Chapter 12 - Calm Before The Storm

The next week was nothing more than incredible. My training now took on new opponents, new levels, and new tasks. Everyday I was becoming stronger and more agile. And yet, I still couldn't stop thinking about home. It lay manifesting in my mind, destroying my happiness at other events. I was slowly but surely adjusting myself to the chance of my new surroundings, but it still hurt to be apart from my loved ones.

I sat with Karon upon the cliff that overshadowed the village. We took our security watch together now. The company was good and we got on very well. There was no sexual element to it; after all, she was only 12. It was simply a trust that we both understood.

'Hey Rylian.' she said as she got to her feet.

'Yup?' I replied. I looked up at her and realised she was looking out over the horizon. I sometimes had to realise how much of a struggle it was for these people to live. It was truly fearsome to know what was going on. I was in the middle of a full-scale conflict that simply wasn't my own.

'Can I ask you. why are you helping us? What have you got to gain from this?'

I was a little surprised by the question, but not overthrown.

'..You saved me, didn't you?' I answered.

'Maybe so, but at the same time, you never had any debt to pay to us. You're no mercenary. You're just here, and we're grateful for it. But I just want to know why you're here.'

I looked to the sky and sighed.

'I would be lying if I said I didn't want to go home.'

She nodded, whilst I took a breath.

'But I've made friends here. I've been in this village for two weeks now, and I've been completely drawn in. I love it in this place, it's so different to where I came from. I want to protect it, and I want to protect Jaria, Jessie, Tomona, and all the other people in the village. I want to protect Cyrain. And I want to protect you.'

At that she smiled warmly. She could tell that I was truthful of my feelings.

'I have my purpose, and my heart isn't going to let me walk from this. I'm here, and I'll fight with you till the end.'

Suddenly we could hear footsteps coming up the hill towards us, and the small lightweight figure of Tomona emerged from over the ledge. We walked to meet our friend, who was smiling. Good spirits had emerged in the town over the past few days; Jaria told me that there was a new sense of hope since my arrival. I wasn't so sure, but I wasn't going to debate her judgement.

'Hey guys, what's up?' shouted Tomona as he walked towards us. We shrugged and once we met with the young kid he began to talk.

'Rylian, Jessie wants you to come train again in a while. She said to Jaria you're getting stronger every time.'

I nodded and smiled. Admittedly, I was starting to enjoy the attention.

'So are you going to.!?' Tomona stopped as he heard loud voices from below the cliff. As we looked down we could see the approach from the south of around 30 soldiers heading for the town, ready for battle. And behind them stood a huge man, armour all over his body. And then it hit me. I could sense his power, and he was undoubtedly stronger than me, by possibly three times!

'Goddamn it.!' shouted Tomona as he ran towards the path leading down to the village below.

'We're in trouble.' I said as I shakily turned to Tomona.

'You're right about that. See the guy at the back? That's Gilgamesh, one of Kefka's most powerful henchmen. And he's never lost a battle!'

I didn't take anymore time to get onto my feet. I jumped into the air and flew down towards the village, bypassing the path. The drop of about one hundred feet wasn't taxing to me anymore, and as I hit the ground I sprinted towards the entrance of the village.