Tyren swivelled his head wildly in the darkness, and groaned.
"Oh no, not here again. Raun, where the hell are you making me go this time? Why won't you let me go to Midgar to rescue my parents?"
The voice came from behind him, and he jumped.
"I have other plans for you. I could simply make you like so many of the others, you realise, totally mindless. You're lucky that I'd rather not do that to someone only half-tame."
"What others? What are you talking about? I just want to find my parents!"
"And you will, I'm sure. All in good time. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they were at Junon. Here's a hint: Start your search for them there. I suppose it's just as well that you're heading that way."
Raun gave Tyren an appraising look.
"You seem even scrawnier than before, you know. Are you sure you've been eating right?"
His laughter followed Tyren as he blinked to see grassland surrounding him, the sea visible on the horizon.
"Tyren!"
He jumped as he spun around to see Caaliey riding up to him on Qwark, her pack hanging from the side.
"I thought you said you were heading back to Midgar. How come you're going towards Junon? You do know your way around, don't you?"
Tyren shrugged.
"That's what the world map is for. It's just that I've decided to go to Junon. Did you want to come along for the ride?"
"I decided to leave yesterday. I saw you go past my tent after I woke up this morning, so I figured I'd better follow you in case you got into any more trouble."
"Trouble's coming up fast towards you if you're interested."
"Ha ha. Very funny, Tyren. Do I look like an idiot?"
"Do I look like I'm joking? Turn around."
He pointed at the prickly green bird coming up fast, and drew his sword. Giving it a few practice swings, he realised just how much he appreciated the ease with which he wielded it. Caaliey leapt off Qwark, her hands instinctively going to her daggers.
Tyren leapt forwards and sliced off a good portion of the bird's wing, and while it was distracted, Caaliey ducked underneath and drove one of her daggers upwards, aiming for the heart. The bird screamed in pain, and would have sent its talons straight through her had he not utilised his enemy skill. Extending his palms, he sent the tendrils of magic curling around the creature's head and blinding it as Caaliey scrambled out from underneath.
Obviously disorientated, it released a huge gust of wind as the two ducked and covered themselves as best they could. Tyren found himself surprisingly refreshed after it, and noted that his enemy skill materia was now glowing bright yellow. Caaliey, it seemed, was feeling the same way, and she leapt onto the bird's neck almost effortlessly. Hands wrapped around the back of its neck, she clung on tightly as it swung its head around wildly, before delivering a crushing blow to its throat with the hilt of her dagger. It collapsed as she swung off to one side, brushing her hands off with a self-satisfied grin.
"So, who's next?"