Chapter 19: Hao Arrives
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"Regroup," Maru heard someone screaming as she leapt into the street,
slicing at the troops from Figaro.  At the far end of town she saw a
lieutenant on a Chocobo gathering his troops.  She looked around, only to
see that only seven of her fighters were left; a couple were badly
wounded.

"Not much of an army," she thought to herself.  The once proud general
was realizing defeat was upon her.

"We should retreat," one of the men beside her said.  "Join the others on
the way to Albrook."

"We'd never make it," Maru said.  "Our job was to weaken them and slow
them down.  It isn't done yet.  And besides, I never retreat.  Although,
now doesn't look so bad of a time to do so."

"Never say die, huh, Maru?" Hao said as he faded into view beside her.  "I
see you really are in trouble."

"Hao!  What the...?  Where'd you come from?" Maru asked.  "And where the
hell did you get that sword?"

"Long story," Hao said.  "I'll explain later."

"That's the Tzen Sword of Justice!" the man beside Maru exclaimed.
"Where did you get that, boy?"

"Circe took me to the Orbs," Hao answered.

"The orbs?" Maru asked.  "Nevermind, looks like they've decided to try it
again."

"What have they got?" Hao asked as he looked at the strange devices the
soldiers in the lead were carrying.

"Those are Bio-Blasters," the man replied.  "They spray out a
highly-poisonous toxin."

"Wish me luck then," Hao said as he leapt towards the incoming troops.
Just as he was sailing over the first line the raised their weapons to
fire, but he was already past them.  As he was coming down he cleaved the
head off of a Chocobo.  Swinging left and right he wounded soldiers and
Chocobos alike as he headed back towards the front lines.

Meanwhile, the last two of the archers in Maru's little group began
firing into the soldiers.  Suddenly chocobos were racing around the
flanks of the advancing force and heading straight for them.

"Hang on," Maru said as she grabbed her gate device.  Instantly her and
the rest of her troops were beside Hao, in the midst of the enemy.  Blood
was everywhere.

Quickly Hao raised his shield as one of the Black Chocobo's swooped down
on him.  The force of the blow still knocked him backwards onto the
ground.  As he was scrambling to his feet, Maru attacked the Chocobo's
rider, knocking him off of his steed.

"Gotta take out the chocobos," Hao thought as he watched one of them tear
one of the five remaining townsmen to shreds.

"Tornado, Hao," a voice seemed to whisper.  "Tornado."  It was the Orb of
Wisdom, telling him his enemies' weakness.

"Tornado?" Hao whispered as he fought off two enemy troops.  The wind
around him seemed to pick up for an instant.  "Tornado!" Hao screamed.
And all around him, the world prompty went to Hell.