Traveler

The maintained streets of Ul’dah were well lit from the amount of gas lamps that decorated the streets. Warm lights from within the buildings and entries, the four rushed over to the bar known only as The Quicksand. Arenvald tested the door, and with luck he found that it was still open. He sighed in relief as he held it open for the Auri ladies to walk in first. 

“Thank you.” Roll stated, entering the establishment. The place had been littered with tons of tables and chairs, and along the back of the establishment had been heavy oak counters with plenty of bar stools to sit upon. In the far left side, with the lantern still burning bright, a Lalafell with maroon colored hair in two even buns on top of her head had been working over a ledger. 

Arenvald leaned his arm across the counter, smiling to her. “Good evening Miss Momodi, hope I’m not too late.” 

The one called Momodi lifted her head up to see the other three Auri approach on each of Arenvald’s sides. She smiled. “I was told you would be coming earlier today, but look how late it is. I gave Thancred a heart attack when I asked him where you were hours ago.” 

“Oops.” 

Momodi sighed, propping her head on her hand. “He tried calling you on your linkpearl but it wouldn’t go through. If he finds you here now with three beautiful ladies, well, he might kick your ass.” 

Kida asked. “He’s not here now, is he?” 

Roll crossed her arms. “What time did he try to call?” 

Momodi turned to them with a smile. “It must have been sometime around one or two.”

Roll snapped her fingers as if the thought just occurred to her. “Oh. Yeah we were in Deepcroft. The interference of the cultists’ summoning rite probably messed with the linkpearls connectivity.”

Kida leaned up onto the bar. “And besides, it’s not like Arenvald did anything wrong. If anything he was helping out his fellow scions who called for help.”

Momodi turned to Azlyn. “And yet I don’t recognize her. Who are you?” 

Azlyn smiled, “I’m Azlyn. It’s nice to meet you.” She bowed to her courteously. 

The proprietress exclaimed with joy, “Wait the Azlyn! Baderon told me all about you! He said you were the shining example of how an adventurer is supposed to be. He said that you were Limsa’s finest Bloody Princess he’d ever seen!”

Azlyn froze in her bow, not wanting to pull herself back up from it. Roll and Kida looked to their party member with great interest. “Princess?” They both said together. 

Arenvald pointed to her, before his excitement took over. “That’s why I thought you looked so familiar—not because you’re related but because you’re that rumored princess! They say you slain plains of Aurochs and danced in their blood!” 

Azlyn finally rose up from her bow. Her face was beet red in embarrassment. “N-no, it’s really not me. I promise.” 

Kida nudged Roll in the arm. “Hey, we should test this theory. See if her eyes do glow red when she’s doused in blood.” 

Roll chuckled. “Heh.” 

“I wish I had that much bloodlust—man to see enemies shake in fear on sight. That must be the life.” Arenvald cheered her on, which gave her the opposite effect. 

She turned away, wondering how the Twelve did the title get this out of hand. And she could only think of one man. “Geez—Baderon quit telling people.” 

Momodi chuckled at her. “I’ll go ahead an’ give the petitioner a call. While I’m doing that, Arenvald you should give him a call. I do believe he’s searching all of Thanalan for you.” 

Arenvald sighed, “I didn’t mean to worry him. Wait here friends, I’ll report in and be back soon.” He waved at the girls, and then made his way outside of the bar. 

Azlyn pulled up a bar stool to sit. Roll pulled up a chair next to her, starting on a small crafting project translating old scripts into readable ones. The most recent ones happened to come from Tam-Tara Deepcroft itself. Kida paced, not really sure what else to do save for drumming her fingers on her arm. She seemed to remember some of the dance sets from earlier as she walked the steps. 

A short time later, a male Lalafell approached them. He pulled himself up on the stool next to Roll as he tapped on the bar. “Gods almighty! Another second of waiting, and I would have been set afire. A tankard of ale, if you would be so kind!” He had blonde spiked hair, styled back, his bright blue eyes shone beneath his circular glasses. Dark skin from long days out in the sun. His outfit was that of a merchant. A red button up collar shirt with a black merchant’s vest. His pants were wrapped in several sets of belts. Some would say he was a fashionable Lalafell.

Momodi prepared him a tankard and placed it in front of him. “Excellent timin’, Papashan. It just so happens the adventurers who’ll be handlin’ your petition is here.” Momodi gestured to the three of them. 

Papashan turned to see Roll beside him. She was halfway through translating the old writs on her page. “So these winsome lasses are the much-lauded adventurers! Marvelous, marvelous!”

Papashan jumped off his seat to address of all of them formally. Giving a bow, he reintroduced himself to their crew. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, miladies, I am Papashan, formerly of the Sultansworn. I thank you for your agreeing to lend us your aid.”

Kida crossed her arms, looking down to Papashan. “What is it that we’ll be doing exactly?”

Papashan clarified her question with an answer. He smiled to her, “Yes, of course. The petition was submitted by an acquaintance of mine at Amajina & Sons Mineral Concern. It relates to an unfortunate development at Copperbell Mines.”

Roll looked over her shoulder to him. “Hrmm… Crystals stolen?”

Papashan shook his head. “No, no…to be plain, giants have seized control of the place.”

All three Auri leaned back at this statement.

Azlyn said, “Giants? Like Giants?”

Papashan nodded. He stroked the front of his perfectly combed mustache. “Yes, these giants are of the clan known as the hecantoncheries—fearsome creatures who were sealed within the deepest depths of the mines during the bygone Thorne Dynasty. Alas, it seems they have managed to break through the layer of rock which served to imprison them, and now prowl the tunnels where the miners ply their trade. The creatures are justifiably angry about their treatment at the hands of our ancestors. And their presence has forced the suspension of all mining activities on the site.”

Kida clicked her tongue. When Azlyn looked over to her friend, she could see she was displeased to hear their troubles. “Mining suspended? Now, we can’t have that.” Kida replied.

Momodi popped in their conversation using the same factoid Papashan had given them. “It’s no wonder they’re angry. Didn’t the Thorne Dynasty come to an end over three hundred years ago?”

Azlyn crossed her arms, remembering her history lessons in Sharlayan. “Didn’t they use these giants as workers?”

Roll smirked. “I think you mean to say as slaves?”

Papashan looked between them. “You know your history well. The people of that age used the hecantoncheries to work their mines. By way of enchanted helms, they were able to bind the ferocious creatures to their will. But as is oft the way in such tales, these enchantments eventually failed, and the slaves rose up against the masters.”

Azlyn pondered. “Didn’t the masters respond with blowing up their mines to stop the revolt?”

Papashan nodded. “Oh, yes—in a desperate bid to contain the unbridled fury of the hecantoncheries, our ancestors induced the collapse of the mines’ lowermost levels. So it was that the Great Giant Revolt was ended—buried beneath a hundred thousand tonzes of rock.”

Roll started to roll up her scroll that she finished translating. As she was putting her stuff away, she added sullenly. “And now 300 years later we have to deal with the problem they left for us. Typical.”

Kida punched her hand into her open palm. “It just means we can fight giants! And I for one want to make sure my mining buddies don’t get laid off from this mess of a shiteshow.”

Momodi tapped her chin in thought, as if she remembered something herself. “Hrmm, well now that got me thinkin’ I seem to recall there bein’ an article about Copperbell in the Mythril Eye a fortnight ago. It said the mines were bein’ reopened so as to meet the risin’ demand for buildin’ materials. Like as not, our boys dug a bit too deep and freed the giants.”

Roll looked to the proprietress. “How far underground did they go? Will a canary bird still live at that depth?”

Kida bit her lip. “Yeah, how is it that the giants are alive after being sealed for three hundred years with hardly a gasp of air? Like—that’s not possible, right?”

Azlyn pursed her own lips, thinking the same. “Three hundred years. Can you imagine living that long?”

Momodi nodded as if it was a matter of fact. “Gods—to think the poor creatures are still alive an’ kickin’ after three centuries. That’s a long time to nurse a grudge. They must be seethin’.”

Papashan who had been quiet through their conversation jumped in. His tone had a bit of worry as he proclaimed. “Indeed. And that makes them a danger to us all. There will be no mining at Copperbell so long as they remain. For the sake of both peace and prosperity, they must subdued. This is the task which we would have you three undertake.” He sighed seeing he had their full attention. “I’ll not deny that the mission will be ride with danger but our need is great. And so I beg you: put an end to this sorry business.”

Azlyn nodded at last. “I suppose we have no choice.”

Roll sighed once more. “Another clean up job. I wonder what our next assignment will be.”

Kida perked to Roll’s unenthused reaction, “Another clean up job!”

This earned from the girl a valid smirk. “Seems to be an ongoing theme.”

Papashan bowed to them once more. “Gods bless you all! I feared you might have reservations, but I assure you it is for the best.”

Momodi said to them with an informative tone. “In case you don’t know, Copperbell Mines are in western Thanalan. Do take care, you hear?”

Papashan pointed out one last thing to them. “Ah, and one last thing before you depart—an employee of Amajina & Sons is presently at the Quicksand. The fellow’s name is Painted Mesa, and he knows Copperbell Mines well. It may behoove you to seek his counsel. Look, he’s standing over there by the pillar.” The Lalafell pointed him out to them. “I bid you all a good night and good luck. Thank you.”

Roll gathered her things, as Kida went immediately over to the man in question. It was just like Papashan had stated, as the tall tanned male with a miner’s uniform leaned against the pillar. He seemed lost between boredom and a yawn—at least until Kida popped into view. Azlyn followed her shortly afterward to catch their initial start.

“So you’re the adventurers who’s volunteered to deal with the mess down in Copperbell, are you?”

Roll appeared by Azlyn’s side, her satchel was ready for travel. “Voluntold.”

Kida smirked, as she went to point up to the man now. Her eyes were alit with excitement. “Yup Painted Mesa, and you’re the guy who knows the ins and outs. Lay it on us good sir.”

Painted Mesa unfolded his arms as he regarded the Auri closely. He snorted, “You’ve got guts missy, I just hope you’ve got skills to go with ‘em. ‘cause things ain’t pretty down there. The hecantoncheries’ve left the place in a right state, and nary a week after minin’ resumed.”

Azlyn said curiously, “Why do we need to reopen the mines if they’re this dangerous to begin with? Can we not find another place for minerals and materials?”

Painted Mesa looked to her, “I don’t know if you know this, but Copperbell was old when the second Ul Dynasty was still young, and it was abandoned centuries ago. If it hadn’t been for the shortage of materials needed for the rebuilin’ effort, the Concern would never have thought to reopen it. We knew full well about the giants beforehand, but the project went ahead anyway. I mean, nothin’ could possibly survive bein’ buried under a mountain’s worth of rock for three centuries, right?”

Roll pointed out dully. “And yet look where we are.”

Painted Mesa gave a dry chortle. “Hah—Our miners dug up more than they bargained for. One swing of the pickaxe too many, and they found ‘emselves in the company of giants. Unless we can subdue ‘em, the nation’s glorious recovery’ll grind to a halt for a want of aught to build with.”

Kida shook her head. “Sounds like they were greedy—but who am I to judge. Alright, tell us where we need to go and who to talk to.”

Painted Mesa smirked. “The Stone Torches’re keepin’ watch over the entrance in case the giants fancy some sunlight and fresh air. One of ‘em will be able to show you the way in. The hope of the nations restin’ on you friends, best of luck!” He patted Kida’s shoulder in front of him, before deciding to call it a night. He left from the Quicksand before they could back out. Not like they were planning to, but it did cross one of their minds.

Roll looked around the Quicksand for their fourth party member. “No sign of Arenvald?”

Azlyn took the chance to look as well, only she found empty tables and chairs. “He might be outside still. Let’s go tell him what we know.”

Kida smiled, “Alright let’s have a slumber party with Giants. I have to bring cake.”

Azlyn smirked. “Why cake?”

“Cause cake tastes great, that’s why.” Kida responded cheerfully and directed them to the entrance. They waved over to Momodi who gave them a smile and wave in return.

When they exited the establishment, they found Arenvald standing below the staircase, in the middle of the street talking with another individual sporting short white hair. He looked to be a Midlander Hyur, given his stocky build. His black and white themed outfit matched the two knives resting in their holsters on his belt.

He turned to the three of them. “I should have known.” The man gave a long-tired sigh. “Kida—how am I not surprised to see you’re the one behind Arenvald’s disappearance.”

Roll raised her hand at the accusation. “That was me.”

The man looked to her now before another sigh passed his lips. He placed a hand on his hip turning to them. “Alright, so now you’re here to help Arenvald with this assignment? I suppose that’s fine ladies—hrm? Who’s that behind you Roll?”

Azlyn tensed behind her cousin, she was hoping to not be sighted by him. Roll merely looked over her shoulder. “My cousin from Sharlayan.” Azlyn winced, why did she say that. She would have pinched her if she knew she was going to say that.

He raised his eye, suddenly very interested. “Oh? Is that so?”

Kida perked, “Oh hey Thancred! Guess what, she’s also a—”

Azlyn moved quickly, placing her hands over her mouth to prevent her from saying anything more. She froze under his watchful gaze as Kida tried to murmur about her being blessed. Hoping to circumvent that she yelled over her. “A good person! Yep, that’s me. Anyroad, hey we have some mines we need to get rid of giants in. Let’s be on the way!” She immediately dragged Kida as Roll shrugged her shoulders. Azlyn could hear her cousin tell him.

“We’re in a bit of a rush. See you later Thancred.”

The one known as Thancred nodded incredulously. “Right.” He drew the word out as he watched the two others leave. “Be safe out there ladies. Arenvald, make sure to escort them properly.”

Arenvald smiled. “It is them who have escorted me properly. I’ll be heading out now. Sorry for not informing you of my locations prior.” He waved to him and ran to catch up to Roll’s retreating form.

Kida had finally escaped from Azlyn’s clutches to ask her what her deal was. Azlyn didn’t answer, as she could still feel his stare on her. When they were outside of Ul’dah Azlyn visibly relaxed. She looked to her group with an apologetic smile. “Sorry—I’d prefer to keep my circumstances to myself.”

Kida crossed her arms, “But why? You have an awesome power! And Thanny doesn’t care—he’s a part of that group!”

Roll merely called for Markarov with her whistle. Her bird khewed in delight, as it was unable to enter the city-state previously. Roll walked over, petting her mount with affection. “Good waiting Markarov.” Then she hopped up onto the saddle. She looked down at them. “Look, I don’t care one way or another, but we are on a bit of a time crunch.” She looked to the darkened sky filled with stars and the remaining moon. “Copperbell Mines are in western Thanalan, let’s move quickly.”

Arenvald brought out the mount whistle he had borrowed from Roll. The unicorn majestically appeared, as he hopped up with ease. He had been quietly watching the staring contest going on between Azlyn and Kida.

Azlyn ignored Kida, summoning her palanquin at last. “It’s not something that you’d understand Kida.” Kida plopped down in her palanquin crossing her arms. Azlyn widened her eyes as her mount slowed some with both sitting on it. “K-Kida, what are you doing?”

“I’m waiting for you to explain it to me, so that I can understand. We have all night.”

Azlyn directed her balloons to follow Roll and brought her legs up. She tucked her feet under one another as she looked to Kida in disbelief. “We’re really doing this right now.”

“You bet your ass we are.”

Roll slowed Markarov to a walking trot so that she was in talking distance. “Fine, let’s make tonight a long night. Might as well explain it Azlyn.”

Arenvald trotted his mount beside them. “Is it because you’re scared—wait, there’s also a sense of guilt?”

Azlyn looked to him with wide eyes. Feeling as if she’d been caught in a tight spot, she wriggled her fingers in the fabric of her legs. “Uh—well, you wouldn’t be wrong.” She scratched the side of her face. “I’m probably projecting a biased fear onto them, which isn’t fair I know but…”

Kida shook her head. “I’m going to need you to back up and explain from the beginning. What’s going on, and why are you scared? And guilt? For what?”

Roll quietly looked ahead. She was guiding their group down the path leading northwest. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t been in this area before, as she lived in Ul’dah most of her childhood.

Azlyn looked up to the sky, “My parents left to work with Archon Louisoix when I was sixteen. I was told it was unreasonable to ask a sixteen-year-old to fight a war in a place I never set foot in, so I was tucked away. Anticipating for the day they’d return—Three years went by—and then the Battle of Carteneau happened. They, like so many others, died—and all I could do was watch from afar in despair. To be honest, it’s the ‘What If’s’ that kill me the most when I think about it.” She crumpled the fabric in her lap, “What if I had been able to help? What if through my being there, more people could have been saved? What if my involvement using this gift could have prevented Dalamud from crashing into Eorzea? If I had used this power for good…? These questions gnaw at my mind.” Azlyn unclenched her hands from her lap and sighed. “Nothing good comes from these thoughts, so I numbly pushed away from wanting to become known. ‘Cause deep down, if they knew I had this gift and did nothing against the Calamity—I wonder if they’d blame me for not preventing it. Where were you when everything went to shit? I don’t think I could bear it.”

The group processed everything she had said, a quiet void filling the space between them save for the mounts’ hooves and chocobo feet scratching along the dirt path. Kida was quiet, a solemn look on her face. Roll looked ahead, it seemed as if she had a general idea of what her cousin was talking about.

Arenvald had a frown. “That’s a heavy responsibility to bear.”  He finally broke the silence between them. “To be honest, I can understand a bit. I always wondered what good an Ala Mhigan half-breed cast out by his own mother could do to help. As you all have had, I too had a dream unlike any other. I was myself, but then I became something—more. When I spoke of it to others, they referred me to the Scions. They say that those of us who have seen the dream are chosen, that we have within us the seed of greatness. That we could be heroes. Yet, here I am, a half-breed who once took to banditry just to eat. Aye, I don’t know if I am brimming with heroic potential—but the feeling I get from you, Kida, and Roll—and many of the others in Vesper Bay will be what the future needs. A beacon of hope when all else is lost. It may feel like it’s at its worst—and coming from someone who had a troubled history can attest no one would fault you for not fighting. I don’t fault you at the very least. You were what—my age at the time? I’d feel awful having someone my age in a bloodied, and ravaged battle.” It was then that Arenvald smiled sadly to her.

Roll turned to Azlyn. She gave her a knowing look. “As I’ve written to you before. You’re not responsible for what happened.” 

Kida slapped both of her cheeks to break herself from her own thoughts. She shouted out at the top of her lungs, ignoring the strange looks she received from everyone in their party. Even Roll had given her a panicked look, which was odd coming for their quietest member.

“We all have pasts and histories that we don’t like to bring up, but Azlyn you have to understand—even if you were at the battle—I don’t think there was anything you could have done! Look, I’ve talked with several of the people who had similar dreams as us—and like Arenvald, they were recommended to the Scions. And guess what, some of them were at the battle. However, they don’t remember what happened! It’s as if their memories of the whole thing had been wiped cleaned, transported out from the fray when Dalamud took a crap on Carteneau. I guess what I’m trying to say is: You can’t live on the What If’s. You can’t! The world will just keep moving!” Kida gave an exasperated release of air from her burning chest. She hadn’t anticipated in having a long speech, but she wound up making one. She wheezed.

Arenvald chuckled, “You were quite spirited Kida, what happened to that energy?”

Kida coughed to catch her breath. “Sometimes you kids take the wind out from my lungs.” She tapped on her chest. “And you Arenvald—I always wanted to say this but don’t let your past define you! You’re making great strides, and I love you for doing just that. Keep being a bomb ass gladiator and continue being an overall badass!”

The young midlander Hyur scratched behind his ear in an embarrassed fashion. “I’ll do my best to meet your expectations Kida.”

Kida turned to Azlyn then, as if the word ‘expectations’ set her off like a ticking time bomb. “Azlyn, you’re amazing and talented—but don’t let your fears of other’s expectations and perspectives dictate your life. This is the day you strive to help people—isn’t that what you wanted to do—to protect your friends and family?”

Azlyn nodded her head numbly, she always wondered if she should be doing more—but in that moment she thought maybe this was enough for now. “Y-yes. I wanted—well my parents wanted me to carve out my own path in life. So—”

Roll interrupted her cousin. “But what do you want to do?”

“What—do I want?” Azlyn slowly considered, confused.

Arenvald tacked on to Roll’s question with an answer of his own, “I enjoy working with the Scions now—and I definitely know my life is better because of it. Maybe it’s something to think about—something that you want to accomplish for yourself. Something that you’ve always wanted in life.”

Azlyn looked down at her lap once more, her hands cupping in one another. “Something I’ve always wanted in life.”

Kida reached out to pat her on her shoulder. “And no worries if the answer isn’t there—that’s what your friends and family are for! We’ll find the answer—together!” She smiled to her, a toothy grin from ear to ear. Azlyn rubbed her nose.

“Or it could be homework.” Roll replied, as they arrived at the fork in the road. “The mines are just up this path here.” She pointed up the path, as Markarov khewed, ruffling its feathers from the distance they ran.

“I’ll think about it later. Thanks for listening to me vent. And Arenvald—” The male looked to Azlyn. She gave him a smile. “You’re a good person—it takes courage to speak up about things that hurt us the most—and that is something that should be admired in a person. Thank you.”

His face flushed at her compliment, tapping his chest with his clenched fist. “You opened up, so I thought it was only fair. A half breed to another mixed breed. Thank you for being honest about your feelings.” He then flashed her a tooth-filled grin.

Kida reached over to pinch Azlyn’s cheek. “Look at you two being so formal and mushy.”

Azlyn groaned. She tried to swat her hand away. “Ugh—what are you my grandmother?”

Kida grinned widely. “Come ‘re youngin, give grammy a kiss.” She then tried to pull Azlyn into an embrace while the other tried to desperately pull away.

Roll pushed onward, as they started to see the beginnings of the mines and its entry. A few miners had tents pitched, some were wrapped in heavy bandages soiled with blood and dirt. Some others were off to the sides, looking heavily stressed. When the four of them entered the site, all the miners looked to them. Kida chuckled at Azlyn’s embarrassed reaction, before settling back down.

“—ho’s that? What are they doin’?” Some of the whispers were convoluted in the masses as Roll fed her bird with some greens. She then hopped off the saddle and instructed her bird to wait by the entrance. Arenvald followed her example, letting the mount disappear in a flow of aether as he walked up to her. Roll cracked her arm before looking up to him.

“Which person do we need to talk to?”

Kida hopped off Azlyn’s mount, as she let it disappear into aether. It was then that the girls approached Arenvald who pointed over to the mine entrance itself.

“We should probably speak with him.” Arenvald said. The group followed his lead, as they slowly made their way. The man they tried to approach lifted a hand to stop them.

“There’s been an incident inside Copperbell Mines. We are here to ensure that its effects are contained, but for your safety, I suggest you stay well away from here.” He gave the four of them a look over, and immediately deemed them as nothing more than late-night tourists. Probably from the matching outfits, as he tried to shoo them away.

Roll immediately stepped forward, “We were tasked by Papashan and Painted Mesa to deal with the hecantoncheries within the mines.”

He seemed surprised by this statement. “What? You’re the adventurers who’s volunteered to quell the hecantoncheries? I didn’t think that Papashan would be able to find someone so quickly—if it all.”

Kida blew the dirt from under her nail as she chuckled. “Well we’re what you have, are you Stone Torch?”

The man nodded to her question. “Aye, I am. I should warn you that the giants are content to wreak havoc inside the mines for now, but’s it’s only a matter of time before they think to come outside. The sooner you see to them, the better. Make sure you’re ready as best you can and enter at will. Good luck adventurers.”

Arenvald walked first, followed by Kida, Roll, and Azlyn. They headed inside the cavern beyond and found a lift that would take them down. Arenvald waited until all of them were on board before activating the lever. It descended slowly, the gears creaking and clanking as they continued downward. When the first lift’s door opened, they could see heavily implanted wood boards supporting the walls, as to prevent any cave ins. Down the halls, traveling into another area were multiple paths that led down darkened caverns—but they opted to stay in the well-lit areas.

They were surprised by the amount of lightning sprites that danced in the area, as if the sudden invasion of the giants gave them the freedom to traverse where they willed. There were also these fat, furry creatures that loved to blow things up with their dynamite. Other things were the colbyn’s that liked to chew on copper, and several blasting caps. Arenvald was busy handling them, and occasionally, they stumbled across some powder that had been dropped by the creatures.

Kida stored it safely in her pouch, as she was trained in explosive mining—or so she claimed. They continued until they found themselves down another elevator shaft and heading deeper into the mines.

“No signs of giants yet.” Arenvald said, tapping his boots on the path.

Azlyn had summoned her emerald carbuncle to help with the large creatures that would come. “Maybe further down?”

They peered into the deep chasm over the rail.

Kida whistled. “That’s a long fall—”

They walked down the path, only for the wall next to them to explode outward. Rocks pelted Arenvald’s shield as he went to guard up against the sudden implosion—only to find themselves looking up at a giant.

Roll from behind them started to cast several spells. “Should have known.”

Arenvald took control of the situation, while Azlyn and Kida took care of the little denizens that followed the hecantoncheries wielding a massive stone cleaver. Arenvald needed extra space to maneuver, as the large crusher came hurtling down at them. The giant carved a thick cut into the path, and also ruined the path’s rail as it roared in anger.

“Kill it—kill it!” Kida chanted, as she kept her distance. 

Arenvald yelled over the chaos. “How?” He ducked as the stone cleaver narrowly missed hitting him in the head.

Roll yelled, “Move it away from the wall!” She was focusing on her aero and stone spells to pelt it in the face. Arenvald did as she instructed, while Azlyn ducked and weaved in between the fight. She had been the closest to Arenvald when the wall exploded toward them, so she was doing her best not to gain the giant’s attention. Her carbuncle had caused it some damage to its feet, as it was slightly limping on one leg.

When Arenvald was in position, Roll commanded calmly. “Everyone—on the count of three use whatever you have at your arsenal to send it flying off!”

Kida smirked, notching an arrow and drawing the string back. “One.”

Azlyn ordered her carbuncle to buffer the giant under both of its legs with its wind swipes. Roll yelled out, “Two.”

Everyone altogether yelled three, as Arenvald charged forward using the front of his shield to bash the Giant’s side. The carbuncle at its feet blasted a ferocious wind burst into its knees, granting it a bit of lift. Kida’s arrow launched solidly into it’s left foot, making it lose it’s footing in the process. With all their efforts, they watched at the Giant roared and tumbled down into the dark chasm below. They stopped, breaths heavy as they waited for the inevitable thud. About fifteen seconds later did a resounding thump echo from up in the cavern.

“If it survived that—I’d be surprised.” Roll replied, wiping the sweat from her face.  “Let’s keep moving—this is only the first area.”

Arenvald stowed his sword, “I know I’m a fairly tall guy, but that creature was massive. It was at least a bodies length taller than me.” He shook his head. “We’re going to need a strategy on how to tackle them if we don’t have a chasm like this one nearby.”

Azlyn agreed with his assessment. “We’ll have to use our heads—and maybe get a bit creative. Kida’s pretty good at thinking off the top of her head.” The girl smiled.

Kida waved her hand at her. “Aw shucks, alright then we’ll see what happens the next time. No use worryin’ about it now. Let’s go!”

They followed the pathways, diminishing the monster population as they went. They worked through several bridge set ups, walking platform to platform. They finally reached the other side of the gorge with another scoopful of firesand. They walked into the first shaft, and found themselves at a dead end. The rail tracks for the trains had led straight into a caved in wall.

There was a left over blasting device that looked like it could blow the cave in given ammunition. Kida cracked her knuckles. “Guess it’s time for me to do my magic!” She gave a wicked smile, before setting up several piles of firesand together, and running the copper line from the blasting device to the wall.

“Fire in the hole!” She shouted with excitement, and detonated the device.

Initially nothing went off, and the four stood there with mixed emotions. That was, until the firesand started to sizzle and finally a loud crack resonated in the hall. The wall they tried to explode finally burst apart, as the energy from the blast caused an atmospheric change. They all felt the heat from the explosion, as their hair and clothes blew in the direction of where the heat went.

“That was awesome!” Kida yelled, and clapped her hands. “Let’s find more of that firesand!”

Azlyn followed Kida, as she sprinted inside. There was a large open trolley room with a set of levers near the rails. There happened to be one spriggan who was hopping around the room. It noticed them enter, and before Arenvald could silence it, the creature started to blow into a horn. The sound echoed, causing more spriggans and a few flame bombs to appear. They arose from the corners of the small caverns, from behind them below the chasm, and even from above from the floor above. The creatures were targeting whoever they spotted first, and luckily with quick actions from the whole group, they were able to handle the flood of enemies.

A thumping from up above, soon to be followed by a roar—they looked to see another giant jumping off the platform above to land with a heavy thud on the ground. Azlyn felt herself lose her footing, as the rebound of its landing caused massive shakes to occur. Roll stumbled backward, hitting the levers behind her. Kida’s arrow that had been notched had been shot off before she could get an eye on her target.

Arenvald charged at the giant, hoping to keep it at bay while his three teammates could reset.

Roll rubbed her back, as she looked to see what she activated. A bucket had been brought up filled with, as surprised as she was, dynamite. She inspected them before yelling to Kida. “I need you over here Kida!”

Kida ran over, while Azlyn focused her energy on supporting Arenvald. She cast a series of spells, from ruin to miasma to poison to energy drain; and continued in her cycle of spells. Like wash and repeat, it was all she could do to keep the creature from going full aggressor on their youngest member. She looked over her shoulder to see Kida had tied a piece of dynamite to her arrow.

The girl fired it with the dynamite lit with fire.

Azlyn widened her eyes in a myriad of shock and horror. She had to act fast because Arenvald was well within the creature’s melee. She dashed over to Arenvald and yanked him away with all her might. The giant had tried to swing at them with his bulky clenched fist. Arenvald had been lucky, just beyond its reach.

Kida’s arrow firmly landed in the flesh of its eye, before the fire ignited the dynamite. A pulse of energy erupted from the creature’s head, as its skull was blown sky high from its body. 

The creature without its head twerked, jerking in muscle twitches until it finally collapsed on the ground.

They all reconvened at the center of the room. Azlyn shook her head to Kida. “Arenvald could have been caught in the blast Kida.”

She looked apologetic. “Sorry, it was a knee-jerk reaction. But he’s alright.” She rapped her knuckles on his shield. “He’s made of sturdier stuff, ain’t that right Arenvald?”

He nodded. “I’m glad one of us would like to see me not get blown up. Alright, next room.” He poked Kida on top of her head for good measure, ensuring her that he would have been fine. It was merely a teasing poke as they continued further into the mine shaft. There was another elevator lift that went deeper into the mines. Roll had filled a separate bag full of the dynamite she had found and carried it with her as they went.

They came across another room, connected to two adjacent paths leading west and east. They cleared all the rooms of its creatures and found more firesand from the fire bombs that occupied the rooms. When they returned to the central room they found another set up like the room before. It had a blasting device with a location for the firesand to be place within. Kida danced her way up to do the setup, while Azlyn brought out her topaz carbuncle.

“If you don’t like the heat, get the hell out of the kitchen!” Kida yelled, activating the blasting device once the firesand was in place. There wasn’t a momentary pause like the first time—as the firesand instantly ignited sending the caved-in wall into tiny bits of debris and rock.

When they entered this section of the mine, it was a vast difference in set up. What had been carefully wooded walls, and smooth or metal walkways had altered into cavernous rugged paths, shifting and changing.  They found several pinches of firesand through the area, probably left over from when the miners detonated the area to prevent the giants from wreaking havoc up above.

The broken rail tracks led them into the next room, and what waited for them was quite a surprise.

Roll widened her almond shaped eyes. “What the hell is a green blob doing here?”

Arenvald readied his sword and shield, “I don’t know, but it’s about to get cut into pieces!” He charged, his vigor attitude had been brought upon by Kida’s endearing chants throughout their time down there in the mines. The three Auri watched as the sword just bounced off the blob.

“Uhhhh.” All three of them gaped. They watched as Arenvald attempted to hit it again, only for the green fluidity to bounce it right back to him.

“The hell?!” He yelled, the impacts he was making into what should have been its flesh had no effect.

Kida cheered him on, “Go go Arenvald!”

Azlyn crossed her arms. “Did your sword lose it’s sharpness?”

He yelled at them. “Okay ladies! Do something before it eats me!” The green blob surged to him, as it tried to meld him into its fluid green slime.

Roll walked over to a level in the middle of the room. She pushed it down and saw a blasting cap appeared from a pile of coal. “Oh???”

Kida ran over, her eyes alit with passion. “Can we blow more things up!”

Azlyn sighed. “Hey Arenvald, they’re going to blow it up!”

With adequate warning, he moved out of the way as Kida drew the blasting cap over to the slime. When it wouldn’t implode, she ran back to Roll wiggling her fingers at her expectantly. “Give me the dynamite Roll. I must explode the bomb.”

Roll heavily sighed, wishing to save some of the dynamite for the giants. “Fine.” She handed over her bag of procured bombs.

Kida jumped for joy, tying it off to one of her arrows, and lighting the end. “Fly high and true baby dynamite!” She cheered, releasing the arrow and they all watched as a spark of red fire exploded all over the green slime. It jerked and wriggled, and separated into two larger slimes—but a bit smaller than before.

Arenvald started tapping on his shield with his sword. “Alright! Now we’re talking! More explosives!” He shouted, gathering the slimes together and waited for the blasting caps to arrive. Azlyn had been busy keeping the Spriggans at bay, her and her carbuncle knocking them off the edge of the cliff when they started to come up the chasm. The explosions they were bringing about were bringing in quite a few more monsters.

After all of Roll’s dynamite was used, they found themselves a large puddle of green slime, fizzling and writhing into nothingness. Kida ran over to Arenvald, slapping his expecting hand with a high five. Roll disappointingly waved her satchel downward to find that no dynamite was left.

“I’m sad.” She replied sullenly, and went to stuff the empty bag in her gear.

Kida exuberantly squeezed at her own cheeks to cheer her up. “Look at me, I’m a fish!”

Roll shook her head. “Heh.”

Azlyn motioned for them to the doorway leading deeper into the chasm. “Hey, it looks like it continues over here?”

The remainder of the party went over to her and looked inside. Its dimly lit paths were overgrown with fluorescent moss and overgrown weeds. The air was musty, but still breathable. They walked carefully, avoiding any areas that looked ripe of danger. They handled most of the monsters and fauna with ease, before coming into a large central room. Its tall cavernous walls towered up and over, indicating they were either really far below Thanalan’s surface, or really, really far below the surface.

They heard the rumble of the walls as they went inside to investigate. A murmuring in the walls as broken words emanated from beyond.

“SLAVES NO MORE! FREEEE! FREEEEEEEEE!”

Roll pointed to Azlyn, a smirk on her face. “See, Slaves!”

Azlyn brought her book out. “Oh boy.”

A gigantic golden hammer burst through the wall, as Arenvald jumped in front of the girls to block the debris that flew out. Stepping out from the humongous hole in the wall was a decently armored giant, his helm had two horns on top that oddly reminded each of them of the Raging Bull’s helmet back in Ul’dah. It had strange markings written on its arms and chest as it noticed their presence.

They watched the hecantoncheries Giant start pounding on its chest and erupting from it’s cracked lips a horrid roar that bounced off the walls. “MASTERS MUST PAY! MASTERS MUST DIE! NEVER AGAIN! NEVER!”

Kida yelled back at it. “Hey pea-brain, your masters died over three centuries ago!”

It didn’t hear her as it charged at them.

They broke formation, running out of its path and avoided the swing of it’s hammer. Arenvald rushed in, using his height as an advantage to swipe at its knees, lower waist, and ankles. Azlyn let her carbuncle blast it with several rock blasts. Kida shot arrow after arrow. Roll used up some of her own magic to attempt to curb the creatures rage.

The Giant roared once more, running over to one of the side walls. It swung it’s axe into the wall as it chanted: “GYGES THE GREAT WILL FREE YOU! SLAVES NO MORE! NEVER AGAIN!”

Roll looked to her party. “We need to stop him before he brings down the whole place.” She could already see the settlement shaking.

Azlyn tried to find something that would be effective against Gyges the Great, as he so proclaimed, only to find themselves lacking dynamite. “No dynamite?”

Kida sighed. “Sorry, I used it all.”

Arenvald was too busy trying to stop Gyges from breaking the boulder. Without much effort they watched as his hammer broke through the boulders, and several giants ushered themselves out. They were roaring and cheering with Gyges, attempting to break more of the walls.

“What if we used the hammer?” Azlyn yelled, pointing to Gyges’s humongous weapon. “Is it possible?”

Roll turned to her cousin. “How?”

Azlyn grimaced. “I didn’t think that far.”

Kida started firing more of her arrows. “Get rid of the big boss first! Don’t worry about the other giants for now!”

This continued for another hour or so—they were heavily outmatched, faced with the now exhausted Gyges the Great. Arenvald charged forward, keeping up with his advances. Azlyn wiped the sweat from her forehead, weaving several spells in between one another. Kida reached back into her quiver, and grasped a single arrow.

“I’m all out of ammo!” Kida yelled, as she notched it. “Line them up—let’s see how many I can hit!” She focused her energy, a brilliant light emerging at the tip of her arrow as she prepared the shot. Azlyn corralled one side of the giants to the center of the room, while Roll and Arenvald worked to keep the other side within her arrow’s proximity.

She yelled, “Would you all just die!?” Kida finally shouted, the light exploded from her arrow as an aethereal flow of bright light created hundreds and hundreds of arrows dancing down from the ceiling. They fell with a heavy force, as the giants below screamed in pain. Many of them toppled, unable to withstand the power of Kida’s blessing raining over them.

Gyges the Great staggered, his body riddled with aethereal arrows as he attempted to swing his axe up to their archer. Kida merely turned away, walking toward the exit as Gyges’s hold on his hammer slipped. His knees gave way, mere moments after his eyes rolled back into his skull.

There was a loud resounding thump as he collapsed, the dirt had risen from the ground he impacted as Kida looked over to her friends staring at her in horror. She grinned. “Let’s get the hell out of this hellhole. I want to taste the sweet smell of fresh air.” She gave them a peace sign, despite all of them looking like they’d just rolled in piles of dirt and dust.

Roll shook her head, running over to Kida. Azlyn looked back to the giants, and gave them a deep bow. Arenvald walked to her side, tapping her on the shoulder to inform her they were leaving. “Come on Azlyn, let’s be on our way.”

She nodded. “Right. Good job Arenvald.”

He gave her a cheeky grin. He lifted his elbow to her, as she met his with her own arm. “Right back at ya Warrior of light.”

She brushed him off. “Nonsense. Kida’s the warrior of light. Did you see Hydealyn’s arrows rain down?”

They chuckled between each other, as Roll yelled at them to hurry up.