's still alive."

She turned to nephew and rose. As tall as Seld and with shapes to melt an icy heart, Aria was extremely beautiful. She was wearing a long and revealing green and golden dress.

"Si'Nai, my dear, if you continue your journey in search for this Kuja, go to Madain Sari, the home of the summoners. It lies beyond Conde Petie but the entrance is restricted and only married people can go beyond the pass. As the summoner village, it holds a lot of answers to your questions as well as a great part of the summoners' knowledge."

Si'Nai looked at her and nodded.

"I will go. But before I do, I want to see Selvaren and the place where my people live."

Seld smiled.

"You will, don't worry. We have a festival soon, a ritual destined to imbue the forest with our magic, so to strengthen it."

Si'Nai smiled.

"I will come. Why is the forest dying anyway?"

"No one knows. There is something in the north that sucks like from this Continent, but we are still afraid of the Plague near Madain Sari. A lot of rangers are partially summoners …"

"I see."

On this, the night fell. Si'Nai went to sleep with his family in a hut while Zidane, Vivi and Dagger went to sleep at the inn. During the night, Vivi walked out. This made the girl worry.

"Zidane … Vivi just walked out."

The thief was lying bare-chested in his bed. The night was nice and he only had his boxers and the blanket over him .Dagger was in a nightgown.

"Maybe he's letting us have a little romantic quiet time."

"I'm serious!"

"… I wouldn't worry too much."

"But …"

"He's trying to figure something out for himself. Think about it. Vivi's never met black mages like himself before."

"But what if they're being mean to him, or saying nasty things?"

"Do you really think the people of this village gathered to do something like that?"

Dagger was silent and went to her couch. Zidane looked at the sky outside the window.

"Maybe … Just maybe, he'll find what he's looking for."

"Find what?"

"A place to call home."

"Home?"

"Yeah. A place where he belongs."

Dagger was surprised. In those few words, Zidane revealed a face of himself she didn't know about. All of a sudden, he wasn't a petty thief with a taste for girls and shining things. He was a teen like her, with his problems and doubts. He had depths, wide depths. She turned on herself.

"Hey, Zidane … When you said home …"

"What's the matter? Can't fall asleep?"

The thief smiled.

"How about a bedtime story? Let's see … Once upon a time …"

Dagger sighed.

"Here you go again, teasing me …"

The teen didn't care.

"Once upon a time, there was a man. There was a man who didn't know where he came from."

"Zidane?"

Zidane didn't answer.

"This man longed to find his birthplace ever since he was a small child. His birthplace. A place he only remembered in his dreams."

"Why?"

"He wanted to know more about himself, maybe. About his parents, the house where he was born … One day, the man left the home of his adoptive father and went on a quest to find the answer. His only clue was the blue light he saw in his dreams."

"A blue light?"

"Yeah. He thought it might be a memory of his birthplace. An ocean, maybe?"

"Did he find it?"

Zidane chuckled.

"Hey, you're jumping ahead! A lot of things happened along the way. Alright, we can skip ahead … No, he never found it. How could he? His only clue was a colored light! So he went back to the home of his adoptive father. What do you think the father did when he came home?"

Dagger didn't answer immediately.

"Welcomed him home?"

"No way! The father raised his fist and beat the son he had worked so hard to raise."

"Why?"

"I don't know … But you know what surprised him even more? The father smiled after beating his son! Can you believe that? He just gave his son a beating! But this is what the man thought when he saw his father smile: 'This is my home. This is the place I call home.' The man is still looking for his birthplace. But he already has a home. Maybe … it's the same for Vivi. He's looking for a place to call home."

Dagger looked at the night.

"I wonder if Vivi will stay in this village. And … if Si'Nai will stay in Selvaren, too."

"Who knows? It's for them to decide."

Dagger rolled on her side. Zidane … was someone deeper than she thought. He was an orphan, an orphan with no recollections of his past. She tried to sleep but a humming was heard. The voice was familiar. Climbing the scale that led to the upper bed, she couldn't help but be amazed. Zidane was singing in his sleep! Slowly, she crept to his side and listened.

What is it, a home?
Is it a place where one was once born or
Is it a place where
One's heart lies in quiet peace?

Who knows the answer
In this world so full of myth and wonders?
I'll go and will find on my way
The place I'll return to someday.

The place I'll return to someday
Is hidden somewhere.
No matter, I know that there has to be a way here.
The place I'll return to someday
I see it in my dreams.
Wandering, I know that I will reach it one day.

I look at the sky,
Searching for a sigh, searching for a clue
But have my eyes gone blind?
The only thing I see is you.

What is the meaning
Of this twisted, dark and cruel enigma?
Is it that I'm wrong from the start?
My place is where you are.

The place I'll return to someday
Is hidden somewhere.
No matter, I know that there has to be a way here.
The place I'll return to someday
I was wrong from the start.
It isn't home, it is the place where you and I are.

Dagger closed her eyes. The song was truly beautiful, just like Zidane. She felt warmth build in her stomach and the desire to get closer to him rose in her body. She nested her head in the hollow of his neck and wrapped her arms around his body. What surprised her was to feel a soft, silky fur under her finders. In he light of the moon, Zidane's chest, forearms and legs were covered by this golden fur that drew a line from the border of his hairs through his spin to his tail. Smiling, she began to entangle her fingers in them when she left Zidane's body stiffen.

"Stop that!" The thief almost hissed.

Surprised, Dagger took away her hands.

"You don't like it?"

"No … It's just that …"

Zidane's eyes opened and his tail wrapped around Dagger's waist.

"It excites me."

"It excites you?"

"Yeah. In a wrong way."

The thief turned on his back and placed Dagger's hands in his stomach, where no fur grew. Dagger nodded and lied against her friend. The two spent the night like this. Yet, Dagger wondered what Zidane meant when he said messing with his fur 'excited' him.

At the same time, Vivi walked to the graveyard. 288 the Elder was watching as he always did and only turned when Vivi reached his side.

"Hello. Nice to see you again."

Vivi set his hat in place, taking care to choose his words well.

"Um … I wanted to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"I was wondering how many people have … stopped … moving."

288 smiled under his hat.

"You're very kind to use our words. But you already know what it means to live … and to die. You're asking about our friends who have 'died', not 'stopped'."

The mage looked at the earthy grave.

"Seven of our friends stopped functioning recently. I think our lifespan is limited. I've suspected this ever since the first one came to a stop. It varies a little, but most of us stop moving one year after production."

Vivi gasped. Seld's words were true …

"I haven't told anyone else about it." 288 said. "If I did, they'd feel the same way I do."

"What do you feel?" The kid anxiously asked.

"I don't know … Fear? I don't want to stop. And maybe I want to run away from it all. But living with everyone in the village fills me with joy. The joy of living with them far outweighs the fear of death. Is it the same for you? Traveling with your friends gives your life meaning."

"I …"

The old black mage was right. At that moment, Vivi understood why Seld himself considered 288 the Elder of this village. He was wise. People were often happier when ruled by someone wise. The black mage took something from the scarecrow on the grave, a small necklace with a golden pendant on which was engraved a thunder bolt.

"I can see you long for wisdom as I do. Take this pendant. Maybe it will help you on your quest … to understand the meaning of the world."

Vivi nodded and passed the pendant on his neck. Pondering the old mage's words, he went to the room Si'Nai was sleeping and rested against him.

Next chapter, Si'Nai gets to see his village ... and meet his future wife.

Well, how was that chapter? The lyric of The place I'll return to someday were made by me. Katethegreat's version is very great but I prefer make my own. I also have one for You're not alone.

And yes, what did Zidane mean about his fur? Anyway, he and Dagger are growing closer than they think.