Author's Note: I forgot to mention this (sorry!), but Andrew and Celphie are both characters from The Prelude by Thefrogkiller. Third in a trilogy, go read it. Or them. I mean, how many FFXI Fan Fic trilogies are there? What more could you ask for! Admitingly, Andrew and Celphie areā¦..slightly different in that. You can find out why.
Wow. That was almost like an advert.
PART XVIII
The figure blocked easily as both Zinkata and Voldos attacked. Bootus couldn't manoeuvre safely into a position to attack without getting cut down, so held back. Vivli cast a blue shield around the warriors, the spell of protect. The figure drove them back, kicking Zinkata to the floor and focusing on Voldos. The elvaan warrior knocked away one of the figure's swords, hitting it to the ground, and slashed him across the chest, ripping through the armour. Blood appeared for a moment, before regenerating into skin again.
"Impressive," Remarked the mysterious foe, "But futile. I cannot be defeated."
"What are you?" Voldos asked curiously.
"Is is that hard to figure out?" The figure asked.
"No." Vivli stated. "But it can't be true."
"What is it Viv?" Zinkata asked, getting back up.
"I've only seen those regeneration powers once before." Vivli explained as Zinkata swung in for an attack. The figure blocked Zinkata, and the two duelled, before Voldos ran in to assist. Bootus came up behind the figure and hit him in the back. The figure swung around with both swords, getting stabbed from behind. He regenerated effortlessly, and slashed at Bootus, causing the galka to jump away. Vivli sighed. "As I was saying, I've only seen those powers once. In Olose. But he was the last of the werewolves. At least, that's what he thought."
"That's what he said." The figure taunted. "I'm sure he just wanted to comfort you. I am another, but I serve Lich!"
"Why?" Zinkata asked the obvious question.
"Why? You would ask why?" The figure seemed surprised. "Only through the path of evil can a werewolf achieve his full potential. Thus I proceed as I do."
"But Lich is a mindless slaughterer!" Vivli protested. "Look at those bodies back there! Slaughtered! Murdered! Just so he could walk through the town! He kills without point! That's more than evil! It's uncontrolled! Unstoppable!"
"Someone sounds a little sore." The figure laughed. "If people get in the way of us, we shall kill them. You are in the way. Hand over the orb and I may be able to spare you." Zinkata took his turn to let out a laugh.
"Do you really think I'm going to give it to you? We'll die before we do!" He cried.
"So be it." The figure said with a casual shrug.
He ran at Zinkata, who was left retreating and blocking against the double sworded onslaught. The figure stabbed through Zinkata, and turned around to meet Bootus and Voldos.
"Zinkata!" Voldos screamed, running at the armoured figure. Vivli quickly started casting healing spells, closing up Zinkata's wound. The figure beat away Voldos and turned to Vivli.
"Ah yes, it looks like you have regeneration powers of your own." The figure remarked. "Except I can eliminate yours." He marched towards Vivli, but Zinkata stood in the way. Voldos attacked from behind as Zinkata attacked from the front. Blocking with both swords the figure began to take hits. Bootus charged him, knocking the figure down and slamming him with his fists. There was a sudden tearing sound and Bootus was flung off. A half wolf, half human, gigantic form rose. He had transformed.
The creature was bigger than even Olose in his transformation, bearing ugly yellow fangs and gigantic claws. Its fur was black and its eyes red, making it look far more evil than Olose had. He pounced on Zinkata, ripping off his satchel and grabbing the orb. The creature then turned to Vivli, advancing on her. She drew her staff in fear. It jumped at her, pinning her down. She managed to strike at him with her staff, expecting it to be feeble. Smoke rose and a loud burning sound pierced the air. The creature recoiled, grasping its own arm. She stared in wonder at her own staff.
"Of course!" She cried. "It's made out of silver!"
"Yes." The creature snarled. "But do you, girl, really think you are capable of wielding it against me?" Before Vivli could reply it jumped at her, and kicked with its gigantic claw like foot. She flew back with enough power to break a tree in half as she hit. Her body fell limp. Zinkata leapt at the creature, cutting it across the forehead with an angry cry. The wound instantly healed as Zinkata spun his sword for another attack. Bootus ran to Vivli's unconscious body, and grabbed the staff. He ran in and slammed the creature across the back of the head as hard as he possibly could. The creature fell forwards, yelping in pain. It leapt an incredible distance, landing high up in a tree. "I have what I came for!" It spat. "You shall be dealt with soon enough!" With that, it charged off into the distance.
"After it!" Cried Voldos.
"We can't!" Zinkata shouted in response. "Vivli's in bad shape, she needs us." The three sighed, looking at it as it rapidly disappeared in the distance. "We could never have caught it anyway."
"Great." Sighed Bootus. "Now Lich has all he needs to conquer the world once and for all."
"We had better get back to Kazham." Zinkata said solemnly, picking up Vivli's body. "But just what we do now, I don't know."
"We lose." Voldos told him. "That's what happens now. We've already lost."
The three explained the situation to Arcane, Dedji and Cruth in Kazham while Vivli lay unconscious. The news was not well received.
"That's it then." Sighed Cruth. "The worrrrrld is doomed."
"Not necessarily." Zinkata had had time to reflect on events, and was prepared to consider alternatives.
"Yeah," Voldos joined in, "I mean, Chaos had achieved everything he needed to conquer the world and we stopped him, then, didn't we?"
"So what's yourrrr plan?" Arcane asked. A silence fell over them.
"Well, we don't have one." Zinkata admitted. "Yet. We're working on it!"
"Don't take too long." Dedji suggested. "I don't think Lich is going to wait forrrrr you to plan his downfall."
"You've seen the devastation he's caused here." Cruth told them. "He killed so many, and then those who ventured into the temple too. We can't let him cause any more harrrrm to anybody. This has to end."
"What do you suggest?" Zinkata asked.
"It's simple." Cruth told him. "We have to defeat him. Now."
"What?" Vivli sounded very worried, having just woken up to here this.
"It's the simplest solution. We must go and fight Lich before he gets a chance to put his plan into action." Cruth explained, too passionate to acknowledge his daughter had just woken up from serious injuries.
"Every time we've battled Lich we've lost. Why would this time be any different?" Voldos asked.
"We know white magic hurts his troops." Vivli said. "Perhaps I could hurt him."
"Viv, I'd rather throw myself off a cliff than have to rely on your combat ability." Bootus told Vivli, leaving the mithra looking quite offended.
Meanwhile, in the depths of San D'Oria's mighty chateau, Lich was busy preparing to unleash his friends. Three orbs spun around the main dark orb, floating in the air. Lightning began to fire from the dark orb into each of the lighter ones. One by one they began to light up with a white glow. One exploded, and as the smoke settled, the form of a multi armed woman whose bottom half was a large red snake emerged.
"Kary, it is good to see you again." Remarked Lich. Kary examined the six swords she had in her six hands.
"It has been too long since these swords have tasted blood." She remarked. "It is time to fulfil my purpose."
"In time, Kary, in time." Lich told her. "The other crystals do not exist as of yet. They must be constructed before we can fully drain this land of life."
"And the Light Warriors?" Kary asked.
"They still live, but not for long." He turned to the black armoured figure. "My servant here has fought them. He assures me they will be no match for our combined might." Another crystal shattered, and with a roar a three headed dragon emerged. "Tiamat. Welcome back." He said with a twisted smile.
"It is about time." The first head said.
"I want my revenge." Said the second.
"We all do, but in time." Lich held out his hand to signify waiting.
"The crystals are not constructed yet." Kary told the dragon. The fourth crystal shattered. Kraken, the gigantic blue squid with a fat humanoid body emerged.
"At last! I have physical form!" He cried.
"The four of us are reunited, thanks to my servant here." Lich pointed to the armoured figure.
"Who are you?" The third head of Tiamat asked.
"I am without a name." The figure replied. "So if you must call me anything, call me Nameless."
"He's a werewolf." Explained Lich. "Very powerful."
"What is your plan, Lich?" Kraken asked in a booming voice. "I have not slept for a thousand years to talk to your henchman!"
"Be nice." The second head of Tiamat warned.
"Be nice? What for?" The first head said in reply. "Kraken is right. We need to attack as soon as possible."
"It is not that easy." Lich warned. "They have found a way to defeat my skeletal troops, and our own hoards are long gone."
"I shall raise sea creatures from the ocean itself." Kraken announced.
"We
wish to get to work on the air crystal." The first head of Tiamat
said.
"With it, we can rebuild our sky fortress." The second
head explained.
"From there, we will be able to see to the return of our lord, and need not worry about interference from the pathetic land goers." The third head filled in the blanks.
"Excellent." Lich remarked.
"Then it's settled!" Kraken boomed. "My minions will crush the mortals and-"
"Your water minions are weak." Kary stated. "I can create much more powerful minions from fire." Kary stated. "To do so, I need a volcano. Where can I go?" Lich paused, as an ugly smile crept across his skeletal features.
"Kazham." He said.
The group of adventurers had pulled up chairs to consider their options and thoughtfully as possible. Vivli was still lying in a simple bed, too badly hurt to easily move (or cast healing magic on herself).
"We can't fight him." She groaned, after the group had paused in consideration. "Rushing in is stupid. We're talking about the fate of the world."
"So, Princess, what do you suggest?" Bootus was frustrated, so enjoyed mocking Vivli to relieve this.
"I don't know!" She snapped. "But we have to be careful!" Arcane sighed.
"Calm down. Bickerrrring isn't going to get us anywherrrrrre." She said with authority. The group fell silent. "We have lost the orrrrrrrb, so it is safe to assume Lich will have resurrected the fiends. We have to ask what his next step will be."
"Well," Zinkata began, "We know he wants to reconstruct the four crystals. Since he used San D'Oria for the Earth Crystal, it's logical to assume he's going to use each other nation for each other crystal."
"For which he'll need an arrrrmy." Dedji pointed out.
"So how will he get a new army that isn't weak against white magic?" Voldos asked.
"Depends on the fiend." Vivli groaned. "Kary, the fire fiend, could create powerful monsters from lava, but would need a source. Kraken creates weaker ones from water. Tiamat would seem to create them from the air, but I don't know how he manages that."
"Where can Kary find a good source of fire?" Zinkata asked.
"Herrrrre." Cruth answered. "The nearby volcano."
"Where can Kraken find a good source of water?" Voldos asked. Everybody stared at him. "Oh, the sea, right."
"Great." Zinkata muttered. "We aren't getting far here. We now can assume that either we're going to end up with Kary knocking on our door, or an army of sea creatures on the side of Kraken. And Altana knows what Tiamat is up to."
"We could be in trouble here." Vivli muttered from her bed weakly. "I don't think we can win."
"Perhaps we can." Zinkata suggested. "It's time for a strike. We can't win through battle, but the last time we met Lich, he did tell us his entire plan."
"A flaw of all villains." Arcane sighed.
"If we can repeat this, we may discover his plans and be able to counter them." Zinkata quickly explained.
"Let me get this straight." Bootus said in disbelief. "You want to charge at the villain."
"Yes." Zinkata replied.
"In the hope he'll explain all his plans to you?"
"Yes."
"And then turn around and walk out again?"
"Yes."
"You're mad!" Bootus cried.
"We would be able to assess his strength that way." Voldos admitted. "Provided we kept ready with the Raven, we could easily escape from San D'Oria. Hell, we've done it enough times."
"So we're going back to San D'Oria again?" Bootus shook his head. "This is absolutely stupid."
"Isn't everything we do?" Remarked Zinkata.
"Let's go then!" Vivli groaned.
"Oh no!" Zinkata told her. "You aren't going anywhere."
"What?"
Vivli protested from the bed.
"Firstly, you're injured." He
pointed out.
"We'll find someone to heal me, then I can go!"
She countered.
"Secondly, and don't take this the wrong way, we need to rely on our own skill and ability to escape. I'm not convinced you have that skill." Vivli went to reply, but was clearly too hurt to think of anything to say. Zinkata saw this, and quickly sat down beside her. "Look." He said, trying to think of a way to make her less upset. "I'd love to have you along. But Lich would consider you such a threat he'd kill you on sight." He paused. He could see she was still offended. "Besides, if Kary does attack Kazham, their going to need someone here to help them. Who better than you, eh?" She smiled at this.
"Yeah. I guess you're right." She sat up painfully. "Fine, I'll stay here and defend Kazham." Thank Altana for that thought Zinkata. "But, take this." She held out her silver staff. "In case you run into that strange werewolf again. The silver will help protect you."
"Thanks." Zinkata said with a smile.
"You can use that." Voldos said sarcastically. "I'm sticking to a sword and bow."
"Right.
We don't have long, so let's get moving." Zinkata marched out
of the room. Voldos followed. Bootus shrugged.
"This is insane!"
He cried after them, following.
"Good luck!" Vivli called after them.
Zinkata's long hair was blowing in the wind as the Raven soared over the water towards Jeuno, and soon, San D'Oria.
"Why didn't you want Vivli to come?" Bootus suddenly asked, walking up behind him. "Not that I don't appreciate the new silence and lack of weak mages to worry about."
"That's it, really. She is weak." He paused. "Not really the right word." He admitted. "I mean, she's, well, frail I guess. You saw what happened in the jungle. One attack and she can barely move. It's far too risky to take her along."
"So
what? You're just gonna throw her out of the party?" Bootus
asked.
"No. I can't do that." Zinkata sighed.
"Then what? Keep making excuses when we go to do anything dangerous?" The galka shrugged at this suggestion.
"No." He stopped. "Look, she's capable of most things. There's just no reason to risk her unnecessarily. You have to admit, she would just slow us down. We have to get out of there quickly."
"That's another thing! What's with this suicidal plan! If you even think it deserves to be called a plan." Bootus asked, sounding almost angry.
"We needed to do something. Anything. We can't sit around and talk this one out." Zinkata explained. There was a pause. "You don't think I hurt Vivli too much do you?" He brought the conversation back to the subject of the little mithra.
"I suspect she'll feel bad, but I'm sure she'll get over it. It is for her own good." Bootus answered.
"I hope so." Zinkata sighed. "She's been through a lot recently. She doesn't need anymore upsetting her."
Vivli was crying into her pillow. She had been so much more confident in the last few days, having discovered the usefulness of her white magic and her abilities to use it against Lich and his minions. But now, she had been told to stay behind. Been told she wasn't good enough. She felt so left out. And what hurt the most was she knew they were right. She knew she was being a liability. She could barely move now. She groaned in pain whenever she tried. She even considering running away, but knew that would be stupid. She sighed, remembering her white mage's oath. To help whoever she could, however she could. But she found herself questioning if she was really helping. She tried to shake off such thoughts. Think of something else. Olose popped into her head, and she cried more. He was dead. And she knew, even if she was there, there was nothing she could have done to save him. What could she do? A scrawny little mithra like herself. What would happen when it was Voldos, or Zinkata, or Bootus? The last time they went away on their own, when they came back Olose was dead. What would happen this time? Would they come back, and one of them be dead? And she'd be stuck in Kazham, lying in a bed. She let tears pour from her eyes. She couldn't leave them to die. She tried to get up, but her arms gave up on her and she collapsed. She couldn't help them. They were alone. She reached for the small black linkshell pearl. For a moment she thought she could hear somebody else's thoughts. Her eyes widened in horror. Somebody else was listening! She could not mistake it. It was Lich! And he knew the Light Warriors were coming to San D'Oria.
