What if Kluya meets Joanna, the two fall in love, and they have a son and a daughter? And that, after tragedy strikes, this daughter ends up been abandoned in the woods... only to be found and raised by the King?
A single ripple becomes a wave that sends a pair of lovers down vastly different life paths. Cecil, the White Wizard. Rosa, the Dark Knight. This is her story - one of redemption from the darkness within.
Once again, enter the crusade for the Crystals... This time with a new perspective. Summary taken from the romhack of the same name.
A/N: This is a retelling based on the romhack of the same name where both Rosa and Cecil swap roles. Yeah that's right, story is mostly the same but Rosa starts off as a Dark Knight and later becomes a Paladin whereas Cecil's a White Mage/Wizard, not to mention Rosa's half-Lunarian and Golbez's sister in this as stated in the summary. I've been following the DS remake script instead of the snes/gba/psp versions so I'm sorry if it seems that it's been copied from there, it was the only reference I could go on since I own the DS version of Final Fantasy 4 but I have played the others but never finished them due to my laptop being wonky and refusing to charge. (rip my emulators _) It's also an experitmental fic as I'm not used to writing rpgs in standard form so I'm just testing the waters to see how this goes.
A group of red airships flew through the sky with a young woman roughly around 19 years old in dark armor flanked by numerous men dressed in red and gold variants as she stood at the helm of one particular ship. This was Rosa Joanna Farrell, captain of the Red Wings military fleet and one of the best dark knights of Baron whose beauty was matched by her strength in battle. She was also said to be the most beautiful woman in the entire kingdom whose hand would be no doubt asked for by so many men but most were scared of her due to her position in the army as a dark knight and she was already taken. Not only that but she was the daughter of King Odin which meant that she was a princess and Odin would choose a man worthy to marry her.
Suddenly a soldier approaches her and bows, "Lady Captain! We're nearly to the Baron border!"
"So we are," Rosa responded after after a few moments, as if she were lost in her thoughts, her long golden hair swaying in the breeze.
She uncrossed her arms then turned her gaze from the sky to face her men, the heels or Rosa's boots clacked with each step she took across the ship's deck. Rosa brooded on something unpleasant, and lowered her head while the soldiers began talking and murmuring amongst themselves. No doubt that the events at Mysidia were still fresh in her mind - having been sent on a mission by King Odin himself to raid Mysidia's Water Crystal, even going so far as to harm innocent civilians just to take it by force like uncivilized barbarians.
"It troubles her, too. Orders may be orders, but this? This goes too far."
"Lady Captain! We are the Red Wings - the pride of Baron! Must we now be thieves, sent to plunder from the weak?"
"Enough!" Rosa snapped, effectively silencing one soldier who only protested at his captain.
"But, Lady Captain! The Mysidians offered no resistance. And still we cut them down."
"Listen to me. We did no more than our kingdom's peace and prosperity required us to. The Mysidians knew too much of the Crystal and its secrets. His majesty deemed it so. We are the Red Wings of Baron! It is not our place to question the orders of our king."
"Lady Captain..." Was all he could say before silence fell upon them.
But the way she kept staring at the ground and trailing off suggests Rosa doesn't like this any more than the crew does. Further discussion is forestalled when another soldier announces there are monsters nearby.
"Lady Captain, monsters at the fore!"
The Dark Knight glanced around as dozens of dark winged shapes were the Red Wings, their shadows falling over the ships' sails. She ordered her subordinates to man the cannons and fire when the monsters came within range, while drawing her blade and matching shield that were just as dark as her attire. Cannon blasts echoed from the other ships behind them, and one of the monsters spontaneously burst into flames after being hit by cannon fire. More shots rang out, dispatching monsters left and right just as they flew within firing range. Just then, a huge shadow fell on the main ship. The beast(aptly called a zu) let out a loud screech as it dove under the ship's propellers.
Blade drawn, Rosa charged forward to meet it halfway. The zu struck its long neck at her with snakelike accuracy, striking at her multiple times all of which were expertly dodged. The bird's large beak that was lined with rows of razor sharp teeth collided with the deck, breaking a few of the wooden planks. It rose its head up and struck again, this time catching her shield instead.
Thinking quickly, Rosa channeled dark energy into her blade before slashing at the creature, leaving a geyser of blood spewing from the newly created wound across its torso. It screeched in pain as it was grounded then lumbered over toward Rosa, only to get beheaded just as it moved within striking range, the rest of its body collapsing in a heap.
She didn't have time to assess the situation before a trio one eyed, batlike creatures were diving at both her and her men who were shooting at them. Some attempted to get the cannons on the monsters, but the monsters were much too dodgy to properly aim at and evaded every shot that came their way. Rosa channeled dark energy into her blade again and released it toward them, successfully knocking them down and killing the creatures. The knight cleaned the blood from her sword and sheathed it after dispatching the monsters.
"Everyone all right?" She called out to her subordinates.
"Aye, ma'am," a few of them answered.
"But all these monsters as of late..."
"Disturbing, is it not?"
"I wonder what it bodes."
"We've reached the castle, m'lady!" Another one of her soldiers announced as they neared Baron Castle.
"Well then, prepare for landing, men!"
The soldiers all nodded at once, " M'lady!"
The soldiers returned to their posts, and the airships land near Baron Castle.
As Rosa's men reeled up the sails and put out the fires made from previous battles, she dug into a pouch on her hip, retrieving the Water Crystal that was plundered and put it back in the pouch to keep it from shattering. She marched alone to the castle gates where two men stood on both sides who moved to open the gate. Just as they did so, soldier in a fancier uniform walks out of the castle to greet her.
"Ah, the young lady returns triumphant! You did secure Mysidia's Crystal, did you not?"
"The Crystal is ours." Rosa nodded, "But the Mysidians - they did not even raise a hand in their own defense, Baigan."
Baigan dismissively waved a hand in the air, "All's the better, then, is it not? Only fools would dare oppose the almighty will of Baron. Come, we must not keep His Majesty waiting."
He escorted Rosa into the castle, then has her stop in a fancier hallway that presumably leads to the throne room. The man paused with his hand on the door to the throne room.
"A moment, my lady."
Baigan left Rosa behind and walked into the next room to talk to the king. Meanwhile Rosa stood still as a statue as she waited, her posture betraying nothing of her mood to the royal guards that flanked the doors.
"Your Majesty," Baigan began, "I fear our good Lady Rosa's faith in you begins to waver."
Odin raised an eyebrow at this, "Does it, now? Indeed. Your loyalty and worth are proven once again, Captain Baigan. But the Crystal is all that matters. Bring her before me."
"As you wish, milord," the captain nodded before walking out of the room and bowed to Rosa as he held the door for her. "Lady Rosa, His Majesty bids you enter!"
Not needing to be told twice, Rosa did so and walked forward over a beautiful red carpet laid out on top of the polished stone floor. Knights and dragoons lined both sides of the room armed with swords, spears and shields - the shields bearing the Baronian coat of arms and a family crest for each knight. Even the weapons bore a crest.
"The kingdom of Baron hails your return, Rosa." King Odin greeted from his seat on the throne, his robe a deeper shade of red than the carpet, "You have brought me the Crystal, I trust?"
She nodded curtly, "I have, Your Majesty."
Still holding onto the Water Crystal in her gloved hand, Rosa carefully removed object from the pouch. She handed it to Baigan before tying the pouch back on her belt, who delivered it to the king. Odin took it into both hands and gazed into its shiny surface, the crystal gave off a cerulean gleam as it reflected in the light.
"It is genuine, Your Majesty," Baigan said as Odin's eyes lit up greedily.
"So it is. See how it shines! That will be all, Rosa. You may leave us now."
Rosa turned to go, but hesitated before she could take one step towards the doors.
Rosa nervously began, "...Your Majesty!"
The king slightly turned his head in her direction, barely sparing her a glance. "Have you some other matter to discuss?"
"Our king has granted you your leave, and yet you would trouble him further?" The captain annoyedly huffed.
The dark knight placed a hand upon her chest, "I know it is not my place to ask, Your Majesty, and I pray you can forgive my indiscretion. But what is it you aim to do? Your ways are not as they once were. My men's hearts grow heavy with misgiving."
Two narrowed gazes were thrown her way, but it was the king who spoke, his voice had an icy edge to it.
"As does yours?"
Rosa shook her head, "Your Majesty, no, I would never doubt-"
"Do you take me for a fool, Rosa?" Odin stood up from his seat as he cut her off mid sentence, looking down at her from the top of the stairs. "Do you think your treasonous whisperings escape my ears? After all I've done for you, Rosa... You wound me. This is most unfortunate, but I can place no trust in one who offers none in return, not even my own daughter. I hereby relieve you of command of the Red Wings."
"My liege!"
"You will go now of the Valley of Mist instead. There is a task I would have you do. A phantom creature haunts the borders of that land - the Eidolon of Mist. You will slay it, and deliver this ring to the village that lies beyond - they will know its meaning. Be gone at first light on the morrow."
She was mortified as she stared at him in total disbelief, the king really just said that - he really just fired her from her post. But if Rosa was no longer in charge of the Red Wings who would command the fleet in her stead? Surely it couldn't be Kain as he had his own company of dragoons to lead and there was no one else unless the king already found someone in such short notice. Speaking of which, the aforementioned Dragoon suddenly burst through the doors after having heard the conversation outside the room.
"Your Majesty!" Kain called out, "I beg you, my liege, reconsider! You know Rosa would not betray you!"
"Ah, Kain," Odin looked towards him, "I was not aware this matter concerned you. But as you seem so eager to protect your friend, let your spear accompany her blade on the road to Mist."
"Your Majesty-!" Rosa protested but the king was having none of it.
"I've no more words. Take the ring and begone, while my mood is yet fair!"
One of the guards give both Rosa and Kain the Carnelian Signet then escort them out of the room. The throne room doors are promptly shut with a resounding slam that echoed through the hallway.
"My liege!" She looked sadly at the doors before turning to Kain, "Kain forgive me. I did not mean to draw you into this."
Kain casually shrugged, "What's to forgive? We'll slay this Eidolon of his and all will be forgotten. You'll be commanding the Red Wings again before you know it."
"Kain..."
Kain clapped a hand on her shoulder, "You must be tired from Mysidia, no? Leave the preparations to me and get yourself some rest."
Rosa only sighed. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she was tired but not physically tired and no amount of sleep would rectify that. So she just walked around to get her mind off things. Eventually she came back to visit the Dragoons as the commander noticed her walking back his way.
"What is it?" He asked.
The dark knight clutched one of her arms in a nervous manner which did not go unnoticed by Kain, "This is all my doing. Forgive me, Kain."
Kain folded his arms and exhaled, a scowl forming on his lips, "I told you, there's nothing to forgive. What's wrong? It isn't like you to act like this."
"I did not train in the ways of the dark sword so I could steal from innocents, Kain. I trained because His Majesty asked it of me."
"You mustn't blame yourself for the orders you were given. Our king had his reason, I'm sure of it."
"I envy you, Kain," Rosa muttered while looking away, remembering a time when she and her friend sparred in the courtyard.
She had walked to the courtyard to practice her sword training when she spotted Kain doing some of his own. Rosa had quieted her footfalls as to not disturb him while he trained and silently watched. It wasn't long before Kain stopped and slightly turned his head, having been aware of her presence like a looming shadow.
"Rosa... So you saw me."
"I saw the openings you left," Rosa said as she walked over to him and drew her blade. "How do you expect to lead the Dragoons if you cannot even guard your own flank?"
He merely batted her sword aside with his lance and declared, "My father's blood is in me. I will lead the Dragoons! Have no fear of that."
"You're certainly headstrong enough," she remarked.
"No more holding back, Rosa. Fight to win this time!"
Soon, both Dragoon and Dark Knight readied themselves to spar.
Rosa silently brooded until Kain's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"Don't overthink things, Rosa," he said as if to assure her. "You need to keep your wits about you. Or do you mean to send me off against the Eidolon alone?"
She simply shook her head, "Of course not."
"We leave early on the morrow. Best get some sleep."
Rosa would usually oversee airship maintenance, charting up plans as well as having her subordinates checked over for any injuries sustained in battle, etc. as she returned to Baron Castle after each mission whether they ended in either success or failure. To be honest, she didn't know what to do with herself after being stripped as commander of the Red Wings. She strode across the parapets mulling over the troubling actions of both herself and King Odin. She found herself in a long corridor when a figure came running toward her calling her name. Rosa turned to find none other than Cecil walking towards her from the very same stairs that she just walked down.
Cecil stopped a few feet away from her, his snow white hair bouncing around his face, "Rosa! Thank goodness! You're all right. The orders for Mysidia came so suddenly I'd worried."
"We're fine," Rosa replied, trying her best to shield the look on her face from him. "Small wonder, considering we fought mages who did not fight back."
She turned away but Cecil stopped her just as she began walking.
"Rosa! I'll visit you in your tower later."
Rosa simply nodded, "Of course."
He pats her on the shoulder and leaves while Rosa continues on her way. She continued wandering the castle's courtyard where Cid spots the dark knight and waves at her from the parapets.
"Well, well! Look who's home!" Cid greets, getting a wave back before heading to the courtyard to talk to her.
"Cecil's been worried sick about you, you know!" Cid said, putting his hands on his hips. "Make that boy cry and you'll have me to answer to, you hear? Speaking of boys, how're my babies? Didn't burn out any engines, did you? You and them goons of yours need to treat those ships with more respect!"
He notices Rosa's downcast look. "Hey... why the long face? Something the matter?"
"Cid, I, um..." Rosa began as she quickly retells the day's events, leaving the man wide eyed.
"What!? And he's sending you to hunt the Eidolon instead? But what'll happen to the Red Wings without you? I tell you, something's gotten into His Majesty. He's ordered me to build a new ship, you know - a more maneuverable one, with more firepower."
Cid rubbed a gloved hand over his helmet and shook his head with a frown, "What's he thinking? I'm not building these things for him to wage war! There's talk among the townspeople, too. Everyone's worried about where Baron's headed. And now the king's sending you away from us!"
"Mist, eh? Well, you take care of yourself. S'pose I don't need to worry about you, though, do I? I'd best be on my way, too. That daughter of mine is going to wring my neck if I spend another night here working without checking in at home!"
He leaves Rosa alone and she walks into the tower, climbing the stairs until she comes face to face with her maid.
"I've turned your bed, my lady. They told me you would be departing again on the morrow. Rest well tonight."
The maid gave a curt bow then departed so Rosa could go to her room.
Her tower room was empty, no sign of Cecil anywhere. Rosa removed her armor to bathe herself then changed into a simple nightgown to rest in preparation for her journey tomorrow. She sat on her bed thinking about King Odin's behavior from earlier as she gazed through her window. Moonlight from the twin moons shone through window, bathing her in their ethereal glow. The only source of noise in the room was ticking sound of the clock on the wall.
'Your Majesty...' Rosa inwardly thought to herself before she raised her head to look at the moons in the night sky, 'what's become of you? Where is the noble knight? The man who took me in as an orphan and raised me as his own? The strong, just king I once knew? Is a Crystal worth all this? Robbing a peaceful people of what's theirs by right? What need could be so great? King's orders or no, there's no forgiving what we've done.'
She closed her eyes to sort her thoughts before Cecil's footsteps came up the stairs to announce his presence.
"Rosa?" Cecil questioned, snapping Rosa's attention to him. "Won't you tell me what happened? First you're sent off to Mysidia, and now to hunt some beast again so soon? Did something happen in Mysidia?"
Rosa glanced at Cecil upon hearing his voice, but turned away as he approached.
"No, it's nothing," She shook her head, causing him to frown at her.
"Then why won't you look at me?"
Rosa hesitated but didn't turn around, "I - in Mysidia, we...we stole a Crystal from people who had done no wrong. I've worn this darkened armor for so long now. There's no mote of light left in me. Not even in my heart."
Cecil walked closer to her, "You're a good woman, Rosa."
"I'm a coward." She frowned and shook her head. "A coward who cannot even defy orders she knows she ought not follow."
He turned his head to the side before facing her again, "Rosa of the Red Wings is many things. But she is no coward. Not the Rosa who I love... The king is sending you to Mist to slay the Eidolon, isn't he? If anything were to happen to you, I couldn't..."
He trailed off, fear and sadness laced in his voice. Sensing Cecil's worry, Rosa finally turned around to plant her bare feet on the cool stone floor, her nightgown swaying with each step as she padded over to him and placed a pale hand on his shoulder to assure him.
"Kain will be with me. I'll be fine. It's late. You should get some rest."
A small smile made itself known on his face upon hearing that, feeling satisfied by her answer.
"Be careful."
With that said he made his way to the stairs and exited the tower, leaving Rosa alone in her room.
"Thank you, Cecil," she murmured softly then turned back to the window. "But I know what I've become."