Chronicle Five: Lurking Trouble
After climbing the many stairs that covered the great city, with her friend Alexei, upon returning to the great, white palace of Ru'Lude Gardens; Kam'lanaut, Archduke of Jeuno, welcomed her. Placing down the glowing pieces of Magicite infront of the duke, she stood back to hear his complements about her mission.
"Magicite! Yes, these stones emit the same power as crystals. Though impure, that power is great indeed. Now it is clear why the beastmen gathered where they did. They were drawn to the magicite's great power! Yes it is time to eradicate the beastmen threat once and for all." announced the Duke.
Catpaw nodded, slightly confused but understanding the situation... Kam'lanaut continued.
"I thank you for your service. Here is an airship pass. With it, you may travel to any nation you please."
The cloaked person, Mawl'gofaur approached Catpaw and handed her the airship pass, saying, "The three stones are incomplete, but with the powers of the fourth stone that rests deep beneath Castle Zvahl... Perhaps then the Shadowlord will rise again."
Another cloaked person, Kareh'ayollio approached Cat speaking to her, "Of course the talisman that seals Zvahl's inner depths was put in place over twenty years ago. It would stop any attempt. I've also read that the three keys to open the seal were kept safetly by the three great nations."
"...What are you implying?" she questioned, confused by what the duo told her.
A Galka in Paladin armor suddenly burst through the doors, shouting, "Your Grace!"
Catpaw turned to the Galka as Kam'lanaut brought himself foreward on the throne. "What is it?"
"Dire news, Your Grace! The leaders of all three nations have been attacked!"
Catpaw jumped back in surprisement and shock. The duke retained his composure and returned questioning, "Attacked... by beastmen?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
Kam'lanaut sat back in his throne, his hand gripping the arm rest tightly, "Confound them! They're one step ahead of us. So, they seek to resurrect the Shadowlord... Quite a lofty goal for beastmen."
Cat remained silent, trying to find an answer to this chaos. Would the world be swallowed in pain and misery with darkness once again? Her thoughts were stirred away from her as a voice brought to her attention.
"So be it, then." The Duke turned his head to Catpaw. "Perhaps, you should return to your embassy. I will call for your aid again, soon. Until then, be well."
One of the cloaked men approached her with a letter, "Here, this may inform you about your nation."
After taking the letter, bowing to the Archduke and passsing through the great doors, Eald'narche ran up to her. "Hey, what's going on?"
Cat started to speak but Eald'narche cut her off, "Oh, you don't have to tell me."
He closed his eyes for a brief moment then opened them, "Oh, so you went to Castle Oztroja and met a girl named Verena there. And she gets along with the beastmen. Wow, so maybe we can get along."
Eald'narche turned away from the doors and Cat, and began shouting, "Hey Wolfgang! Wolfie, you here?"
Catpaw couldn't help herself but to snicker at Wolfgang's nickname as a Hume, the Captian of the Jeuno's guards came bounding up the stairs, his armor making noise.
"What would you ask of me, Lord Eald'narche?"
"Could you find someone named Verena and bring her here? I heard she is Aldo's little sister."
Wolfgang bowed, "Of course, my lord. But may I ask why? She seems of... questionable intentions."
"I think she has some nifty powers, so I just want to play with her. That's all. Oh, and don't tell this to Kam'lanaut. I want to surprise him."
Wolfgang bowed again, "As you wish, my lord."
Eald'narche smiled with glee, "Heh, I can't wait!"
Catpaw, now creeped out by Eald'narche; started backing down the stairs and down into the main hall. Continuing walking backwards she does not notice that her friend, Alexei whom is sitting down on the lower steps is there. She ends up tripping over him.
"Gah!"
"Ah! Cat! You okay!" Alexei cried in surprised and stood up, rushing to his friend's aid.
"Ooooowww..." she cried, the letter that was in her hand off to the side.
After helping the Mithra up onto her feet, the Paladin pointed over at the letter, "What's that for?"
"A letter about Bastok, I didn't get to read it yet."
"Hm... I got one also but it was just saying stuff about Sarutabaruta and the towers..."
Catpaw decided to open the letter, after quickly glancing over it, she became alarmed and then started running in the direction of the Port.
Alexei, surprised by Cat's sudden action, bounded after, shouting, "Cat! Where are you going?"
"To Bastok! I have to get there! NOW!"
Practually jumping every single step down the Jeuno staircase to the Port and passing adventurers on the way.
"Huh"
"HEY"
"Eeek!"
On reaching the airship departure section of Bastok, flashing her airship pass and handing two hundred gil to the airship guard and let through the doors, Cat slowed her pace. Alexei finally caught up with her, breathing heavy. They waited for the airship to come, discussing the reasons for this sudden trip. A few minutes later, the air wonder of the sky arrived.
"Wow..." both of them spoke at the same time, amazed by the beauty of this wooden structure.
Landing in a sea of water, it was safe for the adventurers to board. Cat wandered around the place, astounded by the artwork that was engraved into the wood. She even checked the map that sat in the back of the room. An hour later, the airship started up its engines and started to move. The sudden jolt made Catpaw collide into another passenger.
"Ah! I'm so sorry!" apologized Cat as she picked herself up from her fall.
"Its alright, miss." the Elvaan male replied as he got up and picked up his hat, tipped it, then climbed up the stairs to the top of the machine.
Excited and curious, Catpaw bounded up the steps, closely followed by Alexei. She ran to a rail that surrounded the outside, looking at the scenery. There was a brief wind that grazed the hair back.
"Wow! The ground from up here is so neat! Everyone looks like ants!"
"Hey Cat, you shouldn't be leaning that far out!" cried Alexei as he ran up behind her, "You could fall off of the ship."
"Nah... It wouldn't happen!" she grinned.
"...Just to make sure." Alexei grumbled as he grabbed Cat's belt.
"We will be arriving in Bastok, soon." announced the airship conductor.
Several minutes later, the airship began to dock. The rough landing into the water caught both Alexei and Catpaw off-guard, causing Cat to slam into Alexei whom fell onto the airship floor.
"Welcome to Bastok, please enjoy your stay." the airship conductor announced. Many adventurers drifted off the airship and many others came on.
"Owwwww..." moaned Alexei, sitting himself up, grasping his head. "Cat, you alright?"
Nodding, Catpaw picked herself off of Alexei. She ran to the side of the airship top, got on to the railing and jumped onto the docks, startling Alexei. She left him in admist of shouting at her, she was last seen by Alexei running up the steps and out of the airship docking area.
She bounded up the steps of the airship building, out the doors, continued her running into Bastok Markets and into the Metalworks. She slowed to a stop and waited for the elevator to descend. After waiting the slow arise of the elevator, she dashed over the stairs leading to the door of the President's. Naji close on her heels after she speeded by.
"Mr. President!" she shouted as she kicked open the doors, in admist of catching her breath. "Are you alright?"
Standing infront of Catpaw was Volker, Captian of the Mythril Musketeers; Cid, a famous technician; and Iron Eater, the Galka guard for the President's Office. They didn't seem to hear Catpaw's outbreak, they were hastily talking about something.
"You say someone snuck a familiar into the President's office, but you were not warned of its presence?" the Captian questioned the Galka.
"Yes, sir. We were taken by surprise. I did not think anything like this was possible..."
Volker raised a hand to his chin, "Sir Lucius did send me a report stating that our magicial defenses were inadequate, but I didn't think that they would be so easy to break..."
Iron Eater remained silent, as the President's daughter, Cornelia came running through the doors.
"Father?" she called out, frightened by the worst of what may happened.
"Cornelia..." Cid spoke, trying to calm her.
Startled that Cid was there, Cornelia turned to him, "Uncle Cid! Where's father?"
"Calm down, Cornelia." Cid spoke. "We have the situation under control."
"Is father...? Please don't tell me it's not true!" Cornelia asked, hysterics picking up in her voice.
"Hmph. Don't make a scene. I'm not dead yet." President Karst said as he entered the room from the other side of the office, along with his aide, Lucius.
Flooded with relief, Cornelia ran up to her father, but to only to stop a few steps short.
"Cornelia," the President addressed, "this does not concern you. Go to your room."
Cornelia went to protest but solomly walked towards the doors that the President entered from, lingering about in the doorway.
Karst turned to his aide, "Lucius, explain what happened."
Lucius stepped up and explained. "The familiar used magic to infiltrate the building...then it proceeded to cross the office, straight towards the president's private chambers. Fortunately, the president was awake at the time, and was not injured..."
He hesitated for a moment, then continued, "But they took the tailsman."
Cid exploded with shock, "The tailsman? The key to the Shadow Lord's seal?"
Cat stepped a little bit closer, assimulating the information that she recieved and recalling the words that the Archduke's servents had said.
Lucius nodded, "Twenty years ago, our allied forces defeated the Shadow Lord in the Northlands and sealed him away from our world. Chief Cid and Captian Volker were there, I believe. The three parts of the key to the seal, the tailsmans, were given to each nation's leader for safekeeping. But now, at least one of them are gone."
"Who would do such a thing?" Volker asked.
"Have you not found the culprit yet?" demanded Karst. "Granted, there are many whom bear ill feelings towards me..."
Catpaw had let a small snigger escape from her mouth. She did not support the President with his actions and words to other races and nations. To her, the President was a selfish naive bastard and she could care less about him, hell, she would be glad that he died. The rest of the town was much better than him. But, for the reason why she came all the way to Bastok from Jeuno was because as a Bastokian, she needed to check on the situation and to see if anyone needed assistance.
"But then again, those fools at the Senate are too busy squabbling with each other, and the Galka rebels are too savage to possess any magic skills."
Iron Eater continued to remain silent.
"Father! Don't talk about the Galka that way!" Cornelia shouted, running up to him.
"Why are you still here? Did I not tell you to go to your room?"
Ushering no words, Cornelia ran out of the office. No one bothered to go after her...
"From the reports we have recieved from the other nations, we must assume that the Kindred are trying to bring the Shadow Lord back." Lucius told.
"Then we must go to the Northlands to investigate!" announced Volker.
"The Senate would need to approve before I can let the Mythril Mustketeers go so far away from the city." casually said the President. "It would take too much time and time is a luxury we cannot afford. Besides, the sneate has no sense of crisis... They would reject my proposal."
Volker shifted his weight, "Then..."
"We have to find someone with no legal constraints." smiled Karst.
As if someone had notified everyone in the room, everyone had turned their gaze at Catpaw; whom had taken a small step back in surprise.
"I am assigning you a mission, adventurer, and putting you under the Musketeers jurisdictions." announced Karst, a wide grin spreading on his face.
"You do not have to answer right away, but do you accept?" asked Lucius.
Cat hesitated for a moment, thinking it over. Finally, when her mind came to an agreement, she replied. "Yes."
"Let us speak in private. Volker, come with us." anounced Karst, motioning Catpaw to follow him.
The walked through the doors at the other side of the office, turned left and entered the President's chambers.
"First, let me tell you about your destination." Lucius explained, "You are to journey to the cursed Northlands, to the ruins of Fei'Yin. You will find the ruins at the northeastern corner of Beaucedine Glacier. The city of Fei'Yin was built in acient times by civilization far more advanced that ours. We believe they called themselves the Zilart. There are many other ruins in Vana'diel thought to be their marking. Considering how long ago they were built, their state of perservation is astounding. It is if they were protected by some unseen force that defies time itself."
"Thirty years ago, a multination team was sent to the Northlands to try to uncover the secerts of the Zilart's power. Ulrich, Volker's grandfather - and the captian of the Mythril Mustekeers at the time -- led the Bastokan contingent of that expedition. Unfortunately, they came back empty-handed."
Cat quickly glanced at Volker, whom said nothing. She felt a bit of sorrow towards him, considering that his grandfather tried to kill Raogrimm...
"Captian Volker will tell you the way to your destination. He undertook the same journey twenty years ago, near the end of the Great War." spoke Lucius.
"Even before the war, Fei'Yin was overrun with fiends. We captured it from the Shadow Lord at the cost of many lives. After the war, we set seals on both sides of the border to keep the Shadow Lord minions at bay. One seal in the ruined coliseum on the inside, and another in Fei'Yin on the outside. That was twenty years ago. In those days, we could reach Beaucedine Glacier from East Ronfare through Ranguemont Pass. That is still the only way there, but I believe San D'Oria is guarding that road now. You will have to find some way through." Volker explained.
"Your objective is to ascertain that the seal in Fei'Yin is still intact. If it is not, replace it with the one we will be providing for you." explained Lucius and handed Catpaw the new seal.
Karst asked Cat a question, "Do you not have an airship pass, do you not? Head to Jeuno, and take the flight to San D'Oria as soon as possible. You are dismissed."
Catpaw nodded then saluted to Volker, Lucius and the President and left the room. Walking out of the office and down the steps, she was stopped by Naji.
"You are to head to Fei'Yin and replace the seal if its not intact. Good luck."
Cat nodded, waved farewell to him and headed off on her way. Naji muttered a few words after her.
"...be careful, miss."
Someone on her linkshell caught her attention, asking assistance for a seal in Fei'Yin. She spoke into the pearl as she enjoyed her airship ride to Jeuno. After getting off the ship and heading into Lower Jeuno, ducking into her rented Mog house to prepare herself for the travel. Geared up in warm clothing that covered everywhere for a Red Mage. She left the Mog house to meet with her friend and the rest of the party. They teleported to Xarcabard. The area covered in snow and dark formed coverings with undead limply on guard, with the demons guarding the upper levels. The Castle Zvahl was nearby, but that was not the destination of this mission. Running across the snow, covered by sneak and invisible from the party she was with. They passed through the maze of going up and down in-between ramps of Beaucide Glacier. A few hours later, the arrived infront of Fei'Yin. Shattered ruins layed in the snow, goblins prowling about. Catpaw's sneak and invisible wore off, causing two goblins to spot her and start going in for the attack. With a cry for help as she battled against the goblins, several members of the party came in to help her. A few minutes later, both goblins had fallen and they started their journey inside the ruined tower.
Shadows creep along the white walls... Puppet-like machines trolled around the pillars. The party lead ahead... Pieces of the party became scattered at one point. Cat nearly lost sight of one guiding her to the room. A couple of hours later, all was gathered at the circle. Prepared and ready, the party entered first, Cat last to enter... After being warped to a different area, she did not see her allies, instead, a Galka Dark Knight and a female Hume, talking. She reconized the Hume but forced her memory to recall the Galka.
"Thirty years ago, the three nations--Windurst, Bastok and San D'Oria--sent an expedition to investigate this curse land." spoke the Galka. "The Galka swordsman Raogrimm, the Hume monk Cornelia, the Hume warrior Ulrich... The Elvaan knight Francmage, the Tarutaru white mage Iru-Kuiru, and the Mithra ranger Rabntah were members of the expedition."
At an instance, Cat recalled the memory that floated before her eyes when she hunted for the Magicite. The trouble those six encountered while searching for an answer. She finally reconized the Galka... Zeid, an Iron Musketeer of Bastok but left for an unknown reason. He continued.
"All of theme were great heroes of their people. But they had to cut the expedition short when an accident claimed two of their group. Raogrimm and Cornelia were the ones who died in the accident."
The shuddering image of Ulrich cursing at Raogrimm of his dislike for the Galkas, just as Ulrich was going to stab Raogrimm, Cornelia jumped infront of the Galka and took the blow as Ulrich ran away.
"The others are said to have suffered violent deaths themselves after their return."
The jolt from such a scream from the memory infront of the Magicite dazzled before her eyes. Francmage... She witness his death that had already happened and there was nothing she could do about it...
"Perhaps they had awakened the curse that was said to be buried in this land..." finished Zeid.
"The ancient bane... The Shadow of Darkness -- an image of the Shadow Lord -- told us... that our kind were the ones that had awaken him.That he would spread the bane that will detroy Vana'Diel from our cowardice, rage, envy, arrogance and apathy..." spoke Lion.
"His image?" asked Zied. "I see..."
"The great bane will devour the fair land of Vana'Diel... The ancient seal will be brokn awakening nightmares of ages past. The blood of innocents willl soak the earth, and the world will fall into fear and despair."
"But as one bright star shines through the clouds at night, and as one song rings clear above the roar of beasts, we hold to one hope in these darkest times. That they will come, with the wisdom of ages and the strength of thousands to deliever us from our plight. We await the awakening of the Warriors of the Crystal." finished Lion. "That's an old song... It's called "Warriors of theCrystal", isn't it?"
"Just an old wives' tale, I do not know why I mentioned it..." Zeid muttered as he walked off.
Lion said a few things to Catpaw before ending it with a "Be careful, Catpaw." and headed off.
When Catpaw started to step down the stairway infront of her, she felt the air change a little... She noticed a cloak person standing in the middle of the circle... And her allies still no where to be seen.
Cautiously, she asked the cloaked person, "Who are you and why are you here?"
A smiled was formed on the other's face, "None of your concern for the meanwhile."
Feeling a bit threatened, she drew her sword. The man's smile had turned into a frown.
"I guess I have no choice then..." he muttered to no one in perticular, he started to chant and raise his hands a little.
Forming from the ground, bones and weapons started to appear. Cat reconized the enemies at once, skeletons! Once they were formed, they started to advance towards Cat... The man was no where to be seen. She slashed at a lunging skeleton, shielding herself from another's mace. They kept reforming after being striked down. They were starting to corner her against a wall. Against six skeletons... she could not last forever...