Summary; It's been 2 years since the Bahamut. Larsa and Penelo are engaged, Basch is captain of the army of Rabanastre, Ashe has been repairing Rabanastre after the it has once again been freed and Balthier and Fran have returned to skypirating, searching for treasures. But what of Vaan? And what about the talks of a strange creature in the Nabreus Deadlands that has defeated every hunter that challenges it? When Balthier and Fran hear about it they immediately take the hunt, but why does the creature act so strangely, and who's the stranger that's following them?
Disclaimer; I do not own Final Fantasy 12, except as a copy of the game on my PS2.
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Mourning in Eruyt Village
As the Hunters entered the jungle, a familiar looking Viera came to greet them.
"Mrjn?" Fran looked at the Viera, surprised, though she didn't show it.
"Sister," Mejn smiled as the group came to a halt in front of her, "I have been sent to tell you that only a few of you are allowed into the village, a camp has been prepared for the rest of you,"
"The question is who shall go?" Balthier muttered.
"I will," Basch stepped forward.
"Me too," Penelo joined him, before turning to look at Balthier, "Aren't you two coming?"
"It would appear we are left with little choice," he stated as he and Fran joined the duo.
"If possible we will join as well," Ktjn and Krjn stepped forward.
"Very well then," Mrjn led the hunters to the entrance to the village, while Mrjn talked to the wood, the rest waited and watched as they walked down the hidden path, wary of any creatures that may attack them.
Even though it had been two years the feel of the village had changed drastically from the last time Blathier had been here. The Viera didn't even look at them as they entered. Everything seemed to be surrounded by an aura of misery as Mrjn led them towards Jote's tree house.
Throughout the village groups of Viera, both Wood-warders and Salve-makers had gathered. Balthier looked around, curious as to what was going on, Penelo could barely keep the frown of her face as she tried not to be overcome by the feel of the place.
"They are in Mourning," Fran stated.
"Why?" Penelo looked the Viera.
"Jytr, she went missing almost three months ago, she was hunting the creature we now call the Myst, she hasn't been seen or heard from since,"
"Jytr was the best Wood-warder in the village, she devoted her life to protecting the wood, she would not have disappeared so quietly," Ktjn said softly.
"That is why we agreed to ally with the Humes in this Hunt," they looked towards Jote as she walked towards them.
"We thank you for your assistance," Basch gave a small bow.
"No thanks is needed, the Myst is powerful and it is extremely dangerous, it would most likely bring ruin to the wood if left unchecked, its passing only days ago caused many creatures to go mad…and change," Jote looked at the Hunters.
"Be warned, around the creature there is a Mist that can drive even the most resilient to madness, I wish you all luck," Jote watched as the small group of hunters and the Viera who would join them began to leave.
The next moment everything was in chaos. The hunters who had been waiting outside the village on the walkways suddenly ran in, many already nursing wounds, while others fought off an onslaught of creatures.
"Captain Basch!" a hunter, a young man, barely a boy, ran up to him, His armour, or what was left was in tatters, three gashes ran across his cheek, "They've gone mad, we need help,"
"Malboros?" Penelo gasped as the plant like creatures came into view.
"No, they look more like the Vivians from Giruvegan," Basch said as the purple-white plants came closer, follwed by Golems, Hell Hounds and even Bombs, all of them feeding on the Mist that seemed to surround them.
"This is the result of the Myst's passing," Jote said as the Viera started to fight.
Magicks, Arrows, Techniks, Bombs and Bolts were flying everywhere while others used Measures, Axes, Swords and numerous other weapons. Balthier loaded his gun and fired several rounds in quick succession and instantly felled several beasts.
"This is hopeless, there are just too many of them," one hunter called as he was knocked back by a Malboro's vine.
"Keep fighting," Basch hollered as he slew several monsters with his sword.
"Fran!" Penelo sent a bolt of healing magick to the Viera as she was beset by Hell Hounds.
Just as a Golem was about to land a hit on Balthier, it suddenly collapsed, dissolving into mist. The same thing was happening to all the other creatures. On the hidden path was a creature Balthier never expected to see again.
"Zalera…" Balthier breathed as the Esper took a look at them, only to disappear and in its place floated a crystal, within it was a symbol. The crystal shattered and symbol disappeared.
"What was that?" a hunter cried, staring at where the Esper had once been. Adrammelech hovered nearby, looking at Basch as if waiting for an explanation.
"That was an Esper known as Zalera, the Death Seraph," Basch spoke clear, his voice carrying across the village.
"You know what this means don't you?" Penelo turned to Balthier and Fran, tears in the corners of her eyes.
"Yes, it means Vaan's alive," Balthier turned back to look at where Zalera had once been.
While the Hunters started to have their injuries treated, Balthier made his way towards the path that connected Eruyt village to Golmore Jungle, standing on the steps, looking out over a newly formed clearing, the tress smashed to splinters, no doubt by the monsters that had attacked them. He ignored the fact that one hunter had died, and that the rest of the Hunters were having a burial for him before they continued on their mission. He ignored the cheers that echoed across the Jungle that they had survived with so few casualties. The only thing he could think of was the face of a boy who had been plaguing for two years.
Looking out over the clearing, he muttered, so softly even the Viera who had followed him had trouble hearing it. "Vaan where are you?"
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Here's the third chapter, hope you enjoy it, anyway, please review!
