Disclaimer: I don't own FFIX, because if I did, Freya, Quina, Amarant, and Eiko would have bigger roles!
Oh right, don't sue me.
Note: This really is a WHOLE LOT of genres! It's really weird I know, but somehow, it came out that way. Thanks to all of those that reviewed; they really make my day. =)
Heresy of Rain by cherry
Part II- Shadowed Light
Never had Freya felt so helpless. She was ashamed that she couldn't deal with this little predicament in her usual manner. Freya felt as if she was the only Knight in history to dishonor the regal Dragon Knights of Burmecia.
You are a Dragoon! Do not forget the title that you were knighted with. Absolve these ridiculous fears! You should strike fear into their heart, they shouldn't strike fear into yours!'
The cheesy motivational speech gave her a bit of the confidence she lacked but it still wasn't enough to convince her. She tried again frantically, Let's seeyour family. You really do miss them don't you? Well live to see your family members again. You're a Burmecian at heart, and all Burmecians share some sort of special bond with their family. Even if they had betrayed you and left you to fend for yourself, they are still your familyLive to see them and then you can confront them if you wish. Seeing them again should be the scariest moment of your life, not a trifling matter such as this! Just survive for now!' The slightly pessimistic speech had the desired effect, however, and her eyes reverted back to become cold and merciless once again, with death as her goal.
Freya looked up sharply and instinctively gripped her spear with a death grip. She thrust her polearm blindly at the unknown intruder and asked tentatively, Who are you?
A thick silence hung suspended in the air and the tension began to build again. Freya could feel goosebumps creep all over herself as the temperature seemed to drop below the freezing point. The silence was unnerving, it seemed to lure her into a false sense of security- she hated that. Freya grew increasingly nervous and positioned herself for an ambush. She had hoped that her battle stance might motivate the aggressor to speak up. Still, the unknown figure refused to answer.
Then she heard a different growling noise that made her skin crawl. It was laughing at her. It sounded half-amused, half-angry at Freya. And strangely enough, the first thought that popped into her mind was, It's going to eat me!' Of course, that was a silly thought! Why would the stalker eat her? It wouldn't dare unlessit was a rat-eating predator. Freya's eyes widened as the thought crossed her mind. No! They would immediately pounce upon their prey! It can't beI sense the human soul within it'
It laughed once more.
Hearing it laugh was horrifying. Freya could only envision what sort of horrors lay in store from this laughing, criminally insane, maniacal psychopath.
The laughing soon ceased and the sound of advancing footsteps could be heard.
Freya wondered if these footsteps could perhaps be walkingaway? No, the echoes of the footsteps became louder and the pace of their strides became faster. What should be done? She had no time to think. Her instinct told her that standing around was going to get her killed. She listened to the sage voice and jumped backwards. She nearly fell over as she slid on her landing. The endless torrents of rain seemed to be frolicking in the chaotic pursuit and did not relent their lashing whips of water.
The option of escape was open to her and now was the only time she could escape. In a second, the time allotted for escape would be far too minimal and the assailant would be much too near for her to escape successfully. But escaping was against Freya's tough nature. She stood her ground and tried once more, Speak your name if you wish to live.
The alley walls were silent as if they, too, were waiting to hear the identity of the mysterious intruder. The echo of footsteps was still heard bouncing of the dank walls. However, the pace slowed down to a leisurely stride. She relaxed, sensing that the invader would reveal their identity any moment now.
The dark shape moved out from the shaded alley and into a beam of a streetlight. He replied amusingly, Still paranoid I see.
Freya was thunderstruck as she realized who it was. Seeing the induced a tidal wave of emotions upon her. She was relieved and then a bit angry and then suddenly tired and then she was sad, once again. Her emotions had floated back to Fratley for some strange reason and she vowed to dispose of his memory soon. But tears already began to well up in her eyes, and she attempted to push all the thoughts and emotions out of her head when she greeted, Well, hello, Amarant.
As the bounty hunter approached her, Freya hastily tried to cover up her newly formed tears and endeavored to put on a happy face as Eiko had once put it. But Amarant saw this and his smirk slightly faded. He asked her, Who died? It was an Amarant way of asking if someone was okay.
But Freya was all too used to his nonchalance and replied crankily, Oh, go away. It was her way of saying that she was fine.
All right, then.
There was a soft silence that followed. Amarant felt that there really was something the matter with Freya so he tried once more, Are you sure someone wasn't murdered?
Freya smiled slightly and teased, Nope, but you were a close one.
Not if I could help it.
I highly doubt that.
Amarant was mildly confused, but he didn't let his confusion show.
Oh nothing Freya looked up at the rain and pretended to be disinterested.
Two can play that game,' thought Amarant smugly. Fine then, he shot back.
Hey, that's not fair! Freya countered, dropping her polite manner.
Who said life is always fair?
Freya didn't answer. The sound of splattered raindrops was magnified ten-fold as the voices ceased their parries, thrusts, and wards.
life isn't always fair Freya trailed off as she thought dismally of Fratley once more, against her own wishes. But this time she didn't have ward it away. There was something about being with her friends that took her mind off of her daily dilemmas.
But, we try Amarant finished for her.
And when that doesn't work, we force them to be, Freya teased, jovial once more.
All was back to normal again. Well, as normal as the two could be. Both the obstinate companions smiled in their own strange ways.
Freya smiling minimally, acting as smug as she could, and Amarant smirking slightly while looking as devious as he could. Not exactly a but it was the closest they would get to it. The two comrades sitting in the alley looked incredibly suspicious with their strange smiles plastered on their face, but it didn't matter. Both knew that the other was smiling, regardless of how twisted and sinister they tried to make a normal and regular smile.
The dank unlit street they sat in was not to dampen the ridiculous Amarant and Freya had plastered on their faces. But, the dark and musty alley walls that were on either side of them were so forlorn that they seemed to be a page out of history. The path that was between them was so narrow, it seemed like the walls were on the verge of devouring the path. But this went unnoticed. Accompanied by one another, they had no reason to fear any living thing. The two were an indestructible team and their friendship, though a strange one, was the bond that held them. Even if they did argue a whole lot
What? I'm better! Freya said, placing her lance upon her shoulder.
You WISHHey! Don't poke me with that damn thing!
Freya removed her lance from Amarant's arm and threatened, Well, don't make me angry then!
Amarant walked to another part of the alley where he sat, grumbling.
Why do you walk away? Come back here! Freya shouted, unwilling to relent on her nagging.
Don't give me that.
I could kill with one swipe of my claws.
You could, but the victim won't be me.
How are you so sure? Amarant sniggered.
What? I'm sure it won't be me! My goodness, how would you ever be able to catch me? And if you were, then I'm quite sure you wouldn't harm me because if you did-
Shut up.
I will if you will.
The perpetual Burmecian rain finally lightened, in an ode to the two allies who were nearly enemies just a while ago. Instead of its usual heavy falling, it treaded lightly upon the heads of the two companions who sat in the alley in silence, enjoying each other's company.