Sever All Ties
Chapter Two: It Begins
Disclaimer: I don't own Radiata Stories or any of the characters in the game; they are the property of the brilliant minds at Square Enix.
Author's Note(s): Words in '…' indicate a thought. Words in "…" indicate spoken words. This story will proceed based on the assumption that Jack has joined Ridley on the path of the non-human. This path would inevitably lead him to face his former friends and allies in combat. It is these fights I will illustrate in this story. Some creative liberties will be taken regarding who they face (i.e. Jack will face opponents in this fic that you don't get to face in the game). I hope you enjoy.
When Jack had finished training, he walked back into Fort Helencia, where the dark elf Mikey was standing against the wall. When he walked in, the elf moved to speak to him.
"You're…that human, right," asked Mikey. "You came with Genius and fought the blood orc."
"That's me," Jack answered. "The name's Jack Russell."
"You're going to help the non-humans," Mikey asked.
"I'm going to help Ridley," Jack responded. "If that means helping the non-humans, then yes."
"I see," Mikey said. "Can I ask a favor of you?"
"Sure," said Jack. "What do you need?"
"This conflict between the humans and non-humans," Mikey began. "Our fighting each other just doesn't make any sense. We used to get along. There was an ancient elf king who even married a human. But some unexpected things happened."
"What," Jack asked.
"Algandars," Mikey said slowly. "Algandars and the dark elves both came about as a result of their marriage. Since then, the light elves and humans haven't gotten along at all. The castle itself was called Algandars Castle. It was cursed, and sealed shut."
"All this is very interesting," said Jack. "But what does it have to do with me helping you?"
"I want to go to the castle," Mikey said firmly. "I think we can find some answers there."
"Where is this castle," Jack asked.
"In the Septem Region, Mikey responded. Jack's heart sank. The only way they could get to the Septem Region was to pass right through the heart of Radiata. He had known a conflict with his old friends would be unavoidable, but hadn't expected one this soon.
"You really think we can get some answers there," Jack asked.
"I do," Mikey said, firmly.
"All right," Jack said. "I'll get my things. Meet me at the Journey Pig in an hour."
'I knew this would happen eventually,' Jack thought to himself.
Walking into his room, Jack gathered up the healing supplies he thought they would need. Then, he began to buckle his armor on. He felt a little more encouraged when he saw his reflection in Alefstrain's gleaming shoulder plate. Whatever needed doing, he could do it. Securing his blaze saber, he walked out into the courtyard. Now he just had to decide who should accompany them. Mikey would be coming of course, but he still needed two others to go with him. The light elf Gil had proven to be a competent swordsman when they had fought earlier, and had pledged his service to Jack upon being defeated. He was probably the only non-human at the fort who was truly capable of handling himself in the battles to come. Gil was an excellent choice. Seeking out the elf, he found Gil sitting under a tree behind the fort. He had his writing supplies out, but was not writing. The paper in front of him was blank.
"Hello Jack," Gil said as Jack approached.
"How's the poem coming," Jack asked.
"Not good at all I'm afraid," said Gil. "I'm having trouble finding inspiration."
"Perhaps I can help you find some," Jack said. "Come with Mikey and I to Algandars Castle."
"You're going to the castle," Gil exclaimed.
"Yeah," Jack said. "Mikey thinks we can find some answer to the conflict between humans and non-humans."
"And what do you think," Gil asked.
"Me," Jack said. "I don't know what to think. If there's even a chance, it's worth checking out."
"I suppose that's true enough," Gil said thoughtfully. "I'll be the first to admit that I hope this doesn't come down to war. All right Jack, I'll accompany you. And, if nothing else, maybe I'll be inspired in the poetic sense."
"Who knows," Jack said, walking back to the fort. "Maybe we'll all find some inspiration."
Now that Gil was coming, Jack only needed to find one more person to come with them. He didn't think any of the fort's other non-human occupants would be able to hold their own in the battles to come. He needed someone stronger. Jack had immediately ruled out Sir Gawain. Though his accompanying them would make their task considerably easier, he realized that the Lion of the West had other obligations and would not be available to help. He didn't want to ask Ridley, she should not be put in any more danger then was absolutely necessary. Just when Jack had resigned himself to taking the dark elf Franz, he saw Ridley leave the accessories shop. Seeing him ready to leave, she ran over to where he was.
"Where are you going," she asked.
"N…Nowhere," Jack stammered.
"You're really bad at lying," Ridley said flatly.
"All right, I'll tell you," said Jack. "Mikey asked me to take him to Algandars Castle, he thinks we might be able to learn more about this conflict and Algandars itself if we go there."
"Just you two," Ridley asked.
"No," Jack answered. "Gil is going to, and…someone else."
"You don't have a fourth person yet," Ridley said. "Well, now you do."
"No Ridley," Jack said firmly. "You can't go."
"And why not," she asked hotly.
"I won't let you be put in unnecessary danger," Jack said.
"I'm going with you and you can't stop me," Ridley said firmly. "And as for it being unnecessary, I didn't exactly ask you to help me like you have. I think helping you is the least I can do."
"Okay," Jack said with a sigh. He still didn't like the idea of Ridley going with them, but there didn't seem to be a way around allowing it.
A short while later, they were all four standing next to the Journey Pig behind Fort Helencia. Mikey looked deep in thought. No doubt pondering what they would find when they reached their destination. Gil was armed both with his sword of ice and supplies to work on his poem. He wasn't sure how long the trip would take, and wanted to be sure he could keep working. Ridley looked cool and confident. Her blaze axe fascinated him. It's constantly shifting colors held him mesmerized. After making sure everyone was ready, Jack touched the Pig. As he did, he focused intently on the Lupus Gate of Radiata. He could clearly see the cobblestones on the street, the statues that adorned the railings and…
Suddenly, his mental picture was mirrored by his eyes, as he stood next to the Journey Pig just outside of Radiata. Jack quickly stepped to the side, so as not to get in the way of others coming through. Gil was the next to come through, then Ridley, and finally Mikey. After making sure they had not been seen coming in, the party began to make their way toward the Adien Region. If luck was on their side, they wouldn't run into any patrols, either from the castle or the guilds. If they could make to the Septem Region, they should be safe from any humans. After that, their next concern would be the demons who supposedly inhabited the castle.
As they walked along, Jack kept his eyes open, trying to spot any potential attackers before they got too close. Watching his friends, Jack saw his behavior emulated. Mikey's head was constantly moving from left to right, trying to see everything at once. It showed his inexperience, moving his whole head, instead of just his eyes. Gil, the elf assassin, was very relaxed. His eyes moved lazily from right to left, and back again. If they were set upon, he would know. Ridley feigned relaxation, turning her head every now and then, but the tight grip she had on her axe betrayed a good deal of tenseness. Of all of them, Jack was the only one who actually knew who they might be up against. He could not have said whether this was a good or bad thing.
Finally, the time for their inevitable encounter arrived. As they passed through Nuevo Village, Jack saw a familiar face. Or rather, a familiar helmet. Standing between the houses in the village was Walter, the leader of the Quintom Squad. They had not been seen yet, and Jack briefly hoped that they could slip by unnoticed. However, as he looked to the first house, he saw Conrad watching them. As they walked up, Conrad came out of the house.
"Someone's here," he exclaimed. Upon hearing this, Walter turned around to face them. Moments later, Gene stepped out from behind the house Conrad had occupied. All three drew their weapons.
"Hey guys," Jack said cheerfully. "It's been a while."
"So it has," Walter said slowly. "The Deputy Chief is not happy Jack."
"I didn't expect he would be," Jack replied. "What did he say?"
"Well," Walter began. "He told us that if anyone ran into you and didn't fight, he'd take care of them personally."
"Ouch," Jack said. "I guess I better not ask then, huh?"
"No," said Walter. "I might be persuaded to disobey the Deputy Chief, but not the king."
"The king," Jack said. "What's he got to do with this?"
"You really think you're important enough that the Chief would dispatch all of Theater Vancoor to hunt you down," Walter asked, chuckling.
"Well, I don't like to brag," Jack said with a smirk.
"Anticipating the conflict that is to come, the king has called on the guilds to help defend the kingdom," Walter continued. "Any non-humans we encounter are to be engaged. Additionally, yours and the Lady Ridley's names have been added to that list."
"I see," Jack said. "So Gene, they finally put you in a squad."
"Yeah," Gene replied bluntly. "These guys needed another member, and I got the spot."
"You know there was always a spot for you in mine," said Jack. "I see you got a new spear, Conrad. I really am sorry about breaking your old one while we were training."
"It's okay," Conrad said with a smirk. "I've got connections,"
"I suppose you do," Jack replied. "Well, I guess it's about time we got down to business."
"I believe it is," Walter said, hefting his axe.
"Walter, Conrad, Gene, you guys were my friends," Jack said, freeing his saber. Lowering the sword, he used its tip to draw a line the width of the road. "However, it seems a fight between us is unavoidable. If you cross this line, I'll engage you. When that happens, all friendships are cast aside. I won't hold back, and I don't expect you to either."
"Whose benefit are you saying that for," Walter asked. "For ours, or maybe you're trying to convince yourself?"
"Step across and find out," Jack said. He briefly turned to his friends. "Walter is mine. Ridley, you take Conrad, he's got the spear. Gil, you get Gene. Mikey, use some of your elf magic to assist either of these two. Don't interfere with Walter and I. Stay on your toes. This is one of Vancoor's weaker squads, but they've all improved a great deal just since I've been there."
Jack turned around just in time to see the Quintom Squad cross his line in the road. He stepped forward to face Walter, and was surprised when they were matched one-on-one. The other two had moved to engage the people Jack had ordered. So, Walter had picked the same match-ups for his squad. The clash of steel on steel soon rang out, and the battle had begun.
Vegeta26: Chapter two is done. I hope you guys are enjoying this story. Usually, I respond to reviews here at the end, but I don't have any to respond to. Don't be shy guys; I'd love to hear from you. Later.
