Once we reach Toroia, we land the ship just outside of town which is surrounded by lush forests, snowy mountains, and a vast waterfall. Of all the kingdoms in the world of Final Fantasy IV, Toroia is my favorite. Its calming waltz melody lingers in my mind as we enter the castle doors. We speak with the ladies of the castle to learn more information about our next mission. Toroia is a matriarchal society ruled by a council of eight clerics. We soon discover that the Crystal of Earth has been stolen by a dark elf in a cave in the northeast. Searching the castle, we soon encounter a familiar face.
"Edward!" Cecil says. He's lying in a bed, still gravely wounded from the accident at sea.
"Cecil. You are alive. Let me join you," Edward says.
"What can you do in such a wretched condition? No. You should lie here quietly and recover," Tellah says.
"Master Tellah, forgive me," Edward says. "You lost Anna because of me."
"Prince Edward, think only of your health now," Yang says.
"Yang... So you too survived the attack. Then Rydia?"
Silence. My eyes fill with tears thinking about her.
Are you all right, Rydia?
"Sorry," Yang says.
"Poor Rydia... And I can't do anything while you fight. It's a shame."
"It's okay, Edward. Make sure to take care of yourself," I say.
"Thank you, Adrienne."
"Don't worry! Me and my Enterprise will take your share!" Cid says. "I've heard you had taken good care of Cecil and Rosa. Now, it's my turn!"
I blink away my tears and smile.
Cid is such a kind soul. He reminds me of my father...
"You are that master engineer, Cid? That means you have an airship!" Edward says.
"That's right!" Cid says, a proud shine in his eyes. Suddenly, Edward interjects.
"Cecil! Where is Rosa?"
"She was captured in exchange for the Crystal of Earth here in Toroia, but the crystal is now in the hands of a dark elf," Cecil says.
"Dark elf..." Edward ponders this information. "Cecil, take this." He hands him a harp.
"What's this?"
"Say my substitute. It may help."
"Thank you, Edward."
"Cecil... Save Rosa," Edward says.
We leave Edward to rest and seek out chocobos. We've heard from the citizens that they reside in the forest north of town. Walking beneath the shady trees, we fight several monsters along the way. We eventually reach a clearing where yellow, white, and black chocobos wander freely. Before we head for the cave where the dark elf dwells, we interact with a white chocobo to restore our magic points. Next, we interact with a black chocobo. Unlike the others, these birds can fly. They will carry us over to the island where the dark elf's lair resides. We climb on the birds and ride east to the cave mouth.
As we dismount, I raise a hand to my chocobo's head, petting its soft downy feathers. I open the menu and save the game.
"What's our strategy, Adrienne?" Cecil asks.
"Well..." I pause, reflecting on the important information about this new location. "Cave Magnes has a special aura. You'll see."
"All right," Cecil says.
YOU ARE READING
A Paladin's Promise
Fanfic[BOOK 1 OF THE ADRIENNE RAYNE SERIES] Adrienne Rayne lives a perfectly ordinary life in Ashbourne. She attends Monarch High, hangs out with her friends, and pursues her hobbies. All the while, she secretly wishes to experience a magical quest of her...
