Brave New Era, Chapter 1: Two Eras, One Future

A fleet of airships flew over head as a pair of blue eyes watched them. The familiar hum of their old style engines filled the air as banners trailed behind their impressive bulk, proclaiming to the small village that it was a day of celebration and rejoicing. A group composed of nearly every citizen had gathered in the square where a large booth had been constructed, and the leader of the population of less than a hundred stood proudly before a large, overly complex looking device. Sporting a large sheet of thick glass in its center, a group of men clad in dirty clothing hovered over the machinery, checking it to ensure that things would run smoothly.

Near the back of the group the owner of the blue eyes stood impatiently, hoping that things would start soon. She tapped her red shoe clad foot against the cobblestones that made up the square and every road which connected to it, which was in reality all that existed in the village. Crossing her arms across her chest, she took in a deep breath before letting is escape; she didn't have time for this.

"How much longer is this going to take? The longer this goes on, the more likely it is that I'm going to be caught!"

She grumbled to herself as she continued to tap, watching as the men kept on checking things. The fleet of airships slowly began to vanish, their hum all but gone; the murmurs of the group was more easily heard; they were all as impatient as she. She smirked for a moment as she imagined them rioting, demanding that they start the thing already... but then taking part in a riot would get her into even more trouble than she would already be in if she were found.

The smirk faded, only to be replaced by a smile as, finally, the men nodded with one another and left, leaving only the leader, one man and the device. The leader of the village, who was easily in his sixties turned to face the group, a wide smile upon his face as he held his arms out wide, gaining a roar from the crowd. Once they settled down, he cleared his throat;

"My friends, today I am proud to announce that we, the village of Ydora have finally taken the first step into the new era. In but a few moments we shall see first hand the official handing over of power in the once and future capitol of Ivalice!

Rejoice, my friends, for today we will be free!"

The crowd erupted in a second roar of approval as the old man stepped out of the way, allowing all to see the glass of the device. With but a wave of his hand the only one of the group who had been checking the device over began the process of activating it, flipping all manner of switches and ensuring that gauges checked out. Then, with one press of a button the beast of technology groaned as the glass came to life, displaying for the first time an image.

It was the capitol city of Lesalia, or rather the castle in which the royal family had ruled from for centuries. The banners of the seven regions hung from the imposing mason work that had kept the royal blood safe and secure even through times of fierce warfare. Each naturally was a different set of colors, but as the device's image was only in black and white, the people were denied their vibrant color schemes.

But given that they were seeing images from a distance that would take them weeks to travel they didn't have much to complain about.

The blue eyes of the young woman in the back of the crowd focused on the image, an intense interest filling her. She had heard about this event for years; it nearly begun the same year that she was born. Hers was the first generation to be raised with the knowledge that they would no longer have a ruling class, that their fates wouldn't be decided by those whom received their position by blood, but by the choice of the people. She didn't want to miss the official transfer, she didn't want to miss the changing of an era!

So consumed she was that she didn't even realize that she had been found; a swift strike to the top of her head with the head of a staff was the thing that let it sink in. Naturally, she placed her arms over her head to shield it from further damage as she turned, anger in her eyes... which quickly bleed away and turned into a bit of fear as she saw the older woman, clad in a cloak of green with gold trim standing before her.

Swallowing hard, the young woman forced a nervous smile;

"Um... I'm sure you're wondering what I'm doing here. Well, you see..."

"Save it, Lavian."

The older woman snapped, forcing the girl into silence. With but a motion of a finger the older woman began to walk, and Lavian followed behind, a hand still on the tender spot of her head; she knew that the other arm may very well be needed to defend other parts of her body.

"I can't believe you actually snuck out. What would your father say..."

The older woman began to speak as they put an ever increasing distance between themselves and the crowd, ensuring that they couldn't be over heard. Lavian followed behind, just out of striking distance of the staff that was tucked away inside of her cloak.

"I''m sure he would have understood that this is important. More important than your stupid lessons..."

The young woman mumbled to herself, but it was a bit too loud as the older woman stopped, turned and dug into her with a gaze that sent a shiver up her spine and forced Lavian to look down. Instead of unleashing the staff again, the older woman came close and pressed it against her chin, forcing Lavian's face up to match her gaze.

"Those 'stupid lessons' are a part of your family, and have been for centuries. Just because the royal family is stepping down and history is taking a different course doesn't mean that all the old ways are going to go the same way.

Look at you; you have no respect for the past. You discarded your traditional cloak and garb in favor of a harlot's dress!"

Lavian was a bit put off by that comment. Her dress was in no way something a harlot would wear; granted, the chest may have been a bit too low cut than she would have normally worn, but it didn't show too much; it was a few good inches above the line where it would show any cleavage... if she had any to show, anyway. Her arms were bare, yes, but then showing ones arms in public hadn't been a taboo for nearly a century. Also, the dress still came below the knee; to wear something at knee level or just above was a line she wasn't willing to cross.

"Now listen here... just because I don't have every single inch of my body covered in three different layers doesn't make me anything like those... those..."

She sputtered, angry and shocked that she would even have the world thrown at into her face.

"If you were a proper lady you surely wouldn't show that much skin, and if you were any kind of proper daughter you wouldn't disrespect the ways of your family! Your father had to do the exact same things that you were supposed to do, he went through the same hardships and trials that you were to experience. But instead you cast off your responsibilities, dressed yourself up like a street walker and snuck out!

And for what? To see the royal family fall to the wayside? To see as centuries of tradition fall apart simply because the people are no longer content to know their place?"

The older woman removed the staff from below Lavian's chin, then placed the bottom tip onto the cobble stones. Looking at the girl, she expected her to say something, anything. But Lavian knew better than to say it; she could think it real loud, but saying it would only earn her another blow, or worse, a beating.

"Come along, Lavian; this time you will complete your lessons."

The older woman said as she turned, then began to walk once more. As Lavian followed behind, she looked to the cobble stone path below her, watching as the centuries old stones passed as she walked. Just as time had worn them down to smooth nubs, so too has time worn down the ways that the older woman held onto, the ways that she tried with all of her might to force into the future by making Lavian carry them.

"But I won't. Your era is coming an end, you crazy old hag. And my era... my era is only just beginning."

Brave New Era, Prologue: Pact

The night was calm and dark as the new moon sat in the sky, the stars holding a silent vigil over the land. In an old ruin of a once mighty fort, abandoned for centuries and left to fall into disrepair, several people gathered. Their bodies clad in cloaks which covered and hid all features, they stood in the central chamber where once a full contingent of over five hundred men would receive their orders on a daily basis.

Even if here was but only six of them where once stood hundreds, their combined might would have easily overpowered those who once occupied this place ten times over.

A series of torches lined the walls of the chamber, giving them just enough light to see one another as they stood in a circle while the broken, rough features of the stone work, worn down by the centuries of neglect cast shadows as they stood in silence, as if awaiting something, or somebody.

They did not have to wait long, for finally a seventh stepped into the chamber and joined the others. They made room for the newest member who, like the others, was clad in a cloak.

Joining their circle, the new comer spoke;

"I have received word; Scorpio has been found. The eighth is on his way to retrieve it."

The voice was masculine and rough, aged. If one had to guess, the man had to be in his early forties.

"There is only three left now... the time for the awakening is coming close."

Another spoke, the voice feminine and gentle.

"But even so, there is one more thing that must be done before the Angel of Blood will awakening once more."

Yet another voice came, this one also male but it was much younger sounding.

"Yes... we must begin it again."

The seventh member, and the first who had spoke joined in once more, his voice taking on a serious tone.

Silently, and all at once the seven came together in a tight circle, each with a hand outstretched toward the center. Coming close enough to touch, they placed their hands in the center, one on top of the other. while the seventh removed a dagger from his cloak.

Taking a firm grip on its handle, he dangled the long, nearly one and a half foot blade just above the joined hands.

"We swear on this day that we will make it our mission to bring about the glorious return of the Angel of Blood, the High Seraph, back to this world. Let none stand in our way."

"For the glory of the High Seraph, we shall stain this world red."

The group spoke as one, their voices intermixed with a unity that few could ever hope to meet. It was at that moment, as they swore with their words that the seventh drove his blade down with strength and force that seemed so inhuman, piercing each and every single hand until the tip protruded from the bottom most one. Just as the blood on the dagger, heir free flowing blood combined before dripping to the ground, mixing together in a small pool below them, covering a worn crest that was hidden under the dust and debris of the centuries.

Their pact was sealed with their blood, and just as they had done to the crest from a long forgotten time, so too would they do to the world.

This, they swore.

Squirely Love

She tried not to make a sound as she made her way through the halls; she was glad that she decided to go barefoot, her boots would have made far too much noise. She would be in an incredible amount of trouble if she were caught here, but she didn't care; she needed to see him. She was a hopeless girl, the child of a somewhat well off family... who happened to fall in love with the child of a noble. The moment she saw him, she knew there was something special, and the moment she spoke to him she was smitten.

She held out hope that they could be together; he wasn't like the other nobles who looked down on those below their station, and even if her family was far better off than normal commoners, she still wasn't that far up on the social food chain. His family would likely want to disown him if he were to ever make their love known. But then, that was assuming that there would ever be love; it seemed to be all one sided, with her loving while he showed nothing in return. But then, she didn't dare tell him, that is, not until today. She had finally built up the courage to say something; the worst that could happen was that he rejected her, but the best?

He could take her as his lover, albeit a secret one. Not only did they have to contend with his family, but also the fact that they were both in a military academe, where students of the opposite sex didn't even live in the same buildings. She was breaking several rules just being there in the boys quarters, especially given that this wing was for those of nobility only. She slowly made her way to his room, dodging the random person who came too close.

Finally, he came to his door; she felt so nervous, her stomach twisted itself in a knot. She knocked softly, but there was no answer, so she knocked again.

"Lord Ramza...?"

She spoke, her voice soft and gentle. She wished to show him the greatest of respect, she even dressed in the best outfit uniform she had to offer. She always wondered why female Squires had to wear such short dresses, and yet... she knew why; they were short. She had the legs for it, but still it was incredibly embarrassing. But, if it got her noticed by her love, if it made him appreciate what she had to offer physically she would wear it for the rest of her life.

There was no answer. She pressed an ear against the door to listen for something, anything... but there was nothing. She bit her lip as she came to realize that she did all of this for nothing; he simply wasn't there. She sighed softly, a hand falling to the door knob, simply touching it because she knew he had touched it so many times. She would have to come back later... or did she? On a whim, she checked to see if the door was locked; to her surprise, it opened quite easily.

She fidgeted for a moment, wondering if she really should go inside, but this could be the only time she would ever have a chance to see what his living space looked like. She took a deep breath, then opened the door just enough for her to slip inside, then closed it behind her. His room was so neat and clean... and rather spartan, to be honest. There was very little in the way of furniture, she was expecting far more than a bed and a few chairs; but it made up for that in the way of shelves and cases. Numerous ones at that, filled with books and various objects, many of which looked old.

There were multiple weapons, all of which were swords; from large broad swords to light weight epees. There were a few saddles for chocobo's and various pieces of armor, surely all of which were for classes that he was taking. The cases themselves contained some weapons, but they looked finely crafted, beyond what one would expect to find in an academe, even if used by the students who came from nobility. They seemed to be precious to him; why else would they be in cases and away from his school items?

She wandered about, looking and even touching so many things, she looked at his books; all on the approved church lists, she assumed. He didn't seem the type to read material that was considered blasphemy, which actually made things tougher for her. If he were devote, then she would offend him with wanting to be with him, regardless of marriage, of being recognized by the church.

Little Morbol

Sunlight shone down, through the thick canopy of the Araguay Woods on this, a warm spring day. Filled with the wonders of nature, and populated with wild Chocobo and many other of God's creatures, it was the perfect place for Ciel to take a stroll after caring for the poor souls of the Trade City of Dorter.

Ciel, raised within the walls of Orbonne Monastery for these past 17 years, was happy to be outside of its walls. At the age of 19, she stands at a mere 5'4, weighing in at 115 pounds. With long, black hair and deep, jade green eyes, she's a beauty untouched by man. Clad in nothing more than the standard white hooded, red trimmed robe that was standard issue for all White Magi, she wields a Gold Staff for her own protection.

While she was raised in a strict setting, and taught to be humble, she couldn't help but enjoy the leers she got from the men in the city, it stirred something deep within her.. something she doesn't truly understand. She had never truly felt this way before.. but she pushed it from her mind, focusing on helping the poor masses, made destitute by the 50 Years War.

There was one man, though.. one fellow that she met that she got a bad feeling from. He was a brown haired, dull blue eyed man clad in worn clothing. Whenever he came near her.. a chill would run down her spine. However, as a follower of Ajora and a servant of God, she couldn't run from the man, she had to show him compassion.

But still.. when he came near.. and when he looked at her, her stomach turned. She felt scared of him.. as if he was going to harm her.. but he never did. He didn't even speak to her.. but he did stare, if just a little.

Shivering slightly, she tries to shrug it off as she keeps walking, her staff hitting the ground as she walks, using it as a kind of walking stick. She has that feeling again.. but she thinks it's just her remembering that man.. but little does she know that she's being followed. Not only by a man.. but also by a creature under that mans control.

A slight breeze kicks up, and she stops. She pulls back her hood, revealing her long, black hair. She sighs softly as she feels the wind blow through her hair. She looks upward and takes a deep breath, enjoying the nature around her. She hears a nearby shrub rustle, but she ignores it, thinking it's the wind. However, as the wind downs down, the rustling goes on. She shifts her attention on the shrub, bringing her staff up.

"Is there.. anybody there..?"

Her voice is soft and beautiful, like that of an angel, or so she's been told. There is no spoken answer.. however, there is a small cry, similar to a wounded animal. She gasps, and rushes to the shrub. Never one to ignore a wounded creature, she feels sorry for animals the most, because, unlike people, they can't seek help. She kneels down, in-front of the shrub and pushes it open. She yelps suddenly as she feels something slimy crawl up her small arms, and she pulls back out of fear, but it won't let go. She tugs a little more, out of primal fear, but she relaxes as she looks down upon the creature, seeing that it's a Morbol.

An odd creature indeed, a Morbol is a rather large, green creature with no eyes, nose or actual limbs. It's main body is pretty much just made up of a large mouth, filled with sharp, jagged fangs. To get around, feed and defend itself, it has several dozen long, muscular tentacles. It's entire form is covered in a thick slime, which helps it push itself along without falling prey to friction, which would both make it hard to move and also cause wounds.

"You poor thing! I'm sorry I tried to get away.. you just scared me."

She speaks to it as if it could understand her She reaches out with her small hands, and place them upon it's large body, her hands becoming slimy. Feeling nothing but compassion for the creature, she moves her hands around it, trying to find any form of open wounds, or sore spots that would cause it to cry out in pain. As she feels around it's body, she doesn't notice as it's long tentacles move around her body, pushing their way up under her robe.

"Does this hurt, my little fri-"

She cuts herself off by screaming as she feels the slimy tentacles moving up her young, firm, bare buttocks. She tries to pull away, but she's held in place by the tentacles around her arms, and now tentacles that have wrapped around her waist. As she tries to pull away, even more tentacles move up, under her robe and then moving up her young body.

"Wha.. what are you doing?! Stop!"

She cries out as she feels some of its tentacles reach her young breasts, wrapping around them. A few more tentacles grab her legs, and, using it's strength, it pushes her down, on her back. Pulling her legs open, a tentacle reaches down to her young pussy, and starts to rub her. She groans as she feels the strong, powerful muscle stroke her, causing her breathing to became shorter. She feels a burst of heat rush through her body, converging in her crotch. Confused by this, and scared of what might happen, she thrashes about, trying to pull herself away, but it's no use.

"Let me go! Please..!"

She pleads with the creature, only to have it answered by the sudden tearing of her robe, revealing her young, nude body. She gasps as she looks down at her naked form, four of the creatures tentacles are at her breasts. Two have wrapped around her full, firm B sized tits while another two are playing with her now erect nipples. She groans as they pull at the small, hard pieces of flesh, her cheeks and chest are a bright red, clearing showing her innocence.

Her thrashing slows as it keeps working her body, her hands have gripped the soft, green grass. She moans softly as the Morbol's tentacle at her crotch rubs against her harder, her slit becoming very slick. Not from the monsters slime, but from her own juices. She arches her back and moans loudly as its tentacle starts to push itself into her tight opening.

"Oh.. oh yes... oh God.. forgive me!"

She moans as it pushes its way deeper inside of her, brushing up against her pussy walls. One of the tentacles, which had been holding her legs open has moved to her ass, and starts to rub up against her crack. The other moves up her body, between her tits to her mouth. As she moans, it pushes its way into her small, open mouth, and she gags suddenly. Her small hands move up to the tentacle, wrapping her small fingers around its bulk, trying to pull it out. As this goes on, the tentacle, which has been running along her ass crack, has started to push its way inside of her.

She suddenly gives a muffled scream as she closes her eyes. As tears start to well up, blood starts to trickle out of her pussy as the tentacle within her is pushed in deeply. Her hymn, her innocence, has been broken.. but it also seems that her anus has also been impaled.

She feels an immense, burning pain in both her anus and crotch as her lower half is lifted off the ground. The tentacles within her lower body start to pump her, and the pain starts to lessen. Soon, she starts to moan around the tentacle in her mouth as a primal, sexual urge deep within her is awakened. She starts to run her small tongue around the tip of the tentacle as it releases her breasts. However, moments after this, it's tentacles move back to her breasts, pushing them together. It then starts to pump her mouth, tit fucking her in the process.

Her jade green eyes open slowly, looking down at the tentacle that's pumping her tits, and her small hands move to her nipples. She places her small fingers around them, and pinches them like the creature had done just a little while ago. She moans softly as she feels something building inside of her, her moans grow louder as the tentacles keep pumping her. Suddenly, her body spasms and she screams, her very first orgasm rushes through her body, nearly crippling her. Her juices explode from her pussy as her inner walls spasm around the tentacle, but it keeps pumping her. She moans louder as the beast keeps fucking her, she can feel another orgasm start to build in her.

With a sudden shift, the Morbol stops its pumping and twists its tentacles, turning her upside down. As it lowers her small body to the ground, it pulls its tentacle from her mouth, but not without a fight from Ciel. With her chest on the ground, she grasps the grass, breathing heavy, moaning softly as she pushes her hips back, trying to fuck the tentacles.

"Please.. more.. please..."

She begs in a small voice as she wiggles her little ass in the air, her jucies running down her body.

"Maybe you should give the girl what she wants, my little Morbol."

Comes a voice as a shadow falls on Ciel, causing a chill to run down her spine. A sense of dread pulses through her body as she looks up..

"Oh God... no..."

She whimpers as she sees the figures face. There's a slight chuckle, and then the figure kneels down, placing a dirty hand on her head. She struggles, wanting to get away from him.. this man that she didn't like to be near in Dorter.

"You never thought such a poor, dirty peasant like myself would be able to make you break your vows to God, did you? You're all the same, you think you're doing a service by showing people like me 'compassion' when all you're really doing is showing how arrogant you are by giving us that pile of Chocobo shit you call a religious mantra about how God loves us."

The man says as he strokes her long, silky black hair, causing her to tremble. He grabs a hold of said hair, and pulls her up, causing her to cry out in pain.

"Come on.. aren't you going to defend your God? Aren't you going to tell me that it hasn't forsaken us all?"

He asks in a demanding tone, but all she does is whimper. Obviously angered by this, he lets go of her hair and pushes her head down, pressing her face into the grass.

"Little bitch. Even now you act like you're too good to even be near me. I'll just have to punish you for your arrogance."

With that said, he pulls his worn, gray pants down and reveals his long, stiff cock. He grabs her hair again and pulls her face toward it, causing her to struggle against him.

"No.. please.. no!"

She cries out, and he smiles, pleased that he's getting some reaction out of her. He places his cock on her pink lips, and looks at his Morbol. With a nod from its master, it starts to pump her pussy and ass, causing her breasts to sway. She brings her arms up and places her elbows on the ground for support, trying to lessen the pain she feels from the tight grip her would be rapist has on her hair. She tries to hold off a moan, because she knows that, the moment she opens her lips, he'll force his way into her mouth.