Chapter 5: Twilight Interference

Disclaimers: I do not hold any claim over Final Fantasy XI or any other of the Final Fantasy games. The only character that I own is Ylinestra, my White Mage.

Summary: When the Shadow Lord strikes back at Vana'diel, one White Mage must discover the truth of the Four Artifacts, and their power in the Realm of the Twilight….for you, Ashy.

Authors Note: Here it is, guys. This is the promised story. Realm of the Twilight was written for my friends in Final Fantasy XI. I decided one day that I would like to make up a fictional story that included real people, somewhere. I appreciate all comments and reviews, but I am not seriously going to try and make this the best fiction on this site. Still, feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions. This is for you, Ashy.

Side Notes: These characters are not the exact same ones as the ones in Final Fantasy XI. I mean that in respect to their appearances. As some of my friends chose the same characters, hairstyles, and hair colors, I have decided to change the physical appearances of some of them, including my own, Ylinestra. Just so you know, when you see a description of male Hume with green hair down to his feet, or something to that regard.


Ylinestra counted to twenty, being careful not to pull out his hair in the process. Beside him, Carbuncle hovered, worriedly pacing too and fro, keeping a wary eye on the White Mage. In front of him, the Galka crossed his arms and frowned.

"I told you, the ferry has been ported. Jueno has issued a halting in any and all ferry shipments. And I don't have any 'special' orders concerning emergency shipping for anyone." His piece said, the Galka guarding Mhuara's ferry port leaned back against the dock house and stared down at the slight Hume.

"But I'm supposed to have a ferry picking me up as we speak!" Ylinestra cried, nearly in tears from his horrible night.

"You'd better head back to Windurst, Hume," the Galka grumbled threateningly. "Lots of strange characters 'been roaming around."

"Ylinestra…." Carbuncle murmured, feeling the anger and desperation rolling off his Summoner in waves.

Angrily, Ylinestra started casting the Mea spell, and just as suddenly as he appeared, the White Mage and his Summon disappeared in a flash of bright sparks. Jumping Whale leisurely scratched his chin, eyes never leaving the spot where the Ylinestra had stood. Strange characters, indeed.

-o00o-

"Are you sure we can trust them, Carby?" Ylinetsra asked for the fifth time that night. The mystical Summon sighed as he gently floated next to his Summoner through Sarutabaruta.

"Yes, my Summoner. I have sensed nothing from them but good will. They will not harm you." The avatar yawned suddenly, blue glow flickering for a moment.

The White Mage's stony stare warmed as he gazed at his loyal companion. "I'm sorry, Carby, I just feel snappish. Finding out I play a part in saving the world, a part which I don't even know how to play, can be very draining." Ylinestra sighed. Not to mention having everything go wrong afterwards—the ferry hadn't arrived for him as Azazer has promised, and even the Chocobo handler at the crag had been nowhere to be found—what a wonderful way to start off saving the world.

"I've kept you out all day and night, too. I'm sorry, Carby; get some rest."

"I would not wish to leave you traveling at night all by yourself, Ylinestra," Carbuncle protested, yet could not disguise another carnivorous yawn.

The White Mage smiled, albeit sadly, before Releasing Carbuncle. The avatar's glowing blue eyes gazed worriedly at him as he disappeared in a wisp of blue starlight.

The warm glow from the avatar now gone, Ylinestra was plunged into the night. He sighed again, leaning heavily on his staff as he continued the long march to Windurst. To his right, one of the towers of the Horutoto Ruins loomed over him, casting a forbidding shadow. The White Mage glanced up at it—

—and was almost blinded by a flash of white. Ylinestra gasped and brought his hands to shield his eyes as the flash grew brighter, pulsating with power. The White Mage barely had time to regain his bearings before a hand clamped over his eyes and the force of a steel blade was at his back.

"Quiet, Hume," a hoarse voice whispered. "Foward, now!"

"Wait, what's going on?—"

From what he could see through the fingers covering his sight, the white light grew steadily dimmer as Ylinestra was propelled further away. Whoever had him was nearly forcing him to run, the blade held readily at his back. All at once, the light was muffled out, and Ylinestra felt the sting of the cold night wind leave him suddenly. His captor threw him on the ground…or rather, a matted floor. Ylinestra quickly scrambled to his feet.

'Great, another Elvaan.'

Tall, handsome, smooth silver hair falling neatly into his eyes—and looking severely annoyed. Bright aqua sparked at him from the slightly slanted eyes. He had the look of someone used to rough living, and someone well-versed in the killing arts. The knife was brought up to Ylinestra's face.

"By the Crag, have you lost your wits? What possessed you to meander around Sarutabaruta this time of night? Do you not know the full moon approaches?" the Elvaan huffed. He impatiently smoothed back a wayward strand of shining silver hair, all the time glaring down at the dumbstruck White Mage.

"And what has possessed you to kidnap me?" Ylinestra retorted angrily. To heck with manners, he was sick of people doing whatever they pleased without giving him a say.

The Elvaan's glare grew angrier. "You should express your gratitude towards me for saving your life, Hume. The Lady in White might have had your head by now."

"The what?"

Aqua stared at him, confusion and annoyance still shining clearly.

"You must not be indigenous to this region." The Elvaan slowly lowered his knife, though he did not sheathe it. "But even those from afar have heard of the Lady in White."

"Well, I'm from Bastok," Ylinestra said absently, standing up and brushing dirt of his white pants, and almost immediately noticed his head was an inch away from the ceiling of the straw hut they were in. Small and constricted, it looked as if it had been designed for a Tarutaru rather than a Hume. The Evlaan, who was still staring at him, was himself crouched down somewhat, which looked quite painful for his stature. The hut was littered with debris, including some destroyed furniture. "Who is this Lady in White?"

Finally, the glare dropped, and was replaced by an expression more sympathetic, thought still untrusting. "No one knows completely what the Lady in White exactly is, only that she has recently taken residence in the Horutoto Ruins. She lies still in its den until the full moon approaches. Then, on the night the full moon shines in full, Sarutabaruta lies in ruins."

"That's impossible," Ylinestra interjected at once. "I've been to Windurst many times, and Sarutabaruta is always lush and filled with flora."

"That, my incompetent Hume,would be the magics ofWindurst. The magic that emanates from Windurst itself gives power to the land that lies near. Sarutabaruta is destroyed by night, but is built once more by the following mornings. Still, many have been taken by the Lady in White, never to return." The glare flared up once more. "You, Hume, might well have been one of these." The Elvaan dropped to the floor, hunching over on himself.

"Where are we, anyways?" Ylinestra said after a tense silence.

"This place I only came across just two moons ago, while I was scouting Sarutabaruta. Obviously, some Tarutaru tribe resided in these dwellings, but everything appears to have been abandoned." Gathering himself up, the Elvaan carefully uncovered part of a window blind, where the white light shimmered through briefly before going out completely. "Why any sane race would take residence so near the Lady in White confounds me." The Elvaan glanced out the window once more before twirling around to face the slight White Mage. "She has retired for the night. Come, Hume. I will escort you to Windurst. You should return to your homeland quickly, after the full moon wanes."

"I…thank you," Ylinestra murmured. "I'm sorry for my rudeness earlier; I've just had a rough night." Smiling, he held out his hand. "My name is Ylinestra."

The Elvaan nodded, aqua eyes shimmering brightly against the muted backdrop of the night as he pulled his right gauntlet off and stretched out his own hand, taking his in a firm grip. "A pleasure. I am Equa." Releasing his hand and moving swiftly now, he held open the door, glanced out and around, before motioning for Ylinestra to exit.

"The Lady in White usually makes one appearance each moon, but we can't be sure. Move quickly and silently, Hume. She will not follow us into Windurst, too much magic protects the city from her wrath." His knife drawn, the Equa followed Ylinestra out of the dwelling. The White Mages took a moment to absorb his surroundings, realizing that this hut had been one of many. They had actually taken refuge in a hut near the edge of this village, with good reason—in the middle, only a small crater was present, surrounded by bare ground. Equa's impatient snort brought him out of his musing, and he quickly followed the Elvaan into the night.

"Return immediately to your home, Ylinestra," the Elvaan instructed as they raced across Sarutabaruta. The entrance into Port Windurst was a tiny black hole in the distance. "It's best if no one discovers you wandering around the night of the full moon."

"Of course, but what about you?"

Equa glanced back at him over his shoulder, smiling bitterly. "I am a wanderer, Ylinestra. I have no home to claim." The Elvaan's eyes glowed almost painfully, shining and swimming. "Once upon a time, I belonged to Windurst. But, my parents were killed while serving this nation. I broke myself from the ties of nationality many seasons ago."

The White Mage was silent as the now walked side by side. "Nationality can tie you down, can't it?" Ylinestra stopped, before shaking his head slightly. "But…it can also bind you together. Sometimes, loyalty to ones nation is the only thing that ties you to your friends and family. It's…it's the only thing we can have in common anymore."

Equa sighed. "You speak wisely, Ylinestra. Still, nationality can race unchecked. It separates the world from itself. Windurst, Bastok, and San d'Oria cannont face the world by itself—yet, we are taught to hate neighboring nations and view them as rivals for lands." The Elvaan shook his head once, before stopping suddenly. The shadow from a nearby tree obscured his face as the lights from the archway leading into Windurst glowed dimly.

"Well, here is where we must part, Ylinestra," Equa said. He grasped the White Mage's left hand in his, holding it up slightly. "I'm sorry our time is short, but these ages, everyone must take care. Return to your nation, Ylin. Where you belong."

Where I belong?

Ylinestra nodded, staring down at their joined hands. "Equa, are you—?"

Whoosh—

Equa pushed him down, falling on top of him and muffling Ylinestra's surprised cry as Azeriel's claws missed them by a hair's width. The enormous phoenix shrieked as it circled around to face them again, falling beak-first in a deadly dive. Ylinestra and Equa rolled away in opposite directions, the Elvaan jumping nimbly to his feet as the White Mage scrambled to his own. Equa grabbed his arm, pulling him behind a tree as the moonlight flashed off a shuriken he launched. It connected with Azeriel's left shoulder blade, and the duo quickly covered their ears to censor the cry of rage and pain.

Equa was breathing hard now, aqua eyes glowing as they tracked the trail of white blazing across the night sky. "Run for it, Ylinestra. I will distract the beast."

"Are you insane?" the White Mage hissed, clutching his staff to his chest. "That thing will tear you to pieces! I'm not leaving you alone to face it!"

"Your life is meaningless dead, Hume!" Equa snapped, causing Ylinestra to flinch back. The Elvaan sighed, grasping the White Mage's shoulders and bringing their faces closer. "Ylinestra. You have family, friends—a nation that needs you. I have no one that will miss my face. Return home, mage. To where you belong."

"Touching, but pointless, Elvaan. Hand over the White Mage now."

Ylinestra mentally groaned as he whirled around to face a shroud of black silk. Marrok's gloating voice sent chills up and down his spine as Equa sized up his opponent.

"Marrok," Equa hissed, knife held up. "Why in the Crystal are you present here?"

"I came here to retrieve what is mine," the taller Elvaanexplained languidly, inspecting his fingernails. "Ylinestra is a slippery mage, I'll give him that, and a Thief to boot. I will need to punish the inside source you must have had to help in your escape." Marrok smiled poisonously. "But, there is always time for that. If you will, my dear…."

Ylinestra didn't have time to register whom Marrok was addressing before the buildup of magic above his head caused both him and Equa to whip their heads skyward. All he could register then was Azeriel sitting in the branches above him, beak wide open, blinding white building in its throat.

Everything turned white as Azeriel unleashed its magic, engulfing everyone, everything in burning white fire. Everything became white, then everything turned black.

And then—everything became nothing.

-o00o-

Marrok easily tossed both the Elvaan and Ylinestra over each of his shoulders. The other Elvaan groaned softly, but remained unconscious. Normally he would have killed an outside interference in a heart beat, but this Elvaan might prove useful for later. Yes…later. He was still unsure of the procedure, but a sacrifice or two might become necessary. Much better to have a couple stored—it was such a bother having to find people willing to die.

And the leak in his services would have to be eradicated immediately, he reasoned as he started off towards Windurst. The fact that Ylinestra was currently wearing three of the Four Artifacts, including the Ring that had started this whole escapade, had not escaped his notice. This was a disaster. If the White Mage had retrieved the last Artifact…how this leak had managed to steal both his own Bracelet and the Earrings through the Sealed Door took some bearing into, as well. Neither was an easy feat.

In any case, he had to get the White Mage out of harms way. Once inside the safety of Heaven's Tower, he could reclaim the Artifacts and set about finding the leak. However, the shuffling of feathers drew his attention behind him, and he was mildly surprised to find that Azeriel had landed on the ground and not moved from its spot.

"Come, my dear, you must be tired. Return to your den, and I will visit you shortly."

Azeriel didn't react at all. Marrok frowned slightly, but knew better than to try and provoke the beast. It was amazing that he was able to provide any influence at all on its mind, but he had attacked it in a moment of extreme weakness a while ago. Still, he could not overindulge his pride into thinking he had total control over Azeriel. After all, it was a wild Notorious Monster, and of the rather powerful extremity.

Shrugging mentally, Marrok hoisted the two adventures into a more comfortable position on his shoulders and begin walking back to Windurst again.

Azeriel blinked once, molten golden eyes observing as a tear fell from its right eye to send a miniscule splash on magic ground. The phoenix crouched down, neck bent slightly as it watched a Casablanca bloom where its tear had fallen. (1)

-o00o-

"Whaddya mean 'who'!" Ashy growled, hands planted firmly on the desk in front of him, providing him leverage as the Dragoon leaned menacingly over the terrified Tarutaru.

"I-I'm sorry-wary, sir, w-we have no re-records of a m-magey-wagey named Ylinestra."

Ashy gritted his teeth in frustration as his teammates cautiously watched the steam exiting from the Dragoon's ears.

"But, our friend became a citizen of Windurst some months ago," Sylphyin interjected. "This is the center for citizenship and housing registration. Surely you must have some records of Ylinestra moving in."

The Tarutaru shuffled restlessly as Ashy whirled on him again, and hastily began shifting through a pile of papers splayed out in front of him. "I-I've checked and re-checked all the records we have of any-wany new citizens Windurst has had in the past year, sirs, and there is no one by the namye-wamy of Ylinestra."

The Dragoon looked as if he might launch across the desk at any moment. Knopfler grabbed the back of his collar as Ashy's sword hand twitched. "If he doesn't have anything, then that's that, Ashy," the Bard said placidly. "We can check the Residential Area again."

With another growl Ashy pulled free and stalked out the door.

His teammates followed. Outside of Heaven's Tower they found the Dragoon nearly yelling into his linkshell. From the regular pauses, it was obvious that Ylinestra wasn't picking up. Ashy slammed the linkshell into his pocket and paced restlessly. He halted abruptly as his teammates caught up with him.

"Where could he be?" Ashy exploded, hands tangled in his hair in frustration. "He wasn't at his house in Woods, he's not wearing his pearl, and he's not even registered as a Windurst citizen!"

"Ashy, calm down," Ticia snapped, at wits end herself. They had searched all day once they had returned from their mission, which had included escorting the Tarutaru tribe to Windurst. The night they had spent with the tribe had been a pleasant one, celebrating their victory over Azeriel.

Upon returning to Windurst, however, they had been surprised not to find Ylinestra anywhere. Not at his house, not at Heaven's Tower, not at the Clothcrafters Guild—further more none of them could contact him with the pearl. They had searched until nightfall; it was nearly midnight now. Ashy had quickly come to assume the worst. The others were thinking of more practical reasons for Ylinestra's absence.

"He could just be out training with a party, Ashy, and taken off his pearl so he could concentrate," Aarin reasoned. Uuyui remained silent, arms folded as he leaned back against the tall pillars supporting Heaven's Tower.

"But he never does that," Ashy argued, resuming his pacing. "He always at least checks in with us to say if he's taking it off or not." The Dragoon absently waved away a curious fly near his face. "What if a crazy Elvaan kidnapped him or something! We've gotta find him!"

"What we need to do, Ashy, is calm down," Ticia stated. "My brother is a big boy—he can take care of himself. Why are you so agitated about this, anyways?"

For some reason, this stopped the Dragoon cold, mouth agape. He stared at the Paladin, seemingly frozen in time, before snapping his mouth shut and spinning around to face away from them.

ChaosMaelstrom was at a lost. Uuyui finally stepped up, coming to stand next to Ashy. "Ashy, what are you thinking?" he whispered.

Ashy's sizzling green eyes glanced up at him, emotion swimming as clearly as a book underwater. "I—"

"Sirs! Oh, Bastokan sirs!"

Ashy's left eye automatically twitched at the sound of a small Tarutaru's whine. The little being's legs were moving rapidly as she scurried over to the adventures. Breathing hard, she came skidding to a stop, hands on her knees as she strived to catch her breath.

"S-sirs,' she wheezed, eyeing the Bastokan emblem on Ashy's Aketon, "you are the linkshell that was sent over by Sir Lucius, yes?" The little Tarutaru's eyes were round as gil coins. "You have been summoned-wummoned to the Bastokan Embassy at once!"

"…This is kind of a bad time," Knopfler said hesitantly. "Can't we report in later?"

The Tarutaru gal shook her head, red ponytails flying widely. "No sirs, I'm sawy-wawy. Miss Malek says it's very urgent!"

Sylphyin yawned. "Well, let's go, then. We can stay the night and see if we can find Ylinestra tomorrow."

"…Fine," Ashy said. "Let's go, Chaos."

"Hey, where's Arben?"

The group swiveled this way and that. Their Dark Knight was no where to be seen.

"Oh, I remember," Ticia exclaimed suddenly. "He said he was going to head out to the Horutoto Ruins for a bit, after we decided to check with Housing. Something about needing to take care of a quest."

"Oh, okay then," Ashy said, carefully eyeing the impatient Tarutaru who was currently tapping her tiny foot. "Onward, Chaos!"

-o00o-

"For all that time I spent with you, Ylinestra, you were always such a heavy sleeper. Time to wake up."

Ylinestra groaned, hands automatically coming up to shield his sensitive eyes from the glaring white light that seemed to emanate from nowhere and everywhere, only to find them being restrained somehow. A low hum invaded his ears, and the White Mage groggily made to stand as he came upon the realization that he was bound on something soft and tender, and unable to move his arms and legs.

That voice sounded awfully familiar….

"There we are. No need to fear—I made sure to take care of that little annoyance some time ago. And here you are, my dear friend. I took the liberty of acquiring this for you. You'll be needing it right about…now."

A tall presence intruded into his space, and Ylinestra moaned quietly as the other carefully smoothed away a space beside the White Mage's head, before retreating backward slightly. The tall presence that was currently meddling with something at his feet seemed to have smooth dark hair, though Ylinestra couldn't be sure if the haze across his eyes was telling him truth from fantasy. The arched gleam that shone off the curved blade of a scythe cut across his vision as the—it looked like a Hume? Or an Elvaan—stood up, carrying something with him. The figure laid it down next to Ylinestra's face, and the White Mage felt something fuzzy. The thing pushed a pulsating golden light into his haze, and his vision improved just a little bit more. Now, though, he was having difficulty breathing, as if the thing was sucking up the air next to him.

It…it was so warm….

"Alright…it's all set. Here is the last part."

A yell—Equa. Equa stood out clearly against the white backdrop of his sight. The Elvaan seemed as clear as a trumpet call in the night as he swiped an arch of gold across the sky with his knife. The other figure cried out in surprise as he fell back, crumpling on the ground as he did so. Aqua eyes shone clearly as Equa raced to the White Mage, knife still held up. He began cutting away at something on Ylinestra's right side, and as snapping sounds filled the air the White Mage felt the pressure that held him down lessen away.

"Ylinestra…Hume! Can you hear me? Ylin?"

Ylinestra thought he managed to garble the Elvaan's name, but he assumed otherwise at the look of confusion on the other's face. Aqua eyes speared the white veil over his vision as the look changed to amazed comprehension. Ylinestra got it in his mind to try and ask what was wrong; instead, he found his eyes following a trail of blood that slipped from a corner of the Elvaan's mouth. Slowly, as if falling asleep, Equa dipped forward, coming to rest against Ylinestra's chest. The sickening sound of flesh being separated from metal reached his ears as a black gloved hand raised a Sword in front of his face.

It glowed like all the stars in heaven thrust into one constellation. An intricate design of a dragon intertwined along the handle of the Sword, gleaming with opals (2). Four thin, nearly transparent bands of silver weaved from the base of the Sword to around midway, circling each other at some places and interweaving at others. A ruby red substance slowly trailed down the blade, coming to pool at his feet.

"The Hanabi, also known as the Sword of Destinations. Impressive, isn't it? And it's all yours, Ylinestra. But come, I sense interference soon. Here is your last piece—you look stunning, my dear."

Ylinestra struggled weakly as his shining golden hair was pushed aside. Maniacal laughter reached his ears as the figure attached something around his neck—a necklace of some sorts, that glowed a faint azure. His free arm, seemingly acting on its own accord, flung around the Elvaan lying on his chest, waiting for him to stir, to move, to even return to his Home Point

The golden thing beside his face glowed brightly now—it was burning. It felt as if it was trying to melt off his face, it was so hot. In front of him, the Sword rose out of the other's hand, turning around to face its sharp point at him. His hand clutched at Equa's tunic as the Sword plummeted at him.

Ylinestra screamed.

-o00o-

"Marrok left some time ago," Skyee rasped, throat clearly sore. She took another sip of her herbal tea before taking a deep breath and continuing. "I was looking around his office when he—or something he set on me—attacked. I was completely drained or magic and power; I was knocked out before I could register what was happening." The Dark Mage sighed and glanced out the window, where dawn was breaking over Windurst. "I think it's been a couple of hours, maybe more. Azazer is gone as well; he did not meet me at our weekly rendezvous session." Skyee shook her head, slowly. "I fear Marrok has already taken care of him."

Silence enveloped the Consulate of Bastok.

"So," Uuyui finally spoke up, "you're saying Ylin is in the hands of an insane but very influential madman who, after torture upon torture, could very well kill him at any moment?"

"Darnit!" Ashy burst out, slamming a fist on the conference table. "How could this have happened?"

Skyee flinched. "I don't know," she whispered, almost in tears.

The Dragoon's expression softened as he sighed and knelt down next to Skyee's chair, taking her free hand in both of his. "I'm sorry, Sky, it's just been a long night."

The Dark Mage shook her head again. "No, there is no accounting for my lapse in judgment. I should have guessed Marrok would be up to something tonight when he informed us he was traveling out to West Sarutabaruta for a while. I'm sure he's headed to the Horutoto Ruins, the centerpiece for all his ancient magicings." Skyee shifted slightly, clutching her tea cup until her hand turned white. "Everything was going fine until tonight! I just don't understand how Marrok could have gotten word of Ylinestra's escape so quickly."

"Well, there's no guarantee that Marrok actually found my brother," Ticia interjected, trying to give hope to the hopeless. "If Ylin left when you say he did, he should be halfway across Valkrum by now. And even someone as skilled as Marrok can't track down the exact path of someone in such a short amount of time."

"He did seem remarkably calm about the entire ordeal," Skyee admitted, frowning as she recalled the details before her attack. "But the fact that he remained so composed gives me more grounds to fear then if he were panicked."

Grim nods of agreement flitted about the room as they processed this news before Malek cut in. "For now, we must concentrate on the matters at hand," she said sternly, eyeing Ashy, who was still staring at Skyee. "You must track down Marrok at the Horutoto Ruins. Leave now, before something else occurs."

"Something, like—"

The door to the Consulate slammed back on its hinges as Arbenzio came clamoring in, face white-stricken and wide as the varied exclamations of surprise died down. His almost cat-like eyes quickly took in the situation in one swift, calculating glance. Behind him, the Tarutaru girl that had led them stared up at the Dark Knight, eyes wide and afraid.

"I see you all are taking your sweet time," Arbenzio muttered, pushing dark hair away from his face. He held his scythe at an awkward angle, as if he had struck at something and was expecting it to fly at his back at any moment. "There's been an immense magic buildup at the west entrance into the Horutoto Ruins. We need to get over there, now!"

"C'mon, then!" Ashy cried, unsheathing his sword. Firewing swooped in out of nowhere, breathing bursts of flames as he mirrored his master's excitement and anticipation for an upcoming battle. ChaosMaelstrom rushed outside, the Dragoon leading the way out of Port Windurst.

Malek followed slowly, stopping at the open door to stare at the retreating backs of the brave linkshell. Her eyes lingered on the one that was called Arbenzio, trailing over the scythe that was now slung on his back. One black gloved hand raised to tighten a leather strap over his shoulder as the Dark Knight disappeared into West Sarutabaruta.

The informant for Bastok turned back inside to be captured by a pair of onyx eyes. Their sightless look gave Malek the information to know that Skyee was Seeing. A few moments later, and the look cleared. The Dark Mage stared at her for an eternity longer, before the eyes lowered, and her head shook, just once.

Malek sighed. What a night.

-o00o-

"It was wide open when I passed by it, I swear!" Arbenzio shouted, hands pressed against the sealed chamber door that would usually lead one down into the Horutoto Ruins.

"Well then, why is it closed now?" Ashy shouted back, jamming his shoulder against the door as Firewing butted it with his head, only to flap backwards, dizzy. Above them, the wind picked up, and the crazy light show grew wilder. Blinding white lights danced from the top of the Tower over Horutoto Ruins, but stayed out of reach from the vision of the adventures. Magic cut through the air like a hot knife through butter, invading their senses with its sheer presence and power. Knopfler, the one of them most in-tune with magic, was on his knees, hands held fast over his ears as his magic senses called out to the wild magic that raged across Sarutabaruta.

"Why assume that I know!" Arbenzio screamed, finally dropping his hands from his futile attempt at opening the door.

"Enough!" Aarin cried, having come up beside the two in order for them to hear. "We have to return to Windurst! This is getting us no where!"

"We can't leave!" Ticia protested, one arm around Knopfler, trying to get him to stand. "We have to stay until at least some backup arrives! There's no way Windurst can ignore this—surely they will send someone to investigate!"

"We'll all be dead before that time comes!" Sylphyin shouted.

"Chaos, retreat!" Aarin ordered as the wind blew a forceful gust into the chamber, nearly knocking all of them off their feet. Knopfler let out a keening wail as the magic pressed down harder on them.

"Chaos, stay!" Ashy countered, still pressing against the sealed door. "As your leader and the former of this linkshell, we stay!"

"You're mad!" Aarin screamed, whirling on the Dragoon. "We'll all die out here at this rate!"

"Better dead than leave one behind!"

"Think of us, Ashy! Think of our safety and our dangers, for once!"

Ashy whirled around then, pent up rage blazing clearly in his eyes. "And just what have I been doing all this time?" he screamed. "I've taken care of you guys since we met in Gustaberg, I've taken care of you guys ever since we formed this linkshell, and now I'm going to take care of you guys now, all of you! I'm your leader, you have no right to challenge me now, now, when we need unity and cooperation!"

"Then maybe this linkshell needs a new leader, O Reckless One!" Aarin shouted. "You only care about adventure, limelight, being the best—and your precious Skyee! I can be a better leader than you! I deserve to lead!"

"You don't deserve squat if you're willing to leave one of your family in the dust!"

"Better to save the rest of my family than to have us all perish for one!"

"I'm not leaving Ylin!—"

The door flung open, sending a blast of light and wind that knocked them all completely out of the chamber. Blinding white light seemed to fill the entire world. Firewing shrieked somewhere to their right as Ashy grabbed him and pulled the wyvern underneath his own body. Screams and shouting exploded as the light grew brighter and hotter, like staring into the face of the sun.

And suddenly, the light faded, the wind stopped, and the doors slammed shut.

Ticia was the first to shakily get back onto her feet, eyes fastened on the door, which was once again sealed shut. The Paladin was breathing hard, but she firmly set her mouth and carefully walked forward. Wispy smoke was exiting from the chamber, blotting out the inside. Ticia stpped forward a few more steps, sword raised.

Behind her, Arbenzio and Ashy rose to their feet, shaking their heads groggily. Aarin, Uuyui, and Sylphyin followed, Uuyui stopping to put an arm under Knopfler's own and raise him to his feet. Firewing growled low, piercing red eyes glaring into the mist that led to the Horutoto Ruins. Slowly, the wispy smoke cleared, allowing the linkshell to finally see two figures, lying face down on the floor.

"…Hey," Ashy called hesitatingly to the two, receiving no reaction. The Dragoon slowly walked closer, until he promptly stopped, a blush spreading from his neck to his hair roots.

One of the figures was completely naked. A Mithra, if his eyes could clearly make out the white tail and ears that adorned her figure. Her slim body was unusually pale and milky against the cold stone floor as the linkshell took in the only resemblance of clothing she wore, some jewelry. The other figure, an Elvaan, was lying in the near same position as the Mithra, one arm outstretched toward the girl. A thick red substance steadily oozed out from underneath him, and the paling of faces around the chamber gave testament to the knowledge of said substance.

Finally, Ashy stepped forward again, the others following carefully. Firewing dropped down, hissing softly at the Mithra, nudging her shoulder with his snout—

—one of the Mithra's arms shot out. Ashy and Firewing jumped back in alarm, and Arbenzio unsheathed his scythe with amazing speed and accuracy. The Mithra's hand latched onto that of the Elvaan's, tightening almost desperately. Her shining silver hair, which fell in smooth waves almost to her waist, rustled as the head turned blearily, allowing the linkshell a glimpse of her tear-streaked face.

Molten golden eyes pierced into their souls.

raging hot golden eyes—

Three thousand emotions filled her irises as the girl took in the band of adventurers surrounding her. She gave a little whimper, hand clutching at the Elvaan tighter as, seemingly unknowing of her own nakedness, she struggled to stand. Immediately Ticia strode forward, gently helping the Mithra up as her grip on the Elvaan's hand fell slack, allowing it to drop back to the ground while she looked ahead of her in stunned silence, eyes wide and unfocused. With a glare from their Paladin, Uuyui handed over his cloak, which Ticia carefully placed around the girl's shoulders. The Mithra, however, took no notice of the kind gesture.

She had eyes only for one.

Tears filled her strange golden eyes as she stumbled forward with a muted whimper, launching herself at Ashy, the cloak flying wildly free. The Dragoon barely had time to let out a startled exclamation before the naked girl wrapped her arms around his waist, her shining silver head barely coming up to his chin. His teammates stared in shock, tiredness and curiosity seeming to overtake their sympathy for this girl and her companion.

A single whisper, in a voice of the sweetest melody, fell from her lips, providing the final blow to the night that would forever change the fate of Vana'diel.

The Mithra gazed into the Dragoon bewildered eyes, before her eyes suddenly dropped shut and she slumped against him. Ashy quickly grabbed her, face still aflame. Around him, Chaos stared wonderingly as they pondered her single, spoken word.

"Ashy…"


(1)—The Casablanca flower in FFXI has special meaning to me.

(2)—My own birthstone. I think the opal is the most beautiful, because of its wide variety in colors, or lack thereof.