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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
- 51
- 52
- 53
Chapter Fifty-Two

The paths winding around the black and ash covered rocks of Kilanda were narrow and dangerous. Here and there steam would burst up from the ground or the ledge would drop off into a little pool of bubbling water. The place was not safe to navigate and Keiss found it hard to believe that ancient Selkies did so.
He could barely make his way around the place now. If not for the fact there were military scouts searching the island he wouldn't have even moved from his hiding spot. Just ahead of him the Colonel that had brought him to the volcanic island was peeking around the next rock bend to see if anyone was there. He watched her raise her hand and beckon him to follow her.
The pink haired Lilty ducked around the next set of rocks and Keiss got up from where he was crouching to run after her.
Their plan to sit and wait out the Military on the lower half of the island fell through when a few of Regal's soldiers spotted the boat the two had hidden on their way back to base. If it had just been two scouts they had to deal with, that wouldn't had been a problem. However it was two soldiers, Keiss injured arm, a volcanic island, and radioed in back up that was on the way.
Between Keiss and Sherry they each worried Lieutenant Spinosa would show up, and neither wanted to be caught by him. Even if they did fight the two scouts and knock them unconscious that would just raise more suspicion on why they didn't come back. Or why the next group would find them passed out on the ash ridden paths of Kilanda. So the Colonel and Keiss agreed it was better to stay a step ahead of the search party, and to keep moving. If they found nothing, perhaps they'd tell the larger group to turn back when they arrived.
The red head rounded the corner he'd seen the female officer duck around and he hesitated for a moment. The path before him was long and narrow. To the right side there was a solid rock face, to the other there was a drop off down to a lower level of the island. The little path was completely exposed, there wasn't any place for him to duck and hide if need be. And to top it off the drop off to the left led down into a strange cluster of grey oblonged objects. They were slightly speckled, or perhaps that was the ash dusting over the tops of them; they were as tall as he was and clustered together in groups. Each stuck to each other with what appeared to be some sort fo webbing that kept them in clusters, and from rolling away.
The first thing his mind told him when we caught sight of them was that they were obviously monster eggs. But what monster? He hand't seen one since they arrived at the island.
"Selkie!" The Lilty called to him waving her arms. She looked frantic; the scouts must have been drawing near. The Keiss clutched at his wounded arm and took a deep breath before dashing across the narrow path. He stumbled here and there, causing a few rocks to roll down into the monster nest, before he made it across. Sherry held out her hand to him and grabbed his good arm to yank him down into her hiding place.
"Sherry-!"
"Shh! Shh!" The woman held her finger tips up to his lips and looked ahead of the nook they'd ducked into. Keiss looked forward as well; he saw nothing at first until he glanced down. He could see two rather bulky Lilty soldiers slowly meandering one of the lower paths of the volcanic surface. "We'll wait until they cross around the bend and then continue on…"
Keiss leaned back, "They're only fifteen minutes behind us…"
"I know." She let out a sigh. "If not for your arm I'd say we could slide down. Double back and take on of their boats…"
Keiss squeezed at his bandaged arm, "We still could. We could slip out before the larger search party arrives…"
"You won't make it down this surface with one hand and you know it." She shook her head at him.
"Hey," the red head grinned, "I've made it out of some pretty shitty scrapes before and in worse shape than this."
The Lilty chuckled at him, "You'll have to tell me about it later. For now, let's get going." The lightning Crystal Bearer moved forward out of the nook she'd pulled them into and looked around before starting up next curved path up the volcano.
"Sherry," Keiss followed her slowly.
"Yes, Selkie?"
"…Back there. I saw monster eggs."
"I did too," She glanced at him, "What about it."
"But monsters don't live on Kilanda. I haven't seen a single one."
"The volcano used to be home to Goblins, Iron Giants, and various other monsters… But over time the erruptions and instability drove them away. Now just a few varying types use the vacant grounds to incubate their eggs. There are no other creatures about, so they can leave the nest to go hunt at night."
"…What monsters use Kilanda as an incubator?"
"Abaddons." The Lilty turned her attention forward again and started moving. "But they hunt at night. You won't see any here until the sun comes up."
Keiss felt his lips twitch at the thought of being trapped on a volcanic island full of giant swarming bug monsters. He looked over his shoulder and peered at the horizon. The Selkie couldn't tell if the edges of the night sky were actually lessening or if it was his own paranoia telling him it was.
No matter what the correct answer was, he knew he wanted off of Kilanda sooner and not later.

As the first rays of sunlight crept into the window of the old pirate ship cabin, its two occupants each took it upon themselves to hide from the light. The girl rolled over onto her stomach and let her face smoother out the sun in the mattress, while the other turned his back to the window.
Neither was in any mood to get up.
They'd both been up all night waiting for news of and talking about the member of their little group that was away. The arrogant red head still hadn't returned by the time fatigue took over and his two friends were incapable of waiting up for him any longer. So much for being back before sunrise.
Layle wrapped his arms around himself agitated in his sleep; the iron chains on his wrist clanked together. It wasn't exactly comfortable to sleep with them on, but he didn't have much of a choice. He was already tired from all the events that had taken place the day before, and not being able to sleep comfortably just made it worse. If not for the shackles he probably would have had a decent night.
Yet something told him, even without the shackles he'd have probably had a terrible time sleeping without the red head near by.
Next to the bed, the absent Selkie's cat pawed at the sheets and the loop of his chains that draped over the side. The bell wrapped up in the bow around her neck chimed as she played with his bonds. The Clavat slowly opened one eye and glared down at the feline. She was purring as she knocked the metal links back and forth.
"…Lotta…quit that," he grumbled. The cat stopped for a moment and inclined her head. She then proceeded to play her game some more. "Lotta…" Layle pulled at the chains and yanked them away from her. The sudden jerky movement of the links just made the cat jump up onto the bed to chase them. She landed on the Clavat's side purring louder and started to swipe her paws at anything and everything. "Cat!" Layle sat up angrily and the feline jumped off of him onto the girl's back.
The sound of Layle shouting woke Nadeen up in an instant. She lifted her head gasping and looking around confused.
"W-what? What is it? What's going on?"
The Crystal Bearer ran his fingers through his bangs sighing, "Its nothing… Morning, Nadeen."
"…Morning?" She let out a sigh and turned her head toward the window. She didn't say anything for a moment before looking back at the blond. "Is Keiss back yet?"
"If he is, he hasn't come back to his room…"
The Selkie maiden rubbed her eyes and yawned, "H-e's probably reporting into the Guild Master." Nadeen pushed up off the bed and the cat jumped off of her and back down to the floor. "We should go meet him there. Before the report turns into an argument."
Layle got up from the bed and stretched. The iron links pulled taunt just over his head. "Do they ever not argue?"
"Hmmmn," Layle watched as the Selkie rubbed the side of her face, "I don't think they fight when their sleeping."
"Oh," Layle shrugged, "That's reassuring."

Layle and Nadeen made their way to the Stateroom of the Selkie vessel. They resolved they could get breakfast up on deck once they caught up with Keiss.
In the Stateroom, it appeared to be business as usual. Informants were swapping material and a few Selkie's were making under handed deals here and there. The Guild Master, however, was no where to be scene. One of the regular girls was sitting in the chairs that were placed around his table at the head of the room. Nadeen approached her smiling, though the woman didn't smile back.
"Excuse us, but where is the Guild Master?"
"Up in his office." The woman took a bite of a striped apple she'd taken from a bowl of fruit on the table. "He's going over reports of last nights missions."
"Ah," Nadeen smirked at Layle, "Thank you." She walked past the table and the Crystal Bearer followed. The woman kept eating her fruit.
Layle followed Nadeen to the back of the Stateroom and to the door that led up to the Guild Master's office. As they walked up the stairs he couldn't help but noticed the orange haired Selkie girl seemed to be moving slowly.
"…Nadeen, is something wrong?"
The girl stopped halfway up the stairs and turned to him, "I-I don't hear any arguing. …I don't even hear Keiss' voice."
"Well were not up there yet, so that's not surpr-"
"Layle, I'm a tracker. Remember? I make a living recognizing certain situations, patterns, sounds…" She looked back up the stairs. "We're half way to the door, if Keiss was up there I'd hear him and Vaigali tearing each other apart by now." The girl crossed her arms and didn't move forward. Instead she lowered her head and just listened.
Layle leaned on the wall. He started to ask her what she was doing, but she shushed him immediately. He waited, watching the tanned girl stand quietly on the stair well. After about three minutes she raised her head and started to walk again. This time tip-toing up the stairs. She looked back at Layle and pressed her index finger to her lips as they scaled the path to the office.
When they reached the door Nadeen made room for Layle to stand across from her at the top of the stairs. The two stood next to the door quietly, just listening to what was being said inside. Layle couldn't help but note the female Selkie's grim expression.
"-And so that's it. The boys say they saw at least fifteen boats leave the compound and head for Kilanda just before sunrise." Milka was speaking on the other side of the door. "Certainly there was a disturbance, but that's all we've got."
"They've no reason to go to the volcano unless something they wanted was there." Vaigali spoke up and the sounds of papers rustling could be heard.
"So then, he's at the volcano. Crystal knows why'd go to the death trap." There was no response from the Guild Master, "Either way, it would appear at least half the mission was successful. So, should I let the Clavat go?"
"Didn't you say he broke into your room last night?"
"Yes."
"Then keep him in irons. I have plans for him anyway."
"And Keiss?" Again there was no response from Vaigali. Milka however started to laugh, "You're predictable. Fine, I'll put out the word everyone is to stay away from Kilanda. But what are you going to do if he's caught? Let him go to Prison Sands? Keep him in exile? We may as well take him back in here-"
Nadeen started to slip away from the door, but Layle stayed. The Clavat was intent on finding out what Vaigali planned to do about Keiss if he was captured. He felt the Selkie tug at his arm. She didn't speak, but she glared at him. Layle turned his head and pointed to the door, but Nadeen kept pulling at him.
"-Also there's been no news on the client." Layle's lips twisted. He missed the answer from Vaigali. "Artemicion can't find any trace of them. Though we also have no idea who we're really looking for."
Nadeen gave Layle's arm one last tug before she let go of him and started down the stairs. The Clavat took a deep breath and followed her agitated.
It wasn't until they were out of the stairwell that either of them spoke.
"Why did you drag me away?"
"Because we need to get going!" The orange haired girl kept walking. "We have to get ready."
"Get going! But Keiss-"
"That's my point exactly." She shook her head at him, "He needs us. So we need to get a move on."
The Clavat looked at her surprised for a second, but then smiled. "How are we going to get there in time, though? The Military's got a head start on us?"
"Layle, we're Selkies. We've got the best boats on the sea." The girl grabbed the metal links in between his wrist. "Now come on! Time's a-waisting!"

Nadeen led Layle down to the same docks that Keiss had left from just the day before. None of the Guild Members questioned where Nadeen was taking Layle. They trusted her enough to let her be when she told them Vaigali had put her in charge of his fate. It was a ruse that would work at least until Milka was done with her report.
However the two planned to be long gone by then.
"The boat we need is at the end."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because that's where Vaigali always keeps his boat." The orange haired girl smiled at him.
"We're taking Vaigali's boat?"
"Of course we are!" She turned around to face him as she walked backwards, "He may not be willing to go rescue Keiss, but that doesn't mean he's not going to help! He's his son!"
"…I can't believe he's not going to help him." Layle scratched at the side of his face, "I mean what if they kill him? How can that not cross his mind?"
"They're both so stubborn…" Nadeen stopped at the end of the row of boats. "Here we go." The girl sat down on the edge of the pier and pushed herself off to land on the back of the boat. It wasn't like the little sail boat Keiss had left in the day prior. It was a speed boat, refurbished from its use in the military. More than likely stolen or salvaged. The orange haired girl pulled the protective cover off of the steering wheel and front end. She ran her hands over the dash and got down on her knees. "The key should be hidden here somewhere…"
Layle jumped down into the boat and started to untie it from the docks, "He just hides they key in the boat?"
"Look, no one steals from the Guild Master unless they want to die." Nadeen pulled her head back, "Well, no one except for Keiss. We used to take his boats all the time and went joy riding…" She tucked her head under the other side and ran her hands along the surface. Layle snorted. The thought of Keiss behaving like a regular kid seemed impossible. "Ah-ha!" Nadeen pulled her head up and stood with the key in her hand. "Just like old times."
The Clavat dropped the rope onto the floor of the boat and walked over to her, "Great. Let's get going."
"-Get going to where?" The two in the boat froze up as a voice came from behind. Layle and Nadeen turned their heads around to see Milka standing at the end of the docks. She wasn't in her usually clothing. No long flowing gown this morning. Instead she wore a yellow and purple striped shirt that stopped at her stomach and a pair of tight brown leather pants. The elegantly laced of sandals she wore the night before were replaced with black boots with the toes cut out and splits along the sides of the feet and her hair was tied back in a yellow bandana. In addition, she wore a belt with a pistol holstered on either side of her hips and a new choker around her neck. "You aren't thinking of going out to Kilanda, are you?"
"…And what if we are?" Layle frowned at her.
"The Guild Master has given explicit orders, Nadeen. No one is to go near that island or the Military base. You'll quickly find yourself clad in irons along with the Crystal Bearer."
"Milka," the orange haired girl spoke up, "You can't just expect me not to go help Keiss."
"I can, and I do. Get out of that boat."
Layle raised his hand to the woman and a gravity field wrapped around his fingers, "Nadeen start the boat."
The orange haired girl looked at him and then the the Selkie on the docks. She turned toward the dash and started to put the key in. Behind her Milka reached to her side and drew one of her guns. "Nadeen, don't you dare."
"Go ahead and fire, see what happens." Layle put his other hand on Nadeen's shoulder urging her to continue.
"I'm sorry, Milka. But we have to go." The Selkie girl turned the key and shouted, "Someone has to help, Keiss!"
As soon as the boat started up the woman fired. Layle pushed his spell outward and his magic caused the bullet to ricochet away from them. Milka let out a scream of aggravation and raised her second gun to fire again. Nadeen grabbed the clutch of the boat and started it forward. As the boat was starting to pull away from the dock, the sound of someone running down the wooden pier could be heard.
Both she and Layle turned their heads to see the Guild Master charging their way. He was running full force down the dock, carrying a large chest over his shoulder. Despite the size of the box, it did not seem to be slowing him down at all. Nadeen let out a startled yelp and put the boat into full throttle hoping they'd pull away fast enough.
Milka stood to the side as Vaigali rushed by her, however she held out her hand and grabbed onto the back handle of the trunk. The Guild Master reached the end of the pier, but didn't stop running. He pushed off of it and lept into the air. Despite the extra weight the old pirate crossed the gap between the dock and the retreating boat easily. He landed on the back of the boat in a crouching position, with one hand and one knee on the ground while his other hand held onto the trunk. The pistol toting Selkie maiden dangled from the back but dropped down as the man stood.
Nadeen clutched the wheel of the boat in her hands, nervous and astounded at the same time. Layle couldn't help but smirk as Vaigali dropped the trunk onto the floor of the boat.
"I- We- I-" the girl stammered, "Guild Master, we- we have to go help- help Keiss, I- I can't just stay at the ship knowing he's in trouble-!"
"Nadeen." The old pirate cut her off and she bit her bottom lip. "I have given the order that all Guild Members were to abstain from approaching the islands of Kilanda. Are you incapable of following orders?"
"I-I no, sir- but, but your son-"
"Keiss is my problem. Not the Guild's. You are rushing off to fight Military trained troops. Do you have any experience fighting such foes?"
"…W-well no, Sir, but-"
"That's right!" He shouted at her. "None of you do. Only a handful of Guild Members have been in combat against the Lilty Military before, and most of them live off Guild. Only Milka and myself remain that still know how to handle those armor clad onions." He pointed at her and Layle, "And yet, here you two are, rushing off to get yourselves captured, meaning I'd have to save three of you blasted kids instead of just one!"
Layle and Nadeen glanced at each other. "Save…"
"…Three?" Layle crossed his arms, "But you were going to leave Keiss to get captured!"
"To teach him a lesson," Milka knelt down next to the trunk and pulled out a key. Now that Layle was looking at it he recognized it as the one for her room. Theformer pirate opened it up and revealed an assortment of firearms. "But we weren't going to let them haul him off to prison."
"Now we can't even let him be captured," he motioned at Layle and Nadeen, "Not with you two fools rushing off into danger. No plan. No weapons. Not even disguised." Layle and Nadeen looked at each other again surprised. "You're lucky the guards said they saw you two fools were heading for the docks. Milka!" Vaigali turned to the female pirate as she dug out a duffel bag form the trunk and tossed it at Layle.
"Already got it, Captain." She stood up, "Get changed, will you. The idea is for them to not know who you are, the Crystal is an obvious give away."
"…So, you were both going to go this whole time?" Nadeen smiled slightly. Vaigali approached the wheel and motioned for her to move aside. The Leudian girl gladly did so.
"Did you really think we weren't?"
Nadeen let out a sigh of relief. "I-I'm sorry I ever doubted you, Sir. It's just, sometimes… You and Keiss…"
"Don't apologize to us, Nadeen." Milka closed her trunk and sat down on it. "You're taking a ration cut for this offense." Layle watched at the orange haired girl's smile slowly twisted into a frown. Milka chuckled and motioned for Layle to come over to her. "Come on, Crystal Bearer, let's get you out of those chains so you can fight properly."
"The chains?" Layle looked down at the bag in his arms and dropped it. He looked at Milka and smiled as he started to pull his arms apart. A gravity field twisted around the metal links and they started to warp and contort. Nadeen backed away from him and the female pirate watched confused. The Clavat kept pulling at the chains with his magic until a few of the links started to crack and bend. Suddenly the chain snapped, and the broken iron links clattered onto the floor of the boat. The three Selkies stared at Layle baffled.
The blond shook his hands causing a few more dangling links to drop; only the iron clasp remained around his wrist.
"You- you could have gotten free this whole time?" Milka asked.
"Nah," Layle shrugged. "I was tired yesterday. I told you I was only at half strength."
The women were confused, but the Guild Master started to laugh.
"Quite the First Mate Keiss has dug himself up, indeed."
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The Crystal Rule