Theallis the Realm Beyond Sea, Sky, and Land

[Aaleel]

I started this story a while ago, and I didn't even know we had a place we could post this kind of stuff. But anyway I'll just post the first chapter because I don't know it people will like the liberties I took with the FF XI storyline. So if ppl like it, I'll put more up, if not it'll just be on my PC lol. Hope you enjoy.

Journey to Theallis
The Realm Beyond Sea, Sky and Land​

It was early in the morning as the first strands of sun began to climb over the hills of the Lufaise Meadows, and crawl slowly onto the face of Aaleel Elingval, as she sat meditating in the one place she enjoyed most in all the lands of Vana-diel. It had been many months since she along with the warriors of her Guild, the Bastokan High Elite defeated a power once thought unbeatable by those of the land. She thought back on her battle with Absolute Virtue, and she felt then that after defeating the God of Sea, that there was nothing more that she could accomplish as a warrior, but in the back of her mind she feels that there is still much that is unknown to her in this world. She had watched many of those close to her lay down their weapons for the last time because there were no more challenges to face, or battles to be fought. But in her mind she knows that there is something out there, she can feel it in her heart.

“But how can that be, there is no land left unexplored and no battles to be fought,” she said shaking her head, and looking to the sun which was rising slowly behind the hills.
“But in the depths of my mind I feel that there is more out there,” she added.

She closed her eyes once more and continued to meditate, before her calm was disturbed by the sounds of howls coming from the creatures native to the land. She sprang to her feet, and drew the ancient katana Unji and Syuji from her waist. Syuji was given to her by her father when she was but five years old, and she studied greatly the arts of the far east so that she may one day possess the skill to wield it. Once she had mastered the ways of the Ninja, she turned her eyes to the skill of the Ranger, so that she may know the land better then any other. She sprang down into the near vale, and ran to the top of the next hill where she saw a stampede of sheep and bugard running in fear. She ran quickly down the slope to try and see what had scared these creatures in such a manner, and as the cloud of dust settled to the ground she saw the form of a creature that she never thought she would see again.

“Byakko,” she screamed surprised as she drew back from the great Tiger God of the realm of what is known as Sky to the people of Vana’diel.
“Why have you left sky?” She asked, but the creature only responded to her in a tongue that she did not recognize.
“I do not understand,” she said shaking her head.
“Then I will speak the tongue of this land,” the tiger said, as it stepped towards her.
“Byakko, why have you left Sky and come to Land?” She asked again, as the Tiger remained silent and stared angrily at her.
“You speak the name of nothing but a shell of and vessel in the form of my kin, and you wear armor forged from its power, but your are ignorant of the power that created it,” the tiger said.
“You speak of the Haidate,” Aaleel said looking down to the armor upon her legs.
“But I do not know of the kin of which you speak, I thought that Byakko was singular in his creation,” Aaleel said.
“Your mind and your thoughts are narrow and without knowledge of that which lies outside you world, but soon you will have no choice but to see the power of things that are beyond you reckoning,” the tiger said before it roared and readied itself to pounce. Aaleel called upon the power she had learned in the far east, and she felt the energy of the mystic arts on Ninjitsu growing in her body, before she extended her hand and released four spheres of white light, which became mirror images of herself, and stood before her, as a clear light surrounded her body and she disappeared from sight.
“Hide behind you magic all you wish, but you cannot evade me forever,” the tiger said, as it tore into the images Aaleel had placed before her.
“And in your mind, you know that you cannot defeat me,” the tiger added.

Aaleel knew the creature’s words to be true, as her form became visible once more as the tiger tore threw the last of her shadows, and leapt upon her. She was able to parry the tiger’s strikes with her katana for a time, but the power and the speed of the beast was too much for her, and knocked Unji from her hand with one of its claws and struck her with the other. The armor of Ninja was not thick, nor was it intended to turn the path of a blade, and the claws of the great tiger forced their way through and pierced her skin. She fell to the ground clutching her side, and looking up as the beast stood above her. The beast pinned her down with its front paw, and dug its claws into her chest. Aaleel slide her hand into her pouch and gripped her connection stone, which allowed her to communicate with all those she had grown close to, who had received a fragment from the same stone which hers belonged to. She called out for help, but she did not have the strength to focus enough to know if anyone heard her thoughts.
“I will watch you die slowly,” the tiger said.
“You or no other of this land will come to the aid of the ancient ones,” the tiger added.

 

[Aaleel]

“Wha…what do you mean?”
“Do not worry of such things, for soon it will no longer matter,” the tiger replied, and just as Aaleel was beginning to accept her fate, she felt a pure power caressing her body, and she recognized the powers of a White mage’s healing. She heard the pop of a bowstring and the tiger roared in pain, as it was pushed from upon her by the force of an arrow. She rose to her feet and looked to her left where two warriors stood. One was a woman who wore and hauberk of thin golden rings, covered by a white tunic, with white bracers upon her hands, and she looked to be Ranger. She held in her hand a golden bow, whose ends were shaped as wings of a bird, and its handle was circled in silver rings. There was a man also, who stood in what looked to be Samurai armor of the far east, but it was unlike any other she had seen in the land. It was not made of scale, but of a material she had never seen, and was encrusted with many jewels upon the shoulders and chest. He carried a great katana with a golden hilt, which was encrusted with jewels as well.

“Engage the beast, while I see to the warrior,” the woman said, as she her body began to glow with a pristine white light once more, and she healed Aaleel once again. The man charged the Tiger, which retreated from the powers of the man’s strikes.
“Stay here,” the woman said, as she drew another arrow, and sent it towards the great tiger, which once again roared in pain.
“Let us finish this beast,” the man said, as both their bodies exploded with white light, which Aaleel recognized as Meikyo Shisui the releasing of the soul. Aaleel sttod confused by the powers being displayed before her, for how could this woman been all at once Ranger, White Mage, and Samurai, for such things are impossible.
“Yes, let us,” the woman said, as her bow came to light, and she released the gathered power of her weapon, as the man did the same, and a great ball of light appeared over the tiger as it had done for Aaleel many times when she combined the power of her weapon with another. But unlike her experiences with such power, the ball of light did not vanish but stayed above the tiger and the two released the power of their weapons again, and a ball of dark light appeared above the tiger and remained as well.
“Finish it,” the woman yelled as she unleashed the power of her bow once again, followed by the man, and columns of light rose through both spheres before they combined and engulfed the tiger in energy. When the light finally retreated, the tiger fell to the ground and lay still.

“How, how did you?” Aaleel asked standing in sheer amazement, in the face of powers she had never seen before.
“Are you well?” The woman asked turning to Aaleel, as the man sheathed his sword.
“Yes, thanks to the two of you, I am in your debt,” Aaleel said as she fell to her knee before the two.
“Rise Aaleel Elingval, you need not bow to us,” the woman said.
“You know my name?” Aaleel asked.
“I am Yuriel, and this is Galdin-Wan, and we have traveled to this land from Theallis, the ancient land,” the Yuriel said.
“The ancient land?” Aaleel said confused.
“Lands more ancient than those you refer to as Sea and Sky,” Yuriel said, as Aaleel stood in silent amazement.
“I have felt your mind, and you have wondered for many days and nights if you have truly seen all there is to see in this world,” Yuriel said, as Aaleel nodded her head.
“But there are no other gates, and no one else to defeat who may hold a key to another realm,” Aaleel said.
“The key to finding Theallis is the same as that of the power which was used to defeat this beast,” Yuriel said, as Aaleel stood in thought for a moment.
“You combined the power of light and darkness,” Aaleel said as Yuriel nodded her head.
“But how have you done so, and how will combining light and darkness help me find the ancient lands?” Aaleel asked.

“The ancient lands set within the center of a triangle created by the realms of what you know as Land, Sea, and Sky, but unlike the lands which you have seen, the powers of the lands of Theallis do place limits upon the powers the body can hold,” Yuriel said.
“Is that how you are able to wield power of so many schools of study?” Aaleel asked.
“Yes for in this land as you know, your body can only wield two separate powers, and even then the second cannot reach the level of the first,” Yuriel said.
“The great ones, of Gods as you call them, are nothing more then spirits of those of Theallis who have chosen to test the hearts and minds of those of this land to see if any are worthy of facing the true challenge of the realm of darkness, so that they may seek the lands of Theallis,” Yuriel said.
“Where is this Realm of Darkness of which you speak?”
“You have been there,” Galdin-Wan said.
“When?” Aaleel asked confused.
“It is a realm which drains your body so, that you may only travel there once every three of your days,” Galdin-Wan said.
“Dynamis,” Aaleel said.
“If that is what you wish to call it,” Galdin-Wan said.

“Aaleel, have you never wondered why you have not seen the completeness of your world in the lands of which you refer to as Dynamis?” Yuriel asked.
“If it is an alternate world to the realm of Land, why have you not seen the dark counterpart to every corner of land?” she added.
“I guess I have never thought about it,” Aaleel replied.
“Every time you defeat a spirit of Theallis your power grows, and now that you have defeated all the spirits your power has grown to the point where you may face the true terrors of the dark realm,” Yuriel said.
“Just as there were Gods beyond the power and defeat of the Shadowlord, there are also Gods beyond the defeat of the Lord of the lands you know as Dynamis,” Yuriel said.
“This is so much, I do not know if I can take it all in,” Aaleel said, still unable to comprehend everything that is being told to her.

“There is much that I must tell you, and all those who were with you when you defeated the spirit known as Absolute Virtue, for only you who have passed that final test are able to face the true darkness,” Yuriel said, as she removed a necklace from her neck and placed it within Aaleel’s hand. There was a small stone upon it, which glowed with a white light.
“When all are gathered, journey to Alvian, the lands which you know as Sea, and place the key within the entrance to the Grand Palace of Hu’Xzoi,” Yuriel said.
“I will await you there,” she added, as she turned, and began to cast a spell upon herself, and in a flash the two were gone. Aaleel stood silent looking upon the stone lost in thoughts of what is to come in her life, and if she is ready for the perils that lie before her.

“Well you wondered what else lay out there, and now you will get your answer,” she said to herself as she began to hear the sound of her name.
“Aaleel, Aaleel,” she heard as she turned to see the sight of some of her fellow warriors of the Elite riding towards her on chocoboo. It was Kerowynn Hume, and a mage of the black arts, Nikoloi also Hume and a fellow Ranger, and Bluewind a tarutaru from the nation of Windurst, who was proficient in the black arts of magic as well. They rode quickly to her, and sprang from the backs of their chocoboo. Kerowynn, placed her hand upon the gashes in Aaleel’s armor, and looked upon her with great concern.
“What happened Aal, are you well?” Nikoloi asked.
“We heard your cries for help, and came immediately,” Kerowynn said.
“I was attacked by a very powerful foe of origin that I do not know, but I was aided by two unknown warriors who defeated the beast,” Aaleel said.
“I do not know the origin of the warriors either, but I soon shall,” Aaleel said.
“How?” Bluewind asked.
“Come there is much which must be done, we must make haste to Sea and the Grand Palace of Hu’Xzoi,” Aaleel said.
“I have no time to explain, we must act quickly; we must gather the Elite,” Aaleel said, as Kerowynn nodded her head, and cast a spell upon Aaleel who vanished in a sphere of black magic.

 

[Aaleel]

I'm trying to break this up as much as I can since I haven't found a way to indent the dialouge lines.

 

[tonicfly]

whoa aaleel this is some great writing i for one would love to see how this story progresses

 

[Kerowynn]

Wow Aal that's really good! O.O

More please!!!

 

[Zodiaque]

That is awesome! You need to keep writing!

Go go Elite ^^

 

[Aaleel]

Chapter II – Story of the Dark Realm

Aaleel stood before the entrance to the Sea Lion’s Den, holding in her hands the stone given to her by Yuriel. She had sent Kerowynn and Bluewind to gather the warriors of the Bastokan High Elite, and Aaleel herself had visited those who had given up their lives of battle, a sought to live the lives of normal Bastokan citizens. She had told them of what happened to her in Lufaise Meadows and how she felt darkness still lay in distance land; but she did not want to force anyone to come, so she left the decision to them, hoping they would find their way to aid her.

“Everyone is gathered inside and ready to go,” Kerowynn said as Aaleel nodded her head dejectedly.
“What is it Aal?”
“I was hoping that they would come,” Aaleel said sadly.
“They have moved on with their lives Aal, you did what you could,” Kerowynn said as Aaleel nodded her head, and turned to walk into the Sea Lion’s Den.
“Not leaving without us,” she heard as she turned around and smiled at the sight of some of her oldest friends. Unphazed, Nocturnus , and Miyatsumi.
“You guys came!” Aaleel said happily, as she looked upon her old friends.
“Zodiaque wouldn’t leave us alone,” Unphazed said smiling.
“Guilty,” Zodiaque a Mithra White Mage said smiling.
“You guys got her just in time, we’re about to leave for Al’Taieu,” Aaleel said as she walked into the Sea Lion’s Den, and saw the gathering of all her fellow members of the Elite. She raised her hands and asked for quiet, before she cleared her throat.
“I will not lie to anyone here, I do not know what to expect once we reach Hu’Xzoi, and I do not know if we may be able to accomplish the task that will be set out before us,” Aaleel said.
“But in my mind and my heart I feel that darkness looms in distant lands, and if it is not defeated it will destroy this land as well,” she added.
“We’re with you Aal,” Sanborn said.
“Then we should not delay any longer, we should seek Yuriel in the Hu’Xzoi,” Aaleel said, as the nineteen of them boarded the ship to Al’Taieu.

Aaleel stood upon the bow of the ship and lost in thought, as the airship traveled to the distant realm known as Sea.
“But is it really called Sea?” Aaleel asked herself.
“Does it have another ancient name, or story past what has been told to them. Was there any significance the trials they faced before they were granted access to the great realm or water? Did the perils of the emptiness have some sway upon their worthiness to finish the trials of the coming days?
“I have so many questions,” Aaleel said looking off into the distance, as strands of amber hair blew across her face in the singing wind.
“What did you say Aal?” Kahlaan asked.
“Nothing Kah, I’m just wondering over what is to come,” she replied.
“Well the time to wonder is over, for we have arrived in Al’aieu,” Kahlaan said, as the ship pulled into the port. The realm of Sea was much like that of sky, the former inhabitants of the realm gone from any recollection of those who still lived in Vana’diel, leaving nothing but creatures unable to tell them nothing more then what has been told to them by those who ay wish to keep them ignorant of the truth. Aaleel walked down the ramp of the ship onto the water, whose surface did not allow any who were not native to the realm to pass through. Aaleel loved coming there almost as much as she loved sitting to the rolling fields of Lufaise Meadows, for she liked to look through the water to see the world beneath it.
“Aaleel, come on, we have no time for daydreaming,” Jimm yelled back to her, as she snapped out of her personal world, and looked to the distance where the others had run off towards the palace. Only Kerowynn and, Sanborn and Nikoloi had waited for her. Then sprinted off towards the others, and had drawn nigh to them, when Aaleel suddenly began to feel a disturbance in her mind. She stopped looked off to the east, as a school of three Xzomit passed before them, followed by another.
“Someone needs our help,” Aaleel said, sprinting off into the distance, drawn by the screams in her mind.
“Aaleel, wait,” Nikoloi said, before he grabbed his bow from his back and ran off after her.
“Come on San,” Kerowynn said, as she ran off after them.

Aaleel had run some distance before she saw the sight of a woman, who looked to be a Bard curled in fear against the face of stone wall, cowering beneath the large shadow of a phuabo. The woman clutched at her arm, and drew back from the creature, which readied itself for the final strike that would end the woman’s life.
“Kurayami,” Aaleel shouted, calling upon the ancient arts of the Far East once again, and a cloud of dust exploded from her hand, and covered the monsters face. When the dust cleared the creature’s eyes were dull, and blank of pupil, blinded by the ancient art. Aaleel extended her hand once more as three balls of light emerged taking the image of her, as she vanished from sight.
“Sange,” Aaleel said, as the images drew their weapons, no longer acting as mirrors of her, and sprang towards the phuabo one at a time slashing through it before they disappeared on the other side. Aaleel returned to sight, and grasped the hilts of both Unji and Syuji tightly as the blades came to light.
“Blade Ku,” she yelled as she became a blur of speed, and slashed through the monster five times, before her feet settled back upon the surface of the water. The phuabo drew back, barely able to stay afloat upon the air, before it fell upon the surface of the water and sank through slowly. Aaleel breaths had become quick, and heavy after using so many of her skills in close succession, but phuabo are powerful beasts with dangerous attacks not to be taken lightly. She began to turn to the woman, when suddenly the surface of the water exploded in the form of another phuabo.
“Do not worry Aaleel, we are here,” Nikoloi said letting an arrow fly from the string of his bow, which pushed the phuabo from the presence of Aaleel. Nikoloi’s bow began to gleam with a white light before he pointed it to the sky and a stream of white light sprang from the string and rose high into the air before it arched majestically and returned from the sky passing through the phuabo, as Sanborn rushed towards it. He called upon the great stealth of the thief, as his body flashed, and vanished momentarily from sight, reappearing behind the beast, which was too disoriented from Nikoloi’s weapon strike to know what had happened. His blades danced upon the air, and slashed the beast many times, as a great ball of white light appeared above the monster.
“Go Kero,” Nikoloi yelled, as Kerowynn closed her eyes, and her body began to crackle with tiny strands lightning, as she held her hands before her, with strings of lightning passing back and forth between them.
“Be gone evil creature,” she said as she pulled her hands apart and pushed them to her side and a stream of lightning fell from the sky, which had darkened overhead. It joined with the sphere of light, which increased in size and enveloped the phuabo, which was not seen again.

Aaleel ran to the woman, and help her to her feet, as Kerowynn cast a healing spell upon her.
“How can I thank you,” the woman said, as she hugged Aaleel.
“I am Tianna, and I have just gained access to this land, and I was exploring it while I admired its beauty,” Tianna said.
“I am Aaleel, and those there are Kerowynn, Nikoloi, and Sanborn,” Aaleel said, as she pointed to each in turn.
“You should be careful in this land, for as beautiful as it is, it is just as dangerous,” Aaleel said.
“Yes, you have come through many trials to reach this land, but there are dangers here, that you know nothing of,” Kerowynn added, as the woman nodded her head.
“Let us return you to the dock, so that you may be safe,” Aaleel said, as the four escorted the woman to the dock.

Aaleel and the others saw the woman off on the airship before they made their way cautiously to the gates of Hu’Xzoi, where the others were waiting.
“What took you guys so long?” Tenkax asked, as he sat playing songs upon his recorder, whose soft, melodic tones granted many special enchantments to those linked to Tenkax by the connection stones.
“Someone needed our help, she would have died if we had not aided her,” Aaleel said.
“Well come on, I am anxious to see these warriors that you spoke of,” Claudhert said, as he rose to his feet.

Aaleel approached the gates of the palace slowly, and rubbed her hand upon it until she felt and groove that looked to be the same size as the stone upon her necklace. She tore the stone from the necklace and placed it in the groove, and for a moment there was nothing, until the stone came to light and shined with a pristine light that momentarily blinded them all. Strands of lights crept out from the stone, and crawled upon the gate in many directions, finally forming the outline of a door different from that of the normal entrance to the palace. The gates they had known fell away, and outline of light exploded into the distance creating a tunnel of light which led to a crystal stairway, which led up into parts of the palace unknown to them. They reached the top of the stairs, where there were golden doors, bearing a crest unknown to them. A trail of light split the doors apart, before they opened before them revealing a floor of polished marble. There were four pillars about the room all with beautiful paintings upon them. There was a large table to their left, where they saw a form sitting before a large fire burning below a mantle, which had a large painting above of it of two beings unknown to any of them.

 

[Aaleel]

“Yuriel,” Aaleel said as she rushed forward.
“I am glad that you came Aaleel, for time is of the essence,” Yuriel said, as she roes and began to pace before the fire.
“Come, sit, and I will tell you things of the past, and things to come,” Yuriel said, as the members of the Elite sat around the table, and looked upon Yuriel in amazement.
“Where is Galdin-Wan?” Aaleel asked.
“He has returned Theallis, for he is needed for the battles of the coming days, as I will once I tell you of your purpose here,” Yuriel said.
“Theallis is at war?” Aaleel asked, as Yuriel nodded her head.
“Why, I thought it was the land of completion, where all the fighting would end,” Aaleel said.
“Perhaps I should start from the beginning,” Yuriel said, as Aaleel settled into her chair.
“Long ago the creators of all we know the Queen of light Alora, and the King Keylis created all the lands which we know. Theallis sat within a triangle of what you know as Land, Sea and Sky, with the mortal beings of this world resting within those lands,” Yuriel said.
“Keylis decided that until the hearts of the beings upon the three lands were shown to be true, and of purity, that they would be limited in the power they could achieve upon those lands only realizing their full potential once they proved worthy of passage to the lands of Theallis,” she said, before pausing.

“Theallis is the land of Light, where the power of light and purity are worshipped and seen as the only path to a full life. In the center of the land lies the great city of light Elindil, and in its center there is Noran-Til the temple of light, where the Grand Priest Zoron, prayed for the land along with his council of high priests, lead by Galroth. The duty of the priests of the temple was to judge the hearts of those of the lands to see if they were pure enough to enter the kingdom of light. They passed into the three lands transforming their spirits into creatures of the lands of Theallis and showed themselves as Gods to the people of the lands to judge their strength but more importantly their hearts,” she said, as the members of the Elite sat in silence before her.

“Only those who proved worthy had the limits of their power extended, and only those who were truly worthy received the enchantments of the priests of Theallis,” Yuriel said.
“The armor of the Gods,” Aaleel said rubbing her hand over her Haidate.
“Yes,” Yuriel replied.
“The people of your lands went to great lengths to create powerful armor by artificial means, trying to bypass the blessings and powers of the priests with remnants and fragments of power left within the lands by those who had passed the trials,” Yuriel said angrily.
“And therefore their creations were cursed by Zoron never to unlock their powers until they received the blessing of the priests in material form,”
“Abjuration,” Duncanrun said shaking his head.
“Yes, and only those who were deemed worthy after defeating all the Gods of sky, and great God of sky Kirin were allowed to proceed the trials of the lands of Sea, where they would face the emptiness of their own soul to see if it would be filled with a thirst for greater power, or a need to grow stronger to protect the lands and people they cared for,” Yuriel said.
“And those who passed the trials would be given access to the forbidden lands of Sea and face the ultimate test, proving that their hearts held the seven virtues of the land of light,” Yuriel said.
“Love, hope, justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude, and faith,” Yuriel said. “These virtues were held by the high priests of Zoron, which have come to be known to you as jailers, who would unlock the final path to Theallis.”

“It was many years before any recorded history of your land that the world as we knew it ended, for it is true in nature and life that there must always be a balance, light and darkness. But the darkness that had crept into the hearts of those of your land began to fester and grow, and soon it overpowered the goodness of the people by so much that it began to tear at the seams that separated the worlds, and soon even in Theallis darkness crept into the hearts of those of the great land. Galroth conspired in the dark of night with other high priests and priests to find the true power of the land, and in that darkness they formed a plan to allow those with the darkest of hearts from your world passage to into the lands of Sea, and through it the lands of Theallis. They passed those that they could twist their minds and hearts so that they would fight with them to overthrow the kingdom and obtain all its power,” Yuriel said, as a tear fell from her eye.

“The war was fierce and many died at the hands of Galroth and his followers, but in the end Zoron and what was left of his high priests prevailed, Galroth fled from Elindil never to be seen again, and his followers where banished to the land of Vana’diel and placed in the dark realm, trapped in darkness forever, never to know peace or feel the light ever again. A place for the darkness that festered in the hearts of those of Vana’diel to travel so it would not soil the pure lands again.”
“But the darkness born in your lands must be defeated by those of your land, and now only those deemed worthy may seek to defeat the darkness of their own people and face the final challenge and seek the Dark Gods of the dark realm, and defeat them to unlock the gate to the lands of Theallis,” Yuriel said.
“And the spirit of Zoron himself would deem those worthy to face the final trial,” Yuriel said.
“He would give those a glimpse of the power they may one day possess, by coming to them with all power in his hands as the last virtue, the absolute virtue, and only those who may defeat him, may face the final trial,” Yuriel said.

“Many years have passed and none have proved worthy of the final test until now, but in the meantime the Dark Gods were plotting to once again strike the land of light,” Yuriel said.
“They tore rifts in the walls separating the two worlds allowing those of your world to enter with the promise of great treasures more than that of their counterparts in your current lands. Seeking the armor and weapons that would grant them great power, the people of you land allowed the darkness and greed in their hearts to populate in the dark realm increasing its power to the point where darkness is once again tearing the seals between the worlds and allowing dark nature to pass into the realm of light, and that darkness to once again enter the hearts of the people their,” she said.
“You can only enter every three days so your desire and greed may grow as you think of the riches of the dark realm, so that they are all the more potent when you enter next,” Yuriel said.
“Galroth has returned from his hiding and is building an army of those drawn to the darkness and is waging war on the lands of light once again seeking Elindil,” Yuriel said.
“Only by defeating the Dark Gods can the rifts be closed once and for all, and the balance be restored to the world,” Yuriel said.
“The cycle laid out in ancient times must be completed and the people of your realm may cleanse the darkness that they themselves created so many years ago,” Yuriel said looking to Aaleel.
“The dark one Galroth knows of your presence and he will try to kill you before you may complete the task, as he tried with Aaleel,” she said.
“The limits of the dark realm have been lifted from you, for the power granted you by the Grand Priest Zoron will allow you to withstand the darkness of the dark realm indefinitely, as well as see the way to areas within the realm not yet traveled,” Yuriel said.
“Are you telling us that there is a dark King Behemoth, a dark Nidhogg, and a dark Aspidochelone?” Aaleel asked.
“Yes, the new forms of the high priests that chose darkness along with Galroth, and just like everything else in the dark realm, they are more powerful then their counterparts in your lands, just as the darkness in the hearts of the people of this land was greater then the goodness,” Yuriel said.
“We have waited years for the people of your lands to cleanse the darkness they brought to the worlds of light, and you may be our last chance to stop all the worlds from falling to darkness,” Yuriel said.
“As powerful as those of the realm of Theallis are, we leave our future to you, please do not fail us,” Yuriel pleaded.
“The dark ones in the realm you call Dynamis have taken the power of your greed, hatred, and malice, but they are not like those of the entities in Sea and Sky, spirits inhabiting a vessel, while there true form lies elsewhere,” Yuriel said.
“They are the physical beings of those banished from the lands of light in many different forms,” she added.
“So once they are defeated they will not return, and they will no longer be able to control the darkness, and the dark realm will once again be what it was meant to be, a alternate world of our own to hold the natural darkness of our world, and maintain the balance of the lands,” Aaleel said.
“You are wise Aaleel, I only hope that you will be up to the task,” Yuriel replied.
“For if the dark gods are defeated the gates between your lands will close, and things will be as they once were; the high priests will once again be the final judge of worthiness, for Zoron’s only job was to find those whose hearts were pure enough to save their people from themselves, and he has found you,” Yuriel said.
“We will not fail you,” Aaleel said.
“I hope not, for now you take the blessings and prayers of all Theallis with you, good luck,” Yuriel said, as she raised her hand and a grand light exploded from her enveloping all in the room, and when all was over Aaleel and the others stood outside to gates of the palace once more, the stone shattered upon the gates and its shards scattered upon the wind and disappeared.
“Are we ready for this Aal?” Bluewind asked.
“I hope so Blue, for we have no other choice, our world and all others depends on it.”

 

[Kerowynn]

Wow really excellent, keep it coming!^^ :biggrin:

 

[Aaleel]

Chapter III – Preparing for the Darkness

Aaleel sat within the guild of the Bastokan High Elite whetting the blade of Syuji upon a stone, as she counted the moments until she and the others would embark on their quest to cleanse the dark realm of the Dark Gods. She looked down upon the symbols etched into the blade, which read the right path is my path. She remembered the day her father had given it to her, but he did not speak of the events that led it to come to his hand. She was young when her father left the world, and her mother spoke rarely of his past before she was taken from the world as well. It was then that Aaleel found herself in the far east where she would learn the skills of her father, so that she may continue upon the path he had placed her. She finished whetting the blade, as the sound of a birds singing fell through her window, preceding the sun which had not yet risen. Aaleel had been the first to arise, and she had readied her pack for the most part, and only waited for the others to arise to prepare themselves as well. She sat up in her chair with the sounds of movement in the main hall of the guild, and she slung her pack onto her shoulder, and carried it a long with the rest of her armor in to the main hall.

“Good morning Elite,” she said smiling.
“Well I see that sleep was hard for you to find last night,” Kahlaan said, as she prepared her pack beside her husband Duncanrun.
“I had a lot of things on my mind,” she said.
“I gather, it is not everyday that you are told that you will lead the quest to save not only your world, but a world that you have never seen or knew existed,” Zodiaque said.
“Which God shall we go after first?” Jimm asked.
“Aspid will probably be the easiest to defeat, but will be the hardest to reach,” Aaleel replied.
“I feel that we should save Nidhogg for last, when all our powers are gathered,” she said as those around the room nodded their heads.
“I feel that we should take the King of the behemoths first, for it is closest to any area where we may enter Dynamis,” Aaleel said.
“We are with you wherever you may lead us Aal,” Unphazed said, and Aaleel looked proudly about the room of those that she had called friends for so long, and she knew that there were no other people she would rather have facing the coming darkness alongside her. She stood silent for a moment before she shook her head, and smiled looking back on some of the memories.
“I do not know how long we will be in the realm of darkness, of is there is any life there that may sustain us, so pack food and supplies accordingly,” Aaleel said, as she placed food within her pack.
“Also, I feel that we should not wear the armor of the dark realm when we return to it, for if it was made in darkness to tempt us, it may lead to our ultimate demise within the realm,” Aaleel said.
“Only armor that has been blessed by the priests of the Sky and Sea, or the counterparts of the dark armor that you obtained in this land,” Aaleel said, as a groan went up about the room.
“That is easy for you to do Aaleel, for you have no armor from Dynamis,” Claudhert said, removing the gauntlets from his hands.
“I visited that fell place once, and something about did not sit well with me, I knew all was not well in that dark place, so I have never returned,” Aaleel said shaking her head.
“I think that Aal may be right, we should wear the armor given to use by the dark forces of that realm, for if the world is built on opposites the armor enchanted by the forces of light may yet be our salvation in that place,” Duncanrun said, as the members of the Elite began to remove armor, and others continued reading their packs. Aaleel stood from the tables, and pulled the Osode, which had been blessed by the spirit of Kirin onto her body. She slung her pack over her shoulders, and turned to leave the room.
“Aal, where are you going?” Zodiaque asked,
“We will enter the dark realm in Jeuno, but there is someone that I must speak with before we depart,” Aaleel said, as she opened the door.

“I will meet you at the entrance to the dark realm, and please make haste, for time is growing shorter by the day,” Aaleel said, as she exited the guild, and made her way to the port of Bastok, where the airship to Jeuno was just arriving. She paid her fare and walked out onto the dock, where the boarded the ship and walked to the upper level in the open air. She stood their for a moment lost in thought before the mighty propellers began to spin, blowing hair through her face as the great ship began to slowly move upon the water. It circled the port and picked up speed, before in lifted from the water, and soared into the rising sun, which had left the colors of dawn upon the water in all their magnificent shades of red and orange. Aaleel always loved the dusk and dawn, for it looked as if someone had taken a brush and painted the sky itself. The moments of the flight passed quickly as Aaleel wondered why she was chosen for such things, and why now all of her closest friends had their fate tied to her. Was she chosen because she had seen so little of the dark realm, and the taint of those lands was somewhat lessened upon her. She started longingly into the sun, which had almost fully risen from the horizon, and wondering how many more such scenes of beauty would she see in her life, however many days was left upon it. She turned her head to the sound of the captain saying they had arrived in Jeuno, and to prepare for landing

 

[Aaleel]

Aaleel stepped off the airship, and ran quickly over the stone streets of Port Jeuno. She reached the main stairwell, which she raced up until the reached the highest level of the Jeuno, Ru’Lude Gardens. She made her way over the arching stone bridge towards the palace. She ran quickly through the area passing beneath the throne room, unitl she reached a small secluded garden behind the palace, where and old man stood bouncing upon his feet in happiness.
“Ah, Aaleel, what brings you to see me today,” the old man asked.
“There is nothing more that I can teach you,” he added.
“Maat, there are things that I wish to ask you,” Aaleel said anxiously, as Maat dropped his head and sighed deeply.
“You wish to ask me about the coming of Yuriel to this land?” he asked.
“Then I was right, you are a spirit of the priests of Theallis as well,” Aaleel said shaking her head.
“Yes, it is true, I was put here to test the strength of those that would one day seek the tests and trials of Sky,” Maat said.
“How did so many who were unworthy pass through your tests, how did those with such darkness in their hearts ever break any of the limits, to bring the world to the state it fell into so many years ago?" Aaleel asked.
“I was put here to judge strength, not purity of heart, for that was the job of others,” Maat replied.
“We all have our destinies and duties to fulfill in this world, and this was mine,” Maat said.
“But such things are not as simple as they once were, for in past days, everyone held true to the practices and principles of the schools in which they studied,” Maat said looking off into the serenity of the garden, as the sound of soft running water floated on the air.
“But in current times, none wish to hold to those principles, instead they only seek to become more powerful so that they may destroy their enemies in ways greater then any other,” he added.
“The mere defeat of the enemy no longer matters, and even those from schools whose only purpose was to protect others, now seek ways to become more powerful and more destructive, no longer understanding that protecting others is a strength all itself,” he said somberly, shaking his head, and turning back to Aaleel.
“Guilds that once worked together to accomplish the goals of this world now compete for supremacy, and in such things the harmony of this world has been lost,” he said.
“So now you and your companions in this journey in the dark realm must find the strength and wisdom that that your people have lost, and fulfill the destiny and the path set before you by Yuriel,” He added.
“But will we be able to accomplish such a task, for though the Gods of Sky and Sea, save Grand Priest Zoron limited their powers to test us, those of the dark realm I fear will not,” Aaleel said.
“Any that pass from the world of Theallis into this one receive the limits of this world, for those were the rules of this world’s creation set in place by the King and Queen of Light long ago, so though the Gods of the dark realm will be powerful, they are not unbeatable,” Maat said.

“But what of Zoron, and Yuriel, I saw no limits upon them?” Aaleel asked.
“They are the prince and princess of Light, given responsibility of this world by their parents, and thus such rules do not apply to them,” Maat replied.
“The princess’s powers of foresight are strong, as those of her parents, and she saw your coming long ago, as the way back for your world,” Maat said.
“But if they are not confined by the rules of this world, why can they not enter the dark realm, and destroy the dark gods?”
“The fiercest demons to battle are those inside ones self, and since the darkness was created by the people of the world of Vana’diel, they must be the ones to face their own demons and darkness, and defeat it,” Maat replied.
“But such things have not come to pass, and now you must face what darkness remains inside you, as well as that of the history of your kin, and you must find a way to discover the strength to defeat it,” Maat said.
“As long as you and your companions hold true to one another, you may yet defeat the dark gods,” Maat said, as Aaleel nodded her head.
“Just remember that all in the dark realm is alternate to this world in every way, but all is not as you would think it to be,” Maat said.
“You speak in riddles,” Aaleel said.
“It is only a riddle, for you have not found what you require within yourself to understand it,” he said, as Aaleel dropped her head.
“Now go child of Vana’diel, time is of the essence, and many lives in many worlds hang in the balance,” he said, as Aaleel nodded her head, and turned to leave his presence.
“One last question Maat,” she said without turning back around.
“What is it Aaleel?”
“Why me, why was I chosen for this? Is it because I’ve spent so little time in the dark realm, and I am seen as less tainted then the others of this land?”
“For the same reason that it was you who struck the final blow that defeated the Grand Priest Zoron in the form of Absolute Virtue,” he replied.
“As I told you Aaleel, you were chosen long before you ever made such decisions, for destiny chose you for this task long ago, and we all must do what we were put her to do, whether that is the path we have picked for ourselves or not, for turning from such things can only lead to ruin of one’s self, and the world,” he added, as Aaleel nodded her head, and walked away back towards Ru’Lude Gardens.

 

[Aaleel]

Aaleel decided to walk into the rolling green grass of Rolanbery Fields to meditate upon Maat's words. She walked halfway up the hill, and sat down within the tall stalks of grass, and wildflowers. She took a deep breath pulling in the clean air, while she savored the scent of the flowers. She pulled her legs into a lotus position, and rested her hands upon her knees, before she closed her eyes.

She meditated deeply on Maat's words, and wondered if this has really been her destiny since her time first began in this world. Were there any signs in her life that told her that this was coming, for all she knows of her past is that her father and mother left her at an early age, with nothing but an ancient katana inscribed with the words ‘the right path is my path’. She opened her eyes, and pulled the katana from her waist, and looked upon the inscription. Her mind faded back to the last days she spent in Kikanku-Sho temple. She stood in the main courtyard practicing her kata, as she waited for her teacher. She leapt high into the air and finished the kata with Blade: Ku, as her teacher emerged and clapped his hands. She sheathed her katana and bowed her head to her teacher.
“Teacher, I have passed the trials of the Labyrinth of Onzozo, and journeyed to Norg; and now I have been gifted the power of the final skill,” she said bowing her head again.
“Well done my student, but you have not yet reached the ultimate power of yourself,” her teacher said.
“Then I am ready to resume my training here in the temple,” she said.
“You have not reached your ultimate power, but there is nothing more that I can teach you,” he said.
“I do not understand,” she said confused.
“The final step you must make on your own, finding the strength within yourself,” he said.
"But do not be fooled into thinking that your strength can be found through strenght of arms, and not inner strength," her teacher said as she nodded her head.
“I have never had a student who reached that level, but from the day that you were brought her as a young child, I sensed a greater purpose in you, but try as I might your path was hidden from me,” he said.
“Now it is up to you to find that purpose,” he said, before he bid her farewell, and turned to walk back into the temple.

Her mind shifted back to the present, and the image of her temple, faded back to green grass, and wildflowers. She looked upon her katana once more, and shook her head.
"I always though that my purpose was to defend this lands, and those close to me, but maybe I do have a greater purpose than others,” she said, as she rose to her feet, and sheathed her katana again. She walked back into the Jeuno, and made her way to Ru’Lude Gardens where the Elite were waiting near the place of one of the rifts that lead to the dark realm.
“We are all here Aaleel, and the hourglass has been prepared,” Nikoloi said.
“Since it seems that you have been chosen for this task, we thought it best that you use the hourglass,” he added, as she nodded her head, and took the hourglass from him. She looked about all her friends, and smiled before she held the hourglass before her, and set it upon the alter that was the gate to the dark realm. But this time the hourglass did not react as it did when others made the trip through the mystical wall that separates their world from what they have come to call Dymanis. The hourglass began to glow brightly causing the others to step away, blinded by the light, as an aura of white light crept slowly down Aaleel’s arms from the glass, and began to cover her entire body in it’s presence. Aaleel felt a feeling within her that she had never felt before, and suddenly with a large crack, the hourglass shattered and the white sand inside spread about the air, burning in white flame, until it had formed a mirror before her. She gazed deeply into the mirror, which shot off into the distance flying over the areas of the dark realm, passing over leafless trees, dry riverbeds, and scotched and cracked earth until she saw the shadowy forms of the three dark gods. She tried to make out their faces, but before she could there was another flash of bright light, and soon her vision was passing through a city of white buildings, with golden roofs, setting behind grand, exquisitely carved statues lining smooth marble streets. She sight passed into a chamber, where forms in white robes sat before a fountain of white light in prayer. Her vision paused for a moment before it swept through the golden doors, and over the smooth streets towards a heavy gate, which opened and revealed lands of rolling green fields, and majestic forests, separated by crystal blue lakes, softly rolling rivers, setting under a golden sun, which rested high within a sky of colors blended in ways of beauty only thought possible in dreams. But the sky of radiant colors grew darker as Aaleel’s vision swept across the land, for the sky became drenched in soot and ash from fires burning on raging battlefields below, and in the distance there were black mountains, tainted by darkness. On the summit of the highest one stood a castle in front of a backdrop of scortched skies, and red flame. Aaleel's chest grew heavy as her vision swept through the dark passages of the castle until it reached heavy metal doors, which swung open to reveal a form upon the throne, whose arms were carved in the form of wyverns wings. Upon the throne sat a dark form, who seemed to sense her presence and raised his head revealing burning read eyes, and suddenly Aaleel was gripped with a great pain, as the vision subsided, and her world went dark.

 

[Aaleel]

“Aal, Aal, are you alright,” she heard as she came to, and looked about, still dazed by her ordeal.
“Thank goodness you’re finally awake,” Kerowynn said helping her sit up.
“Whe…where are we,” Aaleel said weakly as she set up, and Unphazed offered her water from his pouch.
“We have passed into Dynamis, but you were in no condition to start the journey, so we sought shelter in the residential area,” Duncanrun said.
“There seem to be no fiends here, so we can exit into Qufim wherever you are ready,” Nikoloi said.
“What happened to you Aal, I have never seen such things when we have entered this realm before?” Claudhert asked.
“I saw a mirror, and it showed me many visions, I do not know if they are of things past, or things that are to come,” Aaleel replied.
“I saw the lands of the dark realm, and shadowy forms of the three Gods, but before I could make them out, there was a flash of bright light, and I saw and city and lands so beautiful that I can not describe them,” she added.
“Do you think that you were shown vision of Elindil and Theallis,” Bluewind asked.
“Perhaps, but in the distance of the lands I saw there was battle, and dark skies, and a castle upon a tall peak, where I saw a form so evil that it stole my very breath away even within a vision,” Aaleel said getting a chill about her body.
“He had burning red eyes, and he turned and looked to me as if he knew of my presence, and his eyes seared my very soul, and that was when my vision went black,” Aaleel said.
“So if the lands you saw were Theallis,” Kahlaan said.
“The evil one upon the throne was Galroth,” Aaleel said angrily, as she gathered her strength to stand up.
“Why did you not take me back to our realm to recover?” Aaleel asked.
“The hourglass shattered and the seal between our worlds closed behind us,” Kahlaan said.
“Then I guess we are here until we finish the task,” Aaleel said, as she started to walk.
“Are you sure you are ready Aal,” Kerowynn asked.
“Time is of the essence Kero, so I am well, because I must be,” she said, picking up her pack and slinging it over her shoulder.
“Nocturnus went ahead into Qufim to scan the lands ahead because his eyes have always been keener then mine,” Nikoloi said.
“Everyone’s eyes are keener then yours Nik,’ Aaleel said smiling, as they made their way down the stairs of the residential area to the port, which connected with Qufim.

They stepped through the door of light, and their feet fell onto snow covered ground, in the gathering darkness of a narrow passage. Bluewind’s body began to glow with streams of many colors of light, and suddenly a large circular symbol appeared upon the ground, and from it sprang the avatar Carbuncle, whose body shined always with a bright light. Carbuncle took the point followed by Nocturnus and then Aaleel, as Nikoloi dropped back to be the rear guard. They moved slowly through the narrow passages leading into Qufim, they saw bats of many forms, but they did not seem to be aggressive as they were not in their world. Nocturnus raised his hand to give them pause as they began to hear the sound of magic in the distance. They slowly proceeded until the form of a weapon came into the light of Carbuncle, which revealed a large cavern, where two weapons walked before a large wall.
“This is exactly as our world,” Aaleel said, as Nocturnus raised his bow.
“What are you doing?” Aaleel asked.
“Are we not going to kill them?” He asked.
“Why?” Aaleel asked.
“Why not, they are evil creatures of this world that will probably attack us,” he replied.
“If this is an alternate to our world, then maybe they will not attack, as they do not attack those of our power in our world,” Aaleel said, as she placed her hand on his arm, and pushed down his bow. She walked towards the creatures who did not attack her. She turned to the others and waved for them to come, as they proceeded past them.

 

[Aaleel]

“We should not feed the darkness of this world with our own aggression,” Aaleel said, as Carbuncle took the lead again. They went on slowly through the dark passages for some time before they began to see light in the distance which signaled the end of the tunnels. Aaleel was happy to see the end of the dank smell of the passages, for even in the dark realm, the open air was more to her liking. They emerged into a pass that lead a large open area where giants walked freely as crabs moved slowly about them. Bluewind recalled Carbuncle, and Nocturnus took the lead as they ventured into the open lands of Qufim. The giants were not like those of their world, their green skin was replaced by leathery, and cracked skin of pale gray, and their mighty arms, were frail, and weak as of old age. The company of the Elite knew that the giants probably would not attack them, but they were weary, and had weapons at the ready just in case. They crossed the open snowfield, and entered a small pass which lead to small lake, which was nothing but a pool of black bubbling water, surrounded by broken and cracked trees.

“This place is dead, but I do not sense total darkness here,” Aaleel said, as they walked passed the lake, and continued into the next pass.
“There is light here, which is separate from that which resides within us,” she added, as they ventured on through the frozen land until they emerged into another large open area, which was separated by a long wall.
“The wall of Amig-Mor,” Unphazed said, as he looked about the wall which was swarmed with weapons.
“And the Tower of Delkfutt in the distance,” Zodiaque said, as she pointed to the silhouette of the tower in the distance behind the blowing snow.
“I am glad we do not have to enter that fell place,” Jimm said.
“As am I, “Aaleel said nodding her head, as they walked along the base of the wall. Aaleel raised her fist to give pause to the others because there was something that did not sit well with her. She motioned for the others to remain put, as she called three mirrors of herself, and vanished from sight before she proceeded forward. She looked about the area but there was nothing but weapons; when suddenly she heard the hum of a blade, which passed through one of her images, and slammed into the wall breaking the stone, which crumbled to the ground. The sword floated upon the air for a moment before it returned to float above the head of its master.

“Trickster Kinetix,” Aaleel said, as she stood behind her two remaining images.
“Why have you attacked us, when no other of your kin have?’ She asked, as the others sought to come to her aid, but she extended her hand giving them pause.
“We the fallen priests cannot inhabit the normal creatures of this world, only the ones that are the counterparts to those that you have deemed notorious in your world,” Trickster said.
"We have wills of our own, and have no fear of your strength," it added.
“Just as the priests of light can only do so in our world,” Aaleel said.
“You are wise,” Trickster said.
“As I feel you are, and that wisdom should tell you that you cannot defeat us,” Aaleel said.
“I am not here to defeat you, I am only here to ascertain the identity of those who walk outside the areas set aside to gather the darkness of the people of your world,” Trickster said.
“My Lords see through my eyes, and now they know of your presence here,” it added.
“The Grand Priest Zoron must be getting desperate with our gathering of power in this land to send those such as yourselves into this land in a futile attempt to stop us,” Trickster said.
“You were seduced by the darkness as many others due to failings of our world, and I would not wish to kill for such things, but if you seek to stand in the way of our task I will,” Aaleel said.
“Then you will have to,” Trickster said, as it began to whirl its blade about the air, which passed through both of Aaleel shadows, before she drew Syuji, and Unji, and leapt towards the evil creature, slashing it through twice, before it fell to the ground.
“You are skilled indeed child of Vana’diel,” Trickster said slowly rising to his feet.
“But you will need more then skill to accomplish your task,” he added.
“I will give you one last chance,” Aaleel said somberly.
“You do not understand, I am already dead, there is nothing more you can do to me in this place,” Trickster said, as he whirled his blade about the air, before he sent it towards Aaleel, who caught it upon her blades, and parried it to the side before she leapt to the air bringing the blades of her katana to light, and in a single flash of light it was over, and when the all had settled, a body lay upon the ground in the form of a Hume. Aaleel sheathed her katana and ran towards the body.
“You have released from the curse of darkness that enveloped me so long ago, now I may rest,” the man said, as his body dissolved into particles of light, and rose into the air to disappear to the dark sky.

“What happened Aal?” Kerowynn asked as she came running forward.
“I don’t know, it seems somehow the tiny slivers of light that were left in the priest that inhabited Trickster Kinetix was set free,” Aaleel said.
“Maybe that is the key to our task, to set free the spirits of the High Priests of Elindil, and what light is left in them will repair the rifts between our world and this one,” Aaleel said.
“We will not know until we find them,” Duncanrun said.
“Then we should continue on to the Behemoth’s Domain,” Nocturnus said, as he returned to the point, and they company continued their march across the frozen lands of Qufim.

 

[Aaleel]

Is anyone still reading this lol

 

[Kerowynn]

It's really good Aal.^^ Keep posting! I like the idea and you've melded it well with the actual game lol. Awesome job. =)

Oh and Hahahahaha priceless:

“Everyone’s eyes are keener then yours Nik,’ Aaleel said smiling

 

[duncanrun]

I am reading its great stuff! More please

Its a little unrealistic though zod and kero would be lost wandering around somewhere by now. Other than that its about right!

 

[Aaleel]

Dunc you spoiled the next section, now I gotta take that out

 

[Zodiaque]

/whaps Dun and Aal!

I'm reading it every time you post something and if you don't keep it up I'ma send the teddy bear pic!!!

 

[Kerowynn]

-.-

(Please ignore my sig)