|
Post by Griever on Jul 13, 2010 3:24:27 GMT -5
"Slow down, slow down!" Kaile laughed as he sat down across from the girl, trying to figure out how best to answer her barrage of questions. "Anyone can do para-magic, really," he began, thoughtful, "It's just limited without a GF. You call one by thinking about it, I guess, it's hard to explain to someone who doesn't have one. And there's a lot of ways to meet them. My school provided some, others are Junctioned inside other living things and have to be drawn out, some live on their own..." He counted the ways off on his fingers as he spoke, then shrugged. "And I don't really know why they help us. Some'll join you if you defeat them in battle, so...they acknowledge strength, I guess." It was more speculation than anything, but it made sense, and Kaile was far from studious; speculation was the best he could offer. He laid back on the grass, stretching out comfortably, then as a thought occurred to him, turned his head toward Terra. "Hey, you keep asking me about GFs and para-magic, but what about you? I don't know anything about where you come from, how you do your own magic, anything. Are you born with it, or do you have to learn? How do you do it?" Even if she wasn't capable of it at the moment, she still had the knowledge in her, right? It was fascinating, really, that there were people besides sorceresses capable of true magic, even if they weren't from his own world. He'd always been interested in the sorceresses, and she was the closest he'd come to speaking to one. Even if she was from somewhere completely different. (SUCKY. SORRY. )
|
|
|
Post by Hiko on Jul 13, 2010 9:33:13 GMT -5
“Acknowledge strength...” Terra repeated, musing. It wasn't hard to understand the concept. Tritoch had been a powerful force, but even he had acquiesced in favor of the Returners once bested in battle. He'd even been willing to teach an array of his skills afterward. For a few quiet moments, Terra contemplated the idea of an esper favoring strength. Surely, they weren't all of the same mind. Maduin had willingly aided them – ah, but it wasn't as if he'd been without cause.
Terra's hands fidgeted in her lap at Kaile's questions. It wasn't that she was uncomfortable with the idea of magic, but rather, the truth behind it. “Where I grew up, magic was gone. Well, not so much gone as locked away. We'd had a war – War of the Magi. It nearly destroyed everything. After that, the use of magic was banned for centuries. Eventually, people stopped being born with it.
“When Emperor Gestahl took to power, he started a campaign to bring back magic, and infused magicite – magic-bearing crystals – into some of his soldiers. It wasn't a, ah, pretty sight. Most of the recruits went mad, and those that didn't were under beck and call of the Empire. Then when they combined magic with technology... Whole towns were raised in a single night. It was horrible.
“Uhm. I was actually born with the ability. I spent most of my life under the command of the Empire because of it – which is why I can't have the village finding out. I was thrown out of Narshe after I was discovered there.” She gave a lopsided grin to Kaile, “No one wants a dog of the Empire in their town – even if the Empire's long gone.”
Terra looked off from the field, her eyes gazing at the outskirts of the town. “There were also the espers. The Empire trapped their souls into magicite and used the dead for destruction. We – my friends and I – had found most of the remains, and in order to stop the infighting between humans, the ones we discovered lent us their strength. They taught us multitudes of magic, would summon their bodies from beyond to save us in battle, and even..."
The girl caught herself mid-sentence and cleared her throat. “I'm rambling, and you probably don't care terribly much about all of that. I'm sorry.”
|
|
|
Post by Griever on Jul 13, 2010 11:07:31 GMT -5
Terra, working for an empire? It was hard to believe, looking at her - she seemed so innocent, with that girlish face and caring demeanor. There was a lot behind that simple appearance, he realized as she spoke. He'd been quick to consider her choice of occupation unusual, even boring, but from what she said, it must've taken a lot for her to get there. Simplicity and routine was much too dull for him, but he supposed that for her, it was a difficult luxury to obtain.
Despite a new awareness that she'd seen more hardships than he would've imagined, Kaile couldn't help being captivated by her story. Her sudden change of subject caught him off guard, so much that it took him a moment to realize that she'd quit telling it. When he did, he sat up again, shaking his head. "No, go on, I---"
But before he could finish the sentence, distant movement behind her caught his attention. Instincts kicking in, he stood up slowly, eyes narrowing as he attempted to discern what it was. In the darkness, he could make out no more than indistinct shadow, though whatever it was, it seemed to be big.
As the cloud that had been obscuring the moon moved, bringing sudden light to the landscape, Kaile recognized the creature. And he could see that it was coming closer. "Com-pa-ny~" he said without taking his eyes off of it, sidestepping to get a clearer view. "Looks like someone didn't appreciate getting playtime cut short earlier."
The behemoth let out a roar, and Kaile reached for his knives, prepared to fight - but his hands met air. Startled, he glanced down, then froze. He'd left them in his room. Of all the times to be careless...and this time, he doubted a simple blizzard spell would be enough.
"Terra? Now would be a really, really good time to remember that magic of yours."
|
|
|
Post by Hiko on Jul 13, 2010 20:35:03 GMT -5
Terra didn't look and the moving mass that lurked forward in the dark of night. Instead, she stared at Kaile. He seemed completely unafraid at the sight of such an unnatural beast. More to the point, he seemed thrilled at the thought of a fight. Who would take on a behemoth and call it “playtime”?
What sort of person had she taken into her home?
Terra's face went white at the unifying realization that Kaile was without weaponry. She had her knife on hand, but it was dull from a year of using it for simple, domestic living; cutting ropes for swings and gutting fish for dinner were vastly different from what one might use the same weaponry for in battle. Despite that, though, she handed the small, mythril-grade blade over to the man and took a glance at their oncoming opponent.
“I – but – Oh no. No, it can't get any closer. The village barely handled Humbaba. If another one attacks...” Terra was instantly aware of the number of casualties that the creature could cause. Not just her charges, but there was also the fact that Katarin and her children were currently unattended. Ah, what a time for Duane to leave for work in Deist!
Terra shook her head and tried to focus the heat into her hands once more. She'd never been very adept in ice magics – that had always been Celes' shining point. If they'd just had her here now, the green haired girl might feel a little more at ease in the situation.
Fire... Fire... Fire...
|
|
|
Post by Griever on Jul 14, 2010 2:41:52 GMT -5
"Don't worry about it," Kaile responded with his characteristic unfailing confidence, eyes still on the behemoth. "I won't let it get close."
A particularly bold statement, from someone holding a weapon no more than a third the length of his normal twin blades, who already bore the marks of an earlier confrontation in the bandages wrapped around his arm. But from the look on his face, the cocky grin he always wore in battle, it was clear he didn't have the slightest thought of losing.
It was good he wasn't easily intimidated, because as the behemoth reached them, it reared up on its hind legs before swiping an immense paw at him. Kaile ducked, and as the creature's legs crashed back to the ground, he found himself directly between its front legs. He swung the knife, attempting to stab into its right leg, but despite the knife's quality of material, it was much too dull. The blade only glanced off of the coarse fur, making no dent.
Kaile stepped backward as it swung its great head down in retaliation, dodging a horn by only a small margin. He spared a glance toward Terra - they were fighting far too close to her for his tastes, but at least it hadn't turned its rage on her. "I need-" he began, ducking around a massive paw yet again, "-my own knives!" This time, it was the behemoth's snapping jaws he was forced to jump back from. "Didn't expect to run into this-" and the word was punctuated by a grunt as he used the knife to redirect a stabbing horn, "out here, and I left them. I'd love to tell you to run away, but-" he pushed hard on the knife, using the force to put some distance between himself and the monster, "-looks like it's not an option. Think you could get them? And try not to attract its attention too much!"
|
|
|
Post by Hiko on Jul 20, 2010 13:41:20 GMT -5
Terra hesitated, looking from the monster to the man, to his fresh dressings. She shook her head, as if preparing to argue. And, truthfully, she was going to argue the need to stay by his side, if only because two distractions were better than one. And then the behemoth tried to gore her acquaintance. The knife wasn't helping at all, and if Kaile had enough faith in his fighting skills to suggest that he could stall the beast while she ran for his weaponry, then Terra would have to believe him. Without a word, she backed away and began a darting run toward the cottage. –
Jina stared, wide-eyed out the window as her brothers and sisters argued about Mama. The monster was loud enough that its voice carried into the village, and more than one house lantern was lit. As she stuck her head out the window, she could even see some of the adults of the village prepare to attack. Her siblings' voices raised to a louder degree. Jina withdrew her head, turned away from the window, put her hands on her hips and shouted. “SHUT. UP.” All eyes turned toward the small girl who, to her credit, had even managed to screw her face into Mama's signature reprimanding scowl. “Who cares if Mama uses the M word? She's nice and kind and loves us! And she's out there with that big monster! She could get hurt and all you care about is the M word!” “Uhm, Ji-” one of the older boys began. “No! You're going to listen and not argue!” “Jina...” a younger girl tried to speak up, her eyes widening as she stared out the window. “No, I-” “JINA!” the group shouted. “WHAT.” “There's a man leaning in the window.” “Huh?” Jina turned to see one of the adults of the town frowning at her. “What's the M word?” “Oh. Uh.”
|
|
|
Post by Griever on Jul 22, 2010 2:32:30 GMT -5
The behemoth turned its head as Terra left, but before it could contemplate giving chase, Kaile intervened, running between them. "Heeey, you, it's me you're fighting!" He punctuated the reminder by sending a Flare spell into the creature's face, an action that seemed to anger it more than hurt. Letting out a roar, it swung its head, and though Kaile managed to avoid the horns, its sheer power created a gust that knocked him off-balance.
The SeeD only laughed as he caught himself, apparently unaffected by the display of strength. His confidence was little more than a facade, though; for all his efforts, he was almost completely on the defensive, with only mediocre magics and a dull kitchen knife for the rare chances he was given the opportunity to strike.
It wasn't a contest of who would win. The behemoth already had. Now, the best he could do was to distract it, keep it away from the villagers, and hopefully put on a better offensive once his usual weapons were returned to his possession. They weren't particularly effective either, but they were far better than his current armaments. The thought that he had perhaps overestimated Terra, that she had been given ample opportunity to warn her home and flee, didn't even cross Kaile's mind. He was quick to trust, if someone had earned it, and to his mind she already had, despite the fact that they hadn't even been acquainted a single night.
His best option now was to keep up the magic, even if it did mean a lightshow visible from town. But who could really complain about some bright colors, especially when it meant saving them?
|
|
|
Post by Hiko on Jul 22, 2010 20:25:13 GMT -5
Terra was panting by the time she made it back to her small home. When she arrived, however, she wasn't just greeted by wide-eyed children and a lit house. Smoke drifted from many of the houses, and she could hear the faint echoes of swords and knives being unsheathed, crossbows being cocked, and infants crying. The men of the hamlet were readying for battle. Including the one leaning into the window of the children's room. “Ah, Leonird?” What was the town's mayor doing at her home? “Terra! How good of you to join us. The children have been entertaining me with the most wonderful stories.” “Have they been? I suppose that's better than stark fear.” “Oh, you mean from the behemoth? Yes, well, perhaps there are greater things for them to fear than monsters that lurk in the night.” Terra didn't like where the conversation was leading, “Like?” “Like monsters that lurk in the day, mage,” Leonird snarled the last word, no longer veiling his contempt. Terra backed away in timid steps, eyes on the children rather than the man. The gaggle of orphans looked back to their guardian, faces plastered with concern and childish guilt. The girl pieced the puzzle together quickly, once it dawned on her that she'd been overheard. The children had argued their fears, and in turn had been caught by the man charged to protect the town. It made sense that he would turn on her, if it meant protecting his people. “Leave, Terra. Leave now, and we won't have to inform the rest of the town.” “Who'll look after the children, then?” Terra asked, a tightness forming in her throat. “My wife and I are more than capable – and they won't be involved with your taint. Go.” “I – I can't. Not yet.” “Is that so? Then after the behemoth, we'll come for you.” “N-no. That's not –” “What?” Leonird grunted. “Kaile, he's fighting alone out there. He needs his weapons. Let me... Let me get them. I won't bother you again.” “What? Oh, no, lass. I can't allow you a weapon on top of that sinister magic.” “But-” “Mama!” Jina was crouched on the ledge of the window. Both adults turned to face the child. “Help Daddy! We'll help too!” The child lunged at Leonird, and was soon followed by the rest of her adoptive siblings in an unexpected dogpile. Terra thanked her luck for having such blessings, and retrieved the weapons.
Running from her home, Terra felt the harsh stab in her throat and chest once more and decided it wasn't from the run. Even if the behemoth was destroyed, what sort of home would she have to return to?
|
|
|
Post by Griever on Jul 22, 2010 23:05:56 GMT -5
A brief chill filled the air, then in its place came ice, assaulting the behemoth with its frozen crystals. The spell had barely vanished when a burst of fire took its place, and then Kaile brought out a Pain spell, a particularly unpleasant mixture of ailments that seemed to have little effect. Behemoths were famed for their toughness, but this one was worse than any he'd ever seen by far. Where was Terra?
But if he was fair, it hadn't been that long, and they'd gone far enough from the village. His need for his knives didn't make her able to move any faster. Regaining his focus, he brought out the next spell, a second Flare that hit the monster directly in the face. Enraged, the behemoth lowered its head and charged like some kind of great bull, forcing Kaile to make a quick run to the side to avoid it.
He stumbled and cursed. The fight was becoming a contest of endurance, and Kaile was already tiring. If things dragged on much longer, he wouldn't manage more than delaying the beast a little. "You're a pain in the ass, you know that?" He shook his head, then charged himself, deciding to attack in the way he was most comfortable: with a barrage of physical assaults. It wasn't as though magic would serve him much better, now that he'd exhausted the reserves of his most powerful spell.
--
In the time it took Terra to return, Kaile sustained a shallow claw-scrape across his shoulder and chest, and the behemoth sustained nothing. They had been trading attempted blows on almost equal ground, but it was clear which combatant had the advantage. Kaile had gained himself a reputation in Garden as a fierce fighter, though, relentless to the point that it was almost unnerving, and even now, he lived up to that image. He struck several times for each swipe the monster made, showing no signs of slowing down regardless of his earlier fatigue. He had a duty, self-imposed though it was, and he wouldn't back down until he fulfilled it.
Or fell trying, whichever came first.
Just as the knife met thick hide again, Kaile noticed the moonlight catching on something familiar not far away, the oddly-tinted blonde strands that adorned Terra's head. Finally. "Terra! Just throw them!"
|
|
|
Post by Hiko on Jul 23, 2010 3:01:42 GMT -5
Throw the knives. Right.
Terra slung the sheathes toward the man, hoping her pitching arm had improved over the course of the last two years. It hadn't. The knives landed between Kaile and the behemoth. Well, drat. On the other hand...
“Hey! You! Behemoth!” Terra cried out, deciding that she wasn't about to let a houseful of children and an injured man show her up, “Yeah, look over here!” It did. “Oh. Uhm. Ah,” Terra stammered, not quite certain how to ridicule a monster. “You – You'd better watch your, uh, tail? B-because when I'm through with you – oh, blazes! GET YOUR KNIVES!” Terra fell into a ducking roll as the creature lumbered her way and made to swipe at her. Barely dodging in time, the green-haired girl kicked at the beast's snarling face and dodged its teeth long enough to put a few feet of distance between her. She brought her hands up into casting form and concentrated her will into – Nothing. Nothing formed. Not a spark, not a flare, not a frost. And certainly not the dark matter of Ultima she'd been hoping for. “Oh, for the love of –” Of course, stupid! she chided herself, you still can't grasp a Fire, let alone any of your former arsenal. Of all the times to fall back on old habits... Whup! Terra ducked another paw and ran to protect Kaile's back. Yes. That was exactly what the man needed: Someone to watch over his back. His literal back.
|
|
|
Post by Griever on Jul 23, 2010 3:31:56 GMT -5
What did she think she was doing? Kaile snatched his blades from their place in the ground, but kept his eyes on the monster and Terra. Had she completely forgotten she was unarmed? He ran toward her, hoping to distract the behemoth before it could do any damage, and was glad when she did the same, glancing back to make sure she was safely behind him.
"Ah, no, no," he said to the behemoth as it tried to follow the girl, "Did you forget already? You're fighting me!" His word was accented by a powerful slash, one that hit its mark, leaving a trail of red across the creature's nose. At least its hide was weaker somewhere, then.
With the familiar weapons in his hands, Kaile's confidence was greatly boosted, and his grin returned as he tightened his grip on the handles. Apparently confused and angered by the fact that he'd managed to draw blood, the behemoth swung its head again, but Kaile managed to duck, then rolled beneath its raising head. With the considerable speed he'd trained himself to attack with, he swung one knife and then the other in a rhythmic, almost dance-like pattern, striking at place after place on the behemoth's hide. Legs, chest, neck, anything he could reach, and then as it attacked again, he danced backward out of its reach, instinctively reacting to the first opening he saw.
If its nose had been unprotected, its eyes were certainly even more delicate, and the behemoth's habit of lowering its head during its attacks made striking at them easy. With a powerful swing, he cut into one of them, effectively halfway blinding the monster. "Ha! You see? You're fighting the wrong per--"
The words died on his lips, and the grin that had formed there rapidly faded with them. He hadn't thought a behemoth could move so quickly, but its need to retaliate to such a significant injury seemed to have spurred it on, because before he could even register its movement, the beast had somehow managed to lodge several inches of the tip of its horn in his stomach. Shock and adrenaline kept the blow from hurting, but Kaile winced regardless. "Bastard..."
There was no way he could possibly win now, which would leave both Terra and the town unprotected, unless...a wild, impulsive thought came to him. He threw his knives to the ground, then grabbed hold of the horn with both hands, smirking at the creature. "Fine, but you're going down, too."
A soft crackling sounded in the air, then suddenly a bright light erupted from his hands as he summoned the most powerful thunder spell he could manage. The current ran through the horn and into the behemoth, which let out a roar of pain before backing up and crashing to the ground. Shock gave way to intense pain as the effects of his own spell hit Kaile's body, but he was smiling as he fell backward himself.
At least he'd managed to stop it for now, if nothing else.
|
|
|
Post by Hiko on Jul 23, 2010 15:31:42 GMT -5
“Kaile!” Terra broke into a run toward the dying beast, despite the burning ache in her limbs and lungs. She ignored the trembling behemoth, instead kneeling down at the young man's side. The wound in his stomach looked hideous and black in the moonlight, and Terra doubted she alone would be able to get him to the house in time.
The cavalry showed then, in full force. Torches, pitchforks, and the odd crossbow all aimed at the behemoth's body. “Terra,” Leonird spoke up, his voice bitter as he wove through the crowd to meet her, “Understand that you will be leaving this place.” “Is-is that all you can say? This boy just defended you – risked his life to do so, and all you care about is forcing me ou-” “Understand that you'll be leaving this place as soon as he is healed. We saw what lengths he took to protect us. We saw his magic, its strength. If he should turn on the people, we would all be killed mercilessly.” “But he won't-” “You know him well, mageling? You know he would not turn as Gestahl did, as Kefka himself? No, once he is healed, you and he will leave. The children-” “What about them?” Terra clenched her teeth, feeling an awkward sense of familiarity in her anger. “-will be taken care of. If tonight's earlier actions were any indication, they are quite capable of taking care of themselves, without our help. Gino, Erl, take the lad back to the girl's home. The rest of you, finish destroying that body. We can't have the behemoth's kin looking for it.”
Leonird grasped Terra by the shoulder and led her away from the scene. “You and I have much more to talk about, than I'd like for the town to hear.”
|
|