Author's Note: In response to Phabrizoe's question, I thought I should explain the San d'Oria thing. The fact that it's always the first city to be attacked and generally goes through hell. Is this coincidence, or do I harbour some kind of strange grudge against San d'Oria?

Well, oddly, the answer is both. I do have a grudge against San d'Oria for a few reasons. Firstly, the elvaan NPCs were far too arrogant. Secondly, they called me a furball (I think Vivli actually complains about that in the first FFXI Chronicles, that moment is based on fact). Thirdly, they designed their city specifically so you could get lost. I mean, who does that? Really! It's a silly idea. And so I have a few reasons to hate San d'Oria.

But, surprisingly, this has little effect on my decision to keep putting San d'Oria in the thick of it. Much to my protests, the rest of the 'Light Warriors' (which I'm just calling us for convenience) seem to like San d'Oria, and so if we ever need to go to a city, they decide to go there, if we ever need to level lower classes (like right now), we go there. It's very frustrating, but it does mean San d'Oria is city I know best, next to Bastok at least (we're all Bastokers really!). Makes it easier to write about.

But also, it's actually largely coincidence. In the original, San d'Oria was attacked, but that was because they were there following the plot of the first few quests, sent to kill the Warchief when I wanted the plot to kick off with the battle side of the story. In the FFXI Chronicles 2, San d'Oria was the centre piece for a few reasons. Firstly, the Chateau made a brilliant fortress for Lich and his cronies. Secondly, I had great fun writing an invasion of 'oh, we're invincible!' San d'Oria. I mean, all the elvaans gloat about how their city has never been breached, and one or two tell us Bastok and Windurst would have lost in the crystal war if it wasn't for San d'Oria. Yeah right! So, this was a bit of revenge writing I guess. Other than that, I used San d'Oria because it was the city I felt was best suited for an invasion story, being a big castle.

In the third story? I didn't want to use San d'Oria again because I had actually become conscious of it being overused. Hence the plot device to move them to Windurst. But San d'Oria was used here because I wanted to start by investigating Voldos's background, and he came from San d'Oria quite clearly (Voldos in the game is always going on about how superior San d'Oria is, even though he's actually from Bastok!) so that's why it was in that story.

I hope that clears things up. Sorry if I offended any San d'Orian goers, but get that NPC to apologise for calling me a furball and I might stop hating San d'Oria! Until then, I'll stick with my grudge. Besides, you have to admit, the NPCs are pretty arrogant there.

PART VIII

"You know," Bootus casually observed, "I think the Raven's been improved."

"It does feel smoother." Zinkata agreed.

"It must be. Vivli hasn't been sick yet." Bootus laughed. Vivli still looked queasy, but hadn't thrown up.

"I improved it slightly." Cid laughed.

"I thought you said making it more stable would take months of work?" Voldos asked.

"It did, but I figured it was better than mopping the decks of sick every time we went anywhere with Vivli." Cid joked. The others laughed. Vivli didn't look amused.

"It's not my fault that you, Mr Airship Engineer, couldn't build a stable airship!" She protested from her position of firmly clinging to Zinkata. Even though she had been fine inside Voldos's manor, the anxiety had instantly set back in once they stepped outside, and now only Zinkata could bring her the comfort she needed to stop shaking. Cid laughed.

"Hey, I can throw this thing into a dive, remember. A few quick jerky motions. Think you're up for that?" He taunted.

"NO!" Vivli quickly said, already feeling uneasy from the thumping of the engines.

"Just out of curiosity," Illuga began, "Is there actually anything right with Vivli?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Vivli snapped.

"It's just you seem to have to cling to somebody all the time, and can't fly without getting ill. What other problems do you have?" Illuga mocked.

"Hey! I'm fine with everything else!" Vivli cried.

"Actually, she gets seasick as well." Bootus interjected. "And she's petrified of the dark."

"And spiders." Voldos reminded the galka.

"Yeah, and spiders." Bootus relayed. Vivli folded her arms angrily.

"Oh sure, just list all my faults." She said angrily.

"Okay." Bootus replied with a grin. "She's annoying, weak, small, scared of everything, always gets into trouble-"

"Okay! We get the idea!" Vivli snapped. "I'm the mage that keep you guys alive, you'd think I'd get a bit more respect." The fact that she was clinging to Zinkata desperately, afraid to let go, made her look quite pathetic in the eyes of the others, and so respect wasn't the first thing they were going to get. Illuga went to point this out, but Bootus placed a hand on his shoulder, warning him not to. He was always up for mocking Vivli, but knew her anxiety problems were serious, and wanted them solved as soon as possible.

Vivli was feeling particularly bad about herself anyway though. Illuga had brought up the fact that she was a bit of a burden on the team. But she knew she needed them, and she did try her best to do things for them. It made her feel quite guilty to realise she was always putting them through so much.

"What's wrong, Viv?" Zinkata asked, able to tell something else was bothering her by her tightened grip on him.

"I was just thinking." She answered. "About everything you've all done for me. I'm so sorry I can't take care of myself. I'm so sorry I always put you through all this."

"Hey, we've never minded." Zinkata said to her softly. "You're our friend. We'll always fight for you, do whatever we can for you, and keep you safe. That's what we're here for."

"Thanks Zin." She replied happily.

"Besides, this time this whole quest is Voldos's fault." Bootus put in. The others laughed. The laughter obviously made Vivli feel better because she let go of Zinkata, resorting to just holding his hand for comfort. Zinkata smiled. He knew it was an improvement, but was dreading the arrival in Windurst, where he knew she would become just as bad as she had been in San d'Oria.

The Raven II touched down just outside of Windurst, much to the wonder of the young adventurers who were eagerly training outside, battling against small monsters to improve their skill. They literally stared in awe as the four Light Warriors emerged. Illuga followed, feeling particularly left out as the others ignored him.

"I love being famous." Grinned Bootus. Vivli looked around the field with a slight smile.

"I remember when I used to be scared to go out here. Afraid of the monsters. Used to have to get Fiorel to escort me if I ever left the city." She watched a little hare jumped along by the ship.

"I bet you still need an escort." Bootus mocked.

"Shut up!" Vivli grumbled, watching the hare. A trainee warrior ran in, and killed it with his sword. She looked away. "That's horrible."

"Only way to learn, Viv." Zinkata told her.

"Slaughtering innocent animals?" Vivli pointed out.

"Could burn them if you'd prefer." Illuga suggested. Vivli rolled her eyes.

"Can we just go to Windurst now?" She asked. Zinkata sighed, and started to walk down the ramp. Vivli clung tightly to his hand, watching everybody around carefully.

"See? She actually does need an escort." Illuga whispered to Bootus.

"Yeah, but that's different." Bootus whispered back. "We can't make jokes about that."

The five walked into the city, leaving Cid behind with the Raven II. Vivli watched as the city she used to be so familiar with seemed to move around her. Every person passing was a stranger, and she even found the little tarutaru seem threatening. She didn't even notice she had now progressed to clinging to Zinkata's body tightly again. Zinkata could feel her shaking, and so put his arm around her, holding her firmly. He could see she was on the verge of tears. He sighed. She had seemed to be so close to recovery as well, back in the mansion, and then improving on the airship. He had secretly hoped that she would be better in her own city. Apparently that wasn't the case.

"So, where do we go?" Voldos asked.

"Dunno." Zinkata shrugged. "Li, you're the expert on this city." She looked up. He was trying to encourage her to be more outspoken and fight her fear.

"Urm, we could go to the monastery." Vivli suggested. Bootus seemed to sigh.

"You're just homesick aren't you?" He muttered.

"No. I just thought-" She paused, deciding to start over. "They're the experts on magic."

"Ha! Experts!" Laughed Illuga. "I was trained as Bastok's magic school. I didn't need your fancy monastery! I bet the school knows far more than that place."

"Maybe, but we aren't in Bastok." Zinkata reminded him. "Fine, we'll head to the monastery. The High Priestess should help us, considering we did save the world."

"Not to mention I was her student." Vivli pointed out.

"Yeah, yeah, we know." Bootus told her. "Now come on."

Vivli couldn't repress a beaming smile as she saw her old monastery fall into view, still standing proudly. It had been fully repaired since it had been attacked ten months ago, and now looked better than ever. She broke away from Zinkata, and hurried towards it, before the implications of being alone came crashing down on her, and she froze, shaking. Zinkata quickly ran up and took her in his arms again, hoping that she didn't hear his exasperated sigh.

"Come on." He groaned. "Let's go in. See if they can tell us where Sigmund might be heading."

"If he teleport, he might be ahead of us." Vivli reminded Zinkata.

"I know. Let's hope they can help." The five wondered into the monastery, looking for the High Priestess.

Elsewhere in the city, Sigmund leapt from a chocobo and smiled. He pulled the staff from around his belt and looked at the yellow jewel. He allowed himself a triumphant laugh. His plan was falling into place nicely.

Some time later, having found the High Priestess and having relayed their story to her, she sat around in consideration with the Light Warriors.

"There are many places to re-enchant a stone around here." She said, thinking deeply. "He's obviously not come here. The magic shop perhaps?"

"He did use a blacksmiths." Zinkata nodded. "But he knows we're tracking him? Would he pick somewhere that obvious?"

"Unless he has a personal contact here." The High Priestess suggested. "But then we'll never find him."

"Magic shop it is then." Bootus sighed. "Let's move."

"This is going to be fun." Illuga said, summoning a fireball around him for effect.

The five went to leave, but Zinkata stopped.

"Viv." He said simply. Vivli sighed.

"I know." She moaned. "Stay here."

"You can go if you think you can handle it." He told her, motioning to the open door. Vivli looked out, but just found herself shaking.

"I can't." She wept, tears now running down her face. "I'm such a let down."

"Aw, come on, we don't mind." Zinkata made sure the others could hear him speak. "I'll stay here with you Viv. Make sure you're safe." She smiled.

"Thanks." She managed to say. "I'm sorry." She added.

"Viv, we've been through this like three times." Bootus sighed. "It's getting tiresome. We know you're upset. We get it. Stay here. We don't mind. There. Now you don't need to apologise anymore."

"Sorry." Vivli quickly added, feeling guilty. Then she realised she had just done what she was told not to. "Urm, sorry!" She quickly said again. Bootus just rolled his eyes and walked out. Illuga and Voldos followed. Vivli looked at Zinkata. "I am sorry."

"I know Viv." Zinkata said gently.

The three adventurers casually strolled into the small magic shop. Bootus thundered over to the desk where the mage in charge of the shop looked up in confusion. A small tarutaru, who was easily intimidated by the large galka, and not used to seeing galka in a magic shop anyway.

"What do you wantaru?" He demanded, looking up at the figure.

"An old elvaan. Goes by the name of Sigmund. He been in here?" Bootus asked. The little tarutaru paused.

"No. Now go away." Came the response.

"So polite around here." Bootus sighed.

"Were you looking for me?" A voice came. The three spun around.

Sigmund stood there, holding his staff with the yellow jewel glowing.

"You are so unoriginal." He laughed. "The magic shop? What do you think I am?"

"Stupid?" Suggested Voldos.

"I'll show you who's stupid!" Sigmund laughed, and the yellow jewel began to glow brighter. Yellow bolts of energy shot up from the ground, and rocketed out, blasting Voldos back. He dropped down with a crash. More yellow energy poured out of the jewel, lashing around the others like fierce bonds. They all dropped down. "Mock me? You dare mock me? I am your new lord and master! You are now my prisoners!"

"Boy, I hate you." Illuga spat.

"Do you know what's worse?" Bootus asked.

"What?" Illuga said.

"Vivli will be one of the two that rescues us." He groaned. "I'm never going to live it down!"

"Shut up! All of you!" Sigmund snapped. "You are now mine!"

Vivli had spent the last several hours with Zinkata mostly. She had taken some time out to go to her room. Zinkata had waited outside, and she had gone to attempt to change back into robes. She was therefore very surprised to find herself breaking down into tears on the bed, curling up and shivering with fear before she could. Zinkata quickly ran in to comfort her. She hugged him tightly, and sobbed.

"I can't even stay in my room on my own!" She cried. "What's wrong with me?"

"Shh. Come on, Viv. Just be quiet." She was still uncontrollably shaking. "You look pretty in a dress anyway." Vivli's eyes widened as she heard that. Zinkata laughed as he realised she was indeed shaking less. Of course, he just assumed this was because she had been complimented, and didn't realise that she was thrilled with the idea that Zinkata thought she was pretty. Despite the fact that her shaking was becoming less, she hugged him tighter, just wanting the comforting feeling. He put his arms around her, and she finally felt safe again. Safe enough that she fell to sleep, again exhausted from her own fear.

She was startled to wake up to the dark. She hated the dark. She grabbed whatever was closest for comfort.

"Whoa, nice to see you awake." Zinkata cried. Vivli realised she had just grabbed him.

"What's wrong?" She asked as she figured out it had been Zinkata who woke her up.

"It's late. The others aren't back yet." Zinkata stated.

"It past Bootus's bedtime?" She joked with a yawn. Ironically, it was Vivli the Light Warriors had actually given a bedtime, just because she complained about being tired all the time otherwise.

"Something might have happened to them." Zinkata explained.

"You mean this is my chance to save them?" She smiled. "Bootus will never live it down!"
"Viv, I'm sorry to make you do this, but I'm gonna need you on this one. If Bootus and Voldos lost a fight, then Sigmund must be powerful. I need backup. And I can hardly leave you here on your own." Zinkata explained.

"I'll go with you." Vivli said, rubbing her eyes and yawning again. "Any idea where we're going?"

"Not yet." Zinkata confessed. "But we'll find them. Come on." Vivli got up and stretched.

"I can't believe I'm going on an adventure in a dress." She groaned in a hope that Zinkata would pick up his previous compliment.

"At least you adventure looking pretty." Which he did, much to her delight. She smiled, but decided she'd need to change. Knowing she couldn't in front of Zinkata, and she couldn't stand being alone, she instead reached into her own cupboard, and pulled out an old belt. She tied it around her waist, and clipped one of her old paddles onto it (she lost many, so had plenty of spares). She then kicked off the high heeled shoes she had been wearing for the formal party, and slipped into more practical brown shoes she had in her room.

"Wow. These are a little small for me now." She observed. "I must have grown!" She cried cheerfully. Zinkata looked down on her.

"You really haven't." He laughed. Vivli sighed.

"Well, I suppose these are really old." She said, wriggling her toes in her shoes. "Now come on, we have a couple of damsels in distress to rescue!"

"I'll tell Bootus you called him that." Zinkata laughed as they left.

"Feel free. I want Bootus to hear every insult I have against him!" Vivli pointed out, and the two walked out into Windurst, Vivli clinging to Zinkata again. Zinkata was surprised that he had gotten so used to this it no longer felt odd.

The two headed towards the magic shop; their first stop in the investigation to find Bootus, Illuga and Voldos, and save them from the clutches of Sigmund. They had no idea just how powerful the dark wizard had become.