FFXI: Chronicles of Pandemonium
Chronicle 2
-Rescue Part 2-
By: Nei
Having defeated their first encounter with the enemy, Eurik and Neena decided that it would be best if they moved quickly. The Hume Red Mage's suggestion that the Quadav they had just toppled was nothing more than a lowly scout and more would soon come seeking for their missing partner. While it did seem like a good idea to go right down the hall in which the enemy had came, the other path happened to be nothing more than a dead end and they were left with no other choice other than to push forward and hope that there were few guards.
As before, the halls of the mine were rocky and drab with only minimal light provided by the lanterns hanging from the support beams. Having been abandoned for months, it was surprising that the mine itself wasn't weakening, perhaps the beams were the only things that Quadav bothered to maintain. A brighter light ahead caught the attention of Eurik while Neena was more interested in the noise she had heard ahead. The two slowed when they came to the opening and the young man took a quick peek around the corner.
It was a fairly large, open room that had a curving path leading higher up into the mine. Three Quadav's seemed to be guarding the incline, however the two beasts guarding the lower area of the path were too busy chatting to pay attention to their duty. Eurik furrowed his brow a bit as he watched the two just sit and make idle chit chat. He turned his attention to Neena and said in a hushed tone "There's a path that leads further into the mine. There's three Quadav's guarding it, but... I think they're just amateurs, the two guarding the lower area seem to be more interested in chatting to each other."
The Mithra snuck around Eurik and took a peek of the room herself. After getting in her glance she simply replied "Idiots... for some reason I expected a little more resistance in this mine... I mean with guards like that Bostok should be able to come out her and over run the place."
The Hume shook his head a bit "I very seriously doubt that these guys are the worst that they have to offer us... I'm willing to be that there's more valuable ore up that path and if there is... you can bet there's going to be more experienced fighters."
Neena peeked around the corner once more than took a look down the hall they were currently following and shrugged "So what are we going to do? Just continue down this hall or take over this path?"
Eurik pulled his sword from it's sheath "I think we better bust through there... I doubt that the superiors would leave a hostage in the hand of these guys. Let's take a look up there first before continuing down this hall."
The girl gave him a small nod of her head and looked back at the room "Ok then... I'll grab their attention..." she dashed around the corner into the room, charging her way right at one of the idle beastmen. Similar to her attack on the first Quadav in the mine, she jumped up from the ground and landed a hard jump kick into a young warrior Quadav. Although taken off guard, it's partner, an Amethyst class, swung it's battle hammer at her only to catch nothing but air as the girl nimbly ducked the swing.
Eurik rushed in after Neena and quickly jumped to her side to parry an unseen strike from the sword wielding Quadav she had initially knocked down. He grinded his teeth as he held swords with the young warrior beastman. After tiring of the stalemate that was persisting longer than it needed the Red Mage forced the blade away from himself and quickly smashed his shield into the face of the inexperienced beatsman completely catching him off guard and easily sending him sprawling.
The commotion going on below was quick to catch the attention of the Amber Quadav guarding above. It moved over to the side of the path to see it's buddies desperately trying to fight off the two raiders. It clenched it's staff and began to focus it's energies on the ground near Neena. A dim aura of lights began to glow around its body as its energy started building up with its concentration. Several chunks of rock suddenly shot out from one of the walls and flew at it the cat-girl with amazing speed. She stumbled back a bit as one of the rocks made contact against the protective shoulder pad. Quickly regaining her composure she caught sight of the last two stones flying her direction and jumped out of the way.
Eurik blocked another attack from the young warrior with his shield, this time, the Quadav's mistake proved to be lethal. After blocking the slash the Hume quickly retaliated with a slash of his own, the quick counter-attack landed it's mark in the beastmen's neck, barely stopping when the sword made contact with it's spine. Only a gurgle emerged from the beast as it stood in shock until the Hume withdrew his blade allowing it crumple to the rocky floor.
The Amethyst Quadav fighting Neena swung it's hammer at her wildly, each attempt being dodged by the Mithran thief with ease. After ducking yet another attempt to smash her in the head with the hammer did she dart forward and slammed herself into the body of the beast hard enough to stun it. Taking good advantage of the opportunity, she laid punch after punch into the exposed body and face of the Quadav. It made desperate attempt to fend her off by trying to give her a feeble punch to the side of her face. The force knocked her sight off him, but the weak attack was easily shrugged off and just as quickly as before she retaliated to the attack with one of her own that was much more brutal. She swung her hand upward and caught the beast in the throat with her fingers. The beast dropped it weapon as it reached both hands up to it's throat gagging and sputtering as it stumbled around in agony.
Eurik looked up the path to see the Amber Quadav concentrating it's energy once again for another spell. He quickly looked around and grabbed a chunk of rock that was more than abundant and gave it a hard throw at the turtle-like monster. The rock knocked it right in the head quickly interrupting its train of thought. The Red Mage quickly dashed his way up the incline to meet the beastmen in a proper fight. The moment he had gotten on its level it tried backing away from the Hume and once close enough made a weak attempt to strike him with it's staff. Eurik simply raised his shield and rushed forward pushing against the creature trying to force him closer to the edge of the path had been cut out. Realizing his plan the Quadav shoved back as well which only fueled the Red Mage to push back harder, and push back he did. He gave a mighty shove causing the Quadav to lose it's balance and stumble backwards several steps. It teetered right on the edge briefly before Eurik swung his blade at him causing it to tumble right off. It hit the ground with a heavy thud and although the fall wasn't lethal it landed on its back leaving it helpless to the Mithra below. Neena stood over briefly before raising her foot and giving it a few hard stomps in the face.
After making her way up to Eurik's position above, the cat-girl looked back down where the Amethyst Quadav was still writhing in agony from the strike that she had dealt it not too long ago. The red mage raised an eyebrow as he watched it just lay on the ground hopelessly and gave her a confused look "What in the world did you do to it?" Neena shrugged carelessly and answered in an unsure tone "I guess I hit it so hard that I crushed its throat and it can't breathe now... either way I don't think it's going to be doing much for now if ever again."
The pair left the scene of the last fight into the next hall way which seemed to end in one huge room full of Quadavs. Rushing in to fight them was definitely not a very good option, however, due to several rocky outcrops that had not been completely mined down would make sneaking around possible. Eurik gazed around the large room before deciding to make a move his keen eye catching a glimpse of several make-shift banners on crudely made poles that more than likely meant it was a path to an important location. Hopefully for Eurik and his partner, Neena, would be the prison or where ever the vile beastmen were holding Gaerwyn.
After pointing out the flags to Mithra crouched beside him she gave him a small nod and they started their move through the huge layer. Not to the Red Mage's surprise, Neena moved quickly and quietly, ducking behind anything large enough conceal her from their currently oblivious enemy. Upon reaching an outcropping near the banners, the cat-girl turned about toward Eurik and flagged him over when it was safest for him to move.
The two quickly dashed into the hall the moment Eurik had reached Neena's position and from this point, moved as quietly as they possibly could through the winding hall. As usual, they came to a separation in their path, but instead of continuing, the two pressed themselves against the wall and listened quietly to the voice of Quadav apparently chatting over something.
"Master... we still have the Hume hostage. He refuses to tell us anything... I'm sure someone like you can... persuade him into coughing up a bit of information..."
"Nothing, hmm? Well... I assure you that I will convince him to talk. Even so... as long as we hold continue to hold Palborough Mines, Bostok will not be able to produce their fine mythril weapons as efficiently. Anyhow... let's go see this... prisoner..."
After their brief discussion, the two Quadavs emerged from the room and made their way down the hall without seeing the two adventures right behind them. However... one of the Quadavs appeared to be quite bigger than his partner and a huge great sword was strapped to it's back. Neena glanced at Eurik, unsure if she should attack. He gave her a small nod and pointed out to the smaller beast man so they would haven't worry about a second man jumping in.
The Mithra quietly followed in behind the two before leaping off the ground and pouncing on top of the smaller Quadav with both feet striking it in the back of the head and the force continuing to drive it forward until eventually smashing it face first into the floor. The huge leader Quadav drew its great sword from it sheath strapped to its back and took a heavy swing at Neena who was unable to react in time. Thankfully, her armor kept her from being sliced right in two, but the force more than enough to send the girl sailing across the tiny hallway and crashing into one of the rocky walls.
Eurik grinded his teeth at the sight of Neena getting quite literally, whacked aside, and charged into the fight with his sword raised. His sword stopping much to his surprise when the Quadav raised its bare, scaly arm and fended off the hit. The Red Mage ducked under the great sword as the beastman attempted a counter-strike to knock him aside much like his partner. He quickly pulled his sword back and made a fast jab at the body of the Quadav, the tip of blade managing to penetrate the oversized scale armor the beastman wore, but yet again the blade seemed to get stopped on the turtle-like villains natural rough skin. Frustrated with Eurik's feeble attempts at its life, it bowled him over with a single hard and very much unexpected punch.
Having recovered from her unpleasant trip into the wall, Neena was ready to give the Quadav her own try. She quickly stepped and immediately began to assail the beastman with a flurry of punches and kicks. It skillfully blocked the enraged attacks at first, but the Mithra's agility soon overwhelmed it, however, her punches did little to hurt it. The cat-girl spun around a threw a quick kick toward it's body only to be caught by the foot. The beast grinned and gave a quick tug on her leg throwing her onto her back and much like the monster it was it gave a mighty swing and flung the girl yet again into a wall.
Learning from before, Eurik had decide that another approach must be taken before going on a full scale assault. He muttered a quick enchantment and focused his energy toward the Quadav. Before it was able to dash toward the Red Mage to interrupt the spell a bright white light surround the beast and just as quickly vanished. It took a quick glance at itself to ensure that anything had actually happened and sure enough... its scales became brittle and weak, even its armor appeared older rusted. Enraged by the crafty trick it charged at Eurik with its heavy great sword raised for a mighty strike. Eurik barely managed to dodge the potentially lethal cleave only to be unexpectedly struck by a huge chunk of ore that the Quadav had apparently been carrying with. It stood over the sprawled Hume, sword poised to deal a final death blow when Neena had suddenly jumped at it's side and dealt it a heavy punch right across the side of it's head knocking it plenty of balance.
He gave her a small grin as she held him back up to his feet, but this moment was quickly cut off as the beastman charged right at the cat-girl and dealt her a heavy shoulder tackle sending her knocking her completely off her feet. Eurik raised his shield in defense as the villain struck out at him as well with the great sword. The forceful attack ripping the shield right out is hand and sent him stumbling backward. Regaining his balance, the Red Mage gave an enraged cry and slammed his sword into the gut of Quadav. It gave out a great roar of pain and smashed it's arm into the side of Eurik's head, breaking the strap on his helmet, knocking it clear off his head and causing him to release his blade, leaving it deep in the body of the beast.
Seizing a good opportunity herself, Neena rushed forward gave the Quadav several quick punches into it's body, easily shattering the weakened armor that once defended it. As a quick finisher she kicked the handle of the blade once again jamming the blade further into it's body. It stumbled weakly only to reach out and grab the Mithra around the throat. It pulled her up from the ground and tightened its grip around her neck and in a quick attempt to get the monster to release her she grabbed the back up dagger she carried at her side and jammed the blade into the side of it's neck which quickly gave her the desired result.
Eurik pulled himself up as the beastman released Neena. After stumbling around for a moment the huge Quadav finally ran its back into the wall and came to a rest. The Hume quickly scrambled to his feet and joined his partner's side as she held her throat coughing, sputtering, and thankful to have air once again. He gave her a light pat on the back as he asked in concern "Are you going to be ok?" The girl merely responded with a nod.
Neena's eyes widened when a shadow suddenly loomed over the two. They turned together to see the huge Quadav menacingly staring down on them, great sword loosely hanging at its side. The monster raised the heavy blade, ready to strike down on to the helpless and unprepared duo. Just as it was about to give a final heavy strike at the two a sudden glint of light from a shining blade struck the Quadav in the side of the neck. The great sword slipped from it's hand burying itself in the ground and the beast fell over on it's side. A male Hume with long blonde hair and clad in steel armor stood behind him huffing breathlessly. Giving the two a quick glance, the stranger paced over to the fallen Quadav brought his sword down several times onto the beastmans neck, eventually making a sickening CRACK as the blade finally struck through the neck bones and beheading the monster.
The man glanced at the bloodied blade he had used and threw it at the body of the fallen and now beheaded Quadav. He approached the two adventurers and collapsed to his knees having exhausted what little strength he had in decapitating the beastman. Eurik glanced the man over and noticed the medallion that their client, Black Rock, had spoke of and the Red Mage had piped up "You must be Gaerwyn! Hold on... I can heal you..."
Eurik placed both of his hands in front of the warrior and uttered a few inaudible words. A brilliant light surrounded the wounded man and his worse injuries sealed up. Neena winced as she gathered herself together and stood up on her feet. Her body ached from being slung around like a doll during the battle and a few cuts and bruises, but she was fine otherwise. Eurik got up to his feet as well, pulling Gaerwyn up as he did "Well... Imagine that, we came to rescue you and you ended up saving us. How did you manage to escape anyway?"
The Hume warrior shrugged carelessly "I had heard you two fighting the Quadav from where I was being held and cut the ropes they had me tied up with on an old pick ax laying in the room. I got the sword from the Quadav whose face had been smashed into the ground."
Neena waved a hand and pointed a thumb to her chest "I did that. It would figure that the leader would whack me promptly afterwards."
Gaerwyn gave her a smile "Really? I must say that your appearance belays your strength."
Eurik took a quick glance around and made a hushed remark "Look... this isn't the time... we need to get you out of here... I'm sure we can sneak back out of the mines again... so let's get going."
After their brief chat and rest, the trio quickly exited the same way that had came and just as the red mage leader had suggested, their stealthy escape went surprisingly unnoticed by the other Quadav within the mine. Having safely made their trip back to Bostok without incident, they quickly returned to the Bat's Lair Inn where Black Rock patiently waited for their return.
The Galka's expression lit up when he saw Eurik and Neena return with his buddy, Gaerwyn, alive and well. He gave both, Eurik and Neena, a firm handshake and happily gave the two their reward in gil, but before he left the red mage raised a finger "Ah... just a second Black Rock. I have a favor to ask if you don't mind. My friend here lost a chunk of zinc ore during a synthesis when I knocked her concentration off. Being a miner you wouldn't happen to have a piece you'd be willing to give to herm would you?"
Black Rock stroked his dark greyish beard as he thought about the request "Yes... I believe I may have a piece on me right now... and since you did bring my friend back alive then I suppose that I do you owe more than just a reward. I'll happily give it to her." He pulled a small satchel from his side withdrew a rocky chunk of gravel. Silvery zinc ore glistened from between the cracks of the rock surrounding it. He placed it in Neena's hand and gave her a friendly smile "You did a wonderful job. You deserve it."
END Chronicle 2
Note from Author: Ok I know I don't quite go along with maps and such but oh well... I hope I at least make things interesting for you readers. Oh, and here's a late reply to one of my reviewers regarding the title I chose for this fic. I called it Chronicles of Pandemonium because my server is Pandemonium. Now of course... the world servers have no meaning or effect to my story, it was just an inspiration you could say :). Anyhow, I appreciate your feedback for those of you have left reviews and don't get discouraged if I don't update for awhile, lol. It just means I'm being a little slow or I'm having a problem coming up with material. Now then, I bid thee farewell until next Chronicle :).