Sever All Ties

Chapter Four: The Septimo Squad

Disclaimer: I don't own Radiata Stories or any of the characters in the game; they are the property of the brilliant minds at Square Enix.

Author's Note(s): Words in '…' indicate a thought. Words in "…" indicate spoken words. This story will proceed based on the assumption that Jack has joined Ridley on the path of the non-human. This path would inevitably lead him to face his former friends and allies in combat. It is these fights I will illustrate in this story. Some creative liberties will be taken regarding who they face (i.e. Jack will face opponents in this fic that you don't get to face in the game). I hope you enjoy.

While walking through the Adien Region, on his way to Algandars Castle, Jack Russell was deep in thought. Facing his friends in battle had been tough. No matter the tough face he had shown, he was still trying to harden himself on the inside. He did all he could to fight down the sadness he felt inside, but it still threatened to overwhelm him. Though he talked cheerfully with his friends as they went along, his thoughts were elsewhere. His mood only darkened further when he reminded himself that Theater Vancoor still had four full squads to send after them, as well as unassigned individuals, and the Chief. Would he be able to face all of these warriors?

"…Don't you agree Jack," the tail end of Mikey's question grabbed his attention.

"What," Jack asked. "Sorry, I must've zoned out."

"I said this whole trip will be worth it if we can find the answers we need in Algandars Castle," Mikey repeated.

"I hope so," Jack said, before returning to his own thoughts.

They had not gone much farther, when they saw the next group of Vancoor Warriors waiting for them. Jack immediately recognized the dual swords of David, the Septimo Squad's Sergeant. He hadn't seen them yet, but Jack ruled out all thoughts of avoiding this fight. Motioning for a halt, he pointed to the swordsman in front of them. Looking around for anyone else who might be with him, Jack began to tell them of their situation.

"This guy David was made a Sergeant shortly after I arrived, but he couldn't ever get anyone to join his Squad, so he always went on solo missions," Jack explained. "I don't see that he has anyone with him. If that's the case, I'll face him alone."

Without another word, Jack walked down the path to where David was standing. When the other Sergeant saw Jack coming down the path, he turned to face him, and drew both his swords. Jack held his hand up, motioning for his friends to stop, and kept walking forward. When he was a dozen paces away from David, he stopped. Drawing his blaze saber, he stood in place, watching David. Neither moved or spoke. Finally, it was David who broke the silence.

"If you're coming this way, you must have encountered the Quintom Squad," David said. "I don't imagine I need to ask their fate."

"No," Jack began. "You don't. You know as well as any of us. There could be no other outcome. Nor is there any other for you, should you decide to face me. I won't lose."

"We'll see about that," David said. "I might just be better equipped to win this fight then you think."

"Somehow I doubt it," said Jack. "Tell your two buddies who're hiding over there that they can come out."

"Very good Jack," said David. Upon saying this, he made a quick hand motion, and Thanos and Rolec stepped out of hiding, on either side of the road.

"What's this," asked Jack. "I didn't think ambushing was Theater Vancoor's thing. Of course, I also didn't think I'd ever see Thanos out from behind his desk. How are you Thanos?"

"Given the circumstances, not too bad," Thanos said, almost cheerfully."

"Well, that's good to hear," Jack answered. "Another thing I wasn't sure I ever see is Rolec in a Squad. How'd this come about?"

"Well, you see," he stammered. "Sergeant David needed Squad members, and I decided to join him."

"That's great. Good to see your confidence building up," said Jack, with a genuine smile. "Well, I guess you guys know what's got to come next."

"Yeah," David said. "We have to defeat you. All of you."

"You can try," Jack said. "But you don't have a chance."

"We'll see," Thanos said.

"We aren't going to hold back," Jack said. Turning his back to his opponents, Jack faced his friends. "Mikey and Gil, you guys take Thanos, he's the one without any headgear. Don't underestimate him. I've never seen him fight, but he used to be a Sergeant in the Guild. They don't grant that rank to just anyone. Ridley, you fight Rolec. He's the one with the helm. He's still a little unsure of himself, so stay on the offensive and you'll be fine. I meant what I said earlier; no hesitation, no sympathy. I…what."

Ridley's eyes widened, and she pointed behind Jack. He turned and brought his saber up just in time to block a slash from David's air blade. He had to jump back to avoid a following slice from the flame blade. His friends all scattered, taking it that the fight had started. Jack focused on the man in front of him, swinging his blade quickly, so that neither of David's swords connected. In addition to his sword, he was forced to constantly lunge to the side, so that he was not injured. Finally, Jack had had enough. Tired of defending, he came at his opponent, ready to strike. He deflected David's stroke, and stepped forward, too close for the second sword to be of any use. His own blaze saber cut once, twice, and a third time before his opponent could even react. Even as his opponent fell back, he was able to bring the air blade up, so that Jack's next stroke was blocked. However, the force of Jack's attack knocked his opponent to the ground. His next attack was an upward slash that sent his opponent skidding further across the ground.

Now that David was out of the way, Jack turned to see which of his friends needed the most help. Thanos appeared to be worthy of the Sergeant rank he had once held. He was exchanging sword strokes with Gil, while simultaneously managing to avoid the fireballs Mikey was sending at him. His only injuries appeared to be three slashes from Gil's wind blades, and one down on his arm that was doubtless from the sword of ice. Between the two of them, they should be able to defeat Thanos with little trouble. Ridley was currently on the defensive, blocking sword strokes from Rolec, while patiently looking for an opening to attack. Rolec had only one cut on him, running horizontally down his chest, but it didn't appear to be slowing him down much. As long as she fought like he knew she could, Ridley would have no trouble winning this fight.

As Jack moved to assist Ridley, he heard steps behind him. Swinging his sword as he turned, Jack caught David by surprise. Both swords rose above his head to strike, and he was unable to avoid being cut across the chest by Jack's saber. He countered by trying to slash his swords in an "x" shape. However, Jack's saber blocked the first, and David's second sword hit the first one. Once again, Jack took advantage of the opening, cutting into his opponent viciously. David was forced to fall back, and Jack was quick to go on the offensive. As he got close, however, it became apparent that David had no intention of letting him strike again. He counterattacked wildly, thrusting with his flame blade. Every time Jack avoided the flame blade, it seemed he moved directly into the air blade's path. The resulting situation was one in which Jack was incapable of doing anything but try to avoid the Septimo Sergeant's swords.

Dodging the air blade, Jack swung his saber upward, connecting with the thrust of the flame blade. The force of the colliding swords sent a shower of sparks all around them. Exploiting the opening he saw, Jack raised his saber above his head for a devastating slice. David's swords crossed, catching Jack's blade between his two. Swords locked, the two began pushing, each trying to force the other to give ground. Pushing as hard as he could, Jack managed to gain a little ground. As soon as he began to step forward, David planted his feet firmly. The stalemate resumed. It was David who gave in first, as he unexpectedly pulled back his swords.

Jack, caught by surprise, fell forward. As he did, David brought his foot up and tripped him. The young warrior fell face first on the ground. Only a quick, instinctive roll to his left kept him out of the reach of both of David's swords. However, he still had to regain his footing, and it became clear that his opponent would not allow that. Standing over him, the Vancoor Sergeant continued his assault. Jack could focus only on scrambling to dodge or block these blows. Finally, Jack was able to anticipate the next strike and position himself to attack. As David drew close, Jack's left foot flew up, kicking his opponent's right shin. A second kick sent David to the ground.

Immediately jumping to his feet, Jack started to attack. His saber strokes would be nearly impossible for David to block with his smaller swords. It would be even harder with only one sword. Feinting a downward stroke, Jack watched David bring the air blade up to defend. At this moment, using his right foot, Jack kicked the sword from David's left hand. Following with the promised sword stroke, Jack narrowly missed his opponent. As the Vancoor swordsman rolled away, Jack followed, preparing to strike again. With a wild kick, David forced Jack to move back, and he regained his feet. However, when he looked to recover his lost sword, it was in the hands of none other than Gil.

The pair of elves were standing to the side, watching the duel play out. Mikey had a rip in his left sleeve that was a dark crimson, but appeared otherwise unharmed. Gil was untouched, although he still appeared to be short of breath. Behind them, he could see the lifeless body of Thanos. A few yards to the left, Ridley stood, leaning on her axe. There was not a mark on her, and her face was full of concern for Jack. Rolec lay facedown in the grass behind her. He was not moving. Jack gave her a warm smile to reassure her that he was okay. He then turned his attention to the only warrior still in the battle. David looked uncertain as to what his next move should be. Jack proceeded to present him with options.

"If you want your sword, you'll have to get it," he began. "But attacking the elves immediately puts you in a four-on-one battle. Or, you can continue to face me one-on-one with the flame blade you have. Either way, you're going to lose."

"You're not going to even the playing field by having him return my sword," David asked.

"You weren't too concerned about even playing fields when you were planning to ambush us," Jack said, coldly. After a moment, he spoke again. "Gil, throw him his sword. And all of you stay out of this."

Gil did as he was commanded, tossing the sword to David. As soon as he had caught it, the Guild Sergeant ran forward, launching a series of vicious attacks. Jack moved quickly, dodging the majority of the attacks, and parrying when he had to. He continued to content himself with defending until an opening presented itself. Finally, David extended one of his thrusts too far, making it awkward for him to defend against Jack's counterstroke. His thrust hit David squarely in the chest, and the other man gasped. Jack freed his sword and stepped back as the other man staggered forward. Trying to stay upright, he used his swords to keep himself on his feet. He continued to walk forward, trying to maintain his balance. Weakened and gasping for air, he dropped the air blade and used his left hand to remove his helmet. His pale face showed a fierce determination to live. His next fit of coughing brought his own blood with it, and Jack knew he didn't need to finish the fight himself.

"It's over," Jack said. "I told you it was useless."

"Maybe we didn't claim victory," David said, stumbling forward. "But I can still take you with me!"

As these words left his mouth, David lunged at Jack, trying to stab him with the flame blade. Jack sidestepped and brought the blaze saber down, cutting into David's back. When he fell to the ground, the Septimo Squad's Sergeant did not move. Jack did not need any confirmation of the fact that David would not move again. Turning his back on the corpse at his feet, Jack put his saber away and began to walk to his friends.

"David, the Deputy Chief would have been proud," Jack said. Words meant for no one else's ears.

Motioning for them to go on ahead, Jack stopped at Rolec's body. Offering a few words of closing, he strode on. Stopping at Thanos' body, Jack thanked the man for all the help and words of wisdom he had provided during their days together at Theater Vancoor. Without another word or glance, Jack joined his friends, and they resumed their journey to the Septem Region.

"Everyone okay," he asked. "How's your arm Mikey?"

"Nothing serious," the dark elf replied. "I already took care of patching it up. It's not very deep."

"Good," Jack said with a smile. "Ridley? Gil? You guys aren't gonna drop dead on me are you?"

Surprised at his cheerfulness, they both answered by assuring them that they had plenty of life left. Happy to hear this, Jack strode calmly onward. They should not encounter any more men on their journey to Algandars Castle. All they would have to face was the traditional inhabitants of the Septem Region, and whatever awaited them in the Castle itself.

Vegeta26: Wow, already four chapters in. That's kind of cool, I guess. As long as you guys enjoy it, I'll keep writing. Thanks to those who have submitted reviews so far, and I sure wouldn't mind hearing from the rest of you.

Blue Persuasion: I'm trying to show Jack steadily maturing as the story progresses, and the childishness is the first thing to go, although it's not gone entirely. I too was hoping that some of your longer-term party members would make the switch to the non-human side, but alas, it was not meant to be. As for Jack and Ridley, there really is no one else to even consider pairing them with. They seem made for each other.