ANTITHESIS
Chapter 2: Subterranean Luminosity
"Look- we just need to get off this continent- this is dire. I'll pay you whatever I can. . ."
"It's not about the money, Miss Edea- We simply have no means of transportation at the moment. We would very greatly offer our assistance if we could. . ."
"No means. . .Well, then why is there a white-sailed schooner docked on the southern bank? Hmmmm…?"
"That vessel is not ours, miss Edea. . ."
"Not yours? For Hyne's sakes- then whose is it? Some other shumi existing in this commune? Direct me to. . .him/her/it. I need to use that boat."
"I'm sorry." The shumi greeter motioned sympathetically with his enlarged hands. " I don't know whose ship that is. Perhaps the draw point guardians could enlighten you."
"I. . .fine. Thank you anyway- I'm sorry for snapping. C'mon Xuey. . ."
Edea grabbed the four-year old's hand and trotted her over to the pair of robust Shumi who guarded a swirling mass of color and light that could only be a legendary draw point. The young Galbadian woman had never actually seen one and the sight left her awed and breathless. The power of the dense, magical field jetted through the air like a host of multi-colored fireflies. Something about the magic enticed her profoundly.
"Matron. . .what is that?" Xu asked, trying to catch the floating bulbs of light in her little hands.
"Magic." Edea answered, utterly enthralled. She reached out to touch the manifested energy. It glittered and fizzled and dissolved into the air.
"Can I have some?" Xu whispered, jumping up and down. Her matron smiled and bit her lip.
"You are some, Xuey." Edea chuckled at the little girl's pout. "Let's go talk to those big shumi guys, okay? We'll find magic when we're safe. Besides- I think this kind of magic would burn a hole in your pockets . ."
Snaking her little hand back and stuffing it under her armpit, Xu followed Edea over to the Shumi Guardians.
"Excuse me? Would you happen to know who owns that white clipper docked on the southern bank?"
The Shumi glanced at her blankly.
"This place hold precious magic. Would you like to draw?"
Edea, a little befuddled, shook her head no.
"I. . .don't think I can use magic. Are you sure you don't know whose boat that is? This is very important. . ."
"Visit the Elder." The second guard offered with a slight smile before returning to his iron-cold demeanor. Edea sighed and wondered if the Shumi were this ambiguous by nature or if they were purposely sending her on a wild chocobo chase.
"Where is the elder?" Edea didn't even have to pose the question- Xu piped up and pulled on the gargantuan Shumi's robes.
"Elder is in the new subterranean level!" A little voice piped up from behind. Edea whirled around to meet an adorable, midget-sized Shumi with glittering doe-like eyes and a jovial smile.
"Why hello!" She uttered with a bit of a laugh. His enthusiasm was refreshing and comical. "Do you think you could repeat that?"
"Elder is underground in the mine-dwelling. Here- follow me! Artisan will show you where to go." Assuming that the Shumi was referring to himself, Edea gathered Xu in her arms and followed the little creature to the back of the settlement. His –was it a he? Were they all 'he's'? It?- robes fluttered around him as he bustled and scurried onto a rickety platform latched to a pulley. Edea took a step back.
"Is. . that what I think it is. . ."
"The elevator." He answered proudly. Noticing her wariness, he continued. "Do not be alarmed- It is very dependable. We have been using to get to the mines and back up for many years. Come- stand with Artisan. . ."
Edea hesitated and glanced around at her surroundings for a safe area to stash her child- just in case. But there was nothing, so Edea held onto the little girl with a death grip as they boarded the elevator plank. 'Artisan' smiled then hollered down the mine shaft.
"Please- hold on tight, ladies." He announced cheerily, taking hold of a suspending rope. The humans followed his lead just in the nick of time, as they suddenly began to plummet.
Edea screamed, Xu giggled and the Shumi checked his watch and whistled.
The makeshift elevator jerked to a sudden stop a quarter of an inch above the stone floor.
"Mother of all Hyne." Edea panted and clutched at her throbbing chest. Walking on shaky legs, she stumbled off the plank and grabbed at the wall. Xu jumped off the elevator and skipped to her Matron's side.
"Wasn't that soooo fun?" The little girl squealed and threw her hands in the air. Edea could only muster up a fake grin and a slight nod of her head.
'When did I become an old, cowardly woman?' She thought, pushing herself away from the wall. Artisan stood beside her.
"I understand your concerns- mothers must fear because children believe they are invincible. That's why children always suffer. . ."
Edea stared hard at the wise little Shumi, and followed him, wordlessly, into the light.
"Matron, oh matron- look! It's sunny down here!"
"You're right, Xuey- it is." Edea replied, perplexed. "How is that possible?" She asked, turning to her companion.
"It is our ore that gives off this pretense." He replied patiently. "We mine elemental stones that enable us to sustain a perfect semblance of surface life below the earth. We are just finishing up moving our society below."
"Why are you hiding down here?" Xu asked curiously. Edea knew she should've scolded her for her rudeness, but she refused to squelch Xu's desire for knowledge. There was no reason to punish the little girl for her gifts. Besides, Artisan didn't seem offended.
"We are hiding because of the sorceress, little one." He explained calmly. "She knows that we hold many natural treasures, and soon she will come to take them and hurt us. So we are moving everyone down here now. Though. . ."His tone became wistful. "I will miss the crisp air and seascape. I do not believe that I will be able to stay here all the time. Perhaps I will travel. . ."
"Well-" Xu announced emphatically. "WE are traveling right now- would you like to come with us? We're going to Galbadia."
"Not unless we meet the Elder." Edea reminded them.
"Oh yes, of course! Follow me." Artisan motioned ahead and the ladies followed him.
The shumi village was reminiscent of the old, prairie parishes Edea had visited in her youth. In fact- the Shumi style was very similar to the little town of Winhill that she had visited one summer. The cobblestone sidewalk, the prattling stream, the thatched roofs were all echoes of a nearly-forgotten childhood
"Come come- Elder's house is just up ahead. . ."
Xu and her matron followed Artisan to the largest hut on the boulevard. Outside the building, a few moombas frolicked in the long grass. Edea groaned as Xu's eyes widened with intense joy and delight.
"What are they?" She breathed. Her little pink mouth formed a perfect 'o'. Artisan chuckled.
"They are our relatives- moombas. Some Shumi become moombas, and some become elders."
"Really? Can I become a moom-ba?" She clapped her hands together in joy. Edea chuckled.
"Sweetheart- only shumi can become moombas. Humans just stay humans. . ."
Xu pouted, while Artisan threw Edea a curious look.
"The child is human?"
Edea's breath caught in her chest.
". . .Yes. She is."
Xu interrupted the exchange.
"Well- can I at least visit with them? They are so beautiful. . ."
"I'm sure you can say hello." Edea answered quickly, skirting the previous subject. "Say- why don't you stay here with the moombas, while I visit with the Elder. Does that sound good?"
"Sure." Xu nodded and ran toward the moombas, who ceased frolicking and greeted her with inquisitiveness.
"Shall we?" Artisan offered. Edea nodded firmly.
They entered.
"Hyne- this is not going to work! Our sources say that she'll be here within the week. She knows about the ultima draw and the element stones. You have to get the rest of your people down here and you have to put a barrier on the shaft. It's the only way. . ." The rich alto tone of a human female voice greeted their arrival.
'Other humans?' Edea pondered, and tried to see the parties involved. The dip in the wall sheltered them from her view and Artisan blocked her way.
"The rest of our tribe will not be back for six days- we cannot seal ourselves away without them." Responding to the woman's strong opinion was an obviously well-educated Shumi voice.
"So you'll let your whole tribe die just to include a few stragglers who would probably be wise enough to steer clear of the place if they saw an Estharian airship parked at your door? The barrier needn't be permanent- you need to figure out a way to seal it securely enough to prevent Adel from realizing this place exists, while making it provisional." The female voice exclaimed ardently.
"And without spells. She'd sense that right away." The comment came from a third voice- a very young male voice, from what Edea could judge. ". . .She is a sorceress, you know. . ."
"Well then- how must we go about this?" The Shumi responded simply. "I suppose if we leave markers and signs out in the hills for our brethren to find, we might be able to direct them to the caves in the mountains- They would be secure there for a week or so, and we could send out some scouts with supplies. But this provisional/indestructible seal you speak of- it sound farfetched. . ."
"Actually, I think I have a solution to that problem, sir. . ." The woman announced. "I will need you to promise a fully-encompassing alliance with our brotherhood, though. . ."
"The Shumi and the Hyenites have always shared a common goal and an uncommon bond. Please. . ."
"You know we would never desert you. . ." She murmured with genuine affection and trust. "I just needed to hear it from your lips, Elder. Now. . .here is what we'll do. . ."
"Hey- I have a plan too!" The young male voice piped up. It was greeted with a sigh and a chuckle.
"I'm sure you do. . ."The female voice purred, leaking superiority. "Say- why don't you go explain your plan to the moombas outside. They've evolved, so they might actually understand it. You should probably let us to our mediocre efforts and delusions of usefulness. . ."
"All right, all right. I get your point, Vesper. You don't have to be bitchy and sarcastic. But I do have a plan, you know!. . ."
"Get out. . ." The woman, 'Vesper', barked. Edea was sure she heard the young man jump in the air. He quickly rounded the corner and stopped dead in his tracks. Hazel eyes wide as saucers, he bit his lip and stepped back a pace. Running a hand through his thick, chestnut hair he laughed and shrugged. He was even younger than Edea expected- he looked and sounded about eighteen, but she somehow knew that he was probably closer to fifteen. Perhaps it was his obnoxious grin. Or maybe it was the way he blushed when he glanced at the minimal amount of cleavage she had showing. In any case, the young man was hardly a man.
"E. . .excuse me." He nodded politely and made his way around Edea and Artisan to exit the hut. Artisan took the opportunity to cough and step forward.
"Elder, sir- There is a young lady here to see you. Artisan has brought her and her child to see Elder."
"Humans, Artisan?" The woman spoke. Artisan nodded.
"Yes, Lady-Seneschal. Just like you. . ."
"Well- Artisan. We will only be a moment." The Shumi Elder replied. "Perhaps you and our guests could wait outside until I am finished with Seneschal Trepe."
"As you wish, Elder." Artisan bobbed his head up and down and escorted Edea out-of-doors.
Xu sat curled up with a moomba, basking in the bright warm that radiated from the sun stones. The red fur was soft and ticklish and made her sneeze.
"You're the best friend I've ever had. . ."She whispered. The moomba squeaked and licked her cheek. Xu giggled and licked him back.
"Hmmm. . .didn't your mother ever tell you not to lick a moomba?"
Xu glanced up to see a VERY OLD boy standing above her. She pouted.
"No- and I'm sure my matron would say that it was fine. . ." She sniffed and went to lick the moomba's nose again, but hesitated. "W. . why shouldn't I lick a moom-ba?"
"I dunno. . .It's probably like licking a dog, with all that fur 'n stuff. It's probably got diseases or something." He shrugged. Her eyes bugged out. The moomba, looking very indignant, scurried away.
"You just scared away my friend!" Xu announced angrily. Rolling his eyes, he threw up his arm.
"Friend? You can't even talk to it. C'mere- what's your name?"
"Xu." She pouted.
"Do you have a last name?"
". . .not anymore." She grunted and sat on the grass. Taking a seat in front of her, the teenage boy crossed his legs under him and propped his chin up with his fist.
"Me neither."
"What's YOUR name?" Xu asked, picking at the grass.
". . .stupid squire."
"Stoopid? Your first name is stoooopid and your last name is squire?" She asked with innocent awe. Shaking his head, he laughed and waved his hands.
"No- that's just what they call me. My name is Martine. Only one name too."
"Isn't that a girls name?" She asked suspiciously. "I had a dolly named Martine, and I don't think she was named after you. . ."
"Well, it may be a girl's name, but I ain't no girl. . ." He huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. Behind them, the sound of a door opening and shutting caught their attention.
"Matron matron!" Xu cried out and ran over to her mother.
"Xuey, what's wrong?" Edea asked, casting a circumspect eye on the dark haired boy.
"Nothing. This is my friend Martine. He has a girls name, but he's not a girl. . ."
Standing, Martine held out his hand in greeting.
"How do you do, Miss. . ."
She took his strong hand. "Edea. It's a pleasure."
"Nu uh- the pleasure is all mine miss Edea." He grinned impishly. She felt a blush creep over her cheeks and suddenly felt very foolish for mistrusting the boy. And even more foolish for blushing. He ruffled Xu's hair and hooked his thumb in his belt.
"Matron- do moombas have 'diseases'?" Xu asked innocently. Artisan sputtered and put his hands to his cheeks.
"Diseases? Diseases?!? Why, moombas are proud and beautiful creatures! Why would they be carrying diseases?"
"But Martine said. . ."
"Heh heh- I didn't say nothin'. . ."Martine chuckled and ruffled her hair more furiously. Edea raised an eyebrow.
"Are you teaching my daughter bad things, Martine?" She asked. He responded with a vehement shake of his head.
"No miss Edea- It's just that, when I first saw her, she was licking the moombas and I didn't think you'd like that much. . ."
"And what is so wrong with. . ." Artisan's fierce reply was interrupted when the Elder's front door opened.
"Thank you, eminence, for both your and your order's support in this matter."
"Elder, we all want and need the same thing. It's the least we can do. I'll leave these instructions with you, and you have my PHS if you need to reach us." The woman stepped out into the light and there was an instant change of aura. Edea suddenly felt very small and very ugly.
Standing at least a head above normal, the lady's strength and goodness were almost tangible. Though young, she was a woman as opposed to a girl- obviously mature and independent. She had hair like molten gold- it flowed in shining waves over her shoulders and down her back. Oceanic eyes complimented a peaches and cream complexion and was juxtaposed with luscious pink lips. She was lithe, yet voluptuous and was arrayed in white, floor length silk robes sporting gold and red crosses. As the hem of the robes fluttered, Edea caught the glitter of metal, and at the woman's hip rested a gunblade in it's scabbard. The strap across her breast indicated the presence of another sword on her back, and it's hilt peeked out from behind her halo-like mane.
Edea looked at her feet.
"Thank you for your assistance, Seneschal. Please, send Cid and the rest of your order my regards."
"Of course, Elder. May Hyne bless this endeavor and protect your tribe in this time of plight and fear." Grabbing the hilt of her gunblade with her left hand, she touched the red cross at her breast with her right. The Shumi bowed gracefully and put his large hands together. Artisan followed suit. . .as did little Xu, albeit awkwardly. The Seneschal glanced down at the little girl and smiled.
"Well. . .I didn't realize that Shumi evolved into precocious little girls." She grinned. The elder chuckled. Edea blushed.
"Actually- she was wondering earlier if she could become a moomba." Edea spoke softly, overwhelmed by the greatness of this lady. A rich alto laugh ripped through the Seneschal's body.
"Perhaps she has the right idea. Sometimes I wish I were a moomba as well. . .they're so. . .joyous. . ."She ended thoughtfully. "Just like little girls.. . .Both cases are far more progressed than the rest of us. . ." Turning to Martine, she shook her head. "Martine, you silly dunce- you're standing in Elder's garden. Come on. . . Stupid squires. . ."
"I told you they call me that." Martine whispered to Xu as he gingerly stepped out of the plot.
"Don't forget silly dunce." Xu piped up Growling, Martine made his way over to his companion.
"Hyne's speed." Elder whispered as they left for the surface-bound elevator.
He then focused his undivided attention on the Edea and Xu.
"Now- what can I do for you, miss. . ."
"miss Edea and miss Xu, Elder." Artisan announced cheerfully.
"Miss Edea. . ." He nodded to Edea and patted Xu on the head. "And miss Xu. What can Elder do for you?"
"We're going to Galbadia- can I take a moom-ba with me?" Xu asked. Edea laughed and shook her head.
"No, no. . .I'm sorry Elder. She means no disrespect to your. . .um. .. tribe. . ."
"It's quite alright miss Edea, please continue. . ."
"We, were actually just wondering if you had any means of helping us to get off this continent. We. . .have been journeying for days and, after crossing the frozen straight by snowmachine, we entered your village in hopes that someone could help us. We are. . .in danger. . .great danger." She added for an extra dramatic kick. But the Shumi shook his head.
"Alas, miss Edea- we have only one ship and it is currently in Fisherman's Horizon. Because of Sorceress Adel's impending strike on our tribe, it will not be returning for several months. I. . am very sorry. On solution I can offer is that you and your child may remain with us until the attacks have subsided. The Hyenites and the Shumi have devised a plan to protect this village from the Empress. But, Elder can offer no help to you if you wish to leave Trabia."
"But there is a ship on the south bank." Edea pleaded desperately. "Surely, you know who owns that vessel!"
"Why, that is the Hyenite Seneschal's ship." Elder exclaimed.
"Th. . ."
"The lady
and gentleman who just left us. But they are on their way to Centra, and
I doubt miss Edea and miss Xu would want to go. . ."
"Are they leaving now or stopping?" Edea interrupted.
"I am sure that they will be departing shortly."
Edea thought about it for a moment, then grabbed her daughter's tiny hand.
"Thank you Elder, Artisan. Good luck with your. .. war. Take care. May Hyne. . .protect and. . .such. . ."
Dragging her daughter along behind her, Edea ran to meet up with the 'Hyenite Seneschal'.
However, she was confronted with the 'elevator' beforehand.
"Hyne dammit- how does this thing work?" She cursed, searching through the sea of pulleys and levers. Xu watched patiently as her Matron made a spectacle of herself.
"Matron. .." Xu spoke. Edea continued to frantically search through the mechanical mess. "Matron. . ."
"Xuey- sweetie- I'm a little busy right now. . ." She continued to sift through the clutter.
"But Matron. . ."
"Not now, Xu. . ."
With a sigh, Xu pushed her Matron onto the platform. Taking a spot beside her, Xu grabbed a hold of the frantic woman's leg with one arm, took up a firm grasp on the extension ropes with her other, then kicked the switch located at the front of the lift.
They shot up like a shumi bat out of shumi hell.
Edea shrieked, Xu squealed.
They came to a jarring stop.
"Yay!" Xu giggled and hopped off. Edea wished for death and sank to the ground.
She definitely was becoming an old woman.
"C'mon Matron! They're getting away!" Xu cried out and ran towards the duo who were engaged in a conversation with the burly Shumi guards. Regaining her composure and posture, Edea jogged down the path to join her daughter at Martine's side.
"Hey- where's the "moom-bas"?" Martine asked. "I figured you were gonna slip one in your snowsuit or somethin'. . ."
"Matron said no." Xu huffed. The young man grinned and shrugged.
"Ah well, what can you. . .Hey hey hey!" He abandoned Xu for his partner, who was currently approaching the beauteous draw point. "Vesper, Hyne- we don't have the money for. . ."
"Shush, Martine. Elder gave us the draw for free."
Edea watched in awe as the noblewoman placed her hands inside the pulsating light. Suddenly, the energy swirls pulsated and blasted into her body. Vesper's form shuddered for a moment, glowing a delicate purple, then returned to normal.
"Wow." Xu whispered. Edea could only nod her head. Purring, the Seneschal returned to Martine's side.
"Magic rush makes up for all those stupid vows I made as a rash teenager." She grinned. "No drug or spirit or sexual atrocity in the world can match the high I get from junctioning ultima." Laughing, she cuffed Martine in the back of the head.
"Can I have some?" He asked.
"You have no guardian- how will you junction?" She asked simply. "I could cast it on you, but I'm sure you wouldn't really appreciate that. Now. .." her tone turned serious. "I need you to do that thing Cid does to make me mad and limit, okay?"
"Why do you need to limit?" He asked. Xu and Edea just watched in confusion and wonderment.
"I'm going to cast Mighty Guard on the draw point, so Adel can't use the Ultima spell." She replied simply. Martine cocked his head.
"Will that work?"
"Yes. Now do it." She ordered.
Shrugging, Martine walked over to his superior and grabbed a hold of her breasts.
"Eeps!" Edea covered her daughter's eyes.
Knocking the boy back, Seneschal Trepe began to glow purple and blue. Blue electricity began to crackle around her and shoot from her form. She held out her hands.
"Mighty Guard."
The force of the spell knocked Edea, Xu and Martine onto their backs. There was a pulsating luminosity, then the scene returned to normal. Xu sat up.
"Matron, what happened?" She asked.
"I'm . . .not really sure, Xuey." Edea replied. Martine brushed the gray clay off his trousers and swore.
"It's a good thing I get to touch her breasts, 'cause the stuff I put up with. . .sheesh. ."
"Are you quite finished?" The Seneschal asked mildly. She appeared normal and unfazed.
"Yeah, yeah yeah- Hyne, I'm glad I'm not your squire. . ."
"As if Cid's any better. . ." She chuckled for a moment, then abruptly halted. She looked from Xu to Edea-she'd finally noticed the company. Biting her lip, she turned and faced the young mother. She met Edea's eyes. Staring for a moment, she nodded.
"You need to leave Trabia, don't you?"
"Y. . yes." Edea gulped. "H. . .how?"
"I see it in your eyes- you look hunted. I won't ask about your pursuer, for I'm sure we'll find that out on the way. We're going to Centra, though- and, in this instance I cannot drastically alter my plans. . ."
"That's alright." Edea cut in. "There's a place there we can go- my family owns some property on the coast. There's an old lighthouse. . .do you know that place?"
"Of course," The older woman replied. "That is no problem."
"But Matron- I thought we were going to Galbadia. . ." Xu pouted. Edea put a finger to her daughter's lips.
"And. . did you say you had a PHS?" Edea asked.
"Not on me- but I can send out a message for you when we get to the mainland."
"Alright, thank you." A great weight was lifted off the mother's shoulders. She extended her hand to the woman. The Seneschal took Edea's hand and shook it. A wave of trust and peace washed over Edea. She hadn't felt this peace since she'd left Galbadia almost four years ago.
"I was once Mrs. Antonyas Lynyyd- but now, I am only Edea."
It should've been a risky move, but it wasn't. Martine let out an uncomfortable whistle, but the Seneschal never took her eyes from Edea's.
"I am Seneschal Vesper Trepe, and I vow that I will get you safely to the Centran shore, Edea. By Hyne, we will save you from your terrible place."
The Great White Frigate set sail into the night, and, upon it, Edea and Xu slept as soundly as only the free can afford.
ANTITHESIS