A Final Fantasy

Chapter 3: The Rogue Tomato

The duo stepped out onto the streets of Loftcidia once again with a new goal set: to lure out the Rogue tomato at twilight. The buildings around them began to grow dark as the sun was setting at a reasonable pace.

Roxanne looked at Reno, "What do you think the sky pirate was talking about when he mentioned 'sweet nectar'?"

Reno looked puzzled yet replied, "Dunno. There are lots of things that could be sweet."

Roxanne nodded. "We need to figure it out soon. The sun is beginning to set."

Reno glanced around, taking in the faded light and the bustling activity of the city. Many locals started to disappear from around the fountain. The Cloudsword still seemed boisterous as ever.

"We have to be quick," he suggested. "I still don't know why the sky pirate did not tell us what the sweet nectar is in the first place."

As Reno and Roxanne ventured deeper into the Canopy, the air grew cooler, carrying with it the earthly scent of an urban forest. The trees above filtered the last rays of the sun into a soft, dappled light that danced across the cobbled roads. Lanterns hung from the branches, casting a warm glow that illuminated the environment.

The houses around the forest were smaller but no less charming, with wooden facades and flowering vines. Colorful flowers spilled from window boxes and pits, adding bursts of color to the greenery that filled every available space. Small bridges arched over narrow streams that meandered through the neighborhood, their gentle babbling adding to the peaceful ambiance.

Despite the cozy atmosphere, there was an underlying sense of mystery and enchantment in the Canopy. The rustling of leaves and the occasional glimpse of a fluttering wing or darting shadow gave the impression that the trees themselves were alive, watching over the inhabitants of lower Loftcidia from above.

Reno and Roxanne marveled at the beauty of their surroundings as they continued their search. As they approached yet another edge of the city, they came upon a sight that took their breath away. A floating island hovered at the very edge of the city, connected to the mainland by a long wooden bridge. The island seemed to defy gravity, its lush greenery spilling over the edges and cascading down like a waterfall.

On the island stood a grand hall of stone with towering columns and an intricately carved stone angel off to one side, almost as if it guarded the entrance. Two large wooden doors highlighted the entrance. The air smelled sweeter than usual.

Reno and Roxanne started to make their way across the bridge. No Loftcidian locals were on the island or around it. Reno could make out the only other resident was the angel statue. As they got closer, Reno noticed it held a stone bowl filled with a clear liquid that reflected the sun's light. The liquid glowed a light blue.

"Luminectar..." Roxanne began. Reno looked at her confused.

"Lumi-what?"

"Luminectar. Angel tears. This must be the sweet nectar the sky pirate was referring to. It ought to." She looked at the angel's natural lifelessness as it gazed down at the bowl with a saddened expression.

Suddenly, a small figure appeared from behind the statue. Its red skin glistened in the dim light. It seemed drawn to the bowl of liquid. It threw its red bulbous head into the bowl and began to drink slowly without a care for its surroundings. Reno and Roxanne watched it carefully.

"There it is!" Roxanne whispered. Reno crouched down still watching it maintain its focus with the bowl. Roxanne did the same. The creature began to consume more Luminectar again and still seemed to pay no attention to Reno and Roxanne slowly approaching it on the bridge.