True Love's Song
(Part 2- "I'm Called 6")
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the FF9 characters or settings.
Author's Note: Okay, okayI know Bahrne didn't start making black mages until years after her husband's deathbut for the sake of the plot, I altered that. BTW, if you've read my What is Love, Anyway? fic, the black mages in this story are not quite the same as the ones in that one (e.i., the black mages have longer lifespans). Nuf' said, I've already spoiled the plot enough ^.^ Enjoy!
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The young man's eyes fluttered open. His amber eyes slowly began to look around the small room as the level of panic began to rise within him. Where in the world was he? How had he gotten here? The young man closed his eyes, trying to think. He remembered escaping from the small factorytraveling to the Mist Continentbeing attacked by Alexandrian soldiersbut everything else was blank. Why couldn't he remember anything? Well, if worst came to worst there was always magicbut in his weak state, he wasn't sure if he could muster up more then just a simple fireball. The young man shook with fear. What was going to happen to him?
Suddenly, without warning, the door to the small room he was in opened. The young man stared with wide, frightened eyes as a young woman walked quietly into the room and closed the door behind her with a click. She had long, dark brown hair that came to about her waist and deep hazel eyes. But the strangest thing about her was the small white horn the protruded from her forhead. Was she some sort of animal? Butshe LOOKED human enoughexcept for the horn. What was going on?
The young woman, a warm smile on her ruby lips, walked over to the bed the young man was lying in.
"You're awake! I was starting to get worried," she said. The mage gasped. She could talk! So she wasn't just some low-life creatureinteresting.
"Wheream I?" he asked shakily.
"You're in Madain Sari, and I'm Jane. Ibandaged the cut on your stomach, but I couldn't do anything abouthorn," she said softly. The young man looked at her oddly.
"Horn? ButI don't have a horn," he said. Jane nodded sadly.
"I know. I'm sorry they did that to youI don't know what I'd do if I ever had mine cut off. I'm so sorry," she said. He stared at her as if she were claiming the sky was yellow. Cut off? What was s he talking about?
"No, I mean I've NEVER had a horn," he said. Now it was Jane's turn to look confused.
"What? Buteveryone is born with a horn. How else could you summon eidolons?" she asked. The young man stared blankly at her.
"What's aneidolon?" he asked. Jane's eyes widened in shock.
"You honestly don't know?" he asked. The young man shook his head.
"Nope. Never heard of them."
Jane, still in a state of shock, retreated into a wicker chair. All humans had summoner's hornsit was a fact of life! And yet here this man wasgo against something she had held firm since her childhood. Was it possible there were humans WITHOUT horns? The idea was intriguing, if not down right appealing! Imagine, someone without the power of the eidolons! If he didn't have that powerwhat sort of magic did he possess? Jane was hooked.
"SoI've told you my name. What's yours?" she asked. The young man hesitated.
"UmI'm called 6," he said quietly. Jane cocked her head to one side, strands of dark brown hair falling over her shoulder.
"6? Well, I'm not sure where you're from, but here we aren't called by numbers. Here, you get a real name. Nowwhat would you like to be called? Daniel? Richard? John? Devin?" she asked. The young man smiled.
"I like Devin," he said. Jane grinned.
"Perfect! It suits you well! Now, where are you from?" she asked. Devin shook his head sadly.
"Ican't remember. The first thing I remember was waking up in a cramped, wooden box. I kicked the wooden planks off, and a little later I met 13, 106, and this small little child, 288" Devin's amber eyes widened in terror at the thought of his friends.
"Oh spiritsyou haven't seen anyone else like me around here, have you?" he asked, his voice shaking with fear. Jane shook her head sadly.
"I'm sorryyou're the only one here," she said quietly. Devin lowered his head in sorrow.
"Wewe were traveling to the Mist continent togetherto start a village where people like us would be safe. We were looking for a location when we were attacked by Alexandrian soldiers. Being the oldest, II told the others to run while I tried to hold back the enemy. I cut down a few of them with my magicbut there were just too many. The nearly killed me with that cut to my stomach, and I guess they thought they had, because they ran off after the others. I managed to crawl to this townit wasn't that far awayand then I guess I passed out. If the others haven't showed up yetI guess the soldiers must have gotten them," he said quietly. Jane wrapped her arms around the pale, skinny man and gave him a hard squeeze.
"I'm sorryI know what it's like to be alone," she said softly. Devin hugged the young woman back, happy for the support. They hugged for a few more seconds, and then parted. Devin's eyes narrowed in anger as he balled his fist.
"If I ever see another Alexandrian soldier, I swear I'm going to blast him with my most powerful Flare spell. It'll knock him all the way back to his filthy hometown," he snarled. Jane stared at him quizzically.
"But humans can't do black magic. Only eidolons," she said. Devin looked at her with a bland expression on his face.
"I'm not a normal human, Jane," he said. Jane was still visibly confused.
"What do you mean?" she asked. Devin sighed and ran his fingers through his ebony hair. Then, his amber eyes locked on her hazelnut ones in a firm connection.
"Jane, I am a synthetically made Alexandrian war tool. Like many others, I possess black magic. Alexandria uses us to conquer other lands. We were designed to be heartless, soulless droids. We are black mages. But, something went wrong. Before 13, 106, 288, and I were shipped off to some unsuspecting country, we 'woke up.' For the first time, he gained souls of our very own. So, we ran away from the othersthe soulless onesand the rest you know," he said. Jane stared at him in wonder. Then, ever so gently, she lifted her pale hand to his cheek and gently touched it to her fingertips. Her eyes sparkled with wonder.
"Youyou were created? But howyou act just like a human, and you look like one, too," she murmured. Devin's grim expression didn't change.
"We were created to look like humans so they wouldn't suspect us when we appeared in the middle of them. It's a sneaky and rotten tactic," he said. Jane lowered her eyes, embarrassed for asking.
"OhI'm sorry. I didn't know," she said quietly. All at once, Devin's frown melted into a warm grin. He gently placed his fingers under her chin, and ever so carefully lifted her face to meet his.
"Don't be sorry. You're the first human to ever treat me with any sort of kindness. We may not be exactly human, but we're pretty close," he said. Jane grinned up at him.
"Funny, you're the first human to treat ME with any kindness, either," she said, and pulled Devin in for a second hug. Jane's smile was stretched from one ear to the other. She had made her second friend.
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"I'm scared! Where's Mr. 6?" 288 cried. 106, a female mage, pulled the young child close to her as she looked nervously up at 13.
"You don't suppose hedo you?" she asked shakily. 13, a tall, powerful mage, turned back to his companions.
"I don't know. But if he was, we'd probably have found his shell around here, somewhere," he said. 288 let out another loud wail as he grasped 106's purple robe in his small hands.
"Where did he go? I want Mr. 6 to come back," he sniffed. 106 cradled the child in her arms as he wept into her cloak.
"There, there. Shhit's alright. I'm here," she said soothingly. 288 looked up at her with big, watery amber eyes.
"Are those mean men going to come back?" he asked shakily. 106 shook her head.
"No, no. Mr. 13 and I took care of them," she said assuredly. 288 nibbled his lower lip.
"Diddid they get Mr. 6?" he asked. There was a cold, awkward silence as the two adults shot each other nervous glances. Then, finally, 13 spoke.
"Look, there's a village over there. Maybe they'll know what happened," he suggested. Everyone seemed glad for the change in topic, and agreed quickly. 106, holding 288's hand, followed 13 through the city gates and into the cobblestone road. As the trio walked down the street, the citizens of the town stared in utter shock. 288 moved closer to 106 in fear, but the adults were used to such reactions. Black mages were treated like poisonous snakes; you either killed them or stayed out of their way. Normally, they wouldn't have walked straight through the center of town, for there were dangers to it, but at the moment there were more important things at stake. They had to find 6; he was their friend and, being the oldest and most powerful, their leader. If he was alive, they couldn't leave him in the clutches of some strangeand hornedpeople. And so, trying their best to ignore the wide-eyed stares, the peculiar trio made their way though the crowded streets and towards the large building in the center of town.
Once they were right in front of the large wooden door, 13 stepped forward. With his big, muscular hand, the black mage pounded hard on the polished wooden planks.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" he called. After a few more seconds of pounding and calling, the large door creaked noisily on its hinges as it opened slowly. It opened only enough to reveal the face of a young woman. She was pale, which made her dark brown eyes stand out all the more. Her long, flowing hazelnut hair flowed down her back in a wave, parting in a widow's peak to reveal a small white horn. By what made Mr. 13 the most shocked was the look in her deep eyes. Instead of scowling at him, or turning ashen with fear, this young woman had a much different look. As she studied the tall mage form head to toe, a warm, friendly grin spread on her crimson lips. She quickly opened the door wider for the trio, the smile still cemented on her face.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're here! You must the companions Devin was telling me about!" she cried happily. All three black mages stared at her with baffled expressions on their faces. Devin? Who in the world was Devin? And how were they companions? And why was this human so happy? Usually, humans hated and despised mages. This was certainly a strange placeand there was something strange going on.
"Devin?" came 106's confused voice. The young woman gasped.
"Oh, I completely forgot! You don't know him by that nameoh, we went by some number before6, was it?"
The reaction was astounding. The small black mage let out a squeal of glee as the two older ones let out great sighs of relief. The largest one who had been standing by the door looked at her hopefully.
"Then, he's alive?" he asked quietly. Jane smiled warmly.
"He got a nasty cut on his chest, but I took care of it. You can come in and see him, if you want. I know he's love to see you; he's been worried sick," she said happily. At this news, 13 had strangely mixed feelings. So, this human girl had nursed his dear friend back to health. But how could it be that simple; humans simply didn't help black mages. There had to be some catch, some snare she was leaving out. And to think of poor 6 all alone and wounded while he was surrounded by humans. Cold-blooded humans! After these thoughts, 13's eyes narrowed and his muscles tightened. He had to get 6 out of there as quickly as he could, so they could go and start their own city. And so ,without a word, he motioned for his companions to follow as he marched into the large building.
The young woman, surprised by their somewhat rude actions, hurried behind them.
"He's in the next room on your right," she said. Without so much as a thank you the tall mage opened the door swiftly and stormed in like hurricane. The other two followed closely behind, and soon Jane was the only one left in the hallway.
As soon as the trio entered the room, the little 288 let out a high-pitched squeal as he broke hid grip on 106's hand and ran towards the figure sitting in the large bed.
"Mr. 6! Mr. 6, it's you!" he cried happily as he wrapped his arms around the mage's neck. Devin smiled warmly as he returned the hug, squeezing the small child in a loving embrace. As he hugged the little mage, Devin could hardly believe his eyes. 13, 106, and 288 were all alive! It had to be some sort of miracle, he had seen those soldiers going after them. It was raking his brain, wondering about it. And so, instead of thinking, Devin put all his heart and soul into hugging the little black mage. The two friends embraced for a few moments longer, and then they parted. Little 288 stood, eyes sparkling with joy, as he stared up at his idle. Devin smiled back at the little fellow, and then his gaze slowly turned to 106 and 13. They, too, were grinning broadly, though not with the same unyielding adoration 288 was. Devin stared at his friends with sparkling eyes.
"How did you survive? And how did you find me?" he asked. 13 shook his head.
"Not now. I'll tell it all to you later. Now, we have to get you out of this snake's pit. You've been around humans too long," he said sternly. Devin sighed and nodded.
"Alright. But first I want to thank somebody," he said. 13 snorted.
"No! We have to leave now!" he ordered. Devin looked at his friend, perplexed.
"But-"
"No 'but's'. Come on," he said sternly, and stormed out the door. With 106's help, Devin was able to stand. He draped his long black mage's cloak over his shoulders and slapped his pointed hat on over his ebony hair. 106, looking a bit nervous at the argument between her two leaders, quickly hurried the tall mage out of the room.
As the walked swiftly down the hallway, a confused Jane suddenly stepped in front of the two.
"What's going on? Where are you taking him?" she demanded. Devin grinned at the brown-haired woman.
"It's all right, Jane. I'm with my friends, they'll take care of me," he assured her. Jane nibbled absent-mindedly on her lower lips as she shuffled her feet.
"ButI don't want you to get hurt again. You're important to me; one of my only friends. Are you sure you'll be alright?" she asked quietly. Devin nodded.
"I'll be fine," he said. Jane sighed.
"OOkay, then. Good bye," she murmured. 106, grateful to have the distraction gone, hurried onward as she practically dragged Devin down the hallway. It looked as if they would disappear without even looking back, but as Devin passed the nervous Jane, he swiftly grabbed her hand in his. For a split second their eyes met with an electrifying spark which surprised them both. The bond was soon broken, and Devin gave Jane's small hand a final squeeze before they were pulled part. And as Jane watched Devin walk out into the streets of Madain Sari, she couldn't help but smile at the kind, gentle person that had just walked into her life. Things were certainly getting interesting.
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Go Jane! Go Devin! Oh yeah! Umheh hehI hoped you liked this chapter; I really enjoyed writing it. Stay tuned for the next chapter to see how the black mages and the summoners get along. Ta-ta!