Chapter 4: N or Z?
A fishing boat sailed through Mid-Ocean, the fisherman on the lookout for a special fish known as Rainbow Grule. Sailor's Island was offering 60 gold a piece, so this sailor was looking forward to a rich pay off later that evening. He had already caught several, and he wanted to get two or three more before calling it a day. The weather was calm and peaceful, and a school of Sky Sardis fluttered by. Everything was tranquil.
Without any warning, the man was jolted out of reverie with an awful sensation of fear. He stared due West at Shrine Island, and saw a sight that would haunt him for the rest of his years. Above the island was a dark shape, pointing a sharp looking object directly down towards the island. Out of the tip radiated a blinding dark light, raining down upon the ancient island. The very light of the sun was absorbed by the energy.
Under the onslaught of power unleashed upon it, The old structure could not remain standing for long. The entire island began to disintegrate, the huge blocks of stone shrinking to boulders, then pebbles, then dust, then nothing. Where once the final remnant of the Silvite Civilization had stood, nothing remained. The fisherman stared, letting scores of rainbow grule fly by.
From the epicenter of the explosion screamed a red ship with black sails. It blasted past the fishing boat, barely grazing the side. The fisherman took no notice, and just stared where the island had stood just two minutes earlier.
The Claudia raced back to Crescent Isle, having barely escaped the destruction behind them. After an uneventful trip interrupted by several Loopers the heroes arrived at the base. As soon as they landed, Gilder called for Dyne to meet them in Vyse's chamber.
"Okay, Gilder, what's the rush?" asked Dyne as he entered at took a seat.
"That Black Thing 'n blew up Shrine Island! We Barely Made IT! That's what!"
"What! Fina! Tell me exactly what happened, and what you found."
"Okay. We landed at Shrine Island. As we investigated, we were attacked by several Hunters. Gilder was anxious to try out his new set of pistols, so we let him use Gunslinger to take out the beasts. His wide-spread and erratic gunfire managed to destroy a nearby wall, opening a room we had never seen before."
"The walls were covered in Silvite script. While the others admired the ancient pictograms, I read the text. I had just finished reading when a shadow enveloped the island and a cold fear entered our hearts. Knowing what would come next, we dashed to the Claudia. Just as we reached it, the island began to disintegrate. We flew away as fast we possibly could, and barely escaped the explosion. We were lucky to survive."
"I'm glad you're okay. Okay, now what did you learn from the text?"
Fina stood up, fixed her dress, and sat down, prepared to continue her story.
"It is common knowledge that in the distant past, the five civilizations other than the Silvites created the five gigas to use in war against each other. These gigas contained unimaginable power, and could have destroyed the world had they been released unchecked. The Silvites saw this and created their own gigas, Zelos. They used Zelos' power to unleash the Rains of Destruction to destroy the civilizations and to seal away the gigas. What we did not know was that Zelos was not the first gigas created by the Silvites."
"What! Are you sure?"
"That is what the text reads. Before the creation of Zelos, a Silvite went crazy. Using his great power, he sacrificed his life and with a prayer to the Dark Moon, transformed himself into the Black Gigas, Darknoth. This gigas was different from all of the others. It was ten times as powerful as the others, used the powers of the Dark Moon, and retained all the intelligence that belonged to the Silvite creator. This gigas had a will of it's own, and that will was the destruction of the world. When the Silvites saw this, they created Zelos to use the Rains of Destruction to defeat Darknoth. It succeeded, at high cost to the other civilizations. The name of the Silvite was . . . Ramiren."
"That's awfully close to Ramirez, Fina! Are you sure he's dead?"
"Yes. However, I have developed a theory based on other writings which I cannot repeat to you. They were . . . too horrible. Another time, maybe. However, this is what I believe happened. After Zelos - I mean Ramirez was defeated, Vyse threw his Silver Moon Crystal overboard. I believe that the crystal did not disappear into Deeper Sky as we had thought. Instead, the energy of the Dark Moon caught the crystal and perverted it. Once it found another great warrior to sacrifice, it was able to recreate itself. As far as I can tell, after our battle against Vigoro, the Moon Crystal located Vigoro and absorbed him. That is why Darknoth has the general build of Vigoro, including the horrible hair style. This is what we are fighting against now: a creature of darkness built from the combined powers of Ramiren, Ramirez, and Vigoro, all transformed by the Dark Moons power into a single, all-powerful being. It is now in the process of destroying the civilizations that posed a threat to it. Soltis has already been obliterated. It is only a matter of time before the rest of the world follows."
"Damn! There must be something we can do!" exclaimed Vyse.
"I was unable to finish the script, but I think I know. We must find the other moon crystals and use them to recreate Zelos. Then, as much as it pains me, we must unleash the Rains of Destruction upon the world again, only this time there will be no more Silvite warriors to once again take the form of Darknoth. Then we must destroy the moon crystals once and for all."
"But the Moon Crystals are all in Deeper Sky with Soltis. That means they were obliterated by that blast!"
"You are incorrect. After the final battle, the other five continents launched expeditions and regained their moon crystals. I believed they could do no more harm now that Zelos is gone. It seems we shall need them once more. We must now go in search of the Crystals again. Will you help me?"
"Of course, Fina! We can't let the world be destroyed! Let's leave tomorrow!"
"Vyse, you are in no condition to go anywhere. This is one time you will have to sit out. Gilder, I must ask you again, will you help us?"
"Don't worry! I'll take care of it! But I think this is one situation that needs more than the Claudia's power. We will need to make a stop at Valua and pick up Enrique. Without his help, and the Delphinus, we won't stand a chance. After that, I propose heading for Yafutoma. They seem to represent the biggest threat after Valua, which has already been destroyed, and Soltis, which is gone. Do you agree with my plan?"
"Sounds good, Gilder. Let's rest up, and get going in the morning!"
"Aye-aye!"