Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Javarr: The Azure Scourge of Bastok ❯ Chapter 8 Deep under J-6 ( Chapter 8 )

Let it be known that this story is based upon the MMORPG known as Final Fantasy XI, which is a copyright and Trademark of Square-enix incorporated. The author clams no ownership of names of places, characters, abilities, jobs, organizations, religions, or any other material that is protected under international copyright laws.

 

/em sighs and lights a Roll of Bastokan Tobacco +1

 

Now with that out of the way, lawyers happy, and the risk of getting sued by a multi-million dollar company avoided, on with the story.

 

 

Chapter 8: Deep under J-6

 

It was several days before we finally were back in Bastok. Soon after, I found myself in Volker's office in the Metalworks, conveying what had transpired. Volker was silent for a long time before he finally spoke.

 

“This is very troubling… If Triton is truly that fanatical about stopping the unification, he could become very dangerous. What are your thoughts, Javarr?”

 

I just shook my head very slowly. “Honestly, sir, I believe he would risk civil war within the Kingdom if he saw it would help. I wouldn't even put it past him to try to do to his father like he did to mine.”

 

Volker sighed. “I figured that would be your read of the situation. You think the same way your father did. What will you do now?”

 

I drew in a long breath and then spoke again. “I believe I need to hone my skills more. If war were to break out once again between the Republic and San d'Oria, I am not sure how much help I would be.” As I finished my thought, I noticed something. Something else was on Volker's mind asides the situation at hand. “Is something else bothering you, sir?”

 

He leaned back into his chair and sighed. “Well… “He began, looking around to make sure we were alone before he continued. “I was in a meeting with the president yesterday and something… disturbing has come to our knowledge… The Shadow Lord's influence is growing even greater… The seal at Fe'Yen as begun to fail… The Crystal Line has begun to emit ominous energies… Everything seems to finally be coming to a conclusion… unfortunately, it is coming to pass much sooner then we had hoped. Many citizens have begun to take up arms and move out on their own. A new type of armed force has begun to take root. The president has started calling these people `Adventurers'.

 

“And it is not just here in Bastok where this is happening, San d'Oria and Windurst as well. This is the largest non-military movement in history.” He paused for a moment, as if an idea had just come to him. “Javarr!”

 

“Sir!” I snapped to attention.

 

“I have your new orders. I want you to join the ranks of the adventurers, to assist them in any way that you might be able to. This will also allow you to hone your skills and to prepare for the possible coming war. Also, you are to investigate any possible Beastmen activity that you can and to report back to us with your findings.” He opened a drawer and withdrew a small linkpearl and tossed it to me. “That will put you in direct contact with me. Also if you wish, you can take Dalshandra along with you. Everything you have here in Bastok will be taken care of. Any questions?”

 

I just kind of blinked at the sudden shift of situations and shook my head.

 

“I personally have no questions. Dal on the other hand may.”

 

Volker nodded. “Tell her if she does, she may come to my office and ask. If there is nothing else, you may report to the armory and draw whatever weapons, armor, or supplies you may need. Also, give this to Dalshandra.” He passed a piece of parchment to me. Looking at it, it was an equipment release form. “This will allow her to draw equipment as well.”

 

I nodded, saluted, and turned and left the office and went back to my home.

 

* * * * *

 

Heading south from the Metalworks, crossing through the central square of the markets district, and going over a bridge over Bastok's southern waterway, I found myself in the Mines district. This area of the city is… well… you could almost call it the slums of Bastok. Here is where a majority of the Galka live, mainly those that work in Zerum Mines. In this case, Zerum was my destination.

 

After walking up the dirt ramp and into the mouth of the mine, I made my way through the low torch light to a side tunnel. Within this side tunnel is where the break area for the miners and also the main offices were located. Walking up to one of the foremen I knew from my many visits, I greeted him.

 

“Afternoon, Jerald. How's the rock talking today?”

 

Jerald turned to look at me and grinned through the layer of mine dust that covered his face and dark green miner's tunic. “Javarr! What brings you down here today… As if I didn't already know.” The older man gave me a conspiratorial wink.

 

I returned his grin in good fashion. “Just wondering where Dal was hiding out at today. I figured it would be her break time and I needed to speak with her.”

 

He nodded. “I believe that she is down in J-6. You know that is where she goes when she wants to be alone.”

 

At that point, I couldn't help but sigh. “Something happen today?”

 

“Yeah, one of the greenhorns was giving her shit today. I'm just glad that we have a good white mage down here. She worked him over pretty well.” He then cut loose with a howl of laughter. Once he retained his composure, he took a hard hat from a nearby table and tossed it to me. “Go on down and see if you can calm her down a bit.”

 

“Will do, Thanks, Jerald.” With that, I donned the headgear and went towards the area known as J-6

 

* * * * *

 

Coming down the tunnel, I could hear the sounds of shouting and stone shattering, the fragments bouncing off of the walls. Coming around the corner, I saw Dalshandra there, her cestis around her fits and her shin armor around her lower legs. Judging by the amount of debris around the large stone she was hammering on with her fits and legs, it had been much larger then it currently was. After she launched one more series of blows against the stone, this time, shattering it down the middle, and then just sat down where she was, breathing heavily, I entered the cavern.

 

“Getting your daily workout, lover?” I smirked a bit. She looked at me with the fires of anger in her eyes. Then she noticed that it was me and I could see her temper cool very rapidly.

 

“You could say that.” She smiled a little bit, motioning for me to come over and join her. Walking across the clearing and before I sat down, I withdrew the small canteen I had with me from my belt and offered it to her. Taking the metal object and unscrewing the cap, she tipped it to her lips and drank deeply. Then after that, she preceded to dump some of the cool water over her head. I couldn't help but watch as the water beaded and ran down her hair and down her face, taking the mine dust with it, revealing the beautiful woman that it tried to conceal. She let out a long sigh and looked to me.

 

“So did you just come down here to try and play or is something going on?” She said with a small smirk and a low tone to her voice.

 

I too sighed and took the canteen and drank from it. “My new orders have been posted. They want me to join the adventure's movement.” Dal was quiet for some time before she spoke.

 

“I take it… you will be gone for awhile again… Like when you were in Windurst.” She bowed her head, eyes closed.

 

Noticing her discomfort, I moved closer to her and placed an arm around her shoulders. “That is what I came to talk with you about. I… I want you to come with me. There is a lot of change happening in Vana'diel right now and we need as many people that are willing to stand up against the Beastmen. If this goes on, everything we know could be lost. Dal, I need you for this. Will you journey with me as my companion, my comrade-at-arms, and as my love?”

 

She looked at me with those dark eyes of hers, almost speechless. “I… I don't know what to say.” Then a moment later. “I'll go. If it means being at your side, I would follow you to the Shadow Lord himself.”

 

I just kind of chuckled about that. “Careful, it might actually come to that.” She too smiled and laughed. She leaned in closer and wrapped her arms around me. “Believe me, I would… I'm not doing this for Vana'diel, I am doing this for you…”

 

“Then we should let Jerald know about this. We have a lot to prepare for.”

 

With that, we both stood up and left that area that we both knew would symbolize the changing of our lives. That small abandoned tunnel known as J-6.