CoP Pain

Finally, the horrid task of training Dark Knight was over and done with.  I wasn't yet free of peril, though.

There was the matter of visiting three Rubious Crystals in Al'Taieu.
I began asking my linkshell for advice or assistance.
A few of them agreed to help best some of the Ru'aern notorious monsters.

The next task, however, was too time consuming for them to lend aid.
I explained everything to Zidea and joked that perhaps he and I could simply duo.  He thought that was a fine idea.
I wondered if he'd been relieved of his senses.
However, I knew that whatever happened, it would be fun with Zidea.

We headed to the Grand Palace of Hu'Xzoi and escorted some Quasilumin to progress through the floors of the palace.  We had to sleepga several creatures and run to near by portals to escape being KO'd, but in the end we managed to find our way to the Cermet Portal without any real peril.

Well that was easy, wasn’t it, Kiamo?

I giggled and adjusted the Red Mage Chapeau atop my head, cocking it ever so slightly to the side as I responded.

Aye, perhaps too easy?

Zidea grinned, interlaced his fingers and straightened his arms before him as he turned his palms outward, cracking his knuckles.

Well, Kiamo, we’ll do our best.  And most importantly, have fun.  Right?

I clapped my hands together and nodded.

Right!  Oh and Zidea…

Hmm?

Thank you so much for coming!

No problem.  All you ever have to do is ask, Kiamo.

I nodded and smiled, trying to keep up a jovial facade even though I was feeling worried.

Indeed, the peril was yet to come.
I examined the Portal and the Ix'ghrah appeared.
No matter what we tried, Zidea and I were only able to do minimal damage to it!  It also had some sort of regeneration ability because after a short time we noticed that the damage we had done had been healed!
After a few valiant attempts, we resigned to failure and teleported out.

I would have to ask my linkshell yet again...  I couldn’t shake the feeling that my requests for assistance were irritating them.

A few days later I worked up the courage to pose a meek request...  Again it was far too time consuming for them and I was pointed to someone shouting in Whitegate.
Someone who already had a bad reputation for her incessant complaining and bashing of my Einherjar linkshell.
I didn't want to go with her, but what other choice did I have if I wanted to complete the mission?

Dispite Zidea’s best efforts we couldn't duo the NM... 
My other friends were usually occupied and the odds of getting them together all at once seemed slim at best.
With a heavy heart I sighed and asked the girl shouting if she needed a red mage.  She did. 

We gathered together at the Grand Palace of Hu'Xzoi and soon found that none of them knew how to even start the escort portion of the quest.

It was then that Zidea sent me word of a happy greeting, asking what I was up to.  I told him and, even though he had other plans, he agreed to come and help us instead.
The party leader even offered him gil. (Which she never ever paid out to him.)
With Zidea there, we easily made the climb and bested the NM.

After that, with Zidea's help, we visited the different race towers inside the Garden of Ru'Hmet.

With that task complete, Zidea bid me farewell and I thanked him.
It was then that another acquaintance asked what I was up to.  I explained and he came to help with the next portion of the mission.
With his aid, we bested the Ix'zdei.

Now the group wanted to continue on to the Empyreal Paradox.
They wanted to battle Promathia himself!!

I wanted to cry!  I had to battle the ill feeling brewing in my belly.  We had been at this all night long.  It was the wee hours of the morning.  Dawn would soon break…  I leaned against the wall, crouched down and slowly rubbed my temples with the knuckles of my index and middle fingers, willing my stomach to settle.

With no discussion, the group summoned me.  They intended to start this epic battle immediately.  Though they gave little to no thought to what strategy would be best to employ with the jobs we had at hand.
Our first attempt ended in utter failure.
I think the second did also... 
It is a complete blur now, but I did manage to save the following for your viewing amusement:

/headache ~_~;

















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