The world is at peace. The Crystals are safe. Yet the fate of Arcadia is still not secure. What shocking discoveries will Vyse and his companions uncover that will forever change the rules of history? Furthermore, what will it take for Fina, Aika and Vyse to come to terms with what they already know?
Deeds Undone
A Skies of Arcadia epic by Mike256bit
Notes: I caved! I said to myself that I was done with epics based on fandoms, but I couldn't help it. The allure of Skies of Arcadia (and the limited fiction involved) has brought me back for one last run. This is post-game, continuation, with slight alterations to the storyline. Original characters for development only, I swear. I'm going to try posting it on the fly since I'm trying to tackle a lot of original works. Let's see how this baby plays.
Disclaimer: I claim no ownership to the Arcadian worlds or characters used herein.
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Prologue
"The Silver Girl"
A young boy in Nasr, shirtless and sweating under the noonday heat, sat down with a sigh. The days were growing long as the sun beat down on the desert sands, hot winds bringing not the relief of a gentle breeze but often the harsh sting of flying silica. He put his hand to his forehead to shield his eyes, watching his people bustle to keep the newly rebuilt capital moving. A new palace was rising in the distance, shops had returned with grandeur not previously known, and best of all, the inn where he worked had seen a flourish of business as people came and went in the hopes of seeing Vyse the Legend.
He chuckled; the sheer notion that a hero such as he would return to Nasr was laughable to the residents of the Red City. Of course, there was once a time when the young, boyish pirate (now surely a man by any standard) would frequent the port for supplies only the desert city could offer. The youth, probably sixteen or seventeen, had never himself seen the rogue, but tales of his exploits were well known.
You simply can't go anywhere without hearing about the man who saved the world.
The boy, carrying vittles from the bar back to the inn for the demanding patrons, bent down to pick up his haversack. Grunting, he passed the ivory fountain, the cool spray of wayward water droplet dotting his bare skin a welcome relief from the relentless heat. It was certainly getting hotter – not even the natives could deny that. He had heard from Maramba that on one especially sweltering day, the sand had become too blistering for even the Dhabus. Hundreds of years of evolution were finally bested by a surge in the average temperature.
He stopped to put the sack down for a third time, having to sit as the sun's rays beat upon his back and neck. He walked back to the fountain and splashed his face a few times, tempted to jump in despite the armed guards (two of them) protecting the precious water from being contaminated by a populations' worth of sweat and dirt. They glanced at him, but as he as of yet did nothing wrong, said nothing. The boy reached down for one more splash, knowing well that a third would press his luck with his two companions, and thought about the boom his family's business had taken. He was actually fairly confident that every port the world over was experiencing a similar influx of tourism. Vyse's exploits were inspiring, and there were many who wanted to best the nearly unbelievable tales that followed the Blue Rogues. The youth included, actually, but he had a business to help with.
As he looked up, clearing his eyes of pure, clean water, his breath was suddenly stolen away as a vision in white captured his gaze. Alabaster skin, ivory wears, and a stunningly scintillating bracelet caught his eye from across the fountain. He watched, transfixed, as a slender girl passed by, a small pack slung ever her shoulder, held by a strap snugly looped around two thin fingers. She flashed him a quick smile as he could not help but stare, but she was soon making her way toward the exit. He watched her go, her dress swishing as she walked, belted at her waist with brown leather. Her boots clacked on the slate and her hair fluttered from under her blue skullcap. Her arms swung gingerly, loose fitting cloth wrapped around her wrists. She was shimmering, skin dotted with fine beads of perspiration that made her glow.
Before he knew it, the girl had disappeared from the city proper, and he was left alone with his two guards (who had also taken an interest). He just whistled, shaking his head sadly as he was sure his dehydration had rendered for him a beautiful mirage.
Though, that "mirage" was the sole reason the hopeful tourist would never see Vyse the Legend. Fina, the Blue Rogue, did all the shopping.
-o-
In the Nasr port the Delphinus' docking craft waited. Aika had grown tired of talking to the traders and could no longer hide in the shadows from the baking sunlight. She sat under a tent (feeling incubated more than she did refreshed) waiting for Fina to return. She irritably flipped a stray lock of her hair from her shoulder, the dry heat making her tresses impossible to manage, and leaving her skin super-sensitive to the light touch of red thread. She pulled out her single ponytail and retied it, making great pains to capture every last hair. Satisfied, she put her cheek in her gloved hand, her elbow resting on her bare knee. She idly played with the buckles on her boots before she was interrupted by the entrance of a shadow.
"About time, Fina," she began, looking up to find a starling surprise. "Oh, Gilder! What are you doing here?" She grinned as she leapt up and at him, hugging him fiercely. Immediately he gagged and gently shoved her off, too proud to take off his coat and succumb the sizzling climate.
"Just stopped by for a business meeting" he replied, grinning back at her. Above all else, Gilder was a fan of his newest allies in piracy. As such, he rarely missed a chance to hound them for food, drink, or simply their company. And more than that, of course, he was always a fan of Aika's moxie and spirit – she often put a smile on his face.
And boy was he glad to not see her hair done up like a damned scarecrow.
"Business, eh?" she responded coolly, giving him a very knowing glance. "I didn't know Nasr's brothel was up and running."
"Well, I don't know why you would, since they aren't hiring," he quipped back, met with a hurtful pout. "Okay, fine. How about I just pay you under the table?"
"Gilder!" She playfully slapped his arm as he backed away with a chuckle. There. See? Smiling. "You louse, don't you call me a slut or I'll slice you in two." She nodded to the boomerang strapped to her back. "Got me?"
"Got it. What're you doing here, missy? Vyse run out of people to fight or something?" She looked away, crossing her arms under her chest. Gilder noticed. "We're also here on 'business,'" she said. "Very private business." He shrugged and walked to the stairs, waving over his shoulder.
"Sure, I get it. Have it your way, Aika."
She grinned at him, sticking her tongue out as he disappeared up the terrace. "Jerk." She sighed, trying to will the blush away from her face. It was covert, and while he had plainly seen her plumping up her bosom, he hadn't noticed the slight redness on her face. As if.
Aika wasn't going to admit that she was almost flattered by his jocular offer. Aside from having eyes for another, she was more afraid of what Clara would do to her. At the thought, she shuddered a little, the pink-bombshell too smitten to cross. Besides, Aika didn't like him like that.
No, really.
Shortly after Gilder disappeared into the city, Fina appeared on the other side of the stairway, absentmindedly heading for dock. Aika whistled, running up to meet her as she stepped into the floating boat. "What took you?" Aika said, huffing as she put her fists to her hips.
Fina shrugged innocently, putting her sack under the console. "What?"
"It was supposed to be in and out! You were in Nasr for, like, twenty minutes!"
As if to her defense, Cupil suddenly unraveled from Fina's wrist, rising up to float above her shoulder. "I was? I'm sorry, Aika, I just got caught up." She smiled weakly as the redhead climbed into the boat. Aika glared at the back of her head for a moment before she spoke.
"I know what you were doing. You were talking to the bartender again, weren't you?"
Fina spun around, bewildered. "I was not!"
Aika grinned at her, cat-like eyes glimmering with insight. "Oh yes you were!"
". . . What if I was?" she replied, coolly turning back around.
"Because I know that ever since we worked there, we've had benefits." Fina didn't flinch as she reversed the thrust, backing out of the dock. "And I know full well that you take advantage of said benefits whenever you can." They were lifting off and toward the darkness of a nearby reef, Fina quietly piloting. "Hand it over, Fina."
"Oh, fine," she murmured, kicking the sack back toward her partner in crime. Aika eagerly fished through the satchel and pulled out a green bottle, reading the label with a smirk.
"It's supposed to be really good. Triple-distillation!"
Aika chuckled as she uncorked the bottle, taking a hard swig of the liquor. She winced, swallowing a mouthful. "Man that burns!I like it." She closed up the bottle and replaced it, grinning at Fina. "When did you become such a lush, anyway?"
Fina blushed a little as they came under the safe shadow of the Delphinus' bow. "Um, about the same time I became a pirate." Aika threw her arm around the Silvite's shoulder and laughed as the two of them prepared for docking.
"You learn fast!" Fina glanced over and grinned softly. "You must have great 'instructors.'"
"The best."
Aboard the Delphinus, Lawrence was at the helm while his captain was away in the depths of the ship. He stood quietly on standby, looking out through the glass at the rocky barriers surrounding their location. As soon as Aika's voice came over the comm. and gave him the heads up, they were to depart for Crescent Isle where he could take up his brooding.
It wasn't that Lawrence wasn't social. Every man has their motivations. For this one, no amount of jovial conversation, idle chit-chat or even the frequent celebrations could divert him from him goals. As his bank account slowly fattened up, Lawrence did as he was paid. As he'd often said to Vyse, he was not being paid to talk and didn't have much to say to the captain, anyway. While Vyse didn't like it, he respected it.
"Ahoy, Lawrence! The drop-ship is locked! Prepare to set sail for home!" Lawrence nodded to no one in particular, pulling the accelerator, sending the signal for half speed down to the engine room. Quietly, he said, "Aye aye." Slowly, the ship crept away from the city, and as he pushed forward on the altimeter, the Delphinus rose above the clouds and into blue sky.
Down below, Polly was busy serving a fresh drink to the two girls who'd just come aboard. Fina winked at Aika as they put the liquid back, prepared to add the new bottle to their private collection in the Crescent Isle headquarters. After all, a new acquisition deserved another celebration. The girls took a seat at one of the tables, finishing their liquor as the cabin door opened and Captain Vyse stepped in.
"Hey girls," he said with a short wave. They smiled and waved back as he walked toward them, taking a seat next to Aika. He was looking cheerful. "Success, I take it?"
"Yes!" Fina replied cheerfully, placing the satchel on the table between them.
"They took the trade?" Vyse replied, a faint sense of disbelief in his tone and etched on his face.
"Yeah, unless Fina offered something else," Aika quipped.
"Hey!" she replied, blushing. "What are you suggesting?"
"Gosh, I was kidding. . ."
Vyse chuckled, taking the sack and undoing the tie. He pulled down the cloth and revealed the prize within, a dull golden luster speaking back to him. "Wow, you did get it. . ." He picked up the medallion, no larger than his fist, and turned it over under the watchful eye of his Skyseer goggle. The glass flashed a faded pink color before returning to normal, a grin of satisfaction appearing on his face. "It's the real deal. Good job, girls!"
"Wait, Vyse," Aika said, grabbing his arm before he could put it back. "What is it?" He looked down at his hand for a moment before he turned his eyes up to hers. His gaze startled her a little, a misty cloud of deception stirring about his face.
"It's a map," he finally said.
"A map?" the girls replied.
"That's right." He tied up the satchel.
"Wait, to where?" Fina asked, exchanging a confused glance with Aika. Vyse laughed, kicking his feet up. "Vyse?"
"I have no idea. I don't know how to read it, I don't know where to start – all I know is that it's going to be a big score." Aika groaned, putting her head down. Fina was a bit more insistent. She tugged on his sleeve and repeated her question. He put a hand atop hers and smiled. "Relax, Fina."
"But, but I don't understand! How do we even know that there's going to be treasure? What if it turns into another Daccat fiasco? I . . . I don't want to get into something dangerous and not have a reward." She shook her head. "Wait, no, that's not what I mean—"
Vyse burst out in laughter once more. "Fina, that's perfect! You're really starting to think like a Blue Rogue!" She watched him for a few seconds, aware that his hand was still atop hers, and fought down a crimson glow. She rolled her eyes to the side, conceding to the truth: everyday, more and more of her thoughts were turning to treasure, adventure, and booze. Worse still, his touch was turning her thoughts to something more.
Aika lifted her head with a sigh, punching Vyse in the arm. "Way to go. You sent us out to meet cut-throats for a bobble that may actually lead us to our death. Nice." He flinched and shrugged it off, releasing Fina's hand.
"Alright, alright. We can talk about this later. Still, we deserve a celebration. Even if this medallion turns out to be bogus, we at least have the satisfaction of unloading some useless items for what can be considered, in itself, a big treasure."
"Yeah, I guess," Aika replied reluctantly.
"It's okay, Aika," Fina said quietly. "I was okay. They didn't give me any trouble at all." The redhead looked at her, rubbing her chin. "Really!"
"I dunno," she said. "I'm a little worried, Vyse. I mean, if this little thing is a big deal in the underworld, what if they come after us for shafting them?" Vyse shrugged, rising to his feet as Domingo's voice announced their arrival at Crescent Isle.
"Really, girls, just relax. We've beaten Baltor. We've beaten the Valuan Empire. Hell, we've beaten Gigas! What do we have to be afraid of? I trust you two – we can handle it." He winked as he turned, making way for the bridge. Aika sighed happily, spirits lifted by his inspiration. She followed, scratching her head.
"He's got a point."
Fina rose too, but didn't go after them. Concerned, she glanced out a nearby porthole, watching the blue mist disappear as they closed in on their home. Vyse's words rang in the back of her mind as she went to Polly to get another drink. To herself, she considered the weight of his confidence.
"Maybe that's what we should fear," she concluded, leaning against the wall. As the ship descended to enter the island, Fina hugged her arms tightly as a chill came over her. Polly silently slid a shot her way, which she happily put back, the warmth of the alcohol fighting an unidentifiable coldness that was invading her.
"Oh, Vyse," she moaned quietly. "I hope you're right."
-o-
Night had fallen and the red light of the moon had taken over the city of Nasr. Joyous spurts of laughter erupted frequently from the tavern as sailors deigning to stay the night in the city were eager to drown in the liquor that made the region famous. Most were already deep in the embrace of inebriation and sang proudly of their states of mind, while others chose to go quietly in the night. Even from the inn, the youth who had toiled all day, resting in his quarters, could hear the racket the raucous miscreants rose. He turned over, covering his head with a pillow, unable to sleep due to both noise and heat. Nights were traditionally cool out here, but for at least the last month the norm had been changing.
Another explosion of guffaws roused him from his bed as he went to the window to inspect his city. Few roamed the streets, the soft yellow light from the tavern practically the only illumination offered to the main square. The red moon disappeared behind the clouds often, peeking out like a blinking eye every now and then. The boy sighed, pulling on a pair of olive linen pants, decided to perhaps get a drink himself.
He left his room on the first floor and made his way for the lock box, easily navigating the darkened parlor by memory. He stepped around an ottoman and over a pillow, ducking down behind the counter to open the safe and grab a little gold. The inn currently filled to capacity, he wasn't worried about anyone coming in and looking for a place to stay.
Suddenly, there was the scrape of a boot on the stairs, footfalls descending the sandstone. The boy was still, holding his breath as at least two more people joined the original footsteps.
"Do you have it?" a gruff voice asked, taking a seat on one of the vacant chairs.
"Yes," a woman responded. The boy was tempted to peek out, but held his place. No amount of sexual curiosity could pull him from the inexplicable fear that was surrounding him. "I'm not sure you're going to like it, sir."
There was a shuffle of cloth. "Oh? Tell me more."
"Unfortunately, sir, the items we received in the barter were all defective."
"Defective?"
"Aye. The gold is real enough, but the pyrulen boxes, crystalen boxes, and the sacrulen crystals are either used or only have one charge." The chair shifted and fell backwards.
"What!" A clatter of objects fell to the floor.
"Aye sir, and the blade. . ." There was an exchange of metal and the unmistakable sound of a sword being drawn from a scabbard swam around the room. The gruff voice swore, the hollow clatter of the scabbard hitting the floor followed shortly by the whistle of a blade though the air. The counter cracked as it was penetrated, the sharp tip of a sword ripping through the wood next to the boy. He bit back a gasp, his heart racing as he watching the blade's tip vibrate in the dull light.
"How could you fuckers do this?" the man asked calmly. "The keystone of the deal was the Vorlik blade, and you give me this?"
"With all due respect, we . . . we don't know what it looks like. The girl seemed honest enough—"
"Why were you dealing with a fucking cunt! Vyse, in case you weren't aware, is a man. I'll ask you again. How the fuck did you let this happen?" There was a pause before another voice piped up; it was soft, but most likely male.
"The girl, sir . . . she was hypnotic."
"Hypnotic."
"Aye," the woman said. "She was dressed in white, but she was definitely a Blue Rogue. She said she knew Vyse personally. She was very diplomatic—"
"I don't care if she dropped down and blew you. I want her dead." The sword was sudden drawn from the cabinet, whistling in the air. It stopped short, a small cry coming from the soft-voiced male. "Idiot," the gruff one spat.
The voice hissed in pain. "S-sir, my arm—"
"Shut up. I want her dead, understand? And I want that blade. Fuck, you know what? I want them all dead. Vyse is human before he's a legend, and humans can perish." The door crashed as it was kicked open, the light from outside casting strange shadows on the wall. The boy watched them fearfully, a slender feminine frame and a short, boxy one flanking an almost amorphous shape.
"Aye, sir," the woman quietly replied. "We'll get them." The door closed with a groan, the light from the street and the shadows no more.
It took at least ten minutes before the boy was able to stand. He looked over the counter where a large open pack and a few gold coins sat on the stony floor. The chair by the stairs was overturned, and a dark blotch that was surely blood marked the ground. Taking deep breaths, the youth cautiously went to the door where the bolt had splintered from duress. Just to the side, near the jamb, he saw the very same blade that had nearly run him through lying on the ground.
He didn't open the door, but knew just as well that the trio was out lurking. Much more, he knew that the vision he'd seen earlier that day was suddenly in danger. Slowly gathering his wits about him, he reached down and grabbed the cutlass, examining it in the limited illumination. He used his free hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, his dark forearm equally as slick with perspiration. Though, even in the warmth, it was freezing cold.
He looked back to the counter and ran to it, grabbing the cashbox. He stuffed it into the sack after emptying it of the useless magic boxes and replaced the sword into its scabbard. He pulled a loose shirt around his torso and shouldered the sack before he made away into the night, resolving to protect the nameless angel with whom he'd fallen in love.
To be Continued
