Chapter 10: Promises, Promises
The wooden wheels of the hired chocobo carriage struggled to turn as the falling rain changed the consistency of the earth. The once solid ground was now unstable.
Inside of the carriage, a paraffin lamp shook like a chandelier in an earth quake, causing the shadows to dance upon the leather interior of the carriage.
The bright light illuminated the face of a young child, a boy of no more than four years of age. The flame haired child lay with his head on his father's lap, dreaming of the things that only a child can.
His gentle snores were overlapped by the snores of his mother, who slept with her head upon her husband's shoulder.
The father and child were strikingly similar looking, right down to the small imperfection under their chins.
"What a poor child to resemble a being such as I."
Although asleep, the child's hand firmly gripped his father's forefinger.
"It shall not be long young Amarant. A better life lies before you, in this town of one-thousand lights."
Their journey to Treno had begun over six months previous. The idea to move from the Gulug Mountains to a more civilized town, was the best idea that Amethyst Coral had ever had.
Despite the fact that their family had lived in those mountains for thousands of years it wasn't a safe place to raise a child. The amount of monsters was increasing and it was only a matter of time before the inhabitants were killed by the beasts.
The old remained in that volcano, stuck in their ways and unwilling to give in to the threat.
With his wife, and child Amethyst left his fellow Salamanders and set off into the world. Before leaving on their journey they packed the usual supplies as well as a sack of flare-stones.
These rare stones, with the ability to create fire elemental weapons, would fetch a pretty penny in the outside markets.
Their journey had taken them under sea, through the winding tunnels of an ancient roo and over scorched earth. It was a long journey but it would be worth it if their child could have a bright future.
The carriage driver saw the bright lights of Treno and proceeded to announce their arrival in a polite and courteous manner.
"Hey bub! We're here!"
As much as it pained him, he was forced to wake his wife.
"Ruby, my love. Come back to me from where I cannot follow."
With a smile on her beautiful face she awoke. Her eyes glowed with an eerie quality as she returned to him.
If asked to describe her beauty, even the articulate Amethyst would be lost for words.
As quickly as possible, they vacated the carriage and fled to Treno, seeking shelter from the rain. For now they would reside in a hotel, with a home to be bought later.
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Dreams turned to nightmares.
Their hopes had vanished and their only solace came from each other. They had been in Treno for a few months but now longed for the damned mountains.
Due to the fact that they weren't pure bred nobles there was much hostility towards them. The fact that they were an unknown race only added to their problems.
Windows were shattered, just like their vision of happiness.
As a safety measure they had decided that they would only venture out when both moons sat in the sky.
Amethyst shifted nervously behind the sitting room curtains. He was sick with worry for his sweet Ruby.
Why did he let her go to the local shops alone?
A short while later, his angel had bought the food that would get her family through the next week.
Three humanoid shadows were cast upon the wall before her, none her own. She surveyed the movement of the shadows, they shook unsteadily. It seemed as if the owners were finding it hard to walk straight.
During a drunken song, one of the strangers noticed her silky flame-red hair. Her pace quickened as paranoia took over.
"Is that one of those, watchacallems?"
"Those shalmanders?" His slurred words echoed throughout the cobbled streets.
"Hey!"
As soon as she heard the word 'Salamander' she took to her heels. The paper grocery bag was thrown to the ground.
The men followed in great haste as the ales in their stomachs were thrown around inside of them.
After a short time of running, Ruby began to feel the agony build up in her muscles. She quickly ducked into an alley and hid behind a large bin.
The foul stench of rotting rubbish assaulted her senses but she made no sound.
The footsteps...
They stopped.
"A narrow escape."
She climbed out from behind the bin to see the very men she had been running from. With the entrance to the alley blocked by the three drunken nobles she had no choice but to run into the alley.
Her leg muscles ached but she had to run. She just had to escape. When she reached the end of the alleyway she found a wall a few feet taller than her.
A dustbin sat in the corner. Jumping onto the dustbin, she attempted to scale the wall, as she did so the bin came out from beneath her. She now lay on the floor defeated. Her audience stood before her.
"I wonder if Shalamaders have the same ana-anat- body parts as us."
"Hey! Why don't we ask her?"
Drunken laughs echoed throughout the alley.
The blood lust and blood loss that occurred in that dull alley shall forever remain in the thoughts of those involved.
The crimson remnants of her pain were washed away by the morning rain. Forever she would be forgotten.
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Depression came to him soon after his dreams were broken and now he had found a new depth to despair but he had to keep his mind for young Amarant, he had to make it work.
He was forever being taunted my memories of his darling, Ruby's abuse. He shouldn't have let her leave! He should have gone! This shouldn't have happened!
Yet it did...
He wanted to avenge his angel but with no known assailant revenge was impossible.
Or was it?
It was carnival night in Treno. The young and beautiful celebrated with the old and wise as he sat outside of his home. He sat in tears, sobbing quietly, so that Amarant wouldn't hear.
Foot steps were heard on the dead streets. His tear filled eyes watched a young female noble enter her house. He couldn't help but notice that the door was unlocked.
It was unlocked.
It was open.
Why, anyone could walk in.
Any one at all.
Even Amethyst.
A short time later Amarant's slumber was interrupted by the sound of screams. Unbearable noises brought tears to his eyes. Despite his youth, he knew that something evil was occurring.
After the screams had ceased, his bedroom door opened slowly.
"Amarant."
The child stared at his father. A streak of blood decorated the older Salamander's face.
"Yes?"
"Get your things. We have to leave."
"Why?"
"Get your things!"
His father's tone inspired enough fear to bring more tears to his eyes.
Instantly Amethyst gave his son a hug, the older Coral crying too.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Their embrace lasted for eternity but ended in moments. With his wife avenged father and son left that evil place.
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Dali.
Dali was the place that they should have originally ventured too. It was a town of high hopes and even higher spirits.
Finding work as a farm hand Amethyst lived a peaceful existence. He had enough money to raise his son in this great place. Everything would be fine from now on.
When he thought of the pain he had inflicted upon that noble, he realized something. He felt no guilt nor sorrow. To be honest, he enjoyed it. Those bastards deserved to die. They all deserved to feel his pain.
In Dali, there lived a man of similar age to Amethyst, a rich man. This bastard had everything that Amethyst desired. His beautiful wife and children adored him. His life was perfect.
He hated him.
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When, Kaze, the father of the Sadhe family had left his home for a day with his children Amethyst paid a visit to his wife. His jealousy, rage and sorrow had conspired against him.
Another man would feel his pain, his sorrow and his hate.
On the bed which she and her husband shared her punishment was dealt. With bloody tears in her eyes she passed from this world to the next.
Amethyst took himself from upon the defeated woman, and dressed himself. With his eyes cast down at her he swung a mighty punch at the dead woman.
Fists rained down upon her, beating her face until she became unrecognisable. When he had finished, her nose was broken, her skull was partially caved in and her left eye rested upon her cheek.
"That's what you rich bastards deserve! I hate you! I hate all of you!"
Amethyst caught his reflection in the large mirror which lay against the wall. An evil smirk crossed his bloodstained face. If he had to suffer, the world would suffer.
As he sat admiring his handiwork, the door behind him creaked. His eyes shot to the door. The father of the Sadhe family entered.
"Darling, has your head-"
His words ceased as he saw the beaten body of his dead wife and the strange man sitting upon her bed.
"Do you feel the same as I once did? You do, don't you?"
"You! Why? Wh-"
"It is acceptable for your tears to fall. Why not let them?"
"I will kill you!"
Amethyst was grabbed by his throat and thrown into the mirror. Broken glass cut his back but it didn't seem to bother him, his smile returned.
Kaze withdrew a small hunting knife from his coat pocket and lunged at Amethyst. When he was close enough, Amethyst kicked his shin causing him to fall to the floor.
Amethyst stumbled to his feet. His thick boot struck Kaze's skull causing the widower to lose consciousness. Amethyst left him alive so that he may feel same as he once did.
As he left the room, he encountered both Sadhe children. Baring his teeth and growling like a wild animal, he frightened the children. Seeking safety both children ran into their parent's room.
As he exited the house, screams were heard behind him.
Amethyst returned to the Dali inn to meet with his son. Amarant's nap was interrupted and he was ordered to pack.
"Father. I don't want to go."
"We're going on another adventure. Don't you want to have an adventure?"
"I want to have adventures. I just don't want to go with you."
"What? Why?"
"You hurt people... I hear them scream in my dreams."
"Amarant! I'm telling you to get ready."
"No!"
The young child fled from the hotel room and into the streets. Whilst in pursuit of his son, Amethyst ran past the Sadhe house. Kaze Sadhe emerged from his house.
"Children, go hide okay?"
As ordered, the children ran off to find a hiding place.
Amethyst held Amarant by his arm. With all of the energy of youth the child fought against his father. After much wriggling, the child ran off again.
"Come back! Get back here!" He called into the street.
His back...
It hurt a little.
No.
It hurt a lot.
Amethyst screamed as a short blade sliced his insides. His arms swung wildly, striking Kaze and throwing him back. The evil salamander made an attempt to fight Kaze but only recieved a severe beating.
Somehow he found the strength to throw Kaze onto the ground. With the blade still inside of him Amethyst ran from the town, leaving behind a fallen angel and a forgotten child.
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Amarant returned to the town a few hours later. As the boy walked past the Sadhe house he heard a man crying. With pity in his heart he entered the room.
Kaze sat before him in tears.
"Mister Sadhe," Said Amarant. "I'm sorry. I don't know why he does it."
"It doesn't matter! Nothing matters! He killed her! Your father killed her!"
Despite his heart ache Kaze realised that it wasn't the child's fault.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry child."
"Mister Kaze. I promise that I am going to find a way to stop him hurting people. I'm just not big enough yet."
"I hope you succeed where I have failed."
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As fate would have it Amarant was adopted into the Sadhe family. Kaze raised him to be big and strong. The poor boy was awoken every day at the first sign of a sun in the sky and trained in various combat techniques.
This training continued until his new father was struck down by a deadly illness. The day of his death was soon to arrive. Kaze knew this. On this day, his last day, upon his death bed he called for Amarant.
"Amarant, my boy."
"Yes father?"
"We both know that I wont live much longer. I must ask something of you today."
"I'll do anything for you father."
"Do you remember what you said to me a long time ago? 'I promise that I am going to find a way to stop him.'
"You think I'm big enough?"
"You are not a child anymore, my boy. I now call for you to fulfil your promise."
From beneath the covers Kaze removed two items. In his hands he held two gloves, each glove had three large spikes protruding from them.
"My boy, take these Dragon Claws." He placed the gloves upon the bed. "They belonged to my grandfather, Sabin, these shall be your ally during your quest. Do me proud."
"I shall father."
"I can see your mother. She says that she loves you."
"What!?" He screamed.
Before he was given an answer Kaze succumbed to eternal slumber.
"I'll stop him. I promise."
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And that's chapter ten.
I wasn't sure how to play it out but I think this works well. I had originaly planned to have Amarant tell the story but that would have been annoying to read.
If it seems unlikely that Kaze would adopt Amarant, I can understand why you would think that but Kaze knows that he can't hunt for Amethyst because he has children to care for. By taking in young Amarant he has a way to make Amethyst pay for his sins.
I hope this provides enough back story and I also hope that it was good enough.
Also:
Sadhe is an anagram of Hades, I meant this. It's kinda symbolic as Amethyst joins the underworld and becomes a demon after his encounter with them.
Kaze is and homage to Final Fantasy: Unlimited.
The name Sabin, is a little addition for nostalgia. He also did use a kind of glove during combat. Although I'm not sure if he had such a thing as Dragon Claws. It just sounded right.
I kinda figured that Salamanders would come from the Gulug Mountains near Esto Gaza. As Salamanders are fire elemental it makes sense. It could also explain the cabins within the mountains which are uninhabited.
I know, I put way too much thought into this...
I'm not sure how many chapters are remaining but I'd hazzard a guess at one or two with a chance of a one chapter sequal.
Well Ladies, Gentlemen and Salamanders, til next time...