"No recognition. No appreciation. No respect. I hate this place."
Angel roamed La Thiene. She walked from the huge white crag to the pools and lakes. Along the way she met travelers that were wounded that she healed. Others were just running by that she cast protective spells on. She continued to just walk until she crossed paths with a very large orc. She stopped and starred at it as it starred back. Motionless she hoped that he would just leave and go back to what he was originally doing. But it didn't turn out so well.
"GAARRR!!!" it screamed at Angel
"GAAHHH!!!" Angel Screamed at it
Quickly she turned in the opposite direction and ran. The orc had other plans. It didn't take chase immediately but took out a whistle and blew. The sound could be heard all over the plains catching the ears of several other orcs out camping or hunting in the field. Angel didn't want to look back but she knew she was in trouble. No one could be found as she ran. The orcs were converging from all around the plains. A good twenty orcs were out hunting found the fresh meat of a mithra more tempting. Quickly she was surrounded. Normally she would be able to out run them all and fend them off with her magic. But the over use of casting on all the passing people wore her down. Her movement was slowing and the orcs were catching up. The orcs circled around trapping her. Angel drew her sword trying to hope she would get out of this encounter alive. Then it came.
One orc dropped in front of her, then a second.
"SECRET NINJA ATTACKUU!" She heard being yelled
Flashes and swift movements happened all around her. The large number of orcs was soon depleted that some started to run away. The orcs that did run away didn't make it very far. An Elvaan man stood with his hand on a long katana. He hunched down and charged the fleeing group. His fluid attacks could not even be seen in his speed. In his wake the orcs die on their feet.
"Zanu. A ninja is supposed to be silent."
"Ha, Elnroth you know I was just messing with them. If I wanted to take this seriously you wouldn't have had to draw your sword."
Angel stood with her sword in hand looking at the circle of dead orcs. Completely confused, she was at a loss for words.
"Oh I'm sorry miss." The Elvaan male spoke.
He walked forward lowering his mask. He bowed towards her and spoke again.
"I am Zanu, and that is Elnroth. We saw you running from all these punks here. So we thought you could use some assistance."
"Thanks… I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come along to save me." Angel answered
"Well it looks like you need more help than you know. You don't even know how to use that sword of yours do you?" Elnroth said
"Oh calm down. Don't be so mean." Zanu spoke
Angel sheathed her sword and looked down.
"Its true. I don't really know how to use this thing. I mostly use my spells." Angel said
"Wait spells? You're a mage?" Zanu asked
"Kind of. I am a red mage. I just left the academy in Sandoria." Angel answered
Elnroth and Zanu spoke with one another.
"May I ask why you chose to be a mage?" Elnroth asked
"Because it was both my parents wish and so that I could help people in need." Angel answered
Zanu threw her a bottle of blue liquid. "Drink it, you will feel a bit better."
She looked at is and took a sip. Soon she drank the whole thing. She gagged as she finished the blue liquid.
"Gah… that is awful." Angel said
"Yeah I have a few of them. They are ether potions. They help refresh your body's magical abilities. Make sure to rest every now and then so you don't get too exhausted. Now that you should be a bit better draw your sword."
"What?" Angel said confused
"I need to test your worth. Draw your sword and fight me. You don't want me to come at you while your defenseless."
Zanu ran at her. She had just enough time to dodge out of the way and draw her weapon.
"What is going on?" She shouted
"Just a test."
He ran at her again but moved in odd patterns. She thought her was moving straight at her but as she swung her sword it passed though the air touching nothing. She was pushed to the ground.
"Too slow. You depend too much on your eyes. Just because you see something doesn't mean it's there."
Angel got up and looked around but saw nothing. Then this time she was hit in the front. Pushed backwards she swung her sword violently trying to catch something. But hit nothing. From behind came a tug.
"Ow!" Angel cried
Zanu and came from behind and pulled on her tail.
"You need to look past what you see and sense what is really there." Zanu lectured
She stood and sheathed her sword. With her eyes closed she stood still. From her left side footsteps brushed against grass. Angel quickly ducked as Zanu charged over her.
"Ha. I see you catch on quickly."
Angel stood again and listened for him again. Footsteps came from her right side this time but stopped. She opened her eyes and raised her hands at the sky. Zanu had jumped over her but couldn't move fast enough to avoid her spell.
"Gravity!" she spoke.
A dark aura collects around Zanu as he drops to the ground. He struggles to stand as Angel casts more spells.
"Slow. Paralyze."
He stands in a hunched position with extreme difficulty moving.
"Bind."
Zanu freezes in place. Unable to move Angel walks to him and pushes him over.
"Have I passed the test?" Angel asked the motionless ninja.
"I would say so." Elnroth spoke. "How long till he gets up?"
She thinks for a moment. "About twenty minutes."
"Well until he is ready to go you will have to pass a final test with me. The rules are you can only use your sword and no enfeebling magic."
"Alright. I don't see that to be a problem." Angel said
She draws her sword and stands guard. Elnroth steps towards her and swings his sword. Angel moves to block but is struck in the side and blown off of her feet. Breathless she gasps trying to get upright. Elnroth already by her he swings again striking her in the back. Pushed down on the ground again she cries in pain. He comes down again but she rolls out of the way and gets to her feet holding her side. Bruised and beaten she keeps an eye on Elnroth.
"He said he was only testing but my side and back. Is he actually trying to kill me?" She thought to herself
He approached her again but this time she attacked first. He blocked and struck her again.
"I have to think of a way to get that sword out of his hands. I can't slow him down to knock it out of his hands. But maybe I can make him drop it some how. Thunder will only make him clench it harder. Heat might do the trick."
She stands firm and holds her blade out pointing it at him. With a flash the blade glows bright red and fades. She rushed at him and swings her sword violently. Elnroth blocks every shot. With each clash of swords some fire energy from Angel's enfire spell heats Elnroth's blade more and more. Soon the sword retains too much heat and the air around the blade begins to wave and steam, but only the blade. Elnroth does not feel the heat of the enfire enchantment.
"I need to find another course of action."
"Enough playing around!"
Elnroth lunges for her and knocks her backwards. The blade hits her and burns at her clothing and flesh.
"Gah." She grabs her side in pain.
"So I see you have tried a new approach to fighting. Well now you have made it easier to finish this."
He jumped and came down on her with his sword full force. Angel pushed her sword up quickly.
"Ice…"
Elnroth's sword collided with Angel's, but went no further. His sword shattered. At the last moment subconsciously she cast enblizzard. The sudden change in energy transfer broke his sword. In shock Elnroth stood up looking at his fractured sword.
"Hmm. Well I guess I misjudged your talent."
He wrapped the hilt and put it in a satchel.
"It will take me three days to make a new sword." Elnroth spoke
He walked to Zanu picking him up.
"You can snap out of it now."
"Easy for you to say. I haven't been hit with these types of spells before."
They readjusted themselves and looked for Angel. She lied on the ground wounded gripping her sword.
"Elnroth what the hell did you do?" Zanu yelled
He ran over to her and rolled her on her back. She was out cold and covered in cuts and bruises.
"You were only supposed to test her not kill her!"
"She isn't dead. I had to use my full force or she wouldn't be worthy enough if she passed."
"That still is no reason to attack her so viscously."
Zanu picks her up and walks back to Sandoria.
"Where are you going?" Elnroth asks
"To get her to a white mage. And you might as well look for some new metal for you new sword." Zanu answered
They walked back through Ronfaure Forest to the gates of Sandoria to a hospital. Elnroth leaves to his own business while Zanu takes her to be treated.
"Welcome to the Sandoria Hospital how may we help you?"
"Yes I have a mage who needs to be treated for what seems to be blunt trauma, burns, and cuts."
"Oh dear me we'll have some orderlies to help her come back."
She calls some men to come and carry her back into the treatment area.
"She will be better in a few hours but because of her condition we will need her to stay over night. Come back at seven am tomorrow for visiting hours."
The next day Zanu came to get her out of the infirmary. From there they offered to train her further in the arts of fighting and combat based casting. After her run in with Elnroth she was hesitant to accept but she could use the proper training and went along with it. She traveled with them for years learning all she could. Her movements became more refined and could keep her attacks fluent with her casting. She soon found her skills at an even match for the two she traveled with. Her training finally ended in the town of Bastok.
"There isn't much left we can teach you. You can either walk away and never see us again or you can follow us till we find a final battle." Elnroth said
"I have been with you for a long time. Lets not end it here and now. Why not find a place to stay and sleep on the thought." Angel proposed
"Well I for one agree on that idea. We haven't slept in a bed for a while." Zanu said
The group walked to a bar for dinner when Angel saw a flier posted on the door.
WARNING TO ALL TRAVELERS! There have been recent attacks on all passing villagers and towns people of the nation of Bastok. All are warned to stay within the city walls until the problem is fully dealt with. All adventures and warriors are asked to assist the cause of the Iron Musketeers.
"Hmm. Hold on guys, go get a table, I'm going to go ask the gate guards for some information." Angel speaks.
"Alright but don't be too long." Zanu says.
She runs through the streets looking for a city guard. By the south gate stands a strong Galka covered to heavy armor.
"Sir I have come to ask about the attacks by the local beast men." Angel spoke directly
"Yes well we are looking for a collective force to go and destroy the Quadov strong hold at the Northern Mines."
"Yes I understand that but what are they doing anyway?" Angel asked
"They have been assaulting the farmers and abducting children. Just this morning there was word of an entire family that was taken as they were going through North Gustaburg."
When those words rang in her ears she was filled with such anger she couldn't help but turn and walk away. From her pocket she pulled out a green pearl and clenched it tight.
"Hello I am asking all in this group to assist me." She thought into the pearl.
Her words echoed through space. But none answered.
"I am asking for all who can I need some help eliminating a Quadov threat."
"Angel do you realize what time it is?" Kadak responded
"Time is not important this needs to be done now."
"Sorry but it is too late…"
Angel threw the pearl to the ground and bolted for the chocobo stables.
At the bar Zanu and Elnroth were confused
"Where could Angel be? She said she would only be a few minutes." Zanu speaks
"You worry too much. I think you are getting a little weird over that girl." Elnroth snapped
"Quiet you." Zanu said. "I'll be right back I'm going to go look outside for her."
He looks around and finds a Galka gate guard.
"Hello, have you seen a mithra girl come through here?"
"Why yes she asked about the attacks on the people of Bastok. After I told her where the Quadovs were holding up she left for what looked like the mines district."
"Thanks." Zanu says
As he walks away he scans the area. Walking south he sees a round green ball on the ground glowing in the moonlight. He bends over and picks it up.
"Hey this is Angel's. How did she use this again?"
Zanu holds the pearl and thinks into it.
"Hello is anyone here?"
A few seconds later he gets a few voices coming back to him.
"Yes you could say that."
"Who do we say is calling?"
"This is Zanu. I was wondering if anyone in here know of a mithra named Angel?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?" Kadak asks
"Well I was wondering if anyone know where she could be?"
"No. She did say something about helping her with a Quadov problem. Under normal circumstances we would help but it's too late at night for us to get out to Bastok." Ziggeruat said
"I have heard of your name from her but I don't believe you have ever been given a pearl. How did you get that one?" Artimas asked
"That's just it. I found this on the ground and I think it is Angel's."
Zanu paused.
"Oh no."
"What? What is it?" Kadak asked
"She couldn't have. She wouldn't. Is there anyone is the Bastok area?" Zanu spoke
"I am." Kiary answered. "Why?"
"I hope I'm wrong but I think Angel left to go fight the Quadovs by herself."
"No." Ginryu said. "I'm coming there now."
"Who ever can I am going to the mines to get her before she gets herself in trouble."
Zanu put the pearl in his pocket and took off for the chocobo stables. He road fast and arrived at the mines entrance to see something too horrifying.
"She couldn't wait."
The bodies of countless Quadovs were strewn all over the place. Blood was running over the ground. Arrows and slash marks showed that there wasn't a struggle. It was a massacre. But he only saw slashes no magical burns.
"This is going to be tricky." Zanu said to himself
"What will be?" A voice came from behind him
He turned around to see a mithra looking at him.
"May I ask who you are?" Zanu said
"I am Kiary. I will be assisting you in finding Angel. Others are coming but they may be a few hours. They are all traveling from Sandoria." Kiary said
"Well lets get going. If this is what it looks like outside I don't want to imagine what it's like inside."
The two walked inside with weapons drawn. They walked the empty hallways littered with corpses. This time slashes were all over the walls and bodies along with magic burns. They climbed through the mines to the second floor. The higher the two traveled the more devastation they saw.
"Why would Angel come here of all places. She never showed this much aggression before." Zanu said
"What do you mean?" Kiary asked
"Well for the past few years she has been traveling with me and a friend. I have been training her but in all the times she has encountered enemies she always goes in with a cool head. The action she took to under go this was just reckless." Zanu said
Kiary looked at him and noticed that he looked more and more worried the deeper in the mines they went.
"I'm sure she is ok. She can handle a few of these beasts." Kiary said
Zanu stopped and pointed at the corpse of one Quadov.
"See the slash marks. They are violent and ragged. She wasn't attacking out of force. It is looking more and more like desperate quick stabs and slashes. She was in a hurry for something. But…" Zanu stopped. "I don't think she planned on leaving when she finishes what she came here for."
Zanu started running. Kiary picked up the pace to keep up. They finally reach the third floor. The Quadovs were all alive here. Few corpses were on the ground. All the beast men were preoccupied with a disturbance coming from the north.
"That might be her they are all looking for." Kiary said
"She may still be alive." Zanu said
They snuck around watching the beast men move around and search for the intruder. Then screams were heard off in the distance.
"Angel." Zanu said
He ran off rushing to the sound. He came to a grate sectioning off the two rooms. Beyond the bars stood dozens of beast men. An explosion sent them all backwards. There stood a single mithra weaponless and bleeding. Her hair was covering half her face. But it was covered with a thick shiny fluid. He left arm remained motionless. Zanu saw a deep cut in her armor above her elbow. It wasn't the only one. Her legs and body were sliced and bleeding. But she wasn't alone. Behind her was a child. She moved quicker than she looked. Behind her the child followed closely. Then she ran off into another tunnel.
"We have to go back around to get to her." Zanu said
"If we go back to the main halls we should find another intersection that would lead to her." Kiary spoke
The two ran off to backtrack to find a new route. As they left a very large Quadov simply walked through and sniffed the air.
"Heh. A foul and sweet smell comes from around me."
It walks off in the direction that Angel ran.
Zanu and Kiary run back to the main hall to see another explosion blowing beast men away. They saw Angel and the child pass by and running to the entrance of the mines.
"There. Angel!" Zanu yelled
His words fell on deaf ears as she was out of sight before he could say any thing else.
"Lets go. We can at lest help her get out of here in one piece." Kiary spoke quickly
The two ran down the halls after Angel but the could not seem to get to her. They heard shouting and more explosions ahead of them but they could not see her. As they chased on the following group finally caught up with her on the first floor. Angel stood at guard looking at the entrance.
"Angel. Why wouldn't you stop when we called for you?" Zanu asked
Angel stood there just looking at the entrance. Kiary moved towards her placing her hand on her shoulder. Angel stood vigil not moving.
"Angel, are you alright?" Kiary asked
"Home." Angel said
"What?" Zanu asked
"I'm going home." Angel said
She kneeled down next to the child.
"You have to go to Bastok. Do you know where that is?" Angel asked
The child nodded.
"Ok."
Angel began to walk to the entrance. The ground started to shake. From behind her came a loud growl. The ground shook more and something was coming closer and at a fast rate. She turned around to see a huge Quadov emerging out of the mines. She froze in horror.
"No… It can't be…" Angel said
Through her mind ran images long forgotten but seared into her mind. Her father dead on the ground. Her mother forced in the sky by a spear. She looked in fear, in terror, in despair.
I do not own Final Fantasy XI it is all property of Square-Enix. All that I own is the story and main character. All other characters have their respected owners.
