Gulool Ja Ja's Legacy: A FFXIV DT Rewrite + Expansion Concepts [Fanfiction]

Ch10: Clues

They were very nearly noticed by the suspicious Gulool Ja a number of times, but eventually followed the young Mamool ja into a building.

To their astonishment, they found Gulool Ja conversing with a robotic entity of a rather unique appearance within the ruined building!

A confrontation very nearly ensued, but Gulool Ja surprisingly requested the entity known as Otis to stand down.

Gulool Ja was incredibly mature for this age, and came to understand Wuk Lamat's position. At the same time, he was clearly struggling with the reality of Zoraal Ja's heinous actions-- someone who he believes to be his father.

Wuk Lamat glanced at the Warrior of Light-- she was clearly considering whether it was a good idea to inform Gulool Ja that he might actually be a twin soul that had been removed from Zoraal Ja's body from long ago.

The Warrior of Light felt conflicted but eventually nodded-- it was far better to inform Gulool Ja of the truth, lest this information be used against them by The Preservation in the future. Gulool Ja could be turned or even used against them if they failed to inform the vulnerable child of the truth. Avoiding the truth would only breed future distrust.

"I..." Gulool Ja struggled with the new information of his origins. "So... he's actually my brother, and not my father? But if my soul has been dormant, captured and trapped somewhere... I..."

"Worry not!" The unique-looking robotic entity posed. "I, Otis Velona, Knight of Alexandria, Protector of Queen Sphene, will stand by your side and confront all villains til my end!"

Gulool Ja bowed his head in what the Warrior of Light perceived to be relief. The young child must have been relying on this being known as Otis for comfort.

Otis' words naturally shocked the party. Soon, he elaborated on his identity in further detail.

"How unexpected," Krile wondered. "If you desire-- and your duty is to protect Queen Sphene, should you not be our enemy?"

"When hearing you speak of the circumstances surrounding Gulool Ja, for a short window, I recalled my final moments deep in the recesses of my mind," Otis explained. "I recalled my very memories being preserved in this piece of metal as a conclusive experimental procedure. I was to serve as proof of The Preservation's ability to ensure the immortality of Alexandria's people."

"The Queen Sphene you mentioned... she and her memories are clearly being meddled with. I have spent many years protecting Queen Sphene, and I know her to be a virtuous and kind soul, one that would not tolerate Zoraal Ja's actions."

"I apologize, Gulool Ja," he expressed to his young charge. "I, too, cannot stand aside after learning of Zoraal Ja's past."

"I... I understand." The very reason Gulool Ja had learned to wander Heritage Found while avoiding all danger was Otis' teachings and protection. He carried a deep trust in this odd robotic entity.

With the new members added to the party, Otis came to know of Krile's endeavors, and provided assistance.

"I have a degree of control over the robotic entities. I am not entirely certain as to why, but many of these robotic beings respond to my orders... it's as if they still recognize me as a captain of Alexandria's knights..." Otis explained. "I wonder..."

A possibility came to the Warrior of Light's mind. Perhaps some of these robotic entities might carry imperfect minds from flawed experimentation of the supposed shadowy organization known as The Preservation. The Warrior of Light opted to not express these suspicions to Otis.

Following Krile's mammet sensing device while under Otis' protection, they soon came upon a defunct Sharlyan mammet hidden under a pile of scraps.

"G'raha?" Krile asked.