Welcome to Adventu, your final fantasy rp haven. adventu focuses on both canon and original characters from different worlds and timelines that have all been pulled to the world of zephon: a familiar final fantasy-styled land where all adventurers will fight, explore, and make new personal connections.
at adventu, we believe that colorful story and plots far outweigh the need for a battle system. rp should be about the writing, the fun, and the creativity. you will see that the only system on our site is the encouragement to create amazing adventures with other members. welcome to adventu... how will you arrive?
year 5, quarter 3
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The storm has raged for fifteen days and fifteen nights with no end in sight. The docks are swept by the crashing waves, and you have to grab the creaking wooden posts to withstand them. You are soaked through to your bones, shivering, breathless. The rain assaults your eyes, leaving only blurry shapes through the gale.
At the end of the dock, a ship rides the coastal waves. The sailors scramble to prepare it for the harrowing task ahead. The wood creaks. The ropes thrash in the wind. After some time, the boarding ramp is lowered, and they usher you on board.
Many have been lost to these waters and the fiends that lurk within. As the ship makes its unsteady way out of the darkened harbor, it feels almost certain that you will be the next to join them.
Torensten is in a state of emergency, and for your own reasons, you’ve heeded the call. King Hremit has worked tirelessly with the sages at the University of the Magi to supply you with aid. Firstly, they’ve cast protective charms on the ship, hoping that when activated, they will counteract the corruption and still the surrounding seas for exactly an hour. Secondly, they’ve fashioned a spotlight made of unquenchable fire and attached it to the mast so that you can see through the blackened night. Finally, pendants were crafted using shards excavated from the Metaia Temple’s Earth Crystal. These should guide you to the Kraken and the Water Shrine respectively.
All of these feel like nothing but worthless trinkets as the coast disappears from sight and there is nothing but rolling waves and the deep bellow of thunder. You lost your sister ships some time ago, and you can only hope that they too will find their destination safely.
Until then, there are only your fellow adventurers and the sailors rushing about in a constant state of urgency. Though the pendant guides you, there is no end in sight.
Post by Garnet Til Alexandros XVII on Aug 21, 2020 12:18:30 GMT -6
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There were certainly a lot of reasons for Garnet to have NOT volunteered to head to the water shrine when the call for adventurers went out. Garnet had been on an adventure, yes, but she wasn't what you'd call an adventurer. At least not by the standard sense. Her white magic could certainly help in a jam, and she knew that she wouldn't be alone, but she still wasn't really one for running head long into danger just for the thrill of it. But her search for Zidane had ground to a halt with the storm, and there was barely anything else she could do. Besides, water shrine? The last time she'd adventured to a water shrine, not only had she handled it with only Eiko for back-up, but it had been part of a key to finding their way to Terra.
It couldn't be a coincidence now, could it, that a water shrine was acting strangely on a world she had been pulled to against her will? Maybe the water shrine would have a hint as to how to get home, or at least, give her an idea that might help her understand what had happened here...
Garnet was soaked to the skin, the white of her silk blouse almost entirely see-through, and the rain streamed down her face with such abandon that nobody could see she was also crying. It wasn't the storm that scared her. Not as such. Not this storm. No. Instead, it was something else. A memory...
There was a time when she had thought it was a dream. A dream she kept having. A young girl, clinging to a boat, lost in a storm, too young to really understand what was happening, only knowing she had to stay close to her mother, huddling under a cloak as the spray of salt water and the freezing lashes of rain soaked into her, lightning flashing against the dark storm clouds...
...and in the distance, a gigantic eye loomed in the sky, glaring down on a burning village...
She had had that dream almost all of her life, and of course, she had learned that it wasn't a dream. She should have known. She could remember the freezing water against her, the lash of the rain, the tang of the salt water as it sprayed around the boat, the smell of the damp wood and her mother's soaked hair as she clung against her. But she had been raised a princess. She had never even felt the rain. A chance of rain meant that any public appearance would be called off, and she never left the castle. She had certainly never tasted the spray of the sea; how did she know it was salty? Oh yes, she had read books, but this was a memory. She could remember the cold rain, remember the salt, remember the smells...
She had just never understood it. Until she had found that boat at Madain Sari. Until she had remembered who she really was.
And now, with every gust of wind, every crash of the waves, she remembered again. She remembered her home burning. She remembered the people dying. She remembered having to leave her father behind to escape on the boat. It was all hazy, all gigantic the way the world looked to a six year old, and all the more terrifying for it. And worse of all, she remembered that eye.
She knew what it was. Of course she knew what it was. She had been inside the Invincible. She had travelled the world in the Invincible. She knew it was just the giant red circular device that rested in the bottom of what was only a very high tech airship. She knew that. She knew that logically, she had nothing to fear. But... logic had nothing to do with it... No matter how much she repeated to herself, it wasn't the same, it wasn't the same as her memory, there was no eye, the eye was just a high tech device from Terra, none of it mattered...
...still, she saw it. Looming over her. Intelligent. Malevolent. Evil. The great eye searching the sky from her burning home. Sometimes the nightmares ended when she thought it saw her, when she thought it looked at her, and suddenly she woke up in her warm bed, terrified and alone. When they had been adventuring together, in the small tent, it had been those times she'd edged closer to Zidane, pretending not to like it when he put his arm around her in the early days, but secretively being so glad of the human contact. Before that, a nightmare bad enough could send her scurrying into her mother and father's bed. She had to stop that once her father passed away, but there were nights she still wanted to retreat into her mother's arms...
But now she was a queen. And she was alone. She had nowhere to run. And she couldn't let it get to her. She couldn't let the trauma beat her. Every flash of lightning put her back in that boat, every glare of light made her see the eye, and she felt sick and faint and as if the ground beneath her was swaying. She felt like she did back on Bran Baal, when she saw the Invincible and had fainted clean away. But she couldn't faint here. She was alone, there was nobody to help her, and she was an adventurer. She had to keep it together...
But still, she swayed and her legs buckled and she felt light headed with terror as the flashbacks got worse, and she began to fight her way half blindly, desperately, for the lower decks, to try and get out of the rain, and away from the horrible nightmare. To find somewhere warm and safe and wait until they had made it through the storm. She couldn't face it any longer...
Don't know why there's no sun[break] up in the sky . Stormy weather.
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The endeavor against Garland should have been enough fun for any girl. For a while at least. But Quistis now found herself here on the pier in the middle of a storm. Her boots dug deep into the warped salted wood as she held on to the pillars to stay grounded. Teeth gritted against the cold rain and brine, the taste of salt already drowning her senses. But this was nothing. She had ridden mercenary ships across seas to provide aid to additional armies. Already, she was going through possible scenarios and putting herself in a specific mental zone. There was a cold distance in her eyes as the raging sea reflected in them.
[break][break] Just prior, Quistis spent what funds she could to attend classes at the University of Magi. What she couldn’t afford, she snuck into an open seat. Little of her mercenary funds went to her actual upkeep, not that she required much but a roof over her head, a place to bathe, and food to munch on as she poured over tomes until late in the night. Some of the University’s staff and students may have sworn she lived in the libraries trying to get her hands on whatever she could to understand magic in Zephon and how it relates to different regions. Perhaps then she could get an idea of the lands different magical draw points so that she could keep her own magic stocked. Battle tactics were a must to upkeep and update her current skill sets.
[break][break] But more importantly, she needed to help Zell find a way back home. In this, she carefully handled the dusty scrolls and handwritten manuscripts to get an idea of Zephon’s older shrines and ancient artifacts that laid hidden. Were there fiends associated with these items? What power did they hold? She found herself rudely awoken by the librarians, whom found Quistis with her silver reading spectacles fallen down her nose, her eyes a bit red from the strain.
[break][break] But not all the answers laid in lectures and old tomes. Quistis knew this very well. She needed to go out there and find them. An opportunity soon arose. Rumors about the pale coast grew more fervent over the last two weeks. The Magi were looking for volunteers as a state of emergency was declared. There was a dark creature lurking the waters and corruption eating at the Water Crystal. The seas and storms were raging relentlessly. Perhaps, this was a chance to find Zell a way home. Perhaps, this was a chance to find a relic to be brought back to the university for study. Imagine the past that could be gleaned from such a relic or even the possibility of finding a way to prevent a disaster like this from happening again.
[break][break] No matter the secondary reason, Quistis could not stand by and watch innocents die or their homes be destroyed. They needed help.
[break][break] Thus, Quistis found herself here, trusting very much in the Magi’s charms. She knew they would hold and for now, she saw no reason to take charge. It seemed the sailors charged with getting them to their destination were well versed in handling a ship. They had the proper storm sails up, smaller and lower so as not to be overpowered by the winds, but also effective as guiding the ship. Their tactics against the rough waves kept the ship upright, though Quistis found it difficult to keep her balance. A bit of medicine beforehand would keep her stomach from turning. She finished the knot on the rope at her waist. Something tight and unlikely to slip, but easy to slip out of in case the boat topsides.
[break][break] After taking in the efficiency of their boat, she saw a young lady shaking and crying. It was far too late to turn back now. Quistis shook her head and sighed, her hair sticking to her face. She found another length of rope to bring to her. “Are you okay?” Quistis did her best to approach Garnet without stumbling too hard against the rocking boat. “We’ll get through this. We’re all a team here. So, chin up, hm?” Quistis tried to encourage her. They were all here to help, after all. "Try not to buckle your legs. You'll pass out."
[break][break] She unbuttoned her water-resistant cloak. She placed it over Garnet’s shoulders comfortingly, hoping the weight of it was calming. Quistis was use to weathering the elements, she would manage. It would do no good if morale was already low on the ship. Maybe introductions would help. She blinked the rain out of her eyes and placed a wrist over her forehead to try to keep the rain at bay. Her weight shifted evenly with the rocking ship. “I’m Quistis. And you are?” She stepped in close, swaying slightly and pulled the end of the rope around Garnet's waist with a bit more urgency. Her voice kept calm, but firm as she did her knot for her. "We'll make sure you won't slip into the ocean. You're too good for the fishes."
I'd Rather be Dry But At Least I'm Alive Rain on me, rain Rain, Rain on me
Would it ever stop raining? Bartz sighed deeply as he looked out the window for what felt like the eighth day in a row as he awoke to the sound of the awning being barraged by the downpour. "Ugh," he yelled loudly closing the shutters again and slumping down at the kitchen table, well the only table in the run down room he and Faris had been sharing for awhile, drumming his fingers against the table. Faris was gone today, and he wondered where in the world he would be needed in such ferocious weather. If Bartz felt like he needed to stay indoors cooped up and not out wandering the great unknown, he would assume anyone would be staying nice and dry and safe in their abodes. Still he set up the chess board anyway in case Faris returned. Today was the day he was going to win and clear his ten to zero losing streak. He just knew it.
There wouldn't be much time for chess though as the door burst open and Faris came in a blitz. There wasn't as much as hello instead Bartz was given to a display of Faris stuffing necessities in a bag and some quick explanation about needing to captain a ship to go somewhere or another to do something or another, but Bartz wasn't really quite listening as he watch the puddle forming on the floor from the drenched man. "Alrighty, cool! So when are we heading to this ship? It'll be fun like a cruise going wherever the high winds decide to take us. Might also get us out away from this nasty weather," he exclaimed getting up from the table with a wide grin and his hand running through his hair.
And then Bartz was hit with the look. It was a look he had started growing accustomed too. If Bartz had to translate it into Faris talk it would sound something like "Hardy har, matey mate. You got the brains of a barnacle and that's a compliment innit?! Ye sure must be bluffin'" To this look he had begun to put his hand on his hip and cock to which he hoped it translated, "Everything works out doesn't it? Most of the time..... kinda sorta....eventually." This time though the usual standstill moved along quite a bit faster. Faris mumbled something about how'd he end up in the thick of things anyway and it was better to keep him close before throwing him a bag to start pack his essentials.
The journey to the coast wasn't the most pleasant of experiences the caravan getting stuck in the mud multiple times. Upon arrival Faris barked him to help get the ships ready as he went to get the captainy things captained. Bartz didn't really understand all the technical terms he was using but he just simply nodded. And so off Bartz wandered to see what he could do to help as he hugged his bag tight trying to keep it from flying away in the maelstrom. He could have sworn it hadn't been minutes, but some burly sea looking guy came up. "Captain wants everyone on the ship, NOW." He demanded pointing to the closest ship before hurrying off to go yell at the next group. Bartz knew better than to argue when Faris was in one of these moods and so made his way to the ship.
Soon enough the ship left the harbor, and Bartz hadn't spotted Faris once on the ship. Then again he really couldn't make out much of anything as balancing on his two feet out was hard enough work. When asked what his role was if part of the crew, he just shrugged. "Ah one of them adventurers," the mate muttered pointing him away from anything that had to do with sailing the ship. He shrugged as he tried to make his way to the inner part of the ship. He noticed two figures huddled together, and made his way over to see to women huddling together. Well maybe they knew where to go. "Hey there!" he exclaimed coming closer trying to be heard over the storm. "Sure is wet out here isn't it?" He asked trying to make small talk as he huddled his cape closer to him as a sad sad barrier against the elements. "You guys wanna try to find the cabins? Seems kinda silly to stand in the rain like this." He shrugged as he flashed them a grin but his mouth was quickly filled with salty water and brine. He spat and yucked it out. "Unless you're enjoying this. I know the captain does. Pirates can be silly like that, but he's a good one." This time he tried smiling with his eyes as he began scouring the dark blueish black void around them looking for any form of light. "Maybe that way?" He said boldly pointing in the direction he hadn't been walking unsure but sounding knowledgeable.
[attr="class","tlbody"] In Aljana, Tellah had no luck with the Desert Adventure Inc. The hardened desert adventurers had taken one look at him and all but laughed in his face. Too old, too weak. Maybe senile. They didn’t know anything. Tellah had been on countless adventures all over the world. He could hold his own. They just refused to give him, the great sage a proper chance. But then the rains started over the ocean. And they continued for fifteen days with no end in sight. Tellah heard the call from King Hremit of Torensten for adventurers to help find a solution to the flooding world. He’d taken one of the desert caravans across the Reikin Sands to the sprawling city. It was a glorious, beautiful city. Or at least, he assumed it was when it wasn’t drenched and flooded with trees breaking in the wind and signs and awnings tumbling down under the weight of the water. [break][break] Now, the Great Sage stood on the water-logged docks. The wood heaved and creaked, threatening to break under the onslaught. Tellah steadied himself on his staff as the crew boarded the ships assembled to venture forth into the frothing, raging sea. After the docks cleared a little, he made his way to the ship bound for the Water Shrine. A few other adventurers already appeared to be on board, though he couldn’t see too well through the water droplets coating his thick glasses. [break][break] “Halt, what is your purpose here?” a crewmember asked him as he stepped aboard. The man was peering at him through the rain. “I journey to the water temple to solve the mystery of the endless flood.” The answer seemed less than pleasing to the man. He muttered something about are these really the best the King could find? Tellah scowled at his back as he walked away before locating the small huddle of people that appeared to be his fellow adventurers. They all looked extremely young. Not just in relation to Tellah, but like they might be teenagers still. He tried to temper his expectations. Rydia had been no more than a child and was already a powerful summoner. There was no reason these three couldn’t be more than their appearances let on. [break][break] Two were young women. One seemed slightly unwell and Tellah groaned inwardly. Someone with seasickness! On a mission like this?! That didn’t bode well. The other woman comforting her looked much more surefooted and unbothered by the conditions aboard the boat. Tellah was confident she was some sort of a mage. She just had that look about her. The boy seemed… interesting. As Tellah approached, he was trying in vain to protect himself with his waterlogged cape. It did nothing but plaster itself to his clammy skin. Tellah had cast shell around himself. It didn’t fully prevent the rain from soaking him to the core, but it was a little better than nothing. And if any spells were cast upon the stormy seas he’d already have the protection against them. [break][break] The pink-clad man had arrived on the prow beside the three young people. He just heard the boy suggest finding cabins which was certainly not a bad idea. There was no need to stand on deck for the entirety of the journey. But the comment about the captain stopped him up short. Pirates? Their boat was captained by a pirate?! Oh, this was just getting better and better… He'd wanted a chance to adventure again, not a chance to die horribly at sea. Tellah groaned as the boy pointed in the complete opposite direction of where their cabins were. He was acting like he knew what he was doing. Clearly, he did not despite possible familiarity with their pirate captain. “Only if you want to bunk down with the supplies. I’d prefer a bed instead of a barrel, though. Crew cabins are that way.” He jerked his hand behind him and waited. Water trailed down his soaked beard and he shook himself a little. Shell really wasn’t very helpful.
[attr="class","ayab-lyrics"]be as you've always been
[attr="class","ayab-tagged"]for many people!
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[attr="class","ayab-text"] It was really, really cold! And wet![break][break]
Aerith was already shivering almost violently on the deck of the ship as she pondered her life choices and her insatiable need to help even when she did not have to. But, well, she was here to help and there was no backing out on that choice now! Well, she could, but she doubted she could swim back to Torrenstein without drowning as soon as she jumped overboard. The last time she had been on a ship had been when she had left Junon cross the ocean to Costa del Sol. That voyage had been done in secrecy as her entire party had disguised themselves in sailor garb to chase after Sephiroth in their quest to stop him. And then a remnant of Jenova had been on the ship to defeat, and here she was doing something similar. Well, hopefully, there would be no Jenova remnant to contend with. [break][break]
The heavy weight of her hair was plastered against her cheeks and her braid fell limp against her back as her pink dress clung to her slender frame. At least her red bolero helped to anything see-through from showing as she continued to quake in her boots and sorely wish she had an umbrella to hide beneath. Then again, why was she standing here like a drowned rat? Aerith could very well go back beneath the deck after all! But she had wanted to see if any progress had been made in finding this Water Shrine. A big nope to that question! [break][break]
Huffing a little, she noticed a few others gathering to crown around a young woman with dark hair. Her fellow adventurers that she had yet to introduce herself to. It was unlike her to be so quiet and introverted, but she supposed the weather had distracted her along with her worries about the ship crashing and all of them sinking into the seas to become ghosts. But she began to make her way over with a friendly smile and a cheerful aura as she pushed aside her discomfort for the moment. "Oooh, the ship is being captained by a pirate? How exciting! I wonder if we'll find treasure in the temple, too!" she greeted with a laugh. [break][break]
Her hands were clasped behind her back as she leaned forward with an easy smile for all of them. "My name's Aerith! Pleased to meet all of you!" As she looked up towards the clouded sky, Aerith wondered if a barrier spell would work at blocking the continuous rainfall. No, she really should conserve her magical energy for when it was needed. [break][break]
The ship rocks dangerously in the raging waters. The wind strikes you with renewed strength. The bellowing roar of thunder nearly drowns the conversation -- not that there's much time for one. There's time for introductions and a little chatter before you hear a sailor shouting from where he’s manning the fire at the ship’s mast. ”Ahead! There’s land ahead!”
The shards glow brighter as the ship steers towards a dark shadow, looming closer. On the horizon, you see a dark shadow looming closer. The water grows rougher as the amulet leads you towards coastal water, and the sailors direct the spotlight towards your destination. There it stands, a great mound of jagged rocks jutting out from the sea. You approach carefully. One wrong move, and your ship will crash against it, splintering and joining the wrecks lost to the ocean floor.
Your ship circles it carefully, but finds no entrances or ports of entry. Instead, it is an impenetrable fortress of stone and cliff. The amulet leads you to one side and then blares its alarm, lighting the deck in an amber light. ’This is where you will find what you seek,’ it seems to say. Here, in this exact spot.
And yet you see nothing ahead, beside, or behind. There are barely footholds in the stone -- some nested by seabirds and all too slippery to climb. The storm rages, making the water treacherous and your vision impossible. Yet still the amulet glows. ’It’s here. It’s here. It’s here.’
Post by Garnet Til Alexandros XVII on Aug 23, 2020 11:55:34 GMT -6
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Garnet's attempted retreat was cut short by a woman coming to her side. It seemed that she could tell Garnet was struggling, her voice gentle and kind, and before Garnet could protest, she had a cloak around her shoulders. The weight of it brought her some warm and comfort, and did something to block out the raging storm and the memories that slammed against her mind thanks to it. Not enough, her legs still felt wobbly, her throat felt dry, her breathing was ragged as the thoughts assaulted her, as the memories of the storm and the fire and the horrible eye kept tearing through her. She tried to focus on the voice of the woman, the one who had come to her aid, and she tried to peer through the rain. Focus on her voice. Focus on the then and now. The past was the past. It couldn't hurt you. "Th-thank you," she managed to say with a nod as she pulled the cloak around her. The woman wanted her to stay confident, and Garnet wondered how she could explain what she was feeling. That she wasn't scared of the storm. She wasn't just afraid. Not anymore. She was struggling with memories. With flashbacks. She didn't know how to put it into words.
The woman asked her name, and Garnet almost hesitated. What should she say? Dagger was of course her alias, but it wasn't the truth, and while... well, there was a lot of her that was Dagger, that in her mind, she considered the part of her that would do something like board a ship and adventure to a water shrine very much Dagger, this woman had been kind to her. She had been gentle. And she deserved her real name. "I am Garnet Til Alexandros," she replied, just as the other man came over to join them, with a cheerfulness in a crisis that almost reminded her of Zidane. She had forgone the 'XVII'. It seemed unnecessary at this point. She found it helpful to repeat the words in her head. I am Garnet Til Alexandros. I am Garnet Til Alexandros. I have faced dragons and monsters, I have travelled to other worlds and battled a man with the power of a God, I can handle this. I am Garnet Til Alexandros.
She looked down curiously at the rope the woman had tied around her waist. She seemed to suggest it was to stop her falling overboard. That did little to make Garnet feel better, because the concept that she fell off the ship and then was left dangling by the rope was somehow even more unpleasant than the idea of being swept into the ocean at all. Not that it was either of those things driving the fear into her. The old man came over to join them also, and helped them work out the right direction for the cabins. "Y-yes, it would be... good to wait in the cabins," she admitted, her knees still shaking weakly as the rain lashed against her and the dark memories threatened to encroach upon everything she was trying to do.
A girl in pink joined them, apparently excited that their ship was captained by a pirate. Garnet had thought that was what the man had said, but had assumed she had misheard during the storm. "A... pirate?" she repeated, her voice more fretful than frightened, as if she was worried about what could go wrong more than being in danger. It did, at least, help distract her for a moment. The girl named Aerith introduced herself, and Garnet found herself having to do the same for the second time. "Garnet..." she replied, pausing for a moment. "...Til Alexandros," she added, because as much as the others were introducing herself with their first name only, as much as she knew it was the correct thing to do in a common social situation, her name always sounded strange to her when she said it without her full name. It still felt a little bit odd leaving the number off the end, but she knew that was a good idea for brevity.
Unfortunately, her dreams of finding comfort in the cabins were lost when something loomed out of the darkness. Gigantic, forboding, looming high above them, she craned her neck to look at it. It was slick with rain, and doubtlessly the water shrine was at the top. The pendant that she wore, clinking and tapping against her own pendant from Alexandria, told her so. It glowed with purpose and seemed to repeat the message in her mind, this was the location, and yet, there was no way in. No possible entrance, and the cliff face was far too wet and slick for even Zidane to climb, let alone Garnet.
On the bright side, the arrival at their destination, and the sense of purpose, began to distract from the traumatic memories. Garnet's breathing became noticeably calmer, she no longer looked quite as pale, and her legs weren't quite shaking as much. Even if she was still soaked to the skin and shivering. "This is our destination," she said to the others, although she suspected they already had figured that out. "But how do we proceed? I can't seen an entrance..." she peered off the edge of the ship, taking in the slick rocks. "We can't climb that..." she turned to the others. "Can we?" she asked for confirmation, just in case she was overestimating the difficulty. There was a time when she thought climbing the Iifa Tree would be impossible, but Zidane and Amarant had managed it easily, after all.
Don't know why there's no sun[break] up in the sky. Stormy weather.
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Quistis could tell the dark-haired lady was struggling to reorient herself. She hoped that her words and the weight of a cloak would bring Garnet back. Words of gratitude were stammered at Quistis in response, which seemed promising to a recovery. Then, a name was given. “Garnet Til Alexandros.” Quistis perfectly repeated back. She must be some sort of important person to give such a trained response to a name.
[break][break]
She finished with the ropes, though it seemed Garnet was still uncomfortable. It probably didn’t help that the others came to crowd around her. One was an older gentleman that seemed to have some sense about him and, judging by his staff, a talent for magic. The younger gentleman seemed a little confused, but had quite the exuberance of energy. And then there was an eager lady who seemed to have her wits about her. Quistis politely repeated their names, then introduced herself. “Quistis. It’s a pleasure to be working with you.” She would have offered a hand or some business greeting if the weather and the water weren’t so bad as to force her to keep her balance.
[break][break]
If the others wanted to wait in the cabin, then they could. Quistis couldn’t help but imagine the boat tipping over and being unable to escape the cabins as they flooded while the boat sank. But, instead of instilling that fear on the adventurers she simply shook her head. “I think one of us should stay on deck to keep an eye out for this shrine and protect those manning the boat. I will do this.” And who knew if this beast lingered too closer to the shrine. There could always be another guardian to fight. Someone had to protect the sailors in that case.
[break][break]
Bartz said something about the ship being manned by pirates. The misinformation seemed to spread quickly among them. But Quistis knew very well this was not the case. The others may have taken to the information, but Quistis shook her head looking at Bartz. “There are no pirates. Just decent sailors who volunteered through the University of the Magi.” She corrected, shaking her head. Arms crossed as she leaned her weight into one hip.
[break][break]
“However…” She said more brightly at Aerith’s remarks about treasure. “I am hoping to find treasure too.” Wouldn’t that be nice? Though her idea of treasure was less about value and more about history and studying. She had a feeling what she was looking for would conflict less with what they searched for.
[break][break]
But it seemed there would be no time for the others to go below deck. The loud crack of thunder as the lightning strikes in the distance sent chills down her spine. When the news came of land, she was already running toward the edge of the ship in the direction the light shone. She stumbled as the boat rocked, her boots sliding across the wood as she hurried. She caught herself roughly on the railing, her hair blown to one side in her efforts. That would be a bruise in her side come the morning. But there! She could see it. It was only luck that they avoided monsters on the way here.
[break][break]
Quistis quietly studied the land masses as they began to circle the jagged rocks and cliff faces. There was not much to see, and looks could be deceiving.
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Garnet murmured that this was their destination. Their crystals shined bright as if to punctuate her remarks. There was no need to grab the crystals and look at them for they could tell the adventurers no more. She didn’t respond to Garnet’s speculations as Quistis began to ponder this situation. She could not help but wonder if the Water Shrine was, well, in the water below them.
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To climb or to dive. There did seem to be footholds in the stone. There was also a chance the shrine could be below them. But, to attempt either in this storm would spell one’s death. She was sure. She turned her eyes to the sailor manning the fire at the mast. She raised her voice, her tone clear and loud through the storm like when she used to command SEED groups in less ideal situations. “Still the waters!” She demanded. The sailor echoed her command.
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They brought forth yet another crystal, one that was much larger than what the party carried with them. A soft light lit the boat in a blinding, green flash. Quistis covered eyes with the back of her hand at it. She felt the boat still beneath her. The soaking rain ceased suddenly to but a drizzle. The wind no longer threatened to push them over board. Yet, beyond the perimeter the storm raged on.
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Quistis studied the cliff side again, but there was still nothing remarkable. There was a blinding glare to the sea's surface because the man at the mast had not moved it. Was there a key to open a passageway? A spell? Their crystals? Or did they really need to climb or dive. She turned to look to the others. “What do you think?” She was open to suggestions.
I'd Rather be Dry But At Least I'm Alive Rain on me, rain Rain, Rain on me
Well he sure was wet. As the group huddled about, the storm wasn't one to give up, and it was doing it's best to rip Bartz' cape off or strangle him with it, one or the other. He tried his best to keep from shivering violently, but a couple shudders violently rolled through him as he looked at some others coming to join them. He felt a hint of silliness having pointed in the wrong direction as the old man chastised him, but he had a history of old guys not really knowing what they were talking about so he took it with a grain of salt. He blinked for a moment as he thought about this. Wait, what old guys did he even know? He waved the thought away as another pretty lady decided to saunter on over.
"Treasure? Oh boy," he exclaimed even though the thought of it wasn't sending him over the moon. Nope, just exploring even under such distress alongside his good buddy Faris, was more than enough treasure for the wide eyed wanderer, but something the blonde, Quistis?, said made him purse and suck on his lips in confusion. "Nah, captain's really a pirate. He's about this tall," he demonstrated placing his hand near his shoulder, "and has some long purple hair. Very dashing and handsome!" He didn't have much time to continue his explanation as a sudden wave had him lose his footing and he tumbled right into the side of the boat as a massive structure appeared before them.
Bartz whistled more to himself then anybody. That was some solid rock if he had ever seen it before. Bartz tried looking up how far it'd go, but started to get a bit dizzy and felt his heart clench as he saw how high the structure went. He was surprised when everyone else started to glow slightly in amber, and was even more surprised as the blonde made everything stop by yelling at people who brought a big green crystal. Bartz stared at it in amazement before yelping as his eyes were assaulted by the sudden green flash. Without really thinking about it, Bartz pulled out his crystal shard matching the same hue as the one in the middle. His wasn't shining though although he felt like his heart was. A certain passion he didn't quite understand like the wind calling him to follow.
The storm abated and Bartz was pulled from his thoughts as everyone else seemed to have an amber amulet of some kind glowing at them. "Hey, where did you get those?" He complained loudly feeling left out from the group but coming in closer to look at the shiny objects. "Alright, the rest is up to you lot," a voice from behind called and Bartz turned to look. A taller than he man stood with a salute before turning to a sailor and barking order. "Aye, aye, captain," they barked back and Bartz blanched. That was not Faris. Was he on the wrong boat? There had been four them. He was worried for a moment, but then laughed loudly. Faris would be fine, man knew how to take care of himself. Bartz could adapt and staying on the ship without Faris seemed like a bad idea.
"Well, if they're shining maybe they're supposed to do something? Apparently my crystal can talk to me when it wants, so I should be able to talk back to things that want to talk to us right? Seems only fair really." he offered as Quisits asked what to do next. He waltzed up to the old man and grabbed at his amulet, as if he was just gonna grab a lady's jewelry. He tapped on it a few time leaning down to listen to it. "Hello, hello? Open sesame! Let us in. Show us the way! Pretty please!" he asked the amulet pressing his ear right up against it hoping for a reply. "Come on ask your own if they might help?" He said cocking his head seeing if the ladies would join in. "Ah, wait it's yours my bad," he said moving the amulet up so that both he and Tellah could listen to it at once. "Alright quiet now, so we can hear!"
