Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Final Fantasy: The chronicles of Four! ❯ Our first Side Quest! ( Chapter 3 )

Ah, another chapter to my warriors lives. Mimic 12355, yes, I almost wrote BM saying “damn” but I have to be careful in case little kiddies stumble onto the story! Oh wait... I just contradicted myself. Anyway, as always, I do not own any Final Fantasy games.

 

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Once again, Black Belt and Fighter sat in the Creaky Door Tavern, locked in a game of wits. Well, that is until a young man walked up to them.

 

“Excuse me, but you two have been in here for the past two days. Shouldn't you go home?” the man asked. Fighter and Black Belt looked up to see a young white mage with white hair and huge brown eyes looking at them. Behind him were a young swordsman with blonde hair, a gunman with brown pointy hair, and a star-headed boy with a black mage hat on.

 

“Uh... and you are?” Black Belt asked.

 

“We're warriors, and the barkeep told us to ask you to leave.” The white mage explained.

 

“You're warriors too? Cool! So are our friends!” Fighter said, “So what...” Before Fighter could finish, the ground started rumbling.

 

“AAAH! Ryou, monsters! Let's move!” The gunman yelled, and the four boys ran out to fight what indeed was a monster. After a few minutes, everything was quiet again.

 

“I sure hope our friends meet those nice guys.” Fighter said brightly, not realizing the boys were killed by the monster, which left.

 

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Meanwhile, our four heroes stood waiting at the foot of King Corneria Bridge, waiting for the workers to finish the final repairs.

 

“Okay, that'll do it!” the boss of the crew said, “You'll be in Pravoca in no time at all!” He and his motley crew of workers quickly got off the bridge to let the heroes pass.

 

“Is it me, or does this thing shake an awful lot?” Black Mage asked as they stepped onto the bridge. It wobbled uneasily. Thief shrugged.

 

“Maybe it's just an old bride!” he suggested. White Mage clung to the railing.

 

“How can it be old? They repaired it last night!” White Mage exclaimed, as the bridge shook with each step.

 

“We shouldn't worry. After all, we'll still land in the water if the bridge does collapse.” Red Mage said, obviously thinking this would lighten the spirits. Black Mage waved his arms frantically.

 

“Yeah, in the water that's FULL OF SHARKS AND SAHAGINS!” Black Mage screamed, “We'll be killed if we fall in!” He began to hyperventilate as the thought crept into his head. Thief patted Black Mage on the back.

 

“Don't worry, BM! Never judge a book by its cover! Look, I can even jump on this bridge!” Thief exclaimed, and began to jump up and down like a little kid who ate way too much sugar. The bridge made a lot of uncomfortable cracking sounds.

 

“Thief, stop!! You'll break the bridge!” Red, White, and Black Mage all screamed together. But it was in vain. The rope railings for the bridge snapped, and the bridge began to fall apart. Logs and rope alike were washed away in the river current. The four heroes hung onto the small amount of rope that was left.

 

“Good going, Thief! Are you an idiot or something?” Black Mage asked, angrily.

 

“Sorry! How was I supposed to know the bridge would fall?” Thief replied, although it was more of another question than a real reply.

 

“Look, enough bickering! We must focus our energy on hanging onto the rope!” Red Mage exclaimed, trying to hang onto Thief's leg. Unfortunately, the rope snapped as Red Mage spoke, sending the four plunging into the river.

 

“Too late!!!!” Black Mage yelled as they each fell into the river.

 

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A while later, Black Mage woke up, mainly because Thief was poking at him. Tiredly, he got up and stretched.

 

“Where the heck are we?” Black Mage asked, looking around. Thankfully they had all landed on a plot of land that was meant as a fishing spot. To the south, Black Mage could barely make out Corneria Castle.

 

“Wherever we are, we made it to the other side of the bridge.” White Mage replied, “We should be close to Pravoca.” Red Mage had woken up and dusted his armor off. He took his cape off and tied it like a small sack. Then he dipped his cape into the river.

 

“RM, I know we've seen a bunch of weird stuff, but nothing like this... What the hell are you doing?” Black Mage asked, sitting on a rock. Red Mage kept his cape in the water, and when he took it out, there were a few small fish inside the pouch.

 

“I'm fishing. We're on an adventure, we're going to need to eat at some point.” Red Mage said simply, carrying the small bundle over, “BM, start a fire.” Black Mage, however, wasn't very keen on this idea.

 

“Food? We're lost, stranded, and defenseless and you care about FOOD? Why don't we just throw ourselves off a cliff! Or maybe let an ogre eat us! That'll be a blast!” Black Mage ranted, pacing back and forth and making very crazy waving motions to prove his point. Thief sighed and sat forward.

 

“Look, do you want some food or not? If not, we'll gladly eat your share.” Thief said, and began to de-bone a fish. Black Mage knew he'd lost the argument, so he joined his friends and started a small fire.

 

After they ate and felt better, the four heroes started off to Pravoca again. Red Mage had dried off his cape, and they even caught some more fish for later. The moods improved, and even Black Mage said he thought they'd stand a chance now that they had some form of supplies. However, things didn't stay so merry for long.

 

“Guys, we have a little problem.” Thief said, pointing to two crossroads, “Anyone have any idea which way to the town?” The other three hung their heads as sweatdrops appeared above them.

 

“Gee, because BOTH ways lead to such extraordinary adventures...” Black Mage remarked sarcastically. Red Mage looked down the left path. White Mage looked down the right.

 

“The left path is short, but I don't think it leads to Pravoca.” Red Mage explained. The left path went down through a small forest to a mountain behind it.

 

“But this way isn't looking so promising either. It's a long way to Pravoca, and we could use some experience.” White Mage added, looking down the left path, “And maybe someone would know which way is to Pravoca anyway.”

 

“So we should just wait here for some poor sap to show up and ask him?” Black Mage asked.

 

“I never said that. But I think we should go down the left pathway.” White Mage stated.

 

“But if it doesn't lead to Pravoca, what's the point?” Black Mage asked, raising an eyebrow.

 

“Well, there is probably treasure that way. And you know what the point of adventure is! To get that treasure!” Thief exclaimed, “To me, it's just killing two birds with a single stone.”

 

“All right, all right! We'll go down the left path. Are you three happy now?” Black Mage asked, stomping down the left path. Red Mage immediately ran after Black Mage.

 

“Wait! I heard a rustling in the bushes. There might be an enemy around.” Red Mage warned, listening for the sound. Black Mage whistled.

 

“Or it could be a squirrel. Look, I just want to get to the town, learn some butt-kicking spells, re-light those stupid orbs, and get on with my life.” Black Mage said, continuing forward. He pushed Red Mage aside as he passed, not even hearing what Red Mage was saying. However, he stopped when he saw two cobras glaring at him, hissing.

 

“Or it could've been cobras...” Black Mage grumbled, “Fine, wanna play? FIRE!” Black Mage instantly set off a Fire spell, but it didn't seem to do one shred of damage.

 

“That's okay. I always have BOLT!” Black Mage screamed, this time shooting a bolt spell at the snakes. But again, it did nothing. In fact, it missed. Black Mage cursed and kicked and basically threw a little hissy fit. “I HAVE NO MAGIC LEFT!” Luckily, the other three were running and made it just in time!

 

“BM, are you okay? Did they hurt you?” Thief asked, as he stopped. Black Mage shook his head.

 

“No, but these little pests aren't taking damage from my spells!” he replied, practically in a panic. Red Mage leaned on his sword.

 

“Well, if you just listened instead of storming ahead like a swat team, I could've told you that most monsters on the Pravoca continent are immune to spells.” Red Mage countered, making Black Mage fume.

 

“But then what can we do? They're gonna kill us!” Black Mage cried, throwing his hands into the air. White Mage sighed in frustration.

 

“Do you not know the use of a weapon? We'll attack them physically, of course!” she replied. Thief nodded and took out his dagger. He slashed at one cobra.

 

“DIE, COBRA!” he shrieked as he sliced it into two. The second cobra looked at the four warriors and screamed, seeing her partner was dead. KRA-THAM! White Mage smacked the second cobra on the head with her staff. Then Red Mage stabbed it with his sword, and they had won.

 

“Heh, good thing I kept them off while you three lazed around with your weapons.” Black Mage said triumphantly. However, White Mage didn't look so pleased.

 

“You kept them off? Oh please! You were screaming like a little schoolgirl when we arrived!” White Mage exclaimed. She turned around and saw Thief picking something up. “What are you doing?” Thief looked up at her.

 

“Well, you know what they taught us in battle class, right? Every so often a defeated enemy leaves behind an item it was carrying! I'm just picking up those items!” he explained, and showed White Mage his spoils.

 

“T-those are Potions!” White Mage said with excitement. Black Mage took a look at them.

 

“Holy Chaos, we're saved!” Black Mage added, and practically danced around. Red Mage, however, didn't celebrate. He looked ahead towards the mountain.

 

“This isn't the time to celebrate. You really think two Potions are going to last us forever? I'd be surprised if they lasted to the end of this forest! Anyway, there might be more monsters around here, so we'd better make haste if we don't want something like that to happen again.” Red Mage said, and began to walk up the path again. White Mage and Thief followed, but Black Mage stayed for a second.

 

“Geez, we just won our first battle without getting the stuffing beaten out of us or using some humiliating plan... you'd think they'd let me have my fun.” Black Mage said to himself. Then he too began to head up the trail.

 

---

 

“Red Mage, are we there yet?” Black Mage and Thief began to complain after an hour of hiking. Red Mage looked at a tree that had algae on it.

 

“According to my survival class instincts, whatever's beyond this forest is this way.” Red Mage said, pointing north. Black Mage laughed.

 

“How would you know? I'm getting tired! I want to go home!” Black Mage pouted, crossing his arms. Red Mage stuck his sword into the ground angrily.

 

“Come on, BM! Where's your adventuring spirit?” Red Mage asked, annoyed. Black Mage shrugged.

 

“It started seeping out when we fought that wuss, Garland. But now it totally left after seeing you take directions from mold for the past half hour.” Black Mage answered, tapping his foot impatiently. Thief rubbed the back of his neck.

 

“Yeah, it's getting cold too. RM, maybe we should go to Pravoca.” Thief added, shivering. White Mage looked around.

 

“Not only that, but I think we're lost too.” White Mage said, “We haven't been on the trail for a while now.” Black Mage spat.

 

“That wouldn't have happened if Mr. Survival Expert here wasn't so bent on adventuring. We could be kicking butt with new spells or even relaxing in a bar! But no, RM needed experience for the trip!” Black Mage ranted again, pacing around.

 

“Well, excuse me! Half the point of an adventure is braving the unknown and gaining the experience for life!” Red Mage yelled back. Black Mage stopped and lunged at Red Mage.

 

“I'LL SHOW YOU “EXPERIENCE!” Black Mage screamed, and was about to punch Red Mage until Thief and White Mage dragged him back, “Let me go! LET ME GO!”

 

“Listen, point is, we're lost. Why don't we just find a cave to rest in for the night and then we'll go to Pravoca tomorrow. Does that sound fair?” White Mage asked. Everyone nodded, but no one was really motivated to move.

 

“Excuse me, but I overheard you were lost.” Came the voice of an old lady. Everyone either tensed up or drew their weapons.

 

“Who's there? Who are you?” Red Mage demanded, though he sounded very nervous. The voice laughed, and stepped out of the bushes to reveal a young-looking witch, but her voice would say otherwise.

 

“Relax, my dears. I'm not here to hurt you.” she said.

 

“Yeah, she's just an old lady.” Black Mage added, laughing. The witch looked at Black Mage, but Black Mage didn't know how she knew he was there. Her eyes were closed.

 

“Watch it, youngster. I may be old, but I do know a lot of magic. Now, what are lovely children like you doing in this forest?” the witch asked, “It's freezing out here!”

 

“We were looking for Pravoca city, but we got lost.” White Mage explained.

 

“Well, that's quite a ways away. Why don't you follow me and you all can relax at my house.” the witch said. She began to walk towards the mountain, and the four warriors followed her.

 

“So, where is your house?” Thief asked, curiously.

 

“Well, it's not really a house, it's more of a cave. But it's home to me. Ah, here we are.” the witch replied, and walked into a small cave. Everyone else followed, amazed at what they saw. The entire cave was made of some form of crystal, but that wasn't what was so interesting. Brooms were walking everywhere, and even more amazing, they could talk too!

 

“Flip `er over! Elcric d'na Tceles!” they'd say whenever anyone went near them.

 

“What the heck are they saying?” Black Mage asked, annoyed. The witch laughed.

 

“Oh, I have no idea. They seem to speak their own language sometimes.” she said, and opened a door to a huge room. Everyone stepped in carefully, save for the witch herself. She walked over to a desk lined with small skulls.

 

“Sit down, sit down!” She urged, as the four sat down in the chairs.

 

“You still haven't told us who you are.” Black Mage mumbled.

 

“My name is Matoya, the Grey Witch.” the witch answered. Black Mage didn't seem to care, but Red Mage's eyes went wide.

 

“THE Matoya? The greatest mage on the earth?” Red Mage asked, completely amazed.

 

“The one and only.” Matoya said, nodding.

 

“An honor to meet you! I've read all your magic guides and I've wanted to meet you for years!” Red Mage exclaimed, and shook Matoya's hand.

 

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, why would you let us into your house? We barely know you!” Black Mage stated. Matoya laughed again.

 

“You're right. And there is a reason.” Matoya replied, “I have a quest for you warriors, that is, if you're willing to go.” Thief's ears perked up.

 

“What kind of quest, Matoya?” he asked, sounding like an excited 6-year-old.

 

“Well, you all should very well know that I'm blind. My crystal was taken from me, and without it, I can see nothing.” Matoya explained.

 

“So let me guess. You want us to bring it back for you?” Black Mage asked, although he was getting very annoyed.

 

“Precisely. I will even throw in a reward.” Matoya said. The foursome looked at each other.

 

“But who took your crystal in the first place?” White Mage asked.

 

“It was that dark elf, Astos. His race has been dying out for centuries now, so he came to me to fix that. When I told him I wouldn't do such a thing, he stole my crystal to make me pay.” Matoya explained. White Mage gasped, but Thief wasn't so worried.

 

“So, we'll just beat up Astos. No biggie.” he said confidently. Matoya smacked him with her cane.

 

“Don't be a fool! He is not to be taken lightly. Now then, the plus is that you have to go to Pravoca anyway, so it isn't too out of your way.” Matoya said. Black Mage slammed his fist on the table.

 

“But we don't know how to get to Pravoca! That's the whole reason we're HERE!” he yelled. But Matoya wasn't daunted.

 

“Well, when you leave here, you'll come to two crossroads. Take the right one, and follow the path to a gate. Beyond that gate is Pravoca.” Matoya said. Black Mage nearly exploded with anger.

 

“I TOLD you we should've gone right, you idiot!” he screamed at Red Mage.

 

“Yes, but then we wouldn't have gotten such a grand quest.” Red Mage replied. Black Mage went off his rocker now.

 

“YOU KNEW!? GAAH! YOU'D BETTER GET THERE FAST BECAUSE I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!!!” Black Mage screamed, making all the brooms afraid.

 

“My, will he be alright?” Matoya asked, worried. White Mage smiled while Red Mage and Thief carried Black Mage out.

 

“Yes, this happens all the time. We'll be back soon, Matoya.” White Mage replied, and she left as well. Matoya looked over at her skulls.

 

“I certainly hop they're the Light Warriors... this is not an easy quest.”

 

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And the third chapter is done! Will our heroes get to Pravoca? Will Black Mage really kill Red Mage? Is Astos too powerful for our heroes? And is there really a bar in Pravoca? Find out on the next chapter, so click that little button on Reviews! Also, I won't update until I get more reviews!