Chapter Two: The Meet

Well, I've had reviews from two people so far, which is good. I went back through with chapter 1 and 2, and fixed some of my mistakes, and I'm going to try and get working on this story! Here's chapter 2!

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Kazaka rested his long sword against the bunk of his bed, followed by Cala doing the same, and Zinthol resting his iron gauntlets on the floor underneath. Kazaka's first instinct was simply to allow his body to collapse onto the bed itself, and sleep for as long as allowed. But he knew it wouldn't last, for he was meant to meet at the city's council building, along with most of the alliance of Altana's forces. They are meant to be given information upon the current position of the beastmen's large forces, which were headed towards this specific city to wipe it from the face of Vana'diel in its wake.

Cala stretched her arms high over her head and yawned, staggering to her side a bit. "I'm tellin' ya, I could sleep for a week, if not for them beastmen…" She sighed, shaking her head, as her voice became a bit more serious. "…You guys think we're gonna make it through this?"

Kazaka merely rubbed the back of his head, and looked towards the ground, as if searching the answers through the work of the wooden planked floors. "I don't know…I really don't…"

Zinthol looked out the door, trying to keep off the subject of their inevitable battle. "Perhaps we should leave now, and find word of the beastmen's where-about?"

Without waiting for a response from the other two, he stepped outside of their room, and into the halls of the inn they were currently assigned to.

After arriving in the federation of Windurst, the soldiers had been assigned different area's to be stationed at, and the three just so happened to be put here, in this small inn.

Cala perked her head up and nodded, a convincing smile over her lips. "Yeah, let's go find out when we get to kill those blasted things!" She rushed out quickly, leaving Kazaka by himself.

Kazaka took a moment, looking over the room. He couldn't help but wonder to himself, 'Is this really it…is this where our journey ends? Losing our lives at the hands of trolls and orcs?' He sighed, shaking his head as he turned from the room and walked out.

The three wandered out of the main quarters of the inn, which wasn't anything special. It only had a service desk, and a few tables and chairs. As they wandered out, many other warriors seemed to be walking around, whether it be sharpening their weapons, increasing their number of arrows, or visiting with friends, there were many of them out there.

Cala sighed, looking around curiously. "So…either of you know where this…council…hall…thing is?" She scratched the back of her head and sighed. The Mithra was confused more than she'd thought she would be here.

Kazaka simply created a blank look, shrugging his shoulders. "Eh…this is my first time here…no idea. How 'bout you Zinthol?"

The Galka pointed towards their right, in the direction which most of the warriors of Altana seemed to be headed. "Well, many are going there. Perhaps they too are headed towards our same destination." He began a slow paced walk towards the direction he had pointed.

Kazaka grinned, as he glanced towards Cala. "Not much for opinions, is he?" He rubbed the back of his head and followed after him. Cala smiled grimly, following after the two.

The city was littered with much garbage, they noticed. It had an odd smell to it as well. There were many people here who merely lived, and had been inconveniently placed in the middle of this fight. Large quantities of the people wore rags over their body in an attempt to keep warm, or to keep covered. Many of them were obviously scared, hidden back in alleys, perhaps thinking they were safer from the beastmen back in the shadows. But deep down, they all knew, that they wouldn't make it by the end of the next few days. However, children still wandered the streets, playing games, or mimicking a soldier of the Altana, pretending to be a fighter, or an archer. They all seemed so oblivious to their desperate situation.

As they reached their destination, easily knowing they were there by the number of soldiers gathered around the significantly large building, they took a spot near the back, looking up upon the building in front. It was actually much larger than the others, and more well taken care of. Unlike the rest, this one was in good condition, and was made of a strong stone, rather than wooden planks like most.

Cala frowned, tapping her foot impatiently as she crossed her hands over her chest. "Aren't they ever gonna get on with this thing? I can't stand get-togethers like these." She looked up at Zinthol, who appeared to take no notice to her comment. "I'm tellin' ya, it's things like these that really-"

Cala was interrupted abruptly, as a tall, Mithra soldier walked out upon the ledge which over looked the warriors outside of it. "Warriors if Windurst, of Bastok, of San D'oria! A great plague infects our lands, causing chaos and corruption among us! This is a menace, which must be stopped in its tracks!"

Kazaka sighed, crossing his arms over his chest, as he whispered silently to his companions. "Great…another one of these long lectures about how we need to 'band together'…"

As Kazaka quieted down, her voice overtook their attention yet again. "In this struggle, we have allied to form the Allied forces of Altana, as you all know. Now here we stand, to make our last attempt at life, to grasp success, and bring peace to our lands!"

A few cheers arose from the crowd of soldiers. Humes, Galkas, Mithra, Tarutaru, and Elvaan; All cheered for their speaker.

"But now, whether we die here, or live to fight another day, we shall let it be a magnificent day, when we fight for our survival of Vana'diel." The Mithra looked out upon the still cheering warriors, as she bowed her head. "Now to tell us of the beastmen, is Lookia Token, a fine general of our alliance."

As the Mithra turned and walked out from view, a Hume stepped forth to take her place. She was dressed similarly to the soldiers standing before her, however, her armor was much finer, and polished. "Warriors of Vana'diel…As you all know, the beastmen are approaching this city and we've come to fight for our survival in these lands. But now, I have disturbing news…" A hush seemed to settle among the ranks, waiting impatiently for the news. "The beastmen are on a speedy trail to the city, and may even be here in a matter of hours. Now, I wish for every one of you, to prepare for the battle ahead, and spend what may be the last of your hours on this world doing what you wish…" She bowed her head, and turning away, leaving the soldiers shocked, stunned in place.

How did you respond to something like that? How did you just leave, knowing that your life could very well be over by the end of the day, and that you could be in the realm of the undead?

Zinthol turned away from the building and looked towards his friends and allies. Hundreds of murmurs and scattered chats began arising from the troops. "I suppose we should return to the inn…let us go." Without another word, he left the two there.

The Mithra sighed, closing her eyes as she slumped her head. "Kazaka…let's get goin'…if we do die here…if we do die and go to a living hell…Let's go out fighting our best…alright?"

Kazaka's grim stare looked up from the ground, looking at Cala. Her eyes were filled with fear, knowing that she may die. But something else was there too…not just fear. There was determination. She was ready to fight her life out. Kazaka nodded, and grinned as he clenched his fist. "Alright. You got it! We're gonna take 'em out!" He dashed off after Zinthol, as Cala slowly walked after them.

Cala looked around at the city, going over their history in her head; her life. To think that it could all end here? That her, and all her friends would die in this single place. A place of misery and disgust.

As Kazaka entered the room of their inn, the Galka Zinthol was sitting on the ground, against the wall. His iron gauntlets were fastened onto his fists. Cala hadn't arrived yet, although he knew she was close behind. "Hey, Zin, wanna go get something to eat? If we're gonna die here, let's at least die on a full stomach." He grinned gesturing outside the door.

Zinthol nodded, pushing him self up with the use of the wall. "Perhaps…we shall feast our last, and then clash steel with the orcs and trolls."

Cala at last wandered into the room, her head slumped a bit. She seemed so out of it after realizing her fate. She sat down on the bunk without a word, and sighed, grasping her sword and sheathe in both hands.

Kazaka sighed, and sat down beside her. "Hey, Cala, we're gonna go get something to eat… You wanna come with us? We figured that if we're going to die here, let's not die hungry."

Cala grinned, nodding in response, although she didn't look up at him. "Alright…let's get going…I want to be ready for those damned creatures when they come…" She stood up and walked out the door yet again, carrying her sword at her side.

Kazaka grasped the sheathe of his sword, clasping his hand over the hilt of his weapon and drawing it out. It seemed to glimmer in the light, the blade extending quite a long length. "I guess this is it…" He sheathed his weapon, and stepped outside, as Zinthol followed him out.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Well, there's chapter two of my story. Looks like Kazaka, Cala, and Zinthol may be nearing the end. There'll probably only be a few more chapters, depending on the number of reviews I get. PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! (It gets me motivated). Well, peace out!

Wrrohm