After embarking my gunship, we made our way towards Esto Gaza whilst guided by Freya. It all sounded to be very far away as I had to go overseas, from which the ocean seemed to stretch for miles. However the air was calm and a lot less airships were going about their business but lone fishermen, and ferries, were seen quietly cruising along the blue waters below.
Then I realised that it wasn't really far at all as we finally went over the Lost Contienent. A land of frozen wastelands and large rocky mountains. Freya told me that the nomands live here as well as religious pilgrams who found haven here from the monster ridden plains of the Mist Continent as hinted by the few settlements that could be found nestled amongst the mountains.
I swooped in low to land on a flat rocky outcropping near Mount Gulag, where the supposed religious townsfolk live by its foot, and we continued on along the rocky trail by foot.
"Here we are, the Lost Continent, take it all in Robi." Polly said as I looked around the wonderful tundra.
The cold air was blowing through the deep valleys and snow was gently falling from the skies. It was also a lot clearer here than on the Mist Continent as Polly pointed out that the Mist hardly ever reaches these islands.
We went our way around the mountain until the signs of a settlement emerged amongst the natural rocks. People were indeed living here, given the structures that have been built near the coastline and a lonely island which was shimmering, not far off-shore.
"Esto Gaze once was a school for White Mages, like me. My father ran it, we were trained in the arts of prayer and healing. Keeping the fighters strong and vigiliant on their duties. Then when the war began, many white mages vanish. Believed that the summoners advancements shunned out our once true purpose. " Polly said as we walked through what to seemed to be a school.
"Man, it must have been really hard on you, being the medic and all that. Like, youse are probably the ones that would get hit with trauma the most." I said.
"Indeed. Many white mages have to tolerate the wounded. That was why my father had to make absolutely sure that the mages can endure the sickening and the foul. Able to withstand what torment the human body could suffer and we would have to put them back together. The place reminds me of the sickening smell of blood and the screams of warriors who have fallen to monsters' powers. We were tormented to endure the pain those who were tormented. Its as if the pain would spread from the wounded and into our hearts, where we would clench in pain and cry from the inside, hoping to bring the wounded back on their feet." Polly said as she went down on her knees. I also did so to and placed arm around her.
"Polly, I knw, and understand how it feels. Like the medic has to go through all that but they are relied on for helping us fight, make sure our lives are not over. Those who recover can fight again, it puts less pressure on our side. Knowing there is something willing to put their time aside to help others in need. Even more so for me. I would have to witness my bullets going into the enemy's skull. It is a sickening sight but I know the fact that the enemy is less fortunate to not have someone to help them.
Polly, Branhe's forces seemed to care little about their army. Her's appears to be composed of mass produced black mages. They live but it appeared to have a single role in life; to fight and when they fall, another takes their place.
It is unfair in the circle of life but those who are patched up by a doctor know that not only do they keep their lives but also their experience, how they fall, they can rethink their strategy, how not to let the medic come and help them back into the fight. Its conservation.
Polly, I am glad you are sticking your neck out for me. To keep me strong, I am happy for that and I am damn sure that your father must be very proud of what you have done to come this far. You were with me every step of the way and that I recognise.
You're going to help me find my answers and not even the stench of blood and the sight of dying people won't weigh you down because I am not going to be someone that dies in your hands. Let's do this Polly, me you and Freya...and eventually the others." I explained.
Polly stared at me, seemingly unimpressed with my speech, but then it sunk in as her eyes began to glisten with hope and a smile of insurance. She got up and hugged me.
"Lets go get your answers." She said, leaving the wreck of what was the white mage school behind. We went into town and had a little explore, and I walked over onto the stone pier, overlooking towards the shimmering land.
"That island over there is a symbolic feature of this place. The people worship it every-day due to their beliefs of souls passing through it." Freya explained.
"I wonder how the souls can pass through that mound of land." I asked.
"It was actually a portal to the world of Terra. We once obtained these mirrors that would grant us access. After Kuja destroyed the world, it lost its shine. As you can see, it regained its glow. So it is true, how on Gaia could Terra be restored like that. It just doesn't seem possible." Freya pondered.
"Maybe its something to do with dimensions and shit. Man, I am starting to get a headache." I said, scratching my skull.
"Hmmm, maybe you need a Potion." Polly offered.
"Nah, I never had one before I came here." I said.
"This is where the pilgrims sat to worship the island but there's no one. Maybe they've gone inside to the altar." Polly said.
Freya led me inside the large building, amongst the other small buildings, and boy did my migraine took a turn for the worse. I clenched onto my head in agony.
"Urgh, my head!" I moaned as we entered. Polly held onto me. Inside, as I looked up, there is a large podium and people were sitting around it, deep in prayer. On top, an orange crystal which was glowing gently on top. A man in a fancy religious robe witnessed our approach and came up to us.
"Greetings. Shouldn't youse be worshipping the island?" Freya asked.
"Yes but then this crystal fell from the heavens above. It glistened in a holy light as it sat beneath the waves. We rescued it and placed it here as it was a gift from the island.
After that, the residents told me that they were receiving beautiful dreams and believed that this crystal was causing it. Now we pray for it to give us good fortunes for our future." The man explained, seemingly filled with pride.
Say, what is wrong with your friend, he seems to be much in pain." He asked Freya.
I stared blatanly into the crystal and soon my vision started seeing events of what was seemingly my past. Ships, stars and now elements of chaos and destruction."
"Its the crystal, I am getting memories as the visions I am receiving are related to my actions. It is what's making my head throb." I groaned.
"Can't you let him touch it? Maybe our friend is connected to that." Freya asked.
"Certainly not, these people are at peace when this crystal came to our shores. Wouldn't I let some stranger put his hands on our sacred object." He defended.
My teeth gritted by this man's attitude.
"I'll give you something to worship-" I said before pulling out my pistol and aimed for his forehead, causing him to step back.
"Robi, put your gun down!" Freya yelled.
"This crystal is giving me visions that seem to reflect my actions! Allow me to touch it for which it may contain answers to what I seek! You don't know who I really am if you do not let me." I barked.
Robi's right! Let him touch the crystal, it's for a few minutes." Polly begged.
The bishop sighed before giving his answer.
"I knew your father Polly. He who taught you the ways of holy magic. Many scholars failed their tests but you were the gifted one, the one who passed the trials. If your father was here, he'd would tell me to go by his daughter's wishes.
Go ahead sir, I apologise for my behaviour and my offense to Polly's late father. Proceed." He agreed.
I stared into its orange shiny surface before putting my shaky hands on it. Then a surge of memories poured into my mind, as a overwhelming tidal wave. I cried in agony as if a thousand needles were stabbing into my head.
"This hurts so much!" I screamed before the crystal threw me away, depleted of its storage.
"The crystal...he ruined its sparkling aura..." The bishop moaned but Freya and Polly rushed around me.
"What did you see?" Polly asked.
"I...I...see...metal...liquid...machinery...a land of mushrooms...people, with tails and a man of darkness...purple evil corrupting these lands..." I slurred in my words as they helped me up.
"His eyes...they diluted...what happened to him!?" The bishop barked.
"Apparently, that crystal contained some memories for him. Hence why he is recalling events." Polly explained as she helped me up.
Not only was I hit with a serious case of deja vu, my headaches died and now could regain my focus.
"That crystal was the damn source of my pain, next time, go back to your original beliefs before trying any alien artefacts, get me?" I asked the bishop, slightly irritated.
Then we felt a loud rumble and rushed outside. The island opened from which a flying alien ship soared over us. I tried to aim my rifle at it but Freya pushed it down as it landed amongst the mountains.
"The Invincible, so it is true, Terra is back!" Freya said. We looked to witness the Bishop and his followers leave the sanctuary of their chapel.
"I apologise for the misunderstanding. The island sends its message to never sway our religion. The crystal is nothing but a stone for your remembrance and we will continue our sacred tradition to the Path of Souls.
We shall leave youse in peace. Farewell oh and Polly, I hope your father watches you and wish you well in your friend's journey to find his past." The bishop bowed before returning into the chapel.
"We better go find out where the ship landed." I suggested.
"I thought so too. Let's go." Polly agreed.
As we ran away from the town, we went back through the mountain range and followed this beaten path which led us into dense forest. We accidentally split and I was on my own when all of a sudden, a voice echoed through the snowy trees.
"I know who you are. I know how you act but I know your desires..."
I raised my gun and scanned the woodland, hoping to spot the person speaking to me.
"I have no intention to harm you as I would like to help you." The voice continued its grisly message.
"Who or where the fuck are you?" I asked as the sweat began to drip over my face.
"I mean you no harm, brother. You may call me...Kuja..."
"Hey, you're that man who the queen backs! The one who supplied her with the nuclear weapons! Show yourself!" I barked.
"You may as well believe the fact that I do work for her but remember I am doing this for my true master knows the true meaning behind this war.
I want to help you. If you want to find out what this war means and how you got here then allow me…to help you." The man said in a bold, and gentle tone when suddenly he rushes in and grabs me.
I yelled for Freya and Polly and they were quick to respond, running in from the foliage to find me held up by Kuja himself. I stared into this lavender eyes of his, the smile of a sinister past was what I could see behind his powered white face.
"ROBI! let go of him at once Kuja...!" Freya yelled.
"Why do you intend in getting in my way...?" I heard him respond.
"You should have just taken my hand! NOT GRABBING ME!" I protested.
I reached for my rifle but he smacked it out of my hands as he took me to this strange ritual place and, before I resisted, bound me down in chains. I was irritated by the fact that he'd act this vicious towards me.
Then it seemed he was conjuring up a spell and chanted it. I felt the air picked up and within mere seconds, was engulfed in a huge cyclone. Through the howling winds, I could hear the yelling of Polly and Freya, who were chasing me down.
"ROBIIII!"
"I am so going to regret this but if I need answers, this must be it." I uttered and saw, from now on, a blinding light and heard a few words.
"Welcome home...R0131"
