Green Haired Girl

After many days of walking, Kain finally made it to a village. This particular village looked as if it had seen one to many wars. Almost every house or store around was rundown or falling apart.

"This will have to do," Kain said to himself, for his stomach ached fiercely. Through the recent days of traveling, he'd lived off the lay of the land, mostly finding a rabbit or two to snack on.

As he walked into town, everyone seemed to stare him down with hardened faces. Most of the town's people wore ragged clothing, and their children wore only loincloths. It looked like there had been a drought of food and material for the past years. Kain brushed off the daunting stares and continued through the town. After only ten paces, he located the pub. Entering in, he saw that the crowd was scarce. But again, everyone around was staring at him. This shook him up a bit and crawled up his spine, but he tried his best to ignore it all. Kain sat down at the far end of the bar where there wasn't anyone close by. The bartender slowly made his way over. "What will it be," he said, gruffly.

"Can you tell me where I am?" Kain asked.

The bartender seemed confused. "Your in Mobliz," he replied, eying the knight closely. "What brings you to these parts?"

Kain thought hard for a minute before speaking. Should he tell him how he really got here, or should he lie and make up a story. After a second, he decided that he would make up something. The people around here didn't seem to like him as it was, so he didn't want them to think he was some psycho also.

"I was on an errand for a friend and I got my directions mixed up," said Kain.

"Where were you headed?" Asked the barkeep.

Kain didn't know what to say, he'd never heard of this town Mobliz; therefore he assumed that his portal ride had taken him to some other world. Thinking as quickly as possible, Kain said, "I can't remember the name of the town right off. I'm not all that good with names anyhow."

The bartended looked at him intently. Seeing this, Kain quickly said, "Do you perhaps have anything to eat?"

With a brief pause, the barkeep turned and headed to the back. Kain glanced over his shoulder. He noticed that some of the townsfolk were still eyeing him closely. Turning his head back around, the bartender placed a plate of stale bread and a small glass of some type yellowish liquid before him. Seeing Kain's uncertain look, the bartender said, "It's all we have. If you haven't noticed, our towns in quite the slump."

"It is fine," Kain replied. In the back of his mind he thought, he'd rather have one of those nice juicy rabbits.

Kain walked out of the pub door, trying to put the odd taste of that weird bread in the back of his head. Fatigue slipped up on him like an assassin. The Inn was in sight so he decided to rest for a while. Kain walked past a small, dried up garden. A girl was kneeling down, trying to nourish the dead plants with a small portion of water. Kain noticed something odd about her; she had green hair. A small flicker of light appeared within her hands. She placed her fingers upon the lifeless plant. Slowly, the plant turned from dark brown to light brown, but changed no further. The girl's head drooped down. Kain went over and kneeled beside her. She stared at him oddly. He held out a single hand over the plant. A bright light appeared in his palm. The plant turned from light brown, to green, to bright green. It flourished with life once again. The girl was baffled. "How did you do that?" she asked.

"A close friend of mine taught me," he replied.

"I don't understand."

"What's not to understand? Haven't you every seen magic before?" Kain stated.

The girl looked at him closely, examining the man thoroughly. "I've had years of practice, it's just that…When the Esper's left this world all magic disappeared."

"Guess I'm just talented," Kain replied, half smiling.

"Talented my foot. I was the most powerful magic user at one time, and look at me now, I'm powerless."

This time it was Kain who looked dumbfounded. "You were the most powerful magic user?"

"Yes, if you can believe it," she said, gloomily.

"What's your name?" Kain pondered.

"It's Terra. And who are you? Where are you from?"

"My name is Kain, and I come from…a small town north of here, you probably haven't hear of it."

Commotion stirred behind the two. Both Terra and Kain turned to see what was going on. A majority of the townsfolk had come together, wielding pitchforks, shovels, and torches. Kain stood up and turned to them unwavering. Terra stood up as well, stepping in front of him. Kain was bewildered by this act from the green-headed female.

"Leave now," said one of the men. "We don't want your kind in our town."

"Stop this," said Terra. "He's not a dark knight from Vector."

"We don't care what kind of knight he is. He's a knight, which will probable draw attention to our town. We don't want any trouble. So if you will, please leave," the man replied. The crowd backed the man by nodding and saying yeah to his statement.

Terra stepped forward but Kain held her fast. "It's ok, I'll leave without any trouble."

The girl seemed distressed at his words. The crowd opened a small gap for him to pass through.

"Please," the man pleaded.

Kain started forward, but this time it was Terra who held him back. "You do not realize what you are doing," she said in a low and compassionate voice.

"Lady Terra, we are only looking out for the well-being of Mobliz."

Slight hesitant, Terra replied, "He wields the power of magic."

The crowd gasped. Low murmuring began amongst them.

"Magic has not been seen in the past two years milady, not since the Esper's left this world. You must be mistaken," the man replied.

"I am not, Fellind. I speak the truth. I have seen it," Terra said eagerly.

The crowd turned their gaze to the lone Dragoon. "Is this true?" Said Fellind. Kain didn't reply. Fellind pondered a moment on the thought. "If Terra speaks the truth, then you will show us."

Terra kneeled down and scooped up a single dead flower. She held it out in front of Kain. "Show them."

Kain blankly stared at the dead rose before him. After long moments he said, "I can not."

"See milady," Fellind replied hastily.

Terra's face hardened. "I saw you heal that plant," Terra pointed, "just a minute ago."

Everyone looked to the bright green plant.

"You are mistaken lady. It was bursting with life before I arrived," said Kain.

"Why do you lie? We both know you were the one who healed that plant," Terra said, sympathetically.

The crowd was quiet. Kain only shook his head.

"If it is the wish of these people that I live than so be it," Kain said in a kind voice.

Terra looked overwhelmingly emotional. Her face was sorrowful and distraught. Kain began forward to pass through the crowd, but once again, Terra held him back. Kain leaned over and whispered, "Let me do this."

Doubtful of his true motive, Terra released him without another thought. Kain walked through the silent crowd, not once looking at their faces. With his head slumped low, Kain made his way out of Mobliz.

"Why did you do that?" Kain thought to himself. "You don't even know those people. Who cares if something happens to them?" Then the answer came to him. "They may be nobodies, but I shouldn't bring about their fate."

The sound of patting feet caught his ear. Quickly turning, he saw the green-haired girl running toward him. She came to a stop, breathing heavily. "Sorry it took me. I had to grab a couple of my belongings."

This disoriented Kain. Why had she come?

"Look," she said, "I saw with my own eyes what you did, and I refuse to think you didn't. You are the only person in over two years that can use magic. You alone can defeat the Dark Lord with that power. You are our only hope." Terra's words were desperate, which made Kain feel uneasy.

"Who is this Dark Lord you speak of?" Kain asked.

"His name is…Vargas. He is a fallen monk who has betrayed his master. My friends Edgar, Locke, Sabin, and I, have faced him in battle before. We succeed in beating Vargas and thought we'd killed him, but by some small chance he managed to survive. Now he sits where Kefka once sat, on the metal thrown of Vector." Tears swelled up around Terra's bright green eyes. Kain felt compassion for the girl, but he could not do what she was asking of him. He was an ordinary man like any other.

"I can't do it. I'm a nobody," he said, sullenly. "It's not my right to interfere in other's lives. Just like the time in the Tower of Zot! I'm a complete and utter failure!" Kain's last words died out in the open plain. Terra stood silent, watching the sorrowful knight drop to his knees, tears falling to the dry dust below.

"I almost let the person I loved die! I almost let my best friend die! I'm a disgrace to all Dragoons."

Terra couldn't understand what he was talking about. What was a Dragoon? And better yet, what was the Tower of Zot? Despite her questions, she held them back and went to comfort Kain, placing her arms softly around him.

"I am not sure what has happened in your past, but now you have the chance to redeem yourself. You can save many lives Kain," Terra said tenderly.

He shook his head. "I…I just can't."

A long howl came from behind the two. Both turning, they saw a wolf known as a red fang. The blood hungry beast stared down at them from a small cliff edge. Terra gasped at the horrid site. She stood to her feet and unsheathed a small dagger from her hip. Kain noticed the wolf but did nothing.

"Get up Kain!" Terra pleaded. "These red fangs are ruthless. They will tear the flesh from your very bones."

But still, he did nothing. The red fang rushed down the cliff side.

"Hurry up and prepare yourself! It's coming!" Terra jumped in front of the kneeling knight. "I won't let you die here. You will see the significance of you life," said Terra, readying for the wolf's attack. The wolf leaped into the air at her, its mouth gapped open. Terra tried to strike with her dagger but was knocked to the ground. The wolf stood over her, fangs ready for the kill.

"She's willing to die for me. Why?" Kain thought.

Terra grabbed a hold of the beast's neck, preventing it from tearing her apart. It furiously tried to break free.

"I must do something…but why?" These thoughts rapidly wandered through his clouded mind.

Terra managed to flip the wolf off of her. She quickly struck it. The blow found its mark on the red fangs chest. But the weak slice wasn't enough. The now enraged wolf rolled to its feet, blood droplets falling from the open wound. Terra tried to quickly crawl away. Drops of blood descend to the ground around her. This time it wasn't the wolf's blood, but hers. The wolf had sliced her legs with its claw. The red fang was smart, knowing that if it took out her legs, she could not run. Terra was helpless. The wolf went in for the kill. Blood moistened the plain. Terra looked up. The red fang lay dead beside her, a spear protruding from its belly. Kain stood solemnly above it, staring into the abyss.

"You…you saved me," said Terra, shaken.

Kain was silent.

"I knew you would save me."

"How did you know?" Kain asked.

"Because you are our savior," replied Terra.

"I know…what I must do now. You have shown me my path. I've betrayed so many, but now I have the chance to redeem myself," he said, looking into her eyes. "Lets go…to Vector." Kain lifted up the wounded girl. Even through the unbearable pain, Terra managed a smile.