Nightmare Stories

While going through some things I had stowed away, I came upon some elemental fragments. 

Where the… Oh gosh!  Grav’iton!!

I suddenly remembered that before my horrid mith-napping, I had collected these fragments.  Ghrenn, Shagrath and I had battled the Legendary and Ancient Weapons to obtain the Lightning Fragment.  I had traveled all across the realm to retrieve the others, but still did not have them all.  I knew I would need some help as I was not yet the coveted level seventy five.

I asked my linkshell for aid, and big sister Iphi came through!
She came as Ninja.  What a skilled ninja she is!  I had researched the battles ahead and wow… she just made them so easy!

A few days later, someone in my other linkshell needed help with the very same mission!
Since they were fresh in my mind, I offered to help!  Surely this would be fun!

We began in Behemoth’s Dominion.  And I quickly found out that a level 75 Samurai and a level 70 Red Mage can not, apparently, kill these things!
I thought for sure we would have made quick work of them, since when I battled them before, only Sha-chan was 75.
Luckily Domone and an elvaan fellow were free to assist us.

After Dantis obtained his Lightning Fragment, we set off for The Sanctuary of Zi’Tah.

Domone found the headstone and I reminded the two men that we would be fighting a Doomed Pilgrims.  Dantis didn’t seem too thrilled.

Doomed are absolutely disgusting creatures…

Is that what becomes of us…  If we accumulate so much bad karma?

Domone poked me in the ribs, chuckling.

Only Mithra’s, Kiamo.

I pursed out my lips and frowned.  Then Dantis sought to join in on the fun.

No, no.  The Mithran nightmare is that guy carrying the rusty knife to cut off their tails!

WHAT?!?! 

Haha, Dantis!  No, that’s the Galka nightmare.

No cutting the tail…  ; ;  I NEED THAT!  It’s an extension of my spine!

Oh, is it the Galka one?

Someone yanked my tail once… It made me cry ; ;

I’ve seen the Rusty Cutter in peoples Bazaar’s.

Yeah Domone!  That one!  That’s a horrible thought and I don’t even have a tail.

; ;  What the heck are you talking about??!  Rusty… cutter..??

Aww Kiamo…  Rusty Tail Cutter is the name.  It’s talked about in Galkan ghost stories.

Oh…

The story says, tails cut by it-- Never grow back!!!

; ;  That’s terrible Dantis…

The Mithran item is lame.  Yhoator Flea…  Those bit will have their whole body itch for days… >.>

Domone and I chuckled.

Mithran horror stories aren’t scary.

No, I suppose no where near as bad as that Galkan one.  I think I would take a hot bath to remedy that flea one hehe.  Is there one for you Humes?

No way!  Haha, we are fearless!

Domone grinned at me while flexing his muscles.  Dantis recounted the tale, though.

Candles.  The male one is lit by an emperor, and is plagued by misfortune.  Dire Candle.
And the female’s, the Bloody Candle, is lit by an empress who has the life slowly drained out of her.

Elvaan?

Tome of Whispers and Tome of Moans for male and female respectively, but the soul of those who read it are--

Domone and I waited, eyes wide and mouths hushed.

Doomed for eternity!

Ahh! 

Ohhhoo…

And the Taru have the Snickering Skull and Sniffling Skull.  Little Taru children who don’t do their chores are visited by one, and cannot stop laughing or crying.

Haha!  That one is funny.

Indeed! Hehe!

After nightmare story time, we fought and defeated the undead creature.

Next we went to Ifrit’s Cauldrin.  We were in luck!  One of the kupofried powers enabled us to run faster then normal.  We got quickly through the volcano without incident and easily defeated the two Opo-opo foes.

The Wind Fragment opponent in Cape Teriggan turned out to be trouble-free as well.

That was enough adventuring for us for one day, so we called it a night and headed home.












(c) 2002-2010 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Title Design by Yoshitaka Amano. FINAL FANTASY, TETRA MASTER and VANA'DIEL are registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. SQUARE ENIX, PLAYONLINE and the PlayOnline logo are trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd.

The Return Home

With he help of Mystfyre and her companions, more information was revealed about he Wyrmking’s pact, and Al’Taieu.

We had to fight our way through many doors in Pso’Xja, then travel to Delkfutt’s Tower and defeat a Disaster Idol.  Best the Mithran Sin hunters, face off against a giant Snoll and finally travel deep into Oldton Movalpolos to Mine shaft #2716.

In the end… I finally understood what that spine looking structure was doing in
Meriphataud Mountains.
The question now was… Who do we believe?  Nag’molada or Tenzen’s mighty Phoenix?
If I didn’t do something…  Shagrath might not have a Vana’dial to return to.

I returned home, exhausted.
A hot bath was in order for sure.

I stripped off my Warlock’s attire, set a fire spell to my fountain and slid into the warm water.
I barely had a chance to start to relax when…

Kia!  Your Mithra senses are failing you!

I jumped, and slipped down into the water more then intended.  I opened my mouth to yell, but found it filled with water instead.  I flipped around to see Ghrenn lounging on her belly on my bed.
I glared at her for scaring me and then, like a cat-fountain, sent the water that had tried to choke me straight at her!

Gahh!!

Well, don’t stalk around in other people’s mog houses!

Heh.  Fair enough.

To what do I owe this stalk-ish visit?

I returned to relaxing while Ghrenn patted herself dry and returned to behaving like my bed was hers.

Until today, I didn’t have the time to visit your house.  See the marriage certificate.  It looks nice, by the way.

Thank you.  I enjoy waking up to it.  A nice reminderrr.

Reminderrr?  Heh.  Of what, exactly. Heh.

Of Shagrath, our adventures together of course.

Any particularrr adventurrre, Kia?

Well, no, nothing specific.  Why?

Oh cut out the innocent act Kiamo!!

What?!?

I rolled over onto my belly again and propped myself up on my elbows so I could face Ghrenn.
She was perched on her knees on the edge of my bed, wearing a sly grin and swishing her tail from side to side.

Come on Kiamo.  Tell me!  How was it?

How was what?

Ghrenn winked at me and her grin broadened.

Oh you know, Kiamo.  IT.

I do not know--

Oh come on you can’t tell me you guys didn’t DO IT!

What?!?!

That poor, poor man!  I knew I should have given you some of my stash of “Play Kitty” to refer to.

Play Kitty..?

It’s a magazine.

Ghrenn winked, pulled out something from under her, and held it up for me to see.
My eyes went wide as she unfolded the magazine near the middle to show off a two-page picture.

GHRENN!!!  THAT’S A DIRTY MAGAZINE!!!

She giggled wildly, waving the copy of “Play Kitty”. 
Mortified, I turned my back to her and sunk into the water up to my chin.
I could hear Ghrenn hop off my bed and approach me.

Aww c’mon Kia!  Heheheh.  Did you guys do it or what?  You can tell meeee!!

La la la la!! I can’t hear you!!!

I clasped my hands over my ears, drew my knees to my chest and sunk down into the water so that it covered my head.

I could hear Ghrenn’s muffled laughter as she peered down at me, still wearing the sly grin, and waved goodbye.












(c) 2002-2010 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Title Design by Yoshitaka Amano. FINAL FANTASY, TETRA MASTER and VANA'DIEL are registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. SQUARE ENIX, PLAYONLINE and the PlayOnline logo are trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd.

OP Laps

Some linkshell members invited me to join them in the Sanctuary of ZiTah.
They were doing a level sync experience points party there.
I was still in a bit of a daze from becoming a Star Breaker, but decided it would be good to join them.  Besides, what better time then the present to start working on the almighty “75”.

We all waited beside the fence while one of the tarutaru thieves pulled.
Any time he brought more creatures then we could handle, the poor fellow had to do laps around the Outpost!  It was so comical!!  But it worked!!  Eventually the monster would lose interest and wander away.
The first time it happened after I had arrived, I was resting.  Jemi started grabbing at my shoulder and shouting at me to get up! Get up!!
I did, and moments later our little taru puller came racing past us, with an angry goblin in tow!

Later on, he thought he might have another “add”.  Jemi tried to look, but she was too short to see over the fence!  So was I!  We began giggling about it and nearly missed casting spells on the monster that had been pulled.
Luckily it was only one and the little thief didn’t have to do laps around the Outpost! =p

The funny thing about the evening was, we had three tarutaru in the party.  And every single one of them ended up having to do laps around the Outpost! XD  Poor guys!

All in all, despite a few KO’s it was a fun way to wind up the day.  And I left just a little closer to my new goal:  75 Red Mage.













(c) 2002-2010 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Title Design by Yoshitaka Amano. FINAL FANTASY, TETRA MASTER and VANA'DIEL are registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. SQUARE ENIX, PLAYONLINE and the PlayOnline logo are trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd.

Behind the scenes: CoP & Shagrath's Mog house

I found some funny stuff from before Sha-chan left and decided to share =^_^=
Shagrath and I were shadowing Prishe and company...  This was about the time I started wondering about Louverance's intentions... 

Of course we go talk to Cid (that seems to be a really popular trend with the CoP missions hehe)...  and I spy a rip in the seat of Cid's pants!  ; ; Someone call a seamstress!!

This was the last visit to Shagrath's mog house...  Where he decided to explain his furnishings.  hehe ^^
Sha-chan really has a knack for making me giggle super hard!

Easter Peep Invasion

Credit to Solinthia of Imagine linkshell for the inspiration! =^_^=

Memories don't have to end

I had to travel all around Vana’diel to hunt for information about the fifth mother crystal and for clues as to the identity of the keeper of the apocalypse.
Cid became the center of all things for now.  Each time I learned something new, I had to go back and visit with Cid.

There were difficult battles ahead that I could not face alone.  Since Myst and her friends were not about, I decided to head home and take a nice nap! ^^
All that running around had tuckered me out. Hehe

When I awoke, I could think of nothing but the impending Maat battle.  It was pre-dawn but it weighed heavy on my mind.
I couldn’t put it off any longer.  I had no more excuses.  I was well rested and had nothing else to tend to.

I pulled open a chest that I had been storing useful items in for just this occasion.
Drinks, Hi-ether, Hi-potion, Vile elixir…
My enfeebling, elemental and dark magic were all honed.
I was ready!

If only Sha-chan could be here…  I was still so very nervous.  He always had a way of calming me down.
I turned the matrimony band on my finger a few times.  Shagrath was with me, even if I could not see him.  I closed my eyes and turned my face to the sky, sending tendrils of chi out to him.  Not to call him back, but to let him know all was well.

I packed my bag with the potions and un-rolled my red mage’s testimony.  Pausing for a moment to remember how I obtained this.  A kind tarutaru who spoke a different language and one of her friends had come out to Delkfutt’s tower to help me out.
It had been so long since I had seen her.  She used to come looking for me when she and her friends wanted to train and always invited me.  Something caught in my throat as I realized, I could not recall her name! ; ;  I wondered if she remembered me after all this time.

Altana help me, for I did not wish to have to farm up a third testimony.
I pulled out a quill and scribbled, “For Sha-chan” on the underside of my hat.

Kiki!  Yru is here to visit.

Oh he is?  Yes, let him in Sarrima.

Hey Kiamo^^

Ohhhh my Goddess, Yru, I’m going to throw up!

Yru looked at me, shocked.
I held up my bag of goodies to show him.

I’m loading up my stuff…  For this… Maat fight…  And my tummy is turning summer-salts!!

Well…  Is it costing you gil each time?

Not this one, no.  I have this stockpile of ethers, Yagudo drinks, potions…  All gifts or from unlocking chests.

Well…  At least if you don’t win, all you’ll lose is some time.

Ah yes…  but still, I am quaking in my boots here as I look at this testimony!  Om shanti shanti shanti…

Besides, if you really have too much trouble with it, level another job. 

I just need to… Get it together…

You don’t HAVE to beat Maat as Red Mage to get it to 75.

What?!  I know, but…  No way!  I have to beat it as Red Mage.  This is the only job I like…  Besides, how the heck could I call myself a true Red Mage if I can’t even defeat Maat?!  I’ve trained too long for this moment.  I won’t sell myself short.

Well, good luck to you then! ^^

Ahhh thank you Yru!! Om shanti shanti…

What is that you keep chanting?

It means Om peace peace…  Shagrath taught it to me.  I… well hopefully it helps me calm down and get it together!

Haha okay, well I’ll get going now, Kiamo.  Don’t fret.  You can do it!

Right!  I’ll just… do my best!

Yes, your best!

Oh Altana… okay deep breath…  Maat…  Here I go!

I closed up my pack and Yru bid me farewell on the dock in Port Windurst.

As I rode the ship to Jeuno, I saw such a beautiful sunrise.  More beautiful then any I had seen before while taking this journey.  I hoped this was a good omen…

Om...

Shanti...

Shanti...

Shanti…












 Upon arriving in Jeuno, I headed straight for Maat and handed him the testimony.  He grinned at me.

Let’s see…  How about we duel it out in the Waughroon Shrine?  You know what to do with the red mage’s testimony when you get there, right?

I nodded.

Now if you show me that testimony, I’ll even teleport you to the battlefield.  Boy, are we going to have some fun!

I un-rolled my red mage’s testimony and held it up for him to see.

That wasn’t so hard now, was it?  I bet you’re wondering why I keep having you travel around the globe, collecting all these rare and obscure items for me.  Heh heh heh.  I know what you’re thinking.  You’re sick and tired of playing fetch for old Maat.  You want a chance to show me what you’re really made of.

I held his gaze, determined not to let him smell my fear, and nodded curtly once.

I think I’d be delighted to test your might with my own hands.  I may look old, but I still have a lot of spunk in me.  I can take anything and everything you’ve got.

What do you say?  You’ll get your chance to get back at me for all the trouble I’ve put you through, and I’ll get some good exercise.

Not that I wanted to kick his butt, but his words made me think of others who had wronged me or hurt me.  Besting Maat would truly be proof that they were no better than I.  I smiled at the old man and adjusted my Warlock’s chapeau, thumbing the area where I had written “For Sha-chan”.

Bring it, Maat.

Heh heh heh!  That’s the spirit!  Now take that red mage’s testimony to the burning circle and throw it in.  I’ll be waiting for you inside.

And with that, Maat teleported me.
I placed my testimony on the seal and it tore!

I entered the arena and set to casting enchantments on myself, starting with the use of my composure ability.
Then I set my sights on Maat himself.  He was quickly shifting his weight from one foot to the other, like a boxer.  I smiled at him and began to cast…

So, you decided to show up.  Now it’s time to see what you’re really made of, heh heh heh.

I removed composure and cast dispel on Maat, followed by paralize!
Dispel took out his blink, but darn if the old fogie didn’t resist my paralize!  And now he was after me!

Gravity!

Resisted -_-

Sleep!

Success!  But he had landed slow on me.  No matter, he was sleeping now.  I trotted a few paces away and cast haste on myself.  Then I took out his Shell and Haste enchantments.

Paralyze!

Resisted. -_-  What the heck!

Another dispel and his Protect was gone.  I bound him just in case and then fired off Aero III!

He responded with Diaga II.  I grinned, as that did no damage.

Sleep!

The old fart was snoring again!  Ha!  I quickly cast Regen and Stoneskin on myself.  That dia he set on me would be useless and now he couldn’t sleep me! Hehe!
I followed up with another Aero III/Sleep round.
He managed to sneak in Poison II and attempted to smack me, but his punch missed!  Nya!!

Paralyze!

It stuck! ^^

However, now I had dia and poison on me… mana was getting low…  I needed to convert.  I needed to chain spell and try to do a big chunk of damage.  I raced off.  Re-canst blink, stoneskin and regen.

- CONVERT! -

I quickly drank down a hi-potion+3 and then cast CureIV, followed by Cure III.  Dia wore off. 
Maat woke up.

- CHAINSPELL!! -

I cast a flurry of Aero III.  I just kept casting even as he approached. 

Ungh… That’ll hurt in the morning.  Now that I’m warmed up…

Maat landed Blizzard II on me.
I paid him no mind and kept casting Aero III.  I had to keep it up… had to until chainspell wore off…  Even with him hitting at me…  Phalanx was keeping me from taking a total beating, that was for sure.

Hm.  That was a mighty fine display of skill there, Kiamo Ko.  You’ve come a long way…

Was the old man trying to distract me?

Aero III!
Aero III!

All of a sudden… ALL my enchantments wore off...  Maat was no where to be seen...

What..?

Had I run out of time?  Oh No!!!  I was nearly in tears!!
Then I looked down and saw…  A scroll of instant warp had appeared in my hands.  Tying it shut was a ribbon that read:

Battlefield clear time: 6 minutes, 37 seconds.

What--  Did I--  Could it be…?  Had I just…?
I was panting with the effort of the battle…
I felt a chill race through my entire body, causing my hair to stand on end.
I began to shake… not with fear, but shock and happiness.
Overcome with joy, I fell to my knees and cried tears of relief.

***New title: MAAT MASHER!***

After I regained my senses and accepted the fact that I had BEAT MAAT ON MY SECOND TRY!!!  I announced my excitement to my linkshell, then headed to Jeuno.


While riding the airship, I turned my matrimony band around and around on my finger and whispered a thank you to Shagrath.  My hands were still clammy and shook ever so slightly.  Was it a dream?  Would I soon wake up to find I hadn't actually done it?
No, I bested Maat as Red Mage.  I had only done one practice round at level 66...  And that was before I was gone all that time!  Wooo!! Altana has blessed me this day! ^^

Maat had a lot to say to me when I went to visit him in Jeuno.
But the part that really stuck was this:

Do not forget the hardships you have endured to make it this far, and maybe one day you, too, will find something worth giving your life to protect.

They say that where there is a beginning, there is an end.  However, I believe that some things, like memories, don’t have to end.  That is where you young folk come in…  And that is all this simple old man can ask for…

*Your level limit is now 75*

I would never forget Maat.
And I knew I already had something worth giving my life to protect.

(c) 2002-2010 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Title Design by Yoshitaka Amano. FINAL FANTASY, TETRA MASTER and VANA'DIEL are registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. SQUARE ENIX, PLAYONLINE and the PlayOnline logo are trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd.

Travel through Vahzl

I still needed to hone my magic skills, so I decided to help protect the Astral Candescence during besieged.  At least the undead weren’t attacking!  I didn’t ever want to subject myself to that mess again….
While there, Mystfyre summoned me to attempt to climb Promyvion Vahzl.
I wasn’t too upset about having to sneak out of Al Zahbi. =p hehe

We only had 5 people, but headed up anyway.
This area looked quite similar to Promyvion Dem, Holla and Mea.
We made quick work of the first boss, Propagator, and freed Tenzen. 
The second one was not so easy!  The Solicitor knocked all of us out.  Luckily I had a re-raise enchantment up, so I was able to revive the other red mage and together we got everyone to their feet.  Then two more of Myst's friends came to aid us.  A galka ranger and a taru black mage.
Having increased our numbers, we fought the creature again.  It was pretty tough, but we managed to best it and free Louverance.

On the fifth floor, the Ponderer gave us slight trouble, but we still overpowered it and freed Ulmia.
Finally we made our way to the Web of Recollections.   Nag’molada created a bridge with a strange box that had an eerie inner glow.  We crossed and prepared to face all three of the creatures we had just beaten!  Again!!

Myst went over the battle plan...  and in we went.
As instructed, I used my hysteroanima when the first creature was nearly half defeated.  Then my psychoanima as the next one began to attack us.
Everything went quite smoothly!
We defeated all three and was met by Diabalos...  Who told us to search out the fifth mother crystal.  There we would find the truth.

(c) 2002-2010 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Title Design by Yoshitaka Amano. FINAL FANTASY, TETRA MASTER and VANA'DIEL are registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. SQUARE ENIX, PLAYONLINE and the PlayOnline logo are trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd.

Strange things afoot...

As foretold, Shagrath was no longer beside me when I awoke.
I patted the space where he had slept and indulged in his scent that lingered on the pillows and blankets.
I didn’t even bother poking around to see if he was just quietly meditating on the other side of the screen.  I knew he was not.
I could feel that his physical self was indeed far away… Yet he had left something behind.  Something within me.
I missed him already, but knowing we were always connected put me at peace.
I allowed myself a tiny bit of longing as I turned the matrimony band around and around on my finger.

Kiki..?  I’m home!


Good morning Sarima!


Morning?  Kup-no it’s mid afternoon! 


What!  So late already.  I must have been more tuckered out then I thought!


From what..?


My moogle snickered at me and I chose to ignore her.  I simply shook my head and crawled out of bed to give myself a nice relaxing sponge bath.
What to do today…  There was so much!  I knew I had to face Maat soon, but I felt my magic abilities were not quite up to snuff.
I knew Red Mages personally who had been having great difficulty with the old man, and had heard many a tale about how he just seemed meaner to Red Mages.

While dressing in my warlock's attire, I asked my linkshell if anyone was free to aid me with my magic skills.  To my delight, big sister Iphi and Yru offered to help! ^_^

We gathered at The Boyahda Tree and I saw that Yru was a puppet master. 
Seeing him in his puppet master artifact gear made me miss Sha-chan... 

After a while big sister had to go help another linkshell mate.  Yru stayed behind to help me.  He was also skilling up his automaton’s magic.  The very same thing Sha-chan was doing when I first met him!

While battling one of the crabs, a water elemental appeared.  I knew better then to cast magic around those things so we waited it out…  And then double thunder weather!!  That meant that not one but two thunder elementals could be lurking.

Well…  we can go hide in the cloister.

I have never been there.

Lets go while we wait.

Okay!

Yru led me behind a waterfall and down a passageway.  We emerged in the cloister and were met by the sight of a huge crystal.

I've never seen such a giant crystal before!

Red Mage can solo them…  Well the avatar that is sleeping inside.

No way!  Red Mage is that powerful..?  Wow...

Then, I noticed something glowing on the floor. Upon closer examination, I found a stone laying there.

What's this?

I found one also.  It’s a stormstone, but I don’t know what it’s for.

I pocketed the stone while Yru went to check on the weather outside the cloister.
It had cleared and we headed back out to the base of the tree, in the middle of the shallow waterway.
Some time later, another water elemental appeared!!

My heart beat quickened, because by the time I saw it lurking, I was mid cast! /panic
Luckily it was far enough away that it paid me no mind.
But then... an Elder Gobbue raced past us.  It looked like it was after something, but we hadn’t seen anyone run by.

WTF Gobbue!

I saw that...

Weird...

Strange things are afoot in the Boyahda tree.

Indeed.

With that Yru and I busted out laughing.

I was glad to have this little adventure with new friends.  :)












(c) 2002-2010 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Title Design by Yoshitaka Amano. FINAL FANTASY, TETRA MASTER and VANA'DIEL are registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. SQUARE ENIX, PLAYONLINE and the PlayOnline logo are trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd.

Svarupa

After the excitement in Sacrarium, Shagrath and I decided to return to my mog house to unwind.  I had darted behind the screen to change.  From the sound of it, Sha-chan was hurriedly doing the same thing.

All set!

Me too!

What a day Sha-chan!

Indeed Kiamo.^^ 

I stretched out on my bed.  So comfy!  My body was exhausted, but my mind was abuzz with everything that had happened.  How would I get to sleep?
Shagrath crouched down next to the bed and began petting my head.  That certainly aided in relaxing me.

Kiamo, I should tell you…

Yes, Sha-chan?

I got rid of my mog house when I left before…  Since we're married now…  Well I'll just stay here the night, okay?

I couldn’t hold in my laughter and let out a hearty chuckle as I sat up to address him.

Yes, Sha-chan hehe of course that is okay.

He smiled and sat next to me, gently taking my hand in his.  I privately wondered what it would be like to fall asleep cuddled in his arms.  That sounded nice…
Suddenly I felt a little nervous.  We were married now…  Married couples do things that friends do not do…  I hadn’t even thought of this before!  How naive of me!  I was just getting used to kissing him… Which we hadn’t even done much of but… But this…  This!!  I stared at the floor, wishing I had bothered to seek advice from friends.

Kiamo?  Are you okay?

I drew in a quick breath and sheepishly looked up at Shagrath.

Sha…  Sha-chan I um…  I’ve never…  You know…

I glanced from his face to below the waist band of his pants, back up to his face.  Once again, I felt my cheeks getting hot.  Idiot!

Shagrath smiled gently, and shook his head.

Sha-chan I mean.. I… I just don’t… I mean it’s not that I don’t want to I… I just.. Never… I don’t know…  Well you know.. You know.  I’m sorry… I … didn’t think of… I didn’t ask…

Kiamo!  Shhh…

Shagrath leaned in and kissed me to stop my aimless blabbering.

Kiamo, I wasn’t hinting at that.

No..?

No.  If it makes you uncomfortable, I can sleep in the spare bed or on the floor.

Oh.. Oh!  Sha-chan no that…  That won’t be necessary.  I just…

There you go again… 

Sorry!

I buried my face in his chest, not wanting him to see just what shade of red my embarrassment was changing my cheeks to.
He hugged me and soothingly stroked the back of my head, then made circles with his palm on my back.

Kiamo.  I would never suggest you do anything you’re not comfortable with.

With those words, and that touch, I wasn’t worried in the least.  It didn’t matter what I did or didn’t know or do.  All that mattered was that we loved each other.  That we were here.  Together.  Right now.
I peeked up at him and let a small smile creep across my lips and light my eyes.

I know, Sha-chan…

Giggling shyly I scooted to one side of the bed and patted the space I had made for him.
Shagrath stretched out beside me and draped one arm across my waist so his hand could reach my back.  Again he made circles with his palm and finger tips.  I shimmied just a little closer to him.  Allowing his scent to fill my breath.  I closed my eyes and purred softly.  He always knew how to sooth me.

Kiamo, I have to tell you something…  Please try not to cry.

Somehow, I knew what he would say…  I lazily opened my eyes and looked into his, barely a hands width away.  His face was soft, yet pained.

I won't be here when you wake up...

I understand Sha-chan.  I'm just grateful for..  Well these past weeks we spent together.  All you have done for me.  I'll do my best to honor you every day through actions...

I winked and let a sly smile spread across my lips before I continued.

And even in-actions when the needs arises.

Shagrath smiled and nodded in understanding before pulling me closer still to quietly finish his thought.

I know this day has been hectic and so much has happened.  But before I depart I wish that you will do me one small favor, so that I may feel better about leaving you. 
For just a moment still your mind, close your eyes and gaze there upon the silent darkness within.  Abide in this darkness and realize this simple truth, in this state ones true nature becomes apparent.  In this still void there exist no object, no thought, no body, no feeling… nothing at all is here which makes you Kiamo. 
This is not a sad place, it is your Svarupa, the form of your true Self.  By contemplating this state it will become known that all beings have at their core this same existence, that all beings in other words are identical with one’s inner Self. 
Know that I too am identical with that inner Self and that in reality this parting between us is not real for we are both one and the same. 
It is only by the close kinship we shared for so long that this simple truth manifest before me.  I owe you an immeasurable debt for all you have done for me as a companion in the time we spent together.  It is because of you that the unity of all beings is clear in my mind. 
My love for you, Kiamo, is boundless as the expanse of space itself for I know we are both one and the same.  Let this knowledge comfort you until our physical beings one day meet again.  Now please sleep well my beloved Kiamo. ~ <3























(c) 2002-2010 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Title Design by Yoshitaka Amano. FINAL FANTASY, TETRA MASTER and VANA'DIEL are registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. SQUARE ENIX, PLAYONLINE and the PlayOnline logo are trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd.