24 Alistair Companion Mission Part 2

My body started to fall apart from the blast of magic as well as my own actions. I was feeding to much into the biotic shielding to protect those behind me. As the output of magic started to build up for another wave, something in me broke free. Power hungry voices far away were calling out to me. They were all my own, the voices demanded and screamed for me to kill him. To take his power for my own.

"His life means nothing. Killing him will make your power grow a hundredfold!"

'What the hell is this? Who the hell are you to demand me to kill my friend and subordinate! I don't care who you are. I can't believe you are me, any of you.' I reached out to them. Even if it is my own voice I am not just gonna listen to it. 'Galtea what is this.'

Galtea:

'Answer me?!' I could still feel her present from the link but nothing else.

Galtea:

(Don't be foolish we are you. We have done what you cannot. What you have not done yet actually, you have it in you. Just need a nudge in the right direction. Kill him and take his power it is easy in his state. We all killed someone close to ourselves and gained immense pyscho power. He is just a stepping stone.) The voices all said after one another egging me on.

System: Willpower Check 26 Intelligence Check 27

I pulled out the Eldar sword. Galtea be damn if I was gonna let this continue. This felt like warp trickery. My guess with the Persona power technically being somewhat mental and demonic in nature as well as the Warhammer 40k abilities I had in me triggered this reaction. This had to be a trick if not I don't know what will happen.

Rasing the sword to contend against the magic. As I focus more into it, the sword gathered more of my biotic, as well as the elemental water, and pyscho/soul energy onto the biotic shield. The rate of breakdown continued as I Drained myself dry.

'I .. I re..fuse. Even if I regret this on my deathbed I can't kill this man. I promise to help him and I will. I don't just screw over my people for my own benefit. If you are truly me you would understand.' If Alistair doesn't get ahold of himself we are gonna die.

(You have failed us and yourself. Death is all that will await you on this path.) The voices said as they dimmed out.

(Clap, Clap, Clap. Good job boy. You are doing better. Continue your current path and we might make something of you. Here is your reward. Best of luck with living with yourself.) The Trickster's voice echoed into my head.

System: Discovery of Oneself Quest Completed

Reward: All personal Soul fragments of the Streetfighter Universe. Contains all the remnant powers of yourselves as a Pyscho power User.

Failure: Would have been the Emperor of mankind losing faith in you. Death of Alistair. Reputation of Galtea and all crew, companion, and pets loyalty drop. The Trickster would have sent you to a worse world for training and conditioning.

As Alistair calmed down. The scenery started to turn back to normal.

Galtea: Auxillary field shutting down. You have used up a lot of its power User.

'What the hell happened? What did the field project? Well least I can hear her voice now.' I looked around we were further up and most of the group that was down with Alistair were saved so that is something at least.

Galtea: It was part of a quest for yourself as well as part of Alistar quest. Helping helps his people it would seem. If you would have killed him I believe you would have failed his companion quest as well. The field project you engaging them with your sub-mind talking to them convincing them to follow you to Alistair's village for they can receive medical attention. All of them were saved so congrats on finishing the mission and receiving bonus experience for saving the other members that are in training. I spoke to you but The System blocked my words to your ears. If you were a higher level we could have talked mentally. The Pyscho power will be available upon you taking a short rest.

Galtea: Save the three and change history.

Rewards: White mage Agria will join your party, Knight Tamariel will join your party. Argath can join your party. All those who have survived the ordeal in a new way. Their fate is tied to your own.

Bonus rewards: The squires and chemist of there group will join you.

'What the hell are you talking about all of them? This.. ah fuck it I don't have time for this.' I came here for Alistair companion mission now this is happening.

Galtea: User when you have time talk to them. They are unique characters. All the squires and chemist from there group will work harder than the run of the mill mercenaries you would usually get later. You should be thankful.

'Damn it understood... and thanks.' I looked to Alistair, "let's continue on our way."

After an hour of trecking through the woods, we came across a broken fortress. It has definitely seen better days. We traveled another five minutes and came across a village. Alistair took point up ahead and went to talk to some guards I am assuming. He came back after a heated discussion.

"Boss these are my fellow villagers, please help them," Alistair said as he gestured outward to his people.

Before me were a little over 70 people or so. Almost all were in motion working on something fixing on something. Children were moving rubble to a small area. At the location older children smashed it with hammers made of denser rocks.

Off to the side, the elderly were pulling weeds up from some type of vegetable. Looked close to a potato but it was yellow. By the looks of it, anyone between eleven and sixty was doing a type of hard labor.

"I don't even know where to begin," I mumbled. Before stopping once I looked to one who had rags for clothes, I could see the individual's ribcage. Stomach was flat but muscular. The skin seemed tough, but there were scratches all over.

Tia came up to me on my left. Her face looked heartbroken.

"My lord from what I can tell the major problem for them all would be they are malnourished. The adults are eating Chocobo food. For the young ones it is not as bad but for the elderly, it will keep them alive but… it is poisoning the body," Tia said.

I could see the clocks turning in her head as well as the rest of my squad. Alistair squad seemed unfazed except some of the squires they had looks of pity. I turned to look at Alistair.

"Alistair, what the fuck is this? I have seen poor, but this is fucking destitute. These conditions are monstrous. Are they mixing dirt in that broth by the fire? How did this happen?!" I was becoming unnerved. Biotic strands that fed into from these people kept me baffled. None of them would give up. They believed a brighter future lay ahead of them. The strand that came from Alistair gave me pause though, he was filled full of guilt for some reason.

"Boss follow me. The rest cannot follow." Alistair said grimly as he turned and made a path to a hut. Stopping a child on his way he mumbled something off.

The child took off and came back with some other children that left to go help the critically injured within our party.

"Nonmelee see what you can do about treating some of the people here. Melee unit's search the area for wildlife. Kill them and bring back the remains. If there is any vegetation that you think is safe mark its location and head back. This is an order that is non-negotiable," I said as I turn back to continue on my way to Alistair. I was stopped by a voice from behind.

"You can't be serious," Argath said plainly. He looked at me defiantly when I looked at him over my shoulder. "I say again you can't be serious about this. We need to return to Eagrose castle and report. Saving the count is more important than these peasants!"

"Argath you simple minded fool." I approached him and grabbed him by the collar. Letting my biotic flare outward, but channeling it slowly onto him specifically. "If you don't like how I do things than leave. I am not begging you to stay. I am trying my hardest not to kill you boy. But you are really pushing it. You are only still alive because you have a chance at redemption. The moment that stops I will rip you apart with these hands of mine. Do you understand me?" after a cold hard stare I dropped him headed to catch up with Alistair.

Argath looked at me fearfully I could feel his eyes on me.

"Tch fine," As he got up and fixed himself. "You heard him fan out, the sooner this is done the better."

Catching up with Alistair we entered a hut. He started to tell me what all happened here as we traveled down a staircase that lit up as we walked downward.

"Boss the reason I need your help is.. Codis Beoulve III killed my people and used them to awaken a Zodiac stone. This was in the original timeline. My entire village was destroyed. I never tould Ramza but I did tell Alma. This village here is the last remnants of the tribe that first forged the Zodiac pieces."

Alistair paused and looked back at me. For one to see if I was looking and two he stopped at a hole in the wall.

"I am listening. Before you continue why tell Alma. from what I remember she was quite the dainty young girl. Did she change a lot in your travels?" This was a little puzzling. Did he tell her cause she was a Beoulve or something else? Was Ramza that trustworthy?

Galtea: No my User I think it is something very simple. Besides her having a little power of the Goddess.

Alistair paused he seemed to have trouble gathering his thoughts. He placed his head down and started kicking the dirt. Then the biotic strand hit me, I couldn't believe it.

"You and Alma were a thing! Hah, that is probably the real reason Ramza separated you from her, that boy is damn near a sis-con buahaha," I started to laugh uncontrollably. "Man why don't you tell her how you feel when we get back to Eagrose castle. I think during this time or a little in the future we will be able to see her there if you want. But it is most likely gonna take a lot for you to seduce her or get her to fall in love with you again.

"Th.. th.. a..nks Boss I would really appreciate it. It would be great if I have your blessings. Since you know your a Beoulve and all technically." Alistair said all red-faced like a tomato.

Galtea: User there is a way for that to work I will act when the time is right with your permission.

'Go for it, I may be an ass but if his feelings are 1/10 of what I felt from that biotic strand then hell. Far be it from me to break up or try to stop that relationship.' After my little chat with Galtea, I told Alistair to continue.

"Proceed, man. They may be getting antsy up top and we have been traveling for a bit."

"Right Boss, back when they were actually the Zodiac Saints, before falling and turning to evil. There use to be tons of my kind. But with the turning of the Saints into the monstrosity Zodiac Braves and the church using them for there bidding resulting in a purge from the righteous members of the church and the house of the Northern, Eastern, Western, and Southern Sky. History was rewritten and the Braves turned into heroes as we know it today and the Saints all but vanished. The Eastern and Western Sky was destroyed and almost all of there history lost in time," said Alistair somberly.

"Behind here is the forge for making the Saint stones. Once we solve the puzzle I will be able to make Saint stones. At least that is the plan."

"How will this help your people?" I couldn't help but ask this seemed weird to me. Are they suffering from magic overflow?

System: Intelligence Check 22 Wisdom Check 19 Medical Check 12

"The stones can help my people survive the magical overflow that we carry inside us. The reason we live like this is to keep from killing one another. Only 1/13 child has been born with a low enough magical ability to live somewhat normally. I am one of the lucky ones. The village is low on the magic stone shards that could help for us to live normally." Alistair said with little hope left.

"Give me a minute man, I think I know of a way," I told him while I dived into my store and started a conversation with Galtea.

'The rings from Growlanser can help with the magic can they not? The runes from Suikoden Tactics and Suikoden five would work right, since the more magic you have the higher the rune level or something I can't really remember. Or should I use the crest from Tales of Symphonia? I don't wanna figure out a puzzle if he wants to afterward that is fine but I more of a small them up kind of guy.' I shot off some ideas to Galtea waiting for a response.

Galtea: Those all are applicable. They will all count since it is your points you will be spending.

"Alistair I know of a way to save your people right now actually without having to risk your life. It should also allow them to be able to fight back as well in case anything untoward happens." I started purchasing simple rings and small runes while explaining to Alistair how they are used and there function. I handed them over to Alistair and received a prompt right after.

There was an explosion above ground it was best we hurried up.

Galtea: everything is fine upstairs my User do not worry.

'Alright if you say so.'

System: Quest 2: Become famous or Infamous. Became famous to the residence of a forgotten village.Reward: Saint Stone and Banner

Quest 3: Your companion wants you to help save his village and loved ones. Reward companion devotion increase. Priority! alistair is a diehard supporter. You have agreed to help him pursue his relationship with Alma Beoulve.

A colorful stone floated in front of me. The more I looked at the stronger I became. As I reached out for it I immediately pulled my hand back. I pushed it towards Alistair with my Biotics.

Alistair looked at me puzzled. He slowly reached out and accepted the stone. I briefly saw the symbol of a giant dog surrounding him. His eyes shine like stars before returning to normal.

"Boss why me? This is your reward is it not." Alistair looked at me gobsmacked.

"True but it will be better in your hands than in mine. Besides if what you said is true with my personality I have a chance of turning that thing into another Zodiac Brave and we do not want that. I will keep the banner though, " I said drily to him. "Let's head back."

"Hold on one second, I think I can take this with me," Alistair said before reaching back and outstretching his arms and sucking in something from the hole afterward the hole collapsed.

"For the future, I will be able to make you one once I figure out how it all works Boss." Alistair had a big grin on his face.

We made our way back upstairs. The lights going off as we head up.

Me and Galtea had a conversation going up about some pulls that needed to be done. When I take a rest next she will commence the pull. She informed me it will be quite soon actually.

Upon reaching the top of the stairway it disappeared as soon as Alistair got off.

When we made up top all the people were gone besides the ones that came with me. All the injured troops looked confused. Tia came running up with Argath in tow.

Tia spoke first. "We have no idea where the people disappeared to. The buildings are gone as well. I am sorry my lord this should not have happened.

Argath piped up right after, "on the outskirts we did not find any of the villagers but some strange garbed men I had the troops get ready to head back to Eagrose. We are waiting on the embankment to ambush them if need be."

Galtea: The people are in a safe place. I recommend getting out of there.

'Aye, very well Galtea. Stong biotic strands start to flow from the two.' Hmm, the strands from Argath is the worry for the people. It is small but acceptable he is developing compassion. The worry for his fellows in arms even more so. He does not wanna confront them.

"Move full speed back to Eagrose castle do you understand. Your priority is to stay alive first. Second is to not engage the enemy no matter what. As far as the village is concern do not mention anything tell the troops that as well. Me and Allistair will engage the enemy to buy you all time is that understood." Before I could continue Tia cut me off.

"My lord I will not leave your side. I will fight with you. They won't make here for a few hours we can definitely help with traps" Her conviction was strong but still. I looked around there was no way she would be able to fight in the dark I know Alistair would be fine and with what I had planned I should be as well.

System: Persuasion Check 16

"Head back now that is a direct order. Me and Alistair are gonna engage in special warfare I can not risk the operation with you involved. In the future, I will teach to fight like this but now is not the time... so go." I projected as much confidence as I could into my speech.

After slight hesitation, they took off.

"So what's the special plan?" Alistair asked as he approaches.

"We will be using special abilities that are not from here. I am gonna get some upgrades right quick. I suggest you fine tune your Persona power as well as your new Zodiac stone." I quickly told him as I made some purchases in the store bringing my points down to the last 100 or so.

I purchased the two of the Space marine upgrades the Ossmodula and Occulobe. As well a rune to start my magic training according to Galtea. And last but not least I acquire a mental upgrade to resist my pyscho power. I should have been done it when I got here she said since there was an abundance of magic.

As the implants took effect I was placed into sleep by Galtea with some points. With the last bit of points spent I leveled up which was definitely gonna be needed to deal with this guy and his troops. As I slept I received all my pyscho power.