Final Fantasy XII : The Tides of Darkness
Disclaimer :I do not own Final Fantasy XI, or anything else to do with the game. I only own the main characters (Arielyanna, Trevernous, Lasi Onasi, Pter, Romulado, Loannthalas, Dasi Onasi, Flowing Wind, Wyreema, Raido, Siflan and Sano Etano ).
The other characters who appear in this story (Akujunkan, Xylia, Enkidoh, Anthyme, Orcrinvalkin, Kainvalkin, Leod, Dohwa, are actual members from my linkshell in Final Fantasy XI (Linkshell name – Omnipresence)) are owned by their creators. These characters are on the Midgardsormr server.
If these characters appear in any other works of fanfiction, it is done so without their creator's permission. If you'd like to have them appear in your work, please send me an email asking for permission first.
Any text in ( … ) is linkshell conversation.
Chapter Two
One week later :
The hume Corsair Pter yawned as he leaned against the fountain, Bomingo Round, in the middle of Windurst Woods. He had arrived in Windurst late the previous night, and hadn't bothered to inquire about a Rent-A-Room in the residential area. So he had slept near the fountain... which was why his whole body was sore. Grumbling to himself, Pter stood up and stretched his arms and legs. He had just finished his stretches when he heard a woman cry out.
"PERVERT!"
Then a loud slap.
Pter chuckled to himself, as he saw the recipient of the slap get to his feet and rub his face. He then called out to the hume female.
"Yeah? Well... well, you aren't gonna see my Taru Black Magic Wand EVER BABY!!!"
Pter burst out laughing when he heard that. There was only one Taru he knew, that would ever say something like that, one who was an accomplished Black Mage... but more perverted than any other living being on Vana'diel : Lasi Onasi.
He waved to Lasi, who came over to him, rubbing his cheek. He sat down against the fountain as Pter sat back down.
"I tell you Pter old buddy, women these days just don't know what they want, or how to accept a truly generous offer... Like what I offered that young lady."
Pter grinned.
"Let me guess... no takers for you...snigger Taru Black Magic Wand eh?"
Lasi snorted and folded his arms across his chest.
"Pter, if she had taken me up on my offer, I would've shown her such delights, and she could go and brag about how good I was."
Pter laughed so hard, he had tears coming from his eyes, as Lasi looked at him.
" 'How good you are?' Lasi, buddy, your my best friend, but don't you think your blowing your own horn a little too much?"
Lasi frowned, then grinned.
"I don't blow my own horn Pter, that's what the babes are for!"
Pter wiped the tears from his eyes and looked at Lasi.
"Come on Lasi, don't you think you're being a little too... what's the word..."
A soft voice spoke to them.
"Weird?"
Pter and Lasi turned and saw an elvaan female standing there, clad in the attire of a Dragoon, her wyvern perched on her shoulder. Pter got to his feet as Lasi jumped up, both faced the Dragoon. Pter rubbed his chin.
"Well Loannthalas, how does it feel to claim your birthright?"
The elvaan smiled thinly.
"It feels good to wear the armour of my mother, even if by wearing it I'll be shunned by the so called 'upper class' in San d'Oria."
Lasi looked her up and down, grinning.
"Hey Loann... you look hot in your armour... how about coming with me and letting my black magic wand cool you... urk."
Loannthalas's wyvern jumped down and stood in front of it's master, glaring at Lasi. The black mage swallowed and ran behind Pter, then shouted at the elvaan.
"You'd better call off your little lizard, or... or..."
Loannthalas folded her arms across her chest and through narrowed eyes, glared at Lasi.
"Or what little one?"
The taru swallowed and hid behind Pter's legs, as the wyvern took a step toward them. Pter glanced at Loannthalas, who smiled and whistled. Her wyvern flapped it's wings and leaped into the air, to hover just behind it's master. Lasi swallowed, then stepped out from behind Pter, smoothing his priest robe.
"Well... you're lucky I don't know Firaga yet Loann... otherwise I would've..."
The wyvern hissed, causing Lasi to swallow again.
"Well... I would've used it... last night on that Yagudo who attacked me last night."
Pter chuckled to himself, while Loannthalas rolled her eyes. The corsair was about to respond, when a voice called out to him. He turned and smiled as he saw the hume Ranger approach him.
"Leod, when did you get here?"
The Ranger smiled and slapped Pter on the shoulder in greeting.
"Just came in this morning, had a few stacks of Silk Thread to trade at the auction house." he paused "Unless you want a couple."
Pter chuckled.
"I used to do some smith crafting, but not anymore."
Loannthalas stepped forward.
"Isn't Arielyanna rather accomplished at cloth synthing?"
At the mention of Arielyanna, Pter grew flustered, and Lasi smiled. The taru leaned against the fountain, grinning to himself
"What's the matter Pter old buddy... you always get flustered whenever THAT name is mentioned... Makes me wonder if there's something going on between you and her..." he paused as Pter grew more flustered. He then added "Perhaps I should let Ariel have some good old fashioned Taru Black Ma.. UMPH!!"
A large hand had grasped Lasi around his head, only his eyes could be seen over the edge of the hand that held him. Pter and the others looked at the large galka standing there, his large hand enclosed around Lasi's head, the taru's legs kicking in the air.
Loannthalas smirked as she looked at the galka.
"I was wondering when you were going to show yourself Flowing Wind."
The galka Monk known as Flowing Wind grunted a greeting, and looked at Lasi, eyes narrowed. Pter nodded at Flowing Wind, who shrugged and walked over to the fountain. Extending his arm holding Lasi over the water, he seemed to have a maniacal gleam in his eyes as he let go of Lasi.
The black mage fell into the water with a splash, causing Loannthalas, Pter and Leod burst out laughing. Flowing Wind chuckled to himself as Lasi rose to the surface, sputtering and spitting out water. Flowing Wind stood there looking at Lasi, hands on his hips and a big smile on his face.
Lasi managed to climb out of the fountain and land on the ground with a plop, water everywhere. He looked up at Flowing Wind, anger on his face. But with one look at the sudden stern countenance on the galka's face, Lasi decided to keep his mouth shut. Leod shook his head, his smile still on his face as he looked over at Pter.
"Well good buddy? Interested in this thread?"
Pter sighed to himself and faced Leod.
"Ok, ok, how many stacks?"
Leod rubbed the back of his head.
"Let's see... I have 8 stacks... and considering that a stack goes for about... ohh... 13 thousand or so..." he rubbed his chin, grinning "But since we're good buddies and all, I'll sell them to you for the mates rate of 10 thousand each."
Pter balked at the price, but swallowed and nodded.
"80 thousand all up eh?." he checked his gil pouch "I've got 60 thousand on me here... I can get the rest..."
Leod slapped Pter on the shoulder.
"Let's just make it 30 thousand and call it even. We've been in some pretty bad scraps before, so this'll just be a down payment off the debt I owe you."
Pter chuckled and accepted the items.
"Done."
While Leod and Pter were in negotiation, Lasi noticed members of Windurst's Star Onion Brigade, running from the direction of the dhalmel farm. He frowned and folded his arms across his chest.
"Looks like those dammed brats are up to no good again." he paused,then added "Especially considering who they have chasing after them."
No sooner had those words left his mouth, the Cat Burglar of Windurst, the mithra known as Nanaa Mihgo, tore down the passage, followed by two of her mithra cohorts. Lasi and his companions watched as the three mitha ran past, the former grinning and waving to Nanaa.
The cat burglar's response was a stony glare and a snarl as she ran past. The taru black mage threw his head back and laughed. Pter, Flowing Wind, Leod and Loannthalas looked at each other and frowned. Lasi's behavior has changed dramatically since he and their mithra friend, Enkidoh, separated. A year ago, Lasi and Enkidoh had been quite close, Enkidoh actually confessing to their red mage friend Arielyanna that she was in love with Lasi.
However, due to Lasi's... wandering eyes and hands... Enkidoh decided to end her relationship with the taru. At first, Enkidoh was quite depressed and moody, but that changed when in a party in Korroloka Tunnel, she and Arielyanna were assisted by a elvaan Dark Knight named Lokkii. Ever since that party, Enkidoh and Lokkii have journeyed together numerous times, causing their comrades to worry about how Lasi would take it.
Of course, the taru black mage had no idea of what's happened since he last saw Enkidoh, as he had spent the past year in Al Zhabi, helping his sister in her quest to find the avatar known as Diabolos. Loannthalas glanced at Lasi.
"Lasi, are you going to be alright?"
The black mage faced her, a grin still on his face.
"Alright? Of course I'm alright. Heh, when we meet up with everyone else tonight, everything'll be fine."
Pter frowned.
"Are you still hoping to try and sort things out between you and Enki?"
Lasi stroked his chin, his brow in thought.
"Hmmm... During my time in Al Zhabi with Dasi..." a thoughtful look appeared on his face "There were times when I just wanted to give up and quit... but I thought of her and everything seemed to work after that."
Loannthalas knelt next to the taru, her hand on his shoulder.
"You really love her, don't you?"
Lasi just nodded, his head bowed.
Meanwhile, Flowing Wind had his arms folded across his chest, a frown on his face. He looked at Pter, and with one hand made a sharp gesture. The corsair shook his head, and motioned for Leod and the galka to follow him. The three of them walked over towards the stall of the map seller, and stopped. Leod stretched his right arm, and looked at Pter.
"How do you think your friend is going to react when he finds out that Enkidoh is with..."
Flowing Wind closed his left fist and hit it into the palm of his right hand. Pter nodded sadly as he recognized what his galka friend meant.
"Yeah... I figure when Lasi finds out that Enki has found someone else... "
Leod finished for him.
"Fight time."
Pter nodded, and was about to speak when a female voice spoke from behind him.
"Up to no good again aren't you, eh corsair?"
Flowing Wind smiled and waved to the person, as did Leod. Pter slowly turned and faced the speaker, a grin slowly appearing on his face.
"Ariel, how've you.. ooph!
The red mage had swung her fist straight into Pter's jaw, sending the corsair to the ground. Loannthalas and Lasi looked up, a big grin reappearing on Lasi's face. Standing over Pter, her fists clenched tightly, was a Red Mage. Clad in the Trader's attire, a Decurion's shield on her left arm, with a Centurion's sword on her left hip, Arielyanna wore a cold stare on her face as she looked at Pter.
Pter sighed and rubbed his chin.
"I guess you still haven't forgiven me for what happened back in Jeuno."
His response was a swift kick to the stomach, Arielyanna glaring at him.
"You cheated me Pter... you owe me 300,000 gil..."
Flowing Wind started to chuckled softly, his shoulders heaving, as the others smiled. Pter struggled back to his feet and faced Arielyanna.
"Ok, ok, that was a bad deal I admit... but.."
The red mage moved quickly, grabbing Pter's tunic and bringing his face level with hers.
" 'A bad deal?!?' Due to your 'advice' you gave me, I let you take those six Ninja scrolls I had to sell for me, while I was in the East Altepa Desert!"
Pter shrugged.
"Well? I did sell them."
Arielyanna's eyes narrowed and she would've hit Pter again, if Flowing Wind hadn't pulled the corsair out of her grasp. She spat her words back at him.
"SOLD THEM?!? You sold them for only 10, 000 each scroll!"
Pter backed away from the irate red mage. Like the others, he knew that Arielyanna was also a accomplished Black Mage in her own right. Of course, over the last year, they've only heard bits and pieces of her whereabouts, and according to Enkidoh, had started training in other jobs as well. He swallowed nervously.
"L... Listen Ariel... I'm sure you and I can work something out... After all I do have some silk thread for you... eight stacks worth..."
Arielyanna glared dangerously at him, then stepped back.
"Whatever..." she looked around at the others "Where's Enki?"
Leod cleared his throat.
"I heard from Akujunkan, that she, Dohwa, Enkidoh and Xylia were heading off to Castle Oztroja for some sort of quest."
Lasi snorted.
"Damn... if I had of known they were heading there, I'd of gone there to join up with them."
Pter glanced at Loannthalas who nodded.
"I'm certain they'd have help with them Lasi." she looked at Arielyanna "Have you had any word from them?"
Arielyanna sighed, then looked away... a faraway look in her eyes as she concentrated her thoughts through her linkpearl. A moment later she sighed and adjusted her chapeau, and faced the others.
"Enki said she and the others will be back here tomorrow sometime. Until then, the reunion will be postponed."
Flowing Wind looked at Arielyanna and made a questioning motion with his hand. Arielyanna cocked her head to the side and chuckled.
"Don't worry. My brother will be here..." she paused, then "unless he's still haunting around Gusgen Mines, or Eldieme Necropolis..."
Lasi snorted.
"Only a Dark Knight would haunt those areas..."
Pter added.
"And knowing Trevernous..."
Arielyanna smiled.
"I pity anything which dares to get in his way."
In Windurst Walls :
Nanaa Mihgo snarled to herself as her two mithra cohorts ran off after the Star Onion Brigade, past the Auction house there. The stupid little rugrats had once again interfered in one of her operations, costing her a lot of gil and reputation with the merchants of Aht Urghan. She stood back and grimaced angrily.
"Damn stupid little kids... always sticking their snot filled noses into my business." she snorted "Everyone else can run a business, but not me?"
A mithra clad in leather armour stood nearby, watching her. Nanaa frowned as she looked at the dark haired mithra.
"Ahh... Wyreema dear, it's been awhile since I last saw you. How have you been?"
The mithran warrior watched Nanaa closely.
"I'm fine Nanaa. You're up to your usual tricks again?"
Nanaa shrugged.
"Just trying to make a few gil, like any business person." she smiled "Is that a crime?"
Wyreema sighed and walked towards the building the Auction house was housed in, and faced Nanaa.
"No, everyone needs to make a living." she glanced at Nanaa "A lot make money via legal means. You on the otherhand, are known to make money by other... 'unsavoury' methods."
Nanaa smiled, and adopted a look of feigned innocence.
"Wyreema, dear, are you accusing me of stooping to such... low and nasty methods to fulfil my business? I'm hurt."
Wyreema walked over and stood in front of Nanaa.
"All I'm saying Nanaa, is to be careful. The only reason I'm turning a blind eye to what you're doing now, is because we're former comrades. The other mithra guard here are keeping an eye on you, and not even your mate will be able to stop them from dragging you away, throwing you in prison and letting you rot in there."
Nanaa smiled broadly and chuckled.
"Well then Wyreema... you and everyone else seemed to of forgotten just who my mate is. And when he hears of how I've been threatened..." she leaned close to Wyreema "I wouldn't want to be you."
Wyreema smiled thinly.
"I'll take my chances with him. Even as powerful as he is, he has a weak point. It just has to be found... and exploited." her smiled mirrored Nanaa's "Whereas you do not have any support from Kazham, I on the otherhand do. Besides which, your mother isn't impressed with you so far... and if you're not careful, she may decide to visit you... in person."
With that said, Wyreema turned and walked away, leaving Nanaa fuming. As the cat burglar grinded her teeth, her two cohorts returned, panting.
"Sorry boss... we lost the little runts."
The other added.
"Just too quick for us..."
Nanaa faced them, anger evident on her face.
"You two are worthless! You had both better find them and get that pouch back or I swear, I'll throw you into the Outer Horototo and leave you there!!"
The two mithra paled, nodded and ran off in search of the Star Onion Brigade, as their boss littered the air with every profanity she knew, causing the people nearby to hurry on their way. Nanaa stormed off, back to her home in Windurst Woods, almost tearing the door off it's hinge as she entered her dwelling.
She proceeded to pick up items and throw them around the room, still cursing, when a shadow detached itself from the others and approached her. Nanaa spun around and came face to chest with a Dark Knight, who gazed at her from the depths of his helm.
"Something the matter Nanaa?"
Nanaa Mihgo smiled as she removed the Dark Knight's helm, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him passionately. When she broke the kiss, her smile was beaming.
"Nothing wrong now Trevernous... Nothing at all..."
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