DISCLAIMER! Once again I would like to remind my readers (although it is obvious) that the world, characters, races, title, ect. are not mine. They belong to Square-Enix. I do use actual player characters and I have asked them for permission before inputting them into the story. I will give them credit where credit is due. (I'm doing a consistant disclaimer just in case)

AUTHOR NOTE!

Here it is, CH15 at last. Hope you enjoy! I had a lot of help compiling the chapter content and it wasa lot of fun. Thank you, Laeriuen! You were a big help in the making of this chapter!

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Chapter Fifteen

A strong storm was moving in quickly. Horrible winds kicked up sand and dirt which cut anything it could. Traveling through Valkurm was made difficult as visibility was minimal and the sand seemed to frustrate the chocobos as the small grains stuck in between their golden feathers. Giraenis grabbed the reigns of Aonir's chocobo and began forming a small chain to help guide the group through the small desert. He led them through a tunnel and a wooded area where Aonir looked back to Toku who simply shrugged as they passed by where he had fallen.

"This trip has really begun to annoy me." Tara snapped as she put on her hat and held onto it.

"Why not leave then!" Toku growled.

"Whoa! We need all the help we can get." Giraenis said sternly as he maneuvered around the drop off.

"Hey, guys. This might make someone upset but I was just offerrred to join a group and go beat up some beetles down in Garlaige. I'm going to go forrr it."

Giraenis turned his chocobo around and smiled. "Sure. Go on. You're still young and need all the experience you can get."

"Keep in touch, I'm around if you need me." Smedile said with a grin as she turned her chocobo around and took off northeast.

Aonir waved but Giraenis instructed they hurry to Selbina and catch the first ferry that arrives. Zakk did not stop; he kept going until he reached the wooden gates that helped fortify the town. Giraenis took his chocobo through the gates while Zakk dismounted his outside and ran in. Aonir followed Zakk but Toku and Tara, both dismounting outside the gate, did not immediately run in. Tara gave Toku a strange smile that sent shivers up his small spine.

"What are you going to do?" He asked suddenly.

She grinned, "Nothing. Just going to see if a test is ready to be performed."

"What test!" Toku snapped.

Tara pulled out the crystal from her pocket and held it to her lips, "Lord Mirak, is the experiment of Bastore ready?"

"What is it you want from Bastore? The experiment is, indeed, ready for use but why would you want to waste its hidden location on nothing?"

"Lord Mirak," She said slyly, "It's not 'nothing'. Giraenis is going to be on the ship. As will Aonir and the other pet."

"Tara, WE'LL be on the ferry, also!" Toku snapped.

"Keep quiet, worthless, I know that." Tara said as she looked to Toku.

"Fine…I'll call for Sirriti to summon him right away to prepare. Tara, keep in mind I care little for anyone's safety. This is not going to be a test. This will be a real fight. Should you die I'll just find another female black mage to have at my side."

She pulled the stone from her lips and slid it back into her pocket then gave Toku a grin. "There, all set."

"EW!" Toku said suddenly. "You are with that guy?"

"No. I'm his right-hand mage. Second commander of the group. Get it straight." Tara said as she walked through the gate and into Selbina.

"This is not going to be good." Toku whispered.

Selbina was always small, quaint, and more than simple enough for any adventurer to become lost in the sounds of the sea. The sunsets were magical over the waves but not tonight. Dark clouds swarmed the sky, heavy winds kicked up sand and spiked the sea into a frenzy. Giraenis walked down the steps where Lucia, the ferry ticket woman, stood with a smile. She instructed that every passenger must pay one hundred Gil for a ticket. Giraenis handed Aonir some Gil then passed through the gate. Zakk followed right after Giraenis and rushed over to the pier. Aonir followed them and began digging through her bag for the book Plureague had given her. Toku and Tara were the last to enter, having waited a few minutes before walking into town, and quickly separated to exchange glares.

"All right, the schedule says we have one hour until the next ferry arrives. Though the weather is awful, we may have to assist the captain. Only one person mans the wheel of the ferry which means if the ship is damaged, we will assist. Aonir, you can come on deck just be careful. Zakk," he said as he turned to see Zakk fishing, "you won't be doing that on the ship." Zakk waved a hand to Giraenis but continued fishing. "When we arrive in Mhaura, we will stay a night to regain our strength then make our way to Windurst."

"Sure, but right now, let's just relax some." Zakk said with a laugh as he reeled in three Bastore Sardines.

Aonir sat on the pier with the book open, studying. Toku was lying on his back looking up at the clouds while Tara stood leaning against the railing, her eyes staring out into the water.

A few minutes passed and with them came more passengers. A man with a small child, his young girl obviously nervous about riding on the ship, was first to set foot on the pier. Moments later, two young men, fresh from a group in Valkurm, walked onto the pier. It remained this way for the rest of the time until the ferry began to pull into the dock. It was then that a Tarutaru wearing orange temple garbs with a pair of knuckles at her side rushed up.

"Heh, heh, just in time!" She said as she brushed her blonde hair from her face.

Giraenis stood up and made his way onto the ship followed by Tara, Toku, the two adventurers, the man and his child, Aonir, and the Tarutaru monk. She bounced into the hull of the ship and practiced a few punches before noticing Toku staring at her.

"What's wrong? Never seen a Tarutaru monk before?" She asked him, getting close to his face and knocking him off balance.

"N-not exactly." Toku said nervously as he fumbled with his hat.

"My name is Laeriuen. I'm a rough, tough, Tarutaru monkaru! Ready and willing to kick monster butt at any time!" She said happily. "What about you?"

"Erm," Toku looked back to where the group was then looked to Laeriuen, "I'm Toku and I'm in a group."

Laeriuen stared at him for a minute the chuckled. "You're nervous."
"Why do you say that?" Toku asked.

"You call that an introduction? Come on! Where is the kick?"

"Kick?" Toku asked just as the ship lurched, a sure sign that the ship was pulling out.

Laeriuen cracked her neck and cheered. "Maybe we'll get to see some action on this trip! If we do, I'm ready to go!"

With that she dashed through the doors and up the steps onto the rocky deck. Aonir put her book up, hoping that the sickness she was feeling would go away if she did not read. Zakk walked over to her and knelt, smiling at her.

"Put on the gear. I want to see you in it." He said with a smile.

Aonir blushed a little then looked around. "Not exactly private. I'm not changing my clothes here in front of everyone."

Zakk shrugged his shoulders then stood up. "Ok. Well, I'm going to go up and see if the captain needs any help."

Giraenis had been standing by the steps staring over at Zakk, who had yet to move away from Aonir's side. "Zakk!"

"Right!" He said, giving Aonir another smile. "Like I said, going up."

Toku raced after them followed by Tara who stopped and looked to Aonir. "You are going to follow, are you not?" Tara said with a sly grin.
"Um, I think I should stay below deck. After all, I'm inexperienced." Aonir said as she fumbled with her bag.

"Well, allow me to shed some light on the situation." Tara said as she got in Aonir's face and said, "You need to get experience or you will always be inexperienced."

Aonir pushed Tara away from her face and stood up, "I know that. I just don't like being in the way."

"Ha!" Tara laughed. "More like you can't stand being seen as a coward. White Mage, you are worthless, I'd be doing the world a favor if I killed you. Ha. Ha."

Tara made her way to the door only to be halted by Aonir when she shouted, "What does that mean?"

Tara looked over her shoulder at Aonir and smiled. "You are worthless."
Aonir made her way over to Tara and grabbed her shoulder, turning Tara around to face her. "Let me tell you something, Tara. I am a White Mage. I am not strong or skilled in the ways of melee combat and I know that my magic skill is not as effective as dark magic. There is one thing I do have, on the other hand, that you could never hold and that is a pure heart."

"Well, Aonir, answer me this small question. What does a pure heart give the group as a whole?" Tara asked with a growl.

"The only thing needed. Hope."

Aonir pushed Tara out of the way and walked up the stairs to the deck above. Tara glared at Aonir just when the ship took a hard hit, rocking the ship almost to its side. Aonir grabbed the railing and Tara fell onto the store counter.

"What the hell!" Tara yelled.

"Aaaaugh!" A man yelled from the deck.

Aonir froze for a moment then dashed up the stairs. "Zakk!"

Tara pushed off of the counter and piered into the hull to see that all the passengers had moved to the deck. A grin slid across her lips and she made her way up as fast as she could to watch the show.

Wind forced a heavy sheet of rain across the deck of the ship. The waves crashed violently against the sides of the ship causing it to rock heavily. Above the captain's wheel, Giraenis stood attempting to tie the sails. Zakk had nearly fallen overboard and was clinging to the roof of the captain's quarters. At the bow of the ship, hiding beside the cargo and clinging to the ropes that secured them to the boat was the father and his child. Lying on the deck, unconscious and bleeding was one of the two men. His friend was no where to be found. Aonir was trying to get to the man but before she could, a wave washed over the deck, pushing her, Toku, and Tara off to the side into the side rail. When Aonir looked to find the body, it was no where to be found. Laeriuen clung to the rope railings that formed the railing for the middle of the ship.

"Woot! This is so cool!" She shouted.

Zakk climbed back onto the roof and piered over the edge of the ship. The water was black as poison. The wind forced the rain droplets down at such a force that the droplets felt like small needles being pelted against his face. It was then that he saw what appeared to be a large mass of leather slide against the side of the ship. The ship lurched, the wood groaned against the strain. A wave of water slammed across the deck, nearly taking Laeriuen with it.

"What was that?" Zakk shouted over the storm to Giraenis who was still struggling to secure the rope.

"I didn't see." Giraenis replied as he tied the last knot.

"There is something in the water. Something huge."

"Sea horror?" Giraenis asked.

"No, it wasn't a kraken. It was bigger." Zakk said as he wiped some of the rain from his face trying hard to keep his eyes clear.

Tara forced herself to her feet and clung to the side of the passage that led down into the hull. Toku clung to the railing while Aonir was almost glued to it. The ship lurched again, this time, the ship almost capsized. Aonir heard the little girl scream and looked to see her pointing over toward Laeriuen. Aonir looked to see two golden eyes gleaming at them, several feet above the water. Laeriuen backed up from the railing and pulled the knuckles from her belt. Giraenis and Zakk made their way down from the roof and onto the deck just as the monster let out a loud hiss. It dove toward the ship, hitting the water's surface only feet away from the side of the ship. The large wave caused the ship to shake volently. The father lost his grip of the rope and fell into the water. The girl, frightened, screamed for him but it was too late. The man was swallowed by the waves before anyone could act.

Aonir clung to the side rail and began to make her way toward the bow of the ship and the screaming girl. Her hands, cold and drenched, clung to the splintery wood then touched wire rope as she pulled herself along the deck. Aonir's clothing began to glow a warm white color as she came closer and closer to the child. Zakk and Giraenis made themselves a spot in the middle of the deck and drew their weapons, standing only feet behind Laeriuen. Toku rushed out from his place and stood between the two paladins. Tara was laughing, enjoying the havoc. Zakk turned to see Aonir glowing and his eyes shot wide open. Zakk used his left hand and pulled on Giraenis's armor to get his attention. Giraenis grinned and chuckled slightly just as the serpent's head broke the surface of the water.

Aonir looked down to see that her clothing had changed from her doublet to Plureague's artifact armor. She returned her focus to the screaming child and pushed across the deck until she reached her.

"It's ok. I'm here to help." Aonir said, trying very hard to hide the fear in her voice as she reached her hand out to the child.

The child exchanged glances from Aonir's hand to Aonir's face several times before beginning to extend her hand out. The child was obviously very insecure and frightened beyond anything else. When Aonir closed her hand around the girl's, Laeriuen's voice rang out.

"Incoming!"

Aonir's gaze shot to where the group stood just in time to see the monster slam its head into the ship, forcing the vessel to fall completely onto its side. Zakk and Giraenis slammed their blades into the wood of the deck but the blades slipped out sending them into the dark water. Tara and Toku both slid down and over the rail into the water. Laeriuen flew from the deck as if she were an arrow only to land several feet away from the wreckage, angry and annoyed. Aonir had grabbed the girl only to slam into the side of the bow back first, breaking through the wood and landing into the cold water.

When Aonir pushed her head through the surface of the water, the girl was gone. She looked around frantically only to hear her scream from several feet away. Aonir made an attempt to swim to her only to watch as the monster leapt from beneath the water, devouring the girl in one bite.
"Aonir! Get out of there!" Zakk shouted.

Giraenis coughed out some of the salt water and waved his sword. "Over here, beast!"

Laeriuen was paddling madly, knuckles still clutched tightly. "Just for that, I'm gonna make sure I break that snout of yours!"

Aonir made her way toward Zakk and Giraenis. "This is not good! We have to get out of here somehow!"

"Help!" Toku yelled, struggling to keep his head above the harsh water.

Aonir turned to see Toku struggling in direct line with the monster's attack. She forced herself to swim toward Toku. The serpent had lined his body along the water and was swimming with his mouth open, ready to swallow anyone in his way. It was then that Laeriuen had swam right behind Aonir and used her body as a step ladder. She kicked off of Aonir's head, pushing Aonir under the water, and flew toward the monster.

"You're mine now, pal!" Laeriuen shouted as she landed on the monsters snout and slammed her foot into one of its eyes. It shrieked and lifted into the sky, shaking wildly to try and toss Laeriuen from his head.

Aonir resurfaced and coughed before seeing the snake-like monster moving wildly. Laeriuen dug her knuckles into the monster's scales for better grip. Toku managed to swim closer to Aonir and cling to her arm.

"I had a bad feeling about this trip." He said with a cough.

"Are you alright, Aonir?" Giraenis asked as he swam up to her, his sword back on his back so he could move better.

"Which way is shore? That Taru won't last much longer." Zakk asked as he attempted to form a strategy.

"What is that thing?" Toku asked, glaring over at Tara.

Tara opened her mouth to speak but was quickly silenced when Giraenis orded them to look. The monster had risen out of the water completely and began to coil his body. Toku's jaw dropped at the sight.

Zakk was first to respond when he said, "Barracuda dive?"

"What?" Aonir asked suddenly. "Isn't that,"

"Leviathan? Impossible." Giraenis blurted out.

"Not if the summoner behind him told him to attack the ship." Zakk instructed.

Giraenis growled. "The summoner would have to have been near the ship and no one on board was a summoner."

"Maybe, it is a powerful summoner." Aonir said quickly.

"Look out!" Zakk yelled.

The creature dove at them, mouth open. A large wave rose up and the group was flung across the sea.

Far north, above San'd Oria, Mirak sat down staring down at his newly formed dragon. A Mithra stepped into the room and cleared her throat to get his attention. He turned to see her green garbs and smiled.

"How did it go, Sirriti Hormutah?" He asked slyly.

"Well. Quite well. Sadly, he did not finish them."

"What did you say?" He growled. "You werrre suppose to finish them. Why did you fail me?"

"My magic was fully drained. Working at such a distance is a strrrain." She snapped.

"Enough, I despise these passed failurrres. I want you to contact our Windurstian agent and have him find them and send them to us. You can at least do that without scrrrewing up, can you not?" Mirak snapped as he turned his back to her.

"As you wish, my lord." She said as she backed up from his room. She slammed her fist into her thigh and growled. "It is his fault we fail in the first place." She pulled up her hand and opened it to reveal a different pearl in her hand. "Biriana, are you there? Lord Mirak has another plan."

"Tell me that this one is not as horrid as his others." A female's voice said over the pearl.

"Hardly." Sirriti said with a huff as she walked outside into the snow. "Find that Taru in Windurst and tell him to forge a note that says where we are. He wants to finish this thing of his."

"You're kidding? He wants a frontline assault! Well, that is one way to get killed. As he wishes, we, as his puppets, shall perform. This will not end well." Biriana said with a huff and cut her pearl off.

Shirriti growled then threw her linkpearl down onto the ground, cracking it. She looked up and took a deep breath. She knew that Mirak was becoming reckless. His excitement over the experiment was overwhelming him and was making him take foolish steps. The ship was destroyed as planned, but that did not mean that the group was not swallowed by the swollen sea. To her, the group and the other passengers were fish food. Why did Mirak want to be so rash? She shook her head and made her way down the hall. She was in no position to question her leader. With a heavy heart and the sinking feeling of doom creeping over her, she made her way out of the building and into the blizzard that raged outside determined to please her lord.