Keeper of the Keys : Part 2 of 2

Sinner >> Not a bad haul, if I'd say so myself
Sinner >> A dozen ram skins and five horns
Sinner >> Ah! Here comes our protegee!

It was a quick trip from La Theine to Ghelsba. It was my first time entering the orcish outpost. It was an interesting sight, that's for sure. The orcs seemed like they settled well into the mountainside, preparing war machines for their incessant attacks on the San d'Orian caslte city. That amazed me a bit, seeing how those two nations waged war during this time of relative peace. I mean, back in Windurst, we have a truce with the Yagudos. Doesn't stop them attacking adventurers, who in turn go in their stronghold of Giddeus for some payback. But there are no armies trying to invade our city. Seeing this happen in San d'Oria kinda connected to me.

There isn't peace anywhere. Even Windurst's peace isn't real, where light skirmishes have replaced open warfare.

(Party setup hasn't changed since the last entry)

Coeurl >> Alright, I'll follow you three, you know the way.
Sinner >> Let's get a move on!

We initiated our climb heading northwest, and not before long, we were crossing suspended bridges, which took on a hilltop overlooking the city of San d'Oria.

Coeurl >> Alright, I'm ready to fight!
Sinner >> ...No, we aren't there yet.
Coeurl >> ...Oh?
Sinner >> We still have a bit of a way to go.

We walked through a hut, across a suspended bridge, and we came out in the fortified area of the orcish outpost. Gosh... those beastmen really meant business. Kinda strange how those two nations are still at each others' throats two years later. Again, walked uphill, hitched a ride up a wooden elevator...

Coeurl >> Are we there yet?
Sinner >> Still got a bit of a way to go.

A bit further, we walk through an encampment, which Kinah had to render me invisible to pass through undetected. They leered with disdain at my companions, but didn't dare attack them, understanding they were clearly outmatched. Up another slope, and another encampment, with a large hut featuring a chair fit for a warlord.

Coeurl >> ...This is the place?
Sinner >> Nope, got to go a bit further yet.
Coeurl >> This is no fun. Why do we have to come this far up again?
Sinner >> ...Your Kazham keys?
Coeurl >> Yah, I know that! But why do they hide so far up?
Coeurl >> My legs are tired from the climb!
Sinner >> ...You know, me and Kinah have smaller legs than you.
Sinner >> And you didn't see us complain.
Coeurl >> ...
Sinner >> At least be thankful you don't have to climb back down.
Sinner >> We'll teleport you back to Holla as to shorten your trip.
Sinner >> The orcs we want are right beyond that bridge.
Coeurl >> ...
Coeurl >> ...that cave?
Sinner >> Yup.
Coeurl >> ...that dark, damp, spooky cave?
Sinner >> What's so spooky about that cave?
Coeurl >> er...
Coeurl >> ...did I mention I'm claustrophobic?
Sinner >> Oh dear... We're so gonna have fun at Palborough Mines...

...That's when I realized I failed to proper notice one of the three beastmen strongholds: Giddeus, Fort Ghelsba and Palborough Mines. Really, this didn't bode well for my nerves later on. In fact, it apparently didn't do well for my nerves right then. Where my memories leave a hole in this tale, my friends reminded me later how I screamed at the top of my lungs, in a shrieking frenzy. Next thing I remember, I was inside the mountain, my heart racing hard at the thought of a possible cave-in.

Sinner >> Let's get {bee}zy!
Cirdek >> ...That joke's getting old.

My arms and legs felt weak, having to fight in a closed area, my only comfort being the sound of the wind howling through the caves, signifying salvation isn't that far off were an emergency to occur. I think I dropped my sword twice during the half-dozen fights.

Sinner >> Cool! 7th's the charm!
Sinner >> Coeurl, take the key!
Kinah >> ...I think she didn't hear you.
Sinner >> Coeurl?

Coeurl looks tensed up
Sinner pokes Coeurl
Coeurl screams in panic and flees for the zone

Sinner >> Coeurl! You got to come back!
Sinner >> Elseway, we'll drop the key!
Sinner >> Hurry up, you have a minute left!
Kinah >> Why don't we just go out and give the key to her?
Sinner >> Trust me, this can only help her face her fears.
Coeurl >> ...I heard that, you know.
Coeurl >> Party chat, hello?
Sinner >> The more reason you get your tail in here and get the key.
Sinner >> Elseway, we'll leave you stranded on this mountain.
Kinah >> ...This is a bit harsh, don't'cha think?
Sinner >> Look, we'll be heading in mines later on.
Sinner >> If she can't confront her fears here,
Sinner >> We'll have to knock her unconcsious
Sinner >> to take her to the Palborough Mines camp.
Sinner >> ...Only 30 seconds now!
Coeurl >> ...FINE! ... ...fine... ...I'm coming...

Coeurl obtains a Ghelsba Chest Key

Kinah >> Okay, everyone stay close, casting Tele-Holla!
Kinah >> Don't wander off too far Coeurly!

As the white aura carried my body over long distances, I was able to hear the blood pumping through my ears. I almost fainted at that moment, the envelopping magical forces in a cramped up space really didn't help matters for me. I collapsed to the floor once I was able to feel it with my feet.

Sinner >> 5 minute rest Coeurl, then take a chocobo to Konschtat.
Sinner >> We'll be waiting for you there.

Once they were gone, I pondered what was next. Palborough Mines. Talk about a place I don't want to head out to. 150k Gil didn't seem that bad after all. But they went through all that trouble to get me two keys out of the full set.

Coeurl >> ...Think Guddal would offer a discount if I only handed two keys to him?
Sinner >> Nope. Tried it. He's got a strict policy about that.
Coeurl >> ...so...
Sinner >> Listen girl. If you wish to pursue your training,
Sinner >> you'll have to head out for Garlaige Citadelle and Crawler's Nest.
Sinner >> Not to mention Quicksand Caves, Kuftal Tunnel...
Cirdek >> Thankfully Gusgen Mines isn't on that list.
Sinner >> Don't remind me of that awful place, it even gives me the willies!
Sinner >> In any case, you'll have to face up to that problem eventually.
Sinner >> So come over, we'll be sticking by your side the whole way.

I didn't feel too hot about having to pay for a chocobo in order to go somewhere I don't want to go. I mean, sure, I can handle certain places, like the tunnels leading between areas in Valkurm Dunes. But other places, like the tunnel leading to Qufim Island... I didn't dare mention it earlier, but I felt suffocated travelling through there, that being under the sea and all. So now, I have to go into a mine, which is a place that's been dug up for the sole purpose of extracting minerals. What if the supports built by the miners give in? What if the entrance was sealed off and I ran out of air? The trip wasn't easy, not only when it came to my ever growing concerns about having to enter such a place, but also because my chocobo felt my nervousness and was a bit unruly when it came to following my commands.

Got the gate crystal, took on another chocobo, and rode off to Palborough Mines. This time around, I felt an aura of heavy seriousness about our key hunting party. Even Kinah didn't seem her usual cheerful self. Arriving before the mouth of the mines, my heart almost bursted out of my still living body.

Coeurl starts breathing heavily

Sinner >> Here.

Sinner wishes to trade with Coeurl
Coeurl obtains a paper bag

Coeurl blushes in embarassment

Walking into the mine, that paper bag became very handy though. ...I felt a bit conceited over the sight of a mithra threading slowly, plastic bag over her mouth, taking deep breaths in an effort to calm down... But dang it if it didn't help. However, Sinner and Cirdek didn't seem too cheerful having to walk so slowly through this area.

Kinah >> You guys go on ahead, we'll catch up to ya.
Sinner >> ...You'll be ok handling Coeurl?
Kinah >> Sure! I'll keep her company on the way up.
Sinner >> If you say so.
Sinner >> C'mon Cirdek! Last one to camp is a rotten egg!
Cirdek >> That's hardly fair, I can't run like you can.

I wish I had a say in that. I didn't like being left alone with a Tarutaru. Not that I have anything against Tarutarus, just that I doubt she would be able to carry me up to the camp if I were to fall unconscious. On the plus side though, she's a White Mage, she could raise me if I suffered a heart attack.

Kinah >> You know Coeurly, I had to go through the same problem.
Coeurl >> Hmmmf? (I was still breathing in my paper bag)
Kinah >> Yah... Though my problem wasn't with cramped up spaces.
Kinah >> Nah... My problem is more with... bugs.
Coeurl >> Hffm?
Kinah >> Hehehe... When Sinner mentionned good ol' Crawler's Nest,
Kinah >> It reminded me of my first trip there.
Kinah >> Gosh, that place bears its name well. Crawlers everywhere.
Kinah >> Squishy, gooey, yucky-gucky crawlers...
Kinah >> I had to turn my back as to not look at it wiggle like crazy.
Kinah >> But I was still able to hear the sounds of it being beaten down...
Kinah >> ...Yeeeesh... That still gives me shivers.
Kinah >> I've had it even worse during my first trip to Quicksand Caves.
Kinah >> Those spiders... Eeeeeek! I hate spiders!!!
Kinah >> That big ball of pus on their backs...
Kinah >> Wasn't I glad I was staying in the back row.
Kinah >> I threw up the first time I saw that bulge burst open.
Kinah >> I didn't feel like eating food for the rest of that party's duration.

I felt a bit better as Kinah related that story. Not because she had to go through something similar, but mostly because it was taking my mind off my present situation. Enought to put the bag on the side by any length.

Coeurl >> Mustn't have been easy...
Kinah >> Nah, it really wasn't. I was teased for being oversensitive.
Kinah >> Didn't help most people who teased me were guys.
Kinah >> Didn't help any further that most also thought I was a guy.
Kinah >> Mainly Humes and Elvaans, it's like they can't tell us Tarus apart.
Coeurl >> Yah...
Kinah >> So there I was, on the verge of tears, so much I hated the situation.
Kinah >> People guilted me into staying, saying they needed me.
Kinah >> So I endured each subsequent training session in each of those places.
Kinah >> I had to clean my clothes off each time.
Kinah >> With all those sticky webs and poisonous ichors...
Kinah >> I always kept a spare outfit for the trip back home.
Coeurl >> Gosh...
Kinah >> Yah... But you know, with time, it bothered me less and less.
Kinah >> I'm sure it'll be the same for you eventually.
Coeurl >> ... =O.O= !!!

Coeurl clenches her paper bag to her face

Kinah >> Tee-hee! Sowry, didn't mean to bring that to mind.
Kinah >> Hope you're not scared of elevators, we have to go up here.

Coeurl shakes her head, eyes wide open.

Kinah >> Don't-ar-you worry Coeurly, We'll soon be at the camp.

I sat down during that elevator ride. Even though I've had no discomfort with the elevators in Bastok or Ghelsba, the sickening dizziness due to the constriction of my inners had me worried during the trip up. My brain was having a lot of trouble handling it all. Kinah had the idea of throwing a regen on me, which helped only ever slightly. We started heading down the path towards the back of the mine's top floor.

Sinner >> We got one!
Kinah >> Great!
Sinner >> Where are you girls?
Kinah >> Not far from the elevator.
Sinner >> Okay, we'll save the trip for you, we're coming over.
Kinah >> Meet up at the boats, alrightaru?

Figured the boats didn't require too much backtracking for me and Kinah. Most thankfully for me, as I was about to lose my lunch. Sinner didn't take long in arriving at the rendez-vous point, being a Thief helps. Well, a Thief whose stomach isn't flipped upside down.

Sinner >> Whoa... If I didn't know better
Sinner >> I would say Coeurl was born albino.
Kinah >> Now that you mention it...
Cirdek >> Wait up, I want to see that.
Kinah >> Cirdek...
Sinner >> Coeurl? Are you doing ok?

Coeurl looks like she's suffering from raise weakness.

Sinner >>
Sinner >> Okay, I've put the key in her bag.
Sinner >> The moment you get here Cirdek, we take the boat into Bastok.

Coeurl weakly shakes off her head

Sinner >> No boat?

Coeurl nods slightly

Sinner >> Okay then, I'll take the boat to town, got some business there.
Sinner >> Hope you guys make it alright back to Jeuno, y'a hear?

Sinner waves goodbye to everyone

Cirdek >> Could I get a Holla please?
Cirdek >> Gosh! You weren't kidding! She's white as snow!
Kinah >> Cirdek...
Cirdek >> What?
Kinah >> Could you be a bit more sensitive?
Cirdek >> Hey, it's not everyday you see a mithra like that.
Kinah >> ...
Kinah >> First, let's get out of here.
Kinah >> Teleport-Holla, here we come!

Had I known I would have passed out during the trip, I would have picked the boat. I lost consciousness as the whirling magical energies transported us out of the mine and onto the teleport pad of the crag of Holla. Eventually, I came back to my senses, with a strong, familiar smell filling my nostrils. As my visual focus started to clear up, I saw two familiar faces: Kinah, and...

Coeurl >> ...sss ...sssis...
Rosaly >> Hey, lil' sis.
Kinah >> Thank Altana you're back!
Rosaly >> You had me worried, sis.
Kinah >> Me too. I'm sorry we dragged you deep into Palborough.
Coeurl >> Hhh... How lll...
Rosaly >> How long you've been unconcsious? I'd say about 20 minutes.
Kinah >> 30 minutes, sorry it took me that long to think of calling you over.
Rosaly >> That's okay Kinah. Thanks for watching over her while I got here.

I later learned Rosaly was leveling her Monk skills solo-style in Valkurm Dunes when she was contacted by Kinah, and she put a stop to her session as she learned of my dire state. I was glad she came to see me, even if I wasn't a pretty sight. She always carried around a bottle of spicy sauce (family recipe), to make adventurer-crafted mithkabobs "edible". No wonder I felt hungry in spite of my digestive system being out of service when I came to my senses. That sauce is enough to have me climb the walls in joy when I feel normal.

Rosaly >> You didn't have to stay after I arrived.
Kinah >> I can't help but feel a bit responsible about this mess...
Rosaly >> Nonsense. You're not the one who dragged her deep into the mine.
Kinah >> Please, don't hold it against Sinner either.
Rosaly >> Nah... That's not my business. He's a nice guy.
Rosaly >> Though sometimes he can be a bit too insisting.
Rosaly >> No, if anyone is to hold grudges, it's gonna be Coeurl's business.

And they stayed with me until I was finally able to stand on my two legs again. I felt guilty myself for having kept them to my side for that long, under the thought that I should have recovered more rapidly. Not only did they stick around until I was able to move on my own, but they insisted they accompanied me to San d'Oria. I really wished I could go back to Windurst all that tiem I was in the mine, but still frail from the experience, I decided San d'Oria wasn't such a bad idea. On the way back, Rosaly just had to mention that time I almost got trampled to death by a domesticated dhalmel because she told me I could ride one after I asked if it was allowed. Yah... That's Rosaly alright, talking about past humiliating moments in order to lighten my latest fall in shame. I still love her very much, I know that's how she cares about me.

Sinner did apologize next time he saw me, said he didn't knew I would be having such a hard time dealing with my phobia, that had he known, he would have told me to stay at the mine's entrance and wait until they got back with the key. I answered that, although it was a hellish moment of my life, that I'll start working on that problem of mine, especially considering how apparently I'll be spending quite some time in underground locations in the future.

And yes, I did get my airship pass, though I was in no hurry to use it anymore. The memories of how hard it was to obtain it were still too fresh to me, and the last thing I wanted to do was to open that wound anew prior to joining another training party. A week's worth of rest in my hometown of Windurst was the right prescription for me.