Terra

by Nona Mae King

  He forced a smile. "The alchemist is operating on her now."

  "What?" Locke stepped up to Edgar with an air of amusement. "That old bat?"

  Cyan held back. "Celes, did thee discover that which would be of use to her?"

  Celes looked over at the Doma soldier and nodded. "I think so."

  "Then thee had best hurry below."

  Celes nodded, sent Edgar another comforting glance, and hurried downstairs while Edgar watched in confusion.

  "Don't worry, brother," Sabin said with a smile. "We'll tell you what's been going on."

  "Please do," Edgar sat at the table and looked at the four men with an air of expectancy. "You might as well start by how you arrived here so quickly. After all, you don't have the luxury of flight."

  "Chocobo's run pretty fast, brother. Especially when you hold their favorite food out in front of them."

  Edgar shook his head with a chuckle, the good times they'd once shared together flowing back into his memory by slow degrees. Yes, this is what I needed. Their support and friendship is what will help me through this torturous waiting.

  Locke chuckled despite himself. "They ran so fast we had problems holding on. It was great. Maybe Celes and I should go into Choco breeding and bring up some racers."

  "Don't forget that though they are cute, they smell quite bad," Setzer reminded.

  Cyan cleared his throat. "Perhaps thee should remain closer to the subject at hand."

  The group looked over at him with a grimace. Then they told Edgar of the second confrontation with Ledo, of the technical jungle Locke had to wade through, and the display that showed Terra dying. Edgar clenched his jaw through most of it, keeping his comments to himself, but once Setzer ended his side of the telling and Locke began again, he couldn't refrain any longer.

  "Where is Shadow? Why isn't he here to tell us what he discovered?"

  Locke and Setzer exchanged a glance, then looked over at Sabin who shrugged.

  "Well, brother, Shadow disappeared soon after telling us about the little mechanical whatchamacallits that Ledo put in Terra's head."

  "Why?" Edgar asked.

  Sabin shrugged. "He said he had some unfinished business and then disappeared without another word. Just gave us a little metal thingamabob and said the alchemist would need it to save Terra's life."

  "So Ledo is dead then?"

  Locke and Setzer nodded while Sabin offered a more in-depth answer. "Yeah, you could say that. Shadow apparently had it out for the guy for a long time. Vengeance is a serious business, and he takes it to heart. I don't think there's enough of the guy to--"

  "I think that's enough information, Sabin. Thanks," Locke cut in.

  Sabin smiled. "Whatever I can do to help."

  Edgar stared at his hands a moment. "The reason Ledo wanted Terra?"

  "Power, plain and simple." Sabin spoke up before anyone else could offer an explanation. "It seems our techno-freak wonder-boy wanted the cookies from her cookie jar and didn't care what he had to do to get them. He remembered the experiments he'd done on her and figured that would be his best chance."

  "How in the world did he get her to believe her kids were kidnapped?"

  Locke stepped forward with a shake of his head. "I'm not sure I really understand that. Something about the device in her head being open to certain kinds of suggestions. I guess that purple light we saw was a kind of output for the specific suggestion she needed. Once the idea was placed, the device in her inner ears ran with it with sound effects, visuals, and the whole nine-yards."

  "That would be the reason she was certain he wasn't in Jidoor when he actually was," Setzer put in. "He suggested to her the logical reasoning why he wouldn't be and let his machine do the rest."

  Edgar nodded absently. "I see."

  "We're not really sure why you and her. . . I mean. . ." Locke flushed and glanced at Sabin. "You tell him. He's your brother."

  Sabin chuckled. "You didn't get the hots for her after leaving Jidoor because the device inhibits some kind of hormone produced by the brain. It's the opposite of an aphrodisiac." Sabin looked real proud of himself. "Hey. That sounded downright brainy."

  Edgar stood and stared out the window a moment before turning to leave. Sabin and the others watched him with a concerned expression before talking amongst themselves once he'd gone.

  "I hope she survives. It will likely kill him otherwise," Setzer said as he dug some cards from his jacket.

  Locke nodded and made his way over to the table. "You've got that right. I never really believed how much he loved her until I saw the look on his face in Zozo when he thought I would leave her behind. He nearly strung me up by my heels when I said that."

  Sabin crossed his arms with a nod. "That's my brother for you. When he does something, he goes all the way. Sure, he tries to tell himself that it will be better all the way around for him to leave her as she is, just her and her kids, but he knows it's a crock. Deep down he knows. I just hope he admits to himself that he deserves to be happy too."

  "I hear you," Locke said with a nod.

  Setzer dealt a hand of cards and examined them thoroughly. "Perhaps it will be a double wedding yet, eh Locke?"

  Cyan, who had remained extremely still and quiet, cleared his throat and made a surprising comment. "All of thee must comprehend a significant truth about our King of Figaro."

  Locke, Setzer, and Sabin looked over at Cyan in surprise. "What?" They asked the question as one.

  "He treasures her too greatly to appeal for her hand when he is of the opinion that she experiences naught but friendship for him. He would in no way deposit her into such an awkward position."

  "That's nuts," Sabin objected hotly. "If he doesn't tell her how he feels, she never will. The poor girl doesn't really know anything about that kind of love, Cyan. You know that."

  "Such may be," Cyan agreed, "nevertheless, this is the truth as I see it."

  "Let's hope you're wrong," Setzer said.

  "No kidding," Locke said roughly. "The last thing Figaro needs is a love-starved king."

  "The last thing I need is a bachelor brother who never really wanted to be a bachelor in the first place," Sabin shot back. "If only we could talk to Terra before Edgar had a chance. We might get her to see. . ."

  Locke noticed a twinkle in Sabin's eye and cringed. "I don't want any part of it."

  "Aw, come on. We never get to have any fun," Sabin complained.

  "Locke, let's at least hear him out," Setzer said with a smile. "What's your plan?"

  "Simple. Make him jealous."

  "What?" Locke shook his head and rearranged his cards. "All you brothers are the same. Poor Terra. If she agrees to actually marry one of you. . . I'll slow dance with Umaro at the wedding."

  Sabin grinned. "Now that's a wager I can't refuse."

  9: The Proposal

  They weren't even the size of Edgar's thumbnail, but they'd caused more misery and heartache than could be imagined.

  Edgar handed the two devices back to the alchemist and stared down at Terra's pale face. The operation had lasted too many hours to count, but the wait wasn't over. Terra's body had to fight the adverse effects at having the foreign technology active in her body after so long a period of silence. The alchemist assured him she'd pull through, he just didn't know how long it would take. So he'd given her a blend of herbs that would let her sleep until her body believed it had healed enough.

  Then she'd either wake up or pass away while she slept.

  Edgar caressed her cheek with a single finger. Terra. . . Please.

  "You really must leave," the alchemist rasped in his ear. "She needs quiet rest and you gawking at her would set my teeth on edge so you best leave."

  Edgar gazed down at her for a long moment more, and then he made his way upstairs to wait yet another day.

  ~~~

  "Brother, I've got to ask you something."

  Edgar looked up from his book to examine Sabin's face. There was something odd about the
expression in his eyes. "What is it?"

  "It's kind of. . . Well it's kind of a sensitive subject."

  Edgar raised an eyebrow and set his book aside. He gestured to the seat across from his at the café in Kohlingen. "Have a seat."

  Sabin looked at the manager of the café, ordered a glass of hot cider, and then sat across from his brother. "It's about Terra."

  Edgar forced a calm expression. "Yes?"

  Memories of Sabin's visits to Terra and the kids in Mobliz had begun to plant a seed of jealousy. Especially when his visits had always been the subject of the brothers' conversations at Figaro Castle. Sabin had never failed to inform Edgar of the littlest incident regarding the children or Terra, whether it was a lost tooth, lost pet, or new hairstyle. At the time, Edgar had thought Sabin only tried to get Edgar to visit her for himself, but now he wasn't so sure. Perhaps. . . Edgar pushed the thought aside and tried to focus on what Sabin said.

  "Well. . . Um. . ." Sabin rubbed at his neck, accepted the cider from the manager, and guzzled it in a couple swallows. "I think I'm in love with her," he blurted.

  The confession had hardly been unexpected, but it still drove a spear through Edgar's gut with the force of anything he'd ever experienced. Edgar was sure he paled just by the expression in Sabin's eyes before he glanced away.

  "I know I've been telling you you're crazy about her and that you should marry her. . . I guess what I'm saying now is that I want to do that."

  "I see." Edgar looked down at his book. Thoughts wouldn't come. He forced a smile as he again met Sabin's eyes. "Well brother, you're quite welcome to marry Terra."

  Sabin blinked. "A-Are you sure? I was so. . . Are you sure?"

  Edgar presented his hand. "I often thought something was blossoming between you two simply by the way you spoke of her. You shall make her a wonderful. . . she shall be a lovely bride. Congratulations, brother."

  Sabin took Edgar's hand, shaking it slowly before standing to leave the room with several backward glances. Edgar could feel every one focused on the back of his head. When the door of the café closed behind Sabin, Edgar placed the book on the table, paid his tab, and stood to go.

  Locke met him on the way out. "What's this business I hear about Terra getting married to Sabin?"

  "That's the newest bit of gossip, I hear," Edgar said jovially enough. "In fact, he just asked my permission."

  "You said yes?" Locke was shocked. "Edgar, can you be serious about your feelings for Terra at least once in your life?"

  Edgar frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

  Locke opened is mouth to reply, but then he shook his head. "Never mind. If this is your choice, then you're the one who has to live with it. See you at the damned wedding."

  He strode to the north part of town. Edgar headed in the opposite direction.

  ~~~

  "This was your big plan?" Locke sounded annoyed as he cornered Sabin outside the alchemist's house. "Now he's sure he's found her the perfect husband, you blasted muscle-headed moron! Do you think he's going to propose to her now that he believes you love her?"

  Sabin put a hand on Locke's shoulder to calm him down. "Locke, take it easy. I know my brother. He believes it's a good idea with his brain, but it won't last. The alchemist says Terra should be waking up any day now. The minute she asks for him and not me. . . Zap, he'll be over his attempt at chivalry in no time. You just wait and see."

  "That's what you said before. You were sure he would tell you to--"

  "I said that's what I would do. I didn't say he would do it."

  "Then what was the point?"

  Sabin chuckled and shook his head. "To let him know there was competition. If there's anything my brother hates more than an unresponsive woman, it's competition for what he wants."

  "What about what Cyan said?"

  This brought a scowl to Sabin's face. "Yeah, I've been worrying about that too. Maybe Celes should talk to Terra before we tell Edgar she's awake."

  Locke rubbed at his forehead. "My head hurts."

  Sabin laughed. "Come on, Locke. We haven't even started having fun yet."

  "Well where the hell is Setzer?" Locke asked as he looked around. "Maybe he can talk some sense into you idiots."

  "Setzer split. Mumbled something about. . ."

  "Let me guess. Unfinished business."

  "Hey. How'd you know that?"

  Locke grumbled under his breath and strode away.

  ~~~

  "What are we going to do?" Celes asked Locke as she took his hand. "He'll be miserable without her, and she'll never know what it's like to love someone other than her kids."

  Locke squeezed her hand with a sigh as they exited the inn. Edgar still refused to go to Terra's side. He'd hoped that the sight of Terra's helpless and sleeping form would have inspired Edgar against Sabin and Terra's marriage. No such luck.

  "I know, princess," he said now, "but we can't force them together. It's got to happen on it's own. As soon as she wakes up you just need to talk to her and try to find out if she really does love the old bum. Then we'll see what we can do about him."

  They headed for the alchemist's cabin again, Sabin coming to walk beside the two as Cyan trailed behind. Sabin gave Celes a smile. "You know what to do, right?"

  She frowned. "I'm going to be a friend, that's what I'm going to do. I'm not going to plant any hints or ideas. I'm not going to coax her into thinking something about Edgar that isn't truthful. Or about you either. We'll talk about what she wants to talk about and that's that."

  Celes sent Locke a loving smile and squeezed his hand; then she shot Sabin another glare before striding ahead toward the alchemist's home. Her blond hair waved in the slight early morning breeze.

  "I would say she does not approve of this intrigue thee hath planned," Cyan remarked.

  "No kidding." Sabin shrugged. "If it works, she'll take the credit. Just wait."

  Locke groaned. He regretted any part he'd ever played in the whole scheme.

  10: A Confession of Dreams

  "Edgar." Cyan placed a hand on Edgar's shoulder.

  Edgar turned from the window of his room at the inn. "She's awake?"

  "Yes. She asks for thee."

  An initial hesitation flamed by a surprising ember of fear tightened his chest. "Is she well enough to receive visitors? Shouldn't she be allowed to rest?"

  "The alchemist believes that refusing her thy presence when she insists so vehemently would be unwise. Thou must be brief, but it is recommended."

  Edgar gave a brief nod, clapping Cyan on the shoulder once before exiting the inn and slowly walking toward the alchemist's house. He'd been hard-pressed to entice his mind and body to rest the entire time she'd been sleeping, remaining in his seat by the window of his room while everyone else made their way to the alchemist's house to sit with her motionless form. Sabin and Locke had both tried to persuade him to go, but he'd stood firmly behind his belief that it wouldn't do much good to over-exhaust her. He'd promptly told them to let him be.

  Edgar entered the house, pausing at the crest of the stairs that led to the basement where, previously, the alchemist had preserved Rachel's body; until the Phoenix had released her spirit and used it to give itself rebirth. How lucky I am to not be in the same position. Would I survive her death? Would I have the strength to move on with the knowledge that she would no longer be beside me as friend and comforter? He didn't believe he would.

  Edgar took in a deep breath, pressing aside the fear of what steps he considered as he forced himself to descend the stairs. Terra's form seemed so slight and delicate in the bed, her pale face appearing even more innocent and. . . free from impurities. It brought to his mind his own past of sexual freedoms and twistings of innocent hearts so similar to hers. It made him cringe to know he had considered perverting her existence.

  Edgar's chest tightened as he pushed away the possibilities and fantasies. Sabin was indeed more worthy of her than he.

  Edgar came to stand beside h
er bed. She opened her eyes and focused on his. "The sleeping beauty awakes, I see," he said with a gentle smile. Kneeling beside her bed, he took her hand and caressed her pale cheek. "You gave us quite a fright, my lady. You should be clapped in irons for terrorizing me so. You showed this king no mercy."

  Terra's unique eyes glistened with tears as her lips trembled. She clutched his hand tighter. "The children. Are they all right?"

  She struggled to get out of bed, but Edgar held her gently back. "The children are fine, Terra. It's you that has us worried."

  Terra blinked up at him. "Me? Why?" Her eyes suddenly glimmered. "A-Am I dying?"

  The question hit Edgar like one of Umaro's fists, and he couldn't suppress the cringe fast enough. She saw it and closed her eyes, turning her head away from him.

  "All the time I've wasted and now. . ." Terra's words faded, replaced by the soft tears she attempted to hide.

  Edgar watched her, his soul hurting. For the first time in his life he no longer surrendered to the easy answer or the empty words of nonsense to comfort her. Instead, he adjusted his hold on her hand and said "While there is still a danger, the alchemist has said nothing of an impending death. Don't trouble your heart with that fear, Terra, for it solves nothing."

  Terra sighed, and the sound resembled a whimper. "It's not fair. All the things I've wanted to do. . ."

  Edgar watched her face, so intense with the thoughts of the tomorrows she believed would no longer be hers. A desire to know and to help her fulfill her dreams rose so vehemently within-- "Tell me what you wished to do with your life," he said quietly. "Terra, tell me of your dreams."

  She wiped her tears away with a choked sigh. "Why? What's the point?"

  The statement actually caused Edgar pain. She deserved truth, integrity, and passion. She deserved all he had never given her. Is there time for that now? Would the bittersweet emotion of a too-short romance be worth the pain of the memories? Edgar believed it would. "I want to hear them."

  Terra moved her gaze to meet his. Edgar held it, even though he knew his own true feelings showed. Something registered within those eyes, and her cheeks colored a little before she lowered her eyes to their clasped hands.

  "I don't know about dreams, Edgar, and now it might be too late." She traced a circle around the knuckles of his hand as it held hers. "I wouldn't even know how to talk about them," she whispered in a choked voice.