In a large open area in Norg Angel, Terra, and Elnroth were all battling with one another. They soon fought in a fluid trance. Not even thinking through their attacks the three were blocking each other's moves.

Terra wasn't using her own weapons. She stood in a summoning position. Her avatars could be called upon and manipulated at will. Normally it would take her a few moments to call them out. But in her state the creatures were shifting in and out the plane freely.

Elnroth's katana had keened an edge. Angel was using her sword to not block the weapon Elnroth was using. His sword cut through the air creating a vacuum. This made a void in space moving in such speed Angel was struggling to keep up with each swing. It wasn't until Angel missed one strike. A small gash ripped through her cloth armor slicing her skin. She flinched, missing the next strike all together this one ran up her arm making Angel drop her sword. A third consecutive strike crashed hard into Angel's chest. The force pushed her backwards. Skidding to a stop all Angel could feel was a single pulse. A heart beat and there was warmth growing from her hands.

The black stain grew veins over her arms. In a blind fury she charged at Elnroth. Using her claws alone Angel struck fiercely at her friend. Now it was Elnroth having trouble blocking her attacks. This boost of speed reacted to her metabolism. Her wounds regenerated in seconds. Only a minute after her shift Angel stopped. Her energy drained the blackness growing up her arms subsided down. Angel fell under her own weight of exhaustion.

Elnroth dropped his weapon diving down catching Angel.

"What the hell was that?" Elnroth asked

In the tavern Vivli, Ginryu, Seres and Cifer were all sitting at a single table. The server was walking over with their food. Vivli flinched slightly. Her vision dimmed and lightened. She shook her head. The Mithra's eyes readjusted. Ignoring it she picked up a spoon to eat her soup. As the sever walked away three figures came crashing into the same room. Terra had pushed the doors open so that Elnroth could easily walk though. He was carrying Angel's limp body. Getting to the closest chair he planted her down.

"I need a cup of water!" Elnroth yelled

The Elvaan put two fingers to Angel's neck. Pressing slightly she counted seconds. A man came running over with a small glass filled with water. Elnroth took it; opening Angel's mouth he put a small portion of its content into her mouth. Trying to get her to swallow it Angel bent over. Through a reflex she purged the water from her system. Coughing roughly she opened her eyes to her surroundings.

"Hey, hey. Try to get something down." Elnroth said to her

His words were washed out in her ears. Sounds were slurring together. Angel's vision went blurry and she passed out again. She almost fell out of her chair if Elnroth weren't standing next to her.

He sighed and picked Angel up again.

"I'm going to take her to someplace to rest." Elnroth spoke as he walked out

Terra was left alone in the tavern. She picked up the cup and drank it down quickly. Setting the glass down Terra looked around to see everyone in the room looked at her. She sunk down into her chair. Vivli walked up to her and sat down. She had two plates with her.

"You look like you could use some food." Vivli said smiling

Vivli put them down and sat down across from Terra.

"Now, I don't really know what you like but I ordered fish." Vivli said

"I'm not going to be picky. But to be honest, and not to be harsh, but I'm not really a fan of fish." Terra admitted

Vivli dropped her fork. Her eyes went wide.

"How can you not like fish?" Vivli asked. "And you call your self a Mithra?"

Terra looked at her oddly.

"No, not really. I'm not really fully a Mithra." Terra explained. "If you want to call me anything I guess you could go with calling me an Elthra. But that's all relative."

"Oh yeah. Looking at your at first I couldn't really tell, with your ears so long you could tie them back with your hair." Vivli joked

Vivli picked up a fork holding a chunk of fish. Eating it quickly Terra watched in amusement. The two started eating. Soon after Elnroth came back in.

"Well, I put your mother in a safe place to rest for a while. It just looks like she burned out her metabolism. She is just fine. Only thing is, she doesn't have any energy left. So just give her a day or two to rest." Elnroth said

Terra sighed. She seemed deeply relieved yet still so horridly sad. She lent over putting her face in her hands. There was a feint sob. But just as it was heard Terra sat back up right using her hands to brush the tears from her eyes. Terra faked a smile as much as she could.

"Things I guess aren't as bad as they could be." "Terra lied. "Once my mother gets back to her full strength we can easily win this war. And then everything will be back to normal."

Terra wanted to believe her own words. It hut her so much that she knew what she said was a lie. Terra was losing all over her hope so quickly. All Terra wanted was to curl up in a ball and hide. But she couldn't let herself do that. Going to pick up her cup again Terra froze. There was an ambient tune played in the air. Vivli could hear it too. In a blind panic Terra rushed from the tavern, she dashed outside trying to find the cause of the music. Vivli was confused to what was occurring. She was about to get up to take chase when everyone around her dropped to the floor.

"What is this?" Vivli asked

Terra wasn't thinking. She only wanted to find the one playing that music. In her mind she could remember that strange place she washed up upon.

"Basil." Terra thought

"I wish only one thing in return." Isclei asked. "That I may teach you to play this."

The Hume held a small case holding a black violin. Terra picked it up.

"I'd love to."

"It can't possibly be him." Terra thought

Terra was too caught up in her own thoughts to see everyone in Norg fall to the ground. The eerie music playing had a magical effect that enchanted everyone to a deep sleep. Turning a corner Terra stopped in her tracks.

There stood a Hume playing a black violin. He stood contently smiling. Slowly he stopped and opened his eyes.

"Hello Terra. It has been such a hurt on my heart that we have been apart for so long."

"Isclei…" Terra said

Isclei gazed at her with a lustful grin. Terra froze. There was something about him that petrified Terra. She could see his aura, but it was not augmented. It was plain. He wasn't corrupted. Isclei stepped forward. He took long strides making his way to Terra. Standing before her Isclei put his hands on her face.

"What happened to you?" Terra hesitantly spoke

Isclei smiled innocently.

"When we both had first met we had both had memories hidden from us. Our lives were taken from us." Isclei spoke passionately

He had a single hand on her face. Backing a way he started speaking again.

"We couldn't remember anything of the like. Just like we both had lost our families." Isclei said sadly. "I have been watching you. How you and your mother have been fighting. Trying so much to get your friends back. And taking substantial losses along the way. Face it. You can't win this one."

Isclei walked back to Terra.

"Why don't you join us? My mother can be quiet forgiving if you be kind to me." Isclei said lustfully

Terra tried to push away, She desperately tried to get on her feet and run away. But Terra was so afraid she just could not move. In her hesitation was her downfall.

"I know just what buttons to push my love." Isclei said

His hand went slowly from her neck to the back of her head. Sparks were snapping at his finger tips. Touching Terra's ears she lurched forward. The Mithra cried out in pain at first. The initial shock burnt her nerves. Her mind started to dull. The nerves sent an overwhelming surge of endorphins to her brain.

"Ha, you always fell head over heals for that." Isclei said

The Hume stood over the panting Mithra. Her heart was racing from the stimulation. All Terra could do was enjoy it. Subconsciously she wanted to push away, to regain her bearings. But it was no use. With out any will, she had already claimed defeat. Isclei looked down into the face of the forlorn Mithra. She gazed up with an ambient stare. Almost lifeless, Terra purred happily.

"It is so easy." Isclei laughed

Vivli walked groggily out of the tavern. Watching everyone around her she felt a strong wave of fatigue wash over her. Almost passing out Vivli used her own magical powers to ward it off. Getting out of the building she found it was the same for the rest of the town. People were strewn all over the city. Their bodies lay motionless on the ground.

"This day is just getting weirder and weirder." Vivli spoke

Vivli was mindlessly walking around trying to find were Terra had run off too. She ran out into a field finding her, and one more. Vivli stopped seeing Terra on her knees in front of the Hume. He grinned. Placing a hand on Terra's head there was a black flash. A dark halo was hovering over her head. Terra got up and turned to Vivli. This startled Vivli.

"Terra." Vivli spoke with her hands up defensively

Terra walked slowly towards Vivli. Terra had a euphoric smile growing across her face. It was as if everything she did gave her a twisted form of pleasure.

"Are you… ok?" Vivli asked

Terra stopped, She brushed her fingers through the back of her hair. She ran them all the way through reaching up to the tips of her ears. Rubbing them Terra closed her eyes.

"All I have ever wanted was to be loved. It's all anyone wants. But my life has been lonely and tiresome. There was one chance I had at being truly happy in a place with a man I love. And these people took it away from me. And I want it back." Terra said

Terra paused for a moment to bask in the pleasure she was feeling. A soft sigh and she continued to rub her ears. Terra opened her eyes and glared at Vivli.

"If you try to take that away from me I will kill you." Terra said sullenly

Intimidated Vivli stepped back holding a long wooden staff.

"I have to stop this. It is my obligation as a white mage and an adventure to save the lives of all of these people. I have to try." Vivli said nervously

Terra lowered her arms. Walking slowly towards Vivli again. A long glowing black whip materialized in her hands. She snapped it in the air. Dashing out Terra used her whip to snag an end of Vivli's staff pulling it from the white mages grip. Vivli backed away standing still for a moment to cast a spell.

"Banish!" Vivli yelled

A stream of white light flew from her hands. Like a beam it struck Terra. The white magic pushed her back while it stung her flesh. Terra regained her balance and growled angrily.

"I was going to let you live. To tell the rest what had happened here. But now I think I'll write a note in your blood!" Terra yelled

The tall mithra raised her arm and started snapping the whip in the air around her. Running at Vivli she stuck the white mages body fiercely. Each attack tore through her robes biting her skin. Small cuts in her flesh grew to large lacerations. Soon after Terra had attacked Vivli she crashed to the ground crying in pain. Terra stopped attacking long enough to walk over to the cowering Mithra.

"Please stop." Vivli begged

Vivli ached everywhere. To move meant that her fragile skin would rip even more. Terra looked down at the bleeding mage. She kicked her over. Placing a foot on her chest the whip straightened. Shrinking slightly it sharpened to a fine sword.

"I wonder how much blood I can get out of you before you die. Because I won't let you pass out." Terra said with a causal smile

Isclei laughed to himself.

"I love a woman who does what she's told." Isclei said

Terra was about to strike down when there was a loud gunshot. A hole ripped through Isclei. A large crystal bullet bore its way through his chest. Blood was flowing swiftly through this wound.

"ISCLEI!" Terra screamed

Terra dropped her weapon and ran to her love. Isclei fell to his knees. Terra tried to patch it up but it wouldn't stop bleeding.

"No, you can't die now, not when you just came back to me." Terra said franticly

Celphie ran out and picked up Vivli. Holding her rifle in one hand she picked up Vivli with the other.

"You picked one hell of a relationship to interfere with." Celphie said

"It's not Terra. There is a spell on her. Don't shoot her." Vivli said painfully

"Well I guess I just have to kill lover boy there." Celphie said

Celphie was carrying Vivli away. She was trying to get her out of the area.

"Celphie?" Vivli asked

"Yes?" Celphie answered

"Why are you helping me?" Vivli asked

"Now why would you ask me such a thing?" Celphie asked

"Its that, before, we were in the same position and I left you to die. Why are you helping me now?" Vivli asked

Celphie sighed.

"Are you still worried about that? My brother has forgiven you. Angel has forgiven you about that. Why do you think I would not have?" Celphie said

Vivli thought about it. They all had changed their attitudes. At first the group was weakened by the shock that the whole world was dead now. And since they had to work together Vivli was still going through the initial shock of it all.

"I have to stop being so worthless." Vivli said

Celphie had gotten them a safe distance away when a bolt of negative energy crashed behind them.

"You're not getting away." Terra said. "I will make you pay fro what you did to Isclei!"

Terra had her whip again. Charging at Celphie she dashed in to attack her. Snapping the whip at her it did not damage Celphie at all. Terra attacked again and again. The thick leather and ceramic tiles in her armor protected her from Terra's attacks. Celphie drew a large white glowing crystal. Throwing it at the ground it created a brilliant flash flooding everything in the area with white light. Celphie ran into one of the alleys just trying to get away from Terra.

"Shit, I can't fight her. I can't kill her. How the fuck am I going to get out of this one?" Celphie thought

"Ok, Vivli. Can you walk?" Celphie asked

"Yes, but not very well." Vivli said

"Ok, I need you to just find some place to hide. It looks like Terra is more pissed off at me than you." Celphie said putting Vivli down

Celphie reloaded her rifle. Waiting to hear where Terra would be coming from next it was not her she saw.

"There you are. How dare you shoot someone of such status as I." Isclei said

Celphie aimed her rifle to shoot him again when Terra came rushing out at her. Using her whip is two cracks Terra knocked the gun out of Celphie's hands. Celphie tried to pull a small revolver out of her side holster under her coat. But she was soon on the ground holding her bloody hand.

"Damnit!" Celphie yelled

"So, how do you want to die?" Terra asked

Celphie shot an angry glare at her.

"How about all of them together?" Isclei said

Celphie looked at the Hume in horror. Separate people all brought the rest of the group to her. Ginryu, Seres, and Cifer were being pushed along by a tall Elvaan and Hume.

"Ah, Pride, Gluttony. I see you have found more guests for this party." Isclei said

"Yes. It was pretty simple. That sleeping song you played made it easy for us." Pride said

"Yes. Sloth is getting the other one." Gluttony said

"Here they come now." Pride motioned

Elnroth was walking in front of another Elvaan of equal height.

"Damnit Zanu, snap out of this." Elnroth said

"I don't know who you think your talking to but my name is Sloth." Sloth said

"Figures." Elnroth spat

They were all pushed down to the ground on their knees.

"What is going on here?" Seres asked

"This is just a meeting before your funeral." Greed said

"Ah, your here. Windurst is such a long way away." Isclei said

"Yes, you're mother gave me a neat little gift for this occasion." Greed said

Seres was terrified in this sight. The woman everyone was referring to as Greed was her mother Kiary.

"I thought there were two more. Where the hell are they?" Isclei asked

"That damn white mage is as good as dead." Terra said

"Yes I know my sweet. You have done well today." Isclei said

He flexed his hands and the black halo above Terra's head started to spark with dark electricity. She sat down almost immediately purring with delight.

"Yes, well did anyone find the other one?" Isclei asked

"No, but that won't be too much of a problem." Greed said

She took a round watch out of her pocket. A second hand was all it had on it. With a single button she held it.

"This was a nice gift our master gave me. She told me to use it once I saw her." Greed said

"Ok, now if I were that wench where would I be?" Isclei said

Elnroth smiled.

"This should be interesting." Elnroth said out loud

"What should be you swine?" Sloth asked

"Seeing you all get beaten into the ground." Elnroth laughed

Elnroth swept his leg around knocking Sloth down. He then rushed at Pride. Elnroth was able to knock Pride over. Gluttony was about to cast a spell to attack Elnroth with. But before he could his voice went silent.

"Silence." A voice called out

Ginryu and Greed turned their heads once they heard that voice.

"Its her!" Greed yelled

"Fools, get up!" Isclei yelled

Sloth gut up and charged at Elnroth. They two Elvaan's were fighting with one another. Pride and Gluttony ran to Greed. The three drew their weapons searching for the voice that silence Gluttony.

Greed drew an arrow. It glowed with a black shimmer. Firing it the arrow stuck a wall. Its magical aura exploded taking the wall with it. A figure darted across the street. Before it could reach the other side Greed launched another arrow blocking its path. There, Angel stood with her arms up. A sword was strapped to her side.

"Guess this won't be as subtle as I liked it to be." Angel said uneasy

"Get her." Isclei spoke

Angel stepped back with a hand over her sword. Before she could touch it Greed held out the watch she was given.

"Lets see it this works twice." Greed said

She pressed her thumb against the button. Angel froze. Her heart beat once. She could feel the warmth in her hand grow once again. Looking at her black stained hands the veins grew over her arms again. Angel couldn't form words, what did escape her mouth was a series of screams. The corruption was not fully flushed from her body. What was left reacted to the watch Greed held in her hands. The spell was trying to reclaim Angel's body. She tried to resist it. But in the vain efforts she fell to the ground slamming her fists into the ground. Shrieking in pain Angel's consciousness soon gave way. She stopped screaming. Breathing heavily Apathy rose to her feet. Hunched over her claws where dripping a thick black substance. What once appeared to be blood it dropped to the ground leaving burn marks.

"Apathy, lets see just how obedient you are now." Isclei said. "Kill them."

Isclei pointed to the group before him. All of the people Angel had saved were now about to be butchered.

Legal Notice. I do not own FFXI. It is property of Square Enix. All Pc's and NPC's have thier respective owners.