A/N: Hey, guys! In the previous chapter, Sabin, Cyan and Shadow escaped from the Imperial camp, and as they crossed the Phantom Forest, they accidentally found themselves in the Phantom Train, which carried the spirits of the dead to the afterlife. After getting off the train, they saw the dead of Doma enter it, including Cyan's wife and son, and the samurai, who could not say goodbye to them, was comforted by Sabin and accepted his request to join the Returners for fight against the Empire. Let's see what happens now.

Chapter 9: Gau, Wild Boy from the Veldt

Now that Cyan felt better, the group of three crossed the hill to head south, where they reached Baren Falls. ''Now I feel more relaxed.'' Sabin said, savoring the fresh air that wasn't there in previous places. He also noticed something from afar, what appeared to be a small town.

''To the south of here lies the Veldt plain. It is a huge plain from which monsters from all over the world emigrate, and the village of Mobliz is on the east coast.'' Cyan said, worried about the dangers in that plain.

''Yeah, maybe that place is dangerous, but I'm sure the Empire is after us. If we don't run from here, we'll be doomed. We have to jump into the waterfall.'' Sabin replied.

''I served my purpose.'' Shadow said, sure he had done what he had to do.

''Shadow! Thanks for your help. Let's team up again sometime.'' Sabin told him, before the mercenary left.

(Shadow has left the party.)

''Messer Sabin, were you kidding about jumping into the falls?'' Cyan asked.

''I'm not kidding.'' the martial artist said.

The samurai was horrified. ''ARE YOU CRAZY?!'' he yelled. ''We'll get killed!''

Sabin chuckled. ''Cyan, don't tell me you're scared!''

''I'm not scared! Wouldn't the fall kill us?'' Cyan said.

''We will not die. It is the only way forward. For starters, it's best if you take off all your armor except the shoulder pads - it's so heavy it would drag you to the bottom.'' replied the monk. The warrior of Doma, albeit snorting, did as his friend said and took off his entire armor except the shoulder pads, uncovering a purple long-sleeved shirt, a blue jacket and black trousers. After that, he dived with him.

(Objective: Survive Baren Falls!)

Characters:

Sabin

Cyan

(''FIGHT! Ver. 2 (Ambush) - Grandia 2 OST'')

''We have to go down those falls!'' Sabin said, as the current pushed him forward. Suddenly, he saw a large fish with very sharp fangs splash out of the water and almost bit his arm. ''Look out! It's a Killer Fish!'' he cried.(1)

The Killer Fish clung to Cyan's now exposed leg, and its fangs began to cut through his skin. He pulled out his katana, but since it was behind him, it wasn't easy to hit it. ''I need some help here!'' he said, after barely dodging a bite directed to his stomach.

Sabin swam faster and punched the Killer Fish, and it bit him on the shoulder in revenge. The martial artist also had to deal with the monster's speed, which nearly knocked off a piece of his nose.

To make matters worse, other smaller fish arrived, but with equally sharp teeth. ''Piranhas!'' Cyan shouted.

'We mustn't get bitten by those things, or they'll tear us to pieces!'' Sabin shouted, as a group of piranhas approached him. He started to knock them out with a few punches, but some bit his arm. ''Oh no... we're screwed...'' he murmured, noticing his arm starting to bleed.

Cyan managed to pull out his katana to hit the Killer Fish, which nearly teared off his ear. ''We have to get rid of those carnivorous fish!'' he exclaimed.

The martial artist was forced to use his Blitz techniques, but he told his friend to get away to avoid accidentally hurting him. While his legs were full of cuts, he managed to knock out all the piranhas beside him with a Raging Fist before the Killer Fish leapt at Cyan, dragging him to the bottom. The monk reacted quickly by diving, and although hampered by other piranhas who kept biting his back, he hit the big fish with a powerful punch that forced it to let go of him. Soon after, the amount of those fish was so high that they were bitten from all sides, and the strong current of the falls did not help, forcing Sabin to use Chakra a couple of times to heal their most serious injuries. At one point, he grabbed the Killer Fish with both hands and squeezed it so hard he broke its spine, and Cyan got rid of the other fish.

(''FIGHT! Ver. 2 (Ambush) - Grandia 2 OST-s'')

''I told you it wasn't a good idea! I almost lost my ear!'' the samurai shouted.

''You wanted to stay there and get yourself killed? The Empire knows that Shadow and I had snuck into that camp, and I'm sure Kefka is aware of the killing you made there. We're on the run!'' Sabin replied, dodging rock after rock. Suddenly, he saw something in the distance and became anxious. ''Uh, Cyan?...''

''What's wrong now?'' Cyan asked.

''Look!'' Sabin screamed. The waterfall was about to end, and there was a river far below.

''I didn't go all this way to smash my skull!'' the samurai cried out, terrified. The two clung tightly to each other, preparing for the inevitable, then screamed as they tumbled down the waterfall.

''Oh, my head...'' Sabin murmured, regaining consciousness and pulling strands of hair out of his eyes.

''Sir Sabin, are you all right?'' Cyan asked, also with disheveled hair and about to put his armor back on.

''I think so, but I feel a bit groggy.'' replied the martial artist. Suddenly, they found an unusual figure in front of them. He was a young boy who reached that stage of life called puberty. He was thin, but with signs of muscles on his chest and arms. His long green hair was unkempt and wild, tied in a ponytail. His eyes were red, but full of intelligence and with a gentle light. He was dressed in an animal skin shawl that covered his chest and green shorts, and he was barefoot, with only red bands at the ankles, in the middle of the feet and at the wrists. ''Who are you?'' he asked the boy. He wanted to thank him, but he ran away before he could say more.

''Let's go to Mobliz and find a way to reach Narshe.'' Cyan said.

(Objective: Go to Mobliz and ask passersby for information.)

(''Kids Run Through the City- Final Fantasy VI OST'')

The village of Mobliz was isolated from the rest of the world, never attacked by the Empire. Sabin learned that to reach Narshe, they first had to find their way to the city of Nikeah, where the Lethe River flows, and take a ferry to South Figaro, but the Serpent Thrench, a strong current that leads there, is under water, and someone had stolen a diving helmet.

''We have a clue. I wonder who that kid is.'' Sabin said. He entered a house, where he saw a young soldier wounded and confined to bed.

''I'm from Maranda. When the Empire took over the city, other men and I were forced to enlist there. They wanted me to take part in the siege of Doma, but I ran away and they wounded me as punishment for my betrayal. Bring me that letter on the table, I think it's from Lola.'' said the wounded young man.

''Is Lola your girlfriend?'' Sabin asked, handing him the letter.

''Yes, I think she is worried to death.'' said the soldier. ''I absolutely want to write back to her, but I don't even have the strength to hold a pen.''

''I'll take care of it.'' Cyan said.

Meanwhile, Sabin discovered that a little boy who lived in the Veldt loved some dried meat, so he bought some from the village shop. He also heard that the old man who lived in that little house to the north, after the death of his wife thirteen years prior, had completely lost his mind and had abandoned his son in the Veldt, considering him a monster. ''I have the feeling that that old man is familiar to me. I met him shortly after I regained consciousness on the other side of the Lethe River.'' He told Cyan when he returned. ''In the meantime, I took some dried meat. I heard that wild little boy lets himself be approached if someone gives it to him.''

''Then let's go and check.'' the samurai replied.

(''Kids Run Through the City- Final Fantasy VI OST-s'')

As they explored the Veldt, the two heard strange noises from the tall grass, and after killing some wild carnivorous rabbits, they heard an animal-like growl, and a little boy leapt in front of them, startling them. Then they felt a are coming from his stomach. ''Gau hungry!'' he said.

''Gau? Is that your name?'' Sabin asked, confused, and the wild boy nodded.

''Let's give him the dried meat you took, Sir Sabin.'' Cyan said, taking a piece of meat and giving it to Gau, who ate it in an instant.

(''Gau's Theme- Final Fantasy VI Advance OST'')

Excited, Gau hopped over to Sabin and Cyan, who were looking at him in perplexity. ''What a strange young man!'' Cyan commented. ''Anyway, I'm Cyan, and he is Sir Sabin.''

''Sabin... Cyan... Gau wants food!'' Gau exclaimed, still hungry.

''We don't have anything.'' Sabin said in a serious tone.

''Get more!'' Gau replied.

''What are you giving orders, you little runt?'' the monk rebutted, his arms crossed.

''And you... afraid of me!'' said the wild boy.

''Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?''

''I don't want to hurt you...''

''Would you stop staring at me like that?!'' Sabin snapped, lunging Gau, who was too fast for him, and they found themselves chasing each other. Cyan watched the scene perplexed.

''You are strong, for a little guy.'' Sabin said, exhausted.

It all went on for another minute, with Gau laughing out loud. ''I tricked you! You fall into trick!'' he teased.

''Oh, shut up!'' the martial artist replied.

''Oh dear, settle down.'' Cyan said, stepping between them and looking at Gau. ''And who art thou, o wild one?''

Gau began to repeat the word ''thou'' several times, as if he loved that word. ''I guess he doesn't know you're talking to him.'' Sabin said.

The boy noticed that Cyan had turned his back, but he didn't know why. ''Cyan? You mad at me?'' he asked. No reply. He repeated the sentence, and did it once more, without receiving an answer.

''Listen, Gau, Cyan has lost his family. Everyone in Doma have died except for him and a sentry that i don't know where he is, and his wife and son died too. Please try not to stress him too much. Understand?'' the monk whispered.

''Me understand. I'm sorry. Gau not mean.'' Gau said.

Cyan turned with a smile and patted him on the head. ''It's all water under the bridge, come on. I think we will get along well, Sir Gau. Would thou come with us?'' he asked.

Gau gasped, and thought of something. ''Gau gives you a gift for good food! Gau's shiny treasure!'' he exclaimed.

''Will it really be that shiny?'' Sabin asked, unconvinced.

''Mr. Thou like shiny thing?'' Gau asked.

Sabin chuckled. ''Mr. Thou is the one over here, not me!'' he said, and Cyan laughed amused as well. ''Anyway, a treasure? I bet Locke will be jealous when he finds out.''

''Who Locke? He bad man? He wants to steal Gau's treasure?'' Gau asked, never having heard of Locke.

''Locke? He is...'' the monk said, but Gau was looking frantically from side to side and let out some roars, as if he were threatening something or someone. ''Oh, listen when someone is talking to you!'' he yelled, noticing that he was distracted.

''I think he wants to tell us something.'' Cyan said.

''Okay, okay. What is it?'' asked Sabin.

''There!'' Gau shouted, pointing to something south.

''Where? Towards that mountain?'' Cyan asked.

''Yes! To the moon-shaped mountain! Gau's treasure is in Crescent Mountain!'' Said the boy.

''Let's go then.'' said the samurai, and the three set off.

Sabin was rather thoughtful, wondering if bringing an aborigine along was a good idea. ''Mr. Thou! Could you go faster?'' called Gau.

''I told you once and I'll tell you again. I am not Mr. Thou!'' shouted an exasperated Sabin, chasing him.

(The wild boy Gau joined the party!)

(''Gau's Theme- Final Fantasy VI Advance OST-s'')

(Objective: Find the treasure Gau was talking about and go to Nikeah.)

Characters:

Sabin

Cyan

Gau

Gau led the two adults to Crescent Mountain, where they found a small cave, and he began to smell the surrounding area. ''Here we are, Cyan. If Gau is right, his ''shiny treasure'' must be around here.'' Sabin said.

"Where exactly is it, Sir Gau?'' asked Cyan.

''Gau forget!'' Gau exclaimed. Sabin and Cyan facepalmed.

''Nevermind. Let's go check it out.'' Sabin said. He leaned over a cliff to check, when Gau sneaked up to him and let out a roar that startled the monk, causing him to drop something from his belt. It was his pouch, and even though he managed to grab it, he lost the money inside. ''No! My money! There was 500 gil in there!'' he shouted. Angry at Gau for the joke, he would have jumped on him if Cyan hadn't restrained him.

The kid checked another area, and called his partners. ''What's up? Did you find something, Gau?'' asked Sabin, seeing him dig, and he found a potion.

''It might come in handy. But I don't think that's what Sir Gau is looking for.'' Cyan said, and Gau nodded. He led them to the other side of the cave, where they found a diving helmet with a pair of snorkels.

"Is this the treasure you were talking about?" Sabin asked, and Gau nodded.

''I just hope you weren't stealing, Sir Gau.'' Cyan said, and the boy shook his head.

''It looks big enough for your head!'' Sabin said. ''And with that, we can breathe underwater!''

Upon exiting the cave, the three found themselves facing a strong current of water. ''The Serpent Thrench. Those rapids are really rapid.'' the samurai said in a word pun.

Sabin told everyone what to do. ''OK, guys, listen to me: I'll put on the diving helmet, and you will put on the snorkels. Cyan, just to be safe, dive without armor or you'll sink to the bottom and drag us too. I wouldn't want us to be crushed by the pressure of the sea.''

Cyan did as told and took off his armor again. ''Sir Gau, are you sure you can get by by yourself with your bare hands?'' he asked Gau.

''Yeah, Gau. Why don't you use my spare claws?'' Sabin added, giving him a pair of claws to equip on his knuckles. The wild boy revealed a small knife hidden in his animal skin shawl and whispered something in his ear. He could clearly hear only ''Rage'' and ''monster techniques''. ''I get it! Gau said that he can fight with a simple dagger and that he has spent his entire life in the Veldt, where he has learned to imitate the behavior of monsters, and can use ''Rages'', with which he can use some their special attacks.'' he said.(2)

''That could be very useful to us.'' Cyan said. Sabin put on his diving helmet, and the others put on the snorkels attached to it, and then dived.

The current of the Serpent Trench pushed Sabin, Cyan, and Gau west, and they swam forward, to continue even faster. Not much happened, except that after taking the left road from a fork in the road, they were attacked by a Anguiform, a large eel-like monster that bit Sabin in the leg, and he couldn't dodge the bite because the water it didn't allow him to react quickly, and Gau used the Stray Cat's Rage. His claws became longer, greatly increasing its power, to the point that it cut the giant eel into pieces. They were also attacked by the Aspirans, small jellyfish, and by the Actinians, creatures similar to sea anemones, but the journey lasted less than the three expected.

(''Town- Final Fantasy OST'')

Sabin took off his diving helmet and detached the snorkels from the others as Cyan put on his armor back on again. They had arrived at the port of Nikeah, a city full of merchants. ''Here we are. Let's see if there's a ferry to South Figaro.'' he said.

''Did you come to Mobliz?'' a sailor asked.

''Yes. We found this diving helmet near Mobliz.'' Cyan replied.

''Good. Thanks for finding it. We will bring it back to Mobliz immediately.'' said the sailor, taking up the diving helmet.

''Is there a ferry to reach South Figaro?'' Sabin asked.

''Yes, it will leave in forty minutes. You know, from Nikeah there were trade routes to Albrook, Maranda and Tzen, the cities of the southern continent, but since the Empire has conquered them, they control them.''

Gau had never been this far from the Veldt, and this made him anxious. ''Gau nervous... so hungry...''

''Now that I think about it, Gau, I got hungry too. Let's stop in the tavern and get something to eat.'' Sabin said, and the three entered the tavern. An old woman told them about the old man who lived in the north and that she was the one who had assisted his wife during her childbirth, and Gau had a strange feeling.

Sabin ate some meat, and was taken aback when he saw Gau gorging himself and stuffing the food in his mouth with his hands, so that everyone was looking at them. ''Gau, you don't eat so messily, that's what cutlery is for! I suppose with all these years of living alone in the Veldt you don't know civilized society very well.'' he exclaimed.

Cyan didn't order much aside from some dango dumplings.(3) And speaking of him, a dancer dressed in a... revealing way approached the three and flirted with him and Sabin. ''Hey, handsome young man... why don't you have a drink with me?''

Sabin ignored the flirtatious tone and Gau was perplexed, but the samurai was shaken and jumped back. ''How dare you?! Licentious woman! Off with thee!'' he yelled angrily.

''Come on, don't be a stick in the mud! Let's dance for a while, then, handsome!'' the dancer said.

Cyan, very embarrassed, blushed and stepped back quickly, banging his head against the wall. ''Handsome... you mean me?'' he stuttered.

Sabin and Gau burst out laughing. ''Cyan, you're too easy!'' the martial artist said.

''How- How come thou art unaffected by these licentiousness?'' asked the samurai.

''Another one of the benefits of my ascetic training. I've been doing this for almost twenty years, remember that.'' Sabin said.

''Oh, don't leave me here all alone...'' said the dancer.

''Enough with that! A real woman has to show modesty and decency!'' he yelled, and without realizing that everyone was watching him, he began to let out a rant. ''You women are all like this, too many fantasies, too much sex and too many relationships!''

Sabin laughed again along with Gau, but noticed that everyone was looking at Cyan and the dancer. ''What are you laughing at?! What's so funny?!'' the older man snapped.

''Oh, Cyan...! I think everyone here will think you're going to pick a fight with a woman. Come on, let's get out of here before they throw us out.'' Sabin said.

''I'm sorry, but I'm a widower! If I were you, I would stay away.'' the samurai said to the woman, leaving her a bit offended, and the three left the tavern.

Gau was still giggling after leaving the tavern. ''So hilarious!'' he exclaimed.

''Who-Who- Who is that prostitute?!'' Cyan shouted, still shaken by the scene.

''That term is a bit offensive. Ever heard the word ''dancer'', Cyan?'' asked Sabin.

''No, and that horrible woman tried to hit on me!'' the samurai replied.

''It's called ''flirting''. Remember that I am the prince of Figaro. Ten years ago, after the death of my father, who wanted my brother and I to rule together, I rgave up the throne. I no longer live at court, but since I grew up there, I haven't forgotten my origins.'' said the martial artist.

''Those dresses are too low-cut for me. I don't want to see a woman dressed like that anymore!''

''How do you think dancers should be dressed if not in a bikini and a sports bra or a cocktail dress with a slit?''

Cyan retorted that he had never seen such a thing at Doma, but other than that, he had nothing more to object to, and the three took the ferry to South Figaro.

(''Town- Final Fantasy OST-s'')

During the voyage by sea, Sabin sat down, lost in thought. The sun was low, almost on the horizon, with the sky starting to turn orange, and he was worried. He hoped that his brother, Terra and Banon were well and made it to Narshe, and he knew soon the Empire would attack Narshe.

''Is something wrong, Sir Sabin?'' Cyan asked, noticing his concern.

''Yeah, I was thinking about my brother. We are members of the Returners, and this morning we had to escort Banon, the leader of the Returners, to Narshe by crossing the Lethe River on a raft: the Empire, which had conquered South Figaro and wanted to take possession of the frozen Esper located in Narshe, had discovered our headquarters, and one of the observers of the Returners had been injured. However, because of an octopus named Ultros, I fell off the raft and we got separated. They know how to look after themselves, but I'm starting to worry. You know, I've always considered family more important than anything.'' Sabin replied.

Cyan put a hand on his shoulder. ''Sir Sabin... you are truly noble to worry about thy brother. I'm sure he's fine.'' he said, smiling.

''Thanks, Cyan.'' the martial artist said.

''How to get to Narshe?'' Gau asked.

''It doesn't take long to get to Narshe. We will leave South Figaro and pass the cave that connects the town to the desert where Figaro Castle is located. From there, we will go north. However, the town is guarded by the Empire, and they could kill us on sight.'' Sabin replied.

''Then we'll have to be stealthy. Once we get to South Figaro, we will evade their surveillance.'' Cyan said, arranging the plan.

''OK! Here we go!''

A/N: Sabin and Cyan have a new ally now! In the next chapter we will see the scenario of Terra, Edgar and Banon and all will meet in Narshe. Will new allies Celes, Cyan and Gau join the Returners? And is Kefka really preparing an attack like Celes told Locke? Find out soon! To the next chapter!

(1): The Killer Fish is an enemy that appeared in Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy XII. In Final Fantasy VI, the Opinicus Fish is very similar to this enemy, as well as the Rhizopas miniboss, and they both appear at this point in the game.

(2): When Gau activates a certain enemy's Rage, he will acquire that enemy's weaknesses, resistances, and elemental immunities and some even give him positive status effects, make him undead (only if he uses the Rage of a undead) and immunity to certain negative status effects, and in the case of some enemies, he will faint if his MP drops to zero: for example, if he uses that of the Bomb, he will be weak to ice and water, but he will absorb the damage from fire attacks to heal and will receive Float status, which causes him to float in the air, making him immune to earth attacks. He can only learn the Rages of enemies he has already faced and using the Leap command in the Veldt, learning those of the enemies that the others have faced from the time he uses that command and leaves until he returns. Also, in the game, Gau fights with his bare hands, but he can use knives in spin-offs, and, on occasion, he can equip claws as well.

(3): In one of Amano's artworks, Cyan is shown about to eat a dango dumpling. Dangos are typical sweets from Japan.