4 FFT 3 Pieces of a History Part 1

As Luther walked out, he felt a large wave of Death energy. He followed it speeding up to see what it was. The halls became darker, the room quieter but more Death energy permeated the more he went along the passage.

A room boarded up completely from the outside. Almost as if it was barricading something within. A small emblem was visible. That of a snake in black. To Luther, this was a marking that tied to Apophis. To the locales, it was the mark of an old religion long since passed.

Pharism, which was backed by the Holy Ydoran empire. Which fell thanks to the efforts of Glabdos and a few other problems.

*Boom!* A hollow thunder blasted out when Luther touched the marking. Thankfully with him so far down, it wouldn't be heard up top by anyone. The barricades crumbled to powder as the doors opened wide.

When Luther stepped into the room, there was no pressure any longer. Only... sadness. It was not right. He then started to read the language over. It was Egyptian in design for the most part. A very old dialect of it actually.

Inside, several skeletons lay about. Which was odd considering things. The clothing and dress looked like members of the old royal family. Which begged the question even further to check on matters.

Did the Akademy get built on top of them?

Or did the Akademy use to be a different place instead?

*Warble!* Black energy swirled around the room. Some Death magic left from Luther towards the center where a pedestal shook. Chains wrapped around the base rattled. A figure started to form next.

A specter of a man. No outstanding features. A weary look on a tired face, however. Luther's eyes hardened in an instant. A fight might happen or the specter might not like what he does.

"You have a power in you.." The Spectre spoke in an even tone. "..like no other. A power almost like his."

"And that would be who exactly?" Luther moved around the room observing it as he spoke. Circulating the power of the Death Aspect to keep it stable enough. Nothing of real note, besides a few swords that wethered the test of time. "How long have you been here?"

"He who would be the imposter who claimed himself a saint." The specters' clothes fluttered despite no breeze in the room. "Blood of Ydoran flows in you." The mere mention and recall made it angry. "Ajora.. the pretender is who you remind me of."

Odd considering the relationship between Ydoran Empire and Ajora Glabados.

"Ah, but I am no demon like he was. Then again, he was just out to cause a revolution and fell to the power of the Auracite. Just another who was not careful enough with certain forces. Or strong enough for that matter. Happens to those who wish to rule by any means necessary." Luther made note of what looked to be a bullet hole in the specter's chest. 'A gunshot wound? Must really be an old spirit.'

"Do you not wish to rule?" The specter's head arched to the side oddly like an inquisitive child. So focused on Luther's movements, it didn't see what was in his hand. "Is it not the course of every Hume in Ivalice?"

"Pft not at all. Some of us have heftier goals in mind. More noble ones even." Luther reached down and grasped one of the swords.

A longsword but made of better forging techniques than the one he wielded currently. Considering money was spent on other things like food and informants. His body was more dangerous than any weapon wielded currently. But the war was starting once more. So he needed to start increasing gear to keep suspicion from rising so soon.

'A sword from way back then, how nice. If I can find more parts for an airship, that would be even better.'

"You take the items of the fallen, have you know respect?" The specter's eyes narrowed a little. Seeing his behavior as a front to the deceased. A conflicted look when the weapon was not put back down. 'He may not be the one I need.'

"Respect, varies from each person. Do not hold me to your meager ways." Luther turned to face the specter full on. "As warriors, they would want the weapon to be used. Well, most likely wish to be alive maybe. You should ask them." Standing right in front of it at eye level, he dared it to challenge him on the matter. But something else caught his attention. "You look just like him. It is most alarming. You would not happen to be Germonique would you? That would be to perfect."

At the mention of the name, the specter started to shake. A large force of magick built up once more.

*Ting! Ting! Ting!* The chains in the room started to rattle and tighten a little.

"Germonique they betray you!" The Spectre said in the old tongue. Luther understood it clear as day however from the studies of Apophis. "Betrayal at every turn! Did we not hold our end of the deal?!"

Not wanting to have a major issue start up, Luther suppressed his curiosity and struck. In his hand was a Phoenix Down. The ultimate weapon against the undead. Placing it against the specter, the special properties within shined bright and destroyed it.

"Traitors everywhere!" The specter yelled one final time. The energy it was made of was not allowed to dissipate.

Luther raised his hand and sucked it all away. The Death energy will feed him well for later. One must not waste resources. And if he was lucky, some memories could be acquired from the remains.

"Hmm, no need for a risk in this place." Luther looked at the center of the room and the chains. A small groove that could fit an assortment of things was there. But most likely was for something specific. "Nothing else to do but take it, as well as the rest of what is here."

*Woosh!* With a push of his mental energy, everything was sucked into his Internal Space. His pocket dimension was already filled with a few things from his travels. As well as emergency food for Corpse Brigade members.

Right as he was about to leave, the surroundings changed.

*Shine!* A wave of magic passed over again. With 13 figures dressed in robes. Almost the same amount of those once in the room. A few swords could be seen in their clothes, but not all were visible. Some carried themselves in a way one could not tell.

The Spectre that was just snuffed out, appeared once more. But unlike before, no magick could be felt. Not any Luther was capable of handling anyway. One stepped forward, looking at the Spectre.

"Where is the book child?!" The voice was defintely that of a female. A very angry one at that. "Germonique had to have given it to you!" The specter shook no in response. Eyes watching the room as they were all within the confines.

"Slowja!" The specter shouted. The robe figures started to slow from the time mage's spell. On the floor, several chains wrapped around them each holding them in place. Glowing white with powerful magick. "Immobilize!"

*Sup!* The spell worked a lot better as their reactions were slowed down. Immobilized, for a few seconds, the robed figures started to glow a little. Namely parts of their clothing did in defense.

"What.. do.. you think you are doing.." One of the members forced out. Already undoing the spells on him at a fast rate. "..this will not stop ..us.." He forced a step out cracking a tile under him.

"I do what I must!" The specter gritted his teeth as he gave his life force to power the spells in place. "I can not let you succeed! You have been duped like the rest of the masses!"

As the room lit up, the robe figures were able to move more. Some moved towards the specter to attack. But the woman circled her own magick instead. Her lips moved as she muttered a spell of her own.

"You can not escape me!" The specter let loose his magick fully. Using the high-tiered spell Graviga. "Even if I fall.. others will succeed!" A look of desperation in its eyes.

*Woooom!* The large gravity field started to distort the room at first. Then in the center, a small swirl gravitated everyone towards it. Swirls of vicious energy bombard the robe figures.

"You bastard child!" The woman shouted as her spell was finished. "You have doomed the Ydoran Empire!" These were her last words spoken. A swirl of water wrapped around and she was gone in an instant.

"Damn you! What about the rest of us!?" Another screamed as he was pulled closer to the center. "Damn you Gollund! A curse on you and your kin!" He yelled with all he had. As blood left him, the glowing light on his body shot off into the distance.

*Fwip!* Several more lights shot off. Leaving those they were attached to.

"Humph! I will not die willingly!" One of the robed figures, a man by the look of it raised his hand up. The gravity-well still bearing down on him. But his will was stronger than it. A firearm in his hand. "Die welp!"

*Pow!* The firearm fired off loudly. The gravity field weakened it some, but not enough considering the man poured the remainder of his magick inside ot it. The shot did not hit its intended spot. Which was the head. Instead, it pierced the chest.

This caused the specter to lose control of the spell for just a moment. Another one of the robe figures was able to escape the room at that moment. A dreadful look on his face. In his hands, a clutch item was visible.

Drenched in blood from the ordeal.

" Warjilis.. think you for that..." The man gasped as he moved through the area. Seeing double was the least of his problems. Footsteps could be heard from the surroundings. Voices that were not friendly considering his current state. "..I must hide. But where to... go?!"

"Orlandeau escaped, but no matter!" The specter forced the room shut in response. The robe figures still struggling to get free. "Barricade the room! They wish to unleash poison on the populace!"

The incoming knights heeded the order. Placing all manner of objects in front that they could find. The reinforcement to keep the room barricaded was for naught. At least Luther thought so considering the amount of damage done with the magick.

"But then again.. I have know idea what the people were capable of." Observing as the room illusion started to fade, Luther wonders if he could meet these people's descendants or something. "Have know idea who that specter used to be. Well, not yet anyway. Time will tell."

He left behind a little magic to cause the room to pull in dust and dirt. Just in case someone came on down due to the magic fluctuations. Better safe than sorry.

.

Few hours later-

.

Luther went to meet up with a contractee of his in secret. Considering it was before the evening set in place, it was just a close enough time fit. Two young teens met him very sneakyily.

A look of fun on their faces.

One was Alma Beoulve.

Alma had long blond hair tied in a low ponytail adorned with a black ribbon. She has soft brown eyes to match her brother Ramza's. She wore a dark brown long sleeve v-neck shirt with a gray turtleneck underneath. A long dark brown skirt with orange triangle linings at the edge of her skirt and black boots. Within the ribbon, were needles containing a small neurotropic. Her long sleeve, she had sewing needles. Just sharper and more durable than the average needle.

The second was Tietra Heiral.

Tietra had long brown hair, hard brown eyes, and wore a dark purple dress. Unlike how she looked in the monastery, she had a tough demeanor when walking about. No one, unless close to the girl would match her to the quiet pushover in the monastery. In her boots were daggers dipped in poison. Her belt, was more of a whip than anything.

Both teens took a knee in front of him. The cowls blocking their faces completely.

"You have summoned us, master?" They asked togethor.

"Do stand up, we only have a little time to talk. No time for formalities." Luther gestured for them to rise. His hand outstretched passing over two of the swords he collected recently. As well as some notebooks he found on those he collected. "Try to see if you can find out anything about these people. Do not get caught."

"Do we ever?" Alma teased a little. Luther nodded since she was right. "But we will take extra care considering."

"Considering?"

"Considering a few ladies are starting to gossip more." Tietra stored the sword away and flip through the notebook quickly. Just trying to see if any key words or images triggered anything. "Marquis Elmdore, is traveling here we hear. Almost as if someone wants it known his travel plans."

"I see. That would fit with the "narrative" that is painted." Luther thought it was sloppy, but gossip was the way of the world. No matter what time frame that existed apparently. "No matter. It will work out."

He turned to leave. Both Tietra and Alma grabbed his hands.

"Hmm?"

"Our brothers, how goes turning them to Lord Apophis's side?" Tietra asked.

"Surely they can fight against "Destiny" already?" Alma was hopeful. Luther shook no. "Then convince them to sign and you fight the Tribulation."

"I will not. I have enough on my plate." Luther pulled free. "It was already dangerous enough to break you free Alma. And that is because Tietra pleaded, saying she can beat her own fate. You ask to much of me, without giving enough in return."

"I am trying master." Alma looked down frustrated. Studying under Luther in secret opened the young teen's eyes to a lot. Just not enough to resist certain customs. Not yet anyway.

"I know." Luther did not want to point what she could do to solve the issue quickly but that was a no go. She did not have the killer quality just yet. He would bring it up if she killed Dycendarg, it would make things much easier. "He still has a few months. Keep to your studies and all will be well."

"She will be fine. Stay safe out there." Tietra grabbed Alma for them to depart. "Come, we must away like the wind. The more power we have, the easier it will be for us to save them."

With a nod, the two shot off like little thieves. Which technically they currently were. If they mastered those Jobs, not much could stop them from moving in and out as they pleased in the region.

"I have recovered enough." Luther stretched his magic sense out into the surroundings. He detected nothing. 'Teleport!' Activating the spell, he arrived not to far from the rendevous point.