Chapter 3: Garland.
Note: The story happens so fast now! X.
At the Chaos Temple, a knight's reflection showed up in the dim light of the shrine. The knight was doing a daily ritual to his beliefs, denouncing anything he may have been told about brightness following the world.
Nearby, a sea-green haired princess shivered at the obvious cold temperature of the temple, as it was night, and quite drafty. This princess was the Princess Sarah, daughter of the Cornelian monarch. She was doomed in the temple, doomed for who-knows-what.
It was a privilege to know when death would strike, but the Princess had not this gift. She was forced to wait, unpredictibly knowing when harm would befall her. Her only hope now was to wait and hopefully, be lucky enough to live.
The next morning...
Everyone had somehow managed to get a somewhat fitful sleep, even though their previous revelations startled them. They still had a mission to take, a princess to save, and a prophecy to uphold. There was not time to complain over little things.
After a small meal for their breakfast, they set off to the world, over to the Chaos Shrine, where their next snippet of adventure would start. They had bought some equipment earlier to start, so they were very confident about their journey.
The group left Cornelia, waving to the townsfolk, and set off north.
However, they encountered a cave after a little bit north. The party hastilty went through the rocks to meet a dwarf guarding the opening.
"Wow." Herby said in astonishment. "What the heck is this place?"
The dwarf then started to answer. "This is the Earthgift Shrine."
"Lang ago, ye could enter, but the way's been shut syne the land began tae decay."
Soon enough, everyone left the cave.
"That was pointless." Reed sighed out.
"Well, this might be important later, so, might as well mark it down for reference." Steve replied. Reed was surprised that Steve might find that place helpful, but went along with it and marked it down on their map.
Soon enough, the group had reached the temple after a few hard battles. Steve suffered to most, leading the party and all, so he Cured himself, and everyone else was on their way. They picked up a Cap from a nearby chest. Herby took the cap and put it on, seeing as Steve already had a lucky feather hat to wear. No one else needed one.
They then entered a large room. Garland looked like that he was about to do something to the now-unconscious Princess.
"The king will have no choice but to exchange the kingdom for his daughter's life. Cornelia will be mine!"
"THE FIEND!" Herby screeched out.
Garland turned quickly to see the band of warriors facing him. "Who said that!"
"I did!" Herby yelled in reply. The others tried to hush him, though.
"Hmph. The king's lapdogs. Do you have any idea who you're messing with?"
The group shook their heads, except Herby, who had an angry look on his face.
"Do you really think you have what it takes to cross swords with ME?"
The group was now frozen in fear.
"Very well then. I, Garland, will knock you all down!"
And the battle started.
Everyone quickly dodged Garland's blows, while Steve tried to think of a suitable strategy.
"Any ideas?"
Nicola was quick to think of one.
"Garland's cape! It can be lit on fire! And his armour! It conducts electricity!"
"One Thunder, coming up!" Herby cried. He focused his power, and cast a powerful Thunder spell at Garland.
"Yeouch!" Garland cried. "You'll pay for this!" He then yelled, and swiped at Herby with a deadly blow.
"NEED CURE!" Herby demanded. Steve wasted no time in Curing him as Herby prepared another Thunder spell.
Nicola finally struck the last blow on Garland, using her Rapier to pierce through a weak point in his armour that Herby made with a Thunder strike and Garland faded away.
"ARGH! You... You'll rue the day you met the great Garland!" He bellowed as he faded out of existance.
The team surrounded the Princess, who slowly regained consciousness. She let out an 'urg...' of exaustion and finally looked at her rescuers.
"You've come to rescue me."
"Yup." Reed replied. He had found her enchanting now, that he had seen her.
"I don't know how I can ever thank you..."
"No problem, Sarah." Reed replied.
"How do you know me...?" Sarah inquired.
"The King told us. Duh." Herby said with mild sarcasm.
Reed then took this time to smack Herby in the gut.
"I'm sorry about him."
"That's alright, but this is the first time that anyone's defeated Garland. Amazing how wit can counter even brute force."
"It was nothing." Nicola shrugged off modestly. "Now, let's take you home."
The King was overjoyed at the sight of his daughter. he thanked the group for returning her to him, so in gratitude, he decreed that a bridge be built to the north area of Cornelia. The group was quite satisfied for that.
Reed sidled over to the Princess while the others chatted with the King.
"Hey, Sarah. What's up now?" He asked.
"I would like to give you and your comrades this gift." Sarah replied as she handed Reed an instrument. It was like a guitar, but it was slightly different.
"What is this?" Reed asked, somewhat disappointed in this 'thing.'
"This is a lute. This has been handed down to all Cornelian princesses. When Garland abducted me, he took the lute as well." She spoke. "Please, take it."
Soon, the bridge was being built, quickly, as Cornelia's regiment of soldiers were plenty.
The Light Warriors soon left the town, and headed off north, and crossed the bridge. Little did they know their adventure was just starting...
And so their quest began.
As the four Warriors of Light, they felt overwhelmed by this great task destiny had placed before them.
They did not even know the true significance of the four Crystals they held in their hands.
The crystals that once,
long ago, held a light that shone so brilliantly.
The time for their journey had come.
The time to cast off the veil of darkness and bring the world back to light...
Final Fantasy: Dawn of Souls Redux.