Dissidia Final Fantasy: Unus Mundus

Chapter Eleven ~ The Emperor Returns (Kain)

Kain, Firion, Leon, and Hilda sat together in the throne room of the Castle of Fynn as Kain spoke.

"I've seen the very world change before my eyes," he said to the others. "I understand how strange this all seems... last time I saw you..." Kain looked at Firion; "I was a child under the care of my mother and the Dragoon Ricard. You remember him."

Firion nodded solemly. "Yes..."

"I stayed true to the vow I made for myself after his passing, and I sought to become a Dragoon myself, training under the care of the King of Baron after my mother passed away. I even did so much as take his surname to carry on the Highwind name."

"My apologies for interrupting," Leon began, "but what does this have to do with all the changes around us?"

Kain smirked and nodded. "Sorry; it seems I'm a little long-winded. It's been a long time since I saw Firion." He looked at everyone and focused as he continued to speak. "You're well aware that Emperor Mateus Palamecia has returned, yes? Well, he's not the only one who's returned. In fact, this form of me is not supposed to coexist with you."

"So, you came from the future?" Hilda asked.

"Something like that." Kain paused a moment and shook his head. "I'll be damned if I knew what was really going on here, but it seems the different timelines of our world are meeting at this one point. Something beyond human comprehension has occurred, and it revived both renowned heroes and historical adversaries at this point in time. That is why the empire of Palamecia has been revived."

"And with people like Gordon disappearing..." Firion looked from Hilda to Kain. "Is it—"

"It's the same reason why I'm here," said Kain. "Because these timelines are all meeting in one place, the world is getting scrambled about, and that includes its people. Landmarks that never existed in one timeline are suddenly replacing entire continents, and people are getting scrambled about."

"So that means Gordon was sent someplace and we don't even know where to look..." Hilda looked down at the ground with concern.

"He can handle himself," said Firion. "Don't worry. For now, our concern lies with the Emperor. If the Palamecian empire has been revived, won't he have the ability to bring his monsters back?"

"If his intent was revenge, he would have already attacked." Leon looked at Firion. "I guess I of all people should know that, but the truth remains the same. He's been pretty quiet since he returned. Don't you think that to be strange?"

There was a brief silence among the four of them before Leon kept speaking.

"He's waiting for something," he said. "I don't know if he's waiting for us to attack first or something else like that, but he's not going to make the first move."

"Then what do you recommend?" asked Hilda. Leon smiled lightly and stood up.

"A parley," he answered. "But I'll go alone. I'd prefer he doesn't do anything to you, and I used to fight for his empire. Perhaps he'll discuss it with an... old friend."

"I can't imagine he'd be entirely fond of you after you betrayed him," Kain said with a bit of a laugh. "Are you sure you wish to go alone?"

"Leon, do you even know what you're saying?" Firion asked with a bit of hostile concern in his tone. "You're talking about marching right on into Palamecia and talking to the man who basically tortured you until you agreed to fight for him! What if he takes you from us again!?"

"He won't be alone." Kain stood with his spear in hand. "I've faced far worse than the Emperor. if anything happens, we can handle it. Firion, you've no need to worry."

Firion looked at the two men, practically speechless at the idea, but Hilda stood and placed a hand on Firion's shoulder. He turned around and his eyes met hers as she spoke. "Trust them," she said. "They are both competent fighters who are more than capable of handling themselves in a battle. If the Emperor is simply a man, then both of them can handle it."

The throne room was silent once more as Firion smiled, turning towards Kain and Leon. "Okay... I trust you. But if things look bad, get out as quickly as possible."

"I'm a Dragoon, friend," Kain said with a gentle smile. "The Emperor's no match for me, and if things really do get bad, I can get us out quickly."

Firion smiled back and shook the hands of both Leon and Kain before they bowed to Hilda and promptly left the castle.

Once the two men were far away enough, Kain spoke quietly to Leon. "Are you certain you wish to do this?" he asked. "You understand the risk, right? The darkness is addicting... it's so easy to relapse, Leon, and I know this just as well as you do."

Leon's gaze forward did not waver as he walked forward, looking out into the fields beyond the Castle. With his sword at his side, he felt ready for anything. "I am well aware of the risks," he said. "But it's time I repay the favor for Firion. Let's go."