This story belongs to me and my creative mind. However, most of the characters, names, and places all belong to their respective companies, so don't yell at me for copyright infringements! Remember, Italics represent a person's thoughts or the telling of past events.

Enjoy...

:Faraway Dreams:

Chapter Five:

Fedrich rubbed another palmful of potion across his chest, working the muscles to try and numb the pain that encased his body. He winced as another battle came to a painful end, one warrior sporting a broken limb after the other had literally thrown him into the air and allowed gravity to do the work. His own arm twitched in pain at the thought.

"At least I did it, after training for so long. I'm finally on my way to victory..."

"A surprise for all."

Fedrich looked to his side, seeing Flaure taking a place on the wall next to him. Her voluminous clothing, mostly ruined by the dragoon spell, was covered in a woolen cloak to keep her modesty intact. Her appearance was still ragged, parts of her hair shriveled from the heat and her face still coated in sweat and burns. Not wanting any bad blood between them, Fedrich reached into a back pocket of his vest and drew out a high potion, offering it to the girl. She gave it a strange look, then looked at him. He nodded, and the warrioress took it carefully and downed the light blue liquid with a sigh.

"It's not normal for opponents to treat each other's wounds." She commented.

"Except we're not opponents any longer, just two people with similar problems."

She managed a humored grin. "So it would appear."

"What attack was that?" Fedrich asked. "I've never seen anyone with that kind of power before."

She leaned her head back to rest on the stone wall. "That is the second of two techniques I've learned from my current master, Cyan Garamonde. He has taught me how to become a conductor for the holy energies of heaven, how to take it and mold it to my choosing. It is through his training that I have earned my title as a Purity Knight, but I still have much to learn before I can truly accept that position." She looked over to the Burman. "Where did you learn your attack? I have not seen such a unique strength either."

Fedrich sighed wistfully. "I don't know."

"How could you not!?" Flaure interrupted, eyes wide.

"I just don't." He repeated, looking up to grab at words. "When we were fighting each other at the end, something in my head just...woke up, like it had always been sleeping in me. I just trusted in it, and you know what happened after that."

"That I do." She mused, thinking deeply. "That must be why. You yourself had no knowledge of that strength, so how could I have measured it and discovered a means to defeat it? It was the perfect weapon...unstoppable, unreadable..."

"It was the only thing I had against you that worked."

"Not necessarily. You showed enough skill and wisdom to try and work against a pattern you saw within my style, not many others possess that kind of thinking. You attempted to force me to adapt to your strategy instead of blindly fighting mine."

"It was just luck, nothing else."

"Modesty, too, is something uncommon among the warriors here."

Fedrich felt a tinge of blush enter his face, but Flaure didn't pick up on it. Instead, she stood up and shook her hair loose, then turned and offered a hand to her one time opponent. "You did well, Hunter Fedrich. I wish you luck in the Festival."

"Thank you, Flaure." He accepted the shake with an equally firm grip, noting for the first time that she was shorter than him by a good number of inches. From that perspective, she really did look like a child barely in adolescence. "We'll both have to enter next year and test ourselves again."

"I'll remember that. Farewell until then." She smiled, turning to leave the courtyard.

Fedrich watched her leave, grinning at the chance to test himself against someone of her caliber again. Subconsciously, he wondered if he would ever get the opportunity in face of the need to protect his homeland's future.

..........

Clawed feet rattled out a familiar tick tack pattern that gave away his approach, but for ears used to the noise and able to dull it out, Fedrich didn't pay any attention to it. The Hall was illuminated by the dulling afternoon sun, bright yellows and oranges painting it all over with long strokes of shadow. Open doors greeted him, and he stepped inside to see that everyone was present and chatting around the central table.

"Fedrich!" Ruthy was first to shout, standing to greet him. "How did it go?"

The Burman gave a thumbs up. "Done and done, I'm finally in."

"Congratulations!" She cheered, running up to give him a quick hug. "I knew that you'd get into the Festival!"

He returned the embrace with a smile. "Yep. Now tomorrow it's going to be the real test, this time to get the Master Hunter title for myself!"

The redhead went back to her chair and sat down, Fedrich doing the same. He looked over at Illis, noting a large amount of bandages underneath her clothes and on her arms. "Something happen in the field?"

She snorted in anger. "Something like twenty Vices out to roast you alive."

Fedrich's eyes widened. "It's nothing serious, is it?"

"Just burns, nothing more."

He looked to Gerick. "Was it that bad?"

"Bad doesn't touch it, Fedrich, yer lucky that the Festival's got your attention. The patrol would've singed you bald 'o fur." His typical smile returned. "Lucky for us Cecil was willin' to help, so we managed a good haul despite the beating we took."

"Only after Ruthy had to convince you to get his help." Illis added with a sour tone.

Fedrich looked between the woman and Gerick, then at Ruthy. She shook her head in frustration, motioning to the two with a hand. "They...we had an argument about the patrol. We ended up going to see Captain Cecil to see if he could help, and he volunteered for the job. I was only expecting some of his men, but he said he had a debt to pay back from the Fire Bandit. It was because we weren't sure about going on the patrol. You were worried about the Vices, and we had to go out without you, so it would've been a disaster if we ran into them without help."

"Well, once tomorrow passes by, I'll be back with you and ready to take them on." Fedrich grinned.

"That'll be good enough for 'ya, Illis?" Gerick asked of the dark clothed woman.

"Yeah." She gave the elder man a look. "But we still need to look for someone to replace Gordan, and more still if we want it easy in the future."

"Easy or not, this isn't the military. We can't go hirin' more people 'an expect to stay afloat. They work for money, you know, it'd mean less for you and me."

"Sometimes it feels like it would be worth the loss."

"You two..." Ruthy started, eyeing them both. "Don't start arguing again, it's bad enough when we patrol."

Illis stared at her younger sister, then stood up and smoothed her hair back. "You sound like an old maid."

Ruthy gasped. "You take that back!"

She snickered, then turned to leave. "That's better. I'll see you at home."

"G'night, Illis." Gerick muttered after her footfalls on the cobblestone square. He picked up his hammer from the wall and set it on the table, snatching spent rags and pans of oil to start cleaning it properly.

Fedrich stood up and stretched his arms, still feeling sore and restrained pains across most of his body. He was thankful that he remembered to purchase a number of potion, else he would hardly be able to move after his duel with Flaure. "I'm going for a walk, Gerick."

"See you around." He replied while eyeing his weapon. "You'd better get lots of sleep tonight, so don't be meandering 'till all hours."

"Like I ever have." He snickered in reply, passing through the doors of the Hall. He hadn't stepped more than six paces before an arm gripped his shoulder, familiar amber eyes peering at his face.

"Mind some company?"

"Not at all."

The two Regulators left the familiar surroundings of the square, entering the winding streets that span the circumference of Lindblum's walls. People passed them in rushed paces or in slow evening meanderings, most chattering with one another over the droning of the Airships. The airborne crafts themselves were darting to and fro, in a constant state of motion and never standing still long enough to appreciate the view they flew in. Clouds in the sky and the falling sun made for a picture worthy setting, bright yellows and oranges staining the heavens in pastel afterthoughts.

"So how were the trials?" Ruthy asked, breaking their silence.

"Difficult, almost more than I could take." Fedrich mentally noted all his sore muscles at the reminder. "It was easier at first, but it wore down to the best warriors in the Festival. I barely made it out of the last trial."

"Tough opponent?"

"Not so tough as much as smart. She seemed able to read my moves before I acted, but I won out by a lucky hit."

"She? Your last fight was with a woman?"

"A girl, really. Strong for her age." He looked at Ruthy and her strange expression. "You think it's odd that women entered?"

"Kinda. You don't find many women around that like to fight, less even that would enter a competition."

"Well, the Festival does bring in all kinds of people."

"True..."

The conversation wore down to silence again, Fedrich admiring the view of the city while Ruthy simply looked ahead in thought. Their walk had brought them to the more active part of the Theater District, where the looming concert halls and centers of knowledge lay. People were lined up in throngs to enter some buildings, bright banners illuminated by artificial light announcing performances by famous actors or respected musicians. Ruthy looked at the crowds with a light sigh, the masses made up solely of couples out on the town. She looked to Fedrich, the Burman lost in his own thoughts, and pursed her lips.

I know he must be tired after going through so many fights, but would he mind? She looked away, nervousness creeping into her thoughts. I know he'd agree just to be polite, but would he really mean it? I don't want to keep him out late if he wants to sleep, but...Oh, come on Ruthy, don't be a coward! You'll only know if you ask him, so ask!

"Fedrich, would you like to go on a date?"

"Huh?" Fedrich muttered, snapping out of his daydreaming.

"I mean, would you like to go out for dinner?" She repeated, altering some key words in a nervous fit. "A celebratory dinner for...getting into the Festival! We could go to the Blue Crow, or anywhere you like!"

"Sure, I'll take you up on that." He smiled warmly. "It's been a while since I've had a chance to talk to someone over a good meal."

Ruthy returned the smile, trying her best to keep her nervous feelings pinned below. "Thank you."

The Blue Crow wasn't especially busy, but most of the tables were occupied and the workers were hastily rushing from group to group with menus or meals. The din of conversation wasn't too powerful, but enough to mandate a little rise in speaking. It was just crowded enough to void the sensation of relaxation from the blue atmosphere.

"So how has everyone been doing? I've hardly seen you in the past few days."

"Well, we're all doing alright. Gerick's been acting kind of cranky about the Patrols, especially since Illis started pointing out that we need help. The number of monsters has been increasing a lot lately. Gerick says that it's just a late start on the summer season, but it's too sudden in my opinion."

"You think something happened?" Fedrich commented after finishing a mouthful of greens.

"I don't know what could've happened, but whatever it was got all the monsters out in force and more aggressive than ever. I mean, up until last time we went out I've never seen Vices in the plains, much less in large groups. Now they're roaming right next to the walls, other monsters are stalking all around the plains and trails. It's scary, like they're all gathering together for some common reason."

"They wouldn't do that." Fedrich pointed out. "They don't have the brains to do that. It must be something in the wind that's got them agitated."

"How can you be sure?"

"I'm not, but I know they don't work together unless it's a life or death situation. It's probably just a late summer season, you don't need to worry yourself about it."

"Because you'll protect me, right?"

Fedrich smiled. "Exactly."

"That's what I like about you, Fedrich, you're always there for me...even when the odds are against us."

"Well, you've been there for me, too. Remember Treno? If you hadn't followed me when I said not to, I might've died fighting Claire..."

"You protected me from Elric, even though he was so strong." Ruthy snickered a moment. "You even saved me when we first met."

Fedrich grinned, recalling their meeting in the rush of battle. Twice he had assisted her against the giant spiders, even before he knew who she was. A strange meeting that foreshadowed their future. "It was like a foretelling of the future. Do you even know how many times we've saved each other from harm on patrol?"

"Too many times to count."

The two shared a brief chuckle, going back to eating their evening meals. They remained quiet as they ate, looking up at one another now and then to share brief signs of inner thoughts. One done, they waved in a worker and picked up the tab, paying it at the front desk. The two strode out of the restaurant, walking through even quieter streets in a near dark city. Artificial light shone down on them even as the falling sun offered enough light to paint the sky vivid purples and reds.

"Fedrich, could I ask you something?" Ruthy asked quietly.

"Sure, you don't need my permission."

"Are...Will you..." She struggled for words, looking to her side. "When the Festival is over...what are you going to do? Are you going to stay with the Regulators, or...are you going to go back home?"

Fedrich slowed down and eventually stopped walking, the sudden realization of that question hitting him with a stunning force. He had intended to win the Master Hunter title and to return home as a proud and victorious warrior, but now it felt different. He had made a lot of friendships in the Regulators, earned his first actual job and a semi-permanent home that was all his own. Responsibility as a Regulator hummed in his mind, the bonds he made in Lindblum just as strong as the ones he had back home. The images of his parents, his friends and acquaintances, all swam to the surface of his mind, and the homesickness he felt when he first arrived here churned in his gut.

"Fedrich?" Her voice was meek, almost a whisper.

"I...was going to return home, but now I don't know." It was as honest an answer as he could think of. "I've made a lot of friends here, and I've got friends back home. I don't know who I would miss more, and I can't just...choose between them, they're all important to me."

"You're important to us." Ruthy looked back up to him. "To me...more than anyone else I've known."

He looked at her, noting the beginnings of tears welling up in her eyes. She forced a smile, stepping to him and threading her arms around his shoulders, resting her head next to his own. His arms followed suit as she sniffled, twin tears rolling down her cheeks to wet his fur.

"Ever since you first came, you were special in my eyes." She continued, trying to keep her voice level. "The only person I could ever really talk to was my sister, everyone else was too busy or couldn't understand. You, though, tired to help me overcome my fears and my pain. You're the only person outside my family that I felt like I could talk to and be heard, understood. And when you talked to me, shared your pain, I felt like we shared a common bond that was more than friendship." She drew back enough to look to his eyes, deep green color inviting her to delve into his soul. "I didn't understand what it was, but when I saw you broken, mind and body, in Treno that day, I...started to think that I loved you..."

That admission made Fedrich freeze, eyes wide at her words. His own feelings, the friendship he had with her and the camaraderie, the trust between friends and warriors, all shifted drastically. The signs he saw, even his own feelings towards her, suddenly made more sense. It was as if someone threw off the cloak that surrounded what she was to him, finally revealing the truth.

"Ruthy..." Her name was all he managed, everything else he thought turning to silence.

She smiled at his lack of words, leaning closer to rest her head next to his and tightening her embrace, skin pressed against silver fur. "You don't need to say anything. Just holding me like this...is all I could ask for..."

In a moment, the last of the sun fell behind the ocean, it's brilliance hidden from plain view but the afterglow still remaining in the sky like the haze of a fire. Lindblum continued along in it's endless routine, unaware of the days end, striving onwards to manage the commerce of a nation. Artificial lamps flickered on as darkness settled, Airships appearing as glowbugs in the crowded interior of the city walls. People rose from sleep an others went to bed, many finishing their days last labors before heading home. Shops closed for the night, carts rolled into the streets to begin the nighttime entertainment, plays rose the curtain to the last act...

...and two people stood in the midst of it all, wishing for the moment to never end.

""""""""""

The Author Speaks!

Boy, I think I broke some new personal records with this little number. I'm not exactly the best at expressing emotional feelings, but after reading this over, I think I might have underestimated myself. A nice and sweet moment for our Burman hero before he goes into battle against men and monsters for the title of Master Hunter!

And before I forget again, I ought to clarify the identity of the Golems for Jaysinya's benefit. In mythology, a golem is a creature made of clay and brought to life, serving its creator and following any order given to it. Typically, golems are never used for good, instead wielding their earthen might to kill others and to cause havoc to anything near it. In Final Fantasy IX, once or maybe twice, the black mages are referred to as golems, an appropriate title for them that I prefer to use. That ought to clear things up for you.

See you around, folks!