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"'Tis the Onion Sword of legend, honest," the twig of a hume asserted, beaming as Janek held the sword up. Looking along the edge of the yellow blade, he doubted the storekeeper's claim. It looked too clean and unused, almost like a sword fresh out of the forge. "I bought it meself from a respectable trader outta Dorter, an' he assured me of it's authenticity."

Slightly interested now, Janek glanced at Harish and asked, "How much did you pay him for this, then?"

"It can be yers fer five-thousan' gil." The storekeeper was a little quick to answer that question.

"Hm…" Janek weighed the sword in his hands, then swung it a couple times, taking care to avoid the other displays of equipment in the shop. "How about this? I can pay you that, but first…" As he spoke, the Jack Knight pulled a pouch out of his satchel and set it on the counter; it jingled with the movement, causing Harish's grin to grow wider. He then pulled another pouch out, this one substantially larger, and set it next to the first pouch.

"One thousand, or five thousand," Janek explained, his eyes leveled at Harish, whose grin began to falter. "It depends on the sword's authenticity." Then he lay the Onion Sword on the counter and drew his own talwar. Despite the protest leaving Harish's lips, Janek slowly dragged the talwar's edge along the other sword's blade, shaving off a thin layer of gilt. Beneath it shone bright steel.

Avoiding Janek's stare, Harish mumbled, "Mm, I musta gotten tha' confused wit another sword…"

"One thousand gil." He dropped the larger pouch back in his satchel, then sheathed his talwar and grabbed the gilted sword with its scabbard. "For the sword and your trouble. Good day, Harish." Leaving the shop behind, Janek shrugged to himself. Just sunk half of what I earned yesterday. Oh well, better than someone else being fooled.

...Where was I going? Oh, yeah. He had been distracted by the fake 'Onion Sword' display while walking to Rolf's Reads. The bell jingled as Janek pushed the bookstore's door open, drawing the attention of a scholarly nu mou. "Good day, Kovac," he greeted with a nod, setting a book down. "Day off, I take it?"

"Yes, sir, Niketas," Janek answered, smiling back. "It's been a while, but I'm back to see what new books are here."

Niketas nodded again. "Take your time, then. We have had a number of books come and go through here." As Janek passed by, the bookkeeper drummed his fingers and blinked a few times. "What was it… I may have something for you, young man, but I need to find it again…" He shuffled off through the bookcases, leaving Janek to his usual perusing.

That was how his conversations with the nu mou often went, so Janek made a beeline for the collection of books on magic theory. Soon a nearby table was littered with books and his own journal and pen as Janek looked through book after book, looking for something he hadn't learned already. Or tried to learn, rather.

He was busy scratching another note in his journal when Niketas came around a bookshelf and shook his head. "You're still trying to reach beyond your bounds, Kovac?"

"Hm?" Janek looked up mid-thought. "Oh. If you want to call it that, yes. I'm just trying to learn what the theorists are talking about. Some of it is still gobbledegook to me."

"If you say so." Niketas lay a pair of books in front of Janek before easing himself onto the bench with a grunt. "I daresay these may be related to what you described before."

With a curious glance at the nu mou, Janek pulled one book toward him, checking the black leather cover and inside of it. "No title...this is an old script, Niketas. Where did this book come from?"

"An old friend who trades here often… I forget her name…" Niketas began drumming his fingers again, lost in thought. Janek waited for more, but it was apparent that Nik wouldn't say anything until he remembered the name or moved on. So he picked up the second book; this also had no title, but it was bound in blue cloth and wood, and the first couple pages were in modern Ivalician script. "I shall have to ask her again," Niketas said, returning his gaze to Janek. "I do not remember where she picked up these two books, but the contents are sure to interest you."

"I'll take your word on it. I didn't realize how late it was getting," Janek added, glancing at a grandfather clock against the wall. The sun must be setting by now. "I'll put these other books away, sir."

The bookkeeper waved his hand dismissively. "Don't bother, young man, that is my job. And those two books are yours, now."

"No, sir, not after the effort you made--"

"Consider them a gift, then," Niketas interrupted. "I have already told Rolf, after he looked at them."

Janek was speechless for a moment. From what he had heard about Rolf, the owner of this bookstore, he hardly ever let any books go without a price. "Uh, thank you, Niketas." He put his new books inside his satchel and waved at the nu mou. "Have a good evening."

"And you as well, Kovac." Niketas pushed himself up and began recollecting the scattered books as Janek left. Just what might these two books contain?

Outside the door to Rolf's Reads, Janek stopped. A green chocobo stood in front of him, ridden by a moogle dressed in the attire of Kingmarch messengers. "Sir Janek Kovac, kupo?" the cavalier asked. "General Lorr Klauser has summoned the demon knights to the White Wing war room, pronto, kupo!"

"All seven of us?"

"Yes, kupo, so don't dawdle!" Glancing at the second sword on Janek's waist, the moogle asked in a more casual tone, "What did you find, kupo?"

"Oi!​ ​Labanar!"​ ​Gigramor​ ​waved​ ​his​ ​hand​ ​from​ ​the​ ​back​ ​of​ ​the​ ​tavern,​ ​a​ ​frothing​ ​mug​ ​in​ ​his​ ​other arm,​ ​resting​ ​against​ ​the​ ​counter​ ​where​ ​he​ ​was​ ​sitting.

The​ ​Demon​ ​Knight​ ​walked​ ​slowly​ ​through​ ​the​ ​crowded​ ​tavern,​ ​slipping​ ​slyly​ ​past​ ​rejoicing​ ​groups of​ ​commoners​ ​and​ ​clansmen​ ​alike.​ ​The​ ​knight​ ​sat​ ​at​ ​the​ ​bar​ ​next​ ​to​ ​his​ ​old​ ​friend​ ​and​ ​picked​ ​up a​ ​matching​ ​mug​ ​that​ ​had​ ​been​ ​ordered​ ​for​ ​him​ ​in​ ​advance.​ ​"Gigramor,"​ ​the​ ​knight​ ​nodded​ ​and
then​ ​tilted​ ​the​ ​mug​ ​back,​ ​taking​ ​a​ ​large​ ​swig​ ​of​ ​the​ ​tart​ ​beverage.

"How​ ​fare​ ​you​ ​my​ ​friend?​ ​​ ​I​ ​take​ ​it​ ​the​ ​last​ ​hunt​ ​was​ ​successful?"

"I​ ​would​ ​assume​ ​so,​ ​otherwise​ ​I'd​ ​not​ ​be​ ​here​ ​now."​ ​Labanar​ ​smiled​ ​and​ ​took​ ​another​ ​large​ ​gulp of​ ​his​ ​drink​ ​before​ ​setting​ ​it​ ​back​ ​on​ ​the​ ​table​ ​and​ ​rubbing​ ​the​ ​base​ ​of​ ​his​ ​glass​ ​in​ ​a​ ​circle​ ​around the​ ​initial​ ​sweat​ ​ring.​ ​"I​ ​suppose​ ​you'd​ ​know​ ​best​ ​though,​ ​seeing​ ​as​ ​how​ ​you​ ​were​ ​its​ ​petitioner."

Gigramor​ ​showed​ ​his​ ​teeth,​ ​yellowed​ ​and​ ​rotting​ ​from​ ​his​ ​skull​ ​with​ ​nearly​ ​half​ ​of​ ​the​ ​bottom​ ​row completely​ ​absent.​ ​"Aye,​ ​I​ ​suppose​ ​I​ ​am.​ ​The​ ​beast​ ​had​ ​been​ ​terrorizing​ ​my​ ​father's​ ​land​ ​for quite​ ​some​ ​time​ ​before​ ​you​ ​and​ ​those​ ​clansmen​ ​came​ ​about."

Labanar​ ​nodded​ ​and​ ​then​ ​took​ ​a​ ​small​ ​sip​ ​from​ ​his​ ​glass,​ ​watching​ ​as​ ​the​ ​last​ ​of​ ​the​ ​foam dissipated.​ ​"It's​ ​unfortunate​ ​I​ ​wasn't​ ​able​ ​to​ ​see​ ​him​ ​while​ ​I​ ​was​ ​out​ ​there.​ ​The​ ​hunt​ ​drew​ ​us further​ ​to​ ​the​ ​North​ ​than​ ​originally​ ​anticipated."​ ​The​ ​knight​ ​swirled​ ​his​ ​cup​ ​around,​ ​creating​ ​a small​ ​cyclone​ ​with​ ​the​ ​liquid​ ​inside.​ ​"Thankfully​ ​we​ ​didn't​ ​lose​ ​anyone​ ​in​ ​the​ ​fight…​ ​how​ ​is​ ​the​ ​old man​ ​anyways?​ ​Have​ ​you​ ​received​ ​any​ ​word​ ​following​ ​the​ ​completion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​mark?"

Gigramor​ ​shifted​ ​the​ ​weapon​ ​at​ ​his​ ​side,​ ​an​ ​item​ ​which​ ​continuously​ ​shifted​ ​towards​ ​the​ ​weapon at​ ​Labanar's​ ​waist​ ​as​ ​they​ ​sat.​ ​"After​ ​you​ ​defeated​ ​the​ ​Queen​ ​Antlion,​ ​the​ ​workers​ ​became furious​ ​and​ ​quickly​ ​fell​ ​upon​ ​his​ ​land​ ​once​ ​more.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​in​ ​dire​ ​straits​ ​for​ ​a​ ​few​ ​days​ ​until​ ​I
arrived​ ​with​ ​news."​ ​The​ ​man​ ​smiled​ ​and​ ​tightly​ ​squeezed​ ​the​ ​grip​ ​of​ ​his​ ​weapon.​ ​"Not​ ​many things​ ​have​ ​been​ ​sufficient​ ​enough​ ​a​ ​challenge​ ​for​ ​me​ ​since​ ​we​ ​took​ ​up​ ​our…​ ​unique,​ ​arms." The​ ​fellow​ ​knight​ ​paused​ ​for​ ​a​ ​moment​ ​as​ ​he​ ​gathered​ ​his​ ​words.​ ​"I'm​ ​no​ ​Demon​ ​Knight,​ ​but​ ​a
dozen​ ​or​ ​so​ ​antlions​ ​are​ ​no​ ​cause​ ​for​ ​my​ ​worry."

Labanar​ ​smiled​ ​and​ ​shifted​ ​the​ ​spiral​ ​blade​ ​at​ ​his​ ​waist​ ​at​ ​his​ ​friend's​ ​mention​ ​of​ ​their complimenting​ ​weapons.​ ​"It's​ ​unfortunate​ ​we​ ​weren't​ ​able​ ​to​ ​fully​ ​rout​ ​the​ ​beasts,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​clan​ ​I was​ ​aiding​ ​had​ ​only​ ​just​ ​formed."

Gigramor​ ​let​ ​out​ ​a​ ​hardy​ ​laugh​ ​that​ ​caused​ ​a​ ​number​ ​of​ ​the​ ​other​ ​patrons​ ​to​ ​turn​ ​their​ ​heads towards​ ​the​ ​duo.​ ​"Certainly​ ​their​ ​eyes​ ​were​ ​larger​ ​than​ ​the​ ​lengths​ ​of​ ​their​ ​steel!​ ​An​ ​antlion​ ​in itself​ ​is​ ​more​ ​than​ ​enough​ ​of​ ​a​ ​challenge​ ​for​ ​some,​ ​but​ ​to​ ​hunt​ ​a​ ​Queen​ ​shortly​ ​after​ ​forming​ ​your
ranks​ ​is​ ​pure​ ​stupidity!"


"I'm​ ​sure​ ​the​ ​fault​ ​is​ ​my​ ​own.​ ​I've​ ​become​ ​a​ ​regular​ ​in​ ​situations​ ​of​ ​these​ ​sorts​ ​since​ ​leaving​ ​the program."​ ​Labanar's​ ​eyes​ ​dulled​ ​slightly​ ​and​ ​his​ ​voice​ ​faltered.​ ​"Being​ ​of​ ​such​ ​a​ ​rank​ ​as​ ​I​ ​am,​ ​it's hard​ ​not​ ​to​ ​draw​ ​a​ ​crowd​ ​at​ ​times.​ ​When​ ​such​ ​a​ ​challenging​ ​mark​ ​rears​ ​its​ ​head,​ ​I​ ​am​ ​often
sought​ ​out​ ​to​ ​fill​ ​a​ ​role​ ​for​ ​the​ ​various​ ​clans​ ​both​ ​new​ ​and​ ​old.​ ​Especially​ ​since​ ​there's​ ​not​ ​been much​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of​ ​responsibility​ ​within​ ​the​ ​Kingsmarch​ ​as​ ​of​ ​yet."

Gigramor​ ​fell​ ​silent​ ​as​ ​he​ ​slowly​ ​downed​ ​the​ ​remainder​ ​of​ ​his​ ​drink.​ ​"Well,​ ​the​ ​marks​ ​will​ ​always continue​ ​to​ ​roll​ ​in,​ ​so​ ​long​ ​as​ ​beasts​ ​roam​ ​the​ ​lands.​ ​Even​ ​if​ ​we​ ​were​ ​to​ ​exterminate​ ​every​ ​one​ ​of these​ ​foul​ ​creatures​ ​which​ ​plague​ ​the​ ​common​ ​folk,​ ​I'm​ ​sure​ ​new​ ​danger​ ​would​ ​simply​ ​crawl​ ​up
from​ ​the​ ​depths​ ​of​ ​the​ ​sea​ ​to​ ​terrorize​ ​them​ ​and​ ​put​ ​valuable​ ​coin​ ​and​ ​experience​ ​in​ ​your pocket."

Labanar​ ​nodded​ ​his​ ​head​ ​repeatedly​ ​in​ ​quiet​ ​agreement.​ ​The​ ​knight​ ​downed​ ​the​ ​last​ ​of​ ​his​ ​drink and​ ​then​ ​wiped​ ​the​ ​back​ ​of​ ​his​ ​arm​ ​across​ ​his​ ​face​ ​before​ ​rising​ ​to​ ​his​ ​feet.​ ​"I​ ​suppose​ ​I​ ​should go​ ​and​ ​see​ ​if​ ​there's​ ​not​ ​another​ ​such​ ​creature​ ​then.​ ​Not​ ​as​ ​if​ ​I've​ ​anything​ ​else​ ​to​ ​do​ ​at​ ​the
moment.​ ​I​ ​assume​ ​you'll​ ​remain​ ​here?"

Gigramor​ ​nodded​ ​his​ ​head​ ​and​ ​rose​ ​to​ ​his​ ​feet​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​"Aye.​ ​Unlike​ ​you,​ ​I​ ​actually​ ​have​ ​some duties​ ​to​ ​see​ ​to​ ​within​ ​the​ ​Order.​ ​Besides,​ ​monster​ ​hunting​ ​is​ ​more​ ​of​ ​your​ ​calling​ ​than​ ​mine. Your​ ​half​ ​of​ ​the​ ​relic​ ​is​ ​more​ ​suited​ ​to​ ​it​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​There's​ ​only​ ​so​ ​much​ ​I​ ​could​ ​do​ ​against​ ​the
swarms​ ​that​ ​you​ ​tackle​ ​with​ ​such​ ​ease."

The​ ​Demon​ ​Knight​ ​placed​ ​his​ ​hand​ ​upon​ ​the​ ​fellow​ ​knight's​ ​shoulder​ ​and​ ​produced​ ​a​ ​half​ ​strung smile.​ ​"I​ ​wish​ ​you​ ​well​ ​on​ ​your​ ​hall​ ​cleaning​ ​then​ ​my​ ​friend."

Gigramor​ ​slapped​ ​away​ ​his​ ​friend's​ ​hand​ ​and​ ​smiled,​ ​chuckling​ ​as​ ​he​ ​shook​ ​his​ ​head.​ ​"You know​ ​full​ ​well​ ​I've​ ​surpassed​ ​such​ ​trifles​ ​long​ ​ago.​ ​My​ ​time​ ​as​ ​a​ ​squire​ ​and​ ​a​ ​housekeeper​ ​are long​ ​since​ ​past.​ ​I've​ ​squires​ ​of​ ​my​ ​own​ ​now,​ ​my​ ​friend.​ ​Perhaps​ ​you​ ​too​ ​should​ ​look​ ​at​ ​settling
down​ ​and​ ​taking​ ​on​ ​a​ ​disciple?"

"Aye,​ ​I​ ​once​ ​had​ ​imagined​ ​passing​ ​on​ ​my​ ​knowledge​ ​and​ ​skills…​ ​alas…"​ ​the​ ​knight​ ​felt​ ​at​ ​his waist​ ​for​ ​the​ ​plain,​ ​wakizashi​ ​style​ ​sword.

"Fate​ ​has​ ​other​ ​plans​ ​for​ ​us​ ​my​ ​friend."​ ​This​ ​time,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​Gigramor​ ​who​ ​placed​ ​his​ ​hand​ ​upon​ ​the shoulder​ ​of​ ​his​ ​friend.​ ​The​ ​knight​ ​knew​ ​of​ ​Labanar's​ ​lost​ ​child​ ​and​ ​the​ ​betrayal​ ​of​ ​his​ ​wife,​ ​yet​ ​it still​ ​often​ ​slipped​ ​his​ ​mind.​ ​"Perhaps​ ​in​ ​time.​ ​My​ ​squires​ ​often​ ​ask​ ​about​ ​you…​ ​I'm​ ​sure​ ​that
should​ ​you​ ​take​ ​on​ ​a​ ​disciple​ ​and​ ​cease​ ​the​ ​simplistic​ ​group​ ​lessons​ ​you​ ​offer​ ​to​ ​the​ ​younger knights,​ ​you​ ​would​ ​have​ ​no​ ​trouble​ ​filling​ ​the​ ​positions.​ ​If​ ​your​ ​monster​ ​hunting​ ​is​ ​anything​ ​to​ ​go off​ ​of,​ ​then​ ​you'd​ ​make​ ​for​ ​a​ ​wonderful​ ​mentor."

Labanar​ ​nodded​ ​his​ ​head,​ ​a​ ​scowl​ ​fighting​ ​its​ ​way​ ​onto​ ​his​ ​face,​ ​threatening​ ​to​ ​overtake​ ​the​ ​calm smile​ ​he'd​ ​worked​ ​so​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​up.​ ​"Aye,​ ​perhaps​ ​in​ ​time,​ ​Gigramor.​ ​For​ ​now,​ ​I​ ​shall​ ​take​ ​my leave.​ ​There​ ​are​ ​many​ ​clans​ ​in​ ​attendance​ ​today…​ ​I'm​ ​sure​ ​the​ ​boards​ ​will​ ​be​ ​slim​ ​pickings."


"Actually,​ ​word​ ​around​ ​the​ ​tavern​ ​is​ ​a​ ​new​ ​mark​ ​was​ ​placed​ ​only​ ​just​ ​this​ ​morning.​ ​An​ ​elderly man​ ​rushed​ ​forward​ ​shortly​ ​before​ ​the​ ​tavern​ ​opened.​ ​His​ ​mind​ ​was​ ​gripped​ ​with​ ​fear​ ​and​ ​his back​ ​was​ ​covered​ ​in​ ​blood.​ ​Seems​ ​he​ ​placed​ ​the​ ​bounty​ ​moments​ ​before​ ​bleeding​ ​out​ ​from​ ​a wound​ ​apparently​ ​incurred​ ​from​ ​the​ ​very​ ​same​ ​beast.​ ​As​ ​of​ ​yet,​ ​there's​ ​been​ ​no​ ​claims​ ​to​ ​the monster's​ ​head…​ ​nary​ ​even​ ​a​ ​proclamation​ ​of​ ​an​ ​attempt​ ​on​ ​the​ ​creature's​ ​life."

Labanar's​ ​brow​ ​raised​ ​as​ ​he​ ​leaned​ ​his​ ​head​ ​to​ ​the​ ​side,​ ​intrigued​ ​by​ ​the​ ​knight's​ ​story.​ ​"And? What​ ​of​ ​this​ ​beast?​ ​Tell​ ​me​ ​it's​ ​name."

"Jubulech.​ ​A​ ​behemoth​ ​class​ ​monster.​ ​A​ ​four​ ​star​ ​mark,​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​strongest​ ​to​ ​come​ ​through these​ ​parts​ ​in​ ​a​ ​few​ ​months.​ ​Should​ ​be​ ​much​ ​more​ ​of​ ​a​ ​challenge​ ​than​ ​the​ ​three​ ​star​ ​I​ ​placed up."

"A​ ​behemoth?​ ​I've​ ​not​ ​much​ ​experience​ ​hunting​ ​beasts​ ​of​ ​that​ ​kind.​ ​In​ ​truth,​ ​I've​ ​only​ ​taken​ ​down two​ ​in​ ​my​ ​life,​ ​and​ ​only​ ​one​ ​in​ ​the​ ​last​ ​ten​ ​years.​ ​Have​ ​you​ ​word​ ​of​ ​any​ ​clans​ ​looking​ ​to​ ​take​ ​the beast​ ​on?"

"Not​ ​a​ ​one.​ ​I'm​ ​afraid​ ​if​ ​you're​ ​looking​ ​to​ ​tackle​ ​the​ ​creature,​ ​you'll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​take​ ​from​ ​a​ ​number​ ​of the​ ​clans​ ​around.​ ​Not​ ​a​ ​one​ ​is​ ​fully​ ​dedicated​ ​to​ ​taking​ ​on​ ​the​ ​beast…​ ​but​ ​I'm​ ​sure​ ​that​ ​should you​ ​ask​ ​around​ ​you'll​ ​find​ ​plenty​ ​a​ ​willing​ ​soul."​ ​Gigramor​ ​smiled​ ​and​ ​then​ ​scanned​ ​his​ ​eyes across​ ​the​ ​tavern,​ ​taking​ ​in​ ​the​ ​various​ ​races​ ​and​ ​classes​ ​of​ ​warriors​ ​present.​ ​He​ ​shot​ ​Labanar a​ ​look​ ​from​ ​the​ ​corner​ ​of​ ​his​ ​eye​ ​as​ ​he​ ​slowly​ ​dragged​ ​himself​ ​to​ ​his​ ​feet.​ ​The​ ​knight​ ​slammed his​ ​fist​ ​against​ ​the​ ​bar,​ ​causing​ ​an​ ​echo​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​room​ ​so​ ​loud​ ​that​ ​every​ ​conversation immediately​ ​ceased​ ​and​ ​attention​ ​was​ ​drawn​ ​completely​ ​to​ ​him.​ ​The​ ​knight​ ​swept​ ​his​ ​arm​ ​out towards​ ​his​ ​friend,​ ​and​ ​with​ ​a​ ​smile,​ ​said​ ​a​ ​few​ ​words​ ​under​ ​his​ ​breath.​ ​"Labanar,​ ​make​ ​your​ ​call of​ ​arms."

The​ ​Demon​ ​Knight​ ​rubbed​ ​at​ ​his​ ​temples​ ​and​ ​sighed.​ ​His​ ​hand​ ​fell​ ​from​ ​his​ ​face​ ​and​ ​his​ ​eyes narrowed​ ​at​ ​his​ ​friend​ ​as​ ​he​ ​hesitantly​ ​took​ ​a​ ​deep​ ​breath.​ ​As​ ​he​ ​rose​ ​to​ ​his​ ​feet​ ​and​ ​the​ ​side​ ​of his​ ​old​ ​friend,​ ​the​ ​eyes​ ​of​ ​every​ ​man​ ​and​ ​woman​ ​in​ ​the​ ​tavern​ ​were​ ​upon​ ​them.​ ​"Attention​ ​to​ ​my fellow​ ​hunters!​ ​Clansmen!​ ​Mercenaries,​ ​and​ ​​ ​dishonored​ ​knights!​ ​I,​ ​the​ ​Demon​ ​Knight​ ​of​ ​the Kingsmarch,​ ​Labanar​ ​Byron​ ​Barborda​ ​beseech​ ​you!​ ​Any​ ​who​ ​would​ ​seek​ ​coin,​ ​honour, experience​ ​or​ ​glory​ ​in​ ​the​ ​art​ ​of​ ​the​ ​hunt,​ ​join​ ​with​ ​me​ ​as​ ​we​ ​take​ ​on​ ​this​ ​mark!"

In​ ​an​ ​instant,​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​tavern​ ​was​ ​overtaken​ ​by​ ​an​ ​excited​ ​and​ ​overpowering​ ​roar.​ ​Various​ ​races and​ ​sexes​ ​raised​ ​their​ ​glasses​ ​to​ ​the​ ​sky​ ​and​ ​cheered​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Demon​ ​Knight's​ ​declaration.​ ​One of​ ​the​ ​Gria​ ​who​ ​was​ ​sitting​ ​nearby​ ​rose​ ​slowly​ ​to​ ​her​ ​feet​ ​and​ ​looked​ ​Labanar​ ​over​ ​before scanning​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​tavern.

"And​ ​what​ ​mark​ ​might​ ​we​ ​be​ ​hunting,​ ​ser​ ​knight?"

Labanar​ ​pursed​ ​his​ ​lips​ ​and​ ​lowered​ ​his​ ​hand.​ ​"Jubulech.​ ​​ ​A​ ​behemoth​ ​class​ ​creature​ ​of​ ​the fourth​ ​rank."

As​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​the​ ​tavern​ ​had​ ​grown​ ​to​ ​a​ ​roar,​ ​even​ ​quicker​ ​so​ ​did​ ​it​ ​fall​ ​silent.​ ​Many​ ​of​ ​the interested​ ​men​ ​and​ ​women​ ​quickly​ ​retook​ ​their​ ​seats,​ ​bowing​ ​their​ ​heads​ ​in​ ​shame​ ​as​ ​they heard​ ​the​ ​beast's​ ​name.​ ​Several​ ​minutes​ ​passed,​ ​and​ ​nearly​ ​every​ ​man​ ​and​ ​woman​ ​who​ ​had
once​ ​stood,​ ​now​ ​retook​ ​their​ ​seats.​ ​The​ ​Gria​ ​who​ ​had​ ​at​ ​once​ ​stood​ ​to​ ​question​ ​Labanar​ ​was now​ ​completely​ ​white​ ​in​ ​the​ ​face,​ ​but​ ​removed​ ​their​ ​weapon​ ​and​ ​raised​ ​it​ ​to​ ​the​ ​sky​ ​nonetheless.

In​ ​one​ ​corner​ ​of​ ​the​ ​room,​ ​two​ ​Moogles​ ​raised​ ​their​ ​hands​ ​into​ ​the​ ​air​ ​and​ ​began​ ​walking​ ​towards the​ ​Grian​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Hume​ ​knight.​ ​Another​ ​Gria​ ​rose​ ​from​ ​the​ ​same​ ​table​ ​as​ ​the​ ​first,​ ​and​ ​from​ ​a table​ ​a​ ​few​ ​spots​ ​away​ ​from​ ​them​ ​a​ ​group​ ​of​ ​three​ ​Humes​ ​also​ ​arose​ ​followed​ ​closely​ ​behind​ ​by
a​ ​Seeq​ ​and​ ​Bangaa.

"Very​ ​well​ ​then.​ ​The​ ​nine​ ​of​ ​you​ ​should​ ​gather​ ​whatever​ ​supplies​ ​you​ ​believe​ ​you'll​ ​need.​ ​We'll​ ​be heading​ ​out​ ​in​ ​an​ ​hour,​ ​so​ ​prepare​ ​yourselves​ ​for​ ​the​ ​battle​ ​ahead."​ ​The​ ​men​ ​and​ ​women​ ​who had​ ​gathered​ ​around​ ​Labanar​ ​and​ ​Gigramor​ ​all​ ​raised​ ​their​ ​weapons​ ​to​ ​the​ ​sky​ ​and​ ​grunted before​ ​dispersing​ ​in​ ​a​ ​frenzied​ ​rush.

The Liar

Gelazela 'Gel' Khamzour​

"You're ssso ssscrewed," Gelazela lied.

"Oh, am I?" smirked a young moogle through a cartoon mask of a chocobo.

Gelazela slowly put her hand to her Queen Ritz mask and let it rest on her snout, protruding from the disguise clearly built for the face of a hume.

She was holding two threes, a jack, an eight, and a copy of the rules that had somehow made its way into her hand. Gelazela was determined to bluff her way to victory even before she drew her hand; the absurdity of winning with the rules card was just the icing on the cake.

The moogle fanned himself with his own set of cards. "You might want to just drop out now, kupo. I've been playing this game since before your grandkids were born."

The bangaa pushed all of her chips to the center of the table. "Joke'sss on you, kupo," Gelazela mocked. "I don't even have kidsss. All in."

The two were seated at what looked to be a discarded dinner table with green felt and makeshift wooden borders haphazardly glued on. The table sat up to six comfortably and on the weekend about twelve or so uncomfortably. On this weekday afternoon, it was sitting five.

The gambling den primarily only attracted the local game addicts and the most spoiled and bored children of fortune during this time of day, but the odd traveler would swing by infrequently. These travelers were Gelazela's favorite opponents to play against; they were the easiest to toy with.

The moogle adjusted his chocobo mask with his small furred fingers.

The three already-eliminated players sat quietly at the table, watching intently. What had begun as a jovial game had evolved into a high-stakes showdown.

All eyes were on the moogle.

He shifted his head and puffed out his chest, emitting a series of faint cracks. "One more chance - don't throw away all your cash, kupo. I know a loser when I see them."

Gelazela tightened her face, took a deep breath, lifted up her mask, and flashed a smirk at the chocobo mask.
"Me? I don't think ssso."

The scene held itself for what felt like an eternity. Gelazela bit her lip and widened her eyes at the chocobo mask.

The mask tilted thoughtfully. "Damn, kupo. I can't compete with that. I fold."

A sigh sounded around the table. The spell of the game was broken, and the other players began to murmur amongst themselves.

"I was bluffing, kupo," laughed the moogle as he placed his cards face up on the table. "All I had was a pair of eights."

Gelazela began to slowly place her cards on the table, face up. "I had one jack...one eight...one three...two threesss...and..." The trembling bangaa failed to keep the facade any longer. She tossed the rule card across the table as she laughed into her hand.

"What's that?" asked one of the other players.

The moogle furiously grabbed at the card. "What the hell is this? That's not fair! You should have said that you had the rules card! You're disqualified!"

Gelazela shook her head, put her arms onto the table and drew in a mountain of clacking chips. "Ya' folded, you're out. I win."

The moogle lifted his mask off of his face and looked at the other players expectantly. "Are you all okay with this?"

"It's not a huge deal," shrugged one of the players, a young nu mou. "Let's just get on with the game."

The moogle turned to face Gelazela again. "This garbage is why no one likes playing with bangaa, kupo. You're too stupid to follow the rules. When there's dead cards in play, it throws the whole game off."

Gelazela balanced her chin on her fist and haphazardly pushed her chips back into the center with her other hand. "That'sss not fair. I think people like playing with me. Take your money back; I've won enough today already."

The moogle's face twisted into frustration. "Don't make me the bad guy here, kupo. The other guys say you won. No one will play with me if I'm the guy who doesn't pay up."

"Oh, you're right. I didn't think of that," Gelazela lied. "I sssuppossse we'll have to compromissse and figure out another way ya' can pay me."

The moogle furrowed his brow. "What do you mean by that, kupo?"

"What do I mean by that," Gelazela turned to the three regulars, "What could this old bangaa want instead of money?"

The nu mou spoke first, "Gelazela hordes information like a baron hordes land, you've gotta tell her something she doesn't already know. Something good."

The moogle only grew more puzzled, "Like what?"

The nu mou shrugged and gestured back towards Gelazela, who was wearing a toothy grin.
"I'm sure you've been someplace I haven't or met someone interesting I've heard of," she leaned into the table and trembled with excitement, "or know some spells I haven't seen before."

The moogle squirmed in his seat and looked towards the door, over the old bangaa's shoulder.

A hume at the table had begun to deal new hands, after making sure to exclude any anomalous cards, "Are you two... still playing?"

Gelazela's eyes stayed locked on the moogle, waiting for her payment.

The hume looked back and forth between the two of them with concern.

The nu mou looked down at his new hand, trying to stay disconnected from the situation.

"Gelazela Khamzour?" a voice yelled from the doorway.

The tension was lifted and Gelazela turned the side of her head towards the door, "Who'sss asssking for such an old worn out lizard?"

A viera dressed in the fine Kingmarch messengers' uniform stood timidly in the doorway, "A summons for you, ma'am! An urgent one, please hurry! We're already late."

The hume at the table slowly moved his hand to take back the five cards he had just placed in front of Gelazela.

Gelazela looked back at the moogle as she stood up and collected her things, "Well, come on then. Thisss shouldn't take too long."

The moogle stayed planted in his seat, "What? You want me to come with you? That's ridiculous, kupo! Just take my money." He held up a single poker chip.

Gelazela walked up to the moogle, because of the chair's height and her stature the two were almost at eye level.
"C'mon, I already sssaid that I've won enough money today. Thisss'll only take a second, you can wait outside the meeting so you have time to think of how you can pay me."

"Ms. Khamzour, please." The viera had taken a few steps into the den.

Gelazela turned towards the messenger and clasped her hands together, "Pleassse grab the moogle'sss thingsss, dear. I'd do it myssself but I'm quite frail thessse daysss."

The viera shot Gelazela a glare and muttered to herself about not being a delivery girl as she hoisted a bag resting beside the moogle's chair onto her shoulder.

The moogle scowled at the two women and grumbled to himself about the lack of respect in this den.

The bangaa smiled at the door and whistled her favorite song.

The? ?hunting? ?party? ?had? ?formed? ?outside? ?of? ?the? ?walls? ?of? ?Fort? ?Besselat? ?and? ?set? ?of? ?on? ?a? ?small? ?flock? ?of chocobos.? ?Their? ?destination;? ?the? ?outskirts? ?of? ?the? ?city? ?of? ?Zaland.? ?Labanar? ?strayed? ?to? ?the? ?back? ?of the? ?flock,? ?his? ?head? ?on? ?a? ?swivel? ?as? ?he? ?kept? ?an? ?eye? ?out? ?for? ?any? ?hostile? ?enemies.? ?On? ?foot,? ?the? ?journey to? ?Zaland? ?would? ?take? ?nearly? ?a? ?day.? ?However,? ?on? ?the? ?backs? ?of? ?their? ?armoured? ?chocobos,? ?the? ?trip would? ?take? ?but? ?eight? ?hours.

The? ?Demon? ?Knight? ?kept? ?watch? ?over? ?his? ?company? ?as? ?mobs? ?of? ?enemies? ?fell? ?at? ?the? ?wayside.? ?Few monsters? ?approached? ?them? ?on? ?their? ?journey,? ?but? ?many? ?watched? ?as? ?the? ?chocobos? ?sped? ?on? ?by. Flans,? ?skeletons,? ?floating? ?eyes,? ?chocobos? ?and? ?even? ?other? ?clans? ?watched? ?from? ?narrowed? ?eyes? ?as the? ?hunting? ?party? ?passed.

?Pay? ?them? ?no? ?mind,?? ?Labanar? ?shouted? ?from? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?the? ?ranks,? ?prompted? ?by? ?one? ?of? ?the Humes? ?beginning? ?to? ?drift? ?out? ?towards? ?the? ?monsters.? ??They?ve? ?no? ?interest? ?in? ?us,? ?nor? ?we? ?in? ?them. We? ?can?t? ?afford? ?any? ?loss? ?in? ?numbers? ?or? ?power? ?here? ?if? ?we?re? ?to? ?take? ?down? ?this? ?Jubulech.?

The? ?Hume? ?looked? ?behind? ?him? ?and? ?nodded,? ?driving? ?his? chocobo? ?back? ?into? ?the? ?pack.? ?Several? ?more hours? ?passed? ?by? ?as? ?the? ?hunting? ?party? ?grew? ?ever? ?closer? ?to? ?their? ?mark.? ?As? ?the? ?Zaland? ?ruins? ?came into? ?view,? ?Labanar? ?rushed? ?to? ?the? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?formation? ?and? ?threw? ?his? ?fist? ?into? ?the? ?air,? ?motioning? ?for the? ?other? ?hunters? ?to? ?slow? ?their? ?advance.? ?The? ?Demon? ?Knight? ?rode? ?ahead? ?of? ?the? ?halted? ?formation, leaving? ?his? ?mount? ?behind? ?him.

?Ssssir!?? ?The? ?Bangaa? ?rode? ?his? ?chocobo? ?up? ?next? ?to? ?the? ?knight? ?and? ?immediately? ?hopped? ?down, planting? ?his? ?knee? ?in? ?the? ?dust? ?covered? ?dirt? ?before? ?bowing? ?his? ?head.? ??Isssn?t? ?it? ?sssmarter? ?to? ?stay atop? ?the? ?chocobo?? ?If? ?the? ?beast? ?were? ?to? ?rear? ?its? ?head,? ?sir??

Labanar? ?smiled? ?and? ?placed? ?his? ?hand? ?atop? ?the? ?Bangaa?s? ?head.? ??I?ll? ?be? ?quite? ?alright,? ?Tiero.? ?I? ?plan? ?to sneak? ?around? ?the? ?beast? ?and? ?-? ?if? ?need? ?be? ?-? ?use? ?my? ?abilities? ?to? ?escape? ?its? ?grasp? ?while? ?I? ?signal? ?for your? ?combined? ?assault.?

The? ?Bangaa? ?pressed? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?his? ?snout? ?against? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?nodded,? ?digging? ?his? ?face? ?into? ?the dirt.? ??Forgive? ?me? ?for? ?my? ?insssolence.?? ?Tiero? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?pressed? ?his? ?snout? ?further? ?into the? ?dirt,? ?unearthing? ?a? ?small? ?chunk? ?of? ?soil? ?as? ?he? ?buried? ?it? ?in? ?deeper? ?beneath? ?the? ?layers? ?of? ?sand? ?and topsoil.

Labanar? ?moved? ?his? ?hand? ?to? ?the? ?Bangaa?s? ?shoulder? ?and? ?lifted? ?him? ?from? ?his? ?position.? ??It?s? ?no? ?matter to? ?me.?? ?The? ?knight? ?smiled? ?at? ?Tiero? ?and? ?patted? ?both? ?hands? ?against? ?the? ?sides? ?of? ?his? ?shoulders.? ?The lizard? ?man?s? ?face? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?small? ?amounts? ?of? ?dirt? ?all? ?over,? ?and? ?had? ?a? ?single? ?worm? ?wiggling frantically? ?across? ?his? ?snout.? ??I? ?was? ?once? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?you,? ?so? ?pay? ?me? ?no? ?mind.? ?Whatever? ?it? ?is? ?I?ve been? ?through? ?in? ?this? ?life,? ?I?ll? ?never? ?become? ?so? ?snobbish? ?as? ?to? ?accept? ?such? ?groveling.? ?Out? ?here,? ?I am? ?no? ?more? ?the? ?noble? ?than? ?you.? ?On? ?the? ?hunt,? ?we? ?are? ?all? ?equals? ?in? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?the? ?beast.?

Tiero? ?smiled,? ?seeing? ?the? ?sincerity? ?in? ?the? ?knight?s? ?eyes.? ??Sir.?? ?He? ?nodded,? ?grabbing? ?the? ?reigns? ?of? ?his chocobo? ?before? ?hopping? ?back? ?atop? ?its? ?back.? ??I?ll? ?rejoin? ?the? ?formation? ?and? ?await? ?your? ?ssignal? ?then.?

Labanar? ?watched? ?as? ?the? ?Bangaa? ?rode? ?quietly? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?his? ?group.? ?The? ?knight? ?sighed? ?and rubbed? ?his? ?head? ?as? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?back? ?on? ?the? ?clansmen? ?he?d? ?assembled.? ?The? ?mark? ?they? ?were hunting? ?could? ?be? ?anywhere? ?around? ?the? ?ruins,? ?or? ?it? ?might? ?have? ?even? ?headed? ?off? ?in? ?some? ?other direction.? ?He? ?couldn?t? ?be? ?sure? ?until? ?he? ?found? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?tracks? ?for? ?the? ?beast.

The? ?knight? ?pulled? ?the? ?wakizashi? ?from? ?his? ?waist,? ?holding? ?it? ?in? ?his? ?right? ?hand? ?as? ?he? ?cautiously navigated? ?the? ?ruins? ?in? ?search? ?of? ?any? ?type? ?of? ?clue.? ?As? ?he? ?turned? ?around? ?the? ?sides? ?of? ?a? ?number? ?of broken? ?columns? ?and? ?pillars,? ?he? ?couldn?t? ?help? ?fighting? ?the? ?feeling? ?that? ?the? ?ruins? ?seemed? ?a? ?tad? ?more ruinous? ?than? ?usual.? ?He?d? ?been? ?to? ?this? ?point? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?times? ?on? ?previous? ?hunts? ?both? ?before? ?and after? ?his? ?time? ?in? ?project? ?Bel,? ?so? ?the? ?territory? ?was? ?somewhat? ?familiar? ?to? ?him.? ?As? ?Labanar? ?entered? ?a small? ?clearing? ?he? ?knelt? ?down? ?and? ?dug? ?his? ?hand? ?into? ?the? ?sand.? ?The? ?knight? ?pulled? ?up? ?a? ?small? ?pile? ?of the? ?fine? ?particles? ?and? ?let? ?them? ?run? ?free? ?between? ?his? ?fingers? ?as? ?he? ?surveyed? ?the? ?area? ?around? ?him.

?There?s? ?hardly? ?any? ?sign? ?of? ?struggle? ?around? ?here.? ?No? ?blood,? ?nor? ?stench? ?of? ?decay.? ?The? ?air? ?is? ?quiet and? ?still...? ??? ?The? ?knight? ?slowly? ?stood,? ?staring? ?at? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?nearby? ?columns? ?which? ?had? ?been? ?broken eroded? ?by? ?years? ?of? ?violent? ?sandstorms.? ?Labanar? ?stroked? ?at? ?his? ?beard? ?as? ?he? ?spun? ?slowly? ?in? ?place, taking? ?in? ?every? ?detail? ?and? ?comparing? ?it? ?to? ?what? ?he? ?could? ?recall? ?of? ?the? ?place? ?at? ?a? ?time? ?before.? ?The more? ?in? ?depth? ?he? ?looked,? ?the? ?more? ?that? ?it? ?seemed? ?the? ?ruins? ?were? ?off.? ?Not? ?off? ?in? ?the? ?way? ?that? ?they?d been? ?trampled? ?upon? ?by? ?a? ?hulking? ?monster,? ?but? ?that? ?they?d? ?been? ?tampered? ?with? ?by? ?human? ?hands to? ?be? ?made? ?to? ?look? ?more? ?normal? ?than? ?they? ?should.? ?As? ?Labanar? ?began? ?to? ?lose? ?himself? ?in? ?thought, he? ?was? ?dragged? ?away? ?by? ?a? ?loud? ?scream? ?coming? ?from? ?behind? ?him.

?Sir? ?knight!? ?Sir? ?knight!?? ?One? ?of? ?the? ?Humes? ?rushed? ?towards? ?Labanar,? ?blood? ?trickling? ?down? ?their face? ?as? ?they? ?stumbled? ?towards? ?him.? ??It?s? ?there!? ?The? ?Behemoth!? ?Jubulech? ?is? ?attacking? ?the chocobos!?

Labanar?s? ?face? ?turned? ?white? ?as? ?he? ?pulled? ?the? ?other? ?weapon? ?from? ?his? ?waist? ?and? ?began? ?to? ?stride hastily? ?in? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?the? ?formation? ?that? ?he?d? ?left? ?behind.? ??What? ?happened?? ?How? ?did? ?it? ?get around? ?us??

As? ?Labanar? ?came? ?to? ?pass? ?the? ?Hume,? ?the? ?clansman? ?turned? ?and? ?matched? ?his? ?stride.? ?The? ?man? ?had clearly? ?been? ?injured? ?before? ?coming? ?to? ?call? ?on? ?the? ?knight,? ?as? ?every? ?few? ?steps? ?he?d? ?take? ?would? ?end with? ?him? ?falling? ?nearly? ?a? ?step? ?and? ?a? ?half? ?behind? ?as? ?he? ?winced? ?in? ?pain? ?and? ?stumbled? ?to? ?the? ?side.? ??It didn?t.? ?The? ?creature?? ?it?? ?it? ?wasn?t? ?there? ?one? ?second,? ?and? ?then? ?the? ?next? ?it? ?just? ?popped? ?up!?

?What? ?do? ?you? ?mean? ?it? ?just,? ?popped? ?up??

?I? ?mean,?? ?the? ?Hume? ?looked? ?at? ?his? ?hands? ?as? ?he? ?walked,? ?shaking? ?them? ?around? ?vigorously? ?against each? ?other.? ??Swoosh!? ?When? ?you? ?left,? ?there? ?was? ?nothing.? ?Then? ?after? ?a? ?while,? ?there? ?was something!? ?I? ?don?t? ?know? ?how? ?else? ?to? ?explain? ?it,? ?Sir!?

Labanar? ?scowled? ?and? ?quickened? ?his? ?pace,? ?almost? ?running? ?back? ?towards? ?the? ?chocobo? ?mounted clansmen.? ?The? ?Hume? ?who? ?had? ?come? ?to? ?warn? ?him? ?slowly? ?fell? ?behind? ?as? ?the? ?knight? ?came? ?in? ?to? ?the clearing? ?where? ?he?d? ?left? ?the? ?others.? ??What?? ?no??? ?the? ?knight? ?slowly? ?walked? ?forward,? ?his? ?mouth ajar? ?as? ?he? ?saw? ?the? ?behemoth? ?in? ?all? ?of? ?its? ?glory? ?as? ?it? ?stood? ?atop? ?the? ?crushed? ?bodies? ?of? ?nearly? ?half? ?of the? ?men? ?he?d? ?brought? ?along? ?with? ?him.

The? ?Behemoth? ?slowly? ?turned? ?towards? ?Labanar,? ?letting? ?loose? ?a? ?ferocious? ?roar? ?as? ?Tiero,? ?the? ?two Grians,? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?Moogles? ?and? ?another? ?of? ?the? ?Humes? ?let? ?loose? ?a? ?flurry? ?of? ?attacks? ?upon? ?it.? ?The monster? ?swatted? ?the? ?Moogle? ?with? ?its? ?tail,? ?sending? ?the? ?tiny? ?being? ?flying? ?across? ?the? ?sands? ?before crashing? ?in? ?to? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?various? ?fallen? ?pillars.? ?The? ?knight?s? ?face? ?turned? ?a? ?bright? ?red? ?as? ?his? ?pace quickened? ?even? ?further,? ?his? ?swords? ?slowly? ?becoming? ?engulfed? ?in? ?a? ?swirl? ?of? ?black? ?and? ?red? ?as? ?his emotions? ?took? ?hold? ?over? ?him.

?And? ?just? ?where? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?you?re? ?going,? ?sir? ?knight??? ?Labanar? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?looking? ?over? ?his shoulder? ?at? ?the? ?Hume? ?who?d? ?lead? ?him? ?into? ?the? ?clearing.? ??I? ?never? ?said? ?you? ?could? ?go? ?on? ?ahead, Demon.?

?What??? ?Labanar? ?slowly? ?turned,? ?only? ?just? ?catching? ?a? ?glimpse? ?of? ?the? ?whip? ?as? ?it? ?cracked? ?across? ?his cheek.? ?The? ?attack? ?sent? ?the? ?knight? ?tumbling? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?having? ?caught? ?him? ?completely? ?off guard.? ?The? ?knight? ?quickly? ?looked? ?up? ?at? ?the? ?Hume,? ?taking? ?in? ?the? ?features? ?of? ?his? ?face? ?over? ?the course? ?of? ?a? ?few? ?seconds.? ??You?re? ?not? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?Humes? ?who? ?came? ?along? ?with? ?us?? ?who?? ?who are? ?you??

The? ?Hume? ?laughed? ?hardily? ?as? ?he? ?wound? ?the? ?whip? ?around? ?his? ?arm.? ??Oh,? ?I?m? ?sure? ?you?d? ?like? ?to know,? ?wouldn?t? ?you?? ?Of? ?course? ?you? ?would?? ?after? ?all,? ?I? ?am? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?killed? ?all? ?of? ?your? ?friends back? ?there.? ?Or,? ?I? ?suppose? ?I? ?should? ?say? ?it? ?was? ?my? ?pet? ?who? ?killed? ?them? ?all.?

?A? ?beastmaster.?? ?Labanar? ?grit? ?his? ?teeth? ?as? ?his? ?head? ?inched? ?away? ?from? ?the? ?man? ?attempting? ?to loom? ?over? ?him.? ??What? ?business? ?have? ?you? ?here?? ?Why? ?do? ?you? ?call? ?upon? ?the? ?powers? ?of? ?the behemoth? ?to? ?wreak? ?such? ?havoc? ?and? ?mayhem??

?My? ?reasons? ?are? ?my? ?own. I've no intention of explaining myself to someone so close to death.? ?I? ?can?t? ?have? ?you? ?off? ?destroying? ?my? ?pet? ?just? ?yet? ?anyways,? ?not? ?after? ?all? ?the hard? ?work? ?I? ?put? ?in? ?to? ?tracking? ?him? ?down? ?and? ?taming? ?him.? ?No? ?matter? ?your? ?rank,? ?you?re? ?going? ?to? ?fall here.?

?I? ?don?t? ?think? ?so!?? ?One? ?of? ?the? ?Gria? ?quickly? ?flew? ?over.? ?Hovering? ?over? ?the? ?fallen? ?knight,? ?she? ?erected? ?a violently? ?glowing? ?barrier? ?which? ?pushed? ?the? ?beastmaster? ?away? ?as? ?it? ?grew? ?to? ?its? ?full? ?size.? ?As? ?soon as? ?the? ?barrier? ?completed? ?its? ?formation,? ?the? ?remainder? ?of? ?the? ?clansmen? ?that? ?Labanar? ?had? ?brought with? ?him? ?all? ?rushed? ?under? ?its? ?protection? ?at? ?once.? ?Jubulech? ?followed? ?closely? ?behind,? ?lunging? ?at? ?the remaining? ?Moogle? ?as? ?he? ?somersaulted? ?into? ?the? ?barrier,? ?causing? ?the? ?beast? ?to? ?fall? ?backwards? ?as? ?it was? ?repelled? ?by? ?the? ?divine?s? ?protection.

?Good? ?going? ?Mary!?? ?The? ?Gria? ?who? ?had? ?challenged? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?tavern? ?earlier? ?that? ?morning? ?smiled and? ?slapped? ?her? ?friend? ?on? ?the? ?shoulder,? ?giving? ?it? ?a? ?tight? ?squeeze? ?as? ?she? ?shook? ?her? ?about? ?- causing? ?the? ?barrier? ?to? ?flicker? ?as? ?she? ?lost? ?her? ?focus.

?Don?t? ?do? ?that? ?Morticia!? ?If? ?I? ?lose? ?focus? ?then? ?we?ll? ?likely? ?all? ?die? ?to? ?that? ?monster!?

?Mondu,? ?how? ?are? ?you??? ?Tiero? ?walked? ?over? ?to? ?the? ?Moogle? ?who?d? ?been? ?batted? ?away? ?so? ?effortlessly. The? ?Bangaa? ?placed? ?both? ?of? ?his? ?hands? ?on? ?the? ?bruised? ?leg? ?of? ?the? ?Moogle? ?as? ?he? ?inspected? ?its? ?length.

?I?ve? ?been? ?better,? ?sure,? ?kupo.?? ?The? ?Moogle? ?winced? ?in? ?pain? ?as? ?the? ?Bangaa? ?put? ?pressure? ?on? ?his bruised? ?leg.? ??Can?t? ?say? ?that? ?the? ?leg? ?feels? ?too? ?great,? ?but? ?I?m? ?sure? ?I?ll? ?live.? ?If? ?that? ?monster? ?hadn?t eaten? ?all? ?my? ?Phoenix? ?Downs,? ?I? ?probably? ?could? ?have? ?saved? ?Mallory? ?too?? ?I? ?suppose? ?that?s? ?the danger? ?of? ?the? ?hunt.? ?Kup-kupo. The? ?boss?ll? ?most? ?likely? ?be? ?upset? ?to? ?hear? ?that? ?one? ?of? ?his? ?top? ?Moogles? ?didn?t make? ?it? ?back.?

?Don?t? ?worry? ?about? ?it.?? ?Labanar? ?slowly? ?raised? ?himself? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?as? ?he? ?stared? ?at? ?the? ?Hume? ?ahead of? ?him.? ?The? ?beastmaster? ?snapped? ?his? ?whip? ?repeatedly,? ?a? ?grin? ?plastered? ?across? ?his? ?face? ?as? ?he circled? ?the? ?impenetrable? ?enclosure.? ??I?m? ?sure? ?he?ll? ?understand? ?if? ?he? ?hears? ?what? ?you? ?tried? ?to? ?go? ?up against.? ?It?s? ?my? ?fault? ?for? ?not? ?being? ?more? ?cautious.? ?I?ll? ?make? ?sure? ?to? ?pay? ?amends? ?for? ?his? ?loss.? ?For now? ?though,? ?we? ?should? ?focus? ?on? ?the? ?task? ?at? ?hand.? ?There?s? ?still? ?more? ?than? ?half? ?of? ?us? ?here?? ?we should? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?take? ?down? ?this? ?mark? ?regardless.? ?We?ll? ?save? ?everything? ?else? ?for? ?later.?

The? ?one? ?remaining? ?Hume? ?wiped? ?his? ?face,? ?clearing? ?away? ?the? ?tears? ?that? ?had? ?been? ?streaming? ?so furiously? ?since? ?even? ?before? ?he? ?came? ?in? ?to? ?the? ?Gria?s? ?barrier.? ??Y-you?re? ?right.? ?Things? ?like? ?these happen?? ?this? ?is? ?what?s? ?expected? ?of? ?hunters? ?after? ?all??

Tiero? ?wrapped? ?his? ?arm? ?around? ?the? ?young? ?Hume? ?and? ?pulled? ?him? ?in? ?close? ?to? ?his? ?chest.? ??Hey? ?kiddo, don?t? ?get? ?ssso? ?bent? ?out? ?of? ?shape? ?about? ?it.? ?It? ?hurts? ?when? ?you?re? ?just? ?ssstarting? ?out?? ?but? ?you?ll? ?get used? ?to? ?it.? ?Trussst? ?me.?? ?The? ?Bangaa? ?smacked? ?its? ?tongue? ?against? ?the? ?roof? ?of? ?its? ?mouth? ?several times? ?as? ?it? ?breathed,? ?trying? ?to? ?find? ?the? ?right? ?words? ?to? ?say.? ??See? ?that? ?Seeq? ?over? ?there?? ?Best? ?friend? ?I ever? ?had,? ?I? ?tell? ?ya.? ?Known? ?the? ?guy? ?for? ?three? ?years.? ?Never? ?had? ?even? ?a? ?single? ?problem? ?with? ?him,? ?tight pocketed? ?as? ?he? ?was.? ?Now? ?he?s? ?dead,? ?and? ?there?s? ?really? ?nothin?? ?I? ?can? ?do? ??bout? ?it.? ?If? ?it?d? ?happened five? ?or? ?ten? ?years? ?ago? ?it? ?probably? ?woulda? ?tore? ?me? ?right? ?up.? ?Now?? ?I? ?just? ?kind? ?of? ?expect? ?it,? ?y?know? Those? ?Humes? ?out? ?there? ?coulda? ?been? ?your? ?best? ?of? ?friends,? ?Travis.? ?But? ?none? ?of? ?that? ?matters? ?now. See?? ?Sir? ?Barborda ?knows? ?what? ?I? ?mean,? ?just? ?ask? ?him.?

The? ?Hume? ?looked? ?up? ?at? ?Labanar? ?with? ?bloodshot? ?eyes,? ?somehow? ?still? ?filled? ?with? ?wonder? ?at? ?the Bangaa?s? ?words? ?despite? ?their? ?current? ?position.? ??S-sir? ?knight??

Labanar? ?glanced? ?down? ?at? ?the? ?boy? ?and? ?then? ?back? ?up? ?at? ?the? ?beastmaster.? ??Now?s? ?not? ?really? ?the time? ?for? ?it,? ?Travis.?? ?The? ?knight? ?fiddled? ?with? ?the? ?weapons? ?at? ?his? ?waist,? ?having? ?replaced? ?them? ?only? ?a few? ?seconds? ?prior.? ??Focus? ?on? ?the? ?hunt,? ?or? ?you?ll? ?just? ?be? ?another? ?body? ?lost? ?in? ?the? ?sand.? ?If? ?we?re going? ?to? ?take? ?this? ?monster? ?and? ?its? ?master? ?down,? ?we?re? ?going? ?to? ?need? ?to? ?strategize.?

?And? ?strategize? ?we? ?ssshall!?? ?Tiero? ?slapped? ?the? ?young? ?Hume? ?on? ?the? ?back? ?with? ?a? ?smile,? ?his? ?eyes slowly? ?dulling? ?all? ?the? ?while.? ??Although,? ?first? ?we? ?really? ?should? ?find? ?out? ?what? ?each? ?of? ?us? ?is? ?fully capable? ?of.? ?Obviously? ?the? ?boy?s? ?an? ?archer-?

?Bowmaster,?? ?Travis? ?cut? ?in,? ?his? ?eyes? ?fixated? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?as? ?he? ?mumbled.? ??I?m?? ?a bowmaster?? ?a? ?pretty? ?decent? ?one? ?I? ?suppose.?

?My? ?bad,? ?let? ?me? ?start? ?again? ?then.?? ?The? ?Bangaa? ?took? ?a? ?deep? ?breath? ?and? ?sighed.? ??So? ?we?ve? ?a bowmaster,? ?a? ?pilgrim,? ?a? ?falcon,? ?an? ?acrobat,? ?a? ?guardian? ?and? ?of? ?course,? ?a? ?demon? ?knight.?? ?Tiero stopped? ?and? ?surveyed? ?the? ?room,? ?his? ?mouth? ?clasped? ?shut? ?as? ?he? ?searched? ?for? ?any? ?other? ?opening mouths.? ??So?? ?What? ?do? ?we? ?do? ?with? ?all? ?this? ?information??

?I?ve? ?got? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?few? ?ideas.?? ?Labanar? ?pulled? ?the? ?wooden? ?knife? ?from? ?the? ?pouch? ?on? ?his? ?gut? ?and began? ?to? ?draw? ?lines? ?in? ?the? ?sand.? ??I? ?just? ?hope? ?that? ?this? ?barrier? ?holds? ?out? ?long? ?enough? ?for? ?me? ?to? ?pitch a? ?few? ?of? ??em.?