Ok, first off, I just really want to apologize to you all. I've been seriously neglecting this story in favor of other stuffs. I've been sick day in and day out, I've had friends over, and i've had lots of school junk (Currently we're suffering through midterms...).
Another problem was writer's block. I had no idea how i was gonna continue the story from where i left off. When i started writing this story, all i knew was how i wanted it to start, who i wanted the two main characters to be (Yoli and Isaac) and what the main point of the story would be... I haven't thought of an ending, or even a middle. Yeah, lets all wince together.
So, the way i write this story is:
1) Rainy day, I'm bored. Thus, story is born.
2)Random spur of inspiration forces me to write more.
3) repeat.
Yeah, unless I'm in a creative mood, i cant update. And ive been a lil bummed out lately, so i dunno how often that'll be. My other problem is that I know where i want to lead the story, but I'm having trouble getting there... So thats another thing slowing me down.
Lastly, my pc has been nice and broken, so any part of this chapter i wrote earlier is long gone... And i have a short term memory prob going on (xD), so i gotta start from scratch again.
Sorry for the long authors note (Had to get it out of my system), and on with... the story (Duh).
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He pulled out a scroll with a warp spell printed on it, and faded into a purple haze just as Isaac came to the top of the lift. He lunged for Sunder just as he disappeared.
Sunder felt that familiar floating sensation for a moment, before finding himself standing in his mog house, in Ru'Lude Gardens. Sighing dejectedly, he walked over to a chair and sat down at his desk, taking a moment to absorb the day's previous events.
Things were looking very grim. Not only had he been unable to resolve the problems in Bastok, but now he had to find a way to deal with Yoli. Sunder knew very well what kind of trouble Yoli was getting herself into, but how could he save her from it? Was it even his place to get involved?
Old feelings and faded memories made their way into his thoughts. "Yes, it is my place. It is my duty," He assured himself. Then he smiled wryly, another thought entering his mind. "Not that she'd listen to my reasoning now... Not after what happened today."
Sunder shook his head and stood up. "Ah well... Now's not the time to be thinking about that. First things first." He spoke aloud to himself, getting ready to report to the archduke.
A small beige ball of fur jumped at the sudden noise, nearly knocking over an expensive vase. "Kupo! W-who... Master? When did you get back? I didn't hear you, kupo!"
Sunder sighed. His moogle was... a slow one, to say the least. Sunder did his best to remain patient, though he didn't know whether he could deal with the creatures odd antics today. "Yes, it's me. Why? Did someone else come?"
His moogle did a quick spin and replied, "Yeah, kupo! Lots of visitors today, Master!" Sunder waited for the moogle to tell him more, but when the creature remained silent, he tapped his foot and and frowned.
"Are you going to tell me who came, or should I guess?"
"Oh! Of course Master, kupo! The Ducal Guards came by today. They said it was important, but when I told them you weren't home, they left a letter for you. I put it on your nightdesk, kupo!"
Sunder thought for a moment. "What? Why would they come here? Isn't one mission enough? I don't know how much more of this I can take..." He glanced around and noticed a letter with the archduke's seal on it. "Did anyone else come by?" He asked, picking up the letter and placing it into his item bag. He would read it on his way to the archduke. Years of running errands and treking around Vana'diel on a moment's notice had taught him at least one useful skill: The art of multi-tasking.
The moogle did another spin. "Yes, Master. Kupo! A pretty scary looking galka came looking for you. I think he said his name was Zeid, kupo! He asked you to meet him in Upper Jeuno," The moogle paused, noticing his master's expression change at the mention of Zeid. "Kupo! Is something wrong, Master?"
Sunder shook his head slowly and walked through the doorway. "No, it's just been... a rough day... Thank you, Mog."
With that, he was gone.
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Sunder walked towards the archduke's headquarters at a brisk pace, avoiding bumping into people as he opened and read the letter.
"... Jeuno requires your assistence in the rescue of Lady Annette Chevalier, a red mage sent to investigate the strange occurances at Delkfutt's Tower... Please report to the Auroral Palace as soon as possible for more specific orders..." There was more, but it was mainly a bunch of formalities Sunder didn't care to read.
"Odd... Why send me when the archduke has the entire Ducal Guard at his disposal...?" As he mused this, a group of Ducal Guards rushed passed Sunder towards the steps leading to the lower sections of Jeuno. "Well speak of the devil..."
As Sunder approached the stairs leading to the meeting room, one of the guards stopped him. "The archduke has requested that you head to Qufim Island immediatly. You will be briefed on the situation when you arrive there," He paused, and then added, in a less authoritative tone, "Please hurry, things don't look so good."
Without question, Sunder merely nodded and went off in the direction the other guards had previously gone off too.
As he walked off the staircase into Upper Jeuno, he felt a large hand grab hold of his shoulder. "Zeid..." He muttered, a look of hatred filling his eyes.
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"I already told you! I don't have time for this! Whatever he has planned, it isn't my duty to get involved until the archduke gives the word!" Sunder paced back and forth, shaking his head angrily.
"It may be too late then! We need to act now!" Zeid clenched his fists. Neither appeared to be on friendly terms with eachother, and for very good reasons.
"That is none of my concern right now! I have more important matters to attend to!" Sunder stopped walking and glared at Zeid. It was the same glare he had given him many times when he was younger. "Why can't he see that I no longer want anything to do with dark knights, or black magic, or that godforsaken Chaosbringer!?"
"This isn't about you! If Ravinthran finds Chaosbringer, he could unleash an entire army of undead to storm over Vana'diel!"
Sunder sighed, defeated. "I... Not at the moment. I have other things to attend to as of now. Just... just give me time to think things over..." He paused, before voicing his greatest concern. "Is this why you took on Yoli as your apprentice? Is it because you knew that this would happen?"
Zeid crossed his arms over his chest. It was at this moment Sunder noticed a bandage covering his entire right arm. "I took her as an apprentice because I saw her potential. She had nothing to lose."
Sunder gritted his teeth. Inside, he knew Zeid was right. But that instinct to argue, to prove him wrong, spiraled out of his control. "So you taught her how to be a cold, heartless killing maching? Was that her potential?"
Zeid shook his head languidly. "You still don't understand. She will only become what she makes herself. If she chooses to become a ruthless killer, then she will. Only she can determine that."
Sunder laughed bitterly. "So you decided to send her off on this wild chase, and now you want me to join as well?"
"Will you?"
Two words. Just two simple words. Yet, even though Sunder didn't realize it, they held the fate of Vana'diel. Sunder thought for a long moment. This could be the opportunity he needed to speak with Yoli. And although he still hated to admit it, he knew Zeid was correct. Ravinthran was someone who could not be left unchecked.
"Very well, but I must complete my current task first." Sunder then walked towards the staircase, intending to make for Qufim Island in all haste. He noticed Zeid walking behind him. "Don't tell me you intend to come too..."
"Indeed. This could lead to something that helps our cause."
Not having the strength or will to argue any further, the two made their way to the snowy island of Qufim.
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Sunder immediately recognized the Ducal Guard shouting out orders as Wolfgang. He glanced in Sunder's direction and made towards him quickly. He acknowledged Zeid with a nod. "Sunder! It's about time!"
"Sorry... I was... delayed," He replied, giving a quick glare towards Zeid.
Wolfgang motioned to the tower with his arm. The sky could barely be seen through the dark cloud swirling around the upper part of the tower. "See that? The archduke sent Lady Annette to investigate this occurence a few days ago. While she was there, she sent a distress signal through the linkpearl, though by now, we've lost all contact. I have my men searching the surrounding areas, but we'll need you, and I supposse you as well," He motioned to Zeid, " to head inside the tower and search thorugh the mid and upper levels. We've managed to clear out the lower levels ourselves mostly."
Sunder nodded and gave a salute. "Understood." Zeid only gave a curt nod.
Wolfgang walked away to continue giving his orders to the other guards. Sunder and Zeid walked over to the tower slowly, cautious of the strange bog surrounding it. Zeid looked over to Sunder. "Are you ready?"
Sunder glanced back. "Ready as ever."
They took out their weapons and rushed into the tower.
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Bang!
"Hey you!" The sudden noise and shouting awoke Isaac.
Bang!
"You better open up! I'm gettin' alot of complaints!"
Isaac gulped. "Crap! Busted!" He quickly grabbed Yoli's arm and dragged her out of the bed, nearly sending her flying.
"Wha-!" Was all Yoli managed to get out before Isaac clamped a hand over her mouth and walked quietly to the door.
Bang!
"That's it, I'm gonna come in there and drag you out myself!"
Yoli glanced at Isaac. "What's going on? Isaac... What'd you do?!"
He looked around the room nervously, avoiding eye contact with Yoli. "Um... Funny you ask... See, while you went to get a map, I took a look at those other merchant stands... Uh, and then I-"
"Shoplifted," Yoli finished his sentence for him. She rolled her eyes and grabbed her scythe. "Well, now what, masterrr thief?"
"Sarcastic til the very end, aren't we?" He thought to himself. Then a loud thump came from the door, causing both of them to snap their heads towards it.
"Any idea how we get out?"
Isaac looked around. "Quick, the window!"
"Grrreat, let's fly out!" Yoli said, angrily.
Isaac opened the window and swung one leg over. "More flying, less talking!"
Soon, the pair weaved their way through the markets and out through the gate to South Gustaberg.
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Yoli sighed as they walked. The heat of the desert didn't help either of their moods. Not having a chocobo only made matters worse. Finally, Yoli turned to face Isaac. "You can't keep stealing stuff! Don't you underrrstand how important this mission is? I can't afford to keep watch overrr you like your some little child!"
Isaac clenched his fists at this comment. Who did she think she was? "At least I don't go having emotional break-downs! Here's a piece of info for ya! I'm a THIEF. Stealing is what I do. You don't like it, then lemme go back home! Back to my friends." As soon as he said those words, he instantly regretted it. "How could I have said that to her? It wasn't her fault..."
Yoli narrowed her eyes at him. The look caused an inexplicable hurt to well up inside Isaac's chest. "Yoli, I didn-"
"Fine." Yoli held her voice steady, even though she knew it was on the verge of cracking. "All he's done is caused me trouble. If I never met him, I wouldn't even be here now. I'd be with Zeid, testing my new skills as a dark knight... But... How could he... How could he have just said that?" If it had been anyone else who had said those words to her, Yoli would have put up the emotional barrier she created for herself over her years of training. If it had been only a few days earlier, she couldn't have cared less that Isaac said those things to her. But it was different. It wasn't a few days ago. It was now. And it did hurt. More than anything she had experienced in all her years of training.
"What?" Isaac's words came out as a shocked whisper.
"Fine! You're rrright! I don't need you causing any more trrrouble than you already have! So go ahead, go home!" Yoli let her self-control go. She didn't care. Let him go... She didn't need him around...
Still...
As annoying as he had been, and as much trouble as he caused her... He was there. It was more than she could have said for anyone else. He was there when she needed someone to lean on. He didn't have to care. It didn't do anything profitable for him. But even so, he stayed there with her. He even comforted her.
No.
She was a dark knight. Pain was her strenght. If he took away her pain, where would her strength come from? Eleven years of training to rely on her pain and use it. She wouldn't let Isaac or anyone else take that away from her.
So let him go...
Those words stung. "...But..."
"What? It's what you wanted afterrr all!" Her voice cracked this time, but Isaac didn't notice.
"..." The only response she recieved from him was silence.
Isaac stuffed his hands into his pockets and turned to look away. That pain in his chest grew worse. He didn't know how to describe it. It didn't physically hurt him, but he could still feel it, constricting him, threatening to suffocate him altogether if he couldn't make it go away.
Why does it hurt?
Regret? Guilt? Something else?
Why would he be so upset? Why should he be upset? He was the one who shouldn't care. He had friends to go back to. People who cared about him, and wanted him to return. But still... There was something different. Something which he just couldn't understand.
When he was with Lynn or Ryan, he had fun. He trusted them, and he cared about them. Their friendship was an unbreakable bond nothing could take away.
And yet...
When he was with Yoli, she was cold, cruel, and serious. He couldn't stand that. But at times, when he would sit and talk with her, there would be an entirely different person there. One who was in pain. Someone who was suffering and alone. And who was afraid to change that. When he was talking with her, he felt a trust, a certain bond. It was faint, and confused him, but... It wasn't something to be ignored. She was the one who took him out of Jeuno, who pushed him into something he would have never entered by his own choice. She was the one who took every safety and comfort he knew, and pushed them all aside. And he didn't regret any bit of it.
They had formed a shakey friendship, but a friendship none-the-less. And a few harsh words from each of them tore it apart.
Yoli glanced over at Isaac. His head was still turned to her, and he refused to give her an answer. Taking his silence as agreement, she sighed, and took on a gentler tone, "Therrre should be a place to grab a mount by the Crag of Dem in the highlands... Frrrom there, just head norrrth to Jeuno. If you get lost, just look for the outpost we passed on ourrr way here."
Isaac nodded, and mumbled an 'Mmhmm', but still didn't turn to face her.
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A cool wind swept over the highlands as the two slowly approached the crag. It had taken almost a day to trek all that distance, and neither had spoken more than a word to each other the entire time.
Isaac glanced up from the ground and spotted a woman with a chocobo standing next to her. Yoli glanced over in the same direction and saw her as well.
Yoli quickly walked over to her. "How much arrre the mounts here?"
"Each mount is one hundred and twenty-nine gil, ma'am."
Yoli quickly pulled out the gil and handed it to her. Without so much as a word to Isaac, she climbed atop her chocobo and sped off.
Isaac watched her go. Then he glanced up towards the sky, which was turning a deep shade of pink with the sunset. "Dammit."
With that, he paid for his own mount and set off towards the marshlands.
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Well, that's all for now. I would say the next update is coming soon, but the last time i said that it took nearly half a year -.-
The ending kinda disappointed me... but i really couldn't think of another way to write it so it'll work.
Hope whoever is still reading this liked it, since it took me a looong time to make this chapter.
toodles!