FINAL FANTASY: WORLD'S DAMNATION

The Road to Baron

I walked through the city, a small knapsack on my back and a duffle bag strapped around my shoulder. Theo flew beside, still excited. People watched me as I continued down the road towards the city's entrance. I still couldn't believe that I was actually a Diamond Mage! I'd surpassed all the other mages in town!

I caught sight of the huge airship flying overhead and landing at the entrance. Silas was already there. He wasn't wearing his armor. It was weird, because I'd always seen Silas around when I was a kid, and he was usually wearing armor, even when he was little. His Dad and my Dad were rivals, both successful Mages. His Mother was a warrior, and he spent most of his time learning her bestial way of fighting. Yep, Minerva Torrens was a top-notch fighter. But he didn't look like a killer. For the first time, I could finally see who was under the armor. Silas wore a black over shirt a white undershirt, and a red tie with blue jeans and black sneakers. He had messy brown hair and eyes the color of ripe tangerines. He stood by his large duffle bag, watching as I approached. "Hi." I said. He acknowledged me by nodding. "Ready?" I asked. Silas picked up his duffle bag and walked by my side towards the airship.

By Odin, the thing was huge. It was white in color, and expelled blue flames from the exhaust pipes. I walked up the ramp, Silas behind me. "Welcome. We're the crew!" Everyone on board said. "I'm Cid. I'll be your captain and pilot." A man walked ahead of the group. He was elderly and wore a yellow jumpsuit and black boots. "Now this here rig'll get us to Baron in a day's flight. So settle in and occupy your time wit something' enertainin'." He said. Two crewmen showed us to the cabin Silas and I would share. It had two twin beds and a dresser with a pot of geraniums on it. "Settle in. We'll have food later on as a group. We'll ring a bell when it's ready." After they left, I sat my things down beside the bed closest to the window. I looked outside of it and watched the ground become farther and farther away as we rose into the sky.

Silas put his things down and rested his body on the remaining bed. He hasn't spoken a word to me since he was assigned to be my guardian. I figured that he was upset about something, but I didn't feel that it was my duty to pry it out of him. Theo flew to the window, hovering in front of it. "Where are we going, kupo?" it asked. "We're headed to Baron to enlist the help of Cecil Harvey." I explained. Theo flew around the room a few times, landing on Silas' bed. "Why is our guardian so quiet? Is he unable to speak, kupo?" it asked. My heart stopped for a second. "Theo, leave him alone…" I said, scooping him up. "Sorry." Silas looked at me for three seconds, and then closed his eyes. I decided to tour the airship and see what was around. I was back in my casual outfit of jeans and a black t-shirt, looking nothing like the Diamond Mage outfit that was packed away. I noticed that the airship was modeled very much like a cruise ship. The halls were carpeted and the walls were decorated with plants and pictures of marine life. "Looks like the Diamond Mage has a little journey to go on." A familiar voice said. I turned around and saw Jin standing with the girl and two twins that I had come across in front of the Battle School. They were no longer in battle gear. Jin was shirtless wearing only baggy red cargo shorts with a silver chain in them and black sneakers. "Hi. Where are you guys headed?" I said, being friendly. "We're being stationed in Baron. I'm Dhalia, by the way." The girl said. Dhalia now wore light pink shin length dress with matching heels. Her pink ribbon was replaced by a white flower headband. "These are the twins, Kyle and Lyle. Black Mages." She introduced. Kyle and Lyle wore black overshirts and white unershirts with black jeans and black boots. "We heard about you becoming a Diamond Mage. I was really impressed." Dhalia said. "So was I. But then again, a Mage is nothing without a warrior to protect them while their casting their little spells." Jin said.

"Jin, why are you so mean?" Dhalia asked. "Ain't being mean, little sis. I'm simply telling like it is." He said, walking away. Kyle and Lyle followed him. "Meanie face! Kupo!" Theo said, flying around. "Forgive my brother, Isaiah." Dhalia said, with a smile. "He's your brother?" I asked. "Yes. As are Lyle and Kyle. Jin is twenty, I'm nineteen, and the twins are seventeen." She explained. We began to walk around. "How fortunate that the four of you are grouped together as a family." I said. "Sometimes, it's a curse. I seem to be the only one who doesn't have harshness in my blood. Jin is a tyrant on the battlefield. The twins, while limited on spells, hit hard with their kunai. I chose the path of a White Mage in order to put some ray of light of our family." Dhalia said. "What of your parents? What are their battle orientations?" I asked. "Dad was a warrior. He died during his stationing at Damcyan, a three day trip by land from Baron. His spear was sent back to our family, and it was inherited by Jin." Dhalia explained. "I'm guessing your brothers were close to your father." I said.

Dhalia sighed, stopping to look at the clouds out a nearby window. "Yes. When news of his death reached us, the light that was in their hearts was robbed from them, and now they look for any reason to be violent. I know you're capable of taking them on, but I advise you to avoid them as much as possible." She said. "Trust me. I'm not scared of either of them, and should they try and attack me, I'll be more than happy to set them straight." I said a smile. "Set 'em straight! Set 'em straight! Kupo!" Theo said. Dhalia smiled. "And what of your guardians? Are they rooming with you or are they spread across the ship?" She asked. "No. I've just one guardian. Silas Torrens, if you know him." I said. "I do. He's a loner. He's been that way since he lost his best friend in the bombing of Denham's Mage Laboratory." Dhalia said.

Now I knew why he was so cold. I know what it was like to lose a loved one. Hell, I'd lost two of them. "I didn't know." I said, looking down. "Yes. His friend, Netra Enderson, was running to the Lab when the attacked happened. She was a proud little girl, and, because she knew spells of water and ice, she thought that she could help. She headed over to the building and was caught in the explosion. Ever since that day, Silas turned into a silent person. He threw himself into his mother's form of training and became one of the toughest warriors in Denham." Dhalia said. I thought about Silas. I now understood why he's been acting this way. He'd lost someone he cared about, just like me. In fact, the two of us lost them in the same way. Dhalia and I said good-bye and parted ways. I watched as a few crewmen ran past me. One of them turned back and looked at me, panting. "Are you… the Diamond Mage?" He asked, gasping for air. "Yes. Is something wrong?" I asked. "There are airborne monsters on the top deck! Please, hurry! Our cannons cannot reach them above the ship!" he said. "Of course." I said, running with him. On the top deck, I saw Kyle shooting multiple lightning spells. I almost stopped breathing when I saw what he was shooting at. A Zu. Zu are very large species of bird of prey, colored black and purple and associated with the element of Wind, an advanced element.

"Analyzing….Zu. Wind associated and knows the spell 'Aeroga', which will be used when the creature dies as a last resort, kupo." Theo said. "Kyle! We have to kill it and then get inside quickly! Fight from near the door!" I said. Kyle ran over to my side. The Zu landed on the deck and growled. "It's weak to lightning. Keep it at bay until Jin arrives." He said. "It's too risky to fight it in the melee style." I said. "Stop being a wimp and fight!" Kyle said, focusing on the monster. I frowned. "Thundara!" Kyle shouted, throwing down a large lightning bolt onto the Zu, which howled in pain. A figure rushed past us, clad in red armor. Jin. "Hyper Cut!" He shouted, slashing the creature with his spear. Sparks came from the creatures wound, causing it to howl even louder. Dhalia and Lyle appeared moments later. "Oh, a Zu! JIN! GET BACK HERE!" Dhalia screamed. "Relax, Dhalia! I've got this!" Jin said. "No, you idiot! It's gonna kill you!" Lyle yelled. Jin turned back to the Zu and saw that the monster had a green glow. Around him, a very large cyclone enveloped him. As the Zu fell over, bleeding out from its wound, we all listened in horror as Jin screamed in pain inside the cyclone. When the cyclone disappeared, Jin fell over onto the deck.

"Jin!" I said, hurrying over to him. His siblings followed me. Jin's body was covered in wounds, and his armor was broken off in many places. Dhalia removed his helm. "Jin! Jin, answer me!" Jin's face showed no reaction or response. "Curaga!" Dhalia said, pushing her hands on his chest. A shining blue light enveloped Jin's body, but faded within seconds. Dhalia, Kyle and Lyle all formed tears in their eyes. Everyone knew that when a curative spell couldn't heal someone, they were dead. Jin had been killed by the Zu. The ring on my finger began to shine brightly. In my mind, a deep, male voice spoke clearly.

You are the strength of the people of the Earth. In the event of a death, you are the life. Today, you have seen death. It stands before you in the body of Jin Masora. You are now gifted with the ability to restore life to the dead. You now have new White Magic. Call upon the name of the spell known as 'Arise.'

"Arise." I said, pointing my hand towards Jin's body. The entire sky turned black within five seconds. A phoenix the size of a skyscraper appeared from the clouds, giving a glorious call. A light of the purest crystal color we had ever seen appeared. The light enveloped Jin, and his eyes opened. The phoenix returned to the clouds, and the sky returned to its original blue. Jin sat up. "Dude, I was having a psychotic dream. Some dark place had trapped me in a cage forever." He said. He sat up and then winced, grabbing his sides. "Jin!" Dhalia said, hugging him. "Ouch, sis! I'm in pain, here." Jin complained. Kyle and Lyle simply looked at me. "I've never seen a spell that can bring back the dead… You really are a Diamond Mage. You're probably going to be one of the most legendary Mages this world knows." Kyle said. Lyle walked over to me and pulled me into a hug. "Thank you." He said quietly. I hugged him back briefly, and then the twins went to be with their brother and sister. I smiled, motioning for Theo to follow me as I returned to the inside of the airship.

A bell sounded across the ship. "FOOD! KUPO!" Theo said, flying towards the mess hall. I smelled many delicious foods, and followed it to the mess hall, where all of the crew was. I didn't see Silas anywhere. I walked over to a nearby crew worker. "Excuse me, you haven't seen my guardian, Silas, have you?" I asked. "Yeah, he was out and about around the time you and the other group of defenders went to deal with the monster. I last saw him headed towards the star room." He said. "What's the star room?" I asked. "It's a theater in which people can see images of their thoughts. The normal thing to think about is loved ones who you have lost. I'm guessing he's there. A sullen one, he is." The crewman explained. "How do I get there?" I asked. "Take the elevator. The button is labeled with a star. It's impossible to miss." He said. I thanked him and made my way over to the elevator. Walking inside, the electrical doors closed behind me. I looked over to the buttons and say a black one with a blue star on it. I pressed the button, and the elevator moved slowly upward.

The doors slowly opened when it stopped. The room was very dark, lit only by the millions of stars that shone as if they were in outer space. I walked slowly out of the elevator, which closed silently behind me. My eyes were on the stars, which seemed to beckon me towards them. It was an eerie feeling, and one I don't think I could get used to. I froze when I saw Silas standing on the other side of the room. He was staring into the wall, which was glowing slightly. Suddenly, the room shone bright as the wall exploded with light, blinding me. When I regained vision, a little girl was floating in front of Silas. Her hair was short and red, and she wore a black dress and an orange witch hat. I recognized her immediately. Netra Enderson. Silas knelt down to her level, his usually blank or sullen face with a rare smile on it. "It's really nice to see you again." He said, rubbing Netra's head. "Si-Si, you're messing up the structure of my hat!" Netra's nine year old voice said. "Sorry, Netra." Silas said, fixing it back to the way it was. Netra floated upward and began to slowly disappear. "I gotta go now, Si-Si. I'm only allowed out for two minutes when my spirit gets called." She said. "Okay. You be good." Silas said, looking as she slowly faded away.

A tear slid out of my eye. Seeing the memories of loved ones who have passed always choked me up. I turned to leave. "You don't have to leave." I heard Silas say. I turned and looked at him. He was still facing the roof where Netra had faded away. "I'm sorry! It was really rude of me to intrude on your private thoughts!" I said. I felt really embarrassed blubbering out my apology like I did. "No need to explain yourself." Silas said. He put his hands inside his pockets. "Do you know anything about the bombing of the Laboratory ten years ago?" He asked me. I walked over to him. "Yes." I said. "The little girl you saw was my childhood friend, Netra. She was killed in the incident." He said. I didn't know what to say, so I kept silent. I looked over at Silas, who had a look of hidden sadness in his eyes. "She'd become a Black Mage at a very young age. With her skills, she couldn't have joined the force by the age of ten. She was also one of the few people I befriended as a kid." Silas went on.

I began to think of my parents. How they bravely fought to keep the monsters away from the main doors so they wouldn't escape. How close I was to them. "It looks like you've got some memories of your own." Silas said, interrupting my thoughts. The light blinded me again, and when I opened my eyes, my parents were both standing in front of me. "Mom…Dad…" I said. "Damn, son. You've gotten taller! I hope your magic is stronger than last we saw you." Dad said, playfully punching my shoulder. "Oh, sweetie, you look so handsome!" Mom said, hugging me. I hugged her back. "I wish you guys were still here…" I said, tears now flowing down my face as I cried silently. "Well, we can't hold you forever, son. As a Diamond Mage, you're gonna face really tough challenges, horrifying monsters, and things a regular magic user couldn't handle." Dad said. "How did you know I was a Diamond Mage?" I asked. "I know you better than you do, Zaya." Dad said. He and Mom began to fade away. "Terrible things are gonna happen, baby. Stay strong for us. We love you." Mom said. I watched in sadness as they faded away completely. "I'll do my best." I said, wiping away the tears from my eyes.

"I didn't know you were without your parents." Silas said. I said nothing. "How did they die, if you don't mind me asking?" he asked. "They were defending the Lab when the bombing happened. They were inside." I said. Silas got silent. "They killed most of the monsters, but the Mom Bomb remained, and both my parents were magically spent. They died as the creature heaved a final self-destruct." I continued. "So we each lost the ones who meant the most to us." Silas said. I nodded. "Well, I promise you that I'll protect you as we journey across the lands, Isaiah." Silas said. I looked at Silas, who met my gaze. His tropical orange eyes has sincerity in them, and it made me feel like I could trust him. "Pinky promise." He added, holding out his pinky. I smiled and shook his pinky with mine.

"They're serving food now. Everyone's in the mess hall." I said. "Okay. But I think I'll stay here a little longer." Silas said, turning back to the wall. "I understand." I said. With that, I left the room and returned to the mess hall, where I was greeted with heavy applause. This startled me. Theo flew over to me. "Captain wishes to see you! Kupo!" it said. I looked around and saw Captain Cid sitting at a table with Dhalia, Jin, Kyle and Lyle. All five of them beckoned towards me. I walked over to the table, where a large roasted chicken was sitting untouched. "Saved the bird until ya got here! I wants ya to tell me everything that happened on the roof!" Cid said, beginning to cut up and serve food to us. As I told the story, I noticed that the others were all smiling. Even Jin. It felt really good to have saved someone's life. "How did you learn to cast Life magic? For years, it has been nothing but a myth." Dhalia asked. "I don't know… when Jin was killed, my ring began to glow. Inside my head, a voice only I could hear told me about my duties as a Diamond Mage. Then the voice told me to speak the name of the spell. When I did, the spell was cast." I said. "Do you know whose voice it could be?" Lyle asked.

I sighed. "No. This is all very confusing… I only just became a licensed Mage yesterday, and I've already been given probably the single-handedly most dangerous ever known to humans, as well as become famous. It's a bit much…much like I sold my life away until the day I leave this world." "What mission were you given?" Jin asked me with a mouth full of chicken. "Silas and I were tasked with recruiting the help of Cecil Harvey, Cloud Strife, Squall Leonhart, Zidane Tribal, and Tidus of Besaid. Together, we are to intercept the Apolycant on its way to Earth." I said. The table got deathly quiet. "It's… It's coming to Earth?" Dhalia said. Her face had gone pale. "Yes, according the Wisemen of Denham." I said. "Yessiree, the 'Polycant is a piece of work of a beastie and ain't goin' down easy, I tell ya. Gonna need them strong warriors to even have a shot at blastin' that baddie." Cid said. "Kupo! Blast the baddie!" Theo chanted. "Does anyone else know about this event?" Kyle asked. "I'm not sure. However, I'm sure that with the help of the men we're to seek assistance from, this won't be too much of an issue." I said, biting into a piece of chicken. "Aren't you scared?" Dhalia asked me. "Honestly, yeah. I'm scared out of my fucking mind. But I can't let that stop me from completing the given task." I answered her. "You get the cool mission and we're stuck guarding Baron. Typical." Jin said.

I smiled. "Your mission will prove just as important as any other. All missions are of equal importance, because they are connected." I told him. "He's right, ya'll. If the balance of the world is shaken, we see that as civil war. When a mission ain't functionin' right, it's because somebody is lollygaggin' on their job. Therefore, without balance in the missions and the groups, shit would fuck up bad. So remember that, young'uns." Cid said.

I began to worry about the task of taking down the Apolycant. Were Silas and I really up to it? And who was the voice that had spoken to me on the deck of the airship?