PinkFae the Spelunker
20 WAR/10 MNK
Based on the MMORG Final Fantasy XI developed and published by Square Enix. Besides being a fan, the author is not associated with the video game.
PinkFae slowly walked up the wooden steps to Balasiel, an old Elvaan. He was still standing in the same spot he was the last time she saw him, watching the people walk by from atop a walkway in Southern San d'Oria. He glanced over at PinkFae, slowly stroking his small, grey goatee with his thumb.
"Don't tell me," he said, "I never forget a face. PinkFae, isn't it?"
PinkFae nodded her head, her tail wagging back and forth very slowly. "Yes, sirrr, that is corrrrect. I have come back after gaining more experrrience as you said. I have been to the grrrand city of Jeuno and fought at the island of Qufim. Now, please, tell me what you know of my mother."
Balasiel smiled brightly at the Mithra and he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Ah, you've come quite a way since last we met, I see. The answers will come to you in time, PinkFae. I can tell you have learned much since we last meet. Your wild Mithra nature is tamer, and I can see the tears of Altana in your eyes." He paused, looking deep into her eyes. His gaze made her fur stand on end, and she quickly looked down at the road beneath her breaking his spell. "I believe you are ready for another task!"
PinkFae sighed, "not anotherrr task! How many more tasks do I have to do until you think that I'm ready?"
"Only you can answer that question, PinkFae. Now, I'd like you to go to Ordelle's Caves. You'll find the entrance in a valley on La Theine Plateau. These caves are also called the Body Caves. Know you why?"
PinkFae shook her head vigorously, annoyed having to play his game by his rules.
"It is because the caves are shaped like the body of a person. You are acquainted with its structure, yes?"
The Elvaan didn't pause for her to answer. "Where in the body would lie the belly, in the cave flows a waterfall of much beauty. I want you to visit the waterfall, and return hither. I want proof of this trip, however. Bring me something out from that place. You must choose something." Without another word, the Elvaan went inside his home.
Seeing that there was nothing she could do, PinkFae headed towards the Chocobo Stables to make her way to Ordelle's Caves.
"You look very upset, foreigner," an Elvaan said to her as she passed by. "You don't find San d'Oria to your liking?"
"I beginning to think that the Starrr Sibyl was wrong," PinkFae said stopping to talk.
"The city is verrry nice, but the people are not verrry helpful."
"Perhaps I could be of some help to you, Mithra." He stuck out his hand. "Chanpau is my name, and I will help you as much as I'm able to."
PinkFae shoke his hand, "I'm PinkFae, and thank you. I have to find a waterrrfall in Orrrdelle's Cave. Do you know about it?"
"Oh yes, it is a sacred spot for those who worship Altana. I'm afraid I don't know too much about it. You should talk to Morjean he's an expert on Altana. You can find him at the Cathedral's Manuscript Room in Northern San d'Oria."
PinkFae thanked the Elvaan and bid him farewell. Excitedly, she raced towards the Cathedral.
PinkFae found the Manuscript Room with very little trouble. It was the only room in the Cathedral filled with volumes and volumes of books. Standing next to one of the many shelves was an Elvaan with his hair tied back into a ponytail. He was showing passages in a book to a young Hume male. The two of them glanced over at the Mithra as she entered the room.
"Welcome," the Elvaan said, "please feel free to look around. I shall be with your momentarily."
PinkFae nodded her head in understanding as the two went back to their discussion. She looked around at the titles of the books lining the shelves. Many of them were texts about the Dawn Goddess, there were also works on white magic and biographies on missionaries.
"Thank you for your patience," the Elvaan smiled to the Mithra. "Is there something specific you were looking for?"
"Are you Morrrrjean?" PinkFae asked.
"Yes, I am," he nodded. "I am the Templar Archivist at the Cathedral. Everything you see here is open to the public to enlighten people on the works and teachings of Altana along with the history of the Kingdom of San d'Oria."
"I need to know where to find the waterfall in Orrrdelle's Cave," she explained. "Balasiel wants me to go there for some reason."
"Ah, he is sending yet another on an exploration of the sacred waterfall," the librarian said nodding his head slowly approvingly. He turned to the young Hume whom was quietly reading a tome in the corner of the room. "Maxstorm," he called out getting his attention, "perhaps you should go with this Mithra on her journey. You read about the Ordelle's Cave, perhaps seeing it first hand would be a good experience for you."
The White Mage glanced over at PinkFae and smiled slightly. "I would be happy to journey with her," he responded. "Although I have not been there, I did managed to obtain a map of the caves. Do you know why the place is sacred, Mithra?"
PinkFae shook her head not knowing if she really cared to know the reason why.
"Ordelle's Cave is also called the Body's Cave because it is in the shape of a body. In the very center of this body is a waterfall that is said to be the very tears of the goddess herself. You can still see her tears dripping from the very rocks in the room. It is a very sacred place for us White Mages."
Morjean nodded his head in agreement. "The place is infested with Goblins and other fowl creatures now," he added. "Only those brave enough make the pilgrimage."
Since Maxstorm didn't have a license to ride a chocobo, the two adventures set off for the caves on foot. During their journey, they learned that they both were from the Federation of Windurst. "I lived there my entire life," Maxstorm informed PinkFae. "Just recently I decided to learn the ways of the White Mage. It is my dream to spread her message of healing and love to all the citizens of Windurst." A twinkle formed in his eyes as he imagined his goal become reality. "How about yourself, Pink? What are you searching for during this age of adventurers?"
"I just want to know what happened to my motherrr. She left me when I was very young to fight in the Crystal War, but never returned. So far my only lead is Balasiel. From what I learned from the Star Sybil, he knows something about her, but so far he hasn't told me a thing."
"Perhaps your mother was a paladin," Maxstorm said matter-of-factly.
"A paladin?" PinkFae questioned. "I can't see my motherrr becoming one, orrr any Mithrrra forrr that matterrr."
"Why else would the Star Sybil send you off to see Balasiel if she wasn't?" Maxstorm studied his new friend's face careful. "You don't know who Balasiel is, don't you?"
"What do you mean? What is he?"
"During the time of the Crystal War Balasiel was one of the most sought after Elvaans in all of San d'Oria for those who wanted to train as a knight of the kingdom." Maxstorm explained. "Some of the best paladins today were pupils of his. Now in his old age, he initiates people into the order." Maxstorm paused and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"So you think that my motherrr was once a pupil of his?"
"It is possible," Maxstorm answered, "but, like you said, a Mithra paladin is a very rare thing, especially during the times of the Crystal War. Look, up ahead, the entrance to the caves."
The waterfall was not hard to find as the sound of it echoed throughout the cave. They had a little trouble making their way through the tunnels since it was infested with bats and goblins. There was a beastmaster who was slaying the vermin which helped them sneak past them all.
The cavern that housed the waterfall was cool and had a slightly sweet smell. There were a few strange looking beasts inside that had the head like a mushroom and the body of a frog. Pinkfae was afraid they might attack, but they simply ignored the two of them. They both slowly and cautiously approached the pool of water.
"Look, the pool, it sparrrkles!" exclaimed Pinkfae.
"It surely is the pool of the goddess," Maxstorm said in awe. "I read that this pool is her very tears. Look!" Maxstorm pointed up at a stalactite where drops of water were slowly dripping down. "It is like she is still crying!"
Pinkfae knelt down, peering into the pool as Maxstorm went off to investigate the stalactite. She dipped her paw into the cool, clear liquid and took a swallow drink. It was some of the best water she has ever had, even better then the water served in Jeuno. Suddenly, an image started to appear in the reflection of the pool.
It was the Star Sibyl's chambers in Heaven's Tower. She was talking to a Mithra who was dressed in red Mithran savage gear. She couldn't hear them saying anything. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she realized that the Mithra she was talking to was her mother Violetfae. Before Pinkfae could contemplate what they might be talking about the image faded away.
"No! Come back!" PinkFae shouted, slapping at the pool of water.
Maxstorm turned around in surprised. "Keep your voice down, Pink. You might lure some goblins upon us."
"I saw an image in the pool," PinkFae explained, her voice stuttering. "She was with the Starrr Sibyl in Heaven's Towerrr." PinkFae jumped to her feet, "she might be there rrright now! We have to go!"
"Wait," Maxstorm said as he went to the dripping stalactite. "I wish to collect some of the dew from here."
PinkFae nodded, "I betterrr do the same to prrrove that I have been herrre."
The two of them went back to talk to Balasiel. "Ah, you're back, and in one piece!" The old Elvaan exclaimed. He smiled when he saw the sacred dew that was on her glove "And you've brought proof of your trip to the waterfall. Well done!"
"I saw an image of my motherrr with the Starrr Sibyl," PinkFae explained. "I was wondering if you know what it might mean."
"The pool grants visions of the past to those who gaze into it and have a pure heart," Balasiel answered.
"Was therrre any chance that my motherrr learrrned the ways of the paladin frrrom you?"
The Elvaan paused for a bit, "You will learn soon well enough when I believe the time is right. Here, a certificate to mark your accomplishment. Keep it always. When you've progressed further, visit me again. Next time, a thorough test of your mettle will be in order! And you will learn more of what you seek." He nodded slight to the Mithra and the Hume and went into his home.
"I had a feeling he was going to say that," PinkFae mattered.
"Perhaps the Star Sibyl will be able to answer some of your questions," Maxstorm suggested. "Besides, I was going to head back to Windurst. I need to pick up some items I left in storage in my Mog House there. We could go there together."
PinkFae agreed to travel back to the Federation with her new friend.
The gates of Windurst began to come into view in the horizon marking the end of their long journey. The two of them had to walk the entire way since Maxstrom was not able to rent a chocobo from the stables. PinkFae was happy for the companionship from someone that she could have a conversation with.
"Well, here we are," Maxstorm said as the approached the entrance. "It was good to meet you, Pink."
"It was nice to meet you as well, Max."
"Hey, would you like a linkpearl for the linkshell that I belong to? We call ourselves the Children of Alanta. I think you would fit right in with the rest of us."
PinkFae eyes lit up with excitement. She was hoping to find a good linkshell to join ever since she saw a Tarutaru using one in Jeuno. If the members were as nice and helpful as Maxstorm once she was sure that the shell would be a very good one to join.
"I would love to join," PinkFae answered.
Maxstorm took out a small sack and handed her a pearl. "All you have to do is hold it close to your ear and mouth to use it," he explained. As she did so Maxstorm talked over the shell, "hey, everyone I got a new member, PinkFae. Everyone please welcome her."
Various voices came over the pearl welcoming her to their linkshell community. PinkFae answered back with a heart-filled hello.
Maxstorm saluted PinkFae, "may the blessings of the goddess be with you. Take care and see you soon!"
PinkFae bowed, "thanks for all your help. May your enemies fall at your feet."
With that, the two went their separate ways.
Pinkfae made her way to the Clerical Chamber of Heavens Tower. The chamber had three Tarutarus standing behind a desk with large tombs. "May I be of assistance?" asked the Tarutaru standing in the middle. Pinkfae recognized him as Kupipi, the clerical assistant to the Star Sybil.
"I would like to gain an audience with the Starrr Sybil," Pinkfae requested.
Kupipi narrowed his eyes at the Mithra. "I'm afraidaru that you need to obtain a Starway Stairway bauble key to request to speak with her. I don't recognize you as one of those who are on my list who has the key."
PinkFae shook her head, "no, I don't have a key. If you could please, was therrre a VioletFae who saw herrr this morning?"
"VioletFae?" The Tarutaru looked up at the ceiling, lost in thought. "No, no one by that name has been her today, but that name sounds very familiar to me." The Tarutaru hopped up on a small step ladder and reached for a book nearly as big as himself. He leafed through the pages repeating her VioletFae's name over and over again softly to himself. "Yes!" He exclaimed. "Here it is! VioletFae, she was sent out to San d'Oria to meet with Balasiel by the Star Sibyl over twenty years ago. Her order is marked as being incomplete. She was told to report back."
"Now, Kupipi, you know better then to tell everyone the orders of the Star Sybil, no matter how old they might be." The voice came from a Mithran ranger that just entered the chamber.
"Forgive me, Semih," said Kupipi bowing her head in apology. "I didn't think it would cause any harm, seeing as it was an old order."
The leader of the Sybil Guard raised her hand in reassurance. "No harm has been done. Besides, I think it is time for Pink to know what happened."
PinkFae looked at her confusingly, "I saw my motherrr talking to the Starrr Sybil in a magical pool at Orrrdelle's Caves. Did she rrreport back from this … orrrder?
Semih shook her head, "no, she has never reported back. What you have seen was in the past, not the present." Semih paused gathering her thoughts. "I knew your mother, Pink. She fought along side us during the Battle at Windurst during the Crystal War. She was part of the Mithra Mercenaries that were assigned to defend Shiva's Gate. She was a good fighter, but just did not know when to withdraw. While other rangers would fire off a volley and then pull back, she would stand her ground." Semih looked at the floor shaking her hand, "I've never seen a ranger fight that way before."
Semih looked back up at PinkFae, "she had the valor of a tigress protecting her cubs in her, so I suggested to the Star Sybil that she be sent San d'Oria to train there."
"Then my mother was a paladin?" PinkFae asked.
Semih shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know what became of her. She was suppose to train with them and then come back to share the knowledge with us." Semih Lafihna place her hand on PinkFae's shoulder. "Both I and the Star Sybil would like to know what happened to her as much as you do."