Victory Party: Part I
A Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals fanfic
Notes: This story will contain yaoi in part II. Lufia II does not belong to me, it belongs to Natsume, developed by Neverland. I do not claim any part of it. I adhered to the EXACT dialogue in the game for this part, except I changed whenever Guy said "Artea" to "Arty" and I added in like one word in one place. Also, I changed the eye colors, simply because in the official art it seems everyone has blue eyes. So Selan has light blue, Maxim has crimson, Guy has light green, and Arty has violet. In addition, the Sinistrals outfits and Amon's hair color CHANGES in their sprites and in battle, so make note of that. Please bear with me if this part is kind of weak, if it is it's mostly because I stuck with the game's dialogue and just added details and such to it. Comments go to malachite84@yahoo.com. Main archiving is http://www.geocities.com/ff8bishounen_squall.
"Without warning, the island suddenly appeared in the sky. Four foul and wicked beings claimed it for themselves. They possessed the frightening powers of Chaos, Destruction, Terror, and Death. The people were horrified. They called the evil ones "Sinistrals". The reign of Terror continued. The world massed its warriors to battle their dark foes. But the Sinistrals were all powerful. In desperation, the people called on their bravest fighters: Artea, Guy, Maxim, and Selan. And so began the final battle..."
The four young warriors walked through the shrine door, arriving into pitch darkness. A red-haired swordsman carrying a mysterious twin-edged sword resonating with power, a tall muscled blonde man carrying a huge blade shining with light, a beautiful young woman with long turquoise hair, carrying a magician's rod, and a slender elven man, carrying a huge bow covered with runic symbols.
"Is everyone okay? Guy? Artea?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," the deep voice of the blonde resounded through the dark room. "Arty?"
"Me too. I'm alright," came the calm voice of the purple-haired elf.
"Selan…Selan! Say something!" Maxim tried vainly to squint through the darkness for his wife.
"I'm alright too, Maxim," came the soft voice of the magician.
"We finally got here, huh?" Guy asked to no one in particular.
Maxim grabbed a hold of Selan's hand. "Is this the Shrine of Daos?"
"It's so dark…" Selan gripped Maxim's hand for reassurance, slightly daunted by the pitch blackness.
"I feel the energy," Artea whispered.
"Evil energy. Watch out! It's pretty strong!" Guy attempted to draw his sword, but bumped hard into Artea first and almost fell down.
"Selan, use the spell Light," Maxim remarked, trying not to laugh at the blonde man's clumsiness.
"Alright." A soft blue glow illuminated the pony-tailed woman as she swept her staff in an arc over her head. Seconds later the whole shrine was brightly illuminated with a normal natural looking light.
"So, this is the shrine of Daos." Maxim's gaze traveled around the large room, taking in the white stonewalls and the royal blue and gold tapestries.
"It's so cold…it's so cold, it chills my heart." Selan rubbed her bare arms, wishing her magician's garb had sleeves.
"You made it to my shrine at last…""Daos? Daos!? Is it you!? Show yourself!" Maxim frantically tried to locate where the voice was coming from.
"Come! Come before me. I am right above you."
***
The huge giant of a man leaned against a sword as big as he was. He wore enormous gray armor with a scarlet cape, his long orange-red hair crackling with dark energy. Gades, Sinistral of Destruction, glared down at the four warriors. "You finally made it this far…"
"Gades! You can't get away any more!" Maxim raised the Dual Blade into the air, calling out its power. "Wave Motion!" Energy waves coursed around him, the red-haired monster hunter's power growing exponentially.
"Silence! Advance not a single step more!" Gades attacked…
***
"So, you defeated Gades?" Amon, Sinistral of Terror, smirked coldly down at Maxim's party. The light of powerful dark magic shone evilly from his ornate golden armor and huge partisan-like spear, making his crimson cape flutter and his greenish hair glow bright silver.
"You're next Amon!" Maxim drew the Dual Blade, getting into a fighting stance.
"You overestimate yourself! Now, you shall see my real power, in your face!" And then Amon attacked…
***
Maxim, Selan, Guy, and Artea arrived at a bridge constructed entirely of large tiles of glass. It was built over a pitch black pit…bottomless, no doubt.
"You may cross."
Selan put a hand on her husband's shoulder. "Maxim…It could be a trap."
"He said cross. Let's go." Maxim tried to step forwards, but Selan's strong grip stopped him.
"But…" Selan's light blue eyes were darkened with worry.
Maxim put his own hand over Selan's, looking into her eyes. "Daos is testing us. He senses our feelings. Don't show any fear!"
Guy stepped in front of the couple, his eyes on the other side of the bridge. "You're right. That's what he's doing." He stepped on to the fragile glass tiles and made his way across swiftly without incident.
Arty stepped up next, clenching his bow in a gloved hand. "My power is strong. The hopes of my people energize me." He too crossed, his leather boots not making a sound.
The red-headed young man turned away from Selan, looking across the bridge at the two others. "Come on, Selan. We're the world's last and only chance!"
The turquoise-haired woman lowered her head and nodded. "I know."
"There's still hope as long as Dual Blade keeps its light." Maxim raised the blade he kept in his grip, letting its inner power shine softly. The glow seemed even brighter than when they had arrived at Doom Island.
"Dual Blade. It's light is beaming stronger than before." The magician slowly released her grip on Maxim's shoulder.
"We'll destroy the Sinistrals and restore peace. Promise me you'll go back with me." Maxim offered her his hand.
"Yes, I promise. I'll go back with you." She took his hand and they crossed together.
A circle of red energy, the power of pure evil, appeared, materializing into a gorgeous woman with shoulder-length purplish-blue hair. Her garb was a light purple sleeveless blouse, which hung off one shoulder, and a matching skirt, with a large slit down the side. She carried herself with an air of grace, and of power.
"Wh…who are you!?" Maxim frowned as he raised the Dual Blade, confused at this newest arrival.
"I am…"
"What is it? What's your name!?"
"I'm Erim, Mistress of Death." The woman's voice echoed eerily through the shrine.
"You're Erim!? Was it you who revived Gades!?"
"Exactly. As long as I live, the four Sinistrals will always revive!"
"So, I have to destroy you to destroy all the Sinistrals, right?"
"This is my purpose as well. For our enemy is he who possesses Dual Blade!" Erim raised a hand, her dress changing into leg-exposing black armor, a sword appearing in one hand and a skull-like shield in the other. Spheres of dark magic collected in front of her, exploding into a deadly Dark Fry spell.
***
"Zap!" Artea raised a glowing hand, white light shining forth. A mystic triangle symbol of power appeared on the ground beneath the Sinistral of Death, releasing small bursts of light energy around her. The symbol vanished, and the light bursts spiraled around the woman, creating a blast of radiance. That was the final strike needed to defeat her, and Erim fell to the ground. "You are str…strong, Maxim. What is it that gives you the strength to battle on?"
"I have someone to protect…" Maxim turned and looked to his wife, smiling warmly.
"The woman beside you? You would risk your own life for one woman?" The Mistress of Death shook her head unbelievingly.
"To me, she means more than life itself."
"Maxim…" Selan rubbed her arm over her eyes, wiping away the tears that had gathered.
"Is this human emotion? Ha! Ridiculous! Even such power must fail before Daos!" Erim closed her eyes and vanished into nothingness.
***
"We've got you now, Daos!" Maxim shouted, dashing up the dais steps where Daos stood.
"Why do you try to stop me? Many people worship superior beings such as I." The head Sinistral studied the four heroes amusedly. His long violet hair and red robe with golden embroidery made him look like a king…but an evil one. Just the look of his huge steel shoulder plates was daunting.
"So you say! No one would worship such evil Sinistrals!"
"How simple minded. Listen to me. There are two ways of looking at things. Some believe in love and happiness, others in destruction and chaos. They cannot stand apart!"
"Then why has only evil appeared? Where are those who believe in good!?"
"It is so ordained by Arek the Absolute."
"Arek the Absolute?"
"He is the one who stands above all others like me."
"I had no idea…" Maxim shook his head, wandering if they would have to fight this 'Arek' as well.
"We've chatted long enough. It's time to settle this, time to meet your doom!"
"With this Dual Blade, I will put an end to your evil ways!"
"Excellent! I can sense your power is superhuman. It's no surprise that you can use Dual Blade. With my power, that sword should be mine! Why did you choose him, Dual Blade? I will have my revenge on you and Dual Blade! I am the Master of Terror. No one can challenge me!" Maxim raised the legendary sword, the other three warriors preparing to attack as well.
***
Maxim stood over the fallen Sinistral of Terror, watching his body start to fade away. "This is the end, Daos."
"Never! The Sinistrals are absolute Masters of Destruction! Gades! Amon! Erim! Gather before me! Let your power resonate with mine!" The other three fallen Sinistrals appeared, their bodies transparent. They surrounded the four warriors, trapping them in a deadly circle of red energy.
Daos' evil laugh rang through the shrine room. "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"
Guy gritted his teeth as he braced himself behind his shield. "Those Sinistrals still haven't bit the dust!?"
Artea's expression was worried as he shielded his eyes from the harsh glow of the attack. "Not exactly. These are the last of their energy waves. They're resonating with Daos energy!"
The blonde swordsman gritted his teeth. "His last ditch effort!"
The elf shook his head, his soft voice rising sharply. "It's not that simple! Those energy waves could still rupture and take the world with it!"
"What!? They're willing to destroy themselves and the world to take us down!?" Guy shook in fury, his jade green eyes flashing.
"I won't let it happen!" Maxim lunged forward with the Dual Blade at the energy barrier, but was blasted back. "Selan! Guy! Artea! Lend me your power! This is going to take all of us!" The four assembled into a tight circle, each member facing a Sinistral. They closed their eyes, focusing their energy into a physical wave. A bright blue light formed above each of their heads, glowing with their life force. The lights slowly spun the opposite direction of the Sinistral's wave, but when they tried to burst through the evil red magic blasted their power back.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha! Your energy waves are too puny and pathetic to break this last barrier!" Daos called mockingly.
"We've got to give it everything we got!" Sweat poured down Maxim's face as he strained to increase his power.
Artea glanced at the shaking form of Maxim's wife and winced slightly. "Maxim, Selan can't take much more of this!"
The beautiful magician shook her head, her face determined. "Don't worry about me, Maxim! I can do it!"
The red-haired man nodded and took a deep breath. "Alright!" The blue energy of the four warriors shined brighter and again formed a ring, this time spinning faster and faster, growing more powerful than even the Sinistral's wave.
Daos' form cowered. "You little hoochees!"
"Now! Do it now!" Maxim shouted. The blue energy wave blasted through the red one, the Sinistrals forms disappearing entirely. The party was thrown in separated directions from the blast. Maxim slowly got to his feet, shaking his head to clear it. "It's over…" He walked down the stairs of the dais they had fought Daos on, bending down next to Guy's prone body. "You ok, Guy?"
The young man got to his feet and brushed his longish blonds bangs from his face. "You can't get rid of me that easily!"
Maxim walked over to where Artea laid, Guy in step behind him. "Artea?"
The elf got up easily, rubbing his eyes and blinking rapidly. "I'm doing fine." He looked over at Guy and offered a small smile.
Maxim left the two others behind as he dashed across the glass tile bridge and bent down next to his fallen wife. "Selan?"
Selan sat up halfway, opening her crystal blue eyes and smiling weakly. "Now…the world will be at peace once more."
The fiery-haired man nodded. "That's right, I know. We can go home now."
The pony-tailed woman turned her gaze to the stone floor. "…I'm sorry. I'm afraid I can't go with you…"
Maxim's crimson eyes widened in shock and denial. "Selan? What are you saying?"
"I was hit when the Sinistrals ruptured…I can barely speak…" She closed her eyes and collapsed, her breathing labored.
"Selan…Talk to me, Selan!" The monster hunter shook her slightly, trying to will her to open her eyes again.
"I really want…I wish I could go with you…and hold our son once again…"
Suddenly bright red light flared throughout the room, huge explosions sounding as the ground started to shake violently. The glass tile bridge shattered and fell into the deep black pit beneath it.
"The shrine is collapsing! Arty, get us out of here!" Guy looked from Maxim on the other side of the pit to the elf standing next to him.
"Selan and Maxim are too far away! If we warp right now, we'll leave them behind!" Artea's usual calm facade had vanished, replaced by a mask of fear and helplessness.
"Blast it! Can't we do something?" Guy's deep voice shook with rage at the hopelessness of it all.
Maxim looked up from Selan's body, clutching one of her delicate hands between his. "Guy! Artea! Save yourselves! Go!"
Artea gasped in surprise, blinking rapidly. "Maxim!?"
"We've defeated the Sinistrals. The people need to know. You must be the messengers!" Maxim yelled over the loud explosions.
The elven man frowned deeply, hurt showing in his violet eyes. "But…"
"I can't leave Selan. Please understand." The red-haired man turned his gaze back to the lovely magician, who was now resting peacefully.
"…" Artea's face was impassive as he fought an internal war with his emotions, not knowing what to do.
Guy placed a strong hand on Artea's shoulder, making the elf look up. "Let's go, Arty!"
Artea's eyes widened at what sounded like Guy suggesting to desert his friends. "Guy, what are you…"
"Maxim wants us to go! If we can't all go, that leaves us only one choice!"
"…" Artea lowered his gaze to the ground, hiding behind his long indigo bangs.
The blonde swordsman shook the elf hard in exasperation. "Arty, come on!!"
Artea looked up and back across the deep abyss to where the red-haired man was kneeling. "Maxim…I promise to tell the world about this victory. Please! You must try…Warp!!" A beam of white-blue energy surrounded Artea and Guy, and they teleported to safety.
"Selan…There will be a new era of peace now. I wish we could have seen it. Selan, I love you. I always have and always will."
***
Artea slowly walked into his hometown of Eserikto, limping slightly. A pretty young blonde elf girl immediately rushed to him and swept him into a tight hug. "Artea!"
The violet-haired elf smiled softly. "Milka…I'm home."
"Artea! Your eye. You hurt your eye! I must treat it right away!" She started to drag him towards her house.
The elven man pulled back, brushing his hand over his eye lightly and casting a Strong spell. "I'm alright. This won't kill me."
Milka sighed and shook her head. "Artea…"
"Now, Milka. Do you feel like going to a city called Tanbel?"
"Tanbel?"
"That's where Guy lives. I promised I'd come to his party after this battle." He smiled a bit at the memory of Guy and his conversation before the final battle, where they had planned out the whole party idea.
Milka's elven ears perked up. "Is it okay if I go with you?"
Artea nodded solemnly. "Of course. The time's come for everyone to enjoy this peace - together."
***
Guy barged through the inn door, banging it shut behind him. "Hey, Hilda, Jessy? I'm home!"
Hilda, Guy's sister who looked almost like him but with longer blonde hair and a petite build, calmly walked up to her brother. Jessy, a pretty young woman with pinkish-red hair, stomped towards the blonde man she regarded as her boyfriend. "I'm home!? When that island started to fall, can you imagine how I worried? Can you!?"
The swordsman gulped nervously, daunted by the girl's fiery temper. "I'm sorry Jessy."
"What's going on? It's not like you to be so humble like that." Jessy raised an eyebrow curiously.
Hilda quickly intervened. "What happened to Maxim and Selan, brother?"
Guy's pale green eyes lit up. "Oh, that's right! We were supposed to celebrate after the battle!"
"So, everybody's coming?" Jessy tilted her head slightly.
The blonde man nodded and started to count off guests on his fingers. "Yeah. Maxim, Selan, Arty, Dekar, and that old man, Lexis, will probably come too. And…"
"Wow! Sounds like a big party! I wonder if we have enough rooms in the inn?" She twisted her hands worriedly, fretting about what might happen if they ran out of space.
Guy grinned brightly as he started to walk upstairs. "Well, if not, bring them to other people's houses. You can use anyone's house for this!"
***
End of Part I