Zanu was at the president's office in Bastok.
"You're telling that they could not harm the beastman army?" The president said
"That's not the worst part. When I was watching after the fight was over the entire invading army vanished." Zanu spoke
"How long ago was this?"
"Exactly one week."
A messenger ran into the room.
"Sir we have word from Sandoria."
"What is it?"
"Sir, a large army has just appeared in the surrounding planes and are marching on to their nation."
The president was in distress.
"How are their forces fairing?"
"They aren't."
In Sandoria all the Royal Knights stood before the oncoming army. Looking out at the force they were worried. This army just appeared before them. But what was worse were that the invading force just didn't look right. There was a strange mist surrounding them all.
"100 yards till parameter attack!" A scout called out
The army watched as volleys of attacks went out at the closest coming. Stones were launched from catapults. A hailstorm of shrapnel came down upon them. But they kept charging. The lines did not differ and no casualties were seen. A charge was ordered and the Sandorian army ran out attacking the oncoming force. The warriors rushed the beastmen army. But were all killed before attacks could be hit. The attackers ran through them not actually hitting them. All of the army's men and women were drained completely of their energy. Their bodies were over run. As the mist was breathed in the people choked and fell over. A poison seeped into the walls killing off all the guards. The ones that did manage to get far enough to hit the creatures their weapons went through them. But it didn't matter anyway. As soon as they got close enough they all just died. The creatures that sucked the life out of them did so that the bodies were dried and wrinkled.
"All men fall back!" A commander called out.
The retreat was called and the remaining forces ran back into the city. In a shock they all saw the towns people were dead. The strange poisonous mist covered the area. Cornered off outside there was the on coming unstoppable force and the poison that covered the town.
"Sir. We have lost communication with Sandoria."
The president looked down and closed his eyes.
"How could this be happening? What is causing this?" The president said
"Sir? What should our plans be?"
"Evacuate all the civilians. Leave a small force behind to see what happens to this town."
"Sir, Where should we take everyone?"
"Have all the airships prepped for Jeuno. Take them there and I will tell the Prince of the unfortunate news" He spoke
He turned to Zanu.
"I am gravely sorry for your lose. Please go to the docks and wait to board."
The president got up and left. Zanu called in to his Linkshell.
"Is everyone alive?"
"What the hell happened?" Kadak yelled
"There was an attack at Sandoria." Zanu said
"Yes we know that!" Ziggeraut said "But what the hell happened?"
"From what I was told a beatman army stormed the city and killed everyone. It was just like Windurst. And it looked like Bastok is next. The president just ordered a mass evacuation to Jeuno."
"She has been there for months."
"Well what should we do?"
"I'm not sure if there is anything to do."
"Just let her be."
Over the following week the residents of Bastok were moved to Jeuno. Once the area was cleared they sent back scouts and warriors to watch the area. Exactly one week from the attack on Sandoria the army came. Waves of beastmen came running to the city.
The scouts oversaw the destruction of their homes. An odd mist was seeping over and through the walls into the city. The scouts reported everything they saw to the president of Bastok. Due to the distance of their view they could not get a good description of the creatures that were attacking. Just as they over ran Bastok the force disappeared. They reported everything. The mist lingered in the air and then eventually dissipated. The mist was very poisonous but they could not understand how the creatures could survive in it and anything else can't. After they surveyed the area they left to return to Jeuno.
From afar the scouts were being watched.
"So that's where they were hiding. Simple fools."
A large man stood amongst a dozen children. They varied in sizes and races. Elvaan, Hume, Tarutaru, and Mithra. In the middle of the group was Terra. The tall man used a warp scroll to take them back to a cold dark castle. Each of the children were locked in separate rooms. In one Terra was sitting in the corner thinking. She was crying for her mother and father. For the past months she was locked away in this place. She was forced to summon creatures until she and the others could combine their powers to summon an army of creatures from the dead. Each time it left them completely drained for a week. They didn't know what would happen to them after their last summon but it won't be good.
Terra held her hands to her face trying not to make any noise. She was told to sleep and not make a sound. But she could not sleep. To afraid to close her eyes she kept watch of her surroundings.
"I want my mommy." She thought to herself. "Why did he have to take me? Why did he have to kill her?"
A guard walked by and saw her out of bed.
"Child sleep! If you don't I will knock you out myself!"
Terra looked up at him and didn't move. He opened the door and walked in.
"He said we could not kill you. But he didn't say anything about not harming you!"
The demon grabbed her and pulled her into the air. Quickly he threw her to the bed and hit her with his weapon. She cried out in pain and stayed put. He walked out of her cell and locked the door. She started crying again and wished for her mother.
Ziggeraut had gathered up as many of the existing group that he could find. Lucky for him they weren't near Sandoria during that attack. They found an inn that they rented out to hold them all.
"So does anyone have a plan or any idea how to approach this situation?" He asked his men
"Well from what we have heard the army of beastmen is immune to physical attacks. There must be some large spell protecting them. So maybe magic will have an effect to them." Chster spoke
"So how many mages do we have here?" Ziggeraut asked
"Not enough." Elnroth said. "We have the strength to attack them but in our weakness is our magical abilities."
"He has a point. If any our mages are only white mages." Kadak said
"We have a few black mages and some red mages."
"And two summoners." Spenlin spoke up.
He and Myloko stood up.
"Well until we find out how we are to attack this army we need to prepare ourselves. It has only been one day since the siege on Bastok. In one week that army will be here. I ask that you all go out and try to round up as many mages as you can find." Ziggeraut said
The group all dispersed and went out looking for other mages. Within two days they scavenged up 27 black mages, 12 red mages, 34 white mages, and 7 summoners.
"This is ridiculous. Where are all of the casters? You can't possibly tell me that these are the last remaining mages in the world?" The president of Bastok said
Zanu stood before him with a report.
"We don't know if this will work or not. All we have determined is that during each attack the only thing thrown at the army were warriors. Magic may not even work either." Zanu said
The president sat with his face in his hands.
"That is why they took out Windurst first."
"Sir?" The president's aid asked
"This must be why. They took out Windurst to take care of their biggest threat. Then they went after the most populated city in the world. And finally came to our home to destroy what was left. Now all that is left is a few thousand people and all we have to protect us is a few dozen mages." He said
The president looked up to his aid.
"Send a message to all the people in Jeuno. All available mages are requested to come to the consulates offices and be asked to participate in protecting what life is left here."
Zanu leaves and goes back to the inn where the rest of the group is staying.
"So Zanu what do you think our chances of getting through this are?" Elnroth asks
"Well… we have two choice. We can leave. And those chances of living are pretty high. Or we can stay. And my guess is get killed." He responds
"Yeah my thoughts exactly. Not like we can leave anyway." Elnroth says
"Yeah. Well now what?" Zanu asks
"We wait."
For the following days the people of Jeuno were getting more and more on end. The fear of the army coming at any moment put everyone in a constant state of unrest. If any of them could sleep for more then five minutes it was a blessing.
The days wore on until the last day came down. It was midnight. The guards stood watch looking for anything to come. In all surrounding areas nothing was moving. A call was sent to the gate captains and the bridges were disconnected. Drawing them in Jeuno was now sectioned off from the rest of the surroundings. The preparations were complete. All that was left was to wait for them to come. Unlucky for them, they had their wish.
In the early dawn of the day the scouts saw the armies charging from three fronts. Batallia Downs, Rolanberry Fields and Sauromugue Champaign. The forces charged to the very edge of the sea. The scouts in Jeuno gave a cheer to a minor victory. But it was not long. From behind them came volleys of rocks and fireballs. They rained through the air coming down. People were running around trying for cover as they crushed the ground and destroyed buildings. Ruble and debris was falling down. All anyone could do was run away from all the attacks. Guards ran in to assist the civilians. Many were crushed others trampled. Rushing them off they looked to the sky in horror.
From the rear lines winged creatures were flying in fighters. They dropped them in and left to get more. There were only but a few of the untouchable force running around in Jeuno. A wave of mages ran out and threw their spells at them. In shock it deterred them. The invading force was stopped by what magic spells they had. The remaining mages were killing the beastmen left and right. But they were being dropped in as fast as they were being killed.
Off behind the lines in each of the three areas there were four children being watched by guards. They were standing concentrating hard opening a portal. Out of the portal came the lost souls of the thousands of beastmen that were killed over the years. They were all angry and were unrest over their death. Some of the kids were losing focus and were punished. They were kicked or prodded with the demons weapons. In Batallia Downs there was Terra with two other kids. She was straining herself to keep her power focused to the army.
"Why am I doing this?" She asked herself. "I am tired of causing this much death and damage."
She dropped her focus entirely and stood there. The guards yelled at her.
"Child! You will get back to work now!"
Terra looked at them and spoke. "No."
A hand came down bringing her to the ground.
"You will get back to your summoning!"
She coughed out and stayed down.
"Fine. We won't miss one of your puny creatures."
They started beating her. Fists and clubs came raining down hitting her frail weak body. Each hit forced out a cry from Terra.
"Where are you mommy? Why can't you be here?"
Her mind raced back to when her mother was teacher her basic summoning.
"Put your arms interlocking like this." Angel spoke
Terra looked at her and mimicked her stance.
"Now when you get your avatar pact you will focus your mind and center your energy into your arms. After you finish the call push the energy all to your hands and move them forward in a thrust opening your palms." Angel continued
She twisted her arms around and pushed them forward. A wave of magical energy moved down her arms and sparked off her finger tips. Terra followed suit doing exactly what Angel had taught her. A wave of magical energy ran down her arms as well.
"Now you follow that motion to call out your avatars." Angel finished
Terra practiced the motion over and over again. Angel watched as she followed through with the summoners stance. Terra finished her exercises and sat down. She lay on the ground with her eyes closed.
"Mom?" Terra asked
"Yes?" Angel answered
"You never told me how you got your avatars. How difficult was it?"
"It was a difficult trial. But don't you worry. As long as me or your father have a breath in our bodies you won't be alone."
Terra was being beaten to the end of her life hoping and wishing she wanted her mother.
"You said you would always be there for me. Where are you?"
In her mind she was calling for her mother to save her.
"She is calling for you again."
"Please you have to get up and go to her."
"Please help me." Terra whispered
From beneath her a large summoning circle was etching its way over the earth. It grew around Terra shining light around her. The demons were repelled from the sight of it. A figure stepped out and took shape. A taller slender Mithra materialized before them.
"Stay away from my daughter."
Legal notice. I do not own FFXI, it is property of Square-Enix. All PC's and NPC's have thier respective owners.
