OK, they finally reached River Belle. I will warn you however, that battle scenes take FOREVER to write and think of different ways for the battle to go, so I might end up skipping most of the place. I will make anything I do write as descriptive and interesting as possible. Hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I do not own final fantasy crystal chronicles.
Chapter 4: River Belle
They reached River Belle in no time. When they approached the first gate which led into the heart of River Belle, they noticed three monsters guarding it, so they hid in a bush to talk strategy.
"Goblins…" Kris mumbled.
"How are we going to do this?" Mike asked, handing Kris the chalice.
"Here's how," Tyran said, assuming his role as leader. "Rob and I will run out and face the goblins. Mike, you make sure the goblins don't attack Kris when she runs out to keep us in the circle. Everyone got it?" They all nodded. "Then let's go!"
Rob and Tyran jumped out of the bushes, grabbing the goblins' attention. Tyran went to face the two approaching goblins, and the others followed Tyran. One goblin went straight for Kris, who was holding onto the chalice, but Rob and Mike attacked the goblin before it got anywhere close to her.
While those two protected Kris, Tyran took on the other goblins himself. He guarded with his shield as the goblin once again tried to wound him, only to be cut along the chest by his powerful sword, instantly killing the fiend. He killed it in the same time it took both Rob and Mike to kill their goblin.
The last goblin seemed enraged by its comrades' deaths, and charged at Tyran with its sword in the air. Tyran watched patiently while the goblin approached, and in one swift movement killed the goblin.
'Wow…' Kris thought. 'Strong. And not just his sword either'
Then they all proceeded in searching the goblins for anything valuable.
Rob found some gil, (Though no one knew it existed before he pocketed it) Mike found a design for a new shield, Kris found a fire magicite, (then relinquishing the chalice to Mike) and Tyran found an odd, crescent shaped stone.
"What do I do with this?" Tyran asked.
"Ummmmm… Oh! Try putting it here." Kris said, pointing to a stone pedestal.
Tyran placed the crescent stone on the pedestal, and with a loud creek the gate opened.
They went through the gate and continued through River Belle Path. They encountered some monsters and between Tyran's sword and Kris's magic, they were undefeatable. Along the way they found some gil, a design for a novice weapon, a design for bronze armor, an iron belt, a cure magicite, and another fire magicite. After a few twists and turns they stumbled upon a moogle house.
What's THIS?" Kris asked, looking down at the old, worn card in her hand.
"It's a stamp card, kupo!" the female moogle said, "visit other moogle homes and collect stamps, kupo! Then if you get it filled, kupo, we'll give you something nice, kupo!"
"What is it?" Rob asked.
"We… actually don't…know, kupo. No one has actually gathered all the stamps, kupo." The male moogle said.
"Oh well… that's OK! I guess we'll have to find out when we get all the stamps!" Mike suggested cheerfully. Then they left the moogle home.
"They were A LOT more pleasant then stupid old Stilzkin!" They all laughed at Kris's comment.
A few more minutes after leaving the moogle home they came upon a big stone arch. After walking under it they saw a big waterfall with a small pond at the end of it. At one end of the clearing had a myrrh tree.
"It sure is romantic, isn't it?" Rob asked, inching over to Kris.
"Yes, it is." Kris said, not paying much attention to Rob.
"It's so pretty."
"Yes."
"It's got a rainbow."
"Yes."
"We should kiss."
"No." Kris said, walking over to Tyran and Mike.
"Dang you!" He yelled.
Just then a giant crab fell in front of them, causing the ground to shake.
"HOW THE HECK DOES A CRAB EVEN GET THAT FREAKIN' BIG!?" Kris yelled.
"OK, here's what we do." Tyran said, getting their attention. "I'll see if I can't chop the thing's claws off. Mike, make sure everyone's cured, otherwise you and Kris blast the thing with fire. Rob, see if you can't find a weak spot." With that the caravanners assaulted the crab.
The crab was too active with its claw, causing Tyran some trouble. Rob made a big crack in its thick shell with some focus attacks. The crab was mostly focusing on Kris, who had dealt some great damage with Fire and Fira with Mike's help.
Mike was unsure what to do with no one needing to be healed and Kris's being occupied. So he decided to get its attention off Kris specifically.
He ran up in front of the crab who still had his mind on Kris. He climbed up on the crab's shell just above his eyes, causing the crab to notice him for the first time. He took his sword out and stabbed it in both eyes, causing it to screech out in pain. Tyran was finally able to cut the claw off, while Rob motioned him to come over to the newly revealed flesh. Kris and Mike then dealt a big blow with Fira. After the flames died down, Tyran dealt the finishing blow with a final stab at the crab's back.
"Yay! We did it!" Kris yelled.
"Now we can get our first drop of myrrh…" Mike whispered.
"Now it's romantic again…" Rob said to Kris while the clavats talked wildly about the experience they just had.
"Um, can we get our myrrh now?" Kris asked.
With a nod they walked over to the myrrh tree.
Mike placed the crystal chalice on the stone platform under the myrrh tree.
The tree seemed to shiver up to the tips of its branches, causing a bright light to appear against the blue-green surface.
Slowly a large drop began to form, and it grew until it fell into the chalice, the invisible barrier holding the myrrh in. The chalice was now 1/3 of the way full, and they had two more drops until they had to go home again.
Mike picked up the chalice and went back over to the group.
"Mail Moogle!" A moogle with a bag slung over his shoulder fluttered into the area. "Kristine Lophrine? Tyran Nygien? Michael Phyrein? Robert Jinell?"
The caravan claimed their mail and read it over
Kris,
We miss you, and hope a year will go by fast. The business is doing well; Joshua is an excellent merchant. We know how hard this journey must be, so we sent you some gil to help along the way.
With all the love in the world, Mom and Dad.
Kris giggled at the thought that she's only been gone a few days and they already miss her.
Tyran opened his mail, a pendent falling out. He gasped slightly as he picked up Hannah's pendent. Its blue gem had been reflected in her eyes, which went well with her sandy blonde hair. Slowly, he read the letter.
Tyran,
We know you didn't want it before, but now it is not your choice. We all know Hannah wanted to go on the caravan just as much as you, so we're making sure she gets the chance. Take her pendent with you, don't you dare send it back. Protect your caravan like you would her.
Take care, Dad.
Tyran held the silver pendent in his hand. He ran his fingers over the six-pointed star that was the pendent. 'I will always keep you with me, Hannah, like you did this pendent.'
Mike,
Good-luck. I could have gone on the caravan, but my role is here as an alchemist, not as a caravanner. Don't you dare die, I'll kill you if you do. Anyway, here's an energy potion I've been working on, I just need you to run it though a test drive. You have to use real energy in order for us to know if it really works or not. Whatever, see ya little bro.
Karen
Rob,
Hey, how's the view? And of COURSE I mean River Belle! Haha! Anyway, here's a recipe for Dad's fish, put it to good use. Bye!
Jackson
They sent their replies back, then watched the little creature flutter off.
"Where to next?" Rob asked.
"Mushroom Forest." Tyran said.
Then they headed back to their wagon, ready for dinner.
-:-
"We got to River Belle so fast!" Kris said as they watched the sunset.
"Actually, it's only natural. It's only a couple miles from Tipa. Getting to Mushroom Forest will take about four months." Tyran pointed out.
"Ahhhhnn! Not fair! I wanted to get to Mushroom Forest to get more myrrh! Oh well… I guess I'll just have to wait."
"Anyway, what did you guys get in your mail? My brother said good luck and gave me a recipe fish." Rob lied.
"My mom sent me some more gil." Kris said, adding on to the conversation.
"My family sent me an energy potion, saying they wanted me to test it, though I think I'll hesitate on trying it." Mike said. "What about you Tyran? What did your parents send you?"
"Ummmmmm…" Tyran thought about what he wanted to tell them, not wanting them to know his parents had sent him Hannah's pendent, which she had worn every day until she died. "My parents sent me some gil and told me they hoped I had fun."
"Well I think it's time to pack it in. we've had a long day and we deserve a rest. Whose turn is it to stand guard?" Tyran asked. "Kris?"
"Yah, yah, yah."
Rob, Mike, and Tyran climbed into the caravan, leaving Kris outside, the sun slowly dipping down into the earth.
"Goodnight." Kris said.
"Goodnight!"
Kris took a good look at the selkie symbol pendent her parents had given her.
'Still waiting for a gem…' She fingered the pendent so it would catch the diminishing light, giving it a soft golden glow. She silently slipped the pendent back into a small bag her friend had made her.
'Some day I will have a perfect pendent.'
Hehehe. Yes. I changed the two "crap"s to "CRAB". XD Kris is really one of my favorite characters, so if I focus on her too much just tell me. Reviews! Please review. It'll make me happy to know someone likes my story.