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The long stretch of land opened up in several conjoining pathways. Fields of green intertwined, and, split by a canopy of trees that in turn cut beams from the sun into many refracting rays. A walkway sprinkled by the faintest of early-morning hues of light, continued on around one bend, then, another as it left a darkened forest behind, and, instead took place unto a well traveled route. The trail that led further along, ridden with footprints, all-manner of such – and grooves where carts had no doubt been pulled along with there wares – was nearly abandoned in the soft-caress of a rising sun. Bright, orange and red, the shining orb rose high in the East just peaking above the crest of mountains.
As far as the eye could see, the fields went on. Miles upon miles, and, ever in the distance the mountains loomed high, tall, snowy at their peaks, gawking over-top a sleeping city and its tallest of towers. Nearly piercing the sky itself, despite being far off, Mysidia's crowning jewel stood watch, looming like a distant lighthouse tower atop a cliff while abreast to the wild, cracking ocean waves. Newly awakened to this world of vastly unknown, yet, slightly familiar beauties, Rydia yawned, stretching about to wake herself up.
She felt wet, because she was – sleeping in the high-grass tends to do that to a person. Although, she could not quite remember when, or, even why she had fallen asleep there. In fact, the last of her memories told of Asura, of Leviathan, and their whispered threats of doom to the Blue Planet. Blue Planet, why did that sound, well, so wrong? The name faded away . . . for a moment she could not even remember hers. Then, it came back, all-of-it.
The instant she muttered her adoptive parents names: “Asura, Leviathan,” she shot up finding that most of the moisture had been her own sweat whilst she slept, dreaming a dream, or, a nightmare she could not remember. She ran two fingers across her neck, wiping some away, and, just breathed. In-out-in-out over and over again as the pants slowly turned into a more steady, and, natural pattern. With them, her rapid heart-beat calmed to a light pat-tat-pat, and, she looked for the first time down the road into the fresh light of a new day. Checking herself to make sure that she was, well, presentable (loss of clothing oft comes with short-term memory loss), she stepped down from the grassy hill-side and onto the trail proper.
The Cetra began to walk. In which direction it frankly did not matter, for now, there was so much to see, and, plenty to learn. From the moment she awoke until now, she had felt that something had gone wrong when she crossed realities, and, the sights she saw now only confirmed that. Somehow, she had passed her own world right-on-by, and, instead arrived here with no real way of turning back. As far as she was concerned this was the middle of nowhere, a crossroads where anything could be possible.
Within a park of the forest, near the entrance a young male rested against a tree. His head was down and his eyes were closed but, at the same time, there was a hint of awareness about him, even in his sleeping state. He was a large man, no giant, but hardly small. His cloths were strange to some, baring the mark of a traveller. On his sides a pair of sheathes lay on his belt, and within them a medium length blade.
All of a sudden a massive wolf appeared. The creature was easily three times the size of a normal wolf. Its golden eyes were locked onto the sleeping man as it crouched down and slowly made its way towards it. From the looks of things it seemed like the creature was going to attack the man. All of a sudden it stopped and kept on looking at the traveller. After a few seconds he made its final movements before pouncing on the twin blade wielder.
However, as it pounced and pinned the man to the floor the traveller’s eyes opened and looked at the massive wolf. Within his eyes a strange look was there, it was not fear, or even annoyance, but happiness. Was the man happy the wolf had pinned him down ready for to devour him, or so it seemed. The next thing, the traveller smiled and spoke, “Good Morning to you too Luna.” With that he chuckled and, stroked the massive wolf on the side of the head, behind the ear.
The wolf, Luna as the traveller called her, looked down and nuzzled the side of his head, behind the ear before getting off the man. She looked at him as he laid there for a moment or two before he rose to his feet. When he started to rise, his body popped and cracked with the movements. As he finally stood up straight he brought his arms backwards and outwards with further cracking and popping happening. He looked at Luna and smiled, “Well, time for some breakfast I think.”
(I was thinking that Rydia could have seen that little show.)
In far better shape than Rydia, the man further along the path actually looked like he had a decent night's rest, in fact still seemed to be sleeping up against the bark of one tree that wrapped its branches around another in embrace. Compared to her disheveled hair, damp-clothing and maladjusted circlet, the slightly worn looks of such a traveler were far more pleasant. However, she made no attempts to remedy that as she approached, slowly at first, then her pace quickened eying a beast that had no doubt come from the dark within the forest proper. Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat and flames danced around her fingertips. A wolf, a large one at that stalking a young man, and, at one moment ready to leap and pounce upon her prey.
Then, before the Cetra could react in time, it did. She gasped flames dying away, mostly from shock, but, nevertheless she advanced now rushing towards the pair. Her ritualistic vestments flailed in the air that spurn up all around them, catching and spinning in their bright yellows and greens. She did not bother to fix her skirt as it got caught in the generated torque. It furled for a moment hanging in the air until her pace slowed and her flaring, burning glare faded near but all-the-way. Faint-breaths parted between her open-lips and she only stared for a moment as the exchange between man and companion occurred. Needless to say, she felt a bit foolish, yet, that trademark flush of red had no place on her face. She simply stared blankly on before blinking and looking beyond into the depths of the forest.
“Fair day,” she noted, still spacing off. “You sure know how to startle someone; for a moment, I thought you wished that beast to devour you, bone and all.” When she looked back, Rydia, had a light-hearted smile upon her face, as though she were not lost, and completely at ease with her surroundings. In fact, she was not exactly lost per say, she had wanted to leave the Feymarch in order to save the planet, but, the more she thought on it, the more she suspected that this was not her home, and, more importantly this world was most likely not close to any sort of Apocalypse. At least she was no longer alone, she had to admit it would have been quite the daunting experience to actually be in solitude the first few steps on a new world.
“I do not wish to intrude upon your breakfast, yet, can you tell me, well, where I am?” It sounded like an odd question, and, in his eyes it most likely was. Not only had she mistaken his wolf for some feral beast, but, she had also nearly lit it aflame in her fires. A bit awkward to say the least, and, now she asked if he happened to know where they are when they were out in the middle of the wilderness. To get this far out, one would have to know the lands surrounding them, otherwise they would be wandering for quite a long time.
That said, her clothes although quite wet, bore no signs of significant wear, and, were quite elegant in their display, even if they left some of her skin exposed to the elements. In addition, she looked upon the wolf – Luna – now with a warm knowing gaze. She had once been as close to her Eidolons as he was to her. If there were any threat to be had from Rydia, it would be the whip that curled about her side, but, it was left coiled and untouched.
As Karrl looked upon the Dire Wolf Luna, he could not help but smile. They had not known each other that long; barely a month had passed since they first met. However, the bond that had grown between the two of them had grown strong and fast. He found it funny because, well, of the way they met. When they first met they nearly tore each other apart in such a ferocious battle it push Karrl to his limits, and he suspect, if it was not for the interruption, there would have been a good chance Luna would have won their little encounter.
All of a sudden he heard a voice, a female one at that and he looked over his shoulder to see a rather enchanting looking woman, despite the slightly dishevelled nature of her appearance. Luna as had caught site of the woman, just a little bit faster than Karrl had, she had smelt her coming up. However, Luna did not smell any ill intent from the woman, so, she had not gotten defensive. However, Luna did pad forward so she was slightly in front of Karrl as he turned around to face the newcomer. As he turned his long flowing, trench-coat swayed in the wind.
When she spoke he could not help but smile the little bit more. His response to her first comment was, “Yeah, it is a good day.” It was not exactly inventive, his response, but it got the job done. However, her second comment could not help but make Karrl laugh. His laugh was tuneful, but it was almost a primal tune, but pleasant and dangerous in its tone, “What Luna, na she wouldn’t harm anyone, well, unless that person wanted a fight, then, well, I’d feel sorry for the bastard who’s stupid enough to pick a fight with a Dire Wolf.” Luna looked up at Karrl and snorted. Karrl looked down and chuckled, knowing exactly what the snort was about.
However, he next comment he found a little strange. Was she lost, did she mean to local area, or the continent. True, he had heard stranger questions, and heard stranger comments, but still, he could not help but wonder why she would ask such a thing. Never the less it would be impolite not to answer, “Well, I’m not sure what the local area is called, but you’re in the Mysidia Region of the Cetra Continent.” All of a sudden he realised something, he had not introduced himself, “Oh, I’m Karrl, Karrl Garm of Balamb Garden, and this is Luna, who, is, well, for a lack of a better term, my partner. What’s your name?”
While words fretted about, Rydia, took a few more small steps and knelt before the dire-wolf: Luna. In respect she lowered her head momentarily, then, as she raised her gaze back up, she stared into the noble beast's eyes without blinking. On one knee, the Cetra looked much like one whom would be swearing loyalty to some manner of royalty, however, the fierce look in her eyes contradicted that notion quite a bit. There was something wild in that gaze of hers; a wild and untamed spirit that in many ways matched the planet which she now walked. Although unfamiliar to her, the resonance between them was undeniable. Thereafter, gone in a blink.
For a moment she remained still and only breathed, in-out-in-out. However, after a few seconds she looked up and said – mostly to Luna – “He was foolish enough to challenge you, huh.” She wanted to extend her hand and pet the wolf, but resisted the urge for contact as she was not sure how the gesture would be taken by either man or beast. After all, he would be the first person she would ever meet on a new world, and, in some cases (like this one) first impressions are quite important. For all she knew such an action would be seen as incredibly rude, and, that did not rest at ease in her mind, in fact she doubt she would be at peace for quite some time to come.
Politely enough though, he answered her question, and, during those moments she rose to her feet again, nodding in thanks all-the-while; despite the fact that much of what he said happened to be quite foreign to her ears: Mysidia Region, Cetra Continent, Balamb Garden. There were tales from her home of the city of Mysidia and its tower of magic which held a power so great it could undo the fabrics of space and time, but, Cetra, Balamb, they just sounded strange. She tried not to show it, yet, a perplexed expression flashed across her face anyways – even if it was short-lived at that. Regardless, the topic flowed on and asked of her was her name, which she had no problem giving.
“Rydia,” she replied, “is my name.” A hesitation, wherein her lips parted, shut, then opened again, yet, no words escaped from her tongue. She did not know quite how to ask what she truly meant, regions, continents did not matter so much as the one thing she actually suspected: that this was a different world. And, rising from her gut was that ever-longing feeling, something which told her she must know its name.
Her throat cleared. “If you would tell,” she took a breath, “may I know the name of this world, also?” The motions which followed reflected her nervous state, she took a step or so back as though she suspected he might mistake her for a person that did not have ample control over their own mind. But, the truth that swelled in her eyes, that determination, that fierceness and need to know, seemed to overshadow everything else. With those (her eyes), she looked from Luna to Karrl, and, thereafter back again.
Luna looked at the woman with a tilted head as she knelt in front of the Dire Wolf. She did not break eye contact not for a second. It seemed that the great wolf was sizing up the new woman for the time being. However, after a few moments, when the woman had spoken about Karrl being foolish for challenging the massive canine, she looked up at Karrl.
It was strange really, as stated before, they had only known each other for about a month, and yet, the bond that he grown between them was remarkably strong. It was the fact they had a great deal of respect for one another because of the fact they both knew they were both strong and fierce warriors, in their own right. It was because their bond started to form in the heat of battle that was had grown so strong so quickly.
When Luna had looked up at Karrl the young silver haired mercenary looked down at her with a smile on his face. He continued to look at Luna with that smile as he answered Rydia about her statement, “Yeah, I was foolish enough to challenge Luna that night, but, if I didn’t we may not have been together, or our bond might not have been as strong so quickly. After all, it was not even a month ago that we first met. I guess, we see something in each other that we see in ourselves…” He chuckled a bit, “A few of my fellow SeeD, back home, say I fight like a Dire Wolf.”
As she rose Karrl turned his gaze onto her. He smiled as he watched her. The smile her had on his face was faint, but, it seemed to enhance his attractive feature, and, in turn, his features made the smile charming. When she introduced herself a Rydia he took her hand and gently kissed the back of it. He let his lips linger there for a moment or two before letting go of her hand as he stood up straight once more, “It’s a pleasure Rydia.” He let the smile settle on his face that little bit more. He did not know why, but, there was something about Rydia that settled the beast within.
However, her next question surprised Karrl. How could she not know the name of the world, it was a strange question. He looked at Luna with a tilted head, and Luna looked back at Karrl in the same manner. It almost seemed that they were communicating with each other through their eyes. However, after a few moments he looked back at Rydia and answered her question, “Why, the world is called Gaia.” He smiled a bit more as he looked at the woman and waited for whatever she was going to say next.
In the moment he took her hand, Ryida – not only surprised but also confused – just stared blankly and allowed him to raise it up towards his parted lips. There, they lingered, and, from the absence of the his first gentle touch, she knew it was time to lower the hand. She furled it to the side, looking down for moment as though she expected something to happen. When, of course, nothing did, the attention which had been drawn there, became deterred by the way he, and, even the wolf Luna, gawked. The question which had been poised no doubt had been dubbed as a strange, coy, and, perhaps even insane. However, at the time (at least for the few seconds that remained before spoken word), the Cetra forgot what she had asked.
Instead, she wondered: why did he do that? The gesture alone was enough to make her brush her opposing hand across where the other had been touched, always expecting something out of the ordinary to come from some magical means that were unknown to her. Yet, still nothing; not while the planet's name was given, nor, after in the few ticks of silence that spurned out amidst the quaint wilderness. Rather, only the unwavering faces of man and beast that when looked upon, remained strong in their resolve. The question that burned deep within her may have been answered, but, another one dug roots and swept across her body like a blaze of fire. If it had not been a spell, then, why did he wish to touch her?
The world was called Gaia though, knowing that in a way put her heart at rest. She did not know why, at least not then, but despite that, it did not change the momentary calm that crept across her entire being; engulfing posture, stance, mind, soul, and expression, her gaze became distant, seemingly passing through the two present before her and extending far beyond the range of the forested canopy, until, they were drawn back again, by thought, by reason, or, by the simple reality of her situation. The silence, now, it grew awkward, and, she shook her head as though to overcome a manner of the daze that fogged her thoughts temporarily.
“Gaia,”she mouthed, the word leaving it in a soft dulcet tone, barely heard but there nevertheless. “A true name,” she said nodding, now realizing that it could have never been known as anything else, and, in one respect, almost feeling guilty for not knowing it beforehand. Not logical by any means, but, emotions rarely ever are. Gaia just felt . . . for a lack of a better term: right.
She inhaled deep, taken in by the smells all around; the fur of Luna, her breaths; the way the damp smelt upon grass, bark, tree and leaves; the fragrance of flower petals upon her clothes. The urge to drift along and follow the plains until they reached the far off sea was a great one, but, something held her in place even while her eyes shut for a few moments.
Suddenly, nothing mattered, then, everything did, and for the first time on this world she felt pretty foolish. She remembered her place, and, where she had came from, but, could not deny how crazy it would all sound. Since she arrived, she had no longer been able to sense the Eidolons. Here, maybe they did not exist. Her eyes parted open, hoping to still see Karrl and his compaction there still waiting.“You must think that I am rather strange,” there was no smile now, only that serious expressive frown that usually rested between her lips.
“I would not blame you if you wished to make trail; I will be well now, and, thank you, for your words.” They really did help calm her, but, that same fierceness and longing held true within her eyes that looked, but, did not really see them, instead what was around them: Gaia. Such a name held power, and, that scared her more than the tower that loomed in the distance, keeping watch over a power that could undo reality. There were hints of that same fear that flashed within her pupils as she turned away, her head raising to match that cloud-grazing structure miles and miles off. She wanted to wander.
Watching her reaction to a simple thing like a kiss on the back of the hand, he found it a little amusing. He had seen people blush, get flustered, or even angry when he had done that, but, never had he seen someone look confused before. He had to admit, it was funny, however, he tried his best not to show his amusement, since, it might just confuse her even more. He did not know her that well, or at all for that matter, but, he was already warming up to her, and it seemed, Luna was of the same mind when it came to that.
As she commented on him finding her strange he could not help but laugh. Yes, strange was one way to put it, however, he had seen much stranger things and met much stranger people in his travels. However, this was the first time he had liked one of the strange people, since, the rest of them were from the god-dammed coven, oh, and that armoured guy from when he first met Luna, but, he had not really spoken to him long enough to make an opinion on him.
Once he had finished laughing he said, “True, I do find you a little strange, but, who in this world aint got a little strangeness in them, look at me, I travel with a creature so see as a demon.” At that comment Luna looked up at him and snorted. Karrl looked back down and smiled, “Oh you know I aint one of them, Luna, you’ll always be my favourite gal.” With that he scratched behind the Dire Wolf’s ear and looked back to Rydia with the same smile on his face.
However, when she went to leave he said, “Hey, if you need a lift somewhere, my ride is parked up not far from here, come on.” With that he turned on his heels and walked further into the forest. It did not take him long to get where his bike was parked. He looked over his should to make sure she had followed before hopping on his bike. Once one he kicked it into life, the engine purring like a kitten. He smiled before looking at Luna and then to Rydia, “Hop on, it will be much quicker than walking.”
His laughter remedied tensions; spurning high into the air – closely following in the wake of Rydia's reservations, as they had been put to voice seconds prior. She had been serious. However, all-the-more clear by his response, such, had not even been needed. Wherein some would see the remnants of a broken mind, he just simply, did not. Claiming that there were those far stranger than she, persons whom would find in him a stranger, in consort with his 'demon' wolf. Not that the Cetran had any real place to argue those statements, not while she stared at the cusps of an eerily familiar, yet, all-too foreign tower swirled about the fluffs of the clouds that passed it right-on-by. She blinked, then, turned and stepped back towards him, and, his friend.
Upon the mention of 'a ride,' her gaze drifted to the inner forest. Darting around the trees and the shade they in turn put off, and, clenching unto the shadows that hid amongst bark, foliage and trail, she eventually came to the conclusion that he meant: transportation. For a few moments, she only tried to understand what means he had at his disposal. There were no Chocobos roaming as far as she could see, or, reasonably tell; for, the tracks that had been dug in along the trail were not of their kin, nor, of any she had seen before. And, the sea or any large-scale source of water did not run this far inland, so, she assumed they would be walking.
Perhaps more out of curiosity than wholly trust, Rydia did follow though. Parting beneath the trees always a few meters behind the paired man and his companion, she weaved and swayed rather gracefully as though the forest had been home to her for quite some time. Neither stray branch, nor bush slowed her pace, and, given the fact that this was the first time she had ever stepped into this, forest it was not exactly the easiest of feats to trail behind one whom had been traveling for longer than she had been a part of Gaia. The outskirts seldom dotted with the sparsity of lined trees faded more and more with each footfall, until, they were nearly in the forest proper, the pathway leading back all-but-blurred away out-of-sight. Then, he stopped before what he called his ride.
From a distance of a few meters (leaning against one of the many many trees), Rydia watched on, while, Karrl mounted the odd-mannered transportation. Her eyes widened as he kicked up against the clutch, and, as the engine purred to life, she even retreated a step, crunching on a stick and brushing her arm against raw and hard bark. Still, he told on, insisting that this would be far faster than walking. What was it though? The question flashed in her mind; she rested a hand against the tree and blinked a few times, expecting it to vanish before her eyes as though it had never been. Decidedly so, that of course, did not happen.
When her surprise stilled, a word wheeled into her mind; a thousand whispers churning up all at once around her. 'Machina', they said, 'machine, motorcycle,' [/i]and, 'safe.' Powerful, yet, whispered in unison, the words danced on and on until her hand fell from the tree. Resonating images of other such like things flashed before her mind, until, they were just gone. In a way, they calmed the Cetran's racing heart, and, without worry, she walked forward pretending as though the sight had not in fact surprised her at all.
Unsure of what had happened, but, still reassured by what had been revealed to her, she smirked coming ever closer to the motor-bike. Perhaps, she guessed, she always knew . . . those voices were her subconscious; t-they had to be. “Does she have a name?”
A finger pointed at the bike whilst she looped around and casually slung herself onto the back of it. Shock struck her face for a second as she felt the vibrations, but, thereafter all-but faded away. “If you have no qualms, would you please take me to the township of Mysidia?” Her eyes shut for a second and she hoped the city with the tower was still called that on Gaia. After all, she had been confused enough for one day.
Karrl watched as she took a step back, retreating slightly. This confused him, had she never seen a motorbike before. It suddenly dawned on him, there were some places in the world where machines were almost non existent, hell, in Spira, most machines, or machina as they called them, were frowned upon. So, in light of these thoughts he hid his confusion well enough.
However, she soon came up to the bike and asked if she had a name. He looked down at his baby, a motorbike he had spent a good few years working on, getting her to the way she was and smiled. He did have a name for her, but, no one had ever actually asked what it was which was what made Karrl smile. Stroking the front of the bike before moving his hands to the handles he spoke, “Yeah, she’s called Valkyrie.” He revved a couple of times before speaking again, “You better hold on tight, don’t worry, I don’t bite.”
He looked at Luna and smiled, “You ready for a run Luna?” The Dire Wolf snorted and got ready. Karrl chuckled and looked over his shoulder, “Time to get going.” With that he revved a few more times before setting off. The distance between the bike’s original location and the forest exit may have taken them a couple of minutes to get to by foot, but, it took a matter of seconds by Valkyrie. When they reached the road he skidded onto it, not slowing down for a seconds as he took to the road and headed towards their destination. He may not have answered her question, but he had no problem taking her to Mysidia.
Valkyrie. The bike was called: Valkyrie; elegance given, but, perhaps not suited to something so practical as a transportation Machina. However, just like the planet which bore the name Gaia, Rydia nodded in approval, somehow, it was just . . . right. Opening her eyes, she brushed a palm – trailing it down and up again (flip-side on the way back) – across the metal, tingling against the humming, and, purring vibrations that the motor-bike extorted. Then that same arm, leaped forward instantly grabbing for a hold on Karrl, whilst, he revved the engine lurching back on the clutch and flooding the capacitors momentarily. To the Cetran, the entire world seemed to shake before her eyes, and, even beneath her, rumbling, a terribly loud drum-beat, beat underneath her torso and unto her legs.
Her hand tugged against him, wrapping around as her whole body jumped forward, mostly out of fright, and nudged into his back. Clearly, much louder in person the sudden noise had not exactly been expected in the moment it came. More-so indicated by another hand coming around and meeting the first, clinging quite tightly she stared as his back, and, panted as the wind from her lungs that had been so rapidly exhaled, swept back in and replenished her bodily air supply. She did not have to be told to hold on, but, the sentiment would no doubt have been appreciated if she had not been so caught off guard. It had been one thing to hear it from afar, but, another thing entirely to both hear, see, and feel the energy the machine put off.
When Valkyire took off, Rydia, wanted to scream. Everything passed by in an instant, the trees with their branches and leaves; the mud that flung about and spurred up from the quake altering all-wheel-drive; the long-fields, and, the rushing and padded footsteps of a she-wolf that ran alongside them both, and, even the snapping and crackling of forest foliage as it was pummeled into the ground. Instead, she could not find the strength to speak, nor, scream; she only dug her hands deeper into Karrl, not letting up, and held her eyes closed as to not see the fast-pace blur of passing terrain. Chocobos had never moved this fast, and, she could not imagine anything moving faster. Not that she would want to in that respect either, this was quite quick enough, thank you.
So, she just kept on, her thighs pressed hard up against the breadth of the rims, and, her arms wrapped around the driver. Sure enough, this would get her to Mysidia, but, she doubted she would very much like a trip on this again. No matter how safe it was, this Machina, was anything but that. One little misstep and she would be tossed off at all-speeds, tumbling into the wide-array of greens, yellows that were the tall-grass, and, far beyond the flash of a furry-mane that was the wolf Luna. Eventually though, she did get up the courage to speak, and, in it was only the timid question: “Do you always travel like this?” Her heart beat rapidly, and, her body was pressed so close against him, he could probably feel the individual rat-tap of each iteration.
As they roared through the streets on the way to their destination Karrl was enjoying it immensely. He kept his eyes open, however the wind did not hit his eyes since, just before they had set off he had put one of his many sunglasses on to protect them. He felt the wind against his face however as it stroked his cheeks and ran through his hair. He smiled as he saw the black and red mane of his companion running along side him.
Enjoying the sensations that came with riding a beast like Valkyrie he barely heard what Rydia had to say. It actually took him a few moments to realise she had spoken to his mixing the timid nature of her voice with the sounds around him from the area to the engine of his baby. Once she had spoken and he looked over his shoulder and smiled, “Yeah, well, almost all the time, unfortunately my baby can’t ride on water, however, heard about a guy in Midgar who can work wonders with machines, thought about paying him a visit.”
With that he tore through the streets even more kicking the bike up a gear. A journey that would have taken them several hours by foot barely took them half an hour on his bike. Most people were a little nervous about they way he drove, but, Karr was an expert. He could handle riding his bike as well as anyone. A young SeeD recruit once commented on him being like a knight on a horse. Karrl had joked about trading his Shaung Dao for a lance, but, that would never actually happen, he loved his babies too much to do that.
As they arrived in the town of Mysidia he screeched into a halt skidding along side the road as they reached the entrance of the town into a perfect position between the trees and off the road. He looked over his shoulder once more before pushing his sunglasses onto the top of his head. He gave Rydia and a smile before saying, “Here we are, hope the ride was not too much for y’a.” With that, after waiting to let Rydia get off he did himself. He looked at Luna he was panting a bit but seemed happy enough. He walked over to her and scratched Luna behind the ear.
By the time they came to a stop, skidding along passing-by the remaining plains into the precepts of the township, Ryida, did not want to let go. For the breadth of the time that Valkyrie was in motion, her eyes had been closed shut; her heart had been hammering, and, her arms were practically interwoven around each other and the front of Karrl. She felt the sudden drop in inertia, felt even the turn of the bike as it in turn moved into a gentle power-slide, eventually, coming completely to a stop. However, she did not feel the end of the deceleration, the full-stop (all parties vacate), nor, the flick-switch and kick of the clutch reverting back to its normal position. So, when the mighty revs of the engine and vibrations faded away, she still clung to the SeeD for several more seconds.
Then, she opened her eyes, and, nature including the paired trees the Machina had came to rest between, was finally still. A sigh ruptured through her body instinctively causing her to release her death-grip and lean back. Breathing hard in the moments that followed, she waited a bit more in order to regain some resemblance of composure before departing the vehicle proper. Despite how efficient this means of travel was, she could not wrap her head around tearing across the landscape of Gaia again and again, behind the helm of a motorcycle, or, perhaps any 'Machina' in general.
The swirling patterns of greens, yellows, browns, and, reds were engraved in her mind, passing and rushing by in blinks. Yes, they may have gotten to their destination much much quicker than walking, yet, the bridge between man and nature never seemed to span longer than it had on back of the Valkyrie. She did not think on such creations being as a crime against nature, as, some might – the Yevonites for example – but, there were right to be wary; they were apart of the natural order. Standing there, meters away, she looked at the bike, then, over to the town (always staring), and, lastly upon Karrl and his wolf-companion. She shook the thoughts away, coming out of her relatively silent stupor.
Smiling, the Cetran bowed her head out of respect, momentarily, shutting her eyes until it rose again. “Thank you,” she uttered, “yes, I do not wish to, ride her again though.” Casually a hand swept back and began to mend her, now, rather unkempt hair. Without tying it off, she adjusted the silver-and-gold circlet resting on her her head, and, settled the bangs that had become disheveled. “Does no one in these lands still ride Chocobo?”There was a tone of fright lingering behind that poised question, but, she made no other indications of worry.
Although, she did fear that Machina, much like Karrl's, had swept over the planet, ushering a technological revolution in a way that, at first, she did not think would ever be possible, she would not deny how many might see such change and its benefits outweigh the costs on energy that no doubt followed close behind. Turning she walked over to the nearest of the twin trees, and, thereafter promptly rested up against it.
With a gesturing hand she invited the both of them to sit with her. Breathing more steadily now, she stretched her arms out – for they had become tight during the trip – and looked up to watch as a few clouds tutted across the skyscape. “Same sky, same smells; same gusting of the gales, but, everything is still different.” Speaking softly she ran her hands and carved a tiny path through the bladed grass, gripping tight along the ground. “Why am I here,” she muttered to the sky, “why?” A question she feared would never be answered. This was not supposed to be, yet, it was and would be from this point onward.
Karrl could not help but smile at her comment about not wanting to ride Valkyrie again. He guessed that riding on the back of a motorbike was not for everyone, however, he loved it. When he was riding he felt so linked with nature, the sights, sounds and smells entering him so fast and all at once. However, he would never judge someone simply because of the fact they did not like what he liked, he was not like that.
When she asked, with an almost fearful tone, if people still rode Chocobos he could not help it, he burst out laughing, it was a short amount of laughter, but, it was loud and clear. Once he had stopped himself he answered, the after tone of the laughter still in his voice as he spoke, “Oh yes, people still ride Chocobos, I just come from a land that it is more common to see someone riding a bike, or a car, rather than one of those giant yellow birds. Never the less, there are lands where it is the complete opposite, such as Spira, or even Alexandria to a degree.”
As Rydia sat down he looked over at her from a distance before, when she invited him and Luna to sit, joining her, with his dear friend joining him. As he sat down he looked up at the sky and smiled as Luna rested next to him with her head on his lap. However, when he heard what she had said a strange thing happened, Karrl’s face, the expression on it was deep, contemplative and serious, well, for the moment, “The gods have a plan for us all Rydia, that plan is more obvious to some than it is to others, just trust in the fact the fates will show you that reason, in time.”
When Rydia drew her gaze down – away from the clouds that hurried along, and, the gleaming sun that parted between them hinting towards the late 'morn – she nodded. Lightly at first, whilst, her hands tugged at the grassy roots and trapped dirt beneath neatly trimmed fingernails. She brushed those very hands across her face, momentarily, smudging a thin line of dirt there. Thereafter, she laughed, leaning her head back against the trunk of the tree upon which she sat. For a moment, or two, perhaps even three she kept her eyes close as Karrl spoke, explaining, that much of the world had adapted to using bikes (like his), and, cars (another type of Machina she supposed). Once more, she found herself lingering and clinging unto those strange words: Spira, Alexandria. They were places, 'realms' or, 'lands' according to him, most likely, across some ocean or another that linked one continent to the next and so on.
Then, hearing his approach, the Cetran, blinked, and ran the back of her palm back across her face to wipe the dirt far away. Sighing, she folded her hands across her lower torso, and like him, looked back up to the sky. At this point, she had not yet realized he had heard what she had said, however, in a few seconds, and with a tilt of her head, she realized that he had indeed had. His face grew darker, molting together with a serious demeanor that she had not as of yet, seen, in him. Retreating in a fleeting motion, she ran her back up against the bark of the tree, gasping while one of its rough edges caught bare flesh. Falling still, she balled one hand and gripped tightly. In those seconds she wondered if he took offense to her comment, but, in his words were only the soothing attempts to calm her. Strange, but, nevertheless appreciated with a tiny smile, masked only by the lip that trembled.
She lightened the grip in her hand, releasing the fist it had formed, and, looked over to him, and Luna whom rested with her head upon his lap. At this, she offered a small smile, and shifted her body over towards them. Still that which was uttered spun about webs in her mind: gods, fate, their reasons and paths which lead ever on. Not sure if she believed in, well, any of that, she just stared unsure of how to proceed.
Many thought Eidolons were 'gods' and if he held them to be as well, whom was she to deny that which he held true? So, she nodded at him, feigning what emotions she could muster to reassure him that he had spoken in the right. If there was fate and those whom had designed it, she was starting to understand why many held such things to be a cruel way of looking at reality. Regardless, she reached a hand out tentatively towards them both, Luna, specifically.
“May I pet her?” She asked, her hand still outstretched and hovering in midair. She knew he would expect a response in regards to what he had told her, but, she could not think of a polite way to do so. No matter what she said, there was a good chance she would take a stand against what he believed to be true, and, that in itself was cause enough for anger; anger, thereupon she did not wish unto anyone, least of all herself in such a strange land as 'new' Mysidia. Taking a more subtle approach, she wished to be more connected with the animal, which in turn had ties to the very nature which they had only tore across a few minutes prior; all those colors rushing by, and, her head still reeling from the venture. As she waited, she casually questioned him further: “Have you ever ridden them,” she looked up still waiting for permission to touch the wolf, “them which you call giant yellow birds, Chocobos?”
Karrl looked at her and smiled. It was strange, but the beast inside of him, the creature that seem to rage with him, seem to quieten around her, like her presence soothed it somewhat. They always say a beautiful song or a pure heart calm tame even the most savage beast, and, he guessed, the pure nature of her was calming.
When she asked if she could pet her he looked at her for a moment or two more, his hazel eyes lingering on her before he smiled once more and looked down at Luna, “You could try, but, you do not need my permission, despite what most people believe, she is not my pet, she is my dearest friend, and companion. I fight with her, and would never try to tame such a beautiful creature.”
It was true, and, it was, he guessed, why they had bonded so fast, Luna and himself. He had never tried to dominate her, other than the first fight they had, when, they had, by the end of it, decided to travel alongside one another. He did not see her as a pet, and, she did not see him as a master, they were brother and sister of battle, and, they were dear friends.
However, his mind soon got brought back to reality, well, away from his thoughts when she had asked her question. At first he was confused, but, when she mentioned Chocobos, the question made sense. He smiled a bit before answering, “Yes, I’ve ridden Chocobos, in fact, I have some training in Chocobo mounted combat, but, never specialised in it.”
There were a few moments – only a couple- wherein, Rydia, offered her hand flipping to hold its palm up and face Luna indirectly. She dared, only, to inch a few centimeters closer than she already was, and, thereafter, bowed her head eyes still shut, and, her chest rising and falling in ever the gentle pattern. Despite what such a hesitation, and, lack thereof of an advance might suggest, it would seem that she was entirely calm with the motion, and, with the risk of losing her hand to a beast which could not be tamed. That, when he spoke, those words (his), awash in indifference, lingered, but, nevertheless did not subtract from her resolve, nor, add to a nonexistent fear. Instead of asking him for permission, she stared, eyes a swirling blue, directly, into Luna's and now with her head still slightly bowed, did not close them again.
Her hand reached forward; leaning beyond the tree now, her back left a space behind and the bark bare whilst her knees loosened and she shifted from a casual sitting position, to, a more reverent kneeling one. Putting, most strain upon her thighs as her colorful vestments swished about from the movements, she extended her palm up, keeping the softer side adjacent to the wolf before attempting to rub gently against the side of the snout, up along the right in order to scratch behind the ear. Depending upon the response however, she may withdraw should Luna not want to be touched by her, or, in that manner. Still though, regardless of that, the Cetran showed no indication of being frightened by that prospect, she held a rather relaxed facial expression as she looked from the animal up to Karrl and then back again unto the wolf.
“There is no worry,” she spoke softly, tilting her head bit but keeping that powerful gaze. “I have no wish to harm you, nor,” she titled her head up, gesturing, towards Karrl, “him, your companion.” For some reason, Rydia, thought words spoken aloud in a soothing demeanor would be enough to expose her own kindness. She would not deny that she possessed quite the fierce gaze – a manner of wildness flaring before hues of blue and green – however, now anything so direct and blunt was tucked far away, and, deep within. Whatever there was inside her that in a way was 'untamed' or, perhaps different was a better word, hardly bore any relevance in the way her hand caressed so gently, that it could be mistaken for a timidness that did not in truth lay within her bones.
She then, flashed a smile, as wind carried across the plains and stirred up what dust it could manage along the road which led into town. Now closer, the Tower cast its long, tall, shadow upon many, even, the trees that they in turn sat upon now. Her hair swirled in the gale, and she retracted her hand away from Luna swiping about to keep it from flying all about like a crazed animal. Still sitting upon her thighs, her clothing was thankfully not as affected by the sudden, yet, not entirely unexpected gusting. A storm. She was not entirely sure how she knew that, but, Rydia was almost certain in the next few days clouds would manage and make their way over top the mountains in the distance to pelt the town and the valley beneath with their dripping waters.
“Would you tell me,” the Cetran fixated her gaze back unto the man, “more about this world?” By the way she spoke, it was rather unclear as to what lay behind the intent of the question. Yet, she did go on undeterred by previous exploratory events. Not a scholar by any means, Rydia, however, was naturally curious, and, arriving rather unexpectedly in something that is the same as her old home, but, entirely different at the same time, it begged to question much, and, that aforementioned 'much' did and would need answering.
“You tell of such lands where technology has wrapped roots deep into Gaia; where things like,” she pointed to Karrl's motorbike, “Machina are common, and, preferred. But . . . then you tell of lands where Chocobos still run free, and, persons take a'mount to them with arms to protect their homes.” She rested back on her hands sighing. “I do not suppose all here . . . on Gaia live in harmony?” To make beauty, there always had to be an equal amount of chaos, where nature was destroyed and ravaged for the sole purpose of power, Gaia, she suspected had much more sadness than that which was spoken to her by the trees of the forest.
Karrl watched as the two women interacted. He could not help but smile, however, this smile was a little different than the others. When he did his teeth were revealed, they were clean, pearly white, and looked normal, except for the canines. They were nearly twice the length of a normal person’s and, in all fairness they were closer to fangs than actual canines. Mix that with the slightly, but not completely obvious, pointed nature of his ears, which were revealed when he brushed his hair behind them, it was clear, that, Karrl was not exactly human himself.
When the wind came his head tilted up, along with Luna’s and, at the very same time, almost in sync with one another they both started to sniff the air itself. After a few sniffs they looked at each other and for a few brief seconds of silence, as the wind struck at them they remained in perfect eye contact, like they were talking to each other through their minds. However, when the wind died down a bit Karrl nodded to Luna and jerked his head towards the tower. Luna tilted her head for a second before getting up and started to walk towards it.
A few seconds after Luna had got up Karrl looked at Rydia and smiled one of his normal, slight smiles before speaking, “I don’t know everything about this world; ask a scholar for that, I’m just a simple Mercenary. However, I will tell you what I know, but… let’s get inside, it smells like a storms coming.” With that he fell back so he was laying down before flipping himself up to a standing position. Standing there for a second or two he looked at the clouds and sniffed the air once more, it seemed like Karrl was uneasy about something, like, something didn’t smell right. However, he pushed it out of his mind.
He looked at Rydia again and gave another toothy grin, his fangs, yet again for all to see before moving towards the tower and Luna, who was standing patiently for them at the entrance. Karrl looked at her and jerked his head forward. With that Luna walked into the tower. As he walked he turned to Rydia once more and said, “Luna is just scouting ahead, seeing if the cost is clear in the tower. Even if we just can sit in the entrance it will be better than sitting out in the open when that storm hits.”
Perhaps the sudden onset had been some manner of sign, but, Rydia at the time hardly noted the fast progression of storm-fairing events while they passed on. Rather, she was far more interested in Karrl's pointed teeth; the way he sniffed at the breeze with Luna; the way his ears pointed into their curve instead of merely rounding out as a human's would. Clearly, more to him, however, the Cetra would not press matters, only observing the two as they interacted, getting up one after another whilst the clouds rolled in from above, dotting across the misty mountain range in the background, and, tutting their way to block out the glowing orb in the sky: the sun that still streamed down its warmth despite the gales that tore leaves from trees and snapped and furled twigs and branches upon the ground.
The Tower of Mysidia would not be open, at least, not to them in those moments. For, it protected a powerful secret, a spell of great power that could undo the fabrics of reality itself in small escapades when cast. Yet still the sheltering entrance provided far more cover than the barred-shut doors, windows, shops, and of course the inn offered, since, they had already locked up in preparation for the oncoming burst. Funny how persons in towns accustom to bad weather could sense its onslaught hours, and even, several of them before it occurred. Still that was that and those that were lingering around quickly darted across paved dirt and ducked into their appropriate covers, just as, the skies above began to darken, and, darken still as puffy rapidly graying clouds took light's proper place in the skyline.
Rydia, on the other hand walked side-by-side with Karrl, completely content in taking her time, and, occasionally glancing up and looking as nature worked. She did not mind a little rain, in fact, she liked the cool rush it often gave. As opposed to fire, which she had once a desperate fear for, the chill was far more welcome and akin to her being, than, the flickering of flames that she herself had conjured not an hour or so earlier, merely, to defend the SeeD from his now-known-wolf-friend. Thinking back on that moment made her smirk . . . if only he knew how close she had been to actually letting that fire loose. Close call, enough said in that regard.
Her eyes shifted about watching all of those that finished their preparations, thereafter, proceeding to gaze unto the massive Tower that loomed meters in the distance. She watched as Luna departed into the entrance and nodded in response to Karrl whom explained the reasoning behind her premature departure. “Water has never harmed me, do not fear for a few clouds and their gales, Karrl; we will manage. Even, if we happen to get a bit wet.” The shrug of her shoulders told much of that indifference she bore. Unlike the locals, nature did not frighten her in the least, and, most of the time she preferred its openness to those claustrophobic inducing hallways that stood in many less modern buildings and led way to various rooms.
Rising before them, the stone steps led up higher and higher to the entrance of the Mysidian Tower proper. Not long before, Luna must have pranced up these rather swiftly in an attempt to find that shelter which they sought from the forthcoming wrath. Now, that they also stepped, a presence moved through Rydia so suddenly, that, she stopped and gasped for moment. In those seconds whispers surrounded her nigh intelligible, but, nevertheless there before fading all but away.
They all-but did so, leaving just a lingering presence that seemed to bleed over into the wary way which she walked towards the Tower. The stories were true then. There was power in this place, power-enough that it dug quite the deep roots into Gaia itself. It had tried to speak to her, but, being a newcomer, the story became only rushed afterthought in her own frantic mind. “Besides,” she noted as they came to the arching entrance before them. “I believe there is far greater danger within this place, than, that is stretched out across the long plains that led us here.”
The wolf would be waiting for them, where the doors stood resolute and unopened. They could always try to open them, but, there was something to be said about leaving the unknown well-enough, well, alone. “There is a reason, the way forward is sealed, and, I do not think we should break it.” Just being here made her uneasy, but she did her best to insure that slight frown did not change to attribute that fact with expression. As she finished speaking the first trickles of rain dripped and dropped along stone, and pelted the dry ground.
[OOC: Assuming that the Tower itself is still a dungeon like it is in FF II. So, I had Gaia try and get that message across to Rydia.]
As Karrl walked along side Rydia he was still smelling the air. True, it was only a storm, but, the primal nature of the silver haired merc made it so there was a large uneasy feeling inside of him. He had never been a fan of storms, not that he was frightened of them, they just made him uneasy. Karrl stopped for a second or two as they reached the steps, he looked up them, silently, before quickly ascending them.
Making their way up the steps he heard what Rydia had to say, and he could not help but smile at the fact she was worried about what was inside. It was true, there was something, not quite right about the place, he could feel it in his very core. However, he was not afraid of whatever could be inside of the tower, and fact, the feeling made him curious to find out what could cause such a feeling. Karrl loved the thrill of danger and battle, it might have been the reason why he was called to the tower.
Half way up he looked at Rydia and smiled a certain smile, something to try and reassure her. However, what he had said next, well, it might just do the opposite, “Rydia, don’t fear what’s inside, there are few things in this world I have not seen and fought, and I have faced down death itself…”He stopped speaking for a moment or two, “Besides…” His eyes flashed red, “Among the most dangerous things in this world, me and Luna rank among them.”
Finally reaching the top he did not hesitate to look at the door and feel that spell resonating from it. He looked at Luna and saw her waiting patiently at the door. He looked at Rydia for a second or two before stepping closer and closer to the door. Reaching it he placed his hand on the spell coated wooden object and there was a reaction, from but the door and his skin. As a humming came from the door, it seemed, every now and again he skin seemed to shine a faint silver.
The door shone brighter and brighter as Karrl put his hand upon it's handle. The door was coated in a shining silver light that didn't seem to dim. The door was like any regular door, in it's structure. There was no complicated mechanism nor any complex locking system, which proved nice for Rydia and Karrl. However, something did guard the door. That light that shone suddenly dimmed. Nothing happened. At least, not from the outside. The light dissipated as if nothing even coated the door at all. It just... was gone.
The humming noise behind the door also ceased. For a good solid minute, no noise was heard. It was silent in the forests surrounding the tower. Not an insect, bird, or beast made any sound. The sky was even silent. The clouds looked still and frozen. The only noise that could be heard was from the breathing of the three adventurers Rydia, Luna, and Karrl. The silence was eerie. It was too long, and too long it was. Nothing was happening in the surrounding area, and all that was left was to open the door.
However, as soon as the eternal silence ended, a thundering crack came from the sky. It was dark, but the bright flash of light didn't shine normal colors. It consisted of blue, yellow, and red lightning. All in different directions. The animals in the surrounding areas fled and the humming behind the door grew into a loud rumble and moaning. Creatures of a terrible fate lie behind that door, as soon they burst through, with many a bones a crackling. The skeletons were awoken when Karrl touched the door, and the first line of defense charged at Rydia, with ruthless rage.
As soon as the skeletons came Karrl’s battle instincts kicked in. He drew his blades and looked around judging the situation. As his battle instincts came about his hazel eyes turned red, which, for a long time, meant he had lost control, however, over time, it had become the sign he was ready for battle. Suddenly he barked out, “Luna, attack!”
Just as the skeletons attacked Rydia Luna heard the order and howled before charging in. She moved in and barrelled herself into one of them before stepping back, placing herself in between the skeletons and Rydia before using her massive maw to snap at a second one. They had not been together that long, but, Luna knew, Karrl would want to protect the little woman.
Around the same time as Luna made her second attack Karrl charged in as well. From the position he was in he was behind them, but, he wanted to make sure he got, like Luna, in between the three skeletons and Rydia. As he got in he launched himself over them, flipping over, and, just as he was over them he spun around and smashed all three of them with a massive roundhouse kick. At the point of landing he spun his blades and slashed the one that Luna had not attacked.
Luna Action 1: Basic Attack (Skeleton 3) ( 550 Dmg, Before Def) Action 2: Basic Attack (Skeleton23) ( 550 Dmg, Before Def)
[Karrl Action 1: Roundhouse Kick II (730 Dmg on Skeletons (1,2 & 3), Before Def) (-60MP) Action 2: Basic Attack (Skeleton 1) (750 Dmg, Before Def)
The skeletons fall to the strikes Karrl and Luna delivered, the bones shattering into a small cloud of dust, not enough for blurred vision, but more as a indication that the battle has won.
---
Victory!!!
---
The tower is surrounded by clouds near the top, as it is unable to see how tall the tower traverses. Upon the defeat of the skeletons, a loud groan comes from the doorway, yet it seems like the imminent danger is dissipated. The doors are still wide open as a dark aura comes from the tower, as something seems to be corrupting it.
Last Edit: Feb 11, 2013 14:42:05 GMT by Silver Sylph
Karrl and Luna, who had just woven her way to his side, stood there and watched as the skeletons fell apart under their attacks. He cracked his neck with a swift side to side motion, a sign that his need for battle had not been sated. The thing was, with Karrl, the more he fought, he more he craved battle. He seemed to live for the fight, and seemed to get stronger the longer the fight continued.
Looking at Luna, as she was looking up at him, he nodded before he went to look at Rydia, however, she seemed to be nowhere in sight. He frowned at this, but, the call of battle, and stronger opponents seemed to push his annoyance at her disappearance away. He turned to look at the open doors, and, he felt a shudder run through him, as he almost felt the taint coming from the building. He looked up but could not see the top of it.
Taking a deep breath, trying to steady his battle urges he walked towards the building. He did not need to see if Luna was following him, he could smell her scent right next to him. Even though, he could see the taint at the door, Karrl had never feared magic, in fact, on the only real emotion he had ever felt towards the dark arts was contempt. Without any hesitation he pushed through the door and made his way into the tower.
The moment Karrl and Luna walked through the door, the doors behind him shut in a loud slam, echoing through the dark hallway. After a few seconds, the torches in the hallway suddenly lit up in an erie wave. The hallway was long and dark, and the walls were covered with cobwebs and moss, as if the tower has not been opened for centuries. The air was musky and moldy, and it became hard to breathe. Upon further inspection, the hallway led to a door with a large face of a woman. The door was made of a sparkling gold material and ruby crystals. Everything was still until suddenly, the door spoke.
"Who dares wake my slumber?"
The voice boomed with an echoing voice that could raise hairs.
"Traveller, you have entered a forsaken place. You must prove yourself to be worthy if you want to continue. Do you wish to travel past my golden doors and into a place of darkness?"
As the two warriors stepped into the tower the door slammed shut behind them. Both, pretty much at the same time, turned their heads to look at the door. After a few moments the torches light up, and they looked at them before looking at one another standing there in silence for a second or two more.
Luna let out a worried whine, before looking around again. She then looked back at Karrl and whined once more. Even with the bond they shared it did not take someone who knew the proud beast well to know she was worried. She sat down for a while, whilst, seemingly, waiting for Karrl’s response.
The Beastman of Balamb took note of everything, from the darkness of the hall, which, even with his eyesight, was a little hard to see through. However, the one thing, thanked to his keen sense of smell, that really stuck him, was the damp, close, mossy smell of the area, making it a little hard to breath.
Once he had gathered himself he turned Luna, “Come on, only one way to go now.” With that, they set off down the hallway. Even though it was a rather long one, their trip down it, due to moving at a slightly faster than walking speed, made short work of the distance, and, with that they saw it, the large golden door.
Standing there for a second or two suddenly, the door spoke, in its booming voice. The loudness of the voice hurt Karrl’s hear, which, like with his smell and sight, was above normal ability. It seemed, that Luna was in a little bit of pain as well.
After, what had seemed like a long while, the door was done speaking Karrl replied, “I am Karrl Garm, of Balamb, and this is my companion, Luna of Spira, we do wish to travel on, for, if there is darkness to be fought, we shall fight it.”
Last Edit: Feb 11, 2013 18:50:39 GMT by Karrl Garm
"Then prove yourself to me, Karrl and Luna. Prove you can dispel the darkness that lies within."
Then, all of a sudden, the earth under both of you shook, as two small ruby gems fell from the door. They tumbled across the floor and sat there. As soon as they stopped moving, they glowed bright red. The rubies started to emit some sort of dark light, as it turned bright red but felt like a dark aura. Slowly, the rubies grew into clones of Karrl and Luna, both made of the crystalline gems.
"Defeat them, and you may pass on."
As soon as the booming voice finished, the two ruby clones rushed forward. The ruby version of Karrl decided to go for his flesh counterpart, while the wolf gathered flames in her mouth before expelling it towards her flesh sister.
ENCOUNTER!!! Ruby Karrl and Ruby Luna.
Action: Ruby Karrl attacked Karrl (500 Physical Fire Damage). Action: Ruby Luna cast Fira on Luna (350 Magical Fire Damage).
As the words were spoken Karrl looked at Luna but did not say a word. Karrl drew his blades, whilst Luna got into her attack stance. However the next thing that happened surprised them a little, and it took a few seconds for them to gather what the hell was going on.
When the ruby versions of themselves appeared, they knew there was a good chance, this would be a tough fight, if they were as tough as the real versions. Then the attacks came, the strike on Karrl hurt a little, but not much, never the less, it made him stagger back a bit, and, with Luna, after shaking off her counterpart stepped back.
Without a word the two, real versions sprung into actions. Luna, being the slighty quicker of the two stepped back and let out a massive roar before bounding forwards and clamping her teeth into her counterpart. However, Karrl, he did not strike, in fact, he sheathed his blades, what could he be thinking?
Suddenly he clasped his hands together, where his first two fingers were pointing up. He then began to chance. As he chanted the area around his flesh, in fact, it was his flesh, it glowed green. After a moment or two of chanting a spark came and two weird symbols spun around in front of the two counterparts.
Luna Action 1: Roar (May cause Slow / Vit-0 on foes) (-100MP) Actions 2: Basic Attack (Ruby Luna) (550 Dmg Before Def)
Karrl Actions 1 & 2: Scan Cast on Ruby Luna & Ruby Karrl (-50MP)
Luna shattered like glass upon the floor as her sister attacked her, leaving behind a crystal dust that shimmered in the darkness.
Just as Karrl finished his scan, his red brother smiled as the crystal residue that was left behind started to reform.
"So, you've seen through me. Not like you couldn't before."
He smiled and laughed at him as a second form of himself formed before him from Luna's shattered remains. They both smiled at Karrl before rushing towards him with flaming eyes and a fiery presence
Action: Ruby Karrl 1 Attacked Karrl! (500 Physical Fire Damage). Action: Ruby Karrl 2 Attacked Karrl! (500 Physical Fire Damage).
Ruby Karrl 1: HP: 1000/1000 MP: 25/25 ATT: 500 DEF: 0 MAG: 500 SPR: 0 Spells: Fira Skills: Ruby Clone (Whenever an ally dies in battle, create a clone of yourself)
Ruby Karrl 2: HP: 1000/1000 MP: 25/25 ATT: 500 DEF: 0 MAG: 500 SPR: 0 Spells: Fira Skills: Ruby Clone (Whenever an ally dies in battle, create a clone of yourself)
Karrl let out a low menacing growl as he watch the one ruby clone of him become two as the Ruby Luna was taken care off. The two attacks came and made him stagger back twice, almost making him look in pain, but, just managing to hold the grimace back. He looked at his counterpart for a moment before looking back at the two other Karrls, “So, you think that you can copy my appearance you can defeat me, I AM KARRL GARM, THE BEASTMAN OF BALAMB!”
All of a sudden he let out a massive bestial like roar and at the same time Luna let out a nerve tearing howl. The next thing that happened was a blur of attacks from both Karrl and Luna. At the same time Karrl brought down his blades against one whilst Luna barrelled in and sunk her teeth into the other. As soon as the blades came down Karrl’s powerful right foot spun around and smashed into both of them. At the very last second the same attacks came from Karrl and Luna but to opposite Ruby Karrls.
