She's gone. I wake up... and she's gone. Along with all of my stuff. No
gil, no swords, no robes, no clothes. Nothing. I have to start again from
square one.
The worst part, though, is that I have to buy more clothes, at least. This isn't usually a problem, but being naked and having to buy clothes is quite tricky, especially when you don't have any money. And then there's the problem of paying the bill. The destruction of the tavern didn't come cheaply. If I had a tumor, I'd name it Marla.
So, like any self-respecting naked man with an incredible collection of powers, I do the only sensible thing. I run away, quickly and quietly. This is made amazingly easy with the use of my new teleportation powers. Unfortunately my lack of experience with it keeps me from going far, but then again I don't really need to go that far.
At first I only manage to go a few feet, but after a bit of practice it gets easier and easier. Soon I get myself down to the alley below my window. It's almost dark out, dark enough that I can hide in the building's shadows, but still light enough for me to see into the street.
I sneak farther down the alley and peer around the corner. I can hear footsteps but don't see anyone approaching. I pull back and lean against the brick wall of the Golden Goose, closing my eyes and sighing in defeat. I open my eyes to start sneaking off when...
"AGH!!"
"Oh, sorry to frighten you, but I wasn't sure if you were alive or not," a rather portly knight whose huge face lay inches in front of mine tells me. "This may be Dorter, but a naked man leaning against a wall is still an odd sight."
"Oh, sorry about that," I say," I guess I'll just be moving along then-"
I start to walk off when he stops me.
"Wait, why are you naked? After all, as a Knight of Dorter it is my job to keep these streets safe, and you have to admit a naked man just walking down the street is pretty suspicious." The little cogs in my brain start to turn, searching in vain for an excuse.
"Heh Heh, well, about that, you see..."
"Wait, let me guess, you were at the inn, sharing a room with a girl, and now she's made off with all your stuff?"
"YES!" I shout in surprise. "Yes, that's exactly what happened!"
"Uh huh, yeah, I hear that all the time." He pulls out his sword and motions for me to follow him. "C'mon, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you in." I look down dejectedly and start to follow his commands.
Damn, I think to myself, that's the last thing I need right now is to get arrested. Wait why am I listening to what he's telling me to do? I can take him in one hot minute.
"Sorry about this," I say, turning around and simultaneously grabbing his forehead. I feel his memories enter me through my palm, but, predictably, there is nothing new I can learn from him. I push him back towards the alley, but I must've underestimated my strength, because he goes flying back, breaking some of the bricks where I had just leaned.
Whoops, I think, going to have to be more careful. I turn around and take a few steps toward the edge of town when I remember that I'm still naked. Stopping and taking a quick look around to ensure no one saw the events that had taken place, I quickly run back to the knight and start to take his clothes and armor. As I do so I rip off any sort of insignias I can find, trying to ensure my ability to blend in.
Now better equipped and a lot less noticeable, I head towards Zirekile Falls. Unfortunately, because of my current lack of money, I can't get my old chocobo from the inn. Time to get a new one.
I trudge along the trails, searching for the little monsters. I come to a familiar bridge when I hear the clack of boots behind me. I quickly run down the bank of the river and hide in the water, and not a moment too soon. Moments after I'm submerged to my eyes a troop of knights wearing the symbol of the Hokuten marches over the bridge. They look fresh from the academy. Behind them is another knight that appears to be much more experienced, probably the commander.
"Halt!" the commander shouts when they reach the far side of the bridge. "All right. Fan out ahead and look for them, they couldn't have gotten far." The troops spread along the trail ahead. The commander comes back towards the bridge and starts looking around. He picks up a few stones, throwing them behind him after a few seconds examination.
"As I suspected, no valuable evidence. We must be dealing with some real pros here. Still, how disappointing. By the way, were you planning on staying in there the whole day?" he say's turning towards my hiding spot. "I understand that the water this time of year is rather cold."
"Yeah, yeah it is," I say, water cascading off of my armor as I stand up in the shallow water. "My armor's probably going to rust now, too." I look down at my now wet person and shake my head.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about it," the knight says, going back to his inspection. "It's not like you bought them."
"How can you tell?" I asked with a smirk on my face.
"Well, not many people walk around in Dorter Knight's armor stripped of it's insignia. Still, you can get away with it," he says, turning back to me with a smile," not many people outside of the city care about local knights."
I trudge up the bank towards him, matching his smile with my own. "Janua Kukri, at your service, sir Hokuten," I say, introducing myself and extending a hand.
"Sir Varial Oxnard, Commander of the Tenth Squad of Hokuten. I won't ask how you came about that uniform, as it is none of my business, but I will have to ask what you do that would require such an acquisition."
"Well, you could say I'm a World Traveler, Adventurer, Explorer, and occasional mercenary. Really, I just do what I need to get by. My dress can be blamed on a lady who took advantage of my trust by deciding she fancied my things more than she fancied me."
"Yes, I've heard that story many times before, and I have learned that most of the time it's true. Based on that, may I assume that you are also at a lack of funds?"
"Indeed, you may. My lady friend did not decide to restrict herself merely to my clothes and armament."
"Well, then I have a job for you. You see, not too long ago, a small band of people came through here, including the brother of my captain, a Holy Knight, and her charge. We have been sent to retrieve them, though most of all the Holy Knight and her charge."
"VIP's, huh?"
"Yes, that's right. Now, since you seem to be such an experienced man I was wondering if you might help us in tracking them. You see, the last team caught up with them right around here, but they managed to escape and are currently heading in an unknown direction. We don't know what their motives are, either, so it's hard to say where they would go. All we do know is they didn't go back to Dorter. Other than that, they could have gone anywhere."
"Well," I say, having taken in all of this information, "my ability to help you all depends on your ability to help me."
"I can offer you 2000 gil for any clues to might have, and anything after that is certainly negotiable."
"Sounds good. Do you mind if I get a little more background first?"
"Of course, what do you need to know?"
"How about if we do this the fast way," I say, walking up to him, grinning at his confused expression. "This, as they say, is something I learned in the Orient." He gives me a confused look, but n moments I am looking through his mind for anything that might be useful. It's like picking through a flea market: most of the stuff is crap, but once in a while you find that one really nice gem, and Varial has quite a diamond in the rough. Though not extraordinarily surprised, I am happy to learn that not only is he a knight, but he's also a Holy Knight. I quickly copy all the skills he has, though I am a little upset that he can only offer a few of the skills. Still, it's better than nothing, and now I can go about mastering it myself. I also scan his mind for useful information, but finding none, I return to the real world.
I pull my hand back, and he stumbles backward a step, a shocked look on his face.
"Wow, that was certainly odd."
"You get used to it," I reply with a shrug.
Without warning, a death cry comes from the forest ahead.
"Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
I always hated that weird sound people make when they die here, flashes through my mind before more cries are heard.
"My men!" Varial cries before running further along the path.
How do I get myself into these things, I think to myself before following him.
As I enter a clearing I hear a bow twang, an arrow zip, and another cry of pain as a man's soul leaves his body.
"Bastards!" I hear to my right, and, turning, see Varial pushing a squire that he had run through off of his sword, his face turned toward the other attackers. He rushes towards them, shield first. A few more arrows twang from their bows, but this time hit only the steel of Varial's shield.
I turn back to the fallen squire and recognize the black lion of Goltana's Nanten and think to my self, I wonder if Goltana really does want to start a war. Well, at least he's proactive.
I pull out my sword and turn toward the fray surrounding Varial in time to see him raise his sword, calling forth a Stasis Sword, and stopping all the attacks from around him. Leaving the front line stopped, he runs to take care of the archers behind them. I pull out my sword and read my own holy attack when, out of the corner of my eye, I see a lance coming at me from the left.
I teleport just in time to dodge the attack and end up behind my assailant. I raise my sword and call down my own Stasis Sword. The holy power surrounds my enemy then shatters cutting through his armor in several places.
"Heh, I bet you think you've got me, don't you, Holy Knight?" he asks, coughing up a little blood, which he wipes away with his gauntlet.
"Yes, yes I do, but I'm not a Holy Knight."
"That's too bad," He says, straightening up, lowering the visor of his helmet, and raising his lance, "because I'm a Holy Lancer, and you don't stand a chance against me." I can hear his chuckle behind the polished steel of his visor, see his eyes flashing with glee, and almost feel his devious smirk. He rushes toward me, sharp end of the lance first. The sun gleams off of the tip, and, using both hands, I smack it away with my sword. He pulls it back before thrusting it back towards me. It glances my armor as I dodge to the right. He continues forward, following his lance, and I take the opportunity to slash at him. Anticipating my move he spins the shaft of his lance around, deflecting my blade. I'm knocked back for just a second, and he takes advantage of the moment. "Heavenly spirit, hear my cry, protect me from evil, and vanquish my foe...Spirit Shock!" A ball of white light immediately shot down towards me, energy streaming off of it, jerking down the sky like lightning. I feel a tingle in my head and feet and think, Ooooo, that feels kind of weird, before the ball bears down upon me, sending me flying into the trees 20 feet behind.
I get up onto all fours and shake my head clear, looking up to see what's happened. The knights that Varial stopped before have unfrozen and are heading toward him, but since he's dispatched the archers already I don't see why he would need my help. I turn toward the Holy Lancer in time to see a fine point of steel rushing towards my head. More from instinct than an actual reaction I'm some how once again teleported behind him again. Seeing a hole in his armor, just at the base of his neck, the bottom of his helmet, I thrust my sword forward with all my power. The blade hits just the right spot, exiting the other side with a veritable rain of blood. I reach forward and grab his head to shove him off, but I lose control and instead enter his mind.
The normally bright expanse of the mind is now dim, and quickly fading. I run through, looking for an exit. It's amazing the things you seen when you aren't just looking for valuables. The secrets and deceits of a single person can be amazing. Especially of soldiers. I pass by this one's training, and learn that the only reason he made it to the level of Holy Lancer was because he was...intimate...shall we say...with the secretary of admittance. I copy his Holy Lancer skill, then rush on farther.
I'm almost to the end when I run by something useful. I jog backwards, searching for what it was that I saw: the Lancer's briefing before coming here. I finally find it, jogging in place as I quickly memorize what information they have, then continue on.
At the end of his life I finally find the exit. I see what he saw just before I killed him. I saw his thoughts. It's creepy really. I quickly brush it off and leave.
I finish shoving him off, then turn to inspect the rest of the battle. Bodies lay everywhere, and Varial and I are the only two left standing. He's going around and trying to revive his fallen comrades, mostly with no success. I walk over to him and he looks up at me with a smile.
"And where did a world traveler pick up the skills of a Holy Knight?"
"Same place I got the Knight's uniform, wherever I found it, wherever I found it," I say with a smile.
"Well, wherever you got it, I could use some more men like you. These guys are greener than the grass they lay on. I questioned one of the archers, but he wouldn't tell me anything."
"I managed to get a little information from the Holy Lancer over there." "What the hell's a Holy Lancer?" he asks me with a quizzical look.
"I dunno, that's what he called himself. I suppose it's the lancer equivalent of a Holy Knight."
"I suppose. So, what did you find out from him?"
"Only where they were told to go. Apparently this wasn't their destination. I guess the Nanten have better spies than you guys," I say, poking him in the ribs with my elbow while he glares at me. "Anyway, they were heading for Lionel, so you might be able to find some clues as to the where-abouts of your quarry there."
"Well, it's better than I was an hour ago. Thank you so much for your help. It's clear how you could have traversed the world. As promised, here's the 2000 gil for the information, and, as I promised, a little something extra for your help in the battle. Are you sure you won't come with me? It would certainly make my life easier."
"Ah, but it would make my life a little harder, and I'm much too laid back to allow that."
"Well," Varial sighs dejectedly, "perhaps we will meet again."
"You can bet on it. And hopefully on the same side."
We shake hands and he heads back the way he came, heading for Lionel. I watch him go, then head for Lesalia.
As I go I keep my eyes open for a chocobo, but all of a sudden I am thoroughly enjoying the warm southerly breeze.
Hwa hwa hwa! Months and months with no updates, then BAM! I knock out five pages in a few hours. What can I say? I just suddenly knew what I wanted to do with the next chapter and it worked. Anyway, the usual legal jazz about this is not my universe. I know, I know, I made up the Holy Lancer thing, but lancers are bad ass, so I just went with it. Anyway, I wanted him to get some lancer in him. Usual blah blah blah about reviews being nice.
The worst part, though, is that I have to buy more clothes, at least. This isn't usually a problem, but being naked and having to buy clothes is quite tricky, especially when you don't have any money. And then there's the problem of paying the bill. The destruction of the tavern didn't come cheaply. If I had a tumor, I'd name it Marla.
So, like any self-respecting naked man with an incredible collection of powers, I do the only sensible thing. I run away, quickly and quietly. This is made amazingly easy with the use of my new teleportation powers. Unfortunately my lack of experience with it keeps me from going far, but then again I don't really need to go that far.
At first I only manage to go a few feet, but after a bit of practice it gets easier and easier. Soon I get myself down to the alley below my window. It's almost dark out, dark enough that I can hide in the building's shadows, but still light enough for me to see into the street.
I sneak farther down the alley and peer around the corner. I can hear footsteps but don't see anyone approaching. I pull back and lean against the brick wall of the Golden Goose, closing my eyes and sighing in defeat. I open my eyes to start sneaking off when...
"AGH!!"
"Oh, sorry to frighten you, but I wasn't sure if you were alive or not," a rather portly knight whose huge face lay inches in front of mine tells me. "This may be Dorter, but a naked man leaning against a wall is still an odd sight."
"Oh, sorry about that," I say," I guess I'll just be moving along then-"
I start to walk off when he stops me.
"Wait, why are you naked? After all, as a Knight of Dorter it is my job to keep these streets safe, and you have to admit a naked man just walking down the street is pretty suspicious." The little cogs in my brain start to turn, searching in vain for an excuse.
"Heh Heh, well, about that, you see..."
"Wait, let me guess, you were at the inn, sharing a room with a girl, and now she's made off with all your stuff?"
"YES!" I shout in surprise. "Yes, that's exactly what happened!"
"Uh huh, yeah, I hear that all the time." He pulls out his sword and motions for me to follow him. "C'mon, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you in." I look down dejectedly and start to follow his commands.
Damn, I think to myself, that's the last thing I need right now is to get arrested. Wait why am I listening to what he's telling me to do? I can take him in one hot minute.
"Sorry about this," I say, turning around and simultaneously grabbing his forehead. I feel his memories enter me through my palm, but, predictably, there is nothing new I can learn from him. I push him back towards the alley, but I must've underestimated my strength, because he goes flying back, breaking some of the bricks where I had just leaned.
Whoops, I think, going to have to be more careful. I turn around and take a few steps toward the edge of town when I remember that I'm still naked. Stopping and taking a quick look around to ensure no one saw the events that had taken place, I quickly run back to the knight and start to take his clothes and armor. As I do so I rip off any sort of insignias I can find, trying to ensure my ability to blend in.
Now better equipped and a lot less noticeable, I head towards Zirekile Falls. Unfortunately, because of my current lack of money, I can't get my old chocobo from the inn. Time to get a new one.
I trudge along the trails, searching for the little monsters. I come to a familiar bridge when I hear the clack of boots behind me. I quickly run down the bank of the river and hide in the water, and not a moment too soon. Moments after I'm submerged to my eyes a troop of knights wearing the symbol of the Hokuten marches over the bridge. They look fresh from the academy. Behind them is another knight that appears to be much more experienced, probably the commander.
"Halt!" the commander shouts when they reach the far side of the bridge. "All right. Fan out ahead and look for them, they couldn't have gotten far." The troops spread along the trail ahead. The commander comes back towards the bridge and starts looking around. He picks up a few stones, throwing them behind him after a few seconds examination.
"As I suspected, no valuable evidence. We must be dealing with some real pros here. Still, how disappointing. By the way, were you planning on staying in there the whole day?" he say's turning towards my hiding spot. "I understand that the water this time of year is rather cold."
"Yeah, yeah it is," I say, water cascading off of my armor as I stand up in the shallow water. "My armor's probably going to rust now, too." I look down at my now wet person and shake my head.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about it," the knight says, going back to his inspection. "It's not like you bought them."
"How can you tell?" I asked with a smirk on my face.
"Well, not many people walk around in Dorter Knight's armor stripped of it's insignia. Still, you can get away with it," he says, turning back to me with a smile," not many people outside of the city care about local knights."
I trudge up the bank towards him, matching his smile with my own. "Janua Kukri, at your service, sir Hokuten," I say, introducing myself and extending a hand.
"Sir Varial Oxnard, Commander of the Tenth Squad of Hokuten. I won't ask how you came about that uniform, as it is none of my business, but I will have to ask what you do that would require such an acquisition."
"Well, you could say I'm a World Traveler, Adventurer, Explorer, and occasional mercenary. Really, I just do what I need to get by. My dress can be blamed on a lady who took advantage of my trust by deciding she fancied my things more than she fancied me."
"Yes, I've heard that story many times before, and I have learned that most of the time it's true. Based on that, may I assume that you are also at a lack of funds?"
"Indeed, you may. My lady friend did not decide to restrict herself merely to my clothes and armament."
"Well, then I have a job for you. You see, not too long ago, a small band of people came through here, including the brother of my captain, a Holy Knight, and her charge. We have been sent to retrieve them, though most of all the Holy Knight and her charge."
"VIP's, huh?"
"Yes, that's right. Now, since you seem to be such an experienced man I was wondering if you might help us in tracking them. You see, the last team caught up with them right around here, but they managed to escape and are currently heading in an unknown direction. We don't know what their motives are, either, so it's hard to say where they would go. All we do know is they didn't go back to Dorter. Other than that, they could have gone anywhere."
"Well," I say, having taken in all of this information, "my ability to help you all depends on your ability to help me."
"I can offer you 2000 gil for any clues to might have, and anything after that is certainly negotiable."
"Sounds good. Do you mind if I get a little more background first?"
"Of course, what do you need to know?"
"How about if we do this the fast way," I say, walking up to him, grinning at his confused expression. "This, as they say, is something I learned in the Orient." He gives me a confused look, but n moments I am looking through his mind for anything that might be useful. It's like picking through a flea market: most of the stuff is crap, but once in a while you find that one really nice gem, and Varial has quite a diamond in the rough. Though not extraordinarily surprised, I am happy to learn that not only is he a knight, but he's also a Holy Knight. I quickly copy all the skills he has, though I am a little upset that he can only offer a few of the skills. Still, it's better than nothing, and now I can go about mastering it myself. I also scan his mind for useful information, but finding none, I return to the real world.
I pull my hand back, and he stumbles backward a step, a shocked look on his face.
"Wow, that was certainly odd."
"You get used to it," I reply with a shrug.
Without warning, a death cry comes from the forest ahead.
"Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
I always hated that weird sound people make when they die here, flashes through my mind before more cries are heard.
"My men!" Varial cries before running further along the path.
How do I get myself into these things, I think to myself before following him.
As I enter a clearing I hear a bow twang, an arrow zip, and another cry of pain as a man's soul leaves his body.
"Bastards!" I hear to my right, and, turning, see Varial pushing a squire that he had run through off of his sword, his face turned toward the other attackers. He rushes towards them, shield first. A few more arrows twang from their bows, but this time hit only the steel of Varial's shield.
I turn back to the fallen squire and recognize the black lion of Goltana's Nanten and think to my self, I wonder if Goltana really does want to start a war. Well, at least he's proactive.
I pull out my sword and turn toward the fray surrounding Varial in time to see him raise his sword, calling forth a Stasis Sword, and stopping all the attacks from around him. Leaving the front line stopped, he runs to take care of the archers behind them. I pull out my sword and read my own holy attack when, out of the corner of my eye, I see a lance coming at me from the left.
I teleport just in time to dodge the attack and end up behind my assailant. I raise my sword and call down my own Stasis Sword. The holy power surrounds my enemy then shatters cutting through his armor in several places.
"Heh, I bet you think you've got me, don't you, Holy Knight?" he asks, coughing up a little blood, which he wipes away with his gauntlet.
"Yes, yes I do, but I'm not a Holy Knight."
"That's too bad," He says, straightening up, lowering the visor of his helmet, and raising his lance, "because I'm a Holy Lancer, and you don't stand a chance against me." I can hear his chuckle behind the polished steel of his visor, see his eyes flashing with glee, and almost feel his devious smirk. He rushes toward me, sharp end of the lance first. The sun gleams off of the tip, and, using both hands, I smack it away with my sword. He pulls it back before thrusting it back towards me. It glances my armor as I dodge to the right. He continues forward, following his lance, and I take the opportunity to slash at him. Anticipating my move he spins the shaft of his lance around, deflecting my blade. I'm knocked back for just a second, and he takes advantage of the moment. "Heavenly spirit, hear my cry, protect me from evil, and vanquish my foe...Spirit Shock!" A ball of white light immediately shot down towards me, energy streaming off of it, jerking down the sky like lightning. I feel a tingle in my head and feet and think, Ooooo, that feels kind of weird, before the ball bears down upon me, sending me flying into the trees 20 feet behind.
I get up onto all fours and shake my head clear, looking up to see what's happened. The knights that Varial stopped before have unfrozen and are heading toward him, but since he's dispatched the archers already I don't see why he would need my help. I turn toward the Holy Lancer in time to see a fine point of steel rushing towards my head. More from instinct than an actual reaction I'm some how once again teleported behind him again. Seeing a hole in his armor, just at the base of his neck, the bottom of his helmet, I thrust my sword forward with all my power. The blade hits just the right spot, exiting the other side with a veritable rain of blood. I reach forward and grab his head to shove him off, but I lose control and instead enter his mind.
The normally bright expanse of the mind is now dim, and quickly fading. I run through, looking for an exit. It's amazing the things you seen when you aren't just looking for valuables. The secrets and deceits of a single person can be amazing. Especially of soldiers. I pass by this one's training, and learn that the only reason he made it to the level of Holy Lancer was because he was...intimate...shall we say...with the secretary of admittance. I copy his Holy Lancer skill, then rush on farther.
I'm almost to the end when I run by something useful. I jog backwards, searching for what it was that I saw: the Lancer's briefing before coming here. I finally find it, jogging in place as I quickly memorize what information they have, then continue on.
At the end of his life I finally find the exit. I see what he saw just before I killed him. I saw his thoughts. It's creepy really. I quickly brush it off and leave.
I finish shoving him off, then turn to inspect the rest of the battle. Bodies lay everywhere, and Varial and I are the only two left standing. He's going around and trying to revive his fallen comrades, mostly with no success. I walk over to him and he looks up at me with a smile.
"And where did a world traveler pick up the skills of a Holy Knight?"
"Same place I got the Knight's uniform, wherever I found it, wherever I found it," I say with a smile.
"Well, wherever you got it, I could use some more men like you. These guys are greener than the grass they lay on. I questioned one of the archers, but he wouldn't tell me anything."
"I managed to get a little information from the Holy Lancer over there." "What the hell's a Holy Lancer?" he asks me with a quizzical look.
"I dunno, that's what he called himself. I suppose it's the lancer equivalent of a Holy Knight."
"I suppose. So, what did you find out from him?"
"Only where they were told to go. Apparently this wasn't their destination. I guess the Nanten have better spies than you guys," I say, poking him in the ribs with my elbow while he glares at me. "Anyway, they were heading for Lionel, so you might be able to find some clues as to the where-abouts of your quarry there."
"Well, it's better than I was an hour ago. Thank you so much for your help. It's clear how you could have traversed the world. As promised, here's the 2000 gil for the information, and, as I promised, a little something extra for your help in the battle. Are you sure you won't come with me? It would certainly make my life easier."
"Ah, but it would make my life a little harder, and I'm much too laid back to allow that."
"Well," Varial sighs dejectedly, "perhaps we will meet again."
"You can bet on it. And hopefully on the same side."
We shake hands and he heads back the way he came, heading for Lionel. I watch him go, then head for Lesalia.
As I go I keep my eyes open for a chocobo, but all of a sudden I am thoroughly enjoying the warm southerly breeze.
Hwa hwa hwa! Months and months with no updates, then BAM! I knock out five pages in a few hours. What can I say? I just suddenly knew what I wanted to do with the next chapter and it worked. Anyway, the usual legal jazz about this is not my universe. I know, I know, I made up the Holy Lancer thing, but lancers are bad ass, so I just went with it. Anyway, I wanted him to get some lancer in him. Usual blah blah blah about reviews being nice.