I know that it has been a while but I've been so busy. College life is hard to deal with sometimes and I work on top of that. The summer is approaching and I hope to do a lot of writing this summer to make up for my lack of updating this year.
Final Fantasy II: The Rebellion
"That was a major waste of three weeks of my life," Leila told Firion. They had finally finished proving themselves to Rishi, Noah and Matoya and had been allowed to leave with the Black Mask. Upon getting into her ship, Leila wasted no time before she started complaining.
"That is your opinion," Firion told her. "All I know is my white magic is far stronger now than it had been earlier."
Leila glared at him. When Firion thought back on it, he was not surprised that she was annoyed. For a pirate captain, being coped up for several weeks with a bunch of White Mages could not have been fun. Firion had enjoyed himself, however, as he had learned much from them.
"Let's just get to Mysidia," Maria spoke up. Her eyes had that excited gleam in them that they always sported whenever Mysidia was mentioned.
"You are obsessed with that place aren't you?" Leila asked her, looking grumpy.
Maria shook her head. "Not obsessed," she replied, her eyes overly bright. "I just need to see Mysidia before I die in order for my life to have meaning."
Firion and Guy both laughed. Leila turned her attention back to steering her ship, muttering: "Now that isn't obsessive as all."
As it turned out, all Firion and the others really had to do was adapt to the islanders peaceful way of life. They were to start no fights and be as open as possible about themselves and what they were doing. Though Firion did not approve of them prying into his life, he could not help but feel curious as to their lives.
"I know that you are a Black Mage," Noah told Maria, taking her aside from the group. "I would like to train you for awhile alongside my assistant."
"Really?" Maria asked him, sounding hopeful.
"Yes. I believe you have the potential to become quite an excellent Black Mage given time and some proper training."
Maria looked thrilled.
"Come," Noah told her, guiding her towards a nearby stairwell. "My assistant Unei, awaits her training for the day. She is very young, probably not far from your age, and I'm sure she would like to meet you."
Firion paused for a moment. Matoya smiled at him. "Just mingle with the other mages and you'll do fine," she told him. "I'll introduce you to some other White Mages." Firion followed her down a series of hallways. Arriving in another room similar to the one he was just in, he was greeted by a group of five White Mages.
"I'll allow them to introduce themselves," Matoya told Firion. "I must get back to my assistant. He isn't going to train himself after all." She made her exit swiftly then, leaving Firion to stand his ground alone.
"My name is Aria," the nearest White Mage told him, "and this is my sister Elia."
Firion gazed at Aria, then at Elia. The two girls looked exactly alike, from their long blond hair to their long white dresses, making Firion believe that that they were twins. From beside them, a young man stood grinning.
"My name is Strago," he told Firion, shaking his hand. "you must be one of the warriors looking for the Black Mask." He laughed at the look of shock on Firion's face. "The Elder Rishi is quite the Seer. He anticipated your coming in advance and told us to keep our guard up."
Firion nodded. Strago was nice and all but he was definitely a bit weird. Extremely short and of a delicate build, he was nonetheless brimming with energy and confidence.
"We will all get along here just fine," a young man with his hair in a ponytail spoke up. "If you would shut your trap once in awhile!"
"I am trying to be nice," Strago told him, "but I see you are determined to be as foul-mouthed as ever. Bless his heart," he said to Firion. Then lowering his voice, he added: "If you ask me he is a really angry person who acts out for attention."
"What was that?" the young man snapped. Receiving no answer, he directed his next words to Firion. "The name is Galuf, by the way."
"Mine is Firion," Firion replied.
"That's a fine name," Strago replied, causing Galuf to laugh. "You always have to be so chipper, don't you Strago? Why can't you just by normal for a change?"
"If the expense is to turn into an old grump BEFORE I hit seventy, then no thanks. I prefer the way I am just fine."
Before Galuf could answer, one of the twins cut in: "we are pleased to have you here. I'm sure we will all get along just fine."
"At any rate," her sister added, "we have much to do. Your test of course."
"My test?" Firion repeated.
"Your test," another voice spoke up. The fifth person stepped up then. He appeared to be the oldest of the group by far, with long dark robes that brushed the ground and deep-set eyes. He seized Firion up for a moment, his eyes searching the young man carefully, then nodded.
"My name is Kluya" he said. "We should not have any problems here, I trust."
"I don't intend to cause trouble," Firion told him. "I just want the Black Mask. It's not to cause any problems, I have something important that must be done."
Kluya merely stared at him for a moment. "Your test here is to train alongside the five of us. You will learn five abilities normally attributed to a White Mage and be able to cast them effectively."
Upon reaching Mysidia, Firion was startled at how large the place was. Never had he seen a village this large before and populated entirely by mages. All around them, Black and White Mages wandered around town, entering and leaving shops, walking the streets or just idling around town with other mages.
"This place is huge!" Leila exclaimed, glancing around. Her irritation all but vanished in her excitement. Firion felt compelled to remind her that they would not be there long and that she was not to steal anything but bit his tongue, not wanting another argument.
It was certainly an impressive sight to behold. From every which way there were shops: items shops, weapon shops, map shops, armor shops, clothes shops and tons of magic shops. Apothecaries by the dozen were lined up along the streets, with signs advertising various White and Black magic spells, from Holy to Cure, from Fire to Flare. Shelves dedicated to scrolls of rare and precious magic were on display, shelves filled with Elixirs, Ethers and Hi-Potions.
The mages wandering around town were not just random people studying magic but true authentic White and Black Mages. The White Mages were wearing long white robes that fell to their ankles, hoods pulled up to cove the hair and some of the face. The Black Mages had on long blue cloaks that were trailing the ground as they walked, their faces hidden behind large brown hats. The very air around them seemed to breath magic, the aura of great and complicated spells unearthed and fresh as ever.
"We would never want for another potion in a place like this," Leila murmured quietly. "That is for sure."
The whole group was in awe of the breath and depth of the place but none more so than Maria, who was positively quivering with emotion at finally being in her dream town.
"Just look at this place," she whispered. She looked positively overwhelmed by her surroundings. "To think that Mother ever left Missidia to settle in Phin." She set off on her own then, intent on exploring the town thoroughly.
Leila and Guy set off then too, leaving Firion alone. Glancing around him, he pondered what to do first, look for new equipment or the place to obtain the Crystal Rod?
"I'll hopefully see you soon Minwu," he said quietly. "I can show you just how much I've learned in your absence." He started off down the street, his hands in his pockets and a wistful look upon his pale face. There was so much to see and so little time, so precious little time before everything came to ruins.
Firion's arsenal of spells entering the Tropical island included Cure and several ungraded versions of it, Life, Esuna, Shell, Shield and a few status ailment spells such as Silence and Slow. His Holy spell was still pitifully weak, he could not fully heal someone or revive them with full health, and he lacked the ability to rid his teammates of the more severe status ailments. That all changed thanks to Kluya and his companions. Firion left the Tropical Island able to cast a Full-Life to revive someone, an Esuna worthy of curing even the most deadly of Marlboro attacks and able to blast a ball of Holy energy at someone as fierce as any well-done Flare. He could cure someone completely now and it was thanks to the Islanders that he could do any of it.
"We live here in solitude honing our skills," Aria had told him, "So that our Magic does not go to waste, but reaches it's fullest potential. You train for another reason, don't you?"
"I train to be useful," Firion told her. "There is a war going on in the outside world and I don't plan on being idle."
Aria nodded. "A good enough reason," she said. "That is, if it is what you truly want."
"Of course it is," Firion had answered. "Whatever helps me to be useful to the rebellion."
Of course not everyone had felt that way. Though Leila had passed her test, Firion wasn't able to find out exactly what was on her mind, or why she was going through with it at all.
Maria dealt with the testing the best of them all. Mastering Black Magic spell after spell, she was able to perfect even the trickiest of spells. There was not a status spell she couldn't cast now, nor an elemental spell she couldn't whip up in a flash. As her spell-casting grew more polished, her excitement grew.
"It's just like a true magic school," she told Firion. "I can't wait to test out my Ice spell on a fire fiend. I shan't have a bit more trouble with it."
Firion had privately agreed. He was happy to practice. In spite of his enjoyment and all he had learned, he was worried about Minwu. What if something had happened to him while Firion and the others were busy training? He could take care of himself quite well but he had not made contact with Hilda in ages and it just seemed wrong.
It didn't take long before Firion stumbled across Guy. His friend smiled at him as he approached. Firion merely nodded.
"I'm going to drop this mask off now," he told Guy. "Do you think you can find Maria and Leila?"
"Guy try, but Maria too happy," Guy told Firion. "She may no want to leave yet."
"I know," Firion told him. "I told her that the three of us would see Mysidia someday. I didn't expect it to be this soon and I didn't plan for it to be under these circumstances. We haven't much time, we must get to the Mysidian Tower. Precious time has already been spent. So I'm asking you to just try, okay?" He was still worried about Minwu. Had Hilda heard from him yet?
"Guy will try," Guy told him, "Guy always help his friends."
Firion sighed. "Thanks Guy." As he watched Guy walk away, he couldn't help but feel guilty for raining on Maria's parade. She had been so excited to finally get to Mysidia and now he was spoiling her trip before it even truly began.
"I've learned so much," Firion said quietly. "Guy and Maria have too. Minwu would be pleased I am sure."
"You fight for your friends?" one of the Islanders had asked Guy. "Is that all?"
"What else to fight for?" Guy asked him. "Maria and Firion mean everything to me. Since I have met them they been family. I have no family when younger. I live with animals, speak to animals. Firion and Maria and their family only humans who care about Guy. They care for Guy, Guy protect them."
The Islander nodded. "My name is Arvis," he told Guy. "I too believe in protecting friends. I think that you and I are going to get along just fine." He got up from his bench. Straightening his robes, he motioned for Guy to rise. "All that is expected of you here," he told him. "Is to be true to yourself. I know you can't cast magic and that is all right. Magic isn't everything. You needn't worry yourself too much if the others seem strange."
"People are people," Guy answered. "They only strange if you do not understand. Everyone normal in some way."
Arvis laughed at that. "I definitely think that I'm going to like you," he said. "We think alike. Coincidentally, I am very fond of animals. Can you really talk to them?"
"Guy can speak to any animal," Guy said, "especially beaver."
"That is a very unique ability," Arvis told him. "One that I do not doubt that you have." He and Guy were outside then, standing amidst the trees. Neither Arvis nor Guy talked for a few minutes. Then Arvis spoke up: "Rishi knew that you four would be different. He is well acquainted with the future. He expected you all to show up looking for the mask and here you all are!"
"Guy help while Guy here," Guy told him. "Arvis friend. Guy always help friend."
Guy had done exceptionally well for himself there. He willed away the hours aiding in the construction of furniture and the hunting. Arvis, old though he may have been, was never a very good White Mage. His proficiency had been with Black magic, and as he had lost his chance to practice it under a Master, he had never fully took to being a mage. Though neither of them said anything, Maria and Firion felt that he was like Guy in a way, he had come into his own too late and was having trouble adapting, just like Guy struggled with human speech.
Guy didn't have any more trouble fitting in than Firion did, thanks to Arvis. He was content with sticking to his friends and helping them out.
"We must get Mysidia mask," he had told Arvis, his brown eyes resolute. "Mysidia Rod cannot be taken without it."
Arvis nodded. "I know how you feel. We worry for the future here too."
Firion placed each of the masks carefully in place. Then stepping back, he waited. A moment later, the stone wall to his right opened up to reveal a pathway. Without waiting for the others to come, Firion took the path. It ended in a small room with a raised platform. Three cases were placed on the platform, two of them empty. The third held a small rod made entirely of crystal. Picking it up, Firion inspected it carefully before placing it in his pocket. The sound of approaching footsteps alerted him to the presence of others. A moment later, Maria, Guy and Leila appeared in the doorway.
"Do you have the Crystal Rod?" Maria asked him. At Firion's nod, she brightened. "Good. Then we can get Minwu and hopefully come back here afterwards for some rest and relaxation."
Her words made Firion laugh. "You would do anything to stay here, wouldn't you? Well unfortunately, we might not be able to return for quite a while."
At Maria's dejected look, he added: "I fully intend to come back here though. You and I shall come back here. Guy too, and Leila if she wants to."
"Maybe," Leila agreed. "I have to get some alone time from that bumbling crew of mine. I still can't believe they waited for me in Tropical Island for so long. We were gone at least three weeks!"
"Crew is loyal," Guy told her. "They no leave you."
"That is because they are too incompetent to do anything by themselves," Leila told him. "I hardly consider their unwavering devotion to be flattery."
"We have to go find Minwu," Firion said then, cutting short the conversation. "Let's go." The four of them made their way out of the dungeon. The path to the Crystal Rod had been in an open field to the far right of Mysidia. They made their way across the field in silence, doing their best to avoid any monsters that strayed in their path. Entering Mysidia again, the group stopped at an apothecary to gather as many healing items as they could possibly carry. The White Mage behind the counter was very friendly and helpful. Lending them tips on various supplies in healing and which work best, she was surprised that Firion was a White Mage himself.
"I've met my fair share of White Mages," she told him, "but you don't quite fit the bill."
Firion's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why is that?"
"Most White Mage tend to be female," the White Mage explained. "You are fairly young and normal looking, most are older and have more of an earthly feel to them." She smiled at him and Firion was astonished to see that she was quite pretty under her hood. He offered her a tentative smile that he was thrilled to see her return.
Maria looked bored. She was peering through the window, trying to catch a glimpse of the apothecary next door. Leila however was looking murderous.
You are not the run-of-the-mill White Mage, are you?" the White Mage asked Firion and he smiled at her once more before starting to reply.
"No, he is the run-of-the-mill idiot," Leila said cheerfully before Firion could speak up.
Firion ignored her. "Have a nice day," he told the White Mage, looking put out. After paying for their items, the party exited the apothecary and left Mysidia. Maria cast one last hopeful look over her shoulder at the apothecaries before leaving. Getting back into Leila's ship, they started off for the Mysidian Tower at long last.
Firion checked and rechecked his inventory, content with staying as far away from Leila as possible. She always had to embarrass him.
"You don't need heavy weapons or destructive magic to be useful in combat," Galuf had told him. "All you need is a decent amount of healing and restorative spells to keep yourself in good shape and back up your comrades. Some people don't think that kind of stuff matters. They think that becoming a White Mage is a waste of time and that White Magic is useless. Well, those people are idiots and we are better off not knowing them."
"White Magic is a necessary involvement to any battle plan and a White Mage is essential to any team at any given time," Elia added, smiling at Firion from her place across the room. "...and the number one priority of any White Mage is to heal their comrades. So learning how to cast Cure is always the first objective of a White Mage. Other restorative spells come later."
"Got all that?" Galuf asked Firion. "I'm not repeating myself and I doubt Elia wants to either.
"I've got it," Firion told him. He glanced over at Kluya, who was standing in the doorway, watching them. Kluya offered him a small nod of acceptance.
"If Strago were here he would go over status ailments," Galuf told him. "But he has training of his own today. I'll leave Elia to handle the rest."
"Right," Elia replied, nodding her head, "where shall I begin? How far are you with your healing? Can you cast a Full-Cure yet? No? Well then, let's get started." She stood up then. Brushing her hair resolutely out of her face, she made her way towards Firion. "Come," she told him. "Come and face me. We shall practice your magic." She then cast up her strongest Holy spell. Directing it towards herself, she was struck almost instantly. Flying backwards, her back narrowly avoided hitting the wall.
Firion gaped at her. Galuf and Kluya watched him carefully, both anticipating what he would do. Casting up his strongest Cure spell, Firion attempted to heal Elia.
Elia stirred. Getting to her feet, she began rubbing at her side. "Not bad," she told him. "Quite good. The effects of the Holy spell have not fully left, however, meaning that you have not casted a Full-Cure. I commend your efforts. Let's try this again."
"Alright," Firion replied. From his place by the wall, Kluya gave him another nod. Aria cast the Holy spell again. Firion winced as she flew backwards, her long hair whipping out past her as she made contact with the stone wall. He hurried to her side once more and cast his strongest healing spell.
"Better," Elia told him. She rubbed the back of her head a bit. Firion was quick to cast another Cure spell. Elia smiled at him. "You're getting the hang of it."
Not long after they had set sail a huge storm had started to brew. As they made their way towards the tower, the sky grew progressively more and more dark, unsettling everyone on board. Every few minutes, they found their eyes traveling upwards, watching for any sign of rain or lightening.
The wind had picked up, first lightly, then much more heavily. The ship rocked backwards and forwards as the waves around them began to churn unpleasantly.
"These waves are awful!" Maria exclaimed, looking nervous. "Leila, do you think that your ship can get through in one piece?"
"Let's hope so!" Leila declared. "I certainly haven't the time nor the resources to rebuild, that's for sure." Several of her crew looked tantalized by her words. She ignored them, her grip on the wheel steady and her eyes firm.
"We just have to take it easy," Firion said. "So go easy Leila." He was still angry with her from before, but getting through the storm was more important.
"Yeah, yeah," Leila muttered, turning the wheel. "Keep calm and we should get trough this intact."
"Should being the key word," Maria muttered, as the boat rocked once more.
"Hey, what did I just say?" A horrible thud sounded just then, ending the conversation. Several members of the crew yelled in fright.
"What the hell?" Leila cried as the thud occurred again. A few more thuds answered her cries. Firion glanced around warily.
"Maria get away from the edge," he told her. "I have a bad feeling about this."
Before Maria could answer, Firion felt the most curious sensation inside of him. It was as though he were being pulled towards the edge of the ship. Fighting to keep the feeling from dominating him, he called out to Maria once more to stay clear the edge. It was beginning to get hard to hear between the sharp thudding against the side of the ship, the hyperventilating of the crew and Leila's vehement cursing as she struggled to keep the ship afloat and guide it back to shore.
"Firion what is happening?" Maria cried, looking terrified.
Firion didn't answer. It was taking all of his effort not to go flying over the edge of the ship and into the water below. Losing the battle at long last, he fell forwards, knocking into Maria in the process. Guy made a grab for both of them just as another sharp thud occurred, knocking all three off the boat.
Firion could not remember much else. After hitting the water, everything went hazy.
"Okay," Strago spoke up cheerfully, clasping his tiny hands together. "Let's go over this once more. I've been attacked by a Marlboro. What do you do?"
"Leave the situation as is and hope it finishes you off," Galuf spoke up. Aria glared at him. Strago ignored him completely. He stared at Firion, awaiting his response.
"I cure you of course," Firion told him.
"Yes, but how?"
"I use Esuna."
"Exactly!" Strago beamed. "Let us practice, shall we?"
From their places to the side, Aria and Elia exchanged nervous looks. Galuf merely snorted. "You'll do more damage to yourself than a Marlboro could ever do to you, Strago."
"Too true, Galuf, too true," Strago replied. "This is for Firion's training though. He must learn how to fully cast Esuna." Then taking a deep breath, he pulled a bottle out of his pocket. The label read, Marlboro Powder.
"Wait! What if I can't cure you?" Firion asked him.
Strago laughed. "We're in a room full of White Mage's, that shouldn't be a problem. If you can't, I'm sure someone else will." From his spot by the wall, Galuf muttered: "I wouldn't bet on that."
"Well, if you say so." Firion took a deep breath. While waiting for Strago to dump the powder, he began concentrating on the spell, ready to cast it at a moment's notice.
Strago opened the bottle. As soon as Firion saw him pour the tonic on himself, he cast up his strongest Esuna. The spell hit Strago, curing his of his recently acquired status ailments.
"So how was that?" Firion asked him. "Did you think I did a good job?"
Strago didn't answer. For a second he opened his mouth as though he would respond, but no words came out. Closing his mouth, he merely shook his head.
"You weren't able to rid him of his silence status," Elia told him gently. "Try again."
Galuf looked thrilled. "I say Firion leaves him that way. He's much more bearable if he can't speak."
Aria glared at him again. "Must you always be so rude?"
Firion ignored them both. Casting Esuna again, he directed it towards Strago. A moment later, Strago was as good as new. Beaming at Firion, he said: "Not bad. We'll try again, this time with another test subject besides myself." He threw a disgruntled look at Galuf, who merely shrugged.
Elia stepped forward to volunteer but Strago shook his head. "Thank you Elia, but I had someone else in mind." Before anyone could question him further, he fished another bottle of Marlboro powder out of his pocket. He then proceeded to dump the contents of the battle on Galuf.
"Okay Firion," he said cheerfully, placing the empty bottle back in his pocket as Galuf made his way blindly towards his, his shrunken fingers outstretched. "Let's try this again. Don't worry if you make any mistakes. The powder WILL wear off eventually."
Aria rolled her eyes at him.
Firion was sore all over. He woke up to the worst headache he had ever felt in his life. Struggling to get to his feet, he waited for his eyes to adjust to the lack of light. The place was very dark, but he could make out a tunnel far ahead. If he headed that way then maybe he would be able to find out where he was and make his way out.
"Maria," Firion muttered, clutching at his head. "Guy." He started towards the tunnel, still calling their names. "It's no use," he mumbled a few minutes later, falling to his knees. "I can't walk in this condition. Cure!" At once Firion's headache started to fade. Getting to his feet again, he started forward, only to find that he wasn't alone. There was a man blocking his path, and it wasn't Guy.
Firion stared at him blankly. "Erm..." The man didn't say anything. Decked out in a dark suit of full armor and carrying a spear, he most likely would have been imposing to anyone else, but Firion was so disoriented that he couldn't bring himself to worry.
"You are the first person I've seen for awhile," the man told him. "I had almost forgotten that the outside world existed."
"I'm Firion." Firion didn't know what else to say and introducing himself seemed like the best place.
"My name is Ricard," the man answered. "Ricard Highwind."
"Oh," Firion's head was beginning to hurt again. "Are you a dragoon or something?" he asked, eying the spear.
"As a matter of fact, I am." Ricard replied. "The very last dragoon, after what happened to Deist," he added somewhat bitterly.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Firion replied. "Listen, you said that I'm the first person you've seen in awhile?"
"It is true, I have not seen many people lately," Ricard told him. "None at all for the longest time."
"Damn." Firion's headache was definitely getting worse. "Just where the hell are Maria and Guy?"
"Excuse me, are you telling me that there are more of you down here?"
"I don't know," Firion told him. "I have no idea what happened to them. We were on our way to the Mysidian Tower and..."
"You all got forcibly dragged down here thanks to your Crystal Rod," Ricard finished for him. "The same thing happened to me. It appears that there is some magic lingering here that is attracted to the properties that make up the rod. It serves to drag anyone who gets close to the tower with the rod underneath the water and brings them here."
"Where is here, exactly?" Firion asked, glancing around.
"We are located in the deceased body of the legendary sea serpent Leviathan," Ricard answered.
Firion stared at him blankly. "You're joking right?"
"I'm afraid not," Ricard told him seriously. "I have been trying to find my way out for the longest time. I stay alive by eating the innards of Leviathan."
At Firion's look of disgust, Ricard shook his head, looking a bit grim. "It may be unsanitary but there in no other way to stay alive. I've tried to escape through the beasts mouth but there is a creature lurking there that lashes out at me every time I attempt it. I regret to say this but I cannot defeat it on my own. Come." The two started off down the path Ricard had come from; Firion was gazing around in disquiet. Leviathan's insides were a crude purple color with red and blue vein-like patches here and there. He stepped over a clump of some red gooey substance. It wiggled a bit as he passed it. Trying very hard not to be sick, he averted his eyes from his strange surroundings.
"How long have you been down here?" Firion asked Ricard.
"About three months," was Ricard's curt reply. Firion felt his stomach churn unpleasantly. There was no way in hell he was going to stay in Leviathan's stomach for three months.
End of Chapter
I will elaborate more on the Tropical Island training next chapter. The training they did there was to give the group some more experience. The story that Rishi told them was necessary for the plot, as you will see later. Thanks for reading!