Final Fantasy XI : Series 1 (Read and review)

[Kilgraw]

You've grabbed my attention Magus, and you simply won't let go. I want to know more about what Osamu's going on about. I have a few ideas of course, but all of them could be wrong for all I know. Bring on the next chapter, I must have more.

[Wizaga]

Ahh another great update. I once more apologize for not reading it lately as I have been busy myself. Please do continue on, I grow desperate to see what Osamu is up to.

[Magus]

Continuing the updating

FINAL FANTASY XI

CHAPTER XII

Division

Daylight poured into the room, and Magus would open his eyes. It was welcome, the dream he had been having involved a legendary Behemoth chasing the Black Mage for the simple reason that Magus had stolen his pants. Monsters didn't wear pants, so already the surrealism was obvious. As the daylight that flooded his sight faded, he finally could make out who had open the door to his quarters. It was not his master as he had expected, so the worries he possessed of having overslept took flight of him. It was however interesting who had woken him up. It was Aadia; she stood in the way of the window, having just pulled up the blinds.
"Good morning?" Magus uttered words as he rose to his feet slowly. He was unaccustomed to having company decide to wake him up, and it crossed his mind that it might throw his schedule off if he were awake too early. Her attire had changed; it seemed the clothing she wore was now more adorn for travel. While the leather that bound her here and there remained, crimson pants had turned to ebony. And over shadowing it all was a red cloth. It was a rouge hue, and was buttoned up over her chest so that only her pants could be seen. In all sense of the word, a trenchcoat, however it was more designed towards Aadia's personality than the usual jacket.
She seemed to be standing comfortably in it, as if this change of outfit was not a detour from the usual, but a return to her standard clothing. Magus waved a bit as he had spoken a greeting already, and accompanied such with a smile. It was relieving that she and not an upset Torukoishi had awaked him, but why had she woken him so early?
"Good morning, Magus." She waved her own reserved greeting as well as replying her spoken word, and sat down on the bed next to Magus. The Black Mage was fully dressed, so he had no reason to feel as if she had invaded his privacy, or some other sort of impolite thing. Such would be beyond the Elvaan anyhow, so such worries would be simply paranoia. Aadia would scan the room, and Magus wondered if anything was wrong with the way he kept house. His room was plain, nothing extra to clutter up, for he knew he couldn't make sense of many objects in his room. There were standard pieces of furniture, and a small jewelry case for the hilt of his staff; nothing more.
"What's up?" Magus reply stated everything he wanted to know, it still was a curious matter that Aadia had found her way into his room. There was no pretense that she was angry, or confused, or curious of any matter that involved him. Perhaps she was just visiting, but he had the feeling that the two of them would be out on the road again. Interesting things happened when she was around, not so much that she was the cause; he would act a little bolder around her to compensate for her almost intimidating matter. A woman who could leap twenty feet in the air, and strike much harder than he could was a bit much to take. He was just compensating for the presence of a strong woman.
"Not much, but I want to ask a favor of you." Aadia's voice didn't waiver, so it wasn't a matter of life or death. She stood up, and took a few steps over to the case for Magus's hilt to examine the weapon he carried. Magus would easily have agreed to her terms, if he only knew what they were. He leaned back onto his elbows, slouching for comfort, and then he made his move.
"What's the favor?" Aadia had taken the hilt from the case and now was twirling it between two fingers. Magus thought she might be trying to decipher how to get it to extend, but instead of rising to the occasion of explaining it he awaited her request. He still felt she was going to take him somewhere, but where would he be needed? Aadia set the hilt down on the table, and turned over to him, nodding to herself. Magus could only quirk a brow.
"I want you to come to the San D’oria capital with me to visit the Wasser-Kristall." Aadia had spoken matter-of-factly, as if Magus was used to travelling. Indeed he was, but it was a bit forward for her to just assume he wanted to travel all that way. He didn't know much about where they were going either, only recollections that the Wasser-Kristall she spoke of was San D’oria’s national treasure occurred. Why would she need to go visit that? She wasn't a thief; Magus could rest easy knowing that.
"Fine, I'll have to talk with my master." After only minimal deliberation, he had agreed. Now there was the simple task of getting Torukoishi to agree to let him go on a reasonably lengthy trek to get to the capital of the Saruta Baruta country. It would take them roughly a week or so of walking, luckily it was no longer in distance, since Magus and Aadia would be starting on the Elvaan border.
"I already spoke with him." Aadia's seemed to perk up with her words, as if it were a great deed she had done for Magus. Indeed it was, there was no reason for her to have proposed Magus's company if she hadn't gained permission from the keeper of the Black Mage. Magus was pleased, not only would he be getting out more, but also he would be in the company of such an interesting character as Aadia. He barely knew her, but there was a sense of trust that had carried with her ever since she had returned to take the hand of death away from him during the second incident with the Galka in Rydia.
"So when do we leave?" Magus was already eager to pursue; it was going to be a hybrid of a much-needed vacation and a journey that would lead him to more knowledge. And he would be helping someone; it was apparent why Torukoishi would not reject Aadia's request. She was in the need of Magus, and Magus himself needed to be taken about the Elvaan country. In the presence of her, he needed not worry about his own Hume rank. The Elvaan would have to accept him if she had, and Elarisa was good testament. The deserts were however hot, and Magus would be in for some trip he expected. He still had some things to talk to Aadia about, so gathering his purse of gil he readied to ask her some things.
"We can leave as soon as you're ready to go." Aadia left the room, but stood quietly in the doorway. She was leading, and Magus expected more of this as the trip pursued on. She was probably the more experienced traveler. Torukoishi had raised his apprentice mage well, but it was all in theory. Magus hadn't seen much combat outside of witnessing it. Nor had he seen much of the world outside a textbook. Sure, the young Black Mage had traveled, but never had he had time to investigate his surrounding as much as he wanted to. Torukoishi kept a strong schedule that he wanted his foster child to follow.
"Alright, well, we should leave now." Magus was still anxious as he had been it was about time that they get on the road. It was still early enough that their arrival in San D’oria in early afternoon would allow them to travel just before the heat. They would need shelter however around the mid-afternoon, unless Aadia didn't want any such thing. The Elvaan people were raised in the deserts of Saruta Baruta, it might come to pass that Magus would just have to settle with the dripping of sweat off his body if it got that severe. Conversation ensued as they picked up things here and there and went about the departure process.

"You aren't going to say goodbye to Torukoishi?"
"Because he doesn't like to be disturbed this time of day."
"Oh I see..."
"What about Osamu and Elarisa?"
"They left earlier today, Osamu is heading off, and Elarisa is going to stay here."
"I won't disturb Elarisa, she's probably with Torukoishi."
"That makes sense."
"Did Osamu say anything about where he was headed?"
"No, he probably just had some things to attend to."
"Did you see him leave?"
"No, Elarisa did however."
"I see..."

"How do you get out of this crazy maze?" The two of them had made a wrong turn down the hall, the conversation had led them the wrong way, but Magus wasn't surprised that even after all this time living here he could still make a mistake whether he'd been distracted or not. It was an interesting catacomb even if the structure he and Torukoishi shared was relatively small. It was surprising that one could get lost with only a small amount of halls and doors to choose from.

"It's just that door... So, Aadia... why are we visiting the Wasser-Kristall?"
"Because... It's not important, I've just never really seen it before."
"Is that it?"
"Yeah that's all there is to it."
"Why did you want me to come?"
"Oh that's simple, I just wanted some company."

***
(Keeping the updating more frequent, sorry about the break, needed to evaluate where the story was headed)
(If you like it, say something! And thank you Kilgraw and Wizaga, my number one fans!)
(Spread the word.)

[Wizaga]

Remarkable! Simply remarkable! Aaria's emotions are showing more clearly to me now...I think the mood of love is flowing... Continue, continue...I must find out the rest!

[Kilgraw]

Re: Continuing the updating

Originally posted by Magus
the dream he had been having involved a legendary Behemoth chasing the Black Mage for the simple reason that Magus had stolen his pants.

I've had that dream before!

All very cleverly played out.
Keep writting and I'll keep reading (not a very good exchange, but the best I've got).

Also Magus, I think more people read this then they let on. I doubt Wizaga and myself can view this thread 600+ times. Maybe your viewers are the shy type.

[Magus]

FINAL FANTASY XI

CHAPTER XIII

Reunion

It only made sense for him to be on the road again, Osamu had begun a voyage on towards his homeland of Gustaberg. From being amidst too many Elvaan perhaps, he had grown to long the company of Humes again. It was not that the Elvaan themselves were not hospitable towards him, his proper manner had seemed to deem him an appropriate outsider to find conversation among other things with. The problem was that the Republic of Bastok was just that much more hospitable that he needed to return. There was one other reason; Osamu could not stand idly by in one place when he had to retrieve the Hikeshi. Even if Zathiel might reside elsewhere, it was nice to be out and about again.
Leaving behind the friends he had just met was a bit harder than he expected. They were just acquaintances, but he had felt a bond with Elarisa that was deeper than just that. Perhaps he should have stuck around the Taru Taru village of Lenna longer, but instincts told him to set out. And as far as he was from that very place, it was pointless to turn back. The progress he made was too much to ignore; he had left the previous evening bidding a last farewell to only Torukoishi and Elarisa.
The master Torukoishi was an interesting character, mainly that his name bore eastern origin. Perhaps Osamu's brethren would know of this scholarly Blue Mage, but he would always be unable to ask them since he was on such bad terms. He was a samurai amongst naught but a clan of shadowy thieves and ninjas. A knight among the weak of will, he could press on only alone in his seemingly valiant quest. Sometimes he would look back on his leaving his mother behind, the only one of the family he left behind that he cared for. It was no consolation, he had never heard her say good bye, but then again how could he? At his birth, the sick traditions of the Kuro-sei peoples had made Osamu's father pinch the throat of the just-born child in such a way that her voice would never be used again. "The voice had been passed on, may it never be used twice in the same place."
Thoughts that reflected his partly bleak childhood made him shudder; he never wanted to go home. Certainly there was a better place to go for a final resting-place other than the place he was raised; Osamu attempted to rid himself of the horrible thoughts and clear his mind. His main priority now was attaining the crystal of his ancestor who had attained it. He felt that he was the last of his bloodline that reflected a potential worthy possessor of the Hikeshi, and to add to that; Osamu felt that the size of the Hikeshi was about the same as one would guess the Wasser-Kristall to be. He never had the chance to ask Torukoishi if there was a connection, but he could do so once he got hold of it again.
For one supposed to be clear of mind, Osamu felt that he could be a bit more empty than he had made himself, in the sense that his mind was filled constantly with speculation. He gazed over the horizon to find nothing but open fields and lush forests. There would be a short time where he crossed over a small portion of Saruta Baruta, but that would be a while from now; also the only time of the trip spent in San D'orian land. Osamu just wanted to stay in a fresh territory he had not seen much of; Ronfaure was the perfect place.
Safety seemed sure, and he continued on through the high grasses. There wasn't another person in sight, of any race. Perhaps he would see guards or soldiers of one of the factions on one of the borders to show that he had reached the end of the forest people's country, but then again that would be some week or so away. Another day would be spent traveling across the Elvaan land, and three more after that to get to the nearest Hume city of Cain. He was lucky, as were the rest of his recent acquaintances that most business was conducted a portion of the world where the three countries of the massive continent met. Most people lived here, except the peoples of Jueno.
Jueno was a southern country of ingenuity, and technically a principality of the Republic of Bastok. However the principality did find itself stationed on Taru Taru land owned by the Mithra, so it was considered a place where all of the five races could coexist. Osamu had heard recently of a new take in leadership there, a youthful representative that took heed the needs of the people and did what he was supposed to do. It was a prime ambassador whose decision seemed final, but Osamu had never made it down to Jueno ever in his life. The country where ships flew threw the sky was irrelevant if Osamu never had to travel there, unless his journeys took him there because of Zathiel.
Osamu's clouded head would finally disperse, as he heard a slight crack out in the distance. It was a bit unnerving that something had managed by him without him knowing instantaneously what it was. His first notion was to draw his sword, but then of course what if it was just an innocent who had crossed his path. It wasn't as if Osamu owned these lands, and perhaps his travels had made him take too much haste to attacking whatever moved. The footsteps were a rather interesting set, placed just over the hill and too rapid to be just one person. It had to be no more than three, because it didn't sound like a military troop of some sort. Osamu crouched down under the safety of a rock.
"Come closer... Come on. " Osamu uttered words to himself to make a target clear, and the two figures finally came over the hill. The first was dressed in loose clothing, and it seemed too familiar to be someone who wasn't looking for Osamu. It dawned on him that the Ranger he had seen for the third time in his life was out and about again after that skirmish in the bar at Rydia, the two feathers on some kind of ornament fastened above the person's ear gave the final clue. The next he had not expected as much as he might have the designated Ranger.
It was a woman, dressed in a sleeveless tunic-like shirt of some sort of light color. She also wore another light colored skirt that was down to her knees with a slight slit on each side that reached her mid-thigh; Osamu could make it out as blue. Her hair was short in the front, bangs clearly visible; yet she still had two thin ponytails behind her. They were wrapped in beads, and Osamu was pleasantly surprised to see two large ornaments at the base of each extension of the girl's hair shaped like dragons. She wore a pair of gauntlets that were a lapis color, also wrapped in gold filigree; just as he remembered. Her boots were similar, and Osamu could see that she carried a single point lance unlike the one Aadia carried with its three sections.
"Hiroto!" It was a female voice, full of vigor and youthful life. She was calling out the blood name of Osamu, and he smiled and rose from behind his cover. In some of his travels a female dragoon had accompanied him, and she had returned to him. She was a good friend to him, and it had only been in recent weeks that they had separated. She was charged with finding an Elvaan thief who had committed a few too many minor crimes in the Bastok land, and he was after a possibly similar character in search of an artifact taken from his hometown. They were the perfect travelling pair, and they got along as well.
"Lourdes! This is a nice event." Osamu waved at the two figures coming over the hill. While he still didn't know why the Ranger had come along with her, he was sure that the Dragoon had her reasons. Lourdes was a strong woman, and seeing Aadia execute her offensive feats the previous day had strongly reminded him of his friend. Now he was treated with another meeting with her, even if there was no real pretense for it.
"Certainly is... Thanks Hollis." She would nod the Ranger aside her and Osamu could assess that she had used this Hollis as a guide. It was obvious that they had met before, the incidental fashion was a bit unexpected. However, why had Hollis cooperated? Osamu would have to ask Lourdes why, but there was also a lot of other catching up to do. Overall, he was just happy to see his companion again even if the circumstances were completely left up to the wind.

"So what brings you here?"
"I've been tracking you down for about a week."
"I guess you heard what happened to me in the café?"
"Yes, and then I heard this guy was involved."
"And I helped her find you for a small fee."
"I guess I owe you a little credit, I found you trying to kill Zathiel."
"That Elvaan guy?"
"Yes, and try it on us and you'll see the same treatment I tried on him."
***
(Opened up the FFXI:S1 character poll for those who want to voice out about a favorite character)
(Keep in mind there are more characters, and chapters, to come still!)
(Thanks for the feedback and keep on voicing opinions! !)

[Magus]

FINAL FANTASY XI

CHAPTER XIV

Locale

Aadia was becoming a bit impatient with the backdrop for the current progress of their adventure. She didn't mind that it was a bit green, but everything seemed to be alive around her. She was beginning to have a sensory overload trying to perceive what she should bring her weapon down upon and what she shouldn't. Magus hadn't seemed to flinch at the singing of birds or any of the other animal callings; but then again he was from this part of the world. Aadia was glad to be heading in this direction, fearing if she actually went deeper in the southeastern country she'd become enveloped in its forests forever.
"So this is how you like it? So green?" Aadia put her words together carefully; there was no reason for her to insult Magus for having a taste for being around the living. His patience was almost admirable, but she knew she could best him in heat tolerance. It wasn't a contest, but it was nice to play around in her head their strengths. Magus took a few steps to reach her side; he had trailed behind often to take heed of the nature around them.
"Yeah, there's nothing like a Ronfaure forest." Magus looked at the sky, which was outlined in trees no matter where you looked. Indeed, the young Black Mage was right about that. In Saruta Baruta, where Aadia had obviously been raised, all one could see was rock and sand. The only shrubbery was cacti and small bushes scattered about. It was interesting that her national treasure would be the Wasser-Kristall, Wasser being another word for Water. Yes, water had abundance in San D'oria, but only deep beneath the surface in underground deposits. Sometimes the water was salty, and she assumed the sand had tainted it.
Aadia smiled to herself as the two passed a small stream. She would think of water, and there it had appeared in a surface-dwelling abundance. The formation looked inviting, and Aadia would tap Magus on the shoulder as she headed to the water to take a drink. It was a primitive process, but getting her hands wet wasn't an everyday occurrence. The leather of her hand braces shimmered a bit, but she did not worry of it becoming taught as she cupped her hands and lightly dipped them in the flowing water. As she took a sip from her bare wet hands, she couldn't help but remember what the ocean looked like. There was water as far as the eye could see, and one day she would have to return to it.
Magus had followed her as she instructed; now he knelt beside her filling a small canteen with water. It was the only thing he seemed to travel with, and most of the time it was hidden behind his cape. At least the Black Mage was smart enough to take only necessary things, Aadia was glad she didn't have to wait years for him to catch up from dragging a heavy load. She dropped her lance in the water as she waited for him to do so; some droplets splashed back at her but the shining of the sun against the metal beneath the crystal clear layer made her not mind it at all.
She shook her head, feeling as if she was a child playing with the forces of nature just because she could. Elvaan children were taught that water was the giver of life; the piece of the hymn she had read from Torukoishi's book rose into her mind. "Roaming sheep in search of the people full of love, bathe yourself in water until your mind is soothed." It made sense that such would be written in Elvaan cursive, but why it was on that book and several of the others did not come clear. And there were so many different styles, that was also something to wonder about.
Magus had finished filling the canteen and closed the lid on it immediately, not pausing to take a sip of the water. Obviously he was not thirsty, and he rose to his feet while Aadia still sat quietly near the stream. She decided it wasn't good to waist too much time, and pulled her weapon from the water. She had a strap on her back in which to hold it, but Aadia decided to carry it against her shoulder for a while. Without a word, the two of them headed back onto the trail they were following. Aadia tried not to think about following the indirect directions of a Tartar.
The animals were still continuing their ruckus, and Aadia hoped that one of them might be wild. It might silence the others if she took out one of the larger creatures, not that she wanted to pointlessly slay the native residents of this land. It would just be a sign of the times if a wild beast did come after her; lately each day carried a small incident. A horde of wasps that didn't like a person amidst their territory, or perhaps a mischievous goblin trying to take something she carried. It made life exciting sometimes, and it was beginning to prove the worth of the numerous people who practiced some art of fighting.
Aadia could see little on the horizon, just a few random birds and some kind of rat. It wasn't the end of the world to let the creatures cross her path, which the rodent seemed to be doing. The flying animals would peck at the ground in search of some sort of food, and Magus and she grew closer as they walked. The birds did not bother with her, not did the rodent. She took a few glances just to be sure, and the sight of the rat like beast was almost appalling. It was just such a random combination that she was startled a bit.
It had the ears of rat, of which she had seen in some parts of the city; aside from that it had the face of a bird. A speckling of white amidst a cover of brown feathers, and it possessed two talons instead of a mammal's feet. To accompany this, it had the tail of a rat; all this bird and beast hopping towards her. Aadia wasn't sure how to react; she took a step back from Magus and stopped. She could already tell he was noticing her angst towards the rat-bird, and he halted his paces as well to turn around.
"It's nothing, that's just a mataviel. That's what the Taru Taru call them, they're called Sand Hares in Bastok." Magus was once again undisturbed by the overbearing presence of nature, this mataviel had proved it. If he didn't look twice at a rodent possessing the face of a bird, what would make him flinch? Aadia was assured for the moment, until the bird came onto her boot and stared at the lacing. It would open it's beak and gaze with intent eyes; Aadia felt forced to shake her leg and brush it off with the moderate force of such.
Persistence took shape, and the mataviel would take perch on her foot again, this time making no hesitation to grabbing at the lace. It was to no avail, they were tied tight in an Elvaan knot, but it was quite aggravating that the beast wanted to mutilate her shoe. She kicked at the air and sent it out onto its back, trying to get rid of it once more. It landed on the ground on its feet without trouble, but it growled. Did she give the impression the lacing was alive, and trying to fight back? Aadia was about to become aggravated, she knew such but it didn't seem that the bird was going to give up. Magus showed a bit concern; to him it was just a local animal that didn't mean any harm.
"Come on, leave it be. It's not that big a threat." Obviously the Black Mage was trying to stop any potential conflict, already the growling had becoming louder. Aadia wasn't threatened; so much as she was aggravated at the animal for thinking it could take her on. She pointed her tri-point lance at the fiend and gave it a stern glare. It would be more acceptable if it would just be intimidated and run away, but Aadia was not afraid to strike it if it lunged. She knew nothing of the habits of a mataviel, so it could be a potentiality that aggressive behavior was normal.
The bird tipped its beak skyward and began to howl an oppressive screech; Aadia could barely stand her ground without losing her temper. Smaller animals from all around would spread out from Magus and she, attempting to get away. Perhaps the beast did this often, and the effects left by the mataviel's cry were devastating. But it seemed too lucky for all these creatures to run and hide from such a small unintimidating animal. Aadia was given her answer to her unsaid question, and a shadow would befall her momentary. Her gaze darted upward, and a terrible sight would make her really wish she was within the San D'orian borders again.
"What the hell is that!?" Aadia was horrified by the sight of such a plump bird, it resembled the face of the mataviel in many ways; the small bear and inset eyes along with the plump cheeks and 'ears' made of pluming feathers. Her Dragoon skill had taught her to leap up and in the reverse to dodge an attacking bird, and she did so, catching a brief glimpse of the bird eye to eye. It was like staring into the face of a dragon of which her class held so high. It was actually a fearsome beast, and the agility of it for being a bulging sack of feathers made it even more imposing a sight than the small mataviel.

"Now you've done it, pissed off a Zemzelet!"
"A Zemzelet!?"
"Yeah, mataviels develop into those things when they mature!"
"Oh my god... "

***
(It's about to all escalate around Chapter 17, stay tuned, but for now, a random encounter.)
(Ha, keep reading, it's going to get good.)

[Magus]

FINAL FANTASY XI

CHAPTER XV

Indecision


There was no reason for any of this to happen; Magus was completely at a loss when he saw the zemzelet make its way out to attack Aadia. It would make sense that the creature was defending the young it had spawned, but in all seriousness none of these events should occur. Was it fear that had inspired in his heart, or was Magus just a bit frustrated with the escalation at hand. He couldn't simply sit by; Magus began to draw the hilt of his staff from his belt, undoing a clip that would hold it to his waist. However, before he could finish, Aadia and the beast she tried to tackle in battle would come his way. The Black Mage was forced to leap out of the path of the two and he could feel stray feathers clinging to his legs.
"Come on, you can't be serious..." Magus uttered the words under his breath, as he watched the Elvaan and the zemzelet try for each other's blood so fiercely. He'd seen fighting before, and had fought before; but there was nothing as intimidating as watching the two lunge at each other with lightning speed. It was like there was a magnetic force that pulled them together, yet as soon as the two touched they were pullled apart. They relayed off the trees and ground, and Aadia clashed her lance against the talons of the bird. It was a thrust and parry at the same time, and he could see neither was getting anywhere.
"Stupid bird, it wasn't my freak of a child who attacked you was it!?" Aadia was shouting out a multitude of things as they clashed; Magus looked around to see if the small rat-bird mataviel that instigated this was still around. It seemed to truly have escaped Aadia's wrath, and as sad as it was, it seemed that the zemzelet was merely sacrificing itself. All this had starting over something as trivial as the lacing of boots. He was getting frustrated still, and the small circle of spells that he had honed came to mind. There really wasn't much in his array; anything that was above his level was usually just a fluke action.
"I'll teach you to mess with me!" Aadia would thrust out her weapon a little higher this time, and Magus witnessed the falling of feathers become company to blood. The zemzelet would shriek and send himself backward by pushing off of Aadia. Aadia's coat seemed to provide some protection; perhaps that was why she changed her attire for the trip. Magus assumed it was all over, the fight should end when the opponent was fatally wounded. The creature had something else in mind, and Magus was beginning to grow more and more sick of the situation. It was hard to simply stand by, and his staff extended to full length from his pressing the trigger on it. Down the metal of one end came, he forced it in the manner that he always practiced.
"Aadia, get back!" Magus shouted out to his traveling companion as his black clad palm extended towards the bird. As the Dragoon cartwheeled herself free of the radius in which Magus proposed attacking, a small flicker of light would encompass the bird's feet. It was a pleasant surprise to the cast; the bird was struck down by a random bolt of blue energy which came from skyward. It sent the zemzelet to it's knees, and what Magus percieved as unconciousness. There was only a low moan emitted from it's beak.
It wasn't much of a battle, Magus had brought a quick end to it in hopes to get back on the road. While he was not a monger of violence, he was not afraid to fight or even to incite a conflict. To him, there were some things only resolvable by bringing about pain. Besides, Magus did practice the elemental arts of the Black Mage, which were created to invoke damage. His soul was not dark, nor was his magic skill, but it was seemingly a tremendous responsibility for Magus to avoid going around killing people.
Aadia dusted herself off from her exit of the battle, which had sent her into the dirt. She seemed a little displeased, but she'd had her part in the attack. It was her weapon that had strewn the red stains upon the ground, and she should not have seemed so selfish as to think she was the only one who could kill. That was the demeanor Magus felt she carried after he had struck down the bird. Only Aadia can take things down... He silenced himself from thinking ill of her, she really was a lot more of a fighter than he was.
She didn't wait for him too much, simply gesturing for him to continue with her and walking with a slow pace away from the battleground. Magus understood, it was time to get back on the road. They still had to go see the Wasser-Kristall, and this wasn't even so much as a set back. Magus wasn't really sure why they were heading off to see the crystal, and he wasn't so sure that Aadia knew what she was doing either. But could he ask her why she was taking him along on this outing so easily? Torukoishi had approved, and that alone was enough. But the fact she had proposed the idea to him did indicate she was seemingly more friendly than the other Elvaan he had met. He hadn't spoken much with Elarisa, he could not decide on her manner.
"Hey Aadia..." He didn't finish her sentence, her facial expression hadn't perked up like he expected. She wasn't paying attention to him at the moment, but it was not as if anything else was catching her gaze either. Aadia was just staring at the ground; she must have been in thought about the events or maybe even what Magus sought to ask her. He quieted down, not hoping for her to respond at all. Was she more quiet when she traveled? Magus wasn't sure if she really was quiet, he arrived at more indecision when he thought about it.
"Hm? You were going to say something?" Aadia had in fact replied after all, her posture also changed a bit. She was standing up more and her gaze was focused more on the road ahead. It took Magus a second to remember what he was going to ask her, she had caught him by surprise. He took another pause before speaking to push in on the ends of his staff in order to shape it back into a hilt. After replacing the hilt into the fastenings at his belt, he decided to speak.
"Why are we going to see the Wasser-Kristall?" Aadia didn't seemed to register much of what he said until the sentence was complete. She turned to look at him for a moment, before returning her line of vision ahead. Her expression wasn't unnerving to Magus; it made him think. It was a smile, yet her eyes had a little concern in them. As if they asked, "Why do you care? Do you hold it in importance?" She could even be flattered that he wanted to know more about her and the quest she dragged him along on.
"Well, I haven't ever seen the Wasser-Kristall before, and apparently it's important to my country." Aadia spoke as if she was the only one with common sense enough to percieve the importance of the crystal San D'oria possessed. Magus considered that he might just be on edge, yet the reason wasn't easy to grasp. He couldn't decide whether he might have been on to something. Magus decided to just match her pace and stay quiet for the moment. He felt there was something on Aadia's mind, but what was it? He couldn't hold himself in any longer, and after only roughly a minute of silence, he decided to try and start conversation again.

"So, getting a feel for Windurst more?"
"You mean that zemzelet?"
"Well, I'm sure you don't see many back home."
"That's true, there aren't too many birds in San D'oria."
"What happened to all of them?"
"There's a strong proficiency in the Elvaan culture for cooking fowls."

***

[Wizaga]

This story gets more interesting by the minute. I wonder how you write like that...such great description and details keeps me inspired to continue writing my book...unfortunately, I've been busy making a game.

Sir Magus, please do continue...I wonder where they're going afterwards...after all that. Hmm...

I really do beg of you, please continue writing. I apologize for not reading as soon as I wanted to in order to give a feeback, but the only time I have to read is during school. Hehehe.

Good job Magus, keep up the good work!

[Magus]

FFXI:S1 / Second Quarter

I'm starting a new thread as to keep things fresh, and resuming chapters, you can see the rest of the series on the next thread....

FFXI:S1 / Second Quarter.

Thank you all my fans, the ones that I have.