Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Coin Toss ❯ One-Shot

[ A - All Readers ]

This fic is based on Final Fantasy 6 and focuses on Edgar
and Sabin Figaro when they had to decide who would remain
behind as king. The title of the fic comes from a song
from the game.

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"Coin Toss"
by Temple Priestess
webmistress@celeschere.com
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I remember that night so well...how my brother and I stood face to face on the top of the castle tower with the moon revealing our emotions to one another. We both were filled with the sadness of the deaths...no, murders...of our parents, and a rage against the Empire who had poisoned them. Sabin's piercing blue eyes revealed the torture in his soul--he wanted to leave this place, to be free, to seek vengeance. He did not want the burdensome responsibility of being a king...the weight of such a title would crush his very spirit...I did not want that for him either. But what of me? I did not want to remain behind, alone in a castle haunted by bittersweet memories and the reminder of what once was. Why could I not leave behind the worries and duties of my position and go off into the lands, seeking revenge and the eventual peace I hoped it would bring. One of us had to stay behind, to lead and protect our people, to be a king that our father and mother would have been proud of. I turned to Sabin with a forced smile and seeing his face, elegant and sad and confused all at once, I knew what had to be done.

"Let's settle our fate with a coin toss," I said to him as I took out a shiny gold coin. "Destiny will decide for us. If it is heads, I'll stay behind as king and you will be free to go. If it is tails, then you shall rule."

Sabin nodded his head, a look of fear in his eyes, fear that fate would betray him. But I knew better. This coin I held had been given to me by a wandering entertainer many years ago. It was a two-headed coin, one used to perform "magic" tricks when magic did not exist in this world.

I tossed the coin high into the air, the light of the moon making it shine as it spun in the night sky. Our eyes watched it twirl and descend. I caught it back into my hand. Sabin walked over and I opened my hand, revealing the result. His eyes grew wide with joy as they clearly saw the etching of a noble face in gold. I tried to smile, but the welling of tears in my eyes betrayed me. Sabin's smile faded as he grasped my shoulder.

"Edgar," he said softly, "I am so sorry...I wish we could both leave together, but I need to do this. I need to find peace and I know you will be the better king for our people."

My brother...didn't he know my tears were over the loss of him? It was true that I had wanted to be free, but I gladly gave my freedom so he could have his. But this comfort could not take away the pain of having my brother leave here, leaving me all alone...

"Go, prepare for your journey," I told him. He went back into the castle, his footsteps growing fainter down the stone steps.

I looked at the coin in my hand one last time and prepared to throw it away, but something in my heart stopped me. Perhaps I would need it again...but until then it would remind me of my brother, no matter where he would go...he would always be in my heart. I tucked the coin into my pocket and went back inside.