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Final Fantasy VI: The Sands of Time

Book 1: The Beginning

Chapter 1 - Pandora's Box

Part 1.5 - Visions of Mae

Dune looked at a small clock sitting on the desk in the corner. It was already morning, and soon they would be on their way home, to Narsille. He couldn't wait to get out of this foul desert that had tormented him so and back to the peaceful luxuries of his apartment and the arms of his wife. He now strongly wished to see her again, knowing her presence would help ease his troubled mind more than anything the doctor or the Captain could provide. He vividly tried to remember the last time he had seen her, almost a month ago. The scene materialized before him, as if he had just closed the door to his apartment. He had just gotten the call from the Committee about his next job, and his wife wasn't happy. Even in her anger, he always found her beauty captivating, making any debate a short lived one, and almost always in her favor. When it came to Dune's job, however, his usual submissive nature disappeared. This was one topic he always stood fast on, and she had never been able to stop him from doing what he loved yet.

"But why do you have to go so soon? You just came home from the last dig only two months ago!"

"You know how it works, Mae. Whenever the Committee calls, I have to leave as soon as possible. Setting up a dig takes a lot of preparation, and from the sound of things, this is an unusual dig. That means an unusual amount of prep time. I'll probably be gone for at least a month. I'm sorry, but that is the life I lead as a scientist. You knew that when you married me." Dune shifted his glasses, a sure and subtle sign that he was uncomfortable with the current conversation and wished it over and done with.

Mae turned her back quickly to Dune, her long black hair turning elegantly with her, and quietly retorted, "You know I love you Dune, but sometimes I really wonder if you love playing in the sand more than being with me." She raised her voice, making sure Dune heard what she had to say, "Why can't you just say 'no', just once? For me?"

"I'm sorry, Mae, but it just doesn't work that way. I can't decline a request from the Committee unless it is an extreme emergency, and only with proper documentation even then. They are a very powerful organization within the Narsille government, and one does not just 'say no' when they call. It would be the end of my job if I did that."

"Well then maybe you should quit, then. I don't want it to come to this, but it's getting to the point now where you're going to have to make the choice: your job or your wife." Mae was on the verge of tears now, her clear blue eyes trembling.

Dune couldn't see her eyes, but he knew the way this conversation went from tireless repetition. He knew the pain he caused her when he had to leave, but he had no choice. This was the path he had chosen to lead since he was a child, and there was nothing that could change its course now. Some things you just have to do to be happy with your life. Dune was a slave to his fate. He shifted his glasses again, but said nothing.

"Fine! Leave then! Just remember that one of these days when you come back I might not be here waiting for you," Mae's thin form was shaking now, her voice wavering against her best efforts to remain in control.

That was Dune's cue. He walked over to Mae, her back still turned to him, and put both his arms around her shoulders and held her close to him, quietly speaking into her ear, "Mae, dear, you know I love you. You need to remain strong, and know that I think of you constantly when I am away. You are my strength when I am away, and you are the reason I come back," he paused, gathering strength for his next words, "You need to realize that this is who I am, and is what I have been destined to do since I was born. If I couldn't dig, I would never be fully happy again, even in your arms. Is that what you want? It is my release, the reason I am able to be who I am. If I were to quit, I would fall into an irreparable depression. Is that what you want? I would not be the man you married if I lost the ability to do what I love. Please understand my decision, and promise me you will be here when I return."

His words had hit their mark, and Mae reluctantly replied after a few moments, "I will be here, one more time, for you Dune. Go and fulfill your destiny, if that is what you must do. I hate it, but as long as you promise to return, I'll promise to be here."

"I swear on my life that I will return here, for you, Mae." He slowly turned her around and looked at her now tear-filled eyes. She was beautiful, in happiness, anger, or sadness. Those eyes always were the most difficult thing to let go of when he left, but go he must, and the Committee would not look kindly on him being late. He stared into her eyes for a few more moments, burning this last final memory into his mind for the long nights he would soon endure without her, then gently kissed her on her forehead and let go of her to leave.

"Take care of yourself while I'm away, Mae. Know that I think of you, and that I love you, and everything will be fine. Good-bye."

"Good-bye Dune. I love you." Mae attempted a weak smile, and playfully pushed up Dune's falling glasses. She turned from him once more, unwilling to see him actually leave.

Dune understood and left without another word, quietly closing the door to the apartment. His destiny was calling him once more, and with the worst over, he was ready to answer the call without any regrets.