Gnothi Se Auton

-Act II-

The Dark Heart

A Final Fantasy IV Story

By SpacemanSpiff

Chapter XXVIII

Moments of Truth

Scene 1 – Red Wing Sleipnir, Sparring Deck

The morning sun splashed across the sparring deck, located between the mizzen mast and the main mast, the whirr of their props a constant murmur above them. A long, narrow shadow cut a swath across the raised square platform where two warriors prepared to test their skills against one another. Thick rope nets had been raised and made taught to ensure neither went overboard. Several crewmen gathered outside the fibrous cage to take in the spectacle of their King engaging in battle against one of the greatest warriors known in the land.

Kain stood holding his spear across his shoulders with both hands as he stretched the muscles in his back. He retained most of his azure armor, but the breast and back plates had both sustained too much damage in his battles with Shin-Ra, and were swapped for pieces of gold dragon armor. They felt a bit awkward, perhaps lighter than he was used to. He leaned low to each side to stretch his hamstrings before finally standing tall and raising his spear at Cecil.

"Are you ready?" he called. Cecil had been practicing making his sword and shield dissolve and rematerialize, but his glare turned deadly serious at the words.

"I am, and I will not hold back. I expect you to do the same," Cecil warned. "If I am to use this under true battle conditions, then I expect true battle conditions."

Kain said nothing, simply nodding his approval. His spear was still extended, waiting for Cecil to do the same. The Paladin King raised his blade, the tips of each weapon staring each other down like two lions disputing territory. The moment their weapons touched, the bout began.

Cecil immediately took a defensive stance, his shield covering his core with his piercing blue eyes glaring over the edge. His sword was drawn back ready to strike, the crystal armor sending flecks of prismatic light upon the deck. Kain didn't move a muscle, which caused Cecil to shuffle a bit, cautiously, to the dragon knight's right side. His weaker side, Cecil remembered. Kain's eyes followed, but still he remained motionless.

Cecil knew that Kain was waiting for him to make the first move, but his patience was not what it used to be. He took two steps forward and moved his shield to cut a wide arc towards his friend, and still Kain didn't move. Not until the last possible moment. In a blur of motion, the crystal spear struck against the blade, flinging it aside before a heavy foot found its place in the center of the Cecil's chest.

Cecil felt the wind leave his lungs as he was thrown backwards, stumbling into the netting at the edge of the sparring deck. Before he could even catch his breath or set his feet, Kain was upon him, his lance leading the killing blow. He stopped with the tip mere centimeters from Cecil's throat. Cecil's eyes went wide for a moment, a flash of that moment in the crystal chamber at Fabul. He was sure Kain would have killed him that day if Rosa had not intervened. But today, he saw a different man behind the dragon's maw, a better man, a man fully under control of himself and his emotions.

Whether Kain realized it or not, Cecil knew in that moment that this was not the same man that had betrayed him years ago, and it released this hidden tension that he hadn't even realized he was still holding onto. He smiled as Kain lowered his spear and stepped back into the center of the square, never saying a word or letting a hint of emotion flicker across his face. This was exactly the man Cecil wanted by his side in the days to come.

"I must concede that I was not prepared for that," Cecil admitted. Before the last word finished leaving his mouth Kain had already leapt high above, a sparkle of crystal light as he reached the apex of his arc. Cecil had little time to react, taking a knee to brace himself with his shield covering his head. He imagined his armor becoming a shell around him, and he felt it leave his body like a swarm of insects. A second later came the crash of Kain landing upon the hardened barrier, and the clang of his spear upon the deck as the reaction force sheared it from his hands.

Kain rebounded awkwardly off the crystal shell, but he readjusted to land on his feet. His spear lay on the planks between him and Cecil, but he had no time to make a lunge for it as Cecil initiated his own assault now that he had the upper hand. His armor had reformed, a mist of crystal shards chasing him, and he was coming fast with his sword aimed to cut through his torso. Kain reacted with swift instincts, ducking low knowing Cecil would expect him to go high. He swept Cecil's feet out from under him and rolled away as Cecil, still carried by his momentum, nearly crashed into him.

Cecil landed on his side hard, but managed to get back up quickly, turning to find Kain making a dash for his weapon. Cecil extended his shield arm, imagining a transformation into something akin to throwing knives. Immediately after the thought formed in his mind, the shield burst into dozens of shards that flew with incredible speed towards the crystal spear. They splintered the planks surrounding it with the force of their impact and Kain leapt away in retreat.

Cecil approached fast, the crystal shards lifting from the ground to reform his shield. He opted this time with a cross-slash, aiming to cut from shoulder to hip, believing it would be more difficult for Kain to avoid. Rather than wait for the strike, Kain used his close-quarters combat skills to quickly step into the blow, moving in effortlessly so that Cecil's arm came down on his shoulder, rather than the sword. Kain's arms were immediately around Cecil's waist, and his powerful legs pushed with everything they had. Despite Cecil's weight and momentum, Kain was able to lift him off the ground completely as both men became airborne.

Kain pushed Cecil away from him, sending him flying into the nets. He knew this would give him time to retrieve his weapon since he would land first. Cecil could only watch helplessly as he felt the nets rake up his back, but as he slid down towards the deck he made sure to plant his feet and engage the dragon knight without hesitation. He was able to intercept Kain just as he reached his spear, swinging his sword in hopes that he would drop it to evade. Instead, Kain performed a front flip as he grabbed his spear and Cecil's sword hit nothing but air.

The melee began in earnest at that point, as Cecil wasted little time letting Kain find his stance. The crystal weapons clashed with shockwaves of energy that pushed clouds of sawdust and loose splinters in every direction. The spectators, of which there were now many, shielded their eyes as each strike produced a flash of light. Each thunderous hit could be felt in the planks beneath their feet.

Cecil actually appeared to have the upper hand, as Kain was forced to parry the relentless assault against him. There was a surge of energy within him that he hadn't felt in years, the rush of battle coursing through his veins. His training started coming back to him, like muscle memory awakening from dormancy. He remembered how to move his blade just so that it denied his opponent a chance to strike back. His feet no longer felt awkward to him, as they moved with the precision of a seasoned warrior. He didn't let the question of why this was happening distract him, he simply focused on giving his opponent no quarter.

Kain seemed to recognize this change in Cecil's abilities, and though he did not show it outwardly, he was all too happy to see it. This was the man he remembered. This was the challenge he needed. He soon found himself backed into a corner of the sparring deck, but he tried throwing some misdirection as he found a small opening to initiate his own attack. He parried the incoming blade quickly before moving to thrust his spear at Cecil's chest. As he anticipated, Cecil moved his shield up to block, momentarily obstructing his view. Rather than finish the thrust, Kain performed a somersault over Cecil to get out of the corner he had been backed into. He was pleasantly surprised to find Cecil had not completely fallen for the maneuver, and had to bring his spear up swiftly to block the sword.

They continued back and forth like this for several minutes, but Cecil soon began to succumb to the drain on his stamina. Kain found more openings, and eventually Cecil was the one on the defensive. Every strike of the spear against his sword or shield felt like a club being swung by a giant.

Before long, Cecil found himself backed into the same corner he had once had his opponent against. The muscles in Cecil's sword hand suddenly seized up after a particularly hard strike from Kain's spear, and the weapon was flung to the deck. Cecil held up his shield, but Kain easily swatted it away before thrusting his spear at his throat, once again stopping with incredible control just before touching skin.

There was an audible gasp from the crowd surrounding the sparring deck. Neither Cecil nor Kain moved from their position, and both were smiling as their eyes glared down the crystalline surface of the spear, the fire wild in them fueled by their competitive spirit. Cecil was breathing heavy, but Kain's chest barely moved any more than normal, as though he had merely gone for a brisk jog around the deck.

"Shall we call it a draw?" Cecil wheezed as he tried to catch his breath.

"How so?" Kain asked, somewhat amused.

A tinny tapping sound followed, and Kain's eyes widened as he felt the point of a sword against the gold steel surrounding his abdomen. Cecil had managed to materialize his crystal sword just as Kain went in for the final blow, and had he actually followed through, Kain would have been lethally impaled. Kain's smile widened as he withdrew his spear and held out his free hand to hoist his friend off the ropes.

"It seems you've rediscovered your form, Cecil," said Kain, the hint of what might have been mistaken for giddiness in his voice. "Your armor will indeed be an asset in battle, but you must be conscious of your stamina."

"Tell me something I don't know," Cecil chuckled as he continued to suck in deep breaths. "I appreciate you not taking it easy on me. I think it helped wake me up to the reality of battle once again."

There was a moment of pause as a round of applause broke the two men out of their conversation. The soldiers and crew that had stopped to watch cheered the warriors after such a truly entertaining spectacle. Cecil smiled and waved. Kain was a statue.

"Thank you all," Cecil said, however his smile quickly evaporated. "Now get back to work! These airships don't fly themselves!"

Kain released a quiet, breathy laugh as the crowd dispersed. "Seems you haven't forgotten how to be a captain, either."

"I've always enjoyed giving orders," Cecil said as he slapped his friend on the back. "Come, let's make our way to the galley for a hearty breakfast. We can discuss further strategies for our assault, as well."

The nets were drawn as the two men made their way towards the edge of the platform, but there was one soldier from the crowd that did not disperse.

"Sir!" a strong female voice called behind them. Cecil and Kain both turned to see Commander Javelynn waiting patiently in full battle gear.

Cecil looked quizzical. "Yes, Commander?"

"I have a request, if you will allow it," Sera responded with a polite bow to her King as he approached.

"Of course, what is it, Sera?"

"I would like the chance to prove myself in combat before you, sir."

Cecil smiled, but he was physically drained. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I am currently not in any shape to go another round."

"Not with you, sir," Sera assured him.

Cecil's eyebrow quirked. "With Kain, then?"

"Yes, sir," she replied as her sharp eyes slanted towards her target.

"You have my approval, but I leave the decision up to him."

Cecil stepped back to allow Kain to come forward. Kain's expression gave away nothing, and he kept his eyes locked onto hers. He then slid his spear out from behind the left wing of his armor and offered it to Cecil, still never taking his eyes off Sera.

"Take my spear, Cecil," he said. "It is too powerful to use against ordinary steel."

"That will not be necessary," Cecil came back with a grin. Kain finally broke his stare to give his friend a questioning eye. "After the war, I sent our mining company on an expedition to find adamantite ore. Since I had some idea of where to look, it wasn't long before we found a small island with a rich vein of it, and we've established a quarry there. It's four fold the strength of steel, and half the weight. All knights in the order have since been equipped with adamantite armor and weapons, so if there was ever a test of its worth then this is it."

Kain considered this for a moment. He had indeed noticed that the gold breastplate he was wearing felt different than his old azure steel, but he didn't realize just how much the smithing in Baron had advanced. He gave Cecil a nod of understanding and returned his gaze to the white dragon knight awaiting an answer to her challenge.

"Is it settled then?" Sera asked.

Kain said nothing. He just turned and stepped back onto the sparring deck, taking his place in the arena.

Cecil just smiled at Sera. "He's all yours."

The nets were lowered once more as Sera stepped onto the platform, standing across from the man that had last seen her mentor alive. She didn't want vengeance for his death, but some part of her felt that this was a way of making his death mean something. To challenge the man who slayed him was her way of honoring her commander's memory. She also wanted to prove to herself that she could face Kain without letting emotion get the better of her. She prided herself on remaining detached in battle, and this was just as much a mental exercise as it was a physical one.

While his face would deny it, Kain was more than excited to face off against the latest cadre of Baron's elite. The features of her armor looked sleeker than the old guard, but the flash on the outside didn't matter if the person underneath didn't have the skills to honor it. He knew the training regimen of Baron's dragon knights well, but he assumed there would be some contemporary innovations in their tactics in his two year absence. He was more interested in learning from this experience than he was trying to prove himself.

The two took their ready stances, one alabaster dragon staring down the wyvern in azure and gold. Spears were extended, and the tips touched, igniting an explosive assault from Sera that she assumed would catch Kain off guard. Her speed was dazzling, making it hard for the untrained eye to follow her movements, but Kain reacted with a precise and responsive defense. Although he maintained his composure, it immediately became clear that this would be a much different bout than the one he had with Cecil.

Spears crossed with tremendous force, and the adamantite weapon held up against the power of its crystalline counterpart. Kain failed to find a good opening to initiate his own counterattack, so he took a calculated risk and narrowly missed a thrust as he leapt swiftly into the air before descending with a powerful strike. Sera dodged and Kain's spear broke through the deck, leaving behind a crater of splintered wood.

She was upon him faster than he anticipated, and he was once again on the defensive. Despite the appearance that she had him on the ropes, he started to see the rhythms of her maneuvers. He couldn't deny that her skills were exquisite. She was this elegant demon in the heat of battle, with both the finesse to demand attention and the power to make you pay when you didn't. More impressive was that she was able to throw enough improvisation in her technique that even a well-trained warrior would find her style of offense difficult to defend against.

But Kain Highwind was no ordinary warrior. All he needed was a moment of weakness from his opponent to flip the tables, and after a relentless barrage he found it. While she often mixed up the height of her thrusts, she never strayed from the center bodyline. It was always either head, heart, guts, or groin. She might still swipe at the shoulders or the knees with the pommel, or throw a heavy one-handed swing that hit like an anvil, but her thrusts were always precisely on the center line. This gave Kain the out he needed.

When he anticipated the next thrust, he flipped his spear and used the bladed-pommel like a claw to capture the polearm mid-stride and slant it down into the deck. It jammed into the planks, and Kain launched his shoulder into Sera's chest. She staggered back as she lost her grip on her spear, and Kain spun on his heel to deliver a powerful kick into her stomach, sending her sprawling across the deck on her back.

Despite her every effort to recover quickly, the air had been thoroughly evacuated from her lungs, and her limbs refused to move until they received the oxygen they craved. She opened her eyes just in time to see a bright blue sky and a dragon knight descending upon her with his crystal spear aimed for her head. She felt the rumble up her spine as his feet landed on either side of her body, the tip of the spear stopping just between her eyes. She didn't even have time to blink. She knew she had lost.

A breathless moment passed as Sera stared at the man who had handily beaten her, and she fought back the swell of disappointment in herself. She was surprised when Kain withdrew his spear and extended a hand to help her to her feet. She accepted the honorable gesture, humbled in her defeat. When she stood she had to look up into his deep blue eyes, for Kain stood half a head over her.

"Your technique is impressive, Commander Javelynn," said Kain. She saw a hint of respect in his stone face. "Your precision is your greatest strength, but it is also your greatest weakness."

"What do you mean?" Sera asked, taken aback.

"The consistency of your aim," Kain responded. "That is how I was able to counter your attack."

"Are you suggesting I should be more haphazard?"

"Against most opponents I would say no," Kain answered honestly. "Your skills far exceed the common warrior, even without your magic abilities, and I doubt most opponents would notice such a minor flaw. But if you wish to beat me, you will need to adjust your tactics. We will go again. This time, focus on keeping your thrusts off my center. Every thrust does not need to be a killing blow."

"I see," Sera acknowledged, averting her eyes to the ground as she considered his advice. The blue dragon stepped back to his ready position, spear extended as he waited for the next round. Sera looked up and took in a calming breath before touching his spear to begin again.

As before she initiated the attack immediately, and as before Kain responded with perfect defense. She found it difficult to force her muscles out of their entrained behavior, and when she finally threw her first thrust at Kain's shoulder, she caught a brief grin on his face as he leaned away, grabbing her arm before hurling her over his back. She slammed on the ground with such force that she blacked out for a second. When her vision returned, the crystal spear was again between her eyes, the glistening fang dangling with resolution.

"Good," Kain said as he let her go, walking away to resume his starting position at the other end of the deck. "Again!"

Sera stood up, grabbing her spear off the planks as she met him in the middle, touching off another round of intense melee. Kain was impressed with her stamina as much as her will to continue improving her skills. He was actually starting to become winded, but he was relishing this opportunity to face a worthy foe, and it fueled him to continue until she could land a hit. She was improving steadily as she began to vary her thrusts off the center line with more regularity, but they were still awkward and it slowed the pace of her attack just enough for Kain to counter.

He found his opening and quickly switched from defense to offense, and he began to push Sera back. He went in with an aggressive swing to topple her and she leapt back to the edge of the deck. Kain followed swiftly, dashing ahead as he aimed to catch her as she landed. He couldn't hear the words she whispered just as her foot touched the deck, and he couldn't hide his surprise when his spear found empty air as she vanished before his eyes. Before he could react, he felt her foot hit the back of his knee, forcing him to kneel, and the sharp touch of a spear on the back of his neck.

"Forgive me, but I could find no other way to defeat you," Sera admitted through exhausted breaths. She had wanted this to be a fair fight, and she knew that using her magic was an advantage that tilted the scales heavily in her favor. She withdrew her spear and stepped around to extend her hand to her opponent. She was surprised to see a grin on his face.

"I'm impressed you waited this long to use your magic," he responded as he took her hand. He stood over her, still grinning. "It is not something you should deny yourself in battle, even against me. How else will I learn to defend against it?"

"I must admit that I am surprised by you, Kain," said Sera. "You have shattered my initial impression of you. I am honored to have the opportunity to face such a true warrior."

"As am I with you, Commander."

"Please, call me Sera. You are not one of my charges, and if anything I should be honoring you with proper title."

Kain didn't respond, he simply nodded. He then turned to leave the sparring deck, making his way back towards Cecil.

"Kain?" she called after.

He stopped, turning his head to his shoulder.

"May I ask you what happened…with Commander Seiks?"

Kain pondered for a moment before answering. "You deserve to know his fate. He was my mentor, as well, but…" he hesitated. "…but now is not the time. We will speak again before we reach Agart."

"Quite the impressive display, both of you," Cecil interrupted with clapping hands, approaching with a smile. He put a friendly hand on Kain's shoulder as he stood next to him, beaming at Sera. "I've never felt more confident that we can overcome our enemy. With your skills combined, I dare say you two would be unstoppable."

"Thank you, sir," Sera said with a salute. "Thank you for the opportunity to test my strength before you."

"It will not be the last time, I'm sure," Cecil replied. He then turned to his friend waiting patiently. "Shall we make way to the galley? I'm famished. You're more than welcome to join us, Sera."

"Thank you, sir, but I have a morning briefing with my unit and I am overdue," she responded respectfully. "After the incident with the Lady Ambassador going missing, I need to assess how this will affect my troop and our mission. Perhaps I can meet with you at midday?"

"Let's plan on that," said Cecil. "I'd like to get to know the next High Commander of the Order a little better."

"Of course, sir," Sera responded with a bow. Cecil nodded before turning and making his way off the sparring deck, Kain in stride by his side. Sera watched as Kain and the King descended to the main deck before disappearing into the belly of the vessel.

There was something comforting in her spar with Kain, as though she had just seen into a piece of his soul. She always had this sixth sense about people after sparring with them. She learned more from engaging someone in battle than she ever did in conversation. Something about how they conducted themselves in combat made connections in her mind that showed her the truth of their character. In Kain, she had seen a noble warrior. She could tell that he fought with honor, and that his conviction was strong and true, but she also sensed something else. He was incredibly good at hiding it, but she couldn't deny that he seemed to be holding something back.

She shook it off, not wanting to waste unnecessary time trying to solve an unnecessary puzzle. She had work to do, and she made her way towards the forecastle deck where the rest of the order had been instructed to muster for their briefing. But her instincts had not let her down. Whether she realized it or not, she had detected that whisper of darkness in Kain's heart.