Final Fantasy 9-2: Return to Gaia

Rating: PG
Genre: action, RPG.
Setting: Gaia
Note from the authoress: yeah, again, lots of talk!

Part 4

Examining the area around as they entered Dali, Tai was mostly aware of the lack of activity. That confirmed Meru’s idea that the centre for the creation of these new black mages definitely wasn’t in Dali. For a start, had it been, Tai was certain there would be more suspicion, and more activity. The atmosphere was completely different to Understone as well. Tai was used to student mages rushing about, trying to get work done, or if not that practicing their art in the classrooms set aside for practice. To see so few people about was something of a rarity for him. And the fact that they all seemed so laid back was even more astonishing. He rubbed his head and jogged a bit to catch up with Meru who had pulled ahead. Just as he caught up to the others Meru stopped and turned.

 

“This is the inn. We can stay here to get rested, and plan the next move from there.” Tai nodded. It was amazing. He had stepped from the control of his tutor only to emerge in the control of a man who clearly thought he was superior to them. He turned to Crysta.

 

“You get some rest, I’m gonna explore the town.” He noticed that Meru was staring at him interestedly.

 

“Curious about being in somewhere other than the school?” Tai scowled slightly.

 

“I’ll see you two later,” he muttered before wandering off.

 

 

As he walked through Dali’s streets, he found himself desperately trying to remember history lessons. If he remembered rightly, there was a secret entrance in the windmill. It was obvious which of the buildings was a windmill, so he headed towards it. There were no signs telling him that visitors weren’t allowed when he reached there, and he pushed the door open, somewhat dubiously. It didn’t even creak, which annoyed him slightly. In his mind old buildings should have doors which creaked ominously when opened, especially buildings with secret passageways in it. He entered the windmill and froze. Heavy machinery was built around a sphere, which powered it. There was only a narrow passage in the windmill between the machines, which ended at a stone monolith. He felt disappointed. It seemed that the passage hand been sealed up. He decided he wouldn’t stop looking however. He didn’t want to think what Meru would do should he be forced to revel he had found nothing. He pulled at the monolith, hoping it would give way beneath him. But it held fast. Next he ran his hands over the stone, noticing a small, almost inconceivable crack running around the rim. Curious he took the top of the monolith and twisted it. It moved. He unscrewed the stone and put it on the floor, pleased to see that a hole had been revealed. He deftly climbed up and let himself down into the hole.

 

 

The hole led to a larger passage. Tai was pleased, realising he had discovered the old passages where the Black Mages had been created. He walked along it, lighting the way with a controlled fire spell. There was nothing down here any more, yet as he walked further into the tunnel, he stopped. He was willing to swear that a faint glow was emanating from around a bend. Cautiously he approached, startled as he looked around the corner and saw a giant yellow bird. Even as he watched the bird the door of an old, rundown hut opened, and an old man came out. The bird looked straight at Tai, and the man half turned, a smile on his face as he saw the elf draw quickly back in the shadows. He called out, in a soft, gentle voice,

 

“Fear not Child, I will not harm you.” Curiosity overwhelmed Tai and he slowly walked around the corner. The man looked at him, another smile crossing his face. “Bless me, an Elf! Its been a long time since I saw an Elf. Come and say hello to Choci.”

 

“Choci? Is that the birds name?” Tai asked cautiously. The old man nodded.

 

“Aye, it is, young one. Choci here is a Chocobo. They are rare nowadays, so I can understand why you haven’t seen one. Choci and I travelled the world in our youth. Now, though, we’re to old to travel, so we live peacefully below Dali.” While he had been speaking the old man had ushered Tai towards Choci, and now he sat on a bale of hay nearby. The old man poured him out a drink from a flask he had.

 

“Why below Dali? wouldn’t it be easier to live in the town?” The man chuckled

 

“Bless you, no. Choci would draw far to much attention. No, we’re happier just minding our own business away from those dull townsfolk.” Tai looked around.

 

“Didn’t this place used to produce Black Mages?” The man nodded.

 

“Aye, it did. But those days are long gone. The hasn’t been a Black Mage around for who knows how long.” Tai licked his lips anxiously.

 

“But, there are black mages. They destroyed my school.” The mans eyes hardened slightly. Tai wondered briefly if he should have kept his mouth shut. But the man just shook his head.

 

“Well, if I were you, and searching for mages, I’d try Conde Petie.” Tai frowned. Conde Petie? He had never heard of it. Clearly the old man sensed this, for he continued speaking. “Conde Petie is a dwarf town on the outer continent. It was incredibly near the fabled Mage Village. It may be an idea to try and find this village, if it exists, as the were supposedly Mages who had become more than just machines living there.” Tai nodded.

 

“How would I get there?” The old man smiled.

 

“Airship, I would think.” Tai nodded and finished his drink.

 

“Thank you. I will try to get hold of an airship then. I had better get back to my friends now, though.” The old man nodded.

 

“Take care, young one. Should you decide to visit Dali again, drop in.” Tai nodded, before heading back along the passage. Hopefully Meru would have some idea of how to get hold of an airship. He hurried back to the inn, looking forward to a rest.

END OF PART 4