Blink Blink!
My eyes, they burnt. They burnt a lot, I should probably close them for a while to moisturize them, but I was far too stunned to do so.
I climbed up a ladder, towards a trap door, expecting to be somewhere near Igros Castle, maybe on the other side where no one would see me. Instead I find myself inside a beautifully furnished study room, with high ceilings, stone walls with various sconces attached, with Lamps and a well lit fireplace, oozing warmth, to keep the biting chill of winter at bay. Good thing too, I was not dressed for the cold, not really anyway.
Now at first one would think, I was simply in another part of Igros Castle, but I can assure you I wasn't. None of the decor here screamed anything resembling the Northern Sky, let alone Beoulve. I was, somehow, somewhere else completely. Where the hell was I?
All the Gil and Baubles down below didn't stun me half as much as this place.
What In the World did my Father do?
And why did I not know about this in my previous life?
CREAK!
A noise took me out of my stupor, turning my head towards it, I saw the wooden door of this room open. I knew I had no time to hide, so I quickly unsheathe the dagger I had, and held it a loft.
As the doorway widen, a distinguished looking Gentleman, probably in his late 60's, with his silvery hair tied tightly in a point tail, with the sides kept short, dressed in an brown knee-length coat, that seemed padded for the winter, cream breeches and squared toed dress shoes. His aged face, though handsome, showed the harsh years, his left eye hidden behind a monocle, while his right hand held a lamp.
He had yet to notice me, as he opened the door, his head had swiveled behind him, to look at something else, before turning towards me.
As the gentleman stared at me and I at him. A soft smile spread across his face, seemling unsurprised at me being here.
"You are the spitting Image of your Father, but you definitely have your mother's eyes, Master Ramza." he said, his voice filling with mirth as he wandered further in.
"Not that I expected your visit so soon, I am grateful for it."
Placing the lamp on a wooden stand, he briefly patted himself down, to neaten his coat, before looking at me once more.
"I am Jasper Holdenfang, former Knight under Lord Barbaneth's reign, and servant to house Lugria."
LUGRIA!
"I'm…sorry did you say house Lugria?" I asked
The man chuckled.
"I expected that response, but yes house Lugria, built before you and Lady Alma were born, in case Igros castle ever came under siege during the war," Jasper said bowing ever so slightly.
I was getting rather exhausted from being surprised, right about now. As much as I know about events to come, there was so little I knew of my family, especially my Mother and father apparently.
"My father had this built during the war?" I queried
"Yes, while your mother was with child, that being you Master Ramza, your father had this mansion secretly built, at the heights of the War to keep you both safe." said Jasper as he made his way to the fire place. "Your mother would spend days here when your father and brothers were away from Igro, it was easier, that way, with them not being married at the time."
I just stared at him.
"Your confusion is well founded Master Ramza, but your father was ever a pragmatist."
"Apparently," I said, looking around the room. When it dawned on me. "I'm sorry did you say Mansion."
"Yes, Master Ramza, this is the Lugria Mansion situated in the Outskirts of Gariland."
"WAIT WHAT!"
"Pardon?" asked Jasper, looking nonplussed after what he just said to me.
Surely we couldn't be near Gariland, that impossible, improbable actually, because it would mean I traveled a couple days in an hour or so.
"You're not serious right?" I asked, laughing slightly. "We can't be in Gariland."
"Ahh!, right, well to be honest I'm not sure of this myself, but Lord Barbaneth had the tunnels leading to this place enchanted by a Wizard of no small renown."
A wizard of no small renown? Who is powerful enough to shorten the distance and time between two very different cities, and then it clicked. There was a very powerful Wizard that both my Father and Count Orlandu considered to be a friend and equal, that Wizard was known as Eldibus the one and only Archmage of Ivalice. He was said to have vanished a year before the war's end, no one knew where he went.
I wouldn't meet him until I took a detour and went into the dark dungeons. Turns out he found a 13th Zodiac Stone and became a Lucavi, though he was very different from the others I'd faced at the time. I wonder if he's there now, or did that happen to him much later.
"Master Ramza." called Jasper, taking me out of my recollection.
I was far too overwhelmed that I just plopped onto the floor, scattering the contents of the sack on my shoulder around me.
"This must be far too much to take in at once, but I assure you, what you are seeing here is all real."
"Why didn't I know about any of this," I muttered, thinking about all the times my friends and I had to slum it in swamps, open fields, sometimes near people we slew, due to just how exhausted we were.
"Your father wanted this to be a safe haven for you and Lady Alma when you both came of age."
"No… that's not," sighing "It doesn't matter anymore. Just tell me, you weren't surprised to see me, why is that?"
Jasper smiled as he sat in one of the cushioned chairs next to the fireplace.
"Only you and your sister can open the secret passage to this place, and once it's opened, a special brazier lights up here to signal to us servants of your arrival." He said
"Servants, meaning Multiple?" I asked
"Of course, though nowhere as large as Igros Castle, this place had to be self-sufficient and well kept for your eventual arrival," Said Jasper intently "Thus your father before wars end and his…untimely passing made sure to hire as much help as he could, especially those with very tightlips…so to speak."
"So to speak," I repeated.
"This place at first, was intended to be a get away after the War for Lady Seraphina and Lord Barbaneth. But your mothers passing and well the war's extension, well it was left unattended to until about two years ago."
"What happened years ago," I asked, getting up on my forearms to better see Jasper.
His face morphed into a pensive won, as if unsure of what to say, not because he didn't know, but because he was almost afraid.
"Ser Jasper?"
He looked at me, with a strained smile.
"No need to call me Ser, Master Ramza, Jasper is just fine.".
His shoulders tensed, and his hands began kneading his breeches, before he took a deep breath in and then blew it out to calm the nerves.
I looked at him with a curious expression, which made him start to sweat. Taking out his handkerchief to swab away.
"Well Master Ramza, two years ago, Lord Barbaneth penned a letter to me," he said Gulping slightly. "I had originally served as your mother guard, until her passing, where I went back into active duty, it was there I received an injury that almost blinded me,completely."
He grabbed his monocle as a gesture towards such a fact.
"In the end I had to retire, and was content to do so, until your Father made a rather outlandish request of me."
"Do I dare ask what that request was?," I half asked, half knowing probably what it was, as I gestured to the place around us.
He smiled slightly.
"That is part of it, but yes," he said "The other part was to keep a secret until you were of age or until you came to this place."
"Secret? What Secret?"
"Well Master Ramza, your father summoned me, two years ago, back to this place, although then it was quite run down and let me tell you to get this place…." he rambled.
"Jasper!" I yelled
He jumped, startled by me.
"Oh right, sorry, as I was saying." he took a breath. "Your father summoned me, and told me about his illness, and his regrets about not seeing you and Lady Alma grow."
"I know, he said so in this letter." and of course when I spoke to him yesterday, but no one is going to believe that.
"Well, yes I am sure he did, but I'm also positive he left out a crucial detail about his illness." he said, sweating profusely.
That's when it clicked, Father told him; he told him that he was poisoned. He knew, had known for two years, that's about when he started to get progressively worse.
"Your father told me in secret, that…that he." he shot up from the chair. "No…no, no, I can't, you're barely sixteen."
"I've already been to battle, I've already taken life, I think my innocence is long gone at this point Jasper." I tried to get him to tell me what I already knew.
Balling up his hands tightly, he spun towards me, closing his eyes shut.
"Master Ramza, Lord Barbaneth suspected he was poisoned."
Just Like that he said it. I shouldn't be surprised, I already knew, and I already knew the Culprit. Yet for some reason here someone else says it made it even more real, as if somewhere deep down, even though my own father said as much, here someone completely outside the family, who knew the truth, just made whatever naive hope that it wasn't true, shatter completely.
I bowed my head, refusing to let the tears come.
"Master Ramza?" called Jasper concernedly
"Did he say who?" I asked, I was surprised, surprised that I was having this reaction right now.
"He had his suspicions, Master Ramza, but he was adamant on not sharing…though I made my own."
"Dycedarg" I said matter of factly.
I didn't need to see Jasper to know he nodded his head.
"Are you okay Master Ramza?" he asked, getting down to his knees, placing an arm on my shoulder.
Finally looking at him, I finally let the tears out. I thought with my father I'd be finished. Him all but confirming what I knew, and now Jasper doing the same. I just wanted this to be over, I just wanted to rip Dycedarg's throat out…but that would only be seen as a brother killing a brother for power. Dycedarg and Larg both need to face true justice.
Folding my legs inward and using my arms, I pushed myself up from the floor, and whipped the tears away.
"Master Ramza?" called Jasper.
"I'm alright Jasper, truly and thank you for telling me."
"You are taking this far differently than I expected you to."
"That's because somewhere deep down I knew, I knew father's illness wasn't natural, but I could never put a finger on why…now I can." I said walking towards the fireplace. Lying comes natural when you bend words around the truth…huh!
"I see, I am so sorry Master Ramza, I should have done more, I should have persuaded him to find a treatment."
"No, I may not know you well enough yet Jasper, but I'm sure you did and have done all you could for my father, including the upkeep of this place." I said, turning back to him and giving a smile.
It was odd, my emotions being what they are, but as I stared at Jasper, someone who I know I can trust, a weight I'd felt since returning to the past, had lifted.
With Alma, though I knew I could trust her implicitly, my fear for her and what may happen added a weight to my soul that left me quaking underneath it. However just having someone, my father trusted to not only guard my mother but keep this place secret, somehow lifted that burden.
"Master Ramza, I will do all of which you ask of me." said Jasper bowing his head.
"No need to bow Jasper, I'm no King, but I thank you, thank you for telling me."
He looked up at me, his face red, and tears streaming.
I walk over to the old sack and put everything back inside, except the second letter to me.
"Jasper, can I have a moment to myself, when I'm ready I'll find you." I said, showing him the letter.
He simply nodded and proceeded to the exit.
"I shall just be down the hall to the left, Master Ramza."
Just Like that I was alone, in a room and place that was practically my own, well mine and my sister's of course.
Looking at the letter, I took the Knife and opened it to read its contents.
Dear Ramza,
You took the book didn't you, cheeky brat. Of course you would go looking at the hidden groove before making your way to what probably caught you the most off guard. I know this is quite a lot to take in, but your mother wanted you and your sister to have something of your own.
So my son I bequeath to you 20 acres of untouched land, that you and your sister can cultivate to your will. Your brothers are set to inherit much, with Dycedarg being in charge of the Northern Sky and Zalbaag leading the Knights.
They are both set for their entire lives, so I made sure to have both you and Alma have something in case things take a sour route.
Additionally my son, as I never quite had the chance to truly impart and train you like I had with Dycedarg and Zalbaag, in that book I have written, a road map so to speak. You see, in my later years I was developing a new set of skills, but never quite got the chance to finish it. I intended for you and your brothers but if i'm honest I intended it for you and Delita. You both have such potential, but you let your doubt rule you. You may not see it yourself as of yet, but you will be the one to surpass me one day, not your brothers, not even Delita, who is honestly one of most gifted youngsters i've come across. But your elder brothers don't have your Potential, nor Alma's for that matter, and that's due to their rigidity, something I regret allowing to happen. You and Alma aren't beholden to that. Highborn and Lowborn mean so little, when your blood is the same color as everyone else's. So take the book that I've written and finish the rest on your own, it will be hard, it will test you, but I know you can do it my son. The Key is inside the vase on top of the fireplace in the mansion. I expect greatness from you and Delita
I wish I could be there to help you with this, but time is against me, but I have all FAITH that you will. And know the Key to Faith isn't at the helm of the Church, but in you.
Love,
Your Father.
PS: Don't let your sister anywhere near swords or I'll come back from the grave and kill you myself.
Oh wow.
I hadn't expected any of that; not only did the letter say 20 acres, which in hindsight was far less than Igros, it was still far more than I knew what to do with. Immediately took the leather bound book into my hands. My father, the Knight Gallant/Heavenly Knight of Ivalice, created a new form of combat…for me
This was far more valuable than anything. In Fact anyone would literally kill for this book. What the hell was the old man thinking of writing this? I could probably buy an Ivalice with this damn thing.
Who wouldn't want a road map to the power and mind of the greatest Knight of Ivalice. Yet I had it in my hands, with express permission from my father to learn its contents. I wonder if father realized he created a family heirloom.
Yet my father also mentioned Delita, I guess he did see him as a son also.
Most Likely, that crafty old fox.
As tempted as I was to grab the key and open it, I resisted. Putting the book back into the sack I left the room, to find Jasper waiting in the hall, with a padded coat in hand for me.
I smiled.
Feeling free for the first time in forever, I took it and followed him for the grand tour.
—-One Month Later—-
We now sat in early Aquarius, the snow still compounded all movements across the Northern and deep Southern areas of Ivalice, which made it rather difficult to charter any vessels willing to sail in the biting cold, let alone, any interested in heading towards the Isles of Cardia. The Snow storms were also horrendous, leading Dycedarg to take Alma up to Lesalia as it was a bit warmer up there.
I'd recently decided to do more investigating into that particular point in our history, but found very little. However, at the Lugria Mansion, my father kept a wide array of old maps, showing changes in the Topography over the last 1,200 or so years.
The Isles themselves were called Cardia. Not really knowing why I spent the better part of trying to research it, with little luck, until one rather mind numbing evening in the Igros Castle Library, I accidentally knocked over a shelf in frustration.
To say the servants were displeased would be an understatement, but interestingly enough, I found a book that detailed the art of summoning. As to why it piqued my interest so at the time, I was unsure, but I decided to read through it. I hadn't learnt how to summon, from an old friend named Opal who'd joined me in my quest to defeat Lucavi, though I wasn't a master of the Art, I did manage well enough. Of Course Weigraf when he became Belias; that monster was overly proficient in it. Summons are terrifying, they can do so much, and leave everlasting scars.
Though as I read through the book, the theory behind summoning was rather intriguing, I had little time to pay heed to Opal's drolls, as everyday was life and death.
Summons are manifestations of one's mana calling to ancient beings that the gods created eons ago, binding them to the realm, as guardians. Each is tied to a Zodiac sign and possesses one of the great elements of the realm.
That was part of the information was interesting in of itself, however what truly caught my attention was the follow lines of the book.
It stated that certain Espers were somehow corrupted, and in doing so began to wage havoc on the realm. In order to stop this, the gods opened a rift into a new dimension, known to man as the underworld, where these Espers, minions were cast into. However truly powerful espers, fed on Mans mana or as the book called it Aether, becoming to powerful, thus, in order to bind them to the underworld, the gods gave special individuals though know how to fashion special crystals that bind these Espers to them, each being marked with that Espers Zodiac sign. Certain Kings of different races were blessed with these crystals to safeguard them.
I had closed the book then, looking for an author, but there was nothing. I proceeded to look at other texts that said similar things, with one rather crucial detail missing. Most of the other Summoner texts, stated the Espers were guardians who sacrificed themselves to stave off great calamity eons past. Summoners have the power to invoke those guardians to use their power in times of need. Which is similar to what the other text had, the other Espers did sacrifice themselves against the other Espers who were corrupted, while others used their life forces to shield mankind from something worse than the Espers.
Yet nothing on sealing them, nothing on the crystals.
Where the hell did that book come from and why was it in our Library? At the time so many questions flooded my mind.
The Crystals, they have to be auracite, they just have to be. Which would mean the Lucavi, were also Espers, that somehow got corrupted.
The stories of the Zodiac Braves, I'd always wondered, after I learnt the truth if they were real. Pashtarot, somewhat confirmed them to be true, when he had called me one. If these Braves had the auracites that housed these Lucavi, how did they not get consumed by them. Or were they, and just like with Saint Ajora, man changed the story to suit their benefit, or did the Lucavi demons, that still remained do that.
None of it was making any sense.
In my previous life, I simply hunted them down, with little to no answer on the mysteries of the stones. They housed the Lucavi, or so I thought, the book says it binded them to the other realm and yet when Malak died, Rafa prayed and the stone brought him back.
Was it that she wasn't filled with Malice and greed that the stones' effects were opposite. In that case, did the Stones also bind good espers to their realm? I honestly couldn't say, nor was I intelligent enough to figure it out on my own.
What I did know, was that the book was dangerous, thus to ensure it's safety I gave it to Jasper to hide, until I could find someone far more knowledgeable, I already had someone in mind, finding him however would be a task.
So days after I found the book, I sat in the Lugria Mansion's study pondering my next move. Jasper came in with some tea, as the fireplace crackled its heat throughout.
"Here you go Master Ramza," he said, handing me a small plate where the tea cup sat. Along with two biscuits.
"Thank You Jasper,"
"You're most welcome, young master, any more revelations so to speak from the book?" he queried
"No, the rest of its pages are in a language i've never seen before."
Jasper placed his hand under his chin.
"Search for Lord Elidibus is proving quite difficult, his whereabouts even after the war ended was a mystery." he said with a bit of a frown. "I'd never put much stock in the story of the Zodiac Braves, but if this book is to be true, then would that mean those legendary stones harbor great evil."
"I'm not so sure." I said, I couldn't very well tell him the truth, he'd think I was crazy, Jasper wasn't a devout follower of the Church but my like most he did believe. Letting him know the truth without evidence..well it's best I keep it to myself for now.
In the book it described espers being corrupted and rampaging, then binded to crystals.
Ultima, she was and is the leader of Lucavi.
In the Germonik scriptures, it states Ajora was but a man, a spy, who agitated and destabilized the Holy Yudoran Empire's own religious views. Creating a religion.
I could never get the entire scripture translated, but fighting Ultima myself gave me an idea as to what they probably ment.
Ultima led the espers that were corrupted…but why?
How were they corrupted, why were they created in the first place. Mullonde was destroyed when Ajora was killed. Could it be that in a similar fashion, the Yudorans fought Ultima, and in killing her she unleashes a massive explosion like the one I faced…
I really should have paid attention in history class, though I doubt they'd teach this history.
Germonik…I wonder, Ultima mentioned, I was a descendant of the one who killed her before. Does that mean, I'm a remnant of the Yudorans, or did Germonik who was a Yudoran spy kill Ajora, and I am his descendant.
"Jasper, how well did you know my mother, she married father after I was born, and Alma came swiftly after, but to say I know much, I would be lying.? I asked.
"Hmm! To be honest Master Ramza, she rarely if ever spoke of herself, she was quiet and as you know kept to herself most of the time."
This makes little sense. Alma, possessed the same resonance to Ultima as Ajora did, does that mean my family is a descendant of Ajora, or simply that Alma's gifts were similar to the real Ajora.
If Pashtarot was around I'd ask them, but they haven't so much as squeaked by since my return.
"You seem rather frustrated Master Ramza, perhaps you should take a rest." said Jasper concern written in his voice.
"Sorry Jasper, all of this is confusing and interesting." I said scratch the back of my head, "Why was this book on Espers there? Who wrote it?"
"I can't say, but sometimes things work in ways, people can never truly understand."
"Is that you saying God works in mysterious ways, in a roundabout way?" I asked, chuckling slightly.
Jasper simply smiled.
"If only I could get my hand on one of those stones." I muttered.
"Hmm did you say something, Master Ramza."
"No, it's nothing, it's rather impossible right now any…way" I trailed, a dawn of realization slapping me harder than Agrais did that one time I accidently walked into the girls' dressing. In my defense I thought it was my room at the Inn.
Yet, I can get a stone. I know exactly where to find one right now. Sometimes I'm ashamed at how stupid I can be.
All this time wallowing in self-pity, thinking I made a mistake coming back to this time, when I could have already started on changing things.
"Jasper!" I yelled, making the old man jump slightly.
"Ye..Yes Master Ramza, did you perchance need something." he asked, placing his hand over his racing chest.
"How much of the Gil was moved from the underground path?"
"Hmm!If I remember correctly I'd say we moved at least 100,000 gil into the Vault, though that was still barely a scratch of what's left." he said, pondering the thought.
I can feel a sinister smile spread across my face.
"Have Denise and Major get a magic pouch and put all of it in, I'm heading to Goug." I said dashing out of my chair heading towards the armory, which had been recently stocked.
"Wait! What? Goug..WHY?" asked/yelled Jasper chasing after me.
"I heard a rumor in a Tavern in Dorter, about a Mining Expedition in Goug, needing funds to proceed." I said opening the armory door.
"Okay…why the sudden interest, and what does this have to do with…anything really?" Jasper asked from the door frame.
"Well, it's known as the Clockwork City, it's where they found evidence of airships and such belonging to the ancient civilizations." I said hurriedly putting on some armor. "What if and I'm just theorizing here, but what if there is something in the mines that helps to uncover this mystery more."
"That's a rather sizable if, Young Master." gesturing to the lower floor where the Gil rests.
"If the dig is successful, we'll easily make back the Gil spent." I said, grabbing a sword. "Maybe I should take another 100,000 to be sure."
"I have to say Young Master this is highly reckless, though judging your parentage, it's not surprising."
I smiled at that.
"It will work out, trust me."
He sighed.
"How do you intend to get to Goug, it's at least two weeks of travel from here, and Lord Dycedarg should be returning soon."
"I know, but this is important, I'll find an excuse along the way." I said getting ready to head down stairs.
"Wait, do you intend to go now…and by yourself?" he asked concernedly. "That will not do, I wouldn't be able to face your parents should something occur, if you're so set on this I shall take up the sword once more and follow you."
That stopped me in my tracks.
"What?"
"I can't let you go on your own young master, I will even hire a few recruits in town to make sure the journey is safer."
"I can't ask that of you, at your age…the cold Jasper."
He begins to laugh.
"I onced served not only under your father during the 50 year war younger master, I was also a member of the Lion guard and Holy Knight."
"…WHAT!"
"Did I not say?"
"No, you clearly left out the part where you were a Holy Knight." I said Flabbergasted.
"Well, I was nowhere close to your father in skill, or Count Orlandu's power, but I held my own, "I was even known as The Wolf of Riovanes." he said a little smugly
"Wait! Your The Wolf Of Riovanes, the man who held back an Ordalian contingent with only Six people."
He nodded, "They always exaggerate that day, the contingent had but a hundred soldiers, it wasn't a mass invasion so to speak."
"You still held off a HUNDRED! people, with SIX!"
"I was a younger man then, and perhaps age has limited me greatly but i've made sure to not get my sword arm overly rusty."
I was actually stunned by this revelation, Jasper's full name was Jasper Holdenfang, I should have put two and two together when he said he worked under my father.
Jasper Holdenfang, was a member of the Lion Guard placed under my father at the behest of King Denamda IV, during the siege of Riovanes about 20 years prior to my birth. My father had already been named Commander of the Northern Sky at the time. During the Riovanes siege a group of Lions Guard was given over to the Northern Sky to Bolster the Northern Front, however the Lion's Guard Arrived Earlier than members of the Northern Sky, and a contingent of Ordalians made their way as an infiltration team, to weaken the cities defense.
Holdenborn, would become aware of this, and in lue of their arrival, dig pitfalls in areas he deemed lacking defensively. When the contingency finally arrived, one third of their men fell into these large pitfalls. Apparently one of the Lions Guard with Holdenfang was trained in Geomancy. So digging holes wasn't too difficult. After that Holdenfang and his men unleashed hell upon the Ordalian Soldiers.
This would become a well used strategy in the war, being known as the Wolf's Trap.
"You need to mention these things, Jasper, you're practically a war hero."
"There are no heroes at War Young Master, when War breaks loose, all are in the wrong." he said solemnly.
He was right, the Corpse Brigade, hell even The Lions War. All perpetuated by the greed of men, mastermind by the hands of demons.
I wonder if the Fifty Year war the same.
"Well Jasper, if your up for it, let's head to Goug."
He bowed, and made his way to gather his supplies. Leaving me reeling from his little admission.
However it was comforting having him at my side. I had my resolve set, I would head off to Goug, make some waves, meet a new old friend, and destroy a certain company, and who knows maybe oust a Cardinal, all that and more with a single stone in the mix.
This was going to be fun.
Here another chapter...hope you like it, sorry for ther errors, I hope I got most of them, but there's bound to be some. Again I don't own any rights, that belong to Square.