Chapter 1: The New Face of Carnage
We'd gathered in the Falcon's pub, most of us at least. The official inquiry wasn't until this evening, but Leonard was anxious to tell his tale. Though it was still in the dock's repair yard, Setzer's airship was private property, totally off limits to the general public, unlike various parts of my castle.
Cyan was absent, attending to military business, some it pertaining to the upcoming inquiry. Paul and Ziegfried had also skipped out. They were both recovering from injuries they received while saving our new friend from even newer enemies. The room consisted of Locke, Relm, Celes, Terra, Gau, Setzer, Leonard, my brother, and I. Gau's left had was bandaged. Despite wielding a shield, something struck his defense with so much force the protection was negated, and the youth got a few bone fractures. Locke's cheek was bandaged, the result of another battle wound.
The one person I thought would be drained more than anybody was Leonard. He'd been missing for almost two weeks straight, with much of that time spent in a dark, cold jail cell eating minimal rations. But he endured, with a little help. It was evening by the time we returned from the spontaneous rescue mission in the Cradhawch Plateau of Albrooker soil. A full meal at the castle did him wonders, as did a nice hot bath.
I also suggested he go home for a good night sleep, and he agreed, but objected to the first part. For some reason, he Narshean refused to go back to his place, yet was too tired to explain why at that point. I offered him a guestroom at the castle, but Locke was adamant that Leonard sleep elsewhere. I kind of knew why, but neither of us said anything. The Narshean was happy to spend the night with Locke and Celes in Quildren.
Earlier in the day, Leonard filled out some notes that summarized his experience behind the new enemy lines. I reviewed them, and was now going to clarify each aspect of his experience. We needed every detail we could get on this new opposition. "Okay Leonard. Here are the basics." The room was silent. Most eyes were on me, though Setzer was at the sink behind the bar counter. "There's a nation called Jari…Jorus…Jrysthovuh." I finally got right. "And your captors, this 'Nyufalng' organization,' originally hail from that country."
Leonard reclined at circular table with Terra beside him. "Originally yes, but their membership now includes Albrookers, Tzenish, and Marandans."
I flipped a page in Leonard's scribble text. Talk of the southern continent's three city-states brought up more questions. "So, if they were initially a Jrysthovuhn movement, why did they declare war on the leaders of the lower continent?"
"From what I heard, they didn't like any of them, so they took em' out." Leonard shrugged. "Makes sense, right?"
"Perhaps," answered Celes from another table. "But you'd think anyone who took out three established political entities would lay claim to the defeated parties' land." She downed some ale. "According to your story, this group did not such thing. They took Albrook, but left Tzen and Maranda to rebuild on their own."
Locke massaged his cheek bandage. "And that's without considering the victory over three said governments." His voice was edgier than usual. Such feelings were expected. Anyone who could neutralize three established governments like so meant business, and was not to be taken lightly. This new enemy employed a dangerous combination of brains and brutality that I'd never seen before. Even before its apex, Gestahl's empire had no equal, and Kefka was just pure hate with no strategic elements. According to Loenard's discoveries, the House of Sireck and Edrina from Albrook, the pro-Gestahl House Virnone of Tzen, and Maranda's psychopathic Duke Sindreo Geminsa had all been destroyed in less than a year's time by this Nyufalng, a foreign organization seeking no imperializing of its own. Such ambition was an expected cause for such a daring feat.
"So, if empire-building is not their objective, what is?" I asked Leonard. "Surely they spoke to you about this."
His fingers drummed the tabletop. "Well, they seek to remove 'bossy control freaks' from government power. That could imply numerous objectives."
"Okay." Relm leaned forward in her seat. "So they want anarchy and mayhem. That's just dandy. But…why kidnap you? You're not much a politician with social influence."
Leonard's face took a dark look, reflecting his deep, stale voice tone. "They kidnapped me because of my father. They know what he did, and they didn't want so-called 'schemers' like myself roaming free."
A moment of quietude filled the bar, until Terra shattered it. "DAMN THEM!" She stood forcefully, slamming her cup down on the table surface, wine splashing over the mug's rim. "Can't they leave the past behind? It's bad enough Arvis and the Narshean militia didn't lift a finger while you were missing. But kidnapping you because of your father…" she didn't finish."
Leonard took her hand, and the half-esper woman took a seat once more. Her outburst made sense, given her past reactions to such unwarranted hostility. Leonard though, took it in stride somehow. "Well, given their lust for blood, I'm hardly surprised. Zealots love overkill. They also mentioned something divine, 'the divine' to be exact."
Locke scratched his chin. "And what's that supposed to be?"
"Hell if I know. I had to blend in. If I asked, I would've blown my cover." The Narshean shrugged. "It was common knowledge among them."
"It's blabber," Locke snorted. "They're talking from their ass cracks, like zealots typically do. Locking you in a jail cell because your father, who's been dead about four years now, is hardly normal behavior. Don't read so deeply into their shit."
It was temping to embrace Locke perspective, and blow off the Nyufalng's vague manifesto as deranged hoo-hah. Unfortunately, the little we know about this fierce paramilitary organization demanded that we learn everything possible. Leonard implied I was their next target.
For now, their motivations would remain a mystery. There was plenty more food for discussion along their other facets. "Regardless of their goals and motives, or lack thereof," I acknowledged Locke with eye contact "they're formidable. Throwing those fireballs with bare hands proves this. So I ask, what are their…capabilities? Are all of them like that, from what you saw?"
Leonard gazed at the tavern ceiling, blinking repeatedly. His head was likely spinning, as he was thinking about stuff he'd much rather forget. But he understood the necessity of my questions. "Truth be told, I'm not sure. Maybe every Nyufalng trooper has some kind of…monster part, but it's not a piece of Jrysthovuhn anatomy. They get such parts from a bloody process, literally."
He inhaled, drank some water, and explained this gory measure. "They took some captured troops from the Duke's army, troops rendered comatose but alive. The unconscious were hung from suspended chains and cut open along their necks, stomach, palms, feet, anything that would drain blood to the maximum. Then, they used some kind of 'energy' in the spilled blood to generate monster body parts for their own wounded soldiers."
Everyone made nasty faces, including myself. "Sickening, yet practical, for their end," Celes noted. "How'd you learn this? Did they drain enemies' blood openly in the town square?"
"I wouldn't put such past them," Leonard said "But no. They did it in some domed-top stricture in the Falpuryn hills east of Albrook. While disguised, I was asked to help move comatose bodies to the dome building. They showed me how to place the bodies in the chains for maximum blood drainage." His face contorted, as if he was about to vomit. "Maybe they had such in store for me, had I fallen unconscious as they planned. Can we move on to other stuff, if you don't mind?"
"Surely." I'd pretty much exhausted that route for now, given Leonard's attitude, and there was another aspect of the Nyufalng that required curiosity. "In your radio message, you warned us about beings with jewels in their heads. I must say, your warning was true to the letter."
"I'll say." Locke folded his arms. "I was instantly reminded of the eight elemental dragons unleashed by Kefka four years back, except the dragons were mentally animals. They didn't taunt us with shitty jokes."
"You're telling me," agreed Leonard. "And you've only had one encounter with 'em. I was around the fuckers days on end." His voice grew sharper. "That husky, orange skinned man with mismatched eyes, spike in his hands, and a forehead ruby was my primary jailor. He'd stop in, throw me table scraps, insult me, and leave. The last time he came in, he threw me a blanket that smelled. Having mined chemicals in that past, I knew it was ether, and I knew then my time was almost up. Happily, the next visitor was a different man, who wore a mask. I jumped him…and you know the rest."
"So tell me about this orange skinned man, the one who nearly cut you to shreds, until me and my trust crossbow saved the day." I'd shot the strange humanoid with four to five arrows, and he was still alive despite the resulting wounds. "He's got a ruby gem in his forehead, so he's one of those…dangers."
"His name is Baokiydu. It's a Jrysthovuhn name I presume, and his rank is a 'Sensorian'. It refers to his abilities of highly enhanced senses. He can also channel his body heat outward and multiply it to intense levels, comparable to gas fires or lava flows. I was told this by locals while disguised. I figured the info would prove useful."
"What bout that four-legged…thing that broke Gau's hand with a tree truck and almost crushed Terra and I in some mini-black hole…technique?" Sabin cringed. "There was an emerald in the creature's forehead."
Leonard cleared his throat. "Ah, you've met Qaurjaeda the 'Grav-wielder' with a forehead emerald. His class title is fitting, as you already experienced. He can distort gravity in various ways, making it super strong or so minimal he can practically air-walk. And he can also absorb gravitational energy into himself, boosting his strength to abnormal levels."
"Right. He swung the damned tree like it was toothpick." Sabin looked at Gau, who grunted while regarding his bandaged hand. "Only my own strength could match his, until he used that gravity well. But those specialized bio-bombs turned the tide." He glanced at Gau again. "Nice aim soldier, even if the freak survived. You fired around us, not over us, not risking collateral damage. Great job on your first mission."
"Don't forget that nasty bitch with silver flesh and slime that could rust our weapons," growled Celes in disgust. "That damned bitch called me 'General Chere' after slapping Locke with an elasticized goop strand. She had an amethyst jewel in her forehead."
"Might I introduce to you Sdalsyra, the Corrodess," announced Leonard. "Her powers are those fluids, be they adhesives, slippery goops, elastics, or acidic blobs."
"Fitting powers for one such a bad attitude." Celes frowned. "I gave her a fitting Shock attack, but I don't think it's the last we'll see of her."
It was my turn to share. "And I had my own clash with that man in strange garb, the short sleeved top covering a plate mail cuirass, a decorated belt, and a blue sapphire jewel. He used some blurry, transparent objects to fight, and his irreverence was just as menacing. He ridiculed my noble heritage. Sadly, with abilities like his, he'd maybe earned that right. My dragoon skills took him down, but I know he'll be back for more. Leonard?"
My glance prompted him. "Meet Dyal'xern, the Air-smasher. As you saw, and likely felt, he can distort and even create air for attack and defense techniques, shaping air masses to his liking. His can also make 'platforms' beneath himself and hover."
"You said there were five. You've only named four," Terra pointed out. "Who's the last one?"
"That giant horned crocodile with the black jewel. He's named Chithagu. Happily, he's not as smart at the other four." The Narshean smiled lightly. "But he's much smarter than your typical animal. I'm not sure of his exact talents. He spit some organism at me, which discharged foul gas. I presume he boasts the usual teeth, claws, and whipping tale. I hit him with a blitz to escape. And no, that won't keep him down."
We'd all confirmed it in our own words. These jewel possessors survived what would've killed a normal person many times over. Even the Nyufalng grunts and mounts had their limits. Our blitzes, sword techs, dragoon skills, and weapon technology did their job against the bulk of the opposition. What made these five particular beings so special? There were only five, but could they alone become a five-piece army? I wouldn't write off such possibilities. "Okay, what are they? Were they born like such? Will there be any more? Surely they possess some kind of rank for issuing commands."
"Actually no." A hint of relief colored Leonard's voice. He took another drink. "Think of them as super soldiers, immense abilities but no authority. And like those fireball throwers, they were initially humans, sans Chithagu, who was a simple beast. As you probably guessed already, their forehead jewels elevate them above their peers. From my discussion, they can't make anymore jewels…yet. Five is enough." He paused, and we all agreed with that last part. "That 'blood energy' also fuels their powers. They drink blood to feed their so-called 'essences'. Amongst their group, they're known by a Jrysthovuhn term. Pung Thoshidai, or Pung Thoshidei in the singular."
"You don't say!" Sabin's face lit up. "What a fitting term. And to think such beings only existed in legends. Though as they say, legends are often exaggerated facts."
"Whoa. Hold up." Celes raised her hands. "Are you also claiming to know stuff about this hidden country, where our new enemies originated?"
After saving Leonard and leaving Albrook's dominion, Leonard pulled my brother aside for a little talk. Maybe Sabin knew about Jrysthovuh after all, and Leonard was chatting on that very subject. I faced my brother. "Okay, I'll presume you're not fully ignorant of this culture. Explain the legends of these…Pung thingies."
Leonard gave Sabin a gesture. The spotlight was now on my little brother. "Alright. Pung Thoshidai are beings from Jrysthovuhn myth. It's said they bear energies in their souls and bodies, energies connected to nature itself. That would explain why those jewel bearers are so powerful, and why the jewels grant them such formidable talents."
"You know quite a bit." Terra shifted in her chair. "How exactly did you learn this?"
"I am a blitz master, if you didn't already know." Sabin laughed. "Master Duncan had a few peers, and I met them a couple times. They told stories of a far away land, home to the world's greatest martial arts masters. Details were sketchy, but many sources agreed that this nation was Jrysthovuh. Some of its people had left their homeland and traveled the world, sharing their martial skills with those fortunate enough to cross their paths. Maybe Duncan met up with such people."
"I see." It made sense for my brother to know a little about this nation, being a career blitz master. Leonard's knowledge was something else. I asked the Narshean, "How did you discover this place?"
"Unexpectedly. I was at the library one day, skimming through foreign books, and found one on the table. Its artwork caught my attention, and I was intrigued right there. I searched the local book stores for a copy, and found only one. After my ordeal behind enemy lines though, I'm not sure how accurate the book really is."
"It's something, better than nothing." I skimmed Leonard's note cards. There was no reference to any tome about this foreign country, which was getting more crucial by the minute. To learn the Nyufalng's big secrets, we'd have to understand their place of origin. "Bring me that book, when you can."
"Surely." Leonard drank more water.
"What about Ultros and Chupon?" asked Setzer while cleaning mugs at the sink. "This ship's been grounded here for the last eight months because to them, and they tried sabotaging the cargo ship while you tangled with the bad guys. Were they by chance working for this…Nyufalng?"
"Really?" Locke glanced over his shoulder at the gambler. "We know little of this enemy, but enough to spell out their expertise. Those Nyufalng wouldn't employ such dipshit screw-ups. Those two have despised us for years, and when they saw an opportunity, they took it. Kudos for stopping them the second time around."
"Yeah." Setzer placed the mugs in a cupboard behind the counter. "They won't piss me off anymore."
"What now Edgar?" Relm adjusted her pink bandana. "Leonard said the new bad guys will come for you, since they've destroyed the powers down south. You must have a plan."
I ingested her words, bringing forth an act from the deeper reaches of my memory. Before the Shedairah killings and the looming drought within my city came to light, I was asked by Albrook's House to provide weapons, so they could deal with local armed gangs disrupting the peace. It was obvious now, those nameless gangs had been the Nyufalng, and if they knew I'd sent weapons to their enemies, they'd hold a very spiteful grudge, sparing no effort in retaliatory strikes.
But did they know I'd sent the weapons? Would that matter, given their vague intents? Leonard suggested they didn't like powerful governments of any mindset, and Figaro was the world leader of science and technology. Anarchists would target such a nation.
All this assumed there was rhyme and reason to the Nyufalng manifesto. Maybe Locke was correct in suggesting there was not. I had to connect the few puzzle pieces we had. "Leonard, you said these Pung Thoshidai are not in charge of the organization. Do you have any idea who is? Did you learn of any important military officers or figureheads in your time down south?"
"I didn't learn of any military commanders," he admitted. "But I can give you three more names of note. The founder and leader of the Nyufalng is Ruqojjen Kagasjori, a High Shenthaxa. Whatever that is, he's got a title of great importance. The co-founder and second-in-command is a woman named Yithadri Juyolahriss, an Honored Shamaness. Again, I don't know the details, but she's in a position of significance."
All eyes in the room were on Sabin. "A militarized politician and a bigwig in spiritual studies," he explained. "I can't recall anything else about those rank titles, but Leonard's right. They're elite positions."
"That's two more names. Who's the third one?" asked Terra.
Leonard sighed. "Probably the youngest, but certainly not the most harmless of the Nyufalng. That teenage girl riding atop Chithagu. Her name's Ajalni Voldruine. She's like the creature's mistress, and he's her battle pet. She's nasty by herself though, with this tongue that does all kinds of crazy shit. It extends, can sprout talons, or snag and electrocute a person to death. I cut off the tip, but she's likely grown it back already."
"Teen soldiers." Celes's voice was ragged. I understood why. She was around that age when Gestahl promoted her to a commander status in his army. At sixteen, she led the assault that instantly defeated Maranda's Emperor Turianse Montrino and pulled Maranda into Gestahl's hands. Learning how the Nyufalng used teen girls in their own death squads sent the ex-magitek general a gruesome reminder of her own past. Her hatred of the new enemy had multiplied, and she'd known them for all of a single day.
"Like I said, they're a bunch of fuckin' zealot shits." Locke placed a hand on her tightened fist. "What would you expect from such a group?"
"And they want me bleeding to death, just because I didn't kill my father in some act of vigilante justice years back. Damned cock-sucking Nyu-FUCKS." Leonard cussed out the enemy with his own verbal epithet.
Irrational zealots or not, the new foes were out there, planning their next campaign, one against my kingdom. But they hadn't attacked yet. They'd only just concluded their war against Duke Sindreo and his followers the previous day, during which Leonard used their diminished presence in Albrook to escape. When they caught up with him, they were drained from the last battle with Sindreo's army, and (with some difficulties) we sent them home with additional wounds. They were surely planning their next decisive act however.
And, they'd already acted against us in a very real way, which ultimately led to yesterday's clash. I had to press this matter. "Leonard, last question. What do you recall about your kidnapping?"
"I figured you'd ask." He sighed, recalling the grim experience. "I was about to hit the sack, when I heard noises in my backyard. Being the so-called 'betrayer's offspring', I knew if I messaged local militia troops, they'd think I was reporting a prank of my own. Instead, I went to investigate for myself. I yelled, and the noises continued. As I rounded the house corner, a raccoon dashed across my back lawn and jumped the fence. I questioned if it was running from me, or from…well it ran from someone else, someone who came at me from behind with a needle that put me under. Then, I awoke in the dark cell."
"Right from your own backyard?" Terra's eyes went wide. "So that's why you didn't go home last night."
He answered my lingering question. "Yeah, whoever drugged me knew where I lived, and made some noise to draw me out, knowing I couldn't complain to authorities." He drank another sip. "My reputation as the son of Narshe's treacherous war profiteer is infamous. If Jrysthovuhn people travelled the world as rumors claim, it's not far-fetched they'd learn of my father's notoriety. But…" He stumbled on his words.
"But finding your exact place of residence is something else." Locke rolled his eyes, completing the sentence. "Someone learned you resided up in Narshe, and stalked you."
"All while they were busy down south." Celes ran her finger along the rim of her wine glass. "Talk about multitasking. If they learned of you father's rep overseas, you think they'd send a scout to find the next of Gurosawn kin. It would make sense, but how'd they know you were living in Narshe? Sending an operative to seek you out feels like a long shot. I can guess the Nyufalng are too savvy for acting on such unlikely finds. I won't presume they just got lucky."
"Well, if they planned on bringing their war up here, they might've sent a person to scan this town and the mining city, prepping in advance," suggested my brother. "Maybe they got lucky in discovering Leonard was a Narshean resident. Locals like Arvis know you're amidst them." He glanced at Leonard. "And they'd speak of your unpopularity, cluing in the mole."
"But how did they find me?" Leonard's voice was ragged with frustration. "I don't keep a high public profile, for that very reason. I collect my work earnings at the farm in person, I don't subscribe to the newspaper, and I use a post office box under a pseudonym, paying all my bills and whatnot like so. My bank account's also registered to that alias."
Silence filled the tavern. This question lacked that crucial answer for the moment. "Well we know this much. Someone from the Nyufalng was in our midst, sedating you and taking you back to their stronghold down in Albrook." Terra reached for Leonard's hand, an effort to console the despondent man.
"And that's making a huge assumption," declared Locke. "You're assuming Leonard's captor left our turf after the abduction, instead of passing him to another operative halfway, likely in some remote location when an Albrook-bound airship or boat would go unseen. If the Nyufalng plan on striking us next, this mystery mole could've remained up here, pursuing his or her recon op. Maybe, the mole's not gone home yet."
"But we know about this group now." Celes leaned back. "And the enemy surely expected Leonard to tell his tale, as he just did. In any case, they'd update this 'mole' about his escape and our daring rescue. Would the mole risk exposure by sticking around?"
"Perhaps not. But if he or she dropped from sight following our rescue, their secret could get out. They might stay awhile, to act like they've nothing to hide and continue spying." Locke glanced at the Narshean. "And make another attempt on you, this time on your life."
"I figured as much," mumbled Leonard. "Swell huh? I'm not even safe in my own home, keeping a low profile. Mind if I crash at your place again?"
"Not at all." Locke smiled, if lightly. "I was about to offer that."
Presuming the Narshean would do such again, I expounded the idea. "You'd better get some essentials from your place at least, like that book you mentioned. I'll send an escort with you."
"Of course you would." The Narshean laughed, relaxing some. "If you have no more questions, I'd best be off. I still have my farm job, right?"
I nodded. "Yes. In fact, I first learned of you disappearance when a dairy foreman stopped by the castle, informing me that you'd missed two days of work with no explanation. Check in with the farm. They've been worried."
"Right." Leonard passed his drinking cup to Setzer. "I'll see you all this evening."
change in s
The day passed without any major happenings after that. Leonard gave his official inquiry, repeating his finds in the conference room of my castle. Rodney Hayne and some Figaroan troops accompanied him to his place in Narshe, where he gathered his essentials and left. The Narshean spent another night at Locke and Celes's place, returning to the farm for work the next day.
We had to learn about Jrysthovuh, as much as we could, as quickly as possible. For all we knew, this exotic nation was declaring war on outsiders, with the Nyufalng as its primary weapon.
In truth, I didn't mourn any of the southern governments. I always had doubts of supplying Sireck and Edrina with weaponry, even if I didn't know them very well. More so, Tzen's House Virnone wasn't anything benevolent, being Imperial loyalists as they were. And Marandan Duke Sindreo Geminsa was likely so deranged in his egocentric delusions of supremacy, the only person to oust him was Kefka Palazzo. I'd be hard pressed to choose a side between the Duke and the House. Happily, House Virnone was too small to expand over seas like their Imperial forefathers, and the Duke was too irrational and disorganized to effectively run an empire.
But they were not passive pushovers, and they along with Albrook's Sireck and Edrina had been vanquished by Jrysthovuh's Nyufalng. The Duke was easily an exception, but the Houses of Tzen and Albrook were functional as governments, albeit questionable, oppressive ones. Anarchy was not their goal.
And by supplying Albrook, I'd gotten on the Nyufalng's bad side, something done with minimal effort, as Leonard had also done it by not killing his own father years ago. Their reasoning was as vague as their motivations. They took down three governments, only replacing one, and only on a local scale. There was no sense in that lack of conquest, just as there was no logic in their grudge against Leonard's civility from years back.
A new problem had arisen, and there were still two others consuming my efforts. The monster hunts around local caves and wilderness regions turned up nothing. For now, the super beasts were elsewhere. Until they resurfaced in my domain, I'd lay off hunting them, for now. Umaro was still missing, but seeking him out proved just as futile. I could not waste my resources with scanning ops at this time.
At least one issue was approaching its conclusion. The new plumbing of my capital was in its final ten percent. Yes, some people had become skeptical, and quarrels had even broken out regarding my integrity. Others had left town, fed up with my slow progress and increasing monetary conditions. Still, I had unquestioning loyalists, uncomfortable as I felt with such blind loyalty. Brashness aside, they paid their taxes and defended my character. In short, this plumbing matter would conclude, offering Figaro City an enhanced waterworks system. Maybe that would re-instill confidence in those who doubted me, and bring back those who'd left.
Regardless, matters of the Nyufalng were something else. Until I learned something about their obscure origins, I couldn't make any meaningful decisions.
But I could easily take steps in that direction. An hour before dinner, Charise fetched me from the castle's basement workshop. While I'd been preoccupied with plumbing reports during the day, Leonard had dropped in, leaving a certain valued object with my wife. She told me it was on my pillow in the bedroom. With sometime before the next meal, I left the basement and rushed upstairs, anticipating the find.
And there it was, the size of the average textbook. Though age had worn some of its outer covering, all its pages were intact, with its images and text completely legible. I picked up the tome, studying its title with much enthusiasm.
The Ts'aosra'iy: Archives of the Jrysthovuhn Territory.
This was it, the book that could shed light on this mysterious nation that somehow produced our equally mysterious new enemies.
First things first, I checked for a table of contents. If this was a history book, I'd want to separate modern ages from times long past. A mere skim of the content pages revealed this was more than a history book. There were chapters dedicated to present day fighting styles and weaponry tricks, one chapter on cooking the most popular Jrysthovuhn cuisines, another on ancient folklore, and one about the nation's ecology and natural resources. And while it was no dictionary, the Ts'aosra'iy contained some basic principles of the modern Jrysthovuhn language in written and spoken form.
With all this esoteric knowledge at my fingertips, the best place to start was the here and now. Jrysthovuh was an island nation, which easily explained why we'd never seen it during our various journeys from years ago. According to the geographical details, the Jrysthovuhn landmass was set in the far southeastern corner of the world, further east than Thamasa and further south than Albrook. This also explained why the Nyufalng had taken Albrook as their home away from home. Like Albrook, Jrysthovuh boasted some impressive ports and seafaring technologies. Though still far away, Albrook was the closest major port town outside of Jrysthovuh, and trading was typically done in early days. Though as time worn on, trading somehow diminished. I could check why later.
My next point of interest was the Jrysthovuhn government. I was expecting monarchy similar to mine, but that was hardly the case here. Jrysthovuh was an oligarchy, ruled by a council of seven Elders, called such regardless of their age. One of them was more prominent than the other six, and was thus called the Grand Elder, or Mistress if the person was female. All seven Elders/Mistresses were elected publically, but voting was restricted to citizens of certain professions or social standings. The primary vote was handled by a group of ranking officials second only to the Council.
As I read the next words, my thoughts rang with echoes of Leonard's tale. A large amount of said officials were mystics known as Shamans, or Shamanesses for women. This ranking profession was subdivided into ranks of authority. A regular Shaman was the lowest, followed by an Honored Shaman, with Great Shaman being the highest. Leonard claimed an Honored Shamaness was among the Nyufalng leadership.
To further emphasize my recollections, the word 'Shenthaxa' was regular in the pages. A Shenthaxa was, on a basic level, a warrior monk with a say in politics, as they too could vote in Council members. Shenthaxa was gender-neutral term applicable to both men and women, and it was a more diverse role than a Shaman. A Shenthaxa could wield military command, and conduct political business like an ambassador. Like the Shamans, the Shenthaxas were divided into ranks, regular Shenthaxa, Under Shenthaxa, High Shenthaxa, and Grand Shenthaxa. The last rank was a stone's throw away from actually being a Council member. According to Leonard, a High Shenthaxa was the Nyufalng's founder and leader.
There was plenty here, but I still required a great deal more. Not wanting to get hung up on any one subject, I turned the pages and found the chapter in fighting techniques.
Jrysthovuh had crafted its own unique weapons of war. Some of the more notable articles were the rangamju, a war-hammer with a spear tip and curved sickle blade on its backside, the kalsahun, a small oval shield with detachable spike that gave it offensive uses, and the daukaisna, a long, stiff sword with a toothed, serrated blade that could tear into shields and armor plate, if used by a masterful wielder.
Further reading brought me to some pages about spirit energy. Thanks to Sabin and Ziegfried, this was no longer a foreign concept to me. But Jrysthovuh had its own take on the process. There was no reference of 'the blitz' by that name, but there was frequent mention of enhancing one's strength, agility, speed, and reflexes, all of which were part of Sabin's techniques and Jrysthovuh's own.
I left that part and next read up on the nation's early history. Like many other nations and city-states of the world, Jrysthovuh had a rich back-story. In fact, with each paragraph, it sounded like the obscure nation had richer history than most other places. Why was this?
In the next paragraph, I got my answer.
I'd said it before, and I'd say it again. What you don't know about your own world is deep enough to be a whole different world in of itself.
Jrysthovuh grew more impressive with each page in this chapter, and I knew immediately that our answers to the Nyufalng problem were at the core of the far-removed oligarchy. But as I read more, a new problem emerged. Not something as dangerous as the Nyufalng themselves, but this new matter was more than a simple inconvenience.
Someone rapped on the door three times. "Edgar, they're serving dinner downstairs now."
"Oh." I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. "Thank you Charise. I'll be right out." Time really flies when you've a good book in your hands. And with something as enlightening as the Ts'aosra'iy, hours can pass like minutes. I book-marked the last page I'd read and closed the tome, placing it next to the ticking clock. As I left the bedroom, I knew it was time to share my readings with everyone. We had to form a plan of sorts, using this info.
change in s & n
"I figured it could happen," grumbled Locke next to me. "Evidently, it has. Aiding Albrook was a bad idea. Just as I wondered, it pissed of the extremists and they've turned their sights on us."
"Not yet," I reminded him. "They kidnapped Leonard because of his father, which they'd have done anyway, even if Edgar turned down Albrook's supply request. Yes, we're next on their shit list, but aside from Leonard's kidnapping, they've done nothing to us…yet."
"Yet." Locke emphasized that word. "C'mon Celes. It's only a matter of time. How could they get to Leonard's own house without a spy, and why else would they send a spy?"
"If they had plans to attack us at some point, then supplying Albrook would again make no difference." I didn't blame him for this anxiety. I'd be lying if I claimed to feel none myself. But in any case, panic and paranoia would solve nothing, no matter how justified such feelings were. I glanced at the front of the conference room. Edgar sat behind a table, with Sabin and Leonard at his sides. The three men were reading pages from a hardcover book of sorts, probably the one Leonard referenced three days back in the Falcon. Edgar had skimmed it in some parts, and wanted to share his findings with the whole Returner circle. Locke and I received a telegraph message, as did Sabin, who'd taken Gau and Relm into his cottage as of late. The youth academy's dorms had closed down in a desperate but much needed attempt to reduce excess water usage.
Terra, Setzer, Cyan, and Cid had taken seats. Granddad was interested in hearing about Edgar's finds on this obscure country. Edgar's Chancellor Pierre Gurdeaux sat in the front row next to Cyan. A few military troops and officials were seated in the back of the room, while others guarded the closed doors. Edgar wanted this meeting kept private. Since the Nyufalng hadn't committed any aggression against Figaro at this time, there was no point in revealing them to the general public at large.
"Thank you all for coming on rather short notice," Edgar announced, calling the meeting to order. "As you already know, our friend Leonard Gurosawn here was captured by a mysterious group called 'Nyufalng' a short while back. He escaped, and learned some vital info about his captors. They've neutralized all the governments down south for whatever reason, and Figaro is their next target. This militarized group hails from a remote nation called Jrysthovuh, a place that Leonard has studied for the last few years."
"Ha. That's an exaggeration." Leonard shook his head. "This was a specialized interest, a hobby. I'm no researcher, just a curious party reading up on things the average person wouldn't care about."
The Narshean was modest, but the King wasn't downplaying Leonard's wisdom. "Nonetheless, we are fortunate to have this resource available to us, thanks to you." Edgar lifted up the brown book he'd been reading. "This is the Ts'aosra'iy, the foremost—if not the only—text regarding Jrysthovuhn culture. It's imperative that we learn all we can about our new opponents' homeland, if we're to stop this Nyufalng problem before it escalates. I'm a man of diplomacy, and perhaps I can negotiate peace with this nation and call off the Nyufalng aggression."
"My Liege, you seem a little over-confident in such diplomacy." Cyan spoke with an edge of doubt in his voice. I felt uneasy with his tone, as if he writing off Edgar's plan before the King had a chance to elaborate.
Edgar wasn't so quick to embrace such skepticism either. "Cyan, you're quite hasty in cutting down such a method. Would you mind explaining why?"
The old knight cleared his throat. "Gladly. In all my years, I've never heard of this…Jrysthovuh. This could only suggest it's an isolated country by its own choosing. Such places are rarely concerned with affairs outside of their domain, if ever."
"I'd rather not declare war on a country we know almost nothing about." Edgar eyed the Doman general. "I know you think along similar lines. And yes, Jrysthovuh is a far-removed country from the outside world, but it's not completely cut off from the rest of us. Listen to this." Edgar opened the book to a specific page and began reading. He first mentioned how Jrysthovuh was an island in the lower eastern corner of the globe, and how Jrysthovuh once had a well-established trading system with Albrook. Additionally, intermingling was rather common between local Albrookers and traveling Jrysthovuns. I recalled what Leonard said about a teenage girl in the Nyufalng, Ajalni Voldruine. Her father was clearly an Albrook local, and if my hunch was right, her given name reflected her mother's Jrysthovuhn heritage.
Naturally, when the Empire conquered Albrook, Jrysthovuhn trade ceased completely with the southern continent, making the nation even more reclusive. In all my time in the Imperial army, Gestahl never mentioned a word of Jrysthovuh. Cutting off trade was a means to retain secrecy. This was understandable.
Edgar next spoke of martial talent and fighting disciplines that originated in Jrysthovuh. At one point, Leonard interjected. "I once thought the blitz itself was Jrysthovuhn, but you set me straight." He smiled at Sabin.
"Like I said before, the blitz is merely one variation of an esoteric practice," explained the younger Figaro brother. "But I did reference tales of Jrysthovuhn martial arts and artists. Some of these fighting styles may equal the blitz without actually copying it, as there are many ways to utilize one's own soul energy. It's been rumored that Jrysthovuh was home to uncontested martial arts champions, but that's only a long-standing rumor. None of Master Duncan's associates could verify this."
"Maybe there's something in here that will shed light on this matter." Edgar thumbed some pages in the foreign tome. His brows went up. Something important caught his attention. "Hmm. Okay. Listen to this excerpt. Your energy flows within the spirit stream, and you are one with it, though you're not always aware. Sometimes you're innately close, sometimes you are distant," the King read aloud. "But even when your own personal aura withers, the divine's aura will remain." Edgar looked up, no longer quoting the book. "Spirit Stream is capitalized, as is Divine. I hate to disappoint you Locke, but it sound like the Nyufalng's 'Divine' is very much real. The word is repeated several times in this chapter."
"So what?" scoffed the treasure hunter. "That doesn't change the facts. They're still a bunch of menacing zealots. For all we know, they're exaggerating snippets from a book to justify their intolerance and bloodlust."
I cut him off, before his tirade went any further. "In any case, we have to know what it is, and why it's so important. From what you read, it sounds important to many, not just our enemies."
"Right." Edgar flipped pages once more. "Unfortunately, there's no actual definition of the Divine. I can only theorize its some vast field of organic energy to which individuals might connect. Since we've hit a stone wall on this matter, let's move along." He turned the page.
His next quoted excerpt involved Jrysthovuh's ancient history. "Here's a symbol, one of the oldest from ancient Jrysthovuh that still exists today. Believe it or not, you've actually seen this icon before." The King glanced at Leonard, who chuckled for some reason. The in joke would be explained shortly. Edgar pulled his projection table alongside himself and placed the open book on top. He flipped a switch, and a highlighted, magnified image of the open pages was displayed on the front wall of the chamber.
Terra eye's lit up, as bright as the projection. "Oh, that's where you got it. And you said you found the image in a mythology book."
"At that time, I thought it was a mythology book, after second guessing it was truthful. It was true all along, in some form." Leonard reached for his necklace. "This pendant design is that exact same image before you."
The overhead projection showed a pair of offset hexagons enclosed in a circle. "This," Edgar pointed at the icon "is the classical Jrysthovuhn star calendar."
"I went to a silversmith and showed that image, asking for a pendant in the design," explained Leonard.
Edgar then elaborated about early Jrysthovuh. They had soul energy knowledge in their own little corner of the world, and prided themselves on tapping into its potential. For the most part, they used this for wisdom and self-enlightenment. That was, until the events preceding the War of the Magi.
Content with its own essence powers, Jrysthovuh had no interest in joining the global slugfest which loomed on the horizon. In fact, they grew weary of the strange power called magic, a power that was growing in use and intensity each day.
As Edgar put it, the 'Divine was at risk'. As a means to restore balance to whatever became distorted, Jrysthovuh declared that all mages and espers be hunted down and executed on the spot, before they could cause irreparable damage. Death squads travelled the world, and anyone radiating magic was sentenced to death. Though Jrysthovuh rejected magic power, declaring it a 'foreign pestilence', they developed defenses against it, and a means to somehow neutralize it with their own natural essences.
I glanced at Terra. She didn't sulk as she might have a couple years ago. Her esper ancestry was all but void now, yet it was still a very real part of her being, a part of her history. Her father's kind had once been hunted in a similar manner, not persecuted, but coveted for their powers.
It was Relm who sulked. Gau placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Her people suffered much like mages had against Jrysthovuhn hostility. What the general public did to the Magi following the great war, Jrysthovuhn radicals did just prior. Ironically, such persecution led Thamasans to become their own isolated sect.
As the War of the Magi loomed ever closer, Jrysthovuh realize it could not exterminate the magic menace. Mages became more numerous, and the use of esper bio-weapons led to greater destruction a massacres. Outnumbered and out-muscled, Jrysthovuh brilliantly played the war to its advantage. The espers were so preoccupied with killing each other, the Jrysthovuhns retreated from the clash completely, withdrawing into their own borders and sealing themselves off from the catastrophic war unfolding overseas. Somehow, they established a massive barrier around their island, a shield that could neutralize any magic in its radius.
This last bit was hard to swallow at face value, but it would explain how Jrysthovuh survived the War of the Magi intact.
"Fascinating tale," exclaimed Cid. "The people of this nation must be innovative beyond imagination, though you likely know such already, having encountered some of them near Albrook. I'd like to know, who governs this kingdom today?"
"Funny you mention that Professor." Edgar flipped to a different page. "Jrysthovuh is not a kingdom, it's an oligarchy. Upper-class citizens can vote in a group of seven elected officials. This group of seven is known as the Jrysthovuhn Council."
Suddenly, Leonard's eyes perked up. His mouth fell open. "The Council! Son of a bitch! How did I forget? The Nyufalng mentioned the Council while I was in disguise."
"Well, traveling behind the lines of our new enemy and seeing them drain blood from captives would likely be something you'd rather forget," stated Sabin. "Am I right?"
While the Narshean cleared his head, Locke resumed the meeting's main issue. "They were probably referencing their primary supplier."
"No." Leonard's voice echoed through the conference. "They spoke with disgust and hatred for the Council. In fact, their hate for us may equal their hate for Jrysthovuhn leadership, at least. Maybe we're number two after the Council."
My brows arched. "You mean, the Nyufalng are not in cahoots with Jrysthovuh's government?" This could be the first bit of good news.
"They thought I was one of them, so they wouldn't lie," explained Leonard, vaguely smiling. "They claim to have been ejected from Jrysthovuh because they didn't follow the rules of the present Council. They talked all kinds of nasty shit about this Council, saying it was tyrannical and control-obsessed."
"Sure they would. Damned zealot anarchists hate all forms of government." Locke's voice was full of contempt. "We're supposed to sympathize with this Nyufalng because their homeland has established rules for residents to follow, rules that ruin bloodlust happy time. Yeah, real practical. Why the hell don't they just fight the Council and leave the rest of us alone?"
"Like I said, they distrust all established powers, or most anyway." Leonard shrugged. "But they said the Council has access to something not found anywhere else on the southern continent, or the world perhaps. That's why they're not gone back home…yet. I'm sure it's in their plans, after they deal with us here."
"Well, it sounds like we have an ally," beamed Terra. "We should contact this Council immediately, since the Nyufalng are a mutual enemy to us both. She expected instant agreement from the room, and got it in some cases. Relm and Gau nodded enthusiastically. The Chancellor also voiced approval. Leonard and Sabin grinned at each other. Cid and Locke sounded convinced.
But was it so simple? Was this too good to be true?
"Well," Edgar started. "That's not as easy as it sounds. Accessing Jrysthovuh will be a task all its own." He flipped through the Ts'aosra'iy again. "According to this, when Jrysthovuh sealed itself away from the outside world, they imbued the surrounding water. Today, furious storms rage in their seas constantly. The storms are violent like you'd never believe. The waves are so gigantic they create makeshift valleys on the surface. No sea vessel can withstand that magnitude of surf. The winds are no better. Dark storm clouds cover the ocean, so heavy they turn the sky pitch black even at high noon. The tempests throw about violent winds that can knock even the sturdiest of airships into a spiraling nosedive. Lightning strikes are constant, and hailstones are tossed around with such force, they'll shred most vessels to scrap, if the ships remain airborne long enough."
This was indeed an obstacle. Or was it? If the storms had never abated since the War of the Magi, how the hell did Jrysthovuhn merchant cross the seas and trade with Albrook pre-Empire? I put this question into words, saying we couldn't have it both ways. And the Nyufalng somehow crossed the ocean, so maybe the sea storms were fabricated.
"Not so," Edgar stated. "Because the storms are the product of Jrysthovuhn…non-magic," he wasn't sure of a fitting term "those who wished to cross the sea had to contact ruling mystics and shamans, who'd somehow lower the storms in a certain area, long enough for ships to enter or leave the country. My guess is the Nyufalng did something to that accord."
Setzer sat up. "All that time I was flying in that region, I presumed the storms were coincidental to my presence. I had no idea they were constant at some government's choosing."
"Would you attempt to fly through them?" asked Locke eagerly. "With a cargo vessel or your own refurbished Falcon?"
"No way." The gambler shook his head. "I may be one of the best pilots, but I'm not perfect. The winds, lightning, and hail just described would prove too much in combination."
"Great, so much for that option. Looks like we'll have to fight the Nyufalng ourselves, without Jrysthovuhn help." Locke shook his head, disappointed, but somehow not surprised."
"What about flying over the storm?" Edgar asked. "It's worth a shot, don't you think?" He faced the Chancellor.
The older man scratched his chin. "It's risky, King Edgar, but with few other options and so much to gain, it's maybe the best option. My only question is, do you believe leaving Figaro for an indefinite period of time is such a good idea? You're needed here, what with your plumbing project nearing its completion."
"T'is a foolish, far-fetched idea that will yield no results." Cyan's voice was louder and deeper this time. He stood up and paced before us. "This nation evoked natural disasters to keep outsiders away, only allowing passage when they saw fit. They want few if any dealings with the world at large. Do you not believe me? I ask you, where was Jrysthovuh when Gestahl dominated the southern land? Where was this Council when Doma was overrun? What did this Council do when Kefka ripped our world asunder? What did they accomplish with their magic negating-techniques, besides keep themselves out of harm's way?" He stopped, and leaned over the table. "Jrysthovuh's Council is nothing but an arrogant, self-important power that cares only for itself. They think 'if not in my country, t'is not my problem. Damn them and their self-centeredness to all hells. We'd be fools to trust such insolent Xenophobia."
The room was silent. The General had all but shouted his doubts of Edgar's negotiation plans. "He's right," Locke whispered to me afterward. "Why would this nation care about us? They did nothing to stop Gestahl and Kefka, despite having the resources to do such. Getting past the sea storms would be easier than convincing this country to lend a hand. We'll just fight the Nyufalng ourselves, as we did the Empire and Kefka."
Now I shared Locke and Cyan's total skepticism. Even Thamasans, descendents of the Magi themselves, lacked the ability to fully neutralize magic. I suddenly realized how this key feature meant Jrysthovuh was the only sole nation who could've faced down the Imperials and win. Yet, Jrysthovuh did nothing. When the Empire conquered Albrook, Jrysthovuh simply ceased its trade operations and ignored the port town, leaving their old trade partners, and the rest of the continent, to suffer. 'Self-absorbed' barely scratched the surface in describing such isolationist attitudes. Edgar's diplomacy method would fail, and that was that. It didn't matter if the Council and the Nyufalng were arch enemies, and being able to cross the sea storms to enter the country was just as moot.
Leonard raised his hands and leaned back. Jrysthovuh was a mere hobby for him, and he wasn't going to takes sides between Edgar's plan and Cyan's doubt. Sabin, however, wasn't so neutral. He stood from his chair and walked around the table to face the Doman. "Cyan, don't say that." His voice wasn't angry or confrontational. He sounded more shocked and disappointed. "There are centuries worth of culture and knowledge hidden away in Jrysthovuh. Just because we can't access their ports easily does not make them a belligerent nation." His tone was unchanged, but his voice rose. "Don't say such derogatory things."
"Prince Sabin Rene Figaro." Cyan folded his arms. "You of all people should understand these implications. That you glorify this nation of pompous recluses comes as great shock. I'd think you were wiser than to praise such willful ignorance."
Sabin's face twisted, and his fingers twitched. Cyan was un-phased, waiting for a response. Locke and I were of Cyan's mindset, but his tactless attitude left something to be desired, despite the logic of his argument.
"Sirs." The old Chancellor stood and walked behind Cyan. "This is not the time for quarrels. We must think of our plan." The men who'd been squaring off returned to their seats, both shaking their heads.
"Alright, we have no option of going to Jrysthovuh's Council." Terra said, maybe hoping to get this meeting back on track and avoid potential feuds between the General and the blitz master. The two didn't always agree, but they'd become very close comrades, a bond matched by their fighting skills. It was unlike Cyan to rub Sabin so harshly like that. Of course, Cyan was critical of Jrysthovuh, not Sabin. The Prince took the comments too personally.
"Right, plan B." Edgar announced. "Hmm. You know, we've learned a bit regarding the Nyufalng. How so? Through a method that we should maybe try again."
"Huh?" asked Sabin. "What are you getting at?"
"Simple. How did we learn about their blood-drinking practices, their hatred of the Council, the Pung Thoshidai abilities, their possession of Albrook, and their precious 'Divine'?" The King leveled his brows. "We had someone inside their domain."
"You mean…we infiltrate Albrook?" asked Locke. "Just like I theorized they sent a spy our way, we return the favor?"
"No way!" Leonard's objection echoed off the chamber ceiling. "I never volunteered for Albrook. I'm not going back there, and I'd really discourage any of you. They might expect such, as I've already passed as one of them. Do you want to be hung out to dry, literally? If they catch you, that's probably the best that could happen. I doubt they'll kill you immediately."
He spoke of the Nyufalng's practice, hanging a person from chains, cutting their vitals, and draining all their blood. He would know, having witnessed it firsthand. As he put it, some victims were killed that way, but one in particular was kept alive as a 'donor'. He was obviously a person of substantial importance. In fact, we Returners all were, in some way. Leonard's opposition to plan B was reasonable, especially if the Nyufalng expected it. For the moment though, I had to entertain a brooding curiosity. "Leonard, if you don't mind me asking, why did they keep that man alive? You said most of the draining subjects were bled out, but he was spared for repeated use. Did you learn anything about him?"
"Not really. I didn't want to risk exposure by acting ignorant." The Narshean gazed off, not happy to rethink his forced visit down south. "Why?"
"He's important to them, so he must be a man of intelligence, strength, or talent. Do you recall anything about him that would stand out?" I asked.
He rubbed his forehead. "Nothing about his past or any special status. I did notice a couple scars and asked if they gave him those marks, as their brutality would leave such. They said no, his scars were from a suicide attempt from years back." He looked up. "You know, the scars were kinda peculiar. "They were on his wrists, and they intersected one another."
Gasps and curses filled the room. Aside from my own swearing, I had no idea who said what. There was one very big exception though.
Relm gasped the loudest. "NO!" she stood wearily. "I—it can't be?"
But a glance around the room confirmed the girl's fear was real. Yes, he was a person of substance, and if the Nyufalng wanted to pass on talent through a fucked up blood transfusion, he was the perfect donor.
This was strike two against us. No, it was strike one, as this happened some time before Leonard's kidnapping. And this was a blow to us Returners, literally. His disappearance almost a year ago was overlooked as a quirk of his nature, but Leonard's description made it clear. The Nyufalng were more savage and threatening than they'd been up to this point.
Relm broke down, bawling as she collapsed into Gau. Terra rushed to the teen's aide, taking the girl's hand, offering what consolation she could. Locke and I jumped from our seats and approached. Relm needed all the support we could give her. We all needed each other for the moment. What we didn't know would hurt us more than we could imagine.
Clyde 'Shadow' Arrowny was a captive in the Nyufalng-seized Albrook, and they were using his blood to augment their army in their pending was against us. Any hatred or disgust Relm felt for him was gone. "Dad," she cried in a despairing voice.
"Fucking hell!" Leonard stood so fast, his chair was flung backwards. He quickly paced around the table. "That was your father, the same person you said vanishes all the time for long intervals? Damn, I had no idea."
"T'was a part of his private nature," explained Cyan, his voice controlled but his face revealing furious rage. "We didn't question the recent vanishing act. And down in Albrook, you couldn't have known when you saw him, being disguised and all."
Relm was sniffling, until Setzer pulled tissues from his coat and offered them to the teenager. She blew her nose. The sniffled were gone but the tears continued streaming. Gau and Terra sat her down on a stair gently, while Locke approached the bottom of the chamber. "We need a plan, fast."
