The group met up with Azul outside the outskirts of the city. Double timing they moved to the first meet up point with the other squads. They arrived early. While waiting for them Galtea and Azul spoke about the way things worked here. But first they talked about the new member.
System: Auxiliary Field in place.
Galtea: Bear in mind.. this was chosen by the parameters set by Lluvia. She is not here to make friends or coddle anyone. She is here for Azul only. Be warned.
"How do you know?" Tifa asked. "I mean she has been pulled already right?"
Galtea: Yes. This is just a replay of what happened.
System: X-High pull used... Operator influence detected... safeguards removed.. World found... Record of Agarest War... User data collected... Renegade power taken.. Paragon power taken... combining.. Chaos... detected... Dyshana Raglan has agreed to the terms given by Operator through User.
Out of the Rift, a woman with Light green hair floated out. She had toe sandals on and white braces protecting her shins. Her thighs were exposed but her hips were blocked by a weird half skirt that only protected the back. Under her breast were metal straps. To black crosses of cloth, was over her very full breast. Her headband a diamond in the middle. It was a type of metal despite its appearance. A metal made of raw arcane magic was around her neck like a choker.
"Ahhh, so a valid User has arrived. I like this. Your memories actions and future all fit with what I want." Dyshana said smoothly. Her eyes darted around the Nether World and stopped at the sight of the floating Hyrule. It was only a second but Zelda felt it. She looked back at Azul and placed her hand on his chest. "The pact is now made."
"What pact?" Zelda asked. She then looked to Galtea a little worried. "What pact did she do?"
"I cannot tell you. All I know is she will protect him from magic User's and other's of that sort." Galtea said giving her a look. "Me and Lluvia are more tech than magic. You and are Magic. We need a buffer. She is magic incarnate. But unlike you all, she is a Companion that has not been used or what has happened to Alita. A powerful pull that is loyal to him is what Lluvia needs. Is what .. I need."
"Are you all that afraid of them?" Dyshana asked looking up. "This one won't betray him. Not As she is anyway. You are in the middle which is normal considering your thoughts are scattered."
"That is why you are here," Galtea said unoffended. "I am and that is what scares me. I dont know if something changed in me. I want to be sure and have a way just in case to protect him."
The scene ended as Dyshana then appeared in front of them. Her attire was different. She was dressed like a Black Mage. However a black cape instead with no staff in sight. But two floating orbs moving around her.
"Hello," Dyshana said smoothly. She gave them a curt nod and that was it.
"Hi," Tifa said. Her Pather powers already letting her know the woman meant no harm. Unless she attacked Azul. Which would be dumb anyway. "Tifa Lockhart from Final Fantasy VII. A pleasure to meet you. I am also a martial artist under Azul. As well as his student in the Pather arts."
"Dyshana Ragna as you know." She said and then looked away.
"Thought she was not gonna make friends," Riku said. "I Riku Al Bhed. From Final Fantasy X. Former weird dimensional timey thing companion of his. Well still a companion, just not his woman is all." Riku shrugged off the stares and looked away. "Watch it though he is a bit of a people killer."
"Just pleasantries. That and she likes Tifa." Hotshot said after giving Riku a dirty look. She gave the woman a wave but stood where she was otherwise. "I am Aurora Thessia. I come from Azul's adopted Homeworld of Mass Effect. He just calls me Hotshot mostly."
"Did you just say your last name was Thessia?" Azul asked. "Wait your name is Aurora?"
"Yup. One of the oldest families there. Also, the ones who thought it was a bad idea to get involved with other races. You guys are dangerous. Heck especially the Turians." Hotshot said shrugging. "It was a long time ago. We have changed. My grandmother made sure of it." She looked down.
"Neat," Azul said moving. Her biotic strands revealing the shame of her people actions. Not the Asari. That of the Ardat Yakshi. 'I thought they couldn't have kids though. What is going in that area.'
"All you have to say is.. mmpf." Hotshot voice was cut short as he kissed her.
"Um, tasty," Azul said licking his lips. "You taste the same as your Asari self. I wonder if it is the same everywhere else?" He looked her open and down admiring her human body. "Looks so.. appetizing."
"Gulp, calm down," Hotshot said. She didnt actually want him to. "Bad dragon man." She said forcing herself. She didnt back away though. "Mileuda is gonna go wild with the way you are now."
"Yeah, here's hoping anyway. Heck, hopefully Tietra doesn't flip out either." Azul said giving her another squeeze. "Riku has her own path now. It hurts but I have felt worse. So have you. Dont worry I am going to keep moving forward."
"Right. We are moving forward. I am team Lluvia by the way. I like Galtea and all but.." Hotshot stopped herself from saying anything else. "No, it doesn't matter."
"I rather we did not start drawing sides. Anyway, finish telling us about this place now." Tifa said changing the subject. Her Pather powers informing her that something bigger was going on. Azul had way more power than before already. 'He needs more Pillars. I have to tell Quistis. Hopefully, her idea worked already.'
Galtea: The way the world works here.. I will let him tell you. I will look something up right quick.
"So the way it works here. Everyone has access to the Job System. It is composed of the magic and laws from the very World itself. Everyone has an innate value of Faith and Bravery. For a User like me, it doesn't matter personally. Well between me and each of you it does." Azul said looking at each of them.
Galtea: His homeworld effects you all. His Paragon is tied to your Faith in him here. His Renegade actions previously affect how you view his Bravery. If your Willpower is strong nothing will happen. Or if you are Soulbonded, it won't matter. Each world has things that will affect you all and him. If he allows it. Which he has done.
"Why do it?" Riku asked.
"The points and to keep the World form escalating things. Even more so than it already does to us, outsiders." Azul said. "Thus the changes and the Auxiliary System for when things get nuts."
"Who is currently at risk in our party?" Tifa asked.
Galtea: Only Riku.
"Why me?" Riku asked. She no longer had a wandering look as she had been watching the trees only half-listening.
"Because you held the dominion of your world and your lack of faith in him," Dyshana said. "It will not be to much of a problem." She then looked at the Squads moving closer to the Auxiliary field. "However, it means something for people who lead and the head of organizations. Like how you started convincing them to change. Persuasion or Intimidation both work wonders."
"To get stronger here you beat up monsters or other people. For us, we can see there levels. However, they cant see ours. If you are in a group, whoever is the highest level, determines the strength of the enemy forces." Azul said looking at each of them. "Its a scaling world. Except for key creatures. They won't scale but they are more powerful than others. Also, have better items."
"So weaker party members should fight the bigger higher levels ones to get stronger quicker?" Riku asked.
"Yes, they also receive more job points. Or jp for short. I neglected to do so last time I was here. But I didnt need it at the time. I was rushing to go everywhere get things done. This time, however, I am gonna abuse the hell out of it." Azul said getting ready to move out. He let Hotshot go reluctantly. "You all have control of your class changes. I dont want to manage that. I have others I will have to manage later till they get the strength they need."
"Way to throw us to the wolves," Riku said.
"Focus on your memories of your new body and you will know what to do already. Also, spend your points in the Auxiliary to buy the information." Azul said giving her a neutral answer. "If you really need some advice ask me, Tietra, Mileuda. Dont bother Galtea and the others unless its an emergency. On second thought ask Alita. She knows a lot about this world."
"We should move out," Dyshana said. The Auxilary field came down and they started moving. "Hmm, he is right. It is easy." She put up a magical barrier to obscure the conversation. I am starting to receive small imprints of life as well from the synchro I am undergoing. As far as these World laws, they were something else. How the items just fit on the person in a pocket dimension per person. The food, however, could not be stored.We cant have more than 99x of an item here."
"So this was not what we had in mind when coming here, thought it we would grab Alita and your family that was it?" Riku said from the front. "Shouldn't we head that way next?"
"Yes and no. We are getting some things done first as well as getting some points for ourselves and helping everyone get experience. This is Tifa's first world. Second, if you count her entry in Mass Effect. Also the same for Hotshot. Well, I mean to this place anyway. We need power as well. You can go to back if you want. A small portion of you will just remain here. Nothing to drastic since we just started." Azul said neutrally. He was mostly focusing on meeting with the others as well as dealing with the idea of his dragon transformation earlier.
"Meh, I will make do," Riku said. "I am gonna scout ahead." She took off into a sprint.
"Ughh, I will go to provide support," Tifa said. She looked to Azul for confirmation. He nodded and she shot off like a bullet. "I will be back if there is trouble."
"Tell me of the last time you were," Dyshana said unbothered by the antics of the others. She did find it amusing. A side effect of the human body she now had. 'He has given me freedom. Despite knowing what I am capable of. The information Lluvia gave me as well lets me know I can trust him as I am. But what about the future? What if I meet something that I dont like and he does? Being human is so... chaotic.' Dyshana had a smile on her face that was hidden by her black mage collar and hat.
"Very well," Azul said giving her a glance. "I guess I will start with the first people that I had as support last time."
"Oh. I want to hear this to. Hotshot sped up to match there pace.
"The first was the young lady Tia. I knew her since childhood in this world. Her family served my own when they first separated from the Beoulve house. Her sister was originally my aide. But went missing one day. The younger daughter Tia took this position determined to fill her sister's place. Tia was loyal energetic, and honestly someone I was able to count on. Well the other me counted on."
"You had a relationship with her yes?" Dyshana asked.
"Yup. She doesn't exist in the world. A part of her soul did not come with from what I can tell." Azul said a little sad. He shook it off and focused on telling the rest. "The second was the squire Carn. He hailed from a disgraced noble family. The titles the family-owned was stripped two generation ago from what I could remember. Carn was loyal to a fault, more bloodthirsty than a den of panthers, and easily bored. A weird combination but someone I wouldn't mind getting stuck in a fight with."
"Any other males?" Dyshana asked.
"Yeah. The third was Davido a chemist. This bastard bugged me. He was a money-grubber, a coward, and cunning not someone I wanted on my team. He bought his way into the Akademy. How I have no idea. I didn't trust him in the least. It proved to be right as he sold us out. The amount of money he was able to get ahold of would scare a veteran on wall street." Azul looked to the side and noticed they made closer to the point they met the others last time. The other squads went to deal with the town nearby problems.
"Treachery no matter the world," Hotshot said.
"The fourth was Banka a chemist. He unnerved me a little. He seemed quite shifty. He was quiet, cunning, and Calcutive. I could never tell what he was thinking. He always kept me on my toes. His words always pointed out what was wrong with a situation. But this was only in dire situations other than that, he remained quiet. A good man. One I will miss as well."
An hour later they regrouped.
System: Perception Check: 21 Check Pass
"Hold up here, and get ready for combat." Azul stopped the team to prepare for the encounter. Unlike in the game, they were able to change gear and how they would make an approach. Galtea stated as long as we weren't already spotted first we would be able to use The System abilities and ignore the World Law in that way.
Azul still found it funny. The first battle here was gonna take place on Mandalia planes. A group of bandits was laying waste to a group of squires. That is what was happening last time. However it was different now. A group of Knights were trying to kill them this time.
"Dammit, she really isn't here." Azul cursed under his breath. He was hoping Agria still existed.
"Only six of them left that I could accurately tell that was still moving for combat," Riku said. Tifa was muttering a spell along with Dyshana.
Hotshot looked closer. "At least four are down with numbers above them. Maybe we could get to the down enemies before they crystallize. I spotted one blond in the group in particular. He reminds me of the guy you talked about. Think you called him Argath."
One of the six an expensively dressed squire in all sorts of heraldry started to panic. "Protect me you fools. Count De Limberry is my cousin he will pay a large sum for my safety." He yelled at the only two still fighting. One was Argath, the other was Tamariel.
They shot off to stop the killing of the two. It was best they acted now. Azul broke into a sprint with Dyshana taking up to his left with Tifa pulling up the rear. The others went around the side to flank.
Argath started to speak to the knight while moving closer to the treeline. " Sir what are we gonna do? They have us outnumbered and we are exhausted."
An actual knight, Tamariel was skeptic of there chances. "We will hold our ground and try our best to escape as well. Get into formation! Show these bastards we won't go down without a fight."
The gaudily-dressed one was conversing with the two knights. When it didnt work he pleaded to Argath and Tamariel. He then singled out Argath "You do your best to distract them. I will get some help for you all." The noble took off.
"Do your best to stall them as best you can," Tamariel said running away as well.
"Come back here you cowards," Argath yelled at them.
"Argath control yourself!" Azul said giving away his position. It didnt matter in the least. "Our enemies are upon us, they can wait for later." Argath didnt know why but he ran to Azul's side. He turned an faced forward ready for the enemy.
"My magic is to low to resurrect the others." A white light hit Argath impowering and restoring him. Tifa had used Cura on him. As well as Protect and Shell. "I have one more spell I can cast before I am completely spent. It is so hard keeping control as a monk."
"Tifa, me and you will rush in. If it looks too dangerous, or that you won't survive, pull back. Argath you and Dyshana here will support each other. With that little bit of extra time it would take, the others will strike from the sides." Argath gave a grunt of approval. "The two closes are mine the other two are yours. Leave the rest for the others. The priority for you three is to stay alive. The secondary is to beat the living hell out of them. You have your orders move out!"
Azul and Tifa broke forward at high speeds. Hopefully the others were able to make it to the rear successfully. 'Isn't this the point I should say like a cool one-liner or something.' Azul thought with a smirk.
Galtea: If you do I am taking away your reward.
Zelda: Yeah dont be corny.
System: Athetics Check 23 Pass
'Ouch, you are heartless. What reward?' Azul said smacking the ground and leaping into the air and coming down with a flame kick.
Galtea: Save Argath change history. It seems he has lost faith in the people he follows. As well as being discontent with things. The System has changed him based on the way you treated him previously. Rewards ????, ????? Failure -15000 points.
'Way more points than last time for a failure.'
"Bamm," Azul's foot crashed into the knight's shield. "Chink," the shield cracked before breaking.The knight drew his sword and swung wildly. He was scared.
"Welp don't wanna waste time Tifa. Kill the bastards they have to die, leave none of them alive understand?" Azul said. He didnt draw the spear for some reason. His fist lit up next. 'Lv4 Flame Fist full power.' The clear flame danced around his arms and legs.
Tifa burst forward swinging her left fist in a haymaker. You could see the magic violently around her legs. She said gleefully as her fist made contact. "Azul I like this side of you much better than the quiet you! So decisive."
"Boom," the knight went flying to the side. His partners getting out the way hastily. They looked at Tifa like she was a monster. As for the knight, he hit a tree and didnt make another move. "Crack," the tree then collapsed on top of him.
'Lv3 Adrenaline Rush, Lv4 Biotic Shielding.' Azul focused his power into points around his fingertips. Flame claws were now visible at the tips. 'Huh, I was going for points. But claws will do just as well.'
Observe: Knight Lvl 5 x5
Speciality: Silencing
Realtions: N/A
Status: Determined to kill
Observe: Knight Leader Lvl 6
Specaility: Silencing
Relations: ????
Status: Determined to kill
"Hah!" The knight yelled as he swung his sword. Azul just blocked it with his left hand. The knight watched in horror as his blade started to melt. "What an intense flame. How strong is your magic." Another knight came and swung his sword down at Azul's right arm.
With his left hand, Azul drove it right past the first knight's neck. Severing it. His right went through the other as he stabbed at him. "Spulrt, it went right in the knight's right lung. Jerking up, it travelled up the shoulder and out.
"Thump, thump," both bodies dropped.
'Assassin techniques work wonders. Galtea was right not using my Lin Kuei skillset was foolish last time. With Shinrai Ryu added as well, this is nuts.' Azul watched the others at work. "Aye, there's was a reason you know. Why I was always quiet. Chalk up my behavior to getting ready." I said as I looked back at him.
"Dammit, it's one of the Order patrols. Kill them quickly. The whole group must be killed." The Knight leader commanded.
An influx of black magic poured into his hand. He turned to fire it at Tifa who was busy with the other two knights. AzuI jump in front of the blast and took it head-on. The black fire did little damage as it hit.
Health -1
"Damn that hurts yah prick!" Azul said jokingly. "Heheheh, actually not really." Getting a feel for it, he realized the others were taking to long. Spreading out his senses he felt they were fighting other KNights. Nothing they couldn't handle.
Galtea: Use every opportunity you can to your advantage, my User.
'Understood.' Before the smoke could settle, AzuI rushed through the smoke putting himself face to face with the leader. The effects of that burst dissipate the smoke in the area. "Do it now Dyshana!"
"Very well." Dyshana circled her hands and fired two blasts of fireballs out. They left her hand and went through her two spheres.
"Fwoom, fwoom," the amplified fire had turned to fira and burned the other two knights. "Ahhh," the screamed as it happened. Turning the power-up, Azul caused the flames to increase. The knights burned to death in seconds.
"My apologies Tifa, it seems you will deal with the leader now," Azul said to her. She gave him a grin and jumped over. "It should be easy for you to stop a knight leader that silences."
The leader's eyes drew into slits. He sneered at her. "So this wench thinks she can beat me. Heh, in her dreams. I don't know how you learned about what's going on, but you can't stop what's coming or what will happen."
Dyshana and Argath were now engaged with another knight. It was a Dark Knight at that. A few Squires were in the back coming up. 'It seems Riku and Hotshot did not let them get through. Must be another group from somewhere. Or this was the rest of there party.' Azul sent a message to Galtea, which she confirmed.
Tifa was holding her own against the knight Leader. He had a broken jaw. There was a huge gash under her neck. Result of an exchange or her just having fun. She seemed fine from what Azul could grasp. He then turned back to the others.
Dyshana was floating around the battlefield casting Fire at the squires. The messed up part, was she fired at the ones who were the farthest away. She did her best to stay out of range of a charge.
Argath stood close to the Dark Knight. He was fighting with reckless abandon. He knew that he was being tested. One thing about Argath, he knew judgemental eyes. Azul's eyes were definitely of that type.
"Argath, push off the left side and press harder," AzuI told him while not taking his senses off Tifa. 'Is the dragon causing this Galtea?'
Galtea: Yes it is. The primordial dragon the System placed in your soul is dangerous. Fortunately, it is not awakened. It only slumbers as it mixes with you. Zelda has been working on the transitioning. So far so good.
"Grr, ha!" Tifa let out. As soon as she grunted, she shoulder checked the knight leader. Then shot off into the air. "Hup!" She spun in the air and kicked something. It was a water platform. She came down like a shooting star. "Dolphin Blow!" A silhouette of a dolphin appeared behind her.
"She.. she is a summoner." The knight leader stammered.
"Bamm!" Tifa's fist went right thought the man. As in she crushed him into the ground. Breaking several bones. "Boom," a small crater formed under him.
"Go and help Hotshot and Riku." Azul turned to look at the other two.
A blast of powerful magic shot out from Dyshana. The outer casing of it was clear like Azul's flame. But the inside was a mixture of purple and black. It connected with a limping squire. Blowing off a good portion of his arm and knocking him back.
"Goodbye," Dyshana said floating over to him. Her orbs came down bashing his chest and skull in. She then turned and floated over to one of the crystals on the field. "Ahhh," she moaned as the energy went into her. She had chosen to have her health and mana recover instead of getting a skill. Turning to the other remaining squires she started to chant.
"Argh!" The dark knight screamed out in pain. The rest of his group turned to look at what happened. They look stunned to say the least. Argath had stabbed deep into the man's shoulder. The Dark knight stood his ground. He was astonished but didn't forget himself. He pulled a potion taking it instantly.
'Auto potion. Take care of that.' Azul fired a Concussive Shot. Taking away the health that was just healed. "Uh uh uh, none of that." He shook his finger at the man. "Fight on a more equal term. Yah big bully. Hehehe."
"There is no equals in battle. Let the Dark Knight Codis show you." He then tried to push Argath off balance and back to no avail. When he didnt move, he became disgruntled. "Damn you, to think you were this capable. New plans to be adjusted." He turned to lok at his decimated squad. "Break off now and meet at the rendezvous." Codis barked out.
"Understood sir." A figure said 40 ft or so behind Azul causing him to turn for a moment. "We should get this info to the Lord," I'll head out at once." The voice never became completely tangible.
"Do you honestly think I will let you leave? Fat chance!" Argath swung his sword after pushing off from the clash. He then moved as fast as he could. Swinging to clip the leg. "Ting," making contact but not cutting through deep enough. "Dammit, I need a stronger blade."
"Did you say Codis? It cant be?!" Azul said in disbelief.
Galtea: He is not your friend. He is not that Codis. Do not lose focus. Wait a moment ... let him get away Azul.
"What the hell is going on?" Azul questioned. 'This is ridiculous. Killing him should be a priority especially if he is not the Codis I know.'
"Tch, boy you are good but not good enough." Codis said as he disappeared in a bright light. "We will meet again." He then looked to Azul. "Your brother in law sends his regards.
"Dammit why does he have that ability." Argath said out loud to one of the others who started to disappear. "No!"
"Overlord's Fury!" Azul said angry. The magic washed out preventing the others from leaving. 'I need you to say that again Galtea. What happened?'
Galtea: He has met with the enemy. He has been changed by them. He has no chance of coming over to your side. Allowing him to escape will allow you to move further with your plans for getting rid of Dycedarg and his faction. I think Wiegarf is involved or maybe Delita. As well as getting to the bottom of the ones who influenced the User's here in the future.
"Grrr, Dammit!" Azul screamed punching the ground. Flames went responding to his anger in waves.
"Booom," a shockwave of magic went out knocking the squires down. Dyshana had picked Argath up usuing the spell Float. The others fell to there faces. Bodies in agony as they were burning by the release of flames.
Argath and Dyshana moved to kill the downed squires. When they finished, Dyshana shot off to go assit the others. Not without getting the crystals on the battlefield first.
A few minutes later they returned. Azul was still angry. The biotic strands from the others calmed him instantly. Everyone was alive and breathing.