Outer Continent — Qu's Marsh Forest Edge

  The sky remained gray as Zidane and his companions docked at a small pier hidden behind the marsh grass.

  A thin mist still clung to the surface of the water, even though Mist had long vanished from much of Gaia. Yet here—near the land that once harbored Mist—the air still carried the scent of the past.

  "It's been a long time since I smelled this," Zidane murmured, recalling the thrilling yet terrifying moments spent in this forest.

  Steiner straightened his posture. "I don't like this smell. Too many bad memories in swamps and forests like this," he thought. Memories of unforgettable battles flashed through his mind as though he could still hear the clash of his sword.

  Beatrix glanced at the towering trees. "But this is where Vivi found the meaning of his life. And perhaps... this is also where that meaning will be passed on," she added, with a profound hope that they could rediscover that legacy—a legacy that would bridge the past and the future.

  Garnet stood beside Zidane. "Let's meet his children," she said, sensing the tension gradually warming between them, as if reminding them of a greater responsibility.

  The journey through the forest felt strange to Zidane. In the past, Mist had shrouded everything, creating danger at every turn. Now, without Mist, the forest was calmer... but it also felt empty. He wondered if they could fill that emptiness with new memories.

  The sounds of birds and insects replaced the roars of monsters. He sensed a gentler presence of nature, yet deep in his heart, there was a longing for the challenges that had once accompanied him.

  "It seems like monsters are rare around here," Beatrix remarked, her eyes flicking to the trees. Perhaps she hoped that this place had experienced some sort of recovery.

  "Or they've learned to hide from adventurers," Amarant muttered, suddenly appearing from behind a tree, joining the group. In his mind, he felt that monsters, like himself, might be trying to protect themselves from exposure to pain.

  Zidane was taken aback. "Amarant? You came too?" He couldn't help but smile, feeling the presence of his friends renew his spirit.

  "I heard you were looking for Vivi's message."

  Amarant leaned against the tree trunk. "I'm not interested in sentimental messages, but... my debt to that kid isn't settled yet."

  A sense of guilt weighed heavily on Zidane's mind. He recalled how Vivi had always been there, cheering him on during tough times, and just how significant their friendship was. "Thank you."

  Eventually, they arrived at the wooden gate of Black Mage Village. The ancient carvings depicting the face of the Black Mage—round eyes radiating a yellow light—still remained, now adorned with wildflowers. "How is it that this place... still feels so alive?" Zidane wondered, observing the intricate details of the carvings that were full of stories.

  Two Black Mages stood guard. Their eyes shimmered softly, no longer filled with the fear they once had. "How long has it been since we last felt this peace?" one of them thought, reminiscing about the difficult times they had endured.

  "We have been waiting for you," said one of the guards in a raspy but friendly voice.

  "We came at the invitation of... Puck?" Zidane asked.

  The guard nodded. "Sir Puck and... Vivi's children are waiting in the square." In his mind, he hoped to see Vivi's smile again, even if just in memory.

  The small square was surrounded by wooden houses. In the center stood a small stone statue: Vivi, complete with a wide-brimmed hat and a small staff in his hand. "Does this statue capture just how meaningful he was to us?" Zidane thought to himself.

  A group of Black Mage children stood surrounding the statue. Unlike their father, they wore bright robes—blue, green, and purple—rather than the large hats. "Do they feel the same? Inheriting Vivi's spirit?" Zidane wondered to himself.

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  Among them, the oldest Black Mage child stepped forward.

  "I am Puck. Vivi's first child."

  Zidane gazed at the child. His face... or more precisely, his shining yellow eyes, resembled Vivi's exactly. "He carries the hope and strength from the figure who has been with us," Zidane thought nostalgically.

  "Thank you for coming, Zidane," Puck said softly. "Father... left a message that I must deliver to you in person."

  Puck produced an old book, its leather cover cracked and its pages yellowing. He struggled to lift the book, as if bearing the weight of profoundly deep memories.

  "This... is Vivi's diary. He asked me to read the first page when you arrived," Puck continued, his voice trembling, indicating the heavy emotional burden he carried at that moment.

  Everyone fell silent. Even the wind seemed to pause. Puck glanced at the book for a moment, feeling a wave of nostalgia as he remembered his father. He felt a loss, like a tree severed from its roots.

  Puck opened the first page and began to read:

  "For Zidane Tribal, the friend who taught me the meaning of life."

  "I know that one day I will leave. But before that happens, I want to leave these words for you."

  "I do not know why I was born. I fear my end. But you... you showed that life, though brief, can be full of meaning."

  "Thank you for calling me a friend."

  "If you are reading this, it means I am no longer here. But I want you to know—my children are my legacy. Guide them if they lose their way."

  Puck's voice trembled as he closed the book. He felt a deep surge of longing. In his heart, he wondered if he could fulfill his father's hopes.

  Zidane felt a lump in his throat. The tears he had been holding back finally fell. Memories of Vivi pressed against Zidane's chest, each laugh and each hug felt like a shadow that eluded his reach.

  "Vivi..." he whispered, heavy with sorrow. He recalled the small moments they had shared, memories etched in his soul, always facing the bright gaze of Vivi through the fog of grief.

  "We don't know," Puck replied. "But my father..."

  Puck continued, "In recent weeks, we've started to hear voices from the Iifa Tree. Voices calling out to us. The younger children are dreaming about the mist returning." He stared far into the forest, as if hoping to catch a glimpse of familiar faces behind the trees. The faint sound brought both hope and an unsettling curiosity to his heart.

  Amarant squinted. "Mist? Isn't Mist gone?" He felt a twinge of doubt, but within his mind, the warmth of memories fighting against a greater threat still lingered. "Could all of this just be an illusion from the past?"

  "We don’t know," Puck replied. "But my father noted something before he... left." The words made his heart tremble, for each time he recalled his father, a deep longing haunted his thoughts.

  He turned to another page and read aloud:

  "If Mist rises again, it may not just be a threat. It could be a call... a message waiting to be answered."

  Zidane clenched his fists. "I understand. Vivi wants us not only to protect her children. She wants us to face whatever comes," he replied with determination, recalling the beautiful moments spent with Vivi and how her spirit always burned bright even in the midst of adversity, as if guiding them with a map to face the challenges ahead.

  Steiner spoke with a resolute tone, "We will help you, Zidane." In his mind, he recalled the sacrifices made by his friends and felt a fierce drive to protect and maintain hope, as if his very life depended on their bond.

  Garnet nodded. "You are not alone," she said, her voice soft yet reinforced by determination. Deep in her heart, she recognized that their shared connection became an undeniable strength in this critical moment, forging a stronger bond among them.

  Beatrix placed her hand on her sword. "Alexandria will stand with you." Beneath her strong demeanor, she felt a profound sadness and a heavy sense of responsibility, reflecting how crucial this struggle was for their collective future.

  Amarant growled, "I hate sentimental battles... but I'm in." Deep down, he felt a profound sadness, yet he refused to reveal his vulnerability to others. "Perhaps this fight is a way for us to reclaim what we've lost."

  Puck smiled. "Father is right. All of you are true friends." As his smile appeared, there was a sense of something missing, a quiet void in his heart that always yearned for the presence of loved ones.

  That night, Zidane sat near the statue of Vivi. The stars shone brightly above the tranquil village, each twinkle resembling a glimmer of hope that reminded him of the past.

  Puck approached and sat beside him. "Father said... life isn’t about its length, but about the meaning you leave behind." He remembered how difficult it was to face loss, yet love and memories would always endure.

  Zidane nodded. "That’s what makes him... more alive than anyone I’ve ever known." As he gazed at Vivi's statue, he felt assured that every action they took was part of a legacy that would continue to inspire.

  They fell silent, looking up at the night sky. In the stillness, they understood each other; no words were necessary, only the feeling of togetherness and love they shared, building an emotional bridge that connected them in affection and a common purpose.

  In the distance, the Iifa Tree stood like a giant shadow. Even though Mist had long vanished, something new... something ancient... began to rise from the depths of its roots. Zidane gazed at the tree, feeling an unspoken urge to approach it. “What are you hiding, Iifa?” he asked in his heart, sensing as if the tree could hear his longing.

  Their adventure had just begun. Amid uncertainty, hope blossomed with each step they took forward.

  "I will fulfill your message, Vivi," Zidane promised in his heart. “I am not just confronting the possible, but my destiny,” he thought, realizing the immense responsibility he bore and the courage needed to carry that burden for a better future.

  "I will protect your children. And I will uncover the truth about the call of the Iifa Tree."