Chapter 6: Epilogue/Restoration

"Zidane told me that life doesn’t last forever, so I will cherish this moment, but.." "He’s still not here, my only brother," Freya looked at Fratley as she was lying on his lap. "Where are you?" "It’s not complete," The rain was as silent and beautiful as always. An unknown person was walking towards the gate of Burmecia, with his hood on. The gate was closed.

"It’s this place.." Tarsh said to himself.

"!" Freya felt him outside. She rushed out of Fratley’s arms and ran towards the gate. She opened the gate and couldn’t believe what she just saw. She grabbed the person as tight as she could and quickly pushed her head beside his neck.

"Why are you crying? I’m already in your arms." Tarsh asked her.

"Oh god, I thought you’d never return, you’ve only been gone ten days, and I’m already wasting away," Freya said to him.

"Ten days??" Tarsh asked her with surprise. "But, how, I’ve only been 1 day away," He explained to her. "What the hell, right now I don’t care about anything but to cheer you up," "ACHOO!" "I think I’ve got a cold, with all this rain and all,"

She giggled at him, knowing that he sneezes in such a funny way. "Come on, let’s get you inside," Freya told him. As they were walking to their destination, Tarsh saw his former half self, Fratley standing 5 meters away from them, waiting.

"So, you are Tarsh Burrow?" Fratley asked him.

"Yes I am," He replied.

"Come on, let me help you," He said to him. Fratley put Tarsh’ right arm over his shoulders.

"Thanks, I’m weak right now, with all that traveling just to find this place, I need some rest," Tarsh thanked him.

"We’re here," Freya said.

"Whose house is this?" Tarsh asked them.

"That’s mine, my new home, you’ll be living with me, because you’re my brother," Freya told him.

"Oh, well then, let’s get inside," Tarsh told them. Inside her house Tarsh immediately jumped to the sofa in the living room and getting ready for a long snooze.

"Um, Fratley, could you watch over him, I’ll just get some hot water for him," Freya asked him.

"Sure dear," Fratley told her. He watched his love go away for the hot water. He then turned to Tarsh and approached him. "You’re the one who saved me from that curse, am I correct?" Fratley asked him.

"Well, yes, I’m the one," He told him. Fratley got into his knees and bowed down. "Um hey, what are you doing?"

"I’m doing this to show you all my gratitude, I don’t know how to say this but, thank you very much for saving my life, I know you also did it for your sister," Fratley told him. "It’s proper to put your right palm on my left shoulder to show your appreciation, it’s a custom here in our kingdom,"

"Well, ok, but it’s not like someone else is watching," He put his right palm on his left shoulder for 5 seconds, and departed. "So, how’s Freya, was she really crying that hard that 10 days only because she misses me?" Tarsh asked him.

"Hardly. She’s perfect now, in fact, there will even be a celebration for a reunion of the whole group, and it’s a good thing you got here before tommorow, so the reunion would be complete," Fratley told him.

"Oh really? That’s great!" Tarsh said. He started thinking of something. "I’m surprised Fratley doesn’t know even the slightest bit of what just happened between us, was he really that possessed? I guess it’s better that way, it will only cause more commotion, but at least he knew that I saved his life, I’m a savior, the only thing he knew about me is that." He sighed and lay down again, looking at the ceiling. He started talking again. "I never knew that rain would sound beautiful around here,"

"It’s been raining on this region ever since the beginning, sounds smooth no?" Fratley told him.

"Yeah, I always thought rain is a sign of depression, but I was wrong, only here, it’s beautiful, I think I’m already beginning to like this kingdom," Tarsh told him.

"I will accept that as a complement," Fratley smiled at him.

"Sooooo, you are what they call a dragon knight right?" Tarsh asked him.

"Yes, I think you’ve already seen how a dragon knight combats in spite Freya," Fratley said to him.

"Yes," He replied. "And the hat looks cool too," He told Fratley.

"Thank you, and by the way, what is your style of fighting?" Fratley asked him.

"I apologize for not knowing what it is, but it looks more like a hybrid of dancing, martial arts and acrobatics and some magic in it," He explained to him.

"Wow, I’m looking forward to seeing your style," Fratley told him.

"Sure, I will, tomorrow probably," Tarsh assured him. He heard someone coming towards them.

"Sister!" Tarsh exclaimed.

"I’ve got the hot water!" Freya told him. She walked to them carrying a pale of hot water.

"So basically, I’ll dip in my legs in there right? And wrap a towel around my back?" Tarsh jokingly asked them.

"Uh yeah, exactly" Fratley replied with a laugh. Eventually they did what was necessary. All was done. Freya asked Fratley if he could leave them alone for the night.

"Sure, I understand that you missed him so much, good night!" Fratley waved goodbye and went back to his house to rest. Everything done, Freya sat close beside his brother and leaned on his shoulder. *Sigh* she went.

"Damn, I’ve really missed you," Freya told him.

"So what’ve you been doing while I was gone? Fratley said that you were setting up a celebration for my return,"

"Actually, not only us, but all of us and our friends," She said.

"Not only us… you mean also Zidane, Garnet, Eiko, Blank and the whole Tantalus group and Vivi?" Tarsh asked her.

"There are still many people you don’t know," She told him.

"Who?" "Are there many more?"

"There is still the two Alexandrian knights Steiner and Beatrix, Mikoto is Zidane’s sister but not biologically, Vivi’s children and Vivi, Quina, well you’ll get to know what s/he looks like when you see him/her, Amarant, that guy’s a little too stubborn and got some attitude towards people," Freya told him.

"You said, Vivi’s children, how could that be!!??" He asked her with surprise.

"It’s a long story, I don’t have to tell you," She told him. Tarsh paused for a moment.

"I’m looking forward in meeting them, hope they’ll like me," He smiled. She followed up with a warm smile also. "The water’s comfortable, come to think of it, my body’s getting relieved, and helps me get to sleep,"

"You know, I really never had a brother or sister, I didn’t had the chance," "But you’re here with me, my first brother, the first I ever had in my life, so I don’t want you to disappear like that anymore," She told him.

Tarsh rolled his eyes on her, "I know, I’ve missed you too, so much, but seeing you shed tears of sorrow makes me sad, do it for me and Fratley, don’t be sad. I guess everything’s fine now, I’m here, I gave him back his memories, no more beasts that get stuck on peoples back." He saw her eyes closed already, and breathing gently. "Oh," he paused for a moment. "Sleep well sister, you look lovely even in sleep you know," He rubbed up the hair covering her left eye gently. "Good night.." He stood up and went to the next sofa to sleep alone. *Sigh* "it’s a nice life…"

The next morning, Tarsh opened his eyes and saw something greatly different about Freya. "WHOA! Why are you wearing those?" He said surprisingly without any sign of yawning. She wasn’t wearing her usual outfit. She was wearing an orange sleeveless shirt and wasn’t covering her stomach. A pants only down below the knees, her hair tied up to a ponytail and wearing a pair traditional Burmecian shoes. But her tail still got that yellow ribbon and she still was holding her cap and weapon.

"Is it too much? I’m only wearing these to feel normal, and for the celebration," She told him.

"So, what now?" He asked her.

"Remember what you said back in Madain Sari? We’ll go to Alexandria."

"Hm. That would be a big trip," Tarsh told her.

"Fratley got 3 chocobos from a ranch near here, so we won’t be sweating and tired when we get there," "Speaking of him, here he is" Freya said. He was still wearing the same clothes but without his cap

"Good morning to all!" He yelled with joy. "Everything’s ready, how about you two?" He asked.

"I’m prepared, but I think brother is.."

"I’m ready too!" Tarsh exclaimed. He pulled his sleeves all the way up to the elbows; his long sleeved white shirt was showing and pulled his hair behind his ears. "Don’t worry about my clothes, they smell perfect! Now don’t I look formal,"

"Yeah, you do! Just maintain that hair style," Freya said.

"Excited aren’t you, we all are. Come on then let’s go," Fratley said. The 2 siblings got outside and already saw the chocobos.

"You didn’t have to let the chocobos inside here, but thank you," Freya said to Fratley.

"Dear, we don’t need those spears anymore, besides, all is well now, no worries," Fratley told her.

"Okay, but we’re still knights, not only this day," Freya told him.

"Of course we are, we’ll always be, but today we are just ordinary people," Fratley said with a promising manner. They both saw Tarsh already on the chocobo.

"Well come on, the earlier the better," Tarsh told them. The unmounted 2 jumped up to the 2 empty birds and started to go. "YEAH! I haven’t tried chocobos before, SO FAST!" He suddenly went balancing all his weight on one hand on the chocobo’s back.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING!?" Freya shouted.

"It’s okay, if I’ve done this on top of a flying airship, then this wouldn’t be a problem!" He shouted in an excited manner.

"Whatever you say, but it’s best you go down, you couldn’t foretell accidents," Fratley told him.

"Since you’ve mentioned the word accident, I’ll go down," He said with a frightened face.

"That’s better," Freya said in relief. They’ve arrived at Gizamaluke’s Grotto, where they departed to prevent the chocobos causing some ruckus inside the grotto; they just walked with the chocobos inside.

"So, this dim but beautiful place is the grotto where you worship the great Gizamaluke," Tarsh asked them both.

"That’s right, it was just rebuilt, and has some new looks and decorations, what do you think?" Fratley asked him.

"I don’t like it… but I love every bit of IT!!" he said with humor.

"That’s good, well I didn’t think you’d say that because the place IS really dim," Freya smiled. As they head out of the grotto, they got up on their chocobos and resumed their travel. They’ve reached Alexandria in perfect form. "Finally, we’ve reached Alexandria!" Freya exclaimed.

"It’s still as beautiful as the last time I saw it." Tarsh said.

"Come one, let’s get inside," Fratley inquired. The Alexandrian guards helped them dismount their chocobos in such a noble manner.

"We were expecting you Lady Freya and Sir Fratley, you may proceed," The other guard said. They entered the holy kingdom boldly. They could hear the entire chitchat and talks of the citizens of the land. The whole place was as noisy as before, as if the attack that happened 2 years ago never happened. They were having a very good time there and they were enjoying every second of it.

They laugh, they smile, they sigh, and they were complete persons. Freya got her childhood smile back; Fratley was revived from the nightmare, and Tarsh is a person in mind, body, heart and soul.

Freya was encouraging the 2 to make the best of this day; Tarsh was showing off with his moves, and Fratley was giving his love the things he should’ve given her all that lonely years. A big crowd was building, leaving a big space for Tarsh to continue perform his best moves. The 2 lovers were watching.

"He is happy, look at him, he was never been this energetic before," Freya told Fratley.

They went on, to the castle, and they saw Ruby also going their path. They finally reached the castle, with Ruby. Steiner didn’t mind their unexpected appearance; he greeted the 2 knights with nobility, and the girl thief as well.

"He is my brother, and my, you have changed your attitude towards people like her," Freya said to Steiner.

"Thank you Lady Freya, you may proceed as you wish,"

"Thank you lord Steiner," They got inside the castle, and saw great decorations eating up the interior of the castle.

"WOW, It’s so beautiful, Tarsh exclaimed.

"I haven’t seen this place before, the Castle of Alexandria," Fratley said. They saw Queen Garnet up on the balcony.

"WELCOME! My friends, and welcome back Tarsh," She yelled out to them. She went down with elegance and grace. Lord Steiner and General Beatrix lead the queen to the royal dining room. She stopped in front of the door and turned to her visitors. "Please, proceed," She told them. The 2 walked while holding hands, and Tarsh and Ruby walked towards the dining room with spontaneous confidence and somewhat arrogant look on them. They approached the table and saw almost everyone there; the only people missing are Amarant and Mikoto. Freya and Fratley sat on the 2 unoccupied seats beside Eiko. Tarsh sat on the seat in front of her sister and Ruby sat beside Blank. Everyone greeted the recently arrived visitors a good morning; Freya greeted back, Fratley as well. Tarsh introduced himself to Quina, Steiner, Beatrix and Vivi’s children. They all introduced themselves to him too. And he didn’t forget Baku for an introduction. As they were chatting and waiting for the queen’s permission to start eating, Amarant finally arrived. He was still as stiff as before, his hair was waving as he moves. He sat on the empty seat beside Tarsh. Although he didn’t know who the red head is, he asked him his name.

"Amarant…."

"Oh." Tarsh ended it with a gulp. Eiko made a side glance to the door and saw he last one

"Miss Mikoto!" Eiko said.

"Sister!" Zidane ran up to her and gave her a hug for 3 seconds.

"…brother, right?" Mikoto said in a cold manner.

"I’ve already told you," Zidane told her. She unconsciously smiled at him.

"What is this I am feeling? It feels wonderful," Mikoto asked him

"You haven’t felt true happiness before haven’t you?" Zidane asked her.

"So, this is called happiness, then I shall say… I’m so happy to be with everyone." She said to everyone silently. Freya, Garnet, Tarsh, Fratley, Eiko, and Vivi greeted her. Mikoto sat beside his non-biological brother sustained that pretty smile

"Everyone, I appreciate your being here. This day would be engraved in our minds as an unforgettable memory. Let the celebration BEGIN!" Garnet shouted. Everyone seems to be noisy and having a whale time.

Amarant was eating silently but in a bit barbaric manner. The Tantalus group was as noisy as always. Eiko being such a small child was giggling in delight because of the food. Quina’s dish wasn’t enough, s/he quickly grabbed more food from the center of the table. Fratley and Freya was in an idle and noisy cheerful chatting with Tarsh. Zidane Garnet and Mikoto were talking about their past lives and the two Alexandrian knights were flirting at each other.

3 hours have passed. The reunion was a complete success. Everyone was extremely happy, even for Mikoto, she developed great amounts of emotion during the reunion. Everyone was full and tired. The whole party was invited by the queen to stay for the night to rest. They were all lead to their chambers by one of the castle servants. Tarsh, Freya and Fratley reached their rooms.

"Wow, the room’s size is enough for me to work out!" Tarsh exclaimed.

"Dear, we never had rooms like these back in Burmecia," Fratley told Freya.

"It’s so beautiful, if only this was my room, but I shouldn’t be dreaming like that," she smiled.

"Come on, I’m totally beat," He jumped on one bed and crashed on his back.

"Fratley?" Freya looked at him, but she found him immediately on his bed sleeping. "hahahah," she laughed quietly. She noticed that Tarsh was still awake, and approached him.

"Hey there, how are you doing?" She asked his brother.

"Never been better, the food’s very delightful!" He exclaimed. She sat on his bed, beside him.

"Yes, me too. This day is too splendid. Thank God it’s no dream," Freya said.

"Don’t talk like that, c’mon, just forget everything that happened," Tarsh told her.

"You’re right, I should turn from the past," Freya said.

"That’s good, now I hope nothing else happens in the future," Tarsh told her.

"…tell me, did you ever meet a special person before, besides Puck?" She asked him.

"Well, I did, she’s a you girl, about my age, her name’s Neila, she lives in Treno, but she passed away 2 days later.."

"I’m sorry," Freya said to him.

"It’s alright. But she was valuable. She became my girl friend the same day I met her, how sad.."

"You poor thing. I feel sorry for you," She touched his hand. "Well, don’t give up, I know you still have a big chance," Freya encouraged him.

"Thanks," he smiled. "Well then, good night sis,"

"Good night brother," She smiled and gave him a good night kiss on the side of his forehead. She went in front of the mirror in the room, and looked at herself, and shoved up the strands of hair covering her left eye and rubbed her left ear and smiled at herself. "This is the first time I saw myself in such a condition," Freya approached her bed and lied down beside Fratley. "Good night, my love,"

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Thank you

-practice makes perfect, keep breakin’ -Jerik Jacinto aka Bboy gL