Chapter One: Big City Dreams
Rikku and I paddled as hard as we could across the small stretch of water between Destiny Islands and Twilight Town. I couldn’t wait even that long, though, and jumped out early, splashing through the shallow water and tugging the raft along behind me. Riku tied up the raft securely and then ran after me. As he drew level with me, he caught hold of my arm. “Slow down a little, Haru. It won’t be long until we get there, okay?” I shook my head wordlessly. I couldn’t wait; I was worried. What if Gildas or Zexion had been hurt?
I was practically sprinting through Twilight Town. I wasn’t one for running usually, but I had to get to Lindblum – now. That was the only thing I could think of then, and it span round my head over and over and over again. I slipped in a puddle and crashed to the floor, my tears mingling with the rain. Riku ran up to me, skidding to a stop and spraying water everywhere. “Are you okay?” he panted. I nodded, and dragged myself up, walking on. I was going much slower now, but I could see Lindblum…we were almost there…so close…couldn’t stop now.
Eventually Riku and I got to Lindblum. We were waved into the castle by a familiar guard, and ran to the throne room. Riku shoved the door open, and we stood in the doorway, soaking wet, dripping on the crimson carpets, and shivering. I blinked heavily, my words dying before they could leave my mouth.
Me and Zexion headed over to the crash site. Buildings were burning, and a large object lay in the centre of an even larger crater. Zexion nodded to me, and I shouted as loud as I could. “EVERYONE OUT OF THE WAY!” In the short time I’d spent as King (Or Regent as they called me here) I’d acquired a royal accent, and my voice had become less teenager-ish and more adult. Everyone turned, saw me, bowed and stepped backwards, clearing a path for me. I did so love being Royal.
I was determined not to let anyone know about the dances. Since I obtained the Summoner’s Soul from Belgemine, my powers had grown vastly, so I didn’t need to dance. I did, occasionally, for company, bringing the summons back from Feymarch and inquired as to how things were, how much Ramuh’s cloak cost, and where Shiva got her new Dolce & Gabbana glasses. Despite my rudeness before, all the Aeons had become quite kind towards me, and I enjoyed their senses of humour and Magical jokes. Still, no-one but Zexion and I knew of the dancing, and no-one else would find out.
I closed my eyes. Water is what I’d need. Bringing my left hand up, I opened my eyes, and threw my hand forward. My eyes, now a shocking aquamarine, darted to each burning building, and the water erupting from my hand followed my gaze. Just to give the spectators a show, I followed my gaze with my finger, so anyone but Zexion would think that I was controlling it lazily with my finger.
With the flames fully extinguished, I walked over to the edge of the crater. Zexion followed me, careful not to slip his hand in mine: Our relationship would have been frowned upon by the general public, if they knew. He peered over my shoulder as I gazed into the pit, scarcely believing my eyes. There was no rock in the pit. No shooting star, no asteroid. Only the curled up body of a dragon, sighing its last breath, with a young man lying protected on its chest. I saw a shock of red hair, thinking back to Axel, and my regrettable actions towards him. The man stirred, looked up. He seemed dazed. “Wha-? Why are you wearing the Regent’s robes? Where’s Regent Cid?”
I sighed deeply, and rested my head on Riku’s shoulder. Of course he wasn’t here; he would be out in the town square by now, dealing with the problem – because that was the sort of leader he was. I looked up at Riku questioningly, and he nodded, before taking my hand and leading me back through the castle, walking quickly again.
We emerged from Lindblum Castle, blinking in the strange sunlight. It had been raining when we went in; so Gildas must be messing with the weather? I laughed delightedly; that meant Gildas was okay! I skipped down the narrow streets, closely followed by Riku. And then I saw him, standing on the edge of a big hole, peering downwards, his back to me. It felt like too long since I had seen him – even though really it had only been, what? A few days? A week at max. I sprinted over to him, and flung my arms around his neck. But I hadn’t quite stopped running as I did so, forgetting about the big hole in front of him, and we both tumbled down the slope of the crater uncontrollably.
When we finally lay at the bottom of the hole, I began laughing again. “Gildas!” I cried, but he didn’t look too happy. Then I realised why not; he was acting as Regent right now, and dealing with a big problem. I didn’t know what to say, and instead stepped back silently, suddenly scared of Gildas. He stood up slowly, and brushed himself, constantly maintaining his regal air. And then he turned his back to me, and – ignoring me completely – addressed a red haired man that I had not noticed before, sprawled on a dragon. I didn’t know what to do with myself, so I just stood and watched their conversation, waiting to be involved by one of them.
I really didn’t want to do it. I hadn’t seen Haru for around a week, but it felt like an age, what with Court Petitions and all the other legal stuff Kings and Queens conveniently forget to mention. I wanted to hug her back, but I couldn’t. I was Regent now. I had a duty. And so I turned to the young man instead, maintaining my airs and graces.
“I may ask a similar question of you. Who are you? Why are you lain upon a dragon, and why is said dragon in the middle of a crater in my kingdom?” The man looked up at me again. I had walked closer to him, and he jumped backwards. “YOU!” He leapt at me with his blade held high, and I dodged in an instant. Turning, I whipped my scythe out from under my robes, parried his next blow and focused my energy on creating four walls of clear ice around him. He was trapped, but we could still hold a decent conversation.
“Sephiroth! Why are you ruling Lindblum! How could you! You killed Zidane!” I looked questioningly at him. “Where to start… Firstly, my name is not Sephiroth, it is Gildas. I am ruling Lindblum as the only heir of the late Regent Cid, his nephew. My uncle passed away not three moons passed. How could I what, cast you in Ice? I have control over the elements. And finally, I have never met a man named Zidane, nor would I wish to kill a seemingly innocent person.” The man didn’t falter. “Come over here. I want to see your eyes.” The blue of the ice fading from my eyes, returning them to gold, I walked over to the ice wall and looked through. He looked back, seeing the kindness in my eyes, and fell back. “My lord! I didn’t see. Forgive me.” He knelt before me. “You are not Sephiroth… his eyes were harsh. The gold in your eyes reflects an inner spark of light.”
I felt calmer. No longer seeing the need to protect myself, I hid the scythe once more. “I have answered your questions. Now, your name and reason for being here, unless you wish to remain behind those four walls.” It seemed a little harsh, but he had just ridden a dragon into the middle of my Kingdom. I wasn’t too happy, to be totally honest. “My name is Blank. Me and my friend Zidane were in a group called the Signo Squad, ordered by Regent Cid to protect the Golden Chamber. We kind of failed, though. Light was killed, Seifer was found dead in Balamb Garden, Rikku was killed by Magic Lightning and Demyx just disappeared. Zidane and I lead the fight against a man named Sephiroth, but we failed, and Zidane was killed. Sephiroth shot me back here like a bullet.”
Haru had fallen to the ground, and was hugging her knees. She tumbled at the word Seifer, something she wasn’t telling me? Of course, I was taken aback too. Demyx. He was protecting the Golden Chamber? Couldn’t be. No chance. He infiltrated the group in order to gain the location, just like he attacked Roxas. He wasn’t there to protect. “Thank you, Blank. You have been honest with me, I see it in your eyes. Please. We have many guest rooms at the Castle, you may rest until you are ready to continue your quest.” I whistled. Two moogles appeared. “Nazna and Grimo, at your service, Regent!” I nodded. “These two moogles are trained as healers. They will cure your wounds and treat your frailty. Stay as long in my kingdom as you wish.
