Who would have guessed that Pyreflies still exsisted? I looked up, almost in a trance, only being about to watch them, as they swam flawlessly in the air. The children I taught begun to yell and giggle when the Pyreflies decended towards us. Towards The Safe Zone. I could hear the elders and generals of our people yell and scream as they walked through our roads and our places of living, "Everyone stay still, do not attack, they bring you no harm!" Though they sounded as though they were miles away. My entire body started to tingle when the Pyreflies started to swirl and dance around me like a tornado trying to pull me up. I was scared. I tried to peer through the mass of them, only too see that there was a few others that this happened too, as though they were selecting us. The children begun to circle around me."They like you Ms.Raye!" They chanted in unison, if I didn't feel numb to my bones, i would have laughed with them. It wasn't till one of the elders approached me when the Pyreflies floated into the trees that surrounded our manmade village and disappeared."It's time." The elder said. Then, I understood, it was time for me to face my destiny. This is my story.

---

Elle Raye, White Mage

Elle walked with the elder to and through the corridors of the rundown chapel that was destroyed by Sin, those 40 years ago, though it still kept it's beautiful structure. She could feel her heart beat through her breasts, she was as nervous as ever, scared she was going to faint, she tried to stay strong for everyone who believed in her."You're a teacher I see?" The elder asked."Yes, sir." She responded."And a white mage? How splendid, girls your age usually wouldn't take up such a passive practice." Elle listened still weary of her surroundings. The halls were dark, though not dark enough to not be able to see anything."You were one of the few chosen ones, my dear. This is a wonderful day for Spira. You are your peers are going to accomplish what those foolish summoners couldn't." The elder wasn't making much since to her. She just stood by him quietly. The deeper into the chapel they got, the thicker the air seemed to get, as though the place was drowning in dust.

They finally made it to there destination, a large room which seemed to be the sactuary. There were other elders surrounding her and the elder that brought her in, but he quickly left her side to join the circle of other elders. They stood, silently in their silver robes."Welcome." The head of the elders got her attention. She was wearing a robe made out of gold fabric, she was a Guado, Elle could tell by the raspiness of her voice...as well as her humanoid figure. This seemed to be the lightest room in the whole chapel, since there was a rather large hole in the ceiling, and it was only mid-day, it seemed to be a reasonable explanation. Scupltors of the forgotten Aeons circled the large room. The only Aeon Elle was familiar with was Valefor, which was part of a story she told the children while they were still young to make them smile."You must be Elle, Elle Raye. We have been keeping an eye on you, as well as the others who will join us...we knew that this day would come, the day where the Pyreflies would decend upon our home and choose the guardians for Spira. We just didn't know it would come so soon."

I have always lived alone.

I never felt like I was understood by others. My actions and my thoughts always seemed.... foreign, I suppose one would say. Don't ask me why I think the way i do, or act that way i do: I just do. I feel as If I'm worth something the way I do things. I'll shoulder as much as the pain as I can, so others won't have to do the same.

I'll admit, I was quite shocked when they showed up, the pyre flies, I mean. I had read about them in the texts in the library, but I never guessed I would see them with my own eyes. there was a lot of screaming, but the elders ordered everyone to stand still, witch was a wise choice. these creatures mean us no harm.

A couple of them approached me, swirling around me, almost playfully. I could feel a lifting force, of a sort. Similar things were happening to others.
Something told me I was going to be studying in the library like i used to for a while
Aura. Black Mage



....
“You sure, Aura?” I know what your answer will be... but I feel I must ask.
One of the head healers said, eyes with concern towards Aura, who was facing a teenager, a new apprentice to the healers, freshly learning a skill.

Aura nodded, looking a the child, before producing a vial with purple looking liquid in it, marked with a skull and crossbones “Do you know what this is? Shadowvenom, made from various extracts, combined in the Alchemists place. It's a lethal poison: any human that consumes it will die within ten minutes, unless an anti venom or white spell cures it.”

The kid nodded, confused. Aura opened the vial, and gulped down the liquid, down to the last drop, before looking at the kid. 'You have exactly ten minutes. I've ordered the healer to back down and do nothing: Either you correctly apply Poisona... or I'm going to die.” she said, staring at the kid

The kid looked to the healer. “She's joking, right?” He said. The healer pulled out a pocket watch, and began studying it. Aura coughed twice, her lips slowly beginning to turn a shade of blue. The kid's eyes widened.”Holy Crap!” And touched his hand to Aura's heart, closing his eyes. “Poisona!”

A small blue nimbus enveloped the boys tips, and the boy nodded, until Aura's veins began to turn purple. “It's reached her bloodstream, and begun to circulate.” The healer said. “Soon, it'll reach her heart... and stop it. She has 3 minutes to live, if that.” As if to empathize that point, Aura collapsed, breathing heavily, gasping for air.

The boy knelt down, tears beginning to swell in his eyes. “no! Poisona! POISONA!” he shouted, the nimbus returning, brighter. Aura's skin began to turn a dark purple, her breathing getting slower. “One minute...”The healer said.

The boy began crying,, shouting, “HEAL! POISONA! POIIIISOOOONNNNAAAAA!” He kept shouting, the glow of magic enveloping Aura. Her skin returned to a pale white, the veins returning to a blue, the lips becoming a rosy red again. Aura's breathing began to stabilize.

The healer shook her head, looking at the clock, a bead of sweat trickling down her brpw. “With 7 seconds to spare... are you alright, Aura?”

From the floor, Aura nodded. “Yeah, I'm fine... just let me.... catch my breath... child, come here.”

The boy nodded, kneeling down next to her. “Ma'am?”
“that feeling you got... when you felt as if your about to meet your end along with your patient...that's what gave you the strength to cast the spell properly. Never forget that feeling... and before I forget, to commemorate your first saved life...” Aura reached up, and gave the boy a peck on the cheek. Face flushing, the boy nodded, and quickly scurried away, much to Aria's amusement.

After a few more minutes, Aura finally got enough strength to stand up, still panting a little bit. The healer glared at her. “Aura, you need to stop doing this! That was the closest yet! You had 7 seconds left to live! SEVEN! SECONDS! You could die for real next time!”

Aura shrugged, “If it helps the new healers protect this place, then what's my life? Besides, I don't fear the Reaper.” She said, straightening out her newly messed up hair, before walking out of the clinic.

“Where are you going? You need rest!” the healer demanded.

“The other mages are testing a tweak on the Bio spell. I've volunteered my body.”

The healer couldn't believe her ears. “You're going to let yourself be poisoned? AGAIN? That's suicidal, even for you! The poison shot your immunity system, you shouldn't do anything, at least wait until tomorrow!”


Aura turned around to face the healer, walking backwards. “What did I just say?” she said with a smile, “It's not like I fear the Reaper.” She said, turning around with a wave, walking out.

After a few minutes, the healer shook her head,muttering to herself, and ran outside, “Someone stop that girl! She'll kill herself!”
….

Aura knelt to the ground, her skin, witch was a deathly green, returning to normal. “is... is that all?” She asked through her teeth. A mage nodded, “This method seems to be more effective. Thanks for assisting us in this. And thank you for healing her so expertly, master Healer.”

The healer shook her head, “Like I was going to leave her to die... Aura... when will you learn?”

“I won't.” Aura said. “It was me that discovered that tweak to the spell. All of this was my doing. If I don't see a problem with it, you shouldn't.” A shock went through her system, and she collapsed to the ground.

The healer ran over to her, casting a Libra spell on her. “Its exactly as I said, her immunity system's been shot... she needs to lay do-”

Aura put her hand to the healers lips, slowly standing up. “Ill be fine, really...” She said, coughing slightly, before recovering. “i need... some fresh air.” she said, grabbing a book, and walking outside.

She paused. "Why do I feel like i should be somewhere else?" She asked, but then shrugged the feeling off

I never thought myself important. Just lucky, maybe. I was just another guy who was found outside the Safe Zone. I wasn't raised with delusions of grandeur. I knew from the beginning that I wouldn't be the one to save us all. And you know what? I was fine with that. I just had to live. To survive. Maybe give back to the place that accepted me as it's own. Heh, you could imagine my surprise when the Pyreflies descended. The children danced and laughed as they fell upon us. And here I was, frozen in place. I always prided myself on never giving into fear. Well, that's busted, huh?

My blade was already unsheathed when the calls reached my ears. "Don't fight them," They yelled. "They won't attack!" So I just rested the black blade on my shoulder and waited for it to pass. Another surprise. A day full of surprises really. The Pyreflies picked me. They fluttered, danced, and swirled around me. Like it was some sort of game. It wasn't a game for me, I'll tell you. Heh, frozen in place, a guardsman for this village, stuck, afraid of mere lights.

But.

But I don't think it was the Pyreflies themselves that frightened me. No, what frightened me was what they meant. Why did they chose me? Me, a man with a beast living inside. Why did they choose me? For what reason? Heh... Who knows? It was then, when one of the elders approached. I must have been in deep thought because he had been beckoning to me for a while. I just noticed that the Pyreflies had left as well. Where to? Another mystery I don't have the answers to. The Elder called to me, follow him he said. Who was I to decline. I nodded wordlessly and fell in line.

Me. A simple man, chosen by the Pyreflies. Thrust into something I knew nothing about. Yeah, just lucky I guess.
Yuri Hitsuki, Fighter

Yuri followed behind the older man, uncharacteristically quiet. Apparently there were others who were chosen. He didn't know who they were, but he'd bet he'd find out soon enough. Yuri had both hands clutching his blades, trying to steel himself for whatever was to come. First Dragon resting on his shoulder and Last Flame sitting at his hip. "What... What was that about?" Yuri asked the man. "You were chosen," The man stated. An obvious thing to point out. He knew that. Such an answer made him drop his eyebrows and sigh. "I knew that. I mean why did they choose me? For what purpose?" The elder chuckled and turned, bushy eyebrows arched in humor, "You'll see my boy. You've been chosen to become great." Magnificent. More mysterious. Yuri began to get frustrated, but quickly quelled it. He knew better. Frustration led to anger. Anger awakened the monster inside. He needed to have a reign, a leash, on that monster.

"Fine, fine," Yuri said, opting instead to roll with the blows. His grip relaxed and he took an aloof posture. There wasn't much he could do about it now, was there? He'd just have to see how this thing played out. Should be fun either way, an adventure, he thought. Yeah, and adventure. It was then he noticed that he was being led to the old chapel. Yuri hated the place. It gave him the chills. Plus, it was so darn easy to get lost inside. There were many a time he had been called on to "rescue" a lost child in the chapel. Quarter of the time he had gotten lost himself. "Bloody maze," Yuri muttered, causing the elder in front of him to chuckle.

"So, you're a fighter, are you? A guard? I've seen you around. How goes your training?" He asked. Idle talk really. Yuri wondered if the man even truly cared and was just making polite conversation. Oh well, it didn't really matter, it'd be rude not to reply. "Well enough. Could work on my control, but other than that, pretty good," Yuri answered, the man in front nodding. Then they entered the sanctuary. Another creepy place Yuri didn't care too much for. And the circle of old people in the middle didn't tone down the creepiness one bit. The man who had led him nodded and took his leave, melding into the circle himself. Yuri found himself with a young lady, the teacher in their village... Elle Raye, Yuri believed.

It seemed that one of the elders had finished speaking to her when he arrived. Must not have been that important if they didn't wait for him to arrive. Yuri leaned and whispered into the girl's ear, "Hey, what'd I miss?"

Kut vnus dra Sylreha
I thought I was nobody really. I am just... well... me. The man working behind the scenes, from the comfort of his workshop, to help things just run smooter. And I loved that. But... maybe it was never to be. I really never wanted to believe in destiny, not since... Well, since sudran died. I wouldn't want to believe that whatever it was that would decide our fate wanted me to be that alone. But in that moment, that brief moment insecurity and wonder, and fear. Maybe I believed. At that point, I might have believed.

Kries Dairu, Gadgeteer

Kreis put down his tool leaning back from his workbench, smiling at the decrepit guard machina in front of him. It may not look pretty, but it was all he would do right now. Machina parts were not exactly wasy to find in the Safe Zone. He looked around the little guy one more time before he was fully satisfied with his work. Then, he lifted the machina from the table that had been it's bed for the last week and placing it on the floor. Finally he went to activate it's power core.

Kries was pushed back by the explosion and landed next to his work bench. "Damn... he thought guess the circutry was fried there" Kries immediately evaluated."Nothing I would have done, but this won't exactly make anyone happy, will it? Losing one of their guard machina?" Kries opened his eyes to survey the damage, and was stunned. He reached up onto his desk and grabbed his gun that he had placed there. Holding it up to the lights that approached him.

They grew closer as Kries stared down his sights.

They surrounded him, and seemed to almost lift him. He felt as though he stood up with the help of a strong hand. And for a moment he stared at them, his arms now hanging like wet ropes at his side. Pyreflies..?

His head turned as they dispersed and he saw his sister and father standing in the door to his workshop. His mouth caught, feeling as though he needed to explain what just happened, but nothing would come out. His Father didn't say a word, but motioned him and led Kries away from the workshop.

Soon, Kries was walking through the old temple by the side of one of the elders of the village. Kries didn't know who he was by name, Kries wasn't exactly the type to know that, but he knew something was happening. The man tried to make small talk but Kries would always just give a short answer and the conversation would run short. Not that he minded. Kries was not in the frame of mind to talk right then.

Soon, he was led into a large chamber with a single large hole in the cieling. Kries stared around at the room for a moment, looking at the other silver and gold-clad elders of the village, before stepping forward to the pair of people in the middle of the room. One carrying two swords, and the other a girl about his age. He saw the one with the swords whisper to the girl before he walked up beside the pair of them.

Pyreflies, such pretty things. I just wanted to reach out and keep one all to myself! I'm pretty sure that the look on my face was quite child-like when I saw them coming closer. I was so busy watching them move about, that I almost completely tuned out the yells about not attacking them. Not that I planned to attack them, I figured they wouldn't hurt us.

But, as a few of them proceeded to circle around me, I could help but started giggling. It was all so exciting; these beautiful Pyreflies had come to us, and now they seemed to be picking out people in the crowd, and I was one of them. I'm sure if I had smiled even a bit wider at that moment, that my face would become frozen in the complete joyous state that I found myself in. The feeling was a bit weird to me, but I didn't mind; seeing as I seemed to be enjoying it just as much as the children seemed to be.

Though, it didn't seem to last long enough for me as I noticed a elder come to me. My smile lessened a bit, realizing I couldn't stay in the moment.

Daiavani Jonasi/Fencer

Daiavani turned to the few children that had been following her about, seeing as before hand she was going to go pull some pranks with them, and waved a little goodbye to them with a smile and turned to the elder.

She found herself following the elder, an almost skip like motion in each of her steps. "So, what did I do? Did I do something reeeally wrong? Because...I don't remember doing anything good lately," she stated to him in her, always, chipper voice. She was trying to think through the past few days in her head, all she could remember doing was pulling pranks with the children and helping them with sword play, and practicing of course.

To which the elder replied, "the Pyreflies chose you. You'll find out what you want to know soon." It fell silent after those words, though that didn't last for too long as he spoke once more. "So, the prank pulling fencer. Interesting," he said as if he were having to think about it.

She tilted her head slightly, "yes, that's me. The fencing trouble maker." She gave a laugh before talking again, the skip in her step now even more obvious than before, "But, I don't always cause trouble I guess." She said before shrugging her shoulders some before they finally made it to the room where the others were. She looked about quickly before heading over to the others standing in the middle of the room and looking at each of them with a smile.

How does one react to being chosen? Should I be happy? Afraid? maybe proud? encouraged? No these feelings were not felt at all by me. I was working the forge, repairing a blade for one of the guards when the descended. I stood there as the Pyreflies encircled me, slowly at first; then speeding up as if a bright light was closing around me, and then being engulfed by my shōzoku. Though this was not to last. The pyreflies began to depart, I looked up to watch them disappear into the treetops, and out of my line of vision, and that's when the Elder came for me. My father, my mother; they would be proud of me; my siblings saddened to see me go; but, I felt; I don't know what I felt, was it a sense of pride in the fact I knew I would be one of the few to save Spira? I couldn't really tell, but what I did know; that this was going to be a chapter of my story, and I would accept my destiny, and write out the words of my life with no regrets.



The elder had started to lead him away from the forge; his right hand rested on the hilt of his sword, this whole idea of leaving the only home he had ever known to do battle with a creature of immense power was intimidating to say the least, but that wasn't going to stop him. He had been training all his life, perfecting his swordsmanship, his ninpo, and his overall talents a ninja. The silent elder finally opened his mouth to speak. "So, the eldest son of the family of ninjas huh?" The Elder turned his wizened face towards Ryuu, his green eyes locking onto Ryuu's gold ones. Ryuu only nodding his head in response to the question. "This is going to be interesting, to see how your siblings handle their elder brother's absence; your the one who is usually seen gathering them from their studies and playing with them aren't you?" The man asked another question, figuring that the man wouldn't take just a nod anymore he finally spoke. "Yes, I'm the one who tends to them, my parents are usually instructing young men, and women on the ways of ninpo. So I take care of my sisters." He said in a monotone voice. Which seemed to satisfy the elder.

After the rest of the silent trip the arrived at the large well lit room, that was already inhabited by elders, and a few of his companions already; four by his count. He took this as an obvious meeting place and made his way over to them, He recognized three of them, Elle; the teacher, Daiavani; the fencer, he had met her through several of her pranks; she use to try to pull them on him, but due to his training she never seemed to succeed. The fighter; Yuri, he recognized him from some of the nights he was on guard duty. but the other male, no he didn't know of him, or at least didn't remember his name. He waved a hand to Yuri, and Elle, giving a slight playful glare to Daiavani, but his eyes studied the younger male; before he closed them and turned his face to the front. He didn't figure he should stare to long, people could get the wrong impression; then again from how silent he was; most people thought he was a mute anyways.

So these are the others? Elle thought to herself as people started to pile in. First was one of the guardsmen, his faced seemed oddly familiar, though she wasn't able to put the name with the face since she was always with the children and never had much time to go 'adventuring'. "Hey, what'd I miss?" He asked her. Elle, being the shy at immediate meeting girl that she is could only respond with a "Oh, um." while bringing her fingers to cross her lips. Her voice seemed very feminine and slightly high pitched, though very elegant all at once. Her admiration for strong authority type figures sometimes got the best of her, immediately she blushed as she begun to study his physically appearance. She didn't have to use Libra to see that he was very strong, though as she begun to analyze him more, barely tapping into Libra. She saw it. It was him. There was much talk about a boy who seemed to have what some called 'a demon' inside of him. Some say that he could take down Sin Spawns in only a few minutes when he tapped into that ability. She felt that there wouldn't have been anything else to use Libra for, so she stopped after noting that he was strangely powerful. She thought it would probably be smart to stay by his side if things got bad, saying that she was a healer and he was a fighter, their relationship might grow strong over the course of their soon to start journey.

Another joined the two, seemed to happen right after Yuki asked Elle what he had missed. Whispers started among the Elders when the next boy came. Unlike Yuki, Elle knew exactly who he was...saying that he was only a few of the pure Al'Bheds to still exist on Spira, as well as a fine repair man. She'd believe that it would be fascinating if they had the parts to make an Air Ship, she was sure that he'd probably be able to fix one up in no time. He walked up to them nonchalantly. She used Libra yet again, being able to use the spell silently came as a benefit, while other white mages and red mages would have to yell 'LIBRA!' if they wanted to use the spell, it seemed passive for Elle. She saw that he was a talented marksmen, seemingly beneficial if they were in a sticky situation. She'd always been curious able the Al'Bhed language, soon to be something close to Latin in a few years, since English was spoken amongst everyone, and Al'Bhed was only a language within that community.

A cheerful face joined them. Daiavani."Oh Daiavani," Elle smiled, she ran over to the girl, throwing her arms around her Daiavani's neck, giving her a big hug,"I'm so glad you were chosen too!" Although it wouldn't seem like it, her as well as Elle had to have spend time together everyday, to where they were at least acquaintances, since they taught the same children. Although, Daiavani taught the children how to fight, while Elle taught them school knowledge. Elle removed herself from the girl still smiling. She could hear the elders start to whisper again. What is all the whispering able? Elle thought to herself looking around at all the faces as they exchanged giggles and secrets to each other. She soon founded herself feeling a little uneasy. Until the next person walked in. Another male. She could tell that by the looks of everyone who attended, they were all fighters except for her, which strikes the thought of why the Pyreflies would chose such a passive girl as herself. Of course she could see why her White Magic could help, but in the long run, there were other healers amongst The Safe Zone, those who were stronger than her, and probably more useful. She tried to stop thinking the negative thoughts, and walked in the front of the group.

"Master Elder if you please,"She said, her fragile voice echoing through the sanctuary like a small pebble falling down a well,"Why did you bring us here? The Pyreflies picked us, for what reasons?" The Sanctuary got silent, first the eyes of the elders were on Elle, then they crossed over to the Head of the Elders. The head elder just looked at Elle, before giving a small laugh."You were brought here under strict orders of the spirits who govern over us. It seems that the Pyreflies were the messengers that it was time. Yes, we knew this day would come a long time ago, before you all could even walk. We knew that you where going to be the guardians. Which is why we have kept it in our duty to keep you alive until this day. The day you're journey would begin." The Elder begun to walk, her cane helping her. Only the sound of her cane clacking against the floor could be heard."You were all born with a gift, together, with these gifts, you can take down Sin. You're gifts just so happen to be within----" Before the Elder could continue her sentence, there was a loud sound coming from the forests, causing the ground to shake, and the trees to rattle . Elle immediately frowned."We're under attack!" The guards called from around The Safe Zones posts."The Seekers must have followed the Pyreflies straight to us. There's a lot of them!"

Elle could feel her heart drop."Oh no." She said softly. She begun to run thought the corridors of The Chapel."Los'San!" She yelled, her hand cupping over her mouth, instantly, bringing her arm down to her side, a bright light emitted from her right hand, transforming into her staff. When she made it out of The Chapel, the sight of the attack shocked her. Some shops where in flames as the Seekers trailed in packs down the streets of The Safe Zone, killing women, children, and men alike. Screams stung her ears, and the smell of fire and blood irritated her nose. She saw a group of them, hovering over a man with his wife and two children. She casted Libra on the group of Seekers as she ran over to help. They were red mages, being able to use magic, as well as fight. She got in the way of the Seekers and the family. In unison, they casted Fire at her."Shunning Light!" She screamed, arms out towards them. Immediately, a light blue force field in the shape of a bubble protected her, and the family from the attack. It seemed that the force field reflected the spells back at the Seekers, causing an impact on them, making them fall on their backs. The force field disappeared."Run!" She yelled at the family, they made haste, as she watched the hoard of Seekers get off the ground, and begun to growl at her. She didn't know what too do, her energy was too low to use Shunning Light again so fast, and she didn't practice black magic, nor did she know how to fight. She attempted to block her body with her long staff, though she didn't know how much help that would be, compared to the blows of these beasts. She closed her eyes, hoping they would make it painless.

Zamji the Lionheart, Feral.

The feral man known as Zamji had been stationed outside the reach of the Besaid settlement, so much of the news regarding the discovery of the pyrefly swarms hadn't quite reached him yet. As a native of Besaid's jungle , he knew much about different species of forestry life, although pyreflies were something of a mystery to even him. Believing them to only exist in legend, Zamji hadn't give much thought to their actual existence. The team of crusaders Zamji had traveled with would set aside a momentary rest stop area. Zamji seemingly undaunted by his other travel mates fatigue . So far in their journeys they had encountered several groups of fiends, consisting of a pack of wild jackals, flans and the usual avians. Most of which Zamji handled ably, but he was far from the type to steal another mans rightful kill. The details of their mission was to survey and investigate rumors of potential sin spawn sightings in that area of the forest. The sort of thing that made locals sleep a bit easier at night.

As the group made their encampments , one of the newer recruits chimed in, he seemed a bit too neurotic for the work. "As long as Zamji's here we'll all be fine, right? It's just a rumor anyway, who takes those seriously anyway, right?!?!". A silence swept through the group. There was a good possibility that the lead could turn out to be true . Sin spawns sightings isn't the type of thing that people report unless they were certain of. This, coupled with unaccounted disappearings added some
weight to the theory that could no longer be ignored.

"I will try, but I cannot guarantee" Zamji replied with a bit in grim tone. "I will go on ahead and fetch timber for fire. Zamji will return shortly. " With that, dusk began to set-in swallowing up all who ventured under the cover of the jungle. All of which giving the jungle an even more hostile guise. The man eventually comming upon a body of water he recognized. As he bent to draw water into his canteen, a sight captured his attention.

A swath of fluorescent pink danced elegantly across the surface of the water, they seemed entirely fixed upon his form, ignoring much of the other wildlife in that area. The formation reacted to his presence as if they were speaking to him. Were these pyreflies? They were unlike any other creature he had observed in the jungle, by now he had been firmly under influence of the pyreflies draw. With that, As soon as they had appeared so to did pyreflies go their way taking with them the secret of their allure. Zamji hadn't known how long he sat watching the pyreflies , although he knew that he probably spent too much time away from the camp.

Kries remained quiet as more and more people came into the room. The next one into the room was another girl. She only began walking towards the group when the other girl that had been there ran over to her and embraced her. the pair exchanged a few words and Kries remained silent, looking awkwardly around the room and finally getting his bearings.

Pyreflies... He had never really seen them for himself before. It was frighteneing how ominous those small lights seemed right now. Why had the elders called them there? the pyreflies were the pretext but why to this old temple and not inside the safe zone..?

His thoughts were then inturrupted by another entering the door. This person he knew from helping around town. His name was... Ryuu-something. He helped out as the blacksmith in town. Kries and his father often had to put in requests for machina parts at the shop. It wasn't like they were going to get the parts anywhere else, now were they?

Soon after Ryuu entered Elle spoke up to the elders, finally breaking the silence in the room. Saying what must have been on everybody's mind that had been called there. And to Kries' surprise, the elder answered. She spoke of them as guardians, chosen by the spirits to set out on a journey. She said that it had been their duty to protect them up until that point. Which made Kries wonder "And now what..? What are we facing that you have been protecting us from?

In her next statement, she answered that.

Sin.

Sin. It was a word that Kries thought echoed through any person who lived in that world. the boogeyman that was real. Could kill you by getting near you. The leviathan of a monster that no matter how many times you killed, just came back the next time.

That Sin?

but also she spoke of gifts that they had been given. The tools to fight Sin. She began to speak further on this when the very earth itself inturrupted her. Soon there were shouts and the word on every breath was Seeker. Kries stared up at the hole in the cieling for a brief moment, the words processing in his brain. How!? The machina had been patrolling? Why were there so many reports? HE heard as the guards deduced that they followed the pyreflies.

So it all came back to them.

Kries looked back just in time to see Elle burst away from the group and charge up the stairs. Needless to say she was going to protect the village. Well, if they were the ones to take down Sin, they had to be able to handle this. Kries wheeled around and chased after her, trusting his instinct and memory to lead him to the entrance. He burst out into the searing daylight compared to the dark temple and he shaded his eyes and squinted to adjust. Although afterward, he wished he could have stayed blinded by that light for longer.

The village was carnage, there were fires and blood in the streets. Man and child running from seekers alike, and only rarely there was the guardian being gutted by a seeker. Kries never remembered seeing it the other way around. Although soon a familiar voice pierced this calamity. It was Elle she was yelling at a family to run from a pack of Seekers. Kries didn't even think as she just put up her staff in front of her. He had to get their attention away from her. He ran forward a few steps then looked down his gun carefully, his heart pounding. Then he pulled the trigger.

Direct hit center of mass on the seeker he was aiming for. The beast lost its ballance and fell to the ground. After that, Kries didn't even think anymore or bother to aim as carefully. He continued to pull the trigger, hoping they would look at the one who was actually hurting them.

She had been reading, studying some of the ancient texts: The book of Yevon, to be precise. Aura marveled at the ancient religion, and how long it had been in place. It was about that time that Aura finally remembered her previous engagement: she had been supposed to meet with a couple of other people regarding those Pyreflies..... oops. Aura just shrugged. If it had been super important, they would have come gotten her.

It was a little afterward, some sort of weird creatures apparently showed up, and began to attack. “This, after the pyreflies show up... coincidence? I think not.” She said, slowly getting up, closing the book, and set it on a tree, so it wouldn't touch the ground. These things were starting a massacre in the village. That simply wasn't allowed. Aura would have to do something about that.

A few of them circled Aura, put there hands together, and launched a score of fireballs. Aura snapped, raising her hand in the air, a small glacier rising in front of her, sending the fire to either side of her, before the ice launched itself at the nearest one, impaling it's chest. “Knowing magic, and knowing how to use magic are two different things.” She advised, before taking a step back, flinging her wrist in an arc, a thunder spell falling from the sky, zapping another one before he and his ugly friends could team up again.

She began taking a few steps, coughing slightly. “My immunity is shot, so im begginning to feel sick....” She said, before shaking her head. A beast charged her, using clawlike hands. Aura only sidestepped slightly, allowing the beast to impale her shoulder. “Thanks for that.” She said, placing her hand on the beast, casting Aero. The beast split into, having no time to dodge. “I'll need to get that looked at later. I hope I don't die from it....”

She looked around, notcing a healer put up a decent fight, and Aura nodded approvingly, until she went into a defensive stance, closing her eyes, waiting for an end to befall here. Aura shook her head as the seekers approached. “ Guess Its my turn to save lives.” She said, an aura of dark flames covering her entire body as she raised her hand, a torrent of Thunder and Aero spells rained down on the seekers that were attacking her. “Are you alright?” She asked, approaching her. “ I think ive seen you around...” She said, then clenched her arm, the one that she let get hit, “Ow, that smarts... stick with me, you can't fight on your own, right?”

Oops, repost

Others. Of course there were others, he didn't expect there to not be others. It was who these others were that the mystery presented itself. It wasn't a mystery for long however, as others began to file in after him. Still, he never gotten an answer from Elle. Just a murmur and a quiet look. Huh, Yuri didn't think himself that intimidating looking, to be able to cause the girl to stumble like that. Of course, he didn't see himself that way. When he looked in a mirror, he just saw an ordinary, if extremely handsome, man looking back at him. The monster was under the surface, not above. Still though, he noted the girl was... Pretty. Probably way outside his league, but still... He didn't have enough time to further prod her with questions as the arrival of others caught his attention.

Daia, Ryuu, and Kries, he'd heard of all of them. What kind of poor excuse for a guard would he be if he didn't. He knew of Daia's playful nature, and had been the butt of some of her pranks. Ryuu was a quiet and reserved man, whom Yuri doubted ever saw the lower part of his face. Still, he recognized those eyes from the instances they were given guard duty together. And Kries, the machinist. Last he heard, the man was supposed to be working on some kind of guard mech. When Elle ran off to hug Daia, Yuri waved to Kries with the hand that wasn't holding the black blade.

"Hey Kries," He said. He wondered on the status of the guard machina, unaware as to it's fate. Then Elle walked in front of the little congregation and asked an elder a question. Yuri listened, intrigued. He kept his own counsel within his mind. And what a tumultuous counsel it was. Everything had been normal up until today. When suddenly, spirits, pyreflies, or whatever the hell they were chose him for some inane reason. Was this what the elder was hinting at? That he would be great? Dammit, he didn't want to be great. Guardians? The only thing he was a guardian of was the village. A Shepard of lost children really. And some spirits had the gall to choose him? For something he doesn't even want? Damn them.

Frustration was rising as the elder droned on. He needed to reign it in, to return to the aloof flow. Alas, he never had the time as suddenly the grown shook. That could only mean one thing. An Attack. Without waiting for any of the others, or even hearing if there were other words said, he left. Ran really. All other things were drowned out. Only one thing remained. His duty. He had to protect the village. Dammit, why was he called to that bloody chapel!? He had a duty, and he can't bloody well do it in the heart of a run down temple, now can he? Dammit.

He erupted out of the mouth of the chapel, both blades shining in his hands, First Dragon on his shoulder and Last Flame held out, waiting to pounce. At the sight, Yuri dropped his eyebrows and snorted. It was horrible. Fire, death, destruction, screams. Blood. "Dammit," He muttered. He should had been there, he should had stopped all of this. He didn't have time to mull on it, he had to act. Now.

The black blade was a blur as he cut the air in front of him, grunting out, "Air Render." The wind of him split and surged towards his unlucky target. A seeker who had the misfortune of being the first Yuri had laid eyes on. The wave struck true and cleaved the beast in twain. First blood, he would destroy every single one of these monstrosities, alone if need be. There was no more time. He rushed into the fray head first, blades screaming through the air. It wasn't long before he entered another confrontation. Another lone seeker. Yuri blocked an attack from the beast with the gauntlet on his left hand and cut the offending appendage off with his other sword. Yuri finished it by cleaving it with the other. It fell back with a deep gash along it's middle.

Suddenly, a bright light caught Yuri's attention off to his side. When he looked over, he saw Elle enveloped in the light, and the attack of those monsters reflected back to them. As the light died, Yuri saw what Elle was doing. She was protecting a family, yet now. Now it seemed as if she was defenseless as the seekers rose. They turned their attention on her fully. That was it. That's all it took to break Yuri, to bring out that demon. He had reached his Boiling Point.

He roared with a fierce and ferocious bellow and raced towards the monsters. He was barely aware of the shots that rang out, striking the beasts and garnering their attention. Perhaps later he would realize these shots came from Kries. However, right now, they refused to even register with the man. Upon reaching them, his anger took complete control of his arms and his face took on a demonic visage. Eyes wide and teeth bared in rage. His movements were erratic, random... deadly. He slashed widely at the monsters, ripping and tearing through the beasts, each drop of the blade producing a grievous injury and a spurt of the blood. In this state he was unstoppable, invincible. He didn't even realize the torrent of lightning and cutting aero spells conjured from the mage. No matter, it wouldn't have stopped him any how. He didn't, couldn't stop until these monsters were dead. And when they were, he stood amongst the pile of broken, scorched, and torn bodies (some killed by him, some by the magically volley) facing Elle, victorious. Covered in blood, gore, cuts, and burns. He wasn't even aware of his own injuries.

As his eyes became his own once again, he began to pant, but still he leaned over Elle, worried about her well being. Sincerely, he asked, "Are... Are you okay?" Then he looked up and around. First was the black mage, but he was far to zoned out to understand the words she was saying. Something to Elle perhaps? Either way, They weren't out of this yet. He extended a blood covered arm for her to grab to help her up and added, "Quickly. This isn't over." Suddenly, his eyes winced from the pain. This always happened when he lost control. He ended up injuring himself. Through gritted teeth he smiled at Elle. She didn't have to know of his pain. "Come on, we're be safer in a group," Yuri said, glancing at the black mage and nodded. He didn't quite realize that the fire and cutting wind came from her. Even if he did, he would bear no ill will. It was his fault he raced headlong into the inferno, he'd bare the responsibility for his own actions.

He asked Aura a question, through pain and gritted teeth, "Are you okay too?"

Everything was happening so quickly. She prepared herself for the impact that would take her life. She could feel everything slow down around her as she had flashbacks of her childhood...


"This spell is called, Cure, Elle." Mother Maryia smiled at Elle as the older woman placed her hands over the small, blue, wounded forest creature layed weak in the womans lap. Elle's eyes widened as a bright light emitted from the womans hands. She was only seven years old when she witnessed her first spell casting. Mother Maryia's eyes darted from the creature to Elle as the woman's passive face struck a smile. The light disappeared, and the creatures wounds were half way healed."Oh dear, it seems the spell didn't completely heal the wounds of this creature. Elle, how about you try?" At that age, Elle didn't know any better, thinking that Mother Maryia truely didn't have the potential to fully heal the creature, but now, Elle knew this was Mother Maryia's way of introducting Elle to white magic. Elle took the creature into it's lap, with a puzzled look on her face, she eyed the creature, then at Maryia."What if I mess up?" The young, beautiful child said."You won't dear, just imagine all the holy powers of the Universe flowing through you...through your body. Imagine you forcing that energy into this creature. You have a gift, child. It will come."

Elle closed her eyes. Over the course of a few seconds, a dim white light was produced from the childs hands, with them susspended over the creautres frail body. Mother Maryia's eyes widened, she was surpized that Elle had learned the spell so quickly, with a meer discription. Mother Maryia used Libra on Elle, seeing how astonishing her Mana Pool was, for such a young girl, a girl ment to be a healer."Look Mother, Mother I did it! I healed the creature!" Before Elle could continue her happiness, the small creature spreaded its wings, and flew out a nearby window in the stone made room. Elle begun to laugh as she looked up in Mother Maryia's crying eyes."Yes my child...yes you did."

6 years later...

"No, Mother Maryia! You can't leave me, you can not die, I won't allow it, I'll use everything you taught me to keep you alive!" Now 13, Elle's weeping eyes was buried in the shoulder of Mother Maryia's old, dying body."Hush now, you'll scare the children, Elle." Mother Maryia snapped at Elle, who was still crying and holding on to her teacher and best friend." I am old, it is my time. I have passed on all my knowlege to you, and with that, you must spread my legacy, I will never die, as long as you teach those, and protect those around you. Elle, you must be the teacher of these children. Though you have a lot to learn before you will become a Devout, you are a wonderful white mage. Do not give up. You're destiny is great, I've seen it. You will do many wonderful things, you just can not give up...don't give...up." With her last breath, Mother Maryia placed her hand into Elles. Exchanging that last pulse, that last signal of life. Elle's lip begun to tremble. Mother Maryia was gone. Elle buried her head in the old womans stomach, crying silently, so she wouldn't worry those around her.


The sounds of magic, bullets, and the slashing of a sword woke Elle up from her trance. And within a couple of seconds, like an angel sent to save her, she saw Yuri's face. "Are... Are you okay?" He said, she was about to reply, until she saw the wounds covering his body. They were horindous, too much for anyone to have and try to still stand, let alone fight! Before she could reach out and touch him, he aknowleged another. A black mage. Aura, whom Elle only knew because Elle has been one of the few healers to have healed her after she'd try out a new spell or to help others learn spells. It must have been a automatic Libra impulse that caused Elle to sense the fact that she too was a guardian. A powerful black mage and an advanced white mage? The spirits must of had something planned. Though in a time like this, there was no time for stalling."Yuki!" She called. She knew he was hurt."You might feel a slight----tingle. She said looking deeply into his eyes." She placed one hand, barely caressing the side of his cheek, and the other one on the side of his neck. He was warm, and she could feel his pulse beating quickly, as though he'd just gotten out of a rage. When she touched him, images of a demon locked away in a cage in a dark room crowed her mind. It scared her, though she didn't let that stall her. She closed her eyes quickly, and a bright light emmited from her hands, small flickers of light begun to tap on Yuri's body. a light begun to stitch at his wounds, causing them to heal in less than a few seconds, until he was completey free of any wounds. She removed her hands, of course he was still drenched in blood."Um," She said softly,"Do you need a napkin?" She asked him in a strangely concerned voice.

There are few things that could describe that day. It was like the first time I drove an airship. The first time I went swimming. I couldn't tell what was happening at first, maybe it was because I was drunk, maybe I was mad from losing my last card game. Maybe both. For a second I had a clear recollection of who I was, before Sin attacked. Flashes of old memory passed through my head. Could this be what gets me back to who I was?

-Anastasia Deleacrux

A clanking of glass and a body stirring. Ana sat up from her bed and put her hand against her forehead. She had been out all night and seemed to have fallen asleep from so much alcohol. Her head bounded from the blazing light shining in her face. She noticed another body standing nearby her but took a minute to recognize them.

"I'm guessing you're not here to get rid of this headache are you? If not then get out."

They still remained. "I have come to you because you are one of the chosen Guardians."

"Look, I'm not some fabled hero that can help anyone. I can barely remember who I am."

"You were one of those who were visited by the pyreflies, were you not? If you will come with me, it will all be explained."

Ana looked at the strange man, analyzing him. She shortly complied and got up. Strapping her guns to her waist she followed the man out. The first thing she saw was not something she wanted to deal with right after waking up.

She turned to the man and yelled at him, "Why didn't you tell me my shop was on fire!"

He calmly replied, "I did not want to disturb you."

She could easily tell it was her shop, the sign 'Pirate's Booty' was still hanging from the outside. Rushing inside, her face turned to complete horror. The inside was falling apart, fire was everywhere, and even then she could hear her Potions shattering. Quickly grabbing an unharmed sack she piled whatever she could salvage. A couple Potions here, an Antidote there. It was nothing compared to what she had stocked but she got out with something alive.

Coming out of the building coughing she looked at the man with a cold stare. Putting the sack over her shoulders she proceeded to attack the small creatures. Luckily there weren't much around her. With a few slow, aimed shots she dispatched them.

"I can barely see anything." Her hangover and the smoke still in her eyes caused some distortion in her vision. She could shoot but with little accuracy and speed.

As Daiavani noticed the Ryuu throw a playful glare her way, she crossed her eyes at him. Though her attention was quickly brought to Elle as she heard the girl call out to her and rush over to hug her. She laughed and returned the jester with a hug of her own and of course, a smile. "I'm glad you did too, it's exciting," she said to her in her normal chipper tone.

Though, when the Head Elder began to speak, her attention became fixated on the words being spoken. As the word "guardians" came out, she had to keep herself from squeaking with excitement. Though, she was sure that it was written all over her face. She practically went wide eyed as the Elder stated that they each had a gift. But, when the sound of an attack happening began, she almost frowned, knowing that she wouldn't get to hear the rest now; or at least for the moment she wouldn't be able to. "Dang it," she said as she looked at the Elders before turning and quickly leaving the Chapel.

As her eyes witnessed what exactly had already happened in the short time, they widened a bit and her thoughts went right to finding her mother. She knew she would help anyone else along the way of course, but her main goal at the moment was to make sure that the mother that she was distant with was safe. She couldn't loose another parent, not yet.

She quickly brought out Guardwind and ran forward into the havoc that was unleashed upon the safe zone, a smile still placed on her face, though it was a different kind of smile now. Though, she hadn't felt like she had ran very long before she came face-to-face with a pair of Seekers. She stopped dead in her tracks and looked at them as their attention was put onto her. Without even a second thought on the matter, she moved to one of them at a rather quick speed, using Piercethrough in aim right for the creatures chest.

Aura just shook her head at the man, “I'm fine, thank you.” She learned that the man's name was Yuri, and her eyes flashed in recognition of the name. There had been talk in the mages guild about a man with demon= like qualities.... aura had always wanted to study such a legend, but she had never gotten the chance. He had flown into a bloodlust of some sorts, and had slashed all of the seekers that Aura had missed... quite fierce, to be sure.

Now she remembered the white mage: Elle. She had healed Aura on multiple occassions, and Aura had a;ways been grateful... was it fate that the positions had reversed? Just possibly.

She turned to Yuri, “Can you fight? If not, you two get behind me while I handle anyone that comes are way.” She said, as a Seeker approached. “Troublesome? Just a little.” She said, snapping her fingers, causing Ice to rise, impaling it. “We should get to the mage quarters. That'll be the best haven, and offers the most protection. You see anything that's not human, let me know.

She couldn't believe herself, offering to help in such a direct way. She took a few steps outside, and gasped, a seeker had bit her, on the same shoulder that had been impaled. The seeker had apparently expected all resistance to end there. “Dont you know? Pain is proof you exist.” She said, Zapping the seeker.” She rotated he shoulder, making sure it was functional. “You two coming?” She asked, cracking her fingers, wincing slightly. She could make it. She WOULD make it to the destination, she told herself. She doesn't feat the reaper

He could feel eyes on him, inspecting him from each of the few already here, though his eyes did happen to widen slightly as Elle latched onto Daiavani so quickly, making him chuckle quietly. Though once the pleasantries were out of the way, and Elle had taken the lead asking the lead elder about why they were summoned. He listened intently to the elder, watching her pace with her cane mentioning sin; and how they were chosen to defeat it. He continued to keep silent; no reason to speak up, he was sure everyone was a little surprised about these turn of events, but before long; like in some cliche story their village was attack.

He watched, Elle, Yuri, and Dai all burst out of the chapel to the village to put up a defense. His eyes fell on the elders before holding his hands up in a symbol for teleportation in ninpo as he flashed out of sight and reappeared at the entrance of the chapel. He could almost not believe the damage that attacked his eyes. He watched as seekers burnt buildings, killed men, women, and children without any type of reaction; causing him to shake his head, as he began to traverse the battleground with his unnatural speed. His first priority was making sure his family was alright. That didn't take long though, his father disappearing around the battlefield taking out seekers with ease; his mother watching over his sisters using ninpo to fend off would be attackers. He relaxed some knowing his family was safe, and because of that he drew Dragonfang from it's sheath at his hip both hands holding the hilt of the blade as he began to dash around the battlefield swinging his sword in wide arcs hitting any seeker in his way. His style of fighting was hit and run, his speed allowing him to cut through enemies quicker and get out of the way of a counterattack before the enemy had time to react.

He jumped, perching himself in a tree that wasn't entirely burnt as he made the symbol for fire with his right hand taking a deep breath before calling out. "Ka" a burst of flame erupted from one of the seekers, frying it's innards and causing it to fall over dead. he then turned his attention to some of his companions, Yuri, and Elle were with Aura; a weird girl who seemed to be a glutton for punishment; or that's how he saw it, and Dai; off by herself; he could only shake his head and jumped from the tree, and dashed off to her aid. catching a swing from the second Seeker she had engaged he turned his attention to her and shook his head. "Your not one for thinking ahead are you?" He asked planting his legs firmly in the ground and shoving with all his strength to counter the swing and send the seeker back a few steps before piercing it's gut, and twisting the blade and lifting up and cutting through it. "Think, then attack" was all he said before he dashed off again to help fend off more of the seekers.

Kries watched as the group of seekers he was firing at disintigrated from the assault as a black mage and the other man from the temple came to her aid as well. Kries watched as they grouped up for a second, then dashed off. HE had to go to his family. His sister and father, they had to be alive.

"Tysh" He muttered as he ran. He knew he wasn't as fast as the guardians of the town, but this was the first time he really wished he was.

He was running as fast as his legs could take him.

Then he was on the ground.

As he was running a Seeker had jumped out of an alley and directly onto Kries, claws digging into his shoulders. Kries cried out in pain from it as he pulled the trigger of his gun, which he pointed at the beast's side. He pulled three quick times, as the beast roared in his face, and then slumped down on top of him. Kries lay there for a second, out of breath, then pushed the beast off of him and staggered up. He had to get to his family. He unloaded his gun and slid in another clip and began to run.

Soon his house came into view. The ground around littered with defective machina used as improvised bombs, and the rest that were still in no shape to do anything getting ripped to shreads. He took aim at a seeker running at one of the better looking machina. He pulled the trigger and ran even before he saw the seeker slump over.

He ran into his house and into the barrel of a gun. Although in an instant it dropped. His father stood behind the trigger. He sighed with relif and hugged his son. "Oui yna cyva Kries! e fych'd cina ev E ryt mucd oui frah dra Seekers yddylgat. Fryd tet dra amtanc ryja du cyo?"

Kries caught his breath and responded. "E ys cu kmyt oui yna cyva vydran. E tuh'd ghuf drao hajan syhykat du vehecr. Pid nekrd huf ed tuach'd syddan."

His father took a deep breath and took a commanding voice "Fa haat du veht udran cinjejunc yht keja dras ramb fedr uin. E tuh'd fyhd du, pid Kries fa cruimt cbmed ib. Ku du dra lahdan uv dufh yht unkyhewa fedr udranc drana. Ouin cecdan yht E femm syga cina dra pmylgcsedr ec ugyo. Drec dufh femm hud pa ypma du cinjeja fedruid res."

Kries took a deep breath and nooded. this plan made the most sense, since he was the most fit in the family and would most likely be able to handle on his own the best. And it put his mind at ease that his family was okay. "Ku huf!" His father commanded and Kries nodded and he ran out into the carnage once more as his father called for his sister further inside the house.

Yuri was panting heavily, and by sheer force of will stood on his own power. his left eyelid drooped lazily, a testament to the fatigue and pain he was in. Every breath he took seemed to make him weaker. Dammit, he thought, why did he have to burst into the fray like that? What the hell was he thinking? Then he looked down, Elle called out to him. "Yuki!" Heh, it wasn't a nickname that he'd ever heard, but he let it slide. He wasn't going to berate her for it, hell he maybe it'd grow on him if she kept calling him that. It's not like they were going to go their separate ways now that they'd been chosen.

He opened his mouth to ask her to get to safety along with Aura, but the White Mage's quick hand quietened him. When she looked into his eyes, Yuri averted his own feeling a bit uncomfortable. A hand to his cheek and another to his neck. Immediately his face turned a shade of beet red. Luckily, as it may be, some of the blood covered up the blushing. Heh, lucky. "A tingle?" He asked wearily, just in time to feel the tingle she was talking about, "Geez!" he said as a shiver shot down his spine and branched off towards the injuries. It was... Strange. It always was. The feeling of one's flesh being knitted right under the watchful hand of a mage. No matter how many times he went through the ordeal, he never got used to it.

This tingle, however, was more intense. Due to the amount of injuries no doubt, and the intensity was what made him cry out in surprise. Either way, he shook his head violently when Elle took her hands away from his face. "Wow. Some things... You just never get used to," he admitted. Then he chuckled dryly. "Well... I'd need a pretty big napkin, don't you think?" He said, a sad grin on his face. He didn't like the fact he was covered in blood in front of her, but it could not be helped. His grin faded quickly, "But... It'll have to wait. I don't think this is going to be it quite yet," Yuri said, sadly.

"Fight?" Yuri asked looking at Aura, "Uh..." He mumbled flexing his arms, blades with a new sheen of blood, "A little stiff, but I can't still fight," If I can just control that damned temper, he added mentally. He didn't think he could afford to lose control again. Then he raised an eyebrow, "Wait, what?" Get behind... Her? Like he was some useless pup. A blow to his pride and manhood to be sure, even if she didn't mean it like that. He was a guard in this village, they should be behind him, he was supposed to be the protector, not the protected.

Yuri was about to voice his complaints when a seeker bit her and was promptly dealt with. Following some grim words from the girl Yuri's eyebrow raised a little bit higher and he looked at back at Elle, "She's... Different," Yuri admitted. This was when Ryuu made his appearance and attacked another seeker. Attacking and spouting off precious little words. Strange one him. Heh, who was he to talk? They all had their various flavors of strange. Then he ran off to aid in the counterattack, leaving him with the ladies. Heh, and they say Chivalry is dead. He knew he should had been a paladin.

He shook his head. Now was not the time for these games. "I'll lead us there," Yuri stated, trying to avenge his injured pride. His first couple of steps were unstable but he became comfortable back on his legs soon enough. "We'll gather everyone we meet on the way, it's a good enough place to regroup," he added. He hoped the others would think so too. "Once we get there, I'll come back and get the stragglers," he added, looking ahead. He was a guard. He was supposed to protect these people and he'll be damned if he didn't. Dead or alive, he was going to make sure everyone was okay and safe.

"Let's go," Yuri said, pushing past Aura and sending out another Air Render, cutting down the targeted Seeker. "Hurry!" he added. There were others that needed him.

Elle could see that everyone seemed to be in panic mode as everyone tried to protect the ones they love. Did they completely forget about the Elders, who seemed to run wildly through the flames and over the corpses of the onces they've governed? Aura seemed to be very powerful indeed, Elle watched with a mere snap the girl could summon the powers of her Mana Pool, completely opposite hers. Black Magic. It is that if a White Mage was to use Black Magic, it would be poisonous to their Mana Pool, and the same for a Black Mage with White Magic, causing an equal balance in the two. Somehow, Red Mages seem to find a loop hole in their Mana Pool to cast both magics, as dangerous as it may be. Though Magic fatigues fighters who may use it, they are capable of using both, since there Mana Pool isn't devoted to Magic, rather their actual fighting skills."She's... Different," Yuri said to Elle."You're telling me." She responded quickly, watching the girl go through the Seekers like a stack of popsicles on a hot summer day. She was strong, so strong it made Elle wish she wasn't so weak.

They had planned to go to the Mages Guild, the most seemingly safe place. In the east wing, Study of Black Magic, in the west wing Study of White Magic, a place Elle would hope she'd never have to go back to after the death of Maryia, the place that held dark memories for Elle. The heavy breathing of a nearby person got Elle's attention. She turned her head, with a gasp she cried,"Head Elder!" She ran over to the wounded old woman who was laying on her back, hands over a bloody wound that pierced right through her stomach."Here let me help." Elle said in a whimpering voice, when Elle was about to place her hand over the wound, the Head Elder grabbed it, putting Elle's hand in her own lap.

"No child. Let me die an honorable death, protecting a place I've worked so hard to create,"She begun to cough, blood partials erupting from her mouth,"You, Yuri, Aura, and the others are very important to Spira," She said softly,"The guardians are blessed by The Elder Spirits. Your gifts lay within, within your souls. They've implanted a piece of their Source within each of you, which is why the Pyreflies were attracted to you all." The Elder wasn't making much sense to Elle, though she listened patiently, as she slowly stroked the head of the dying elder." You have must had felt it before. The source. whenever you are feeling alone in the world, as if no one truly understand you?" Elle nodded."They've all felt the same way. It's because you are different amongst the rest of us. You all are the key to defeating Sin. There is an Air Ship in the forest we have hidden not to far from here. The Source of all the guardians would be able to start the ship again. You must all go to the Aeon Temples, and release the Aeon's from their slumbers. It will be a challenging task, but the Aeon's spirits will be able to roam the world freely, and in the final battle, they will come to your aid. It takes at least 3 guardians to unlock the soul of a single Aeon, remember that before jumping into a battle carelessly. Please, protect this haven, save whoever is left. Spira is in grave danger." With her last breath, the elders eyes closed. Elle watched silently as the creases in the elders face grew pale. Elle got up from her knees and went back to the others. It seemed whatever the others was doing, was working. The Seeker population seemed to decrease. She saw Yuri."Yuri,"She called for him, trying to hold back the tears,"The Head Elder is dead. She told me before she died, that there was an Air Ship, hidden in the forest. She told me we had to go to the Aeon Temples. We have to round up everyone when we are done here there is no time to lose."

Aura nodded, listening to Elle explain what they had to do. 'But, my study...” Aura said, slightly upset. The mages guild had given her her own study recently, to thank her for a job well done. “If there's not a library on that ship, I'm going to be mad.” She said, but otherwise agreeing to what Elle had suggested. The elders knew more about this than Aura did, so it was best to follow, for now.

She was beginning to grow fatigued – she had never cast so many spells in succession, and never in a state of her insides being completely out of whack. By snapping an exerting her will, she could acess her pool of magic, and cast it faster than the other mages in the guild.... but, that required concentration, witch fatigue was making her lose.

The number of seekers were beginning to dwindle. She snapped, causing Ice to impale one. In doing so, Aura lost the ability to stand up, and she feel to her knees. “This isn't my day.” She said, snapping again, striking a seeker that had smelled easy pray. “...get going to the temple. Leave me. I can't move my legs. I'll take out any seekers that plann on pursuing you... just... come back for me when you manag to get it running.”

Aura said, snapping once, then twice, the arm with the injury beginning to go numb. Aura shook her head, and closed her eyes, shaking her head, “None shall get pass me while I draw breath. If I lost here, then doing what I've been doing all this time would have been for naught...”

Her ring shone in the light, and she looked at it fondly, before snapping again. She looked out at what was apparently the other guardians, doing what they could to take out the mass of Seekers... f they all left, would this village be safe again?

She shook her head, snapping. She wasn't simply going to die with those flimsy words she just gave everyone. She took a deep breath, and forced herself back onto her feet. “ Hear me, Seekers! Your opponent is Aura Aria Katryiana, the Wind that will sing to your frozen death!” (fun with words. Aura means wind, Aria is a song, and Katryiana is 'frozen' or 'ice') COME!” She said, snapping, “Leave the others alone. Attack the villagers no more. As long as I live, you will not!” She said, snapping, causing Ice to impale a seeker, and she begun to breathe a little faster.

“So... how are we going to get to word to the others?” Aura asked Elle, trying to sound confident, witch was hard to do while panting heavily, sweat trickling down her brow. That healer was right, aura shouldn't have pushed herself so far, She wouldn't be having this problem otherwise.

“I... talk big, but theres no way I can take them all out in the state im in... I poisoned myself twice today... help a fellow femal mage out?” Aura asked, holding her arm out, hoping Elle would help her stand and move.

As Daiavani noticed Ryuu come up and caught a swing from one of the Seekers at her, right as she finished off the one she was mainly focused on, and made a comment about her not thinking ahead, she looked over at him. Though, she didn't have time to say anything before he pushed the Seeker back a few steps, and twisted the blade and cut up through it. Though, when he gave another comment about thinking before attacking, she crinkled her nose with a 'hmph' and watched as he went off.

Though, she didn't give anymore thought to that as her mind went back to finding her mother. Her eyes searched around frantically before she dashed forward, not only looking for her mother, put looking for other Seekers as well. Luckily for her, her mother was not to far from where Daiavani was, she could see her. But unfortunately, so were other Seekers. She quickly made her way over to them and went for the closest Seeker that she could, sending a cut right to it's chest. Though, once they all noticed her, it became apparent to the ones that were there that there was someone there trying to take them out; and the ugliness began.

Her smile remained as she gave them a glare and the one she had already attacked came first, though from it's already injured chest, it didn't take too long, only another Piercethrough before she laughed a bit and used her Swarmstrike. She always loved using it, and seeing the swarm of bugs going at the Seekers that were so dangerously close to her mother only made her smile broaden. Her eyes quickly turned to her mother, whom had seen her at some point during her attacks, and she dashed out to go to her, but before she knew it, a Seeker had swung at her, getting her square in the chest, sending her flying back a few feet. Though, by the time she stopped, she had jumped back onto her feet. She looked to the Seeker that had gotten her as she caught her breath, seeing as it had knocked the air right out of her.

"Dang," she said to herself before finally catching her breath enough to dash back at it. Though, when it went for her this time, she slid right under it's attack. She practically giggled before spinning around and finally using her Doku Katto. She practically pranced forward a few steps as bugs began to group up and absorb into Guardwind, right before her feet left the ground in a leap and Guardwind changed to a black coloration. The attack happened quick and fluidly before she landed back on the ground and looked at the Seeker as she took deep breaths, watching it fall to the ground as the X styled wound on it's chest bled out.

She sighed slightly to herself, though she sent another round of Swarmstrike at the few other Seekers and quickly got over to her mother and pulling her aside for a moment. "Are you alright mother," she asked her taking a few more deep breaths as her mother nodded and relief rushed over her.

"You know,"Elle said looking down at Aura consernedly,"You really shouldn't use so much magic in such small amounts of time. Straining your Mana Pool can be very exausting, or even worse, life threatening." She grabbed the girls arm delicately, pulling her off the ground, throwing the girls arm around her shoulder, pushing Aura up with her body weight so that she wouldn't fall over again. Luckily, she wasn't that heavy."Yuri, you have to go find Kries, im pretty sure he knows how to work the microphone that blares though the entire city. That way, he can tell everyone to meet up. We should meet up at The Mages Guild. Once we meet up, and this place is safe, we will head out. I believe that the Seekers don't want our people, but us. First we find the Airship, then we need to go to Besaid Temple, which if the story about Valefor is true, it should be on the other side of the island. Be careful. I'll get Aura to safety."

Elle walked slowly, with Aura leaning on her, Elle could tell she was still very drained. Luckily the seeker population decreaced tremindously, they had no problems getting to The Mages Guild safely. Elle sat Aura down on a stool, after closing the door behind them. Elle took a deep breath, her sigh echoed down the long hall, seperating rooms with different magical symbols on the doors."I'll be right back, don't try to move, I'm going to try to find some ingredients so I can fix you a potion that will get you back to normal." Immediatly afterward, Elle scurried away down the dark hallway. She raised her hand up, casting Cure, using it's light as a source of light so she could see when the symbols on the doors said."Herbs and tunics." She said softly, then opened the door. She walked in, immediatly she was submerged into a small closet considing of layers and layers of jars. She let out another sigh, mumbling ingredients to herself trying to remember the correct things to get to make the Releive Fatique potion she learned from Magic School.

It wasn't long before she joined Aura again. Sitting on her knees, Elle begun to stir rods in different jars, and mixing things together, adding minerals to different jars as well as things that look as though it came out of a mystical garden. Eventually, she brought a jar up to her at eye level, and begun to shake it in front of her face. She put her hand over it, and closed her eyes. Casting Cure on the liquid made it have a dim glow."Drink up, before the light goes out. It should restore your strained Mana Pool, as well as give you enough energy to walk again." She said in her kind, soft voice. They were alone in the dark hallway together, with the only source of light being that that came from the jar that Elle handed Aura. Elle looked around, hoping that Yuri found Kries safely. After healing him, something strange clicked inside of her, a bond of sorts. She didn't know how to describe it, she's never felt this way about a person before. It was as though he intrieged her. It made her heart sink. I wonder how long the journey will last... she thought to herself, then threw Aura a conserning, motherly smile.

Yuri stepped back towards Elle and placed a encouraging hand on her shoulder. He never really knew many of the elder, so that perhaps helped lessen the blow. Still it hurt him to know that he couldn't protect any one. With a strong hand he helped her to her feet and she went off to Aura. The girl had been exerting herself ever since they had met, and frankly, it was beginning to worry Yuri. He refrained from voicing his concerns however. Who was he to admonish her for pushing herself too far? Him the berserker, who lost himself at the drop of a hat. Dammit.

He looked up when Elle began to spout off orders at him. He grinned slightly, the girl did have a lot of strength within her it seemed. But a part of her orders irked him. He didn't want to leave these two girls by themselves while he want trolloping off to who knew where. His mouth wavered a bit, refusal right on the tip of his tongue. Yet, the words never formed. He couldn't say no to her, she had her points. Instead he nodded. "Fine. Alright," He began, acquiescing to her wishes. "I don't like it, but I'll do it. You two, keep an eye on each other. Don't let the other fall. I'll be back before you know it," He said with a smile. Yet a troubling thought sat on the top layer of his mind. If one of them did fall, what would stop him from killing himself to destroy every last one of these bloody monsters?

He turned and sat off at a good clip. He had to push that thought out of his mind. The beast had been sated, but it wouldn't be long before it would be shaking it's cage once again. Besides, he had a job to do. Find Kries. Now where would that bloody Al-Bhed be? Home probably. Yuri had a faint idea about where it might be, he was supposed to be the one to pick up the guard machina. Heh, something like that would be helpful at a time like this.

Time passed, and many more Seekers fell to his blades, their blood beginning to wear upon Yuri's soul. It was then when Yuri turned a corner to where he thought Kries lived. A vague shape burst from around the corner and Yuri had both blades raised to deliver a killing blow. At the last second he realized who it was and stopped his assault before he could harm Kries. A look of surprise and apology jumped across Yuri's face as he pulled his blades back. "Heh... That would have been... Terrible," Yuri said, biting his lip. He quickly continued though, "Been hunting for you," Yuri said, resting both blades on both shoulders. He must have looked a mess. A mix of sweat and blood, torn and singed clothes. It's not like he had time to clean up.

"Come on, let's get to the microphone. We've got to tell the city to meet at the Mage's Guild. We'll be able to hold them off there. Then we've got to leave," Yuri said in a disjointed manner. It's not like he had time to fully explain what had happened either. "They're after us Kries," He explained, "It has something to do with the pyreflies, and being chosen, and crap..." He said with a clear look of frustration, "A bloody mess this is... Come on, let's hurry yeah?" he said, jerking his head towards the desired direction.

"And apparently we've got an airship too," Yuri added as an after thought.

Aura was actually pretty grateful for the help Elle had provided her. Aura would have had to crawl all the way to the mages guild otherwise... and that wouldn't have. The journey was slow, but that was to be expected. On the way, Aura figured she would have to blast things out of her way, but no Seekers confronted them, to Aura's relief.

When they entered the guild, Elle had set Aura down on a stool, and went to go get supplies to make her a potion. During that time, Aura sat there, hating her own helplessness. She still couldn't believe that she had to get assisted in such matters. She was usually knocked out whenever she was carried, normally after getting the crap beat out of her from spells.

She watched Elle make a potion, imbuing it with a magical light, before handing it to her. She accepted it, and gulped down. She had had better, medicine was always bitter, but it was certifiably better than the poison she had consumed earlier that day, so she didn't complain.

She already felt the potion begin to work, a tingling sensation repairing Aura's cells from the damage to her system earlier, and felt overall warmer. After a couple minutes, Aura slowly got to her feet, moving her legs to circulate the blood. “I think I can walk now.” She said, noticing the smile Elle was giving her. “Thank you... I really need to learn Fire... its too dark to do anything productive... I could always cast thunder at a lantern, to cause the sparks to heat up and catch fire, but that's really roundabout....” She said, looking away, kind of embarrassed about receiving such a tender smile, a smile that noo one ever showed her.

She looked around, “Not much I can do, really. I can't make potions, only poisons and the like, and I doubt that will help out right now.” She said, “How are you? You must be as tired as I am by this point Sit down for a little bit while I try and find a lantern.” She said, doing her best to return a smile, not quite sure how it ended up.