The Furball

The Refugees and the Lost Professor

Torches, burning with lively flames, provided faint light to the hallway down to the catacombs of Eldieme Necropolis. The air felt musty, almost unbearable to breathe. These ancient burial grounds have now become shelter to the thousands of people seeking refugee from the ongoing war outside. I could hear the sound of swords clashing in the distance, reverberating through the long hallways, echoing the horror of yet another attack by the beastmen.

There were refugees everywhere, desperately holding together, hoping to live another day. A little girl reached her hand out to me, her hands covered with dirt. Nee… need food, she stuttered, weakened after having eaten nothing in several days. I stopped walking, crouching down to have a look at the girl. She looked completely worn out, and was in need of immediate medical attention. The people sitting around her looked tired, worried sick about their lost ones.

I closed my eyes, trying to forget how exhausted I was myself. I tried not to pay attention to the people murmuring around me. I put my hand on the little girl’s forehead, whispering Don’t cry, little girl, everything will be just fine. A brilliant light surrounded us, as I treated her wounds and healed her fatigue. The people sitting nearby drew closer, paying close attention to me helping the little girl. Goddess! Thank you, thank you! someone said, holding both his hands toward the ceiling. He looked relieved that someone had finally come to help them. I treated the other refugees as best I could, ever more gratified to help the ones in need. I’m sorry, this is all that I can do for now, I told them, finally resting my hand after having treated some thirty refugees. I stood up, ready to walk further into the catacombs. I looked at the desperate faces of the men and women in the hallway, feeling guilty that I couldn’t do more.

Move away, a brisk and dismissive voice suddenly said. A dark knight trying to steer through the crowd. Coming through, he muttered, annoyed that people were standing in his way. Fo… food! Need f…, someone in the crowd begged. The elvaan dark knight turned around and snarled at the old lady, before walking away. Some of the children in the group started crying, frightened by the angry elvaan.

I was appalled by how the elvaan had just treated these people in need, and wanted to walk over to him and give him a piece of my mind. I realized that causing a scene would undoubtedly just make things worse and scare the crowd even further, so I decided not to give the elvaan a swift smack to the head. I crouched down again, and started looking through my bag. I found some bread that I had bought earlier, and some of the fish that I had gotten in the Knightwell in Ronfaure just this morning. The crowd quickly gathered around me as I shared the food among them, telling them that everything would be alright, and that Altana would surely reach out to help them. Knowing the sad state of the military forces across Vana’diel, I knew chances were there wouldn’t be anyone to help these poor souls for at least a few months.

I prayed for Altana’s blessing of these people, and bid them farewell as I walked further into the catacombs. I was worried about the refugees, but one person can only do so much. I had even given away my own rations, so I hoped I’d be able to find something to eat. Some of Chicora’s pineapple cookies would’ve been just purrrfect, I thought to myself.

As I walked down a few stairs, I noticed Erlene standing at a junction. She was wearing a beautiful Scholar gown, and looked so smart with those glasses on. I wish I had a purrrdy gown like that, I thought to myself, a little jealous of Erlene. She was tending the wounds of another group of refugees, so I crouched down beside her and helped her out. Thank you, ma’am, she smiled, continuing to heal the wounds of a young boy. She peeked at me, and asked you are Kimiko, aren’t you? I nodded, telling her I had spoken with her a few months before. How are you finding the grimoire, she asked, eager to know of my recent adventures and my progress as a Scholar. I told her that I had spent a great deal of time, studying the ancient magical tome, and that I had been progressing quite well.

Erlene stood up, examining me thoroughly. I would expect nothing less from a student of the Schultz School of Martial Theory, she said, wishing that the professor himself was here to witness my progress. I tried to hide a blush, making Erlene giggle. Erlene’s face suddenly became very serious, and I could see that she was worried. Kimiko, might I impose a request upon you? she asked. I nodded, telling her I’d be happy to help her. I’m afraid my duties bind me here. Would you be willing to seek out the professor in my place?

A young man walked into the room, also wearing the formal attire of a Scholar. Oh? So you’re off to locate the good professor, are you? the young man asked me. It was Ulbrecht. I nodded to him, telling him I’d do my very best to reveal his whereabouts. Ulbrecht looked through his pocket before reaching his hand toward me, presenting a letter. Please, should you happen to find him, pass this along with my regards, will you? I accepted his request, and put the envelope in my bag.

Ulbrecht left the room just as sudden as he had entered. Erlene, worried sick about the professor’s well-being, was a little frustrated by Ulbrecht making delivery requests, oblivious to the professor being missing again. I comforted her, telling her not to worry about the professor.

Tracking down the professor was no easy feat, and my journey to find the good professor brought me to Bastok. I hoped that someone there would know of his whereabouts. It was already late in the evening, and I was beginning to doubt that I would find anyone able to help me. I was walking toward the residential area, as I met Nicolaus, a former student of the professor.

The young man, now working with the Mythril Musketeers, looked intelligent and reliable, so I hoped that he would be able to help me. I wonder why he quit, I thought to myself as I explained to him that the professor had gone missing again and that Erlene is worried sick. He explained that he believed that the professor is in Pashhow Marshlands, concealing himself using a type of magic called a storm. I asked Nicolaus how I would be able to find him if he was concealing himself from prying eyes, to which he could offer no helpful information.

It was already late, so I decided I’d get some sleep before making my way to the marshlands. If the professor was indeed just hiding, I thought that it would be safe to get some much needed rest. Healing all the refugees earlier had taken it’s toll on me, and I needed to rest and get a decent meal before I could go anywhere.

<<<<<>>>>>

The sun was shining brilliantly in the sky, partly obscured by clouds. It was raining lightly, but I did not mind as it felt really refreshing. I was riding on a chocobo, heading west toward the Vunkerl Inlet, hoping I’d find clues as to where the professor is hiding. Monsters of all shapes and sizes were roaming in the marsh. Fortunately, there was no need for concern as the monsters paid no attention to my chocobo—or me for that matter.

It was nearly noon before I finally found the first clue, some Indescript Markings. I could feel an unpleasant aura as I walked toward it, reaching down to touch it. Just as I thought, this is it, I whispered to myself as I examined the markings. It is certainly not the most ideal of conditions, a voice suddenly said. I looked around, trying to locate the professor. I knew he was there, but I could not see nor sense him. I have aligned it such that it is invisible to prying eyes, he continued. I panicked, not knowing what to do. And that’s the way I’d like to keep it for now, the voice said. Suddenly, the professor appeared out of nowhere.