Part one of LF's novella

[Alyada]

One
A Great Success

Benjamin Turst was a leader of the Republic of Bastok. He donated money to schools that varied in shape and size. He was found in the Galkan district, chatting with his fellow comrades, and stirring public gossip as he actively sought Galka equality in the republic. He married an Elvaan woman named Feowyn, and had adopted three children from the war orphanage. He was seen on the streets more than his office, talking with local adventurers and reminiscing about his days of adventure.

During his early teens he had led a party of warriors through the desolate land of Xarcabard, while the army pressed on the Shadow Lord’s castle. Fortunately, (or perhaps unfortunately), Benjamin and his crew stumbled into the lair of a dragon that had been corrupted by darkness. It’s life force depleted, the dragon barely resembled the stunning creature it had once been, and instead had been warped into a monster with no recollection of its past. It attacked Benjamin and his team in ferocity unmatched by anything he had seen before.

Benjamin was the only survivor of the battle. He was seen leaving the cave, but not without a prize. Using the last of his strength, Benjamin had stolen one of the teeth from the dragon.

Rumor has it that Benjamin took it to Norg, the pirate capital, and fashioned a blade of pure darkness with it. Benjamin denied all the rumors, stating that he survived the battle with luck and with the sacrifice of the brave soldiers he laid to rest that day.

Aidyn’s employer, however, knew otherwise.

Using the moonless night as cover, Aidyn slipped from the alleyways into the south side of Bastok, which was aptly named ‘Rich Man’s Corner.’ The air was stale and hot, only a hint of cold ocean air slipping through the cracks from Bastok’s port.

Houses were built on top of one another in Bastok, using the brick to create a seamless neighborhood interconnected with stone walls. This made every home easily accessible, and worked to Aidyn’s advantage.

It had been three days since he was contacted by the Tenshudo. They had broken into his apartment in Jeuno and left a note explaining the subject, the weapon, and the prize. Needless to say, Aidyn felt the reward was greater than the job warranted, but he wasn’t about to complain.

He hadn’t always been a thief. Once he had been a great Paladin, and the leader of the Jeuno Ducal Guard. He was well respected through the City-States, but that had changed one night—

There was so much screaming. He forced his blade into the gut of an Orc, its purple blood spilling out of the wound. An explosion erupted, crushing the autumn sky flames. Spinning, he wheeled his blade into another one of the beastmen. But he was the only one protecting the structure. Where had the others gone!? Where was she!
Someone’s scream pierced the night.
Aidyn turned.

Shaking the thought, he slowly clamored up another roof and looked off into the distance. A small haze had settled upon the rooftops. The smell of garbage hit his nostrils and he snorted. He consulted his map once again.

Benjamin Turst’s apartment was on the top of a structure, with a ladder leading to his front door from the street. Aidyn swiftly scaled the ladder and scanned the area below him. A lone adventurer clad in white armor strode past, but didn’t look up to catch Aidyn in his breaking and entering.

Snatching his tools, he set to work on the lock. The clouds that covered the moon moved, illuminating the slumbering neighborhood with a purple glow.

…snick…

His picking a success, Aidyn put his tools back in his pocket and opened the door. A blue radiance lightened the first room. Slipping from the door, he made his way towards the shadows in the back of the area. The room was an “L” shape, with a fireplace where the two walls met. Inside the hearth rested an ice crystal cluster, sending wave after wave of cold, misty air throughout the house.

Scanning the darkness, Aidyn quickly found what he was looking for. A bookshelf was positioned along the edge of the hallway, which lead into a few more rooms. A slumbering Benjamin snored, echoing throughout the apartment. Even more prominent men were forced to live in small and cramped quarters. Bastok was evolving and maturing, not to mention rising in population.

Stepping up to the bookshelf, Aidyn ran his finger across the books. He paced in front of it, seemingly lost in thought. The blue glow of the ice cluster mixed with the purple haze of the moon, the colors dancing upon Aidyn’s black clothing.

He smiled as a book caught his eye, and he pushed it into the mantelpiece. With an audible hiss, the bookshelf moved to the side, revealing a small alcove, and a few stairs. Grinning to himself, Aidyn took one step down--

“Kupo! What are you doing!?” Something squeaked from behind him. With his reflexes on edge, Aidyn spun around, his dagger cutting an arc through the air. A spray of liquid hit him as he saw a decapitated Moogle hit the ground with a loud thud. Benjamin’s housekeeper, no doubt. The Moogle’s wings fluttered and twitched as its spirit left the body and returned to the heavens, or whatever awaited a Moogle after death.

Aidyn sheathed his dagger, and stepped down the stairs. He entered into a storage room, something he didn’t see from the outside structure. The space was dark, and something felt wrong about it. Picking out a fire crystal from his pocket, Aidyn used his own inner thoughts to set the fire alight, casting a warm glow over everything in the room. He saw it, the blade of darkness, sitting upon a mantle. It was a samurai sword, curved in both handle and blade, with a black sheath and an ivory hilt.

He sensed something. A shuddering in the crystal told him someone was trying to turn off the flame, trapping him in darkness again. He quickly his hand to his blade, and scanned the room. Seeing nothing, he moved towards the sword. Again, he felt as if he was being watched and scanned the room with the crystal again. This time, however, the light shined on a piece of metal, up on the wall. He made his way over towards the reflecting metal, and slowly it took shape. Through the shadows, Aidyn looked up to see a pair of yellow eyes and a toothy grin staring back at him. Something had positioned itself on the corner of the ceiling, using the walls to keep itself up.

Aidyn was lightning quick with his blade, and as the creature leapt from Its hiding place to another dark corner of the room. Aidyn’s fire crystal fell from his hand to the stone floor, shattering into a thousand pieces as it connected, leaving him enveloped in darkness again.

He felt the creature moving throughout the room. Passing him, It offered only a faint sigh as it glided in the darkness. He slashed the air, hoping to strike the creature accidentally. It passed him again and this time he caught a whiff of Its scent. It was something he remembered, a scent he knew.

Standing ridged, he waited for the creature to pass him again. Whatever It was, It was toying with him. Waiting for the right moment to strike, but if Aidyn was right, It wouldn’t get the chance—there--

He snatched the air and his hand closed around a furry, yet soft muscle. The creature gave a soft yelp of surprise, and escaped his grasp.

A Mithra.

He raised his dagger, and lunged into the darkness. The Mithra was caught off guard as she brought her own katana to deflect his blade. He slashed down again, hard, and knocked her weapon to the ground. He raised his weapon again but only caught dead air. She’d disappeared again.

He turned amongst the darkness, searching for any sign of movement. Then something caught his eye, except it was too late. The Mithra leapt from the ceiling, digging her blade into his gut as a dug his into her shoulder.

Neither of them cried out in pain.

Aidyn could feel the blood seeping from his wound. She had struck him in a non fatal place, as he had done her, but if left untreated it would definitely be the end of him. He gritted his teeth, and managed to sputter something to her.

“What’s your name?” He asked.

She offered him a soft, but unapologetic tone, “Karihkinz.”

He removed his blade, fiercely, from her shoulder. She unsheathed hers from his gut and he fell to the ground. He heard her clamor for the blade of darkness, and silently whisk it off into the night. Through the darkness he smiled, she had left him alive. Seriously wounded, but alive.

“I still got it.” He whispered to himself, and fell unconscious.

 

[Kikona]

~

I like. When will there be more? -Pokes.-

 

[Alyada]

When people reply! Here's the second part:

Two
Butterflies in Hurricanes

Crawling out in to the dirty and sand blasted streets of Bastok covered in blood was the last thing Aidyn thought he would be doing. Using the last bit of his strength, he positioned himself to stand and limp towards his rented apartment. He passed none of the tireless adventurers that frequented the streets during the night. He should have been grateful for this, but in his bitter rage, he didn’t even take notice.

Twilight was giving away unto morning, as the first rays of the sun grasped the horizon. He slammed the door to his apartment and collapsed into bed.

“Mog mori!” His Moogle shouted, coming to his aid. Blood stained the covers of his bed, and he moaned.

“Kupo,” the Moogle shouted, “What should I do?”

“Call a White Mage, moron.” Aidyn sputtered, and closed his eyes for just a moment.

Hours later, he opened them to the smiling face of a Tarutaru. She was standing on his footstool, her child-like hands patting the final bandages on his shoulder. Her hair was green, and in two buns above her head. Her white robes fluttered off his footstool, giving her an angelic quality. Aidyn smiled,

“If I knew he was going to call you, I would’ve just bled to death.”

“Now, now,” she said, grinning. “I don’taru remember how many times I’ve patchy-watchy’d you up! But I’d gladly do it again!”

“Doc, you’re too good to me.” Aidyn said, sitting up and trying to move his shoulder.

“It should be good as new, butaru I’d be a little careful on it. No need to messy-wessy it up again!” She piped, and leapt down from the footstool, towards the door.

“Doc,” Aidyn said.

“Yes?” She said, turning.

“Do you know a Ninja named Karihkinz?” He asked, a little ashamed. Doc had been his sole confidant since his exile, and his run from Jeuno. She had found him dying near the shores of Valkurm, and had taken him to her clinic in Bastok. She found work for him, sometimes, but more often than not, gave him contacts.

She knew Aidyn wasn’t a good person, but she had hope. If sating his desire to cause chaos through theft would bring him back to his senses, she could only play along.

“She’s a shadow, Aidyn. A master of Utsusemi, and not a broad you want to deal with…” The Doc’s usual bright manor disappeared. This was a White Mage deep within the walls of the underworld, and with little hope of ever getting out. She had to be stern and hard, when she needed to be. Aidyn, however, wasn’t going to let her scare him.

“She caused this, I’d like to give her a thank you.” Aidyn said, his voice becoming a litter colder than usual. He stood up and walked to the window. It was mid afternoon. He had slept through the morning, and had lost a lot of time. His employer was not going to be happy when he found out that the blade of darkness was stolen by a rouge ninja.

“I’ll do whataru I can,” Doc answered, her voice distant. “She wouldn’t have wanted to see you like this, Aidyn. She would’ve wanted you to fight. You know, the resistance is still here—“

“Get out!” He shouted, and raised his hand to the tiny Tarutaru. Frowning, she turned away and left him alone to stew in his anger, and guilt.

His employer contacted him later that evening, before Aidyn had a chance to speak with Doc again.

He was sitting in his apartment, waiting for something to stir him from a silent daze, when he heard a knock on the door. He opened it to find a small Tarutaru clad in black robes.

“My master wishes to speak with you,” he stated.

“Hi Indelico. I assume it’s not good, either.”

“Nope, you’re probably going to want to bring a weapon.” Then he began casting a small spell, and Aidyn was smothered in dark light.

As soon as the darkness faded, Aidyn dodged a chair that had been tossed his way.

“What the fuck is this, Aidyn!?” Langly shouted, his booming voice echoing off the walls.

Langly Astiof was a man of principal, honor, and he had a short fuse. Already drunk off Rolanberry 867, Langly looked as if the vein on his forehead was about to explode. He wore his traditional button down aketon that was colored like the sky. He wore no weapons, but that meant that he had some concealed ones. Langly owned, operated, and bounced a bar in Port Jeuno. His business was his life, and he wanted to have the blade of darkness to use it against the other bars, and hopefully make a little profit off of it.

“I paid you a lot of money to get that damn sword, and what happen!” He shouted.

“I lost it?” Aidyn remarked, thinking that Langly’s last statement was a question. Unfortunately, Langly found Aidyn’s answer to be combative and tossed another chair his way. Dodging it, Aidyn smirked.

“You know, you’re going to ruin my establishment here. I want you to find that damn ninja and bring me her head on the blade of darkness!” Langly shouted, throwing a wooden mug Aidyn’s way.

“What surprises me is how you found out so fast.” Aidyn said, shaking his head.

“It’s all over the Vana’diel tribune you moron, now get out!” Langly screamed, and raised another chair over his head.

Aidyn made a quick escape, exiting through the back door heading towards the airship bound for Bastok.

So, his failure and her great success were all over the news. Stepping into the registration center for the airship, Aidyn was almost tackled by a Moogle.

“Kupo!” He shouted, thrusting a letter in Aidyn’s face. “I bring word from someone who calls herself Doc!”

“Good, now get lost you little freak.” Aidyn said, waving the Moogle away. Dejected, it floated back towards airship dock.

Opening the letter, Aidyn read the small Tarutaru’s hand writing and grinned.

Aidyn,

Word is a Mithra named Alyada Sharne is your new found friend’s next target. Alyada seems to be on the Grand Duke’s council, and is propositioning some very interesting projects for Jeuno. Right now she’s closer to the Duke than his brother, and that’s saying a lot.

Karihkinz has been elimitating council members, and Alyada is
heavily guarded in the Grand Duke’s house behind the top of Ru’lude Gardens. Tonight is the night she’s going to strike. Apparently, that’s why she needed the blade of darkness.

Good luck Aidyn, don’t get yourself killed.

-Doc

Smiling, Aidyn crumpled up the small letter and tossed it aside and headed towards the rentable apartments.

 

[Kikona]

~

Aidyn is so mean to the moogles. ;_____;

Plus this place is usually dead when it comes to replies. But in case no one else said anything, I had to in order to get the rest of it. <_<

 

[Alyada]

And so you shall. This is all I have written so far. ^_~

Three
Pushing the Sky

He’d only been alive for a few minutes at a time. Everything else was had been filler. It was like the instrumental between the vocals. She had been a goddess when she walked into his life. A brave warrior herself, she could cleave a monster in half with a simple flick of her wrist. She was beautiful. He adored her more than life itself. She had been pregnant with her their first child when the attack came. When he saw her taken from his life as quickly as she had come in.

Aidyn stood behind the pillar of the Grand Duke’s palace. A true sight to behold, the ivory marble glistened in the pale moonlight. Jeuno was built near the beginning of the first great war with the beastmen. Instead of building outwards, the entire city was built up into the sky. On top of that rested the palace and the gardens that the Duke proceeded over.

Self appointed, Kam’lanaut was the arch duke of Jeuno. He kept the city a free state and was the focal point of the unsteady treaty between the three kingdoms. While many didn’t trust him, he was acknowledged over the land as the benevolent leader of the united races.

She was fighting with two swords, trying to protect the children. She was like an angel, pushing the sky with her wings. She called out to Aidyn as he watched the rest of their troop march off into the distance. Only they remained to save the small outpost. It was raining in the marshlands, and a brigade of Orc’s had descended on them. The children had been part of a merchant vessel, and were now the only survivors.

Fighting valiantly, he watched as a monster stabbed its blade into her back. Her crimson entrails splashed into the green, wet earth. Screaming the last emotion he would ever have, Aidyn tried to rush to her side. The Orc grabbed him. Its blade sticking into him as his body went numb.
He remembered reaching…

From on top of the palace, Aidyn watched Alyada Sharne leave her guards and head towards the Arch Duke’s house, which was located directly behind the grand palace. He leapt from the structure and landed within some bushes. He was silent as he tried not to stir the foliage. He stopped within earshot of the Duke’s window, hearing fractured pieces of the conversation.

“But the last thing we need is another war on our hands,” the Duke said, his voice ambiguous and throaty.

“It may be inevitable, love. We can only wait and watch.” Alyada answered, her sultry voice echoing in Aidyn’s ears. He could see why men flocked to her.

“My scouts tell me that Beastmen are arising in the northlands, we may want to focus the city-states attention there.”

“Perfect for planting our own seeds of corruption and jealousy as they are distracted.” Alyada purred.

“Yes, which reminds me. I must speak with my brother about something, would you excuse me.” The Duke said, and Aidyn heard his footsteps echo the room.

Her voice was echoing in his mind. He could hear her screaming as they tortured her, and he wondered if he was next. Would their skulls adorn the Warchief’s belt, or would they be used as food?

He heard Alyada sigh as she sat down on the bed. Aidyn poked one of his eyes above the window sill, seeing what Alyada looked like.

She was a silver haired maiden, wearing a red chapeau that had one phoenix tail feather protruding out of the side. Her clothes were simple, fashionable, and politically charged. Her tabard was a spectacle of gold, red, and black. Her boots were well taken care of, and her gloves functioned as arm guards. She probably fought in that outfit, he thought.

“Are you going to hide all day?” She spoke. As she did, Aidyn ducked, but suddenly realized she wasn’t speaking to him. He heard a familiar, unapologetic voice sound through the darkness.

“I can’t have you interfering with my plans,” Karihkinz said. “you’re a danger to me, and the rest of the world.”

“You misjudge my actions, ninja.” Alyada answered, her tone swift and heavy. “I’m doing the same thing you’re doing, just taking a different route.”

“How could you know anything of the task I was charged with?” Karihkinz answered.

“Because I’ve done a lot of research on you, Karihkinz. I know of the resistance you and Iggman have been planning, and I know that you want me to join, or you will kill me.”

Aidyn had heard enough. He leapt through the open window, and rushed towards Karihkinz.

“What are you doing!?” Alyada shouted as Aidyn and Karihkinz’s blades connected. Using his other hand, he pulled a hidden knife from his left ankle and struck her in the thigh with it.

She did not cry out in pain, however. She was dressed in all black armor. It looked like it had been made from the shell of a scorpion, armored but flexible, allowing her little resistance in her movement. She flipped over him, dragging her blade across his back.

Grunting in frustration, Aidyn lunged at her, both of them knocking into the wall. Chaos erupted as Kam’lanaut returned from visiting his brother, screaming as to what was going on. Swiftly, Karihkinz knocked Aidyn off her and jumped to the ceiling. As she came down, she held the blade of darkness in her hand, and she threw it at Kam’lanaut.

The Arch Duke screamed in pain as blade connected.

He could hear her screaming then as they tortured her.

A dark energy erupted from the duke as he was sent sailing backwards out of the room. Alyada cursed and grabbed her rapier from the side of the bed, slashing at Karihkinz. The two Mithra were evenly matched in their maneuverability, but as they connected Aidyn noticed something happening to Alyada’s blade. Slowly, but surely, it began to catch flame. She struck Karihkinz across the shoulder, setting the mesh underneath her armor alight.

Stumbling backwards, the ninja pulled a small tool from her sheath and threw it at the ground. Smoked erupted from the tool, and Karihkinz leapt at Alyada and they both fell back.

That’s when they came. Doc and her group saved Aidyn, they had found the men who had left them for dead and brutally murdered them. Of course, they were too late. Just too fucking late to save her.

Aidyn raised himself from the ground and jumped in the fray. Using one hand, he fended off Alyada and Karihkinz from the attack. It was then that the Duke’s guards poured into the room. They pinned Karihkinz to the floor, casting bind spells as they went. Aidyn felt one of them smash hard into his back, knocking the wind out of him. He could hear Alyada ordering the guards to dispose of the two assassins, but he also heard something else. Alyada was saying something under her breath, something that Aidyn didn’t quite recognize.

“Oh shit!” He screamed, but it was too late. Alyada’s fire and wind spells set off in conjunction, so quick that no one had time to react. The Duke’s house exploded in a fury of flames and piercing wind. Aidyn felt himself floating and a sudden force of inertia brought him back to his senses.

Through his hazy vision, Aidyn watched as the water that surrounded Jeuno suddenly became very, very close to him.

She said she had loved him.

END AIDYN

 

[Kikona]

~

-Clap, clap.- ^ ^ Good ending!

 

[Zhaoyun]

That one suxxorz'd...

:roll:

I kid, =P. Though, that one wasn't as long as your others.