Needing Help

"I can't believe it," muttered Vormav, "That boy has learned a new trick since last we met. We will defiantly need a new strategy for dealing with him. Until that time, I don't want anyone to even dare strike out against Beoulve. Wiegraff, inform those stupid thieves you hired as well. We have all the time in the world to take him out, after all, we've been blessed by Lucavi. Even if we have to resort to stealing back the stones, we will win against our enemies. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir. I will get to work instantly with thinking of a new plan of action. Too bad none of us are military strategists, that would have really helped our cause out," Dycedarg stated.

Wiegraff told his boss, "I'll make sure that Deverca understands not to try anything stupid. Else I will have the great pleasure of ripping all of them from limb to limb. Well, the second I get back my Zodiac Stone. Torture can suffice in the meantime, if we need to go that far."

Draclau nodded. "You can count on me. I may be old, but the knowledge I have from my long life, in addition to the knowledge of Lucavi. If we need to think up a plan, maybe I can help out a bit."

"I can't wait to destroy that punk," Elmdore added, "He's going to pay for all of the suffering that we've endured while we tried to revive our master. That boy has to account for all of the demons that he's killed while he was running from the church and looking for his wretched sister."

* * *

January went by very quickly, and no further attacks were seen from either Wiegraff or Deverca's men. Ramza wanted to believe that he and his friends were off the hook, but something told him that they were getting ready to spring some sort of trap on top of them at any moment.

The young warrior was going through town with Tess and Tyler. They were the first people to befriend him when he and Delita had come to school. Delita was often teased for being a commoner, and Ramza for hanging with him. But shortly after the two had come to the Academy, a young girl named Tess and her boyfriend Tyler met them. The two of them didn't care about where a person came from, just that they were friendly. So the four became close friends. Soon, Tess introduced Ramza and Delita to her and Tyler's good friends, Sage, Pete, Margurita, and Leon. The eight were inseparable ever since. Although Delita had left the group, and became the king, the other seven never parted.

"It's strange. No one has tried to attack us in the past few weeks. I don't know about you, but I think we might be in for more trouble in the near future. After all, Lucavi isn't the type to give up so easily when their enemies have been identified," Ramza reminded his allies.

Tess stated, "You're beginning to sound like Margurita. I think that we're in for trouble, but I don't think it'll be that sinister. After all, Lucavi usually goes strait on in, and destroys everything in sight, if confirmed as an enemy. No reason to think that they're going to attack us discreetly this time."

Suddenly, a scream was heard out. The trio looked around, only to see a group of Ultima Demons surrounding somewhere. Ramza pulled out his sword, and Tess grabbed her Iaga and Koga Knives. Together, they charged the demons, ready for a fight.

None of the demons were aware that their enemies were attacking them before it was too late. But after sword, knife, and fist killed the first three, the others turned around to see what was going on. The battle was no longer one sided, the monsters were ready to fight back.

Ramza yelled, "You bullies! Picking on the innocents, how despicable. Now, you are all going to die by my hands, and that of my loyal allies." He stabbed the first one with his Chaos Blade. It still had the energy to fight back, but it eventually fell to Tess's knives, and Tyler's Wave Fist.

A line of demons that tried to charge together were knocked down by an Earth Slash. Ramza began to charge Ultima, while Tess and Tyler tried to protect him. It looked like they weren't going to make it, the group was just too large. But suddenly, a Fire 3 managed to kill the group.

Ramza stopped charging, and looked at the victim. The person was wearing a brown dress and brown boots, and a blue cape with a hood. She was clearly a woman, who was pretty overweight. It pained her to get back on her feet, but once she did, she began to rub her stomach. "My baby, it's ok now. We're safe, among those who won't hurt us. I wish your father was in the same boat as us, but he is risking his life to make sure that the truth comes out, eventually, and the real hero is sung of."

"Excuse me, miss," Tyler spoke up, "What are you doing? Why would your husband be risking his life for the truth? Come to think of it, what situation does he need to tell the truth of?"


"My husband is Olan Durai, I'm sure you know him. He's trying to clear the names of you and your allies of the crimes that the church believes you committed, and Ramza will be known as the true hero of the Lion War. We don't need to live these lies," she told them.

Ramza whispered, "Olan, you are truly a brave man. Your father will be proud when he hears how his son is willing to do anything that will lead to the truth coming out about what happened." He hung his head, knowing well that Olan's life might very well be a forfeit as a result of his actions.

Tyler looked at the woman. "I didn't even know that Olan was married, and he's got a kid on the way. You seem to be a strong woman, for not trying to stop him, and being willing to run off in order to survive after all that has happened to you. Heck, you're raising your kid on your own."

"We'll help you," Tess said, "If you're Olan's wife, and he's trying to help us to have our names cleared, then we should make it up to him by protecting his wife and unborn child."

"I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. We came to Alma's 'funeral' after all of the mourners had left, and he saw her and Ramza come by on Chocobos. Ever since, he's been committed to the truth. I cannot hold it against him for not being here for his child, I understand how it is unfair for all of you to be blamed for crimes you never committed. And you've saved Olan's life, so he feels that he owes it to you. This hood is getting really stuffy, I'm taking it off," she stated. The woman then pulled off her hood, revealing the face of the Arc Witch, Balmafula Lanado.

- - - -


About Bal's magic. Well, 1) nobody really knows what her magic command is, and 2) she can always place Black magic as a Secondary Skill.