Final Fantasy: Rise of Despair
When we last left Harris and company, Harris battled with the powerful Colonel Chief. Chief's resourcefulness with his abilities at first seemed to be too much for Harris to handle, but Harris turned some of Chief's own magic against him and even evaded the all-mighty Ultima Charge attack in order to defeat him.
Syack had a change in opinion about the group after seeing them battles selflessly to help protect people they did not even know. And after a little heart to heart with Harris, Syack decided to lend his assistance to the group. Now they are in Syack's house making plans.
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy: Tactics Advance, I do own the characters and plot.
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Our Last Hope?
Everyone was gathered in Syack's house, kneeling on cushions on the floor around the pedestal where Syack sat. "So then, you whippersnappers came this far to bring the four of us clans together and then you had no other ideas?" Syack asked.
"Well, I figured that this was the first step." Harris said. "Once we gathered the four clans it was best that the clanmasters agreed on a next course of action. And of course input from everyone else is appreciated." Harris said.
"Hmmm… that's plausible. So… any other ideas?" Hunter asked.
"I say we storm Bervenia!" Mendoza shouted.
"Bad idea." Everyone responded simultaneously.
"Why?" Mendoza asked.
"Think about it. Despite our strength, the Black King will probably have more guards than we can imagine protecting the capital." Heidi said.
"Sheesh… that idea was weaker than Hunter is." Laura commented.
"What was that!" Hunter yelled.
"The logical choice would likely to go and unite with other clans but…" Kyle started.
"But there aren't any other clans besides Clan Liberation that would be worth noting." Gilbert said.
"So let's go join with Clan Liberation." Monty said.
"That's probably not the best idea either." Mendoza said.
"Why?"
"Remember, I used to be a part of the clan. I know that the clan is very prideful, and may feel insulted if we unite with them." Mendoza said. "The clanmaster there is kind and wouldn't mind receiving any help he can, but he acts in the interest of the other members and unless we're joining them the other members might not be too crazy on the idea." Mendoza continued to explain.
"Hmph… young people these days. So conceited." Syack said.
"Maybe we should just go and find other clans to unite with." Heidi said.
"After all, it only makes sense that if we build our strength we'll likely be strong enough to defeat the black king once and for all." Hunter said.
"No." Harris said.
"Huh?" Everyone looked at him.
"This alliance we have going now would probably only end up buying time… but no matter how many able fighters in Ivalice we found we would never have enough to have any hope of fighting the Black King." Harris said darkly.
"What! Why didn't you tell us this sooner?" Monty whined.
"Sheesh Harris, I never though you'd be the kind to say something like that." Laura said.
"I'm not saying this to bring everyone down, but it's only the truth." Harris said. "This alliance. If we gathered enough, maybe we'd destroy the army, but its leader would never fall to us." Harris said.
"Then there really isn't point to this." Gilbert said.
"If the head remains he'll learn from his mistakes and regain his power." Kyle said.
"How would you even know?" Laura asked.
"I was there at the massacre ten years ago." Harris said.
"You were in the tournament?" Hunter asked amazed. "I didn't get the chance to sign up."
"No… I had no interest in ruling Ivalice, so I just watched." Harris answered.
"So clanmaster Harris, you must have been in your late teens or something." Mendoza said.
"Ugh… I'm older than I look." Harris said.
"So early twenties?" Monty guessed.
"Augh, my age isn't of importance here." Harris said.
"Let him finish you twits." Syack barked.
"Anyways… whenever the Black King battled in the tournament, he never even had to move from where he started. Spells didn't seem to harm him, attacks were instantly countered, and even with my senses I could barely see the swing of his sword." Harris said.
"That's disturbing… especially considering what I've seen you do." Hunter said.
"But that wasn't the worst of it." Harris said, his tone growing ever darker.
"What was it?" Heidi asked.
"His mana…" Harris started.
"What about it?" Kyle asked.
"He had a massive amount of mana. Far more than anything I've felt before. I've felt high mana levels before and he could top that amount of mana by several fold." Harris let that sink in. "His mana didn't feel right either. It was foul; there was nothing normal about that mana. His mana reeked of malice and hatred, almost like something not of this world." Harris said.
"That's… chilling." Hunter said.
"Yeah, for a weakling like you." Laura said.
"Would you stop that!" Hunter yelled.
"Isn't there something we could do?" Heidi asked.
"…" Harris seemed to hesitate for a moment. "I can't think of anything." He said.
"I can." Syack said. Everyone, even Harris turned to Syack with a lot of surprise.
"You can?" Everyone asked.
"Well, what? What?" Monty asked excitedly.
"Please tell us." Mendoza begged.
"Pipe down you whippersnappers or I won't tell ya!" Syack threatened. "Sheesh. There is a legend… a legend that stands out among all fables." Syack said. Everyone looked at him, especially curious. Only Harris looked at Syack differently, his look was almost like that of a defeated shock.
"May I ask what it is?" Kyle is.
"Hmph… the rest of you whippersnappers could learn some manners from him." Syack said. "Anyways… legends speak of five very powerful warriors. Warriors of such tremendous might that they could wipe out an entire army without even a scratch if they choose so…" Syack said.
"Oooooohhhh… this is making me tremble!" Monty said excitedly, Mendoza doing the same thing.
"Shush." Gilbert whispered. "Sheesh, they act like kids." Gilbert thought.
"They are known as, the Five Race Masters." Syack said. Harris showed a look of sheer shock while others certainly reacted. "I can see some of you have heard this legend." Syack said.
"I've heard this legend but…" Hunter started to say.
"Each of these five warriors is a member of one of the five races, and each one is said to have mastered and is able to use every single skill of their race and more." Syack said. "They are the Bangaa Race Master; Possessing physical strength and close combat skill beyond compare. The Moogle Race Master; The most dexterous and cunning of the Race Masters. The Nu Mou Race Master; He is said to possess magical powers that can raise tidal waves and level mountains if used to their fullest extent. The Viera Race Master; The swiftest and highly adept with weaponry and magic. And finally, the Human Race Master; The sheer variety of human abilities have given the Human Race Master tremendous physical and magical ability." Syack told them all, leaving a few of the listeners in awe.
"Is there any more to this legend?" Kyle asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes, their legend supposedly began when a great tragedy had hit their lives that involved losing ones that were near and dear to them. After that, they united and spent several grueling years building their strength to reach the level they are at. The most surprising thing about the legend is the work ethic they had. Since they were supposedly so young when they started building their powers, it is impressive that they continued to train tirelessly. A work ethic that none have ever had since." Syack said.
"That is impressive…" Heidi said.
"After their training was complete, after several years of growing strong. They somehow stopped themselves from aging to ensure that they would be around to protect the innocent for as long as they did not die in battle." Syack said.
"Is such a thing even possible?" Gilbert asked.
"For them it is." Syack said.
"Yes… I've heard all of that but… that is just a legend isn't it? We'd be wasting time chasing something that might not exist." Harris pointed out.
"True… it could be just a legend, had I not seen one of them with my very eyes." Syack said.
"You saw one?" Laura asked curiously.
"That's amazing!" Mendoza declared.
"Yes… it was some time shortly after I lost… my grandson…" Syack said.
"You lost your…" Monty started to say before Harris quickly slapped his hand over Monty's mouth to shush him.
Flashback…
Syack was walking by himself close to the Uladon Bog. He had saved his friends, but he had not saved his grandson. "Oh my grandson… forgive your foolish grandfather." Syack said. He finally stopped and dropped to his knees. "I'm sorry." Syack said letting the tears flow down his cheeks.
"Hey old man! Give us your valuables!" A human thief threatened. Syack found himself surrounded by that thief, a moogle thief, a bangaa white monk, a nu mou black mage, and a viera archer. "Well, will you give us your valuables or die?" The thief threatened.
"My life doesn't matter any longer. I've lived long enough, and seen enough tragedy." Syack answered bitterly. "So go ahead." Syack said.
"You as…GUAH!!!" The Moogle thief suddenly fell down dead as a blur dashed among the bandits, with the bandits falling to the ground dead shortly.
"What?" Syack looked around curiously and he saw a shadow in the trees. The silhouette was apparently that of a bangaa's. "Who are… aaaaahh…" Syack gasped. He had never felt such a large amount of mana. "Wait… could you be…?" Syack started to ask.
"Be who? I doubt that I am anyone of importance." The Bangaa answered.
"Master Casey!" Came a bangaa's voice. The bangaa appeared in the shadows and Syack could barely make him out, but he could tell that the bangaa had promptly shut his mouth.
"I will… say nothing of our meeting here." Syack said with a deep bow.
"It is well that you don't. We will probably never see each other again, so it would do no good." The bangaa in the tree said. "You have experienced a great loss. But whatever happens, you can't let it destroy you." With that, the bangaa vanished.
End of Flashback…
"Hmmm… well that's all well and good, but that still doesn't give us the slightest hint where to look for him." Harris said.
"He has a point." Heidi sighed.
"Well, I have one lead actually." Syack said.
"Sheesh, the old man is full of surprises today." Hunter said.
"Quiet you whippersnapper!" Syack snapped.
"You really need to learn when to speak weakling." Laura said.
"What was that!" Hunter yelled.
"Both of you stuff it! I have more to tell you." Syack said. "Sheesh… A few years ago, a few black soldiers were patrolling the area close to here. I was about to mobilize the clan, but once we got ready to strike, someone had already beat us to the kill." Syack said.
"Really? Who?" Kyle asked.
"Some members from Clan Liberation." Syack said.
Flashback…
"Well now what clanmaster Syack… those guys already got them." The dragoon pointed out.
"Who are they?" Syack asked bitterly. "And what the heck are they doing in my area of the bog?" Syack snapped.
"Here's some binoculars…" The Dragoon passed some binoculars to Gilbert and he snatched them away, grumbled and looked through the binoculars.
"Bah… Clan Liberation… what are they doing all the way over here?" Syack asked, clearly annoyed.
"They seem to be talking about… getting a map to an important Black Army storehouse." The Dragoon said, straining to hear what they were talking about. "Must be important, I just heard one of them address one of the others as clanmaster Adam." The Dragoon said.
"Hmph… I don't care if this guy is the leader of Liberation, I just want him to hurry up and leave before I put on that ghost routine again." Syack said. He looked through the binoculars and saw a bangaa that the others were saluting. "It can't be…" Syack said as he looked at the bangaa.
"Is something wrong clanmaster Syack?" The Dragoon asked.
"I'm… going to bed…" Syack said.
End of flashback…
"It was the same bangaa that was traveling with that Race Master. There is no mistaking that the Bangaa Race Master's ward is…"
"Adam the Liberator…" Everyone finished almost hypnotically.
"Well… what do you think Laura?" Kyle asked.
"I say why not? I really just want to see if these Race Masters are as powerful as they're being described as being.
"Hey… we either meet the race master, or increase our chances of getting Clan Liberation's help. It's practically a win-win situation." Hunter analyzed.
"It leads us to my old clan anyways." Mendoza said chuckling a tad.
"What are the odds?" Monty asked.
"Not very high, I can tell you that much." Gilbert said.
"What do you think Harris?" Heidi asked. Harris closed his eyes, deep in thought for a few minutes, everyone staring in anticipation.
"Well…" Harris sighed. "I guess this is our only hope." Harris said with a half-smile.
"Alright! Let's go then!" Monty cheered.
"Mendoza, where is Clan Liberation based?" Harris asked.
"In Sprohm. There are other bases that we move to sometimes when the clan has long missions, but Sprohm is the one they are generally at." Mendoza answered.
"Sprohm? Aw man… that's awfully far from here." Hunter said cringing.
"Hm… that is a slight problem." Kyle said.
"Well darn it." Syack said. Everyone thought for a moment. "Sheesh, what are we supposed to do? Oh I just remembered something!" Syack said.
"Is it a way to get to Sprohm?" Monty asked.
"Not now whippersnapper, clan business." Syack hissed. He walked to the door and opened it up. He took a deep breath and… "HEY!!! WHO IS SUPPOSED TO FEED THE CHOCOBOS TODAY!?!" Syack shouted. After he closed the door and turned around… "Now how to get to Sprohm…" Syack continued thinking. Everyone just stared at him in disbelief. "What? What are you all looking at?"
"You have… chocobos?" Heidi asked in disbelief.
"Yeah… so?" Syack asked. Everyone then fell over anime style. "Oh wait… we can use those chocobos to get to Sprohm! Good thinking everyone." Syack said, completely oblivious to everyone.
"Are we sure having him along will be okay?" Hunter asked.
"Yeah, he'll certainly be a better addition than you." Laura said.
"GAH! Do you have anything better to do than insult me?" Hunter yelled.
"No." Laura said.
"Ugh…"
A few moments later everyone was in a stall with five chocobos. "Well, there we are." Syack said.
"There's only five." Mendoza said.
"Well, they can certainly carry more than one passenger." Gilbert pointed out.
"That's right. Everyone else pair up while I ride alone." Syack said as he fastened his supplies to a chocobo. Everyone else did the same thing with their supplies. Harris and Heidi shared one, Kyle and Laura shared another, Monty and Mendoza grabbed one, and Gilbert and Hunter were forced to share one.
"Whoa! Steady!" Mendoza shouted as his and Monty's chocobo started flapping around.
"Gaaaaaaahhhhh!" Monty shouted.
"Quit fooling around you twits and let's go." Syack said.
"How are these chocobos supposed to get out of here, this is a surrounded area after all." Heidi said.
"Oh, we do have a secret back door." Syack said. He clapped his hands and a rock wall behind them opened up.
"Well that's convenient." Hunter said. "Why didn't you just take us through here when you first brought us here?" He asked.
"Because, I'm too old to walk all the way around the area to take you to a back door." Syack said.
"Then shouldn't he be too old to fall down pits?" Hunter whispered.
"Shush." Gilbert whispered back.
"Well, I guess it's a new part of the adventure." Heidi said.
"Right." Harris answered. He sighed for a moment and then opened his eyes. "Well, we have a new goal. Now the question is, can we achieve it?" Harris asked.
"Only one way to find out." Heidi said.
"True." Harris said with a smile. "Well, to the south!" Harris shouted. "Let's ride!" Harris kicked his heels in to the chocobo's side and it ran forward, leading the way for the rest of the chocobos.
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Well, I could write more, but something about ending it here seems to fit with it. So just read and review.