Final Fantasy XII : The Tides of Darkness

Disclaimer -I do not own Final Fantasy XI or the world portrayed in it. I do, however, own the following characters – Arielyanna, Trevernous, Pter, Romulado, Loannthalas, Dasi, Lasi, Flowing Wind and Wyreema. Also the characters – Raido, Siflan, Acacia and Shannon are characters of my creation as well.

The characters – Akujunkan, Enkidoh, Xylia, Leod, Kainvalkin and Orcrinvalkin are actual members of the Linkshell I'm a member of, on the Midgardsormr server of Final Fantasy XI.

The characters – Naji and Ayame are owned by Square Enix (SE).

Any italised text between ( ... ) is linkshell chat.

Any italised text between ) ... ( is the character's own thoughts.

Chapter Six -

Port Jeuno -

It had been a month since the reunion party in Windurst, and Pter and Romulado were waiting patiently for the airship to Kazham. The Elvaan smiled as he watched the Hume Corsair absentmindedly rubbing his cheek from where Arielyanna had struck him, the night before she left Windurst.

Romulado sighed to himself as he readjusted his swordbelt. He and Pter were to head to Norg for a meeting with the pirate leader Gilgamesh. Apparently he had some information about the strange going ons in San d'Oria.

Both he and Pter were requested by the Star Sibyl of Windurst to retrieve this information. Pter looked over at Romulado, as he sat on the dock, playing with his daggers.

"Tell me once again why the Star Sibyl wanted us to do this mission? Why not Akujunkan, or even Enkidoh? They're Windurstian... I'm Bastokan and you're San d'Orian... why us?"

Romulado looked at him, a thoughtful look on his face.

"I must admit, I was a little surprised about being asked to do this mission... considering our current allegiances." he folded his arm across his chest "Still, considering that we aren't Windurstian, that could be the reason."

Pter frowned.

"Because we're not known as Windurstian's... which means that anyone with ill intent towards Windurst..."

Romulado nodded slowly.

"The Star Sibyl wants to be cautious, and with all the rumours coming out of San d'Oria, it is prudent to gather as much information as possible."

Pter stretched his arms above his head, and stifled a yawn.

"I turned down a presidential request, to return to Bastok for this mission Rom..." he shrugged "All things considered, I'd rather work for the Star Sibyl, than for President Karst."

The Elvaan Paladin smiled.

"It could be worse my friend... Bastok could be ruled like San d'Oria, a King who just sits on his throne, while his ministers bicker amongst themselves and his two sons plotting and scheming to take control."

Pter was about to respond, when the airship touched down in the water and made it's way to the dock. The Corsair stood and dusted his trousers, and looked back at Romulado.

"Well... our ship is here... let's go and get this mission over and done with."

Romulado took one more look around the dock, before following Pter aboard the airship. His own private thoughts about his homeland and what may be happening there. He just hoped that the information that Gilgamesh had, wasn't as dark as he feared.

In Jugner Forest -

Orcrinvalkin snarled to himself as he slew another Funguar.

"Stupid bugs! Why don't they do the world a big favour, and let me kill them without putting up a fight!"

The rest of the party frowned to themselves as they watched him. They had just arrived in Jugner Forest, via Jeuno and Batalia Downs. Leod, one of the party members looked over at the party leader, the Hume Ninja and Iron Musketeer, Ayame.

"Well, I'd say apart from some mindless killing, by a mindless Galka," he ignored Orcrinvalkin's snide comment "we made a successful arrival here."

Ayame nodded as she took note of their current surroundings.

"So it would seem Leod, so it would seem." she looked at the other members, noting two were missing "Where's Arielyanna and Kainvalkin?"

Orcrinvalkin snorted and folded his arms across his chest.

"Knowing Kain, he's probably gone and gotten himself into trouble and Ariel went to bail him out."

Naji, sword held ready as he looked around them, spoke.

"I think they went to scout ahead. Make sure nothing was lying in wait for us... or something."

Orcrinvalkin growled softly.

"It's the something... I swear, when I next see that scrawny little White Mage, I'm gonna make him scream for another White Mage to help him!"

Leod shook his head, then looked at Ayame.

"Arielyanna is a competent warrior and mage. She knows how important this mission is, and wouldn't do anything jeopardize it's success."

Ayame took the information in, and motioned for the others to follow.

"I see. The President's aide, Lucius, recommended her for this mission, so he must have faith in her and her abilities." she started off after Arielyanna and Kainvalkin "Still, scouting ahead is a wise course of action."

As the four companions made their way through Jugner Forest, a San d'Orian Ranger watched them from his vantage point. He held his linkpearl and spoke over it to his leader, the self styled Emperor of San d'Oria, Emperor Raido.

( My liege, intruders are making their way to La Theine Plateau. They have the bearing of Bastokans to them... )

In the Chateau d'Oraguille, sitting on a elaborate throne, Emperor Raido sneered with contempt at the news his Ranger told him. He glared at Siflan, Shannon and Acacia.

"I want one of you to intercept this group and bring them back here for questioning. If that pompous fool Karst sent them, I want to know what they were told and what they were sent to find out."

Shannon giggled softly to herself as Acacia spoke to their lord.

"My Emperor... what if we were to capture and then send them back to Bastok, wearing one of..." she motioned at the circlet one of the guards were wearing.

Raido grinned evilly.

"Not a bad idea my dear... not a bad idea at all..." he stood up from his throne "Go, and bring them here... alive... for now..."

La Theine Plateau -

Kainvalkin sighed to himself as he readjusted his Traveller's hat and looked at the female Hume Red Mage next to him.

"Well Ariel... looks like the path is clear all the way to West Ronfaure."

Arielyanna wore a cautious look on her face, as she readjusted her custom made gloves, and then her Garish Tunic.

"This is too easy Kain... I've got a bad feeling about this."

Orcrinvalkin laughed out loud.

"You worry too much Ariel! The San d'Orian scum will fall beneath my sword if they even get the idea in their empty elvaan, san d'orian heads!"

Leod and Kainvalkin both rolled their eyes, as Naji himself seemed to echo the same sentiments as Orcrinvalkin. Ayame walked over and stood next to Arielyanna.

"What do you think Red Mage?"

Arielyanna frowned.

"Think about it, we've had no official word from San d'Oria, only rumour and gossip. All envoys which have been sent here, have been turned away." she also looked down the edge of the ravine "Also, considering our current position here, near Ordelle's Caves..."

Ayame nodded as she looked around them. To the north, west and east of them were rocky hills and behind them the ravine. Arielyanna gripped her Centurion's sword tightly and nodded towards the north.

"Ayame... If I was going to spring an ambush...,"

She drew her sword, as Ayame and the others drew their own weapons as San d'Orian Royal Knights appeared on top of the rocky hills, their weapons drawn. A Mithra Black Mage looked contemptuously at the group and sneered.

"If I were you, I'd surrender.. if you want to continue to live that is..."

Ayame looked over the San d'Orian troops, her own weapons held ready.

"We retreat... Ordelle's Caves..."

Orcrinvalkin roared in defiance.

"RETREAT?! NEVER! I'LL SEND THESE SAN D'ORIAN SCUM TO THEIR GRAVES IN PIECES!!"

Kainvalkin swallowed as he held his Yew Wand ready.

"Uhh... guys... we're seriously outnumbered here..."

Leod held his Bandit's gun drawn and loaded to fire as he backed towards the path leading to the caves.

"I agree with Kain... discretion is the better part of valor."

Naji stood next to Orcrinvalkin.

"We're Bastokans! I'm with Orcrinvalkin, let's make these guys pay!"

Orcrinvalkin laughed as he swung his greatsword above his head.

"Ha ha! Naji, stay with me, and you won't get lost!"

The Galka Dark Knight and Hume Iron Musketeer charged the San d'Orian line, as Ayame hissed.

"Damn Naji! I'd expect this from Orcrinvalkin, but not Naji!"

Kainvalkin sighed as he proceeded to cast Protectra, while Ayame cast Utsusemi : Ichi on herself. Leod sighed to himself and was about to fire, as Arielyanna glanced down the path. She grimaced as she saw more Royal Knights heading towards them, weapons drawn.

She then made her decision.

Throwing down her weapons, she raised both her arms in the air and shouted out to Black Mage.

"CALL THEM OFF! WE SURRENDER!"

Ayame and the others looked at her with disbelief on their faces, as the Royal Knights approached them. Kainvalkin, was the first of the companions to drop his weapons, and stood next Arielyanna. He spoke softly to her.

"I hope you know what you're doing..."

A slight sigh escaped her lips, as the others grudgingly dropped their weapons and raised their arms.

"I do Kain... I do..."

The Mithra Black Mage laughed, in a haughty tone.

"My, my, you spies certainly are co-operative. However, to ensure your continued co-operation..."

She cast Sleepga on the group, causing them to fall to the ground in a crumpled heap. She smiled as her soldiers tied them up and retrieved their weapons.

"Now this is better..." she faced the Royal Knight next to her "Back to the Chateau, I'm certain Emperor Raido will want to... 'question'... these spies personally... and I want to be there when he does."

Deaths-Head -Please R&R. Next Chapter is a little shocking... You've been warned.