Robert Finch 

Written Ca. 1999 

Note: This story borrows names from Lunar: Silver Star Story, which was released on the PlayStation in 1999. 

The Game 

“Hey, Gramps. How's it going, you feeling better?” 

“No, I might as well just give up and die. Could you hand me my pills, Lance?” 

“You're still taking that stuff, huh? You know it doesn't help. They’ve been saying that for the past 20 years.” Lance walks over to the cupboard. “But I guess there's no arguing with you. You've always been stubborn. At least since I've known you… Now where are those things, anyway." 

Lance searches recklessly through the cupboard. "They're in that little jar to the left of the door. You should know that by now, Lance." 

But the pills weren’t what Lance was really searching for. What he was really searching for was something that he had waited for the right time to show Gramps. But he couldn't find it anywhere. 

Lance looks over at Gramps and sees him chuckling to himself. "What's so funny Gramps?" 

"You looking for this, Lance?" In his hand, Gramps holds a small locket with a picture of a man and a woman in it. "I’ve always wanted to know Gramps, please tell me who they are." 

"You mean who they were." 

"That means they're…" Lance is stunned. 

"Dead. Yes, they are. I guess now I have to tell you about them. It was a long time ago, before you were born. Even before your father. It was back when the glorious Game was the entertainment for all Clefians. These two people you see here are Mel de Alkirk and Lemia Ausa, two players of the Game. They were two of the most talented people l ever met. I was the team's captain, and the three of us were best friends. We could run any play. We didn't really need a coach and actually he was just our coach on paper. Then one night we heard the report. Niniveh had declared war on Clef. The Clefian army was weak and soon our borders began to shrink. The Game was still carried on and who knows why. Many players quit and joined the military, but no one on our team did. With this loss of players many teams had to forfeit. 

Suddenly, the Finals were right in front of us. We were to play the Smashers. We came onto the field ready to rumble and then just as the Game was about to begin, the announcement that we had hoped we would never hear had just been spoken over the comm. The announcement was, "People of Clef, take refuge. Niniveh has just broken into the city. Players of the Game, report to the armory and go fight. We had been prepared for the worst, and the worst is what we got. 

Earlier, I had made a vow to Mel and Lemia that, even if it meant my life, I would protect them. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep this promise. It all happened so fast, we were on our way out of the Stadium when it happened. All I saw was a brilliant flash of light. I didn't hesitate once. As soon as I saw that light, I ran as fast and as hard as I could. Not once did I think of Mel or Lemia, just myself. Later that night, I was told the news. They had both been killed by a magnetomic bomb. I'll never forget that night as long as I live, and I feel that maybe now that my time has come, I’ll get what I deserve." 

Gramps slowly loses breath, and his last words to Lance are hard to understand. "Lance, please take this locket and give it to your son or grandson when he gets as old as you are now, and tell him this story. Goodbye, Lance." 

"Goodbye, Gramps. I hope you have a great time playing the Game with Lemia and Mel up there."