Chapter II
-The Phon Coast-
The tingling of the gate crystal could at least relieve his stiff limbs, but the burst of warmth from the seaside was positively relieving.
Atak was surprisingly overjoyed to see him, and worried, in his own gruff way, about poor Beth's health. She was rushed to the nearby merchant, who sharply chastised Valkyrie for letting her deteriorate in such away, then hurrying off into her hut to nurse Beth back to health.
"Ugh, reminds me of the Viera," said Valkyrie, rubbing his ear.
"Yeah," agreed Zeus. She paused, then looked at him with a smirk. "You brought her with you to teach her a lesson."
"No," began Valkyrie, "I did not –"
"You did," Zeus cut in, "whether you meant to or not."
"I would not needlessly put her in danger," said Valkyrie, turning red.
However, Zeus was looking past Valkyrie at an approaching Atak. She hurried over to him (leaving the young hunter disgruntled), whispering something in his ear. The old Bangaa nodded.
"Hey, Valkyrie," said the redhead, turning back, "how would you like to join the Hunt Club?"
He gaped at her. "Just like that?"
"Yeah, just like that." She grinned. "Are you in?"
"Wait, don't I have to take care of paperwork or something? Documents need to be signed and such," he replied.
Atak barked a laugh. "Oh, that'll get taken carr of in time," said the wizened Bangaa. "Welcome to th' crew, son. If yer joinin' up, tha' is?"
"Of course!" said Valkyrie, nodding enthusiastically. He would have fun writing his reply to Clan Centurio upon returning home.
-
"So, this is where I live."
Valkyrie led Zeus into his apartment.
"It's not big, but it gets the job done," he said sheepishly.
He was very glad for the decision that their major base of operations would be in Archades. As Atak had pointed out, someone needed to keep in close contact with the Club's patrons.
"At least you've got a spare bed," said Zeus, rolling her eyes. "I was worried you were going to have to sleep on the couch."
"Thanks, seeing as it is my apartment and all," replied Valkyrie.
Zeus grinned. "Well, it looks comfortable enough, to say the least. Hey," said she, "is Beth doing any better?"
He sighed. "She's back in school, and that's about all I know. My dad really wasn't pleased with the fact that I let her accompany me."
"I suppose that's good," said Zeus. "The being back in school, I mean."
"Um," he began, changing the subject, "there's space enough in the closet for your things," said Valkyrie, "just in case you were wondering. I mostly use the drawers."
"You're not very used to sharing your space, are you?" asked Zeus.
Valkyrie hung his head. "Admittedly, no."
"That's fine," said Zeus, "I doubt we'll be here much anyways."
She reached into her pack, carefully extracting a pile of frayed papers and peeling off the topmost layer.
"Atak handed this off to me just before we left. Apparently, a flock of wyverns have been causing a lot of trouble in the Cerobi Steppe, damaging the windmills and such. We're supposed to look into it and see if we can at least take out some of the larger group."
"Anything detailed in the report?" said Valkyrie.
"Hmm," said Zeus, scanning the paper, "it looks like they've been mostly congregating around the first three windmills. Other than that, not much. Numbers-wise, the wyverns have been spotted in up to groups of fifteen at a time, but not all of them attack at once."
Valkyrie sighed. "I suspect that'll change if they're provoked."
"Come on, they're sky dragons," said Zeus. "If we take out the matriarch, they'll immediately get confused."
"Point taken" agreed Valkyrie. "Well, what are we waiting for?"
"Maybe a nap?" suggested Zeus. "I have been up since, oh, six this morning."
"Oh, right," said Valkyrie. "A nap it is."
-
Of course it would be raining when they arrived at the Steppe. Nothing like a humid, sticky trek across the uplands only to be greeted by a deluge.
"Ugh," said Zeus, leaning against one of the trees scattered sparsely across the plains. "I think I'd rather have the humidity back. I'm freezing."
"Tell me about it," said Valkyrie, "and it isn't going to encourage the dragons to come out either."
"It's a hunt in every sense of the word, then," said Zeus, grinning.
"Man, I'd forgotten how damn cheerful you are all the time," groaned Valkyrie.
"Only most of the time," she replied. "Let's keep going."
They quietly walked the soaking steppe, carefully passing by sleeping ash wyrms. After a bit of debate, they decided the best course of action would be to search the windmills for any dragons taking shelter, or wreaking havoc for that matter. The first few windmills turned up barren, but the second group played host to four angry wyverns. However, Valkyrie was right about the rain: the wet and cold slowed the dragons greatly, and the pair was able to slay them without much trouble, though Valkyrie did get a poisonous scratch on his arm.
Continuing north, they encountered a particularly scrappy wyvern lying in the banks of the river. Though this one could not fly, he nearly shredded Valkyrie to ribbons with his agile claws. Then, as soon as the boy finally managed to deliver the fatal stab, two other wyverns crawled out from beneath the nearby bridge, apparently awakened by the ruckus.
As they trudged to the next set of windmills, the cold was beginning to wear on the two travelers.
"This wouldn't even be so bad if it wasn't raining," said Valkyrie, rubbing his arms.
Zeus nodded. "And it only looks like it's going to get worse," she said. "The clouds are even thicker toward the next group of windmills."
Valkyrie stopped walking. "Wait a minute." He looked at the sky to the west, where they had come from. The clouds were definitely thinner than before. "Call me crazy, but I think the wyverns are causing the bad weather." He indicated to the clearing sky behind him.
"Hmm," said Zeus, "it's unusual, but not at all unlikely."
"I know we're already soaked to the bone," said Valkyrie, "but I'm thinking we should try heading for where the storm is the worst. We've probably a better chance of finding the queen that way."
Zeus shrugged. "I'm game."
The wind picked up fiercely as Valkyrie and Zeus headed toward the worst of the storm, whipping icily across the Steppe. Rain beat down on their backs, pouring with what seemed to be the strength of a waterfall. A few storm elementals crackled around, unusual for this part of Ivalice and undoubtedly attracted by the mysterious squall. At last, the two came across a blackened heap of a windmill, a gigantic dragon sleeping near the remains.
"That has to be her," hissed Valkyrie, drawing the katana, "get ready."
Zeus nodded, loading some grey shot into her guns. "I'll if I can silence it with this. Yell if you need any help and I'll come in closer."
Valkyrie rushed forward and sliced the creature's underbelly, but to little avail except to awaken the beast. The queen reared back, bellowing its discontent, first at the cut on her chest, then the gunshot pummeling her hide. Her roars rendered ineffective, she turned on the small redhead firing at her over and over.
Valkyrie seized the opportunity and dashed behind the dragon, slicing at one of her hind ankles. As soon as he felt the creature shudder, he ran beneath the creature, hoping Zeus wouldn't shoot him on accident. Beneath the wyvern he was provided with shelter, but the rain was only pouring down harder around him, and Zeus' visibility couldn't be good.
Taking a quick peek, it appeared that Zeus was shooting the dragon directly in the face, and thus had the queen distracted. Seizing the opportunity, Valkyrie thrust his sword up into the belly repeatedly, causing the creature to swipe wildly beneath it. However, its impaired ankle gave out with this movement, forcing Valkyrie to dash for the deluge, nearly escaping.
"Zeus!" he yelled, "I'm stuck!"
It didn't seem as though she could hear him, though. Only a when she was dodging the swipe of a front claw did she finally notice him.
"Valkyrie!" she hollered, "Hold still!" She holstered her guns and drew her red blades, rushing to his side. "I'm going to cut you out!" Even when she was screaming right near him, he could barely hear through the rain.
She quickly muttered the spell for Bravery and sunk the two swords into the left side of Valkyrie, provoking a roar: the Silence had worn off, and she had to act quickly. Carefully, she cut down and around, slicing as deep as she could. Valkyrie held himself completely still, but it was difficult; the howling dragon above him and the fear of Zeus nicking his legs made him want to get out as fast as he possibly could. At last, Zeus withdrew her blades.
"Give me your hand!" she yelled, sheathing one sword. He grabbed hold, and using the Masamune for extra leverage, managed to remove himself from beneath the dragon with her help. He then turned and, drawing his greatsword, buried the blade as far into the wyvern's flank as he could. The queen gave a final choked roar, and lay silent.
Miraculously, the storm ceased almost immediately, remaining as a misty rain. Valkyrie shuddered. "That was absolutely disgusting."
"I would agree," said Zeus, taking a step back. "You're absolutely covered in blood."
Valkyrie looked down. "Eugh, gross. Why couldn't the rain have stuck around a little longer?" He went to dislodge his sword from the creature's side, but the harder he tugged, the more resistance the blade seemed to give. "Ah damn," he said, "I think it's stuck."
"Well, that sucks," said Zeus. "We'll have to pick you up a new one in Balfonheim if they have some in stock." She shrugged. "You're better with a katana anyway."
"I know," said Valkyrie, sighing. "I know we should take something back to the petitioner as proof that we've slain it, but maybe the weather clearing up will be enough?"
"How about an eyewitness?"
Valkyrie and Zeus turned to discover a small group of pirates standing behind them, clearly having arrived from Balfonheim. A tall, beefy man was smiling at them.
"Our master saw the weather was clearing up and sent us to investigate. Looks like we've got you to thank for that," he said, extending a hand.
"And who might your master be?" asked Valkyrie.
"The Pirate Lord of Balfonheim herself," said the man, grinning even wider. "She was the one who posted the bill for the mark. The name's Rikken."
"Nice to meet you, Rikken," said Valkyrie, "I'd shake your hand, but in my current condition, I feel as though it would be a bit of an insult."
"Pleased," said Zeus, nodding. Valkyrie was much better at formalities.
"Likewise," said Rikken. "The foul beasts have caused us serious weather problems, as you can see. Balfonheim is very grateful to you, and if you come back with us to the city, you'll be rewarded handsomely." He chuckled. "And also offered a bath."