BOOK 1 — Beginnings of ZERO
[PROLOGUE]
The sky was fittingly steel coated on a dreary day like today. Rain came down like tungsten pallets, hitting the ground with noticeable force. Mist formed in its wake, making the air moister than usual and giving it a rusted iron aroma. There was no thunder, just calm reflection from the young man standing beneath it all.
He has a cloak draped over his person for the purpose of guarding against the rain, which hid most of his features. What is noticeable, however, is his body length of nearly six feet and his delicate chin and thin lips viewable from the side. The rest of his face was obscured by the shadow of his hood.
His expression was on the borderline of sadness and complete apathy. He refused to cry here, at a cemetery, in the rain. He didn't care if nobody was accompanying him or if it was a fitting place to do so. He wasn't going to cry over the memories of his deceased mother and father.
They died when he was young, but old enough to remember faces. His father had brown curly hair and blue eyes. He was only seventeen when he courted his mother, who was in her thirties at the time. She was a dancer, had blue eyes and blonde hair, and was incredibly beautiful. She accepted his proposal.
His mother explained that he had rescued her from the Great Cornelia Fire of 22 31CE, more specifically, from a falling girder beam. His father says he saved her from a pack of savage goblins outside of town, but every time he told him that story, his mother would laugh and pass it off. That, and the burns on his back seemed to say otherwise…
The memory made him chuckle sadly.
His memories shifted to their deaths. They were…killed by a Vermillion fleet. He and his parents along with several other commonfolk were tasked with escorting trade goods to a group of Vermillion merchants. It was an order by the king, so he and his family had no choice to obey.
Turns out, it was a trap. Vermillion soldiers disguised as merchants slaughtered nearly everyone. Including his parents.
Including his parents…
He sighed. "I will avenge you two. I know you are both counting on me."
The two gravestones in front of him wept in the rain.
"No need to cry." He consoled. "Resolve will come eventually."
He never believed in ghosts, yet somehow, when standing here, he could feel their cold spirits circling him. There had been rumors of ghost sightings at this graveyard, but they were either from children or the mentally ill. Not very reliable sources.
Since the incident, which came to be known as The Vermillion Spark, great tension between the two nations of Cornelia and Vermillia arose. Vermillia had always been at their throats since they won independence millennia ago, yet Cornelia was never the one to usually start any of it. It was always Vermillia. Killing their people, refusing to buy their goods, pinning tragedies on them.
It was always Vermillia.
"If they were to…disappear, then we wouldn't be having these problems. They've made our lives so miserable. My life so miserable." He thought.
Wet, splashy footsteps sounded from behind. He didn't feel like turning around to face them—despite knowing it was rude, but he was kind of in a state of mourning at the moment—so he let them speak.
"Tio." A young woman's voice said.
"Is it time?" He asked.
There was no clear response, just the sound of a slight wrinkle of cloth barely hearable over the rain. He knew it was a yes. If it wasn't, she would immediately deny it. He knew Sarah, his stepsister.
He turned himself towards her after a brief pause. She wore a red raincoat, oddly, identical in design to his. He had never seen her wear red before. He was surprised that she wasn't wearing her gowns like her father always tells her. Seven guards were with her. Four guarding her person and three at the cemetery entrance.
Thank the gods she hadn't come alone, an infamous habit she developed.
He lifted his head, revealing his handsome ice blue eyes as he smiled softly. "Thanks for coming to get me." He said.
She shook her head. "We're family. This is what we do."
"Come on." He said jokingly. "Allow me to be a gentleman to you."
Sarah smiled, but it looked a bit sad. "I am supposed to be acting like that towards you, dear brother of mine. Father always said you didn't need to act like a prince around everyone."
"But not doing so would put forth questions as to how he raised you. I refuse to let the nobles and cooperating businessmen tarnish our reputation."
She giggled. "Oh, Tio. You are so considerate…"
"Princess Sarah," One of the guards she was with said. "we shouldn't keep the King waiting."
She nodded. "That is true. Come now, we need to hurry, Prince Tio."
"She is acting so optimistic, yet sad all the same." Tio thought. "Sarah, you are far stronger than I am…"
Sarah had known Severin Cornelius far longer than he has. The thought of him dying must be horrific to her, yet she wears a mask of positivity like it's her real face. Or glued to it.
With a great sense of dread, he joined Sarah and her personal guard in the walk to and through Cornelia Castle. The maids, nobles, servants, and guards alike all shared the same look of solemnity as they did. This only made the pit in his stomach deepen.
After what felt like an hour-long walk—it was only twenty minutes—they all made it to the King's chambers.
It was said that today was his last day left to live.
Garland was outside the large, regal chamber doors. He was chatting with one of the guards posted outside.
"There you are. Tio. Sarah." He said with his Rydinian accent, pleased. He turned towards both of them. "You're dismissed." He told the guards accompanying them.
They all offered to take their raincoats, then dispersed.
Garland was a tall, muscular figure with a square head of greasy black locks reaching his shoulders and glass cutting red. He wore magnificent ebony black and a steel bull-horned helm that would cover all his facial features, which he wasn't wearing. He was holding it in his left hand.
"Master Garland, captain of King Cornelius' Royal Guard, what are you doing here?" The princess asked.
"I was…" He sighed. "I was here under his majesty's wishes. He wanted to speak with me before he got the chance with you both."
"What did he want to speak to you about, exactly?" Tio asked.
"I could tell you, but his majesty promised to do it for me. I gotta get going." He turned around and walked away, waving without looking back.
A priest joined him, informing him of a message presumably. "Master Garland, I have information regarding the…"
Strange.
Both young adults entered their father's chambers. The doors creaked like a twisted organ, probably hearable from all across the kingdom they were so loud. The King's room wasn't as grandiloquent as many commoners theorize. There were some oak bookshelves containing adventure books Sarah would read as a kid, a long dinner table with cushioned chairs, crystalline chandeliers, and a royal bed fit for two.
On that bed was the dying King of Cornelia, Severin Cornelius VI, who laid on his back, arms rested gently next to his side.
"He looks so peaceful…" They both thought.
The formerly strong, imposing man, now weak and frail, had blond hair like Tio's and an elegant beard covering the lower half of his face. His eyes were emerald green, identical in shape to his daughter's.
The grand window that looked over the kingdom was being lightly pattered with droplets. It was almost as if it was crying too…
"Father…" Sarah breathed out. "This cannot be happening. You were supposed to live longer than this."
Weakly, he craned his head towards her. "Do not cry, dear." His voice was horribly raspy. "I know this a lot of sorrow to take in. I too wish it did not have to be this way, but Mother Magi calls…"
Tio grabbed his limp arm and pressed his knuckles against his forehead. They were colder than he thought. "Father, I know who did this. It was them, was it not? They were the only ones who did this to you."
"My Tio, they did not do anything. It is an illness I caught in the Rydin region, remember?"
"But Emperor Vermilion was there. He could have easily… He could have easily poisoned you!"
"He would have been better off killing me outright. Poisoning me would be a waste of time on his part, I bet. Besides, tensions are only getting worse."
"They poisoned you." Tio disagreed. "They have been harassing our kingdom for years, ever since that Vermillion Spark! We have every right to go to war with them at this point! They need to be dealt with!"
The old man laughed weakly. "A hotheaded boy. You remind me of myself when I was young…"
Tio realized he was ruining his final moments with his father. Feeling guilty, he let go of his arm. "Apologies."
"Garland told us you have something to tell us." Sarah said suddenly. "I assume it involves the future of our kingdom as we know it?"
"Correct. You probably can guess it, too."
She frowned deeply. "…because I have not yet mastered the qualities of a woman. I am so, so sorry, father. I am sorry I did not—would not become a model woman fast enough."
He was quiet for a moment, then, with extreme effort, pushed himself into a sitting position and looked her in the eyes. "It is regrettable, yes, but hear me out. There will come a moment in your life when you have to make a choice. What that voice will be, you will find out. I guarantee you won't know the correct answer right away, so I want you to know this: if that time comes, I want you to picture my face as it is now and let it guide your decisions from there on out."
"Picture your face…as it is now?" She questioned.
"Do your best not to forget it, or this kind and content face will turn into an angry one." He said, laughing at the end.
She thought for a moment, then nodded with signature determination. "I will, father. I will never forget your face!"
"I am beyond happy to hear that." He looked at the blond boy. "As for you, boy…"
Tio mentally steeled himself.
"…I understand you had a rough life. The people who wronged you, most of the time, are not worthy of forgiveness. However, making your bad experiences with them the crux of your beliefs will turn you into a completely different person. A person full of hate, vengeance, and perhaps even loathing. Happen or not, one day, you will meet someone who shares opposing viewpoints to yours. But when you get to know them, you will find out they are exactly like you on the inside."
"I will…try to keep it in mind." He responded, trying his best to not sound dismissive.
The dying man laid back on his bed. "I have asked Lord Garland to hold the position of power until you, Sarah, are fit to be Queen."
"How will I know if I am ready?" She asked.
"That will be up to your instructors. They will know when you are ready. I was hoping we could court you with a noble from Vermillia, perhaps even Rydin or Quasar, but given our allegiances…it is unlikely. For the first time in history, we may have to settle for a female ruler."
Upon hearing the news, Sarah was indifferent. On one hand, she was happy to no longer need an arranged marriage, but on the other, it was like opening a box of mysterious content. She had never considered the possibility of becoming ruler of Cornelia outside of small, insignificant thoughts. Such a responsibility suddenly falling onto her shoulders gave her all sorts of feelings.
"That is the final thing I would like to tell you." The king said. "Now, I ask that you both leave me."
"This will be the last time we will see you…alive, correct?" Sarah asked.
He nodded slowly. "Yes. I have ordered my royal guard to lock the doors after you leave. I wish to die the same way Cornelius II did. In his room, alone, after he had a final word with his heir."
"That's absurd." Tio said. "Why do you wish to duck the last moments of your life? People's last moments should be spent with their loved ones."
"I simply do not wish to pain you with the sight of me dying." He chuckled. "Is that so much to ask?"
The young man saw what he was getting at played along. "Such an old, selfish coot you are. Your father will slap you silly in the Orb of Magi."
They both laughed, but Cornelius' laugh was cut short by a series of violent coughs.
"P-Please…leave me already. It seems like there isn't much time…"
His face had grown thin since they last saw him. His skin pale as a ghost. His green eyes sunken. It seemed like he could collapse at any moment, but they wouldn't be around when he did. He didn't want them to.
With some hesitation, Tio was the first to go through with his wishes. "Very well. We will take out leave."
Sarah was quiet.
"Is something wrong?" He winced right after he said that. "Dumb question. Very dumb question."
She shook her head, saying nothing, before turning her back to her father.
He nodded and they both stepped to the exit.
Tio was the first to leave the room, but before Sarah did, she took one last look at her father. "Goodbye…father. Five guide you…" She turned to face him fully.
"'The scars run deep. Deeper than the depths of Doom. May the blood of love ooze out, be collected, and be used to write a new story. One of love that will be sold to everyone. That is my wish for you and all beings young and old. Farewell.' Scarlet Hearts, Epilogue."
She could sense the smile on her father's face.
And with that, she took her leave.
She walked through the door and into the royal hallways. Going from the silent grand bedroom to a bustling hallway felt like entering another dimension. Upon entering, she noticed an unfamiliar general approach her brother.
"Prince Tio, I have a message to deliver."
"Is it urgent?" He asked.
"I'm not sure. I was simply told to give this to you." He handed him a small slip of paper.
He took it, read it, read it again, a third time, a fourth, then a fifth. His blood ran colder than the Bahamut Mountains. "A-Are you sure this is an empty threat?!"
"I'm afraid we have uncovered secret messages passed back and forth between unknown senders. Lord Garland was the one who brought this to our attention."
"Did he tell you how he found out?"
"No, your highness."
"Then you are dismissed."
The general bowed and walked off.
Princess Sarah had been watching the whole time. "Is something the matter, Tio?"
He was dead silent for a moment, then looked up from the note and brought it to his side. He didn't turn to look at her. "As your older brother, I demand that you head to your room this instant. And don't come out until I tell you to."
"Wh-Why?! What did I do wrong this…" She cut herself off as she realized how childish her outburst was.
"That is an order. Please go…" The last part sounded anxious. He took his leave down the hall and didn't look back.
The Princess had a strong feeling about what the note said, and she didn't like it any more than he did. Something like this happened to her mother, a long time ago. That could only mean one thing…
The people who killed her mother and older brother are now after her.
"Magi guide us all…"
• o •
Rhex could swear that something about this situation felt familiar. Here he was, sipping a wooden mug of coffee, listening to his brother, Reos, talking about politics he didn't care about, all while walking down the streets of a Rydin port city. Oh right, that's because this happens every single time they leave for a job across the sea.
The sky was a dark blue shade, yet bright enough that they didn't need the black luminaries on the side of the road. People were out and about this time too. His cactus green hair was a mess and he was too zombie-brained to bother fixing. The bags under his red eyes seemed to match his hurricane perfectly. Maybe if he drinks enough coffee everything will fix itself…
His brother's facial appearance was the complete opposite in the mornings, which is funny because they're twins. His long hair that reached the midpoint of his back was perfectly brushed too. Why was Reos so good at staying on top of things anyway? Why is Rhex always the one falling behind? If it hadn't been for Zero and Gunter's occasional clumsiness, he'd be a complete laughing stock.
"…their spice shipments have been cut off because Vermillia threatened war with Cornelia. In fact, they ordered the kingdom to stop trading certain goods so they could submit control over them. Rydin hasn't taken action yet, but it's only a matter of—"
The reckless brother stopped walking groaned. "I don't caaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrre!"
The more sophisticated one stopped as well. "I know you don't. But I tell you about Cornelia and its problems because that's where we're going."
Rhex downed the rest of his coffee. "I know. Our next job is in Cornelia, but you're like, eighteen. Aren't you a little young to be this invested in the inner workings of government?"
"It just interests me." He said with his signature apathy. "Idiot." He thought. "What if Vermillia invades while we're there? Oh, I nearly forgot to show him this." He pulled out a roll of white paper.
"What's that?" He asked. "If it's an essay on tariffs then I'll pass."
He spread open the large piece of paper, which was revealed to be a map.
"Pass."
"This is important, so listen."
Rhex took a peek at the overhead view of what he thought was Cornelia, but instead was a map of the Vermillia region. It was a crescent-shaped piece of land that almost made a complete circle around itself, only leaving a small opening for shops to pass through. At the northern tip was castle Vermillia. Further up north, following the linear path was what he recognized to be house Blackfanthom. At the most northern part of the continent were the Bahamut mountains.
Reos tapped the southern part of the island. "We're landing here."
He moved his eyes to the south. At the southern tip was Cornelia in all its inferior glory, followed by some lakes, cliffs, and a thick forest that alienates them from Vermillia territory
"That's all they own?" He asked, shocked.
His brother nodded. "It's a long story, but yes. Vermillia sees them as their property."
"That's messed up."
"That's an understatement. They're practically slaves." Reos sighed as he rolled up his map. "These things we call 'emotions' cause atrocities like this…"
They both continued walking.
"What's our job, by the way?" Rhex asked as he smirked and punched the palm of his hand in front of his face. "Demon hunting or skirmishes?"
"Neither."
"What makes you so sure?"
He shrugged. "I got the impression from Solomon when we accepted it. We're treading into new territory with this one."
"Any fighting involved?"
"I don't know, kappa head. Why don't you go bother Solomon about it once we board the materiaship?" He calmly snapped.
He rolled his eyes. "Just curious, man."
"Well, anyway, as I was saying about the spice trade…"
Rhex groaned as the sun slowly came over the port city. The materiaship blew its horn in the distance, signaling the twins to pick up their pace.
As mercenaries, they pick up jobs across Gaia. Usually as hired swords. They were accustomed to the violence to the point where they felt joy come of it. This job may be new territory, but it can't be that different.
Right?
• o •
AN: It's been a while since the idea for this story popped in my head. It was the entire reason I got into writing in the first place. After years and years of the idea shearing and compressing, it's finally made public. No particular schedule for this, sorry. I'll see if it's possible to get at least one chapter out a month. Hope you enjoy!
