Chapter 2 "Ala Mhigo's fall"

At the central plaza, a lone Chocobo rider makes his way through the crowds of people clad in thick armor, and carrying a large satchel on the beast. The rider waves his hand motioning those in his way to move or be trampled by the large avian mount.

"Why is a dispatch rider cutting through the plaza during a festival?" Kaius looks over at the rider from a nearby bench with a half eaten fish pastry rest atop a napkin, and a sleeping Selvaria leaning against him.

R'kiva glances over at the rider, and then back up at Kaius. "What is so unusual? Chocobo dispatchers are quite frequent in this city much like moogle mail representatives."

Kaius shook his head while wiping his lips with another napkin. "I'm going to find out some more information." He turned to Selvaria, and motioned to R'kiva. "Please take care of Selvaria I'll be home by nightfall."

R'kiva quietly moved Selvaria to rest against her shoulder, and shook her head. "You better not get yourself hurt this time, because I won't be there to tend to your wounds."

The rider weaved through the celebrating city dwellers making his way to the towering council buildings in the distance. The rider turned to the saddle bags on the Chocobo, and removed a metallic box from within. The rider looked up at the bright blue sky, and scoffed at it. "Soon this peaceful nation will be bathed in a cleansing flame. First Ala Mhigo then the others will fall..."

Kaius moved quickly through the crowds weaving in and out in his pursuit of the rider. There were far too many things off about the rider, most of those within Ala Mhigo knew that the central plaza would be hazardous for dispatchers due to unsavory individuals coupled with the distraction of the festival. Kaius made his way past the crowds and into the main city streets, but he lost sight of the Chocobo rider. The Chocobo drawn carriages, and various others not enjoying the festival made it difficult to figure out where the mystery dispatcher vanished off to.

"Captain Faelthea, what are you doing here sire? I thought you were spending the day with your beautiful wife and daughter."

A young warrior clad in crimson armor with short wavy black hair, and a set of matchiing eyes glanced over from his post with a grin on his face.

Kaius turned to the warrior, and sighed. "Did you see a dispatcher ride through here?"

The warrior let out a small nod, and pointed to the council buildings off into the distance. "The fool was in a hurry that he forgot about the festival taking place. To think that one of our border officers would know to take the roundabout way..."

Kaius cursed under his breath, and started off towards the council buildings. "Something isn't right here...something suspicious is afoot within the city. Is the council still in session?"

"Why do you want to know that? Those old fools keep..."

The warrior gave his captain an odd stare, and slowly stiffened up at the deadly gaze coming from Kaius. "Yes, they've been in discussion about the border issue with the imperials for days now."

Deep within the council buildings, the Ala Mhigo Grand Council was already in session despite the festivities occurring today. The feeling of dread overtook the room while the chancellor sat in his elevated seat with head hung low while a military officer relays the result of the border skirmish. The Ala Mhigo Airship fleet was in ruins, and the Garlean fleet was hours away from bringing the battle to the walls of the city.

"So you're telling me that they are holding back their airships, and deploying a new weapon against us? Curse their Magitek research..."

"We should reconsider the alliance proposed by Gridania, Limsa, and Ul'dah."

"We should accept their ultimatum and surrender to them. Life in the empire surely can't be that bad."

The chancellor sat in silence at the debate starting between the other council members. He looked at each and every one of them with disgust. His hand slowly moved to the gavel nearby and smashed it against the thick desk.

"ENOUGH..."

The roaring sound of the gavel overpowered the arguments focusing all attention onto the chancellor.

"You are acting like cowards, we will push the Empire back using our might alone! We will do this without the help from the southerners. We will show them that we alone are powerful enough to stop the Empire! Sound the alarm, I want everyone that is able to fight with weapon in hand! If I see any of you flee the city I will have you executed for cowardice!"

The sound of clapping filled the upper catwalk where the mysterious dispatcher stood. The council members all turn up to notice the lone observer, and slowly the guards rush around the intruder with lances at the ready. The dispatcher removed the metal box from a satchel hanging from his side, and gave it a shake. "You fools are a failure, worshiping false deities, and ignoring the fact that you will bring about a great calamity to this world. You speak like you alone can stop the coming flames. No-one will remember anything you did...The Garlean Empire will wipe your names from history."

The chancellor looked up, and pointed his gavel skyward. "Kill that traitor now!"

The guardsmen rushed forward with lances outstretched while the metallic box let out a blinding flash, followed by a massive explosion.

The council building's glass shattered as fire spilled out of the windows, and doors. The grand walls and statues decorating the structure crumble, as a shockwave blasts out from the structure. Kaius takes a step only to be knocked off his feet by the explosion. A wave of heat blasts against him and the fellow guards that rushed over to his aid.

They all stand up one by one with Kaius clutching his left arm. A small amount of crimson drops from a wound alongside his arm while his eyes were focused on what was left of the council building. The central command of Ala Mhigo's government was in flames. The guards stand in shock while an alarm echoes from the watch towers.

Within the festival grounds panic from the explosion set in. The laughter, and music had vanished only to be replaced by fear. The people rushed around yelling and screaming while smoke from the explosion filled the area. R'kiva looked in the direction of the explosion with eyes trembling, her heart sank low into her chest, and slowly she felt the small hand of Selvaria touch hers.

"Mama, I'm scared...why is everyone yelling? What was that loud sound? My ears hurt."

R'kiva kneeled down to Selvaria, and gave the frightened child a hug. "I can't explain it now my dear, we should return home."

Selvaria looked around, and shook her head. "What about papa?"

R'kiva looked at the smoldering cloud billowing up and staining the sky. "He'll meet us at home, he has his duty to Ala Mhigo to attend to." She returned to her feet, and grabbed hold of Selvaria's tiny hand. "No arguments, let's go."

Miles away from the city, the Garlean Airship fleet moved into view to see the smoldering cloud billowing out from the government district of the city. Niva clapped her hands as if listening to a symphony, and chuckled at the top of her lungs. "Perfect, what fools will do for a small amount of gil.." She glanced over her shoulder, and snapped her fingers. "Argent begin the attack, without a centralized government the peasants of this failed city-state will fall to us easily."

"Yes Legatus, I will lead the infantry in the assault."

Argent bowed to Niva, and quickly made his way to exit the bridge.

From the airship fleet anchors began to fall from the sky smashing into the ground and farmland located outside the grand city. The farmers below begin to run away at the sight of Garlean forces beginning their descent. The smaller airships lower to ground level, and open their massive bay doors. A loading ramp digs into the fertile earth below, and from inside a wave of towering mechanical weapons started to walk out.

Argent sits behind the controls of the grayish machine, and looks at the few others behind him. "Behold the power of the Garlean Empire! Our Magitek Armor will bring about the change Eorzea needs!"

Back at the city the sound of boot against stone filled the empty streets. The city was completely silent with the exception of the soldiers shouting messages to one another while moving to defensive positions. The guilds that have long since been independent of the Ala Mhigo military were quickly conscripted with many young adventurers being commissioned to assist in the defense of the city.

Legions of men and women of disciples of magic and war filled the ranks of Ala Mhigo's grand company, The Adamant Shield. Ala Mhigo despite losing most of its airship fleet in a border battle with the Garlean Empire still retained a great deal of its ground forces, and magic users. Out of the five city-states in this era, Ala Mhigo was by far an equal match for the Empire.

However after losing key officers, and the entire ruling council the chain of command was fractured. With few senior officers left to lead, the Adamant Shield would have a decisive battle on their hands in the hours to come. The civilian populous despite orders to stay in their homes, some gathered what they could and began to flee southward in the direction of Gridania, and Ul'dah.

Kaius watched the caravans of citizens and visitors flee the city from atop of an armored Chocobo. His mind wandered the second he saw a small child sitting in the back of a fleeing wagon. The image of the child quickly altered to that of his daughter Selvaria. Kaius rubbed his hand against his eyes, and gave the child one more look.

"Your mind is distracted Sir Kaius, I would suggest that you keep your mind clear or else this will be a difficult battle."

The small and diminutive voice of Mirara Marmora, a Lalafell scholar pushed up a pair of golden spectacles over her adorable green eyes. She takes out a small handkerchief from her jacket's pocket, and removes her glasses to give a quick cleaning.

Kaius was brought of his state of worry, and turned to Mirara. It didn't help that Mirara being a Lalafell made him think of his daughter even more. "I know that Mirara, but this is going to be a battle that even I don't think we can win."

"That is what makes this fight more interesting. We gamble with our lives...maybe your luck will continue Kaius. After all a valiant paladin like yourself won over R'kiva."

Axton Hawke, a dragoon obscured in their trademark black armor with gold trim approaches his fellow senior officers, and glances off into the distance where the Garlean lines were advancing.

Kaius let out a deep sigh, and cursed under his breath. "You were always one to never hold your tongue. Do you still harbor some ill nature of me for wedding R'kiva?"

Axton shrugged his shoulders, and took in a deep breath. "Well my sister was disappointed in your choice, but hell even I wouldn't have minded marrying that seeker lady."

Mirara cleared her throat, and pointed at the soldiers forming up behind them. "Enough of your idle talk boys. They're approaching..." She adjusted her glasses again at the sight of the war machines on the horizon. "My my what is that? A new weapon of Garlean design? I can't wait to open one up and tinker with it."

Axton raised his visor, and squinted at the large machines marching alongside the infantry. "Ooh, do the imperials think they can use machines to beat us? This is going to be fun."

Kaius removed his sword from the scabbard, and held it to the setting sun. The blade let out a faint glow, and quickly he held it forward. "It begins..."

Inside the Faelthea home, R'kiva stood in front of a mirror wearing an outfit she had stowed away long ago. She turns to her sides, and looks at herself a few times.

Selvaria looks at her mother with an odd look while struggling to hold a lengthy four winged staff up for her mother while she admired her old clothes in the mirror. "Mama, I can barely hold this up...it's too heavy."

R'kiva glanced down at Selvaria, and smiled at the small child holding up the staff with all her little body could muster. "You are a good girl to help me. Do I look like one of father's friends?"

Selvaria turned her head to the side, and shook her head. "I don't want you to go mother. Father is out fighting, you don't need to go too I'll be alone."

R'kiva adjusted the white and red cloak over her shoulders, kneeled down to Selvaria taking the staff off her little hands. "Selvaria, your father needs every able body to help. I won't be fighting, but there will be a lot of people that will need capable healers. I need you to be a good girl, and protect the house. If something happens what did father and I say?"

Selvaria lowered her head, and started to cry. "Use the gil in father's chest, and find grandpapa...in."

R'kiva ran her hand over her daughter's head messing up the girls hair leaving strands spiking up in between her ears. "The city of Ul'dah...my dear. Please remember that, and take this..." She reached underneath the robes, and removed a tribal pendant. "This will ensure your safety...this pendant belonged to my mother, and I now pass it to you. Keep it safe for me until I return home with your lazy father. Now promise me Selvaria were you listening?"

Selvaria wiped the tears from her eyes, and took hold of the pendant. It was a mixture of leather with a small bit of crystal hanging from the center alongside several polished beast teeth and colored beads. She closed her small hands around the pendant, and looked up with a tear stained face. "I was listening mama, I'll keep the house safe...please come back quick okay."

Within a few moments, Selvaria was all alone in the dark home with a blanket wrapped around her, and a Moogle doll wrapped tightly in her hands. The sounds of battle were easily muffled for the Hyur children living next door, but being a Miqo'te Selvaria's hearing was slightly better. It was at this time that the improved hearing was a nightmare for the little girl.

In the midway between the thick forest surrounding the city, and the gates a fierce melee was underway. The Garlean lines were being held off by the brave and experienced forces of the Adamant Shield. The so-called Magitek Armor that the Garlean forces rallied behind were nothing more than bits of burned metal after being struck by the magic wielded by the skilled Black Mages, and Scholars. Even the weapons wielded by the standard infantry were capable of disabling the mechanical cavalry.

The sky that normally one was able to stargaze was covered with smoke from the fires burning outside the city. The Garlean forces despite being held off so valiantly by the Adamant Shield were slowly pushing the defenders back. For each Magitek Armor that was destroyed five soldiers were killed. The Garlean forces were rallying quickly and the cause of that was the leader at the rear of the line.

Argent looked from atop of his Magitek Armor, and looked at the battle using a spy glass. He was amazed at the sheer tenacity of the so called "Adamant Shield." His eyes focused on the apparent leaders in the battle, and turned towards the two fighting near the front. "A Dragoon...and a Paladin...how nostalgic of them to be fighting so close." He closed the spy glass, and turned to the various gauges and dials on the armor's display.

The Magitek Armor came to life, and acting as if a real beast leaned forward unleashing a eerie mechanical roar. The 'head' of the Magitek armor opened up and slowly energy started to spiral inside of the maw of the beast. Argent grinned for a moment, and made a few adjustments using the controls. "I would say watch out to my men, but they are disposable..." The Magitek armor reeled backward, and from its maw a blast of energy fired from within. The blast lit up the sky and arched towards the frontline of the battle.

Axton pulled his spear from a Garlean, and quickly turned to fight another. From behind a Garlean infantryman charged forward with spear in hand. Axton slowly turned around to defend, but quickly the hostile spear sparked against the shield of Kaius. The spear was deflected away, but Kaius's cheek was cut by a glancing blow. With a quick jab from his sword the Garlean lancer was quickly brought to his knees.

"Axton, it looks like we will live for a moment longer."

"It seems that we'll both be able to share a drink after this. Now give me a boost!"

Axton motioned to Kaius's shield, and leaped into the air. Kaius braced himself, and allowed his comrade to land atop the shield. Kaius's arm burned from the added weight, but quickly mustered up his strength, and launched Axton into the air. The Dragoon flew meters into the air, and quickly came crashing down atop a Magitek Armor's pilot. The lance pierced deep through the rider, and into the delicate machinery. Axton wiped his hand across his nose and leaped back pulling his weapon back through.

"Nice..." Axton turned around slowly, and looked at the ball of fire explode around where Kaius was fighting several Garlean soldiers with a few members of the Adamant Shield. The heat from the explosion ignited the grass and the following shockwave knocked soldiers to the ground. Axton was brought to his knees by the shockwave as were those fighting around him. "Where...where is he?" He pushed himself back to his feet, and rushed over to where his old friend once stood. "There..."

Kaius shook for a moment while he barely could remain standing. His armor was covered in soot, and his shield that had long since protected his left side was melted beyond recognition. He could feel his body cry out in pain, but it didn't stop Kaius from fighting.

"I guess this weapon isn't as powerful as I believed it would be..." Argent slammed his fist on the side of the Magitek weapon, and climbed out from the cockpit. "This machine is defective have it destroyed." Argent pointed to a technician, and motioned for him to grab the two handed axe leaning against a tool box. "Give me my axe...now this fight begins."

The technician dragged the two handed axe over to Argent who quickly grabbed it with one hand as if it were weightless. Argent back handed the technician sending the smaller man backward. "How dare you treat my weapon with such disrespect. You call yourself a man, and cannot properly hold up an axe of this size?" He spat at the technician, and quickly started to rush off at a full sprint.