Chapter 1: Hand of Salvation
The councilroom was quiet. The statues stiff, the Occuria that floated before them listening intently. The dark, quiet night that surrounded the area almost seemed to surround the councilroom, as though intrested in the plot that was beginning to formulate. The multiple buildings that floated amid the sky-like realm almost leaned in on the plan, eavesdropping.
"Our hold, it is gone. That much is known." Came the strange, echo-like voice of an Occuria. It's body floated before one of the statues, small holes covered the strange, armor like body that it held, two thin lines crossing through it's middle, and three spikes jutted out of each shoulder-like armor section, the bottom of the Occuria's body swirled with the Mist's effect, looking almost as though this Undying was disintegrating. The armor a strange, crimson color. The two, golden spheres gazed out of the 'head' of this Undying. Emotionless. "But, we do have one, thin lifeline. A device we can use to pull the foolish mortals of Ivalice back into our loving, and kind grasp." The other Occuria said nothing. The speaker then continued "I have taken the liberty of recruiting one of these...Mortals...to serve as our hand. A hand that shall encircle Ivalice, and bring it to us."
With that phrase, one of the Undying moved forth, grey armor-like body, with Mist that swirled around it seemed to twitch. It's body was a yellow color, a large hole in it's center. The golden spheres narrowed. "You would trust another one of those beasts to betray it's kin? Those mortals are simply wild! They cannot serve as our sai-"
"I will have you know, Occurian, that I don't take well to insults." Came a voice. Lights flashed in the center of the councilroom, and a Hume began to take form. His body stood at a height of five feet, nine inches tall. A brown, dirty cloak draped over his body, resting on his shoulders and descending down to his ankels, where two brown boots stuck out. The hood of his cloak was slightly lopsided, covering the right side of his face. The left side was exposed, revealing one forest-green eye, and a thin line of his lips, a few chocolate-colored bangs descended down above his eye. A thin, white scar ran across his cheek. He drew his hand from underneath the cloak, revealing a fingerless dirt-colored glove that covered his hand, extending to his elbow. He extended it out, as though demanding it be shaken by the handless 'gods', after a moment of silence, the Hume withdrew his hand to the safety of his cloak. "I am Garet Solivantes." He spoke loudly, glancing among the Undying. "I am your Hand to Ivalice."
The Occuria whom had spoken gazed upon Garet in silence. "You speak as though we are but insects." The visible half of the Hume's lips seemed to form a smirk.
"For all the power you have over Ivalice, you might as well be." Two Occuria from the council instantly moved forward, the mist swirling around blue armor of the first almost seemed to act as anger, the large wing-like sections that jutted from it's shoulders unleashed a torrent of energy, the Hume's cloak blew backward, but he did not move. The second was a faintly pink color, it's body looking the most normal. Two arms and legs jutted out, but it still held the trademark golden optics. The mist swirled violently across the Occurian.
"How dare you!" The first screeched, it's voice somewhat male.
"What gives you the right to insult us gods like so?!" The second female.
The crimson-colored Occuria then moved behind Garet. "Silence!" It snapped. Garet's facial features reverted back to original poker face. "This Hume, as disrespectful as he is, is our way of securing Ivalice from the Heretics: Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca and Larsa Ferrinas Solidor..." Both the hume, and the Occuria turned then, facing the leader of the Undying.
"Lord Gerun." Garet spoke, bowing low. The pale Occuria gazed upon Garet in thought, the strange armor-like body of the leader immobile.
"We approve this idea, and you, as our Hand of Salvation." It spoke in it's female voice. Garet smiled pleasently.
"I thank you, gracious Undying." The crimson Occuria then spoke.
"I, Volur, will ensure that our Hand doth not stray from it's intended target. That he will destroy the Traitors, and bring order to Ivalice and assist the Humes, restoring His'try's flow, and to keep it true!" The voice seemed to hold a bit of emotion, a sort of vigor that was gathering inside the god's body.
Garet then looked toward Gerun. "Great Undying...What, are the fingers as Hand?" The Occuria gazed down on Garet Solivantes, and a shortsword appeared before the new Hand.
"This Sword, the Blade of Gods, shall be your weapon." Gerun spoke, and Garet nodded, reaching out and clutching it by the hilt. The blade was a single-edged sword, with two, thin blue viens running from the hilt, down the side of the blade, giving it a faint glow. He then slid open the cloak, strapping the blade to his belt, another sword clinging to the other end of his belt. A small firearm stapped to his belt beside the previous sword, not a rifle, it was too small for that. His shirt and pants were the same dirty brown color of the rest of his clothing. The cloak then covered Garet's body.
"Undying, I do thank you." Garet bowed low, and Volur remained silent. "You shall regain your title as gods, and all that I shalt demand but one thing of you, upon your reign's restoration."
The winged Occuria spoke up. "What would that be, Hand of Little Respect?"
"I desire, above all else...to create a land of my own. An empire, a continent! A land of my own, free from your control."
"Garet, I can understand your desir-" Volur was interupted.
"You shalt have a land of your own, free from our control." Gerun spoke. "Now, Hand of Salvation, go to Ivalice, and do what is desired of you."
Garet then bowed, and Volur finished. "Our gracious leader, I thank you." He spoke...and with that, the duo dissapeared to begin placing the history of Ivalice back in the Occurian's control...and bring wrath to Dalmasca and Archades.