The Gnat From Hell™
Dust was flying in all direction as I landed in Meriphataud Mountains (S), teleporting from the Aht Urghan empire. Galadius coughed, while trying to brush off some of the fine powder that was now covering his clothes.
You know, you could give me a warning before you just teleport on top of me like that,
he said a bit annoyed. How was I supposed to know you were standing there, my kitten,
I asked him, grinning roguishly. Thank you for coming though, I really appreciate it,
he told me before instructing me to rent a chocobo from one of the nearby chocobo renter. The lady had a variety of chocobos, but I quickly found the one for me. That will be 250 allied notes, ma’am. Be warned though that this chocobo has a bit of a temper,
the lady told me. I paid the lady the notes that she asked and mounted my chocobo, riding south east.
Galadius led the way, while continuously inviting people from my linkshell to the party. The mountain range was filled with monsters of all shapes and sizes, but I wasn’t the least worried about the chocobo kicking me off it’s back. I have a way of keeping chocobos happy and calm, a trait I picked up from my father back in Lemith. Pet the chocobo and talking goes a long way of keeping them happy.
Our party quickly grew in number, and we ran into two adventurers already preparing to fight the same monster as we had planned to kill, so we ended up joining forces. I had partied plenty of times with one of the Black Mages in particular, Sealorik, back in Aydeewa Subterrane.
We all gathered at the south-eastern most edge of the map, near the entrance to the Karugo-Narugo fort entrance. Galadius looked through his bag, trying to find an item he had found in Castle Oztroja the day before, using some questionable means against the yagudos. Not that I really mind, those buggers really need to learn their place!
Ah, there we go
Galadius mumbled, pulling a few gnat pellets out. Okay, now we wait everyone,
he continued, explaining that we were about to lure a gnat out of it’s hiding with the pellets he had brought.
We sat down and played some cards, not entirely sure when the gnat Galadius was talking about would appear. About twenty minutes later we heard some buzzing in the distance. I can clearly hear a monster with insect wings approaching… I’d say we have about 45 seconds before it reaches us,
I explained to the party. Being a mithra has a few traits, including superior hearing and sense of smell. We quickly got on our feet and hid behind a bush, a few feet away from where Galadius had left the pellets.
A fat gnat, covered in mud and what seemed like stained blood, landed near us, slowly walking toward our lure. Steady… steady…
Galadius whispered. The gnat was now standing over the pellets, clearly enticed by the offering it had found. Attack,
Galadius suddenly cried out, making everyone jump out our hiding, running charging at the gnat.
The gnat, or Bloodlapper as some call it, was really surprised, but couldn’t escape, so started attacking us instead. It unleashed some devastating detrimental effects, causing everyone to get plagued. I quickly cured everyone, trying to keep them healthy. Our Black Mages launched nuke after nuke, steadily bringing the gnat’s stamina down. The gnat defended itself very well, dishing out all sorts of obscene status effects, making me have to work that much harder. Now, I like challenges, but personally I thought the gnat went a little overboard with all it’s attacks.
Bloodlappers attacks quickly subsided as we managed to defeat it. Everyone cheered, happy that it was finally over. I guess I was the one smiling the most, as it was all over. The Gnat From Hell™ was finally dead.
Galadius walked over to the gnat, pushing it to the side with his foot, before he crouched down to his knees, examining the gnat. What are you doing,
I asked him, clearly disturbed by the mere sight of the fallen gnat. It had the worst smell ever, and it looked really filthy. Well, what do you think I’m doing,
Galadius said, as he reached his hand down the gnat’s throat. My jaw dropped, and I had to turn away. There! Found it,
he cried out, pulling out a pair of Vicious Mufflers. We all congratulated him, but I must admit that the mere thought of wearing a piece of equipment found inside that gnatmade me a little sick in my stomach.
Having said that, though, the stats speaks for themselves. I guess I’ll have to look into getting a pair of my own, but I’ll be sure to wash them over and over and over and over!
