Disclaimer: Final Fantasy related material belong to their respective owners.

Chapter 1

O' keepers of the crystal

For many years a deathly mist choked the world. Born of a source unknown and with it vicious creatures that now stalk the land. Life was given a devastating blow, and extinction seemed certain if not for fragments of enormous crystals that kept the poisonous miasma at bay. The world learned to harness a a gift from the earth that would allow the crystals to keep the mist out of their villages and towns. A gift called Myrrh which can only be obtained from a certain tree that thrives in the miasma. However it is far from a simple mission. Though many attempt to find the tree to harvest the water of life, some never make it home to their loved ones. Sometimes entire villages are lost from travelers who didn't survive the perilous journey. The members of the caravans carry a heavy burden as the lives of their fellow villagers rests in their hands.

This was a fact known all too well by the residents of a village named Tipa. A beautiful town resting near the gulf. Once a wonderful sight to behold from the tip of a cliff overlooking a vast ocean, but now clouded in miasma and obstructing the view of the endless waves. At the heart of the village stands the crystal that protects them. Radiant and glorious it would glow through the year until time to send out the caravan to gather Myrrh. In front of the stone was a man. Advanced in his years and wise beyond any other in the village.

His name was Rowland. He seemed to be in a state of thought as he stared at the crystal in front of him, It's blue glow shining and reflecting off of his wrinkled face. It had been several years since a young man he once knew set off on an impossible mission. Rowland sighed. He knew that there was no way to do the impossible. Even someone as determined as him couldn't do it. Despite much protest, the lad would not be swayed and set off immediately. Surely by now he was no longer in this world. The old man shook his head. If only he could have stopped him. If only he would have heeded his warning and abandoned the futile quest. Te village would not have had to lose such an outgoing and kind youth. A hand then gently grabbed his shoulder. He turned to see his wife softly smiling at him. He returned the smile and nodded.

A young clavat prepared herself for a long journey inside her home. Her room was tidy and smelled of sunflowers that came from the garden her mother grew. Her hair was long and came down her back and was held in place by a tan bonnet. She wore a dress that split near the bottom, covering both her legs with fabric that came to a tip at the base. The sleeves were long and cuffed around her wrists, seeming to hold air inside.

Her pack lay on her bed along with several pieces of supplies her family gave her for the journey. She finished packing and left her room. The living room was empty. Everyone was outside waiting for her. The girl's heart sank. She's never had to before, but even from the tales she's read, in the passages where characters would have to leave each other the words always made her sad. In short, she hated goodbyes. She left the house and found her family standing together waiting for her. Her mother stood smiling with her father and two sisters.

"Today is the day," Her father began in a booming voice. "I would give anything to go in your stead, Julie."

"But father, your injuries." Julie replied.

"In my younger days, these wounds wouldn't have stopped me. I was a knight after all. Damn Goblins.."

"Now now, Walter," Julie's mother laughed. "You've already done your part for our village." Walter smiled and rubbed his side where a nearly fatal wound lay, now scarred and healed.

"Will you come back?" A smaller voice asked. Julie looked down to her two sisters who couldn't stop crying. She knelt down to them and they both hugged her as they sobbed into her chest.

"Please don't go, Julie. I'll miss you too much." She rubbed their backs then looked them both in the eyes. They sniffles and wipes their eyes but the tears still came.

"Mintie. Erin. I need you to protect mother and father. Be strong for me, okay?" The two girls nodded. "I won't be long and I'll tell you about everything that I see."

"Promise?" They said in unison.

"Promise." They gave her one more hug and after they let go they continues to cryJulie's heart ached. She hated this so much, but knew this was a choice all her own. She stood to her parents once again. Walter was holding a sword and shield and handed them to Julie. She took them and tested the weight. It was perfectly balanced and felt light in her grasp. The shield was also light yet strong.

"Thank you, Father." She said as she placed the sword and shield on her back to carry. Walter nodded.

"Hilda completely disagrees with swords and shields, but I must make a living for us somehow, right?"

They're dangerous and are only meant for the battlefield!" She said with distaste, "but, I pray that they will keep my child safe. Please be careful Julie." Hilda began to weep herself and Julie hugged her. In between her sons, she kept whispering 'my sweet daughter' and after a while Walter separated them.

"Stay safe my child." He said. Julie nodded, holding back tears of her own. With a final wave, the young clavat made her way to the center of the village to await her comrades. Before she was out of sight, Walter shouted out to her:

"Be sure to send us any material you find so I can forge a fine weapon for you!" Julie turned and waves once more before she was gone from view.

As she walked, she couldn't hold her tears back any longer and quietly sobbed. It felt as though she were already gone and have missed them dearly for years now. As she neared the heart of the village and the crystal came into view, she saw two selkie standing a ways off from it waiting for her.

"Well, at least someone else showed up. I was starting to think everyone changed their minds." The first of them said as she stood with her staff on her shoulders with both arms resting on either side. She had short hair that curled out. Her top was pink and held fur of an animal along the chest. It was short and her belly was exposed. She also wore a skirt that showed her right leg as it grew shorter near that side. Underneath she wore black short leggings so nothing was exposed. The other selkie was dressed similarly as the main difference in their clothes was simply color. Her hair was long, almost as long as Julie's, and she wore longer leggings that showed diamond shaped cut outs, showing her smooth skin within the patterns.

"Julie, Right?" The other started. Julie nodded. "I don't believe we've met yet. I'm Ky Luna. This is my sister, Ci era. Nice to meet you."

"How did you know my name?" Julie asked. Ky Luna smiled.

"I heard about you from Rowland. He told me about all of our comrades. They should be here by now."

"Well maybe they got scared and stayed home. I guarantee it." Ci era accused.

"Don't mind her. She's always like this." Ky Luna said. Julie laughed.

"Can you believe it? We're going to look for Myrrh today. Almost doesn't seem real."

"Are you afraid?" Ky Luna looked to Julie. She asked out of sincerity. She really wanted to know.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. In fact I'm terrified. But at least I know the reason behind our travels." She looked ahead to the crystal and then back to her sister. Julie thought of her family again and remembered her sadness.

"Sorry I'm late." Someone said from behind them. They all turned to see a young clavat walking toward them. He wore dark and tan clothes and a bandanna across his forehead. His hair was brown and emerged from over the bandanna. He carried a sword and shield in hand as if ready for a battle.

"Finally! Is this everyone?" Ci era asked annoyed.

"There's one more coming, Cici." Ky Luna said. Ci era growled in frustration.

"Well I'm going ahead. I hate waiting." She then stalked ahead to the crystal where Rowland was waiting for them. Ky Luna smiled and bowed. She then walked away and caught up with her sister.

"I said I was sorry.." He said. Julie looked to him and smiled.

"It's fine. I'm sure Rowland won't mind. I'm Julie," she introduced.

"Drake." He replied. "Do you know where the last one is?" Julie shook her head.

"I knew others would join, but I haven't met anyone until today."

Drake nodded. "I see Would you like to wait for him?"

"Have you met him?" She asked. Drake nodded again.

"Actually,he's a friend of mine. We've known each other since we were kids. He's rather awkward around women though." Julie grew quiet. So far there were three females who joined the caravan.

"Ah, there he is." Julie looked to see a young lilty quickly walking toward them. He wore armor and carried a spear over his shoulder and swung his free arm as though he were marching. He had three strands of peach colored hair sprouting from the top of his head that slanted backwards in a wrinkled fashion. A look of sheer determination on his face as he drew closer to them.

"Drake, am I late?" He asked in a high, loud and confident voice, almost as if making a statement rather than asking a question..

"No, you're on time, Kur yorg." Drake assured. The lilty nodded looked to the girl beside him. His face suddenly grew beet red.

"I'm Julie." She greeted. Kur Yorg jumped and began shaking. He tried to speak, but failed at forming a proper sentence. Instead he could only babble and make gibberish. Julie giggled causing him to grow even more red. Suddenly he dashed ahead toward the crystal.

"Will he be alright traveling with us?" She asked amused but also concerned.

"He volunteered himself for this very reason. He wanted to get over his shyness and couldn't think of a better way to do it." Julie smiled. She did think it cute at how red he got.

"Well we should go. They'll be waiting." Drake nodded and the two clavats made their way to the crystal ahead.

When they arrived they happened upon quite a scene. Kur Yorg was in the grip of Ky Luna who held him in a death hug, cuddling his face against hers. She squealed in delight as Ci era rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"You are soooo cuuuute!" She said as he squirmed to get free. His eyes were wide and perfectly round with tears forming in them and his mouth agape as he screamed his protests.

"Let me go, selkie woman! I command you! Ahh!"

"But your face is so squishy wishy! I wanna hold you forever!"

"Noooahhhhh!"

"I see that you're all here." Rowland said as he turned from the crystal. Julie and Drake approached everyone and Ky Luna stood with Kur Yorg still in her arms. He went limp with the occasional twitch of his arm and his face still held a look of shock and protest. Ci era stood beside her and crossed her arms, tapping her foot Impatiently.

"I thank all of you for making this choice. You honor our village with your bravery and sacrifice. As you know, this will not be an easy task. Many hardships and trials lay ahead of you. You will be pushed, your limits challenged, and your lives risked. But I know that you can prevail. From now on, you will only have each other to look out for. Support one another and build yourselves. Do not let any differences you have divide you. You will surely fail if that happens.

"I trust that you will make us all proud. " Rowland turned to the crystal and looked upon it again. He took out a book that held the rituals in it to bless the crystal with the essence of Myrrh. On a pedestal under the Crystal's resting place stood a chalice. It had many designs and a lip that spilled out. A large hole gaped the side of it and the rest of it curved upward. A smaller crystal was fused to the top of it and glowed beautifully next to the larger crystal. Rowland picked it up and handed it to Ci era, who held it in awe. It was nearly half her size, but it was surprisingly light.

"We will be here when you return. We have much to do already to plan your arrival back. May you be safe in your travels. Now farewell."

The caravaners gathered at the entrance to the village. They all stood on a bridge that crossed a small Brook, that softly gurgled as they all looked upon the village once more. With them was a large wagon that was hooked to a young papaopamus. Julie stood in front of it patting its head and feeding it dried grass. It hummed as she stroked its ears.

"Are you guys ready?" Drake asked. Ky Luna climbed into the caravan along with Ci era and Julie. Kur Yorg stayed outside and decided to walk along side them.

"Don't you want to ride with us, Kur Yorg?" Ky Luna asked from inside. Kur Yorg began to turn red again.

"That girl.." He said.

"You did want to do this." Drake reminded him as he prepared to steer.

"I know that!" Kur Yorg hissed. "Baby steps.." Drake laughed and began to guide the caravan away from the village as Kur Yorg . Julie sat outside on the end of the wagon and watched the village grow smaller. This was it. The journey to find Myrrh had begun. Ky Luna was right. It didn't seem real. As they ventured further and further, a grim gravity seemed to settle among them. This could be the last time they saw their village.

Several hours passed and by now they knew they couldn't turn back. Drake began humming a tune from a song he had learned as a child. It wasn't long before Ci era grew annoyed.

"Will we have to sit through this for the entire time?!" She bellowed.

"Ci era." Ky Luna said.

"Am I bothering you?" Drake asked.

"How'd you guess?"

"Okay I'll stop." The ride grew quiet again. Only the sound of the wheels rolling over the dirt and stone road.

"So..." Drake began immediately gaining an aggravated sigh from Ci era. "What are your trades?"

"We're alchemists," Ky Luna replied. "We're the daughters of Jon Ra. We still don't know much about it though." Ci era gritted her teeth at that name, but no one noticed. Drake nodded.

"I see. We are Tailors. It's not much, but."

"Hm. I would've thought you were farmers, but what's the difference. " Ci era said as she laid herself down. Ky Luna peeked outside the caravan at Kur Yorg.

"What about you Kur Yorg?" She called to him. The lilty grew red and sped up his pace. Ky Luna and Drake laughed. She then looked out to Julie who seemed to be lost in thought.

"Hey, Julie, what about you?" The clavat looked to the sky and watched the clouds pass. A simple pass time, daydreaming. She found herself letting go and drifting off into a different world all her own. Her father said that it was simply a memory of a different time. In other words, a past life. Though that wasn't the only thing on her mind. Back in Tipa, she seemed ready for this. A bit excited even, but now that they were ot, she could only think of everything going wrong. Though she trained under her father for a few years, she never had to apply her skills in actual combat before. This never bothered her before, but now.. What if she couldn't...

"Hey, wake up!" Ci era barked. Julie jumped and looked back.

"I'm sorry. What did you say," She asked in a slight panic.

"What is your trade?" Julie caught herself and sat up.

"My father is a blacksmith so I guess that would be my trade."

"I see. That sword and shield of yours. Did you make them?" Drake asked.

"My father did. He's still teaching me so I didn't feel comfortable making my own weapons. He's really skilled."

"I bet my uncle in Marr's pass could make a better weapon. That thing just looks path-"

"Stop it, Ci era!" Ky Luna interrupted. The sister selkie grunted, but said no more. Once again the caravan was quiet.

"I'd like to know more about smithing." Drake said, breaking the silence again. "Perhaps I can apply it to my trade." Julie smiled.

"Sure."

The sun was beginning to set behind the mountains in the distance and the papaopamus was starting to slow down. Even Kur Yorg was beginning to show signs of weariness. Ky Luna invited him to join everyone in the caravan, but he would decline by simply walking a bit further ahead.

"Maybe we should make camp." Drake said with a stretch. He soon found a proper space to stop and everyone climbed out with a much needed stretch.

"Why here?" Ci era whined.

"Here is fine. Make us a fire." Ky Luna ordered. Ci era growled and went to gather some nearby wood. Julie stretched her limbs and began to help clear the area. Drake released the papaopamus and found a nearby tree to tie it to. After finding it plenty of dried grass to eat, he found that the others had already set up camp and were eating rations that they brought from home.

He quickly found his and began eating with them. Soon they finished. It seemed only a few seconds before Ci era and Ky Luna had fallen asleep. They slept in the wagon and Julie was getting up from the fire to join them, that is if Ci era would allow her.

She looked over to Drake who was sitting by himself under a tree, staring at the moonless starry night. She went over to him.

"Are you okay?" She asked. Drake looked to her and chuckled.

"Sorry. Just lost in thought." He replied.

"Well, I was going to sleep now. You should get some sleep too."

"Well someone should keep watch. In case anything comes along." Julie hadn't thought of that.

"But you were driving all day. Are you sure?" She asked. Drake nodded happily.

"Of course. I already talked to Kur Yorg and he agreed to take my place if I drift off." Julie felt a hint of guilt, but he seemed sure.

"Okay. If you need any of us just call." He nodded and Julie went back to the caravan. Inside were Ky Luna and Ci era who were both asleep under a small quilt decorated with the crest of the selkie tribe. She pulled out a blanket of her own and laid down near the two sisters. Ci era stirred but didn't wake and Julie was grateful for that.

After she was comfortable, she took out a small journal and feather from her pack and began writing:

'Entry 1

We've finally started our journey to find myrrh. There are five of us and they all seem really nice. Ci era is quite irritable at most times and it seems that Ky Luna keeps her calm. Kur Yorg is a bit nervous around females, so I can only imagine how shy he is around us. I hope he can get over his shyness soon. I think Ky Luna will try to cuddle him more so he's gonna need it. Drake is really kind. He and I are both clavat so I suppose I can relate to him. I feel bad for leaving him out there tonight. Perhaps I'll bring him a blanket.'

Julie finished and put her diary away. She then turned onto her back and drifted off to sleep. Her last thought being of her family. She had to make it home. To tell the the stories of her adventures and laugh with her sisters. To hug her mother out of happiness instead of grief. To learn more from her father about her family trade. Yes she had to return to Tipa. She had to.

Chapter 1