THE definitive adaptation of the FF6 video game!=) Celes, finally reunited with Sabin, discusses what must be accomplished to set things right again…
Forever & Always
Author: Furysetzer
Disclaimer: We all know the drill. I don't own the final fantasy characters. I'm not making money off this. Blah, blah, blah…
Note: I don't like how fanfiction.net loads their pages, especially stories with many chapters. So what I'm going to do is post the newest chapters FIRST in the list, that way, all's you need is 1 click & then you're there! I hope you enjoy my story.
Ch. 5—"The Path Is Shown"
Celes woke up later that evening. She found herself at the inn with Sabin. The doctor had sucked the poison out of her & was just finishing up the bandaging. He was astonished. Never before had scorpion poison stayed dormant within the body. It had no effect. He called it miraculous, but Celes knew it was thanks to Locke's ribbon. The relic was like a totem, symbolizing their bond. It protected her.
Now they sat in big, comfy chairs in front of the fireplace. Celes sat with a blanket in her lap, with her leg on the footrest.
Celes finishes recollecting, "And then, I walked into the town. That's when I saw it."
Throughout her story, Sabin hadn't said a word. He let her muddle through it her own way, from first waking up on the island to right now. The rest he knew. The only time he had said anything was when she spoke of Cid's passing.
Celes focuses her attention back to him. "So now tell me."
Sabin asks, "What?"
"About the beam of energy. About why they called it the 'Light of Judgment.' It came from the tower, didn't it?"
Sabin pushes back into the chair & clutches the arms with both his hands. "Brace yourself, Celes. I'm not sure how you're going to take this."
"I can take it," she reassures.
The fire crackles, somehow reflecting off Sabin's rock hard face. "Everyone says that Kefka is locked up in there."
"How can that be?" she argues.
He somberly states, "I don't know."
Celes stares into the fire, letting her eyes cloud over like Sabin's. "Now I know what Palidor meant."
Sabin continues with, "He's been threatening towns all over, trying to force them to bow down to his will. If not, he'll eventually burn it down. I heard there's almost nothing left of Mobliz."
Celes echoes, "Now I know what I have to do. My mission is to stop him."
Sabin interjects, "Not without me. I'm part of this too."
A few moments of silence passes. Celes mulls over everything. Sabin silently sips his wine.
Celes forcibly pushes these thoughts to the back of her mind. "Enough of that." She looks at Sabin. "How've you been?"
He looks back & smiles. "Oh, I've been around."
"Really."
"Uh huh. It's been hard, but now it's looking up."
Celes smiles too. "You know, I like your beard," she compliments.
Sabin scratches through the blonde stubble. "You think, huh?"
"Absolutely! It suits you." She then shakes her head. "—But not really."
Sabin laughs. "You know, you're actually a very nice person. I think my brother was a little bit wrong about you."
Celes sits back into the cushions, saying nothing. Sabin sighs, realizing what he just said. "I'm sure they're alive," he encourages.
She abruptly says, "Have you seen anybody?" meaning Locke.
Sabin truthfully says, "No. After the collapse, I found myself near the southern shores. I've traveled all over this continent, searching for answers. By the time I made it here, Kefka had started his raid on this town. I have other leads to check up on, but I couldn't leave here with the situation like this."
Celes asks Sabin, "There's probably only 1 thing I don't understand. Why do these people call you Mash?"
"That's my father's name…" he explains. "He wanted to name me that… but I guess it's just 1 of those things that never happened… I took the alias in Albrook when I learned of the Graedum. Since I didn't know anything about Tzen at the time, I figured it was better to be safe than sorry."
The door to the room opens. They look back to see Tisha stick her head in. "Can I come in?" she asks. Surprised, Sabin & Celes looks to each other, then say, "Um, yeah!" Sabin then adds, "If you want to…"
She closes the door & stands in the center of the room. She was actually kind of attractive-looking, realized Celes. Tisha had thick, auburn hair that fell to her shoulders. Her skin was clear, her figure very shapely under her fashionable blouse & skirt.
Tisha asks Sabin, "Is she… 1 of the people you were looking for?"
Sabin swallows & says, "Yeah…"
She tells Celes, "I'm… sorry for the way I treated you before.
Celes nods, "It's okay, it was pretty hectic back there. How's Derek doing?"
"He's just a little shaken up. We're staying with a friend."
Her answer didn't invite further comment, so Celes didn't know what to say further.
Tisha asks, "Rene, can I see you for a moment?"
Sabin swiftly gets up. He tells Celes, "I'll be right back."
They go off together into the corner, which puzzled Celes. What did they have to talk about?"
Tisha whispers, "You're going away, aren't you?"
He returns, "I have to."
Celes got the feeling that she wasn't to be included in this. She shifts positions & looks at the fire.
"No you don't!" she hisses. "We need you here. I need you."
He warns, "I told you…"
"It's her, isn't it?!" she lashes out.
He scoffs, "Don't be ridiculous—"
"Just look at her—she's beautiful! You're going to run off & I'll never see you again," she retaliates.
He shakes his head. "It's not like that…"
"Then tell me what—" she pleads.
"I'm no explaining this now," Sabin sternly says, breaking the hushness.
Tisha's tears come fast & hot. She yells, "Fine! Then I don't care what you do!" She runs out the door, slamming it behind her. Crying, she ran down the hall.
Celes didn't hear much of it, but she got the message clearly enough. When Sabin walked by her, she tried to make it better by saying, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," he says coldly. "She'll understand."
Celes then says, "It's late. I'm gonna turn in."
Obligingly, Sabin helps her up & into the bed. He says just before leaving the room, "I'm going to be right next door. Just pound on the wall if you need anything."
"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow." After nodding, he closed the door.
Celes didn't sleep well that night, even though she was dead tired. Her muscles ached, but her mind was far away.
____________
Sabin & Celes stayed at Tzen less than a week. That was enough time for Celes' leg to heal & for Sabin to prepare themselves for the journey ahead. Even only being there for a couple months, Sabin had earned their trust & friendship. It was a little hard for him to say goodbye.
Just as they were about to leave the small town, he knelt down & put a hand on Derek's shoulder. "Now, you know why I have to leave, right?"
He sniffs, "I know what you told me. But I don't want you to go."
"I understand, but we've been through this. Is your mother around?"
"No. she's still really mad at you, you know."
"It'll be okay. See you, little guy." Derek says bye, & Sabin then pulls the boy close & hugs him.
Celes stood off to the side, doing nothing in particular. She was a little bit depressed. Once again, she felt like a part of her life was missing. She had things to keep her busy enough, but sometimes it felt like that wasn't enough.
Sabin stands up to say goodbye to the group of people standing in front of him. He shakes a few hands & receives a few pats on the back. Some say stuff like good luck & such. Marcellus, the blacksmith, says in his gravely voice, "We'll be alright. You've got to stop that Kefka."
Sabin nods, "I'm gonna do my best."
With nothing more to be said, Sabin joins Celes, & together, they start to hike out of town. Sabin looks back 1 last time, & waves. After that, Celes asks him, "By the way, do you know where we're going?"
Sabin returns, "East, to the mountains. You ever been to Mobliz?"
Completely confused, she shakes her head no. Didn't it exist on a different continent?
"Then I'll explain later. I just hope that we'll be able to cross the Serpent Trench."