Realm of the Twilight
Chapter 1: Enter the Twilight
Disclaimers: I do not hold any claim over Final Fantasy XI or any other of the Final Fantasy games. The only character that I own is Ylinestra, my White Mage.
Summary: When the Shadow Lord strikes back at Vana'diel, one White Mage must question the truth of the Four Artifacts, and their power in the Realm of the Twilight….for you, Ashy.
Authors Note: Here it is, guys. This is the promised story. Realm of the Twilight was written for my friends in Final Fantasy XI. I decided one day that I would like to make up a fictional story that included real people, somewhere. I appreciate all comments and reviews, but I am not seriously going to try and make this the best fiction on this site. Still, feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions. This is for you, Ashy.
Silence…
Sunlight filtered into the clearing, highlighting the mists of dawn that were only just beginning to leave. Huge towering statues loomed over the circle, threatening any who dare enter. The red markings that scorched the ground seemed to glow for a brief second as the sun roes higher, bathing the ruins in a bloody crimson downpour.
A Forest Hare slowly emerged from the minimal grass in the walkway leading to the circle and entered the large platform, carefully sniffing the air. It hopped a few paces inward, before stiffening and fleeing back from whence it came, just in time vanishing from sight as a broad shouldered Elvaan strode into the clearing.
He was strange looking, even to those of his own kind. He wore a long black cape, which stood out like a stain on a white shirt in the morning sun. The worn out looking scabbard that was slung about his left hip sported a wiry katana. His long black hair was tied in a loose ponytail that swished back and forth as he confidently made his way into the center of the circle, slowly revolving on the spot. From head to toe the Elvaan was black as night.
On his left wrist sat a silver bracelet, disrupting the Elvaan's black ensemble. Four bands of the thinnest of silver intertwined around his wrist, crossing and overlapping one another. In the middle of the four bands there was a crystalline gem. As the Elvann continued to revolve, his left hand passed through a small patch of light, where a faint brown glimmer shone deep from within the crystal clearly before fading away.
"I know you're hiding here, Searcher."
Stillness…
Silence, then a sudden burst of wind as an Ahriman arose from underneath the platform. Its one eye glared at the impudent mortal.
"What is it now? That annoying Mithra was sniffing about here earlier, she's bound to come back any time!" the creature snapped.
The Elvaan was undisturbed by Searcher's rude tone. He paced a few steps forward towards the Ahriman.
"Semih Lafihna is of no concern to us, Searcher," the tall Elvaan said. "Do you still have it? Is it safe"
Searcher glared some more, as if deciding whether or not to immediately succumb to the Elvaan. The Arhiman wilted, however, as the Elvaan's shard onyx eyes pierced deep within it. Trembling, Searcher summoned his pet.
Nothingness…
The Black Dragon roared its annoyance at being awoken. It reared its great head to the sky, spitting a foul stream of black smoke. The Elvaan looked up at it, unimpressed, before striding over to it and unsheathing his sword.
"My Dragon!" Searcher screeched, helplessly watching as the Elvaan easily destroyed his pet. The Black Dragon vainly tried spell after spell to save itself, only to have all of them resisted by the mysterious warrior. "I have it, I have it! It's safe inside of him, oh, my precious! Have mercy, Marrok!"
Marrok unfeelingly lowered his katana and gestured grandly at the Arhiman to proceed towards the now whimpering dragon. Searcher darted forward, mumbling a few words to his pet before careful placing a paw on the dragon's stomach.
A flash of red light, then suddenly Searcher's paw sunk inside the Black Dragon's stomach. The Arhiman grunted as he moved his hand this way and that. Finally the creature broke into a sickening grin and pulled his hand out. He proudly held out the item to Marrok.
Do you understand?
The Elvaan slowly held the item up to the light. He turned it around several times. Then he held it up close to the bracelet he wore on his left wrist. The brown light shone even more strongly in the bracelet than it had earlier. Marrok nodded once, then handed the item back to Searcher, who replaced it back into his pet, and continued to croon to it.
"Make sure no one finds that," Marrok warned, menacingly placing a hand on his katana, "or there will be a price to pay. One which you will suffer for thousands of years to come."
The Arhiman growled low in its throat, but held its tongue. The Elvaan nodded again, then abruptly turned and walked out of the circle, down the pathway to Giddues.
"What's so important about it, anyways?" Searcher muttered, not really meaning for Marrok to hear him. The Elvaan did, nonetheless, and turned his sharp soulless eyes back on the Arhiman.
These are the consequences…
"There are worse things than death. Do you understand?"
Searcher gulped, instinctively realizing that he had tread to far. Marrok laughed softly, cruelly, under his breath, before turning his back on the creature and exiting into Giddues.
"These are the consequences."
…if reign should fall to the Shadow Lord…
"Ashy, let thy spirit be renewed!"
The faint glimmering residue of magic surrounded the Red Mage before fading away. Ashy wiped his brow as he flashed a quick grin to their healer.
"Thanks, Ylin!"
Ylinestra of Bastok flashed a grin of his own. "Hey, someone's got to help you!"
The White Mage's cheeky grin faded, however, as the Black Dragon suddenly swiveled around to face him. Ylinestra squeaked and turned tail, nearly tripping over the body of Searcher. "Now someone needs to help me!"
"Here!" Knopfler cried, Provoking the monster. The Dragon roared in frustration as its attention was drawn to the Warrior.
"Steady, now!" Ylinestra turned at the sound of Arbenzio's voice, who came running up to his side. "You alright there, Ylin?"
"I'm fine," Ylinestra panted, clutching his side. "Its tail got me, just a scratch."
The Black Dragon roared again, spewing its deadly cursed breath. Knopfler quickly sidestepped to the side as Sylphyin came up behind it. Seven hits before they had to retreat away again, Ashy spamming enfeebling spells on it.
Arbenzio's deadly glare relaxed into a smile.
"Good," he stated, clapping Ylinestra on the shoulder. "Can't have anything happening to my 'Bio, now can I?"
Ylinestra laughed lightly as Arbenzio's face transformed into an annoyed scowl. "Of course, I would be able to help you more if the stupid beast hadn't cursed me." The Black Mage's eyes remained fastened on their main tank Ticia, who attacked the Black Dragon with Red Lotus Blade.
"Oh, almost forgot," he exclaimed. Ylinestra barely had time to wonder how he could have such a nonchalant tone before the crazy Black Mage was force feeding a bottle of Yagudo Drink down his throat. Ylinestra spluttered and coughed as the strong liquid caused a waterfall of fire down his trachea.
"Y-You could have just—" cough "—asked me to drink it, you maniac!" Ylinestra half shouted, desperately gasping in some air.
"But you're much to slow," Arbenzio stated serenely, downing a bottle for himself. He wiped is mouth before throwing the empty bottle at the Dragon. It crashed against its flank, though the Dragon didn't even flinch.
"That's better," Arbenzio mumbled, eyes closed as he experienced the rush of the Yagudo Drink. Ylinestra let out a breath of surprise as he felt the same rush suddenly flow through him. Smiling as his magic came back to him, the White Mage nodded his thanks to the other, only to find that the "fighter" Arbenzio had come back. The Black Mage's sharp black eyes zoned in on the Red Mage warily circling the Dragon to get behind it.
"This is it," he warned as the sparks of a job ability began crackling off Ashy. Arbenzio raised his hand in preparation of a spell. "Brace yourself!"
Ylinestra sucked in a breath as Ashy, Knopfler, Sylphyin, and Ticia charged the great beast. He got two Cure spells in before they attacked.
Ashy groaned, massaging his arms as Ylinestra poured hot water into the basin.
"Man, that was some fight," he laughed. "We should do it again!"
Three shouts of "No!" arose around the den.
Ashy wilted. "What?" he mumbled.
Ylinestra laughed softly as he pushed the steaming basin underneath Ashy's upraised feet, who lowered them into the comforting water with a sigh.
"Where did Arben run off to?" Ticia wondered aloud from where she sat next to Knopfler.
"I think he muttered something about selling the dagger he received from the Dragon at the Auction House," Ylinestra commented as he made his way over to the bed, where Sylphyin lay sleeping. The Thief had sustained the worst injuries from the fight, and was now fighting back a fever. Ylinestra gently wiped Sylphyin's fevered brow with a wet cloth before setting out to bandage his arms and middle.
"Finally, we've finished Mission 6," Knopfler murmured happily.
Ticia nodded. "Yes, we can return home to Bastok now…."
Ylinestra continued wrapping the bandages around Sylphyin's arm but inside he froze. He didn't have to turn around to know that everyone inside the Moghouse was staring at him.
It was well known that the White Mage planned to change allegiances from Bastok to Windurst after the completion of Mission 6. After visiting the prominent nation of magic and spells, Ylinestra had fallen in love with the bustling city. Not only was it home to the most famous mages and alchemists, Windurst was a nation where magic simply thrived. Access to the most elusive of tomes, teachers, scrolls, and enrollment in the prestigious School of Magic—such things were only the beginning of the chance for him to become a true mage. It had taken him all of two minutes to decide that his life belonged in Windurst.
Still, the thought of leaving his friends and cherished moments of Bastok pained him. Memories of leveling under the quiet mountains of Gustaberg and traveling with ones dear to him did not pass away so easily. If only Windurst and Bastok weren't separated by the entire breadth of an ocean!
Ylinestra sighed quietly. He had put off the matter for long enough. Now he had to make his choice—to return home to a life he knew with his friends, or set out on a new adventure to achieve his dreams of mastering the essence of magic.
The White Mage straightened up from the bed and replaced the wet cloth over the sink to dry before cautiously turning his head to his teammates. He felt a flush sweep over his face has he came face to face with Knopfler's frank stare.
Ah yes, the Warrior had been talking about it as well. Ylinestra wondered how the others would take it.
Suddenly Ashy sighed. "Ylin, please reconsider? Windurst is a heck of a long ride from Bastok, we'll never be able to see you again."
Ylinestra shook his head. "We'll still have the linkshell, Ashy. It's not as though I'm severing all my ties with Bastok! We can still keep in touch, and the now that we all have our Chocobo licenses, we can visit each other in record time."
"But it's not the same!" Ticia burst out. "We won't have you, with us! You'll be miles away, across the sea, while the rest of us are cut off from you. Little brother…."
Ylinestra turned away from them, stubbornly crossing his arms over his chest. He bit his lip, already feeling the sting of tears brush across his eyes. He wouldn't cry, darn it! He had planned this ever since first visiting Windurst, and his friends, as much as he loved them, just couldn't understand the passion he had for magic. He would not be swayed—not now, he had come too far.
The White Mage stiffened as a hand suddenly fell onto his shoulder, recognizing the voice that came with it from behind him. "Ylin, I—"
"I'm back, my friends!" came the booming voice of Arbenzio as said Black Mage burst into the Moghouse, followed closely by Uuyui. Ylinestra's Moogle zoomed out of his comfy corner as the overexcited Hume tracked mud into the den, squealing protests. Arbenzio sent the small creature an apologetic nod before turning to the group.
"Well well well, what a sorry bunch of faces we have here!" he remarked, slowly scanning each person. "What's been happening since I've left for the last two minutes, eh?"
Ylinestra shook off Knopfler's hand as he stepped forward to help the little Moogle clean up. "We were just talking about the fight, Arbenzio. Were you able to sell your dagger at a good price?"
If Arbenzio noticed the abrupt change of subject, he gave no notice. His grin threatened to split his face in half.
"Whoo, 'Boi! I'm gonna be rolling in dough for a couple weeks!" he exclaimed with obvious glee. He paused to scratch his chin. "Speaking of which, what about that ring the Dread Dragon dropped for you, Ylin?"
Ylinestra stared at his friend before realization hit him. He pulled out the Ring of Divination from his pocket.
"I dunno," he commented, holding the ring to the fair light pouring from the lamp. It was very small, combining four thin bands of silver into an intricate weaving. In the intersection where the four bands met was embedded a crystalline jewel. If one looked closely enough, a faint shimmer of green shone from the inside of the crystal.
"I checked with the broker when we got home," Ylinestra continued. Uuyui held out his hand, and Ylinestra obligingly gave him the ring for inspection. "He examined it, but said that the Auction House had never had a ring like this one, so I couldn't sell it."
"Attributes?" Arbenzio questioned, plopping himself on the carpet next to Ticia.
The White Mage shook his head. "None. I can't equip it, either."
"Well then, another one for the trash, eh?" Arbenzio winked. "Of course, I hear that the black market in San d'Oria is thriving during this time of year—"
Ylinestra quickly snatched the ring back from Uuyui and pocketed it. "Ah no, Arbenzio! You're just hoping I'll fetch a pretty price and happily join you in your splurging ways!"
Arbenzio affected a pained look on his face as he held his right hand over his heart.
"Oh, 'Bio!" he cried. "How could you think so lowly of me? Whenever have I tried to convert your innocent and honest ways to ones of treachery and unreliability? I would never, ever think to do so!"
"Really?" Ylinestra sniped back. He pulled out an expensive looking vase from his Mogsafe. "Then why is it you practically held me hostage until I agreed to spending 300k for this absolutely worthless vase?"
Arbenzio scoffed. "Hostage?" he cried. "My dear boy, I merely gave you a slight shove in the direction of the Auction House! And that authentic vase was made in the outer regions of Norg, by a very famous crafter. It is most certainly not worthless, my lad. Why, that vase perfectly comments this Persian rug you have here in you lovely house," he added, running his bare foot through said plush carpet.
"Which, by the way, cost me another 550k," Ylinestra scowled.
"Ah, but would your house look anyway near as well off as it does now? So really, it's all thanks to my genius that you have been able to—mpfh!"
"If you hush, I'll take it off," Ticia promised as she removed her hand from the clothing pin she had just placed over Arbenizo's mouth. The Black Mage made to remove the painful item, but dutifully lowered his hand at Ticia's warning glare.
Ylinestra shook his head at his friends' antics. "Besides, you never throw away items you can't sell or trade unless you're absolutely sure what they're for," he reprimanded, making his way to the kitchen, where a lovely roasted chicken lay waiting for preparation. The Moogle squeaked and fluttered over to help him prepare dinner. "It could be for a quest, or maybe another mission."
"If you get any gil, I want some…."
"Sylphyin!" Seven voices cried in relief as the Thief blearily stared into the house form his position on the bed.
"Welcome back to the living, man," Ashy chuckled, helping Sylphyin sit up with his back to the headboard. "How 'ya feeling?"
Sylphyin carefully shook his head. "Como acabo del golpe de obtener en la cara con una sartén de hierro fundido."
"Ah, of course!" Arbenzio exclaimed, throwing his hands into the air. "I should have known how he was—mhpf!"
Arbenzio sullenly folded his arms over his chest, staring down at his lip which now contained three clips, as Ticia threateningly held up a fourth.
Sylphyin let out a weak chuckle, which was followed by a hearty guffaw by Ashy. Suddenly the entire house burst into laughter, save Arbenzio, who glared at everyone and sulked some more. In a fit of childness he grabbed a pillow and threw into the general bulk of his friends. Knopfler retaliated by picking up another one and letting it fly, where it landed in Ticia's face. Soon the house was filled with laughter, feathers, and a little Moogle screaming, "What is wrong with this linkshell, kupo!"
Ylinestra smiled as the fluffy white feathers gently fell onto his face. He was going to miss this….
