Chapter One! Today's Characters: Eloon Kielson by Luigi of the Pipes! And Kopu, Daimond and Ruby by Billy Bob Burmstrang!
Chapter One
In which Rally completes the task at hand, sort of
Five bandits surrounded him, which was considerably stupid of them, since Rally had more weapons than all of them put together. He whipped out the swords from their scabbards on his back, then attacked in a whirlwind fashion, hacking the thieves into dead lumps of flesh. "Swarming like flies already?" Something big was going on, and it became more obvious the closer he got to the main tent, the big purple expansive tent, which might have well have cost more than the palace itself.
This was still an espionage mission, or was turning into one. Rally carefully crept up to the large tent opening, completely equipped with the bandit disguise he stole off an unfortunate victim of his self-defense.
"Five thousand."
"He is not worth half that. Look at how weak his back is."
"He carries much more magic than you. Five thousand is a bargain."
"Magic! He could turn on me at any moment with that power!"
"But he carries the power of the great Defenders. . ."
"A summoner, at that! It would take my best magicians just to keep him in line!"
"I swear, he won't be a bit of harm! I brought him all the way to you, didn't I?"
"I bet you two are in this together! To swindle me! I won't have it!" The man, who was clad in a yellow and white robe, stormed out of the tent, brushing past rally, who still his his Salrian uniform under his disguise. Rally then sneaked into the tent.
"You!" The slave dealer mentioned to him, "Would you be interested in a. . ."
"Yes. . . as a matter of fact, I would."
"Splendid! I'll bring him out for you."
Rally yawned as the merchant made his way behind the elaborate blue and gold cloth that separated the tent into two parts. He was here to do his job, but a Summoner? If he could befriend enough powerful allies, taking care of the bandits would be a cinch. Sure, he could probably take them all on by himself without even needing to refer to a Tonic once. But that might take weeks, considering how dense the criminal population was around these parts.
"Here he is!" The merchant with the annoyingly high-toned voice and foreign accent kicked out a man who looked quite common, wearing a dusty blue jacket and brown slacks. "Here is the Summoning man."
"Summoner." He said to the slave. The slave looked up. "Summon me up a minor defender."
The summoner man said nothing, but waved his hand once. At once, a great shimmer of light erupted from the tent, as the shape of the White Chocobo appeared. It was about to attack, but the Summoner stopped it, then called it off, it disappearing in a thin wisp of smoke.
"Impressive." Rally mentioned, "I'll give you one thousand."
"No! I will only go for five thousand, no less!"
"Honestly, do you think anyone wants a slave like this? With more power than the master?"
". . . I am sorry sir, you are right. Three thousand, then."
"Two thousand."
"Two thousand five hundred."
"Two thousand two fifty."
"Sold." He pocketed the wad of gil that Rally handed to him, then led the slave outside.
Quite unexpectedly to the Summoner, Rally then quickly dragged him over behind an equally large tent on an unoccupied side of the massive camp. He tore off his hood, revealing the Salarian crest on his bandanna.
"I'm with the Salarian Special Operations Unit. I'm here to clear the bandits out from this desert."
"What do I care?" The Summoner almost shouted, "I don't care about anything political. I was a mercenary before I was captured in combat."
"I got you free. How about we count that as one free mission, then?"
". . . Deal."
"What's your name?"
"Eloon."
"Well, Eloon, do you know of any information as to why so many bandits are here?"
"I overheard it somewhere. Apparently the King of Bandits is here and is looking for new men to add to his elite squadron."
"Hmm. Any details?"
"Someone named 'Ruby' was going to be a hands-down choice, as she can use swords, bows and black magic. Her younger brother, Daimond, is a summoner like myself, but doesn't have near enough magic skill. It's also suspected that Kopu, the Moogle White Mage Thief, is here."
"I've heard of him. He's the annoying mercenary with a high price that can make things 'disappear'."
"The same."
"I'm formulating a plan already. I'll need to see the situation a little closer up. Come with me." Rally pulled the hood back over his head. "I think you'll need a disguise, first. One second." Rally ducked inside the tent. From the outside one could hear a muffled scream. Rally emerged from the tent. "Here you are. Used once, slight stain. Wear it in pride."
"Thanks. . . I think."
Rally and Eloon made their way through the desert streets of the bandit's camp, looking at all the bazaars of stolen goods. Black marketry of every sort was committed at the corner of every tent, and probably even inside them, as well. Considering it's a thief's market, of course.
"What's that big tent, over there?" Rally asked his companion.
"That must be where the goings-on are taking place."
"I have an idea. We'll enter the tournament, and once we've narrowed out the tougher riff-raff, it'll be easier to shut the place down."
"You're not forgetting that the King of Thieves is quite an opponent, are you?"
"We'll get him alone. . . then assassinate him."
"He always has body-"
"We'll be his bodyguards."
"Ahh. I see. . ."
"Put this on." Rally picked up a random sword our of a nearby earthenware jar, "You may need it." Eloon reluctantly took to weapon and strapped it around his waist. "Remember, this is over, I'm outta here."
"Well, I never counted on it anyway." They both headed for the tent. The inside was so jam packed of thieves that Rally was afraid something would get stolen off of him if he didn't get out soon. "We'll need another way in. . ." Rally and Eloon headed around to the back of the tent, where a small rip was just large enough for the both of them to get through. "Blend in." He said simply, and the two were converged in with the crowd.
"Alright everybody! The tournament is about to begin!" A voice called out from a high place in the tent."
"Rally? There's no one in this section of the tent." Eloon stated.
"What do you mean, this section?" Rally was still turned to one side inspecting a large coffer in the corner.
"I mean, we're sealed off from the crowd. We're in a cage."
"AND NOW!" The voice announced, "WE GIVE YOU OUR TWELVE COMPETITORS!"
"A cage?" Rally tried to keep his voice discreet, "We're in a cage? What do they need a cage for at a tour. . . oh no. . ."
"THE CHALLENGERS WILL FIGHT THE WILD SANDDRAGON! THOSE LEFT STANDING WILL BE ACCEPTED INTO THE KING OF THEIVE'S ELITE GUARD!"
"SandDragon!?" Eloon yelled. A large shadow fell over the two as the cage opened toward the center ring. . .
"This'll be a cinch." The thief Daimond stated, "We've been fighting Gas Dragons on the mainland for the last year." He stood defiantly, although standing before nothing, his black body armor shining brightly. He was ready for this moment.
"The other contestants don't look so tough. . ." Ruby said, "Most of them are going to be eaten alive on the first swoop." She wore a red breastplate, and brown pants. Her sword was down, it was another full minute until the gates were to open.
"Look at it this way," Kopu, a moogle with a silver pom-pom, replied, "We have no chance of dying."
"You're not allowed to cast magic before the dragon is out, you know the rules."
"Yes, but they never said anything about Relics. . . Kupo." Kopu reached into a saddlebag of the miniature Chocobo next to him, "Off with ya, Warky, you'll get hurt." He said to it. The Chocobo warked and ran to a far side of the tent, away from the action. "With these. . ." Kopu held up three badges that he had taken, "We can't be hurt. Kupo. Earth-based attacks will actually heal you. We'll be fresher than daisies before this is over. Kupo."
"Thanks." Daimond took one and pinned it onto his cloak, "I remember what I do. Once the dragon is out, I summon the defender Golem, so his claw attacks will be blocked."
"And Ruby?" Kopu turned to her.
"I cast Water. We've been through this a dozen times."
"I know, but no reason not to be extra prepared, Kupo. . ."
The announcements finished off, ". . . STANDING WILL BE ACCEPTED INTO THE KING OF THEIVE'S ELITE GUARD!" Trumpets blared, and the gates opened.
"Wait for it. . ." Kopu said, "He has to appear. . ."
Moments passed. "I hear it, what's keeping it so long?" Ruby asked. Some of the other thieves around were getting nervous. Daimond's knees started giving way. "You know those stories. . . SandDragons are ten times as powerful as Gas ones. . ."
"They can't be too hard. . . can they?"
The great dragon suddenly burst out of the cage, it's eyes shining brightly. The crowd cheered.
"Cast it! Now! Kupo!" Daimond chanted a few word that were still largely unknown to the other two, and suddenly Ruby called out, "Who are they?"
Rally and Eloon were running like madmen directly for the area of effect Golem would be called to.
"They'll mess everything up!" Kopu shouted, "Daimond, stop casting, Kupo!"
Daimond had to ignore him, as there were severe consequences for stopping in the middle of a spell. Just as Rally and Eloon approached the then-foot mark, a ring shone up around, and the Defender Golem appeared.
"Luck!" Eloon shouted, "We're protected by Golem!"
Rally glanced over at the three thieves in front of him. "Don't mind us, we're just trying not to die." Eloon and Rally ran off to another side to engage the dragon.
"Golem'll have to compromise between us!" Daimond said, "We have to follow them! There were some magicians behind us that were going to cast Leviathan, Kupo!"
"Nice plan, Kopu," Ruby said, steamed, as the ran after Rally and Eloon, "This will make things fore difficult. I hope you have a %*$# plan B."
In the upper balcony, the King of Theives was seated between his adviser and his sniper. "Well, can we be expecting a failure like last year?" He asked.
"Last year was a lot of nobodys." The adviser told him, "Last year was not a good year. This year we have Kopu the Rider White Mage Thief, Daimond the Summoner, Ruby the Black Knight, and Tasaly, the. . . uh oh. . ."
"Uh oh what?"
"Tasaly the Invincible was just cut in half. . ."
The King of Theives sighed.
"Time to fight!" Rally had enough space between him and the dragon to begin. He pulled out the twin swords from off his back scabbards, and prepped in the fighting positions. "Eloon, make with something good."
"Shiva good?"
"Perfect."
Eloon stood behind Rally and began chanting his spell. Daimond, Ruby and Kopu caught up with them, and Golem moved with them, under the ground as it normally does. "Fools!" Ruby yelled at Rally, "You could have gotten us all killed!"
"You could have done it yourselves, too. If you don't mind me, I have some tail to kick." He ran and leaped forward, much like a trained Dragoon, and slashed at the dragon's neck before returning to his spot.
"Well, I guess we could use some impromptu body shields, er, help, Kupo." Kopu said, "Alright, no moving around. We need to stay together so Golem can help us all. Kupo."
Daimond ran forward and attacked, then retreated back to the safety of the circle.
"I've wondered," Ruby said, "Why most modern fighting styles have you run forward to attack, then back to your original spot. . ."
"I wouldn't know, I taught myself to fight." Rally said.
The dragon was now taking notice of the five. His head lurched forward, jaws wide open, showing his many, many rows of teeth.
"Gah!" Kopu yelled, "I hope this works!"
The sandy floor burst open and the Defender Golem stood in the way. The dragon's mouth closed sharply on him, breaking away most of his arm. Rubble fell around, but Eloon was ready now.
"Daimond Dust!" Shiva appeared from the air, shrouded in a colt mist. Her eyes glowed powerfully, and the mist scattered about her. Ice particles formed in the air.
"Well, my turn. . ." Ruby stretched out her arm. "Water!" She called, and the spell flowed from seemingly nowhere, rushing forward to attack the earth creature. It roared in pain when the attack hit, and moreso when the icicle spears did likewise. But it was barely a scratch. Rally backed away a bit, anticipating a batter strategy.
"This may take a while. . ." Kopu said, "Other summoner dude, do you know how to call Leviathan, Kupo?"
"No. . ." Eloon replied.
"Golem?"
"No. . ."
"We're in for a much longer battle than I anticipated, kupo. . ." The SandDragon lurched forward again, taking out part of Golem's head. Rock rained down on the few again. "Golem will not hold out much longer. Daimond, you remember what comes next, Kupo?"
"Summon Leviathan, then Golem again." Daimond ran out and slashed at the beast again. "It'd be easier if what's-his-name knew either of them. . ."
"Stupid one-summon-at-a-time law kupo. . ." Kopu muttered under his breath. He raised his boomerang and tossed it at the beast, hitting, but not leaving much of an identifiable mark.
Everyone poised to attack again, when from the outer rims of the arena, someone ran inside, yelling, "SAND WORM!"
"This time of year?!" Rally asked no one in particular, "We're out of here!" He took Eloon by the collar and ran off the one of the entrances.
"Wait for us!!" Kopu decided that with that in mind, the situation was grim enough, and ran off in Warky's direction.
"Kopu you $*^% coward!" Ruby yelled, "Come back here!"
"I'd say, sis," Daimond mentioned, seeing the ring of protection move away from them, "that were about to be Dragon food or Worm bait. . ."
"Let's run!" She grabbed her brother by his collar and made off to the nearby Chocobo stables.
The crowds were panicking themselves, and not much minding the dragon that was wondering where all the food was running off to. Most of the Chocobo's in the stables were stolen (This is a bandit area, after all) immediately, only the faithful ones kicked off the foreign riders.
From the air, Cid saw a huge stream of people moving southward. "That's odd. . ." He said to himself, "I wonder what Rally did this time. . . Better go to the rescue again. . ."
"Rally, everyone's headed the other way!" Eloon yelled. Shiva moved behind them, ready for the next command.
"That means. . ." The ground rumbled, and the tent was torn from the ground in a huge explosion of sand and Sand Worm. It's head flew up with the tent in it's mouth, throwing it at the cloth and wood in the general direction of the panic. Them in one fell swoop, it plunged onto the SandDragon, devouring it whole.
"Well. . . that's a very bad sign." Rally said at he almost fell backward trying to see the entire thing.
"Shiva!" Eloon called out, "Defend against it!"
Shiva moved between the sand worm and Rally, and encased them in an ice defense. The Sand Worm sensed them, and on it's next attack, knocked Shiva away. The spell dissipated.
"Gaah!" Eloon yelled, "That was my strongest summon, and it dealt too much damage to her in one blow!" The Sand Worm rared as it lunged for the two partners.
The airship plummeted downward through the air, and it struck the worm on its neck. Barely a scratch, the Sandworm reared back to attack, but the ship was already gone.
"Yeah! How'd it go, kid?" Cid shouted almost directly into Rally's ear, who had dragged Eloon onto the lifeline.
"Ow!" Rally said, wincing a little, "Well, the Sandworm meddled in affairs a bit, but I think we are in the clear. The King of Thieves won't be bothering us for a long while if he survived. . ."
"Wow! Good thing I came when I did! Who's he?" Cid motioned to Eloon.
"Ss. . . sandworm. . ." Eloon stumbled onto the ship in a shaking craze, stumbling over some crates stacked on the ground. "Get out. . . no more desert. . ." He curled up in a ball on the floor and shook nervously.
"He's not used to the adrenaline." Rally commented.
"Oh, okay. Back to the castle!" Cid said, oblivious to the crazy Bounty Hunter behind him, and revved the engines, speeding off toward Castle Salaria in the distance.
Tune in next time for another amazing installment of Final Fantasy: The Last Hero! Until then, Ciao!
