The Great Warrior of Cosmo Canyon

Chapter 2: The Battle for Cosmo Canyon

That night, Seto and Kasei argued back and forth, attempting to find another way to combat the Gi, but they could fine none.

"I don't understand Seto, why must you do this? It is suicide! What about the people you will be leaving behind? What about me? What about Nanaki? Should he have to live life with no father to guide him?" Kasei knew that her arguments were futile. Seto had already set his mind on the task at hand. She knew she couldn't change his mind, and she was deeply saddened at the fact.

"My love, please try to understand. This is the only way that the canyon and its people will be safe. You and I both know that. It will be hard living life after this fight, but you must. You have to live on and watch our noble son grow up into a strong warrior who will fight to protect the canyon and the planet. Please do this one last favor for me." Seto did not want to imagine a life without his partner and his only son, but he had to fight, otherwise he would loose them both…

No one slept that night. Not even Seto. The anticipation of the imminent battle at hand was clouding everyone's mind, preventing sleep to settle in them. Seto went to Bugenhagen's house at the top of the canyon to speak with him. Even the elder himself could not find peace in sleep.

"Oh Father, I must speak with you."

"Ho hooo, Seto, what brings you up here at this time of night? Shouldn't you be resting and saving your strength?"

Seto approached slowly, "I have come to ask a favor of you…"

Bugenhagen, confused, awaited this request of Seto's.

"I wish to give you my comb1. I want you to keep it hidden and safe until a time of great need arises. At that time, I want you to give it to Nanaki, for he will surely need it to protect himself and others around him. Please Father!"

"Ho hooo, this is surprising indeed. But very well Seto, I will keep it for your son. I will also watch over him as I have done for you too. When you are gone, I am sure he will need support in the hard times that lie ahead."

"Thank you Bugenhagen…I will truly miss you…" They parted ways and Seto went back to his house to wait the coming of the dawn, and whatever it brought with it.

The rising sun seemed to take an eternity to rise over Cosmo Canyon that morning. As soon as the first light hit through the windows of the huts, every member of the canyon came rushing out to meet at the Cosmo Candle2.

"Well, this is the day. Our intelligence suggests that the Gi will attack this afternoon. Is everyone ready and prepared to defend our home?" Seto questioned, attempted to hype up the villagers, but it was not working. They were ready to fight…but not ready to die. No one wanted to loose anything; not family, not friends, not even their own home.

Kasei awoke and crept carefully, not to disturb Nanaki, out of their house and approached Seto. "My love…what should I do in these troubling times? I wish to fight…but I know that I would just get in the way. What would you have me do then?"

"Kasei, please take Nanaki and head out of the canyon. Go as far away from this place as you can. I do not know if we will win this pressing battle…and if we do not, the canyon will no longer be habitable for you and our son. Promise me that you will do this…" Seto did not want to send his family away, but he knew that they would be safer if they left. Perhaps if they went to Midgar they could live peaceful lives.

"…Seto…alright, I will take Nanaki and we shall leave the canyon. Please my love…you must survive." Kasei walked back into their hut and pack some things and to wake Nanaki.

My love, I am sorry. I will always be with you. I will become part of the Lifestream and I will protect the entire planet. Nanaki…I wish I could watch you grow up into the brave warrior you will become. Please do not think the worse of me…I shall miss you both.

The sun was now at noon high and just as predicted, the Gi were on their way. The canyon elders set off the alarm to worn the villagers that the beasts were beginning their attack.

An elder frantically rings a bell, "Everyone, they are here! They're here! Get to your positions. Don't let them enter the canyon. Take all the children and the frail ones and hide them in a stable structure. Hurry, they are almost…"

Just then, an arrow flew high into the air, and with lightning speed, struck the elder in the back. A horrible cry of agony left the poor man's mouth and as he struggled, the deadly poison began to take its dreadful affect. Starting from when the arrowhead impacted his back and spreading rapidly all over his body, the poison rapidly turned his entire body to stone. As his body was being engulfed by the stone embrace, he jerked to the left with the last once of his strength, and with the weight of his granite body now, fell straight to the ground, shattering into a million pieces.

Shock and despair filled the eyes and hearts of those who witnessed the elder's ordeal. However, the battle was far from over.

"Come everyone, we must fight! CHARGE!" A group of men ran down the canyon's main entrance to ambush the creatures that were making their way toward them. "For Cosmo Canyon!" Swords and spears clashed with the claws and fangs of the monsters. One of the demons mumbled something incoherent and the suddenly flaming balls shot towards the men struggling to get an edge over their enemies. However, the fiery balls quickly burnt several of the villagers, killing three, and sending the other five running away from the spell caster.

Meanwhile, Seto was at the other end of the canyon attacking the Gi that were attempting to climb the canyon's might walls. "There is no way that I will allow you to pass anything further. 'Oh mighty heavens! Send a message with your great fists to these infidels that attempt to defile my home…' COMET!" Having finished the incantation for the spell, Seto's materia shined a wondrous bright green color, and a larger comet appeared. Falling down from space, it picked up speed and intensity, and then at long last it fell directly on top of the Gi that Seto was looking at. A great blast exploded down below him, and as he looked down, he could see no other enemies approaching from his direction.

Seto turned just in time to see a monster leaping at him from behind. He was able to dodge the attack and deal a tremendous amount of damage to it, but he did not anticipate the creature's final move.

Hissing, the creature yelled, "AERO!" A powerful wind swept into the canyon, attacking many villagers on its way to Seto. He braced himself, but could not hold back the incredible winds of destruction. The monster faded away into nothingness, but the magic spell continued on.

"Grrrrrrr…ahhhhhhhh!" Seto was flung hard against one of the canyon's stonewalls, and nearly lost consciousness if it were not for his high dexterity. He then noticed that the mighty spell had been so strong that it blew out the Cosmo Candle.

How could this happen? I am supposed to be strong enough to protect the canyon. Now not only have many fallen in a futile battle, but the one symbol of our hope has been lost. What now? What can I do now? Seto laid there thinking to himself, watching the loosing battle for his home. As he looked on, he noticed Bugenhagen come down from his observatory.

"Seto! The hidden valley! They are attacking through there! The guards are attempting to hold them off, but they don't have much time left. You must hurry…"

That's right! The hidden valley in the back of the canyon. The Gi were most likely going to attack there. It is the most vulnerable spot. I must hurry if the canyon is still to survive this fight…

"Mother!" Nanaki cried out at he watched helpless as a monster threw Kasei out of the hut.

"Nanaki (gasps for air)…ru…run…RUN! Get out here!" Kasei struggled back to her feet to face her opponent. With a loud roar, she lunged at the beast with all of her strength that she had left, and ripped the demon's tentacle off. It howled out in pain, and then Kasei quickly gave it a finishing blow, biting off its head to silence it once and for all. She then looked up to see Seto, and she knew what he was going to do.

Seto, please don't…we need you. I cannot live without you…

"Father? Father help! Mother can't handle all of these things by herself." Nanaki was unsure why his father did not help out. It made him frightened.

Seto looked at both of them with a painful look on his face, and then bolted with great speed to the entrance of the hidden valley. When he passed by Bugenhagen, he gave him a slight nod. Bugenhagen, as much as he didn't want to, knew what Seto meant.

"Father, where are you going!" Nanaki cried out as more fiends were gathering around him and his mother.

Bugenhagen mumbled some ancient words, and the entrance to the cave began to seal shut. Seto leaped and just made it inside as the door slammed shut behind him.

Kasei just stood there with a petrified look. "Seto!" She cried out.

Nanaki, just as shocked as his mother, cried out too. "Father! Why!"

Bugenhagen turned around and floated back to his observatory, and Nanaki noticed at tear falling from his grandpa's face.

Kasei just fell to the ground, weeping while the battle was still going on around her. Seto…

1Comb – no, not a hair brush! Seto's race uses brute strength as well as their teeth and fangs to fight. A comb is a type of headdress, which kind of looks like a feather, but it is used at their main weapon.

2Cosmo Candle – this is a great big bon fire that is in the center of the canyon where all can see it. It has never gone out, except during one battle… The candle is the symbol of hope and courage for all in Cosmo Canyon.