Death's Head
Freelance Peacekeeping Agent
A few years ago I started work on a FF inspired fanfic and started to post it online on a fanfiction website and on a couple of forums I used to go to. It received some good reviews, but after a time writer's block hit me hard as well as other concerns, I stopped posting chapters and even writing it.
The story is a original piece of fiction, with elements from the Final Fantasy series (Chocobo's, Name of Magic spells, summon monsters, job classes etc), but the characters, location names and such are all my own creation.
I first started this, back in 2003 (more than a few years lol) and I've decided to go back to that story and to continue to work on it. After the time away from writing and such, I feel a return is in order.
I will post the story from the very beginning and post subsequent chapters with minor editing, most likely a week or so apart. I'm editing/rewriting chapters to fit with how I want it to go. If you like what you read, please leave a short review.
Thank you.
P.S. - All italicized text between '>>..<<', is a persons thoughts.
P.P.S. - I write large chapters lol. I'll try to cut them down from chapter two onwards.
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Chapter One
It has been three hundred years since the event, everyone refers to as, the End of Days. No one knows how the End of Days was brought about, although an obscure religious sect of Monks claim that the eight crystals, which maintained the balance and harmony of the world, four of them, the crystal of Light Wind, crystal of Light Water, the crystal of Dark Earth and the crystal of Dark Fire, were stolen from their sacred altars and hidden somewhere in this new world. Since that time, the world has been cast into darkness. Everything the world once was, is gone. Technology and science, abandoned to barbaric medieval anarchy, respect being brought by whoever has the strongest sword arm or magical spell.
Guilds have opened across the many continents, specializing in a certain trade. Warrior, Thief, Black Mage, White Mage amongst the many others. Those studying the ancient arts of combat, the Monks, were called on as those to uphold justice. However, there is also another Guild, frowned upon by many, because of the nature of the trade taught there. Whereas the other guilds focused just on one trade, this one combined three trades into one, the Guild of the Red Mages.
Red Mages, taught in the art of White Magic and Black Magic, but whereas Mages of these two arts are prohibited in wielding edged weaponry, the Red Mages were also taught in the art of the Warrior, wielding swords and wearing armour.
Within the Mythril mining city of Ataan and in it’s chapter of the Red Mage guild, two exceptionally gifted and skilled members, a brother and sister, were currently in a disagreement with the head of their Guild.
“This is preposterous! I can’t believe you’re gonna cave in to the other three Guilds and roll over?!? What about all of our colleagues here, what’s gonna happen to them!?!”
Behind a big wooden desk, the elderly Guildmaster sighed as he regarded the two Red Mages before him. He had this discussion with them numerous times over the past few days, and it always ended the same, the female Red Mage being restrained by her red robed brother, who also wore a similar look of outrage on his face.
“I’m afraid that there’s nothing which I can do. We all knew this day was going to arrive, and now it has. As of this morning, the Ataan Guild of Red Mages, is closed. All former members have until daybreak tomorrow to be out of town, or risk the repercussions.”
The male Red Mage, Aberdeen Edwardes, spoke in a quiet tone.
“And what are the members supposed to do? Flee to the Karet or Mineous chapters of the Guild? Karet is a one week journey from here and Mineous is even longer. Do you really think any of us would survive the journey?”
His sister, Ariel Edwardes added.
“As soon as we step foot out of this Guild, we’ll be lynched and hung.”
The Guildmaster sighed. Aberdeen and Ariel weren’t making things easy for him, and never did. But he had to admit, they were the best Red Mages he had ever had the pleasure of serving under him.
“Aberdeen, Ariel, I know this is hard for the two of you to understand, but please listen to me. Ever since the Mayor’s youngest son was inadvertently killed by a member of our order, we’ve been forced not just by the other Guild’s, but also the Mayor himself to leave this town and never return.” The old man sighed “I wish there was another way to all of this, but there isn’t. I’m sorry.”
Aberdeen’s eyes narrowed, the Guildmaster and even his sister backing off slightly. Aberdeen’s left eye was hazel, just like the long hair on the left side of his head. On the right side, his hair was the colour of dragonsilver, as was his right eye. A jagged scar ran down the right side of his face, intersecting his right eye. The scar was always a bad subject with Aberdeen, seeing as how he had been given it. He had received it during a fight against a former ally and best friend.
His sister swallowed and spoke.
“Look, all that Aberdeen and myself want to say is…”
The Guildmaster raised his hand to stop her from speaking.
“I know Ariel, I’ve heard you raise this point many times. As it stands, the three of us are the only Red Mages still here in Ataan. The only bit of advice I can tell you, is to leave Ataan immediately. Hoigreh, Suzann and Shanos have already left the town. If you don’t leave, I fear what happened to Reogor and Jaonos, could befall you.” He looked at the two before him fondly “And that’s something, I could not bear to stand.”
Ariel sighed and lowered her head, her auburn bangs falling among her shoulders. Aberdeen put his hand on his sibling’s shoulder and looked at the Guildmaster, a look of seriousness on his face.
“Master… who know Ariel and myself consider you to be the closest thing to a parent we’ve ever had. We’re not going to abandon our home and you, to this mob.”
Ariel nodded
“Besides, we can’t leave you here…”
The Guildmaster stood on shaky feet, his hands holding onto the table. He gazed at the two before him, fondness in his eyes.
“I’m afraid I won’t be accompanying the two of you. I’m too old to survive the trek, and I do not think I will survive it.” He walked out from behind his desk, to the two siblings. As he approached them, he put one hand on their right shoulders “The two of you, I have cared and raised since I find you as babes, all those years ago. I still have friends here, though not many, who will endeavour to deliver me from this tyranny we’re facing. Please, my son and daughter, flee while you still can.”
Ariel, eyes watering, nodded, her head bowed. Aberdeen meanwhile, kept the cold look on his face. He didn’t like this idea one minute, but he had no choice in the matter. He shifted into ‘professional’ mode.
“Very well sir, as per your last order, Ariel and myself shall leave Ataan immediately, and head for either Karet or Mineous. Are there any last minute instructions you have for us, sir?”
Ariel looked at her brother, then at their ‘father’. The guildmaster removed two heavy pouches from within his robes and handed them to his children. Inside were was the amount of eight hundred Gil. Aberdeen and Ariel both were about to speak, when their father stopped them again.
“You’ll need the Gil. In that trunk, you’ll find some potions, a tent as well as provisions. I’m afraid that I have no Chocobo’s left, Hoigreh and his two companions took the last ones yesterday. Go to the stablemaster Glhive, and he’ll give you two horses. Don’t flee to Karet or Mineous, that’s what the Mayor and his supporters will suspect. Head for the port of Labthynea. The Guildmaster of the Black Mage guild is my younger brother. Tell him, Fabrius, has sent you. He will aid you.”
Aberdeen, had already opened the trunk alongside the wall and removed the supplies. He turned and looked at his sister and father.
“What if...”
At a look from his father, he clamped his mouth shut. He recognized the look on the old man’s face instantly. It was then he knew his father’s fate. He grasped his sister’s shoulder.
“It’s time we left Ariel. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover.”
The Guildmaster nodded in agreement.
“Ariel, Aberdeen, the two of you are family. You can only truly trust and depend upon each other. During your journey ahead, you will need each other and the strength you share to overcome whatever adversity you face. Even if you have companions join you, remember you can only trust each other, no one else.” He paused “Blood is blood, everyone else, are just a stranger.”
Ariel and Aberdeen faced their father, the former hugging him while the latter watched quietly from the side. Both siblings turned and headed for the door, leading into what once was the common area of the guild, and looked back at their father, who had made his way back to his seat and sat down.
Aberdeen walked towards one of the secret guild doors, leading to a tunnel heading towards the stables, his red hat already on his head. His long sword sheathed at his side, as he handed his sister her blade. No sooner had she buckled the blade to her belt, her hat on her head, the main door of the guild started to shake, as strong poundings could be heard.
The two siblings had just fled into the tunnel, sealing the door behind them, as the main door shattered under the blows, and the Mayor’s other son entered, his own group of fighters with him. One of them, was a White Mage, by the name of Kye Havard, who frowned on the course of action he was being forced to take.
Kye looked around him and sighed. Inside the former Guild of the Red Mages with him, were two Black Mages, a warrior and the Mayor’s son, Sascha, leading them.
“Find them! All Red Mages are to be brought before the gallows in the central plaza immediately!”
Kye looked at Sascha, shock on his face.
“Excuse me, but don’t the Red Mages have until tomorrow to leave town or risk execution?”
One of the Black Mages, Motrud, snickered.
“Ohh, what’s the matter? The White Robe afraid to get his precious white robes dirty? Poor baby!”
The other Black Mage, Othoirs, laughed in a sinister tone.
“That’s just what the Mayor told them. In reality, they had to be out of town BEFORE he had finished giving that speech. Remember those three we caught before coming here?” He looked at the Warrior “What were those three called?”
The warrior, Nisu smirked.
“I believe they were once called Hoigreh, Suzann and Shanos. Hoigreh really squealed as the rope jerked his neck.” He paused “A shame about Suzann, she really had potential…”
Sascha looked at Nisu from the corner of his eye.
“Potential, eh Nisu? What as, dare I ask?”
Nisu laughed.
“She had the potential to be a good distraction, and a way for,” he smiled evilly “Relief for men to use her for.”
As the others laughed, Kye felt his stomach turn. He couldn’t believe what the town had degenerated into, a pack of wolves baying for the blood of anyone wearing red robes. He had a feeling that the murder of Sascha’s brother, Edmund by a Red Mage, was a conspiracy just to get rid of Red Mages from this town. However, he found his pleas were falling on deaf ears, as his own place within the Ataan chapter of White Mages was currently under review. He turned and leaned against the wall, his mind made up, to leave this town as soon as Sascha had finished in the Red Mage guild.
Sascha opened the door to the Guildmaster’s office and found the former head slumped in his chair, breathing shallowly. With no remorse whatsoever, he drew his sword and sliced the old man’s head off completely, grasping the fallen head by the hair and exiting the guild, ignoring the looks of joy and happiness on the face of his companions, the look of terror and shock on Kye’s face. No sooner had Kye’s group left the guild, Motrud and Othoirs, turned and cast Fire onto the wooden beams and the red drapes within the Guild hall, the firelight reflecting in their eyes as the Guild caught ablaze and started to burn fiercely. Sascha laughed as did Nisu and the Black Mages, whilst Kye turned away and vomited onto the ground, his face pale and sweaty. He had just inadvertently participated in the taking of a life, breaking his vows and the White Mage oath.
Nisu looked at the hunched over White Mage.
“You knew this was going to happen Havard, no use acting upset now. Besides, the head of your guild has decreed that the life taking of the Red Mages, is of no concern to you lot. Their lives are meaningless and worthless. Why do you act so… upset?”
Kye looked over his shoulder at Nisu.
“ALL life is precious Nisu. It is a thing granted to us all by a higher power, and one which should not be taken until the time is right! What we have just been party to, we shall never be forgiven for.”
Motrud snorted and hit Kye with his staff.
“I know you White Mages are a sniveling bunch of cowards and pant wetters, but YOU, Kye Havard, are even worse! You are the most pitiful wretch of a White Mage, nay, a human being I have ever encountered in my whole life!”
Kye turned and glared at the Black Mage, anger on his face.
“At least I am HUMAN! Not like you, or the rest of you! You make me sick, with your acts of so called ‘vengeance’. One day, after this blind hatred is over, the vengeance of the Red Mages were come calling, and I pray you live long enough to experience your own deaths, just like Hoigreh, Suzann and Shanos!”
With that said, Kye stormed off, anger in every step he took. Nisu looked at Sascha, who had already impaled the head of the Red Mage guildmaster on a stake, and thrust the stake into the ground, in front of the flaming guild hall.
“Sascha, what are we going to do about Kye? He’s going to cause trouble…”
Sascha looked at Nisu, a sinister smile on his face.
“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of him when we’ve killed those two Red Mages who’ve managed to escape us.”
Nisu sighed.
“You mean the Edwardes?”
Sascha nodded.
“As much as I like Ariel, she and her brother must die, and will die before my eyes. They’re Red Mages, and Red Mages are to be executed.”
As Sascha and the Black Mages headed off, Nisu frowned and glanced at the burning hall.
>>I fear, the slaying of the Edwardes will be near impossible for us to carry out. After all, if Knight Morthoseth could not slay Aberdeen Edwardes, and was in turn slain by his target, what chance do we have?<<
************************************************** *********************
The story is a original piece of fiction, with elements from the Final Fantasy series (Chocobo's, Name of Magic spells, summon monsters, job classes etc), but the characters, location names and such are all my own creation.
I first started this, back in 2003 (more than a few years lol) and I've decided to go back to that story and to continue to work on it. After the time away from writing and such, I feel a return is in order.
I will post the story from the very beginning and post subsequent chapters with minor editing, most likely a week or so apart. I'm editing/rewriting chapters to fit with how I want it to go. If you like what you read, please leave a short review.
Thank you.
P.S. - All italicized text between '>>..<<', is a persons thoughts.
P.P.S. - I write large chapters lol. I'll try to cut them down from chapter two onwards.
-------------------------------
Chapter One
It has been three hundred years since the event, everyone refers to as, the End of Days. No one knows how the End of Days was brought about, although an obscure religious sect of Monks claim that the eight crystals, which maintained the balance and harmony of the world, four of them, the crystal of Light Wind, crystal of Light Water, the crystal of Dark Earth and the crystal of Dark Fire, were stolen from their sacred altars and hidden somewhere in this new world. Since that time, the world has been cast into darkness. Everything the world once was, is gone. Technology and science, abandoned to barbaric medieval anarchy, respect being brought by whoever has the strongest sword arm or magical spell.
Guilds have opened across the many continents, specializing in a certain trade. Warrior, Thief, Black Mage, White Mage amongst the many others. Those studying the ancient arts of combat, the Monks, were called on as those to uphold justice. However, there is also another Guild, frowned upon by many, because of the nature of the trade taught there. Whereas the other guilds focused just on one trade, this one combined three trades into one, the Guild of the Red Mages.
Red Mages, taught in the art of White Magic and Black Magic, but whereas Mages of these two arts are prohibited in wielding edged weaponry, the Red Mages were also taught in the art of the Warrior, wielding swords and wearing armour.
Within the Mythril mining city of Ataan and in it’s chapter of the Red Mage guild, two exceptionally gifted and skilled members, a brother and sister, were currently in a disagreement with the head of their Guild.
“This is preposterous! I can’t believe you’re gonna cave in to the other three Guilds and roll over?!? What about all of our colleagues here, what’s gonna happen to them!?!”
Behind a big wooden desk, the elderly Guildmaster sighed as he regarded the two Red Mages before him. He had this discussion with them numerous times over the past few days, and it always ended the same, the female Red Mage being restrained by her red robed brother, who also wore a similar look of outrage on his face.
“I’m afraid that there’s nothing which I can do. We all knew this day was going to arrive, and now it has. As of this morning, the Ataan Guild of Red Mages, is closed. All former members have until daybreak tomorrow to be out of town, or risk the repercussions.”
The male Red Mage, Aberdeen Edwardes, spoke in a quiet tone.
“And what are the members supposed to do? Flee to the Karet or Mineous chapters of the Guild? Karet is a one week journey from here and Mineous is even longer. Do you really think any of us would survive the journey?”
His sister, Ariel Edwardes added.
“As soon as we step foot out of this Guild, we’ll be lynched and hung.”
The Guildmaster sighed. Aberdeen and Ariel weren’t making things easy for him, and never did. But he had to admit, they were the best Red Mages he had ever had the pleasure of serving under him.
“Aberdeen, Ariel, I know this is hard for the two of you to understand, but please listen to me. Ever since the Mayor’s youngest son was inadvertently killed by a member of our order, we’ve been forced not just by the other Guild’s, but also the Mayor himself to leave this town and never return.” The old man sighed “I wish there was another way to all of this, but there isn’t. I’m sorry.”
Aberdeen’s eyes narrowed, the Guildmaster and even his sister backing off slightly. Aberdeen’s left eye was hazel, just like the long hair on the left side of his head. On the right side, his hair was the colour of dragonsilver, as was his right eye. A jagged scar ran down the right side of his face, intersecting his right eye. The scar was always a bad subject with Aberdeen, seeing as how he had been given it. He had received it during a fight against a former ally and best friend.
His sister swallowed and spoke.
“Look, all that Aberdeen and myself want to say is…”
The Guildmaster raised his hand to stop her from speaking.
“I know Ariel, I’ve heard you raise this point many times. As it stands, the three of us are the only Red Mages still here in Ataan. The only bit of advice I can tell you, is to leave Ataan immediately. Hoigreh, Suzann and Shanos have already left the town. If you don’t leave, I fear what happened to Reogor and Jaonos, could befall you.” He looked at the two before him fondly “And that’s something, I could not bear to stand.”
Ariel sighed and lowered her head, her auburn bangs falling among her shoulders. Aberdeen put his hand on his sibling’s shoulder and looked at the Guildmaster, a look of seriousness on his face.
“Master… who know Ariel and myself consider you to be the closest thing to a parent we’ve ever had. We’re not going to abandon our home and you, to this mob.”
Ariel nodded
“Besides, we can’t leave you here…”
The Guildmaster stood on shaky feet, his hands holding onto the table. He gazed at the two before him, fondness in his eyes.
“I’m afraid I won’t be accompanying the two of you. I’m too old to survive the trek, and I do not think I will survive it.” He walked out from behind his desk, to the two siblings. As he approached them, he put one hand on their right shoulders “The two of you, I have cared and raised since I find you as babes, all those years ago. I still have friends here, though not many, who will endeavour to deliver me from this tyranny we’re facing. Please, my son and daughter, flee while you still can.”
Ariel, eyes watering, nodded, her head bowed. Aberdeen meanwhile, kept the cold look on his face. He didn’t like this idea one minute, but he had no choice in the matter. He shifted into ‘professional’ mode.
“Very well sir, as per your last order, Ariel and myself shall leave Ataan immediately, and head for either Karet or Mineous. Are there any last minute instructions you have for us, sir?”
Ariel looked at her brother, then at their ‘father’. The guildmaster removed two heavy pouches from within his robes and handed them to his children. Inside were was the amount of eight hundred Gil. Aberdeen and Ariel both were about to speak, when their father stopped them again.
“You’ll need the Gil. In that trunk, you’ll find some potions, a tent as well as provisions. I’m afraid that I have no Chocobo’s left, Hoigreh and his two companions took the last ones yesterday. Go to the stablemaster Glhive, and he’ll give you two horses. Don’t flee to Karet or Mineous, that’s what the Mayor and his supporters will suspect. Head for the port of Labthynea. The Guildmaster of the Black Mage guild is my younger brother. Tell him, Fabrius, has sent you. He will aid you.”
Aberdeen, had already opened the trunk alongside the wall and removed the supplies. He turned and looked at his sister and father.
“What if...”
At a look from his father, he clamped his mouth shut. He recognized the look on the old man’s face instantly. It was then he knew his father’s fate. He grasped his sister’s shoulder.
“It’s time we left Ariel. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover.”
The Guildmaster nodded in agreement.
“Ariel, Aberdeen, the two of you are family. You can only truly trust and depend upon each other. During your journey ahead, you will need each other and the strength you share to overcome whatever adversity you face. Even if you have companions join you, remember you can only trust each other, no one else.” He paused “Blood is blood, everyone else, are just a stranger.”
Ariel and Aberdeen faced their father, the former hugging him while the latter watched quietly from the side. Both siblings turned and headed for the door, leading into what once was the common area of the guild, and looked back at their father, who had made his way back to his seat and sat down.
Aberdeen walked towards one of the secret guild doors, leading to a tunnel heading towards the stables, his red hat already on his head. His long sword sheathed at his side, as he handed his sister her blade. No sooner had she buckled the blade to her belt, her hat on her head, the main door of the guild started to shake, as strong poundings could be heard.
The two siblings had just fled into the tunnel, sealing the door behind them, as the main door shattered under the blows, and the Mayor’s other son entered, his own group of fighters with him. One of them, was a White Mage, by the name of Kye Havard, who frowned on the course of action he was being forced to take.
Kye looked around him and sighed. Inside the former Guild of the Red Mages with him, were two Black Mages, a warrior and the Mayor’s son, Sascha, leading them.
“Find them! All Red Mages are to be brought before the gallows in the central plaza immediately!”
Kye looked at Sascha, shock on his face.
“Excuse me, but don’t the Red Mages have until tomorrow to leave town or risk execution?”
One of the Black Mages, Motrud, snickered.
“Ohh, what’s the matter? The White Robe afraid to get his precious white robes dirty? Poor baby!”
The other Black Mage, Othoirs, laughed in a sinister tone.
“That’s just what the Mayor told them. In reality, they had to be out of town BEFORE he had finished giving that speech. Remember those three we caught before coming here?” He looked at the Warrior “What were those three called?”
The warrior, Nisu smirked.
“I believe they were once called Hoigreh, Suzann and Shanos. Hoigreh really squealed as the rope jerked his neck.” He paused “A shame about Suzann, she really had potential…”
Sascha looked at Nisu from the corner of his eye.
“Potential, eh Nisu? What as, dare I ask?”
Nisu laughed.
“She had the potential to be a good distraction, and a way for,” he smiled evilly “Relief for men to use her for.”
As the others laughed, Kye felt his stomach turn. He couldn’t believe what the town had degenerated into, a pack of wolves baying for the blood of anyone wearing red robes. He had a feeling that the murder of Sascha’s brother, Edmund by a Red Mage, was a conspiracy just to get rid of Red Mages from this town. However, he found his pleas were falling on deaf ears, as his own place within the Ataan chapter of White Mages was currently under review. He turned and leaned against the wall, his mind made up, to leave this town as soon as Sascha had finished in the Red Mage guild.
Sascha opened the door to the Guildmaster’s office and found the former head slumped in his chair, breathing shallowly. With no remorse whatsoever, he drew his sword and sliced the old man’s head off completely, grasping the fallen head by the hair and exiting the guild, ignoring the looks of joy and happiness on the face of his companions, the look of terror and shock on Kye’s face. No sooner had Kye’s group left the guild, Motrud and Othoirs, turned and cast Fire onto the wooden beams and the red drapes within the Guild hall, the firelight reflecting in their eyes as the Guild caught ablaze and started to burn fiercely. Sascha laughed as did Nisu and the Black Mages, whilst Kye turned away and vomited onto the ground, his face pale and sweaty. He had just inadvertently participated in the taking of a life, breaking his vows and the White Mage oath.
Nisu looked at the hunched over White Mage.
“You knew this was going to happen Havard, no use acting upset now. Besides, the head of your guild has decreed that the life taking of the Red Mages, is of no concern to you lot. Their lives are meaningless and worthless. Why do you act so… upset?”
Kye looked over his shoulder at Nisu.
“ALL life is precious Nisu. It is a thing granted to us all by a higher power, and one which should not be taken until the time is right! What we have just been party to, we shall never be forgiven for.”
Motrud snorted and hit Kye with his staff.
“I know you White Mages are a sniveling bunch of cowards and pant wetters, but YOU, Kye Havard, are even worse! You are the most pitiful wretch of a White Mage, nay, a human being I have ever encountered in my whole life!”
Kye turned and glared at the Black Mage, anger on his face.
“At least I am HUMAN! Not like you, or the rest of you! You make me sick, with your acts of so called ‘vengeance’. One day, after this blind hatred is over, the vengeance of the Red Mages were come calling, and I pray you live long enough to experience your own deaths, just like Hoigreh, Suzann and Shanos!”
With that said, Kye stormed off, anger in every step he took. Nisu looked at Sascha, who had already impaled the head of the Red Mage guildmaster on a stake, and thrust the stake into the ground, in front of the flaming guild hall.
“Sascha, what are we going to do about Kye? He’s going to cause trouble…”
Sascha looked at Nisu, a sinister smile on his face.
“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of him when we’ve killed those two Red Mages who’ve managed to escape us.”
Nisu sighed.
“You mean the Edwardes?”
Sascha nodded.
“As much as I like Ariel, she and her brother must die, and will die before my eyes. They’re Red Mages, and Red Mages are to be executed.”
As Sascha and the Black Mages headed off, Nisu frowned and glanced at the burning hall.
>>I fear, the slaying of the Edwardes will be near impossible for us to carry out. After all, if Knight Morthoseth could not slay Aberdeen Edwardes, and was in turn slain by his target, what chance do we have?<<
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