Chapter 2: Desert Bandits
Jaxen, Lyo, and three other people are in a large crowd of people. Further inspection reveals that they are in a stadium, similar to the ones for Blitzball. All five of them yell out, "Go, Liena!" as the sound of motorcycles can be heard all throughout the crowded and bustling stadium. Two groups of motorcycles come in the stadium's main ground, which is a desert-like field, along with two people who were running. One of the groups of motorcycles was blue and yellow, which attracted the eye of most of the people in the stadium, as the others were crimson and black. At the second that the first crimson and black motorcycle comes out, cheering are heard from all the people surrounding Jaxen and the others yet, Jaxen and the others are not cheering for that team. 'The Crimson Angels… No wonder Liena said that were popular,' Jaxen thinks as he sees the discouraged faces of the other team in blue and yellow on the large screen in front of them.
"Warrior Storm versus the Crimson Angels! Players set!" the announcer says as the twenty players on the field began to take their positions. Jaxen takes this time to realize that there are eight players for each side, each side has seven people on motorcycles and one person who does not. Despite the fact that Jaxen is confused, he feels as if he understands the basic concept of it and watches the game start. Two of the people on each side drive across the field, towards the other team's goal, which the frame is connected to the wall, while the net is sticking out of the stadium itself, formed in a perfect square. Another three people on each side drive to the center, which is marked with a white mark that is drawn across the field. Two people on each side begin to get close to the players that are on the other team, who have gotten to their designated positions at this point and the ones who were not on any motorcycles get close to the goal. Jaxen is confused at this point, not even sure as to what is going on or going to happen.
Lyo smiles at Jaxen, saying, "That right there is the Attack." Lyo points at the two people who had crossed the field earlier and was now next to the others from the other team. "The ones standing next to them is the Defense. While the attacks' job is to score, the defense is there to stop them or guard them if you get my drift." Lyo looks at Jaxen as Jaxen nodded. "Now, those are the midfield." Lyo pointed at the six who were near the middle line, three for each team. "Since the attack and defense match up with each other, the midfields fight amongst themselves." Jaxen nods as Lyo continues, "And those two without motorcycles are the goalies for each side. The goalies are the last defense for stopping the ball from going in the goal. You got all that? A lot to take in, huh?" Jaxen quickly nods as Lyo laughs. "Well, don't worry. You'll understand it more as you see it being played. Look, its starting."
Jaxen looks down as a person walks out of into the stadium, saying, "Welcome everyone to our exhibition match between team Warrior Storm and team Crimson Angels!" Jaxen looks at the screen as the person continues, "Now, let's introduce our members! On team Crimson Angels, we have Kale Kusaharri leading the attack! Kale, an eighteen year old, is probably one of the best players that we've seen in a while. With his natural skill at blasterball, he is considered the top player at this time! His choice weapon is a sword!"
The screen switches to a person who looks similar to Kale. "And this is his brother, the leader of the midfield, Kuwaga Kusaharri! Yes, people, they are brothers, and Kuwaga's the older and most tactical out of the family! He leads the midfield with his skill in the sword!"
Now, the screen switches to a girl, who seems to make all of the males in the stands yell out in glee. "Ah, yes! You know her; you love her, its Alena Raeleis! Now up to her fourth term of being the most-attractive girl in the blasterball circuit, Alena is currently available! She leads the defense with her skill in gunning! Man, girl, you can light my fire any day!"
Lyo whispers in Jaxen's ear, "Alena and Liena don't really get along well… Just to let you know, Jaxen. I know you're interested…. I am." Jaxen sighs and shakes his head.
At this point, the announcements for the rest of team Crimson Angels are finished. The person yells out, "Now, people! Let's give it up for team Warrior Storm!" A weaker cheer rings out as their name is being said before the person continues, "Now, for their players!" The screen moves through most of the people in their lineup, filled with people Jaxen is not familiar with, before it arrives at Liena's face. "Now, for the skill behind Team Warrior Storm, Liena Kingsthrope! She is one of the youngest on the team but that didn't prevent you people from voting her as one of the most attractive girls on the blasterball circuit! She leads the attack and leads them well with her abilities as a gunner!" Soon, the screen changes to two other people as the person continued, "Now, these two are the other leaders to Warrior Storm's lines: Wedge on defense and Biggs on mid-field! Both of them use guns to get to their point!" As the screen, shows both of them, bickering can be heard coming from them. As the person smiles and the whole stadium become quiet, the two people take the hint to stop bickering and quiet down. The screen clicks off for a few seconds before it shows the middle of the field. "Ahem… Now that the introductions are done, let's see the game in action!"
The person walks between the two people in the middle of the stadium, with the other four on the sides of them; two on either side. "Fair game, okay? Now, let's blast!" A ball randomly appears in the person's hand. "Game…" The person throws the ball in the air as everyone in the stadium; the players, the spectators, and the person throwing the ball said, "ON!"
Now, it is a few hours later. Liena, Jaxen, and a cloaked person walk through a town. Jaxen and the cloaked person are trying to console Liena. "Liena, it wasn't that bad," Jaxen says. "It was a close game; three-to-zero is not really that bad, is it?"
"Yes, Jaxen, it's really that bad… They played circles around us… Not only them either. Any team can beat us right now… We need some help or something," Liena says. Liena begins to march off as Jaxen and the cloaked person pursues her.
"Liena!" both of them yell out as they chased her through the crowded streets. 'I guess that not everything can go along perfectly… But, help can come in the most unlikely of places…' both Jaxen and the cloaked person think as they keep on pursuing Liena.
Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena were all walking through the desert while on the ledge; six people looked down at them, mounted on a strange group of stallions, made out of rock. One of the six chuckled before saying, "New prey!" Everyone except for one member, a teenage girl who didn't look a day beyond seventeen, laughed. She was skinny at first glance and her green eyes and amazingly long and beautiful yellow hair seemed to stun about every boy she's ever met. Her hair was tied off with a pink ribbon and the ribbon's remnants were tied around the lower part of her legs. Her feet were covered with pink shoes, which started to heat up her heat under the hot desert sun. But her skimpy white outfit prevented her torso from becoming hot. She also had two sleeve-like parts on her arms, which weren't attached to the actual outfit but for some kind of strange reason, they just stayed there and never fell off.
The one who had just spoken snapped on the reins of a large yellow bird, a chocobo, which seemed to bring pain to her ears. She was looking down at the ground before she saw the legs of the stallion. Once she looked up, she was slapped in the face. She resisted from tending to the stinging side of her face as he looked at the person, her leader. "What's wrong, Melanie? Are you hurt?" The girl didn't respond in anyway but looked down at the ground. The person seemed to be a little agitated as he tightly gripped onto his reins, saying, "Did I stutter? Or are you just not hearing me?" The girl still did not respond before the person said, "Respond, god damn it!"
"I… I'm- I'm fine," the girl said finally, not wanting to make the person angry.
"Good. Now, let's get underway to intercept them. Everyone knows what to do so, let's do it," the person said and almost immediately after, all of the stallions began galloping down the large sand dune, well, all except for the girl's.
She seemed to be lost in thought, 'Man… That hurt.' She held the side of her face before she looked down. "Why did he need to hit me? Why did he need to take these monsters away from their herd? Nature's not supposed to be tampered with…" The stallion neighed before she nodded. "We'd better get going." Due to the fact that her stallion had no reins, she made a clicking sound with her mouth in order for the stallion to ride off, down the sand dune.
Meanwhile, Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena were still walking in between of the row of sand dunes as Jaxen took out one of their water bottles and drank some water. Lyo and Liena had already drank some water before so they weren't about to take anymore. All of a sudden, Liena stopped walking and Jaxen accidentally bumped into her, nearly dropping his water bottle. Jaxen was about to say something but realized that Liena was preoccupied with something. After a few seconds, both Jaxen and Lyo could hear the distant sounds of galloping as five stallions, made of rock, rode towards them. Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena took out their weapons in almost an instant's notice afterwards. Jaxen said, "You two ready?" Lyo and Liena gave Jaxen a thumbs-up before they stood in a triangle, all facing towards the stallions. Jaxen focused a fireball into his Stave Blade, saying, "Flame!" before shooting it at once of the stallions. It proved to be futile as the stallion charged towards him. Lyo charged towards the stallion, hurling his katana through the stallion, cutting out its two hind legs as blood squirted out. Then, Jaxen shot another fireball at the stallion, where the blood was seeping through. The stallion, within, began to get hotter until its body just disappeared. Lyo looked at Jaxen before Jaxen shrugged. "Sorry. I guess I got a little carried away with the whole thing…" Lyo sighed as another stallion charged towards him, another three heading towards Jaxen. Jaxen slid under the legs of one of the stallions, ending up behind all three of the stallions before Liena jumped up and took out her shuriken, throwing them at the three stallions before Jaxen launched a group of three fireballs, hitting with the shuriken as they hit the stallions. Then, Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena landed beside each other before Lyo and Liena stepped out. "You two, do your thing!"
Liena nodded before she yelled out, "Ninja Assassination!" Liena jumped up into the air and disappeared before the stallions began to show signs of pain. Then, all of a sudden, one of the stallions disappeared as Liena reappeared beside Lyo and Jaxen. "Too easy! Lyo, you're up!"
"Right!" The stallions began to run in the opposite direction as Lyo's eyes turned blood red before he yelled out, "Sacred Destruction!" Jaxen looked to see that the stallions had stopped in mid-air. Then, all of a sudden, Lyo reappeared within striking distance of the stallions before he slashed through two of them three times, one of them four times before he reappeared near Jaxen and Liena. Two of the stallions fell down and disappeared before their heads could hit the ground. Soon, Jaxen launched another fireball, hitting directly into the area in which Lyo's three sword slashes had hit it to make that one disappear, as well.
Jaxen flicked his nose before he said, "Too easy, huh?" Liena and Lyo nodded. Soon, five people emerged from one of the sand dunes, riding on chocobos. Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena stood in their perspective stances as a girl, on another chocobo, rode behind the five people. Jaxen laughed, "Six against three. Lyo, Liena you two pick your opponents. Two each for both of you."
The girl on the stallion gasped as she saw Jaxen's confidence and thought, 'He's just like him… Ash, I miss you so much…'
Her leader stepped off his chocobo and walked in front of Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena. He chuckled, "You sound confident. Aw, well. Not everyone can be as smart as I am." The girl who rode in behind of everyone stopped as the leader smirked. The girl raised her hand before her leader said, "Air Slash!" The girl gasped as Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena flew back a few inches.
The girl looked at the leader before she looked back at Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena, who were surrounded by the other four bandits and their chocobos. Soon, the sand in-between the girl the group of bandits began to secede. Coming out of the sand was something that looked similar to a worm but the worm rose above even the tallest sand dunes. Jaxen blinked as its shadow nearly covered the sun. The worm opened its mouth and released an abundant amount of sand before Jaxen yelled out, "Out of the way!" Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena jumped towards the bandits. Liena threw her three of shuriken at one of the bandits, rendering his right arm and both legs useless, as Jaxen and Lyo ended up outside of the circle of bandits. Jaxen and Lyo swung their weapons at the two bandits that were near them, knocking them out. "Only one left!" Jaxen yelled out before he dodged out of a fireball. Jaxen glared at the remaining bandit before he gathered up magic into his Stave Blade and said, "Flame!" The fireball ricocheted towards the bandit and once it hit him, the bandit fell in defeat. Jaxen flicked his nose before saying, "Four up and four down!"
"Another win for us!" Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena said in unison as the chocobo ran away. Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena stared at the sand monster as the lead bandit laughed. The worm lunged at Jaxen with a slow tip of its head. Jaxen rolled out of the way of the worm, saying, "Shoot!" Jaxen stood up as a few more bandits appeared, grabbing Lyo and stripping him of his katana. The giant worm halted its attacks as Jaxen and Liena stood in place. Everyone could guess what was going to happen next. Jaxen simply asked the leader, "You want a trade, huh?"
The leader chuckled, "Ah, yes. Well, let's see for your friend's safety, all three of you must work as our slaves. Especially this well-figured woman."
Lyo scowled and yelled out, "No way! Liena, Jaxen, don't listen to this creep!" Almost as soon as he said that, he felt an object that was near his neck. Lyo didn't really need to think much about what the object could be. All he cared was that it was sharp and can easily cut his throat if given the opportunity. He didn't want to die as much as the next person but he didn't want to give in to the leader's demands. Lyo closed his eyes in anticipation for what Jaxen and Liena were going to decide upon.
Jaxen looked at Liena, who nodded at him. Jaxen solemnly said, "Fine. We'll be your slaves for Lyo's safety."
The leader laughed, "Now, Sand Worm! Sand Storm!" The worm sent another burst of sand that hit Jaxen dead-center, blowing him back a few feet as Liena and Lyo were bound and gagged by the bandits. All Liena could do is look at the huge sand cloud, looking for any trace of Jaxen. Once the sand had cleared, Jaxen was still standing but was tired and could barely see, due to all of the sand that had been thrown at him. Jaxen fell down to his knees as he was bound and gagged. Jaxen, soon, fell into unconsciousness. The lead bandit kicked Jaxen as he looked at Jaxen's stave blade. "Ah, a one of a kind, I think… I wonder how this little kid got such a bargaining item. Aw, well. It's ours, now." The stave blade glowed faintly before a grunt of confusion escaped the lead bandit's mouth. The lead bandit turned around and yelled out, "Let's get back to our camp, you guys!" The bandits picked up Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena, two bandits for each 'catch'. Once the other bandits had gotten a little bit ahead of him, he began walking.
The girl on the stallion rode over to her leader and just rode beside him before she gathered up the courage to ask him, "What're you going to do with him?"
The leader smiled before saying, "The two boys can prove to be useful to tracking down other people. They have some fighting experience. As for the girl, she's the same case but if she wants to… I can have the situation changed. Anyways, you'll be charged with guarding them, okay? We need to do another job. We caught sight of another caravan." The girl reluctantly nodded and a moment of silence soon followed. Then he said, "Now, let's go, Melanie." Her leader ran off after his underlings as the sand worm finally disappeared, leaving the girl alone with her chocobo.
The girl muttered, "He said that this would be the last job… Why can't he just let the people be?" She shook her head and rode off towards the campsite.
Later into the day, Jaxen struggled to awake to see no one besides from the girl that he saw on the stallion. He sighed as he took another look around, not seeing Lyo or Liena. Jaxen struggled to get his gag off but he turned out to be alerting the girl. The girl just looked at Jaxen before she looked back towards the middle of the campsite, where there were traces of a fire. Jaxen growled as he looked around the room, finally laying his eyes on Lyo and Liena. Both of them widened their eyes once they saw that Jaxen was awake, again. Jaxen tried to worm his way over to them but soon the girl caught on to Jaxen's plan and got in his way. Jaxen closed his eyes before he moved back, slightly. 'Man, she's either completely paranoid or she's actually good at what she's doing. This is cheap.' Jaxen would have kicked using one of his feet if both of them weren't tied together by ropes. 'And they're probably expecting me to somehow break out using Spirit Magic. There's probably another six guys, just covering this one girl if I turn out to be strong enough to overpower her.' Jaxen groaned and looked back at Lyo and Liena, who were looking anxious for Jaxen to use his Spirit Magic. 'They haven't gotten the clue, yet. I'd better wait until I get released by those creeps. But… they must have a plan for us. What could it be?' Jaxen was getting anxious, he wanted to get on his way towards Flamar and yet he was stuck in a bandit camp, bound and gagged like a pig. Jaxen didn't want to move any further, worried that he might catch the attention of the girl so he stayed in his place.
A minute somehow passed like hours and finally, the sun began to set. That was when Jaxen heard the sounds of footsteps. Jaxen looked up as another person walked towards the girl. He just muttered something to her and she ran off. Jaxen was forced to his feet by one of the bandits before he was forced into a tent, the same one that he saw the girl run into earlier. Inside the tent, he saw the leader of the bandits and the girl talking, sitting on the bed. He was able to catch the leader say, "You should enjoy yourself, okay? That's additional to your pay."
The girl shook her head before she said, "But, he shouldn't do that with me and he shouldn't really be your slave." Then, the leader left the tent, leaving the girl and Jaxen in the tent. The girl was about to go after him but she decided to stay.
Jaxen felt the knots on his arms and legs get loosened as he had the cloth that was covering his mouth removed. Jaxen stood up and sighed before he asked the girl, "So, I'm your slave now, huh?"
The girl looked down at the ground, saying, "Yeah. You know… I-I'm too young to be having that okay? I have a long life in front of me so-"
Jaxen covered her mouth before he said, "You seem nice. I just don't see the reason why you're with them."
The girl fussed with her hair before she said, "I'm poor. No one really helped me out… At least until he helped me. Anyways, I tried to get some money as a mercenary and… One of my first jobs landed me with them. But, I've been kept on overtime. So, they thought that they could fix that fact by giving me you so I could… You know. Do I really need to explain it?" Jaxen quickly shook his head. "Good. Man, I've never talked this much while I've been here."
Jaxen sat down and scratched his head before he asked her, "Are there a lot of jobs here?"
The girl nodded, "But they don't pay well. Why? Are you interested in becoming a mercenary?" Jaxen didn't even get a chance to respond before she said, "It's none of my business. I'm sorry."
Jaxen smiled at her, "You shouldn't be sorry. Hey, how about you help us? We can't really-"
The girl nodded, saying, "He has already tricked me… I don't want it to happen, again. So, I guess I'm helping you."
Jaxen smiled, saying, "Yeah. I guess you are. You're a thief, I can tell. You'll be useful. What's your name?"
The girl said, "My name is Melanie… and your's is?"
Jaxen flicked his hair up before he said, "Jaxen Mihuru. Now, let's go." Melanie nodded before a loud crash could be heard from outside. "Looks like there's something going on outside already. We go, get Lyo and Liena, and then get out."
The girl quickly said, "Don't forget about your weapons. Most likely, someone's bound to see us." Jaxen nodded before he rushed out of the tent, Melanie close behind. Both of them spent no time at all as they searched the camp, which was being viciously attacked by monsters. Melanie pointed towards one tent and quickly ran towards it. But, right before she could reach the inside of the tent, a dog-like monster leaped out at her.
Melanie closed her eyes and stuck he daggers out to block before she heard the word, "Flame." Once she opened her eyes, she looked to see the dog-like monster on the ground, bleeding, before it got back up. Then, she saw Jaxen, standing in between her and the dog. Jaxen quickly yelled out, "Quick! Get into the tent!" Melanie went into the tent, looking around for Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena's weapons. Meanwhile, the dog-like monster lunged at Jaxen, who rolled out of the way and sent another fireball at the dog, hitting it into another nearby tent. Then, all of sudden, his stave blade flew into the air, coming out of the tent that Melanie went into before he caught it and right after the stave blade faintly glowed, shot another fireball at the tent, catching it on fire and burning the monster within it to death. Jaxen smiled at Melanie, who was coming out of the tent and said, "Thanks, Melanie."
Melanie shook her head before she said, "You… helped me against that monster. You don't need to thank me." Jaxen smiled wider before he turned towards the smoke that was emitting near the largest tent. Melanie walked over to the tent and went inside. As soon as she went inside, she yelled out, "Hey, Jaxen! Look who I found!" Melanie dragged out Lyo and cut his ropes with his daggers before he took the cloth off that was covering his mouth. At first, Lyo was close to near attacking Melanie but once he realized that Jaxen was with her, he settled down.
Jaxen smiled at Lyo before he asked him, "Where's Liena?"
Lyo was able to say, "She's with that leader. He's planning on leaving on this dragon-like monster!" before a loud roar could be heard.
Jaxen quickly stood up before saying, "Let's go! Melanie, you still have that chocobo?" Melanie nodded before she gave Lyo his katana and everyone ran towards the outskirts of the campsite, where the roar could be heard from. As soon as they got to the camp entrance, they caught sight of the dragon but a group of monsters stood before their path towards the monsters. Jaxen growled as he looked at the leader, who was on top of the monster. "Let Liena go!"
The leader laughed before saying, "I go through all of this trouble and you expect me to give her up, now?"
Jaxen shook his head before saying, "No. But, it was worth a shot. Aw, well. We'll just take you on and take out your dragon!"
"I'd highly doubt either things happening. Des Dragon, let's go!" The leader yelled out before it took off into the air.
Jaxen looked up and yelled out, "Shoot!" as the dragon rode towards Flamar. "We need to catch up with them!" Melanie nodded before she whistled and the chocobo rode out of the campsite, towards her. "Whoa, awesome!" Melanie smiled before Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena hopped onto the chocobo and the chocobo jumped over the monsters, landing on the other side. "Nice!"
"But, now we need to get Liena!" Lyo yelled out.
"Jaxen, you're the only one who can reach that creep! We'll try to help you out when it comes to monsters but you need to focus completely on that dragon and bringing it down!" Melanie yelled out before Jaxen nodded.
Jaxen picked his stave blade up and focused on the dragon, shooting a fireball at the dragon. The fireball easily made contact but now Jaxen knew that the leader was aware of what was happening. Jaxen was concentrating so much on the leader that he couldn't see the dog-like monster that was running up to him. Then, right before Jaxen could turn around, Melanie slashed the dog-like monster, defeating it, and then giving Jaxen a thumbs-up. Jaxen nodded before he focused his stave blade on the dragon, again, but once he shot the fireball, the dragon dodged out of the way. Jaxen groaned before he shot another one, which the dragon dodged, again. "Man! This isn't good! I'm not close enough to give him lesser time to dodge!"
Lyo looked at the sand dunes before he yelled out, "Everyone, hold on!" Lyo directed the chocobo up one of the largest sand dunes and had it jump. Jaxen smirked before Lyo said, "Go for it!"
"I'll do even better than that! Strike Raid!" Jaxen yelled out before he threw his stave blade at the dragon, damaging its wing and forcing it to fall. Jaxen flicked his nose before he caught the stave blade in mid-air and the stallion landed a few meters away from where the dragon landed.
Lyo pounded fists with Jaxen before saying, "Nice hit, Jaxen! Now, let's go and get Liena!" Lyo rushed over to the dragon but the leader came out, lunging at Lyo. Lyo took out his katana before he blocked the leader's punch. Lyo charged towards the leader, giving him a head butt before he rolled out of the way, allowing Jaxen to hit him with a fireball. Lyo looked to see that Melanie was getting closer to Liena and smirked as Jaxen and he charged towards the leader, Jaxen blocking against the leader's blow before Lyo kicked him back and slashed him with his katana. Lyo smirked before he blocked another blow that the leader threw at him, allowing Jaxen to hit him with another fireball. But, all of a sudden, Jaxen felt a sudden force, pushing him forward and that when he saw it: the dragon was still able to fight. Jaxen looked at Lyo before he and Lyo stood back-to-back. Meanwhile, Melanie was almost to Liena and Lyo nodded before he blocked the leaders punch before he kicked him back. At the same time, Jaxen rushed up to the dragon and swung his stave blade at one of the wings, cutting it off. The dragon yelled out in pain before it threw another ball of water at Jaxen. Jaxen hurled his stave blade at the ball of water, breaking it before cut across the dragon's stomach. Soon after, Jaxen shot a fireball into the cut and the dragon erupted in flames. Jaxen smirked before he got punched by the leader. He flew into the sand but sweep-kicked him, landing him in the sand as well. Then, all of a sudden, three shuriken flew into the air and hit the leader in his legs and right arm. Jaxen smiled before he saw Liena and Melanie walking towards him. The leader somehow got up and with his right arm and both legs gashing out with blood, the sand within the area started to turn red. Jaxen glared at the leader before Lyo yelled out, "That's what you get for taking my sister!"
Jaxen flicked his nose, saying, "You're done! Game Over!" Jaxen smiled at Melanie, Lyo, and Liena before all four of them nodded. "We're not your slaves, anymore. We decide what we want to do. As for you and your bandits, you're done for! With tonight, you'll die and without a leader, they'll disband… Well, if they're anyone left from the onslaught that the monsters are giving them." The leader growled in anguish before Jaxen pointed his stave blade at the leader. "Waterball," Jaxen said. A ball of water came out of his stave blade and hit the leader, hitting him up into the air before Jaxen said, "Flame!" A fireball ricocheted out of Jaxen's stave blade, hitting into the leader's chest. The leader's body just limply fell down to the ground. Jaxen looked at Liena as she got hugged by Lyo. Jaxen laughed before looking at Melanie, saying, "Thanks, Melanie. We couldn't have done it without you."
"Oh… I'm not sure. You're pretty good Jaxen… I'm sure you would have thought of something to help her," Melanie said quietly, barely enough for Jaxen to hear her. Melanie looked at the sky before she said, "We should stop for today. Let's just rest here." Jaxen, Lyo, and Liena nodded before Liena and Lyo sat down on the ground, sighing in relief. Jaxen walked over to Melanie before she said to him, "Despite the fact that I'm not on their side, anymore, I still feel kind of bad for those bandits… It'll probably be a quiet ride to Flamar but you'd better be ready for anything, okay?"
Jaxen nodded before he walked over to Lyo, who was smiling. Lyo winked, saying, "Jaxen, nice job, hero! Liena's back and we're well on our way to Flamar. Also, we've got a new traveling buddy. Melanie seems nice so I don't really feel as if we need to weary of her. Hey, go talk to Liena. I'm sure you'll probably get some recognition for helping save her." Jaxen rubbed the back of his head.
He looked over to Liena and walked over to her. She just simply smiled at him and said, "I guess I owe you for saving me, Jaxen. That creep was about to do a serious violation… if you know what I mean." Jaxen nodded. "Good. I really wouldn't want to relive that. I just wonder why you always have to save me. Even on the day that we met, we met because you had to save me. Sometimes I feel kind of helpless, like a damsel-in-distress that you deem upon yourself to protect."
Jaxen quickly shook his head and said, "That's not true. First of all, I don't want to call you a damsel-in-distress because I'm pretty sure that I'll become target practice for your shuriken so… I won't. Don't forget that you saved my butt just yesterday. Also, I'm not without my flaws. You just help cover them up." Jaxen nodded and looked up at the moon. "Everyone has their weaknesses Liena. It's just my job to make sure that no one takes advantage of those weaknesses."
Liena smiled, saying, "Well, you weren't hog-tied and being dragged around by the monsters and you would have probably figured out what to do to save yourself. I guess I should feel lucky to have you and Lyo. You two are not only my deemed protectors, you're also the people I should strive to protect."
Jaxen nodded before he said, "Exactly! So, don't feel as if you're a damsel-in-distress, okay? I promise you that will prove to be false, one of these days. I promise you that."
Liena laughed, "I'll hold you to that promise, if you won't go and mind, Jaxen." Jaxen shrugged his shoulders and groaned before Liena laughed harder. "You always seem to make me laugh, Jaxen. You're probably just good at it."
Jaxen flicked his hair up, saying, "Yeah. I guess that's one of the things that I've mastered. Now, you'd better rest. We've had a big day and tomorrow, we're going to start traveling, again. At this rate, we'll be at Flamar in a day or so, if we're allowed to use the chocobo."
Liena looked at the stallion before she said, "Okay, then. Good night, Jaxen."
"Good night, Liena. Same to you, Lyo, Melanie!" Lyo and Melanie nodded before Jaxen walked a few meters away from Liena and lay down on the sand, looking up at the sky. Seeing the moon and the stars, Jaxen thought, 'Phaonin, you've watched out for us so far. I won't doubt that. Now, would you mind if you keep on doing that?' Jaxen saw a shooting star, appearing as if it was disappearing into another star. Almost as if it was connecting one star to another, Jaxen took this as a sign for Phaonin and quietly said, "Phaonin, you are amazing, I'll give you that." Jaxen smiled and closed his eyes.
Jaxen awoke the next day to the sound of the chocobo yelling out 'kweh'. Jaxen rubbed his eyes before he looked towards the horizon. He gasped as a group of twenty bandits stood in the way of their path. Jaxen bit his lip, noticing that Lyo, Liena, and Melanie were already awake. Jaxen looked at the group of bandits and saw Lyo, Liena, and Melanie in ropes. Jaxen growled before he said, "How did you find us? And what happened to your camp?"
The bandits laughed before a person walked out in front, saying, "What are you talking about? Oh… You must mean the Des Bandits. They're extinct; especially since you took out their leader. We should thank you. We have been competing with them for years for the same plot of land. Now, we rule the Sakaboku Desert. We control what come in and out. Savvy?"
Jaxen took out his stave blade before he said, "Not really, if you mind me saying. Everyone has the right to come in and out as they please. Now, if you won't mind, my friends and I have a ferry to catch. Maybe if we ever come back here, we'll set your record straight." Jaxen whistled before the chocobo ran towards him. Jaxen got on top of the chocobo as it passed him, running towards the group of bandits.
"Everyone, ready!" The leader yelled out before everyone took out their daggers. "Charge!" Everyone charged towards Jaxen and the chocobo. Jaxen twirled his stave blade before he swung it on his left side hitting two bandits before he directed the chocobo to the left. The bandits chased Jaxen as Lyo, Liena, and Melanie watched from above. Jaxen focused a fireball into his open hand ad shot it into the sand dune that the leader and his friends were on, causing the sand to slide down. The three hog-tied people rolled down the sand dune like barrels before the chocobo rode near the bottom and Jaxen caught all three of his friends simultaneously. Jaxen rode towards the opening in the group of bandits before he focused all of his magic into his hand, in the form of a ball of water.
Jaxen yelled out, "Waterball!" before he threw the ball of water into the air, splashing down into the group of bandits, forcing them back a few meters. Jaxen chuckled and said, "Too easy," before he rode off towards Flamar. Soon, near the time of noon, he arrived at Flamar's entrance gate and got off of the chocobo, taking off all of the ropes on Lyo, Liena, and Melanie before he said, "I'm doubly sorry, you guys. I guess I forgot your weapons… Also, I wanted to untie you sooner but I wanted to make sure that those creeps weren't going to follow us anymore…" Jaxen rubbed the back of his head.
Liena shook her head before she said, "You saved us… You saved me, again, Jaxen! Are you sure I'm not-"
Jaxen covered her mouth with his index finger and his middle finger and said, "Don't even say it." Liena smiled before Jaxen removed his index finger and his middle finger from her mouth.
Lyo was curious as to what Liena was about to say but soon shook off his curiosity and said, "Well, I guess we owe you, Jaxen."
Melanie nodded before she said, "Yeah… Thanks, Jaxen."
Jaxen rubbed the back of his head, laughing. He flicked his nose, saying, "Don't worry about it, you guys. Hey, let's head for the Weapons Shop and get you guys some new weapons, huh?" Everyone nodded almost instantly. "Okay then. It would also be good for us to grab some sightseeing. Despite the fact that it's still Zaon, we can at least see the technology they use here." Jaxen walked into the city, with Lyo, Liena, and Melanie following him. Jaxen, Lyo, Melanie, and Liena walked down the street; seeing boys playing with balls and girls playing on the street with dolls.
The city was powered by multiple things, but that also led to pollution so the manufacturing plants were near the borders and they were small in number. 'Lyo and Liena had told me that the outside was trying to learn how to harness something called the 'NeoSream Engine'... Last they heard, they were struggling on just making even a small plank sustain itself. They said that it was to prevent the pollution that is infecting Geno. They also said that the NeoStream Engine was to use technology; combined with water that would be heated into steam in order for an object to hover in midair. It sounds like something from a fairy tale… But, it would be cool if it was true.' Jaxen nodded as he walked through the town, with Lyo and Liena behind him and Melanie and her chocobo close behind.
Despite the fact that the four of them seemed to stick out like sore thumbs, they were greeted generously by the other people within the city. Jaxen looked up at sign, pointing to the right with the words, 'Weapons Shop.' Jaxen immediately ran down the down the street, seeing the sign of two crossing swords. Jaxen automatically assumed this to be the Weapons Shop and walked inside. Liena, Lyo, and Melanie followed him,; Melanie had tried the chocobo's reigns on the post outside. Jaxen walked up to the front desk, looking around at the different weapons.
Liena pointed at one shuriken, saying, "This is even better than my original one! Let's get this one… Ooooh. Shoot. We barely have any money." Jaxen emptied out his pockets, showing about two pieces of paper. "Let me see… So, one 1000 dollar bills and one 500 dollar bills, that's about 1500 Gil, Jaxen." Jaxen sighed before Liena continued, "This shuriken costs 400 gil… And this katana costs 500… And these thief daggers cost 600. That's… exactly 1500. We need money for an inn and we also need some items."
Melanie emptied out her pockets and pulled out four pieces of paper. "Would this enough?" Jaxen and Lyo looked at the pieces of paper and once they were able to count up the estimated amount, quickly nodded. When she saw Jaxen open his mouth to speak, Melanie said, "I'm a mercenary… I did do a few jobs before I did that mission. Let's get those weapons."
Jaxen nodded before he tapped on the bell on the desk. "Hello?" Jaxen tapped on the bell, again, just to make sure that he would grab the attention of the shopkeeper. Once the shopkeeper came out from the back of the shop, Jaxen didn't give him a chance to greet him and said, "I want… Hey, Liena! What are those weapons called?"
Liena walked over to the katana they were planning on buying and said, "This is called the Warblade." Then, Liena walked over to the daggers they were planning on buying. "This is called the Mage Masher." Finally, Liena walked over to the shuriken and said, "This is called the Boomerang."
Jaxen nodded and turned to the shopkeeper. He bluntly said, "You got those names? A Warblade, a Mage Masher, and a set of Boomerang shuriken is what we want." The shopkeeper nodded and walked to the back of the store. Jaxen turned around and walked over to Melanie, saying "Thanks, Melanie. I guess that means that you'll be traveling with us, right?"
Melanie nodded, smiling, "Yes and thanks for your thanks…"
Jaxen laughed, "No issue, Melanie. I always say thanks when people deserve it." Jaxen walked away and walked up to Lyo. "She's nice, isn't she?"
Lyo turned around and said, "Yeah, she is. She looks cute, too. Maybe she deserves to get something for helping…"
Jaxen sighed, "Lyo, you are such a pervert."
Lyo flicked his hair from side-to-side. "That's my job, Jaxen. But, can you blame me for looking? I mean, she has a great body and-"
Jaxen plugged his ears and yelled out, "Lalala, I'm not listening!" Jaxen quickly walked away from Lyo and walked over to Liena, un-plugging his ears. "Lyo can scare me sometimes. I really wonder what he does on his spare time."
Liena shrugged her shoulders. Liena looked at Jaxen, saying, "I don't know. It's a good thing that I'm his sister… He'd never bother trying to do it to me. Hopefully, you won't turn into him. He can rub off, you know." Liena giggled.
Jaxen winked and said, "Well, yeah. If I turned into Lyo, then you'd have a very difficult time of not getting pregnant before you turn eighteen. Remember, Lyo's standards aren't that high. He'll basically gun for anything that can move that's not male."
Liena stepped back, slightly, "You'd really try that hard to get to me? Then, maybe I should keep my distance from you."
Jaxen quickly shook his head, "Well, you can just knock me on the head if it ever happens. I give you complete license to do that."
Liena giggled, "I probably would have done that even if you didn't give me license to do that. But, its more reassuring that you're willing to do that. I guess you really don't want to turn into another Lyo."
Jaxen sighed, "I'd rather just be Jaxen, thanks." Liena giggled as Jaxen turned around and walked up to the front desk, again. Jaxen looked at a poster that was on the wall. Read in his head, 'Carnivale. Three days of fun and merriment. Arena battles are free, mercenary jobs pay twice as much, and take a date to the closing festival, filled with romantic rides and fireworks. Sounds… interesting. I'll ask this guy about it.' Jaxen tapped on the front desk before the shopkeeper came out of the back, bringing a katana and a pair of daggers in his hands. "Lyo, Melanie! Your orders are here!" Lyo and Melanie walked up to the front desk and took their weapons out of the shopkeeper's hands.
"Let me get this young lady's shuriken. Be back soon," the shopkeeper said before he disappeared into the back of the shop, again.
Jaxen looked at the poster again, thinking, 'This all starts tomorrow, too. I guess we can enjoy ourselves as we wait for the ship,' Jaxen looked around to see Liena eyeing the poster at random intervals, knowing that she was interested in what it said. Once Liena was partly sure that Jaxen saw her looking at the poster, she turned around and took another look around the shop. Jaxen blinked and escaped an, "Huh?" before he thought, 'Why doesn't she want me to think that she's looking at the poster? It's not like it's a crime or something…' Jaxen scratched his head and turned around, seeing the shopkeeper emerge from the back of the shop, holing a pack in his right hand. Jaxen turned around to call Liena, just to be surprised when she was already beside him, receiving the pack of shuriken.
The shopkeeper grinned and said, "That will be 1500 gil." Jaxen handed the pieces of paper that he had pulled out earlier to the shopkeeper and the shopkeeper grinned wider. "Have a nice day."
"Yeah. But, before we go, I was hoping that you might tell us about this 'Carnevale.'" Jaxen leaned over the counter, pointing at the poster that he had on the wall.
"Ah, I thought you must have been outsiders. Would have explained how I had never seen you before. Carnevale I what we like to call our celebration of life," the shopkeeper said. "It's a three-day event. I would suggest going to the carnival on the third day. It's a spectacular sight, y'know? Maybe you should take your girl there." The shopkeeper nudged towards Liena.
Jaxen and Liena looked at each other before they looked back at the shopkeeper. "We're not… like that. We're good friends, nothing more," Jaxen said. Liena nodded and both Jaxen and Liena heard soft laughing behind them. Instead of reacting, Jaxen stood in place and held Liena's hand when she was about to move. Jaxen just simply looked at Liena, smiling. Liena looked at Jaxen before she smirked and nodded. Jaxen looked at the shopkeeper and said, "Thanks. You have a good day, too." Jaxen was about to leave but he realized that he was still holding Liena's hand. Jaxen rubbed the back of his head and laughed. He quickly let go of Liena's hand and walked out of the shop. At this point, Lyo, Melanie, and the shopkeeper were all staring at Liena, who quickly walked out after Jaxen.
'Hey, Jaxen! Let's go to the Inn okay?" Liena asked. Jaxen nodded and smiled at Liena as Lyo and Melanie rushed out of the shop. "Hey, let's follow the signs. We're bound to find the Inn!" Lyo and Melanie started walking down the street before Liena looked to Jaxen and said, "An honest mistake Jaxen. I know we're not like that. So, how can I blame you for making the mistake?" Liena smiled. Jaxen nodded at her before she started running after Lyo and Melanie. Jaxen took a step forward and felt himself losing balance and falling.
He ended up on a platform, surrounded by mist. Jaxen stood before a person of silver hair and average build. The person's face was shrouded so Jaxen couldn't make out his face but Jaxen could be able to hear, "So, Phaonin's settling in with you, huh? So young… so much potential, though. I can't put my finger on it, but maybe you could finish the job that I couldn't finish. Keep an eye out for Phaonin for me, okay?" Jaxen held his hand out as the person seemingly floated into the mist. Jaxen looked behind him to see Phaonin hovering in the air.
Jaxen looked deeper into the mist before he looked back at Phaonin and said, "That was- That was the first person who you came to, huh? What happened to him?" Jaxen heard gunshots and said, "Oh."
Phaonin opened its beak, "He was twenty-one years old… very outgoing and a ladies-man. I sometimes wondered if he would rather spend time in bed his woman or go out and fight. But, he never let me down. He died somewhere near your village. You know, he knew your mother."
Jaxen turned around and said, "He did? My mom died when I was young. I don't even know what happened. All I remember is just waking up one day and receiving the news. I remember how sad I was… My dad was never around and my mom was the only think that I could consider as a good family member. I had no brothers or sisters…" Jaxen choked up when he said that. Phaonin knew the reason why, though, so Jaxen didn't need to explain. "Well, anyways, then, I found Liena and Lyo on the anniversary of my mother's death so, I took them in. Would've been something that she would have wanted, you know? Maybe I was trying to honor her…"Jaxen looked down. "Then after taking to them, Lyo and Liena became my family. They're like the siblings that I needed when my mom died. Lyo… he's perverted but he's willing to protect. Liena… she's amazing, besides from the fact that I'll suffer a concussion if she keeps on hitting me on the head." Jaxen laughed.
Phaonin laughed, as well, "Nice to hear that. Hey, listen and take this advice to heart will you?" Jaxen looked at Phaonin and as soon as Phaonin saw Jaxen's face, the phoenix continued, "Salne Omnis."
Jaxen turned around to see the weapons shop. Jaxen blinked before he heard, "Hey, Jaxen! Are you coming?" Jaxen looked back to see Liena, still standing in the same place, waiting for him. Liena tilted her head and smiled, "Everything okay, Jaxen? Do you want to go to the Inn or not?" Jaxen playfully shook his head. Liena walked up to Jaxen and pushed her index finger against Jaxen's forehead. "You thinking well, Jaxen?" Jaxen made a face that indicated that he was thinking.
"I think so, Liena. I was just thinking about what we're going to do for the next few days. I'm guessing that boys will leap out for the chance to have you to themselves," Jaxen said.
Liena sighed, "Aw, well. The punishment of being like this at such a young age. Good thing that you're not like that, Jaxen." Liena ran her hands down her body, stopping at her waist.
Jaxen sighed, "Aw, well. The punishment of actually being controllable at such a young age." Jaxen turned around and shrugged his shoulders.
Liena laughed, "Now, let's try this again. Coming, Jaxen?"
Jaxen turned around and smiled, "But, of course, Liena." Jaxen and Liena started walking down the street, paying close attention to the signs to make sure that they were going the right way. As he walked, Jaxen thought, 'Salne Omnis, "Be grateful for everything." Thanks, Phaonin. I'll remember that advice.'