Chapter 2. I'm more interested in crossing over Sephiroth's point of view with the FFXII Universe so I'll mostly put that in. I know these first few chapters are slow but give them time. I'll put in cameo's from other FF worlds in here.
A familiar feeling occurred, rushing through the stars and planets. Sephiroth had escaped his world and was coming back. Was he coming back to Spira? Yes, or in a way at least. As he approached the planet he could see the continent from space. It looked flourishing, just a bit. However he quickly noted that was passing it. Soon he and Gilgamesh were diving into a different continent and within minutes flew down and hit the ground, hard. It wasn't solid ground, but sand.
Sephiroth got up first and brushed the dust and sand off his clothes. He began looking around his surroundings. It was a desert of sorts but nowhere near the scale of the Bikanel Desert. It had arches and walls and towers of rock around the place. In the distance he could see some wolves and what appeared to be Cactuar.
"Where are we?" Asked Sephiroth calmly.
"Dalmasca Westersands," answered Gilgamesh walking up Sephiroth. "One of the vast deserts of the Dalmascan region situated to the west of Rabanastre. Few roads pass through this waste, and as such it is little frequented by merchants. In Dalmasca Westersand, the sandstorms are more greatly feared than the beasts; so much so, in fact, that whole societies of natural philosophers in Rabanastre devote themselves to their study."
"Rabanastre is that city over there?" Sephiroth asked looking over the patch of sand and walls where large building like structures were located. "I suppose this is where we part ways."
Gilgamesh let out a chuckle. "Comrade I couldn't have gotten out of there without you. Let me repay you the proper way. Follow me."
Before Sephiroth could bother to respond Gilgamesh had turned around and ran. He was fast, but Sephiroth could keep up. The two swordsman ran together, jumping from point to point, over ridges. Soon the desert became more vast and the buildings of Rabanastre were less apparent. After another few minutes they appeared in a different part of the desert. Large structures like drills were abundant and what appeared to be the sea. Sephiroth put his hand down into it and brought up some water, yet sand at the same time.
"What is this place?" asked Sephiroth standing up as the rest of the water fell from his hands.
"The Ogir-Yensa Sandsea," answered Gilgamesh. "A place where the Rozzarian empire once excavated oil. They no longer do but that's all trivial. Behold comrade, the reason I brought you here."
Gilgamesh pointed out to something way out at sea. Sephiroth's eyes squinted at something in the distance. Something large, red and metallic was floating in the sea but what appeared to be a head of some sort.
"A fiend?" piqued Sephiroth.
"Nae comrade, a Airship of legend," answered Gilgamesh. Sephiroth turned to the man. "Long ago in another part of the world, a war raged between Sorceresses and man. One had immense power and skill, Adel. She was captured and planned to be disposed of in space itself. To do so the country of Esthar used three airships. The Ragnarok, the Excalibur, and the Matamune. One drifted down here."
"Crash landed," speculated Sephiroth turning back to the airship, crossing his arms. "You want me to fetch it for you."
"Nae Comrade, it's yours," corrected Gilgamesh. "I have no need for an airship when I can cross the marches east and west in no time. My gift to you."
Sephiroth turned back to the man in red and let out a small smile. "What a wonderful gift for me."
Gilgamesh let out a laugh. "Not so fast, I'm not as generous as I am a master swordsman. You have to fetch it out by yourself. Watch yourself though, this place is infested with demons."
Sephiroth shrugged. He walked over and held out a hand. "Then this is where we part?"
"Aye," agreed Gilgamesh shaking his hand. "Farewell comrade, may we meet on our adventures. But I warn you, I'm a swords collector and that blade is something to aim for."
"I'll keep my out for you," commented Sephiroth turning around and walking to the sea. Gilgamesh chuckled another time and fled into the winds itself.
The ship was definitely far away and difficult to reach. The thick sand sea would make it nearly impossible to swim over. The thought was simple and easy to make, fly over. Sephiroth extended his right angel and flapped it once, flying into the air. With another flap he began gliding over the vast sand sea. Things seemed to be going well until spears began being thrown at him from the sea. It was easy enough to dodge but they became a nuisance quickly.
Several strange looking creatures in dark robes were the causes of the spears. They were riding what looked like sand sharks. The creatures hissed something as they began shooting spears and arrows at Sephiroth. The swordsman flew faster than they could threw and arrived at the head of the ship. He could see the ship was sinking. It probably would've already if it hadn't been for the sea being made of sand. Sephiroth retracted his wing and landed on the ship.
Another minute later he entered the ship through the outer hatch. Just after a step the ship shifted. It was obvious this ship would sink if given the allowed time. Sephiroth wasn't going to allow that. He quickly ran around the ship, trying to find the cockpit. It was difficult with the large size of the ship but eventually found it. Sephiroth threw himself in the chair and began examining the controls. He found the basic ones and started up the engines. The ship roared to a start and slowly began moving out of the sea. Not a moment too soon, the creatures of the desert were beginning to pound on the exterior of the ship.
The ship roared, it's engine's burning away years of sand in the engines. It's eyes seemed to glow, coming alive. Sephiroth's body shook from the vibration with a surprised expression on his face. The power the ship had, it's spirit, it's will, it seemed alive even. Sephiroth's open mouth turned into a grin, acknowledging the airships power. The ships vibration was so intense it appeared as a roar to the creatures outside who were beginning to run away from fear. The ship was half way out, sand rushing off it's solid exterior. Sephiroth's body shot back into his seat as the ship blazed out of it's confinement and flew into the sky.
"Truly impressive," complimented Sephiroth taking control of the beast. Soon the ship was flying in his direction, a blaze of red for whoever was looking up. Now all he had to do was figure out what to do next.
"Thank you," came a computer generated voice from the console. The voice coming over the intercom above him. "You have awakened me from my long slumber."
"You're the computer of this ship I take it?" asked Sephiroth looking up as if it was a real person. "Wanna be partners?"
"Affirmative," came the computer voice, it was female in origin. "I am the ship Excalibur."
"Excalibur, tell me what your capabilities are," ordered Sephiroth as the ship flew past the clouds at nice speeds.
"Just a moment please, allow me to register you as the new captain of the Excalibur," commented the ship. Sephiroth relaxed in his chair eyeing the computer once in awhile. "Registration complete. List of airship capabilities requested and confirmed. Top speed 11.8 km/s. Crew size: 6. Passenger size: 8. Unlimited fuel. Auto Pilot. Constant up to date GPS system. 1 609mm Charged Particle Cannon. 2-152mm Multi-barreled Laser. 2 Retractable mandible 'claws'. This ship's supplies have been reduced to nothing and thus this ship is working on emergency power."
"Impressive ship," complimented Sephiroth piloting Excalibur. "We need supplies. Where would be the nearest place to resupply you."
"Processing," responded the computer. This computer was advance, it was obvious that it wouldn't need processing, it's just been asleep to long Sephiroth though. "Any Aerodome or Airstation in the current Ivalice continent will suffice. However, this ship is not registered and thus cannot be docked at any. The nearest free Airstation is due east at the Luca Airstation."
"Luca? Spira..." mumbled Sephiroth. The idea of returning lingered in his mind. True he wanted to go back, but since he came to Ivalice, it was as if it was a new beginning. However, he needed this ship. "Excalibur is your Auto Pilot still working?"
"Affirmative."
"Then plot a course to the Luca Airstation and set off."