The sandstorms raged and the winds fiercely blew, sending small barrages of rocks against Strifer and the others, but still they pushed on. "The Republic of Bastok shouldn't be far!" Strifer yelled out to the others. "According to the map, it should be through this maze of rocks! When we get out, we will see a valley known as the region of Gustaberg. That's Bastok's region, where we have to go."
Garek's armor, usually shining white, was now dirty and dusty from the storm's persistence. "I hope we arrive there soon, Strifer, we only have a day's rations left for all of us and hardly enough water to keep going for too much longer!"
Nenye, wearing her Black Mage coat tight around her with her hood up, smiled and gave a giggle. "Don't you remember, silly, I can make water materialize out of thin air! We should be ok."
Zinadae, both frustrated by the long trip and annoyed by how slow their progress was becoming, gave a deep sigh. "I don't suppose you can materialize food, can you? If not, then I suggest we get moving so we can refuel in Bastok!"
Deaths Blessing just laughed at how much Zinadae was annoyed. "This is nothing compared to what Zeid put me through in my training to become a Dark Knight. No need to be harsh, Zinadae."
Holding on to her hat to stop it from being carried away by the wind, Tracy Lou took up the rear of the group and, feeling the need to ease the tension in the party, said. "I'm pretty small you guys, I won't need to eat much. Besides, this whole trip from San d'Oria to Bastok is making us a bit on edge; I think it would be much easier if…" Tracy Lou stopped mid sentence and looked out into the sunset to see what everybody else was looking at…Gustaberg, the region of Bastok. "…If we kept on moving." She said, relieved to be almost there.
The sky was blue now and the winds had died down. The sandstorm had cleared and now all that stood between them and Bastok were a few miles. They started down the Valley and across the bridge that connected the Gustaberg and Norvallen regions. The Norvallen region is what they had to travel across in order to get from San d'Oria to Bastok, which was indeed a continent filled with dangers and monsters that lurked around every corner. As soon as they made their way across the bridge, they spotted a man being attacked by four, giant, turtle-like creatures that stood on their hind legs and attacked using weapons that resembled weapons made by the Hume race. From the look of the man, as well as his skill with his lance, he appeared to have years of experience. Strifer suddenly looked shocked. "Those beasts...they must be the Quadav that I've heard about! Quickly, we must help him, before they make quick work of him!" With Strifer's words, Zinadae, Deaths Blessing, and Garek drew their weapons and began advancing on the mobs, while Strifer shot his arrow and stuck it right through on of the opposing Quadav's head. "These things are just like Orcs…easy prey!" said Strifer.
Nenye then cast her water spell on one of the Quadav, but it had no effect on the Quadav. "These must be water based monsters!" she cried.
The Quadav then began a charge on Nenye, but was halted by Deaths Blessing's Scythe. Deaths Blessing heaved his scythe at the Quadav and sliced the Quadav's head off. "Hardly easy prey…" said Deaths Blessing. "More like too weak! Eh, Strifer?"
Zinadae was preparing to deliver a devastating blow to the Quadav's backside, while the Quadav attention was on attacking the man, but when his Great Katana connected with it backside it just bounced right off. "What is this? Their shells are as hard as gold!" yelled Zinadae. The Quadav then swung himself around, Great Sword in hand and knocked Zinadae back on the ground.
The Quadav then charged towards Zinadae, who was lying on the ground, unarmed because the blow of the Quadav had knocked his Great Katana straight out of his hands. Tracy Lou had other plans, she cast her thunder spell on the Quadav, and after being electrocuted, he then fell over dead. "Looks like all those years studying the elements have paid off! Water conducts Electricity!" smiled Tracy Lou.
The last Quadav was still attacking the man, until Garek stepped in front of him and parried the Quadav's attacks. Garek then stabbed the Quadav through the stomach. The Quadav, still alive, grabbed Garek's sword and pulled it out of his stomach and threw Garek to the ground. Just as the Quadav was about to strike Garek with his sword, the man with the lance stabbed his lance through the Quadav and had such strength that he threw the Quadav off the edge of the cliff that was between the Norvallen and Gustaberg regions. "I think I just showed that Quadav whose boss!" The man looked over at the others who were indeed surprised by his skills. "Well, y'all going to talk to me, or do I have to do a trick first?" The man laughed. "I'm just kidding! The name's Cid, I was just out here getting some samples when the Quadav suddenly attacked me."
Strifer was stunned. "So wait, your Cid, Bastok's Chief Engineer? Mother told me about you, back in Khazam. She said you were the one who invented so many of the things that we used to beat the Shadow Lord, twenty years ago!"
Cid smiled. "They've even heard of me in Khazam, have they? How…strange, aren't Mithra the only ones who live there?'
"Well technically," said Strifer. "I was adopted after the Great War by the Chieftainess of Khazam." He then motioned to Nenye. "She is the Chieftainess' only real daughter, the rest of us was adopted."
Nenye smiled and at the same time, was playing with her tail because she was so nervous to talk to Cid. "Yep, I'm her daughter, and these are my brother's, and my sister Tracy Lou! Now to make matters even better, we know a celebrity!"
Cid laughed. "I would hardly call myself a celebrity, but I thank you all the same! Now, as for your family…you care a lot about them don't you?"
Nenye laughed. "Well that's a silly question, aren't you supposed to care about your family?"
Cid only smiled. "Well, yes, that is true, but since they were adopted, I would think that you thought less of them. I've seen it many times in cases where children are adopted.
Nenye, still fiddling with her tail, said. "Well not in our case, we're as tight as glue! I think it's because we were all too little to remember anything before that."
Cid had a grin on his face now. "Perhaps you're right! Now if you'll excuse me, I must be headed back to Bastok." He started walking away, but then stopped and turned around. "You know, I could have taken those Quadav by myself, but all the same, you meant to help me, so perhaps you may, but first I will take you to meet the president."
Strifer smiled. "What luck, we were heading to the president's office in the first place! Now I know the president is of very high authority, so I figured it would take more than just walking in there to see him, but since you're taking us there I suppose we'll get right in!"
Cid nodded. "Yeah, I would guess that since I am, of course, the Chief Engineer of Bastok that provided most of the useful necessities used in today's world, that I would have some sort of authority!" he laughed and then turned once again and started off towards Bastok.
When they entered the city, Strifer and the others looked around intently, for it was nothing like the Kingdom of San d'Oria. Instead, it was a city with houses and stores, just like any other, but Strifer could feel a bit more at home here. It was then that a Hume girl wearing a red coat and a yellow scarf, as well as black, see-through, leg-warmers, ran up to them and, gasping for breath, said, "Cid! You'll never guess what's happening in the Mines! There is a Galka boy who claims to be the Talekeeper!"
Cid was shocked, "The Talekeeper! Oh, this will cause much controversy in the Republic." He sighed.
The girl nodded. "Yeah, and if that wasn't enough, the Galka elder, Werei, has disappeared and no one knows what happened to him!" She then looked behind Cid. "Oh, who are your friends, Cid?" she asked.
Cid then quickly turned to Strifer. "My apologies, allow me to introduce Strifer, Deaths Blessing, Nenye, Garek, Tracy Lou, and Zinadae. They helped me out while I was collecting samples out in Gustaberg. I attracted the attention of a few Quadav and they started attacking me and, well, I'm sure you can figure out the rest."
The girl curtseyed to them. "Pleasure to meet you, I'm sure. Thank you for saving Cid."
Cid was shocked, "Saving! I'd hardly say that! Maybe helping me out is more accurate." The girl giggled. Cid sighed, "Please forgive me, this is Cornelia, daughter of President Karst."
Cornelia, sounding like a pouting child, said, "Cid! You know I don't like people to know that I'm the president's daughter!"
Cid laughed. "I'm sorry Cornelia, but I thought it didn't matter to them for they are going to see the President anyway and I'm sure they'd find out sooner or later."
Cornelia smiled. "What business do you have with the president?"
Strifer was about to say something when Deaths Blessing stepped forward and smiled. "We're all just a band of good doers that do good things for other countries. I suppose we all decided to use our gifts to help Vana'diel!"
Nenye added, cheerfully. "We also like to do it because we're a family! And families stick together!"
Cornelia looked confused. "So wait, you are a family? Is it physically possible? I mean, you are all of different races."
Strifer laughed. "Not physically possible, no, but we were adopted after the Great War. All except Nenye, who is indeed daughter of the Chieftainess of Khazam. The rest of us were adopted by her."
Cornelia smiled. "I get it now! You must get tired of explaining that to everyone you meet, eh?"
Strifer shook his head. "I know what you mean, but no. As long as I'm intent with the fact that we are all related, it always brings a smile to my face!"
Cid smiled. "Well, as long as you are intent with the fact that is all that matters." Cid looked at the sunset. "We should be getting to the President's office, it's getting late."
Deaths Blessing spoke up rather quickly. "Hold on." He then turned to Cornelia. "You said something about a Talekeeper. So, there is more than one?"
Cornelia was intrigued in his question. "There is but only one Talekeeper of the Galka at a time, you see. Once the one Talekeeper is relieved of his duty or goes on his journey of re-birth, then another Galka is chosen to be the Talekeeper. What brought about such a question, might I ask?"
Deaths Blessing then looked at Cid, and then back at Cornelia. "Well, your name and the word 'Talekeeper,' they awaken a memory from within me. My dark knight master told me of his life. He told me many things about himself throughout my training. He compared it all to lessons that came with being a Dark Knight. I remember of him once telling me of his best friend, Raogrimm. He was the Talekeeper of the Galka thirty years ago, was he not?"
Cid looked at Deaths Blessing. "She doesn't know, she wasn't even born yet. However, I do know about Raogrimm and I heard of his fate in the northlands. It was an avalanche, they said, but no one really knew. "
Deaths Blessing continued. "He also said that on that expedition, there were five others who went with him, one of which was Cornelia, the love of his life."
Cornelia was shocked. "She must be the one that father named me after. She must have been extremely brave from the stories I've heard about her!"
Cid was astonished. "Yes, she was among one of the bravest warriors in all of Bastok, but… what still lingers on me is how you got this information, Deaths Blessing. What is your Dark Knight Master's name?"
Deaths Blessing was shocked and hurriedly said. "Nothing, it's not important. I say we just go and see the president and get down to the business at hand so we can be assigned our first mission! Let's go."
Cid stopped him, "This is serious business now, Deaths Blessing. It may be important that you tell me, for you see, the government is corrupt and I feel that any information given to them might be used unwisely."
Deaths Blessing continued to ignore the fact. "Look, it's nothing alright. Let's go see the president."
Cid was getting angry. "Deaths Blessing, I implore you, tell me about your master. What was his name? If you don't tell me, it might not be safe for yours or the Republics security!"
Deaths Blessing was breaking down a little. "I can't tell you! I have done a lot of things wrong in my life, and breaking my word is not one of them! I told him that I would keep his name secret!"
Garek patted Deaths Blessing on the back. "By all means, you should tell Chief Engineer Cid what he wants to know. You heard him; it might not be safe for your security or the security of the Republic."
Strifer sighed. "Just when we think we have you all figured out, you come up with some other deep, dark secret.
Cid looked at Deaths Blessing. "Listen to me, I think I already know who it is based on the information that you've given me. I just need his name to verify my theory."
Deaths Blessing looked at Cid, then back at Strifer and the others. "Look, if there is one thing in this life that I have, it is my pride. I'm sorry, but I can't give you his name."
Everyone sighed and Cid said, "Fine, off to the president's office then."
Cid turned to walk and then Deaths Blessing said. "However," Cid turned around excitedly. "I can tell you that he was a Mythril Musketeer before The Great War and that he left Bastok some time after the Great War, however he did not explain the reason why he left. He simply said that he felt betrayed."
Cid grinned and loudly exclaimed. "I knew it! It is Zeid! It is wise you told me, my boy. If this information had leaked into the politics of the government, there would surely be unrest within the Republic. The President would surely make precautions that would be unnecessary and uncalled for!"
Deaths Blessing smiled. "Well, I'm glad I could be of some help."
Garek patted him on the back. "See, Deaths Blessing, that wasn't so hard now, was it?"
Cid smiled. "Now, I'm sure you adventurers want to go and see the president. Follow me to his office. This way, come along."
As Nenye, Tracy Lou, Zinadae, and Garek went ahead with Cid, Deaths Blessing turned to Strifer. "There is something about this Zeid character that we do not know, I'm sure of it."
Strifer nodded. "I'm sure you're right, but we can't worry about such matters right now. Let's see what the President will have us do and we'll work from there."
Cornelia walked up to Strifer and Deaths Blessing. "My father is brutally honest, I fear for the others, seeing as you two are the only races that primarily live in Bastok."
Strifer bowed to Cornelia. "We understand, milady. Good day." It was then that Deaths Blessing and Strifer ran to catch up with the others.
As they entered the President's district, they looked at the miraculous inventions that had been created, with the help on chief engineer Cid, to help Bastok function properly. Among these was the amazing elevator that was placed to help people enter the upper level of Bastok where the president's office was located. As soon as the elevator arrived at the top, Nenye took off running to the president's office. "I don't think that's a good idea, my dear. Most people, especially in this district, find it strange that anything but Humes or Galka visit the president!" By the time Cid finished his sentence, Nenye was already clear out of earshot.
Nenye was about to run inside the president's office, but was stopped by a Hume in Black Chain mail and muddy, brown boots. "Excuse me, Ms, may I help you?"
Nenye smiled. "I was just going to see the President! We have to talk to him about matters involving the Republic!"
The man in Chain Mail laughed. "My dear, you can't just come running to the president's office whenever you want! Besides, the matters of the Republic need not concern you! Only those with an allegiance to Bastok may enter the President's office. You said 'we.' Who is we?"
Nenye was about to say something when from behind the man, a girl in a red Samurai outfit, with hair as black as night, came out of the president's office. She looked at the Nenye, then back at the man "Naji, who is this? Another one of your friends, I presume? You know that we have a zero tolerance loitering policy! Maybe I should tell the president..."
Naji got wide-eyed. "What? You can't do that Ayame! Besides, I have just barely met this young woman. She wishes to go and have audience with the President."
Ayame looked at Nenye. "What is your name and what exactly are you doing here?"
Nenye smiled at Ayame. "I've already told your friend. I am here to see the president. I was about to tell him who 'we' is…"
Before she could finish her sentence, Cid appeared behind her being followed by the others. Both Naji and Ayame saluted him. Cid smiled, "At ease! The both of you, besides, I am hardly one to be saluted!"
Naji looked at Cid, dumbfounded. "I would think the person that helped defeat the Shadow Lord is worthy of being saluted, wouldn't you?
Ayame looked at Cid. "You are much too humble, chief. Anything I can help you with today?
Strifer looked at Cid. "Wait, so you actually helped defeat the Shadow Lord? You actually fought him?
Cid smiled. "Yep, that's me! Didn't think I just stayed back inventing everything,
Did you? Although, I did for most of the War…" Cid's face then went into deep thought. "However, I did have some assistance from aids of the Archduke of Jeuno… they had the strangest power. It was like they could think of anything." Cid suddenly straightened up, as if being brought out of a trance. "Anyway, that's not important." Cid then looked at Ayame. "These adventurers wish to see the president to discuss the Republic's needs."
It was then that a Galka in heavy armor with a great axe strapped to his back over heard Cid and said. "As much as we would like to help you, the President is in a stressed state at the moment. I will have to ask you to come back tomorrow."
Cid looked at the Galka and then back at Strifer and the others. "Well, I tried. Apparently, the President is too busy right now. However, I do know of a great place to stay the night, follow me."
The Galka stopped him. "There is no need Cid, you get back to work, I know you are a busy man. I shall escort them to the nearest Inn."
Cid looked at the others. "Well, until tomorrow then. I must get back to work now. I trust Iron Eater with my life. He is, after all, the president's bodyguard. You will be in good hands." With that, he saluted them and walked off to his laboratory.
Iron Eater looked at Strifer and the others. "It seems that you are in need of a place to stay for the night. Follow me, and I will show you the best Inn in town."
They all started following Iron Eater, but Garek pulled Strifer to the back of the pack and said. "This Iron Eater fellow sounds like he has more in mind for us than we know."
Strifer nodded. "I know what you mean. Kind of strange he would request to escort us to the Inn when he is the bodyguard of the president."
Just as they arrived at the Inn, Iron Eater stopped and turned to them. "I have a favor to ask of you adventurers. I need you to go to Altepa Desert, homeland of the Galka, and I need you to retrieve a moon pebble for me."
Zinadae spoke up. "So, you expect us to go on a quest for you without even knowing why? I suggest you tell us first!"
Iron Eater sighed. "Please forgive me, my friends, it's just that I have been stressed lately. It's about that Galka boy, Povall. He is the one that claims to be the new Talekeeper. There was much controversy among the Galka in Bastok, but it seems now that everyone has accepted the fact that the Talekeeper has returned. I, however, have not. I sense something wrong here. You see, the Talekeeper of the Galka holds the past two hundred years of memories from the Galka race. The memories are awoken within him when he retrieves the moon pebble. Every Galka Talekeeper that has lived has had this pebble, and even though the boy, Povall, claims to have one, we have yet to recognize if it is real or just a copy.
Strifer looked at Iron Eater, confused. "I don't see how we can help. If the moon pebble can only be obtained by the Talekeeper, then how are we supposed to get it?"
Iron Eater grinned. "This is where your adventuring skills come in. A Sphinx usually guards the moon pebble and if you are not the Talekeeper, it will surely attack you. However, if you are the Talekeeper, you can just walk right up to the moon pebble and take it."
Strifer smiled and stroked his chin. "So, you're saying that Povall couldn't of gotten the moon pebble if he wasn't the Talekeeper?"
Iron Eater smiled. "That is correct!"
Deaths Blessing turned to Strifer. "Whether or not I am from Bastok, I have to know the truth about the Talekeeper. I may not hold an allegiance to this city, but this is where my people live, and the Talekeeper is my Talekeeper also.
Iron Eater looked at Strifer and the others. "If you leave now, you can surely make it back by nightfall. I'll go make your preparations."
Iron Eater then turned to walk away but Zinadae spoke. "Why do you choose us? Can't the mighty, Mythril Musketeers do it?"
Iron Eater sighed. "I'm afraid not, the president is much too busy. Even if he was issue an order for the Mythril Musketeers to go on an expedition, it would have to go through Congress and take far too long to pass."
Zinadae then quickly spoke up as Iron Eater turned to leave. "That's all fine and dandy, but you didn't answer my other question… Why did you choose us?"
Iron Eater smiled. "When I first saw you adventurers, you all seemed… special, like you were meant to help me. Besides, you wanted to help, right?"
Garek looked at Iron Eater. "Exactly what kind of monster are we talking about here, Iron Eater?"
Iron Eater sighed and looked at Garek. "We are talking about a monster that does not take too kindly to people who are not the Talekeeper."