Chapter Two: Genesis
The start of something new. There's always a place to begin.
Rain took in a deep breath as he stepped out of the train station. The salty seawater scent reminded him that he was really home, and of how much he missed it.
"Captain!" A lanky young lad in a standard white Guardian Corp uniform called out and waved furiously from across the street, breaking Rain from his thoughts.
"Captain Rain Kalen! Over here!"
"I'm no longer a Captain... and yet, I guess someone got wind of me returning home." Rain softly shook his head and made his way toward the young soldier.
"Sir!" The young soldier saluted.
"At ease soldier, I'm no longer in the forces."
The soldier relaxed. "I know sir, but it still is an honor to meet you."
Rain raised his eyebrows.
"Captain Rain Kalen of the 92nd Advent Regiment. Your name has travelled far and wide all across Cocoon, especially in Bodhum, sir."
"Why is that?" Rain was clearly puzzled.
" W-well, it is known that the 92nd Advent Regiment is the strongest and most elite of the Guardian Corps, and that they are only a team of five. All of them are hand picked out of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and to think that their leader is one of Bodhum's own-"
"Wait-" Rain cut in. "How do you know all of this?"
The soldier flashed the ex-Captain a big smile. "The GC Weekly, sir! The Guardian Corp's very own internal magazine! It has all the latest news on what goes on within the GC. I've collected every issue from when I first joined, to date! The very first issue I held was the one that had your younger self on it's cover, when you first got promoted into the 92nd! You are our inspiration!"
Rain tried to focus on what the 'fan-girling' young soldier was saying. The whole idea about being in a magazine - there even being a magazine in the first place, with him on it, was an entirely strange and embarrassing concept to him.
"This is the latest issue, sir! You're on the front cover again!" He excitedly pulled out a slightly crumpled magazine from his back pocket, and presented it to Rain.
Rain cautiously took the magazine.
True enough. He was on the front cover, in his full black Advent uniform, holding his Blaze Edge in one hand while blocking an oncoming soldier's attack with the other. The entire 'photograph' seemed frozen in time. Across its cover were plastered with the words: "Advent's Strongest Regiment Leader Returns Home." in bright mustard yellow.
How on earth did they get this photo? Rain was at a loss for words. I feel like I've been unknowingly stuck in a television series for the past three years. Every mission a brand new episode? He sighed and shook his head. At that thought, Krenin's smug face came to mind. "So... this is what you meant by "Feelers" huh Krenin...?" he mumbled.
There were really a lot of things he didn't know about his ex- teammates.
"S-sir...? Are you alright?" the eager young soldier looked concerned.
Rain snapped out of it. "Yes. I'm fine. Thank you."
"I-i apologize for the bad state the magazine is in. This morning while I was reading this before duty, Sergeant Fallon came over and snatched it from my hands."
"Sergeant Fallon?"
"Yes. Sergeant Lightning Fallon, sir. The other soldiers and I were talking about your returning which was mentioned in the magazine. I opened it to read aloud, and all of a sudden Sergeant Fallon walked over and swiftly snatched it out of my hand. After glancing at the cover, she quickly threw it back, mumbled a word of "thanks" and left."
Rain returned the magazine to the soldier, slightly embarrassed about seeing himself on a magazine, and carefully considering the prospect that Lightning already knew that he was on his way home.
"What's your name soldier?" Rain stretched out his hand for a handshake.
"T-troy Englestazh, Sir."
"Troy, who sent you here to meet me? Don't you have patrol duty?" Rain slung his canvas sack across his shoulder.
The young soldier straightened up. "Lieutenant Amodar has sent me sir. He would like the honor of dining with you."
Dining with me?
"Well, tell him i'll have to reject his offer. I'm no longer a Captain in the Guardian Corps. There is no need for such introductions." Rain started to walk off.
"W-wait, but s-sir!" The soldier fumbled and ran after Rain.
"Team NORA's Cafe!" Rain shouted.
"S-sir?" the young soldier caught up.
"If your Lieutenant would like to have a word with me, he may find me there this evening. You know the place?" Rain stopped to look at the young soldier.
The soldier nodded. "Yes Sir. It's that cafe run by a group of-"
"Yes, thats the one." Rain cut in. "Oh, and," he continued before heading off again, "Thank you for coming to meet me, Troy."
"Sir..?"
"Call me Rain." Rain flashed a quick smile at the slightly confused soldier, and made his way down the ever familiar streets of the Seaside City of Bodhum.
Serah scribbled down the last two lines of her assignment and leaned back in her chair. "Glad that's done..." She said aloud - watching the ceiling fan spin.
A light knocking broke the afternoon silence.
Serah sat up in her chair. "Coming!" she replied.
"Bodhum hasn't changed much, has it?" the tall black haired stranger commented when Serah opened the door. He was looking out at the ocean, his hands in his pockets.
"Umm-" Serah started.
"Hey, Serah-" the stranger turned around and paused, his eyes widening.
"Serah! You've grown!" He grinned. "Five years, isn't it? Ah, five years-"
Serah gasped when she recognized the tall gentleman.
"RAIN!" Without any hesitation, Serah leapt at Rain, and gave him a big hug. "You're finally home!"
Rain returned the hug. "Yeah. It's good to be home."
She giggled. "It's so good to see you! We've missed you!"
"I've missed you both so much!" Rain pulled away. "Hey, you haven't already gotten a boyfriend, have you...?"
Serah was stunned at the question.
"You're grown to be so pretty," Rain continued. "I'm sure a ton of boys would-" He noticed her blushing, and his eyes widened. "No.. You've found one?"
Serah nodded sheepishly.
"Ah. Let's see..." Rain put one of his big hands on her head and laughed. "Now what has happened to the little scrawny girl that always needed protecting?"
"Well, she's grown up now!" Serah lightly punched his shoulder and laughed along with him.
He's coming back. Lightning was lost in her thoughts. It's been five years...
"Farron!"
Lightning snaped back to the present, realizing that her commanding officer was giving her a queer look.
"Not thinking about men are you..?"
"No Sir. I would never-"
The plump man broke out into guffaws. "I'm just teasing! You're our best soldier, Sergeant Farron. I know you'd do the job well."
"Yes Sir."
At that moment, a young soldier came running in. "Lieutenant Amodar, I have a message from your guest."
"Right then. Give me a moment, Sergeant."
Lightning nodded and focused her attention to the security plans.
Guest? She found herself wondering. It couldn't be him, could it? She thought to herself as she looked at the routes for patrol. No, it con't be. What business could the Lieutenant possibly have with him?
"Sergeant Farron." Her superior's voice took her attention off the plans. "Are you free this evening?"
"Sir-?"
"I would like you to accompany me to meet a guest of mine. He's a fine young soldier. Perhaps you would be able to find some... common interests." Lieutenant Amodar winked.
Lightning sighed. Her Lieutenant was always trying to hook her up with other soldiers. "It's important that you find a good man Farron." was what he would always say. She knew that he was merely trying to look out for her, and she looked up to the man.
"Yes Sir, I''d be honored." She wouldn't let him down.
Rain settled down at a table set by the edge of the Cafe, facing the ocean. The sun was now a light shade of orange and the cafe was slowly filling up with patrons. He watched as the locals gathered in small groups, chilling and chatting over a glass of cold lager beer.
"One glass of Bodhum's Brew."
Rain looked up. "I didn't or-"
"It's on the house." The dark haired waitress smiled and placed the glass on the table. "After all," she continued, "It's not everyday an Advent soldier from Bodhum returns home."
Rain chuckled. "Thanks."
"You haven't forgotten me have you? It's been four years at least..." the waitress took the seat opposite Rain.
He furrowed his brow.
"I'm Lebreau... Remember? Lebreau..." She said, pointing to herself.
"Lebreau?" Rain exclaimed. "I remember you shorter, and less... umm.." he said, trying to keep his eyes off her chest.
"Tsk. Who knew you would have become such a pervert!" She chided, holding her serving tray in front of her.
Rain laughed and blushed a little, realizing the slightly awkward situation he had put himself in. "I'm not! I swear." His expression quickly turned serious. "You guys have just... grown up, I guess..." He turned to look at the waters gently lapping onto the shore.
He remembered the last time he had come here. It was a 3 hour stop-over, and his team had decided to look for a Cafe to rest at, before they had to again depart for training.
"Let's look for somewhere nice that's by the sea!" He remembered Amber suggesting. "After all, Bodhum is a sea side city! We may never get the chance to see a sunset by the sea again!" she squealed.
"You're from Bodhum aren't you?" Falk said, as the four trainees made their way out of the train station. "Why don't you show us a little of your city? We may not have time to visit your family, but-"
"No time!" Amber exclaimed. "Let's just go look for a Cafe!"
Krenin sighed. "Little girls..."
To which she retorted. "Hey! Who're you calling a "Little Girl"? You, Little boy!"
Rain and Falk burst out laughing.
After 10 minutes of wandering along the shore, the trainees chanced upon a small bar cafe, just by the beach.
"Perfect! I love this place!" Amber squealed as she ran into the shop and the rest of the guys followed.
"Hmm, you guys soldiers?" A tall blonde short haired teenager leaned over the bar counter.
Rain stepped forward. "Yeah, trainees from Advent. We're just stopping over before we head out again for training."
"Ah... Haha." He laughed. "Well, welcome to Team NORA's Cafe! I'm Snow!" He introduced, stretching out his arm.
"Rain. And these are my teammates: Amber, Krenin and Falk." Rain replied, gripping Snow's hand in a firm handshake.
"A pleasure." Snow chuckled.
"Customers?"A short, black haired girl suddenly came running out from the small kitchen. "Customers!" she squealed.
"Calm yourself Lebreau!" A dark skinned buff teenager followed right behind her. "We don't want you scaring away our customers!"
"Shut up Gadot!" She retorted.
Snow laughed. "As I was saying... We may be small, but feel free to drop by anytime you're back in Bodhum! We've probably got the best food in town here, and we're proud of it!" He said grinning - arms akimbo.
"Snow would be happy to hear you're back." Lebreau said, looking straight at Rain. "How long will you be back for?"
"Probably forever. I'm back for good." Rain replied, taking a sip of beer.
"Wow, really? I'm sure Serah must be really excited!"
"Serah..?" Rain quickly turned his attention back to Lebreau. "You know Serah?"
"Well, yeah..." Lebreau flashed a cheeky grin. "She's the bosses-"
"Rain!" A heavy hand landed on on Rain's shoulder. "Good to see you man!" Snow cut in.
"Hey, Snow!" Rain looked up at the towering blonde and grabbed Snow's outstretched hand grinning. "You haven't changed one bit."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Snow chuckled. "Anyway, I'll get right back to ya. I've got some errands to run!" He said, running off before Rain could reply.
"And I've got to get back behind the counter." Lebreau stood up and winked. "Enjoy your beer!"
Rain raised his glass and smiled back at Lebreau. "Thanks."
As he watched Lebreau make her way back, Rain took a sip of his beer and turned back to look at the red sunset - smiling at the view.
It feels good to finally be back home.