Sanctuary

Cosmos & Cloud

The large open field of Cosmos' Sanctuary stretched for miles as far as the eye could see, there was no end to the Goddess' realm in sight. However, despite it's size, there was always a constant cycle of death and rebirth here. Battles waged for untold eons, by countless warriors, many whom have forgotten what 'home' was. This was how it was here, Chaos and Cosmos fighting this eternal battle, neither one closer to defeating the other. Each summon to the heroes beyond drew more and more of them, yet still no end to this war. In the center of the field was an altar, and upon it was a woman of distinguished elegance. With her, a man with a rather large sword strapped to his back, stood as the two conversed. The man's name was Cloud Strife, a veteran of this war, he had seen countless battles all in search of something...or someone. "Cosmos, we've done this too many times to keep track anymore. This cycle needs to stop, this war needs to end." Cloud said, folding his arms. The woman sighed and shook her head, "Were it so easy, Cloud, it would be done. But you know as well as I, that Chaos gathers more followers to his aid, and thus I must do the same to stave him off. You know what will happen if he wins." she replied, looking up at him. "Yeah, we die for good, and we'll never get to go home. But there has to be a better way. Fighting can't be the answer, it's gotten us nowhere." he told her, turning his head. "Cloud, you are a great warrior, and I can see this war is disturbing you. That's why I want you to go on a special mission, I want you to go to Luca and gather as many warriors as you can. Lead them back here, and I will explain what I have in mind..." she trailed off, vanishing before he could protest.

Calm Lands

Anderus & ???

Strange creatures roam this place, a monument to a great battle with a beast known as Sin. Though Sin is long gone and Spira is safe, the danger from the creatures of the wilds are still ever so present. Especially at this very moment. Not far from you, a Wyvern is engaged in battle with a Behemoth, neither one paying attention to what is around them. It's clear that these beasts have no restraint, and will stop at nothing to kill one another. Fragments of Sin remain scattered around the Calm Lands, acting like landmarks of some sort. In the distance you can see a mountain, though you know not it's name. Similarly, in that very same direction, you can make out a narrow path that might possibly lead there. However, closer to you, and above the engaged creatures, is another exit. The terrain was formed in a sort of ramp, which would grant one access to the exit above. Regardless of your choice, you know you cannot stay close to the battle for much longer, one of the beasts will claim victory. Hidden among the shadows of an overhanging cliff, a pair of eyes stare out at the newcomer, observing and studying. The individual makes no movements, they just simply observe, then they disappear without a trace.

Lunar Subterrae

Lightning, Kain & Squall

The terrain in this place offered many places for enemy ambushes, though ever since you all arrived, there haven't been any signs of them. Not a single thing. "You think they ran off?" Squall asked his companions. The young man turned his head to look at both Lightning and Kain, rubbing his chin in thought. Squall was a veteran himself, though he preferred to be out on the frontlines where the action was, it kept him sharp. "No, that wouldn't be their style." he answered himself. Sighing, he moved to one of the raised pieces of terrain and leaned on it, "Guess there's not much else to do but wait. Cosmos said to come here first, then we'd get our orders when we were done. But done what? There's nothing here, it's just a waste of our time now to be here." he complained.

The Rift

Tyme & the other warriors of Chaos

A man with a pair of gunblades stood atop the castle, staring at the rifts before him, each one showing either a battle with Cosmos' warriors, or the warriors who were elsewhere. The Rift was a key foothold for Chaos' forces, it was where their warriors were deployed from to deal with Cosmos' warriors. Before it had been secured, it was the epicenter of the war, a strategic position for either side. For a long while, Cosmos held it, and Chaos was unable to set foot in it, let alone make any advancements. That was, until he came, Tyme. He was unlike the others, there was no fear, no remorse. No mercy. He threw himself into every battle, no matter the odds, unlike the other warriors. This proved to be Tyme's greatest strength, for it was he alone who single-handedly drove out Cosmos from The Rift. His name is known to the warriors that have survived, it strikes fear into their hearts. "Ren, Kefka, you two are coming with me on a special mission. Grab your gear and meet me on The Leviathan." he said, turning from the rifts. Kefka stared after him, "A please would be nice, Mr. Show-off!" he called. In an instant the blade of a gunblade was pressed to the clown's throat, "It isn't nice to mock your superiors, Clown-Man. You might wind up dead." Tyme replied, his tone cold and serious. Folding the gunblade, he looked at the rest of them, "Help Cid Von Hellsing load the Scorpions and the 'special project' into the cargo bay of The Unknown, then board the airship and observe the warriors as they fight. Learn what you can, for you will be fighting them at some point." he told them before heading off.

The rift felt very odd to Ren; so many views of times and places, so many scenes of people and their lives. It both intrigued and disgusted her. She carefully readjusted her weapons, clicking her tongue at Kefka and his interaction with Tyme. He was really going to die early if this was always his demeanor. Simply nodding in assent, she moved over towards the Leviathan. She kept glancing down to the rifts however, eyes drawn to all the combatants and their struggles. It felt so brutally agonizing that they all seemed to be so very purely human with Cosmos. Like others weren't good enough. Boarding now, she called out to Tyme.

"You say special mission, I hear big problems. You sure we've got what we need?" She did trust his judgement, yes. But anyone can make a rash mistake, and diving headlong into combat was a quick way to spark such things. Airships and Scorpions would only do so much if those damned goody-two-shoes had an airship, or more, of their own. Ears twitching lightly, she listened closely for any kind of interjections from Kefka, expecting it now from the times she had the misfortune of interacting with him. He bothered her just as much, if not more so, than the Cosmos warriors; though his sheer volume of spells and power was enough to leave her respectful of his skill and deviousness. For now.

Anderus' head tilted slowly, watching the two gargantuan creatures duking it out with a small smile, the reminder of the beasts of his home almost comforting as he watched the brutal dance they performed. Reluctantly, he dragged his eyes away from the battle and tightened the combat gloves that rested upon his forearms feeling the leather and steel bite his powerful form bringing him into focus.

Eager to explore, his eyes fell upon the far trail leading towards the mountains, they weren't the Yaschas, and as such, held little desire to venture towards them. Turning slowly, he noted the small ramp leading away from the clash that was clearly drawing to a close with the Behemoth gaining the upper hand, he knew full well that even with his ability to hinder the beast, a fight against that creature alone would be a struggle on his own. As the monster stood on it's hind legs and swatted the Wyvern out of the sky, he was already cresting the ramp, completely oblivious to the observer that viewed him.

With one last look behind at the scene, he stepped past a small outcrop of rock and came across what could only be described as a vast desert that stretched away into the distance and ending with a luscious forest on the other side "Where the hell am I?" he mused aloud before heading out across the Dalmascan Westersands(XII) his eyes locked firmly on the forest ahead as he broke into a swift run.

Some time later

Having passed through the Dead Forest(IX), with it's petrified trees and monsters, he looked back, still seeing the expansive spire of the mysterious mountain, his brow knitting for a moment before a crashing within the trees he'd left caused him to look down once more, a hulking shadow nearing him, shaking his head, he turned and ran once more, his breath coming hard as he ventured forth in the direction of the city he knew he must reach.

Breeze sat atop a create in the store room of The Leviathan munching on an apple and getting lost in thought, thinking back to how he'd ended up in his current situation. He wasn't quite sure how he ended up a part of this war, he wasn't quite sure how he had ended up on the side of Chaos either. It was probably the rumours he'd heard, the wealth mostly, the freedom sounded nice as well and then there was the fact that he wouldn't be stuck hanging around a bunch of goodie two shoes but that meant a lot hanging around fairly terrifying creatures like that clown guy. With a slight shudder he finished off his apple and headed up onto the main deck before tossing the fruit over the edge, he spotted the group boarding and wondered what was happening. Despite being competent he wasn't really in the loop, for the most part he just did recon and scavenging missions, finding whatever he needed and pinching things from the Cosmos and generally avoiding fights if he could.

Giving a mock salute to the others as they boarded the airship, Breeze called out. "Ahoy there! Where're we heading out to?" He leant against the railings of the ship and cocked his head to the side. "Something big going down?" Fixing his bandana slightly he grinned and stretched his arms upwards. "Gonna' be nice to get out of the rift." Chatting and putting on a smile was the best way Breeze found to deal with the others, putting on a front of slight naivety meant most of the time they didn't ask too much of him not did they try to make long and dull conversation, it was he who would try to speak first.

"Oooh, my head." The groan filled the air as an old man stirred awake. He was clad in tan pants and a long green cloak, white hair ruffled, and a sword resting on his back. The King of Bal rose from where he was laying, looking around to see himself in a forest clearing, but not a place specifically recognizable as the Forest of Moore. At least he had his weapons, and apparently the jobs given to him by the various Crystals, so things could be worse.

At last on his feet, he looked around with some consternation. "Bartz? Lenna? Faris? Krile? Stop playing your jokes and come on out. It's not nice to mess with an old man you know," he called ignoring the complete hypocrisy in that statement as he walked around a bit. And yet, despite his calling, no one presented themselves.

Then a thought occurred to him, sparking increased confusion. "Wait, shouldn't I be dead," he asked aloud. He distinctly recalled dying, despite the efforts of everyone else, and looking forward to rest at last. But this couldn't be heaven, right? He had expected there would be more people. And beer. And hot women. Well, at least his wife, but any attractive lady would do in a pinch. He'd been looking forward to seeing his comrades as well. But it seemed that that would not be the case.

Eyes widened as it all came back in the full, how he'd been ready to ascend to the Spirit world when he'd encountered that lady, the one who called herself Cosmos. She had told him that there was a war raging in the heavens between good and evil, the forces of Cosmos versus Chaos. And naturally, given what he'd just been through, he signed right up. He hadn't expected he'd be dumped by his lonesome in the middle of a forest, but what could you do?

"Alright then, well, just gotta find where all the people in this place are." That said, Galuf chose a random direction and began moving that way, taking advantage of the 'Run' power he was given from the Thief Class to speed his passage through the forest. Let it not be said that Galuf was lazy, especially with the stakes such as they were.

---

Some time later

Having avoided all contact, or just plain not been found, Galuf soon emerged from the forest to find himself at the edge of a city, a port, if the salty air was any indication. It certainly seemed like a busy place, and brought back memories of Walse, as well as his own world, before the Wind had died and water commerce fallen dead.

Still, it was a city, and that was good for something since it meant people, so he strolled in to see what he could find. Even if he didn't get any sort of indication from Cosmos what he was supposed to do or if he was even supposed to be here, he could still enjoy himself. Maybe he could find a piano.....

The battles shown in the rifts reminded Angel of the battles as a mercenary. Countless attacks on other mercenary groups which he had lead with great success, not due to his leadership, but due to his own fighting ability. He never trusted spells as they are a weapon of those who cannot wield a sword. The memories of battle got his blood pumping and he was eager to join in on the fight. Angel turned away from the rift and started packing 'the special project'. He was new in the forces of Chaos, he didn't know how things worked around here, but it seemed more or less to be like with the mercenaries. Angelis didn't trust Tyme as his leader, at least not yet. He had heard the tales of Tyme's battles over the few days he has been with Chaos. But it takes more than legends and tales to earn his trust. He glanced at Tyme when he heard the gunblade go to Kefka's throat. It showed strong leadership which Angelis approved of. He continued with his work, eager to join the battle as soon as possible.

Kain rolled his shoulders to loosen up his muscles. He hated waiting. It felt like a waste of time. This was not his first run in with Lightning either. She was very brash and brazen. Much like he had used to be, and he hated it. He tried counseling her with advice but it had hardly worked. All he had gotten in return were eye rolls. Squall passed the downtime by doing something much more annoying than stretches, talking. "Well, if they did not run off, I am sure you have given them our position. Discretion Squall, let us try to keep it down.

Kain set his jaw firmly waiting for a response from Lightning, he knew it was coming. He quietly chuckled to himself. Though he acted like he disdained the arguments, after being in countless battles with these two they were the closest thing to family he had left. "Cosmos will guide us down the right path, Squall fear not, and do like Lightning here and keep to yourself." He clasped a hand on the soldier, and put his dragoon helmet back on. "I am going to do some scouting anything else you guys need to say to me before I go?"

Lightning scowled at her companions. What luck to be stuck with a complainer and a useless moron. Quite the trio they made. Still, they are the only ones who have had her back through this war. Gently she tapped the hilt of her gunblade. Squall had a point, she was also uncomfortable with this silence. Had it been up to her, they would have moved on, but Cosmos wanted them here.

"Quit complaining. It won't get any of us out of here any faster." Lightning said to Squall without looking at him. She stopped tapping her weapon and stretched. This waiting around was starting to get to her. She was starting to feel less like lightning and more like a snail. Here's hoping whatever Cosmos wanted them to do comes up quick. The stillness was stifling.

Hearing Kain speak, saying something about giving away their position and keeping to herself, Lightning turned her head toward him and narrowed her eyes.
"As if you haven't done the same." Her voice was cold as ice, you could almost feel the frost on her breath as she spoke. She sighed and turned her back to Kain, folding her arms. "Try not to lead anyone or anything back to camp. We dont need any surprises."