Several weeks have passed and Locke and I have gotten closer. Narshe became a great home for us, just like Locke promised, and our friends' letters kept coming, keeping us close to them. I kept reading Harild's book, trying to figure out anything important; Locke hasn't asked what it's about yet, I wonder why. After the several weeks, my place in the book had gotten far.
"Harild Arvis Cole...page 57. I met a woman who's with the Returners. She's such a beautiful young woman; nice, sweet, brave. I think I'm in love...but I don't know how to talk to her. I first saw her when I finally got to meet Nerro Figaro; it turns out he is important! He is the king of Figaro Castle...or, at least for the time being. Nerro was extremely sick so this was apparently his last visit to the Returners. Luckily, the king had two heirs...twins in fact; Sabin Rene and Edgar Reni Figaro. The girl who came with his group was called Ethell...such a beautiful name for a fine woman. I didn't think I'd have a chance to talk to her until our leader Banon, positioned her in Mobliz with me...what the world!? I'm actually getting a chance to speak with her.
Harild Arvis Cole...page 58. Ethell is such a wonderful girl...her voice is like chimes in the wind. Anyways...it turns out she's much braver than I as she proclaimed her feelings for me. She said she fell in love with me at first sight...so I had to explain my feelings to her. We soon got together and the Returners even congratulated us...King Nerro even sent a letter congratulating us! I was shocked...despite the world being in critical condition, there was such sweet people everywhere."
As the days rolled on, the letters piled up as well. Letters from Cyan, Celes, and Shadow even appeared, one day.
"Dear Locke and Terra; How art thou? Is thou doing better in thou's new home? Sir Gau has been a dear friend to thy. He is helping a great time repairing Doma Castle. Sir Gau sometimes talks in his sleeps though...wakes thy up. Also he keeps wanting to write to all of the group, but thou Gau can't even pick up a quill, but thou convinced me to write for him, so this be his saying, not thy's; Hi Gau's friends! How are Gau's friends? Gau love being with Cyan in Doma Castle, miss Mr. Thou though. Love the yellow birds though! Tried to ride one...but yellow bird kicked me. Gau have to go now, talk to Gau's friends later! I have to go as well actually, so I'll write to thou as soon as it's possible. Sincerely, Cyan, Gau, and those of Doma Castle."
"Dear Terra and Locke; How are you two doing so far in Narshe? Sorry it toke me awhile to write to you...just getting use to Figaro Castle. Also was busy trying to get Edgar out of making me sleep in his bed while he sleeps somewhere else. Took awhile, that guy is stubborn. Sabin seems very happy about being in Figaro Castle again...I'm happy for him. Anyways, so far nothing exciting is happening so this might be a pretty short letter. Hopefully we'll get together soon to talk again! Love, Celes, King Edgar, Sabin, and the people of Figaro Castle."
"Dear Terra and Locke; Yes, I'm writing a letter. Shocking, isn't it? I know of the letters that Strago and Relm have been sending about me...but I tell you, don't worry. I'm getting used to things. I'm just getting over my past is all...being with Relm again brings back memories I don't necessarily want to have. But having her back makes me feel wonderful...makes me feel like some old painful regret is finally put to rest. Hope you two are getting used to your new family as I am. By the way, I apologize if the paper is crumbled or chewed...Interceptor keeps taking my letters from me. Honestly, hope to see you soon, been feeling lonesome; guess I should stop staring at that painting of all of us Relm made. From Shadow; and yes, Interceptor does says hello as well, if you're wondering."
I looked at the bottom of the paper and saw a big paw print. I laughed...Interceptor had signed the paper as well. After a full month, I came to a surprising chapter in Harild's book.
"Harild Arvis Cole...page 371. I shouldn't have it...I've made a mistake. Me being with Ethell put the Returners at risk. I started to pay more attention to Ethell and my family life rather than the returners and my job. Because of this, Ethell had a child; I am a happy father yes, but what happened next is why I'm in regret for the rest of my life. Soldiers from the Empire came, knowing that there were Returners in Mobliz. Ethell told me to take our child and run...I tried to take her with me, but she refused. She said she had to distract them while I escaped with our son. I reluctantly fled just in time, as they entered our house and killed her. I escaped to the Returner's home base; at night I went in and asked Banon to care for my child...I couldn't do it, not after that. Banon asked for the lad's name...Locke is what I said, and I fled to Narshe. Here is where I've been staying for the rest of my life. I'm so, so sorry Locke. I should've been there for you...or at least had them explain what happened. I hope someday you'll read this for yourself and realize you're not just a Returner...you're a Returner for freedom; for your mother Ethell, you got to live on and help defeat the Empire, because I no longer can. I'm not sure what you'll grow up to be, but I do hope you know in your heart whatever you're going to do is good. Be strong Locke...may we met again. Harild Arvis Cole...last page."
I slowly closed the book, tears coming down my cheeks. Locke looked up from his food, worried.
"Terra, what's wrong?" I glanced at him before giving the book to him.
"You have to read it for yourself." Locke stared at me, puzzled, before opening it to the first page.
"Cole...?" He looked at me, confused and I laughed.
"The whole thing, Locke." I stood and walked over to our bed, plopping onto it. I stared at the ceiling remembering the old man...I missed him, though I didn't know him that well. As the days passed quickly, I saw Locke slowly become anxious as he got closer and closer to the end. I feared the end when he got to it; he was finishing quicker than I did, for we were still unpacking when I was reading, so I read it slower. As he closed the book on the end of the second week of reading it, he looked at me in tears.
"Harild...he was...my father." I scooted over to him and hugged him as he cried on my shoulder. I toke the book, placed it to the side and started rubbing Locke's back when there was suddenly a knock at the door. I slowly left Locke and opened it to suddenly be tackled to the ground by Relm.
"Relm...what are you doing here?" I asked her happily. As I sat up, Strago, Shadow, and Interceptor shuffled inside, smiling. "What are you all doing here?" I smiled, holding Relm as I got up. Locke calmed down and went to my side, smiling to greet them. I then noticed that Shadow wasn't wearing his armor; he was wearing some sort of brown cloak and dark blue boots. I smiled searching Shadow...I thought it fit him nicely.
"We came to visit, of course!" Relm finally responded, swinging her arms around my neck. Strago closed the door as Shadow walked a bit a distance away towards the couch, Interceptor following him, then he stopped and turned to us again.
"We can come in, right?" He asked us, raising his eyebrows like he would be surprised at any other answer than yes, which both me and Locke said. Shadow sat on the left side of the couch, putting his arm on the top of it, while Interceptor lied in front of him and Strago sat on the right side. I walked near the couch, still holding Relm, as Locke got some tea from the cabinet. Relm jumped from my arms and onto one of chairs, taking one of the teacups and drinking it. Locke held the teapot up, but Shadow shook his head no has Strago said yes. I sat near Relm as Locke poured Strago a cup of tea.
"So, you three here for a reason or just to visit?" Locke asked, handing the cup to Strago, who shook his hand because it was not.
"No, we actually came here for a reason." Shadow explained leaning over the couch to pet Interceptor who whined peacefully, lying his head on the floor.
"And that would be...?" I questioned them, worried. Relm raised her hand and spoke quickly but gently.
"I keep having nightmares." I groaned in sympathy for her. The poor girl shouldn't be subjected to such things. Shadow saw the book by him, so he grabbed it and looked at the cover and back, replying to us.
"Yes, and we need to ask a favor of you." Shadow put the book down after looking at it and Strago gawked at him.
"Curious about other people's things aren't you?" Shadow just stared at him with a smile as Relm chuckled.
"Where did you think I got it from? My mother?" Shadow laughed, Relm, Locke, and I joining shortly, while Strago rolled his eyes and sighed with a smile.
"Anyways...that favor we wanted to ask."
"What do you need? We can do it." I claimed, not even knowing what it was.
"We were just wondering if we can spend the night here." Shadow explained. Locke and I looked at each, then at our guests again.
"Sure, but why? Something wrong in Tzen?" Locke replied, confused just as much as I was. Relm shook her head yes.
"Yes, my nightmares."
"We were wondering if Tzen somehow is affecting her dreams." Strago admitted with regret in his voice. Relm slurped up her tea while Strago slowly drank his, occasionally blowing on it to cool it down. Locke sat down on the other side of Relm, pouring himself a cup.
"Why here though? Figaro probably has more rooms than our house...we're going to have to arranged some beds, probably on the floor unfortunately." He confessed, drinking his tea, nearly spilling it when he started choking. Relm pounded on his back and he coughed out some, breathing normally. "Thank you Relm, you saved my life." Locke smiled at Relm and as she smiled back proudly. Locke gave me a thumb up showing me that he was ok, at which I smiled.
"So, we can spend the night here?" Relm asked, hopping in her seat with a smile. I looked at Locke who nodded, so I nodded back.
"Of course...we'll figure out the sleeping arrangements right now, right Locke?"
"Of course, let's get to it." Locke got up and got the bed ready for two of them while I went over to the couch, but Shadow shook his head no.
"I'll sleep on the floor...you two make your place here on the couch."
"What...no, Shadow, you're our guest...you should..." Shadow cut me off by raising his hand, at the same time Interceptor raised his head to look at us.
"Really, I do want to sleep on the floor. You two are being kind, so you should get the comfort." Shadow leaned over to pet Interceptor while I looked at Strago for an answer, but all he did was shrug.
"I don't know. He hasn't taken the bed at home yet either...he sleeps on the floor there to." Shadow chuckled a bit, leaning back on the couch.
"I'm used to it, I like it. It beats sleeping on the bare ground out in the cold." Relm sniggered a bit, jumping off the chair and jumping onto Shadow's lap.
"Now what...it's awhile 'till bedtime?" Relm asked, looking up at Shadow. Shadow's eyes wondered but then he looked back at her.
"I don't know...we're probably going to talk."
"Boring!" Relm jumped off of Shadow's lap, surprising him for a second, and sitting down beside Interceptor, petting him on the neck and sometimes hugging him.
"Relm..." Strago started but Shadow interrupted, smiling.
"Let her go. She's still a child." Shadow explained, but Relm glared up at him. "You are...you can't deny that." Relm rolled her eyes mockingly and returned her attention to Interceptor. Locke grabbed one of the chairs, moved it near the couch, and sat in it while I sat in the middle between Strago and Shadow, moving the book to the right side of me.
"What do you think is causing Relm's nightmares, anyways?" Locke questioned Strago who put his tea on a near-by end-table.
"Not sure...I don't believe it has anything to do with being in a new place anymore. She's been having them for too long."
"She's not lying, it's not stress...it can't be magic, can it?" I mentioned, looking at Shadow who shrugged.
"I don't know. But according to what you've said before Terra, the Behemoth King was back and he still had his magic. I guess it's possible."
"Wait, how do you..." Locke sputtered, scratching his head, but then he looked at me and smiled generously. "You wrote to them, didn't you?" I smiled guiltily. I forgot to tell Locke of when I wrote to Strago, Shadow, Relm, Mog, and the kids of what happened to us and the Behemoth King. Locke laughed as Shadow chuckled.
"Anyways...I suppose it's possible that there's some evil magic source in Tzen that only strikes children. I don't know why though, or how we'll take care of it if it's true." Shadow leaned over the couch to get Relm's attention. When Relm looked up at him, she saw him smiling so she smiled.
"So...what is this book?" Strago asked, pointing to the book beside me. Shadow leaned back on the couch and chuckled again.
"Who's the curious one now?" He joked, though Relm bursted out laughing, nearly falling over but Interceptor caught her and brought her back up.
"I was just wondering..."
"I was just looking at it, I didn't actually care." Shadow whispered, making Strago sneer at him unhappy.
"I get it Shadow. Let it go. Anyways, forget about the book. Back to the subject..." Strago announced, but as the others went into another conversation, a vision clouded my own thoughts and sight.
I was in a big, metal-constructed room where Kefka was as well as some soldiers and some children; they were all sleeping, Kefka was surrounded in darkness, and I had the Slave Crown on. Soon Kefka opened up his eyes and went near the people.
"Ok...I shall now try my new spell! What do you think is going to happen, my magic user?" Kefka asked me, turning to me, beckoning me with his hand to come to his side. I walked up beside him and nodded.
"I believe in whatever you believe..." I spoke in a monotone voice. Kefka rolled his eyes and looked at the people again.
"I forgot you think that again. Whatever! I shall try it anyways...hopefully, it works." Kefka unleashed a dark ball of dark energy at the sleeping soldiers and children, which instantly vanished. Kefka huffed, turning towards to the door. But then the people started waking up, making Kefka turn back around.
"Arg...I thought I just went to sleep, why'd I wake so suddenly?" One of the soldiers wondered to himself, standing up from his bed. All of a sudden the children started crying and every soldier went to one in panic. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
"I had a nightmare..."
"Me too!" The rest of the children replied, crying on their parents shoulder. Kefka snorted, laughing slightly.
"So...it gives them nightmares...and it only affects children! Great...must work on my spell. Come, my magic user!" He called to me on his way out, and I followed without hesitation.
"Terra?" Locke shook me out of my vision. I opened my eyes and saw Locke kneeling in front of me, Relm was in Shadow's lap once more, and both Shadow and Strago were leaning over to see my face. Even Interceptor was looking up at me with worrying eyes. "You alright Terra, you blanked out for a few minutes?"
"Minutes? It only feels like a few seconds...anyways, that doesn't matter! I had a vision..." I claimed. Locke's eyes turned from worry to puzzlement as I explained my dream to them all. He looked down at the ground, then back up with a smile.
"I think you're getting your memories back." I gasped, smiling. I didn't even think of that. But then Locke looked down again, frowning, making me fill up with pity. "But...if that's true...then Kefka could be back."
"Tzen is near where we defeated Kefka." Shadow stated, looking at Relm with grief in his eyes. "If he is still alive...or coming back...then I believe it's possible for this to be happening to Relm."
"He better not be..." Locke warned, grabbing my hands with his. I groaned at the memory of Kefka, but then Locke rubbed my hands and smiled. "Don't worry Terra. If he's back, I promise you...we'll defeat him and we'll all make it back."
"Maybe we should get some sleep...it's getting dark." Shadow suggested. We all agreed, dropping the conversation for now. As Strago went to the bed and Relm leaped onto it, Shadow laid about three feet from it with Interceptor lying beside him. Locke turned the lights off as I continued to sit on the couch, and when Locke sat on the couch next to me, I laid my head on his shoulder so he laid his head on mine.