Work Text:
“Cid! I’m sorry to disturb you so abruptly but we require your assistance at once!” The young man storms off, outside his chambers. The man sighs in his chair, buried in paper and ink. Never catching a break, eh?
Clive rises from his chair and looks upon his wall of memories. And there it is, the crystal with which it all began. Two daggers stabbed tightly in there, not only as a brotherly sign of trust but as a symbol for what they stand for, what they’re fighting for.
He brushes over his face, feeling the slight tingling that the brand still leaves whenever he touches it. He can never forget what it stands for.
Honestly, things would be much easier if Cid was still here, but he isn’t. Clive misses him… everyone does. The least he can do is finish what he started. That’s what he would’ve wanted… what he deserves.
Clive turns back to the desk. Letters riddled with condolences from, well, essentially everyone Cid knew. But it is not comfort they send, it is reassurance what they seek truly. With Cid gone, can they still count on the aid and protection he offered?
Clive doesn’t know, but it is his duty now to tend to the questions and answer each one of them truthfully. There has to be a way to make everything right, to turn things around and not completely lose hope.
Truthfully, it is not all lost. Some have sent funds to aid in a reconstruction but only a few. Things won’t be easy, that's for sure.
Clive has to think back at the events at Phoenix Gate, especially the night before the attack. It was the last moment he saw Joshua… and now he’s found him again. From his pocket he grabs the down his brother left with him.
It feels warm, the phoenix’ flame still burns and his brother is still alive.
Oh Joshua… I’m so glad you are well.
“Cliive! Get your sorry ass down here!” Otto does not sound pleased. He better hurry now.
I will do you right Cid. I promise you that.
I will find you again Joshua. So we may live as brothers again in a better world.
But before that can happen he’ll need to listen to one of Otto’s famous scoldings.