Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! Thefrogkiller, Chster, so on so forth.
Sodo: Stop killing yourself and d-lvling. XD I kept writing okay?

TrueDarkBlade: Yes, I fear your doomish wrath. Lol

Thefrogkiller: You still haven't explained what that run away from my page comment was. Ah well, thanks for reviewing so many times! Sorry I missed ya in the disclaimer. T.T
Chster: Yes Chster, you were somewhat evil, and yes, you sort of save a life in this chappie… I think. XD

Viddion: Thanks for all the reviews, but while Bastok has guns and the like, Sandy has population. It's sort of like LOTR the battle at Helmsdeep! You can't last forever. :D Lol.

Chapter 6

"Heavy swing!"

"Protect!" Opeth grunted as Lilli's attack assaulted him, but the damage was lessened by his spell. Then he raised his arms.

"Silence!" Lilli yelped as white light swirled around her mouth, before settling on it, then vanishing in a haze of sparks.

"That will certainly turn the tide." Draish murmured to Miaah who nodded assent. Lilli glared at Opeth, then yelled;

"Stone!" Nothing happened. She squeaked in surprise. Opeth smiled brightly before yelling;

"DIA!" As white light sparked around Lilli, Opeth ran up, staff drawn and ready to strike.

"Eep!" She yelped as Opeth swung at her, for some reason, she found it much harder to block, and the blows were much stronger.

"Cure." Miaah whispered, white light flared around Lilli, her health restoring itself. Scwol and Chster hadn't had to cast a single spell due to the fact that Opeth had been taking care of himself. Byuu scribbled away. Zig was smiling, arms crossed as he watched the two go at it. Trion and Pieuje were silently conversing with each other, Cahaurme stood with Curilla, while the other parents all stood on the sidelines. Lilli blocked another one of Opeth's strikes and flinched as he landed another blow on her leg.

'This isn't good.' She thought as the Hume bore down on her with his strength.

"You're not going easy on me are ya?" Opeth asked tauntingly. Lilli glared.

"Of course I am!" She yelled back, just as tauntingly.

"Then how come I'm winning?" He jeered. Lilli winced.

'Okay girl, think! He's beaten you on spells, and he's winning on staffs! What have I got that can beat him?' She thought nervously as Opeth swung overhead at her. Suddenly she yelped as the bottom end of his staff swept her off her feet. Landing on her back, she immediately flipped back onto her feet with a kick. Opeth yelped and barely dodged it as she sailed past, her foot clipping his arm. He winced as pain flared from his arm. Lilli, blinked, then grinned.

'That's it!' Immediately she twirled her staff, before thrusting it into the ground. Opeth blinked.

'What the-?'

"What is she doing?" Zig voiced, blinking. On the sidelines, Gin suddenly clapped her hands to her mouth.

"Ooohhhh . . . ." She moaned. "I suddenly feel very sorry for Opeth." The male half of her group (which is pretty much the rest of the group) looked at her.

"What?" Hal asked. "What's she doing?" Gin shook her head and winced. Back on the field, Lilli got down on all fours, and crouched like a panther, ready to strike. Opeth blinked.

"What the heck are y- ACK!" He suddenly yelped as she flew at him with the speed of an eagle. He barely managed to dodge the assault, but she instantly pushed off of her legs and flew at him, tackling him around the waist, Opeth landed on the ground with a grunt of pain, and Lilli flipped off of him and landed on her feet, only to crouch again, this time, smirking. Opeth struggled to his feet and set himself in guard position again.

'Shit . . . there was a lot of force behind that.' He thought wincing.

"She went hand-to-hand." Cahaurme whispered. "She knew she was beaten on spells and staff work, so she went with her speed. Ingenious . . ." He murmured in awe. Opeth frowned and ran forward, ready to strike. Lilli dodged the attack swiftly, then back kicked Opeth, sending him flying a few feet forward. Opeth jumped to his feet, then spun around, slowly he raised his arms and Lilli tensed.

- Flashback-

"Remember Lillianna." Lilli's mother, Alayna, began. "A Mithra's greatest strength is speed, and don't go underestimating your opponent, some smart ghoul or Beastmen out there is gonna know that, so they're gonna try and cast the spell slow, which will lower your attack speed, gravity which will lower movement speed, or bind, which will keep you from moving at all." She explained. Lilli listened with rapt attention.

"If this happens, you have only two options, if you're far away, you can try running to keep out of spell range, but that's most likely not going to work, so you'll want to try and attack them! To keep them from finishing the spell chanting, understand?"

"Yessum."

"Okay, go on and play now."

"Okay!"

- End -

Lilli tensed, Opeth was probably either going to go for one of those three spells, most likely slow since bind and gravity were of the black arts, or a cure. Either way, she wasn't going to let him. Dashing forward with a sudden burst of speed, she threw herself at the startled Opeth.

"ACK!"

THWUMP!
Opeth was now pinned to the ground, a cheerful Lilli on his chest.

"I think it's clear we have a winner." Byuu commented grinning. "Both of you are excellent thinkers, Opeth, wonderful idea of lowering her physical and magical abilities with spells. Lillianna, smart thinking for going with your race's best attribute." He said cheerfully. Zig nodded.

"Yes, it was an excellent strategy on both your parts. You could replace Byuu." He said chuckling. Byuu glared.

"Watch it you." Lilli and Opeth exchanged a glance, before Lilli smiled.

"Nice try Opeth." And with a quick kiss to the cheek, she jumped off him and as she stood, offered a hand to the suddenly blushing Hume. Once he was up on his feet, she ran over to grab her staff.

"Owwwwwww." Mabs said to Opeth as he walked up to his friends. "That tackle to the stomach . . . was it as painful as it looked?"

"Probably worse." The Hume grumbled.

"Ouchie. I'd hate to be tackled by anyone." Bagel grumbled.

"Er . . . Byuu?" Chster called to the Elvaan.

"Hm?" Byuu looked up. "Yes Chster?"

"There are only three fighters left for the first round . . . uhm . . . please notice that . . . . well . . . ." Chster struggled for a moment, before finally muttering; "Size difference. BIG difference. Or small difference, . . . either way . . ." Byuu winced.

"I know, I know!" He sighed, and with a rueful glance at the parents, called; "Bagel and Halloween!"

"SAY WHAT?" Puku-muku, Bagel's mother, and Maru-naru, Bagel's father, both yelped. (AN: I tried my best to give them taru-ish names . . . . XP) Bagel turned pale.

"Terrific." He moaned.

" . . . ." Hal slapped a hand to his forehead. "Great, before the day is out, I'm gonna be called a Taru-killer." He moaned heavily.

"I don't know who to be more sorry for." Mabs commented dully.

"Er . . . wouldn't you be sorry for Bagel?" Lilli asked dryly.

"Well yeah! But after Bagel gets offed -no offense man- what happens to Hal and Bagel's level 50 mage parents?" He said looking forlorn.

"Gee . . . thanks Mabs for THAT cheery image." Hal groaned. Mabs gave a little laugh.

"Sorry Hal."

"Ooooo . . . . I see pancakes . . ." Bagel moaned. "SQUISHY pancakes . . ." Mabs patted the Taru on the head.

"Well at least when you die, you'll never have to worry about being stepped on again." He said, his voice falsely comforting. Bagel glared at Mabs.

Over with the parents, Bagel's parents were just in the process of deciding which spell to use on the adventurers wheeeeennnnn . . . . .

Poke!

"YOOOOOOOOOOOUCH!"

"Bagel, what did we say about poking Mabs with daggers? Use a sword you fool!"

"But I don't have one!"

"Here you go."

"WOO! COME HERE MABS!"

"AUUUUUGH!"

"-groan-"

The currant situation was now thus; Mabs was running away from Bagel who had Lazarus's bronze sword gripped in his hands, Gin, Lilli and Opeth were all sighing as Hal cheered Bagel on. Lazarus just calmly stood through it all, snickering behind his hand.

"Sorry to interrupt-!" Miaah began as the two ran past her. She sighed and tried again as they passed by again. "Pardon me-!" They ignored her and ran past again. Miaah scowled. "That's it." Beginning a chant, she held up her hand and yelled: "BANISH!"

BOOM!

"Way to overdo it Miaah." Draish muttered rolling his eyes.

"Hush, I got their attention didn't I?"

"By killing them . . . . sure, whatever works for you." He muttered sarcastically.

"-ahem- I would beg a certain Elvaan to remember that I have much more MP then he does."

"And that certain Elvaan would reply; I may be an Elvaan Redmage, but I have a large whacking stick, anger me and there will be severe repercussions with said large whacking stick." Draish replied cheerfully. Miaah rolled her eyes.

"Uhm . . . . . medic?" Gin asked, she now bent over a dazed Mabs and Bagel.

"Women with mage abilities are scary . . ."

"Excellent deduction shorty." Mabs muttered.


"Begin!" Zig called. As Hal threaded his fingers through the knuckles at his side, Bagel instead went for his crossbow. Launching a bolt at the Galka, Hal yelped and ducked as it went sailing over his head, then ran forward with the intention of going easy on Bagel and ending it quickly. His thoughts of being nice however came to an abrupt halt as he swung gently at the Taru with his fist. Bagel, instead of ducking, jumped onto the incoming limb, wrapped his arms around it tightly, and opening his mouth, chomped his tiny teeth onto the arm.

"YOW!" Hal yelped as he swung his arm wildly, trying to get Bagel off his arm who seemed to have a death grip on the limb.

"Uh. . . is that . . . . allowed?" Lilli finished awkwardly.

"Who cares? GO BAGEL!" Mabs cheered. Lazarus sweatdropped and Gin shook her head while sighing. Opeth stared at the entire scene while muttering;

"I don't know him . . . honestly." Bagel's parents on the other hand. . .

"YOU BITE HIS HAND OFFY-WOFFY SON!" His mother cheered.

"GO FOR THE KNEECAPS!" His father encouraged.

"There is something severely wrong with Tarus . . ." Scwol muttered sweatdropping.

"Just like there is something severely wrong with you?" Chster asked grinning.

"Okay, seriously, what is it with you people picking on me today?" The paladin asked sighing.

"It's just so easy. There are so many things about you to pick on."

"I will hurt you."

"Go ahead and try." And it would most likely have come to a sword duel between the paladin and redmage, had Zig not intervened.

"Scwol, stop being an oversensitive woman and get your hand off that sword hilt. Chster, stop being a prick and provoking him. Both of you stop quarreling and keep an eye on the battle please." The commander said politely. At once both Humes retaliated to the insults.

"I AM NOT A WOMAN!"
"I AM NOT A PRICK!" Both glared at each other and sparks flew.

"-siiiiggghhhhh-" Back on the field, Hal finally had enough sense to grab the back collar of Bagel's shirt and pry him off.

"Ugh . . . I'm gonna need a disinfectant now." Hal muttered.

"Hey, you didn't exactly taste like a picnic either I'll have you know." Bagel muttered as he spat out the taste of leather.

"Anyway," Hal continued. "I think we know whose won h- YEE-OUCH!" He yelped as Bagel grabbed his dagger and poked Hal's arm with it, causing the Galka to drop him.

"Stop underestimating me because of my size darnit!" He snapped and before Hal could even retaliate, Bagel dove between the Galka's legs, then clambered up his backside. Resting himself firmly there, he snickered as Hal tried to reach back and grab the Taru off him, only to realize he couldn't reach that far.

"Ack!" After several more minutes, Hal finally wore himself out and with a pant, then said to Byuu and Zig;

"I quit. I don't have it in me to attack a Taru anyway." He murmured panting.

"Awwww! He's so soft inside! Just like a big fuzzy marshmallow!" The Taru chirped, snuggling into Hal's backside.

"On second thought, give me five minutes with the little squirt!" Hal growled and began to try and wrestle Bagel off his back. Finally hitting inspiration he smirked evilly. Jumping off his feet, he acted as if he were going to land on his back, pinning Bagel beneath him. The Taru's eyes went wide and he squeaked and let go in his shock, Hal quickly stopped himself from landing by cart-wheeling off his two hands and landing before Bagel who was huddling and had his hands over his eyes.

"I love my mother, I love my father, I love my life, I love my friends. . ." He muttered shaking. Hal laughed loudly and Bagel looked up blinking.

"You're too cute for your own good squirt." Hal said chuckling, and after patting Bagel on the head, walked off the field. Bagel was left to stare after him.

"Wait- did you just-? Hey! HAAAAALLL!"


(AN: The next section is extremely morbid, so if you have issues with violent scenes, I suggest you skip till the next line. However there is a very important plot twist in this section T.T)

Why do you always fail me? Honestly, I gave you my soldiers, I gave you a new form, for hell's sake I even gave you my blood, and yet somehow, some inconceivable way you manage to fail me again, and again.

Celan gave an involuntary whimper as he brandished his sword again, leaving a large, but thin gash across her stomach. Cliff was on the ground, his hair strewn over his face as blood trickled down the side of his temple, his eyes had gone white as he suffered through his imaginary hell. Trapped in the illusion spell the master had set upon him. Cane was standing off to the side, he was unhurt, he always was in these moments, it wasn't fair.

Answer me. How do you do it?

The icy cold voice demanded, its venomous tone sent shivers down the backs of even the bravest gods. As such, did it send shivers down Celan's back as she gave another whimper.

Answer me Celan, if you make me ask again, I will be extremely cross.

"I . . ." Celan began when her throat constricted and she sobbed.

SPEAK!

"I don't know!" She managed to yell before dropping to her knees in pain and terror while burying her face into her hands. Cane inwardly smirked with triumph, though on the outside his face was calm and mutual.

'Such a weakling. The master isn't even using his full potential.' The mage thought sadistically as he savored the terror Celan radiated. He licked his lips with anticipation as he watched his associate weep on the ground like a child.

Look at me Celan. Look me in the eyes.

She started shaking now, each sob wracked her body, sending her into a terrified state.

"M-master-! Please . . ." She stuttered, but the master's patience had come to an end.

I ORDER YOU TO LOOK!

Celan trembled even harder, but let her hands drop to her sides, knowing they would be useless in a moment. Slowly, she raised her tear stained face up, and met his eyes. Instantly her pupils went white and her face constricted with terror as she paled instantly. Her mouth opened slightly, and the shaking began anew as she moaned in fear. Suddenly blood dribbled from the corner of her mouth and fell to the floor in droplets, before she fell back onto the damp floor, shaking and crying, her eyes still holding that dead whiteness. That was when the master turned to Cane, but the mage was not afraid, he sensed his lord's good mood, toying with his two associates had left him pleased with their terror, and beings of his kind thrived on such strong negative energies.

What news have you for me Cane?

Cane instantly fell to one knee and bowed his head.

"The girl's spirit has awoken my lord. Most likely the intervention of Altana."

I see. This is good news.

"My lord?" Cane asked inquisitively.

Continue.

"Yes sire. Celan encountered the vessel during the battle in Sandoria. However, it seems that in some way, she triggered the girl's anger, thus enabling Altana to create a connection and to allow the girl to temporarily harness the power of her country."

Temporarily?

"It appears so my lord. The power lasted no more then a duration of 30 seconds, possibly even less. Also, it appears she has not become powerful enough to break the astral barriers of the land." He recited calmly, as if the lines were rehearsed.

How do you know she cannot break the barriers?

"In all of the battlefields, her purification spell was unable to breach into the next zone. An example would be the Ronfaure lands, it was not able to penetrate into La Theine Plateau."

I see. How long do you estimate till she is fit?

"I'm afraid I don't have an exact estimate my lord, but I'd say she would be prepared by the age of 21 at the very latest."

I see, so that would be 11 years.

"Yes master." The shadowed form was silent for a moment, before he threw back his head and laughed crazily, his laughter bouncing off the walls of the stone chamber creating echoes that made it seems as if 6 people were laughing at once, sending a wince down Cane's back.

Very well.

He managed when his laughter finally subsided.

I can manage to wait that long, I have waited centuries, 11 more years should be but a minor delay, all for my plans of revenge.

And with those words, he slowly retreated back into the shadows, with only his red eyes glinting in the darkness, bright with a crazy obsession, and with a certain tint of madness.

"And what will you have me do my lord?"

You? I will have you do nothing. Your objective is to watch, wait, and stay in the shadows for the next 11 years. I trust your judgment entirely. As for the other two… let them organize my forces, see to it that they make sure all things go according to plan, even simpletons like them can follow those simple rules. Oh, and one more thing. The boy, from the Adventurers' fortress…

"Alive and on his way my lord, I have given explicit instructions to the Beastmen that should any wild beast make an attempt to attack him, they are to intervene."

Excellent. You make me proud Cane. I shall see you in 11 years then.

"Ah. You are resting then for the big moment?" Cane asked, looking up for the first time at his master, now all that remained were two tiny red pinpricks in the wall of darkness.

Of course, I wish to be well rested and prepared for the final plan. Make me proud my flesh and blood.

And with that, the master vanished completely into shadows, sleeping, and not planning to awaken for another 11 years. Cane stood and smiled as he directed two Orcs to lift his associates up off the ground. As they obeyed, he signaled them to leave, and he walked behind them, starting up the stairs, he grabbed the only light source of the room, a torch that had been driven into the wall by the stairwell, lifting it out of its hold, he looked back into the shadows and smiled.

'We shall see how things turn out, beloved father. Have a good sleep.' And with that he dropped the torch to the ground, ordering the shadows to swamp out the flame, which they promptly did. That accomplished, he turned around and started up the steps.


"The next fight is between Ginryu, and Bagel." Zig called out, instantly there was an eerie silence that filled the field, the children blinked at the sudden quiet, then looked at Gin who smiled at Bagel.

"Don't think the same tactic is gonna work on me shrimp." She said cheerfully as she walked out onto the grass.

"I won't even have to try." He said grinning. Zig glanced at Byuu who, without even being asked, flipped to an entirely new page to start afresh. Then he sighed.

'I have a bad feeling I'm going to regret this.'

"Ginryu and Bagel!" He called, both fighters looked at him. "You have time to prepare, rest whatever you need, our mages will be occupied for a few minutes." Gin blinked, then shrugged.

"Okay, hey Bagel, up for a round of rock, parchment, shears?" Bagel grinned and balled his hand into a fist.

"Bring it on beanpole!" While this was going on, Chster sighed heavily, then removed his specialized Redmage rings and instead pulled on in their place, electrum rings. Draish replaced his rings with astral ones, while Scwlo gulped down a bottle of juice, before all three set to meditating. Miaah, having switched all her gear to mage ones, had already drank a bottle of juice and was almost fully rested.

"What do you think all that was for?" Lilli whispered to Opeth who eyed the adventurers warily.

"I'm not sure . . ."

"You dolts. They're preparations. Everything they did just gave more MP to their pool." Lazarus snapped at them. Lilli blinked at him.

"Huh?"

"Astral rings, electrum rings, both are infamous for ability to convert a great amount of HP into MP. Juices, certain kinds are known to temporarily increase the amount of MP in a caster's pool. They're preparing for something big." He whispered.

"Do you think it has something to do with that light during the battle?" Hal asked softly.

"Positive." The Elvaan replied sternly. "Also . . . . I know they're planning something. Look at the adventurers, they're nervous about something. They can barely even focus to meditate." He said glancing at Scwol who suddenly flinched, opened his eyes and sighed, before attempting to meditate again. Zig and Byuu were conversing in low hushed voices, while Zig kept checking his sword.

"Wow . . . . you're right." Mabs whispered.

"Even more so. . . look at the princes. They're the ones who have a look I don't trust the most." Lazarus hissed softly. Immediately all glances converged on the two princes who were whispering to one another.

"Basically you're saying we should be on alert." Lilli translated.

"If we want Gin to stay safe, yes."

"Then we'll be as alert as an. . . .an. . . . . whatever creature that's really alert." Hal said confidently. The others all nodded in agreement.

"Ready." Chster declared as he stood.

"I am as well." Draish said quietly.

"Ready when you are." Miaah commented.

"Good to go." Scwol stated. Zig nodded.

"Alright then. Fighters!" He called, Gin pouted slightly as Bagel grinned, having beaten her 'rock' with his 'parchment'. Both looked at Zig and grinned, standing straight, Gin drew her sword and Bagel, his dagger, both turned to face each other. Zig held his breath for a moment as time slowed for him.

'Goddess . . . . please let me do the right thing.'

"Begin!"


"THEY WHAT?" The cloaked form demanded slamming her tiny fist against the table.

"It has already begun." Another cloaked figure informed her.

"Those idiots! Don't they realize what will happen if they-! Oh dear lord . . ." She whispered slumping down into her chair and burying her face into her hands. Suddenly she looked up.

"Send- oh goddess I don't know who . . ." The man was silent for another moment before he spoke up.

"If I may, my lady, may I suggest agents 72 and 93? They are the best suited for this . . . . sort of task." He finished hesitantly. The other form blinked curiously.

"Seventy-two and ninety- oh heavens . . . . . Vin and Rom?" She asked incredulously. The figured nodded. ". . . . . very well." She finally conceded. "Send them with their strongest jobs, this could get . . . very unpleasant. Shall I leave the briefings to you?"

"Of course." He replied easily, and with a bow began to walk out of the room.

"Wait-! Fifty-thr- oh hell, screw numbers. Past!" The man stopped and looked back.

"Yes Wii?"

"I heard a catastrophe has occurred at the Adventurers' fortress, the one located in the Archipelago to the West. Though I don't know exactly what, Pastortroy. . . . what-?" The cloaked figure known as Pastortroy slowly pulled back his hood, revealing the handsome face of a young Hume. Glancing at her, he shook his head sadly. The girl in turn pulled back her hood, revealing the face of a Mithra.

"It . . . ." He swallowed then turned his back to her and started walking out again while saying in a clear voice. "It fell. Tavnazian fell to the beastmens' attack Wiicloud." And he was gone. Wii was frozen as she was, before she slumped in her chair, utter shock marring her face as a lone tear fell down her cheek.

"Oh goddess . . . . Bowmen . . . ."


Gin quickly side stepped Bagel's lunge and smiled while twirling her blade.

"Gonna have to do better then that Bagel!" She said grinning as the Taru whipped his crossbow out and shot a bolt at her, she quickly yelled protect, sending a shield flaring up around her and it bounced off the blue sphere.

"Drat it!" Bagel cursed as he ran forward. Gin smiled, then yelled;

"Stone!" Bagel yelped as the Earth moved around him and ducked when two rocks shattered over his head.

"Dia!" Gin cried again and Bagel squeaked as he felt his energy depleting. Gin finally ran up to Bagel and yelled; "Fast blade!" Bagel finally yelled and threw up his hand screaming;

"I GIVE UP I GIVE UP!" Gin laughed. Stopping her blade inches from his head, she twirled her sword and deposited it back in her sheath while smiling at Bagel.

"Good fight, I worked up a sweat chasing your fast little but around." She said laughing as she wiped her forehead with the back of her gloved hand, before wincing. Pulling her hand back, flecks of blood spattered the white glove. "Aw dang, I guess you did get me with one of those bolts." She muttered.

"Heh." Bagel said cheerfully, before slumping on the ground in utter exhaustion.

"Cure 2."

"Cure." Chster and Draish whispered, and as Gin and Bagel received the effects of the spell, Zig was talking with Byuu.

"How were the odds?"

"Ginryu had fairly higher stats then the Taru, however the playing field was evened by his speed as a thief. Regardless, if this exact match with these exact circumstances were to be repeated over and over, Bagel would always lose. The future however might hold something different."

"I see . . . . so it had nothing to do with . . . .?"

"No. I would have seen had any aura been released that way, there was none." Byuu said calmly, and firmly. Zig nodded.

"Alright then." Turning to the field he smiled. "Mabs, Lazarus and Lillianna! Your turn again." He said cheerfully. Lilli grinned and looked at the two warriors.

"Oh, you're goin' down!" She taunted grinning as she flexed her knuckles. Mabs and Lazarus glanced at each other.

"Okay, just so you know, if she's gonna tackle me, I'm pushing you into her path." Mabs said with a sudden grin. Lazarus laughed loudly.

"Thanks a lot, some friend you are." Mabs chuckled and set himself on the field as Lazarus took the opposite position, and Lilli took a third spot, creating a triangle between the three of them. Zig smiled, things were starting to look up.

"Begin!" The moment the word left his lips, Zig had to duck as an arrow went whirling over his head. To summarize, Mabs had gone for his bow and aimed at Lazarus, Lilli had taken out a pebble and had aimed at Lazarus, Lazarus simply drew his sword. The minute both of them fired, Lazarus simply swung his sword, and both projectiles went flying away.

"Oh really now, ganging up on me? How chivalrous is that?" He asked laughing as Zig ran a hand over his head, making sure the arrow hadn't skimmed him in some way. Byuu glanced down at his commander boredly.

"Nice reflexes there Zig. I was certain that arrow was gonna hit you in the head." He said calmly. Zig glared at him.

"That's it, no leave time for you this month." He grumbled.

"Stone!" Lilli cried, then yelped when Lazarus swung his sword at her, she ducked, barely avoiding the quick blade by mere inches.

"Like I'm going to let you cast a spell."

"And like I'm going to let you gang up on her!" Mabs suddenly cried and swung his sword at his fellow Elvaan who yelped and attempted to jump away from the blade, succeeding in avoiding a critical blow, however Mabs's blade left a large and bleeding wound in his friend's arm. Immediately Mabs turned pale in shock and dropped his sword as he ran over to his friend in alarm.

"Laz! Oh shit man, I'm sorry! Are you okay?" He asked worriedly. Lazarus rolled his eyes, then lashed out with his foot, tripping Mabs.

"HEY! The Elvaan cried as he went down.

"What did I tell you about dropping your weapon? Honestly." Lazarus said boredly as he gripped the wound with his free hand. Mabs glared.

"Well sorry if I was worried about you!"

"I can take care of mysel-"

"AERO!"


Five minutes later, a severely pissed Mabs and Lazarus glared at Lilli, who had seemed to have taken advantage of their bickering to cast three spells on them, two of them aeros, blowing the pair away, and the third was water, which left them sorely pissed, HP depleted, and incredibly wet. They were not happy.

"Eh heh . . . eep." Lilli gulped and attempted to run away. She didn't get too far however when two arrows, with deadly precision pinned her boots to the ground. She looked back and sweatdropped at her two friends. "Hi . . . guys . . ." She tried feebly.

"Hold still Lilli, we're trying to decide the most painful way to kill you." Mabs said, he had at some point recovered his sword and was now conversing with Lazarus. "I still say boiling her would be the best."

"You unimaginative lout, skinning her alive!"

"But then we'd have to clean the blood off of our swords."

"Well then burn her alive."

"Ewww, the pollution to the environment man, think of the environment!" Lilli's eyes widened and she glared in anger.

"EXCUSE ME? YOU ARE NOT BOILING ME, SKINNING ME, OR ROASTING ME! DO I LOOK LIKE FOOD TO YOU?" She demanded. Mabs and Lazarus shared a glance and grinned.

"Okay, I think it's a given that Lillianna is out of the match." Byuu said calmly as he made notes on his paper.

"Agreed. Lillianna, you're out!" Zig called. Lilli blinked.

"What! Awwwww . . ." She sighed and flopped down onto the ground grumbling moodily.

"Mabs and Lazarus! Continue!" Mabs and Lazarus blinked at him, then at each other, then they grinned.

"Ready to start?"

"You bet." Mabs drew his sword and they crossed blades to form an 'x'.

"Final fight, this round determines it all." Mabs said calmly as he felt adrenaline rush through his veins.

"Make it count." Lazarus said, then both of them swung their swords away, and flew at each other.


"So we're to . . . watch over this girl?" A Mithra asked. Past groaned.

"For the third time, NO! You are to stop the princes of Sandoria from experimenting on the girl! Then you are to watch over her and report back to us daily with information and to keep the princes or royal family from doing anything else to her!"

"So . . . watch over her basically." An Elvaan said calmly. Past growled in frustration.

"FINE! See it that way!" He shouted then stomped out of there grumbling about irritating soldiers. When he was gone, the Elvaan and Mithra shared a glance.

"He is so easy to annoy." The Mithra said cheerfully.

"I know, there's almost no fun in it." The Elvaan replied. "Well then, agent 72, Vinne of Windurst, shall we get going?"

"Certainly agent 93, Rominace of Sandoria." The Mithra replied. She paused for a moment. "Will it be okay? You haven't gone back there in years . . . maybe we should get 67-" Rom cut her off.

"I'll be fine, besides, no one knows how to navigate the alleys like I do. And if I run into my family . . . well, so be it." and pulling up the hoods over their heads, both started out for Sandoria. As the guards let them through the gates, Rominace put a cheerful smile on his face as he waved to them. The guard waved back as they began closing the gates, and although Rom was smiling, inside he was torn asunder.

'It's been so long since I've even seen any of them, Sat, Ava, mother . . . I wonder how they're all doing.'


Lazarus swung downwards with his sword, pivoting on his foot, Mabs spun around, and managed to avoid the sword by a hair's breadth. Lazarus wasted no time but instantly swung his sword up catching the tip of his friend's clothing and cutting it. Not giving him time to recover either, he instantly leapt off his front foot and swung with his back foot, Mabs quickly blocked it with his elbow and swung back at him with his own sword, forcing him to dodge the whistling blade and with a sudden spin, spun his blade at Mabs's exposed arm, with a quick skip of his foot, Mabs once again dodged, earning a grin and a laugh from Lazarus.

"You're doing pretty good for a noob!"

"People who call others noobs are the noobs themselves!" Mabs replied with the cliché saying. Parrying another one of his attacks, Mabs swung with his own sword, just as his blade struck with Lazarus's, their blades slid along each other drawing sparks before each drew back and swung to strike again. Their blades clashed as Mabs lashed out with his foot catching Lazarus's and tripping him, the other Elvaan used his back hand to cartwheel over back onto his feet and both duelers slowed their maddening pace to circling each other. Both of them occasionally striking at the other when they felt the moment deemed it right. Now stepping in a circle, Lazarus struck first and Mabs parried his blow, before striking with one of his own, which Lazarus dodged. They walked in a circle again. Mabs suddenly hesitated in his footsteps and his friend saw the tactic, he instantly tensed as Mabs suddenly balanced on the side of his foot and flew towards Lazarus, low, his sword aimed to strike at his legs, he dodged the strike by jumping at the precise moment, forcing him to recover by placing her free hand forward and rolling out of the fall back onto him feet. The continued to circle each other. Suddenly Lazarus grinned triumphantly at his friend.

"Come at me!" He challenged. Instantly, Mabs took a stab at his heart with the tip of his sword, he brandished it off with the side of his sword and a quick step of his foot. As soon as Mabs was forced back, Lazarus lunged in with his own sword, the taste of victory on his lips as he dove in for the finishing blow.

"RED LOTUS BLADE!" He cried brandishing the red weapon. Mabs's eyes widened as he swung up his sword to block the blow, as Lazarus's blade met his, a large clang sounded and the power flooded through him, leaving a jelly like feeling to his legs as an aftershock. With a gasp, Mabs dropped to his knees panting.

"Holy . . ." He whispered. Lazarus smiled.

"I win." He said calmly, Zig glanced at Byuu, it was Zig's job to call the start of the match, but Byuu's to call the winner, and ultimately the end. He called neither. All of a sudden Mabs grinned and swung up his sword yelling;

"FLAT BLADE!" Lazarus blinked in shock as he swung his sword up, but the blow sent him reeling back, stopping only when he hit a wall. With a shake of his head he glanced up at Mabs shocked, before giving a quiet chuckle. Then he passed out. "Oh shit!" Mabs yelped and ran up to his friend.

"Winner! Madon!" Zig called as Byuu nodded to him.

"Cure 3." Draish said calmly.

"Regen." Chster casted.

"So, care to fill me on wondrous tactician?" Zig asked of Byuu.

"Simple, they were even in strength, but Mabs caught Lazarus unaware. I believe it might have something to do with the fact that although Mabs and Lazarus are the obvious head meleers of their group, Lazarus was always seen as something of a leader. Thus, he wasn't expecting Mabs to surpass him in skill. Which he quite obviously did, that and the fact of due to Lazarus's hit, Mabs managed to work up a lot more TP into his strike, simple logic." Byuu finished. Zig nodded his head.

"Makes sense." Mabs smiled as Lazarus came around.

"Damn, that's ironic, should have listened to my own advice and should have made sure I'd won." Lazarus commented chuckling as he got to his feet. "Well goddamn." He glanced at Mabs and grinned. "So you beat me, well about damn time." He said cheerfully. Mabs smiled brightly.

"Yeah, I thought so too." And putting Lazarus into a sort of headlock, he dragged his friend along smiling cheerfully. It was then that the princes, Trion and Pieuje finally stepped in.

"We shall be taking a short break for lunch and resting. Refresh your strength, and we shall commence the final battle in due time." Pieuje said with a tint of good cheer into it. Zig nodded his confirmation as he crossed his arms.

"The final battle has been determined by your wins and losses, you have all done well, and from what we have seen today, you will serve those whom you pledge allegiance to well, and will give them pride that they have your services." He said calmly. Then he glanced at Byuu, who nodded solemnly. None of the adventurers possessed the cheer that Pieuje seemed to.

"The final battle will determine who is the strongest among you." Zig continued. "And it will take place between . . ." It was here Draish, Miaah and Scwol all exchanged uneasy looks.

". . . Ginryu and Madon."

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 11, I do own Ginryu, Halloween, Lazarus, Cane, Cliff, Celan, Faros, Edwan, the king and queen of Necronia, Necronia itself, Alayna, as well as the plot. Everything else is property to Square Enix and what not.