Chapter 1: An Unexpected Journey
On any other day, Matthias1 might have enjoyed a trip to the Federation of Windurst.
On any other day, he might have looked forward to the relaxed atmosphere, the antics of its playful citizens, the chance to taste the Cooking Guild's newest inventions, to marvel at the beauty of Heavens Tower while relaxing in Windurst Walls, one of his favorite places in all of Vana'diel… after all, it was these reasons for which he once called Windurst his home.
A ghost of a smile played across his lips as memories of his time as a citizen in Windurst washed over him, but quickly faded as his mind reached even further back to what caused him to take up residence there in the first place. He had begun adventuring at an early age, studying the dark arts at the feet of the mighty galka Zeid. He then traveled from his hometown of Bastok to San d'Oria to be trained as a knight by the highly trained elvaan warriors, and helped uncover a plot to assassinate the king, becoming the only hume to be recognized as a San d'Orian royal heir. Wearied from battle, he returned home to Bastok only to be caught in the racial tensions between the hume and galka populations. His reputation had preceded him, and he was asked to uncover the source and quell a potential galka uprising. Immediately thereafter, he was called to help counter the threats of mass destruction posed by the Zilarts, as his fame and recognition as a hero had spread past those of his former homes all throughout the Middle Lands. A "Hero Among Heroes" is what they called him in Bastok, and looked to him for protection and representation of the city in the years to come.
Therefore, few were unsurprised, and even fewer not shocked, at his decision to leave the life of a military adventurer behind and retire in Windurst. Among those few was Volker, one of the few people who knew what happened in Castle Zvahl during their final assignment, who knew that Matthias was forced to face and defeat his former friend and mentor Zeid. Volker understood the spirit lost in Matthias, fueling a desire to live a quiet life in a less frenetic homestead.
To this end Matthias had packed up all his possessions and traveled to the Federation of Windurst, to start a new civilian life. He put away his swords and scythes, and learned the arts of tracking, hunting, archery, and sharpshooting at the feet of the mithra chieftainess Perih Vashai. But any hopes for the life of an itinerant woodsman were cut short when his natural aptitude caught the attention of the War Warlocks, and was then called into service again to protect his new home. As in San d'Oria and Bastok, his skills took him through the ranks of Windurstian society and earned him fame among its citizens, and brought him into personal acquaintance with the Star Sibyl.
Just when he thought he could finally earn some rest, the mysterious "emptiness" began to spread across Vana'diel, and he was once again called to investigate, which ultimately brought him into confrontation with the mighty god Promathia. He believed the defeat of the god would ensure peace in Vana'diel and in his life, but again and again he was called to the frontline against new threats. Now a renown hero in every city in Vana'diel (that he knew of at the time), he realized even residency in Windurst could offer him no peace or solitude. Because of this realization, combined with his increasing homesickness (though he'd never admit it), he returned home to Bastok. But he always kept close ties to Windurst, and typically enjoyed visits.
But today was neither typical nor any other day, though he couldn't quite identify why. Days ago he had been investigating remnants of the emptiness with a hume named Karyn2, with whom he had only recently made acquaintance, but had formed an undeniable bond that only sharing an epic battle together could create. Destined to fight alongside each other, they had been working together to understand the emptiness, when he received a communiqué written on a sheet of sheepskin parchment3 in his delivery box. Though written in the common tongue, the neat, precise handwriting was undoubtedly that of a tarutaru:
To the honored Vestal Chamberlain Matthias,
We, in the service of the Star Sibyl, continue to be grateful for all that you have done for our great nation, and hope this letter finds the moon and the stars smiling upon you.
The Star Sibyl has heard of your recent discovery and subsequent journeys into Al'Taieu, which culminated in your confrontation with the dark god Promathia. In doing so you have traversed deeper than mortals were meant to go, and bore witness to divinity mortals were never meant to attain. You have experienced the heights of mortal glory, the extent of which even the Star Sibyl regards in awe.
It is in this spirit that the Star Sibyl requests the honor of your counsel. Your newfound wisdom is of much interest to her, as well as to the scholars of Windurst, who are eager to record and study the revelations you will share.
Additionally, the Star Sibyl is eager to renew her gratitude for your contributions to the restoration of the glory of Windurst. We hope that you will honor us by accepting this invitation at your earliest convenience.
By Altana's light,
Kupipi
Matthias had dealt with Kupipi many times during his service to the Star Sibyl, and immediately recognized the handwriting to be hers. The letter was also sealed with the Star Sibyl's signet… such a summons had not occurred since his relocation to Bastok, and she was not one to call for social visits, as this letter implied. No, this was a summons for assistance in an urgent matter. Undoubtedly, part of Matthias's lack of enjoyment on this journey was that he was in no hurry to be embroiled in another conflict.
So unhurried was he, that he could have been to Windurst days ago. He could have purchased fares on airships, or traveled instantaneously to the Crag in Tahrongi Canyon on the wings of a teleport spell. But instead he chose to rent a chocobo from the Bastok stables and embarked on the long journey across two continents to Windurst. He even made a stop in the Jeuno to unnecessarily rent a fresh chocobo and pick up supplies. And now, days later, as he made his way across the plains of East Sarutabaruta, he silently cursed the gods for not having made the continent any wider.
Matthias stood out like an obelisk planted in the dry landscape. His black boots4 ended right where his black breeches5 began, which in turn was lost under an ominous black cloak6. With his hood drawn and his hands covered by black gauntlets7, his face was the only touch of humanity on an otherwise imposingly dark, brooding figure; and even that was usually lost in the shadows of the hood. On his back he carried a wicked black scythe forged of darksteel, which carried an enchantment that infused its wielder with life force dawn from its prey8. Both the scythe and the cloak were etched with runes which communicated a message that was clear even to those who could not read its arcane language: do not disturb. As the colorful skin of a poisonous amphibian warned potential predators of its lethal armament, so these runes warned those around him of the imminent danger of accosting him. Not that such warnings were necessary; his vast powers were easily felt by those around him. None in this region dared challenge him, not even the roving bands of yagudos and goblins.
But on this particular day there was no one around to make the mistake of ignoring those runes. The morning Matthias arrived in Sarutabaruta, a great sandstorm had swept through the plains, sending all living creatures to their shelters. Though the storm was a miserable experience, it brought two blessings to Matthias: it slowed his journey even further, and it obscured the sight of the devastated landscape of Sarutabaruta, which still saddened him. During his service to the Federation of Windurst, he had discovered the true purpose of the Horutoto ruins, and their part in draining the life from the landscape of these once fertile plains. He always found it ironic that it was the same nation that caused this destruction that had taught him to love the natural wonders of the world during his training as a ranger.
His keen eyesight penetrated the sandstorm, and he could barely make out the walls of Windurst rising up beyond the horizon. Suddenly the temptation to turn around and go home was nearly overwhelming. Every iota of instinct and intuition within him screamed at him that something was not right, but he could not quite place why.
Matthias urged his chocobo to the edge of the plateau overlooking the Zanbibi River. It was a magnificent view of the landscape which he made sure to soak in each time he visited. To the southwest he expected to see the Leviathan Gate, the two mithra guards protecting it, and to the east a boding tower that served as one of many entrances to the Horutoto ruins, to the south the river Zanbibi flowing into what would eventually become Lake Tepokalipuka…
Matthias drew back in silent alarm, finally realizing exactly what was wrong. He expected to see these things, but today he couldn't. The sandstorm had obscured a clear view of all of sights… a sandstorm… in Sarutabruta.
Somewhere lost in this sandstorm was the gate to Windurst Woods. Beyond those gates the Star Sibyl was waiting for a response to an invitation that had not been sent in years…
Inside a sandstorm… in Sarutabaruta…
With a sigh of remorse, he urged his chocobo forward and quickened his pace. As he did so he found himself wishing Sarutabaruta was smaller.
1 Named after the 13th apostle of Jesus Christ, who replaced Judas Iscariot for the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) after Jesus's ascension. No particular reason; just always liked the name.
2 Matthias's adventuring fellow.
3 Parchment: This paper is made from specially processed giant sheepskin.
4 Thick sollerets: [Feet] All Races, DEF: 12 Accuracy +2 Attack 4 Evasion -2, Lv. 68 WAR/DRK/BST (Beastmaster).
5 Thick breeches: [Legs] All Races, DEF: 31 Accuracy +2 Attack +5 Evasion -2, Lv. 69 WAR/DRK/BST.
6 Vampire cloak: [Body] All Races, Cannot equip headgear DEF: 65, Daytime: Adds "Regen" effect, Nighttime: Adds "Refresh" effect, Lv. 70 DRK.
7 Chaos gauntlets +1: (Rare/Ex), [Hands] All Races, DEF: 20 HP+11 MP+11 STR+6, DEX +6 Accuracy +3, "Weapon Bash" +10, Lv. 74 DRK.
8 Death scythe: (Scythe) All Races, DMG: 97, Delay: 528, Additional effect: HP drain, Lv. 73 DRK.
