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 Five :
Elsewhere :
A figure wearing dark blue armour strode down a dark corridor. At the end was a massive door, carved out of granite. The figure stopped and removed it's horned helm, holding under it's arm. From the nearby shadows, a raspy voice spoke.
"Name thyself, or face dire consequences!"
The figure smirked, and ran a hand through the long, shoulder length hair, which spilled onto it's armoured shoulders.
"Velermos, Dark Knight of Wind."
The voice responded quickly.
"Very well, Lady Velermos, Lord Morthoseth is awaiting you."
Velermos nodded, then asked.
"What about Nibilungi and Vaelen?"
A rasping snort answered her.
"Those two are already inside and waiting. The two accursed carrion spawn!"
Velermos chuckled softly.
"They can be. Can I enter?"
A pause.
"Lord Morthoseth's plan… Do you fully support him?"
Velermos frowned.
"Just open the door."
The massive doors, slowly opened inward, revealing another dark corridor. As soon as it was fully open, Velermos stepped across the threshold. As the doors started to close, the voice spoke again.
"Be careful Lady Velermos. Lord Morthoseth's plan, while under the permission of the Empress, is based upon one single emotion. Revenge. Endeavour to make sure, you do not allow yourself to be swallowed by his mission."
The doors closed, enclosing Velermos in darkness. As she strode down the dark corridor, the gatekeeper's last statement fresh in her mind, echoed in her mind. After walking up a long, winding staircase, she stopped in front of another door and waited. From the darkness, appeared two other armoured warriors, one wearing dark purple armour, the other dark green armour. Both warriors nodded towards Velermos, who returned the gesture. Just like her, they carried their helms under their arms.
The dark purple warrior spoke softly.
"So, what's Morthoseth plotting now?"
Velermos frowned slightly.
"What do you think Nibilungi?"
The dark green warrior chuckled.
"Something evil of course."
Before Velermos could answer, Nibilungi hit the other warrior on the back of his head.
"Vaelen, you're always thinking happy thoughts aren't you?"
Vaelen glared at her.
"Have a care Nibilungi…"
Nibilungi was about to respond, when the doors before the three opened softly. Velermos strode through the doors, as Nibilungi and Vaelen stopped their bickering and followed. The three knights stopped and knelt in front of a massive throne, upon which sat another armoured figure, dark red in colour. The figure glared at them, his horned helm firmly in place on his head. The figure, known only as Lord Morthoseth, smirked slightly behind his helm.
"Greetings my friends. It is good to see that the three of you responded to my summons so quickly."
Velermos kept her head lowered, but spoke in a soft tone.
"You summoned us my Lord, therefore we arrive posthaste."
Morthoseth smiled behind his helm.
"And for that, you shall be rewarded, Lady Velermos, but at a later date. For the moment, I have been given the task of granting you all your… assignments."
Velermos nodded.
"I am yours to command, my Lord."
Nibilungi and Vaelen, heads bowed, swore the same as Velermos. Sitting on his throne, Morthoseth titled his head to the side slightly.
"Indeed. Remember that well. You three," his gauntleted hand squeezed shut "…belong to me."
The other two knights glanced quickly at each other then returned their gaze to the ground. The figure on the throne looked at them.
"Rise Lord Vaelen."
Vaelen stood, straight and true, as he faced his lord.
"My Lord."
Morthoseth pointed a gauntleted hand at the dark haired warrior.
"The continent of Filnario. Our Empress has decreed Filnario be annexed to her territory. You, Lord Vaelen, were chosen by the Empress herself to oversee this task." He spoke next in a darkened tone "Do not fail the Empress or her trust."
Vaelen bowed.
"I would give my life, in service of the Empress!"
The Dark Knight of the Earth, Vaelen, spoke a word of ancient times, as his form vanished into the earth. The figure on the throne looked at Nibilungi. He raised his left hand and made a quick motion in the air. A window appeared, showing a ship in the middle of the ocean.
"I have a special task for you, Lady Nibilungi. Aboard this ship, are some who have been foreseen to be a problem for the Empress. Destroy the ship, scatter the humans across the ocean. They must not reach their destination."
Nibilungi bowed, her eyes twinkling.
"I shall make it so. Not one of them shall reach Jaoius alive!"
A small waterspout wrapped around the Dark Knight of Water, Nibilungi, as she placed her helm on her head and vanished. Velermos kept her head bowed, and swallowed as the shadow of her lord fell on her.
"Lady Velermos. Follow Nibilungi and displace for me, two of the occupants of that ship."
Velermos turned her gaze to the window before her, as the image zoomed towards the deck of the ship. Her gaze caught the ship's name.
Eldorado.
The Eldorado? I know that ship… or I used to. Before…
The image zoomed past the numerous crew, a White Mage and a female Red Mage, to settle on two people, standing at the front of the ship. A male Red Mage and female Black Mage.
When Morthoseth spoke, he did so in a tight voice.
"These two… send them somewhere, where they can not interfere."
Velermos only nodded and remained silent. The armoured warrior looked at her.
"You have something to say?"
Velermos swallowed.
"You do not want them destroyed?"
A dry chuckle echoed throughout the room.
"No. I have 'plans' for them, especially that Red Mage. Separate them from their companions, before Nibilungi destroys the ship. Ensure the survival and safe journey of Aberdeen Edwardes and Maya Viruca to the continent of Alginar."
Velermos faced her lord.
"As you command, Lord Morthoseth."
The Lady Velermos, Dark Knight of Wind, spoke a word and was enveloped in a tornado of wind and spirited away. Morthoseth turned and strode towards a small raised platform, and knelt upon it and waited. Another window appeared, and a female's voice echoed forth.
"My Knight Morthoseth, I trust the 'Three' have been sent on their errands?"
Morthoseth lowered his helmed head.
"They have my lady."
The voice chuckled.
"Good. My plans can not, MUST not be tampered with. You know some of what I plan, my loyal Knight. Make my vision come to pass, and I shall reward you handsomely."
Morthoseth kept his head bowed.
"I will use everything in my power, and anyone in my power, to achieve your dream my Lady."
The voice spoke again.
"And?"
Morthoseth raised his head, his eyes glowing red.
"Let me have my revenge."
The voice seemed to smile to him.
"Do as I have decreed, and you can do whatever you want. Remember, you are second only to me. What you know, I know. What you plot, I plot. What you hate and despise, I hate and despise."
The second window closed and faded, leaving Morthoseth alone in the room. He stood and walked back to his throne and sat upon it, his gaze glaring at the image within the first window, of Aberdeen and Maya.
"I will have my revenge upon you Aberdeen. Yessss, I will take my vengeance upon you and your little 'pet'."
Morthoseth grasped his helm and removed it, hurling it at the images of Aberdeen and Maya. The Dark Knight of Fire leaned back in his throne, as the light from the image washed across his destroyed face, destroyed in a fight against Aberdeen, when the Red Mage had, in an act of desperation, cast Thundaga directly into Morthoseth's face.
The warrior smiled, his disfigured face twisting the smile hideously.
"I will have vengeance against you Aberdeen, and if your little 'pet' tries to stop me…" a ball of fire appeared in his right hand and he cast it at the image, dispelling it "I shall have fun with her…"
As the light vanished, evil, mocking laughter filled the room.
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