Six Years Later…

~~~

It well into the night, the moon obscured by heavy clouds, and all lights in the town of Thamasa were out. Except for one.

Relm Arrowny, a small pair of reading glasses perched upon her nose, brought the scroll she was studying closer to the light, careful not to get the ancient parchment too close to the flame of the candle. The language of the scroll was ancient, and there were few left in the world that could read it. Relm herself could pick out only words and names that had become familiar to her in long years of study, and for the rest, she relied on a translation key her grandfather had drawn up for her. It helped, if only some. The text she was focusing on appeared to be a retelling of the formation of the three statues. Relm had come across many in her search.

She had been studying magic and its history for five years. It had become almost an obsession with her and taken the time in her life previously allotted to her paintings. She hadn't picked up a paintbrush since that day, six years ago. It hadn't seemed right. For a year, she tried to live normally, befriending many of the new children in town her age. But as time passed by, something began in her. A hole. A missing piece. It had begun with the painting, and grew bigger with each day that went by. She felt incomplete. And she knew why. It was the loss of magic, something she had lived with everyday of her life. Finally, she had asked Strago about it, asked if he felt the same. He had told her no.

"But I'm old, Relm, you know that. You're different, you're growing up."

But Relm hadn't thought that to be the answer. "That can't be right, though. You had more magic in you than I ever did."

"Why don't you write to Terra and Celes? Ask them if they're feeling what you are. They were the most absorbed in it."

So Relm had, sending the answers via the newly built airship mail service started by Edgar. There were three airships in the service already, with the two more being built. But when the answers had come, neither had word that they felt the same as she did. Terra had written that, while she did feel an ache in her being at the loss, she felt nothing of a hole. And so Relm had begun to search for an answer. Book after book, scroll after scroll, she had slowly uncovered legends and tales from ancient times. She was surprised to find how many of these stories which were absent from present theories, occurred over and over again. There was an almost religious feel to them.

Three statues protect and watch over all magic among the mortal beings of our world. There is a balance between the three that we attempt to mirror in our daily lives, but will never be able to fully attain.

But that wasn't the only thing the books spoke of. All the texts spoke of a being of higher standing than even the statues.

Watching over and guiding the three statues is the lady Seanna, ruler of all magic on the mortal plane. She and her champion protector, Aliya, created the statues as a means to mediate the raw power the wielded and the frail forms of the mortals. When humans began to turn magic to dark purposes for the first time, it is told, Seanna created the first magical being to live among mankind.

Her firstborn were made in the image of angels. Terrans. They walked the soil and helped guide mankind in their use of magic. They were few in number and lived apart from the humans they guided. They were successful in their swaying of humans away from the dark for a long time, until a group of human raised up a member of their tribe in the false likening of a Dark God.

Seanna is a benevolent being, but when angered her wrath is all encompassing and brutal. She took from the humans the gift of magic that ran in their blood. But those that had risen against were stronger than she had accounted for, and their magic was not completely drained from them. Instead, they became the creatures called S'lenes. From the moment Seanna and Aliya turned their backs on them, light rejected the S'lenes. They dug deep into the earth and were not heard from until the Great Burning. As their magic and power diminished, the S'lenes also lost all forms of speech; their name roughly translates to the silent ones.

The world suffered with the loss of magic. The foliage faded, and the seas began to shrink. The soil rejected all attempts to cultivate it. And so Seanna once more created a new form of life. The espers. Created originally in the likeness of humans the espers failed to find acceptance with the mortal people. So bitter were they for Seanna's 'betrayal' as they saw it, they turned their backs on the espers, and they were forced to create societies of their own. In the long years that past, the feelings of hatred the humans held toward the espers festered and the espers too began to despise what they were. They changed from the human-likeness they were created into beasts, only capable of human form for short whiles.

Seeing the backlash at her new children, Seanna wept. And her tears fell like rain on the lands. From her tears, magic came once to the humans of the lands, but only a small few. Where the rains fell, children were born to the people with brilliant violet eyes and the magic pulsing within them. With no choice but to accept their own children, the people forgave Seanna, and magic found its way once more to the people. The children were the L'nos, the golden ones, and they lived peacefully with the humans until the Great Burning.

It took little asking in town to find out that most of the mages and scholars dismissed all such tales as myths and fairy tales. The more Relm read and learned of the history of magic, the more confused she grew of the feeling inside her. There was nothing written that even came close to describing it, or what it was. Most of the texts ended just at the beginning of the War of Magi, and all mentioned in passing an event called the Great Burning. But there was not one text in all of Thamasa that told what the event was.

The sole burning candle of the town dwindled until its own wax snuffed it out. It was not re-lit, for its owner was asleep in the cradle of her own arms.

***

Thamasa was much changed from its former isolationist state. It more resembled Nikeah, with the family values of old Mobliz. A bustling port city, it was a haven to the lost and lonely. Survivors of the Light flocked to it, and the old population surprised itself in embracing the newcomers. Thamasa was emerged as one of the financial leaders of the Word of New Balance, rivaling the population of South Figaro and the grandeur of Jidoor. Every year, a festival was thrown to mark the Fall, and the entire world seemed to swarm upon the city. No one seemed to take notice of the lone man, green eyes almost hidden behind his careless brown hair, who stood of to the side, viewing all happenings with a small, private smile. He was not here for the festival, as most were. He had come to Thamasa every year at this time, but never for the celebration.

He walked through the crowds as though he had known the city in the before time, when is citizens hid from the world, and at the same time seemed to revel in each sight the city had to offer. There was nothing remarkable about him, he was handsome, but casually so, and no taller than the average man. His build was lithe and sturdy, but so many others were as well. He seemed to stretch out each stride of his walk to the fullest extent, yet walked in a leisurely manner. He walked with a purpose.

***

"It's so crowded…I can't believe this is Thamasa!"

"You say that every year."

"Well every year it's more crowded than the last."

"Will you stop complaining and hurry? We're due at Strago's any moment now."

"Who's complaining? I'm not complaining."

"Indeed."

"Oh be quiet and respect your elders."

"Very well, old man."

"Gau!" The older of the two turned to glare at the green-haired young man. "You're worse than Celes, you know."

"Better not let the wife hear you say that." Gau grinned at Locke and forged ahead, forcing a path through the throngs of people. Before long, they were free of the main streets and away from the bustling festival-goers. "We should have brought horses."

"And trampled anyone who got in our way? I thought Sabin raised you better than that, boy." Locke returned the smile and slapped Gau on the back.

"You forget friend, that it was Sabin who raised me."

Locke answered only in a deep, hearty laugh.

"It is a shame that he could not come."

"Indeed. Well, royal duty. Not everyone is as lucky as we are, I suppose. To be able to wander freely."

"If I recall correctly, Locke, Celes has a put a stop to many a trip of yours."

"…"

Gau chuckled. "Will the little lady be meeting us at Strago's?"

"Aye, with Setzer, and hopefully Terra, if she could get away."

"It will be good to see them again."

"You mean, it will be good to see Relm again."

"… am I really so transparent, Locke?"

"Hmm…" Locke studied the younger man. "Only to good friends."

"All good friends, but the one that matters it seems."

"Give it time, dear boy, she is young yet."

Gau put his hands in the pockets of his travelling jacket, looking up to the skies. "She has never been young."

***

"Terra! Its been too long."

"I'm sorry, dear friend. I've tried to get away before now, but the orphanage and the school keep me so busy. I was loath every time I was forced to turn Setzer away." Terra, her green hair covered by a dusty veil, embraced Strago at the doorstep.

"Ah dear Setzer, our own personal flying chocobo." The old man chuckled deeply as the gambler stepped forward behind Terra. "How are you my dear boy?"

"Wonderful, having not been called a boy in ages! How about you, you are feeling alright?"

"I have never felt better. Good friends can remedy any ailment, as I've always said. Not step aside and let me see the blushing bride. Yes, there she is!" Setzer stepped inside the house beside a bemused Terra, as Celes entered, red faced.

"Strago, its been three years since the wedding. When are you going to stop calling me that?"

A new voice entered the conversation. "When he can get through his feeble old mind that three years have indeed come to pass." For all its harsh words, the voice was light and friendly, as Relm descended the stairs to join the group. "Hello everyone!"

"Well, there's the birthday girl! Are you just waking? Growing lazy in old age I see." Setzer met her at the foot of the stairway, and offered her an exaggerated bow in greeting.

"I'm afraid you have found me out."

After many greetings, they group settled in the kitchen, where Strago had tea and toast ready. Relm, who hurried her breakfast down in a most unladylike fashion, rushed off to return several scrolls she had borrowed from the city's Hall of Records. It was only under the use of her grandfather that Relm was able to gain access to them, and she did not want to abuse the privilege.

"So she is still searching for answer, then? Terra's voice was quiet and low.

"Yes. I fear it has consumed her thoughts wholly. I worry for her because of them."

"Do not worry for the thoughts. Worry for the cause. A whole growing inside her, she wrote to me. It is an ill sounding ailment."

***

"Isn't that Relm?" Locke pointed to a slight figure quickly making its way towards the large crowd of the festival.

"I believe it is. I cannot be certain. Shall I go see?"

"No. We are almost to their home. I would not intrude on her daily life." Locke turned thoughtful eyes on Gau, who was watching the spot where the figure had merged with the crowd. "We shall see her soon."

"Soon can never be soon enough," his voice was low, but not so low that his companion could not hear.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say it was Edgar that raised you. You're too much of a romantic!"

"Edgar's no romantic, he's only a lecher."

The two approached the home laughing, and entered to find the group there already finished with tea.

"Well isn't that nice, not even waiting for us to start breakfast."

"And you all call me the wild one."

Celes glared mockingly at her husband. "If you two hadn't have dallied your way here, you wouldn't have caught us on the tail end."

"Come now, love, don't be harsh. It was rugged journey fraught with danger." The thief turned to Gau for support.

The young man nodded slowly. "Aye. Horrible monsters met every step of our way. Treacherous weather. Bees."

"All on the way from the inn you were staying at?" Setzer raised an eyebrow, having dropped the two off late in the afternoon the previous day.

Strago laughed and set cup of tea down in front of both of them. "I'm afraid you've just missed Relm. She left for the Hall of Records not minutes before you arrived."

"Yes, we saw her." Locke nodded. "Only briefly. We didn't get a chance to say hello."

"Edgar and Sabin send their regards and greetings, Strago, but they could not get away." Gau's face was a determined mask.

"Yes, yes. I was afraid they would not be able to. But come, let's move on to happy topics. How have you all been?"

***

The Hall of Records was an ancient place. Access to it was limited to only those descended from the Mages. Inside was dusty and dark, like a tomb from a child's fairy story. It was odd to see anyone other than an elderly man creeping about the shelves of it. That morning, there were two characters that looked quite out of place; one inside with permission, the other inside without anyone knowing.

Relm paced quickly through the pathways, having returned her borrowed scrolls to the curator. She had placed a request with him for several more texts before turning to leave. It seemed in the dark emptiness of the place that she was the only person left alive.

A sharp noise drew her thoughts in the opposite direction. Someone else was in the hall. They weren't supposed to be there. The curator had told her that she was the only other one there.

She stopped in her tracks at the end of a line of shelves. It had sounded as though someone had dropped something, just the next row over.

"Hello?" She called out tentatively. "Is someone there?"

Footsteps met her call. They seemed to go slowly and then faded off.

Relm peeked around the end of the bookcase. No one was there. Only a faded scroll lay on the floor. Dust still hung in the air about it. She hurried over to see what it was.

In flowing script across the top of the scroll were the words: A Record of the Arrowny Family Line.

A family tree. Her family tree.

It did not read the way it should have.

***

"It's late." Terra Branford glanced out the window once more. "Is she normally this forgetful?"

"When the Hall of Records is involved, there's no telling with that girl." Strago seemed genuinely unconcerned at the passage of time since Relm had left that morning. It was late in the afternoon. Locke and Celes had left to go and see the festival, if only briefly. Setzer sat with Strago at the kitchen table discussing foreign politics and the like. Only Gau seemed to be as concerned as Terra. He sat, solitary, on the steps that led to the front door.

"Gau?" The green-haired woman, having abandoned her veil, went to check on the young man. "Are you feeling well?"

"Oh, I am fine, Terra. Thank you. How are you?" He looked up with a preoccupied look about him.

"As well as ever." She sat next to him. "I do believe its been nearly three years since I last saw you."

Despite himself, Gau gave her a smile. "I suppose I'm slightly different than you remember."

"It's only that you're so tall!" It was true. Even sitting she was forced to crane her neck to see his eyes.

He laughed. "Sabin's not to fond of it. I can see clean over his head now."

Terra looked away, a far off smile on her face. "How are they?"

"Good. Well, Sabin is. Edgar…has been better." He studied her carefully.

"He's not ill is he?" She turned back to him, worry written on her features.

"No. He's lonely." Gau watched her turn back away. "He misses you, you know."

"If he missed me that much, he could come and see me."

"But it's not that easy, don't you see! You say you have a hard time getting away from the orphanage and school? Terra, he's a king! He can't just pack up and leave. He has an entire nation depending on him."

Terra sat and didn't answer him.

"You haven't seen him since Shadow's funeral, have you?"

"No."

"Don't you write letters?"

"We used to. Then we stopped."

"Just like that?"

Terra sighed and stood up. "What do you say we go look for Locke and Celes? Maybe we'll run into Relm."

"Yeah, alright."

***

A slight figure hurried down a forgotten road, unknowingly sobbing to herself. Her hair was blown back with the force of movement. Behind her, a lone person followed silently. He knew that it would be hard for the girl to understand, but it was necessary.

She had to know.

***

"It's too crowded!" Gau hollered in Terra's general direction. "I'm going for a walk." The woman gave no signs that she had heard him, nor did she after several other attempts. In the end, he simply gave up and walked away. He had never liked to be around very many people. At home, in Figaro, he stayed to his own quarters mostly. Sabin often times was forced to bring him out for meals or walks.

"What do you do in there all the time?" The prince had asked him once.

"Read, I suppose."

"All day? You read?" Sabin hadn't sounded convinced as he'd raised his eyebrow.

"Well, yes. I went so long without the gift of literacy…I guess I'm just making up for lost time."

"Hmmm…" They had continued on their walk for sometime before the blonde man had spoken again. "You can go to the library you know."

"Oh, I do."

"I meant, you do not have to stay to yourself in your room all the time. It worries Edgar…and me as well. It's not healthy, Gau. We brought you here because we thought you'd want to be around other people."

"I do, Sabin! And I appreciate everything you've done for me. I don't mean to cause you grief. It's only that…I do not like large crowds. And it is hard to escape them here."

"I see."

Sabin hadn't bothered him with the topic again but Gau had caught him watching him closely ever since.

Gau hurried away from the large festival, pushing thoughts of home out of his mind.

***

Locke had returned to Strago's home having left Celes in Terra's company. Strago and Setzer had left a note saying they had gone to see the latest additions Setzer had made to the Falcon. The house was empty as Locke tossed himself down on a sofa to catch a few moments of shuteye…

…or so he thought until a pounding of footsteps down the stairs.

"Relm? Is that you?"

The only sound that answered him was a slamming door. Locke pushed himself up and headed toward the front door, which had been shut with such force, it had bounced right back open. Fluttering gently down to the floor was a slip of paper. Tiny, scrawling handwriting across it read:

I've found the answer. I'm going to South Figaro immediately.

***

"Relm?"

At first, she thought it to be Locke's voice echoing in her head. Wh she hadn't answered the man, she couldn't say. Only that she was in the greatest hurry of her life. She had to get the docks.

"Relm!"

It was clear now, however, that it was not Locke. The voice was too young. Risking a brief look behind her, she noticed a tall man, not much older than herself, with deep greenish hair attempting to catch up to her.

"Hey, slow down! What's your hurry?"

I know him from somewhere.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't sure I heard you or not."

"It's ok," he offered a wide smile as he came to stop beside her. "So what's the birthday girl rushing about like this for? Too busy to greet your guests?" His tone was light and teasing and it was in this moment that Relm realized where she knew him from.

"Gau!" She craned her head to see his face clearly. When had he gotten so tall?

"Yes?" He paused as though awaiting a question before he realized the nature of her exclamation. "Oh. You… you didn't recognize me, did you?"

"Its been two years. You're so tall!"

"Has it really been two years? It does not seem to have been that long."

"My fifteenth birthday. You came down with Sabin and Locke. Remember?" Forgetting her urgency, Relm leaned against the wall behind her.

"Yes," Gau laughed a little. "They both got roaring drunk and ended up in a fist fight at the tavern. I had to carry Locke back to the inn."

"Every year, you've all come down for my birthday. I feel horrible…I never go to see anyone. But…you didn't come last year."

"No," Gau leaned next to her. "I was sick. Edgar refused to let me out of bed."

"You? Sick?" Relm raised an eyebrow in question. "I don't believe I remember you ever being sick."

"Never until I moved to Figaro." He closed his eyes thoughtfully. "A small price to pay I suppose."

Relm bit her lip, suddenly remembering why she was out in the first place. "Listen…why don't you head to my house? I'll be back in a few minutes, and then we can talk some more. I have to…visit a sick friend and take her a few things," she gestured to the bag at her feet. In reality, it held the few possessions she had deemed necessary to take along.

"I can come with you, I don't mind." He opened his eyes once more and offered her another smile.

"No, really, she's…not terribly fond of strangers."

"So I'll wait outside, no sense in a you walking alone."

"Gau! No! Go back." She reached up a hand, as though to ward him off while she backed away. "Please?"

"…if you so say."

"I do. Thank you." With one last look at her friend, she turned and hurried down the road. Gau stood watching her disappear for several moments before heading back the way he had come.

It wasn't long before he ran into Locke. Literally.

"Whoa there, slow down, what's the rush?" Gau caught the shorter man as he was reeling from the impact, flushed and out of breath.

"Relm! She's-"

"-gone to see a sick friend."

"What!"

"I just saw her. She told me she was going to see a sick friend."

"I think she was lying to you." He handed Gau the short not he had found.

"… this can't be right. It can't be." Gau shoved the note back at Locke. "Why would she lie? Why wouldn't she just ask for a ride back when we left?"

"I don't know. Gau, she's spent years researching this. She's done it all on her own, mostly. Maybe she didn't want to involve someone else."

"But it makes no sense! An airship to South Figaro would take less than a week. A ship will take her months…a ship! She was going to the docks!" Turning his back on his friend, Gau hurried off in the direction of the docks. Locke was left not knowing what to do. In the end, he left it up to Gau, a much faster runner than himself, to find Relm, and hurried to tell Strago of his granddaughter's departure.

***

The docks were overloaded. People swarmed everywhere, most coming rather than going. It was some time before the frantic Gau could track down a harbormaster.

"A boat going to South Figaro? There aren't any. Not directly anyway. Always stop off in Maranda. The next boat for Maranda's due to leave any minute now."

"Which one is it?"

"Down at the end. You'd best hurry."

Gau did not need to be told twice. Parting the people, he rushed toward the end ship, rifling through his pockets for any gold he might have on him.

"How much is the fare?" He hollered to the sailor who was preparing the ship for its journey.

"Seven gold pieces." The sailor looked over at Gau, standing up straighter when he took in his fine clothes. "Sir."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Course."

"Did you happen to see a girl about your age rush on to the ship? She's blonde, with green eyes. She was wearing-"

"A red cloak over a brown dress? Yes, I saw her. Seemed in a right hurry, she did. She boarded not five minutes ago."

"Thank you! Here," he forced the gold into the sailor's hand and hurried up the gangplank.

"Wait! I need to show you your cabin!"

"Show me later!"

It didn't take him long to find her. She was towards the bow, watching over the railing. She didn't notice him walk up behind her.

"Sorry, I didn't think I could wait for you to come home before continuing our conversation." He bent is head down next to hers as he spoke.

"Gau! What are you doing here?"

"I'd ask you the same thing, or does your sick friend live in Albrook?"

Relm crossed her arms and hurried away from Gau. "What does it matter to you? Go home, Gau! I didn't ask you to follow me."

"Go home? Relm! You left home and only left a note! Why didn't you ask for help?"

"Because…I don't know!" She stopped and turned to look at him once more. "I've lived with this for six years, all alone. I should be able to find the answer on my own as well."

"Do you know how dangerous it is, travelling by yourself? You're only seventeen!"

"I'm well aware of my age, thank you! And I think I can take care of myself. Gau," she suddenly rushed toward him and grasped his hand in her own, pulling him close in. "I have to do this. Don't you understand? If I don't find my answer, I'll die."

"And what is your answer, Relm? What is the meaning behind all this?" His voice was low, almost to a whisper.

"My family." A whisper answered with a whisper.

"But…you're family is here," unknowingly, Gau pulled away. The ship was sailing now, but neither of them had realized it. "Strago."

"He is not my family, Gau. I am alone here."

He walked to railing, and she followed. "Alone, yet surrounded by so many who care about you."

"I do not mean to sound ungrateful or uncaring. But…I am remembering things…you wouldn't understand! You don't know how it is, to have a hole inside you!"

"I don't know how it is?" He was nearly shouting. "I spent years alone Relm! For the first 13 years of my life, I was by myself on the Veldt. And then I came to Figaro. I couldn't understand anything that was happening around me! I couldn't even understand what was being said to me for some time. If that isn't a hole…I don't know what is."

"Gau…I-I'm sorry. I appreciate you being concerned. Truly, I do. But…I don't need a knight in shining armor! I can do this alone."

"Well, it's a bit late for that." Gau gestured to the land that was growing smaller and smaller in he distance. Relm leaned against the rail next to him.

"Looks like I'm stuck with you, then."

"Don't sound so excited about it."

To his surprise, she laughed. "Oh Gau, I'm so sorry. I think I am glad to have you along."

"Good, then maybe I can borrow some money from you for fresh clothes. I spent all of mine on the boat fare, and haven't a spare shirt on me."

"What? You're the charge of the Crown Prince of Figaro. How is it you've no more money than for a small ship fare?"

Finally with his characteristic smile in place, he mussed up her hair. "Didn't anyone ever teach you its not fashionable to carry around pocket money?"

Author's Notes: Hey, I never said updates would be prompt! At least this is fairly long…isn't it? Quite a bit different from the original for many reasons. No Edgar and Sabin. Celes and Locke are married. Relm is much less angry than rushed. And Gau is just so much cooler in this version ^_^ He's definitely my favorite character.

I was originally planning on writing chapter 8 after getting the rewrite for this done but…I think the story will be changing directions. I may take down all the old chapters. Who knows, I'll wait and see.

The history is written much more clearly for you. If you skipped over it, go back and read it! Its important! I'd love to write solely on the topic of the magic races, and maybe I will when I'm done with this. Who knows?

Next chapter, more Amy, misfortune begins to fall on Relm and Gau, and the bad guys come out! Dun dun dun!