Adult-FanFiction.org : Final Fantasy

A Reaper's Rose	By : DarkHybridChild Category: Final Fantasy Games > Crossovers Views: 1181 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy, Dissidia, Duodecim, Fire Emblem, Kuja, Firion, or any other character mentioned. I also do not make any profit for writing this piece of fiction.

Chapter List
- 1-A Reaper's Rose
- 2-Chapter 2
- 1
- 2
“Kuja, is that…Cosmos’ brand?” Firion asked in surprise, still staring in mild shock at the white emblem upon the Dark Mage’s arm.
“Yes. Although, I told her under no circumstances would I participate in any of her battles with Chaos.” The other replied before letting his sleeve fall back down his arm and turned, walking a little ways to the middle of the room with a quiet sigh.
“I knew well enough that I could not hope to keep you away from Chaos’ minions if I remained branded with his mark, they would inevitably find us. I also knew I couldn’t have Cosmos’ lackeys trying to take you back, so I did what I must to ensure that we would remain as far away from their clashes and the proverbial Blasting Zone as possible.”
Looking out the window to gaze upon the way the light of dawn illuminated the town, Kuja suddenly felt very weary. It was strange to him; he had never really stopped to consider or even contemplate the limitations of his own being before. He was far stronger than even the strongest human; he could go long periods of time without rest or any intake of energy, but here he was, finding himself filled with a near indescribable fatigue that clawed at his mental and physical fortitude.
Being put to so much by those daft morons on Chaos’ side had taken its toll on him, he surmised. One couldn’t possibly stay in top condition when dealing with them all. Chalking it up to that fact, he cast the thoughts aside and did his best to brush off the feeling as he glanced towards Firion, only to frown deeply at the state he saw him in.
Firion, at hearing Kuja’s words, fell into a heavy silence as he stared down at the bed, brows furrowed deeply. He ached; his entire being at its core hurt. He knew he was worn thin, but at this very moment, it sank in just how close he was to being on the verge of both a mental and physical shut-down. He didn’t want to return to the battles, anyway. He didn’t want to fight any more. He’d grown so detached and distant from the other Warriors he’d come to know and he stayed as far away from Kain as possible, anger still boiled in his blood at the thought of what he’d done to them all.
He didn’t even trust the newer companions that Cosmos summoned at this point because of it, he didn’t want to grow close to them and be betrayed yet again, his being and heart could not take it. It had nearly shattered him when Kain had betrayed them. He had never once doubted any of his companions; he always had faith in them and their cause and for Kain to do such a thing… Even if he had his reasons in trying to save them all with what he was doing, by putting them into a forced slumber, Firion could not forgive the Dragoon for the way he went about it, deceiving and fooling them until their backs were turned to him.
Even though he honestly couldn't understand just why the feeling was so strong in him, it just had this edge of familiarity that chorused within him. Something swam at the edge of his memories, perhaps something from his forgotten-past. Regardless if it was or not, his core, his soul knew the feeling and it did not want to go through it all over again. Something from that center of himself told him he wouldn't recover if another proverbial blow like that happened.
He tightened his fists in anger, jaw clenching down in despair as he eyes shut of their own accord. His throat suddenly felt dry and raw; he wanted to scream, but he could hardly find the intake of breath to function properly, let alone enough to produce such a sound. Before he could lose himself further in the depths of the painful thoughts and shadows of memory, he felt a hand touch his cheek, snapping him out of it and his eyes sprang open and up to gaze in a startled fashion at Kuja.
“While normally I would take utter delight in seeing such an expression on any other human, you are an exception. That look does not suit you, or the pain that glows in your eyes. Would be that I could, I would remove it and obliterate all the fools that caused such anguish and despair within you. They deserve nothing more than to be put through the most exquisite pain imaginable and then removed from existence for the shadows they have dimmed your light with.” Kuja said, his voice was flittering and light at the beginning, but his eyes had darkened and his tone lowered into a venomous hiss by the end.
Firion could only stare at the Genome in surprise and shock at what he’d said, unable to find his voice for the longest time. Slowly, he shook his head at the others words, and tried to reply. “No, that’s not--“
Kuja’s eyes softened again as he moved his hand, fingertips resting over Firion’s lips, silencing the Archer. “I know,” He replied with a shake of his own head.
“It wouldn’t do any good if I did destroy them; it would only bring you more pain, not relief. You may distance yourself from them, but you still care about the fools. Though I believe you’re naïve and foolish for that, I will stay my hand.”
“I… Thank you.” Firion managed to say weakly after gently reaching up and removing Kuja’s hand from his mouth, giving the other a thin smile. “Perhaps I am foolish in still caring, but…”
“It’s what makes you, you.” Kuja replied with a dismissive wave. “You wouldn’t shine nearly as bright if you did not.”
"..." Firion could only stare with no small amount of surprise at the other's response, for once, feeling completely at a loss for words to say. Even his thoughts had stilled to a halt at it.
"However, now is not the time to concern yourself worrying over those troublesome half-wits. T'would only wear your mind more ragged than it already is, no? Now is the time for rest, Firion. Let your own body and mind heal before you start thinking of any others." Kuja murmured, his voice taking that strangely soft tone Firion was still unused to hearing, but the gentle persuasiveness within that tone had his eyes lowering to half-mast, as if to remind him of his own exhaustion again.
"I... I guess you're right," Firion responded slowly, letting out a quiet sigh before he shifted himself til he was once again in a resting postition on the bed, though his eyes did not completely shut.
"...Is it really fine, though? To distance ourselves so far from everything, the fighting?" He found himself wondering aloud. It was something he couldn't help. He'd been called a mindless tool for war by the Emperor before, and while it had shaken him, he'd overcome that thought. And when he and the other Warriors had thought they'd finally settled everything--would finally get to go home...
That repreieve was only short lived.
Barely had any time passed before once again, they were pulled back into yet another world-between drift and then purged out into this land known as Servannia. Once again, tearing their memories from them, but some managed to hold on better than others to some pieces.
It angered him, but despaired him the most. To be called upon once again to some God's bidding like they were nothing.
The sound Kuja made ripped him from his thoughts.
When he glanced over towards the Reaper, he found their expression twisted into one of intense hatred and rage.
"I will not play a role in this Stage the Gods have set. Not again. I care not what calamities befall the others for whatever plans they may set." Kuja hissed.
"Those fools only set themselves up for the fall time and time again because of their idiocy, and what, your only prize for the Victory you and your other companions claimed was a short-lived return to your home worlds. What was waiting for those of us with no room for existence?"
By then, the Genome's voice was trembling the slightest, and Firion watched as the rage filled expression gave way into something that looked like pained grief.
"...Nothing, that's what was waiting. Worse than ExDeath's stupid Void, just nothingness. My.... My time had already come and passed, there was no world for me to return to. That's what I remember the most. As it all ended, in that brilliance of light, I remembered it only too well. There was no place for me to exist in that world, for I had already faded from its history, as nothing but a mere footnote."
Firion's brows furrowed. What did that mean? He wanted to ask, but refrained from commenting as the Genome continued speaking.
"And then lurching from that nothingness, the chains of Chaos embedded into what was left of our souls and ripped us from it, pulling us back into this half-existence, to serve once again as opposition and adversaries to the side of Light. Some took this as an opportunity, a chance to perhaps rewrite History and Fate. Those who got to actually return to their home worlds, though, they were the most displeased."
The Genome continued, making an aggressive swipe of his arm through the air as he turned, before he let it fall like deadweight back to his side, where his fingers curled and clenched into a fist, and a hollow look came to his expression as he looked off to the side, his eyes glossed and staring off into nothing.
"Even if I can no longer truly recall everything from my memories, I know what I do remember and there is... No place for me. None at all. I have no wish at all to fight as Chaos' lapdog, but I refuse to bend myself to Cosmos' will, either. It will not change the outcome. What awaits at the end of everything for me is that nothingness. And knowing that, I would rather be the audience to this Act than be part of it."
Firion frowned slightly at how despondant and distant the other's voice turned in his words. He wished to say something to ease tthe sudden tension that he felt come from the other, but no words came to mind. "Kuja..." He finally murmured slowly.
"You needn't offer me your pity," Kuja replied almost defensively.
Firion shook his head quickly. "No, it's not pity... I just... I didn't realize just how much burden you carried as well. Here you're trying to help me while carrying so much yourself. Even if you will say I shouldn't concern myself with your own business, I... Well..." He fumbled for his words for a brief moment before he offered the Reaper another small smile.
"Thank you. Truly. It makes me feel all the more grateful for your concern."
"..." Kuja stared wordlessly at the other, surprise once again filling his system and causing his brows to raise the slightest. The Genome's face was unknowingly flushing the slightest in response to the other's kindness.
The quiet sounds of life beginning to stir outside as the sun rose above the horizon broke the silence.
Kuja slowly looked towards the window. "The dawn's arrived; the people will begin their lives shortly." He murmured, voice soft.
Though the Dark Mage avoided his gratitude, Firion felt himself nodding in acknowledgement. It was alright. As long as the other knew of his gratitude, it was fine. He slowly eased himself to sit up once more before standing. Wearily, he found himself walking towards the window to look out over the town. The sun's light was brightening over the roofs of the houses and along the ground, and he watched the people emerging from their homes, and beginning to start their daily toils.
"It feels so quiet here, since the fighting hasn't reached this place yet.... It reminds me of..." The Archer's eyes god glossy for a long moment as he stared out the window.
"...My home before it was destroyed."
Kuja found himself drawn closer towards the other at their longing voice and found himself taking the spot beside the other at the window, glancing over towards them. "Tell me a little of your home," He spoke.
"What was it like?"
Firion closed his eyes. "It was... It was a quiet, but lively little town. Some would've called it a backwater place, but we were happy. There was always something to do during the day, whether it was working out in the fields with the crops, or helpuing in the shops. There was a beautiful flower field not far out from my house. I used to love going there whenever I could. The flowers were beautiful, but my favorite were the wild red roses..." His eyes opened and he found himself flushing a little sheepishly.
"I must sound quite childish."
"On the contrary, your passion and care shows deep. There's nothing wrong with enjoying beautiful things, or even enjoying the...simple ones. It must have been quite the upheaval when your home was ruined, yes?" Kuja asked.
"Yeah... All my friends and I had ever known, our lives... It all went up in smoke and fire that night. We didn't really know anything about fighting other than when we'd hunt or fend off the wildlife from the town, and then to suddenly become part of the Resistance... Fighting in a war, losing friends almost as soon as I'd gain them, I...." Firion's voice tightened and the pain resurfaced to his eyes before he closed them and looked to the side again.
"...You need not go on." Kuja assured softly.
"...Yeah. Thanks." Firion mumbled before opening his eyes and looking out at the town once more.
"But yes... Seeing how this village is, it reminds me of my home and several of the other towns I visited in my world." He finished softly.
"I wouldn't call the place I originated from a Home, or anything remotely close to such an affectionate term. I was created in a world separate from Gaia to be an Angel of Death. However... There was one meant to take my place, and as a being of Perfection, I could not tolerate that." Kuja murmured quietly.
"You mean Zidane?" Firion questioned curiously.
"Yes. Although he ultimately rejected his destiny, I still could not help but feel....anger. Jealousy. That I was meant to be replaced. Was I not good enough? Now, those thoughts feel foolish, and in the end, I learned an important truth, but... Like most things, that truth came far, far too late." Kuja shook his head before turning away from the window, changing the subject.
"Now that the day has properly started, we should find you a proper meal. After all, you humans cannot go long without nutrition."
Firion took a moment to process the things Kuja spoke of from his homeworld, and while he wanted to ask more, he supposed he should consider himself lucky the other was willing to speak even that much of his own life before he nodded in reply to the other saying they should find food. "Yeah, you're right."
Kuja hummed before looking at himself. "I suppose looking so outlandish will cause a stir within this quaint town." With a wave of his hand, a swirl of magic surrounded him and in but a moment, his attire and appearance changed.
Where his long silver hair once flowed, was now replaced by long, blond locks that curled, atop his head a wizardry hat. His outfit now bore robes and pantaloons with boots. It was a drastic change from his usual but, if Firion was honest as he stared with wonder, it still somehow suited the Reaper.
"You will look more like a traveling scholar or mage now, yes. But it suits you, still. It still has your...flair." Firion commended.
That seemed to please the Genome. "Splendid, exactly as I hoped for. Come along, let us be on our way." They replied before making a motion towards the door.
Complying, Firion stepped away from the window and followed Kuja to the door and out, descending the stairs to the main room of the Inn before they made their way outside and into the town proper.
Looking around, nostalgia once again washed through him, the silent longing within huim for his home, but he was able to push it away as he followed after the other towards the smell of something freshly baking that had his stomach growling in hunger.
As they stepped up to one of the stalls there in the market square where a lady was selling freshly baked bread and pastries, the Archer could feel some of his long-lingering stress begin to leave him as familiarity began to come to him about such a thing.
Perhaps, Firion thought quietly to himself, this really was what he needed.

TBC

End Notes: The "look" Kuja has is his alternative one in Dissidia NT for his Yoshitaka Amano-based one, where he looks like a wizard boi. Anyway, that is all. I Hope you like it!
- 1
- 2
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

A Reaper's Rose