Final Fantasy VIII (A Tribute to Squaresoft)

[M.J. Saulnier]

(It would take me years to catch you up by posting the stories. I'll probably do that anyway, but for now here is a brief summary of every story. I've chosen to focus on the protagonist side of things, and I think you'll understand at the end of VII.)

Final Fantasy I
​

Zenobia is a massive, technologically advanced desert metropolis. An empire seeking to conquer and erase the old world. Using their far superior technology they sweep the vast continent committing genocide, and establish new Zenobian cities atop the ruins and corpses. The desert city is divided in two. The core of the city is awe inspiring. Buildings that tower into the sky. Wealth and luxury for every man and woman. Highly advanced technology engrained into daily life. Outside the core, beyond the walls and defences, the people of the slums suffer in poverty and oppression, living in crudely built structures under horrible conditions. <strong>Anastasia Maria Grace</strong> is a resident of the slums. She is an everyday 23 year old girl who believes so strongly in the ideals of equality, freedom, and world peace that she is willing to stand against an entity so powerful that any hope of a world free of it has been lost. She and three of her friends (Jin, Willow, Kato) plan an attack on Zenobia Prime HQ, a technology corporation owned by Prince <strong>Sarovoc Ducrinus</strong> and the sole provider of energy to the entire city. The plan fails and Ana's friends are killed by the faulty explosive timers. She is rescued by a mysterious outsider who calls himself <strong>Edge</strong>. He parts ways to protect her (as he is being hunted by Zenobian troops), instructing her to meet him at Odessa Inn. With her best friends dead she goes to the only place she can think of. Stryker is ex-Zenobian Special Forces, the owner/operator of <em>Rebel Radio</em>, and mentor to Jin. He volunteers to escort her to Odessa. Leaving Zenobia for the very first time, Ana accidentally embarks on an epic journey that takes her across the world to crusade against the Zenobian Empire. She meets <strong>Juakeem Mohinder</strong>, a bedouin warrior and chocobo breeder, and his war bird Shae'elle. He gives her a young, unremarkable chocobo named Boko who is determined to become a worthy war bird. The group meets Edge and Commander <strong>Bastian Fairheart</strong> at Odessa Inn. The Inn is a front for a rebel base located beneath the ground. The base is compromised by Zenobian forces and Bastian leads the group out of the desert and into the wilderness. Along their journey they meet <strong>Casius Magnus</strong>, a nomadic Black Mage who saved Ana from capture back on the road to Odessa. They also meet <strong>Lillian Nobunaga</strong>, a Swordstress, traveling warrior and the last of her ancient race. When they reach the coast, they meet <strong>Cideon Armstrong</strong>, Captain of the Free Airship <em>Valiant</em> and his nephews <strong>Biggs and Wedge</strong>. Cid reluctantly grants them sanctuary aboard his ship. Ana inspires Cid to stop hiding underwater instead of living and fighting. While helping rebel forces defend a city from Zenobian assault, the group has an encounter with <strong>Marrick Cross</strong>, a White Mage and exiled Paladin of <em>Whiteguard</em>. They also square off with the Agents of the Chimera Initiative. <em>Victor Chimera</em>, ex-Zenobian Special Forces, ex-Imperial Operative, and war hero. <em>Leo and Lyra Stratta</em>, lethal killing machines trained by the legendary brute <em>Hogo Marks</em>. <em>Tallis "Tank" Cortez</em>, heavy weapons and demolition expert. <em>Callixta "Raven" Ravana</em>, deadly sniper and ace pilot. Marrick attempts to commandeer the Valiant, but is thwarted by the crew. The Zenobian attack fails. Bastian (through his belief in Ana's ability to inspire otherwise defeated men) suggests that she be taken to <em>Tessafe's Mirror of Fate</em>, a standing mirror with decorative silver framework said to have belonged to Queen Tessafe of Whiteguard. This mystical, enchanted mirror shows any who gaze into it an image of importance. What it shows you varies, and it's not always easy to understand. One by one the group enters the temple to behold the mirror's message. (In order, identifying what they saw, and whether it was shown or later revealed) <strong>Biggs</strong> ("shown") - A man in a white mask (Leo Stratta, and the man who kills him. He did not encounter Leo at the previous battle, so he does not recognize him) <strong>Wedge</strong> ("revealed") - A knight clad in black armour holding a bloody sword (Kierkess Aventola, and the man who kills him in VIII) <strong>Seto (Edge)</strong> ("shown") - A Dragon's eye opening (The awakening of Bahamut) <strong>Lilly</strong> ("revealed") - A flaming bird (Phoenix) <strong>Bastian</strong> ("revealed") - A soaring white dove (Symbolizing Ana, freedom, and hope) <strong>Stryker</strong> ("revealed") - Ana <strong>Casius</strong> ("revealed") - Ana <strong>Ana</strong> ("revealed") - It shows her everything. All of the events about to unfold up to and including VII.


</p>

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

Final Fantasy II

​

Prince Sarovoc Ducrinus assassinates his own brother in order to take the throne as Emperor of Zenobia.


Ana emerges from the temple after hours of the group waiting. The journey continues as Ana drags Cid across the globe, spreading her message and ideals.


The Valiant visits the eastern plains of Turra where Zenobia is burning villages and temples to the ground as they expand into the territory. They meet Banion Warbear, a warrior Monk and hero of Turra. Together they drive Zenobia from the lands of Turra. Banion agrees to travel with Ana in order to learn more about his enemy.


Stryker confronts Edge about using the name Edge Widowmaker telling him he knew the man and he was older than Stryker is. Edge reveals his true identity to be Seto Bobaloo Sobral He assumed the name and persona after witnessing the ex-Zeno soldier die in a gunfight in the slums of Zenobia.


Marrick Cross springs himself from the Valiant's holding cells, determined to commandeer the ship and kill it's charming Captain. When he is clearly outgunned and outnumbered, he surrenders. As he is being escorted to cells, he levels with Cid about why he wants his ship so much. He has a tip about a Zenobian plan to take the city of Kiratoma, one of the largest rebel holds in the world. He is trying to reach the city before it falls. Cid locks him up and heads for Kiratoma. When this plan is confirmed, Marrick is released under a close watch.


The men of Kiratoma are defeated, tired, scared and pissed off. They see no point in fighting an impossible battle. Command struggles to keep morale at a reasonable level. The majority of the soldiers are pushing for a surrender. Stryker dresses Ana in full combat gear, as if she were actually going to fight. He marches a terrified Ana past hundreds of soldiers. The point is a strong one: "if you cowards won't fight, the women and children will, because someone has to defend this city."


His plan works, and only a few hundred of thousands refuse to fight. With the help of the heroes, Kiratoma is barely defended for the moment and Marrick has become an ally of the group.


Zenobian forces muster again as reinforcements arrive on both sides. The second battle is brutal and rebel forces have no choice but to retreat or die. But not before Stryker shoots Leo in the shoulder with a pistol, dropping him instantly. The group escapes to The Valiant, but Casius has chosen to stay behind and fight the pursuing troops. Ana and Seto strongly protest leaving him but Cid makes a tough call, assuring them he can handle himself.


Using his native martial art Kel'no Synn combined with fire and ice magic, he begins to fend off the soldiers, casting reflect to neutralize their bullets. But more and more soldiers pile into the clearing...

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

Final Fantasy III

​

The group has taken on refugees from the Kiratoma Army and must take them to Andora, the Rebel Capitol.


Cid and Stryker confront Marrick about his White Mage heritage, the reason he wanted to defend Kiratoma being that it's dense, harsh territory was the last defence between Zenobian lines and Whiteguard territory. Marrick is honest about his being born a Paladin of Whiteguard, devoting his life to the crown and being exiled by the Arch Mage for falling in love with his granddaughter. Stryker confesses to Cid and Marrick that he used to be Special Forces, army before that. Devoted his life to helping slaughter the people he's trying to help now. Cid accepts them both as them men they are today.


Andora brings a new hope. Several outlying pro-Andoran nations have mustered their armies and are preparing to attack a Zenobian fortress alongside Andorans.


They capture the fortress. During the battle a mysterious man (Hayvian Solaris) saves Seto's life, disappearing afterward. Casius arrives during the battle (he was told to go to Andora as the group was leaving).


But Sarovoc Ducrinus approaches from above with Callixta in a helicopter. He takes careful aim with Raven's long range rifle. Seto sees the chopper and moves to reach Ana, yelling her name. A mysterious man (Simeon Ortega) grapples his torso, holding him back. (I can't even write about this without tearing up. Ah! Omg, it's intense) Sarovoc pulls the trigger and a high powered round rips through Ana's chest killing her instantly. The rebel heroine and domestic terrorist is dead...


The group looks on helplessly and in horror. Seto rushes to her side. As this intense, profound emotional maelstrom ignites within Seto, a void of energy forms high above him. A massive sapphire dragon emerges head-first, rotating as it comes forth before extending his wings... Bahamut!


Callixta and Sarovoc hightail it out of there, narrowly dodging Tri Flare attacks from the forgotten deity. He looms in the sky, circling around and around as Seto holds Ana's body in his arms.


The group captures the mysterious man.


By now Ana has travelled across the world, meeting and inspiring hundreds of thousands of lives. She taught people that strength isn't determined by one's skill with a blade, but by the quality of their character. She also started a world-wide feminine movement, inspiring millions of women and girls to be what they want to be, not what's expected of them.

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

Final Fantasy IV

​

A moving funeral is held for Ana at the Mana Tree (a place the group visited together, and where Ana made everyone promise to keep fighting, always. No matter what happens), and where she wanted to be buried when she died. Hundreds of rebel vessels and thousands of pilgrims attend the emotional ceremony.


Distant, emotionally void and still covered in Ana's blood, Seto heads home. The group reluctantly follows him deep into the wilderness (after bringing him aboard The Valiant when he collapsed). When they arrive, they are met by Henato Bobaloo Sobral Junior, eldest brother of Seto. His father (Henato Senior) tells him that the essence of Bahamut resides in the sapphire pendant around his neck. When he ran away at 15, he missed out of his right of passage as a Sobral male when he would have been told this and taught how to command him. Henato Senior tells the group that there are other forces in the world similar to Bahamut.


Seto makes it clear to his family that his guests are no longer welcome and the group is forced to leave.


Meanwhile, the arrival of Bahamut has Sarovoc researching this phenomena, and Leo is healed up from his wound.


Without Ana, the group falls apart. Casius returns to his travels. Banion returns to his people, Bastian has long since left, Juakeem and Shae'elle have returned to the Zenobian desert. Having nowhere to go, Marrick and Lilly remain with Cid, Stryker, Biggs, and Wedge. There is a lot of personal struggle and grieving. Characters swapping memories and stories.


Simeon Ortega is interrogated extensively but he reveals nothing. Only that the other mystery man is the real bad guy, despite what it all may look like.


They decide to gut up and get back to fighting the Empire. They plan an attack on a Zenobian outpost with some rebel forces. The plan fails and as a sniper, Stryker reluctantly escapes after watching the team captured through the crosshairs of his empty rifle. Marrick unloads both pistols three times before throwing them down and surrendering. The Valiant is ceased and it's crew jailed along with the group.

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

Final Fantasy V

​

Lyra Stratta and a company of Special Forces soldiers close in on a frosty stone altar. Lyra closes her eyes, touching the cold surface slowly. She comes out of the remote temple eager to test her new prize. She summons Shiva, the beautiful Goddess of ice, and in a fit of rage and grief, she kills everyone but Lyra using Diamond Dust. (This stems back to the Great War when the Gods were still free)


Cid, Biggs, Wedge, Lilly, and Marrick are in a Zenobian prison.


Stryker travels far and wide searching for Casius. He gets him up to speed, and they head directly for Sobral territory. They manage to be taken prisoner and Seto speaks to them. Stryker tells him the gang is locked up and Seto begins preparing for the journey.


He talks to his father, and brothers Henato and Sedato. He tells them everything. That an entity so evil that they would destroy everything to rebuild in their own image threatens the lives of every free man the world over, and he must leave again to fight it. His father is moved to tears, telling Seto he is proud of him. (Seto is the runt. He always lived in the shadow of Henato, a hero of the tribe, and Sedato, now a hero too. Henato Sr. loves all of his sons, but he recognized that Seto is special from birth, that's why he has Bahamut. Even though Neo and ZERO are more powerful, Bahamut is the father of all Gods, the one true God. It's been the duty and destiny of his kin to protect the world and long have they neglected it.)


They free their friends (and a lot of rebel soldiers and Andoran civilians) with the help of Bastian, his men, and local rebel factions. Casius goes 0 to 100 particularly quick and with considerable force. He leaves a trail of victims through the prison. He finds Boko, who has been chained and beaten (a very heart wrenching scene that had a lot of fans in an uproar) but he is freed after Casius kills his tormentors. The Valiant is located and taken back.


The Time Mage Elder Kirin visits Seto aboard The Valiant. He tells him he MUST release Ortega immediately and speaks to him about the Gods, and tips him off about the location of Ifrit.


The gang arrives at the cave and Leo has been perched like a predator stalking for prey. He squares off with Wedge (two spear enthusiasts). Casius has hung back to make sure Wedge is alright, and he can see that Leo is toying with him like a cat with a mouse pinned to the floor. He interferes, disarming Leo, breaking his nose, left wrist, and right arm at the elbow before throwing him over a cliff into water below.


The group retrieves Ifrit and Phoenix successfully. Meanwhile Members of the Chimera Initiative recover Siren and Leviathan.


While searching for the resting place of Titan, the group encounters a behemoth and together they kill the beast in an intense battle. Everyone survives but Casius is worn out and beat up. (Titan and Golem are retrieved)


Seto heads for Gallik Baal'a, a small continent to the far north (a place Ana made him promise not to go before she died) to search a legendary cursed shrine.


Stryker has Cid head for Juakeem and Shae'elle, and Banion afterward. He brings the rest of the group together again.

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

Final Fantasy VI

​

Seto searches an ancient ruin with a torch, coming upon an ebony skull in a pool of water. He recovers Diablos and Doomtrain.


The gang encounter the Chimera Initiative in an ancient temple compound and fight there way out with Sylph and Typhoon.


The gang reunites with Seto. Elder Kirin summons him by teleporting him to Mount Ramuh in front of the members of his high council. The oldest and most powerful of Time Mages; thousands of years old. His back is to them with Kirin before him. He cannot see or hear them, but he can feel their eyes on him, their presence and judgement. It brings him to tears, dropping to his knees. Kirin tells him the recently acquired deities are dangerous and must be returned to Gallik Baal'a immediately. He takes him to a secluded area of the wilderness, comforting him, but telling him that the Time Stream was broken by a curious young Time Mage after reading a book from the library of world culture and history. He stole a very specific ring and used it to travel back in time in an attempt to change the course of events. He saved Seto's life, hoping he would save Ana's. A man was sent to capture him and return him to his own place the Time Stream. During the process, he stopped Seto from potentially altering the natural course of events. He gives him eight enchanted rings that cast protect on their wearer. He asks him what he thinks the Mirror showed Ana. Why she changed from that moment forward. He begins to put all of the little clues together. Kirin says simply, "Keep fighting." And tells him to find The Tomb of Alexander.


Seto is returned to the group and he emotionally reveals to the group that the Mirror showed Ana the future, even after her death. They gather to deal with the summons; who will be charged with what deities.


Leo has uncovered Cerberus and unleashes it on a village of fisherman.


Tybin and Sabin Marks are hired by Sarovoc to deal with Cid and his band of misfit strays. Sabin Marks shoots The Valiant out of the sky. Leo unleashes Cerberus and engages himself. His hellhound devours crew members as they evacuate the grounded vessel and Biggs engages Leo having Titan occupy Cerberus. Leo kills Biggs, mutilating and disgracing his corpse, kicking it around. Using wind magic from Sylph and Typhoon and his Qiang training, Wedge clashes with Leo in a heated duel. The heroes gain control and drive off the Initiative and the Marks brothers.


Reinforcements arrive and the ship is fixed up and Biggs is buried next to Ana at the Mana Tree.


The group heads for The Tomb of Alexander. But Seto rushes ahead of the party while they take 20 to prepare. While entering the musty stairwell he is ambushed by Sarovoc and shot three times in the torso. "Priestess Talla" has had a vision of Sarovoc obtaining Alexander & Crusader, and through it, Seto's death. She rushes by chocobo to his aid, reviving him before it's too late.


Zenobia invades Whiteguard with force. Sarovoc marches into the High Temple and cuts Talla's throat when she tells him that Seto will come for him.


Marrick betrays the gang, snatching Seto's pendant and Bahamut along with it. He's cut a deal with Sarovoc to spare his people.

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

Final Fantasy VII

​

Marrick serves Sarovoc in attempting to use Bahamut to create a weapon capable of protecting Zenobia from the Gods by killing them. The pendant remains useless to them and Sarovoc grows angry with Marrick.


Kirin once again visits Seto aboard the Valiant. He tells him of one who may be able to defeat Alexander. Odin and Gilgamesh become the group's next move. He also gives him Shoat, an odd Lesser Diety giving him access to low level Time Magic.


At High Rock Plateau, the group retrieves Odin & Gilgamesh and Lilly squares off with Leo, telling Cid to go and meet her at a nearby rebel base. She kills Leo in a fierce, intense battle. As he lays bleeding out, she hesitantly removes his mask revealing a baby faced young man. A single tear rolls down his cheek and she realizes they were not so different. The last of their kind, victims of Zenobia.


Seto forces Cid to go back for Lilly.


When Lyra finds out Leo was killed, she goes on a war path.


She hunts the heroes down at a rebel base, and Zenobians hit it hard. Lyra faces off with Lilly in a blind rage, shooting her in the stomach before using her scimitar to have fun with her. Lilly digs deep and kills Lyra, freeing her from her torment, and putting an end to the Shinjan race.


Sarovoc uses Alexander to influence the people of Whiteguard, claiming to be a child of the Gods and their chosen ruler. He aims to ensure the easy allegiance of Whiteguard to Zenobia and the Ducrinus name forever. Marrick discovers this and tries to kill Sarovoc. He fails and Sarovoc kills him.


(Meanwhile) A movement begins to muster forces from around the world to attack the city of Zenobia. Banion gathers warrior monks by the hundreds. Juakeem summons his brethren and their war birds. Bastian and the resistance amass the largest rebel force ever assembled. Men and women from all corners of the world answer the call. Casius Magnus returns to he Veldt and does his best to sway the council, but they send him away, refusing to involve themselves. Word spreads and a group of several hundred follow Casius, becoming exiles to fight the Empire.


The forces muster around Zenobia. Casius leads a preemptive strike with a savage blitz. He summons Doomtrain, which runs through Zenobia repeatedly, leaving devastation and rusted railroad tracks in it's wake. He summons a flurry of meteors that ravage the core of the metropolis. Ifrit scorches hundreds of men, cooking them alive as Casius and his warriors unleash the art of Kel'no Synn upon the masses. Casius casts himself dry, his reflect spell falling as hundreds of bullets rip through him...


The organized forces stand in anticipation, watching the show from afar. Sarovoc is enraged by the devastation and unleashes his summons upon the opposing masses. The heroes respond and the rebel forces charge the Zenobian lines. A titanic duel of Gods is unfolding in the sand around, sky above, and in the streets of Zenobia as an epic, bloody conflict plays out in the sands outside the city.


Seto rides Boko into the battle alongside Juakeem and Shae'elle. Sarovoc releases Alexander upon the rebel soldiers. He obliterates masses of men before Seto sends Gilgamesh to keep him busy. An epic fight ensues between the two. Seto finds Sarovoc and squares off with him. He kills him, ending the fight between Alexander and Gilgamesh before either would claim victory.


Far away in the wilderness of the Sobral territory, Henato Jr seeks advice from his father. He tells him that he holds a terrible responsibility. Fighting back tears, he tells him he will never know how sorry he is that it had to be him, but only he can summon Bahamut ZERO.


Henato Jr is torn. He understands that Zenobia must be defeated, but he also understands the weight of what it will mean.


As Sarovoc lays dying, the cloudy sky rips open as a massive onyx dragon penetrates the atmosphere. It hits the core of Zenobia with a Tetra Flare equivalent to a nuclear warhead. Zenobia is levelled, only portions of the outermost slums left intact. Seto pulls his pendant from around Sarovoc's neck in the foggy aftermath.


Zenobians lay down their arms as word of the unholy event spreads and soldiers return to behold the ruins of their Capitol.


Advanced weapons of any kind are outlawed and destroyed all over Zenobia's reach and rebel holds and cultures. Universal peace is an ideal adopted by the major nations and enforced harshly. New Zenobia is established out of the ruins, and a new government and ideology based on Ana's beliefs are adopted. Stryker is pivotal in the rebuilding of Zenobia, and afterward travels the world spreading Ana's messages as he writes a book titled "The Epic of Anastasia" chronicling her journey and the resulting revolution and defeat of the Empire. He becomes an ambassador of peace, equality, and New Zenobia.


Casius and Marrick are burried with Ana and Biggs at the Mana Tree...

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

Introduction Part 1




The Man They Called Stryker

​

"They used to call me Stryker. Some of my friends still do.


Hanz Venechenko is my real name, but it tastes of blood. Hanz was a soldier. He killed a lot of innocent people for a lot of evil men.


Stryker was a rebel. He killed a lot evil men and saved a lot of innocent lives... I like Stryker, but I've been learning to like Hanz again. Because Stryker has no place in this world we've created, and someone told me that Hanz deserved a second chance. I miss him very much, that little blonde runt. Perhaps I'll see him again soon...


My name is Hanz Venechenko. You probably don't know me, but you know our story...


You know her legacy..."

*****

​

"Why was he buried here?" Hanz asked with restrained fury.


Dorian Cunin released a heavy sigh, surrounded by his aids and medical assistants. "It's an empty marker. Marrick's remains were never found."


"WHY, Dorian?!" Stryker held back tears as his wrinkled face scrunched with anger.


"Because he was one of you!" Dorian replied, hacking afterward. His aids hovered around him, injecting him with a mysterious serum and offering him water from a flask which he rejected with erritation.


Hanz turned swiftly to face him and two aids stepped forward, blocking any advancements toward Dorian. "He betrayed us!"


"He tried to save his people, and when he discovered Sarovoc's plan to decieve Whiteguard he died trying to kill him!"


Stryker was taken aback; filled with conflicting emotion. His gaze shied away and wandered to the empty grave marker. Marrick's white scraf was still tied firmly to the wooden cross. It was dirty, weathered and torn. Hanz recalled that day twenty-two years ago when Marrick drew his pistol on the group, clutching Seto's pendant in his right hand.


"... Give the pendant to Seto, Marrick..."


"I'm afraid I can't do that old friend..."


The pain and guilt in Marrick's eyes made sense now.


"There had to have been another way..."


"Whiteguard would cease to exist had Marrick not done what he did," Dorian reassured him.


"And what if that monster had gained control of Bahamut?"


"He would never have allowed it. He would have died first."


Hanz remained silent as they stood beneath the towering branches of the Mana Tree, the sun setting behind the graves of his fallen comrades. . .

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

Introduction Part 2

The Last Right of Hades
​

The blood-stained spearhead of Wedge Armstrong's qiang glistened in the rays of a setting Andoran sun. Crimson drops of Gallik Baal'ian blood splattered on the plush green grass beneath his feet. He wore a red bandana around his forehead which danced in a cool evening breeze. He was much older now. Fourty-five to be exact. His black hair had begun to fade and grey ever so slightly. His blue eyes were as sharp as a hawk's as he stared downward, spear cradled under his right armpit at the ready.


At his feet lay a soldier, throat slashed, body lifeless. He had been the first to approach, and the first to die.


"I have no quarrel with any of you," Wedge explained calmly, eyes darting from side to side. He was surrounded by men clad in various degrees of black armour wielding longswords. "But I cannot allow you to harm the people of this village."


It was no use. Their slain brother would be avenged, or so they had hoped.


One of the men advanced from Wedge's rear left. With one calculting backward thrust of his right hand, the shaft of the spear crossed his back and sunk into the throat of the Gallik Baal'ian soldier. As the qiang made contact, the man had already swung his sword toward Wedge's neck. He raised his left hand swiftly, ducking away with a quick step as he forced the blade high and avoided the strike.


As he finished his evasive step, he took a forward stance, gripping the qiang with both hands. His Kel'no Synn training had come a long way. Casius' gift to the few who called him a friend.


The soldier grasped his throat as two more lunged forward from either side before him, swords at the ready. Wedge whipped the qiang to his left, forcing it back to the right at the last second. The soft, durable wood flexed back to the left as he guided the shaft to the right. The spear head slashing the Gallik Baal'ian's throat with a vibrant spray of crimson droplets. A very rare, special, waxy wood was used to make this qiang just for him.


He followed through toward the second attacker who blocked the strike with a counter swing Wedge deflected quickly with a twisting of the wrist which snapped the shaft against his sword, sending it away from his body. He countered with a quick push kick followed by a vicious thrust to the eye socket.


He yanked his qiang from the lifeless skull as his victim collapsed to the ground, preforming a flawless overhead spin into a low forward stance, spear tucked under his right armpit.


The remaining soldiers reevaluated. They had never seen a simple spear used so efficiently.


Wedge pressed the pace, lunging forward as he swung his weapon in a full circle around his entire body. As he landed he would sink quick thrusts into unarmoured areas of his foes bodies before preforming another 360 lunging attack.


One by one he picked them all apart using his qiang and basic Kel'no Synn in perfect unicen. He left only three wounded soldiers. Two of them could not speak for they had collapsed windpipes from carefully placed strikes to the soft tissue of the throat. After executing those usless to him, he approached the third soldier, who had over seven deep stab wounds all over his lightly armoured body.


"Who are you?" Wedge asked sternly, standing over him, covered in his comrades blood. The soldier hesitated before smiling.


"We are The Last Right of Hades," he explained as he shivered within death's creeping embrace. "And we have come to kill you all."


Wedge wasted no time thrusting his spear through the dying man's eye socket. As quickly as it had begun, this conflict had ended.

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

Introduction Part 3

The Haunted Man
​

Rough, coarse talons thundered across sandy rock. An old, battle hardened chocobo dashed across open desert cliffs with a cloaked rider on it's heavily geared saddle. His long, bright yellow feathers surrounded his face like a lion's mane. He poured his heart into every stride, keeping himself low to the ground as he cruised across the rock face.


He drew to a stop as he reached a cliff face overlooking the sprawling Zenobian Desert. Far away, the ruins of Old Zenobia that still stood could be faintly seen peeking over the horizon. Closer, away from that unholy place, a fresh civilization had been growing fast. New Zenobia...


The rider's face was concealed beneath a heavy cloak and hood. He had grey hair that hung over his aged face. He had sapphire eyes to tell a thousand tales of woe. The eyes of a warrior; a soul deprived of it's desires. He remained there, gazing off into the breath taking view. He removed a spy glass from his travel gear and extended the shaft, peering into the lens.


I sometimes come here. I don't know what I hope to find. Why I travel so far to this place...


Each time I tell myself 'I'll go down... I'll see what lurks in the wake of this abomination.' But I cannot show myself there...


The guilt still haunts me... She.. still haunts me...

Loco Mofo

Presents...

Final Fantasy VIII

Dedicated to Hironobu Sakaguchi, and Final Fantasy Fans everywhere
​

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

Vibrant, colorful flower pedals spun into a blurry circular shape. Tanius Magnus rolled the stem of a wild flower between his index finger and thumb, eyes closed as he savored the the sweet aroma. He sat against the wall of Britanny, a small Andoran town on the southern border along the killing fields of Meekash Canyon. He sold flowers to townsfolk and travelers from the outer wall, and had for some time now. The people of Britanny had allowed him to operate outside their city, but they were weary of entry. Black Mages were not a popular kin among common human folk like Andorans, although they upheld a cautious respect for the reputation of the dark skinned folk for being attuned to magic and having a rather large, intimidating physical build.

Tanius opened his solid white, smokey eyes slowly, glancing up from his wild flower at a group of men clad in black armor. Among them, a tall warlord in full plate armor. He held a decorative longsword at the ready in his left hand. The men remained silent, and Tanius-although aware of what was about to transpire-remained perfectly calm and polite.

He took a bouquet of wildflowers in hand, holding it up to the mysterious black knight. "Flowers, good sir?" He said kindly in a deep, rumbling voice.

The knight slapped the bouquet out of Tanius' hand violently with a swift right backhand swing.

Tanius took a deep breath, locking eyes with the man from behind his black full helm.​

*****





​

The stench of smoke and death hit Wedge Armstrong like a brick wall as he made his way toward a ruined town on horse back. He was accompanied by a group of lawmen and rangers. Among them were Hector Shaw and his eldest son Ruffus.​

As they drew nearer to the devastation, Wedge dismounted his white horse in a panicked state, rushing to the body of a slain Black Mage slumped against the city wall. Hector and Ruffus were right behind him and the others broke off to inspect the rest of the town.

The three men stood before the fallen warrior of The Veldt.

"Poor fella didn't stand a chance," Hector said indifferently, a touch of compassion in his rough, tired old voice.

Wedge lowered his head, closing his eyes tightly in pain. Tears streamed down his tanned, weathered cheeks. He took a moment to swallow his grief and collect himself, shaking his head every so slightly.

"He could have killed them all, " he explained, voice still strangled by his sorrow.

Ruffus looked at Wedge quickly, an expression of confusion across his youthful face. "Who was he to you?" he asked curiously.

Wedge took a moment.

"My sensei... His people, the ones who fought for us against Zenobia, they took a vow of peace when the war was over."

Ruffus was speechless. He stared at the fallen Kel'no Synn master with admiration and confusion. 'Why wouldn't he fight? He just let these people die."

Wedge turned around, heading back for his horse. "You had to have been there to understand, kid," Wedge explained calmly.

"Where are you headed, Armstrong?" Hector asked him as he mounted his horse.

"I'm going to find the people who did this... And I'm going to kill every last one of them."​

​

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

A young woman made her way down a busy street of a small Andoran town. She stood about 5'4" from the ground and had long blonde hair braided into a long, thick tail. She wore a heavy mantle and cloak over a green qipao with gold and white detail designs, and a long white sash around her petite waist. Her legs were bound in cloth and she wore soft leather sandals on her feet. Her forearms were covered by thick, heavy metal bracers lined with layers of cloth. She had sapphire eyes, tanned skin, and a glowing, angelic face.


As she scanned the crowds looking for someone or something, she heard a faint scream coming from behind her. As she gave a glance of her right shoulder, she collided with someone. As her attention returned to the situation in front of her an elderly woman watched helplessly as her basket of fruit and vegetables fell to the dusty street, rolling and scattering everywhere.


'I'm so sorry, ma'am," she said humbly, swooping to the ground. She stood the basket up, collecting items and returning them to it as quickly as she could. The crowds moved more quickly and she ignored the commotion as constantly shifting feet kicked the fruit and vegetables around the street, making it hard for her to correct her mistake, and she grew irritated with the crowds.


Her frustration was cut short as a blood curdling scream penetrated the hustle and bustle of the market street. Her hands stopped working and she slowly stood up, gazing down the street to find men clad in black armor entering the town with weapons drawn.


One man spilled onto the street from a structure holding a screaming woman by the hand. She resisted him and he cut her down in the street as if she were a creature that had wandered into the town and became hostile in it's confusion.


Confusion grew to horror, and horror to rage.


She headed toward the men, navigating the now chaotic crowd of citizens fleeing the scene of the killing. Andorans had been through enough wars and conflicts to know when it's not safe to be standing around. A man passed her with a frantic look in his eyes. he grasped her right bicep firmly with his right hand. "You must come. It's not safe," he pleaded desperately, genuinely concerned for her safety given the direction she was walking.


She quickly placed her left hand over the entire thumb portion of his hand, rolling her hand over his, forcing his grip off of her arm. In the same motion, she extended her right arm to his rib cage beneath the armpit, gently shoving him away from her, releasing his hand as she did so.


She continued toward the men, a steadfast resolve in the cores of her sparkling sapphire gems...

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

"Fan out and kill them all!" the Gallik Baal'ian Captain shouted ferociously, and yet with a calm, casual composure. They seemed without a sense of morality; without regard for life.


A young woman stood in the quickly emptying street. A husky, lightly armored man approached her, but his attention was bound to the fleeing crowds. He gave her a glance, his eyes lingering on her slender form. He licked his lips, rolling his right wrist, giving a twirl of the sword he held. Underestimating her, he gave a quick, absent-minded thrust of his sword toward her torso.


She swayed her body to her left, catching his wrist in her right palm, pulling it past her side. Bringing all her momentum back to her right she vertically struck the outside of his elbow with her left forearm, snapping it instantly. He screamed in agony as the sword dropped from his limp hand. She brought her left hand down 90° grasping his wrist with her left hand tightly. As she did so, she released his wrist with her right hand with a savage, blinding open palm strike to the face, pulling his broken arm toward her as her right hand placed opposing force on his neck. His head was forced back, contorting and hyper-extending his spinal column, cutting his scream of pain short. It all happened so fast you could have missed it, giving him virtually no time to react given his basic military training with a heavy focus on the use of weapons to control the situation and deliver damage.


His helmet was knocked clean off his head by the sheer force and upward momentum of the strike. He hit the ground hard, a slumped mess of dead weight as his comrades looked on with perplexity and anger. His helmet rolled to a stop in the middle of the dusty street.


She took a low kokutsu-dachi stance with her right foot to the rear, her eyes always on the ground before her. She closed them slowly, drawing a deep, long breath. The sound of the fleeing crowd behind her washed away. All become silent now, only the sound of her breath and heart beat remaining. This young woman had been honing her senses from as early as she could walk. The key to Kel'no Synn was not just skill, training, but mastering ones senses. A joining of mind, body and spirit on every level imaginable.


Her eyes shot open as she heard the scuffling of feet over dust and the light clanging of armor.


A man was before her, winding up for a savage horizontal swing of his razor sharp sword. She pushed off her right foot, anchoring her body her with left, She swung around, her back to her attacker, clutching his blade hand with her right, sinking a devastating left elbow into his rib cage that staggered him backward.She tugged his right hand as she raised her right leg, bent at the knee. As he was yanked toward her again, her right foot snapped out, connecting with his jaw line with force. He dropped his sword, nearly falling to the ground. He became angry in his embarrassment and he rushed her, throwing a heavy right hand in her direction. She stepped backward, taking care to avoid any contact. With a circular motion of her left hand from the outside, up over the top, she blocked his strike, forcing his arm to the outside. With a calculating step forward, she landed a blistering open palm strike to the soldier's face. Another in repetition with her left palm, this time sinking deep into his abdomen. Another right to the soft tissue of the left side of his throat, and he was stumbling to his backside in the middle of the street.


She once again took her kokutsu-dachi stance, calmly awaiting for her next opponent. Her heart pounded out of her chest. There was no shortage of fear here. She had never actually fought hostile opponents with weapons, much less those who were trying to kill her.

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

Stryker sat in a simple tavern on the outskirts of Kiratoma. He responsibly sipped his ale while engaging in conversation with local members of a Ranger party charged with monitoring activity in the Kiratoma region.


"No, it was twenty-seven Zeno troops, and he killed them all with his bare hands," Stryker corrected one of the older men. "Yeah. Cas was one hell of a man."


One of the men in the far corner of the room spoke up abruptly, the ale strangling his voice and composure. "Weren't no man! Goddamn dark-skins ain't no more than animals!"


Stryker leered down the bar at the drunken bigot with a fiery malice burning in the cores of his hazel eyes. As he prepared to stand up, he felt a hand gently place itself upon his own. He looked back at the bar tender who shook his head subtly. Stryker released a slow, heavy sigh. He was about to speak again when a young boy burst into the tavern in a panicked state.


"Mr. Stryker, sir. A strange man appeared out by the creek! He's wearin' an awful lot'a armor, sir. I thought you'd wanna know," the boy said frantically.


"Where is he now?" Stryker asked intently, unsure of what to make of it.


"Still at the creek, sir. Suzy's teachin' him to play Triple Triad!"


Stryker leaped from his bar stool and the Rangers followed hastily.

*****

​

Little Suzy sat in a patch of wild grass under a tall tree by the creek. She wore a soft pink dress and her brown hair was tied into pig tails. She giggled as she played a hand of Triple Triad with a mysterious man wearing heavy, decorative silver & blue armor. His legs were crossed as he examined the game with both confusion and curiosity. He seemed to radiate a soft white light from his form. He did not speak, only fumble with the cards before him on the simple wooden board with nine card slots.


Stryker approached with a troop of Rangers and concerned citizens. "Suzy!" He called out calmly but with a sense of urgency. "Come here now. Your parents are worried about you. They want you to come on home."


"Come, Suzy." Her brother said nervously, standing behind Stryker.


The mysterious man raised his head a bit, giving a slight turn of his chin.


One of the rangers raised his bow, drawing the string back as he aimed carefully. Stryker moved quickly, extending his left hand to lower the bow by force. "What the hell are you doing?" Styrker asked quietly, shoving the young man back, yanking the bow out of his hand, tossing it on the ground. "Get him outta here, now!"


He returned his focus to the glowing man. He was fearful and curious at the same time. He had seen things... but nothing quite like this.


Suzy gathered her cards and board, smiling at the strange warrior who remained calm and silent. "I have to go home now, mister." She stood up, hugging her Triad board as she hurried to her father.


The warrior stood up slowly, turning around to face the group. He was tall, large, and the flesh of his face was pale; inhuman. While he had human qualities, he lacked certain others.


Stryker turned around, facing Suzy, kneeling down to her level. "Did he speak to you?" he asked her.


She hid behind her father's pant leg, nodding shyly.


"What did he say?"


"He doesn't like fighting. But his duty..." She got confused, couldn't remember it all.


Stryker nodded. "You did good, sweet heart." He stood up, facing the mysterious warrior once again. He hesitantly stepped forward.


"Who are you?" He asked curiously. "Where did you come from?"


No response.


An older man stepped forward, a deep expression of thought and perplexity upon his face. He was a scholar. Had lived through the Zenobian wars. He was a very smart man who had extensive knowledge of history and lore.


"I think... He's been called to arms..."


Stryker observed him with uncertainty and a sense of fear. "Yeah... But by who? And why?"

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

The young lady stood her ground. Her entire body at the ready for her next attacker. Her heart pounded with fear and adrenaline, but her mind remained calm, focused, and her spirit, ever brave and vigilant. She would not be wavered, even if she died here today.


A slender, unstable looking fellow forced his way to the front of the group. He was wild and filthy, grime and blood smearing his pale, boney face. He had long, greasy black hair that dangled at shoulder length in wavy, curly locks around his face. He flashed a rotten, yellow and brown smile that was both disturbing and disgusting. He held a very old, dirty spear in his right hand. It was long, thick, and the tassel had been soaked with blood that was now dried, crusty and rotten. Everything about this individual was unsettling; like something from one of her childhood nightmares.


He giggled, a slight hunch to his posture as he made his way toward her through the empty street. Behind him, to her right, another soldier held a bow with a full quiver peeking over his right shoulder. She saw him quickly draw an arrow from it and load the draw string, pulling back as he took aim directly for her. Things were spiraling downward by the moment. Spears were hard to deal with when in the right hands, and arrows were even worse.


The slender nightmare continued toward her, taking short, quick steps to either side, trying to toy with her. He held his spear casually at his hip, still in his right hand. This time she didn't think they were going to let her get away with incapacitating another one of their men. The archer would take her down the moment she dealt with this unsavory creep. Still she stood her ground.


The disgusting, spear-wielding creep drew his right hand back for a savage thrust of his spear. These people seemed to favor brute force with little to no skill or calculation driving the act itself. The spearhead whistled toward her with surprising speed, but reaction speed was somewhat of a strength of hers. Her right hand shot into action, crossing to her left side, grasping the spear just below the dirty head, beginning to turn her body with a small hopping step of her right foot. Her right hand helped guide the spear past her body as she torqued her hips around, back now to her attacker. Her left foot rose, hooking wide into a quick, hard heel kick that landed with so much force against his cheek that it stung her heel badly. The creep collapsed unconscious as her body swung back around and her left foot found ground again.


Now came the tricky part. The archer had already fired upon her as she expected. She'd never caught an arrow before, but there's a first time for everything, right? I mean, how hard could it be?


It took a mere micro second for the reality to sink in for her. She could catch a spear, sword or the hand holding it, but she didn't stand a chance at catching a speeding, razor sharp arrow...


Before she could flinch, or even raise a hand, something amazing happened. Almost as if riding a ray of light from the sky itself, a large figure wearing heavy white robes landed before her, placing itself between her and the arrow. It landed in a hunched, kneeling posture, kicking up dust in all directions. The impact was so strong it forced her footing backward, stumbling to her back in the street.


A tall, massive man slowly rose holding the now harmless arrow in his right hand. The flesh of his hand, and the back of his bald head was dark and ashy. It was a Black Mage.


He snapped the arrow in half with ease, dropping it into the dust beneath his feet. The young lady rose to her feet hastily, once again taking her low kokutsu-dachi stance, but hesitant, cautious of both the soldiers, and this mystery mage, despite his seeming to have protected her.


This day had gone horribly wrong for the young woman, who was only looking for her uncle to deliver a message. What the hell had she gotten herself into?


((That moment when you realize how much trouble the bad guys are in now, and you kinda feel bad for them. ))

 

[M.J. Saulnier]

The robed mage advanced in huge, leaping strides in either direction, shifting and torquing his body from side to side with each one. He kept his arms tight to his sides, bent at the elbow, preparing to unleash a devastating series of attacks upon his foes. As he reached the line of men, the soldier before him prepared himself, sword gripped with both hands held in front of him. The mage twisted his body to the left, shifting his feet for a full body spin. He ceased the soldier's left and rear grip hand with his large, ashy right hand. Spinning flawlessly and with savage speed he came around, breaking the soldier's neck with a crushing left elbow that neutralized him instantly, removing him from the fight in less than a second. He immediately followed through with a right open palm strike to the face of the soldier who had been standing behind him, completely unprepared. It bent the nose guard of his helmet into his facial structure, shattering his nose and incapacitating him instantly.


As he finished the vicious strike, the man to his left had swung around the line toward his back. He caught the movement in his peripherals as he heard the soldier release a small battle cry of fear and desperation. His left hand shot out to grasp the right sword hand of his would-be assassin. The mage's body twisted sharply as he bent at the left knee, right knee dropping toward the ground. His right hand came down, fingers extended flush with his forearm, tightly grouped together. He drove the points into the inside sword arm elbow joint, causing him to scream in agony, hand still clutching the sword. His right elbow immediately shot up the length of the soldier's bicep, striking him hard along the lower jawline, knocking him out and shattering his jaw instantly. As he collapsed the mage applied pressure to the tendons of his wrist, forcing his grip open enough for the sword to drop, allowing him to quickly snag it from mid-air.


He ducked and rolled to his left, away from the line as another sword narrowly slipped past his skull. Regaining his footing instantly, he spun the sword around, gripping it backward held behind his arm as a soldier ran at him, sword ready for a two-handed thrust clean through the heart. As the blade was forced toward him, attacker planting into left foot to give the mightiest heave of his weapon he could, tossing all his weight behind it, the mage spun on his right foot, twisting his body to allow the sword to pass by his back. As he swung around he threw a low kick to the left ankle, completely compromising the soldier's footing, clutching his fore grip sword hand in the same motion, prying a second sword free of it's former wielder. The soldier collapsed, rolling out of a swords range before stumbling to his feet and running back for the line of his men who had begun to advance in full.


The young woman looked on in awe and hesitation. She was frozen with disbelief and amazement.