Chapter 02: Borrowed Time
"You think it'll end here? (cough) (cough)...you lay hand upon Archadian guard...you lay hand upon Archades itself. For this your neck will break beneath the dungeons of Nalbina." A soldier coughed with a film of blood running from the side of his lip. With him laid seven other soldiers all beaten into a pile like dirty laundry.
The half dead soldier was the only one amongst his squad still conscious. "Well if they keep sending drek like you, I'll be a free man even in the streets of Archades...hahahaha." I laughed climbed up onto the dogpile of bodies then sat down. I looked at my right hand in awe, I wondered how I was able to fight so well?
I was never really that great at fighting back on Earth, but here it's like. I dunno, I'd become a god or something. I can parry blows, throw people and link combos as if I were doing this my whole life. Defeating these guards was proof of that. "I wonder if I leveled up?" I asked myself.
I've been looking for Migelo's place for about two hours now, but alas there was no luck to be had. Rabanastre is alot bigger than what was featured in the game, so I keep getting lost. And everytime I get lost I run into Archadian soldiers who recognize me and attack, so I've been fighting them off for hours now. I'm getting abit tired of this shit though.
Let's think here for a moment, what Migelo even wants in the first place is for me to go and fetch Kytes. In this part of the game, Migelo sends Vaan to go get Kytes so he can watch the store while Migelo runs off to do afew errands for the banquet party for Vayne Solidor. During that time, Vaan hunts the Rogue Tomato. Sounds kinda boring.
"You fight well, skills that could be put to better use on opponents more fitting." A harsh voice said.
I was in the alleyways of Rabanastre far from the bustling streets, so the fight against the soldiers wasn't so publically displayed. Showing off wasn't really a pet-peeve of mine. But walking out of the shadows was a tall tanned man, with black hair and stubble lining his jawline. I recognized him right away, it was Vossler York Azelas! He came out in his strange armored clothing wielding his oversized Nightmare greatsword.
I hopped off of the dogpile of bodies. "Azelas...I...I knew you were apart of the Insurgence you..." The remaining conscience soldier said before I kicked him in the face to make him go to sleep.
Vossler looked at the pile of bodies then stared at me. He began to pace around me in circles. "Who are you exactly? A Rabanastran seeking vengence or a man with a death wish?"
I crossed my arms with a shrug. "Neither, just a guy enjoying the sights." And in that I was not lying. I really was enjoying this world and all it had to offer.
"We have been watching you." Stepping out of the shadows of the alleyway as well was a short skirted woman with tanned skin, behind her was a small squad of about four men each wielding Rabanastran Order swords.
"Amalia." Vossler raised an eyebrow, seems he didn't expect her to be here either.
"You don't have to use the code name. Princess Ashe, Vossler York Azelas." I said and with that, nearly everyone even the three man team behind Ashe had gripped their weapons. Out of instinct, I hopped back and drew my katana halfway from the sheath, not fully.
"You know of us, who are you?...Are you an archadian dog?" Vossler fully drew his sword. "Slaying your own kind to get us out into the open. Archades is not above such action?"
I stood up straight, I had to think fast because 'I'm from another world where your world is just a game, won't cut it here.' My eyes shifted left and right trying to find a solution. "I...uh...just figured Princess Ashe couldn't have been dead when the Marquis Ondore announced it. I...clung to hope that...my lady was still alive?" I said with a shrug.
I didn't look too convincing Ashe's eyes narrowed, Vossler didn't bat an eyelash. "I'm not with Archades. The reason I keep butting heads with them is because of an incident in the Bazaar. One of them was heckling a fruit vendor, so I showed em what for. They've been chasing me ever since."
"His words ring true, On my shift through the streets I happened to witness such a scene. I thought the man to be truly Dalmascan." One of the soldiers in the back said stepping forth.
"What do you guys want anyway?" I asked with a shrug. "You decided to stop hiding in the shadows and spying for a reason. What is it?"
Vossler slowly sheathed his greatsword, it seemed what he wanted before was completely thrown out. Now he glared at me like a bitter enemy, Ashe not so much. She stepped forward. "As you've divined I am indeed Ashelia B'Nargin Dalmasca. I am short warriors for my cause to take back Rabanastre. And I would have your service. You've defeated a great many Archadian soldiers. That in itself vouches your skill."
Joining the Insurgence? That's something Vaan never did in the game, besides while in the Resistance I could warn them of the trap Vayne Solidor set. This whole Banquet thing is just a set up, they have the Ifrit Flagship on stand by with more guards than usual within the Banquet Hall. Besides I think through the Insurgency I'll be able to do a lot more if I gain rank.
The fact that Vossler didn't trust me, let me down, but I could understand him. I wouldn't trust me either, the things that are coming out of my mouth. While I admit to trying not to sound this way, are coming out abit sketchy.
"Sure. I'll join you...on one condition." I said raising a finger.
"State it and I will see to it that it is fulfilled." Ashe answered with a nod.
"Lady Ashe." Vossler said trying to stop her but she wouldn't listen, she only stared at me waiting for my word.
I sheathed my katana. "You stop the attempt at Vayne Solidor's life."
Vossler drew his Nightmare again and eased it to my neck. "You know our identities and you know of our plan? Who are you really?"
I had to think fast again but luckily this question was easier to answer. "Isn't it obvious? What other reason would the RESISTANCE show up when VAYNE SOLIDOR, son of the Emperor comes to deliver a speech and dine with the people of Dalmasca. I know you're planning something and if I know it, he knows it as well. You shouldn't attempt at trying to kill him now...it'll only end in failure."
"I cannot, we've waited many years for this opportunity and we cannot let it pass." Ashe said in a comforting voice.
"I know and they have been waiting for an opportunity like this too. Where they catch you guys in one fell swoop. You're the only thing keeping Archadia from completely taking this land over for good. I know you guys may think now is the perfect time but you couldn't be more wrong. Archades has the Ifrit Battleship on standby...waiting for your attack. As soon as you guys do, they'll rain fucking hellfire down on us." I explained.
"Show us proof of this and not conjecture." Vossler said crossing his arms.
Vossler York Azelas, every bit as untrusting and loyal as the game portrays him. He stands as so in person too. I respected and admired Vossler more than anyone else in Final Fantasy XII. He was so loyal and dedicated to the cause of Restoring Dalmasca that he was willing to betray the Princess and forces that he's sworn to. All for the sake of seeing his homeland rise again, he'd turned into a villain.
Was Vossler apart of Archadia now though? I couldn't remember if he'd joined Archades and struck a deal later.
Whatever the case may be, my absolute goal right now. Is to keep Vossler alive.
Ashe's eyes lofted around the alleyway looking at her men then back at me and nodded. "Yes, if you can show me proof of what you say. We will withdraw assault."
"My lady!" Vossler tried to say and she raised a hand on it.
"Stay your tongue, Vossler. Should his findings bare fruit then we'd be sending our men to slaughter." Ashe replied. "What is your name, friend?"
"Kel." I pointed at myself simply.
"Then Kel, you have my trust for now. The hour is still young, if you can find evidence of Archades ambush then we will withdraw. Show nothing and we will proceed." Ashe ordered. "We will be in the Garamscythe Waterways, come when you are ready." With that everyone turned and walked off disappearing into the darkness of the alleyways.
"Heh, this is gonna be awesome. But I might need a little bit of help." I said rubbing my chin.
Author's Note: Kel has a chance to change a major plot point in the game! But what kind of help is Kel asking for? And how will he find the evidence in time to stop Ashe and her soldiers from being captured!? And what about the Dusk Shard!?
FINAL FANTASY XII STORYLINE: In the beginning Vaan slays afew rats, from there he steals a gil pouch from an Archadian Soldier hassling a vendor. Where he runs into Penelo who lectures him. He then later runs off to aid Migelo by brining Kytes back from the Sandsea Bar and then goes on the Rogue Tomato Quest. After defeating the Rogue Tomato, Vaan makes it back into the city with the help of Migelo and Penelo where he witnesses Vayne Solidor becoming Consul.
KEL PARTY: FINAL FANTASY XII STORYLINE: In the beginning Kel doesn't slay the rats, from there he picks a fight with the Archadian Soldiers and escapes a chase through the Bazaar with Kytes. Where he runs into Penelo who lectures him. He then gets lost in the city where he fights off Archadian Soldiers until Vossler and the Resistance takes notice of him. Kel tries to stop the Resistance attack by revealing that Archadia plans a counter assault. The Resistence then asks him to provide proof.
REVIEW REPLIES SECTION:
The Undyingcrystal Chp1 Review: "Yeah no, I didn't quit at first. I DID REWRITE THAT...I wrote the first story over again starting in a new location and everything but that document was lost because I didn't save it and the laptop cut off from a lack of power. I tried to recover it but I couldn't I WAS LIKE "FUCKING BALLS!" So I ended up writing this. I thought 'hey I never actually stuck to a real self insert before so let's just do this.'
Skyzerk Chp1 Review: "No, I ended up changing the whole summon system thing and the restrictions. I just want a bunch of people around me when we're kickin' ass."
Lecter R Purgatory Chp1 Review: "Yeah it is like the first Kel Party. But this one will have elements from Excelsus and No More Self Inserts, you'll see."
Lu Bane aka Thundercock Chp1 Review: "I'm gonna be honest this review pissed me off at first but then after thinking about it. You're right but at the same time you're kinda wrong about this. How else would Vaan and his party defeat such huge monsters without super powers? What I write I consider to be within the Final Fantasy world's laws because the shit they do and the enemies they defeat are just impossible(Lecter is way better at explaining this than me by the way). Have you pictured what a battle against Yiazmat REALLY LOOKS LIKE? I picture it to be fucking INSANE. (We're all gonna do that by the way. I've been wanting to write a battle against Yiazmat since I'd first heard of it.) And as far as launching that behemoth goes, Lightning and the rest of the FFXIII cast were throwing even bigger monsters into the air and even slapping them BACK DOWN. And don't give me that, different worlds crap because when it comes to battle just about all of the Final Fantasys are the same and DISSIDIA proves that. How is what I'm doing blasphemy? Wait I'm sorry dude that's not what you're saying at all..stupid stupid sorry I just get outta hand sometimes...But I do see your side of it. In the first place though I didn't plan for the battles to go the shonen route. I'm going to write the battles like...like...uh...remember how Lightning and Caius were fighting in the beginning of FFXIII-2? Like that eventually. I'm going to make it so that the reader can see obvious growth in the characters that they ARE GETTING STRONGER instead of kicking ass right off the bat with EVERY enemy." (As I said, Lecter is better at explaining such things with a leveled head. I just get angered and defensive...I hate that I'm like this. I mean no offense to you. )
Pikpixie Chp2 Review: "It's never a normal self insert...I just don't know to do those. I want to write one, BELIEVE me but...it's just so boring to do things by the book. Does that make me naughty? XD"
LordshadowRyuu Chp1 Review: "WHOA! SHADOW?!"
Realms of Destiny Chp2 Review: "Oh no they don't Dez. And when I get my buddies by my side aka you guys. They are really in for it."
Lecter R Purgatory Chp2 Review: "I dunno, now that you bring up the issue I have NO FUCKING CLUE! Why Rabanastre wouldn't pay attention to their water treatment center. Maybe they left it a lost cause and decide to get water from someplace else? Or maybe it's like Mexico and they don't drink the water it's only for show?"
