True Love's Song
Part 3- The Mage and the Summoner
By Alria
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the FF9 characters or settings.
Author's Note: I know it's been awhilea LONG whilebut I've had a lot on my mind. Sorry for the EXTREMELY LONG delay, and I hate to admit that it might be just as long before the next part is up. I need to get going on my novel. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience, but I'll get these up eventually. Oh, and a special thanks to Karol Nibelhim for the encouragement (Do you have instant messenger?)
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Devin sighed as he ran a gloved hand through his sweat-drenched ebony hair. A wide grin spread across his face as he stepped back to admire the handy work of himself and his friends. After months of hard labor, finally, they were finished. There, standing tall and proud in the noon-day sun, were four small buildings. They weren't the most beautiful things in the world, but to the four tired black mages, it was like seeing a bright new sunset. Finally it was done; the Black Mage Village.
13 brushed the sawdust from his robe and walked up to Devin. 106, still holding 266's hand, grinned as she admired the fresh buildings. Then, tucking a strand of ebony hair behind her ear, she looked over at Devin and 13.
"Well, we've made the first village for black mages. What should we do know?" she asked. 13 grinned.
"Isn't it obvious? We need a strong leader to run the town. Some one who can give this town a strong identityand militaryso we can get rid of all the cold-blooded humans on this continent. And I nominate me."
Devin winced.
"We don'tto wipe out the humans. They've been here longer then us anywaymaybe they can help us get our feet on the ground? Humans aren't all bad," he said meekly. 106 nodded.
"I agree! They can help us get things started, teach us the ways of the land. So, I nominate 6," she said. 266 giggled cheerfully and ran up to Devin, wrapped his tiny arms around the mage's waist.
"Me too!" he cried happily. 13 scowled at his three companions, his eyes narrowed into deep slits.
"Alright, fine! If you want that human-minion to be the leader, I won't complain. But it's your on fault when this city crashes down to the ground in a ball of flames!" he snarled, and stormed off into the woods. The three black mages stood in the awkward silence for quit some time as the cool breeze shuck the willow trees. 266 clung tightly to Devin's royal blue robe, his golden eyes wide with fright. Devin, still watching the place where 13 disappeared into the forest, shuck his head sadly and rested his hand comfortingly on 266's shoulder. When would that ignorant man understand?
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Jane, her dark brown hair pulled up in a tight bun, smiled to herself as she diligently scrubbed away at an old pot. It had been nearly a year now since she had first met Devin on that cold night so long ago, and ever since then the two had been practically inseparable. The met almost every night down on the white beach by the ocean, spending hours just talking and enjoying each other's company. He was her best friend, her trusted companion through thick and thin. Why, he was even the one who had helped her weasel her way out of the marriage with Harold? Jane sighed fondly. And tonight, as soon as the sun went down, she would see him again. Only tonight would be different. Devin had said that tonight he had a special surprise for her. Jane giggled. Just thinking about it made her giddy with excitement. What could it be?
After she had finished scrubbing all the dirty pots and pans, Jane walked over towards the window. She smiled as she watched the bright orange sun sink quietly beneath the Western hills. Finally, after hours of waiting, she could go see Devin. She pulled a light shawl off of the clothes rack and wrapped it tightly around her shoulders. And then, brown eyes sparkling as brightly as the stars above, she headed out the door and down the path towards the white sandy beach.
Once there, Jane looked around hopefully. It was a perfect night to be out, a cool breeze blowing across her pale face and playfully wiping strands of dark hair into her face. The moon was full, lighting up the cool night and casting a wavering reflection on the waters surface. It was almost perfectthe only thing missing was Devin.
Jane looked left and right, her forhead creased with worry. Why wasn't he here? Was this some sort of practical joke? Jane let out an uneasy sigh as she wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders. Was he alright?
Suddenly, two firm hands gently gripped her shoulders. Jane let out a quick gasp and whirled around to see who it was. And there was Devin, his raven hair blown across his face and his golden eyes shining like the stars in the heavens. Jane smiled warmly, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and buried her face into his strong chest. She could feel his arms behind her back as he pulled her closer. A warm smile on his face, Devin leaned down and planted a soft kiss on her forhead. Jane giggled and looked up into his kind face.
"I knew you'd come," she said happily. Devin chuckled.
"Where else would I be? There's no one else I'd rather be with," he said warmly. Jane grinned.
"So, you asked me here for a reason. What's the surprise?" she asked. At this, Devin hesitated and began to wring his gloved hands.
"Uhyou see, it'sum," he mumbled. Jane crossed her arms, a smile still on her face. Devin was so sweet when he was nervous.
"What? What is it?" she insisted. Devin let out a deep breath and looked up at the sky, still clearly nervous. At this point, Jane was starting to get annoyed. She snorted and put her hands on her hips.
"Devin! What is it? I know you didn't come out here to stutter all night. Tell me!" she demanded. With one final deep breath, Devin reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. Jane's eyes widened in surprise as he slowly began to kneel before her. Could it be? Was this really happening? It all seemed like a dream, and yet as Devin slowly opened the box to reveal a tiny diamond she could hardly control her emotions. Tears streamed down her face as she stared into his amber eyes.
"Jane, I know I'm not a regular human, but I can tell you that my love is real. I love you more then anything else in this world, and it would make me the happiest man alive if your would be my wife," he said softly. Jane, tiny crystals rolling down her cheeks, knelt down beside Devin and took his hand in hers.
"The first alliance of a black mage and a summoner. To think the words would one day be used together. Yes, I will," she answered. Devin, his eyes sparkling like stars, gently lifted her hand and ever so carefully placed the ring on her finger. Jane smiled happily, and then collapsed into the security of his arms. Devin sighed as he gently stroked her soft hair.
"Things will be difficult. My family won't approve, and I know yours won't," he said softly. Jane only smiled and nestled up close to him.
"Don't worry. We love each other and as long as we are together, there's nothing we can't get through. Right?" she said. Devin placed two fingers under her chin and lifted her face to meet his.
"Yes, you're absolutely right. And we'll always be together," he said softly. Jane sighed and closed her chestnut eyes. No matter what, they would always be together. Always
~
Devin, feeling as if he were floating among the clouds, walked through the trees towards the black mage village. It had only been about an hour since he had proposed to Jane and he could still feel his heart pounding. To think, he was going to spend the rest of his life with the one person he loved. Who knew? Maybe the marriage between the leader of the black mages and the daughter of the head summoner would bring the two civilizations closer! Still light-headed with joy, Devin lifted his gloved hands into the air. He shot three bright streaks of magic into the night sky, each leaving a glittering path behind them. Everything was so perfect!
All at once, a firm hand grabbed his shoulders and pushed in to the ground. Devin's chin slammed into the moist dirt, dark mud splashing up in his face. Spitting a big glob of soil out of his mouth, Devin turned and looked up at his attacker. And there, standing high above him, his amber eyes shining with anger, was 13.
13's eyes were burning with golden fire as Devin scooted backwards in fear. He had never seen him like this beforehis face contorted in such pure anger. 13 snarled and grabbed Devin's sapphire robe, jerking the mage roughly to his feet. Without warning, 13's hand flew forwards with tremendous force, ramming into Devin's flesh and sending him sprawling out onto the filthy ground once again.
Devin, gasping for breath as he lay in the mud, felt warm blood trickling into his eye from a cut above it. Confused and hurt, Devin turned and looked up at 13, his eyes wide with fear and pain.
"WhaWhat's going on? 13?" he asked shakily. 13's scowl only deepened as he glared at Devin.
"Don't play dumb with me, you bastard. I followed you; I know what you're up to! You're going to marry a human! To think, you've been leading us for this long and all the while you were plotting to destroy us! You're a spy! How could you do this!?" he snarled. Devin shook his head in protest.
"No! I'm not a spy! Don't you get it? I'm marrying her because I love her! And maybe this will bring the humans and the mages together! We can live side by side, and work together to build a better world! Don't you see?" he cried. 13 shot Devin a glare that could have easily sliced a boulder in two.
"The only thing I see is a traitor who is trying to destroy us all." And with that, 13 raised his hand. Devin's eyes widened in raw terror as he saw the gloved hand beginning to glow a deep crimson. Devin sighed as he admitted defeat. He could fight backbut that might endanger Jane even more. And so, spirits smashed into the dirt he was sitting on, Devin watched helplessly as 13 raised his glowing hand above his head.
Then, all at once, 13 stopped. Slowly, he lowered his hand as the red light flickered to nothing. Devin stared at him in confusion. What was going on? 13 glared down at Devin.
"No. you won't die now. You'll die after you have witnessed the deaths of every single damned human on this continent! And that includes your precious Jane. I'll make sure her death is particularly gruesome," he snarled.
At the mention of Jane, something snapped inside Devin's mind. Thiswas threatening to murder his Jane. His mind clouded with shear rage, Devin slowly rose to his feet, grabbed 13's cloak and pulled him closer. Then, his voice quivering with anger, he spoke.
"Go. Go as far away as you can from here. I don't want to see your sniveling face around here ever again. And if you EVER come backI'll kill you. Mark my words, I will not stop until you are a pile of dust." Devin, still seething with anger, shoved 13 away. He stumbled form the force and then began to walk off into the woods. Suddenly, he turned and stared at Devin with an icy glare.
"Don't think this is the end. I'll get my revenge, and wipe out you and your pathetic human friends! I swear it!" he roared, and then disappeared into the dark canopy of trees
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