Chapter 7- Leaving Again
The events following Titan's ability were all a blur to Vivel. He remembered Titan disappearing and seeing many Elvaan running towards him. His next memory was of him laying in a bed in the San d'Orian hospital. He heard voices here and there but couldn't grasp what was being said. He dreamed a lot also, always about being cold. He learned from Senuke later that he had been badly injured in battle, and did not become fully awake until the next Windsday, four days later. The two of them conversed at the fountain with Hamza there also. Vivel shared a bench with Hamza and Senuke stood next to the fountain, letting the mist hit his battle-weary face.
"So, tell me again. What do you remember happening?" Vivel asked Senuke.
"We saw the giant creature destroy all of the Gigas, and then there was a calm. We do not know what this monster was, but he saved all of us. It vanished after its attack, and soon after Ramyrez and his guards found us. All four of us were critically hurt, and immediately given hospitalization. Vivel, seeing how you had just recovered from another life-threatening injury, many of us feared you wouldn't make it through this one. Oopy and I regained our strength overnight. Hamza took another day, and two mornings later you awoke. Prince Ramyrez wants to speak with you about our unknown savior, he should be arriving here soon. He was in South San d'Oria dealing with some other matters."
Vivel sighed and looked over at Hamza. He was staring in to the fountain, still wearing his torn Brigandine suit. Vivel was dressed in the Gi he had awoke in when he first arrived at San d'Oria. Senuke was not wearing his Monk attire, but rather the common blue jerkin that Elvaan wore around the Kingdom. For some reason, Vivel felt sorry for his two friends. Even though he knew now he had saved their lives, he felt guilty for watching them get hurt while he was too scared to attack.
"So where's Oopy?" Hamza asked blandly. Senuke frowned and turned away, shifting his feet to the side.
"Oopy is angry with me," he replied. "I haven't been totally honest with you from the start, Vivel. I am not an accomplished Monk, I am a Paladin. Oopy… used to make his journeys alone for San d'Oria. This was several years ago, when he was still new to the Monk arts. I was with the Royal Army doing a battle exercise in Jugner Forest when several Orcs came in and took me prisoner. Oopy came alone and rescued me, killing all of the Orc guards with an amazing ability he called Hundred Fists." Senuke paused for a moment, reflecting on the earlier times. Vivel was paying attention, with Hamza's mind drifting off. "The Hundred Fists was a flurry of limitless punches and kicks, I was amazed by the strength and speed of this move. Upon rescuing me, I was in debt to him for life, and all he asked was that I joined him and trained under the way of the Monk."
"But you didn't want to. You wanted to be a Paladin, didn't you?" said Hamza suddenly listening to the story.
"Yes and no," said Senuke staring directly at Hamza. "I was fascinated by this power for sure, but my nature is not the same as Oopy's. He desires power only, but being Monk has some key weaknesses. I realized that when I was unable to save you against the Gigas. I couldn't stand watching others get hurt, and were it not for the strange rock creature, we surely would have perished. Perhaps had I been a Paladin some of you would have been spared. So I made up my mind that I would return to training as a Paladin, and Oopy is not very happy about this."
Vivel suddenly shivered, it now hit him as to how cold San d'Oria was. Strangely enough, the Summer days were approaching, and even the North should experience warm temperatures during this time, he thought. He also felt even worse for Senuke now, knowing he was betrayed by who was probably his only friend. Hamza began to talk.
"I know where you're coming from, Sen. Being a Tarutaru fighter is not looked highly upon in Windurst at all. We are all encouraged to take up Black, White, or Red Magic. In fact, it's required that we receive basic training." Hamza waved his hand and was able to move some rocks by his foot in to the fountain, showing he had a grasp on Black Magic. "But it wasn't in me, casting magic was never something I enjoyed. I researched the other options and did a lot of traveling. I learned of Dragoon along my travels, and immediately obtained a wyvern egg to hatch Duke, and began training myself alone with the lance. The Windurstians mock me still, saying that all my work could be surpassed in a single spell. I know I'll become the best though, and Duke and I will end this intolerant attitude."
Vivel now realized how lucky he was, seeing the conditions his companions faced. In Bastok, he was free to do as he wanted, and derived a certain amount of respect from his neighbors. Ignatious didn't force him to be a Samurai, and to think he had left his safe sheltered setting for this: near death experiences and run-ins with gods. He had to thank Titan for saving his and his friends lives, though. He decided it was time to come clean about being a Summoner. Maybe he could show them that he really did help them out in battle.
"Don't look now, but here comes the hot-shot," said Hamza sarcastically, as Ramyrez and his guards approached in a similar fashion as they has three days earlier, except from a different direction. The guards divided and said nothing, as Ramyrez walked towards Vivel, ignoring Hamza and Senuke.
"I've been over the details of what had happened against the Gigas warriors, and I apologize for sending you in there to fight, Tarutaru." said Ramyrez proudly. Vivel was glad at this humane treatment from Ramyrez, but was soon proven wrong. "Had we known you were such a pathetic fighter, we would not have wasted our time dressing you for battle. The same goes for you, Dragoon," he said with a glare towards Hamza. The two Tarutaru looked at each other, while Vivel slouched his shoulders and Hamza's face reddened. "However," started Ramyrez. "The mysterious beast that destroyed the Gigas seems to have been in contact with you… Vivel," he said, forcing the name out as if it pained him to address the Tarutaru. "I will require you to tell me everything you know about this fighter, and right now before you forget a detail."
Vivel did not fully want to explain himself in this way. But under the premise that he might get recognition for saving them, he decided to tell the full truth.
"Well, Ramyrez," started Vivel.
"Prince Ramyrez," the Prince corrected sharply.
"Right, sorry Mr. Prince," said Vivel shyly. Hamza chuckled lightly. "The monster you are thinking of is named Titan. And he was under my control." Ramyrez, Senuke, and Hamza all looked shocked, as Hamza stared at Vivel widely and Senuke fell backwards a bit. Ramyrez stared deeply in to Vivel and said, "You never told us that you were a Beastmaster."
"I'm not," corrected Vivel calmly. "See, I'm what is called a Summoner I believe." There was even more shock this time, Ramyrez gasped now while Senuke and Hamza looked even more confused. Now that it was out in the open, Vivel decided to tell the story in its entirety. Although Ramyrez was not his most desired audience, he just wanted the others to understand him. Ramyrez cut him off before he could speak again.
"Summoning Magic was banned many years ago by the Grand Duchy of Jeuno and the Federation of Windurst. How were you able to do this?" Ramyrez interrogated sharply.
"It started at the Ballista." Vivel said, attempting to summarize everything briefly. "I met this Avatar named Carbuncle, who told me to go on these trials. I traveled to the Quicksand Caves and with Carbuncle defeated Titan in battle. Then I woke up here in San d'Oria and then had Titan's power too, so I used him to destroy the Gigas." he breathed heavily after saying all of that at once. The others started at him, confused, until Ramyrez spoke up.
"I won't pretend to understand the devil magic of summoning, foreigner," he said accusingly, obviously dumbfounded by the claim. "And taking credit for something you didn't do is very unbecoming of a person like yourself. You are not a Summoner, you are trying to fool me."
Vivel didn't know what to respond with. He wasn't about to disagree with the Prince of the land he was in. He looked down and away from the booming presence of Ramyrez. Hamza spoke up.
"He can't be lying, Ramyrez. There's no other logical explanation, monsters looking like that down just crawl out of the ground. You just don't want to admit that this "weak" Tarutaru saved the behinds of your two best men."
"Enough out of you, you little insect!" Ramyrez shouted at Hamza. "The day I get treated with such disrespect by you mere paupers is the fall of my Kingdom!" He turned to Vivel, fuming. "All right, Mr. Summoner. If you can use that sort of magic then show me right now! Go ahead, summon up a creature for me to see!"
Vivel took a deep breath, and reached for Titan's power, not ready to disobey this angry Elvaan. Sure enough, he began to slowly summon Titan, while Ramyrez, Senuke, and Hamza looked on with deep interest. Vivel closed his eyes and concentrated on Titan's energy, he felt the sparks around him now and knew at any moment his avatar would appear. This continued for several moments, and then the energy stopped.
Ramyrez grinned victoriously. "Fancy light shows won't fool me, you forget who you are dealing with, you-" his line was cut short as Vivel completed his summoning. The brown circle appeared in front of the Summoner while Titan emerged from it, staring Ramyrez directly in the face. The Prince started at Titan in fear, and quickly regained his composure and looked at Vivel.
"That's him!" Senuke shouted, amazed. "That is the thing that destroyed the Gigas, I'm sure of it!" Titan turned around, causing Senuke and Hamza to flinch. He walked towards Vivel and stopped, staring in to his controller's eyes. Ramyrez revealed that he had his hand on his sword handle, as if ready to fight. He let go of it and spoke.
"That will be enough," said Ramyrez coolly, looking at the rock hard skin of Titan. "Dismiss your pet, you have proven me wrong." Vivel blinked, realizing he did not know how to release an avatar. He looked over at Hamza, who shrugged.
"It seems you didn't hear me. Release your monster at once!" Ramyrez demanded. Vivel, looking scared, spoke to Titan.
"Please Titan, go away now. I'm done with you for now," he said timidly. Titan seemed to understand Vivel's request and immediately dissolved in to the ground he had appeared in, leaving an empty space between the four witnesses of Titan.
Hamza spoke first. "It looks like Vivel really did save us all!" he said triumphantly. Vivel smiled a little and felt his cheeks turn red with embarrassment. Ramyrez was deep in thought. He ran his fingers through his short white beard and glared at Vivel disapprovingly. Senuke looked at his Tarutaru friend with concern, knowing Ramyrez had something planned.
"So you are the fool who destroyed our land," he announced, pointing at Vivel. "That attack by the monster that you have proven you control destroyed a large amount of the sacred Ronfaure forest. You destroyed trees older than my Great-Grandfather, all to try and show off your pathetic power. You should be given a fierce punishment."
"Prince Ramyrez, you cannot be serious," Senuke said. "You know that had the Gigas defeated us, they would have caused far more damage and possibly invaded the Kingdom. Vivel is a hero, not an enemy."
"Senuke, do not cross me." Ramyrez demanded.
"I do not cross you, but I will defend my comrade. Vivel saved our Kingdom and a few dead trees is a small price to pay!"
Vivel was surprised by Senuke's act of defiance, and recognized him as a real friend. Perhaps some Elvaan were good, he thought. Hamza looked too frightened to say anything. Ramyrez twisted his stern mouth to a frown, and began silently grinding his teeth.
"But under further quick review," he said, I will allow you to get off easy again, Summoner. Whether you knew or not, we are preparing for the annual event of Summerfest." Vivel remembered Summerfest from Bastok. When he was younger, Ignatious would always take him to the top of Vomp Hill in Gustaberg to view the fireworks that were authorized to be shot off. Ignatious would point far to the Southwest where Vivel could faintly see the fireworks going off over Rabao. There would be events planned during the week, such as goldfish-scooping. Booths were set up where one could try his luck to scoop out goldfish. Because of his size, Vivel used to have to be held by one of the Galka in order to see in to the water where the fish swam.
"As you may have noticed by now, it is far too cold to continue with this year's festival," continued Ramyrez, interrupting Vivel's recollection. "We have traced the problem to that damned crystal that we acquired from the Northlands. The crystal must be disposed of. Luckily, some merchants in Rabao are interested in purchasing it from us at a large price. Vivel, you will be returning to Bastok in any event, so you are to bring the crystal with you and drop it off to Rabao along the way. And then, I never want to see you in San d'Oria again."
Vivel was not at all angered by this demand. He was planning on returning to Bastok, so this would only be a minor detour.
"I'll go with him, then," said Hamza firmly. He turned to Vivel. "Looks like we can make our trip to Bastok after all. I got some training in yesterday, but this place just isn't worth it."
Ramyrez stayed calm surprisingly. "So be it, I would rather rid my Kingdom of you devils than baby-sit any longer." Oopy approached at that moment. He had white bandages wrapped around his hands, but bore that same powerful gait that he had showed against the Gigas. It occurred to Vivel that he had been there the whole time, listening in the background. Senuke looked away from him in humiliation.
"With all respect, my Lord," Oopy said to Ramyrez, "I do not see it wise to entrust such an expensive relic to these two weaklings. They are not to be trusted, and may fail the mission or even try to steal it."
"That is a possibility, Oopy. Therefore, I see it in our best interest that you accompany them in this case. I want them out of my country regardless, so we can at least make them do a little work. I assume Senuke will be going also?" Ramyrez asked.
"No," Oopy said resentfully. "There is no need for a Paladin for this type of mission. I will do this alone."
"But you guys are friends," Hamza said, looking over at Senuke. "Who cares what job class you are, right?"
"I don't want any conflict during the travel," interrupted Ramyrez. "Oopy, you will go with the Tarutaru." Hamza shrugged and looked over at Vivel, who showed a weak smile. Being with Hamza would at least give him a friend to talk to, and Oopy could protect them. And of course, he would finally see Ignatious again.
"Good luck," said Senuke to Vivel and Hamza. "And don't worry about Oopy", he whispered to Hamza. "He will come around eventually."
Ramyrez called one of his guards over, who gave him a small white pearl. Vivel recognized this as a link pearl, a system used to communicate between groups of people. Ignatious had purchased two pearls once to use with Vivel while mining, but Vivel had lost his in the mines, and they never bothered trying to get another one.
Ramyrez spoke softly in to his pearl, "Load the crystal on to my airship, I am bringing three now who will deliver it. Yes, immediately. We will meet you there."
