Om bhur bhuva svah
Came that song…
Tat savitur varenyum
That he once sang to me…
Bhargo devasya dhimahi
Dhiyoyo nah prachodayat
What had I done..?
S… Sarrrima!!
I cried for my Moogle as I jolted awake. Where was the villainous sword..?
Kiki!!
Sarrrima!! The Chaosbringer… Where-?
Kiamo, please don’t take it up again!!
Did I hurt you Sarrrima?
No, Kiamo but you struck out against your friends… Kiki please read this. Please, before you consider handling that kup-orrible sword. Read this!
She pressed a sealed envelope into my hands with a look of such worry. Her big black eyes shone like polished stone, ready to burst with tears should I deny her request.
Who is this from?
Wolfknight should have given it to you… When he told you about--
Wolfknight wrote this?
No. Shagrath did.
I turned the envelope over and cracked open the wax seal. Instantly a scent I knew wafted up from within the folded paper. I drew in a long breath in anticipation.
Carefully, I unfolded the parchment and began to read…
Dearest Kiamo,
The cosmic winds of fate which brought us together have begun blowing once again. When you read this letter I will have already left. The life of someone seeking after final Moksha, Liberation, cannot be gained here in the world of an adventurer. Here in this life we struggle against evil in bloody battles which only serve to dim the light of our souls. I cannot go on this way. I must seek the inner light residing within that connects everything in the universe. I must find my way to liberation so that I may carry others too it. So that they may be free also from this world of gain and loss, happiness and sadness, pleasure and pain, and reside in a state untouched by dualities. But… before I begin this selfless quest of austerity, I.. I must perform one last selfish act for which I apologize deeply. Through our adventurers together I tried to remain detached as I went about the task fate had given to me of accompanying you. However I was not entirely successful to say the least and I know our parting may indeed be painful, and of all the people in the world I cannot bear to see you suffer… So please let me get away with this one last selfish act of writing a letter rather than seeing you face to face because I think my heart might otherwise break. Please don’t think that I am abandoning you Kiamo, I promise to you and every incarnated soul that I will not leave anyone behind in this world. No matter what, know that we are connected and that one day I will come back to show you the path to liberation.
~ Shagrath
Instantly my eyes were flooded. My cheeks were wet. I reached for a cloth to dab at my face and nose. He was not dead after all. That feeling was truth.
I cradled the letter and sunk to my knees. I didn’t know if I was crying with joy, knowing he lived, or sorrow for selfishly missing him all over again. But this… This time it was different.
I cupped the cloth to my face and closed my eyes as I rested an elbow on the table.
KuUUU-po Kiamo you have a visitor
I don't want any visitors right now, Sarrrima.
Oh, all right then Kiamo. Perhaps I can come back later then?^^
I drew in a sharp breath and dropped the cloth. Did my hunter ears deceive me? No. I could even SMELL him. Anew, not from the letter…
I whirled round, knocking all my papers and the Fafnir stature to the floor.
Sh...Sh..a…
I couldn't even speak his name, but there he was before me. Shagrath. No worse for the ware. In fact, it seemed he somehow looked even better than before. Is this a gift of enlightenment?
He closed the space between us in seconds and was in front of me on his knees before I even thought to rise.
I'll leave you two to ku-atch up! Ku-WARP!!
There we were. Alone in the space I had only recently returned to.
I gulped. I wanted... wanted to say how much I had missed him. How I had been taken captive by undead... The unspeakable horrors...
But the only sound that issued forth from my mouth was a squeak.
Tears filled my eyes, blurring my vision so much so that Sha-chan became a haze of brown, cream and brick.
Oh… Please don't cry Kiamo. Aren't you happy to see me?
I began to nod my head 'Yes!' and choked on my own tears.
He placed his hands on my shoulders, trying to quell my shaking.
I blinked, trying to focus on his eyes. They shone like polished sapphire.
He leaned closer.
His familiar scent… I drank it in with half-closed eyes.
He drew me nearer still. His cheek next to mine.
His breath on my cheek.
{/Lick}
I blinked. Confused. Then couldn’t help but crack a queer smile.
You’re getting me all wet!
I wiped my cheek with the sleeve of my tunic.
I can’t believe you just licked me Sha-chan!
Shagrath’s grin broadened.
That I did, Kiamo! There’s that smile of yours.
It was true, I was nearly giggling with the sheer randomness of being licked.
So… what are you doing here? I just read this…
I held out the letter he had written me, how long ago?
Shagrath took it, placed it on the table and beckoned me to sit beside him on the rug.
He took up my hands in his and began…
Kiamo, I was deep in meditation when, in the depths of my consciousness, I heard you.
I knew I had to come. It was already tearing at my soul that I left you behind…
I… didn’t believe Wolf.
Wolf attempted, in vein, to do me a favor I did not want. You see, Wolf didn’t read the letter. He assumed you would have been angry with me for not saying good bye to you. So he sought to place that anger on himself.
At least I would have known. I wouldn’t have gone looking and…
I know Kiamo. I’m sorry. Don’t be cross with him, please.
I shook my head and bit my lip and squeaked out…
I’m not angry with either of you… Not anymore… Somehow, with you here… Those feelings have absolved.
Shagrath asked me to tell him of my plight. I told him all I could remember of the kidnapping, and then my temptation after returning.
Kiamo, you did not recognize me then? I tried so hard to get through to you in that maddened state. Ghrenn and Wolf came to aid… You didn’t see or hear any of us?
I… Thought the sword was my truth. I couldn’t see... I didn’t believe… I’m so sorry Shagrath!!
Please forgive me!
Kiamo, you don’t have to ask me for that. I would do anything to help save you from suffering. Even… separate myself from you.
He held my hands even tighter as he quietly suggested that we return the Chaosbringer to Zeid.
I nodded in agreement.
Revenge is never the answer.
I’m afraid to touch it, Sha-chan.
Don’t be. For I have taken a vow of non-violence. That is what I have been perfecting while I was away… It was simply my touch that day that finally subdued you.
What breed of magic have you mastered Sha-chan?
It was true, for even as he sat here, holding my hands... Such an immaculate calm enveloped me that I had never known before.
It is not magic, Kiamo. Shall we?
We went to see Zeid together. When I handed over the sword he said…
It is up to you to choose whether or not you will walk down the bloody path of the dark knight. But it might be wise to confront your past, first, before you make your decision...
Your training to become a dark knight is already complete...
As long as your blade craves for the souls of your enemies, our paths may cross again. Until then, farewell.
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