Ch. 2 Fire Starter

Wizardwolf 1020: Thank you for taking time to look at this story, and yes you will expect an overexcited child/fangirl moment, but not this soon, she will be giddy, but there will be an edge. I hope you enjoy.

Grimoire of zero is own by Kakeru Kobashiri and Final Fantasy IV is owned by my personal favorite RPG company Square Enix.

Enjoy

Daytime - Mist

The summoners city of Mist, a small village that lies in between the Mist Cave and the desert that surrounds Kaipo. It consist of only a few houses, a inn, and a shop, which makes this town only a small stop to prepare before either going through the cave to reach Baron, or to head to the desert to reach Kaipo. The only thing that makes it stand out in the map is that it is the home of the few summoners in the world.

Behind Rydia's slightly elevated house, a large blue portal appears nearby a surprised green hair woman with blue eyes who wears a green sweater over a white dress. A few seconds later Alexander carrying Rydia on his shoulder, Mercenary, with his hood up, and Zero exit through the gateway.

The woman walks up to Alexander and asks "Alexander, what's going on, why are you here early?"

Alexander puts his free hand on the woman's shoulder and answers "I had some issues appear, so her training was cut short until it's resolved. I'm sorry for surprising you Lynda." The woman named Lynda (wasn't introduced so I'm taking some liberties) nods and takes Rydia who Alexander hands to her. Lydia was about to turn and take Rydia inside until she finally notices the two new guests of this world looking around the town they are now located in.

Lynda asks "And who might these two be?" Alexander looks behind him to see the curious and slightly confused guest.

Alexander answers "Remember that problem that I heard from the other Eidolons?" She nods at the question as he continues "As such, I ask them for help with that problem, mostly because they are both from the same world."

Lynda nods in realization, walks up to them in which they stop looking around, and asks "Well, since you're new here, why don't you stay with us until you can get some supplies?"

Mercenary shakes his head and says with slight nervousness "N-no, that's alright, we wouldn't want to intrude."

Lynda smiles and replies "You're not, anyways you might still need a little time to prepare because of the active monster activity. The moment you go outside you'll be attacked by monsters. I can tell that you can take care of yourself, but there is no such thing as being too prepared, right?" Mercenary tries to find a way to say no but Lynda makes a good argument, due to being in a very foreign environment, and looking at Zero who seems to be begging to stay without saying anything.

Mercenary says tentatively "I...I guess it wouldn't hurt." Lynda nods and goes inside her house.

Zero then takes a few steps forward, turns to Mercenary and says "She's right, we need to be careful…" she then turns around and says with some excitement "...but right now I want to look around!"

Zero runs off in which Mercenary says with alarm "W-wait, Zero!" Mercenary then chases after Zero as she starts looking around the area.

Alexander, still at the same place he was in, chuckles to himself and says to himself "She may seem older than she looks, but she seems to still be a child." Alexander then moves to the portal, turns his head to get one last look of Mist, waves his hand over the portal, and walks through it.

Evening - Mist

Mercenary was able to catch up to Zero and reprimand her for just running off like a child in a candy store. They continue to look around the town and visit the store to pick up some small supplies. One of the more helpful supplies that they obtain is a world map in order to figure out where they plan on going next and the various caves that are needed to cross in order to get there, along with ocean ports if boats are available.

They head back to Rydia's house to see Lynda cooking at the stove while Rydia is waiting patiently on one of the two beds.

Lynda looks to them while stirring the stew in the pot and says "You made it just in time, dinner is almost ready." She looks to Rydia and asks "Rydia, could you get the bowls please?"

Rydia answers "Yes Mother" and goes to one of the cabinets to take out four bowls. The two wait at the living room while Lynda and Rydia put the finishing touches on dinner. They take a tray with four bowls and four loaves of bread to the living room.

They almost begin to eat until Rydia asks "Are you going to eat with that on sir?" The question slightly startles Mercenary as he is not sure if he should remove his cloak now.

Lynda then says which gains Mercenary's attention "It's okay, Alexander told me about you, and Rydia has seen the town that resides near him, so she has seen some beastfallen. At least, from a certain distance." This seems to slightly dissuade Mercenary, but only slightly. He seems slightly hesitant at taking it off, until he finally made up his mind and decides to see what happens. He takes off his cloak which reveals the clothes underneath and his white tiger face. Rydia looks slightly amazed as she has never seen a beastfallen like him before and Lynda looks curious at his form but is pleased that he is comfortable enough to show his face to them. They all proceed to eat their dinner, a simple vegetable soup with bread. As they all finish, they prepare for bed, Zero looks over the small book of beginner spells and tries to learn the basics of both white and black magic, Mercenary gets all of the supplies ready. Rydia waits on the right bed, waiting for her mother to finish her personal tasks outside.

Mercenary looks to the waiting girl and after some thinking asks "S-so...what is your mom doing outside?"

Rydia answers casually "Right now, I think my mom is talking with the Mist Dragon."

Mercenary asks "Mist Dragon?"

Rydia explains "The Mist Dragon is mother's Eidolon, it protects the town from the cave."

Mercenary instantly realizes the cave she is talking about, it was on the map they purchased and they could see it from the edge of town.

Zero asks as she moves to the other bed next to Mercenary "Why is this town using a dragon to defend this small village."

Rydia thinks for a few seconds and answers "I think mother told me that it's because of the more active monsters and the strange things occurring at Baron Castle."

Zero asks out of curiosity "What kind of strange things?"

Rydia shrugs and says "I don't know, mom wouldn't say."

Zero says "Hmm" and puts her hand to her chin to think.

Mercenary then asks Zero "How's the studyin' coming along."

Zero replies with a bit of pride "It's coming along amazingly, by tomorrow I will learn all the basic spells this book contains." Mercenary seems casual about her new while Rydia is slightly amazed. At that time, Lynda walks in and they all prepare for bed, Rydia and Lynda on the right bed, Mercenary and Zero on the left bed. The two groups sleep peacefully with the two moons gazing down from the sky.

Mist - Morning

By morning, Zero and Mercenary are already up, Zero is helping Mercenary with his morning bath. Once they were done, they begin to plan out what they might do next to find the witch who has one of the grimoire copies. They could go to Baron Castle to find some clues, although they are going to have to ask Lynda to let them through the Mist Dragon or they cross the desert to Kaipo where they can find some information from travelers and such.

Daytime

The two see Lynda by a lake with Rydia and were about to ask her something until she turns around with surprise and out of nowhere, she faints. The both quickly see what happens as Rydia quickly moves to her mother's side.

Mercenary asks with slight alarm "Wh-what happened?!"

Rydia was trying to figure out what's wrong until she gasps and says "N-no...could it be?" Her eyes begin to tear up as the thought in her head begins to be more true.

Suddenly, everything around them is caught up in flame as red sphere-like monster hit the building and blow up upon contact. The two are the only one's looking around in surprise of the ensuing chaos. Zero begins to run towards a direction with Mercenary to see if anyone is injured.

Once they see that everyone is safe and finding cover until the chaos subsides, they go to find Rydia to take her somewhere safe. The stop with slight shock to see two knights close to Rydia as she is still sobbing over her now dead mother. One wears black armor all over his body except the lower half of his face, on his back is a black sword, the armor expels a dark aura. The other one wears blue armor that doesn't cover the lower half of his face, a gap on the back of his helmet that reveals a long ponytail, he wields a blue lance.

Rydia finally took notice of them as they are talking, it appears that they are talking to her for a bit. The guy in blue armor looks like he was about to attack Rydia, which makes the two come to her rescue until the guy in black armor block his way and seems to dissuade him.

They talk for a bit until the guy in black armor kneel to Rydia and looks like he is trying to ask her something, until she pushes his hand back and yells "No!" She backs away as they try to approach as she yells "Stay away!" Zero and Mercenary try to catch Rydia to calm her down as the two chase after her as she runs. She then yells while a powerful aura is expels from her "Leave me alone! I hate you!" Suddenly a giant rock titan comes from the earth and causes a giant earthquake. Everyone blackout due to hitting their heads as they all fall down.

Desert outside Kaipo - Daytime

Cecil groans for a bit until he finally gets up and regains his bearings. He checks up on the little girl to see if she is not injured or worse.

Cecil says to himself "She's alive. Thank goodness!" That is when he finally notices that Kain is nowhere in sight, only some strange looking people. He yells "Kain?" and looks around to see if he's around. He tries again "Kain!" but there is no answer. He then tells himself "Hmm...Well, I cannot stay here." He moves next to the girl and says "I need to take this girl someplace safe. Forgive me Kain."

He looks to the strange people and walks to the bigger one and tries to wake him up. He was successful as he heard a groan from him, when he sees that he's fully awake he asks "Can you stand, I need your help if we're going to get them to Kaipo." Mercenary sits up and looks to Cecil as he then picks up the girl and holds her under his left arm. Mercenary then gets up and picks up the unconscious Zero and places her on top of his left shoulder.

Before they leave for Kaipo, Mercenary states "Once we find someplace to rest, you have a lot of explaining to do."

Cecil replies "I know." and they both move onward through the desert. They both prove capable fighters against the monster that try to impede them both. Mercenary with his large greatsword and Cecil with his dark sword against the sagahins.

Kaipo - Evening

In the desert oasis of Kaipo, Cecil and Mercenary immediately head to the inn to try and find some rest. Mercenary is slightly sweaty due to the desert heat and is slightly nervous due to how he might be treated because of his looks. He looks to Zero and tries to think of what she might say, but ultimately makes up his mind and enters the inn. Cecil is talking to the inn owner as he enters, Cecil hands the owner a handful of Gil and he leads him to the beds. The both place the girls on two of the beds and the two that are awake sit on the two beds next to them.

Mercenary then says "Okay, now can you explain what you and that other guy was doing in Mist?" Cecil thinks for a few seconds and then begins to explain how he made to mist from the beginning. From taking the crystal in Mysidia to being demoted by the king of Baron to delivering the Signet to Mist.

Cecil ends "It was then that I can't follow a king like him, who desires to steal and kill innocent people. Me and Kain were about to go to other kingdoms and try to get help to stop King Baron. I know I made plenty of mistakes, but I have to at least try and make up for my mistakes."

Mercenary comments on that declaration "It sounds like you got a long road ahead. You sure you can do it?"

Cecil looks to his gloved open palm and says "I have to at least start somewhere. While I did things that are unforgivable, but I can never forgive myself for just blindly following the king's orders like that. I should've done something."

Mercenary blatantly states "I don't think blaming yourself now and wallowing in your mistakes will fix them."

Cecil looks down in disappointment and says "I-I know, I feel like I don't know myself anymore since wearing this black armor."

Cecil answers "Because the king asked me to. He was a father to me, so I couldn't say no." Mercenary nods to that explanation as if he was in his shoes, he could understand why.

They both hear shifting and turn to see Rydia sitting up, Cecil moves next to Rydia's bed and says "You've woken." She doesn't say anything and lays back down to try and sleep. Cecil says "You still haven't told me your name." She still doesn't say anything, he then says "I won't ask you to forgive me. It's my fault you lost your mother. But, please...at least allow me to take you someplace safe." Still, she stays silent and tries to go to sleep.

Mercenary then says "I think it would be good if we all get some sleep, it's been a tough day." Cecil nods and they both go to sleep and try to restore their energy before figuring out a plan for the next day.

Night

Everyone suddenly wakes up as they hear the door opening and turn in that direction to see a group of soldiers heading in their direction.

Cecil impedes their path from the rest of the group as the general says "It seems we've found you, Lord Cecil!"

The girl has a slight look of surprise as Cecil says "Please, you must listen! His Majesty-"

The general interrupts "Our orders come directly from His Majesty's own mouth. Surrender the girl, and he will pardon all you've done. The inhabitants of Mist represent a threat to us all. They must not be allowed to live!"

Cecil asks with slight surprise "What?"

The general says "Stand aside!"

Mercenary was about to stand up and take them down until Cecil says "I think I'd rather not!" He then takes out his black sword and takes down the small group of soldiers. He easily takes them down with ease and a high amount of skill with the blade.

The girl then stands up, moves closer to Cecil and says "I'm sorry, it's all my fault."

Cecil turns to the girl, shakes his head and replies "You've nothing to apologize for. It is I who've wronged you, and apologies cannot right the things I've done."

The girl then says "But...you protected me." Cecil was silent at that and the girl then says "My name's Rydia."

Cecil then says "Rydia…" as if he is trying to commit the name to memory.

Zero then gets up with plenty of vigor and says "I think it's a good idea to introduce each other, since we are going to be traveling together for a while."

Mercenary then ask Zero quietly "We are?"

Cecil then asks "Are you sure, why do you want to join us?"

Zero replies with a confident smile "We are looking for an item of important to use, and if we travel together, we are most likely to find it."

Cecil thinks about it for a few seconds and answers "I guess that makes sense, I'm Cecil Harvey, I hope we all get along well."

Zero replies with a toothy grin "Nice to meet you, I'm Zero and this…" she points to Mercenary and continues "...is Mercenary. I'm sure we'll get along well." Rydia and Cecil then go back to bed to rest and get ready for the next day.

Mercenary then asks Zero "Are you sure we'll find the grimoire if we journey with them?"

Zero says with confidence "After everything we've been through, I learn to rely on my gut instinct. I have a pretty good feeling about this."

Mercenary wasn't too confidant on that but says "Okay, if you're sure."

Zero also says which catches his attention "And also, Cecil intrigues me, I want to observe him more, see where he goes." She then goes back to sleep as Mercenary looks at her with curiosity about why she is interested in him. He shrug and goes to sleep and decides to keep an eye on Zero so that she doesn't do something strange.