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 Four :
Back in Windurst :
Enkidoh sighed as she stretched her arms above her head and smiled. She and her party had just returned from Castle Oztroja, and she felt relieved. The quest they had been on, they had attempted numerous times before, but only this time they succeeded. Now it was a time for them to rest, in Enkidoh's mind that is.
She looked over at the doors to Timbre Timbers, as they flew open, and out came a Hume Corsair, being chased by four angry Mithra. Enkidoh chuckled to herself, trust Pter to get himself in trouble with members of the opposite sex, he was almost as bad as Lasi.
Enkidoh frowned slightly as she thought of the Taru Black Mage, Lasi Onasi, her former lover. She admitted to herself and to her best friend Arielyanna, that she was in love with the Taru, and had even entertained thoughts of maybe marrying him. Those thoughts and hopes of Enkidoh's fell through, as Lasi's perverted and cowardly nature came through more and more, during the course of their adventures.
Lasi had the habit of forgetting whatever errands he had been sent on, or even in casting magic spells against enemies, if there was a female nearby. He'd always go and 'put on his charm' around them and openly flirt with them, even in front of Enkidoh and the others. Arielyanna even threw Lasi at a Canyon Crawler in Tahrongi Canyon once, in retaliation against Lasi who had 'felt her up'.
Enkidoh had known deep inside, that her relationship with Lasi wasn't destined to go anywhere, yet she still tried to make it work. The final straw came when Enkidoh, the Mithra warrior, Wyreema and the Taru White Mage Xylia, found Lasi, bare naked with one of Nanaa Mihgo's 'associates', Bopa Greso.
The Mithra White Mage ran off, with Xylia giving Lasi a disgusted look and then following Enkidoh. Arielyanna on the otherhand, had pinned Lasi against the ground and threatened to cut off his remaining ear, his other ear having been cut off by her volatile brother back in San d'Oria.
Ever since that day, she had refused to forgive Lasi, even returning all mail she received from him. It was Arielyanna who brought Enkidoh out of her shell, by asking her to accompany the Red Mage through Korroloka Tunnel, to the Kusotz region and to the small town of Rabao. The two of them were halfway through the tunnel, when they found themselves surrounded by Korroloka Leeches.
A passing Elvaan Dark Knight came to their aid and between the three of them, they made short work of the leeches. The Dark Knight introduced himself as Lokkii, who bent down to pick up Enkidoh's hammer. As he handed it back to the Mithra, their hands met, and they locked eyes.
Arielyanna had readjusted her tunic and threw her broken bow to the ground with disgust, as she looked over at her friend and the Elvaan. She rolled her eyes and sighed. The Mithra and Elvaan were still staring at each other, when Arielyanna noticed a large bulky mass detaching itself from the wall and heading towards them.
After shouting a word of warning, the Red Mage cast a spell of Fire, which not only lit up the immediate area, but also revealed their attacker. A Gigas loomed out of the darkness and between Arielyanna and Lokkii, they defeated it. Enkidoh, meanwhile, had stood back, clutching her hammer to her chest as she watched the Dark Knight in action.
The three of them arrived in Rabao around dusk, and Arielyanna headed off towards the auction tent, to get another bow and some more arrows. Enkidoh and Lokkii were sitting near the oasis in the middle of town, talking about the places they've been and what they hope to accomplish in their lives.
Enkidoh shook herself from her memories and looked once again at Timber Timbres. Soon, the others would be arriving here for the reunion set for that night. A group of people she trusted with her life. The Galka Monk, Flowingwind. The Hume Corsair, Pter. The Elvaan Dragoon, Loannthalas. Romulado, the Elvaan Paladin. Lasi Onasi, Taru Black Mage and his sister, Dasi.
And her best friend, Arielyanna. She smiled as she remembered that day, so long ago, when a female hume adventurer, only just started on the long road, required her assistance back in South Gustaberg.
"You certainly have come a long way from when we first met Ariel." Enkidoh murmured to herself "Loosing your mother when Tavnazia fell to the beastmen, and your father to Corsairs..."
Enkidoh closed her eyes and remembered that day when Arielyanna told her about her family. Mother and Father died when she and her older brother were still young, how she was found half drowned on Siren Sands as a child and raised by a old couple in Selbina as their own child.
The mithra White Mage opened her eyes and entered Timber Timbres, smiling. Akujunkan had done her job well, and had the tavern closed to the public, due to a private function.
"Trust Akujunkan to accomplish any task well." she smiled, bowing her head slightly and giving silent thanks to the knowledgeable Mithra, Akujunkan.
She sat down at a nearby table, still thinking to herself, when the door open and Xylia walked in, smiling as she saw Enkidoh. She waved and headed towards the mithra, joining her at her table.
"Enki! You look good with a smile on your face" the Taru WHM smiled and leaned forward slightly "Could it be because of a certain Elvaan Dark Knight on his way here now, even as we speak?"
Enkidoh felt her face turn red and she put on a show of feigned indifference.
"Wha? Who? I...ummm... errrr..."
Xylia laughed as she saw Enkidoh's face turn red, even her ears.
"Oh come on Enki, we all know that you and Lokkii are close. Personnally, I think it's a good thing, that two people can find each other, in a world like ours."
Enkidoh nodded her head and was about to respond, when the door opened, and in walked three of Enkidoh's old companions : Flowingwind, Pter and Loannthalas. The Mithra smiled as she got to her feet and bowed to the three of them.
"It's been a while, I hope you've been well."
Pter chuckled and sauntered towards the makeshift bar, pouring himself a drink.
"Life has been good! Can't ask for more than that."
Loannthalas smirked as she glanced at Pter from the corner of her eyes.
"Really? Why don't you tell everyone how you got that nice bruise on your face?"
Pter choked a little on his drink, then quickly regained his composure.
"Ahh... I don't think Enki wants to..."
Enkidoh sighed.
"Ariel hit you again, right?"
Pter had his mug to his lips, stopped and spoke.
"Just a... simple misunderstanding... that's all."
Flowingwing's shoulders heaved as he laughed to himself. He winced slightly and his hand went to his throat, rubbing it. Enkidoh and Xylia looked at each other, then faced the Galka. Xylia jumped off her chair and walked over to him.
"Your throat is still sore, isn't it?"
Flowingwind's shoulders slumped as he nodded his head slowly.
About thirteen months ago :
Just over a year ago, Flowingwind, Pter and Lasi Onasi, were in San d'Oria when the attack occurred. There was a minor disturbance in front of the Auction House in Southern San d'Oria, between some Elvaan Temple Knights and a Dark Knight.
One of the Temple Knights pushed the Dark Knight roughly backwards, laughing to his comrades. That was the last thing he ever did, as the Dark Knight's scythe separated the Temple Knights head from his shoulders. The other Temple Knights started to draw their weapons, as the Dark Knight's scythe sung again.
A Temple Knight, just heading in from Northern San d'Oria, turned and shouted at the gate guards to call for reinforcements, before drawing his own weapon and approached the Dark Knight. The Dark Knight turned and looked at this Elvaan, who watched him warily. The Temple Knight saluted his opponent... and his eyes went wide as the scythe in the Dark Knights hands separated his torso from the rest of his body.
That day, numerous Temple Knights died at the hands of this Dark Knight, and as the three companions watched, a group of adventurers drew their weapons and charged. With one fell swoop, the group of adventurers, lay on the ground dead. Flowingwing roared and used the Monk abilities, Boost and Dodge, then attacked the Dark Knight himself. Every punch the Galka threw, the Dark Knight evaded with ease. Frustrated, the Galka's rage overcame his reason, and he flung himself at the Dark Knight with reckless abandon.
The Dark Knight chuckled as he evaded the attacks, and then with hard, closed fist strike to the Galka's throat, Flowingwind fell to his knees holding his throat. Calmly the Dark Knight picked up his scythe and approached the wounded Galka. Flowingwind looked up and saw the Dark Knight standing there, scythe ready to end his life, when a blast of magical Fire and gunshots rained onto the Dark Knight.
Pter had his Trump gun drawn, and Lasi was preparing to cast another spell, when the Dark Knight tackled them. Grasping Pter by the throat, he lifted the Corsair into the air, onehanded, and proceeded to squeeze the life from him. Lasi picked himself up from where he had fallen, and gasped as he saw his friend gasping for air, as the Dark Knight laughed.
The Taru saw Flowingwind, pick himself up, and managed to strike the Dark Knight in the back, forcing him to let go of Pter, who lay on the ground panting. The Dark Knight snarled and slashed at Flowingwind, his scythe slicing into the Galka's throat, severing his vocal cords.
Lasi snapped...
With Elemental Seal already cast, as well as Aquaveil, the Taru threw every magical spell at his disposal at the Dark Knight. Having used every spell he had, the exhausted Taru fell to the his knees, looking at the smoke and fires his spellcasting had inadvertently caused. His eyes widened dramatically as the Dark Knight calmly walked out of the flames and looked down at him. With a single swing of his scythe, the Dark Knight had sliced off Lasi's right ear, the Taru screaming in pain.
With the carnage around him, the Dark Knight turned and walked off into the night shadows... leaving Pter crawling along the ground to Flowingwind, trying to keep pressure on the Galka's wound. Lasi, holding his severed ear in hand, called out for help, as some White Mages tried to aid those in pain. One managed to heal Flowingwind's wound... but not the damage inflicted.
Flowingwind winced again as the mermory came back over him, and he absentmindedly massaged his throat. Pter and Loannthalas shared a look, as Xylia casted Cure on the Galka. He smiled softly as the pain lessened, and he gave Xylia a look of gratitude.
Enkidoh, meanwhile, frowned. She had been in Kazham at the time of the attack in San d'Oria, and had rushed there quickly, to render what aid she could. She remembered the scene of horror as she entered Southern San d'Oria, the destruction and carnage. Numerous wounded, crying out for help, and even more who would never cry for anything again.
She had spent 4 days there, helping the Elvaan White Mages and others. Akujunkan and Xylia had responded to her call for assistance there as well, and the three White Mages had helped a lot of people there.
The door opened, and Loannthalas raised an eyebrow slightly, as the Elvaan Paladin, Romulado entered. The tall Elvaan looked at the others, and made a formal bow to them, Enkidoh smiling and returning the gesture. His stern countenance softened as he looked at Flowingwind.
"The wound still troubles you, yes?"
Flowingwind grunted softly, as he sat down. Romulado nodded sadly, then looked at Pter, who had sunk behind the bar. The Elvaan pointed at the Corsair.
"You. Come here."
Pter slowly rose from behind the bar, a weak grin on his face.
"Heh, heh... Romulado... how's it going?"
The Paladin walked over towards Pter, staring coldly at him.
"There is a warrant for your arrest in San d'Oria Hume... unless it wasn't you who had an... 'activity'... with three of the Elvaan priestesses there..."
Enkidoh rolled her eyes, as Xylia and Loannthalas laughed at the sheepish look on Pter's face. The Corsair stepped back, panic on his face.
"Hey! I didn't know they were priestesses! Honest! I'm not the kind of guy who goes around flirting with every female!!"
A low growl came from behind Pter, causing the Corsair to jump into the air.
"What about the Mithra guard earlier hume?"
Smiling with her hand on the hilt of her sword, Wyreema watched the Corsair get to his feet. She looked at Romulado and dipped her head to him.
"As a representative of the Windurstian guard, I am hereby authorised to hand over the dangerous felon, the Hume Corsair Pter..."
Pter jumped out and put his hand over the Mithra's mouth.
"Ah ah, let's not finish that sentence my dear..."
Wyreema pushed Pter backwards into a table, grinning as she pointed behind him. Even the Paladin Romulado smiled, as he saw the person standing behind Pter, with the rest of their companions. Pter slowly turned around and was rewarded with another punch to the face.
"WHAT?! What did I do to deserve that Ariel!?!"
Arielyanna stood there, smiling.
"You were born Pter."
Standing behind her where Anthyme, Orcrinvalkin, Lokkii and Kainvalkin, the latter tried to wipe some marks off his face. Xylia looked at his face closely.
"What happened to your face Kain? It's all scratched."
Kainvalkin looked up, a surprised look on his face. Orcrinvalkin, Lokkii and Anthyme all smiled at Kainvalkin's discomfort. The Hume White Mage sat down at a table, a sigh escaping his lips.
"It's nothing Xy."
Orcrinvalkin and Anthyme sat at the same table as Kainvalkin, as Lokkii walked towards Enkidoh, a smile on his face.
"Hey Enki... sorry about not meeting you at the crag... got... held up with Orc and the others."
Enkidoh looked at Orcrinvalkin, who smiled and waved to her.
"HEY!"
The Mithra White Mage ignored him, and had Lokkii join her at a table, the two talking softly together. Arielyanna frowned as she sipped her drink, half listening to Romulado. She knew Lasi and his sister, Dasi, would be joining them there soon. The Red Mage frowned slightly, there could be a problem when Lasi sees Enkidoh with Lokkii...
Just then the door opened and Akujunkan, Dohwa and Leod entered. With them was a hume Arielyanna hadn't seen in ages, and a smile appeared on her face. She hastily excused herself from Romulado, Wyreema and Loannthalas and approached the newcomer.
Leod noticed the scratches on Kainvalkin's face and smiled.
"What happened to you Kain?" he looked at the scratches "Kain... when a woman says No, she means No."
Orcrinvalkin and Anthyme burst out laughing as Kainvalkin sunk deeper into his chair.
Meanwhile, Akujunkan headed towards Xylia and Flowingwind, as Dohwa and Leod found Pter at the bar. She sat down next to Xylie and touched her lightly on the shoulder. The Taru looked over at the Mithra, a smile appearing on her face.
Apart from Arielyanna and Enkidoh, only Xylia knew Akujunkan's secret. 'She' was actually a male Mithra, passing as a female, to leave the Mithra homeland and journey the world. Xylia and Akujunkan always journeyed together, and have found themselves growing quite close and attached to each other.
Arielyanna hugged the newcomer, then stepped back, still smiling.
"Trixy! It's been awhile since I last heard from you, where have you been these last few months?"
The Hume Black Mage Trixy smiled.
"I've been busy over in Aht Urghan. Things there have finally started to settle down now, fewer beastman raids in Al Zhabi. So, because it was too quiet, I thought I'd come and look you up and catch up."
Arielyanna laughed as she sat down at a table, as did Trixy. As the two of them conversed together, no one noticed, that in a corner of the room, in the shadows, a Taru sat there alone. Lasi had worked all day one finding the courage he needed to ask for forgiveness from Enkidoh, and even to ask her to marry him.
He had seen her enter and her response to the Elvaan Dark Knight. He also noticed how Enkidoh and Lokkii were sitting close together, holding hands and talking quietly to themselves and his heart sank. The Taru Black Mage managed to sneak out of the tavern, and started to walk down the walkway towards Port Windurst, when two shadows loomed over him.
"Oh... excuse me..."
One of the shadows leaned down and stopped him, and as Lasi looked up, he realized who it was before him.
Nanaa Mihgo.
Which meant the other shadow was the same Dark Knight who had taken his ear over a year ago, Arielyanna's older brother and the mate of the Cat Burgular of Windurst.
The Dark Knight, Trevernous.
Nanaa Mihgo looked at the Taru closely. Normally he'd be all nervous and saying any sort of flattery to both her and her mate. Now, he wasn't and in her mind, that wasn't Lasi.
"Lasi... what happened?"
Lasi shrugged.
"Nothing... look... I've got to go... have some things I need to do in Jeuno. Tell the others and my sister, I said hi, and I'll see them later..."
The Taru walked past the two, leaving Nanaa and Trevernous to watch him leave. Trevernous wore the usual emotionless look on his face.
"He knows."
Nanaa looked at her husband.
"Mmmm?"
Trevernous turned and started to walk away from Timber Timbres.
"He knows about Enkidoh and Lokkii. Go and keep and eye on them, I'll follow Lasi."
Nanaa smiled, and folded her arms across her chest.
"As the Darrrk Knight who destrrroyed San d'Orrria, and is also wanted in Jeuno for destrrroying the docking berrrths for the airrrships?"
Trevernous stopped, looked over her shoulder at her, and winked.
"I have other jobs at my disposal. Take care and look after my sister."
Nanaa nodded, a sly grin appearing on her face.
"That I can do... for a small fee..."
Trevernous returned the smile.
"I'll get you something nice my dear."
With that said, Trevernous turned and blended into the shadows, leaving Nanaa alone. She sighed and turned on her heel and headed towards the tavern. As her hand rested on the door handle, she wondered what would happen if Trevernous was ever caught...
A smile appeared on her face as she knew the answer.
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