A.N: Ahh, the great boatride to Luca. During which mostly conversation happens... I think I will add my little touch... of reasonable additions, of course. Also, slight attire change for the O.C. This and another event here will serve as references to a certain Castlevania game. Good luck guessing it out if you're not a Castlevania fan, though, because the Dracula inside me demands that I don't give any hints. Bwahahaha! *teleports into the background*
Sidenote: That last review confused me a bit, as I have not shown interest in watching that thus far. Oh well. Nice to hear that this is going good for your eyes thus far, though! Again, first fanfic here, so the fact that I haven't earned people's hatred yet is very reassuring. Hopefully, I can avoid becoming the Dracula of fanfiction.
Disclaimer: The elements used in this fanfiction-
*Death appears suddenly in a fit of laughter*
Death: Ah, Alucard. What is your business here?
Alucard: I've come to rewrite this.
Death: Ever the insolent author... but there'll be no games here. If you will not write properly, begone.
Alucard: I will do neither. Step aside, old man.
Death: Hah! Such arrogance. Very well... but I shall see you very soon...
*Death takes away all of Alucard's editing tools*
Alucard: Agh! What!?...
*Death flies away in another fit of laughter*
Jonathan Morris: Uh oh. Better help him get those back. Anyway, standard disclaimer rules apply!
Final Fantasy: Aria of Ruin
Chapter Six: A Small Prayer
It had been around ten hours since the boat departed from Kilika Port, heading for the destination of Luca. Jack Morris had spent the first two hours getting a nap. Since there were no reports of vampire attacks thus far in Spira, he decided that it was safe to take it easy today. As he exited his room, though, a strange fellow wearing a blue shirt, light brown pants, and sandals walked up to him. "Oooh, them's fascinating clothes you're wearing", he commented, taking a look at the hunter. Immediately afterwards, though, he had a look of disgust. "Yewh! Filthy, filthy! These won't sell, or me name's not O'aka!", he added, much to Jack's surprise. "Don't look like you got much money, either", the man finished as he stepped back.
"Don't let looks fool you. In my business, that would lead to a bad ending for you", was the hunter's ominous reply. Silence followed for a second. "So, who exactly are you?", Jack added. "Oaka XXIII, merchant extraordinaire!", the man answered. Again, the hunter was surprised, though this time, he didn't show it. Apparently, there were 22 others that shared his name. "Merchant extraordinaire, huh? Might I be able to take a look at what you're selling?", Jack asked. O'aka nodded. "I do not have much right now, but I'll get more in due time", he said.
True to his word, the merchant did not have much. Most of his stock were just potions and antivenoms. There was, however, a strange cloak that had a purple exterior and an ocean blue lining. "I would like one of those please", he requested, gesturing to one of the antivenom potions to replace the one he had consumed after defeating Lord Ochu. O'aka traded the aforementioned potion for a small silver coin from Jack. "A question, if you don't mind. That cloak... how much does it cost, if it's for sale?", he said. "This thing? Doesn't look much like royalty to me. I could give it to you for two thousand", the merchant answered.
That surprised the hunter once more. He sensed something... magical about it. Regardless, Jack brought out a big golden bag of money. "Looks like we have a deal", he replied, giving O'aka the bag. Briefly checking its contents, he smiled. "Thank you", the merchant finished, giving the hunter the cloak. "Well, I should head outside and get some fresh air. May business continue to be good for you", Jack said as he tried on the cloak. He had a smile on his face. "Same to you!", was O'aka's farewell as the hunter headed for the door to the exterior of the ship.
No sooner than Jack closed the door behind him did he hear an interesting conversation. Looking ahead, he saw the same purple-suited people who played for the Luca Goers, along with Yuna and Tidus. "What are you all talking about?", the star player asked. "Who are you supposed to be?", one of the Goers asked. "Ah, I remember him. Guy from Kilika", one of his friends answered. "Hmm?", the first Goer asked. "You know, one of the Besaid Aurochs. Said somethin' about winning the cup", the second Goer answered. "Oh, right. You're that idiot", the first Goer answered.
'Great. Just when I decide to take things easy, these knotheads come along. Ugh...' was Jack's thoughts at this. "Don't call him that!", Yuna said angrily. "But he is an idiot. They don't got what it takes to win that cup", the first voice said. "Well, they do now that I'm here!", Tidus replied. "Yes, they will win! He used to be the star player of the Zanarkand Abes!", the summoner added. 'Uh oh!', the hunter thought sadly at this. "Yeah, as if anyone lived in those ruins", the second Goer said after having a soft laugh. "Its not ruins, there's a big city there! There is!", Yuna retorted. "I got too close to Sin and...", Tidus began. "There is a city, really!", Yuna cut him off. "Right, whatever Your Ladyship says", the first Goer replied. And that was the end of that conversation.
"I just woke up from a much needed nap, and trouble's going on already? What the curses is the world's problem?", Jack asked silently. "What's wrong? You seemed kinda mad there", Tidus asked to Yuna. "They were being rude and... I do believe your Zanarkand exists. I really do, you know", she replied. "How come?", the star player added. "Sir Jecht used to always tell me stories. It'd be great to see your home someday. I'd love to go there", Yuna responded. "Yeah...", Tidus replied. 'Jecht again? This, I gotta know...', the hunter thought as he looked at the stairs nearby. "Hey! Nice cloak!", the star player called out to Jack. "Huh? Oh, thanks. It was a cheap purchase-", he began, though he paused when he saw his newly purchased cloak. Its colors were reversed now.
"- what the curses? Why are the colors reversed?", the hunter finished, changing his line of thought. That was when a thought hit him then. Maybe that was the magic he sensed. "Huh?", Tidus asked. "This thing had a purple exterior and an ocean blue lining when I bought it from someone named O'aka XXIII. Now its reversed", Jack answered. "Maybe its a magical cloak?", Yuna offered. The star player could do little more than look confused at this. "Well, I did sense something magical about it. But I don't sense anything beneficial here...", the hunter replied. 'Maybe I'll ask Alucard the next time I see him. If anyone knows about this, it'll be him', he added in his thoughts. It was true. Alucard always had some sort of cape on, even if it was as shabby looking as the ugly cloth cape that Jack did see on occasion.
Meanwhile, above the three young people, Wakka and Lulu were having a talk about Tidus. "Well? Say something. You'll take responsibility?", Lulu asked. Wakka sighed in frustration. "Relax! He's bound to know someone in Luca", the blitzer replied. "And if not?", the black mage asked, sighing. "He could always join a blitz team. Anyhow, its better than just leaving him in Besaid", Wakka replied. "What? Just leaving him in Luca?", Lulu retorted. "What do you want me to do?", the blitzer asked, sighing.
A small silence formed between the two. "Yuna wants to make him a Guardian", Lulu said. Wakka leaned back, sighing. "Oh yeah, geez. There's that too, eh?", he replied. "And who's fault is that?", the black mage responded, frowning. "Not mine!", Wakka replied. More silence followed. "It is mine, huh? What makes you think she wants to make him a Guardian, anyway?", the blitzer added. "Because he's Sir Jecht's son", Lulu replied, shaking her head. "Oh, right. Wait, you sure about that? He's really Sir Jecht's son?", Wakka asked.
More silence formed as Lulu picked a piece of hair off her doll. "It's hard to say, but Yuna seems to believe so", was the black mage's response. "Okay", the blitzer replied. "Okay? Okay? That's all you're going to say?" Lulu asked, shooting him a look. "Well, yeah. I mean... he's gotta decide for himself, ya? Well, him and Yuna, I guess", Wakka replied. "You're right, for once", Lulu agreed. More silence followed. "And what of Jack?", the black mage added. Unbeknownst to the two, Jack had heard this, and began to listen in. "That hunter? It's pretty obvious he can hold his own weight, ya? But his story is still... hard to believe", the blitzer said. "As hard as it is to believe, I think he speaks the truth", Lulu commented. "Wha!", was all Wakka managed to say in reply to that.
"We've seen how he fights. No one we have met thus far has shown such expertise in such strange weapons. Especially with Lord Ochu", the black mage clarified. Silence followed for a second as the blitzer took in this information. She definitely had a point. Jack alone had done what would have been an insurmountable task for the rest of the group to perform, and he probably could have done such a feat in his sleep. "Even without that, I overheard him asking Yuna if it was alright with us if he came along as a guardian. Ever since we met him, the two have been talking a lot. She may ask him tomorrow, after the blitzball tournament", Lulu finished.
"You're right. Yuna would never want to leave him behind", Wakka said. "Which is why I want you to suggest it to him and Tidus after the tournament", Lulu replied. "What?", the blitzer asked, oblivious. "Suggest that they become Yuna's guardians", the black mage replied. "Why me?", the blitzer asked. "Because Yuna can't", Lulu ansered. "I can understand Jack, given that we just met him and all. But why Tidus, ya?" Wakka asked, blinking. "He hates his father. What he was, what he did. Do you really think she can possibly say to him, 'I want you to be my guardian, like your father was to mine'?", the black mage retorted. "Aren't you being over-sensitive?", the blitzer asked. A snort from Lulu answered that. "Alright, alright, I'll try talking to those two after the tournament", Wakka said.
"Be discreet", the black mage suggested. "I know. Its their decision. Wait. Tidus doesn't like his father?", the blitzer managed in reply. "Apparently. He told Yuna as much", Lulu replied. "Hating your own father, huh? Sounds like a luxury to me. I don't even remember my parents. Can't say how I feel about 'em", Wakka said sadly. "I.. I was five then, so I remember mine a little", Lulu replied to comfort him. "Dammit! Sin just takes everything from us", Wakka said angrily. The hunter could do little more than sigh silently at those words as he walked towards the front of the boat. The poor duo never even remembered their parents that well, if at all. That was undoubtedly a cruel fate.
It wasn't long before Jack stepped back onto the front of the boat, minding his own business when he got hit by a blitzball. "What the curses?", the hunter offered as his thought. Granted, it didn't hurt him. All it did was just leave him dumbfounded at what happened. "Sorry!", the thrower of the blitzball shouted at Jack. Or, more appropriately, the kicker. "What's up, Tidus?", the hunter asked. "Just remembering an unpleasant memory, is all", was the star player's reply. "Unpleasant? That unpleasant memory wouldn't happen to be a Sir Jecht, would it?", Jack asked.
Tidus was shocked at this. How did the hunter know of his father? The star player never told him about it, that's for sure. "Where'd you hear that?", Tidus asked. "Yuna briefly talked with me about it back when we were at Kilika Temple", was Jack's response. The star player, though still surprised, visibly relaxed after hearing that. "Forgive me if I'm prying, but... what exactly do you hate your father for?", the hunter asked Tidus. "He was always mean to me. He used to call me a crybaby because I used to cry a lot", was his reply. At those words, Jack did little more than place a comforting hand on the star player's shoulder.
"You're not the only crybaby around here", he said simply. "You, too?", Tidus asked, obviously surprised. The hunter looked to the sea. "Compared to the rest of my family, yeah", he added. A small silence formed between the two. "Do you remember me briefly mentioning Alucard back on Kilika?", the hunter asked. Tidus nodded. "Well, you share one thing in common with him. He... well, I wouldn't say he hates his father... but he fights against him regardless", Jack continued. Tidus was shocked. "Why, was he always mean to Alucard too?", the star player asked. The hunter shook his head. "Actually, at first, the two got along very well, from what Alucard told me. But as time passed... he began to question his father's beliefs. Eventually, Alucard chose to fight against him. Since that day, they've been fighting each other", he replied.
"Why?", the star player asked. "Well, did you ever figure out what Alucard spelled backwards is?", Jack answered with a question of his own. This surprised Tidus. "Wait a minute! You mean Count Dracula? The Dracula that you told me about back in that hut?!", the star player asked. The hunter nodded. "Even if Sir Jecht was indeed the way you say he was, I'm sure he would never think of trying to destroy all of humanity. Dracula, on the other hand, has resurrected many times, intending to do just that. Alucard, on the other hand, fights for humanity. He does this because he wishes to keep a promise he made to his mother", he replied.
"Wow... no wonder Alucard fights against him", Tidus commented. Both turned to face the starry night sky. "Does anyone else know about this?", he added. "Yuna knows of this as well", was Jack's reply. "Good. I think this needs to stay between the three of us for the time being", the star player said. The hunter nodded. "Well, I'm going to go get some sleep. Have someone wake me up when we reach Luca, alright?", Jack said. "You bet", Tidus replied.
Unbeknownst to the two, however, Wakka had listened in on that part of their conversation. So it was a bit of a surprise when the hunter was pulled into a headlock by the blitzer. "What the curses?!", Jack managed to ask in his confusion. "Hey, I couldn't help but overhear what you and Tidus were talking about. I had heard about a man named Alucard ten years ago. Served as a guardian to Lord Braska", Wakka replied. Admittedly, that only served to confuse the hunter further, though he was shocked as well. "Here?! From where...?!", Jack began asking. So it was true after all! Alucard had been to Spira before. Why didn't the dhampir mention this to him?
"I don't know where the rumors started, but they eventually came down to Besaid Island. It was said that he was a master swordsman who knew his fair share of black magic. He was also said to have a plan for everything, and never left anything to chance", the blitzer answered. The hunter gave a light smile at this. "That sounds like him, alright", he replied. Silence followed for a second. "You... know him, ya?", Wakka asked. "I met him when I was only seven. He visited my home every now and then. Something top secret, was all I know", Jack answered. He neglected to mention that he met Alucard again three weeks ago. He didn't think the tale he would have told would be believed. The blitzer nodded, taking this information in. "Well, since you've confessed to listening in on Tidus and me, I think it fair for me to confess that I overheard you and Lulu talking", Jack added, surprising Wakka. "About after the tournament?", he asked.
The hunter nodded at those words. "I will be honest, I know little beyond what you and your companions have told me about summoners and guardians, let alone the whole of Spira. Even so, I know how it feels to live under the shadow of a great evil. It sounds as if the same is happening to Spira. I don't plan on just sitting around and let Sin destroy it. I want to help end this nightmare", Jack said. At those words, little more than a smile could be managed by the blitzer. "Well, that'd be great, ya?", he asked. The hunter nodded, adding a smile as well. "That's the duty of a vampire hunter. We do what we can, for the good of humanity. Matters little whether or not its our home, as long as the deed is done", he replied.
Wakka nodded at those words. "Well, you look tired. Why don't you go and get some sleep, ya? We've got a big day tomorrow", he said. Jack nodded at this. "That's what I was going to do, before you surprised me. You should probably get some rest too, seeing as you're part of the Besaid Aurochs", he replied as he headed to the door leading to the interior of the boat. "I will. Night", was Wakka's response before the hunter entered the interior of the boat.
And so, while Tidus continued to practice his blitzball moves, eventually catching the attention of Wakka and the Aurochs, Jack continued onwards to his room and went to sleep. He managed to sleep for about five hours before he began to dream of the legendary Richter Belmont, rushing up bloodied stairs toward what appeared to be the throne room of Castlevania. It wasn't long before the Belmont had found an unnaturally pale individual sitting on the throne. This man had white hair and blood red eyes, bared dangerously long fangs, wore a black and red cloak, and had a glass of blood in his right hand. On his face was a dangerous smirk. The true master of the castle, Count Dracula himself.
"Die, monster. You don't belong in this world!", Richter yelled at the count. "It was not by my hand that I am once again given flesh. I was called here by humans who wish to pay me tribute", Dracula retorted calmly. "Tribute?! You steal men's souls, and make them your slaves!", the Belmont argued. "Perhaps the same could be said of all religions...", the count replied, sounding as if he was bored already. "Your words are as empty as your soul. Mankind ill needs a savior such as you!", Richter said in response as Dracula finished off his glass of blood. "What is a man?", the count began as he threw his wine glass, not even caring to watch it shatter. "A miserable little pile of secrets. But enough talk... Have at you!", Dracula finished before teleporting off the throne, beginning the fight between Belmont and demon king.
Numerous fireballs were thrown at Richter as he rushed towards Dracula, the legendary Vampire Killer in his main hand. Skillfully deflecting most of said fireballs and dodging the rest, he eventually damaged the demon king enough. "Playtime's over! Grant me power...!", Dracula shouted as he turned into a gigantic bat demon. This did little to faze the Belmont, though, and before long, despite the continued usage of fireballs made by the demon king, he was defeated again. And without so much as a scorch mark on Richter. "No... this cannot be! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!", Dracula managed to cry out in disbelief as he was engulfed in fire. "I'm a Belmont. That's my job", was the Belmont's muse on the matter.
The next thing Jack knew, he was shaken awake by Yuna, ending the dream that he was having. She was sitting in a chair next to his bed. "Huh... we at Luca already?", the hunter managed. The summoner shook her head. "Not for an hour or so. You looked as if you had a strange dream, though", she replied. Jack shrugged at this. "A strange dream, yes. I was just beginning to have it before you woke me up, though, so there isn't much of anything in the way of interest", he answered. 'On the other hand... wow. No wonder Richter Belmont is a legend, he plowed right through Dracula like he was minding his own business. Probably explains the crazy dialogue too', the hunter added in his thoughts.
"Is something on your mind?", the summoner asked, snapping Jack back into reality. "Yeah... my mother always told me that I had the potential to learn a few spells. At first, I ignored those words. I thought myself not intelligent enough to handle that. My predecessors were magically challenged, and couldn't cast even the simplest spell without the aid of a mage. But as time went by... I began to wonder on those words. After you cast that healing spell on me in those woods, I finally decided that I'd try and see if my mother spoke true", Jack explained. This prompted a nod from Yuna. "Which brings me to a question. Would you mind if I asked you to teach me how to cast that healing spell?", he added.
Predictably, this brought a look of shock from the summoner. Someone had actually asked to learn a healing spell with her help? She didn't think that anyone would ask. "No one's asked me to teach them a spell... how do you know I won't fail in this?", she pointed out. At that point, the hunter shrugged. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained", he replied. Though slowly, Yuna nodded. "Alright. I'd be happy to teach you what I know", she said. And with that, the next half hour was spent, first with the summoner going over the basics of 'white magic', as it was called in Spira. After the hunter showed that he understood this, the trial of performing the necessary body motions came. And though it took many attempts, Jack finally managed to cast a spell of healing on himself. "Alright!", he cheered. He was the first male of the Morris bloodline to cast a spell with his own efforts!
Before much celebration could be done, however, Wakka walked in. "You two ready to go, ya?", he asked. The hunter nodded. "Let's get this party started. Nothing like a fun show, eh?", he replied. The blitzer nodded. "There's a blitzball tournament scheduled for later on today. I hope you'll be there to see that", he responded. "I should be able to, barring any unforseen circumstances", Jack replied. Wakka and Yuna nodded at those words. And with nothing more said, the three left to join the rest of the group.
A.N: *teleports back onto the editing chair* And that's a wrap. Next chapter should have some more action, due to the tournament and all that fun stuff. *stands up menacingly* But enough talk... See you in the next chapter! *teleports back into the background, cackling evilly*