Final Fantasy XII OC Story

Chapter 11

Upon entering the Giza plains, I could see that it would definitely take us quite some time to pass this area. It was downed with water and the fiends we encountered wouldn't go down so easily. It was only when we entered the Ozmone plain that we could take a rest from hours of running and fighting. After a few minutes we decided we had rested enough and continued our way towards the Garif village, Jahara. The Ozmone plain wasn't such a difficult area to pass, the problem was the fact that we had no idea where to look until we found a faded sign pointing us the right way. Once we arrived in Jahara, a Garif Guard stopped us from entering the village. "Who are you? This is Garif land. No place for Hume Children to play at games." Just before I could speak up, a Garif behind us spoke up. "They are wayfarers. They bring no harm. I saw them cross the Ozmone plain. They are warriors of great distinction. The fiends of the plains troubled them not at all."

"You ventured upon the plains alone, War-chief? Again?" The War-chief was silent at that, but eyed Vaan and me and asked us a simple question. "What business have you with the Garif?" Vaan looked at me and I nodded, urging him to speak up. "We wish to find out more about the Magicite, we bring you no harm."

"Then, you may pass. These days we see many Humes, wandering through our lands." The guard told us. We silently walked on over the bridge until the War-chief stopped and spoke to us again. "Ah, I have not made introductions, I am Supinelu, War-chief of this village. We Garif have been friends to all since long ago, however, lately the Hume world is in much turmoil. We must protect our village, and our people. As War-Chief and protector of our village, I ask you: Why have you come to this land?"

"We wish to find out more about the Magicite."

"Hmm.. I see. So you too have come to ask about the Nethicite. You must speak with the elders. Though our masks may make it difficult for you to tell us apart, we walk through the village. Look with your eyes, listen with your ears."

As the War-chief walked away, the group scattered around the village, each asking a different Garif to find out more about the Magicite lore they each knew. I didn't really find any Garif able to talk to me, as most of the were either busy or uninterested. So I decided to wonder the village for a while and explore. After walking around for a little while I found a large bridge with on the other side of it some kind of Garif shrine. Upon entering it I couldn't believe who I saw. "Larsa?" As Larsa turned to me, I could see his face lit up as he spoke. "How have you been, Stella?"

"I don't quite know how to answer that, things have been a little hectic ever since our last meeting." I took a seat next to Larsa as I spoke to him about the things we had been through to find the Dawn shard, and our journey to meet the Garif people. Larsa surely picked out a better way to come here, he simply let one of the Imperil ships drop him off, saying he had something in Jahara he wanted to study. After a moment of silence I decided to ask Larsa about his encounter with Vayne after the Leviathan. "Well, He got quite angry when he found out that you were the one that had helped the Lady Ashe escape. What made it even worse was the fact that you went after them instead of going back with me."

"I see.." Larsa put his left hand on my right and tried to comfort me as he spoke. "I don't think he was as angry as he was disappointed. He never really was quite the same after my brothers deaths and your leave all those years ago.."

"I'm sorry, I know you wouldn't lie to me but he just doesn't seem like that at all. I know he was happy to see me again, for reasons unknown, but I just couldn't share the same joy. I don't understand anything at all these days.. It's confusing not to know what seems so obvious to the rest of you." Larsa sighed and released my hand as he stood up. "I know how you feel.."

After sitting at the shrine talking to Larsa for a few hours, the others came in as well. They didn't seem to notice us at first, since they went straight to one of the elder Garif sitting here as well. As Ashe handed the stone to the elder, he began examining it closely. "This Nethicite- you have used it."

"It was not I who used it. Indeed I had hoped you could show me how, thus I've come."

"Hmm.. You do not know the workings of the stone.. Then we are no different."

"What?"

"In ages past, the Gods made a gift of Nethicite to my people. But the manner of its use eluded us. Displeased by our failure, the gods took back their stones. They chose instead to give them to a Hume king. Called the Dynast-king, he used the Nethicite's power to bring peace to a troubled time. It is a curious thing.. Though the blood of King Raithwall flows through your veins, you cannot wield Nethicite."

"Cannot wield it? So then, am I to understand you can't tell me how to use the stone?"

"Though it shame me so to admit. Here before me stands a descendant of the Dynast-king himself, and I can accord her no help at all. Still, even if you knew how to use the Nethicite, you would find it of small avail. The Mist collected in the stone over ages past is lost, and with it the stone's power. It will be your posterity who wield the stone in ages yet to come. This stone is devoid of power. Empty, yet full of thirst. A terrible longing to drink the world dry. The power of men and of magic. Of good, and of evil. It is often those who desire Nethicite whom the Nethicite itself desires." During the Elders speech Larsa decided we should move to our friends, and make clear that he was here.

After explaining why he was here and what he planned to do, Ashe had some questions for him. "To Bur-Omisace?"

"I say we ought leave tomorrow. I was going to wait for my escort, but meeting you here presents a great opportunity. This terrible war can be stopped, but I will need your help to do so."

"A war?"

"You know the Marquis Ondore leads a group of insurgents- your pardon, he leads a large Resistance force against the Empire. Lady Ashe, neither of our countries can afford this now. The Rozarian Empire would stir. They would aid the Resistance and use this aid as pretext to declare war on Archadia, and Archadia would have no choice but to answer. Lady Ashe, let us go to Bur-Omisace. With the blessing of his grace the Gran Kiltias Anastasis, you may rightly wear your crown and declare the restoration of the Kingdom of Dalmasca. As Queen, you can call for peace between the Empire and Dalmasca and stop Marquis Ondore."

"For peace? How dare you say that! The Empire attacked us, stole all we hold dear, and you would have me save them from war?"

"Dalmasca would be the battlefield! What if Nethicite were used on Rabanastre? You know my brother would do this! Forgive me, if I presumed overmuch.. I could think of no other way to avoid bloodshed. If you cannot trust me, then please, take me as your hostage.."

Staring at the sky always brought me hope when I had none. It gave me a sense of freedom that I never felt during my time in Ivalice. The troubles of the world seemed to fade away as I closed my eyes and leaned on the ropes of the bridge, until I felt something touch my shoulder. It was a feathery light touch, and as I turned around I understood why. Standing before me was Rasler. Why did he keep seeking me out? "Why are you here?" No response, of course.. he was a ghost at that. Rasler moved closer towards me and put a hand on my left cheek as his other hand went to my to hold my own. I could hardly feel his touch on my skin, and as I looked into his eyes I slowly saw him disappear again. I tried to grasp his hand as he walked backwards, but it went right through him..

"You saw him, didn't you?" I turned around to see Ashe speaking to me. I nodded as I began to talk to her. "At King Raithwall's tomb I could see him as well, when he gave you the Dawn shard.."

"So you did see him too.. But why?"

"I don't know. I hardly even know who he is at all, yet he keeps seeking me out for reasons I cannot fathom."

"The person you saw before you, is my late husband Lord Rasler of Nabradia. He died in the war against the Empire." Ashe went to stand next to me as she spoke, during her explanation about him, she kept eyeing the Dawn shard in her hands. "So.. if he knew they couldn't possibly win, then why did he go to war?"

"To protect something.."

"There's not much for you to protect when you're dead, now is there? It just doesn't make sense to me. Hating the Empire so yet seeking revenge yourself." Ashe listened carefully to my words as she stared at the river below us. "Do you want to know my reason for joining your battle? I've been running away from my past. Ever since I woke up in the sewers of Rabanastre a few months ago, I didn't know anything besides my name. It's hard not to know anything, yet the only person who did know was the one I could never trust.. How do you solve something like that?"

"I wish I knew."

The morning after our arrival to Jahara, Ashe decided to tell Larsa we would go to Bur-Omisace with him. Once we were all packed and ready to go, we met each other at the exit bridge towards the Osmone plain. "I shall accompany you to Mt Bur-Omisace."

"I had hoped you'd say yes. I am glad."

"My heart is not set, I still have questions. I hope to find answers along the way."

"I had other reason to invite you. There is someone I'd like you to meet waiting on Bur-Omisace."

"Who is that?"

"An enemy, and an ally as well. You will just have to wait and see for yourself." As he finished speaking he took my hand and made his way over to the Osmone plain. "After all you and I are enemy's as well, right?" Larsa and I burst out in laughter as we continued our walk on to goal with the others following closely behind us.