Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles

This is a story I have been working on for awhile please enjoy! (R&R too!)

~Kest

Caravan Tale

*

Lora Li stood on a cliff overlooking the sea. It was her favorite spot. She closed her eyes as the ocean breeze billowed softly through her short purple hair. She could smell and taste the salt in the air. It was always a place to calm her nerves. Her heart belonged near the ocean……she was a selkie after all.

"Lora!" a familiar voice woke her from her dreamy state. She turned around to see her younger brother huffing up the hill. She giggled at the sight, "What is it Nem? Are you in trouble again?"

Nem Li pouted at his big sister, "I'm not always in trouble Lora! Poppa wants you to come to the square, it's almost time."

Lora looked back at the sea longingly, ignoring Nem's concerned look. Her nerves were hard to control lately. The village had decided Lora would lead the caravan to collect this year's myrrh, except there was one problem; she was the only able bodied villager to perform this dangerous task. Lora would be hoofing it alone. 'Stop it! Stop it! You are the only hope, be strong!' Lora thought to herself as she turned away. She looked down at Nem with a gentle smile and ruffled his hair, "Are you gonna miss me?"

"Nope! Momma and Poppa spoil me when you're not around!" he smiled devilishly at Lora, but grabbed her hand while they walked back towards the square. She knew she would be missed.

Ben Li had been working the past month continuously in his blacksmith shop, even with a bad leg that was still healing painfully. His project was finished just in time. Today was one of the proudest moments of his life. Kala Li stood by his side with tears in her eyes. She was a strong selkie woman, but even his wife could show her soft side as their only daughter was talking to the town elder on what dangers lay waiting for her. The whole village came to show their support by supplying Lora with goods, it wasn't much but everyone gave what they could and she was grateful for it. Finally she walked up to her family. Her mother sniffled a little and embraced her, "Please write, be strong my girl, I love you so much!" As they parted she placed an elaborate but worn racket in her hands, "This was mine when I was your age, it has never failed me, and so it should do the same for you."

Lora nodded a thank you and showed her mother her strong face. She then stood by her father. He smiled at her, "Remember all that I have taught you these past few months my darling. I'm sorry I can't be with you this year, but you are tough, I plan on seeing you very soon." He winked at her, and then he reached into his side satchel and pulled out a silver belt. Lora's eyes went wide in amazement. It was intricately decorated with the history of the selkies. Now she knew what her father had been up to!

She put the belt on and then jumped on her father for a hug, "Thank you so much Poppa! I will not fail you or our village!" After all the farewells Lora Li led her loyal papoapamus named Helon across the bridge to travel the world.

Before embarking on the journey right away, Lora Li stopped at the end of the bridge and was waiting for something, or someone. She leaned against the bridge post ho humming for a few minutes, and then from behind she heard a familiar beating of wings and smiled, "Mog, you need to work on your element of surprise."

"Well at least I tried, kupo!" exclaimed the little moogle.

Lora turned to Mog, "So you ready for this chalice bearer?"

"Of course I am, kupo!" Mog whirred around as Lora handed him the chalice. She then grabbed Helon's reigns and led him farther away from her home village, Cedon.

Cedon was one of the smallest villages still in existence after the miasma appeared. It was mainly home to selkies of her tribe due to ongoing racism in the world. Selkies have been blamed for almost every wrong doing in the world since the beginning of the spread of miasma. This was all superstition and idiocy to Lora. She gave Cedon one last look and moved forward to her unknown future.

"So where are we headed first, kupo?"

"To River Belle Path, the myrrh tree there is finally ready. We'll be there tomorrow." Lora was happy to go to River Belle she had always heard of its beauty and that the tree was not hard to find.

The day of travel wore on with little commotion. There weren't too many myrrh trees around so it wasn't odd that no other caravanners were on the road. It was awfully quiet though only travelling with a moogle. Lora began to think of her travels last year as she continued walking down the road. She had collected myrrh with her father the previous year as an emergency action since the original Cedon caravan had betrayed the entire village. Lora felt the anger well up within her; she would never forget that man, the worst of all selkies!

A few hours later, Lora set up camp and had a meager meal of fish. She had limited resources since the village was small and fairly broke. She just hoped it would last the trip. As she ate, Mog was flitting around the fire humming to himself. Lora tilted her head a little to watch…… she would never understand moogles, but Mog was good company and very loyal.

The next morning they arrived at River Belle Path. It was pretty breathtaking but Lora didn't admire the scenery for long, she could smell the monster stench all over the place, "What a waste." She scoffed. Lora moved on ahead with Mog following her, keeping her safe by the crystal. Lora snuck in silently trying not to be noticed by the nearby monsters. She just needed the gatekeepers. After a few minutes she sighted one tossing the key around. Lora nodded to Mog, and effortlessly she jumped out of the brush onto the gatekeeper clocking him on the head.

"Good shot, kupo!" Mog yelled

Lora smiled at Mog and then grabbed the key and quickly opened the gate to four goblins waiting for her. The element of surprise was completely gone for Lora now. She immediately jumped at them cursing and swinging her racket. With a few power attacks, they were all down. Lora quickly rummaged through their pouches for gil and magicite, and quickly continued on her quest.

"We're nearing the tree, kupo!" Mog yelled after a few hours of searching and fighting along the way. Lora continued on with her strength renewed at the hope of getting to the tree. As she ran down a hill near the waterfall she finally saw it, "Mog! I see it! Hurry!" Lora was exhausted and ready get back to her caravan. She sped up even faster until suddenly a loud splash and rumbling came from the waterfall. The giant crab of River Belle landed in front of Lora blocking her from the myrrh tree. The vibrations from the landing knocked Lora to the ground, but she quickly back flipped into position, "Oh no you don't!" she muttered under her breath.

The crab came at her right away. Lora repeatedly dodged the crab's attacks and sent power attacks when she could. Lora continued to encircle the crab using her dodge/attack tactic, slowly exhausting the crab. Once the crab's outer defenses were beginning to fail, Lora made her move and sped up to the crab, leapt on top of the shell and slammed it with her racket. With that, the crab collapsed to the ground and Lora slid off to the ground and wiped her sweaty forehead. Mog cheered as they continued onwards to the tree.

Mog handed her the chalice and she gently placed it on the platform. This was Lora's favorite part. As the tree gave up its drop of myrrh the feeling of peace and safety would surround Lora. It renewed her body and soul every time. Lora sat down under the safety of the tree and smiled, "I did it, all by myself."

Mog nestled up next to her, "Now just do that two more times, kupo." Lora chuckled at Mog. There was still a long journey ahead.