Child of the Brave
2. Mysterious Powers in the Church

Standing on the hilltop, and gazing up at the stars was a grand hobby. Looking up, one could not see anything thing below or above. The latter was just an immense endless universe far from reach in the whole scope of things. Every time Aster stood on that particular spot, he would let the earth under him drop away and his mind would wander to the blinking, burning balls of gas, dotting the velvet blanket sky. Unlike astronomers, for he was not one, he only found peace in the natural rather than peace in speculation. Watching stars was an activity for this sixteen year old, just like playing games at five was the same about a decade ago.

Then, one strange night during his watch, the air suddenly became copious, sweltering, and ravenous. Aster blinked in surprise, bringing himself back to his real world in a sting of wariness. He rose to his feet, pulling a small shinny dagger out of the back of his boot. This action was not part of his usual ritual.

There was rustling in the woods behind him and he tensed substantially. The blade twirled as he stood, listening intently at the angry footsteps disturbing the fallen leaves and branches of Araguay Woods. A familiar figure appeared from the shadows of a great oak.

"Aster," she panted, running into his arms.

The blade returned to his boot, as he waited for her to catch her breath. He was trying to help by steadying her arms.

"Aster, where have you been?" Eliza screamed, suddenly rubbing her tear-streaked face into Aster's dried sleeve.

Aster's eyes widened. He could feel his ears twitching with a potent sense of zeal. The wind carried the cries to him. "Water! Water! More water down here!"

"The Church is burning, Aster! We need your help!"

Like lightning, Aster swept passed the girl and pursued his fears. He could hear Eliza running behind him. Her pace was dragging him. He could feel it. Before he could stop and think of the consequence, he balked and swung around to urge his friend to keep up, but she blindly slammed into him and toppled him over.

Quick to recover, Aster rushed to help her up.

"Aster, I twisted my ankle," she cried as he cradled her head.

"Shhh… You'll be alright… Now, tell me where is Joseph?"

She shook her head, a new wave of tears coming. "I don't know. We were fighting the King's men one minute and the next everything went ablaze! Joseph and I were separated and I just came running to get you! When I was leaving, most of the men were busy putting out the fire… But they were so strong."

"Alright, alright," Aster whispered, gathering her light form into his arms. "We got to get you some place safe. Where are the other women and children hiding?"

"School House," she murmured, her arms circling his neck.

"You're going to stay with them," Aster urged, jogging out of the trees and entering the town. All the while the air grew denser and worse.

"No! I want to fight by Joseph and your side!" She wriggled in his arms.

Aster held her firmly. "Right now, I don't even know where Joseph is!" He glared at her. "I don't want to lose you, too!" He marched into the school house and set her on the bench. The headmistress came forward and tended to Eliza's ailments immediately.

Aster was turning to leave, but Eliza's angry voice stopped him. "Don't you die Aster! You better come back alive and bring Joseph with you or I will never forgive you!"

Aster brushed her bangs away from her brow and kissed her on the temple. "I need both my shadows to survive, so don't worry. I'll bring Joseph back. You just stay put until I or Joseph come back to you."

Eliza placed her small hands on his shoulders and shoved him away. "We are not your shadows, you annoying, arrogant buffoon."

Aster gave her a lopsided grin before taking off into the blazing night. As he ran, he could see the church being swarmed by orange flames. The fire swayed and licked quickly at the outside of the church walls made of petrified wood. The blood in his body turned to ice as he realized that Father Samuel could still be inside.

Someone squeezed Aster's shoulder, startling the youth for just the briefest moment.

"Aster, you're alive! We could not find you and we thought you were still in there."

"Thank God you are alive, Joseph." Aster gripped his friend's shoulders as tears of relief stung the corners of his eyes. "Eliza and I are so worried… Where is Father Sam?"

Joseph's eyes fell to the floor. "No one knows… The King's men are long gone, but nobody ever saw Samuel come out of the flames. Aster, don't lose hope! Father Samuel might have gotten out safely. You don't know—Aster!"

Aster broke away from his friend abruptly and ran. He stole a soaked blanket from a man running around the edge of the flames, trying valiantly to put out the fire.

Aster received a fury of yells from him and other voices.

"Come back here with that, Boy!"

"Aster, it's not safe!"

"Everything worth anything has been salvaged!"

"Don't kill yourself, Aster!"

"You'll make roast beef out of yourself!"

"Aster!"

"Somebody stop him, please!"

Aster flew through the flames that licked the grass of the churchyard. The fire was tall and looming, unnaturally strong. Fires like these could only be caused by powerful wizards. Aster had yet, to meet such beings with the kind of detrimental capabilities that surrounded him.

Winking in the bright glare, Aster found the entrance. Without thinking he stormed in.

"Father Samuel," Aster coughed. "Father, are you here?" He marched blindly about, unable to recognize any torched thing around him. "Please, answer me if you are here!"

Aster choked on the smoke. He felt like a small child lost in a maze. There was no way out. Aster's steps became heavy and feeble in his search. He only fully realized where he was after he felt his mangled boot land on something hard and thick. He looked at it blurrily, unsure of what to think. They were Father Samuel's writings on The Lion War all packed in a rough leather binding. Aster was too surprised to say anything. He had not seen the pieces since he was five when Father Samuel caught him acting them out. He was severely chastised for days after the event, having what he did wrong explained thoroughly and what he should never do again for meaningless reasons portrayed. Those reasons still seemed unfair as of now, he realized, staring dumbfounded at the tattered book. The truth had a right to settle in Ivalice.

"Aster."

Aster jumped a bit. He knew the voice did not belong to Father Samuel.

"Pick it up, Aster."

This time, Aster turned around and saw the hooded figure standing by the flames. The stranger had his back turned to him, but he held his arms out as if warding off the flames.

Aster stared at him for a while and was suddenly startled when he turned to him speedily. Without warning, the stranger threw a Water Ball in his direction. He was a ninja, Aster thought in wonder. A very bad one because he missed Aster completely. The Water Ball landed at Aster's feet, where a hungry flame started eating away at the wood and the soles of his boots. The book was now slightly wet from the elemental attack, but Aster was still too awestruck to move.

"What are you waiting for, Aster? The damage has already been done!" The stranger shouted at him.

Aster clumsily grabbed the book and studied it. The cover was singed on parts of the edges. Miniature holes now embellished almost all the pages.

"Aster, follow me."

Aster followed him, trying hard to keep up with the man.

"Hurry along," he pressed, turning to Aster with a fiery gaze.

The man did not hesitate once. He led his younger, slower companion out through an opening in the wall of Father Samuel's study.

Aster hesitated at leaving, looking behind him for signs of Father Sam.

"Father Samuel is fine. I had my people get him out in the nick of time. Now, for the umpteenth time get out Aster!" He waited impatiently, gesturing fiercely for him to move more quickly.

Aster collapsed onto the grass that was, as of then, still untouched.

The man that saved him was now hovering next to him on one knee.

"Up, up, up. We have to keep going!"

End Chapter 2

AN: I meant to put this note up on the first chapter, but that never happened for some reason… Anyway, I hope you like it so far. When I first mapped this story out it was messy and I was unsure of myself. Aster didn't have a name yet and was just labeled the "Boy Hero" years ago. Ha! Then, the story was lost and forgotten until a couple of years flew by. This summer I played the game again and my love for the Zodiac Brave Story revived. The "Boy Hero" became Aster and words started appearing on the pages again. I think, this time around I'm going to finish this, and I hope some of you might review some more in encouragement and support. See you next chapter and thanks for reading!

8/11/05