#Mortem In Contumeliam

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam, Ch. XI

Chapter 11 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

Now, here's a fun fact for you.  The person that interacts the most with Wedge, in this chapter?  That wasn't planned.  I mean, it's not to say that I had a plan for this section of the story beyond "that scene…" but, I think it ended up being pretty cute.

Word count: 4,108 – Character count: 23,417 Originally written: July 26th, 2019

Familiar strangers arrive in the wake of chaos.  Is Samasa saved?

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd.

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    “Hee-hee-hee, ha-haaah!!”     Kefka insanely laughed as the huge pile of crystals jingled and clinked in his arms.     “With all this beautiful Magicite, I should have no problem getting through that pesky seal!  Then… then…  The treasure will be mine… all mine…!!”     He gave another laugh… then, he hiccuped.     “Un-belieeeve-able!!”     And, with that strange thought… he walked right out of the town, leaving it to burn.

    “Oh, gods– oh, gods– oh, gods– oh, gods– oh, gods…!  Be okay, please be okay!”

    When he was sure that the power-mad man was truly out of sight, Wedge finally came out of his hiding spot… though, with serious difficulty.  He was completely drenched in sweat from the impromptu steam-bath, freezing-cold from fright, and still mildly panicked from what he’d seen and heard.  Despite all that, he knew he had a duty to fulfill… checking on his friends!  But, that would have to way because…     “Stop right there!!”     As he noticed when he spun around…     “It’s you guys!!”     He wasn’t alone.

    Standing across the way from him was a rag-tag group of people that he recognized from the dinner at Vector: a royal figure and a strongman, both of which looked similar… a heavily-armored man with a stern gaze and sharp blade… a wild child, a well-dressed man, and even a  moogle, for some reason!  Yes, he recognized them all as friends of the Returners and, though he was extremely relieved to see them… it didn’t seem like they were too thrilled to see him.

    “Thank gods you’re here…” he sighed with a smile.     When he took a step forward… he had to jerk back.  A handful of shafts had pierced the ground, landing right where his foot had been.  He looked at them, then looked up… only to slowly raise his hands over his head.  The man in green trappings had an odd device leveled at him… a device that looked like a crossbow with a number of additions, such as a belt full of bolts hanging off it.  It didn’t take much guessing to figure out what kind of weapon that was…

    “O-okay, I know what this looks like, but–”     “You have exactly five seconds to explain what happened here,” the man shouted as his companions angrily glared and made various threatening gestures.  “The next volley won’t miss.”     Wedge wasn’t sure how to summarize everything, so he just blurted out the first thing he could: “K-Kefka!!”  Luckily… that seemed to be just the word to get the group to calm down.     “Explain,” the man ordered, keeping his weapon aimed at the soldier’s head.  And, under threat of becoming a pincushion… the soldier told the group everything that had happened.

    Shortly after his explanation, Wedge was shoved aside and told to leave.  He walked some short distance away… but, he didn’t want to exit the village.  In fact, he wanted to help with the situation in any way he could!  So, as they tended to their unconscious friends, he walked over to the well, pulled up a water bucket, then hurled some hot water at the nearest building.  It wasn’t until his third toss that any of the Returners noticed what he was up to, and…     “Gau… help armor man?”     It was a child with wild hair and torn clothes, seemingly there to help.     “Not… sure what you can do.  There’s only one bucket, but–”     “Gau, Gau!!” he shouted before closing his eyes.  “Gaauuu… Blizzard!”

    The soldier went wide-eyed as the scruffy youth stood up and cast a storm of snow at the building.  When he did it, again, Wedge wasn’t sure what to say…  Then, when a couple of others started doing the same to the nearby buildings, he just rubbed the back of his helmet, feeling kind of useless.  His little bucket was no match for the power of magic…

    Once the fire had been quenched, he was among the first to search the ruined buildings for signs of life.  Thankfully, there were plenty of citizens who had kept themselves safe and out of harm’s way.  The rest of the morning was spent helping them recover, dousing what fire remained, and generally trying to undo the damage that “his people” had done to Samasa.

    As the sun rose up and held itself high above the land, Wedge found himself leaning on the well and thinking… only to look to his side.     “Gau?”     Once again, the strange youth had come up to him.  He seemed to be offering a small portion of jerky to the soot-covered soldier.     “Thanks.”  He smiled as he took it.  “Ya know… you’re a lot nicer than your friends.”     “Gau…”  He looked away.  “Others not trust armor man.  Armor man hurt others.”     When Wedge tilted his head, Gau immediately corrected himself.     “Other armor man hurt friends!  Armor man bad.  But…”     The boy looked up with a bright smile.     “Yous armor man seem good!”     “W-well, I try…” he said as he ruffled the kid’s hair, much to his appreciation.     “Hey, you!”     Both he and the child looked across the way.  The burly man – who looked similar to the guy with the mechanical crossbow – was walking toward them.

    “Thou!” the wild child greeted as the muscle-man drew closer.     “Yeah, yeah…” was the man’s chuckling response.  “You.  Soldier.”     Wedge hesitated… then, he looked right at the man with a neutral expression.     “I came over to say… thanks.”     “Huh?”  The soldier gave a blink.     “I saw you tryin’ to put out the fire with your dinky bucket.”  The other man laughed.  “Got Gau all fired-up!”     “Not Fire, Thou!  Blizzard!” Gau corrected.     “I didn’t mean– bah.”  He shook his head at the laughing kid.

    “Anyway… I don’t know what your game is, red-suit, but…”     “Gau, Gau!!” the rambunctious youth suddenly shouted as he hopped up onto the well.  He made an odd, purring noise as Wedge ruffled his hair, shortly after.     “You got Gau’s trust, so I guess you can’t be all bad.”     “Thanks… I think?”     “If you really wanna help us… maybe, you can tell us anything else you know?  Like, how’d Kefka get outta jail?  Why’d he set the town on fire?  And, where’s–”     “General Leo!!”

    A horrified shriek ripped across the town square.  Both men, as well as the child, recognized the voice and, immediately after hearing it, ran over to see what was going on.  What they saw when they arrived was… absolutely heartbreaking.  Tina and Lock had recovered from their unconscious states and, unfortunately… the latter had managed to find what little of General Christophe that Kefka had left behind.

    “No… no… nooo…!!” she howled as she sat on her knees, visibly sobbing into her hands over the loss of her new friend.     “Tina…”     Wedge was about to crouch and comfort her… only for Lock to stop him.     “You stay away from her,” he said with a cold gaze and a threatening tone, pushing him away.  “You’ve done enough, already.”     “I didn’t–!!” he started to shout before catching himself.  With a controlled tone, he explained, “I didn’t do anything…!”     “Exactly.”  The man in the bandanna angrily scowled.  “You could have saved him… you could have saved Tina from seeing this.”     “What the hell would I have done?!” the soldier growled, growing angry.  “Between all the soldiers and his freaking death balls, Kefka would’ve ripped me apart!  As it was, he tossed me in the well before he got bored with me!”     “Maybe, you should’ve stayed down there,” the other man coldly told him.  A second later, he found himself staring, wide-eyed, as the soldier threw him against a nearby mound – not incidentally, causing both the machinist and the retainer to draw their weapons.

    “Look, you sonovabitch!” Wedge snarled as he pinned Lock against the rocks.  “I’m not one of them!  Those were Kefka’s soldiers!  I serve… served… under General Leo!!”     He gave a blink as the Returner spun him around, shoving him against the hill.     “And, where were you when he was getting shanked?!” he yelled.  “Where were you when Kefka was burning the village?!”     “I was in the gods damned well!  Unconscious!!” the soldier told him.  “Leo was–”     “More like, hiding!”  Lock slammed him against the slanted ground.  “You could’ve saved him!  Coward!”     Wedge wanted to say something.  However, he noticed that as angry as Lock was…     “Some soldier you are…”     He seemed more frustrated with the situation than anything – something he could relate to.

    The Returner sighed as he finally let Wedge go, then took a few steps away.  As he did that, the people who were aiming at the soldier stood down before returning to Tina’s side.  A moment later, it was Lock who knelt beside her, letting the girl cry into his shoulder.

    “Armor man…?”     Wedge glared at Lock… then, he looked to his side.  Gau had scurried up the hill beside him and was staring with bright eyes full of concern.     “Armor man sad…?” he asked with a small frown.     The soldier hesitated… then, he sighed, “Armor man sad…”     “Armor man want meat?”     “Armor man…”  He paused, again.  “Wants to disappear…”     At that, Gau opened his eyes and gasped.  “Armor man like spooky black man?!”     “‘Spooky black…?’”     Wedge had to think about who that could be.  When he figured it out… he just laughed.     “No, kid…  I mean, I just want to leave.  Go home.  Get away from… this mess.”     “Want friend?  Gau come?”     “Gau stay,” he said as he offered a brave smile.  “Your friends need you more.  Especially Tina.”     “Want go with armor man,” he insisted.  “Armor man more sad.”     “I… I really doubt that.  I just lost my favorite general…  Tina, though…”     The man crossed his arms, looking toward the group.  Tina had gone quiet, but she was still clinging to Lock with her face against his body.     “She lost her new friend.  Guess she really liked him, too…”

    “Magic girl hurt outside,” Gau told him.  “Armor man hurt in here…”     He gave a blink as Gau thumped his chest.     “Armor man no cry.  Armor man strong, outside!  Strong like Gau, awoo!!  But, armor man feel bad inside.  Drink ‘happy water?’  Write book?  Not sure.  But, Gau know armor man feel sad.  Face sad.  Heart sad.  And… Gau sad… ‘cuz new friend sad.”     He frowned a little more, looking even more concerned.     “Armor man go, Gau go, too!  Be beast!  Make armor many happy!”     Wedge couldn’t help but smile.  Gau was absolutely determined to cheer him up…     “Gau know hug?” he offered.

    Almost immediately, the child jumped into his arms and gave him a tight squeeze that made his borrowed Magicite poke into his chest.  He didn’t mind, though… he was just happy that Gau wanted a hug and, honestly?  He kind of needed one, himself… though, he would have preferred it to be from a happy Tina, if he had his choice.

    “Armor man be okay?” Gau asked as he dropped to the ground and sat like a dog.     “Armor man be okay… eventually,” he told the boy as he ruffled his hair.  “I have a lot of thinking to do.  Today’s… been one for the record books.” –––––

    “General Leo…”

    The air was somber as the group gathered in a clearing just east of the town.  It was there that they decided to give the general a proper burial.  Once it was done, Tina stood near the freshly-overturned dirt, having placed a bouquet of colorful flowers on it.  Everyone else stood a small distance away, giving her space.

    “Everyone wants power…” she said to herself.  “Do they want to be like me…?”     She paused before looking at the blank headstone placed at the head of the gravesite decorated with flowers.     “I wanted…” she whispered as she felt sadness find her, again.  “I wanted you to teach me… about so many things, General Leo…  I was hoping that…”     The girl had to look away and compose herself.  Lock took a step her toward her… only to be stopped by the man in green – Edgar, the king of Figaro.  When he shook his head, the other man settled back down.  Not long after, they both heard Tina give a sniffle, then a sigh.     “You were taken before your time… taken for no reason other than a mean, cruel man didn’t like you.  I barely had any time to know you, General Leo… but, you seemed so wise and so kind…  It’s not fair…  It’s not fair…”

    After another momentary silence, Tina finally turned away and walked right over to Lock and Edgar before returning to her place on the former’s shoulder.  She was done crying… but, she clearly had more grieving to do.  As that happened, the elder of the town walked up to the grave and made a couple of gestures.     “Ashes to ashes,” he said, “dust to dust.  May he fly with the angels.”     With that, he walked out of the clearing, leaving the group to their business.

    “Gau…”     Wedge blinked.  He’d been standing there without his helmet, quietly taking everything in… when he noticed that Gau was tugging on his pantleg and looking at him.     “What’s up?” he asked as he knelt to look at the kid.     “Armor man like magic girl?” he asked.     The soldier hesitated.  He’d asked that so innocently…     “Tina’s… my friend, too,” he quietly explained, “but Lock is taking care of her.  It’s okay.  I don’t really like him… but, if Tina trusts him that much, who am I to argue?  Heh.”     “Armor man still sad?” was the child’s next question.     “Heh.  Yeah… armor man still sad,” Wedge said with a nod.  “General Leo was great.  He let me and Biggs goof off, all the time, and–”     He paused… then, he deeply frowned.     “Biggs…”

    Gau was left giving a confused look as Wedge suddenly left the clearing, then quietly followed on all-fours.  It didn’t seem like the soldier was going to stop walking and, in fact, seemed like he was heading out of town.  But, as he got to the south entrance…     “Fight lady!!”     He was stopped by the appearance of someone he definitely didn’t need to bump into.

    “Wedge!” she called with a look of distress.  “What is going on…?  Another Imperial ship docked next to ours, then I heard the rumble of Magitek Powered Armor units…  When I saw the Blackjack fly over, I finally worked up the nerve to come here… but, everything’s scorched and ruined!  Plus…”     She paused, looking down.  Both Wedge and Gau followed her line-of-sight to see…     “I found Shadow’s dog…”     Interceptor was in her arms.  And… he looked like he’d found one-or-more armored units, himself, judging by his injuries.

    “Kefka betrayed us,” was his simple response.     “K-Kefka…?!” she exclaimed, accidentally disturbing the sleeping dog.  “A-ah, sorry, Interceptor…  Kefka…?  Here?  Why?”     “Take a wild guess.”     She grimaced, then she shook her head.     “Gau, where are our friends?  Are they here?”     “Gau, Gau!” the child barked.  A second later, he trotted back toward the center of town, followed by the lady general.     “Yeah…  Go find your friends,” Wedge said to himself.  “I–”     “Armor man!”     He blinked, then turned around.  Gau was looking out from behind a building.

    “Come!” he said.     “No, I–”     “Armor man friend!” the boy interrupted.  “Armor man friend of magic lady, armor man friend of Gau!  Armor man come back or… or Gau drag back!  Grrr!!”     There was no reasoning with the little wild child…  So, despite his better judgment, he followed Gau and Celes back into town, then into the clearing.

    “W-what’s wrong with Interceptor?!  Oh, geez… bring ‘im here!”

    Shortly after Celes arrived at the grave, Lock ordered her to bring Interceptor over.  He was quick to remove his bandanna and, with a combination of a Hi-Potion and that makeshift bandage, he treated the poor dog’s wounds.

    “As if General Leo wasn’t enough…” he muttered as Interceptor weakly resisted.  “Seems like even hired help like Shadow isn’t safe from those bastards.  Damn the Empire!”     He sighed, shaking his head.  Then, he re-focused on the slender hound.     “That’s the best I can do, for now.  Thanks for not biting me, ‘Ceptor.”     “Poor doggie…”     Lock looked over and noticed that the little girl in the beret had walked over.  After audibly sympathizing, she sat next to the beat-up pup.     “Don’t worry,” she told him as he settled next to her, “Lilum will keep you safe!”     Surprisingly – at least, for everyone but Lock, Tina, and Stragos – Interceptor seemed… relaxed around Lilum.  So much so that he put his head on her lap and even let her pet him.  It was kind of sweet.

    “General Christophe…  He… he’s really…?”

    Celes stood in front of the fresh grave, her hands over her mouth and her eyes staring at the fresh dirt.  She couldn’t believe what she’d been told…     “Kefka…”     But, rather than stay sad about it…     “He’ll pay for what he’s done!”     She grew angry!

    “The Empire betrayed us all, it seems…”     After Celes paid her respects, the entire party – including the Imperial Magitek Soldier – quietly left the clearing and met in the square of the town to continue their conversation.  As they settled, it was the man with long, white hair and nobleman’s clothing that spoke up.

    “What do you mean, Setzer?” Tina asked, despite knowing better.     “Heh.  We were this close,” he explained as he lit a cigarette for himself, “to being caught in a trap, ourselves.  That’s why we’re here, in fact!”     “We managed to escape, ere,” the black-haired man with a pencil-thin moustache explained.  “King Figaro’s information is to thank.”     Lock smiled.  “Using that royal clout, huh?”     “‘A little kindness goes a long way,’ as they say…” the king said with a grin.  “My kindness toward a tea maiden allowed her to open up and share some interesting information about the goings-on in Vector.  She was quite well-informed… and, quite lovely.”     “So… you flirted the info outta her…” his brother said with a disapproving frown.     “My dear Macías,” Edgar said as he waved a finger, “don’t misunderstand my intentions.  Yes, my actions could be misinterpreted as idle flirtations but, I assure you: it was a simple courtesy.  Cour-te-sy!  It is my kingly duty to make the fairer sex feel… appreciated!”     Macías rolled his eyes with an “Uh-huh…”     “That aside…” the young king said, changing the topic, “I believe we need to rethink our tactics.  Let’s return to the airship, formulate a plan, and stop the empire from entering the Eidolons’ World.”     “May I come with you?”     Both Edgar and Macías blinked, then turned to face the source of the new voice.

    “And, you are?” Edgar asked as he looked at the old man who stood more-than-a-head shorter than him.     “That’s Stragos,” Lock told him from a short distance away.  “He’s from here.”     “He’s descended from the magic-users of this land,” Tina added.  “He can help us!”     The young king gave a puzzled look between his two friends…  “Magic-users, you say?”     “I can’t just let the Empire abuse the power of the Eidolons like they are!” Stragos suddenly told them.  “I aim to stop them in their tracks!”     “Lilum, too!!”     All eyes fell upon the old man’s granddaughter.  She had spoken up from behind and was hopping in place with her arms over her head.

    “No,” was her grandfather’s flat response.  “Stay here.”     She made a noise and pouted… something that got a laugh out of Macías.     “What’s funny?” she asked him with a pout.     “It’s cute that you wanna help,” he told her, “but, a kid would just slow us down!”     She threw her hands up, putting on an angry face.  “What the hell, muscle-man?!”     That just made him laugh even harder!     “Well, you’ve sure got a lot of spunk, missy!  But–”     “Grrrr…”     He stopped, staring as she reached under her hat and whipped out a paintbrush.     “Hold still…” she told him in a vaguely-threatening way. “I’m painting your portrait!”     “Whoa!  No, stop!”     As she twirled the brush between her fingers, Tina and Lock both ran over, pulling their friend aside.  Meanwhile, Stragos snatched the painter’s tool away from her, much to her further annoyance.  All that… just seemed to confuse the ox-of-a-man.

    “Lilum…” the old mage sighed, “you simply won’t take ‘no’ for an answer, will you?”     “Nuh-uh!” Lilum said with a shake of her head.     “Bless you for having your mother’s temperament…”  He paused before telling her… “If that’s the case, then…”     The mage politely handed the brush back with a smile.     “You can come.”     “Oh, yeah!”  The girl leaped up, triumphantly throwing her fist into the air.  “Thanks, Gran’pa!”     “Just, behave yourself.  Okay?”     “Okay, Gran’pa!” she told him with a bright smile.  “Lilum promises!”

    “Well, that settles that!”     Macías gave a nod to everyone, looking satisfied.  Then…     “Let’s head out!”     He headed the pack as they headed out of town.  Not long after…     “Hey, perv!  You comin’?”     Lilum walked back, getting the attention of the man who’d hesitated to leave.

    “E-excuse me?” King Figaro asked, being drawn from his thoughts.     “Lilum said, ‘you comin’?’”  She offered a smile as she said, “C’mon, Kingy!  If you’re niiice, you may get a pooortraaait from The Great Lilum Arrowny, Mistress of the Long Stroke!  You do wanna pose for Lilum, don’cha?”     There was an awkward period of silence as Edgar stared at the girl.  She just stood there with her hands behind her back, cutely shimmying and happily smiling.     “You… uh… have quite the spirit.”     “Thanks, Kingy!” she said with a wink.  “Lilum thinks you’re alright, too!”     He rubbed his cheek before awkwardly asking, “Sssay, uh… how… old are you, exactly?”     “Why, Lilum is ten-and-a-half years old!” she proudly proclaimed.  A second later, she gave him a suspicious look and asked, “Whhyyy…?”     “N-no reason!” he exclaimed, sounding flustered.     She narrowed her eyes… then, she gave a shrug.  “Whatever!”

    As she spun around and started skipping away, she told the king, “Better hurry up, Kingy!  Lilum won’t wait for you, forrreeeverrr!”  And, as she walked out of town, Edgar had to take a minute to catch the breath that had left him and adjust his cloak.     “Pull it back, Edgar…” he quietly told himself.  “She may act grown up, but she’s just a kid.  A real cute kid…”     Almost immediately, he slapped himself.     “J-just focus on the mission!  Gods…  The last thing my kingdom needs is that kind of publicity!  Uh… wait, why am I talking to myself…?”     All-at-once, he called to the girl before running after.  However, as he left…     “Armor man!”     Someone else came back.

    “What?  Gau?  What are you doing back here?”     Wedge was stood near the well of the town – his new favorite spot, apparently – and hadn’t been paying any attention to anything that was going on.     “Armor man come!  Join friends!” the wild child said as he walked over, standing upright.  “Fight bad man!”     “N-no, that’s okay…” was his response.  He figured that Tina and her friends had everything under control and, despite his newfound distaste for the Empire… he couldn’t see himself being any use to them on their quest to dismantle it.  But…     “Join friends!”     The kid who had befriended him seemed as stubborn as the little loudmouthed girl…

    “Listen, Gau…” he started to tell the blond boy in animal hides, “I really don’t think your friends need my help.  I mean, up until today… I was part of the people they’re about to go fight!  So–”     “Fight lady was bad!  Fight lady good, now!” he interrupted.  “Magic lady was bad!  Magic lady good, now!  Armor man good…  Gau know, others learn!  So, come!”     “No… no, it’s fine.”  Wedge gave a soft smile.  “I’ll just… stay here, where my best friend and favorite officer died.  Maybe, in time, the nice folk might even forgive me and let me stay here in town!  Yeah… yeah, I could see myself being happy in this town…”     “But…  Gau like armor man…  If armor man stay…”     The boy deeply frowned, his eyes looking right into Wedge’s.     “Gau be sad…”

    Wedge narrowed his eyes – forgetting that Gau could see them, since he was still holding his helmet.  He knew – and, couldn’t believe – that Gau trying to manipulate him, like that!  Still, there was something about his words… something in the way he was frowning and staring… something genuine… that made him eventually say…     “O… o-okay.  Just… gimme a second?”

    The soldier met up with Gau some short time later.  When asked what he was doing, he wouldn’t say… but, in actuality, he’d decided to leave something of his own on General Leo Christophe’s grave…

    A tarnished sword… and, a beat-up, red-orange helmet with a lightning bolt on it.

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Kefka Palazzo #Magitek Soldier #Wedge #Edgar Figaro #Mash Figaro #Sabin Figaro #Kaien Garamonde #Cyan Garamonde #Gau #Setzer Gabbiani #Mog #Tina Branford #Terra Branford #Lock Cole #Locke Cole #Celes Chere #Interceptor #Lilum Arrowny #Relm Arrowny #Strago Magus #Stragos Magus #fantasy #drama

[jolikmc]

(Some of) You asked for it, so here it is: me reading a chapter of one of my own (fan fiction) stories!

#writing #fan fiction #audiobook #vocal reading #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Imperial Soldier #Wedge (FFVI) #Biggs (FFVI) #fantasy #slice of life

[systemakhaosu]

A curse for all those previously mentioned kinds of assholes

In nomine daemonium Laz, Stolas magnus Princeps: Ego Apollo deus formaliter et nolite maledicere Omnis qui cogitat, est ridiculam aliquis ex intentione CT Omnis usus, qui utitur ad contumeliam Omnis qui denegat vel felis contentus uti documentis habenda, et quod post interrogavit Omnis populus qui cum morbos mentis cogitat, et cum triggers sit "iustus adepto super eam" vel utcunque variabilis per eam

Ut vitae enim singulis horum ocellos mortem ruere eis quousque solum bene. Postremo, ut mortem et venit ad portam quae ad aeternum Dei fieri, ut tormentis ab aliquo numine daemonium, animo aut si quis voluerit aliquid agere poenas.

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam FFVI, Ch. I

Chapter 1 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

Did'ja like the recap of the events leading into this chapter?  I thought that'd be a good way to open it, considering how much of the game's plot the story actually skips.  Plus, you get some idea of how the soldiers are!  Hee hee.

That said, here's where the plot truly begins.

Word count: 3,257 – Character count: 19,017 Originally written: July 15th, 2019

Following a failed mission, Wedge and Biggs find themselves in hot water with their commanding officer only to be rescued by a timely intervention by an unexpected source.

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd.

[ ← Prev. Chapter | Next Chapter → ]

    “How’s the soup treating you, now, partner?”     “You shut the he– blargh!!”     Biggs grinned to himself.     “Serves you right for gorging yourself on good will.”

    Two Imperal soldiers, Wedge and Biggs, had been assigned to a mission in Narshe.  After failing their mission – and, somehow, losing their armor and equipment – they found their way to the House of New Beginnings and scrounged together some simple clothing, such as jackets and slacks.  Once they’d left the snowy plains, they trekked across the neighboring desert, made their way through a cave that cuts through the mountains, and found themselves in South Figaro.     In that small port town, Wedge unsuccessfully attempted to strongarm a ship’s captain to ferry them to Alburg… only for his more sensible partner to intervene and ask if any shipments were heading there.  A week later, a cargo freighter headed out to sea, the two soldiers working as part of its crew.

    “I’ll have you know…”     Wedge paused to groan, then straightened up after emptying his stomach’s contents over the ship’s rail.     “I’ll have you know,” he started again, “that it wasn’t the soup.  I’m just seasick.”     “Yeah, and you probably wouldn’t be as seasick if you hadn’t eaten twice your weight in gysahl green soup.”     “Ugh, don’t remind– ah… hwargh!!”     Biggs crossed his arms, scowling as his partner tossed his cookies overboard, again.     “Nice, Wedge…  Real nice.”     “Hey, Biggs… got somethin’ for ya.”     The taller of the two men narrowed his eyes.  Wedge had reached into his coat pocket.     “If it’s what I assume it is…”     The shorter man grinned… then, pulled his hand out, making a rude gesture at Biggs.     “Yeah… keep that to yourself.”     “Heh… hoo-hoo-nooo– gwaugh!!”

    Wedge and Biggs worked hard for the ship’s captain, helping to move cargo, fix leaks in the holds of the cargo ship, and even managed to parlay for some extra supplies with a ship going the other way.  Despite his seasickness, Wedge made sure to work the hardest, not wanting to let “some dumb thing like an upset stomach” keep him from earning his way.  Ironically, he did manage to get his sea legs… though, only an hour before the ship arrived at Alburg.

    After docking, every member of the ship’s crew helped unload the cargo.  When a pair of Magitek Armor units came in with a large wagon, the two soldiers-in-disguise decided they should take their leave.     “Well, boys… I was skeptical, but you two really proved your worth, and then some!”     The ship’s captain stroked his beard, smiling at the two as they clambered into the wagon.     “It’s a shame you two have somewhere to be!  I could use some reliable seamen like you on every trip!”     “Yeah, well…”  Wedge chuckled with a laugh.

    “If we’re ever in need of ferry back to Figaro and happen to cross paths,” Biggs told the captain, “we’ll be happy to help, again.”     “I’ll keep that in mind!” the captain laughed.  He grinned at Wedge, then, as he said, “Remember, salty crackers are good for a queazy stomach, mate.”     “Yeah, yeah…” the shorter man said with a wave of his hand and a grin of his own.     “Well… I have to get back to my crew and I imagine you two have your own business, here.  Take care, gents!”     “See ya, Captain!  Thanks for having us!”     “Until the wind brings us seaward, once more,” Biggs added.     With that, the captain returned to the dock.

    “Boy… the commander is gonna be thrilled to see you two.”     At the sound of a new voice, both Biggs and Wedge leaned out from inside the wagon.  Standing at the back was a soldier wearing the green armor denoting the rank of “cadet.”     “Pierre,” Biggs greeted.     “Pierre?  Pierre!”  Wedge brightly smiled.  “What a coincidence!  You’re a courier, now, huh?  Man, I didn’t think you could get demoted any harder!”     Pierre scowled at the two… which just made Wedge smirk.     “You know, I’d normally tell you what to shove and where, but…”  The cadet smugly smiled.  “I’m in a puh-retty good mood, today.”     “Is that so?”     “Yup.  As I said, the commander is going to be thrilled to see you two.  Out-of-uniform.  Two weeks late to report back.  No Magitek Armor.  No Eidolon.  No witch.”     “Hold on…”     Biggs leaned down wearing a look of genuine interest.     “‘Eidolon?’  ‘Witch?’”     “Oh, don’t play dumb!  It’s all over the Imperial Castle!  You blew it!”     “What’d we do?” Wedge casually asked, much to Pierre’s continued frustration.     “You two idiots were assigned to a simple task: go to Narshe… retrieve the reported Eidolon from wherever it was… come back.  It was a mission that even you two couldn’t screw up – or, so we thought!  Kind’a wonder why they gave you that fire witch to play with, though…”

    “We were supposed to retrieve an Eidolon from Narshe…?” Biggs asked, sounding genuinely confused.     “What did I just say?” was Pierre’s short response.     “Hey, Biggs…”     The soldier looked to his companion.     “I think… yeah, I remember something about some… magic thingy…  Didn’t we find some sort of ugly turkey frozen in ice?”     “‘Ugly turkey…?’”  Biggs paused… then, he asked, “Wait, are you talking about Valigarmanda, the Bird of Disaster?”     “I have no damn idea what you’re talking about, partner,” Wedge chuckled.  “All I remember was some ugly bird… then, I think… a bright light?  Next thing I know, we were tied up and left-for-dead in some gods-forsaken mineshaft!”     “Sounds like the witch gave you the slip…  So much for that Slave Crown!  Hah!”

    Both Biggs and Wedge turned their attention back to Pierre.  He had his arms crossed over his chest and wore another smirk.     “What do you mean, ‘Slave Crown?’” the former asked.     “Oh, hey!  That’s right!”     He blinked as Wedge suddenly spoke up, then looked right at him.     “That girl that supposedly toasted fifty cadets riding Magitek Armor…  She was with us!  And, she was wearing a Slave Crown!”     “‘Slave Crown…’” Biggs repeated before asking, “Do you two mean the ‘Puppeteer’s Wheel’ that General Palazzo had Doctor Marquez make?”     “Yeah,” his partner replied. “Most of us just call it a ‘Slave Crown,’ though, ‘cause–”     “Because, it makes the wearer your slave,” his partner finished.     “Except, this time…” Pierre interjected, drawing their attention back his way, “it didn’t work and she gave you the slip!”     The cadet grinned from-ear-to-ear, wringing his hands together.     “I can’t wait to see what the commander has to say about this!”

    Before either soldier could respond, they felt the wagon lurch, its cargo shift, and the whole unit begin to move.  It wasn’t long before the familiar clank of metallic feet on rocky dirt and green grass could be heard echoing in their ears.  They were on the move.     As they left the town, the soldiers noticed Pierre giving them a farewell wave… or, making a certain gesture – they weren’t quite sure but, either way, it didn’t matter.  After hearing that he had to say… they had quite a few other things to think about.

    “We were sent to Narshe…” Biggs said from a seated position on a random box of weapons, “and… we were supposed to retrieve that Eidolon.”     “If… it was there,” Wedge added as he watched the countryside roll by, backward.  “I remember, now: we were there to investigate, first, and reclaim, if it was actually there.”     The taller soldier crossed his arms and hummed…     “Do you really think the Puppeteer’s Wheel failed and that… witch… attacked us?”     “Seems pretty unlikely, partner,” Wedge replied.  “Before we left, I did some reading on the Slave Crown and, from what I understand, it not only blocks thought, emotion, and memory… but, it’s been known to actually erase the wearer’s mind if they wear it for too long!”     “So, what you’re saying is… that witch could never have turned against us.”     “Pretty much!”  He turned around, leaning against the wagon’s tailgate.  “Even if the Crown broke, she would’ve been too dazed-and-confused to attack.  Hell, even if she did…”     He grinned, then he ran his thumb across his throat with a gurgling croak.

    “So, then…”  The other soldier looked up with a worried expression.  “What was that light?  And… how did she get away from us?  Where did our powered armor go?  Where did our equipment go, for that matter?”     “I guess it’s possible that we didn’t kill that big-ass slug thing…  Maybe, it woke up and zapped us, good?  That much electricity could’ve blown up our Magitek Armor…”     “I… do remember hearing some sort of explosion, now that you mention it…”     Both soldiers looked down at the metallic floor of the wagon and hummed.     “This… is going to be hard to explain to the commander.” –––––

    “Boobs!  Idiots!  Clods!!”

    Not long after the wagon arrived at Vector, the two errant soldiers made their way to the barracks.  Before they could even think of slipping back into the standard-issue brown armor of their rank… they found themselves confronted by a very angry, somewhat-round man wearing black commander’s armor.

    “I should have you court marshaled…” he ranted as the two soldiers stood at attention.  “I should have you strung up!  I should have you shot out of a cannon and into the sun!!”     “Doc Cid finally made that ‘Sun Cannon,’ eh…?”     “Siiiiilence!!”     Wedge jolted with a “yip.”  The commander was right in his face… so close that he could smell the tuna salad he’d been eating for lunch.  After a minute of intense staring, though, he leaned back and returned to pacing in front of them.

    “How-the-hell did you two imbeciles manage to bungle this mission up so badly…?”     “We… don’t know, sir,” Biggs cautiously told him.     “What?  What?!”     Just like before, the commander was pressing his face up against his soldier’s face.     “What do you mean, ‘we don’t know?’” he asked in a mocking tone.  “Explain!!”     “Well, sir…” Wedge started, getting another faceful of the black helmet and fish-and-onion smell as he spoke, “the thing of it is… we were ambushed!”     “Great, just great!” the round man shouted and he stepped away.  “Two highly-trained soldiers, equipped with the most state-of-the-art weapons in the world, got ‘ambushed…’ and, they don’t remember how or by who!  Furthermore…!”     For no apparent reason, he got back in Biggs’ face.     “Where.  The hell.  Is the witch you were assigned?!”     “We… uh… don’t know, sir,” Biggs answered.     “You don’t– heh…  Heh-heh.  Ha ha hah!  Oooh, good golly, Miss Molly…”     Both soldiers blinked, glancing at each other as their C.O. stepped back and started laughing.  Before long, it became awkwardly infectious.  However…     “Stooooop laughing!!”     Biggs and Wedge straightened up, going stiff as boards!  The commander had drawn his blade and was threateningly waving it at them.  His face was red and, even with the helmet hiding his eyes, the two could tell that he was boiling over with rage!

    “You two…!  Do you have any idea what General Palazzo is going to do to you once he hears you lost his pet project?!”  The commander paused… then, he started rubbing his neck before nervously asking, “D-do you know what he’s going to do to me…?”     “No, but I’m always open to suggestion!”     “What?  Oh… sh–”

    Suddenly, all color left the commander’s face.  Both he and the soldiers had heard the familiar, shrill voice of someone that none of them wanted to cross… much less, interact with.  Unfortunately… the owner of that voice was walking right toward them.

      By all rights… the tall, slender man looked like a cross between a nobleman and a clown.  From his unusual, white face with black eyeshadow and red circling his mouth, to the garish, striped collar hanging around his shoulders over his puffy, crimson tunic, and the pointy, oddly-colored boots he wore that matched the sun-colored cloak on his back, he really didn’t seem like someone you'd expect to see in the military.  Even the way he acted, always laughing and smiling in a most-deranged way, made it seem like he should have been a performer… or, as some thought, locked away.  But, all three enlisted men… in fact, the entire Gestahlian Empire… knew that this man… General Kefka Palazzo… was no laughing matter.

    “Gr-r-r-reetings, peons!” the clown-like figure trilled.  “What’s new?”     “G-G-G-General Palazzo!”     The man in the black armor spun around, immediately kneeling before his superior officer.  Both Biggs and Wedge followed suit.     “W-w-what a surprise to see you in the barracks!!” he continued.  “I-I-I– what brings you down from your tower…?!”     “What brings me down?  Bad news, mostly!” Kefka told him as he took ginger, almost-feminine steps in a circle around the man.  “I certainly do hate bad news!  Why… anytime someone brings me bad news, I just come apart at the seams!”     He squeezed his arms, hugging himself tight and giving a little whimper.     “You would never give me any bad news…”     Kefka had leaned down, his mouth right next to the other man’s covered ear and his body practically pressing against his black armor.  A second later, he whispered…     “Would you…?”     “I… I… I…”     “Good!”

    All-at-once, Kefka spun away… once… twice… three times, before coming to a stop and putting his hands behind his back.  He took a simple standing position, looking ready to take things seriously, then.

    “Sooo…?”  He offered a friendly smile to the commander.  “Rise, Commander, and tell… did your men find anything of worth in that block of ice on the Figaro region?”     The commander gave a hard swallow as he got to his feet.  After taking a moment to catch his breath, he said…     “M-m-my men can tell you what they found, Sir!”     Neither Wedge not Biggs looked forward to that, and the former was especially annoyed at being thrown under the carriage like that.  However…     “I’d much rather hear it from yooou…”     Kefka batted his eyes and continued to smile at the commander, which just made him feel even more uncomfortable.     “Th… they haven’t told me everything,” the unnerved officer admitted.  “But–”     “Then, just tell me what you know, so far!  If there are any gaps…”     He narrowed his eyes and flashed a wicked grin.     “We’ll make a bridge to cross them.”     From anyone else… that wouldn’t have sounded like a threat.

    “W-well, Sir…” the commander started.  “A-according to my men – who are two weeks overdue, by the way!!”     Biggs and Wedge jolted on their feet.     “Narshe did, indeed, have a frozen Eidolon.  A–”     “Spleeendid!!” the general said with a smile and a clap of his hands.  “Go on, go on!”     “A… and, Sir… they, uh… failed to capture it?”     “Oh?”     Kefka relaxed his stature, then casually walked over to the commander.     “What happened?” he asked in an innocent tone while leaning in.  “Tell me, tell me!”     “They… uh… were… ambushed, according to their report?”     “Oh, dear!!”     The man with the white face suddenly whipped back, clasping his open hands against his cheeks and looking aghast!     “What happened, next?!”     “Y… yes, well,” the commander continued, “this is where things get a little… gap-y.”     Kefka crossed his arms, though raised a hand under his chin as he nodded.     “A-after they were ambushed… they, uh… woke up without any of their gear, nor their Magitek Armor…  A-and…”     “Mm-hmm, mm-hmm?  Go on?”     He paused to take a deep breath… then, he quietly confessed, “Th-the witch was gone.”     “Crafty she-devil!”

    The brightly-dressed man hopped away, then he pulled his arms around his back before pacing along the alleyway between rows of beds.     “Clearly, something went wrong with the Slave Crown!” he surmised aloud.     “See, even General Kefka calls it that!”  Wedge whispered to his companion.  Biggs just flustered and hushed him before looking tense.     “Ooh, I knew Cid wasn’t up to the task, the buffoon!  Although…”     Kefka spun around, looking at the commander with his head on one hand, again.     “The device worked fine when I made her kill all those soldiers…”     The one soldier went wide-eyed.  “So, it is true…!” he whispered.     “Sh-shut up, Wedge…!” his companion excitedly murmured.     “Then, when I was teaching her how to operate the Magitek Armor,” the general continued, “she seemed to catch on, lickety-split!  Maybe, the crown was damaged in combat?”     He brought a hand down, slapping his fist into it and wearing a wide-eyed expression.     “Yes, yes, that must be what happened!”     Suddenly, he did a forward-flip and landed right in front of the commander, startling him.     “I know a thing or two about ‘broken crowns,’” he said, unironically, “and, if that toy Doctor Cid cooked up did, indeed, break… then…”     He gestured at the two soldiers, causing them to wince.     “She could have attacked these poor, unfortunate souls and left them behind!     Kefka clasped his hands together, resting them next to his tilted head and giving the soldiers a sympathetic look.     “So sad!”

    “S… so, uh, General Palazzo…?”     Slowly… much too slowly… Kefka turned his attention back to the commander…  There was an unsettling look on the general’s face… one that was almost murderous…     “E’yeeeees…?” he said as his expression dramatically brightened.     “What… uh… what do we do?  I mean, where do we go from here, Sir?”     “Well!”     Kefka took a step back, then adjusted his cloak.     “Li’l ol’ me is going to go tell the big boss what happened, then I guess he’ll start a search for our little toy where you idiots lost her!  But, as for you?”     The wicked grin from earlier found its way back onto his face.     “I have plans, my dear commander… such marvelous plans, indeed!”     After saying that, Kefka just stood there, not moving and not saying a word for the longest time.  The enlisted men wanted to say something… but, not-a-one of them dared to.

    “Well?!”     Everyone jumped as Kefka suddenly stomped his feet and threw his arms out.     “Aren’t any of you morons curious about my wonderful plans?!”     “I-I kind of am…” Wedge said before Biggs could stop him.  And, just like that…     “You!  What’s your name?!”     Biggs, to his complete shock, found his view obscured by a face with a huge smile.

    “Sir!” he alertly called.  “Biggs Da–”     “‘Sir Biggsda,’ my lad!”     He winced as Kefka quickly pulled him into a one-armed side-hug.     “How would you like to be known as…”  He waved a hand in front of them.  “‘The Soldier Who Conquered Doma?!’”     “I…  Th-that’s…” Biggs stiffly said with a stammer.  “I-it would be an honor, S-Sir…?”     “Perfect!  Commander!!”     As Kefka left him to walk back over to his C.O, Biggs practically deflated with relief…     “Get all the troops you can!  Eight, twelve, twenty – whatever!  Tell ‘em, tonight…”     He shimmied with excitement.     “We’re gonna paint the castle red!  Red with the blood of those Doma dopes, that is!”     “Er… uh… yeh– yes, Sir!” the commander responded with a salute.     “Good, good!”  He rubbed his hands together.  Then, suddenly… “Well, it’s been fun!”     He spun around, then casually walked out of the barracks.     “But, I’ve got to fly, boys…” he told the trio.  “Ready the troops, then wait for my word!  I’ve got plans – oh, yes, such plans – plans the likes of which you wouldn’t even believe!  Ooh, just thinking about it makes me tingle!  Hee-hee… ha-ha-haaah!!”     With that… he was gone.

    “W… well?!  You heard him!!”     Wedge and Biggs both jolted.  Just like that, the commander was back to his confident, blustering, temperamental self.     “Get your asses in gear – literally – and, round up some troops!  Tonight… we attack Doma Castle!  I guess?  Hell, I don’t know – j-just get everyone ready!”     And, before long… the two were left alone in the barracks.

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Imperial Soldier #Wedge #Biggs #Imperial Cadet #Pierre #Imperial Commander #Kefka Palazzo #fantasy #slice of life

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam FFVI, Epilogue

The epilogue (and, final) chapter of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

I bet you expecting more of a finale than this, weren't you?  Weeell… I could have gone on-and-on, but I figured the story was getting a bit long.  Besides, this part of the game goes by in a flash, depending on how you approach it! But, really… I just thought a nice, simple ending was in order, after everything. … if there's interest, though… I might write an extra chapter (or, two) which goes into greater detail on certain events. Hell, who am I kidding?  I may just do it, anyway.  Just, not right away. … that comment might be invalid by the time this is posted.  I wrote all these descriptions on August 1st, ha hah.

Word count: 2,869 – Character count: 16,340 Originally written: July 29th, 2019

Two years after the end of the world…

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd.

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    “I’m an Imperial soldier!  Or, at least… I survived being one…”

    That was the story a man wearing a facsimile Imperial Army uniform told people passing through the Dragon’s Head Colosseum.  Sometimes, he would mention something about the Emperor and “talking to him twice,” while other times, he’d offer friendly hints and suggestions about what to bet… though, that usually ended up with customers losing their items to an opponent they couldn’t win against.  Still, it was relatively honest work for modest-but-fair pay, and it kept him off of the streets.  But, one day…

    “Welcome to the Dragon’s Head Colosseum!  I–”     “Wedge…?  Is that you?”     The fake soldier tilted his head as he was interrupted by a blond-haired woman wearing a form-fitting, red dress.     “I’m an Imperial soldier!” he told her.  “Or at least… I survived being one…”     Without warning, she threw her arms around his shoulders, giving him a tight hug.     “You were right, Celes!” she called.  “It is Wedge!”     “No,” said another blond lady wearing a green unitard, white cape, and a blue bandanna.  “I said that I think it might be him.  I’d never forget that voice, after what I did…”     “I’m sure it’s him!” the first woman said, brightly smiling as she held him close.  “You’re Wedge, the former Magitek Soldier who tried to help save the world!”     “I… I did…?” was the “soldier’s” confused response.     “Mm-hmm!”     The woman finally stepped back, continuing to smile.     “You still have the sword I gave you.”     He looked down at the sword on his belt.  Unlike the rest of his costume… that was real.

    “A… a close friend gave me that…” he told her.     “I’m that close friend!”  She giggled a little before telling him, “Wedge, I’m Tina!”     “Tina…?  Y… you’re… Tina…?”     “I’m Tina!” she repeated with a bright smile.     As she calmed down and brought red-wrapped arms in front, the man took off his helmet and gave her a closer look.  Something was familiar about her bouncy, blond hair tied up in a ribbon, and her pinkish-red dress with its and lavender sash and stockings…  But, more than that, something about the way she smiled at him reminded him of… better days – days that weren’t just filled with fighting, days where “peace” didn’t seem like such a foreign concept, and days where he had dreams of spending a quiet life running a small shop with a sweet, hope-filled girl and his best friend… who, he suddenly realized, he hadn’t thought about in ages…     “B… Biggs…”

    As he started to cry, the woman named Tina pulled him inward.  She softly shushed him, telling him everything would be alright as she stroked his short, red hair.  It was kind of awkward for the other lady to watch… but, kind of heartwarming, too. –––––

    “And… that’s what you’ve missed.”

    Sometime later, Wedge found himself seated in a small, semi-decorated room.  After quitting his job at the coliseum, he’d followed Tina and Celes out and wound up climbing aboard an airship not unlike the one he remembered snapping in half during the end of the world, more-than-a-year prior.  The new one, though, was much faster… but, also had a severe lack of rooms, which is why he and Tina ended up talking in what looked to be a closet with a chair and a well-dressed window.

    “So, I didn’t dream all that?  The world really did end…?”     She gave a nod, having finished telling him everything that had happened after the cataclysm, then everything she’d been involved with, since.     “Heh.”  He rubbed his face.  “I… I guess I kind of lost my marble, for a while…”     “A lot of us did…”  She frowned as she told him, “Celes nearly ended it all when her friend, Doctor Cid, died.  Kaien gave up searching for us only to give hope to a sweet woman in Maranda whose husband died.  I’m… not entirely sure what happened to Stragos, but we found him at a building, worshiping Kefka as a god!  Thank goodness sweet little Lilum was with us,  though I wish she hadn’t physically slapped him…  She can be so strict with her grandfather!”

    “You’re… a mother, now, you said?”     “Adoptive mother,” the woman corrected, to his relief.  “It… it feels so… so…”     He tilted his head.  Tina was blushing, all-of-a-sudden…     “All my life,” she started over, “I never knew what love was.  When I found my way to Mobliz and saw all of those children with their sad faces… something inside just… called to me.  Before I knew it, I was taking care of them all.  I… I’d finally found the love I was looking for…     “When Humbaba stormed the village…”  She looked away, pausing.  “I was defenseless…  There was nothing I could do.  I almost gave up… but, Miss Celes and Mister Figaro saved me and the children.  I thought I’d failed them and swore to never leave their side… but, it wasn’t until Humbaba returned that I found a new reason to fight with all my power.”     She looked up, giving a soft smile.     “I’m fighting for the future.  For their future.”

    “Heh.  You’re an amazing lady, Tina…”     She smiled a little more, but…     “You seem sad…”     She’d noticed how quiet he’d gotten, since her story.     “It seems like everyone has something to fight for, now more than ever…”     “Don’t you?” she quietly asked.     “Nope…  I don’t have any reason to fight…  Nothing we can do will fix this world.  But, you guys are hellbent on trying!  I just… don’t belong with you guys.”  He sighed.  “Never have.”     “That’s not true,” the girl politely countered.     “Yeah?”  The former soldier crossed his arms.  “Why, exactly, should I stick around?”     He gave a blink, then.  Tina had leaned down and given him a soft peck on the cheek.  As she drew back, brushing her bangs away from her face, she gave a soft smile and whispered…     “For me.” –––––

    “Oh, gods, what’d they do?!  The place is falling apart!!”

    The assembled forces of fourteen unique individuals had done the impossible and destroyed not only three warring gods of destruction, but the person who had focused their power and become a god, himself.  And, as Kefka Palazzo fell… so did his tower of junk.

    Twelve of the New Returners had gone into Kefka’s Tower, leaving the former Imperial soldier named Wedge to keep the airship hovering nearby.  He had been freaking out, knowing that Kefka’s “Light of Judgment” could go off at any time, ripping right through the flying vehicle… but, he stayed true to his course.  Not just because he was supporting a noble goal… not just because Setzer, the owner of the new airship, threatened to track him down and murder him if he chickened out… but, because he was waiting for someone to come back… and, he wanted to be the first person she saw after climbing up the ship’s hook.

    When the tower shuddered, Wedge looked over just in time to see something at the apex explode!  He was sure the Falcon – Setzer’s late friend’s airship – would get hit by the blast, but he managed to steer it away from danger… only to pull back as the rocks and metal of the tall structure began to crumble and collapse.  Whatever those crazy adventurers had done… it had done a number on the tower!  He just hoped… that they’d done the same to its owner.

    “Come on… come on…!”     He nervously paced back-and-forth.  It had been several minutes since the mimic called Gogo and the mostly-friendly cave beast named Umaro climbed down and ran into the tower in an attempt to guide everyone out, and he was getting anxious.     “They’ve gotta be okay…  They’ve just gotta!”

    After a bit more pacing, he finally sat down, pressing his hand to his chest over his tunic.     “Gods…  This can’t be good for my heart,” he sighed.  “It feels like it’s beating like a war drum!  Actually, it feels like it’s vibrating…  And… tugging at my– waugh!!”     Without any warning, something ripped free of his top, knocking his hand out of the way!  A second later, he looked up… only to remove his goggles and go wide-eyed.     “What are you…?” he squeaked at the creature floating before him.     “You don’t recognize me?” it called in a voice that practically pierced into his mind.     “Sh-should I…?!”     “I spend the better part of two years with you, and you forget I even exist…?”     The brown-skinned creature with long, angular horns and purple-blue hair grinned.     “I shudder to think of how you’ll treat my daughter, later on in her life!”     He narrowed his eyes…  “Your daught–”  Only to open them right back up.     “Son of a submariner…  You’re Madin?!”     “You’re right,” he said with a warm smile, “and, I need to tell you something…”

    Madin had never appeared to him quite so clearly and, in fact, he wasn’t sure that, despite having his very soul next to his heart for over two years, the Eidolon had ever spoken to him, prior.  Needless to say, Wedge was all-ears, at that moment.

    “Wedge… I’m afraid that this is both the first time, and the last time, that I can appear like this.” he sadly told the man.  “The Eidolon’s souls are vanishing from this world.”     “What?  No!  Wait, that’s not fair!” Wedge exclaimed, his eyes going wide, again.     “Magic is dying…” he explained, “and, with it, all it has birthed.”     Well, that explained why Kefka’s Tower was falling apart, at least.  But…     “So, this is really it…?  I’ll never–”  The ex-soldier paused.  “Wait, Tina!  You– you have to say goodbye to Tina!!”     “I wish I could…”  He gave a forlorn smile as he said, “You’ll have to do it for me.”     The man slowly nodded, feeling himself tear up.  “I will, Madin, I will…”     “If you get the chance…”     “If I…?”  He looked up.  “What?”

    “Tina… my daughter…” the Eidolon quietly murmured.  “She is half of what I am.”     “Okay… but, what do you mean–”     “She may well vanish with the rest of us.”     Wedge was immediately sent into a panic.     “No– no-no– no-no-no…!”     “But…” the magical creature sighed as his form started to fade, “if she has been able to feel something precious, as a human…”     “If she’s… wait, what does that–”     “Then perhaps… as a… human…”     With those last, enigmatic words… Madin ceased to exist.

    For several moments, Wedge just held his head, sitting and rocking in-place.  He couldn’t believe… refused to believe… that, not a few days after being reunited with the woman he’d grown to love, she was going to… vanish.  Just like her father…  It was almost too much for him to bear.  But, eventually… he pulled himself up, leaped overboard, and started climbing down…     “Tiiinaaaaa…!!”     “Follow me!”     Only to see her whizz by in her Eidolon form.

    “Oh.”     He blankly stared, hanging onto the airship’s hook for a moment.     “W-wait, no– Tina!”     “Move it!!  We’ve got to get out of here!!”     Wedge yelped as Setzer clambered up the chain – and, subsequently, climbed him – before getting onto the deck.  A couple more people did the same before he finally got the message and returned to where he was, himself.

    Not long after everyone boarded, the airship roared away from the crumbling, exploding tower, led by a pinkish-purple light in the shape of a girl.     “Tina…!” Wedge called out.     “The last of the Magicite!”

    He looked back.  A crystal floated away from Edgar’s hand before bursting into dust.     “Tina…” the former soldier worriedly whimpered…     “Tina!  That’s enough!!” Celes cried to her friend from the ship’s head.  “Your power…”     Wedge had never felt so much sympathy for the former general as he did, then.  He, too, could see the half-Eidolon girl starting to falter… and, it was scaring him to a point of silence.

    As the tower collapsed and burst into a pile of rocky, molten slag, the Falcon pierced the dark clouds, closely following the half-Eidolon into open airspace.  It was strange… but, somehow, the previously-purple sky seemed like it was losing its ominous glow and reverting to a long-forgotten, familiar shade of blue.  Tina, on the other hand…     “No– no!!”     Suddenly, Celes and Edgar ran over to the side of the ship.  When Wedge looked that way, he noticed that Tina was slowing and starting to fall.  She looked a little pale, too…     “She’s losing her power!” the other blond woman shouted.     “Setzer!” Edgar called.  “After her!”     “Leave it to me!” the captain called from the steering wheel.  “Hang ooon…!”

    Everyone hung on to whatever they could as the airship shot straight down, breaking back through the clouds and chasing the falling woman.     “Tina!”     Wedge, who was starting to get used to a life of excitement, found himself losing focus…     “Tina…”     He squinted his eyes, his consciousness starting to slip.  And, soon…     “Ti… na…”     He blacked out.

    “Wedge?  Wedge…?  Are you alright?”     The ex-soldier groaned, shaking his head…  “Who… where…?”     “Relax, Wedge.  You’re with friends.”     He slowly opened his eyes, having trouble seeing straight.  All he could see was blurry shapes and colorful splotches…     “Can’t… see…” he huffed.  “What… happened?”     “What happened?” a smart-sounding voice repeated from nearby.  “What happened?!  I’ll tell you what happened, Cheese Wedge!  Setzer just saved your girlfriend’s butt after she flew us away from Kefka’s Tower – which is just a big pile of trash, now, by the way!”     “My… what?”  Wedge was… very confused.     “Lock…” the voice from before said, sounding shy.  “He’s not my boyfriend…”     “Not yet!” Lock laughed, “but, I’ve seen the way you two look at each other!  Plus, Shadow recently told me a fun little story from the past…”     “He– he didn’t!”  The female voice sounded nervous.     “He sure did!” her companion laughed.  “Never would’ve pegged this guy as a romantic…but, two people can learn a lot about each other when stuck on a flyin’ island, huh?”     Wedge heard a long, embarrassed groan and felt a weight compress his chest.  He tried to get a look at it… only to see what appeared to be someone’s blond-haired head resting on a pair of arms with pinkish-red opera-style gloves.  It didn’t take him much thought to realize…     “T… Tina!”

    The former soldier shot up like a rocket, accidentally throwing his friend’s head off of his body.  A second later, he felt incredibly dizzy and slumped back down.     “Careful…” he heard Tina say.     “What… happened?” he sighed, feeling her stroke his head.  “I remember a nosedive…”     “That’s ‘cause Setzer put the ship into a nosedive!” Lock explained with another laugh.  “Like I said, he saved Tina!”     “I told you, didn’t I?” a voice called from somewhere behind.  “The world’s fastest ship!”     “As far as we can tell… you passed out from the speed,” Tina added after that.     “Gotta say, that’s pretty embarrassing!”     “Lock!  Be nice!”     “Hey, just sayin’…”     “Anyway…” the kind woman continued, rubbing his cheek with the back of one hand.  “You just lay there on the couch until you feel better.  We’ll try and be quiet for you.”     “Once we’re done partying, anyway!  Not every day ya kick four war-gods’ asses!”     “You… what…?”

    Wedge slowly sat back up, then looked at his companions.  Tina was seated on the floor, fondly smiling at him with gentle eyes while Lock stood behind her, his arms crossed and a grin on his face.  When he tossed a random thumbs up, Wedge just tilted his head.     “Where… is everyone?” he found himself asking, suddenly noticing a lack of people.     “They’re celebrating up top!” Lock answered.  “You’re welcome to join us when ya feel better!  I mean, you just drove the airship while we did all the heavy lifting, buuut…”     “Lock!”     Tina gave her friend a dirty look as he shrugged and walked away with a smile.

    “Anyway, you just rest, and I’ll–”     “Tina, there’s something I need to tell you.”     She tilted her head.  “Can it wait?  You still haven’t recovered.”     “I…”  He hesitated before telling her, “I saw your dad.”     “You did?”     Somehow… she didn’t seem as surprised as he was expecting.     “He said to tell you ‘goodbye…’  He also said you might vanish… b-but, you didn’t!”     The man smiled… before looking down at the couch he was seated on.     “Tina…  I’m so sorry…  He was a good dad.”     When he looked back up, he saw that Tina was still smiling… but, she also looked sad.     “If I hadn’t kept him all to myself for the last two years…  If I’d only give him back…!”     “It’s okay,” she said, shaking her head with a little sniffle.  “You needed him more.”     “But–!”     She pressed a finger to his lips, her smile brightening a little.     “I’m going to Mobliz, soon.  I want to check on the children.  Come with me?”     “Uh…”  He blinked… then, he smiled.  “It’s a date?”     “About time!” she exclaimed.  “It’s not nice to keep a girl waiting for two whole years!”     He had to blink, again.  She’d used a scolding tone… but, she was grinning.  And, that was enough to get him smiling, again, which put an even brighter smile back on her face!

    “You… are a precious cinnamon bun, Tina…” was all he had to say before finally resting…

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Magitek Soldier #Wedge #Tina Branford #Terra Branford #Celes Chere #Madin #Maudin #Setzer Gabbiani #Edgar Figaro #Lock Cole #Locke Cole #fantasy #drama

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam FFVI, Ch. XIII

Chapter 13 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

Tako-tako-tako, spo-i-ler~ (Don't tease the readers, kids~)

Also, if this chapter seems a little… "compressed?"  There's a good reason for it… I was getting tired of writing so many chapters!  Weh!  This is handily and easily the longest single story I have ever written!! (At least, if you don't count Essence of Ragnarok as one very long story.) … but, if it does seem like things got rushed, I apologize. I think the pacing is okay… but, I wrote it, so…

Word count: 5,582 – Character count: 32,443 Originally written: July 28th, 2019 Partially rewritten: Same day

There's panic in the air as the Blackjack finds unwanted company high above the world!

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd.

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    A gigantic cloak of darkness fell over the airship, Blackjack, and its crew.  High above them was something that not one of them had ever seen before… an entire continent of land, held aloft through unknown means – though, one beholder had their theories.

    “The origin of magic… the Three Warring Gods…”     All eyes were on Stragos, an old mage from Samasa Village.  He wore a look of shock and dismay, seemingly talking to himself… or, perhaps, no one at all.     “They found them… the three, sealed in stone…”     “The Empire?” Lock loudly asked as he ran over to the old man.  “They found the Warring Triad?!”     “They sealed themselves… canceled out each other’s powers and brought balance back to the world they’d helped destroy…”     All-at-once, he spun around, grabbing the treasure hunter by the collar.     “If– if those fools do anything to the triad… even turn one statue away from another by just a fraction…!     “W… what would happen?” Tina asked, choosing to stay by Wedge for the time.     “The balance would crumble…!  And… and, their power would…”     He trailed off as Lock pulled himself free.  Despite leaving his thought unfinished… it didn’t take much guessing to figure out where he was going with it.

    “Well?  I think it’s pretty obvious what we need to do, kupo!”     Wedge gave a blink before joining the others in looking toward the steering wheel.  Standing there was a small creature, covered in white fur, with an angler-like bauble on his head and tiny, purple wings on his back.  He had his arms crossed and unless the former soldier missed his guess… seemed to be speaking the same language as everyone else!     “We need to go up there and kick some butt, kupo!” the creature told the group.     “Do… moogles normally talk like people…?” the soldier asked Tina.     “No, but I made Old Man Rumah teach me the language, kupo!” the moogle replied with a chittering chuckle.  “You’d know that if you were here when this lot rescued me, kupo!”     “It’s a weird story involving a thieving wolf,” Lock added.  “We’ll explain later.  For now, Mog’s right!”     “‘Mog…?’”  Wedge chuckled to himself, much to Mog’s irritation.     “Setzer!”     “Yes?” the ship’s owner answered.     “Think this baby can catch up to that flyin’ island?”     “I’d bet my life on it!” was his confident reply.     “That may well be the case…”     Stragos suddenly whispered as Setzer ran to the controls, shooing the other man way as he made adjustments.     “If we don’t stop the Empire…”     “We will, gran’pa!” his granddaughter told him.     He shakily looked over… only to brighten up as she gave him a comforting smile.     “Bless you for–”     “‘My mom’s spirit,’ yeah-yeah,” she interrupted.  “Get us up there, Fancy-Pants!”     Setzer blinked and paused before giving a nod.  Then, they were off!

    The ship’s engines groaned and the machinery whirled, causing the ship to move faster than anyone else dared to fly it.  Not long after, the airship pushed through the clouds and followed the continent as it reached a stable altitude.  A look overboard would have told any of those onboard that the ground was a long… long… way below them, but everyone’s focus was on boarding that continent and stopping the Empire from doing any more damage!

    “Um…  I don’t want to alarm anyone, but…”  Setzer paused before announcing, “We’ve got company!”     “What?  No, that’s impossible!” Edgar shouted as he ran to the side of the ship and looked over.  But, sure enough…     “Machines!  Heading right for us!!”     A legion of what looked like flying Magitek Powered Armor was chasing them, propellers whirling from their sides and mechanical arms reaching up with metal claws.

    “You!”     Wedge gave another blink… before finding himself shaken by his chest plate.     “Gyaah!!  Lock, what the he–”     “Why didn’t you warn us about these flying things?!” the angry man interrupted.     “Would you believe me if I said ‘I didn’t know?’”     The ex-soldier offered a little grin… but, Lock just scoffed and let him go.     “You’re absolutely useless, you know that?” he said as he walked over to the pilot.     “Love you, too…”  Wedge adjusted his armor with a sneer.  “Jerk.”

    “Setzer, what’re our options?”     “Well, that depends…”  The nobleman grinned as he asked, “How many of you own bows and arrows?  Because… this ship is entirely without weaponry!”     “Edgar has an auto-crossbow…” Macías helpfully suggested, drawing a dirty look from his brother.     “Actually…”  Lock turned to the king and asked, “Hey, Edgar, what else ya got?”     “Uh… I have a couple of Noiseblasters…” he said as he checked his pockets and cape, “a Chainsaw, a Drill… this broken camera we weaponized…”     “Those Noiseblasters and that camera of yours.  Are they easy to use?”     “Fairly easy.”  The king hummed… then, he gave a smile.  “I think I see where this is going…  Good thinking, Lock!”

    “Right!  Kaien, Wedge, Mog, grab a tool!”     The trio did as they were instructed, Wedge and Mog grabbing the Noiseblasters while Kaien picked the broken camera, giving it an utterly baffled look…     “Everyone else?  Magic up and form a perimeter!”

    Wedge tilted his head as everyone ran to one side of the ship or the other, the group making an uneven circle around the railing.  Four of them – including himself – were holding devices while Lock pulled out what looked like a boomerang and a sharp-looking metal disc.  Almost everyone else had brought their hands up, channeling energy and preparing to use whatever magic they had at their disposal.  Two, however, didn’t quite seem combat-ready.

    “Gau, Gau!” the green-haired wild child shouted from beside Wedge.     “Aren’t you gonna… uh… ‘magic up?’” he asked as he tried to figure out how to work the strange-looking hearing horn that was attached to a metal box.     “Gau fight how Gau know!” was the child’s reply.  “Gau be bad guy!”     The former soldier had no idea what he meant by that… until the boy stood back and drew a sword from seemingly nowhere.  A second later…     “This is the end of the line!” he shouted, sounding nothing like himself.  “Everyone, hold your positions!  We’re in for a decisive battle!”     “Gau…?  Are you feeling–”     “Back off, Imperial scum!” the boy yelled, jerking away from Wedge and giving him a steely glare.  “You’re lucky we’re shorthanded, otherwise I’d throw you overboard, myself!”     The ex-soldier… was understandably confused by the uncharacteristic display of leadership and borderline-antagonistic behavior he was given.  When he took a look around… no one else seemed bothered.  Not even Stragos and Lilum, the newest additions to the Returners.  Though, that may have been because they were busy arguing…

    “Lilum can help, gran’pa!!” Lilum told him.     “You don’t know how to use magic!” was her grandfather’s reply as he readied his own.     “Lilum knows, but Lilum can paint ‘em up!  They just… need to stay still for Lilum!” she explained as one aircraft went whizzing by, below.     “Go down to the lower deck and wait for me to tell you it’s safe.”     “But–”     “Lilum!”  The old man spun around and scowled.  “For the sake of your departed mother, just–”     “Look out!!”     Before Stragos could turn back around, an orange-red suit of powered armor came up from the side of the main ship.  A panel opened and it began charging energy, when…     “Hold that pose!!”     Lilum pushed her grandfather aside, pulled out her paintbrush, and waved it around.  Wedge almost couldn’t believe his eyes as, right next to the powered armor… another appeared only to crash into the original, propellers-first, then vanished as the panicked, distant screams of one very perplexed soldier filled the air before fading away.

    “We make a great team, gran’pa!” she chipperly said as her grandfather caught his breath.  “Gran’pa Stragos ‘n The Great Lilum, Heroes for Justice!!  Sounds cool, huh?”     “Y– yes… very ‘cool,’” Stragos panted.  A second later, he gave a begrudging smile and told her, “Stay close and keep your eyes peeled, granddaughter!  We’ll lick these soldiers, yet!”     “Yaaaaay!!  Er, Lilum means…” Lilum corrected as she took on a more moderate attitude, “You got it, gran’pa!”     With that, the two redoubled their focus as a team, ready for the next attack.

    “Here they cooome…!”

    That was the war-cry that Setzer gave from the controls of the Blackjack, keeping the ship steady as the Imperial Air Force closed in.  Wave-after-wave of their flying units darted and weaved in, some shooting lasers, some firing missiles, and some drawing close enough to slash at the support beams keeping the giant, metal air-pouch and its passenger car attached.  But, just like the one that tried to attack Stragos and Lilum… each-and-every-one of them failed.     Some of the air units were knocked out of the sky with a well-placed electrical attack.  Some of them were popped like balloons and made to explode by either a flurry of arrows from Edgar or a curious, violent wind that seemed to come from Gau.  Others found themselves out-of-control due to pilot error, sometimes by a deafening roar from one of two Noiseblasters, or by an absolutely blinding flash of light coming from Kaien’s camera… usually, by accident.

    Eventually, what few units remained decided to break off and fly away, causing those on board to cheer!  But, that cheering would be shortlived…     “Hey, do you guys see that…?”     Something weird was floating toward them.     “That can’t possibly be…”     Something shiny!  Something slimy…  Something that wriggled and writhed.     “Gran’pa, look!  It’s that octopus from before!”     Something… that almost everyone on board recognized as…     “Orthros!!”

    A giant, purple, jellyfish-like creature with eight, wiggling limbs and a row of razor-sharp teeth had flown in from nowhere and landed at the head of the ship, squirming and grinning as best as he could.     “You remembered!” he called.  “I’m touched!  Really!”     “What the hell is that thing?!” Wedge called out.     “That, soldier, is a giant octopus!” Gau told him before clearing his throat and hunching down to growl.  “Octo-man bad!  Try hurt fight lady!”     “Alas, that was not one of my finer moments!” Orthros sighed, bringing one tentacle up to his forehead, closing his eyes.  “It’s against my very nature to harm a lady!”     He paused, peeking out with one eye.     “Especially one that’s dynamite in a virgin-white dress!  Woo-woo!”     “You… be qu-quiet!” Celes spat, looking both flustered at and furious with him.     “Ah, and I see the cute girl with the long legs is here, too!”     Two tendrils waved toward the sky as he made some strange, squishing noises.     “Did’ja miss me, baby?”     For the first time that Wedge could recall… he actually saw Tina blush.  She wasn’t saying anything, but her shy, uncomfortable body language said certainly more than words could…     “What did you do to–?!”     “Aaand… beret-girl is here, too!  Wonderful!”     He squirmed forward, reaching toward the distant Lilum.     “Come give Uncle Orthy a hug, cutie-pie!”     “Lilum would rather paint your picture, again!” the young girl smartly said, causing the octopus to recoil.

    “Anyhoo,” he said after taking a moment to recover, “I heard you guys were gonna save the world!  Great!  I’m all for it!  In fact, that’s why I came!  Let me join up and lend a hand… or, a bunch’a hands!  Just imagine what all these gorgeous hands could do for you!  Ladies.”     When he gave a wink, Tina finally hid behind Wedge and Lilum pulled her beret over her face, seeming more bothered than embarrassed.  Celes, on the other hand…     “Why don’t you drop dead, you lech?!” she shouted as she drew a new sword – a red sword with a spiked blade that looked like fire.  Wedge recognized it as a Flametongue.     “Now, hang on, Celes…”     Lock raised a hand to the former general as he walked over to the then-crying Orthros.

    “Look.  Orthros.  No offense, but… you aren’t the most trustworthy cephalopod we’ve ever met.  Why the sudden interest in saving the world?”     “Are you kiddin’ me?!” the octopus exclaimed.  “Why wouldn’t I wanna save the world?!  Could you imagine how rich and famous I’d be…?  ‘Sexy octopus saves world from weird island!’  Oh, the babes would be breaking down my door to get a piece’a this!”     His cheeks turned a rosy pink as he fell into a self-made fantasy.     “Ladies, please!  I only have eight tentacles!  Wait your turn and I promise… I’ll send you all to sticky, wriggly heaven one-by-one!  Mwah, mwah, mwah!!”     “You’re disgusting,” Edgar – of all people – told him.  “Go home.”     “Oh, I see how it is!”  Orthros crossed two tentacles in front of him.  “You guys wanna save the world so you get all the fame and glory!  Well, then…”     The octopus’ head curled upward, causing his teeth to bend in a weird… yet, somewhat-threatening way.     “I’m just gonna have to beat you all up and steal your ride!  En garde!”

    Edgar, Celes, and Lock stepped up as the octopus affixed itself to the deck with four arms, the other four wriggling erratically as he shimmied in-place.  All three of them drew their weapons, ready for a fight!     “This is our last battle!” their opponent called in a lighthearted way.  “It’s true, it’s true!”     “You’ve got that right…” Celes coldly told him.  “Fira!!”     Orthros screamed like a frightened little girl as a sharp curtain of flame swept across the deck and hit its mark, bathing the octopus in a powerful wall of flames!  He twitched, scorched and red, before sliding off the ship’s head and out-of-sight.  It seemed like the battle was over before it even started!  But, just as the trio put their weapons back…     “Ugh…  Losing, again…!”     Everyone heard that creepy, unnerving voice call from below.  Shortly after, everyone stared as the octopus slowly floated back into view.

    “I knew this’d happen…” he hissed at the men and women of the Blackjack, “so that’s why, today, I’ve got a strooooong ally!  Folks, lemme introduce you to…”

    The whole group went wide-eyed as Orthros continued to float up.  It wasn’t long before they realized, however… that he wasn’t floating.  He was sitting on something.  Something pink and cloud-like… something huge… something with piercing, yellow eyes, strong arms with sharp claws, and something with a gaping maw full of horrible, jagged teeth.

    “Grand Master Typhon!!” Orthros announced as he flopped back onto the ship and enthusiastically waved a pair of paper fans he’d retrieved from… somewhere.  “Say ‘allo, GMT!”     Everyone had to cover their ears and brace themselves as a massive blast of wind rushed over the deck, accompanied by a teeth-rattling “Gruhk– phuuuuuhhhn!!”     “Articulate, ain’ ‘e?”

    The octopus waved his fans and cheered as his “master” took swings and swipes at the group of adventurers, his claws crashing against Celes’ fiery blade and Edgar’s lance while his other arm blocked the tossed projectiles from Lock.     “Yeah,” he said, “he may not have my natural good looks or my silver tongue… but, his strength’ll blow you away!!”     Typhon pounded the deck, causing the airship to physically dip enough for some people to lose their footing.  Setzer stabilized the vehicle and everyone got back to their feet, then.     “The master’s scaaary if you get him maaad!” Orthros warned, wriggling his arms as Typhon inhaled…  “Seriously, he’s teeerrifying!  You guys might get eeeaten…!”     The octopus paused as his companion spewed fireballs at everyone within range.  Setzer was quick to shout orders to douse the flames while the trio fighting him continued their attack… seemingly, with little effectiveness.     “Why… just the other day, I was dozing off and I got my head gnawed on!”  Orthros laughed.  “Guess GMT was bored or hungry or somethin’…  Man, do his teeth hurt!”     “Tph.  Tph tph,” the frightening, pink creature huffed, covering his face as blades and blunt objects came his way.  He didn’t seem like he was into the fight as much as his friend…

    “So, you guys give up?” Orthros eventually asked.  “You gonna let me join up, now?”     “In your dreams, ink-breath!” Celes shouted, still visibly angry from before.     He closed the fans then flipped them open, waving them toward the big, pink thing.     “Master Tyyyphon.”     “Grnk?”     “Give ‘em the good stuff, pal!”     Typhon paused.  And, then…     “Hyah!!”     Celes leaped up and heel-kicked Orthros right in the face!!

    “Cuuurse yooou and your sexy leeeeegs…!!”     The octopus sadly cried out as he fell off the ship for a second time.  Once he was out of earshot, the three at the bow, as well as everyone else, turned their attention to Typhon…

    Lock leaned over to Edgar and whispered, “Why isn’t he moving?” noticing Typhon’s sudden disinterest in fighting.  The creature hadn’t done much since Orthros’ departure.     “I… don’t know.”  The king of Figaro pondered before suggesting, “Maybe, he’s bored?”     “Could be…”  The treasure hunter stared at the giant beast…  “Should we do something?”     “Blizzara!!”     Both men jolted as a female voice broke the unwelcome silence.  When they looked, they noticed that Celes had made another move, angrily pointing a finger at Typhon… who had a huge chunk of ice attached to his face.

    “Celes…!!” Lock squeaked as he ran over to the woman.  “What did you do?!”     “I took the initiative and disabled my opponent,” she calmly explained, holding her sword with both hands after her spell.     “Okay, but…”     Lock frowned, glancing at the creature who was frantically scratching at the magical ice.     “He wasn’t doing anything, anymore…”     “He attacked, first!” she countered.  “Now, are you going to stand there and judge me, or are you going to–”     “Graaaaahhh…!!”     The three of them were thrown backward as Typhon broke free of the ice, his booming voice sending splinters everywhere.

    “Just get rid of him, already!” Setzer called from the ship’s console, looking genuinely worried about the additional holes to the top deck.  “He’s hurting my baby…!”     “We’re working on it!” Celes shouted back.  “Thundara!!”     The giant beast groaned as a crackling line of electricity ran from her hand to his body, zapping him.  A second later, he retaliated with another flurry of fireballs, causing Setzer to shout about the ship even more.

    “This is getting us nowhere!” Edgar called as he shot the beast with his Auto-Crossbow.  “I’m not even sure we’re hurting it!”     “Gotta say… I think you’re right,” Lock agreed as his bladed disc bounced off Typhon’s head.  “This thing is just too strong for–”     “Fira!!”

    Both men leaped out of the way as a tongue of flame violently slashed the pink giant right across the face.  When he stopped moving and brought both gnarled hands up…     “I… think you got his attention, Celes…”     Lock smirked.  It didn’t seem like Typhon was in a fighting mood, anymore.  Actually, he seemed to be breathing pretty heavily, for some reason…

    “Are you ready to concede?” the former general asked, standing at-the-ready, just in case he decided he’d rather keep fighting.     “Hruuh… hruuh…” he panted, keeping his face covered.     “The lady asked you a question,” Lock said in a scathing tone.  “You give up, Pinky?”     “Hruuh… hraah…!”     “Wait a second…!!”     All eyes were back on Stragos.  He’s shouted and looked like he’d just seen a ghost!

    “I just remembered something!  I know what this creature is!” he called.     “Okay?  Good?”  Lock crossed his arms.  “Do you know how to beat it?”     “No, but…”     “Hraah… hraaaaah…!!”     “Gods above!  Everyone, get down!!”

    He’d tried…  He really had.  But, Stragos was too late to warn them…     “Hraaah-pheeeeew…!!”     That Typhon had some seriously strong nasal passages!

    The people closest to the beast found themselves blown overboard, all three of them hanging on to the rails in a half-panic.  The people to the sides were knocked to their feet or tossed up against the guardrails, thrown for a loop.  As for the people straight ahead…     “Look out…!!”     Wedge stood in front of Tina, guarding her with his body as a huge, semi-invisible projectile warped the air and headed right toward them.  As it made contact with the former soldier, he expected it to hurt.  However…     “Whaaa-hoo-hoowaaah…!!”     It, instead, sent him flying… right off the deck and, unfortunately… much farther than even the people closest to Typhon.  He had absolutely no chance of grabbing onto anything and wound up in a freefall some distance away from the Blackjack!

    For several moments, he flailed his limbs and screamed in a complete panic!  As the realization that he was going to become a really big mess on the ground far-far below set in… he stopped screaming and put his hands over his face, deciding not to watch.     “So, this is how it ends?” he asked himself.  “With an over-the-top sneeze and a looooong plummet with a very sudden stop at the end!  Can’t say I ever imagined that one…”     He sighed, moving his hands and crossing his arms.     “Ya know… I don’t think the Imperial Army ever planned for anything like this…  Or, maybe, they did?  I didn’t even know we had air machines, ‘til now, so…”     He gave another sigh, closing his eyes and going silent for a while.     “Guess there’s nothing left to do but–”     “Weeedge!”     The ex-soldier gave a blink.  He could swear he’d heard a female voice scream his name.     “Great, now I’m hearing things…”     “Weeeeedge…!”     “Go away, female-voice-in-my-head!  I’m already freaking out enough without you–”     “Weeeeedge…!!”     “Okay, fine, what?”     “Grab on…!!”

    Wedge gave a hard blink.  Grab onto what? he thought.  A second later…     “Please…!!  Take my hand…!!”     That same, somewhat-distorted voice called to him from his left.  He finally convinced himself to look… only to see a vaguely-familiar, glowing form in a dive right next to him.     “T… T-Tina…?”     She was desperately reaching for him with one purple-pinkish, clawed hand, her angular face full of worry and fright.     “Grab on…!!” she called, again.  Not a second later, he did just that before being pulled into her arms to hang on for dear life!

    “Look, not that I’m not grateful that I have someone I love escorting me to the great beyond… but, Tina!”  He squeezed her.  “I’m gonna kill you if you didn’t get sneezed off, too!”     “I followed you!” she shouted over the whipping air.  “I couldn’t let you die…!!”     “You idiot…  I’m gonna kill you.”     Wedge smiled, giving her a loving hug.     “You seriously leaped after me?  I… uh… hang– hang on.  Something’s not right.”     He looked around.  Were they falling… slower?     “Tina…  Um, tell me something.”     “Yes?” she called in a softer, calmer tone.     “Your Eidolon half…  Uh, can it, by chance… fly?”     “Yes,” was her simple answer as she slowed, stopped, then started flying back up, carefully carrying the former soldier in her arms.  “You didn’t know?”     Wedge blushed… then, he sighed.     “Just… get me back on the airship, please.”

    The fall down had taken about three minutes, but the flight back up took twice as long.  He watched Tina, feeling relieved that she didn’t seem to be struggling with him… but, felt extremely embarrassed that he didn’t know she could fly… not that he’d have any reason to think otherwise, of course.  He’d only seen that form twice, counting his current situation, and the first time was a less-pleasant experience, for him.  Still… he was glad that she’d come to his aid.  And, as he looked her over… he couldn’t help but notice how pretty her Eidolon form was.  He made a note to ask her to pose and turn for him in that form, later.

    “This is as far as I can go…”

    Tina landed somewhere before collapsing onto her knees.  Wedge was quick to kneel beside her, ready to help her to her feet.  When they both stood, he looked around… only to scowl and furrow his brow.     “Tina…?”     “Y-yes…?” she panted.     “Either this isn’t the airship… or, Typhon really did a number on the flight deck.”

    They both looked around at their surroundings.  Just as Wedge had noted, they weren't standing on the deck of an airship… but, rather, a large chunk of rock and dirt which, not unlike the airship, was hanging in the air and flying free.  Unlike the airship, though, the mass of land seemed twisted and torn, and seemed to stretch on for quite some distance.

    “Weee’re… on that flying continent, aren’t we…?”     “I… I couldn’t make it,” she told him, leaning on his frame.  “I don’t have the stamina… haa… to stay in that form… for very long.  I’m sorry…”     “Hey, hey, it’s alright…”     Wedge smiled, gently nudging her head up.     “You saved my life.  Which is funny… ‘cause, it’s usually the guy who saves the girl!”     “I can… relate to that…”     He gave a blink… then, he smiled, more.  She was grinning at him.

    “So, we’re stuck on this island ‘til your friends head this way, huh?”     “I guess so…”     Tina slowly parted from her friend… only to wobble and fall to her knees, again.     “T-Tina!”  He was quick to kneel behind her.  “Are you okay?”     “N-not really…” she admitted.     “Still worn out from the trip back up?”     “Yes, but… there’s something else.”     Slowly, she raised a gloved hand, pointing into the distance.  Biggs had to adjust his goggles before he noticed…     “Are those…?”     “The Warring Triad…”

    He couldn’t see it very well… but, situated at the approximate center of the island, stood upon some sort of plateau, were a trio of gray figures.  While he couldn’t make out any of their features, he could seem the radical power emanating from them.  Considering that he wasn’t the slightest bit magically-inclined… it was enough to send shivers up his spine.

    “This entire island,” Tina told him as they both stood back up, “is being held in the sky by those three.  This place also feels… familiar.”     The girl looked at him with sad eyes.     “I think… this may be what became of my home…”     “Wait… are you trying to tell me that this island, itself, is the Eidolon’s World…?”     “Wh-what’s left of it, anyway…”  She shivered.  “My home…  My dad’s friends…  It’s all… it’s all…!”     “Tina, no… please, don’t cry…”     But, she couldn’t help it.  The realization that they were standing on what little remained of her home… that the Empire had, more-than-likely, utterly eradicated all of the Eidolons… hit her like a ton of bricks.  It was emotionally overwhelming for the poor, half-Eidolon girl.

    “W… W-Wedge…?”     “Y– yeah, Tina?”     She looked up from hiding her face against his chest.  Despite her wet eyes… she looked angry.  Angry… and, determined.     “We have to stop the Empire.  Even if it means… if it means…”     She looked away, sounding like she didn’t want to finish that thought.     “Yeah… yeah, I guess we– hey, wait, Tina!  Where are you going…?”     “I’m sorry, Wedge…”  She’d pushed him aside, then took a few steps away before telling him, “I have to do this.  For my family.  For my friends.  For my kind…”     Wedge hesitated… then, he started to give chase.  “Y-you don’t have to do this alone!”     “H-he’s right, you know… ehn…”     Both figures stopped in their tracks.  A somewhat-familiar, gravelly voice had spoken up.  When they turned to see who had spoken…     “S-Shadow!!”     Tina called with a start, covering her mouth with one hand.  There, shambling toward them, was a beat-up man completely covered in black cloth… which had been stained red, in places.  It could be none other than the self-made mercenary, Shadow.

    “Damn the Empire – present company excluded…”     He coughed, giving a nod to Wedge as Tina started magically healing him.     “Once they were done with me, they tried to kill me…”     “They didn’t do a very good job,” the former soldier nervously joked.     “What’s worse?  I never got paid for the Triangle Island job.  Heh.”

    “Are you going to be alright?” Tina asked as she finished.  She was trying to wipe his darkly-clad face with a white linen cloth, but he just kept ducking away.     “I’m fine, stop fussing over me,” he eventually told her, gently grabbing her wrist.  “We have bigger concerns, right now.”     “O-okay…”     She offered a slight smile as he let her go, then tucked her cloth into her dress pocket.     “Where are your friends?” was the man’s next question.  “We could use their help.”     “They’re… up there, I think?  And– oh!!”     She had pointed to the sky, but when she and the others actually looked… they were shocked to find that the Blackjack was being attacked by some massive construct!  By the look of it… the airborne vehicle was full of nasty weaponry, too.

    “No…!” she gasped, covering her mouth, again.  “We have to do something…!”     “I mean… if you think you can fly up there, let’s go,” Wedge commented, “but…”     “I can’t–” the girl quickly answered before looking away in sudden silence.     “Then,” Shadow began, “I guess we have no choice but to go forward.”     Both Tina and Wedge gave a blink as Shadow stepped over to a rocky formation.  When he kicked it, they were both genuinely surprised as part of it collapsed into a pathway.

    “It’s kind of a shame.”  He crossed his arms, leaning against the rocks as he told them, “I’m sure at least one of your other friends has a score to settle with the Empire.”     “More like, all of them…” Wedge added with a grin.     “We could just wait for them.  But…”     Shadow looked up and the other two followed suit.  That huge air vehicle was still focused on the Blackjack, bright flashes of magic and explosions firing off near both.     “They could be a while.”     “Hey, uh…”     They both turned to Wedge as he spoke up.     “As much as I’d love to go punch Kefka and Gestahl in the face, right now?”  He skittishly squirmed.  “I’m pretty sure they’d tear me apart.  I mean, hell, I left my sword… uh…”     He’d paused.  Tina was curiously looking at him with her hands folded over her lap.     “I left my sword… somewhere,” he half-lied, “so, I’m a bit under-dressed for combat.”     “You can use my sword, if you want!  I never use it, really…”     The former soldier gave a blink.  Tina had unhooked her scabbard from her sash and handed it and its blade over with absolutely no hesitation… and, a smile.     “Well… shi– oot.  Shoot,” he corrected himself.  “I guess I’m… ready to go, then?”     “Okay!”  Her smile brightened.  “Lead the way?  I’ll make sure no one sneaks up on us!”     “Who would possibly–”     A deafening roar from somewhere on the island stopped him from finishing that thought.  Somewhere… something was waiting for them and, from the sound of it… it was angry.

    “You know… I think we should wait for the others!” Wedge suddenly exclaimed.  “Just in case there’s, uh… something really ugly up ahead!”     “Wedge…”     He gave a blink.  Tina had nudged up to him with a soft, sweet smile.     “It’s okay if you’re scared,” she told him in that innocent way she spoke.  “I’m scared, too.  But, we’re not alone.  We have Shadow, and he’s a super-cool ninja!”     Wedge wasn’t sure… but, he thought he heard said ninja chuckle.     “Plus…  We have each other…”     He blushed a little, then.  Tina held his hand in hers before looking right into his eyes.     “It’s okay if you’re scared…” she repeated in a softer voice.  “Just, don’t let that fear eat you up.  We’ll make it through and stop the bad-guys.  I promise.”     A moment later, she had to tilt her head.  One hand reached up, brushing his cheek.     “Wedge?” she asked, her face filling with concern.  “Are you crying?”     “You are such an innocent, sweet little cinnamon bun, Tina…”     “Thank y– oh– mm!!”

    Shadow turned his head away, hiding his face behind one hand.  Without any warning, Wedge had grabbed the girl by her other hand and pulled her around to pull her closer.  A second later, he had done something he’d been wanting to do since the failed mission in Narshe.

    He kissed her.

    “I… um… I… o-oh…”     Those were all the words Tina could find as she stood there, her face red with embarrassment and her hands fumbling over each other.  She had never been kissed like that… or, kissed at all, actually!  It was completely new to her, and… she wasn’t sure how to react!

    “Listen…” Wedge said, causing her to jerk upright.  “I know this isn’t the time or place for that, but… Tina?”     He took a deep breath.     “I couldn’t live with myself… if I died before I let you know how I feel.”     “This really isn’t the time or place for this…” Shadow commented.     The former soldier grinned at the mercenary… who just shrugged and turned away, again.

    “So… yeah.  Ever since that time in Narshe where I abused the Slave Crown–”     “Oh, come on!!” Shadow shouted.  A certain kind of picture had entered his mind.     “– I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.  I know you have a million other things on your mind… and, I know you have a whole company of cute guys you trust with your life… but, Tina?  I… I love you.  And, well… if we… no, if the world survives today?”     He inhaled, then exhaled as he told her…     “I’d… really like to take you out that date I promised.  I-if you still wanna, I mean!”     “I… I’d like that…” she shyly told him as she brushed some hair away from her face.     They shared a smile, then Wedge spun around, looking at Shadow.     “Sorry,” he told the mercenary.  “We’re set, now.  Let’s go kick Kefka’s ass!!”     “Finally…” the man in black sighed.  “Take the lead, ‘ex-soldier.’”     And, that’s exactly what he did as the extremely-unlikely trio navigated the island.

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Stragos Magus #Strago Magus #Lock Cole #Locke Cole #Tina Branford #Terra Branford #Mog #Magitek Soldier #Wedge #Lilum Arrowny #Relm Arrowny #Mash Figaro #Sabin Figaro #Edgar Figaro #Kaien Garamonde #Gau #Celes Chere #Orthros #Ultros #Typhon #Chupon #Shadow #fantasy #romance

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam, Ch. XII

Chapter 12 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

Because of what happened a couple of chapters prior, I felt like it was only right for certain characters to interact a little more.  I know this is far from redemption for them… but, I think it's a pretty decent conclusion to a side-plot.

Word count: 3,963 – Character count: 22,456 Originally written: July 27th, 2019

A simple tour of the world's only airship turns into a soul-cleansing experience for those involved.

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd.

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    The feeling on the Blackjack airship was tense.  It didn’t feel right, leaving Samasa Village to fend for itself… but, with the Empire already so far ahead of the Returners and having so much power… it would have been worse for the world not to chase after them!  So, as the owner of the airship set a course for the Vector continent, everyone onboard prepared for what they hoped would be the final confrontation…

    “By this point,” King Edgar Figaro told the group as they surrounded a blackjack table in the main room, “Gestahl and Kefka are probably a well ahead of us.  If Kefka has as much power as our soldier friend–”     “Ex-soldier,” Wedge corrected as he leaned against a wall with his arms crossed.     “If he has as much power as our ex-soldier friend says,” the king repeated, adjusting his words, “there’s a chance that he may be able to blast through that landslide and open the gates to the Eidolon’s World.  But, other than more Eidolons… what could they be looking for?”     “The Warring Triad…”     Eleven sets of eyes focused on the old man who stood directly across from Edgar.

    “Hang on…”  Lock walked over from the right-hand window before asking, “I thought we already found ‘em in that cave?”     “As rife with magic as those statues were…”  Stragos looked down at the floor.  “Those were simply a shrine made to honor the actual gods.”     “So, what?  You’re saying that the Warring Triad is somewhere in the Eidolon’s World?”     “It’s entirely possible.”  He looked up and over at Lock.  “The gods are said to be the creators of all, as I’ve mentioned – including Eidolons.  It’s possible… no, it’s very likely… that they may be hidden away in their world, somewhere.

    “According to legends… three gods descended from the heavens and created life.  However, they quickly became distrustful of one another and, fearing the power of each other, began a war.  As they warred, some of the begins that strayed into their paths were conscripted… forever changed.  These mortals were stripped of their ability to think for themselves… but infused with great magical power to become the Eidolons we know, today.  And, it was these Eidolons who were forced to fight the Triad’s Great Magic War for them…”     Wedge looked across the room.  Tina seemed especially upset at hearing that…

    “The fighting continued from there… man-fighting-man, Eidolon-fighting-Eidolon…  But, as things escalated, the Warring Triad began to take notice of what their war was doing to the planet.  Once-beautiful, lush plains had become harsh, rocky wastelands…  Mountains, previously tall-and-proud, had been reduced to rubble!  Bodies of water became barren deserts, magma wells sprung up in places that were once calm and serene…  Worst of all, the population of the planet had taken irrevocable losses!     “After the gods realized what their war was doing to the people they loved and the planet they forged, they finally came to an agreement: they would seal away their power and leave humanity to recover.  Once they had made their choice, they returned the Eidolons’ free will and turned themselves to stone with these last words:     “‘The damage we have done is great, but the guilt in our hearts, greater.  For our heinous actions, we will slumber for eternity, never to be woken.  Heed our words, lest history be repeated.’”

    Stragos closed his eyes, slowly shaking his head.  It seemed like he needed a minute to recover from the heaviness of what he’d told everyone.     “So… what happened next?” the treasure-hunting man asked.     “Well…” the elderly man continued, “after the war, the Eidolons fled the ruined world to create a new realm for themselves.  According to the legends of my ancestors… they took the Warring Triad’s petrified remains with them.  Even imprisoned in stone seals of their creation, the three gods were dangerous…  Even dormant, their power exceeded that of even the greatest of their creations… so, the Eidolons placed them in a delicate balance.  It was said… should the Triad ever be moved from this balance… a great catastrophe would befall man-and-beast.”     He paused before looking up with a grim expression.     “I surmise that it could mean the end of the world as we know it, should that happen…”

    There was a long period of silence as everyone in that room took in the elder’s words.  They all knew that the Empire, having so much power, could do no good to the cities and people of the world… but, they had no idea that one mistake could possibly destroy the entire planet!     “Well, since the world’s comin’ to an end,” Lilum suddenly started, “can Lilum stay up past sundown?”     Stragos gave the girl a blank stare before giving her a very-flat “What.”     “All the cool stuff happens at night!” she explained.  “Lilum wants a piece’a that action!”     “This is hardly the time for jokes, but…”     He finally cracked a smile as he ruffled her hair through her beret.     “Bless you for having your mother’s spirit, little Lilum…”     “I’m not that little!” she laughed as she ducked away.  “I’m very mature, for my age!”     Edgar uncomfortably shifted, tugging at his collar… but, no one seemed to notice.     “Some would say that you grew up a little too fast,” her grandfather said with a chuckle.  “I just wish I knew where you got it from.”     “My mom’s side!  Duh!”

    That completely random exchange between the child and her grandfather worked its magic, considerably easing the tension in the room.  Before long, everyone returned to idling and chatting as the airship continued to cut a path across the sky and onto Vector.  But, as everyone conversed and new faces met with old… Wedge couldn’t help but notice that one of their group of twelve had gone missing.  And, it just so happened to be the one person he wanted to talk to.

    “Hey, Setzer?”     “You can call me ‘Mister Gabbani,’ friend,” the white-haired nobleman told him as he turned around and leaned against his blackjack table.     “Sorry.”  Wedge cleared his throat.  “Mister Gabbani, would you mind if I explored the ship, a little?  I know I just got here, but–”     “If you do anything to harm my baby,” the man interrupted, wearing a serious expression, “I will throw you overboard.  And, considering how high up we are, well…”     “No, I won’t hurt your ‘baby,’”  He sighed.  “I’ve just never been on an airship, before, so I wanna look around.”     Setzer narrowed his eyes… then, he gave a silent nod before turning back to the table.  The ex-soldier took that as a signal to wander off and explore.

    The first place Wedge went was up to the stairs at the rear of the room which led from the meeting room to what looked like a casino…  He had noticed that theme in the airship, but it wasn’t until he walked down into the literal “casino pit” that he gave it much thought.     As expected of an airship called “The Blackjack,” there were two more card tables seated to his left, both facing the windows and separated by a comfortable-looking, somewhat-gaudy lounge chair of some sort.  To his right was a long table with a series of numbered squares and a matching wheel next to that.  He recognized the setup as a roulette table – not something he enjoyed, himself, but to each their own.  There was yet another blackjack table in a room at the far end of the area.  He thought it was the “high rollers” table… but, if that were the case, then what was that table one floor down used for?  Considering that he’d just seen it used for a meeting, he had to assume that to be the case.

    Before long, the ex-soldier had made his way back up from the pit and climbed up the ladder directly across from the upper stairwell.  He wasn’t the least bit surprised to see a deck with some controls – which were being manned by a man in a red cap – but, he was quick to climb back down.  The soldier was never a fan of heights…     Returning to the meeting room, he walked by the group and headed toward a door that was off to the side… only to be stopped by Setzer, himself.     “Where do you think you’re going?” the airship’s owner impatiently asked.     “Um… through that door?” was Wedge’s natural reply.     “No, you’re not.”  The well-dressed man crossed his arms before explaining, “This leads to the main engine room.  You’re not going in there unescorted.”     “Why not?”     “Gee, let me think…”     He gave the man a look from-head-to-toe.     “Maybe, because you’re an Imperial soldier?”     “I’m not an Imperial soldier, anymore!  I mean… okay,” the self-named ex-soldier started, “officially?  Yeah, I’m still with the Empire.  But, once you guys stop this ‘earth-shattering’ thing from happening, I–”     “Hey, Lock!”

    Setzer had called out so suddenly, it startled the man in orange-red armor.  Not a second later…     “Yeah?”     He found himself in the company of someone who, last time he checked, didn’t like him.

    “This soldier–”     “Ex-soldier!” Wedge corrected.     “This soldier…” the nobleman firmly emphasized, “wants to look around the engine room.  Would you mind keeping an eye on him?”     “I guess not.”  Lock shrugged, then he said, “C’mon, soldier boy.”     The other man scowled as he was escorted beyond the doorway by the treasure hunter.  He didn’t care for that guy… but, at least his curiosity would be satiated.

    Just like the owner had said, on the other side of the door was a room that was filled with gears, mechanisms, and a literal ton of machinery.  Wedge was kind of impressed with what he saw, but he was a little surprised by how familiar it looked.     “I could swear…” he said over the clatter of devices, “Doctor Cid was working on something like this.  In fact, I think the spire of the Imperial Castle has some clockwork in it, too!  Gotta move those crane arms somehow.  Be… fore you guys broke ‘em, I mean.  Heh…”     Lock crossed his arms, giving an impatient look.  He looked like he’d rather be anywhere else, just then.     “Satisfied?” he asked in a somewhat snarky tone.     “Hey, what’s back there?”     They both looked across the way.  There was an opening at the rear-left from the doorway, and it seemed to lead somewhere…     “Dunno,” the treasure hunter said with a sigh.  “Ready to head back?”     “Hang on…”     Wedge took a couple of steps across a narrow bridge between the pits of noisy machinery.  As he took a third step…     “Nope.”     Lock leaped in front of him, blocking his progress.

    “Come with me!” the ex-soldier suggested with a friendly smile.  “I bet you’re as curious about that hallway as I am!”     “Look, I know what’s back there,” the other man explained.  “I was just hoping you’d believe me and lose interest.”     “Well… what is back there?” Wedge asked.     “A room.”     “What’s in the room?”     “A sofa, some chairs, and more machinery.”     “Lock…”  He frowned, putting his hands on his hips.  “Why don’t you want me to go back there?  I have no intention of sabotaging the airship.  Hell, I’m trying my hardest to pretend I’m not even here!  So, why not let be stay out of everyone’s hair and explore?”     He gave a couple of blinks as Lock stepped forward, looking him in the eye right through his goggles.

    “I don’t trust you,” was the young man’s answer.  “I don’t trust any of you Empire dopes.  But, I especially don’t trust you.”     “Well… aside from the obvious stuff,” Wedge started with a grin, “why not?”     “I noticed how you keep lookin’ at Tina… how much you look at her, how you look at her, et cetera.”  He scowled as he told the ex-soldier, “I made a promise to that girl… to my friend… that I’d protect her.”     He slowly looked away…     “I… haven’t done a great job, so far…  But!”     Not long after, his head whipped back toward Wedge.     “If I can keep her safe from someone like you, then I’m damn well gonna!”     “So, you’re thinking Tina wandered into the back, huh?”     “Yeah, and you’re not going to bother her!  She wants to be left alone!”

    Wedge just continued to smile as he stood there, watching the other man impede his progress.  For some reason, seeing someone as dedicated to protecting someone like Tina kind of amused him.  Someone as powerful as Tina certainly didn’t need protection, but Lock seemed like the “fiercely-loyal” type.  However…     “Scoot.”     He was otherwise unmoved.

    “Get back!” Lock snapped, taking a retreating hop and drawing a pair of sharp-looking dirks.  Wedge had gotten a little too close.     “You’re going to attack me?  Just because I wanna check on Tina?  Well, and see what’s in the other room, too,” he added with a chuckle.     “Yes.”  The treasure hunter scowled, narrowing his eyes.  “Leave.”     “Look, Lock… I’m not gonna fight you.  Even if I had a weapon, I wouldn’t fight you!”     There was a brief pause before he asked, “Why not?”     “Well, number one… I’m pretty sure Setzer would toss me off the ship if I did anything to anyone on board.  Number two, I really don’t have any beef with you.  In fact, I think you’re kind of interesting!”     For some reason, that just made Lock scowl even deeper.     “And, number three…?”  Wedge sighed…  “Tina likes you.  So, even if one and two weren’t on my mind, I’d stop cold at number three.”     He offered another smile.     “Any friend of Tina’s is a friend of mine… and, I’d never do anything to hurt a friend.  You know?”

    Silence, peppered by the clank and whirr of gears and wheels, filled the room.  Lock must have stood at the other end of that walkway for a good minute… before he put his weapons away and took a more relaxed pose.     “You… really wanna see what’s in the other room?” he asked.     When Wedge gave a nod, he gave a labored sigh… then, he gestured for the other man to follow.  Not long after, they were in the out-of-the-way room at the back of the airship.

    “Man… there’s not a single window in this room, is there?”     Just like Lock had described, the room was pretty plain.  The area nearest to them had dark-and-light tiles on the floor, as well as a trio of chairs and another colorful lounge chair.  To their forward-right was another pit with more machinery – though, unlike the main engine room, it was surrounded by a handrail.  But, on top of those few things, there were a couple more things of note to be seen…     “Oh, hello.”     Standing near the rail-protected opening was the familiar figure of Tina Branford, the sweet, innocent, and… to Wedge’s mind… cute blond girl who just happened to be half-Eidolon.  Standing behind her, however, was another girl.     “H… hi…”     Celes Chere, former general of the Imperial Army, waved to the two newcomers, seeming particularly nervous about seeing at least one of them.  She was physically attractive, but due to some… less-than-intelligent actions on her part… Wedge wanted nothing to do with her.  Plus, her usual, strict personality wasn’t nearly as charming as Tina’s.

    “Celes…?”  Lock walked ahead of Wedge, giving the woman a curious look.  “How’d you get in here?  No, when did you–”     “I noticed Tina leave while Stragos was talking and got worried…  Um…”  She squirmed before awkwardly asking, “What– what’s up?”     “Cheese Wedge wanted a tour of the airship,” the treasure hunter casually said with a shrug and a grin.  “Didn’t think we’d find anyone back here.”     Wedge knew that was a lie, but he didn’t bother correcting Lock.     “Oh, well, I-I was just leaving!” Celes suddenly said before speedily walking toward the door.  But, when she was just about to make good on her words…     “Hold it.”     It was Wedge, oddly enough, who stopped her.

    “Y… yes, Wedge?” Celes nervously asked, unsure of what to expect.     The former soldier pulled his goggles up, making sure the woman could see him narrow his eyes and glare.  When she gave another uncomfortable squirm and looked away, he decided to tell her… exactly… what was on his mind.

    “I owe you an apology.”

    The former general blinked hard, staring with wide eyes as Wedge looked to the side.  Lock tilted his head as he and Tina watched and listened, both curious as to where the conversation was going.

    “Y-you don’t owe me anything…” was the next thing to fall out of Celes’ mouth.  Before she could look away, herself… Wedge gave her a nudge, prompting her to look up.     “Let’s get one thing straight: I still don’t like you.  Actually, I’m pretty sure I hate you!”     At that, Lock took a step forward… only to stop.  When he looked back, Tina was holding his arm and shaking her head.  Despite his urge to intervene… he heeded his friend’s wordless suggestion and stayed where he was.     “But… either Kefka was just screwing with me, or…”  The ex-soldier sighed before giving a somewhat-begrudging sort of smile.  “You were right about Biggs.”     “I… don’t understand?”  She hesitated before asking him, “Please, explain?”     “Okay, so…  When Kefka was going batsh–”  He paused, suddenly remembering that Tina was in the room.  “Ah… bat-flap-crazy… he said something.  He said that Biggs had been ‘quite the diligent little lackey,’ or something like that.  He said that it was Biggs who gave the Empire the secrets to Magicite.  I’m… still not sure how he managed to figure that one out…”     He scratched the back of his head.     “But, unless Kefka was lying… it seems like… yeah.  I owe you an apology.  And, if he wasn’t lying, then I guess there’s a possibility that Biggs… did do something to deserve…”     He paused to think.     “No.  No, he didn’t deserve to die.  Even if he was secretly working for Kefka… what you did was wrong and I’ll never forgive you!  I mean, what the hell could he have possibly said to make you kill him?”     “Wait… what’s this about?  Who killed who?”

    Celes looked behind her.  Tina was staring with her hands over her mouth, looking a little surprised.  Lock, however, was walking over.  Almost immediately, she turned away, trying to hide from both her friend and the former soldier…     “Celes…?”  The bandanna-wearing man frowned as he asked, “What, exactly, happened on G.T. Island…?”     “Yes, General,” Wedge called with an attitude, “what did happen?  Why don’t you tell them, hmm?”     She hesitated for a long while… but, eventually, she told everyone listening exactly what happened between her and Biggs.

    “Biggs was the one who reported you…?”     She gave a nod, keeping her eyes shut tight, trying not to let her emotions overcome her.     “And… he hated you?  He really said that?”     She gave another nod, refusing to say a word more.     “Then… yeah.  I guess I really was wrong about him.”

    Wedge sighed before looking down at the tiles.  He had no idea that Biggs had such an intense hatred of General Chere… one that would make him throw his life away just add to her strife.  His friend never said a word about disliking the general, much less hating her…  And, as he stood there, thinking about it… he started to wonder what else he never knew about his best friend…

    “I… don’t hate you,” the man quietly said after the longest time.     “I… I’d hate me…” Celes meekly responded.     “I hate what you’ve done,” he clarified, “but… it’s pointless to hate you.  You were just… dealt a bad hand.  And, hey… we all make mistakes.  Right?”     The woman finally opened her eyes and looked at Wedge.  He was still smiling… though, it looked forced.  He wasn’t fooling anyone but, she had to admit to herself… it was nice of him to try not to hate her.  Even if it was pointless…

    “What I’ve done is unjustifiable,” she told the former soldier with a firm tone, “and, were I still committed to the Empire… I would confess to my crime and accept my sentence without question.”     “Celes…” Lock whispered with a deeply-concerned expression.     “I… was an Imperial general.  But, evil is evil.  Still…”     She paused before looking right at Wedge.     “I don’t want your forgiveness,” she continued.  “I don’t want your friendship.  All I want is to stay out of your way, when and where I can.”     She gave Wedge a chance to say something.  When he didn’t… she kept going.     “I’m… sorry for what I’ve done, but thank you for allowing me to explain myself and to tell you the whole story.  Now, I would like to rejoin our companions, if I may.”

    Without so much as a nod, Wedge stepped aside.  Not long after, Celes left… as did Lock.  It was pretty obvious where his priorities were.  But, as he left… the other woman walked over to where the former soldier was.  And, with nothing more than a soulful look… she threw her arms around him in a tight hug, just like she had much earlier that day.

    It took a few moments for Wedge to recover from what he’d been told.  It had numbed him to the core and he entirely wasn’t sure what to do or where to go, from there.  Once he was finally able to feel, again… he pulled away, walking over to the furniture before collapsing onto it with his arms between his legs and head hung low.     “Mister Wedge?” Tina called as she sat next to him.  “Are you okay?”     She knew he wasn’t, but her compassionate nature drew the question outward.     “You know, it’s funny…”     The girl perked.  Her friend had slowly lifted his head… only to look straight up and rest it against the wooden frame of the seat.     “What is?” she politely asked.     There was a long pause before he told her, “Life.”

    He, honestly, couldn’t think of anything else to tell her.  Between what had happened in Samasa, hearing that old man all but tell everyone that “the end was nigh,” then finding out that his best friend… the person he’d been closest to in life… actually harbored a deep resentment toward someone he, himself, kind of respected and was working for Kefka, who seemed under secret orders from the Emperor, himself…  Well, it kind of threw his view of things into a tailspin!  The only thing he firmly was sure of, at that point, was that he wanted out of the Imperial Army and he wanted to get as far away from everything as possible…

    “Ow… ah–!”     He gave a couple of blinks, then looked to his side.  Tina was wincing.     “Tina?” he called, suddenly finding his focus.  “Are you–”     He went wide-eyed.  Tina had grabbed him by his armor and was looking at him with bright, terrified eyes.     “S… something’s wrong– Wedge…  The earth… i-it’s crying out…  The… the island…!!”     “Wh… what is–”     But, before he could answer…     “All hands on deck!!  This is not an emergency!!”     A voice boomed over some hidden speaker within the room.  A second later, Tina yanked him off his seat, pulled him through the engine and meeting rooms, and ended up practically flying with him as they arrived at the top-most floor of the airship.  It was there… that they saw it.

    “The island…” Tina called as she looked up at a colossal shadow looming overhead.  “I… I was right…  Oh, no…”     “What the hell is that thing?!” Wedge shouted without thinking.     “I know what it is…”     He, Tina, and everyone who had headed topside stared at Stragos.  He sounded afraid.

    “Wh… what is it…?” the former soldier quietly asked.     There was a long pause before the old mage told them all…

    “The beginning of of the end…”

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Edgar Figaro #Magitek Soldier #Wedge #Stragos Magus #Strago Magus #Lock Cole #Locke Cole #Tina Branford #Terra Branford #Lilum Arrowny #Relm Arrowny #Setzer Gabbiani #Celes Chere #fantasy #drama #slice of life

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam FFVI, Ch. X

Chapter 10 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

Just gonna say this, now: those with a sensitive constitution may want to skip a few-dozen paragraphs – or, maybe skip the chapter, itself.  It's… violent. That being said… I had a lot of fun writing this one.  Maybe… too much?  Uwee hee hee~

Word count: 5,717 – Character count: 32,976 Originally written: July 22nd, 2019 Significantly revised on: July 31st, 2019

Finally, peace is achieved!  Or, so it seems…

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd.

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    Despite the anger and threats, Celes did follow Wedge back out of the woods and, just like the soldier had promised, he reported her actions to General Christophe.  Much like Wedge, the general didn’t seem terribly interested in the “Kefka conspiracy,” simply escorting the traitor to a holding cell below deck with a promise to deal with her when they got back to Vector.  And, that was the end of that situation, for the time.

    Later that day, the soldiers at the ship were given a report via radio: the party of Lock and Tina, joined by the Blue Mage named Stragos and the precocious youth named Lilum, had found the Eidolons that ravaged Vector hiding in a cave.  Why were they hiding?  Because… they were ashamed of themselves.     As Tina and Stragos explained, the Eidolon who had attacked the down, as well as Setzer’s Blackjack airship, hadn’t intended to do so.  Those who attacked had been waiting at the gate of the Eidolon World, anxious for a chance to find their missing brethren and rescue them.  When the gate was opened by Tina, something snapped in each of their minds and they went into a frenzy!  It was only after the damage had been done that they regained control of themselves.

    But, why hide in that particular cavern?  As it just so happened, the aptly-named “Eidolon Holy Land” was actually a place of high magic and, in the center of the cave, rested statues the old gods of all: The Warring Triad!  The Eidolons, feeling the familiar sensation of high magic, fled there to regroup and formulate a plan to fix the chaos they’d caused.  And, it was there that Lock’s company found the magical beings.

    The following day, “A-Team” had escorted the Eidolons out of the cavern and through the woods.  After meeting with the general’s “B-Team” – a team comprised of himself and the Magitek Soldier named Wedge, by that point – the entire group headed to the northeast.  That afternoon… a prelude to a meeting of minds like none other took place.

    On one side of the Samasa town square were the humans – well, mostly.  Standing behind the Gestahlian envoy of General Christophe and his remaining soldier was Tina, a half-Eidolon… Lock, a wandering treasure hunter… the old mage, Stragos, and a young girl, Lilum.     “I am Leo,  an Imperial general,” the general greeted.  “May I ask your name?”     “I am Yura.”     That was the answer of the man-shaped being with long, white hair and covered in light-brown fur with some spikes protruding from his head and elbows.  He seemed to be the representing speaker on the other side – the side of the Eidolons, who were fantastic shapes and many sizes – much like Leo was representing the humans.

    “We have done… horrific things to you all…” the magical being said with a long sigh and a look of shame on his face.  “It would be unthinkable to ask forgiveness, but…”     “No.  We understand,” Leo assured him.  “We have no interest in condemning you for mistakes made.  On the contrary; we are ashamed for thinking of you as no more than a source of power for war!  To ask for forgiveness for our actions is truly what is unthinkable.”     “I…”     The Eidolon seemed at a loss of words, for a moment.     “We… are grateful,” he finally managed to say.  “Thank you.”

    “Well, that’s that, then.”

    Tina looked beside her.  Lock was dusting his hands and looking proud of himself.     “We found the Eidolons, so our job’s done!” he said to no one in particular.  “Hey, maybe we can finally take a break from all this ‘end of the world’ biz, huh?”     He turned to his companion with a cheesy grin.  The blond-haired girl couldn’t help but smile.  She, too, hoped for a reprieve from all the chaos of the last month.

    “I cannot thank you enough for your help,” General Christophe said as he returned to the quartet.  “Tina.  Lock.  Stragos and Lilum.  This would not be possible without you.”     Lock sniffed, rubbing his nose and grinning.  “It’s no big deal, Leo!”     “On the contrary.  This could be the start of something very big!”     “If you say so…  Say, where’s Celes?  I have… a couple words for her.”     “Ah…”  Leo gave a sad sort of frown.  “Walk this way, please.”     Tina gave a blink as Lock walked away with Leo.  A moment later, she turned her head to the other side.  His loyal soldier had walked up beside her without a word.

    “Hello, again, Mister Wedge,” she greeted with a smile.     The Magitek Soldier faintly smiled at the girl, tipping his helmet to her.     “You’re, uh, lookin’ pretty good for someone who wandered the entire region on-foot.”     “It was… peaceful.  Mostly…”  She fidgeted before asking, “H-how have you been?”     “It’s… been an interesting time,” was all he felt like telling her.  “Hanging out with Leo’s been mostly fun.  Not a huge fan of Celes, but she’s not a huge fan of me, so!”     She tilted her head, curious about what he meant.  However, she let it pass.     “Where’s your friend, Mister Biggs?” she asked.  “I didn’t see him on the ship, earlier.”     Wedge finally frowned.  “You’re, uh… you’re not gonna see much of him, anymore…”     All-at-once, Tina gave a sympathetic frown of her own.     “I’m so sorry…”     “I’d be lying if I said ‘it’s okay…’”     He paused, thinking about what happened.     “I’ll… be alright,“ he said after a few moments.  “I’m gonna have to be…”     “Have you talked to my dad, at all?”  She reached over, putting a hand on his shoulder.  “If you’re ever feeling sad or lonely…”     “Oh!  Actually… I forgot he was with me.”  The soldier smiled and patted his chest as he said, “He’s so quiet, it’s like he’s practically not even here!”     There was another pause.  Wedge noticed Tina tilting her head with a look of intense concentration…  He was about to ask what she was doing…     “Ah–!”     When she suddenly threw her arms around him in a tight hug.

    “T… Tina…?” he said with a heavy blush.  “What–”     “No matter what happens…” she whispered in a soft, warm way, “I’ll never stop believing in you…  Don’t ever doubt yourself, Mister Wedge…  You’re smarter… braver… stronger than you think.  I know because… so am I.  At least…”     She leaned back, giving him the sweetest sort of smile.     “That’s what my dad told me.”     “Your, uh… your dad is pretty smart,” was Wedge’s reply.  He pulled an arm free, then gently ruffled the girl’s hair as he added, “I should talk to him, sometime.  Who knows…  Maybe, he’ll stop being so shy and actually talk back!”     Tina giggled before hugging the soldier a little more.  Not long after… he draped his free arm around her, returning the gesture – though, not quite as tightly.  And, that moment lasted…     “Hold that pose!”     Until another voice broke the peace.

    Wedge looked around… then, he looked down.  Standing nearby was a much younger girl with short, golden hair.  She wore an airy, blue beret with a gold, circular pattern and some feathers coming off the top, a small cloak with a brooch on the collar, a form-fitting, black bustier top, and yellow, silken pants with blue boots.  Curiously… she was also writing something onto what looked like a small pad of paper.

    “Can I help you…?” he asked as he and Tina both looked her way.     “No-no, just stay like that for abooout…”  She paused.  “That long!”     Suddenly, she tucked her pad under her beret, then put the quill onto her hat.     “You get Lilum’s blessing!” she said, giving a thumbs-up and a wink, then wandered off.     “Um… thanks…?” the soldier awkwardly replied.     As Tina gave another giggle, he asked her what that was all about.     “That was Lilum,” the girl explained as she finally stopped hugging him.  “She likes to draw and paint, so I guess she was sketching us for later?”     “I… see.”     The affectionate blond smiled and shrugged, then she stared at her friend, prompting him to start a new topic.

    “Guess we’re headed back to Vector, huh?”     “I guess so!” Tina chipperly replied.  “I’m looking forward to it.”     “Really?”  Wedge tilted his head.  “Why?  What’s in Vector?”     “Peace between humanity and Eidolon-kind!”     “O– oh-oh, yeah!  Heh, yeah – me, too!”     Though, honestly, he was mostly just looking forward to his “date…”     “Once we have peace… then, maybe…”     He gave another blink.  Tina was slowly strutting around him with her arms behind her back and a soft smile on her face.  She was also looking right at him the whole time.     “We can have coffee… like you offered?”  She brightly smiled as she told him, “I don’t like coffee very much… but, I’m looking forward to spending time with you!”     Wedge made a lot of random vowel sounds, completely thrown off-guard by that statement.  He had not expected her to bring it up… much less seem tot excited about it.  Eventually, though… he just smiled right back, giving a thumbs-up.

        The atmosphere was very light as the group prepared to head out of the village and back to the boat.  Lock and Leo seemed engrossed in conversation, though neither seemed to be smiling.  Stragos and Lilum were talking, the latter sketching the various magical creatures who would pose for her while the former told her not to bother them and apologized on her behalf.  Even a few of the townsfolk seemed interested in what was going on and, to Leo and Wedge’s surprise, exposed themselves as magic-users as they exchanged techniques with some of the Eidolons.

    After his business with Lock, Leo had walked over to Tina and Wedge, talking to the former for a little while the latter simply listened.  Suddenly, though, the lattermost realized…     “Hang on…  Why didn’t the rest of the soldiers come with us?”     Not a second after he asked, a haunting laugh ripped through the area, alerting everyone in the square!  Then… who should arrive from the south but the owner of the laugh.

    “General Kefka?!”

    Following his entrance, the group heard the familiar clatter of metal feet stomping their way.  As they ran into the area, one of them ran right through Kefka, bowling him over… but, he didn’t seem to care as he got right back up and laughed, again.  Soon, it became painfully obvious that the disgraced general had prepared for a big fight…  When all the noise died down, the group saw that several Magitek Armor units had arrived along with a legion of foot soldiers.      Seeing the great number of units puzzled Wedge.  There had only been two armor units on the ship and a handful of brown-suits.  But, there had to be six-or-seven armor units and at least four times as many soldiers on-foot, surrounding the area and blocking off all exits.  This did not go unnoticed by another person near him.

    “Kefka?!  You’re supposed to be in prison!” Leo shouted as he ran over to meet the colorfully-clothed man.  “Where did all these troops come from?!  How did you even get here?”     “Well, Leo, I just flew in from Vector,” the man in the clown makeup told him, “and, boy, are my arms tired!  Hyo-ho-hooo!!”     “What are you even doing here…?”     “I thought I’d take the Empire’s newest ship out for a cruise,” he said in a much calmer voice, “and come here and do some light shopping– oh, what do you think I’m here for, fool?!”     “Pecan pie and a glass of lemonade?” Lock smartly suggested.     “Oh.”  He grinned.  “Oh, I like him.”     Kefka flicked a finger toward the man in the bandanna.     “Kill him, first.”

    With no warning other than the threat, the Magitek Armor pilots moved into position, then let loose torrents of magic-powered beams of fire, ice, lightning, and raw energy, tearing holes in buildings, scorching the grass and stone of the square, and burning everything that was flammable… even some things that weren’t!  No one had been prepared for an attack and, despite putting up a decent fight, everyone who dared to counter the soldiers wa either killed or knocked unconscious.  Even Lock’s group took some heavy blows, the party of four knocked senseless!

    “Kefka!!”

    As the raid rolled on, the madman who started it had found something to occupy his time: attacking an innocent woman and her child!  When he heard a voice call his name, he looked up from kicking the woman in the head, then turned around.  General Christophe had run over to him, again.     “What do you think you’re doing?!” Leo angrily shouted.     “Hee, hee, hee…”  He grinned before singing, “Emperor’s ooorderrrs.”     Leo went wide-eyed.  “What?!”     “‘Bring back the Eidolon as Magicite.’  That’s what he said, yes, indeed!  Now, behold!  I’ve developed a top-secret technique to reduce those pesky, fight-y beasties into nice, bite-sized Magicite for easy carrying!”

    Kefka whipped his cape around and set his eyes on something.  Leo’s eyes focused on his viewpoint and, over in the distance, he could see that Yura had gathered the other Eidolons behind a building.  From what he could gather, Yura, being the eldest of the younglings, was trying to comfort them – they all looked absolutely terrified!

    “Gods of life giveth, gods of life taketh away!  Death!!”     Yura turned around… only to go wide-eyed.  Before he could even think about reacting… he felt something cold touch him.  Briefly, he looked up to the grim, semi-translucent specter looming overhead, scythe in-hand and a black cowl over its frightening, skeletal body.  He tried to scream… tried to breathe… but, in a near-instant, he found his body failing him.  Then…     “Nooooo…!!”     A younger Eidolon screamed.  Yura’s body exploded into stardust before being drawn upward to where his soul was hanging.  It was there that it formed and crystallized in a bright flash of light… before that crystal flew across the town and into the waiting hands of evil, itself.  Not a second later, he leveled his mad grin and narrowed eyes at the other creatures.

    “Boo.”

    Kefka barely had to whisper a single word to send the Eidolons scattering!     “How stupid!!” he cackled.  A second later, he stopped laughing and turned around, staring at General Christophe with a cool, almost bored expression.     “How… how could you…?” the general asked, his face crestfallen.     “Well, first, I had to inject myself with the right Eidolon blood,” the colorful whacko explained with his usual jovial demeanor.  “Then, I had to master my new magical powers!  It wasn’t easy, let me tell you!  So many good soldiers sacrificed themselves to– oh, oh!  Do you mean ‘How could you possibly know how that when an Eidolon dies, it becomes Magicite which can then be used to give someone magical abilities and skills?’  Well… we had a little help…”     He looked beyond the general, wickedly grinning as his eyes focused on a new target.  Leo slowly turned around… only to gasp as he realized who he was looking at.     “Wedge…?!”

    The soldier went wide-eyed, looking as surprised as Leo!  Almost immediately, he shook his head and waved his hands in a “no” gesture.  He wanted absolutely nothing to do with Kefka!     “Wait, that’s not–?  Oh, this is embarrassing!” the armored magician said with a laugh.  “Where’s my little lackey?  What’s his name?  ‘Biggles?’  ‘Bixby?’”     “‘Biggs…?!’” Wedge shouted in surprise.     “Yes, that’s his name!  Ah, Sir Biggsda has been quite the diligent little minion!”     “Y… you’re lying!” he screamed.  “Biggs would never–”     “Why, if it wasn’t for him, the Empire never would have figured out that Eidolons are more valuable dead than alive!!  Uwee hee hee… now, where is my little soldier boy?  I’d like to thank him, personally!  Here, Biggsda!  Come here, boy!”     Kefka started whistling and patting his legs, trying to call Biggs… who, apparently, had been working for him the whole time.

    “Kefka!!”     “E’yeeeees?”     The mad general whipped his head toward Wedge and gave him a wide-eyed, attentive look.  The soldier had drawn Celes’ “borrowed” sword, holding it with both hands.  He didn’t know if he was more furious with Kefka for treating his best friend like a lap-dog… or, with Celes for her “insane” theory being true.  He just knew he had to take it out on someone!

    “This… is for Biiiiiggs…!!”     General Christophe gave a blink.  Wedge had run all the way over to Kefka and taken a swipe at him.  However…     “Bad dog!  No treats for you!”     The sorcerous madman had deflected it with a polearm.  A second later…     “Wedge!!”     The soldier was knocked clear across the village by a fireball from the sky!     “Kefka, you– what?”     And, just like that… Kefka walked away, seemingly disinterested in following up.

    “Poo, this village is no fun!” he said in a pouty way.  “Burn it all to ashes!!  Let’s see if we can’t make something more interesting from what remains!”     Without a word, the soldier Kefka had moved over to – as well as all the others – walked into town.  Everyone riding armor set their weapons to use only fire while the foot soldiers ripped limbs off trees and loose planks from buildings, setting those ablaze before using them against the town.  And, as everything started catching fire… Kefka just laughed.

    “Kefka!” Leo shouted as he ran over to the former general, again.  “Stop this!  Now!”     “‘Oh, Kefka, stop!’” he said in a mocking town.  “‘Oh, you’re such a bad-bad man!  How could you be so evil?’”     It seemed like he was going to laugh… but, his face went deathly serious, instead.     “Get him out of my face.”     “What…?!”     And, before he could turn around to see his assailant… Leo was bashed over the head with a chunk of wood by a random, nameless soldier, immediately falling unconscious.

    Just two nights prior, the village of Samasa experienced a fire at the house of a rich child.  As Stragos and the others found out… he had invited Lilum over to show off his wealth and, in an attempt to impress her, accidentally ignited a storage room of Fire Rods with a poorly-planned Fire spell.  But, even that blaze was nothing compared to what Kefka was doing…     The first thing he did was order the tree in the town square burned.  From there, other trees were burned for no other reason than “they’re ugly.”  The elder’s house to the northwest was ransacked and robbed of anything worth money, then razed to the ground along with the nearby vegetable garden – Kefka always hated vegetables.  The house near that caught fire, shortly after, which gave the madman the idea to burn the others, himself.  It was no surprise to his soldiers when he accidentally caught himself on fire, but after rolling on the ground and dousing his cape, he ordered the soldiers to start smashing through the flaming cottages and generally ruin everything to a point of being unrecognizable.  But, before Kefka could make sure that happened…     “Kefka!!”     A familiar voice called out to him.

    “Welcome back!” he laughed as he watched Leo run up, yet again.  “Enjoy your nap?”     Though Kefka was laughing… Leo was not.     “I cannot… will not… overlook your actions, any longer!” he shouted, drawing his sparkling blade.  “Prison is too good for you!  Prepare yourself!!”     His opponent just yawned… then, he smirked.     “Come at me.”

    All action in the village came to a stop as the sound of Leo’s Crystal Sword and Kefka’s Partisan clashed time-and-time-again.  Between the former’s strength and the latter’s agility, the two were evenly-matched in physical combat… which is why Kefka decided to cheat.     “Have this!” he shouted as he started launching quickfire spells at the general.  “And, this!  And, this– and, this– and, this– and, thiiis!!”     Leo rolled out of the way as a fireball crashed to the ground, scorching a wide area around the point-of-impact.  The bolt of lightning that followed it zapped the burning tree he ran under, which also served as a shield to absorb the other three spells – Bio, Drain, and Poison.     “Dammit!  Hold still and take your punishment like a good boy!” Kefka angrily yelled.     “You, first!”

    The Magitek Knight tilted his head, readying another spell when he noticed the general closing his eyes.     “Shock!!”     General Christophe spun his sword around before vanishing from sight!     “What the hell?!  Where did you– gyaaah!!”     Suddenly, Kefka felt something cut him from the side.  Before he could turn to see what happened, he was struck from the other side.     “No– wuh– nooo!!”     Several more marks cut his body before a virtual whirlwind of slashes ripped his clothes and tore his flesh!  He tried to resist… tried to run… but, it was too late.  In a flash of light even brighter than Eidolon becoming Magicite… the mad mage was brought to the ground, battered, bruised, embarrassed, and utterly defeated.

    “I can’t believe it had to come to this…” Leo muttered as he stood over the ruined body of his opponent.  He was about to roll the dead man over… when he noticed.     “No blood…  What…?”     “That’s Leo for you, putting me through all this!  Hah!”     He looked around.  Kefka’s body had vanished, but his voice could still be heard…     “Kefka…?!” the general angrily shouted after catching his breath.  “Where are you…?!  Show yourself!!”     “Emperor Gestahl… oh, Emperor Gestahl…  Yooooo-hoo…”     He gave a blink.  “E-Emperor Gestahl…?”     “Come here, please…” the voice beckoned before fading into indecipherable mumbling.  Not long after…     “Leo.”     The general spun around.  Out of nowhere… Emperor Gestahl had arrived!

    “E-Emperor!” he said taking a knee.     “Ah, Leo… my most trusted general…”     “Emperor…”  Leo looked up with a frown.  “Kefka, he–”     “I apologize for having deceived you.”     “W-what…?”  He had to blink, at that.     “Your journey to this place…  Your recruitment of our former enemies…  All of this… was simply to obtain more Magicite for the war effort.”     “I… I… no…”     The general was speechless.  He couldn’t believe what he was hearing…

    “You do understand my motives… don’t you?”     “I… I don’t–”     “No-no… don’t say it, Leo.”  Gestahl waved a hand and offered a somber sort of smile.  “It is not as though I do not understand your feelings.  I simply… do not care.”     He gave another blink…  “You… don’t care…?”     “Hee, hee, hee… you heard our leader!” Kefka’s voice suddenly rang out.  “He doesn’t caaare!  Our main goal is collecting Magicite, now – in any way possible!”     “B… but…  Emperor, was all this talk of peace…?  Was it all just a lie?”

    General Christophe’s head hung low as he ruminated on the words of his emperor.  Nothing made sense, to him…  The Emperor had sounded so sincere about meeting with the Eidolons… only to release Kefka to come in behind him and attack everyone in sight?     “This doesn’t make sense… this doesn’t make sense!!” he roared, pounding the stone under his feet.  “If this has been your goal all along, then… then, why bother going to such lengths?!  Why the lies?!  Why did you even bother sending me and my men on all those missions to seek out living Eidolons?!     “Don’t worry yourself with such trivial thoughts,” Gestahl said as he bent down, meeting his general at eye level.  “Your job is done.”     Leo looked up, staring into the emperor’s eyes.  “What…?”

    “Leo… I would like you to take some time off.”     The color left the general’s face.  There was a sharp pain at his side and he felt sick…  A second later, he looked down to see…     “A… poisoned dagger…?”     “Yes… some time off…  A very… veeery looong time, uwee hee hee hee hee!!”

    To the general’s horror, the face of Emperor Gestahl was changing…  Slowly, it shifted into the white, maniacal face of the man who had set the village on fire.     “K… Kefka…!”     The insane man chuckled and gave a grin.  “Surprise!”

    Leo reached for his sheathed sword only to be kicked in the chin as Kefka backflipped away.  When he looked up, he saw that his opponent was taking slow, heel-to-toe strides toward him, holding another dagger in his hand and licking his lips…     “The me you beat…” he explained in a calm, sinister voice.  “That was an illusion of me!”     “No…” the general gasped.  Slowly, he got to his feet… only to keel over backward.     “And, that spineless Emperor Gestahl?  Oh, you had better believe that he was fake, too!  So, tell me, Leeeeeooo…”     Leo rapidly panted, a look of terror on his face as Kefka knelt beside him…     “How can you be a general…” he whispered, “if you can’t even tell the difference… between an illusion and the genuine article…?”

    General Christophe scuttled backward, drawing his sword only for Kefka to stand and snap-kick it out of his hand.  He continued scuttling until he found himself out of places to go.  With his back against a building wall, he looked up, watching the villain get closer-and-closer…     “You’ve always been so pretentious, so self-righteous…!” he hissed, his smile all-but-gone and curled into a horrible frown.  “And, you’re always…”     Suddenly, he pounced at the general, stabbing him right in the neck with a dull dagger.     “Always…!”     He growled as he yanked it out and stabbed Leo’s chest straight through his armor.     “Always-always-always…!” he half-shrieked as he jammed the knife in a couple of other places before throwing it away.  When he pulled Leo up by his collar, he shoved his colorless face into the generals, eyes locked onto his.     “Always…” he whispered, “acting like such a goody-two-shoes…”     “K… Kefka…”     Leo gasped, coughing up blood onto the clown-like criminal’s face.  He didn’t seem to notice as Kefka licked it up…     “Honorless… haa…” he said in a raspy, weak tone.  He probably had more to say… but, he was in no condition to say it.

    “Hee…”     Slowly, the maniacal man let the general down, leaving him on his deathbed.     “It’s going to be sooo saaad, telling the Emperor that you betrayed him.”     Kefka stood up, brushing himself off and adjusting his cloak.     “That’s what I’d say if it didn’t bring me such joy!”     He spun around, looking over the village for a moment.     “Burn, burn, and don’t stop burning until you’re nothing more than an ugly stain!!”     The man laughed… then, he spun back around, drawing another dagger.     “I wonder how many more holes I can put in you before you stop bleeding…?”     He rubbed the flat of the blade against his cheek, then gave it a long, almost passionate sort of lick from the tip of the edge and down to its hilt.     “I guess there’s only one way to find out!”     With that…     “Die, die, die!!”     Kefka continued to mutilate the already-dead body of the finest general to ever serve the Gestahlin Empire. –––––

    “Th-th-this is insane…!!  Wh-wh-what am I even doing here!!  I… I need to get out of here!!  I can’t run!!  I’m a loyal soldier!!  What if I just helped out?!  Why would I do that?!  I’m not cut out to serve this empire!!  I need to leave!!  I want my mommy!!  This is all my dad’s fault!!  What’s going on – who am I…?!  I– I–”

    As the village of Samasa continued to crackle and burn, and amidst the horrifying noises of a blade being repeatedly… relentlessly… plunged into flesh, a survivor had curled into a fetal position, holding his head and breathing uncontrollably.  He had been knocked unconscious… only to wake up just as General Christophe met his grizzly end.  Seeing the village burning… hearing those horrifying noises… the whole situation had thrown him into a state of panic – he didn’t know what to do… where to go… or even where he was!  In short: his mind had shattered.

    “Help…” the man wearing orange-red armor whispered to no one.  “Somebody, help…”     “Eh?  What’s that?”     The soldier yelped, slamming his eyes close and curling up even tighter.  He could hear… something – something he couldn’t have identified even if he wasn’t losing his mind.  But, that wasn’t what made him flinch.  He was sure… so very sure… that Kefka had realized he was hiding in the well and come to murder him, too!  However…     “What’s this tingly feeling…  Magic?  Powerful magic…!  Hee hee… hee-hee!!”     He couldn’t have been more wrong.

    “H-hang on!” squeaked a tiny voice from the other side of town.     “We're coming to save you!!” another, deeper voice called.     “Hurry!!  Hurry up!!  There’s no time!”

    Hearing those voices call out, brave and true, briefly snapped the soldier in the well out of his mind-break.  A moment later, he peeked out… only to go wide-eyed.     “Well, well…” Kefka said with a smirk.  “If it isn’t the Eidolons!”

    Just as the lunatic had said, the Eidolon younglings had found their courage and flew into the horrible scene, attacking soldiers, casting magic at their vehicles and just generally trying to help.  Unfortunately for them… it did little to deter the person who’d ordered the attack.

    “I’ll be honest,” Kefka laughed, “I was surprised at your sudden arrival… but, now that you’re here, allow me to give you a proper welcome!  After all…”     His eyes narrowed and his smirk turned dark.     “It means you’re giving li’l ol’ me even more Magicite presents.  Hee-hee.”

    The soldier in the well wanted to cry out… he wanted to shout for the Eidolons to fly away.  But, something trapped his voice in his throat.  Was it fear?  No, it was something deeper than that…  Even though he’d regained his wits… he was still terrified nearly to death.  All he could do was continue to watch the horrible events unfold as they did.

    “So, since you all want to be turned to Magicite,” Kefka continued after a moment, “I’ll do just that!  But, first… let’s neutralize those pesky magic powers of yours, hm?”     The madman started quietly chanting…  Not long after, he threw his hands into the air, sending out a blinding flash of light that caused the hidden soldier to fall down the well with another splash!  By the time he climbed back up and looked around… he noticed that all the other soldiers… had vanished without a trace.  Even their Magitek Armor had vanished!  Moreover, Kefka seemed to have an odd glow about him…     “Now, O Eidolons…” the deranged magic-knight called, “Humor me as I really cut loose!  Oh, I’m going to enjoy this!”

    Kefka chanted, throwing his hands in the air like he just didn’t care!  Each time he did, voids of darkness flew across the area, each homing in on a random creature flying through the air.  As soon as it made contact, the Eidolon took their last breath before bursting and reforming into Magicite, then flying right into Kefka’s waiting mitts, just like Yura had.  And… the evil man just laughed-and-laughed each time he caught one.  It was almost like a game to him – in fact, the one time he did miss a crystal, he loudly cursed at himself… only to keep going.

    “Oh?  You intend to fight li’l ol’ me?” he said after the sixth-or-seventh successful catch.  Something was heading his way…  “Well, by all means!”     Just like that, a massive man-beast with horrible, curled horns and nasty, sharp teeth came down with an earth-shaking crash, snarling at Kefka… who just yawned and grinned.

    “You monster…!” the Eidolon roared as it stood up, revealing its full height to be that of a small house.  “You took the lives of my brothers and sisters, and for what?!  What did we ever do to you?!”     “Imbecile,” the madman scoffed.  “I can’t belieeeve you Eidolons don’t realize that you’re just tools and nothing more!”     “You’re the tool!!” the massive creature retorted.  “Have this!!”

    He waved a hand, a small blaze engulfing his opponent.  When the flames cleared… Kefka was still standing there, laughing.     “What…  Th-that’s not possible!”     “Anything is possible… with enough imaaagination!” he taunted.     “Imagine this, then!”     With a wave of both hands, the ground tore open, slashing Kefka with a super-heated blade of fire!  But, just like before, he was not only unaffected…     “That tickles!”     But, unimpressed.

    “I will end you for what you’ve done!!” the Eidolon screamed, sounding somewhat like a child throwing a temper tantrum.  Regardless, he was done playing around.     He clapped his hands together then shakily pulled them apart, revealing a growing ball of fire between them.  It grew larger-and-larger, scorching the ground and causing the very air to quiver from its heat.  After a moment of charging, he brought it into one hand and threw it into the air… only for it to streak at Kefka like a meteor, hitting him squarely and violently exploding!     The fireball demolished a nearby building and throwing what was left of Leo’s body far away!  The soldier in the well felt its effects, too, losing his grip on the suddenly-scalding stones and hitting the water for the third time.  He tried to climb back up only to flinch and drop down – his well had become something of a steam bath, from that attack… but, he didn’t dare try to escape.  Something far worse than being boiled alive was up there…

    “Pitiful…!” he heard Kefka scoff.  “You couldn't possibly beat me with something like that, hee hee!”     “You… you survived?!” the Eidolon asked, sounding dumbfounded.     “Of course, I did!” was the man’s reply.  “Now, turn to Magicite and, together, we will forge the Magical Empire of Kefka Palazzo!!”     “N-nuts to this–!  I’m outta here!!”

    The soldier finally worked up the nerve to climb back up… only to duck back down a second later!  The fiery beast had run right over the well, thankfully avoiding it…     “Boop!”     Not a long after…     “No…”     He gasped his last breath and broke apart, becoming Magicite before going to Kefka’s waiting, grabby hands.

    “Oho ho ho!” he chuckled.  “This one’s warm to the touch!  How very gratifying!”     He gave a nasty sort of laugh… then, he sighed.     “I’m bored, now.  Who’d have guessed Eidolons were such weak creatures?  It’s no fun fighting if you’re not even going to try!  So, let me save you the embarrassment…”

    The soldier in the well watched as Kefka channeled his energy.  Moments later, a series of dark orbs flew away from his hands.  The sky flashed a series of bright colors… then, Kefka found himself with an armload of freshly-made Magicite.

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Celes Chere #Magitek Soldier #Wedge #Leo Christophe #Lock Cole #Locke Cole #Tina Branford #Terra Branford #Stragos Magus #Strago Magus #Lilum Arrowny #Relm Arrowny #Eidolon #Yura #Kefka Palazzo #fantasy #slice of life #drama

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam FFVI, Ch. IX

Chapter 9 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

After I redid the previous chapter (three times), I ended up having to redo this one, as well.  It didn't get quite the attention of the other one, but I still felt like my execution was lacking, up to the final revision.  Hopefully, you guys'll like what I came up with!

Word count: 5,927 – Character count: 33,907 Originally written: July 22nd, 2019 Significantly revised on: July 24th, 2019 Further revised on: July 31st, 2019

In the wake of an unsuccessful search, secrets are revealed and a soldier's trust is broken.

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd. Significant contributions and feedback provided by Tessa and Anonymous D

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    “A-Team.  Do you have anything to report, so far?”

    After spending the day and part of the night searching for any trace of the Eidolons who had made their way to Greater Triangle Island, General Leo Christophe and his party decided it was time to set up camp.  Wedge set up a deluxe, military-grade tent, then watched the two generals confer before General Chere handed her mobile radio over to Leo.

    “Nothing, so far,” called a male voice from the device.  “This town is weird, though…  Everyone’s real insistent about ‘not knowing anything,’ and they don’t seem to like us, much.  Then again… I’d probably be suspicious if strangers wandered into my town with a ninja following ’em, too!”     “Funny,” a deeper voice said, sounding somewhat far away.     “Anyway, the elder pointed us toward some short, old guy… but, that was a bust.  I’m pretty sure he knows what an Eidolon is, considering the way he acted when we mentioned it… but, just like everyone else, he immediately changed his mind and pointed us to the door.”     “The elderly gentleman,” a feminine voice added, “has a granddaughter.”     “Tina?  No offense, but why’d you mention that?  She was even less helpful – and, more rude than – her grandpa!”     There was a pause before Tina skittishly said, “Sh-she mentioned magic…”     “Oh!  Oh, yeah!  She did say that, didn’t she?”     “Listen,” Leo butted in, “is there a point to this report?”     “Calm down, soldier boy,” Lock sighed through the radio, “I’m gettin’ to it.

    “So, anyway… after we bumped into Old Man Stragos and his granddaughter–”     “Lilum,” Tina added.     “Right.  His granddaughter, Lilum, and they told us what they ‘didn’t’ know, we decided to look around a little more.  Other than being snubbed by the shopkeepers, we didn’t find anything good, but we’re–”     “That’s… not entirely true!” the young lady interrupted.  There was a pause before she said, “U-um… what I mean is… I saw a little boy using magic.  He was trying to summon fire…”     “Wait, what?”  Another blank spot filled the airwaves.  “Tina, why didn’t you say something, earlier?”     “Remember who you’re talking to, thief,” the other man said, sounding much closer.     “Treasure hunter!” Lock countered.  “And, what are you–?”     “Tina grew up in Vector, a place where they’re known to research and replicate the concept of ‘magic’ through machines,” he explained, sounding like he was choosing his words carefully.  “Elemental magic… curative magic…  It’s all manufactured, in Vector.”     “What are you getting at, Shadow…?” the “treasure hunter” impatiently asked.     “What she thought she saw probably wasn’t magic.  The kid was probably just playing with some flint and lighting leaves on fire or something...”     “I… guess that’s possible…”  Tina could be heard sighing.  “I’m sorry.”     “Well, any lead is a good lead…  That Lilum girl mentioned ‘other’ magic-users, so–”     “There is no ‘magic,’ in this village,” Shadow flatly stated, out-of-the-blue.  “We’re going back to the ship, tomorrow.  Get some sleep.”     With that, the radio went silent, leaving Leo and his companions to wonder…

    “I guess we should head to that village, tomorrow.”     “Agreed, Celes,” Leo said with a nod.  “For now… let’s just get some rest.”     “Um…”     Both generals turned, looking at Wedge as he made a noise.

    “Wedge?” the male general greeted.  “Is something on your mind?”     “Yeah, actually…”  The soldier frowned as he asked, “Biggs is at the boat, right?”     Both he and Leo looked at Celes.  She stared… then, she quickly looked away.     “He is at the boat… yes?” the latter asked his companion.     “Do I look like his keeper?” the lady snapped.     “Yes,” both Wedge and Leo told her, the latter joking and the former knowing that part of a general’s job was to keep track of their units.     “W… well, I…  H-he wasn’t with me, when I left, so…!”     Wedge gave a blink… then, he turned to General Christophe, gesturing for the radio.

    “This is Magitek Soldier Wedge A–”     “What?” a voice called from the other side of the communicator.  “Hey, who the hell–”     “Wedge!” he repeated.  “One of the soldiers with General Leo and General Celes!”     “You’re gonna have to speak up!  The signal’s kind’a weak!”     “Is this the captain of our ship…?” Wedge asked in a louder voice.     “Hey, there’s no need to yell!” the other man countered.  “Yeah, it’s me.  What the hell’d ya wake me up, for?”     “Sorry.  I was just wondering… is Biggs around?  I just… I wanna say ‘goodnight.’”     The radio went quiet for a moment…     “You want me to get outta bed and go look for him?  Is that it?”     “Look, Captain… I just wanna know if he’s on the ship.  General Celes said he ‘wouldn’t be joining us,’ so I assumed he’d be there.”     “Then, yeah, he’s probably here!  Am I gonna go find him?  Hell, no!  Now, don’t call me unless it’s important!  I’m tired…!”     The soldier was tempted to yell back, but, instead…     “Right.  Sorry,” he responded, politely.  “Thank you, Captain.  Goodnight.”

    After setting the radio to one side, Wedge stood up and gave a stretch.     “Hey, General Celes…” he said after a moment.  When she looked his way, he asked her, “Did Biggs give a reason for staying behind?”     She squirmed before saying, “He… he didn’t say anything.”     “Okay…”  The soldier scratched his helmet.  “So… you don’t know if he–”     “He won’t be joining us,” she repeated from earlier, her face showing slight anger.     “Yeah, I got that.  But, why?”     “How should I know?!” the lady-general suddenly roared.  “Stop bothering me!”     Wedge narrowed his eyes.  Again, he considered saying something impolite, but…     “Sorry, General,” he replied, deciding not to instigate, again.  Unfortunately…     “Celes…?”     General Christophe seemed like he had something to say, himself.

    “W-what?”     “Are you feeling well?” he asked the testy woman-in-gold.  “You seem a little on edge.”     “Wouldn’t you be if your traveling companions went ahead without you, leaving you in a strange place full of strange creatures?”     “I take it that you were attacked?”  When Celes didn’t respond, Leo told her, “There’s blood on your scabbard and on your vest.”     “And, there’s blood on that soldier’s chest plate,” she countered.  “What’s your point?”     “I simply wanted to know if you were alright.  That’s all.”     “I’m here, aren’t I?” Celes said with a labored sigh.  “I survived.”     “Are you… upset with us for pulling so far ahead of you?”     “Yes…?  No…?  I– I don’t know!”     She hesitated, rubbing her arm… then, she spun around, hopping onto one of three cots.     “I just need some sleep,” is what she finally said.  “S-sorry for being so rude…”     “Ah.”  Leo gave a nod.  “We could all use a little sleep, I imagine.  Wedge, if you’d please douse the lantern?”     After giving some confused looks, the soldier reached up and turned off the lantern’s fuel supply.  The light slowly faded from the tent, leaving the trio on their cots and in the darkness of the tent.  It wasn’t long after that they let the night take them into a peaceful rest…

    The next morning, Wedge was tasked with packing up.  While he broke down the cots, General Christophe cooked the party breakfast while laying out his plan for the day.     “We’ll head to the distant village of Samasa,” he told his companions.  “A-Team didn’t have much luck, but we may be able to find something of interest.”     Celes was about to say something… when a voice called from the radio.     “G’mornin’, B-Team?  Anyone awake over there?”     Almost immediately, she handed the radio to Leo, still wanting nothing to do with Lock.     “We’re here,” he told the Returner.  “Go ahead, A-Team.”     “So, yesterday was, more-or-less, a bust… but, we have a solid lead, now!”     “Go on?”     “We’re gonna search the west mountains for some place called the ‘Eidolon Holy Land,’ or something?  I dunno – Old Man Stragos was kind’a vague about it.  But, he’s preeetty sure that if the Eidolons are here… they’d be there.”     “Understood.”  General Christophe paused before asking, “What should my team do?”     “Uh…”     The radio went silent.  A moment later…     “Head back to the ship, I guess?  If we all went, the Eidolons’d probably freak out, again – especially if they saw Cheese Wedge and Big Man with their Imperial muenster armor!”     Wedge scowled, but he didn’t say anything.  Leo was smiling at him, clearly amused.     “Understood,” the general repeated.  “Thank you.”     “Sure, sure!  Oh!  And, uh… Shadow bailed on us.”     “He did?”     “Yeah.  He said he’d ‘search in his own way,’ or something…  Good riddance, I say!  That guy gave me the creeps!”     “Lock, that’s not very nice…” a soft voice called from a distance.     “Anyway, that’s all we got!  See ya at the ship, B-Team!  Lock for A-Team, out!”

    “General Christophe,” Celes said after the radio conversation.  “What are your orders?”     “Well… I think that’s pretty obvious, Celes.”  He smiled her way before saying, “We return to the ship and patiently wait.”     For some reason, the lady-general glanced over at Wedge… who just happened to be looking her way.  She was giving him a somewhat-odd look…     “Lead the way…” she quietly said as she looked back to Leo.     “Why don’t you lead the way, this time?” he suggested, catching her by surprise.  “This way, we won’t get separated, again.”     “I…  Yes, Sir,” she said with some hesitation.     “And, Celes?”     “Y-yes…?”     His smile turned into a small grin.     “We’re the same rank.  There’s no need to address me so formally.”     Again, she hesitated for a moment before saying, “Y– yes… Leo.”     “That’s more like it,” he laughed.  “Please, break down the tent, Wedge.  We’ll move out as soon as we’re packed.”     “Yessir!” the soldier said with an over-the-top salute.  Celes didn’t find it amusing, but Leo just laughed all-the-more.  Soon after, the trio headed out.

    The journey started in high spirits, that day.  With General Chere in the lead, Leo and Wedge were left to chat, again… which, they did.     “Can’t argue with the results of a good night’s sleep,” Wedge said with a bright smile.     “I must admit…” Leo started with a grin, “I feel quite refreshed for having slept on a flat, hard cot.”     “How’d you sleep, Cele– ah, General Celes?”     “On my side.  Quietly,” she shortly answered.     For a moment, both the soldier and the other general just stared at the back of her head.  But, after the moment had passed… they both burst into laughter!     “I didn’t think you had it in you to jest, Celes!” Leo commented as his laughter calmed.     “I know, right?  She’s always so stiff-and-serious!” Wedge added.  “I don’t think I’ve even ever seen her smile!”     “I did, once.”     The soldier tilted his head.  “You did?”     “Yes…”  His grin faded as he told his companion, “Right before decimating some rebel forces of on the outskirts of Tzen.”     Wedge paused… before cracking another a smile as he said, “So, what you’re saying is…”     “If you ever see her smile…” Leo commented, “run.”     “You know…” Celes suddenly chimed in, “I can hear you, back there…”     “We know,” was the soldier’s response to that.  “That’s why we’re talking so loud!”     “‘That’s why we’re–’ ha hah!”     Leo started laughing, again, which caused Wedge to do the same.  Celes, however…     “Oh, grow up, you two!”     But, that only made them laugh even harder.  Not even the lady-general’s serious personality could sour their dispositions, it seemed, and before long… she just went quiet and let them do what they would… until something interrupted them.

    “Aw, crap!  Not you, again!”

    As they made their way back through the woods, they were ambushed by another chimera.  And, unfortunately… it had brought reinforcements.

    “I thought these things were harmless!” Wedge said as he kept his back to the backs of his companions.  They were surrounded by two chimeras and three braireus – which they’d previously viewed roaming the plains and doing everything they could to avoid human contact.     “I guess these ones are hungry…” Leo commented in a way that made the soldier wonder if he was joking.     “Why aren’t they attacking…?” he asked as he noticed the monsters slowly circling…     “They’re probably sizing us up… waiting for one of us to do something stupid…” Celes said, undoubtedly aiming that comment his way.     “Then, let’s get smart!  Any ideas, Generals?”     “One, but…”  Leo paused before looking to his side.  “Celes?”     She hummed… then, she gave the two men her analysis.

    “If we attack any one of the beasts, the others will come down on us.  They’re all too large to fight as a group, and with them circling us, running doesn’t seem like a viable option…  I could cause a distraction with my magic, but there’s an equal chance that it may-or-may-not work.  We could also try and use a smoke bomb, but it would be to that same end…”     Wedge chuckled.  “So, what you’re saying is… ‘I have no idea?’”     “Don’t get smart with me, soldier!” the woman snapped, keeping her voice down.  “Do you have any better ideas?”     “Actually, I might…  Hear me out.”     The two generals went quiet.  The monsters were drawing inward, though still acting cautiously…  It seemed like they were biding their time, just like Celes had said.

    “What we do…” Wedge started to explain, “is, we slowly draw our weapons… right?”     “Right…?” Leo acknowledged as everyone did exactly that.     “Then, we grab them with both hands…”     “Okay…?” the general said as they all double-handed their blades.     “Then… on the count of three… we run in, swinging, and we don’t stop until these mangy bastards are all dog food.”     There was a long pause before anyone spoke, again.     “Are you cracked…?!” Celes squeaked, trying her best not to raise her voice but, clearly, having trouble restraining her temper.  “Do you want to get us all killed…?!”     “Hey, if you have a better plan…”     “I do,” Leo suddenly chimed in, “but I didn’t want to do this.  Close your eyes.”     “Close our–?!”  Wedge scowled, giving the general a baffled look.     “Trust me,” he reassured, “you don’t want to see this.”     “I… do trust you.” The soldier sighed, then he gave a nod.  “Alright, they’re closed.”     “Celes?”     “The same,” she responded.  “Go ahead, General.”     “Alright.  Keep them closed…”

    An uneasy silence filled the air, punctuated only by the sound of snarls and footsteps from all sides.  Wedge, true-to-his-word, kept his eyes closed.  Even when he heard General Christophe inhale, then exhale, he refused to look.  When he heard one of the creatures give a loud growl, he tensed… but, he kept his vision impaired.     “Flash of light…” Leo said, getting his attention.  “One-thousand strikes…”     A sudden roar almost made Wedge open his eyes.  Something had leaped at them!  But, not a half-second after the roar, Leo gave one of his own.     “Shock!!”     The amount of sound that followed was almost overwhelming, for the soldier.  He could hear metal-on-stone, he could hear what sounded like several blades rending flesh, and he’d even heard the sound of dozens of footsteps – both human and not.  Then… everything went alarmingly silent.

    “Open your eyes,” General Christophe called after a moment.  “The battle is over…”     Wedge did  slowly follow the suggestion… only to go completely wide-eyed!     “What did you do?!”     The trio was still standing within the forest… but, the foliage surrounding them had been greatly thinned.  In addition, all five beasts that had been lingering were nowhere to be found.  Pieces of them, however…     “That smell…!”  Wedge covered his mouth as he repeated, “What did you do…?!”     “What he always does,” Celes told the soldier as she put her weapon away.  “His job.”     “What’s that supposed to mean…?”     He scowled at Celes, not appreciating the dirty look she was giving him.  When he looked back toward General Christophe, though, he noticed that the general looked a bit worn out.

    “Oh!” he cried as he walked the few steps over to Leo.  “You alright, Le– General…?”     “The technique that I used,” the general panted as he stayed on bent knee, supporting himself with his crystalline sword.  “It’s one passed down through my family for generations.”     “Okay, but… what did you do?  And, how?”     “That combat technique is called ‘Shock,’” he said as Wedge helped him up.  “What it does is allow the user to move and attack with blinding speed for a small while.  If the right weapon is used – such as my Crystal Sword – it may also generate a blinding flash of light.”     “So, that’s why you said to keep our eyes closed…”     “As you can imagine, this burst of speed is extremely draining to the user…  I won’t be able to do that, again for a few minutes.  Not without hurting myself, at least.  Let’s try not to get into another situation like that, again, shall we?”     Though Leo had smiled, Wedge was still too much in awe to return the favor.

    “General Leo, you’ve gotta teach me how to do that!” he told the general as he stood on his own two feet.  “How long does it take to learn?”     “Longer than we have here on this island.  Perhaps, after this mission, we can–”     “We should head out,” Celes suddenly said.  “That much noise is sure to draw attention.”     “Ah.  Right, as always…”  He gave a nod.  “Come on, Wedge.  Let’s go.”     Wedge was quick to follow as Leo followed Celes, the trio setting out on their return trip through the forest on that strange island.

    By nightfall, the generals and their escort soldier had returned to the ship.  Wedge, in particular, seemed thrilled to be back.     “Man, I can’t wait to tell Biggs what he missed!  He’ll be so jealous!”     “Yeah… you do that.”     He looked over at General Chere, tilting his head.  She’d definitely said that to him… but, she was walking away, heading toward the bow of the ship.  Ultimately, he just gave a shrug and speed-walked over to the stairs leading down into the ship’s hold.

    “Biggs!  Hey, Biggs!” he called with a smile on his face.  “You missed it, man!  General Leo did this cool trick!  I think he’s gonna teach me how to do it when we get back!”     The soldier grinned as he went from-room-to-room, looking everywhere for his partner.     “Hey, where are you?  C’mon, don’t hide from me!  Look, if it’s about yesterday,” he said, referring to that awkward comment he’d made about Tina’s father’s Magicite, “don’t sweat it!  I’m totally over it!  Now, c’mon!  Let’s have a beer and kick back!”     But, no matter where he looked… no matter how loudly he shouted… no matter how badly he wanted to find Biggs… the other Magitek Soldier was simply nowhere to be found.

    “Hey, Captain…”     After searching for ten minutes, he decided to visit the captain of the ship.  Luckily, he was right up on the front deck, smoking near the Magitek Armor.     “Ah, Biggs!” he greeted.  “Wedge was looking for you!”     “No, I am Wedge,” he laughed.  “Have you seen Biggs?  I can’t find him.”     “All you soldiers look alike…”  He shrugged before informing the soldier, “Yeah, he was with that lady, last time I checked.”     “General Celes?”  The soldier smiled.  “Thanks!  Hey, General Celes!”     As luck would have it… Celes hadn’t moved from her spot at the front of the ship.

    “General?” he called, still smiling.     “What?” was her cool response.     “The Captain said Biggs was with you.  Buuut…”  He looked around.  “I don’t see ‘im.  Where’d he go?”     Celes didn’t reply.     “Well, wherever he is… he’s gotta come back here, sometime!  If you see him, tell him–”     “He won’t be joining us,” she suddenly told him.     “What, again?”  Wedge gave a blink, his smile finally fading.  “Did he run after Tina and Lock, or something?”     “He won’t be joining them, either…”     “Well, wait… if he’s not with them and he’s not here with us… then, where is–”     “He’s… he’s dead.”     “Hah.  That’s…”     He was about to compliment her joke.  But…     “Oh, gods…”     He knew she wasn’t the joking type.

    “H-how and when…?” he asked, his voice quivering as realization set in.     “On our way to meet you…” Celes started, “he… he met his end.”     “Heh…  Heh, wait…  How come you didn’t use your magic and–”     “Because, he didn’t want me to!!”     “What…?”     Wedge gave a hard blink.  The general had spun around, giving him an angry, horrible frown with wet eyes.  He wasn’t sure if she was mad at him, or upset with herself, or what.  But, either way… he had to ask her…     “General, what… what happened…?”

    “I didn’t mean for it to happen!” she excitedly told him.  “Things just…!”     “S-so, he’s really dead…?”  The soldier gave a hollow laugh.  “He’s not coming back…?”     The guilt on her face could not have been more obvious… or, more telling.     “I don’t know how to explain it…” she whimpered.  “I just… lost my cool, and–”     “Wait.”  He blinked, then flatly asked her, “What do you mean?”     “I…”     She looked away.  Her voice was barely above a whisper as she admitted…     “I killed Biggs…  I’m sorry…”     “Heh.  Heh… you killed… heh…”     “I… I thought I could trust him,” she started.  “When he told me he was the one who–”     “I’m gonna kill you.”     “What…?”     “Protocol be damned,” he said through gritted teeth, “I’m gonna kill yooou!!”

    Celes went wide-eyed as the soldier suddenly whipped his blade at her.  As he took a second swing, she rolled away and brought her sword out just in time to stop his third attack.     “W-Wedge, wait…!!” she shouted over the clash blades.  “L-let me explain…!”     “You killed my best friend!!” Wedge yelled as he slashed and swiped at the general.     “H-he called me a traitor!” she told him, spinning to swipe at the air under his boots as he dodged a slash aimed at his legs.  “He was the reason I ended up being detained!  I–”     “Liar!!”     Wedge brought his blade down onto hers, grinding the sharp edges sparking as they ground together.     “I-I’m not lying…!” she shouted, keeping her sword defensively held overhead.  “S-something wasn’t right with Biggs!  He said something about having a ‘master,’ and–”     “Shut up!!”     The soldier was in no mood for talk, anymore.  He didn’t care what she had to say or how skilled she was supposed to be with a blade.  All he wanted was vengeance for what was, in his mind, a completely unjust, cold-blooded act.

    “P… please…!” she pleaded as he brought his sword down onto hers over-and-over again.  “You have to listen to me!”     “I don’t have to do anything for you, traitor!!”     “S… so be it, then!!”     The lady-general gave a mighty war cry as she thrust her foot right into Wedge’s midsection, throwing him a small distance away.  Not long after, she began chanting…

    “If you think I’m gonna let you do that…!”     Celes suddenly found herself dodging a sword that was hurled right at her head.  She tried to re-focus on her magic as it flew overboard, but before she could, she was forced to duck and dodge his flying fists!  Eventually, she stopped trying magic and, instead, focused on blocking his attacks with the flat of her sword.

    “You’re the worst kind of traitor, blondie!!” he shouted as he tossed a barrage of punches her way.     “I never meant for– you’re not giving me– Wedge!!” she grunted as he made her sword rattle and chime with each solid punch.  “I’m trying to tell you, Biggs was– ah!”     As she tried to take another disabling swing at the enraged soldier, she found her sword knocked out of her hands.  It landed hilt-up, a few steps away, but she couldn’t retrieve it!  Wedge simply would not let up with his avenging assault!

    “Don’t think I haven’t heard the rumors, lady!” Wedge continued as he swung-and-swung-again, not caring where his fists landed so long as they connected.  “You’ve been questioning the Emperor!  Ever since that mission in Maranda–”     “Shut up!” she shouted as she gave him a roundhouse kick to the head, knocking off his helmet.  When she tried, again, he grabbed her leg, then she snapped her body around, clobbering her with her other foot and crashing to the deck with a heavy thud just before he did the same.

    “What is wrong with you, Celes…?” the soldier huffed as he got back to his feet, preparing for another attack.  “The thing in Narshe… the Devil’s Lab… now, Biggs?!  Where’s it gonna end?!”     “I told you!” she said as she retrieved her sword and stood ready for him.  “His–”     “What’s next?  You gonna change sides, again, and hurt Lock?  Or, Tina?” he spat as he picked up some rope and started whipping it at her.  “Why can’t you just stick with a side?!  No, forget it– I don’t even care if you’re an Imperial or a Returner!  Just… just…!”     “His death was an accident!” she shouted as she shredded the rope, standing her ground.     “You attacked him after he called you a traitor!”  He finally let up for a moment as he shouted, “What kind’a general does that?!”     She started to answer… only to look down and whisper, “Not a very good one…”     And, that momentary distraction was enough for her to get punched in the face.

    “We all know you’ve been planning… something, Celes!” Wedge told her as he tried to stomp on her chest.  “I mean, the Maranda thing was the start, then all the Returner crap…!”     When she rolled out of the way, he leaped at her.  One brief struggle later, he had her pinned and restrained by the wrists.     “Why’d you even come back to the Empire, Celes?!  You’re not welcome, here… especially after murdering my friend!”     She glared right into his eyes, still furiously crying.  She was just so frustrated with it all…     “Do you really want to know?!  Or, are you just looking for more reasons to hate me?!”     “I…!”  He paused, then he unexpectedly said in a calmer tone, “I really wanna know.”     The general went quiet, looked away.  After a moment, she told him something she’d been keeping to herself for a long while.     “I came back… for Doctor Marquez.”

    Wedge gave a blink.  Something about the way she’d said that made him drop his guard.     “What… does Doctor Cid have to do with any of this?” he asked, keeping her pinned.     “Doctor Marquez… Cid…  He…”  She closed her eyes.  “He means the world to me.”     “Oh, yeah?  Well…!”  The soldier scowled as he said, “Biggs meant the world to me!”     “I…”  She gave another pause before quietly whispering an apology.     “‘Sorry’ don’t bring Biggs back, Celes.”     The blond-haired woman angrily jerked her head his way.  He didn’t care that she was still crying or scowling.  What he did care about… was what she said – and, did – next.

    “Then, just kill me!”     “Wuh…?!”     Wedge gave a sharp blink as Celes broke free, throwing him off.  A second later, he found himself blankly staring as the woman threw her sword to him.  Then… she got to her feet, standing straight with her arms wide, practically inviting him to attack.     “Get up, Wedge!” she ordered.  “Strike me down!”     “C… Celes?”  He nervously chuckled as he stood up, “I know what I said, b-but–”     “Stab me through the heart, just as I did to your friend!” she interrupted.     A pang of anger shot through him.  He actually considered doing that… briefly.     “You’re insane– absolutely insane…” he whispered, shaking his head.     “If this is what will make things right, then do it!  I have nothing to live for, anyway…”     “Oh, yeah, sure…”  He rolled his eyes from under his helmet.  “Big, fancy general of the most powerful army in the world has no reason to live…  Uh-huh.”     “You don’t know me!” she shouted, letting her arms drop as she leaned forward.  “You don’t know what I’ve been through!  The mistakes I’ve made…  The people I’ve let down…”     “No.  I don’t.  And, frankly?”     He narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms.     “I don’t give a damn.”     “You don’t know what it’s like to not fit in anywhere…” she said, shaking her head.     “Yeah, no.  I, actually, kind’a do!”     She gave a blink, then.  Wedge still looked angry… but, he seemed to be listening.

    “I joined the army because my dad pushed me into it,” he explained to the general.  “I didn’t fit in, but I tried my best.  When I met Biggs – you know… the guy you murdered?”     Celes winced.  She knew she deserved that… but, it still hurt.     “When I met Biggs, he made things easier for me.  I had someone I could chat up… someone to ogle the local barmaids with… someone that… that liked me for who I was.  He… he was my best friend, Celes…”     He sniffled, bringing a hand up to his face.     “I… never thought he’d die before I did…  I know I joked about it, a lot, but he was the sensible one and I was the reckless one!  Heh, it was a perfect synergy!  But… I guess no one can predict pissed-off, traitorous generals with an ax to grind, huh?”     The soldier gave another sniffle… then, he practically collapsed as he sat down right where he was, his knees elevated and elbows resting atop while his hands crossed under his chin.

    “It’s surreal… thinking that I’ll never see my best friend, again…  I’ll never get to hear him berate me or tell me what an idiot I am…  I’ll never get to split another bill at the pub or share another laugh with him…  I’ll… I’ll never get to hear him tell me how glad he is that we’re partners, ever again, and I’ll never get to make fun of his helmet hair or tell him not to work so hard…  I… I’ll never get to do anything with him, anymore…”     He looked up at Celes with a scowl.     “All because some blond chick decided that he was a threat to her position…”     She rubbed her arm and tried to avoid eye contact… but, she’d noticed that he’d finally broken into tears.     “Maybe, I should kill you…”     Wedge shook his head before looking down.     “But, that won’t bring Biggs back, now will it?”     The general remained silent, at that.  She couldn’t think of anything to say.     “Do me a favor…” he said as he looked up, a moment later.  “Take me to his body.  At the very least, I can give him a proper burial – provided you haven’t, already… which I doubt.”     Without a word, Celes walked over to the engine blocks and retrieved a spare lantern.  Then, she headed down the gangplank and led Wedge back into the woods.

    “I’m sorry…” she told him after a few minutes of walking.  “I’m so sorry…”     “‘Sorry’ doesn’t bring my best friend back to life!” he shouted, making her wince.     “It was so strange…  We were having a perfectly pleasant conversation, then he–”     “Shut up, blondie…  I’ve had enough of your excuses for one night.”     “It– it’s not…” she quietly stammered before trailing off.     “Don’t care.  I just want you to find my friend’s body.”

    Fifteen more minutes passed as the two walked through near-pitch-black woods.  Both of them searched for any signs of a body, but neither of them could find anything.  At least… not until they heard an animalistic noise in the distance.     “Oh, I am not in the mood for this!” Wedge growled, drawing his borrowed sword from its scabbard.  “Shine that light over there!”     Celes gave a nod and did as requested.  The two then noticed… it was just a single briareus chewing on something.

    “There… may be more of these creatures around,” she warned as the creature turned to face them.  “We should be careful…”     “You!  Scat!” Wedge shouted before stomping at the creature.     It dropped whatever was in its mouth, hissed, and ran off, leaving the two alone.     “Heh.  Like a housecat…” the soldier mused.  “What was it doing here, anyway…?”     “E-eating something, from the look of… Wedge!  Look!”     “No,” he impatiently responded.  “Let’s keep looking.”     “No, really!  Look!”  Celes shined the light on the leftovers.  “It’s… my gods!  An arm!”     “An arm…?”  When Wedge looked for himself, he had to gasp.  “A human arm!  Could it be…?”     Then, he ran over and immediately collected the object from the ground.

    “This is Biggs’ arm!” the soldier told his escort.     “H… how do you know…?” Celes cautiously asked as guilt crept up her spine.     “Well…” Wedge started, “my first clue would be the shredded Imperial Army glove that’s still on his hand.  It has that lightning bolt thing on the back.  Also, it’s orangeish-red, not unlike my own.  Ergo… he’s beast chow, you stupid bitch!!”     Celes covered her mouth and closed her eyes, clearly unsettled by what that revelation.     “Well, that’s just dandy…” he sighed, dropping the limb.  “We came all the way out here, looking for Biggs’ body, and all we found was a flipping arm.  What a waste of–”     “Wait… what’s that?”     “What’s what?” Wedge asked, giving her another look.     “Something’s…  Hold– hold on.”     He blinked as she knelt and retrieved the detached limb.  She seemed rather intent on examining the hand of the arm, of all things…

    “Wedge… if you don’t mind my asking,” Celes said after a moment of investigation, “were you aware of any markings on your friend’s body?”     The soldier jolted and faintly blushed.  “W-why would I know about things like that…?!”     “I’m not sure how I noticed, but there’s a shiny mark on the palm of his hand,” she told him as she removed what was left of the glove.  “It’s…  No, that can’t be!”     Despite not really caring, Wedge felt obligated to ask, “What..?”     “Look at this tattoo on his palm!”     Wedge did.  It was covered in monster slobber, dried blood, and a lot of dirt and debris… but, he did notice something unusual on the palm of Biggs’ hand.  Some sort of symbol…     After looking, he gave an unimpressed “So?”     “Wedge…  That’s General Pal– uh, Kefka’s insignia!” she told him.     He shrugged.  “I wouldn’t know.  I keep as far away from that lunatic as possible.”     “Wait!”  Celes looked at the symbol a little more… then, something clicked in her head.

    “Biggs mentioned something about a ‘master’ when he was tearing me down…”     “Oh, that, again?”  The soldier sighed, losing further patience.  “Look, lady…  If Biggs was serving someone other than the Empire, I’m pretty sure I’d know!”     “Okay, but… what if he was serving someone within the Empire?” she theorized.     “I… don’t follow.”     “What if Biggs was serving Kefka, directly?”     “Impossible,” the soldier said with a shake of his head.  “Kefka never interacted with us ‘grunts.’  Not usually, anyway.  Just our C.O.”     “Maybe so… but, what if…”  She looked him right in the eye.  “What if Biggs secretly kept in contact with Kefka when you weren’t around?  I’ve heard rumors of a secret regiment of soldiers, hiding in plain sight, who–”     “This is idiotic, and I’m leaving!!” Wedge shouted, finally having enough of her crazy theories.  After taking several steps away, he paused… then, he turned back and told her, “We’re leaving.  I need your light.  Or, you can just hand me the lantern and stay here.  In fact, maybe you should do that.  I doubt General Leo’s gonna be too happy when I report this to him.”     Celes deeply frowned… but, she gave a nod and hesitantly followed.  As remorseful as she was, she knew that everyone would benefit more from her jailing than her becoming “beast chow.”  Besides… in her head, she deserved to be punished for Biggs’ unjustified death…

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Leo Christophe #Magitek Soldier #Wedge #Celes Chere #Lock Cole #Locke Cole #Shadow #Tina Branford #Terra Branford #fantasy #slice of life #drama

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam FFVI, Ch. VIII

Chapter 8 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

*inhale, exhale*  Okay.  So.  This chapter is was a… let's call it… "point of contention" with one of the people I shared it with?  As in, they were so absolutely, positively furious with me for what I was doing to a certain character, I actually ended up re-writing this chapter not once, but twice!  I even revised it more before I got something I was completely satisfied with.  But, to be fair?  The original way I presented this chapter kind of flew in the face of everything… sooo, yeah.  It was definitely for the best. Incidentally, I was so taken aback, I accidentally erased the first version of the chapter. (Well, saved over.)  Oops…

Word count: 5,486 – Character count: 31,412 Originally written: July 21st, 2019 Mostly-rewritten on: July 23rd, 2019 Significantly revised on: July 24th, 2019 Further revised on: July 30th, 2019

As the parties go their separate ways, one team ends up further divided… in more ways than one.

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd. Significant contributions and feedback provided by Tessa and Anonymous D

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    “We’re nearing Greater Triangle Island.”

    A day had passed since the ship left Alburg.  As promised, it had moved across the sea with great speed, making the trip relative short.  By that night, the ship was coming to the southern point of the island.  However, before it made landfall, General Christophe suggested that they turn in for the night.  It wasn’t until the morning that followed that the group prepared to head out.

    “I hope you’re all well-rested,” Leo said, that morning, “we have a long day ahead.”     Wedge stretched and yawned while Biggs and Celes simply nodded, the ladder glancing over at Lock and Tina before looking back at the general.     “We’ll split into two groups,” he continued.  “Celes, Biggs, Wedge, and I will scout the western part of the continent, so Tina?  You go with Lock and Shadow.”     “O-okay,” the blond girl said with a little motion of her head.     “As mentioned, we’ll be traveling on-foot so we don’t draw any unnecessary attention.”     Wedge frowned.  He was looking forward to piloting his power armor, more.     “If you’re able to find any signs of the Eidolons, contact me at once.”     “Um…”  The half-Eidolon gave a blink.  “H… how?”     “Vector has been working on something helpful,” Biggs told her.  “Wedge?”     The other soldier cleared his throat, then he held up what looked like a normal satchel.     “Inside this handbag,” he explained, “is a smaller version of the radios we have in our Magitek Armor!  You guys’ll have this one–”     Wedge walked over, smiling as he gave it to Tina.  As she put it over her right shoulder, he returned to the other members of his group.     “– and, General Celes has another one!”     The other blond lady uncomfortably squirmed.  She was, indeed, wearing a similar sort of “radio bag” over her own shoulder.

    “Well, I believe we’re all ready to head out.”     General Christophe adjusted the blade on his belt.     “The village of Samasa lay to the northeast.  It may be a good idea to go there and ask if anyone has seen anything unusual.”     “What, you mean like magical, flying creatures zipping through the air?” Wedge teased.     “Exactly.”     He had to blink, then.  The general didn’t get the joke…     “Tina.”     “Uh– y-yes?” she responded with a start.     The general offered a friendly smile as be told her, “We can continue yesterday’s conversation after we’re done, here.”     She shyly looked away… which just made Wedge give the general a suspicious look.     “Unless there is anything else to discuss… let’s get a move on.”     With that, Leo headed off the ship, followed closely by Wedge, the two of them heading toward the forest to the north.

    “Well…”     All eyes turned to Lock as he spoke up.     “Guess we’d better head out, too.  Tina, Shadow.”     “Ah– right!” Tina called, following Lock as he headed toward the gangplank.  Shadow followed shortly behind, moving from his position near the engines.     “L… Lock, wait.”     The trio stopped just short of land, but only Tina looked back at the source of the voice.     “Um…  I…”     Celes shifted on her feet.  For some reason… she couldn’t look directly at the man she’d called to.  A second later…     “Let’s go.”     Lock gestured for the others in his group to follow as he stepped off the ship, seemingly eager to get away from General Chere.

    Biggs, who had stayed behind to wait for his partner, tilted his head.  He noticed that the lady-general looked like she was either going to cry or wanted to run away.  He also noticed that the other young woman, Tina, had hesitated and given her a soft, sympathetic look before catching up to Lock and Shadow before they got too far ahead.  Once they were gone…     “We should catch up to General Christophe.  Move out!”     Celes stepped with determination, moving off the ship and seeming not to caring if the enlisted man followed.  He was quick to tail her, of course – not just because he was her commanding officer… but, because he was curious about her situation.

    “General Chere,” he called after they’d been walking for a short while.     “What?” was the quick response he got.     “If you don’t mind my asking–”     “I do.”     “– what was that… ‘situation…’ back there?  With Lock?”     “That… is nothing to concern yourself with,” she dismissively said.     “Mm.  My apologies for prying, in that case.  I was simply curious.”     “You know what General Christophe says about curiosity and cats, soldier…”     He tilted his head.  “I’m… afraid that I don’t?”     Celes stopped, then turned around, wearing an impatient look.     “‘Curiosity killed the cat,’” she quoted.  “Do you know what that means?”     “That…”  He thought about it for a moment before saying, “I have no idea.”     “It means that…  It means, uh…”     When the general suddenly realized that she didn’t know, either…     “It means stop poking your nose into your superior’s personal matters!”     “If you say so, Ma’am.”     She huffed before turning back around and continuing forward.  Not long after, the soldier spoke, again.

    “How long have you known General Christophe?” he asked.     “For… most of my life, I think?” she replied.     “Do you two work together, a lot?”     “Not generally…  But, the Emperor requested that his two remaining generals work together on this mission.”     “Why do you think that is?” Biggs curiously inquired.     “Well… bringing peace between humanity and the Eidolons is a very important task.  I imagine that Emperor Gestahl wanted the people he trusted the most to head this task… though, why he ordered the rest of you soldiers to come along is beyond me.”     “We’re good company?” he suggested, clearly joking.     “Sure.”

    The two traveled in silence for a bit longer, Celes following a freshly-cut path through the foliage with Biggs following behind her.  When she paused to examine some unusual markings, the soldier decided to try and get to know her, more.

    “General?”     “Yes?” she responded, sounding a little more friendly than before.     “May I ask you about your time with the Returners?”     “I…”  She thought about shooting him down… only to say, “I guess?”     “I was just wondering… why did you join with their ranks?”     “I don’t… really know…”  She sighed.  “The Empire obviously didn’t care whether I lived or died, then, so… I guess I didn’t feel like I had anything to lose.”     “I see.”  He paused before asking, “What made you come back to the Empire?”     When she didn’t respond, Biggs got the idea that he’d hit a sensitive topic.     “I’m sorry,” he apologized.  “I’m terrible at small-talk.  I tend to just say whatever comes to mind.  Wedge can certainly vouch for that much.”     “It’s… it’s okay.”

    Celes pushed forward with Biggs following behind.  They hadn’t made much more progress when all-of-a-sudden…     “‘Biggs,’ was it?”     The soldier perked.  “Yes, Ma’am?”     “The Emperor was right.”     She turned her head back, offering a small smile.     “You are good company.”     “A-ah… um…”  He flustered a little  “Thank you, Ma’am.”

    There was a momentary paused before she asked, “Are you and Wedge friends?”     “Um… yes.”  He hesitated before telling her, “He’s my best friend, actually.”     “It must be nice… having a best friend.”     “That depends on your definition of ‘nice,’ I suppose.”     “What do you mean?”  The general sounded genuinely interested.     “I’m not sure if you pay much attention to the personnel, Ma’am… but, Wedge is something of a trouble-maker.  And, more-often-than-not… he ends up dragging me along for whatever wild ride he has cooked up.”     “I’m afraid that I don’t, but…”  She offered another smile.  “It sounds like life with Wedge is never boring, at least.”     Biggs gave a huff.  “Oh, don’t even get me started, Ma’am!  He’s so… reckless!  Sometimes, I wonder if he even thinks ahead before he acts!”     “Sounds like someone I know…” she mused.     “Is that so?”     The woman gave a blink… then, she went quiet, again.     “If you don’t want to talk about them…”     “It’s… it’s Lock,” she confessed with a huff of her own.     “Oh.  Yes.  Just from the brief interactions I’ve had with him, I certainly get the impression he’s a ‘shoot first, act questions later’ sort of man.  And, considering what he did on our way to Alburg…”     “What did he do on the way to Alburg?” she repeated as a question.     “Nothing much…  He simply caused my Magitek Powered Armor – my brand new, personal Magitek Powered Armor, issued to me by the Emperor, himself – to overheat and seize up by throwing it into overdrive.”     “Okay… that definitely sounds like something he would do…”     When he heard her start to laugh… Biggs couldn’t help but join in.

    “How I ever let him convince me to make the poor machine sprint the complete distance from Vector to Alburg is beyond me… but, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t… kind of fun.”     “Lock certainly does know how to have a good time…” she chuckled.     “Are… you two friends?”     Once again, Celes went silent.     “I… apologize, again, for prying,” the soldier said after a moment.  “This is clearly not a topic you wish to discuss, so–”     “I don’t get it!” she suddenly exclaimed with frustration.  “That idiot was desperate to talk to me when we set out!  Now?  He won’t even give me more than a passing glance!  He could, at least, hear what I have to say before condemning me!  What’s his problem, anyway?!”     She paused for a short while before continuing.

    “I know I haven’t been a good friend…  I know he feels betrayed because of my actions at the Magitek Laboratory…  Showing up at Vector, with General Christophe, probably didn’t help…  But, damn it!  I’m a loyal general of the Gestahlian Empire!  I may not agree with everything my emperor and his men do… and, yes, some of my actions have been… unfavorable… but, who says that I can’t help both the Empire that raised me… and, my friends in the Returners…?  We’re working toward the same goal, now… it only makes sense…”     The general sighed…     “Oh, I don’t know…  Am I overthinking things?  Am I reading too much into how cold Lock was being?  Or, have I completely misunderstood everything… like always?”

    Biggs was genuinely surprised by how much General Chere had told him.  That was quite a lot of personal information!  He even considered saying a-word-or-two, himself… he wasn’t anything he had to say was worth saying.  So, he simply stayed quiet.

    “It was nice seeing Tina and Lock, again…” Celes said after a few more moments of silence.  “Are you familiar with the King of Figaro?”     “I’ve never met him,” Biggs responded, “but I’ve heard he’s… something of a womanizer?  A-apologies if those are unsubstantiated rumors.  I just–”     “Actually…”  The woman smiled.  “I’ve heard things of a similar nature.  But, he had never attempted to flirt with me.  Tina, on the other hand…”     She quietly chuckled.     “What about the man who looks like him?” the soldier asked.  “The one who looks like he could single-handedly derail a train?”     “Macías?”  She hummed.  “That would be the king’s brother.  He’s… a little rough around the edges, but a kind and sweet man.”     “That reminds me…  The retainer from Doma…”  He paused before asking, “Is he as unstable as people say?”     “Kaien?”  She laughed.  “Hardly!  I dare say that he is the most polite of the Returners!  However… the rumors of his rampage?  Those are… quite true.  We… no, Kefka… he…”     She went silent, then, losing interest in the topic of Kefka and what he did.

    “Listen…” Celes quietly started, sometime later.  “I… greatly appreciate your patience and interest in what I’ve been through.  I’ve had a lot on my mind, lately, and you’re the first person that’s… really offered to listen.  Things have become so complicated, lately…  Emperor Gestahl seemed so desperate to control the world, and his search for the Eidolons had led so many to their deaths… though, the Returners aren’t without their unsavory deeds, as well.  I guess… no one in this war is truly innocent.  But, I’m glad that the Empire has called it off.  Between you and me?  He was becoming a bit obsessive…”     “General Chere?”     She happily smiled to the Magitek soldier as they walked along.  He’d been such a good listener and it had been pretty liberating to just open up to him with her problems, talk about her friends, and the like.  She felt like she could tall to him about anything…     “The Empire does not look kindly upon treason.”     Until she heard him say that.

    Celes stopped walking, spinning on her heel to face the soldier behind her.     “I… I’m sorry?” she asked him, her face showing genuine confusion.     “I said–” Biggs started to repeat.     “N-no, I heard what you said…  I just… don’t understand why you said it, is all.  I’m not a traitor…  At least…”  She went quiet as she said, “I don’t feel like I am…”     “General… if I may be so bold,” he started…  “During our conversation, just now, I have heard you fondly speak of those who have done nothing but tear down the very people you are supposed to be serving.  We’ve heard that you actively fought against General Palazzo’s forces at Narshe and allowed the Returners to invade Vector and help dismantle the Magitek Laboratory.  If that is your idea of ‘fun,’ then you may need to reevaluate your position in the Imperial Army.”

    Celes was completely caught off-guard.  She didn’t understand why that soldier was suddenly making such insinuations.  Yes, she had fought the Empire, but…     “You’ve… you’ve got the situation all wrong, Biggs!  I didn’t mean to… I-I mean, I–”     “Has the Empire not been good to you, General Chere?” he asked with concern.  “Did the Empire not keep you off the streets and out of the gutters of Vector?  Did they not bless you with the gift of magic?  Have you betrayed us?”     She gave a befuddled blink.  “N… no…?”     “Your actions say otherwise, General.  You have caused dissension among the ranks, have been responsible for irreparable damage to the Empire, and–”     “Enough!!”

    Celes angrily glared at the soldier-in-orange.  Her pulse had heightened, her eyes had gotten glassy, and she felt herself trembling…  She couldn’t believe what she was hearing!     “Why are you saying these things, Biggs?!  Where’s this coming from…?”     “You’ve always been a favorite of the Emperor…” he told her as he crossed his arms.  “I don’t understand why.  What makes you any different than any other soldier, General?  What makes you so special that the Emperor just… lets you back in… with full rank… after you betrayed his trust…?  After you betrayed our trust…?”     “I… I don’t know!”     She closed her eyes, shaking her head and giving a slight whimper.  When she opened up to the soldier, she wasn’t expecting an inquisition…  All she wanted to do was run away from the situation… pretend it never happened… but, it was clear that Biggs wouldn’t allow that.

    “They should have thrown away the key to your cell…” he told her as he walked forward.  “You traitorous wench…  Where do your loyalties lie?!”     “With the Empire!” she cried as she hugged herself.     “Liar!  You’ve been questioning this man’s army ever since your mission to Maranda!”     “But… but, I’m a loyal general…!”     “You should have listened to General Christophe, that day.  ‘Ours is not to ask.’”     “But, I… I…”     She paused… then, her eyes shot open.  Slowly, she looked up at Biggs…     “What… did you just say?”     “I said, ‘you should have… listened…’”     Biggs’ words slowed as a look of worried realization coming over him.     “Wait…  What… do you think I said?”

    “How did you know… what the general told me?” Celes asked with suspicion.     “It… was…  I…”     “Yes… yes, I brought General Christophe to a private room to discuss things after my mission to Maranda,” she said to the soldier.  “He did tell me that ‘ours is not to question,’ when it comes to the Empire.  He also promised to keep our conversation in strict confidence…”     The soldier uncomfortably squirmed.     “I assumed he had lied, considering my subsequent jailing… but, no.  I know him too well – he’s a man of great honor and would never have said a word.  So, if he didn’t… then, who… I wonder… did?  Soldier?”     Her eyes narrowed.     “Can you, perhaps, tell me where you heard those words?”     “I… heard them from… from…”     “From who…?” she asked, stepping toward the soldier who was stepping away from her.     “I… um…”     “It was you, wasn’t it?”     “Take a deep breath, Celes, and–”     “It was you who put me through that hell!” she shouted, drawing her sword.  “Do you have any idea what you’ve put me through?!”

    The soldier pressed back against a nearby tree, giving a hard swallow.     “General Chere!!” he cried.  “Get a hold of yourself!  You’re acting irrationally!!”     “I thought the Empire had betrayed me!” she shouted as took the sword in both hands.  “I thought they threw me away!  My entire view on everything had turned upside-down!  And, why?!  All because one soldier thought I was asking too many questions – questions which were never meant to be heard aloud?!”     Biggs gritted his teeth.  The general looked ready to kill him… which gave him an idea.

    “Y… yes, fine, I admit it.  I was the one who reported you to the Empire!” he tensely confessed.  “And, I’m sure the Empire will be interested in hearing what you had to say, today!”     Again, her eyes widened.  “What…?”     “Who knows…  Once the Emperor learns where your loyalties lie… I, myself, may make the rank of general.  And, then… I’ll bring an end to Returns, myself!”  He grinned as he added… “Starting with that smartmouthed man in the bandanna…”     And, telling her that…     “Graaaaah…!!”     Proved to be a fatal mistake, on his part.

    Celes had to take a second to clear her eyes and catch her breath.  When she was finally able to see, again, she looked over… only to bring both hands over her mouth with a gasp.  Her sword… which she had been holding during her black-out… was sticking out of the soldier’s chest and, from what she could tell… was pinning him to the tree, behind.

    “B-Biggs!  W-wait, I– I didn’t mean to–!”     She paused, her eyes filling with tears as she realized what she’d done.     “H-hold still, I’ll… w-what…?”  Celes whimpered.  “Why… are you… laughing…?”     Despite his injury… he was, indeed, chuckling… at her.

    “I had a feeling” he panted, “that would get to you… hrrkh–!”     He coughed up some blood.  She had hit something vital…     “You… that’s not– you baited me!!” the general shouted, suddenly growing angry.  She shook her head, then.  “N-no, what– what am I saying?!  You need help!!”     “There you go, again…” he huffed.  “Never accepting responsibility for your actions…”     “What?  Wait, th-that’s… that’s not true!  I–!”     “When you were placed in chains and relocated to South Figaro…” he started, taking a step forward and sliding along the blade with a disturbing slurp, “the soldiers who hauled you away reported your claimed of ‘I didn’t mean to…’ that it was all just a ‘misunderstanding…’”     “It… it was…”  She took another step forward.  “Gods… Biggs, please… hold still, okay?”     As she reached for the sword… he batted her hand away, clearly not interested.

    “When you rejoined the Empire,” he continued, “you claimed that you ‘made a mistake…’ that you ‘weren’t responsible’ for the actions of the Returners destroying the Laboratory…”     “I…”  She gave a hard swallow.  “I wasn’t…  I never meant for them to–”     “And, now… here– gack!”  He paused, wobbling on the rune sword’s hilt as he coughed, again.  “You claim that you ‘didn’t mean to’ run me through… yet, you allowed yourself… haa… to be manipulated and driven into a blind rage by my words, alone…”     “I– I’m sorry, Biggs…  You just– you have no idea what I’ve been through!  And– and, when I realized you were the one who started this all… especially after I thought… I thought…”     “What?  That we were becoming ‘friends?’  ‘Bosom buddies,’ as they say?”  He chuckled before spitting up a bit more blood and gasping.  “We could never be friends, you and I…  We come from two very different places…”     “J-just because I’m a general and you’re a soldier doesn’t mean–”     “Idiot…  I never wanted to be your friend,” he told her.  “I was just buttering you up and lowering your defenses to get information about the Returners for my master!  But, you couldn’t even give me anything worth sharing!”     “Your… ‘master?’”     “Hm.”  He frowned.  “I’ve said too much, again…  No matter, it will be over, soon…”

    Celes fidgeted, wearing a scowl.  Despite all his horrible words and betrayal of her trust, not to mention his most recent comments… she wanted to heal him.     “Biggs… please… let me help you…” she whispered, her face riddled with guilt.  “We… we can figure this out, later.  Just–”     “You don’t get it, do you, Celes?”  He flashed a nasty grin her way.  “I hate you.  I think you’re a spoiled, coddled, privileged piece of… haa… of gutter trash.  And, that’s why… you’re going to stand there… hkkh… and watch me die.”     “That… that doesn’t make any se–”     “And, when Wedge finds out what you did?  Well… heh heh… heh…  Hnnn…”     Celes saw Biggs fall forward, yanking the sword from the tree’s hold.  A spray of red struck her face on his way down, but she didn’t notice.  She wasn’t sure what to do… but, after snapping out of her daze, she rolled him over, removed the sword with a wince, and desperately started chain-casting healing spells on him!  Unfortunately… it was too late.

    The hateful soldier had given his life… just to make his hated enemy suffer even more. –––––

    “Hey, General Leo!  Wait up!”

    Far north of ship’s landing, General Leo Christophe was scouting around, cautious of nearby creatures and trying not to make too much noise.  When he heard his companion, the Magitek Soldier named Wedge, shout out…     “Shhh…!” he hissed back.     “Oh, uh… sorry!”     Wedge lowered his voice as he ran to meet Leo.     “So, hey, I was wondering…”     “Wait.”  Leo paused…  “Did you hear that?”     “Hear wha–”     Before Wedge could finish his thought, a huge creature appeared from out of the woods and set upon them!

    “Oh, my gods!” The soldier half-shrieked as he drew his sword.  “What is that thing…?!  Did it escape from the Magitek Lab or something?!”     He stared at the beast: a strange, dangerous creature with the body of a bear, the heads of a gryphon, goat, lion, and wyvern, wings of a dragon, and a snake for a tail.     “It’s a chimera,” General Christophe told him as he also got into a defensive stance.     “‘Chimera…?’  Isn’t that that new thing that they take pictures with…?”     “This is hardly the time for levity, soldier!”     “For what…?  I don’t–”     Just as he tried to explain his confusion, the beast leaped right at him!     “Wedge!”     However…     “Groagh…!”     It lay dead before him, not a minute later.

    General Leo stood up, putting his sword back into its scabbard.     “W… Wedge?”     The soldier was panting, frozen-in-place with his own blade drawn back-and-to-the-left.  His face was covered a fresh spray of red liquid and, even with the helmet covering his eyes… he looked noticeably freaked out.     “You alright, son…?” the general asked as he walked toward the soldier.     “Nooo?!” Wedge said in an excited, confused voice.  “I just killed a freaking ‘camera?!’”     “‘Chimera,’ and you certainly did.  Well done.”     Leo smiled, patting him on the back.  Almost immediately… Wedge fell over backward, dropping his sword and continuing to pant.     “Do you need a minute?”     “Please?!”     At that, even the general’s usual, stoic composure broke and he gave a light chuckle.

    “So, that was your first time using a blade on another living creature?  Hmm… I see…”     After a moment’s respite – mostly so Wedge would stop hyperventilating – the two army men pushed onward, making their way through the dense forest of the unfamiliar land.  Leo seemed just fine with what had happened.  Wedge, though…

    “I-I’m used to training… used to sparring, and stuff… b-but, any time I ever fought something like that…”     “It was from behind the control panel of a Magitek Powered Anti-Personnel Armor.”     “Y… yeah…”  He gave a nod.  “I… that– that was new…”     “How did it feel?”     “What?”     Wedge gave a blink as he cleaned the helmet in his hands.  Leo was giving him a curious… almost inquisitive sort of look.

    “How did it feel to defend yourself by your own means?” he clarified.     “Scary!” the soldier had no problem admitting.     “And, how did it feel to push through the fear and emerge victoriously?”     Wedge hesitated… before he asked, “Can I be honest?”     “Certainly.”     He sighed… then, he told Leo, “I didn’t like it.”     “Is that so?” the general asked as he cut through some unruly brush to clear a path.     “I’ve… that thing scared me.  For a split-second, I thought I was gonna bite it!  Then, before I knew it…”     He brought his helmet up, looking at it.     “It was over.  That chimera thing was dead… a-and, I wasn’t.”     “I see.”     “But, the thing of it is…”  Wedge slid his helmet back over his head.  “For some reason… I feel kind of… bad?”     “Do you, now?” the general asked without looking his way.     “That fear I felt…  Is that how others feel whenever we roll up in Magitek Armor?  That surge of adrenalin… is that what happens when people try and fight us?  Is me, fighting that chimera, how it is for people to fight us in our Armor…?”     Leo stopped walking.  Slowly, he turned around.  Rather than wear his usual, stony expression, though… Wedge was surprised to see that he was smiling!

    “Now, you know what it feels like to be the underdog, my friend; to not know whether you’re going to live or die…  To be confronted with insurmountable odds and to genuinely fight for your life…  That’s how it feels.  Now, you know how it feels to be someone looking down the barrel of a magic-powered energy weapon, metaphorically speaking.”     “W-well… I don’t like it!!” Wedge shouted.     “And, what do you intend to do about it?” Leo asked as he turned back to the path ahead.     “I… I don’t know…”

    Eventually, the two made their way out of the forest and into a clearing.  Laying ahead of them, to the north, was a smaller range of mountains while directly to the east was a larger, taller set of rocky hills.  There were also a few shrub-like trees and plants in the area, and a few random creatures – which looked like a mix of a lion and an armadillo – roaming around… though, they didn’t seem terribly hostile.     “Ah!  I– I finally caught up with you!”     A familiar voice suddenly called from behind.  The two turned to see General Chere escaping the thickets.  She looked surprised to see them – though, she also seemed relieved.

    “Glad you could join us, Celes,” General Christophe said in a joke that almost sounded like he was teasing.     “G-glad to be here, Leo,” was her reply as she gave a sort of smile.     “Where’s Biggs?” Wedge asked not a moment later.  “Wasn’t he with you?”     “He… um…”  Her half-hearted smile faded as she told him, “He won’t be joining us…”     “Oh, yeah?  That’s kind’a strange, for him…”     “Perhaps, he had a change of heart?”     Wedge wasn’t sure, but he could swear he saw Celes wince as Leo made that suggestion.

    “In… any case,” Celes said after a moment, “have you found those Eidolons that we’re supposed to be looking for?”     “Not yet.” was the other general’s response.  “We were just about to investigate that area over there.”     “Then, I’ll head to the mountains!” she suddenly suggested.  “They may be in a cave, somewhere…  Call if you find anything!”     “But, you have the radi– a-alright, ‘bye!”     Wedge gave a confused blink as Celes pulled away, heading toward the rocky hills ahead.

    “Well!  That was random!”  He laughed before asking, “I wonder what her hurry was?”     “She recently met with combat…” Leo said, his composure returning to neutrality.  “Or… combat met with her.”     “What does that have to do with her zipping off?”  Wedge thought about it… then, he asked, “Wait.  Has she never–”     “She had the right idea,” the general said, cutting him off.  “We should move on.”     He gave another blink as Leo headed north.  Not long after, he caught up and followed.

    “So, hey, Leo– er, General, Sir…”     “It’s just the two of us, soldier.”  Leo offered a light smile as he suggested, “You can call me ‘Leo’ if you feel that comfortable with me.”     “Er, uh… th-thanks!”  The soldier laughed.  “Anyway, I was wondering…  When we were leaving the ship, you said something about a… conversation, with Tina?  Uh, what was that about, if you don’t mind my asking?”     “That… is a personal matter, son.”     “Ah– o-oh yeah…?”  He hesitated before asking… “How ‘personal…?’”     “It’s nothing like that, Wedge,” he heard the general say, correctly guessing what he was thinking.  “Tina is just going through an unusual time of her life.”     “Heh.  Aren’t we all?”     “Tina has had a hard life,” Leo continued.  “Being born with the ability to use magic, the Emperor saw her as the perfect weapon… but, as you may know, she had little interest in combat, so General Palazzo had the idea to fit her with that mind-control device and turn her into a destructive object loyal to only the Empire.  She’s still recovering from that traumatic experience…”     Wedge winced, guilt hitting him hard.

    “Since gaining her freedom, she has, time-and-again, become the sole element of make-or-break situations.  The Returners saw her as little more than the key to winning the war.  Now?  She’s the only one who can settle this situation with the Eidolons.  Considering that all of this happened in the scope of a month after regaining control of her mind and body… you can imagine that this is taking a toll on her.”     “L-look, I already told her I was sorry, and she said–”     “Despite all that…” Leo said, cutting him off, “she’s slowly coming into her own.  The girl is still somewhat susceptible to one’s influence, in one way or another… but, I imagine that one day… she’ll be a strong, independent woman, ready to live her own life the way she wants.  That day… may even be today, if everything goes well.”     “And, if it doesn’t…?” Wedge cautiously asked.     “I can’t imagine it will come to that.”  The general smiled.  “By simply being… she is proof that Eidolons and humans can peacefully co-exist.  I just hope that the Eidolons are willing to let us try and make up for our many years of misdeeds.”     “So, you don’t think what the Empire’s been doing is exactly ‘heroic,’ either?”     Leo didn’t answer right away.  When he did… his answer made Wedge frown.

    “What I think is of little consequence, either way.  Emperor Gestahl will do what he pleases and if anyone opposes him… soldiers, like us, will be there to put an end to it.  But, we wouldn’t be a part of the most powerful military force in the world if we didn’t feel that what he was doing was the correct path, in life.  Would we?”     “Uh… well…”

    Wedge hesitated to answer.  That was something he’d been thinking about for a while – at least as long as he’d known Tina.  It was kind of funny, to him…  Tina was supposed to be the key to fixing everything… and, just interacting with her had given him pause to his own actions.  He wasn’t really sure he wanted to keep fighting for a cause he couldn’t fully back… but, he was too scared to say anything to anyone.  The two people he had talked to seemed to feel like the Empire had been doing the right thing, all along… so, if they felt that way… if even his best friend felt that way… then, how could the way he was feeling be anything but wrong?

    “I’m… a loyal soldier of the Gestahlian Empire,” the soldier told the general after a long period of thought.  “I do what my superiors tell me, and they do what their superiors tell them.  It’s this chain-of-command that… that…”     He had to stop and sigh.  He’d lost his steam…     “Never mind,” he suddenly told Leo.  “Forget I brought it up.  A-and… please, don’t tell the emperor about this.  I don’t wanna end up like General Celes…”     “You really don’t,” Leo idly mused.

    After their conversation, Wedge felt even more like he was in the wrong, somehow.  Ultimately, he decided the best thing to do was to stop talking, entirely, and simply follow his leader without a word.

    After all… if he didn’t have an opinion, he couldn’t possibly be wrong.  Right?

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem in Contumeliam #commercial characters #Leo Christophe #Magitek Soldier #Wedge #Biggs #Celes Chere #Lock Cole #Locke Cole #Tina Branford #Terra Branford #Shadow #fantasy #drama

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam FFVI, Ch. VII

Chapter 7 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

Yep.  They're on a boat.  Again.  That happens when the only guy with a flying vehicle keeps it to himself, I guess!

Word count: 3,896 – Character count: 22,430 Originally written: July 20th, 2019

The night takes a strange turn as Tina shows just how much she trusts the Magitek Soldier with an interest in her.

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd.

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    The golden moon over Alburg was full, that night, shining down and bringing light to darkened hallows where no lamps would hang.  All was quiet… until the mechanical clatter of Magitek Armor broke the silence, its pilot having been directed to go straight to the docks.     “I’ve been waiting,” a man in a long, green coat told the pilot.  “But, I must admit… you arrived much faster than I had anticipated.”     “Heya, Leo!”     A voice called from behind the armor.  From there, the familiar figure of a prominent Returner, Lock Cole, walked out.  He gave a wink to the waiting man – General Leo Christophe – who, understandably, did not return the gesture, but smiled all the same.

    “Ever used Magitek Armor?” Lock asked the general.     “Yes, a few times,” was General Christophe’s response.     “Yeah… we opened this baby up and let ‘er rip!” he said as he patted the armor… only to wince and step back, a second later.  “Ooh… little warm.”     “You seized the engine!” the pilot exclaimed as he fiddled with the controls.     “I did no such thing!”  Lock grinned at his new friend as he said, “A Magitek Armor engine is too big for me to st– ah… ‘procure.’  Besides!  What would I even do with it?”     “No, I mean– oh, forget it.”     The soldier in red-orange armor carefully hopped down from the cockpit with a sigh.     “This thing will need a few minutes to cool before I can move it to the ship.  Fortunately, I think we’ll be waiting that long for Wedge and the wi– uh, the sorceress to catch up.”     “In the meantime,” General Christophe said, “allow me to introduce you to a couple of others we will be traveling with.”

    The general escorted the soldier and the Returner beyond the barrels and around to the gangplank on the north side of the ship.  When he gestured for the duo to board, they walked right up and looked around.     “Guess the Empire couldn’t spring for its own ship, huh?” Lock asked with a grin.  “This looks just like any other ship in the world!”     “I assure you,” Leo told him as he boarded, “this ship is a little different.  For example… the engine is powered by a hybrid of steam power and magic.”     The man in the bandanna turned to face the general.  “Oh, yeah?”     “It can reach tremendous speeds,” he continued, “which means that we should be able to reach our destination by tomorrow night, baring unexpected circumstance.”     The other man grinned a little wider.  “What could possibly go wrong?”     “Engine failure,” was Biggs’ serious response.  “Bandits.  Monsters at sea…”     Lock noticed the soldier shiver as he mentioned that last one, but he didn’t ask.

    “In any case,” Leo said, getting their attention, “traveling with us will be another Imperial general, as well as a sellsword who claims to be familiar with our destination.”     “You hired someone?”  The grin became a smirk as Lock asked, “The Empire must be runnin’ low on manpower if you’re hirin’ outsiders!  Then again…”     He pointed to himself, looking ever-more-smug.     “The decision was more tactical than logistical.”  The general explained, “We’re trying not to draw attention to ourselves as this mission is strictly peaceful in nature.  When we arrive, we’ll split into two teams and be traveling on-foot from a location far from the nearest town.”     “Mm-hmm, mm-hmm…” the other man nodded.  “Ah, just one question, Leo?”     “Yes?”     Lock gave a wide grin before asking, “Where the bloody hell are we actually going?”     “Greater Triangle Island,” was Leo’s response.  “It’s an island directly east of the Beast Plains and more-or-less northeast of Vector.     “Well, that’s no short trip!”  The other man chuckled to himself.  “Now, where’re those ‘traveling companions’ you mentioned?”     “Ah, yes.  My apologies.  I’ll go get them.”     “No need,” called a gritty sort of voice.     “Ah, good.  They must have noticed us board.”

    General Christophe gestured to a pair of individuals who were walking over from the darker side of the ship.  One of them was completely covered in black cloth – even their eyes seemed hidden or, at least, obscured from direct view.  The other, however…     “Is something wrong?” the general asked.     “Wha– no… no…”     Lock fidgeted, then went silent.  He couldn’t stop staring at the second figure – a fair, young woman with long, pale blond hair and an outfit of tannish-gold, leather pants, disconnected sleeves with open shoulders, and an open leather vest over a black blouse.     “Well, then… allow me to introduce General Celes Chere, a trusted soldier of the Empire, and… my apologies, but I didn’t catch your name, sir?”     “‘Shadow’ is fine…” the man-in-black said as he crossed his arms.     “Shadow,” he repeated in introduction, “our informant-slash-guide to the island.”     “We meet again, thief.”     Biggs noticed Lock flinch at the statement… but, it didn’t seem like he wanted to say anything.  He noticed… the man was still very focused on the female general…

    “Now that you’ve been introduced,” General Christophe said after a moment, “all that remains is to wait for our last arrivals.  I trust you can bring them up to speed, Mister Cole?”     “What?”  The alleged thief blinked, then looked at Leo.  “Oh.  Yeah.  Sure.”     “Excellent.  Biggs, please load the Magitek Power Armor on-board as soon as you can.”     “Sir,” Biggs said with a salute.     “Now, I’ll leave you all to that while I head into town and round up the crew.  We leave as soon as the others arrive.  Thank you for your patience.”     With that, both General Christophe and Biggs left the ship, the former heading back into town while the latter stopped at the Magitek Armor.

    “Still hot…” he said to himself as he clambered up to the cockpit and tried turning it on.     “How did I let that troublemaker convince me to push this machine so hard…?”     He pressed some buttons, waggled some levers, and applied pressure to the pedals, but…     “That was incredibly reckless of me…”     Nothing was responding, so he gave up.

    A few minutes passed as Biggs sat against his cooling armor.  He could hear bugs chirping in the distance and even a couple of creatures wandering in the nearby grasslands.  The sea waves washed against the masonry of Alburg’s dock with whispers of saltwater, occasionally pressing the unmoving stone a little noisier while, otherwise, staying somewhat quiet.  He always appreciated the stillness of the night and the softness of the sea.  However…     “Oh.  They’re here.”     The familiar clank of metal-on-stone drew near after a while longer.

    Biggs stood and stretched with a yawn.  Coming toward them was the second of two Magitek Armor units, piloted by his friend, Wedge.  As expected, he was joined by the other Returner, a young woman named Tina, riding slightly-behind the cockpit.  The two came to a stop next to the first armor unit, then the soldier climbed out.  A second later, he helped his companion down.  She gave a polite bow before turning to Biggs.     “Mister Biggs?” she politely called.  “Where is Lock?”     “He’s already on the ship,” was the other soldier’s response.     “May I join him?”     “Go ahead.  It’s down the dock, there.”     The girl brightly smiled and gave a nod.  Then, she jogged down to the ship and climbed aboard, right away.

    “You certainly took your time getting here,” Biggs told his friend not long after Tina had left.  “What kept you?”     Wedge just grinned at him…     “What?”     And, with that prompt… he told his friend a la sing-song…     “I got a daaate with Tiii-naaa, I got a daaate with Tiii-naaa…”     “Wedge?”     “I got a daaate with Tiii-naaa,” he repeated for a second time.     “Wedge!”     “How’d your daaate with Looock gooo?” the shorter soldier suddenly teased.

    “It wasn’t a…”  Biggs sighed, shaking his head.  “It was fine.  He was the one who made the armor take off like a missile, if you’re curious.”     “Come to think of it, how come it’s not on the ship yet?” Wedge suddenly asked.     “It overheated,” was his friend’s response.  “I’m waiting for it to cool down.”     “Bah, nuts to that!  Let’s get these loaded up, already!”     “Wedge, hang on– what are you–”     Before Biggs could argue, his companion had already climbed into the first power armor and started tinkering with it.

    “I think the engine seized from overuse,” Biggs commented up to Wedge.  “I couldn’t–”     But, just as he was about to explain his failure to turn the engine over…     “What the–?”     It started right up without a problem.

    “How… how did you do that?”     “You’ve gotta be gentle with Magitek Armor, Biggs!” Wedge laughed over the engine.  “Treat it like you would a pretty girl or a fine wine!  Baby-steps…”     “You… bypassed the safety mechanisms, again, didn’t you?”     When he gave another, more skittish sort of laugh, Biggs just shook his head, again.     “Whatever.  Go ahead and bring it to the ship.  I’ll ‘baby-step’ yours on-board.”     “Roger-dodger!”     With that, the two brought the armor onto the ship, then down the other gangplank, before carefully backing the units up onto a pair of footbridges facing the engines from port-side.

    “You certainly seem in a hurry to leave…” Biggs commented as he watched Wedge quickly finish tying down his armor.     “The sooner we leave,” he excitedly commented, “the sooner we get back, and the sooner we get back… the sooner Tina and I can go on our date!”     “I can’t believe you actually asked her out…”     “I can’t believe she actually said ‘yes!’” the other soldier laughed.     Biggs looked over at the girl.  She was chatting with Lock… who still looked unsettled.     “Stranger things have happened, I suppose…”

    A short while later, Leo returned with ship’s crew – a mix of civilians and brown-armors.     “Everything’s A-OK, General!  Engines are online, motor systems are a-go…”     “Then, let’s be on our way.”     “Aye-aye!” the captain told General Christophe.  “Caaaaast off!”     A half-minute later, the ship slowly pulled out from the dock and, another half-minute later, they followed a charted course for Greater Triangle Island.

    “I expect to arrive tomorrow evening,” Leo told Tina and Lock – both of which were situated at the far side of the deck.  “You can rest until then.”     “Thank you, General Leo!” was Tina’s reply.     “Yeah…  Thanks,” was all Lock would say.     Leo headed down below, leaving the two to their own devices.  Seconds later…     “Hi.”     One of the orange-suited soldiers walked up to them.  Or, more specifically… up to Tina.

    “Oh, hello again, Mister Wedge!” she cheerfully greeted.     “You excited for our date?”     “‘scuse me?”     Lock immediately moved between the two, giving the soldier a dirty look.     “Who do you think you are, pal?” the man asked in a sharp tone.  “Just because the Empire’s gettin’ all cushy with the Returners doesn’t mean you can go and hit on our ranks!”     “Rude.”  Wedge smiled at the scowling man.  “I was trying to have a conversation with the pretty lady!”     The man in the bandanna narrowed his eyes.  “I don’t like you.”     “Well, that hardly seems fair.”  The other man grinned as he said, “Maybe, if you got to know me better?”     “Y–  Ah–” Lock tried to counter… but, in the end, he just grunted and walked away.

    “What was that all about?” Wedge asked after the other man was out of earshot.  When he noticed Tina frowning at him, though, he asked, “No, seriously.  Did I do something wrong?”     “Lock is…”     Tina looked down at the deck, one hand nervously rubbing the other.  After a moment, she looked back up and started over.     “When we first met, he made a promise to protect me.  He’s like… the big brother I never had?  He tries to keep me safe from bad people.  He… might think you’re bad…?”     “Do you think I’m a bad person?” Wedge asked with a grin… only for that grin to fade.  Her lack of immediate response certainly didn’t fill him with confidence…

    “People make mistakes, Mister Wedge…” she said after thinking about it.  “Sometimes… some of those mistakes are really big ones.  I don’t know much about you, and I’ll admit… I just assumed that you were like all the other Imperial soldiers… following the orders of a mean, old man who doesn’t care who he hurts.  But…”     She offered a soft smile that practically melted Wedge’s heart.     “I’d like to hope that… I was wrong.  You seem nice…”     “I’ll be honest, Tina?  Since meeting you, I’ve… been thinking about all the stuff I’ve done in the name of the Empire.  You’re right to think I’ve done some bad stuff…  I mean, we made you do bad things, too!”     She looked away… only to look right back.  He’d gently nudged her head to look at him.     “Now that the war is over…”  Wedge smiled as he told her, “I’d like to think that I can start to try and pay back all the people I’ve hurt as a soldier.”

    He softly let go of Tina’s chin before walking over to the side of the ship.  A moment later, he crossed his arms and slumped on the rail.     “I don’t think I’m directly responsible for what happened to your people,” he thoughtfully mused, “but if I am… I can’t apologize enough.  I don’t want you to forgive me, Tina.  I know I wouldn’t.  But, I want to do whatever I can to try and make things better…  It’s just…”     He turned around, leaning forward on the rail with a skittish grin.     “How the hell do I ‘fix’ the complete eradication of a whole race…?”     Tina certainly didn’t know how to answer that question… but, she did know one thing.

    “Tina?” Wedge asked as she walked over to him.  He blushed as she reached down the top of her form-fitting dress, then blinked as she handed him something…  “Isn’t this…?”     “My dad, Madin,” she said, answering his question.     “Why are you… handing me your dad?” he said with a completely straight face.     “Keep him close to your heart, Mister Wedge,” the girl confidently told him, “and he’ll help you through your bad times.”     “W-wait, you’re giving me your dad…?”     “No.”  She warmly smiled.  “He wants to go with you.”

    There was something utterly bizarre about the whole situation.  Tina had handed him the Magicite so easily… then, she’d spoken so confidently… yet, there was this child-like innocence to her words…  It was almost like the Magicite was her “imaginary friend,” if not for what she’d told him, earlier that day.  Still… did she really believe that the Eidolon inside… or, what was left of him… had told her that he wanted to go with him…?

    “I… I can’t accept his friendship!  I-I’m a bad person– I’ve done… a lot of awful things!”     That was what Wedge told her, though he wasn’t sure if he was just “playing along…” or, was starting to believe her.  Either way, he tried handing the Magicite back.     “He wants to go with you, Mister Wedge!” Tina strongly reassured him, pushing his hand back and closing his fingers around the stone.  “He told me, himself!”     Wedge deeply frowned.  “Why does he–”     “He thinks you need a friend,” she said, halting his next question.     The soldier gave a blink…  “But… I… I have a friend.  Biggs!”     “Biggs can’t always be there to make you feel better.”  She brightly smiled as she said, “My dad can!”     “But…”     “Mister Wedge!” she suddenly said in a raised voice.  When he looked at her, she was giving him an angry scowl.     “W… what?”     “When a lady’s dad wants to spend time with someone she wants to spend time with, you should spend time with him!  Otherwise, he may decide she shouldn’t spend time with you!”     “W… well, okay.  Can’t argue with that…” he said with a weak chuckle.  “But…”     “I trust you, Mister Wedge…” she continued with a softer expression.  “And… my dad does, too.  He said so after you gave him back.”     Wedge suddenly felt a little guilty.  He’d actually forgotten he had Madin’s Magicite until Tina casually mentioned him during their trip over…  He would have given it back, eventually… but, it seemed like giving it back during the ride earned points with both father and daughter.     “So…?  Why not spend a little more time with my dad?  Who knows?”  She brightly smiled as she said, “He may teach you something cool!”     “I… o-okay, sure!  Thank you – both of you!” he added with a smile of his own.

    “I should go check on Lock…” the girl said after a moment’s pause.  “He seemed sad to see General Celes.  I’ll see you later?”     “Most definitely!” Wedge told her.     “If I don’t see you again, tonight…”     He blinked, blushing as she kissed him on the cheek.     “Sleep well and goodnight.”     “S… same to you, Tina.”     She offered another smile before quietly walking away to head below deck, leaving the soldier and her dad together.

    “Um… you’re… not upset by what just happened… right?”     Wedge looked at the Magicite in his hand.  The core flickered, but it… didn’t seem to react one way or the other to his question.  Still, he felt a little awkward, considering…     “L-look, I know I was the one who asked her out, but…”     He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand.     “I’m sorry for Narshe… like, really sorry!  I can’t apologize enough!  Honestly, I kind of wish your daughter would just hate me…”  He paused before lowly whispering, “I hate me…”     “It’s okay.  I hate you, too.  Sometimes.”     Wedge yelped as a sudden voice cut through the silence of the night.  When he looked to the side… he saw the grinning face of his friend-and-confidant staring back.

    “Geez, Biggs!  Don’t sneak up on a guy, like that!”     “You do it to me, all the time.”  Biggs shrugged.  “Anyway, what’s the story with that Magicite?  Did your girlfriend forget you had it?”     “Actually–”     He paused, then blinked.  His friend was grinning, again.     “Actually,” he started, again, “I gave her dad back on the ride over.  But… she said I need a friend.  Well, she said he said that.  That, and… uh… he… wants to go with me, apparently?”     He looked down at the softly-glowing stone in his hand.     “Wish he’d tell me, himself…”     The soldier continued to stare at the Magicite… until a noise hit his ears.  When he looked back up… he noticed that Biggs was chuckling at him.

    “What…?”  He gave another blink, then asked in an annoyed tone, “What’s so funny?!”     “Nothing, nothing…” Biggs told him.  “It’s just… remember how this all started?”     “Uh… you’re gonna have to be more specific, buddy,” Wedge said as he finally tucked Madin’s Magicite into his armor’s chest.     “The trip to Narshe.  I remember how skeptical you were about the Eidolon even begin there.”     “Oh, that…”  He sighed and shrugged.  “Yeah, so?”     “You used to be so dismissive of the concept of ‘magic…’  Even when you saw General Chere use it, herself, you didn’t believe it was actual, real magic.”     “Because, it wasn’t.”  Wedge gave a little frown.  “You said it, yourself: the general was infused with phan– ah, Eidolon blood.  It was artificial.”     “True.  However…”  He smiled as he said, “Since Narshe, it seems like you’ve gotten much more open to the idea of magic… of Eidolons… and, of the supernatural, in general.”     “Are you really that surprised, Biggs?”  He chuckled.  “Have you seen what’s been happening, lately?  Or, did you fall asleep, for a week?”     “I suppose you’re right.  Still…”     Biggs gave another grin as he pointed to his friend’s chest.     “I never thought you’d be talking with the spirits of the departed, yourself.”     “Oh, he’s not exactly departed…” Wedge countered.  “Mister Madin’s soul is in that crystal!  And, even if he can’t come out and say ‘hello…’     It was Wedge’s turn to grin, then.     “He’s watchin’… and, he’s judgin’.”     For some reason… that just got Biggs laughing, again.

    “What, you don’t think that’s true?”     “No, no, from what I’ve heard, that is one-hundred-percent correct,” the other soldier said as he calmed back down.  “I just never thought I’d hear you say something like that!  You’ve fought ghosts and the undead, and you still didn’t believe in them!”     “Okay, okay,” Wedge laughed, “maybe… maybe, I did believe – especially after that one mission!  But, I wasn’t about to backpedal on something I’d believed since I was a kid!”     “It’s hard to change one’s beliefs.  But…”     Biggs thumped his partner’s shoulder with one hand.     “I’m proud of you for expanding your horizons and broadening your views.”     “Kind’a hard not to after a bunch’a angry Eidolons wrecked Vector in a righteous fury…”

    The two smiled to each other, letting the quiet night encompass them.  Biggs was about to go back to patrolling the boat… when a strange noise alerted both guards.     “Who goes there?!” Wedge shouted.  When his partner waved his lantern in the direction of the sound, though… they both calmed down.  Somewhat.

    “Lock!” Biggs called to a slumped figure crawling toward them.  “Are you alright?”     “I’m… gonna… I’m… eaugh…” were the only coherent words either of them could decipher from the mess of noises he was making.     “Heh.  I know that feeling.”  Wedge grinned at his partner.  “He’s seasick!”     “I am not…!” the bandanna man cried.  “I’m just… intensely studying the structure of the deck.  Nice… fine… wood grain… a-huhh…”     “Do you need some help, Lock?” Biggs asked.     “Soft… level… smooth…” the Returner muttered.  “Even planks…”     “He’ll be fiiine!” Wedge assured the other soldier.  “Just give him a–”     “Here we go…!!”

    Both military men jolted as Lock, quick-as-a-bolt, leaped up and threw himself at the rail on the port side of the ship.  A second later… they both winced.  Various strained noises were coming from the man, and some distant, wet splatters could be heard from that side of the ship.  It didn’t take much imagination to figure out what unpleasantness was happening, there…

    “Okay, well… I should get back to my patrol,” Biggs said as Lock slumped against the railing.  “When Lock is less distracted–”     Almost on cue, the casually-dressed man was back over the rail…     “– tell him to head down to the hold.  There’s a barrel of crackers down there, and–”     “I’m not… seasick…!” Lock shouted.  “I just… had a bad sandwich in Alburg!”     “And… he’s more-than-welcome to them,” Biggs finished.     “He probably heard you,” Wedge said with a grin, “but, I’ll let him know.”     “Also, a word of advice…?”     The shorter soldier gave a blink as his partner drew closer.     “Use your newfound friendship with the witch to your advantage…” he whispered.     “W-what…?”     “If she insists on trusting Magicite to you…” he continued, “why not accept them?  It would be rude, not to… and, it would certainly please the Empire, were you to obtain more…”     The shorter soldier scowled as Biggs stood back up and adjusted his armor with a smile.

    “If you need anything,” he told Lock, “just let me know.  Otherwise, enjoy the night.”     “Auhnnngh…” was the disoriented man’s less-than-eloquent response.     “Wedge?”  The soldier gave another odd smile.  “Remember what I said.”     “Yeah…” Wedge quietly told him.  “Yeah, I think I will…”     “I’ll see you later.  If I don’t see you, again, tonight… goodnight.”

    Biggs walked up to the head of the ship, leaving Lock to his… “business.”     “Ah-haaaugh…!”     And, as the soldier departed… Wedge found himself with a lot to think about…

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Leo Christophe #Lock Cole #Locke Cole #Magitek Soldier #Biggs #Celes Chere #Shadow #Wedge #Tina Branford #Terra Branford #fantasy #slice of life

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam FFVI, Ch. VI

Chapter 6 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

And now, the real reason I wrote this story starts to show through!

Oh, yes.  I went there~

Word count: 4,433 – Character count: 26,055 Originally written: July 19th, 2019

An order to head to Alburg sends the pair of newly-promoted Magitek Soldiers and their new allies on a brief journey of discovery.

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd.

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    The meal between factions went just as planned and, as the troops found out afterward, the Emperor had discussed the future of the Empire, the Returners, and everything in between with Bannan and his allies.  As it just so happened, the plans for the future included a certain pair of soldiers and a general, all of which served under Gestahlian banner.

    Biggs and Wedge were ordered by General Leo Christophe to head south to Alburg, taking the Returners’ representatives of Lock and Tina with them.  While the soldiers geared up for the trip, the stayed nearby, watching them load and prepare their Magitek Armor.     “You piloted one’a these puppies, right?” Lock asked Tina.  When she gave a little nod, he grinned and looked at the soldiers.  “Must be fun, stompin’ ‘round and blastin’ things!”     Biggs started to say, “These Magitek Powered Anti-Personnel Armor units are–”     “Heck, yeah, it’s fun!”     Only to be interrupted by Wedge.     “So, what’s the deal with ‘em?” the man wearing a bandanna asked.  “Are they powered by steam, or…?”     “The mechanical components run on a powerful steam engine,” the more serious of the two soldiers explained, “but the weapon systems operate using a complex energy-focusing system created by Doctor Marquez.”     “Go on?”     “Well,” Biggs continued, “they run on energy harvested from the Eidolons we’ve been able to… capture… and…”     He stopped, noticing the odd grin the man-in-blue was giving.  It seemed like he was counting on the soldier to admit the misdeeds of the Empire.

    “There were… Eidolons in the lab…” Tina quietly commented.     “Wait, you were the people who trashed the Devil’s Lab?” Wedge suddenly asked.     “‘Devil’s Lab?’  Heh, now there’s an appropriate name!”  Lock’s grin became a smirk as he added, “The things we saw in there were nothing short of devils and demons!”     “The Magitek Laboratory…” Biggs interjected, “was, as the actual name suggests, a place of research.  Whatever you think you saw, you didn’t.”     “My friends said they were in pain…” the girl continued, her voice growing with intensity.  “Kept alive by your ‘science…’ used like living batteries in experiments!  How could you…?”     “Hey, d-don’t blame us for what Doc Cid did!”     Wedge walked over to the two with an impatient expression on his face.     “We’re just enlisted men in the Gestahlian Imperial Army – the hired muscle!  We didn’t work in the Lab – we weren’t even allowed in!  All we know is what they let us know!  So, before you start with that ‘holier than thou’ crap, learn all the facts!  Besides!  You Returners completely trashed the place!  I heard they can’t even fix what you punks did!”     “Good…”     “Wha–”     He gave a blink.  Tina had practically spat at him before turning away.     “Wait-wait-wait.  Tina?  How are we the bad-guys, here?”     “You serious?” Lock asked with a smirk.     “Uh… yeah?”  The soldier tilted his head.  “We didn’t do anything wrong.  Phantom beasts are just creatures, like chocobos or moogles!  Dumb, magical creatures, but–”     And, it was in that moment that he knew he’d made a huge mistake…

    “Look at what you and your Empire have done!”     The man went wide-eyed.  Tina had confronted him, getting right in his face.  Moreover, she was holding something right at eye-level.  Something shiny…     “What… is that?”     Wedge stared at the curious bauble she was shaking at him.  It looked like a roundish, green-blue, crystalline sort of object… but, there was a softly-glowing, red core inside of it.  The crystal kind of looked like a piece of jewelry he once saw, actually…     “This is my dad!” the girl angrily said before shoving it into his hands.  “Say ‘hello!!’”     “Your dad is a… crystal?” he curiously asked, giving it a closer look.     “My dad is Magicite!” she corrected, starting to sound worked up, again.  “You and your Empire forced him, and many other innocent beings, into this state!”     “I… I don’t understand…?”     “Magicite is–” Lock started to say.     “Magicite is all that’s left when an Eidolon dies, Wedge!”     The soldier went wide-eyed under his helmet.  “Wh–”     “My dad is dead!” she shouted.  “You killed my dad!!”     “I… I… n-no, I didn’t!” was all he could think to say.  But, it clearly wasn’t good enough…

    “My friends told me that Ramuh let them borrow his friends’ power… friends who were former captives of the Magitek Laboratory – the ‘Devil’s Lab.’  My friends told me that they found more Eidolons inside the facility!  Lock personally watched General Palazzo throw two of their friends – Ifrit and Shiva – down a garbage chute like… like they were just… garbage!”     “I… I don’t like where this is going…” the soldier said as he noticed… something was happening to Tina.  Something that he didn’t like…  As Tina grew angrier… she began to change.

    Her body was starting to shimmer and her carefully-decorated hair was pulling free from its ties, seemingly defying gravity!  Her clothing seemed to shimmer in-and-out of existence, and the tone of her skin faded, becoming paler and more lavender-colored as it took on a glow.  Before long, a small amount of fur seemed to appear all over her and her nails grew out, curling into nasty-looking claws.  When Her hair began freely flying, softly waving in the glow of what seemed to be raw, magical power, her eyes grew cold, and her kind, sweet face had become stony and intensely-focused.  In the end, she barely resembled herself original form.     She had become something… frightening.

    “What… what are– gyahh!!”     Not a second her transformation finished, Wedge found himself grabbed by his armor and pressed against the Magitek unit he’d been packing.     “Wedge!!” Biggs shouted, immediately drawing his sword.  “Put!  Him!  Down!”     When the monster-girl refused to do so, he gave a strong war cry and charged… only to be stopped half-way there.     “Out of my way, kid!” he yelled at Lock as he stood between him and his friend.     “I made a promise to protect Tina,” the other man said, looking more serious than ever before.  “Don’t make me keep my word.”     “But…!”     Strangely… he gave another, softer sort of smile.  Then, he said… “Watch.”     Despite his better judgment… Biggs stood back, keeping his blade drawn.

    Wedge shivered as the monster stared him down for a few moments.  He winced, then, as it reached up, removing his helmet.  As it looked right into his eyes, its gaze practically piercing his every soul… he found himself staring back into a pair of gorgeous, blue eyes filled with hurting.  But, despite the way the creature held him aloft with one hand… he got the feeling that it wasn’t going to hurt him and the more he stared at the creature… the more he realized…     “You’re… still in there… aren’t you?”

    “What your Empire has done to my friends…” the transformed woman called in a powerful, but calm voice, “what they’ve done to my family…  I can’t forgive them… can’t forgive you.  The Empire is evil and the blood on their hands is too thick to just wash off.”     She paused… then, she let him drop to the floor before walking over to Lock.  One audible fizzle later… she was back in her human form.     “The Empire…” she continued in her normal, soft voice, “has single-handedly caused the genocide of my entire race.  All for power…  I… can’t ever forgive that.  I’m sorry…”

    As Tina found comfort in the arms of her friend, Wedge found much the same in his own.  He was pretty shaken up by what had just happened… but, more than that, Tina’s words had struck several chords with him.  Before then… he, honestly, had no idea about what was going on in that facility and, up to that night, he had no idea that those Eidolons he and Biggs were looking for were anything more than wild, brainless beasts!  Their sudden attack on Vector certainly didn’t help with that misconception.  But, as he was helped up by his friend and watched the girl be escorted into another part of the garage… he decided that after everything was said-and-done…     “Doctor Cid and I are gonna have to have a chat…”

    The minutes felt like hours as the two soldiers finished getting their armor equipped.  Biggs hadn’t said it aloud, but he was feeling a little awkward about piloting a vehicle that was powered by what was the life energy of another sentient creature.  Wedge, on the other hand, didn’t seem too upset.  In fact, he was the first to hop into a machine!     When he called for the two Returners to mount up, he fully expected Lock to be the one to ride along with him.  However…     “Uh… h– hi there.”     It was Tina who would join him.

    The quartet left Vector at a little past dusk.  Alburg was a fairly short trip, on-foot, but on the back of Magitek Armor units?  The soldiers knew it wouldn’t take more than an hour.  What they didn���t know… was what they’d talk about, during that hour.  So, the first several minutes were filled with an awful sort of silence that was accented only by the sound of metal footsteps that stomp over solid ground and echoed through the woods.

    “Wha’cha think he’s thinkin’?”

    Biggs gave a blink.  Lock had leaned down and asked him a… rather odd question.     “Sorry?” he called back.     “I said… ‘wha’cha think he’s thinkin’?’  Your pal, I mean.”  The man smiled, passing a glance at the other driver and his rider.  “After what happened, wha’cha think is goin’ through his head?”

    In all honesty… Biggs wasn’t sure how to answer that.  Before the trip through the Narshe mines, they’d never had much experience with a living Eidolon.  Seemingly, though… they had one in tow with them, riding right on the back of his friend’s power armor!  And, that one seemingly had it out for the Empire – albeit, for a very good reason.

    “He’s… probably feeling guilty over what we’ve done,” Biggs eventually told Lock.  “Ignorance is bliss, but knowing what he does, now… I’m not sure he can look at himself the same way, anymore.”     “I asked what you thought he was thinking, not what you’re thinking, Big Boy.”     “‘Biggs,’” the soldier corrected, “and… yeah.  I guess you’ve got me figured out.”     Lock smiled to himself at hearing that.     “But, you know…”     He waited for the soldier to finish that sentence.  When he didn’t…     “Got nothin’, huh?”     “I’ve… I mean… what your friend said was…”     Biggs hesitated…     “Is the Empire really responsible for the complete-and-total annihilation of that witch–”     He stopped in mid-thought, then.     “That what?” his co-rider pressed.     “Sorry…” the soldier apologized.  “I… she still kind of scares me.  Even more, now…”     “Heh, yeah.  Tina’s a real firecracker!  Why, I bet if she thought you guys really had something to do with how her pop ‘n them ended up, she’d probably torch the lot’a ya!”     “That’s… not… no, actually… you bring up a good point,” Biggs said as he hit a realization.  “All she did was talk to Wedge while explaining what the Empire’s done.  I thought, perhaps, it was because she lacked the conviction for revenge… but, since you mentioned that, I think it’s exactly like you said; she doesn’t think we, personally, hurt her friends or her father.”     “Hey, you Imperials aren’t as dumb as ya look!” his passenger laughed.     “Well… you don’t earn your own, personal Magitek Powered Anti-Personnel Armor by being by simply following orders…” the soldier mused.  “Though, at this point… it feels less like a reward and more like a hunting trophy…”     He sighed before going silent.

    “What’s done is done,” Lock suddenly told him.  “Giving your shiny, new toy back to the Empire won’t bring back Madin, Rumah, or anyone else.  Just… enjoy it while you can.  I get the feeling that Emperor Gestahl may get rid’a these things!  If… he’s really giving up on the whole ‘world domination’ thing, I mean.”     The soldier gave a blink at that.  “What?”     “Nothing,” the man dismissed.  “Say, just how fast can these things go?”     “Uh… I don’t know.”  He glanced at his rider.  “This is a newer model than I–”     “Punch it!”     “Hey– nooo!!”     Before he could argue, Lock kicked the throttle, immediately causing the machine’s engine to noisily whirr and rev up before pumping maximum power to the machine’s draconic legs!

    Once it was at its highest settings, the vehicle lunged forward, nearly throwing the riders right out as it tore a dusty path through the grasslands of the Vector continent.  It took Biggs a few more minutes before he could figure out how to get it to slow back down.  However…     “I… kind of liked that.”     “Then, put it back on ‘high’ and let’s ride like the wind!” his passenger encouraged.     “I’d… rather not ruin my new power armor before I’ve even broken it in, but–”     “What better way to break it in,” he proposed, “than by pushing it to its limit?”     “Well…”  Biggs still seemed hesitant.     “Look, chance are, if the thing breaks, you – or, someone else – can fix it, right?”     “I… I guess so?”     “Sooo…?”     A gloved hand wrapped around his own, giving the throttle a little nudge.     “Gods damn it…”  The soldier sighed.  “Alright, sure.  Wedge can catch up to us.”     “That’s the spirit!” Lock cheered as he and Biggs both pushed the stick forward.  And, just like before, they rocketed forward!  There was one difference, though…     “Yeeeee-haaaaaw…!!”     That being, Biggs letting himself enjoy the ride, the second time.

    “Sh… should we chase after ‘em?”     Wedge looked at his companion… only to look away with guilt.  Though she’d made the conscious decision to ride with him… she seemed far less eager to converse.     “Uh… I’m… just gonna keep going at this speed, then.  Okay?”     She stayed silent… so, he kept going at a moderate pace.

    “S-so…  Nice night, huh?”  He waited for a response before saying, “You can’t really see the stars out here near Vector… but, at least it’s peaceful!  Monsters are pretty scared of the noise this armor makes!  Even those creepy guys with the umbrellas!”     He paused, trying to think of something else to say.     “So, um…  How– how’ve you been, since Narshe?  It’s been a few weeks, right?”     The girl seemed to be looking at the sky as he gave her another glance.     “Things have been… odd, with me and Biggs.  Um… we got stationed at Doma!  We… were supposed to attack, but…”     Wedge quietly trailed off, realizing that was a bad topic to bring up.  That retainer he’d heard horrifying tales of had arrived with the rest of them…

    “O-okay, um… how about…  Oh!”  He smiled as he asked, “Know any good songs?”     The girl still refused to say a word, just looking in any random direction as they traveled.     “General Leo took us down to Jidoor, not long ago.  We were supposed to be investigating some guy with an airship, but according to the guy who runs the opera house, he’d already taken off and… uh… well, I guess you know the rest, already, huh?”     He paused to let her speak… but, as expected, she didn’t.     “Aaanyway…” he continued.  “We took in the show while we were down there.  Got in for free, since we were with the Empire!  I mean… we could’ve!  But, Leo insisted on paying!  He even paid for our tickets!  It was totally worth it, too!  I didn’t think I’d like the opera, but… ‘Maria and Draco’ is one powerful piece of sung literature!  Check this out.”     And, before his companion could object… he started singing to her.

    “O my heeerooo, my beloooveeed, shall we still be made to paaart?  The prooomises of… pereeennial love… yet sing here in my heeeart…!”     He paused to take a breath.  As he did… he heard something that startled him.     “I’m the daaarkneeess,” Tina quietly sung, “you’re the staaarliiight… shining briiightly from afar.  Through hours of despair, I oooffer this prayer… to you, my evening staaar…”     “You… a fan of the play?” Wedge quietly asked.  When he saw her nod, he told her, “You have a really nice singing voice!”     “I’ve… p-practiced,” she replied, soundingly a little self-conscious.     “Have you ever thought of performing?  I bet you’d make a great Maria!”     “I…”  There was a long pause before she hid her face and shook her head.  “No!  No-no-no, I– I couldn’t!  The words’ meaning is lost on me!  I just…”     The girl paused, again.     “I just think they sound pretty…”     “They certainly do when you sing them…”     She made a soft, somewhat happy noise, but didn’t respond, otherwise.

    “Must my fiiinaaal… vows exchaaangeeed…” Wedge continued after a long period of silence, “Be with hiiim, and not with yooou?  Were yooou only here… to quiiiet my fear…”     “O, speak!” Tina spontaneously bellowed.  “Guide me aneeew!”     Wedge couldn’t help but smile as his solo performance became a tandem duet.     “I am thaaankfuuul… my beloooveeed… for your teeenderness and graaace.”     “I seeeee in your eeeyes, so geeentle and wiiise, all doubts and fears erased!”     “Though the hooourrrs… take no noootiiice… of what faaate might have in stooore…”     “Our looove, come what maaay… will ne’er age a daaay.  I’ll wait… forevermooore…”

    “You… sure you haven’t done this on-stage, before?”     The girl quickly shook her head and made another noise, suddenly seeming shy about what had just happened.     “Could’ve fooled me…” Wedge said with a smile.  “You sound pitch-perfect and hold your notes really well!”     She squirmed, not saying anything.     “Anyway… that was pretty fun!  Thanks for joining in.”     “Welcome…”

    After their impromptu performance with each other, the two figures fell back into silence.  When the last ray of the sun ducked down behind the trees and beyond the seas that surrounded the continent, Wedge flipped on the lights of their vehicle and continued to keep quiet.  Honestly, he’d kind of run out of things to say… not that the small-talk had been getting him anywhere.

    A good twenty minutes after the sun had set, the woman seated behind Wedge spoke, again, her voice soft and quiet as ever.  And, what did she say…?     “I’m… sorry.”     “You’re sorry?”  The soldier looked behind him with a smile.  “Why?  I said you were pitch-perfect, and I meant it!”     There was another long pause, leading him to turn back around before she skittishly told him, “I-I’m… sorry for attacking you…”     “You didn’t.  You just scared me.  But, honestly?  I… don’t blame you.”     She gave a blink, tilting her head.  “I don’t understand?”     He sighed, then he looked her way, again.  He was still smiling.

    “I’m sorry for calling your kind ‘dumb beasts,’” Wedge started.  “If anyone’s a ‘dumb creature,’ it’s me for not knowing phantom beast– ah, I mean… what does Biggs call ‘em…?”     “‘Eidolons,’” she said in an understanding way.     “Right.  I’m the dummy for not knowing that Eidolons are, you know… smart!  They have feelings, thoughts, and stuff, just like the rest of us!  It’s just that… well…”     He gave another sigh.     “Between what the Emperor told us and the legends surrounding ‘em… I guess it was just set in stone, in my dumb brain, that Eidolons weren’t equal to us humans!  I mean, there’s plenty of critters in the world that are waaay bigger and stronger than us, but not smarter!  Some of ‘em, I mean.  But, Eidolons are… they’re different.  They’re all smart.  And, some of ‘em are smaller than us, too, like the angel thing, or the lucky cat thing.”     “Cait Sith?” she asked.     “Is that what it’s called?”  Wedge chuckled.  “Then, yeah.  Cait Sith.”     “And, the angel is called ‘Seraph,’” Tina continued.  “She eases the soul and cleanses the body with her feathers.  She’s very nice.”     “‘Nice?’  Wait, I thought…”     “What?”     He wasn’t going to say.  But, since he’d piqued her curiosity…

    “Well…”  He turned back to the pathway, hesitating…  “You said Seprah was… ‘nice?’”     “Yes,” she acknowledged.  “Why?”     “How do you know… if… ya know… she’s…”     He hesitated longer than before, giving his companion time to ask…     “D… deceased?”     “Yeah…”  That’s exactly what he was trying not to say.     “When an Eidolon passes…” Tina started to explain, “its soul becomes Magicite.  I’m not… exactly sure how it works, from there?  But, if someone holds Magicite close to their heart… the Eidolon becomes friends with the person and may even share secrets with them!     “Most Eidolons help people unlock their potential for magic,” she continued.  “If the person and the Eidolon become good enough friends, they can even make a person stronger or smarter!  Some of them, anyway!  Oh, best of all?  Magicite can show you a vision of how the Eidolon was before they passed away and, if you become close enough with the Eidolon, you can sort of… well… feel them, too!  It’s almost like… they never passed, at all.  That’s why… I always keep my dad’s Magicite close to me.  I never knew him… but, I’ll never forget him, this way…”     “Then… I should probably give him back to you.”

    Tina gave a hard blink and a long stare.  For some reason, Wedge was handing her a small, glowing crystal with a flickering, red light inside.  She didn’t understand how or why he had Magicite… until she suddenly remembered!     “I… I handed you my dad when I– oh, goodness!”     Suddenly, the Magitek Armor veered to the right before correcting itself… and, with good reason!  Tina had thrown her arms around Wedge’s shoulders in a tight hug!     “C-careful…!” he warned with a laugh.  “Yeeaaah… when you were mad at me for being stupid, you kind of… shoved your dad’s Magicite in my face and… never asked for him back.  He’s… actually kind of warm.”     “He’s warm…?” she asked as she tucked the Magicite into the top of her dress… much to Wedge’s further distraction.     “You, uh… weren’t kidding around keeping him close to your heart, huh?”     “What?”  The girl stared, seeming confused by the statement.     “Nothing.  Never mind,” her driver said with a sigh and a smile.  “Yeah, he was warm.  I, uh… had him between my chest plate and my tunic.  N… next to my heart.”     She tilted her head, again.     “W-well…?!  You said you kept him close to your heart, s-so–”

    “Did he talk to you?”     “Er, what…?”     Tina leaned in.  “Did my dad talk to you, at all?”     “N… no.”  The soldier gave a blink.  “At least, I didn’t notice, if he did.”     “Sometimes… my dad talks to me.  Usually, he talks to me in my sleep!  But, sometimes… he talks to me when I’m feeling lonely, or unsure of myself.  He… usually doesn’t talk to me if I’m with friends, though.  I guess… he doesn’t want to embarrass me?  But…”     She paused, seemingly hugging herself… though, likely hugging her dad’s Magicite.     “My dad could never embarrass me…  I love my dad!  I just wish I’d known him while he was alive…”     “You… didn’t know him while he was alive?”     “Mm-mm…” she mumbled, shaking her head.  “He was… one of the first to fall to…”     Even though she trailed off, Wedge figured he knew how that sentence ended.

    “Listen…” he said, attempting to change the topic, “I want to apologize.”     “It’s okay,” was his companion’s response.  “I’m alright, now.  I was just… so angry…”     “No, I mean… for the stuff in Narshe,” the soldier clarified.     “Oh.  That’s okay, too!” she told him, right away.     “You… do remember what happened in Narshe, right?”     She gave a nod.     “You remember… everything… that happened in Narshe?”     “It’s okay!” the girl repeated.  “I’m just glad that I made you and Mister Biggs happy!”     Wedge felt his face warm…  “Gods, you’re too pure for this world, Tina…”     “I don’t know what you mean, but… thank you?”     “But, no, seriously…  Tina?  In the tent?” he emphasized.  “You remember all of that?”     “I remember,” she assured, “and it’s okay.  Really!”     Wedge… felt like she didn’t understand just what he was trying to apologize for.  But, he really didn’t want to spell it out for her, either…

    “Tina?”     “Yes?” she attentively replied.     “In the tent…” Wedge started to try, again.  “When you were wearing that Slave Crown.  When you had no choice but to obey our every command.”     “Yes…?”     “You remember… every second of that?”     “Mister Wedge…?  Are you trying to apologize for this?”     Once again, the vehicle veered to one side.  Wedge was absolutely dumbfounded that he’d just been kissed on the cheek by the girl who, not an hour before, seemed ready to murder him!

    “O-okay, s-so, you do remember…” he finally concluded.  When he heard her giggle, he just sighed and told her, “You really are too pure for this awful world, Tina…”     “I told you, it’s okay,” she reassured him, again.  “I’m just glad I made you and your friend happy.”     A silence fell over the two, for a bit.  Then, Wedge asked her a question.     “Do you have a boyfriend, Tina?”     “No,” she answered without missing a beat.     “What about that Lock guy?”     “Oh, no.  He has a girlfriend, already!  Except…”  She paused before saying, “She’s asleep.”     “She’s asleep?”  Wedge tilted his head.  “What do you mean?”     “I’m not sure…” the girl quietly confessed.  “I just remember Lock’s friend said Miss Rachel would ‘stay as she is, without aging,’ thanks to a special potion he used.”     She paused, looking down.     “I think Miss Rachel may have passed on… but, I can tell Lock still loves her just like I love my dad.”     “I’m… sorry,” was all he could say to that.  “I didn’t mean to pry.”     “It’s okay.  I’m the one who brought it up.”     There was another pause before Tina asked…     “Why did you want to know if I had a boyfriend?”     “I… well…”

    Wedge hesitated, suddenly feeling a little dry-mouthed.  He never thought he’d be meeting that girl who mesmerized him, again… much less have the chance to talk with her… and, even less than that, have an opportunity to ask about her love life!  Or… be a part of it?  But, with her asking about his personal question… he felt like a follow-up question probably wouldn’t hurt.  At the very worst, she would probably just say she wasn’t interested… right?

    “Listen…” he said after swallowing.  “After we finish this stuff with the general and whatever comes after… I was wondering…”     She perked, looking at him as he looked back her way.  She couldn’t see it… but, he was blushing pretty hard.     “Would you… maybe… want to go out to dinner with me?  Or, have some coffee?  Or… go… to the opera?”     “Sure!”     And, for the third time that night… the Magitek Armor temporarily jerked off the path.

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Magitek Soldier #Wedge #Biggs #Leo Christophe #Lock Cole #Locke Cole #Tina Branford #Terra Branford #fantasy #slice of life

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam FFVI, Ch. V

Chapter 5 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

Hey, look!  A time-skip!  Boy, I must be one lazy writer! … actually, that was just my way of making sure da boyz stay alive long enough for… certain other events.

Word count: 4,185 – Character count: 25,035 Originally written: July 19th, 2019

An important message arrives for General Leo, leading a certain pair to choose a slightly different path…

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd.

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    “Hey, did you hear?”     “Yeah, that rumor?”     “Shhh… You’re talkin’ too loud.  Wouldn’t want General Christophe overhearing…”

    Three days had passed with no word from either General Palazzo nor Emperor Gestahl.  By that time, the troops were starting to get a little antsy and, as it happened, one of them seemed to know some pretty juicy gossip!

    “Anyway…” the first soldier said in a low tone, “I heard you-know-who’s jealous of the general.  Heard he’s been planning to drive the general out of our army, entirely, and become our only general!”     The second soldier scowled.  “You’ve gotta be kidding me…!”     “Imagine if someone like that became our general…!  Well, friendo… if that ever happened, I’d cut out – resign from my post and job!  And, let me just say, I would not take ‘no’ for an answer!”     “Uh… uh… th-that’s a good one!” the other soldier suddenly stammered.  “That’s exactly what someone would say if they wanted to end up in jail, or worse, ha ha hah!”     “Yeah, yeah… I know.  But, hey.  This is just between us, so…”     “It sure is!” the second soldier nervously told agreed.  “I mean, it’s not like General Palazzo is standing behind you while you talk, or something!”     “Yeah, heh.  That’d be… he’s… really standing right behind me, isn’t he.”     “Oh yes!!”     The first soldier froze in place.  The voice that answered hadn’t been his friend, but a sharp, jovial voice from the other side!  Slowly, he turned… then, both soldiers stood at full attention, both immediately facing the general who had snuck up while they were talking.

    “G-G-General Palazzo, sir!” the rumor-spreading soldier greeted.  “What a surprise!!  W-we were expecting an announcement of your arrival!  How… uh… how are you, today?”     Kefka just stood there, grinning like a madman and looking between the two.     “I see you two are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, as expected!” the white-faced man cheerfully said.  “The Imperial Army needs more alert grunts like you two!”     Neither soldier would dare respond to his obvious bait, too scared to stop saluting, much less actually say anything.  When his grin faded and a look of complete disdain replaced it, the two knew they were in for a bad time…

    “You two!” he shouted, startling them both as he stomped the dirt.  “If you can’t even keep suspicious characters like li’l ol’ me out of the camp, then what good are you?!”     “S-sorry, Sir!” the first soldier apologized.  “W-we’ll do better, Sir!”     “Damn right you will!” Kefka gave an unsettling smile.  “Now, get back to your posts!  Papa has business with our dear friend, General Leo!  Uwee hee hee hee hee!”     With that, the eccentric leader walked away, leaving the two guards to go back to what they were doing before he’d arrived.

    “Hmph!”     Once Kefka had walked into General Christophe’s distant tent, the one soldier turned back around, leaning against the stack of beanbags on the west side of the northern entrance.     “Like hell, anyone’s gonna listen to you, Kefka!”     “Geez, that guy gives me the creeps…” the other soldier said as he obediently stood at-the-ready.     “That psycho’s not even fit to clean General Christophe’s nails, much less lead a military force!”     “H-h-hey!!” the first soldier squeaked.  “I told you, keep it down!  Oh, you’re completely hopeless, you know that?”     His friend shrugged, not bothered.     “Whatever, man.  All I’m sayin’ is that Kefka scumbag ain’t right-in-the-head…  Not like General Christophe.  If Kefka ever got sole leadership over us…?  Well… I’d hate to think where we’d wind up!”     “Yeah…  Seriously…”

    “You heard all of that… right, partner?”     Wedge yawned as he rolled out of his sleeping bag.  He and his partner, Biggs, had overslept and missed the morning role call – largely thanks to the “morning announcer” being replaced by someone with far less energy at the commander’s digression.  Either way, Biggs had started getting ready the instant he was awake.  Meanwhile… Wedge decided to stay in bed.

    “Something-something ‘Kefka,’ something-something, ‘Uwee hee hee,’ something-something ‘those guys are dead,’” the sleepy soldier muttered, hiding his head underneath his pillow.  “Whatever – let me sleep!”     “Wedge, get up.  It’s pushing toward 9 o’clock,” Biggs told him as he put his helmet on.     “Don’t wanna!”     “Get up… or–”     “Hey!  You two, there!”

    Both soldiers heard a familiar voice – the voice of their commanding officer – boom out into the camp.  All-at-once, Wedge leaped up… still wearing his sleeping bag… and saluted.     “Yes– right– sorry, Sir– I’m awake, Sir!” he incoherently strung together.     “I… don’t think he’s talking to us, Wedge…” Biggs said.     He watched Wedge slump back to the floor, then walked over to the opening of their tent and peeked outside.  As he’d guessed, their black-clad superior had arrived… but, he was completely focused on the two soldiers standing guard in front.

    “Yes, Sir!” both soldiers called with a salute.     “General Palazzo says we’re ready to assault Doma Castle,” the commander told them.  “We’re short a couple of soldiers… so, you two are to join the first wave!  Now!”     “Finally!” the first soldier said, pumping his fist.  “Some action!”     As the two followed the commander away, Biggs returned to his tent with a grumble.

    “You lazy bum!” he shouted, giving Wedge an encouraging stomp.  “We’re missing the attack on Doma Castle because of you!”     “That’s fine, that’s fine…” Wedge said as he gave another yawn.  “We can do it, later…”     “Oh, you’re absolutely useless!  I’m… I’m going to catch up to the commander!  You can just… do what you want!”     As the other man heard his friend leave, he mumbled a quiet “I always do…” before rolling over and going back to sleep.  Not a moment later… he was disturbed by a set of returning footsteps.     “Oh, make up your mind!” Wedge groaned as he got back up.  “I–”     He had to stop, then.  His tired eyes had caught sight of someone… unexpected.

    “Partner…? he asked with a yawn.  “Since when were you black…?”     “I think you have me confused with your friend, Wedge.”     “Yeah, yeah, probably…  I–”     He paused… then, he blinked before going wide-eyed.

    “G-General Leo, Sir!” he cried in surprise, dropping his sleeping bag and he leaped up and saluted.  “I– I can explain!”     “It’s alright, soldier,” the general said.  “Though, it’s bad for morale for a soldier to be quite so… unaware… as you have been, today.”     “Huh?”     “He says, you’re being a layabout,” a familiar voice called from behind Leo.  “Even more so than usual, for you.”     “Oh, screw you, Biggs!” Wedge shouted.

    “Soldier, why aren’t you dressed for combat?” Leo asked in a calm, firm tone.  “Why did you sleep through both role call and the call-to-arms?”     “I was tired?”  He nervously laughed before adding, “I had a nightmare about… uh…”     “About…?” he implored.     “A-army life going wrong,” was all Wedge would tell him.  “D-don’t worry about it.”     “Regardless, I’m very disappointed in you.  The Imperial Army expects better than this of their personnel.”     Usually, Wedge would have just shrugged such words off.  However… hearing General Christophe say them…  It had more of an effect on the enlisted man.     “S… sorry, Sir,” he said as he stepped away from his bedroll.  “I… have no excuse, Sir.”     “Please, don’t let it happen, again,” the general replied.  “Now… go ahead and get dressed, then join the other soldiers.  If you hurry, you might be able to catch up to them.”     “Sir!”     General Christophe left the two in their tent without a word more.  After he was well out of earshot, Wedge gave a relieved sigh, then finally started getting ready for the day.

    “You’re lucky the general is so forgiving,” Biggs told him as he gathered a few things.     “Yeah…” was Wedge’s reply.  Shortly after sliding into his armor, he looked at his partner with curiosity…  “Say, what are you doing back here, anyway?”     “Oh, the general caught me on my way out.  Since he knows we’re always together, he asked me where you were.  I tried to cover for you… but, I simply can’t lie to a face like his.”     The shorter soldier blinked.  “You… were going to lie to General Leo?  For me?”     “Rather stupid of me, yes?” his taller partner confirmed with a frown.     “Huh…”  Wedge gave a smile.  “So, then what happened?”     “I explained the situation and we returned here.  That’s about it.”     “I see…”

    The soldier slid his helmet over his head, then adjusted his belt and sword scabbard.  Not long after, he and his partner walked out of their tent and headed south… only to be stopped by an interesting scene.

    “General!” a random soldier called to General Christophe.  “News from the front lines: Doma’s people are preparing for a siege battle!  They’ve barricaded themselves within the castle!”     “Their tactical specialty…” the general mused.  “Thank you for telling me.”     He was about to leave, when…     “General, we’re ready to fire up the war machines and attack the castle at any time!  The troops are just waiting for you or General Palazzo to give the word”     General Christophe stayed silent for a moment…     “Don’t be in such a hurry,” is what he eventually told the soldier.     “Sir?” the soldier asked in a confused tone.     “Even if we attacked Doma Castle now, we’d just pay for it in pointless sacrifices.  It’s an unnecessary risk.”     “General, Sir!”  The soldier took a step forward, pounding his closed fist against his chest.  “I’m prepared to lay down my life, at any time, if it will serve the Empire!”     Again, the general paused…  What he said, next, surprised Biggs, Wedge, and the soldier.

    “Your name is… ‘Gregory’, yes?  From Maranda?”     “What?”  The soldier blinked.  “Y-yes, that’s me.  But–”     “You have family back home – a wife and two children.  Right?”     “Y… yeah…?”     “Let me ask you something…  What do you think would happen if, after this war is over, I had little more to return your family than a damaged sword?”     “Sir…?”     “How do you suppose I would face them?  What would I tell your wife?  That you needlessly threw your life away because you wanted to ‘serve the Empire?’”     “I… I’m just trying to be a loyal soldier, Sir…” was the soldier’s meek reply.     “No one is questioning your loyalty, son.  A more loyal soldier, there rarely is.  No, what I’m questioning is the fact that you would so willingly become a casualty in a senseless battle, rather than sit back and wait for your leaders to come up with a more sensible plan.”     The soldier seemed to be out of words, then…

    “Gregory… you’re a husband and a father, first… a soldier of the Imperial Army, second,” General Christophe told him.  “Don’t confuse bravery and pride for recklessness.  No one wants you to trade your life for what you believe in.  I’m sure our Emperor Gestahl would agree.”     The soldier looked down at the ground… then, as he looked back up, he wore a smile.     “Sir…  Thank you, Sir,” he said with genuine appreciation.  “But, um…  How are you going to address the Doma situation?”     “I’ll confer with General Palazzo,” he said with resolve.  “Once we can come up with a reasonable plan, we will–”     “General Christophe!”

    Both Leo and the enlisted man looked over at the sudden voice.  Another soldier was running toward them from the west.  He sounded like he had something important to say…

    “General… Christophe!” he repeated as he caught his breath.  “A… a message over the radio system…!”     “What is it, soldier?” Leo asked as the other brown-suit wandered off.     “The… haa… I’m so out-of-shape…”  He shook his head, then looked up.  “Uh, the Emperor wants you to head back home!  He said, ‘Tell General Christophe to return to Vector, immediately.  Urgent matters have arisen that I can trust only to him.”     “What…?”  General Christophe gave a couple of blinks.  “That’s… unusual.  Did he say what the matters were?”     “No,” the messenger soldier told him.  “He just said to pass this message on.”     “Well… if the Emperor calls, then I suppose I’ll be returning to the homeland early.”     He hummed… then, he gave a nod.     “Thank you, soldier.  Please, return to your post.”     “Yes, Sir!” the soldier said with a salute.     “Wait.  One more thing.”     The soldier tilted his head as the general told waved him back over.     “Whatever you do,” he said to the radioman, “do not try and rush things.  Haste makes waste.  Human life is too precious to spend on easy solutions to complex issues, such as this.”     “Understood, Sir!” he replied.  “Please, leave the rest to us!”     “Right.  I’m counting on you.”

    The soldier operating the radio walked away, leaving Leo standing there to ponder the sudden change of events.  Not a minute later, though…     “Biggs.  Wedge.”     The soldiers he named stood at attention, not a few steps away from the general.     “I assume that you’ve heard everything up to this point?  I have a proposition for you.  You can either head out to the battlefield and, likely, be yelled at by your commanding officer for being so late, then be forced to the front of the first wave when the command to attack goes through.  Or…”  He looked between them before saying, “You can return to Vector and help me with the Emperor’s ‘urgent matters’ – a rather prestigious task, to be certain.  So…”     He offered a soft smile, pausing for effect.     “What will it be, gentlemen?” –––––

    Life had taken some strange turns since that day at the camp near Doma…  General Leo Christophe had left, at the behest of the Emperor, to be assigned to various important tasks ranging from escort missions, deep searches for Eidolons, and even missions of pure diplomacy.  Meanwhile, news of events from afar reached the general’s ears…

    After leaving Doma, General Palazzo’s forces attacked Doma, managing to kill all within… aside from one retainer and an, reportedly, an aide.  Rumors of the retainer’s ‘psychotic’ retribution – not to mention, his subsequent, single-handed dismantling of the Imperial camp – spread far-and-wide, making even the bravest cadet, soldier, and even some officers of the Gestahlian Empire glad they weren’t there when it happened.

    A few weeks later, the Empire launched another action against Narshe.  News of the frozen Eidolon had reached the Emperor, and he still wanted it…  It was only after General Christophe and his soldiers returned from a scouting mission to the isolated continent of Samasa that they learned of the action… and, the consequences.     General Palazzo had been dispatched to the frozen town.  With him, many skilled soldiers and even some trained beasts.  According to the news, it was the Returners – a group of rebels dedicated to tearing down the Empire and its followers – who had been there to stop him.  When the general returned from his failed mission without any of his troops… the Emperor was not pleased!  Yet, he did little to reprimand the unstable man, much less punish him.  Even when the Returners sacked the Magitek Laboratory right under their noses, and ruined the most powerful cranes Vector had to offer… the Emperor just continued to make plans.  It was kind of suspicious how Kefka continued getting away with failing… but, as the people of the Imperial military would find out… they would have much worse things to worry about, shortly.

    One peaceful day, Vector came under attack by beasts of great power!  The Eidolons of lore, long-thought to be sealed away from sight-or-touch of mankind, had come out in full force… and, they were furious!  With no rhyme-or-reason, they attacked the buildings of Vector’s town, struck at the Imperial Palace of steel and iron, and ransacked all parts of the castle-city, setting fires, killing innocents, wreaking havoc upon the citizenry and royals, alike!  It was then… that the Emperor decided that enough was enough.

    “Did you hear?”     Two soldiers stood in the western barracks of the palace.  Both wore orange-red armor, though while one stood leaning against some lockers, the other lay on the floor, exercising.     “What’s that, partner?”

    “They tossed General Kefka in jail!” the standing soldier said with a grin.     “Oh, yeah…”  The other soldier pulled his upper body forward and touched his toes only to lay back down and do it, again.  “For ‘crimes against humanity’ or the like, right?”     “He poisoned Doma!” the first soldier exclaimed.  “Killed everyone!”     “Everyone except for that vengeful retainer…”     “Yeeaaah… that’s– that’s some scary stuff, partner.”  He shuddered.  “I hope we never run into that guy.  If he ever found out we were there…”     “They say he joined up with the Returners, actually…”     The soldier tensed.  “No…?!”     “Yep.  And, guess who’s coming to dinner…?”

    “I’ve lost the will to fight…  For tonight, I wish to talk, at length, over a meal.”

    That was how the Emperor greeted the band of seemingly-random travelers who had arrived, that evening, led by a wild-haired, stern-faced man named Bannan.  Random, though they may be, there were none other than the rebel faction opposing the empire: the Returners!     As the two spoke, it was made known that the Emperor wasn’t the only person who felt like the war wasn’t worth fighting, anymore.  After the attack of the Eidolons, a great many of the soldiers had lost their spark, having lost too much to man-and-beast.  Still, others flatly rejected the idea of peace between nations and, as the known rebels roamed the hallowed halls of the metallic castle, those soldiers let them know just how they felt!

    “You're them!!” shouted a brown-clad military man.  “The Returners!!”     “That’s right,” was the response given by a shorter man with a blue vest and a colorful headband.  “We’re the Returners.”     “You… you!  You’re the ones who started this entire thing!”     “Hey, calm down…” called one of the soldiers-in-orange.     “I will not calm down!!  These… these rabble-rousers are why I’m a widower, now!!”     “You should listen to your friend, friend!”  The man with the headband grinned.  “Wouldn’t wanna say something you’d regret… especially since the Emperor’s called a truce!”     “You…”  The angry soldier narrowed his eyes.  “I’ll kill you!!”     “Lock!!”     A blond woman in a pink-red dress half-screamed from behind the cocky gentleman.  He was being held at sword-point by the soldier who refused to see their side of things.     “Re-laaax, Tina!” Lock told her.  “I’ve got this!”     Not a minute later… the soldier had been placated by a rather dazzling display of defense.

    “Haa… haa… that strength…”     “Get it out of your system?” Lock said as he tucked his dirks back into his belt.     “I…”  The soldier growled… then, he gave a nod.  “Sorry.  I’m just…  It’s been hard…”     “I’d… be happy to listen…” the lady called “Tina” said as she slid out from behind her companion, “i-if you need someone to talk to…”     “You do that, I’ll talk with the rest of these clow– ah… fine gentlemen,” the man with white-blond hair and a permanent grin said.  “So!  You two!  How’re you holdin’ up?”     “Uh…  I… that– that was rather impressive, young man,” the soldier-in-orange told him.  “You move like lightning and strike like thunder.  You would make quite the soldier…”     “Yeah,” he sniffed, “not the first time I’ve heard that!  Uh, what’s with your pal, there?”     Standing behind the soldier was another soldier-in-orange.  That second soldier seemed completely transfixed on the girl who had found a seat on a nearby bed with the brown-armored soldier, attentively listening to every word he had to say with a soft, warm smile.

    “I have no idea, honestly…” he commented.  “Hey, Wedge, what’s the matter with you?”     “It’s her, Biggs…!” Wedge finally said with a squeak.  “She’s– she’s here!!”     Biggs gave a blink of his own before turning back to the girl wearing a pinkish-red dress and white stockings.  As he stared at the girl, he suddenly realized…     “Well, I’ll be dipped…  It is that girl, isn’t it?”

    “You two know Tina?” Lock asked, his eyes going wide.     “We’ve… interacted,” was Biggs’ reply.  “Briefly.”     “Wow!  Small world!  Hey, Tina!”     The innocent-looking girl looked up from her new friend.  “Yes?”     “These two guys look familiar to you?”     She gave a blink of her blue eyes, tilting her head and visibly thinking…     “I’m sorry,” she said with a sad sort of smile.  “I don’t recognize either of you.”     “Not surprising,” Biggs told her with an understanding smile.  “We all look the same.”     “Color-coded brain buckets ‘n leather, eh?” Lock interjected, knocking on the soldier’s helmet.  “What’s scarier than a faceless enemy?”     “A whole army of faceless enemies?”     Both he and the soldier shared a chuckle but, before long, they both took note of what the other orange-armored soldier was doing.

    “Um, yes?” Tina asked as he drew closer to her.  “May I help you?”     Unexpectedly, the soldier took his helmet off, revealing his face to her.     “Hi…” Wedge said with a dry throat.  “I’m… Wedge.”     “It’s… a pleasure to… meet… wait.”     Slowly, a look of realization came over the girl’s face.     “Your voice…  Are you… one of the soldiers from the mines?”     “Yeah…”     He shyly looked away.  For some reason… so did she.     “Should… we leave ‘em alone?” Lock half-joked.  But, when Biggs decided to take his leave – followed by the formerly-hostile soldier from before…     “Uh– h-hey, I was only kidding!”     He left, too.

    “I’m… glad you’re alright, Mister Wedge,” Tina said, looking his way after a long, awkward pause.  “I… was worried about you and your friend.”     “You were worried?” he asked, looking back her way.     She gave a nod… which really surprised the soldier!     “I… was worried that… the frozen Eidolon…”     Again, she looked away and fiddled with her hands.  It took Wedge a couple of moments before he realized what she was suggesting.     “Oh– oh!  Heh, yeah, nah…” he chuckled.  “It takes more than a bright flash to…”     But, his cheerfulness quickly gave away to discomfort, again.  Tina couldn’t seem to look his way…  He wasn’t sure he should’ve been looking hers, either.

    “‘Tina,’ right?”  He paused before asking, “May I call you that?”     She gave a little nod…     “Tina… I…  I’m really sorry.”     “What for?” she immediately asked, the apology drawing her focus back his way.     “I’m sorry for… what happened in Narshe.  And, I’m sorry for the way we… the way I treated you, back then.  It was… awful.  I… I don’t know what I was thinking…”     “I don’t understand…”  She tilted her head the other way.  “Weren’t you happy?”     “What…?”

    Wedge had to stop and blink, again.  Tina was looking at him with such innocence… but, there was such genuine compassion, too.  He’d never seen anyone look at him like that…  It was disarming… and, it made him feel even worse than he already did.

    “I… I’m really-really sorry…!” he suddenly exclaimed before looking away.     Tina gave another blink… then, she reached over, bringing one of her hands to his.     “What for?” she repeated, sounding as innocently curious as ever.     “I…” he whispered, blushing as she reached up and brushed away a tear that escaped his eye.  “I can’t forgive myself for what I did…”     “But, didn’t it make you happy?  You seemed happy…”     It was his turn to blink.  He jerked his head her way, looking her right in the eye.     “Y… you remember…?”     When she gave him another little nod… he practically turned to stone.

    “How do you remember that…?” he squeaked.  “You were wearing a Slave Crown…!”     “It’s a long story, but… the Eidolons have been helping me.”     “What?”     Tina offered a little smile before brushing his cheek, again.

    “Why are you crying, Mister Wedge?  Are you sad?  Did I do something wrong?”     “N-no, no!” he exclaimed as the color suddenly returned to his face.  “I just–”     “Hey, Tina!”     “Oh, one moment, please.”     She stood, brushing her dress down before she turned to the door.     “Yes, Lock?”     “Dinner’s about to start.  Uh, you done chattin’ with ‘Cheese Wedge?’”     “‘Cheese Wedge…?’” the soldier asked while the lady just gave a confused look.     “Well…” the spunky man started with a grin, “you‘re wearin’ red-orange armor… and, your name’s ‘Wedge…’ sooo…”     “Oh!  Oh, I get it!” Tina exclaimed before giggling and clapping.  “That’s so cute!”     Lock rubbed the back of his head.  “Heh, I try.”     “You’ll have to excuse me, ‘Mister Cheese Wedge!’” the girl giggled as she turned back to the soldier.  “Duty calls.  But, um… I’d like to talk, again, sometime… i-if you want, I mean!  I hope to see you, soon!  And, um… please, don’t be sad about the past.  Everything will work out, in the end… I’m sure of it!”

    The girl offered a smile before slowly walking out of the barracks to disappear with Lock.  A moment later, Biggs re-entered the room and headed over to his partner.     “So…” he started with a smirk, “how did everything go?”     “She… she doesn’t hate me…” Wedge said, baffled by the conversation he’d just had.     “Really?”  Biggs smiled.  “That’s good news.”     “She… wants to talk more – Biggs,” he said, finally facing his friend, “she wants to talk!”     “Well, it sounds like you have plans for this evening.”     “Yeah…”     Wedge finally smiled, as well.     “Tina…  Wow…  Who’d’ve thunk we’d find each other, again…?”

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Imperial Soldier #Kefka Palazzo #Biggs #Wedge #Imperial Commander #Leo Christophe #Magitek Soldier #Emperor Gestahl #Locke Cole #Lock Cole #Terra Branford #Tina Branford #fantasy #slice of life

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam FFVI, Ch. IV

Chapter 4 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

No fun facts about this chapter, I'm afraid.  "What you see is what you get."  Well… mostly.  I did give some reasoning behind a certain character's actions, in a minor revision~

Word count: 3,360 – Character count: 19,226 Originally written: July 18th, 2019

As they start on an outpost near Doma, the soldiers and officers get settled in.

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd.

[ ← Prev. Chapter | Next Chapter → ]

    “Company, halt!!”

    It had been a long journey from ship’s landing to the natural land bridge but, after half-a-day… they finally arrived.

    “You!  Get that bridge erected and set up a motor pool in the central perimeter!” the commander shouted to a random soldier.  “You!  Set up some tents!  You!  Grab some sandbags and start getting barricades up!  We only have so long to set up, so let’s get this camp ship-shape before General Palazzo arrives!  Move, you slugs!  Move-move-move!!”

    As requested, the first thing anyone did was get a sturdy, temporary bridge set up to cross the stream at the north of the area.  Next, soldiers began placing modular, wooden floors down in strategic locations based on elevated land, erecting tents over that.  A pair of soldiers worked in-tandem to bring the six Magitek Armor units into the center of the area and, not long after, some non-enlisted men brought out some equipment and assembled some power generators.  Some of the other conscripted civilians also set to work on what looked like alien technology – bumpy, disc-shaped objects with mechanical arms and laser arrays – which would serve as eyes-in-the-sky, once powered.  As night fell over the area… the camp had started to take shape.

    “Not too shabby, huh?”

    Wedge grinned to his partner as he made the finishing touches on their tent – one of the ones closest to where they’d started the camp.

    “I have to admit… you seem to know a-thing-or-two about pitching a tent,” Biggs told him as he looked around.     “Was there ever any doubt?” the shorter man beamed.     “This reminds me of our failed mission to Narshe, a while ago…  Remember that blizzard that came out-of-nowhere?”     “I remember ordering that cute witch-girl to clean my boots!” Wedge laughed.     “Yeah…  Effective use of military equipment.”  Biggs rolled his eyes.     “Oh, you’re one to talk, Biggs!  Remember what you made her do?”     The other soldier gave a remorseful sigh…  “I’m starting to remember, yes.”     “Anyway, it was a pretty unique situation.  It’s not every day that we have a loyal li’l ‘soldier’ all our own!”  Wedge grinned as he added, “She really made the time in that tent fly by!”     Biggs hummed… then, he sighed.     “That mission… wasn’t one of our finer moments.”     “Yeah… yeah, I guess not, huh?  Between losing our pants and losing the phantom beast, it was a pretty big wash.  But, hey.”     He smiled at his partner.     “‘least we made it out alive.”     The other soldier smiled in return.  Wedge had a point…

    “Wonder if General Kefka found out where that girl went?”     “Doesn’t matter, at this point,” the taller man told the shorter.  “It’s out of our hands.”     “Yeah, but…”  Wedge rubbed the back of his neck.  “It’d be nice to know that she’s alright.”     “I seem to remember saying something about not getting attached to military property…?”     “Biggs… the more I remember about that mission, the more I recall…”     He sighed.     “What a babe that lady was…!  Man, I can’t believe I ever forgot!  I so in love!”     Biggs narrowed his eyes.  A moment later, he suggested that they turn in for the night.     “Yeah, a’right.”  The other man shrugged.  “G’night, then?”     “Mm.”     With that, Wedge doused the lantern situated on the table in the center, then settled down and tucked himself into his bedroll.  Not long after, he fell asleep.

    “Gooooood morning, Imperiaaal Caaaaamp!!”

    The following morning, both Biggs and Wedge scurried out of their sleeping bags, the duo stumbling outside at the crack of dawn.  Someone – “some loudmouthed idiot,” as Wedge put it – was on the speaker system… which, neither of them even knew the camp had… and, was in the process of making a series of announcements.  Once that was done, they could hear music playing through the system… which, they had to admit, kind of lightened the mood.

    “Standard-issue military rations!  Yum-yum!”     After getting dressed in his gear, Wedge sat outside the tent, situated on the sandbags that surrounded the small rise where he’d set their tent.     “What’d your mom pack for you, Biggs?” he asked as took a pin-key to a tin.     “Standard-issue military rations,” was his friend’s response as he did much the same.     “Mine’s meat-flavored and it comes with some cocoa!” the first man said, his voice light and high as he imitated a child’s.     “Mine is… uh… the same, I think?”     “Wanna trade?”     Biggs gave a blink, then stared at his partner.  He was smiling.  After a long pause…     “Yeah, alright.”     The two exchanged their perfectly-identical meals, then dug in.

    “This is the life,” Wedge said after a few bites, “eh, Biggs?”     “What do you mean?” the other man asked.     “Going out on missions… seeing exotic locales… eating exotic food…”     Biggs looked into his tin.  He was pretty sure the ration was well past its prime…     “Life is great!” Wedge finished with a radiant smile.     “Alright, I’ll bite…  Why are you in such a good mood, this morning?”     “Jessie and I had a little date, last night!” he said, surprising his companion.     “Really…” Biggs said in disbelief.  “Here?  During a mission?”     “What can I say?”  The other man grinned.  “I’m a bad influence!  Besides… she helped get my mind off that witchy woman I remembered I loved!  I– aww, dammit.”     The other soldier just rolled his eyes from underneath his helmet.

    “Seriously, though…”  Wedge paused as he looked over to the flowing river.  “This place is pretty peaceful.  There aren’t a huge amount of monsters around, the air is nice, and the water is crystal-clear!  Oh, by the way!  I filled your canteen after I got back, last night.”     Biggs was quick to unscrew his water flask and give it a sniff.  When he didn’t notice any particular aroma, he took a sip.  A second later, he went wide-eyed under his helmet.     “Oh…” he whispered.  “This water is so… pure!  Cold, too!”     “I know, right…?” Wedge laughed.  “I felt kind of bad when Jessie convinced me to go skinny dipping in it.”     His friend briefly considered spitting out his water… but, it didn’t taste like people had been splashing around in it, so he just gave his friend a smirk.

    “So, you and Jessie are back on-track, are you?” he asked.  When Wedge gave a nod, he hummed…  “Ready to give up on that witch-girl?”     “Let’s be honest: it’s an unrealistic goal,” he heard his partner admit.  “Still… who says I’m crushing on Jessie, anyway?”     “You went swimming with her.  Naked,” he added after another sip.     “Okay, okay, I could see how that might paint a certain kind of picture…” Wedge laughed.

    “Really, though… I’m happy to see you in such good spirits.”  Biggs looked over with a smile.  “You’re usually more pessimistic and down on the military or the mission.  Since starting this one?  I’ve barely heard you complain even once.”     “Well, now that you mention it… these rations suck!” he exclaimed with unexpected disdain.  “Why, when I get back to Vector, I’m gonna walk right up to the guy who made these and go… ‘Hey.  Thanks for the nourishing food.  They don’t taste very good, but I know you’re just trying to keep us fed and alert, and I appreciate that.  So, thank you.’”     “That’s… I…”  Biggs blinked… then, he smiled.  “Oddball.”

    Breakfast came to a sudden end as, not long after that exchange, the commander could be heard barking orders over the public address system.  Minutes later, Biggs, Wedge, and the rest of the camp were back onto the grind as the black-armor military man and General Christophe set out on a diplomatic mission to Doma.

    “Boy, some guys get all the easy jobs, huh?”     Wedge grinned as he hammered away at a cross-beam.  He and Biggs had the “prestigious” honor of erecting a guard tower at the western bank of the land bridge.     “I doubt this will be an easy task,” Biggs told him as he steadied the wooden structure.  “I’ve heard that Doma is strongly opposed to the Empire’s goals.  General Christophe has his work cut out for him, today.”     “If anyone can convince an entire nation to change their mind, it’s him!”     “You really think so?” the taller figure asked with genuine curiosity.     “General Leo’s pretty awesome!” was his shorter friend’s response.  “I bet by tomorrow night… we’ll be back on the ship and heading to Vector!”     “That’s… strangely optimistic of you.”  Biggs smiled as he added, “I certainly hope so.”     With that, the two turned there focus to erecting the guard tower. –––––

    “Doma refuses to ally themselves with the Gestahlian Empire… which, unfortunately, means that we must prepare for war.  Gird your loins, steel your resolve, and pray to whatever gods you believe in…  This will not be easy, but remember: you are not alone.  Your families are with you in spirit, your country wholeheartedly believes in you, and the whole of the Gestahlian Empire’s might is behind you, as proud of you are you are to serve us.     “I cannot promise that this will be a bloodless war.  I cannot promise your safety.  But, I can promise that we will do everything in our power to provide you with the greatest technological and tactical advantages possible.  With good fortune and the blessings of those who silently watch over us, we may see this war end before too many casualties are had – on either side.  War is a senseless act, but sometimes… a display of force is all one can do sway a group or nation to the greater good.  Just remember: you are not a disposable commodity.  Every single one of you is a human being… one with hopes, dreams, and aspirations.  Be aware of yourselves and each other, and strongly consider your alternatives before doing anything drastic.  Men?  Do your country proud and serve the Empire with grace and honor.  Thank you.”

    The entire camp burst into uproarious applause as General Christophe walked away from the radio system and headed through the motor pool toward his private tent, his words stirring their hearts and encouraging them to bravery and valor.  That night, every soldier went to bed with his words ringing in their ears and giving them comfort.  Every soldier… except for one.

    “I thought I might find you out here…”     Wedge sat alone, staring up at the stars in the sky from his newly-christened “thinking spot” – the sandbags right outside the tent’s entrance.  When he heard the familiar voice of his partner call, he looked over and offered a smile… but, no words.     “A Gil for your thoughts?” Biggs suggested as he sat next to Wedge.     “Keep your money,” he chuckled.  “My thoughts aren’t worth even that much.”     “I’ll be the judge of that.”     When he heard his friend chuckle, he gave another smile… then, he sighed.

    “Okay, so…” he started, “you know that speech General Leo gave, today?  The one about ‘being brave’ and how our ‘country is proud of us,’ and stuff?”     “Yeah?”     “Well, as inspiring as he was trying to be… his speech, well…”  He gave a slight pause before confessing, “It didn’t do much for me.”     “Are you saying you don’t want to die for your country?”     “Biggs,” he sighed, “you know I’m originally from Kohlingen…”     “That… was supposed to be a joke, partner.”     “Oh.”     The two fell into an awkward silence, then.  At least… for a little while.

    “No,” Wedge eventually told his friend.  “I don’t really want to die for ‘my country.’  I– I mean, yeah, I guess if I were still living in Kohlingen and someone came rolling in, trying to take us over… I would be willing to lay my life down?  But… this thing with Doma?  And, that thing with Narshe?  H-hell, that thing with Narshe wasn’t even supposed to be a combat mission!  Those idiots turned it into one – and, for what?!”     He punched both sides of his sandbag seat and scowled, glaring straight forward.     “We wiped out their militia with our Magitek Armor!  We killed their trained whelk!  And… and, we didn’t even get the damn phantom beast…”     Wedge shook his head… then, he looked at Biggs with a frown.     “What’s it all for, partner?” he asked in a quiet voice.  “What’s it all gonna lead to?  What’s the Emperor gonna do when he has the entire world in his hands?  When will all this fighting just… stop…?”     “I think you answered your last question with the one before it,” Biggs chuckled.

    “Okay, sure.  Fine.  Emperor Gestahl takes over the world and everything is under his control.  So… what if not everyone’s alright with that?  Rebel groups form, then we, the Empire, wipe ‘em right out!  Then, more people rebel and the Empire wipes them out!  Where does it all end, Biggs?  Like… at what point do people just… give up?  Never!” he shouted, preventing his friend from answering.  “It’s an endless cycle of violence… and, we’re just fanning the flames by attacking people we can’t get on our side with words, alone…  It sucks…”     “Er… partner…?”     Biggs blinked… then, he frowned.  Wedge had pulled his helmet off and hidden his face behind his gloved hands.  He’d worked himself into a frenzy and quiet tears seemed to be the only way he could calm back down.

    “Wedge… I… don’t have any easy answers,” his partner told him.  “‘War is hell,’ as someone much more eloquent once said… but, sometimes?  When words utterly fail?  Sometimes, violence is necessary.”     “Oh, get a freaking clue, man!”     Biggs gave another blink.  Wedge had pulled his hands away and was staring right at him.

    “Aren’t you supposed to be the smart one, Biggs?” he said with controlled anger.  “Don’t you get it?  We’re the bad-guys, here!  We’re trying to shove our agenda onto people who want nothing to do with us!  We’re the bullies and Doma… Figaro… everyone is our victim!  We’re just gonna push ‘em all ‘til they either completely submit, or… or… fight back, tooth-and-nail!  A lot’a people are gonna get hurt, man… a lot’a people have already been hurt!  And, it’s just gonna keep gettin’ worse-and-worse…  Why does the Empire even want to control the world…?  That’s a lot’a work for just one nation… just one leader…  I don’t get it…”

    Biggs didn’t know what to say, to that.  He knew Wedge was completely right… but, for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to say so.  Instead, he decided to ask a question…

    “Wedge?” he called, looking at the man who was looking at the moon.  “Why did you join the Imperial Army?”     “What?”  Wedge chuckled, rubbing his eyes and giving an uneasy smile.  “What do you mean?  I joined because my parents kicked me out when I turned 16.”     “So, you joined the Imperial Army because they wanted you to get a job?”     “My dad…”  The man looked down before starting, again.  “My dad served in the army before I did.  When he got old, he retired to Kohlingen with my mom.  His heart belongs to my mom… but, his soul belongs to the Empire…”     “What do you mean, ‘his soul belongs to the Empire?’” Biggs inquired.     “His dad made him enroll when he was 16 – just like my dad made me enroll when I was 16.  Unlike Dad, though… I never really wanted to join the army.”     “So, why did you?”     “Why else?”  He chuckled.  “I wanted to make my old man proud.”     “Do you think he’d be proud of you, right now?”     “I think he’d call me a pansy for crying about doing my job.”     Wedge squirmed, looking away with that same nervous smile.     “But… he’d be proud that I haven’t given up, I guess?”

    “Wedge…  If you weren’t in the army,” Biggs began, deciding to go a different route with his inquiry, “what would you want to do?”     There was a long pause before Wedge finally answered, “I don’t know.”     “Is that why you’ve stuck with the army for this long?”     “Probably…?”  He paused, again.  “Look, man, where are you going with this?”     Biggs gave a blink.  Wedge was half-glaring at him, still with wet eyes.     “I’m just saying… if you’re not happy with serving the military… why not just quit?”     “Because…”  He looked away, again.  “I’ve done this for so long, I… I don’t think I’d know how to do much else.”     “Is that so?”  When Wedge gave another nod, Biggs asked, “You seem pretty handy with a hammer…  And, I’ve seen you repair your body armor pretty easily.”     “So?  Those are just things I’ve picked up since serving.”     “Plus, you seem to have a silver tongue when it comes to merchants…”     “Again, just skills I’ve picked up since serving…  Besides.”  The sad man paused to rub his nose.  “I can’t make a job out of haggling.”     “I wouldn’t be too sure about that…  Regardless, you have plenty of skills that have real-world application.”  Biggs offered a smile as he listed off, “Armor repair, carpentry, negotiation…  I’ve even seen you fix up simple machines, in your spare time!  In fact… if you combine carpentry with your machine skills, you could go into business as a clock-maker, or music-box-maker, or something along those lines!

    “I guess my point is that… you have plenty to offer, Wedge.  And, if you’re truly miserable in this man’s army… if you really don’t believe what we’re doing is ‘right…’ if you want to walk away from all this, then… go ahead.  If you’d like… I’ll even come with you.”     “You’d… come with me?” Wedge asked, sounding as surprised as he looked.  When he saw Biggs give him a nod, he gave a light chuckle… then, he looked away, bringing his hands together and going silent.  It seemed like he had a lot on his mind.  At least… until he spoke.

    “I’m not quitting the army,” he said after a long while.     “You don’t want to quit?” Biggs asked, sounding surprised, himself.     “Honestly…?  It’s not so bad, here.”  Wedge looked up with a smile.  “I mean, they give us room-and-board for free…  They give us a fairly decent stipend for equipment and extras…  Plus, girls seem to like the uniform, for some reason.”     “It’s the lightning bolt on the helmet,” his partner jokingly suggested.     “Sure… we may have to bust some heads and throw our weight around… but, if people were smart, they’d get with the program and join the winning side, already!  Because… clearly… the Gestahlian Empire is gonna win this war and every other one that follows!  Just like always!”     “Do you truly believe that?”     “Partner…”  Wedge grinned at his friend.  “The Empire is too big to fail.”     “The bigger they are…” Biggs started to say…     “Excuse me?  What’s this treasonous talk about?”     “‘T-treason…?’”  He seemed taken aback…     “Are you saying you don’t believe in the Empire?” the other man asked in a playful tone.  “Are you saying that we’re gonna fail?  Are you, in fact, suggesting that we… gasp… lay down and let other nations just walk all over us?”     “N… no, of course not.  I–”     “General Leo!  Commander Garven!  We have a traaaitor in our midst!”     “Sh– sh-shut up, Wedge!”

    Biggs leaned over, putting a hand over his partner’s mouth.  When he felt something touch the palm of his hand, he drew back and looked… then, he gave his friend a curious glance.     “Did you… really just lick my glove?”     Wedge was flicking his tongue and rubbing his mouth on his arm.     “Tastes like leather!” he said with a grin.     “You’re a crazy bastard, Wedge.”     “Yeah, but…”     The soldier nudged himself a little closer.     “I’m yooour crazy bastard, Biggs.”     “Oh… c’mere, you fruitcake.”

    The formerly-sorrowful soldier laughed and brightly smiled as his partner wrapped his arms around him, then returned the favor, half-snuggling into the inviting embrace.  He always liked getting Biggs to hug him – Biggs gave the best hugs!  Not long after, he leaned back.     “Hey, Wedge,” he started.  “All this deep thinking that you’re doing?  What sparked it?”     “Jessie ditched me,” he chuckled.  “Saw her leavin’ the ‘cadets tent.’  D-don’t tell her!”     “I knew it,” the other soldier laughed.  “And, I won’t.”     “Thanks, man.”  Wedge shyly smiled.  “For… everything.”

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Imperial Commander #Imperial Soldier #Wedge #Biggs #Jessie #Leo Christophe #fantasy #slice of life

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam FFVI, Ch. III

Chapter 3 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

More character-building?  More character-building. Fun fact: this chapter originally had more of a shopping scene, as well as something else, but when the story went wildly off-the-rails, I axed that part of things.  I might release it as an extra chapter, though… even though a later chapter kind of has the same narrative…

Word count: 4,494 – Character count: 26,015 Originally written: July 17th to July 18th, 2019

Once things settle town, the Imperial Army continues forward, first to Nikeah, then to their landing zone.

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd.

[ ← Prev. Chapter | Next Chapter → ]

    “Hey, partner…  How’s it goin’?”

    Half-a-day after leaping into the sea to save a fellow soldier, Biggs had awoken in a downstairs room of the ship, confused and sore.  When the medics explained what had happened, he immediately asked if Jessie was alright.  The news wasn’t great… but, considering all that she lost was an eye, it could have been worse.  However…     “Jessie is… in shock, I think.”     The redheaded soldier hadn’t said a word since she’d awoken.

    “Don’t worry,” Wedge said from his standing position between the two cots, “I know how to get cute girls talkin’!  But, Biggs?  I asked you a question, pal!”     The soldier who was laying there gave a weak chuckle.  He was bandaged around the head, his right shoulder, and one of his arms was in a sling.  There may have been more, but that was all that could be seen since the rest of his body was covered in a light sheet.     “Aside from contributing to Jessie’s shock… I guess I’m alright?” Biggs answered.  “I’m a little sore from everything… but, the medics say I’ll be fighting fit by the time we arrive.”     “Yeah, you look pretty good for a guy who got munched on by sea demons!”     The soldier chuckled… then, he sighed.     “Tell Jessie that I’m sorry about her eye…”     “Why?  Was it your fault?”     He didn’t respond to that…     “Look,” Wedge started, “it probably wasn’t your fault.  We were sleeping when she went in the water!  Anything we could’ve done, we couldn’t’ve done faster than we did!”     “That… was a very confusing statement,” Biggs flatly responded.     “Need me to rephrase it?”     “No, I get it,” he chuckled.

    “Anyway, since you’re alright, I expect you to get back on the night watch, soon!  It gets pretty lonely, just walkin’ around by myself.  You know?”     Wedge gave a comforting smile.  Biggs gave one of his own.     “Sure thing.  Now, go give Jessie some attention.  I know you want to.”     “Jealous?”     The standing soldier grinned.  A second later, his friend waved him away.     “Go bother Jessie, oddball.”     “Yes, Sir!”

    Wedge walked away with a “dummy” salute and staggered step – both of which made his bedridden friend chuckle.  A few steps later, he was kneeling in front of the redheaded girl who was laying on the next cot over.  His smile faded as he examined the damages and, as he looked on… the difference between Jessie and Biggs’ injuries became very apparent.     Jessie’s head was bandaged from her cranium down to her neck and shoulder, a swath of gauze covering her left eye and hiding it from sight.  She had either kicked her sheet off or the doctor hadn’t covered her, so it was easy for Wedge to notice that her entire body was wrapped up to varying degrees – both arms, one leg, her waist, sides, and chest all covered in strips and wraps of all sizes.  Additionally, a lot of those looked in need of change, small patches of deep crimson having bled through.  But, he wasn’t concerned with those injuries…

    “Hey, Red…” He called to the lady who was blankly staring off into space.  “Miss me?”     He waited for a response before continuing.     “I missed you,” he said, smiling at her.  “We had a good talk, the other night, huh?”     Again, he waited for a response.  Unfortunately, she didn’t seem interested…     “I’m looking forward to hitting the pub in Nikeah with you!  Hey, there may even be a show, when we get there!  That’s somethin’ to look forward to, right?”     He offered a friendly laugh.  When she continued to just stare, though…

    “C’mon, don’t give me the silent treatment…” he sighed, his smile finally fading.  “Look, I’m sorry I wasn’t there to pull you outta the drink, alright?  I was gonna jump in and grab you, but Biggs did it, first!”     Still, she refused to even acknowledge his presence.     “How did you even end up in there, anyway?  I heard some fish story, and…”     He trailed off…  Nothing he was saying seemed to get through to her.  For some reason… that started to make him feel angry.

    “You know, I came down here, specifically, to visit you ‘n Biggs!” he said in a raised voice.  “The least you could do is say ‘hello!’”     But, when even that didn’t get a response…     “What the hell’s wrong with you?!  Snap out of it, stupid!”     Biggs shot up with a start, wincing as the more severe of his injuries told him what a bad idea that was.  He gave a couple of blinks, then, before staring at his partner severely chew his new friend out.

    “So, fine!  You fell in the water!  It happens to the best of us!  And, yeah, alright!  The fangly fish got ya!  Could’a happened to anyone!  They got one of your eyes as a trophy?  So?  You’ve still got one pretty, green eye, don’t you?!  And, oh, let’s not forget… you’re still alive!  Yeah!  You’re still freaking alive, aren’t ya?  And… I bet you’ll be ready for duty before we even hit town!  But, no.  Nooo.  You don’t care about any of that.  You just wanna lay here like a useless lump, and… and.. I dunno, feel sorry for yourself?  Why?  Because, you got bushwhacked by some sushi?  Because, you lost an eye to some of the most dangerous creatures in the world?  Because, you have to take an impromptu vacation from your daily duties on the ship?  What?”

    During the tirade, Jessie hadn’t moved or even blinked her good eye.  It wasn’t until the furious soldier stopped talking that something happened…

    “J… Jessie?”     Something was forming in her visible eye…  Not only that, but her previously-blank expression was giving way to something… horrible.  A moment later…     “Oh, shi–”     Jessie scowled and started crying!

    “Wai– wait-wait-wait, h-hang on!” Wedge backpedaled.  “I– I didn’t mean it!  I just–”     Just as suddenly as she’d started crying, though…     “Szak–!”     She’d reached over and punched the angry soldier right in the gut!

    “You jerk!!” she shouted, her tears immediately vanishing as she furiously glared from the bed.  “You’re lucky I’m in such bad shape, or I’d give you something to cry about!!”     Just like that, she rolled over with a whiff, pulled her pillow out from under her head, then hid her face, disinterested in anything that stupid-jerk-of-a-soldier had to say.

    “On the bright side…” Wedge wheezed as he shuffled back over to Biggs’ side, “at least she’s– hek– not zonked out, anymore…”     “I’m… not sure if I should ask if you’re alright,” his partner said with a grimace, “or just call you an idiot.”     “Yeesss,” the other soldier huffed with a pained grin.     There was a pause, then his friend decided to ask, “Are you going to be okay?”     Wedge just gave an acknowledging noise and nodded.  Tears were welling up in his eyes and, all-and-all, he looked worse off than either of the injured soldiers, somehow.  Jessie did not “hit like a girl…”     “Eat some crackers,” Biggs said with a grin as he lay back down.  “You’ll be fine.”     “Okay…” was the response he got, his partner’s voice barely above a whisper.  With that, he shuffled out of the impromptu medical ward.

    “You’ll have to forgive my friend.”  The male soldier looked over at his partner-in-injuries.  “He’s an idiot.”     “Thank you…”     “What?”  He gave a blink.  “Uh, you’re welcome?”     “You could have let me drown…” Jessie murmured from beneath her pillow.  “Maybe, you should have…  A soldier that can’t even swim…  I’m pathetic.”     “Is… that what has you so upset?  That you don’t know how to swim?”     She hesitated… then, she pulled her pillow away, giving an embarrassed frown and a nod.     “You really shouldn’t be,” Biggs told her as he settled against his own pillow.  “There are plenty of people – enlisted or otherwise – who don’t know how to swim.”     That didn’t seem to get a response.  So, he added…     “Including Wedge.”     “W… Wedge can’t swim?” the lady-soldier asked after a moment.     “Nope,” was the other soldier’s reply.  “I tried to teach him, but…”     He chuckled as he remembered almost being drowned by his friend.     “And… he was going to jump in to… retrieve… me?” she carefully worded.     “He was.”     Again, there was another long pause before Jessie spoke.

    “How do you put up with that idiot?” she quietly asked as she hid her head, again.     “One day at a time,” she heard him respond with a slight smile.     There was yet another pause before she said, “Thank you.”     “For what?” Biggs curiously asked.     “For saving me,” she said without delay.     “You already thanked me for that.  But, you’re welcome, still.”     “I would give you a kiss on the cheek, but…”  She peeked out, grinning at him before saying, “I spent what little energy I had socking that moron.”     “If I had 5 Gil for every time I heard that…”

    The days rolled on and the two soldiers’ recovery quickly reached its end.  Before long, Biggs was joining Wedge for night duty, just like before.  However…     “Aw, c’mon!  I said I was sorry!”     Their new friend, Jessie, didn’t seem to want anything to do with the latter.

    “Jessie!  Seriously!”     Wedge followed the soldier around, one afternoon, his hands clasped and a pleading look on his face as she actively avoided him.  He was absolutely desperate to get her attention.     “Stop giving me the cold shoulder, already!” he half-begged.  “I’m sorry!”     “You know, that’s not going to work,” Biggs, who had been following them both, told his partner.  “Leave her alone, for a while.”     “B– but–!” the shorter soldier whined.  “We’re half-a-day from Nikeah!  We had plans!”     “No, you ‘had plans’ for her,” his partner corrected.  “Clearly, she’s no longer interested.”     “But…”  Wedge looked down at the deck, letting his hands drop.  “That’s not fair…”     “Life’s not fair!”     He winced, then, as he heard a feminine voice strongly shout at him.  When he looked up and noticed Jessie looking right at him, he was almost happy… at least, until she started tearing him a new one, verbally.

    “Sometimes, plans change!  Sometimes, friends stop talking!  Sometimes, someone loses an eye!” she sharply told him, drawing a wince from the other soldier.  “Life!  Is not!  Fair!  So, put your big boy pants on, build a bridge, and get over it!  The sooner you get your mind back on the mission, the better!  You’re an imperial soldier, so act like one!”     She paused… then, she looked over at Biggs and gave a calm nod.     “Biggs.”     “Jessie.”     “B… but, what about Weeedge…?” the shorter soldier whimpered.  When Jessie walked away, he just slumped, staring at the deck, again.     “There’s plenty of fish in the sea,” Biggs told him… before immediately saying, “er, I mean–”     “When you get tossed off a chocobo,” Wedge quietly murmured, “you pick yourself up…”     He straightened up.     “You dust yourself off…”     Then, he raised his fists, taking a determined pose.     “And, you hop right back on that bird and make it your bitch!  Jessie, h– hang on!!”     “That’s not what–”     His partner was about to correct him… but, he was already gone.     “Alright, then.”

    The next day, the ship docked at Nikeah.  General Christophe suggested that they resupply the ship, and the commander passed down the order.  Once the ship was restocked with dry goods and vital items, the general suggested spending the rest of the day there in the town.  All the men cheered for Leo, and many offered to buy him a drink or take him out… but, he declined, wanting to help the civilian crew take inventory.  With that, the soldiers headed into town and, the following day, were back out at sea… with a few new items… and, experiences.

    “You shouldn’t wear that cape over your uniform.  Actually, you shouldn’t wear that cape with your uniform…”     “Why-the-heck-not?” Wedge asked with a grin.  “Jealous?”     The shorter of the two soldiers spun around, making their new purchase rustle and fan.     “Because…” Biggs started, his eyes focused on that bright-white, back-length cloak around his partner’s shoulders, “number one: it doesn’t go with your armor–”     “Since when did you become the fashion militia?” his partner chuckled.     “And, two…”  The taller man grinned.  “That’s cloak is cut for a woman’s body.”     “Whaaaaat?  Get out.”  He chuckled.  “That kid told me I looked good in it!”     “You look–”     “You look like a fruit.”     Both soldiers gave a blink, then looked over to the stairway.  Another soldier had come down to the lower decks, where they were, and interjected their thoughts into the conversation.

    “The juicy kind?” Wedge asked with a grin.     “The kind you eat with a knife…” the soldier with red hair sighed as she walked away from the two.     “Hey-hey-hey, wait a second, Jessie!”     But, she had very little interest in sticking around.  It seemed like she had someplace to be.  And, as Wedge chased after her, Biggs just shook his head and sighed…     That man has some serious focus problems…

    After two more days of sailing, the ship finally came to a stop a knee’s depth from the shore.  The commander called to the troops and crew, then told them of the upcoming plans…     “We’re to march from here, down the shore, and to the isthmus–”     “There’s that word again!” Wedge quietly told Biggs, getting an elbow as a response.     “– where we’ll set up a barricade.  If things go badly with the Domans, they’ll have nowhere to run and be forced into combat!  We’ll have the advantage!”     “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” said the stern voice of General Leo Christophe, who was standing right next to the commander.     “R-right, Sir!  In any case, start unloading the ship!  You two!”     Two cadets stood at attention.  “Sir!”     “You’re leading the way.  Help load the first wagon, then fire up some Magitek Armor to pull it with.  You two!” he called to another pair of soldiers.  “Middle wagon.  And, you two…”     “Sir!”  Both Biggs and Wedge stood at-attention.     “Rear wagon duty!  Keep your eyes peeled for lookouts from Doma.  If you see any, shout it out!  That goes for the rest of you, too!  Now, the general and I will head out on our own to see if we can’t parlay with the enemy.  If things go well, we’ll be allies with Doma before dinner!  And, if not?  Well, prepare for combat!  Now… get to work.  Dismissed!”     The entire room barked a unified “Sir!” before splitting up to do their various duties.

    “This is it…” Biggs said as he and Wedge moved a heavy box of mechanical parts onto a wagon, a short while later.  “We’re in enemy territory… preparing for war.”     “Eh, it might not come to that,” his partner said between strained groans.     “There’s always the chance that it won’t… but – whuff.”     The taller soldier grunted, he and his friend setting the box on the wagon.     “But,” he continued as they retrieved another box, “there’s always the chance that it will.”     “Naturally!”     Biggs hummed…  “You seem rather chipper.  What’s going on with you?”     “Remember that pendant I bought in Nikeah?  The one you said Jessie wouldn’t like?”     “Yeah…?  Hup!”     “Well!”  Wedge brightly smiled as they grabbed a third box.  “I offered it to her… then, she threatened to shove it down my throat!  But – ah, geez, are these getting heavier…?”     “Work through the fatigue,” the other man said.  “What happened, next?”     “So, she practically spat on the pendant, but… she said she’d forgive me if I let her try on my fancy, new cape.”     “I… think I see where this is going,” Biggs commented, suddenly noticing that his companion wasn’t wearing that cape, anymore.  “But, go on.”     “So, I take it off, then she tries it on…  Then… she asks me, ‘how much did you pay for this cheap piece of scrap?’”     “How much did you pay, anyway?” he grunted as the third box hit the wagon.     “5,000 Gil,” Wedge told him as they grabbed the last big box.     “Five-thousand?!  And, I thought one-thousand six-hundred Gil was too much for a spear – ah, wait.  Where did you even get that kind of money?  Our paychecks aren’t that good.”     “Emergency funds,” was the other soldier’s answer.     “Uh… alright.  Anyway… is there more to the story, or…?”

    “So, I tell her, ‘5,000 Gil.’  She tells me I got ripped off, then offers me half-as-much for it.  I tell her– hnngh!”     He paused, helping his friend load the last big box, then they pushed the stacks toward the front of the cart.     “I tell her,” he huffed, “‘eh, just keep it.’  ‘Why?’ she snaps.  ‘Because, it’s cheap?’  ‘No,’ I say back, ‘because… I feel bad about what I said.  And, I’m sorry for your eye.’”     “And, that worked?”     “Mm…”  He tossed his head from-side-to-side.  “Yes-and-no?  I mean, I got her to laugh and she did keep the cape… but, I think what did it was when I pulled my helmet off and offered her one of my eyes.”     Biggs gave a sharp blink before saying, “That– what… what…?”     “That’s what she said!” Wedge laughed.  “But, when I looked her in the eye and really… really apologized…?  I guess she finally gave in, then laughed… then, she smiled and said she’d think about forgiving me.  ‘But, it’s going to take time,’ she said.”     “Told you.”     He offered a grin.  “Oh… shut up and help me load the rest of these boxes.  Heh.”     Biggs returned the gesture.  The two then re-focused on loading crates onto the wagon.

    “Man, you’d think Doc Cid would make these things quieter…”

    Later that day, Wedge and Biggs found themselves in a caravan of troops.  As ordered, they brought up the rear, following behind two more wagons and, as-ordered, they operated two of the six Magitek Powered Anti-Personnel Armor units, using the power of the dragon-like mechs to pull the fully-loaded carts along the grass-and-dirt of otherwise-pristine lands.

    “What do you mean?” Biggs asked his partner in a somewhat-loud voice.  “Do you mean the chug of the engines?  The clank of the footfalls?  The rattle and squeak of the joints…?”     “Yes!” Wedge answered, drawing a chuckle from his associate.     “Quit bellyaching, you two!”     Both soldiers looked back toward the wagon.  Standing at the front of the open storage vehicle was another brown-suit.  One with red hair and… a white cape under her shoulder pads.     “They do the work of ten chocobos,” Jessie shouted.  “and they’re fully-loaded with the latest array of magic-powered weaponry, so be thankful!”     “I am thankful!” Wedge told her.  “I just wish the damn thing didn’t give me a headache every time I used it!”     “You’re an Imperial Soldier!” the lady-soldier retorted.  “Suck it up!”

    “Jessie, can I ask you something?” Biggs asked, surprising his partner.     “Shoot.”     “I know you’re very passionate about your work and you enjoy being the most dominant soldier in service of the Gestahlian Empire… but, do you always have to be so… aggressive?”     Jessie paused… then, she shouted back, “E-excuse me?!”     “All I’m saying is that… you’re with friends, right now.”  The taller man smiled back at her.  “You can relax a little, if you want.”     “Yeah, quit being such a hard-ass!” Wedge laughed.  “Live a little!”     “I…”  She paused… then, she growled, “The military is my life!  Mind your own business – eyes on the caravan!!”     “Well, it was worth a try…” Biggs chuckled.     “It’s okay, babe!” his friend called as the two turned their heads back to the front.  “We both know you’re a sweetheart when you’re off-the-clock!  We just have to figure out when you actually are off-the-clock!”     “Pipe down!” she shouted.  “Maintain silence until further notice!”     “Yes, Sir!” Wedge jokingly acknowledged.     “You, uh… you know she’s the same rank and either of us, right?”     “Yeah… but, she likes to take control.  Like, that one night we went and–”     “Sh-shut up, Wedge…!”

    Biggs wasn’t sure… but, he thought Jessie sounded a little… embarrassed… as she shouted at Wedge.  Still, he didn’t inquire.  Even if the conversation was slightly amusing, they had more important things to focus on, just then.

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Imperial Soldier #Wedge #Biggs #Jessie #Imperial Commander #Leo Christophe #Imperial Cadet #fantasy #slice of life

[jolienjoyswriting]

Mortem In Contumeliam FFVI, Ch. II

Chapter 2 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

This chapter introduces an original fan character of sorts!  I hope you guys don't get too attached! (And, no, the character isn't based on anyone I know, or any existing character.  But, the name does comes from a related game!)

Word count: 4,494 – Character count: 26,015 Originally written: July 16th, 2019

The plucky pair of soldiers find themselves on a ship.  But, are they prepared for hi-jinks on the high seas?

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd.

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    “Man, talk about luck, huh?”

    Despite his friend’s close brush with “certain death” – the unhinged General Palazzo – Wedge was all smiles as he slipped on the chest piece of some fresh soldier’s armor.

    “I was pretty damn sure the commander was gonna jam that sword down our throats!  But, after General Kefka showed up, he was all business!  And, now?  We’re goin’ straight to Doma – wherever that is!”     “I suppose…” his partner, Biggs, told him as he put on some standard-issue pants.     “What?  You don’t think that’s lucky?”     Wedge reached into a nearby storage chest and withdrew a helmet with little, sword-like horns on the sides.     “We could’a been killed, or demoted, or anything!” he said as he put the skull protector over his head.  “Instead?  We’re gettin’ a free cruise to whatever this Doma place is, then we get to storm a castle!  How cool is that?!”     “War is never ‘cool,’ Wedge.  But…”  Biggs paused, then he smiled.  “I am happy that we didn’t get demoted – if only because Pierre would never let us hear the end of it.”     “Oh, man, is he gonna be steamed when he hears we got off scot-free!”     The other soldier smiled a little more brightly.

    “Pierre’s such a snotty little turd…” Wedge continued as he pulled on one boot and laced it up.  “I wish I knew why… but, I don’t think that’d change much.”     “He blames us for ‘the armor incident.’”     “What?”  The shorter man blinked from under his helmet.  “What ‘armor incident?’”     “Remember when we were stationed at the base near that sealed cave?”     “Yeah?”     “Remember when that powered armor malfunctioned and we tried to stop it?”     “Yeeaaah…?”     “And, remember how it ran through the wall of the storage building and who they found ‘piloting’ it?”     “Yeeaaa–”  He paused.  “O-oh!”     “Yeah…” Biggs said with a chuckle.  “He thought he could stop it and climbed inside.  After it went through the wall, our commanding officer found him semi-conscious in the cockpit.  There wasn’t much anyone could have done, by that point.”     “Not that I wanted to…”  Wedge scowled.  “Remember how that little ratfink tried to throw us under the carriage?  We weren’t the ones who tried piloting a busted Magitek Armor!”     “Still, you have to admit… Pierre’s demotion was unfair and mostly circumstantial.”     “Yeah, yeah…”  The soldier dismissively waved his hand.  “We can feel bad about Pierre’s luck some other time.  Right now, we’ve gotta–”     “Unbelievable– unbelievable!!”     Both Biggs and Wedge blinked as they heard a shrill voice screech from outside.  They ran out of the barracks just in time to see Kefka stomp by, kicking crates, shoving soldiers out of his way, and just generally looking angry.

    “Me?!” he raged as he walked down some stairs.  “The Emperor wants me, li’l ol’ me, to go aaall the way to Figaro… just to find that stupid little girl?!  Why not send Leo?!  Why not send a regiment of grunts?  Why should I have to go to that gods-forsaken desert wasteland and talk with that stupid, snot-nosed, spoiled-brat-of-a-king?!  Life is so unfair!!  I’m no diplomat!  I’m a conquerer!!  Why should I–”

    Kefka continued to rant as he exited the area.  A moment later, a brown-suit came from upstairs, looking a bit on the dizzy side.     “What’s going on?” Wedge asked the soldier.     “Ugh… Kefka’s taking his anger out on the men,” was the soldier’s reply.  “From what I’ve heard, some idiots lost the witch-girl over in the Figaro region, so the Emperor decided to make General Palazzo go and find her, and he’s dragging a bunch of us along for the ride…”     “‘Some idiots?’” Biggs curiously asked, despite knowing who said “idiots” were.     “Yeah… some idiots who went to Narshe.  They lost the witch, their Magitek Armor, their gear…  Ah, it was a huge mess, from what I heard!  I hope those guys get demoted!”     “Yeah!  Screw those guys!” Wedge suddenly added, surprising his partner.  “How could someone screw up a mission that bad, am I right?”     “You said it, brother!” the random soldier laughed.  “Hey, after I get back, why don’t we hit the pub?  My treat!”     “It’s a date, friend!”     Biggs hid his face, shaking his head as Wedge and the soldier bumped fists.  A minute later, the soldier wandered off, leaving the duo at the barracks entrance.

    “‘Screw those guys?’  Really?”     “Oh, hush,” Wedge said with a grin.  “I got a free drink out of it, so…”     “You’re an idiot, Wedge.”     “Yeah, but I’m your idiot, Biggs.”     The other soldier smiled, then he thumped his partner’s arm.  With that, the two returned to the barracks and finished getting equipped.  Not long after, they rounded up as many soldiers as they could, then found themselves back on a ship and headed to a place called…

    “‘Nikeah,’ huh?”     That’s what a soldier with long, red hair coming out from under their helmet told them.     “The commander says, yes.”  They continued, “We have a stop-over in Nikeah, then we make landfall north of Doma Castle.  From there, we’re to set up a base camp along the isthmus between the eastern and western regions and await further orders.”     “Okay…  Just one question?”     “Yes?”     Wedge grinned as he asked, “The hell’s an ‘isthmus?’”     “An ‘isthmus’ is a narrow strip of land that has water on two parallel sides,” Biggs mentioned from behind him, “and usually connects two greater pieces of land.”     “Follow-up question…”  He rubbed the back of his head.  “Where’s Doma, again?”     “Doma Castle is located almost-directly east of Nikeah,” the red-haired soldier told him.     “Third question,” Wedge continued with a sheepish grin.  “Why aren’t we just boating right to the ‘is-miss?’  Or, setting up right outside of Doma?”     “To maintain the element of surprise, I imagine…” was the soldier’s response.

    “Alright, alright…  One last question.”     “Yes?”     Suddenly, Wedge pressed up against the other soldier and smiled.     “What’s your name, pretty momma?”     And, just as suddenly…     “Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow…!!”     Wedge found himself face-down on the deck of the metal ship, his arm held behind his back as it was pulled up and practically out of its socket!

    “My name is none of your concern, soldier!” the other brown-suit told him in a stern tone.  “I suggest you stay focused on the mission!  Otherwise, we may have to file a casualty report even before we storm Doma!  Understand?!”     “I– sonovabiii–”     Wedge squealed like a stuck pig as the angry, red-haired soldier tugged his arm upward.     “Y-yes, yes,” he yelled, pounding the deck with his free hand, “for the love of– aaah–!!”     And, just like that… the hostile soldier let go, walking off without another word.

    “Wedge?”     He whimpered as he got to his feet, rolling his shoulder, making sure he still had two working limbs.  Shortly after giving a little sniffle, he snapped, “I-I’m not crying…!”     “It’s okay, partner…”  Biggs clapped his partner on the other shoulder.  “Jessie is a little… militant.”     “Yeah, I noticed!”     He gave a shaky grin… before his face lit up with realization.     “Wait, ‘Jessie?’  Wait-wait-wait, that soldier’s name is–”     “‘Jessie,’ yes,” the other soldier told him.  “As you no-doubt noticed, she’s one of the few female recruits to the Gestahlian Army.  As such, she… feels obligated to try a little harder, and tends to come off as–”     “A bitch…?” Wedge interrupted as he waggled his sore arm.     “I was going to say ‘cold,’” Biggs said with a frown.  “She doesn’t… really believe in ‘downtime,’ so anytime someone tries to get ‘chummy’ with her… well…”     “Eh, she probably just needs a good, hard–”     “Wedge!”     The shorter soldier grinned before saying, “Drink.”     Despite that, Biggs just scowled.  Then, he blinked from under his helmet.     “Wait, where are you off to?” he asked as his partner walked away from him.     “Gonna go find Jessie and apologize, of course!”     The other soldier paused before telling him, “Alright.  Best of luck, I guess.”     “Yeah-yeah!”     Wedge pumped his fist into the air, then winced and rubbed his shoulder.     “See ya later, partner!”

    The sun slowly swept across blue skies as the boat traveled along the calm seas.  Biggs volunteered for the night watch and, come twilight, found himself at the head of the ship with a lantern and a long sword.  Luckily, there wasn’t much to use the latter on, that night.     Huh…  I never noticed how beautiful the sky is, before.     Once he’d finished a patrol, he found a seat on a crate containing some sort of machinery, took off his helmet, then stared upward at the black-and-blue sky.  As expected, it was dotted with a great many spots of varying shades of white, blue, and even some purples.     You never see the sky this clearly in Vector…  Between the brightness of the Imperial Castle and all the smoke from the Magitek Laboratory, it’s a wonder we see any sort of sky…  But, looking at the different stars and lights up there…  It’s kind of relaxing.

    His eyes slipped shut and he leaned back a little, one arm on his raised knee while the other arm propped him up from behind.  Seeing the stars… hearing the spray of the waters brush against their ship… even the noise of the magic-powered engine quietly chugging and occasionally hissing…  It was all pretty peaceful.  He knew that, in a few days, he could be in for a bloody battle with the Kingdom of Doma… but, for that moment?  He felt perfectly relaxed…

    “Hey, partner.”     He opened his eyes before casually looking to one side.  Standing there, sometime after he’d zoned out, was his friend-and-partner, holding a lantern of his own.     “Wedge,” he said with a nod.  “Taking the night watch, as well?”     “Nah… I just came up for my ‘goodnight kiss!’”     As Wedge leaned down and started making a kissy face, his partner just shoved him away with a chuckle.  The two then shared a quiet smile.

    “It’s peaceful up here,” the shorter man said before looking out at the darkness ahead.     “That’s why I like the night watch,” Biggs told him.  “It gives me time to find myself…”     “Heh.  I find myself every night, stars-or-not!”     Biggs smirked and shook his head at that, making Wedge smile.     “Seriously, though.  I can dig it.  I mean, things haven’t been too hectic… but, ya know…”     He looked back to the dark waters and paused.     “This… is the calm before the storm.”     At that, Biggs gave another blink.  He thought about saying something, but decided to just watch and listen, feeling like his partner had more to say.

    “I know I was all fired-up to go on the trip, and I was excited by the idea of storming a castle, like some big damn hero… but, to be honest?  I’m… kind of scared, Biggs.”     He gave a hard swallow before continuing.     “We’ve been partners for a long-ass time, now – so long, I’ve kind’a lost count.  We’ve been in scrapes, we’ve had close calls, and despite everything… we’ve always pulled through.  But, that mission to Narshe?  Something about that mission was… different…     “We could’a died, Biggs,” he continued in a serious tone.  “That thunder whelk could’a killed us, or the scary witch-girl…  Maybe, that big bird thing.  We were even stripped of everything and left-for-dead!  Yeah… we could’a died… and, then what?”     He slowly removed his helmet, then looked at his partner.     “We would’a been replaced.

    “We’re military men, you… me… everyone on this ship, practically,” he said as he looked back out to the ship’s head.  “We’re all expendable… replaceable…  When one soldier dies, another one steps up to take his place.  That’s how the military works.  So, what does it all mean…?  Why did we choose this life?  And, why do we keep trying to make connections… friends, lovers, all that… when we know that, eventually, we’re probably just gonna lose it all to some jerk with the right weapon or better luck than us.  It’s sobering, Biggs.”     He looked up at the sky, then.     “The life of a single military man means so little in the grand scheme of things…  We’re just cogs in the magical war machine.  One breaks… you replace it.  Simple as that!”

    Biggs… didn’t know what to say to any of what he’d just heard.  He rarely knew his partner to be so serious, much less philosophical… but, after hearing everything he’d just said, he had to wonder…     “Do you have any regrets, Wedge?”     “Yeah…” he heard his partner whisper.     “What is it?”     There was a long pause… then, Wedge looked him right in the eye and said…     “I regret… you weren’t there when me ‘n Jessie made out!  Oh, man, it was great!”     The other soldier… was staggered.  “W… what.”     “She’s real passionate, partner!!” Wedge laughed as he stood back up.  “Must be all that pent-up rage from bein’ serious all-the-time…  She let it out all over me, and–”     “You disgust me.”

    Wedge blinked… then, he grinned and rubbed the back of his head.     “Whaaat?  It’s not like it was my idea!” he defensively explained.  “Just– ah, don’t let her know I told you, alright?  I’m pretty sure this was just a one-time deal, and–”     “You’re a gods-damned married man, Wedge!” Biggs interrupted, looking pretty angry.     “Oh, please…  This ain’t my first rodeo, partner!”     “And, you disgust me every time you do this!  Why do you even tell me these things?!  But…”     He seemed a little ashamed, then, as he looked away and said…     “I’m… kind of surprised.  Jessie… doesn’t seem the type to just… go for a ‘fling.’”     “I know, right?”  Wedge laughed for a moment.  “Yeah… poor girl just…  She’s sooo tired of being all business all-the-time.  But, it’s like you said: she feels like she has to just ‘cause she’s a girl!  Kind’a dumb, if you ask me!  If she’s as tough on the battlefield as she is off – and, no, that’s not an innuendo – she has nothing to worry about!  Which reminds me…  Thanks!”     “‘Thanks?’” Biggs repeated, giving his friend a suspicious look.  “What for?”     “If you hadn’t told me her name,” Wedge replied with a grin, “I couldn’t’ve broken the ice like I did!  Granted, I didn’t think it’d get me that far…  I really just wanted to apologize for coming on too strong!  Man, I’m glad I did, though!  Wowie!”     “You’re…”     The other soldier paused… then, he smiled.     “You’re a good man, Wedge.  Even if you aren’t terribly loyal to your wife.”     “Eh.”  He shrugged and grinned.  “We have an understanding.”     “Heh.  So do we…”

    The night faded without incident and Biggs joined his companion for some well-earned shut-eye.  In the afternoon that followed, they both woke up with a start!  There was a commotion coming from the top deck!     “Someone better’ve died…” Wedge grumbled as he dragged his lazy self out of bed.

    “Help!  Help!!  I can’t– glrghphg– I can’t swim!!”     That was the first thing either of them heard as they reached the top deck.  Shortly after, the two rushed over to where a majority of the crew was… only for Wedge to gasp.     “Jessie?!”     Off the side of the massive ship was a figure clad in brown armor, thrashing and splashing around in the water below.  They could have been anyone… if not for the bright, red hair whipping around their shoulders as they panicked.

    “S-somebody, do something!!” Wedge shouted to the gathered group.  “She’s drowning!”     “How did she even fall in…?” Biggs asked.     “What, were you asleep?!” a random cadet shouted at the two, prompting Wedge to nervously rub his helmet.  “We got attacked by some ravenous, giant fish!  While we were fighting, one of those beasties slammed into that soldier and threw her overboard!”     Just as he said that…     “Jessie!!”     The girl went under the drink, vanishing from sight.     “Th-that’s it!!” Wedge yelled, “I’m going in!”     “No, you’re not.”     He blinked.  Biggs had grabbed his arm, stopping him from moving.     “B-but, we can’t leave a man behind!  Especially Jessie…” he added in a whisper.     “We won’t.  But, Wedge…  You can’t swim, either.”     “What?”  He paused… then he looked down in embarrassment.  “Oh…  You’re right.”     “But, I can.”     “Huh?  W-wait!”     Before Wedge could try and stop him, Biggs grabbed the end of a coil of rope, took a run-up, and…     “Maaan overboard!!”     He leaped into the sea, punctuated by another soldier calling it out.     “What the hell was he– w-wait!!”  Wedge suddenly noticed…  “Th-the rope isn’t tied to anything!!  G-grab that rope!!”

    Five soldiers took hold of the rope, the one on the end tying it around his waist and serving as an anchor.  Not long after, Wedge looked overboard.  He could see a lot of air bubbles and a bit of splashing… but, there was no sight of either his partner nor his new friend.  At least, not until he saw…     “B… blood…!”     A cloud of red painted the murky water around the area where the air bubbles had been.     “Pull… pull him up– pull him up!!”     Wedge gave an order, and the other soldiers followed it.

    “I– I see something!  It’s Biggs!!  And… and, he’s got Jessie!!  Oh, gods!!  Guys!!”

    Minutes passed before the crew was able to fully extract the two soldiers from the tainted water.  When they did… it wasn’t a pretty sight.     Jessie had lost her helmet and, from the look of it, one eye.  Her face was covered in stains of red and green fluid – monster blood, maybe – and her arm looked like it had been shredded!  The fabric of her uniform was cut up and her armor had taken quite a few hits, as well.  However, she was breathing…     “Biggs…?  Biggs…!!”     Which was more than her savior was doing.     Much like Jessie, Biggs looked like he’d been bitten, chewed on, and cut up.  He didn’t seem quite as bad off and, in fact, looked like he’d come out victorious over whatever nasty creatures had plagued them.  But, for some reason… he just wasn’t breathing.

    “M-medic,” Wedge cried.  “W– we need a medic!!”     “What is going on, here?!”     He gave a blink… then he looked up.  Someone was cutting through the crowd, seemingly in a rush to examine the situation.  As they drew closer, Wedge recognized them…     “G… General Leo…!”

    Standing over the two bloodied bodies was an intimidating figure with dark skin and short, golden hair cut to sharp angles.  He wore a long, green jacket over a darker-green tunic, green pants made of rigid fabric, and brown boots which looked made for rugged terrain.  That figure was General Leo Christophe of the Gestahlian Imperial Army, and he did not look pleased with the situation…

    “G-General Leo, Sir!” Wedge called.  “I can–”     “Move!”     It didn’t take more than that one word for the brown-suited soldier to get out of the way.  The next thing he noticed was General Christophe checking his friend’s vitals…     “Is… is he…?” he shakily asked as the man pressed an ear against Biggs’ chest.     “He’s not breathing…” he said with a calm tone.  “His airway may be blocked.”     “What do we– G-General…?!”     Without waiting for a response, the general leaned up… only to wrap his mouth around Biggs’.  It almost looked like a kiss… but, Wedge quickly realized what he was actually doing.  Not long after…     “Huuuuuhhh– gack, ack’m, glapck–!!”     Biggs was gurgling and hacking up a lot of water and, almost-amusingly, a small fish.

    “Get these two downstairs,” Leo ordered in a stern tone, standing back up and wiping his mouth.  “They need medical attention.”     “Uh… y-yes, Sir!” a random cadet said.     “Be gentle with them,” the general added.  “We don’t know the extent of their injuries.”     “Sir!”     A moment later, Biggs and Jessie were being carried below deck.  But, as Wedge went to follow them…     “Soldier.”     He found himself being directly addressed by the general.

    “Y-yes, Sir?” he responded with the appropriate amount of respect.     “Are those two friends of yours?”     Wedge couldn’t help but feel intimidated…  He’s heard stories about Leo…  and, the strict tone to the general’s voice only seemed to confirm some of those.  But…     “Friends are a good thing to have.”     He had to blink.  Was General Christophe… smiling?

    “Go on,” he told Wedge after a moment.  “They’re waiting for you.”     “Um… y-yes, Sir.”  He hesitated… then, he called, “General Leo?”     “Yes?”     He paused…  “Thank you.”     “I’m just doing my job,” he replied in dismissal.  “But, you’re welcome.”     The general walked away then, a minute later… Wedge ran back below the deck.

    “They’re unconscious and pretty beat up…” a medic told the soldier as he asked about his friends, “but, they’ll be alright.  We can’t do anything about this soldier’s eye, though…”     “That… sucks,” was all Wedge could think to say.     “Would you like me to send someone to find you when they wake up?”     “N… no.  Well, maybe.  Yes?  I dunno… hell.”  He rubbed the back of his head before finally decided on, “Y-yeah.  Sure.  Thank you.”     The medic hesitated before suggesting, “If you’d like a moment, Sir…”     “N-no, no…  I’ll… I’ll come back after they’re cleaned up.  Thanks, though.”     “Right.”  He sighed, then smiled.  “We’ll keep you posted.”     “Thanks, again.”

    It seemed like the transition from-day-to-night took a horribly-long-time, that evening.  As Wedge found himself wandering the ship with a lantern, he couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened not a few hours prior…     “That damn idiot…” he muttered to himself.  “He should’ve let me jump in…”     “Would it have made any difference?”     “Well, considering I can’t swim, I–”     He jolted, then he spun around and found himself confronted by the stony face of…     “G-General Leo?!”     “At-ease, soldier,” Leo told him before he could even salute.

    “S-Sir…?  What are you doing out-and-about, and… uh… stuff?”     “I wanted to talk to you,” was his simple reply.     “Y… you…  Me?” Wedge stammered.     “Yeah.”  Leo cracked a smile as he asked, “Is that so surprising?”     “Well…”  It took the soldier a minute… but, he was eventually able to guess why Leo was looking for him, specifically.

    “L-look, if this is about Jessie going overboard or Biggs saving her…” he said as he looked away, “I don’t know much more than you do, Sir.  Something about big fish attacking the ship, or something…”     “How are you doing, son?”     “Huh?”     He gave a blink, looking up at the general.  He was still smiling.     “Me…?  I’m… I’m alright, I guess.  Just a little frazzled from seeing my best friend laid up.  Idiot…”     “Your friend is a good man,” General Leo told him.     “Yeah, I know…  I just…”  Wedge nervously laughed before saying, “I just wish he’d let me leap in, instead!  He’s not gonna be in any shape to storm Doma, at this rate!”     “‘Storm?’”     He winced.  General Leo was looking at him with narrowed eyes…

    “U-uh… yeah…?” he said.  “Th-that’s what the plan is, right?  Jessie – the red-head – said we’re gonna set up a camp near Doma, then–”     “Son, this is a diplomatic mission.”     “W-what?”  Wedge suspiciously narrowed his eyes.  “B-but, General Kefka said–”     “General Palazzo,” he corrected, “isn’t here.  Until he is, this is my mission,  And, I say that this is a diplomatic mission, not a mission of conquest.”     “Y… y-yes, Sir…?”  The soldier wasn’t sure what to say to that…     “There’s a saying, soldier…”     General Leo cast his steely-eyed gaze out over the side of the boat.     “‘You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.’”     “Heh.  What a stupid saying…” Wedge said without thinking.     “Is that so?”     When he realized what he’d said, he tensed…  Leo was staring at him, again.

    “I… just mean, who’d want to catch flies?” he explained.     “Idioms are, oftentimes, somewhat nonsensical.  For example, when is the last time you’ve ever heard of someone literally ‘flipping their wig’ when faced with adversity?”     “W-well… I don’t know anyone who wears a wig, but…”     “Why are ‘brass tacks’ considered the very basics of a situation?” the general continued.  “Why are the last moments before something of consequence considered the ‘eleventh hour?’  Why, in this strange world full of interesting creatures, do we liken the odds of doing something unfavorable to the chance of seeing ‘pig fly?’  These sort of sayings may not make a lot of sense… but, they are sayings that most people find great meaning in.

    “I have no intention of attacking Doma Castle if, instead, we can parlay and come to a mutually-beneficial agreement,” the general said, getting back on-topic.  “We will still prepare for a war with their kingdom… but, I pray that it does not come to that.”     “Why… are we going after this place, anyway?” Wedge suddenly asked.  “Why’s this place so important?”     “Doma is a powerful force,” Leo explained.  “Their soldiers are renowned for their discipline and, to the Emperor’s way of thinking, they would prove to be strong allies.”     “And… what do you think?”     Leo’s expression soured… but, only for a moment.     “I’m a loyal soldier of the Empire, son.  I do what the Emperor tells me.”     “You… really don’t wanna invade Doma, do you?”     He stayed silent, looking back out at the dark seas and listening to the sound of the parting waters.  It seemed like he didn’t want to answer that question.

    “I… should get back to my patrol,” Wedge eventually told the general.  “Um… I mean, if that’s all, Sir?”     “Are you okay?”     He gave a blink…  “Sir?”     “I asked you a question, son.  Not as your general…”  Leo turned his way, a smile returning to his face.  “But, as a fellow man.”     “Oh.  Well…”  Wedge paused to rub his helmet.  “Yeah… yeah, I guess I’m fine, General.  Like I said… just feel a little weird from this afternoon.”     “Your friends are going to be fine,” the general reassured him.  “We have some of the best medical technicians in the world.”     “Honestly?”  The soldier chuckled.  “I figured a couple Hi-Potions’d do it.  I mean, aside from Jessie’s eye… it’s just blood they’re missing.  Hopefully.”     “Hopefully,” Leo repeated.     Again, the two stood in silence for a few moments… then, Wedge felt the need to say something.

    “You know… you’re not as much of a hard-ass as I’ve heard,” he said with a grin.     “Thank you,” the general said, his smile warming.  “I try to be a good leader.”     “I’d say you’re doin’ alright…  Just, ya know…  You can be pretty intimidating.  Your face is kind of scary, too.”     “What’s wrong with my face?”     Leo leaned down, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.     “W… well…”     Wedge started to reply… only to become distracted as the general switched which eyebrow was raised.  When he started switching back-and-forth between eyebrows, the soldier just couldn’t keep a straight face and started laughing, which made the general smile, again.

    “Take care of yourself,” he said as their conversation concluded.  “And, take care of your friends, soldier.”     “‘Wedge,’” he told Leo.  “That’s my name, Sir.”     “‘Wedge,’ huh?  I’ll remember that name.”  He gave a nod.  “Goodnight, Wedge.”     Leo wandered off, then, leaving Wedge to return to his patrol in much higher spirits.

#fan fiction #Final Fantasy VI #Mortem In Contumeliam #commercial characters #Imperial Soldier #Wedge #Biggs #Kefka Palazzo #Jessie #Imperial Cadet #Imperial Commander #Leo Christophe #fantasy #slice of life #drama