The forest path twisted and turned, roots curling like claws across the soil, branches arching to blot out the sun. Mist clung to the undergrowth, carrying with it the smell of damp earth and fallen leaves. The air was still, as though the woods themselves were holding their breath.
For a long time, their footsteps were the only sound—soft crunches against the dirt path, the occasional creak of leather, the faint jingle of Zidane's weapons. Then, without warning, the path opened into a clearing.
Vivi froze mid-step, his glowing eyes widening at the sight before him.
Nestled quietly among the trees was a settlement unlike any he had seen. Simple wooden huts leaned against one another, their roofs patched with straw and moss. Smoke curled lazily from crooked chimneys, blurring into the mist. Lanterns hung from posts, glowing faintly like will-o'-wisps in the gloom. And moving between the huts were figures—figures wrapped in black robes, wide-brimmed hats shadowing their faces. From beneath those hats, pairs of yellow eyes shone softly, glimmering like stars in the dim light.
Vivi's heart leapt. His hands trembled around his staff. They're here. They're just like me.
He stumbled forward, almost tripping over his own boots in his rush. "H-Hello!" he cried, voice cracking with hope.
One of the nearest figures stopped, basket in hand. The mage's eyes widened as they landed on Vivi—recognition flickering like lightning across a stormcloud. For one moment, silence reigned.
Then the mage's gaze slid past Vivi, to Zidane, Garnet, and Quina approaching behind him.
Panic spread like fire.
"Humans!" one mage shouted, dropping his basket of herbs.
"Humans are here!" another shrieked, stumbling backward.
The reaction was immediate. Mages scattered like frightened birds. Some ducked into huts, slamming wooden doors so hard they rattled. Others fled deeper into the woods, robes flaring as they vanished into the mist. A few lingered only long enough to grab tools or children before hurrying away, leaving the clearing half-deserted in a heartbeat.
The ones who remained clustered nervously near the edges, trembling, their eyes darting between Vivi and his companions.
Vivi's chest tightened. He raised both hands in a desperate plea. "W-Wait! It's okay! They're my friends—they're not going to hurt you!"
But the cluster of mages shook their heads frantically. "No! No humans! Stay away!"
"B-But I'm… I'm like you," Vivi stammered, his voice breaking as he pointed to his glowing eyes, his hat, his robes. "I'm the same! Please—listen to me!"
"You came with humans," one whispered, voice filled with dread. "That makes you dangerous too."
The words struck harder than a blade. Vivi staggered, gripping his staff to keep from collapsing. Why won't they listen? Why can't they see?
He took a small step closer, his hands trembling. But the nearest mage recoiled, hissing, "Stay back!" The sound was sharp, fearful, and final.
Zidane stepped in quickly, placing a steadying hand on Vivi's shoulder. His tail flicked uneasily. "Easy, buddy. Give them time."
But Vivi could barely hear him. His eyes had dimmed, their glow flickering faintly. They don't want me… not if I'm with them.
---
Zidane's POV
Zidane leaned against a rough wooden post at the village's edge, arms folded, tail swishing low. His usual grin had slipped away, leaving a thin line of worry.
Guess I shouldn't be surprised. People get scared of what they don't understand. But here… it's flipped. The humans are the monsters to them.
He looked back at Vivi, who stood in the village center, shoulders hunched, trying so hard to bridge a gap that felt like a canyon. The kid's desperation cut deeper than any wound Zidane had taken in a fight.
Hang in there, kid. We'll figure this out. You deserve better than fear.
He forced a crooked smile back onto his face, even if his eyes betrayed the truth. If giving the mages space would help, he'd back off. With a sigh, he pushed away from the post and wandered down one of the paths, hoping distance might calm their nerves.
---
Garnet's POV
Garnet walked slowly along the huts, her gown brushing the dirt path. She had never seen such a place—quiet, simple, built by hands that trembled at her very presence. Every time her gaze met a pair of yellow eyes, the shutters slammed closed. Every door she passed shut firmly, as though sealing her out.
Her chest tightened painfully. They're terrified. Of me. Of us.
She thought back to her days in Alexandria, to the way commoners bowed or avoided her gaze, not out of fear but reverence. Yet here, she was no princess. Here, she was a threat. Is this what it feels like? To be feared simply for existing? No wonder Vivi is hurting.
Her hand brushed against a lantern mounted on a post. Its glow flickered softly across her fingers—fragile, yet warm. She let her hand linger there, whispering so softly only the mist heard.
"If they can fear us this much… maybe they can learn to trust too. Vivi… I'll help you find your place here. Even if it takes time."
---
Quina's POV
Quina's nose twitched wildly as a savory smell drifted through the air. Forgetting entirely about fear or tension, he/she waddled off toward the scent, humming. It led to a small clearing behind the huts, where two black mages tended a chocobo pen. Nestled in the straw was a massive, gleaming egg—bigger than Quina's head, glowing faintly with warmth.
Quina's eyes widened, mouth already watering. "Ooooooooh… giant egg. Make perfect omelette!"
Without hesitation, Quina lunged forward, licking their lips. But one of the black mages gasped and threw his arms wide, blocking the path.
"No! Not food!"
Quina blinked, tilting their head. "But egg… big, delicious… surely enough for everybody!"
Another mage rushed over, clutching the egg protectively, eyes narrowed. "Not food! Baby chocobo! Precious life!"
Quina froze, blinking slowly. "…Not omelette?"
Both mages shook their heads furiously. "NO!"
Quina's shoulders slumped, lower lip wobbling. "Me so disappointed…"
The mages huffed, glaring, still clutching the egg. One muttered under his breath, "Humans are strange."
Quina raised a finger in protest, then thought better of it, sighing heavily. "…Quina hungry."
---
Back to Vivi
Vivi stood near the village's center, his heart leaden. Every hut door felt like it had shut on him personally. Every whisper carried on the mist was another rejection. He wanted to scream, to cry, to make them see he wasn't an enemy. But no matter what he said, the walls only grew higher.
Zidane returned, trying to look casual, though his shoulders were tense. Garnet approached quietly, her eyes full of thought. Quina trudged back, grumbling about unfair eggs.
Vivi's small frame shook. His voice cracked as he whispered, "They don't want me… not if I'm with you."
Zidane crouched, lowering himself to Vivi's level. His hand rested on the boy's shoulder, firm and steady. "Hey. Don't think like that. You belong here as much as they do. We'll figure it out. Together."
Garnet knelt on his other side, her hand brushing his sleeve gently. "It will take time, Vivi. Fear doesn't vanish in a day. But hearts can change."
Vivi's eyes flickered, dimming and brightening uncertainly. His gaze drifted back to the huts, where yellow eyes peeked briefly from behind curtains before vanishing again. The warmth he had dreamed of—the welcome he had longed for—was still out of reach.
All that remained for now was a fragile wall of fear.
---
From the treeline
Beyond the village, cloaked in the shadows of the forest, Sirius stood watching. His cloak stirred faintly in the mist, though his form blended into the gloom like he was part of it. His eyes softened as they lingered on Vivi's trembling figure.
So… this is your first step into belonging. Painful, isn't it? But necessary. Fear cuts deepest at first—but through it, you will learn what life and acceptance mean.
He could feel the boy's emotions through the threads of fate—fear, longing, despair. It twisted in his chest like his own.
Not yet, little mage. Not yet will you see the trinket. That day will come when you are ready. For now… endure.
With a faint sigh, Sirius turned, fading into the mist between the trees. He left no trace behind, only the faint echo of unseen eyes watching, waiting.
And so Vivi's journey into the fragile beginnings of truth began—not with acceptance, but with rejection, and the slow, painful climb toward something greater.