Chapter 9 :
Disclaimer: I Striking Dancer do not own any Final Fantasy characters, or any boring Disclaimers.
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Bast fon Ronsenburg's POV:
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"Alright everyone time to move out! Move it, move it, move it! "
I said through chattering teeth. I was definitely not made for the cold elements. I guess, being from the heat of Dalmasca has made me weak against the Cold.
"We're hurrying Bast, chill out. I think you can handle it a bit longer! Sheesh, how on Ivalice can anyone stand to be around you?"
Miranda said as she packed up the last of her belongings. I was chilled out enough already, and she wasn't helping out much. But, she was right, I was kinda being pushy. Jason trudged beside me, and went over to Miranda, as he packed on her small belongings.
"Yeah, Bast, chill out. Besides, you really need to make sure we have everything we had when we got here."
Jason said, as he scooted closer to Miranda's side, as she smiled at him with those striking pink eyes. Wait, did I just see a romantic spark between Jason, and Miranda? Great, lovebirds in my squad, but, I couldn't say too much, for I was starting to sorta fall for Winter. Was I affected by the Love Bug? Great......
"I will be more than glad to lead the way, seeing as how I am the most familiar with the Paramina. Besides, letting a mere cub, like Bast lead you around, you'd most likely get lost, and become Singer Popsicles."
Rio almost purred, looking up from his spot by the dying fire. I swear, that cat had a ego big as Ivalice! And if he didn't stop being such a cocky cat, I would make a nice snow leopard coat out of his hide!
"Good." Winter replied, as she slung a backpack over her strong shoulders. I couldn't help but notice the muscles protruding in her back. She definitely was toned, but she was beautiful....
"That makes things a might bit easier. Okay, everyone ready?"
"I guess so, my Queen." Miranda replied, as she nodded her head.
"Me too." Jason said with a smile on his handsome face.
"Rio the Cool Cat, is in the House!" Rio said with a twist of his tail.
"Yeah, yeah..let's go." I said, halfway annoyed.
After we had all loaded all of our supplies onto our backs, we set off further into the Paramina Rift. I was glad to be moving again, as it helped me keep warm. I looked over at Rio, marveling at how he kept warm here in spite of his thick coat. The traveling was slow going thanks to the Blizzard like weather. After we had been traveling for most of the day we finally made it to what was once the glorious home of the Kiltas. Straining to see past all of the snow I realized the now empty land was covered in a sort of thick aura. Not an uncomfortable one, but a strange one no doubt. It was strange, and hazy, it left you feeling sleepy, I didn't like it at all. I looked up to see a woman with hazel eyes, long, dark brown hair, peach-colored skin, and a warm smile beckoning me. I cautiously crept forward, as Jason looked bewildered at me. Wasn't he seeing the same person I was, or was I hallucinating?
"Hey, Bast? Bast, you okay?"
"Something is wrong with him..." I heard Miranda reply to her other Male singer.
"Mother?" I whispered. "Mother!"
She gestured for me to come closer. I realized as I got closer to her that I was getting very sleepy. After what felt like ages I finally made my way into her loving arms. She was so warm, and smelt of lilac, and honey just like I remembered her before....
"Sleep my son sleep.... I will never leave you again. We can be together forever. Just like when you were a little boy, when we were a team, when it was just you, and I.."
She whispered into my ear, as she caressed my hair, tucking in the longer parts behind my ear. Was this even real, was I really with my beautiful, and loving Mother, the one I missed for years? If it was a illusion, I hoped it would stay like that forever. All I wanted to do was sleep in her arms forever, and was about to close my eyes when I felt someone grab me from behind. The grip was extremely tight, making my skin ache.
"No Bast!"
I heard through the fog that surrounded me. I then felt a another pull on my arm, a equally strong grip, just like the other person's grip. I started thrusting my arms around, to make the people leave my Mother, and I alone.
"No!" I protested. "I will not leave her again!"
I fought against the presence that was pulling me away from my mother. I could feel my eyes closing, and the mist began to pull me in. I found that I didn't care as long as could be with my mother. Before I could do anything, I heard my Mother cry, as the forces were pulling me away. Right before I could fight back, I lost consciousness....
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Winter's POV:
"Rio drag him out of the Mist, before he passes to the Other Side!!" I shouted, fearing for Bast's Life.
"Winter, What is going on?!" Miranda shouted behind me, as she was busy helping Rio attempt to try to pull Bast away. I wiped a patch of sweatbeads from my forehead, as I started telling about those dastardly beings that prey on people like poor Bast.
"Winter...he's surrounded in Black Auras...what is happening to him?"
Jason asked, as he helped Miranda/Rio drag him out of the Mist, but the Rakka's grip was strong, and it was fighting like Hell to get him back. Thankfully, the two strong Singers, and the giant snow Leopard was equally strong, if not stronger.
"That Black aura that surrounds Bast is a "Rakka". It's a evil spirit that wishes to return to the land of the living. It takes the form of someone you love that has passed from this world, and lures you to the arms of someone you love that has passed away. It can not take you if you are not willing, but if you give into the desire, and listen to it's plea for you to sleep forever in the arms of the one you love, it will take you. Rakka are always hungry, and looking for more souls to take so they may return to this world. And if you're lucky enough to survive a Rakka attack, sometimes, they affect the victim's personality for a short time.."
"One...Two...THREE!!!"
Finally Rio/Miranda/Jason pulled Bast away from the Rakka, and back into the World of the Living. I ran over to examine him, and fell to my knees when I saw just how close he was to death. It was so terrifying, to smell the deathly scent of the Rakka on his body, the aura surrounding him was sheer hell to breathe. I started to power up my Song of the Resurrected, to try to bring back my Leader---
--And the Man I was starting to have feelings for.
"Quick Jason start a fire! Miranda fetch my bag, and Rio I need you to keep Bast warm. There's not a moment to lose! Start praying that I can preform this without a fatal result!"
"Good Luck, Winter..."
I hurriedly began to sing the spell that would bring Bast back to this world. I only prayed that it would not be too late. I couldn't lose him now...I just couldn't....
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Bast fon Ronsenburg's POV:
"What's happening to me?"
I wondered. It was so cold there, slient, and dark. I realized I was lying on the floor somewhere, a place that sure wasn't Bur-Omisace. I stood up, and looked around aimlessly. All I could see was darkness, pure, sheer darkness. I heard a voice somewhere in the darkness softly singing, but the voice sounded like an echo. Wait where WAS I? How did I get here? I began to walk toward the singing, in hopes that I would find my way out of that desolate place. As I got closer I saw a bright light coming from the direction of the singing. That light, it was so heavenly, and pure, like I was seeing the "Light at the End of the Tunnel". I walked into the light with no fear, only awe at how beautiful the music was. I wasn't for sure where, who, or what would happen, but I trusted the beautiful voice to lead me Home, or back to my Troops...
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