Chapter 3: Hope…
Before they arrived at the hideout, Scott turned back and looked at Terra. "Would you mind excusing us for just a few minutes? I need to talk to Jason and Jeff for a moment.
"Sure, I'll just go stand over here for a while. Come get me when you're ready to go." She nodded, walking off. Scott turned back to face Jeff and Jason.
"What's up bro? Something's on your mind…what is it?" Jason asked, crossing his arms. Jeff nodded in agreement.
"Well, I've been thinking...we need to act more like our corresponding characters. For instance...I am a king. I have to act more royal and…like a womanizer…" Scott said, trailing off at the end. Jason chuckled a bit and nodded.
"Yeah hon…can't be loving me all up all the time." He said, laughing a bit. "We'll have all the time in the world for each other when we get back home."
"Well, that's another thing. Don't call me hon either…we must not allow anyone to know about us, or it could change the game…got it? Also, you have to be a bit stern and cunning, and act more like a thief…you too must hang around the girls like I must…" Scott replied in a bit of retaliation. "Oh, and you bro…uhhhhhhh…well…act like you muscle-headed self." He and Jeff both laughed a bit.
"Hey, no problem…at…hey! Was that a crack about me!?" Jason confoundedly said to Scott. They both just laughed and headed over towards Terra. Jason scratched his head a bit and followed along.
When Scott, Jeff, Jason, and Terra arrived at the Returner's Hideout, they were greeted by one of the guards.
"King Edgar, please follow me, Banon has been expecting you." The guard said, heading deeper inside the cave. It was very clean, not common of a cave. Various candles lit the dark passageways of the cave, and it had a roomy feel to it.
The guard led the party deep within the cavern to a door and opened it up. "Please, King Edgar, this way." The guard said, bowing and raising his hands to point out the door. Scott and Jeff walked by, and Scott whispered to Jeff.
"You know hon, I feel weird being called a king…it's not like I was royal or anything back home…I was quite the opposite, in fact." Scott chuckled a bit.
"Oh, hon, err, Scott…don't let it bother you…besides, you were always royal in my eyes…" Jeff smiled. Scott instantly blushed and raised his cape up to his face.
Jason could only guess what was being said and shook his head and laughed a bit. Terra was walking silent behind him, thinking about what has happened thus far to her. All she can remember is how she was waking up in a strange man's bed…then getting chased down by Narshe guards in a desperate attempt to live. After that, being saved by moogles and Locke was quite an adventure, as was being taken to meet the King of Figaro, Edgar, and fleeing the empire. Terra just put her head down and followed everyone into the backroom.
Inside the backroom stood a small, crusty red-bearded man. His beard was very long and fluffy, and he was wearing a very dirty red cloak with a green cape.
"Ahh, Banon…it is good to meet you for the first time." Scott said, sticking out his hand in greetings. Banon stood there for a moment, almost hesitant to shake his hand, but finally did lock hands and shake with Scott.
"You don't recall speaking with me only weeks ago, Edgar? Hmmm…well, yes, it's good to see you again." Banon said, scratching his beard. Scott gulped a bit and hit his head. "Oh…yeah, sorry, I forgot…um, the desert gets to me sometimes…"
Banon slowly nodded. "Hmmm, I suppose you're right…the desert heat can make a brain go a bit on the loopy side sometimes…don't worry about it."
Scott thought about what he had said and looked down for a moment. He knew from here on in no one should know that they were from the real world and that this was a game to them. Scott turned back and motioned to Jeff and Jason to keep it quiet. They both nodded in agreement.
Banon blinked a bit and scratched his beard a bit in confusion. "Hmmm…you must be talking about something…what is the true reason you've come here? You obviously didn't just come to visit."
Scott nodded in agreement and then remembered why they came to the Returner's Hideout in the first place. "Oh yeah…we have come here with this girl Terra…it is said she can speak with the esper…you know, the one dug up recently in the Narshe mines?"
Banon nodded in understanding. "Yes, I have heard about that…" He suddenly got close to Terra's face and examined her eyes. "Let me tell you a story…long ago there was a box. People were told never to open it. Unfortunately, someone opened the box, releasing evil upon the world: greed, hate, distrust, anger, death…but inside the box was one small ray left…Hope. This young woman must become our last ray of hope…"
Terra stumbled back in shock. "I…what I mean…what I'm trying to say is…I can't…I'm afraid." She began to cry a bit. Jeff and Scott both went over to comfort her.
"Banon, that's harsh! You can't throw all of that upon a poor, innocent girl!" Scott said, standing in front of Terra. Jeff held back Scott's arm, making sure he wouldn't do anything harsh.
"Hmmm, maybe you're right…I'm quite tired…let me rest on it for a while…" Banon said, getting up and leaving the room.
Jason came over and tapped Scott's shoulder. "Bro…maybe we could all use a little rest…I'm gonna go find a bed somewhere…I'd suggest you all do the same." Jason walked out of the room and went off towards a small backroom deep within the hideout.
"I wonder what's eating him?" Jeff pondered, scratching his head. "Jason seemed a bit uptight, don't you think so too Scott?" He said, looking at Scott.
"Yeah…something is eating at him…maybe it's Alex not being here…" Scott said, shaking his head. "Well, at any rate, he's right…let's all go rest and take a load off."
Jeff and Terra nodded and the three headed off towards the room with all the spare beds. They all lie down and went to sleep. Jason was up in another room practicing his kicks and punches in air. A look of both determination and sadness was in his eyes.
Meanwhile, back at South Figaro, the town was taken under siege by the empire. Alex was ordered to lead the operation, but before they arrived, she turned to one of the officers.
"Hey, come here a second…" Alex said to the officer. He saluted her and stood in attention, waiting for her orders.
"Listen, I will oversee this operation, but you will give all the orders, understand?" Alex told the officer.
"But General Celes! I cannot…" The officer began, but was cut off by Alex.
"No 'Buts'! I gave you an order and you shall obey it…or would you rather I reported you to the emperor himself?" Alex said, putting her hands on her hips.
The officer shook his head no and saluted Alex. "I understand General Celes. I will give the orders."
When the army arrived, the officer gave the commands to take the town under siege. Some of the residents tried to fight and resist them, but those dense enough to try and resist were killed or taken prisoner. Mothers grabbed their children up from the streets and hid like terrified mice in their locked-up homes. Alex stood aside and watched the carnage going on and just shook her head.
"That's right! Take no prisoners! Anyone resists the army, they will suffer the consequences!" The officer said, holding his blade in the air in triumph. It was almost as if something had possessed him to commit these horrific deeds, and he was enjoying his newly appointed position.
"General Celes! I have some rebel scum held up in the pub. What shall I do with them?" One of the empire's soldiers asked Alex.
Alex looked down in deep thought for a moment. "Well, I gave all the orders to that officer. Discuss it with him, not me…understand?" Alex said, crossing her arms.
The guard saluted her and ran off toward the officer, and then towards the pub. A commotion could be heard, and then it was suddenly quiet. A few soldiers could be seen carrying off some dead bodies towards the mansion in the northernmost part of town. More soldiers could be seen dragging off other rebels that were still alive.
Behind Alex, there was a commotion going on. Alex turned around to see some soldiers and the officer beating up a guy, probably in his late teens, with dark curly hair and wearing tattered clothes was getting badly beat up. She just stood there and watching in terror and fear.
"What do you say, why don't we just kill him. He's nothing now…" The officer said to the other two. "Yeah…I'll let you do it, though. I killed the last two guys who stood in our way."
One of the soldiers nodded and drew out his sword. The young man just looked up with anger and rage in his eyes and spit at the soldier. "How dare you…FAREWELL!" The soldier said, thrusting the sword right through the youth. The guy grasped the sword and just collapsed to his knees while the soldiers laughed.
Alex screamed in horror and drew her sword, attacking the soldiers. She unleashed a furry of lashes against the one that stabbed the youth, and then lunged at a second one. "General Celes!? What the hell are you doing? I'm reporting this!" The officer said, rushing off towards the mansion.
Alex dropped her sword and fell to her knees in tears. "Dear god no…Jason…please…" She grabbed the youth by his shoulders and rolled him over on his back. She clenched her eyes shut, not wanting to look at him. After about a minute of keeping her eyes closed, she opened them and looked at the youth.
"It…it's not Jason! I would swear…it was him…" Alex assumed, drying her tears. She stood up and kept looking at the body.
"THERE SHE IS! THE TRAITOR!" A voice could be heard off in the distance behind her. Alex turned to see about six soldiers running her way. When they arrived, four of the soldiers raised their swords at Alex. "General Celes…the traitor! We knew you couldn't be trusted. We have specific orders from Emperor Gestahl. Resist and you shall be killed!" The officer told her.
Alex just looked down and sheathed her blade, signaling her defeat. The soldiers led her off towards the mansion basement.
"You shall be held prisoner here, traitor!" The officer said, pointing towards a small room with some chains on the wall. "When we return to Vector, you shall be punished on terms of dissent to the empire. You, keep an eye on her." The officer commanded to a soldier.
Alex just put her head down in melancholy while she was cuffed and chained to the wall. She knew that she would most likely not see the light of day again.
When Terra awoke, she was the only one left in the room. "I wonder where everyone went to?" She said to herself. She came out of the bedroom and looked around the cave. She made her way near the dining table where Jason was walking around.
"Hey Sabin…do you think I can trust Edgar? To tell you the truth I am afraid, because he's an ally of the empire, he may try and send me back to the empire…" She explained to Jason.
Jason crossed his arms and thought about what she asked for a moment. "Don't worry Terra. You can trust my brother with your life. In no way should you doubt him, nor worry about him turning you in…" Jason began to tell Terra. He put his arms down and laughed a bit. "Besides, I think he likes you a lot, being the womanizer he is." Terra began to blush a bit and began to walk away, smiling. "Oh, but don't you DARE tell him I said that!" Jason yelled towards her.
Terra headed for a backroom and saw Jeff sitting on a bed, thinking to himself. She walked over by him and sat down on the bed.
"Hey Locke…I've been wanting to know…why did you help me back there in Narshe? I am one of the empire's soldiers, you know." She pondered, turning towards Jeff.
Jeff bit his lip for a moment, forgetting about the fact that Locke saved her near the start of the game. He quickly thought of something. "Well, ummm…the truth is that the empire was using you, and you had no control of your actions back then. I couldn't help to see a woman in pain…because…" Jeff paused for a moment and thought about it. "I once abandoned a woman before…I wasn't about to do it again."
Terra nodded a bit and stood up. "I think I understand…thank you." She replied, heading out of the room. She made her way to the room where Banon was earlier. She didn't find Banon, but Scott was in there, walking around, thinking about various things.
"Edgar…why didn't you just return me to the empire? You are an ally of them, aren't you?" Terra asked Scott.
Scott pondered what she said for a moment. "Well, to tell you the truth, you're very cute. I would never send a girl of your caliber somewhere where you didn't want to be…and besides, I may seem like an ally of the empire, but in reality, I'm only tricking the empire in believing that. I am one of the largest Returner's sympathizers." He explained to her.
Terra blushed a bit and nodded. "So I see…well, do you know where Banon is?"
Scott thought about it for a moment. "Well, last I saw, he was heading outside for some fresh air. Why don't you check there?"
"All right…thank you Edgar." She said, waving and walking out of the room. She made her way to the entrance of the cave and the guard stopped her. She told him she needed to speak to Banon, and the guard allowed her to pass. When she reached outside, she saw Banon standing against the wall.
"Oh Terra…I see you have awoken. Well then, now you must decide. Will you become our last ray of hope?" Banon asked, being quite relentless. Terra shook her head in disagreement. "Terra…you're the only one who can do this, you do understand that, right? Will you become our last hope?" And once again Terra shook her head no.
"I just can't do it Banon…I'm sorry." She told him, heading inside. "I just need some more time to think about it."
"So I see…all right, I shall give you more time. If you need me, I'll be waiting here." Banon replied to her.
Terra walked in and wandered the farthest parts of the caves. She found many items and equipment that she kept with her. Finally, after talking with most of the Returners inside the cave, she headed back outside.
"So Terra…have you made your decision? Will you become our hope?" Banon asked her, looking her in the eyes.
Terra stood there, motionless and silent. Many things began to wander in her mind, and she finally looked down. "I…can't do it. I'm so afraid. I'm sorry." She said, going back inside the cave. Banon just put his head down, knowing that little would help change her mind about being the Returner's…no, the world's hope.
Before they arrived at the hideout, Scott turned back and looked at Terra. "Would you mind excusing us for just a few minutes? I need to talk to Jason and Jeff for a moment.
"Sure, I'll just go stand over here for a while. Come get me when you're ready to go." She nodded, walking off. Scott turned back to face Jeff and Jason.
"What's up bro? Something's on your mind…what is it?" Jason asked, crossing his arms. Jeff nodded in agreement.
"Well, I've been thinking...we need to act more like our corresponding characters. For instance...I am a king. I have to act more royal and…like a womanizer…" Scott said, trailing off at the end. Jason chuckled a bit and nodded.
"Yeah hon…can't be loving me all up all the time." He said, laughing a bit. "We'll have all the time in the world for each other when we get back home."
"Well, that's another thing. Don't call me hon either…we must not allow anyone to know about us, or it could change the game…got it? Also, you have to be a bit stern and cunning, and act more like a thief…you too must hang around the girls like I must…" Scott replied in a bit of retaliation. "Oh, and you bro…uhhhhhhh…well…act like you muscle-headed self." He and Jeff both laughed a bit.
"Hey, no problem…at…hey! Was that a crack about me!?" Jason confoundedly said to Scott. They both just laughed and headed over towards Terra. Jason scratched his head a bit and followed along.
When Scott, Jeff, Jason, and Terra arrived at the Returner's Hideout, they were greeted by one of the guards.
"King Edgar, please follow me, Banon has been expecting you." The guard said, heading deeper inside the cave. It was very clean, not common of a cave. Various candles lit the dark passageways of the cave, and it had a roomy feel to it.
The guard led the party deep within the cavern to a door and opened it up. "Please, King Edgar, this way." The guard said, bowing and raising his hands to point out the door. Scott and Jeff walked by, and Scott whispered to Jeff.
"You know hon, I feel weird being called a king…it's not like I was royal or anything back home…I was quite the opposite, in fact." Scott chuckled a bit.
"Oh, hon, err, Scott…don't let it bother you…besides, you were always royal in my eyes…" Jeff smiled. Scott instantly blushed and raised his cape up to his face.
Jason could only guess what was being said and shook his head and laughed a bit. Terra was walking silent behind him, thinking about what has happened thus far to her. All she can remember is how she was waking up in a strange man's bed…then getting chased down by Narshe guards in a desperate attempt to live. After that, being saved by moogles and Locke was quite an adventure, as was being taken to meet the King of Figaro, Edgar, and fleeing the empire. Terra just put her head down and followed everyone into the backroom.
Inside the backroom stood a small, crusty red-bearded man. His beard was very long and fluffy, and he was wearing a very dirty red cloak with a green cape.
"Ahh, Banon…it is good to meet you for the first time." Scott said, sticking out his hand in greetings. Banon stood there for a moment, almost hesitant to shake his hand, but finally did lock hands and shake with Scott.
"You don't recall speaking with me only weeks ago, Edgar? Hmmm…well, yes, it's good to see you again." Banon said, scratching his beard. Scott gulped a bit and hit his head. "Oh…yeah, sorry, I forgot…um, the desert gets to me sometimes…"
Banon slowly nodded. "Hmmm, I suppose you're right…the desert heat can make a brain go a bit on the loopy side sometimes…don't worry about it."
Scott thought about what he had said and looked down for a moment. He knew from here on in no one should know that they were from the real world and that this was a game to them. Scott turned back and motioned to Jeff and Jason to keep it quiet. They both nodded in agreement.
Banon blinked a bit and scratched his beard a bit in confusion. "Hmmm…you must be talking about something…what is the true reason you've come here? You obviously didn't just come to visit."
Scott nodded in agreement and then remembered why they came to the Returner's Hideout in the first place. "Oh yeah…we have come here with this girl Terra…it is said she can speak with the esper…you know, the one dug up recently in the Narshe mines?"
Banon nodded in understanding. "Yes, I have heard about that…" He suddenly got close to Terra's face and examined her eyes. "Let me tell you a story…long ago there was a box. People were told never to open it. Unfortunately, someone opened the box, releasing evil upon the world: greed, hate, distrust, anger, death…but inside the box was one small ray left…Hope. This young woman must become our last ray of hope…"
Terra stumbled back in shock. "I…what I mean…what I'm trying to say is…I can't…I'm afraid." She began to cry a bit. Jeff and Scott both went over to comfort her.
"Banon, that's harsh! You can't throw all of that upon a poor, innocent girl!" Scott said, standing in front of Terra. Jeff held back Scott's arm, making sure he wouldn't do anything harsh.
"Hmmm, maybe you're right…I'm quite tired…let me rest on it for a while…" Banon said, getting up and leaving the room.
Jason came over and tapped Scott's shoulder. "Bro…maybe we could all use a little rest…I'm gonna go find a bed somewhere…I'd suggest you all do the same." Jason walked out of the room and went off towards a small backroom deep within the hideout.
"I wonder what's eating him?" Jeff pondered, scratching his head. "Jason seemed a bit uptight, don't you think so too Scott?" He said, looking at Scott.
"Yeah…something is eating at him…maybe it's Alex not being here…" Scott said, shaking his head. "Well, at any rate, he's right…let's all go rest and take a load off."
Jeff and Terra nodded and the three headed off towards the room with all the spare beds. They all lie down and went to sleep. Jason was up in another room practicing his kicks and punches in air. A look of both determination and sadness was in his eyes.
Meanwhile, back at South Figaro, the town was taken under siege by the empire. Alex was ordered to lead the operation, but before they arrived, she turned to one of the officers.
"Hey, come here a second…" Alex said to the officer. He saluted her and stood in attention, waiting for her orders.
"Listen, I will oversee this operation, but you will give all the orders, understand?" Alex told the officer.
"But General Celes! I cannot…" The officer began, but was cut off by Alex.
"No 'Buts'! I gave you an order and you shall obey it…or would you rather I reported you to the emperor himself?" Alex said, putting her hands on her hips.
The officer shook his head no and saluted Alex. "I understand General Celes. I will give the orders."
When the army arrived, the officer gave the commands to take the town under siege. Some of the residents tried to fight and resist them, but those dense enough to try and resist were killed or taken prisoner. Mothers grabbed their children up from the streets and hid like terrified mice in their locked-up homes. Alex stood aside and watched the carnage going on and just shook her head.
"That's right! Take no prisoners! Anyone resists the army, they will suffer the consequences!" The officer said, holding his blade in the air in triumph. It was almost as if something had possessed him to commit these horrific deeds, and he was enjoying his newly appointed position.
"General Celes! I have some rebel scum held up in the pub. What shall I do with them?" One of the empire's soldiers asked Alex.
Alex looked down in deep thought for a moment. "Well, I gave all the orders to that officer. Discuss it with him, not me…understand?" Alex said, crossing her arms.
The guard saluted her and ran off toward the officer, and then towards the pub. A commotion could be heard, and then it was suddenly quiet. A few soldiers could be seen carrying off some dead bodies towards the mansion in the northernmost part of town. More soldiers could be seen dragging off other rebels that were still alive.
Behind Alex, there was a commotion going on. Alex turned around to see some soldiers and the officer beating up a guy, probably in his late teens, with dark curly hair and wearing tattered clothes was getting badly beat up. She just stood there and watching in terror and fear.
"What do you say, why don't we just kill him. He's nothing now…" The officer said to the other two. "Yeah…I'll let you do it, though. I killed the last two guys who stood in our way."
One of the soldiers nodded and drew out his sword. The young man just looked up with anger and rage in his eyes and spit at the soldier. "How dare you…FAREWELL!" The soldier said, thrusting the sword right through the youth. The guy grasped the sword and just collapsed to his knees while the soldiers laughed.
Alex screamed in horror and drew her sword, attacking the soldiers. She unleashed a furry of lashes against the one that stabbed the youth, and then lunged at a second one. "General Celes!? What the hell are you doing? I'm reporting this!" The officer said, rushing off towards the mansion.
Alex dropped her sword and fell to her knees in tears. "Dear god no…Jason…please…" She grabbed the youth by his shoulders and rolled him over on his back. She clenched her eyes shut, not wanting to look at him. After about a minute of keeping her eyes closed, she opened them and looked at the youth.
"It…it's not Jason! I would swear…it was him…" Alex assumed, drying her tears. She stood up and kept looking at the body.
"THERE SHE IS! THE TRAITOR!" A voice could be heard off in the distance behind her. Alex turned to see about six soldiers running her way. When they arrived, four of the soldiers raised their swords at Alex. "General Celes…the traitor! We knew you couldn't be trusted. We have specific orders from Emperor Gestahl. Resist and you shall be killed!" The officer told her.
Alex just looked down and sheathed her blade, signaling her defeat. The soldiers led her off towards the mansion basement.
"You shall be held prisoner here, traitor!" The officer said, pointing towards a small room with some chains on the wall. "When we return to Vector, you shall be punished on terms of dissent to the empire. You, keep an eye on her." The officer commanded to a soldier.
Alex just put her head down in melancholy while she was cuffed and chained to the wall. She knew that she would most likely not see the light of day again.
When Terra awoke, she was the only one left in the room. "I wonder where everyone went to?" She said to herself. She came out of the bedroom and looked around the cave. She made her way near the dining table where Jason was walking around.
"Hey Sabin…do you think I can trust Edgar? To tell you the truth I am afraid, because he's an ally of the empire, he may try and send me back to the empire…" She explained to Jason.
Jason crossed his arms and thought about what she asked for a moment. "Don't worry Terra. You can trust my brother with your life. In no way should you doubt him, nor worry about him turning you in…" Jason began to tell Terra. He put his arms down and laughed a bit. "Besides, I think he likes you a lot, being the womanizer he is." Terra began to blush a bit and began to walk away, smiling. "Oh, but don't you DARE tell him I said that!" Jason yelled towards her.
Terra headed for a backroom and saw Jeff sitting on a bed, thinking to himself. She walked over by him and sat down on the bed.
"Hey Locke…I've been wanting to know…why did you help me back there in Narshe? I am one of the empire's soldiers, you know." She pondered, turning towards Jeff.
Jeff bit his lip for a moment, forgetting about the fact that Locke saved her near the start of the game. He quickly thought of something. "Well, ummm…the truth is that the empire was using you, and you had no control of your actions back then. I couldn't help to see a woman in pain…because…" Jeff paused for a moment and thought about it. "I once abandoned a woman before…I wasn't about to do it again."
Terra nodded a bit and stood up. "I think I understand…thank you." She replied, heading out of the room. She made her way to the room where Banon was earlier. She didn't find Banon, but Scott was in there, walking around, thinking about various things.
"Edgar…why didn't you just return me to the empire? You are an ally of them, aren't you?" Terra asked Scott.
Scott pondered what she said for a moment. "Well, to tell you the truth, you're very cute. I would never send a girl of your caliber somewhere where you didn't want to be…and besides, I may seem like an ally of the empire, but in reality, I'm only tricking the empire in believing that. I am one of the largest Returner's sympathizers." He explained to her.
Terra blushed a bit and nodded. "So I see…well, do you know where Banon is?"
Scott thought about it for a moment. "Well, last I saw, he was heading outside for some fresh air. Why don't you check there?"
"All right…thank you Edgar." She said, waving and walking out of the room. She made her way to the entrance of the cave and the guard stopped her. She told him she needed to speak to Banon, and the guard allowed her to pass. When she reached outside, she saw Banon standing against the wall.
"Oh Terra…I see you have awoken. Well then, now you must decide. Will you become our last ray of hope?" Banon asked, being quite relentless. Terra shook her head in disagreement. "Terra…you're the only one who can do this, you do understand that, right? Will you become our last hope?" And once again Terra shook her head no.
"I just can't do it Banon…I'm sorry." She told him, heading inside. "I just need some more time to think about it."
"So I see…all right, I shall give you more time. If you need me, I'll be waiting here." Banon replied to her.
Terra walked in and wandered the farthest parts of the caves. She found many items and equipment that she kept with her. Finally, after talking with most of the Returners inside the cave, she headed back outside.
"So Terra…have you made your decision? Will you become our hope?" Banon asked her, looking her in the eyes.
Terra stood there, motionless and silent. Many things began to wander in her mind, and she finally looked down. "I…can't do it. I'm so afraid. I'm sorry." She said, going back inside the cave. Banon just put his head down, knowing that little would help change her mind about being the Returner's…no, the world's hope.