AN: Here we are at the second chapter, folks! I'm glad those of you who reviewed liked the opening chapter, and here's hoping you all continue enjoy this story as more of it gets written.

Disclaimer: The following is a fan-based writing, Code Geass belongs to Bandai Entertainment, Sunrise, MBS, Funimation and Ichiro Okouchi. Final Fantasy 14 belongs to Square Enix with major props to Naoki Yoshida/Yoshi-P and his dedicated team for its continuous great quality. Please support the official release.

Chapter 2: Two Adventurers and Two Crystals

Eorzea: Limsa Lominsa

Lelouch narrowed his eyes in concentration as he considered the position his opponent had just put him in.

He was in Limsa Lominsa, seated at one of the tables at Bismarck, the restaurant operated by the city's Culinarian's Guild. Seated opposite was a bespectacled Miqo'te girl, identified as such by her cat like ears and tail, with short pink hair braided at the front sides and blue eyes. Her navy blue and black outfit along with the grimoire clasped at the book's spine to her left side showed she was a member of the Arcanist's guild as well. Yet what was occupying both of their minds right now was the game of chess they had begun shortly after finishing the breakfast they had ordered. Currently the former prince had found himself in Check.

"I must congratulate you, Overseer K'lyhia, you've gotten quite the grasp of this game since I introduced it to you." Lelouch commented, giving K'lyhia his best 'gracious player' smile that had lulled many a noble into a false sense of security before leading them into a crushing defeat.

"My thanks Lelouch, however…" K'lyhia adjusted her glasses with a knowing smile. "You were a little too obvious just now. The use of flattery to in some way mentally impede an opponent does have a proven effect of over fifty percent plus an additional ten to thirty percent depending on said opponent's connection to the player and/or preferences in people, but it loses almost all of its effect if they figure out the purpose behind your words."

"You have a point there," Lelouch nodded in agreement as he then moved his King to the right and into a position where it would not be as easily targeted. "But you did just give me enough time to decide my next move."

As the game continued, Lelouch couldn't help but think about how he had come to know Arcanist Overseer a little over a week ago.


It had been nearly two weeks since Lelouch had come to Eorzea, well, two Earth weeks to be more exact. While Lelouch was grateful for the convenient time difference where he could spend days in one world then return to the other with not even an hour passing by, it did make keeping track of time a bit of a challenge. It also didn't help that while the magic of this world, Hydaelyn as both his benefactor and the strange book called it, could indeed be used on Earth with no ill side effects, there weren't many opportunities to practice with it in secret. Fortunately regulating time to go to this world to train his newfound power was simple enough by doing it on free days where there wasn't any significant student council business.

Still, Lelouch had known better than to just leave what was a suspiciously convenient boon be and upon his return to Limsa Lominsa had sought out a library to see what this "blessing of Althyk" was. It hadn't actually taken much research from there to discover that Althyk was one of a pantheon of twelve benevolent deities that acted as patrons for the cities of Eorzea and each one was associated with an element, a factor of nature and society and a month of the year. The former prince made sure to read up on each god starting from Halone, a war goddess that was the patron of some isolationist city state called Ishgard, which Lelouch soon noted as a place to stay away from if at all possible given most material on the place gave very detailed accounts of it as a nation of bloodthirsty religious fanatics. In the case of Althyk, the final one on the list, said god was in charge of space and time, which explained the nature of the blessing the new adventurer had apparently received. Unfortunately Lelouch could find nothing of the deity granting blessings, which made the note in his mysterious book of a price to be paid for it someday more than a little troubling since neither said book nor his research yielded a hint of what that price could be.

Naturally the other subject of research had been the healing arts, which Lelouch soon learned were largely unavailable for him to seriously learn at this point in time. The most widely known and used discipline of magic for healing was known as Conjurer and their guild was located in the city state of Gridania, which the former prince didn't have the means to travel to at the moment as the distance traveling on foot made that out of the question and due to the kidnappings going on in the area the average person currently had to go through a long and arduous process that would take months to get approval to travel via airship. The possibility of learning from a fellow adventurer who knew the art was considered, but upon asking around Lelouch quickly learned that of those who did there were few who had the aptitude let alone the confidence to teach it and the ones that did were either unavailable or would not be staying in the city state long enough to teach, at least not at a price that could be afforded. As much as it pained him to acknowledge, healing Nunnally with magic was something that would have to wait.

Despite having to put aside those two factors as bridges to be crossed upon arrival, Lelouch had to admit this wasn't a bad arrangement so far: go to Eorzea and gain experience with whatever odd jobs the locals had to offer, rest at an inn if need be and then returning to Ashford to enjoy the rest of the barely spent day off, usually either spending quality time with Nunnally or going out with Rivalz to fleece some self-important Britannian noble. It had so far led to the summoning of a new form of the fox like familiar known as the Ruby Carbuncle and once Lelouch saw the power the creature had over fire that he as the summoner could command, he could call this a good result indeed. The money it earned, a currency called Gil, had paid for more than a stay at the inn, being used to get better better equipment starting with a set of robes, pants and the like more suited for an adventurer specializing in magic. While it didn't quite fit Lelouch's aesthetic appeal, use in the field showed it protected him from harm far better than his school uniform had. Besides, he'd heard from others around the city that there were apparently crafting disciplines for equipment like this so that could be an issue to deal with later.

It wasn't even like his time in Eorzea was all business as Lelouch had also taken wound up registering with the Culinarians' guild mainly for the benefit of being able to prepare his own food supplies and through that the Fisherman's guild at the wharf area called Fisherman's Bottom. He'd admit the two in charge of it: a pair of lalafell, a small folk one could consider this world's equivalent of hobbits, named Wawalago and Sisipu were a bit eccentric but didn't hold a candle in comparison to Milly. To Lelouch it was worth it to gain a source of free ingredients and fishing was surprisingly relaxing as an added bonus.

Today though, looked to be a more business focused one as upon returning to Mealvaan's Gate, the building that housed the Arcanist's guild, and demonstrating the results of his training to the acting Arcanist Guildmaster Thubyrgeim, Lelouch had been assigned to run through a simulated cargo inspection outside of town by looking through crates. While on paper it sounded like a run through of a search for contraband, Lelouch had caught the barely subtle hint from Thubyrgeim to expect a little more than that, so he made sure to have the Carbuncle already summoned and was only mildly surprised when the contraband turned out to be guarded by a pair of very unhappy tree slugs, which were, as expected, a great deal larger than any slug that could be found on Earth.

Thanks to the combination of the Carbuncle's abilities in both its normal and Ruby form and Lelouch casting the spell Ruin, the monsters were dispatched fairly quickly. Lelouch then returned to the crate he was supposed to inspect and obtaining the contents that he was expected to bring back to complete the exam, the former prince stopped at the sound of a crash behind him. Quickly turning around, hand at his grimoire and prepared to order the Carbuncle to attack. What he saw next gave him pause.

Someone was indeed behind him, someone dressed in a navy blue and black outfit who had clearly fallen over forward and was now holding a large open book in front of them as if they were reading. If they were trying to conceal their identity they were at least succeeding at that, though that could easily be solved by closing the distance. As Lelouch began just that and walked towards this newcomer, the other held up their free right hand as if to tell him to stop, which he did.

"I am not a threat!" A female voice said, rather firmly, from behind the book her left hand still held open. "Pray ignore my presence for the present and allow me a moment to cogitate."

The former prince turned adventurer wasn't entirely sure how to respond to that and decided to just wait and see what else this newcomer would have to say for herself. As she slowly stood up, still keeping both her right hand held forward palm out and her left hand holding the open book to obscure her face, Lelouch caught a glimpse of a light pink furry tail that indicated she was a miqo'te.

This strange miqo'te's devotion to concealing her face continued as she faced away from him yet held out her free hand pointing upwards as if to give a lecture as she spoke matter of factly. "The reaction to my sudden appearance was within expected parameters. But I must admit did not expect so proficient a performance against the enemies set against you!"

Lelouch was about to give thanks followed by a suggestion for the speaker to turn around, but the other continued.

"Yet, effective though your tactics were, I spied much room for improvement." The miqo'te stated. "As I watched you battle, the wheels of my mind whirled into motion, as they are wont to do, inventing other possible strategies you might have employed."

"Really?" Lelouch raised an eyebrow. He wasn't annoyed at this criticism if only because this miqo'te wasn't speaking in a condescending tone and seemed to know what she was talking about. "Would you care to elaborate?"

"Let's see…" The other paused for a moment before continuing. "Taking into account your current level of ability, factoring in the aetheric constant, multiplying by the number of opponents, then applying your tactics to other potential combat scenarios...Oh, dear. My calculations indicate failure upon encountering threat level 9,785."

Before Lelouch could give a response, mainly to ask for context for this threat level, the miqo'te suddenly closed the book with an audible clap. She then took the book into her arms, revealing her bespectacled face at last.

"Well! We'll have to see what we can do about that!" She said enthusiastically. "Though the opportune window to do so has passed, I would nevertheless introduce myself. I am K'lyhia a Meaalvan's Gate assessor. Acting Guildmaster Thubyrgeim elected me to oversee your training and provide any necessary guidance and instruction in the field of arcanima."

"A pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to whatever guidance you have to offer," Lelouch said graciously before continuing with a friendly smile. "And if you like, in exchange I believe I can offer some tips in making an entrance."

K'lyhia paused to consider that, and attach her grimoire to its clasp, before replying. "Hmmm. The first impression one gives can have an effect on morale and can also be used to steer an opponent in a desired direction. Very well, this should be an acceptable exchange."

"I see...glad to hear it." Lelouch said, a drop of sweat going down the back of his head. Apparently his a new acquaintance hadn't realized that had been a joke to break the ice. "So is there anything else you feel I should know?"

"From what I've observed thus far, you have an admirable grasp of the fundamentals." The pinkette answered. "I do however, wish to confirm one small detail. Regarding your choice of arcane geometries, what factor influences your actions during battle?"

Lelouch stopped to think on that before giving his honest answer. "That's a little hard for me to give a straight answer to. I'll admit the desire to outwit an enemy is a motivation, but that's ultimately more of an appreciation of what comes after the battle than a true influence during it, if you get my meaning." The other nodded, attentive expression on her face. "I would say my best answer would be to simply do what feels right for the situation."

"Aha! Just as predicted!" K'lyhia's face lit up with a clap of her hands, apparently this was the answer she had been hoping for. "And now I have the final element needed to perform another calculation. Hmmm." She paused, going over whatever factors she'd put together observing the former prince in her head. "The probability of you becoming an Arcanist of note is...90%! Give or take half a percent."

"So at worst about a 90% chance?" Lelouch asked dryly. "Quite the odds I must say."

This time the joke landed, eliciting a laugh out of K'lyhia. "Point taken, but the certainty is quite high all the same. After all, I only know of one other practitioner who responded to my question in about the same manner." Noticing the look of interest Lelouch got at that, the Overseer answered the coming question by gesturing at her grimoire. "It was the man who bestowed upon me this grimoire: the guildmaster himself!"

"Interesting." The prince turned adventurer commented as he considered that. From his talks with them both Thubyrgeim and K'lyhia clearly held this guildmaster in high regard despite his eccentricities, and given the former was indicating they might have a similar approach to strategy it might be worth picking this man's brain to see what could be learned from him. "I must say you and Mistress Thubyrgeim are making me curious about the guildmaster. Would you happen to know any way I could meet him?"

"Sadly I cannot even begin to form a well estimated guess as to the guildmaster's whereabouts." The miq'ote overseer said with a shake of her head. "Worry not though, for while our inscrutable leader is on an indefinite leave of absence, he did leave us with his most notorious saying to date."

"I suppose a nugget of wisdom will have to do for now." Lelouch commented with a shrug. "So what did he say?"

" 'Strategy is a tool used to manipulate one's situation into the desired reality'," K'lyhia quoted matter of factly, her right index finger extended upwards in the manner of a teacher giving a lecture. "No matter how gifted you and I might be, however, the instantaneous manipulation of reality that might cause us to suddenly become mighty arcanists is beyond our present abilities. Discipline and experience is the finest strategy in this case. I suggest you continue to focus on refining your aptitude with Carbuncle. Mastery with an arcane entity will greatly improve your success as a wielder of arcanima!"

"I'll do that then," Lelouch gave a grateful nod. "I take it then that our lesson for today is concluded and you'll be returning to your regular duties while I return the guild?"

"That's correct; I'll be heading for the fields, of course." The other answered. "The tactics I reasoned out earlier must be attempted in real life scenarios. Theory is all well and good, but there is no substitute for actual combat."

"That, I've been learning." The former prince said, half to himself. "Still, in regards to tactics and theory, I would like ask: how are you at games involving strategy?"

"I don't really know, I haven't gone to the Gold Saucer and I haven't tried Triple Triad yet." K'lyhia tilted her head in curiosity, noticing Lelouch's questioning expression showing he didn't know what she was talking about. "What did you have in mind?"

"This feels odd for me to say," Lelouch admitted, given how predominant it was as a game of gambling in the Britannian Empire. "But...have you heard of chess?"


Back in the present, Lelouch and K'lyhia's game had concluded with a very close victory for the former. The former prince had to admit that friendly conversation (and correctly observed trickery attempt) aside, it really was amazing how quickly the miq'ote overseer had taken to chess after being introduced to it. It was only after a few games that she was willing to start playing with the standard imposed time limit for moves, pointing out that a strategist normally would have a limited window of opportunity to make a strategic decision in battle, and it hadn't noticeably impeded her. While he'd been able to maintain a winning streak so far, Lelouch couldn't help but wonder how many more games until K'lyhia's name would join with his half brother Schneizel's in the short list of people who had beaten him in a match.

Strangely, the prospect wasn't as frustrating as Lelouch thought it would be. Perhaps it was because in this case there weren't any stakes here. No money to gain or lose that could be used for either Nunnally's medical expenses or his plans for rebellion and no reputation to gain or lose for social standing be it taking some self important nobles down a notch or showing some kind of superiority against his half siblings long ago when he and Nunnally still lived in the Britannian homeland. It was just playing for the combined pleasure of a competition and discovering what new approaches he would need to form while matching wits with a player that could keep up with him.

"A good game, Lelouch, and a fine source of some new scenarios to ponder later!" K'lyiha said cheerfully. "I'll be along then, unless there was something else to discuss."

Lelouch was about to say no, when a thought crossed his mind. "Just a question for you as an overseer, if you don't mind, K'lyhia. Given you've gotten more than a hang for chess, is there anything you could evaluate concerning my tactical skill based on our matches?"

"Let me see…" The pinkette paused to consider and it wasn't until after a few minutes that she spoke again. "I think it might be easier to put into words if I had a reference. How would you evaluate me based on playing against me?"

"The best way I can describe you from your play style is methodical." The prince turned adventurer answered. "I've noticed you usually stretch the turn time length to its limit to analyze things before making your move. It's a good way to maintain control of the battlefield but it also gives your opponent more time to study you and if they can get a good feel of how you're going to act they can come up with an effective counterattack."

"Excellent! I can work with this example!" K'lyhia only needed to pause for a moment before giving her evaluation. "To best describe your style would be that it's aggressive but controlled. Your analysis of your opponent seems reliant on what you know, or can make an educated guess, about them prior to the battle and you use that as your reference so you can focus on making your offensive quick and efficient. The main weakness I can point out for that is if your information on your opponent is wrong then that leaves you with little to fall back on, but there's something else. I'm unsure if it's indicative of your style or a flaw in the game itself though."

"Oh...and what would that be?" Lelouch asked with curiosity.

"I've noticed in each match you don't hesitate to sacrifice any playing pieces for an advantage, even the queen. This is an effective strategy for winning matches, but it demonstrates a flaw with comparing the game to real combat."K'lyhia began, her tone analytical. "A chess match has a definite conclusion and with the next match everything is renewed. This doesn't compare well with reality as armed conflicts aren't usually resolved in a single battle."

"Not even ones where you manage to completely trounce the enemy and eliminate their commander?" Lelouch asked to which the other shook her head.

"Even best case scenarios have consequences." The miq'ote overseer answered. "For instance, in cases where one manages to take or sink some pirate vessels with ease the odds that they were working with others is around 70% and a conflict with those collaborators is only a matter of time. You can increase the odds to at least 85% if this hypothetical victory was achieved through the enemy leader's incompetence, as those cases are often attached and subservient to a stronger pirate captain."

"A good point, but both those cases would have a period of time in between that you can use to prepare for the follow up conflict." Lelouch countered, this conversation now really catching his interest. "Also, if the previous enemy was a promoted underling, you may also have a frame of reference for how to deal with the boss."

"Possibly, but I would point out the 'may' in your argument is a factor to consider as your next foe would still be a different person that will think and react differently than the previous one. Still, that's heading into a different topic which for time's sake can be discussed later." K'lyhia replied, causing Lelouch to pause to check the time to see that while there was still time until the overseer was to return to duty it was approaching all the same, and the same could be said for his appointment from Baderon regarding a job. "In preparing for the follow up conflict, there would be factors from the previous engagement that will likely hamper it. Returning to your chess game let me propose an alternative style, and do forgive any systematic flaws due to my brief exposure to it: what if victory between two players was determined by best out of three and with each match the only pieces that returned were the pawns with the players keeping what special pieces they didn't lose in the prior match?"

Lelouch's first instinct was to point out how that would imbalance the game, tempered by K'lyhia's prior excuse, and like a coin dropping realized the point.

"I see…what you're proposing does change the game, wherein taking consideration of the utilization of your pieces you consider whether or not spending them is worth the price in the long term vs. short term." Lelouch touched his chin as he further pondered the concept. "I assume only the pawns coming back is to use their being able to be promoted to reflect that while specialized units can be replaced, it takes time for them to gain the skills necessary to do that along with the risk of being lost in battle during that window of time."

"Correct," The pinkette nodded as she fixed her glasses. "Also, even in the best case scenario of no fatalities on your side the likelihood of injuries sustained is still 90% and even with healers present you could still have a unit that will be rendered unavailable for a time in order to allow recovery."

"…and from there I would need to replace him or her for that time and in all likelihood the best I could hope for is someone with partial experience in the role." Lelouch added. "You have my thanks, K'lyhia, you've given me something to think about for future endeavors."

"It's all in the duty of an Overseer to help in the growth of new Arcanists!" K'lyhia said, her reply as enthusiastic as it was genuine.

Within a few minutes Lelouch stowed his portable chess set, and the pair parted ways. The former prince considered a little more of the conversation as he headed for the Drowning Wench. He had to admit it was surprisingly refreshing to have someone to discuss and debate tactics with who could keep up with him intellectually and knew what they were talking about. That of course came with the caveat of discovering flaws in his tactical planning and the subsequent changes to the drawing board of his plans of rebellion against Britannia. While that was a bitter pill to swallow on account of pride, he had to admit K'lyhia's points made sense, especially applying it to whoever he would have to work with whenever said rebellion came about.

Whatever resistance cell he would approach would have people with at least some battle experience, that went without saying, but how skilled they were would be as up in the air as their numbers. Even if they were large for a resistance cell, it probably wouldn't even come close to approaching the size of the Japanese Liberation Front, at least not at first. Lelouch had to concede that at least until he had a sizable and experienced force under his command he would have to approach things a little more carefully. The prospect of an unknown factor resulting in a worst case, and quite frankly humiliating sounding, scenario of being in charge of resistance cell wholly made up of unskilled knightmare frame pilots was not one the former prince wanted to contend with.


Ul'dah

While being part of a Japanese resistance cell naturally came with more than its fair share of difficulties and restrictions, gaining access to this literal otherworldly land called Eorzea had uncovered for Kallen one of the latter she had only been subconsciously aware of: lack of a gauge for her fighting abilities. Oh she knew her skills with martial arts were arguably the best in her cell rivaled only by her older brother Naoto on account of the judo they'd taken prior to Britannia's invasion sharpened by self training from there, but there really wasn't an opportunity to test those skills to their limit and see if there was anything beyond. Raids on Britannian facilities were basically smash, grab and run; the closest thing to a direct confrontation was sneaking up on and sucker punching a Britannian guard (military or police) that was usually half asleep and occasionally partially drunk. Cathartic yes, but not even close to a real fight. It wasn't as if they could do more right now anyway, at least until they could get more Glasgow parts to put a fully operational one together.

Right now though, the redhead had finally met someone who could match her in combat. That someone was her opponent in the sparring area of the Pugilist's guild: a blue eyed lalafell girl with dark green hair, most of it bundled up in the turban with a light green bandanna save for the bangs. Her name was Chuchuto Chuto, assistant to the Guildmaster and his first pupil. She was garbed in a typical pugilist's outfit though with a notable favor for the color green. Kallen herself was wearing a similar outfit though not as finely made or colored, having acquired better armor at the markets thanks to the gil she'd earned doing adventuring jobs. While that meant leaving her standard gear for working with her cell behind where she usually kept them hidden (and now joined with that miniature Aetheryte she'd received upon returning to her world), Kallen did still retain the red headband she and her fellow resistance cell members wore as a reminder of why she was doing all of this. Due to their fight being a sparring match both fighters were using knuckles meant for training rather than their real ones.

Kallen had of course known better than to assume their differences in size would give her an advantage, but was not prepared for how much the reverse was true for her opponent. Chuchuto was using a combination of that and speed to make herself an incredibly difficult target to land a hit on. Whatever punches or kicks the redhead threw at the verdette were either dodged or blocked, and when it was the lalafell pugilist's turn to attack Kallen soon found herself completely on the defensive as her opponent's moves were coming too fast to dodge.

Knowing that continuing as things were would only lead to her opponent's victory through wearing her down, Kallen readied a counterattack. With her arms in a defensive position, the rebel turned adventurer shifted slightly with each blocked strike until she was in the right position to make her gamble. Chuchuto then made a punch that struck at the area Kallen wanted, near her left wrist. Wasting no time, the redhead quickly moved her right hand and brought it down in an arc to the left. Naturally, Kallen hadn't expected to score a hit, but the sudden move managed to catch the verdette off guard as she reflexively drew back her hand and breaking her attack flow.

With the opening she wanted now available, Kallen began by assuming the fighting stance Raptor and opening with the two punch combo she had first learned since joining the Pugilist Guild: Bootshine. Seeing her opponent start to regain her composure the rebel turned adventurer quickly followed up with True Strike, a single concentrated hit with her right fist that also shifted her into the Coeurl stance. That primed the redhead's left fist to execute final strike in the combo Snap Punch, that sent the lalafell pugilist back a few feet.

Taking some breaths from the exertion of the match so far, Kallen maintained her fighting position while observing her opponent. Chuchuto had clearly been putting effort into the fight, as could be seen from some signs of sweat and some of her body movement showed she had felt those earlier blows. Despite this, the comparatively newer pugilist could tell that the other was not as winded as she was from their exchange of strikes and could clearly continue the fight for a longer period.

(When was the last time I actually had someone ahead of me in martial arts to work towards catching up with?) Kallen wondered to herself, finding a strange feeling of elation despite the fact she was losing this match. (Not since I started back before…)

And then it hit her. Back then she'd taken up martial arts because from what she'd seen from both Naoto and the martial arts movies they'd both watched it looked fun. While the more disciplined part of the learning had at first put the younger Kallen Kozuki off, that was soon off set by discovering how good learning one of the techniques from the instructors felt as pulling it off became natural to her. Then there was testing to see how well she could use it in competition leading to either elation at victory or resolve to get better when beaten. Since the invasion, that all had been forgotten as what she'd learned had become just a set of skills for survival, but here in this land called Eorzea there were no life or death stakes to testing her skills.

Kallen then pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind, returning to the still unfinished match. It was clear her chances of winning this sparring match were next to none, and really the choices were either to drag this out to see if maybe she could find a weakness to turn this around or forfeit gracefully. While giving up wasn't her style, the redhead knew she had some other priorities to take care of before returning to her world so she took the second option.

As the two left the sparring area, having put away the training gear, they were met by a gray bearded old man with dark skin and wearing a noticeably finer version of the open white shirt and black pants combo most of the other male pugilists at the guild were wearing. Most notable though were the black skull cap atop the man's head and the black fisticuffs he sported as his weaponry. This was the Guildmaster of the Pugilist's Guild, Hamon Holyfist.

"That was an excellent display of skill, Kallen, Chuchuto!" Hamon said with praise. "I figured a good spar between my first pupil and newest would be good for both of you."

"I agree, Master Hamon, and I can see why you've taken such an interest in Kallen's progress here." Chuchuto then turned to Kallen. "I'd heard you were self taught, but managed to pick up the basics quickly. I can see that wasn't exaggerated."

"W-well the self taught part isn't exactly true." Kallen replied, a light blush at the praise. "I learned some basic martial arts at a dojo with my older brother as a kid, but...some stuff happened and I had to make due with that for a while." Not wanting the conversation to focus on that particular subject, the redhead quickly changed it by addressing her recent sparring partner. "Anyway, thanks for the spar, Chuchuto, that was one of the best I've had in a long time. I would've liked to continue, but the job with the Guild…"

"Oh, don't worry about it, Kallen, it comes with being an adventurer." The lalafell verdette said with a wave of her hand. "There's wisdom in conserving energy for more important tasks. Also I get the feeling I'm going to have a more challenging match to look forward to soon."

"Oh, that I can definitely promise." Kallen said with a competitive grin.

"That's the spirit! As expected of the students of Hamooon HOLYFIST!" Hamon exclaimed. "You're both nigh endless fonts of vigor, Kallen, Chuchuto. Aye, just like myself in my younger days."

"Hehe, that's our Master Hamon." Chuchuto said with a light laugh.

"Speaking of se-Master, just how long have you been in charge of this guild anyway?" Kallen asked Hamon as the question came to mind, plus she was somewhat curious about how things used to be before this Calamity so many people kept bringing up.

"A few years short of two decades now, I'd say." Hamon answered. "Chuchuto joined the guild shortly after I was made its master. As she told you before, she's my very first student. Well, there was one other, to be sure, but…"

"Let's not dwell too much on the past, Master." Chuchuto spoke in a lightly chiding. "It was Kallen's bright future we were supposed to be discussing." The pugilist master looked like he was about to say something but the verdette then added. "Which reminds me, did you collect my gil from her? My gear is rather worn down, and I do need money for the repairs…"

"A-Ahem! Yes." Hamon replied with a light sputter. "Kallen's future with us is bright indeed!" He then turned towards Kallen. "If she keeps up her efforts, she may well become the next Holyfist!"

As Kallen considered if it was possible to add said title to her name without it sounding ridiculous, she noticed Chuchuto take her leave. She then wondered how touchy a subject this other original pupil of Hamon's was and whether she should ask her new sparring partner about it later, before returning her attention to said instructor and what new lesson would await once she'd polished her skills up some more.


The job Momodi had for her had taken Kallen just outside of the city and to an area called the Dispatch Yard, which was essentially a railway yard as could be seen from the tracks laid out there that continued on away from the city and out of her sight. By this time, it was already evening. Standing at the station where the cars were to deliver and/or receive their load was a bespectacled white haired lalafell man sporting an equally white beard and mustache and wearing a red shirt and under dark leather armor. Since this matched the description of Momodi had given her of the client, Kallen approached him and the elder lalafell then introduced himself as Papashan, the Dispatch Yard's railmaster.

"An empty title, I assure you. I truly am no more than a tired old Lalafell passing his final years in quiet and solitude." The old lalafell said good naturedly.

"Uh huh." Kallen's reply was skeptical. As she'd approached the old man to speak with him just a moment before, she'd noticed the subtle guarded stance he'd switched to and didn't relax out of until she'd introduced herself. Whoever this elderly lalafell was he was clearly no stranger to combat. "If you ask me, you seem pretty active for a tired old man preferring quite and solitude."

"Well there was plenty of both these past five years since the calamity struck. The devastation...was vast." It was brief, but Kallen caught an all too familiar somber look on Papashan's face as he said that. She'd seen similar from people remembering Japan as it was, and should have stayed, prior to Britannia's invasion. "Nowadays true Ul'dahns work together, doing all in our power to do what was laid to ruin. By the sweat of our brows and the love of our home, we have rebuilt Ul'dah to the grandeur and majesty you see today."

(I hope I can say the same someday…) Kallen thought to herself as the other began explaining the creation of the Dispatch Yard and its function in the rebuilding of settlements throughout the region of Thanlan affected by the Calamity.

When the explanation was done, Kallen then found herself tasked with delivering some food to some guards in the area known as Sultansworn. For her this was a simple task, as compared to supply runs she'd done for her cell this was something she could do in her sleep. It did help that these particular guards were more professional compared to those hired goons, the Brass Blades. One thing the rebel turned adventurer couldn't help but notice though was the Sultansworn she'd delivered the supplies to seemed awfully enthusiastic about the twilight pretzels that was among the food she delivered and who it was from. That indicated a level of respect towards the old lalafell that Kallen was starting to guess who he might be to these guardsmen.

As the redhead gave her report of the job being done to Papashan, she was intending to ask about that when the other immediately looked concerned after she'd told him they, and she, had seen nothing unusual so far.

"Lemme guess, you have another job for me?" Kallen asked. "Go ahead, that's what I'm here for, but could you tell me just what it is you and your men are looking for?"

Papashan gave a look of surprise that was quickly gone with a resigned sigh. "I suppose the time for concealment is past. The truth is Kallen, even before I had you deliver those supplies, I was privy to some most unsettling news and it's the reason I had you meet those Sultansworn!"

"Go on…" Kallen urged, seeing this issue was something of great concern to the bespectacled lalafell.

"A young noblewoman from a very prestigious family has run away from home and I have been ordered to see to her safe return." Papashan explained to which Kallen was keeping a straight face, but was inwardly groaning. Given her experiences with nobles back home be they so called 'relations' or schoolmates, this was not looking like a good job at all. Still, she had more or less agreed to take it and unlike back in her world at least there was money and potential battle experience to be earned.

"So I'm guessing your men are here to look for her, right?" Kallen asked to which Papashan nodded.

"The Sultansworn you met are assisting with the search. Alas, it seems they have found no trace of her." The aged lalafell explained. "I apologize for not being frank with you from the start, but we must proceed with caution. Should word of her disappearance spread, I fear others with less honorable motives may join the hunt. And should we allow her to come to harm not even a hundred beheadings would be punishment enough…"

"Isn't that a little extreme?" Kallen asked. "I mean you're talking like royalty was in danger or something…"

"This cannot happen, Kallen! It must not!" Papashan exclaimed in an outburst that surprised the redhead. "I need you to help me find her!"

"Okay, I already said I would!" Kallen said, her voice raised, mainly because she wasn't sure if she was getting through to the old lalafell. "Let's just calm down a bit, okay? You have less chance of finding her if you're so wound up you can't think straight!"

It took a moment but the other did as she suggested. From there Kallen was instructed to being her part of the search to the south and then given a description of the noblewoman who was a lalafell named Lady Lilira. With that, the redhead adventurer began her search…


The job Baderon had for Lelouch took him outside of Limsa Lominsa and to Summerford Farms: an agricultural settlement outside the city established as part of an early decree by the famous Admiral Merlwib Bloefhiswyn to establish swaths of land for settlement in the La Noscea countryside. The place also had an Aetheryte which the ex-prince turned adventurer immediately attuned to. Afterwards he was formally introduced to Staelwyrn, a roegadyn ex-pirate now in charge of overseeing the farming in that particular region and instructing other former corsairs in this new lifestyle. It was after a quick inspection by the pirate turned farmer to see if Lelouch had the right equipment for the job that the former prince was briefed on what the job was to be.

"You will have heard rumors of the abductions." Staelwyrn began, to which Lelouch nodded. "Aye, citizens have been disappearin' from every corner of Limsa Lominsa as if plucked from the face of Hydaelyn, boots and all, by an unseen hand."

"I take it possible suspects may be in this area, then?" Lelouch asked. "I know the Yellowjackets are out in force to find them in the city, but I imagine the countryside would be more challenging."

"Yer a sharp one, lad, I can see why Baderon's taken a shine to you." The roegadyn noted with an appreciative grin. "Aye, it seems a collection of unsavory fellows with azure-tattooed faces have been creepin' up to the edges of the fields and spyin' on my yeomen. Now I doubt anyone would enjoy bein' scrutinized by such savages at the best of times, but my farmhands are convinced that they're the kidnappers of rumor come for their hides."

"...and a panicked workforce is a rarely a productive workforce." The former prince summed up to which the other nodded.

"Aye and that is, as they say, where you come in." Staelwyrn replied. "Will you be willin' to investigate these tattooed thugs for me?"

"That is what I'm here for as an adventurer." Lelouch said with a bit of politness to his tone that he felt would suit an up and coming adventurer. Hopefully building up a good reputation would help future travels go smoothly, especially to the other city states and learn what magic their guilds had to offer. "Now, where were these tattooed fellows last seen?"

From there Lelouch was directed towards the south and instructed to search around a small cave known as the Seasong Grotto as reports had come in of these individuals going in and out of said cave. Staelwyrn also made sure to stress the new adventurer to be on his guard in case these really were the kidnappers. That was something Lelouch was intending to do anyway, but decided it was best to simply thank the former pirate and then be on his way.

It wasn't long before the former prince came upon the cave entrance, but just in case decided to do a look around of the area to see if there was any sign of these tattooed men. After an uneventful search, by which time the afternoon was turning into evening, Lelouch then entered the cave and found it empty save for a large stone monument at the end of it surrounded by lit candles along the walls, two lit fire bowls each on a metal stand and on the altar at the front of the monument were two significantly larger lit candles. Clearly this was a well kept site, but for what purpose he couldn't really say.

Noticing writing was etched into the front of the monument, Lelouch carefully approached it to get a closer look, checking for signs that someone might be hiding behind the monument and prepared to call out Carbuncle for battle if need be. That soon proved to be unnecessary as upon getting close enough he could see no one was there. The former prince then looked at the inscriptions, taking a little longer than he would admit to read it. While this world's writing was similar enough to his own that it wasn't that hard to pick up it still took him a little longer to read than the average literate denizen of this world.

It was then that Lelouch gave a light start as a female voice came from behind him.

"I am the waves that bear.

I am the winds that guide.

I am the evening stars.

I am the morning sky.

I am born of the sea.

And there shall I die."

Quickly turning around, Lelouch saw the speaker standing near the cave entrance. She was a miqo'te woman who looked to be slightly older than him with white hair and light brown skin dressed in a white shirt and dark blue pants. Her white hair was done in a style similar to K'lyhia's and below her green eyes the former prince noticed a pair of red triangular markings going along each cheek. Also noticeable was an odd looking pair of goggles around her neck and what looked to be a leafed branch at her belt on her left. Lelouch immediately recognized that as the wand of a Conjurer thanks to his research on them. Yet before the ex-royalty turned adventurer could speak, the newcomer continued.

"Thus reads the Sailors' Requiem carved into yonder stone." She explained as she walked toward Lelouch who slowly relaxed his guard as it became apparent whoever this was had no hostile intent, at least for now. The other continued as she reached him. "Such words well describe the manner in which the citizens of Limsa Lominsa live their lives. It is both a litany against misfortune for those out on the waves, and a prayer that the souls of those who perish on land might find their way back to the sea."

"Well, thank you for the explanation." Lelouch said pleasantly. "Now, don't take this the wrong way, but may I ask what you're doing here?"

"Ah, you are the adventurer I've seen around Summerford Farms." The miqo'te newcomer said as she regarded Lelouch with curiosity. "I thought myself on the trail of the kidnappers, but it would seem I have missed my mark."

Lelouch was about to question the woman further to see if this was really the case, but he was interrupted by a loud crash coming from outside the grotto followed by a feral scream.

"Or perhaps not…" The cultured conjurer commented as both her and Lelouch's attention was drawn to the noise.

The source of that noise was a hulking creature with a gray lumpy oblong shaped body with patches of green moss growing on various parts of it supported by two stumpy looking legs. Its arms were long and almost vine like if not for the three fingered hands at the end of them, and upon its rotund and almost neck-less head grew an assortment of plants of varying size. Lelouch knew this to be a type of monster called a Goobbue, having seen a few of them in the fields outside of Limsa Lominsa . They were supposed to be docile so long as they weren't provoked, something Baderon had recommended against doing, but this newcomer was clearly an exception as it was charging towards the former prince and his new acquaintance, it's maw opened in a roar and revealing the likely reason to be warned of provoking these creatures: three long rows of razor sharp teeth for each jaw.

"As I suspected, the aetheric disturbance here is no natural occurrence." The miqo'te conjurer commented with surprising calmness at the approaching monster. "Nor is it a coincidence that the two of us should come here in search of those responsible for the disappearances only to be attacked."

"Well if they're going to attack us, they should be prepared for us to respond in kind." Lelouch said as he readied his grimoire and called forth Carbuncle.

"But who stands to benefit from the keeping of this secret?" The other asked, possibly more to herself as she sighed in frustration as she returned her attention to the incoming goobbue. "Such thoughts must wait. Let us attend to the task at hand, unpleasant though it be."

"On that we can agree." Lelouch said quickly as he had the Carbuncle assume its Ruby form and unleash its fire attack: Glittering Ruby, while he began casting Ruin.

Meanwhile the miqo'te conjurer began by casting what looked to be some kind of wind spell before following with another spell that called forth and then launched rocks at the raging goobbue as it came upon them.

As Lelouch continued the tried and true process with his spells, he took a moment to regard this enemy feeling something was off about this battle. The goobbue was focusing all its attacks on his new acquaintance, yet its manner of fighting seemed strange even for an obviously frenzied creature. For some reason it was just flailing its arms wildly at the conjurer, a number of the swings she was able to dodge and what blows did land hardly seemed to affect her, and its maw of teeth was just snapping uselessly at the air around it.

"I sense something awry with this creature." The cultured conjurer called out to the other, proving the ex royalty turned adventurer's instincts right. "Be on your guard."

"Got it!" Lelouch replied quickly as he continued alternating between ordering the Carbuncle's attacks and casting his own spells. He spared a glance towards his now partner in this fight to see if she needed healing, but it was clear she was far from winded in this fight.

The former prince then returned his attention to the still attacking goobbue, and while the monster was continuing its attacks as usual the injuries it was sustaining from the onslaught of spells both he and the miqo'te conjurer were unleashing on it were becoming more apparent. From the burns created by the Ruby Carbuncle to cuts and bruises created in a combo of Ruin and the wind and stone spells, it was clear the goobbue would be going down soon.

(This is a little too easy…) Lelouch thought as he began to take a better look at his surroundings. (Whoever sent this thing is clearly focusing on taking the conjurer out, but would they really underestimate her skills that much, or…?)

Behind the raging beast, Lelouch saw some movement in the distance and soon could make out the shapes of two circular yellow creatures with flapping wings that carried them a few feet off the ground and they were headed in their direction.

"Ware! The disruption of aether draws others to the fray!" The miqo'te warned, having spotted the approaching new company too.

"Can you handle the big one for a moment?" Lelouch called back in reply and the other seemed to notice what he had in mind.

"A bit longer than that, for certain." She answered. "Be it keeping us from getting overwhelmed or dealing with our larger friend, keep your focus on the battle! Leave the tending of wounds to me."

With that Lelouch redirected his casting and the first of the approaching creatures was brought down by a combination of Ruin and the Carbuncle's attack. The second one, however, was able to use that window to reach the prince turned adventurer and immediately made a body slam into its opponent, causing the new Arcanist to grunt in pain but he quickly pushed his attacker back. With another of the previous combo, the winged monster collapsed to the ground as it expired. As it did he then felt the pain from the attack he just took fade away a sparkle of light briefly radiated around him before disappearing.

With a brief nod of thanks to the miqo'te conjurer, he returned his attentions to the goobbue. Lelouch together with the Carbuncle repeated the tried and true combo twice upon their intended foe before out of the corner of his eye the raven haired Arcanist saw the same movement as before. This time though the approaching creatures were two more goobbues, but fortunately they were of a significantly smaller sort compared to the one he was currently engaged with. Wasting no time, the former prince commanded the Carbuncle to shift its attack to the lesser goobbue on the right starting with its Ruby form before casting Ruin on the same target.

"More unwelcome visitors?" The cultured conjurer said, noticing Lelouch's change of targets. She then saw that their unknown assailant had upped things by sending more goobbues this time. "Slay them quickly lest we be overwhelmed."

Lelouch was about to give a quick reply but was interrupted as the smaller oblong shaped creature he was dealing with proved hardier than their main opponent's previous back up as it reached him along with its partner. In unison the lesser goobbue pair lashed at him with their whip like arms, to which the former prince could only grit his teeth to bite back the pain of the creatures' claws cutting into him. His retaliatory cast of Ruin though, brought some relief as the first lesser goobbue gave a cry before toppling over in death.

Now down to one extra foe, Lelouch proceeded to focus his attacks on it. Bearing the pain of the creature's strikes that was soon relieved by another healing spell cast from his impromptu partner. As the last of the lesser goobbues expired, he then returned his attention to the main one.

"The creature falters. Press the attack and the battle will soon be won." The miq'ote conjurer advised, to which the prince turned adventurer could see the frenzied monster's attempts to attack were now greatly hampered as despite its willingness to continue fighting the wounds it had endured had multiplied to the point of mortal. Clearly whatever was compelling it was the only reason it was still even standing.

After commanding the Carbuncle to attack in its Ruby form, Lelouch then cast Ruin, aiming the aetheric bolt into the goobbue's outstretched maw as it reeled from burns of the previous attack. There was a muffled squishing sound from as a gave a jerk before stiffening up and collapsing face forward in a heap, lifeless.

There was silence from the pair for a moment as they regarded their fallen foe before the white haired miq'ote gave a sigh of relief and walked towards the monster's corpse, presumably to check on it. Lelouch was going to do the same, but stopped as he noticed a blue glint to his left and a couple feet away from the expired goobbue's head. Stepping towards it, he saw that it was a blue crystal of some sort that was giving a faint glow. There was no way he could have missed this while searching the grotto earlier.

(Could this have something to do with whatever set those monsters on us?) He wondered as he approached closer to the crystal to better examine it. It lacked the roughness of a naturally occurring crystal and looked as if a jeweler had finely cut it into a prism shape.

Lelouch's examination was interrupted suddenly turned itself up vertically and began to float upwards until it was at chest level with him. Despite being startled, the former prince found himself unable to cry out or give any sort of audible sound as the crystal then began to drift towards him, its glow brightening the closer it got to him. Instinctively his hands came forward to catch the now shining jewel and a low yet not uncomfortable ringing filled his ears. As Lelouch's hands came around the crystal, light consumed his vision, seeming to envelope all around him.


After nearly half an hour of searching, by which time night was falling, Kallen's somewhat reluctant investigation had led her to an unusually sized tree, especially for a desert region. She quickly spotted a short figure near the tree and made her way towards it. Soon she was close enough to see the figure, indeed lalafell sized, was kneeling, as if in prayer. This person was wearing a light pink robe and turban that matched exactly with the description Papashan had given her.

As Kallen got closer, she found that the lalafell was indeed in prayer as she could now hear her.

"O Sultantree, hallowed spirit of my line, forgive my weakness." The lalafell noblewoman uttered. "My failings have cost us dear…"

The pink clad lalafell then stood up and then turned in Kallen's direction.

"Show yourself!" The miniature noblewoman ordered.

It took the rebel turned adventurer just a second to realize she wasn't the one being addressed and then quickly whirled around to see who else had followed this runaway noble's trail. The newcomer was a hyur man with short white hair, a pair of tattoos along the side of his neck and wearing a black tunic over a white shirt and black pants with armored leggings. A white belt around his waist held a sheathed dagger to his left.

"As you command, O Lilira." The man said with a sigh before walking past Kallen towards her. The redhead only allowed this because she noticed Lilira's reaction to seeing the man was one of annoyance, and an indication this was someone she knew. Plus if this guy did have any ill intent he had just given his back to her completely unguarded, as far as she could see.

"Forgive my selfish desire to assure your welfare." The newcomer said with barely concealed sarcasm as he reached the lalafell.

"I don't recall requesting an escort! Simply pretend we never met and continue on your way." Lilira exclaimed petulantly, making secretly Kallen glad this newcomer had shown up to take the brunt of this noble's complaints. With any luck this guy would placate the rich idiot and then they'd just quickly escort her to whatever carriage she'd come here in and the job would be over.

"We both know I can do no such thing. It isn't safe for you here alone." The man's tone shifted into a more serious one. "It isn't safe for anyone, not with this aetheric disturbance… It's as though the dead are watching us…"

Something in the newcomer's statement made Kallen feel a bit of a chill and she instinctively made a quick of the surroundings then mentally chided herself as she found nothing. Still, given the nature of this world the possibility of ghosts existing in it wouldn't be that out of place.

"And I'd prefer not to join them, if it's all the same to you." The man continued, his tone lightening back to mild sarcasm. He then turned his gaze to Kallen. "Ah, you must be the one Papashan mentioned. Congratulations on finding our elusive young charge. You'll have to forgive her impetuousness. What she lacks in discipline, she makes up for in stubbornness."

"I can see what you mean." Kallen said affably, then her tone lowered slightly as she gave the newcomer a scrutinizing look. "One thing though…you and Pinkie over there clearly know each other, and while you at least know his name Papashan didn't mention you and you clearly aren't one of his men."

The look the white-haired stranger gave the redhead was one of interest and maybe a touch of approval. Kallen also noticed a look of mild surprise on Lilira's face at the sudden nickname, which was different from the flabbergasted or greatly offended look she was expecting. Also, apparently the nickname was more apt than the rebel turned adventurer had anticipated as she noticed bits of the lalafell noble's hair coming out from under her turban were as pink as the outfit she was wearing.

"Well, I can't blame you for being cautious, especially in times like these." The man admitted lightly. "Actions speak louder than words, so let's return to Papashan together. I'm sure the stationmaster will be eager to thank Lady Lilira's protector in person."

Kallen was about to give her agreement, but she was interrupted by a loud snarl coming from above. Both she and the pair she'd just met looked up as with an audible flap of wings a black winged creature flew out from behind the Sultantree and began descending towards them. It flew on bat-like wings and its appearance was similar to that of a gargoyle with a head that could almost be called avian on account of its triangular head and hooked beak, yet it had the spikes growing out the back of its head and there was a lack of feathers. Its coal black skinned body was thin and its four limbs ended in sharply clawed hands and feet. The creature's yellow eyes glinted threateningly as it gave another intimidating cry and turned its descent into a dive.

"Alas the stationmaster will have to wait." The newcomer said with a light sigh and shake of his head before turning to Lilira. "Dear Lilira, for my sake, please stay out of harm's way." To which the lalafell noblewoman, strangely not panicked by this to Kallen's surprise, gave a quick nod and dashed towards the large tree to take shelter. The man then turned to her. "As for you, dear friend, for Lilira's sake, please stay in harm's way!"

"At least you're asking me to do something you're not afraid to do yourself." Kallen commented dryly as despite herself she did find that play on words a bit funny. Readying her knuckles, the rebel turned adventurer and her surprise ally charged at the approaching monster.

"Come, let's attend to our uninvited guest!" The white-haired stranger spoke out in a rallying cry as he reached the winged monster first. He swiftly drew his dagger and made a powerful slash at his opponent's right wing. The creature, still managing to hover slightly above ground, gave a shriek and made a retaliatory swipe at its attacker, who nimbly dodged before using his blade to make a stab into the creature's side.

Kallen wasted no time upon reaching the monster either, opening up with a Bootshine strike on the creature's left wing and executing the rest of the combo from there, keeping her strikes concentrated on the monster's wings. She was not about to let this thing have a chance at flying away to a more advantageous position. After continuing the Pugilist combo two more times while her ally continued alternating between slicing into and stabbing at the creature, its wings faltered, and it landed on its feet.

Before either could continue the attack, the winged monster did something unexpected. It stood up and uttered a different cry then its previous ones of attack or pain. Kallen then noticed an odd flicker off to the side followed movement that she couldn't clearly see due to the dark of night.

"Lovely, it brought friends!" The white-haired stranger said sarcastically, having a gotten a better look at what was incoming. He then turned to Japanese adventurer. "Leave the big one to me! You handle the rest!"

Kallen might have argued, especially as the creature then resumed its hovering above ground, but she had been observing the fight. The monster had kept its focus on the newcomer the whole time and he hadn't taken a single hit from it. Clearly this was a fight he could handle himself, albeit with more time, but if this thing could call in reinforcements and they were swarmed by them the tide of battle could change.

"On it!" Kallen said quickly and charged at the oncoming reinforcements. A closer look showed that these new monsters, two of them. were smaller versions of what she and the stranger were currently fighting. Fortunately, that meant a much weaker version as well as the first went down to a Bootshine followed by a True Strike and swiftly switching targets for the combo finisher of Snap Punch on the second's back as it tried to make its way to the main fight took the miniature monster down in one hit.

With both of the winged creature's backup dead, Kallen dashed back to the main fight and resumed her attack alongside her unexpected companion. The creature tried the same trick to call for help again, this time another two of its miniature kin and they made their appearance a lot closer to the battle. Unfortunately for the monsters, the pair summoned went down just as easy as the first set and red-haired pugilist dispatched them before they could even contribute to the fight.

"Just a little more..." The dagger wielder said, noting how with their combined assault their enemy was looking worse for wear.

It was also very much on point as Kallen's next strike to the winged monster's back connected and there was a loud crack of bones snapping. The creature gave a shriek and finally tried to fly away only for its now broken back to cause it to swerve midair as the increased flapping of its wings failed to keep it airborne. It then crashed face first into the ground and its cries soon devolved into muffled gurgles as the monster expired.

After waiting a moment to make sure the creature wasn't going to get up again, the white-haired stranger then sheathed his dagger before turning and walking towards where his pink charge had fled to. Kallen was about to follow when she noticed a blue glint a few feet away on the ground between her and the monster's final landing point. That blue glow hadn't been there before as there was no way either she or the newcomer would have missed it in the battle. After cautiously approaching it, the redhead saw that the source of the glow was a finely cut crystal of some sort.

As odd an appearance as this might have been, the real moment of the unusual was when the crystal turned itself up and arose into the air and quickly made its way towards the new adventurer. Acting purely on instinct, Kallen made to knock the crystal out of the air but suddenly found her hand slowing as it came towards its intended target and despite her intentions to deflect said crystal the palm of her hand opened as if to grab it instead. It was then that a flash of light consumed her vision…


As Lelouch's vision cleared, he found himself standing in a space surrounded entirely by darkness, the only source of light being the crystal he had come across, now hovering mid air between his hands outstretched as if to grasp it. Briefly looking around, the former prince thought he saw a speck of light in the distance somewhere ahead of him but that was lost to sight as more light began flooding out from under him. The light then proceeded to form an elaborate hexagram on the ground with Lelouch at its center, embellished with symbols raven haired arcanist couldn't even begin to identify. The most noticeable feature of this were the circles each placed where the six points of the symbol should be.

Meanwhile, an incalculable distance away and at the spot Lelouch had briefly seen, Kallen had found herself in the same position standing at the center of a strange hexagram. As the both of them took a note of their surroundings, unaware of the other's presence, the circle to their right from where they were facing lit up and a shaft of light burst forth from it. Both shafts of light rocketed upwards to a single point of light high above and struck it and as it did light flooded both otherworldly travelers' visions once more.

"Hear…Feel…Think…" A familiar female voice spoke in the minds of both Lelouch and Kallen despite the blinding white light making it impossible to see.

Then the light faded and for a moment both adventurers found themselves surrounded by the dark yet again. Yet that was soon changed as a greater light began to shine down from above like the sun, though what also could be seen above were what appeared to be clouds circling around what was now a ball of light which began enlarging as if it were coming closer. Then the ball of light turned a red orange, like a ball of fire, and then trailing shards of light began falling around both like a meteor shower.

Lelouch instinctively jumped back as one came down in front of him and looked up hoping to gauge where the next one was going to fall to avoid it. Meanwhile, on Kallen's end while startled at this development she quickly saw none of the falling objects were coming anywhere near her but kept looking up just in case. After a few minutes of this, both began to notice that whatever was causing this, the storm of burning light was only just going to fall around them. Strangely, though they made all the noise one would expect of something falling at high speeds, none of the falling things made impact on whatever it was they were standing on and just kept continuing to fall downwards until vanishing out of sight. Then just as suddenly as it had come before, light once again enveloped the unknowing duo's visions.

When both Lelouch and Kallen's vision returned they found themselves floating and in what looked to be the same starry space that had been part of their prelude to their arrival in Eorzea. A pale white aura of light glowed around both of them. Due to the great distance still between them, neither of the two could perceive the other as any more than one of the many star like points of light around them.

"Crystal bearer." The voice from before spoke, sounding so close that both of them each reflexively made their own quick look around to see where she was.

A jagged crystal appeared before each of them.

"I am Hydaelyn. All made one." The voice echoed in their minds as more crystals of varying size and shape began to appear before them. "A Light there once was that shone throughout this realm... yet it hath since grown dim. And as it hath faltered, so hath Darkness risen up in its stead, presaging an end to Life. For the sake of all, I beseech thee: deliver us from this fate!"

The crystals then began taking motion and were moved behind the pair. After a moment they stopped, assembled behind them and began to move in a large circular motion.

"The power to banish the Darkness dwelleth in the Crystals of Light. Journey forth and lay claim to them." The voice, Hydaelyn, continued and the pair each felt themselves pulled forward and a little bit downwards too, which caused them to look instinctively look down just in time to see a literal mountain of a crystal rise up from below them. A great light shined from within it, filling the space around it in a light blue glow. So transfixed were they by this sight that neither Lelouch nor Kallen realized that they had now been pulled close enough that if they had looked up they would have seen each other. Yet by the time they did the colossal crystal very much filled their view as it towered over them.

"By thy deeds shall the Crystals reveal themselves to thee." Hydaelyn instructed. "Only believe, for the Light liveth in thy heart."

As Lelouch was trying to process this, off to the side he noticed a figure clad in leather armor with a similar surrounding glow of light floating in the distance who also seemed to be regarding the enormous crystal before them. Before the prince turned adventurer could call out a greater glow of light enveloped the person and they then sped towards the gigantic crystal like a comet. His moment of surprise was then interrupted as another larger figure that may have been a roegadyn sped by, avoiding collision by mere inches. Not entirely sure what was going on, but wanting to follow these people for a chance at some more information on what he was experiencing, said desire proved to be enough as the light around him intensified and he was now rocketing along the same path towards the massive crystal.

Meanwhile Kallen was having a very similar experience, though in her case she had tried calling out towards these others who just seemed to appear only to begin flying towards the titanic crystal. As the two otherworldly adventurers flew around the expansive crystal they each did try getting a glimpse of whoever passed by in hopes they might see someone they'd run into later that could properly fill them in on just what this all was. Yet they were going so fast they could each only catch what could be called a glimpse out a few and that was due to a noticeable feature. For Lelouch it was a man with a heavily bandaged face, either a lalafell or a small child dressed in what could have a yellow raincoat and someone dressed in blue with long silver hair. For Kallen it was a hyur woman wearing some kind of pink outfit and an elezen dressed in blue. The last person both got a glimpse of though was also the last they passed by, one another, before their paths each turned upwards shooting up towards a large light past the top peak of the great crystal that shown upon and flooded their vision like the sun…

"Go now, my child, and shine thy Light on all creation." Were Hydaelyn's parting words to each of them.


Lelouch's eyes slowly opened and he found himself staring at rocky ceiling which served as a convenient reminder of where he'd been before that strange vision. That was sure to be a lot to process once he returned home.

"Awake again, are we?" The cultured conjurer's voice called out as the former prince sat up and turned his head in the direction of the voice to she was now facing away from him, kneeling before the corpse of the goobbue they killed. It was clear she'd been inspecting, especially with what the miqo'te had to say next. "Aha. The poor creature's fury was kindled with cruel forethought."

The miqo'te conjurer stood up and turned to Lelouch before pulling out a knife and holding it out to the other in presentation. "See this blade? I found it in the goobbue's back. I have seen knives of this kind before; they are most commonly used for the cutting of rope."

"Given where we are that narrows it a bit." Lelouch said. "The trade that would involve rope cutting the most would involve ships."

"I agree our culprits are seafaring men of some persuasion...piratical being the most probable." The other nodded and then gave him a thoughtful look as she put the knife away. "In any event, you seem much recovered from your sudden...affliction. I confess, I was rather taken aback when you collapsed at the very moment of our victory. Mayhap a surfeit of aether…?"

"I don't really know…" Lelouch began, inwardly debating whether to share any of this with someone he just met. Normally he'd keep it a secret, but the person before him was a healer, at least on the magical front and if he did have some kind of supernatural affliction it would probably be best to get some information. He began by showing her the crystal he'd found. "Could something like this cause that?"

"Perhaps. Some crystals can be infused with aether, some of which can corrupted, and have adverse affects if not properly handled." The cultured conjurer answered as she gave the crystal a curious look.

"Do those include any visions or dreams?" Lelouch asked in reply, some hesitation in his voice.

"Such as?" The miqo'te paused, having noticed the prior hesitation. "Look, I can only make a guess if I have more information. If you're concerned I'll consider you madman over whatever you saw don't be, I've seen enough cases of those who have or are about to lost their mental faculties and I can tell you're not even remotely close. So what will it be?"

"If you say so…" Lelouch said dryly before giving an account of the vision he'd seen upon touching the crystal.

"I beg your pardon? A 'towering crystal'?" The other asked, though her tone and expression was more of confusion than skepticism. "I'm sure I don't...Oh." She paused for moment and then her expression became on of amused interest. "Well, well...this has been a day of unexpected revelations."

"What do you mean by that?" Lelouch asked, feeling worried but now for a different reason than the possibility having some sort of supernatural affliction.

"Oh worry not, there isn't anything wrong with you and you're not in any immediate danger." The cultured conjurer answered, though that last part was a little concerning to the former prince. "Now, I must continue my investigation." She then took the knife she'd found out of her pack and handed it to Lelouch. "In the meantime, I suggest you deliver this knife to your patron, along with a warning concerning the pirates' probable involvement in this murky business."

"Are you sure you don't want to come along and give your word on the matter?" The prince turned adventurer asked as he carefully stowed the knife into a safe part of his bag.

"The days promise little rest, I fear…" She replied with a slight look of weariness before turning and walking towards the exit to the grotto. "May our paths cross again under the light of the Crystal."

The cultured conjurer's parting words gave Lelouch a moment of pause as he considered what the fact that was a usual way of saying farewell might imply for this entity known as Hydaelyn that seemed to share a name with this world.


Lelouch's return to said client proved a bit more eventful than he expected, especially with the reaction just to his coming back.

"Lamperouge! Right glad I am to see you safely returned!" Staelwyrn exclaimed, both the relief and gladness to see the adventurer genuine. "My lads were all gabbin' about hearin' what sounded like all seven hells breakin' loose near the grotto, and I feared I'd sent you to your death. If you were in the middle of that commotion, I hope it yielded somethin' of interest. I'd hate to think you'd risked your life for naught."

"You needn't worry about that." Lelouch said as he took out the knife he'd obtained and presented it to the former pirate captain. "I think I've found quite a bit that may help in all this…"

With that the ex-prince turned adventurer gave as full an account of what he'd come across at the Seasong Grotto, only leaving out the parts involving the crystal and visions.

"Hmmm... A blade pulled from the back of a creature you slew at the cave, eh?" Staelwyrn said as he examined the knife one more time before putting it away for safekeeping. "Aye, I'd agree that such a knife would be part of any seafarin' man's kit." A worried look came upon the former corsair's face. "I'm startin' to think that these ruffians are pirates, come to lure my farmhands back to a life of plunder. Chances are, they didn't take kindly to your appearance on their doorstep, and set a maddened goobbue on you."

"It was more than just a single goobbue, albeit a couple of weaker ones." The former prince pointed out. "I've been warned that they can be formidable if provoked so that would take some manpower to arrange. Are things even more serious with pirates than I'd heard about when I arrived here?"
"Aye, the pirates have been addin' to their numbers of late." The pirate turned farmer answered with a grim nod. "I'd best warn the lads and lasses in my employ to be on guard against their schemes."

"One thing, you wouldn't happen to know who that miqo'te conjurer is, do you?" Lelouch cut in as he could see his patron had some work cut out for him now and ex-royal arcanist wanted to settle all he could before leaving.

"The woman you met at the grotto with a strange contraption…?" The other paused for a moment before recognition dawned on him. "Ah...Y'shtola! She's been in Limsa Lominsa for a good while now. Her studies of the aether often bring her out to Summerford, so her presence at the grotto is hardly unusual. She's an odd-lookin' lass, I grant you, but she's not the kind to associate with kidnappers. You may take my word for that."

With that Lelouch thanked Staelwyrn who returned along with having the job marked as complete and giving the adventurer his payment. As Lelouch made his way back to Limsa Lominsa and noticing it was now the early hours of the morning he decided to stay another day in this world to rest up at an inn. With all that had just happened some rest was in order; there was no way he was going to face a coming school day along with the revelation that the possible deity he made an agreement with intended to make sure he made good on their arrangement.

What he felt was another sign he was in need of sleep was thinking about it that voice from Hydaelyn seemed strangely familiar and comforting which he intended to shake off with rest. Despite her calling him her child, there was only one person he would ever consider worthy of calling him that...


Kallen's eyes opened to find herself staring at the branches of a tree and quickly remembered what she had been doing prior to that series of visions.

"Ah, coming around now." The voice of the white-haired man spoke as the rebel turned adventurer got up and she turned in the direction of the voice.

She was about to ask how long she'd been out, but was interrupted by the third unintended member of this group sharing the Sultantree's shade.

"Would you mind telling me what that was?" Lilira demanded.

"If only I knew." The man said with a half shrug. "A denizen of the void at any rate."

"The voidsent? Here?" Lilira asked her expression becoming a mix of worry and confusion. "But how?"

"The question isn't 'how', but 'who'." The dagger wielder corrected. "We're not dealing with bookless bandits."

"I'm sorry if this is going to sound foolish, but I'm not from around here." Kallen spoke up. "What's a voidsent?"

At that question both looked at each other for a moment before it was the white-haired man that answered her.

"To sum them up simply they're a kind of monster, but not of this world in the most literal sense." He explained. "It usually takes in with a level of skill in the arcane arts to call them over from the void to our world."

"So the question is: 'who could we be dealing with that has those kind of skills?'." Kallen summed up and the other nodded.

"Don't suppose the answer came to you in a dream?" The man asked jokingly."No sooner did you fell the beast than you fell asleep. Too much aether, no doubt."

"Well…" Kallen thought for a moment and then decided as she held up the crystal she'd found near the voidsent's corpse. "Okay, this is going to sound crazy, but…"

After explaining the vision she'd received after touching the crystal the man was giving her a thoughtful look.

"Interesting...I hadn't considered the Crystal." He commented as he considered something and came to some realization. "But of course...this changes everything."

"So...did that tell you anything about this business with that voidsent thing?" Kallen asked, privately relieved neither thought she was crazy. The lalafell noblewoman looked more confused than disbelieving.

"Hm? Oh, just thinking aloud." The man said offhandedly. "At any rate, we haven't a moment to spare. I must return and report this at once." He then gestured to his charge. "I leave Lady Lilira in your capable hands."

"How dare you pass me along like a swaddled babe!"Lilira exclaimed with outrage, making a small leap in the air followed by a shake of her fists, which honestly looked more comical than anything else.

"More a like a hot potato." Kallen mumbled to herself. Unfortunately it seemed the lalafell noblewoman heard that and gave her rescuer a miffed though slightly confused look, which had the Japanese pugilist wondering if they had potatoes in this world and if they were just called something else.

"I shall return and tell them myself!" Lilira said with a huff as she began walking in the direction of the Dispatch Yard.

"As you wish, your Impetuousness." The man called after her as she passed by.

"Well, guess I gotta follow Pinkie's lead…" Kallen said as she turned to follow.

"I suspect we shall meet again before long." The white haired man commented. "Until then, do try to stay awake!"

With a simple wave of farewell Kallen then began her trek back, making sure to keep within a distance where she could reach her assigned charge should any monsters attack or she found herself unable to complete the walk.


To Lilira's credit she completed the trek to the Dispatch Yard without looking any worse for wear, again giving Kallen a small surprise. Waiting for her was of course Papashan, the Sultansworn that Kallen had delivered the food to and a lalafell dressed in an outfit similar to a butler's.

"Thank the gods you've returned! You had us all so worried!" Papashan exclaimed Lilira, relief evident in his voice before it turned to mild admonishment. "You do realize what would happen if a person of your noble stature were to be injured─or worse? Why, Her Grace the sultana would be beside herself with grief─and so would her subjects! I daresay they'd be weeping in the streets!"

"But I have already given you cause to weep, Papashan...you and the people of Ul'dah…" Lilira said apologetically.

As the Sultansworn standing behind the lady in pink shook their heads with distraught looks on their faces, Kallen did take a look at her now delivered charge. Whatever this was about she did seem genuine in her apology and whatever else it was she was feeling guilt about.

(A noble with a sense of responsibility? This really is a fantasy land…) The redhead thought to herself.

"Please, Your─ You're not to say such things! We will find it, I swear to you!" The elder lalafell said. "It is not my place to make demands, m-my lady, but I beg you, please stay out of harm's way."

"...I apologize for causing you undue worry, Papashan. I shall refrain from traveling unescorted in future. " Lilira said and then gave a curtsy before walking off towards the city, the butler did the same before following and last to follow were the Sultansworn guards.

After that Kallen approached Papashan.

"I cannot thank you enough, Kozuki!" The bearded lalafell said gratefully. "I understand you fought bravely to protect Lady Lilira from voidsent fiends. For your gallant service, you deserve all the riches in the royal vaults. Alas, a small token of my gratitude is the best I can offer."

"What was agreed on is fine, and I can't take all the credit anyway." Kallen admitted, blushing slightly at the praise. "This guy who said he knew you showed up and…"

From there the redhead adventurer explained what had happened, minus the vision stuff.

"...Hm? A sarcastic man with a strange contraption strapped to his shoulder?" Papashan asked and Kallen nodded. "I see you met Thancred. He's a scholar who spends his days investigating oddities in the aether. Rather too fond of the sound of his own voice for my liking, but perfectly harmless."

After a few more words of thanks, Kallen collected her reward for the completed job and made her way back to the city herself, fully intending on getting a full rest at one of the inns before returning to her own world. While she had done it before one account of raids, she was not in the mood to face 'home' and school without any sleep this time. Maybe that rest time would help her in processing the fact that she was effectively serving a kami of some sort, leaving aside the very mixed feelings that this entity calling her her child gave. Also maybe she could figure out why that last person she glimpsed in the vision looked familiar.

Little did she realize how soon that last bit of puzzlement would be answered…

AN: And with that we close out chapter 2! Thank you very much to those who have patiently waited for this and I hope that this chapter was to your liking. My apologies for the delay as I wanted to have this chapter ready last month, but due to a combination of personal circumstances and current real-life events in the world being straight up horrible, the writers block came crashing down like whatever version of Meteor you prefer. That and integrating the story Lelouch and Kallen's class quests with the MSQs was a bit more challenging than anticipated. I would say the most challenging part to adapt into writing was the vision segment, especially since I was writing two different perspectives that were also to be unaware of each other until later. Fortunately, there was a good assortment of stuff to help rekindle the fires of creativity such as the wonderful anime adaptation of Spy x Family, Birdie Wing, Love After World Domination, the Obi-wan Kenobi show and the new campaign for The Unexpectables to name a few.

I hope you all are doing well, stay safe out there and hope to catch you again when the next chapter of Code Fantasy is ready!