Author's Note: Just to let everyone know I'm starting off with the intro of FFXII

so there will be scenes that you will already be familiar with, but don't worry,

I'm going to be adding a little bit of a twist.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to this game or story,

all rights belong to (SQUARE ENIX Developers), but I do own everything that is OC related.

Speech...

Devine / Demonic Speech...

Inner Thoughts / Flashback story / Story progression...

Locations / Time Skip / Description...


"Love can give us many things,

and in turn, lead us down many roads,

even roads that lead towards darkness and despair."


Chapter 7

The Legendary Black Wolf

Continent of Ordalia

The Kingdom of Dalmasca

Year 704 Royal City of Rabanastre

4 Years Later…


Rabanastre

Main Plaza


It's been four years since the anniversary of the Galtean Alliance and the citizens of Dalmasca were going about their day conversing with one another along

with buying and selling goods to one another, thus the day looked to be like any other normal day until the sound of church bells started ringing all

throughout the city of citizens of Dalmasca however, already knew that today was a special day; today Her Royal Highness was to marry the Prince of

the neighboring Kingdom of Nabradia.


Rabanastre

Grand Plaza


As cherry blossom petals fell from the sky, the cheering crowds of Dalmascan citizens were lining the streets to celebrate the soon to be marriage of Her

Royal Highness Princess Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca to Prince Rasler Heios Nabradia.

As the wedding carriage made its way through the Grand Plaza carrying both Prince and Princess, the Dalmascan children that were watching the parade saw

just how beautiful the bride and groom were.

Princess Ashe was wearing a wedding gown that was a white and gold shirt, with a long fitted white skirt and a feather-adorned white veil, while Prince Rasler

was wearing a white suit of armor with gold detailing, including a chest-plate, buckled boots, and a neck piece, while his suit included a royal blue

drape at the waist with fleur-de-lis details and a tasseled finish, while also keeping his sword in a scabbard on his hip.

As Ashe and Rasler looked over the crowd with pleasant smiles, they soon turned their gaze towards each other only to smile at one another before looking

towards the Grand Cathedral of Rabanastre.


Rabanastre

Grand Cathedral


Upon entering and making their way down the aisle of the cathedral, Ashe and Rasler looked upon many noble families that were from many different

provinces along with those that were from kingdoms near and far. As they soon arrived upon the altar where the High Priest of Rabanastre Grand Cathedral

was awaiting them, Ashe and Rasler turned towards each other only to smile with absolute happiness as the High Priest began the royal ceremony transcript.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Prince Rasler Heios Nabradia and Princess Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca

in the spirit of holy matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but

reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate, these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause as

to why these two should not be joined, let them speak now or forever hold their peace." which nobody had any objections to.

"Lord Rasler Heios Nabradia, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together according to Faram's law in the holy estate of matrimony?

Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall

live?" said the High Priest to Prince Rasler.

"I will," said Rasler.

"Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca, wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together according to Faram's law in the holy estate of matrimony?

Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall

live?" said the High Priest to Princess Ashe.

"I will," said Ashe.

Taking Ashe's right hand, Prince Rasler says after the High Priest: "I, Rasler Heios Nabradia, take thee, Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca to be my wedded wife, to

have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death do us part,

according to Faram's holy law; and there too I give thee my troth."

They lose hands as Ashe now takes Rasler's right hand and says after the High Priest: "I, Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca, take thee, Rasler Heios Nabradia, to be

my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish,

till death us do part, according to Faram's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth."

They then lose hands as the High Priest blesses the rings: "Bless, O Lord, these rings, and grant that he who gives it and she who shall wear it may remain

faithful to each other, and abide in thy peace and favor, and live together in love until their lives' end, Faram."

Prince Rasler takes the ring and places it upon the fourth finger of Ashe's left hand while saying after the High Priest: "With this ring, I thee wed; with my

body I thee honor; and all my worldly goods with thee I share: in the name of the Gods, and the all might Lord, this I swear."

After Rasler was finished it was Princess Ashe's turn to place the ring on the fourth finger of Rasler's left hand, while also saying after the High Priest: "With

this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honor; and all my worldly goods with thee I share: in the name of the Gods, and the all might Lord, this I swear."

The congregation remains standing as the couple kneels.

"Let us pray, O Eternal Faram, Creator, and Preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life: send thy blessing upon these

thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name; that, living faithfully together, they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant

between them made, whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according

to thy laws; through the Gods and our Lord, Faram." said the High Priest, as Rasler and Ashe stood once again only to turn towards one another with pleasant

smiles on their faces.

"In the name of the Father, and in the presence of these holy relics, I hereby pronounce you man and wife from this time forth, may the blessings of the gods

light your path for all eternity, Faram." said the High Priest.

Thus, Prince Rasler and Princess Ashe closed their eyes as they both sealed their union with a passionate kiss, thus bringing the Kingdoms of Dalmasca and

Nabradia together into a peaceful union. Thus, with the visions of a bright future filled with the hopes and dreams of peace and prosperity, is sadly to say,

would not last.


Rabanastre Royal Palace

War Room

A Week Later…


A fully armored Captain Basch was quickly making his way past the royal guards towards the War Room, where King Raminas and Prince Rasler were meeting

with military advisors and commanders to discuss the battle tactics against the Arcadian empire who were advancing upon the Kingdom of Nabradia.

"If following this Archadia should launch an attack by both land and air, our kingdom will stand little-.," said a military commander who was interrupted

by Captain Basch's sudden arrival.

"Nabudis has fallen!" said Captain Basch, as he stood before the war council.

"Impossible!" said a slightly shocked King Raminas, as the rest of the war council was in hysteria over how a kingdom such as Nabradia could fall

so quickly and without warning.

"My father?" said a worried Rasler.

"I know not, I am sorry." said a sympathizing Captain Basch, as he shook his head.

"If Nabudis has indeed fallen, it is only a matter of time before they reach the borders of Dalmasca." said the same military commander as the virtual war

map showed the forthcoming advancement of the armies of the Archadian empire over the defeated lands of Nabradia towards the doorsteps of Dalmasca.

"There is nothing to halt their advance." said the same military commander once again.

Thus it fell to King Raminas to make a quick and decisive decision.

"Sigh, secure Nalbina with all haste." said a somewhat worn King Raminas.

"I will go." said an immediate Captain Basch, as he turned to leave.

"And I will go at his side." said an immediate Rasler as well.

For a moment King Raminas was against sending Rasler off to war but understood how the young prince felt at the sudden loss of his homeland,

thus he agreed to let him go.

As Captain Basch and Lord Rasler were making their way out of the war room, King Raminas sighed to himself as he closed his eyes and thought

about the one person, he could count on.

"Ryder my old friend, we need you now more than ever." thought a still worn King Raminas.


Rabanastre Grand Plaza

The Next Day…


Many light fighter airships were making their way towards Rabanastre Grand Plaza, where Durga transport airships were landing companies of Dalmascan

troops that headed the call to arms to defend Dalmasca from the invading armies of the Arcadian Empire. As the Dalmascan defense forces were overlooking

Rabanastre Grand Cathedral where King Raminas was giving a blessing to the Gods to watch over Prince Rasler in battle.

"Galtea stand watch over your life," said King Raminas, as he bestowed the hero's blade upon Prince Rasler.

"That I be considered worthy," said Rasler, as he finished the blessing, along with accepting the hero's blade from King Raminas, upon which he stepped away

from the King only to look slightly to the right at Ashe, who in turn only looked on in silence.

Once the moment of silence between the two had passed, Prince Rasler Heios Nabradia turned towards the Dalmascan army with sword unsheathed as he

looked over the army before raising the hero's blade in a rallying cry, which in turn caused the Dalmascan army to rally cry behind him.

Afterwards, the Dalmascan fighter airships along with Dalmascan Durga transport airships departed from the Royal City of Rabanastre towards

the border fortress of Nalbina.


The Dalmasca / Nabradia Border

Nalbina Fortress

Night Time…


Once night came across the land, fierce fighting between the Dalmascan defense forces and the Arcadian army, was well underway. As fighter airships were

trying to shoot each other down above the skies of Nalbina Fortress, while at the same time the Arcadian Class-Destroyer airships were moving into position

just outside of Nalbina Fortress.

Thus, the only way for the Dalmascan fighter airships to have any chance was to move in and out of the paling, which acted as a barrier against the

Arcadian Class-Destroyer Airships while also preventing the Arcadian fighter airships from pursuing the Dalmascan fighter airships through the barrier.

Meanwhile, on the ground, the Arcadian armies had already breached the walls of the fortress where Dalmascan defense forces were already fighting against

an already overwhelming Arcadian force. As the Dalmascan defense forces were starting to become overwhelmed, due to the sheer size of the Arcadian forces

that were slaughtering their brothers in arms left and right.

"Decurion!" said a cavalry commander, who was riding a Chocobo.

"Sir." said a subordinate, who just cut down an Arcadian soldier before following his commander and another cavalry soldier into the Arcadian forces that were

pouring into fortress only to be knocked off their Chocobo's and killed.

Meanwhile on one of the few bridges leading towards the paling tower, Prince Rasler and Captain Basch were leading a squad of cavalry against the Arcadian

forces, while trying to aid their brothers in arms as best they could.

"The fortress is lost, we must withdraw!" said a loud Captain Basch, as he shoots a few arrows from his bow into a few Arcadian soldiers.

"No, the paling still stands!" said Rasler, as he cuts down a couple of Arcadian soldiers before looking towards the paling tower.


Paling Tower


"Shield beyond sight, ne'er failing light-"chanted the Mages, only to be interrupted by a group of Arcadian soldiers that immediately cut down and killed every

last mage insight. Once all the mages were dead, the glowing crystal began to go dark and with it the fortresses last line of defense was gone leaving the

fortress and the Dalmascan fighter airships defenseless against the onslaught of the Arcadian fleet.

"The paling's fallen!" said Rasler, as he watched the paling come apart.

"Then its over." said a somewhat defeated Captain Basch, while Rasler on the other hand, was not one to give up so easily, after all, he and Reks made a

promise to continue fighting until the very end to protect those that were most important to them.

"For my friends, for my country." thought Rasler.

"For my father, FOR MY FATHER!" said a now yelling Rasler, as Captain Basch looked on at lord Rasler before noticing an Arcadian Archer drawing his bow

at the young prince.

"LORD RASLER!" said a yelling Captain Basch, as he quickly drew back his bow and let loose an arrow, while at the same time the Arcadian Archer let loose

his own arrow right before Captain Basch's arrow hit him directly in the chest effectively killing him.

Afterwards, Captain Basch discarded his bow in order to protect the young lord, although, Prince Rasler quickly took notice of the arrow coming towards him

and swiftly moved his sword just in time to deflect it.

"By the Gods that was close." said a relieved Rasler.

"Lord Rasler, are you alright." said a concerned Captain Basch, as he came up next to the young prince.

"Yeah, I'm fine-.," said Rasler, only to be cut off as another arrow quickly found it's mark in Rasler's chest.

"Lord Rasler!" said an immediate Captain Basch, as he quickly pulled the mortally wounded prince off of his Chocobo and onto his.

Captain Basch immediately looked around for the Archer who shot Rasler, only for his eye's to fall upon a skeletal specter in armor that was looking down on

him from a higher elevated building with a bone bow in hand.

As the two stared at one another for what felt like an eternity the skeletal specter in armor soon vanished behind a column of rising smoke.

Captain Basch's attention was immediately diverted from the assassin to the Arcadian soldiers that were beginning to close ranks around him

and the mortally wounded Rasler.

Captain Basch quickly took notice of a burning Arcadian Class-Destroyer falling out of the sky and smashing straight into the surface of the fortress killing

many Arcadian and Dalmascan soldiers in the process.

At that moment of impact, the Arcadian ranks around him were in disarray, which gave Captain Basch the opportunity to escape with Lord Rasler.

Captain Basch immediately yanked the reins to his Chocobo who "kwehed!", the Chocobo then jumped on and over a couple of Arcadian soldiers before

making a mad dash through the Arcadian ranks towards the nearest escape route, although, the Arcadian soldiers were not going to give up so easily as they

began to pursue Captain Basch and the remaining Dalmascan forces that were left that were trying to flee the fortress in retreat.

"Damn it all, I was careless." thought a blacking out Rasler, as he started to have flashbacks of his homeland, his people, his father, and especially his friends.

"Reks, Penelo, Vaan, and…Ashe, I'm sorry that I couldn't keep my promise…but maybe…I can keep my promise…in the next life." thought a fading Rasler,

as the blood from his fatal wound dripped onto the pure white Chocobo feather that was hanging around his neck, turning it from a pure white to a stained

crimson red.


Outskirts Nalbina Fortress

A Few Minutes Later…


"Hang on Lord Rasler, just a little bit longer." said a somewhat panicked Captain Basch, as he quickly made his way out of the fortress, but by the time he had

taken notice of Lord Rasler, the young prince had already passed away with a smile on his face.

"Lord… Rasler…?" said a somber Captain Basch, as he soon turned his attention forward once again only to take notice of a cloaked figure in black with what

looked like a long spear raped up in a white sheet on his back, along with a short sword in hand. Captain Basch immediately went for his sword when

the cloaked figure in black spoke.

"Keep going Captain Basch!" said the figure in black, as the Captain immediately knew who it was as he quickly took his hand off his blade and passed right

on by the figure in black along with the last remnants of the retreating Dalmascan forces.

As the last of the Dalmascan soldiers made it past the figure in black, the figure in black immediately used his short-sword in hand to cut a deep line straight

across the battlefield which quickly halted the Arcadian battalion's advance.

"Who the hell are you?" said an Arcadian Judge Commander, who was on the back of a Chocobo as he commanded the rest of the battalion to halt.

"Nobody of importance I can assure you, however, I do have a request to make." said the cloaked figure in black, as he held his sword at his side.

"A request?" said the questioning Judge Commander.

"Yes, I want you and your men to stop pursuing the retreating Dalmascan forces, the Arcadian imperial armies have already taken the fortress and spilled

enough blood for one day." said the figure in black.

"Do you jest?" said the questioning Judge Commander, as he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"I do not." said the serious figure in black.

"Well if you haven't noticed, this is war, and with any war, the enemy must surrender or be put to the sword, no exceptions." said the Arcadian Judge

Commander, as he gave hand-signs to his troops to close ranks around the figure in black.

"I'm going to say this one last time, let the remaining Dalmascan forces go." said the cloaked figure in black, as he turned his head slightly to the left

and to the right.

"Sorry, but I have orders." said the sneering Judge Commander, as he gave his soldiers the signal to kill this insignificant whelp.

"Sigh, I'm sorry as well to have to do this then, may the Elder Gods have mercy upon your souls." said the figure in black, as the Arcadian soldiers attacked

with their spears and swords all at once only to hit thin air.

"Impossible, where did he go!" said the Arcadian Judge Commander, as he and his men quickly looked everywhere for the figure in black.

"Hey, are you alright?" said an Arcadian soldier, to the imperial soldiers that tried to skewer the figure in black.

"Hey, are you deaf or something?!" said another Arcadian soldier, as he shook his comrade's shoulder, which immediately caused each of the imperial soldiers

bodies, along with their heads to fall one by one onto the ground.

"By the gods!", "In the name of Faram!", "BBBLLLAAARRRGGGHHH!" yelled two Arcadian soldiers, while a third Arcadian soldier hurled.

Afterwards the Arcadian soldiers quickly backed away from the bodies as pools of blood poured forth from them.

"If any of you value your lives retreat at once, there is no shame in living to fight another day, as for those who are still foolish enough to

stay and die, prepare yourselves for death." said a demonic echoing voice.

Immediately the Arcadian battalion quickly looked everywhere for the cloaked individual until one Arcadian soldier shouted out.

"Look to the skies!" said the Arcadian soldier, thus, the battalion of Arcadian soldiers quickly looked towards the skies to see the figure in black hovering with

his blade extended outwards with blood still dripping from his would-be attackers.

As the Arcadian battalion continued to look at the figure in black for what felt like an eternity, some of the Arcadian soldiers began to get a bad feeling, like

something was coming, something dark and foreboding and that there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.

Soon dark clouds began to loom overhead as the rain began to fall from the skies, along with the thundering sounds of lighting overhead.

The figure in black slightly lifted his head towards those very same skies in order to feel the cold rain run across his face.

"So, even the heavens themselves weep for those that have fallen, and those that are soon to follow." said the figure in black to himself.

The figure in black then turned his attention from the skies back towards the Arcadian battalion, some if not most of the Arcadian soldiers could now see his

glowing blood red eyes, followed by a dark energy coming forth from within the figure in black's body into a sickening and poisonous dark mist.

Upon seeing this, the Arcadian soldiers began to back away but halted at the sound of their Judge Commander's voice.

"What are you men so afraid of, he's just one man, we, on the other hand, are three hundred strong." said the Arcadian Judge Commander.

Upon hearing this, the Arcadian battalion immediately got into defensive formations with their spears ready, their swords drawn, and their archers who were

standing by with their arrows ready.

"Archer's ready." said the Arcadian Commander, as the Arcadian archer's readied their bows and arrows.

"Take aim." said the Arcadian Commander, as the Arcadian archers drew back their bows with arrows aimed at the figure in black.

"FIRE!" said the loud Arcadian Commander, as the Arcadian archer's let loose their arrows from their bows.

As the arrows flew through the air towards their intended target, the figure in black quickly lifted his sword and did a horizontal slash, which caused a dark

energy of poisonous dark mist to dissolve the arrows that were in mid-flight into nothingness, afterward's the figure in black dropped towards the

ground with sword in hand, along with the dark poisonous mist that was trailing close behind.

Once the figure in black made contact with the ground, he immediately began cutting down row upon row of Arcadian soldiers that were trying to kill him from

all directions, while the dark poisonous mist that surrounded him choked and suffocated the life out of any Arcadian soldier that tried to get close to him.

"Impossible." said the shocked Arcadian Commander, as he witnessed the figure in black cut through solid steel weapons and armor like they were nothing

more than paper.

"What are you all standing around for, kill him, kill him for the emperor, kill him for Arcadia." said the now angry Arcadian Commander, as some of his men

attacked only to end up being cut-down, while the rest of the men decided to ignore their commander's orders and quickly backed away so that they wouldn't

meet the same fate as their comrades.

"What are you all doing fight you cowards, you have a duty to Arcadia and your emperor-" said the Arcadian Commander, but was cut off as he was knocked

off his Chocobo by the figure in black only to fall hard into the sand, before turning around only to come face to face with death.

"WHO ARE YOU!, WHAT ARE YOU!" yelled the angry Arcadian Commander, as he looked on in a mixture of hatred and fear towards the figure in black.

Although the figure in black never uttered a word and only continued to stare at the enemy commander with his piercing blood red eyes as the rain, thunder,

and lighting started to come down hard.

"Black Wolf." said the emotionless figure in black, before taking his sword and quickly running the enemy commander through the heart.

"I see..." said the gasping Arcadian Commander, as he started coughing up blood.

"We were fighting against... the Black Wolf,... the Devil's… messenger." said the Arcadian Commander before expiring.

After the deed was done, Ryder pulled his sword from the enemy commander's chest before swinging his bloody blade splattering the enemies' blood onto the

already bloody sand, and with the rain that was pouring down from the skies, turned the surrounding desert sands from a weakly saturated yellow color into a

crimson sea of red.

Ryder soon turned his attention towards the surrounding Arcadian battalion, who for a moment seemed ready for a fight, although, after a few moments of

silence, each and every Arcadian soldier lowered their weapons, Ryder then turned his attention towards the south where the royal city of Rabanastre laid.

As the figure in black began walking the Arcadian battalion quickly made a path so that their enemy, who they now respected and feared, could pass by

unhindered, and once the figure in black also known as Black Wolf, had vanished into the desert night, the Arcadian battalion collected the bodies of their

fallen comrades and quietly made the return trip back towards the conquered Fortress of Nalbina.

The imperial armies of Arcadia would remember this night as a great victory for the Arcadian Empire, but it also served as a warning, as word would soon

spread like wildfire across the lands, through the skies, and over the seas that a battalion of three hundred Arcadian soldiers were held at bay, by the

Legendary Black Wolf.


To Be Continued


Author's Note: Like, Love, Hate, Favorite, Follow, Don't care. Any feedback or ideas for the story so far would very much appreciated. :)

P.S: I have no right to be forgiven for not updating when I should, but I wanted to add a little bit more feeling to the story,

plus I wanted to give my reader's a little bit more background on my OC character Ryder so far, but don't worry this story will

focus on Vaan and friends in the coming chapters.

It will, however, take me some time to incorporate the main story with my OC Story.

I am also very grateful to the reader's that are leaving me reviews/comments so far.

Until the next Chapter, this is Reaper-Team-Alpha signing off.