PART XXIV

"Come on, Voldos, there's going to be a speech."
"Do I get to see the Princes?"

"Might have to go up on my shoulders, but you should do."

"Yay!"

"Hey, show some control. There are kids from Bastok here as well. We don't want to appear too excitable in front of them."

"Awww."

"Come on, show some pride. You're an Elvaan!"

The ride back to San D'Oria was a long one. From Jeuno, the party managed to get chocobos and ride them to Mhaura. Voldos decided to make some observations along the way.

"You know, our trip to Norg really highlighted for me some things." He began.

"Like why not to be a pirate?" Bootus inquired.

"No, I was talking about people. How everybody else has their own story. Like Olose. I'll never know why he was a captain, why he stole from Bikke, how that all fits into his life story. Or Angel. I'll never know how she lost her eye. Or why she doesn't speak like a normal mithra." He pointed out some examples.

"Contrary to popular belief, we don't all sound like we have no control over the pronunciation of the letter 'r'." Vivli pointed out.

"Yeah, but you only talk normally because you were forced to by the monastery." Bootus pointed out. "I know you make the conscious effort to sound normal."

"That is a lie!" Vivli announced, sounding offended.

"Oh, come on. I know you have to try." Bootus seemed smug.

"Care to explain?" Vivli asked, keeping careful control of her voice.

"You talk in your sleep." He answered proudly. "And when you do, you speak like any other mithra."

"That's not trrrrrue!" Vivli cried, losing control for a moment.

"HA! See?" Bootus cried.

"Shut up!" Vivli snapped. "I don't make fun of your speech!"

"That's because it's normal!" Bootus pointed out.

"That's entirely beside the point!" Vivli countered. "Besides, speaking with elongated 'r's is normal for a mithra." Zinkata sighed.

"What was your original point, Voldos?" He asked wearingly.

"Well, what I meant was, how it really reflects on us as adventurers." He tried to explain. "Everybody has their own story. Everybody has their own adventure. Our quest seems really major, but in the long run of things, perhaps it's just another quest in a sea of thousands."

"Most quests don't involve saving the world from destruction in the past by a million year old evil." Bootus pointed out.

"Yeah," Vivli agreed, "I think we have every right to be special." There was a long pause. "Oh, sorry, I mean 'everrrrry rrrrrright'." She smiled at Bootus.

Most of the journey was filled with such meaningless discussion. It wasn't until they were safely on the ship bound for Seblina that their conversation was steered to more immediate issues.

"So, how are we going to get an audience with the Prince?" Zinkata asked.

"Urm." Voldos muttered. "This may sound like a silly question, but which one?"

"What?" Vivli quickly asked.

"Which Prince?" Voldos explained. "There are two." There was a long pause.

"We forgot to ask." Sighed Zinkata painfully.

"Oh! I'm willing to make a bet!" Cried Vivli.

"Isn't betting against the White Mage Code?" Bootus asked.

"But this isn't a real bet. It's a certainty." She paused. "I bet we go to the wrong Prince first."

"Does sound like our luck." Admitted Zinkata.

"Okay, Viv, you're on." Bootus said with a smile.

"Ten gil?" Suggested the mithra.

"Ten gil? What kind of wuss are you?" Vivli went to answer, but had no witty remarks to say. "I say five hundred."

"Five hundred?" Vivli exclaimed in shock.

"Hey, I thought it wasn't a bet, but a certainty." Taunted Bootus.

"Oh no," She warned. "You're not goading me into this!" She turned and marched away to the edge of the ship.

"That was entertaining." Bootus said with glee.

"Doesn't solve our problem though." Zinkata pointed out. "Guess we'll just have to ask them both."

"Yeah, because that's so much more effort." Bootus sighed sarcastically.

"Do you know how to get an audience with an elvaan Prince?" Voldos cried. "Well? Do you?"

"Yeah. I figured I'd just walk in, say hello, and ask him about the crystal shards." Bootus explained. Voldos sighed heavily.

"No wonder you Bastokians are hated so much." He grumbled.

A fairly young elvaan woman with tight black hair and expensive looking armour wondered over and joined the three heroes (Vivli was still staring out across the ocean).

"I couldn't help but overhear." She began. "I might be able to help."

"Ideal." Zinkata replied. "We're good at leeching off others." He added under his breath.

"My name's Nenia." She told the three. Vivli wondered back over to join them, interested in what was going on, but found herself blocked out. They had formed a tight circle and she was left trying to jump over Zinkata's shoulder to see what was happening. "I'm just coming back from a mission to Windurst for the San D'Orian authorities. They sent me and my party there to help secure relationships or something." She shook her head. "Nobody really knows what's going on with the four nations these days."

"Tell me about it." Bootus grumbled.

"My point is, we've been running a mission for the Prince. He should be happy enough to allow you audience if we ask him." She explained.

"Excellent!" Zinkata cried. "Thank you."

Some introductions later and the heroes were familiar with Nenia's friends. There was a male hume who seemed to live inside a helmet named Catara and a blonde female tarutaru known as Leine.

"So, whaty-taty brings you on this quest?" Leine asked.

"And you say mithra have problems with how they speak." Vivli grumbled to Bootus under her breath.

"It's a long story." Zinkata said quickly, so that they couldn't dwell on Vivli's comment (had they overheard). "Involves crystal shards, the fate of the universe, the usual stuff." He liked how casually he played that off.

"Oh." Catara muttered. "That makes our quest seem a bit low key."

"Yeah, we ended up battling some big black dragon to help out Windurst. It was bothering their local population or something." Nenia explained.

"Shadow dragon?" Vivli wondered if Chaos's influence was spreading. "That doesn't sound good."

"It's fine." Nenia explained with a smile. "We took care of it."

"You were unconscious!" Leine pointed out.

"Only because I got trampled saving you." Nenia replied.
"See? This is what I meant about everything else having a story." Voldos pointed out.

"I'm worried." Vivli muttered. "If they fought a shadow dragon, then they are becoming a greater threat."

"Oh, don't worry-torry." Leine explained. "They've all gone now. All converged on the Temple of Uggalepih for some reason. I hear adventurers were getting sent out to investigate why, but none came backy-wacky."

"That doesn't sound good at all." Vivli grumbled.

"Relax." Bootus advised her. "It's just a security measure to make sure nobody stops Chaos going back in time and destroying Vana'diel before it even exists."

"Wow." Vivli muttered. "I feel so reassured."

"So, what exactly are you guys up to?" Nenia asked. The seven adventurers were now casually walking across the dunes. The ship had docked some time ago.

"Long story." Zinkata said.

"Good one though." Vivli interjected, beaming a smile. "Involves ancient demons, long lost crystals, evil dragons and time travel."

"You've certainly cheered up." Voldos observed.

"I can cast again!" She cried. "Of course I have!"

"You lost your ability to cast?" Leine asked, sounding surprised.

"It's, urm, a long story." Vivli muttered, a little sad.

"We have plenty of them!" Nenia cried. "Like this time Catara got knocked unconscious by a rampaging chocobo."

"Oh, come on!" Catara cried. "That is exaggerated! I was merely knocked over!"

"They remind me of us." Voldos grumbled.

"Great, isn't it!" Vivli beamed.

"It's not a good thing." The elvaan muttered.

San D'Oria loomed on the horizon in the way it had a habit of doing. Conversation had died down, and Vivli was feeling a little down herself for being so cheerful mere days after the death of Alexandria. The others were beginning to feel their own strict purpose in coming back to the mighty elvaan city. There was a buzz of excitement from the other party, Leine, Catara and Nenia were all looking forward to receiving their rewards. This was lost on the four heroes however. They were much more nervous.

This feeling continued as they sat outside the Prince's chambers. The door swung open, and the three adventurers they had teamed up with walked out.

"He wants to see you." Catara told them. "Urgently it seems."

"Okay." Zinkata replied quite blankly. "Thanks for everything."

"Don't mention it." Catara said with a smile.

"See ya around." Voldos told them as a goodbye.

"Goodbye!" Cried Leine as the three walked off through the Chateau of San D'Oria. The four heroes nervously entered the Prince's chamber.

A long silver haired man in regal looking clothes awaited them.

"What's his name?" Zinkata whispered to Voldos.

"What? How should I know?" Voldos replied.

"This is your kingdom." Zinkata hissed. "How can you not know?"

"Very easily!" Voldos said a little too loudly. The Prince rose a single eyebrow.

"I hear you want an acquaintance regarding the Temple of Uggalepih and crystal shards?" The Prince offered.

"Urm, yes, your highness." Vivli spoke first this time, wanting to use up her new found confidence she had got after the restoration of her powers. "The Demon Lord Chaos has returned. We believe he's planning to use the Temple of Uggalepih to go back in time and destroy Vana'diel before it existed."

"Yes. I have heard the rumours." The Prince told the young mithra. "I've also been told, through message from Windurst, that you are a Light Warrior. That you are immune to the powers of Chaos."

"Not exactly immune. Just immune to his shadow magic." Vivli explained.

"We are seeking the remaining four shards of the crystals." Zinkata stepped forwards, taking his turn to explain things. "With them, we can completely resist Chaos's power and defeat him."

"Convenient." Smiled the Prince. "I know where you can acquire one."
"Ha! I win the bet! First Prince we saw!" Cried Bootus. "You owe me 500 gil Viv!"

"What?" Vivli exclaimed. "We never made that bet!"

"Oh, you can try and lie your way out of it if you want." Bootus said smugly.

"What do you mean 'lie'? You're the one that-" She quickly let her training take control, and let herself calm down. "I apologise, your highness." The Prince looked a little amused. He never saw adventurers behaving this way before him.

"It is perfectly alright, believe me." The Prince said with a laugh. "If you seek the final crystal shard, there is a problem."

"I am in shock and awe." Bootus said flatly.

"This is no time for sarcasm!" Snapped Vivli.
"There's always time for sarcasm!" Bootus returned.

"I read very recently rumours of a strange blue gem being found far beneath the castles in the ancient dungeons." He began to explain. "Only I and a few selected guards know of this."

"So that's why Bahamut sent us to you." Zinkata remarked.

"Indeed." The Prince gave in response, not actually having a clue to what they were talking about. "The ancient dungeons are in fact sealed off below our own dungeons, and have only be visited by one guard who fell into there when the floor of our own dungeons collapsed for unspecified reasons."

"Why can't the crystal shards ever be anywhere light?" Vivli moaned. The Prince gave a puzzled look.

"She's scared of the dark." Whispered Bootus. The Prince let out a small and arrogant laugh.

"Well, you will have to get over that fear." He assured her. "The hole in the ground of our dungeons still exists, it is yet to have been repaired." He paused. "I warn you however, the ancient dungeons are home to a hoard of undead beasts that will happily slay you."

"I can't say I'm surprised." Bootus admitted.

The four headed towards the dungeon. It was at this point they noticed Voldos had been completely silent during their meeting with the Prince.

"Way to embarrass me in front of the future ruler of my kingdom!" Was all Voldos needed to say to explain this.

They soon stood assembled over the broken away hole in the ground of San D'Oria's mighty dungeon.

"Convenient this hole being here." Zinkata remarked.

"Not really." Bootus remarked. "Bahamut sent us here. It's all part of his plan. He probably made the hole!" The galka paused. "It makes our life easier, though."

"That's easy for you to say!" Shrieked Vivli. "You're not scared of the dark!"

"Get in there you wuss!" Bootus pushed Vivli, allowing her to let out a loud scream followed by a thud.

"OW!" She cried from below. "That's one huge drop!" She started to cast cure on herself (which she felt great being able to do again). The pain (which was largely located in her elbow and ankle) vanished, and she stood up, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. She saw something move. Something coming towards her. A ghoul. An undead skeletal beast. "AH! HELP!" She screamed. The others quickly jumped down, letting out equally loud grunts as they landed. Vivli dashed behind Bootus for cover.

"Cast magic you moron!" Bootus advised her. "The undead are weak to your White Magic like you're weak to everything else."

"That was uncalled for!" Snapped Vivli, casting banish and knocking the ghoul back. Zinkata ran in, swinging his sword. He missed. The darkness made it hard to fight. Voldos ran in with his sword, knowing it was futile to fire arrows in the inky blackness. Bootus soon charged ahead also, leaving Vivli stood on her own.

She could hear the sounds of battle, but fear rooted her to the spot where she stood. Soon, silence drifted throughout the darkness. Vivli trembled as she saw a skull emerge from the darkness. She stumbled back, falling over with a scream of terror.

Then she realised it was Bootus carrying the skull of the ghoul.

"THAT WAS NOT FUNNY!" She yelled as loud as she could. Bootus almost fell over with laughter. Vivli gasped for air. Zinkata gave her a hand up.

"That was pretty funny Viv." He said with a laugh. Vivli crossed her arms and stared at the floor.

"Not for me." She moaned miserably.

"I get a distinct sense of déjà vu." Bootus began. "It's almost as if these events have happened before." His voice was dripping with sarcasm. "It can mean only one thing! Vivli is unbelievably gullible!"

"Shut up!" She cried. "You're always picking on me!"

"You make it so easy!" Bootus gave in response.

"Well, I was going to cast protect on you, but now I'll just do it for the three of us." She said with a smile.

"Doesn't the code say you have to help everyone you can?" Bootus asked smugly.

"That only applies to healing wounds." Vivli shot back. Bootus grumbled something under his breath. Vivli didn't catch it, but was sure it wasn't good.

The four crept down the tunnel carefully. Vivli made sure she was nestled safely between the adventurers.

"Any idea how we're going to get back?" She suddenly asked as it crossed her mind.

"Nope." Zinkata replied confidently. The three continued on their way, saying nothing else. Vivli paused in confusion before running after them.

A blue light shimmered before them.

"The crystal!" Gasped Bootus.

"Thanks for pointing out the obvious." Vivli said in a jab. It began to advance on them, taking the ghostly form of an Elvaan. "That's not the crystal!" She added in a shriek.

"Now who's pointing out the obvious!" Bootus grumbled.

"Attack!" Cried Voldos.

He dove at the ghost, and fell straight through it, slamming to the ground. He got up slowly.

"Violence. Such a primitive reaction. Yet it is your initial one." The ghost said in a deep and spooky voice. "Let us see how your violence fairs." Voldos stumbled up, suddenly becoming very aware of many ghouls advancing on their position. The heroes fell back to back, looking out at the advancing skeletons.

"Way to go, Voldos." Bootus muttered.

"Okay," Zinkata began, "Let's keep cool." He drew his sword. "We'll handle these things."

"Easy for you to say!" Vivli whimpered.

"Then we'll deal with our ghostly friend here." Zinkata paused. "With or without violence."

The nearest ghoul swung its scyth. The heroes jumped back. Vivli fell backwards, and was grabbed by one of the bony creatures. She felt herself being dragged off by it, and her feeble struggles couldn't get her free.

"HELP!" She screamed. "HEEELP!" The others ran for her, but were pounced by the ghouls. They fought fiercely as she was dragged away.

The three heroes were surrounded by undead monsters, with no mage support, no way of healing themselves, and lost beneath the deep dungeons of San D'Oria. They knew they were in for one hell of a battle.