The ship had just docked from Sandoria. From the ships hull came its crew. Distraught, Angel emerged from the lower deck. She and Elnroth were helping Ginryu off of the boat. Terra was sent off, she ran off of the ship running to a building.

"Hold on Ginryu." Angel said

The elvaan was in a pit of despair. The last this woman could remember was seeing her own child dead, the very last of her family gone. She had simply given up on living. Elnroth and Angel brought her down the ships ramp. Footsteps came running to them.

"Ginryu… Look." Angel told her

Ginryu lifter her head. She blinked. Tears in her eyes slightly blurred the image of her son.

"Cifer?" Ginryu asked

"Mom!" Cifer called out

Ginryu took to her own two feet. She leapt at her son. Embracing him she started to cry in joy.

"Cifer… I can't believe it. Your alive." Ginryu cried

Ginryu held her son tightly. Needless to say it was starting to draw a crowd.

"Mom… you mind? Your kind of embarrassing me." Cifer said

Seeing this made Angel smile slightly. Then was quickly stopped by her constant memories. She put a hand on her head.

"Lets go Elnroth." Angel said sullenly

The two walked away from the site. Getting up from the ship, Andrew snuck off the ship. Walking to an opposite end of the ship he jumped landing on a pier. Casually walking he was headed to a separate house. Knocking on the door it opened.

"I have some grave news." Andrew said

Vivli crawled up to the deck of the ship. She could barley keep her balance on the rocking boat.

"We need to find a better way to get from city to city." Vivli said

Walking down the ramp Vivli saw Ginryu talking with Cifer. Seres was close next to Cifer. Then there was Terra. Her frail body walked away from the trio. Vivli started after her. Moving quickly to catch up to her Terra sat down on a hill facing the ocean.

"Hey there…" Vivli said cheerfully

Terra looked up to the other Mithra.

"Yes?" Terra asked

"Mind if I sit here?" Vivli asked

Terra motioned her to sit down. Vivli walked over and crouched down and sat on the ground.

"So, any reason why a white mage is wearing all black?" Terra asked

Vivli was sort of shocked at her words. Then looked at what she was wearing.

"Oh this?" Vivli said. "These are just on loan."

Vivli was wearing a long black robe. It looked like it was to be worn under another set of armor.

"Nice color." Terra said

"Yeah, I think Celphie needs to invest in some new clothes. Why not some pink or blue." Vivli said

"Something tells me that Celphie isn't the kind of woman to wear girly stuff." Terra said

"You have no idea." Vivli said

Andrew walked out of the house looking downtrodden. Words from the conversation he had just had with the rest of the guards and members of the remaining forces that could stand against the shadow Lord leaving him with sole responsibility as the new leader. No one was told yet. But before he could get on with the preconceived plan of reclaiming the nations they told him to rest. He had been brutally attacked and wounded. It would do him good to take a few days off. As an impulse Andrew walked into the same tavern he usually went to. That and his room was in the same building. Upon entering he sat down at a far table. Sinking down into his chair Andrew could only hide his face as fear ate away at him.

"Brother? Are you alright?" Celphie asked

"I'm fine. It's just all of this is a little much. I'm know I've been saying this a lot lately but, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I have nowhere to turn now. There is nothing for me to do." Andrew explained

"You need something to take the weight off of your mind." Celphie told him.

Footsteps came running up to him from behind.

"Andrew!" Lucia called out

Lucia bolted to Andrew. She reached around him holding him tightly.

"Lu…cia…" Andrew struggled to speak

"I was so worried about you. You have to stop leaving with out telling me." Lucia cried

Lucia was embracing Andrew tightly, so much that her armor was hurting him. He pushed back trying to get out of her grasp. Lucia finally noticed and let go.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Lucia panicked

Lucia quickly took off her armor. Placing the heavy, and spikey, plate male down Lucia sat down across from Andrew wearing only a tight shirt and pants, and nothing else than that. Andrew cocked an eye at Lucia.

"Are you insane?" Andrew asked

"To be a Dark Knight one must give a little of themselves to darkness so that they may harness the power of anger, hatred, and sorrow with out becoming fully corrupted." Lucia boldly spoke

Andrew, after listening to this speech, yet again cocked an eye at Lucia.

"So I'll take that as a yes." Andrew mocked

Lucia and Andrew laughed. Lucia noticed that Andrew looked rather distracted. Trying to think of something Lucia just did what she usually did in these situations. Say the first thing that comes to mind.

"Why are you looking so down?" Lucia asked

Sure it may not be subtle, but it worked from time to time.

"Well." Andrew said cautiously. "You're looking at the new leader of the remaining adventures."

Lucia's eyes went wide. Standing up she raised a hand over her heart.

"I shall pledge my blade and my very life to your well being." Lucia said with a bow

Nervous Andrew blushed.

"Please sit down." Andrew motioned

Lucia sat down giggling.

"May I ask you a question?" Andrew asked

"Sure, what is it?" Lucia asked

"Why is it that every time I'm in battle you always throw yourself into danger for my sake. And if I try and leave to go out on these missions you either demand to accompany me or try and make me stay behind?" Andrew asked

This time it was Lucia who was blushing.

"I… er.. I want you to stay behind s cuz…." Lucia stammered

Andrew put a hand out on her arm.

"Its fine. I was joking." Andrew laughed

Vivli was wondering around Norg.

"Where could she be?" Vivli thought

Walking the streets Vivli finally found who she was looking for. Angel and Elnroth were sparring in a large open area. Walking up to the pair Vivli called out.

"Hey, uh… Angel?" Vivli spoke

Angel stopped and turned around facing Vivli.

"Yes?" Angel asked

Vivli thought quickly at what she was about to ask.

"Can you… help me train?" Vivli asked. "So I don't freeze up in battle anymore?"

Angel sheathed her sword.

"Ok." Angel answered. "I know just the way."

Angel motioned to Elnroth.

"Vivli, you are to heal me through a series of attacks." Angel prompted

Vivli looked at her in confusion. At that moment it all came together. Angel dropped her arms to her side. Elnroth had his bokken in his hands. Swinging low Elnroth struck Angel behind the knee. She fell to the ground crying in pain. Vivli was in shock in this sight. Angel glared at Vivli.

"What are you waiting for?" Angel yelled

Elnroth came down on across her back with the bokken slamming her into the ground. Vivli snapped out of it in time to start casting before Angel passed out from the blows. Vivli was casting in rapid motions. Speedily using her magic she soon learned to pace herself. Watching Elnroth's attacks she could casting a healing spell just as Angel would be struck, thus nullifying the attack. Angel grinned and yelled at Elnroth.

"Go to step two." Angel said

Elnroth dropped his bokken drawing his sword. Stepping forward she slashes diagonally across Angel's chest. She falls backwards. A splash of blood flies out from the wound. Vivli's eyes widen in horror. Elnroth steps forward again slashing Angel again. This time Angel falls to the ground gasping in pain. Angel holds a hand to her chest trying to cure herself. Elnroth walks over kicking her hand away.

"Wake up!" Elnroth yelled at Vivli. "She'll die!"

His words brought Vivli back to reality. Coming back to her senses she cast the strongest healing spell she had to fully cure Angel. Elnroth put his sword back in its sheath. He walked over helping Angel back up. She felt woozy.

"Ok, that shall be enough for today." Angel said. "We'll pick this up later."

Vivli looked depressed.

"I didn't do well at all did I?" Vivli asked

Elnroth was about to scold her when Angel stopped him.

"You did fine. You just need to work on your hesitation. If your friends are in danger don't sit there and watch them die. Get in there and help them." Angel said

Angel's words got to Vivli. Hearing this from her made her perk up a little. A smile beamed across her face as she left. The moment Vivli got out of sight Angel held a hand to her chest. Using her own magic she cured herself again.

"Damnit Elnroth. You really dug deep." Angel said

Angel had on a pair of gloves hiding her hands completely. The black stain she found on them refused to leave. So she instead decided to hide them.

Vivli made her way to the tavern where Andrew generally populated. Spotting him in the back she walked over asking if she could sit down. Andrew did not mind but the look on Lucia's face meant otherwise.

"You should have seen it. Every time Angel was about to get hit I cast a healing spell to counter the damage she would have taken." Vivli said

Andrew was contently listening to every word Vivli had to say. And it couldn't piss Lucia off more.

"Its great to hear how much better you have become. Maybe you could be my white mage." Andrew said

Something snapped in Lucia's mind.

"What's the point of having a white mage who is freezes up once she sees someone die." Lucia said bitterly

Vivli sunk back into her chair.

"Maybe I should go…" Vivli said fearfully

"No, its fine. Having two body guards should be just fine." Andrew spoke

At that point Lucia got up from the table and left. The moment she got outside Lucia straight ran for her house. Andrew looked at the set of armor lying next to a chair. Sighing she excuses himself from the table and picks up Lucia's armor.

"Um… Vivli, I'll be a while. If I'm not back before night fall the door to my room should be unlocked. It's free to use if you need it." Andrew said as he walked out of the tavern

Once Andrew was outside he thought to where Lucia ran too. Knowing she was basically naked with out the armor Andrew was carrying Lucia must be at her house. Slowly walking to the small house Andrew knocked on the door. There came a small voice behind the door.

"Yes?" Lucia asked

"You mind if I come in?" Andrew asked

Lucia opened the door and peered out. Seeing it was only Andrew standing there holding her armor he had a smile on his face. She pulled the door open all the way so he could walk in. Closing the door behind them Andrew slowly set the heavy armor down.

"I'm sure you know that there is more to me coming here than just to bring your armor back." Andrew spoke

Lucia looked at the floor of her house.

"I… I'm sorry." Lucia said

"Can you please just tell me why your acting like this?" Andrew asked

"The reason why. I just can't stand to watch you in pain." Lucia spoke. "The reason why I never want you to go into battle is that I don't want to see you hurt anymore. When I first heard that you had died, I couldn't handle it. I just didn't know what to do. I couldn't use my weapon anymore."

Andrew listened to Lucia's heart felt words.

"Once I found out that your soul was bound to your sister I just couldn't let anything else harm you. I couldn't live if you had died again." Lucia started to cry

Andrew walked to her brushing the tears from her cheeks.

"Its because… I love you." Lucia blurted out

She didn't know how he would take it. Lucia used all of her courage just to say those words.

Andrew smiled and put a hand on her head.

"Was that so hard?" Andrew spoke

Lucia smiled.

Vivli was sitting at the table all alone when Ginryu, Seres and Cifer walked in. They all congregated around the table Vivli was sitting at.

"Hi there." Vivli said

"Hello, my son here says you were there to save each one of use. I must thank you for that," Ginryu says

"Yes, well. Might I ask how you all know Angel or her daughter Terra?" Vivli asked

"Well, I met Angel when I was still in a magic academy. I don't think these two have met her until just recently. But they do know Terra." Ginryu answered

"Could you tell me something then?" Vivli asked

"Sure." Ginryu answered

"What is up with Terra?" Vivli asked

"What do you mean?" Ginryu asked

"Well, she is a lot taller than her mother, and she has much longer ears then either of us." Vivli spoke

"Oh, that's the traits she gets from her father, Zanu." Ginryu said

"Her father?" Vivli said

"Yes, her father is an Elvaan." Ginryu said

"Hmm…. I guess that would explain it. Anyone know where he is?" Vivli said

Ginryu's smile faded instantly.

"You won't be able to find Zanu anywhere. He died with us up on that tower in Jeuno." Ginryu said sullenly. "And to tell you this. Don't mention it around either of them."

Vivli looked confused.

"Right now, Angel's sanity is hanging by a thread. Something like that could be the final thing to bring her down." Ginryu explained. "Her life hasn't always been normal or even good for that matter. Whenever I was around her she would always seem happy or try to look enthused and happy. Right now it is taking everything she has to not break down."

Vivli nodded.

Outside Elnroth Angel and Terra were all sparring against one another. In their heads they had seen what the corrupted magic could do to people. They had to be able to get stronger to fight the future battles. Each of them didn't know how they would win this. They just had to.

legal notice. I do not own FFXI. It is property of Square Enix. All PC's and NPC's have thier respective owners.