THE unofficial adaptation of the FF6 video game!=) Finally reunited with Cyan, the heroes have to find a way to recover the airship, destroy the dragon, & avoid the Giants…
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. 12—"Escaping Zozo"
One thing kept nagging at Setzer's mind, as he was walking down the hall. Usually, in a game of blackjack, the dealer doles out cards to you, all the while you have to keep track of the odds, getting as close to 21 without going over as possible. In this case, how long before you lose? 1, 2, 3 deals? The encounter last night was only the beginning.
Of course he heard the fairy tales. Though they had to be reality now. Eight dragons, sealed away 1,000 years in the past. His dear, departed mother used to speak of them to scare him to sleep at night.
The Storm Dragon, commander of wind, raided many kingdoms. In its wake, many treasures & secrets lost to mankind. He remembers now. Dragons were magical beasts, with century's old life spans. The 1 thing that shocked him, though, was the fact they were territorial by nature. Reaching the stairs, he races down them, intent on finding Cyan.
____________
"Kromel," Cyan asks, "dost thee know why the dragon still attacks, even though Dadaluma ist dead?"
It was in the evening, about an hour after the last attack. They sat in the cave, drinking a dark, bitter tea, having a meeting.
He sets the large cup down. Kromel grumbles, "It's not your concern, general. We shall battle the beast until defeated. Either way."
Cyan takes a sip, nodding. "I see… Thou ist aware of the dragon legends, correct?"
He leans back against the wall, clasping his hands in his lap. "Of course. Aren't humans, as well?"
"Actually," he swallows, "I wast not. The man from the airship remembered it."
He nods, "Mmm Hmmm. You imply something?"
"Not really…" He shakes his head. "I wast just wondering. Ist it plausible to gain an advantage? They art known for being territorial. We find its home, we stop the attacks."
Kromel says abruptly, "That is not possible. Protect our home. Stay in this town."
"May I ask why?!" he asks, standing up. "Thou know mine skill. No advantage can be gained!"
"Sit down, Garamonde! The decision is made. Do not try my patience."
"I thinkest there ist nothing more to say," Cyan calmly says as he walks out the mouth of the cave.
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Cyan returns to the room, opening the door. The others are there, standing up & going over to him. He shuts the door behind him.
"What happened?" asks Celes. "What'd he say?"
He replies, "Setzer ist right. They art hiding something.
Setzer says, "I knew it. They're probably looking for zome zort of treasure horde."
"In any case, we art not staying. I no longer trust Kromel. We shall leave immediately."
____________
Only Cyan knew where the "Larkin's Site" was. Even then, it took most of the night getting there. It was a hollow mountain, his source said. Trying to figure out which hangar was more of a problem. Sneaking past the guards on duty was the hardest part.
The 3 crept through the shadows, sometimes using distractions to get by. However, they were exhausted by the time they reached the place.
The Falcon rested comfortably upright against the ground. Its balloon was still inflated. It looked fine. They examined it, discovering something interesting.
The cargo hold was laden with treasure. Ancient gold coins, gemstones, mechanical gadgets—priceless wonders of every description were just piled in its belly.
Cyan returned to the town, to belay suspicions to the giants. Setzer became busy modifying the airship, &… other things. Celes stood watch, unless something just decided to walk on in.
Sometime late in the afternoon, the plan was finished. Setzer his in the airship, while Celes headed back to get Cyan.
She went to his room, but he wasn't there. Cyan made it clear he'd wait for them there until it was ready. She checked the barren closet, in case he had to hide there for some reason. Strange. There was a barely visible panel in the corner where the wall met the ceiling.
Celes pushes on it, & sinking into the wall, a passage appeared. It led into the mountain. She went through.
Celes stepped into a hidden room, built into the mountain. It was little more than a cave, with 2 exits leading to somewhere outside. Though it was the décor that stunned her.
Against the wall, a small writing desk. In the corner, a birdcage. Everywhere else in the room, flowers. Not regular ones, rather handmade silken pieces. She bent down & touched 1. The craftsmanship was extraordinary. Celes had not seen anything like these… except for in Maranda.
She remembers. Lola's room was covered with flowers exactly like these. She told her Rob had sent them to her. But now she thinks how could the carrier pigeon have come to Zozo instead, when Lola said he was in Mobliz? Terra was there… said something about someone named Rob having died.
Celes crosses the room, going out the right side. Cyan was out there, standing on the edge of the grassy cliffside. With his back to her, he hadn't noticed her. He held a carrier pigeon in his hand. With a swift motion, Cyan thrust out his hands. The bird flew out. It kept flying southward, intent on a destination.
From her memory, a haiku came to Celes' mind.
World before the fall…
Delightful is light of dawn…
Noble is man's heart…
It came from a Kurzean poet from translation. Story was, after the War of the Magi, he thought of it after a year hiding under the ground. It's about how purity makes you feel, returning to it…
He turns around, starting in surprise. "D-Didst thee see…?"
Celes respected his privacy, so she didn't need an explanation. "Just answer me 1 thing," she says. "Do you love her… or something?"
Uncomfortably, he relates, "Well, maybe… oh, I dost not know! I spent time there, & finding out, 'twas hard. Perhaps in another life…"
He looks out beyond the mountains. The quickly waning sunlight reflected brightly off him. "Still, I didst not want her to experience mine own pain. I wanted to comfort her. Lola hadn't found out. I wanted her to stay full of life. If that meant spilling a white fib, well…"
Cyan hangs his head. "I cannot keep perpetuating this lie. Other circumstances, & mine own guilt force me to tell her the truth. That letter 'twas the last. I only hope she dost not curse my name…" There, he had said it all. Despite his feelings, it was all out. He felt drained.
Celes goes over to him, putting her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Don't think of it like that. From what I know, no one could ever curse you. You're the gentlest person I've ever known."
He turns, looks her in the eye. An immense & profound understanding fills them. Together, they head for the airship.
____________
Celes shushes her 2 companions. "You hear that?"
"'Tis our diversion?" asks Cyan.
"Sounds like a dragon, doesn't it?"
"Cover your ears," Setzer says. "Thiz explosion is a biggie." From a remote, he presses the 3 buttons simultaneously. A huge explosion from above causes chunks of the mountain come crashing down. A second later, the engines come to life, pushing the aircraft up through the hole in the roof.
Outside, the unnatural orange sunset covered everything. They slowly moved over the mountains, gaining speed. Though something was wrong. A slab of rock must have hit the propellers, for they were heading off course. Instead of eastward, they went northwest, directly into the town.
Down in the streets, a battle was being waged. The giants battling the Storm. They had brute strength & safety in numbers on their side. The dragon had ancient magic & command of the sky. They fought each other fiercely. Upon seeing the ship, they halted.
The giants shouted up at them angrily. Sensing the closeness of the treasure, the dragon shrieked in rage. By this time, Setzer was literally banging the rudders with his tools, trying to get them back on course.
Storm Dragon leaps off the building straight for them. It flew up toward them fast. Leaning over, Celes gets an idea. "Release the cargo!" she shouts.
Cyan runs over to the booth. "I hast got it!"
Setzer holds his hand out. "No—wait!"
Too late. The Falcon's belly splits open—the treasure plummets. It strikes the dragon, dragging it down. Caught in the downpour, the entire mess crashes into the city. With Storm trapped, the giants would proceed to kill the beast. They would receive their ill-gotten wealth. One of the fabled 8 Dragons would be lost to this world.
Setzer has proceeded to fix their course. Walking steadily over to his comrades, he asks, "Why'd you do that? The treasure rightfully belonged to uz humanz."
Crossly, Celes says, "That dragon was 5 seconds away from ripping us to pieces. Besides, we have nothing to gain by keeping it. I guess it belongs to the giants now."
Setzer grumbles, "You're right," as he heads to the wheelhouse. "Where're we headed for, Cyan?" he calls.
He grins. "Keep her steadily northwest. We shall come to the Veldt by daybreak."