The End of Everything. The Beginning of One Thing.

[Jun]

It All Starts Somewhere...

Ivalice - Two Years After FFTA2

She had to admit, she had taken a lot of risks in her life. Such was the life of a thief after all.

But nothing quite compared to what she was risking now. Because it wasn’t just her own life she was risking.

It was Ivalice.

“So this is what they mean when they say someone means “the world” to you, hm?”

The catgirl smiled at her thoughts as she continued with her “task”, if you could call it that. For now, her task simply consisted of walking. Which doesn’t sound too bad, until you realize what a heavy Mist choked this area. The Ruins of Delgantua were seldom travelled into lately except by certain clans who wanted to prove their bravery by walking into such a dangerous area. Outside the Mist, it doesn’t even seem too dangerous. A Tonberry here and there, sure, but that’s it. At least as far as any clan has been brave enough to travel.

But there is much more to see in these ruins. A whole other level, so to speak. This was where Adelle was. And even further she was delving.

It was not just a hunch she was going on for once. Yes, she first thought of this because of something she remembered from her time in Jagd Zellua, but she had actually put in the research on this for once. A good deal of the information she was able to extract from conversations with the Arch Sage Lezaford, but this was mostly her own research.

Funny. Her Gifted abilities had come in handy yet again in researching. And at the end of her knowledge quest, she found that only because she was a Gifted was this even remotely possible.

Adelle finally passed out of the dark tunnels beneath the ruins and emerged in a room full of light. Ironically there was but one small hole for light to seep in, but the crystals making up the walls reflected that tiny strand into pure brilliance.

“Ultima’s Lair, I’m sure.”

With light finally available Adelle gave herself a look over. She had made a custom outfit for this trip, as she knew it would be a long time before she could return to Ivalice to shop for new clothes. Of course, if things turned out anything like her research said, she would have to come back soon in order to help with the defense. At the very least, she had started a rumour that something dangerous was coming beyond The Rift. Hopefully it would spread fast enough for Ivalice to survive.

Nonetheless, her clothes were in place. A little dusty, sure, but not ripped or anything. She’d be pretty pissed if they ripped after all; this Galmia coat especially was not cheap. Honestly, how many people did she have to rob just to cover the price of it?

With that settled, Adelle took a deep breath and picked a crystal off the wall. It might make a nice necklace down the line. At the very least it could be a memento of sorts, like Luso’s Corsage of Corruption tied around her arm.

No, she was just procrastinating now. Really she was scared. But...she needed to do this.

“Ultima, I summon you! I have a deal I want to make that only you can help me with.” She said aloud, aware the Scion was watching her somewhere within this chamber.

The crystals along the walls began to shine brighter, forcing Adelle to block her eyes with her arm. When she could see again, a woman was standing before her. Her wings and horns made her resemble a Gria, but Adelle was fully aware who this was.

“Quite a wonder anyone was able to reach this chamber. It is not something we believed a normal person to be capable of.” the Scion spoke, not moving anything but her mouth. She didn’t even seem to be blinking.

“I’m hardly a normal person. Nice little defense system you have otherwise.” Adelle smiled.

“I see. You are one of the Gifted. Speak then of why you have summoned us.” the Scion answered, showing no emotional reaction to Adelle’s words.

“I seek a way to travel beyond the Rift. To travel to other worlds.” Adelle replied, knowing she couldn’t mess around long with a Scion. She couldn’t afford to test her luck right now.

“You realize that comes at a price, do you not?”

“I understand it will allow others to reach this world as well. But I’m prepared to make that sacrifice, if you would allow me.”

Yes, what was it again? Those creatures of shadows? It was said Ivalice had a natural barrier around it that prevented otherworldly travel without extremely potent magick. And these creatures - the Heartless, if Adelle remembered correctly - just barely missed the amount of power needed to reach their world. It would only take a small reduction in the barrier for Adelle to leave, but that small reduction could lead to a swarm of Heartless. And they apparently made Tonberries look like weaklings, according to legend.

But Adelle was aware there was more she had to risk.

“That is not quite the weakness I have in mind. You must put-“

“My own life on the line, I know.” Adelle interrupted. Mainly to see if Ultima would react to her rudeness in some way.

But she did not. Geez, Ultima sure looked fun to hang around...

“Very well. Since you are willing to lay down your life, I shall use my powers to keep the Heartless at a minimum. Only two Grimoire exist that can grant world travel. The Grimoire of the Rift is beyond our reach, but the Grimoire of the Fallen shall be yours.”

From seemingly nowhere, a thick and worn-out book appeared before Adelle, not unlike the one Luso had once had. But the colour was different: it seemed redder. And it seemed thicker than Luso’s book too.

“Your journey shall be chronicled within this book. So long as you have it, you may travel between worlds. But know this: once this book reaches its end, it shall take your life.”

“I understand. Thank you.” Adelle replied as she grabbed the Grimoire from the air. As she did, it opened itself up and a few sentences appeared in glowing text upon the first page. It seemed to write in more detail than Luso’s book, which didn’t bode well for the Gifted girl. But a quick cycle through the book revealed it was four-hundred pages long. That was long enough to find Luso, right?

“In areas where the barrier is weak, you may transport to other worlds so long as you think in your mind to do so. And do not think you can destroy this Grimoire to save your life.”

With that - and no extra goodbye - Ultima faded just as she had appeared. Or so Adelle thought. It was hard to know just how the Scion appeared when she was being blinded by crystals.

A foul Mist appeared as soon as Ultima faded. No doubt the Heartless. Knowing she may regret her decision if she stuck around, Adelle closed her eyes and wished to be upon another world.

Too bad she couldn’t just say “Take me to Luso!”.

No, it would be boring if it was that easy.

[End Thread]