The seas were calm, aside from the winds that pushed the ferry forward. For Sooraya, there was no other way to Al Zahbi other than by boat, or teleportation. The Salaheem’s Sentinels representative in San d’Oria was nowhere to be found yesterday, so Sooraya was forced to trek all the way to Mhaura from the Elvaan kingdom. She ran into an old friend, Aricka, a White Mage who teleported her to the Crag of Mea. Upon offering payment, the Mithra friendly declined, who said she was just happy to see Sooraya again and quickly returned back to Windurst to join her husband Garin. From Tahrongi Canyon, Mhaura was only a short chocoboride away.

It was frustrating to think about how eager Tamtu always was to travel to Al Zahbi and go train his Ranger skills with one of the Serpent Generals. It possibly stemmed from a hint of jealousy, maybe. But she knew the General as well as he did. They often stood by her side, shoulder to shoulder, in combat against the Mamool Ja, the Troll Mercenaries and the Undead Swarm.

Something that frustrated the Warrior a lot today, however, was that there was word of another attack by the beastmen on the Near Eastern capital, while Tamtu was already there. It worried her. There were always plenty of other adventurers to join in battle, but this was someone she loved. You can’t not worry about them when you love them.

“Halvung…rescue mission..gone bad…prison cells…” (more…)

The ship approaching the ferry’s stern was fierce looking. It glew bright red now that the moon was shining brightly over the Silver Sea. Its bow was shaped like the head of a dragon, it’s stern was even more remarkable with wing-like ornaments, giving the ship itself a very intimidating visage. But it didn’t scare her. It wasn’t a ghost ship. It wasn’t the Black Coffin that she investigated many years ago. This was just a pirate ship using scare tactics. Sooraya firmly gripped her Gawain’s Axe and readied herself for the assault.

“Aryana. Get below deck and barricade the door!” (more…)

The colossal Mt. Zhayolm was an amazing sight for all travellers. Whether by land or sea, the active volcano would always catch one’s attention. The first time Sooraya saw it was during the day, but now under the cover of the starry night sky, the lava shined bright red, outdoing her first impression from back then. Her gaze of amazement was quickly replaced by that of determination. Inside that volcano was her companion, her love, and he needed to be rescued. (more…)

She stood in front of her brother in a ravaged Al Zahbi. The trolls had pursued Ryaaf into within the city walls, where the Imperial Guard struggled to subdue the hulking beastmen. Surrounding them were the bodies of lives lost and the Commoner’s Ward, torn apart.

“Najelith, I…I thought I could do it. I learned of the Trolls’ route from a rumormonger…”

“I lay in wait, thinking I could surprise their leader, slay him, then steal away before the rest could react.”

“I..would’ve save the city…and then people would respect me..like they respect you.”

The sound of the slap echoed through the empty streets as several imperial troopers came to apprehend the siblings for questioning. Najelith was silent. She had nothing to say to her brother. (more…)

His head felt heavy. It was as if he was struck by a Steel Cyclone, but in truth it was the dense, volcanic walls of Halvung he had flown into earlier. Tamtu grabbed his head and slowly opened his eyes. The face of a Hume was hovering over him. The caress of soft hands relaxed his blurred vision and the raven locks of hair were parted with the same to reveal a familiar gloomy expression, followed by a relieved one.

“Tamtu… By the Astral Winds, what in are you doing here?” her voice asked. The White Mage got up with her help, and leaned up against her. He rubbed his head and tried to recall what had happened earlier. “The Trolls claimed the Astral Candescence… and considering the losses from the last Siege, it meant no one would set out to rescue the prisoners.” Najelith looked puzzled. “So you’re saying…”

“I came for you.”

(more…)