Disclaimer: The general plot is loosely based on the events and characters of Final Fantasy IV. Cameo appearances of FFVI and references to FFII and FFTAY will occur. All Final Fantasy games, characters, and/or plot are owned by Squeenix.

A/N: Note there still is a time gap between Aria's journey and Kain/Cecil's journey since Aria's story happens about five months before they have to leave.

-This story is to explain FFIV from Kain's perspective with enough of an AU so that he can be viewed as the protagonist and there can be more introspection of minor characters like Tellah, Anna, and Yang's wife. Character deaths and some events are slightly altered from canon.

-I would say the real action starts around ch 6-7 during Cecil/Kain's mission in the Mist.

-Spoilers in the short explanation below-

Besides Kain's issues with mind control, this story seeks to resolve various questions like:

(1) how the king of Baron became replaced with a monster

(2) when did Golbez first come to power and how he and/or Zemus exercised control over Kain

(3) what Rydia had been doing in the Feymarch and before she saved Cecil's team

(4) origin of Troia being a nation ruled by women and how the Elf King stole the Earth Crystal to start with

(5) how archfiends or eidolons are created and why the king of Baron became Odin

(6) why an epopt is missing in Troia in TAY


The Fate of Gaia's Wrath

Prologue

Open sea. The expanse of black waves that generated continuous interference in the never-smooth glassiness of the seas never did appeal to Aria.

It was night time and even the dim moon painted majestically against the star-sprinkled sky did little to calm her. She could not see the light as anything more than distorted, twisted, and mangled across the surface of the water.

There was a small degree of hope though. Light, while struggling against the darkness of the waves, appeared to persevere and barrel its way through the seemingly impenetrable depths in the path led by the moonlight.

The distance between the surface of the water and the earth below and beyond was an undesirable and fathomless dimension that lurked in the mind and stomach of the Epopt Aria. It could have been a variety of factors. To float in such a distant and isolated vessel on the seemingly infinite watery landscape, could have made Aria feel literally on the verge of being swallowed by the vastness of the seas. That thought had sent poor Aria leaning against the side of cabin and gripping the crate nearby as if holding her stomach together. But beyond that, it may have been some past incident that should have been preferably forgotten, but instead was vividly and distinctly remembered. A time when the seas acted with the violent nature of Leviathan who swam patiently willing the waves to rebel and to tear away the outer layers of civilization, swallowing the ships indiscriminately.

As a newer addition to the group of Epopts, she had yet to complete a journey that would link past to future and the sea to the earth. What exactly was her function as an Epopt, appointed by the Council and the Matron? To inspire Troian nationalism by parading through the crowds of gentle and spirited people and rally them for a common good? It was more than a symbolic, antiquated tradition. In fact, it was one that persisted among the positive general consensus of modern Troians, even as the meaning began to fade.

"A fine starry night it is," a sailor declared, probably more to himself than anyone else.

"That it is," responded Aria, after a moment as she was uncertain of whom he was speaking to. She still held onto the crate for dear life, but fortunately no one had noticed her peril.

"Ah, yes. Yes. Clear. Crystal clear. Not a storm cloud in sight," the sailor agreed and turned towards the Captain briefly. He was a ragged figure donning the Baronian regalia who stared into the distance, with his arm gripping the mast much like Aria but for a different reason.

"We should be reaching the ports of Baron by the morning," the Captain announced.

Though it was not the most important instruction, all the crew and many passengers turned to the Captain for his brief words. It was commonplace for the sailors themselves, but the respect the crew held for the Captain sparked a forlorn interest and slight satisfaction in Aria, who once knew a memorable Captain who might have played a bigger role in her life if the seas hadn't acted the way they did. Unpredictably, that is.

The fear remained. Ocean waves that splashed gently against the hull and soon were extinguished by each successive wave kept Aria's posture rigid. There would be little, if any, time to sleep. And if anyone asked her, she needed some time to think. It wouldn't be a total lie.

The things Brie had said made her think. Although they claimed that ultimately it was the Earth Crystal that decided things in Troia, it was really the Epopts to decide what they had heard. So who could validate if they had heard things right? Would the fate cast by the Earth Crystal be sealed by ulterior motives of the Epopts?

-~o`'*'`o~-

Emerging from the thunderous roar of the engine room, the young captain sought the open sea air. He just needed a little time to himself to breathe, to focus, to keep his mind in order for the things to come. The Captain of the Red Wings could not afford for his soldiers to perceive even the smallest shadow of doubt, especially having served as Captain for slightly under a year.

As he walked up the stairs of the upper deck, he glanced up at the twin moons. The Baronian standard of gold wings against a noble red fluttered in the air with the rigid air current pressing against it on either side, obscuring his view of the moons before he walked around them to reach the pinnacle of the upper deck.

The king's ways were always merciful and just. He smiled grimly. Trying to open diplomatic relations with Eblan after Baron's unprovoked aggression during the reign of the previous king. Opening trade with Mysidia. And there was nothing that he could regard with more valor to raising him as his own. His pure conscience evident to Baron,reaching from from the farthest watchtowers in the West Wing of the castle to the depths murky waterways.

Brightly shining orbs lined the perimeter of the upper deck, illuminating the faces and flashing golden helmets of his primary Red Wings regiment. They were good men as well, he thought. For their families and their king, they pledged their lives and their loyalty.

Mysidia doesn't need to hoard a crystal that does them no good, sitting stagnantly in a pedestal. Their faith is ancient and irrelevant to the needs of the once more prominent Baron. Only now would they witness the goodness of King Odin, whose justice could cleave a stone in two, he decided.

"Captain," a soldier cried.

Monsters again? It seemed like there were always monsters when he was trying to think.

"What is it, Reynolds?" he answered. "What do you see?"

"I-" he began nervously as he moved closer. "What I am trying to say is. I love the king. I truly honor and respect him. And everything he has done."

"Speak your mind, Reynolds," the Captain commanded. "Anything you say to me is just as important as what I say to the king."

"Why swing my sword into the face of my ally? We are quite different than sworn enemies. Mysidia and Baron."

"As one of my most loyal soldiers, let me ask you this," the Captain began. "Who do you serve?"

"Well, you, of course," he responded. "As Captain of the Red Wings. And Baron."

"What about the king?" the Captain continued.

"My duty is to follow the king's orders." Reynold's voice diminished slightly near the end, reflecting disappointment. He knew how circular his argument was and yet he deceived himself into believing that Captain Cecil would give him a different answer.

"Good," Cecil replied. "Then leave the moral judgments to the one who has to make them."

With a firm nod, he looked his captain in the eyes and walked away with his head lowered.

Cecil looked back at the inky darkness and then at the sparkling sea below. As Captain of the Red Wings, he probably found the perfect words to tell Reynolds, but apart from his military position, he knew that he merely gave a lousy excuse for not understanding what the king was doing. Like always.