Chapter 10: An Ancient Prophecy and Old Friends
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Author's note: Please review! I love reviews, and I appreciate all criticism, and words of encouragement. Anything to help me further better my writing skills. Hope you enjoy!
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Bast's point if view:
I awoke to the sounds of muffled voices, and the smell of sweet flowers.
"Bast, come on Bast! I will not loose you! Please Bast, Please!" I heard Winter cry. Her voice becoming more, and more clear.
I felt something wet falling onto my face. I slowly realized that I was laying in Winter's lap. It came to me that the sweet smell of flowers must be her, as were the tears. I reached up, and gently brushed away a glistening tear off her cheek.
"Bast! Your okay! I thought I was going to loose you!" Winter cried wrapping her arms around my neck.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Miranda, gently shoo the other members of our party out of the tent they had set up. She saw me looking, and gave me a wink. I smiled in return, as she lowered the flap.
" I'm okay Winter don't worry. Don't tell me you were worried about me?" I jested trying to lighten the mood. I decided not to push her when I saw the frown cross her face.
"What happened to me back there anyway? I remember being in a dark place. I was lost, and then I heard you singing." Realization hit me."What about my mother? Is she okay?"
I listened with a sinking feeling in my stomach, as she told me about the Rakka.
"So none of it was real. Belias I'm such a fool." I whispered.
"No, Bast it was an honest mistake. Anyone of us could have fallen under the Rakka's spell." Said Winter trying to console me.
"If you are feeling up to it we need to make it up to the summit before dark." Winter continued
"Winter.....Who are we going to see? Now that I think about it you never did tell us."
"All in good time Bast, all in good time......."
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Winter's Point of View:
Why am I so afraid of loosing Bast? I thought as we began to near the summit. I could hear the sounds of Randa, and Jason's laughter floating up the hill behind me. I can't afford to get attached, and yet....... I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts, we had arrived.
"Alright everyone we should be safe here." I said turning to look at my friends.
"Do you see the protective circle around us? It should keep the Rakka at bay." Everyone turned to look at the large multi-colored stones covering the ground around us.
"Alright everyone, find a spot, and think of someone you love. This is a once, and a lifetime chance. Don't throw it away. Bast, you come with me." I turned, and found a spot suited to my purpose toward the left. I already knew who I was going to call.
I closed my eyes, and began to concentrate on the friends I had not seen in over seventy years. When I opened them there in front of me were Queen Ashe, and the captain of her royal army, the man who had been like a father to me, Basch. I bowed to my friend, the Queen I had once served under, and fought beside.
"Rise Mina, you know I was never fond of such formalities especially from you." Ashe said with a smile.
"It has been a long time. I have missed you dearly Ashe." I replied my eyes stinging slightly from tears as I thought of memories made long ago.
"And I have missed you as well. I know it sounds silly, but I still find it strange that you have not changed after all of these years. No..... that is not entirely true. I see that although you remain unchanged on the outside you have become as cold as your new name on the inside. Why did you dawn the name Winter Shadowfall when you are renowned as the Great Warrioress Wintermina Skysong?"
"Ahhh...." Ashe said when I did not answer, "I see the troubles that plague your heart. You have become distant, you are afraid to let anyone into your heart." She glanced over at Bast who was laughing with his grandfather.
"I was given the name Shadowfall by my enemies. They named me so because of the terror I wrought wherever my shadow fell, and only my friends ever called me Mina. After the Last Great Battle of Ivalice, all of my friends were gone. Wintermina Skysong, former princess of Idendryll, and the famed warrioress of Ivalice faded into legend. I became Winter, and gave up my once famous name to look for a way to avenge all who had fallen to Shota, and her armies." I explained sadly.
" I see...." replied Ashe after I had finished my explanation. " Mina you must never forget who you are. You are, and will forever more be Wintermina Skysong, a princess no more, but a Queen. Just as you are now, and will always be Winter Shadowfall, Warrioress of Ivalice still.
"I also know why you have come all this way to seek my guidance. Listen to me carefully Mina, as this is the only way to stop the destruction of the world. There is a secret prophecy older than time itself, known now only to the dead. In it states that three Queens shall rise. One, known as the Midnight Destroyer, is set on destroying the world. The second is to be known as the Dawn Warrioress, it shall be her that carries lightning in her sword, and thunder in her footsteps. She will strike fear into the hearts of her enemies. Ultimately it will be her that saves the world. The third is the Twilight Sage. Seer of the future, and Wise beyond her years. All will come to listen to her words. She will come to help the Dawn Warrioress, and she will be seen as light, and dark. They will share common blood. The destruction will come soon Mina, be prepared for the obstacles you shall face. That is all I can tell you for now except to seek the Stilshrine of Miriam."
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Miranda's point of view:
I slipped off quietly while the others visited their departed love ones. I walked silently down an overgrown path hidden from the view of the others. I finally came upon a small clearing, and in it were three grave stones. I knelt down in front of my mother's grave.
"Sorry I haven't been able to come, and see you sooner." I whispered.
The other two grave stones belonged to my older stepsister, and my infant twin brother. I had know I had been adopted ever since I was able to remember. I had no memory of my real Father. But, that didn't matter my mother gave me all of the love I could want. Even so, I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to him. I looked the graves over. I could see the wilted flowers I had placed there many years ago.
"I miss you all so much. I wish you could see me now..... You would be so proud. I'm guarding queen Wintermina now. She was alive you know, and she came back. I.....I.. miss you all... so much"
Tears now began to flow steadily down my cheeks. I'm not sure how long I had been sitting there alone in the cold snow when someone came, and sat beside me, grabbing my hand. I turned my head to see Jason, a reassuring smile on his face. I buried my head in his chest, grateful for the silent comfort he provided.
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Bast's point of View:
"Grandfather I can't believe it's you!" I said looking at the shimmering replica of the man I had only seen in faded photographs.
"In the flesh! Or.... rather not." He replied chuckling lightly as he looked down at himself. "It's like looking into a mirror of my younger self looking at you boy. Your father looked exactly like his mother, so you can imagine my surprise when I first saw you. Its a shame I died before I was able to meet you in the world of the living. Your mother was seven months pregnant when I last saw her. Ahhh.... I see you have my eyes, but your Grandmother's brows. "
He looked over at Winter who was still talking to Ashe, and said "Ah, What a beautiful young woman my Mina has become."
"Mina?" I asked "Do you mean Winter?"
"No my son. Her name is Wintermina Skysong. Surely you recognize it from the history books? The great Warrioress Wintermina. At least that is the name her Mother proudly gave her. Skysong is the last name passed down from royal Singer to Singer."
"You mean she has been lying to us this whole time?"
"No....." Basch said with a sigh, "To her Winter Shadowfall is her name now, and she has been known by it for many years. I can see your feelings for her my son, and you must understand. She is hurting deeply inside. First when her home was destroyed, and when her mother was murdered. Then again when I died, and all of her friends, including Queen Ashe, who had taken her in like family died, and she was unable to protect them. She lost a little bit of herself. To her we were her life, and she died a little on the inside each time she lost one of us. She was once the one who held us together through tough times. She was always laughing, and smiling. The Mina that I knew is still there deep in her own heart. You must help her find herself once more, if not I am afraid of who she might become. Now then, that being said, if you hurt one hair on her head I will personally haunt you for the rest of your life."
"Yes sir!" I replied
"Oh, and one more thing..."
"Sir?"
"Don't let her slip away."
"Not on your life." I replied with a smile. I saw Winter walking toward us. I went to go set up camp, so she could have some time alone with the man who had been like a father to her.
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