Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Final Fantasy XX ❯ The Warrior of Light ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 3

I opened my eyes and noticed the warmth of a fire next to me. I stood up and noticed Kennen is awake.

“Mornin sunshine.” He said taking a stone to his knife.

“How’d we survive?” I ask rubbing the back of my head.

“I donno… luck maybe. I woke up with you two by me so I set up a camp and waited for you two to wake up.”

“Where’s Hoango?”

“He’s over there still passed out, didn’t know monks can snore so loud.”

I chuckled over the joke, “Well I guess the Espers were protecting us.” I stood up and went over to the river to wash my face.

“So what now!” Kennen shouted

“We find the nearest town.” I said returning back to the site.

“Well the Korroloka Tunnels isn’t too far from here; if we pass through that we’ll be in Bastok. That’s probably the closest town.”

“Good we’ll leave at sunrise.”

“Why can’t we go now?”

“Think we’ll be able to wake him up?” I pointed at Hoango

“Good point… let’s get some sleep we’ll leave tomorrow.”

Throughout that night I was unable to sleep. We shouldn’t have survived that fall. I didn’t cast a spell, the river was surely not deep enough, and the height of the fall was clearly more than enough to bring us to our doom. During the fall I felt her warmth and her presence. Shiva protected us, I know it she had to have cushioned our fall. I felt a presence behind me. I reached for my blade and stood up.

“Identify yourself.” I said as I turned around.

I couldn’t believe my eyes, “Shiva…”

“It’s been a long time Donattsu.” She said making a chair out of ice.

“How… how are you here?”

“I was saved by Ramuh and Ifrit.”

A tear came down my face, “You’re alive.”

“I don’t have much time Donattsu; I am here to give you this.” Shiva handed me a sealed pouch.

“What is this?”

“Do not open it, unless you are in a pinch.”

“What is this?” I said again.

“Like I said, don’t have much time, Donattsu I am here to tell you something.”

“What are you to tell me?”

“The seal is almost broken; you don’t have much time left.”

“I’ve only found three warriors.”

“I believe in you.” Shiva started to disappear.

“No don’t go!” I reached my hand out to her.

“I wish you good luck on this journey my son, until we meet again.”

“NO!” I opened my eyes and woke up from this event.

Kennen looks at me with his right eye brow lifted, “You okay?”

“Yeah… I’m fine.” I started to catch my breath

“You sure? You’re face is covered in sweat. Did you have a nightmare?”

“I’m okay.” I said wiping the sweat off my face.

“I’m going down to the stream to get some water, want some?”

“Sure, that would be great.”

While Kennen was away I stood up to stretch my body. Was that all just a dream? It felt so real it must have been, it has to be. We wouldn’t have survived that fall if it wasn’t for Shiva. I then remember about the pouch. “Where is it?” I lifted the blanket and there it was the sealed pouch. It wasn’t a dream Shiva is still alive.

Kennen came back from the steam, “Here,” Kennen brought me a bucket of water from the stream.

I started to wash my face.

“Dude… that guy can sleep like a rock.” Kennen nods his head towards Hoango

“Just let him sleep if he is still tired no need to wake him.”

“Well… I want to have fun.” Kennen walks over to him with the bucket of water, “Time to wake up!”

Kennen splashed Hoango with the bucket.

Hoango struggles to get up, “The heck guys.”

Kennen starts to laugh.

“That was pretty cruel.” I started to put out the fire. “Well since we’re all up we might as well go to the Korraloka Tunnels.”

“If we leave now we’ll make it by dawn.” Kennen spoke as he packs his things.

“Can I just get five more minutes…” Hoango said going back to sleep.

“Get up!” Kennen hassled Hoango to get on his feet.

“Fine!” Hoang was awake and the three of us left the camp site and headed south towards Bastok.

“So why are we looking for these warriors?” Kennen popped the question.

“To stop Diabolos.” I replied.

“Stop what?”

“The Esper Diabolos.” I replied again.

“Espers aren’t real, aren’t they just myths?”

“There’s a reason why we have these.” I stopped and pulled out my crystal.

“I stole mine!” Kennen shouted, “So why me?”

“I don’t know… fate?”

“Fate you say?”

“I’m not too sure about any of this ether, I’m just on a mission and it is to find the other warriors, to stop Diabolos. It’s your call, to believe me or not.” I said to him and continued walking. “Besides isn’t traveling with people more joyful then stealing for a living?”

“Depends, all I know how to do is steal and I’m okay with stealing.”

“Then why are you still traveling with us?”

Kennen was silent.

“Hey guys… sorry to interrupt, but isn’t something off?” Hoango said interrupting the conversation.

“What do you mean?” I replied.

“Aren’t we in North Gustaburg? This place should be crawling with Tunnel Worms and Leaping Lizards.” We all stopped to take a look around.

“Now that you mentioned it this is kind of weird.”

Kennen scratching his head, “This place is so deserted.”

Dust clouds were in the distance. Kennen lift his hand over his eyes, “That’s not good…”

“What do you see?” I replied

“Make a run for it!” Kennen turned around and started running.

Hoango and I turned and tailed behind Kennen.

As we ran for our lives I noticed a cave up ahead, “Guys that cave head for it!”

“It’s our best bet!” Kennen sprinted.

“What are we running from!?” Hoango struggles to ask.

“I saw an army of Quadavs, they must be at war with Bastok!” Kennen replied as we were almost to the cave.

Quadavs are turtle like creatures, there not like Adamantoises, there not huge and they stand on their two back feet. They are more human like, they carry weapons with their hands and are smarter than the Adamantoise.

As we reach the entrance of the cave some of the Quadavs were headed our way. With nowhere to run but dipper into this cave we are out of options.

“They must have spotted us when we were running.” Kennen said pulling out a knife.

“Both of you get back.” Hoango commanded as he got into a stance, he started to move his arms into a circular motion, and began breathing deeply. Hoango stomped the ground with his right leg causing a minor crater in the ground.

A massive amount of energy started to channel through Hoango’s body, “Aura Bolt!” Hoango shot a beam of light at the ceiling of the entrance making it impossible for the Quadavs to pursue us any farther, which also means we’re stuck in this cave.

Hoango fell to one knee, “That should hold them off.”

“Holy shit!” Kennen went up to Hoango to help him to his feet, “How you do that!?”

“A lot of discipline.” Hoango replied getting up to his feet.

“Sorry to burst your bubble guys but we’re also in another pinch.” I said as we looked around our surroundings. All we saw was dirt, rocks, sand and very little light.

“I believe we’re in the Korraloka Tunnels.” Kennen said as he pulled out a torch.

“Think we can make it to Bastok?” I said as we started to move farther into the cave.

“We should, the Tunnels are connected to the Mines of Bastok let’s just hope for the best.” Kennen started as Hoango spoke.

“Guys I don’t like dark places.”

“Quit being a bitch ass.” Kennen replied.

“Stop,” I said as I drew my sword, “We’re being followed guys stay on guard.”

“It’s too dark even with my torch.” Kennen drew a knife with his other hand.

“Donattsu can’t you don’t something about this?” Hoango said as the three of us stood back to back.

“I’m going to cast a spell it’s going to light up this room for a short period of time, get ready.” I started to chant, “reveal this darkness! Flash!”

The room lit up for only a mere second and within that second we saw spiders surrounding us getting ready to strike.

“Guys… did you guys see what I saw?” Hoango stuttered.

“A shit ton of overgrown spiders…” Kennen replied.

“So I’m not the only one, I don’t know about you but I’m scared shit less of spiders.”

“Hate Spiders.” Kennen threw his knife taking one down.

This isn’t good overgrown spiders that want to eat your flesh, I think I’ll pass. “What should we do?”

“I’m out of ideas…” Kennen said as they were getting closer.

I then remember about Shiva’s poach; she said only to open it when we are in a pinch. This seems like it’s one of those times. I grabbed it out from my side bag and opened it. A bright light lid up the room, and as it did the spiders were frozen in their place.

“Donattsu how’d you do that?” Kennen questioned.

“I opened a bag,” I responded.

Hoango falls to his knees, “Guys… I don’t feel so good.” Hoango fell to the ground and Kennen was next to fall.

“Guys…” I started to lose my vision, “What’s going on... my sight… my body is becoming numb…”

A stranger walked us to the three of us, before I lost my conscious, “Help… us…” I fell to my doom.

I slowly started to wake. “Where am I…?” I got up only to notice a man sitting across the fire.

“Ah you’re awake.” He said sharpening an axe.

“Who are you?” I said bringing my hand to my head, it still felt dizzy after just waking up.

“I go by Yaj, that was pretty bold of you guys fighting off a swarm of Spiders like that, but you guys didn’t notice you were already in there trap, they shot little needles of poison at you three. Lucky it’s not lethal.”

“Thank you… I’m Donattsu by the way.”

“Good to meet yah it’s nice to meet travelers in this tunnel.”

“So we are in Korroloka?”

“Yes not too far away from Bastok, I can take you guys there I’m running low on supplies.”

“Supplies?”

“I live here in the tunnels alone.”

“Isn’t that kind of lonely living alone?” I asked in concern.

“I’m not lonely living alone I just like being alone.” He said as the other two regained their strength.

“Holy crap my head hurts.” Kennen struggled to his feet.

“How long were we out?” Hoango said.

“About two hours.” Yaj said, “You guys weren’t easy to carry back here, be careful next time.”

“Oh thanks, and who are you?” Hoango said in confusion.

“This is Yaj, the lonely Warrior.” I said introducing them.

“I’m not lonely.” He said in anger.

“I’m Kennen… oh my head.” Kennen replied.

“I’m Hoango.” Hoango got up to his feet.

“Well we should get moving,” Yaj got up and stepped on the fire.

Yaj was a big man with a lot of muscles he wore the red plates of the Warrior he has a big built well fit for the role of the Warrior, someone who looks courageous, and brave.

“You’re right let’s move guys.” I said as Yaj led the way back to Bastok.

As we got up from the camp site we headed north toward Bastok.

“So Yaj are there usually big spider groups that lurk around in the tunnels,” I asked him.

“Actually it happened recently this place used to not be crawling with spiders, but the tunnel is also connected to Altepa which are known for spiders. A few may have lingered their way to the tunnels.” He replied.

“I see…” I said as we went into an awkward silence.

“So Yaj, why not travel with friends?” Hoango asked.

“I don’t know,” Yaj simply replied. “I’ve never thought about it.”

“Guys what’s that awful smell…” Kennen threw his hand over his nose.

“It smells rotten…” I replied.

As we approached closer to the smell we saw an Antlion feeding on a Leaping lizzy. Antlion’s are from the spider family but they are the adult form of spiders. They have only three legs because there front ones become fangs. This is probably something we wanted to avoid.

“So… what do we do?” Kennen said quietly

“Tread carefully… let’s make sure it doesn’t notice us,” Yaj said as we tried walking around the beast.

As we were sneaking our way around the beast, one of Kennen’s knives dropped on the ground.

Kennen slowly looked at the ground, “Fuck…”

The Antlion noticed our presence and roared.

“You keep way to much crap on you thief!” Hoango shouted at Kennen.

“I don’t like the term thief, I prefer the term Treasure hunter!” Kennen said pulling out his other knives.

“Get ready for battle!” I drew my blade and went in head first. “Bring it big guy!”

Hoango dashed to its side and did a shoulder charge knocking it off balance.

With Hoango’s attack I closed in some distance between the beast and myself. I managed to cut off one of its leg, but as I did I made myself open for its incoming attack. One of its fangs was closing in. Kennen moving swiftly grabbed me by the shoulder out of the way of its attack. The both of us scrabbled to our feet.

“Be more careful next time.” Kennen said as he went on the offense.

I smiled, “Thanks.” I followed behind him.

Kennen closed in but vanished, I didn’t stop I was in front of the Antlion fighting it toe to toe. As the Antlion and I danced Kennen appeared on top of it.

“You’re not gonna like this one bit, Evisceration!” Kennen started stabbing the back of the Antlion violently.

The Antlion was in raged and started to spin in circles to get Kennen off.

“Stand still!” Hoango shouted, “Tiger Break!” with the impact of his fist the Antlion stopped spinning.

Kennen jumped off the Antlion to regroup with me, “I don’t think he liked that very much.” He said to me.

“I wouldn’t have like it ether.” I replied.

Yaj approached us, “Is it fun fighting along side by side?”

“Of course, because we have each other’s back. We have nothing to fear.” I said as I went back into the battlefield.

“Join us.” Kennen said following behind me.

Yaj stood there with his axe in his hand lingering on what to do.

As I came closer to the Antlion it spit out a sticky substance at me, I lost my balance and fell to the ground I also couldn’t break free. “Kennen help!”

Kennen dashed in for the rescue but was cut off by one of the antlion’s legs. He was sent off his feet in the opposite direction.

Hoango came from above with a jump kick. “Hang on Donattsu!”

The Antlion knocked Hoango out of the air and flung me at the wall.

I dropped my sword from the impact; the Antlion crawled closer and closer to me. I struggled but couldn’t set myself free. “This is it… I’m done for.”

“Sturmwind!” Yaj swung his axe upward knocking the antlion into the air it also released me from its grasp.

“Cut me free!” I said to yaj,

He came over to cut the sticky thread off of me. I went over to retrieve my sword. “Thanks, I would have been a goner.”

“This is what it means to have friends,” he said.

“Yes being able to depend on each other. That’s what friends are for.” I replied to him.

“It feels nice.”

“Good we aren’t finished here yet, ready to go at it?” I started to chant a spell.

“Oh yeah!” Yaj charged in with his Axe in hand.

“Protect!” I casted a shield spell on Yaj.

“Raging Rush!” Yaj viciously and fearlessly swung his axe in multiply directions inflecting massive wounds on the beast.

Hoango jumped into the air to land the finishing blow on the Antlion. “Final Heaven!” Hoango landed on top of the Antlion crushing its exoskeleton and causing a crater on the ground beneath the Antlion.

The four of us regrouped, “That thing wasn’t so bad.” Kennen said putting away his daggers

“We’ve had worst.” I said sheathing my blade.

“Let’s get out of here; I’m sick of seeing spiders.” Hoango said as we started to head toward the exit to Bastok.

As we reached the exit an earthquake started to tremble the ground beneath our feet. Rocks started to fall from the ceiling.

“Make a run for it guys!” I shouted as we all dashed toward the exit.

Before we made it out a large boulder fell from the ceiling large enough to smash the four of us. Yaj summoned his strength to stop the boulder with his bare hands. The boulder rested on his shoulders.

“Go run guys!” Yaj he said as he started to lose footing.

“We can’t leave you like this!” I said to him.

“You guys showed me the meaning of friends, so depend on me.” Yaj said, as a glow from his plate started to shine.

“That’s a stone!” Hoango said. “We’re leaving this place together!”

Hoango channeled energy to his leg, “You’re one of us!” Hoango jumped into the air.

“Dragon Kick!” Hoango smashed the boulder in pieces with his legs.

Kennen stared in amazement, “Hoango is such a bad ass.”

The four of us safely got out of the tunnel and into Bastok.

“Come with us.” I said to Yaj.

“Where?” he replied.

“Your one of us, you’re a warrior of light.”

“I don’t know what this means.”

“Travel with us and I’ll explain on the way, we’re comrades now right?”

“Yeah, friends are good.” Yaj said as we went inside the city of Bastok.


TO be continued