Disclaimer: I don't own starocean
We're finally coming to a close. Any finaly words?
Karin: i'm not going to die, am i?
no... what made you say that?
Karin: those last words?
just for fun.
Karin: oh... i know, FREEDOM AND WORLD PEACE!
... maybe you are going to die after all.
I guess you could say that everything happened too quickly. Like water that has fallen down the waterfall, the intense rush of events had ended as quickly as they had begun. The war had ended. The open revolt of the Yzaks came to a close.
Another dark chapter of the history of the new pan-galactic federation came to a close. Though many would depict this tale in many different ways, it can be said that the truth, is always within those who saw the pain and suffering, to those who were there when it actually happened. Many would not remember much, but all would remember the adventures of the sole hero who stood above his own status, to freedom and peace.
But behind every hero, there stood the friends and family of that hero, who supported him through his tough times, who pulled him out of the darkness of solitude and regret. All will remember the hero as a great person, one who would stand above others, one is more than ordinary, but one must not forget that he is only human. To share the pain, to share the glory, to share his feelings and soul, to the one he truely loves.
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With the Yzak's rebellion quelled, the Vendeeni easily surrended, finding themselves facing certain death if they did not cooperate. Through this war, the Frontier Galactic Government, the Hynd republic and the Kolik federation had signed an alliance with the new pan-galactic federation. All governing systems had agreed to certain terms in which free trade, commerce, tourism would be shared.
Millitary was another issue but all agreed to help one another out in times of need. This was a legendary treaty that would be known in the books of history, as the 'fated white words'. With the Yzaks and the Vendeeni under close surveillance, everyone was certain that this treaty's peace would last, more than a lifetime.
"It's peaceful, isn't it?"
She asked, sitting under the tree, gently running her fingers through his hair as he lay his head on her lap, sound asleep. The birds chirped as they flew off the branch, off with the wind, to where ever their free wings would take them. She gazed upon the face of her lover. He looked so peaceful, gentle, just like the wind.
"It would be hard to think that only two months has past since the war."
She did not want to remember it. It was only a bad memory now.
"Two months... so much has happened since then. It's as if time had stopped for us, wouldn't you say so?"
She wispered softly into her lover's ear.
"I thought you said you didn't want to remember that event?"
He asked, slowly opening his eyes.
"I didn't. But through it, we were brought together. Wouldn't you count it as a blessing?"
"Whatever you call it, i know that it was all in the past. We all live in the present and what we can do to change the future, is what we can do now."
She laughed lightly.
"I didn't know you were so philosophical."
"I can be anything that i want to be."
He replied, getting up from her lap and sitting straight next to her. Placing an arm around her, he kissed her gently on the cheek.
"But i wish that this moment could last forever."
She sighed, leaning against him.
"We could make that happen, together."
He smiled at her. She smiled back.
"Sure, i would like that. Together."
"Ahem."
A slight cough disrupted them. A young girl with brownish hair stood behind them, tapping her feet.
"Oh, Sophia, is it time already?"
He asked, getting up.
"Yes it is. You two shouldn't run off like that. It's your big day and you're still acting like kids. And i thought i was the youngest here."
Sophia Esteed crossed her arms, looking very impatient.
"You are the youngest."
"Speak for yourself, mister-play-video-games-all-day-long. And you know it is bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony!"
"It isn't bad luck, if you know that you can change it, wouldn't you say so, Maria?"
Maria smiled and got up as well.
"Yes, i agree. Together we can change it."
The two looked into each other's eyes lovingly.
"Oh brother. Alright, alright, cut the lovey-dovey scene right here and now. Come on Maria, look at you, you've dirtied you dress!"
Sophia sighed.
"It's not dirty, it's natural. And besides, i don't think she's going to wear this to the ceremony."
"Cut it, Fayt, you know what i mean. Come on, everyone's waiting."
"Right."
The three left the garden by the lake, for what would be the greatest day in the Leingod history. As they walked along the path to the castle, the crowds stood along the sides, cheering and throwing petals of flowers. The three heroes of their planet, the holy marriage of two. Many would want to make this day a public holiday. Maria Leingod, held her hand of her husband, Fayt Leingod.
"Don't worry, i'm right here."
"Who said i was worried?"
"You're shaking."
"I am?"
Fayt looked at himself, and found that it was true, he was trembling.
"Hmm, must because this a great day in my life."
He simply said. Maria did not need to be convinced, she trusted him in every way. The three made it into the castle, where rows of royal guards of both Aquaria and Airyglpyh stood in the hallway, swords and pikes drawn and raised in honour of their presence. A familiar figure stood at the entrance, awaiting them.
"Had fun?"
Clair asked.
"I had to run around the entire city looking for them! And Maria's dress is all dirted!"
Sophia complained.
"It is? It looks natural to me."
Clair smiled.
"Well, no time to waste, let's go. Everyone's waiting. Fayt, you should go on first. We'll just make sure Maria has her last minute touches down."
Clair said and dragged Maria and Sophia off into a room. Fayt was left by himself in the hallway, but he knew he had better prepare. He slowly made his way to the back of the castle. These same walls, these same steps. It was long ago, far back, since he had first met her. How long has it been? Just how far has their journey taken them? Fayt turned a corner and saw another familiar person. The tall and well built blonde klausian smiled and waved to him. Fayt waved back at his old friend.
"How are you doing, Cliff?"
Fayt asked, walking up to his old friend.
"Me? Same old, nothing new. Some delegates from some unknown planets are giving me a headache."
Cliff sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. Still haven't changed at all, and neither has his choice of clothing. The same old tight looking black sleeveless with matching and most likely equally tight looking... pants, or tights.
"So... today's your big day, huh? I remember mine like it was just yesturday."
Cliff patted Fayt on his back.
"You're married?"
Fayt asked, unsure of what he heard.
"Er... sure! Didn't i tell you?"
"I'm afraid you left that detail out long ago."
"I did? Oh er... you see, er... Well, Mirage's dad kind of made me..."
"Her husband? Mirage and you? But you have different family names!"
"Well, she did want to keep her own family name, so i wouldn't want to force her."
Fayt did not really believe it, but now that he thought about it, it did makes some sense. It really explained how Mirage and Cliff behaved to one another.
"So... you're not happy?"
"Happy? Since glad i'm with Mirage, i mean, she can cook, clean, look after herself-"
"And keeping you out of trouble."
A feminine voice interrupted. Both Fayt and Cliff turned and saw Mirage standing there, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Mirage! Glad to see you!"
Cliff laughed rather weakly. Mirage, however, was a little fuming.
"Cliff, how many times must i tell you, once you get down to here, you should head straight to the ceremony area. Hi Fayt, you look great. Nervous?"
Mirage quickly turned her attention to Fayt.
"Well, yeah, i would lying if i said i wasn't."
"Most guys are like that, especially this one."
Mirage elbowed Cliff in the gut, causing him to groan in pain.
"What did you do that for?"
Cliff cried.
"For not calling me, AND... what are these?"
Mirage pulled out her communicator and showed Cliff a bunch of mail. Cliff's face turned into surprise, and then into fear.
"Mirage, wait, i can explain."
"Explain? How do you explain this? 'We miss you, Ms. Diana Kro.' 'Honey pumpkins'! How are you going to explain yourself, Cliff Fitter!"
"I er... you see... er..."
"Oh nevermind. I never want to hear your excuses, just get over there."
"What about you?"
"I have something to talk about with Fayt."
"Sure..."
Cliff shrugged and walked off.
"Mirage, can i ask you something?"
Fayt asked.
"Sure, just ask."
"Do you, ever loved Cliff?"
Mirage was caught off guard by this question, but she reckoned that someday, people would ask it. It was only natural of course.
"Well, you could say that. I fell in love with him at first sight. I thought that my greatest wish came true when my father asked him to marry me, a silly girl's wish. I knew of his bad habits by heart, and for years i tried to be patient."
"But was it too much?"
Mirage sighed. She smiled.
"No it wasn't, in fact, that was the part that i liked about him. You see Fayt, in love, it's not always about the best qualities about the partner, but their flaws as well. It is also about how well they are able to relate and work together to make it past all barriers. Marriage, is the testment of the passing of their very first trial."
Fayt knew this already, it wasn't only about Maria and her greatness that he fell in love with, but also the fact that they were meant to be together in the beginning. He knew, deep down, that they were together, no matter how far apart they were.
"Come on, Romeo, let's get you to the ceremony."
Mirage led Fayt up the stairs in the castle and into the audience camber, where more familiar faces were present.
"Wohoo! Go Fayt!"
Fuin cheered, earning him a punch from Kanai. Kanai was wearing a light pink dress and had her wings reappear just for this occasion, or so she says. Fuin was just being normal. There were suppose to be four bride's maids, Kanai, Karin, Sophia and Yuin. Yuin and Karin were already waiting at the ceremony area, which left Sophia and Kanai.
The left Fayt's best man. He had a tough choice, having to choose between Fuin or Roger. Both irritating in their right and basically, and most possibly, the worst choices ever for helping out in a wedding.
Luckily, there was someone else he managed to pull. Sole. The young man stood by the side, somehow being harrassed by Adray. Fayt sighed and walked up to see what was going on.
"Boy, you look strong and great willed. I'm giving you a chance of a lifetime, want it?"
Adray was at the point where Sole was being pushed agains the wall.
"Er.. i don't know, i'll have to think about it."
"Think? Ha! There's no need to think about anything! Just take it! It's a deal you can't refuse, i promise you!"
"Er... well, i guess that depends on what it is."
Sole had just realized there was no way of getting out of this without being eating alive by either this giant's deal, or his mouth. But luckily, Fayt decided to step in.
"Adray, you're scaring my best man, and besides, if you want him to marry your daughter, i suggest you let them decide it first."
"Fayt? Oh thank you."
Sole took the opportunity of Adray's distracted state and ran up next to his former admiral.
"Ah, Fayt. It's too bad you can't marry Clair, but hey! Maria's an excellent choice for you after all."
Adray smiled, slapping Fayt hard, extremely, on the back. Fayt coughed and choked but still managed to keep his balance. Adray laughed heartily and walked off, most likely to harrass another poor victim, or just go drink himself to death by the bar. As though on cue, Clair walked up, wearing a beautiful dress, though she seemed to have difficulties with the constriction of movement.
"I'm so sorry for what my father did."
Clair apologized to Sole, but all Sole did, was just stare at Clair. Clair slightly blushed at Sole's stare and tried to smile, but quickly turned away. Fayt had some idea what was going on.
"Hey, Sole, why don't you make your move?"
Fayt wispered to Sole, nudging him.
"Fayt, you don't understand. Is she that giant's daughter?"
Sole asked.
"Yeah, i thought that was obvious. Why?"
"She... she looks exactly like my dead fiancee."
"Say what!"
Fayt exclaimed, just a little louder than needed, though no one was bothered by what the groom has to say, after all, the best part of the wedding was to look at how pretty the bride is and the wide array of food. Who cares about the groom? Maybe the groom himself. Maybe.
AN: Ahh... the second last chapter. I would like to thank the reader for reading this far and would like to congratulate them on making it this far.