Of Dreams and Nightmares
Disclaimer: Erm... well... no...
Chapter 7: Struggles
"Our luck cannot be that bad." Klo muttered bitterly as their final enemy from River Belle Path moved from its dwelling.
"Yes it can..." Arashi meekly countered, instinctively taking a few steps backwards as the monstrous crustacean hobbled forward, pace surprisingly quick.
Spores clung to the broad, protective shell layering its form, murky liquid dripping from every crevice and indentation as it came crashing through the waters, showering the caravanners with crystalline drops.
"That's big..." Morok's nervous statement was no more than a high-pitched squeak laced with anxiety.
The beast seemed to hesitate for a long, hushed moment. Abruptly lurching forward, it sent the companions scattering in every direction, each quickly overcoming their surprise and using the new positions to encircle their opponent. Its wit considerably more dim than expected, the fiend bugled a raucous scream, causing six grimaces to surface as it whirled wildly about in confusion, facing each caravanner in turn.
"Be ready to heal us Beron!" Nitaren cried out hoarsely, the first one to rush forward in attack. But as she raised her spear to strike, a heavily armored pincer blocked the offending weapon, sending a young Liltie reeling back. The others hurrying forward to assist their friend, Nitaren spared a fleeting glance up at the claw she had struck. Not so much as a scratch tainted its rough surface.
"We need to find a vulnerable spot!" she called out, her companions nodding in agreement as they advanced upon the monster.
Klo ducked nimbly beneath a claw as it swept menacingly towards her, leaping forward in an attempt to move near what might be called its face, and the unprotected skin beneath it. The Selkie girl's ears were deaf to Rema's muffled cry as he suffered a clip in the side, but she released a choked shriek of her own as she was knocked aside by a pincer as easily as a child might toss a rag doll.
Gasped in vain for a breath that would not come, the Selkie lay motionless, sprawled across the ground, intense pain pulsing in her chest where she had been hit. Her gasps seemed to echo in her ears, battle cries and shouts of her name unheard. Blackness slowly began to close around her, fear gripping her heart like never before as she felt herself slipping into darkness, strength steadily draining as Klo fought still for breath.
A sudden burst of magic shot through her body, targeting each of her numerous wounds and efficiently repairing each. Air was all but thrust into her lungs, and Klo half rose, gasping, and called her immense thanks to Beron. Clumsily getting to her feet, shivers of surprise rushed through her form as she felt the miasma brush against her partially bare back. The Yuke had moved, carrying the chalice with him, closer to their opponent who had leapt to one side and away from them.
With each of her companions save Beron facing and distracting a pincer, Arashi rushed forward. Raising her blade, she sought to strike at the monster's unprotected area beneath its large collection of eyes, and beneath the gaping mouth that screamed furiously at her.
As the she came near enough, the beast's mind must have registered the girl as a threat. But instead of backing away, it advanced, all but throwing itself upon her.
Breath temporarily knocked from her, Arashi held off the mouth of offending teeth with her blade, ignoring the putrid odors as she gasped for breath. Regaining it, she found that she was able to do nothing, pinned against the damp earth. Giving a scowl of frustration, her arms straining to keep its searching jaws away from her, she cried out for assistance
Morok immediately attempted to move to her aid, but was just as soon stopped by the pincer he had been battling. A sudden scream of pain bugled from the creature's jaws, and its form leapt backwards, freeing Arashi. Rising as quickly as was possible, she looked to her right to find Rema, blade tainted with their opponents blood.
Before she was able to utter her thanks, a fresh unit of gruesome cries emitted from the now thrashing monster. Blinded by pain and confusion, it crashed about in the waters, advancing on them one last time.
"Get back!" Nitaren's shout rang clearly as she leapt forward, and dodging a few clumsy pincers, delivered the final blow.
Reeling back, the hideous crustacean staggered a few paces before coming crashing to the earth.
Gentle waves lapped at the monster's body as it lay still, waters slowly calming as a hush fell over the area. The caravanners' gasps as they panted wearily were the only sounds for several moments.
"Gather together..." Beron hoarsely commanded, his companions instantly complying. Each hobbled nearer to the Yuke, who was hurriedly preparing a spell. Each let their eyes slip leisurely shut as they were healed, strength regenerated, lost blood replaced, their skin mended. They moved to follow as Beron jogged across the muddy embankment, sloshing through shallow waters to stand before the myrrh tree.
Five pairs of eyes gazed in awe up at the drooping, emerald boughs. Their amazement intensified as Beron placed the chalice upon the ground, and the tree responded to its presence. Power seeping up through its sturdy trunk, flowing through its branches, sap oozed from the enchanting boughs.
Arashi was not quite sure why, but tears sprung to her eyes, threatening to spill as the lifesaving liquid flooded into the spherical chalice. Perhaps they were tears of relief, perhaps joy, perhaps shock. Too weary to bother with such thoughts, she sunk to her knees. Arashi jumped slightly as she felt a hand gingerly touch her shoulder, and looking up, she saw Klo, the same tears reflecting in her own eyes.
"Let's go..."
Darkness. That was all she could see. Closing in around her, stealing breaths that came ragged and strained with fear. She leapt away from it, flinging a hand to her back, grasping frantically for a weapon that wasn't there. Glancing behind her, she saw nothing. Nothing but blackness. But even that was enough to fix her heart with fear. Struggling forward, she felt herself sinking slowly into nothingness. Hands were suddenly reaching for her, clawing at her feet with a vengeance. Her rapid movements now had no effect, and she felt them pulling her backwards, dragging her into the darkness. A scream of sheer terror was ripped from her throat, but no sound came. Her shriek did not pierce the silence, the terrible silence, but something else did. Someone, calling her name gently, beckoning for her to return to the land of the waking as her struggles ceased.
"Klo... Klo... Klo, wake up!" Nitaren's insistent calls and nudges startled the Selkie girl from her dream, and she woke with a start.
"Did you have a nightmare? You're sweating all over..." Looking down at herself, Klo fought that she was drenched in her own sweat, chest heaving in short gasps. And turning her gaze to Nitaren who knelt beside her, she found a warm and understanding smile upon the gruff Liltie's face.
"Come on, we're at the Port." she quietly informed, helping her friend from the caravan where the rest waited for them.
The sky had darkened, stars dotting its navy mass, indicating that it was well into the night. Klo grinned as Morok yawned, a bad tempered scowl adorning his usually cheerful features.
"Come on! I'm tired and we still have to set up camp," he grumbled, starting down the path that lead to the waterfront. His sister gave a short laugh, stumbling after him, the others following. Lazily allowing the sounds of ocean waves gently rolling upon the shores flood her ears, she frowned as Morok eagerly interrupted her moment of peace.
"Hey guys! Come look at this!" He shouted, tones excited. His companions, grumbling on about the volume of his voice, came to see whatever had made the Selkie boy so eager.
When they reached him, Morok was crouched inside a large opening in the rock wall beside the path. He was inspecting a small door, just large enough for them to crawl through.
"I-It's a Moogle home!" he exclaimed, suddenly quite cheerful. "We won't have to sleep outside on the ground!" He continued, a laughable grin plastered across his face as Morok reached quickly for the small brass doorknob. But before he could grasp it, the door, which appeared to crafted with a piece of driftwood, swung open a crack.
"I-Is someone there...?" a high pitched voice squeaked in anxiety, an aged moogle peering hesitantly out at them. His gaze flicked from their faces to each weapon they carried, and the little being appeared to brighten considerably, eyes lighting in recognition.
"Caravanners! Oh, how marvelous! Come, come right in, Kupo!" ushering the startled group inside, the moogle gently shut the door behind them and bustled hurriedly to the blazing fireplace featuring his home where a kettle hung and was just beginning to whistle.
"Take a seat, take a seat! Anywhere, anywhere!" he insisted, pulling a few miniature chairs from a table and nudging them to sit.
"It's not often I get visitors, Kupo! Not often at all..." the elderly moogle called over his shoulder as he prepared each a cup of tea. "You may stay the night, yes you may, Kupo. I've plenty of extra blankets, and I'm sure travelers such as yourself would appreciate a sturdy roof over your heads and a warm place to sleep, Kupo." he babbled happily, thrusting tea towards each journeyer in the group.
"Thank you, is there anything we might do for you in return...?" Arashi spoke up warmly, lifting the tiny cup to her lips and taking a ginger sip.
"I wish only for some company and perhaps to hear a few stories." was the Moogle's perky reply as he took a seat, taking a gulp of tea.
The young Clavat girl chuckled softly, allowing her eyes to rove over the Moogle's home. Their feet rested upon old, splintered floorboards that were gently illuminated by flames licking within the fireplace. A staircase spiraled on their right, leading up to a platform serving as a bedroom high above them. She moved her gaze to her companions, settling upon Beron, who was struggling to drink from the teacup, which was dwarfed by his enormous hands.
Morok had already begun to animatedly recall their journey so far to the Moogle, who listened intently with genuine interest and excitement in his eyes. But he was soon interrupted by a sudden tapping at the door, a squeak calling out from behind it.
"Mail service!"
"That must be for you." their host murmured, hopping up and hurrying to the door. As he swung it open, a flash of cream hued fur and purple wings dashed into the room, colliding with a vacant chair and landing in a heap. Quickly recovering, the young Moogle hopped to his feet, wings struggling to push him airborne above their heads. After a few moments of rummaging through the mailbag slung over his back, he triumphantly pulled a mess of letters from the pack. And once he had delivered each letter to its proper owner, he settled upon the floor, sipping at the tea he had been offered and waiting for the caravanners' replies.
Carefully unfolding the delicate parchment, her eyes trailed across the words scrawled across it.
Dear Arashi,
It's very quiet here without you. Lecael misses you very much, and she hasn't said much since you left. I'm sure she'll be fine, but it worries me. Aro wishes you were here as well. He's grown up so well. You wouldn't believe it, but he's been courting Mira, Yolan's daughter. She's a nice girl, honest and hardworking, and they both seem to adore each other. Your father's still away, and from the letters he's been sending, he's not having any luck. They don't know what the problem is, but the fish simply aren't biting. Perhaps something's driven them away... We're starting to run out of money, but I'll find work somewhere, and Aro's already asking around. We hope you're doing alright, send a reply, and if you've found any extra gil, we could really use it.
-Mother
Eyes stinging with moisture, she smiled, the expression slightly bitter as a tear nearly slid down her tanned cheek. But glancing about and finding Klo's gaze riveted upon her, Arashi brushed the salty drop away, averting her eyes from the other girl.
"It's getting late, and we'll need to head out early tomorrow morning if we're going to make it to the miasma stream by evening. So... we should get some rest." she quietly suggested, proud she was able to keep the waver from her voice.
The others nodding in silent agreement, they finished their replies and sent the Mail Moogle off with them. Their host fetched the blankets he had promised, and the group settled in front of the now dieing fireplace.
Sorry this chapter took so long! School is quite evil and time consuming. The next chapter won't take so long, but I do want to get the other fic I'm working on up.
xXxAngelicXTearsxXx: Your reviews spoil me! They've really kept me going and inspired me to adjust the plot a bit. ) Thanks!
Please review!