Chapter 1

The gentle wind ruffled the loose hairs of King Edgar's hair as he stared out of the balcony of his room. Two years ago he would have relished such a moment, but with no Empire, Returners, or Kefka to worry about, momentary bliss was common. He would have given anything for such a time, though. The world of Balance to see… instead of this wasted, gray land.

"My lord." The guard knelt briefly as Edgar turned. "Lady Branford is here to visit."

"Send her in." The guard left a moment and a woman entered the room. Wisps of green hair hung by her face, bordering a pale face with striking violet-tinged eyes. Yet the green had faded slightly, and the purple color was less vivid, another sign of the faded espers. She smiled for a moment.

"They make me sound so sophisticated. 'Lady Branford'."

"Odd, that you've forgotten you're a hero."

"Is Sabin here?"

"He's looking for Locke." Edgar sighed.

"Locke?" Terra's eyes turned upward to look at him. "He's missing?"

"Only for a while. I'm sure it's nothing serious."

"Isn't he back in Narshe?"

"Yes, but I stopped by to get a sword forged. At the weapon shop."

"And?" Terra shifted patiently.

"I met up with Mog. He asked me if I'd seen Locke recently, and I told him no, and he explained Locke had been missing. For a few days."

"Why is that strange?"

"Because… he told no one where he was going. He disappeared suddenly, with no trace." Terra shrugged. Edgar crossed the room and sat on his bed. Terra stood before him, arms crossed, then sat beside him.

"Why did you come? What about the children in Mobliz?" Terra shifted sharply at his question. Her gaze turned away bitterly.

"The children… were being taken care of by… other people. After Kefka was killed, some people from nearby towns came to… help rebuild Mobliz. They didn't need me anymore. They tried to act like they used to… but they no longer depended on me, with no Kefka or Light of Judgement to fear. I guess I should be glad. It's all for the best that they're secure, ordinary children."

"You're leaving permanently?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry, Terra." Edgar reached for her hand, but she pulled away. He continued to gaze at her. The children whom she had almost given up fighting for the world for…

"Yes. Thank you." She hesitated. "Shadow's still missing, right?"

"He's dead, Terra, not 'missing'. The tower exploded. There was no trace—he must have stayed in there. Besides, he's been missing for the past year."

"I know. But maybe…" She shrugged listlessly. "Where's Celes?"

"Don't you know?"

"I've been trying to make things work in Mobliz for the past five months. I haven't been keeping up."

"She…moved out. She was in Narshe a while, but she went to…Kohlingen, I think. It didn't work out… with her and Locke." He said haltingly.

"Why?"

"They were restless, in different ways. They were always angry at each other, because they clashed. Celes isn't stupid. She knew it wouldn't work. So she left."

"I thought it would work."

"So did all of us."

"It was more of a romance than a relationship." She pointed out.

"Sad."

"I feel sorry for Locke, though." Terra said softly. "Celes is strong, she wouldn't mind as much. She's more indifferent. But Locke is… sensitive."

"I know. Look at the way he responded to Rachel's death." A brief silence.

"Can I stay here for a while?" Terra got up.

"Of course. You remember the room you stayed at in the beginning? You can stay there again."

"All right." She turned. "I'm a bit tired. I think I'll rest awhile."

"I'll see you at dinner." Edgar watched her leave. Only a year had passed. How had things changed so much? They used to be so optimistic, so hopeful. And after they had won, they had nothing to hope for. The magic was gone. The world would remain as it was. The first few days after Kefka's death, the drastic change in the balance of power in the world caused it to turn green again, and things began to live. But now it was all gray again… all dead. They weren't the young, hopeful fighters they once were. They had learned to adapt, to accept. He caught a wisp of the faded green hair lying on the bed and stared out the window once again. He watched a bird, gray with sickness, fly into a dead tree. It pecked experimentally at the blackened bark, searching for bugs to eat, then flew away with faltering wings.

Why didn't we just give up, a year ago?