The ship was pulling into the dock in Norg. Elnroth was doing what he could to bandage up the wound in Angel's chest. He managed to slow the bleeding but the hemorrhaging was not stopping. Seeing the walkways of the port Celphie dropped her rifle and started running towards the edge of the boat. Jumping she leapt through the air rolling to a stop on the boards. Regaining her balance she started running to the bar. Pushing the doors open she ran down the stairs to her room. Knowing it was locked she didn't try to use her key. Jumping again she rammed the door full force blowing it off its hinges.
Vivli was asleep all day. When the potions effect wore off the tiny Mithra awoke to find herself in a whole new surrounding. Getting out of the bed she found a note on the table next to the bed.
"Sorry about using that potion on you. You looked like you needed the sleep, and I don't think you would appreciate being knocked out with a more forceful manner. The dresser has a few pairs of clothing. There is a bath if you choose to use it. The door is locked from the inside so no one can get in."
Andrew
"Well that was nice of him." Vivli said to herself
Getting up she noticed just how dirty she was. Her robes her starting to become stiff from all the grime that accumulated on them. A mixture of blood and dirt made for quite a harsh stain. Taking the robes off she found the hot spring in Andrew's room rather nice. Once Vivli finished washing herself she wrapped herself in a towel. Moving to he dresser Vivli opened the doors.
"Someone needs to look into other colors." Vivli said
Vivli opened the dresser to find over a dozen sets of clothing, all black. Sorting through the colorless dresses and shirts she found some robes that would fit her. Laying them out on the bed Vivli was about to change into them when she could hear a commotion coming from above her, a rapid series of footsteps closing in then a crash.
Celphie knocked the door down running into the room. Spotting the now naked Mithra she immediately turned and ran out of the room.
"Change into something now!" Celphie yelled
Vivli was standing there in total confusion.
"What the…?" Vivli uttered
"Do it now or I'm dragging you out of here naked!" Celphie yelled
Hearing her tone Vivli knew Celphie was serious. Throwing the robe on Vivli put her sandal's on and ran out of the tavern with Celphie.
Elnroth was running into the town carrying Angel. He spotted Celphie running back with another Mithra wearing all black. Elnroth set Angel down. Vivli came up looking at Angel's dying body.
"What happened to her?" Vivli asked
"Can we heal her first then talk?" Elnroth asked
Vivli nodded and went to work casting the strongest curing spells she knew. Vivli tried the best she could but this wound just would not close up all the way. Exhausting herself Vivli stared forlorn at Angel. Vivli held her head in frustration.
"Why can't I help her?" Vivli cried
Cid was walking by with a large metal box. Noticing there was a mage trying to heal another and failing, Cid opened the box. Reaching in he removed a smaller box holding a ring. There was a smaller crystal being bound in the ring. Walking to Vivli he handed it to her.
"Here, put this on then try again." Cid said
Vivli took the ring and gazed into it. Hesitating Vivli put the ring on her right hand and tried the strongest curing spell she knew. There was an eruption of white light. It flooded the area as Vivli cast her spell. The crystal in the ring was amplifying the effects of the curing spell. The wound closed up fully. Angel stopped hemorrhaging. Opening her eyes she looked out to the people around her. She sat up. There wasn't even pain left over. Putting a hand over her chest there wasn't a scar to even show she was hurt.
"…the hell?" Angel said
Vivli smiled.
"I'm so glad your ok!" Vivli cried out
Vilvi hugged Angel. Angel was about to push her away when she remembered her promise.
"Yes. Thanks." Angel said empathetically
Angel stood up brushing herself off.
"Elnroth, may I have a word with you?" Angel asked
The two walked off like nothing had ever happened. Vivli watched them walk away, then her attention was quickly diverted to the ring she wore.
"Wow. This thing is powerful." Vivli said
"Ah, excellent. I never had a chance to test it, so I'm glad to see it works." Cid said
Vivli was about to remove it when Cid motioned not too.
"No, you don't have too. Since you were the first to use it and have it work you can keep it. I'm sure you can use that to a better use then me hording it to myself." Cid said
"Thanks." Vivli said
Angel and Elnroth were walking through Norg when the two ducked into an empty room.
"Alright, can you tell me what happened?" Angel asked
Elnroth looked to the floor. Folding his arms he spoke.
"Are you sure you want to hear what I have to say?" Elnroth asked
"Just tell me." Angel insisted
"Ok, the Shadow Lord is back, that much I'm sure you know." Elnroth asked
"Yes." Angel answered
"Well, once he was resurrected he took the form of you. Using this guise he killed everyone who came to stop him. Including all of your friends." Elnroth said. "And if this is what he did with me, I'm sure he did the same to the rest."
Angel started too look upset.
"Wha… what about Zanu?" Angel asked in a broken voice
Elnroth sighed.
"The last I saw before I died. Zanu rose and took the Shadow Lords side." Elnroth explained
Angel tried to hide her face.
"Zanu…" Angel said
Elnroth tried to comfort her but Angel just ran out of the room to the docks. Onto the boat she demanded that they leave again.
"I'm sorry miss, but we aren't leaving again until we get word from our leader." The ships captain spoke
"Damnit!" Angel yelled
Angel ran to the center of the docks and started chanting. Holding her hands together she finished her spell. Behind her, wings materialized on her back. Spreading them out Angel launched her self and started flying northwest.
Others started coming out of houses trying to figure out what was going on. Elnroth came running out.
"Angel! Did anyone see where Angel ran off too?" Elnroth yelled
The Elvaan was running through the streets of Norg until he ran into the ships captain.
"Are you the one yelling about that Mithra?" He asked
"Yes. Do you know where she went?" Elnroth asked
"I don't know for sure. But, she came running up to my boat yelling something about how she wanted us to leave for Sandoria." He answered
"Oh damn…" Elnroth spoke
Hours later, Angel was flying swiftly to Sandoria. She was in a state of unstable emotions. Angel was extremely angry and completely saddened at the same time. She couldn't think rationally anymore. All she wanted to do was go get her friends back. Angel landed outside of Sandoria. Setting down she summoned her armor and drew her sword. Inside the gates there were dozens of demons walking about. All of the citizens of Sandoria were no-where to be found. Only the demons the Shadow lord brought with him existed in this huge city. Angel casually walked through the streets. Soon the demons saw her and instantly swarmed her. Their strikes were either blocked by her armor or parried away. It only took a few strikes from Angel's rapier. The weapon bore right through the demons thick skin. Angel was carving a path through the growing force of demons.
"Heh heh heh…" Envy laughed
She was watching the Mithra's plight from above. The corrupted Elvaan stepped down from the houses jumped down into the fray.
"Hey!" Envy yelled. "Think you can make it to the castle?"
Angel saw this figure taunt her. Swinging more rapidly Angel was moving quicker through the crowd of demons. Envy ran ahead. Strikes left and right were sending demons reeling back in pain. Working her way through the demons, Angel found herself at the steps to a castle in North Sandoria. At the doors there Envy stood clapping.
"Good work!." Envy cheered
The Elvaan motioned to all of the demons to move away creating a circle around the two.
"I'm so glad to see you came all the way out here." Envy praised. "I'm even happier you came here alone. Is it because you just wanted to see me?"
Envy walked down the steppes with her arms out.
"Come here Angel. I've missed you so much." Envy spoke
"…ginryu…" Angel said
"Oh, they're no need for those titles anymore. You may call me Envy." Envy said. " Now come here and give me a hug."
Angel looked at her friend. Her skin was that of a shade of grey. But the rest of her looked the same. Ginryu was always taller then her. But this figure didn't seem so threatening. Angel walked towards Ginryu with her arms out. The two stood there in the mass of demons embracing each other.
"So what brings you here?" Envy asked
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry I wasn't there." Angel cried
"Oh you needn't cry over such things. In fact, I'm much better now. I'm happy again." Envy said
Angel's hands were glowing behind Ginryu. She was in the midst of summoning Carbuncle. The light faded away. Angel let go of Ginryu and she stepped away. Looking at her Angel saw the same humble woman that she knew for years. Angel put her hands on her head and fell to her knees.
"Why am I doing this? Why do I even care?" Angel thought. "I always try to save everyone and all I do is fail and make things worse."
"I'm tired of getting myself killed for this to just happen all over again." Angel said
Ginryu knelt down and extended her hand to Angel.
"Then join us." Envy said
The Mithra looked up to Envy with teary eyes.
"I can't. I have so much I need to do…" Angel said
"There is no need to shoulder that responsibility any more." Envy said sweetly
Angel's form was shifting. Her skin was slowly fading to grey. Her eyes opened in shock. Angel felt a sharp pain drive through her spine all the way to her brain. It was shaking her body. It felt like her heart was stopping and all of the blood in her body was solidifying. Angel's vision was still focused but it was distant. Then Angel could see herself leave her own body.
Angel's skin was now all grey. Her fur shifter colors to match her complexion. The nails on her fingers sharpened as they too lengthened. Her ears grew longer and pointed straight back. The brown hair she had changed to a pitch black. The pupils in her eyes changed to black from green. Envy grinned at this sight.
"Rise, Apathy." Envy cackled
Angel arose from the ground. Her body and soul had changed. She was now a corrupted lost soul.
"Angel!" A voice yelled out
From the port of Sandoria, Celphie Amand and Kotosumex were running to the Castle. All of the demons saw them but just parted. There was Apathy awaiting them.
"Angel!" Kotosumex called out
Apathy walked towards them. She held a single hand out. Apathy was gathering a small orb of negative energy. The three saw her and couldn't believe what was happening.
"So. Who wants to die first?" Apathy asked
Tossing the orb of negative energy at the three they scattered. An explosion sent them all in different directions. Kotosumex threw daggers at Angel. Each one hit her. Piercing her flesh Angel stood there unfazed.
"Is that all you can do?" Apathy asked
Reaching into the air a black rapier materialized in her hands. She dashed out attacking Kotosumex. With three quick strikes Apathy landed on the ground. Koto landed on the ground in three parts. Angel pulled the knives out of her arms. Putting her sword up she blocked Amand's strike.
"You are weak. I knew you would turn on us." Amand growled
"Aw… isn't that sweet of you." Apathy replied
Pushing Amand back Apathy released her rapier and started colleting energy again. The Elvaan charged at her, hoping to strike before she could use her next attack. Grinning, Apathy pushed her arms forward. She unleashed a beam of negative energy. It hit the warrior eating away at his body. Quickly his form disintegrated to ash. A few bones fell to the ground. As Apathy savored her victory she was shot from behind. A gaping hole appeared in her chest. Putting a hand over this wound it did not bleed. Apathy turned around and spotted Celphie crouching, aiming her rifle at Apathy.
"What are you?" Celphie stuttered nervously
Apathy grinned again.
"I'm was your last hope for this world." Apathy spoke
She walked to Celphie. Moving her hands outward.
"But I decided against it." Apathy spoke. "Do you have any idea what I had to go through?"
Celphie cocked her rifle and fired again. A bullet tore through her arm blowing it off. There was no blood. A thick black form shot out catching her arm. It pulled it back to Apathy's body reattaching it.
"I rather live out my day's with my friends here then keep getting hurt and almost dieing." Apathy went on
Celphie fired again. Another hole was punched into Angel's frail form. It regenerated almost instantly.
"If your so hell bent on killing me and saving this helpless land feel free to die with some sort of selfless honor!" Apathy yelled
Dashing out to attack Celphie a blur ran across the street picking her up and jumping out of the way.
"I think being a martyr right now isn't the best way to help the situation." Elnroth said
He set Celphie down. Looking at Angel he felt grim.
"This will not end well." Elnroth said sullenly
Drawing his katana a surge of demons advanced on his position. To his surprise they all fell, but not by his hand. Apathy drove through the lines destroying the demons. She stood in the center of their mutilated bodies. Smiling with black blood dripping off of her hands she spoke.
"You will die by my hand. None other shall be granted this." Apathy said
Envy was sitting on the steps to the castle in Sandoria. She could only watch this sight. Nothing could be going better than this.
"I have turned the one you had all your faith in against you. Now, what are you fools going to do now?" Envy thought to herself
Apathy cracked her knuckles swinging away the blood that was dripping from her fingertips. Taking small steps towards Elnroth she stopped. She could feel something familiar. Elnroth takes this opportunity. He slashes out knocking Apathy aside while he grabs Celphie. The two start running swiftly away from Angel.
"Don't run, the fun is about to begin." Apathy spoke
She held her arms down to her sides running after them. Picking one arm up she jumped. Closing in on the two fleeing forces she faltered. Striking down with one claw Elnroth easily blocked it.
"What is this?" Apathy thought
Regaining her stance, Apathy growled. Preparing to attack again she spotted two Mithra running towards her.
"Vivli, get out of here!" Elnroth yelled
"I'm trying to get that one out of here. I followed her!" Vivli called back
Terra was running ahead of Vivli. Elnroth tried to catch her as he ran past her. Terra ducked down and evaded his grasp. She kept running. Apathy saw this Mithra running to her.
"What does this creature think she is doing?" Apathy thought
Raising a claw to attack her Apathy stopped again. Terra ran out to Angel.
"Mommy!" Terra yelled
Apathy growled again and swung down attacking Terra. Terra put her arms out. Terra dodged her attack and wrapped her arms around her corrupted mother.
"Mother please…" Terra cried
Apathy heard these words. Something in her head stopped her from striking this girl.
"Ehh… damnit." Envy said
Envy stood up and walked towards Apathy.
"You are under my power. Now kill this child!" Envy yelled
Envy was able to reconnect the spell over Angel. Her eyes went bland and black. Raising her claw she went to strike again. Terra held her mother tighter.
"Mother. Please come back." Terra said
Legal notice. I do not own FFXI. It is property of Square-Enix. All PC's and NPC's have thier respective owners.