WAR'S LUMINANCE.

Chapter I: Under Siege

Author's Note: Greetings, this is Allia speaking. This Fanfiction has been written for a 'challenge', so as to compete with my two other friends. Do enjoy my story, and feel free to review if you want to. No flamers, you can use your flaming powers for making toast. Sit back, and relax, y'all! x))


The Empire of Archadia. Afternoon. Royal Palace.

"This will not do! Archades is in distress, and we must save our homeland before it gets burned down to ashes!" the young Emperor exclaimed, frowning as he pressed the tips of his fingers against his temples, obviously vexed over the situation that has befallen the Empire of Archadia. Barely at the adolescent age of 14, has Larsa Ferrinas Solidor been forced to take up the throne, being the only, rightful heir to Archades' throne. No wonder his father, King Gramis (Rest In Peace), contracted a terminal disease. The stress and pressure must have taken toll on him after so many years of trying to please the people of his nation.

"Maybe if my brother wouldn't have passed away, I wouldn't have to take up this position…" Larsa thought. It was tough being Emperor, and if he had the choice, he would rather remain Prince all his life, instead of ruling a country. "This isn't as easy as I thought after all. I need to seek help from the other neighboring kingdoms. Archades' fate is bleak, I need to do something before we are completely destroyed by those fools from Somonis…A dreaded country full of bitter and war. How dare they come attack Archades, letting jealousy and envy taking over their hearts? Darkness consumes their souls, and something must be done."

Standing up from the throne, his dark ebony hair gave off a silver sheen as the afternoon sun shone down upon him. Stormy grey eyes looked round with much wisdom in them, surveying the area as he carefully made his way down the steps. He had grown much since the last year, and his voice had grown deeper, and much more matured than last time. However, Larsa had not really bothered about how much he had grown, but cared more for his country. Although he had grown much in size, he still favored the clothes he wore. Calling in a tailor, he had his clothes done once again, therefore feeling much comfortable than wearing the other clothes his father had once wore.

After speaking to one of the Senates, he glanced out of the window, in a Southwest direction, in which the grand city of Dalmasca now was, flourishing, ever since Princess Ashe B'Nargin Dalmasca reclaimed the throne once again as Queen, ruling over the country with her grace and mercy towards her people.

"I shall seek help from the Lady Ashe. I will return as soon as possible. However, do keep me informed about what is happening in Archades." Larsa instructed the Senate closest to him.

"Pardon me, Your Highness, but our Land is in chaos. Destruction is everywhere. Buildings burnt, and airships of Somonis shower over the skies like birds flying freely. Their soldiers roam our Sacred Land, as if it was their own. Sire, you must not leave Archades. You, are our Pillar of Strength in time of war. Please…" he bowed low, persuading Larsa not to leave the kingdom.

"I send my greatest apologies to Archadia, but I must. It is important to seek help from other countries, such as Dalmasca. It will also strengthen our friendship ties with them. It is a win-win situation. I have thought this over before." The Emperor, tied a leather belt around his waist and slipped his sword into its sheath.

"If so, peace be unto you, my Lord. The Gods above will keep you safe. Come back soon, for Archades awaits you with a joyous smile." The Senate said grandly, bowing once again as Larsa stepped out of the enormous Palace doors. Walking off into the direction of the sun, the Senates watch as their one, and only hope faded off into the shadows, as they awaited their sealed fate. They wanted to trust in their King, but a feeling of uncertainty stirred in their hearts.

"I will not give in to this feeling. I am certain, our Lord will return with troops from Dalmasca. We will be saved." They bowed solemnly, shadows long and blur, as the doors closed, its ominous sound struck a vein in their hearts.


Rabanastre, Dalmasca. Late Afternoon. Central Square.

"Penelo! Come back here!" a loud voice pierced through the serenity ambience of the pleasant city, namely called Rabanastre. The young teenager dashed past many alarmed citizens, some even glaring at him. Ignoring their reactions, Vaan chased after his childhood friend, Penelo. He watched carefully as the blonde-haired female made a sharp turn to the right, and then, he lost sight of her. Halting, he bent down and panted, trying to regain his composure as he looked round, noticing that she had disappeared right under his nose.

"Amazing, Vaan. Now, what was it you were saying? About stealing from residents again?"

Vaan jumped. That was what he hated most about her. Penelo always found some way to wriggle her way around him. Guess he had been caught by her, and she did not sound happy by the tone of her once cheery voice.

"Alright, alright! I'm sorry. Now, can you give it back to me?"

Sixteen-year-old Penelo hopped out from behind a marble pillar, holding a pouch by its strings. She jiggled it in her right hand, and it was obvious that the pouch contained a fair amount of gil.

"No. Vaan, it's not right. Why can't you just be normal, like the other kids in Dalmasca?" she sighed.

"Look, I know you're trying to forget the fact that we're orphans, but you can't run away from that. We need that money to survive on! How else do you-"

Vaan stopped. He glanced toward the ground and put his arms behind his back, looking sorry. Penelo's expression had softened, knowing that once Vaan mentioned about their saddening past, both of them would be affected. Well, namely Penelo.

"Whatever it is, I'm giving this back." She returned to her usual self.

"Fine. If that's what you want." Vaan crossed his arms and pouted. Although he was already at the age of nineteen, he acted like a little kid that needed to be taken care of.

"Who did you take this from?" Penelo held the pouch up, as it gleamed in the evening beams.

"Um…" Vaan scratched his head.

The next moment, a loud shout reverberated through the air, causing sparrows and pigeons to get startled, as they took off into the horizon.

"You expect me to think, that you STOLE this from Balthier?!" Penelo frowned, speaking very loudly as a group of Bangaa looked over at them with slight enthusiasm to watch the fight.

"I mean, yeah, he's a sky pirate. He must have lots of gil, right?" Vaan shrugged.

"That's it. You, Vaan, need an attitude check."

And with her last word, Penelo grabbed Vaan's wrist tightly and dragged him off, to find Balthier and return his lost money.


Rabanastre, Dalmasca. Late Afternoon. The Sandsea.

"Here's your drink, Sir."

The waiter set a steaming mug of hot tea in front of the sky pirate. Retreating politely, he waited besides him. Balthier slipped a hand into his pocket to take out a money pouch that contained about approximately 10k of gil. He could not find it, instead, his hand had managed to make a slit in his pocket. Panicking, he looked over at a Viera that sat opposite him, expressions turgid with an aura of sternness.

"Fran, did you happen to take my pouch and leave some evidence behind for me to find out that you needed to purchase items?" he said jokingly.

A sharp voice replied, emphasizing on every syllable so clearly that her accent made her very recognizable among a crowd of people that were speaking.

"I do not steal from my companions. And secondly, we just bought enough hi-potions to last us for at least a week. Thirdly, I would ask for your permission if I ever needed gil to buy things. And fourthly, I-"

"Alright. I get it. You did not take it from me. Then who did?"


Rabanastre, Dalmasca. Late Afternoon. On the way to The Sandsea.

"VAAAAAAN!"

"Ooh, sounds like you're in hot water, Vaan. I'm not helping you out of this." Penelo smiled sadistically and returned the pouch to Vaan.

The scream that had come from inside the café sounded much like Balthier. But Vaan did not expect him to flare up that bad.

Stepping into the place with Penelo by his side, it seemed that many people were interested in seeing him. Everyone stopped whatever they were doing, and watched him as he approached a fuming Balthier and a shocked-looking Fran.

"Hey, Balthier, sorry for-ARGH!"

"You conniving thief! How dare you steal from me, a sky pirate!"

Balthier had wrapped his hand around Vaan's neck and with amazing strength, lifted his feet off the wooden ground. The crowd around them gasped in horror as Vaan dropped the pouch and sent the coins rolling all over the place. His hands reached up to relax Balthier's grip on him, his air passage getting blocked.

"Balthier! Let go of him!" Penelo cried, grabbing at his arm with all her might, but her attempts were futile.

"Let the boy go. He is not worth our time." Fran replied, not really getting affected by the situation as a coin rolled to her shoe and stopped, landing flat on the ground with a descending metallic noise.

"If I ever catch you again-"

Balthier bent down and scanned the area. His coins were all gone, except for the one near Fran's foot. It seemed that many of the money-faced folks of Rabanastre have declared the day as 'lucky'. Huffing with frustration and anger, Balthier released his grip on Vaan and landed back on his seat, placing his head against the arm rest. He lifted the mug from the table, sipped some tea and slammed it onto the table, which more than half its contents spilled onto the table and leaked to the ground.

"Er, sir, the…payment?"


Rabanastre, Dalmasca. Dusk. Royal Palace.

"Our greetings, Lady Ashe. We have received news from Archades."

The messenger bowed, holding a long scroll with scribbled writings on it with blank ink.

The young Queen sat atop her throne, dressed in an astonishingly sparkly grey dress, with her crown nestled in sandy brown hair. Her eyes twinkled in their orbs, as bewilderment flickered across her face.

"Do speak."

"Very well. This has been written by Emperor Larsa Ferrinas Solidor.

Greetings, Lady Ashe.

I have some terrible news. Not long after I had taken over my Father's place, a country that lies in the North of Archadia has set upon conquering my country. The Land, a horrible name in which it is called, Somonis. Recently, they have sent troops to burn down buildings and their fleet to drop explosives from the heavens above. I am vexed, and I need help from you. We have acquainted before, and I am sure you would aid me in this time of need. I will be on my way to Dalmasca soon enough to discuss with you about this alarming situation. If you are able to gather our past acquaintances as well, it would be excellent. I need their help to prepare for a long and bloody war with the fiendish Somonis.

I shall arrive in Dalmasca after two days of journey on foot from my land.

May the Gods watch over you and Dalmasca.

Faram.

Signed,

Larsa Ferrinas Solidor, Son of Emperor Gramis, the Deceased."

The messenger bowed, and retreated from the central area, rolling his scroll up. The guards around the Hall glanced at one another, knowing that trouble was up ahead for both countries.

"Prepare the audience chamber. Lord Larsa will be arriving. Make it comfortable, for I may not know how long we may be in there. Also, send for Vaan and Penelo, along with Fran and…Balthier."

Lady Ashe commanded Captain Basch, now currently posing as his older brother, the deceased, Judge Gabranth. He nodded with consent, as the sound of armor clanged against each other as the other soldiers resisted their laughter. His eyes stared at them from their corners, for he knew that impersonating his brother was not easy, and the soldiers all knew the secret, and found it entertaining, especially when he received orders from the Queen.

"Is the Viera and her companion in Rabanastre, Your Highness?"

"I have heard of their arrival. I have my sources around this place. Now, go, find them."

And with that, the soldiers burst into peals of laughter, weird sounds echoeing in their iron helmets. The Captain stalked past them, determined to give them a good reprimanding when he returned from the capital.


Author's Note: Hey, turns out I really liked this chapter! I hope you guys do too! I shall update soon enough, don't worry. There will be at least 5 chapters, so stay tuned!