Posted: 2004-11-03 10:25am
You all thought it was over, didn't you?
First Epilogue: Until the Bitter End
Frey's footsteps echoed around him as he quickly strode through the hallway. Behind him, he could still hear the applause and cheers coming from Serena's wedding. He pursed his lips, angry that he had been unable to stay for Serena's sake, but at the same time, he just knew he had to keep moving. As he walked, he occasionally passed a few Burmecians, dressed in the robes and sashes of the grotto. Several of them even looked vaguely familiar, but he didn't have time to stop and exchange pleasantries. He returned courteous nods and greetings with a short nod in return, never slacking his brisk pace.
Only once did his legs threaten to hitch up. As he passed a junction in the hallway, he happened to notice a Burmecian woman out of the corner of his eye. She looked very familiar to him, and he instinctively started to slow. But even as the name 'Miranda' occurred to him, he sped up again, leaving her in the corridor behind. Up ahead, he could see the sunlight pouring into the grotto.
As he left the grotto, he quickly looked left and right, as though checking for threats. In fact, that was exactly what he was doing. Finding nothing, he promptly turned east towards South Gate. As he walked, his eyes continually scanned the surrounding area. Time passed, and he finally decided to take a break. Even as he sat down, he heard a familiar voice speak.
"Was it an enjoyable ceremony?"
Frey Amethyst shot to his feet and spun around, Salvation already one-quarter out of her sheath.
Frey Amethyst stood atop a large boulder, still wearing his tattered black cloak. He appeared hunchbacked, but that was only due to the fact that he had to fold his wings in to fit under the cloak.
Frey Amethyst slowly eased Salvation back, but didn't let go of her entirely. "It was," he said.
Frey Amethyst chuckled softly. "I saw her in the audience chamber, you know. I even got to speak to her."
Frey started. "You'd better not have-"
"Calm yourself," Frey replied with a flippant wave. "I didn't hurt her."
"You thought about it."
"Well, I won't deny that one."
Frey grimaced. "You're more audacious than I gave you credit for."
Frey shrugged. "So, Serena's been Sealed. Now what? Back to our endless dance of chases and duels?"
"That was my idea."
The cloaked man sighed. "I grow weary of this eternal hunt."
"Like it or not, I'm chasing you down."
"To what end?"
"What?"
The red-eyed Frey sneered. "Come now, don't tell me that you haven't thought about what you're going to do with me."
"Truth be told, I haven't," the blue-eyed man replied. "My only goal is killing you, nothing more."
"Why?"
"You know why."
"Indulge me. I don't think I'm all that bad as to merit this lifelong chase."
Frey snarled. "There's some that would say otherwise. If they weren't too traumatized to speak that is." The man in the black cloak drew in a quick breath and the blue-eyed one glared at him. "I saw what you did to Corri, you sick bastard," he said. "She can't even walk on her own anymore. So don't you tell me that I shouldn't be hunting you down, and don't you dare say that you deserve a life of your own."
Frey Amethyst was silent for a time. Then, he finally shrugged. "I see that trying to sway you is useless," he said.
"You're damn right it is."
"So then, what are we to do? Wile away the years trying to kill each other? Or do we finish it here and now?" As he spoke, Frey's clawed hand rose to rest itself on Black Wind.
"Not here, and not now," Frey replied. He hesitated. "But on some level, you're right. This can't continue on forever. I want to end it as much as you do." Silence hung in the air. A cold breeze touched them both, making them shiver. "It'll be snowing soon," Frey commented.
"What do you say to a month from now?"
"Where?"
"Alexandria?"
"As good as any other, I suppose."
The red-eyed Frey slowly drew Black Wind. The other Frey watched him cautiously, knowing that he might leap at him at any moment. "A month, then. I'll see you in Alexandria. And this time..."
"...only one of us walks away," Frey confirmed.
"So be it." Frey resheathed the sword. Once that was done, he removed his cloak and folded, placing it in a pouch. The other Frey looked fully upon his darker self's features, features that were even more horrifying now that they were familiar to him.
Glaring red eyes. Shark-like teeth in a human's mouth. Ashen black skin spotted with strange scales. Hands clawed like a lizardman. A lashing black tail with a trio of wicked barbs on the end. And black, leathery, gargoyle wings that were now being stretched to their full wingspan. He flexed them once. "Thirty days. Then this gets sorted out once and for all."
"How will I find you?"
The dark Frey snorted. "You've done it plenty of times. I'm sure you can muster the strength to do it once more." With that, he flapped his wings and took off.
Frey watched him head north over the mountains. Heaven help the dragons who run into him, he thought.
With that, he turned and continued his journey east, his thoughts now locked on his upcoming duel. If everything's coming to a head, he thought, then it's finally time for me to get my ace out. A slow smile spread across his lips.
----------------------------
I'm going to die tonight. I know it in my gut. My years of freedom are coming to an end. I don't know how I know, but I do.
Thunder crashes outside, muffled somewhat by the thick walls of the church. Rain pours down from the cold night sky, drenching Alexandria. Everyone has long since run home because of the violent storm. It's the perfect night for a showdown.
For him, that is. This night will see the last three years of his life vindicated. As for me, I will likely be once again enslaved within him. Or perhaps not. Perhaps he will obliterate me completely. The heavens know I've made him angry enough.
A smile touches my lips.
I wonder how he found Corri? He certainly surprised me with that one. What really took me by surprise, though, was that she lived in the first place. Most of the females I get to know as intimately as her don't last very long.
The smile grows.
My fingers tap the hilt of Black Wind. It tries to speak to me, but I ignore it. Ceyphus. Hah. What a fool. His wraith appeared to me once, and had the audacity to try and coerce me into becoming his successor. As if I were no better then that idiot Allen! I am three times the greatness Allen could have ever hoped to have been. Ceyphus found out the hard way. I tore through his soul the way a dragon feasts on its prey, the music of his screams ringing in my ears.
Ceyphus of Alexandria will no longer threaten anyone. He was killed by a bigger predator.
My wings flex at the memory. My discarded cloak lies on the stone floor of the church. Win or lose, I won't be needing it anymore. If I am victorious tonight, there will be nothing left to stop me. I will ravage this world the way I ravaged Corri with no need to hide myself. The knights of Alexandria are too weak, the Dragon Knights too few, and the airships of Lindblum too clumsy to stop me. On the other hand, if I lose, I'll have no more need for a cloak. And for some reason, I am increasingly certain that I am going to lose tonight.
My tail lashes as I fill my lungs and bellow furiously. Hah. That should attract the weakling's attention, if he didn't already know where I was. I hear the crunching of wood as my tail slams into one of the nearby benches and breaks through the arm. I pull it out, enlarging the hole even further. It's nothing. Who cares about a bench, anyway?
Maybe Frey was right when he said I don't deserve my freedom. Hah! I don't give a damn. I'm not worried about who or what I hurt. All I care about is enjoying my hard-earned freedom. He has no idea how difficult it was for me to be trapped for all time, watching everything through his eyes, unable to move. I hurt people? I was tortured first!
And then along came Serena. I suppose I should thank that rat for being as independent as I am now. After all, without her, Frey never would have faced Allen down, and I wouldn't have found the path to my freedom. He can't imagine the sheer effort it took to will his lifeless hand to move and grasp the Black Wind. By the blade. I seized upon his agony and willed myself to be free! But...something went awry.
My original intention was to simply take his form and…modify it a bit. But when I took up the Black Wind, we split. I do not know why. And then I stood over him, gloating. Because he had triggered the Climhazzard while in full control, only he had received that grievous wound. As his eyes glazed over, I reached down and plucked the emerald pendant from his neck, assuring him that I would keep it as a memento of my victory.
I have made few mistakes as foolish as that one.
I underestimated him, badly. He whispered under his breath, and as he did so, he began to glow. I realized my blunder and quickly struck out at him, but it was already too late. Salvation – curse that sword! – swung up to stop Black Wind and my blow landed to the side. He leapt up as though he had been renewed completely. He attacked and I fled in panic. How foolish of me! I should have crushed his throat then and there, before he had learned the extent of my strength! But I was new to the world around me. Until then, I had not yet truly lived, and I was frightened. He chased me to the land's edge as though he were inexhaustible. It was only then that I rallied and fought him tooth and nail.
Repeat time and again for three years.
I care little weather I win or lose tonight. For three years, I have traveled throughout this continent, feeling and tasting it firsthand. I have walked the cobblestone streets of Alexandria. I have wandered through the great marble stadium at Treno. I have led the royal guards of Lindblum on a merry chase through the palace, enjoying every moment of it. I have stood, hooded and cloaked, before the stoic city of Burmecia. I have even seen Cleyra, from a distance. The wonders never cease.
There's a rumble, and it isn't thunder this time. Someone's banging on the door of the church. I draw Black Wind for what will be the last time.
I turn just as the locked door splinters open. It's him, as I knew it would be. He steps in, out of the rain, but makes no attempt to move closer. Our eyes lock. His burn with some divine ferocity that unnerves even me. Then, he reaches down to his waist and draws two swords. Two. The one in his left hand is familiar. A clear blade etched with various runes – I could recognize Salvation a mile away and blindfolded.
The other sword is new, but also familiar in an intangible sort of way. It is a blade of pure white. Elaborate gold tracery spirals down to a decorative hilt. I recognize this new sword. It is the antithesis to the one held in my hand. The sword of Dromenephus – White Light.
He must have found the tomb, or did Dromenephus lead him to it? Hah. I suppose it doesn't matter now, does it? I face him down and he brings the two swords up, even through we are a good thirty feet apart. No normal man would ever try to carry a pair of broadswords into a duel; it would be folly. But he is a white wizard, is he not? Equally important, he is a swordsman. He knows what he is doing.
Now I understand my premonition of death. Against Salvation I can hold my own. But against both Salvation and White Light? No. I'm dead already, and I'm just waiting for the blow to prove it to me. But then, that doesn't mean I need to go quietly does it? I slowly raise my free hand and gently lick the blood from my claws, enjoying the disgust in his eyes.
The preacher's death was one last release. One final act of wanton destruction to throw in his face.
Lightning flashes. Thunder rumbles, and he bolts forward with a yell. I roar back, every bit the beast at bay. My wings stretch and I leap at him, ready to go down fighting.
Our blades clash and the battle is joined.
First Epilogue: Until the Bitter End
Frey's footsteps echoed around him as he quickly strode through the hallway. Behind him, he could still hear the applause and cheers coming from Serena's wedding. He pursed his lips, angry that he had been unable to stay for Serena's sake, but at the same time, he just knew he had to keep moving. As he walked, he occasionally passed a few Burmecians, dressed in the robes and sashes of the grotto. Several of them even looked vaguely familiar, but he didn't have time to stop and exchange pleasantries. He returned courteous nods and greetings with a short nod in return, never slacking his brisk pace.
Only once did his legs threaten to hitch up. As he passed a junction in the hallway, he happened to notice a Burmecian woman out of the corner of his eye. She looked very familiar to him, and he instinctively started to slow. But even as the name 'Miranda' occurred to him, he sped up again, leaving her in the corridor behind. Up ahead, he could see the sunlight pouring into the grotto.
As he left the grotto, he quickly looked left and right, as though checking for threats. In fact, that was exactly what he was doing. Finding nothing, he promptly turned east towards South Gate. As he walked, his eyes continually scanned the surrounding area. Time passed, and he finally decided to take a break. Even as he sat down, he heard a familiar voice speak.
"Was it an enjoyable ceremony?"
Frey Amethyst shot to his feet and spun around, Salvation already one-quarter out of her sheath.
Frey Amethyst stood atop a large boulder, still wearing his tattered black cloak. He appeared hunchbacked, but that was only due to the fact that he had to fold his wings in to fit under the cloak.
Frey Amethyst slowly eased Salvation back, but didn't let go of her entirely. "It was," he said.
Frey Amethyst chuckled softly. "I saw her in the audience chamber, you know. I even got to speak to her."
Frey started. "You'd better not have-"
"Calm yourself," Frey replied with a flippant wave. "I didn't hurt her."
"You thought about it."
"Well, I won't deny that one."
Frey grimaced. "You're more audacious than I gave you credit for."
Frey shrugged. "So, Serena's been Sealed. Now what? Back to our endless dance of chases and duels?"
"That was my idea."
The cloaked man sighed. "I grow weary of this eternal hunt."
"Like it or not, I'm chasing you down."
"To what end?"
"What?"
The red-eyed Frey sneered. "Come now, don't tell me that you haven't thought about what you're going to do with me."
"Truth be told, I haven't," the blue-eyed man replied. "My only goal is killing you, nothing more."
"Why?"
"You know why."
"Indulge me. I don't think I'm all that bad as to merit this lifelong chase."
Frey snarled. "There's some that would say otherwise. If they weren't too traumatized to speak that is." The man in the black cloak drew in a quick breath and the blue-eyed one glared at him. "I saw what you did to Corri, you sick bastard," he said. "She can't even walk on her own anymore. So don't you tell me that I shouldn't be hunting you down, and don't you dare say that you deserve a life of your own."
Frey Amethyst was silent for a time. Then, he finally shrugged. "I see that trying to sway you is useless," he said.
"You're damn right it is."
"So then, what are we to do? Wile away the years trying to kill each other? Or do we finish it here and now?" As he spoke, Frey's clawed hand rose to rest itself on Black Wind.
"Not here, and not now," Frey replied. He hesitated. "But on some level, you're right. This can't continue on forever. I want to end it as much as you do." Silence hung in the air. A cold breeze touched them both, making them shiver. "It'll be snowing soon," Frey commented.
"What do you say to a month from now?"
"Where?"
"Alexandria?"
"As good as any other, I suppose."
The red-eyed Frey slowly drew Black Wind. The other Frey watched him cautiously, knowing that he might leap at him at any moment. "A month, then. I'll see you in Alexandria. And this time..."
"...only one of us walks away," Frey confirmed.
"So be it." Frey resheathed the sword. Once that was done, he removed his cloak and folded, placing it in a pouch. The other Frey looked fully upon his darker self's features, features that were even more horrifying now that they were familiar to him.
Glaring red eyes. Shark-like teeth in a human's mouth. Ashen black skin spotted with strange scales. Hands clawed like a lizardman. A lashing black tail with a trio of wicked barbs on the end. And black, leathery, gargoyle wings that were now being stretched to their full wingspan. He flexed them once. "Thirty days. Then this gets sorted out once and for all."
"How will I find you?"
The dark Frey snorted. "You've done it plenty of times. I'm sure you can muster the strength to do it once more." With that, he flapped his wings and took off.
Frey watched him head north over the mountains. Heaven help the dragons who run into him, he thought.
With that, he turned and continued his journey east, his thoughts now locked on his upcoming duel. If everything's coming to a head, he thought, then it's finally time for me to get my ace out. A slow smile spread across his lips.
----------------------------
I'm going to die tonight. I know it in my gut. My years of freedom are coming to an end. I don't know how I know, but I do.
Thunder crashes outside, muffled somewhat by the thick walls of the church. Rain pours down from the cold night sky, drenching Alexandria. Everyone has long since run home because of the violent storm. It's the perfect night for a showdown.
For him, that is. This night will see the last three years of his life vindicated. As for me, I will likely be once again enslaved within him. Or perhaps not. Perhaps he will obliterate me completely. The heavens know I've made him angry enough.
A smile touches my lips.
I wonder how he found Corri? He certainly surprised me with that one. What really took me by surprise, though, was that she lived in the first place. Most of the females I get to know as intimately as her don't last very long.
The smile grows.
My fingers tap the hilt of Black Wind. It tries to speak to me, but I ignore it. Ceyphus. Hah. What a fool. His wraith appeared to me once, and had the audacity to try and coerce me into becoming his successor. As if I were no better then that idiot Allen! I am three times the greatness Allen could have ever hoped to have been. Ceyphus found out the hard way. I tore through his soul the way a dragon feasts on its prey, the music of his screams ringing in my ears.
Ceyphus of Alexandria will no longer threaten anyone. He was killed by a bigger predator.
My wings flex at the memory. My discarded cloak lies on the stone floor of the church. Win or lose, I won't be needing it anymore. If I am victorious tonight, there will be nothing left to stop me. I will ravage this world the way I ravaged Corri with no need to hide myself. The knights of Alexandria are too weak, the Dragon Knights too few, and the airships of Lindblum too clumsy to stop me. On the other hand, if I lose, I'll have no more need for a cloak. And for some reason, I am increasingly certain that I am going to lose tonight.
My tail lashes as I fill my lungs and bellow furiously. Hah. That should attract the weakling's attention, if he didn't already know where I was. I hear the crunching of wood as my tail slams into one of the nearby benches and breaks through the arm. I pull it out, enlarging the hole even further. It's nothing. Who cares about a bench, anyway?
Maybe Frey was right when he said I don't deserve my freedom. Hah! I don't give a damn. I'm not worried about who or what I hurt. All I care about is enjoying my hard-earned freedom. He has no idea how difficult it was for me to be trapped for all time, watching everything through his eyes, unable to move. I hurt people? I was tortured first!
And then along came Serena. I suppose I should thank that rat for being as independent as I am now. After all, without her, Frey never would have faced Allen down, and I wouldn't have found the path to my freedom. He can't imagine the sheer effort it took to will his lifeless hand to move and grasp the Black Wind. By the blade. I seized upon his agony and willed myself to be free! But...something went awry.
My original intention was to simply take his form and…modify it a bit. But when I took up the Black Wind, we split. I do not know why. And then I stood over him, gloating. Because he had triggered the Climhazzard while in full control, only he had received that grievous wound. As his eyes glazed over, I reached down and plucked the emerald pendant from his neck, assuring him that I would keep it as a memento of my victory.
I have made few mistakes as foolish as that one.
I underestimated him, badly. He whispered under his breath, and as he did so, he began to glow. I realized my blunder and quickly struck out at him, but it was already too late. Salvation – curse that sword! – swung up to stop Black Wind and my blow landed to the side. He leapt up as though he had been renewed completely. He attacked and I fled in panic. How foolish of me! I should have crushed his throat then and there, before he had learned the extent of my strength! But I was new to the world around me. Until then, I had not yet truly lived, and I was frightened. He chased me to the land's edge as though he were inexhaustible. It was only then that I rallied and fought him tooth and nail.
Repeat time and again for three years.
I care little weather I win or lose tonight. For three years, I have traveled throughout this continent, feeling and tasting it firsthand. I have walked the cobblestone streets of Alexandria. I have wandered through the great marble stadium at Treno. I have led the royal guards of Lindblum on a merry chase through the palace, enjoying every moment of it. I have stood, hooded and cloaked, before the stoic city of Burmecia. I have even seen Cleyra, from a distance. The wonders never cease.
There's a rumble, and it isn't thunder this time. Someone's banging on the door of the church. I draw Black Wind for what will be the last time.
I turn just as the locked door splinters open. It's him, as I knew it would be. He steps in, out of the rain, but makes no attempt to move closer. Our eyes lock. His burn with some divine ferocity that unnerves even me. Then, he reaches down to his waist and draws two swords. Two. The one in his left hand is familiar. A clear blade etched with various runes – I could recognize Salvation a mile away and blindfolded.
The other sword is new, but also familiar in an intangible sort of way. It is a blade of pure white. Elaborate gold tracery spirals down to a decorative hilt. I recognize this new sword. It is the antithesis to the one held in my hand. The sword of Dromenephus – White Light.
He must have found the tomb, or did Dromenephus lead him to it? Hah. I suppose it doesn't matter now, does it? I face him down and he brings the two swords up, even through we are a good thirty feet apart. No normal man would ever try to carry a pair of broadswords into a duel; it would be folly. But he is a white wizard, is he not? Equally important, he is a swordsman. He knows what he is doing.
Now I understand my premonition of death. Against Salvation I can hold my own. But against both Salvation and White Light? No. I'm dead already, and I'm just waiting for the blow to prove it to me. But then, that doesn't mean I need to go quietly does it? I slowly raise my free hand and gently lick the blood from my claws, enjoying the disgust in his eyes.
The preacher's death was one last release. One final act of wanton destruction to throw in his face.
Lightning flashes. Thunder rumbles, and he bolts forward with a yell. I roar back, every bit the beast at bay. My wings stretch and I leap at him, ready to go down fighting.
Our blades clash and the battle is joined.