�Kupo!�
They come with Vomma to get you. We help, yes? Moogles help, yes?
Locke blinked in surprise. He heard a voice in his head just now, no doubt emanating from the tiny, pearl colored creature that stood before him presently, looking up at him with small black eyes and flapping its underdeveloped wings rapidly across its back. The little being smiled up at Locke, turned back to look at the closing enemies, cocking its head to the side in curiosity... and then suddenly ran off towards them.
�Wait!� Locke cried after him. �What are you doing? You�ll be killed, little friend!�
Locke watched helplessly as the little creature zoomed full speed towards the attackers, certain that he would not be able to prevent the poor thing�s eventual demise. However, this incorrect assumption was made quite evident as suddenly five, ten, then fifteen more of his friends flooded into the cavern from all directions. Streaming in like ants at a picnic, they bore down rapidly upon the attacking group of guards, limiting their movement, interfering with the animals brought along as weapons and, in general, creating quite a nuisance of themselves.
�Thank the gods they are on my side, indeed,� Locke mumbled to himself.
Within moments, the entire formation had been disbanded and was eventually turned back, allowing the little creatures time to form a more organized delegation that drew forward to meet the new-comers. The four largest of the group waddled over towards Locke, switching quickly from foot to foot, spinning rapidly in place at random and jumping up and down at intervals. Dizzy from their antics, Locke decided to break the ice.
�Thank you very much for your help, good friends,� he said to the leader, the largest of the group with the finest coat of snow white fur.
Thanks not, tall being. Safe we are now, so go quickly, time short. Her essence precious and your lifelines intertwine with cosmos now.
Locke stared down at them, uncertain of what more to say. He did not understand what it was they were attempting to communicate to him. What did their lifelines intertwining with the cosmos have to do with anything at all?
�Kupo!�
Suddenly, the cave was thrown into absolute darkness and Locke felt himself drifting away. His body became as light as air and he floated off into the ether. Losing all sense of himself, he became aware. Aware of� everything. The essence of his world changed and he saw flashes of brilliant light strobe through the black that was everywhere. A point of light appeared amidst the visual cacophony, expanding slowly at first, drawing nearer with each passing second of time, and finally exploding within his mind�s eye.
He saw the world.
Desolation, destruction, cities burning, whole forests lost, deserted continents, earthquakes and tornados, shifting land masses, extinct species of animals, mutation rampant amongst those remaining. He saw people, sad and hopeless, with little to live for, wretched and in despair. Barren and infertile earth brought forth leafless, dead flora, monstrosities that were now carnivorous and flesh-seeking. Locke cried out in defiance of this vision, clawing for his sense of reality.
He opened his eyes and saw the Moogles standing before him with expressions of understanding and excitement. Something� amazing� had just happened. He stood there gasping for breath and uncertain of exactly what had happened. He felt as though he had just had an epiphany that was quickly slipping away, leaving an enormous headache in its place. Whatever the vision had been, he felt very small and insignificant right now.
We will meet again, in time.
Without warning, the flock of creatures diverged in full run and vanished into their hiding places as suddenly as they appeared. Even Locke was amazed at how easily they made themselves invisible. Looking around at the now empty space, he was tempted to believe that he had just had a vivid daydream. The young girl lay there, unmoving and with no sign of having been aware that something extraordinary had just taken place. With little effort, he hoisted the unconscious form of the female onto his shoulder and slowly began his trek towards the exit of the caverns.
