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The Crystal Rule	By : QueenDraggyofSwords Category: Final Fantasy Games > Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Views: 956 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy: chrystal Chronicles, any of its characters nor am I making any profit off of them.

Chapter List
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Author's Note: And here is chapter two. Not nearly as long as Chapter one...only half its length. I could probably break these up and shorten them even more...it may make them more inviting to people, but I probably won't.
Anyway, to anyone who's reading this, I hope you enjoy.
Chapter Two
As Layle walked out of Padarak Tavern onto the streets, he questioned himself a little bit. An amusing but bad habit he carried.
"That may have been a bit too flashy, Layle. If that Selkie doesn't bite, you'll have to find elsewhere to acquire work. And there's not many places in town for a crystal bearer to loo-"
"Hey you!" Layle turned around to see the redheaded Selkie walking his way. He tucked his hands into his jacket pockets and waited for the other to catch up. "So, Crystal Bearer, that was quite the display back there."
Layle shrugged, "It was only a fraction of what I can do." He watched as the Selkie smirked. They were always so expressive, the Selkie tribe. They smirked, laughed, cursed, constantly. Layle didn't see a point. Other than general amusement, he pretty much kept his emotions to himself. An older Clavat he met once had gone so far as to say he was 'Yuke Faced'. That kind made him laugh.
"I'm sure it is only a fraction," the Selkie mercenary leaned to one side and placed his hands on his head. "Your power is…exactly what I am looking for."
"Is that so? Well I'm glad to hear that, so we have a partnership-"
"Ah-uh not quite yet." Layle quirked an eyebrow as the Selkie waved his hands about. "You see, your power might be what I'm looking for, but I never partner up without making sure I'm not getting screwed. We got'ta put you through a test run first."
"A test run?" Layle rolled his eyes, "What am I some sort of engine?"
The Selkie shrugged, "You're a crystal bearer, Crystal Bearer! I've got'ta make sure your 'talents' can keep up with my work. Even if your tricks are keen in a bar, out in the open field, life's full of surprises. You had lots of time to sit there and study your opponents." The redhead pointed out toward the sky, "But out there every thing is split second, I want to make sure you can handle it."
"Look, I've been doing this for a while, I can handle anything."
"Really?" The Selkie turned and started to walk away, "Then why object? You should pass this test in no time flat. And we'll be on our way to our first mission."
Layle grumbled; Selkie's were a distrusting tribe he should have known it wouldn't have been easy. But he wasn't going to back down now. All he had to do was do as he always did. He turned up his head and followed behind his soon to be partner.
They walked in near silence for ten minutes; from the slums to the upper streets. Clearly they were heading for a shuttle terminal, but the Selkie hadn't said a word. Every now and again, Layle saw him look out the corner of his eye at him, but that was all. The older boy was still sizing him up. Probably trying to figure out his physical weaknesses, notice if he had any handicaps, find out where he kept his wallet. The Clavat bearer tucked his hands into his pockets further. Oh yeah, this Selkie was sizing him up. Funny though, he had yet to even ask him his name.
Keiss couldn't stop smirking. This day was too good to be true. It had started out poorly, but this new opportunity was perfect. If there was one thing Keiss understood, is that everyone and everything in this world is subject to certain 'forces'. These forces usually consisted of power, money, and status. But one couldn't over look natural forces as well. And gravity was a natural force that affected everything. From the rich, to the poor; form airships to Chocobo wagons. There wasn't a mission he couldn't undertake, a circumstance that could stop him! That was, he looked out the corner of his eye, if this worked out.
He couldn't help but notice the Clavat was awfully….quiet. Usually the Clavat are a cheery tribe. They laugh, cheer, goof around, and wear their hearts on their sleeve. However his new partner clearly did not. Maybe he had some Selkie to him? Putting up fake expressions while hiding anterior motives? He glanced over again. Certainly no Lilty…and he lacked any distinctive Selkie features. Other than good looks. Well he could have just gotten lucky, not all Clavats are… … ….Clavat looking. Keiss glanced again. Blond hair, blue eyes, average height, lean weight… mercenary work probably kept him fit. His face wasn't too scared up…blond hair, Clavat's in the Western Plains, out past the Mountains on the continent's other side tend to be blond, but the blue eyes, those were unique.
He twisted his lips in thought, a resourceful power and good looks. No arguably, Keiss could say this was the best combination of a partner for him.
"Alright." The Clavat broke the silence, "I'm getting a little annoyed. What is up?"
"Hmn?" Keiss turned and eyed his would be partner.
"Where are we going?"
"You're field test. Just outside of town." The Clavat crossed his arms.
"And the funny looks? What think I can't handle myself?"
"The looks?" Keiss chuckled, "No no, just thinking you look good."
The Clavat sighed, "That's not funny…um…" he pointed, "You're name anyway?"
"Oh, how rude of me." He gave a very cynical Selkie bow, "Keiss."
"Ah, Lay-"
"Save it!" Keiss put his hand up, the other looked very offended. "No offense. But I don't want to learn your name until after the test."
"Excuse you?" The Clavat crossed his arms.
"If it doesn't work out, I'll have learned your name for no reason. Just 'Crystal Bearer' is good enough for now." Before the Clavat could say anything, Keiss had already turned on his heals and was walking away. Part of him had meant what he said. He didn't want to become vested in a person if he was just going to discard them anyway…and part of him was just curious to see if he could get an angry expression out of the crystal bearer. It had worked.
He was amused.
'He's a dick.' Was all Layle could think to himself on the shuttle. 'But not a bigger dick than Blaze.' He looked over at the Selkie next to him. Keiss was his name. But he didn't care to learn Layle's? He shook his head. The whole tribe was full of liars and cheats…how did he know he wasn't setting himself up to be apart of some crime ring.
He chuckled to himself, "Though that would be interesting…"
"You say something, Crystal Bearer?"
"Hmn?" Layle shook his head, "No." Thinking out loud was going to get him in trouble some day. As the shuttle came to a stop the two stepped out. On the lower west end of Alfitaria there was an exit out to the woods. They could have taken the shuttle and exited out through the Queen's Garden, but that would take too long for what Keiss had planned.
He lead the annoyed, but silent Clavat out past the gates and down a beaten path. Layle looked around, wondering what was up? Did his field test literally take place in a field? He sighed in anguish. How boring. "Is this going to take long?" He asked dryly.
Keiss smiled, "Only as long as you make it." They walked for another fifteen minutes, until they were out amongst the Clavat peasant homes of the country side. A few little shacks here and there, fenced in Chocobos, and a few little orchards. All of this was still considered part of Alfitaria of course. As the two walked the roads, Layle noticed some of the Clavats were steadily packing up their goods from the road side karts, or taking their Chocobos into their barns. He looked up at the sky and saw the crystal clear day was slowly turning darker, and white clouds were slowly tinting with purple mist.
"A miasma stream is moving in. We should head inside," He stopped walking and watched as the Selkie continued forward. Keiss shrugged.
"We're out here for the miasma stream, I'm surprised one took so long to blow in…" He looked around and smiled. "Alright, Crystal Bearer, I'm sure as you know, when a miasma stream is dead overhead, the area fills with monsters. The eye of the stream is where they all 'live', and they follow it. Like winds follow a tornado."
"I know," Layle crossed his arms, "I grew up in the plains. I know all about miasma stream patterns. Which is why we shouldn't-"
"This is your field test, Crystal Bearer!" Keiss said in a mocking tone. "If you're afraid of a few little monsters…then I should head back to Padarak and ask Earth Mover to be my partner." The mercenary smirked. He watched as any sort of forthcoming comment drained from the Clavat's face.
"Oh, I'm not worried for me," Layle nodded, "But you should go inside. You can't watch me in action if you're out here fighting." Layle started to walk again, past Keiss and further down the road, "Go put your feet up and enjoy the show." He walked off, in his head cursing the Selkie, but at the same time thanking him that his 'field test' was at least something interesting.
"Heh, Crystal Bearer…" Keiss turned around and made his way to the nearest Clavat vendor and asked if he could wait out the coming miasma stream with him and his wife. The two inquired about Layle, at which Keiss assured them he would be fine. He had better be…
Layle stopped walking and looked up at the oncoming stream. He glanced over his shoulder to see Keiss retreating into a shelter with a few Clavats and gave a light sigh of relief. Something about the Selkie made him tense. Maybe it was the fact he kept calling him 'Crystal Bearer' instead of learning his name, or maybe it was the fact he kept staring at him so intently. Whatever it was, now that Keiss was not judging his every movement, he felt less up tight and more capable of dealing with whatever monsters that came his way.
And they came quickly.
Within minutes of Keiss and the Clavats exiting the path, the eye of the miasma stream appeared overhead. The sunlight was blocked out; the clouds too. All that could be seen over head was a swirling mass of thick purple smoke. Long had it been since breathing the gasses poisoned you, turned you to stone, or worse- a monster. But still most people did not venture out into the stuff. Because still lurking in the miasma were the monsters.
Always the monsters, it seemed the world would never be rid of its little annoyances. And there were none so annoying as goblins. This particular miasma stream had brought at least of dozen of the pesky creatures to the fields. They danced about with large clubs and sticks coming up the road. Completely complacent until they spotted Layle standing in front of them.
One of the little beasts shrieked to get the attentions of the others and they started to circle the crystal bearer. Keiss watched as the blond Clavat just stood there. He didn't even seem that worried…but then again the boy's face rarely changed. He twisted his lips half into a frown. The Clavat residents of the field were behind him, urging him to get back from the windows, or the goblins would see him. He just ignored them. A bunch of cowards…how could they live out here and not be willing to fight the monsters?
Layle stood still watching the goblins circle and chatter at one another. He didn't speak goblin, but their attacks were easy enough to read. And always the same. Circle the target, then charge at it and bash it. If some had arrows they'd hang back and shoot. And Any healers hid in the corner. But today it was just the bashers. Once they were around him they chattered and laughed and charged.
Layle held up his right hand and grabbed one as it came into range. He hoisted it up over his head while running forward. The others, confused as to why one of their brethren was floating stopped and watch the crystal bearer run through the gap in their ranks. Once outside the circle Layle turned around and flung the goblin at the group. Three of the goblins fell over. As they scrambled to get up two others ran off to the side to grab sticks.
Silly goblins, a stick wouldn't stop him. As the newly armed goblins charged, Layle lifted one with ease and held it over his head with his right hand. But instead of tossing it he used his left hand to force the goblin to bash its comrades in the face. He did this for a while out of sheer amusement. He chased after fleeing goblins as they shirked and cursed in their own little language while he used their friend to beat them over the head. It always made him happy.
"Tch, Crystal Bearer," Keiss shook his head from the window. Watching the Clavat toy with the goblins. The boy wasn't afraid at all. Actually Keiss was very sure he was laughing about it. He watched as two goblins ran by, running from their attacker, who picked them up and hurled them into trees and rocks. Into each other, and into the dirt. Until their little brown bodies broke apart into purple gas. As the last one returned to the miasma stream, Keiss opened the door to his hiding place.
"Good job, Crystal Bearer." The Selkie looked around, not a monster in sight. He clapped, almost ironically. "That only took you five minutes. Not bad. Not fantastic, but-"
"Not fantastic?" Layle crossed his arms "I didn't see you out here helping."
"Of course not. I wanted to see how well you did on your own." Keiss stopped and came to rest with one hip jutting to the side. "You pass. So, partner, lets head back to the city and I'll tell you all about the-"
"Wait." Layle held his hand up and walked past Keiss. The Selkie called out to him asking where he was going. "I'm not done yet!" He called over his shoulder. He could hear the Selkie shouting angrily after him but it didn't stop him. He had one last matter to tend to. He walked down the path and stood under the center of the swirling clouds. The core of a miasma stream was always easy enough to spot. The darkest spot in the sky; the swirling clouds usually made a funnel shape; and if you watched closely enough, any of the destroyed monsters traveled back to this spot. He stood under it and looked up.
Keiss followed him. Wondering what the hell was up. 'Stupid Crystal Bearer. What is he doing…we shouldn't stay long. The stream will generate more monsters soon.' He stood just behind Layle and called out to him. "Crystal Bearer!" He was a bit angry, "What are you doing! We need to go!"
"I told you," Layle turned around to face him. The Clavat flexed his right hand and smirked, "I'm not done." He raised his hand and released his energy into the stream. All at once he felt a pull, like it was trying to suck him up, but he twisted his arm and yanked back. It took a little bit of extra force, but he managed to shift the flow of the miasma.
Keiss watched, his jaw agape as the gravity controlling Clavat seemed to reach up into the eye of the stream. At first he thought he was trying to extract another monster – which was pointless because monsters were never ending. This was just fact. But what he saw blew him away. The Clavat did not pull a monster, no he pulled the stream itself. And before Keiss could make heads or tails of why or how this was happening, the clouds over head started to shift. Rapidly. He looked around as the very miasma stream that had rolled in, dissipated and cleared the area. The blue sky and clouds returned, all traces of what had just happened were gone.
"Now we can go." The Clavat walked up to him. "Hey…Keiss? We leaving?"
"…what did you just do?" He looked down from the sky to Layle, "What did you just do! Did you just destroy it!"
"Huh, no," Layle scratched the side of his face, "How to put this…I sort of closed it."
"Closed it!" Keiss grabbed his shoulders and started shaking him, "And what does that mean?"
Layle pushed the Selkie off, "Perhaps closed is the wrong word…" He turned and pointed toward the sky. Where the eye of the stream used to be. "See, the miasma stream flows with the wind. The wind flows with the air currents, generating an eye…a calm center-"
"Look I don't want a meteorology lesson! I just want to know what you did!" Keiss crossed his arms, he was annoyed the crystal bearer was not explaining himself.
"I'm getting there," Layle scratched the side of his face. "I just pulled on the air currents and closed the eye." He held up his glowing hand. "When the eye shut, the currents had to shift…it immediately blows the stream away to a new eye that has formed elsewhere. See? I explained it."
Keiss was speechless. The gravity bearer could 'close' miasma streams. But where did the stream relocate to? Did he care? Did it matter? He knew this power was going to have a great impact on his work, but not this big of an impact. The things this Crystal Bearer could do! Keiss had to know all of them. Every single one. His lips curled into a feline like smile. He could tasted that military contract.
He held out his hand, "Put it there, Crystal Bearer."
Layle eyed the offered hand. Did he really want to work with this irritable Selkie? Could he afford not to? He reached out and took his hand. "The name's Layle."
"Layle, eh?" Keiss smiled. "Well, Layle, this is the start of a beautiful partnership."
Both of the young men smiled. A beautiful partnership, one that was going to take them on a long and bumpy road.

A/N: And that's chapter two. The miasma streams and monsters were always a thing that stuck in my mind for all FF:CC games, even though past the first game they are not a focus just a ploy...But since Layle can close them while others just ran, I thought that was pretty unique trait. But Layle is unique sort of guy, eh?
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The Crystal Rule