"What is happening?" Terra thought.
She was on the ground being beaten. She was wishing for her mother so hard to save her she thought she died. Her eyes were closed shut trying to block out the rest of the world. Pain was biting at her ribs and legs. She curled up trying to cover herself. But then it stopped. Something happened. She was calling for her mother so much that something called back. Then the pain subsided. There was feint yelling and a breeze blew over her. She was being picked up. Feeling a cold touch at her forehead there was something holding her. Slowly Terra opened her eyes. Looking up she thought she was hallucinating. Her vision centered and there she was.
"Mom… mommy?" Terra asked
"Shhhh. Your alright now."
Terra closed her eyes again and felt herself moving. A harder wind was blowing past her. A few minutes later and the wind stopped. She felt herself falling and a stop.
"Open your eyes." A calm voice called to her
Terra looked around. She was in Jeuno. People were all running around them. There was a handful of the summoned army attacking the people.
"Mommy, you have to help them." Terra spoke
She nodded and set Terra down. Angel turned to the horde quickly approaching her. The closest one was the first to die. A burning claw grew over her hand as she punched through the beast. It dematerialized once it was killed. She quickly killed any monsters that were in the area.
"Ziggeraut! There is something about another summoned creature in Upper Jeuno." One of the group's members spoke
He thought and called for the two summoners he knew. Quickly what members were around headed for the higher level of Jeuno. Rushes of people were running away from the area slowing them all down.
"Damnit people get out of our way!" Spenlin said.
He and Myloko were running to the sight of the new summoned creature. Getting past the stairs they can see a light aura off in the distance. Trying to get closer the people blocked their way.
"OUST!" Zanu yelled
He ran forward splitting a path for the two summoners.
"Thanks." Myloko said
"Don't talk now. Get ready to fight these beasts." Zanu said
Terra was trying to keep her focus be she was getting tired. For some reason her magical aura was being drained. Calling out to her mother she sat down trying to get a clear head. Angel saw this and ran back to her.
"What is wrong?"
"I can't… keep this up…" Terra said
Angel looked at Terra and closed her wings around her body. Slowly she vanished from existence. As she left Angel spoke fading words to her daughter.
"If you need me again just call for me."
"Terra!" A voice came from behind her
She looked behind her as three people came running to her.
"Dad?" She said
Zanu ran to her. Kneeling down he grabbed her.
"I'm so sorry we let him take you." He said to her
Myloko and Spenlin just arrived looking around.
"Hey where is that other summoned creature?" Myloko said
Terra got up and looked at the three.
"I need a ether now." Terra said
"What why?" Spenlin asked
"It doesn't matter if you have one give it to her." Zanu said
Myloko looked through her bag and gave her a few small bottles of blue liquid. Terra takes them. Ziggeraut and Chster come running to the group.
"What is going on here? I thought there was another force coming through here." Ziggeraut said
They saw there were no more beastmen in this area anymore.
"That is because the group summoning the army for this section has been stopped." Terra said to him
Ziggeraut looked down at her. "And who are you?" He asks
"My daughter." Zanu speaks
"There doesn't seem to be anything up here for us to deal with. Lets get back to the lower levels." Chster said
Terra heard that and ran for the stairs. The others take off after her. She arrives to see more waves of beastmen attacking everything in the area. Terra drinks one of the ethers and takes a summoners stance.
"Please mommy, come to me." She thought
Trying to gather all of her strength she could not summon her mother again. Stressing her all she could not bring her out.
"Please mommy where are you?"
The rest of the group got down to her.
"Terra what are you doing?" Zanu asked
She was holding a growing orb of energy.
"Why won't she come?" Terra asked
"Why won't who come?" Kiary asked
"My mom…" Terra answered
"But she's gone." Ginryu said
Terra grimaced trying to hold her concentration.
"Then how?" She thought. "She can't be gone."
"If you need me just call for me." Angel's words echoed in Terra's mind
"I am calling for you. Why won't you answer?" She said
Trying to think of what to do the horde started to notice her presence. She had to figure out what to do quickly.
"What do I do?" She was panicking
Zanu was speaking calmly behind her.
"Please Angel, help your daughter. Don't break her heart."
"That's it." She said
It all clicked. Terra began to conjure her summoning skills.
"In my chest beats an angel's heart."
The energy at her hands glows brightly. The mob of enemies starts to advance on her.
"Sacrifice my life and make this stop."
The horde is now running at her. All of their attention is on her.
"Bring that Angel to my sight."
The summoned army is only a few feet from her.
"So she may stop this horrid fight!"
Terra pours all of her energy into this call. A summoning circle erupts over the ground. The horde stops and the group watches is awe. A light shines blinding all near by onlookers. From this circle steps out a mithra. She has a glowing white aura surrounding her. A beast tried to attack her. Its weapon came down on her but green and blue scales grew over her body. The weapon broke and she turned to it. A swift punch and the creature went flying back. It crashed into a group of them knocking the wave backwards. Angel moved back to Terra. The rest of the group stared, watching this image before them.
"How… what…" Kiary spoke.
"It can't be her." Ginryu said
Terra finished the connection and Angel was fully in the material plane. Everyone looked at her in total amazement. There was no scar over her eye, nor was there the wound that killed her. She looked as if nothing had ever hurt her or touched her.
"To stop this army you have to stop the ones who are commanding them. On the outskirts of the city are other children who are summoning them." Terra told Angel
Angel nodded to her. The order was given and she started to run to the force. Reaching into space a long staff materialized in her hand. Pulling it into existence she slew all the beastmen in her wake. Looking up there were the flying creatures that were dropping in more of the army. Spreading her arms her wings appeared. With one jump she took to the sky. Striking all the creatures out of the air Angel continued to the back of the enemy lines. Finding the kids she killed the guards and brought them back to town. In Jeuno Terra was being taken care of. Chster kept casting a magical regeneration incantation upon Angel's child while Zanu and Elnroth kept a close eye defending her against any outside interference. Angel brought back all the children who were summoning the creatures. With little problem the ethereal army was gone. Angel finally returned to Terra. She came running to Angel. Angel kneeled down catching her and holding her close. Terra was sobbing uncontrollably into her chest. Angel dispelled the armor and weapons. Folding her wings behind her she stood holding her.
"Please don't cry any more." Angel whispered into her ear
Terra didn't care about it now. She had lost all hope of ever returning home, to see her mother or father. But it was all fine now. She was home. Angel began to sing to her and try to ease her pain.
"So good bye, my solid ground. I'm an engine I won't break down. A lonely chord, without a song. Searching for an orchestration where I belong."
Terra started to feel a little better. All of Angel's friends walked toward her.
"Is this real?" Noxes asked
"Like a leaf without a tree, nothing to cover over me. I'm like a character from a story, I don't exist." Angel continued to sing
"Mom." Terra said as she nestled in to her.
"So good bye, my solid ground. I'm an engine I won't break down. A lonely chord, without a song. Searching for an orchestration where I belong."
Angel had her wings enclosing she and Terra. She spoke very softly to her.
"Forget your pain. Forget your misery. I won't allow such a thing anymore."
Foot steps behind them. Metal clinking. Heavy steps were moving towards them. A sword was raised. It flew through the air striking its target.
"Gah…" Angel yelped
Everyone looked in horror to see a sword sticking through her chest. Down she fell. Her wings spanned out as she hit the ground. She slumped in a pile on the floor. The tip of the sword kept her from laying flat. Behind her was a tall man. He dressed in a long black trench coat with black armor covering everything but his face. Zanu's eyes widened in sight of this man.
"You…" Zanu said
He reached into a pocket drawing some throwing stars. Zanu threw them at the man slowly walking towards them. He didn't even move. The stars stopped before him and dropped.
"Ha… you fool. I could have killed you before. But I guess I can do it now." He said
Getting closer he looked down at Angel's corpse.
"What the hell?" He yelled
He pulled out another sword coming down upon her but it never touched her. Fenrir caught the blade with his teeth.
"Not this time." Fenrir growled
He put so much pressure on the sword the blade shattered.
"You vile creature." He snarled
Fenrir charged into him knocking him back. Angel slowly got to her feet holding Terra. She was barely hit by the swords blade. It scrapped by her arm but didn't do too much harm. Putting her down she ran back to the group the stood near them. Zanu got her and ran behind them.
"Fenrir. Can you help me with this?" Angel asked
He bit down on the swords hilt and pulled the sword out. Angel yelled out in pain.
"Damnit." Angel said
She held at her chest to the wound. Images came rushing back. The day of her death haunted her. Why would he do such a thing?
"Who are you?" Angel asked
He just smiled.
"I am just like you. I am only a figure that others seek out for their help. Only I am more powerful." He spoke
Angel had no idea what he was talking about.
"What are you?" Angel asked
"A shadow of my former self. But with you I can become what I once was."
He ran at her. She dodged left and Fenrir was there to hold him down. He bit at his leg pulling him down. Angel brought out the staff once more and threw it down striking him. He yelled in pain.
"You whore. How dare you raise your hand at me!" He yelled
He pulled the staff out of himself and ran at her. He was quick. Pulling his leg free from Fenrir's grip he assaulted Angel in a brutal manor. His hands shifted to demon talons grasping her head. He took hold of her body and flung her to a wall. The brick chipped as she collided with it. On the ground she lied unconscious. Fenrir dashed to her side.
"You shall not touch this one again." Fenrir growled
"Why must all you avatars be so ignorant of your fate." He said
Fenrir saw him. At a glance he was a normal human, but he was different. A much stronger aura existed for this one. But there was only half. His soul was fading in and out. He was a borrowed body to link to another being.
"It can't be." Fenrir spoke
Fenrir backed and picked up Angel. He ran fast trying to get her away from that man.
"Angel you must get up. I cannot keep this one at bay for much longer." He said
Angel was woken sternly. He set her down as she got to her feet.
"Fenrir, what is that man?" Angel asked
"I fear for what is to come if you do not stop him." Fenrir answered
The man bolted to her. Angel's arms had burning claws grow over her own and put up a guard. She couldn't stop him. He sent a shockwave out shattering glass and damaging all nearby buildings.
"You have stopped my army. But you won't be able to stop me." He said
He raised a second fist to hit her again. Fenrir bit down clamping on his arm. He was angry. With his other hand he grabbed the wolf by the neck and squeezed. A snap and Fenrir hanged limp. He tossed him aside and went back to Angel. She ran and used her wings to move faster. In a fluid movement she was able to get enough wind under wings to get a good fifty feet away from him. The second stride wasn't so successful. He was there for the second movement. He grabbed one of her wings and ripped it out of her back. Blood flushed from the wound as she fell down again.
On the ground Angel couldn't find a balance to get up again. Crying in pain she couldn't speak. He raised the wing over his head and drank of her blood coming from the wing. She started crawling away but he stepped on her other wing.
"Where do you think your going?" He asked
She looked up to him with scared eyes. The tears in her eyes made him smile.
"I love that look on your face. Just like when I killed you the first time that face made me so aroused. I should have had my way with you back then before you died."
"What the hell is wrong with you." Angel yelled
He leaned down to her and spoke to her face.
"I need you. And I will have you as mine." He hissed
A large force came pushing him off of her. Myloko summoned Titan to assist Angel. But it only made him mad. He killed Titan and focused his rage on the group of people trying to save her. With that distraction Angel got up and tried to get to her friends before she could. But it was to no avail. He struck Myloko in the chest crushing her ribcage. The force thrust her back pushing others with her. She lied dead on a pile of others. Angel summoner her staff to her and used it as a support. Stumbling to them she called out for him to stop. He did not deter from his rampage. He picked up another Elvaan by his neck and snapped it. A voice came yelling out. Screaming a name.
"MABS!" Ginryu yelled
She had a large lance and struck him with it. He looked at her with total disgust. He grabbed it and threw it along with Ginryu away from him. Angel ran out just catching her before she hit the ground. Ginryu got back up wielding her lance.
"I'll kill you!" She screamed
"Stop this." Angel said on the ground again
He looked at the charging female. As she closed in he grabbed the spearhead and stopped her.
"What do you think your doing?" He said
She was hysterical. With a simple hand motion he pushed her back with such force she was in the air again. Once again Angel tried to catch her but she just collide with her. Ginryu lay on top of Angel crying.
"Why, why did he have to kill Mabs?" Ginryu spoke
Angel tried to say anything that would try to get her back in a semi logical sense.
"Please, for now you have to be strong." Angel said
Angel got up and fell down to one knee. The pain from her torn wing was enough to send her to tears again, but she had to fight the pain and stop this madman.
"What will stop this?" She spoke
From behind she was being helped up. There Ginryu was crying but she was becoming Angel's support.
"You have to stop him." She said
The man was walking to Angel again.
"How can I stop him." Angel thought. "This is going to far."
Taking Ramuh's staff in hand she tried to put up another guard. He rushed to her, Angel pushed Ginryu away and she swung her staff at him. She cut his face and he punched her in the chest.
"I can't keep taking blows like this." Angel said
She looked up to see the man with a bleeding cut on his face. It sealed itself returning to normal.
"You cannot stop me. Just give in and they won't die painfully." He said
"You're a demon. I won't let you harm any of them." Angel said
"Is that so?" He said
He picked her up by an arm and threw her to the group of people. She fell on them. Her one wing was able to soften the blow but she still fell hard. The pain was getting to her again.
"What is he planning?" Angel said
"I will have you to complete me. You can survive my attacks but they can't." He yelled
He stood strong raising his hands collecting all the energy he could. A massive wave of energy was building before him.
"I shall extract your essence and their souls from the crater!"
In that sentence Ginryu got up and stabbed him with her spear through his chest. He turned his wrath to her. Angel moved faster then she could in her present state. She grabbed him and took full force of the blow. The dark magical aura erupted causing a huge explosion that hit the surrounding area. The blast sent everyone back. A huge smoking crater was all that was left. Some of the people tried to search for any remains of either of the two. As they drew closer there was a strange voice calling out.
"Freedom… finally I am free…" A female voice spoke
"Angel… is that you?" Kiary asked
The smoke was blown away. From ashes and ruble there was a figure standing. From it one wing of feathers and one wing of bone spread blowing the rest of smoke away. There was standing Angel, grinning and laughing.
I do not own FFXI. It is property of Square-Enix. All PC's and NPC's have thier respective owners. The song "A Lonely Chord" is under rights of Tsunami Bomb. Please don't sue.