CHAPTER 2 – The Attack
"Well…what did you get?" asked an Elvan warrior.
"A fire crystal…" murmured the Taru, who looked too angry to say anything else.
"Hmmm lets go friend, this could get ugly" said the female warrior who ushered Hajime back the shade of Vomp Hill. The sounds of an angry Taru could be heard as they sat down in the shade together. She unloaded her armour and reached out her hand.
"My names Cassie" She said. "Hajime" he replied as he shook her hand softly, forgetting that even though she's a woman, she is probably 10 times stronger than he is.
"So you're a white mage…Its always nice to see new white mages…makes me feel safer anyway, knowing that there's more people in the world with cure". Hajime nodded before realising that Cassie was now talking to herself. He inquired.
"Hey who are you talking to?"
"What? Oh yeh, sorry that was just someone from my linkshell." Cassie noticed that Hajime was clearly confused by this statement and explained the purpose of linkshells before inviting him to join her linkshell.
"Say, I'm not doing anything now until Lizzy spawns again, would you say no to some power levelling…my treat" asked Cassie. Once again the look on Hajime's face was blank and Cassie began explaining the concept of power levelling. Hajime agreed and they both set off for North Gustaberg.
Hajime had never been this far before but felt relatively safe with a high level warrior by his side. Cassie was a level 35 warrior / 17 white mage which enabled her to cure Hajime whenever he needed it because he would be fighting much stronger foes than in the south. She took him to an area rich with rock eaters that looked bigger than the ones he had previously fought.
After a few hours, Hajime found himself at level 9 and with a bit more gil in his pocket. The twilight of the day was upon them as they both departed for the Republic of Bastok. On arriving, Cassie turned to Hajime and gave him 3 fire crystals.
"They only block up my inventory" she stated. Hajime thanked her and with a smile bid farewell as he entered the city and witnessed the grand infrastructure of Bastok by the fading sunlight. He found a nice spot by the steps and fell asleep by the side of the glistening water.
Hajime was prematurely awoken the next day after realising that he never actually went back home. The bustling sound of armoured adventurers all rushing for the exit brought him to his feet.
"Hey what's going on?" he asked as he grabbed a red mage by the arm.
"Theres been a raid on South Gustaberg…The beastmen have attacked." He replied before rushing off.
Hajime was anxious but determined to know what had happened. After some sneaky eavesdropping, it became reality to him that what the mage had said was true. The beastmen had attacked but it was not a large assault. He listened in on a conversation made by two warriors.
"Apparently three warriors have been hurt"
"Three. Any idea why the beastmen attacked?"
"No, it was pointless…there were hardly enough to last 10 minutes".
"So why would they do it?"
"Beats me".
After hearing the conversation, Hajime watched as the three injured warriors were being carried towards the medical centre. One looked seriously wounded as white mages followed; desperately casting cure spells to keep her going. It was then that Hajime realised that he had met this warrior before and he was not about to let her die.