Notes: One of those chapters thats only there to lead to the next, more important chapters. I still found it entertaining while developing the characters personalities. The next chapter is already in progress as I type this, "Dreams and Odin's Wrath" to give you a hint of what may be in the next one.
Vana'diel: Crystal of Darkness
Chapter VII: The Highlands
Ithil's eyes surveyed the land before him with a frown. All around lay the rocky, desolate lands of North Gustaberg. The rocky earth seemed to drop down before him, revealing a harsh terrain covered with tough shrubbery and mounds of rock rising from the ground. To his left a river cut across the land before tumbling over the sheer cliff side and continuing on, splitting the land in a deep fissure connected by a bridge of wooden planks, and vanishing off into the distance. The sun hung not far off the western horizon.
"I don't see this on the map." Nettin walked up to his side, head cocked to one side and holding a weathered map in front of her face. Ithil looked at her before snatching the map away. "Huh? Gimme that!" He frowned at the map. She had been looking at it upside down.
"We're on the wrong side... we can't get up into the Konschtat Highlands from this side. How did you go all this way without realizing the map was upside down?" Ithil looked up from the map to see that the Mithra had begun poking a silent and annoyed Epsil in the head, clearly not paying any attention. Finally the Tarutaru seemed to grow tired of it and bit her finger.
"Ouch!" Nettin yelped, sucking her finger. Her eyes darted from the waterfall to the river below before speaking. "Lets ride it down! We can hop on a Quadav's back and ride it like a big turtle-raft thing!"
"Hah, I don't know if giant snapping turtles with weapons would care for being used as a raft down Drachen Falls."
"Lets use Ithaka!" Epsil jumped onto Ithil's back, who let out a cry as he stumbled towards the edge. The Tarutaru white mage seemed to have thought up a few nicknames to bother the Hume during the dull march from South Gustaberg.
"Huh? Whats that?" Nettin shielded her eyes from the sun and strained to see into the shadows.
Ithil stopped trying to pry Epsil from the hilt of his great sword to look. "Someone must be coming. Whoever it is is waddling, must be a fat-"
"Turtleses!" Epsil said cheerfully before hopping onto the ground and drawing out his hammer. Ithilsul pulled out his black great sword and Nettin withdrew her daggers from her belt.
"Quadavs... How many?"
"Looks like just the one." Nettin could clearly see the Quadav now.
"Are you sure we can take it?"
"Yush!" Epsil growled excitedly, brandishing his hammer.
The huge form of a Quadav came into view, waddling atop it's short legs as it ran towards them, sending dust flying behind it with every step. It's face was like a turtle, covered in scaley brown skin that blended well with the terrain. Small, black, beady eyes stared out from it's sockets, hinting no sign of intelligence. A thick shell covered it's body, a rusty red tunic wrapped around it's waist complete with . It's right hand gripped the hilt of a long sword. The Quadav are basically stupid creatures compared to Yagudo and Orcs, and act purely on instinct. Lack of emotion and illogical thought makes them more deadly than they appear.
Ithil gulped. "That's kind of... huge"
"Just do that thing you did back in Bastok!"
"But I don't know what I-"
By now the Quadav was almost on top of them, quick for being so large. It let out a roar from it's beak and swung it's sword down at Ithil. The Hume swung back in defense and met the Quadav's blade in an upward stroke. The clash of blades rang through the cliff. The Quadav swung again, this time Ithil wasn't as prepared, but still managed to position his sword to block the attack. The force from the blow knocked him back, causing him to almost lose his grip on the great swords hilt. It's so strong... Ithil gritted his teeth, threw up his sword and charged again.
While Ithil danced blades with the Quadav, Epsil ran back, properly proportioned silver hammer in hand. He licked his lips and gave the hammer a swing with all his strength put into it and... Clink! The hammer simply bounced back. Epsil fumed and began smacking the Quadav all over it's back with his little hammer, making not a single dent in it's thick shell. Epsil kicked dirt into the air. The Tarutaru decided to try a different approach. This time he ran back and began casting his white magic on the beast. "Try a little-wittle Dia!" A white light suddenly drew itself in and bursted into the Quadav with a bluish aura, causing it to flinch, but not even turn it's head towards Epsil. "And how 'bought a bit of Banish!" Another burst of light, this one much bigger, exploded onto the Quadav, it howled with pain as it's shell cracked and dark blood trickled from it's beak. The beast whirled around and raised it's sword to cleave the little white mage in two, but roared with pain whipped back around to face Nettin.
Seeing that her little friend was about to become turtle food, Nettin twirled her right hand dagger and thrust it into the Quadav's back. The critical blow was strong enough that a sharp crack was heard as it broke through it's shell. The beast whipped around to face her and instantly swung it's sword. Nettin ducked just in time to dodge the attack, she quickly took again her battle stance. The Mithra stuck her tongue out at the Quadav as she dipped the point of her blade into a pouch on her belt. When she pulled it out the tip was covered with a sickly colored purple liquid. She grinned as the Quadav threw down an attack. With her left dagger she held back the strike, and just as quickly she stabbed with her right. The point of the blade penetrated the Quadav's thick hide, though it seemed not to notice the minute damage. It threw it's free arm at Nettin, knocking her to the ground. She grunted as she hit the ground face down. She pushed herself up from the ground and shook her head to clear the temporary shock, then as she turned her head towards the Quadav's blade racing towards her face distorted in a silent scream. Just before certain doom hit, the beast groaned, dropped it's sword and staggered backwards.
Ithilsul pulled his blade from the back of the Quadav and prepared to swing again, but found that his muscles could not bring it back up. That last hit seemed to have drained his strength. Ithil's leg gave way to exhaustion as he fell to one knee. The Hume couldn't believe the stubbornness of these beats. "Just... die... already" he panted. The Quadav bled furiously now, but wasn't showing signs of stopping as it whirled around to face him again. But this time it didn't attack, it raised it's head towards the sky and let out a howl, then crumpled down and fell face down into the dust. All three let out a sigh of relief in unison- cut short by several howls mimicking the sound of the dead Quadav close by. The party froze.
A rumble started to shake the ground as a pack of Quadavs appeared, charging in full force with a cloud of dust flailing behind them. "Okay. Run." Ithil said, heaving his sword back onto his back with a good amount of struggle.
Nettin looked at the waterfall and arched an eyebrow. "But there's nowhere to- AHH!" Ithil dived at her and they both tumbled over the cliff and down into the Drachen Falls with a scream just as a brutish club whisked by her face, Epsil was already ahead of them. Net's claws dug into Ithil's sides as they fell, their screams drowned out by the roar of the rushing waters. Epsil tumbled down through the air in a spinning blur of a blue and white robe, mouth wide in a muted scream, arms and legs flailing furiously. The Hume could feel the end was coming, before he knew it he'd be buried under the force of the water. His sight was blinded by mist and spray before he entered the shock of the sudden transition from breaking the surface of the water. The force of the falls above drove them down into the waters. Ithil's eyes threw themselves open to reveal a world of blue, his mouth gaped open in a soundless cry; but bubbles spewed out in place of words. Nettin was torn from him in the force of the pounding water, he could vaguely see the wet Mithra be drift away from him, lost in the spray of the falls. He desperately began to swim away from the force of the waterfall until he could feel the pressure release as he began to shoot towards the surface. His head broke the surface, the Hume gasped for air as he let the current carry him, too tired to resist. Two more heads popped up near him, belonging to his companions.
A Galka dressed in blue and brown fishing gear lounged on a foldout chair seated atop the bridge crossing the Drachen Falls. His head bowed to his chest while he snoozed, but he still held a large fishing rod in his hands. A half empty bucket contained several small fish. Not the best day for fishing. The fisherman's line gave a slight jerk, then another. The next one caused the rod to fly out of the Galka's hands, awakening him with a start. Quickly the Galka snatched the rod and began to reel in what felt like his biggest catch ever. He fought the tug and pull of the rod until finally he felt he won as the struggle stopped. The Galka reeled in his prize.
A peculiar sight met the fisherman as he reeled it up. A soaking wet Mithra was caught on his line by her backpack, her face drawn down in a miserable frown. Latched around her waist was an equally miserably wet Hume, followed at last by a golden haired Tarutaru clinging too his boot. The Galka stared at his catch and simply blinked in shock and confusion.
"Well?! GET ME OFF OF THIS!!!" Nettin shouted, angrily thrashing about and causing the chain below her to sway violently and yell in fear. The bewildered Galka complied and dumped them onto the bridge.
"Thank you!" Epsil chimed with a bow before sprinting off after Nettin, who was already leaving without a word of thanks.
"Aah, thanks, heheh." Ithil rubbed the back of his head nervously before running off after them. He felt around his neck and with a sigh of relief realizing his black gem necklace was still there. The Galka simply blinked again in bewilderment.
When they were finally out of sight of the bridge Epsil stopped and shook off like a dog, spraying water everywhere. Ithil fell back against the wall with a sigh of relief. Nettin growled as she squeezed the water out of her hair and clothes. "I HATE water." She growled as she squeezed dry her fur covered ear.
"Light heal these wounds with-a-bit-a Curaga" Epsil hopped up and threw his hand towards the sky. Brilliant beams of white light rained down upon the party, filling them with a warm feeling as their exhaustion began to whittle away, and their bruises and scrapes disappear. Ithil let out a slight gasp. He felt he'd never get used to the feel of being cured like that.
"Now can that thing blow dry?" Nettin grumbled.
"Up-up-up, time for the Highlands" Epsil ran ahead and pointed at the towering wall of rock with a pass leading through it. The Tarutaru grabbed Nettin's tail and tried to pull her by it. Before he could get anywhere he was dazed by a good, strong bap on the head by the Mithra.
Nettin lifted Epsil up by the head with one hand and brought him up too her face, "Never do that again, shorty." She said through gritted teeth to the frightened Tarutaru. Epsil smirked back at her nervously.
"Okay, time to go." Ithil stared at the ink-smudged map. "I think there's supposed to be a town there... which means..."
"Beds!" Epsil finished.
"And dryness! And... a warm bath!" Nettin said through star-glazed eyes.
After a short march through the pass, the adventurers reached a spot where it broke away off to the sides on a large hill, revealing a lush, green land of pastures below, dotted with scattered windmills, flowers and trees in a vast array of alpine wildlife. A red evening glow blanketed the land and illuminated the scattered clouds overhead. Far off in the distance a white structure jutted from the earth. The path seemed to run straight towards it, forking about halfway to a small scattered cluster of buildings.
"Whats that..?" Ithil strained his eyes too try and make out the strange structure, but to no avail. Epsil and Nettin shrugged when he looked to them for answers. "At least we know where we're headed now. Better get there before dark." He added after examining the darkening sky.
They continued down their path, enjoying the fresh air and cool breezes sweeping through the Highlands from the now calm winds known as Odin's Wrath. The fact that this land was the site of many past wars and battles was blinded by the peacefulness of it all. The windmills turned slowly by the gentle breeze, and birds sang among the treetops. Sheep grazed the pastures, and more than once they passed a fellow adventurer traveling to or from Bastok. This small party of adventurers was also nearly trampled by six people rushing passed them on chocobos. The shadows lengthened as night fell upon the Highlands ever faster. Epsil stared at the chocobos in the distance, then at a sheep trotting across the hills and grinned.
"I've got an idea!" Epsil ran towards the nearest sheep, who happened to be grazing not far off. "Who needs chocobos... when you've got sheep!" Suddenly Epsil jumped onto the sheep's back and dug his little hands into it's snowy fleece for grip. The sheep, who was still peacefully munching it's evening meal, suddenly stopped. It's eyes widened and it started baa-ing and snapping at the air and bucking much like a bull would. Ep clung on and rode the sheep while Nettin and Ithil stared with dropped jaws. The sheep finally managed to buck Epsil off of it's back; the Tarutaru spiraled through the air and landed face first into a patch of large, white flowers.
The little mage looked up from his landing spot and saw the head of a sheep towering over the flowers- charging right towards him! Epsil jumped up and started running around in circles, yelling for help while the sheep chased him with snapping jaws. The Hume and Mithra simply stared with wide grins.
"Should we help him?" Ithil glanced at Nettin.
"He's got to learn for him self, Ith. Let the boy have his fun." She said in a mock-parental tone.
Loud Tarutaru screams and sheep baas filled the hillside. Finally the sheep snatched Epsil. It bite into his robe, lifted him up and started shaking him like a dog with a chew toy. "Aah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!" Suddenly Epsil dropped to the ground (to his pleasant, but still shocking surprise). The sheep's eyes were dazed and a large lump protruded from it's head. It simply fell over, knocked out. Above the Tarutaru stood a large chocobo, and saddled on it's back was a Galka in red and black armor, with a great axe dangling from one hand. Epsil peered up at him quizzically.
"Does your species size reflect their intelligence? Or is the renown strength of mind the Tarutaru are known for just a cruel joke of sarcasm?" The Galka sneered behind his goatee and red face mask. "Next time an adventurer with at least half a mind of his own strength and abilities may not be there to save your hide."
Epsil's eyes drooped, his head bowed. "I was doing fine." He mumbled under his breath.
The Galka pretended to ignore the white mages comment. "Whichever of you is leading this... party, might want to keep his members in line." The Galka's eyes fell on Ithil. The Hume wasn't sure, but he thought he saw the Galka's eyes drop too the necklace about his neck before darting back too his face. Ithilsul shifted uncomfortably and stuffed the gem into the neck of his doublet.
The Hume cleared his throat before speaking. "Can you tell us which direction the town is in?"
The Galka pointed Northeast, "Milltown, Hume. Adventure-blinded fools such as yourselves should better equip yourselves with knowledge as well as materials before heading out into this world. This is not a game." The Galka holstered his great axe onto his back and took up his chocobo's reigns again. Ithil glared after him as he vanished over a northern hill, trailed by a cloud of dust. Probably San d'Orian. The Hume thought.
"What an ass." Nettin said, walking up to Ithil's side.
"You stole the words from my mind. Hopefully Odin's wrath will have it's way with him." Ithilsul said dryly.
"Aren't those winds?" The thief stuck her tongue out at the Hume.
"Uh... yeah, but I meant is as a- bah never mind." Nettin grinned roguishly at Ithil. "Let's just head out before night... I could use a bed."
Ithil, Nettin and Epsil took off at a quick jog down the road heading too Milltown. Epsil was silently sulking the entire trip to town. Nettin too exhausted too joke or comment. Ithil couldn't get that Galka out of his mind... not because of his behavior, (having spent much of his life in Bastok he was used to the bluntness, and sometimes rudeness of the Galka- a strong contrast to the friendly and open people of the Jeuno regions where he spent his early childhood with his companions.), but because of the way he looked at him... in particular the way his eyes were drawn to his necklace. The Hume unconsciously touched the black gem hidden under his doublet.
In the evening sky dark and ominous storm clouds began to gather, driven South towards their path by the strength and speed of Odin's Wrath.