Final Fantasy 9-2: Return to Gaia

Rating: PG
Genre: action, RPG.
Setting: Gaia

Part 8

Crysta ran to the strangers side. He was unconscious. She looked wordlessly at the other two, who were watching the passage to the left intently, Meru was ready with his bow, while Tai was muttering under his breath. Meru spoke quietly.

"Protect him Crysta." Crysta nodded weakly. Loud footsteps could now be heard. Crysta concentrated and murmured the word 'Cure'. the man in black stirred. Then, accompanied with another deafening roar the rocks on one side of the passage were smashed out of the way. Crysta yelped quietly as an ogre came into sight. Meru let two arrows fly in quick succession. Tai opened his eyes, and shouted "Fire" a fireball zoomed towards the Ogre. It roared angrily and brought its club smashing down. Tai just managed to dive out f its path. Meru sidestepped quickly and shot another arrow.

"It's not even flinching!" He shouted at Tai. Crysta cast Cure on Tai, healing the minor wounds he had received from the ogres attack. Tai turned and faced the giant creature, who jumped in the air, landing heavily and causing an earthquake to knock both fighters off their feet. Meru groaned and picked himself up. Tai called out to him.

"I have an idea! Shoot an arrow!" Meru looked at Tai then nodded. Tai was concentrating on his spell, Meru guessed what he had in mind, and, keeping an eye on Tai, took aim. He fired his arrow , with a cry of "Now!" At the same time Tai shouted out "Fire" and let another fireball loose. The fireball hit the arrow as it hurtled towards the ogre, setting it alight, moments before it hit its target. The ogre howled in agony. Quickly the two fighters dealt two quick fire arrows again. Meanwhile, the stranger had pulled himself shakily to his feet, watching Tai and Meru's attack, he drew a sword, and ran at the ogre, dealing it a heavy last blow. The ogre was defeated, and the stranger fell too his knees. Crysta cast another cure on him, and he turned to her.

"Thank you, you saved my life." He nodded to Meru and Tai, "All of you. I am called Eclipse." Tai helped the warrior to his feet.

"So, why did you try to stop us?" The warrior shook his head.

"I overheard you in Conde Petie, The Iifa Tree is a dangerous place, and only the most skilled are allowed to visit there." Tai scratched his head

"So you thought it was your duty to stop us?" Eclipse nodded once.

"I am the last remaining Guardian." Meru stalked past him.

"Whatever, we aren't turning back now." Eclipse jumped backwards, barring Meru's way.

"If you insist on continuing, I will join you." Tai nodded in acknowledgement.

"Lets go then."

No more major incidents occurred to the travellers as they continued to the Iifa tree. Now they stood outside, gazing up at it. Eclipse shook his head.

"This isn't right!" The Tree had a dark, smoky substance swirling ominously around it, and wisps of green mist were rising through cracks in the floor.

"Creepy." Stated Meru.

"Is it supposed to look like that?" Asked Crysta.

"No!" Eclipse said, "Something has happened here!" Tai shrugged.

"Well, lets go inside and see what's happening!" He stalked forward, but, before the others could follow him, he stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong Tai?" Crysta asked. He was moving his arms around in front of him.

"You can't enter, there's a barrier of protection around the tree." Tai turned.

"So, you're a guardian, can you break it?" Eclipse shook his head.

"Only for something Major." Meru gaped at him.

"And you don't think the mist and the darkness is major." Eclipse took a breath.

"I guess so" he murmured, and stepped towards a small pedestal. He placed a hand on it and shut his eyes. The small company jumped as the earth started shaking beneath them. A crack opened in the floor, and a wispy, wraithlike figure emerged amidst billowing white smoke. The shaking stopped and Eclipse stepped back, holding something. The figure stepped forward. It had Long white hair, tied at the back, and was dressed in a cropped top, and a long piece of flowing material from its waist. Tai imagined he saw a flicker of a monkeys tail as the figure past him. He recognised it from paintings in his history books.

"Why have you awoken the Guardian of the Iifa Tree?" Kuja demanded.

END OF PART 8