Hi hi! Thank you so much for the lovely reviews! I love reviews! Anyway, new chapter. I went around looking for weapon, armor, and magic stats from many Final Fantasies to be well informed for you all! And have you noticed that the chapter names are songs from FF games? The last one was from 8. This one is from Tactics. The trouble I go to for you! Anyway, same applies for this chapter as the last. On with the show!
Trowa smiled as he unsheathed his sword in the confides of the guestroom. Knowing there wasn't much he could do regarding the argument downstairs, he had decided to pack up his supplies again. But he couldn't help but pull the blade from it's dark leather scabbard. He remembered the day he'd been given Masamune[1] like it was yesterday. It had been the same day he'd been given the Earth Crystal. The same day he'd been given this burden, the same day he'd become the first Crystal Bearer. That was three years ago. Now he remembered the days before that, when he had first met Cyan. He had been only 9 at the time, but like a lot of children in his village, had grown up too fast. That was ten years ago. Too far back for him to be remembering the face of this boy, Quatre. This boy was not someone he knew from his village. This boy, who looked both too young and too old for his physical age. He must have been the one from that day five years ago. That same look was in the boys eyes. The same look of years worth of knowledge and experience about some things, but yet not even an hours worth of knowledge in others. The boy they saved that day, five years ago, had looked like he trusted Cyan and himself with his life. He had seen that look when he caught the boy last night.
He pulled out a cloth, and carefully polished his beloved sword. This sword had served him well, saved him from countless enemies. He trusted the sword. And so, he offered it the utmost respect, by polishing it, treating it with care that he did not show to most people.
He did not trust people. People had failed him, countless times.
So he put his trust for his life, on the sharp edge of the blade.
//"It makes you think about things, doesn't it?"
"What?"
"Looking at the sky. See the clouds, they pass by, they always do. Sometimes they aren't there, but you know they'll be back soon. Clouds are like people."
"Care to explain that?"
"Clouds are there one day, and they may be there the next. They could be there for a very long time, like people. But when you pay a lot of attention, you see that the cloud is never the same. The cloud always changes, like people. Sometimes they change quickly, sometimes slowly. And one day, the cloud will be gone, and you wont know where it's gone. Or, maybe you'll watch it as it leaves. But you don't have to be sad, because that cloud will be back, and there will other clouds, too."
"That isn't a very good metaphor. You speak as though people are predictable enough to be like weather patterns."
"Clouds are unpredictable. Sometimes they are light and fluffy, sometimes they are dark and block the light, and sometimes they cry. You can tell when they are going to cry when they get dark. And a storm is like anger, where you strike out at other people. Stormy clouds are like angry Mages. They are destructive, and they are dangerous, but sometimes you cant help but watch. And the magic is like lightning. Beautiful, but deadly."
"Ah, I see what you're getting at."
The summer breeze swept around the two, lying comfortably on the grass. They were friends, very close friends at that, almost like brothers.
"Hiiro… you're going away, aren't you?"
Hiiro was hesitant to reply. It was obvious he did not want to hurt the feelings of his young friend. "Yes, I am."
"Why?"
Hiiro sighed, the wind tousling his chocolate-colored bangs. "The monsters are multiplying in numbers every day. I want to go and find out why."
"But you might get hurt… I don't want you to be hurt…"
"It's alright. I an take care of myself, as you've seen. I am 12."
"Hardly an age that boasts wisdom, Hiiro."
"You're only 9."
"I've been training four years, Hiiro. And apparently I have a natural affinity towards magic. So I think I'm in a position to tell you this."
"I've had three years combat training. You learn more in combat then in magic, quicker. So, I have more experience then you."
"Careful what you say, Hiiro. What you're saying is true for most, but you're forgetting I'm not 'most'. I started learning magic when I was five, and I've already learnt all I can from books and tutors. The next step is the big wide world. Why don't I come with you?"
Hiiro went quiet. It was an idea to consider. "…I'll think about it," he finally answered.
"That's all I ask."
A contemplative silence fell across them both. This wasn't a rare occasion, they were comfortable enough with each other to enjoy the silence with the conversation.
They lay there together for what felt like hours, enjoying the sunlight in a dozing sort of state.
"I'll see you again, won't I, my friend?"
"Of course you will. I'll only be gone a little while, after all,"
"And I might be going with you,"
"And you might be going with me."
The sun was high overhead now, warming their skin satisfyingly. But inside, Hiiro knew he was about to break his young friends heart.
Once sure he was sound asleep, and not suffering from any of the nightmares that seemed constantly to plague him, Hiiro rose silently. Saying goodbye would have been better then leaving unexpectedly, but it had to be done, for his and his friends safety. Turning to walk away with the speed and stealth he was well known for, he stopped short when he heard his name uttered by his supposedly sleeping friend. He faced him again, ready to claim he needed to stretch. But apparently, he was still asleep.
"Go look for all the silver linings on the clouds, because there's so many of them… will you do that for me, Hiiro?"
He smiled. "I'll tell you all about them when I see you again."
//
"Yui!"
The shout snapped him out of his reverie. He smirked.
"WuFei, I've told you before. You are to use my first name unless you're giving me a title, understand?"
WuFei snorted. "I hardly need take orders from you, Prince Yui."
"Hmph. I suppose not."
"So. How are the wedding arrangements going?"
"Surprised you're bothered about that. You thought it was a bad idea from the word 'go'."
"Is it wrong to want the best for my dear sister?"
Hiiro sighed. "She's not your sister, Chang."
He shrugged in response. "Might as well be. I'm sure you've felt that kind of bond with someone." When he didn't reply, WuFei went on. "Or haven't you? You do have a perfectly nice family of your own, after all."
Once again, he sighed. "Don't make me think about that, Chang… It was a long time ago."
A lifetime ago…
"Hey… you sure you're alright? I mean… you look a little pale…"
"Duo… I'm fine…"
"Really? How may fingers am I holding up?"
"Five, Duo."
"Nuh-uh! Four and a thumb!"
"Four and a thumb then, Duo."
"Can't go back on it now. Ya gotta come with me so I can keep an expert eye on you, see?"
"Expert eye?"
"Yep, you heard me."
A sigh. "Fine… I concede. You're too hard to argue with…"
"Heh. Knew you'd cave eventually."
Duo pulled tightly on his bootlaces, checking a final time that they were secure enough, before placing his trusty daggers in their concealed sheathes. The two Mithril dirks glittered dully in to low light as he made sure lay comfortably against his ankles, the handles hidden but at easy access. He added another two daggers to his arsenal, these being more impressive Guardian blades. He strapped the last sheath across him back in the classic style, containing his favorite weapon insofar – the Regal Cutter his father gave him, made with a slightly violet coral-crystal mix.[1] Cyan had said it reminded him of his son's eyes. He smiled at the thought. Gonna make you proud, Dad…
Avery Maxwell had already taken the liberty of collecting supplies for his journey, though he wondered if she was going a bit overboard with ninety-nine potions.[2] "It's better to have too much then too little," was all she'd say on the matter. Also supplied were various medicines, some basic foodstuffs, and a small tin box containing no less than ten Ethers. How his mother had gotten hold of ten Ethers was a mystery to him.[3] And lastly, she supplied him with all of his savings of the past five years. Not a particularly significant amount, by any means, but more then enough to get by with. Duo once more checked his pack – Yep, all his traveling gear was there. He was ready and raring to go. Now he had to just wait for everyone else.
His fellow Crystal bearer, Trowa, came downstairs as if sensing Duo's longing for leaving. Dressed simply in greens and browns, an emerald cloak over the rest, coupled with his long-limbed grace, he looked ever bit a forest elf. Duo thought himself almost wraithlike, dressed completely in black. But autumn was an unpredictable season, and cold times could be ahead – black insulated more warmth. Plus it was always his favorite colour, barring violet, hence a hair-tie of this colour. Now, the only one left to wait for was Quatre.
Duo smirked. He certainly could be stubborn, but Duo was more so.
It was just as well he decided to come of his own free will, because Duo wouldn't think of leaving his best friend behind.
It didn't take long for him to get ready, and Duo wondered whether or not Quatre truly wanted to stay behind. He dressed pretty much as he always did, with the addition of a dark cloak, and a sapphire ribbon tied round his neck.
Taking one last look at his hometown, Duo smiled and offered it a wave, before leaving.
In a castle far away, hidden in the clouds, two young men sat in a room designed more for comfort then anything else.
"You feel that, Yui?" WuFei asked, breaking the companionable silence often held by the two
Hiiro did nothing more then nod.
"What was it, then?"
"Something heading our way, is all."
"Anything bad about it?"
"Perhaps…" Pulling the silver chain from under his shirt, Hiiro gazed at the deep blue crystal as if it held all the answers. And, perhaps, it did.
"Ah, man, why'd I ever leave home?" Duo asked himself as he flopped onto the soft ground.
"Because you have a great destiny to fulfill, perchance?" Was the reply he got.
"Shuddap. Anyways, oh great one, where we headed?"
"To join up with the others."
"What others?"
Trowa sighed. "Other Elements?"
"Riiight… for a second there I thought you meant more people joining in on the 'party'. I'm not running around with more then five of us, you hear? Too big a group attracts too many monsters, and quite frankly, I think the confusion would screw us all over. Anyway, who are the other Elements?"
"Can't say. Don't know."
"But you're leading us to them… how?"
He smirked. "Now that would be telling."
"Gah… why do I always end up with people who give dead-end answers?" Duo pulled a couple of potions out of his pack, handing one to Quatre and downing the other in a gulp. "This should keep us up a bit longer, but man. When do we get to sleep?"
"When we clear this forest."
"Wha? That'll take forever!"
"It's not safe here."
"We could take turns doing watches. At least we'd get some sleep. And it's getting darker by the minute. We could easily set up camp in this clearing. Please?"
Trowa sighed, and looked to be relenting, when he suddenly started looking around warily.
Holding up a hand indicating for silence, a slight rustle that could've been blamed on the breeze occurred. Except there was no breeze.
And all at once, our dear hero's were besieged by three sword wielding humanoids.
And naturally, Duo and Trowa jumped to the challenge.
"Right. I'll take the one on the left, Tro, you take the one on the right. Got anything to slow the other one down?"
"A couple of skeans, but that's all."
"It'll have to do. Q, throw one of them, then go hide, kay? Right." And with that, he attacked, brandishing his sword with brutal force, Trowa doing the same.
It wasn't long before they realized they were quite unmatched.
"Trowa! Attack the middle one at the same time!" Following instructions promptly, they dusted one, who left a darkly glittering sword behind, ignored by the two occupied fighters.
Quatre grinned. He'd spotted the new weapon, and grabbed it without pause.
Time to get in on the action.
But, that was when veritable disaster struck for the two now weary warriors, having no time for anything but the fight, for fear of getting caught off-guard.
The two remaining monsters, relatively unharmed for all their effort, since the three-two ratio gave them chances to heal themselves, both cast 'Clamp' on the three. The casting did it's job – the paralysis took effect instantly on the two weary ones – but not so for the last.
Quatre smirked defiantly at the two remaining Actaneons and the blue ribbon shone against the spell. Then into the fray he went.
The newly acquired Rune Blade gleamed dully in the lessening light as he swung unrelentingly at the one Duo had first taken on, and it was gone in no time, leaving the last, and best healed monster to deal with.
The last Actaneon had decided to take the 'initiative' to take it's two frozen foes out of the picture.
It was then the Rune Blade shone a blinding white, before cutting the monster to shreds, in a manner Odin himself would be proud of. With the last Actaneon gone, the paralysis magic lifted, letting the two weary warriors gape.
There, in all his glory, stood the blond, fashioning the new blade's sheath at his waist, without a scratch on him. He hadn't even broken a sweat. Once done with the sheath, he turned to Duo, an eyebrow cocked, and said simply, "Go hide?"[4]
After overcoming his momentary shock, he exclaimed "you didn't have a weapon!"
"Coulda lent me a couple of daggers."
"How was I s'posed ta know you were up for it?"
"Would've stood better chances at even odds. You gave them an opening to keep going."
"Hell, well you coulda healed us up!"
"You told me to hide, not help."
"And anyway, how come that spell didn't work on you?"
Quatre showed off the blue ribbon before tying it into a bow. "Ribbons absorb status magic."
"And the glowing thing?"
"Rune Blade can use MP to inflict mortal blows. And I happen to have quite a lot of that particular energy to spare."
"Why not use magic then?"
"I forgot all the spells."
"Yesterday?"
"Fluke."
"How'd you learn to fight like that in the first place? I sure as hell didn't teach you…"
"I had a friend who taught me ages ago. We used to spar half the time, and he was a lot better the them." He sighed. "For magic you must use the mind. But for blades, the body always remembers…"
Duo had tracked down hiss bag once more, and felt ultimately glad that his mother had given him such an abundance of healing items. "Why'd you forget all the spells?" he asked while drinking a few of the potions.
He smirked. "I used the last of my own energy in stopping… something, from getting to anyone else, and to save myself, and it worked, except I messed myself up… then your father, and you, Trowa, found me."
Duo shook his head. "I wonder about you sometimes, Q… Heh. We should probably rest here for a while, ain't no monsters coming by after that… I propose we take a watch each. I'll take the last watch. You guys can fight it out between you. Night!"
Duo smirked and was out like a light before there could be any argument. Heh, he thought, right group we are. A wraith, and elf, and an avenging angel. Monsters beware! He carried his observation into unconsciousness.
"So…" began Trowa.
"I'll take first watch. You're probably more tired. I'll wake you up later."
Nodding his consent, Trowa wrapped a blanket from his pack around himself, taking his sweet time drifting into obscurity. Before succumbing, though, he could swear he heard singing…
Jolting awake from a decidedly weird dream that he couldn't remember anymore, Trowa's first instinct was to look up to the sky. Judging by the stars positions, he concluded it was roughly midnight, and he hadn't been woken for his watch. Spotting softly glowing lights, he concluded that the miniature forest faeries were paying them a visit. He'd seen a few on his way to Jidoor, but none had gotten as close to him as they were now. Was Quatre asleep? Shifting to get a better look around, he saw the forests keepers were surrounding the blond, speaking in soft whispers of many things. They noticed him stirring, but instead of fleeing, they seemed to giggle, and whispered more heatedly, provoking a blush.
The brunette sat up with a smile. "What are they saying?" he asked, and the faeries giggled again.
"Oh… nothing. But they said they'd point us in the direction of the Water crystal, tomorrow."
"Don't you mean today? It's past midnight, you should've woken me up by now."
"Oh… well, Duo will never wake us up any earlier then eight, so I figured I'd wake you up pretty soon, and Duo could take over at about half-four."
Trowa smirked. "I'm rested enough to go right now. But, I doubt we'll ever hear the end of it from Duo if we get four hours sleep, max. And you haven't slept yet."
Quatre shrugged. "Not tired. And they keep me company enough, they're very nice."
The uni-banged one smirked slightly, moving over to the blond and wrapping his own blanket around his shoulders. "You didn't even light a fire… you're cold." He briskly rubbed his arms, stimulating heat. "Now don't be stubborn. Get some sleep."
It took a while, but the blond finally conceded, smiling at Trowa dozily. "They were right…" he began quietly.
"About what?"
"You're absolutely beautiful in the moonlight…"
And Trowa held onto those words through the night.
End Two
[1] Mithril dirks from FF5, attack power 20. Guardian dirks from FF5, attack power 33. Regal Cutter from FF6, attack power 54. Nice weapons these are. Also, Trowa's Masamune is from FF5, attack power 104.
[2] This is a little habit I have when playing 9… just a few too many potions… n.n
[3] Also from 9, you can't buy them anywhere except a synthesis shop in Memoria. Need more ethers…
[4] HA! Take THAT, Sean! This one's for you, Leita! (you didn't think I was gonna make Q weak now, didya?)