FINAL FANTASY – RISE OF THE RED MAGES

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Death's Head -     First thing first, I do not own Final Fantasy, nor do I ever intend to, I don't have enough money. Secondly, this is my first original Final Fantasy story. What do I mean by that? Simply put, this is a original story, with original characters, in an original world, with only some of the well known mascots (Job Class, Chocobo's, Summon Monsters and a Cid, amongst other things.) from everyone's favourite computer game series. Thirdly, all the characters, seeing as they're original creations of mine, are just that. I created them, they are mine.

All italic text, within *. . .* is the character's thoughts.

Now that I've gotten the usual crap out of the way, on with the story, yes?

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Chapter Three :

Inside the Slippery Eel Tavern :

Sitting at a table, in the shadows, a female thief watched the other patrons who were inside the tavern with a trained eye. She had been plying her trade since she was young, and now at seventeen years of age, she was a master of her craft. She took a sip of her drink before her, when the tavern door opened, and in walked two Red Mages and a White Mage.

Other patrons glanced at the newcomers, before returning to their drinks. A couple hissed in disgust and spat on the ground in front of the Red Mages. The male Red Mage turned his stone gaze onto those people, causing them to return to their drinks immediately. His two companions looked around them, wariness in their stance. The thief noticed how their weapon sheathes were worn from well use, but it was the swords she saw with her greed's eye. Mythril Longswords. Just one of them was worth over 15, 000 gil, and her mouth started to hunger for those swords. It was then the male Red Mage turned his gaze around the room, resting on her. She herself shuddered involuntarily, as she saw his face, the male's right eye seeming to stare at her.

The other Red Mage spoke quietly to her male companion, as well as to the White Mage, and the three of them approached the thief. As they approached her table, the thief looked at them, curiosity on her face.

"Well then, what do I owe the pleasure…?"

The male Red Mage spoke in a cold tone.

"We are looking for the Black Mage Guild of Labthynea. Do you know it's location?"

The thief leaned back in her chair, her feet on the table and a cocky smile upon her face.

"I may know it's location. Depends on what you are offering in return."

The female Red Mage muttered under her breath and spoke to her red robed companion.

"Come on Aberdeen, it's obvious all this person worries about is gil. We can find the guild by other means."

The White Robe nodded.

"I agree with Ariel, let's go and find someone in authority and get directions from them."

Aberdeen kept a steely gaze on the thief.

"That may be so, but I'm willing to bet that this person knows a more direct route to the guild, instead of petitioning the town's lord, for a audience with the Head of the Black Mage Guild." He turned his head slightly "Besides, we don't have the time to wait for the town puppet, to ask for permission!"

The thief smiled thinly. This was a man, with whom she could associate herself with. Too bad he had the conscience in the White Robes and the Red Robed impatience. Still, she was ready to help out… when the tavern door opened, and in walked five high ranking members of the Black Mage Guild.

Kye and Ariel regarded the Black Mages with caution, whilst Aberdeen kept his gaze locked on the thief.

"What is your name thief?"

The thief leaned back in her chair, smirking.

"That's privileged information. What do I get in exchange?"

Aberdeen drew from his belt the mithril dagger he had taken from Sascha and held it before her.

"This."

The thief sat straight in the chair, eyes wide as she stared at the blade.

"Why do you want my name so much?"

"Simple. My friends and I will need passage from Labthynea to Port Jaoius. This dagger, as well as 700 gil will be yours, if you give me your name and arrange passage for us."

The thief stood on her feet and looked Aberdeen in the eyes.

"You have just hired Wyreema Snikch, best thief in the Labthynea Thief guild."

Aberdeen smiled as he handed her the dagger.

"Now I know your name Wyreema, you already know mine. However, know thee this, if you betray us…"

Wyreema nodded slowly.

"I never betray a contract. That is what we have here."

Aberdeen nodded, then faced the five Black Mages.

"Well, it would seem our 'escort' to the Black Mage guild is here."

One of the Black Mages, stepped forward, impatience in his stride.

"Well brothers, it seems we've found the three 'people' that the gate wardens told us about." He stared at Aberdeen, Ariel and Kye and then snorted "I say we use them as guinea pigs for our spell testing."

Ariel narrowed her eyes.

"Typical Black Mage humour. Find something you don't like, you decide to either blow it up, take it apart or use if for experiments." She paused and stared at the Black Mage who had spoken "But I guess in your case, you have your own 'personal' experiments you like to conduct, especially if the guinea pig, has a animal or such with them, and then you focus on the animal."

The Black Mage fumed and, before his startled comrades, cast Firaga on Ariel. However, Aberdeen stepped in front of the attack and bore the brunt of it. Unfortunately, for the Black Mage, Aberdeen was wearing a Reflect ring he had found within the Mythril mines of Ataan. With the ring worn, it's own spell came into effect, reflecting the Firaga back onto it's caster, causing the Black Mage to scream in pain and agony, falling back into his comrades.

One of the other Black Mages cast Blizzara on his wounded companion, while the tallest Black Mage stepped forward and stopped in front of Aberdeen.

"My name is Ramalad Terok, second of the Black Mage guild of Labthynea. I have been charged with the task of escorting you and your two companions back to our guild. I must apologize for my younger 'brother'. He has only just risen to the rank of third class, and is quick to utilize his spells, before having the appropriate knowledge of what his task is to be."

The younger Black Mage, having the effects of the Blizzara dissipating from him, he glared at Aberdeen.

"You dirty little…"

Ramalad stepped in front of him.

"Quiet Hjira, know your place."

The Black mage, Hjira, fumed silently as he was helped to his feet. Ramalad faced Aberdeen and his companions.

"If you would like to follow us, we'll take you to our Guildmaster."

Aberdeen nodded slowly, his red hat covering his face.

"Alright. We'll accompany you…" he glanced over his shoulder at Wyreema "I'll meet you back here tomorrow evening. Have the information then."

Wyreema nodded.

"Done. A deal is a deal."

Aberdeen faced Ramalad.

"Lead the way Ramalad."

Ramalad bowed before Aberdeen, then exited the tavern, Aberdeen, Ariel and Kye following. The remaining four Black Mages stepped in behind them and left the tavern. Wyreema watched them leave then stood and left the tavern from the back door. She ran down the dark streets, turning corners and making her way to the port. As soon as she got there, she looked over all the ships berthed there and a smile appeared on her face as she recognised the ship she sought.

The Eldorado.

Wyreema walked onto the dock, ignoring the comments from the ruffians and so called sailors as she walked to the Eldorado's berth. Standing at the bottom of the gangplank was a burly looking sailor known only as Weyan. Weyan was the second mate of the Eldorado, and third in command of the ship. He was also Wyreema's older brother.

Weyan smiled as he saw her approach.

"Well, lil sis, how's things?"

Wyreema shrugged.

"Pretty slow actually. Captain onboard?"

Weyan nodded as he jerked his thumb towards the main cabin of the Eldorado.

"He's in the main cabin with Sera."

Wyreema sighed. Sera is the Eldorado's second in command, and was a particularly vicious character, IF you got her angry that is. Wyreema knocked on the door and waited. On the other side, sounds could be heard of scuffling and cursing. Wyreema smiled and opened the door.

"Hey Sera, Uncle. Having fun in here, eh?"

Sera Hahn fumed silently.

"Wyreema… How long have you been there listening?" She buckled her belt around her waist and ran a hand through her raven black hair "Besides, you should knock and wait to be summoned within, instead of just barging in!"

The captain of the ship just smiled as he sat behind the big oak desk, his own shirt left undone exposing the snake tattoo on the left side of his chest. He stroked his moustache, his eyes smiling.

"Now, now Sera, be nice. She is my niece."

Sera pulled her jacket tight around her and glared at her 'partner'.

"That may be so, but still…"

The captain raised his hand to silence her.

"Sera… go and see to the stocking of provisions and supplies. Judging from the look on Wyreema's face, I think we're going to have a hire."

Sera nodded and left the cabin. The captain motioned for Wyreema to sit in one of the vacant chairs, and poured her a drink.

"So Wyreema, tell me something. How goes the robbing and pillaging trade?"

Wyreema sipped her drink.

"I prefer the term Treasure hunter."

"Semantic Nonsense."

"There's a WORLD of DIFFERENCE!!"

The captain laughed and took a big mouthful of his drink. Wyreema smiled and added.

"Besides, what about you and Sera? I mean, does she know of all the other WOMEN you have in other ports, uncle Cid?"

The captain, Cid Azeem, smiled broadly.

"Well Wyreema, my dear niece, women are beautiful creatures, and they're just like sunrises. There's a new one every day."

Wyreema laughed.

"I wonder how Sera feels about that?"

Cid chuckled.

"Sera is like the moon. Cold, unwelcoming light washing down upon you, and yet, you cannot help but be attracted to it and give it your all."

Wyreema smiled and shook her head. Cid Azeem was a brilliant ship captain, but an even better engineer. She wondered, like she always does when she deals with him, what was the cause of him, leaving his profession to become a 'ship captain'.

"Anyway, I've come with information about a possible hire."

Cid smiled behind his mug.

"Any information, is always useful Wyreema, my dear."

Wyreema smiled and began to tell Cid what she had been instructed to do by Aberdeen, and also added some other information as well. When she had finished, Cid wore a thoughtful look on his face.

"I see… That explains why the Red Mages of this continent are being wiped out. The King of Jaoius, would very much like to know the reason as to why this persecution began. As you know, Red Mages have either turned up murdered or disappeared completely. It would be ideal to keep these two Red Mages safe, and escort them to Jaoius as soon as possible."

Wyreema nodded.

"I was thinking the same thing. Red Mages here, are getting murdered all the time. Look at the information we've received from Ataan. The Red mage Guildhall there…"

Cid frowned.

"The mayor of that town, Broigh, is a complete and utter idiot and buffoon. He cares only for himself." He stood and looked out the window of his cabin "Go back and keep an eye on them niece. I'm sure the Black Mage Guildmaster will be assigning a Black Mage to assist them. When they've received what they need, lead them here. I have a feeling we're going to need to escape soon…. Very soon."

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Death's Head -     Chapter three's here. I deliberately wrote this chapter, focusing on a minor character, and the subsequent link she has with a staple in the FF universe, a Cid. And this Cid is different than the grandfatherly type Cid's in the FF games (With the exception of Cid Highwind of course.). If anyone here had played Skies of Arcadia on the Sega Dreamcast, there's a character called Gildur. My Cid, is utilising a cross of Gildur and Cid from FFIV, so combine these two together and you have Cid Azeem from my story. The next chapter is within the Black Mage Guildtower, and will include a new character joining Aberdeen and his group. Please R&R. Constructive criticism only thank you.