The desert north of Rabanastre was unforgiving, the air shimmering with heat that pressed down like a smothering blanket. The group trudged across the sand, guided by Montblanc's map and the promise of their first official hunt together. The target: cockatrices—oversized, savage bird-beasts whose screech could shake bones and whose cursed eyes could turn flesh to stone.
Serah shielded her eyes from the sun, her thoughts a swirl of nerves and determination. She wasn't just walking into a battle—she was stepping into her first real test in this new world. Her fingers brushed over the trinket on her wrist, grounding her.
"This is the place," Clive said, crouching low as he scanned the rocky outcroppings ahead. Heat shimmered around him faintly, the power of Ifrit always restless beneath his skin. "Tracks everywhere. They nest close."
Vivi's wide eyes darted over the ground. "Y-yeah… and the scratches on the rocks. Definitely cockatrice talons." His voice shook, but his hands steadied as they gripped his staff.
Luna lifted her gaze toward the sunlit ridges. Her calm voice was a balm against the tension. "Remember—our task is not only to slay, but to return safely. Trust in each other, and we will prevail."
Serah nodded quickly. "Right. Together."
A shriek split the air.
Three cockatrices dove from the ridge, wings spread wide, eyes glowing with unnatural yellow light. Dust exploded in the air as their talons struck the ground, the beasts circling with hissing screeches.
Vivi stumbled back, raising his staff. "H-here they come!"
Clive surged forward, drawing his sword with practiced ease, fire flickering across its edge. "Then let's greet them properly."
But before Serah could ready herself, one cockatrice lunged, wings beating, its gaze locking with hers. She felt a strange stiffness creeping through her limbs—petrification. Panic clawed at her chest.
"Mog!" she cried.
With a burst of light, the moogle spun forward, pom-pom glowing. "Kupo! Let's show them!"
His tiny form twisted midair, reshaping in a swirl of crystalline magic. In Serah's hands, a gleaming bow materialized, humming with energy. The others froze for a heartbeat, shocked.
"What—?" Clive nearly lost his footing as he swung against another cockatrice.
Luna's eyes widened. "He… transformed?"
Vivi's jaw dropped. "That's… impossible magic!"
Serah raised the bow high, her stance sure despite her pounding heart. "Mog isn't just my protector. He's my weapon too. Together, we fight."
The first arrow sang through the air, bursting into shards of ice as it struck the cockatrice, freezing its wing mid-beat. The beast shrieked, crashing into the sand.
Clive roared, charging another with his blade wreathed in fire. His strike cleaved through its feathers, searing flesh. "Impressive! Let's see what else you and that moogle can do!"
Vivi regained his courage, thrusting his staff skyward. "Thundaga!" Lightning cracked down, slamming into the second cockatrice and scattering sparks across the battlefield.
Luna raised her staff, water shimmering around her in a radiant dome. "Barrier!" The ward spread outward just as the third cockatrice's eyes flared, its petrifying gaze dispersing harmlessly against the shimmering wall.
Serah fired again, this time loosing a flame arrow that exploded against the wounded cockatrice, staggering it. "Nice shot, Mog!"
"Kupo! We've only just begun!"
The three beasts regrouped, wings thrashing dust into a storm. Their screeches grew louder—calling. The ground trembled as shadows passed overhead.
Clive cursed under his breath. "They've brought reinforcements."
Five more cockatrices swooped down, surrounding the party. Their talons gouged the sand as they landed, snapping their beaks in unison.
Vivi's voice wavered. "T-too many…"
Serah drew Mog close, her bow glowing brighter. "Then we fight harder."
The battle raged.
Clive held the front line, his sword arcs bursting with fire as he intercepted two cockatrices at once. Their talons scraped across his blade, sparks flying, but he pushed back with sheer strength.
Luna's calm never faltered. She raised her staff again, summoning a surge of water that blasted one cockatrice off its feet. Then she wove healing light around Clive, mending the scratches across his arms.
Vivi, trembling but resolute, pointed his staff at the cluster of beasts. "Firaga!" Flames erupted, engulfing two cockatrices in a burst of searing fire. Their screeches filled the desert, wings flailing.
Serah darted between them, Mog shifting in her hands. Bow—sword—bow. Each strike fluid, arrows exploding with elemental bursts, her blade catching another's wing and driving it back. She moved not just with skill, but with Mog's cheerful cries urging her on.
"Kupo! Left side, Serah!"
She spun, loosing an arrow of lightning that struck true, stunning another beast mid-lunge. "Thanks, Mog!"
But the cockatrices were relentless. One dove from behind, its beak snapping toward her neck. Serah froze—
Clive's sword intercepted, sparks flying. "Focus!" he barked, shoving it back.
Luna's voice rang out again. "Stay close, Serah! You are not alone in this fight."
Her heart steadied. She wasn't alone.
Together, they pressed forward.
The barrier flickered under the pressure of another petrifying gaze, but Vivi blasted it aside with a well-timed Blizzaga, shards of ice scattering across the sand.
Clive roared, channeling Ifrit's fire into his blade, striking down the largest of the beasts in a blaze of molten steel. The ground shook with its fall.
Serah drew one last arrow of pure light, Mog glowing brighter than ever. "Let's finish this!"
The arrow flew, splitting into three streaks midair, striking the remaining cockatrices in unison. Their screeches cut off as they collapsed, wings twitching before finally going still.
The battlefield fell silent.
Clive lowered his blade, sweat dripping down his brow. He looked at Serah with something between awe and respect. "That bow of yours… and that moogle. You've proven yourself today."
Vivi scampered forward, eyes wide with admiration. "That was amazing, Serah! I didn't know moogles could even do that!"
Mog puffed his little chest, pom-pom bouncing proudly. "Kupo! I'm one of a kind!"
Luna smiled, serene even after battle. "You carry more than strength, Serah. You carry hope."
Serah lowered Mog, her hands trembling slightly. But her smile was real. "We did it. Together."
The desert wind carried the scent of victory back toward Rabanastre. The cockatrice hunt was complete—but more importantly, Serah had taken her first step, not as Lightning's sister or Etro's pawn, but as her own warrior.
And Mog floated beside her, voice bright and proud. "Kupo! That's my partner!"