• Chapter 3: The Long Road to Dunda


    The sun burned in the Midday sky as Sabin and Tabby walked the road that lead through Greywood forest. A road that seemed to stretch on forever. For as long as the road was though, at least there was the company of the woodland creatures which seemed to greet there presence with various squeaks and sqwaks...
    "BOSS!!!! how long is this road supposed to go on?" Tabby moaned, with a disheveled look on her face,"It's hot out here and my legs are tired!" to which Sabin replied,"Tabs, I think you've been skybound for a little too long, your getting soft on me..." to which he followed with a loud chuckle. and after sharing a long stare she said "Well it's not MY fault you got me used to being on a ship now is it?" after which they shared a laugh.
    After walking for a couple more hours in silence, Sabin raised his hand and brought the two of them to a stop in conjuction with the loud clamor the two of them heard ahead. "Stay here as I check it out" Sabin whispered, then seemingly dissapeared in the brush on the side of the road. As Sabin pushed through the bushes and branches, the seemingly simple clamor rose to the sound of a glorious battle. And when he reached the tree line and looked out at the plain ahead of him, that's just what he saw...
    A Battlecaster was engaged with a group of bandits and seemed to be doing alright, yet it wasn't in Sabin's blood to just let an innocent man be idly tormented by a group of thugs. And with a loud cry he broke through the treeline wielding his sword and the Sureshot Longbarrel his father had given him to commemorate his graduation from the captains academy. His enemies were not impressed. Out of the eight, three of them ran at Sabin. And with a series of loud bangs and a cloud of smoke he dropped two of them dead to the ground. Now out of ammo, Sabin reholstered his Sureshot and readied his Gold-edged blade.
    "Quite a nice little butter knife ya have there ya maggot!" Said the bandit.
    "Nice enough to gut you like the shameless coward you are!" he replied.
    And after what seemed to be an eternity, The two met blades, sending sparks and the sound of metal clashing into the midday air. By now, Tabby was wondering why Sabin hadn't returned and left the safety of the brush to push towards the clamor and investigate. Upon reaching the treeline she looked in awe as she witnessed Sabin locking blades with what seemed to be a bandit and readied a Fireball as she waited for the other bandit who was dashing towards Sabin to get just a little bit closer.
    Sabin heard the sound of a fireball go flying behind him and after pulling his sword from his fallen foe, turned just in time to see it scorch the bandit who was attempting a sneak attack. "Thanks Tabs!" he yelled across the plain to his friend hiding in the treeline. Turning towards the rest of the motley crew who were harrasing the old battlecaster, Sabin noticed that he was readying a spell of some sort, and as he approached, the only thing he could hear over the thrum of colossal energy was "Get to the treeline now! Hurry!" shouted from the stranger.
    Without thinking, Sabin turned and broke into a run. And while he was running he could feel a massive wave of energy surge through him as the treeline in front of him was enveloped in a bright white light. Seemingly without explanation, Sabin was lifted and thrown into the brush were Tabby laid in hiding and nearly slammed into her as he flew over her into a bush. After standing, Sabin almost had trouble defining what he was seeing. It was a massive white and blue snake that was laying waste to the remaining bandits. and after the length of about a minute, it was over. leaving the old man standing there, smiling, obviously quite proud of his victory over the bandits that threatened to take his life.
    The old man approached the two of them as they were walking out of the treeline and dusting themselves off and while stroking his beard politely said, "While I am grateful for your help, I could've handled those whelps myself. but alas, thank you two for helping to keep them busy while I readied that spell." to which Sabin replied "It's no problem, we heard the clamor while we were back on the road, and I can't stand to see an innocent man be harrased by thugs like that. As a captain of the Imperial Fleet, it's my duty to protect the innocent, I'm sure you understand." But after a moment, the reality of what had happened back at the city sank in and Sabin lost his proud smile. "Well... I guess I WAS a captain. The Imperial City is no more, and now were left to walk an endless road to a city we've never even been to meet a man I've never even seen..."
    After a short moment the old man replied, "I understand the hardships you and your young friend are going through. My name is Thurman, battlecaster of the Dunda Royal Guard and Im heading back to the city after delivering some medical supplies to a small village not to far from here. Perhaps we could travel together?" The man had a warm smile on his face that set Sabins mind at ease. It had been quite a small while since he actually saw someone smile. After all the chaos and sorrow he had witnessed just a few days ago, it was a welcome occurence. "I appreciate that, and we shall take you up on your offer." Sabin said, returning the smile. "Well that's quite well indeed, for our journey wont be much longer, Dunda is just a few miles ahead!" to which the three of them all shared a relieved smile. Tabby and Sabin had been walking the path for a few days and were pretty much sick of traveling. Now knowing that there journey would be ending sooner then expected, the three of them marched off into the sunsetting horizon. Sabin and Tabby weary and curious of what would come next. Thurman just ready to get home......


    Thats it for chapter 3! whats to come of the travelers? Find out In Chapter 4!