Onigetsu
A Final Fantasy Story

Chapter 2

Consultation

Leon was the new emperor of Palamecia since the fateful day when he and the others slashed away the new era 50 years ago. Time seemed to have little effect on this mighty warrior. Though he was about 72 years old, his solid figure didn't let up. He continued to train his body further. He remembered the old times when he and Firion would cross blades and spar to prepare for the battle against the late emperor. They even performed their magic on each other simply to train their endurance and intellect.

Paul jumped off Boko upon reaching Palamecia. The chocobo let out a deep 'kweh' of exhaustion. Paul ran his fingers along his companion's neck.

"You did a good job;" the ninja said proudly, "Now wait here. I'm going to go see the Emperor."

Paul looked around at the City of Palamecia. It was much different than it was 50 years ago. People lived peacefully here under the protection of Leon and his legion. It was the first time Paul had seen the place in a while. It must've been at least 10 years ago.

"Hold!" a soldier guarding the castle called flatly as Paul tried to enter the castle, "State your business, ninja."

Paul raised a brow, "I have some important news for the Emperor."

The guard looked Paul over. Paul was wearing all black, save for a dark gray scarf that covered most of his face below his brown eyes. His hair was a modest shade of white that couldn't possibly be natural. With the two short katana on his sides, it looked fancy nonetheless.

"Wheredoyou hailfrom, envoy?" the legionnaire asked while pulling up a small clipboard with a quill pen.

"I'm from the Palamecia – Fynn Border." The guard nodded, and wrote the information.

"Tell me what your message is. Then we'll have you come inside while we discuss this."

Paul crossed his arms and nodded. 'This is going to take a while...'

The arena of Palamecia still stood. At times, tournaments would be held for a prize in gil. These fights weren't to the death, of course. They were simply for the sport of it. While Paul was here, he decided to try his luck. Intel took a couple of weeks to get through the process of being verified as true.

"You're up kupo," a moogle beamed as Paul's turn came up.

The ninja looked at the tournament card... seemed like Paul was fighting someone named Biggs.

"Wait, I'm fighting a legionnaire!" Paul snapped.

Paul was sure of his ability, but this Biggs was a military soldier. No doubt they go through more rigorous training than Paul.

"Well, I guess we'll have to see how all the self-training pays off," Paul said proudly as he strode out of the lobby.

Biggs was pretty much a large walking suit of mythril armor. Paul raised a brow.

"And in the other corner," an unseen announcer spoke. It was a female voice, "Is a ninja; a master of stealth from the Palamecia – Fynn Border: Paul!"

Paul walked out and an outburst of cheers filled the arena. Seemed more people favored Paul than Biggs for some reason.

"The rules dictate that the first person who keeps their opponent down for 10 seconds or knocks them out of bounds, wins. Now... begin!"

Paul took his two katana from their scabbards and look over Biggs. The legionnaire took hold of a large, great axe. The obsidian weapon's head was attached to a pole. It was actually quite imposing.

"Usually people don't get killed in this tournament. But even with tailored leathers underneath that eastern suit, this axe can cleave you in two!" Biggs threatened.

"We'll see," Paul retorted with a grin.

Paul muttered a couple of phrases into his index and middle fingers. Strange, eastern symbols rose and disappeared.

'Now's my chance!' Biggs thought as he dashed forward with his axe letting out a battle cry. Paul threw away a small leaf that seemed to act as a wrapper and it looked as if there were four of him. Biggs stopped and jumped away.

"What the hell?" he grunted as he tried to discern the difference as the four images switched around.

All of them were see-through. Biggs swung at one of the images and it disappeared. The legionnaire looked directly at the image left of the one he just defeated... its back was facing him.

"Behind me..!" Biggs choked as he spun and got struck fiercely on his arm where the armor connects to his joints. Biggs let out a grunt as he dropped the upper part of his axe.

"You got lucky, ninja." Biggs said as he took a knee to signify his defeat.

"You're morecorrect than you might think, Biggs," Paul said, "If that left image was the real me, you probably would've cut me to pieces. They train you guys pretty good at the academy. I wouldn't be able to even think about carrying a weapon that big and wielding it comfortably. Try again next month. You show some pretty good promise. What's your rank?"

"Petty Officer," Biggs responded. "Well, Petty Officer Biggs... you'll go far. And your skill will be needed. You'll see why pretty soon. So go back, get some rest, and keep training... monsters are beginning to come back from the Jade Passage."