A/N: Okay, I know I posted this chapter before, but I revised it because I'll be honest, I wasn't happy with the way it was before. x_X Sorry guys....being rushed and all.
And what's more, I noticed a weird coincidence about the titles of the "main" chapters (the prologue doesn't count) -- they're named after BGM tracks on the First Departure OST, which I happen to be uploading to Youtube! O.O Freaky... Seeing as how this fanfic explains the tie-in to FD in a sense, I guess it's only natural. But I can assure you, I'll -try- not to make all of the chapter titles named after tracks on the FD OST....heheh
Disclaimer: I don't own -any- part of the Star Ocean series...not even its amazing OSTs, which are all done by the talented VG music composer, Motoi Sakuraba.
and ;i.l;k[afj THIS STUPID EDIT/PREVIEW DOCUMENT FUNCTION KEEPS MESSING UP THE CENTERING. sorry...frustrated.
What It Means to Make Amends
Chapter 3
L o o k i n g B a c k and M o v i n g A h e a d
"Mmm...how long have I been sleeping?" Eleyna murmured to herself as she slowly sat up. She looked out the window, and saw the sky tinted bright orange. Dusk was approaching. "I see...it's evening already." Glancing away from the window, she thought, I feel...lonely somehow...why am I feeling this way? Is it because...
Almost immediately, she thought of Crowe. Is it because of him? I don't even know the real reason myself, but ever since I met him, it's like he's...started a change in me. His kindness and sincerity...it's like they resonate from him and somehow...make an impact on me. I haven't felt this way in so long... Already, I have a deep longing to see him again. She shook her head. No...he said he had to find his purpose on his own. I must not interfere.
She stood up, and began to walk toward the door, clutching the pendant she wore, as if holding on to a wish to see Crowe once more. Even so....if you do see your friends again, and you ultimately have to return to the star ocean, I only wish you would see me one last time...Crowe. She bowed her head in regret. And...I guess I shouldn't have imposed on you like that when we met... I ask that you pardon me for my foolishness.
Looking ahead, she walked outside, and saw rain clouds gathered in the distant sky. "A storm is approaching...be careful, you three."
Meracle, Crowe and Sarah had just finished traversing the desert leading to Tropp to Tatroi. It was a long trek, and the three were already feeling somewhat exhausted. "We're almost there," Sarah said, in an attempt to boost her companions' morale.
"Thank....goodness," Meracle said, out of breath. "I'm so....tired..." Crowe said nothing; he was glancing at the sky, grayed by the storm clouds.
"Hey, Crowe...what's up?" Meracle asked him. He only replied, "It's gonna rain soon..."
"Soon" was an understatement; it wasn't long after Crowe answered Meracle that a drop of rain landed on Meracle's forehead. "Eee!" she cried, surprised. "That was cold, meow!" She and Sarah looked toward the sky and saw the deep gray clouds hovering above. Within a few seconds, more raindrops started to fall, and it eventually escalated into a full-blown rainstorm.
"Aah!" Sarah screamed, spreading her wings and covering herself in an attempt to shield herself from the torrent of rain.
This is bad... Crowe thought to himself. Can't stay too long in the rain like this... He looked around quickly, and saw a vacant hut nearby. "Hurry! Follow me!" He ran into the hut, and Meracle and Sarah followed him.
"Huff...huff....that was close, meow," Meracle said, tired, as she, Crowe, and Sarah began to dry themselves off. "I'm all soaked...." Looking all around her, she recognized her surroundings. "Hey...I remember this place."
"Hmm?" Crowe asked.
"I remember...this hut once belonged to a settlement of people who called themselves the 'Black Tribe'. They kinda looked like you, Crowe...I mean, they didn't have any tails or wings, like myself or Sarah. One of them even spoke in a tongue I couldn't recognize."
"I see." Crowe thought to himself, They must have been of the Muah too. He asked Meracle, "Whatever happened to them?"
"Even I don't know," Meracle replied. "Edge, myself, and the others first met them shortly after we arrived on Roak." She giggled for a second, and continued, "There was this girl in the tribe who gave Faize this cloak. I guess Lymle was a bit jealous, because she kept saying to him from that day onward," and, trying her best to imitate Lymle's characteristic monotone voice, said, "'That cloak looks really ugly on you, 'kay?'"
"Heh." Crowe pondered, I wonder how that girl, Lymle, is doing...she must have taken it hard after seeing what happened to Faize...poor thing.
"But one day," Meracle continued in a more serious tone, "Sarah was kidnapped, and we had to look for some way to get across the desert to the Purgatorium, because back then, crossing the desert was much harder than it is now. When we arrived at the settlement, there was no one there. I haven't seen any of them since... and I'm actually kinda surprised these old shelters are still here."
"Is that so...?" Looking down, Crowe thought, They were most likely all wiped out...how horrible.
Sarah looked outside, and saw that it was raining even harder. "Oh dear, will you look at that rain. I guess we're stuck here for a bit."
"I guess we are..." Crowe muttered, sitting down on a nearby bed, looking outside into the rain. As he stared at the cascade of raindrops, tragic images came to his mind: An explosion in a building. Screams. Windows shattering. Blood on the floor. Ambulance sirens wailing. The newscaster, explaining what had happened. Crewmen lifting a woman onto a stretcher and rushing her to a hospital. A young man, no older than his teenage years, standing by the side of the woman's bed, holding her hand, crying, pleading her to live. The woman breathing her last. The sound of the EKG flatlining. The young man collapsing onto his knees, weeping.
Huh?! Why am I thinking of that?....
"Something the matter?" Sarah asked, sitting down next to Crowe. Snapping out of his trance, Crowe replied, "It's kind of a long story....one of the saddest days in my life happened on a day like this...when it was raining."
"I'm sorry," Sarah said, offering her condolences.
"It's fine," Crowe replied. "I..I'm fine. Really..."
Sarah pat Crowe on the back, smiling at him. "Heh..." Crowe muttered. "Thanks, Sarah."
Looking outside into the rain, Meracle cried, "I'm bored, meow!" An idea suddenly popped to her head. "I know!" She stood up and sat on the bed opposite the one Sarah and Crowe were sitting on. "How about I tell you about my favorite story, you guys?" she asked.
"A....story?" Crowe muttered, blinking.
"Yeah," Meracle nodded. "I don't think I got to tell you about 'Eleyna and the Feline Gourmand', Crowe."
"Wait...'Eleyna' as in the Eleyna we know?"
"Mm-hmm," Meracle said. "I told Sarah a little bit about it when she first mentioned Eleyna's name. It couldn't be mere coincidence -- the Eleyna in the story was a wise sage who could see into the future!"
"I know..." Crowe agreed.
"You know, looking back, I guess the other characters in the story sort of resemble us in a sense."
"...What do you mean?"
"You see, Crowe, in the story, there's also this feline gourmand who lives with Eleyna, and is always chastised for her antics. I never thought about it before, but I guess that character resembles me, in a way." She paused for a second and, looking at Sarah, continued, "And there's this 'chicken in glasses' that the feline gourmand always chases around." She giggled for a second.
"Uh...what? I don't get it," Sarah said in her typical naive manner, unaware that the "chicken in glasses" was referring to her.
"Heh..." Crowe tried not to chuckle too loudly, as he understood the pun.
"But most importantly, Crowe," Meracle said, "Much later on in the story, Eleyna meets this traveler who washes up on the shore....I really think you're the inspiration for the traveler in the story."
"Huh...really?"
"Yeah," Meracle said. "The traveler in the story is a really kind person, just like you."
Crowe blushed. "Thanks for the compliment," he said.
"Thanks. But what's more, is that shortly after meeting Eleyna, the traveler is in a desperate situation, so Eleyna decides to help him. But he ultimately decides to wander the continent in search of his true purpose."
"Wow..." Crowe was amazed. "That's just...exactly what I'm going through."
"Mm-hmm." Looking up, Meracle said, "You know...I wonder if we all have roles to play in a grand story, just like that story I told you guys about. I mean...everything that has happened...I wonder if this is destiny?"
"Good point..."
"You know, Crowe," Meracle added, "I once told Edge this story. He seemed pretty bored by it all, but it turns out that he actually was listening!"
"Heh, you know Edge," Crowe replied, then immediately asked, "Wait, he actually listened?"
"Yeah. I was surprised, to tell the truth."
"Huh....the Edge I know would always fall asleep during a lecture. I gotta hand it to him for actually listening to your story." Looking up, Crowe thought, It's been two years...I just disappeared for two whole years and here I am again....Everyone has moved on, and yet I stay the same. I can't help but wonder how everyone else is doing.... Bacchus, Myuria, Arumat, that girl Lymle....Edge...Reimi...? I just wonder how they've all been able to move on...Especially Edge and Reimi. I hope they're doing fine without me. It still hurts me knowing I just disappeared from their lives like that...And...Dad...I wanted to at least reconcile with him. All I've done is cause him unnecessary worry, especially when....
"Hey, Crowe...you okay?" Meracle asked him, as she saw the crimson-haired man seemingly staring into nothingness.
"I...I'm fine," Crowe answered her. "Seeing as how it was getting pretty late when it started raining, I guess we should call it a day."
"All right," Sarah said, standing up and climbing into the bed to the left of the one she sat on before. "Good night, you two."
"Hey, Crowe," Meracle said. "Don't worry. You just have to see things through. Everything will be fine. And..I feel you can make many great changes in the lives of others."
Hearing Meracle's encouraging words helped Crowe feel at ease. "Meracle...thanks," he said, patting her on the head. "You should get some sleep."
"Yeah," Meracle said, yawning. "G'night, Crowe." She climbed into another bed close by and tucked herself in, the sound of the rain lulling her to sleep.
"Good night, both of you." Crowe clibed into bed and pulled the sheets over himself. Before closing his eyes and going to sleep, he said under his breath, "Would I really be able to change the lives of those around me, just like that...? And...what about...? I guess there's no use worrying about it now. I should just keep going...see what the future holds for me. Yeah..."
Edge Maverick was sitting in the captain's seat, looking out into the star ocean. Sighing, he pondered, I can't believe it's been two years since we've last seen everyone...Lymle, Bacchus, Meracle, Myuria, Sarah, Arumat...
....Faize............Crowe. I still can't believe they're both gone. ...Even so, sacrifices had to be made back then. But...why did it have to be them, of all people?
"Hey....Edge?" Reimi asked him. Snapping out of his daze, Edge replied, "Oh..Reimi. Well...a lot has been on my mind."
"Hmm?"
"I've been thinking....it's been two whole years since we've been able to see everyone...and before we knew it, we've had to part ways. Of course...with Crowe and Faize..."
Reimi got the point. "Yeah..."
"En II has went into secrecy, and the Eldarians have migrated to Lemuris and given up all their technology. Aside from that, we'll be called back to Earth pretty soon concerning the UP3 and the Terran Alliance. And..." He paused.
"And...what?"
"And...I have a feeling something painful will await us when we return...."
"What are you talking about, Edge...?" Reimi could not catch on to what Edge was saying.
"....It's nothing," Edge replied. "Let's just focus on what lies ahead...together."
"Yeah."
Edge contemplated, But still...I can't quite get over what happened a year ago...
It was morning already. Seeing the sunlight pour in, Sarah awoke and walked out of the hut to get some fresh air. Meracle awoke shortly after, only to notice Crowe still asleep. She walked over to his bed and gently turned him over, hoping to wake him up. However, she noticed he seemed to be in some sort of pain as she saw his face. His eyes were shut tightly, his face was covered in sweat, and he seemed to be moaning in his sleep. "What's going on?" Meracle said to herself quietly.
"Uh...uhhhh...."
Where have you been all this time, Father?! Do you have any idea how long my mother and I waited for you to come home?
"Father...." Crowe muttered in a rather breathy tone of voice.
At the very least, you should have been by her side when she...
"Wh....Why....why didn't you...." In his state of distress, Crowe unconsciously gripped the sheets tightly.
"Crowe...snap out of it!" Meracle cried.
Upon hearing Meracle's voice, Crowe immediately woke up. "...Meracle?"
Meracle looked at him, and said, "You were talking in your sleep...you had me worried there, meow!"
"I was...?" Crowe sat up. "I must have been having a nightmare."
"Well, I guess it's a good thing I woke you up, then," Meracle said, smiling.
"Heh..." Crowe looked around and saw that Sarah wasn't there. "Where's Sarah?"
"Sarah went outside to get some fresh air." Meracle paused for a moment, and then said, "Hold on...I hear something."
Crowe seemed perplexed for a moment, but then remembered that Meracle's kind had sharper senses than humans. "Something....like what?" he asked.
"I hear....marching.......chanting.... !! Could it be....!?"
That doesn't sound good. Crowe immediately got out of bed and ran outside.
"Hey, Crowe! Where are you going?"
Crowe turned to Meracle, and said, "Just stay here. I'll get Sarah. Something tells me that it won't be safe as long as those people are around," which they both knew who "those people" were.
Outside, the grass was covered in dew, the trees were still dripping from the rain that lasted the entire night, and puddles had formed on the ground. Crowe looked around quickly, and saw Sarah, not too far off. "Sarah!" He called out to her.
Turning around, Sarah said, "Oh....good morning, Crowe."
"Sarah! It's not safe out here! Get back inside!"
"Huh?" Sarah looked around. "I don't see any---"
"Hurry!!"
Heeding his warning, Sarah rushed back into the hut -- and just in time, too. A mob of men garbed in black was starting to march by, chanting in an obscure tongue. After signaling Meracle and Sarah to stay hidden, Crowe peeked outside of the hut to see the men marching toward Tatroi. Those must be the Sydonaists that Eleyna told us about. All of a sudden, one of the Sydonaists turned around, and Crowe immediately resumed hiding. But before that, he saw the man's eyes....demonic, cold as ice, giving off a murderous vibe. Crowe started to shudder. What....is this I feel? Seeing that man's eyes...ugh. It's making my skin crawl thinking about it.
Seeing the crimson-haired young man shivering, Meracle asked him, "What is it?"
"Huh?" Crowe stopped shivering. "I...it's nothing...." After the sound of marching and chanting died down, he looked outside and saw that the coast was clear. "Those men...they must be those Archfiend worshipers Eleyna saw in her augury. I saw them headed for Tatroi."
"That can't be good..." Sarah said.
"Indeed." Stepping out of the shelter, Crowe said, "Well, I guess it's off to Tatroi then...."
So this is it...I know what I have to do. At least this way, I'll be able to redeem myself for the mistakes I made along the way before I came here. I just have to be strong....I can't let myself be swayed....
A/N: OMG, I don't believe it. Recently (probably rather late by the time this chapter is published), Square-Enix announced that Star Ocean 4 would be ported to the Playstation 3 -AND- it'll ship worldwide, unlike most "Director's Cut" remakes. I guess this means I probably will not get an Xbox 360 and I'd rather wait for the PS3 version to come. When it comes out (February of next year), I am so getting it. I just hope they consider adding Crowe's story to the game...who knows, it could even continue after he arrives on Roak xD
My writer's block is practically gone now too! But finals are coming up...X_X I hope I can squeeze in something before then....And this chapter still turned out short, but I am MUCH happier with it this time. xD See you all in the next chapter, tentatively titled, "And So It Begins".