After a few days of awaiting the others, I arrived at Camp Dragonhead and walked into the meeting room. As I did, Haurchefant was awaiting me inside. On the table, many warm drinks were laid out with bread and broiled sheep meat. I looked to him and smiled, noticing the slight worry upon his face.
"Everything looks great Haurchefant! Thank you for allowing us to use this room."
"This room is open to the Scions and the warrior of light any time."
He seemed to be biting his lower lip as he looked me up and down."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, I admit I am merely worried for you at this very moment. You have had hardly any sleep the past few days. Do not think I have not noticed. Is their something wrong? Perhaps this venture of yours is not worth the risk if you have doubts."
"I have no doubts Haurchefant... merely fears. I suppose that is normal to have when asking others to come with in a journey towards death itself."
"What of your hidden side?"
"I will keep it as hidden as possible. I would rather not make enemies while in their. Changing forms tends to do that."
I reached up and placed my arms upon his shoulders as he placed his hands upon my hips and we smiled towards each other.
"I plan on coming back and warming your bed again. No worries. Though if I do not, I hope you know their are about thirty other girls around whom are interested."
"Mmmmm.... yes but they may not be as wild as you."
As we went to kiss, the door opened gently and Fenris walked in with three shrouded guests. Fenris stopped and a giant grin forced upon his mouth, hidden under his dragoon armor.
"Well! Do continue, don't worry about us or anything."
Blushing, my face turned as red as my hair and I looked to Haurchefant whom patted me on my hair as he let me go. Backing away he rested his back against the wall and watched on as Fenris and his companions took a seat. Behind him the door opened again to reveal three dragoons whom stood to the side of the door awaiting the meeting.
"They are?"
"They will be watching over the heart while we are away, along with one other."
"I see."
As the other three removed their shrouds, I looked upon Ember, a dark skinned miqo'te and a very pale elezen whom seemed unable to form a smile.
"Ember!"
"What?'"
"I err.... hey! I am glad you are coming along!"
"I am coming along for my own reasons. They will unfortunately be revealed in time."
"Not going to give us a sneak peak?"
"Nope."
Sighing I sat down and crossed my arms as I glanced to the other two.
"Who might you two be?"
The elezen moved forward and bowed towards me. His body covered in blackened armor while his giant blade remained upon his back.
"I am Matt, loyal knight of Ishgard. Prince Fenris asked me to watch over the item with his chosen dragoons for you. I assure you, I am immune to it's darkness and will not be consumed by it."
I glanced over at Fenris whom nodded his head in agreement as I shrugged a bit.
"Very well, I suppose time will tell just how immune you are."
The miqo'te walked next to him and patted him on the shoulder as he walked past. His robes were blacked brown as his feet and hands were covered in armor. As he walked, his dreadlocks lightly tapped the top of his robe. Pointing to himself he snickered and his ears twitched up and down.
"Names Anterious. You will find me good company in the time ahead. I am a Summoner of sorts.
Glancing at his armor I snickered a bit and summoned forth the blade of Odin, Zantetsuken.
"I suspect you were trained by someone I have met before."
"Where did you get that!?"
"It is a long story, but do not fear, it is not as powerful as your masters."
He smiled again and took a seat as the door opened again to reveal Runa walking in. She had changed into some light armor as she moved in and quietly made her way to the table. Her strange blade still upon her back.
"Welcome Runa."
She glanced towards me and nodded as she crossed her arms and leaned back in the chair. Desdemona walked in with three others whom were new to the party. As she walked to my side she pointed to them each and smiled.
"These two au'ra are Vheo and Ghost. The hyur is known as Mahdi, apparently he is looking to become a Scion. Though I tried to tell him we are in no condition to add members, he would not have it. So, I offered him a chance to prove himself."
The female au'ra walked forward and motioned to the male.
"Ghost will not be accompanying us on this venture. I need to do this one alone."
"Oh good, he can watch over the heart as well then."
The tall au'ra male nodded towards me and the two began to converse for a little while until she finally sat down at the table.
"Well? Who's missing?"
Desdemona asked as she nudged me with her elbow.
"The warrior of light and his wife. I suspect Momomi is busy concentrating on the task ahead."
The door flew open and Momomi jumped in, bending over as she breathed heavily. She looked up and began to blush as she pulled her robe over her shoulders a bit.
"Sorry we are late!!! I needed to feed my kitty."
Rave walked in behind her and shook his head a bit as he smiled to himself.
"Yeah and then we needed to feed Syrup."
Momomi turned around and jabbed him in the arm, chuckling to herself as they moved towards the table. While everyone took some time to drink and eat, Cid made his way in and walked beside me, whispering in my ear.
"The ship will get us up their with your help but I do not have the time stay around."
I nodded to him smiling a bit as he stood back.
"Thank you Cid, I appreciate your help in this matter. Getting past Revenants Toll would be very difficult without it."
"About that..."
He handed me some papers and his face remained rather serious.
"The Domans are suffering and their are members of the Braves that tried to stand against Ilberd. If something is not done soon, worse may happen to them. Now that Raubahn is no longer in Ilberds possession it's likely he will want vengeance in some manor."
"I will think of something Cid, I promise."
He nodded and walked out of the building, making his way to his ship.
"Everyone, if I could have your attention for a moment."
They all looked over towards me as they finished their meals.
"We are heading into the world of darkness. Where I do not intend to stay long, I should assure each and every one of you, this will not be an easy task. Hopefully we can get in and out without any big problems. Though I have been informed the world of darkness' mistress, Cloud of Darkness is on high alert since our dear friends here knocked on her door."
Rave chuckled a bit as he placed his arms on his head and leaned back.
"I do not recall knocking."
"Momomi will be coming with, though she will not be able to keep the portal open from the inside. This is for our worlds safety. The portal will shut behind us. Inside we will need to create a way to get back out. Momomi has several ideas but they are untested as of yet."
She nodded towards me and smiled to everyone.
"None the less I assure you, I believe they at least one will work!"
Fenris raised his hand in the corner and I nodded towards him.
"What if things go sour the moment we arrive?"
"Then we improvise."
I walked around and handed everyone a crystal twined up to be worn around the neck.
"We will not be able to teleport without some assistance. These crystals are small shards of the aetheryte crystal I have. If you are not in danger you can use them and will be able to return to where we entered. If we get separated, please make sure to use them sparingly. They have a limited use of one per person."
"What is the plan when inside?"
"We need to find a forge able to infuse a blade with dark aether. We will also require materials from within. Real dark crystals can only be found within the world of darkness. We must find them to power the blade. Their is also the matter of the dark metals from within."
"What of the weapon after we are done with it?"
I glanced over to Rave as I heard the concern within his voice.
"I intend to lock it away .... along with some other items I have found which are extremely dangerous. Keeping them from the wrong hands is the best idea possible."
Everyone kept quiet for a moment as they thought over the situation.
"Cid is outside ready to help transport us to the Crystal Tower. Please make your way to the ship. I will be their momentarily."
As everyone headed out, Fenris stood next to me as we approached the ones chosen to watch the heart. Placing the container down next to them I quickly asked them all to remove their helmets as I looked them in their eyes.
"This item can and WILL destroy this world if it falls into the wrong hands. It does Not leave this room. Haurchefant has guards posted all around the area and he himself shall be watching you all. I am not really worried about you opening it as I have the only key. But none the less, do not destroy the container and do not open it if you do."
Fenris looked to the five of them and reassured them. Making our way out, I quickly smiled to Haurchefant and ran up to Cids airship. As we all boarded the ship, she quickly took to the skies. With the cold winds and snow flying past us in the clouded lands we headed to off to our destination.
******
"They are coming my lady."
A chuckle echoed into the darkness as a shrouded woman stands upon an empty platform.
"The time of our vengeance is upon us."
TOC
http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/character/2469857/blog/3090546/
