ONLY THE BEGINNING (OPEN TO ALL-NORTHEAST ISLANDS)

[Exdeath]

It appeared like a slash in the infinite darkness of the Void. A burst of light so familiar to the realm-master that it roused an emotion long lost since his reign over the second world. The Rift lay before him as an uneven and jarred line seemingly in the air of the Void. Exdeath could see into the rip as the light adjusted with the mako-ripple. Beyond in plain sight; the sheer side of an island blocked his view of the distant lands beyond.

Armored knuckles tense and clank in expectation as he stepped forth; reaching toward the rip as his right hand extended outward. With a powerful boom that resounded through the clear sky; the rip closed. Waves crashed into the cliff-face before the Void master creating a dazzling spray in the rays of light that drenched his surroundings. The tall ominous frame of the former ruler hovered gently above the torrential waters below. Strong arms fold across his chest as he rose with an unseen power.

The upward push seemed to originate from the large white light beneath his very feet; an obvious shape of an Arcane Pentagram. As his view broke the crest of the cliff side it became perfectly clear where he was. But it had all changed. The set of four islands that stand between him and what looked like the Continent he once ruled seemed worn with time and held different plant-life. Pondering for a moment of this odd change, Exdeath slowly lowered to the grass-ridden hillside.

When the Moore armor boots made contact with the grass a slight recoil wave whisked over the grass around him in a perfect circle as the Pentagram dispensed. A slight breeze constantly buffeted his form during this initial entrance to the realm. The crimson interior of the cape fluttered into view with the natural assistance.

After a moment's pause; Exdeath allowed a restrained laughter to escape the dark interior of the Moore Helm. The eery tone of his voice seemed to boom and carried a tremendous bass tone and authoritative edge as he seemingly pondered aloud.

"After all these years...I have returned. But why am I back? This was not my doing. Unless he commanded this..." It was not often that Exdeath questioned such happenings. Usually they were as a result of his own steady hand. Something was amiss; everything seemed different. Even the islands before him that he considered large and far to the North east had radical transformations. It would seem even inhabitants have settled the southern-most tip.

The next move was important. Somehow he had to get his bearings on the situation in this new calamity. However, the Exodus couldn't just stroll into any civilized town and simply ask questions. Would anyone recognize him? If so....how would they react to the return of such a threat? Surely though the Warriors of Light were long gone after such a long time.

[Al-Cid, Rakesh, Paloma, Mateo]

He had a plan. A Big Plan. A Big Brilliant Plan.

It was the kind of Big Brilliant Plan that had to be somewhere in the guidelines for how one becomes a Sky Pirate. Like a rite of initiation into the life, all the great ones had done, right?

Hadn’t his Mum done it, as well?

The Big Brilliant Plan was such an obvious solution to his problem, that he didn’t know why he hadn’t thought of it earlier. He was born a Sky Pirate, for crying out loud! Something like this should have come like second nature--it was in his blood! But he’d been so distracted with keeping those kids alive, and not doing anything stupid to get themselves all killed, that even the very thought of this kind of Big Brilliant Plan never crossed his mind. And still, the thought never occurred to him as he left those kids behind in some village, whilst chasing after sightings of his Mum’s Espiridion, until his sea-bound wanderings as a stowaway brought him within sight of the towering spires of Archades--and its Aerodrome.

What was this Big Brilliant Plan, exactly? It was the answer to how he was going to find his way home, to his Mum and Griogair, at last.

He was going to steal an airship!

Surely, that would get their attention, and they would come to find him. Or, he’d be able to use the airship to catch up to them. Either way was fine with him, so long as the Big Brilliant Plan worked.

And so, like the proper Sky Pirate he was, Mateo Artiar Milagros set off to put the Big Brilliant Plan into action.

As for the details of how to go about executing the Big Brilliant Plan...

Well...

That’s why words like improvise were invented--he’ll figure it out as he goes. After all, a proper Sky Pirate must always be ready for any and all eventualities.

Thinking on your feet, as such the saying goes.

* * *

Soon enough, Mateo had made his way into the Aerodrome, and found a nice little nook to hide behind. There he remained, casing the joint as he made plans for his great heist.

First order of business, he needed to scope out the present airships, and find the best one to target. The big ones usually meant a large crew, which in turn meant that there would be too many people around to get in his way, so he stayed away from those. It was the small ones that needed to keep an eye out for, for it was the small ones that tended to be privately owned by civilians, and rarely manned with a crew.

And...

Just his luck would have it, there was one such very small airship in port.

Looking both ways to make sure none had yet spotted him, he darted out from behind the cargo crates waiting to be loaded into one of the larger airships, and made his way toward the smallest of the airships. From a closer glance, it did look smaller than the run-of-the-mill frigates he’d seen before. Something about the design was a little weird, too, making him wonder if it was something new. Either way, none of that mattered right now. The important thing was that he needed to find a way to get inside the vessel.

He swiftly made his way to the entry hatch, but was disappointed to find it securely locked. There was no way that he was going to be getting in, there. Taking a step back, he chewed on the side of his cheek as he look up, pondering the puzzle in front of him.

Could try picking the lock...

The thought was quickly dismissed as soon as it came. Entry hatches, once locked, were tricky to get into. And bypassing the locking mechanism like that was something way past his current know-how. No, he’d have to find another way.

Service hatch, perchance?

The service hatch...

Ah hah! Now that was an idea. Services hatches were often tiny little things more commonly used by moogle mechanics than humes. But, perhaps, being a kid, he might be able to wiggle his way through one and get inside.

A brilliant idea, if he thought so, himself.

Grinning a million watt grin, Mateo backed up a few paces more, looking around to see if there was a way he could get atop the airship. There was a chance he could scale the textured surface of the walls, and then use one of the support beams framing the docking station to fling himself into the airship’s roof. Route in mind, Mateo took off.

Some huffing, puffing, and a few acrobatic feats that would have probably given his granny a heart attack later, he was atop the small airships hull, none the worse for ware.

Mission success!

Now, he just needed to get to an access hatch, jimmy it open, and get this airship stolen!

“Hey, you! What do you think you’re doing up there?!”

“GUAH!” Mateo cried out in surprise. So started at the sudden should, he lost his footing and soon found himself slipping off the side of the airship. He palmed as the hull’s smooth surface, trying to gain purchase, but was able to fine done. All too soon, the airship was gone, out of his reach, and he was in total free fall.

The wind rushed past his ears and the ground below started rushing closer and closer and closer.

Dammit, what a stupid way to die, a stray thought murmured in the back of his mind.

Wait...

That float spell!

Didn’t his Mum get him float magicks for his last birthday? Maybe if he could cast it fast enough, it could do something, anything!, to stop him from ending up as a bloody splat upon the cobblestone.

Inhaling deep and holding his breath, Mateo shut eye eyes tight do that he could not see his impending death, and focus instead on stirring forth the magicks he needed. The wind in his ears took on a slight humming sound. It could feel it, now, the tingling sensation as the Float spell worked its magicks, slowing his descent.

It was working? He was actually going to make it!

He laughs and spread his arms wide in excitement, as though he was going to fly away. He opened his eyes, and in this moment of elation, lost his concentration on the spell. Then, just as fast as the spell has been cast, it faded. For a moment, he felt almost weightless, before a topsy-turvy feeling lodged his heart all the way up into his throat, and his head started to feel light.

Then, the ground suddenly started rushing hearing, and he he hit it a fleshy THUD!

An for a moment, everything went black.

He didn’t know how long he’d been out, but when he came to, he felt as though the wind had been knocked out of him. He gasped for air, trying to get it back, but got little rocks and dirt instead.

Coughing, he rolled onto his back, and there he laid, unable to move any more than that, just yet.

Vaguely, he heard something that sounded like chirping, and when he open his eyes, he could swear that he sway little chocobos dancing about in the sky. Then, his vision started to clear and the sounds became more solid. He realised that the chirping had been the clanging of metal, and the little chocobos were actually flickers of light reflecting off the helmet of what looked to be an armoured Imperial soldier leaning overhead.

“I dare say... that was quite the impressive fall you took, there, young man.” A well spoken, but metallically distorted, male voice emerged through the helm, “Are you alright? Nothing’s broken, I should hope.”

“I... think... so?” Mateo wheezed in response, and once he gathered enough air to find more of his voice, he added, “I’m fine. Nothin’ broken.”

“Good.” There was a pause, then, “Will you tell me your name?”

“Mat--” Mateo started to reply as he pulled himself into a sitting position, but then froze as he caught his near slip-of-the-tongue. Realising that he probably should not be giving out his real name, at least, not to an Imperial, he quickly corrected, “Matthew... Matthew Gray, Sir.” Matthew being a variant of his name, and Gray, the maiden name of his grandmother. Not exactly the most creative response to come up with on the spot, but at least he’d remember those names if he needed to.

“Matthew Gray, you say...” The strange, slow drawl carried with that response gave Mateo the distinct impression that the Imperial was not entirely convinced of the fake name, especially when the man soon added, “Should I assume you are not the one behind all this ruckus I hear regarding a boy--one fitting your description, mind--trying to break into an airship?”

Shite, he’s on to me...

“Yeah... Right... Well... About that..” Mateo stalled, trying to think up good reason as to why he had been trying to break into the ship... any reason that might satisfy the Imperial enough to let him go.

An idea struck, and Meteo seized upon it.

Putting as much of tears into his eyes as he could manage, and hopefully making himself seem younger than he actually was, Mateo quickly sputtered out in a trembling voice. “I’m so s-sorry! T-that airship, it’s my father’s. You see... I was s-supposed to stay in there while he was meeting with some clients. But, I got bored being there all alone with nothing to do, so I snuck out to play and accidentally locked myself outside. I was trying to get back in before he returns. I don’t want to get in trouble with him, so please don’t tell on me!”

Mateo look up at the men with as much an innocent face as he could muster, but one of the Imperial didn’t seem to be buying it.

“What exactly does your father do?” the armoured asked.

“He’s a merchant,” Mateo quickly answered with a half truth. It was actually his grandfather who was a merchant, just not one who did business in Archades. Yet, his Mum always told him that sometimes the best lies were, in fact, the truth. Sprinkle a bit here and there and let the others sort out the rest. After all, one’s imagination was often better at filling in the gaps than mere words ever could.

“And your father... He just left you in there? Alone? With no adult supervision?”

“Yeah...?” Mateo blinked at the Imperial’s line of questioning, Is that what he’s bothered about? A kid being left alone without a guardian? Maybe I can use this... And so Meteo heaved a sniff through his nose and hung his head. He lower lip trembled as he grossed, “H-he does it all the time, Sir.”

Mateo peeked up through the corner of his good eye, trying to see if the Imperial was taking the bait. When heard what might have been either a sign or a scuffing noise through the helmet, fear ran through him that maybe he wasn’t going to get away with this after all.

But then, he heard the imperial mutter something he couldn’t quite make out, before the man proceeded move. Through the sound of clanking armour, the man kneeled before the boy--standing on one knee so that his taller frame was closer to the boy’s seated level. He then removed his helmet and tucked it under his left arm, revealing a head of short brown-ish hair and smile that... while not exactly friendly, per-se...seemed to be putting forth an effort appear at affable. “How about you come along with me, lad.” The man spoke with a tone that harboured little room for argument as he extended his right hand and beckoned with gloved fingers, “We shall get this whole dreadful misunderstanding settled.”

Mateo blinked again, this time at the proffered hand. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of it, or of the change in the Imperial’s attitude. He thought for sure he was done for, but now? Had his bluff worked? Something about it seemed too easy. “I’m... I’m not in trouble, am I?” Mateo asked, hesitantly, trying to gage what was going through the Imperial's head.

“No... I wouldn’t say that.” The Imperial answered, the almost-smile turning a little thin. “Actually, I should like to have a word with this father of yours. One worth his salt should not be leaving a young child, as such, unattended.”

Mateo’s eyes widened, Not gewd not gewd. Panicking, he quicking tried to protest the Imperial’s decision, “Ohno, govna! Issawrite! He don’t do i’ tha’ aff’ten! ‘e’ll be back soon enuff, an’ I should be ge’in back, an’ways.”

“Really.” The Imperial said firmly, whilst watching Mateo through such a narrow-eyed look at it could only be described as... Well, the boy didn’t know what it could be described as, but the word intense came time mind as the man added in a clear and deliberate tone, “I insist.”

“I donno...” Mateo trailed in a very small voice, “I don’ wanna botha ya non..” Then, remembering to at least attempt to keep to his cover story, he quickly added, “And ay really don’t want ter get in trouble with father...”

“Oh?” The Imperial shook his head, and the almost-smile returned as he retracted his hand and set it against his upraised knee. “It really is no bother, at all. As for your father, I will personally make sure everything works out. So no more stalling, and no more worrying, alright?”

“Er...”

He was doomed. Absolutely, completely doomed. The Big Brilliant Plan was blowing up in his face, and there was no way of salvaging it in sight. Best to cut his losses and find away out of this sticky situation. But how? The man was watching him like a hawk. No way he’d be able to just up and run off unless he could find a way one up the Imperial.

What to do... what to do...

“Well?” The man prompted.

“So long as you promise I’m not in trouble?” Mateo asked, all the while watching the man carefully.

As the Imperial heaved a slightly impatient sigh, and nodded, “I promise.”

Nodded, in return, meteo moved to stand. Seeing that he finally had the boy’s cooperation, the Imperial followed suit.

However, it was as that moment that Mateo swiftly moved into action. Except, rather than moving away from the Imperial, he moved toward and proceeded to throw his arms halfway around armoured man in a loose hug, and shouted, “Thank you for lookin’ out for me, Sir! Father can be so scary sometimes!”

“Urk!” The Imperial grunted in surprise, frozen in place as the boy’s sudden outburst. Then, pulling his wits back about him, he awkwardly put his hand on the boy’s shoulder and nudged him back, “Easy, there. It’s... nothing...?”

Mateo stepped back and plastered a stupidly big grin on his face as he folded his clasps his hands behind his back and nodded, “Alright, Sir. Thank you so much. You’ve really helped me out."

“What...” The Imperial trailed off as the sudden heavy scent of magicks filled the air. A sluggishness washed over him, along with the realization that he had been cast under a slow spell. Just as the effect started to fade, he could that the boy was already several yards ahead, making a break towards the the shopping district.
The man took a step forward to give chase, but then noticed that something was off. Hand going to his belt waist, he found that the coin purse that he had kept hidden under the plate of the armour was now missing.

“That cheeky little...”

* * *

Mateo drived into the nearest shop he could find, and pressed the door shot with his back as he leaned against it for a breather. In the distance, he could hear the clanging of what was surely a pursuer. He has to find a way to lose the man, and fast.

“Hello? Can I help you?”

Mateo’ head whipped around to see that must have been the shopkeeper’s owner--a woman that looked to be a little older than his own Mum... if quite a bit heavier set.

Perfect...

“Yes, Mum.” The boy nodded, and stepped forward, quickly pulling out his best, most pleading smile. It was the same kind of smile he often used on his own Mum when he wanted to stay up late or get dessert without having to first finish his supper. He lifted the pouch he had pilfered from the Imperial, and gave it small toss on the air, before watching it in his palm, weighting it by the weight. “See this purse, here? It’s got about ten-thousand Gil in it. It’s all yours, Mum. Free to keep, provided you give me a place to hide, and don’t tell the Imperial guard that’s about to come barging into here in about, so say, thirty seconds, that I was ever here.”

The woman blinked, taking in the boy’s request. He eyes drifted to the bag, and back to the child, shook her head and stepped aside and pointed toward a door behind her. “There’s a back room ya can ‘ide in.”

Mateo nodded and hurried past the women, “Thank ya Mum. Yer a right one.” He said, before sleeping through the door and shutting it behind him.

* * *

The woman blinked and stood there for a moment, not sure what to do. Then, sure enough, as the boy had said, an Imperial soldier came looking for the child. She did as the boy in structed, saying, “Nah, None came through ‘ere.” She even went as far to add that she’ll let him know if she saw anything if he stops by the later. The man asked if he could check the back room, just to be sure the kid didn’t sneak in. With no other way to stall the Imperial, the woman let him do as he wanted. To her surprise, he came back out, thanking her for her help. He then left right back through the front door from which he came.

Once the man was gone, the woman darted toward the back room. She stepped in to find to sight of the boy... anywhere. She blinked in confusion once again. “Where did ‘e go?”

She gasps when the pouch she’d seen in the boy’s hand, earlier, suddenly dropped down from above, to land at her feet with a jingling of coins. Looking up, she gasped as she saw the boy rather precariously perched up in the rafters.

The boy grinned mischievously down at her, “The thing about adults, Mum, is that they don’t see the world like us kids do. None of ‘em ever really bother looking up.” Then, without much more ado, the boy jumped out of the rafters with a flip that nearly made her heart jump into her chest, before landing on a couch in the floor. He then stood, dusting himself up as he added, “Anyway, as promised, the Gil’s all yours. Now if it’s all the same to you, I have places to be and things to do.”

He was already starting to stroll past her and into the shop’s main room before she found her voice, “Wait.”

The boy paused, looking at her from over his shoulder.

She wanted to ask what was going on, but she had a feeling that it might be something she would regret learning, later. The kid had a look to him... Different than the kids she usually saw around Arcades. It reminded her of some of the more shady blokes that often lingered around taverns and old Arcades. “Whatever it is you're doing... Whatever has that man after you... be careful.”

The boy smiled, and gave her a nod.

And just like that, he was out the door.

* * *

Late evening found young Mateo perched on a shaded section of rooftop in Old Archades, tucked away and out of sight from patrolling eyes. in his left hand, he held a loaf of stolen bread which he was munching on quite contentedly, in his right, he held a rock.

So the attempt as stealing that airship had been a big, whopping, bust.

In the end, it was no big deal, for the things he found in that Imperial's purse were much more interesting. Not just the Gil. Although it has not been as much as he earlier guesstimated, it was still was a bit of a shame to give it all away. But, gil itself was easily enough to get back if one was sticky-fingered enough--and he most certainly was.

No, the really interesting thing had been the rock that had been tucked away under the coins. Oh, he knew the little rock for what it really, was. One didn’t grow up the son of a smuggler without learning a few things, no matter how much his Mum tried to keep that aspect of her life hidden from him.

“Manufactured Nethicite... “ Mateo murmured aloud, as he gave the magicite a little toss in his hand, before catching it in his palm. “Now, now, now... How is it that a grunt like that ended up running around with something like this in his pocket?”

Not that it really mattered how that clanging bucket of Imperial rust got his hands on the stone. What did matter was that it was in Meteo’s hands, now. And with something like this, he could totally fence it for a nice amount of gil, or use to to book passage on a Sky-Pirate airship to the Bolfonheim Port, since many a Sky Pirate would kill for a skystone that could keep airships aloft through the Jagd.

Then, once he was at the Balfonheim Port, he could find a way to send word to his Mum, to tell her to find him there.

Mateo grinned as a New Big Brilliant Plan started to take form in his mind.

Finally, it was starting to look like Lady Luck had decided to give him a break.

Soon, he’d be back with his Mum and Griogair.

He sure missed the two.

Greatly.

* * *

So it came to pass that when Mateo grew tired, he decided to hunker down for a night’s sleep on the very rooftops in which he sought refuge from the Imperial city’s patrolling guards. He didn’t want to risk the man he talked to earlier, finding him and taken back what was taken. He figured that he’d set out on the ‘marrow, and sort out what to do with the stolen magicite, then.

In the meantime, it was a little chilly, up there, on the rooftop. So, seeking something to use for warmth, he had popped down for a moment to steal a sheet from the closest clothesline he could fined. Then, right back up the rooftops he went. Tuckered out from the day’s adventure, he was sleeping like a babe within moments.

Unfortunately, that sleep was not meant to last, for soon enough, he was awakened by a very loud BOOM!

[Exdeath]

As day faded to night, Exdeath made his way south along the chain of dispersed islands. Senses went mad with the sheer amount of new souls in this realm. A population outbreak seemed to now plague this ever-changing world. That would not last for long. His first objective was to make his presence very clear to the populace; as to manipulate their fear into paving his path back to dictatorship. Politics were exciting to say the least.

The settlement to the south would at least provide him with answers to the new calamity and possibly a bearing. It struck him as an odd quirk as the massive pillars of the mysterious settlement came into view. How could something of this scale have been built in such a short absence? The tall armored Void-master continued slowly and calmly; every heavy step clanked with a sharp and intimidating thud upon the grassy island earth. It was not long before he crossed the long cobblestone road that made an obvious advance toward the spires. The ominous lord remained silent and monotonous with his movements as he turned down the beaten path.

Just ahead his gaze lifted to meet the wide view of the outlying villages. Farmers went to and fro upon their cultivated lands and children played with each other out in the town center. Memories raced through his mind as he recalled his entrance after manifestation. The puny civilians ran for cover and screamed in futility at the very sight of him. This would be like a new start on his life....all over again. It was obvious when the first laid eyes upon the monstrous form. A single ragged farmer standing with a hoe in hand seemed awe-struck at what he beheld. Exdeath did not hesitate as he continued down the road. One after another the various farmers froze in a mix of curiosity and fear.

The laughter that coursed the air splintered as he passed the first few homes on the Northern outskirts. Children gasped in amazement and excitement as they raced to clear out of his path. There was a sudden resistance in his movement as slight as anything. A final thud sounded as he halted his movement and turned to stare down upon a surprise. A young girl had come forward and grasped his cape as she kneaded the fabric in such exuberance. She couldn't have been more than seven by the look of her small frame. Green eyes stare up into the dark slit of his helm and immediately took a guise of fear after realizing what she had done. The Exodus simply remained still and said nothing as he waited. The sudden patter of cloth shoes caught his attention as a desperate woman rushed forward screaming her name, "Selin!.....Selin!...Get away from it!" The mother clutched her child by the collar on her rugged leather dress as she pulled hard to separate her from the mysterious being. A cry sounded as the fear that built within her finally burst in the comfort of her retreating mother's arms.

A middle-aged man herded her away into the nearest house before turning back to Exdeath with an exasperated glance. "Uhm....welcome....this....this place is Archades...we few people chose to live on the outskirts to avoid....the crime and trouble of the Airship crews. Are you of royalty?" Exdeath remained silent for a moment as he pondered what he should say to the gathering crowd. The voice erupted into the bustled air as all fell silent at the snap of his tongue. "I am of Royalty; brought about by my own doing unlike the silver-spooned children of Eden that infect this world. Tell me 'boy'...what year is this? What is happening across this land? It is not as I remember last my departure for....another 'realm'"

The man recoiled slightly; not understanding what he meant or the reason for his snide remarks. "I...I don't understand. Who are you?" His voice wavered as he slowly stepped back from the stranger with a new-found fear. Exdeath turned to face him completely as his right hand rose slowly; gasps permeated the air as the villagers all looked on with helpless fears building. Suddenly within the palm of the Void master a small dark orb formed. Strands of magical energy connected the tips of his armored fingers with a dazzling web of blue light creating a superficial aura that encased the emptiness of the gravitational core.

"I....am Exdeath." The extended hand flexed as the fingers stretched outright, pulling the magical 'strings' to their limit. The farmer suddenly felt his body pull away from the earth; gravity had left his timid form as he spun slowly in the zero-gravity. The sudden motion caused him to feel immediate nausea; food from his last meal expelled into the air around him but did not fall. It simply floated like a white blob right before his face. Small rocks and bits of dirt rose with him as well; stirred by his lift off. Screams of terror began to rise throughout the village and tore the dusk air. It was a serenade of perfection to the dark lord. As the farmer's form faced up into the sky, he finally noticed the source of this gravity manipulation.

A black mass seemed to be hovering just above him; perfectly round by first impressions. It was a small black hole. The Void lay in wait for his flesh-ling form ready to reek havoc on the unenlightened one. The hole suddenly dropped to his form, growing to encase the entirety of the frail man. A chilling scream suddenly escaped him as he arched his back in pain. Exdeath manipulated his fingers as small directional pushes of gravity buffeted him from multiple directions. The sickening crack of his ribs was heard loud and clear as he hunched over in a futile attempt to stop the invisible force. Blood slowly seeped from his nose and mouth as the internal bleeding worsened with a sudden twist of his torso.

The gathering crowd now dispersed in terror whilst the man's wife looked on in silent horror. His form lurched back as his spine shattered from another buffet of gravity almost folding him in half completely. The gaze of a dying man finally met that of his wife who remained speechless by the senseless assault. Her heart ripped apart at the sight of her husband's demise and knew that this was it long before this moment. She would never see him again.

Exdeath slowly closed his hand as the hole began to close, tearing the man deep within the Void. Another boom resounded through the surrounding terrain as it finally closed. Silence....pure and relieving. The Void master allowed a stifled laugh to ensue as his gaze moved to the sky. "The end....is near." The Exodus lowered the responsible arm back to his side as the helpless sobs of the wife finally emerged.

Despair. The complete loss or absence of hope. She would know this feeling until her eventual death as an old and frail woman no doubt. It would not take long for this event to spread across the land and capture the attention of other settlements. Soon they would send their peons; he would be ready.

All begins and ends....with the Void.

[Al-Cid, Rakesh, Paloma, Mateo]

BOOM!

Mateo jolted from his sleep at the sudden noise, and in his startled movements to try to unwrap himself from his stolen sheets, ended up entangling himself further. More struggling ensued, and the young Sky Pirate soon found himself tumbling off the rooftop and onto the puddle-ridden, cobblestone ground of the alleyway, below.

THUD!

“Owwww...”

That smarted. Now, his already bruised frontside was going to be accompanied by a very bruised backside.

Groaning, Mateo wormed his way out from inside the sheet, and kicked it aside. He then stood, and have his now slightly damp clothing a cursory brush off.

It was at about that time he noticed the clamouring of armour and numerous footfalls. It was the sound of Imperial soldiers--a lot of them. He rushed down to the edge of the alley, and peered around the corner to get a glimpse at them. For a moment, he thought that he had been discovered and that they were after him, but then he noticed that they were actually headed toward the outskirts of Old Archades. He also noticed that some of the people who lived this town were standing in doorways, and peering outside through windows.

He remembered, then, what it was that has awakened him in the first place--the sound of a loud boom. Not one quite like an explosion, though, it had been more like a single, loud clap of thunder... But deeper, somehow. Now that he thought about it, there had been some queer sense of familiarity about the sound, like he’d heard it before. Yet, he could not quite put his thumb upon where or when.

Curiosity sparked, young Mateo decided that he likewise wanted to see what all this fuss was about.

However, he didn’t really want to put himself down the same path of those Imperial soldiers; lest he risk one of them spotting him for the Sky Pirate he is, and getting it into their mind that they’d rather arrest him than investigate the noise. And so, back up the building side shimmied, using windows and mortar gaps alike as hand and footholds. Once upon the roof, he sidestepped to the edge, and peered outward along the rooftops of Old Archades to find what would best serve as his path toward the edge of town.

[Exdeath]

Denri felt his heart beating faster than ever before. The warning bugles sounded in the distant edges of Old Archades and repeated in a droning manner that would drive most insane. He was 19; a young Imperial soldier who only wanted to serve the new empire and make something of himself. All he heard of this disturbance was that there was a monster loose in the outskirts just beyond the walls. Their platoon was activated immediately and forced him and his comrades from the security barracks in response. What manner of beast would call for such numbers? Three other platoons were summoned from the western approach and flanked their destination at this very moment.

Within minutes he could smell the familiar scent of fire; dank in the dusk air. An eery orange glow seemed to reverberate just over the next rise in the street and created a lull before the storm to come. As the platoon came over the ridge they were greeted immediately by retreating civilians; all screaming in fear. Beyond them roared an impressive flame that ripped from house to house in an almost magical drive. Imperials gazed about in confusion as the platoon bunched up before the fire. Swords and pikes alike brandished about as they prepared for what may lay beyond the wall of heat. Suddenly it was quiet; singling the crackle of the flames before them as if all other ambient sound were bereft of this world.

Denri started to draw his blade after the others. Metal rang through the streets as the vibrations rung with a simultaneous hum that seemed to ring within their very ears. The Imperial couldn't help but feel the beginnings of fear rising in his gut. Hands began to shake at the serene and creepy scene about them. Where had all the civilians gone?

The silence had finally broken as a distant rumbling laughter slowly snapped the air. Imperials all around spun about in desperate surprise to face the source of the taunt. Nothing there. A scream tore their ears as an Imperial watching the rear of the platoon was suddenly thrown violently through the door of a nearby home; driven by an invisible force. The thick wooden door splintered easily from the impact and held no assistance in saving the poor Imperial. Two others rushed to the doorway to help him but were surprised when they looked in the arch to find he had gone straight through the rear wall of the kitchen just beyond.

Rampant outrage mixed with terror as they spread out, hugging the walls to avoid this invisible terror. The Lieutenant in charge of this platoon yelled out, 'Show yourselves! We are the Imperial guard! We will not falter to these tricks so save us the antics.....and do your worst!" The leader stepped backward toward the flames, eying the sky in hesitation. Exdeath's form slowly appeared behind him, seemingly materializing from nothing in the center of the blood-soaked cobblestone. His deep voice answered calmly, "As you wish..." The Lieutenant turned with an instinctive swing of his blade toward the massive Void master but was stopped suddenly as his eyes widened with a mighty groan. A single cough escaped him as he hunched over, looking down to his side.

The Moore-branch sword that had remained with Exdeath for his entire existence had punctured the man's torso mid-swipe. The long blade penetrated his left rib cage with ease, forcing itself downward as it exited just above his hip. The end was near and he knew it. The Imperial blade fell with a clatter to the hard path beneath. His loyal soldiers looked on in horror as his form fell limp upon the cold weapon.

Only a moment later their rage took over as a united war cry sounded through the streets and they charged without thinking....fools.

[Al-Cid, Rakesh, Paloma, Mateo]

Reaching the edge of town, Mateo skidded to a halt against the tiled roof, flailing his arms a moment to keep balance, as he caught sight of the battle that lay ahead. It was total slaughter--broken armor and rendered flesh littered the cobblestones. There was blood everywhere. He could smell copper in the air and hear the anguished cries of the fallen.

And, amidst the centre of it all, towered a hulking figure in black and gold-lined armour--like some sort of sinister Judge and Executioner.

Mato froze as a chill of fear washed over him. Never in his young life had he seen such graphic carnage--not even when he and the other lost children had to hunt for their own food whilst they wandered the wilderness.

He wanted to flee. He wanted to run away and find somewhere to hide, lest he too fell victim. Yet, he could not budge. His feet would not move. His eyes would not turn away. He was both terrified and transfixed.

Immobilized... Like a little lamb before the slaughter.

[Kalmer X]

Never in his life had Corey ever assumed that he would ever step foot into large cities full of flying machines, magic, and people bustling in every direction. And yet, there he was, enveloped in a cloak that hid the majority of his features and running down streets in search of any sort of information regarding a troupe that his mother had been travelling with.

Though a year of airships, carts and chocobos and constantly being told no had caused him to expect disappointment.

Though, there was something different in the air today. A sort of tension that seemed to float through the entire city. It could have been just Corey's imagination, but years of learning how to use these nudges to follow and control nature had taught him to search for the source anyways. So, with a brown satchel at his side and his blue bell in his left hand, he dashed down the streets and alleyways, dodging citizens and Imperials alike as they went about their daily business. No one seemed to notice Corey, which suited him just fine. Having his hood up seem to keep people from investigating him too thoroughly. For once, he was thankful of his small size. He found that he himself was a contradiction in some ways. He wished for the company of others to feel safe, yet strangers made him feel uncomfortable.

As he came towards Old Archades, he could tell that something was off. The fact that many people seemed to be anxious about something and the air beginning to smell like dust and ash from dangerous flame made him worry. He was almost tempted to run away like the scaredy cat he was. But there was something about the situation that felt familiar. Not Fire of Karnak familiar, but familiar nevertheless. So he sprinted down the street and towards the fray.

And then, once he arrived and jumped behind a building, he suddenly wished he had avoided the situation entirely. For, blood was splattered across the concrete, soldiers lay in ruin across the ground and buildings appeared to be damaged in multiple different situations. And then, there, right in the middle of the fray was a figure that he wish he didn't remember or know. Though it would be hard to forget the damage that figure had caused to his world.

"...Exdeath..." Corey whispered, his legs shivering at the sight of the armoured figure. He remembered the stories the gypsies told of this man, how they cringed at the mention of his name.

What had possessed him to run into the danger? He had no idea. He assumed that, somewhere in his mind, the earth was crying in pain. The land around him did not seem to like what this armoured man was doing to the terrain around him. Sometimes he hated his connection that came from Geomancy. But at this point, it was all he had to protect himself. He pressed himself against the wall, not daring to move. He had trapped himself in this situation, so he would have to wait for a careful opening to escape.

[Bartz]

The brunette male who happened to be skipping along happened to get caught up in a mess with Exdeath once again. Whistling to himself in the midst of all the craziness, the male went cheerily along his way. Well, he had been, anyway, until he saw in front of him the destruction that had occurred.
Bartz, who decidedly did something stupid, ran up to Exdeath and tapped his butt with a sword. It was kind of a messing around-type thing, but instead of funny and risky, it would only even possibly annoy the ‘tree’ making it more risky than anything else.
He hadn’t even noticed the bloody mess until he looked at the ground while trying to run a little further.

“Woah! That’s a lot of dead bodies!” He burst out, not laughing afterwards, but instead showing the same bewildered expression. It was a bit of shock and surprise, a little horror, and more of his carefreeness.

After this, he puffed out his cheeks, trying to cheer the survivors up. It obviously helped him none.
He wasn’t scared, nor angry. Just a little frustration had given him the attitude he needed. No, not the “I’m going to pull a joke on you because its funny even if it only is to me”. The “I really need this guy to go away” sort of thing.

Despite this, however, the male did not want to engage in battle. Instead, he reached his hand out to a nearby surviving male. “Don’t you want to get out of here? It’ll be safer elsewhere.” He spoke to Mateo, smiling cheerily. It wasn’t fake, either. Just a ditzy smile.

Feeling that for now it was all he could do, Bartz attempted to save survivors of Exdeath’s slaughterhouse. Maybe, just maybe, these people could live on. Spread the word. Something to keep the void ‘master’ from destroying everything before he got a chance to even weaken him.

Well, if any of them met his friends, it would be quite helpful…

He’d been spacing out however, and forgotten to listen for the boys answer. He began to listen again after stopping his train of thought, his ditzy and cheery smile still on his face.

Sighing, the older male stood next to the horrified little boy. He grasped something in his hands tightly, a sword unsheathed.
No, he wouldn’t attack, not yet. He wasn’t ready yet.
He now looked over towards Corey’s direction. He had seen the other male for a split second and then couldn’t see him at all. Maybe he hadn’t looked fast enough.

Still, looking at his surroundings with a somewhat worried face, he knew he’d have to do something.



((Hope this post isn't terrible.))

[Exdeath]

Silence had finally filled the battle-ridden air.

Exdeath simply gazed upon his results with a meager satisfaction. Thoughts sparsely plagued his mind at this point.

This should suffice for now

The Void master emitted a powerful laugh as his plan began to come together. With the massive destruction before him he was able to lay a Void Pentagram which fed from every use of his power and grew in size. Although the faint light was nothing in comparison to the flames around him; it worked perfectly. Attention like this tended to draw the strong out and possible threats. Thus the trap was laid all around them. This was his domain now. Various life forms gathered in the shadows of the devastated structures all around to gaze upon his actions in secret it would seem. Through the pentagram he could feel their presence. With a sudden laughter that seemed to rip the very air they breathed, Exdeath called out. "Welcome....warriors of the new world. There is no need to hide from me now; your presence became apparent long before."

Slight steps approached him from the rear at an impressive sprint as he felt the tap from none other than Bartz himself. The futile warrior seemed to warrant a reaction out of the Void master as he attempted to hurry the remaining souls along. Again his amused chuckle filled the air as he simply welcomed the warrior of light. "Bartz...you have returned as well. But where are your 'Warriors of Light'? Do you honestly think you can beat me alone?" It was then that the Pentagram made itself known. A low purple light seemed to rip through the cobblestone streets as it outlined the gigantic Void-area he designated during the initial conflict. Some of the outlying edges cut through the foundation of nearby buildings, causing them to split with ease as a mighty rumble filled the air.

As the inner circle formed, the energy burst straight between Bartz and the young boy before him, separating them momentarily. As soon as the formation completed, the glow of the shape seemed to radiate with a sickening power. That's when he felt it. The boy who Bartz seemed fixated upon had something....off about him. As his dark gaze focused on him he realized the source of what he was feeling. The lens in his eye piece was made of none other than a Void shard. Created when the Rift tears into a realm, leaving behind Void matter to crystallize. "Ahhhh....you boy....come closer. That eye piece is familiar to one such as myself." His right hand reached out as the sharp talon-like fingers beckoned him to his side. "I shall not harm you young one. But there is much....much more to that rare piece upon your head."

One of the very structures that collapsed along this path did so just next to Corey; leaving a small space along that very alleyway. Exdeath simply paid no heed at this moment as he focused on Bartz and the boy with increased interest. "What is your name?" The deep bass of his voice rumbled with an intimidating growl at such a close distance and reverberated through their very bodies. "You see things don't you. You see what you 'want' to see even with no explanation as to why. The Void shard channels one's thoughts just as a magnified glass does so to the sun's rays...I can teach you to control this..." Another thought began to cross his mind as he pondered what his aim was for this boy.

His gaze averted for only a moment to the very hideaway which Corey stood fixated in. "You can come out as well...." His voice took an ominous low tone at this point as he continued to feel outward for any remaining life forms. Now he had to contend with Bartz yet again. "You will not stand in my way this time young warrior; lest you wish to die alone." The Moore branch blade suddenly floated in front of him; hidden behind his cape during this exchange. The tip of the magnificent weapon dropped with a thud as it easily stabbed into the newly exposed earth below him. As he drew their attention to himself; the night sky around them seemed to become blacker than ever before. The plan was almost complete. Now he would take vengeance on Bartz after all this time for his downfall long ago.

[Kalmer X]

Corey thought that he would be safe from the armoured Void master. He thought that by putting a building between him and Exdeath, there would be no issue avoiding him.

Oh how wrong he was. Oh how horribly horribly wrong.

So when the building crumbled in front of him and his hood was blown off of his head, and he stumbled to the ground. It was no surprise that Corey began to panic like crazy. Not aloud of course, but inside his little head it seemed to him like the world was going to end. He would have attempted to escape as the armoured man seemed to become distracted by the boy with the strange eye-lens, and then the one whom he addressed as "Bartz". The name sounded somewhat familiar to him. Did Cid mention him once?

But his eyes weren't focused on any of that. They focused on the strange symbol that appeared to glow from underneath them, but then, as the armoured villain said "You can come out as well..." His eyes became fixated on the thing that stood in front of him. Corey's mind quickly processed his options, but none seemed very appealing.

Ringing his bell in attack wouldn't do much probably, and something told him that, though the current terrain might be useful against other foes, they would do little to this Void Master.

"W-w-what do you want?" Corey managed to stammer as he took a step towards Exdeath. Not aggressively, mind you, rather in submission, with his head down and fear clear throughout his entire body. He seemed to have decided that his best course of action was to do what the crazy emperor villain guy said and hopefully avoid any possible dismay that may come to Corey if he disagreed.

[Bartz]

Listening vaguely to the tree, Bartz looked at the ground. The normal friendly boy’s eyes narrowed, and he glared at Exdeath. He wasn’t laughing anymore. And he knew exactly why too.
Exdeath was right. Where were the other warriors? It wasn’t like he could just summon them at will. He sighed.

- - NO!

He had to stay confident. Having confidence, persevering, it was the only way to defeat any Evil. It wasn’t the only thing he needed either.

“Of course I can’t beat you alone.” Looking down, the male said. As soon as he had spoke he started laughing giddily, the cheerfulness back in his face.. “But there’s no way I’m going to die against you either~”
When the armored void-obsessed tree turned to Mateo, Bartz frowned. The male looked at the young boy. “Don’t trust him… He’ll either kill or use you.”

And then there was Corey. Hiding. Bartz didn’t recognize the fellow when he’d finally seen him. The cowardly steps of submission that the other male had taken showed something to Bartz. No one was going to help him. Great.

Now he was torn between saving them or dragging at least one of them the hell out of there. Exdeath would kill them all at this rate… No, he couldn’t let that happen. He was quickly back to his cheery demeanor.

But what if they both died? In that case, the male would be forced to run.
Not something he wanted at all.

He tried to make his internal decision before anyone was attacked.
The scenery didn’t make anything better. After all, the closest to “scenery” was the mass of blood and bodies, and nobody liked that.

He stayed in high spirits on the outside, but inside was frantic.

[Al-Cid, Rakesh, Paloma, Mateo]

Mateo stood there, listening to the large monster-judge’s words, yet understanding very little of the words the deep voice spoke.

Warriors of Light… Void Shard… His eye piece…

Of all the things being spoken, there was one thing that did make a great deal of sense to Mateo:

This man before them was really bad news.

Mateo shook his head, trying to clear himself of the fear that had momentarily left him paralyzed. It was then that he noticed the other man that had come to stand next to him—a warrior. The man spoke, warning Mateo not to trust the monster judge, to which the young boy clenched his fists at his side and nodded, “I ‘ear ya…”

He then inhaled deeply, puffing out his chest and drawing up as much bravado as his young frame could muster, and grinned, “Summit tells me nuffin’ good can come from listenin’ ter mister tall, dark, and creepy.” After giving a quick glance toward the younger man, before looking back toward the armored man ahead, Mateo added, “So, wot do ya fin we should do abaht ‘im, then? I don’t kna about ya, but runnin’ for our lives seems loike a pretty swell idea ter me, wite na.”

[Exdeath]

Exdeath exhumed a powerful laugh as the beings before him squandered amongst themselves. The one who approached in a seemingly obvious submission surprised him. Again his attention focused on the young Mateo; reading the stored energy within the Void shard as he could decipher what he had seen thus far. His deepest desires revealed. With a deep sickening bass tone; Exdeath spoke, "Yessss....you could run young one; or you could be educated as to your FULL capabilities. Ever wonder why you have seen your mother's airship....yet they did not stop to answer your cries?" He knew full well this revelation would surprise the young boy.

The Void master continued. "Your device upon your eye can open the rift for short periods of time; allowing you to utilize certain summons....or worse." The power play was an added 'benefit' of his offered teachings. Much had to be taught before this young man could master what he had seemingly stumbled upon. Perhaps even his origins may tempt him. Bartz had continued to attempt a 'sway' of their minds; seemingly taking a foothold with his efforts.

Exdeath answered him briskly. "Would you really risk their lives by attempting to escape or fight? Do try and remember what happened to the 'others' when you egged them on. Their injuries and demise are on YOUR hands Bartz. I am simply offering the boy the ability to learn what he has within his grasp. I am not going to kill any of you. This massacre is simply the beginning. A signal to the world of my return. The 'warriors' gather when trouble arises and I had to see what I was up against. Thus, this drew you all out. I can see no threat here as of yet."

As Corey approached him timidly; Exdeath lowered his voice as he addressed the young man. "You....I sense something amiss within you. What is your name?" The magic aura with this young man seemed 'off' and held a familiar tone of power. Besides his unorthodox appearance there was nothing else to give clues as to his origin. All around them the flames seemed to die out; due to the troublesome magic brewing all around them. The Void bereft the very air around them of oxygen; drowning the flames. The very last bits of it were contained within the center of the pentagram which kept the immediate personnel in safe condition. Even if Bartz attempted an escape before he was done making his 'speech' of sorts, It would be difficult and costly to leave without his blessing.

[Al-Cid, Rakesh, Paloma, Mateo]

Mateo didn’t really understand much about what the armored man was droning on about, but one thing was certain, he was a nutter.

First it’s all words about rifts and a whole bunch of other stuff about his mum’s ship that made no sense. Then, in one breath, the armoured man claimed that he’s not going to kill them, while at the same time, added words speaking toward an oncoming massacre. To Mateo’s ears, it sounded as as though the man was really saying, Relax Children! I won’t murder you, today, because that’s what I have planned for tomorrow!

And that wasn’t even the end of it!

The old man was trying to convince Mateo to go with him, that much he could tell. But the rest? It sounded like nothing more than a pile of stinking rubbish. What idiot kid would fall for such a obvious trick? Probably a pampered rich kid who only knew about what books and tutors taught, but didn’t know anything about the real world.

But Mateo was a Sky Pirate, not some hoity-toity brat!

Not to mention, any Sky Pirate worth his salt would know a con when he saw one; and this armored man’s words were just like those of some some dirty old dandy trying to lure little kids with promises of sweets and other wants. The promise of learning was new one, but still, the ploy was the same. While Mateo was still just a kid, he wasn’t new to the streets, nor was he stupid. He knew not to trust strangers--especially those kinds of men who had a thing for wanting to steal away little boys.

So it was that Mateo quickly backpedaled away several paces from the large armored man, fullying intent on keeping his distance.

“Oy!” He shouted when he felt that he was at a safe enough distance to do so, “Wot 're ya? Mental? Aw talkin' loike ya kna me or summit. I daan't na 'a or wot ya kna abaht me mum, and I daan't care. If ya fin’ I’m garn ter folla someone loike ya 'round, you've got anovver fin' comin'.”

[Kalmer X]

Sure, Corey knew deep down that there was nothing but bad new surrounding Exdeath. The people he knew had experienced the pain he had caused firsthand. And yet, his nerves drove him to stay out of it. There was no way he was going to stand up to one of the scariest tyrants history had ever known. His bell shook nervously in his hand, making a slight sound, but not enough to create any force to deal any damage. He stood still, quietly trying to figure out what to do next.

And then, that other boy that he was talking to objected and moved backwards. He didn't seem afraid at all. While Corey sat quivering in his boots, He was objecting in a rather difficult to understand accent. It should have been inspiring to see it happen. And yet, it didn't happen.

"M-My name is Corey Darnell..." He stammered, his knuckles whitening as he gripped hard on the bell. He kept his head down with his hood draped over it. He didn't dare look up at the man in the armoured suit. Corey thought that if he tried hard to do what Exdeath said and not insult him, Corey would be safe.

Then again, it was kinda hard to tell.