Forgotten Royalty
Chapter 2
The Challenge.
"Alright, I'll take you on."
Vaan took a confident step forward, flipping Volcano lazily between his hands. He smirked and nodded to the taller woman as he thought out an attack. The red haired woman nodded back and brought her spear into a defensive position and spread her feet wide apart.
Vaan gave a shout and hurled a bomb straight at her, then lobbed another up into the air over her head while charging toward his opponent. The redhead easily knocked the first bomb to the side, but before she could get herself back to a defensive position, Vaan punched her in the chin. The woman staggered back, then jumped into the air and stood on a narrow outcropping of stone. Just as Vaan looked up, he was slammed in the face with the falling bomb he himself had tossed. When he fell down in a daze, the woman jumped down and tapped his throat gently with the butt of her spear and stood back for him to stand.
"I win this fight. Does anybody else wish to battle me?"
Basch stepped up, drawing his heavy blade. The redhead raised her eyebrows, then stood so only her slim profile was offered as a target, spear held over her head with its point aimed at the big man.
Basch gave no warning before rushing in; delivering a flurry of slashes and stabs, forcing the woman to be exclusively defensive. As they fought, it became apparent that the man was the muscle of the party, not the strategist. He began to tire as his powerful attacks were deflected one after another. When his guard slipped, the butt of the redhead's spear flashed in, cracking him between the eyes. When the man fell, she stepped back and cast a healing spell.
Penelo smiled and stepped forward.
"You know what? I think she'd be great on the team. What do you say, Ashe? Fran?"
The viera and princess both nodded. The tall rabbit woman gave a slight smile before she spoke.
"She is a powerful magick user. I can feel it. And she is also a skilled and strong fighter. She would be an asset."
Vaan grinned and stood next to the redhead, putting an arm over her shoulders.
"So, what's your name?"
Vaan yelped as he was flung face first into a snow bank, the new woman dusting her hands off and bowing to the group.
"My name is Azier… today."
Penelo looked up from helping Vaan stand, her face confused.
"What do you mean 'today'?"
They began to walk up the mountain, taking Azier's detour. The redheaded woman sighed and smiled at the short blond.
"I'm a wandering spirit. I've been wandering since I was a child, and I am nearing eighteen. I forgot my real name a long time ago. Who are all of you?"
Penelo smiled and pointed to each person as she made an introduction.
"The one you taught to fly is Vaan. He's been my friend for years. The viera is Fran. The man with all the jewelry and the gun is Balthier. He's a sky pirate. Then the one you hit between the eyes is Basch. I'm Penelo, and that is Princess Ashe. He,"
She pointed at the young Solidor with a smile "is Larsa Solidor. We call him Lamont around towns and things… You'll understand."
Azier nodded, making a mental note to beat the arrogant looking pirate in a duel as soon as she could.
"Well, here's the temple, as promised."