Ch2-5: Opposite Sides of the Coin
“Master Golbez?”
“Please don’t call me Master…” the Half-Lunar sighed gently. It was the tenth time in the span of fifteen minutes that he had told someone that. “Just ‘Ben’ is fine.”
Golbez… They sure have a fixation on that name, don’t they? They must have cursed it a million times during the Crystal War… no doubt even cursed it in their dreams.
Rosa straightened, pulling away as if she had been nearly bitten by a snake. Her eyes fluttered down to fix on the tray of drinks in her hands. “Forgive me…”
How could I fool myself into thinking this would be easy? I knew better.
“No harm done, really,” Ben curled his voice in a warm attempt to sooth her unease.
There was little doubt that everyone was so flighty because of him. He had no idea how to show them that he did not still hold evil intentions — even though the intentions that they had battled in him long ago had not really been his own.
Still, it was frustrating. Frustrating for more than just himself. Cecil would not even meet his gaze. The Paladin seemed outwardly cheery enough. But the way his eyes strayed and hesitated when they drew near to his brother told the full story.
Tension pulsed through the air like a heartbeat. It throbbed in the back of his mind, pressing in from all sides. Every glance upon him held a mixture of calculating fear and revulsion.
It feels as if I am some sort of sickly creature and they can’t decide whether to nurse me to health or put me out of my misery.
The young queen lifted her crystal-blue eyes, forcing the hint of a polite smile to her lips. She carefully took a glass from her tray and placed it on the table in front of him.
Ben studied it, his face growing puzzled. There was a strange, yellowish liquid fizzing within. And the scent it gave off was particularly unusual. Almost tangy.
His hesitation was obvious enough to draw a sneering comment from the Dragoon who was leaning against the far wall. “What’s wrong, Master? You think we’d drop you a bitter pill?”
The Half Lunar didn’t give him the pleasure to know that his words had been heard. The acidic tone that spilled from Kain’s lips did not come as any surprise. Still, Ben had hoped somewhere beyond hope, that things might have begun a bit differently.
“Kain…” Rosa gave a soft hiss and frown of disapproval behind Ben’s back. He could hear her teeth grating in apprehension.
Cecil’s attention was focused warily in the direction of his old friend. The Paladin still seemed to be lost for words.
Ben cleared his throat softly, voice rising in a soft lilting sound as he pushed the mug away, “Er… no thank you. I’ve found that Blue Planet beverages don’t particularly agree with me.”
“Why beat around the bush?” Kain gave a soft snort. “If you can’t hold your alcohol, just admit it.”
A flush rose up into the Lunar’s cheeks.
How did he know about…?
“Kain…” this time it was Cecil’s voice that chided.
“I mean, Cecil can’t get near a mug of ale without breaking out in bright purple spots and hyperventilating.”
Ben blinked over at his brother. “You too?”
The Paladin’s mouth was open in mid-protest which instantly changed to a soft echo, “Too?”
“Alcohol… Can’t touch the stuff.”
“Well,” Rosa intercepted between the three by placing a glass in front of Cecil on the table. “That’s why Kantal is on the menu and ale is not.”
“Kantal?” Ben blinked questioningly, watching as Kain’s expression grew sour.
FuSoYa appeared to be more than slightly amused. His own drink was bordering on half-way empty as he dabbed lightly at the ends of his mustache with a random napkin from the table.
Not to be outdone by the old man, Ben lifted his own glass and began to down it rapidly. It was only halfway through that he realized that it was actually quite pleasant tasting. The drink was bubbly, warm and refreshing all at the same time. He found himself continuing to drink more out of pleasure than spite.
Wow… we never had anything like this on the Moon!
Cecil was now watching him, a mixture of confusion and slight shock on his face.
“Master Golbez… you shouldn’t drink it so fast or you could—“ Rosa began in warning.
“Just ‘Ben’ is fine,” he sputtered for the eleventh time. Finishing one last swallow he proceeded to wipe his mouth on the back of his sleeve. Green eyes lifted to see the bewildered gazes of the others upon him. A big lopsided grin broke his face as he pushed the mug forward for a refill.
Rosa blinked. Then she proceeded to pour more kantal his mug.
“Why do you call yourself ‘Ben’?” Cecil asked abruptly.
The voice froze the Half-Lunar. He looked up to see the Paladin’s eyes fixed on him for the first time since they had entered the meeting room. His expression held a hint curiosity and fear.
The words nearly made Ben’s heart leap in exhilaration.
Does he really want to talk to me?
It was also the first time Cecil had spoken directly to him since his identity had been revealed.
Ben cleared his throat, matching his brother’s gaze with a soft intensity. For a moment he groped to find the right words to explain himself. No one had ever questioned his choice in names before.
“Because Benjamin is my middle name. And it was the name I was called by most as a child,” his voice began to waver and he fought to push it back on track. “And Golbez… has too many nasty memories attached to it. I’m not Golbez anymore. I’m just Ben.”
“I see.”
Despite his words, there was doubt in Cecil’s face. It was an expression that plainly spoke — After everything that’s happened, how could you ask anyone to think of you as “just Ben”?
“There’s nothing wrong with ‘Benjamin’ as a name. I think it’s quite pleasant,” Rosa interceded between them with another timely served drink. Her eyes were honest as she looked upon the Half-Lunar.
“Thank you,” Ben gave her a grateful smile, dropping his own gaze shyly upon the newly filled drink.
“Don’t you think, Cecil?” the young queen turned toward her husband.
Ben felt the tension rise within his chest as his body tightened.
“My brother… is Golbez.” There was a cold sternness in the Paladin’s voice, one that gave very little room for anything beyond the cold plain truth.
A troubled frown passed over FuSoYa’s face. The old Lunar leaned back in his chair observantly, not having spoken during the whole exchange. Finally he cleared his throat, placing his drink back down upon the table.
“Truth it may be,” bushy eyebrows rose as the aged eyes fell upon Cecil before moving on to observe Ben. “But keep in mind that even truth holds shades of gray.”
Eh..?
Ben’s own eyebrows rose at the sound of his Uncle’s voice. It hadn’t been very direct. But it was the first time that the Sage had ever made a move to defend him.
“I suppose so,” Cecil admitted grudgingly, his tone shifting as he struggled to find another direction in which to lead the conversation. “So… what brings you here, Uncle? What is the news of the Lunarian plight? We knew nothing more than the fact the Red Moon left our skies…”
“Yes, well I decided that was probably for the best,” the old man gave a deep, grave look. “In seeing the damage done to your world and what became of…”
He paused, eyes falling upon Ben. Cecil followed his gaze with a grave expression.
“Things were not supposed to be that way,” FuSoYa’s voice grew hoarse. “There was no time for apologies the last time we met. But there is great sorrow in my heart to know the losses that were taken on all sides due to imbalances that grew up around our people being where they should not have been.”
“So… you decided to leave… just like that?” Rosa’s brow wrinkled as she settled down in a chair next to Cecil.
“Actually, it was something long planned. Things were not looking all that favorable for a timely immigration for the Lunar colony here upon the Blue Planet. But our probes had yet to find another living planet close enough for us to go to.” The Sage gave a deep frown. “It didn’t help that my impetuous brother decided to take it upon himself to set things straight.”
Here we go again. The same argument… everytime. Why can’t he just let it go?
Ben gave a soft grunt. “Father was doing what he felt was right. It was more action than anyone else was taking.”
“Well, you saw firsthand what came of that,” the old man grumbled. “Impetuous… foolish… impatient…”
“Yes, well,” Cecil was beginning to look uncomfortable at the rising tone of argument in the air, “Does that mean your probes located another suitable planet?”
FuSoYa took the hint and nodded somberly. “Yes.”
Kain finally flopped down at the table, sitting backwards in the chair. He leaned inward with a bit of interest. “So what you’re saying is… you guys took off to find a different planet to go live on? And you actually found one?”
“Obviously…” Ben let out a light-breathed sound.
Kain’s eyes grew slitted, voice dripping venom. “Well, excuse me… we’re not all the brilliant evil master-mind that you are…”
It took all of the Half-Lunar’s resolve not to glare back.
“Kain…!” Cecil hissed.
The Dragoon gave a cool detached look and turned his attention to his drink.
“Yes again,” FuSoYa began to talk over the situation, not even the slightest bit ruffled. “It took a while but we did find one. And we have successfully built our first colony there. I’m sorry for not sending word of our departure but there was little time to ready ourselves. The positioning of the planets were near-perfect to break orbit, so we could not hesitate.”
“It’s no worry, Uncle,” Cecil pulled up a civilized tone to cushion the conversation. He seemed to be very good at doing so. “It was just more of a surprise to actually see you here again.”
“Is it really?” the old man’s face grew shadowed. “You know as well as I do what’s going on in this world at the moment, Cecil. Things are not at all well.”
“I only know the snatches of things I’ve put together.” The Paladin pursed his lips. “Something horrible happened to the Crystal of Water in Mysidia and it resulted in the attack of the Water Elemental upon our city after the Mages evacuated here. But beyond that, all is absolutely blank for me.”
Ben found himself exchanging grave looks with his uncle during a long moment of silence.
Things might be already worse off than we feared.
The old Sage’s head lowered in an almost imperceptible nod.
Kain’s scowl had grown larger with each passing word. “Shit, Cecil… You didn’t tell me that monster out there had something to do with the Crystal!”
“I wasn’t absolutely sure at the moment. Not until he…” the Paladin shifted to regard Ben carefully, “Golbez… confirmed it.”
Rosa leaned forward, head tilted slightly, “Is it true then? Master Golbez helped you defeat the Dragon?”
Cecil blinked in a rapid succession as if the thought had just suddenly occurred to him. “Y-yeah. That is true…”
“And I think I recall you saying something about how he saved your life?”
“Well…” a growing struggle rose within the Paladin’s eyes.
What in Odin’s Name is that girl doing? If I didn’t know better, I’d think she’s actually trying to help me out here.
“So shouldn’t you thank him, Cecil?”
Ben attempted to hide his own astonishment by taking a long drink.
“I… I already did,” Cecil murmured
Rosa screwed up her nose. “You thanked him as a stranger. Now thank him as your brother.”
Cecil fell absolutely silent, both eyebrows upraised. The expression was so absurd that Ben couldn’t help but imitate it when their eyes met.
Wow. She’s tough. I wouldn’t wanna be in his shoes right now…
A soft chuckle escaped FuSoYa.
“It’s alright,” a gentle grin crossed Ben’s face. “Earning merit in the eyes of the Paladin King of Baron once – stranger or not — was more than I ever expected in a lifetime.”
Cecil’s tension abruptly softened, his eyes taking on a haunted and half guilty look. He drew himself up slowly, the feeling in the air shifting as he did. “It was a fine fight, Golbez. You still have the appreciation of Baron… and the Paladin King.”
“Eh…” Ben blinked up sharply.
What does he mean? What do I say?
Something inside of him felt as if it might burst in disbelief and joy.
“Well, I couldn’t have done it by myself,” the Half-Lunar managed to clear his throat and warble a stuttered reply. “All the legends could do nothing to capture the truth of your skill. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anyone handle a sword quite the way you do, Cecil.”
Hope rose within him as a sliver of a smile crept upon the young king’s lips.
“Though I am… what you’d call mediocre at best when it comes to weaponry use,” the wizard admitted somewhat sheepishly.
“Is that so?” Cecil asked with mild surprise. “We may have to test out that claim sometime.”
“Ah… heh…” Ben choked with a nervous grin.
Oh boy… what have I gotten myself into now?
“But, for the time being, how about filling us in on the situation at hand?” the Paladin leaned inward, folding his hands together. There was a more open light to his eyes now.
“Well, as I said, the Lunarians have successfully colonized the new-found planet. It has been quite a struggle to make do with what we have. But I believe it will get easier as time passes,” FuSoYa spoke heavily.
“Is there anything that we might do to aid you, Uncle?” Cecil’s mouth was a firm line but his eyes were soft and concerned.
“No, things are in hand dealing with that particular matter. But thank you, my boy,” The old man looked gravely towards the distant skyline outside the silent window. “But, we do need your help with something else.”
“You know I’ll do whatever I can.”
“Yes,” Fu So Ya nodded, picking his words slowly. “I’d counted on that. You see… an item of great power has been stolen from Golbez.”
A hush fell over the room as eyes turned to observe Ben with growing surprise. Finally, Kain’s hefty voice broke through the silence.
“What light-forsaken dumbass would do something like that?”
“That’s exactly what I was about to ask,” Cecil muttered.
“And they have taken it here, to the Blue Planet,” Ben continued.
“Are you certain?” Rosa’s face had grown mystified.
“Very much so. I’ve tracked it all the way here. It gives off a very… distinct energy.”
“But how? How could travel at such great distances be possible?”
Leave it up to a White Mage to ask about the insignificant details.
“Maybe one day I’ll explain it to you. But for now, let’s just say, it’s possible,” the Half Lunar answered gently. “Or else Uncle Fu and I wouldn’t be here, yeah?”
The young queen frowned, “I suppose that’s true.”
There was a shrewd single-mindedness about the light in Cecil’s eyes. It was obvious that through all the talk he was concerned about only one thing. “What sort of item would be so valuable that the both of you would follow this thief all the way to the Blue Planet? And would it have anything to do with what happened in Mysidia?”
He’s quick to pick things up… I’ll give him that.
FuSoYa pursed his lips, leaving the burden of speech upon his unwilling nephew.
“Well…” Ben squinted at the old man, not quite certain where to begin. “It’s a Crystal.”
All three straightened stiff in their seats.
“Not again!” Kain gave a soft groan. “Someone filching the Moon Crystals now?”
“Not exactly.”
“Golbez,” Cecil eyed the Dragoon for silence, “Please continue.”
“It’s sorta… a Crystal I made.”
They stared at him in open shock.
Finally, after several attempts at swallowing, Cecil stammered in astonishment, “Y-you? You made a Crystal? You can do that?”
“Well, it was just an experiment and still in beta form. But yeah, I did,” Ben met his brother’s gaze directly.
Cecil flinched back.
“But why is this one Crystal such a big deal? I mean, for the both of you to come out here?” Kain pursed his lips, face calculating.
“Because. I tried something kinda… foolhardy with this one,” the Half Lunar admitted. “In creation, I linked its powers to that of all the other Moon Crystals in order to give it a rather large capacity boost. It is what can be called Incrytan — a Key Crystal.”
“Incrytan? I’ve never heard of such a thing.” Rosa began to twist a lock of hair around one finger nervously.
“No. Of course not. It was very experimental even in the notes that Father left,” Ben nodded slowly. “I think eventually he might have attempted to create such a thing over time. A successful Key Crystal would have been able to prevent the very war and abuse that the Crystals saw here on the Blue Planet. Because Incrytan could override the use of individual Crystals, things would have remained safe unless the Maker of the Incrytan was to become an abuser himself.”
“You make it sound as if a Key Crystal can only be used by one person?” the White Mage tilted her head in interest.
“That is true.”
“Then if you made this Incrytan, why are you concerned about its usage? It won’t work except in your will, right?”
The Half Lunar grew silent, a slightly grumpy look on his face. “That would be true… if the Incrytan I made wasn’t faulty.”
“Faulty?”
“Yeah… I screwed up,” he gave a meek look. “It was my first time making a Greater Crystal… and…”
Cecil placed a hand upon the table top. “So what you are saying is… this thief might have a way of using this Key Crystal?”
“Obviously, they are already figuring it out. The attack upon the Mysidian Water Crystal is proof,” Ben nodded.
The Paladin’s mouth fell open slightly.
“I’m not sure what the thief’s goal is here on the Blue Planet. But I can tell you that in creating an ethereal dimensional rejoinder between Incrytan and the Water Crystal would result in the dominance of radial energy being absorbed by the Key Crystal.”
“Woah… woah… woah… say that again more slowly?” Kain’s face was unhappy.
“Forgive me. I forgot that you were blond.”
The Dragoon’s expression spoke great irritation.
“Let me break it down for you nice and easy.”
Ben reached out his hands, a tiny starlight flicker hovering above each of them. The onlookers flinched slightly, but he chose to ignore it. The Half Lunar began speaking in a chiding voice.
“Key Crystal and Water Crystal.” He held up one hand, then the other before bringing them together. “Go boom.”
The two lights hissed as they collided, struggling until one was drawn completely into the other. Ben held out the remaining light. It was now twice as bright.
“Key Crystal,” he said with a tone of finality.
Kain stared at the hovering light with haunted eyes until the wizard extinguished it.
“So you mean… when Incrytan comes in contact with another Crystal… it can… absorb the Lesser Crystal’s power?” Rosa asked in a shaken tone.
The Half Lunar turned towards her and nodded slowly.
“Hence the reason we have come…” FuSoYa finally spoke. “And the reason we ask your help. We do not know who the thief is or what their goal might be. But after seeing the fate of the human city, it cannot be a good purpose.”
Cecil’s face had grown very pale. “I understand.”
Rosa gave her husband’s hand a concerned squeeze. “Cecil?”
“We… will help,” the Paladin said finally, giving a short nod. “But this is too big for just our Nation alone to face. This is a threat that will affect every Nation.”
Kain coughed softly then stared down into his drink. “Whatcha thinking about doing then, Majesty?”
“Captain Highwind…”
The Dragoon straightened, face growing no-nonsense.
“Get Cid,” Cecil’s voice was morose but steady. “Tell him to ready the Red Wings. All airships are to take flight ASAP bearing the news that there will be a Council of Nations held in Baron one week from today.”
The blond man was on his feet in an instant, one hand raised in quick salute. Before another word could be said, he slipped out the large double doors into the hall. Cecil watched the Dragoon disappear. Then his green eyes sought out his brother’s gaze.
“Light help us. I pray we are not too late.”