Me: Do I have to say it?
Cecil: Yep.
Me: Seriously?
Rosa: Sorry, sweetheart.
Me: I can't even have a little pinch of it?
Cid: Plot and OCs. Just say it already, we have places to be!
Me: But I don't wanna!
Rydia: Oh, stop whining, you'll get over it… -Rolls eyes-
Me: Pleeeeeease? -Tears-
Edge: -Looks away and shuts eyes- No!
Me: Fine… -Sigh- Final Fantasy belongs to Square Enix and is in no way mine. Except for OCs and plots! Go me!
-World Claps-
EXTRA SPECIAL A/N: I'm listening to the Scorpions' album, Humanity: Hour 1. You can listen to it here: /naruto666/playlist/QBwjy5f/scorpionshumanityhour1musicplaylist/
Chapter II
Cecil's POV--
The fog had disappeared almost as suddenly as it had come. The skies were blue once more, but there was a slight chill to everything; even flowers had frost lying upon their once colorful petals. Rosa was getting worried, and frankly, so was I; Asianne, Rosa's companion of the castle, was missing. She apparently had not followed the last woman into the tunnels to the bunkers – Rosa had heard a distant scream of a child and wondered if Asianne had gone to look. It was entirely plausible; there could've been a child, and Asianne, but the fog could have gotten them both – there was just one problem. All of the children of Baron were in the castle.
Cid had gathered some Red Wings together in a squadron to look for Asianne; in the meantime, all we could do was just hope.
--
Rosa's POV--
I was clutching Cecil's side, listening to the Airship squadron return. I made Cecil look at me, straight in the eyes. "Cecil… they've found nothing. I – I can feel it…" I said quietly; my husband just looked at me solemnly and said, "I know… I can feel it, too."
As if on cue, Cid came in, looking more distressed and worried than ever. "Couldn't find her," he muttered sadly. "Couldn't find Asianne." I gasped, and my old friend's words sent chills down my spine. Cecil looked at the upset Red Wings behind Baron's engineer and motioned for them to step forward. I released Cecil from my grasp, and stepped forward to hug Cid.
"It'll be alright, Cid," I said; I was not only trying to reassure him, but also myself. Asi had to be alright. She was one of my best friends, along with Rydia. Cid's shoulders shook, and his daughter stepped forward. I left him in her care, and stood over with Asi's fellow maids of the castle. They were whispering among themselves, fear etched in their faces, their bodies quivering. I walked over to them, and they quickly turned to me, curtsying. When they rose again, they all began to sob together. I quickly held them all in my arms, and we sank down to the steps, all crying together.
--
Rydia's POV--
I woke up sweating; my vision had felt so real. I had dreamt that a girl only a couple of years younger than me was attacked by the fog outside of what looked like Rosa's old home – but someone saved her. The question haunted me as I got myself a glass of water: who?
That was it. I had to return to Baron and find out what was going on. I finished my drink and dressed into normal attire before casting the warp spell. Almost immediately, it was as if I was being sucked into a long tube; my much longer green hair was blowing all around me, and I shut my eyes tight so as not to poke myself in the eyes.
The sucking stopped, and I felt my feet touch the stone ground; I opened my eyes and heard Rosa cry out and tackle me into a hug from behind. "Rydia, Asi's gone!" she said in a muffled voice. I held her awkwardly, not sure what she was talking about – but feeling her pain – until she pulled away. Although she was slightly taller than me, we could still see eye to eye. "Rosa," I said as soothingly as I could bring into my voice. "What's happened?"
Tears rose in Rosa's eyes and she whispered, "Asianne's gone. It took her." I cocked my head, confused; I had met Asianne at Rosa's wedding, and we had become fast friends that day. What had taken her? Was it… could it be? No, no, it can't! It cannot be back!
As if reading my thoughts, Rosa closed her eyes and began to chant what sounded like the Sight spell. A white aura began to glow around her, and she quickly grabbed my wrist. Immediately I was sucked into another world – the past.
I saw something gathering, almost like mist – but no! It became thick, like a fog. It turned black, and I gasped as I returned; it felt like I was coming out of ice cold water. What was worse – my worst fears were confirmed. Cecil saw me and ran over; giving me a quick hug, he said, "Rosa's told you what happened?" I nodded and he replied, "We – that is to say, the men and I – are going to search the caves and fields surrounding Baron's territory…" he turned to look at Rosa straight in the eyes. "I promise I'll return, Rosa. I'll come back." He said quietly, and Rosa nodded, more tears coming forth. Cecil turned to me and made the simple request of me looking after Rosa for him. I vaguely remembered his same words at the battle of Fabul and felt a small shiver. Still, I nodded, and he hugged me again before taking his gear from a nearby Red Wing and leaving the castle.
And just like that, another adventure – unwanted on my part – began again.
--
A/N: Yay! Another chapter finished. Plus I'm happy because I found my Pokémon game, so I'm writing a lot more. I'm thinking that the next chapter will be up sometime next week. Keep clicking that cute little button, and I hope you liked this chappie.