Tools of the Empire
Chapter 2
Terra and Celes walked through the forest. If they couldn't find anyone else in the forest, then they hoped that the others might be in a nearby town or somewhere. They didn't dare think for a second that the two of them were all that was left of their group.
There was a rustling in the forest, and the two women stopped walking. They looked around, trying to find the source of the sound.
Suddenly, two Were-rats leapt out of the bushes and attacked, one of them biting Terra's arm. Celes gritted her teeth and sliced the monster in two. She charged at the second Were-rat, which quickly dodged and tackled her on the back. Celes was knocked to the ground, and the monster advanced upon her, drooling and licking its lips.
Celes looked up upon hearing the creature gasp. Terra had stabbed the Were-rat with a dirk, and she allowed it to fall to the ground, no longer a threat.
Terra walked over to the blonde woman. "Are you alright?"
Celes chuckled, smirking. "I should ask you the same thing. That's a very nasty wound you have there."
Terra looked down at her arm, which was bleeding profusely. "I...didn't notice it."
"Of course you didn't. A Were-rat's bite injects a strong paralyser into the body, and causes increased blood flow. If it were anywhere other than your arm, you would be able to barely stand." Celes reached into her Items bag, and brought a bandage and a potio. "Come over here, and I'll get you fixed up."
Terra nodded, and sat next to the blonde knight. She ddn't react when the bandage was laid over her arm, but she gasped and gritted her teeth as Celes poured the potion over her arm, causing the paralyser to be removed instantly. Celes gently rubbed the potion in, being sure not to cause Terra anymore pain.
"That should do it." The blonde said. "Just keep the bandage on, and you should heal up nicely."
Terra nodded, smiling gratefully. "Thanks."
Celes got up. "Well, let's get going. We still need to find the others."
"If there is anyone else left." Terra muttered, looking sullenly at the ground.
Celes placed her hands on the half-Esper's shoulders, a fierce expression on her face. "They ARE alright! We must believe that, we must have faith! Don't fall apart now, Terra!"
The other woman was convinced. "But, I saw..."
"I don't care what you think you saw, they are alive! I'm sure of it! Now, get up, and we can continue onwards! Do you WANT to be monster food?"
Terra shook her head, and the Runic Knight lifted her up. "Good. Now, let's get going."
The two of them walked onwards, deeper into the forest.
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Ultros grumbled. They had been walking (well, Ultros more like shuffled, and Chupon floated) for HOURS. And they STILL couldn't find those pests!
"This is all YOUR fault, Mr. Chupon!" Ultros screeched. "If you hadn't sneezed, we would have a far easier time finding them!"
"Fungaah!"
"I don't care if it WAS due to the Floating Continent exploding! It was YOU who sent them there, YOU who made them get away just as we were about to CRUSH them, and so you must share responsibility!"
"Fungaah!"
"We WERE winning! We had them on the ropes!"
"Fungaah!"
"I'll have you know that I didn't run away! I was....I was merely retreating for a short while so I could plan an effective counter-strategy." The octopus looked around shifty-eyed.
"Fungaah!"
"Well....." Ultros shook in rage, trying to think of a good comeback. ".....So's your mother!"
"Fungaah!"
The two of them continued their bickering as they walked deeper into the forest.
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Terra and Celes stopped. Before them lay a spring, shining in healing power.
Celes turned to her companion. "I don't know about you, but I could dow ith something to drink!"
She ran over to the spring, quickly kneeling down and heartily drinking up the water. Terra followed her at a more sedate place, and kneeled over to have some water herself.
"Aha!" A familiar voice shouted. "We meet again, my delicious little morsels!"
The two young women turned, and were confronted with the sight of Ultros and his partner, Mr. Chupon.
Celes drew her blade. "You again. Don't you ever give up?"
Ultros grinned, chuckling. "Oh, no. Where would all the fun be in that? Besides, I don't want to disapoint my fans!"
Celes ignored the octopus, and charged. She was pushed back Chupon's sneeze, and she fell to the ground in a heap.
"HAHAHA!" Ultros cackled. "It seems that Mr. Chupon's sneezes DO have a use!" His eyes narrowed at Terra. "I think I'll go for something...exotic!"
He sent a tentacle at the green-haired girl, but Celes jumped in the way. She fell to the ground, the attack giving a suprisingly large amount of damage.
"CELES!" Terra cried.
Celes shakily tried to get up, using her sword as leverage. "Don't worry about me.....Just.... protect yourself!"
Ultros cackled. "I wasn't expecting that, but I doubt you can go for seconds! Mr. Chupon, finish Blondie! I'll have that lovely morsel standing by her!"
Terra glared at the octopus, and focused her energy. A red aura surrounded ehr body, and she held her hands out.
"FIRE!"
A massive ball of flame was sent into Ultros' body, and the octopus cried in pain.
"YEEEEOUCH! SEAFOOD SOUP!"
The octopus leapt into the spring, scaring away the single turtle swimming in it.
"FUNGAAAAH!"
Terra turned to the floating monster, and focused her energy again.
"FIRE!"
Another fireball was sent out, but as soon as it hit the monster, Chupon sucked it in, leaving the creature unharmed.
Ultros leapt out of the water. "HEY! Why didn't you do that when they hit ME!?"
"Fungaah!"
Ultros was taken aback. "What!?" He then closed his eyes in thought, nodding. "I see. you make a good point." He turned back to his quarry. "Well, let's finish this!"
Terra gulped, seeing that the odds were against her. She looked down at Celes, and she glared at the two monsters in determination.
She wouldn't fail. Not again. She would make sure that she protected Celes, no matter what the odds.
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And so, I bring you another installment, slightly longer this time!
I just love Ultros! He is such a great source for comedy, especially when partnered up with Mr. Chupon!
I have tried to portray certain elements in the games (potions, magic) into what I believe they would be llike if used in a more realistic world. How do ya like how I did that?
Next time, the conclusion of the fight!
Hope ya enjoyed it, and please comment!