"...these Chocobo prices are high..." muttered Cat as she rode behind.
They had just entered Passhow Marshes from Konschtat Highlands, riding on Chocobos. Passing many monsters. From Quadavs to Malboros and Goobbues.
The reach on the enterance of Beadeaux, the Chocobos became wild with fear, ditching their riders and rode off.
"...that was sure odd." Alexei stated, fixing up his shoulder guard of his armor.
The rest of the group nodded, Tilik had whistled for his Wyvern, Ember.
"Cat, Alexei, you guys wait here, we'll go get the Quadavs with those two items." Trobian stated as he, Tilik and the white mage ran off farther into Beadeaux.
Alexei and Catpaw wandered around, poking at the water and soft ground. The occassional Pugil and Quadav would attack them, taking it down no problem. Then a few minutes later, the trio came back with the two Quadavs with the needed items along with many other Quadavs... Trobian focused on the other Quadavs that tagged along. The White Mage Mithra healed and fought. Both Go'Bhu Gascon and De'Vyu Headhunter fell. Aquiring enough Quadav Augury Shells and Quadav Charms for both Alexei and Catpaw.
"I guess its time for both Catpaw Alexei to head back to Jueno." the white mage suggested.
"We'll stay here. Killing some monsters." Trobian grinned as he ran off, drawing his sword.
Tilik sighed and lead the way out of Beadeaux followed by Catpaw and Alexei.
After several minutes of running through the marshlands, they ended out in Rolanberry Fields. Catpaw stretched at the warmth of the sun and the green scenery.
"Finally! Out of that murky place!" she smiled.
"We'll be heading back there soon again."
"Awwww..."
"...Yuck... I got swamp water in my boots!" Alexei groaned as he let out the water in his boots, hopping on one foot.
Tilik lead the way, sticking to the main path for many adventurers. They passed Quadavs that occupied the area. Cat pointed out at the Berry Grubs that tended the berry fields.
"Ooo! Crawlers!"
"They're not really powerful unlike that thing over there." Tilik explained and pointed at a Goobbue Farmer.
Many minutes later they approached Lower Jueno, Tilik told them that he'll be waiting at the Chocobo Stables. Both Catpaw Alexei took off to the Neptune's Spire Inn...
"I'll beat you!"
"Not fair, Cat! You have Flee!"
Cat laughed as she triggered her thief ability Flee and ran past many adventurers. She skidded to a stop when she entered the Tenshodo. She looked around for a Taru that she meet before. Then she spotted him.
"I got your items!" she announced and handed them to the small one.
"Thank you so very much. Here is your items in return of mine."
A few minutes later after Alexei and her met up with Tilik and rode Chocobos back to Beadeaux.
"About time you got back," Trobian greeted as he finished off a Quadav.
"Sorry for taking so long!"
"Cat was pointing out at things along the way," Alexei smirked.
Cat made a face at Alexei then turned back to the rest of the group, "Let's go get the Magicite!"
After following the two Elvaan, they approached the first door. They all entered. Someone, cloaked watched as they entered, all was seen was a grin then he disappeared.
The second blockade wasn't that bad, they entered into the room of the Magicite.
"Wow... its green."
"No monsters again..."
"Let's get this over with..."
"Cat, I hope you don't faint again..."
"I'll be waiting here with a Teleport-Mea ready, you all have crystals right?"
"Yes."
Catpaw approached the Green Magicite, it glowed peacefully. Placing her hand on it, it felt like before, warm and hard... Alexei glanced at Cat and nodded.
A voice was heard in her mind. "Catpaw..."
"Huh?"
"I didn't say anything, Cat." Alexei looked at her, confused.
"Catpaw... Do you wish to see events of the past?"
"...you mean like before?" she whispered.
"...Cat?" Alexei turned to her, starting to worry.
She suddenly started to feel weak... she fell to her knees... her hand never leaving the Magicite's surface... Which alarmed Alexei.
"Cat!"
The rest of the group turned, noticing that Cat had fallen.
Cries of her friends voices began to become faint. As she slipped into unconciousness, again...
"Those 'explosives' - pretty amazing, aren't they?" a Hume male spoke to another.
"Indeed. Without them, we would not have been able to dig that mine. Now, finally, we can compete with San D'Oria for power."
"...where am I?" Catpaw questioned as she got up. "Why am I in Bastok!"
"Heh, Quadav aren't good enough to live in there! One blast should take care of them... " said the first Hume as they continued walking down Bastok Markets.
"...the beginning of Zeruhn Mines? Or Palborough Mines?"
Two Galkas walked through the gate from South Gustaberg, a young one and older one.
"What is the matter, Babenn?" the young Galka asked.
The Galka, Babenn answered, "Lord Raogrimm... We've found the Quadav temple in the mines, as you suspected. I-I could not stop them."
"Raogrimm... where have I heard that name before?" Catpaw thought as she scratched her head.
"That is unfortunate... As always, they don't even try to understand." Young Raogrimm stated and walked away.
Laughter of young children ran past the older Galka as they played.
A flash of blinding whiteness opened and then closed. She was in a different area...
"What the...?"
"Hah. Nothing. With all the Quadav guarding the place, you think we'd find a treasure or two!" Ulrich laughed. "C'mon, let's move! Let's just finished this job and go."
"...Is that... Cornelia?"
"Ulrich, wait!" A female Hume by the name of Cornelia outstretched her hand.
"As I thought... they were trying to protect their eggs... But they don't even try to understand..." Raogrimm muttered to himself.
Another flash errupted and blinded. Then finally settled.
"...oh no." Cat muttered. "Not here again..."
She had returned to Xarcabard, along with two Humes and a Galka...
"Is that all you've got, Raogrimm!" Ulrich shouted at Raogrimm.
"Ulrich, why!" the Galka shouted at the Hume, he had not drawn his weapon.
The Hume spitted at the question and drew his sword, "Why? Because I never liked you, that's why!"
"You will never get away with this, Ulrich!"
"Watch me!" he shouted.
As Ulrich went to go stab Raogrimm, Cornelia jumped in the way, taking the blow, "Cornelia!" the Galka cried out in surprise.
"No!" Cat cried and ran through the thick snow, tripping and falling.
Ulrich had backed up, dropping his sword, "Wh-what have I done!"
He ran away from the two. Raogrimm picked up Cornelia, slowly hugging her.
"Why!"
"I... couldn't let you die here, Raogrimm... There are people who need you..."
"Cornelia! No... NOOOO!" Raogrimm cried as he grasped her tighter...
"...this shouldn't have happened..." Cat muttered with the last of her strength and then passed out...
The blizzard picked up and blinded all...
Children's laughter was heard in her mind... meadows of grass and flowers layed anew... The sky was clear.
"Am I dreaming...?" she asked herself as she sat up.
"Oh, Cat, you've woken up." Greeted a Hume Male as he offered his hand to help her up.
Accepting it, now standing on her feet.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"Not far from San D'Oria..."
"...but... I was in Beadeaux... with the magicite... and I think I had passed out..."
The male Hume hugged her, "Maybe you were dreaming..."
"...no..." she broke the hug, "I was with Alexei, Tilik, Trobian and a white mage..."
She stared into the eyes of her friend, "Will there ever be a time like this...? Just the two of us...?"
The Hume shifted his head, avoiding her eyes. "...there would never be..."
Confused by her friend's statement the sky turned dark and wind picked up, she turned to see what was going on.
"...Wilhelmcaster...? Wil? Do you know what's..." she turned back. "...Wil?"
He had vanished.
"What is that...?" she squinted to see what was coming towards her.
Suddenly she realized... Monsters!
Frozen in terror, she tried to run but could not. Many images flashed in her head... Frightening images... She fell to her knees...
"Mother... father..."
Her scream echoed through the area... and back into reality.
"Cat! You're okay!" Alexei welcomed.
Tilik hugged her, comforting her startling scream, "Its ok..."
The white mage blinked, slightly stunned by Cat's scream.
Trobian turned from his spot on the wall, commanding. "Its time to go to the final place."
The White mage charged up Teleport Mea and they all warped.