Final Fantasy: The Gates of Azura
Chapter I – Awakening
Kenji grabs hold of his forehead in pain as he attempts to prop himself up upon the coldness of the dusty stone floor below him. Upon inspecting the surrounding environment, he soon came to the realization that he now stood within the small enclosed chamber that he and his friends had fallen into, through a trap door near the entrance of the ruins that they had recently discovered. To his immediate right, the samurai slowly moves towards Paige, a young mithran bard whom seems to be gradually awakening from her state of unconsciousness. The swordsman cannot help but let out a long, drawn out sigh of relief as he falls upon his knees beside his furry companion, for he was glad that she too was fortunate enough to survive the fall.
Reaching into a small pouch upon his waist, Kenji fetches a vial containing a small remnant of what was left of one of his potions. Loosening and removing the cork, he holds up the mithra within his arm whilst pouring the clear bluish fluid into her mouth, in hopes to help her recover from the injuries that she had sustained. Feeling somewhat recovered, the bard is able to sit up on her own as she smiles graciously at her comrade. It was without hesitation that the samurai had helped her onto her feet and together made their way towards Felicity, a female hume ranger, whom seemingly was also in need of remedial attention. Alas, she too was alright, for the breath of life still continued to flow from her mouth as they examined her critical condition.
Despite the situation at hand, Paige immediately knew what she had to do, after all she was a bard, the only one in their group who could possibly using her musical powers of restoration to heal their wounded friend. With the sweet melody of her flute, the mithra plays a powerful yet potent spell of her Army's Paeon upon the unconscious ranger, with which a positive response had instantly ensued. As she opened her eyes, Felicity was slowly but surely able to stand steadily under the support of her weakened legs, which were gradually beginning to regain most their strength. Placing her hand upon her own shoulder, the hume was still a little sore from the damage that had been dealt, however it was only a minor inconvenience to her since she was now able walk once more.
Kenji
[To Felicity] Try not to move so suddenly just yet, Felicity. Allow yourself at least some time to regain the rest of your stamina. We wouldn't want you to sprain yourself so soon after Paige had just healed you.
Felicity
[Fetching her bow and quiver] I appreciate your concern, but I think I'm going to be quite alright. My endurance is far greater than you think, Kenji. If anything, it should be I to be telling you to be careful. If you weren't so reckless, we wouldn't have gotten into this mess.
Kenji
[Folding his arms] Speak for yourself. If it weren't for that last ounce of my potion, our friend Paige wouldn't have been able to aid your recovery. So therefore, by default, you should be the one thanking me. How else was I supposed to know that trap door was there?
Paige
[Interrupting] Quiet the both of you, enough of your bickering. First thing's first. How are we to find ourselves a way out of these ruins? From what I can see, we can't possibly come back the way we came. So by any chance, have both of you got any constructive ideas?
Kenji
[Pointing to the east] Well I suppose we can continue on down through this seemingly long corridor. Seeing that it is our only way out of this chamber, perhaps this can also lead us to an alternate means of exiting from the ruins. Besides, we've gone this far already, might as well explore the rest of this place while we're here.
Felicity
[Sighing] It doesn't look like we have much of a choice anyway. However, I too, do not intend on leaving empty handedly. Let's just hope our stumbling upon these ruins was well worth it. I'd hate to have gone all through this trouble for nothing.
Kenji
[Confidently] Trust me, if the rumors and legends are true, we will walk out of here richer than the duke of Jeuno himself. I swear on my own life, our efforts will not be in vain. This is our only chance to earn a little bit of renown upon the lands of Vana 'Diel, and I'm not about to give up now.
Paige
[Sighing] I just want to go home already. I'm hungry and tired. Maybe even a nap would be rather nice to have right about now. But if you insist, I suppose going in a little bit further wouldn't hurt…I hope.
Felicity
[Preparing her bow] Nothing a few flares can't fix. With these, it should be easier for us to see where we are actually going, considering how dark it is in here. We won't be as careless as before.
Determined, Felicity raises her long bow and takes aim towards the long shadowy corridor that stood before her. The ranger releases a couple of her flaring arrows as they all arc downward in an angle, with its sparks illuminating the rest of the way. From this, it had become evident and apparent to the rest of the group that this passageway descended even deeper below the inner ruins in which they stood. Although it had seemed to go into the completely opposite direction of the front entrance, they did not hesitate to go any further. After all, if it meant the acquisition of riches and fame, the trio was more than willing to look past the potential dangers for this once in a lifetime opportunity.
The three adventurers eventually reach what looks like an even larger chamber compared to the one that they had just departed from. With a couple more of her flaring arrows, Felicity is able to brighten up the darkness in all corners of the area, revealing its ancient and mysterious atmosphere. Surrounded by many large pillars of stone, a pedestal stands at the very center, with a noticeably shimmering object resting upon its surface. An enormous gate can also be seen looming over from behind, with chains running down from each corner before finally meeting at the center. Surely, to Kenji and the others, this room was indeed the keeper of that which they had sought, or so they thought.
Kenji hurriedly makes his way down the lengthy fleet of stairs towards the pedestal, with Felicity and Paige quickly following after him. The samurai persists to marvel at the pristine beauty of a verdantly colored crystal that lay in front of him, before placing it within his grasp as he holds it close. Slightly larger than the size of his fist, the precious object begins to emit a somewhat dim glow, perhaps triggered by the swordsman's direct interaction with it. To his left, Paige cannot help but display an overall expression of awe, for she hadn't seen something so strikingly gorgeous before. However, to the ranger, the young lady wasn't the slightest bit impressed at all, since she had expected far more from this seemingly fruitless expedition.
Felicity
[Disappointed] So that's it? Please don't tell me this is so. Do you mean to say that we've traveled this far only to come across this puny little rock? You've got to be kidding me, that thing is probably worth a little less than a piece of dark ore at the auction house. This is getting a little ridiculous.
Kenji
[Sighing] A puny rock, you say? I apologize, but that is clearly a severe understatement, my friend. This ancient relic is said to transcend far beyond the start of the first crystal age, a remnant of that which had first stood amidst the beginning of time itself. This is no ordinary stone I hold within my hands.
Paige
[Placing her finger upon her lips] Well that sounds quite fancy and all, but. What exactly does it do? If this stone is as ancient as you say it is, then surely it possesses some amazing yet distinct properties, correct?
Felicity
[Crossing her arms] Well, you heard the lady, Kenji. Why don't you share with us your intellect and tell us what this thing is truly capable of? That is in fact, if it can do anything at all to begin with.
Kenji
[Somewhat fumbling with his words] Well, as you can see, it glows, it's shiny and well. Okay fine, I honestly really don't know what this crystal can do at all, nor anything else but the fact that it is the most coveted by scholars and excavators. That in itself should explain its true value.
Felicity
[Placing her hand upon her head] You can't possibly be serious? Well, this is indeed the last time I team up with you and your mithran friend, Kenji. I still can't begin to comprehend how is it that I put up with you? Time after time, we always end up finding something of little or no value at all. You are indeed pathetic, maybe you should quit while you're ahead.
Kenji
[Somewhat disappointed] Say what you want, but I know a valuable object when I see one. Look, all we have to do is get this thing appraised and we'll split the profits evenly like we always do. We got what we came for so, I guess we should find us a way out of here.
Paige
[Yawning] Does this mean we get to go home now?
Kenji
[Sighing] Yes, Paige. We're going home.
Felicity
[Pointing towards the gate] Well, it looks like our own ticket to leaving these ruins is through that large gate. Maybe if we work together, we can free it from those chains and break through with our combined strength. I don't know about you two, but we shouldn't waste any more time standing around here like idiots.
After the ranger had finished her rude and discourteous rebuttal, the group of three persists to move in the direction of the immense threshold that stood before them. Unbeknownst to Kenji, the verdant crystal that he had placed within his pouch had slowly but gradually began to glow more intensely as they neared closer and closer towards their point of interest. The bard persists to cast the musical spell of her Valor Minuet upon her two companions with the aid of her flute as they had become empowered by its strengthening effects. It was then that both the samurai and ranger don't hesitate for a second in attempting to bring down the chains that encircle the large gate.
Drawing his nodachi, Kenji cuts loose two of the bottom most links of the chains located at the base of the gateway. At the same time, Felicity lets fly of her explosive arrows towards the two final links resting at the upper left and right corners. As expected, the thick binding strands of metal had heavily crashed down before them as rubble and dust fly frivolously throughout the air. With the gate now unbound, the three adventurers carry on to try to prod the gates open, but to no avail. After several more attempts, it had come clear to the three of them that no matter how much they pushed, the enormous set of doors weren't going to budge so easily.
Felicity
[Punching furiously at the gate] Damn it. Quit being so stubborn and open up, already. I still can't believe this is happening to me. All I wanted to do was to make something of myself, to go out into the world and explore uncharted dungeons in search for fortune. It wasn't supposed to be like this.
Kenji
[Sitting himself beside Paige] Why don't we give it a rest, Felicity? It's no use to keep going at it when this troublesome gate won't move an inch. Save your strength, we may need it later. However right now we should take the time to think this through, perhaps there is more to this door than we may actually think.
Felicity
[Falling upon her knees] You know what, Kenji? I've had just enough of your pointless forms of rhetoric. Who do you think you are, my father? Well even if you were, you wouldn't come to understand about half of what's going through my mind right now. I just want to go home. I'm sick of suffering at the hands of your failures, Kenji.
Paige
[Whispering] We'd better think of something quick before the ranger erupts into a scorching volcano. Just witnessing how monstrously angry she gets scares me. I honestly don't think that this will end well.
Kenji
[Sighing] She always gets like this when she's frustrated. Give it some time and she'll calm down before we even know it. The only thing we can do now is wait I'm afraid.
Paige
[Pointing at Kenji's waist] Kenji, if you don't mind me asking; why is your pouch glowing like that? It's kind of freaking me out a little.
Kenji
[Reaching into his pouch] It's the crystal, and it's growing warm. Why is it doing that? Did I break it or something? Damn it, how do I turn it off?
In trying to figure out the nature of this obscure object, Kenji finally comes to the realization that in approaching the gate, its luminescent aura had become stronger and more potent. The samurai had nothing to lose, what else could he do but raise the crystal up before the towering thresh hold, in expectations of some sort of positive reaction. To his surprise, his actions had caused the appearance of a large circular seal upon the center of the gate way. With a brief flash of light, the doors slowly begin to open, granting the group of three, passage into yet another long and dark corridor.
With a sigh of relief, Felicity doesn't hesitate to rise up upon her feet and continue further through the inner ruins. Kenji and Paige follow soon after her, only to realize that the gate that they had just passed through had disappeared without a trace, with only a solid stone wall standing in its place. They easily shrug it off and continue to ascend yet another set of stairs towards the evident presence of sunlight that could be seen at the very top. Passing through the thinness of a continuously flowing waterfall, the samurai and ranger arrive upon what looks like a small field of grass, enclosed by tall walls of stone which surround them.
The ranger can be seen looking up into the summer sky, taking in a deep breath as she takes her time to savor the moment of freedom from the ruins that she and her companions had been trapped within for such a time. Upon a bed of flowers, Paige lets out a sleepy yawn before laying herself comfortably upon them. Meanwhile, Kenji makes a swift observation of the environment, somewhat intrigued by the sudden change of atmosphere after only traveling a few steps outside. However something still seemed out of place, for the samurai possessed the slightest inkling that they were indeed being watched by an unknown force.
Kenji
[Readying his katana] Don't become so lax just yet, Felicity. We've haven't escaped from danger just yet. I feel the presence of those other than us within this place. Be sure to keep you're guard up.
Felicity
[Stubbornly] Give me one good reason why I should still listen to your orders, Kenji? If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have gotten into that mess back there, I could have sworn that we were going to rot and die in those ruins.
Just before Felicity could finish her sentence, a stray crossbow bolt nearly grazes her neck as Kenji deflects its trajectory with the swift wave of his nodachi. The ranger can only widen her eyes in trepidation while watching the projectile fall to the ground beside her. There wasn't no doubt in her mind that if Kenji hadn't intervened, she would have died instantly before her comrades. Soon after, several more bolts fly down at the two of them, to which the samurai wards them off successfully. To the swordsman, this was no different than the previous aggressive encounters that he and his group had faced once before.
Kenji
[Holding his ground] I must admit that I've brought you into many disastrous situations. But I'll have you know that I've never once let any of my comrades down when it had come to these dire circumstances. Now, get up onto your feet and raise your bow, I could use some of your help right about now. This isn't a one man team.
Felicity
[Sighing] You know what? I also find it really annoying when you utterly try to prove me wrong like this. But I suppose there's no use arguing about it at the moment. Alright partner, let's take these bastards out. However, I'm starting to wonder where that mithran bard of yours had run off to. Don't tell me she's taking one her naps again.
Kenji
[Pointing towards Paige] You spoke too soon. Go and take a look for yourself. She's out cold. That bard really needs to get a better sleeping schedule planned out, and it's always during the worst timing.
Felicity
[Shaking her head] I don't understand why you still keep her around. Couldn't you have at least recruited a white mage or red mage? They would've done a better job than Paige could ever handle.
Kenji
[Explaining] You know very well that white mages are hard to come by these days. They are always in high demand. It's like a rat race with them. Besides, they're quite picky and difficult to maintain. And speaking of red mages, don't even get me started on them. They are a whole different story in itself.
Felicity
[Taking aim of her bow] Whatever, we can make do without her anyway. Although things would have been much easier if she had casted her sword madrigal. No matter, I like taking up a good challenge anyway.
From the high ridges above, the skilled archer is able to take notice of the many crimson cloaked men whom had taken their place, with their crossbows pointed straight down at them. Felicity immediately ignites and let fly her flaming arrows as they penetrate deep into her opponents' bodies, and causing them to fall from their heightened vantage points in a writhing fiery death. The samurai continues to aid his ally by deflecting many more projectiles that come forth upon them, allowing the ranger to accurately snipe the rest of their aggressors. It was with unbridled teamwork, that the duo was able to survive the surprise attack, seemingly unscathed by their enemies' murderous desire.
However, such was not the end to their hostile encounter, as several more cloaked figures had leaped down upon the grassy field, before charging straight towards their two targets. Armed with a vast array of daggers, long swords and claws, these shrouded individuals persist to lead a combined assault with their evidently skilled combative techniques without waver. With her munitions reserves quickly depleting, Felicity attempts to at least slow her targets' movements by resorting to the utilization of her frost arrows, ultimately freezing them within their tracks and shattering under its devastating effects. Although effective, it was now time for Kenji to do his part, as close combat was his specialty.
The samurai instinctually uses his Seigan technique to swiftly evade and avoid the attacks of his multiple foes, while at the same time landing a successful and mortal strike upon each of them as he agilely passes them by. With a huge group of crimson assassins now standing before him, the swordsman focuses his concentration upon his nodachi, releasing two powerful slashes of his Tachi: Enpi weapon skill upon them, which seemingly cuts them in twain within an instant. Kenji persists to take out as many more hostilities as he could muster, as for each individual that had fallen to his blade, would allow him to use his most devastating attacks.
Nearby, Felicity comes to the inconvenient realization that she possessed only a single arrow left within her disposal, and without question turns to the aid of her twin daggers which she hastily uses to block the quick swipe of a lone adversary's bladed claw. The archer carries on to force her opponent aside, before lunging forward at another approaching enemy and stabbing him slightly below the chin and ripping it free from his flesh. After dealing with the both of them, the ranger makes good use of her Shadow Bind technique, to which large roots penetrate through the ground and strongly fastens several of the cloaked individuals. This proved to be an opportune time to strike, as she rushes straight at her exposed prey and eviscerating each and every one of them.
Although, despite their efforts, it had seemed that more and more of these assassins had begun to poor out from all corners of the area without any sign of their numbers dwindling, even after many had already been slain. The samurai finally resorts to using his Tachi: Kagero weapon skill, which effectively incinerates a significant number of the hostile individuals with the single wave of his katana. The ranger too was also occupied with her dealings with many more of the same enemies, whose numbers were beginning to grow far beyond than she could handle. With the young hume's final ounce of strength, Felicity intoxicates her victims with several slashes of her daggers as they begin to suffer under the venomous effects of her Viper's Bite. But alas, even such wasn't enough to faze their enemies.
Felicity
[Nearly out of breath] Incessant little punks, aren't they? It's as if they don't fear death at all. They just keep coming and coming, with one just simply replacing the other. I don't think I can go on any longer, Kenji. There's just too many of them.
Kenji
[Fatigued] If you can buy me some time, maybe I can meditate long enough to unleash more of my weapon skills upon our opponents. It's the only way we can ever survive this seemingly endless assault, I'm afraid. Otherwise, we're just as good as dead.
Felicity
[Angrily] Why don't you wake up that stupid mithra from her precious little nap already? Why does she get to sit along the sidelines while we do all the hard work? It's not fair, I tell you. We could have won the battle hours ago if she had given us the full support of her magic. Some bard she is.
Kenji
[Replying] Hey, if you want to try to catch her attention, I'm not going to stop you. That is, if you can wade yourself through these large group of assassins. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to let you pass on through without hesitation.
Felicity
[Preparing to attack] I swear, if we ever make it out of this alive, I'm going to kill both you and your furry little friend with my own two hands. You have my word on that, Kenji, I promise you.
Before the two of them could execute their well thought up plan, a fiery explosion erupts from the opposite side of the grassy field, to which several crimson assassins are sent into a slow burning death. From the origin of this sudden occurrence, a man clothed with a noticeable dark leather jacket emerges from the smoke and ashes, with his sword rested upon his shoulder. He doesn't hesitate to charge forth at the large group of cloaked individuals, taking down at least eight of them whilst pulling the trigger upon the gun of his blade as each strike had exploded upon impact. It is without waver that the mysterious stranger persists to empty the shells from his revolver's cylindrical chamber before loading it and locking it into place, for he was intent on continuing his valiant effort.
Using this moment to their advantage, both Kenji and Felicity carry out their combined efforts to eliminate that which had surrounded and encircled them. The ranger begins by apprehending her opponents by the mercy of her Shadow Bind technique as she uses her skill of invisibility to confuse and bewilder her chosen targets of interest. With dagger in each hand, the young woman pierces deep into the necks of each cloaked aggressor that she had a clear advantage of, stealthily making the kill without notice. She continues to carry out the same attack pattern, widening the gap between them and her companion, whom can be seen knelt in meditation at the very center, gathering his focus and concentration to bring about his true potential.
In the distance, the mysterious swordsman can be seen effortlessly defeating those which had unfortunately dared to cross blades with him. He places his hand upon his forehead in repose before releasing yet another blast of his Fira spell at his victims, clearing a path towards the samurai and ranger. Preparing his gun blade, a bright orange aura surrounds him before unleashing a series of quick and powerful slashes upon the foes that still stood in his way. His aura gradually changes to a bluish coloration as the stranger prepares yet another attack, roughly dividing the final stretch of assassins with a final overwhelming upward strike.
It was now that Kenji had ended his meditation, now fully geared up to bring about an unremitting offensive upon his remaining hostilities. As Felicity had returned to her place beside him, the samurai sheathes his nodachi while retaining his battle stance. He places his hand upon the tsuka of his blade, for he awaited the proper moment to strike upon the now approaching threats which charge straight at him, his pose steady and unmoved. Soon enough, Kenji's time to attack had come, for his opponents were close and within range as his gaze narrowed in on his targets. With the quick drawing of his blade, the swordsman unleashes an enormously wide slash of energy upon the crimson shrouded assassins, seemingly decimating the whole lot of them in a single wave. Only remnants of cherry blossom petals can be seen floating down from the aftermath of Kenji's Tachi: Kasha weapon skill, a technique only mastered by few.
Felicity
[Cheering] Good riddance to the whole lot of those unrelenting bastards. They surely had it coming, didn't they? Nothing can stand up against the unison of two strong willed individuals.
Kenji
[Panting] You can say that again. However I must say, if it weren't for you, I don't think I would've been able to pull that off. So now you see how far we can get with just a little bit of proper coordination.
Mysterious Swordsman
[Approaching them] That was quite a show you had displayed back there. But I must cut our conversation short before more of those assassins show up. I strongly advise that you come along with me. That is if you want to leave from this place alive.
Kenji
[Lifting up his katana] So it was you that had helped us out. We appreciate what you've done for us. But, you see, I'm not so trusting to those whom I've just met recently. Who are you, and what do want from us?
Felicity
[Preparing to strike] Yeah, who the hell are you? And what's that weird looking sword that you're holding? Not to mention that weird get up you're wearing. Are you some sort of black mage? Or wait, a dark knight. No, you could also be a warrior of sorts if I'm not mistaken.
Mysterious Swordsman
[Confused] Black mage? dark knight? I guess this is enough evidence to prove that you are those I've been sent to look for, the three travelers from one of the thirteen realms. Look, I'll explain everything on the way. We can't afford to wait here any longer.
Kenji
[Lowering his blade] Thirteen realms? What in the world are you talking about? Aren't we still here upon the lands of Vana 'Diel? You're speaking nonsense, you must be crazy.
Felicity
[Lowering her daggers] I think we can trust this man, Kenji. I still have a feeling that there are more of those guys still around. We should wake up Paige and follow him. He did help us after all
Kenji
[Folding his arms] I suppose we can. However, he can at least tell us his name. No use being a stranger if we're going to be tagging along with him for the time being.
Mysterious Swordsman
[Hand upon his waist] The name's Squall, Squall Leonhart. Always a pleasure.
Kenji
[Smirking] Charmed.
Suddenly, several bullets come raining down upon the group of three, which Kenji and Squall quickly deflect with the edge of their blades. It was from above the waterfall that the samurai and his fellow kin had passed through, that a man also garbed in a similar crimson fashion stood, with his triple barreled firearm in hand as he reloaded it. The dark haired and red eyed gunslinger doesn't hesitate to aim down his iron site upon Paige, whom could be still sleeping amidst the bed of flowers where she had made herself comfortable. He quickly fires three more shots towards the vulnerable mithra, whom Felicity quickly dives for and knocking the bard out of their trajectories.
The ranger quickly retaliates by loading her final arrow into her long bow and taking aim back at the sniper. It is with unrestrained accuracy that Felicity lets fly her Eagle Eye Shot, a projectile that could not by any means be neither dodged nor avoided, at least by mortal men. The tip of the archer's arrow only grazes past the left check of the crimson shrouded man, as he had reacted at the proper moment and tilted his head ever so slightly from its flight path. Although the projectile had missed its designated target, blood had begun to run slowly down the side of the villain's face, with which he wipes clean with the tips of his fingers.
The gunslinger could only glare down at Felicity in spite as he spreads out his dark red cape within the tranquil breeze that had come to pass. It was within an instant that he had leapt into the depths behind him, disappearing from everyone else's sight within seconds. Rudely awaked by the archer's intervention, Paige rubs her eyes tiredly whilst letting forth a drawn out yawn before getting up upon her feet. The mithra is quick to notice her friends and smiles happily upon seeing their faces. After all this time, the bard had been completely oblivious to what was going on as she slept in peace, and without any idea of what the current situation was at this very moment.
Paige
[Stretching] Oh, hey guys. How is everything going? I apologize. I must have fallen asleep for quite a long time. It was a nice long nap, if I must say so myself. So, who's your new friend?
Felicity
[Furiously] How is it that you can sleep through all of what just happened? You really have some issues to work out, miss. Aw to hell with it, I'm going to do what I should have done at the very beginning.
Paige
[Backing away] Um, what do you think you're doing? Wait, you don't mean you're going to? Isn't there some way we can talk this through like civilized people? You're starting to scare me, Felicity.
Felicity
[Drawing her dagger] Oh, you have every reason to fear me, bard. Now get your furry little ass over here before you make me any angrier. I swear I'll make you wish you'd never woken up.
Paige
[Hiding behind Kenji] Kenji, why is the scary ranger girl angry with me? I don't know what has gotten into her? I don't remember doing anything wrong. Tell her to calm down or something.
Kenji
[To Felicity] Now, now, Felicity. Let's not try to do anything rash. We've all had a long day, so cool it. You're embarrassing our selves in front of our guest, and this is no way to make a good first impression.
Felicity
[Approaching] Out of the way Kenji, I don't have enough energy left to deal with you too. Now step aside and hand over the mithra, this is personal business you don't want to get involved with.
Squall
[Sighing] How annoying. I'm going to start heading out, so I'll leave it up to your own abilities to keep up. If you're going to difficult like this the whole way through, I'm going to have to step in.
Ignoring their childish banter, Squall makes his way towards the cave entrance that he had entered from, leaving Kenji and the others behind without notice. The samurai eventually catches on to their acquaintance's sudden disappearance and capriciously follows after him. Felicity grabs hold of Paige's tail as the ranger drags the whiney mithra along the grassy field in the direction of the only way out. The bard can only wave her arms erratically, begging her comrade to let her free, with tears running down her cheeks. For the group of three, this was only the beginning of a long and grueling new adventure, and as far they were concerned, they weren't ready to undertake such responsibilities just yet.
To Be Continued…