White Ghost

Stomping Grounds
A waving pillar of black and gray smoke trailed across the blue sky as a locomotive powered its’ way across the lush landscape of southern Fiore, cutting through a sea of trees and past a chain of mountains. Trailing at is back like a tail was a long row of train cars taking in the nature all around.

The Fiore South Central 14 was crossing miles and miles of rail to terminal one of the aged, decrepit Hyde Train Station, a destination that usually served merely as a connecting point and nothing more. But, today was not a day for the usual, as one of the passengers had other plans. Sanjo’s pale blue eyes studied the landscape haphazardly as his plans to take a nap had failed. Nothing had changed around these parts; the countryside was as he remembered. An hour north of Sole City was once the site of Sanjo’s second home, where he discovered his passion for magic and adventure. Hyde Park, the town of his old, childhood guild, awaited him, it had been so long.

Eight years ago, he figured that was the last time he had been anywhere near there. The wizard saint hadn't heard the best about the town in its’ post-guild era, hearing it had gone bankrupt and many residents had fled for Sole and other major cities. He shook his head at the thought, for such a bustling town to have become but a backwater slum, time is cruel.

“Five minutes from destination, prepare to disembark if this is your stop.”

Sanjo noticed not a move from the rest of the train car after the announcement over the loudspeaker, the attendant hadn't been joking when she said no one goes to The Park anymore. He smirked at that name, it had been the nickname for the town back in the old days—fond memories rushed through his mind thinking on that old nickname, better times, no doubt.

Five minutes passed by in what felt like a few moments. The train came to a complete stop and the doors opened for passengers to disembark. Sanjo found himself alone in that category as he walked down the aisle and took a right turn off the train and onto the terminal platform passing by sleepy-eyed fellow passengers. Though, some that were wide awake and enjoying some refreshments gave the young mage strange looks as he left the train car to find his way to Hyde Park.

As Sanjo continued to see more and more of his old guild town, the more he saw the truth of the saying that time is cruel master. What was once a pristine and bustling town was a half step above a slum. It had gotten worse than he expected. After the old guild had been dissolved, things had begun to go downhill with more and more residents leaving to major cities, Sole to the south was just one of them.

Trinity Dragon had been cornerstone of this town with a tradition of supporting the local economy whenever hard times would come, but without that economic linchpin, The Park was left to fend for itself—and as he could see, it didn't go well.

“Not even the smells are the same,” Sanjo pondered to himself with a glum look on his face. Where the scent of grilled meats, pastries, and sweets once filled the air of every major roadway was a less palpable scent, a less than pleasurable stench.

He passed by rundown buildings covered in colorful graffiti with their windows boarded up with wooden planks. The grass was brown and mostly dead, and the streets were littered with more trash than people. The young mage had found himself on the far side of the city; walking to a place he should have visited more often, a place where old friends were.

As he passed by the townspeople, his friendly smile was met with frowns or even looks of suspicion; it didn't look like politeness would be rewarded today. Sanjo had been in towns and villages like this over the years on jobs, while there were friendly people here and there, people mostly kept to themselves when away from their neighborhood block for fear of “misunderstanding.” In an atmosphere that breeds gangs and street crime, he couldn't blame them. He would have to look into trying to help the town however he could, that would definitely make for an interesting conversation with his father, he thought.

As the afternoon breeze swept across the dirt road, Sanjo stepped passed a large gateway. The sign on top simply read in large, faded letters: Hyde Park Community Cemetery. He walked past a host of tombstones, all different sizes to the very end of the cemetery until he came face to face with two large, stone gray tombstones side by side in a pair. A soft silence fell upon Sanjo’s mind as the breeze whistled in his ears, his eyes were set on both, he had no need to read the names to call them out in their proper order.

“Robb and Cleapatra—great mages, great friends, and simply great people, here rests young explorers whose adventure ended too soon. Rest in peace with magic.”

His mind went back to the first time he had been face with the graves of his best friends. It was much like this, a windy day with his hands in his pockets. But, back then, he had been crying. “I cried for a few days then,” Sanjo smiled solemnly, “Life just isn’t fair. You two could have accomplished so much, hell, we could have started our own guild.”

The last time he had even been in this town was some eight years ago. As he thought on that, a rush of guilt filled his mind. The sole soul in the graveyard, Sanjo was alone with his thoughts, and not one thing occurred to him that could justify his long absence from this place. How could he not visit, not even once in nearly a decade? Sole was but an hour away, distance was not question. He could have taken the train, he could have flown here, hell, any of his siblings or friends would have agreed to join him.

Yet, here he was, the lost dragon eight years gone from his old home. It seemed the old wounds hadn't closed entirely just yet. It was undeniable that the wizard saint felt uncomfortable the moment he saw the tombstones, knowing just how long it had been. Sanjo had mostly come to terms with their deaths, but it was still to look at their graves even now.

“I suppose there are no excuses I can give for not visiting,” Sanjo said through a weak smile, “A special kind of procrastination, I guess. Or what was it you called it, Robb, the art of wasting time?”

“For what it’s worth, I've been a bit busy. The last year has been eventful; even now there still people trying to fuck everything up. People fucking things up for everyone else are one of the few constants in life, eh?” Sanjo laughed, “But it’s been a learning experience, I've tightened bonds with new friends I made some years back. You’d like them, they’re nice, a bit out there, but nice. I've even got myself a girl now.”

The mage’s words were met with obvious silence as his pale blues eyes remained on the pair of tombstones before him.

“I became a Wizard Saint, Clea,” he said proudly, “Yea, me of all people. The old chairman was feeling generous, I’m sure, but I've carved out a nice reputation. People call me the Golden Lion, it’s pretty great, I won’t even lie. Though I never got a hang of that illusionary bullshit, I’m just hopeless at it. Well, it hasn't gotten me killed, almost killed, but not killed.”

Sanjo could hear the sound of squirrels scurrying about behind him. Enhancing their auditory senses was one of the first things that the three of them learned back in the day.

“Lloyd-sensei is doing pretty well, he running a small mage-supply shop over in Falcana, all the sorts of trinkets you two would love,” Sanjo said, “Though, officially, it’s just a neighborhood thrift shop. Our teacher has done an impressive job in disappearing into anonymity. He said he was done with wizardry for the rest of his life, so he settles for selling low-grade mage supplies. It’s a funny sight; somehow folks fell for that bullshit.”

The wizard saint sighed, “Look, I’m sorry, I should have—”

“It takes some nerve to call my life’s work bullshit!”

Sanjo turned to see a very familiar face; a small smile crossed his face as he took in the person’s visage. Blonde hair swaying in the breeze the same as his, well a bit paler in hue, with deep blue eyes that could tell a thousand tales, fitted in his usual, former attire. They locked gazes in silence for a few moments.

“Lloyd, the hell are you doing here?” Sanjo asked quickly.

“Oh, I didn’t know I needed a reason to visit the graves of two of my former students,” Lloyd said walking past Sanjo. He laid two colorful bouquets flowers before each tombstone. “If you must know, I was simply passing through to pay my respects. What a surprise it was to sense your presence at this place on my way here.”

“I know it’s been a long time,” Sanjo said, “But you know how work is—”

“Eight years is a long time,” Lloyd cut in, “No one is that busy. I know their death really hit you hard, but you need to understand that it doesn’t end at coming to terms with the deaths of friends and loved ones. It’s about learning to commemorate their memory, to remember the good times. It’s only way the pain won’t come back every time you see their graves before you.”

Sanjo sighed, “Noted.”

“I see you’re still hard headed,” Lloyd said with a smirk.

“No, I've outgrown that,” Sanjo replied.

“Not just yet, and that’s fine, you’re still young,” the older man said. “Most can’t see it, but I can. I know you well, kid, I trained you. You still have a lot to learn, but luckily you were always a good learner, a quick one too, but this will be a bit harder to finally resolve. Give it time, you have plenty.”

Sanjo grinned, he needed this. “I was just thinking earlier about how much they could have accomplished, what we could have done together,” he said.

Lloyd nodded, “You three were the finest talents in the entire guild, and the old man saw a lot in you. But, sometimes life doesn't go your way. Trust me; I've dreamed about the heights y’all could have taken the guild to. The old man used to tell me, that with a trio like you guys, the dragon would have reigned supreme for decades to come.”

“I can imagine, now look at the old guild, forgotten to time in only a decade,” Sanjo said through a frown. “There aren't many that remember what it was like when we reigned, there was order then.”

“It’s not like you to dwell on the past, kid,” Lloyd said with an arched eyebrow.

Sanjo crossed his arms across his chest, “It’s just that this place has my mind running, you know?”

“I do,” Lloyd nodded. “Still, this can’t be the only reason you came here, to see Robb and Clea's grave and take in what a dump The Park has become. Care to share?”

“Always one step ahead even now, eh?” Sanjo smiled at the question.

“You haven’t changed much in that regard, you've never been one to have a sole motive and that alone,” Lloyd said, “It’s always more complicated with you.”

“I've heard some interesting things that sparked my interests,” Sanjo added.

Lloyd shook his head with a smirk, “And I'll ask again, care to share?”

“While I was getting my train ticket, I heard stories of a white ghost,” Sanjo said, “It was described as something a guardian angel against gangsters and other such street thugs. It ran them out of town, which is why this place is relatively peaceful for what’s basically becoming a shithole.”

“I love the elegance in the way you speak,” Lloyd cut in with his grin widening.

“Very funny, anyway, as I was saying, I was planning to look into this white ghost,” Sanjo said.

Lloyd arched an eyebrow, “Glad you’re honing your detective skills, but do you have any idea of what you’re even looking for? Could be some middle aged guy with a penchant for heroism.”

Sanjo shook his head, “I have a pretty good idea of what I’ll find, and this isn't the place for that.”

“This isn't the place for what?” Lloyd asked.

The young wizard saint gave his teacher an honest grin, “For a vigilante, for someone trying to be a hero.”

Sanjo cracked his knuckles and looked towards the town. “I’ll be going now, Lloyd-sensei. Don’t worry, I’ll drop by the shop when I have some time, if I can, I will bring Lana along. She got on quite well with you guys.”

The two shook hands, a firm shake between the two.

“Remember, you need to celebrate what we remember of Robb and Clea, the good, and move on from the pain of their death, the bad, move on entirely. It’s the only way, trust me, I've been through all this as well—with them and before them,” Lloyd said sternly. “Take care of yourself, kid.”

“Always,” Sanjo said with a smile.