THE unofficial adaptation of the FF6 video game!=) Now in possession of another airship, Celes & Setzer travel to Zozo in the hopes of finding another friend.
Forever & Always
Author: Furysetzer
Disclaimer: Steps to disclaim a copyrighted story: 1) "I don't own the Final Fantasy characters." 2) "I am making no money off this. It's just for fun." 3) Make stupid joke.
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. 11—"Toward New Hopes… & Dangers"
Celes points downward, toward the Zozo mountain range. "There's that bird!" she excitedly says above the gusty wind. "Yes, it's definitely going into the town."
From behind the wheel of the airship, Setzer pushes down the pedal for the landing dear. The supports stretch out from the belly, & the zeppelin descends. They land well outside of town, about 1/3 of a mile. The Falcon was very important to Setzer; he didn't want anything to happen to it. As such, he dropped anchor, & activated the remote control. After they departed, the ship arose to a height well unreachable to land monsters & thieves.
They turn toward the town. Setzer hitches up his pack. "Zo thiz is our lead, huh? A carrier pigeon & your 'hunch'!"
"Don't be so sour," she grimaces. "The clues were perfectly solid. You just have to learn to trust your instincts."
Setzer snorts, "Ztill, I don't like Zozo. 'Bunch of liars & thieves!"
Hiking toward the city, Celes reminds, "That's because you're from Jidoor. The only time you had to worry about money, your coat went out of style!"
Setzer makes a face as she laughs. He still couldn't believe he was hot for her when they first met.
It was the strangest thing. Seeing the city in the distance, it looked exactly the same. The 20 story high buildings still used the mountainside for support. The usually dreary, rainy weather was just starting to give away to darkness. What was with this constant rain, anyway?
As they got closer & the sun went further down, they saw a problem. Giants. They were all about in town, walking the winding, cobblestone streets.
Giants were a species of monster that resemble man. They were usually 20 feet tall. Once thought mythological, they started coming out of the mountains about 50 years ago. The 2 stop. They carefully turn around. Too late, they were already in the valley. A guard was blocking escape to the airship. The giant stared intently at the humans, arms folded.
Sensing the tension, Celes & Setzer continue along their merry way. They were to the city limit when 1 of the giants stops their advancement. He leans down, studying them. He derisively snorts, saying, "Turn back now, humans. This is our domain."
"You can't scare us!" shouts Celes defiantly. "We're looking for Cyan Garamonde!"
The giant grimaces, grumbling, "How I detest humans…"
Before it could become violent, the giant that had blocked the exit to the valley strode forward. The ground reverberates slightly from his footsteps. "Sir Kromel," he salutes. "These humans have a so-called 'arship'."
He rubs his enormous chin. "Hmmm… Take these humans into captivity. Bring me this 'arship'."
Setzer protests. "You can't impound the Falcon—"
The giant Kromel raises his foot, intent upon squashing this worm. Celes stands in front of him, arms spread open. "It's okay!" she shouts up. "We'll go quietly."
Disinterested, Kromel starts to walk away. The next thing everyone knew, there was chaos. Something blocked out the long shadow of the sun past the mountains. A split second later, something swooped down out of the sky. It was so large that it swept over everyone, including the giants. Human & giant alike cry out in danger. Everyone ducks for cover.
Right after the panic of that, something else happens. A beam of energy shoots past, missing Celes' head by scant inches. Another 1 flies into the group. It strikes a giant's ankle harmfully. Three come at them. A dozen. Everywhere, thick beams fill the air. Celes ducks down, pulling Setzer with her. The 2 look to see where they were coming from, which was all around.
The flying, shadowy creature that first started all this swoops past again. No longer silent, it lets loose a horrendous, screeching roar. To the giants attempting to strike it, they knew the sound could only belong to 1 kind of beast: a dragon.
The humans have found out the source of the magic attacks. They are coming from a gaggle of ghosts firing rays at them.
A man runs out from the town. He is wearing ancient, chain mail armor, bearing a rose & sword pattern crest. He also carries a thin, long sword, which he uses to slice a ghoul in half. Its upper half slides off its lower, & the whole ghost disappears. He manages to slash several of them like this, until they see his threat. Some start firing beams at him.
Celes sees these actions & unleashes a dispersion spell upon him. Whichever ones the knight didn't dodge, they would harmlessly fizzle out from the barrier surrounding him.
With the end of the ghosts comes the end of the attack. The horrible dragon senses their demise, spreading its wings. The thing takes off, flying over the mountains.
Shakily, Celes & Setzer stand up. With the giants all but gone to them, the 2 gaze at their old friend. He dusts himself off, after which turning to them. After a long silence, his hard face turns into a smile, & he approaches them.
Cyan swiftly bear hugs Celes, lifting her up. Setzer laughs as she gasps. He sets her down & she takes a breather from being crushed. Chuckling, the 2 men clasp hands, hugging shoulders off to the side.
After that, Setzer says, "I guezz Celez' hunch wasn't wrong after all."
Cyan turns to her, raising an eyebrow. Celes returns his stare for a moment, noticing something. In their year of separation, he looked to have aged almost 10. His hair had some gray strands in it now. Though it was still long & black, held back in a ponytail. His face had just a few more creases, his posture just a little more stout. Was it her imagination, or had he walked to them a tiny bit slower, just somewhat more strained?
But with an awe-shucks look, a small smile & shake of her head, Celes says, "I'll tell you later. It's just that… well, how'd you get here in the first place!"
They are interrupted by the giant Kromel. The others have recovered, & are off repairing damage. Hunched down on bended knees, he asks, "These are… charges of yours, Sir Cyan?"
Suddenly weary, he sighs, "'Tis true, Sir Kromel. They shall be of big help."
The giant stands back up, nodding. "I then leave them in your care." Walking off, he stops a giant passing by. "Make sure their arship is put in the Larkin's site…"
Setzer says flatly, "What-is-that-about."
"I have a place in the mountains," he informs them. "We shall go there, & talk…" Cyan walks into town, not waiting for them. With apprehension, the others follow.
____________
They all had a lot to mull over that night. They took it fast, getting right down to it, condensed, right up to the resurrection of the Falcon. In truth, a bird led them to Zozo. After the liftoff, a carrier pigeon flew by the airship. Reacting out of something more than logic, Celes had Setzer follow it. It led them to Maranda, where a mail office as in service. The kind proprietor, Lola, remembered Setzer. Celes recognized Cyan's handwriting on 1 of the letters. So they followed the carrier pigeon here. They asked him why he'd been sending letters to her. Cyan was unwilling to talk about it, mumbling something about the past.
When Cyan stumbled into this town, he learned of the giants. When the ground opened up, the Western Mountains fell, & they had lost their home. Southward, to the Zozo Mountain range was their only choice. Zozo's citizens were a cowardly lot. They forsook the town, actually giving it to the giants. During this time, Cyan had somehow managed to become their general, a mediator between the humans who populated the continent.
"Lemmie get thiz ztrait," Setzer says. "The dragon was releazed from itz prison deep underground, where it juzt 'hooked up' with Dadaluma?"
Chair tipped back from the table, Cyan nods, "Yes. He refused to leave. Using the undead minions of Hades, the 2 formed their alliance. 'Tis draining, combating nightly. We need some sort of action to drive them away."
Head lowered, Celes quietly says, "And I wouldn't suppose your service is 'voluntary'?"
"I hast ties to these people," Cyan replies simply. "A long time ago, hill giants helped to battle the barbarians trying to invade Doma. Kromel ist the son of Rilken, hence, their leader."
"So you're… committed, then?" replies Celes to his reply.
Cyan nods, & Setzer bangs the table with his fist. "If that's what it takes, we'll get you through this."
"Not to mention your airship," Celes sourly says.
Setzer swiftly turns his head her way. "Excuse me?"
She folds her arms. "Why are we even taking time on this? Our main duty should be going after Kefka."
"I realize thy frustration," Cyan continues. "Though here, patience ist necessary. Thou wouldst do well to learn that, lass." Celes sighs & Cyan concludes, "'Tis me thee ist worried about, worry not. We shan't leave the world as it is. I hast spoken to Kromel of this."
Defeated, Celes says, "That's only part of it. What if, in waiting so long, something happens to 1 of the others, because we couldn't get to them in time? Or worse, Kefka starts to do something more than threatening towns. He already has the magic. I'm really worried that he'll try to get even more power."
"I thinkest thee ist wrong," Cyan says. "This whole thing seems bigger than us alone. Thee said so thyself: Palidor granted thee as harbinger."
"I think I know what your zaying. If that Ezper was able to contact with you, that means zome of it is ztill alive."
Cyan nods. "Correct. Furthermore, I dost not think time shall play a major role in this. I've learned more than once, the Fates decide more than just how long thee lives. We wouldst not be where we are tonight, if we weren't meant to see this out to the end."
Celes shakes her head vigorously. "You're right. My head… is just… really fuzzy."
Setzer stands up from his chair, rubbing his eyes. "We're all in need of zome zleep. We've been up for the last couple days."
Cyan gets up & unlocks the door to the room. They all walk down the hall to 3 doors. After Cyan reminds them to lock the doors, they retire to their rooms.
____________
Celes slept soundly & deeply for the first time in a while that night. That is, until an ethereal voice summoned her to get up.
Her head rose up from the pillow, even before she knew to be awake. Covers moved off, suddenly standing in her nightgown, the soft, male voice silently called for her, beckoning to the window.
She stands in front of the sill, looking toward a couple stars shining through the clouds. The open sky beyond them looked so far away & so vast…
Celes wanted to open the window, to reach out for them, & so she did. Unlatching the lock, pulling it up, a thick fog suddenly pours in. Over the sill, pouring onto the floor, from it, a large man rises up. Arms folded, he is dark & muscle-bound. He wears a cloth belt, with thick silken pants. His smile was wide & flat. With a shock, Celes comes to her senses, recognizing Dadaluma.
"We meet again," he silkily murmurs. "Do you remember last time, I helped you find your friend?"
"You… attacked us. And you tricked me to get in here…"
"A test, child," he smoothly responds. "And now, my intentions… are to help you again."
His voice was so… convincing to Celes. He spoke… almost hypnotically, though she hardly noticed.
He quietly takes a few steps forward. "You want to help, correct? You can help me. Take your friends & leave… The giants don't need your help, & you don't want to give it…"
This was all happening too fast. She had just woken up not even 2 minutes ago. Celes turns her head from his gaze. He spoke… so logically. It made such perfect sense… until she saw the dragon's head peering at them.
It was looking through the window, holding itself upside down. Its enormous beak, serpentine tongue… seeing it broke Celes right out of the trance.
She took a step back, still staring at it in fascination. She intended to lunge to the bed for her sword. She as going to slay their bloody hide. Instead, she was paralyzed. The dragon's gaze held her knees, locked.
Dadaluma whispers in her ear, "Now you are helpless. Do as I say, or we'll capture you. We'll torture you & split open your guts. Then the Storm Dragon will feast on your entrails while in chains, you watch."
Celes whispers in denial, "No…"
The door is suddenly kicked open. Cyan bursts in, striking with sword in hand. Dadaluma barely dodges, & when he did, Cyan arches his swing. The blade slices into his neck, cutting through skin, through bone. He is decapitated, head lopped off. The body falls stiffly onto the floor.
Suddenly, a horrible screech. The dragon reaches its head in with its long neck.
Cyan lunges for Celes, pulling her down as it clamps into the foot of the bed. It was still upside down, about ready to smash down with its head, so Cyan stabs upward with his sword. The bloody blade sinks into its eye.
It pulls back quickly, roaring in pain. It backs through the window, sword in tow. The dragon leaps off the outside wall, tail whipping out. With that final act, smashing the window.
Setzer rushes in. Upon seeing the disaster, "What in Hades…" he breathes.
Cyan carefully stands Celes up. Hands over her face, she cries uncontrollably. Being led out of the room, "Oh Goddess—" she repeats over & over.
____________
Celes was lying in another bed, huddled under the blanket protectively. Setzer was in the room, lying on the couch, snoring softly. Cyan lay on the floor at the side of the bed, sleeping lightly, staying vigil. There was still many hours until tomorrow.
After the ordeal, they went to a room 1 floor under, which faced the mountain. Her friends tried to console her as best they could, though she was traumatized. Of course, she had seen dead bodies before, but actually being involved in the brutal murder…? The dragon kept entering her mind as well.
Cyan called it dragonfear. It can grip even the most steadfast man. Though that couldn't help her feeling of being so vulnerable. Where was Locke, anyway, who promised to watch out for her? She was half tempted to blame him, but of course it wasn't his fault. It wasn't Cyan's fault, either. He was trying to save her life.
Celes silently cried a couple more times that night. She would be okay, after awhile…