Star Ocean: Rena's Story

*note* This is going to be a continuing series that will chronicle the events of one of my SO2 games. The dialouge will not be exact to the game, and some events will be liberally changed, but overall it will be true to the events of the game. I hope you enjoy it and look forward to more!


Day 1

"I'm going!"

The girl swung open the door to her home and stepped out into the warm spring sunshine. She breathed in the sweet, clean air and smiled. Today was going to be special, she just knew it. She felt as if she had her whole life ahead of her, and nothing was going to stop her.

"Just a moment, you aren't going back there again are you?"

Well, almost.

The girl turned to her mother who was standing in the doorway. "Why can't I go?"

"You went there yesterday, and with the recent earthquake I don't think it's a good idea to leave the village." Her mother's voice was stern, but concerned.

"But…I feel so calm when I am there. You know how much the forest means to me.." The girl huffed.

"And you know better than to venture outside the village…"

The girl would listen to no more. "I'm going! I'll be back later!" She spun on her heel and ran off through the village.

"Rena! Wait!" Westa could just watch as her daughter sped off. She sighed. "That girl….really loves that forest." She half smiled and walked back into the house. She had lost, again.

Rena looked back to see if Westa was following her. When she noticed that she had gone back inside, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Jeez, how annoying. I wish mother would trust me more. I'm not a kid anymore." Rena continued on through the village, saying hello to everyone she passed. She headed south and walked over the bridge and into the Shingo Forest.

Rena paused shortly after entering the forest. Something was different. Nothing major, she sensed no danger or negative feelings from the animals, but something was happening. There appeared to be a brief flash of light straight ahead, but it was so fast that Rena wasn't sure if it was real or her imagination. She shook her head. "Silly mother, now I'm starting to believe some of the things she says." Rena shifted her focus to the trees around her, took a deep breath and began walking. She could feel the calming essence of the trees permeate to her ver soul. She had always loved walking among the shaded paths and climbing among the twisting branches. Rena felt more at home in the forest than in her own house. She became so lost in thought that she failed to notice how deep into the forest she was…or that she was being followed.

"LOOK OUT! BEHIND YOU!"

"Hmm?" Rena blinked, and was brought back to reality. She turned to see a large beast charging at her. Rena screamed and tried to run, but was so startled that she fell backwards instead. She cringed as the beast lunged for her. Suddenly, there was a blinding light, and the blow that Rena had braced for never came. She opened her eyes to see the beast disappear in another ray of light that came from a strange object being wielded by an even stranger boy. Rena was paralyzed by both fear and wonder. She stared at the boy, who was about her age. He had sandy blonde hair that was held out of his face by a red headband. He was wearing clothes of the likes she had never seen before. Something about him was…familiar. "But from where?" she thought.

Then she remembered. The Warrior Of Light! Her village's oldest legend! In the time of Expel's greatest need, a man in alien armaments wielding a sword of light will come and save the people. This had to be him!! He turned to look at her, and Rena gasped. His eyes were clear blue, and he had a forlorn look to him.

"Are you ok?" He asked as he walked towards her. Rena stood up, trembling both from the shock of the attack and the appearance of this boy who very well may be the planet's savior. She stared blankly at him. "Please, " he asked, approaching her, "I need you to answer a few questions…"

It was too much to handle. Rena took off past the boy running as fast as she could. "Wait!" he called out, but it was too late, she was gone. Rena tired out after a few hundred yards, and stopped, gasping for air. She looked back, he was gone. "I wonder if I did the right thing…he startled me so much! I wonder…he did say to wait, I wonder if I should…?" Rena stood by a large tree as she caught her breath. After a few minutes she began pacing back and forth. "I wonder if he's coming this way? Maybe he went somewhere else? Nah, this is the only path out of the forest. But, if he is the Warrior, what is he doing out here?" Rena was wringing her hands nervously. "Maybe I offended him!? Oh no, what if he decides not to help us now thanks to me? Argh, stupid stupid stupid! I should have stayed!!" Just as Rena was on the verge of worrying herself sick, the boy emerged out of the thicket and onto the path. He smiled, relieved.

"You waited after all….thank you!" He approached her again. This time instead of running, Rena walked towards him as well.

"I must apologize for that, you startled me and I freaked. I shouldn't have run away like that…"

"It's ok, I would have done the same." He smiled. "I'm glad you waited for me."

This time Rena was able to get a good look at him. He wasn't as young as she first took him for, and he actually was quite handsome. She blushed slightly. "It…it was no problem…um…."

"Claude. My name is Claude Kenni. And you?"

"My name is Rena Lanford, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Claude"

He chuckled. "Claude is fine." His smile then faded. "I know this might sound dumb…but could you answer a question for me?"

"Uh, sure." Rena wondered what he could possibly ask.

"Just where…are we?"

Rena blinked. "Where…are we? Why, we're in the Shingo Forest!"

The boy nodded, but it was obvious that wasn’t quite the answer he wanted. "The Shingo Forest….where?"

Rena wrinkled her brow. "The Shingo Forest….outside Arlia?" Why on Expel would he be asking such strange questions?

"Arlia…ok, that's a bit better." He looked lost in thought.

"Are you alright, Mr. Claude?" Rena asked.

"Hmm? Oh, yes, I'm fine." He laughed weakly.

"You appear to be lost…"

"Uh, yes, I guess you could say that…"

"Well then, will you please come with me back home? I would like to thank you properly for saving me and introduce you to the village elder. Perhaps he can assist you with where you are going."

The boy smiled again. "Thanking me isn't necessary, but I would like to visit your village."

"Then follow me." Rena smiled as well, and the two began to walk back towards Arlia, talking along the way.

When they reached the village, Claude stopped and marveled at the quaint village.

"I've…I've never seen anyplace like this before!" He breathed in deep. "The air is so clean, and everyone looks so happy. And there are birds in the sky and real trees lining the streets..it's amazing!"

"Things are not like this where you are from?" Rena was appalled by the fact that there were places with dirty air and no trees.

"None at all…" Claude looked sad. "But I wish there still was. We used to have places like this but our ancestors destroyed them."

"That's horrible!" Rena was aghast.

"I know…I wish it didn't happen." He smiled weakly again, trying to change the subject. "Will you please show me around?"

Rena smiled and nodded. "Sure!" She led him through the village, showing him the church, the elder's house, and the general store, where she had to explain to him about herbs. When the arrived at her home, Rena asked if he could wait outside while she went in to clean up. He agreed and she went in.

She paused at the door for a moment after it was shut. Westa saw her in the doorway.
"Oh, Rena, you're back. I was…" before she could finish, Rena ran up to her, breathless and excited.

"Mother!!! He's appeared! It's him!! The Warrior saved me!!" Rena felt as if she was going to burst.

"Whoah, slow down!! What are you talking about?! What Warrior?" Westa arched an eyebrow. She knew that Rena got excited easily over the smallest things.

Rena paused, trying to regain her composure. "When I was in the forest, a man with a Sword of Light saved me from a monster." Westa gave Rena a 'I told you so' look, but Rena ignored it and continued with her story. " He has no idea where he is and he is from a far away land and has the alien armaments, just like in the legend! It's him mother, I'm telling the truth!"

Westa was stunned. Rena may get excitable, but she never lied. "Now, Rena, are you absolutely sure…I mean, this isn’t something to take lightly…"

"Honest, mother, it IS him!" With that, Claude walked into the house.

"Um, excuse me…Rena? I was wondering what was taking so long and if…"

"Mr. Claude!" Rena ran to the door to prevent Claude from coming in any further. "Um, we're..still cleaning. Would you mind still looking around while we finish here?" Rena grinned. Westa 's jaw dropped.

"Um, sure…I guess." Claude looked at Rena suspiciously.

"Great! I'll come get you when we're done!" Rena then shoved him out the door and locked it. She looked back at Westa, smiling. "See?"

"Oh my…you, you weren't lying!" Westa became flustered. "Oh, what shall we do!? I must make him a nice dinner! The elder! We must tell the elder!"

"I'll get the elder, you just make dinner. I'll go get him and we’ll be back soon, ok?" Rena beamed. "Who would have guessed that the Warrior would appear here!?"

Westa shooed Rena out the door "Well then, go get him! I'll have a feast ready when you get back!"

"Right!" Rena unlocked the door and took off to fetch Claude.

------------------------------------------

Later that night, after dinner, Rena leads Claude upstairs to her mother's room. "That was an excellent meal! I ate till I was stuffed!"

Rena blushed "Mother shouldn't have made so much…she can get so carried away."

Claude shook his head. "No, it was all wonderful! She is an excellent cook."

"You really liked it?" Claude nodded.

"I'll have to tell her then." Rena smiled. "Here, please rest. We need to clean up and I need to do some things."

"Are you sure I'm not imposing?"

"No! Not at all!" Rena headed towards the stairs. "I'll be back soon." She walked down the stairs, leaving Claude.

Westa was cleaning up after the meal. "I'm heading over to get the Elder. He should be back by now." Rena grabbed her cloak as she went to the door.

"Where is Mr. Claude?" Westa asked.

"He is in your room resting." Rena opened the door. "I'll return soon." Westa nodded and Rena left.

Rena walked over to the Elder's house and knocked on the door. The elder answered. "Why, Rena, what brings you out this time of night?"

"It's very important that you come with me, Elder. The Warrior of Light…he has appeared!"

"What's this? Where is he?" The elder was surprised.

"He's at our house. Please, hurry!"

The elder grabbed his cane and coat and followed Rena back to her house, where they found a very worried Westa fretting about.

"Oh, Rena!! Forgive me! I…I couldn't help but tell him…!!"

"Mother, what happened, what did you do?" Rena was worried.

"I…did it." Westa blushed.

"Did what? What's wrong?" Rena was frustrated.

Claude walked down the stairs. "I told him about the Warrior!" Westa blurted.

Rena buried her face in her hand "Motherrrrr…."

Claude looked confused. "Could someone please tell me what is going on?"

The elder nodded. "I think it is time you to find out."

Everyone sat at the dining room table and the Elder began to tell Claude about the Sorcery Globe.

"The Sorcery Globe?" Claude asked?

"Yes. A few months ago, a strange meteorite fell and landed on the continent of El. At first we did not think much of it, but ever since, strange happenings have befallen us. Natural disasters are common, and monsters roam the forests and plains outside of town. People have been getting sick and acting strange for no reason. No one has been able to find out anything about it. "

"So, what does this have to do with me?" Claude was skeptical.

"In our oldest legend, a Warrior wielding a sword of light and wearing alien armaments shall come during Expel's darkest hour and save the land. Rena tells me that you have such a weapon?"

"It's true! I saw him wield it against the monster today!" Rena chimed in.

"What? You mean my Phase Gun?" Claude was puzzled. "I guess it could look like a sword, but that hardly proves anything."

"You are a traveler with no specific destination, and you wear alien armaments, is that not proof enough?" The elder asked coolly.

"Now look. I'm sorry to say, but I'm simply lost, that's all. I have no intentions on saving the world or anything so grand." Claude stood up. "I am not your Warrior."

"I see…" The elder and Westa were obviously disappointed, but did not protest. The elder stood up. "Then, please forgive us for thinking so. I must admit, it is only a legend, and we simply let it get to us." He bowed.

Claude nodded. "It's alright, I can understand it."

"I can't" Rena said weakly as she stared down.

"What?" Claude asked.

"I said I don't believe you!" Rena looked up at him, crying. "Stop lying, you are the Warrior!! You HAVE to be!!"

"Rena!" Westa chided..

"I…" Claude felt awful. Rena really believed he was her Warrior. "I'm…sorry…."

"NO!!!" Rena leapt up from the chair and ran upstairs, crying. Claude tried to follow, but the elder stopped him.

Rena slammed her bedroom door behind her and fell onto her bed, sobbing. "This can't be….he IS the Warrior! Why is he saying he's not? I don't believe him, I DON'T!!"

There was a knock at the door.

"Rena, may I come in?"

"Leave me alone!" Rena didn't even look up at the door.

"Rena, dear, I know you are hurt…"

"JUST GO AWAY!"

There was no response, Westa had left. Rena sat up on her bed, wiping away her tears. "She doesn't understand…nobody does!" She stood up and went over to her desk. She looked in her mirror. She smiled weakly. "I look awful." She stared blankly at her reflection for a moment, then it hit her.

Rena had not cried this hard since her father died.

Rena opened the drawer on the right side of her desk and pulled out a small box. She removed the lid and carefully removed a ringlet of delicate dried flowers and a small piece of unwrapped candy.

"Won't you smile with me?"

She could still remember every detail of that day, even though it had been almost six years ago. The sad faces of all the townsfolk when the news arrived of his death. Her mother's angry, heartbroken voice as she yelled at the village elder. The terrible secret she learned that day.

"It will be alright, Rena, I'll stay with you!"

She remembered his warm smile, his clear eyes. He was so kind and gentle, he never wanted to see anybody sad. He had followed her to the Shingo Forest when she ran there to escape the pain…

"I'll protect you, I promise!"

She remembered him placing the ringlet on her head, then offering her his last piece of candy. Even though he was much older than her, she could always go to him, he was always there…and she could always count on him to be there for her….

"But…where are you now, Dias? Where did you go?" Rena placed the objects back into the box and put it away. "Where are you…when I need you here the most?"