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In the month that passed until the Mages' Fair, the two single members of Clan Koridai investigated their new place's surroundings with ample curiosity. Mostly on James' part for how boastful and cheerisome the town fortress was. Nalbina was an indomitable fortress, well-guarded by the most barren sands and tallest of ridges around it was it stood clearly upon an oasis in the midst of the Estersand desert. Northeast of Rabanastre, it stood as a border city of sorts between two kingdoms which James stopped paying attention to upon seeing some fresh new bargains. The castle fort itself was grand and overbearingly developed far out towards the back of the market town reaching above the entire desert like a grand black eagle protecting all that it surveyed. He did not feel any safer for it but the people were pleasant enough, a veritable mixed crowd smaller than Rabanastre's but still the same folk, passing back and forth between two kingdoms with many fine wares. The place was certainly brighter, and more hospitable to flora, than Rabanastre was. The fact they even had fields of agriculture actually within the city walls was impressive to behold. James felt as if he was in a more European town, or at least something more akin back to when he first trained with Glenn back all those years ago. The hot winds blowed smoothly over the castle walls fortified heavily all around them, more to give signs of comfort than any feel of imprisonment. Overtime James got used to them, feeling them to be more sturdy and capable of defending than the last world's materials he had been to. Thin sheet metal and corrugated scrap iron had nothing on ancient brick and mortar. Before the fair would arrive, James and Navarro made small tasks keeping the reputation of their clan strong for any small purpose they could seek. Whether it was clearing out a houseful of giant rats or escorting a cargo delivery, they performed it amicably without a problem. Berniere's reputation was already tantamount to high praise so his very permit of recommendation gave them plenty of weight to throw around as esteemed new adventurers of hot growing potential. For the most part, nothing was too big for them, especially when in a kingdom of peace. At the moment however, Nalbina was completely swamped with banners and decorations all patterned in various shapes and constellations both unknown and archaic to FG. The crowds poured in through the main street as market stalls had been set up overnight, producing a wide range of all things ornate and magical beyond his comprehension. Navarro walked with him through the crowds investigating the people, making sure not to miss a single one for a potential candidate.

Bottles, tomes, magic bracelets, weapons, armour enchanted as well as hats and clothing which were finely woven. There were also much fewer mixed species than before, focusing mainly on humans and nu-mous with some odd bangaas or moogles in and out of the passing-through of the teeming masses. Most of the items were not of use to James, but Navarro focused on picking up a few green bottles known as "ethers" as she tried to look for an affordable price. The many stalls all had intricate colours, as well as names that the raptor was still struggling to make out, commenting: "Man they really went all out with this!" "It's the Mages' Fair," said Navarro, "of course they would." "Heh, they kinda fancy sort of people?" "Mostly yes, they oft show their extravagance and wealth of knowledge and gil with such camaraderie, kupo." "Iiiii take it you're not a party girl." "No." "Just making sure." In the central town square beneath the overarching fortress, there were magical acts of demonstration by all the various types of mages. White cloaks billowing with cold breezes of soothing health, black robes of lighting and darkness burning from within their cowls, blue capes smouldering with strange gusts and the scents of monsters ripe in the breeze. They also saw humans in green washing the square across with sparking starlight, as well as a moogle with red pointed hat froze a participant completely in time before speeding up his friend to triple velocity. Half of it felt like a magician's show, whilst the other half resembled a living cartoon. And that was saying something. Navarro however took great offence towards one particular display, commenting: "I detest blue mages." "Wow, racist." "What?" "Nothing, just a bad joke." "They are detestable mimics, copying monsters' abilities and not very good ones at that rate." "Wait copy?" "Yes, they are mimics. There is a reason we formed our own magic, kupo. Our universities and studies into the grand grimoires that encompass our very concept of being, and these charlatans simply waste it away by this charade they play. Look at him." She pointed at a male hume with extravagant pointed blue hat matching his cloak, cyan stars and moons glistening with purple cape flowing out behind him. With a sweep of the arm and a tingling of dust, a magic hammer suddenly sprouted up from nowhere and bonked harmlessly upon one person's head, a nu-mou gasping as he suddenly found himself bereft of magic. "WITNESS THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRRRRRISTAN!" "Y-YOU ROBBED ME OF MY MAGIC!" roared out the nu-mou. "A simple demonstradum of TRISTAN'S might and mastery over magical musings THANK you!" He bowed extravagantly to mixed applause, taking whatever he could as he swished out his cape in the middle of the small circle of people who bothered to watch. Unfortunately one human female was suddenly set upon by a foul breath, a wispy darkness breathing out from Tristan's mouth which both startled and confused her, coughing harshly before she panicked and suddenly stumbled out forwards. "I...I can't see I CAN'T SEE-OOF!" "WATCH in awe as this poor female is sent spiralling to a state of reverie!"

Tripping forwards the poor woman spun wildly in a circle of confusion, panicking wildly before she finally tripped much to the embarrassed laughter of the people around her as she collapsed onto the floor. The moment she hit stone cobbles, a poof of black flooded from her clothes which suddenly became flat and well-pressed as if she wasn't there. Then, softly, there came a little pudgy form hobbling its way out from the middle of the fabric, the size of a small cat before something green hopped out in panic. A rather clean-looking frog luminescently green as the crowd gasped. "HUZZAAAAAH!" cried Tristan. "BEHOLD THE BROBDIGNAGIAN WEALTH, OF TRISTAN'S THAUMATURGICAL TRIUMPH!" People were worried, murmuring amongst themselves but there were some small smatterings of applause as the blue mage walked over towards the frog and whipped out a clay-brown bottle to pour onto the helpless little frog. Just like that, there came a spiralling of fantastical clouds smouldering around the frog and soon the woman had reappeared, her clothes in slight disarray and looking rather shaken as Tristan patpatted her calmly, which did nothing to stave her fury and shock as she stammered brusquely at the magician. "YOU...Y-YOU...YOU-HHHHH-" "Yes yes," said Tristan waving her off without looking, "you are amazed by Tristan, you are in awe of Tristan now good day to you madame! NOW...who else wants to dare take on the extravagance of this extramundane power that TRISTAN has been blessed with?" James was startled to see such a transformation ever occur before him, even though by now such strange occurrence was rather humdrum to him but at the same time he knew precisely what Navarro meant from that attitude as they walked on past the demonstration, commenting: "Wow, what a douche." "The epitome of his class, a credit to his skill kupo." "Yeah I see what you mean but this is just one guy, they're not ALL like that." "How would you know?" "Well I mean not all blue mages must be like that." "They are crass shamans who are too stupid to become beastmasters and too arrogant to learn proper spells, kupo." "Well...I dunno, HE'S a douche yeah but...okay, example, I used to think all police were assholes, but then you find some who are actually good and...you know, actually DO their job properly to protect and serve people rather than just use their power. I'm just saying it's not good to make assumptions all the time despite what you've been through cuz it turns you into another asshole." "Are you speaking of judges? Also I hardly find any purpose in making frogs of our enemies." "What no I'm talking about police officers." "Officers? ...ah, you mean guards kupo." "Right, yeah um, you know what I mean." "I understand, blanket generalisations are unbecoming of one's self, kupo." "Right, hey what's that over there?!"

Hastily distracting her from the flagrant display, the raptor spotted a small stall of pumpkin soup brimming with hot potent juices that revitalised oneself, courtesy of Madame Matoya. A rejuvenating concoction for both mind and body, both of them felt immensely refreshed and even rather cheerful walking away gladly. He wondered if there was alcohol but he smelt no trace of it as they wandered their way around town. So far nobody seemed to catch Rocino's eye even after a good thirty minutes after. Children scampered through the side alleys, card games were being played in dark corners somewhat in the shade, the occasional guard passing by to make sure no one was up to something. In all fairness James felt much safer in this place than most but his legs were starting to tire out, groaning: "We've been walking for like three hours." "Is it any different passing through the desert, kupo?" "No...just...nnnnngh, when are we gonna find someone?" "A good mage must be courteous and kindly, someone who is not here to impress but is here to perform a duty." "There must be SOMEONE we can get, I mean I know we had like three people-" "Four." "Huh?" "Four people, you forget that one we had last week." "Oh he was barely with us for a day." "Because YOU set him on fire, kupo." "Wha-bullshit you pulled my hand towards him that was TOTALLY your fault!" "Prove it." He stopped and turned in the midst of the street towards her firmly disapproving. "Navarro, when I aim my fist towards something I do NOT miss. You were the one who hoped he would quit soon enough after he made fun of you." "That was not the case." "You sure hated him anyways, he kept telling these awful jokes, I could see your eye twitching about the one with the chocobo an-" "DON'T." Her stare of contempt promptly silenced him by its pure intensity as she raised a finger towards him. "Please, I would rather forget he existed, kupo." "Right, so like I said, three people. Now who we gonna find out here that could do for our clan?" "Perhaps...hmmm..." "Donald wasn't bad." "He was a fool, rushing in all the time wielding his staff like a mace, wild and irascible." "Aw come on he was ballsy, I liked him!" "Will you appreciate his cantour once he's dead and we are without healing magic in the midst of thieves and murderers?" "Okay okay, I got it." "Look." She pointed towards a billboard of various scripts pointing to one direction. "There is a sign over there for a first aid instruction, that seems a good place to start, kupo." "Alrighty let's go." Heading towards a small side-area that was essentially a small park, they spotted several children sitting down on the grass folding tablecloths cautiously. The display looked rather odd until they walked closer seeing a nu-mou sit up with crossed legs in front of them, her back facing towards James. Wearing the robes of a white mage pure as snow with red triangular patterning all along the hem and sleeves, her staff laid beside her as a gnarled length of wood that curled into a tight-fisted circle at the top, as she instructed with the softest voice James had ever heard. Almost too soft to hear.

"Now you must fold the cloth like this to form a triangle, alright? Remember to make sure that whoever's arm you're going to comfort is completely clean, all those wounds could infect if left unattended so give them a good washing out with some water or if you have any bandages, wrap them round to cover any wounds. Like this." The nu-mou mimicked a splash of water and rubrubrubbed her right arm encouraging the children to do the same, all of which were human of various shades of sand-coloured skin as they gladly rub-rubbed their own "wounded" arms. Their parents sat watching on the park benches opposite of the small grass, talking amongst themselves waiting. "When and if you become white mages, you can also use Cure for any small wounds. And please, remove all jewellery from the arm, we don't want any of it to snag and any blood flow could become constricted if the jewellery is really tight, because a broken arm can swell in some cases. Now, do it like this." She softly began to slip one end of the cloth underneath her "broken" right arm which remained motionless horizontally for the time being against her chest. The other end slipped past her shoulder and was held tightly by her neck leaning into it, the triangular-looking folded cloth having its tip pointed against her right arm's elbow. Slowly she pulled the end of the cloth that hung beneath her arm, trapping it into a sling that slowly brought it up before she brought the end of the cloth to behind her neck. With a simple knot using only one hand, she bound the two ends together creating a simple sling. "There, now you see why I taught you that knot?" "Ahh huh," said the small children. "Now don't make it too tight, if it's uncomfortable you need to loosen it and move the sling up or down against your body. Now notice the cuff of the cloth reaches only up to the wrist, that way my fingers can still work for writing and such. Once you figured out how to do a sling on your own self, you can help other people with it too! Are we done?" "Yes miss Oroscoooo!" "Very good, thank you for attending my class." She let the children be as they all stood up with new slings walking back to their parents, who took them further into the fair as James walked up curiously to the nu-mou still sitting down on the soft soil. She noticed the shadow cross over her and jumped slightly, looking up to show her rather sallow cheeks, an aged complexion of grey fur that made her somewhat around middle-aged especially upon noticing the small pair of bifocals balanced upon her nose, drooping her ears like a donkey before suddenly twitching from her surprised state. She even had a piercing on the right ear, a black-baubled gemstone that captured the light briefly.

"Oh...h-hello!" "Hi there!" said FG. "Watcha up to?" "Oh I'm...well, I was just in the middle of a first-aid class, would you like to learn too?" "Well...actually that wouldn't be a bad idea." "I agree kupo," said Navarro. "Please, teach us what you were showing the children." "Alright," said the nu-mou softly, "first, sit down with me." The two sat in front of her as she brought more tablecloths from her robe, a satchel hidden underneath it offering one to both before repeating her lecture. "Firstly, do you know how to tie a knot with one hand?" "Uhhhh...not really," said FG. "I mean I used to tie knots pretty good but never one-handed-wait actually...no um, Kruz, my friend taught me this dammit." "Hmhmhm, I will teach you, now firstly, watch me." She brought up both ends of the tablecloth with one draped over her staff now propped up between them to practice on. Her right hand began to work, keeping the shorter end away from her and hooking the longer end with one finger. Cautiously, she pulled the short end under it and through tightening it into a half-knot. Slowly, she placed the short end then the long end over her left hand which remained open, before hooking the long end once again with her middle finger, trapping one end of the cloth underneath the other by a simple tug. Finally, she pulled the shorter end under it and through, and tightened to make a square knot. The raptor had managed surprisingly better than he thought, tying his knot at the bottom of the staff as did Navarro perfectly. The nu-mou clapped minutely at seeing this, closing her eyes with a smile on her face. "That's wonderful!" "Heh, it's been a while," replied James, "my friend Kruz had to do this all the time cuz he only had one hand." "Oh dear, the poor thing!" "Heh, yeaaah but he got used to it so no worries. So uh, why you teaching us about knots again?" "Because part of making a sling is knowing how to form a knot by heart. Now if somebody has a broken arm, including yourself, you must learn to treat it properly or else it will not heal and get even more hurt." "Can't you use magic?" asked FG. "Magic...does not heal ALL wounds, it can heal cuts, bruises, fatigue and even open wounds at some higher levels, but not broken bones. Now, first you must fold the cloth, like this to make a triangle. Remember to make sure the arm is clean, no jewellery as any tightness could constrict the blood flow once the arm starts to swell up from pain. Any wounds you wash out with water, cover with bandages, or use Cure." "Alright." "Now, repeat after me."

Repeating the process she had just gone through with the children, the white mage undid the knot and cautiously folded the cloth over her right arm that laid once again horizontally as if broken. The other end went up past her shoulder which she held tightly by her neck leaning against. Slowly she pulled the end of the cloth that hung beneath her arm turning it into a makeshift hammock before she brought the other end of the cloth to behind her neck. She asked her two students: "Now do you remember the knot I showed you?" "Yes," said Navarro. "Good, now you have to do this blind so it will take some practice. But better safe than sorry." "I agree..." Focusing intently on tying the two cloth-ends together, Navarro performed this perfectly by a sense of pure dexterity and mental training, visualising the back of her neck and being careful not to tie her own fur into the knot by accident. James did not have to worry about such, but was more struggling to bind cloth with his claws in the way, eventually resorting to just pinching them or hooking the ends by the clawtips. It took him a while and he was last to finish, but he did it. "Hah, nailed it!" "Very good!" said the nu-mou. "Now notice the cuff of the cloth reaches only up to the wrist, that way my fingers still work for writing and such. Once you've learned how to do a sling on your own self, you can help other people with it too! Are we done?" "Uhhh...what you think?" James asked Navarro. "I say we practice," replied the moogle, "this will be a useful thing to learn, kupo. Can you teach us again?" "Gladly," said the nu-mou. Repeating the process four times, they slowly ingrained the use of the sling into their thoughts and eventually memorising the knot-binding perfectly so. James even beat Navarro on time for finishing which he fistpumped at the thought of. "SucCESS!" "It's not a race," said Rocino blithely. "Still faster than you." "Hardly, you do not have fur to contend with, kupo." "Excuses, excuses." The nu-mou giggled at seeing them talk between lessons and eventually decided they knew how to perform reasonable first-aid. The moogle however decided to ask whilst still sitting on the grass: "What is your name, may I ask?" "Oh...I'm Dahlia, Dahlia Orosco." "I'm James, James Campbell." "Navarro Rocino, kupo." "Well it was lovely to meet you," said Dahlia, "and thank you for attending my class." "It was very enlightening," replied the moogle politely. "Tell me, are you contracted with anyone?" "Um...do you mean with...an organisation?" "More specifically a clan, kupo." "Oh, n-no I'm...I'm not affiliated with anyone, but I am a licensed White Mage." "Where did you study?" "I studied professionally at Rozarria," said Dahlia humbly, "at the grand college of Ornitier." "Interesting, that is very far away kupo. I would have expected Mt. Bur-Omisace at the grand shrine of Kiltia." "I..." The nu-mou looked crestfallen for a moment rubbing her thumb against her fingers. "I fear I might not be as capable as those grand mages, I am more of an intermediate, but I have studied towards the second level of it." "I see," replied Navarro, "what skills have you mastered, kupo?" "Oh well the usual basics, Cure, Cura, Esuna, I'm currently trying to learn Shell and Protect spells which I should be able to obtain soon." "How do you learn spells?" asked FG.

Navarro looked at him oddly as if he had asked yet another stupidly obvious question. The nu-mou Dahlia however smiled gladly at him for the opportunity, offering more information by answering: "I have a book, a grimoire that all mages have but the book is somewhat-bound by a magic field." Pulling it out from her robe, she produced a surprisingly ornate spellbook, a gorgeous spine of lacquered blue and bound in firm leathered sepia. It was beautiful, a work of art even without seeing what was written inside of it, the raptor noticing a strange pale amber glow wisping across the front cover. Like wheat seeds dancing in the breeze after sunset as Dahlia continued. "Only the mage it is assigned to can open it, and learn from it and as such it will not teach me anymore spells than I am able to at my skill level." "So," replied FG, "wait you have a book, that can only be opened by you, but it can't teach you anything until you're good enough to know it?" "Mmhmm, that's correct. As I grow in strength, my aura is kept track of by the grimoire I have with me, and once I reach a certain level, it shall teach me a new spell. I commit various practices and demonstrations in order to increase my AP, the shorthand for what we call one's ability to grow and master new skills." "Is that why those mages are all showing themselves off in public?" "Yes precisely," said Dahlia nodding, "it...is inventive I admit and so long as no one gets hurt-" "I find it selfish," said Navarro, "whoring their magic just so they turn stronger without any real practice, in a real situation that requires it kupo." "W-well..." The nu-mou rubbed the back of her neck nervously as a smirk shly crossed her face, saying nothing on the matter and instead beaming with a small grin. "That is how they do it, but personally I find it much more rewarding to heal others that need it. But no one needed it today so I decided to set up a first-aid class for those without magic." "You have made good use of your time," said the moogle nobly, "I was very appreciative of your learning technique." "Thank you! Goodness." Dahlia blushed slightly with a hand to her cheek taking the time to push up her bifocals. "I have never received such a compliment from a knight before. But, if I may ask um...James was it?" "Yeah?" replied James. "What class are you exactly?" "Uhh Gladiator." "Oh my...that means, you know of the spellblade technique?!" "Mmhmm, sure do." At least that's what Navarro told me to say, thought FG privately. Not sure why but it works. "But...that's strange," said Dahlia cautiously, "I don't feel any aura from you. No...magical presence whatsoever." "Uhhhh it's-" "A masking spell," replied Navarro, "he learnt a particular skill allowing him to cloak his magical properties, in order to deceive foes unwary kupo." "Right, yeah that's it." Nice save. "That's amazing!" replied Dahlia shocked. "I have never heard of such a thing, you must have a powerful spirit!" "Hehe, well not THAT powerful, I mean I can't use lightning, but I can sure use fire and ice certainly." "Interesting! How did you learn of magic then, since you did not seem to-" "Swordsmen do not require books," added Navarro, "if they did, then libraries would have better funding than their trophy cabinets, kupo." "Heeheeheehee, v-very true hahahahaha!"

The moogle nodded with a pursing of lips appreciating her own comeback. It was at that point the two finally stood up, with Dahlia joining them upon realising no one else was coming to the small park for her lecture. It was also the perfect time for Navarro to ask: "Miss Orosco, we are in need of a white mage for our clan and we would like to ask you to join us, kupo." "Wh-...a-are you...you are offering me a position in your clan?! But we have only just met, I-...I have not even shown you my skills, I-" "You spoke to me of them already, you have Cura and Esuna which would be more than appreciated in our group." "H-how...many of you are there?" "Two, the ones you see before you." "Oh my...are you a new clan?" "Yeah," said FG shrugging awkwardly, "we're kind of looking for new people to join us and we really need a white mage to help out. We've got our homebase here actually it's just down the road so you don't have to go walking across the desert." "Oh, I'm...do you really want me to join you?" "Only if you want to, it's up to you but we'd really appreciate it." Dahlia pondered this rather feverishly, not entirely sure on what to say for hope of not being rude. A part of her was eager, but at the same time she was also extremely nervous of joining possible new strangers. She could only ask one thing, replying with: "If...this does not work out for your journey and whatnot, you do understand if I take my leave don't you?" "Of course," said the moogle knight, "you are free to leave whenever you wish, kupo." "No...fees or requisites?" "None at all, if you join us we can sign an affidavit confirming such legally." "Well...in that case...I would be honoured to join you." With staff in both hands horizontally, she bowed politely as her ears drooped down further, humbly accepting their offer as the raptor patted her back. "Welcome to Clan Koridai miss Dahlia Orosco. Is there anything you'd like to do? We're just looking around the fair at the moment so-" "W-well...I would not mind going to the tavern for a drink, I'm rather parched from all that talking for the past while or so." "Hah, yeah fair enough, let's head down to the bar I need a drink." The three walked off to find a tavern, the raptor using his nose to follow the scent of alcohol quite easily amidst the smaller backstreets before finding themselves within a rather mawkish little pub. The Cock And Plucker, which James was almost certain was a euphemism, was surprisingly spacious despite its apparent size due to the fact there was only three tables all of which were in corners. Two of them were full, whereas the bar itself on the far right corner also had its seats full with drinkers of mixed race. Mostly humes and seeq, but he did note two bangaas at the bar.

Navarro and Dahlia sat at the table closest to the tavern entrance enjoying the light from outside, whilst James went to order them drinks at their request. Being the only two other reptiles in the place, James naturally kept his eye on the two bangaas, one of whom remained standing in full robe attire of baby-blue and white, matching the mitre crowning his head whilst holding a solid bronze staff, flaring at the top. His skin was a yellowish-brown and his ears seemed shorter than other bangaas would and drank modestly out of a small clay mug without a handle. The other bangaa, currently lounging on his stool against the bar, was more dressed like half-warrior, half-monk with loose orange slacks, red belt and solid green padding covering the hands which grappled at a pint glass. He was more truly a copper tone with dark hue and shinier gloss as the raptor made his order, a cider, coffee and a light tonic as he heard the two talking. The one sitting had a rough voice and was clearly drawling his S's with drunkenness, compared to his much holier-looking friend who spoke rather oddly out of pace, fast then slow with a deep but firm tone. "You dunno whutchoo wan' with yerrrr life." "I know plenty what I want, Baldwin." "NAW YA DON'! You needssszzhh, to get out an'...fin' a good-lookin' girl...you uh, you fare fer the thighssszzhhh o' that Hume or maybe a li'l pommel-hoppin' on tha' moogle?" "Please. Do-not-ask. That quesszhtion-damn!" "Hhhhehehehahahahah...yer droppin' yer esszzhhhesszzhhh there a li'l, brother." "You are not helping. Are you done, or is...your liver not dead yet?" "Give it tahm...ah can feel it ssszhtill twitchin'." "Hmph..." The bangaa standing turned towards FG and shrugged with one hand apologetically. "Forgive my brother, he...knows-not...of-his-state." "It's fine," said FG, "I used to deal with drunks all the time. Are you a priest?" "Bisszhop-nnngh. You are correct." "Wow a bishop? Not seen one of those in like a long time, cool. What you doing out here then, kinda far away from church ain't it?" "We are currently on a pilgrimage to clear our body and mind of all impurity, heading from Mt. Bur-Omisszhacczhe-" "Sszhtill not righ'," mocked the drunk bangaa. "NNNGH! Baldwin, be quiet." "Not mah fault you can't handle yer esszzhhesszzhh, jusszzhht acczzhhept it." "I will not...sully, my tongue anymore than you have Baldwin, I am an ordained prelate and will perform my duty like any other!" "Alrigh' alrigh' alreadyyyy...nnnngh..." Fayne clasped his head forwards on the bar as James smirked still waiting for his order, leaning down slightly to ask: "You okay there champ?" "Ahm fahn, jusszzhht...blood sszhugar low." "More like blood alcohol," said the bishop derisively. "OHHHHH look who'sszzhh a comedian noooow!"

The drunk bangaa reared his head up to face his brother as he stood up fast, a little too fast causing him to overbalance wobbling. "Y-Y-y-y-youuuuuu a-a-a-aaaare sszzhhum fuuuunnyyyy guuuuy huh!?" "Don't make me..." "WHAT!? Don' make you WHAT!? Come on, sszzhhay it! Ssszzzhhaaayyyy iiiiiit." The look on the bishop's face was of incomprehensible struggle, a twitching incomparable effort of sheer will that took all he could muster to summon up five simple words. The last time James had seen a face like that was back at the orphanage when adoptees had struggled furiously trying to note down his friend's name. He took this moment to try and remember it himself, struggling slightly himself as he began to bite his lip whilst reminiscing, as the bishop snarled: "...don't...make me......PUSH you." "Ohhhhh lookat you, talkin' like a huuuuuuume, clever yoooouuuu." The drunken brother clapped patronisingly with the force of two slabs of meat caught in a typhoon before groping at his brother's chest, squeezing a pair of pretend mammaries lewdly. "Maybe we ssszzhhould get you ssszzhhum breassszzzhhts nexzzhht like the milk you sszzhhuckle from their-EEP!" All the bishop had to do was gently tap his brother on the cheek with his staff before he fell completely onto the floor with a heavy thud. His expression did not change, disapproving of everything as he sipped from his drink, the raptor smirking at the scene adding his comment: "Yep, you two are definitely brothers." "Unfortunately," said the bishop. "Head bump number four." "SSZZHHTILL BREATHIN'!" roared Baldwin. "LI'L HELP?!" James grabbed his hand and pulled him right back up, sitting him back on the stool as he sat down beside him. Navarro looked on curiously, exchanging a monitory glance at the bishop truly understanding the other's pain of incompetent colleagues-in-arms. The drunk bangaa took this as a sign of friendship and patted James on the back, adding: "Thanksszh friend." "No prob," said FG. "So, what you guys up to?" "A pilgrimage," replied the bishop, "to clear our headszh an-...ugh." "By tha' we mean," added the drunkard, "a bar crawl to reach enligh'enment....fer ourssszzhhelvesszh. Orrrrr we can jussszzhht be honessszhht and ssszzhhay we're looking fer adventcha!" "Adventure...is-not a-requisite. We are...simply travellerszh-ungh and by that I mean we are on a duty bound by Kiltia." "An' tha' messszzhhage isszzhh...to LAUGH...angrowfat mmmrrmmmrrrreeeeeh..." Slowly Baldwin slumped his head back onto the bar as James shrugged, slowly taking his orders on a plate back towards the table next to the door as he sat down with drinks. The three drank up smoothly, enjoying the pleasant taste of brand-quality on the lowmarket as Dahlia asked: "Who was that you were talking to?" "Oh," said FG, "just some bishop and his pal, well, brother really, on some long pilgrimage I think." "A bishop?" asked the moogle. "Was he noteworthy, kupo?" "Well I mean he wasn't faking it if that's what you mean, talking about duty bound to Kiltia and certainly felt a little holy next to him. His brother's drunk as shit though but he seems to handle him alright." "...excuse me one moment."

Navarro slowly sipped up her coffee and walked over towards the holistic reptile, hunching over his brother to make sure that he was alright before simply drinking up more of his mug smoothly. He noticed the moogle before she even said her first word to him, answering her first with: "Good day, knight." "Good day," said the moogle politely, "my associate over there mentioned you are a bishop, correct?" "I am a prelate, correct." "I have not seen a bangaa of the monastic order before, kupo. Where do you teach?" "Lea Monde, I am a coadjutor of the grand cathedral." "And your brother?" "A monk, even if he may...act differently." "He is not an alcoholic is he kupo?" "No no. Definitely not, for if he ever tried I would make...certain-that he remain on the good path. When duty...must-come, you will find no other more diligent than him." "I see...if I may ask, are you of the belief that Faram is the one true god or that there is a polytheistic pantheon of such with Faram at the head of it?" "I believe of the latter, good madame. Lea Monde greatly committed the lore of its...textsszh-nnngh, to that of the old heritage. I know there are many of late who are turning the page to a newer...monotheistic ideal, and I will not condemn them for it. But I have forever held the belief that we are judged by a pantheon, not a...sole unit." "Understood," said the moogle softly, "is Lea Monde not the city founded by a dancer-priestess, who established the dark arts?" "Correct," said the bishop tersely, "but that...hhhhsh...sh-ssshhall-not, become our future, the old clergy eradicated what remained of the dark Mullenkamp and purified the land of the old...settlement." She noticed his odd speech and his struggle to control it, but said nothing before asking: "How long have you been a bishop if I may ask, kupo?" "For our entire life my brother and I have dreamed, lived and played within Lea Monde, training to become part of the Kiltian light and warmth. I have left the cathedral many a time, I am not virgin to the world and all of...its...pains-and-life, I have worn...this-noble title of Kiltia for the...past thirty-seven yearsszh-hhmmmmph." "I see." "Are you...seeking-enlightenment, madame?" "No," she said bluntly, "I was simply curious. Are you associated with anyone at the moment?" "What do you mean?" "I am forming a clan, quite recently we have made ourselves and currently we are recruiting people to join with. You are a well-experienced exarch, I would appreciate having someone of your calibre in order to give us guidance both spiritually and factually." "Really? A clan? I have never...considered being part of a clan before. Do you have merit?" "We have authentication from Berniere of Clan Herne, I trust you know of him, kupo?" Fayne clasped his chest with surprise as his eyes widened with intrigue on hearing this. "Truly? Are you of long-living repute?" "I have trained for fourteen years, I am also good friends with Berniere and was the one that matched blades with him at the knight academy." "Impresszhive! Mmph, forgive me, I am very...fascinated at your given authentity...are you alone?" "No, my clan is there kupo." Pointing to the table she noted James waving gladly with Dahlia nodding shyly as she sipped her drink. The bangaa bishop gently pondered, before making a decision. "Wait one moment." He turned towards his brother and swiftly prodded him upon the head, casting a spell promptly which shimmered whitish-green upon Baldwin's head as he chanted with a single breath. "Dispellere!" "HMM-WHUH!?!"

The boorish bangaa woke up with a start twitching right and left seeing his brother nod to him. The first thing he noticed was that the room was not spinning greatly, and that the sounds of bar life was not muted and dull like being underwater as well as much more aware of everything. He was not impressed with this turn of events. "Awwwwwww FAAAAAAAYNE! You've done it again!" "Forgive me Baldwin, but we have a client, and normally I would not-" "I DON' CARE IF YOU GOT A CLIENT, YOU KNOW I HATE THAT DISSZHPEL SSZHIT!" "Brotherrrrrr," warned the bishop, "remember your temper, here...suckle-on this...herb and-" "FUCK YOUR HERBSSZH!" He slapped the offered green treat from the bishop's hand as a brief scent of mint hovered through between them. "MEBBE YOU SSZHHOULD SSZHUCK IT OUT OF MY ARSSZHE YOU FAT CUNT!" Before Baldwin could throw a punch, the holier bangaa swung his staff as if about to strike his head forcing his brother to duck, the monk bullrushing him into the wall clattering stools around them. He grabbed Fayne by the one shoulder before kidney-punching him hard, forcing him to near-vomit harshly coughing as he fell onto one knee, using the staff to prop himself up. Navarro stood back cautiously with hand near sword in case things turned ugly, as the monk grabbed his brother who was now hunched over and promptly flipped him upside down, legs against his cheeks before piledriving him shortly into the stone floor. "AUUUGH!" "THISSZH ISZH WHAT YOU DO TO ME, BROTHER!" People did not leave, as if accustomed to this sort of thing and the bartender did not make any attempt to desist them, before Baldwin let Fayne fall fully onto his back and straddled him, knees on either side of the bishop's waist. Fayne was unable to move due to his brother's strength, unmitigatingly stronger than him through sheer muscle as he pinned him by the arms, snarling as he raised his brother's upper body before slamming it down again. "You...sszhaid you would NEVER SSZHOBER ME UP AGAIN!" "I KNOW!" said Fayne struggling with breath. "But-NNNNGH! We have...a client, we-must...appear presszhentable-AUGH SSZHTUPID MOUTH!" "SSZHTOP TALKING ABOUT YOUR MOUTH YOU COCKGARGLING SSZHIT, YOU PROMISSZHED YOU WOULD NEVER DISSZHPEL ME OF MY REVELRY!" "I'M SSZHORRY, BALDWIN DON'T-AIE, DO NOT DO THISSZH, YOU LOOK BAD ENOUGH ASZH IT ISZH!" "AN' WHOSSZHE FAULT ISZH THAT?!" "Yours." Navarro swiftly reappeared right next to Baldwin's head with blade against his throat, not even noticing until the mythril sleekly pressed against his scaled neck. "Release your hold on the bishop...or else I will stain his front with your drunken rheumatic blood." "NO!" roared Fayne. "DO NOT HURT MY BROTHER!" "I won't. So long as he plays fair and not kill you, kupo." "What?!" said Baldwin. "I'm not going to kill him! I jusszht want to teach him a lesszhon." "What kind of lesson?" "Thisszh."

Flipping with a sudden roll, Baldwin kicked himself off away from Navarro's blade and rolled to his right, but at the same time kicked Fayne towards the bishop's own right in turn, causing them to end up spooning on the cool stone floor. Suddenly he grabbed Fayne's left arm and twisted it round his back propping it upwards, with one leg swung over both the bishop's knees to trap him completely from moving. The uncomfortable positioning of the arm made it feel almost like it would break, pressing the hand against the shoulderblade. "A-AAAAH AAAAAAH!" "SSZHAY IT!" "W-WHAT!?" "SSZHWEAR TO ME YOU WILL NOT SSZHOBER ME AGAIN!" "I WON'T!" "YOU PROMISSZHE!?" "I SSZHWEAR BY FARAM I WON'T HOH GODSSZH IT HURTSSZH, BALDWIN PLEAAASSZHE!" "...good." Suddenly releasing him the monk stood up promptly with a smile feeling rejuvenated by his small victory of proving a point, the bishop slowly staggering up with a wounded-feeling arm greatly throbbing with soreness. They turned towards the moogle as Baldwin simply smiled heartily saying: "SSZHO! You want to hire usszh for your clan eh?!" "...actually," began Navarro after sheathing her blade, "I was looking to hire a bishop." "Well for one limited offer you can have both bisszhop AND one white monk with you fer the road, absszholutely free! Purchasszhe not negosszhiable." "I only require a bishop, not some bar-crawling belligerent, kupo." "Who you callin' belligerent?! Here'sszh the deal, I go wherever my brother goesszh, no monk, no bisszhop." "Is that true?" "Y-yes," replied the bishop, "it...is-unfortunate I know but...we never sszhtray apart-hhhh from each other." "Is that because of contract or simply familial?" "...contract." "I see. We have not hired you yet, but we would like to hold an interview of sorts. I am not pleased however with your crass puglism, kupo." "Crasszh!?" squawked Baldwin. "I had my own brother sszhquealing like a babe in the sszhpace of sszheconds! You think that'sszh easszhy, he trained to be a bisszhop for thirty-five yearsszh, I only ever sszhaw him laugh five timesszh during it!" "Really?" "Trusszht me, if any enemy comesszh near us, I will break their sszhoulszh or cripple their bodiesszh, whichever you want me to deal with." "If I may add," said Fayne promptly, "my brother...is very diligent and you may think ill after our...rencounter but if he...joins you, you will find no greater a companion to protect thee." "I see," said Navarro pondering. "You attest for his character?" "I do." "Very well. Please come over to our table, so we may discuss this further."

Heading over towards the table, the two bangaa brothers sat down after pulling up an extra chair as greetings were made with Navarro starting things off. "I am Navarro Rocino, clan deputy." "I'm Ashwin Venkatanarasimha," said James, "clan leader...wait no sorry, fuck." "Wha?!" cried Baldwin. "J-just sorry-pfffffthhhahahahahaha, HHHA HA HA, oh god, I jus-I was STRUGGLING to remember this name an old friend of mine had like a few minutes ago, it was really long, he got named after a train station or something, I dunno but man...HOOOO anyway I'm James Campbell, clan leader." "Um..." Dahlia stopped herself before whispering to FG: "Am I still part of the clan?" "Yes," he murmured back. "OH good, Dahlia Orosco, clan healer." "We are honoured to meet you," said Fayne bowing. "I am Fayne...Smithee." "An ahm' Baldwin," said the brother with a thumb to his chest. "Sszhmithee." "We greatly...appreciate the fact that you...consider...us-for making part of your clan." "Are you not on a pilgrimage?" asked Navarro. "Will you be able to join us, kupo?" "Indeed, but the cathedral will allow...us, to join you I am...certain of that." "Why do you talk like that?" asked FG. "You keep stopping and pacing yourself oddly." "Ah," began Fayne humbly, "you are aware of the predicament that the bangaa...must undertake when becoming a mage, correct." "Um...no?" "This." He pointed towards his very lips upon the pointed snout. "Our very nature, confines...our kin to being unable to perform many an enchantment due to the...mannerisszhm of-hhhhh-" "What he'sszh sszhayin' isszh," added Baldwin, "isszh that due to our mouthsszh not good with sszhertain lettersszh, we have problemsszh sszhummoning up spellssszh ya sszhee?" "Ohhhhh," murmured FG, "so...you basically wanna stop speaking like...that in order to-" "Incantate properly, correct," said Fayne humbly. "Um, if I may ask," said Dahlia softly, "are there not spells that bangaa have created in order to pronounce more efficiently?" "There are. But I did not learn them. I feel it will do me good, maybe all the better that I learn the idiolect of another...race." "Acculturation is not efficient," said Navarro glumly, "nor does it merit." "I walk within the...same, cathedral that the hume and the nu-mou do, do I not have the right to...hhhhh stand alongsszhide them?" "Isszh okay brother," said Baldwin patpatting him on the back. "You're a good bisszhop." "What spells have you learnt?" asked the nu-mou. "Cura," replied Fayne, "and...Dispel." "Oh, wonderful I know Cura too! We could trade techniques if you are interested." "I would be glad to, madame Or...Orosco." "Heehee, s-sorry." "No need to, my lady."

He bowed politely once again with a small hand gesture of benevolent fondness towards the nu-mou, grasping his staff as if about to annoint her before asking: "Do you...still believe we are clan material, madame knight?" "You may call me Navarro," said the moogle, "I believe you as a rare example of a meritable bishop, one who is not so above the pulpit to think that he can lord over the good word, kupo." "Hmhmhaha, naturally." "Thirty-seven years is not something to dismiss, and if you are willing to join with us then I will be very glad to. A bare-handed fighter would also be a good choice in case our weapons fail us, kupo." "How can our weapons fail us?" asked FG. "Magnetised traps, capture, anything that prevents us from using blades...a fighter using only fists will break through that well." "Long as they don't got brass knuckles." "A good brawler," added Baldwin, "doesszh not require fortitude for hisszh weaponry. My fiszhtsszh...they are potent and forever unsszheathed againsszht the light of battle, there iszh NOTHING that can sszhtop me from breaking free to break in sszhome headsszh!" "Hehehe, that's good, okay so we all set then to bring you in?!" "Of coursszhe, let'sszh do thisszh!" "Do we have any objections?" Nobody said anything as FG took his role as clan leader front and centre, hands wrapped within each other's fingers as if closing a large business deal. "Then I officially announce Fayne and Baldwin Smithee to be part of our clan, welcome to Clan Koridai! Great to have you." "And with that," said Navarro, "we have our perfect minimum requisite, kupo." "Minimum?" asked Fayne. "Requisite?" asked Dahlia. "Correct," added the moogle. "My associate and I have made a deal as to our clan structure. We needed a white mage, and a bishop as minimum requirement but since we have a monk with us as part we have reached our clan members necessary. We do not plan on anymore additions to our party, unless certain conditions must be met, kupo." The clan's new members all "aah"ed and nodded in agreement, understanding clearly before Navarro began to lay out the deal. "Now we must see how we fare in combat with each other as a team. Do we have any marks or leads potentially we could follow?" "Pardon me," interjected Fayne, "but I need to inquire, do you have a home for the clan?" "Yes, kupo. But I would like to see how we all fare before we start handing out rooms. Obviously you are all free to leave if this clan does not suit your lifestyle but rest assured, we personally shall not force you to leave unless the result of extreme circumstances, kupo."

The three nodded once more as Baldwin turned towards Dahlia opposite of him before asking: "Sszho, how long have you been with them?" "Um," replied the nu-mou, "about...thirty minutes?" "...damn, thisszh clan iszh growin' fasszht!" "Well it IS the mages' fair, actually um, are you two perhaps here for that as well?" "Not quite," replied the bishop, "we were on a pilgrimage and became aware of the trade fair which became an opportunity for educating...ourselvesszh-mmph." "I see, I hope we all work well together, I've been in a clan before." "Neither have I, I do hope we will convey our...force, worthily." "Whut about you?" asked Baldwin towards FG. "You don' look like any bangaa I've sszheen." "Baldwin!" "What, I'm curiousszh!" "It's fine," replied FG, "I'm from really far away so I guess I must look different from everyone." "Your dialect," said the bishop, "is...fascinating." "Um...thanks?" "Different anatomy, pertaining to the lack of rhetoric my brother and I...possesszh-urrhh." The monk smirked at his brother's failing simply patting him on the back patronisingly, the cleric not appreciating it as Navarro brought back their conversation. "Do any of you know a good lead or mark or mission, kupo? Someone in the town that could use some assistance?" "What about that old witch lady," asked FG, "the one selling pumpkin soup, Matoya I think her name was? She asked me something about if we knew any clans around, I thought she was kidding but she had a little problem for something." "A good start, kupo. What type of problem?" "I think it was an infestation of some sort, I would have heard more but you pulled me away for something and I had to say goodbye." "Awwww yissszh," said Baldwin cockily, "are we gonna sszhtomp sszhome ratsszh for our firsszth missszhion?! An' here I thought it would be easszhy." Fayne rolled his eyes as his brother began pounding fists into one another, already firing up for a good start upon their induction as Navarro said: "I believe that the sooner we can start on our first mission the better kupo. Are you all well-equipped?" "Ayup!" said Baldwin. "Without a doubt," replied Fayne. "I...think so," spoke Dahlia softly. "Then let us go," said Navarro, "James, find this Matoya and tell her we shall accept her mission for us, post-haste kupo!" "Yes ma'am!" With an overzealous salute the raptor said this as he rushed out of the bar hoping to track down the old lady with the task for them to take. Thankfully she had not found anyone just yet to take on her questful problem, and the new Clan Koridai soon found themselves standing outside a dark foreboding manor, derelict-looking within the dark corners of the kingdom palace's walls, somewhere around two hours later in the afternoon.

Despite being far on the backstreets of the city in a rather unoccupied part of town, the mansion was surprisingly well-maintained in the sense it had not completely crumbled underneath its own weight. Having only three floors with four glowing yellow windows on each, along with twisting turrets on either side of it, the whole dark-wooded construct seemed to loom forwards straight above them, as if inspecting its next meal cautiously like a spider on its new web. Thunderous clouds hovered sternly above the slatted roof, rumbling ominously with the coming storm that blanketed the surrounding area. "Spoolworth Manor," began Navarro, "the address fits." "As opposed to the five other ghost houses we passed?" said FG jokingly. "A-are you SURE she asked us this?" asked Dahlia nervously. "Fear not my maiden." Baldwin swung his muscular arm around the nu-mou's shoulders and smiled rogueishly. "I know all about punchin' ghosszhtsszh, I'm not afraid. You let my fisszhtszh do the talkin' for us." "Really?" "Oh yeah, you think I'm a monk for the fansszhy clothesszh?! I got the power of Faram in my fisszhtszh, anything come near you I'll PUNCH 'EM back into the void sszho hard their mother'sszh gonna feel it!" "Brotherrrrr," warned Fayne the bishop, "a little decorum for our undertaking if you......please." "Hhhahaha...one day yer gonna run out of wordsszh that don' got esszheszh in them." "Until then." James however was more concerned by the thunderclouds that seemed only to extend as far as the mansion's path leading up to it. An iron fence stood behind them showing a small rocky path that lead up to the front door, a few steps underneath the porch where two doors awaited their opening. He stepped forwards ahead of his group, the tingling sensation of lightning in the air making his nanos feel rather nervous, asking: "Why the hell is there like, a thunderstorm ONLY above this house? I mean..." He turned towards the street behind them which was perfectly clear and full of sunshine perhaps four houses away, a completely different world apart from the run-down hovels and crumbling settlements were no soul now lived. "It's a perfect day down THERE but for some reason the moment we walk down this street it's like Van Shellsing all of a sudden!" "Magic," said Baldwin simply. "Magic," added Dahlia. "Definitely magic," emphasized Fayne. "What else did you think it was, kupo?" Navarro said this with eyebrow raised at him last as James suddenly felt rather dumb, replying in defence: "Well GEE I'm sorry I'm not a thunder expert, I can't deal with lightning anyway." "Why not?" "It's kind of my weakness alright, I don't do very well against it." "Why not buy an accessory to protect against it then?" "Wait what?" "Yeah," said Baldwin, "if you can't handle the lightning, get an accszhesszhory for it." "Like a Thunder Robe," added Fayne. "Or maybe a Coral Ring." "No no that's WEAK to lightning," replied Dahlia. "Really?" "I'm quite sure, coral relates to water after all, is that right?" "I definitely heard...once-that the coral ring protected you from lightning." "I am QUITE certain but, perhaps I am mistaken slightly, that it does not." "Hey hey never mind," replied FG, "it's just ghosts, it's not lightning I have to deal with, we can talk about this another time." "But what if the ghost knows lighting?!" squawked the nu-mou. "Then YOU guys can handle it, now are we ready?"

The four nodded behind him as he slowly walked up the steps, opening up the door with the key he borrowed from miss Matoya as an ornately-carved silver piece, serpentine shapes all along the oval-shaped handle as he turned it in the lock. The door opened without requiring a push as a heavy THUNK unlocked it, creaking outwards to reveal the main hall as they stepped in. The main entrance hall had a grand staircase heading up towards the second floor, but otherwise was surprisingly devoid of anything unique other than three doors, one on either side of them and one at the foot of the staircase tucked away. The carpet was a ruby-red and somewhat scuffled, the main centrepiece of the room being a large chandelier that hung above their heads like a crystalline chalice inverted tinkling from the slightest movements. The door slammed shut behind them as they all turned by instinct, sending a glistening melody of fearful premonition across the chandelier glass. A few seats sat around in the corners of the entrance, a few potted plants to brighten up the place but it all seemed very rather sparse. Fayne stepped out in front and began sensing the air by a new aura pulsing from his staff, shuddering slightly. "Hmmmmm...a phantom indeed...has-wandered through...this-hall." "This place haunted for real?" asked FG. "Indeed." "How do you know, you psychic or something?" "Meditating my aura, a power I have learnt over the entirety of my training." "Wow that must do some serious meditating." "Oh yesszh," said Baldwin flippantly, "getsszh a bit boring until you sszhtart sszheeing the naked ladiesszh, THEN it getsszh fun!" "Wait what?!" "Ignore him," said Fayne, "the phantom...lies that way." He pointed straight ahead to the door hidden beneath the side of the staircase, which in itself was three people wide. "What do we do my leader?" "Um...let's follow your instincts for now, sniff him out for us." "Be on your guard," said the moogle sternly, "ghosts are notorious tricksters, kupo." "Don't have to tell me," said FG. "You gonna be alright Navarro?" "My blade can handle many things...but unfortunately a soul cannot be cut." "Heheheh, that's what you think." "What?" "Nothing nothing." I mean if you knew that guy back in Dream Land, thought FG secretly, he'd show you a thing or two about cutting souls. Fucking asshole...I still don't feel right everytime I think back to that. "I will have to rely on you for this," said Navarro truthful, "but I can still guard myself and act as scout, kupo." "Alright then," said FG, "read our instructions back to us just to recap."

"Gazer, undead class of Reaper genus of which this mark is known especially as 'the Librarian', kupo. Said to sense the presence of sinful knowledge with the gleaming, baleful eye in the middle of its forehead, do not look into its depths lest you see the reflection of all your sins, a revelation of which will surely drive you to madness. Weak against Holy, naturally, it possesses the Book of Orgain-Mille of which our client miss Matoya asked us to reobtain kupo." "Also to exorcise the house of this thing." "That too." "Weird that a ghost wants to keep collecting books." "Well," added Dahlia, "he must be quite lonely, all dead in the afterlife with nothing but books to read, perhaps he just wanted some time alone m-maybe we should give him a chance?" "No," said Fayne sternly, "not a phantom of...this calibre, they are vile and manipulative and the tome it...has pilfered from our client musszht-mmph, not have good intent. Did our client not mention that the Book of Orgain-Mille charted life and death through many an eon?" "Apparently," said Navarro. "Alright then," said FG, "let's split up and look for clues." "No." "Huh?" "No splitting up, we are strangers in a strange land, what possible use could there be in turning us more vulnerable than we already are?" "Heh...yeaaaah good point, alright gang stick together. Fayne you guide us, you got the ghost's scent." "I am not a dog," said Fayne. "You know what I mean sorry, just sniff him out!" "Very well." Walking forwards single file, they entered the next room with a small creak to find some sort of reading room. Two comfy armchairs and one coffee table between them, an immaculate fireplace still burning hotly in front of it. A portrait hung above the fireplace mantle, marble cleaned thoroughly underneath the disapproving glare of a woman. At least it would be were it not for the fact her eyes had been scratched out, her face torn apart so only half her glowering sneer remained, a grey cloak and pursed hands clasping tightly to each other showing a blue sapphire ring. Two more doors laid to their right and left, as Fayne guided them towards the left where another room would be found. It was the exact same reading room, coming from the right side yet the fire was weaker. The woman's portrait James noticed now had her hands torn off to reveal only the miserly-looking ring of prominent blue sapphire, shining in the darkened light of the room. Yet they saw behind them no door opening as they stepped through. "Trickery?" asked Navarro. "Aye," said Fayne, "but what kind of trickery?" "Is this even the same room?" asked James. "Do not let your mind be fooled, now follow me carefully. Let me look."

They stepped through to the secondary reading room, the bishop walking rather oddly as he navigated like he was crossing some sort of minefield, circumventing around the centre of the room itself nearing the walls. James walked in cautiously before tripping over something suddenly, as did Dahlia, yet nothing seemed to be out of place, looking behind them and finding nothing. "What happened?" asked Navarro. "I-i tripped!" cried FG. "But there's nothing there! Is that ghost doing this?!" "Mmhmm," said the bishop. "We are in a different room but the aura may have changed it. Now...the aura would be emanating from a totem or...what can you...see-that-is out of...place?" "N-nothing...um...hey there's something shiny on the painting." "Hmm? Aaaaah, can you hand me that jewel?" The raptor tried to step onto the table but fell right through and almost into the fireplace, panicking as he stumbled back before Baldwin grabbed him safely. "W-WOOOAH!" "I GOTCHA!" "Wh-what the fuck that table's fake!" "The whole room isszh fake! ...hey, um Dahlia right?" "Y-yes?" replied the nu-mou. "Can you feel around the floor around where you tripped?" "Excuse me?!" "Sszhould be sszhomething there, if you find sszhomething, bring it over." Fayne nodded to this as Dahlia softly pawed around at where she had fallen before feeling something invisible. It had four legs and felt rather plush on the top, easy to pick up as she carried it over awkwardly towards Baldwin, who placed it inside the small coffee table. The monk hopped up on top of it and took the sapphire from the painting, tossing it over to his brother who began chanting as he rubbed it between his fingers: "Dispellere...locus...FALLACIES!" Suddenly the bishop's hand cracked as his fingers clenched to a fist, the sapphire shattering within as the room slowly began to shimmer from all around them. Walls started fading from their old earthen colour to something more green and less sombre. A dining table appeared behind them in the centre of the room, the fireplace and portrait disappearing as did the chairs and coffee table, which was soon replaced by a solid wide chair made of wood. James also saw the chair behind him fallen over he had tripped on. The bishop sprinkled his fingers clean of the now-worthless gemstone, blue stardust drifting from his flesh as the raptor gasped with awe at such a thing, simply looking at Fayne with amazement. "Holy shit tha-...that's amazing!" "Merely but a parlour trick," said Fayne, "a phantom...oft-uses a jewel imbibed with...an-illusory magic to cover a whole room." "We must be more careful," said Navarro, "I have the feeling that his next trick will be much more cruel and unsparing, kupo."

They all agreed as Fayne followed the "scent" of the spirit, heading south which lead them to the kitchen. The whitest room of the house, with black and white square tiles and one central large table made of wood for preparation. All along one wall, straight ahead of them which included the window, was from left to right a storage larder, sink and several cupboards. To their right as a large furnace, a traditional stonebake oven like the sort James had seen once or twice at old traditional pizzerias. Already his mouth went watering at the reminiscence of it. "Nothing out of place here," said Dahlia hopefully. "Maybe he went to get a small bite to eat and left." "A bite of what?" asked Baldwin sarcastically. "Ghosszht bread?" "W-well, all ghosts are different." "Their sszhtomachsszh are not, they are nonexisszhtent." "Well either way he's not here now." "No," said Fayne, "but...something...is in the air." "What thing?" "...something that-LOOK OUT!" Suddenly ducking down to the floor, James and Navarro followed suit the moment something sharply glimmered across the room seeing a drawer fly open with a hail of knives pointing ruthlessly towards them. Dahlia shrieked but Baldwin grabbed her head and pulled her down safely as the clan ducked behind the table. Sharp daggers came raining down upon the wall where they once stood, cracking into the wood with splintering force as they buried deep to the hilt, the sound of a dozen snapping thrusts as they stood up once the danger had passed. "Okay he's fucking dead," said FG, "I'm gonna burn his face off." "Agreed," said Navarro. "Where next, Fayne kupo?" "That way!" said the bishop pointing back to the hallway. "I felt him here but he ran off after the attack!" Running back to the central staircase, they saw something shimmering at the top of the stairs like a dark luminescent aura. It almost appeared to be like a ball of deepest shade that James thought he knew. "...Kirie?" "Hmm?" said Baldwin. "No...no she wasn't as dark-looking as that, aura's different." "You know thisszh thing?" "No just...I met ghosts before, not this one this...this is an asshole right here." "Then let us waste no time!" called Navarro. "To arms, kupo!" The five rushed up the stairway with weapons drawn as the ghastly phantom cackled malevolently upon them before suddenly the stairs collapsed, turning into a grand slope as they all slipped up simultaneously before sliding back down. "WHA-" "AAGH!" "EEEP!" "DAMMIT!" "KUPO!" Getting their footing back at the bottom of the stairslope, the creature cackled quite gladly from the very top of the hallway swishing from side to side, not showing its true form quite yet as it simply watched the five climb back up. "You shan't stop us!" roared Navarro. "This house does NOT belong to you, nor does that book kupo!" "Save-your breath," said Fayne, "a phantom cannot be frightened by...words of a mortal." "Then my blade will frighten it more!" "You mean MINE!"

James roared this as he summoned a gust of wind from around him, howling furiously with monstrous gale that almost buffeted his allies' ears brutishly before charging upwards. Hovering over the sloped staircase he swung out with burning "sword" as scissors shone high and bright, roaring as he tried to strike down upon the banshee before suddenly it began to fade, slipping backwards into the wall. The raptor stopped himself from hitting face first into it as he stood prominently at the top of the stairwell, the steps behind him now slowly undone by the ghostly absence. With stairway returned they all came up towards him as they hurried towards the second floor's closest entrance, a doorway to their left that seemed to lead towards the master bedroom. It was surprisingly wide for a bedroom, the entire wall of the second floor they had seen literally being its entire length with a far reach to the back of the house. Big enough to hold an entire party of guests, maybe fifty people within comfortably. The carpet was of intricately-woven red and golden fringe, the bed four-postered matching the same colours with immaculate quilt, dressers on both walls to the left and right, as well as a grand mirror directly behind them along the grandest wall itself. The windows showed dark thunderstorms flashing across the room but what attracted them most of their attention was a slender-looking figure upon the bed. A most radiant gorgeous-looking maiden of reptilian beauty, soft-snouted green and bashful-eyed like a doe with typical bangaa ears. James gasped but soon quickly remembered the trickery of ghosts hearing her voice which was not anything like a bangaa should be. "OH, finally! I have waited so long for someone to save me!" "Hooooly Faram," murmured Baldwin, "what'sszh a beauty like you doin' here?" "I was trapped in here by that evil witch, the one who owned this place, she's trying to capture more people, don't you see?! I was a maiden in her service, trapped by her cruelty and I need your help! Help me free from this place." "Why should we believe you, kupo?" said Navarro. "We are well-versed in ghost trickery." "I-i am not a trick, PLEASE you have to believe me, if I had the key to this house I could free myself, it carries the very essence of this house that I can free myself from!" "Are you serious?" said FG. "Listen, 'lady', I've dealt with a lot of maidens and just a word to our ghost friend, this is kinda pathetic." "Wha-...why do you not believe me?!" The maiden suddenly broke down crying, sobbing pitifully as she fell down on her knees, moving not a single tear in the house except that of Dahlia and Baldwin, who both looked at each other nervously. Fayne however tapped both of them by the shoulder and shook his head knowingly at the staff he held. They slowly toughened up as Fayne walked forwards proclaiming with a strong voice: "You are but a malefactor, a dark wicked foul thing of the nether I will eradicate by the light of Kiltia!" "Wh-WHAT!? Please, s-sire PLEASE don't-" "I will give you one token of faith! Leave now, and hand over the Book of Ordain-Mille or else...suffering will come to you." "S-...s-s-suffering? ...hoh...please...p-please no, please- spare me your tripe."

The slender female suddenly lurched up upon Fayne with eyes wet with tears, dead inside of all emotion before her mouth opened with a small gasp. Slowly, her skull split open with a slimy crevice now forming, lurching a hungry red eye shockingly from the very central of her being. Raspy-voiced from her throat, the eye itself began screaming violently as her hands suddenly grabbed at the bishop's snout forcing him to stare into it, taunting him with. " Gaze upon your ssssssssin my frail bishop." "H-hhhhhh...I...will not be ruled by fear." " What will rule you then? Obedience? Blind diligence? Or is it betrayal to thine own race?" "Do NOT...test me demon, I am a prelate of Kiltia and nothing more!" " Tesssszht you? Isszh it a TESSZHT to admit your own hatred? Why don't you ssszhtare into the facsszhe of death-AAAGH!" Suddenly the female creature was punched violently from the side of her face, a green-armoured fist shining white with radiant awe cracking into her jaw as Baldwin slipped past Fayne smiling. The reptilian lady howled with fury, pain running through as her third red eye vomited itself up through the skull itself, snapping open like a venus flytrap before rending its flesh asunder. The body slowly began to turn inside out, stripped down to reveal the true monster lying underneath. With flesh inverting itself to reveal nothing but bronze-coloured bone inside, the eye was its largest feature showing a single red pinpoint glowing within a purple-and-blue rune that formed its iris. The woman's skin turned rotten green, flowing across its shoulders to become a cloak around its central body, a single giant bronze skull with horns curled like a ram, tassels hanging from its jaw and horntips. The creature now revealed glowered with six claws in the form of scythes extended out its body, crawling from brittle-looking feeble arms like twigs. " Pitiful clan," mumbled the Gazer, " you know not the sins you carry upon you." "SSZHUT UP!" roared Baldwin out front. "I WILL PUNCH YOUUU IN THE FFFFFFUCKING SSZHOUUUUUL!" " You desire death so easily?! Then come to me." Extending its clawed scythes, the creep lunged towards the bangaa monk who ducked harshly before a worthy uppercut cracked hard across its huge jaw, sending it upwards slightly. Shivering from the evident holy power now resonating from Baldwin's fists, it shrieked and swung furiously to try and scar him but the monk was viciously fast, moving like a boxer would as he ducked and dodged his whole upper body whilst guarding with his fists. An opening soon came amongst the beastly clawstrikes before Baldwin took a scratch across the face, punching straight through its eye with a single holy thrust-jab.

Screaming from the pain the creature hovered back and soon vanished from out of sight, darkness drifting across the room briefly before revealing nothing at all. Baldwin looked around him feverishly as the storm grew worse, intensifying violently enough to make the windows rattle on their hinges. "WH-where isszh he?!" cried the monk. "COME BACK HERE YOU COWARD, I'LL BREAK YOU BY FARAM!" "He did not leave," said Fayne cautiously. "Be wary, he will not reappear until another attack, be on your guard." "Do you think you can FIND me?!" mocked the creature. "Try and see me noooow..." The clan kept on their guard waiting for the monster's reappearance, keeping close to each other's backs as the storm thundered throughout the house foundations with such intensity that James shuddered from the electricity humming through the airwaves. Lightning struck, flashing the room up in an instant as Dahlia shrieked when turning to see the mirror. A cloak, captured above her in a moment's shot as she ran feverishly from her spot, James turning to see the creature slowly reappear before he summoned fire from his blades. The Gazer was quick to react and sweeped back across the floor as if skidding on ice, floating powerfully before countering back with a ruthless fire streak that burned across the floor. James countered back, blasting a shot of water from moisture of the air along with the clouds outside giving help to wash thickly from his hand. The flames were stopped briefly, but the monster took the chance to summon lightning from inside the room as James dodged back suddenly, gasping as he avoided the water he made. The close encounter from being electrocuted did nothing to dull his mind as the beast flew towards the bishop, the bangaa clad in robes barely dodging before he made a stumbling fall to one side. Navarro stepped close at hand with blade across her face, guarding him from injury as the monster striked violently with sharp ice across her face. Roaring from the pain fiercely, the moogle stumbled as her cheeks were scarred harshly with bare ice before Baldwin leapt up from behind the Gazer to punch straight into the back of its head. Or body rather.

Crying out as it stumbled forwards in mid-air, the blow was shocking to its corporeal form but it shook the pain of holy fists off and swished itself around fully to face the monk. Baldwin taunted the Gazer with beckoning fingers readying into a stance, as the phantom shrieked and flew straight towards him. But instead of punching it like the beast expected him to, he dodgerolled forwards underneath and summoned a howling gale by slamming both his arms together, almost as if performing a sonic boom from them alone. "SCINDITEH!" For a brief moment, the air suddenly cracked open with an ear-shattering strike, blasting wind across the room by a shocking snap of the sound barrier or what at least felt like it. The ghost suffered greatly from the very force of light piercing through the natural elements, two of its claws ripped off from its limbs by the sudden strength as it howled with burning rage. Focusing on Baldwin, it tried to feint a rush towards him waiting to see what he would do. Then, the moment the monk jumped, the banshee striked upwards scarring him across the chest and snout, clawing at his face before punching him down to earth. Dahlia had already ran towards Navarro to try and heal her with a holy spell, murmuring softly before she tapped her staff upon the moogle's cheeks. Ice burns faded away and wounds smoothed over before she stood back up fully, thanking the white mage. Fayne at the same time rushed over to his brother down on one knee, his face torn up badly as if a tiger had played too rough, also summoning the same sort of incantation upon Baldwin to heal him back up. "CURA FRATREM!" Soft green light kissed upon his cheeks, warmly sighing as he stood back up now feeling rejuvenated and ready to fight once more. But the Gazer was not yet done and swooped down towards the two bangaas, striking a sudden darkness upon the bishop who gasped and moaned from a strange weakness as if something had been sucked out of him. His aura turned weak, his staff darkened in colour as a black fuchsia mist floated between both of them. Baldwin cried out: "What happened?!" "M-my magic!" cried Fayne panickedly. "The ph-phantom sszhtole my magic!" "WHAT!?" "...LOOK OUT!" The monstrous shadow swept closer towards them as Baldwin tried to punch straight, but the phantom dodged swiftly before ramming straight into the bishop hard knocking him over. Weakened without any magic left, Fayne tried to whack it across the face by his staff but that did nothing to dissuade it. Then came an even worse aura emanating from the beast, frothing black acid from its mouth. Not the kind poisonous to the flesh but one that could poison the very soul. Pure concentrated darkness as Fayne desperately tried to back off.

Suddenly, a flash of brown and purple pushed him to one side rolling before taking the full effect of evil upon him. James gasped as a foul blackness infected his soul, an all-too-familiar pain coursing through his very veins like black ice from the depths of hell. However, this was a pain of course that he knew quite intimately, and as such did not hurt him quite as much as others would suffer horribly. The vile concentration simply oozed back out of him, permeating his flesh briefly as he summoned a deep will and focused on himself. Even if it wasn't from his own darkness, the foul essence of the spirit had not infected him, shedding from his skin as the raptor chuckled breathlessly, grinning cockily before saying: "Heh, is that all you got?" " What?!" cried out the spirit. "You call that dark magic, more like dark piece of shit!" " What mortal can resist such evil?!" "The mortal who's gonna rip your FUCKING ASS!" The raptor wasted no time in firing up his blades and running full-force towards the shadowy presence, suddenly finding itself on the ropes before the might of burning hot scissortips that charred greatly across its form. Sweeping through darkened auras like a hot knife through butter, the phantom shrieked and howled as James cut him up thrice. Left, right, upwards swing before plunging straight into the monster's eye. By the time he had slain the beast truly, the last of its attempted darkness had left James' body as one final scream slowly permeated the air itself. The room shook with utmost pain and agony, crying back to the nether-realm from whence it came as a light slowly began to encompass it. Black mist dripped like blood coldly from its skull-shaped teeth before the wraith finally disappeared, a figment of its outline left before silence thus came. The Gazer's presence had left this house, and with it went the dark thunderstorms from outside as peace came back to the manor. Except for one sound, thudding straight before FG. An ornate book, carved of old bound leather with a spine formed of some creature's actual flesh, gruesome but elegant. "Iiiii think we're done here," said FG quite creeped out. "Are we?" said the moogle. "Has the spirit left truly, kupo?" "Yes," murmured Fayne, "the...wraith haszh-...hhhh...left this manor." "Then we are done, James, carry that book if you please." "What," said James, "b-but it's made of flesh! I mean I'm all cool about having to cut down a bitch or two but when you start making shit out of dead bodies that's just not cool!" "I'll take it," added Baldwin, "I touched creepier sszhstuff than thisszh." "Like what?!" "My brother'sszh underwear, hehehe." "B-BALDWIN!" cried Fayne. "I'm jusszht kidding brother! I thought you wield a sszhtaff, not have it sszhoved sszhtraight up your arsszhe."

James sniggered at this as Navarro and Fayne simply rolled eyes walking back to the main hall. Dahlia said nothing simply checking to see if the moogle was alright, but she was hardly worse for wear after curing. The bishop however walked along with FG after seeing his brother pick up the book, asking: "James...how...were you able to resisszht-ugh...that Darkra?" "Huh?" "That foul magic it nearly touched me with, you were not affected, not even barely. How were you able to?" "Hey, it's what I do," said FG shrugging casually, "we all got our strengths and weaknesses and I just happen to have a good resistance to it." "Ah...well, thank you for protecting me." "No problem man." The two nodded with a handshake as scaly claws met, the clan soon leaving the mansion to its uncursed self and back to its rightful owner. The old woman at the market, a white-haired human with wrinkled features always in a hat and robe of blackish-blue, gladly accepted the book back as well as the key to her home. She still sat at her stall offering her soup, smiling sweetly up at the clan amidst the churning hustle of crowds behind them on the main street, before replying: "Thank you kindly good sirs and madames." "We were glad to assist kupo," said the moogle. "You've helped me save quite a bit of money from calling in some serious exorcists, and all for a measly one lone spirit, wretched harbinger." "What did he want with that book?" asked Fayne. "Ohhhh this tome is very special," said the witch patting it, "it contains many secrets on birth and death, charting the course of history, a tale as old as time and what ripples may cease from those without." "What do you mean?" asked Dahlia. "Ohhh nothing to worry your pretty little head about, here is my payment." The old lady offered them a thick sack of coins that seemed bigger than the last time James had seen one, which he supposed was a good thing judging from the way Navarro took it gladly. "Thank you, kupo." "No thank YOU my dear! Would you care for some pumpkin soup to warm you up after your most daring task?" "Sure!" said FG. "I loved that stuff, tasted real good." "By all means, have as much as you like!" Gladly offering a cup for each, the clan slowly drank up the soup rejuvenating their body and soul with some strange herbal supplements mixed into the brew. James felt as if his mind had been fully recharged, a sensation he had not felt since eating Jammin' Jelly back when he was with Koopin. The magic-aligned members of their party certainly appreciated it, Fayne particularly who sighed with heavy bliss. With payment received and a job well done, the team headed off through the market with Navarro saying: "I believe we can call our first mission a rousing success, kupo." "Hell yeah," said FG, "you guys did great!" "Thank you!" said Dahlia joyfully. "I'm very glad we could all complete it safely, but that awful thing-" "Hey you and Fayne kept us safe so that's what mattered. So, miss Navarro, you think this team's ready to head back home?" "I agree," said the moogle, "let us show you your new headquarters. Then we can start planning out more things for the future." "Eeeexszhellent!" said Baldwin with his cup of soup raised. "I can't wait to sszhee what sszhort of thingsszh we can get up to! Did I tell you about the time I punched a hyena SSZHO HARD, that hisszh-" "No, you have not." "WELL, thisszh one time, there wasszh thisszh biiig hyena, and-" "May I suggest you find a mirror, kupo?" "Why?" "So you can talk to the only one who cares." "...wow. Harsszh." "Pfffft-ha ha ha HA!" cried Fayne slapping his knee. "FINALLY the one female who can render you...speechless!" "Leasszht I don't have to pausszhe every five sszhecondszh when I sszhpeak!" "Believe me, you would benefit from it Baldwin...along with everyone around you."