Author's Note: This is my first fanfic for the most part this story is based off of true adventures I went on while exploring and playing FFXI. I hope you all enjoy it! There is going to be much more to come! The first ten chapters are merely character development and really do not need to be read in chronological order (I haven't decided whether I was going to post Chapter 5 and 7 yet since I don't want to confuse anyone since 2, 3 ,4 and 6 aren't up. At any rate Chapter 2 will be up soon so I hope you all enjoy and write nice reviews! Constructive criticism is always welcomed :) Oh yeah and I own nothing bit the game lol
1
The Prologue:
Prelude to a Dream
We all are connected even if it doesn not appear so. The world is immense but when you look at the sky you know you're connected because they're gezing upon the sky too, the same sky connecting the world to one another, as long as the sky remains you'll never be seperated even long after you've forgotten. As the sky remains so too does the connection and the bond.
This tale takes place on one of the many worlds. This is the tale of a Tarutaru, at least this is just the beginning of his story. The Crystal War has ended and times are slowly returning back to normal; murder, rape, thievery and piracy are becoming less common with each passing day. Little did this Tarutaru know that his actions would not only shape his destiny but also that of those around him and his country.
The magical Federation of Windurst, protected by the Great Star Sibyll and the Great Star Tree, was home to the cat-like race of Mithra and the highly intelligent midget child-like race the Tarutaru. During the war the Federation was nearly destroyed but the Mithra came from across the seas to lend aid to the Tarutaru. Towards the end of the war a hero emerged and saved Windurst, the Hero of Windurst conjured up a powerful beast that was able to destroy the Beastmen armies that had invaded Windurst. However, in order to conjure the beast the Hero had to sacrifice his own life.
This day was no different than any other day, three youngsters were out in the Sarutabaruta; the grasslands that surrounded the federation. Two Tarutaru and a Mithra were sunbathing. There was a Tarutaru with a blue top-knot, a Tarutaru with silver hair and almond colored eyes and a Mithra with short pink-white hair pulled to the back. The Tarutaru with the top-knot was called Gehe, the Tarutaru with silver hair: Sogre and the Mithra was called Mixo. These three friends were laying on Starfock Hill basking in the warmth of the sun as the wind blew about sparingly on this fine summer day. Gehe, who was particularly mischievous, sat up "Sogre did you pass the Onion Brigade test?" Gehe asked smirking as he polished his new Onion Brigade badge. "No, I didn't make the cut." Sogre replied dryly. "He lost his nerrrve when he was sent into Giddeus to rrretrrrieve a yagudo tail feather." Mixo interjected as she stretched out in the grass, the sun warming her fur. After hearing this Gehe burst into hysterical laughter. "Sogre chucked a stone at Gehe's head. "Shut up! I was about to close in on one of them…" "He trrried to sneak up on a hatchling." Mixo interjected which further fueled Gehe's laughter. Soon all three of them were laughing.
For those who do not know, the Yagudo is a race of ruthless bird-like beastmen. Adult yagudo stand roughly at eight feet tall, they have razor sharp talons that can cut through flesh as if it were tissue. They live in a canyon north west of Windurst called Giddeus, there they planned their attack on the Tarutaru during the war but now they just nest there biding their time for when they will unleash their next attack.
Soon after the laughing fit ended Gehe broke the silence, "Let's go check out Giddeus." Mixo was intrigued by this proposal because she had never ventured into Giddeus before. "I'll go, Sogrrre arrre you up for a little adventurrre?" Sogre stood up and looked the sun sinking behind Tahrongi Canyon. "Yeah, sure, let's go!" exclaimed Sogre as he started down the hill, the three friends began to walk towards the Yagudo settlement in the west. They made their way down the dirt trail through the meadows to Giddeus when they were stopped by an elderly Tarutaru War Warlock of Windurst.
"What-taru are you three doing?" "We're walking here! It's a free federation you geezer." replied Gehe. This disrespect flustered the old Tarutaru "Why you little…" Mixo looking concerned (and quite often the voice of reason) interjected at this point and whispered to Sogre "Should we do something?" Sogre stared at the two Tarutarus, now exchanging various insults "Nah once Gehe gets doing there is no stopping him." Sogre sighed. After a few more insults were exchanged and Gehe stole the Tarutaru's helmet the old War Warlock gave up and left them heading back to town while mumbling unpleasant words about Gehe. "Hey guys look at what the old fart 'dropped'." Gehe chucked as he displayed the old Tarutaru's gil purse, Sogre and Mixo merely sighed
It was dusk when they got to the outer limits of the meadowy Sarutabaruta. Giddeus was a mountainous region; the yagudo carved their nests into the rock. The three friends entered and proceeded with both wonderment and the utmost caution, encountering a yagudo guard in the shadows of the entrance tunnel sounded like the least fun thing in the world to do. As they crept through the cave with Mixo leading (Mithra were able to see in the dark) Gehe whispered "Hey supposedly there's an entrance to an ancient battlefield deep in Giddeus, there is a lot of treasure in it. How about we find it?" Mixo and Sogre agreed that it might be fun to hunt for. Soon they left the darkness of the tunnel and emerged in a clearing, there was some grass but mostly rocky ground and there was a small drinking pond in the center that glistened in the silver moon light. They examined Giddeus, the Yagudo not only carved nests in the rock but they also made bridges that allowed them to go from nest to nest with out having to touch the ground, in addition to the bridges there were trails leading from the ground to the nests built high into the rock. Then next to the pond was a path that lead deeper into Giddeus. Gehe started down that path and made a notion for Sogre and Mixo to follow, as they walked down it Sogre's heart dropped as he saw two Yagudo walking towards them, Gehe and Mixo exchanged worried looks with Sogre, they turned around and tried to creep back towards the clearing but they were stopped by two more Yagudo. Sogre, Mixo and Gehe realized that there was no escape from this predicament. They exchanged panicked looks that even in the moon light were clearly visible, they realized that the game was over; no more pretend, their very lives were in danger.
The Yagudo approached the three friends baring their talons getting ready to strike. "This doesn't look good for us, we have to fight or else we'll die!" shouted Gehe as he drew his dagger from its leather holdster. "Sogrrre he's rrright you know, we must fight." "Yeah I know that but… Gehe watch out!" Sogre exclaimed. Sogre ran up to the yagudo and drove his dagger into the back of the Yagudo that had snuck up on Gehe which was ready to strike, the yagudo's warm blood gushed from the wound onto Sogre's cold hands, the beast fell instantly. "Thanks man." Gehe said. Another Yagudo had lunged towards Gehe; he parried the beastman's talons with his dagger then dealt it a fatal wound in its neck, the beastman fell down writhing in pain as its life juice oozed from its body. "Therrres too many!" Mixo cried. "MIxo, Sogre use the magic you learned in school!" Gehe cried as he was fending off more yagudo that had arrived to aid their fallen comrades.
In all honesty Sogre didn't pay too much attention than Gehe in class, learning only a few spells but Mixo on the other hand gave up her mischievous ways and focused on the art of black magic which, she utilized quite well. Mixo closed her eyes and began to chant a spell, the air around her howled and the eerie presence of magic could be felt in the air. Sogre covered Mixo, if a Yagudo attacked her while she was casting the results could be disastrous, Gehe continued to fend off Yagudo with his dagger. Three yagudo jumped from the upper level onto them, Sogre engaged one and Gehe took the other two. Then the wind let out a great howl as Mixo unleashed her spell, the water from the pond came to their aid; Mixo manipulated the water flow so it attacked the yagudo slamming them hard onto the rock ground knocking them unconscious. While the yagudo were immobilized Gehe slashed the throats to the yagudo in one clean cut each. Sogre saw his friend in a new light now as the yagudo blood trickled off of Gehe's dagger onto the ground. "Looks like we got all of them." Gehe cheered. "Over there!" Sogre exclaimed pointing up the trail. More yagudo were coming down the ramps from the upper burrows. "Rrrun!" Mixo shouted as she ran back towards the entrance. Sogre ran after her as Gehe ran towards the yagudo. "What are you doing? Sogre cried. "Go on ahead bud, I'll be fine, they won't even touch me you'll see." Gehe flashed one last grin at Sogre before he ran towards the yagudo. "I'll see you later!" Sogre shouted, and then he followed Mixo down the path. Sogre took one last took at Gehe and miraculously the yagudo were not able to touch him like he had said, Gehe was dodging every attack the yagudo dealt him, Sogre was dumbstruck.
Sogre caught up with Mixo who asked where Gehe was but Sogre only shook his head. The two made their way back town the dark tunnel, Mixo howled in pain half way through the tunnel. A flash of light had struck Mixo and she fell to her knees, she had become immobilized. "No! Mixo you have to get up!" Sogre tried to help her up but she was bound by a magical force. A yagudo shaman made its way down the tunnel to where Mixo and Sogre stood. "Now you two shall die!" it said in a raspy voice, then it began to chant a spell. In return Sogre too chanted a spell, in a few seconds the tunnel was ablaze in light and the armor of the yagudo melted away leaving it open to an attack. Sogre charged at the yagudo and he thrust his dagger into the yagudo's breast, it let out a screech and then it stopped and fell to the floor lifeless. More yagudo were heard entering the tunnel from a distance. "Sogrrre…rrrun and go get help!" Mixo cried. "No I won't leave you here to die!" Sogre replied. Then in an instant Mixo fell prey to an arrow, she fell instantly. Sogre let out a fierce cry and began to chant a minor healing spell he had learned. "Sogrrre….rrrrun…" Mixo gasped as she sank into unconsciousness. The Yagudo crowded around them and began to claw and tear at Sogre, they cut into his flesh, tore his clothes and beat him into submission, before he lost consciousness he saw a barrage of arrows strike the yagudo and a Mithran Ranger saying "Hold on!" and then there was complete and total nothingness.
The there was a sweet voice that called down to him followed by a white light. "Sogre…you mustn't give up…Vana 'diel needs you…your friends need you…"
"Will he be ok doctorrr?"
"Perhaps-taru, those Yagudo really tore-taru him up-taru."
"Maybe playing in Giddeus wasn't such a great idea…"
"Mmm….uh."
A Tarutaru with shimmering silver hair and almond eyes stirred in the white bed sheets. He opened his eyes and looked up, he saw a Mithra with pink-white hair pulled back and a Tarutaru with a dark blue top knot talking to an elderly male Tarutaru wearing a white robe outlined in red stitching and leather straps. Sogre stirred in the bed and then sat up. "What happened to us? I thought we…died." The elderly Tarutaru chuckled "Ohohoho good heavens-taru no! Another adventurer brought you three back here in critical condition-taru." Mixo stepped forward "Yes it was a Mithrrran Rrranger. She came to ourrr rrrescue, she finished off the yagudo that was left and then warrrped us back here." Gehe walked to Sogre's bedside "That was some adventure eh?" Gehe nudged Sogre in the side hard. "Yeah, but lets not go back to Giddeus for a while ok?" Sogre said smiling, Mixo and Gehe agreed whole heartily, they thought one near-death experience was enough for now. The elderly Tarutaru, Mixo and Gehe left shortly afterwards to let Sogre sleep, Sogre replayed the events that occurred the previous day in his mind once more "I promise I won't ever let my friends get hurt that badly again, one day I'll be strong enough to protect them all."
Sogre woke up the next day in his own home, his moogle greeted him warmly
Moogles are friendly creatures, generally every adventurer is given a moogle to take care of their home and weapons and armor while they are away. They serve as butlers and they are very docile and non aggressive. They are generally very small with either pink or white fur and little wings.
"Master-kupo! I hope you're feeling much better this find morning kupopo!" "Yes much better today Mr. Moogle." Sogre got out of his bed and walked to the dining area in the center of his little Mog House. There was not much furniture there, a table for eating a few chairs to sit in and a few cabinets and food storage units in the corner. Sogre had a hearty meal of fried Popotos and a stick of delectable meat-mith kabobs, which were rumored to enhance your strength and determination. Sogre noticed that there was a letter attached to the oak cabinet in the corner, he picked it up and read it:
'Sogrrre wearrr yourrr adveturrring clothes today we'rrre going to explorrre the canyon!'
'Dude meet us at the fountain in Windurst Woods around midday, bring some grub too because we'll be out way late.'
-Mixo & Gehe
After reading this Sogre put the letter down and took his leather armor out of the closet, it didn't provide much protection but it was much better than regular clothes. He looked at his tattered clothing that was hanging next to it. His kaftan was torn almost beyond repair, there were talon and claw marks all over it, his gloves were unusable, his breeches had numerous holes and one particularly large one in the butt and he lost one of his boots somewhere. After he got dressed he grabbed some more kabobs and a few bottles of pineapple juice with a slice of pie and then he was off.
The Federation of Windurst is an area of great magic. The city itself is divided into four sectors: Woods Waters Walls and Port. The port is where merchant ships dock so people can buy goods; there are also warehouses to store goods. This is also the home to most of the fishermen in the Federation and the Air Travel Agency is also located here. Windurst Walls is home to most of the political figures in the Federation, connected by numerous bridges over the lake it was built on top of however, there are still pillars of land on which the homes for people were built upon. In the center is the Great Star Tree and at the very top lives the Star Sibyll; protector of Windurst. In Windurst Waters was the academy of magic where young Tarutaru and Mithra go to learn basic magic. Also, Waters is where the majority of the shops and restaurants are, in Lower Waters resides the advanced magic shop where only those who receive special permission from the Grand Duchy of Jeuno are able to purchase the high level magic spells and a clothing shop. Windurst Woods is the area of Windurst where the Mithra live, that sector is covered by trees which imitate a grove of greenery, and at the center is a beautiful fountain that was made up ivory and is said to pump the freshest purest water from the center of Vana 'diel.
Sogre left his home in Waters and walked briskly through the hub-bub of the town, he saw mothers bidding their children a good day at the academy, it was not that long ago that Sogre graduated from the academy. He walked through the town stopping periodically to talk to other Tarutaru that expressed concern for him or questioned him about the other day. As he was walking into the Port sector he was stopped by a Taru Scout (which is a Tarutaru in normal clothing just wearing a green hat and a red sash.) "Sogre, here take this!" the little Tarutaru said as he took a badge out of his pocket and handed it to Sogre. Sogre examined the pink badge shaped like a star and realized what it was. "I'm in the brigade?" he said excitedly. The little Tarutaru nodded his head. "It's from your recent romp with the Yagudo in Giddeus." "Thanks a lot!" Sogre said as he pinned it to his vest. The little Tarutaru ran off and Sogre continued to the Port where the sun shined the brightest in the federation. Numerous fishermen lined the piers of the port, this was a very good spot for fishing, the Fishing Guild across Vana 'diel had a contest: "He who catches 10,000 moat carps will win a legendary prize!"
Moat Carp is a rare fish that is quite delicious. The prize was said to be a legendary fishing rod that was said to have caught the great Leviathan itself on its lure.
Sogre realizing that he was going to be late, he went from a brisk walk to a steady run passing by the other citizens. Sogre stopped briefly at the travel agency to watch the airships take off. "One day" he thought "one day I'm going to take that airship and fly away and go on great and awesome adventures." Sogre often imagined himself as a powerful magician vanquishing strange beasts and saving princesses and other times he saw himself as a valiant knight protecting his friends from dangerous foes.
Airships resemble very big boats from our world with propellers attached to give them flight.
"Grr where is that lump!" Gehe exclaimed angrily. "Therrre he is!" Mixo pointed at Sogre running towards them. "S…sorry I'm…..late" he panted. "MIXO!" a young Mithra shouted with obvious anger as she walked towards them. "What is it Ciarrr?" Ciar was a year younger than Mixo with red hair put up into a bun; she had always been interested in adventuring but never succeeded in going on an actual adventure. "You said I could go with you today!" she said angrily. "Well…I…you see…" Mixo stammered. "Aw go away you pesky kitten! You'll just ruin the experience for the rest of us." Gehe interjected. Ciar was stunned. "Who do you think you'rrre talking to rrrunt?" Ciar exclaimed furiously. Gehe and Ciar stared at each other harshly while Mixo stood on the side watching unsure of what would happen next. "Ciar it'll be very dangerous if you come with us, how about you come with us on our next adventure when we're stronger and more able to protect you?" Sogre said. Ciar looked thoughtfully at him and said "Aww fine you win but, if you don't keep yourrr prrromise POW! Right to the moon!" making a punching motion while giving Sogre a wink. "All right it's a deal." Sogre said as he smiled at her. With that being said Ciar walked back to her hut as Mixo, Sogre, and Gehe walked towards the city gate.
Tahrongi Canyon was northwest of the sarutabaruta; it was an extremely long hike. The three friends began their journey talking about how much fun it would be to play in the canyon. They had never really been to Tahrongi Canyon before usually the monsters were too powerful and prevented them from reaching the canyon however, they were much stronger now and the fiends didn't even seem to notice them. Around dusk the three friends sat alongside the river bank and enjoyed the food they had brought with them for the trip. They talked light heartily about the events that had transpired only a day before in Giddeus, and how much fun it would be to go back after they had become first class adventurers. After finishing their meal they continued their journey, talking about how good the food tasted as it warmed their bellies. It was nightfall when they approached the tall stone mountainous ripple in the earth known as Tahrongi Canyon, even at night the air was dry. They entered the canyon and no one was around, the place was deserted except for the howl of the monsters in the distance.
The canyon itself was ancient, once it stood as a proud plateau until an earthquake had ravaged the region and creating the canyon as a side effect. Another theory is that the mountains past the canyon and the present day canyon were once a great mountain that was destroyed due to natural disasters.
The three friends frolicked in the canyon, climbing rocks, chasing each other around and then playing a rigorous game of hide and seek in which Gehe always won because he always found good hiding spots, Gehe was even courageous enough to climb on top of a dhamel and ride around on it. Later that night they camped out in the center of the canyon under the stars. "The canyon is huge." Gehe said staring up into the night sky. "Yeah, hey guys" Sogre began "do you think that there are other worlds out there?" "What do you mean Sogrrre?" Mixo asked "I mean a world like ours except…different." "Who knows, probably." Gehe answered and with that they all fell asleep and they didn't discuss it again.
Morning came all too quickly for them. The sun had crept over the tall stone ridges of the canyon. The sun met eye-to-eye with Sogre, who woke unwillingly. He yawned as he stirred but woke immediately when he saw that he was only inches away from the face of a great big caterpillar like monster. Sogre shouted and woke Gehe and Mixo. "What the hell dude? Gehe said as he reluctantly sat up, his attitude suddenly changed when he saw the crawler. "Hey!" he exclaimed happily "it's a crawler! Let's kill it." Gehe said as he drew his dagger from his belt. "Why do you want to kill it? It has a right to live as we do." Sogre said "The silk that their body excretes is worth a nice big bag of gil! When did you become such a puss Sogre?" Gehe replied. "I'm not, whatever, if you want to kill it be my guest I'm going for a walk." Sogre said as he walked away.
Sogre thought about the conversation they had the other night, he wondered about the possibility that there were indeed other worlds out there like his own. After pondering and walking around Sogre came to a big stone altar in the center of the canyon, at the center of the altar was a very large glowing cerulean blue crystal. Sogre approached it mystified.
"Touch the crystal to open the gate." A voice told him.
Sogre touched the great blue crystal and as he did so it began to glow brighter and brighter until there was a great flash of blue light, his body was flowing with energy, Sogre had never felt so alive. The blue light began to fade and the warmness that the light had provided Sogre with was fading as well. "Sogrrre!" Mixo cried as he was walking down the stone steps of the altar. "What wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Sogre said. "It's…Gehe…" Mixo panted struggling to catch her breath, all the color had drained from her usually cheerful face. "What about Gehe?" Sogre asked, his voice trembling with concern. "He…he's poisoned!"
Sogre and Mixo ran back to camp where they found an intoxicated Gehe writhing on the rocky ground in pain. "The crrrawlerrr poisoned him, he's getting worse. Can you cleanse his body of the poison Sogrrre?" Mixo asked. Sogre knelt down next to Gehe to examine the state his friend was in "No...I can't cleanse his body, I can restore energy and treat wounds but I'm not able to cleanse the body." Sogre said sadly. "So what are we going to do? Just sit here and let him die?" cried Mixo. Sogre began to think, Windurst was much too far from the canyon and Gehe would never make the trip, at that moment Sogre remembered that there was a town close by on the peninsula. "We'll bring him to Mhaura. I'm sure we can buy some medicine for him there or at least find someone to cleanse his body." Mixo nodded and put Gehe on her back, Mixo despite being female was stronger than Sogre so she agreed to carry Gehe as long as Sogre was able to protect them both from fiends. If they wanted to save Gehe they would have to move quickly. Sogre and Mixo rushed towards the east gradually putting the rocky canyon to their backs and entering the coastal region known as Buburimu Peninsula.
Long ago Buburimu was believed to have been under water but after The Crystal War the howling of a great beast was rumored to have made the sea pull back in fear allowing the peninsula to be populated.
Mixo and Sogre rushed to Mhaura as quickly as they could (Mhaura was on the southern part of the peninsula.) Gehe's state was steadily getting worse and worse with each passing moment. Gehe had a fever and he was slowly slipping off the mortal coil, the poison was working its way into his system. Sogre and Mixo noticed the increase of his state and quickened, about half way there they were stopped by a band of goblins. "Watch out! Get out of our way!." Sogre shouted as he and Mixo approached the goblins, the goblins looked at the two and dismissed Sogre's shouting. Mixo and Sogre stopped in front of the band because they were blocking the trail. "Please move out of the way." Mixo pleaded as she adjusted Gehe on her back. Gehe began to mumble to himself. The goblins just looked at Mixo as if she had sprouted a second hand. One very nasty looking goblin stepped forward, he was wearing armor forged from dark steel and wielded a scimitar which had a curved blade making it all the more deadly. "You funny Mithra" he spoke through his helmet, Mixo and Sogre nearly gagged at the creature's foul breath, it reeked of onions and garlic. "We no move, we here first!" the goblin continued to say. "Please our frrriend is dying we need to get him to the doctorrr in Mhaurrra." Mixo pleaded, tears forming in her beautiful blue eyes. "Too bad for you, we no move!" The goblin reiterated waving around that rusty scimitar. "Get out of our way." Sogre said calmly as he pointed his bronze sword at the goblin. The band broke into hysterical laughter. "You puny Tarutaru we teach you manners!" the goblin said as the band began to form a circle around Sogre. "Mixo keep going to Mhaura, I'll cover you." Sogre said as he got on his guard. "Sogrrre therrres too many of them, therrre is no way you can do it alone." Mixo said fighting back tears. "Mixo" Sogre began "don't worry I'll be fine there isn't a need to cry, go to Mhaura and find the doctor I'll be along as soon as I take care of these gobbies." Sogre said flashing Mixo a smile. Mixo knew Gehe needed serious medical attention, the poison was already working its way into his heart and if it reached his heart then there would be no hope for him. With a heavy heart Mixo took off faster than she had ever ran before quickly putting Sogre and the band of goblins to her back.
The clouds above Buburimu swirled and the air cracked with the sound of thunder, shortly after it began to rain. The rain defeated the dryness in the air but with the dryness leaving the humidity rose making it harder and harder to breathe.
Five goblins surrounded Sogre.
Five goblins stood in front of him reaching Mhaura.
Five goblins prevented him from helping his friend.
Five goblins, one Tarutaru.
The day in Giddeus replayed itself in Sogre's mind. He was helpless to defend his friends that day from the yagudo and now he was helpless once more. Blood pumped through his body, his anger intensified, and his whole body was burning with rage. One goblin approached him from the circle that surrounded him and it was the biggest mistake of that goblin's pitiful life. Sogre took the goblin's head off with one clean, strong swipe of his sword; the goblin didn't even feel it. Its head rolled off its shoulders and onto the ground, blood slowly oozing out of it the helmet. Its eyes looked up at Sogre still, even though there was no life left in them. Water mixed with sweat on Sogre's brow did not prevent him for one moment from dropping the next goblin that approached him.
Goblin number two approached slowly and hesitantly. This goblin was smarter than the last because it did not charge in at Sogre with out analyzing the situation unlike its predecessor. Sogre took one step towards the goblin, it retreated one step. Sogre lowered his sword and began to talk to himself. The goblins recognized his speech as the language of magic and before the goblin could react the water from the rain swelled around it and the goblin was pelted with small yet powerful balls of water. It fell to the ground with at least a dozen holes in its chest; blood slowly poured from each hole and shortly a large puddle of blood was underneath that poor bastard of a goblin.
Goblin number three turned and tried to run away from the battle, Sogre saw this and his anger got the best of him. He chased after the goblin and with one clean swipe severed the beasts' spine, the goblin let out a piercing scream as spinal fluid mixed with blood oozed out of its back. Sogre turned around and looked at the two remaining goblins; one was the leader the other just another minion.
Goblin number four, perhaps the most daring of them all. Sogre walked towards this goblin slowly, the goblin in return did nothing. Sogre got closer and closer with just one thought in his mind; he wanted that goblin's head. The goblin was within range of being attacked with his sword when Sogre stopped walking. There was something odd about this goblin, it was sure as dumb as any other goblin but this one seemed somehow clever, it reached into its pack as it flashed Sogre a smirk of self satisfaction. Sogre couldn't possibly fathom what this goblin had in its pack until he saw it; a black ball made of iron with a string protruding from the ball. The goblin took out a match and lit it on fire and began to laugh. It was a bomb! Sogre started to back away but it was far too late the bomb had been lit it would go off at any second. The goblin advanced a few steps where as Sogre retreated; the goblin wound up and threw the bomb at Sogre. Sogre in turn thought quickly and pelted the bomb back at the goblin using his sword as a kind of bat. The goblin gave off one horrified look before it was blown into the afterlife.
Goblin number five: the general. Sogre slowly walked past the charred remains of the previous goblin that tried to get in his way. It smelled of burned flesh and gunpowder, you could still make out the goblin's last expression it had before the other half of its face was blown off; it was mortally afraid. Sogre sensed the general goblin's anger, he went on his guard as the goblin leaped at him; the two warriors crossed blades. "You not so puny after all." The goblin grunted at Sogre as he jumped back. Sogre then was on the offense, he slashed at the goblin but the goblin was able to parry Sogre's attack every time. "Grrr, hold still damn you!" Sogre said through gritted teeth, the goblin merely gave him a mocking smile. The two fighters continued to fight locking swords each and every time, on occasion one would break through the other's defense only for the opponent to parry the attack.
The rain fell down harder and the thunder grew louder. Sogre was fully visible in the flashes of lightning across the now night sky. He was no longer a cheerful little Tarutaru he now stood as a warrior fighting for his life.
Sogre over grown with anger focused all his energy into one attack, he charged at the goblin and slashed the goblin so hard its scimitar broke in half and the blade went straight through it. The sword blade was glowing red with heat. The rain washed the blood and sweat off of his face, when he just realized what had happened he sheathed his sword and began walking towards Mhaura with a little bit less of himself than what he had began with.
Five dead goblins, one living, merciless Tarutaru.
The rain poured down outside, towns people were rushing to get into their homes. Mixo looked outside the window concerned for Sogre. Gehe had been treated by a local doctor and was now peacefully sleeping in a hotel bed. The ferry to Valkurm had been cancelled due to the storm; no one knew when it would end. Images of Sogre being surrounded by the goblins flowed back to her mind then images of him being killed flooded in and replaced the previous images. Mixo shuddered from the cold brought on by her concern. She decided that she needed fresh air so she stepped outside the two story hotel. The cool night's air helped clear her mind; she no longer found images of Sogre being killed in her mind instead she just looked onward at the raging sea. As Mixo stood at the dock admiring the powerful yet gentle churning of the waves she did not see a Tarutaru with silver hair sneak up behind her. "Sogrrre!" Mixo exclaimed. Mixo almost didn't recognize her friend, his usually silver hair was caked in mud and his clothes drenched from a combination of blood, sweat and rain. "Yeah it's me." He responded clearly exhausted. "How's Gehe?" he asked. "He's well, the doctor immediately rrremoved the poison." Mixo said as they walked towards the hotel. "Herrre lets get some rrrest." She said as she closed the door to the hotel behind them.
The three friends slept peacefully not knowing that they would be separated soon and their lives changed forever.
Morning came and the rain stopped. The sun began to dry the docks and the buildings of Mhaura. The ferry was back in business so adventurers could travel between Mhaura and Selbina. Mixo, Sogre and Gehe woke up around midday and Sogre relayed how he fought valiantly against the goblins and Mixo, in turn relayed how they got to Mhaura and how she found the doctor who also referred them to this hotel, Gehe of course, didn't remember any of this. "The ferry's running again want to go for a ride before we head back to Windurst?" Gehe asked cheerfully. No one would have been able to guess that he just had a recent brush with death. The thing about Gehe is that he loved life and he did not care whether he lived or died as long as he had a good time and he enjoyed himself. "Sure." Sogre said. Gehe and Sogre turned to Mixo who winced at the suggestion. "Sorrry guys I don't think I'm up for this adventure, I'm going back to Windurrrst but I'll tell everyone that you two arrre alrrright and that you'll be back soon." Gehe agreed to that but Sogre pleaded with Mixo to go on the ferry with them but she resisted and he eventually gave in.
When the ferry came at dusk the three friends departed, Mixo stayed long enough to watch her two friends sail away into a whole new adventure while she was left all alone walking back to Windurst. Mixo stole one last glance at the departing ship and then ran off through the city gates back into the peninsula.
Gehe and Sogre sat in the hold of the ship talking about what could lie on the other side of the sea. "What do you think is over there?" Sogre asked excitedly. "Hmm let's check out this map I 'borrowed' from the hotel." Gehe reached into his back pocket and pulled out a piece of parchment folded over many times. Gehe unfolded the parchment and pointed to their location; currently the ship was crossing the Bastokan Sea. "Ok, this ship goes to Selbina then from Selbina is the Valkurm Dunes which is a desert I guess, to the north is the Kingdom of San'd Oria and to the south is the Republic of Bastok." Gehe said reading off of the map. "I want to go to San'd Oria." Sogre said. "Well then how about after we return to Windurst we pack up and head back out for the new areas we haven't yet explored?" proposed Gehe. "Sure sounds like a plan! But, can Mixo come as well?" Sogre asked. The expression on Gehe's face dropped "Why do you need that Mithra to come too? Why can't it be just you and me huh?" demanded Gehe. Sogre stammered for a response, he had never seen Gehe in this light. All three of them had been friends for a while and neither of them showed any dislike for the other up until now. "Stay below deck!" the captain shouted. Sogre, Gehe and the other adventurers that were below the deck were all wondering why the captain gave such an order. Gehe decided he wanted to find out so he went above deck which was shortly followed by a howl. Sogre quickly ran up the stairs leading to the ships deck and what he saw completed his lousy week
Three ships had docked next to theirs, they were all pirate ships and pirates were invading. "Great." Sogre thought "Can this possibly get any worse?" and with that thought he turned around and saw Gehe battling two pirates, Sogre quickly joined in the fray and together Sogre and Gehe were able to defeat the pirates. "Gehe we need to go back below deck!" Sogre shouted. Gehe did not hear Sogre because of the storm that was on the horizon. The sea became rough and the rain started back up again.
The rain started again…
The captain was shouting for the adventurers to go back below deck, Sogre wanted to but he refused to leave Gehe alone with the pirates. Gehe was aiding the other more experienced adventurers who were fighting off the pirates as well, as other adventurers had the attention of the pirates Gehe would go behind the pirates and strike them fatally when they had their attention on the adventurers. Sogre aided the adventurers as well by healing their minor injuries. After a while of fighting the pirates they eventually retreated back to their ships and left. Everyone who had engaged them cheered but their victory was short lived. The captain was not yelling at them to go below deck due to the pirates but due to the storm, at that moment a giant wave struck the ship knocking everyone who was on deck over. Sogre would have slid right off the ship if he hadn't grabbed a piece of rope. He frantically looked around for Gehe but Sogre could not find his friend. "Sogre!" Gehe shouted. Sogre looked around and saw Gehe hanging off the side of the ship. "Gehe I'm coming!" Sogre shouted as he climbed over other adventurers that were knocked down and unable to get up. He leaned over the edge of the ship and grabbed Gehe's hand. "Don't let go!" Gehe shouted as Sogre tried to pull him up. Sogre could see the fear in Gehe's eyes, Sogre pulled and pulled and shouted for someone to help him but no one came.
The rain came down harder and the sea rougher, waves kept crashing into the ship almost knocking it over on several occasions.
Sogre looked up and was horrified at what he saw; a great big wave was on the horizon approaching the little ship. Sogre gripped Gehe's hand with all his might but the wave was much too powerful for the little Tarutaru, the sea was calling Gehe and in the end the sea got its way. With that final crash into the ship Sogre was knocked back and Gehe fell into the waters below. Sogre scrambled to get up but the waves kept knocking him down again. He ran to the side where Gehe fell into the waters and called out to him, searching with his eyes but he could not see his friend. Sogre only went back down under the deck when he was picked up by a hulking Galkan warrior and carried down below.
The rain stopped and morning came.
Sogre could not comprehend what had happened. One minute Gehe was sitting next to him and they were plotting out their next adventure then it was all ripped from him in a wave of water. Sogre was the last adventurer to get off the ship, he realized he couldn't go back home to the federation because then they would question him on what happened to Gehe. Sogre did not think that the federation would believe him if he had told them that Gehe had fallen off the ferry en route to Selbina and even if they had there was still the possibility that he could be arrested for foul play. Sogre believed that he should just continue on with his journey where ever it may lead him.
They were parted by an inescapable destiny but, this was just the beginning of the adventure of a lifetime.
Final Fantasy XI: Sogre's Story 2003-2006
--Argos of Bahamut
