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, 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 Nine -
A lone figure staggered into Bastok Markets, her clothing torn and damaged. The two gate guards looked at the woman, both of them recognizing her immediately. The blonde haired guard hurried to her side.
"Ayame.. What happened?"
The female Iron Musketeer gasped for breath.
"Need... Need to... speak with the... President... danger..."
The Blonde haired guard looked at the Galka guard.
"Rabid Wolf, stay here, I'll take her to the Metalworks."
Ayame clung to the guard as he half carried, half dragged her along.
"Pavel... San... d'Oria... War..."
Pavel's eyes went wide, as he heard her comment.
Later, in the President's office -
President Karst sat behind his desk, brow knitted in thought, as he listened to Commander Ayame's report. Beside him, stood his aide Lucius, his face was impassive as usual. In the room, was the new leader of the Iron Musketeers, a Hume named Volker.
They listened intently as Ayame told them what she and her team had uncovered. San d'Orian armouries were working well into the night, crafting weapons and machines of war. Ballistae and Catapaults were all in production, as well as two airships which had been docked there, before San d'Oria had sealed it's borders, were apparently undergoing refit into war machines as well.
Volker's face was crimson with anger as he heard the report.
"We defeated them once before with our muskets! Now, our forces have access to more refined and deadly weapons, thanks to Master Cid's expertise. If Prince Trion or Pieuje think.."
Ayame raised her head and spoke in a crisp tone.
"Prince Trion is now the ruler of San d'Oria, Prince Pieuje has been imprisoned under the Chateau d'Oraguille, for the assassination of their father."
Karst raised an eyebrow as he heard that, while Lucius frowned.
"Commander, how positive are you of this information?"
Ayame looked at him.
"My team was captured in La Theine Plateau, and taken into San d'Oria..." she closed her eyes, as she remembered what happened. She swallowed, then continued "The Galka, Orcrinvalkin and Naji were killed in La Theine..."
Volker hissed.
"Naji's dead?"
Ayame nodded slowly.
"We were imprisoned under the Chateau, and tortured by two of King Trion's servants. Leod died as a result of the torture we were forced to endure... we were betrayed by Arielyanna and Kainvalkin. They had contacted the San d'Orian forces and helped set up the ambush in La Theine."
President Karst looked at Lucius sharply.
"It was you who recommended this 'Arielyanna' for this mission Lucius... how sure are you of her background?"
Lucius shook his head.
"Arielyanna is no traitor, nor betrayer. She has accomplished assignments for me in the past and is true to Bastok."
Ayame sighed.
"I apologize sir, but your trust is misplaced. She lead my team straight into the ambush, and with the White Mage Kainvalkin, had us brought into San d'Oria. It was Kainvalkin who slew Naji... and tortured Leod. Arielyanna... she was the one who cut Orcrinvalkin down from behind, and tortured myself..."
Volker was furious.
"Damn you Lucius! Because of you, we've lost three Bastokans to traitors, and now San d'Oria is ready to go to war with us!"
Before Lucius could continue, Ayame spoke again.
"It's worse... Arielyanna handed over to King Trion, all the information she gathered here, about our military capabilities." she faced the President "In short sir, they know everything we have to throw at them, and even our battle tactics."
Karst stood from behind his desk. He faced Volker.
"Begin assembling our forces. I want reconnaissance teams to patrol Konschtat Highlands, Valkurm Dunes and La Theine Plateau immediately! Co-Ordinate with the Regional Teleportation service, to begin teleporting our forces into North Gustaberg and Valkurm Dunes. I want to draw the San d'Orian forces into fighting a battle on our terms."
Volker nodded.
"I understand sir, and that will take time to accomplish, however," he added as the President glared at him "do I have your permission to draft all adventurer's, currently in Bastok and our lands, into the force?"
Karst's face was red with anger.
"Do that! Have them positioned in the front of our forces! They shall be our foot soldiers against San d'Oria."
Volker saluted.
"The battle shall be fought once again in Konschtat Highlands. We defeated San d'Oria there once before, we shall do so again!"
Karst nodded as Volker left the office, with Ayame. Lucius, arms folded across his chest looked at the President.
"Sir, I do not believe this is a wise course of action."
Karst faced him, arrogance on his face.
"And why is that Lucius?"
Lucius frowned.
"Ayame has been acting weird ever since she returned. And this information she has... it's just too neat. I hate to say this sir, but I don't trust her. I believe that if we go through with mobilizing our forces, we'd be walking right into a trap."
The President glared at Lucius, anger evident in his features.
"Ayame is a loyal Iron Musketeer, and true to Bastok! These others... are just adventurer scum, who's loyalty is only counted by how much gil they're being paid!"
Lucius looked at Karst, taking a step forward.
"Sir! Don't do this! This is all wrong... it... it doesn't feel right sir. Please, reconsider this course of action!"
Karst snarled and chopped the air with his right hand.
"ENOUGH! I have already given the order, and I have no intentions of backing down now!" he paused "YOU Lucius, since you are so fond of the Adventurers... YOU shall command them from the frontlines!"
Lucius paled slightly, and was about to respond, when Karst turned and left his office. The President's aide walked over to a window, and sighed as he looked out over Bastok.
"This is wrong... I feel as if we're playing right into the hands of the Puppetmaster pulling the strings of San d'Oria..."
In the Metalworks -
The Chief Engineer of Bastok was annoyed as he looked at Volker.
"Ye cannae be serious Volker! This is absurd!"
Volker sighed. Cid never made things easy for him.
"Listen Cid... we have our orders and we have to follow them. All new weaponry you have is to be made ready for the upcoming battle."
Cid spat on the floor and poked Volker in the chest with his right hand.
"Listen here boyo... me weapons don't go to battle, until AFTER they've had a full field test and are safe to the user, understand?"
Volker's face bristled with barely restrained anger.
"I don't have time for this Cid! Our team we sent to San d'Oria, with the exception of Ayame, was wiped out and betrayed by two of the members. We have to avenge the deaths of the Bastokans who fell to treachery, and we have to protect Bastok!"
While Cid and Volker argued, outside Cid's workshop, Ayame stood looking intently at the linkpearl in her hand, the circlet around her head glowed softly.
( I have fulfilled your orders Master. Bastok is preparing for battle and is sending some reconnaissance teams to the areas surrounding Konschtat Highlands. All of Bastok's armed force and any adventurers here, are heading to Konschtat by the end of the day. The fight is to be held there. )
In the Chateau d'Oraguille, sitting on his throne, Emperor Raido laughed insanely as his two Black Mages, stood on either side of the throne, giggling to themselves.
"FOOLS! THEY ARE ALL FOOLS! Soon Bastok will be no more, and belong to me! This is all too easy!!"
He looked over at the two San d'Orian royalty, kneeling in front of him.
"Trion! Pieuje! The two of you will lead MY forces to Konschtat Highlands and engage the Bastokan fools! However!" he leaned forward in his throne, leering evilly "Keep the Bastokans there... do NOT allow them to escape... just.. keep them there..."
The two Princes nodded slowly as they stood, bowed to their Emperor, then left the Chateau d'Oraguile. The Elvaan Samurai, Siflan, watched all this closely, then looked at Raido.
"Luring the forces of Bastok to Konschtat... you have a... 'surprise'... waiting for them, yes?"
Raido grinned evilly as he leaned back in his throne, as the two Black Mages continued to giggle to themselves.
"Now, now... that would be telling Siflan. Heh, heh, this is going to surprise the world!"
Deaths Head -One good thing about having problems with my PC, was able to work on this story on my other PC (Which unfortunately, does not have internet hook up. Oh well.) Please R&R.