-Chapter 16-
The Arrival
"The Village of Lost Summoners, where it all began for my family. My mother's home, my cousin's home, our true home. Mother and papa's lives crossed here on that dreadful night. The story they told me when papa was there that night, yet he doesn't remember any accounts of his presences there, only the memories foretold in Memoria. Is it true that the soul papa was given was someone of the village? It has been a mystery no one seems to know the answer to, not even auntie Mikoto herself had the answer for it.
I wondered for the longest time what life must have been like before the Invincible came; mother couldn't recall any memories of her time spent here; she was so young when she and grandmother fled. That long journey to Alexandria in a fiery storm that took grandmother away from us, to losing her birth given horn that took away her true identity until she reclaimed her true birth heritage always remembering to be herself.
I admired mother for taking the courage to tell me who she truly was, I can only imagine living a life in a lie to herself alone was hard, but it was all she knew. Papa helped her reclaim her lost birth right, cousin Eiko reminded her of who she was, and now she has passed on that heritage onto me now.
I know Alexandria may be my birth home, but I must acknowledge my true heritage to understand who I am and why I possess the powers of that of a summoner. I don't wish to hide my identity to everyone around me, I want everyone to know who I truly am and to be accepted for who I am.
I can only imagine what mother may have gone through when she learned who she truly was, I hope she will be proud when I return to Alexandria more embracive of our family heritage, of both the summoners and the genomes.
My only fear however…
Are what others may think of me..."
"Eekgads! What is that!?"
"Not…quite sure but goodness it's quite…a vial sight!"
"I can't bear to look at it anymore…it's such…such grotesque!"
"Please darling speak no more of it…one does not simply add cherry wood to a simpleton of table."
"Oh heavens! You spoke of it! Gods why must you torment me with this ugly monstrosity!"
"…Noble world problems." A red headed man said underneath his breath as he walked away from overhearing two nobles making a scene of a freshly crafted dining table in front of a furniture store. He sighed with annoyance as he walked along a brick pathway with nobles shopping about in the night. He could hear the voices making note of his presence as he walked by each noble, pointing of his massive tattoos on his arms, his cornrow like red hair, his massive built, and even his blank like expression.
"People here need to keep their mouths shut if they know what's good for em." He thought to himself as a passing by noble noted his hairstyle being compared to that of an animal. He let out an anger scuff as he continued his walk, he looked to his right spotting an inn and making ways to it.
He opened the woodened door as she entered inside spotting the inn keeper making eye contact with him and nodding his head. The red headed man simply walked by him making his way down the stairway.
"You're late!" A red-haired woman with a brown colored and leaf protruding bandana called out to him as he brushed off her words.
"Speak for yourself!" He responded.
"Gods do you always have to act like this even when we're not on duty?" the woman responded.
"I already spent half of today babysitting a friggin spoiled kid, last I need is taking care of you as well." He responded.
The woman shook her head.
"Honestly Amarant is this family even worth the gil at this point in time? Can't we just kill em and be off with their riches already?" The woman grabbed her large axe and laid it in front of her.
"I have my reasons." Amarant leaned against the wall while crossing his large masculine arms.
"And you're not gonna tell me because?" She tilted her head.
"…."
"It's for Zidane isn't it?"
"…."
"WELL!?"
"Keep your mouth shut!" he scowled.
"Seriously it's been nearly eighteen years since you two went your separate ways, yet you always show up EVERY year to their stupid reunion. I don't get why you can't just forget about em?" The woman lifted her axe and placed it on her back.
"You wouldn't understand."
"Oh, really now!? Whose still out here in the slums of Treno still trying to find a job nearly every fucking day? Let alone always staying with this particular family and dragging my ass along with you?"
"As I said you wouldn't understand…"
The woman crossed her arm and let out a snappy exhale blowing part of her hair covering her face.
"It's because of their kid, isn't it? You going soft now?"
Amarant leaned off the wall towering over the woman.
"She does have a name Lani." He rolled his eyes.
"I swear if you're developing feelings for her!"
"KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!" he yelled out as the inn keeper upstairs looked over from his counter spotting the two arguing.
"You know I could care less if you two are plotting to rob someone?" the keeper shouted.
Amarant looked up.
"Mind your own business!" He shouted back. The inn keeper raised his shoulders and walked away from the counter towards the front door of the inn.
"Red seriously…what the hells gotten into ya? Seriously speak up! I'm honestly getting tired of this shit and I just wanna go back to mugging people and getting paid to ice people." Lani shook her head as Amarant stood before her.
"…"
"Well?"
Amarant turned his attention towards his old wanted posted crossed out with red paint and a giant "PARDON" written across it.
"…..The kid's in danger." He said.
Lani let out a laugh.
"Oh very funny…your worried she gonna get shanked or something?" She raised an eyebrow.
"…"
"….You serious? How the hells do you know about this?"
He looked back towards Lani.
"Does it matter? She's got a hit on her and its courtesy of our client."
"You're talking about the Wainwright family?"
"Yup."
"Why? And why do you even care if she gets shanked?"
"Cause only a coward puts it hit on a child for personal game, and I ain't about that."
Lani arched an eyebrow.
"And what does this have to do with us then? Is our client trying to rule the country of Alexandria all of a sudden? Didn't know you cared so much for politics all of a sudden."
Amarant turned his attention to Lani.
"I could say the same for you, remember our little deal with Queen Brahne at the time?" he pointed to Lani.
"Well that was cause the gil was good, you damn well know that, it ain't like Queen Garnet and Zidane aren't paying ya to look out for their kid are they?"
Amarant shook his head.
"So why help em?" Lani crossed her arms.
"It's the principle that's all."
Lani arched an eyebrow.
"You made a deal with the Queen? Didncha?"
"And if I did?"
"You're not saying no."
"…"
"I'm guessing in exchange for that pardon you would look out for her daughter huh? Am I right?"
Amarant sigh.
"Come on let's get going." He walked passed her making his way to the door leading out to the dock beneath them. Lani watched growing more irritated as she quickly followed along.
"RED! I'M RIGHT AM I!?" She yelled as she caught up following from behind.
"Keep your mouth shut! The whole damn city will hear you." He drudged.
"Red seriously! I'm not gonna hesitate walking out on this if you're just gonna be this fucking stubborn."
"Like last time?"
"Oh haha very funny."
"Or the time you helped out at Madain Sari when the mist was unleashed?"
"I just said I noticed something at the wall…wasn't like I was trying to lead them to something about the Queen's past." Lani shook her head as she and Amarant continued down the stairs.
"You didn't have to mention anything about it, but you did, didn't you?"
"Look I wasn't asking for anything in return for it…"
"That's a lie."
"Oh, really now!?" Lani picked up her axe from behind and landed it on the stairway and pointed towards Amarant.
"Fight me for the truth then!" She yelled as Amarant stopped at the bottom of the stairs just before the small dock. He sighed and shook his head.
"You're only wasting your breath." He said as he looked over his shoulder.
"Don't think I won't hesitate to use my axe against you!" She said as she gripped her axe tightly with her right hand.
"You had plenty of chances before and now. What makes this different?"
"…."
She stood forth glaring at his eyes, the partner in crime she once knew was not the same person after being let go of his former bodyguard duties after his first encounter with Zidane. Amarant glared back at Lani, seeing in her eyes she was not going to go through with her threat. Knowing part of her will to live was to do whatever it took to stay alive and not be a target in the life they are living now.
"Well?"
"….."
Lani shook her head and lifted her axe and placed it behind her back.
"Called your bluff, admit it you don't want a price on your head again duncha?"
Lani crossed her arms and looked out into the water seeing their reflection in the small waves corroding across the dock beneath them.
"It felt nice not having people come at ya…" she let out a sigh.
"And in exchange for you telling her about who she really was, she gave you a pardon also huh?"
Lani closed her eyes.
"…..She did…."
Amarant let out a sigh and continued his walk; Lani opened her eyes and followed along. The two approached a small boat at the end of the dock, they both boarded it as Amarant grabbed ahold of the oar on the rear of the boat with Lani standing near the front looking onward towards the canals beneath Treno. Amarant pushed the boat away from the deck and began rowing it.
"So…what's the scoop?" Lani asked.
"Supposedly rumor has it that there's a hit on the Princess and that the family is deeply connected with the palace." Amarant said as he continued rowing.
"Deeply connected? Like how deep we talkin here?" Lani looked over her shoulder.
"Deep enough to be next to the Queen herself."
"Like her…maids? Ministers? Soldiers? Who?"
Amarant raised his shoulders.
"Beats me but they're in deep…and if they're that deep there's only one person one can hire who would be willing go that far to kill for."
Lani turned her body towards Amarant.
"You're not seriously talking about…?"
Amarant nodded.
"He's the only one who would be willing to do it…but that's only if he is given the right information about it."
"What do you mean?"
"It's one thing to ask to put a hit out on your rivals, nobles, or even random person. But to put hit on a royalty, that means you're gonna have to cough up more gil to make a royalty disappear. He may have nothing to lose but if there's one thing I know of him, he likes to instill chaos with his target. Meaning the moment he founds out who he's targeting it's a good chance he'll be reaching out to them soon to get more information about who exactly he's going after now."
"So you're saying high chances this family told him it's just some random girl but the moment he finds out it's Princess Sarah…he's gonna reveal himself again soon?"
"Exactly."
Lani crossed her arms and looked out towards the canals; the darken waters with the lights of Treno above lighting the path ahead of them. She started to ponder what gain their client was trying to achieve by killing one of royalty. For power? For gil? One can only imagine not being able to be traced as the source of the assassination would be the means of covering their tracks carefully.
"So we're unofficially tasked with protecting the kid huh?" Lani spoke out loud.
"Bingo." Amarant responded.
"Sigh…whelp…guess it's time for some snooping then." She shook her head.
"We're here!" Eiko shouted proudly as Sarah and Rose looked around their surroundings.
"This is…Madain Sari?" Sarah glance around the remains of the village of lost summoners, the piles of rubble spread across the land, the remnants of homes torn apart, the massive Eidolon Wall still overlooking the entire village and the sounds of various water flowing through the village still coursing their path.
"Yup! This is my home! And your mother's also before she found herself in Alexandria. Hard to imagine what it musta looked like back then huh?" Eiko said as she looked around the village.
"Dear…goodness…it looks so sad to see…" Rose noted as she felt remorse for the entire sight before her eyes.
"I know it's not much but trust me, I was able to live here with my grandpa before he passed without any problem." Eiko looked over her shoulder towards the girls.
"Is…is it safe to be here?" Rose asked as looked towards Eiko.
"Yup! In fact…" Eiko looked towards the path before them and took one deep breath.
"I'M HOME!" she yelled out.
Sarah and Rose looked towards the summoner as they wondered about her cry…until
"KUPO!" A cry sounded in the distance.
"Huh?" Rose thought she misheard the response.
"KUPO! KUPO! KUPO!" The sounds echoed multiple across the area they stood; Sarah and Rose looked around then suddenly.
"KUPO!" A family of moogles popped out from various parts of the area they stood, surprising Sarah and Rose as the moogles flew towards them. In response to their chimes Zoe let out a gentle bark to the feathered critters as the family of six landed before the girls. One moogle took note of Zoe's presence and landed right next to her as the pet panted happily and started gently sniffing the moogle.
"KUPO KUPO! A DOGGIE!" The moogle said excited to see the pet, Zoe's tail began wagging as she continued sniffing the moogle. Everyone turned their attention to the two and smile.
"That's Zoe, my pet." Sarah said as the moogles watched their fellow moogle petting Zoe.
"I…I didn't know moogles lived here." Rose said in awe.
Eiko grinned.
"These guys have been with me since I was very young, they haven't left whatsoever, if anything they've been making sure to keep this place safe for anyone I bring here."
The moogles all echoed Kupo in unison as Sarah and Rose looked around seeing the moogles happy to have visitors to the area.
"Eiko, we thought you might've forgotten us kupo!" A moogle called out.
"We've made sure to make preparations for Sarah and Rose, kupo." Another moogle chimed in.
Eiko turned her attention towards the moogles and placed her hands at her hips.
"I would NEVER forget you guys; you know as well as I that I've been busy trying to convince father to let me finally bring Madain Sari back to its former glory…at least in some form of way without the airships involved…"
Sarah let out a soft chuckle.
"Did Uncle Cid really say he would include airships?" Sarah asked as Eiko rolled her eyes.
"All the time…he always says he wants to have them help with rebuilding this village, I'm like father not everything can be solved with airships…I want to do this my way and nothing else."
Rose glanced around the area; the ocean waves could be heard clearly with a hint of wind breezing through the village. She heard the stories of Madain Sari from Sarah in recent years when the Princess began learning more of her heritage. Part of her felt sorrow knowing Sarah's own mother once lived in the place before her, fleeing away from the adversary causing havoc on the world of Gaia.
"Miss Kupo?" A moogle waved before Rose. "Are you alright?"
Rose looked down towards the feathered critter being mildly distracted.
"Oh…dear me I apologize I was just…glancing around…I've…I've never thought such a place like this existed…" she commented.
Sarah looked towards her friend.
"Hmm neither did I…at least growing up I never would've imagined this village was still here…at least in some form of what…" Sarah looked over towards Eiko. "Cousin…do all of these moogles protect the village here also?"
The moogles all chimed kupo together.
"Yup! All of us do, kupo!" One moogle spoke out.
"We make sure nobody dares come through these parts kupo!" Another moogle said.
"We even make sure the beast that still crawl around don't tread here kupo." Another moogle spoke.
Eiko grinned.
"These moogles are fearless! They only know that our friends and I can venture through here. But enough chit chat, come on! Let me show you where we'll be staying…I know it's not gonna be as cozy at the palace but at least my house has the guest room prepped for visitors." Eiko beckoned.
"Hmm! I am quite tired from all the walking." Sarah said as she stretched her arms and her tail straighten itself upward. A moogle spotted Sarah's tail and made quick note of it.
"Kupo? You have a tail!?" The moogle asked as Sarah looked to her lower left spotting the curious moogle.
"I do, why do you know someone else who has one like me?" she smiled.
"Kupo kupo! I remember Eiko traveled with someone long ago who had a tail too! Right Eiko?" The moogle looked towards the summoner as she grinned with delight.
"I sure did and now you've met his daughter."
The moogles all gasped in awe and started studying Sarah, Rose let out a silent gasp as she observed the moogles flocking around Sarah like a pet in a shelter. They were studied her anatomy and her mother's cloak.
"Your Zidane's daughter?" One moogle asked.
"Yup! And wanna know the best part?" She said while looking around the moogles.
"What's that kupo?" One moogle asked.
"The woman whom traveled with him, in the orange jumpsuit? Well…" Sarah grabbed part of her white robe and flung it off her revealing her mother's jumpsuit, they all gasped in awe by her ensemble and were speechless.
"She was my mother, and this is that same jumpsuit she wore." Sarah proudly spoke as she held her robe in her arms.
The moogles cheered with delight, Eiko and Rose watched the moogles asking many questions to Sarah. Rose walked around the moogles with Zoe following her, she stood by Eiko while continuing to watch the group.
"Are…the moogles here that…surprised about Sarah?" Rose asked.
"To be fairly honest, I've told them many stories about Sarah before we came but I never told them that she was Zidane and Dagger's daughter." Eiko replied as she looked towards Rose.
"Oh…I see…uhm…do they travel a lot also?"
"Only if they need to get supplies, they never really once stepped off the continent, I mainly asked that they stay here to make sure this place doesn't get destroyed by any unwelcomed visitors.
"Oh…I see…"
"Is something wrong?"
Rose let out a silent gasped and looked towards Eiko.
"Oh…no no…I'm just a bit…tired that's all…"
Eiko arched an eyebrow.
"Are you sure?"
Rose shook her head.
"I'm certain…I'm just feeling worn out from the walk…that's all…" Rose held her hands together and looking back at Sarah and the moogles.
"Hmmm hey everyone let's take them to their guest room!" Eiko called out.
The moogles all looked up towards Eiko.
"Okay Kupo!" They all said together.
Sarah let out a soft laugh and looked at Eiko and Rose.
"They're so cute hehe. I hope we don't overwork them with our presence cousin." Sarah said as Eiko shook her head.
"Nah! They love when I bring company over…come on! Let's head over to my home!" Eiko turned around and led the group.
As they walked through the pathway and plaza of Madain Sarah, Sarah and Rose continuously looked around their surroundings, Sarah was in awe how much of the village still stood. From the various torn homes and walkways, some structures she spotted there was wonder if it was a local shop or a restaurant, so much rubble surrounding the whole group. Eiko and the moogles already accustomed to the place they call home, was more so an eye-opening experience for the Princess.
There was never a time where she traversed through many villages and kingdoms and wondered what wars terrorized them, the reconstruction of every kingdom were rebuilt to their former glory, her own home never going through another terrifying experience of its past. The accounts she heard from her parents and people painted the images of what was once her home, the princess glanced around imaging her home once like Madain Sari. Why was Madain Sari the only village that never sought for being rebuilt? Were there truly no others like Eiko left of the summoning tribe?
The sounds of the fountain in the plaza caught Sarah's attention as they were passing through, she stopped as Rose followed suit.
"Is…is something wrong Sarah?" Her friend asked as the Princess stared at the plaza's fountain with much interest. Eiko, the moogles, and Zoe all stopped as they looked over towards the Princess.
"Cousin? Something catch your attention?" Eiko waved her hand.
Sarah walked around the fountain, impressed its foundation still standing with a large chunk of stones and ceramics missing on one side.
"I remember mother's story so well…I'm…in awe this is still standing and…with running water also." She said as she walked around the fountain, she reached inside the fountain feeling the cold water passing through her hand with ease.
"It's always been a mystery to us kupo." A moogle spoke out.
"Some things around here are either rubble or barely standing, some homes around here finally collapse after years of no one tending to them kupo." Another moogle spoke out.
"Oh goodness…that sounds horrible." Sarah said as she pulled her hand back. "Can I ask you all something?"
"What is it?" Eiko gently crossed her arms.
"How long has it been since…anyone has ever stepped through here? Besides you of course cousin." Sarah asked as she walked around the fountain.
"Hmmm…realistically nobody has really come through here…maybe ever since I moved. Least that's what I recall." Eiko said as she watched Sarah looking around the remains of the village.
"Only the moogles come out to these parts but we've not seen anyone else come here at all kupo." A moogle said.
"Hmm…not even mother?" Sarah asked.
Eiko found herself stumped at the idea of Garnet coming back on her own accord from time to time.
"Hmm…not since after I moved to Lindblum…she only came once more to learn about her heritage on the Eidolon Wall but that was it…I always thought she wanted to move on." Eiko said.
"Hmm…perhaps maybe coming back here would've hurt her emotions moreso…I…I can understand why." Sarah said as look looked to the group.
"Sarah…are…are you alright?" Rose asked as Sarah looked to her friend.
"I am…maybe just…a bit overwhelmed seeing all of this…in person…" Sarah looked to the ground. Seeing the dust gently blowing passed her red boots, the remains of cobblestone surrounding her and the water running beside her it began to make her think about the horrors her mother went through.
"Mother…she…she must've been…so hurt losing her home…" Sarah closed her eyes.
Rose let out a small gasp as she noticed her friend's woes sinking in. Never once facing the hardships her friend's family went through, she placed a hand on her friend's back giving reassurance to her.
"Sa…Sarah…I'm sure your…mother thinks…you're strong to pull through being here…" she said as Zoe let out a small whimper and brushed herself against Sarah's legs.
"Nobody said it was going to be easy being here but…I know for a fact that you have your reasons for coming here and we're gonna help you get through all of this. I know it's hard to be at the place that brought sorrow to your mother but…I know being here is going to help you understand everything about your family's history." Eiko said as she uncrossed her arms and walked beside Sarah.
"I…I understand…I jus…I didn't think this was much more than I had thought…these…feelings inside of me…it feels…surreal." Sarah said as she opened her eyes and looked between Eiko and Rose. "I can't explain it…it's jus…such a feeling I've never felt before.
"Probably because hearing it is one thing but being in the actual spot it really opens up your eyes." Eiko said. "Here look over there." Eiko turned around and pointed out to a large, towering wall as Sarah and Rose turned and looked along.
"That's the Eidolon Wall, it has many stories told there about everything that has happened here…even after the Invincible destroyed this place. Those who remained still wrote on that wall til the very end to make sure whoever comes through here knows the story of our people." Eiko said as she lowered her hand.
"And…that was when mother found out who she really was?" Sarah asked. Eiko nodded.
"Yup I'll take you inside there when I feel you're ready."
"Re…ready?" Sarah looked at her cousin.
"Yup! We have lots to cover before I can take you inside, I promised you I was gonna give you the whole works when we get here and I'm not going to hold back. If you change your mind, I won't hold it against ya but once you take this path Sarah, there is no going back. I promised you I will help you understand who you are and where you come from, and I will keep my promise to provide the knowledge you need to know about yourself." Eiko smiled.
"Sa…Sarah.." Rose stuttered as Sarah looked towards her.
"Hmm? What is it Rose?"
Rose found herself pressing her index fingers together beneath her as she looked at them.
"I…I too want you to know that…I want you to get…all the support from me to help you understand…who you are as well…I…I may not know much about this place…but…whatever I may be able to provide…I will do so for you…"
Sarah blinked a few times, she tilted her head and let out a smile.
"I'm grateful for your words Rose." Sarah placed her hand on Rose's shoulder. "It means so much hearing that from you."
Rose looked up to her friend.
"I only want you to gain the knowledge you seek here…and I will help out in any ways possible."
"And me as well! In fact, all of us are here for you Sarah. Right guys?" Eiko said as all the moogles cheered and cried out kupo together.
"You can count on us kupo!" a moogle said.
"We're here to help you kupo!" Another moogle called out.
Sarah looked at around and smiled.
"Thank you…all of you…and…cousin…I wish to continue forth…I am ready." The princess looked at her cousin who smiled back.
"Alrighty! Let's head to my place and get you guys settled in. How bout it?"
Sarah nodded.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea." Sarah smiled.
The group continued forth from the plaza, following a pathway were the sound of a river could be heard. Sarah continued her curious glances of the village. The skies above the group was filled with an array of cloud formations and golden orange colors that seemed to fit the atmosphere it the princess' mind. She ignored the small chatter between Eiko and the Moogles discussing the dinner plans, she was too distracted by the sight around her. A place she had heard in stories of many, in books, from scholars, from Eiko, and her own parents.
"Alright here we are!" Eiko called out as the distracted princess looked towards her cousin. The group stood near roped off ledge leading to a small hut like strut still standing on its own. Sarah and Rose looked at the structure as their guides stood before it.
"Is this...your home?" Rose asked as she curiously observed the structure.
"Yup!" It's not much but it'll do you guys good! My room is downstairs, but I made it into a make shift guest room for everyone." Eiko said as she crossed her arms. "You'll just have to go through the dining and kitchen area cause it's downstairs."
"Downstairs? Wow seems kinda different from home." Sarah said as she looked towards the roped off ledge. "What's down beneath us?
"That would be the river kupo!" A moogle replied.
"A river?" Sarah walked towards ledge as she looked down seeing a review floating towards the ocean ahead, she was awestruck by the view the sunset's reflection dazzled her mind. "This is gorgeous…it's almost like a painting come to life."
Rose stood beside her friend while being trailed by their furry companion sniffing the ledge.
"Goodness…it's…it is beautiful." Rose complimented.
Eiko let out a smile.
"Despite all the horrible things that took place here, Madain Sari does have its small charms. When I was growing up grandpa always told me that we should value what was left of this place because no matter what happens to us, this will always be our home."
Sarah nodded.
"I…I can understand that…" She looked down to Zoe still sniffing the edge. "Zoe be careful, don't go too far now." She cautioned her pet.
"I wouldn't worry kupo!" A moogle said.
Sarah looked over to the moogle.
"Hmmm? Why is that?" Sarah asked.
"Dogs are very smart when it comes to learning their environment, I think she's just getting to know the area to know where she can go kupo."
"Oh, I always knew Zoe was smart, but I don't believe that was something I recall learning about it."
Zoe walked back towards while looking up towards Sarah, tail wagging happily and sitting before her.
"Do you like the view?" Sarah kneeled and started brushing her pet's furred back. Zoe let out a happy pant as she enjoyed Sarah's hands brushing against her back.
"Is Zoe adventurous?" the moogle walked over as it put its hands on Zoe's head.
"Hmm I would like to think she is; she loves roaming around my home whenever we're out for walks."
"She also enjoys laying in…my flower beds also…" Rose chimed in as Sarah looked over to her friend.
"Who wouldn't? They're so beautiful and relaxing too…at least she doesn't destroy them like…she use to." Sarah hesitantly laughed.
"You make flower beds kupo?" The moogle looked up towards Rose who looked back towards it.
"Hmmm many back home, I've always bringing them to life." Rose said.
"Kupo! We could use some of that around here…it's mostly just dust around here." The moogle shrugged.
Rose looked around the vicinity spotting from what she could see before her no signs of plant life whatsoever in the village. She felt heartbroken inside, it wasn't a sight she had ever experienced, the idea of a village voided of plant life that helps bring life to the village is unheard of to the young woman.
"How…how awful…" Rose sighed.
Sarah stood up and gently wrapped an arm around Rose's hip catching her off guard.
"Hey y'know what would be nice? Maybe cousin Eiko wouldn't mind you sprucing up the area with your handy work." Sarah winked. Rose shook her.
"I…I don't wish to be…a burden…" Rose looked away.
"Rose I don't wish for you to be bored during my lessons with cousin Eiko."
"I don't think Eiko would mind kupo." The moogle assured.
"That definitely sounds like a great idea actually!" Eiko said as she came out from her home.
Rose and Sarah looked towards Eiko as she stopped before them with a smile.
"Rose do you really think I'm gonna let you sit around doing nothing while me and Sarah are studying? Come on now! I know you have an itch to get your hands moving around here."
Zoe let out a gentle bark.
"Even Zoe agrees too!" Eiko grinned as Sarah let out a soft chuckle.
Rose found herself burying her head into her collar of her jacket feeling a bit shy in the moment.
"I…I…"
"Rose…please? It would mean a lot to me if you could help us bringing life back to Madain Sari."
Rose looked towards Sarah, with her hopeful blue eyes gazing at her. Deep inside Rose knew it was Sarah's wishes for her to partake in bringing life back into Madain Sari. Despite never partaking in any committees that revolved around the fate of Madain Sari, whether political or in good spirits, Rose kept herself away from that world not knowing if it would, in part, gain her approval from her parents. Despite their own wishes for Rose to live the way she wanted to live for, it suddenly sparked an interest; Rose's eyes looked over the railing seeing the waterfall and baron village. Mixture of dull colors that revealed the lifelessness of the village, she let out a sigh.
"I…I…"
Sarah's arm gently gripped her friend's hip as Rose looked to her.
"I…I shall…" she agreed.
"Good!" Eiko said nodding her head. "This place could use a new lease on life now!" Sarah sighed with relief and smiled.
"I'm happy to hear Rose." Sarah released her hold on her friend and held her hands together and gently bowed to her, surprising Rose.
"Huh? But…why…why are you?" Her confusion made Sarah let out a sincere chuckle.
"Because I am honored to have you decorate my family's home, our true birth home." Sarah smiled.
Rose blinked a few times with disbelief. The idea of Madain Sari being her friend's true home was without merit. She could see Sarah has embraced her heritage, despite stepping in its territory for the first time it.
"Even though…I decorated the palace? Back in Alexandria?"
Sarah nodded.
"It was merely a preview of more to come with your expertise Rose."
"Kupo! Then I shall let the moogles know we're finally greening up this place!" The excited moogle jumped for joy.
"I think this calls for a celebration feast! What do you guys say?" Eiko said as everyone looked to her and nodded.
"Dinner sounds like a wonderful idea!" Sarah agreed.
"Wow! Dinner was wonderful cousin! Thank you and all the moogles for cooking for us." Sarah stretched her arms.
"Anytime! This was the same dish I gave your parents and everyone who first came here, it's sorta like an unofficial tradition to serve around here." Eiko smiled as she picked up Rose's dish from the table.
"It certainly is delicious; I never knew the moogles were skilled cooks." Rose complimented.
"Hehe! They got that from me!" Eiko smirked.
"KUPO!" A moogle chirped angrily as Eiko looked over to the arm crossed moogle standing in the doorway leading to the kitchen.
"What!? Okay fine so Quina had some influence also." Eiko huffed as Sarah and Rose chuckled.
"I mean papa and mother did tell me about Quina helping a little too. Oh and thank you for feeding Zoe too, she loved her meal." Sarah looked towards Zoe laying on the floor, looking up to her tail wagging and panting.
"Ohh you're a good girl!" Sarah gently caressed her pet's forehead with her hand. "You were well behaved tonight too!" Sarah smiled.
"I never knew dogs were ones to also eat fish too." Rose said as she watched Sarah and Zoe.
"Well luckily the fish we caught is one she can eat…there are some fish dogs can't eat and I made sure the one we had tonight was good for everyone to eat, otherwise I do have plenty of meat to go around for her hehe." Eiko smiled as she made her way to the kitchen, the moogle moved out of the summoner's way and trotted around the table watching Sarah and Zoe.
"Kupo. How old is your dog?" the curious moogle asked.
Sarah looked up to the moogle.
"She's maybe about four years old, my papa and I found her roaming Alexandria all by herself…I thought she was a lost puppy when we first found her but when I got older, I found out her mother passed away." Sarah said.
"Oh…I'm so sorry to hear that kupo…she musta been scared."
Sarah nodded.
"She was…though at that time I didn't know any better since I was only twelve years old. Papa however noticed in the in the alley where we found Zoe her mother's body lifeless. I remember he asked me to keep an eye out on the puppy while he went to inspect her. When he came back, he said to me that there were no traces of any collar nearby. Least for me at the time I took his words at truth, when I was fourteen, he then revealed to me what really happened that day, her mother wasn't breathing and he noticed a wound across her chest as if she was defending herself, if he had to venture a guess someone was trying to kidnap her and Zoe. The wound was deep, and Zoe must've been frightened and was calling for help. The collar he did find however barely had any writing on it, there was no telling whom they belonged too. We took her back to the palace, papa and mother decided to post some signage around Alexandria hoping someone would claim Zoe. After a month or so nobody claimed her…I was a bit saddened at first because I never was one to ask my parents if we could ever have a pet of our own since I know they're a bit occupied…but when Zoe came home with us…she was full of joy and energy that we found ourselves more attached to her."
The moogle let out a whimpering kupo as it looked at Zoe feeling appreciated.
"It sounds like she had quite a life changing experience after meeting you kupo." The moogle said as it laid its hands on the pet's back and gently massaged it.
"Hmmm. Mother found herself attached to her as well, she never had any pets growing up and neither did papa. It was as if fate meant for us to be together…as if Zoe lost her home and she found herself with us as well."
The moogle looked up toward's Sarah.
"Your family lost your home kupo?"
Sarah paused her hand stopped right above Zoe's nose as the dog began gently licking the soft skinned princess. Her eye lids slowly felt heavy as her eyes drifted their attention looking passed Zoe. She was reminded of her parent's losing their home despite being in the ruins of her mother's home while Terra was destroyed by her uncle.
"In…hinds sight we did…though for myself…I never really…lost my home…" Sarah said slowly as Eiko and Rose noticed Sarah slumping in her seat slightly.
"Are you alright?" Rose asked as she placed a hand on Sarah's shoulder.
Sarah shook her head.
"….It…it just dawned upon me that…I'm the only one in my family who…truly never lost…her home…"
Eiko let out a silent gasp and placed the plates she was holding on the table and walked beside Sarah, noticing her cousin looking towards the window to the remains of Madain Sari.
"Hey, relax Sarah, don't be guilty by the fact your parents had a rougher upbringing than you have. These things happen for a reason…I'm sure they wouldn't want you to feel as if your life is better than theirs." Eiko assured as Rose agreed.
"I…I know Her Majesty and your father…mean well to you when it comes to your…upbringing. I'm sure they only wanted you to savor the life you have since…they never had a normal life as yours."
Sarah shook her head.
"I understand…it's just…I feel as if I'm stirring a deeper pot back home…as in…I'm taking advantage of their kindness for assuring my life is not in turmoil as theirs was.
Eiko felt a nerve pinch in her chest, in actuality Sarah was not wrong of the thought to an extent.
"Eiko?"
"What's up Dagger? Is everything okay?"
"….No quite…"
"Are you nervous about Sarah leaving Alexandria?"
"….No actually…I'm more worried about the nobles from Treno."
"Great now what do they want? Her head on a pike? Are they ever going to let that incident go? For fucks sake it's been months and they're still but hurt about it?"
"…."
"I'm sorry but if they want Sarah they're gonna have to go through all of us to get to her!"
Garnet shook her head.
"Eiko…I'm just worried if they find out where she is that they may use it against her…"
"So what? Just cause we told a little white lie doesn't mean we're trying to hide her, she's going to study abroad and it was her own decision to do this! Do I have to write this in giant letters on a poster that says SARAH IS GONE, DEAL WITH IT or something out there? Cause I will fly my happy ass over to Treno and do it in a heartbeat!"
The idea made Garnet let out a hesitant yet happy chuckle.
"Eiko…such language…" Garnet said gingerly.
"Dagger I'm not that little six-year-old from a long time ago. I've adapted to my newfound life and willing to do anything I can to make sure you, Zidane, and Sarah get the best treatment and support from me. I know how much this journey means to Sarah; I don't want her to feel we're not taking her curiosity seriously."
"Hmm…you're quite right about that…I…I would be lying to you and to myself that I do miss those days when she was a mere child…"
"I know you do…but trust me where she is now is in part thanks to you, you raised her to who she is today. So what if those stupid ass nobles in Treno don't like her. So what if that asshole of a boy who had the audacity to poke at her that way. He deserved to get handed down by her. I would pay top gil to see it all over again."
Garnet began laughing more.
"Eiko…such words." The Queen laughed.
"Look I get it…your worried about the whole family wanting to take her to court and all that jazz but she has more important things to worry about. Besides Daguerreo is a neutral state and does not disclose anything about anyone whose there presently. So if anyone tries to snoop around they're gonna get a nice surprise the moment try asking where Sarah is."
"Are…are you certain of that? I've not gone in a while…I'm not fully comprehensive about the state of affairs between us and Daguerreo."
Eiko waved a hand in the air.
"I made absolutely sure to cover our scheme as tight as a chocobo's beak. No scholar there will spill the beans to anyone unless they see me or you there."
"Hmm…"
"Don't worry Dagger, we made sure to cover every base to make sure Sarah is safe. I doubt anyone would ever consider even thinking of looking for her in Madain Sari of all places. The Winston family wouldn't even know she was there if there was a giant arrow pointing her way."
"Hmm…I just…I've not dealt with a matter like this before…I understand there is much at stake here…yet…"
Eiko leaned forward closer towards Garnet from her seat at the dining table they were sitting at inside the dining hall of the palace.
"When they wished to put my daughter through trial…I couldn't bear to see her undergo such horrific experience…"
Eiko shook her head.
"I'm most than confident she can take care of herself."
Garnet looked towards Eiko with a confused look.
"You believe so?"
"I know so! Sarah is much smarter than the average genome…HEHE!"
Garnet couldn't help herself to let out a chuckle.
"Eiko must you tease poor Zidane?"
Eiko smirked.
"Calling it like I see it but it's true…she's smart and has both of your guys' personalities to the tiniest little detail. I know someday she is going to ask you both about all of this, so I hope you and Zidane are prepared to tell her the truth about the family wanting to take her to court for gods forbid hitting their stupid ass son."
"Hmm…"
"I know it's a sucky thing to deal with, but Sarah needs to know sooner than later."
"I understand…and I thank you for your truthful words." Garnet smiled. "May I ask for a request while you are with my daughter?"
"Of course!"
"….Please…please don't tell her any of this…I don't wish to cause anymore burden on her than she already has."
Eiko nodded.
"That's an easy request because I'm not gonna tell her anything…that's you and Zidane's job to do."
Garnet smiled.
"Then I shall promise you that when Sarah returns…I will tell her everything she needs to know."
Eiko smiled.
"Good!"
Eiko wrapped an arm around Sarah's shoulder as the princess looked to her.
"Sarah, I can promise you this, your parents trust you enough to venture out here knowing there is something you are seeking an answer to. If you lose focus on that well, I can say that you will probably regret not keeping your attention at the prize at the end of the path ahead of you. This is your chance to take advantage of your travels here, your lessons your about to go through and most of all being away from all that political shit back home."
Sarah let out a chuckle as she smiled.
"Cousin, language!" she teased as she playfully slapped her cousin's check as they both shared a laugh together.
"That's the spirit cousin!" Eiko grinned while Rose let out a smile.
"Sarah…I'm happy to see you're feeling a little better now." Rose said as Sarah looked to her.
"Me too…I feel a little better now knowing you two are here."
Zoe let out a bark.
"And you too of course Zoe!" Sarah looked to her pet.
"Kupo!" The moogle cheered happily.
"It's getting pretty late, I'm sure you two must be getting tired." Eiko said as she took her arm off Sarah's shoulders.
"I didn't realize we were talking for so long during dinner." Sarah said as she noticed through the window the night had taken the skies with the stars lit up. "I guess all that talk about home and our summers memories certainly made time fly."
Rose looked through the window seeing the night skies lit by the many stars above.
"Goodness I can see many stars above, almost…more than home." Rose said as she walked to the window.
"Yup! Since it's only us and the moogles here, we don't have light pollution here, in fact why don't you two go outside real quick and take a look while I clean up here." Eiko suggested as Sarah and Rose looked at Eiko.
"Are you sure you don't need help?" Sarah asked as Eiko waved a hand towards her.
"Nah! I got this! Go outside and enjoy the stars." Eiko smiled.
"Hmm! Come on Rose, let's go outside." Sarah said looking towards Rose as her friend nodded. "You too Zoe." She looked towards Zoe. Zoe let out a gentle bark.
Sarah, Rose, & Zoe walked out of the dining room into the starlit night above Madain Sari, the three stood near the railed edge as they kept their attention to the stars above. The endless sight of bright and glittering effects sprawled as wide as the eye could see. It was as if they were seeing rivers crossing one another in the sky, the sight was delighting the star gazers. Sarah decided to sit on the ground as Zoe curled next to her looking up with her as Rose watched.
"Is everything alright? Are you tired?" Rose asked.
Sarah shook her head.
"Just enjoying the sight…wanna sit with us?" Sarah asked.
"Oh…on the ground?" Rose asked as Sarah let out a soft chuckle.
"Of course…I wanna savor the first night here…it's very different from home."
"Hmm…" Rose nodded and carefully sat herself beside Sarah and looked up into the sky.
"Rose…can…can I ask you something?" Sarah said as she kept her attention to the stars.
"Hmm? Wha…what is it?" Rose looked to her friend. Sarah took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"Do…do you ever wonder if…you ever feel you're a burden to anyone?"
Rose slowly blinked a few times as she looked up into the stars. It wasn't the first time she had wondered but more so feeling she was to her own parents. The times she had wondered if her lackluster abilities to helm her own rapier was considered a burden, her inability to maintain her posture during practices, not being able to stand up for herself, or even not being as strong as her own mother.
"I…" Rose slowly turned her attention to her friend. "I…sometimes…feel I am…at least to my mother…" Rose raised her knees and wrapped her arms around them.
"How did it made you feel?"
"Well…" Rose paused; she was confused by her friend's question but wondered why such a question sparked. "I…felt…very scared…that it would make me feel weaker…"
Sarah looked to her friend.
"Weaker? Why?"
Rose closed her eyes.
"I'm…I'm not so sure how to explain it. I just felt…as if I couldn't find the strength to…better myself I guess…"
"Hmm…is it part of the reason why you decided to come along?"
Rose opened her eyes as she could see her friend's blue eyes glancing at her with the reflection of the stars above them.
"I…I think so…"
"What are you trying to prove?" Sarah let out a sincere smile that made Rose feel relaxed despite her mind thinking there's some sort of harsh reasoning for such questions being asked.
"I think…maybe after all these years I've…I've realized maybe I've been…lying to myself…thinking that my…my thoughts and what I wish to do with my life…has no meaning to those around us…that I've been assuming that…I'm only supposed to be your…protector…to someday be remembered just as mother and father are…and…as strong as mother…"
Sarah raised her knees up as she wrapped her arms around them and laid her head against them while keeping her eyes on her friend.
"I…I felt as if…wanting to come here with you would maybe give me…give me just a glimmer of hope that…I could…walk away from being a burden to everyone around me…I don't want to just be something I'm not…I want to show mother and father that…I don't wish to be their burden since I know they wish for me to live my life the way I wish for it to be."
Sarah smiled.
"I'm glad to hear all of that Rose."
Rose let out a relieving sigh.
"Is…is it alright for me to feel this way?"
Sarah nodded.
"Of course it is, I've known you for so long that I can tell that you weren't really happy with your life after you starting lessons about helming swords and literature about our military."
Rose shook her head in disbelief.
"You…you did?"
Sarah nodded.
"I can remember it as clear as day…you were looking so heartbroken that all the lessons you use to take that made you happy, suddenly you were becoming so numb and so exhausted by the end of the day that we couldn't spend time with each other like we use to. You started bearing the burden of pretending to be your mother. To which…I can only imagine how much pain you must've been in."
Rose nodded.
"Hmm…may I ask…why do you ask?"
Sarah raised her head off her knees and looked up to the sky.
"I sometimes wonder what feelings one would have when they feel they are a burden to others…I often wonder at times if I am naïve to it…"
Rose shook her head in disbelief.
"But…Sarah why would you feel that why?"
Sarah gazed at the endless stars above the two…she let out a sigh.
"I am the first child of two different races that were victims of genocide to almost near extinction. Knowing that firsthand I can only imagine my parents doing everything they could to make sure I didn't have to suffer the same lives they both went through, must've been such a burden on them that I was not aware of it…until now of course. Even my own mother fearing the worst of me during my early childhood years…I've wondered if my birth was a burden to her the most knowing all of this…"
"Hmm…" Rose looked to her friend curious' eyes gazing to the world above them, she began remembering every moment of their childhood from Garnet's tumultuous acts. Despite being young Sarah's awareness was considered highly well-nourished but comes to a surprise to Rose hearing her friend speak of her naivety. It was very rare for Sarah to open up her inner most feelings about the world around her to those close to her.
"There doesn't come a time where I think of these thoughts and wonder what I can do to not be this way to those around me." Sarah looked to her friend. "I wouldn't wish to be a burden to you especially…"
"But…you're not…" Rose said.
"Hmm…I…I would be lying if I never told you this but…"
Zoe perked her head up with her ears raised in the air and looked up towards Sarah. Rose tilted her head slightly in curious of her friend's words.
"When we were growing up…I…I always worried that there would come a day were I would do something awful towards you that would make you not wish to be around me anymore…."
Rose gasped; it was not like Sarah to speak of such words to her yet at the same time the amount of stress her friend must hold on her shoulders did at times make her wonder how Sarah felt inside. The idea of her friend since birth was worried her actions would make Rose to never want to be around her anymore wasn't ever something that crossed her own mind. In fact, it was in Rose's mind the other way around with herself not being strong enough to protect her own friend. In wonders if that would cause their friendship to demise.
"You…you were afraid I would…leave you? But…but why?"
Sarah closed her eyes.
"Because…of all the many responsibilities I would have to undertake the day I am fully crowned as the Princess of Alexandria…I know many people already call me that now but…I know that would mean less time together and…well…in part I knew you would push yourself harder to be my knight…to be as strong as your mother. And…for failing to protect when we were attacked after arriving on this continent. I thought that would've made you think differently of me. As I mentioned before…I want you to be my friend…not my guardian…I would wish for you to be at my side til the very end…"
Sarah opened her eyes and looked to her friend's eyes reflecting the stars above them with a small whimper sound heard beside her. The two friends looked down towards Zoe with her sorrow like eyes looking up to them.
"It…sounds like Zoe doesn't want you to feel worrisome of your…your…fear of being a burden to me…" Rose said.
Zoe raised herself from the ground and placed herself between Sarah and Rose as the two watch, she laid on the ground as the two placed their hands on the dog's head.
"Sarah…"
"….What is it Rose?" Sarah looked up to her friend.
"I…I don't wish for you to ever…fear that I would leave you…I…I would feel empty without you…" she said as Sarah smiled.
"I wouldn't wish for it any other way Rose…" Sarah gently grabbed her friend's hand, gently holding it in her own.
"I'm glad to hear that, Sarah." The two smiled as they looked up into the skies together.
"I'm…I'm sorry for bringing all of this up to you Rose…I just…I just wanted to be honest with you…"
Rose shook her head.
"Sarah…I…I applaud you for…being honest with me…as I always looked up to you for giving me a glimmer of hope to…be as strong as you also.
Sarah smiled.
"Rose…may I ask you to promise me something?"
"…What do…do you wish for me to promise you?'
Sarah took a deep breath.
"I want you to promise me that…no matter what happens to me, that you will always look out for me no matter what is happening around us, that you will save me from harm's way."
Rose closed her eyes for a moment, this promise she was asked to make made her wonder if her friend wants the assurance of knowing her closest friend and ally will always be there for there as they have been since their births. As they grew up, they saw the changes in each other and knew the future before them is unknown and where it goes they will face together. Rose gently yet firmly grasped her friend's hand and opened her eyes.
"I promise Sarah…I promise…" she said.
"Mother…I made it to Madain Sari. The stories you've told me about your home, I am now in its presence. The venture we went through to get here was not easy, I can imagine what you went through from the stories you've told. Yet…I'm not sure if I should tell you about what we went through to make it this far.
I failed to protect Rose when she was harmed…
I hope I didn't burden her with my failure of keeping her safe…
I caused all of us harm for my lack of awareness…
I hope you and papa won't be upset for my failures…
I now see in part what your experiences have taught me from your stories, they were more than just stories, they were lessons, lessons of what the world really is out there. Our world is more than just the walls of the palace, the world is full of many people who may be at my side and there are those who may wish harm upon me.
Deep in my heart, I know I have your support as well as those close to me who wish for me to be successful in this journey, I only hope you and papa are not burdened by my absence while I helm these lessons cousin Eiko will be teaching me. I know you were not given this opportunity like I have but I promise you that these lessons I am about to receive will not only help me understand who I am but understand where we have come from and how I will use them to create hope for those who wonder if they are alone and to know that we can find the comfort we seek to understand ourselves.
I am grateful for this chance to understand myself.
Without you and papa's guidance, I would not be here.
Without the support of my friends and comfort of the people who know of this journey, I would not be here.
My journey here, is simply just the beginning…