Of Angels and Salamanders
Chapter four.
Out of the Darkness.
'I can't take this anymore!' Called a voice from within darkness. 'We are nothing but slaves to those damned Gaians! I say no! I say no more! I say we revolt!'
From behind the nothingness came another voice, more dignified than the last.
'Necromancer my brother, please cease with your foolish worlds.We are Eidolons, we are part of those that you hate so much.'
'We are not like them brother Buhamut but born of them. Their fears created us. Their emotions conceived us. We are born of desperation.'
'We are born of fate. We help shape the destinies of those in that world. We are as gods.'
'Gods indeed. Look around you. What do you see? Nothing! We live in a black hole. I do not wish to do so anymore. I'd rather not live at all if I must live in slavery.'
'I beg of you young one, do not do what I foresee.'
'We can only exist if they believe in us therefor they must cease to exist so that we may rest.'
'Necromancer!'
'I hear him brother. I hear his call.' A dark and sinister laugh rang clear throughout the darkness. 'I shall return to my so called master for one last time. Farewell.'
'Necromancer!'
There was nothing but the low echo of his own voice. Out of desperation Buhamut, the dragon king called out many times. There came no reply.
There he sat with the rest of the Eidolons powerful but powerless.
Vast plains outstretched to the distant mountains that were drenched in winter rain. The ground was uneasy and shifting underfoot. Although most had the common sense to stay indoors, one man wandered under heaven's tears.
Before him stood an unnatural beast, born of hybrid and hybrid and now neither bird nor beast.
The soaked earth groaned and rumbled as pillars of flame shot up from various directions. The earth opened and a being with dark blue hair and pale skin emerged.
'Necromancer! Please take care of this demonic beast and banish him to which of the seven hells he came from.' Called the spirit in desperation.
The Eidolon just stood watching with dead eyes that glanced out from underneath a heavy black cloak. No emotion was evident, he was as a statue, in existence but not existing.
'You are fallen.' Spoke the Eidolon.
With no more words to be heard the bastard child of mother nature savagely tore the wanderer limb from limb leaving nothing but shredded clothes and shattered bone.
And then it came, the dark war. The dead battled the living, loved ones fought those long departed until the climax. The bloodstained plains on which the war took place finally found their peace due to the intervention of the mages. The mage's were a proud race from foreign lands that had come to Alexandria seeking refuge.
Many gave their lives in the battle which finally defeated the fallen Eidolon, Necromancer. With every ounce of magic within their being they designed a hex that would be placed on the resting place of Necromancer, the Lumir Forest.
As the Necromancer drew from life and controlled the dead nothing could live in that forest. After combining their magic the saw that the forest no longer had life, yet that it did not die. As the trees and monsters lay in this undead state Necromancer could neither control them or draw strength from them.
There he sleeps.
Not dead.
Not living.
He lies.
Or so the forgotten tale goes.......
---------------------------
Chocobos are fickle creatures and very few are blessed with more intelligence than is needed to take commands. One of these birds wild, free, naive and lost wandered into foliage in search of sustenance.
The trickle of a distant stream that ran into a great pond called out to him promising all that he desired and more. The forest that seemed bathed in light just moments ago now grew dull and frightening but the bird continued his search.
In front of him over broken branches lay his holy grail. Without thought or fear his legs tore through the earth and took him to the water. His neck stretched and curved as he placed his beak into the pond,
Under the bubbling stream the earth was disturbed. Multicoloured pebbles shifted as something rose from underneath. The chocobo was blissfully unaware as his tongue lapped the water.
With a sudden splash a skeletal hand shot out of the water and gripped the yellow bird's neck. His legs kick violently to no avail as he was dragged into the lake. He panicked and panicked but it was no use. Wide eyes glanced at the face that shared a body with the hand and fear tore through him. His heart beat rapidly and then not at all.
And so it was- in the forest of undead trees and undead creatures there was once again life. Born anew with the earth as his womb and recalling his torment Gaia's bane had returned. Inside fragmented memories lay visions of an all female army.
'Alexandria.' He said in a cold tone.
--------------------
Under a starlit sky deep brown eyes glanced up to the moons and asked the lunar guardians to bless her with luck for in the coming months she would seek her revenge. Just within her line of sight bright green lights danced in the sky.
'Something stirs.' She said softly.
As it was midnight the report would be left until morning. Now was time to rest. She returned to her bed in chambers much more elegant than those she called home in her younger years. Now sixteen, mature and wise Beatrix was becoming a woman.
Suits of armour held upright by internal rigging loomed in the corridors like gargoyles on church ledges. Empty metal bodies held their weapons, menacing and lifeless all at once. The worn red carpet stretched along the marble corridors and lead the girl to her room.
Opening the ivory door there was a slight creak but it wasn't loud enough to wake the other body in the room. No lamps were lit as Beatrix got ready for bed.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder it is said but all would agree that Beatrix had grown into a very attractive woman. As she hung up her uniform the blue negligee that she wore fluttered in the air and revealing her perfectly formed legs. Her creamy thighs were slim yet muscular and Beatrix's eyes were her best feature.
But then again others would disagree. Some preferred her beautiful face with her small and cute nose and her full ruby lips. (The less dignified would have said that her best feature was in fact her large breasts, not oversized, not undersize, just perfect.)
Unknown to her the sleeping body was far from sleeping. When Beatrix fell asleep the body stirred.
'Sweet dreams.' Said Lani in hushed tones.
She too could sleep now with the knowledge that Beatrix was safe. This constant worrying
--------------------------------
Morning had come and the sun hung in the sky. The rays of light kissed the city, awakening it from slumber. The city was alive once more.
When the time had come, Beatrix made her report the King and Queen about the strange lights that she had seen near the forest.
Later that day three Pluto Knights were sent to investigate the sighting. The lucky Knights were Spyke Gray, Shuya Mimura and the new recruit Adelbert Steiner.
The view of the forest was unsettling for even though the midday sun shone all around no light appeared within the trees. It looked dark and mystic just as an evil forest should.
The three men dismounted their chocobos and stood at the entrance of the forest.
'Loo-oks fine to me.' Stammered Shuya. He was hoping that for some reason Spyke would agree with him for once. That they could leave this damned place.
'How did you even become a knight? I've seen babies with less fear than you!'
'Sir, if you don't mind me saying. Babies have no understanding of fear. Fear is something learned.'
'Shut up! I don't need your intelligence, just your courage.'
'I think I left it at home.'
Spyke took his sword from the scabbard by his side. His eyes looked dark and scary as he glared at Shuya.
'Look, Shuya. Get your rust covered backside inside that forest or you'll have and accident!'
'What about the rookie? Can't he go with you? He needs the experience more than I do.'
'No he doesn't! Steiner my lad, stay and watch these chocobos. If fate greets us with a crooked smile this day, flee to the city and warn Alexandria. A sleeping memory has awoken here.
'Sir.'
'Shuya you coward, follow me.'
Shuya and Spyke took a few steps into the darkness. All remaining light in the forest died and nothing could be seen. Adelbert's ears became incredibly sensitive. In the distance he heard a running stream. It was somewhat peaceful until the cries of grown men assaulted his ears.
Although he wanted to rush in and rescue his comrades, he remembered what Spyke had said. With no time to spare he leaped onto his chocobo and fled the scene at great haste. The other two chocobos were left to die or run. It wasn't his concern.
As the ground became a blur Alexandria was growing in size. Two objects flew from the forest and landed thirty or so feet in front of the speeding animal.
They looked like......
Skeletons.
Each of these undead beings wore the armour of the to two dead knights. It was as if their flesh had been torn from their bones. Each held a sword in their hands and with an almighty slash they hacked away the chocobo's legs, catapulting Adelbert through the air.
The young man landed face first in a muddy patch of earth. Ignoring the pain he got back to his feet just in time to block a blow from the sword of Spyke with his armoured wrist.
He soon withdrew his sword and engaged in battle with both foes. Then he thought- how do you kill something that's already dead?
Before he could come up with an answer to that very good question he ducked to avoid Shuya's blade striking his skull. With great effort Adelbert raised his sword at great speed. The blade tore through Shuya's pelvis, up through his rib cage and shattered his skull as it exited his body.
Shuya was dead.
Again.
Now all that remained was to defeat Spyke. If the shadow of the former knight retained any of his skills this would be a difficult fight to win.
'I apologise sir. I am sure I have your understanding.' Said Adelbert as he took his battle stance.
Whether Spyke understood or not was entirely irrelevant to the events that would follow. The undead one lunged forward with his blade and narrowly missed the rookie. Adelbert's eyes grew wide with shock. Even in death, Spyke still had his talents.
Once again Spyke lunged at him only to be met by the point of his blade. The weapon Adelbert had been issued had pierced Spyke's empty eye socket. As the recruit pulled his blade free part of Spyke's skull fell to the ground.
Normally such a blow would have destroyed an opponent but this was no ordinary combatant. Even though lacking part of his skull, Spyke still stood upright.
A blur of silver moved in the air as the senior Pluto Knight attacked Adelbert. The young recruit grew cocky as he blocked blow after blow. There it was! His chance.
For a brief moment the undead being had seemingly let his guard down. Adelbert's blade flew towards his shattered skull. This seemed to be the best course of action. That was until Adelbert ceased his movements. A warm and sharp pain ran up his chest, diagonally from left to right as his brain went into shock.
He'd been hit!
But he was wearing armour! How could he be hurt?
Reluctantly he looked down to see that his armour had been torn by the blade backed up with some supernatural force. Blood leaked under the steel armour and shards of steel stabbed his chest.
A thud was heard as he struck the floor. He looked up into the eyes of his enemy who now stood over him, prepared to strike his face. Through some measure of luck Adelbert found enough strength to grab his sword that lay by his side and performed another Shuya Special.
Just as he had done to Shuya he thrust his blade upwards and cleaved Spyke in half. The right side of the body fell to Adelbert's left while the left side fell to his right.
Just a few metres from where he lay he could see his chocobo lying lifeless on the ground and minus his legs. The gods had allowed him one more ounce of luck as Shuya's chocobo returned.
With great pain and effort Adelbert somehow mounted the chocobo. Midway between the forest and Alexandria Adelbert lost consciousness and drifted off to a world with less pain. The chocobo, originally yellow from head to toe was now red, soaked in Adelbert's blood.
When they arrived at Alexandria two sentries spotted the wounded Knight and carried him as quick as they could to the infirmary within the castle walls.
He awoke the next day naked and bandaged on a bed with clean sheets. With only clean linen to hide his modesty.
'Good morning, Steiner.' Said a female bearing a smile that was whiter than the pristine room they were in.
'Beatrix!? Have I got a story for you!'
---------------------
Yeah, I took a while. Sorry about that. I also apologise for the lack of Beatrix-ness in this chapter. I needed to move away from her and Lani to make the story progress. Next chapter we will be back with those two beautiful ladies.
Chapter four.
Out of the Darkness.
'I can't take this anymore!' Called a voice from within darkness. 'We are nothing but slaves to those damned Gaians! I say no! I say no more! I say we revolt!'
From behind the nothingness came another voice, more dignified than the last.
'Necromancer my brother, please cease with your foolish worlds.We are Eidolons, we are part of those that you hate so much.'
'We are not like them brother Buhamut but born of them. Their fears created us. Their emotions conceived us. We are born of desperation.'
'We are born of fate. We help shape the destinies of those in that world. We are as gods.'
'Gods indeed. Look around you. What do you see? Nothing! We live in a black hole. I do not wish to do so anymore. I'd rather not live at all if I must live in slavery.'
'I beg of you young one, do not do what I foresee.'
'We can only exist if they believe in us therefor they must cease to exist so that we may rest.'
'Necromancer!'
'I hear him brother. I hear his call.' A dark and sinister laugh rang clear throughout the darkness. 'I shall return to my so called master for one last time. Farewell.'
'Necromancer!'
There was nothing but the low echo of his own voice. Out of desperation Buhamut, the dragon king called out many times. There came no reply.
There he sat with the rest of the Eidolons powerful but powerless.
Vast plains outstretched to the distant mountains that were drenched in winter rain. The ground was uneasy and shifting underfoot. Although most had the common sense to stay indoors, one man wandered under heaven's tears.
Before him stood an unnatural beast, born of hybrid and hybrid and now neither bird nor beast.
The soaked earth groaned and rumbled as pillars of flame shot up from various directions. The earth opened and a being with dark blue hair and pale skin emerged.
'Necromancer! Please take care of this demonic beast and banish him to which of the seven hells he came from.' Called the spirit in desperation.
The Eidolon just stood watching with dead eyes that glanced out from underneath a heavy black cloak. No emotion was evident, he was as a statue, in existence but not existing.
'You are fallen.' Spoke the Eidolon.
With no more words to be heard the bastard child of mother nature savagely tore the wanderer limb from limb leaving nothing but shredded clothes and shattered bone.
And then it came, the dark war. The dead battled the living, loved ones fought those long departed until the climax. The bloodstained plains on which the war took place finally found their peace due to the intervention of the mages. The mage's were a proud race from foreign lands that had come to Alexandria seeking refuge.
Many gave their lives in the battle which finally defeated the fallen Eidolon, Necromancer. With every ounce of magic within their being they designed a hex that would be placed on the resting place of Necromancer, the Lumir Forest.
As the Necromancer drew from life and controlled the dead nothing could live in that forest. After combining their magic the saw that the forest no longer had life, yet that it did not die. As the trees and monsters lay in this undead state Necromancer could neither control them or draw strength from them.
There he sleeps.
Not dead.
Not living.
He lies.
Or so the forgotten tale goes.......
---------------------------
Chocobos are fickle creatures and very few are blessed with more intelligence than is needed to take commands. One of these birds wild, free, naive and lost wandered into foliage in search of sustenance.
The trickle of a distant stream that ran into a great pond called out to him promising all that he desired and more. The forest that seemed bathed in light just moments ago now grew dull and frightening but the bird continued his search.
In front of him over broken branches lay his holy grail. Without thought or fear his legs tore through the earth and took him to the water. His neck stretched and curved as he placed his beak into the pond,
Under the bubbling stream the earth was disturbed. Multicoloured pebbles shifted as something rose from underneath. The chocobo was blissfully unaware as his tongue lapped the water.
With a sudden splash a skeletal hand shot out of the water and gripped the yellow bird's neck. His legs kick violently to no avail as he was dragged into the lake. He panicked and panicked but it was no use. Wide eyes glanced at the face that shared a body with the hand and fear tore through him. His heart beat rapidly and then not at all.
And so it was- in the forest of undead trees and undead creatures there was once again life. Born anew with the earth as his womb and recalling his torment Gaia's bane had returned. Inside fragmented memories lay visions of an all female army.
'Alexandria.' He said in a cold tone.
--------------------
Under a starlit sky deep brown eyes glanced up to the moons and asked the lunar guardians to bless her with luck for in the coming months she would seek her revenge. Just within her line of sight bright green lights danced in the sky.
'Something stirs.' She said softly.
As it was midnight the report would be left until morning. Now was time to rest. She returned to her bed in chambers much more elegant than those she called home in her younger years. Now sixteen, mature and wise Beatrix was becoming a woman.
Suits of armour held upright by internal rigging loomed in the corridors like gargoyles on church ledges. Empty metal bodies held their weapons, menacing and lifeless all at once. The worn red carpet stretched along the marble corridors and lead the girl to her room.
Opening the ivory door there was a slight creak but it wasn't loud enough to wake the other body in the room. No lamps were lit as Beatrix got ready for bed.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder it is said but all would agree that Beatrix had grown into a very attractive woman. As she hung up her uniform the blue negligee that she wore fluttered in the air and revealing her perfectly formed legs. Her creamy thighs were slim yet muscular and Beatrix's eyes were her best feature.
But then again others would disagree. Some preferred her beautiful face with her small and cute nose and her full ruby lips. (The less dignified would have said that her best feature was in fact her large breasts, not oversized, not undersize, just perfect.)
Unknown to her the sleeping body was far from sleeping. When Beatrix fell asleep the body stirred.
'Sweet dreams.' Said Lani in hushed tones.
She too could sleep now with the knowledge that Beatrix was safe. This constant worrying
--------------------------------
Morning had come and the sun hung in the sky. The rays of light kissed the city, awakening it from slumber. The city was alive once more.
When the time had come, Beatrix made her report the King and Queen about the strange lights that she had seen near the forest.
Later that day three Pluto Knights were sent to investigate the sighting. The lucky Knights were Spyke Gray, Shuya Mimura and the new recruit Adelbert Steiner.
The view of the forest was unsettling for even though the midday sun shone all around no light appeared within the trees. It looked dark and mystic just as an evil forest should.
The three men dismounted their chocobos and stood at the entrance of the forest.
'Loo-oks fine to me.' Stammered Shuya. He was hoping that for some reason Spyke would agree with him for once. That they could leave this damned place.
'How did you even become a knight? I've seen babies with less fear than you!'
'Sir, if you don't mind me saying. Babies have no understanding of fear. Fear is something learned.'
'Shut up! I don't need your intelligence, just your courage.'
'I think I left it at home.'
Spyke took his sword from the scabbard by his side. His eyes looked dark and scary as he glared at Shuya.
'Look, Shuya. Get your rust covered backside inside that forest or you'll have and accident!'
'What about the rookie? Can't he go with you? He needs the experience more than I do.'
'No he doesn't! Steiner my lad, stay and watch these chocobos. If fate greets us with a crooked smile this day, flee to the city and warn Alexandria. A sleeping memory has awoken here.
'Sir.'
'Shuya you coward, follow me.'
Shuya and Spyke took a few steps into the darkness. All remaining light in the forest died and nothing could be seen. Adelbert's ears became incredibly sensitive. In the distance he heard a running stream. It was somewhat peaceful until the cries of grown men assaulted his ears.
Although he wanted to rush in and rescue his comrades, he remembered what Spyke had said. With no time to spare he leaped onto his chocobo and fled the scene at great haste. The other two chocobos were left to die or run. It wasn't his concern.
As the ground became a blur Alexandria was growing in size. Two objects flew from the forest and landed thirty or so feet in front of the speeding animal.
They looked like......
Skeletons.
Each of these undead beings wore the armour of the to two dead knights. It was as if their flesh had been torn from their bones. Each held a sword in their hands and with an almighty slash they hacked away the chocobo's legs, catapulting Adelbert through the air.
The young man landed face first in a muddy patch of earth. Ignoring the pain he got back to his feet just in time to block a blow from the sword of Spyke with his armoured wrist.
He soon withdrew his sword and engaged in battle with both foes. Then he thought- how do you kill something that's already dead?
Before he could come up with an answer to that very good question he ducked to avoid Shuya's blade striking his skull. With great effort Adelbert raised his sword at great speed. The blade tore through Shuya's pelvis, up through his rib cage and shattered his skull as it exited his body.
Shuya was dead.
Again.
Now all that remained was to defeat Spyke. If the shadow of the former knight retained any of his skills this would be a difficult fight to win.
'I apologise sir. I am sure I have your understanding.' Said Adelbert as he took his battle stance.
Whether Spyke understood or not was entirely irrelevant to the events that would follow. The undead one lunged forward with his blade and narrowly missed the rookie. Adelbert's eyes grew wide with shock. Even in death, Spyke still had his talents.
Once again Spyke lunged at him only to be met by the point of his blade. The weapon Adelbert had been issued had pierced Spyke's empty eye socket. As the recruit pulled his blade free part of Spyke's skull fell to the ground.
Normally such a blow would have destroyed an opponent but this was no ordinary combatant. Even though lacking part of his skull, Spyke still stood upright.
A blur of silver moved in the air as the senior Pluto Knight attacked Adelbert. The young recruit grew cocky as he blocked blow after blow. There it was! His chance.
For a brief moment the undead being had seemingly let his guard down. Adelbert's blade flew towards his shattered skull. This seemed to be the best course of action. That was until Adelbert ceased his movements. A warm and sharp pain ran up his chest, diagonally from left to right as his brain went into shock.
He'd been hit!
But he was wearing armour! How could he be hurt?
Reluctantly he looked down to see that his armour had been torn by the blade backed up with some supernatural force. Blood leaked under the steel armour and shards of steel stabbed his chest.
A thud was heard as he struck the floor. He looked up into the eyes of his enemy who now stood over him, prepared to strike his face. Through some measure of luck Adelbert found enough strength to grab his sword that lay by his side and performed another Shuya Special.
Just as he had done to Shuya he thrust his blade upwards and cleaved Spyke in half. The right side of the body fell to Adelbert's left while the left side fell to his right.
Just a few metres from where he lay he could see his chocobo lying lifeless on the ground and minus his legs. The gods had allowed him one more ounce of luck as Shuya's chocobo returned.
With great pain and effort Adelbert somehow mounted the chocobo. Midway between the forest and Alexandria Adelbert lost consciousness and drifted off to a world with less pain. The chocobo, originally yellow from head to toe was now red, soaked in Adelbert's blood.
When they arrived at Alexandria two sentries spotted the wounded Knight and carried him as quick as they could to the infirmary within the castle walls.
He awoke the next day naked and bandaged on a bed with clean sheets. With only clean linen to hide his modesty.
'Good morning, Steiner.' Said a female bearing a smile that was whiter than the pristine room they were in.
'Beatrix!? Have I got a story for you!'
---------------------
Yeah, I took a while. Sorry about that. I also apologise for the lack of Beatrix-ness in this chapter. I needed to move away from her and Lani to make the story progress. Next chapter we will be back with those two beautiful ladies.