"This headache would win pain causing contests," Terra grumbled the next morning as she emerged from her tent. Work was already in progress around her as people packed up tents and stomped out fires as they started on their journey towards Nikeah.
"Your own fault, my love," Edgar looked up from where he was closing up their packs. He stood and rubbed her temples with his fingertips.
Terra closed her eyes and smiled, "That helps…"
"Can you use a cure spell?"
Terra shook her head, "I should wait until someone really needs it. Like you said, my own fault…"
"Take care of your headache, or you will be miserable all day," Edgar said sternly.
Terra finally nodded and brought her fingers up to her temples.
"I see them," he hissed. Kefka (still in the body of Felix) straightened to his full six-foot height, "We attack. Now."
"How long until we reach Nikeah?" Locke asked Sergio, the Returner captain.
"Nightfall," Sergio replied.
"I'm so used to airship travel, that I've almost forgotten how far these places were," Celes shook her head.
"The walk will do us good, I think," Terra replied.
"Some more than others," Sabin shouted out.
"It's not our fault that you volunteered to carry the heaviest pack!" Edgar shouted back.
"If there weren't such a bunch of weaklings in this party…" Sabin started.
"Hey, I was poisoned!!" Edgar complained.
"Excuses!" Sabin shook his head. Edgar paused while Sabin caught up with him. The two continued to bicker back and forth like reminding Terra of older times.
Celes walked next to Terra, "See? It'll pan out. Have faith in your friends."
Terra smiled at Celes and then back at the boys as they took playful jabs at each other.
The party continued on until nightfall, when suddenly a chill crawled up Terra's back. She looked up at the rest of caravan and saw that everybody had stopped short suddenly.
"Did you feel that?" Celes grabbed Terra's arm.
Terra nodded solemnly, "Maddie!"
"I'm here Mom!" she trotted over to Terra. "It felt like I was encompassed in ice and then…"
"Then it was just gone," Terra finished her sentence for her. Terra looked up at Edgar whose gaze was focused at something orange in the distance. He stood still and stared off into the distance, his mouth dropping open.
Terra followed the direction of his eyes and saw flames and billows of dark smoke floating in the sky. "Is Nikeah…"
"On fire," Edgar gasped. "Sergio, stay here with the rest of the Returners… Terra, Celes…" he called each of his friends.
"I'm coming, too," Maddie insisted.
"NO!" Edgar, Sabin, and Terra chimed in.
"I repelled into the king's chambers from an airship!" Maddie argued.
"This fire was not created by natural means," Sabin put his hand on Maddie's shoulder. "Stay behind and help Sergio with the rest of the Returners. We will need your help soon enough. Please, just trust me."
Maddie nodded slowly and watched as the heroes from long ago raced to Nikeah.
"Don't you hate it when they do that?" Cid stood beside Maddie as she watched them leave.
The heat of the flames almost overwhelmed Terra as they approached the town. Edgar brought the sleeve of his coat up to his mouth, "Try not to breath in the fumes."
The whole town was engulfed in flames. Several villagers ran out of their houses, trying to pull out and aid survivors. The local fire teams were trying to put out the flames at the public buildings and some of the private residences.
"What happened?" Sabin shouted while helping one of the teams pull out hoses to spray on the inn.
The fire team member's face covered with soot, "I don't know," he reported. We just woke up to the flames. By the time I got out here, the whole town was burnin'."
"I don't know how much good this will do!" another fire team member yelled. "The flames just seem to relight after we put some out."
"Get everybody out of here! Our caravan is down south a mile. Head down there!" Edgar shouted. Several fire team members nodded in acknowledgement and abandoned their effort to evacuate the town.
"Terra! The fire is magic," Sabin shouted to her. "Can you quell the flames?"
"I don't know. Celes is more familiar with ice magic. I doubt I can do much good," Terra shook her head.
Sabin walked up to her, "I think you can pull the fire to you. Here, watch me."
Sabin ran through the motions of one of his "blitzes." She recognized it as his "fire dance" but rather than throwing fireballs out he pulled in the flames from a nearby building and decreased into a smaller and smaller ball putting it out between his palms.
"I don't think I can do that," Terra started.
"Focus, Terra, you can," Sabin encouraged gently as his body continued to perform the blitz, sweat dripping down his brow.
Terra pulled her hands together chanting the familiar phrases that she used to call upon the fire. She always felt the flames originate in her belly and flow forth from her heading straight for her target. Instead of feeling it originate with her, she drew the flames in from her surroundings. She closed her eyes and absorbed what she could. She felt that her effort was all in vain until she opened her eyes.
She surveyed the area and found that several of the buildings closest to her were no longer on fire. Sabin smiled at her, "There you go, hot stuff."
She frowned at the silly nickname, but even she was impressed with herself. Celes had gone off to use her ice magic to extinguish the flames. Terra moved on with Sabin to pull the flames off the buildings while the rest aided in evacuation efforts.
Several hours later the flames were out. Terra started to fall and Sabin caught her lowering her and him to the ground. "Terra!" Edgar ran over to her.
"I'm okay… just… tired."
"How about you, brother?" Edgar put his hand on Sabin's shoulder.
Sabin nodded. "About the same. Could use some water, though."
Edgar saw his brother's face pale in exhaustion. "I think we can arrange that. You did amazing work. The both of you."
"Did we save the town?" Terra asked wearily.
"You saved a lot of lives… but the town…" Edgar shook his head. "The town is gone."
"We will rebuild," a townsman said to the small group gathering in the town center.
"Of course, and when I get my kingdom back, you will have all the resources that Figaro has to offer," Edgar said gently.
"Thank you, your highness," the man smiled weakly. "If you'd excuse me, we have to start cleaning up."
"We will help," Sergio offered looking to Edgar. Edgar nodded in agreement. The meeting dispersed, and Edgar rubbed his weary eyes with his fingertips.
Celes approached him, "Are you okay, Edgar?"
Edgar nodded and offered her his brilliant smile of reassurance. "How's Terra and Sabin?"
"Exhausted. Terra is still asleep. Sabin just woke up."
"Are the potions helping?"
"Sleep is the best treatment for her right now. She hasn't used magic in so long. She really over exerted herself," Celes explained.
"Your highness!" Edgar heard in the distance. He turned and acknowledged the voice.
"Let me know when she awakens," Edgar clasped her arm gently as he walked away.
Terra's eyes fluttered open slowly. She turned her head to the side and surveyed the area. She was unfamiliar with her surroundings. She lay on a cot within a large beige tent. She made a move to sit up, but she found she lacked the strength. She took a deep breath and turned her head to the other side and her gaze became fixed upon Sabin who was lying in a cot next to her. She smiled weakly at him and he offered his best grin.
"How are you doing?" Sabin asked.
"I guess I'm tired and weak," she made a move to sit up again.
"Don't push it," Sabin warned.
Terra sighed. "I'm no good flat on my back."
"You will be even worse off if you were to hurt yourself because you didn't take it easy when you had the chance," Sabin sat up in his cot resting his arms on his knees and glared at her.
Terra closed her eyes. "What's going on?"
"The flames are out completely, mostly because of you. The dead are being gathered and embalmed. The rest are cleaning up the pieces."
"How many died?"
Sabin shook his head, "I don't know, yet. Don't let that weigh you down. Most of the people were saved because of you."
Terra nodded. "Magical fire…" she muttered.
"Yeah, enough to engulf a whole town," Sabin agreed.
"What is going on?" Terra opened her eyes and looked at the larger man.
"It's probably related to the trouble at the castle."
"So, they know where we are and where we are headed. Do you think there is a spy?"
Sabin shrugged. "When magic is involved, it really is hard to tell. They may be able to spy on us any number of ways."
"They may be able to spy on us through the magic… like when I healed my headache, yesterday. Oh no," she brought her hand up to her mouth, tears forming in her eyes. "This is my fault."
"Terra, stop that!" Sabin growled under his breath. "This isn't your fault. This is the fault of whoever started the fire. There was no way you could've known. Stop putting the weight of the world on your shoulders. My brother does that enough."
Terra pushed herself up into a sitting position steadying herself with her hands on her cot. She placed her feet on the ground. "I'm no good flat on my back." She willed herself to limit her trembling as she stood up.
"Terra!" Sabin stood and held onto her arm while she steadied herself.
"I'm fine," she insisted and took several shaky steps.
"If you are going to insist on being foolish, then I insist on helping you," Sabin walked along side her, still holding on to her arm.
"Where's Edgar?"
"Since you are a highly respected king, it would honor the residents if you were to preside over the funerals yourself," Nikeah's mayor explained to Edgar.
Edgar nodded, "Absolutely. Just inform me when you want the ceremony to commence. My deepest condolences on your losses."
The mayor nodded his acceptance. "Your highness, there is one more thing…"
"Yes?" Edgar raised an eyebrow.
"Several of the surviving young men in the village want revenge," the mayor started.
"How do they want to do that?" Edgar frowned rubbing his head.
"They want to punish those who destroyed our village," the mayor sighed. "We want to help you take your castle back."
Edgar's frown broke and his lips curled up at the sides. "Your assistance is welcomed. Have the volunteers report to Sergio," he motioned to the Returner Captain standing next to him. "Thank you, my friend."
"As always, my king," the mayor bowed.
Terra regained her strength and was able to stand on her own accord while Edgar eulogized the several fallen villagers making sure to name each one carefully, reading a short summary provided to him by the family members. Some stories were laced with humor while others were more serious, but all brought tears to her eyes. Edgar voice cracked when mention of a young three year old girl who was saved from the flames but was overwhelmed instead by the fumes. He paused for a moment, briefly showing vulnerability, but he quickly regained his composure putting on the face of the king. The people needed him to show his strength, more now than ever before.
Terra was proud of him. She turned to Sabin who was standing next to her, reading a similar expression in his face. He looked at her and nodded, sharing the unspoken thought.
The ceremony was brief and ended with him exiting the stage and comforting those who came up to him seeking solace.
The mayor took Edgar's space and announced that volunteers to help reclaim Figaro and to route out the enemy who destroyed their village could join the Returners.
Terra waited in the back until the people dispersed. Edgar headed towards her, his face pale and weary. Edgar clasped her hand firmly in his. A young man, who couldn't have been older than fifteen years old, approached the king timidly.
"Your highness?"
"Yes," Edgar tilted his head toward him encouraging him to speak.
"Sir, I am clumsy with a sword and really cannot hold my own in a fight. But I can run and I can run quickly. I wish to tell others about Castle Figaro's plight. I think I can encourage more people to join the Returners and help you reclaim your throne."
Edgar was startled, "I am honored by your commitment, but do you really think it will help?"
"Sir, your kindness is known throughout the world. I think the people would be ashamed to not help you," the youth said enthusiastically.
"What is your name, lad?"
"Larsa, my lord," the boy replied.
"Larsa, I would be honored to accept any help you bring to me," Edgar smiled at the youth. "Make sure and get your sleep tonight, I will make sure you have all the provisions you need. Thank you, son."
The youth bowed and left.
Edgar sighed and looked down at the green haired woman standing next to him. "Is it just me, or are they getting younger?"
Terra smiled, "Come on, let's get you to bed."
"Is that an invitation?" Edgar smiled slyly.
Terra rolled her eyes and sighed. She escorted him to his tent. She helped him take off his jacket and notice him wince as she pulled off the sleeves.
"Did you get hurt?"
"Uhm, yeah. I think," he pulled off his shirt gingerly. "My arms…" he held his forearms out for Terra to inspect.
"Edgar!" She looked at the blistering red marks on his forearms. "Why didn't you get this taken care of?"
"I was busy," he replied sitting down in the cot that was set up in his tent.
"This could've gotten infected," she sighed and placed her hands next to the burns.
Edgar felt the tingling sensation he felt whenever he was healed by magic. It stung at first causing him to inhale sharply followed by a soothing sensation while fresh skin knit in the place of the damaged skin. He exhaled and realized he was holding his breath. He smiled sheepishly up at Terra.
"I swear you are just like a little boy," Terra shook her head at him.
"You are sounding like the matron," Edgar replied.
"Well, she was right!" Terra bent down to pull off his boots.
"What are you doing? I can do that…" Edgar moved to stop her.
"Hush, I'm taking care of you," she looked up at him with her emerald eyes her expression soft.
He wanted nothing more than to hold her face between his hands and kiss every part of her, smell her hair, listen to her silky voice talk about anything that fancies her. "You don't have to…"
"You're right, but I want to," she smiled.
Edgar smirked at her, and then tugged on her arm, pulling her gently closer to him. He gently stroked her cheek with his hand. She leaned her cheek closer to his hand, placing both her hands on top of his. She closed her eyes briefly and then opened them, looking deep into his sapphire eyes. She closed the distance between them gently placing her lips upon his. She wrapped her hands around his neck, sitting upon his lap.
"Even in such tragedy, I cannot believe I have found such happiness," Edgar whispered as they broke their kiss.
Terra blushed. "It's moments like these to bring us hope, I think."
"Hey, is my mom in there? Oh!" A young female voice said.
Terra stood quickly and awkwardly, knocking her elbow across Edgar's nose.
"Ow!" Edgar placed his hand on his nose.
"Oh!" Terra looked at the king, "Are you okay?"
Edgar nodded. They turned to look at the bemused expression on their daughter's face.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have visitors," Maddie explained.
"Visitors?" Edgar stood grabbing his shirt from the bed and pulled it over his head, tucking it into his trousers.
"Yeah,"
Maddie watched the king get dressed. "Locke said it was really
important. He said that you both needed to get out here
immediately."
Edgar frowned and looked to Terra who shrugged
shaking her head. Edgar pulled on his jacket, "All right then,
let's go."
Edgar, Terra, and Maddie walked towards the center of the camp, the designated location in the traveling caravan where strategy meetings took place. There was a large crowd near the fire, tightly formed around something or someone that Edgar and Terra had not been able to make out.
"There he is, everybody, please make room for the king," Sabin shouted.
The crowd opened a path for the newcomers. Edgar walked cautiously through the people, amidst the whispers. He then looked at the center of the commotion and stopped dead in his tracks. Terra raised her hand to cover her mouth that had gaped open.
Maddie was puzzled and then look to what they were alarmed at. Two beings or creatures stood in the middle of the humans. One was purple with humanoid features, a horn extended out of the middle of her head. It was naked with the exception of very limited clothing, covering the parts of a female that would be inappropriate to show out in public. Light sky blue curls cascaded down her shoulders and back. She was extremely beautiful and shapely. She traveled with a beast like creature, which crawled on all fours with orange fur, and a tiger striped mane. Maddie couldn't tear her eyes away from the site. She looked up at Edgar and Terra.
Terra dropped her hand and whispered, "Espers!"
A/N - Yeah, a nod given to FFXII with the Larsa name. Props to MikeRPG and his Test of Time fic (retelling the FFVI story) for getting me re-inspired for this fic. :)
