Drifters
Escudo: A special ore that comes from the center of the planet. It has the ability to change through its master's will.
Record 09: Crimson Wing
The city of Voile was a small and peaceful city. As part of the kingdom of Orte, only norms lived in the town. The city was filled with violets; it hung down from every window, every park, and every shop. The smell of the flowers was light and fragrant. This is where Vicious, Gabranth, Aerith and Scopio were in now.
"Have you received anything from that woman?" Vicious asked as he walked around, looking for a blacksmith for Gabranth's sword.
"No, there hasn't been anything from Olmine or Hayate. It has been a couple of days since I've tried to communicate with them." Scopio looked around.
"What are we doing exactly?" Aerith asked.
"We are going to find a weapon for you and Gabranth." Scopio explained. "I am looking for someone who is going to help us with that."
"We have been to several blacksmiths in the city, who are you looking for exactly?" Gabranth asked.
"Sierra," Scopio answered. "She is what we call a pharle, or artisan. If anyone could replicate weapons it would be her."
Aerith could see that vicious left eye as twitching from the looks the townsfolk were giving them. They really didn't exactly blend in. Most men were in tunics, trousers, and leather boots as attire. It really didn't fit with Vicious' suit or Gabranth's armor. She just hoped that they find this Sierra before Vicious loses it.
They finally arrived to at an old run down house. The house was surrounded with violets; some of the windows were cracked on the edges. Aerith wondered is someone actually lived here.
"Someone actually lives in this dump?" Vicious looked around.
"Yes, I am positive this is where Sierra lives." Scopio knocked the old wooden door. "Sierra it's me Scopio."
The door opened with a loud creek. Scopio took the handle and opened it all the way. Aerith and the rest entered before Scopio closed the door behind them. Inside was nothing like the outside. It was furnished with a high grade table and chairs. A furniture set in front of the fireplace. Bookshelves filled with many books of different colors and sizes.
"Scopio it has been a while!" A voice came from the other room. A young woman, about Aerith's age came out into the room. She had long blonde hair and silver eyes. She had on a sleeveless shirt with metal padlons, a black shorts and silver armored boots. She looked at the Drifters with fascination. "So these are the so called Drifters?"
"You knew we were coming?" Aerith asked.
"Yes, I sent Romario to give her the message of our arrival." Scopio explained. "Since she is the only blacksmith with abilities that no one could match."
"What sort of ability is that?" Gabranth asked.
"I have the ability to make each weapon unique with strange materials." Sierra smiled. "I made weapons for all sort of people, but only if they can find where my shop is."
"So do you think you can help us?" Aerith looked hopeful.
"Of course!" Sierra grinned. "If my friend Scopio is asking for my help then I can't say no, now can I?"
"Did Romario bring the materials you asked for?" Scopio asked.
"Yes, I must say that you have quite a network of connections if you could get this much of 'those' materials in such a short time." Sierra crossed her arms over her chest.
"How much will it be?" Vicious looked at one of the books with little interest. "I know you have a price that we must pay, so 'fes up!"
"Vicious!" Scopio growled.
"It's alright," Sierra smiled. "He's right about that. However, my fee is only that the one who make a request bring me the materials need to make a weapon."
"Since I took care of that little detail there won't be any need to pay anything." Scopio sighed.
"So what is the material?" Gabranth asked, "Mythril, Dalmascus Steel perhaps?"
"I never heard of such materials." Sierra had a thoughtful look on her face. "Usually I would ask for Auora, Aburst, or Epsious for material. However, for Drifters such as you I need more powerful materials."
Sierra took out eight diamond shaped crystals. The crystals were softly glowing in different colors and giving off different energy. The crystals floated around Sierra. Aerith tried to touch on but all the crystals went back into Sierra's hand.
"These are some of the most precious ores in Skyra." Sierra started, looking at the crystals in her hand. "These are crystals from the core of this world, the rare mineral, Escudo."
"Escudo?"
"Yes, these are only in their normal stage, once I combine them with other materials, they will manifest into what I need it to do." She explained. "So who do need weapons the most?"
"It would be these two." Scopio pointed at Gabranth and Aerith. "I was hoping that you could make their weapons from where they came from."
"That's no problem at all." Sierra beamed. "In fact this mineral is the perfect for you guys; it is the only mineral that evolves with its master."
"What do you mean evolves?" Gabranth asked.
"Escudo is a special mineral," Sierra explained. "It evolves with its owner's will. The stronger the will is the more powerful the weapon or accessory will be."
Two crystals floated around Aerith and Gabranth, Sierra smiled at the color of the crystals. One was giving off a silver green glow while the other was giving off a light blue glow. Each of the crystals stopped in front of Aerith and Gabranth. Sierra placed the other crystals away before walking over to where Aerith and Gabranth were. "It seems that these crystals have chosen their owners."
"What the hell are you talking about woman?" Vicious yawned. "I want to take a nap."
"The Escudo mineral gives off a different type of material each time it is harvest." Sierra placed her palm underneath the floating crystal. "The one the man in the armor has is the Sea Escudo while the young lady's is the Wind Escudo."
"so now what?" Vicious looked up from the couch.
"I will work on your weapons; however it will take some time." Sierra started to walk to the basement. "Are you going to wait here?"
"No we still need to meet the others," Scopio explained. "There might be others that need a weapon."
"Bring them here and well make their weapons as well." Sierra smiled at the group. "Make sure you close the door when you leave."
Sierra left the group in the living room while she went down the hall. Vicious stood up from the couch and headed out the door. Aerith soon followed behind him, hoping that he wouldn't make too much trouble. Scopio and Gabranth were last, they had to hurry along and get to Hayate's location. Who knows what how they are doing.
x-x
Heavy footsteps could be heard around the forest. It has been a few days since the rains. Rows of men with swords or bows were walking through the muddy forest. They were soldiers from the kingdom of Orte. They finally reached the village they were assigned to, however there they ran into a problem.
"Sir we have a problem." One of the soldiers saluted.
"At ease," a man in full armor spoke. He looked down at the soldier. "What is it boy?"
"The village is empty."
"What do you mean it is empty!" the man in full armor growled. "Did they vanish into thin air?"
"I don't know sir but there is no one here."
"Listen up men," The man in full armor ordered. "Find any of those abominations and eliminate them!"
"Sir, yes sir!"
x-x
Hayate looked at the direction where the village was. She could feel it from her field barrier that they have come. She clapped her hands to gather the attention of everyone in the ruins. Angeal and Zest walked over and awaited her explanation.
"Everyone, it is time." Hayate looked at the villagers. "After I defeat these soldiers the four of us will head to the capital."
"Are we seriously going to the capital?" Olmine asked.
"Yes, we just need to get the leaders of the kingdom to surrender it to us." Hayate shrugged. "Once that is done we will work on restoring the lands to the Halves. "
Everyone in the crowd started to cheer at Hayate's words. They were finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Zest looked at Hayate with concern, the plan sounds great but how exactly were they going to get to the capital was beyond him. Sure they could fly all the way but flying is a bit unstable in this world. They needed something to help them gather mana like their world.
"Angeal and Zest will stay here in case something happens." Hayate started to run at the direction of the village.
Angeal was still puzzled how was she going to get there quick enough before the soldiers started to look somewhere else. Hayate took out a gold and black cross pendant from her pocket and held it high. She was surrounded in a bright light, the light scattered into feathers. Angeal eyes widened when he saw Hayate.
Hayate was wearing consisted of a black and white battle jacket over a black and yellow minidress. A black half dress behind her minidress and two metal armor plates on her hips. What took Angeal by surprise were the three pairs of black wings on her back.
Angeal rubbed his right shoulder subconsciously.
Hayate took one more step before she took off. She felt a sudden pull on her from the area. Hayate decided that it might have been the gravity from this world affecting her flying. Thanks to her large mana reserves she could keep herself afloat, thought it took double the mana that it would normally would.
"Warning, there is an high hostile presence is in the area." The Tome echoed.
'hostile?' Hayate thought to herself. 'This is not good, I hope that whoever it is they don't find the ruins.'
Hayate continued to fly towards the village where the soldiers were gathered. During the way she thought about the repercussions of using her type of magic. Normally it would be non-lethal, but that was only because all her opponents had barrier jackets. The barrier jackets absorbed most of the damage and kept their owner alive. Add her limiters that the placed on her and her spells would become non-lethal
However, even a low power spell could knock them out. Using a more powerful spell would kill them. Hayate couldn't feel the normal limiters restricting her powers. As much as she hated violence, she hated hatred toward others more. And it wasn't the first time that she killed someone with her magic either. She has had cases in the past where she had no other choice but to put the victims from Lost Logia possession out of their misery.
"Now then," Hayate summoned her Tome and a golden cross staff. "Let's get started."
x-x
Angeal and Zest were on guard. After Hayate left they felt something in the air. Something was coming their way, and whatever it was it was strong. Olmine stayed with them in case something should arrive she could contact Scopio. Angeal couldn't shake off the familiarity of that feeling. There was just something he recognized about it, but whatever it was it was at the tip of his tongue, he couldn't remember.
The sound of fire crackling in the forest got closer and closer. The next thing that Angeal and Zest knew there was a large dark fireball coming their way. Zest got in front of Angeal and Olmine and extended his free hand. A golden triangular shield, similar to Hayate's magical insignia, appeared in front of them. The fireball collided with the shield causing both the fireball to bounce back at the direction that it was coming from. Zest was also pushed back a little.
"Well done blocking that Drifter." A voice called from the forest. Two figures came out of the trees. One was in a black cloak, covering most of his face. The other was a tall and well built man. He had little armor covering his body. The only thing strange about him was that he had four arms and one eye. "I'm afraid that we will have to kill you now." The Break said.
"One of them is an END!" Olmine cried.
"Olmine get out of here." Angeal ordered.
"You think you can take care of the cloaked one?" Zest said as he tightened his grip on his armed device.
"Leave it to me." Angeal took out his sword that he 'borrowed' from a soldier the a few nights before. He held his sword ready to strike at any time. The cloaked figure only stood there, unmoving. The figure raised his palm in the air and gathered energy. Angeal knew this feeling; it was energy from a Materia!
"Who are you?" Angeal asked.
The cloaked figure pointed his palm at Angeal and fired his attack. The attack was cold and black, it was a Hell Blizzarga. Angeal somersaulted out of the way and landed back on his feet. Behind him the trees were frozen solid. The figure had his hand out, blood from his chest swirled around him. The blood materialized into a sword similar to Angeal's.
The cloaked figure rushed forward and clashed with Angeal 's blade. Angeal felt the full weight of the sword. Though it was made of blood it hardened enough to withstand Angeal's parry.
Angeal countered with an onset of slashes but the figure blocked them one by one. Whoever this was he was a good swordsman. Angeal thrust his blade horizontally to pierce through the cloaked man's heart. The man responded by using his sword to block the incoming thrust out of the way. Angeal kicked his chest and sent the man flying towards a tree.
Zest was currently dodging all four blades that this Break had in his hands. He had Panzerchild to protect him as he used his spear to thrust at his opponent. The Break used all four blades to block the spear. The four armed Break took a deep breath and spit out fire. Zest jumped high in the air and started to fly high enough so that the flames wouldn't reach.
'Its taking more mana to stay afloat.' Zest thought. 'As I thought, I am not used to flying in this world just yet. However….'
Zest pointed his spear down at the Break who was currently looking up. The base of the blade moved up and down as the spear loaded with two cartridges. The blade of the spear got larger and let out a golden glow.
"Ascalon!" Zest called out.
"Gae Bolg." A robotic female voice echoed from the spear.
Zest dived down to where the Break was; it used all four of his swords to shield himself. The collision caused a massive explosion; a cloud of dust covered them both making it harder to see.
"You must not hold back on them Angeal!" Olmine's voice sounded panicked. "ENDs have no sympathy for anything or anyone, all they can do is destroy."
Angeal pushed the cloaked figure back with his swing. There was adequate distance between himself and the cloaked figure. Angeal quickly gathered magic to this left palm. Electricity crackled in his palm. He pointed the energy at the cloaked man.
"Tri-Thunderga!"
Three bolts of lightning flew from the orb of lightning in an arc. The cloak figure fired his own lightning attack to counter but Angeal's was faster. Two of the bolts struck the man directly. The lightning caused an explosion; several trees began to catch on fire. Angeal took his sword and took his stance, ready for the cloaked man at any time.
The man's cloaked burned off, revealing the standard First Class SOLDIER uniform that Angeal wore. The man had long spiky black hair and a scar on his cheek. It was obvious that the man was an END because of his eyes; they were black with white irises. Angeal took a step back because he recognized that man. It was the last person he wanted to see in this situation. He closed his eyes praying to whatever deity could hear him that it was all a dream and that the person in front of him wasn't him.
The man's closed his eyes and in a matter of seconds two black wings appeared from his left side. Angeal noted that it looked so similar to….
"Hello Angeal." The man greeted, his eyes held pure hatred.
"Zack..." Angeal muttered.
Zest had to jump back as he dodged another set of fist. Gae Bolg did its job, it broke all four of the swords that the Break had. However that maneuver cost him two cartridges, something that he wanted to avoid. He glanced at Angeal and the END that he was fighting. He wondered why Angeal changed instantly. The man's posture was stiff, his eyes were widening in surprise, and his grip on his weapon was weakening. Who was the END to Angeal?
"Why don't you focus on me instead!" The break slammed his fist on the ground. It fired arcs of flames from its hands. Zest placed a shield to protect himself but it shattered after the seventh attack. The Break kept on with his barrage of attacks.
Olmine was frozen in fear; she didn't know what to do. She was scared; she knew that this was going to happen. This was her first time in the battlefield, she was at a lost on what to do, her legs wouldn't move.
'Olmine you have to move your arms!' she scolded herself. 'You have to contact Master about this.'
With shaking hands she held up her crystal ball and focused her mana. A large explosion sent her flying towards the bushes. Olmine closed her eyes and hoped that they were coming soon.
"Olmine…" the voice on the other line sounded statically but still clear enough to understand him. "wat rong."
"Master I don't know what to do!" Olmine screamed at the crystal ball. "And END and a strong Break just showed up and Angeal and Zest are fighting them."
"…here, Hayate?"
"She went to fight the troops that are close by, I don't know what to do Master. I'm scared." Olmine's grip on the crystal ball tightened.
"Be… soon… promise." Scopio's voice could be heard. "ang on…"
"I promise, I'll try." Olmine shuddered as looked at the battle taking place.
Angeal felt his grip on his sword loosen when he saw the black wing on Zack's back. He didn't know what to say to the man, this Zack was a few years older since he last saw him. The scar on his cheek caught his attention the most, how did he get that scar.
"So are you surprised to see me?" Zack asked.
"What are you doing here Zack, why are you…" Angeal trailed off.
"An END?" Zack finished for him. "I will help change this world, Angeal. This world is corrupted, just like ShinRa back in Gaia."
Zack sprinted forward with his blood sword in hand and swung down. Angeal blocked the sword strike just before it went any farther. The sword turned back into liquid blood and splattered on the ground, Angeal had a second to think before his instincts forced him to jump back. The blood puddle shot out and turned into blood spikes. One of the spikes made a small cut below his eye.
Zack didn't let up on Angeal and stared to use Hell Firaga on the man. Angeal dodged each fireball; he felt each step get heavier. He just couldn't fight Zack, not to the death. His brain was trying to move his body to attack the young man but his heart ached at the thought.
"What are you waiting for Angeal." Zack growled. "I thought that First Class SOLDIERs were better than this."
"Zack you have to stop this." Angeal jumped out of the way as another ball of fire was shot. Zack only looked at his mentor with hatred and pity.
"Stop, why should I?" Zack let his crimson blade rest on his shoulder. "After all this is what a monster does isn't it?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You were right Angeal." Zack looked at his free hand. "We are monsters! I mean look at me." He pointed at himself, "I have a fucking wing!"
"That's not true Zack." Angeal shook his head, "You're not a monster."
"You said it yourself didn't you?" Zack's wing spread wide causing several feathers to fall to the ground. "We are the perfect monsters."
"Zack…"
Zest shook his head to focus once more. Those attacks from that Break were stronger than his shield. He really doesn't have much choice but to use those cartridges. He had used four of the eight breaking its swords but to use that technique would require the last of his cartridges. He looked at his armor; the trench coat was starting to fall off in pieces. He could see burns on his free hand and feel some on his face. He would have to talk to Hayate before they get worse.
"Ascalon, Full Drive!" Zest called out to the device.
The armed device started to load the last four cartridges he had. Each time the empty cartridge popped out from the opening from between the pole and the base of the blade. The entire spear started to glow gold, even part of his gauntlet started to glow golden light. Zest positioned his feet firmly on the ground and got in position. With one step he rushed forward, using the last of his cartridge's power to propel himself like some kind of rocket.
The Break breathe in air and let out large flame which took shape of a wall. However, Zest's Full Drive was a lot stronger than that and easily cut through the wall of flames. He raised the blade high into the air and in one quick swing Zest was behind the Break. Everything was silent for a minute. Neither was moving.
"So-" That was all that the Break could say before he split in half vertically. Blood splashing everywhere, organs became a large pile as the body fell on the ground on opposite sides. Zest looked at the mess he caused. He could see that Olmine was pale and looked like she wanted to vomit.
As zest looked at the remains he thought of the one rule that the TSAB hammered into their heads. 'Magic shall always be used as non-lethal to keep the peace.' Yet, in this war that rule is meaningless to Hayate and himself. "Grenzpunkt, a technique that can cut through anything."
Zest looked back at Angeal's battle, this was something that Angeal had to deal on his own. There was nothing he could do and he couldn't interfere. He just hoped that Angeal could regain his spirit and fight the END.
"Let's keep fighting Angeal; we are not going to end this until one of us is dead, again." Zack took his stance once more.
"What do you mean again?" Angeal was confused by what Zack said.
Zack look at Angeal, his eyes were furrowed in confusion. It wasn't until he remembered what the Dark Sovereign told them before he set out. "So the DS was right, Drifters have that luxury."
"What are you talking about END?" Zest asked, interested where this conversation was going.
"So you two idiots don't know?" Zack smirked. "Then I'll have to tell you both…"
"You're not making any sense Zack."
"Every Drifter and END has died in their world." Zack shrugged. "Drifters get the luxury to forget how they died."
Zest and Angeal's eyes widened at the response. Could that mean that the parts that they don't remember were the memories of their deaths? That would explain why part of Zest and Angeal's memories were missing.
"If this is true then do you know how..." Angeal tried to find the truth from Zack. He might be the only one who can tell him the truth.
"Enough about that!" Zack growled. "It doesn't matter; this time I will make sure you stay dead Angeal!"
Zack rushed in and attack with a barrage of strikes at Angeal. They were in perfect sync, for every strike there was a block. Zack was getting frustrated at this pointless battle.
"Let me become your executioner a second time." Zack muttered low enough so that Angeal would hear.
"What?" Angeal let down his guard for a second before he saw what Zack was going to do. He quickly placed his most powerful barrier and awaited the impact. Zack's hand started light up and a small bolt of lightning rested in his palm. He aimed the lightning at Angeal's stomach and fired it.
The lightning attack was strong enough to send Angeal flying towards the trees. He hit a large tree with a big thud. Angeal was coughing up blood. That attack was aimed for his vitals, if he had let down his guard for a second then he most likely might have been dead.
Zack walked causally towards Angeal, who was still trying to breathe in fresh air, with his sword in hand. Angeal looked up and saw Zack ready to strike. He was still too weak from the last attack he took directly.
"Wh-what do you mean my executioner?" Angeal coughed.
"That you don't need to know, Angeal Hewley." Zack closed his eyes. "Now die and let this world fall."
Angeal tried to move his body, but the after effects from the Zack's lightning attack were still in his body. He couldn't do anything to block that sword; he was going to die without doing anything to help this world. Angeal closed his eyes and resigned himself to his fate.
There was nothing else he could do...
Record 09 End. Record 10 holds period ****-**** 23:54, Stand by Ready...