The marble floor echoed with the sound of un-shoed feet. The frequency of each quiet step was slow, as if it was a lover's saunter. Each shapely footprint left tiny impressions in the age old dust.
Barely any light fell into the room through beautiful stained glass windows that pictured both merciful angels and cruel demons. The only form of light that truly shed its graces on the inhabitants of this room was provided by small delicate candles. The shadows caused by these often seemed to depict monsters reaching longingly for the souls of the innocent.
Hundreds of tattered books lay forgotten on highly polished shelves. They rested on the most beautiful of wood, like a child's collector item.
The footsteps ended at the legs of a young woman, her pale hands heavy laden with a large volume, the tips of her long silver hair covering her face and trailing down to her hands. Her eyes glistened like small emerald gemstones that somehow shimmered with both intelligence and uncertainty.
A smile suddenly crept onto her pretty face, a rather unpleasant smile. "So that's how it works…" she whispered as she looked at the aging book held in her hand. "I understand now, Kuja."
With childish glee she continued to read the blurred words, her mind recording every bit of information.
"The mist has been here even as man was born, the mystery of this, and the phenomena of its power, seem to indicate a power well beyond our understanding. However, due to recent evidence found in Burmecia, we have found that the mist never disappears. It is a never-ending source of energy! According to some text we found in other nations. It seems the ancient people worshipped the mist. According to these beliefs, all life came from the mist and all life must return to it. If this were true… there is no limit to the scientific or magical properties of this source. I will defiantly continue with my studies. The secret of life is so close! I can taste it.
-Haramnus Lex
She turned the page with heightened enthusiasm, "During a study my team has done of the "Shimmering Isle", we have come to discover that this is the source of the mist. If this ancient religion is true, then this is the source of life itself! We also found text at Mount Gulug in a chamber that must have existed well beyond centuries before the "Moles" moved there. These texts, after strenuous translations, talk of creating life with the power of the mist! If these records hold some shred of truth, then all that I have worked for, all the hours and hours of digging and searching for nearly 30 years of my life. All of it will bring me one step closer to the secret of life! I will continue to study, damn cold or no!
-Haramnus Lex
She sighed, noticing that only a few pages were left. This was probably one of the last entries. She began to feel a weight in her chest, she was so close!
"Damn Cold! I recently collapsed earlier, no way in hell am I going back! We have discovered that the life forms created (which we have named gnomes) were actually part of another plane of existence! And even more importantly, were part of this planes downfall, among agricultural problems. We don't know the details, and sadly the monsters here are a nuisance! The mercenaries I hired say that they are far too powerful here. Miserable cowards! I'm feeling tired, I'll categorize the artifacts we found and send this journal to you, Mizar. They are important findings so don't you DARE sell them! Thanks and I will see you next winter, when my funding runs out. Thank you and see you seen enough.
-Haramnus Lex
Desperately flipping to the last page she saw the beautiful calligraphy like writing that had been Kuja's. Slowly, almost solemnly she traced the letters with her thin fingers.
Taking in account the endless knowledge that she was sure awaited her there.
"If you are reading this, it means that I am gone and have failed in my dream. I know the wishes that lie in your heart and I will offer all the help I can. Vol. 812 holds the knowledge you seek. If you haven't figured it out already, it would seem to me that Haramnus Lex is the man whom has given you life… as Garland had for me. We are both creations who wish to turn. I shall leave you with this Burmecian saying
The angel in your heart is ready to fly,
Open your heart, and fly away!
Upon reaching the last spidery line. The women began to laugh.
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The sound of clashing bones and fierce roars echoed in the canyon. The burning sun raged over the two beasts locked in combat to the death.
The great spear-like horns of the behemoth was shining with dark drips of red. Life blood shed… but not that of its enemy. It reeled its huge devastating bulk into a ferocious charge, its strong legs working to maintain a high speed.
Blood mixed with saliva and dirt dripped from its large open mouth, which revealed broken and missing razor-sharp teeth, even as it charged in a blind rage at its enemy, the fatigue of its battle shown.
There was laughter bellowing from its opponent, a large figure twice the size of the largest human male. Black fur glistened in the sun giving the man an almost catlike appearance. His heavy body scarred like a series of horrible tattoos, his fierce eyes shown with endless confidence, the yellow in them heightening the effect. On each powerful arm he wore large gauntlets that reached over each powerful shoulder. The obvious weight and black metal made him an formidable sight.
Carefully sidestepping the behemoths insane charge, he plunged his huge right arm into its massive head. A loud resounding crack echoed in the throughout the canyon as the creatures body stumbled from the off balance of the blow, finally landing just meters of the man.
The beast-man smiled "That was close… This is a good battle!" Noticing that the behemoth was starting to stir he knew his battle wasn't over. With the swiftness of a cat he set himself in a form of a combat stance, his feet steady and linked perfectly well with the positioning of his hands. His muscles rippled with excitement. Adrenaline poured throughout his body. "My blood is singing!" he cried out, his voice a rumbling mix between a roar and a powerful war cry "Come beast! Let us return to battle!"
The behemoth roared in defiance at its attacker. Tearing savagely off the ground it charged again. The long horns seeking flesh. It was almost on the man when it suddenly felt force stop it.
The man felt his feet drag into the desert sand as he grabbed onto the enormous horns . Forcing his back foot hard into the ground suddenly he felt the creature lurch away from him, trying to make him lose his grip, the horns swinging madly to knock him aside. "One fall, and it may be my death." The man thought joyfully.
Twisting under the swinging horns he ran quickly to the creatures face. Moving with the precision and skill of an acrobat and experienced warrior, he grappled the creature around its throat. Skillfully, almost gently he rotated the creature's neck as it struggled and fought until a dull crack as heard and the creature lay quite still.
The man let go of his fierce opponent, instantly feeling both triumph and sadness. He was a warrior who defeated his enemy. Why should he be sad? It couldn't have been because he had taken the beasts life, he had taken countless lives, and it was a warrior's duty. "Maybe," he thought to himself "it was because my opponent wasn't strong enough. There is no joy in such a victory over a weak opponent."
He sat, suddenly confused, he had fought and done his duty. Now what? What left for him to do? He fought probably the fiercest creature known to man. What left was there for him to conquer? He looked at the body and felt a sudden pang of regret. "This was a proud beast, a warrior, like me. Why did I kill it?" he wondered over and over. "Why did I do it?"
A voice suddenly captured his attention, a light female voice, "You needed to test your strength, you needed to feel the joy of combat, or am I mistaken?"
He quickly turned around, his body ready for anything. He had not survived out in this harsh land by being without caution. He was not ready for what met his eyes.
A woman...stood in front of him now. Unafraid of him, like the travelers often were. Her silver hairs a rarity even this far out in the world. Her pale skin stood out in the sun. He realized suddenly that she knew what he was thinking. How did she?
"What do you want," he growled "you must be a ghost for you have not tanned underneath the burning sun," he felt uncomfortable with that thought, "leave me!"
The woman smiled... underneath the silver cloak she wore, he could tell that she was young and pretty. "Perhaps I shall leave you, but then you may never know of a way to satisfy your lust for combat, you will never know of a joy far beyond what that beast can offer."
The man's heart leapt, his body began to feel excitement, he asked her, "Is there really such a battle? Who can be greater than I?! I have slain countless beasts and even more warriors, is there really anyone powerful enough to give me a final great battle!?" His voice almost roaring at every word.
The girl smiled, "There is, all you have to do is but listen to me. I promise you that will meet such opponents."
The man felt each word fill his body with battle lust, he trusted his body, it was what kept him alive yet still… something in his mind told him to be doubtful. He wanted to test her knowledge. "Name one man or beast that may be a challenge!"
The girl's smiled widened revealing some perfect and very white teeth. "Even here in the Forgotten Continent you have heard of a warrior named Beatrix.You have heard of The Iron-Tail Fratley You have heard of the eight whom saved this world. I know where they are." The girl suddenly grew serious, "I need your strength. I need your skill. Most of all, I need you. I have dreams that must be for filled. Would you help me?"
The man felt an emotion he never felt before, he suddenly felt an urge to fight for this woman, to help her. His body told him to do it and as such he followed his body. "I will help you."