Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ About Darkness ❯ The Syth ( Chapter 1 )

Even in the late afternoon, when the shadows grew longer and a tepid breeze brushed over the plains the hard, chapped ground and bare rocks radiated an uncomfortable, dry heat which drove the occasional stray lizard back into the cracks that interlaced the sandstone walls forming a semi-circle around the vast area of the Ramachadrian desert.

 

A tall, sinewy figure, face hidden beneath a black veil draped skillfully around its head, revealing nothing but a pair of cherry black almond eyes raised its arms, hands clutching the handle of a long, slender sword whose blade glinted in the red light of the settling sun.

 

Another shape, taller even than the first but more muscular in built, copper skin of its bare chest covered in a sheen of sweat, filigree tattoos adorning the sharp features of its face and firm curves of its arms and upper body, disappearing beneath the waistband of wide, black pants, matched the movements of its opponent, muscles flexing, mouth set in a thin line.

 

Two swords connected with the sharp clank of metal on metal. While the stronger one of the fighters kept pushing forward, leaning his weight into the attack the smaller figure swiftly stepped sideways, turning in the same movement, the blade drawing a semi-circle, aiming at its opponent's waist.

 

Another metallic clink followed as the attack was blocked, strong hands holding the leather-bound grip of the weapon firm and steady.

 

Their eyes met, cherry and charcoal, and all sound subsided, leaving the plains in silence.

 

“Enough” the copper-skinned warrior stated evenly before drawing away. His long, black hair reached down to the small of his back, damp with sweat, a couple of strands clinging to his forehead.

 

His opponent relaxed and lowered the delicate blade, breathing heavily beneath the veil. A slender hand reached up, loosened the scarf and pulled it below its chin, revealing the delicate, pointed features of a woman. Her skin, sun-tanned yet lighter than the man's gleamed with sweat.

 

“You have improved, Elia. We will return to the camp now. The hunters will head out, soon” the dark man said, his voice full and smooth.

 

The woman nodded and sheathed her sword. Like the other clan members she did not talk much. The straining, consuming life in the desert forced its struggling inhabitants to focus on survival and waste as little energy as necessary on unimportant tasks such as speech.

 

Xxx

 

The camp consisted of a circle of large tents that were located next to one of the high, rocky hills that shaped Ramachadria. They provided protection from the sun and held caverns in which small, hidden wells could be found, mere rills of water but nonetheless essential for survival.

 

A fire burned in the center of the circular space surrounded by the camel skin tents. It kept wild animals away, served as a means to cook meat and provided an illusion of warmth during the freezing nights when the earth radiated its warmth into the vast, star sprinkled sky.

 

Men and women, dressed in light, wide, black sheets and leather sat around the fire place. They were covered in similar tattoos as Elia's sparring partner and hummed low, soft tunes of ancient songs that carried the history of their tribe.

 

The Syth had traversed the desert for centuries, nomads that kept to themselves, living off the cattle they held and the grains they traded for the precious metals they prospected for in this hostile environment. They also were skilled and disciplined fighters, having to defend their land from hostile clans and occasionally selling their service as mercenaries in times of need.

 

Although the Syth were a closed, withdrawn community and participated little in the life that went on beyond the borders of Ramachadria Elis had found shelter here. They had given her a home, a family when she had had nowhere else to go.

 

She had embraced their warmth readily, adopted their customs and taken on their name, had left her past behind.

 

Now that night's shadows covered the plains, the fire light drawing patterns on her narrow features, low, melodious voices soothing her mind with calm songs, Elia was engulfed by the kind of comfort she feared every night. The kind that gave her time to reflect, drew her thoughts back to the life she had lead before coming to Ramachadria, before being found by Therio del Syth, hallucinating and dying of thirst.

 

Elia stared into the flames, listening to the crackling of the fire.