Chapter 1: Damcyan
Chapter Text
There was nothing in the desert.
Edward Chris of Baron, the first of his name, had dreams. Dreams that his father, Odin the Third of Baron, did not share. “You are the prince,” Odin had told him. “You are my prince. You are our prince. And you will, you will, start behaving like it.”
“I never asked to be the prince!” Edward spat back. “I am a person first, and I see no reason for me to follow in your footsteps as a soldier. I have neither the strength nor the constitution for it!”
“That is simply because you refuse to train!” Odin barked back. “You have no choice anymore, Edward. You will obey me, or you will leave.”
“That is a choice,” Edward replied in a ragged voice, “and I choose to leave.”
With that, Edward turned on his heel and stalked away, leaving the King of Baron spluttering and gasping in impotent rage. “You will regret this!” he roared. “You will be back, just as soon as you discover the world as unkind as I’ve told you!”
Edward shut Odin out, and kept walking. One step in front of the other. He made his way to the chocobo woods, and then, once he’d enticed a chocobo to him, rode to Mist Cave. It was the only place he could go from there, without an airship; Troia would’ve taken him in. They could always use men trained in the arts. But the mountain range was too steep for him to navigate. It had to be Mist.
He was greeted with open arms, especially when he told them that he was a runaway now. And he spent a week there, trying to fit in. But there was something different about the people of Mist, and he quickly moved on, much to the elder’s chagrin. “There’s nothing beyond the pass but desert,” he protested. “You can reach Fabul from there, but getting there will be a problem. You’re more likely to die of exposure before you get there!”
“And Fabul is as much a military state as Baron,” the elder’s wife pointed out.
“I needn’t stay in Fabul,” Edward told them softly. “I can catch a ship from there to Mysidia.”
“If you don’t fit in here,” the elder said with a critical eye, “you’re less likely to fit in at Mysidia. You have a talent for magic, son, but it’s unlike any magic we’ve ever seen.”
“Perhaps I could teach them my magic, then,” Edward said with a shrug. “And perhaps, if I don’t fit in anywhere else, I should make my own home.”
Baron’s heir left the next day, early, so that his hosts didn’t feel the need to attempt to stop him. He sang as he walked, his spirits high.
And then he reached the desert, and discovered that they had been right. There was nothing there. Nothing but a small village around an oasis. He entered the oasis village just as the sun and heat were beginning to get to him, and friendly hands pulled him into a building of clay, the interior far cooler than the blazing heat outside.
Much to his surprise, the first thing his benefactors did was to summon a white mage, who examined him closely, closer than he was comfortable with. He let her, though, and his breath caught in his throat as she looked up at him after her examination, blue eyes shining with relief. “You’re very lucky, traveler,” she said, her voice low and musical. “It was almost too late for you.”
“What do you mean?” Edward could hardly get the words out.
The mage stood and went to a sink, washing her hands. “The desert makes people ill,” she told him. “Those without the constitution to withstand the heat succumb to a fever that makes them increasingly more delirious, until it cooks them from the inside out.” She turned back to see him blanche, and smiled. “You needn’t worry. You’re safe now.”
“I… thank you. I was warned that the desert was dangerous, but this…”
The mage’s smile grew. “Many who seek Fabul beyond Mount Hobbs discover their mortality in this desert, unfortunately. The heat finishes off all who the antlions do not consume.”
“Antlions?” Edward perked at the mention of the beasts. “We have a technique in Baron for using the waste the antlions shed when they lay their eggs to heal various ailments. We call them sand pearls.”
“Using the waste?” The white mage’s interest was piqued. “I would love to hear more about this technique, but you should rest now. It was a close call for you, sir.”
Edward nodded, and settled back in the bed. “Before you go, may I ask your name?” he said, hopeful and eager.
She’d reached the door by then, and looked over her shoulder at him. “I am Fiona,” she answered with a soft smile. “And you?”
“Edward.”
Surprise flickered across her face for a moment. It quickly smoothed out, and she nodded. “A good, strong name. Rest well, Edward. I’ll be back in the morning to check on you.”
Edward slept peacefully through the night, and waited patiently through the morning for Fiona to return. She never did.
The wayward prince ventured from the small inn, into the blazing heat of the day. It took his breath away, and he held a hand up to shield his eyes from the light of the blazing sun. He took a few deep breaths, getting used to the heat before he started walking, exploring the village.
His exploration drained him, but didn’t deter him. He wanted to find Fiona, thank her for her kindness the night before. He asked around the village until he found someone who knew where she was, and that man’s expression took on a sad look. “She’s at home,” he said softly, “under our grandmother’s care.”
“Under her care? Wait, you are-“
“I am Fiona’s brother, Niall.” He looked down. “You must be Edward. Fiona… fell ill last night. Desert fever.” He took a deep breath. “She’s not expected to survive another night.”
If Edward was anyone else, he would’ve felt sad for the woman, went to pay his respects and see what he could do to comfort her, and carried on.
But Edward, son of Odin the Third, was Edward, son of Odin the third, and he would not let his benefactor perish so easily.
Niall took him to the home they shared with their grandmother, expecting Edward to wish to say goodbye. And Edward went with him, his mind in turmoil. He hadn’t even heard of Desert Fever until last night. But… “I don’t know if this is useful,” he said slowly, as he gazed at Fiona’s sheet-white, still face. “But there’s a technique in Baron that I told her about last night. We’ve discovered that sand pearls have amazing healing properties-“
“Sand pearls?”
“What’s left after an antlion lays her eggs,” Edward clarified quickly.
“You have antlions in Baron?”
“We do, although not quite so many as seem to be in the desert.” Edward’s eyes didn’t leave Fiona’s face. “I wonder if the antlions of this desert leave sand pearls, as well.”
“All due respect,” Niall said quietly, “if it was that simple a matter to cure desert fever, don’t you think we’d have done it by now?”
“Have you tried?”
“… fair enough.” Niall sighed. “Are you volunteering to get one of these sand pearls? I have to warn you, antlions do not take kindly to people approaching their nests.”
“I am aware,” Edward replied, “and yes, I will get a sand pearl. I have to try.”
“May the crystals bless you,” Niall said softly. “I will accompany you. It’s the least I can do for your efforts to save my sister.”
Edward and Niall departed the oasis an hour later. Niall, having lived in the desert his entire life, served as a guide for Edward, leading him to the nearest antlion nest. Niall was skilled with knives, but had no illusions that he could take down a grown antlion, and warned Edward that he would be helpless without a weapon.
Edward only smiled, and kept walking.
It was late afternoon by the time they reached the antlion nest. Edward cast a worried glance to the horizon; they were running out of time. “Niall,” he said in his soft, unassuming voice. “Stay away from the antlions, alright? When I give the signal, grab one of the pearls. Take care not to grab an egg. I won’t be able to save either of us if you do that.”
“What—what are you-“
“Just trust me,” Edward said, squaring his shoulders and pulling his harp from his back, “and pray this works.”
Before Niall had a chance to question him further, Edward began to sing, his fingers plucking the harp strings in a soothing lullaby. Edward kept his gaze on the antlions as they stopped milling the sand, turning their great heads to him. A smaller one inched closer, but kept its distance; a soft smile touched Edward’s lips as he continued to play and sing.
Soon the nest was still, and Edward’s fingers briefly left the harp strings to gesture Niall forward. Niall almost missed the signal; he moved slowly, unsure about the situation as he crept towards the nest. The antlions regarded him curiously, mandibles clicking, but made no effort to stop him as he knelt in their midst and searched for a pearl.
The pearls looked much like the antlion eggs, but Niall took a second to really think about it. Some of the round objects shimmered in the dying light of day, while others were opaque, lacking the luster that the other spheres had. Carefully, Niall made his decision, lifting one of the shining orbs, his whole body tense.
The antlions turned to him, their eyes flickering. Niall’s hand went to his sword hilt; but the antlions, after a moment, simply laid back down, lulled by Edward’s song. With a sigh of relief, Niall crept back to Edward. “Is this it?” he asked, holding it out.
“It is,” Edward replied, not taking his eyes off the antlion nest.
“How do you-“
“They didn’t attack you,” Edward cut him off. “If you’d grabbed an egg, nothing would’ve been able to save you.” He took a few steps back, but did not stop playing. “Start walking. I’ll follow.”
Niall didn’t question him further, turning and heading back the way they’d come. Edward followed after a few steps, playing his harp until night had fallen and they could no longer hear the noises of the antlion nest.
They moved quickly after that, heading back to the village with hurried, purposeful steps. Edward’s heart pounded in his chest as they neared the village; what if they were too late? It was close to midnight when they approached the village entrance, and Edward held out his hand for the pearl. “Here,” he said. “I’ll run ahead. I’m the one who knows the technique.”
“Hurry,” Niall said in a tight voice. “I’m afraid we’re past the point of no return.”
“Nonsense,” Edward replied, taking the pearl from him. “Where there’s life, there’s hope. But I’ll go as quickly as I can.”
Without further conversation, Edward tucked the pearl in his pocket and broke into a run, through the village entrance and to Fiona and Niall’s home. The door was locked; Edward pounded on it desperately.
The door opened to an annoyed, despairing face. “What in the world do you want?” the elderly woman snapped. “There’s nothing so important that it can’t wait a few days for us to grieve.”
“What?” Edward went pale in the moonlight. “We’re too late?”
“Too late-?”
Edward produced the sand pearl. “Does Fiona yet live?” he asked urgently.
“She does, but she has minutes, an hour at the most. Just leave us, let me comfort her passing in peace.”
“You don’t understand. I may be able to heal her.”
Skepticism crossed the old woman’s face. “Really. With that?”
“Yes.”
“There is no cure for desert fever, boy.”
“Have you ever tried it?”
Grudgingly, the woman shook her head. “No.”
“Let me try,” said Edward desperately. “If it doesn’t work, I’ll take my leave and never darken your door again.”
A flicker of something that may have been hope crossed her features, and she moved aside for him. By then, Niall was racing up to the house, his face tight with exertion. “You’re fast,” he muttered as they moved to Fiona’s bedside.
“Only when I need to be,” Edward answered, reaching out to Fiona’s still face with his free hand. "This will work," he whispered. "This has to work..." He lifted the sand pearl into the light of the moon shining through the window, adjusting his hold on it to reflect it into her face. He let his magic flow into the pearl, the object acting as an amplifier for the energy, and the pearl glowed brighter in the moonlight, casting its radiant glow on Fiona’s body.
Niall held his breath as the glow slowly faded, and Fiona stirred and her eyes slid open, her breath deepening and steadying. She looked up at Niall and Edward as he lowered his hand. “Fiona?” Edward said softly, moving closer to her. “Are you there?”
“I’m here,” she rasped weakly. “I… I think I’m going to be okay.”
Niall exhaled sharply in relief, turning to Edward. “I don’t think she’s out of the woods yet,” Edward said, his own exhaustion flooding his limbs, “but I do believe she will indeed be okay.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Niall commented, half-laughing. “I don’t know how to repay you, Edward. Thank you.”
Edward smiled, tired but sure and confident. “What would you say to building something here in the desert?”
“What… what do you mean?”
“I’m the Prince of Baron,” he said steadily. As Niall’s eyes widened and Fiona choked, he added, “The Prince of Baron who has been exiled, in a word. I had dreams of a nation built on peace, a place where other nations can come together for what they need from each other in a neutral place, without fear of war. I would build that nation here, in this desert.”
“Do you think the King of Baron will just let that happen?” Fiona whispered.
“My father is a warrior, but he’s not a war-monger. I told him I was following my dreams, and he let me go. If he had no intention of doing that, I wouldn’t be standing here. He’d have brought me back to Baron. In chains, if he had to. He’ll leave us be.”
“Us?” Niall murmured. As Edward nodded, a bright smile broke out across his face. “Why not? Once the people here realize what a gift you’ve given us with this magical technique, they’ll follow you without question. Let’s do it. Let’s turn the barren Damcyan Desert into the most prosperous nation in the world.”
“But not yet,” Fiona added, pointedly, as she settled back into the pillows. “You two have earned rest, and I need to recover my strength. Lets start building tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” Edward acknowledge with a smile. “Tonight will be for rest.”
The three new friends settled down in the dark of the night, hope springing forth in Edward for the first time since he stormed out of his father’s court. The new kingdom in the Damcyan desert would find its own place in the world, and Edward hoped that if he could not be friends with his father, eventually they would be allies.
And dawn brought a new day to the land, and to Edward and his new friends.
Chapter 2: Forgiveness
Notes:
Well, this isn’t going well. I’ll try to get all of the prompts done, but it certainly won’t be before FF4’s birthday. My apologies.
Chapter Text
Rydia gazed into Cecil’s eyes, seeking remorse, seeking understanding, seeking even the slightest glimmer of goodness. This man, who had so brutally murdered her mother’s dragon and razed her village, had just risked his life defending hers, and made himself a traitor to his home for her sake.
She wanted to believe that he was being selfish. She wanted to continue to hate him, she wanted to tell him that she didn’t need or want his help.
But she couldn’t. She saw no ill intentions in his emerald eyes, only sadness and a determination to make things right.
“My name is Rydia,” she said softly.
Kain kept vigil the night he and Rosa were rescued from the Tower of Zot. Even if he wanted to sleep, he didn’t think he could. Horror and revulsion filled him when he thought about his conduct towards the woman he’d grown up with, his conduct towards the man who had been his friend and companion since they were small.
He was a monster. That was the only conclusion he could come up with for why he would do such revolting things.
“Kain.”
He looked up to see Cecil approaching, and quickly looked away again. “Cecil,” he acknowledged brusquely.
Cecil approached, his expression calm and neutral. “You should be getting sleep,” he said, his voice unusually mild.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re punishing yourself.” Kain flinched at the naked, blunt truth of Cecil’s words, but Cecil continued to regard him neutrally. He chose his words carefully as he continued. “Whether you deserve that or not is your decision, but what is absolutely clear is that you need to sleep. You’ve been through a great deal, Kain, and we’re going to need you.”
Kain looked away, back up at the night sky. “The chance of Golbez attacking is too great,” he lied.
“Do you know something that I should, as well?”
Cecil’s tone made it clear that Kain wasn’t getting away with that, and he sighed. “No. In all likelihood he’s focused on trying to get underground, to find the dark crystals before he can. What’s it to you?” Kain looked back at him, his expression hard, harder than he felt. “Why do you care, Cecil?”
“You’re my friend.”
“I tried to kill you!”
“You know I don’t believe you were in total control of yourself, and there’s nothing you can say to change my mind on it.”
“You’re a fool.”
“Perhaps,” Cecil replied evenly, “but you’re just as much a fool to think that my affection can be as easily shaken as this.” He paused. “Or Rosa’s.”
Kain shook his head, his lip curling. “Rosa. You realize that I fully intended to seduce her once you were out of the picture.”
Cecil sighed, looking up at the stars, at the moons. “Would you do it now?” Kain did not answer, and Cecil smiled. “Your silence says more than you intend, Kain. You can protest that you weren’t under Golbez’s control all you want. We both know you wouldn’t have done what you did when you weren’t under duress.”
“I should’ve been stronger,” Kain whispered, casting his gaze downward.
“Kain…” Cecil sighed. “I forgive you. Rosa forgives you, and if she must tell you that herself, she will in a heartbeat.”
“Where is she, then?”
“Sleeping. She was exhausted.”
Cecil left the rest of his statement unspoken: that she hadn’t slept much in the Tower of Zot, and that was, perhaps, Kain’s fault as well. But whether Cecil said it or not, Kain felt the accusation as acutely as if he’d spat the words at him. “You need to forgive yourself,” Cecil said instead, quietly. As Kain shook his head, Cecil asked, “Do you remember the battle just before Golbez’s power over you broke?”
“I didn’t even know there had been a battle.”
“Tellah, the sage that had accompanied us, used magic that he didn’t have the strength to use, in order to hurt Golbez as much as possible.” Cecil paused, and when he spoke again, emotion was thick in his voice. “It was that attack that freed you, so perhaps I should be grateful for him… but it was the very last thing he did. He perished moments after Golbez fled.” Cecil looked up at Kain again, his eyes teary but hard. “His hatred destroyed him, Kain,” he said firmly, “and the same fate awaits you if you don’t find the strength to forgive yourself. Your guilt will devour you from within if you do not let go of this irrational self-hatred you have.”
“Irrational?” Kain chuckled dryly, mirthlessly, shaking his head. “Leave me be, Cecil,” he said, suddenly horrifically tired. “You need to sleep, too.”
Cecil sighed, reached out and put his hand on Kain’s shoulder, and turned away. “Just consider what I’ve said,” he said sadly.
And then Cecil walked away, leaving Kain alone with his dark thoughts. He would forgive himself when he could undo what he had done, and not a moment sooner.
Edge’s footsteps crunched on the scorched, broken pavement beneath his feet. He looked around grimly, Gekkou, Zangetsu, Izayoi, and Tsukinowa stood behind him, his parents’ retainers.
Now his.
“So, what do you think?” Edge asked quietly. “Is it worth rebuilding this pile of rubble?”
Izayoi was the one who answered. “It was your parents’ deepest wish to see Eblan rebuilt and stronger than ever. I’m sure of it. And if anyone is capable of rebuilding, it is you, Young Your Highness.”
“Well said, Izayoi,” Gekkou added. “It is more than worth it to rebuild Eblan, Young Your Highness.”
Edge sighed. “Telling you to call me by my name is an exercise in futility, isn’t it?” he asked, bringing his fingers to his temple, as if he had a headache. “I dunno, guys. Mist did it, Damcyan did it, and there’s no reason we can’t. But…”
“What’s holding you back?” Tsukinowa asked quietly.
“It’s… spite, driving me,” Edge said, his voice unusually vulnerable. “I want to rebuild just to prove to those monsters who razed Eblan that they failed. Not because I want to see it resurrected, but… as revenge.” He chuckled softly, in self-depreciation. “That’s a really messed up reason to want to rebuild a kingdom.”
The ninjas looked at each other. Zangetsu said, softly, “Perhaps, Young Your Highness… but your private motives needn’t poison the well. This grudge you have… it is your battle to fight, and we know you will fight it. But perhaps, in rebuilding what we’ve lost, you may find that their actions weren’t as permanent as they appeared.”
“Not permanent?” Edge turned back to them, eyes narrowed dangerously. “People died. My parents died. That’s very much permanent! There’s no way to get them back!”
“No,” Izayoi said compassionately, “but you can honor their memory by setting aside your motivation and rebuilding Eblan as your parents would want you to.”
Edge took a deep breath, closing his eyes. “Very well,” he said finally. “Forgiveness for… this…” He swept a hand out over the ruined castle. “That’s something I need to seek for myself. I can’t punish my people by leaving them in caves because I don’t want to take action for the wrong reason.”
“Very good, Young Your Highness,” Zangetsu said, a slight smile touching his lips. “We shall return to the shelter and bring those able-bodied people who can help you begin to clean up. Do nothing that you’re not sure you can do on your own, Master Edge. It would not due to return to find you hurt.”
“I’m not that careless.” Edge tossed his head arrogantly. “Go, and bring people who can help rebuild. I’ll be here.”
With that, Edge turned away and headed deeper into the ruins, straight for the throne room. He blinked away sudden tears as he heard the echoes of his childhood, of his parents’ quiet encouragement and words of love. Edge approached the thrones, staring at their seared, bare seats, the cushions burned away by Rubicante’s flames.
He sat on his father’s throne and leaned forward, balancing his elbows on his knees as his face dropped into his hands. Rubicante wasn’t the one he needed to forgive for this.
Cecil was a protective husband and overprotective father, and Rosa quickly came to fear that Cecil’s overbearing concern would bleed into Ceodore’s childhood and lead to their son resenting him. But Ceodore was still a babe, and Rosa didn’t have it in her heart to tell Cecil to back off. Not yet.
But this. This needed to be done.
Kain refused to attend their wedding, despite an invitation being hand-delivered by Cecil. He’d sent stiff, uncomfortable congratulations as their messenger sent word of Ceodore’s birth. Rosa had enough.
Cecil didn’t want her to come here. Mount Ordeals is dangerous, he told her. She told him to stop being patronizing; she knew very well it was dangerous. Don’t bring Ceodore, then, he pleaded. No, Kain needed to meet his little nephew.
“But Kain hasn’t expressed any desire to-“
“Kain gave up the right to complain about it when he decided the right way to handle his tortured mind was to isolate himself on a dangerous mountain. He thinks brooding up there is going to put us off from caring about him, and he’s got another think coming.”
“Rosa-“
“I want our best friend in our son’s life, Cecil.” Rosa’s voice was firm, leaving no room for argument, no room for doubt. “If I go up there with Ceodore, he’ll feel obligated to escort me back to make sure I make it down safely.”
Cecil frowned. “Manipulation isn’t the way to go about this. I have no objections to Kain meeting Ceodore, except for the fact that he clearly doesn’t want to. But if you must do this, I’m going with you.”
“I need to talk to him. I think I can get through to him in a way no one else will be able to.”
“Then I’ll hang back while you talk to him!” Cecil said desperately. “Just don’t go alone! You’re going to have your hands full with Ceodore and you’re not going to be able to fight efficiently. I’m not asking so that I can hoover over your shoulder, I’m asking so that you get up there safely, forget for a moment getting down safely!”
Rosa sighed. “Very well. But you need to let me speak to him alone, Cecil.”
“Fine. I have no objections to that.”
And so Rosa and Cecil ascended Mount Ordeals, Ceodore strapped to Rosa’s back in a little sack Cid designed. It held the infant snug and comfortable, and allowed Rosa her full range of movement, letting her fight alongside her husband.
As Rosa expected, Kain came down from the summit to meet them as they reached the traveler’s circle. He said nothing, although a hint of curiosity was in his annoyed gaze. Rosa nodded to Cecil. “Wait here,” she said softly. “He’s got me from here.”
Kain’s gaze shifted from annoyed to fully curious now, and Rosa turned to him expectantly. Kain appraised her for a moment, then looked to Cecil. “Go on,” Cecil said. “I’m just her bodyguard right now.”
A smirk cracked Kain’s stoic facade, and he gestured for Rosa to follow him. He guided her uneventfully to the cenotaph on the summit, to the lean-to he’d built for shelter. “It’s not much,” he said finally, his voice rough from disuse, “but if you’d told me you were coming, I’d have brought out the good blankets.”
“You don’t have good blankets.”
“Then I’d have told you not to come.”
Rosa clicked her tongue and heaved a long-suffered sigh. “There’s someone who wants to meet you,” she said, reaching to release Ceodore’s sack and bring him into her arms.
The color drained from Kain’s face as she did so. “You brought an infant up Mount Ordeals.”
“I did.”
“You’re as insane as I am, Rosa.”
“That’s comforting, as you’re not insane at all.”
“Rosa…”
“Do you want to hold him?”
“No.”
Rosa, expecting this, simply nodded and stroked her son’s cheek. He roused with a soft sigh, eyes opening just slightly. A smile came to his lips as he looked at his mother’s face, serene and calm. Whether she was maintaining her calm for Ceodore or Kain, she wasn’t sure.
Kain’s eyes were locked on Ceodore’s tiny body, though, his expression softening by the second. “He’s adorable,” he said finally, after several minutes of silence.
“Isn’t he?” Rosa smiled. “Come home, Kain.”
“I am home.”
“You know you’re miserable up here.”
“I’ll be just as miserable in Baron.”
Rosa’s smile no longer reached her eyes. “Kain, listen to me,” she said quietly. “I forgave you when you were freed from Golbez’s control the first time.”
“How many times do I have to say it?” Kain scowled. “I was not being controlled, Rosa! I knew what I was doing the whole time!”
“Control, influence, brainwashing. What do you want to call it, Kain?” she challenged. “Because you also admitted that you’d have done none of it if not for Golbez!”
“I don’t know,” Kain snapped, looking away. “All I know is that I hurt you and nearly brought about the end of humanity. You can forgive me for the former all you want. The latter isn’t yours to forgive!”
“You’re right, it’s yours.” Kain huffed a disbelieving laugh and Rosa pressed, “Who knows about your actions allowing the activation of the Giant? Only the five of us.”
Kain’s eyes widened. “You didn’t tell anyone?”
“We didn’t.”
“Edge-“
“Edge hasn’t told a soul. He’s got his own problems to worry about right now.” At Kain’s curious look, she said, “He’s still rebuilding Eblan. He asked how you were last we spoke to him, and then asked if we wanted him to come up here and drag you back down.”
A ghost of a smile crossed Kain’s lips. “He’s welcome to try.”
“He wouldn’t just try, he’d do it, because I know you. You wouldn’t hurt anyone to stay up here, let alone one of us. We told him to leave you be, for the time being. We want you to return to us on your own.”
Kain gave her a deeply cynical look. “Rosa,” he said delicately. “My actions facilitated the near end of extant life. I’m a traitor to humanity.”
“Kain-“
“I’m not fit to be in society,” he said, his words ground out through clenched teeth.
Ceodore whimpered and began to sob.
Kain’s eyes widened at the child’s tears, startled. Rosa lifted him to her shoulder, patting the boy soothingly on the back as he hiccuped and swiftly beginning to settle again. At Kain’s curious look, Rosa explained, “He’s a sensitive baby. He likely didn’t like your tone.”
“Did you… did you bring your son here for this?” Kain asked incredulously.
“No. I brought him because I want my best friend to know my son.”
Rosa could see the conflict in Kain’s eyes. “Do you want to hold him?” she asked him again, gently.
“I—I can’t-“
“What do you think is going to happen if you do?” Kain shook his head slightly, and Rosa’s smile went sad. “Your supposed badness isn’t contagious, and I trust you not to hurt him.”
“What if I drop him?”
Rosa’s smile turned to a grin. “I had to convince Cecil to hold him, too,” she said, her voice almost playful. “He, too, feared that he’d drop him. He didn’t, and neither will you. I trust you.”
Kain eyed her. “You’re not going to go away until I do, are you?”
“No. Cecil and I brought plenty of supplies and there’s a traveler’s circle right there. We have all the time in the world, Kain.”
“No, you don’t. You’ll have to return to Baron eventually.”
“We left Cid in charge.”
Horrified, Kain’s eyes widened. “You left Cid in charge?” Rosa and Kain ignored how Cecil, comfortably set up in the traveler’s circle, laughed loud enough for them to hear him. “You realize you may return to everything literally being on fire, right?”
“Oh, stop,” Rosa replied, chuckling. “He’s Baron’s chief engineer. He can handle running the country for a few weeks.”
Kain, eyeing Rosa incredulously, held out his hands to her. She quirked an eyebrow. “Really? Telling you Cid is in charge is what it takes to get you to trust yourself enough to hold him?”
“Baron may no longer be my home, but I don’t wish ill on her. If holding a baby gets you back to your duties before Cid can do something unwise, then I will accept that responsibility.”
“You’re ridiculous.” Despite her mild insult, Rosa passed Ceodoe to Kain’s hands. Kain took the boy, holding him aloft for a moment, an odd look of trepidation on his face. Then, with delicate care, he shifted until Ceodore laid in his arms, head cradled in the crook of his elbow.
Rosa watched quietly as Kain traced a finger lightly down the boy’s cheek, and his breath caught when Ceodore’s tiny hand shot out and grasped his finger. Kain let the infant bring the digit to his mouth, and laughed shortly, despite himself, as Ceodore’s little face scrunched into a delighted smile.
“You’re not a monster,” Rosa said softly, as Kain gazed at the infant in his arms. “You did monstrous things. No one is denying that, Kain. But the punishment you’ve laid out for yourself far outstrips your crimes. Come back to Baron. Help us rebuild. You can atone better for what happened by helping the people of the world.”
“You don’t understand.” Kain didn’t take his gaze off the infant, staring up at him with the utmost trust in his face. “Do you realize how easy it would be to dash this child against the ground?”
“But you wouldn’t do that.”
“Wouldn’t I?” Kain’s grip tightened on Ceodore; the boy’s smile faltered, and he whined softly. “I never imagined that I would stand by while you suffered in a death trap, thinking that if I was able to kill Cecil, you would love me.”
“That wasn’t you,” Rosa said quietly.
“You want to take Ceodore back.”
“No, I don’t. I trust you, Kain.”
Kain, moving so fast that he startled a sob from Ceodore, thrust the baby back at her. “I don’t,” he said harshly. “Until I know why I succumbed to Golbez’s manipulations, until I trust myself, no one else should trust me. I can’t do what you’re asking of me, Rosa.”
Rosa scooped Ceodore back into her arms, gentling him as he whimpered. “You succumbed to Golbez’s manipulations because you’re human,” she said, her voice finally wavering. “It could’ve been me or Cid-“
“But it wasn’t. It was me.” Kain looked away. “You should go back to him,” he said in a tight voice, barely restraining tears.
“Kain-“
“I don’t want you to see me lose it, Rosa. Please go.”
Rosa closed her eyes, swallowing thickly. Then: “I forgive you, Kain. Find it in yourself to forgive you, too. Please.”
“Go!”
Without another word, Rosa stood and made her way back to the traveler’s circle. “Well?” Cecil asked softly. Eyes downcast, Rosa shook her head. “Let’s go, then,” Cecil said, and she could hear the words ‘I told you so’ in his weary voice. “I’ll try again in a bit. He needs time to absorb whatever you said to him.”
Kain felt his shadow perish, and his emotions returned. Every negative thought, every dark impulse came rushing back to him. But he recognized them for what they were now: childish pride, angry jealousy, but every bit as true was the love and adoration he held for Rosa and Cecil, and, he realized with a start, for their son as well. Neither was a lie, as Kain had assumed.
And in that moment, there was forgiveness.
Chapter 3: Faith
Chapter Text
Porom, from the moment she met her, always looked up to Rosa. Rosa was the epitome of the White Mage; Porom could only hope to reach Rosa’s grace, her piousness, her love.
When Cecil introduced the twins to Rosa, Porom had been struck by how beautiful she was. She could see easily why Cecil loved her, even if she couldn’t wrap her mind around Rosa loving Cecil, at least before he forsook the dark sword. But that just made her all the more a role model: Rosa could see light in the blackest darkness, had the ability to bring that light forth.
Porom wanted so much to be like Rosa.
So when the Elder suggested that she spend some time in Baron, learning from the White Mages there, Porom jumped at the opportunity. She knew she was expected to learn field medicine, and she would, but she would do her best to learn from Rosa.
That was how she found herself in Baron, under Rosa’s tutelage, and Palom in Mist, learning from Rydia. Palom had wanted to go to the Feymarch to learn, but Rydia had shot that idea down. He had no talent as a summoner, and the path to the Feymarch was fraught. She couldn’t in good conscience take a child into the passage.
Much to Porom’s surprise, Palom accepted Rydia’s judgment. She thought it had to do with Cecil’s presence, there with the Falcon to take them across the sea to Baron; Porom didn’t want to look like a brat in front of Cecil, either, but that had never stopped Palom. She wondered, idly, what had changed. It wasn’t worth pursuing, though, and as Porom disembarked at Baron, Palom gave her a tight, squeezing hug. “See you in three months,” he murmured to her.
“See you in three months,” Porom echoed. “Be good, Palom.”
“Ha. I’ll be the best-behaved mage ever.”
“You better,” Cecil remarked mildly, as Rosa came up the gangway to retrieve Porom. “Rydia’s going to send me and the Elder updates on you, and if you start behaving like you do in Mysidia, you’re going back.”
“Sheesh. I get it, man. Have a little faith, Cecil.”
Cecil’s mild expression turned slightly skeptical, but he nodded to Rosa, who had her hand on Porom’s shoulder now. “I’ll be back tomorrow,” he told his wife. “The Elder would like to discuss the protection treaty and I have a feeling I need to hear him out rather than just reassuring him that we have no intention of breaking it.”
“That’s a good idea,” Rosa replied. “Take care, Cecil. Palom, be good.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Rosa’s hand on Porom’s shoulder pulled her away gently. “Let’s go get you settled in, Porom.”
And so, Porom began her studies at Baron, learning field medicine with the White Mages Baron hired from Mysidia and their own mages recruited from the village nearby. She was surprised when Rosa approached her in the evening of her first day, asking her how she liked her days’ lesson. “It was instructional, Your Majesty,” Porom answered, prim and proper.
Rosa smiled. “You know my name. You can use it.”
“I’m not Palom.”
Laughter bubbled up in Rosa’s chest, light and airy. “You certainly are not,” she answered. “But I insist. My title is an unfortunate side effect of marrying the man I love. I suspect even Cecil resents his title, somewhat.”
“But—he’s the king, and he was his father’s heir, how could he-“
Rosa sighed. “He wasn’t related to the late king by blood, although it was always assumed that he would succeed Odin, you’re right about that. Still… it had always been a distant eventuality that came up on us far too fast. We will adjust, just… not yet.”
Porom nodded, sympathy coming to her small face. “I can kind of empathize,” she said softly. “It’s assumed that Palom and I will take over for the Elder when his time comes. But…”
“Is that not what you want?”
“I don’t know what I want. I know it’s not what Palom wants. He wants to become the world’s greatest sage.” Porom made a face. “He doesn’t get what that entails, though. He doesn’t have the… personality for it.”
“Porom!” Rosa gasped. “What a thing to say about your own brother!”
“I say it because it’s true.” Her eyes flashed with irritation, although Rosa wasn’t the target of it. “The title of sage is one that the people bestow on you, it’s not something you can take for yourself. You have to earn it, through good work and compassion. Palom sees that good work as a chore to be endured until he is beloved of the people. I may not have much experience, but in what experience I have… people know. If you’re helping for selfish reasons, people know.”
Rosa regarded Porom thoughtfully. “I think you’re right. People do know when someone is helping to get something out of it. But let me ask you this: If someone needs help, and their helper only wishes to help themselves, ultimately… Should they not help at all?”
Porom’s eyes shadowed as she turned Rosa’s question over in her head. “I… I don’t know,” she said finally. “I honestly don’t know. I suppose they should still help, that their selfishness ultimately doesn’t matter… But it does make a difference. I don’t know how to explain it. It just does.”
Rosa smiled. “That was a rhetorical question, actually, for you to mull over. I will say one more thing on the subject before I drop it, though: Palom has every bit of faith in you as he can. Perhaps he needs you to have faith in him, too.”
The young mage’s expression went thoughtful. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” she said, turning to the textbook in front of her. “This conversation has me thinking.”
“That’s what it was meant to do,” Rosa said with a smile. “Now… are you ready for your lessons?”
“What?” Porom’s eyes were wide as she turned back to Rosa. “What do you mean? I was at my lessons all day-“
“You came to Baron to learn from me, Porom,” Rosa said gently. “I may not be Mysidian, may not be able to guide you at my full potential, but I still believe we can learn much from each other.” Her smile grew mischievous. “I believe I have a particular skill the Elder wants you to master, in fact.”
Porom’s hand flew to her mouth. “Praying? You mean to teach me how to pray?” As Rosa nodded, Porom’s face flushed. “But Your Majesty-“
“Rosa.”
“But Rosa,” Porom corrected herself hastily, “I don’t have the same connection to the crystals that you have!”
“You don’t, yet. But you can easily establish that connection. Anyone can. In theory, Kain can establish that connection.” Porom couldn’t help a sheepish grin. She had met the disgraced dragoon a handful of times, accompanying the Elder and occasionally Cecil when they brought him supplies on Mount Ordeals. Kain was as close to bereft of magic as anyone Porom had ever met; the idea of Kain being able to master a connection with the crystals was almost comical to the girl. Rosa tut’ed. “I see that, Porom. Don’t be so quick to judge. Kain can and does use the magic of the crystals, just not as a traditionally trained mage does.”
“How-“
“How do you think he can jump so far into the sky and control his fall so masterfully? Surely you don’t think that’s within the limits of natural human talent? It does take much talent to do what he does, certainly, but he’d never be able to do it without outside assistance. No dragoon could.”
“That… makes a lot of sense,” Porom said softly. “But it remains a fact that Sir Kain is practically void of magic ability. So how does he draw on that power?”
“Faith,” Rosa answered steadily. “He trusts the Wind Crystal to hear him, to give him mastery of the wind while he needs it. Just as I trust the crystals to hear me when I pray.”
Porom turned her eyes back to the book in front of her. “I would think that prayer would be far more powerful than it is, then.”
“It has its place,” Rosa replied. “And sometimes the crystals say ‘no.’ But it’s a fundamental skill for a white mage to learn. You never know when you might need that particular skill.”
Porom nodded thoughtfully. “I will do my best, Rosa,” she said quietly.
“That is all I can ask. Now then, let’s get to it.”
Porom was immensely disappointed with herself by the time her term of study was up. She had grown as a mage by leaps and bounds, but her prayers remained unheeded, and she had come to believe that she simply did not have the connection Rosa did, and never would.
Rosa did not try to encourage her to try harder; indeed, Porom had made such an effort that Rosa thought more than once that Porom was trying too hard. In any event, Porom knew the theory behind it, and could practice on her own. It would have to do.
Cecil and Rosa took Porom to Mist to pick up Palom and, much to Porom’s surprise, Rydia as well. “I think we need to pay a visit to our melancholy friend on the mountain,” Rydia said as she and Palom boarded the Falcon. “I have a weird feeling when I think of him and I don’t like it.”
“Your intuition has always been on point,” Cecil murmured, nodding, his concern apparent, as well. “You’re right. It’s been too long since we saw him last. At the very least, it wouldn’t do to make him think we’ve forgotten him.”
“As much as he might want us to,” Rosa added pointedly. “So we’ll drop off the twins and-“
“No,” Porom said softly. “Now that Rydia’s said it, I feel it, too. Something isn’t right.”
Palom nodded as well. “Yeah, if something’s happened, we can help. Even if it’s just to get back to Mysidia and get reinforcements.”
“Very well,” Cecil said, his voice tight. He didn’t like bringing the twins to Mount Ordeals, but what else was he to do? Fight with them the whole way, and discover that they had followed the airship while they reassured themselves that Kain was alright? And then they’d insist on going up to see him. It was less trouble to let them come with, and Cecil himself knew that they were an asset in combat. He didn’t like taking children into danger, but those children knew very well how to handle themselves.
It was several hours before they arrived at Mount Ordeals; they saw Kain standing at the summit, hand shielding his eyes as he looked up at the approaching Falcon. A brief conversation resulted in the agreement to land and make the climb up to check on him. He seemed fine, but looks could be horrifically deceiving when it came to him.
“He’ll probably come down to meet us half-way,” Cecil said mildly. “I will insist on going up with him to talk—it’s been too long—but the rest of you should probably go back to Mysidia, and I’ll follow tomorrow morning.”
“Alright,” Rosa said, strapping her bow to her back. “I don’t like the idea of you climbing down the mountain alone-“
“Maybe he’ll get lucky and Kain can be convinced to come down now,” Rydia said hopefully. All of them turned cynical eyes on her. She didn’t dignify their looks with an answer.
They finished gearing up and headed up the mountain, in high spirits. Sure enough, Kain had started coming down to meet them, but something was wrong. Porom froze at a sharp, furious moan, and Kain’s voice grunting, “Get away, you foul-!”
The heroes exchanged horrified looks, and raced up the path and around the corner. The twins followed, nearly tripping over themselves as Porom heard Cecil’s calm but urgent voice say, “He’s swarmed. We have to help him, but don’t startle him! He needs to concentrate.”
Rosa didn’t waste time with a response, putting an arrow to the string and letting it fly. It thunk’ed into the back of one of the revenant’s necks, dropping the undead monster immediately. Kain looked up, gratitude flashing in his eyes before another zombie took its place, obscuring him from sight once more.
Porom focused on healing her companions as they fought, Cecil and Rosa attacking viciously as Rydia and Palom burned back those of the horde yet to approach. “There’s no end to them!” Rosa hissed, raising a hand to the heavens. A bolt of bright white light streaked down into the center of the swarm, incinerating the monsters closest to Kain in holy fire and knocking the rest back.
Porom moved before she knew what she was doing. “Porom, no!” Rosa screamed as the girl bolted for Kain.
She barely reached him before the swarm closed in on him again, single-minded in their need for flesh and blood. Kain’s expression flickered between utter exhaustion and defeat, to annoyance, and finally alarm. “What are you doing, you stupid girl?!” he snarled, snapping his spear up once more into a defensive position and thrusting it through an attacker.
“Helping you!”
Kain grunted in answer, swinging the spear at another revenant. He didn’t speak again, and Porom could feel the fatigue radiating from him like heat. Keeping close and ignoring the panicked cries of the companions, she reached into herself for the wellspring of power that would let her ease his weariness.
And discovered that wellspring empty. She’d exhausted her magic fighting outside of the ring of monsters; there was nothing left.
She cursed loudly, and Kain glanced at her, the annoyance flashing across his face once again. She could all but hear the scolding for her language, and suppressed an urge to laugh in incredulous amusement. His death was imminent and he was worried about her language?
Her language.
Rosa’s voice came to her abruptly. “A key part of prayer reaching the crystals and drawing their blessing is, unfortunately, desperation. You can very easily miscast a prayer when desperate, but if you succeed, the blessing will be all the stronger for it. But the ultimate key is faith. Faith that the crystals will not let you perish.”
And she was nothing if not desperate.
Porom clasped her hands and bowed her head, casting wildly with the last of her strength, a final plea for salvation in an impossible situation. “Porom!” Kain screamed, nearly breaking her concentration. She felt parchment-dry skin on hers, closing over her wrist, felt Kain pivot behind her.
And then bright warmth surrounded them both; Porom felt rather than heard Kain’s gasp, looking up in time to see Kain’s spear pierce the face of the revenant attacking her. Before she could react, his free arm was around her waist as he yanked the spearhead free, and then they were airborne. Porom felt the wind cradling them guiding Kain’s jump as he soared over the undulating mass of zombies towards Rydia, Cecil, Rosa, and Palom.
Their landing happened fast enough that she didn’t have time to do anything as he fell behind their line. “Rydia!” Cecil called. “Now!”
And Porom watched, Kain’s hand firmly holding her shoulder, as Rydia cast Meteo.
Her eyes widened in shock as the sky darkened and stars began to fall. The meteors crashed into the horde of zombies; they didn’t have the time to moan as they incinerated in the star fall. Flames swept over the mass of undead like a wave, burning them away to nothing but ash and bone.
And then, as the last star fell, silence.
The sky brightened again, and Kain tilted his head up as the others turned to him. “Are you alright?” Cecil asked, stepping forward.
“I am exhausted,” Kain replied, and Porom heard his fatigue in his voice, “but mostly unhurt.” He turned and knelt next to Porom, bringing his other hand up to her shoulder. Shaking her slightly, he said sternly, “Never, ever do something like that again. You could’ve been killed.”
“You almost were,” Porom said defensively. “I did what I needed to do to save you.”
“You did, and I thank you for it, but my life isn’t worth yours. Do you understand me?”
“Kain…” Rosa came up to them, and put a hand on Porom’s shoulder, over Kain’s. “He’s right, Porom,” she said, her voice kinder than Kain’s. “He’s right, but you did something amazing today. You prayed, and got an answer that saved you both.”
Kain looked up at her. “First time?” Rosa nodded, and a slight smile cracked Kain’s stern mouth. “Congratulations are in order, then.” He stood, looking over the group. “But what are you doing here? All is well in Baron? Is Ceodore well?”
“Ceodore’s fine,” Cecil answered with a wave of his hand. “Rydia wanted to see you, said she had a bad feeling when she thought about you. It’s a good thing we heeded her intuition. If that mass had reached the summit before reinforcements came…”
“… indeed.” He sighed. “I suppose it’s too much to ask now that you simply leave me be.”
“Absolutely not,” Rydia said firmly.
“I think there’s a misunderstanding involving the definition of ‘exile’ here.”
“No misunderstanding,” Palom said. “You’re being stupid.”
“Palom!” Porom exclaimed, chagrined.
Kain sighed. “From the mouths of babes… Fine. You’re all likely as exhausted as I am. I wouldn’t ask you to go down the mountain after that without letting you rest.”
Porom looked up at him. “Can we convince you to come back down with us?” she asked softly.
“No.”
She closed her eyes as Kain turned and began to walk away. “That’s okay,” she said. “I have faith that you will someday.”
He stopped, turning his head slightly to look over his shoulder. “Perhaps,” he murmured. “Come. It isn’t safe here.”
Rosa touched Porom’s shoulder to start her moving, and the group followed Kain, heading up the mountain, Porom basking in her new-found faith.
Chapter 4: Airship
Chapter Text
Cid loved “his kids.” His daughter was the light of his life, of course, and he loved her beyond words.
But he was equally devoted to the trio of children his friends in the knights and dragoons introduced him to.
Cecil was the first. He’d been introduced to the boy the moment King Odin took him in, a mysterious orphan left under a tree on the castle grounds. He helped raise Cecil, often keeping an eye on him while he studied under the head engineer, letting Cecil play with blocks of wood and light mallets, materials discarded from the building and maintenance of airships.
Rosa and Kain came next. Their fathers had been high-ranking knights, and Cid was aware of their existence long before he met them, but they stole his heart just as easily as Cecil did. Rosa reminded him of his own daughter, and Cid had high hopes for Kain. He’d hoped that the boys would be friends; Kain’s only friend was Rosa, and Cecil had no friends.
Disaster struck shortly after Kain and Rosa were introduced to the court. Their lives were torn apart in the blink of an eye, in the same blink that suddenly left Cid as the chief engineer. Cecil didn’t understand Cid’s weeping the night the news of the airship accident reached Baron, but stood at his side, small hand on Cid’s back, rubbing soothing circles. After a while, Cid had the presence of mind to address the child comforting him. “I need you to promise me something, kiddo,” he said, his voice rough with tears.
“What is it, Sir?”
“Another child will be living in Baron castle shortly,” Cid told him gruffly. “You met him. Kain Highwind. And you’ll likely become friends with the girl introduced at the same time, Rosa Farrell. I need you to be friends to them, Cecil.”
Cecil’s little face was grave as he asked, “What’s happened, Sir? This… this isn’t like you.”
“There’s… been an accident,” Cid answered haltingly. “I’m not sure how much is appropriate to tell you-“
“I’m the King’s ward. I should know. Tell me.”
Cid gave a watery chuckle. “You certainly are the King’s ward, but you’re seven years old, Cecil. This is adult stuff.”’
“Please, Sir. I want to know so I don’t say something bad without knowing.”
He regarded Cecil with an appraising look. “You are so very mature for your age,” he murmured. “I guess it’s alright to tell you the gist of it. There was an airship accident. Their fathers were on that airship, and young Kain no longer has any family. He will be made a ward of the King, like you.”
Cecil went pale. “Like me?” he asked in a small voice.
Cid cocked an eyebrow, then understanding hit him and he chuckled. “You needn’t worry, Cecil. The King adores you. He will care for Kain, possibly even come to love him as he loves you, but he will not replace you in the king’s heart. I promise.”
“That’s… that’s not what I’m scared of.” Cecil shuffled his feet. “Being the king’s ward is hard. If he just lost his father…”
“Oh. Oh. Cecil, my tender-hearted boy… you don’t need to worry about that, either, I promise. King Odin grieves for their fathers as acutely as they do. He won’t make Kain’s life harder than it already is.”
“Okay.” Cecil took a deep breath. “I can try to be friends with them, but… I’m not sure how…”
Cid chuckled. “You’re selling yourself short, kiddo. You’ll figure it out quick enough. It’s a skill, but it’s intuitive.”
“What’s intuitive?”
“It means you’ll figure out what to do when the time comes.” Cid leaned down and ruffled Cecil’s hair. “Thank you, Cecil. You’ve given a bit of comfort to a sad old man.”
“You’re not old,” Cecil contradicted blankly.
Cid burst into laughter that almost sounded joyful. “Well, thank you for saying so,” he said with a smile. “Now, get on to bed, kiddo. Kain will probably be here when you wake in the morning, and you’ll have a busy day ahead of you.”
Ten years later…
Cecil was nervous. Ever since his first flight on an airship, five years prior, accompanying Baigan on a diplomatic journey to Troia, he’d wanted nothing more than to be an airship captain. It was a source of friction between him and King Odin, who had already determined that Cecil would be a dark knight, his hand of justice. “Why not both?” Cid had asked Odin at one point. “It will make him happy, a point of joy in a life you’ve condemned to darkness.”
“Watch your tone,” Odin had shot back, although his voice was mild. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Very well,” Odin said finally. “As long as it doesn’t interfere with his dark knight training, you may teach the boy to be a pilot. But beware, Cid: If I determine that it’s too big of a distraction, I will revoke this permission. Ensure that he remains focused on his training.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Cid had replied, exhaling slightly in relief. Seeing Cecil so morose hurt; the further into his dark knight training he got, the darker his mood became, until a black cloud seemed to shroud him. Rosa and Kain both saw it, and Rosa came to Cid, begging him to speak to the king, to get him to allow this one thing Cecil wanted.
Kain was another story.
Cecil and Rosa had given celebratory cheers when Cid told them that the king had relented, and Cecil was to learn how to pilot airships. Kain had gone oddly quiet, though. When Cid managed to get the teenager alone, Kain tried to deflect, pleading girl trouble. “I don’t think so,” Cid said with a shake of his head.
“Boy trouble.” Kain scowled.
Cid chuckled. “You don’t go anywhere without Rosa and Cecil. You don’t have the time or privacy to have romantic issues.”
“Hey-“
“Out with it, kid. What’s bugging you?”
Kain swallowed thickly, looking away. “I’m just worried about him, okay?”
“Worried about what?”
Cid had a sinking feeling that he already knew the answer to that question. It wasn’t Cecil’s training; Kain had been chosen for it at first, and refused, saying that he would be a dragoon like his father, and if King Odin didn’t like it, he could turn him out. Kain would survive one way or another. He’d tried to get Cecil to refuse, having given Odin’s demands the study they deserved, but when Cecil told him that he would do as he was ordered, Kain’s attitude shifted to one of careful concern. Never overbearing, always present, a rock Cecil could lean on when Cecil’s training was too much for him. Kain spent many nights holding Cecil still so Rosa could heal the damage his dark knight training inflicted on his body. That Kain was worried about it was understood. This was different.
Kain, at first, refused to answer. He pressed his lips together in a grim line, stubbornly shaking his head. Cid grimaced. “Listen, Kain, I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong,” he said softly. “I know you don’t see me as the father figure Cecil and Rosa do, but I care about you a great deal. If I can help-“
“You can’t,” Kain cut him off sullenly. “Not unless you can convince him to give up his wish to be an airship pilot.”
“Kain-“
“I don’t want to lose someone else I care about to an airship accident.”
Cid reached out and put a hand on his arm. “I get how you feel, son. And I wish I could tell you that you have nothing to fear. Alas, accidents happen. That’s why they’re called accidents.” Kain’s expression crumbled, and Cid shook his head. “But I can say that airship technology is safer than ever. And Cecil is more than competent, Kain. He will be an excellent pilot. If anyone can master this, it’s him.”
“I don’t want to lose him,” Kain repeated weakly.
“I know. And I don’t think you will.”
Kain sighed, looking away. “It’s not like I have a choice,” he muttered sullenly. “Cecil is going to do what he wants. He always does.”
“No, Kain. Cecil always does what the king wants. Cecil himself asks for little and gets less. This is huge for him, please don’t ruin it.”
Now irritation swept over Kain’s face. “I have no intention of ‘ruining’ anything,” he snapped. “But I can’t help how I feel! Would you rather I didn’t care?”
“Are those my only choices? Overprotectiveness or apathy?” Cid shook his head again. “You need to stop thinking in such black and white terms. The world cannot be divided neatly into things that are good and bad. There are drawbacks and risks with flying an airship, but there are drawbacks and risks to everything. Have Cecil or Rosa told you they don’t want you to be a dragoon?”
“Why would they-“
“Do you know how many dragoons retire because they fall and lose their ability to walk?”
Kain’s face flushed. “That’s different!”
“Because it’s something you want? Grow up, kid. You are far too old to be doing this.”
Kain’s eyes flashed in anger. Then, as quickly as it came on, the anger faded, his shoulders slumped, and he sighed. “Why are you always right?” he grumbled.
Cid snorted, his voice gentling. “I’m not always right, but the ability to see the right thing comes with age. You’ll get there, too, Kain. You’re wise beyond your years, and you’re the most gentle soul I know. You’re not wrong to be worried about him. I’m sure Rosa feels similarly to you. But try to be happy for him, yeah? It might shift your perspective.”
With that, Cid patted Kain’s arm, and wandered back into the common room, where Cecil and Rosa sat, talking animatedly. Kain followed, his gaze sweeping thoughtfully over his friends. Cecil smiled radiantly at Rosa, who hung onto Cecil’s every word. Normally, jealousy would grip Kain’s guts in a vice at that sight, and it would be hours before he could work himself free of it again.
But he was too worried about Cecil to be jealous now. He could only hope that Cid was right, that the technology had improved since the accident that stole his father and Rosa’s from them. Because, although Kain tried to hold Cecil at a distance, he’d be utterly devastated if something happened to him. And he’d be useless in comforting Rosa, either.
Kain sat next to Rosa, wrapping an arm around her slight shoulders and hugging her to him. She briefly rested her head on his shoulder before pulling away and straightening, looking back at Cecil. “So when do you take your first flight?” she asked. And Kain could hear the anxiety beneath her bright voice, as plainly as his own.
Cecil’s face had colored when Kain embraced Rosa, but he didn’t comment on it. “Tomorrow,” he answered smoothly but excited, oblivious to his friends’ distress. “The King wants me to see as quickly as possible if this is going to interfere with my training, and the quickest way to do that is to just do it. I can’t wait. I’ve wanted this for so long.”
“I know.” Rosa smiled brilliantly, despite the worry in her eyes. “You’re going to be a great pilot, Cecil. Just… be safe, alright? Come back to us.”
Cecil sobered immediately, finally understanding Kain’s morose silence and Rosa’s hidden anxiety. “I will come back to you,” he replied, looking straight into Rosa’s eyes. Just as the look was getting under Kain’s skin, Cecil’s green eyes flicked to Kain. “To both of you,” he added softly.
Kain nodded. “That’s all we can ask,” he said, his voice gentler than the rough, adversarial tone he usually took with Kain. “If… if anything happens, promise me that you’ll land as quickly as you can. Don’t risk a crash.”
“I can promise you that,” Cid said solemnly. “He’ll have the best pilot in the country at his side, and he’ll have me at his side. I won’t tolerate any risk taking or foolishness.” Cecil grinned sheepishly at Cid’s pointed words, and Kain smiled, although it didn’t reach his eyes.
Rosa and Kain stood in the hangar together, waiting silently. Kain paced while Rosa sat on a crate, watching him. “You know you’re not helping him by exhausting yourself, right?” she said quietly.
Kain shook his head. “I can’t calm my mind,” he said in a tight voice. “All I can think about is the day we were told our fathers were dead.”
Rosa closed her eyes with a deep breath. “That’s not going to happen to Cecil,” she said evenly. “I know he’s alright. He has to be.”
The young dragoon shook his head again, and gritted his teeth, but said nothing in response, continuing to pace restlessly.
After an hour or so more, though, the sound of an airship engine roared through the air, and an airship glided slowly into the hangar, docking carefully. Rosa stood as Kain’s pacing ceased, and they faced the airship together, hanging onto each other with bated breath.
The cheer of relief was out of Kain’s mouth before he knew he was doing it. Rosa broke away from Kain as the gangway dropped and Cecil strode down it, pulling his dark knight’s helmet off. His eyes fell on his friends, and he swept Rosa up in his arms as she ran to him. “Welcome home,” Kain said softly, approaching as well. “I am so glad to see you whole, Cecil.”
Cecil’s face colored, and he demurred, unused to Kain expressing affection for him. “Yes, well, there’s not much that could’ve gone wrong,” he answered, his gentle voice overwhelmed, “but I must admit that your anxiety rubbed off on me significantly. I too am glad to be back, and whole.”
“Perhaps you’re reconsidering?” Kain asked hopefully.
Cecil grinned. “Not a chance,” he answered. “It was probably the scariest thing I’ve ever done, but… also the most exhilarating. I would love to take you and Rosa up for a ride sometime, if only to show you how safe it is now.”
“I’ll pass,” Kain said smoothly, although his face flushed as well.
“You’re going to need to get over your fear eventually, you know.”
“Eventually doesn’t have to be today,” Kain clipped. “Come, Cecil. Let’s celebrate your first voyage and safe return at the inn. I’m not supposed to tell you this-“
“Then why are you about to?!”
“-but the Red Wings are gathered there, waiting for you to return so they can celebrate with you.”
Cecil’s blush deepened. “They barely know me.”
“That may be true,” Rosa offered, “but you have a habit of stealing the hearts of everyone you meet. Including, apparently, seasoned soldiers.”
At that, Cecil chuckled softly. “I suppose I should go meet with them, then. I will pretend to be surprised.”
“That would be appreciated,” Kain returned with a smile, and this time, it was genuine. “Let’s go let the Red Wings get us tipsy.”
Cecil nodded, and, arm around Rosa’s waist, headed for the hangar entrance. Kain took two steps in their wake, stopped and looked back at the airship, at the people milling about on the deck. "I have to get over my fear, huh..."
Kain didn't see why. He would never be on an airship, unless Cecil harangued him into taking a flight with him. With a sigh, he turned and followed Cecil and Rosa. There was no point in ruminating on it. He would get over his fear in his own time.
The color drained from Kain's face as he realized what, exactly, he had volunteered to do. He had assumed he would be on foot as he delivered the ultimatum to his former friend; at no point did he think that he would be on an airship.
Fear not, Barbariccia whispered in his ear. I will not let you fall.
Kain didn't know if he could trust his mercurial admirer. If he hadn't trusted Cecil... But he'd volunteered for this duty, and he knew Golbez was waiting for him to trip up again. He couldn't show weakness.
Even if, he thought darkly as he heard Golbez's amused chuckle echo through his mind, Golbez already knew.
With a deep breath and steady steps, Kain boarded the airship, his heart hammering in his chest. Time to find out if he could overcome his fears. He would prove to Cecil and Rosa that they could still believe in him.
Iyliss on Chapter 1 Mon 07 Jul 2025 06:48AM UTC
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joshuaorrizonte on Chapter 2 Tue 15 Jul 2025 05:43PM UTC
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