[Caves of Narshe 4]

Always and Forever
Ardreju (Michelle Becker)
Prologue	Chapter 1	Chapter 2	Chapter 3
Chapter 4	Chapter 5	Chapter 6	Chapter 7
Chapter 8	Chapter 9	Chapter 10
Heh heh... what kind of name is Ardreju? Nah, just kidding. It's a cool fic by a cool girl. ^_^ A little innuendo and language, but nothing bad. Deal with it. <g> BTW... one of the best fanfics I have ever read.

Chapter 2
	He had decided to come. Why had he come? What was the purpose, the use? He had no reason to be here, no one he wanted to see. His life was empty, and the feelings of life had died long ago. Ever since her… He did want to see someone. Shadow sighed, staring up at the massive castle Figaro. He had brought the invitation with him, and the guards let him in, but he was wondering if he should exit those same gates. Exit something he may never experienced or escaped. Friends, love, emotions. He had survived just fine without any for so long. But that was it-he had survived. Never really lived. He had endured life. No, this is easier. No feelings, and no concern. That way there is no pain. And pain ate at me one time, nearly consumed me. Life always brings pain. Pain destroys me. But her. Her. Strago tells me she has grown. Far beyond her years. Like… Like her mother. Shadow shuddered. Pain was creeping up on him-it had to stop. Why was he here? Why had he come? He looked ahead of him. He had a choice. Into the castle. There laid a different life, one he feared and was not willing to go into. Behind him were the gates. Back outside. Back into being lonely, but comforted by that loneliness. Back into a life that others saw impossible to live. Next to him, Interceptor barked, looked around the courtyard, and settled in near a small flower garden. Shadow considered one more time, and made his move. He went forward. ******* "Okay, who's' next?" Edgar grabbed Relm by the hand, and led her to the dance floor. "You know the steps?" Relm nodded, saying nothing, and placed her hand in the king's. Edgar smiled down at her, but he felt an ache in his heart. She had grown up so fast; he almost missed the giggling brat. Terra sat with Gogo, breathless from a recent dance with Sabin. She had hardly talked to Gogo since Kefka's fall, and something about the mimic put more and more questions into her head. "Gogo?" she asked softly. Gogo turned his head towards her, his brightly-clothed head showing nothing but a set of brown eyes. "Yes?" He was male; they had all figured that out by his voice. And he was soft-spoken, like Cyan. And that was about all she knew. "Why don't you tell us who you are? Are you afraid?" Gogo turned away from her, eyes on the dancers. "Perhaps." "Why?" He chuckled. "Ah, you are persistent." He paused. "I…am not someone you would probably like too much." Terra smiled. "You trying to scare me?" "Perhaps." "Well, I am determined to figure out who you are." Gogo fixed his eyes back on her, amused. "You know what I have always wondered about you, Terra?" She shook her head. "Why you are so sad?" Terra felt her heart skip a beat "How…" He chuckled again. "I guessed. You have an aura about you, and it is soft and fragile. I've seen that look before. I know." She was speechless. Gogo sighed. "I'll make a deal with you, Terra. When you tell me why you are sad, I shall tell you, and the others, who I am. Deal?" She hardly knew Gogo, therefore she couldn't tell the man her feelings or thoughts. But she knew over time, when she could trust him, then perhaps she could tell him. And Gogo knew this. She had to admit he was clever. "Deal," she agreed, pumping his hand to seal the bargain. ***** Locke smiled. "Ah, the great one has arrived!" he cried joyously. Setzer smiled as he entered the ballroom, humorously giving Locke the finger. He was wearing his long leather jacket, complete with matching gloves and pants, and a silk shirt. He had chopped some of his hair off; the white locks now touched his shoulders. Gau and Relm knocked him down by hugging him happily and asking him repeatedly to promise them a ride on the Falcon. Locke then stepped up to him, hugging him warmly, and the others followed suit. "Always has to show off," Edgar joked. Setzer smiled sheepishly. "Well…" he began. Locke laughed. "Too great for words." "Oh, hush!" Setzer playfully punched him in the arm. "Shadow!" Gau and Relm were hugging the ninja who had followed Setzer. Edgar clapped his hands. "Oh, we are all here!" he exclaimed happily. "I have a special banquet prepared for us. Come, let us eat." Sabin laughed. "Food?!" he cried with a laugh. ***** Terra leaned back against the rail, laughing softly. "What a night," she murmured happily. It was hours after the dinner and ball, and Setzer had dropped off everyone except Terra, who decided to hang out for a few days and keep her friend company. She hadn't spent time withSetzer in a while. In fact, she had never really spent time with him. He never seemed to be a talkative, open type. But everyone had changed in some way since Kefka's downfall. She worried about all, and cared about all. Including Setzer. Setzer glanced worriedly at her. "Be careful, you might fall," he warned. Terra smiled, leaning back further. The wind blew softly through her emerald-tinted blonde locks. "Oh, what if I did this?" she giggled. Setzer frowned. "Terra, when you plummet to your death and end up in a bloody heap, I will do nothing but shake my head and say 'I told you so'." Terra laughed. "You would cry like there's no tomorrow." "Maybe." Setzer smiled. "I could just laugh. In fact, I'd probably throw a party. Maybe a ball like Edgar had…" Terra frowned at him, tossing her head like she had been insulted. Setzer turned his face to the wind. "You look like you're deep in thought," he replied. Terra nodded. "I'm still shocked that Gogo came. I thought he would have forgotten about us." Setzer nodded. "I was a little surprised too. But I'm glad he came." Terra turned to her friend. "There's something about him, Setz. He gives me this weird feeling." "Is it a bad feeling?" Terra shook her head. "No, but it's strange. Really strange." ***** Celes was crying again. She knew her and Locke would argue. She could not hide from him, and that night he confronted her and demanded to know what was wrong. And what had been wrong? He was always off, more than she was, and she was sick of being alone. She was sick of him needing to feel like he always had to go out and do something. Take a break, she told him. He grew angry, saying it was his life and not hers. That brought up even more issues, and in the end he stormed out, leaving her alone once again. She cried harder. Why did she tell him she loved him? It brought her joy, but pain as well. She tried so hard to keep Locke settled down; to give him all he needed. But he was restless, and he could not be held down. She had never needed anyone, but with Locke it was a necessity. She needed him as much as he needed her. But he would push her to such an edge she felt as if she would never recover. How did she let herself become so weak? ******* Relm was in bed, but sleep wouldn't come to her mind or body. She let her eyes roam around the room, taking in all the drawings, sketches, and paintings she had spent her thirteen years on. Dolls filled the shelves. Various stuffed animals littered the floor. Pencils, crayons, paint, brushes and paper dominated her desktop. Her room was a contradiction. Artist and child. Relm hurled a pillow at a darkened corner. I am not a child, she told herself silently. I am a young woman, and I have to be strong like one. Being a child did nothing for me. Who was he? Who was her father? Where was he? Why did he leave her? Was he even alive? Tears formed in her eyes. She had learned not to cry, in presence of others at least. Strago knew who he was. And he would not tell her. He denied it, but she knew. He wanted her mind to forget him, her heart to heal. But she would not forget. She couldn't. She would find him. ********* Edgar turned in his bed, laughing softly at the picture of Sabin's face in the morning when he found out Edgar had slept alone. Not that he was forced too. He always had the girls lined up. But he was tired, and he actually needed real sleep tonight. What a night it had been. And a pleasant one too. Everyone had come. It should be like that more often. He hardly got to see the others, especially Terra. Terra. Oh man, if he had a grain of sand for every time she came to his mind. Figaro Desert would double in size. He knew she had had feelings for him, and he knew he cared for her. But as much as he loved her, he couldn't make sacrifices for her. As much as he hated to admit it, he would take more from her than he could give her. As much as… He woke up, shaking his head groggily. The room had gotten a bit chilly, so he rose from his bed to close the windows. It was then he heard a noise. He whirled around, grabbing a knife from his desk. "Oh Edgar, you always were the one at the ready." Edgar's steel-blue eyes roamed the room, looking for the source of the voice. He saw no one. "No need to fear, I haven't come here to harm you." "Where are you?" Edgar asked shakily. "Well, it depends. I can be anywhere. It all depends on how you look at it. I get around." Cold sweat broke out on Edgar's forehead. He was freaking out. "Who are you?" He heard a rustle, like the sound of whispering dreams. Still he saw nothing. "Behind you, King." Edgar turned, and dropped the knife in shock and horror. The figure smiled, bowing gracefully before Edgar. "Hello, your Majesty," Kefka greeted smoothly.
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