Between Darkness and Light-Cecil Harvey
Golbez kept his distance from the others while they relaxed and stood in thought. Ceodore spotted the man in black and approached him.
"Need something?" Golbez asked the Baronian prince.
"No..." Ceodore trailed off for a moment"Well, I heard that you are my father Cecil's bother. Is this true?"
"Was" grunted the man in black.
Ceodore was puzzled"What?"
Golbez shrugged"I narrowly brought the world to the brink of doom, doesn't help that I was under Zemus's control at the time... I went into seclusion after I was brought back to my senses and Zemus was defeated."
"So... Why did you come back?" asked Ceodore.
Golbez was silent for a moment before changing the subject"You are Ceodore, correct?"
"Yes, Uncle" smiled Ceodore.
"I see" the elder man trailed off.
Ceodore thought for a moment before asking his uncle"So, what was it like on the moon you and the Lunarians lived on?"
"You're a curious one, aren't you?" Golbez smiled with a bit of amusement.
"Well, yes. Part of my lineage is Lunarian, after all" nodded Ceodore.
Golbez was quiet for a moment"I'm not sure If the other Lunarians are alive, still, but it was quiet in a way. I spent much of my time there in hibernation, while I hid myself away. I could not return to the blue planet after what I've done."
"So, why did you come back in this hour of crises? To help my father?" asked Ceodore.
"Yes. Now, if everyone's ready, we should move on" acknowledged Golbez.
"We're all set from our end, so let's go" grinned Palom.
The two groups continued on walking. A crystal stood on top of a marble design. Golbez frowned"I sense... the monster from the Giant of Bail?"
"Oh, no, they can even resurrect this?" Kain gasped as the crystal shattered. A large purple-black orb and two smaller ones appeared.
"Try not to take out both the smaller orbs until the bigger one is down" suggested Rosa.
Ceodore nodded, then attacked the orb on the right. The one on the left responded by auto-repairing its counterpart. Kain held his lance and used his jump attack on the defense node, knocking it down and cracking it slightly. The Attack Node responded by shooting out laser beams, prompting Rosa to heal her allies with Cura. The main node cast Reflect on itself, blocking the mages' spells.
"Mist!" Rydia summoned the Mist Dragon, which spewed Radiant Breath upon the three nodes, damaging them slightly. Rosa shot the Defense Node with Ceodore following it up with a slash. Kain pitched in with a jump attack, finishing the Defense Node.
"The CPU should be next, ignore the attack node, for now" Golbez encouraged his allies as he struck the bigger orb with his blade, only for the Attack Node to strike with a laser beam, again. Rosa cast shell to reduce the damage from the Heat-inducing beams.
"Right" Kain and Ceodore attacked the CPU orb with Cross Slash, which was followed by a Paticle Bomb Band attack from Palom and Leonora. Tsukinowa and Izayoi pitched in, only for the ninjas and mages to get pushed back by Laser Beam. Kain grew annoyed by the attack node and knocked it back with a jump attack while Porom healed her allies.
Rydia summoned Sylph to drain power from the nodes while Ceodore hacked at the CPU, powering up his abilities before doing so. Eventually, the big orb cracked. Seeing his chance, Kain leapt and dove downward, driving his spear down the cracked part of the CPU, destroying it.
Palom and Leonora took out the Attack Node with a final Particle Bomb.
"Is there nothing the crystals can't recreate?" frowned Rydia.
"Who knows?" shrugged Edge.
The group continued on through another cavern entrance, finding themselves in a cave with a similar appearance to the path to the Feymarch back in their planet's underworld. Three Dark Sages and a Red Giant blocked the path. Kain and Ceodore rushed two of the Dark Sages while Rydia attacked the larger monster with Thundaga.
The remaining Dark Sage drained some MP from Golbez, who angrily retaliated with a sword slash, killing the monster. Ceodore and Kain finished their opponents without much trouble.
The red giant retaliated by spewing a tongue of flame. Rosa healed Rydia while Palom finished the monster with Thundaga. After checking for further injuries, the group made their way into a tall, tower-like structure. At its terrace, Rydia saw a familiar female form dressed in regal attire.
"Huh?" Ceodore gasped.
"Your majesty" Rydia addressed the woman.
The woman gave no answer as she turned to address the party, signaling that something was wrong. The woman transformed into a humanoid with twin blades and four mask-like faces.
"Asura!" gasped Rosa.
Asura slashed at the group and changed her mask before curing herself.
Rydia frowned"She's probably being manipulated, too. Rosa, cast reflect so that she can't heal herself. Kain, Ceodore, Golbez, I'll need help."
"I can see that. Quake is one of the few spells reflect cannot rebound at the caster. Rydia, you summon Titan while I use Quake. Ceodore, Kain, stick to physical assaults" said Golbez, acknowledging their strategy.
Rosa cast reflect on herself and Rydia while the two Baronian warriors rushed Asura with their weapons. Asura countered with her own blades and tried to heal her wounds, only for Rosa to receive the spell instead. Golbez and Rydia cast their planned spells, staggering Asura.
"All right" Ceodore powered up and slashed Asura, Kain followed with a jump attack. Rydia blasted Asura again while Rosa shot an arrow for good measure after shielding Golbez, Ceodore and Kain with Reflect.
Asura switched masks again and tried revive before attacking again with her blades. Ceodore and Kain dodged and counter-attacked. Ceodore's power-up began to fade, forcing the prince to use a Hi-Potion on himself. Rydia cast Titan again, staggering Asura even more long enough for Kain to use his jump attack on her.
The impact snapped something in Asura's mind as the Eidolon struggled to speak"R... Rydia?"
"Your majesty" Rydia smiled.
Asura resumed her human form, smiling back as she went to hug her foster daughter"Oh, Rydia. Forgive me."
"Why?" asked Rydia, confused.
Asura let go of Rydia and replied"I had no right to chase you from the Faymerch."
Rydia smiled"Its okay, you only wanted what was best for me."
"Rydia, my powers are forevermore yours to call upon if you ever have need of me again. Leviathan's essence is still being held prisoner here, but in another tower. The hallowed father Bahamut is somewhere in the depths of this wretched moon as well" explained Asura, pouring her power back into Rydia's"I will accompany you, but only will aid you if you summon me. I may be back at the Feymarch, but I can still answer your summons."
Rydia thanked Asura as she vanished.
"So, Leviathan is somewhere else, shall we look?" Kain spoke.
Rydia nodded, then raced out of the tower. The others followed, keeping an eye out for more monsters. The maze-like passageways seemed daunting, but they soon entered an identical tower to the first one. At its terrace was what looked like an old man in blue.
"My lord, you're safe" Rydia greeted the man, feeling his true essence.
However, much like Asura, the man didn't seem to recognize her and transformed into his serpentine form: Leviathan.
"Its no good, he's been brainwashed, too" cried Ceodore.
Leviathan cast Tidal Wave at the group. Rosa healed her allies with Curaga while Kain and Ceodore slashed at the Eidolon King. Rydia accompanied with Thundaga. Leviathan cast blizzard on the group and prepared to cast another Tsunami.
"Leviathan" Asura shielded Rydia and her friends before appearing"My King, don't you recognize Rydia? The little girl you adored with all your heart?"
The Eidolon King seemed to hesitate for a moment, but instead threw its Tsunami, even knocking out Asura. Rydia retaliated with Judgment Bolt, while Golbez cast Thundaga.
Leviathan retaliated with blizzara before readying another Tsunami. Rosa and Porom readied to heal their allies while Palom and Leonora attacked Leviathan with a little bit of black magic, trying not to injure the Eidolon King too badly. Leviathan countered with Blizzaga, prompting Porom to hurry and cast Curaga on her comrades.
Rydia attacked Leviathan with Thundaga, accompanied by Golbez's spells. Ceodore powered up one more time, and together with Kain, they cross slashed Leviathan. Rydia cast Thundaga one more time for good measure.
The Eidolon King stopped as he seemed to come to his senses"Rydia?"
"My lord" Rydia smiled, relieved to hear him speak again.
Leviathan transformed back into his human form"Rydia, I owe it to you and Asura. From now on, you have our full support. A fell evil seeks to destroy the Blue Planet, you must hurry."
"We will" nodded the Summoner.
Leviathan summoned a blue orb and gave it to Rydia so that she could once again summon him before vanishing back to the Faymerch. Nearby, Ceodore had nearly collapsed from using his Lunarian power.
"Ceodore, you okay?" Kain administrated a Hi Potion.
"Thanks" nodded the prince.
"Try not to use your power too often, you've been using quite a bit of magic power" said Rosa, concerned.
Ceodore nodded, then the group left the tower, navigating through the rest of the maze-like passageway. Another doorway leading out of the maze was soon visible, but was guard by Dark Sages and a couple Amazons.
Rydia focused and called forth Leviathan, who swept away most of the monsters with Tsunami. Kain and Ceodore took on the Amazon, while Rosa shot a Dark Sage with one of her arrows. Golbez and Edge easily dispatched the rest of the monsters.
"Let's rest up on the other side of the cave" suggested Rosa.
The others agreed and the group entered the doorway, down a narrow passage to a crystal-like passageways with what appeared to be glass floors. A teleporter and a square device waited for them there.
"Perfect place to rest, I don't see any monsters" said Golbez.
The group went near the square device and set up temporary shelters, resting their energy from the recent battles. Rosa, however, felt uneasy as she sensed a strong, presence ahead of their location.
"Mother?" Ceodore sensed her anxiety"Is something wrong?"
"Probably just my imagination. Still, I am worried" sighed the blond White Mage.
Cecil's body began to tremble as he felt what Rosa just sensed"Aaagh!"
"Cecil?" Kain glanced at his friend.
"We'd better go check it out, I guess" shrugged Ceodore, walking ahead.
Rosa stood"Golbez, Kain, could you two come?"
"Very well" nodded the Dragoon.
The four went up ahead down the path, Cecil following them. At the end, where there seemed to be a dead end, stood a man in dark armor and a similar eye color to the Paladin.
Cecil's body trembled more as he approached the man.
"Huh?" Ceodore was puzzled.
"Cecil?" Rosa gasped, seeing what appeared to be a form of the Dark Knight.
The Dark Knight walked towards them, drawing a sword. Ceodore, Golbez, Kain and Rosa got into formation as Cecil stood zoned out by the appearance of the Dark Knight. Ceodore readied his blade and dashed at the Dark Knight, who smoothly blocked and kicked Ceodore backwards before unleashing a wave of Darkness.
Rosa healed while Golbez countered the knight with spells. Kain and Ceodore pitched in with Cross Slash. The Dark Knight pointed his blade"Enough of these shells!" and cast out a wave of darkness, staggering the group and knocking them backwards. He then readied his blade and dashed forward.
"Ugh!" Cecil moved as quickly as he could, shielding Rosa with his body as the Dark Knight almost struck her.
"The Final Flame? Enough, you shell!" The Dark Knight jumped backwards and pointed his blade at Cecil.
Seeing a ball of darkness begin to emerge from the blade, Golbez jumped in front of Cecil, taking the blow before the spell could hit his brother. The impact brought the older half-lunarian to his knee.
"You think this atones for anything? For terrorizing the entire world!?" snarled the Dark Knight.
Rosa, who quickly recovered, healed Golbez and stood at his side.
The Dark Knight was surprised"Rosa... Why help him? This man cast me aside like trash, and he almost brought the world to its destruction."
Rosa stood her ground, judging and reminded from her prior experience with Kain and his dark side. That, and there was no way the real Cecil in his right mind would be so vindictive"You are not my Cecil!"
Golbez uttered his thanks to Rosa before casting Thundaga on the Dark Knight. Rosa cast protect on him while Kain had recovered and rejoined them in the fight.
Ceodore lay unconscious, knocked out by the wave of darkness. A voice echoed through his mind"Get up! You fool!"
"Huh?" Ceodore found himself surrounded by a black void. Standing up, he saw what appeared to be apparitions of Biggs and Wedge.
"Come on, Ceodore. You can do it. You've got the blood of your parents running through your veins" spoke Wedge.
"Captain Biggs... Wedge" Ceodore gasped"You're right. That all has nothing to do with me, I know myself." The Red Wings survivor stood, glancing to the fight ahead where his mother and uncle were fighting against the Dark Knight with Kain at their side.
"Yes, now there's the red wings soldier I know" Biggs spoke, a hint of pride in his voice.
Wedge smiled"Yes! That's it!"
The void cleared entirely as Ceodore made ready to rejoin the battle"Cecil is my father... Rosa's my mother... And I'm their one and only son!" The Baronian prince dashed on, back to the battle and attacked the Dark Knight. Cecil was lying unconscious, not too far from Ceodore where he stood to fight.
"Ceodore" Rosa was relieved to see him all right.
"Ceodore? You too?" The Dark Knight gasped.
Ceodore readied his blade"You are not my father. My father's right here!"
The Dark Knight angrily swung his blade. Ceodore parried, the two locking their blades and struggling to gain the edge over each other. Golbez took advantage of this and shot the Dark Knight with Thundaga.
The Dark Knight recovered and readied a Dark Fang technique at Ceodore"So, be it."
Nearby, Cecil stirred, seeing his dark side once more. Ceodore was not too far"Ceo...dore..."
The deadly ball of energy was about to hit Ceodore when the Paladin rushed over and shielded his son's body. Ceodore gasped"Father..."
Cecil smiled"Let's go, Ceodore!" and turned to face the Dark Knight, who was surprised for a moment.
Kain used his jump attack, knocking the Dark Knight backwards. Rosa shot an arrow at their adversary occasionally, but fixated on mostly healing her allies when it was necessary.
Golbex staggered the Dark Knight with Thundaga before addressing Cecil"Brother, I am relieved you are yourself, again. Fusoya mentioned to me once about a ancient combination spell that requires the use of black and white magic. I wish to try it alongside you."
"Very well, brother" Cecil, channeled white magic at the Dark Knight.
Golbez started to channel black magic while Kain and Ceodore were dueling against the Dark Knight with Rosa healing them when it was needed. As balls of black and white magic began to form, Golbez cried out"Ultima Spark!"
A powerful bolt of magic formed and shot the Dark Knight in the chest, knocking him down. Still gasping, the dark knight breathed"H-ow? How can you be the real Cecil? What does this make me, then?"
Cecil addressed his dark knight doppelganger, walking up to you"You are myself, the part that left me long ago. But those days are over, you're no longer alone."
The Dark Knight slowly began to vanish, his essence merging once more into Cecil's. In his place remained the sword, Ragnarok. Cecil picked it up and handed it to his son"You've grown strong, Ceodore."
"Thank you" Ceodore stored his iron sword away and equipped the ragnarok in its place"I had two others to help me, though."
"Two others?" Rosa asked, confused.
Ceodore smiled at his parents"You. I'd be nothing without you and dad, mom."
"Ceodore" Rosa smiled, trying not to cry with pride.
"Its been too long, Cecil" the Dragoon addressed him.
"To say nothing of you, Kain" Cecil smiled at his old friend.
Golbez watched the exchange with a fond look in his eyes until his brother addressed him"I heard your voice, along with Ceodore's and Rosa's throughout the ordeal. That's what kept me from withering away into an empty shell, completely."
"Hey, glad you're okay" Palom and the rest of the group caught up, relieved to see their companions all right, they had been gone for almost more than ten minutes.
Cecil turned his attention to the rest of the team that was participating in the mission to recover the crystals and find a way to stop the moon"My friends, sorry to have worried you. I cannot apologize enough for what's happened while under enemy control, either."
"Its fine, it wasn't all your fault, anyhow" grinned Edge.
"My chancellor was almost convinced otherwise, but fortunately, there is no cause for concern of Fabul and Baron having to war with each other, now. Cecil, welcome back" said Yang.
Cecil turned his attention ahead of the group to the former dead end where a pathway now appeared visible to everyone"We're not out of the woods, yet. Let's make continue on."
"We're all with you on that one" smiled Rosa.
Cecil, Ceodore, Rydia and Rosa took point as they walked towards the new pathway. On the way, one of the mysterious girls approached, she had witnessed the battle.
"Hm?" Cecil and the others stopped before her.
The girl spoke"Cecil returned to you, I see. However, it is of no consequence. Your world is doomed to the brink. From here on now, you'll find only death and despair. Regardless of whether you choose to resign yourselves, or if you press on."
"We'll see about that" retorted Rydia.
"We'll put a stop to this" swore Ceodore.
The Mysterious Girl was unfazed by their determination"I have said my peace. Do as you please, but there is nothing you can accomplish from here."
Before anyone else could say anything, the Mysterious Girl vanished. Cecil strode forward a bit, turning to address the others"We'll just have to see if her claims are true. I don't know what's ahead of us, but we still have a job to do, as I said. I also don't know if she's the mastermind behind this moon or if someone else is pulling the strings, but if we work together, we can overcome this situation."
"Let's do this, then" said Edge.
The combined group walked down the new passageway. They didn't know what else they would fine besides hopefully their crystals and Bahamut, but the group knew they would overcome their odds if they joined as one.
Here you go, the next chapter is up. The final fantasy I, II, III, V, and VI cameos start next chapter, and each group will likely have a separate chapter. I may not finish this until sometime this October at this rate, but I will try to get this fic done sometime this year. Thanks for the ideas, Infinitestories.
Reviews are always appreciated. Feel free to review if you'd like.