Prologue.
Some people thought that the end of the world was just that, the end. Others thought of it as a new beginning. Others still, were sure that it was only a matter of time before things were back exactly as they were. But no one was ready for what was about to happen. Without magic, the world was next to helpless against what came after Kefka was defeated. It was five years later, and it began in the ruins of what had been Kefka's floating island.
Relm was tired of the eternal gratitude of people. It had been fun when she was ten, but now, at the age of sixteen, she wished she could do without. It was too much to hope for, a few hours, in which she could draw or paint. Sometimes she wondered what would have happened if she hadn't followed her grandfather that day, and became involved in a movement to save the world. She had arrived there in the morning with the help of Setzer and right now, she was supervising the construction of a new town, dedicated to her. As much as she which she was somewhere else, but Celes had said it best. When people believed in you, you didn't have a choice but to try and live up to their standards. Lost in thoughts, she didn't notice the darkening of the sky above her. Everything around seemed to freeze until it seemed that she was the last person moving in the world. Then in a flash, everything trembled for a few moments before all was perfectly still again. It didn't take a genius to realize that something dire was happening. Hurriedly she ran to Setzer's ship.
"Set, I don't know what is happening but . . ." she started, but was interupted.
"I know doll, I was thinking we should hurry and get the others and stop whatever that is right now, it can't be good" he finished.
With a nod she followed him inside. The ship left towards Figaro, where everyone would go as soon as they knew of the troubles.
Figaro Castle, residence of King Edgar Figaro and his brother, Prince Sabin Figaro, heir to his twin brother. At the moment, the habitants of the castle were in panic. Only a few moments ago, the sand surrounding Figaro for miles had turned to liquid. Everyone outside the protection of the castle had perished horribly. Their screams could still be heard, and it made him sick.
"We should be out there, trying to help them!" Locke shouted. "It's your people dying out there Edgar . . ."
An explosion in the throne room interrupted him. His reflexes were still lighting fast, and he pulled Celes down on the floor with him, protecting her from the shards of wood and stones. When he got back home, he found that he was still in one piece, unharmed, as was his wife. Others weren't so lucky. A stone pillar had crushed Gau, his lower body non-existing. Terra was hurt badly, a gash opened in her midsection by a sliver of broken wood. Cyan and Shadow, had avoided the worst of it, their reflexes more honed then anyone else. Only then did he see the man standing in front of him, if it could be called a man. He was as tall as he, with black eyes and covered in shadows. He seemed to move with an animalistic grace. Edgar and Sabin were getting back on their feet slowly.
"Heroes, I will give you one chance to bow before me. I hope you realized that my power is infinite and that resistance is futile," he said, in a matter-of-fact voice.
"That remains to be seen," replied Terra, trying to stand erect despite the injuries in her abdomen. Of course she had suffered worse before, but it was hard to ignore pain. "You can't win against all of us, whoever you are."
"Oh but I can Terra, unlike you, I can use magic."
There was a shocked silence before he demonstrated his powers. One moment he was standing away from them, the next, he was behind her, a sadistic smile on her face. He grabbed her head between his hands and snapped her neck. She fell down on the floor, her eyes opened wide in shock, staring in space forever. Everyone was shocked, paralyzed.
"You are helpless to stop me. I could fight any two of you without breaking a sweat," he said, once again in a matter-of-fact voice, as if he didn't doubt what he was saying for a second.
Sabin was the first one to answer the "challenge". He rose at his tallest and looked ready to kill. His brother also stepped up, but the martial art master stopped him.
"No Edgar, the world needs you. We both know that it's hopeless. We can only gain time for the others to run and regroup," he said in a voice that broke no argument.
Indignant and full of sorrow, Edgar pushed past his brother.
"It's you that doesn't understand brother. I have no reasons left to live. Terra is dead. The one person that I loved more then life itself and our unborn child with her."
Sabin almost considered letting him stay. But his sense of responsibility stopped him. Instead, he put his hand on his twin's shoulder.
"It was an honor being your brother, live to fight another day," he said sadly.
Edgar turned to ask what he was about to say when a pressure in his neck startled him. He took the dart and almost formulated surprised before he collapsed. Sabin turned to see Setzer and Relm standing in the entrance. Lock had heard them, and signaled the gambler to knock out the king when he saw what had to be done. Sabin was right; his brother was needed in the future, unlike most of the rest of them, who were expendable to ensure the survival of the world. He was about to go beside Sabin, mentally asking forgiveness for his sacrifice to his wife and daughter when a hand stopped on his shoulder. He turned to see his friend, Setzer, looking at him.
"Go with them, I will stay with him and gain you some time, Celes and Aube need you. I'm a gambler, the higher the stakes, the better the game," he said trying to appear indifferent to his fate.
"Your courage will be remembered throughout the ages my friend."
Picking Edgar up, and with the help of Cyan, they left the castle. Tears were blinding his eyes, he knew he would never see them again, and for that, this monster was going to pay.
Sabin was feeling completely at peace for the first time in his life, something that no amount of freedom had ever been able to give him. By his side, Setzer was getting ready to give them as much time as they would. The man was smiling roguishly now.
"That is very brave of you fools, but eventually my master will find them."
Sabin wasn't impressed. He had heard this countless time before. But now it was different. He was going to die and he knew it.
"However my "friend" you will provide me with amusement. Just to show you how powerful the Master is, I will not use any magic."
And it began. He did indeed have lots of fun before he ripped the spine out of the gambler. But the "Martial Art Master" proved more of a challenge, and for him, something worse then death, from his point of view in any case.