Final Fantasy: Tales of the Crystals (Book 2: The Crystal in the Cave)

When the first part of our story ended...

"We did it!" Lina cried as Vince ran to hug her, now freed from his curse.

"I thank you for covering for me, Lady Foxheart." Vince replied. "You're continuing to improve each day...and maybe one day; you will meet the Dragon King Bahamut to grow even stronger."

Mallory was about to return Vince's compliment when she saw a door form on the right wall. "I appriciate the thought, but let's go see what's behind that door!" After being healed by Lina, she lead the way to the door, which opened into a large open room similar to a shrine, but the only thing present in the room was a white altar, where a large purple crystal sat.

"I can't believe it...the Lost Crystal of Darkness!" Darien gasped in awe.

"I never dreamed I would see one of the Lost Crystals..." Vince agreed.

"It is only one of four, and essential to our quest." Lina reminded them. She beckoned Mallory to approach, eager to hear the Anima.

Mallory approached the Crystal and opened one of the star pendant's points. "Crystal of Darkness, lend me your light." At this, a small ball of light flew from the Crystal and settled inside the opened point with a giggle.

"Was that an Anima?" Darien was confused.

It was, Master Ranger. Ragnarok replied. You shall hear a piece of the Crystal Song shortly as it takes you outside.

Mallory turned back to look at the Crystal. She had come all this way, yet her journey was just beginning. As she joined her friends and felt the warm glow of the Crystal's light transporting them to the world outside, she swore she could hear a still quiet voice singing Take a melody...

Episode 22: Return to Cornelia

The warm sun was the first thing Mallory felt when she and her friends materialized outside the New Moon Grotto. After tromping through a dark cave for what seemed like an eternity, it was quite refreshing.

"Well, now that we have the first Crystal, where do you propose we look for the second one?" Vince suggested as he rounded up the party's menagerie.

"Before that, though, shouldn't we return to Cornelia and inform their Majesties of what we found?" Lina interjected.

"Oh, I nearly forgot about that..." Darien blushed when he remembered the party's promise to the King and the Queen--discover the source of the singing in the New Moon Grotto. Mallory groaned at the prospect of having to walk all the way back there--but then she remembered her own teleport spell. If it worked on items, it would probably work on humans. However, trying to teleport four people at the same time would still leave her very tired when they arrived.

Then, an idea hit her: Why not see if Ragnarok had a similar power?

"Ragnarok? Do you know how to teleport things?" she asked the dull silver sword that was tucked away in a grey scabbard that lay inside Lina's bag.

An actual teleport spell, I do not know; but I can create teleportation points in between two locations. Ragnarok replied. With that, Mallory watched in awe as a column of yellow light materialized before the party. There...this one will take us back to Cornelia.

"Come on!" Darien led the way inside, and the party and their menagerie disappeared in a flash of light.

A few minutes later...

When Mallory stepped out of the column of light again, she found herself again looking at the gates of Cornelia Castle. They had not been away all that long, so it still looked just as she had seen it the last time.

A word of caution on my teleport points... Ragnarok warned. My strength is tied to Lina's strength--so if she is tired, my teleport points may drop you in a puzzle room before taking you to your destination. Or if she is in true peril, I may not be able to make a teleport point at all.

"Understood." Mallory replied.

I will change the other end of the one we've used to a new location once we receive new orders. Ragnarok assured the party.

"Very well, I will inform Their Majesties of our return." Vince began. "The rest of you, wait out here until I return." With that, he walked off inside the castle.

Keep Lina strong at all times--got it! Mallory reminded herself as she studied the Anima Pendant that hung around her neck in place of her old butterfly one, which was now nestled in one of her bag's pockets. One of the star's eight points now glowed a soothing purple. I bet that when we have the Animas of all eight Crystals, this will be so beautiful to see! she thought as she touched the glowing point, which sang Take a melody... to her. She already knew that the next part of the tune was "Simple as can be", but she wondered if it was not the Earth Crystal; but another Crystal that sang that piece of the song? Only Her Grace knew for sure.

She was startled out of her daydream by the familiar thuds of Vince's boots. "Well? Do Their Majesties wish to see us?" she asked.

"Kweh?" the Chicobo agreed as it tried to steal some of the meat the wolf pup was nibbling on.

"You speak true...furthermore, the King has some new information for us." Vince replied. "Come." Mallory motioned for Darien and Lina to follow, and hurried to keep up with Vince as he strolled inside the castle again.

In the throne room...

"Your Majesties...we have returned from the New Moon Grotto with astounding news." Vince began as he and the party knelt before the two golden thrones. "The singing the royal wizards have heard was indeed one of the Lost Crystals." Shocked gasps came from the crowd, but Vince continued over the whisperings of the court. "Furthermore Her Grace has appeared to us and commanded we fulfill the Prophecy of the Rainbow Blade." Even more uneasy whispering from the lords and ladies of the court filled the air at this.

The Queen raised a hand, quieting the whispering. "Where exactly did Her Grace appear to you, Vince?"

"At Her shrine in Jodra, where Lady Foxheart fledged to become a full Red Mage." Vince replied.

"A vision from Her Grace at one of Her shrines is almost always true." the King began. "So I trust that what you say is also true. Knowing this, you might be able to learn where the Earth Crystal lies if you travel to the country of the Elves to the south."

"I have heard much of the elven lands, Your Majesty." Darien added. "Would Elfheim be a good place to begin looking?"

"Elfheim is one of the largest cities in the Elven country, and we have good relations with their leaders...so they may know where the Crystal lies." the King replied.

"However, there have been reports of strong monsters in that region, so you all are welcome to take what you need from the armory and the storerooms. the Queen cautioned as she wrote out two summon notices for Mallory and Darien.

Elfheim...all I've heard of that place is how skilled their minstrels are, and their tales of an elf named the Hero of Time...but could a Crystal really be there? Mallory thought. However, it was not unusual to have a mystical artifact or hero appear in the elf lands...was it possible that she was about to have one of those elven tales come to life?

To Be Continued...