Beyond
Written by Becki
(C) Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles
Ideas copyrighted to Square Enix
Dream
"Mama?" The child buried his face into the back of the stuffed animal, a figure that resembled a moogle. The poorly stitched toy stared up at the wooden roof with a stitched black cross for an eye, the red bonbon bouncing aimlessly in the air.
"Yes, my dear?" She said, taking the child into her arms, fastening them protectively around his waist. Her soft fingers caressed the boy's face lovingly with great tenderness.
"Where did I come from?" He said, tugging playfully at the moogle's tattered black wing. The mother was taken aback by such a question, and a gentle smile touched her lips.
"Well.." She said with a matter-of-fact tone. "We all come from the Mushroom Forest, of course." The boy said nothing, hugging his toy fiercely, as in thought. "Now it is time for you to sleep. It's getting late." She laid the boy down into his bed, and he lifted the toy moogle for her to tuck the blanket under his arms. Brushing her lips upon his forehead, she blew out the candle and left the door open for some light to spill in.
Sleep almost instantly over took him. The moogle's lifeless eyes seemed to glint..
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They were watching..
All around, those tall figures.. Towering above, as if to topple over any second and knock someone dead. He looked around, fingers raised to block the sunlight from his eyes. Nothing but mushrooms as far as the eye could see. Reddish tops glistening in the sunlight.
"What are you doing, Shi Reh?" A young selkie girl followed by two lilties descended through the stalks of the white mushrooms, addressing this selkie male. They were all clad in brown, each face and hair color different.
"..." He grinned a mischievous smile. "Nothing, Kae Lin."
"I can see it." One of the lilties noted with some edge in his voice. "He's up to something, Kae."
"I know." The owlhead selkie said with a frown. "And I don't like it."
"Since when do friends interrogate each other?" Shi Reh said. "And what about you, Kurach?" He said accusingly at the male lilty who had spoken. "I've seen you utter those sighs and watching the world scurry by. You must have some kind of fantasy in that head of yours."
"Enough." Kae Lin interrupted, rolling her eyes. "Let's just go, all right?" Kurach uttered a scowl but said no more. The younger lilty shifted his feet.
"Where are we going?"
"I don't know, somewhere but here." Shi Reh answered for Kae Lin. "I'm sick of this place."
"How could you say such thing?!" The girl demanded, her voice cross. "We've all been raised here and the forest has taken care of us. You speak as if we live in a barren wasteland."
"A wasteland covered with mushrooms." He said bitterly. "In any case, I'm just going to wander off." He turned, pearly blond hair spinning in the sunlight as he did so. Kae Lin yanked him back by pulling at the end of his hair.
"Not without supervision." His friend said, her eyes sharp. "Don't think I'm going to let you go off like that after what you said."
"I'll follow along too." Kurach piped up. His younger brother whimpered.
"We'll get in trouble.. you know how we'll get killed if we venture to far.." Kurach snorted.
"You don't actually believe those tales of monsters out there, do you Rikarsh? It's just a maid's story to keep the children in during the night. Besides, we won't venture far."
"Then.. then I'm coming too!" He said, tugging at the back of Kurach's clothes. The older lilty was to protest when Kae Lin with her diplomatic resolve came in.
"Just let him come. Like you said, we won't be going very far." She pronounced the last three words critically, eyeing the other selkie. Shi Reh scowled but dared not say more.
The four set off through the forest, among the stalks which rose above their heads like trees. The scent of fungi in the forest never faltered, but the children were used it. Dew dripped from the flesh of the mushroom's tops, the umbrella like figures guarding them from anything in the sky. Shi Reh was sorely tempted to start in a bolt through the mushrooms, to get away from this place and witness what they called freedom. He knew he could outrun the lilties with their short legs, but Kae Lin's reflexes were quicker than his. Besides, she'd eat him up the time he got back if his escape was indeed successful.
But would he want to return?
The forest never changed. They were always under the watch of these gigantic structures, when it rained, they sheltered them. When they were hungry, the forest provided for them. When the sun was hot, they provided shelter. Only children roamed these parts, for when a young one grew they were permitted to leave the forest and move out into the world. If they could pass.. certain tests.
Ahead there was a crack between the islands covered in mushrooms. Nobody knew where the crevasses lead or how far they fell, but mushrooms poked out from each crack, their tops showing over the edge.
The lilty brothers jumped on the mushroom, and the top sprung up and led them to an upper region. It was their way of travel to higher ground. Shi Reh raised a hand and made a gesture which seemed to indicate 'ladies first', but Kae Lin frowned and ordered him first.
She doesn't trust me. He thought, knowing that she suspected him to turn and bolt with nobody down there to supervise him. He knew better than to protest, so climbed onto the mushroom and let it bounce him above.
Above, Kurach and Rikarsh were waiting as Shi Reh climbed over the edge and the mushroom descended. They waited for Kae Lin, taking no notice to the place around them. Without warning, they heard the female selkie wrench out a cry of surprise. Shi Reh was the first to approach the end of the cliff, and peered over, just in time to see the mushroom collapse from under her.
In natural reaction, Shi Reh lashed out his hand and just caught Kae Lin's wrist before she fell into the abyss. Her ankle was twisted when her weight caused her to collapse as the mushroom fell, and when she slammed against the side of the cliff, she cried out in pain. Afraid that his hand would slip Shi Reh's fingers dug involuntarily into the skin of her arm, and she winced.
"Give me your other hand!" Shi Reh roared, not knowing that his voice had risen in this sudden time of anxiety. Rikarsh whimpered behind him and Kurach watched, unable to help with little strength.
Kae Lin half raised her arm, but winced quickly and lowered it again.
"I.. I can't.." She whispered, voice intense. Shi Reh's other hand was placed at the flat surface of the ground, to keep his body grounded and disable it from toppling over the other side. But the arm that grabbed onto Kae Lin's wrist was tiring, and he feared that both of them would be thrown into the crevasse if he released is other hand.
"Grab my legs!" He shouted to the lilties. They looked at him in surprise, but did as he bid. Knowing the light structure of lilties, he knew the great chance of all four of them falling.
He released his arm and with both hands clung to Kae Lin's wrist. He yanked up and caught her beneath the arm pit, unheeding another whimper of pain she gave. Soon, she was completely recovered over the side, gasping for breath and touching her ankle.
"Are you all right?" Shi Reh said breathlessly. Kae Lin's wet eyes seethed with pain but she gritted her teeth.
"My foot, it hurts, Shi.." She touched the ankle bone and recoiled. Her wrist was cut and started to bleed from Shi Reh's nails, but she didn't seem to notice.
Rirkarsh began to bawl.
"Kae! You.. you're not going to die, are-are you..?" He said between sobs. Kurach shook his head fiercely, and Shi Reh chose to ignore the both of them.
"Can you walk?" He looked seriously at the mark of blue that began to spread and pulsate under the shining skin of her foot. She placed a scratched palm on the earth and tried to hoist herself up, only to fall again, trembling.
"Can you help me?" She asked. Shi Reh took her hand and helped her up, letting her lean on him.
"So much for the Forest taking care of us. Look what it's done to your foot." He said crossly. Kae suppressed another wail.
"I.. I'm fine, just a twist." She said, but he knew she was lying. "We.. we should go back.."
"How?" Kurach said logically. "Is there another way down?"
"We'll find a way." The male selkie said confidently, turning to the other side. "C'mon, it's going to be dark soon.." He lead the way with Kae Lin limping beside him, leaning on his shoulder. The lilty brothers followed behind, timid and frightened.
It was a slow pace. With every step Shi Reh knew that she was controlling the desire to cry out. She tensed with every turn, her grip on his shoulder tightening. Her foot had swollen and began to turn a darker shade, and it was evident that the bone had cracked. They had wandered for an hour and realized how much time had passed when the sun disappeared.
"Let's stop.." Kae Lin said at last. "We'll get lost if we continue on in the dark like this.."
"We can't stop here.." Rikarsh said, sniffing. "What if they find us?" Kurach shook his head.
"Still sobbing over the monsters? There aren't any here, Rikarsh!"
"But big brother.." The younger lilty pleaded. "I hear things when we walk, we're. .we're being followed."
"Nonsense." Shi Reh spoke up, his eyes narrow. "This forest has been safe ever since we've known it. Now, Kae, I think it's better if you rest here with Rikarsh. Kurach and I will scout ahead to see if we find anything familiar. This cursed forest goes on forever."
"Don't.. don't leave us, Shi!" Rikarsh said, tugging on his clothes. "Don't leave us!"
"You don't have to worry." Shi Reh said, pulling away and minding Kae Lin's injury. "Kae here can defend you, with a broken foot or no. I'd hate to be in any situation when she's angry." The girl grinned weakly.
"We'll be fine, Rikarsh." She said gently, her breaths ragged. "We'll go under that mushroom, over there." She pointed to the largest of the cluster. "The forest will protect us." She looked to the other selkie with some irony, but he chose to say nothing.
Shi Reh helped her over the mushroom and sat her down against the stalk. Without further hesitation, he nodded and went to leave with the older lilty to some random direction.
"Shi." He stopped upon hearing the female call his name. He looked over his shoulder to see her serious face.
"Don't get lost. That will put us all in a problem."
"Right." He said. "If it gets to dark, we'll come back without venturing too far." She creased her eyebrow as he vanished from their sight.
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:....
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The Selkie and the lilty paused as they heard rustling around them. The looked all around but only saw mushrooms. Shi Reh had the idea of them hiding behind a stalk to see whoever their pursuer was. Shi Reh remembered Rikarsh's frightened words of hearing things behind them. They had nothing to fight with, for they never needed to fight.
They saw a tall figure ascend through the wood, a long, furry hand reaching up to what looked like a long snout.
"Are you sure you're not seeing things?!" A cross male voice said, the voice of the tall figure. Shi Reh thought this person was speaking to itself until he saw the hovering shadow above the person's head. A high voice followed.
"I.. I'm sure I saw someone.. or.. two someone's, kupo. They.. they were there, I'm sure of it."
"Seriously Kupo, I think you're hallucinating or something."
"Stop joking around, kupo!" The high pitched voice said, flatly irritated. The selkie saw fear in Kurach's eyes as he watched.
"Monsters?" The lilty whispered so softly, clearly afraid and unsure.
"I'm not sure.." Shi Reh whispered back. "But they can't be up to any good, I don't recognize them. On the count of three, we'll jump out and frighten them. Maybe we can get them away." Kurach's eyes widened, but he nodded hesitantly.
"One.." Shi Reh's heart was pounding. Who were these people in their forest? Would they harm the others that were there?
"Two...." Kurach closed his eyes as if saying a prayer. "Three!" Shi Reh shouted the last number, and the two of them jumped out from behind the mushroom just as the two figures began to pass them. Shi Reh's target was the flying, small creature, and managed to slam the pitiful creature to the ground.
"Ack! Please have mercy, kupo! Don't kill me!" The thing squeaked. Shi Reh was surprised as he looked into a cowering animal, it looked like a fluff ball. The creature's wings were like a bat's, black and small, it had a red nose and had something that protruded from the top of his forehead and bounced in Shi Reh's face.
"Who are you?" Shi Reh turned away from the animal and looked at the taller figure, able to see the person in the frozen moonlight. A male yuke, the selkie recognized. There were yukes back at the place the children of the forest gathered. But this yuke was full grown, an adult.
Kurach had his eyes shut tight, arms tight around the yuke's neck in his pathetic attempt of attack. He was so small next to the adult, and the yuke seemed to not notice the new red accessory clinging to his neck.
"I live in this forest." Shi Reh said defiantly. "What are intruders doing here?"
The yuke stared-or at least seemed to stare, it was impossible to see his eyes- through the helmet at the young boy.
"Intruder? I hardly say so, we are just.. lost. My companion and I are seeking a way out of this forsaken place." The yuke raised his fuzzy striped arms to emphasize his words. With that, he pulled Kurach off of his neck and dropped him to the ground. "And what are you two insane lads doing, nearly giving us a heart attack with such an approach. Hardly welcome."
"...." Shi Reh continued to eye the yuke suspiciously. He still had the animal pinned to the ground, and the yuke sighed.
"Could you at least get off of Kupo? Trust me, he's harmless." Shi Reh slowly stood up, brushing his palms together. The thing looked up, hyperventilating.
"Who are these people, Lugh?" The animal said, trembling. "You gave me such a fright, kupo!"
"What.. are you..?" Shi Reh asked, tilting his head to one side to examine the beast further. There was no polite way of asking. The creature looked irritated.
"I'm a moogle, kupo! You should know better than to nearly squash me in some game of yours!" The yuke who the moogle had called Lugh gave a tsk and shook his long head.
"I'd like to know who they are myself." He said. "But maybe I should introduce myself first. My name is Lugh Jone. My companion here is Kupo." Kurach spoke up, addressing the moogle.
"Why do you keep saying your name?" He said, rubbing his head.
"Kupo." The moogle moaned.
"All moogles say that." Lugh said. "Clearly this is the first time you've seen one. This one just happens to be named Kupo. Now, are you going to give us an explanation of who you are?"
"We live here." Shi Reh said rebelliously. "Are you of the outside world?"
"Outside world? Well.. yes, I suppose so." Lugh said. "We just got lost here after some exploring. A friend told me this was a interesting place to visit, so I took up on his word and came. What a bloody mistake that was. Anyhow.." He said, looking to Shi Reh before he began rambling. "Sir.."
"Shi Reh."
"Sir Shi Reh, will you do us the honors and lead us out of here?"
"...." The Selkie paused.
"Well, what's the matter?"
"I don't know the way out. We're lost ourselves." He admitted, and Kurach frowned.
"Well, that's jolly well, isn't it?" Lugh said, his voice echoing inside of his helmet. "We may as well find the way together, right?"
Shi Reh felt a little elation bubble inside of him. Perhaps.. they could leave the forest, for good. Shi Reh and Kae Lin were of age to pass the trails and leave the Mushroom forest. Lugh could help them, he was sure, for Shi Reh had never seen an adult before, and overestimated the yuke's ability.
"Sure." The selkie said, and Kurach froze.
"What do you mean, Shi?! We can't help them, we need to get home! What about Kae and Rikarsh?"
"They can come with us. I don't think they'll care if we leave this place. Countless generations have done it before us."
"But.."
"We'll go." Shi Reh said despite the lilty's objections. Kurach's mouth fell open, and Lugh clapped his large hands together.
"Excellent! Um.. you said you had other companions?" He asked. Shi Reh was silent, and nodded, face stoical. Kupo was now hovering above the yuke's head, giving distrusting glances in Shi's direction.
"Let's go find them then, kupo!" Cried the moogle. "It's getting dark!"