Chapter 05:
"Infatuation crescente dello Shawn"
*Back to Terra POV*
"This is the last turning point. You may leave now, if you wish to return to your other world life."
I thought real hard. I don't know where I am going, or how I will end up.. Yet.. Yet something drove me to continue.
"Yes," I said. "I wish to continue."
The young man laughed. "In that case let me explain to you a few things. First of all, my name is Shawn. I am--"
"A half esper.. Like me.."
"A-- EH? How did you know?" The man's face was hidden by his cloak, but it was easy to see that he was confused.
I shrugged. "Must be the aura you send out. You seem so human, yet have this mystical quality and.."
The man pulled my hand forward and we were entering another portal. Blinding lights flashed by my eyes..
And I was back. Back to the world of the Espers.. Familiar faces passed by us. I saw Ifrit and Shiva floating around, high and mighty.
"How.."
"This is a sanctuary. For all Fallen Espers.."
"Does this mean.. You are dead as well?" I asked him, curiosity overflowing.
Shawn let go of my hand and lifted the cloak from his face. "Unfortunately... I was used by the Empire like you. I was raised by them, trained.. And once I learned of the true horrors, I rebelled. Not even the Slave Crown could do anything..."
The Slave Crown.. Hearing those words brings back too many unwanted memories. How they used me for my skills and..
I think Shawn noticed my pain and instantly shut up. I looked at his face. He reminded me a little of Locke. His brown hair and bandana. But then the scars on his face made me think of Setzer..
Can I think of him as a friend? Will he understand..? Will I become whole again?
Shawn frowned. "Something wrong?"
"I just.." I shyly began. "Why are you doing this? Am I.. Why am I.."
Shawn backed away slowly. "All in due time.. For now, learn to love the gift you lost."
"Ah.. S-Shawn.." I ran forward and grabbed his arm. "How.. How were you created?"
Shawn just stared at me, his unearthly red eyes darkening. "I was created long ago.. You already know who created me. You've visited my old home.."
"You're old home? What? I.. I don't remember knowing any half espers.."
Shawn turned his back to me. "But you do know Odin and Raiden. Do you not?"
"The.. The Ancient Castle... How are you--"
I thought back real hard. "The queen.."
"Yes.. The queen and Odin..." Shawn
"Then this means--" I touched his face. "You're at least 1000 years old. But, I thought that they--"
Shawn started at me. "All in due time.. All in due time." Shawn bowed and walked away.
He was saddened, yes... It doesn't take a genius to know that.
Shaking the thought out of my mind, I decided to see if I could become the esper Terra once more.
I closed my eyes and concentrated hard, summoning up all the power within me.
Slowly, I feel the change. It's slow and gradual, but still I change. It's like a beast long at rest awakened inside me, and my instincts revive.
Power surges from all around me, flowing in and out..
God how I miss this feeling.. This feeling of power, of being free...
A tear rolls down my face and the change is complete. I stare at my hands and a feeling of utmost joy floods my eyes.
My snow white skin, glowing purple, and claws of a beast. Hair ragged and wild. My eyes a piercing yellow, fully expressing the power I hold.
My lips curl upwards as I cast a minor version of Fire 3 on an empty patch of land, and quickly quench it's flames with an equally powerless Ice 3.
The espers around me, they're watching absolutely shocked. I don't know why, and I simply do not care.
I am myself again, and only here I can be. I never want to leave this world again.
----------------------
*Shawn's POV*
I retreated to the security of my house, and sighed.
She's powerful, alright... Strange too.
But.. That is why she belongs here. She is too powerful to live in that world. In that world, history always repeats itself.. Every 1000 years, another war, another blood bath. With her living in that world, soon, there will be a whole world full of half espers.
Give a human a magicite.. And look what happens. Every damn 1000 years..
----------------------
*Terra's POV*
Do I really want to stay here? I've been thinking about this for hours and hours...
I suppose.. Besides.. Everyone.. They were so.. Insensitive?
Maybe I'm just overreacting..
I usually was the happy one ever since the fights ended...
It must have just been a surprise to them.. Yes.. Just...
I sat on the same hill I entered in for hours, contemplating my decision. I played around with my curly hair for a while... and I conclude that I wish to remain here.
I'm not sure of it.. But I am sure enough.
----------------------
*General POV*
Edgar rushed back into the pub. "Either Terra has been abducted, or.."
"WHAT!?" Relm, the only one not drunk, jumped out of her seat. She marched over to Edgar and grabbed his arm. "She couldn't be-- Terra is too strong for that!"
Gau walked in behind Edgar. "Edgar say truth.. Ground is warm and Gau smell different scent."
Slowly, everyone regained their composure. Locke was the first to speak.
"It honestly could not be an abduction.. Relm is right. Terra is way too strong to just be taken like that."
Setzer sighed. "I think we're expecting too much from her."
"Oh? So, are you saying that she is nothing more then a weak--" Celes caught herself and quieted down, glaring at Setzer.
"No.. No.. Not at all. Just.."
Locke cut in. "Her behavior has been.. How would you say.. Erratic. You've seen how she acted when the espers fleed from her and.."
"We should begin to ask around.. Someone could have seen something.. Or heard something.. Or.." Celes stammered.
"Yeah.."
----------------------
*Setzer's POV*
Terra... You have been acting strange, and I am an ass for not noticing it.. Not listening to you. Thinking that you had the ultimate picture perfect state of mind..
When in actuality..
You were dying inside.
------------------------------------------
To 4th reviewer Alex. THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEW!!!!! You see, I am one sucky ass writer.. So.. Uhm.. Well.. I'll take your advice and read it out loud, though that may not help one bit.. X___X.