I don't own 10-2
You are the Quarry
Chapter 3
Revenge and vengeance. They're the same thing right? Making things even. Vengeance seems more holy though. Revenge sounds al about blood and pain. But aren't they all forms of retribution and justice. Maybe vengeance is getting your own back and revenge is that act. I suppose my being here is about vengeance but getting my revenge takes time.
I sigh into my meal of cooked vegetables and quiche whilst sipping coffee. I don't feel so ravenous now but I've eaten most of my meal like a good girl.
Once I've dealt with my quarry I'll get on with my life probably under a new name and look and I doubt I'll have much. Not the big castle with maids and servants. Maybe a nice small Luca apartment with deep cotton sofas and a rich silk duvet for the bed. A nice quiet job in a small book store.
I smile half-heartedly put down my knife and fork and dump my leftovers into the slop bucket and put my cutlery and plate in the appropriate box. And leave for my rooms.
It wasn't even six by the time I was in my personal space. This week's issue of Spira news had been pushed under my door. It contained the usual stuff so I flicked through disinterest. Apparently the calm lands has a new attraction, the Al Bhed were planning a new home someplace, the sphere break tournament was won by a dog and High Summoner Yuna was marrying her sweetheart Guardian Tidus amid rumours she's pregnant. Still no trace of Lady Paine despite diligent searches. Next weeks weather forecast is moderate sunshine with the odd shower in outlying regions. Not that many people visit the Baaj Temple.
I toss the magazine aside and gaze up at the celling. Such pretty patterns. I get up off the bed and head to the shared bathroom. It's Friday evening so many of the acolytes have gone into Bevelle to enjoy themselves. And they should. But presently the only thing on my mind was a scalding hot shower then curling up with a good book.
I push the heavy bolt into place and put my garment gird in easy reach and turn the shower dial to its hottest setting. The water cascades over me raining down all over me. My hair is soaked to tendrils as I scrub the water washing away the foam and bubbles. I always use the same ginger body wash. I like the smell it's always calming and invigorating. I drench my hair with two in one ginger shampoo and conditioner twice so my hairs extra clean.
As I finished and step out of the shower I realise just how tired I am mentally. All this book staring must be doing my eyes in.
I dry off and resume the red mage. A nice evening reading a book whilst drinking coffee. Nice and peaceful.
By the time I exited the bathroom I knew that wouldn't be possible. 3 low level acolytes came tearing past me howling in terror. I chance a glance at what they were running from,
A Claret Dragon
A damned Claret Dragon
There goes my evening
I casually aim a thunder in the direction of the fleeing acolytes' direction
"Wait! Where the hell are you going? What the hell are you doing? And why is there a Claret Dragon on the lose? Actually answer them later we've got a fiend to kill."
As I turned to face the beast I cast protect as the Dragons abilities were physical and transformed into the Dragoon for increase HP and defence.
There seemed to be a hint of recognition in the Dragons eyes like it knew who I was
It's the same bugger from the book
I decided to kill it then yell at the morons who let it out
Before I attacked I summoned the Reis wind so I wouldn't have to worry so much about my HP. None of the morons had come forward to help. I hadn't expected any.
"It's just me and you then" If I get whiplash someone's gonna die
I felt the Dragoon instincts take over. The name of the soul in this dressphere is Freya although looking at my outfit it seems more closely associated with another legendary Dragoon, Kain
I pushed my musings aside and focused on the task at hand. Or claw for the dragon's perspective.
Fortunately I concentrate in time to see the aforementioned appendage come crashing down towards me.
I lean back and point the tip of my spear into the soft flesh of its paw
It impales itself on my spear I let go and the spear grinds to a halt in a pot hole between the flagstones. I press my advantage
Spinning an attack with my armoured hands the dragon is struggling to free itself and it looks very painful. I've wound up cherry blossom and it detaches itself from the spear but it now has a hole in its foot. I loose my attack and make a move to retrieve my weapon. As I moved the dragon picked that moment to hit me with a tail smash. Somewhere in-between me throwing myself down and the dragons tail hitting me I find myself on the floor my spear just out of my reach.
I roll out of range for its next attack grabbing my spear and standing up. The Dragon must die.
I jump come crashing down into the monster and have resumed my battle stance before it's even considered its next attack. Protect is weakening as is reis wind better finish this soon so I charge up cherry blossom.
It tries to claw me which I nimbly spring away from and another tails smash has me meeting the floor again. I'm up in seconds my HPs yellow and Cheery Blossom was ready. I let it go adding "Die Bitch" when I launch this attack.
The fiend became nothing. The book was on the floor open on the contents. The three terrified acolytes were till standing on the spot terrified. Collecting my winnings going from Dragoon to Red Mage and healing, picking up and closing the book. I took a deep breath and started yelling
"What the hell were you doing? Why on earth did you open that book clearly marked DANGEROUS! Claret Dragon inside? Do you know how dangerous fiends like that is? I've had whiplash from fighting it. What do you have to say?
"We're sorry we didn't know we thought it would be like a lot of lesser fiends we've encountered"
"If it was a lesser fiend why did it have Dangerous on the front hey? I expect a full incident report from each of you by tomorrow morning. You can give it to me in the fiend library by ten. Understand?"
"Yes ma'am" They chorused
"Now what are your names and acolyte numbers so I can make sure you get me those reports?"
"Morgan, 3445"
"Jack 3469"
"Will 3221"
"Okay now get out of here, I'll take the book back so you head to your rooms or wherever you're going understood?"
"Yes"
We turned in different directions to head to various places. Or we would have. The Praetor had turned up and was demanding an explanation.
"Yer Praetorship these acolytes had loosed a highly dangerous fiend and are going to give me incident reports in the morning"
"Are you taking the book back?" Always with the questions
"Yes sir I didn't want them loosing the beast again"
"May I see the book" Always curious
I handed the book over careful not to let it open
"Please be careful if you open it..."
Too late. The book was open an the Dragon was attacking. Again. The acolytes had scampered leaving me and the Praetor to deal with the dragon.
A perfect end to my dull day