Crystal Beginnings: Final Fantasy XI

Chapter 1-
The Beginning

DISCLAMER: I DONT OWN FFXI OBVIOUSLY!

"Anu I'm glad you can join me," President Karst said while looking at the piece of paper in his hand. The room was very meager, it really didn't seem fit for a ruler. But considering the money shortages, and strikes going on at the Bastok Mines, it's a surprise they have enough money to afford anything. Times were really hard in Bastok, many of the people couldn't afford anything to eat.

"You wanted to see me?" Anu answered while staring at the paper the president was holding. Anu was a relatively young man, in his early 20's. Had a shaved head, thought it made him look tuff, he was pretty well built, and very attractive. Not that he got many ladies; he was too preoccupied in work.

"A mysterious island has popped up on the shores of Vana'diel, near Windurst. I sent some men out there to explore the island and they reported it had colossal amounts of raw materials. We need to have the island under our possession, gaining all that material is just what Bastok needs. We are already having trouble because of those stupid Galka refusing to work," He sighed as he looked out the window. Then he muttered "Only thing they are good for is manual labor, but it seems they can't even do that!

"Why do you need me?" Anu replied with a huge grin on his face. He had a feeling that it was going to be about something important.

"Well we need someone to explore the island more, see if it has any other resources besides its rare materials. We have already assembled a party for you...We will be sending you all there directly on the ship"

"Are any other countries interested in that island?"

"Windurst and San D'oria of course are interested in that island. Jeuno isn't saying anything, so we are hoping they will stay out of it so we can conquer that land. Here is a paper which shows your party" Karst handed the paper to Anu.

Anu began to stare at the paper, seeing his name at the very top of that list of 5 other people. He then looked up at Karst "So where is this party?"

"They are at the docks waiting for you" Karst paused for a moment "We would send you all on airship, but Jeuno has issued a holt on all Airship rides, I don't know why" His voice begun to trail off.

"I will do my best!" Anu said happily, beaming at the thought of leading an entire party. "Wait, has anyone named the island yet?"

"Well Windurst has been calling the island Guru, so we have been calling it that too"

Anu walked out of the president's office hoping to leave as soon as he can. The weather in Bastok was pretty cold right now, even though it was the middle of the day. Some people have even claimed it has been snowing. Then he realized he might needs some provisions. Anu noticed a shop out of the corner of his eye. "Pathetic Pig Armor House" He chuckled at the thought of someone naming their shop this, so he went in for laughs.

"I knew your were coming!" A voice called out from the curtain. The shop was very dark, it had no windows, and the only light in the room was a purple stream coming from a crystal ball sitting on the table.

"Um, hello I need some supplies. I'm going to need medicines, herbs, swords…"

"Well we got pig armor!" The voice shouted out "It's the best type of armor around nothing can top it!"

"Actually maybe I should be going, I really don't need armor that bad" Anu begun to move slowly backwards till something grabbed his leg. He looked around and saw a miniature petite Tarutaru with the most heartbreaking sad face in the world

"Where are you going in such a hurry, it's quite so lonely here, we haven't got a customer in days!" The Taru started to cry, his face became hot with tears and he squeezed on Anu's leg.

"Well maybe you shouldn't have put it inside an alley, and the name "Pathetic Pig Armor House" isn't to….what's the word…..welcoming?" Anu said trying to pull the Taru off his leg.

"Don't be so angry! Where are you going? It's so fun to talk to strangers! I suggest you do this a lot. Great things can happen if you talk to strangers." The Taru's head begin to move up and down, wiping away his tears with his puny little hands.

"Um, I'll keep that in mind." Anu opened the door, but he couldn't walk farther, since the Taru was clinging on his leg.

"So where are you going?" He said trying to pull him back into his shop.

"I'm going to the new island that just popped out of the ocean if you most know; I'm exploring it for the greatest nation in the world!"

"San D'oria?" Looking rather puzzled

"Bastok!" Anu shouted on the top of his lung, he began to lose his patience, and started to head for the door again

"Do you mean Guru?" He said with a smile on his face,

Anu stopped dead in his tracks and turned around. "Yes, I do"

"Oh! I want you to bring this to someone there, don't ask who! You will find out soon enough." The Taru said, moving his eyes back and fourth. "When you go to the island, it will bring out a marvelous inanition, within you. It will calm that pain that you have been holding in for a very long time.

"Fine, fine I'll be on my way" Anu walked out the door, convinced that Taru was mad. He was already running late a bad sign of leadership, hoping that his team wouldn't mind.

Next Chapter-

The Journey