Legend of Talon
Chapter 5
Talon felt as if he was being sucked through a vacuum. The tube barely fit him, and he seemed to be going extremely fast. He was being stretched; he was almost 10 feet tall, when suddenly everything turned white. He was conscious, aware, but he could not see. Then, he could not hear anything. One by one, all of his senses disabled, until only his brain was functioning,
And then he exploded into nonexistence.
Talon sat bolt upright. He was alone, on a stone bed. There were noises coming from outside. He got up groggily and popped his joints. He did not recognize the room, but when he flung open the stone door next to the table-like bed, he recognized it immediately as the training ground. A young boy with a sword, about the age of 7, ran past him, dodging a Fire spell from a basic fire mage. The boy looked up at him, wondering where he came from. He pointed, his mouth flapping.
"You're that one guy who died on level 6! You're a g-ghost!" He shook his small sword at him. Across the field, the fire mage shot off a Fire spell. Talon's eyes widened.
"LOOK OUT!" He shouted. He dove in front of the boy, the full force of the spell smacking into his chest. He flipped expertly and landed, unhurt. He leaped with all his power, landing all the way across the field, slashing upon landing, slicing the fire mage directly in two, who promptly dissolved. He walked back to the kid. "Be more careful, ok?"
But the child just stared at him, until he noticed his sword. "Mister, your sword is on fire!"
Talon laughed. "I know."
"That was a huge jump! How'd you get so strong?"
Talon's smile faded. "Now that is my little secret. Now I want you to do me a favor. We're going to play a game."
The boy's eyes widened and he smiled. "What kind of game?"
"I am going to give you a gift," Talon said. "And then you have to tell no one how I killed that mage."
"Cool! What's the gift, mister?"
"This," Talon said. He held his sword to the boy's and concentrated. Soon, the boy's sword burst into flame. "It won't hurt you. But now when you slash something, it will be go 'BOOM!'" then he walked away, grinning. He loved kids.
He left the Training area by jumping over the door completely. He walked directly to the forges, where Master Tang was updating the rank chart. He sighed.
"A shame Talon died. Now I have to give that bratty little boy rank 4." Talon grinned. He knew the boy, who was a year younger than he, and thought he was the best warrior on the planet.
He approached Master Tang. "Still soft, old man? You can keep me where I am, thanks."
Master Tang did not turn. "Nice Try, Barda. Stop mimicking Talon. You have no clue how." He whirled around. "Now listen-" His eyes widened. "T-T-TALON! Why…When…What…HOW ARE YOU ALIVE?"
Talon grinned. "Long story. I need ask three things of you."
"Anything, Talon, anything!"
"First, have eight strangers been wandering around lately?"
"Yes, they entered the gates about an hour ago. They're staying in your old room."
"Oh good, easily found. They're friends of mine. I'll explain later. Second, where's Barda?"
"The strangers sought him out and he's been in there with them since they went in there, about half an hour ago."
"Good. Last, before I go in there, I would like approval for level 6."
Master Tang stared. "You're going to die! AGAIN! There is no way you can convince me to –"
Talon grinned. "What if I told you I met my Arestolite, met the Director of the Arestolites, spent 8 hours in statis, defeated an intermediate mage, and received the Final Statis?"
Master Tang stared more. "The legends are true. Ok, Talon, go kill yourself a Fallen. But God help you if you are lying to me."
Talon grinned. "Thank you, Master." He stepped out of the forge and leaped, landing directly in front of the training ground, and had enough time to pat a boy with a flaming sword on the back before leaping through the arch, and shouting, "Talon Vernarn, rank 4, level 6!"
Anna's voice came from the room above. "Come off it, Barda. Stop trying."
Well Barda's been making a nuisance of himself, Talon thought. "It IS me, Anna! Just bring out the Fallen so I can kill it, and we'll talk after," he lied.
"Fine, whatever, Barda." The arch opened, and Talon strolled out uncaringly, his sword sheathed. Behind him, Anna glanced out the window. "OH MY GOD! It IS Talon!" She gasped as the Fallen launched out of the capture chamber, straight for Talon.
Talon kept walking, just staring the Fallen in the eyes. Seconds before the Fallen pierced straight through him with his sword, he leapt, launching off its head, then kicking off the wall, landing behind it. He pointed at it and laughed mockingly. He unsheathed his sword and the large crowd that had gathered to watch a dead man fight all gasped as they saw what seemed to be a sword of flame, though it was just a flaming sword. He charged at the Fallen, sword raised, when it unexpectedly lashed out with the sword, slamming into his right leg. Onlookers gasped and screamed, but Talon just grinned.
Before, his leg would have been cut off. But now, the blade shattered against his leg, not even throwing him off balance. He had reached the Fallen…
He again jumped and launched off its head, landing on the very opposite side of the field. Enraged, the creature charged at Talon, exposing the sharp horns on its head and back at him. Talon just stood there, eyes closed in concentration, his sword clutched in both hands. The Fallen drew nearer, and still Talon stood there. Just when the Fallen leapt at him, he opened his eyes and his sword burst into a ball of flame. Though the Fallen was yards away from him, he swung the sword, firing a Fira spell at the Fallen.
All onlookers were silent as the Fira spell hurled toward the Fallen suspended in midair. Soon, they could not see it, because it was swallowed in flame. Its was burned to ash, and that ash burned to nothingness. Nothing hit the ground.
Talon collapsed, leaning on his sword for support. It had taken a lot more energy than he had first thought to conduct the Fira spell. But it had been very effective. He had no idea how long he was kneeling there, and looked up only when the sound of feet approached him. Walking towards him were his "minions", Anna, and Barda.
Anna ran to him with a shout of joy and embraced him in a hug. Over her shoulder, Talon made a disgusted face at Barda, who knew quite well that Talon had no feelings for Anna, and grinned. Talon patted her on the back, then broke away and approached Barda.
"Apparently I should be watching for identity theft. I'm told you've been mimicking me."
Barda cleared his throat and raised his voice so that it sounded exactly like Talon's. "Master Tang, may I do level 6 again so I can die? Oh dear, Barda's got his work cut out for him." They both laughed. "So…Chosen one." He said mockingly. "It would seem I am the 9th member of your party. Barda Highcliff, at your service." He bowed.
"Eh…Barda," Talon said clumsily. "There's no need to be so formal. We're not all stuck up and correct like Master Tang, we're animals." Everyone except Auron and Kimahri laughed.
"He's right, you know," Tifa piped up. "I hate formal people. Take Auron for instance…he creeps me out."
Wakka laughed a very strange laugh. "Ya, we animals all da way home, brudda!"
Talon grinned at his friends and looked down at Barda, and kicked him. "On your feet, slave." Even Auron chuckled at this. Wayne pulled Barda to his feet.
Tifa approached Talon. "So what's the big idea coming to kill some big red monster thing before coming to see me? I'm hurt," she said, once again feigning a hurt look. "Oh yeah, I owe you this…" she said, punching him in the shoulder.
Blood seeped from his shoulder from the brass knuckle wound as he laughed. It didn't hurt. Much.
Talon nodded at everyone, his arm around Tifa. "Alright, down to business. I suggest we have Master Tang forge us some new weapons before we go."
Barda grinned. "I've already got him on it."
Talon smiled. "Good. Now one thing I'd like to know," he said, turning to Wakka, "is what kind of weapon do you use?"
Wakka shrugged. "Anything you hand me, brudda."
Talon nodded. "Good. Take this." He handed Wakka his old sword. "It was my father's. It will serve you well."
Barda laughed. "Well, well, well, the illustrious and sword-protective Talon gave up his sword. Pinch me, I'm dreaming." Barret pinched him.
"Another question," Talon said, "Is if you –" - he nodded at Cloud – "-can use this." He unsheathed the holy sword he had drawn from the stone. Cloud shook his head.
"I can't even hold it off the ground. Only you can wield it. And plus, I use two handed swords…you know, gigantic ones, like this." He nodded to his sword.
"Very well. Then it's settled. We'll stay the night in my and Barda's rooms, and leave tomorrow morning with our new weapons." Then he walked off towards his room, just as the sun fell beyond the wall, as if following his command.
The command of the Chosen one.
The next morning Talon was surprised upon waking to find his arms around Tifa and her face buried in his chest. He shook her awake and she explained she had come in the middle of the night and that he had welcomed her with open arms. Talon shrugged and laughed.
He woke the others and after a bit of coffee and stretching and shouting at Cloud to wake up, they all walked to the forge, where they found Master Tang passed out in a chair. Upon being shaken, he jumped up and retrieved their weapons, handing them all to Talon, then falling back asleep. Talon gave the weapons to the appropriate members of the party. Then they took a final look at the stronghold before opening the gate and stepping out.
Talon looked across the landscape before him. He had never once left the gates before, except as a small child, and a wolf had almost killed him. They began to walk silently. After about a mile, the stronghold disappeared behind a hill and Cid, Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Wakka, and Talon all started to sing a song that Cloud had taught them. They sang until they had no breath, and had traveled almost 5 miles when Talon stopped them.
He stopped walking and motioned for them to stop. "Something's wrong. We've been so loud, something should've attacked us by now."
Barda laughed. "I never told anyone. I killed everything within at least 5 miles before being killed by some gigantic red metal man. I hope we run into him."
Cloud, Barret, Tifa, and Cid gaped at him. Cid spoke. "A giant red metal man? Did he have some sort of tentacles?"
Barda thought for a moment. "Yes," he said finally. "They did."
Cid turned to the other three. "How is it possible that Ruby Weapon could get here?"
"Ruby Weapon?" Barda asked.
"Yes. It is the thing that killed you. We fought it back on our planet, but before we killed it, it flew off, and left the planet. It seems it came here."
Barda laughed. "We can beat him! We're all incredibly strong, and there's ten of us!"
Cid shook his head. "We can only fight him with three. He casts a spell that immobilizes everyone else that goes into battle with it. If one of you dies or passes out, we will take your place."
Talon looked at them. "Then who will go ahead of the group in case we fight it? We should have our three best," he added. "I think Auron, Wayne and I should go."
Cid grabbed his arm. "He is invulnerable to fire."
Talon sighed. "Ah. Weak against ice, then?" Cid nodded. Talon turned to Wayne. "You can cast Blizzard, but how about Blizzara? The next level of ice spell?" Wayne shook his head. Talon sighed again. "In that case, let's see everyone's skills. Auron, Tifa, and Wakka, you're up. Use skills so we can see what kind of potential you guys have got." The three walked ahead cautiously.
They hadn't walked five feet when suddenly the ground exploded in front of them. The remaining seven backed off. The three remaining tensed for battle. Wakka grinned at Auron. "Just like old times, ya?"
Auron chuckled. "Yes, except you don't have a blitzball."
"Big deal."
Tifa paid no attention to them. She was watching Ruby Weapon with a look of loathing in her eyes. Suddenly, she leaped at him, shouting, "Silence Attack!" and landed a punch in the thing's face. It swayed, and then made a strange growling sound. Fireballs formed in its hands. It raised its hand to throw one, but it went out. He was unable to use magic.
"Wait to go, Tifa!" Talon shouted.
Next, it was Auron's turn. He shouted, "You will hurt no one! Power Break!" There was a flash of what seemed to be black light and the thing fell. It lay there for a second, then pulled itself to its feet and swung at Auron. His tentacle collided head on with Auron's chest, but it was not moving very fast and Auron merely stumbled. His physical power was weakened greatly.
"Good job, Auron!" Barda shouted.
Finally, Wakka's turn came. "You gonna get a kick outta dis one, brudda!" He raised the sword into the air, then ran up to the beast and rammed into him with his shoulder, kicked him, and then punched him. He landed gracefully on the ground, whistled, and put his hands in the air. "Triple Foul!" He dashed at the beast with amazing speed, jumped, raised the sword, and slashed directly across his face. When he came back to his original position, a dark cloud surrounded its face, meaning it could not see. He shouted an explanation to everyone else, saying he had weakened its defense, magic defense, and accuracy, while also dealing massive damage.
Kimahri roared to express appreciation.
Wakka ran back to the group and collapsed, breathless. "Kimahri, go finish him with a Ronso Rage." Kimahri nodded and ran down to take his place on the battlefield.
Talon looked confused. "Ronso Rage?"
Wakka nodded. "Kimahri can use enemy skills. He has quite an archive of them. Watch him."
Kimahri posted his spear into the ground and roared with all his strength. He opened his mouth wider and wider, until it could not get any wider, and a red glow formed in it."
Back with the group, Wakka chuckled. "Meteor, his best attack. Watch that thing go bye-bye!" He waved childishly.
Kimahri seemed to burst as the meteor launched from his mouth. It was a gigantic mass of rock and fire, and when it slammed into Ruby Weapon, it kept going. It carried the creature with it until it disappeared off the horizon.
Wakka grinned. "Bye-bye!"
Talon approached Kimahri. "That was amazing! If you keep doing that, our battles will be a snap!"
Wakka's grin disappeared. "There's a problem wit dat, brudda. He can only do it so often. And that one takes more outta him then the others. He won't be able to do it for a while."
Talon shrugged. "Ah well, we'll get by with everyone else's skills as well." He turned to Auron. "You annihilated that thing. That Power Break thing made it really weak."
Auron nodded. "Yes. I also have Armor, Mental, and Magic breaks. They're very useful in weakening an enemy."
Talon whistled and waved everyone to him. "We have to keep moving. If we're going to get to the Lost Castle of Power in the next 3 days, we have to keep moving!" Without another word, he pivoted on his heels and walked off towards the mountain in the distance. Deep inside that mountain laid their destination.
The Lost Castle of Power.
Chapter 5
Talon felt as if he was being sucked through a vacuum. The tube barely fit him, and he seemed to be going extremely fast. He was being stretched; he was almost 10 feet tall, when suddenly everything turned white. He was conscious, aware, but he could not see. Then, he could not hear anything. One by one, all of his senses disabled, until only his brain was functioning,
And then he exploded into nonexistence.
Talon sat bolt upright. He was alone, on a stone bed. There were noises coming from outside. He got up groggily and popped his joints. He did not recognize the room, but when he flung open the stone door next to the table-like bed, he recognized it immediately as the training ground. A young boy with a sword, about the age of 7, ran past him, dodging a Fire spell from a basic fire mage. The boy looked up at him, wondering where he came from. He pointed, his mouth flapping.
"You're that one guy who died on level 6! You're a g-ghost!" He shook his small sword at him. Across the field, the fire mage shot off a Fire spell. Talon's eyes widened.
"LOOK OUT!" He shouted. He dove in front of the boy, the full force of the spell smacking into his chest. He flipped expertly and landed, unhurt. He leaped with all his power, landing all the way across the field, slashing upon landing, slicing the fire mage directly in two, who promptly dissolved. He walked back to the kid. "Be more careful, ok?"
But the child just stared at him, until he noticed his sword. "Mister, your sword is on fire!"
Talon laughed. "I know."
"That was a huge jump! How'd you get so strong?"
Talon's smile faded. "Now that is my little secret. Now I want you to do me a favor. We're going to play a game."
The boy's eyes widened and he smiled. "What kind of game?"
"I am going to give you a gift," Talon said. "And then you have to tell no one how I killed that mage."
"Cool! What's the gift, mister?"
"This," Talon said. He held his sword to the boy's and concentrated. Soon, the boy's sword burst into flame. "It won't hurt you. But now when you slash something, it will be go 'BOOM!'" then he walked away, grinning. He loved kids.
He left the Training area by jumping over the door completely. He walked directly to the forges, where Master Tang was updating the rank chart. He sighed.
"A shame Talon died. Now I have to give that bratty little boy rank 4." Talon grinned. He knew the boy, who was a year younger than he, and thought he was the best warrior on the planet.
He approached Master Tang. "Still soft, old man? You can keep me where I am, thanks."
Master Tang did not turn. "Nice Try, Barda. Stop mimicking Talon. You have no clue how." He whirled around. "Now listen-" His eyes widened. "T-T-TALON! Why…When…What…HOW ARE YOU ALIVE?"
Talon grinned. "Long story. I need ask three things of you."
"Anything, Talon, anything!"
"First, have eight strangers been wandering around lately?"
"Yes, they entered the gates about an hour ago. They're staying in your old room."
"Oh good, easily found. They're friends of mine. I'll explain later. Second, where's Barda?"
"The strangers sought him out and he's been in there with them since they went in there, about half an hour ago."
"Good. Last, before I go in there, I would like approval for level 6."
Master Tang stared. "You're going to die! AGAIN! There is no way you can convince me to –"
Talon grinned. "What if I told you I met my Arestolite, met the Director of the Arestolites, spent 8 hours in statis, defeated an intermediate mage, and received the Final Statis?"
Master Tang stared more. "The legends are true. Ok, Talon, go kill yourself a Fallen. But God help you if you are lying to me."
Talon grinned. "Thank you, Master." He stepped out of the forge and leaped, landing directly in front of the training ground, and had enough time to pat a boy with a flaming sword on the back before leaping through the arch, and shouting, "Talon Vernarn, rank 4, level 6!"
Anna's voice came from the room above. "Come off it, Barda. Stop trying."
Well Barda's been making a nuisance of himself, Talon thought. "It IS me, Anna! Just bring out the Fallen so I can kill it, and we'll talk after," he lied.
"Fine, whatever, Barda." The arch opened, and Talon strolled out uncaringly, his sword sheathed. Behind him, Anna glanced out the window. "OH MY GOD! It IS Talon!" She gasped as the Fallen launched out of the capture chamber, straight for Talon.
Talon kept walking, just staring the Fallen in the eyes. Seconds before the Fallen pierced straight through him with his sword, he leapt, launching off its head, then kicking off the wall, landing behind it. He pointed at it and laughed mockingly. He unsheathed his sword and the large crowd that had gathered to watch a dead man fight all gasped as they saw what seemed to be a sword of flame, though it was just a flaming sword. He charged at the Fallen, sword raised, when it unexpectedly lashed out with the sword, slamming into his right leg. Onlookers gasped and screamed, but Talon just grinned.
Before, his leg would have been cut off. But now, the blade shattered against his leg, not even throwing him off balance. He had reached the Fallen…
He again jumped and launched off its head, landing on the very opposite side of the field. Enraged, the creature charged at Talon, exposing the sharp horns on its head and back at him. Talon just stood there, eyes closed in concentration, his sword clutched in both hands. The Fallen drew nearer, and still Talon stood there. Just when the Fallen leapt at him, he opened his eyes and his sword burst into a ball of flame. Though the Fallen was yards away from him, he swung the sword, firing a Fira spell at the Fallen.
All onlookers were silent as the Fira spell hurled toward the Fallen suspended in midair. Soon, they could not see it, because it was swallowed in flame. Its was burned to ash, and that ash burned to nothingness. Nothing hit the ground.
Talon collapsed, leaning on his sword for support. It had taken a lot more energy than he had first thought to conduct the Fira spell. But it had been very effective. He had no idea how long he was kneeling there, and looked up only when the sound of feet approached him. Walking towards him were his "minions", Anna, and Barda.
Anna ran to him with a shout of joy and embraced him in a hug. Over her shoulder, Talon made a disgusted face at Barda, who knew quite well that Talon had no feelings for Anna, and grinned. Talon patted her on the back, then broke away and approached Barda.
"Apparently I should be watching for identity theft. I'm told you've been mimicking me."
Barda cleared his throat and raised his voice so that it sounded exactly like Talon's. "Master Tang, may I do level 6 again so I can die? Oh dear, Barda's got his work cut out for him." They both laughed. "So…Chosen one." He said mockingly. "It would seem I am the 9th member of your party. Barda Highcliff, at your service." He bowed.
"Eh…Barda," Talon said clumsily. "There's no need to be so formal. We're not all stuck up and correct like Master Tang, we're animals." Everyone except Auron and Kimahri laughed.
"He's right, you know," Tifa piped up. "I hate formal people. Take Auron for instance…he creeps me out."
Wakka laughed a very strange laugh. "Ya, we animals all da way home, brudda!"
Talon grinned at his friends and looked down at Barda, and kicked him. "On your feet, slave." Even Auron chuckled at this. Wayne pulled Barda to his feet.
Tifa approached Talon. "So what's the big idea coming to kill some big red monster thing before coming to see me? I'm hurt," she said, once again feigning a hurt look. "Oh yeah, I owe you this…" she said, punching him in the shoulder.
Blood seeped from his shoulder from the brass knuckle wound as he laughed. It didn't hurt. Much.
Talon nodded at everyone, his arm around Tifa. "Alright, down to business. I suggest we have Master Tang forge us some new weapons before we go."
Barda grinned. "I've already got him on it."
Talon smiled. "Good. Now one thing I'd like to know," he said, turning to Wakka, "is what kind of weapon do you use?"
Wakka shrugged. "Anything you hand me, brudda."
Talon nodded. "Good. Take this." He handed Wakka his old sword. "It was my father's. It will serve you well."
Barda laughed. "Well, well, well, the illustrious and sword-protective Talon gave up his sword. Pinch me, I'm dreaming." Barret pinched him.
"Another question," Talon said, "Is if you –" - he nodded at Cloud – "-can use this." He unsheathed the holy sword he had drawn from the stone. Cloud shook his head.
"I can't even hold it off the ground. Only you can wield it. And plus, I use two handed swords…you know, gigantic ones, like this." He nodded to his sword.
"Very well. Then it's settled. We'll stay the night in my and Barda's rooms, and leave tomorrow morning with our new weapons." Then he walked off towards his room, just as the sun fell beyond the wall, as if following his command.
The command of the Chosen one.
The next morning Talon was surprised upon waking to find his arms around Tifa and her face buried in his chest. He shook her awake and she explained she had come in the middle of the night and that he had welcomed her with open arms. Talon shrugged and laughed.
He woke the others and after a bit of coffee and stretching and shouting at Cloud to wake up, they all walked to the forge, where they found Master Tang passed out in a chair. Upon being shaken, he jumped up and retrieved their weapons, handing them all to Talon, then falling back asleep. Talon gave the weapons to the appropriate members of the party. Then they took a final look at the stronghold before opening the gate and stepping out.
Talon looked across the landscape before him. He had never once left the gates before, except as a small child, and a wolf had almost killed him. They began to walk silently. After about a mile, the stronghold disappeared behind a hill and Cid, Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Wakka, and Talon all started to sing a song that Cloud had taught them. They sang until they had no breath, and had traveled almost 5 miles when Talon stopped them.
He stopped walking and motioned for them to stop. "Something's wrong. We've been so loud, something should've attacked us by now."
Barda laughed. "I never told anyone. I killed everything within at least 5 miles before being killed by some gigantic red metal man. I hope we run into him."
Cloud, Barret, Tifa, and Cid gaped at him. Cid spoke. "A giant red metal man? Did he have some sort of tentacles?"
Barda thought for a moment. "Yes," he said finally. "They did."
Cid turned to the other three. "How is it possible that Ruby Weapon could get here?"
"Ruby Weapon?" Barda asked.
"Yes. It is the thing that killed you. We fought it back on our planet, but before we killed it, it flew off, and left the planet. It seems it came here."
Barda laughed. "We can beat him! We're all incredibly strong, and there's ten of us!"
Cid shook his head. "We can only fight him with three. He casts a spell that immobilizes everyone else that goes into battle with it. If one of you dies or passes out, we will take your place."
Talon looked at them. "Then who will go ahead of the group in case we fight it? We should have our three best," he added. "I think Auron, Wayne and I should go."
Cid grabbed his arm. "He is invulnerable to fire."
Talon sighed. "Ah. Weak against ice, then?" Cid nodded. Talon turned to Wayne. "You can cast Blizzard, but how about Blizzara? The next level of ice spell?" Wayne shook his head. Talon sighed again. "In that case, let's see everyone's skills. Auron, Tifa, and Wakka, you're up. Use skills so we can see what kind of potential you guys have got." The three walked ahead cautiously.
They hadn't walked five feet when suddenly the ground exploded in front of them. The remaining seven backed off. The three remaining tensed for battle. Wakka grinned at Auron. "Just like old times, ya?"
Auron chuckled. "Yes, except you don't have a blitzball."
"Big deal."
Tifa paid no attention to them. She was watching Ruby Weapon with a look of loathing in her eyes. Suddenly, she leaped at him, shouting, "Silence Attack!" and landed a punch in the thing's face. It swayed, and then made a strange growling sound. Fireballs formed in its hands. It raised its hand to throw one, but it went out. He was unable to use magic.
"Wait to go, Tifa!" Talon shouted.
Next, it was Auron's turn. He shouted, "You will hurt no one! Power Break!" There was a flash of what seemed to be black light and the thing fell. It lay there for a second, then pulled itself to its feet and swung at Auron. His tentacle collided head on with Auron's chest, but it was not moving very fast and Auron merely stumbled. His physical power was weakened greatly.
"Good job, Auron!" Barda shouted.
Finally, Wakka's turn came. "You gonna get a kick outta dis one, brudda!" He raised the sword into the air, then ran up to the beast and rammed into him with his shoulder, kicked him, and then punched him. He landed gracefully on the ground, whistled, and put his hands in the air. "Triple Foul!" He dashed at the beast with amazing speed, jumped, raised the sword, and slashed directly across his face. When he came back to his original position, a dark cloud surrounded its face, meaning it could not see. He shouted an explanation to everyone else, saying he had weakened its defense, magic defense, and accuracy, while also dealing massive damage.
Kimahri roared to express appreciation.
Wakka ran back to the group and collapsed, breathless. "Kimahri, go finish him with a Ronso Rage." Kimahri nodded and ran down to take his place on the battlefield.
Talon looked confused. "Ronso Rage?"
Wakka nodded. "Kimahri can use enemy skills. He has quite an archive of them. Watch him."
Kimahri posted his spear into the ground and roared with all his strength. He opened his mouth wider and wider, until it could not get any wider, and a red glow formed in it."
Back with the group, Wakka chuckled. "Meteor, his best attack. Watch that thing go bye-bye!" He waved childishly.
Kimahri seemed to burst as the meteor launched from his mouth. It was a gigantic mass of rock and fire, and when it slammed into Ruby Weapon, it kept going. It carried the creature with it until it disappeared off the horizon.
Wakka grinned. "Bye-bye!"
Talon approached Kimahri. "That was amazing! If you keep doing that, our battles will be a snap!"
Wakka's grin disappeared. "There's a problem wit dat, brudda. He can only do it so often. And that one takes more outta him then the others. He won't be able to do it for a while."
Talon shrugged. "Ah well, we'll get by with everyone else's skills as well." He turned to Auron. "You annihilated that thing. That Power Break thing made it really weak."
Auron nodded. "Yes. I also have Armor, Mental, and Magic breaks. They're very useful in weakening an enemy."
Talon whistled and waved everyone to him. "We have to keep moving. If we're going to get to the Lost Castle of Power in the next 3 days, we have to keep moving!" Without another word, he pivoted on his heels and walked off towards the mountain in the distance. Deep inside that mountain laid their destination.
The Lost Castle of Power.