The Vana'Diel Tragedy.

[Blood Red Poet]

Re: The Vana'Diel Tragedy.

Kurin-Juran paced down one of the many bridges of Windurst Walls. ‘Fenrir…’

“Kurin-Juran, you’ve made so much progress in only a month. You’ve learned to speak and read. Under that layer of confusion was a gem of genius… Maybe you can understand things that others can’t. Kurin…thousands of years ago there was a race of people who lived in these fields named…”

“K…Kuluu?”

“Hmm, yes. You have learned a lot. Let me tell you about the beast that lives in the fountain below the ground…”

Kurin was stuck in a flashback, but quickly was ripped out of it as something pegged him on his head. He looked down at the round object. It was an onion. Stunned with disbelief, he stared at the onion until a moment past and he finally said, “Well, that’s concerning”.

“Its you!” a child shouted from behind.

“Ally of the Cat Burgler!” another shouted.

“What the-?” Kurin ducked as another onion was thrown at him. It bounced off his back.

“We are the Star Onion Brigade!” the lead boy said. He had on a blue jacket with white sleeves and green slops like most Tarutaru boys wore. On his head was a gold and blue cap with an eye on each side.

“Star Onion Brigade…?” Kurin-Juran remembered them from the first time he was in Windurst. ‘SOBs… oh she didn’t mean…’ he thought to himself, almost chuckling.

“We saw you communicating with the Cat Burgler, we are at war with her” he continued with his cute, young voice.

“Nanaa-Mihgo? Hmmm, you must have missed most of that conversation… anyway I am not her ally, I was on a mission, like a lot of adventurers do” Kurin explained. All the kids stared at him.

“Hmm, okay. My name is Kohlo-Lakolo. I am the leader of this brigade. Papo-Hopo is my second-in-command” The kid pushed down his cap as he spoke.

“Dat’s me” a kid behind Kohlo-Lakolo said, wearing almost the same thing minus the hat, and pointed to himself.

“Darn it’th. We need’th to get into the house’th!” a small Tarutaru girl fumed loudly. She had a strawberry pink cap and scarf. She wore a tan jacket and red shoes.

“Pichichi! You announced our plans to the stranger!” Kohlo-Lakolo roared.

“Ooooohhh” all the children hummed.

“Oops’th” she blushed.

“Well that settles-wettles it! You must become a member of the Star Onion Brigand or parish!” Kohlo announced. Kurin-Juran staggered.

“You sure dat’s a good idea? He seems weak to me” Papo rubbed his tiny chin.

“I can’t join your little kid gang, I’m sorry” Kurin-Juran scratched the back of his head nervously.

“You must!” a Mithra girl shouted.

“Hmmmmmm” Kohlo seemed lost in thought for a moment. “You are an adventurer… so you can be a part-time member” he smiled.

“You’ve done dit again, Kohlo” Papo-Hopo cheered.

“Part-time member’th…” Pichichi looked confused, “What’s that?”

“Don’t worry about itaru…” Kohlo sighed.

“Okay fine, I am a part-time member… what house do you wantaru to get into?” Kurin-Juran asked.

“The House of the Hero!” Kohlo explained excitedly.

“House of th-…” Kurin-Juran looked shocked.

“Yes, but its locked. Do you know anyone with da key?” Hapo-Popo moaned.

“Actually, Ajido-Marujido opened the door right before my eyes” Kurin-Juran remembered out loud.

“Ah! Not him! He is soooo mean!” a Tarutaru girl cried.

“W-One time we were playing in the practice ground of the Orastrey and he yelled at us!” the Mithran girl growled.

“Hmm, yah… I don’t think he’ll let you borrow his key” Kurin-Juran pondered.

“Okay! I got it! Kurin-Juran, as a part-time member-wember, you steal the key from Ajido-Marujido” Kohlo ordered.

“Ugh, you guys play too many games…” Kurin rejected.

“This is no game! Behind those doors, the Cat Burgler has had many activities we need to find out” Kohlo answered seriously.

“Hmm” Kurin-Juran remembered Nanaa-Mihgo had hid the Book of the Gods there and he was curious what was left of his mentor’s legacy, “Okay fine, I’ll ask him if I could borrow the key”.

“Excellent! We realize this will be tough task, so you have a lot of time to complete your mission! Our headquarters are behind the warehouses in Port Windurst. Until then, we will restock on our weapons…” Kohlo explained.

“Onions?” Kurin-Juran asked.

“Of course! Da most devastating kind of weapon!” Hapo-Pop cheered and charged making explosion sounds. All, but Pichichi followed.

“Good bye part-time member’th!” She waved and raced to catch up.

Kurin-Juran let out a big breath of air. “These kids have no idea what they are getting themselves into, but I’ll protect them to the best of my ability” Kurin said quietly as Pichichi fell out of sight.

In the middle of the vast sea, near tropical lands, a boat laid adrift. It was a wooden boat with a few steel panels and a long deck. A collection of large sails hanged high above the boat. A small house where the stairs leading under the deck and the higher floor with which the captain wheeled it resided. The boat had a long nose and at the end of the pole was a black, horned helm. Hintah Akunih sat against the wall of the outer boat. She looked across the deck to a she a small Mithran child eating a piece of black bread. The little girl seemed very pleased, not caring her red hair was very messy.

“She can’t stay herrrre forever you know, Hintah” the Mithra said with the spear strapped to her back said in a calm tone. Her hair was blond and held back by a string.

“I know… I know… she rrrreminds me when I was just a lil’ lass, that’s all. She has no home, not exactly the best situation” Hintah looked down to the cracks. The drift of the ocean pushed a lock of purple hair in front of her eyes. Hintah pushed it back with two fingers.

“Don’t go and get too attached an’ all. She needs to be getting to herrr new home or something. This place, out here, it ain’t the best playground. Just one stray bullet from som’ wild, no-care Hume bastard and it could be lights out. Ka-put” the blonde Mithra looked away from the little girl. Hintah barely seemed to be listening. She was in a daze while staring at the child.

“Yah yah, the point has been made” Hintah brushed her off flapping her hand.

“Damn it, Hintah yah going to regret this crrrap” she signed.

“Regret? I don’t know the word” Hina looked up to her. Her tired eyes gazed with a look of contempt.

“Shesh, I give up” she fumed and walked away. Hintah looked back down to the cracks. The boat drifted back and forth. She used to remember the motion made her real sick.

‘No, not this girl… she got used to the ocean real quick. Hell, its like she was born out here’ Hintah focused on the little girl. She punched the ground to get up. “Listen up! Time to do something!” she shouted at her crew.

Hours had past. Quu Xuchi noted the sky getting darker. The light had died above Tahrongi Canyon. The Canyon was the heart of the Kolshushu region. Everything was dry and dusty in their brown badland. In the ground were naturally built tunnels, dark and moist. Its ground was shaped unevenly due to the powerful rivers that once ran in these not always so dry lands. Towering cacti with flower tops gave shade to the creatures that have adapted to the hellish climate. Fat, bubbly trees also produce shade against the burning sun. Lizards, tall-necked dhalmels, hornets, and even Goblins walked the land. It was in this rocky badland where the mighty, white Crag of Mea laid. Much like the other two, it was enormous and was made of ancient cermet.

Around a campfire place, Yagudo’s sat and watched the fire was about to be lit. A Yagudo sat in the middle with two sticks over a pile of rocks. Not too far from them another Yagudo welcomed Quu Xuchi into their camp. He had beady eyes like the others and a katana at his side. Around his neck was a necklace with a cerulean gem and two red feathers hanging off it.

“Quu Xuchi, that is you correct?” the Yagudo spoke humbly.

“Yes, kyah” Quu bowed.

“I am Moo Ouzi the Swiftblade. It is an honor to meet you Chief Inquisitor, kwak” he bowed in return.

“I was asked to find out about the status of this group from Giddeus. How is it out here, kyah?” Quu asked quickly.

“Why would they send someone of your rank in the Theomilitary?” Moo was surprised.

“Probably because I have caused a lot of tension there… anyway, kyah, could you answer my question?” Quu Xuchi asked.

“Hmm, we’ve been doing okay. We’ve have patrolled the area fine and delivered all messages between Giddeus and Oztroja. We have befriended a Goblin Archeologist who traded us some various bones and materials. Nothing has happened here for a long time… kawk” Moo Quzi explained slowly.

“Understood… Do you mind if I spend my night here? Giddeus is too grassy for me…” Quu asked.

“Sure” Moo Ouzi laughed with a broken giggle, “I have many questions of curiosity for you… you are quite the celebrity”.

“About my squad of inquisitors? My past? I am bored myself, and have questions of my own, kyah” Quu Xuchi grinned.

“Now I’m scared” Moo Quzi pretended to be afraid.

[Blood Red Poet]

Re: The Vana'Diel Tragedy.

Kurin-Juran and Koshii had been talking to each other for a while in a dim lighted room full of tables like the one they sat at. Over Kurin-Juran’s shoulder was a bard playing soft music on a short stage. They faced each other for a second. In Timbre Timbers Tavern it was a quiet night aside from the bard. Both of them ate dhalmel steak, with a side of a salad.

“So, is working directly under the Sybil fun?” Kurin leaned back on his chair.

“Heh, no not really” she said casually, “but I am sure adventuring is very fun”.

“Well, I suppose it’s nice. I am not on a global scale as some of the more famous ones… “ Kurin replied.

“Hehe, like the Vermillion Mage?” Koshii gave a cute, innocent smile. Kurin sank in his seat.

“Oh, don’taru bring him up” Kurin grumbled.

“You are not currrious to find out what your now famous rival is up to?” Koshii stabbed her fork into her bowl of salad and place it in her mouth. She leaned back.

“No, not really… that guy was a real jerk back in the day” Kurin-Juran sighed.

“I remember. Back in Mhaura” she smiled, thinking back to those old, lazy days.

“Before you moved here, right? Those days were paradise. We used to play by the docks, fishing…” Kurin said that. Something sharp stabbed into both of their minds. There was a long awkward silence.

“That day, before I moved…” Koshii looked away.

“Yes. I try to forget it” Kurin ate a piece of his steak, almost in shame.

“Don’t. We may have almost died, but that day. You saved my life. It was pretty amazing”

“I don’t know how I feel about that day, it’s strange. And you moved the next day, its been almost fifteen years I guess” Kurin was serious, he talked slow. The tension was thick between the two.

“It really has. Wow, all this time. I can lie and said I’ve forgotten, but you’ve been on my mind all this time. Almost an inspiration” she pushed back her silver hair.

“I’ve felt the same. I was so excited when I saw you again Its been forever!” Kurin

“Heh” she smiled, “Are we done here?”. She looked down to her unfinished dinner.

“Yeah, I wasn’t too hungry anyway” Kurin said and then signaled to the waiter for the bill.

“I’ll pay” Koshii offered.

“No, no. Its always the guy who pays on a da…” Kurin stopped himself with a blushing face.

“I’ll pay…” Koshii repeated looking away.

“Right” Kurin said quickly, embarrassed.

In a few moments they walked outside. The sky had become black and the stars showed themselves again. Koshii looked up.

“Do you ever feel like it’s raining, even when the sun is out and bright?” she looked back down at Kurin-Juran.

“Hehe, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Sorry” Kurin scratched his head nervously.

“Ah forget it. See you around, okay?” Koshii began to walk away.

“Bye Koshii!” Kurin called and waved. Kurin looked up to the stars just like Koshii did. ‘I know exactly what you mean…’

Cronin and Sakeru walked pass the Orastrey in Port Windurst. They were discussing their new job.

“Okay! Tomorrow, don’t be late. Like the last time and the time before that, and…” Cronin nagged at the Mithra.

“Fine! Okay, I won’t be late. Shesh. Give a girrrrl a break” Sakeru sighed.

“Oh don’t give me that” Cronin said and narrowed his eyes on her. Sakeru let out another sigh. “Where is Kurin-Juran anyway?” Cronin changed his point of interest.

“He is on a date!” Sakeru started to act weirdly, making funny faces. Cronin returned with a disappointed glance.

“Kurin… on a date? You can lie better than that, Mithra” Cronin spat.

“I am not joking, hehe! Its with an old friend… that Mithra who shot us!” Sakeru dreaded the day, pretending to weep.

“Koshii. Well that does make a little more sense. You sure it was a date? I think it would be more like get-together to find out what they have been up to” Cronin scratched his chin.

“Bah, you and him do not know what a date is” the silver-haired Mithra shrugged.

“Is this a date…?” Cronin leaned forward with a devilish smile.

“Don’t trrry it, ass” Sakeru spoke annoyed and punched his face.

“Ow! I was only joking!” Cronin cried and grabbed his nose.

A few seconds past as they continued to walk. Cronin slowly stopped caring about his bruised nose. “Have…” Sakeru spat out hesitantly.

“Huh?” Cronin turned his head, with a puzzled look on his face.

“Have you ever heard of that story The Devil’s Fish and Humanity? An oldwives tell” she asked, deep in thought.

“No I haven’t” Cronin scratched under his eye.

“Its about this fisherman named Moko and his daughter Sako-“ she was cut off.

“Whoever picked the names was really creative” Cronin giggled.

“Would you shut up for a second?” Sakeru looked annoyed, “Where was I… right. Mako and Sako lived in a very poor port village. There was little to no fish left due to all fishing that had been done. The land around them was barren, not good for farming. A request asked by the greatest warrior had been heard by everyone. He wanted the head of the legendary Devil’s fish. A true devil indeed that fish was. The warrior would give millions and millions of treasures to the soul who could catch the fish. But, this fish wasn’t a good thing to catch at all. It was said it ate your soul and possessed you the second you looked into its eyes. Mako didn’t care though. Sako had fallen under a strange sickness, sure to die without treatment. So he grabbed his best fishing rod and his best bait and he fished for days and weeks. As time passed, stories about people becoming victims to the evil fish and killing their most loved ones tossed on as rumors. Mako ignored them. He thought of his poor village and his daughter. Sako had lost her sight and ability to use her feet. With tears in his eyes…”

“He kept on fishing?” Cronin added on. They had almost reached the Windurst Woods district.

“Correct. Finally, one day he caught the Devil’s fish. With his head turned, he grabbed it by the gills and stuffed it in a basket. That day he smiled, which he hadn’t done for decades earlier. While running home he had a stinging feeling run down his spine. What sight could have turned a man soulless and evil, he thought to himself. He slowly opened the basket and decided he would only peek for a second, but that’s all it took. The man’s humanity had been stripped away and he now walked with the demons. The news of Mako hit Sako hard. She asked to meet with the warrior who had made such a request. Why would you destroy all these people lives, she asked the mountain-tall figure? People want to be hurt… catching the fish is not hardest challenge but not looking into its eyes is, he answered with a grin. You will take me to meet my father and the evil fish and I’ll defeat it, she demanded. A blind child who cannot walk stands no chance against a fish of that power… I even fear it but at the same time I am in love with its power, he warned, but she ignored him. After days of traveling they found Mako and the fish. Sako hoped off the shoulders of the mighty warrior and used a wooden stick to hold her up. She called upon the beast. Instead her possessed father attacked her with a push to the ground. The warrior grappled the father down and told the daughter if she was going to defeat the fish, to do it now. She picked herself up, sitting on her knees, looking very helpless. The fish finally appeared. It had grown strong off Mako’s soul. It now had wings of a bat and teeth of a tiger… on its head was the word Virtue burned onto its scaly skin”

They stood under the arch that led to Windurst Woods. Cronin was now listening with full attention.

“The fish gave an evil stare to the girl, but she couldn’t be corrupted if she could not see. The fish then raced towards and ripped her right foot off with its mighty jaws, but she couldn’t be hurt if she could not feel. With one more act of desperation the fish shot itself towards her neck. It was then, at the most hopeless moment she picked up her wooden stick and shoved it into the mouth of the Devil’s fish. It impaled right out of the back of the demonic fish. It cried, but within a few seconds it no longer lived. The spell no longer affected Mako and the warrior let go of his grip. A feeble child had killed the fish, the story would be told for centuries. Mako raced to his daughter, but he noticed something wrong. The wound from the fish had made her bleed to death. She looked weakly in his eyes and said simply: Indignation, Indulgence, Intemperance, Infatuation, Invidiousness, Insolence, and Indolence… these are the sins of man that cannot be avoided, but controlled. She died a few seconds after. Hearing these words, the warrior released he had committed all those sins. He gave Mako everything he owned, but knew it could never have filled the void. Mako returned to the village a sadden man, but made sure no one would ever suffer like Sako did. The warrior however, went missing and started to grow to hate the imperfect world. That’s how the story ends, I guess” Sakeru finally ended.

Somewhere in the world of Vana’diel a crumpled up rose blew in the wind. Its petals no longer bond together.

“Wow… that’s a good one. Well its time for me to hit the hay. Night, Sakeru” Cronin said softly, thinking about the story as he walked away. Sakeru waved goodnight and turned towards the Mithran residential district.

With night darkening the lands below for a few hours, the town laid dead. Shortly after, the sun was born again by its eternal ritual and duty to give Vana’diel light. Cronin had sent a letter to Kurin-Juran about the new quest before Kurin had even reached his house. Sakeru stood alone at the rendezvous point for a few minutes, below a tree. Under the shade she bit and picked at her nails. In front of her was the chocobo stable. The building was made of wood and hay was everywhere. A handful of chocobos walked peaceful behind wooden fencing, eating greens.

Kurin and Cronin walked up to her. “Well I’ll be damned, she was early!” Cronin did an overactive, mocking expression of shock.

“Oh shut up!” Sakeru pulled herself up, using the tree she laid on.

“Well guys I’ll grab a chocobo, you two walk” Cronin laughed. Kurin and Sakeru looked at Cronin, annoyed.

“Would be a shame if the chocobo died while we killed Cronin wouldn’t it be?” Sakeru grinned with malicious intent. Kurin laughed, evilly. Cronin looked somewhat afraid.

“Fine! I’ll walk… bullies” Cronin exclaimed, pretending he was crying and staggered.

They walked past the gate guards and entered Sarutabaruta. Peacefully they followed up a river and then a path to Tahrongi canyon. They encountered no Beastmen and no hostile animals. Finally the ground they walked started to become dry and the grass yellow. Dirt patches were replaced by grass patches, grass replaced by dirt, and plane into bumpy terrain. Mandrogras were slightly bigger here and the rarabs the same.

“Hmmm, if I am corrrrect we are standing at Ahropahgo Pass, which is the most mountainous part of the canyon. There are two paths: east and west. Which one guys?” Sakeru looked right and left as the paths separated.

A dark image waved over Kurin-Juran’s head. It was the east path where his father was killed. Kurin knew where the makeshift gave was and how to get to Mhaura from it.

“East…” Kurin said hesitantly.

‘Then east we go!” Cronin smiled and began running, “Can’t catch me!”.

“Slow Hume!” Sakeru stretched and raced to catch up.

Kurin looked down to the dusty, dry ground. He raised his head, the sun burning his face and eyes. A depressing feeling had disappeared. He smiled and roared, “These small legs-wegs can do amazing things!” and he charged.

With her hair being blown back, Sakeru grinned as she chased after Cronin. ‘To be rich like Mako had become… even if Sako had to die, it would be worth it. I don’t care if these two will be just like Sako… I will obtain greatness’ she thought.

You shall be twisted by the Envy that drives you…

On the other side of Ahropahgo Pass stood the chief Yagudo inquisitor. His beautiful great katana, gold and red handle matched to a flawless blade, at his side he gripped it and thought for a moment. ‘I think I’ll take the east path…’ he began to walk slowly, on course to meet the charging adventurers.


--

Okay there it is, sorry about the wait. A good thing is that I am going to be a lot more focused on this now I have some free time. Chapter 13 will be out soon. Maybe I can start releasing these bi-weekly or less, more poor poor editor.

[Taggerung]

Re: The Vana'Diel Tragedy.

graaaah cliffhanger! curse you BRP! Well as always it was great ^^

[Blood Red Poet]

Re: The Vana'Diel Tragedy.

Herro.

I am making a new thread for this very interesting story. That is all. Expect it to be made soon after this post.

[Blood Red Poet]

Re: The Vana'Diel Tragedy.

http://www.ffxionline.com/forums/sho...173#post506173

is the new thread.