Chapter Two: Cyril Central City

It was not long before Clan Botaku reached the desert town of Cyril. Of course most of the towns were desert-like because after all Ivalice is a desert country. The town was as dry and scorching hot as any desert, it was over 90 Degrees, Fahrenheit. The buildings were made with a special brown plaster, heated and hardened by the hot sun some buildings were close to the higher elevations of land, so they almost connected, making the roof an easy place to access. There were urns and giant pots around, and small palms grew, the ground was cobbled, and the places left untouched by people were filled with sand and small desert grass.

The members of Clan Botaku walked into the city, they were accustomed to the desert air, and their bodies were cooled by water from the Ulei River the night earlier. It was a busy city, merchants called out towards buyers, and the people around were walking about, due to their own businesses, until a voice called out.

"Hey! Clan Botaku! Think you can just walk into our sss-city without our consssent?" A Bangaa warrior stood up on a small hill.

"Yea, and what are you going to do about it?" Dennis countered.

"You will meet the wrath of my clan! Clan Shalo!" As he said the last few words, five more members appeared. At this moment, quiet filled the once-bustling city. Everyone was now starting to leave or close up, an engagement was starting.

In the sky a white glow descended, and a man in a silver suit arrived, he was seated on an armored Chocobo, a large flightless bird. He blew a whistle and signaled to both clans.

"Six members for battle." The judge said to Dennis, who decided to pull out Selm, Lyn, Leonard,

Sharon and Lana wasted no time; they quickly rushed forward, positioning themselves for a proper attack. They waited near a cobbled staircase.

Cherie was the second quickest, after the twins moved she rushed past Lyn and stared at a Moogle animist.

"Ello dearie, I suppose we'll be fighting, now." The purple Moogle said cheerfully.

"Bonjour and au revoir!" Cherie cried as she shot an arrow from her Max's Oathbow. The arrow flew quickly from her fingers and landed on its target, the Moogle groaned, as the pain flowed through her body.

"Hah! Well now ducky, I'll have you know that your efforts are futile." She mocked.

Seeing as how everyone was currently distracted, Dennis ran towards a wall and clung to it; hiding would aid his attacks, and there he waited.

Pablo joined Sharon and Lana; he stood next to them on guard and ready to defend.

A Bangaa White monk jumped down from the upper levels. He went directly for his closet prey-Sharon. Using his monk technique-whirlwind-the Bangaa spun and his claws slashed Sharon, she winced as they hit. Lana leapt in, using her deadliest assassination technique, she struck the Monk in a pressure point, but only missed as he moved to the side.

Sharon saw her sister miss, and used this misfortune to her advantage, as the monk dodged her sister's "Last Breath" skill; she ran to his other side and attempted the same skill, this time with devastating effects, she struck him near the neck, and instantly he fell.

At that moment, a (Nu-Mou) white mage and (Bangaa) defender went to higher grounds, so that they might have the advantage.

Cherie saw this and was about to shoot them but the Moogle girl struck her with a Demon Bell, the vibrations sent by the bell shook Cherie, but the damage was minimal. She retaliated by moving in back of the Moogle girl and shot her with another arrow, this time the girl fell.

The leader of Clan Shalo, Michael, ran down the stairs to aid his Moogle clan member.

"Brish!" He cried out as she fell, Dennis saw this and quickly dashed to his side. With both swords, he swung at the Bangaa, an instant kill.

"Heh, and you think you can beat me?" Dennis smirked.

Pablo moved higher up as well, spotting the Nu-Mou and Bangaa, although he did not travel far, before the Nu-Mou moved on top of a building, and so he called back to Lana.

"White mage Nu-Mou! Over there!" He pointed. She saw the White Mage, and rushed towards the building, she used her Marduk bow and shot the Nu-Mou, the arrow did not knock her out but managed to injure her, her white robe was stained with blood.

Cherie saw what had occurred, and joined in, she concentrated on her target and shot her arrow, with great force the Nu-Mou was knocked back, and knocked out.

"Sharon up there!" Dennis called out.

There was only one target left, the defender, Dennis rushed up the stairs, and Sharon did the same on the other set of stairs. Pablo followed Sharon.

Lana, due to some powerful shoes, leapt up onto the small building where the Bangaa stood her rabbit ears were flopping, as she landed with a thud, and shot the defender without any hesitation. The attack was weak due to his bronze armor.

"Foolssss! You ssshal never get me!" He yelled at Lana, and tried to run at her.

Sharon saw his attempt and ran behind the defender, striking him on the pressure points in his neck with her Last Breath skill; he fell forward, and was out cold.

"Haha! We did it!" Pablo cheered.

"Was very simple." Dennis remarked.

"Are these guys okay?" Lyn asked, she was the youngest and least experienced.

"Don't worry, we're not in the Jagds, they'll be fine, just bruised up for a while." Selm joked to her.

The Judge declared the engagement over and victors, Clan Botaku, he left the same way he came, disappearing in a bright white light.

"So anyone hungry?" Dennis asked.

"Sure!" They all replied.

"So where are we off to?

"Howabout the pub?"

"That sounds great!"

"I agree!"

"That is…"

"…A good idea!"

"Let's go!"

And so they were off to dine at the very first place the clan came together. Cyril's pub. The day was coming to an end, as the sun was starting to set, heat from an unforgiving sun was dying; it gave way to the cold air of the night.

Clan Botaku finally reached the pub, where they were warmly greeted by the Pubmaster, and served a nice cold drink and a warm meal. After the nice dinner, the clan relaxed in the guest-area, lit with a fireplace, they all sat on comfy cushions, reading books or news, and discussed different matters with other clans.

Dennis walked up to the Pubmaster, his brown wooden desk was freshly polished, and all the mission lists and rumors were out. He was also an old man, with a white beard and moustache, his face though kind was aged and wrinkled. His nose stuck out like a carrot on a snowman, and he wore an Arabian hat.

"Hello there young soul, how might I help you tonight?" The Pubmaster smiled, as black haired boy walked up.

"Well I was wondering, do you have any missions?"

"I'm sorry; all my missions are being completed by the other clans, why don't you check back in the morning?" The man frowned, as he scrolled through his list with old and frail hands.

"Alright well thank you, and good night sir." Dennis left, and departed to the guest room.

"Any luck?" Pablo asked, and Dennis merely shook his head.

"Oh well, what's our fee for staying by the way?" Nabvok asked, as he scratched his dark black fur.

"50 Gillssss a perssson per day." Leonard replied, and shuddered.

"Well we have a TON of gills that's for sure, and Dennis don't worry, I'm sure we'll get a mission tommorow." Cherie tried to comfort everyone.

"What's wrong, Leo?" Selm asked Leonard..

"Nothing I feels ssstrange though… He muttered.

"We should get some rest, I'll see if they have another mission tomorrow." Dennis sighed and walked towards his bed, they all agreed and slept in their beds, it had been an exhausting day. And tomorrow will be no different.

Author's Note: Hey guys, I hope you didn't mind the battle scene, this was my first fanfiction story, and at FF:TA which is sorta hard because of the turn systems. Hehe I did my best ;;.

Cherie and Dennis XD