PART IX

"The magic shop should be just over there." Vivli said. "That's where we should check first."

"Urm, I don't mean to question your navigational skills Viv, but it's not there." Zinkata told her. Vivli looked over.

"It's supposed to be!" She cried, staring at the big empty space where the magic shop should be. "I swear it is!" The two walked over to investigate, finding the twisted remains of foundations.

"It looks like somebody ripped it right up from the ground." Zinkata observed.

"I think somebody did." Vivli said in awe as she focused on something floating in the air.

The small magic shop was floating high above the ground just outside of Windurst. To make it all the more visible, a yellow bolt of energy was being drawn from the ground to the shop, seemingly powering its flight.

"How did we miss that?" Zinkata asked rhetorically.

"We need to get up there!" Vivli announced. "But how?" Zinkata smiled. "Oh no." She groaned. "Not airship again!"

Within the small magic shop Sigmund stood proudly holding the golden staff up high, with the yellow energy bursting out and holding Voldos, Bootus and Illuga in bonds of energy in the corners of the shop.

"It draws from the very spirit of Vana'diel itself." Sigmund explained gleefully just to tortue his victims. "You are not fighting a simple bond spell. You are fighting the combined power of land itself!" He paused. "That's why whenever it is in use the bolt of energy comes from the ground, and is channelled through the jewel."

"What are you planning Sigmund?" Spat Voldos.

"Ah yes." Laughed Sigmund. "The traditional moment where the captor tells the captive his plan." He laughed again. "It's not going to happen I'm afraid. Do you think I'm stupid?"

"Yes?" Voldos volunteered in answer. The bonds suddenly constricted and he cried in agony.

"Fool!" Spat Sigmund. "Don't make me destroy you now!"

"Urm, I don't like to bring it up." Bootus began sarcastically. "But why haven't you destroyed us yet?"

"You get awfully cocky for somebody facing certain death." Sigmund decided.

"Thank you. We do try." Bootus smiled. The bonds constricted for him as well and he grunted in pain.

"You are alive merely because I want to destroy you all at once." Sigmund answered. "The Light Warriors. Champions of Vana'diel reduced to this. It's pathetic." Sigmund let out a long and manic laugh. "Once you are gone none can oppose me!"

Sigmund's moment of triumphant announcement was ruined as a cannon ball ripped through the side of the shop, almost hitting him. He roared in fury, unleashing yellow electricity from his staff and sending it at his target.

The Raven II took the hit to the side and lurched. Vivli fell away from Zinkata and threw up, already feeling ill from the shaking of the airship.

"Viv, now is not a good time to be airsick!" Zinkata announced.

"I didn't choose to be!" She protested. "How are we going to get over there?" She added, mopping sick away from her mouth with a disgusted expression on her face.

"Cid! Take us closer!" Zinkata ordered. The Raven II lurched towards the spinning floating shop, causing Vivli to fall over.

"What are we doing?" She asked, scrambling back to Zinkata's arms out of fear.

"We're jumping." Zinkata smiled.

"WHAT?" Vivli screamed. "You can't be serious!" Zinkata grabbed Vivli, and pulled her along. She was totally powerless to stop him. He ran and jumped at the hole. Vivli screamed in terror.

The two landed inside the shop with a stumble. Vivli fell onto the floor, gasping in horror.

"Hello there." Zinkata smiled sarcastically.

"Nice jump." Boouts remarked.

"Thank you." Zinkata replied.

"Ah, yes, the foolish warrior and little girl. I'm glad you could make it." Sigmund sneered, before blasting Zinkata. The hume tried to dive aside, but was caught in the yellow energy and thrown to the roof, pinned against it. The walls began to crack, and Sigmund blasted his four captives out into the air, holding them in a group over the gigantic drop back to land. He laughed at Vivli. She was shaking. "Aw, is the little girl all alone?" He asked. "I hear you aren't very good on your own. You get anxious." Tears were streaming down her face. She dropped down to her knees, shaking in fear. "The power of the land tells me many things." He explained. "So I know exactly how your feeling. I know you can't face me. You're too scared." Slowly, the binds around the others began to tighten, and they began to scream in agony. "And now your friends will suffer because your too weak to do anything about it, little girl."

Vivli sobbed as she heard the screams. She looked up.

"The white mage code says I have to help those in danger." She wept, standing. "I can't let you get away with this."

"Aw, so the little girl has some courage after all. What a shame it's wasted." Sigmund laughed, and fired the yellow energy at her. Vivli screamed in terror.

"SHELL!" She yelled instinctively, and the magic was reflected by the powerful green force field now surrounding Vivli. The bolt rocketed into the roof and shattered it. Vivli screamed, dodging the falling pieces of rubble.

"She does a lot of screaming for a Light Warrior." Illuga observed.

"She isn't exactly the heroic type." Bootus explained.

"Oh." Illuga answered. The four floating in the bonds, watching as the roof of the flying magic shop collapsed. "Does anybody feel that situations like these should be odd to us?" Illuga asked.

"Hey, we've been through a lot." Voldos explained. "This is just slightly strange."

"Watch it," Zinkata warned, "You're starting to sound like Crazy Steve." Voldos's face filled with horror.

"Is what I think happening actually happening?" Bootus asked.

"What do you think is happening?" Zinkata shot back.
"Vivli is locked in an epic battle with the villain." He stated.

"Yeah, that's a bit unusual." Zinkata admitted.

"And she's the one we have to depend on to save us all?" Illuga asked in shock. "We're doomed!"

Sigmund sent a bolt into the roof, shattering it completely. He held each bit in the yellow energy, and one by one flung them at Vivli. She dodged, still in absolute terror. Eventually one smashed a hole in the floor by Vivli, and she fell. She grabbed the edge, and struggled feebly. She was nowhere near strong enough to pull herself back up. It took all of her strength just to hold on and not fall. Sigmund placed one foot over one of her hands.

"You see, I could have just dropped the entire roof on you." He stated. "But this is far more fun." He put pressure on her hand, and she let go. There was no way she could herself with just one arm, and fell. Sigmund laughed triumphantly.

"VIVLI!" Zinkata bellowed. The others watched stunned. Sigmund turned around laughing.

"Now to kill all of you." He stated. The four victims had changed their facial expressions however. They were smiling. "And just what is so amusing?"

"THIS!" Came a triumphant female voice.

Vivli was stood proudly on the deck of the Raven II.

"Oh, so you're still alive?" Sigmund smirked. "I'll just to make sure you die this time."

"I don't think so." Vivli smirked. "HOLY!" She yelled, letting the magical energy flow out of her. Sigmund was caught off guard, and the entire floor to the magic shop blew apart, causing him to fall. The magic shop itself crumbled and Sigmund plummeted with the rubble. The Light Warriors fell also as the yellow energy field crackled and disappeared. Luckily for them, just before Vivli had cast the spell the Raven II had manoeuvred to be directly underneath them by a couple of feet (hence their smiles) and they landed on the deck with ease. They ran to the edge to look below as the rubble slammed into the ground, along with Sigmund. Stunned adventurers watched, not knowing what to think, which was logical considering a shop had just fallen out of the sky. It suddenly came to Zinkata's attention that Vivli was clinging onto the railing at the side of the airship.

"You okay?" He quickly asked.

"Just a rough landing." She whimpered. He could see she was trying to take the weight off one leg. "It was quite a drop to the Raven."

"Can you heal it?" Zinkata asked. Vivli shook her head.

"I think it's broken." She managed a smile. "My healing spells will speed up recovery, as long as I cast them before the wound sets in too badly. It'll be fine by tomorrow."

"I'll never understand white magic." Zinkata grumbled.

The five soon stood around Sigmund's dead body. Vivli was leaning on Zinkata for support. Illuga bent down and picked up the staff.
"I suppose that's over." He said with a shrug.

"We've saved the world again!" Voldos announced proudly.

"We should probably take this staff to the High Priestess." Vivli suggested. "I'll run it over there."

"You're okay to go alone?" Zinkata asked, surprised.

"I think I'm going to be fine." Vivli smiled. "If I can take care of Sigmund alone, I can handle anything. Vivli took the staff, and took a step. "OW!" She screamed, falling to the floor.

"Heh. Don't think you're going to get rid of me that easily Viv." Zinkata laughed, helping Vivli back up, and helping her support herself. At first he had attempted to let her put her arm around his shoulder for support, but that meant that when he stood up she was left on tip toes. Instead, he supported her by having his arm around her and holding her up. Vivli, to herself, once the adrenaline had worn off, was absolutely thrilled. Even though she was feeling better (at least mentally), Zinkata stuck with her. She began to play with the optimistic thoughts in her mind that Zinkata liked her more than as a friend.

The High Priestess rushed to Vivli's side as soon as she saw the two enter.

"What happened?" She cried. "I just heard that the magic shop fell out of the sky!"

"Urm, yeah. It kinda did." Zinkata answered.

"Is she alright?" The Priestess asked, motioning to Vivli.

"I broke my leg." Vivli answered painfully. The Priestess quickly cast something, and a warm white light reconstructed the bone within. Vivli's jaw dropped.

"Just when I thought I was getting to be a powerful white mage." She groaned, in awe at the Priestess's ability.

"One staff." Zinkata said, handing it over. The Priestess took it, and observed it carefully.

"Interesting." She muttered. "I have a theory on what this is, but I don't want to say it until I'm positive."

"That bad, huh?" Zinkata grumbled.

"I'll tell you as soon as I'm certain." The priestess said. "In the meantime, I suggest you get some rest. It looks like you had a tiring day." Vivli wriggled her leg, trying to get used to it moving again.

"So what, do you just want us to hang around?" Zinkata asked.

"Why not?" The Priestess laughed. "The Adventurer's Appreciation Festival begins tomorrow, perhaps you could have some fun there. Tests for every skill, good hearted competitions, the kind of thing you should like."

"A festival?" Vivli exclaimed. "That sounds like great fun!"

"Yeah, maybe you'll win a cuddly toy." Came the mocking voice of Bootus.

"What are you doing here?" Vivli asked, spinning around.

"We got bored." Voldos said with a shrug. All five of the adventurers had clearly gathered in the room.

"What's the news on the staff?" Illuga asked.

"Nothing. The High Priestess is going to investigate it for us." Zinkata answered.

"So what do we do in the meantime?" Illuga asked the obvious question.
"Tomorrow is a big festival designed for adventurers." Zinkata told him. "We can have some fun!"

"And for tonight?" Illuga asked. The four looked at each other. Clearly he didn't know how they did things.

"We head for the tavern." They answered together.

Vivli was wriggling her leg around, perched up on a barstool. She was staring across the room with glistening eyes at Zinkata. She hadn't noticed she was staring of course, but luckily for her, neither had he.

"I don't believe it." Vivli heard a deep female voice announce. "Zinkata? It can't be!" She had an instinctively bad feeling as soon as she heard another girl say his name. She looked around quickly to see a woman walking up to him, dressed in heavy armour. She was about the same height as Zinkata, and so instantly taller than Vivli.

"Urm. Do I know you?" Zinkata asked cautiously to the hume woman stood before him. She folded her arms with a look of mock offence. "Wait a minute. No way! It can't be!"

"Small world, huh, Zin?" She asked with a smirk.

"No kidding." Zinkata said, stalling for time as he struggled to remember her name. "Lucia!" He finally announced. Lucia smiled. Vivli couldn't take anymore and ran over to join the conversation.

"Who's this, Zin?" Vivli asked.

"Her name's Lucia. An old friend." Zinkata smiled.
"Old friend?" Lucia laughed. "I met him when he was young. Bastard tried to rob me." Vivli laughed.

"Sounds like Zinkata." She smirked. "He robbed me."

"Hey, I said he tried." Lucia smirked.

"Yeah, she foiled me by tripping over just as I was going to grab her satchel." Zinkata said in a deadpan expression. Vivli laughed.

"That's not true!" Lucia protested. "I outwitted you and you know it!"

"Yeah, by tripping over." Zinkata grinned.

"So why are you two friends?" Vivli asked, praying not to hear the word 'girlfriend' crop up.

"He was a thief. Didn't have many friends. I was a warrior at the time, didn't really have any backup. We trained together for a bit." Lucia explained. Vivli let out a sigh of relief in her own brain.

"Warrior back then?" Zinkata pondered this. "So you're not anymore?"

"No, I've been trained a dark knight." Lucia answered, proudly pointing to the scythe on her back.

"Should speak to Bootus. He was interested in that." Zinkata laughed.

"Bootus?" She repeated. "Oh yes, I forgot you were a hero of Vana'diel now."

"Not the kinda thing you'd think she'd forget." Vivli said to Zinkata.

"And who might you be?" She asked to Vivli. "Don't tell me Zinkata's got himself a girlfriend." Vivli laughed, blushing slightly.

"Urm no, I'm not his girlfriend!" She said in response, no matter how much she wished it was true.

"Of course you're not." Lucia laughed. "Zinkata was always into strong girls, not little weaklings." Vivli put her hands on her hips, offended. Zinkata felt like he was in a very awkward position.

"HEY! I'll have you know I'm a powerful mage!" She cried. Lucia pushed the mithra and Vivli fell over. "Ow!" Lucia laughed.

"I'm sure your magic comes in handy." Lucia mocked as Vivli got back up, dusting herself off. "So, do you have a name?"

"Vivli." The little mithra answered, clearly hurt.

"Vivli? As in the Light Warrior?" Lucia paused for a moment. "You helped save the world from Chaos?" She burst into hysterical laughter. "The world can't have been in much danger!"

"To be fair, Lucia, she did do quite a bit." Zinkata said, defending Vivli.

"Heard you landed the final blow, Zinkata." Lucia changed the subject, grinning.

"I did the second time." Zinkata explained. "The first time it was Voldos." He paused. "The elvaan over there." He added, pointing to Voldos who was over by the bar, attempting to chat up an attractive young girl.

"I am not a weakling!" Vivli suddenly cried, never having been one to let arguments die. Lucia laughed, looking down on the little mithra.

"You know, you could always prove it." Lucia taunted. "Tomorrow is the festival. Sparring is part of that." She smiled evilly. "Up for a fight." Vivli backed away.
"No fair!" She cried. Lucia knew fully well Vivli wouldn't stand a chance.

"I guess you guys are here for the festival as well, then?" Lucia asked.

"Actually, we were here to save the world, but that's been done." Zinkata laughed sarcastically. "Might enter a few contests."

"We can see if you've improved with your dagger." Lucia suggested.

"I'm a swordsman now." Zinkata smirked.

"Just a warrior?" Lucia asked. Zinkata nodded. "You don't know what your missing."

"I think he makes a fine warrior!" Vivli cried out.

"Aw, Zin, I think somebody has a crush on you." Lucia taunted. Vivli suddenly went very red, and wondered away, sitting back at the bar, humiliated. Zinkata luckily took it as a joke. He was surprisingly oblivious.

Vivli slumped down, incredibly upset. Zinkata always liked stronger girls? Vivli pondered. How am I supposed to compete with her. She looked at her own arms, skinny and devoid of muscle, with disgust. I'm useless. She slouched on the bar, feeling very upset. She fought off crying, just because she didn't want people asking what was wrong.

Luckily for her, another depressed face in a bar of drunks was completely overlooked.

Author's Note: Importantly, so I don't forget this time, Lucia also belongs to Thefrogkiller, another character he sent me to help me out. Thanks!

In other news, if this chapter seems a bit crappy, I apologise, but Microsoft Works, because it loves me so, decided to close itself when I was writing. No, not crash. Close itself. Just casually closed the program. I didn't click on anything, and it didn't, ya know, ask me if I wanted to save or anything. It just shut. This meant I had to rewrite the chapter. So, I'm angry at Microsoft. I managed to get it finished though, but I apologise if in some bits it feels a bit poorly written. I was rewriting the old chapter so didn't have the same enthusiasm. I'm sorry about that.