VANA'DIEL
TRAGEDY
Chapter Twelve: Humanity
There was a land of tropical temperatures and ecology. An island of warm seas, endless jungles, and an explosive volcano, it was called Elshimo Island. It was located less than two hundred miles away from Windurst. The morning of the day gifted Elshimo with its sun. Only one town existed on this island: Kazham. The port town hanging off the northern west coast of Elshimo Island was the home of the Mithra. The houses in this Mithran town were built out of natural materials such as bark and grass. Palm trees sat in the sun and waved to the people below them thanks to the soft wind. The ground was grassy and mossy dirt, exotic flowers everywhere, and even some of the town were accessible by short caves lighted by touches.
All across this town, running and sleeping, the monkey-like Opo-opos loved the bright sun. Mithras, with adventurers or merchants of other races, played roles in work and commerce. With some just relaxing. Airships, with a blue-coated wooden hull with a one large propeller in back and two minor propellers in front, flew into and out the docks that lay out in front of Kazham, all day long.
A Mithra, with silky light lilac colored hair that just cut short just before her eyes and wrapped around behind her neck, walked down one of the wooden docks. Her clothing was a dark, thick violet velvet gi with steel pads on her chest and shoulders. A strong belt wrapped around her sides. At the cuffs of the gi were black folds. A steel brace protected her neck. Her slacks were just as thick and dark. Her sune-ates were black, with darksteel plated into them. Equipped to her hands were black tekkos.
She walked gracefully and slow. On her sights, at the very end of the docks was a large boat. It was twenty feet high and fifty feet wide. On board was handful of Mithras. She had a smile on her face and sack of food held strongly by her right hand. Her stay at Kazham was a short one, just to get food supplies for her crew. Only a few yards from her craft, she was stopped by a shout. "You! Stop therrre!" it came from a Mithra in a scanty dressed in a red loincloth and top. Next to her was another one dressed just alike. The shouter had bright yellow locks and the other had long red hair. Both of them were armed with bows.
"Hmmm? Can I help you?" she smiled and turned around.
"Are you not Hintah Akunih?" the shouter asked. There was a silence, as the Mithra in the black garments hesitated to speak, still with a smile. "Well?" she asked again, slightly annoyed.
The captain dropped her bag suddenly. In her right hand was a small piece of paper in a strange shape. It looked like a cutout person, but will no detail. She began to chant, releasing an insensible aura and strange characters began to burn red into the air. She made a series of foreign gestures with her hands, and the paper disintegrated.
"Ninjutsu!" they both shouted and loaded their bows. They fired with a short time to aim. It was too late now though. Hintah Akunih threw her right hand back, dropping the ash into the air. A distorted aura flashed onto her body and disappeared. The arrows coming right at her flew by her, but none of them connected due to them being blocked by her animated shadow.
"Sorry! I got to go!" she said quickly and began to run. The Mithras chased after her sending arrows as they ran. None hit her, only stabbing into the docks. One arrow ripped the bag and a roll of black bread fell out. Before she could notice, Hintah passed the bread and now was behind the guards. She noted it had dropped quickly. She dropped the bag and ran back. She dropkicked the opposite Mithra into the other, sending both of them to the ground. She got up and ran for the bread. A third Mithra, wearing the same thing and with short blond hair, charged in gripped her curved sword and stabbed forward. Hintah ripped out a sharp, black leather handled kunai and parried the attack. She then began casting another spell of ninjutsu with an object in between her fingers. It was an egg bomb of some type, with a transparent bag over a spice-covered egg. As before object disintegrated and characters burned into the air as she chanted. A cloud of darkness hit the opposing Mithra's eyes.
"Arg! I can't see!" she clutched her face. Hintah did a sweeping kick, maximizing the damage from the fall by slamming the Mithra down with her right elbow while she was suspended in the air. The Mithra almost broke through the wooden planks she fell so hard.
"Grrrr! Give it up!" one of the other two shouted, as they both got up. Hintah simply smiled as she moved very fast, faster than the Mithras' eyes, and with the blunt side of her weapon, knocked them both on their heads while she ran by them and turned around quickly once they had be hit. Both slumped to the ground with a moan.
With three Mithras aching in pain on the ground, Hintah Akunih ran for the boat after she picked up the bread. More arrows flew at her, but none hit her because of her evasive speed. She ignored the door at its side and did a high jump. After flipping in the air, she landed nicely on the ship's deck. "Lets move it!" she ordered quickly. Three other Mithras was standing on the deck as well. They wore either a basic, tan and black gi or a light-weighed iron chain mail with blue leather. "Underrrrstood!" one of them, with a simple spear strapped to her back, nodded and ran to the wheel. The boat, within a minute was leaving the docks.
A Mithra watching from the land, under a breezing tree, sighed. She had red blouse and a red loincloth. On her head was a red feathery crown over short silver hair. Another Mithra placed her hand on her shoulder. The other Mithra was wearing a shiny vermilion tunic with a few golden strands. "Even if she rrrran away from her duties… a sin hunter never likes to be hunted themselves, Chieftainness" she said with her older, but nice voice.
"Manaa Mihgo?" the chieftainness flinched for a second and turned around, "She is a pirate though. Everrrry time she attacks a ship, she puts Kazham's diplomacy with the other nations into turmoil".
"She will come around, one day" Manaa nodded her head.
Windurst was in its natural beauty as usual. The trees, with their fat, white trunk and reaching green leaves swung with the grass in the gentle wind. The sea gave its salty aroma and the sun waved to the citizens. In the residential area, a tall house stood, like the wooden houses of Windurst only the wealthy lived in: two floors with a balcony and plant life growing on and above it. In one of the rooms of the wealthy house was a Hume dressed in long black slacks and white socks. It was Cronin, with his muscular chest bare and his dirty-blond hair lying against his bed. He lay over his white sheets, looking up to the ceiling.
"Master. Is anything planned today, kupo?" a high-pitched, but soft voice called from the corner. Cronin continued to look up, at the star filled wallpaper that covered everything above him.
"Well… nothing planned, but something is bound to happen" Cronin said calmly. He was a bit tired.
"I must inform you, Kurin-Juran sent you something… would you like to check your delivery box, kupo?" the voice called again. Cronin sat up, at the edge of his nice, rosewood-framed bed. He looked to his Moogle. The small, white winged creature with a strange antenna with a red ball sticking out the top of his head was small. Even smaller than a Tarutaru, but the body shape was similar.
"Sure, what did he give me?" Cronin gave a curious look.
"Hmmm" the Moogle raced outside the room and then back in, almost in an instant he was so fast. He held up a kabob, filled with meat, peppers, and onions. "A Meat Mithkabob" the Moogle spun around excitingly.
"Haha, we just read an article about the effects of adventurers eating food" Cronin smiled and the Moogle placed the warm stick with meat on it in his palm. 'I wonder what he is up to' Cronin thought as he dug his teeth into the top piece and ripped it off.
"Master Cronin… I don't think that was intended for breakfast, kupo"
"Kurin-Juran, how are you doing?" Minister Karaha said peacefully. Kurin, only a child, and him were sitting across from each other over a short oak table. Kurin-Juran wore a simple green vest and shorts. Karaha was wearing his decorated tunic, green with many stripes, brown and yellow. On his neck was a blue gem pendant. The hood of his tunic was like a yellow crown.
"I am doing… okay" Kurin smiled.
"Okay it has been six weeks since I started to tutor-wutor you and we've gone over many things… amazingly you learned so fast, but I had more in mind for you" the minister voice was strong. He grabbed large, brown book and slammed it on the table. He flipped it open to the first page. "I am going to teach you how to cast magic" he smiled. All over on the first page was a bunch of illegible symbols, the most obvious one was an image of a rock. Karaha ripped off the page.
"M-magic. Like my daddy-waddy cast?" Kurin asked, almost seemed confused.
"That is correct! Now here is the firstaru Black Magic spell you will ever learn… it is called Stone" Karaha said and hopped up. Kurin did the same. "Okay, now focus…" he moved his hands slowly, in a chanting position. Kurin mimicked him exactly. "You cast similar to this stance. Now read those runes from the page, memorize them" he sat down and spun the book. Kurin sat down and looked hard at the page. He saw the letters light up and slowly disappear, character by character. The spell was imprinted into his head forever and ever.
A few moments past… A large rock burst out of Karaha's house, sending glass shards everywhere. "That… was nice, Kurin" his voiced sighed from the inside.
Kurin-Juran, now in the present day, rubbed his temples. He stood on a dirt road, up a hill in Windurst. To his right and left were walls of rock and on the ground below him were tall grass and dirt. His hood was down, with his silver curls exposed. Whenever he would get a flashback like that, his head would ache annoyingly. Soon it passed over and he continued to walk. He hated to see the past come alive again. It was so vivid in his mind that it hurt. He loved seeing his father and mother together in his clear thoughts, but it grew so painful. Finally he was broken out of thought when he noticed Koshii walking down the same road he was.
"Koshii!" Kurin-Juran smiled and waved. Koshii was wearing her white hooded-doublet like all Sybil Guards. On her back were a strong bow and a quiver. Her hair was silver and she looked around to see who it was. She quickly noticed it was Kurin.
"Well, hello therrrre! How are you doing, Kurin?" she asked and smiled.
"I am doing just fine, you?" Kurin returned the grin.
"Oh, you know, the usual. You, Sakeru, and Cronin have been staying out of trouble" she eyed him down with those words.
"Hey! It wasn't me" he looked away, eyes hiding, "And yes, Cronin and Sakeru have not done anything messy-wessy to get in trouble".
"Well that's good" she leaned back, "Hey we never did get a chance to get in contact… how does tonight sound?".
"Hmmm, it sounds fine. You know a good place to eat?" Kurin asked.
"No actually. Sybil Guards don't get to go out usually" she flushed and scratched the back of her head.
"Right, well, me and Cronin have been going to this place for awhile. The food is good and a bard plays some nice dinner music" Kurin-Juran suggested.
"Sounds great, see you at… seven?" she also suggested.
"Sure! I'll be sure to be on time, I hate being the lastaru one to show up" he smiled now too.
"Bye" she bowed and continued to walk down the road.
"Bye-bye!" he returned and then turned forward. Before he could begin walking again, a soft hand was placed on his shoulder. It was Sakeru's. "What the!" he jumped forward and turned around. "Where did you come from!" he grabbed his chest, still in shock.
"I am very sneaky... Kurin-Juran has a date, eh?" she giggled.
"D-…D-date! What are you talking about?" he flung his hands in the air.
"Welllllll… sounds like you arrrre on a date" she continued to giggle.
"Shesh! Just two childhood friends meeting together! Its not a crush or anything!" Kurin got flustered.
"Okay" she responded smiling.
"You mean to tell me two people who have not seen each other in fifteen or twenty years can't meet!" he went on.
"Okay" she did the same.
"I mean, thataru is crazy!" he sighed.
"Okay" she repeated. Kurin-Juran lifted his head, only watching from one eye.
"You still don't believe, do you?" he asked with forgivable irritation in his voice.
"Okay" was her answer, "Err, I mean…".
In Giddeus, within the rock walls built from Yagudo's claws and beaks, two male Yagudos walked down the halls, underground. A series of dark tunnels lit by torches. Large worms crawled all about, under the surface. The one of the right was red kote-wearing Chief Inquisitor of the Yagudo Theomilitary, Quu Xuchi the Judgement. The other was the Yagudo who govern the Beastman city, Zhuu Buxu the Silent. Zhuu, with his large hide of feathers, spoke slowly. "Did you interrogate him?" he asked.
"Yes, kawk, and he didn't even say a thing" Quu Xuchi looked to the ground, "I want to use some of my truth-telling potions… but I would need your permission". Zhuu kept his mouth shut for a long awhile.
"I think it is best you do not use anything of that such on the Torrent, kyah" he nodded his head and turned to Quu.
"Very well" Quu gave no protest but followed with a question, "I believe you want me to do a task of some sort?".
"Yes, kawk, that is correct. I need you to contact a soldier in Tahrongi Canyon. His name is Moo Ouzi. He will be waiting for you" Quu nodded.
"Do you believe that the Shadow Lord will return?" Quu Xuchi quickly changed the subject. Zhuu Buxu was left silenced for a few moments.
"I suppose its possible, if all the Beastmen were to work together" the Silent responded, shrugging.
"Do you want him to return, kyah?" Quu gave him a serious look.
"I do not know… I really don't at this point, kawk, I just want what is best for my people" Zhuu, with almost sadness in his voice.
"Would you betray the Theomilitary?" Quu kept his serious tone.
'The Theomilitary starves the fledglings of this city! They give little support or protection from brutal adventurers! All they care about is the glory of its soldiers and its growing empire!' Zhuu all thought in his mind, filled with rage. He gave a sigh and answered, "I could never imagine myself doing so. If that's your concern, you should think if the Theomilitary would be against the Shadow Lord at all". Quu ignored that last sentence.
"Well, I suppose that's good, kawk" Quu Xuchi turned away. He was not completely satisfied with the answer. When he first came here, at request of the Yagudo Avatar to prevent any possible rebellion, he thought the task would be easy. With the rumor of Shadow Lord's return strong, he could only afraid the worst. It was now or never Quu Xuchi stopped a Yagudo rebellion, to prevent the start of a worldwide war. It was quiet until they reached a large wooden door with brass bars. Beside it was a very tall Yagudo: Zhuu Buxu's bodyguard, Eyy Mon.
"Goodnight Quu Xuchi" Zhuu Buxu bowed.
"Have a nice rest, kyah" Quu Xuchi waved goodbye. Zhuu entered and shut the door behind him. Quu and Eyy exchanged glances for a second, but turned away. Quu made his way back down the gloomy hall and outside into the breeze morning with the sun up high. He would leave for Tahrongi Canyon now.
Just outside the town of Windurst were the vast fields of Sarutabaruta. Tall, fat trees with long green leaves with tiny teeth on the edges and patches of grass over dried mud was the clearly through out the fertile land. Large cliffs were laid out over East Sarutabaruta. Cutting through the area into three pieces, next to Windurst, were two mighty rivers, Nompipi River and Zanbibi River.
Just outside Windurst was Cronin, sitting in front of her stone block gates. He sat on a severed stump of an old tree. His sword out dug slightly underground as he fiddle with it.
"Damn it Cronin! You'll never be anything if you don't study!" a voice from the past roared followed by a book slamming on a table. The voice came from the throat of an older man. He stabbed deeper in the earth. More memories flowed into his thoughts.
"Mommy, why is dad never home?" a young boy questioned.
"He is a very busy man. He can't be everywhere at once" a warm, soothing voice called, from a woman.
"He's not here for my birthdays or any holidays… I wish he would just die…" the boy's tone turned dark with resentment.
"Don't you say that!" she responded.
'So a couple years later, the old man croaks. Not sure if I should be happy or sad about it' Cronin sighed and picked himself up. He strapped his sword to his leather belt. He slowly walked back towards Windurst.
Kurin-Juran walked the bridges in Windurst Walls. Windurst Walls was the northeastern district of Windurst. It was a group of tiny islands and bridges in a circle on a large lake. At the middle was Windurst's most recognized feature: the Great Star Tree, also known as Heaven's Tower. A gigantic tree wrapped around an ancient tower on top of a large island. Aside from the Auction House, Windurst Walls was very quiet. The homes of the retired ministers of the past surrounded the tower before a great moat, and even a house left empty by the hero of Windurst, Karaha-Baruha, was one.
Kurin-Juran was walking up a small hill, had just passing by the Auction House. On a large rock an older Tarutaru shouted. Kurin-Juran looked at the small blond haired Tarutaru in a cheap, tan gi strangely. The speaker stood on stone "Oh! Hear now!" he announced. Two young Tarutaru boys sat and a young Mithra girl leaned against the stone. A Tarutaru woman wearing a black threaded tunic sighed and walked away.
"That we can now live in peace… under the blessed shadow of the Great Star Tree… is all thanks to the great hero, Karaha-Baruha!" he spoke loudly.
Kurin-Juran almost staggered. He knew that name. It had been his old tutor back when he suffered from his mental disorders. He sat down against a parallel stonewall, in a middle of a sunflower patch. The older Tarutaru raised his hands in the air. "I have such a tale to tell you! Now listen up, because I'll only say it once!" he shouted to the crowd. He saw Kurin-Juran and smiled.
"Thataru's a lie! You say it everyday!" the woman in a black tunic cried.
"Ahem" the speaker cleared his voice. Kurin-Juran knew Karaha had become a legend of some kind, but never knew how. He listened carefully.
"Twenty years ago was right in the middle of that awful war" he said, then rubbed his inching chin. He relaxed his neck. "At that time, I had just graduated from the beginners class at the School of Magic. I could barely cast a fishing line, let alone a combat spell. Nevertheless, I volunteered to join the guards at Odin's Gate in Windurst Waters to help protect this fine city" he smiled. "Even now, after so much time, I still see it in my dreams. It was the night of the Siege of Sarutabaruta. My Caster Company was in the gate's lookout tower, preparing for battle. The magical barrier on the gate was Windurst's last line of defense from the teeming hordes below. We looked out over our doom; countless Beastmen, and only Goddess what else, covered the land as far as the eye could see!" he did his best to spook the kids, but they had heard the story a hundred times.
"I never knew the chances of Windurst survival in the war was so small. What exactly did Karaha do?" Kurin looked curious.
He cleared his throat again, and continued. "I remember it as the worst night the Federation ever faced… It was a face-off at Odin's Gate. Orders came from the division commander to our Caster Captains. 'Hold them off', that's it! The monstrous horde was bathed in the pale glow of the moon. Only a miracle would bring us through to see another dawn. Terror gripped my body and I lost my footing, tumbling down before the Beastmen set against us… all alone!" he pretend to panic. "I doubled over in pain from my high fall. All I could hear were the metallic scrapes of swords being pulled form their scabbards and the blood-curdling cries of the advancing Beastmen. They had seen me fall and were approaching mighty fast! The monsters rushed towards me like a wave in a storm, unconcerned with the spells raining down upon them" he explained. He took a big breath.
"I was doomed. But at the very moment I gave up all hope, there was a flash of light and soul-shaking howl that resounded over the plains of Sarutabaruta! I looked up to se a shaft of divine light stretching from the top of the magic tower toward the full moon that hung in the sky" he coughed, "That's right! It was the great hero, Karaha-Baruha! He was summoning! It was an enormous beast! Right there! Above the tower! It was a purple hided wo-".
Cronin was sitting at the tavern Timbre Timbers. His table was empty, outside the fork and knife. A Tarutaru girl sat across from him. She wore a shiny coat and cap over messy brunette hair. She had red kotes and haidate. Cronin nodded. "Okay, I understand. Three adventurers? Perfect" he smiled.
"Okay… could you make it to Mhaura in the next day?" she asked, in an innocent voice.
"Wouldn't be a problem" Cronin stood up.
"Okay I'll contact headquarters a-sap" she smiled and walked out of the tavern. Windurst Waters's air was filled with a strong sweet aroma. Lumomo raised a black linkshell pearl to her face.
"Renza, I have found the last three" she spoke softly into the orb.
"Excellent" a voice returned.
To the south of the Huntsman's Court, was the Rhinostery. It was an old Windurstian building flowing with a light layer of moss. Much some of the other ministries, the Rhinostery was two buildings connected by a bridge. On the sides of the buildings were red and gold banners baring the emblem of the ministry. Pass the bridge was a boardwalk that entered in a pond with plant life. Standing out the most was a series of red plants that radiated a blue light. Butterflies flap their wings, hovering above these plants. A Tarutaru was at the end of the boardwalk, an octagon platform. He wore less flashy clothing than other scientist. A simple tan tunic and black slops.
Leepe-Hoppe looked curiously at the object laid in front him: a large diamond shaped piece of cermet, just like a crag. It was eight feet tall and half as wide. He focused at the strange, ancient writing. His tan mitts rested on the cermet object and he gazed. The font was a fading black; it was sharp, yet messy. "So unusual…" he whispered to himself. 'Words from the ancients?' he pondered to himself.
Three shadowy figures in fancy black tunics walked under the bridge that separated the two buildings. Their tunics hid their faces and they marched on quietly. As they stepped on the boardwalk, Leepe-Hoppe turned around, and noticed them. He looked a little afraid as he approached them.
"Do you have business here, who are you? If anyone was coming, I would have knew" he shrugged.
The three figures met him and stared down. One was in the front, and two behind him. With his right hand he gently shoved off his hood. Leepe-Hoppe got a short gaze at the man's bizarre hand. It was metallic and mechanical. Quickly it withdrew into his sleeve. The man was young looking, but had a wicked look in his face. His hair was a deep blue, unheard of. Leepe stared into the man's face for a short while. "We are here from Jeuno," he explained, "We heard the Rhinostery had found something in the north, something that interested us". He looked past the Tarutaru, at the object.
"Yes, we found this in the north. I didn't know anyone found it to be it to be any worth" Leepe turned and pointed to the diamond-shaped object. "Could you be apart of the Armathrwn Society?"
"Yes, that is true. Minister Rukusu knows everything already" he nodded and said with his solid voice, "We will be taking this now". Leepe was almost ready to oppose them, but he rejected the idea.
One of the cloaked figures whispered something to the other. Her voice was cheery and light. "Do you think what I think that is?" she asked.
The other voice was sharp, and rebellious. "No, because you have no idea what it is" he returned.
'Oh, you are so cruel" she sighed. All of Tarutarus stared at these cloaked figures.
Kurin-Juran paced down one of the many bridges of Windurst Walls. 'Fenrir…'
"Kurin-Juran, you've made so much progress in only a month. You've learned to speak and read. Under that layer of confusion was a gem of genius… Maybe you can understand things that others can't. Kurin…thousands of years ago there was a race of people who lived in these fields named…"
"K…Kuluu?"
"Hmm, yes. You have learned a lot. Let me tell you about the beast that lives in the fountain below the ground…"
Kurin was stuck in a flashback, but quickly was ripped out of it as something pegged him on his head. He looked down at the round object. It was an onion. Stunned with disbelief, he stared at the onion until a moment past and he finally said, "Well, that's concerning".
"Its you!" a child shouted from behind.
"Ally of the Cat Burgler!" another shouted.
"What the-?" Kurin ducked as another onion was thrown at him. It bounced off his back.
"We are the Star Onion Brigade!" the lead boy said. He had on a blue jacket with white sleeves and green slops like most Tarutaru boys wore. On his head was a gold and blue cap with an eye on each side.
"Star Onion Brigade…?" Kurin-Juran remembered them from the first time he was in Windurst. 'SOBs… oh she didn't mean…' he thought to himself, almost chuckling.
"We saw you communicating with the Cat Burgler, we are at war with her" he continued with his cute, young voice.
"Nanaa-Mihgo? Hmmm, you must have missed most of that conversation… anyway I am not her ally, I was on a mission, like a lot of adventurers do" Kurin explained. All the kids stared at him.
"Hmm, okay. My name is Kohlo-Lakolo. I am the leader of this brigade. Papo-Hopo is my second-in-command" The kid pushed down his cap as he spoke.
"Dat's me" a kid behind Kohlo-Lakolo said, wearing almost the same thing minus the hat, and pointed to himself.
"Darn it'th. We need'th to get into the house'th!" a small Tarutaru girl fumed loudly. She had a strawberry pink cap and scarf. She wore a tan jacket and red shoes.
"Pichichi! You announced our plans to the stranger!" Kohlo-Lakolo roared.
"Ooooohhh" all the children hummed.
"Oops'th" she blushed.
"Well that settles-wettles it! You must become a member of the Star Onion Brigand or parish!" Kohlo announced. Kurin-Juran staggered.
"You sure dat's a good idea? He seems weak to me" Papo rubbed his tiny chin.
"I can't join your little kid gang, I'm sorry" Kurin-Juran scratched the back of his head nervously.
"You must!" a Mithra girl shouted.
"Hmmmmmm" Kohlo seemed lost in thought for a moment. "You are an adventurer… so you can be a part-time member" he smiled.
"You've done dit again, Kohlo" Papo-Hopo cheered.
"Part-time member'th…" Pichichi looked confused, "What's that?"
"Don't worry about itaru…" Kohlo sighed.
"Okay fine, I am a part-time member… what house do you wantaru to get into?" Kurin-Juran asked.
"The House of the Hero!" Kohlo explained excitedly.
"House of th-…" Kurin-Juran looked shocked.
"Yes, but its locked. Do you know anyone with da key?" Hapo-Popo moaned.
"Actually, Ajido-Marujido opened the door right before my eyes" Kurin-Juran remembered out loud.
"Ah! Not him! He is soooo mean!" a Tarutaru girl cried.
"W-One time we were playing in the practice ground of the Orastrey and he yelled at us!" the Mithran girl growled.
"Hmm, yah… I don't think he'll let you borrow his key" Kurin-Juran pondered.
"Okay! I got it! Kurin-Juran, as a part-time member-wember, you steal the key from Ajido-Marujido" Kohlo ordered.
"Ugh, you guys play too many games…" Kurin rejected.
"This is no game! Behind those doors, the Cat Burgler has had many activities we need to find out" Kohlo answered seriously.
"Hmm" Kurin-Juran remembered Nanaa-Mihgo had hid the Book of the Gods there and he was curious what was left of his mentor's legacy, "Okay fine, I'll ask him if I could borrow the key".
"Excellent! We realize this will be tough task, so you have a lot of time to complete your mission! Our headquarters are behind the warehouses in Port Windurst. Until then, we will restock on our weapons…" Kohlo explained.
"Onions?" Kurin-Juran asked.
"Of course! Da most devastating kind of weapon!" Hapo-Pop cheered and charged making explosion sounds. All, but Pichichi followed.
"Good bye part-time member'th!" She waved and raced to catch up.
Kurin-Juran let out a big breath of air. "These kids have no idea what they are getting themselves into, but I'll protect them to the best of my ability" Kurin said quietly as Pichichi fell out of sight.
In the middle of the vast sea, near tropical lands, a boat laid adrift. It was a wooden boat with a few steel panels and a long deck. A collection of large sails hanged high above the boat. A small house where the stairs leading under the deck and the higher floor with which the captain wheeled it resided. The boat had a long nose and at the end of the pole was a black, horned helm. Hintah Akunih sat against the wall of the outer boat. She looked across the deck to a she a small Mithran child eating a piece of black bread. The little girl seemed very pleased, not caring her red hair was very messy.
"She can't stay herrrre forever you know, Hintah" the Mithra said with the spear strapped to her back said in a calm tone. Her hair was blond and held back by a string.
"I know… I know… she rrrreminds me when I was just a lil' lass, that's all. She has no home, not exactly the best situation" Hintah looked down to the cracks. The drift of the ocean pushed a lock of purple hair in front of her eyes. Hintah pushed it back with two fingers.
"Don't go and get too attached an' all. She needs to be getting to herrr new home or something. This place, out here, it ain't the best playground. Just one stray bullet from som' wild, no-care Hume bastard and it could be lights out. Ka-put" the blonde Mithra looked away from the little girl. Hintah barely seemed to be listening. She was in a daze while staring at the child.
"Yah yah, the point has been made" Hintah brushed her off flapping her hand.
"Damn it, Hintah yah going to regret this crrrap" she signed.
"Regret? I don't know the word" Hina looked up to her. Her tired eyes gazed with a look of contempt.
"Shesh, I give up" she fumed and walked away. Hintah looked back down to the cracks. The boat drifted back and forth. She used to remember the motion made her real sick.
'No, not this girl… she got used to the ocean real quick. Hell, its like she was born out here' Hintah focused on the little girl. She punched the ground to get up. "Listen up! Time to do something!" she shouted at her crew.
Hours had past. Quu Xuchi noted the sky getting darker. The light had died above Tahrongi Canyon. The Canyon was the heart of the Kolshushu region. Everything was dry and dusty in their brown badland. In the ground were naturally built tunnels, dark and moist. Its ground was shaped unevenly due to the powerful rivers that once ran in these not always so dry lands. Towering cacti with flower tops gave shade to the creatures that have adapted to the hellish climate. Fat, bubbly trees also produce shade against the burning sun. Lizards, tall-necked dhalmels, hornets, and even Goblins walked the land. It was in this rocky badland where the mighty, white Crag of Mea laid. Much like the other two, it was enormous and was made of ancient cermet.
Around a campfire place, Yagudo's sat and watched the fire was about to be lit. A Yagudo sat in the middle with two sticks over a pile of rocks. Not too far from them another Yagudo welcomed Quu Xuchi into their camp. He had beady eyes like the others and a katana at his side. Around his neck was a necklace with a cerulean gem and two red feathers hanging off it.
"Quu Xuchi, that is you correct?" the Yagudo spoke humbly.
"Yes, kyah" Quu bowed.
"I am Moo Ouzi the Swiftblade. It is an honor to meet you Chief Inquisitor, kwak" he bowed in return.
"I was asked to find out about the status of this group from Giddeus. How is it out here, kyah?" Quu asked quickly.
"Why would they send someone of your rank in the Theomilitary?" Moo was surprised.
"Probably because I have caused a lot of tension there… anyway, kyah, could you answer my question?" Quu Xuchi asked.
"Hmm, we've been doing okay. We've have patrolled the area fine and delivered all messages between Giddeus and Oztroja. We have befriended a Goblin Archeologist who traded us some various bones and materials. Nothing has happened here for a long time… kawk" Moo Quzi explained slowly.
"Understood… Do you mind if I spend my night here? Giddeus is too grassy for me…" Quu asked.
"Sure" Moo Ouzi laughed with a broken giggle, "I have many questions of curiosity for you… you are quite the celebrity".
"About my squad of inquisitors? My past? I am bored myself, and have questions of my own, kyah" Quu Xuchi grinned.
"Now I'm scared" Moo Quzi pretended to be afraid.
Kurin-Juran and Koshii had been talking to each other for a while in a dim lighted room full of tables like the one they sat at. Over Kurin-Juran's shoulder was a bard playing soft music on a short stage. They faced each other for a second. In Timbre Timbers Tavern it was a quiet night aside from the bard. Both of them ate dhalmel steak, with a side of a salad.
"So, is working directly under the Sybil fun?" Kurin leaned back on his chair.
"Heh, no not really" she said casually, "but I am sure adventuring is very fun".
"Well, I suppose it's nice. I am not on a global scale as some of the more famous ones… " Kurin replied.
"Hehe, like the Vermillion Mage?" Koshii gave a cute, innocent smile. Kurin sank in his seat.
"Oh, don'taru bring him up" Kurin grumbled.
"You are not currrious to find out what your now famous rival is up to?" Koshii stabbed her fork into her bowl of salad and place it in her mouth. She leaned back.
"No, not really… that guy was a real jerk back in the day" Kurin-Juran sighed.
"I remember. Back in Mhaura" she smiled, thinking back to those old, lazy days.
"Before you moved here, right? Those days were paradise. We used to play by the docks, fishing…" Kurin said that. Something sharp stabbed into both of their minds. There was a long awkward silence.
"That day, before I moved…" Koshii looked away.
"Yes. I try to forget it" Kurin ate a piece of his steak, almost in shame.
"Don't. We may have almost died, but that day. You saved my life. It was pretty amazing"
"I don't know how I feel about that day, it's strange. And you moved the next day, its been almost fifteen years I guess" Kurin was serious, he talked slow. The tension was thick between the two.
"It really has. Wow, all this time. I can lie and said I've forgotten, but you've been on my mind all this time. Almost an inspiration" she pushed back her silver hair.
"I've felt the same. I was so excited when I saw you again Its been forever!" Kurin
"Heh" she smiled, "Are we done here?". She looked down to her unfinished dinner.
"Yeah, I wasn't too hungry anyway" Kurin said and then signaled to the waiter for the bill.
"I'll pay" Koshii offered.
"No, no. Its always the guy who pays on a da…" Kurin stopped himself with a blushing face.
"I'll pay…" Koshii repeated looking away.
"Right" Kurin said quickly, embarrassed.
In a few moments they walked outside. The sky had become black and the stars showed themselves again. Koshii looked up.
"Do you ever feel like it's raining, even when the sun is out and bright?" she looked back down at Kurin-Juran.
"Hehe, I have no idea what you're talking about. Sorry" Kurin scratched his head nervously.
"Ah forget it. See you around, okay?" Koshii began to walk away.
"Bye Koshii!" Kurin called and waved. Kurin looked up to the stars just like Koshii did. 'I know exactly what you mean…'
Cronin and Sakeru walked pass the Orastrey in Port Windurst. They were discussing their new job.
"Okay! Tomorrow, don't be late. Like the last time and the time before that, and…" Cronin nagged at the Mithra.
"Fine! Okay, I won't be late. Shesh. Give a girrrrl a break" Sakeru sighed.
"Oh don't give me that" Cronin said and narrowed his eyes on her. Sakeru let out another sigh. "Where is Kurin-Juran anyway?" Cronin changed his point of interest.
"He is on a date!" Sakeru started to act weirdly, making funny faces. Cronin returned with a disappointed glance.
"Kurin… on a date? You can lie better than that, Mithra" Cronin spat.
"I am not joking, hehe! Its with an old friend… that Mithra who shot us!" Sakeru dreaded the day, pretending to weep.
"Koshii. Well that does make a little more sense. You sure it was a date? I think it would be more like get-together to find out what they have been up to" Cronin scratched his chin.
"Bah, you and him do not know what a date is" the silver-haired Mithra shrugged.
"Is this a date…?" Cronin leaned forward with a devilish smile.
"Don't trrry it, ass" Sakeru spoke annoyed and punched his face.
"Ow! I was only joking!" Cronin cried and grabbed his nose.
A few seconds past as they continued to walk. Cronin slowly stopped caring about his bruised nose. "Have…" Sakeru spat out hesitantly.
"Huh?" Cronin turned his head, with a puzzled look on his face.
"Have you ever heard of that story The Devil's Fish and Humanity? An oldwives tell" she asked, deep in thought.
"No I haven't" Cronin scratched under his eye.
"Its about this fisherman named Moko and his daughter Sako-" she was cut off.
"Whoever picked the names was really creative" Cronin giggled.
"Would you shut up for a second?" Sakeru looked annoyed, "Where was I… right. Mako and Sako lived in a very poor port village. There was little to no fish left due to all fishing that had been done. The land around them was barren, not good for farming. A request asked by the greatest warrior had been heard by everyone. He wanted the head of the legendary Devil's fish. A true devil indeed that fish was. The warrior would give millions and millions of treasures to the soul who could catch the fish. But, this fish wasn't a good thing to catch at all. It was said it ate your soul and possessed you the second you looked into its eyes. Mako didn't care though. Sako had fallen under a strange sickness, sure to die without treatment. So he grabbed his best fishing rod and his best bait and he fished for days and weeks. As time passed, stories about people becoming victims to the evil fish and killing their most loved ones tossed on as rumors. Mako ignored them. He thought of his poor village and his daughter. Sako had lost her sight and ability to use her feet. With tears in his eyes…"
"He kept on fishing?" Cronin added on. They had almost reached the Windurst Woods district.
"Correct. Finally, one day he caught the Devil's fish. With his head turned, he grabbed it by the gills and stuffed it in a basket. That day he smiled, which he hadn't done for decades earlier. While running home he had a stinging feeling run down his spine. What sight could have turned a man soulless and evil, he thought to himself. He slowly opened the basket and decided he would only peek for a second, but that's all it took. The man's humanity had been stripped away and he now walked with the demons. The news of Mako hit Sako hard. She asked to meet with the warrior who had made such a request. Why would you destroy all these people lives, she asked the mountain-tall figure? People want to be hurt… catching the fish is not hardest challenge but not looking into its eyes is, he answered with a grin. You will take me to meet my father and the evil fish and I'll defeat it, she demanded. A blind child who cannot walk stands no chance against a fish of that power… I even fear it but at the same time I am in love with its power, he warned, but she ignored him. After days of traveling they found Mako and the fish. Sako hoped off the shoulders of the mighty warrior and used a wooden stick to hold her up. She called upon the beast. Instead her possessed father attacked her with a push to the ground. The warrior grappled the father down and told the daughter if she was going to defeat the fish, to do it now. She picked herself up, sitting on her knees, looking very helpless. The fish finally appeared. It had grown strong off Mako's soul. It now had wings of a bat and teeth of a tiger… on its head was the word Virtue burned onto its scaly skin"
They stood under the arch that led to Windurst Woods. Cronin was now listening with full attention.
"The fish gave an evil stare to the girl, but she couldn't be corrupted if she could not see. The fish then raced towards and ripped her right foot off with its mighty jaws, but she couldn't be hurt if she could not feel. With one more act of desperation the fish shot itself towards her neck. It was then, at the most hopeless moment she picked up her wooden stick and shoved it into the mouth of the Devil's fish. It impaled right out of the back of the demonic fish. It cried, but within a few seconds it no longer lived. The spell no longer affected Mako and the warrior let go of his grip. A feeble child had killed the fish, the story would be told for centuries. Mako raced to his daughter, but he noticed something wrong. The wound from the fish had made her bleed to death. She looked weakly in his eyes and said simply: Indignation, Indulgence, Intemperance, Infatuation, Invidiousness, Insolence, and Indolence… these are the sins of man that cannot be avoided, but controlled. She died a few seconds after. Hearing these words, the warrior released he had committed all those sins. He gave Mako everything he owned, but knew it could never have filled the void. Mako returned to the village a sadden man, but made sure no one would ever suffer like Sako did. The warrior however, went missing and started to grow to hate the imperfect world. That's how the story ends, I guess" Sakeru finally ended.
Somewhere in the world of Vana'diel a crumpled up rose blew in the wind. Its petals no longer bond together.
"Wow… that's a good one. Well its time for me to hit the hay. Night, Sakeru" Cronin said softly, thinking about the story as he walked away. Sakeru waved goodnight and turned towards the Mithran residential district.
With night darkening the lands below for a few hours, the town laid dead. Shortly after, the sun was born again by its eternal ritual and duty to give Vana'diel light. Cronin had sent a letter to Kurin-Juran about the new quest before Kurin had even reached his house. Sakeru stood alone at the rendezvous point for a few minutes, below a tree. Under the shade she bit and picked at her nails. In front of her was the chocobo stable. The building was made of wood and hay was everywhere. A handful of chocobos walked peaceful behind wooden fencing, eating greens.
Kurin and Cronin walked up to her. "Well I'll be damned, she was early!" Cronin did an overactive, mocking expression of shock.
"Oh shut up!" Sakeru pulled herself up, using the tree she laid on.
"Well guys I'll grab a chocobo, you two walk" Cronin laughed. Kurin and Sakeru looked at Cronin, annoyed.
"Would be a shame if the chocobo died while we killed Cronin wouldn't it be?" Sakeru grinned with malicious intent. Kurin laughed, evilly. Cronin looked somewhat afraid.
"Fine! I'll walk… bullies" Cronin exclaimed, pretending he was crying and staggered.
They walked past the gate guards and entered Sarutabaruta. Peacefully they followed up a river and then a path to Tahrongi canyon. They encountered no Beastmen and no hostile animals. Finally the ground they walked started to become dry and the grass yellow. Dirt patches were replaced by grass patches, grass replaced by dirt, and plane into bumpy terrain. Mandrogras were slightly bigger here and the rarabs the same.
"Hmmm, if I am corrrrect we are standing at Ahropahgo Pass, which is the most mountainous part of the canyon. There are two paths: east and west. Which one guys?" Sakeru looked right and left as the paths separated.
A dark image waved over Kurin-Juran's head. It was the east path where his father was killed. Kurin knew where the makeshift gave was and how to get to Mhaura from it.
"East…" Kurin said hesitantly.
'Then east we go!" Cronin smiled and began running, "Can't catch me!".
"Slow Hume!" Sakeru stretched and raced to catch up.
Kurin looked down to the dusty, dry ground. He raised his head, the sun burning his face and eyes. A depressing feeling had disappeared. He smiled and roared, "These small legs-wegs can do amazing things!" and he charged.
With her hair being blown back, Sakeru grinned as she chased after Cronin. 'To be rich like Mako had become… even if Sako had to die, it would be worth it. I don't care if these two will be just like Sako… I will obtain greatness' she thought.
You shall be twisted by the Envy that drives you…On the other side of Ahropahgo Pass stood the chief Yagudo inquisitor. His beautiful great katana, gold and red handle matched to a flawless blade, at his side he gripped it and thought for a moment. 'I think I'll take the east path…' he began to walk slowly, on course to meet the charging adventurers.