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. Also, all italic text between … is the sign language Aberdeen and Ariel use to speak to each other without anyone else knowing.
Now that I've gotten the usual crap out of the way, on with the story, yes?
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Chapter Four :
Within the Tower of Black Sorcery :
Aberdeen, Ariel and Kye were sitting in the dark waiting room, within the Black Mage guild, waiting for the Guildmaster to summon them, to conduct the audience. Ariel was glancing around the room, taking note of the arcane artifacts on shelves and on the ornate bookcase along the north wall.
Kye on the otherhand, was worried. The White Mages and Black Mages, while having a truce of sorts between them, there was still some animosity between them, ever since the End of Days. Even now, White Mages and Black Mages tended to stay apart from each other, unless they ended up working on the same contract.
Aberdeen noticed Kye's nervousness.
"Kye, don't worry."
Kye just nodded and started to pick at some sort of insignificance on his staff. Ariel glanced at her brother, and utilizing the sign language their father had taught them, spoke to him.
Aberdeen, Kye is not going to be useful to us, in his current condition.
Aberdeen signed back
Don't worry Ariel. He'll be fine.
Ariel frowned.
Are you sure?
Aberdeen smiled softly.
I've known Kye for quite sometime, he'll be fine. I'm just worried about the Guildmaster here. Even if he is related to our Father, I have a feeling he's going to help us, under some conditions...
Conditions? Like what?
Aberdeen sighed.
Most likely having a member of this guild assigned to us, to 'assist' us.
So, what do we do?
Aberdeen smiled.
Wait and see dear sister, wait and see…
Ariel ran a hand through her auburn hair.
"Fine brother, we'll play things your way."
The door to the guild's inner chamber opened, and Ramalad stepped forward.
"The Guildmaster will now receive you."
Aberdeen and Ariel nodded, and Kye swallowed nervously. The three companions stepped forward and entered the room, Ramalad closing the door behind them. The room was dark and gloomy, and just as Kye was going to ask one of the siblings to cast a fire spell, numerous candles all around the room erupted, as their wicks came to the life. In the middle of the room, was a large ornate oak carved table. Sitting in a large throne, was the Guildmaster of the Black Mage guild.
Aberdeen took his hat off and bowed to the Guildmaster, Ariel copying his move. Kye bowed, his whole stance nervous. The Guildmaster smiled and bade them to sit.
"Welcome to my guild, young ones. I understand you hail from the mining town of Ataan. Tell me, what news is abound in my old hometown?"
Aberdeen paused slightly.
"Grave news. The mayor has imposed strict penalties on any Red Mage in that town, to the point…" Aberdeen's right eye seemed to glow "Only my sister and myself, are the only Red Mages from Ataan to be still alive."
The Guildmaster stiffened.
"All… Red Mages…?"
Ariel nodded.
"Aye, all of our comrades, and our Guildmaster… our… Father…"
The Black Mage before them, bowed his head at the news. His hands, griped the edge of the table tightly, knuckles white. He then spoke in a tight, pain filled voice.
"My… brother… who killed him?"
Aberdeen looked at Kye, who swallowed nervously and spoke.
"It… it was the mayor's son… Sascha, as well as a fighter… and… two black mages…"
The Guildmaster fixed a cold gaze on Kye, causing him to cringe.
"Two… black… mages? Names."
"Othoirs and Motrud."
The Guildmaster cursed silently.
"I know those two. They were transferred to Ataan, three months ago. Trouble and Pain. I will send word to the Ataan guild, ordering those two back here, immediately."
Ariel spoke, her hands resting on her lap.
"You won't be able to see Othoirs. He received a little… shock therapy."
The Guildmaster looked at her, eyebrow raised.
"How shocking was it?"
Ariel swallowed.
"Fatal."
The Guildmaster nodded slowly.
"Which one?"
Aberdeen looked at the man before them, his right eye seemingly to glow.
"I was justified in my actions. They destroyed my friends and father. They deserved death."
The Guildmaster nodded as he took the information in.
"And the rest of the killers?"
Ariel glanced at Kye, who coughed and spoke quietly.
"The other two… Nisu, the fighter… Aberdeen slew him, after Othoirs. Sacha, the leader, fled back to Ataan, Motrud with him."
The Guildmaster nodded slowly.
"Fine. I'll deal with Motrud in due course. For now, I guess you want to leave Labthynea and Ataan."
Aberdeen smirked softly.
"Of course. From what information our father had, the King of Jaoius is offering safe harbour for Red Mages. If we were to head there, and then continue north, at least we'd be safer than here."
The Guildmaster chuckled.
"Heading for the city of Yagaso, eh? That town is rumoured to be a safe haven for anyone, with the right amount of gil, or how powerful one's sword arm and spells are."
Ariel smiled softly.
"A friend of ours, a monk, is living near there. He's our only ally at the moment."
The Guildmaster grasped a small silver bell, and rang it once. Another door opened, and in stepped a black mage, who walked up to the table and remained silent. The Guildmaster faced the three companions.
"I know my brother well, and was with him, when he found the two of you. At first, I thought he was being too sentimental by taking you as his children, but now, having seen what you have grown into, I know he made the right decision." The old man stood "I will not hinder you on your journey, and will provide enough distraction for you to leave, and keep any pursuers from Ataan from finding out your whereabouts. Furthermore, I would like you to accept the assistance of this member of my guild."
The black mage took off it's hat, revealing a face, framed by long light brown hair and sparkling green eyes. The mage bowed to Aberdeen and his companions.
"I am Maya Viruca, third class Black Mage, category 2. Pleased to meet you."
Ariel and Kye responded with cordial remarks, while Aberdeen stood frozen. Maya looked at him as she walked from the side of the table, to stand in front of him.
"I'm guessing, you are Aberdeen, correct?"
The Red Mage nodded, as his sister and the White Mage exchanged glances. The Guildmaster coughed, startling Aberdeen from his daydream.
"Uhh… yes I am."
Maya smiled softly, as her superior spoke.
"Maya, is the only female member of not just this guild, but also in any other Black Mage guild in the world. She is quite gifted and has risen to her rank rather quickly and steadily. She is also, unfortunately, not without her own enemies here." He paused and looked at Aberdeen "She will be an asset to you in your journey."
Aberdeen quickly recovered and spoke to the Guildmaster, his gaze slowly tearing away from Maya.
"I understand. I thank you for your aid."
The Guildmaster shook his head.
"No, I thank you for bringing this information to me, my nephew. Also, know that this chapter of the Black Mages, will forever be your allies." He straightened "Now, it would be best if you left this town quickly and quietly. Go to the harbour and look for a ship called the Eldorado and speak with it's captain, Cid Azeem. He will assist you in passage."
Aberdeen bowed, as did his sister and Kye.
"We thank you for your aid. This shall not be forgotten."
Aberdeen led the others out of the room, his hat on his head. Ariel, Kye and Maya remained silent, until they encountered Ramalad, who stopped them in one of the hallways.
"I see the Master has assigned Maya to join you. Now we can finally have some peace around here."
Maya smiled at the comment.
"Well, now I won't have to worry about my disappearing undergarments."
Ramalad smiled and hugged Maya. As he released her, he looked at Aberdeen.
"Treat her well Aberdeen Edwardes. She is a remarkable woman, and for her age, quite powerful and deadly."
Aberdeen smirked.
"Powerful and deadly… a combination I find to be quite… delightful." He extended his hand to Ramalad "Fear thee well, Master Mage."
Ramalad returned the gesture and grasped Aberdeen's hand.
"Fear thee well, Warrior Mage."
Ramalad turned and walked down the corridor, leaving the four companions alone. Aberdeen turned on his heel and walked towards the entrance, Ariel and the others keeping up with him, until they left the tower. As they walked down the path leading away from the guild, Ariel looked at Maya.
"So… are you going to tell us your story, or are we going to have to guess your past?"
Maya chuckled as she brought her dark blue cloak tighter around her petite frame.
"Let's just say, I'm an enigma. Not even the other Black Mages and the Guildmaster, know my history."
Kye muttered.
"Probably all dark and twisted…"
Maya glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
"So? At least I'm not a prissy little White robe, who cries out when I get a drop of wine, or a splash of mud on my robes!"
Ariel sniggered, as Kye tried to think of a comeback… and failed. Aberdeen motioned for them to stop, as he leaned around the corner of the alley. Ariel signed to him her query.
What's wrong? Trouble?
Aberdeen nodded slowly, and signed two names back to her. Her own eyes narrowed, and her right hand went to her sword. Maya and Kye watched them, and as Maya instinctively brought forth some of the numerous magickal incantations to her mind, Kye spoke to Ariel.
"Ariel? What's going on?"
Ariel hissed softly.
"Trouble, in the form of Sascha, Motrud and a large group of fighters."
Kye swallowed and gripped his staff tightly as Maya chuckled.
"Hmmm… this could be fun."
Aberdeen shook his head as he leaned against the wall.
"Not this time. We're severely outnumbered. Time to find an alternate route to the port."
Just then, a nearby door opened, and the thief Wyreema stood there, hands on her hips.
"If I were you lot, I'd get in here quickly, before your fan club approaches."
Aberdeen nodded and after Ariel, Kye and Maya had entered the room Wyreema was standing at, Aberdeen followed, shutting the door behind him. He turned and saw Wyreema, as well as a well muscled man, another with a harpoon barb as his right hand and a woman wearing a rapier. The woman stepped forward.
"My captain requests your company, and he will not take No for an answer."
Maya snorted.
"My, my, rather direct and to the point aren't you?"
The woman looked at her.
"I was instructed to bring the two Red Mages and their White Mage companion." She drew her sword "I was not told to bring a Black Mage wench!"
Aberdeen stepped in front of Maya.
"This Black Mage is a member of my party. If you want us to come along, she comes as well."
Wyreema stepped forward.
"Come now Sera, remember what my uncle said."
Sera snarled and sheathed her sword, as Wyreema faced Aberdeen and his friends.
"Don't worry about Sera. She's a good swordsman…"
Kye looked at the thief.
"And?"
Wyreema shrugged.
"Just that. A good swordsman. Anyway, we'd better get back to the ship. My uncle will no doubt be a little angsty if we're late."
As Sera and the men with her, moved to rear of the room, Ariel and Kye followed, talking with Wyreema. Maya put her hand on Aberdeen's shoulder.
"Aberdeen… thank you…"
The Red Mage looked at her.
"For what?"
"For… assisting me… no one's… ever done that… for me… before…"
Aberdeen smiled softly at her.
"Glad I was the first. Come on, we don't want to be left behind."
As they followed, Maya smiled to herself. She had been right, in regards to Aberdeen.
/He is the One I have been searching for. I'm thankful I've found him, and now, if I can keep away from Tougeroa, I won't be forced into that… 'farce'… my father wanted…I must follow my own path and destiny, and not allow the chains of family duty and nobility shackle me to that oaf, father chose for me. She smiled Now, if my father had chosen Aberdeen…/
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