Chapter 12: Regrouping
Cephiro Castle
Several days later, and things were finally beginning to calm down. It had taken quite a bit of time to gather up the survivors of the battle against the Zill. Since then, it had been treating the injured and sick, providing food and housing, and of course, laying to rest those who did not survive. Amid all this tragedy, there was the bright spot of having Hikaru, Umi and Fuu back safe. Cephiro had its defenders back, so maybe, just maybe there was still hope of stopping the Zill. For now, however, the survivors all looked and felt like defeated soldiers.
To further add to the chaos and confusion, there was Kefka and the War Wolves who had arrived after rescuing Lady Aska and Sang Yung. Then there was the Black Dragon, who had also appeared claiming to have valuable information on the Zill and their plans. So far both the Black Dragon and the War Wolves had been keeping to themselves, avoiding the survivors and those in the castle. In fact, so far only the Magic Knights had had any contact with the War Wolves at all. They had almost become the go-between for them and the others.
Right now, Kefka was consuming another liquid ration vial when he saw Hikaru and her friends approaching their makeshift camp. "Oh, hey there," he said, quickly yanking out the empty vial and discarding it.
"Hey Kefka," said Hikaru with a smile. "How are you all doing?"
"We're holding up," said Kefka. "Still a little surreal that we've actually left the Imperium and come here."
"Yeah, but...I'm glad you decided to join us," said Hikaru.
"Yeah, me too," he said, "I'm glad I made the decision."
"Hey, can I ask you guys a weird question?" asked Umi. "When was the last time you guys took your helmets off?"
"Yesterday," said Raxx, who was polishing one of his boots.
"I believe she means when you last removed your helmets in front of other people," Fuu clarified. "Every time we see you, you are always wearing those helmets. Even when you eat or drink, you never remove them."
Shakku had been working on his mobile armor but stopped and turned to Fuu. "We were probably about six years or so."
"You mean...you haven't shown your faces to anyone since you were little kids?" asked Umi, looking at Raxx.
"Not even to each other?" Fuu added.
"It's part of being a Zill," said Raxx. "Once you reach the age of six, you enter the Academy and train for years to become a soldier of the Imperium. Any ties to your old life and identity are removed from you."
"Our skin is our armor," said Shakku, "our face is our helmet. We are servants to the Emperor, until the day we die."
"At least that was the way it was before we met you," said Kefka. "Now, honestly, we're not sure what to do. Except to fight to protect Cephiro as you do."
"If that's true, then it's help we gladly accept," said Ferio, who had come up while they were all talking.
The War Wolves all immediately got to their feet and stood at attention.
"Your Highness, we weren't expecting you," said Kefka.
"It's alright, Kefka, you and your men can relax," said Ferio. "I just wanted to see if you were busy."
"Just doing some good old-fashioned spit and polish work," said Tino. "Not much, but it keeps us occupied."
"Well keep up the good work," said Ferio. "And thank you for all the help you've been providing around here in the meantime. It means a great deal to me and to the rest of Cephiro."
"I'm not sure your people are quite ready to share that sentiment," said Shakku. "Not that we blame them for being unwelcoming. We are still Zill."
"Just give them time, they'll warm up to you," said Ferio. He turned to Fuu and asked, "Hey Fuu, can we talk for a moment?"
"Oh, of course," she said. "Please excuse me, everyone."
"Have a good time, Fuu," said Umi with a teasing smirk.
Ferio and Fuu began to take a short walk around the castle gardens. "How are you holding up?" he asked her.
"I am doing alright," said Fuu. "I admit, the last few days have been hectic to say the least. Getting captured by the Zill, being rescued, and that horrible battle with the Zill fleet. So much has happened in so little time."
"Yes, about that," said Ferio, suddenly stopping.
"Ferio, what's wrong?" asked Fuu. Just then Ferio hugged her close, surprising her. "Ferio?"
"I was so scared, Fuu," he said quietly. "I thought I wasn't going to see you again."
"Oh Ferio," she said, slowly hugging him back. "I was afraid too. I thought for sure I would never see you again either. But I'm here now, and so are you. And I'm sorry I made you worry."
"Fuu...do you remember what I said to you? Back when you first came to Cephiro, and we were in that town where we had to hide from the townsfolk?" he asked, looking into her green eyes.
"Yes, I do," said Fuu. "Why do you-"
Before she could finish, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. She was stunned at first, but slowly she closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss, hugging him tighter.
He slowly broke the kiss and whispered, "I love you, Fuu. I've always loved you, and I always will."
"I... I love you too, Ferio," said Fuu, touching her forehead to his.
"I've waited so long to hear you say that," said Ferio, stroking her cheek.
"Well, now I did," said Fuu with a smile. "Now please...kiss me again."
He smiled and kissed her deeply.
Meanwhile, Kefka was walking around the castle grounds with Hikaru.
"So that's the world you came from?" he asked her.
"Yeah, that's pretty much it," said Hikaru. "I wish I could show it to you."
"Well maybe we'll find a way to make it happen," said Kefka. "I think I'd like to try my hand at this kendo you told me about."
"I think you'd be really good at it," said Hikaru. "You're really good with a sword when you're in that mobile armor."
"The sword is the primary weapon for mechanized infantry in the Zill Imperium," said Kefka. "If you can't handle a blade, you won't last long. So, I busted my tail to get where I am."
"You really had to work hard, huh?" asked Hikaru.
"Yeah, and in the end I became the leader of the best mechanized infantry team in the Imperium," he said. "Or at least I was. Now I guess the best I can hope for is to become the best in Cephiro."
"I don't think you'll have to worry about that," said Hikaru. "You don't really have much competition in that regard."
"Except for you, that is," he said. He stopped walking and stood there in silence.
"Hey, is everything okay?" asked Hikaru, turning to him. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No, it's not that," he said. "I've been thinking...you and your friends have all asked about why I never remove my helmet. Do you... do you really want to see my face?"
"Well I... yes I do," said Hikaru. "But are you really comfortable showing me? I don't want you to do something you're not ready for."
"You never know you're ready until you actually do it," said Kefka, looking around. "I just...I just hope that you like what you see."
"Kefka, I've seen you really are," said Hikaru, coming closer. "It doesn't matter what you look like, because you're..." She blushed and said, "Because you're the one I love."
"Hikaru," he said quietly. Slowly he reached up to his helmet and released the pressure seals. Just like that, his doubts had melted away. Once the seals were released, he slowly and carefully removed the helmet.
Hikaru gasped when she saw him. The face wasn't at all what she expected. It was canine in appearance, with soft carefully trimmed crimson fur. He had honey colored eyes, a scar running across one of them, and a head of short blond hair. She reached up and touched his face.
He shut his eyes, focusing on her touch. It was something so simple, and yet, it stirred feelings in him that he couldn't explain. He took hold of her hand, looking into her crimson eyes. "Hikaru...I love you too," he said in a hushed voice. "I didn't understand it at the time, but I've loved you since the moment I met you. Now I don't have to hold back anymore." He leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss, sliding his arms around her waist.
Hikaru put her arms around his neck, eyes slowly closing as she kissed back. It would be a brief moment in time, but while it lasted she would cherish it. For now she knew that she was genuinely loved.