Chapter 1 – Wedge – Far Away From Home
I'm relatively new to the Empire, this is actually my first real mission. I wasn't a part of any of the sieges of the south continent cities. I'm from Corlingen, I figured I'd get out of there before it becomes an easy target. It's sad to think that soon the whole world will be ruled by the Empire's brute force, frankly that's not a decently run governing style at all. The Empire could care less about the cities they take before or after they take them. The only difference is that after there are soldiers there who COULD help with the rebuilding process but generally choose not to. I figured if I was greedy and lazy and had a gun I wouldn't help anyone out of the kindness of my heart either. I hope I never become one of those guys.
Our briefing says this shouldn't be a hard mission, in fact, they said it's not even much of a crucial mission, it's just to gather some further information on something they'd been researching. I don't know, I think this mission is far more important than they tell me but they lie to keep me from getting excited. Why else would they tell us the briefing so calmly and rush us off like we were on fire? I suppose they figure when one is nervous, one tends to make more mistakes. But I wonder what possible opposition could we run into that would stand a chance against these armors? The top of the line Magic-Based armor, which is the closest thing on Earth to having the power of Magic. Magic….what silliness, but could it really exist? I've heard the Empire's people whispering about Magic here and there. I don't know…all I know about Magic is what I was told as a kid about the ancient War of the Magi and such tales. I think I can safely say for all soldiers that we're afraid of Magic. It would seem it leads to nothing but trouble. I sure hope there isn't a rebirth of such a horrible force that could wipe out thousands of people in short time. Knowing the empire, I wouldn't be surprised. I wouldn't be surprised if THIS mission were to be a major link in the chain of the revival of Magic. I really have no choice anyway, I'm just a soldier.
I do so miss home now, being so far away. My town may be small but it loves me, this empire doesn't. I wanted something good to come of the world, but I knew I probably wouldn't live to see it if I stayed home as a coward. I told my family to move to Jidoor, it's not far away from Corlingen and I believe it'll never be taken by the empire. I'm not sure why, but I just feel SOMETHING is going to happen to endanger my wife and son if they stay at home. My wife, she's such a great woman. She has the brightest eyes of any girl in the whole world and I have many memories of having all my pains and anxieties sucked right into those eyes and going away forever. I couldn't leave her, but when she held my hand and looked into my eyes, I felt all the worries go away. She feels deep in her heart that I'll come back to her safely or else it'll be the end of her life. But I can't help feeling, staring down from this mountain top outside Narche that I won't live to see my second mission. I suppose it's time to descend into Narche and complete our mission.
This town is really nice…it's too bad I'm slaughtering all the guards. God, I wish the empire had at least an ounce of humanity. I know for a fact that General Leo is a very good man who just runs with a bad crowd. I wish Gastrah would die and let Leo inherit the throne, then this world may regain some amount of decency and control. Who knows, perhaps that vile Cefca will get control. He's got several screws loose that's for sure, ever since that day….I don't know what happened to him per say…but I heard that he used to be different than he is now, and it all changed in just one day. I'll have to get the whole story from someone in Victor if I make it there one day.
At last, we've found the mines. For a town that's we're supposed to use extreme caution in the opposition is pretty weak. The most dangerous part of our briefing may be just ahead. Supposedly it's a monster the town has been harboring that eats lightning and stores the power in his shell to use on its enemies. Perhaps it WAS a good idea to give us Magic-Based armor.
There are only three of us on this mission: me, a fellow soldier, and a lady who's been trained directly by the higher ups in the empire. She's known around the local areas as a "witch" because she has some unbelievable Magic abilities. Although she's wearing a slave crown and therefore will follow any order we give her, I still get goosebumps standing next to her. Perhaps they're out of fear, or perhaps they're from her beauty. A woman so beautiful and so deadly is a very scary image. Why would they send her on such an easy mission I wonder…perhaps the Genju and her have a connection, if so, it would explain to me why she has Magical powers. I have a very bad feeling about this…
Author's Note: Some of you may notice I'm using the japanese names in this fic. I'll put those names of cities, characters, etc that aren't the same in the japanese version here so you may refer here if confused. (just wait until I get to the espers, then it gets really tricky)
Japanese/American
Biggs and Wedge / Vicks and Wedge
Corlingen/Kohlington
Cefca/Kefka
Genju (phantom beasts)/Espers
Magic-Based/Magitek