Gulool Ja Ja's Legacy: A FFXIV Dawntrail Rewrite [Fanfiction]

Zoraal Ja successfully sneaked his way back into the Skydeep Cenote. In his hands were a set of tiles to unlock the interior, along with a cup that carried a simple but elegant symbol-- a dot surrounded by two comet-led semi-circles. These, he had acquired from an ambushed Ketenramm.

Behind him was Sareel Ja, eyes glimmering in excitement.

"Son of Gulool Ja Ja," that soft female voice said as Zoraal Ja and Sareel Ja approached the supposed gate to the City of Gold. "I once saved your life by removing the additional soul within your one-headed body, restoring balance between mind and flesh."

Zoraal Ja did not deign to reply, and simply observed the electrifying blocks that shifted about in the environment.

"So. What is it that you desire?" That angelic voice asked.

"It is not what I desire, but what you-- can offer me," Zoraal Ja replied as he raised up that mystical cup-like relic into the air. He assumed this cup-like relic to be of value.

"A stolen artifact. But very well." Silence ensued as that angelic voice considered the circumstances.

At length, she spoke again.

"I can see in you… the desire to be recognized. The members of Mamook look down upon your very existence, do they not? You are but a one-head, after all. You cannot contend against a two-head…not even your father chose to automatically pass you the throne." 

"Make your offer!" Zoraal Ja spat. He had spent many years defending Tural leading the Landsguard. Even slain Valigarmanda. Yet many in Mamook still see him as nothing compared to a two-headed.

Though he felt some agitation that his father had chosen a rite of succession as the method, of which he was not the victor of… Even if he inherited the throne, Mamook would likely ignore his rule due to him being a one-headed mamool ja.

"I could make you King." An enticing whisper in the ear.

"A meaningless title if 'they' continue to worship the two-headed in their minds," Zoraal Ja shook his head. There exists only one solution."No… the line of two-headed mamool ja must end!"

"Then we are at an impasse," she said. "My heaven requires procuring souls, and I am one who prefers that which is willingly given. Many years ago, the Yok Huy were warmongers, happy to offer the souls of their fallen enemies for a few of their members to enter my heavens."

"As for ancestors of your race? They were willing to offer the souls of many of their dead cross-tribe fetuses, as a trade for my assistance in occasionally helping them produce a two-headed heir."

"If you desire there to be no more two-headed heirs in the future… you must offer another source of souls," she concluded.

"Do you have an army?" Zoraal Ja asked as he narrowed his eyes.

"It is technologically possible."

"Then what do you need me for?" Zoraal Ja chortled. In his eyes, with an army, this angelic voice of a being could gather souls easily if she so desired.

"I am bound by my being," so she replied. "The Yok Huy chose war-- not me. Similarly, your ancestors chose to sacrifice the souls of their stillborn fetuses for a chance at a two-headed."

"And if you accept… you can be the king in control of an army. But the results of that army's actions, if they commit a massacre, will solely be your responsibility, and not mine. I am simply Sphene, the loving queen."

Zoraal Ja snarled in mockery. He felt disbelief that the person behind this angelic voice could simply absolve herself of such fault.

Still. "Very well." He agreed. After all, his heart carried another goal.

"And one more task-- Gulool Ja Ja must die," though Sphene's voice remained angelic, it now carried an eerie quality.

"Why?" Zoraal Ja was in disbelief. To a certain degree, he did feel dissatisfied with his father. But it was far from desiring to take the old mamool ja's life.

He felt that Gulool Ja Ja should have taken action against Mamook to guarantee that he, a one-headed, would not be belittled by Mamook's two-headed obsession.

Instead, Gulool Ja Ja himself had used this voice from the 'Golden City' to remove the extra soul in Zoraal Ja, essentially killing Zoraal Ja's 'brother' while agreeing to preserve Mamook's darkness as part of a deal.

"Gulool Ja Ja is a troublesome foe, even in his old age. I cannot allow him to interfere with my heavens," so replied the angelic and eerie Sphene.

Zoraal Ja clenched his claws. If he were to achieve his goals, as part of the agreement with this… Sphene, he would have to kill his father to free Mamook from its darkness-- the twisted worship of two-headed.

In that moment, he felt his mind drifting, as if separated from space and time, viewing multiple possibilities in the future. Then, he was reminded of his brother and sister, Koana and Wuk Lamat, and felt a weight lifted off his shoulders.

"So be it." Zoraal Ja firmed his resolve. He would have to slay his own father. For a new future. He had many other goals in choosing this course of action as well.

He now knew that the reason for two-headed mamool ja failing to conceive children was that two souls would be trapped in a single-headed body. His survival was because the mysterious power behind this golden door removed the other soul within his body.

He desired to find this other soul, his long-lost 'brother' abandoned by his father. He sought to seek his mother, also sacrificed by his father to ensure his survival. After all, they are also the reason that his father, Gulool Ja Ja, could not resolve the darkness in Mamook.

That golden door swung open, but Zoraal Ja did not immediately enter. Instead, his tail swung as he lashed out with a vicious leg at Sareel Ja.

This soulseer that had accompanied Zoraal Ja his whole life, keeping watch over the stability of Zoraal Ja's soul, was sent into the abyss.

Sareel Ja's expression was one of shock, rage, and also confusion.

"I know you desire Mamook's destruction due to their rejection of your soulseeing skills," Zoraal Ja informed the falling mamool ja of his reasons. "I, however, desire for Mamook to survive. A place where two-headed brothers no longer exist. A place where one-headed no longer have to bow their heads."

Indeed, Sareel Ja had been exiled from Mamook due to his soul seer abilities. Mamook feared his ability to determine the strength of souls, which could interfere with the order of two-headed leaders. This was because there existed the possibility of a mamool ja having a single soul far stronger than two combined souls of a two-headed. Such as the existence that is the Warrior of Light.

Zoraal Ja knew of Sareel Ja's deep grudge-- after all, he, too, had been rejected despite having such a unique ability.

Beyond that, Zoraal Ja also had a less virtuous motive. He was concerned that Sareel Ja's soul-seeing abilities would threaten whatever position and power Sphene would guarantee as part of the deal with him. After all, Sphene herself had mentioned that her heaven was dependent on souls.

As he stepped towards the open golden door, Zoraal Ja confirmed their agreement.

"Mamook will no longer have your assistance in creating their two-headed," he stated.

"As agreed," The angelic voice replied. "As long as you collect enough souls for my heaven."

Zoraal Ja scoffed as he considered the nature of the so-called Sphene behind this angelic voice.

"You once sent dreams into the Yok Huy's minds to conquer the lands and sacrifice souls for your cause. You think you can simply absolve yourself of your hand?" Zoraal Ja could not resist pointing out this glaring point.

"As I have said… it was always the Yok Huy's choice. As it was Mamook's in creating the two-headed," that angelic voice replied. "As it is now your choice."

"Unlike you all," Sphene continued. "You truly have a choice. As for me… not even I know if my mind is of my own." Her voice descended into a whisper as she spoke.

Zoraal Ja, not truly understanding her last words, faded into that golden door.

From that day onwards, the Skydeep Cenote ceased responding to Mamook's request to help stabilize two souls within a single egg. Bakool Ja Ja would be the last two-headed. Thus ended the line of two-headed mamool ja.

_____________________________________________

Zoraal Ja's disappearance was initially seen as nothing.

Gulool Ja Ja dismissed Wuk Lamat and Koana for a few days, hoping for the reappearance of his first son.

Soon, it became apparent that Zoraal Ja had truly vanished. None had seen scale or hide of Zoraal Ja since their return from Yak T'el.

As such, the Warrior of Light, Wuk Lamat, Koana and the supporting scions reconvened in the throne room of Tuliyollal after a few days.

"I had hoped that my son would reappear, but…" Gulool Ja Ja's head of resolve frowned, unsure of what to make of his son's disappearance.

"Regardless, we must continue. The rite of succession was not meant to outright select a successor, but rather, to give you all a chance to develop your own person. It was also a chance for public observers to form a more true and concrete opinion of each of you."

"As for who would sit upon the throne? In truth, I always believed that regardless of who sat upon the seat, your three siblings have different strengths and would cover for one another's weaknesses, whoever it may be that stands in the primary position."

"Though Zoraal Ja is currently not present, my hope is for you three to resolve the failure hidden in my heart-- the darkness of Mamook. Try as I might, I could not change the belief in blessed siblings of Mamook. In fact, my uniting of Tural further encouraged fervent supporters. Once I agreed to not interfere with Mamook after that mysterious being from the Golden City stabilized Zoraal Ja's soul-state, my hands became tied."

"Should you resolve this issue of mine, then the throne will truly be yours to take," Gulool Ja Ja concluded.

Wuk Lamat, Koana, and the Scions of the Seventh Dawn furrowed their brows in thought. Indeed, changing Mamook's worship of blessed siblings would not be easy, with that mysterious being backing the continued creation of two-headed siblings.

"Now, as for--" Gulool Ja Ja was suddenly interrupted as the whole structure around them shook and rumbled for a good few minutes.

The group rushed beside the thick pillars within the throne room for their own safety. Luckily, nothing fell from above.

After the rumbling ceased, they hurried outside to find the alarum sounding over the city of Tuliyollal.

A landsguard dashed towards Gulool Ja Ja, huffing and puffing.

"The earthquake was to the north. Now, invaders from the north, Dawnservant! Mechanical and the like!"

Gulool Ja Ja's eyes widened, unsure of what to make of the situation. There hadn't been a threat to Tuliyollal since he united the continent. Such mechanical existences did not exist in Tural.

"Please assist the citizens as needed," Gulool Ja Ja requested them all. He then reentered the throne room. A horn blew to summon the leaders of various factions for a critical meeting.

Wuk Lamat and Koana followed the landsguard and joined with Tuliyollal's troops.

As for the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, they, too, spread out to various corners of Tuliyollal to protect the citizens.

Soon enough, extremely advanced technological ships appeared above Tuliyollal from the north. Many metal-layered soldiers on hoverbikes descended into the city.

So commenced another duty for the Warrior of Light.

Initially, the Warrior of Light found little success against these mechanical soldiers. Many strikes were needed to only dent the surfaces of these invading soldiers made of an unknown alloy.

Hoping to discover some weakness of these soldiers, the Warrior of Light abandoned the path of the viper and became a ninja.

To the Warrior of Light's pleasant surprise, the skills raiton and raiju instantly disabled the mechanical soldier.

Was the mechanical soldiers' weakness, lightning?

The Warrior of Light switched to black mage, and began spamming thunder skills upon the ranks of mechanical soldiers, quickly flattening the invaders onto the cold hard ground. How wondrous.

As the Warrior of Light fought, a roaring laughter suddenly sounded, and the Warrior of Light came across Bakool Ja Ja, a seemingly changed mamool ja protecting the citizens of Tuliyollal as he charged towards the Vollok Shoonsa. He was answering Gulool Ja Ja's summons as the new autarch of Mamook.

Gurfurlur and Vorporlor also arrived, battling through the mechanical army with their huge dominating forms, each swing of their weapon sending mechanical puppets flying like limp dolls.

As the Warrior of Light cleared the mechanical soldiers, the Scions of the Seventh Dawn gradually convened again in the cleared streets. They cooperated to provide relief to many of the injured citizens.

Unfortunately, many fell, and the mechanical soldiers used a device to siphon something from their bodies before sending these devices back to their ships hovering high in the skies.

"There's a ship above the Vollok Shoona!" Wuk Lamat shouted.

The Warrior of Light turned to see this to be true, and they rushed back towards the throne room.

Within the throne room, Gulool Ja Ja had his swords drawn against Zoraal Ja. The Zoraal Ja before him appeared much older, his scales thickened and scarred, no longer as lustrous as they were in his youth. Zoraal Ja now also wore a mechanical supporting frame with a circular device upon his temple.

"So… you have become the Golden City's slave," Gulool Ja Ja accused. He knew enough of the so-called Golden City's methods in the past history of Tural.

"Hmm…" Zoraal Ja snarled. "I only did what I had to. What must be necessary. She has agreed to no longer help Mamook create blessed siblings. As long as I collect souls for their world."

"Even if it means taking innocent lives?" Gulool Ja Ja sighed.

"Sometimes, that is the price for the world to change. For the world to stumble into a new future," Zoraal Ja grunted. "As is your death."

"Forgive me, father. But you are heading towards the end of your lifespan. Your life is part of the agreement for her to no longer assist Mamook in creating the blessed siblings. To strike down their world is nigh on impossible. Thus, for Mamook to remain free of its darkness… you must fall." Zoraal Ja's voice was low.

He naturally was not all that enthusiastic about accomplishing this task. His disappointment in his father was primarily due to Gulool Ja Ja's failure to rid Mamook of the blessed siblings' influence.

The two began trading blows with their twinblades. Gulool Ja Ja initially held the advantage, but soon, the circular device on Zoraal Ja's temples whirled and a bestial aura-- a draconic aura, rose within Zoraal Ja.

"A dragon's aura," Gulool Ja Ja muttered.

"It took me some time to find such a being in Tural," Zoraal Ja answered. "I am always reminded of Estinien and his strength. As such, I sought the soul of a dragon. A feral combination of our souls."

They continued trading blows, the sound of blades piercing to the ears. The two were now evenly matched, but age soon caught up to Gulool Ja Ja. He was tiring faster.

"Firstborn…" Gulool Ja Ja panted, sensing his end. "Tuliyollal must survive. Mamook must be free from her--their clutches. Promise me this." Though he felt worried for the future, he was also relieved to know that this death would guarantee Mamook no longer having blessed siblings.

"Father…" Zoraal Ja muttered. "That depends not on me, but my siblings Wuk Lamat and Koana. If they rise, then your legacy will be complete. If they fall, then this world will end."

Their blades crossed once again, but Gulool Ja Ja's form flagged as his exhaustion caught up to his aged body, and Zoraal Ja took advantage of this window to stab a twinblade deep into his father's chest.

Gulool Ja Ja flailed an arm and Zoraal Ja barely prevented his head from being dissected as Gulool Ja Ja's blade dislodged the circular device that provided him with the strength of a dragon soul.

That circular device tumbled somewhere behind the throne.

As Gulool Ja Ja felt his life leaving his body, he saw darkness, but also hope.

This was the scene that Wuk Lamat, Koana, the Warrior of Light and the accompanying scions saw as they rushed into the throne room.

"Nooo!" Wuk Lamat and Koana yelled as they saw their father slain by their older brother before their very eyes.

Gulool Ja Ja had been dealt too fatal a blow to be saved, his heart pierced and mangled. They were too late.

"Come," Zoraal Ja pointed his sword at Wuk Lamat. He believed that it was this sister of his that might have the martial ability to put down himself. "I will continue to reap the souls of Tural. Until you strike me down, if you have the ability." That was his agreement with Sphene, for her heaven.

He then leapt to the top of Vollok Shoonsa in record time, and returned to the overhead craft, and his army left Tuliyollal in flames and smoke.

"Daughter… son…" Gulool Ja Ja rasped on his last breath. "The circular soul device… behind the throne. Take my soul. Use it to strengthen yourself. Help me… I would see the end of the so-called Golden City, once and for all."

Koana had already collected a soul-sucking device during their defense against the mechanical invaders, due to his curiosity in new technologies. However, he was filled with uncertainty at his father's request.

"Do it, son!" commanded Gulool Ja Ja.

Koana closed his eyes as he pointed his stolen soul-sucking gun at Gulool Ja Ja and pressed the trigger. Gulool Ja Ja's soul, before returning to the aetherial sea, was sucked into the device.

Koana then walked behind the throne and found the circular soul-containing device that Gulool Ja Ja had struck off Zoraal Ja's temple.

Although Koana was shaken by his father's death, he dealt with his sorrow in silence as was his nature. He also threw himself into investigating these soul-related devices, as he had always done in the past-- immersing himself in technological exploration to escape his sorrows.

Unlike Koana, Wuk Lamat was inconsolable. She was sometimes filled with anger at her older brother's betrayal. Sometimes in endless tears. Sometimes simply glum as if there was no sun in this world.

The Warrior of Light and the scions had no way to comfort the young hrothgar.

In the end, it was Namikka who pushed Wuk Lamat forward.

"The citizens of Tural need you, girl." That was all Namikka said, and Wuk Lamat's mind stabilized as she realized that somehow, she had ended up in a position of responsibility. For many years, she had avoided such responsibility, leisurely touring Tural using her lovely caravan.

She was now thrust into the forefront. She could only suppress her own tumultuous heart as the city of Tuliyollal mourned the loss of Gulool Ja Ja.

When Wuk Lamat stood in front of the crowd to commemorate her father, she did so in a sort of half-daze. Yet, the people of Tuliyollal whole-heartedly lifted her up with cheer and encouragement.

Thus, she swore before all that she would confront the traitor that is her older brother, and seek justice for the lives lost during Zoraal Ja's raid.

"As for who will lead Tural? I will let you all decide upon finding justice for my father. For now, the second Promise Koana will arrange the logistics of the city and continent," she informed the people.

That settled the unease in many hearts. Koana was known to be good with numbers. His reputation in maths and sciences was unshakable.

Wuk Lamat soon met with Koana, the Warrior of Light, the scions, Bakool Ja Ja, Gurfurlur and Vorporlor in the throne room.

"I will be returning to Urqopacha," Gurfurlur informed Wuk Lamat. "My people are unsettled. They say that the Golden City has formed a bridge with this world and developed a physical presence. Vorporlor, however, has important words for you., now that you stand for Tuliyollal."

Once the leader of Yok Huy left, Vorporlor turned to the young Third Promise of Tuliyollal.

"My words only contain a warning," Vorporlor slowly said in the usual weighted speech of the Yok Huy. "We, too, once were thralls to the Golden City, their heavenly utopian world within dreams, collecting souls for their world. Your older brother has clearly become their willing tool."

"Have you ever wondered why Gurfurlur continues to give me a key position within the Yok Huy, despite our disagreements?" he asked.

Wuk Lamat shook her head. The Chirwagur faction of the Yok Huy was always uncooperative with Tuliyollal, while Gurfurluur most certainly supported Tuliyollal.

"The truth is that we, the Chirwagur, fear all forms of what one might call, utopian visions. The Golden City was one such vision, a place of eternal life where souls and memories would exist for eternity. This world was sent into the dreams of my ancestors, enticing them into conquering the world to sacrifice souls for the 'Golden' City."

"As for Tuliyollal… it, too, is a sort of utopian dream. To have all sorts of diverse people, different from another, to simply live in peace with no large-scale disagreement or conflict ever, walking hand-in-hand for perpetuity…"

"Utopian visions always lead to disaster, one way or another," Vorporlor stated his truth. "That is the belief of my Chirwagur faction. Behind all utopian-like ideas are hidden horrors, horrors always unknown, unseen, and unpredictable to those who believe in them."

Wuk Lamat narrowed her eyes. For Vorporlor to 'poke' at her father's legacy so close to his recent death displeased her.

"This peace will lead to a better world, that I am certain of." Wuk Lamat rejected Vorporlor's premise. She had always loved such peace, and desired it to be the norm.

"Many leaders in history believed their visions of the future to be a better world, as did my ancestors who chose to answer the call of the Golden City," Vorporlor sighed. "What has always been true is that centuries later, the descendents would look back upon their ancestors' beliefs and consider said beliefs to be uncivilized."

"You and your beliefs, too, will one day be seen as uncivilized by those of a future age," Vorporlor sternly met eyes with Wuk Lamat.

"In pushing for this current belief of yours, you will crush any opposing beliefs. And beyond that… your own people will, sooner or later, become dissatisfied with one another, That, too, is inevitable. That is why my Chirwagur faction feels that this utopian dream of yours will at some point, lead to a disaster," Vorporlor sighed.

"And this is your warning?" Wuk Lamat was not enthused by Vorporlor's words, especially under current circumstances.

"Indeed," Vorporlor replied. "Take the Pelupelu, for example. They control most of the trade within your society. Perhaps they may have behaved appropriately so far. Yet all it may take is a few to be seduced by power. With so much trade passing through their hands, their influence is undeniable. If one day, a few decide to abuse their position for their own gain, at the cost of the others…"

The Warrior of Light wanted to reject Vorporlor's words. However, no words came out of the Warrior of Light's lips. After all, Ul'dah itself was very much controlled by the Syndicate, rich bastards behind the scenes.

Nanamo Ul Namo failed to change the political situation despite being beloved by the citizens of Ul'dah. Even if she had been successful, the Warrior of Light was certain that the Syndicate, especially Llorito, would have most politicians in their pockets.

So far, Ul'dah has barely managed to survive a number of political turmoil. Yet, a few bad years for its citizens could very well lead to a reckoning, sooner or later.

This could well become the future of Tuliyollal. All it might take would be a Lolorito to appear from the Pelupelu. So much for this utopian dream of Tuliyollal.

"It is just a warning, my young liege," Vorporlor said. "We, the Chirwagur faction, simply wish to control our own fates, with our own blades in our own hands. I repeat. We believe that any world that sounds overly utopian is fated to lead to hidden evils. That is our ancient wisdom, if you will."

"I am of the belief that you are most suitable to sit upon the throne of Tuliyollal. Consider this as simply my warning to you." With those words said, Vorporlor began to leave, only to be stopped by Bakool Ja Ja.

"I wish to free my father," Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty hollered at Vorporlor.

"We, the Chirwagur faction, hold a grudge against the Golden City for their role in the Yok Huy's past," so Vorporlor replied. "Strike them down and we will consider our grudges settled."

Bakool Ja Ja nodded his two heads. In his mind the Golden City was also responsible for his many siblings' death. This was a deal that was easily agreed to.

Wuk Lamat, though, was rattled by Vorporlor's words. She felt that there might be some truth to his warning, but she was, of course, trapped by her current times, her current vision. Indeed, there is the possibility that the values she currently held might very well become uncivilized in the eyes of a future civilization.

"Settle your heart," Alphinaud was bullish. "We can only do what we believe to be right in our own time and age. That is the course of history."

"We learn from the successes and mistakes of the past, forming new beliefs, systems, in a bid to create a better world."

"Should we fail, then the future generations will create a better future based on our mistakes. So we have learned from the ancients. So we have learned from the Ascians in their seemingly wondrous era."

"Yes," Wuk Lamat's eyes cleared of confusion. "We can only do what we believe to be right in this day and age."

"Sister," Koana said. "It is done." From his pockets, he retrieved the circular soul device, and equipped it to the left temple of Wuk Lamat's head. Although he had yet to fully understand the devices, he had learned enough to operate them, effectively removing the dragon soul and replacing it with Gulool Ja Ja's soul and memories in the circular device.

Wuk Lamat felt a familiar feeling from the circular device now. The presence of her father. Her father built Tuliyollal, yet failed to resolve the obsession with blessed siblings in Mamook. She was determined to confront the so-called Golden City behind the curse and complete Gulool Ja Ja's legacy. Her father would stand alongside her in soul to see its ending, for good or ill.

She reflexively activated the device, and felt the strength of her father coursing through her body as her mind and vision sharpened.

"Ah… daughter…" The voice of Gulool Ja Ja spoke with Wuk Lamat's soul. "My memory will soon fade, in order to prevent your own mind and memory from being twisted into madness by mine. But… before that final day… Take me to the Golden City. And let me share one last dance against their living memory!"