CHAPTER SIX: SEPERATION
Greater Faydark, if there were a word to describe it active would be one of the many words used. From young adventurers struggling to kill a simple wasp and getting aide from a kinder more experienced person. To those who are brave enough to try to tackle the Orc Castle known as Crushbone. To those who simply pass by to cast beneficial spells onto the younger ones. However this was new even for greater Faydark on the road in between the wizard's spires and the high Elf town known as Felwithe lay two women, one was clearly human she had a long braid of hair and a pink hood, with a blue skirt. The other was a strange one, she looked like a strikingly beautiful young lady, but she had bunny ears and seemed to be slender in her build. A few people ran by them paying them no mind but one came to them and stopped. She carefully pulled them from the main road, she inspected them, and they seemed to have no injuries of any sort, by her side a large wolf growled.
"Down Necrotic." She said. The white tiger looking Van Shirr stroked her pets' head. Necrotic nuzzled its head against her chain shirt. She cast a glance at the two unconscious women.
Who where they? Why where they here? What happened? She heard a moan as the human woke up. She put her finger to her head as she shook it. She noticed her comrade then she saw her. She gasped.
"It's ok." The Van Shirr said. "I'm Zazha, the wolf is my pet Nekrotic. I found you and your friend on the main road. I pulled you here so you wouldn't get trampled by some of the people here."
"I'm Yuna." Yuna said with a small bow, "My friend is Marjorie." She looked around. "Where are we?"
"Greater Faydark." Zazha replied. Yuna gave her a blank look. "On the continent called Faydwer." Yuna blinked. "On the world called Norrath." Yuna then nodded.
"Oh." Yuna said.
"What is your friend?" Zazha asked nodding at Marjorie.
"She's a Viera, from the world called Ivalice." Yuna said. "She's my friend." Marjorie moaned and woke up. She shook her head while whispering, it was so soft Yuna couldn't make it out. Marjorie looked at Yuna, her eyes brimmed with tears.
"What's wrong Marj?" Yuna asked. Marjorie fell into Yuna's arm with a great sob.
"It's all my fault!" she cried between sobs. Yuna held her close.
"What is?" she asked.
"EVERYTHING!" Marjorie sobbed. Yuna stepped back the grief stricken Viera fell to her knees. "I only wanted to see him again!"
"Who?" Yuna asked.
"My brother!" Marjorie blubbered. "I was told by the Prophet to tell what I knew, so I did with the promise of seeing him again!"
"You betrayed us." Yuna stated. She looked at the ground, she couldn't look at Marjorie. "Just to see your brother who you never told us about. You lied to us, your friends."
"Please!" Marjorie begged. "Look at me! I'm sorry!" Tears stained the Viera's face.
"Just stop." Yuna said. "I've heard enough." Marjorie crumbled to the ground a hysterical mess. Zazha had been watching but had to say something now.
"Why are you turning your back on her?" Zazha asked. "She just did what she felt was right to see someone she loves! What right do you have to turn on her? Wouldn't you do anything to see someone you thought dead?" Yuna paused.
A word entered her mind Tidus. She left her sheltered life on Besaide because she saw a sphere of someone who she thought was him. She risked life and limb to find answers. She was willing to risk it all to be with him. Marjorie was different her brother wasn't a dream, he was real. Yuna slowly approached the sobbing Viera and knelt down before her and reached out her hand, Marjorie grabbed and hugged Yuna. For the longest time Yuna said nothing, and let Marjorie cry in her embrace.
Yuna was wrong to turn her back.
"It will be ok." Yuna finally whispered. "I'll help you, we'll help you. Together." Marjorie looked at Yuna.
"You mean it?" she asked. Yuna nodded. Marjorie smiled, she then slumped forward onto Yuna snoring softly. Yuna set her down.
"She's exhausted." She noted. Zazha nodded.
"We could find you a place to rest." Zazha said. Yuna shook her head, in all truth she wasn't sure how well liked Viera's and her for that matter where here was. Most importantly she was unsure if they accepted gil. For all she knew her money was all but worthless here.
"We'll be ok." Yuna said.
"I find that hard to believe." Zazha noted. "I'll go grab you some supplies. Even if you are all set you'll most likely need more."
"Thank you." Yuna said. Zazha smiled and went on her way her wolf on her heels. Yuna sat down she heard Marjorie moan softly as she woke up. Yuna went to her and knelt down beside her.
"You ok?" yuna asked. Marjorie nodded.
"Thank you again Yuna." Marjorie said. "For understanding."
"It's ok." Yuna said. "I stand by what I said, we'll help you find your brother and get him to you."
"And the others?" Marjorie asked.
"I'll leave that up to you." Yuna said. "My lips are sealed on this matter. It has to be your choice Marj." The teenage looking Viera nodded. Together the two sat and waited for Zazha to return.
Everfrost Peaks, here a day without snow is never seen. The snow always falls sometimes in a flurry or snow squal. Sometimes in a blizzard, but the snow always falls and it's always cold. The snow fell on a young woman, she lay on her back the snow lightly coating her blue and white dress and soaking in her hair.
She woke up and shivered, she was cold, and she saw someone in the distance. She could tell by the ears it was Katejina. Lenne shivered fiercely, Katejina saw this and removed her jacket, she draped it around Lenne's shoulders and bundled her in it, and then in an unexpected move she lifted Lenne in her arms. Lenne looked in shock, she didn't know which took her more by surprise, the generosity shown by Katejina or her strength.
"Thank you." Lenne said. Katejina nodded. "I'm worried about them too." Lenne added sensing Katejina's concern.
"I'm sure they're ok." Katejina said. She then started walked, no particular direction. The cold didn't seem to bother Kate, as much as it did Lenne. Even wrapped in Katejina's jacket Lenne was still cold. After walking for about a quarter of an hour Katejina looked at Lenne, the concern evident.
"Want me to stop?" she asked. "Give you a chance to try to warm up?" Lenne shook her head.
"I'm fine." She said. Katejina nodded uncertain, she cast her gaze ahead of them. Before them lay an Ice Palace of sorts, in the entrance she saw someone sitting. She approached them, the person lifted her head as she head them. She saw Lenne bundled in the jacket and started to go through her own packs. This woman was a slender young woman her long brown hair nearly concealed her pointed ears, she was dressed in leather armor. She approached Lenne with a bundle. Katejina set Lenne down and she took the bundle. She opened it to find a coat and leggings, she handed Katejina's jacket back to her and changed into the gifts from the stranger. A few minutes later she felt warmer.
"Thank you." She said to the stranger.
"your welcome." She replied. "Oh by ways of introduction I'm Willowcroft. Who are you two. And not to be rude but what is she?" she pointed at Katejina. Katejina smirked with a wry grin.
"I'm Katejina." Katejina introduced. "And I'm a Viera. From Ivalice." Willowcroft nodded.
"I'm Lenne." Lenne said. "From Spira."
"Your both from the united worlds?" Willowcroft asked. "why are you here?"
"Somehow we got brought here." Lenne explained. She noticed Katejina looking further inside. "You ok Kate?"
"This Palace." She said. "An ice palace. Like they said."
"Who?" Willowcroft asked.
"When the doorways between the worlds opened a group of Viera came here." Katejina said. "To explore an ice palace."
"You want to check it out?" Lenne asked. Katejina nodded. Lenne looked to Willow. "Want to join us?" Willow nodded.
"Sure." She said. "Always wanted to check out Perma Frost." The trio went in they saw someone sitting near the back. He paid them no mind, they continued. They entered the dungeon it was empty.
"Odd." Willowcroft noted. "No guards." They continued in they saw nothing. They went further in into a large room and finally saw something. However it was bodies, corpses of goblins and large blue giants littered the ground.
"Show caution." Willowcroft warned "The lady sometimes inspects here." Lenne nodded, she noticed a large shield on the ground. She picked it up, she noticed an emblem. It seemed to be one that Marjorie had on her fencer outfit. Lenne went to Katejina but noticed her starring at a wall. Katejina went closer and touched the wall. Lenne joined her, she looked, she saw four Viera entrapped in the ice all looked like they where taken by surprise. She looked at Katejina as fell to her knees.
"Loraine, Bertha, Meredith, Nicky." She whispered her hand touching the ice. Willowcroft joined them. She looked down after seeing the four Viera.
"Any chance.." Lenne started.
"I'm sorry." Willowcroft said. "I doubt it, I think they are dead." Lenne knelt by Katejina's side.
"Come on." She said gently. "Lets go." Katejina nodded, she looked at the various bodies of the goblins and giants.
"Who caused this?" she asked. "Can't be the Viera. The ice seems thick."
Suddenly a roar was heard. The all looked up and saw a gigantic White Dragon! Katejina readied her bow and let an arrow loose, the arrow grazed the dragon.
"It's Lady Vox!" Willowcroft cried. "Hurry to the entrance, she can't follow us out!" The three ran with Vox hot on their tail. They reached the entrance and ran to where they first met Willow. However what they saw they didn't want to see another dragon a red dragon was on the snowy plains. As they opted to turned back they heard a crashing as Vox burst free.
"This… this…this isn't possible!" Willowcroft stammered. "They aren't supposed to be here!"
"Ok I'm sure they'll listen." Katejina quipped. Lenne ignored the banter, she still had the Viera make shield it looked big enough to support her. Without a warning Lenne shot out and tossed the shield on the ground. She started moving as if she was riding a snowboard. She shot magic at the dragons in an attempt to get them to chase her.
"She's gone mad." Willowcroft observed.
"Hope she knows what she's doing." Katejina said.
Lenne lead the two dragons to the ice. She dodged blasts of fire and ice from the dragons. She noticed a hole in the ice big enough for her to fit through, Lenne looked the dragons where preparing a final assault on her. She had no choice, she stripped off her coat.
The dragons swept down both firing their breath weapons. From where Katejina and Willowcroft stood they saw it. They then saw both dragons fly away. They both shot down to the ice. Willow found the jacket, Katejina looked she saw a hole and she saw Lenne!
Lenne shivered her body soaked, Katejina helped her out of the icy water. Katejina wrapped Lenne in her jacket as well as the one Willowcroft gave her. Lenne still shivered as she slipped into sleep. Her lips turning blue.
"She can't stay here." Katejina stated. "She'll freeze to death!" Willowcroft nodded knowing how critical the situation was. Lenne needed someplace warm and she needed it quickly.
"Gather close to me." She instructed.. Katejina obeyed she cast a worried glance to Lenne who still shivered in her arms.
'Please let her be ok.' Katejina thought. 'Please don't take her yet.' Katejina heard Willow say
"Take us home." The three vanished in a whirl of leaves.
Zazha was just about done her shopping, she got food and water for her new friends. She felt the wind rise and when it faded she saw a wood elf and another bunny eared creature, this one carried someone. Zazha noticed the wood elf.
"Willow!" she cried. "Who are your friends?"
"This is Katejina and Lenne." Willowcroft said.
"Can the formalities." Katejina cut in clearly irritated. "Lenne needs someplace warm and she needs it now!" Willow nodded.
"I think I know your friends." Zazha said. "They are by Felwithe, I'll go get them." Zazha then ran off. Katejina at Willow's instructions got onto a wooden platform where they where taken up. Once there they where lead to a house with a large bed. Katejina quickly stripped Lenne of her cold and wet clothes and set her in bed. After drying her best she could.
At that moment Marjorie was walking, she was fine until Yuna notice her ears perk up. Yuna followed uncertain as to why, but Marjorie seemed determined.
"We should be waiting for Zazha." Yuna said. Hoping maybe Marjorie would offer an explanation.
"I heard Katey." Marjorie said not slowing her rapid pace. "She's here! I think Lenne is too." Yuna nodded that's all she needed to know. They continued and they ran into Zazha! Who was going to get them, after Zazha offered a hurried explanation, she cast a spell that allowed them to run as fast as a wolf. With that extra speed they made the lifts at the City of Kelethin. Yuna looked at the lifts she got on followed by Marj and Zazha. Yuna saw Zazha press a button and with a rumble the lift went up. Once up top they left the lift, there Marjorie lead them using her sharp hearing. They went up a slanting platform and into a large house. There in the house where Katejina and Lenne! Lenne lay in a large bed. Katejina by her side. Katejina told them of what happened.
"Will she be ok?" Yuna asked looking at Lenne. She noticed her lips where blue and she shivered violently.
"What the hell do you think!" Katejina snapped. "She's freezing to death! And there's not a damn thing any of us can do about it!" Yuna looked taken back she approached Katejina who fell to her knees. Marjorie went to Katejina as well, she never saw Kate this emotional before.
"I'm sure you did all you could." Yuna assured her. Katejina shook her head.
"I should have protected her." She said. "Now because of me she's like this."
"Don't beat yourself up Katey." Marjorie admonished. "You can't save everyone. Like Yuna said I'm sure you did your best."
"And it wasn't good enough!" Katejina cried. Yuna looked both Willowcroft and Zazha left the room seeing it was best to leave them alone. Yuna went to Lenne's bedside, slowly Yuna removed her hood, then her top, her blue skirt, her guns and her boots. When she was she was nearly naked. Yuna then got into bed with Lenne and huddled close to her.
"What the hell are you doing?" Katejina asked.
"On my home of Besaide I learned that when someone suffers from prolonged exposure to the could the best thing to do it huddle close to them. There your body heat warms them as well. It's worth a shot with Lenne, and beds big enough for one more." Yuna explained.
Katejina sighed as she removed her quiver of arrows, shirt and leggings. Yuna could see various markings and tattoos on her body. She joined them, Marjorie left the room, and Katejina's hearing could hear Marj in a hushed voice tell Zazha and Willowcroft about their plan. The day turned to night and eventually both women drifted to sleep.
The moon was high when Lenne woke up, aside from the faint glow of a candle in the corner it was dark. Lenne felt like she was naked, she also felt something. She looked to her right and saw Yuna and Katejina was on her left, both slept. As Lenne was wondering why the devil they where here she heard yuna sigh as she woke up. She turned and noticed Lenne was awake.
"How do you feel?" yuna asked.
"Warm but kind of awkward at the moment." Lenne said. Yuna giggled as she went to wake up Katejina. She noticed Kate stirred restlessly in her sleep, as Yuna was about to wake her, Katejina's eyes opened. She cast a glance at Lenne who smiled at her. Katejina nodded quickly and hastily left the bed and the room to the balcony outside. Yuna shook her head as she handed Lenne her dress sphere. Yuna had already zapped into her gunner attire. Lenne did the same with songstress.
"I'll be ok Yuna." Lenne assured her. "Go to Katejina."
"Ok." Yuna agreed. "I'm happy your ok."
"I have you and Kate to thank for that." Lenne replied with a small smile. Yuna nodded and returned the smile as she saw Lenne drift back to sleep.
Kelethin, a treetop city, the inhabitants here are used to strange sights. An ogre running from the guards, the dark blue skinned orcs terrorizing the younger hunters. So a half naked woman with bunny ears on a balcony didn't raise as many questions as one would think.
Katejina wasn't a crier, it just isn't in her nature to do so. However this time tears did come. What she saw in those frozen caverns struck her unlike any arrow or blow. Why was she so put back by this? She shook her head as she heard someone, she didn't look she knew who it was.
"Always out for others aren't you?" Katejina asked not looking at Yuna.
"I worry." She stated. "It's not like you to run off."
"I don't want to talk about it." Katejina replied.
"Wasn't going to bring it up." Yuna responded. "I only wanted to thank you for helping Lenne. She's sleeping now but she should be ok." Yuna turned to walk off.
"Come here." Katejina called. "I might as well tell someone." Yuna went to where Katejina was.
"You sure?" she asked. Katejina nodded.
"When the portals first appeared on Ivalice four Viera, four of my friends decided to check out this world." Katejina started starring at the sky. "They assured me they would be safe and I believed them. When they failed to return I convinced myself they where happier there. Then today came and I saw them myself trapped in the ice for all I know they are dead. Then the whole thing with Lenne. I think I made a mistake."
"by being this open?" Yuna asked. "By making friends? You really think it's a mistake?" Katejina paused a moment and looked at Yuna before shaking her head.
"No." she said softly as if she didn't even want to hear herself admit it. "I want this." Yuna smiled and place a hand on Katejina's shoulder.
"I'm glad you finally admit it." She said. "You going to be ok?" Katejina nodded as she re-entered the small house only to exit through the main door. Yuna followed something in her arms, Katejina stopped and looked at her with her piercing eyes.
"Stay with Lenne." She ordered. "I need to be alone. I need to sort things out. I need to clear my head Yuna."
"Ok." Yuna agreed. "But at least take these." She said handing her clothes to Katejina. Katejina smiled and took the clothes. She quickly changed into them and left. Yuna sighed as she sat on a chair by Lenne's bedside. She noticed the color had returned to her friend. Yuna smiled to herself, at least the friends that where with her where safe. Yuna hoped the others would be ok as well. She heard someone come in she looked and it was Willowcroft, Zazha and Marjorie. Yuna told them about Katejina.
"I'll go look for her." Marjorie volunteered "I wanna to talk to her anyway."
"What about Lenne?" Yuna asked.
"I'll stay with her hon." Zazha offered. "Willow has offered to help you look for your friends."
"Thank you." Yuna said. "that's very kind of you to do."
"I'm ready whenever you are." Willowcroft stated. Yuna nodded.
"I only need a moment with Marj." Yuna said. Willow nodded with a smile. Yuna went to the balcony with Marjorie.
"Your going to tell Katejina?" Yuna asked. Marjorie nodded.
"Do you think I'm doing the right thing?" she asked. Yuna nodded.
"I do." She replied simply. Marjorie nodded nervously.
"Think she'll understand?" Marjorie asked.
"She's your friend right?" yuna asked. "Of course she'll understand." Marjorie smiled.
"Thanks Yuna." She said. Yuna smiled at the young Viera as she left. Yuna went back into the house. Zazha was sitting on the chair, Yuna cast a final glance at Lenne, and her color had fully returned and was now sleeping peacefully. You looked at Willow.
"Ready whenever you are." She said. Willow nodded and the two where encircled in leaves and left in a whoosh of air.
The East Commonlands, once a few years back an invasion was staged, in which dark forces tried to prevent the forces of the light from reaching Kithicor Forest. Now near the entrance to the dread Nektulos Forest lay two people. One a human her long dark hair blowing freely in the wind. The other who was waking up, a dark elf. Shaden moaned as she sat up she looked around. She was back on Norrath, she saw Tifa laying there, she shook her gently Tifa sat up shaking her head. She looked around
"Where are we?" she asked.
"Outside of Nektulos forest." A voice called as a figure jumped down. It was Drasalanna. "I have heard many grumbling about a strange and of people being spotted in Lava Storm mountains. They have someone with them, a girl, in red robes."
"Rim!" Tifa said breathlessly. "We have to go there!" Drasalanna chuckled.
"You go into Nektulos forest you'll be killed before you even reach Lava Storm." Drasalanna countered. "but these might help." She handed Tifa a bundle, Tifa opened the bundle and found a mask some slippers and a robe. Tifa gave Drasalanna a confused look.
"Get into the robe and slippers first." She instructed. Tifa nodded she saw a well shaded area and went there. A few minutes later she came out in the robe and slippers.
"mind telling me what this is about?" she asked.
"Put on the mask." Drasalanna said simply. Tifa did so. At that moment her body changed, her skin turned dark blue her long brown hair turned white. Tifa looked down at herself in confusion and gasped when she saw her blue flesh!
"What the hell?" she asked.
"Mask of the Deceivers." Drasalanna said. "Your old clothes would draw too much attention. So I have to be creative, here you look like a caster."
"Or we could saw she's a new breed of dark elf monk." Shaden suggested with a smirk. Tifa ignored the comments and pulled on her robe.
"Something wrong?" Drasalanna asked.
"I feel like I'm about to fall out of this robe." Tifa muttered.
"You'll be fine Tifa." Shaden comforted. "Now lets get going."
The three women went into the dark forest known as Nektulos Forest, the sun rarely ever penetrated the dense trees in this area. Thus earning it the nicknames Forest of Eternal Darkness. They went for quite a while before hearing sounds the unmistakable sounds of men's laughter. The looked over a sloping hill and saw a small encampment of men all dressed in dark armor. All looked human, Tifa looked and in the distance of the camp saw a young girl chained to a pole.
"They have her." Tifa said in a low whisper.
"The child?" Drasalanna asked. Tifa nodded.
"You two go try to free her." Shaden suggested. "I'll distract them."
"Think you'll be able to?" Tifa asked. Shaden nodded, Tifa went with Drasalanna. They crept to where they saw Rim chained up. From where they left Shaden they heard a boom . Tifa looked an earth creature was fighting the men in armor.
"Earth Elemental." Drasalanna explained. "Shaden will cast another one after this one dies when she's moved her position. Keep them guessing and away from us."
"Let's pray it works." Tifa said as she approached where Rim was. From where Tifa was she seemed to be sleeping, her kimono was ripped in a few places and her hair was mussed. Tifa saw some scratches on her, she placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke.
"Rim." She looked up and saw a dark elven face she squealed but the elf put a hand over her mouth. She put a hand to her own face and removed the mask.
"Tifa!" Rimoru said in an excited whisper.
"You unhurt?" Drasalanna asked.
"I wouldn't say that." Rimoru said. "Just free me and lets go." Drasalanna nodded and noted the chains.
"This will take time." She sighed.
"Make it quick." Tifa stated. "Shaden's plan didn't work and they just saw us! I'll keep them busy you work on freeing Rim!" As she finished four men overtook her. Tifa fought hard but they had on armor and also had numbers. Tifa noticed an earth creature come to her aide.
"Tifa!" Rim cried hoping to be heard. "Just go! I'll be fine!" Tifa nodded grimly.
"Shaden!" she commanded. "You and Dras go! I'll meet up with you!"
"But…" Shaden started.
"GO!" Tifa barked. Shaden nodded hesitantly, she grabbed Drasalanna by the arm and lead her away. She would explain later right now her thoughts where on Tifa. Shaden lead them to the path to Lavastorm and sank down in despair. She knew the chances of her seeing Tifa alive again where against all odds.
Last stands, many of them have been made, some even beat the odds. But one lone martial arts trained girl against six dozen armored men? The word miracle comes to mind. Tifa fought fiercely but she was tiring almost of fast. She had no materia on her they where in her old clothes. She relied on her martial arts training and kept focus. She might go down but she wasn't going to make it easy! She then felt a blow hit her and she staggered another hit her and another a final blow and Tifa fell. She looked and saw Rim her face fading into the darkness as she collapsed to the ground like a puppet whose strings have been cut. Rimoru's cry of
"TIFA!"
Became a pleasant whisper as Tifa Lockhart faded from consciousness. Tifa lay there. Her prone body surrounded by the solders.
"She fought like a demon"
"Demon's should be so lucky to fight that hard!"
"Is she dead?"
"She will be soon."
"Tried to free the other girl?"
"Guess so."
"Stop standing there! My brother wants us to move out!"
"Charx sir! What about the girl?"
"Leave her for dead. Now move!"
Charx looked at Rim who starred at Tifa, her friend was deathly still. Rim hoped for some movement a twitch of the finger a moan even for the hair to move. ANYTHING! Charx removed the pole she was chained to.
"I'm sorry about your friend." He said.
"Murderer!" Rimoru cried. "All she wanted to do was to free me! You had no right! No right to kill her in cold blood!"
"It's my brothers orders!" Charx snarled as he led her along. "Where it me she would still be alive!" Rimoru said nothing but tears streaked down her face she allowed herself to be taken. For all she knew one of her friends was dead, the young priestess felt an emptiness inside her. Oblivious to all else and the picture of Tifa's body engraved in her mind she went with her captors.
In Nektulos forest it's not uncommon to find a body. Sometimes it's a helpless traveler who angers the guardians. Here however was a young girl, her brown hair almost covered her youthful face. A large grizzled wolf nuzzled her.
"FLUFFY!" a voice called. The wolf went to the owned of the voice. It was a large barbarian woman in Dark leather looking armor. She saw Tifa.
"Poor young thing." She whispered. She then heard a faint moan, Tifa's eyes opened for a brief instant before her strength faded and they closed again. "She's alive! I don't have the power to heal her though." She noticed fluffy looking he growled before leaving almost leading her. She gathered Tifa in her arms and followed her warder as she did she heard Tifa whisper faintly.
"Y…y…yunie.." she whispered before she went limp again. Her face grew grim as she followed the determined Fluffy.
Shaden paced and wrung her hands, she did so ever since they stopped at entrance to Lava Storm. Tifa weighed heavily on her mind she shouldn't have left her alone. Drasalanna searched for words to comfort her friend but found none. They both turned as they heard something! They saw a wood elf along with a woman, it looked like Yuna. Shaden rose and the wood elf put her arm in front of Yuna.
"Tier'dahl" she said. "Stay behind me."
"It's ok Willowcroft." Yuna said. "They're my friends." Yuna ran to Shaden and instantly noted the worried look and the tears in her eyes. "Is everything ok?" Shaden shook her head. She told Yuna about Tifa. Yuna was silent after.
"I didn't want to leave her, she was insistent." Shaden said. Yuna shook her head.
"Tifa." She whispered she looked at Shaden. "Who has Rimoru? Who did you fight?"
"I don't know." Shaden admitted. "They had on black armor and…" she paused as she saw Yuna looked past her. She turned and behind her stood a large female with Tifa limply in her arms. Shaden sank to her knees the tears streaking down her face.
"No!" she said as she shook her head as if trying to ward off a nightmare. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no!"
"Is she…" Yuna started as she approached Tifa.
"She's alive." The barbarian said. "Just barley I found her like this." Yuna brushed a strand of hair out of Tifa's face. Tifa opened her eyes.
"Y…yunie." She whispered faintly. "A…ardo…nix, h…he h…as, Rim…" he voiced cut off as she lost consciousness. Tears brimmed in her eyes she dried her tears. She then looked up her mixed colored eyes flared with anger. She turned to the others.
"Willow, take her Dras and Shaden back to the others." She ordered.
"I'm going with you." Shaden said. "I won't lose another friend."
"Fine." Yuna said roughly.
"I'll make my own way." Drasalana said. "Good luck." The dark elf then vanished.
"Relanna hon." Willowcroft said. "Get close to me. Zazha is with her friends." Relanna nodded and got close and soon they where gone. Shaden looked at Yuna. She had started walking, Shaden never saw Yuna so angry, and she wondered whom it was at, Ardonix or her. Shaden followed.
"Yuna!" she called. "Where are you going?"
"To find him." Yuna responded not slowing her pace or looking back. "Either come or don't." Shaden caught up to Yuna.
"I didn't want to leave her." Shaden explained.
"You said that." Yuna said. Shaden reached for Yuna. "Let GO!" she pulled her arm away. She looked at Shaden she said nothing.
"If you're going to blame me then do so." Shaden said. "I know you want to." Yuna shook her head.
"Come on Shaden." She said simply. "You decided this so come on. I want you with me on this. I don't think I can handle this monster alone." Shaden nodded.
"Yuna." She said. "Tifa will be ok."
"I hope your right." Yuna said as she continued. Shaden followed.
Willowcroft and Relanna appeared in Kelethin, Tifa limply in Relanna's arms. Willow led her to where they stayed. Lenne was awake and with Zazha. Both saw them as they went into the house. Relanna lay Tifa on the bed. They heard something else and they saw Katejina and Marjorie. Marjorie saw Tifa and ran to her bedside.
"TIFA!" she screamed "What happened to her!" The young Viera shook Tifa, her hands shaking, unable to see her friend in so much pain Katejina pulled her away, Marjorie buried her head in Katejina's shoulder and sobbed.
"She, she'll be ok right?" Katejina asked a quiver in her normally calm and even voice. She tried her best to comfort Marjorie, for once Katejina totally was unsure. Tifa was a bloody mess her survival was in high doubt. Katejina tried to soothe herself by soothing her distressed friend. Lenne went to Tifa's bedside and took her hand. Lenne hummed the white light began to encoat Tifa but soon faded, Lenne noticed this and kept trying. With the same results, she sank in despair.
"I can't help her." She admitted.
"What do you mean!" Katejina demanded.
"She's too hurt!" Lenne exclaimed her frustrations getting the better of her. "If you gave life instead of took it you would know there are limits!" Katejina starred at Lenne before turning and leaving with a huff. Marjorie looked in shock at Katejina and at Lenne, before running out of the room herself. Lenne sighed and looked around.
"Can either of you help her?" she asked.
"I might be able to." A voice said. Lenne looked Marjorie was back with a human female she was in armor she went to Tifa's beside, Lenne made room for her as she inspected Tifa.
"Angelanica hon." Willowcroft started. "Can you do it? I could always try." Angelanica nodded. She placed her hands on Tifa's body and chanted energy poured into Tifa's body for what seemed like a long time. When it was done she sank back, Zazha caught her.
"Wow." Marjorie said breathlessly. "Will Tifa be ok?"
"She should be." Angelanica sighed. "Not one hundred percent sure though." Lenne nodded as she went to Tifa's bedside. She seemed better, Lenne hoped she wasn't imagining things. She left Tifa's bedside and noticed Marjorie, the young Viera pulled her head as if she wanted Lenne to follow her. Lenne did so to outside the front door of the house.
"You know how badly you hurt Katey?" she asked. "She's really upset now! How could you of all people be so cruel?" Lenne looked down she didn't mean what she said but it came out of her mouth anyway.
"Where is she?" Lenne asked.
"Balcony." Marjorie stated.
"I'll go speak to her." Lenne said. "Keep an eye on Tifa for me?"
"Of course." Marjorie said. "And thanks Lenne." Lenne smiled slightly and went to the balcony.
The back balcony of this big house in Kelethin, yet again Katejina stood there lost in her thoughts. She heard Lenne approach.
"What now?" she asked the anger clear in her voice.
"I didn't mean what I said." Lenne explained.
"Course you did." Katejina retorted. Lenne sighed, Kate wasn't going to make this easy.
"I was angry." Lenne said.
"Because you couldn't run in with your powers and save the damsel?" Katejina asked snidely.
"Yes." Lenne said sharply. "I don't like limitations. That's why I became a singer and later a summoner. For me the sky was the limit. And with Tifa, it just upset me, I'm sorry."
"Listen." Katejina started. "I'm not mad about the remark. I'm mad that you where right with that remark. I am a killer not a healer."
"But your learning, your heart is thawing, yesterday was proof of that. And so is every time you interact with Marj" Lenne said. "I'm proud to call myself your friend." Katejina smirked.
"I feel the same." She said simply. "Is Tifa ok?"
"Yes." Lenne said. "A girl by the name of Angelanica, apparently heard us and healed Tifa. She should be ok."
"Happy to hear that." Katejina said, she the turned as Marjorie came rushing out to them.
"SHE'S AWAKE!"
Katejina and Lenne both ran into the house, though Katejina had to fight this nagging feeling in the back of her mind something was not right. They went in and Tifa lay there she said nothing, she almost looked confused.
"Tifa!" Lenne exclaimed as she hugged her. "We were all so worried about you." She let go, she didn't see Tifa smile in fact she looked even more confused.
"Listen." She said finally. "I guess I'm glad I'm ok, but please tell me. Who the hell are you people and who in the world is Tifa?" Tifa was greeted with shocked looks from those around her.
In Nektulos forest Yuna continued to walk, though she had no idea where she was going. For once this woman who even during her time with the gull wings had a solid game plan. This time she was going on pure instinct, she was angry. Angry that these beat her friend Tifa within an inch of her life…these monsters! Yuna stopped in her tracks, she saw a large band of men ahead of her. Shaden went up next to her.
"Those are them." Shaden whispered. Yuna nodded she noticed Rimoru in the crowd, the poor girl was chained, she teenage priestess saw Yuna.
"Yuna!" she cried out. The men whirled around, a large blonde man made his way through the men. Yuna saw him, Shaden came up beside her.
"Keep your head." She cautioned. Yuna didn't even hear the sage advice. She stared at the man.
"Are you Ardonix?" she asked. He nodded as he came forward.
"I take it your Yuna." He said. Yuna nodded. "You want your friend back? Here!" he shoved Rimoru into Yuna. The priestess embraced Yuna as she cried.
"Oh Yuna it's terrible!" she bawled. "Tifa's dead!" Yuna embraced the terrified teenager.
"She's not dead." Yuna whispered. "She's alive, she should be with the others now." Rimoru looked up "Go to Shaden and stay with her, I have some business to deal with." Rimoru nodded and went to Shaden the dark elf gently embraced her young friend.
"Seems as if my lord was right." Ardonix observed. "You'll fight for your friends."
"I'm not the only one." Yuna said. "Tifa was like that too, except she was beaten within an inch of her life by you .. you .. filthy mongrels!"
"So come for a fight?" He asked. "I'm more than happy to provide one for you." Yuna nodded grimly, she turned to Shaden and Rimoru.
"Stay here." She ordered. "You'll be safe here."
"Be careful Yuna." Rimoru said. Yuna nodded for the first time since she saw how badly hurt Tifa was. Yuna managed a smile. She turned to Ardonix and Yuna became cloaked in lights, when they faded she had on light padded armor and a sword. She was in the warrior dress sphere. Her mixed eyes flared with determination, her eyes closed for a brief instant and she saw Tifa laying there. It was all she needed to motivate herself. Within moments a heated battle began!
Much to Ardonix's surprised Yuna charged him first, she was faster than he expected, stronger too. Her sword strokes where well timed and she had rhythm to her skill. Yuna let out a muffled grunt as she got kicked in the side. She spun around and caught Ardonix in the arm. She pressed her attack growing more vicious with each attack. Ardonix was caught completely off guard, he wasn't expecting her to be this fierce. He found himself on the ground after Yuna went into an offensive flurry. He looked up and she stood over him, her face covered in shadow all he was her green and blue eye glowing with malicious intent. She held her sword blade down over him.
"Go ahead." He taunted. Wordless she plunged her sword down! Ardonix closed his eyes. He noticed nothing hit, the blade was in the dirt right next to him.
"I won't take your life." Yuna said. "Because if I do that. I'll be no better than you." She then found herself attacked! Ardonix saw the Squirmisher division attacking her.. He tried to call them out be they didn't listen. Rimoru saw what was happening and went to help Yuna but found someone grabbing her. She looked it was Charx? How did he get past Shaden.
"Don't worry." He comforted. "I won't hurt you or re capture you. By the way what is with your friend?" Rimoru looked Shaden was chanting her eyes glowed white. Her voice high pitched and she seemed to be basked with golden light. Soon the chanting stopped and Shaden slumped down, Rimoru went to her side. Then the wind kicked up, a small tornado formed in mid air.
Yuna was in the midst of a desperate battle and she felt the wind, she then heard something she looked and saw a flash of blonde hair she stopped short. Was it him? Could it be him?
END CHAPTER SIX