Chapter 36, Southbound

"So... Where are the plains?" Balthier said.

They were out of the gates less than fifteen minutes and already tempers were running high. The Giza plains were normally an ideal place to trek provided you could look after yourself, vast open spaces, and easily visible paths. Today however it was under three meters of water, transforming the open dry ground into a swamp.

"It's the wet season." Penelo explained. "It's difficult to pass at this time of year, Most of the paths are flooded."

"Yet pass through we must." Ashe said grimly. "Though it may cost us time."

There was a collective groan throughout the group, they had already estimated the trip to take two weeks.

"I certainly hope these waters will open other ways for us." Balthier grimaced trying not to put his boot in a mud puddle. "For all our sakes."

-

Progress was slow through the muddy marshland, as Vaan took the time to look around he began to notice how different the place was. Aside from the vast lakes lying left and right the plant life seemed much healthier, the dry shrubs were a rich green, glistening in the ever present rain. Even the animals seemed to be enjoying themselves. Giant reptiles and enormous toads foraged in the undergrowth, it was as though the whole prairie was celebrating life.

"At least the plains are having fun." He grumbled softly.

He trudged on with his pack wondering why he could not be more prepared. He had simply grabbed the first clothes he could and thrown Migelo's travelling cloak over his shoulders. This flimsy layer had stopped working ten minutes into the rain leaving him soaking. Looking around no one else seemed as wet as him, their packs seemed bigger too. Basch in particular seemed to be carrying a large bundle over his shoulder wrapped in cloth.

"How can you lift that thing?" Vaan asked him.

"I've carried heavier things longer distances." Basch answered.

Before Vaan could ask exactly what Basch had been carrying, Fran who was at the head of the group suddenly froze.

"What is it?" Ashe began but Fran silenced her.

"Down, now!" She hissed.

"I hope this is worth my clothes being ruined." Balthier said as he crouched down in the mud. Fran did not answer.

For a few seconds nothing happened, then at the edge of the clearing emerged the most bizarre creature Vaan had ever seen. A glowing sphere of light floated out of the trees and began drifting towards them, but it had no body, no limbs, and no head. Simply a creature made out of lightning. Tiny static bolts burst from it's body as it bobbed through the air.

"An elemental." Fran breathed to the others. "Don't use magicks," She said to Penelo. "Don't even reach for your power."

The elemental moved on it's merry way until it was less than three feet from where Vaan lay crouched in the grass. He could actually feel the power from it causing his hair to stand on end, the group held it's breath as the creature paused. Vaan stared into it's core of brilliant light, so many colours danced underneath it's surface. Slowly but surely the elemental moved off back into the trees from whence it came. Vaan stared after it, dumbstruck.

"Let's make camp for the night." Fran said, gently gripping his shoulder.

-

"How can anything like that exist?" Vaan asked Basch that evening.

"Who can tell?" Replied the knight. "Some say they were brought down by the Gods to govern the elements, others that they are simply the result of magicite developing a mind of it's own. I personally believe they are the souls of brave people, returned as creatures of great strength."

"Why couldn't I use magick?" Penelo asked.

Basch shrugged. "For some reason it causes them to be aggressive, perhaps they are the guardians of the elements and bending them to your will is an insult to them.

Balthier sat heavily down beside them. "Well whatever annoys them I'm certainly glad this one was friendly." He said. "Me and Fran got into a scrap with one of them once, barely made it out alive."

Fran nodded. "Indeed, they are great users of magick."

Basch stood up. "I'll scout out a route for the morning." He growled. Without waiting for an answer he strode into the trees, taking his mysterious bundle with him.

-

A week of travelling through Giza took it's toll on everyone. They struggled up and down endless muddy slopes, encountered dozens of muddy creatures, camped under a myriad of muddy trees and ate whatever muddy food they could find.

"Why can't there be anything wholesome in this swamp?!" Screamed Ashe one night, hurling her meal into the nearest lake.

"Well we did try to catch the best we could." Balthier shot at her. "I know you're used to the higher things in life princess but this is what we call roughing it."

Ashe stormed to her feet. "Well I'm sorry mister sky pirate, I imagine you would be familiar with the gutter. You've spent your whole life there after all."

"I am merely pointing out that you have always had a roof over your head and food on your plate, it's only natural for you to feel the difference of being desperate."

Vaan, Penelo and even Basch were now looking very scared at the sight of Ashe's rampage which ranted on for a good ten minutes before Fran stepped in.

"Enough!!" She hissed, with such power in her voice that the birds for miles around burst into panicked jabbering. "We are all tired, now we rest. Tomorrow we will arrive on the Ozmone plain, then things will seem better."

No one dared to argue.

Oh my god, how long has it been? I have been so caught up at the moment I have had no time to add to my stories, but I promise to do this more often. Remember I never give up on a story once I start it.