Gau's Aftermath
It was five years since the fall of Kefka. Life regrew itself, and hope had a new meaning. All of the heroes who helped eachother destroy the evil clown had gone about with their lives. Including Gau.
Gau, having no father, was adopted by Strago following the great adventure. Strago sensed the blue magic thriving within the child. Strago hypothesised that it came from his abilities of the "Leap" and "Rage".
Magic no longer existed, yet Gau somehow had the ability to use the powers of other creatures without the use of magic power. Thus, Strago adopted the boy and made him his apprentice.
It was one day, however, that Strago learned of Gau's secret...
"Now Gau," said Strago. "Leap!!"
The boy did as he commanded and lunged after the leafer they had been stalking. Gau landed right on top of the creature and held a frim grip on it. The leafer, in fear and anger, scurried off with Gau clung completely to his back.
Strago laughed as the monster and his apprentice quickly departed. "So long, Gau." he waved after him. "See you tomorrow."
He waited until they were both out of sight and started back for the village. It was a daily routine for him and Gau. He'd find a creature, Gau would leap on it and leave, Strago would go home and record the creature's name, Gau would come back the next day, and they would repeat the process.
Strago almost had an entire library on monsters Gau had leapt on. He skimmed through some of the earlier books upon arriving home. This day, however, he noticed one book missing.
"Relm!" he bellowed to the floor above. In grief, he stormed up the stairs and found Relm there laying on the ground with the book and a whole bunch of drawings of all sorts of monsters.
"What are you doing?" he demanded.
"Oh, you old fuddy duddy," she replied calmly. "I'm just drawing some pictures. I remeber some of these things, back in 'the days'. I thought I'd just draw them, and put them in my portfolio."
Strago grimaced. "Next time ask when you want to use my books."
"Aw, c'mon," Relm whined. "You can have your own encyclopedia on monsters, so I can too. Gau's not my apprentice. I have no resources."
Strago mumbled as he left the room. Afterwards, he recorded the leafer into a book and retired for the night.
The next morning, he left town in search for Gau. Usually, he'd come back to the town entrance and be there when Strago arrived. This day, however, he did not come back. Strago waited for an hour or so and finally gave up on his apprentice and returned home.
Relm was inside, painting something on a canvas.
"Have you seen Gau today?" he asked her.
"No, why?"
"He wasn't waiting for me outside of town."
Suddenly, the door burst open. There stood a figure, tall and slender, a shadow in the daylight. The man walked in carrying something.
He set it on a table, and the others noticed the shriveled body of Gau.
"Oh no!" Relm shrieked.
"Gau!" added Strago.
The man's raspy voice spoke up. "We need to get him into a bed. Let's hurry."
Strago, being very old, let the other two do the work as they carried him up the stairs and into one of the beds.
Minutes later, it was confirmed that Gau would be alright, and Relm left the other two men to the item shop to purchase some cures. Strago and the man stood at the table.
"I don't know how to repay you, Clyde." said Strago.
"Trust me, you'll pay big." said Clyde with seriousness.