Final Fantasy XI : 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, Shannon, Gleamingblade and Baldur are characters of my creation as well.
The characters – Akujunkan, Enkidoh, Xylia, Leod, Dazrahe, Dohwa, Kainvalkin, Ardara and Orcrinvalkin are actual members of the Linkshell I'm a member of, on the Midgardsormr server of Final Fantasy XI.
The characters – Nanaa Mihgo, Bope Greso, Naji, Ayame, Lucius, Star Sibyl and President Karst are owned by Square Enix (SE).
Any italised text between ( ... ) is linkshell chat.
Any italised text between ) ... ( is the character's own thoughts.
Chapter 8 –
The Mithra Warrior, Wyreema, looked at her companion, a young Mithra Monk who had collapsed panting to the ground, and smiled.
"You've made it through the Meriphataud Mountain range and Sauromongue Champaign Ardara. How do you feel?"
The young Mithra panted softly to herself as she raised her head to face her superior.
"I'm... I'm glad that's done..." she raised herself to her feet "Whenever I want to head to Jeuno again, do I...?"
Wyreema chuckled.
"No... I'll take you to Upper Jeuno, to the Chocobo Stables so you can get your Chocobo License."
Ardara smiled and nodded, as Wyreema turned and entered Port Jeuno. No sooner had they entered, when a voice called out to them. The two Mithra faced the speaker, a smile spreading on the elder Mithra's face.
"Dazrahe! It's been six months since I last saw you, where've you been?"
The Elvaan Red Mage, Dazrahe, smiled as she walked over and embraced her friend.
"You know me Wyreema... just going where the wind takes me."
Wyreema laughed as she stepped back and looked at her friend. A grin appeared on her face.
"Sounds like you Daz, a freespirit."
Dazrahe chuckled, and folded her arms across her chest.
"A freespirit I may be, but the wind has blown me here..." she looked around and frowned "These are bad times."
Wyreema nodded and looked around them as well. Fear was hanging in the air, thick and dense. All the people wore nervous expressions on their faces, huddled together in groups whispering to themselves. Jeuno guards were out in force, keeping a stern eye on things and watching everyone.
Ardara glanced around, as she walked over to the Auction House. She had just started to look through some of the weapons on offer, when her ears picked up the conversation two others were having next to her. Even as young as she is, Ardara knew to pretend to keep looking over the merchandise, as she listened to the Elvaan and Galka talk.
The Elvaan spoke in a quiet tone.
"I'm telling you it was weird... a mixed group of adventurer's were ambushed somewhere near Xarcabard... By a group of San d'Orians..."
The Galka frowned.
"Been hearing lots of weird things... concerning San d'Oria..." he looked around, then faced his partner "Talk says there's a new ruler in San d'Oria... one who's ousted the royal family and taken control."
The Elvaan sighed and stepped back from the counter.
"This sounds bad my friend... I'm willing to wager, that soon... soon it will happen again..."
Ardara's eyes went wide, as she manged to barely restrain her shock, and walk calmly away from the Auction House towards Wyreema and Dazrahe. The two stopped their conversation as Ardara approached them, Wyreema taking note of the young Mithra's face.
"What's wrong?"
Ardara looked at the two, swallowed nervously, and then repeated to them what she had heard. Dazrahe and Wyreema both frowned.
"War... Twenty years ago, the Crystal War ended... now, it's reared it's head again..."
Wyreema nodded slowly.
"Daz... I think it's time we got back to Windurst. Even though the Star Sibyl most probably knows, I think it'd be best to pass on the information we have... even if it's just second hand information."
A cocky male face spoke from behind them.
"Not just second hand information ladies..."
The three turned and faced the Hume Corsair, Pter and Elvaan Paladin, Romulado. Wyreema studied the two.
"What do you mean Pter?"
The Corsair sighed, and fidgeted with one of his daggers. Romulado spoke softly.
"We were asked to go to Kazham to retrieve some information that Gilgamesh had uncovered, by the Star Sibyl." he paused, a dark look on his face "It's not good news I'm afraid."
Dazrahe sighed to herself.
"This isn't good... A friend of ours, Dohwa, was sent on a mission to San d'Oria sometime ago." Dazrahe frowned again "There's been no word of her since."
Romulado raised an eyebrow.
"She is a competent swordswoman and knows how to take care of herself. However.."
The Elvaan Red Mage nodded slowly.
"I know, yet I'm still worried. She should've sent word back, either a letter or over the Linkshell. I've been considering going to look for her..."
Pter dropped his dagger, bent down to retrieve it then straightened.
"Wouldn't advise that. San d'Oria is NOT the place to be at this point in time." he sheathed his dagger "Considering what information we have."
Romulado readjusted his shield, then spoke.
"We need to get going Pter. The Star Sibyl will want this information."
Dazrahe stretched her right arm, then turned and headed towards the residential area.
"I'll go and change, be right back."
As the Red Mage left, Ardara spoke in a quiet tone.
"What do we do now? I mean... where do we go from here?"
Wyreema faced her, placing a hand on Ardara's shoulder.
"Don't worry, things will be fine."
Ardara nodded slowly, worry etched on her face. Wyreema wore a look of mixed concern and worry on her own face. She glanced over at the Corsair and Paladin, who wore similar looks on their faces.
It was then Dazrahe returned, garbed in the attire of a White Mage. She looked at Wyreema.
"Have you heard what happened to the group sent by Bastok into San d'Oria to look around?"
Wyreema stiffened slightly, as did Pter and Romulado. Dazrahe nodded, understanding dawning on her.
"You have heard of that..."
Wyreema faced Dazrahe.
"Daz, can you teleport us to the Crag of Dem? We need to get back to Windurst quickly."
The Elvaan nodded, and proceeded to start casting the spell, Teleport-Mea. Wyreema, Ardara, Pter and Romulado gathered around her. Ardara noticed the dark look on Pter's face.
"Are... are you alright?"
Pter blinked twice, looked at her and smiled, as Dazrahe proceeded to finish the spell.
"I'm fine... no problem."
In Beacedine Glacier -
Two figures walked through the blizzard, which seem to constantly blow through the region. One of them was a Taru Black Mage, and his companion, a Hume Dragoon. Both of them walked with their cloaks wrapped around their forms. The Taru hissed to himself.
"I hate this place! I really, really, REALLY hate this place!"
His Hume companion growled behind his helm.
"Would you shut up Lasi... or else I swear the next cliff we 'happen' to go past, I'll throw you off it!"
Lasi Onasi, Black Mage genius (in his own words, that is), nodded. Even though his companion was wearing the garb of a accomplished and skilled Dragoon, Lasi knew that Trevernous's skills in multiple jobs, made him extremely deadly and dangerous.
Trevernous sighed to himself as he trudged along, back to the Teleport Gate, Lasi following along.behind. He disliked his current location, mainly because he had Lasi with him. Still, considering how the Taru had left Windurst the night of the Reunion party, Trevernous had followed him to Jeuno.
There, he had found out where Lasi was heading, to Xarcabard, to a gorge. Trevernous had smiled behind his helm as he saw the lights surrounding this particular area. The Taru had triggered a Chaos Elemental to appear. Of course, Lasi fell backwards, too scared to do anything, as the elemental closed in on him.
At that moment, Trevernous had leaped into the fray, his Wyvern, Khirsah, flew around and distracted the elemental as the Dragoon grabbed and hurled the Taru back against the wall. As Trevernous and his wyvern attacked the elemental from both sides, Lasi finally drew his wits together and joined the battle. Between Trevernous, Khirsah and Lasi they made short work of the elemental, allowing Lasi to retrieve an item called, the Glowstone.
That battle occurred sometime ago, and ever since, the three of them have been busy hunting some monsters. Now, having had their fill of monster hunting, were now heading back to the gate crystal, hoping to find a party near it, to teleport them back to civilization.
Lasi smiled as he held the Glowstone in his hand, holding it up to the light. He chuckled to himself.
"Piece of cake... heh, with this, my future as the greatest Black Mage ever is assured!"
Trevernous rolled his eyes, turned on his heel and snatched the Glowstone from the Taru's hand.
"You want this, yes?"
The Taru jumped, trying to grab the Glowstone.
"Damn it Trevernous! Give it back! I need it!"
Trevernous snorted and threw the Glowstone.
"Go fetch!"
Lasi gasped, and ran after it, tripping a few times in the snow. The Glowstone landed in the snow, just as Lasi leaped and fell short of catching it in his hand. Trevernous laughed as he saw the Taru slowly stand on his feet, wiping the snow off of his face.
"Eeeeee yuck... I hate snow!"
Trevernous laughed.
"It sure seems to like you Lasi..."
Lasi growled to himself as he stepped forward, towards the Glowstone.
"Yeah, yeah... you know, one of these days I'm gonna... gonna..."
The Glowstone lay shining in the snow, next to the hilt of a Great Katana. He brushed some of the snow away, and found a large bundle of cloth, half buried in the snow.
"TREVERNOUS!!"
The Dragoon snarled and whirled to face Lasi, eyes narrowing as he saw the bundle. He approached Lasi, and knelt next to the bundle, taking note of the blood starting to appear in the snow. He reached down and tore some of the cloth away, revealing a half frozen Mithra, covered in wounds, barely alive.
"She's still alive Lasi... only just..."
Lasi frowned as Trevernous slowly dug the Mithra out from her cold prison, lifting her in his arms.
"What happened Trevernous... I.."
Trevernous faced Lasi, holding the Mithra in his arms.
"Lasi, Fire..."
Lasi raised an eyebrow, then nodded as he turned and cast Fire at random locations around him. As the magical fire melted the snow, it revealed something interesting.
A dead Elvaan Paladin, whose armour was dented and burnt in numerous places. The Paladin's two killers lay next to his body, wearing the colours of San d'Orian Royal Knights. A wyvern was also found, frozen and pierced by numerous arrows, it's head had been blasted by a Thunder spell. Next to the wyvern, was it's Galka master, missing his head.
Lasi frowned and sat down on a rock, looking at the scene before him.
"What... what..."
Trevernous looked at the 'rock' Lasi was sitting on.
"Lasi... stand up."
Lasi stood up and looked at the 'rock'. The 'rock' was in fact, the Galka Dragoon's head. The Taru jumped backwards, gasping.
"Wha... what..."
The Hume Dragoon wore an impassive look on his face, as he spoke.
"Lasi... burn them... burn their bodies."
The Black Mage looked at Trevernous, face white but nodded slowly. The magical Fire came forth once again, consuming the fallen bodies. The snow melted quickly, as Trevernous motioned to the Great Katana. Lasi picked up the weapon and followed Trevernous, as he headed towards the gate crystal.
The trek through the snow was uneventful, one party passed them, where Trevernous had the White Mage of that group heal the Mithra. Now, no longer near the death, the Mithra remained unconscious as Trevernous and Lasi finally stopped next to the gate crystal.
Lasi, not being able to see the Mithra's face clearly before, recognized her as Trevernous lay her down next to the crystal.
"Dohwa... That's Dohwa..."
Trevernous nodded as he removed a coal black linkpearl from a hidden pouch and focused his thoughts.
( Nanaa.. sorry for not being in contact... Found Dohwa... frozen and near death. Lasi and myself are heading back to Windurst now. )
While Trevernous conversed over his linkshell, Lasi spoke to the party of adventurers, the White Mage of the group having healed Dohwa. He faced Trevernous, who had replaced his linkpearl back in it's hidden pouch. The Dragoon looked Lasi.
"We need to get back to Windurst now. Nanaa has some information for us."
Lasi frowned slightly as Trevenous once more picked up the unconscious Dohwa, as the White Mage proceeded to cast Teleport-Mea. Soon, only the wind blew near the gate crystal, as the group was teleported away.
Deaths Head -I apologise about the late update, been having a lot of computer problems. Please R&R.