Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Final Fantasy: The Crystal Chronicles ❯ Velius, Lilty ( Chapter 3 )

Final Fantasy:

The Crystal Chronicles

 

Enjoy… refer to previous chapters for character descriptions.

 

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Velius had stayed awake ever since he awoke after a brief nap in Nadia's room. Cursing himself for his stupidity, he had taken out a rose and note that he had made a while before, and placed it on her windowsill. Escaping out the same window, he ran to his home, desperately hoping none of his family was awake yet to notice his absence. Climbing through his window much in the same manner he got into Nadia's, stereotypically via a vine lattice near the window, he had stayed awake the rest of the morning to make sure that everything was ready for his departure. Various love letters that he and Nadia had exchanged over the three years of their secret relationship were stored in an oak chest that was framed and locked in nearly unbreakable mythril, an heirloom that had been in his family even before the Lilties dominated the world over nine generations ago. Though he couldn't bring the chest along, he had a Yukish friend of his, who was also joining the year's caravan, place a magical lock on it that could only be broken by a certain password, which was fatality. Gazing at the chest, he felt the same kind of pride that Lilties had felt since the beginning of their unified existence. He honestly thought, and for good reason, that no one would ever see the letters unless he wanted them to. Averting his gaze over to his pack, he checked one last time that he had everything gathered. His pack contained almost all that he needed: chunks of various ores, if he ever found suitable designs for them, foodstuffs for the journey, and clothing for the trip. He did not, however, see the lance his father had designed for him specifically for the caravan. Moving towards his closet, he opened the doors, finding it fully constructed against the wall of the closet. Picking it up, he twirled it in his hands experimentally, then began to take it apart; the lance was connected by a series of mythril chains and held together by mythril clips, which could be loosened so as to allow for its structure to be folded up, making it easier to conceal and carry. Turning over something in his pocket, he smiled slyly, reveling in his own brilliance. Lifting the pack onto his back, he started off. Before he could leave the house, though, he had to pass through the smithy, where his father was waiting for him.

 

“Velius,” Nodie started, “I know you are to meet with the rest of the caravan soon, but I was awake some hours ago, and I heard a noise coming from your room. What happened?” Velius laughed silently within himself. Looking defeated, he said, “I was hoping to make this a better surprise, but…”

 

“But what? You better not be hiding anything, boy, or you'll discover you're still young enough for a…” Reaching into his pocket, Velius pulled out a medallion the same width as his hand span as his father rambled. On one side was the Liltian crest, used and recognized by all tribe members, wreathed in roses, and on the other side was the family coat-of-arms, two crossed lances with an anvil and hammer positioned in the center, surrounded by ivy. Handing it silently to his father, his father scrutinized it with a trained eye, after giving his son a suspicious glance. While it was being studied, Velius laughed mentally at his father. He had fully expected such an event as this to occur, and so he had prepared accordingly.

 

“There are some moderate flaws in this design.” Nodie said, straightening his head, and holding the medallion up to a lantern, turning it over a few times. “However, they are noticeable only when the medallion is carefully examined. You were able to elaborate the design in the right areas so as to draw attention away from them. Sly, but smart; no need to expose weakness when you can just as easily lead with your strengths. I would have expected a work like this from an apprentice for his final examination. Is it?” Nodding his head solemnly, Velius gauged his father's reaction to the comment. Lowering the metal disc, he took a puncturing tool from his belt, and drove it through at the top. Pulling out a length of chain, he slid it through the hole, and locked the links together. Smiling, he slid it over his son's head. It fell directly over the middle of his chest, as Nodie had expected it to. Backing away to observe it, he nodded in satisfaction.

 

“Beautiful work, child. I should have expected you to try something like this. Now head off and say goodbye to your mother and brothers.” Bowing to his father, he ran off in search of the rest of his family. Finding them in the kitchen, where his mother was preparing breakfast while his brothers wrestled on the floor, he dropped his bag to announce his arrival. Turning to face the sound, his mother, Mya, seemed about to say something, then closed her mouth when she saw him. Catching sight of the medallion now adorning his chest, her eyes bugged out of her skull.

 

“Where did you get that? Your father hadn't made anything…”

 

“I made it myself. I was hoping to impress dad before I had to leave. He said that I ought to say goodbye one last time.”

 

“It's for the best. I'd like to see you one last time, in case you don't…”

“Come back. I know.” Reaching into another pocket, Velius pulled out a small gem. It was a piece of emerald carved into the shape of an eye. Holding it out to his mother, she opened the palm of her hand and felt it drop into it.

 

“This is a charm for honesty. Velius, why are you giving me this?”

 

“Because the world is a dishonest place. If you think I'm in danger, it'll help you learn how I'm doing.” And maybe it will help you understand when the truth gets out, he thought, making a conscious effort not to let his mouth utter a word. After saying goodbye to his mother, Velius managed to pry his brothers apart long enough to say goodbye, Velius set off to join the rest of that year's caravan.

 

Fin… for now.

 

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Yes, yet another chapter. I'm making fast progress with the intro of this. Bear with me if you're getting sick of all the Character introductions, cuz there's only one more.