Sabin awoke to the sound of waves. The salty sea air and cold gritty sand on his body slightly permeated his dull senses, but was nothing compared to the ominous thundering of the waves.

He was only vaguely aware that he was alive as his consciousness seemed to flit in and out chaoticly but, after a time, thought seemed to formulate in his head and he became acutely aware of his breathing as it fell and rose in rhythm with the crashing waves.

Memories came back to him in flashes. Duncan's last training session. His encounter with Vargas. A pretty girl with pale green hair and eyes like a caged animal. And Edgar…

His brother had not changed at all. His face was still smooth, pensive, and unreadable. His dominating presence still commanded respect while his charismatic words and actions created a sense of safety and comfort that drew people to him and to his cause. He was still shrewd, calculating and the man people looked to for guidance just as Sabin had done when he was younger.

Sabin knew that he shared most of these characteristics with his brother. He knew by the way Duncan had taken to him; knew by the way his fellow students admired and respected him. He knew by the way Vargas had loathed him for creating awe and admiration in those around him as easily and instinctively as one took breath day in and out. And while on the surface he and his brother were similar in looks and actions, Sabin knew that you could not find two men more different.

Sabin sensed it in the tightness of his brothers shoulders. He saw it in the lines around his eyes and the weariness inside of them that his brother was a man struggling, but did not know what he was struggling for. His brother had lost sight of what was important to him and Sabin knew he had to bring it back to him. Just as Edgar had been brought to him.

After 10 years they were finally supposed to be together again. The times were dire and his brother would need him now more than ever. Which was why Sabin could not understand why after finding his brother he had been so swiftly taken away from him.

The waves continued to fall and recede upon the shore. The world felt timeless as though everything had stopped except for here where Sabin was. He would find his brother.

He breathed with the ocean and felt his mind slip back into dark depths feeling a completeness he had not felt in a long time…

Sabin's second awakening was not so insightful as his first. The sound of wheels on a rocky path and the bumping and shaking of the world around him combined with the sun glaring down on him caused Sabin to groan in pain. The shaking stopped as did the grinding noise, but the sun shone on and Sabin closed his eyes even as he heard footsteps approaching. He felt the mans shadow as it blocked the sun and he squinted his eyes open to look into the face of a middle aged man with an imperial uniform on.

"Glad to see you're awake." The soldier said reaching into a bag next to Sabin and pulling out a vial filled with a pale green liquid. Sabin slowly sat up and saw that he was on the back of a wagon filled with crates and bags most of which were empty. The young soldier offered him the potion. He drank it gratefully, feeling the vitality seep into his body.

"My thanks." He said handing back the empty vial.

"Not a problem, sir. I don't get to do much out here, so its nice when I can help someone out. I found you off the coast about a week back. You were pretty beat up. Lucky for you, I was almost at the end of my trade route and had room for you on the wagon. I've been giving you potions when I felt you would be able to get them down, and I figured I could leave you with the old man at the end of the route if you were still out. Since you're awake, perhaps you wouldn't mind telling me how you came to be unconcsious in the middle of nowhere?" The soldier asked. Sabin smiled ruefully.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." He replied. The young man laughed good naturedly.

"Well, whether I believe you or not, I'd still like to know." He said. Sabin glanced at him sideways, and then told the young man about his run in with a giant purple octopus. The soldier laughed so hard that tears started to stream down his face.

"I swear that's the truth." Sabin said seriously, but this only caused the man to laugh more.

"I don't really care what kind of trouble you got yourself into. All sorts of trouble is happening to people out here these days. But I can sure appreciate a man with a sense of humor." He said grinning. "The old man's house is a few more hours aways, so you're welcome to get some rest on the wagon, but after that I have to resupply. Which way is home?" He asked. Sabin sat quietly for a moment and then said quietly, "I need to get to Narshe."

The soldier whistled. "You're a long way from home then, and I'm afraid I can't help you much, but if you continue south from the old man's house you might be able to find a ship to the other side of the continent. It's not likely to happen until Old King Doma surrenders to Imperial control, but you never know. He's as stubborn as an old bull chocobo that man is. We've been here for months. Well, I've got to keep this wagon moving so lay back down and get some rest." The soldier stood up and mounted the chocobo that was carrying the wagon. The bumping and shaking began again and Sabin looked into the vast blue expanse of the sky above him.

Doma… He had traveled farther than he thought, and then suddenly it became clear to him. The stiff wind, the bright sun, the endless plains. This was Doma, the largest Kingdom in the world. And it was under siege…

Sabin wondered what that meant for him as a traveler, but then decided it didn't really mean anything. He couldn't be associated with the Returners yet, and he had learned a thing or two about going by unnoticed. His only enemy was time. If the Empire already had South Figaro and Doma under seige than Narshe had to be next.

But Doma was strong. Some of the fiercest warriors hailed from here, and they had great economic power in the world, but rumors had it that there was discontent between the lords and the quickest way to bring something down was to divide and conquer it. Something the Empire had seemed to have a talent for.

A bump in the road jolted Sabin out of his ruminations and he shook his head wearily. Thinking and worrying about his problem wasn't going to help anything. He had to focus his mind and relax his body. Things would be as they were he thought to himself and gratefully slipped into that deep, rejuvinating numbness that Duncan had tought him.

He felt the weariness leave his body as he cleared his mind of all thought. He could feel his senses heighten; could hear the sound of birds, the sighing of the high praire grass. He could hear the soldier's breathing and the chocobo's quiet warbles. But as he continued along the bumpy road he began to feel that something was wrong. He felt fear and confusion. He felt a feeling of deep, dark remorse smothered in layers of apathy and dead emotions. He felt the wagon creak to a stop and then he opened his eyes.

A large broken down house, nearly buried in praire grass, filled his field of vision. Confusion and disrepair seemed to reek from it, but more powerful was the feeling of remorse, and that came from a man dressed completely in black standing by a broken down well. Next to him a massive dog lay sleeping. The dark man caught Sabin's eyes and glared so heavily that Sabin turned away, and busied himslef with getting off of the supply wagon.

"Looks like you're feeling better" the soldier said as he came back to the wagon.

"Yes, thank you." Sabin replied.

"Come here. I'll introduce you to the old man." The soldier said as he gathered some supplies from the wagon and walked towards the door to the house. Sabin followed. The soldier knocked and the door flew open to reveal an old and frazzled looking gentleman. His hair stood on ends and his unkempt beard looked like matted moss. He glared at the young soldier who smiled back.

"Hey you! Are you the repair man that's was supposed to come and repair my clock? I've been waiting ages now!" He said loudly to the soldier.

" Nah, I'm just here to restock your food, sir." The soldier said cheerfully. "I think the man your looking for here is him." He said pointing at Sabin. The man turned his beady eyes to Sabin who started to protest, but the soldier only grinned and walked inside.

"Its up on the wall there, see?" the man said pointing vaguely to the inside of the house. "I can't remember how long its been since it broke. 1 year… 5 years? Maybe even 10 years!" The man shook his head and looked expectantly at Sabin.

"Um… I'm not a repair man." Sabin replied lamely, The old man eyed him suspisciously the smiled.

"Ah I see, You must be the lawnmower repair man!" He said in a more civilized tone as he folded his hands in front of him. "Your service warranty stinks!" He barked abruptly. "The grass out back has grown 15 meters high!" Sabin looked around and seeing no machine and no lawn, just looked back confused. But the man was indignant.

"All right repairman! Hurry up! Repair the stove! It's freezing. It's freezing!! It's like winter here all the time now." The man walked into the house and waited for Sabin at the door. Sabin walked in cautiously. He supposed he could give a shot at fixing the old man's stove.

On the wall, a clock was ticking soundly away letting Sabin know that it was an hour past noon. There was a small bed pushed into the corner and a supply shelf with some food on it. In the other corner there stood the stove. Despite being quite warm outside a large amount of heat emanated from the stove.

"Really, no child could be this mischievious." Sabin sighed to himself.

"Child? I don't have any children!" The old man yelled. "It still gives me the chills. I threw that monster out years ago. Out! Out! Onto the Veldt, ages ago..." The man was rubbing his hands agitatedly now and kept looking over his shoulder as though he expected the monster to be right behind him.

"Well, I think you're stoves better now." Sabin said to the old man.

"What!?" The old man said and then looked sternly at the stove. "I don't know what you're talking about. That stove's been working fine for years." He said. Sabin sighed and walked out of the house and back to the supply wagon. The soldier was chuckling behind him.

"The man's a little off his rocker, but he's harmless. The local farmers send down supplies to him out of charity. I drop them off for them and then head back through to resupply." The soldier explained.

"I see." Sabin replied. He looked again at the dark stranger and the soldier followed his glance.

"Can't tell you much about him except for he's dangerous and likes to be left alone. He orders some stuff from me everyonce in a while. Usually weapons and some strange herbs used for poisons. He's been lurking around here for about a week, but he keeps to himself. I think he'd like to keep it that way, if you know what I mean." The soldier said pointedly. Sabin nodded as the man shuffled some supplies on the wagon.

"Well this is where we part." The soldier said holding out his hand to Sabin. Sabin took his hand.

"Thank you for your help." Sabin said sincerely. The soldier brushed it off.

"I've got the feeling you would have done the same for me." He mounted his chocobo which warbled in protest. "Good luck I hope you get to Narshe sooner than later."

Sabin raised his hand in farewell. "As do I." He said to himself. "As do I…"

He waited until the soldier was out of view before approaching the dark clothed man and his dog. The man was completely dressed in black leather with an assortment of belts. From these belts hung various sharp edged shurikens and a very long, very wicked looking dagger. The only thing that could be seen of the man was his eyes and they narrowed with dislike as Sabin approached. The dog, who was black as well, merely looked at Sabin in a bored fashion, though Sabin could feel the muscles of the beast tense at his approach.

"My name is Sabin." He said holding out his hand. The man did not return the offer. He folded his arms and leaned up against the well. "I'm looking to get to Narshe as fast as possible. If you're traveling my way I wouldn't mind having a traveling companion." He continued.

"Its unlikely you will be able to get to Narshe. The Empire has set up a base camp near the east woods. They have restricted all passage to and from Doma including ships. Apparently Doma is under seige." The man replied. His voice was quiet and deep and seemed to have a sad melodic flow to it. Sabin bowed his head in thought then looked up.

"Nevertheless, I have to get to Narshe. Would you like to join me?" Sabin could feel those dark black eyes surveying him, and relaxed when he felt their approval.

"You can call me Shadow. I, too, am seeking passage to the other continent. I have business there to attend to, as I sense you do as well." Sabin nodded. Shadow turned away and began walking into the tall praire grasses.

"I can't promise you any safety. The reaper is always a step behind me." He said ominously then continued on. Sabin paused slightly at this remark, but followed anyways. The man was dangerous. He could feel it strongly. But the man was also honest and held no malice toward Sabin and that feeling was much stronger.

Sabin followed Shadow through the rolling plains. His dog, whom Shadow called Interceptor, ran alongside the two and then doubled back, but unlike most dogs who wagged their tails in delight at such ventures, Interceptor seemed to be quite alert to his surroundings and did not wag his tail in enjoyment. It was almost as though he was scouting the area ahead. Sabin decided that the dog was unusually smart.

They traveled together for three days. A steady and pleasant pace through the grasslands. They passed a few farm buildings and fields and Sabin smiled as Interceptor barked at and chased the chickens. The farmers they met were kindly and helpful in giving directions, but upon seeing Shadow they became quiet and eager to send the two of them on their way. Sabin began to get the feeling that Shadow did not have a very favorable reputation in these parts.

The man was an intrigue. He ate little, and slept less. Since their conversation by the broken down well he had said fewer than five words. Prefering to communicate by silent nods instead. Sabin had heard of men like him before. They were the outlaws of Doma. Highly specialized assassins and thiefs that traded their skills for money.

Duncan had often warned Sabin about them; going on and on about how they had no honor and were extremely ruthless. But he had also told Sabin that they traveled and worked in Clans and very rarely did business on their own. Shadow seemed to have no clan or any companions except for his dog. He had mentioned having a job to do on the other continent and Sabin wondered if he was just being sent by his clan to do business or if he was truly working alone.

But the thought was quickly dashed from his mind. For as they approached the southern part of the continent they came upon the seige of Doma.

Sabin stood beside Shadow atop a large hill. The wind blew gustily against them rippling through the folds of Shadow's cowl like flowing water. Below them a meandering river pulled their attention to a large stone castle and then further onto the ocean. But all around the castle and the ocean were the mechanisms of the Empire crawling around like ants. The harbor was filled with ships; some with white sails others that belched dirty black smoke. And from these ships came machines and men issuing forth slowly; dark and brown like mud.

The Doman flag whipped in the wind defiantly at its invaders, but trembled as a missle from a seige tank exploded against the castle walls. Along the perimeter of the castle large mechanical structures were being set up. They were like nothing Sabin had ever seen before. Their diamondshaped heads and ungainly mechanical arms swayed in the winds as soldiers below swarmed underneath them preparing them for whatever it was they were meant to do.

Sabin knelt down and surveyed the situation. The blockade was tight and the encampment vast. He could see no way of getting across the sea to Narshe from here. He grit his teeth. There had to be away! He looked back to Shadow who seemed unpreturbed about the massive obstacle that was presented before them. Sabin stood and squinted against the wind.

"How long have they been here?" He asked. Shadow stepped forward to stand next to Sabin.

"About 5 months." He answered.

"Have you tried to get through before?" Shadow snorted and chuckled darkly.

"Yes. Before they destroyed the navy it was quite easy to travel, but since then…" He nodded his head toward the activity below amd Sabin nodded his understanding.

"Do you think we can get through?" Sabin asked. Shadow shrugged nonchalantly.

"We will or we won't. Either way, now is the time." Sabin turned and looked at him suspiciously.

"What do you mean now is the time?" Sabin demanded. The dark eyes of the man flashed at Sabin threateningly and Interceptor growled slightly.

"A stranger comes up to me and asks me to join him on a journey to the same destination I have been seeking for weeks. I don't question fate I just follow it. Perhaps it'll be the death of me, or perhaps I'll be the death of you. Or maybe we'll escape death for a little longer and continue on our way. I don't know, but now is the time." He turned and began walking down the hill. Interceptor bared his teeth threateningly before following. Sabin watched the two of them descend down the hill for a while before following.